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A co-worker of mine ages ago had a Justy. I remember changing a the valve cover gasket for her. I'll never forget it though, when we were in the parts store getting the gasket. It was a place that supposedly specialized in Japanese cars. I heard one of the workers in the back holler out something like "We got that starter in for the Mazda Pro-Teej?"
When it comes to older Mitsubishi, Mazda, or Subaru models (1980s or before), I don't have a clue. My parents bought their first Subaru wagon in 1987/1988, whatever it was called, it was quite light but drove good in winter. You don't see old Subaru wagons around much in the Detroit area, but elsewhere in the upper midwest, they're around! Especially Petoskey and Traverse City and Marquette.
Then again, my "era of interest" for Japanese cars is mostly late 1980s to late 1990s. Excellent styling, many different models, many of which were sales flops despite their attractiveness.. I'm talking Subaru SVX and Mazda RX-7 here.
(be warned, it's a big picture)
http://strike.colorado.edu/album2/1983_Subaru.jpeg
I liked the SVX too...just weird enough to be cool, with that style that was kinda futuristic, in a "Battlestar Galactica" sort of way! I also liked the XT they had back then.
I guess your incredible memory for detail doesn't extend to non-Mopars.
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
Have any of you heard of the BMW 6000 series? I see a guy around campus with one, but I honestly dont know specifics, other than it is a 4 digit number starting with 6.
The newer style got composite headlights before too long. When I was in high school, I worked at a veterinary clinic, and the doctor had an '87 Sube 2-door. Ultimately, these things were replaced by the Impreza.
There, Andys120, does that redeem me? :-P
Vero: I see a Audi 5000 on the way home from school every day...parked in an overgrown yard, behind a rusted mobile home...
Brat: I saw my first one two summers ago outside of a Kroger in Knoxville. My first thought? What the heck is that rusted POS?
The old-style Subaru DL/GL (rounded rear) was offered as a sedan, two-door hardtop, hatch and wagon until MY 1985, when the sedan and wagon were replaced by the boxier versions (which are durable machines if you can keep the rust away). The old-style hatch continued as a price leader until 1987 or '88, when the Justy effectively replaced it. To add slightly to any confusion, there was also a two-door hatch version of the 'new style' DL with coupe-style side rear window and a slightly wrap-around backlight.
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
2009 BMW 335i, 2003 Corvette cnv. (RIP 2001 Jaguar XK8 cnv and 1985 MB 380SE [the best of the lot])
BMW started selling the 5-series in Europe (as the 520 and 525, IIRC) in 1972. In late 1975, the U.S. got our first 530i, I think they cost something like $10000 at that time!
The 733i first came to America in 1977 (as a '78 model). By mid-1978 they cost about $21,500 (not quite 450SEL territory, but not too far off).
Ergo, I'm going to stick by my assertion that, at least in other markets, the 7-series replaced the 3.0Si/Bavaria, since the 5-series and Bavaria were built together for several years. As the U.S. didn't have a 5 until 1975 when the 3.0Si (nee Bavaria) left, it makes sense to us that one replaced the other, effectively, in the U.S. market only, though that wasn't actually the case.
The 2002 was the coupe version of the 1600/2000 sedans, which unfortunately were never sold in the U.S. I tried to find a picture of one for sale on AutoTrader.com, but there are none for sale on that site.
Dammit, who has my BMW Buyers Guide? I can't find it anywhere, naturally. It does a better, more thorough and accurate job of demystifying some of this junk than I do.
Speaking of strange, unusual BMWs, I saw a circa-1984 (E30) Baur 318i cabrio (folding top, but framed doors and fixed rear side windows), at the 7-11 across from Wrigley Field.
How's the reliability on those two cars?
Cadillacs are fairly rare in this part from like 1988-1995 it seems... 1995 and later they pick up. But I did see an early 80's baby blue Coupe Deville with the diesel plaque on the side.
Vero, not trying to disregard what you said, it's just that I find it hard to believe an eleven-year-old mass produced Japanese sports coupe is 'rare', even in flag waving Michigan. I saw one today, puttering down Sheffield Avenue (5-speed hatch with bad exhaust, among other things). I'm guessing the 240SX is about as reliable as any other Nissan with the 140hp 2 liter engine (which also included the Stanza, Altima and NX2000, IIRC), which is to say pretty good.
Um, I saw a light yellow Triumph TR6, being chased by an Imperial 4-door hardtop, and they drove past a Rambler Ambassador SST two-door hardtop, on an episode of 'The Rookies' (circa 1973) I watched today on TV Land, it's on at 1:00 Central every day.
Buyers tended to complain about these shrunken '85-88 C-body Cadillacs, that they weren't big enough to be a "real" Cadillac, so the 60 Special was a quick way to make the car look more "important". For 1989, all the sedans...DeVille and Fleetwood, were bumped up to a 113.8" wheelbase, and overall length was up to around 205". On the previous model, it was only 195". Still nowhere near the old C-body's 221", but it helped a little. By this time though, I don't think the 60 Special was on a longer wheelbase anymore. The pictures I've seen of the thing on the web do show it with some pretty hideous fender skirts that made it look more umm...distinctive!
IIRC, the original Cadillac 60 Special debuted in 1939, and was very modern for the time. It had a very wide, uprigtht, almost early-50's looking body, with no running boards. The rear and front-end were still typical '30's, with separate fenders and such.
In later years, on up through 1976, Fleetwoods and 60 Specials (I don't think the 60 Special name made it all the way to '76 though) were a bit longer and more plush than the cheaper DeVilles. I think the 60 Special was also always a sedan, and usually it was a pillared sedan, which limits its popularity somewhat as a classic car, as most people want hardtops and convertibles.
Back in college, I found a '66 for sale at, of all places, a car dealer that specialized in foreign used cars. I took it for a spin...that sucker was a nice car! 8 power window buttons on the door panel (the vent panes, front and rear, were all power as well), and in immaculate condition. I think they wanted something like $2800 for it. If I had a place to keep it, I would've snatched it up. This thing was too nice to be kept outside, and almost DEMANDED to be garaged.
I've only seen one Civic hybrid so far, although they don't stick out like the Prius and Insight do, so I've probably seen more. This one's a really nice looking Seafoam green that kinda reminds me of my old '82 Cutlass Supreme.
I saw a late 80's Caprice estate wagon with wood paneling at a stoplight on the way to work today. Uglee! (and rare in these parts, too)
This was the one based on the Omni 2-dr.
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
I love the typical Italian three-wheelers which are used to haul vegetables and fruit to market, just don't take corners too fast...