Mystery car pix

omarman

texases said:

Love that ad - Wimbledon White, just like my "64.5"...no rear quarter trim, 170 CID, generator.

Can you imagine a new car today generating excitement like that? That particular ad really captures the moment.

imidazol97

I wonder how many of the "authentic scale modesl" were purchased for $1.00 and how many of those still exist?

tjc78

Ford did a similar thing with the Taurus. The really early 86's (launched in 85, summer if I recall) have different taillights than the regular production run 86s.

Early 86 taillight



Late 86 taillight

fintail

Those promo models aren't terribly hard to find - they were as popular as the 1:1 scale version.

Here's one on ebay with original box and papers

imidazol97 said:

I wonder how many of the "authentic scale modesl" were purchased for $1.00 and how many of those still exist?

magnette

Hi Andy

We seem to have skipped your white British registered hatchback which is the Lancia Delta, but was marketed in the UK (although not in mainland Europe) as a Chrysler Delta - this is the Chrysler version... I always liked this car - I even briefly explored if it would have been an option as a company car but it was not available.... I have a promotional model of the Lancia version which was given to me at the 2015 Frankfurt motor show.

ab348

A 1990s mystery car:

Michaell

ab348 said:

A 1990s mystery car:

Sterling 825

stickguy

A good legend gone bad.

fintail

Specifically, 1992 or later Rover 800 series. Facelifted version of the Sterling sold on this side of the pond.

ab348

Fin is correct. I was reading the history of Rover. Really sad how it all just fizzled out. Apparently Honda was willing to buy 47.5% ownership but no more, and there was no British partner willing to take on the rest. BMW bought them and put lots of money into it for a while but Rover kept losing money. Eventually there was a revolt at BMWs Board level, Pischetsrieder resigned, and they bailed. All downhill from there.

andys120

magnette said:

Hi Andy

We seem to have skipped your white British registered hatchback which is the Lancia Delta, but was marketed in the UK (although not in mainland Europe) as a Chrysler Delta - this is the Chrysler version... I always liked this car - I even briefly explored if it would have been an option as a company car but it was not available.... I have a promotional model of the Lancia version which was given to me at the 2015 Frankfurt motor show.

I figured if anybody would know, it would be you.

andys120

I had forgotten that these were pillar-less hardtops, very au courant for a car which seemed otherwise a throwback to the 193os

Mr_Shiftright

ab348 said:

Fin is correct. I was reading the history of Rover. Really sad how it all just fizzled out. Apparently Honda was willing to buy 47.5% ownership but no more, and there was no British partner willing to take on the rest. BMW bought them and put lots of money into it for a while but Rover kept losing money. Eventually there was a revolt at BMWs Board level, Pischetsrieder resigned, and they bailed. All downhill from there.

BIG mistake for BMW, to buy Rover.

ab348

Well, they picked it up from BAE for not much money and thought it was a thing with potential that would let them extend their market with a brand that didn't compete directly with the BMW brand, while also getting Land Rover. But they had nothing much of their own being developed, the facilities weren't up to date, and it just required a lot of investment every year. Still, when they sold Land Rover it brought better than twice what they had paid for all of Rover a few years earlier. And they got the Mini and the facilities to produce it.

fintail

MB 300d (lower case "d" for the generation, not the engine) (W189) Adenauer, the final and most advanced variant of the series. I saw this car on BaT, a bit of patina but looks solid and in a fantastic color combo.

andys120 said:

I had forgotten that these were pillar-less hardtops, very au courant for a car which seemed otherwise a throwback to the 193os

Mr_Shiftright

ab348 said:

Well, they picked it up from BAE for not much money and thought it was a thing with potential that would let them extend their market with a brand that didn't compete directly with the BMW brand, while also getting Land Rover. But they had nothing much of their own being developed, the facilities weren't up to date, and it just required a lot of investment every year. Still, when they sold Land Rover it brought better than twice what they had paid for all of Rover a few years earlier. And they got the Mini and the facilities to produce it.

I dunno. I was always under the impression that Rover was a bloodbath for BMW.

andys120

fintail said:

MB 300d (lower case "d" for the generation, not the engine) (W189) Adenauer, the final and most advanced variant of the series. I saw this car on BaT, a bit of patina but looks solid and in a fantastic color combo.

andys120 said:

I had forgotten that these were pillar-less hardtops, very au courant for a car which seemed otherwise a throwback to the 193os

Yup it's a 1961 Merc 300d "Adenauer" and I agree, it's a great color.

andys120

Michaell

andys120 said:

Ferrari Daytona. Early 70's vintage.

stickguy

365GTB? Is that the right model name?

Still about the most gorgeous car ever.

ab348

For some reason, the front bumpers on that Daytona look jarring to me. Otherwise a beautiful design.

Mr_Shiftright

365 GTB/4 I think is the way it's expressed. They also made a rather rare 365GTB/4C for competition, but only 15 of them.

iluvmysephia1

Do you guys know what kind of car this is? Our neighbor across the street brought this in about 2 months ago. It's right hand drive.

fintail

Suzuki Cappuccino. Production started in the early 90s, old enough for a private import now, and probably not too expensive.

iluvmysephia1

Thanks, fin. I knew you guys would come up with it. There are no markings on the car anywhere, and I'm pretty sure I have not seen one of these before.

fintail

Yep, never sold here when new. I suspect you can get one for under 10K now.

iluvmysephia1

Coolio topped off with an Iglasius! I vote for Edmunds giving away monthly awards to those who come up with these mystery cars like you have here.

andys120

stickguy said:

365GTB? Is that the right model name?

Still about the most gorgeous car ever.

Yup, that is a 1970 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 "Daytona". Early versions had plexiglass fronts like this one but US regs wouldn't allow them in the US market (covered h/ls were a no-no) so they switched to Pop-ups including non-US models because it was easier and cheaper to do the same in all mkts.



The 1970 car has a shade of red darker than the traditional Rosso Corse (Racing Red).

Ferraris denominated "365" came in a variety of models over a number of years including four seaters and and the mid-engined 365 Boxer. They didn't all have the same engine but used different variations with a 4.4 liter V-12 in common.

Most gorgeous car ever? Everyone is entitled to their opinion but in my opinion it's not even the prettiest front engine Ferrari. When the E-Type came out old Enzo is supposed to have pronounced the Jag the most beautiful car ever and challenged Pininfarina to top it.
This was PF's answer>



IMO the jury's still out on whether it's nicer looking than an E-Type. I've never been able to decide but I think the Lusso is the best looking Ferrari ever.

stickguy

That’s sharp too.

texases

Some similarities:

kyfdx

Also a Pininfarina design, right?

texases

kyfdx said:

Also a Pininfarina design, right?

No, Albrech von Goertz (later involved with the 240Z).

Mr_Shiftright

He also worked briefly for Studebaker!

omarman

A Correspondence Between Toshikuni Nyui of Nissan and Albrecht Goertz

Dear Mr. Goertz:

At your request, we have examined the relevant evidence pertaining to the development of the highly successful Datsun 240Z which was first introduced in 1969.

You were retained by Nissan during the period from 1963 to 1965 as an automotive design consultant. During that period, you consulted with Nissan on the basic methods of styling a general sports car. You were also the sole design consultant on a two-liter sports car which Nissan was trying to develop as part of a joint venture with Yamaha. This car was not produced.

While it is our view that the design of the 240Z was the product of Nissan's design staff, Nissan agrees that the personnel who designed that automobile were influenced by your fine work for Nissan and had the benefit of your designs


Sincerely yours,

NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
Signed Toshikuni Nyui

General Manager
Legal Dept.

boomchek

fintail said:

Suzuki Cappuccino. Production started in the early 90s, old enough for a private import now, and probably not too expensive.

Quite a few of these mini Japanese roadsters popped up in Canada in the late 2000s as our laws permit anything 15 years or older to be imported legally from overseas. The market for Japanese imports boomed here briefly for about 5 years and it seemed to quiet down lately. There are still a few used car dealers that specialize in these.

We also had a ton of Japanese Skylines that got imported then but now many of them are going to the US as they're now 25 years old which make them legal in the US and can fetch decent coin down south.

andys120

stickguy

Some sort of Simca?

fintail

DAF Daffodil, I think.

andys120

fintail said:

DAF Daffodil, I think.

Correct, 1966MY. That one didn't last long.

thebean

Wow! I wouldn't have gotten that one if you gave me 50 guesses.

andys120

stickguy

Wow. A Chrysler 300 rebranded as a Lancia? That’s just wrong.

tjc78

An obviously badge engineered Lancia Thema.

Wonder what's under the hood?

fintail

Possibly a diesel.

andys120

stickguy said:

Wow. A Chrysler 300 rebranded as a Lancia? That’s just wrong.

Oh it got worse. IIRC there was a version of the lackluster Chrysler 200 wearing a Lancia badge.

tjc78 said:

An obviously badge engineered Lancia Thema.

Wonder what's under the hood?

3.0l Chrysler V6.

The late Sergio Marchione did some great things while he ran FICA, he basically saved the Fiat and Alfa brands but I'll bet he's doing time in Purgatory for his awful treatment of Lancia.

andys120

stickguy

Man studebakers really stood out as unique back then.

fintail

Oldest car appears to be a 46-48 (or possibly a 42, they are virtually identical from the rear) Ford just behind the two women near center left. I see a fleet of Mopar taxis too.

ab348

It's strange to think that what started today's Las Vegas extravaganza looked essentially like a Ramada Motor Lodge.

lostwrench1

fintail said:

Oldest car appears to be a 46-48 (or possibly a 42, they are virtually identical from the rear) Ford just behind the two women near center left. I see a fleet of Mopar taxis too.

I'll go with that Ford's being a 1941.