Honourary Old Parked Car: 1995 Nissan Rasheen

Ahh, cherry blossoms adorn the trees, and JDM vehicles adorn the streets. Another Japanese only curiosity that I could not resist.

Those oddly shaped headlights and bulging grill, the fake brushed aluminum bumpers, door handles & mirrors. The long low flat hood. The obligatory single reverse light. This looks a lot like a product of Pike Factory, but apparently it is not.

Also, the unusual rear hatch can be seen in the second last shot. It is really two doors. The top one is hinged not above the window but a couple feet into the roof, giving it an inverted "L" profile.

1979 Porsche 924

Love the dark huge bubble of a rear window, which gives the illusion that this is a notchback. The circular side marker lights, the shut line of the door which extends into a seam above the window behind it. Suspect the reflector between the tailights is aftermarket. The dynamic curve of the sloping hood is only slightly interrupted by the interface with the windshield.

But even in this car German pragmatism is present -- the functional fuel cap instead of a door to hide it, the almost complete absence of chrome, the simple door pulls, a (minimal) back seat.

1991 Volkswagen Vanagon Carat

1989 Toyota MasterAce Surf

Another eclectic little spaceship/van straight from Japan. Looks like it should be hovering on a cushion of air. All the streamlining and sunroofs in the world can't hide it's utilitarian roots though.

Still -- gotta like a vehicle where most of the roof is plexiglass.

1987 Chrysler LeBaron Town & Country Wagon

Considering it's age and all the bits and pieces which are held on by plastic fasteners, this car is in remarkably good shape. Probably doesn't hurt that it is from Saskatchewan.

1989 Jeep Wagoneer Limited

What really draws my attention is the striking resemblance to the mid 60s AMC Ambassador. It's the stacked chrome headlight surround, and that strong horizontal bar across the grille.

That groovy fake wood-grain is a great feature.

1987 Toyota Celica GT

Once in a while a manufacturer hits a peak in their design and engineering. This is what I think happened with Toyota and the Celica. Here was a not-too-expensive, reliable, attractive, sporty car that sold well. Then the market changed, or management decided they wanted to go after the high end, or ... something. Regardless, this car is an example of the late peak period of the Celica -- a great smooth shape that still managed to be a good car as well.

1990 Jeep Cherokee 2dr (XJ)

This one is for Mark, the owner, who was so pleased by my interest in his truck.

I believe the two door Cherokee is less common, there being somewhat of a craze for four door SUVs at the time. Regardless, Jeeps of this era are interesting in that they echo the long history of conservative, 'military' looking vehicles while embracing a new style and better technology. So -- no super aerodynamic shape, but smaller and more practical than previous models. Love the oversized wheels/tires, squared off shapes of all lights, windows, grill, even fenders are mostly straight lines.

1986 Toyota Corolla Hatchback

1990 Subaru Loyale Wagon