Mystery car pix

magnette

My mum had one of these ! Vanden Plas Princess 1300 - 1972/3, really it was a badge-engineered Austin 1300 but I suppose the closest relative in the British Leyland camp was the Wolseley. Really luxurious inside, with proper wool carpets, real leather, burr-walnut door tops, dashboard and picnic tables in the back of the seats. The auto version had one carb, but ( at least for a time ) the manual had two. I always found ours gutless, as it screamed along (Mum had an auto ) but she loved it. Terribly heavy steering though, but of course it handled well, as it was basically a scaled-up Mini, so you didn't need to slow down for corners. They sold mainly to retired folk, downscaling from bigger cars, and now they are a bit of a cult - they are very popular in Japan, and good low mileage ones sell for a reasonable sum accordingly - one of the few cars we export as a grey import to Japan.

texases

Speaking of Japan, I always thought those mirrors on the fenders were a Japanese thing. Common in GB, too?

magnette

They were quite common for many years, although not compulsory, until the Euro regulations about door mirrors came in, during late 80's, early 90's.

ateixeira

Click for pic.

texases

Interesting color...salmon??...hmmm....

seminole_kev

Wow, that 71-73 Mustang convertible brings back memories. If you happen to remember that my Grandmother had a 69 Firebird well into the 80's...well her sister had a 71-73 (can't remember the exact model year, but one of the "fat ones") Mustang convertible just like that for years and years until she passed away. Was red with white interior. 351 Cleveland motor as well.

Mr_Shiftright

The MGA had those fender mirrors. Quite handsome.

andys120

hudsonthedog

1952-54 Allard K3

andys120

1952-54 Allard K3

Dang! I was sure somebody'd think it was a Nash-Healey or something!

andys120

stickguy

145. About a '69 or a '70

andys120

145. About a '69 or a '70

Close enough, it's a 1971 Volvo 145S

andys120

karsick

...Almost said "Opel Senator" until I realized it was LHD.

... then I thought British: "Vauxhall Whatever", but didn't see their distinctive logo.

... So I'll go with the Aussie version, the Holden Commodore! :P

andys120

the Holden Commodore!

Yep, the very first Holden Commodore, the VB ca. 1978-80.

ateixeira

I think Brazil sold a look-alike called the Chevy Monza. Mom owned one for a while.

bumpy

michaellno

Chevrolet Optima (?) .. rebadged Daewoo sold in Canada.

In the US the same car is sold as a Suzuki.

ateixeira

Good looking car. I believe Guigiaro penned the Leganza it's based on.

The Koreans got smart and started getting the Italians to style some of their cars.

bumpy

This is the Lacetti:

andre1969

the same thing as a Suzuki Verona?

michaellno

Yes, one and the same. 2.5L V6 under the hood.

Not sure why it's sold in Canada as a Chevy; wouldn't it take sales away from the Malibu?

bumpy

Chevy Optra (Optima is a Kia) = Suzuki Forenza. Verona is the next size up (and the 2.5L is an inline 6).

hudsonthedog

The first Chevrolet picture is the Australian-built Chevrolet Lumina SS. The second picture is either the Chevrolet Optra or Chevrolet Lacetti, depending on what country it is sold in. But in either case, the Optra/Lacetti is not offered with a 2.5L V6.

andys120

or a Daewoo>

bumpy

It's like an old Ferarri and Andre's DeSoto had a baby. A very ugly baby. :sick:

british_rover

I don't know I kind of like it.

seminole_kev

Gah! Me no likey.

texases

All I can see is that little prancing horse...

magnette

Ferrari 375 MM Pinin Farina - 1955 (Turin show). Shame about the fins, otherwise it would have been great.

texases

Headlights/fenders remind me of the BMW 507

andys120

Ferrari 375 MM Pinin Farina -1955

Yep, it's sometimes called the Ferrari 375 America, possibly because no one in the US had any idea what the Mille Miglia was.

The 375 was a great and early example of the influence American styling would have in Pininfarina and other Euro stylists.

Roberto Rosellini commissioned a special bodied 375MM for his wife that has become known as the Ingrid Bergman Ferrari>



It's styling is reflected in the current 612 Scaglietti>

texases

So Ford's not the only one into recycling.

british_rover

I like the 612 too. I tried talking my client who collects ferraris into getting one, so I could drive it, but he has ZERO interest in it. He is happy with his his and hers F430s for now.

stever

no one in the US had any idea what the Mille Miglia was

Wasn't that a card game?

Oh, never mind - that was Mille Bornes.

andys120

texases

1st gen Prelude (about 1980) - sure did improve the next time around:

andys120

Yup the second generation was a lot better (I had an '85).

andys120

karsick

Hmmm... a tough one, for sure.

It looks 60's-ish
It is in Britain
It is RHD, even the wiper arms.
It looks British, except for some Italian (GTV?) touches to the roofline & fenders.

What IS it? :confuse:

andys120

You're on the right track Karsick, it's British, about 190 were made between 1966 and 1969.

Goimg...going...

hudsonthedog

Gilbern

mustangman67

Does anybody rememebr this old DieHard battery ad. One of the classics from the frozen lake. Only I don't remember these guys.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=H_pRBC3eIXs

Is this the original?

andys120

Gilbern

Gilbern what?

andys120

Don't remember the ad, but then that's what we have remote controls for.

In any case I think the car is a '72 Chevy Malibu.

magnette

Genie - and while it is British it isn't English - it's from Wales. This one was registered in 1967/8.

andys120

Thanks Magnette!

andys120

kyfdx

Is that the first Hyundai? Elantra or Accent?