The cars that you're amazed were ever built


I was preparing for this week’s Carchive post and, unlike the chaotic bookcase landslide that led me to contemplate which stylish production car had the most disappointing interior, The Carchive remained neat and tidy and I found my target Citroen Pluriel brochure with very little fuss and bother.
But before I filleted, scrutinised and chronicled the publicity matter I had been looking for, my train of thought was derailed by the realisation that this was a car the likes of which could never conceivably make it into production today. In fact, that it was offered for sale in actual showrooms is still one of the more implausible notions of the 21st century motoring scene so far.
And it begs the question: Of all the cars that have been green-lit for production since roads were a thing, what’s the most baffling?


Just to get y’all in the mood, a little back story on the Pluriel. We’ll go into more detail when we all sit around the Hooniverse campfire and sing songs from the  brochure this time next week. For now, all you need to know is that 1999 brought a concept car called the Pluriel, and 2003 brought a production car…. called the Pluriel.
It’s fair to say that, in 1999, Citroen was rather struggling for an identity. The cars it sold at the time — the Citroen Saxo (close cousin to the Peugeot 106), the Citroen Xsara (pretty much a Peugeot 306 under the skin) and the Xsara Picasso (a hideous extension of the Xsara that almost had two planes of symmetry) were perfectly alright, but didn’t exactly shout “Spirit of Citroen”. To be fair, the Xantia and XM were still around, but appealed on something of an intellectual level, as opposed to appealing in a way that actually sold cars.
What Citroen needed was a return to its ‘fun, expressive’ routes, and a versatile convertible for fun in the sun would be just the ticket. In fact, giving it a roll-back canvas roof could channel the bare-bones, essential nature of the Citroen 2CV and its marginally less puritanical sister, Dyane. So, a concept was concocted, as was the name Pluriel — a portmanteau of the words Plural, for the multiplicity of ways the car could be used, and Muriel, for my Aunt who lives in a retirement apartment in Frinton-on-Sea.

Perhaps Citroen was really panicked by the appearance of youth-magnets like the ‘New’ Beetle and the ‘New’ MINI. At some point between ’99 and ’01, somebody in the boardroom sighed, exhaled and muttered “I suppose we could build the Pluriel”. The old concept sketches were fished out of a filing cabinet and the most insane of its details trimmed off — we lost the bizarre ribbed surface that disfigured one side and the roofline was made considerably more sensible. It was deflated for production, too: while the concept had bits of Citroen Berlingo van underpinning it, the production model would act as a prelude to the far smaller Citroen C3 that was lined up to replace the Saxo.
What did make it to production, though, is the overall concept of a four-seat car with a roll-back canvas roof, which could be made into a fully open-top car (or even a ‘spider pickup’ when the rear seats were folded down) by removing the longitudinal rails and rearmost pillars — without recourse to the hydraulic jaws of life. Yes, plein air motoring was a Pluriel speciality, but only among those truly confident in the day’s forecast: take those rails and pillars away and car ain’t got no roof at all.
So there we have it. As I say, there’ll be a more regimented critique on the Pluriel in a Carchive post soon. Right now we’re just concentrating on the fact that the thing existed at all. But that was my choice in the Parthenon of cars that happened but probably shouldn’t have.
What’s yours?
(Press images courtesy Citroen)

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121 responses to “The cars that you're amazed were ever built”

  1. J Hobson Avatar
    J Hobson

    The French were all suffering problems during this period.
    Peugeot had the 1007 with electronic sliding doors that didn’t.
    The Renault Avantime. The two ‘coupe’ based on an MPV with huge doors and bulk. (Mind you Mini built another 2 door MPV coupe, the Pacer which was equally unsellable.)

    1. AlexG55 Avatar
      AlexG55

      The 1007’s doors also extended past the back of the car when open, which was a problem in tight parking spaces.
      I won’t hear a word said against the Avantime, though, apart from that by selling badly it killed Matra.

      1. Rover 1 Avatar
        Rover 1

        Since I’ve been looking at 1007s I feel qualified to rebut your assertion.
        The doors do not extend beyond the back of the car when fully open, Pininfarina is not that careless. The rear bumper is always the rearmost point.
        https://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/NzY4WDEwMjQ=/z/lsgAAOSw8xFa0ymA/$_86.JPG
        https://www.autoscout24.de/assets/auto/images/model/peugeot/peugeot-1007/peugeot-1007-m-02.jpg

        1. crank_case Avatar
          crank_case

          The biggest issue I had with the 1007 is it directly followed the magnificent 106 and was a harbinger of doom of the muddled period Peugeot was heading for.

          1. duurtlang Avatar
            duurtlang

            That whole x07 range is the spawn of the devil. Malaise era Peugeot. Yet, 106, 306 and 406 were absolutely great.

          2. outback_ute Avatar
            outback_ute

            The 307 was good IMO (although it has its issues) from a packaging point of view, particularly the wagon. Doesn’t work so well as a hot hatch, but the 20x is better suited to that role.
            It is a shame it has reverted to being another Golf clone.

          3. crank_case Avatar
            crank_case

            Gotta disagree, my Dad had one, the woeful 1.4. Where a 1.4 in the 306 was actually a pretty decent machine, the 307 was a punishment beating. Most of the feel and chassis finesse of the previous car was gone, just as Ford was hitting its mojo with the Focus to make it worse. The real killer with this particular version was a low torque engine combined with one of the most on/off clutches I’ve ever encountered in a mainstream car.
            My Dad used to berate me when I drove it saying it was just my technique, then he got a Renault Modus and the scales fell from his eyes.
            You know a car is bad when a Renault Modus is an upgrade..

          4. outback_ute Avatar
            outback_ute

            Fair enough. I’m never surprised that a base engine in a European car is underpowered though, usually best avoided I would have thought.

        2. AlexG55 Avatar
          AlexG55

          I stand corrected, I just remember the rumours when it came out…

          1. Rover 1 Avatar
            Rover 1

            You are very honourable. Everyone can make a mistake, I’ve made plenty. 🙂

    2. Rover 1 Avatar
      Rover 1

      This might be why I’m looking at both a Avantime and a 1007 as my next vehicle purchases.

      1. Sjalabais Avatar
        Sjalabais

        Avantime-project with sliding doors?

        1. Rover 1 Avatar
          Rover 1

          Ha! Those doors are complex enough already with their parallellogram hinge, getting them to work properly is what delayed release for a year. This, of course, gives me another reason to want to buy one.
          https://cardesignnews.azureedge.net/media/14250075/avhinge.jpg
          https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2828/9640515584_0680815c9a_b.jpg

          1. Sjalabais Avatar
            Sjalabais

            Getting tasked with such an odd job sounds like engineering heaven. Those doors must have a particular feel to them.

          2. outback_ute Avatar
            outback_ute

            The fact that such a mechanism was needed should have set off warning bells about what they were doing.

  2. Eduardo Rodrigues Avatar

    As a brazilian I say the Sandero RS. It’s been a long time since we had an hot hatch developed here, the RenaultSport version of the Sandero was a huge surprise. The car lives up to it’s hype and have a great value, is cheaper than some competitor at their top spec with boring 1.6 engines
    https://motorchase.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Renault_Sandero_RS_1.jpg

    1. Rust-MyEnemy Avatar

      I had no idea that ever existed. Every day’s a schoolday.

  3. Fuhrman16 Avatar
    Fuhrman16

    The AMC AMX. It was a limited production sporty two seat coupe powered by a range of V8 engines going up to 390ci. Just three years prior to it’s debut the president of the company had claimed that the only race they cared about was the human race and the company was on the brink of death. It wound up breaking over 100 speed and endurance records in the hands of Craig Breedlove.
    What’s even more unfathomable, is that a mid engine sports car called the AMX/3 nearly made production. It used the same 390ci V8 as the AMX and was due to be built in Turin. Unfortunately, union strikes, increasing safety regulations, and the inability to find a suitable builder for the bodies ment that the project was scrapped after only six cars were produced (with a seventh built from the spare parts that were made).
    https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/211b2ae596d21ba5c2f51970f22cb9d56cfec223fde04665e85150cedd32ad34.jpg https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/e86c97a441bf1e308902a5d463bbd0598ea4c742d6cf4b2d8624cae80731dcff.jpg

    1. outback_ute Avatar
      outback_ute

      I read recently that the AMX wasn’t a shortened Javelin, but rather the Javelin was a stretched AMX. Quite the conundrum really!

      1. Zentropy Avatar
        Zentropy

        Not exactly true. The Javelin was a product that the market fully expected (in order to compete with Mustang and Camaro), but the AMX was AMC’s curve-ball. And while the AMX and AMX II concepts were fiberglass-bodied cars independent of the Javelin, the body for the production AMX was actually designed from the clay model of the Javelin. The two cars were essentially co-developed, but technically speaking, the production AMX was a shortened Javelin.

        1. outback_ute Avatar
          outback_ute

          I should have added that I didn’t believe it, it was a theory from a Javelin/AMX owner. The AMX came out well after the Javelin too

          1. Zentropy Avatar
            Zentropy

            Yep. I think the AMX was a mid-year release, about 6 months after the Jav, though both were MY 1968.
            I was heavily shopping these cars in the mid-90s, and initially thought I wanted an AMX, but actually, I preferred the Javelin. My favorite was the Javelin SST with the 343/4V and 4-speed, but only because I thought it was the most balanced. The short-wheelbase AMX was downright squirrelly with the 390 Go Pack. Both cars are still on high on my favorite muscle car list, though.

          2. outback_ute Avatar
            outback_ute

            I saw a very hairy AMX running at some local hillclimbs around the same time, it made a big impression.

  4. Sjalabais Avatar
    Sjalabais

    On the fabric roof concept…my mother had a Fiat Panda with such a roof first, that incredibly quickly disintegrated into orange dust. They were followed by a succesion of Renault Twingos with the same feature. Opening up the roof on hot summer days was nothing short of fabulous. The sliding rear bench, a feature later adapted by several other manufacturers, was another amazing idea that made the Twingo such a massive success in its day.
    http://img.over-blog-kiwi.com/0/66/67/30/201311/ob_ac3bc4_fcia-french-cars-in-america-usa-canada-renault-tw.jpg

    1. AlexG55 Avatar
      AlexG55

      Citroen also made the Berlingo with a fabric roof, and I think VW made a Golf or Polo with one.

  5. crank_case Avatar
    crank_case

    The Mazda 121 Saloon, someone obviously felt there was a market for a bowler hat on wheels with it’s dinky little boot. It reverted to being a more practical hatchback in later generations.
    https://i.auto-bild.de/mdb/extra_large/32/db-aa7.jpg

    1. Zentropy Avatar
      Zentropy

      Reminds me of a shrunken Dodge Neon.

      1. crank_case Avatar
        crank_case

        Never noticed this before, but you’re dead right. This car started life as an an Autozam, Mazdas sub-brand that also gave us the AZ-1 which perhaps puts things in perspective.

        1. Zentropy Avatar
          Zentropy

          I had no idea Autozam was related to Mazda. I regret my ignorance of cars that weren’t made or imported to the U.S. Thanks for the education!

        2. Citric Avatar
          Citric

          Autozam also sold Lancias. The 1992 Autozam Clef, meanwhile, looks suspiciously similar to the 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix from the rear. I just felt like looking up Autozam.
          https://auta5p.eu/katalog/autozam/clef_02a.jpg

          1. crank_case Avatar
            crank_case

            Looks like a rebadged 626 or Xedos 6. Any idea what Lancias they sold? Were they still badged as Lancia and just sold through Autozam dealers or were they rebadged?

          2. Citric Avatar
            Citric

            Yep, 626 with a different rear end pretty much.
            I think they were just Lancias sold through the Autozam network, rather than rebadged. Looks like the full line from 1992 going by this image:
            https://www.flatout.com.br/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/catalogo-lancia-autozam.jpg

          3. crank_case Avatar
            crank_case

            That’s brilliant, the idea that if you had the means, you could have had a new AZ-1 and Delta HF Integrale out of the same showroom is just insane.

    1. Zentropy Avatar
      Zentropy

      I remember being both amazed and appalled at that one.

      1. Victor Avatar
        Victor

        Appalled ? please explain ?

        1. Zentropy Avatar
          Zentropy

          I personally thought it was a lame interpretation of a 30s custom roadster, with an adequately-powerful but uninspiring V6 engine. I didn’t care for the Chevy SSR, either, though it was a considerably better effort.

          1. Victor Avatar
            Victor

            Lame ? Chip Foose wins trophies building cars like this. That is stylish .

          2. Zentropy Avatar
            Zentropy

            To each his/her own. The elements that made Foose’s Hemisfear such a hit are sorely absent here. I think it has potential (change the wheels, remove the headlights and replace with a pair from a Panoz roadster, change the bumpers), but the big killer is the minivan drivetrain. This car deserved a V8 manual — not a V6 automatic. No one in my late-90s car crowd thought much of the Prowler when it debuted, and given the 11k production run, apparently not many others did either.

          3. Victor Avatar
            Victor

            I do not give a damn whether you liked it or not , always that one asshole in every crowd.

          4. Victor Avatar
            Victor

            Do not give shit about your opinion. , I was surprised it got built .

          5. Zentropy Avatar
            Zentropy

            Easy, dude. I didn’t call your sister ugly– we’re just talking cars here. You asked me to explain why I was “appalled”, so I answered, and you then deleted the inquiry and posted insulting personal attacks in its place. If you’re seriously so thin-skinned that you can’t engage in civilized argument, then stick to posting in a diary and stay off of more public forums.

          6. Zentropy Avatar
            Zentropy

            For the record, peeps, I respect the opinion of every individual that contributes to this forum, even if I total disagree with it. A contradictory comment from me should never be taken as an insult or accusation, only as fodder for engaged discussion. Likewise, if you disagree with me, feel free to fire away– I won’t take offense. I love the car hobby, and input from readers and contributors of Hooniverse has expanded my perspective on it considerably.
            I regret that Victor felt he needed to react so defensively and then pull his posts completely. If every anyone feels I’m unduly attacking them personally, please say so and I will humbly apologize.

          7.  Avatar
          8. Zentropy Avatar
            Zentropy

            I appreciate the advice. I need to better anticipate the breadth of my audience.

      2. neight428 Avatar
        neight428

        Thought of the Prowler myself, now I don’t know where to comment. Chrysler/Plymouth couldn’t come out with the actual business case that earned it the green light (R&D, manufacturing innovation, etc.), but since it didn’t justify a whole new drivetrain, they went with what would fit, so in retrospect, I can’t blame them for using it, though at the time, it sure seemed an uninspiring choice. If someone could do one with a DI turbo 4 and a manual today, it would be pretty cool.

        1. Maymar Avatar
          Maymar

          This is pretty much it – would it have been better that to get a V6 Prowler, or no Prowler at all? Especially considering that (at least in the pickup trim they already existed in), the 318/360 weren’t exactly fire-breathing, and like you said, the transmissions apparently didn’t fit.

          1. 0A5599 Avatar
            0A5599

            Mopar Performance sold a 360 horse 360 crate engine at the time. IIRC, it was sub-$4,000 at the dealership.
            The 5.9 Magnum in the Dakota R/T made something like 20-30 more horsepower than Mustang GT as delivered, and DIY types could buy the emissions-and-warranty-compliant Mopar Performance heads, cam, computer, and headers to add another 80+ hp.
            They COULD HAVE equipped Prowler with a decently performing powerplant without using a lot of development resources, but the 5.2/5.9 engines were already being wound down in favor of the 4.7 by then. I understand why they chose instead to highlight the LH engine instead (look ahead, not behind), but should have supercharged it or done something similar to make it more special than an Intrepid.

          2. Maymar Avatar
            Maymar

            Fair, although presumably any changes to the LA V8’s (or a supercharged six) would have required jumping through too many emissions/fuel economy hoops (at best, they could have used a stock engine and the wink wink/nudge nudge that no hot rod was ever done being modified or something).
            Plus, where they skimped on power, they put inboard suspension on the thing!

    2. ptschett Avatar
      ptschett

      In its defense it was a successive stage of Chrysler using a low-volume halo car to experiment with alternative materials & team organization methods (Viper was an earlier stage) and it would probably have made more sense if the planned reinvention of Plymouth had happened (PT Cruiser was intended to be a Plymouth.)

  6. tonyola Avatar
    tonyola

    It’s absolute stunning that a car maker in the grey, dreary, and forbidding 1950s Communist world behind the Iron Curtain would be allowed to produce this.
    https://spct2000.files.wordpress.com/2014/08/tatra-603.jpg?w=840

    1. Sjalabais Avatar
      Sjalabais

      The story of this car is fascinating. Tatra engineers were told to develop something entirely different. But this was their pet project. When the Top Soviet on a whim realized they were short of prestigious limousines, the Tatra engineers revealed their secret labour of love. Against all odds, it got greenlit – and more than that. A V8 was something nobody would have dared to work on in the dark, so that needed to be developed in a hurry.

  7. Zentropy Avatar
    Zentropy

    I’m still surprised that the Honda S2000 ever made it to production, considering its appearance in 1999 marked Honda’s first RWD car in nearly thirty years. It was brilliant, a huge success, and lasted a decade with few changes, and are pretty coveted today. Sadly, though, we’ve not seen another RWD Honda since.
    https://d32c3oe4bky4k6.cloudfront.net/articles-videos/-/media/uscamediasite/images/story-images/2018/07/17/honda-s2000-passenger-side.ashx?modified=20180717172149

    1. Zentropy Avatar
      Zentropy

      I guess I should qualify by making exception with the NSX, which I realize was a Honda elsewhere, but my American myopia still thinks of it as an Acura. Regardless, it too was brilliant and surprising.

      1. Sjalabais Avatar
        Sjalabais

        Watching Pulp Fiction – again and again in the age of tapes and later pirated AVI files – seeing a Honda called an “Acura” was vital to nurture my curiosity for the weird. And badge engineering.
        https://thumbs.gfycat.com/RequiredFirmGermanwirehairedpointer-max-1mb.gif

        1. Victor Avatar
          Victor

          Great cinema , full of little ironies.

      2. JayP Avatar
        JayP

        Honda was hard core about not making it an Acura.

        1. Zentropy Avatar
          Zentropy

          If I ever bought an Acura, I would Honda-ize it, though their lack of RWDs makes that unlikely. I have frequently hit up Craigslist for a Lexus IS, but I would likewise Toyota-ize it if I got one. I think luxury sub-brands are stupid.

  8. I_Borgward Avatar
    I_Borgward

    The improbable Pacer!
    GM’s abandoned rotary-engine project, picked up by AMC who shoehorned a straight 6 into it instead.
    It must have seemed like a good idea at the time.
    https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/f35c44879d498bf730ad470b942c709ea863a3d643c4863612c67b88043ecf5f.jpg

    1. Victor Avatar
      Victor

      Pacer X was available with a small V/8 4 speed.

      1. Zentropy Avatar
        Zentropy

        It always amazed me that AMC could somehow fit a small block V8 into the space they were attempting to put a Wankel. I was hell-bent to drop a 401 into a Pacer back in high school, but did a Spirit 360 instead.

    2. Fuhrman16 Avatar
      Fuhrman16

      Not entirely true. This was an AMC project from the get go. It was, however, originally planned to powered by a rotary engine that would have been supplied by GM. The problem was that GM dropped their rotary engine project fairly late in the Pacer’s development, leaving AMC no other choice than to use their own straight six instead.

      1. I_Borgward Avatar
        I_Borgward

        Always good to get the story straight!

  9. Citric Avatar
    Citric

    The Lincoln Blackwood. It always seemed to be a car with a market of exactly one person. I can believe there are people who want a Lincoln pickup, but then it’s locked down to one configuration, and only available in black, and only with a wood bed, and only with a bed that has carpeting and a complicated tailgate for no reason, and only in 2WD. That configuration is so specific that it almost feels chosen to not sell. And yet they tried to sell it. I kind of love it just because there is no way it should exist as a real product you could buy.
    https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/95/2002_Lincoln_Blackwood_2.jpg/1280px-2002_Lincoln_Blackwood_2.jpg

    1. Rover 1 Avatar
      Rover 1

      The Lincoln Towntruck.

    2. neight428 Avatar
      neight428

      Gloriously odd. I’m thinking they had a glut of F150 and Navigator parts in that particular spec that they needed to offload. Weren’t these put out just before the redesign.

    3. Alff Avatar
      Alff

      There can’t be much of a market for a guy who wants to haul four people and their clubs to the golf course but only two of them comfortably.

      1. outback_ute Avatar
        outback_ute

        At least it had a built-in toilet! (reference to the shape of the rear centre console)

  10. nanoop Avatar

    NSU Ro 80.
    Ten years before this, NSU was a motorcycle manufacturer, then a maker of compact cars, and in 1967: design avantgarde.
    It broke NSU’s neck, though.
    https://media1.autohaus.de/sixcms/media.php/5172/thumbnails/NSU_Ro80_10.jpg.14947247.jpg

    1. outback_ute Avatar
      outback_ute

      At least that was a car that made sense. A great “what if?” would be how the car would have turned out without the rotary engine disaster.

      1. Vairship Avatar
        Vairship

        Without the rotary in the Ro80, Audi/Auto Union probably wouldn’t exist anymore. And VW might still be selling air-cooled and/or rear-engined cars. With both the RoK80 and K70, NSU might have been VERY successful for a small manufacturer.

    1. Zentropy Avatar
      Zentropy

      Good one. When we thought regulation and safety requirements were going to downsize engines…

      1. crank_case Avatar
        crank_case

        It has everywhere else though, seriously, try think of even a Euro super-sportscar that has an engine size above 4 litres (a size dictated by the Chinese market) – Porsche, Ferrari, McLaren, they all hover around 3 point something apart from the really expensive V12 monsters at the very top of the ranges. No big block 6.9 AMGs either – again, all 4 litre “hot vee” engines. Further down, you have 1 litre turbo VW golf sized cars now.
        These engines are very good of course, but sometimes I wish there was a balance, Europe keeps pushing for tougher CO2 standards, but had rubbish testing – which is why Dieselgate happened. Now we’re probably walking into a similar unintended consequences scenario with electrification.

        1. Zentropy Avatar
          Zentropy

          Things will be forced to eventually change here in the States, though not with the current administration, which doesn’t even recognize global warming. As much as I love the deep rumble of a big-cube V8, I agree that they are overkill for most situations. They just have such good acoustics. I personally would much prefer a cross-plane 3.0L V8 to a 3.0L V6, based on sound alone, but I’m sure they don’t make sense money-wise.

          1. crank_case Avatar
            crank_case

            The real word economy difference between a modern US 5.0 V8 vs a 3.0V6 probably isn’t that great in the real world – it’s the vehicles themselves that are the problem in both markets, which keep getting bigger.
            As far as I can see, the US main problem (like Ireland funnily enough, which is terrible in terms of overall CO2 emissions) is less about what you drive and more about how much you drive. My colleagues in the SF area all seem to do insane 1 1/2 to 2 hour commutes and there isn’t a lot invested in public transport, cycling seemed non existent.
            I like driving, but not commuting unless my commute was an empty touge every morning .

          2. outback_ute Avatar
            outback_ute

            On the highway I’d agree there isn’t much difference, but in urban traffic it would depend on your driving habits – faster acceleration uses much more fuel. We had a direct comparison with Commodores and Falcons, with turbo Falcons thrown in for an extra.
            Thanks for the info about the China 4L thing, I wonder why BMW has stayed with a 4.4 then?

          3. crank_case Avatar
            crank_case

            I’m not sure, but if you look at anything sub M5/M6, it’s all 2-3 litre engines, even the M3/4/.
            You pay higher purchase taxes on anything over 4L but I guess BMW figured Chinese M5 buyers were loaded enough not to care. It’s the stuff in the high-middle of most car ranges that’s affected – e.g. Alfa Giulia, BMW M3/4, Porsche 911, McLaren 570c, Ferrari 488 etc. while some of them like Ferrari and Lamborghini still retain high capacity V12s..for now, but even they are talking hybridization at some point. The Ferrar FF had its V12 replaced to become the GTC4Lusso with a 3.9 V8, which arguably improved the car, but also made it an easier sell.

          4. outback_ute Avatar
            outback_ute

            There is also the 550 with the 4.4. If it is offered in China again buyers probably wouldn’t care or perhaps even consider it a positive in a flaunting sense, but it is curious that they are the only >4L engine.

          5. Rover 1 Avatar
            Rover 1

            The latest federal study out, does recognise global warming, but then says that it’s too late to do anything about it as there are already some effects, so no need for any tighter regulations.
            It appears to be the same logic that says we shouldn’t put the kitchen fire out because it won’t stop the smoke damage that has already occurred.

  11. salguod Avatar

    The optimism of the 1950s and 1960s American car industry produced lots of clever and unique answers to automotive questions that didn’t really need clever or unique answers or that really weren’t even questions.
    Did we need a turbocharged V8 in 1962 when gas was cheap and bigger V8s did the same thing? No, but Olds built one anyway (and Chevy built the Corvair Turbo soon after).
    Did we need a chain drive FWD V8 powered personal coupe? No, but Olds built the Toronado anyway.
    Did we need a chain drive FWD V8 powered motor home with an aluminum space frame? No, but GMC built one anyway.
    Were we ready to build a fully retractable hardtop convertible in 1957? Probably not, but Ford built the Skyliner anyway.
    Did a compact car need a flexible driveshaft and a rear mounted transaxle? No, but Pontiac created the Tempest anyway.
    In some ways, “Because we can.” seems to be the motto of the era.

    1. outback_ute Avatar
      outback_ute

      The GMC motorhome is just a pure packaging genius move to me. I read an article recently that compared it to the Winnebago of the time and the difference is hilarious.

      1. JayP Avatar
        JayP

        There’s a few good videos on YT about the Motorhome.

        1. outback_ute Avatar
          outback_ute

          Not to forget the movie Stripes!

        1. outback_ute Avatar
          outback_ute

          I’m aware of that one, having the engine under the driving ‘compartment’ is better use of space than putting it under the bed – just look at the superfluous head room above the driver’s seat. A higher driving position is advantageous in a vehicle like this in any case. https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/523fb2f80838a9559722ff29ae1f77314350452f6f29582cae488f0e29a38600.jpg

    2. Zentropy Avatar
      Zentropy

      The Tempest had a rear transaxle? That’s awesome! I swear I was once under a friend’s ’64 and now feel stupid that I didn’t notice. That really ups my interest in and respect for that model.

      1. Rover 1 Avatar
        Rover 1

        Very important to the plot line of the movie, ‘My Cousin Vinnie’.

      2. Fuhrman16 Avatar
        Fuhrman16

        It was only the first generation of Tempest that had a rear mounted transaxle. In ’64 it moved up to a bigger, more conventional platform that used a normal transmission and solid stick axle in the rear.

        1. Zentropy Avatar
          Zentropy

          Ok, that makes me feel less the moron. If I can’t recognize a transmission from a transaxle, I have no business wrenching on cars.

    3. outback_ute Avatar
      outback_ute

      And all of the GM stuff of the early 60’s made them realise the consumer didn’t care anyway, so they basically stopped innovating after that.

    4. P161911 Avatar
      P161911

      Early attempts at fuel injection fall in here too. Both GM’s mechanical fuel injection and Chrysler/Bendix ill fated attempt at electronic fuel injection in the 1950s.

      1. Alff Avatar
        Alff

        My granddad had a Belair with the “Power Pack”. It was gone long before I came along but I can still remember him bitching about it.

    5. crank_case Avatar
      crank_case

      Bubble era-Japan says “hold my Sake” in terms of crazy stuff…though in fairness, a lot of what came out of that era is more relavant to today than 50s/60s America.

  12. Alff Avatar
    Alff

    VW Phaeton

    1. nanoop Avatar

      Piech’s ego didn’t fit though, so he made the Veyron.

  13. Mobes Avatar
    Mobes

    https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/4b9004dd5af482e910dedc3d09d952f19b395d216a0234d12ab92fddbeb24b94.jpg It’s beating an ancient, mummified horse at this point but the fact that the Mustang II was
    not only made, but SUCCESSFUL in it’s run, always boggles my mind. I get it, the 71-73 Mustang was bloated and ugly, but in my eyes it was at least somewhat sinister like it’s predecessors. What the fuck is sinister, or even cool, about this turd? It look like the designers forgot to dry a clay model and it started to lose it’s shape, except instead of tossing the whole design they looked at it and were like “It’s shaped like a moldy pear… I like it.”
    Not only that but it was an awful car to drive by any measure. The suspension was soggy in any tuning, the engines were all lethargic, and it wasn’t even economical. What was the point? What did people see in this thing? It enrages me to even look at it because I know that people bought this Walmart-mom hipped blob, and not just a few people. A LOT of people bought these, when a Capri or a Celica was a far better car in every. Single. Way.
    Why? Why Ford? Why 70s America?

    1. Zentropy Avatar
      Zentropy

      Yeah, it was a turd. The mid-70s pretty much sucked no matter what domestic car you considered, but I agree with you on the Celica (I had money in my pocket to buy a ’77 hatchback and didn’t do it) and the Capri (never seen one in person, but they look great to me now). I still think even the humble Maverick would have made a better Mustang sequel than the Mustang II.

      1. Mobes Avatar
        Mobes

        I’ve always thought the same thing about the Maverick. I mean yeah it was on the crude side but so were the other domestic compacts. I mean the Camaro had rear leaf springs ffs and it was considered one of the best handling cars of the era.

      2. JayP Avatar
        JayP

        The plan was to use the Maverick platform for the Mustang. But just like everything else, the Mustang got large and wasn’t true to what the meant when it was introduced. The pendulum swing back and the Pinto was the platform.
        The Mustang II may be the stepchild of the Ford family but it sold a ton in the day.

        1. Zentropy Avatar
          Zentropy

          Interesting– I didn’t know that. It’s surprising, though, considering the Maverick is nearly 7″ shorter than a ’65 Mustang, with a 5″ shorter wheelbase. But I guess by the early 70s, everything was shrinking, so I guess size was relative.
          I’m now itching to hit Craigslist for a Maverick that I can “Mustang-ize”.

          1. outback_ute Avatar
            outback_ute

            How much Mustang-izing does it need? I’ve seen a couple of hotted-up Maverick coupes and they look pretty good as-is.

          2. Zentropy Avatar
            Zentropy

            I agree with you, there. I used to never give them a second look, but I’ve seen some pretty sweet examples at shows. I would probably only alter the tail lights, as they’re pretty plain. I’m sure a set of t’bird lights would fit (for a Shelby or C/S appearance), or even ’71-’74 lights would look cool if they would fit.
            A quick Autotempest search yesterday brought up a number of pricey restomod Mavericks, but very few affordable drivers.

          3. JayP Avatar
            JayP

            Already happened. Just picked up the HotWheel version.

    2. theskig Avatar
      theskig

      As an Italian I have to say that quite the whole American production looks strange, expecially if you compare it to our cars of the same eras. (if you aren’t a muscle car fan, of course)

      1. Mobes Avatar
        Mobes

        American car culture has always been pretty unique until fairly recently. In the 70s, excess was the name of the game because there was no performance to keep people interested.

  14. theskig Avatar
    theskig

    My mother’s friend (a woman) had a C3 Pluriel.
    I once said to her: “How’s the car? Is it easy to remove the pillars?”
    She answered with a confused expression: “What? Removing the pillars?”

  15. outback_ute Avatar
    outback_ute

    I can think of some:
    – the Mini coupe/convertible
    – Nissan Murano convertible, and to a lesser degree Range Rover Evoque
    – Mini Paceman, Evoque 2-door, etc
    – Mitsubishi 380 – the writing on the wall was a neon sign, they should have built an SUV or pickup locally instead and been the only locally-manufactured option.

    1. Vairship Avatar
      Vairship

      Not to mention Mazda Roadpacer (Holden Premier with a tiny Wankel engine) or the Mazda Parkway rotary powered bus. Because what’s better for a bus than a torque-less engine… https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s–MbERs-rK–/c_scale,f_auto,fl_progressive,q_80,w_800/q6xi39awtwhl77bmufvx.png

  16. 0A5599 Avatar
    0A5599

    Nissan Murano Crosscabriolet starts with a meh SUV, strips out any “utility” (such as rear doors, a hatch, cargo space, second-row passenger space, etc.), fills it full of poor visibility, gives it the chassis of a wet noodle, puts it at a high price point, and makes it more aesthetically challenged than the version with a roof.
    https://www.tflcar.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/6a00d83451b18a69e2013489358b36970c-600wi.jpg

    1. neight428 Avatar
      neight428

      Take the most mainstream midsize SUV you can think of, and make it expensive, impractical and weird!

  17. neight428 Avatar
    neight428

    GMC Envoy XUV. It’s like the head of vehicle design remembered that one time he had to haul something really tall that he didn’t want everyone else to see the bottom portion of.
    https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/3df8e670461348d40094bdbc0b4afc2493f2145ad5a7a7bec802e7683dc062c1.png

    1. outback_ute Avatar
      outback_ute

      Isn’t that the one that Bob Lutz knew was going to be a turkey, but was too far down the line to stop?

      1. neight428 Avatar
        neight428

        Maybe, although I thought I recall reading that he had a similar opinion of the Aztek and how even to this day, the people that worked on the project are proud of it.

      1. neight428 Avatar
        neight428

        It worked out so well for them, after all.

  18. Maymar Avatar
    Maymar

    Remember when Mercedes built a pseudo-minivan? Remember when they built a pseudo-minivan just as the crossover was getting huge? Remember they built a pseudo-minivan and dropped a massive V8 in it?
    https://o.aolcdn.com/images/dims3/GLOB/legacy_thumbnail/800×450/format/jpg/quality/85/http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2006/08/105083206a3010.jpg

    1. Rust-MyEnemy Avatar

      Always absolutely loved these things. Seriously great to drive, even with the “little” 3.0-litre V6 diesel.