Cars you didn't know existed until very recently.

[tooSavvy]

A Beemerr i8 swooshed past me on the A1, nr Durham yesterday.

 

I know they exist[ha..pun!] but never seen one........

 

http://www.smythstoys.com/uk/en-gb/outdoor/c-665/electric-ride-ons/p-14812/bmw-i8-with-remote-control/

 

 

TS

[wuvvum]

I saw a BMW i8 on the M4 on the way to pick up the Vectra last weekend.  First time I'd seen one in the flesh, although I've seen a few i3s out and about.

 

There's a Tata Safari that quite regularly visits my local Tesco.  They are supposed to be epically shit.

[wuvvum]

Have we had this yet?

 

 

 

The Ford Anglia Torino, as restyled by Michelotti.  Looks like a 105E got involved in an unholy threesome with an HA Viva and a Triumph 1300.

[flat4alfa]

The site search monster says no

 

But it did find a production photo

 

 

[Negative Creep]

I saw a BMW i8 on the M4 on the way to pick up the Vectra last weekend.  First time I'd seen one in the flesh, although I've seen a few i3s out and about.

 

There's a Tata Safari that quite regularly visits my local Tesco.  They are supposed to be epically shit.

 

 

Someone pointed out the rear of an i8 looks like it's shitting out a 911. I will never be able to look at one of them again without thinking that

 

[Jerzy Woking]

This Citroën was parked up near my gaff in Spain this morning. Never seen one before but liked it immensely.

[philibusmo]

The Nissan Cima (with a 4.5 V8)

[STUNO]

The Nissan Cima (with a 4.5 V8)

 

You can buy yourself one when you get here, Should be a good swop for the Fairlane.

[vulgalour]

Austin A70 Hampshire is a new one on me.

 

 

 

 

Seems to sit in the line up halfway between the Somerset and the Princess being bigger than the former and smaller and not quite as plush as the latter.  I doubt I'll ever see one in person.

[vulgalour]

Oh, and I just found the A70 Hereford.  That's another Counties Austin that's completely new to me.

 

[Eddie Honda]

Seems to sit in the line up halfway between the Somerset and the Princess being bigger than the former and smaller and not quite as plush as the latter.  I doubt I'll ever see one in person.

Which Princess.

 

The next one in the queue after the A70, I think was the A90 Atlantic.

 

[Jon]

How about this then?

 

 

An Opel Rekord 380GSI. Nothing too unusual in it being a South African only model, though the 380 bit refers to the 3.8 V6 engine and manual box from a VN Commodore. Even more interesting (to me) is that this particular model wasn't launched until 1992!!

 

Read the road test here:

 

http://www.carmag.co.za/road_test/from-the-archives-opel-rekord-380i-gsi/

[vulgalour]

Which Princess.

 

The next one in the queue after the A70, I think was the A90 Atlantic.

This type of Princess.

 

For me, the Atlantic runs alongside or slightly behind (sizewise, and probably on the road too if reports on its performance are to be believed) the Somerset but ahead of the tiny A30/5 and more modestly proportioned but less glamorous Devon.

[Asimo]

I like this so much I won't apologise for putting it here as well as in the eBay thread: 

 

Chrysler Centura

 

ie a 4 litre straight-six-hemi engined Simca 1609 / Chrysler 180 with Oz-only grille.

 

[scaryoldcortina]

Oh, and I just found the A70 Hereford.  That's another Counties Austin that's completely new to me.

 

 

Fun fact - same doors as a Somerset. Looks like they kept that idea and ran with it.

[barrett]

For me, the Atlantic runs alongside or slightly behind (sizewise, and probably on the road too if reports on its performance are to be believed) the Somerset but ahead of the tiny A30/5 and more modestly proportioned but less glamorous Devon.

Atlantic was a range topper, and significantly better to drive (and much faster) than an A40 or whatnot. Based on A70 running gear for the most part and is most similar to those cars although obviously less woolly.

Although Austin built the Princess it was really a standalone model that was entirely separate from the rest of the Austin range.

[NorfolkNWeigh]

No doubt Angrydicky will be along to put us all straight, but in the meantime;

A40 Devon ( and 2 door Dorset) ran from 48-52, replaced by

A40 Somerset, which was replaced in 55 by

A40 Cambridge , which grew into A50 and A55.

 

A70 Hampshire was a bigger car with 2.2 engine 48 -50 replaced by

A70 Hereford ,same engine ,as Scaryoldcortina said same doors and similar styling used on Somerset.

 

A90 Atlantic 49-52 Coupe using bigger (2.6) version of A70 engine, quite fast for its time (90 mph) engine was used in Austin Healey 100

 

A110/125 Sheerline 47-52. Big 4.0 6 cylinder saloon and limo.

 

A120/135 Princes 47-58 . Coach built versions of Sheerline, I think, never really understood the difference between them.

 

Sorry , slow typer. Didn't realise Barrett had posted with accurate first hand info.

[quicksilver]

Seeing that Centura reminds me of another Aussie Chrysler I recently discovered. It's a long-wheelbase luxury version of the Aussie Valiant idiotically named the 'Chrysler by Chrysler': https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chrysler_by_Chrysler

 

The Chrysler by Chrysler should not however be confused with the almost as stupidly named 'Chrysler's TC by Maserati': https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chrysler_TC_by_Maserati. I did know about the latter from my Big Book of Septic Shite though.

[andrew e]

Audi S6 plus - an Audi S6 with a V8.

 

 

http://fourtitude.com/features/Miscellaneous_Features_16/retrospective-1996-audi-s6-plus/

[AnthonyG]

Browsing through an edition of 1981 World Cars, I was surprised to learn that in South Africa Chevrolet (Opel) would sell you a version of the Mk1 Cavalier called the Chevair. 

 

http://autoweek.com/article/classic-cars/7-chevrolet-sedans-america-never-got

 

Plus, in a random coffee table book called auto design 02 or something, I was interesting to note the existence of the Suzuki Verona. This was a version of the Chevrolet Epica sold in the US to give Suzuki dealers a competitor* to the Toyota Camry. 

 

http://www.iihs.org/iihs/ratings/vehicle/v/suzuki/verona-4-door-sedan

 

The success* of this car and some other badge engineered blandmobiles resulted in Suzuki's American sales company filing for bankruptcy in 2012. And they didn't even get the Kizashi! 

[Asimo]

Browsing through an edition of 1981 World Cars, I was surprised to learn that in South Africa Chevrolet (Opel) would sell you a version of the Mk1 Cavalier called the Chevair. 

 

http://autoweek.com/article/classic-cars/7-chevrolet-sedans-america-never-got

 

Sorry but like most LIST articles, this piece loses a bit of credibility when you read

" There are still plenty of these in the U.K "

referring to Firenzas, ( including HC Vivas ).

I do have half an eye open for a Chevy Epica, but just for it's straight six transverse petrolness.

[doobietoo]

Seeing that Centura reminds me of another Aussie Chrysler I recently discovered. It's a long-wheelbase luxury version of the Aussie Valiant idiotically named the 'Chrysler by Chrysler': https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chrysler_by_Chrysler

 

 

 

I owned one of these in the late 80's found it in a scrapyard in Minehead...£200 iirc looked like a bloated MK3 Cortina went well with the 360 V8 though...

[sheffcortinacentre]

all HC viva's where badged firenza in south Africa.

[17-Coffees]

Looking for info on the last gen Toyota Soarer/Lexus SC430 (Dont judge me!) and came across this gem...

 

The Toyota Soarer Aerocabin:

 

Awkward rood line and massive read section that's about as long as a bonnet. Rare too with only 500 made for Japan only.

Yeah, that's something I can like. 

[timolloyd]

Found the garage where the Troll car was made - Norway's only contribution to the automotive industry AFAIK. It was an anniversary visit to Norway. Needless to say SWMBO was less than impressed...

 

First post here and I can't work out how to upload my photo, but more info here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Troll_(automobile)

[mossymossy]

This Citroën was parked up near my gaff in Spain this morning. Never seen one before but liked it immensely.
20151109_122942.jpg

I saw my first one in Redhill early on in the year. I liked it immensely too.

[Alfamale]

Saw one of these for the first time today, a Isuzu Vehicross, on the road leading from Bolsover back to civilisation.

 

The phrase "Gopping" seems not enough some how. According to Wikipedia it's a rare beast in Japan, let alone on these shores.

[andrew e]

Found the garage where the Troll car was made - Norway's only contribution to the automotive industry AFAIK. It was an anniversary visit to Norway. Needless to say SWMBO was less than impressed...

 

First post here and I can't work out how to upload my photo, but more info here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Troll_(automobile)

It's like a Scandinavian Rochdale!

[capsuleboy]

I saw this one when I looked inside my garage yesterday and I like it immensely to...

[MarvinsMom]

Saw one of these for the first time today, a Isuzu Vehicross, on the road leading from Bolsover back to civilisation.

 

The phrase "Gopping" seems not enough some how. According to Wikipedia it's a rare beast in Japan, let alone on these shores.

 

hmmm, its not rare enough.....