Shifty's doesn't show up...no broken image or anything, just a blank....andy's does work...and unless I am missing something, it's too easy for me, so I will let someone else have it.
on the short 100" wheelbase (regular Ramblers had a 108" wheelbase back then) I think it originally got dropped after 1956, but was reinstated for 1959. Around 1960 or '61 it got a facelift that made it look more modern. I think the later ones were called "Rambler American"? And yeah, IIRC it was designed by Pinin Farina. IIRC they actually had a hand in all the 'bathtub" Nashes (and the "Hashes" !)
Rambler American or American Rambler or AMC Rambler; one of those three.
It's a 1959 Rambler American, by that time IIRC the nomenclature at AMC had gotten pretty confused and though there were still Nash models the American was simply a Rambler.
It's hard to believe that an upside-down bathtub like the RA could have been sketched by Pininfarina but I think that's the case. It was a pretty decent compact for it's day offering an astonishing amount of room in a small package.
The interior was so spartan it made a VW Bug's look luxurious.....
They were old flatheads and as I recall you started them by pulling up on the gearshift lever. Typical 50s car, slow and ponderous with 1925 chassis technology, but at least it got pretty decent gas mileage and wasn't too large. Sort of pre-cursor to the American "compact". I kinda like 'em.
You've ID'd the car correctly and yes, the guy is Henry J Kaiser himself. The flattop is the U.S.S. Casablanca , the lead ship of a class of escort carriers that was built by Kaiser Industries and credited with playing a large part in winning the Battle of the Atlantic. They served in the Royal Navy as well as the USN. Navy buffs refer to them as "Kaiser jeep carriers".
It's funny how the rest of the world mainstream Ford is so much nicer than our Taurus. Of course, NA always gets the leftovers and the dumbed down products.
that's a little better but an Audi A4 is a car you are far more likely to at least notice going down the street, IMHO.
Not saying it is totally beautiful but notice how the skin of the car looks like it is stretched tight over the body. The front "pulls" down and the sides sweep down as well. So too the roofline plunges forward.
The Ford looks like corporate blah next to it IMO.
Aren't you guys forgetting about the Mazda6-based Fusion? I'm not saying it's an A4, but I think complaining about getting 500s instead of Mondeos might be a bit much. I saw a Fusion at the Chicago auto show, and I must say it was a tidy little package...hopefully enough so that the public forgets about the last time Ford brought the Mondeo here as the Contour.
is that overdone front-end. The car itself ain't bad, but the grille, lower air dams, etc are just too clunky, and too all-over-the-place, style wise. Put that massize trapezoid of a grille back on the '61 Chrysler it came off of, and try something a bit more tasteful that flows with the rest of the car. I do like the headlights, though.
As for stretching the skin tight over the body, that's not always a guarantee of a tasteful design. For evidence of this, look no further than Michael Jackson. Or maybe tune in "Chasing Farrah", on TVLand. She ain't no Angel anymore! :P
some cars had a "double grille" effect, where you either had a tall grille that had a bumper that went in front of it, bisecting it into an upper and lower section (like a '65 Impala), or they had sub-grilles built into the bumper itself that matched the main grille. This second method was much more common in the 70's, when bumper standards mandated those bulky 5-mph bumpers. Some cars that used this design were the downsized '77-79 big Chevies and Pontiacs, among other cars.
For the most part, I think they got away with it okay, but the double-grille effect on that Audi just doesn't work. In fact, I think this is one example where the car is actually begging for a complete "true" bumper to go across the front of it, just to complete the look!
I don't mind the new Jetta, but it does look very Japanese. That could be a problem in that it seems to have lost its Euro-look, and possibly appeal too. I just hope it's bolted together better than recent VWs. To me that's VW's biggest issue—get the cars trouble-free, like the Japanese!
Three wheelers sold in Britain after WWII. I've read they were aimed at affording mobility to disabled war vets. The one you posted is notable for not having headlights (pop-ups?) as well as four abreast seating. I don't think I'd care to sit in the outboard seats. :sick:
but it's a Simca 1200S, like most Simcas of the day it was rear engined. Bodywork was by Bertone, hence the resemblance to contemporary Alfa Giulias. As you can see it's not as attractive from behind as from the front=>
I think that little Simca thingie actually looks NICE from the rear! It's the front I don't like...looks like an odd combination of Alfa, Fiat, and '74-78 Matador coupe! All that, plus enough overhang that makes a 70's Eldorado look like it's set back... :P
Comments
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
Did my photo ever come up a few posts back, entitled weird car?
Anybody else having trouble w mine?
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
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Bob
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
Bob
Bob
It's a 1959 Rambler American, by that time IIRC the nomenclature at AMC had gotten pretty confused and though there were still Nash models the American was simply a Rambler.
It's hard to believe that an upside-down bathtub like the RA could have been sketched by Pininfarina but I think that's the case. It was a pretty decent compact for it's day offering an astonishing amount of room in a small package.
The interior was so spartan it made a VW Bug's look luxurious.....
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
This ship=>
This man=>
And this car=>
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
Bob
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
http://www.americancarfans.com/news.cfm/newsid/2050413.002
Bob
It's funny how the rest of the world mainstream Ford is so much nicer than our Taurus. Of course, NA always gets the leftovers and the dumbed down products.
Here's a better angle, doesn't this look sportier than a 500?
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
Not saying it is totally beautiful but notice how the skin of the car looks like it is stretched tight over the body. The front "pulls" down and the sides sweep down as well. So too the roofline plunges forward.
The Ford looks like corporate blah next to it IMO.
As for stretching the skin tight over the body, that's not always a guarantee of a tasteful design. For evidence of this, look no further than Michael Jackson. Or maybe tune in "Chasing Farrah", on TVLand. She ain't no Angel anymore! :P
But, take the plate off, or add a US spec plate, and it really looks goofy..
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For the most part, I think they got away with it okay, but the double-grille effect on that Audi just doesn't work. In fact, I think this is one example where the car is actually begging for a complete "true" bumper to go across the front of it, just to complete the look!
Actually the A4 looks a lot better in real life, but I agree the grille looks better on a Euro car.
Bob
It's a great driving car but it has become homely IMO.
Okay back to PIX! (no peeking at URL!!)
Here's something a little less odd=>
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
Shifty is that three wheeler a Reliant or a Bond?
Meanwhile here's an interesting little number I turned up=>
Nice huh, it looks like a Bertone Alfa GTV with the nose of a Fiat 124 Spider, it is neither.
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
Nope, not a Bond or a Reliant but it is a 3-wheeler. Actually made in some quantity, and interesting fact you could seat (so they claimed) 4 abreast!
I'll hold off on ID-ing the red coupe for now.
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
The car had disk brakes, was made from 1946-49, is American, had push-button doors and allegedly went 116 mph. Oh, the metal roof is detachable!
http://www.3wheelers.com/davis.html
http://www.suarezweb.com/davis/dfotos.htm
Bob
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
And here's one to keep you busy today=>
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
Too practical for the US I guess, but it would work for me!
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
They have new line of SUVs called Patriot, Hunter and Simbir
http://www.uaz.ru/eng/
Here's a little charmer for you to ponder about=>
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
I dunno about the red car, but the houses look decidedly British
59 of these were built, I'm surprised it's that many.
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
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