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Cars you didn't know existed until very recently.


philibusmo

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Recently, I was in India and learned about the existence of several cars. I learned that a new model Hyundai Verna 2018 was released in India, and I also learned about the existence of such brands as TATA and Mahindra.

The Autocar India website is good for stalking unusual Indian market-only cars.

 

https://www.autocarindia.com/car-reviews/2018-bajaj-qute-review-test-drive-409947

 

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I've didn't know Monteverdi was a real manufacturer but I had a Corgi/Matchbox Monteverdi Hai when I was a kid.

Never ever seen one.

Not many people have, there were only two ever made.post-17414-0-34686600-1545410337_thumb.jpeg

They went on to make some solid gold shite later on.

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Based on a Plymouth Volare

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And this anonymous barge started life as a Merc W126, obviously where Merc got the idea from when they created. The flop that was the Maybach 57

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Somewhere I have a photo I took of a Monteverdi at Santa Pod in 1973. I knew what it was because of my Observers book of cars.

It wasn't racing, but it was in the paddock and a few beardy guys were trying to start it. Two huge four barrel carbs were fitted, and no aircleaners. It backfired producing mushroom clouds of flame from these carbs, followed by a small fire, put out by the cool beardy guys.

 

I never saw it run, but I've fancied one ever since, (but not as much as a deTomaso Longchamp)

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.

... cars I didn't know existed eh !  well here's two (favourites of mine) I did know about ..and then another two I didn't ..

 

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^ Jaguar's Xk150 'tow car'

 

and a ..

 

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^ 1959 XK150 'Foxbat' ..converted to a estate car in 1970 by an owner who needed more room for his dogs.

 

 

..and now for those I didn't know about -

 

5259845503e2e2fe1bef3dd49bed442d--sports

^ 1953 Allard P2 Safari Estate Car

 

and a ..

 

 

Healey_Westland_woody_sports_wagon_appar

^ 1948 Healey

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Yugo 45 Convertible! :D

 

I can picture it now, driving one along the Croatian coast in the summer, listening to Croatian dance music. Top down, sun shining. Bliss.

 

I’ll take that over a jaunt along the French Riviera in a modern Ferrari thank you!

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Couple of interesting variants seen today that I didn't know about:

 

Triumph TR3B. No, not a TR3A but a B, a special extra run made for the US market in 1962 as dealers feared customers wouldn't like the TR4.

 

Mini pickup automatic. I can only guess at how slow a fully laden 850 pickup with an autobox would be.

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Would Sir like a 14 year old car with added tat? Then let's go to India.

 

The Urban Cross is different to the Avventura and I bet the Abarth is garbage.

 

 

'To set your heart racing and your adrenaline pumping, this perfectly tuned 1368cc 16 valve T-Jet petrol engine churns out a whopping 145 bhp at a mind-boggling 5500 rpm. '

 

 

This isn't a Google translate, mind boggling 5500 rpm...

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Ever fancied a MK1 Renault Espace TD but felt that 87bhp from the 2.1 douvrin would be a bit too raucous?

 

Then step right this way sir and let me present the Raja Motors Kajah Kazwa (Espace ripoff)

 

Rajah Motors Kazwa

 

https://www.google.com/amp/overdrive.in/amp/news-cars-auto/features/toyota-innova-meets-indias-first-mpv-kajah-kazwa/

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Premier 118 NE (Indian licence Fiat 124)

 

Looks miserable - totally would!

 

https://auto-zine.com/the-history-of-premier-118-ne/

 

Yours for £1700 and modern (made in 1998!), India Collecshun Fred anyone?

 

https://www.olx.in/item/1998-premier-118-ne-fully-restored-ID1qeSxZ.html

I wonder how much more awful this is than a Lada Riva?

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Premier 118 NE (Indian licence Fiat 124)

 

Looks miserable - totally would!

 

https://auto-zine.com/the-history-of-premier-118-ne/

 

Yours for £1700 and modern (made in 1998!), India Collecshun Fred anyone?

 

https://www.olx.in/item/1998-premier-118-ne-fully-restored-ID1qeSxZ.html

 

im curious what the parts compatibility is like with a Lada Riva?

 

especially the RHD steering components...

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Ever thought your FE-series Vauxhall Victor needed less rust and possibly a BMC B-series 1.5, isuzu petrol or diesel engine?

 

Congratulations, the Hindustan Contessa is the car for you. Built until 2002!

 

 

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hindustan_Contessa

Hmm, it's a difficult choice between one of these and the Standard 2000, a Rover SD1 with a boat anchor of a Standard Vanguard engine and the gearbox from a Standard 10 van. Thanks a lot, you've got me immersed in the weird and wonderful world of Indian cars now and I'm turning up all sorts of stunning* machines.

 

Reliant Robin too sophisticated for you? Then what you need is a Sipani Badal.sipani-badal.jpg

 

So you want a Mercedes but can't afford one? Step right this way to the imaginatively-named Tata Estate, a W124 ripoff based on the refined and classy Loadbeta pickup..

tata-estate.jpg

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Hmm, it's a difficult choice between one of these and the Standard 2000, a Rover SD1 with a boat anchor of a Standard Vanguard engine and the gearbox from a Standard 10 van. Thanks a lot, you've got me immersed in the weird and wonderful world of Indian cars now and I'm turning up all sorts of stunning* machines.

 

Reliant Robin too sophisticated for you? Then what you need is a Sipani Badal.sipani-badal.jpg

 

So you want a Mercedes but can't afford one? Step right this way to the imaginatively-named Tata Estate, a W124 ripoff based on the refined and classy Loadbeta pickup..

tata-estate.jpg

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Back to the present, try and contain your excitement* for the Vauxhall Grandstand Grandland;

 

vauxhall-grandland-x-fr34.jpg?w968h681

The Vauxhall Grandad, named after its target audience. I know they exist but still don't think I've actually seen one. Or maybe I have but I just didn't notice as it's not exactly distinctive.

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