Mystery car pix

stephen987

Yup. Here's a couple of shots of the '88-89 CX GTi:





The red one looks like it might've been intended for US sale, with those dreadfully out of place round headlights, but in my opinion the white and gray accents on the Dutch market one in white are just as awful. The chrome grille and trim of the early car can't be beat, imho--hence my statement that they "messed up the styling" on the later models.

andys120

Citroens are generally a love/hate thing, There's not much middle ground but I love 'em, at least the way they look but I hate that awful four h/l set-up.

fintail

I prefer the original too, it is very clean. The later one just has bric-a-brac tacked on to make it look updated. It doesn't work.

fintail

Maybe it's some kind of gag by the dealer to get people to stop at his store?

The photo does look retouched, somehow...although it could just be that type of color printing.

hudsonthedog

The red one looks like it might've been intended for US sale, with those dreadfully out of place round headlights, but in my opinion the white and gray accents on the Dutch market one in white are just as awful. The chrome grille and trim of the early car can't be beat, imho--hence my statement that they "messed up the styling" on the later models.

But the CX WAS sold in the US. A company called CX Auto in New Jersey imported them, certified them, and sold them. They later imported the XM as well. I've even heard (but can't prove) that they imported the BX back in the 1980s.

stephen987

Yes, I remember CX Auto--seems like a couple thousand CX and XM cars came over. I don't think the BX did though--it would've cost a lot to certify, and I doubt its merits were as tangible to even the handful of Citroen enthusiasts in the US as was the case with the bigger cars.

andys120

jlbl

Agg, my bad memory… Alfa Romeo Giulia… or Giulietta Spider 1962? Enough for the moment.

Regards,
Jose

stephen987

Honda Sports 800, ca. 1965

tmart

License plate is a definite clue! :shades:

andys120

[Doh] It's a 1965 Honda S600

andys120

fezo

It's the new Chevy Caprice! Formerly the Pontiac G8.

From this angle anyway I like the Chevy better.

andys120

Yep, to be precise, it's the Holden-built Chevrolet Caprice SS (mechanical twin of the G8-GT) now sold in the Middle East and probably in your local Chevy dealer's showroom this fall.

stephen987

I love it. But I thought GM had said they weren't bringing it to the US. Did I miss some good news?

fezo

Yes. Apparently Bob Lutz felt differently about this car than Henderson did.

I'm happy to see this while at the same time wondering why they didn't make it a Buick if they are serious about keeping Buick around. I'd definitely look at this car when I'm in the market.

andys120

I imagine it's because they found out that the Buick market base has no desire for
a car that is fast and only comes with RWD. It seems those old fogies, who after all grew up w RWD, feel safer in a FWD (or AWD) car. Even the ones who live in the Sunbelt feel that way.

It's screwy but it's true, I've had more than one tell me that. Why do you think Caddy keeps the Deville...er..DTS?

andre1969

Is that Caprice an update to the G8, or just an extended version of it? The roofline is a bit different, The G8 looked like it was trying to crib a BMW, with that reverse-slant/kickback in the C-pillar, and the quarter window in the door. This Caprice looks more Audi-esque, with the quarter window in the C-pillar rather than the door, and a roughly arch-shaped roofline.

Either way, still a decent looking car.

hudsonthedog

Yes, I remember CX Auto--seems like a couple thousand CX and XM cars came over. I don't think the BX did though--it would've cost a lot to certify, and I doubt its merits were as tangible to even the handful of Citroen enthusiasts in the US as was the case with the bigger cars.

I haven't seen any hard numbers, but I agree that as many as "a couple thousand" CXs could have been imported by CX Auto. I have nothing more than some "educated" hearsay on the imporation of the BX, but I would have an easier time believing that they were contracted to import one (or a few) for diplomats, and perhaps for testing but that none (or VERY few) ever made into consumers hands.

As for the XM, I'm under the impression that (exactly) 7 were imported. Near the end of CX Auto's life, there was a recall of XMs and the recall counted total vehicles involved as 7.

andys120

Good eye Andre, it turns out that that Mid-East Caprice version is a long-wheelbase Holden Statesman. Apparently it hasn't been decided if the US Caprice will be on the long or standard wheelbase.

If you ask me they ought to stick with the shorter one. Even that's getting too big to be a proper sports sedan but that's just me.

polljimmy

Very nice Pics and its really beautiful.

andys120

stephen987

1955 Plymouth Belvedere wagon?

fezo

That or a Plaza. It's definitely a 55 Plymouth.

andys120

Yep it's a '55 Belvedere wagon. The owner has installed a 1989 Dodge powertrain and drives it all over America. How cool is that?

andre1969

Yep it's a '55 Belvedere wagon. The owner has installed a 1989 Dodge powertrain and drives it all over America. How cool is that?

Well, I had a 1989 Gran Fury ex police car, and judging from that, the 1955 powertrain might've been more reliable!

andre1969

If you ask me they ought to stick with the shorter one. Even that's getting too big to be a proper sports sedan but that's just me.

As much as I like bigger cars, I actually agree with you on that one. I've sat in a few G8's and drove a few last year at Carlisle's GM Nats. I had plenty of room, both front and rear, and it seemed to have a decent-sized trunk as I recall. Inside, it felt about in range of a Lucerne, DTS, Avalon, 300/Charger, Ford 500/Mercury Montego in terms of overall interior room. For today's market, I think that's big enough when it comes to cars, and I doubt anything bigger would sell very well.

Anything bigger, and it turns into something like those long-wheelbase BMW 7-series, Audi A8's, etc...cars that you don't drive, but get driven around in. Actually, if they plan on keeping Buick around, the long wheelbase version might not be bad as a premium model with the Roadmaster badge slapped on.

fezo

Way cool.

When my dad was in his $150 car period he had two different 55 Plymouth wagons and a 55 Plymouth sedan as well. Funny times in retrospect.

andys120

cooterbfd

OMG!!!! There is still a Maverick left on the road??? I thought they all rotted away? That picture must be from 1975!!!! And that must be a '75 Maverick that's been on the road for only 9 months!!!

andre1969

Actually I think it's more like a '71-72. There was no 4-door Maverick in 1970, and I think the '73 would've had bigger front bumpers, and the '74 would've had bigger rears. I also can't tell from the side, but that might be a Vomet Comet.

When I was a kid, some friends of the family had a Maverick, I think a '74-75. It was pretty much worn out and a rustbucket by 1982. My grandparents had a '72 Impala that they sold to them for $600 that year. It was getting pretty bad itself, but still in better shape than that Maverick!

andys120

Brilliant analysis Andre, it's a 1972 Ford Maverick.

andys120

cooterbfd

Then the picture MUST have been taken in the winter of '72-'73. It's in too good of a shape to be any newer :P :P

jlbl

2009 Aston Martin DBS.

Regards,
Jose

andys120

Then the picture MUST have been taken in the winter of '72-'73. It's in too good of a shape to be any newer

Actually it was taken last winter in Denver. It just goes to show that no matter how crappy a car is there's always a few survivors. In the past year I've seen a Chevette, a Yugo and a Hornet Sportabout. :lemon: :lemon:

andys120

Aston-Martin DBS Volante to be exact, Jose. :shades:

andys120

andre1969

I always have trouble telling the '68-72 Nova apart, but I'm gonna guess and say it's a 1969 Nova SS396? Or maybe one of those Yenkos?

That's a nice setting for the car, with the late 50's/early 60's style houses in the background...nice, nostalgic setting. With the exception of the Aerostar!

lemko

...it's a Lexus LS compared to this:

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stephen987

Trabant 601, by Sachsenring.

lemko

I knew that was an easy one, but the latest editon of Collectible Automobile is actually featuring an article about the Trabant. It's said the Trabant would make an excellent wheelbarrow if it had two tailpipes.

stephen987

only if the tailpipes were more securely attached than the other components. . .

andys120

1969 Nova SS396?

Close enough Andre, it's a '70 Nova SS396.

andys120

jlbl

One of the Maserati's A6s, well before Audi got theirs? Around 1953, bodied by Zagato.

Regards,
Jose

texases

Next to a Maserati Ghibli?

andys120

Yep,it's a Maserati A6GC with Zagato bodywork. The double bubble roof was Zagato's signature but it's starting to show up on modern cars like the new Z4 and the Corvette C6. Texases is correct about the Maser Ghibli next to it but neither of you spotted the silver Ferari 330 GTE behind and I think I can make out a 206/246 Dino behind that.

andys120

stephen987

'66 Valiant--possibly the "upmarket" Valiant 200 or even a Signet.