Cars that you love and no-one else understands?

[RoverP6B]

What car do you love, that is old, quirky, weird or simply really rare, that nobody else understands or knows what it is? Popular stuff is easy and you won't find many detractors of e.g. BMW M3s or E39 M5s, but that's not the point here. It doesn't have to be fast or beautiful or even particularly good. Petrolhead love can be a deeply irrational thing.

Here's my first nomination, a deeply beautiful machine from Czechoslovakia:


Five seats, a big boot in the front and an aircooled V8 in the back that's barely man enough to haul this big, heavy car around. I have pondered the idea of a flat six conversion, which would also free up some boot space in the back...

[lufbramatt]

Saw one of them at Goodwood, was bright orange and they had rigged up some kind of venturi device on the exhausts to suck cooling air through the engine. Upshot of which it was insanely loud

[Negative Creep]

[kambites]

I can definitely see the appeal of that Tatra.

I doubt there's space for a flat-six in the back without serious chassis modifications, though? They're awfully wide.

[LuS1fer]

4th gen Camaro Z28 Photo is an SS). Lots of plastic, not the greatest intrerior, polarising looks, fantastic LS1 engine but still one of my favourite cars I've ever owned.


I didn't understand these at the time - 1978 Toyota Cressida - but my father bought one and I'd love one now. Hints of 2nd gen Camaro in the nose and a bit of shrink-washed Americana.

Edited by LuS1fer on Monday 14th October 09:42

[Vladimir]

My mk3 Golf GTi 16v was much derided but I actually preferred mine in many ways to the mk2.

Not sure if the 335d is all that popular here but I really like ours.

[lufbramatt]

kambites said:

I can definitely see the appeal of that Tatra.

I doubt there's space for a flat-six in the back without serious chassis modifications, though? They're awfully wide.

They made the T700 (last of the family line) with a 4.4l aircooled V8, putting out 235bhp, until 1998. Must be people that have done that conversion?

[Lawbags]

Renault 11 turbo!

[TheBALDpuma]

Slightly different to intended topic, but related.

My new car, ST220 estate. People that aren't in to cars and even some that are just DO NOT understand why a) at 25 yo I'd want an old man's family car, and b) why on earth I'd want a 3.0 v6 that gets 25mpg.

My OH said to me last night on the long commute home from a family visit "I get it as a fun weekend car, but not as a car you use every day". I just don't get that, it's a frickin mondeo estate!! hardly a weekend toy. So I explained this and she just said "well it's just totally stupid then!"

[jhonn]

Old, quirky, slow, cramped and noisy - certainly nobody in my family understands - however, I love it!

[Fleckers]

for me

Anything oddball or non mainstream
Anything with real V8 from the American side of the pond

example 1996 I had a Scooby WRX STi before most people had heard of them or what they did
example 2005 I had a MG ZT-T SE 260
example 1990 I had an Opel Manta with a Big Block Chevy

[RoverP6B]

Negative Creep said:

Toyota Crown?

[RoverP6B]

kambites said:

I can definitely see the appeal of that Tatra.

I doubt there's space for a flat-six in the back without serious chassis modifications, though? They're awfully wide.

If it can fit in e.g. a 930, it must surely fit in the Tatra - engine bay looks wide enough on these.

[kambites]

RoverP6B said:

If it can fit in e.g. a 930, it must surely fit in the Tatra - engine bay looks wide enough on these.

I'm not convinced. The heads have to fit between the wheels and the 930 probably has a wider track than the Tatra.

[Morningside]

Saw one back in about 1988 and fell in love.
I don't care that electrically and mechanically it had problems or the snout was way too long.

Just look at it

[RoverP6B]

Morningside said:

Saw one back in about 1988 and fell in love.
I don't care that electrically and mechanically it had problems or the snout was way too long.

Just look at it

Truly and utterly horrible!

Rear track on a T603 is 36mm wider than a 930. However, that original Tatra V8 does sound bloody good... and the 4.4 if you can get it is surely barely trying at 235hp...

[LongLiveTazio]

RoverP6B said:

Toyota Crown?

Century. I actually have a mild obsession with them and plan on importing one at some point.

[kambites]

RoverP6B said:

Rear track on a T603 is 36mm wider than a 930. However, that original Tatra V8 does sound bloody good... and the 4.4 if you can get it is surely barely trying at 235hp...

Fair enough. The overall car must be about two feet wider then, looking at the overhangs.

[300bhp/ton]

Anything niche or not really a UK market vehicle will likely fall into this category. But it's not that others don't love them, just that there are far too many sheep that will only follow the masses and like that they 'think' is the in thing to like. And will generally slate anything just a bit different or unknown to them.

[vrooom]

skoda 120...
lada saloon.