A late 50's - early 60's Willy's Jeep FC. Stretched chassis means maybe a 170 series? Poor man's cab over look truck! I always kind of liked these, but don't really know why.
It's the Opel Cascada - based on the Verano architecture, it's not coming to North America in this iteration. Like the Adam, it wasn't designed with the US as a market.
"The Cascada is loosely based on the Opel Insignia/Buick Regal, and would probably be offered with some of the engines offered in the Regal. GM Opel sources also suggest that Opel may again supply Regals to the U.S., as it did early in the model's life."
I think your source is mistaken. My source indicates that the Cascada is based on the compact Delta II Platform whereas the larger Insignia/Regal reside on the larger Epsilon Platform. (Opel Vectra, Chevy Malibu). This makes sense because the Cascada isn't all that big (IOW closer to an Astra than a Vectra).
No feelings hurt. :-) Feel free to let our correspondent know your findings in the comments to the article (although the writer did hedge his bets a bit by saying "loosely").
Been away for a few days so catching up - the red Opel in the 70's photo is an Ascona. Also, there is a Mini Mk II Estate car hidden behind the red pot plant - it could be either an Austin Mini Countryman or a Morris Mini Traveller, but given the continental setting it might even be something by Innocenti..
Yes indeed and how is this for a model name: 1946 Plymouth Special Six Deluxe?
If you don't think lawyers have changed the way the world works, contemplate how many different cars of this era used names that included the words "Special"," Six" and "Deluxe".
I don't know if Allard was the first to use an American V8 in a British sports car but a lot of well known American race drivers found Allard V8s a potent weapon in sports car racing, one of them was a Texan named Carroll Shelby and you know the rest of the story.
Not sure either, but it was not the first to combine a large American engine into a British sports car---probably the pre-war Railton, with 8 cylinder Hudson power, has that claim.
I would assume it was a deluxe trim package on an otherwise basic Ranch Wagon.
You are exactly right, Fin. I did some research and found that it was a Ranch Wagon (which was trimmed similar to a Custom) but with trim similar to a Fairlane. It wasn't a competitor to the Nomad.
2009 BMW 335i, 2003 Corvette cnv. (RIP 2001 Jaguar XK8 cnv and 1985 MB 380SE [the best of the lot])
The Del Rio was a subset of the Ranch Wagon---a very basic 2-door wagon. It might have been inspired by the 2 door Nomad and Pontiac Safari, but it sure didn't compete with them.
They marketed it as a "sport wagon" and it sold pretty well in '57, but not so much in '58 (I was wrong--it was actually a 2-year model, although Ford did everything possible to make sure it failed in '58).
The Del Rio wasn't a total stripper--you could order special trim and upholstery and even a V8 engine. (The "Thunderbird" 312 cid).
There was a news article late last year in a UK paper about this. VW in Brazil did some unique models Including a pretty sports car called the "X Project" or something similar. I think they were based on a Variant underpinning.
The news story was about a cache of complete cars and parts found in a warehouse. Juice will have a better idea
Yup, that's pretty much the story. It's a Volkswagen (do Brasil) SP2 built on the 412 Platform and originally equipped w the same 1.7 pancake motor that powered US market 914s. They were built '72-'76.
The earlier VW Puma GT was a lot sportier looking and a bit smaller.
Comments
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
Asking $12,500 for it in Laguna Hills and a couple of the editors here want to add it to the long term fleet.
Actually, I know of 2 that are much nicer but neither for sale at the moment. However, wave $12,5K in front of them and things might perk up.
Oddly spotted this at same time as hearing the story on the news.
It is a Renault 4. Apparently it is 29 years old and has 190,000 miles on it.
Cheers
Graham
Actually it belongs to a priest who is selling it to Francis I who is planning to drive it himself.
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
whatever, I want one.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
It's more closely related to the Buick Verano and the Chevy Cruze.
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
The impeccable source says:
"The Cascada is loosely based on the Opel Insignia/Buick Regal, and would probably be offered with some of the engines offered in the Regal. GM Opel sources also suggest that Opel may again supply Regals to the U.S., as it did early in the model's life."
Whatever the underpinnings, it does sound nice.
the larger Insignia/Regal reside on the larger Epsilon Platform. (Opel Vectra, Chevy Malibu). This makes sense because the Cascada isn't all that big (IOW closer to an Astra than a Vectra).
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
http://www.autoblog.com/2013/06/24/gm-ceo-akerson-wishes-opel-cascada-adam-were-- sold-in-buick-show/
notes that the Cascada was not designed to meet US standards and that it's based on Delta II ie the Verano.
That doesn't mean it can't come here. It just needs to be modified to do so.
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
If you don't think lawyers have changed the way the world works, contemplate how many different cars of this era used names that included the words "Special"," Six" and "Deluxe".
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
Late 40s Allard. I have never seen one in the metal but proportions look wrong in photos. Grille reminds me of something French.
Cheers
Graham
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Edmunds Price Checker
Edmunds Lease Calculator
Did you get a good deal? Be sure to come back and let us know! Post a pic of your new purchase or lease!
MODERATOR
2015 Subaru Outback 3.6R / 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid SX Prestige
looked like a fun car.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
I think Allard were the first to mate an American V8 (Ford flathead V8) with a UK chassis. Someone will have a better recollection
Cheers
Graham
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
It is a '57 however. But it has a very distinctive name.
I'm going to trust my memory (never a great idea) and say Del Rio.
2009 BMW 335i, 2003 Corvette cnv. (RIP 2001 Jaguar XK8 cnv and 1985 MB 380SE [the best of the lot])
Paled in comparison to a Nomad, which was a much more upmarket model.
You are exactly right, Fin. I did some research and found that it was a Ranch Wagon (which was trimmed similar to a Custom) but with trim similar to a Fairlane. It wasn't a competitor to the Nomad.
2009 BMW 335i, 2003 Corvette cnv. (RIP 2001 Jaguar XK8 cnv and 1985 MB 380SE [the best of the lot])
They marketed it as a "sport wagon" and it sold pretty well in '57, but not so much in '58 (I was wrong--it was actually a 2-year model, although Ford did everything possible to make sure it failed in '58).
The Del Rio wasn't a total stripper--you could order special trim and upholstery and even a V8 engine. (The "Thunderbird" 312 cid).
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
There was a news article late last year in a UK paper about this. VW in Brazil did some unique models Including a pretty sports car called the "X Project" or something similar. I think they were based on a Variant underpinning.
The news story was about a cache of complete cars and parts found in a warehouse. Juice will have a better idea
Cheers
Graham
built on the 412 Platform and originally equipped w the same 1.7 pancake motor that powered US market 914s. They were built '72-'76.
The earlier VW Puma GT was a lot sportier looking and a bit smaller.
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93