Cars you didn't know existed until very recently.

[Sir Snipes]

I've seen a few of those new Eclipse. As a mild fan of the first F&F it breaks my little heart to see the badge on a soft roader.

 

[Junkman]

What was that thing Monteverdi built which was a rebodied poshed-up Ford Bronco or something?

 

Monteverdi Safari. It was a Fissore bodied International Harvester Scout.

 

[Lacquer Peel]

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

 

[Timewaster]

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.

[NorfolkNWeigh]

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.

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

Based on a Plymouth Volare

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

[somewhatfoolish]

Monteverdi was properly hatstand, a Swiss De Tomaso only more eccentric.

[JeeExEll]

 

Courtesy of Faberge Gregg's interesting Fiat X1/9 thread today

A one-off lwb 2+1 with 2000 twink. Some info on Wiki.

[Asimo]

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)

[Bfg]

.

... 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 ..

 

^ Jaguar's Xk150 'tow car'

 

and a ..

 

^ 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 -

 

^ 1953 Allard P2 Safari Estate Car

 

and a ..

 

 

^ 1948 Healey

[Wack]

Didn't know Jaguar made a 4 door mustang

 

[ChinaTom]

Two BMW surprises: a four door 2 series saloon. And a 6 series GT.

 

Both in China, so should not be surprised.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[chaseracer]

The arse end of a Minor Traveller never went quicker...

 

 

[17-Coffees]

Yugo 45 Convertible!

 

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!

[AlabamaShrimp]

^^Didn't someone on here have the only rhd one of those?

[Rocket88]

Monteverdi was properly hatstand, a Swiss De Tomaso only more eccentric.

 

 

 

Friend of mine met him............... camper than a Dormobile, apparently................

[quicksilver]

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.

[Aston Martin]

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...

[Steve79]

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

[Steve79]

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/

[Steve79]

Alternatively if you fancy your Espace ripoff in the correct dimensions then you could always get the Brazilian Grancar Futura which was reverse engineered.

 

https://www.google.com/amp/s/quatrorodas.abril.com.br/noticias/grandes-brasileiros-grancar-futura/amp/ (Chrome translate needed)

[GeordieInExile]

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?

[Steve79]

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://youtu.be/ALEl3ErROXo

 

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

[LightBulbFun]

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...

[Bfg]

.

As you might gather by now I like odd cars, in particular shooting brakes.. here's one on a Porsche 924 ..

 

[quicksilver]

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.

 

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..

[Steve79]

Don't forget that if two doors on your Triumph Herald isn't enough you can always have a Standard Gazel in 4-door saloon and estate flavours complete with Toledo rear axle!

[Aston Martin]

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.

 

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..

[Steve79]

Would be a right laugh seeing this and an invacar having a race off!

[bunglebus]

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

 

[quicksilver]

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

 

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.