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Techno Classica Weekend Edition: The 1978-1981 BMW M1
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Never to be outdone, BMW brought a freaking airplane to Techno Classica. They recently turned 100 years old, and the Bavarian propeller logo does stand for actual propellers. But since this isn’t Atomic Toasters, I’m dedicating this post to the BMW M1: the best Lamborghini BMW ever made. Or something.
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Techno Classica Weekend Edition: Volkswagen at Techno Classica
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Volkswagen’s stand at Techno Classica was expectedly GTI-heavy, as they celebrated the Golf GTI’s 40th anniversary. The ’76 GTI was represented by a Dutch example, the very first GTI to be registered in that country. It wasn’t nannied, but served as a dealership demo car and ended up in the need of complete restoration –…
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Techno Classica Weekend Edition: Mercedes-Benz 190E W201 Cabriolet
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For Techno Classica, Mercedes-Benz brought out a one-off convertible version of their modern classic 190E. The 2.6-litre car is the only one with factory backing, and it does look quite balanced. The two-tone blue suits the car exceptionally well, and it was built around the time the 190E had its “MoPf” facelift, meaning it has…
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Techno Classica Weekend Edition: 1991 Audi Avus Quattro
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A suitable counterpart or companion piece for the restrained and tasteful – albeit orange – Quattro Spyder is the Avus concept, all bulges and polished surfaces. This is also a 1991 car, and mid-engined, but somehow it couldn’t be more different. For some reason, I really enjoy Volkswagen Audi Group’s “Not Veyron” concepts.
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Techno Classica Weekend Edition: 1991 Audi Quattro Spyder
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This weekend edition focuses on Techno Classica. No, that’s not a new wave band (that’s Classix Nouveaux), but a classic car show held in Essen, Germany, in early April. It’s a show where German manufacturers often like to flaunt their greatest hits, and every now and then something particularly rare takes the stage. The car…
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Weekend Edition: The 1987-1989 Honda Accord Coupé
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It took until today for me to become aware of the late-’80s Honda Accord Coupé. Call me a slowpoke, but somehow the attractive, two-door bigger brother of the Prelude had eluded my sights so far. I certainly knew about the Aerodeck, as they sold the weird two-door wagonback here, pop-ups and all, but the coupe…
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Weekend Edition: Innocenti Turbo De Tomaso
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The name “Innocenti” seems to refer to something completely different than a re-engineered Mini that has been built in Italy with a Japanese turbocharged three-cylinder power plant. But that it is, and here it is, making these pages just a little bit cooler by its existence. The car looks like it wants to punch you…
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Weekend Edition: Daihatsu Charade Turbo
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If the 1977-introduced Daihatsu Charade was as humble as an early Civic, the ’80s and ’90s turbocharged, sometimes De Tomaso -endorsed turbo versions were anything but. Sharp bodykits, large graphics, two-tone paint – you name it, these things probably had it. Boosted triples galore!
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Weekend Edition: 1977-1983 Daihatsu Charade G10
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This weekend is a Daihatsu Charade weekend. The Toyota-owned, often overlooked Japanese manufacturer has turned out a lot of interesting vehicles – and Daihatsu is also the oldest Japanese car maker, a fact that should not be forgotten. The Charade is a nameplate that has stuck with the maker for quite a long time, as…
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Japanese Party Van in Finland: 2002 Nissan Elgrand Highway Star
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Japanese vans are pretty commonplace here, as a lot of stuff is still moved from place A to location B with a Toyota Hiace, or a Nissan Vanette at the very least. This narrow and tall, totally JDM-weird RHD people carrier immediately caught my eye, and at first I took it for a Toyota Granvia,…
