1971 Mercedes Benz 280SL

Elegant and functional. Owner says it has not been restored (aside from paint), and it shows in minor dings plus wear on the interior (which is still excellent, particularly for white). The nicely domed hood, clapping wipers and chromed air intake, the excellent colour, separate left & right rear bumpers, the narrow shut lines which do not interrupt the flow of fine lines leading from the headlights to the tail. And those wheel arches!

Oh sure there are a few excesses -- the bits of chrome everywhere, including the chrome exhaust extension, but even that has a durable look to it. A car fit for a playboy.

1966 Morgan +4

The owner said the reason this car was found in this particular spot is because this is where it dropped the clutch, and also where it was awaiting a flatbed lift to a specialist.

Ahh that rounded nose/grille leading into the classic hood (or should I say "bonnet") flanked by the dramatic fenders, which lead all the way back to the similar back fenders That remarkable real wood dash & steering wheel. The sticker on the windshield. A design unchanged and still in production today.

1968 Dodge Dart GT Convertible

Owner is a nice guy -- the practical sort. Said most of the damage on the passenger side is from an attempt to steal the car. He bought it from a relative who already had it painted pink.

Ah that leather wrapped steering wheel! And all that shiny black leather and chrome inside, particularly the transmission tunnel. Just the right amount of chrome for a sporty car of the era. That pugnacious appearance -- sharp edges front and rear, fenders and hood extending forward just beyond the headlights & mostly blacked out grille. Style cues from larger Dodges, but still stands well on it's own.

1991 Nissan Figaro

Finally, the last of the Pike Factory Nissans (at least if you ignore the BE-1). Interesting features; The minimal chrome bumpers which turn into a chrome strips between the front and rear wheels, the tear drop side turn indicators, the deep set tailights, the almost all white dash and interior, the continuous chrome strip from each headlight all the way to the rear bumper, the ridiculously thick rear pillars.

This example has side marker lights installed at each corner -- not something I've seen on other Figaros.

1979 Alfa Romeo Spider Veloce

Love the subtle yellow, the very low beltline, the sleek, interesting door pulls, the shut lines which go nowhere near the base of the body, the intricate wheels, the almost flat rear deck, the sculpted lines leading from the front wheel all the way back, the way the headlights are elegantly carved into the fenders. I could look at those headlights all day.

#6 was unfortunately shot later, in harsh light. But it shows the gauges which swivel in the center of the dash, the Blaupunkt, and the large circular spedo & tach. Wood & metal steering wheel is interesting too.

I think it is pronounced "ve-LO-che".

Where have we seen that green Jaguar before?

1988 Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z Convertible

Always found the convertible Camaros of this generation awkward looking. The notchback style forced by the roof simply did not suit it, and when the roof is down it is worse. The IROC Camaro, with all it's extra aero bits looks like a parody of itself. Just like the Corvette of the same years, it was trying too hard.

Kind of sad really that such a promising model succumbed to mismanagement.

Pininfarina #2: 1987 Cadillac Allante

Interesting shapes, subtle elegance much like it's late 80s Eldorado/Seville siblings and unlike most other Caddys I'm ever likely to feature on this blog. Love how the digital dash is almost completely blank when not operating. Also interesting is the subtle placement of the fuel door just behind the driver's door.

Regretfully not shown: the control stack next to the instruments, with 1000 black rectangular buttons + cassette deck.

The owner was very patient in allowing me access, for which I am grateful.

Pininfarina #1: 1979 Fiat 124 Spider

This one is missing bits of trim + the rear rack and has a few dings but is still in working condition. Love the "power" bulges on the hood, decorative wreath around the "Fiat" badge, exposed bolts on the wood grain dash, interesting indicator needles in the dials.

A classic profile that probably sustained the model way past it's best years.

Next post: Pininfarina #2.