1974 Fiat 500

From the absurdly large to the absurdly small. I suspect someone might actually drive this car -- the tags are up to date. However, the dirt on the tires suggest otherwise.

Love how the wheels are so small that the (four!) bolts are near the rim. Plus the ridiculous clam shell of a hood, the way the window corners are so rounded, the enormous looking vents on the trunk, and the pope's nose licence plate light. The over-all shape is so rounded and somehow misshapen as to seem made from play-doh. This is basic "car-ness", what a small child might draw, and anyone seeing the drawing would recognize.

For it's time, this car was very practical. Unfortunately, it's time was the 50s and early 60s.

1989 Nissan Pao

Another quirky Japan only car. All those deliberately retro features; that muted aluminum inside and out, exposed hinges, folding windows. I suppose a cassette player is not so odd in a car of this vintage. I could not resist a head on shot of the grille and that quizzical front end.

Still keeping an eye out for a Nissan Figaro.

1990 Nissan S-Cargo

I've been wanting to post an S-Cargo for a while now. There are several around town. Like the Toyota Sera and the Nissan Figaro (which I will get, sooner or later) this was purely meant for Japan, and for whatever odd niche they fit there.

First I love the sheer crazy audacity of creating a van like this -- the vast glass area, the toy like circular shapes, the impractical windows. Next, repeating the shape in the details -- the mirrors, speedometer & dash, taillights, heck even the wheelwells. Once again, it would never happen in North America.