Thanks, Shertex. As for the trans fluid, p.o. was quite good about maintenance, too, and said that it had been changed by his indy recently. Since it was nice & red with no odd smell right up until the reverse failure, I had no reason to think otherwise. I did, however, buy a filter and gasket for eventual replacement anyway, so those are sitting in the garage.

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1992 300D 2.5T
1980 Euro 300D (sadly, sold)
1998 Jetta TDI, 132K "Rudy"
1974 Triumph TR6
1999 Saab 9-5 wagon (wife's)