Tuesday 15th October 2013

You Know You (don't) Want To: Rinspeed R69

Harris reckons he's doing the 80s look in his Ferrari 512 TR but he needs this to do it properly

---

So PH is in Palm Springs to drive some Aston Martins (what was that about expensive product launches breaking the bank - ahem) and upon arrival did what any responsible petrolhead would do. Which is to find a local car dealership and do some tyre kicking.

$3,800 for this rust-free Californian RX-7 - nice!

And, boy, have we struck gold. McCormick's on Indian Canyon Drive is nothing if not diverse in its selection, there being muscle cars like a Mach 1 Mustang, Corvettes of various vintages, a Bronco equipped for some serious off-roading in the desert, a rather lovely first-gen RX-7 (just $3,800 - can I fit it in my hand baggage?) and ... this beauty.

Now, before going to Palm Springs I was tipped off that it has a bit of a reputation as a place where wealthy Californian retirees settle before, well, moving on to the next stage and leaving behind their worldly goods. Meaning the thrift shops are full of, to quote my source, 'rad ****'. Looks like the same applies to the car dealerships.

This creation is a Rinspeed R69, the Porsche conversion for the man who wished he'd bought a Testarossa, and thought, sod it, I'll just add some strakes to my flatnose and be done with it. And then some. One of reputedly 10 in the US - according to the McCormick's blurb at least - it appears to have gone through the hideousness barrier, skipped right past kitsch appeal and finished up parked in what can only be described as WTF Avenue.

$12,000 for a proper penis extension 'vette

Certainly it would have taken some brass ones to buy a car like this, even at the height of 80s excess. The more so to opt for a muddy beige over the more vibrant flouro pink of a similar car Autoblogwrote about a little while back.

And we've saved the best until last. How much for this ultimate slice of 80s extravagance? A burly $50,000. A joke with a surprisingly expensive punchline...

 

 

---

RINSPEED R69
Price: $50,000
Why you should: You won't see another like it
Why you shouldn't: You probably wouldn't want to either

See the McCormick's stocklist here (scroll down for the Rinspeed, June 24).

[Sources: Autoblog]

 

[MichelV]

Come on. Post some Gemballa pictures. I am too lazy.

Besides these side pods give fantastic downforce.

[jamespink]

Shocking 911 but that's just my favorite shape 'vette

[QuattroDave]

Worryingly I'm not repulsed by it....

[GranCab]

Ah the 80s - the decade that bypassed good taste ...

[Z28DUNC]

There were some hideous modified cars in the 80's! I think I'd take the Red SS Camaro next to it.

[MichelV]

Ok I will do it myself.

[Prawnboy]

QuattroDave said:

Worryingly I'm not repulsed by it....

and i activly covet it, thats a machine!

and how cheep is that mazda too!

[Alfa159Ti]

QuattroDave said:

Worryingly I'm not repulsed by it....

Likewise!

Looks very 'of its time'.

[tstain]

I know I shouldn't but I think I love it. Look at that top picture pure 80's zeitgeist excess. Needs to forever be in a sunny climate though.

[2fast748]

I had a poster of that Porsche on my bedroom wall as a kid (and still have the poser in the loft!)

[tstain]

tstain said:

I know I shouldn't but I think I love it. Look at that top picture pure 80's zeitgeist excess. Needs to forever be in a sunny climate though.

Yep I love it. SO deliciously tacky.

[Scrosbie1974]

I've just been sick in my mouth

[j90gta]

You can just about make out that it is 911 based from the side profile and the rear; however the front looks like a Mk III Supra. That RX7 looks sublime.

[Otispunkmeyer]

MichelV said:

Ok I will do it myself.

That is bloody good.

[Lunchie]

If you like that Rinspeed (or hate it!), this site is a must to visit. I can't get enough of the awfulness of some of the creations!

http://www.1000sel.com/

[toohuge]

I like that Rinspeed.....


Chris

[j90gta]

Don't forget Strosek either !!



What about this 80's crime against good taste!!

[PtheP]

"(and still have the poser in the loft!)"

I think if the poser had been kept in the loft all along he wouldn't have bought such an abomination of a machine

[MarJay]

Am I wrong to actually like that? £30,000 seems like a reasonable price for that. I could wear my Ray-Ban Wayfarers and a shiney cloth suit and I'd have the full Miami Vice bad guy package. All I need to complete the look is a kilo of white powder and some 80's music...

"Ah meester Burnett, I 'ave your kilo 'ere, you want to try?"

[loudlashadjuster]

Lunchie said:

If you like that Rinspeed (or hate it!), this site is a must to visit. I can't get enough of the awfulness of some of the creations!

http://www.1000sel.com/

Wow. Knew about quite a few of these but many more are a revelation.

Some of those Range Rovers!