Cars you didn't know existed...
Discussion
ElectricSoup said:
MarkwG said:
2xChevrons said:
The talk about Cavaliers a page or so back lead me to some wiki-walking. Vauxhalls/Opels are not what I'd consider my area of automotive expertise so I had a genuine "cars I didn't know existed moment" which might seem very obvious to some of you:
I had no idea that the Mk1 Cavalier was available as a Coupe. I knew about the Sporthatch, and I knew that that was a Griffin-ised Manta B CC. I also knew that the Manta B was available as a three-box coupe (the Berlinetta). I just never joined the dots to realise that Vauxhall offered a version of that, too.
I confess my initial reaction was "really?!?!", then looked a little harder at that photo - growing up, Cavalier coupes were almost as thick as fleas on a dog, but I've never seen a LHD one - I figured they'd always be Opel Mantas.I had no idea that the Mk1 Cavalier was available as a Coupe. I knew about the Sporthatch, and I knew that that was a Griffin-ised Manta B CC. I also knew that the Manta B was available as a three-box coupe (the Berlinetta). I just never joined the dots to realise that Vauxhall offered a version of that, too.
Meridius said:
...like the Audi 100 Coupe,... it would seem Porsche used a few of them as 928 testbed where they were wider with a different floor and front-engined V8 RWD layout.
Proper Frankenstein's monster of a car. Built in 1974, Porsche shoe horned the V8 into the 100S shell, and had to widen the arches front and rear. The rear edge of the bonnet had to be lifted clear of the back of the engine too - you can just make out the extensions on the hinge on the top photo.
ElectricSoup said:
Can anyone identify the nationality of the number plate on that LHD Cavalier? Is it Scandinavian? Are there any LHD markets where Vauxhall was sold alongside Opel?
Swedish plate I think. It seems that before 1981, Vauxhall sold cars in Europe, in left hand drive guise, but it's widely thought they these were built by Opel on the continent. After 1981, Vauxhall was a UK-only brand.Loose_Cannon said:
Funny thread this, one which I've avoided so far because if anything it's just a reminder I'm getting older than I want to be!
I keep imagining crusties like me shaking their heads at the screen because some relative sprog is scratching his head over a 70s kit car, meanwhile said sprog will be utterly dumbstruck why people my age can't identify a 2019 Hyundai.
Anyhow, this is my first contribution. Be gentle and pardon me if its mentioned 15 pages back or something. I had no idea this exsited, and can't honestly explain why it does especially at £45 grand used. The 2017 Infiniti QX80, a car which makes the Saangyong Musso look passable;
Great cars. Upmarket Nissan Armada.I keep imagining crusties like me shaking their heads at the screen because some relative sprog is scratching his head over a 70s kit car, meanwhile said sprog will be utterly dumbstruck why people my age can't identify a 2019 Hyundai.
Anyhow, this is my first contribution. Be gentle and pardon me if its mentioned 15 pages back or something. I had no idea this exsited, and can't honestly explain why it does especially at £45 grand used. The 2017 Infiniti QX80, a car which makes the Saangyong Musso look passable;
Not sure if this has been mentioned previously, more a one off (thank God)
https://carnewschina.com/2014/08/04/meet-the-audi-...
https://carnewschina.com/2014/08/04/meet-the-audi-...
https://rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/el20/the-elkhar...
Alfa TZ3 Stradale Zagato. Found this when looking at Alfa SZ's. Never seen heard of it before,
Alfa TZ3 Stradale Zagato. Found this when looking at Alfa SZ's. Never seen heard of it before,
ZiggyNiva said:
https://rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/el20/the-elkhar...
Alfa TZ3 Stradale Zagato. Found this when looking at Alfa SZ's. Never seen heard of it before,
Back end looks like a Bristol fighterAlfa TZ3 Stradale Zagato. Found this when looking at Alfa SZ's. Never seen heard of it before,
Dapster said:
Meridius said:
...like the Audi 100 Coupe,... it would seem Porsche used a few of them as 928 testbed where they were wider with a different floor and front-engined V8 RWD layout.
Proper Frankenstein's monster of a car. Built in 1974, Porsche shoe horned the V8 into the 100S shell, and had to widen the arches front and rear. The rear edge of the bonnet had to be lifted clear of the back of the engine too - you can just make out the extensions on the hinge on the top photo.
If Audi had made a successful RWD out of that 100 Coupe, could have changed their future lineup as the Audi Quattro was the successor... RWD 5 cylinder turbo anyone?
BigRusko said:
Not sure if this has been mentioned previously, more a one off (thank God)
https://carnewschina.com/2014/08/04/meet-the-audi-...
Whilst that was a one off, this was something you could actually buyhttps://carnewschina.com/2014/08/04/meet-the-audi-...
The Hongqi CA1021. It was in a link at the bottom of the page you linked
Hugh Jarse said:
Mercedes Benz 300 SEL 6.3 Pininfarina Coupe. Decent write up on the history here: https://drive-my.com/en/test-drive/item/1769-merce...BigRusko said:
Not sure if this has been mentioned previously, more a one off (thank God)
https://carnewschina.com/2014/08/04/meet-the-audi-...
I saw something similar, albeit with a Mercedes instead of an Audi, last time I went to the banger races, it looked like they'd just taken the boot and rear window from one of those C-class coupes and made it into a parade vehicle https://carnewschina.com/2014/08/04/meet-the-audi-...
Dapster said:
Meridius said:
...like the Audi 100 Coupe,... it would seem Porsche used a few of them as 928 testbed where they were wider with a different floor and front-engined V8 RWD layout.
Proper Frankenstein's monster of a car. Built in 1974, Porsche shoe horned the V8 into the 100S shell, and had to widen the arches front and rear. The rear edge of the bonnet had to be lifted clear of the back of the engine too - you can just make out the extensions on the hinge on the top photo.
Has anyone else got any interesting test mules.
So, you probably know about the Mercedes 300 SEL 6.3 raced by AMG, a.k.a. the Rote Sau:
But did you know it had a second career?
When AMG retired this car, they sold it to Matra, who were looking for a fast, large vehicle to test landing gear components and/or tires for jet fighters. Apparently, no other vehicle was able to get up to the takeoff speed of a jet.
They stretched the car, and installed the test systems in the back. The bin just ahead of the rear axle contains an aircraft wheel and tyre, plus a suspension system to press the tire onto the track at varying pressure.
At the end of its useful life, the car was scrapped around 1991.
But did you know it had a second career?
When AMG retired this car, they sold it to Matra, who were looking for a fast, large vehicle to test landing gear components and/or tires for jet fighters. Apparently, no other vehicle was able to get up to the takeoff speed of a jet.
They stretched the car, and installed the test systems in the back. The bin just ahead of the rear axle contains an aircraft wheel and tyre, plus a suspension system to press the tire onto the track at varying pressure.
At the end of its useful life, the car was scrapped around 1991.
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