Cars you didn't know existed until very recently.

[GeordieInExile]

Had to double take there, for a second I thought it was a Trabant they produced under licence!

[EightMegs]

The Starlet was originally a version of the Publica which is why the chassis codes begin with a P.

[Three Speed]

From the 1963 World Car Catalogue - apologies for the quality 

[sdkrc]

Weird Japanese shit from carfromjapan.com

And the Mitsubishi Debonair interior. WOW

[MisterH]

1 hour ago, sdkrc said:

Weird Japanese shit from carfromjapan.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

I really like the look of that, sort of an R32 Skyline Saloon

 

Oh wait

[Rusty Pelican]

Never knew this was even tried 

[High Jetter]

Reminds me of a Nova

[Timewaster]

3 hours ago, Rusty Pelican said:

Never knew this was even tried 

It isn't pretty is it? 

I'm surprised they didn't add a chrome grill and call it a Riley. 

[STUNO]

On 8/26/2021 at 1:14 AM, sdkrc said:

Weird Japanese shit from carfromjapan.com

Nissan Leopard , we got them with a V8 of about 4 litres.

 

 

 

[Schaefft]

Leopard was the J30 in the states, unfortunately they only ever came with the 3.0 V6, not the V8 that was reserved for the Q45 (which I'd still love to own).

I also want to own an Emeraude. It's the fake hardtop version of the '92 Galant, you could even get a twin turbo awd VR4 equivalent.

[Rusty Pelican]

Another one I didnt know existed - A40 Van 

[barrett]

Never seen that before - I'm guessing a special for the Swedish or Dutch markets, which seemed to favour car-derived commercials and got lots of odd stuff that wasn't seen elsewhere

[Botzarb]

Had a quick search on the forum and found no mention of this - the Daewoo Nubira Hatchback. 

 

[bunglebus]

Saw a Fabia saloon the other day, don't recall clocking one of these before

 

[Austat]

1970 Nissan 126X concept:

[bunglebus]

A car I only know from the Matchbox version

The Concept car idea really peaked in the 70s/80s, is it seen as unnecessary these days?

[lesapandre]

On 8/22/2021 at 10:09 PM, adw1977 said:

Sunbeam Venezia Superleggera.

According to CarBrochureAddict on Twitter, it was designed and built by Touring in Italy, based on the 1592cc Humber Sceptre and only around 200 were made in 1963 and 1964.

A bit different from the rest of the Rootes range at the time!

Sold in small numbers - because they were expensive. Answering a motoring question that did not really need an answer...bit like large chunks of the Rootes range in the 60's. 

Two types of Hillman Minx - step right this way sir; rear engined car with little real luggage space - we have just the thing; 'upmarket' car that looks virtually identical to a cheap car - yes we do...

What happened - they went bust while Ford continued to churn out the Cortina and make a profit.

[lesapandre]

On 8/26/2021 at 8:29 PM, Rusty Pelican said:

Never knew this was even tried 

Booted cars were very popular in parts of Europe - not having a booted version will have inhibited Metro sales in some markets.

Interesting the Allagro in the background - they went from a booted car with no hatchback version to hatchback car with no booted version...

[Timewaster]

37 minutes ago, lesapandre said:

Booted cars were very popular in parts of Europe - not having a booted version will have inhibited Metro sales in some markets.

Interesting the Allagro in the background - they went from a booted car with no hatchback version to hatchback car with no booted version...

Kind of BLs thinking all through that period though. 

"If people want a hatchback they can buy a maxi" was the reasoning behind the lack of a hatch on the Princess.

[Austat]

Can't tell if this is an Opel prototype or a homemade job, Opel Senator Coupe:

 

[MisterH]

9 hours ago, Austat said:

Can't tell if this is an Opel prototype or a homemade job, Opel Senator Coupe:

 

Looks very similar to a Bitter SC

[bunglebus]

Seen two of the LEVC taxi based vans out and about this week

[Austat]

Amante GT:

[Leyland Worldmaster]

On 8/28/2021 at 8:43 AM, bunglebus said:

Saw a Fabia saloon the other day, don't recall clocking one of these before

 

I've driven one. An eight valve 1.4 MPI. It was a shite drive. I was used to a Rover 75 2.0 V6. This was extremely uncomfortable with shite heating and no ventilation ducts to the rear seat passengers... 

That meant frosty windows- inside and out- in the back where I was a passenger for a while. 

I only agreed to drive it in order to get warm enough to feel comfortable*. 

All this happened in a Czech Specification car in Cz.... 

The only advantage* over the hatchback was that the little amount of heat inside wasn't lost when the massive* boot was opened. 

 

[Remspoor]

19 hours ago, Leyland Worldmaster said:

I've driven one. An eight valve 1.4 MPI. It was a shite drive. I was used to a Rover 75 2.0 V6. This was extremely uncomfortable with shite heating and no ventilation ducts to the rear seat passengers... 

That meant frosty windows- inside and out- in the back where I was a passenger for a while. 

I only agreed to drive it in order to get warm enough to feel comfortable*. 

All this happened in a Czech Specification car in Cz.... 

The only advantage* over the hatchback was that the little amount of heat inside wasn't lost when the massive* boot was opened. 

 

I never knew they existed either. They are here in Spain, but they must be hens teeth.

https://www.coches.net/skoda-fabia-19-tdi-comfort-101-cv-4p-diesel-2002-en-cordoba-49565381-covo.aspx

[sheffcortinacentre]

20 hours ago, Austat said:

Amante GT:

Check out mustie1 on YouTube

[Datsuncog]

I've probably seen plenty before and simply never noticed, but I happened to roll up beside this slightly bland saloon outside a well-known discount retailer earlier, and just couldn't recognise what it was at first...

Bit of Mk1 Focus to the rear, bit of Astra G to the front...

Huh. It's a Corolla E120 saloon, of all things.

Are these unusual, or am I just hideously unobservant?

[Split_Pin]

I'm sure I've seen a few of those before.

It is indeed incredibly bland. I quite like it.

 

[Austat]

1972 Fiat 132 Flares by Michelotti:

1972 Fiat 132 Moretti Coupe:

[artdjones]

On 9/13/2021 at 10:31 PM, Datsuncog said:

I've probably seen plenty before and simply never noticed, but I happened to roll up beside this slightly bland saloon outside a well-known discount retailer earlier, and just couldn't recognise what it was at first...

Bit of Mk1 Focus to the rear, bit of Astra G to the front...

Huh. It's a Corolla E120 saloon, of all things.

Are these unusual, or am I just hideously unobservant

I don't know, but the Republic is stuffed with them. We like our saloons down here.