Quirky Cars Sold in the US '70 - Present

[Sean Malone]

I saw an immaculate '90/'91 Buick Reatta in the grocery parking lot last week (my wife pulled me away from it after I walked around it twice) and it got me thinking about other quircky, odd ball, lone wolf sort of vehicles that I've known. So here are a few that pop into my head. What cars make your list? Let's keep it from '70 to present, foreign and domestic but had to be sold in the States. And it doesn't have to be the whole car itself but maybe a wacky gadget, like the hand air pump for the lumbar adjustment that I had in my '90 Daytona Shelby. Maybe a diesel Caddy or a Yamaha engine in a Ford or a Dodge Dart with a Demon nameplate...

Here's my list... (text from wikipedia entries)

In 1991, Chrysler introduced the Spirit R/T, the centerpiece of which was a version of the 2.2 L engine with a 16-valve DOHC head designed by Lotus, who won a design competition against Maserati and Hans Hermann. Fed by a Garrett intercooled turbocharger, this Turbo III engine produced 224 hp (167 kW) and 217 lb•ft (294 N•m). The R/T also featured unique interior and exterior trim to set itself apart from other Spirits. The only available transmission in the R/T was a heavy-duty A568 5-speed manual transmission built by Chrysler's New Process Gear division (located in Syracuse, New York) with a gearset supplied by Getrag. Heavy-duty vented four wheel disc brakes were standard equipment, with optional anti-lock brakes. Color-keyed 15-inch alloy wheels were standard, with P205/60R15 tires.
At the time, the R/T was advertised as "the fastest sedan made in America", and one of the quickest performance sedans under $40,000, with Chrysler placing its performance above the BMW M5. It could reach 60 mph (97 km/h) in 5.8 seconds, according to Car and Driver, making it one of the quickest front wheel drive cars ever offered in the American market. It was chosen as Motor Trend magazine's "Domestic Sport Sedan of the Year", beating the Ford Taurus SHO for 1991 and 1992. All R/Ts were built in Mexico. Just 1,208 were sold in America in 1991 — 774 in red and 434 in white. An additional 191 were sold in America in 1992 — 92 red, 68 white, and 31 silver. The only discernible changes for 1992 were a lower first gear ratio for reduced turbo lag, woodgrain dashboard trim as used on the Chrysler LeBaron sedan, blacked out upper and lower grille inserts, clear rather than amber lenses for the front parking and turn signal lights, and a speedometer calibrated to 150 mph (240 km/h) rather than 120 mph (190 km/h).

AMC Eagle - As the first mass-produced American passenger car with 4-wheel-drive of any type (much less with a system as advanced as the Eagle's was), automotive industry analysts were taken by surprise at the fact that AMC, a company most had deemed past its ability to produce competitive vehicles, turned the best of what they had into a revolutionary, novel, and all-around competent vehicle.[4] In doing so, the small American manufacturer was seen as having cleverly pioneered a new market segment - one that would grow wildly over the next 25 years and beyond, as evinced by Four Wheeler magazine's conclusion in 1980 that the new AMC Eagle was, indeed, "The beginning of a new generation of cars."

The 1989 TC used a slightly detuned Daytona-spec turbocharged 2.2 L Chrysler K engine I4. This intercooled version, known as the Turbo II, was coupled to an A413 three-speed automatic transaxle. The Turbo II was replaced by a Mitsubishi-sourced 3.0 L V6 engine for the 1990 and 1991 model years, with the automatic transaxle being upgraded to a four-speed A604 unit. 500 cars were built with an alternate drivetrain consisting of a Getrag manual transmission and a 16-valve Cosworth head version of the 2.2 L. This engine is often called the "Maserati" engine as it has Maserati on the valve cover.
The 2.2 "Maserati" engine was truly international: the cylinder head was cast in England by Cosworth and finished in Italy by Maserati. The pistons came from Mahle GmbH in Germany, and a Japanese turbocharger was sourced from IHI. The camshafts were designed by Florida-based Crane Cams but were constructed by Maserati in Modena. The rest of the engine was made in the United States and was similar to the Turbo II. The normal Turbo II was used on automatic transmission-equipped cars.
The TC's platform was based on a shortened Dodge Daytona chassis with suspension and axles from the original model. The struts and shock absorbers were specially designed for the car by Fichtel and Sachs, and the ABS system was also a unique product from Teves. The special wheels were made in Italy by the Formula One supplier, Fondmetal.


The '1986 Shelby GLH-S' was a modified Dodge Omni GLH, with all changes made at the Shelby factory. They were retitled as Shelby Automobiles cars sold at select Dodge dealerships. GLH stood for "Goes Like Hell" and GLHS stood for Goes Like Hell Som'more (Seriously!). Just 500 were made.
All cars came from Dodge painted single stage black (no clear coat). Dash plaques used a 3-digit serial numbering system (as only 500 were made).


Buick Reatta ’88 – ‘91
Every Reatta included a leather book containing the owner's manual, a flashlight, tire gauge, among other items. Each unit came with a "Craftman Log" with the signatures of the supervisors for the assembly of the car's various systems; these slightly unusual items were an attempt to sell the mass-produced car as one built with individual care.
During the first two years of production, the Reatta, like its Riviera stablemate, featured as standard equipment a touchscreen computer interface called the "Electronic Control Center", or ECC. The touchscreen controlled the radio and climate control functions and provided diagnostic access to the vehicle's various electronic systems and sensors, mostly eliminating the need for a diagnostic scanner. It also featured a date reminder, a trip computer, and a user-configurable overspeed alarm. This elaborate level of electronic equipment was off-putting for the more traditional "mature" buyers the Buick division was courting. Later model Reattas were equipped with simpler electronic push button radio and climate controls.

[SteveH]

http://www.automotto.org/images/amc_gremlin.jpg

http://www.automotto.org/images/amc_pacer.jpg

[WickerBill]

In 1983, the Ford LTD based on the Fox platform was sold with an option to run on propane. I think, but am not sure, the motor would run on regular unleaded or propane, but am not sure.

All I know is *my* 1983 LTD had it's horn on the steering column stalk instead of on the wheel. I hit it with my knee when leaning over to kiss a girl goodnight in her parents' driveway. End of date.

[Sean Malone]

The Mustang SVO with it's 175hp turbo I4 was looked down on from Mustang aficionados but I always thought is it was kinda cool with it's offset intake.

[Don Quixote]

http://www.automotto.org/images/amc_gremlin.jpg

I had the "pleasure" of driving my cousin's Gremlin, baby blue with black stripes. I remember that the clutch spring on that thing must have come off a duece and a quarter army truck. During red lights you could hardly hold the clutch in without getting leg spasms.

One of my favortie quirky cars on the road was the delorean, but sadly I never did drive one. There is one in our neighborhood that is being driven every now and then.

http://images3-us2.ixquick.com/cgi-bin/sf?f=6dcfa5eed3d3c9f056f8c71641112953.jpg&anticache=353638

[SteveH]

Chock full of quirk

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/dic/pix/porsche914.jpg

[SteveH]

Chock full of ugly

http://www.carlustblog.com/images/2008/10/06/oldsmobile_cutlass_salon_rear.jpg

[Elmo T]

Chock full of ugly


Also -

http://i48.tinypic.com/14vkbow.jpg

[Sean Malone]

How about the 1986 Monte Carlo SS Aerocoupe. Chevy produced 200 of them to appease the NASCAR 'production' mandate. The rear window was more aerodynamic than the standard version.

[SteveH]

and speaking of rear windows...

http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/attachments/racers-lounge/181732d1243381360-nissan-cube-1971-1978-oldsmobile-toronado-5.jpg

[Napoleon]

I hit it with my knee when leaning over to kiss a girl goodnight in her parents' driveway.

Are you sure it was your knee?

[Don Quixote]

Are you sure it was your knee?

:rimshot:

[Don Quixote]

1972 Buick Riv

http://www.vintagecarconnection.com/Copy%20of%2073%20Riviera.jpg

[Don Quixote]

How about the 1986 Monte Carlo SS Aerocoupe. Chevy produced 200 of them to appease the NASCAR 'production' mandate. The rear window was more aerodynamic than the standard version.
I bet that is an expensive piece of replacement glass.

[datachicane]

Merkur XR4Ti and Scorpio, Opel GT, Jensen Interceptor and FF, Mustang SVO, 1st gen SHO, Omni GLH, SHOgun, Porsche 914-6 (not certain if quirky is the word for that one), Westfield 11 :D, Subaru SVX, Mazda RX-3, Eunos Cosmo (well, that's a bit of a ringer), Volvo 1800ES.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/53/143539621_4d0acd329c.jpg

325 hp, 425 lb/ft, AWD and ABS in the 1966-71 Jensen FF

[oddlycalm]

1972 Buick Riv
Yeah, bit of a departure from the 1966 Bill Mitchell classic, but you can still tells it's a Riv.

Interesting that Henry Ford collected of Bill Mitchell's design and they are on display in the Ford museum. That kind of admiration from a competitor isn't often seen.

oc

[opinionated ow]

Chock full of ugly

http://www.carlustblog.com/images/2008/10/06/oldsmobile_cutlass_salon_rear.jpg

But much worse
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/2002-05_Pontiac_Aztek.jpg/800px-2002-05_Pontiac_Aztek.jpg

[dando]

Merkur XR4Ti and Scorpio

A bunch of :gomer:s bought those as I recall...

:g, d & r:

:D

-Kevin

[Winston Wolfe]

[QUOTE=Sean Malone;268239]

Here's my list... (text from wikipedia entries)
The '1986 Shelby GLH-S' was a modified Dodge Omni GLH, with all changes made at the Shelby factory. They were retitled as Shelby Automobiles cars sold at select Dodge dealerships. GLH stood for "Goes Like Hell" and GLHS stood for Goes Like Hell Som'more (Seriously!). Just 500 were made.
All cars came from Dodge painted single stage black (no clear coat). Dash plaques used a 3-digit serial numbering system (as only 500 were made).
QUOTE]

I had a 1985 GLH "normal" version. Black, with maroon interior. Fast little mother and handled really well, once you figgered out the torque steer coming out of corners. My car prior to this was shared with my older brother, a highly modified '76 BMW 2002. But my brother wrecked it, but this GLH was all mine, and I drove the tires off it (literally) in just 11,000 miles, much to my Dad's distaste. Those Goodyear Eagle GTs were around $200 per corner, very expensive for a sophmore in college, so I had to do some "creative financing" to pay for them. 2nd set didnt go as fast as the first, but I ended up driving it cross country with my Bro' who just graduated college and got his first job in SoCal, so we trekked from Maine to SoCal in 6 days. That car was pretty much bullet proof to an 18-22 year old male who thought he was invincible. I ended up trading it in for my first brand new car I bought and paid for, a '91 Acura Integra. That GLH did, in fact, Go Like Hell, and didnt turn alot of heads, or get the street cred of the VW Gti's of the day, but it would sure keep up with 'em !!!:thumbup:

[Indy]

1972 Buick Riv

http://www.vintagecarconnection.com/Copy%20of%2073%20Riviera.jpg

My uncle had one of those. I thought that was the coolest car in the world.

[Sean Malone]

The Cadillac Allante.

The body of the Allanté was designed and built in Italy by Pininfarina (of Ferrari fame)[1]. The completed bodies were shipped 3,300 miles from Italy in specially-equipped Boeing 747s, 56 at a time[1], to Cadillac's assembly plant in Hamtramck, Michigan. The bodies were then mated to the chassis[1]. This led to a few interesting nicknames, such as "The Flying Italian Cadillac" and "The world's longest assembly line."

And of course the Plymouth Prowler...

The car prominently featured aluminum in its construction, chiefly in the chassis. In many cases, the components were adhesively bonded. The body was produced in Shadyside, Ohio, and the car was assembled by hand at the Conner Avenue Assembly Plant (CAAP) in Detroit, Michigan.

[extramundane]

1986 Mazda 323 GTX- AWD & Turbocharged version of an otherwise forgettable lump, kinda set the tone for some of the hot hatches to follow.

[G.]

http://www.carlustblog.com/images/2008/09/24/the_thing.jpg

[datachicane]

1972 Buick Riv

http://www.vintagecarconnection.com/Copy%20of%2073%20Riviera.jpg
My uncle had one of those. I thought that was the coolest car in the world.

A family friend in Chicago who was a retired 3rd generation Buick employee (all engineers) kept a black on black '72 Riv in his garage with 18 miles on it. A couple of times a year he'd fire it up, run it up and down the driveway a few times, and let it idle through half a tank of gas. He told me around '84 that he knew damn well that it would never be worth anything, but he loved it so much he just didn't care. He passed away a couple of years ago, never did hear what happened to the Riv...

[opinionated ow]

And of course the Plymouth Prowler...

The car prominently featured aluminum in its construction, chiefly in the chassis. In many cases, the components were adhesively bonded. The body was produced in Shadyside, Ohio, and the car was assembled by hand at the Conner Avenue Assembly Plant (CAAP) in Detroit, Michigan.
That was the first American car that I ever looked at and though, "wow! cool!" I don't know why, I think purely because it is so ridiculous.


The Ford GT is the only other one...

[nrc]

A bunch of :gomer:s bought those as I recall...

:g, d & r:

:D

-Kevin

You mean like the gomers who bought this one?.. <hand on lever>

http://www.offcamber.net/forums/picture.php?albumid=13&pictureid=105

[oddlycalm]

The body of the Allanté was designed and built in Italy by Pininfarina (of Ferrari fame)[1]. The completed bodies were shipped 3,300 miles from Italy in specially-equipped Boeing 747s, 56 at a time[1], to Cadillac's assembly plant in Hamtramck, Michigan. The bodies were then mated to the chassis[1]. This led to a few interesting nicknames...
Drove a couple Allantés while in Phoenix and both were crude rattletraps, Pininfarina or no. The car looked great on paper, and unlike the Reatta it had a real drive train, but the execution was ridiculous for a car that listed for more than $60K. Car& Driver had given it a big thumbs up and I wondered if they had actually driven one. :irked: If GM had built a car with the Allante's specs and the Reatta's build quality they would have had something, but they didn't. Ford also discovered that the market for oversized and overhyped two seaters was really limited when they brought back the T-bird.

Meanwhile BMW was selling out of 3 series convertibles every year. A decade of low inflation later the E46 M3 convertible still listed for less than the Allanté did and had a waiting list.

oc

[Sean Malone]

This topic also reminds me of my dads commuter car he bought new in '83, a VW Rabbit diesel. It had 'glow plugs'. The starting process wasn't that far off from starting a Cessna 172. Insert key and turn one click to warm glow plugs. Wait 2 minutes (in the winter, about 45 seconds in the summer) until yellow glow plug indicator light extinguished...then pull manual choke lever and turn key to start. Once started push in choke. Extra points if you coated an unfortunate passer by in black soot. :) In the winter it typically took 3 or 4 times, starting back at step 1.

[Sean Malone]

That was the first American car that I ever looked at and though, "wow! cool!" I don't know why, I think purely because it is so ridiculous.


The Ford GT is the only other one...

I see them from time to time. They sold to exactly who Chrysler knew would buy them; older guys who always wanted a 'hot rod' but didn't have the time to invest in building one. Instant Friday night at the local car show kinda car. I always see one or two at the local show in town.

Bob Lutz did a fantastic job of getting concepts from paper to showroom with Chrysler in the '90's. Viper, Prowler, PT Cruiser. I've been watching his work at GM and hoping for the same kind of excitement.

[Napoleon]

I've been watching his work at GM and hoping for the same kind of excitement.

I don't know if he had anything to do with the retro Camero but that has been a hugely popular seller for GM. They were selling more of those when they came out (and I understand sales are still brisk) then something like all of the sales of Cadillac, Buick and Pontiac combined.

[dando]

You mean like the gomers who bought this one?.. <hand on lever>

:D

I loved those Merks when I was in high school. They stopped making them by the time I could afford a new car, and used ones were impossible to find (pre-Interweb, of course). :(

-Kevin

[dando]

This topic also reminds me of my dads commuter car he bought new in '83, a VW Rabbit diesel. It had 'glow plugs'. The starting process wasn't that far off from starting a Cessna 172. Insert key and turn one click to warm glow plugs. Wait 2 minutes (in the winter, about 45 seconds in the summer) until yellow glow plug indicator light extinguished...then pull manual choke lever and turn key to start. Once started push in choke. Extra points if you coated an unfortunate passer by in black soot. :) In the winter it typically took 3 or 4 times, starting back at step 1.

The in laws had a Merc like that, which I got to drive a few times. What a PITA. :saywhat: On a side note, years ago our SAs @ work created a process called glow plug to 'warm' the servers up for restarts. IIRC, we were using RESN @ the time, which was problematic on restarts. :irked:

-Kevin

[Anteater]

I christened this 1980 Cadillac Seville "The Humpbacked Whale" when I first saw it:
http://www.pevomuc.de/100-Cadillac/PECAAR.08/1985-A/Cadillac1985SevilleElegance1.jpg

[pineapple]

1972 Buick Riv

http://www.vintagecarconnection.com/Copy%20of%2073%20Riviera.jpg


I christened this 1980 Cadillac Seville "The Humpbacked Whale" when I first saw it:
http://www.pevomuc.de/100-Cadillac/PECAAR.08/1985-A/Cadillac1985SevilleElegance1.jpg

These two look similar in some way.

I always wanted the Riv, but birthdate and bank account always conspired against me. :(

[Gnam]

Neighbors down the street had a 1980s Cadillac, might have been a Seville. It had some lettering on the trunk lid arrayed in a semi circle like numbers on a clock. It probably spelled out 'Cadillac,' but as a kid I always wondered if it was missing an hour and minute hand. :D

And to stay on topic: "trucks"

http://img52.imageshack.us/img52/9900/subarubratad.jpg

http://img130.imageshack.us/img130/9440/volkswagen100177921m.jpg
http://img130.imageshack.us/img130/4513/volkwsagenbus18.jpg

[opinionated ow]

http://img52.imageshack.us/img52/9900/subarubratad.jpg


The Brumby! What a fantastic little ute.

[cameraman]

The Brumby! What a fantastic little ute.
Guess you don't get a whole lot of snow where you are. The Brats were great but the road salt around here pretty much dissolved them in short order.

[nrc]

Saab Sonett

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/18/Sonett3.jpg

[Don Quixote]

^^^^ I have never seen one of those on the road. Not once! I wonder how many they sold in the US?

[datachicane]

Saab Sonnet III, saw a number of them around town (along with the slightly more numerous then but equally invisible now Opel GT). There's a guy here in the NW who vintage races one periodically, which is a bit of a technical challenge given the size of the, ahem, 'engine access cover'. The earlier Sonnet II even sported a 2-stroke.

There was a day when any Saab automatically qualified as quirky.

[Sean Malone]

Saab Sonett

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/18/Sonett3.jpg

Wow! Good one!!! It reminds me of the old Opel that sat rotting in a neighbors driveway when I was a kid.

[Sean Malone]

The Brat is a good one... I remember those! They had 'racing seats' in the bed facing backward with four point harnesses (or so it looked like).

The VW Caddy was a funny little car/truck too.

[SteveH]

http://photocarsonline.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/ford-pinto/1-ford-pinto.jpg

crap its doesn't link - you have to copy the URL and paste into your browder
http://photocarsonline.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/ford-pinto/1-ford-pinto.jpg

[mapguy]

I don't know if he had anything to do with the retro Camero but that has been a hugely popular seller for GM. They were selling more of those when they came out (and I understand sales are still brisk) then something like all of the sales of Cadillac, Buick and Pontiac combined.

The Camaro's are made about a 2 minute drive south of where I work in Oshawa. Whenever I leave for lunch or for home I pass by a train of at least a half dozen heading to the company that does the striping on it. Makes me jealous when I try to make a left in my Focus on my way home.

I would like to submit a Merc that is available up here.

http://autoworld.files.wordpress.com/2008/03/mercedes_b_class_facelift.jpg

From what I hear it is a POS.

[mapguy]

http://photocarsonline.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/ford-pinto/1-ford-pinto.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/ba/Red_x.svg/600px-Red_x.svg.png

[miatanut]

^^^^ I have never seen one of those on the road. Not once! I wonder how many they sold in the US?

Probably more of a coastal thing. I've seen many. Orange seemed to be the most popular color. In a similar vein, I haven't seen this one pop up yet:
http://www.motorbase.com/pictures/contributions/20000828/20000315/std_1970_Opel_GT_1900.jpg

Edit:
OOPS!

Wow! Good one!!! It reminds me of the old Opel that sat rotting in a neighbors driveway when I was a kid.

[nrc]

Probably more of a coastal thing. I've seen many. Orange seemed to be the most popular color. In a similar vein, I haven't seen this one pop up yet::
OOPS!

We had a couple of Saab Sonetts and a few Opel GTs in our small town. I always liked the Opel GTs and Mantas.

[nrc]

crap its doesn't link - you have to copy the URL and paste into your browder
http://photocarsonline.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/ford-pinto/1-ford-pinto.jpg

You left out the best Pinto option of all, the Cruising Wagon.

http://www.lovefords.org/78/pintobobcat/New_Folder/1978_ford_pinto_cruisesilver_001.jpg
http://www.lovefords.org/78/pintobobcat/pwagon.htm

[Don Quixote]

^ :laugh: :laugh:
Bubble window-check, multi colored stripes-check, beach-check, surfboard-check, guitar-check.

[Sean Malone]

That Pinto reminded me of the Chevy Cosworth Vega. I remember seeing a one around town when I was a kid.

'The Cosworth Vega engine is a 122 cubic inch (2.0 liter) inline-4 and features a die cast aluminum cylinder and case assembly and an aluminum, 16 valve cylinder head with double overhead camshafts (DOHC). The head design was assisted by Cosworth Engineering in England. The camshafts are held in a removable cam-carrier which also serves as a guide for the valve lifters. Each camshaft is supported by five bearings and is turned by individual cam gears on the front end.'

[SteveH]

You left out the best Pinto option of all, the Cruising Wagon.

http://www.lovefords.org/78/pintobobcat/New_Folder/1978_ford_pinto_cruisesilver_001.jpg
http://www.lovefords.org/78/pintobobcat/pwagon.htm

Team car?

http://www.davidstagg.com/wp-content/uploads/10-houston-astros.jpg

[Napoleon]

That Pinto reminded me of the Chevy Cosworth Vega.

Those things were made near where I grew up, so I saw them all the time.

As for the Opel GT (which I recall hearing someone call a poor man's Corvette when I was young) I use to see them around fairly often, all things considered.

[SteveH]

As for the Opel GT (which I recall hearing someone call a poor man's Corvette when I was young)

I can recall that being said also, never could figure that one out then, nor now.

[extramundane]

I can recall that being said also, never could figure that one out then, nor now.

The styling was a vague riff on the C3 Vette.

[SteveH]

1973 Pontiac Grand Am - the 'nose' was some kind of rubber, soft and flexible

http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/1973-1975-pontiac-grand-am-1.jpg

[Sean Malone]

I'm going to throw a somewhat popular car feature from the 70's and 80's into this list...the ever cumbersome and leaky...T-Tops. i had 2 cars that had them. T-top, oh t-top. :D

[datachicane]

The styling was a vague riff on the C3 Vette.

Actually, IIRC the Opel was designed first.
The GT had all kinds of potential, but GM went out of their way to make certain that none of the good stuff made it into production (for these shores, anyway).

[Andrew Longman]

http://images.drive.com.au/drive_images/Editorial/2008/04/14/14svx_m_m.jpg

http://cadillac-parts.uneedapart.com/images/cadillac-cimarron-parts.jpg

http://ned.ronet.ru/0/1971%20Plymouth%20Cricket.jpg

http://i.pbase.com/o4/95/185295/1/56535038.AnfMazda808.jpg

I actually owned the last two

[dando]

I'm going to throw a somewhat popular car feature from the 70's and 80's into this list...the ever cumbersome and leaky...T-Tops. i had 2 cars that had them. T-top, oh t-top. :D

My 300ZX circa 1986 had T-tops...never leaked, tho. I did feel a bit uncomfortable when I got her up to 135mph once on a stretch of I-70 west of Cbus. :D :eek: I was dancing around like Doc Brown after doing that. 88mph! 88mph! :D

-Kevin

[nrc]

I actually owned the last two

Oh Andrew... A Cimarron? :( :confused:

[datachicane]

Oh Andrew... A Cimarron? :( :confused:

:rofl::rofl:

[extramundane]

Actually, IIRC the Opel was designed first.


They both really pulled from the earlier Pontiac Banshee and Mako Shark II concepts.

[Andrew Longman]

Oh Andrew... A Cimarron? :( :confused:

No, the Plymouth Cricket and Mazda 808

I'd never touch a GM machine, and now a Chrysler product either. :p

[oddlycalm]

Seeing these cars triggers a lot of memories. My folk's neighbor in retirement started up his roarty Cosworth Vega and noisily high-idled it for 10 minutes before pulling away every day for his run to the post office and store. That went on for 25+ years and my dad cussed him out every single day of it. :laugh: It was the guy'a pride and joy though and it took his passing for it to be silenced.

The chief stylist on the original Grand Am organized the first hot air balloon club in the Detroit area, the Balloon Platoon. The stitch picking parties to convert old parachutes into balloon bags were epic. Flying was mostly done off frozen lakes in the winter which required much antifreeze be consumed by the observers. Like many other creative types GM pushed him out, in his case right after following the Grad Am gen 2 redesign.

The Opel GT had a manual flip up headlight mechanism that was simplicity itself and never failed unlike those on many other cars. :thumbup: It also shared the 1.9L cam-in-head four banger with the Rally Kadet as I recall. The Rally was somewhat more homely...

http://www.adclassix.com/images/69buickopelrallye.jpg

[nissan gtp]

You left out the best Pinto option of all, the Cruising Wagon.

http://www.lovefords.org/78/pintobobcat/New_Folder/1978_ford_pinto_cruisesilver_001.jpg
http://www.lovefords.org/78/pintobobcat/pwagon.htm

that's cool :D

[nrc]

No, the Plymouth Cricket and Mazda 808

I'd never touch a GM machine, and now a Chrysler product either. :p

Thank goodness. The Mazda pic didn't show up.

[miatanut]

The Opel GT had a manual flip up headlight mechanism that was simplicity itself and never failed unlike those on many other cars. :thumbup:
I recall them pivoting on pins at the front and rear ends of the whole bucket assembly, which was less likely to jamb than the usual approach.
http://www.bipweb.be/bipnl/annonces/photo/opelgt.jpg

I always liked that car. I remember one sadly coming to an end following a semi-head-on collision on the Aurora Avenue (US 99) ship canal bridge in Seattle around 1989/90.

[Cam]

You left out the best Pinto option of all, the Cruising Wagon.

http://www.lovefords.org/78/pintobobcat/New_Folder/1978_ford_pinto_cruisesilver_001.jpg
http://www.lovefords.org/78/pintobobcat/pwagon.htm

I'll see your Pinto and raise to a...

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/204/507558800_c21309c3f8.jpg

[nrc]

I'll see your Pinto and raise to a...

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/204/507558800_c21309c3f8.jpg

No portholes? That's just not groovy enough.

[opinionated ow]

No portholes? That's just not groovy enough.

It's got a bed in the back... real shaggin' agon

[Don Quixote]

Needs the following bumper sticker: "Don't Laugh, Your Daughter May Be Inside"
:D

[opinionated ow]

Needs the following bumper sticker: "Don't Laugh, Your Daughter May Be Inside"
:D

That was common place before my time! although i saw one that was even better, it said don't knock etc.

[Indy]

You left out the best Pinto option of all, the Cruising Wagon.

http://www.lovefords.org/78/pintobobcat/New_Folder/1978_ford_pinto_cruisesilver_001.jpg
http://www.lovefords.org/78/pintobobcat/pwagon.htm

Oh, Jesus. I need one of those. :rofl:

[SteveH]

:D

http://robjelinek.files.wordpress.com/2009/07/truckster.jpg

[gjc2]

:D

http://robjelinek.files.wordpress.com/2009/07/truckster.jpg


You may hate it now, but wait 'til you drive it!

[oddlycalm]

In the non-sporting category we have the Checker Marathon. Checker appealed to potential customers by claiming their Superba and Marathons would last for 200,000 miles minimum, and nobody doubted that they did. They originally ran Continental engines, not sure how similar to the ones used in Ferguson tractors. There were always a few around town when I was a kid, but then the factory in Kalamazoo wasn't all that far away. Production ceased in 1982. A perfect car for someone who wanted to buy one car that would carry the entire family plus luggage and keep it forever back in the days of cheap fuel.

oc

http://photos2.ebizautos.com/used-1974-checker-marathon-checkerprivateuse-3814-3474421-1-640.jpg

[oddlycalm]

The Honda N600, first Honda car sold in the US.
- $1,395.00 MSRP
- 2 cylinder, air cooled, 600cc engine
- 45 horsepower
- 80+ mph top speed, 40 mpg
- Weight: 1356 lbs

At the time I thought it looked like going to sea in a row boat.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2039/3692315363_56b7704b47.jpg?v=1246854017

[RaceGrrl]

http://webpages.charter.net/szypulsk/Capri/index_files/RightFront.jpg

Richard had one of these after high school when he needed to commute 100 miles a day. It was totaled in an accident when he was hit by a truck, and he got the Fiesta after that.

[datachicane]

http://webpages.charter.net/szypulsk/Capri/index_files/RightFront.jpg

Richard had one of these after high school when he needed to commute 100 miles a day. It was totaled in an accident when he was hit by a truck, and he got the Fiesta after that.

Nice ride. Ford should have badged it as the Mustang in '74 rather than the porky little road pig that got the name.

[nrc]

Nice ride. Ford should have badged it as the Mustang in '74 rather than the porky little road pig that got the name.

I'd agree. It was much nicer inside and out than the typical mid '70s compact car. The only down side to it was reliability. Both the brakes and the 2.8 V6 had a lot of problems.

Trivia: that was the last auto tranny I ever owned.

[Sean Malone]

I'd forgotten about the Capri. Didn't Ford badge the Mustang as a Capri in the 80's?

[stroker]

I'd forgotten about the Capri. Didn't Ford badge the Mustang as a Capri in the 80's?

yep

[dando]

I'd forgotten about the Capri. Didn't Ford badge the Mustang as a Capri in the 80's?

I think you mean when Ford killed the Mustang. :irked: :saywhat:

-Kevin

[datachicane]

I think you mean when Ford killed the Mustang. :irked: :saywhat:

-Kevin

No, no, after Ford killed the Mustang.
The Fox body was a nice piece of work compared to its predecessor. '74-78 were the dark years, no matter what Farrah Fawcett drove. The Capri shared the Fox platform from '79-86.

Speaking of Fox Capris, I always wanted an ASC McLaren 'vert, almost ended up with a couple at auction back in the early '90s but always came to my senses first (unfortunately).

http://carphotos.cardomain.com/ride_images/2/4794/2141/24483570065_large.jpg

[dando]

No, no, after Ford killed the Mustang.
The Fox body was a nice piece of work compared to its predecessor. '74-78 were the dark years, no matter what Farrah Fawcett drove. The Capri shared the Fox platform from '79-86.

Well, I was busy tooling around in the back seat of my mom's '74 Vette during most of the 70s to notice (or see) many other cars, you see. Wait, the Vette didn't have a back seat? OK, so I was stuffed in back in the cargo area then. :saywhat: Oh the things parents got away with back in the 70s. :gomer: :eek:

Yes, both the T-bird ('79 T-bird was my first car) and the Mustang lost their mojo in the 70s. :(

-Kevin

[Gnam]

http://img706.imageshack.us/img706/3085/lm2center.jpg


Lamborghini LM002
"Rambo Lambo" (1987)


Construction of an early prototype for military supplier MTI distracted Lamborghini from the BMW deal, causing it to go sour at about the same time the Pentagon threatened legal action against MTI and Lamborghini for stealing design elements from a U.S. government project code-named XR311. The XR311 would become the military HMMWV, or High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle — the antecedent of today's Hummer. After losing both contracts, cash-strapped Lamborghini nearly reverted to farming fields as a small tractor company.

Fortunately, Lamborghini lived on — and so did the LM.

motive magazine article (http://www.motivemag.com/pub/feature/retro/Motive_Retro_Review_Rambo_Lambo_-_Revisiting_the_1992_Lamborghini_LM002.shtml)


5.2L V-12 (from a Countach)
5-speed manual
Curb weight: 5,952 lbs :D


PS:

according to wikipedia
On July 18, 2004, at a US military base near Baqubah, members of the American military used an LM002 that had belonged to Uday Hussein to simulate the effects of a car bomb, not knowing of its rarity or value. The LM002 was destroyed during the test.

Bummer.

[opinionated ow]

No, no, after Ford killed the Mustang.
The Fox body was a nice piece of work compared to its predecessor. '74-78 were the dark years, no matter what Farrah Fawcett drove. The Capri shared the Fox platform from '79-86.

Speaking of Fox Capris, I always wanted an ASC McLaren 'vert, almost ended up with a couple at auction back in the early '90s but always came to my senses first (unfortunately).

http://carphotos.cardomain.com/ride_images/2/4794/2141/24483570065_large.jpg

When you say Ford Capri, all I can think of is this piece of crap. Hardly Australian automotive excellence:
http://liveimages.carsales.com.au/duc/car/private/6786868.jpg