1975 Chevrolet Impala Custom

Fiberfab MiGi II "MG TD" kit car

1961 Ford Thunderbird

This is clearly an imitation of the idealized rockets found in movies of the time. Who wouldn't want to drive a rocket sled with a gimmicky swing away steering wheel?

1972 BMW 2002

Many -- including me -- thought this a dumpy little car when it was new. Hey, where's the fastback? the big engine? the swoopy design?  Of course we all know how that worked out.

Love the three segment circular tailights, hood and trunk shutlines that merge with the chrome strip, simple and purposeful controls, classic grille & headlights, the over all "box leaning forward" shape. Features which were basically unchanged for more than a decade.

The badge on the grille says "Automóvil Club Argentino".

1988 Pontiac Fiero Formula

Thanks to Pat, who told me about this car, and about how he autocrosses it. It was apparently found buried under pine needles and other forest debris down in Washington State, and after much work we can see the results. As you might guess, the wheels are from a larger but contemporary Pontiac, and they look great. Rear spoiler is from a Lumina (which certainly never needed it). Pontiac didn't build the Fiero for very long, and it wasn't until this, it's final year, that the car started living up to it's sporty looks.

I seriously thought about buying a Fiero in 1985. At the time it seemed impractical, but the boy racer in me was severely tempted. Examining this car, I love the oversized looking wheels, which fit the wheel wells perfectly. Almost every surface and shape slopes forward. The nose makes me think of a marine predator. A remarkable design for GM, better than expected. Too bad they didn't have the chops (or perhaps the management) to make the car under the skin as good as it's surface.

1978 International Harvester Scout II

Not too heavily modified, though the exhaust pipe is a bit much. Doubt the black fenders are original either, but they set the red off nicely. Almost none of the original badges are left.

Such a simple purposeful vehicle, boxy, minimalist -- at least originally. The heavily chromed mirrors look odd -- not stock either.

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.

1966 Land Rover Series IIa

This looks like a long loved vehicle. Replaced metal at the rear corners, plus the checker plate doors says to me that it has been practically maintained, but not restored. Love those great exposed hinges, especially on the rear doors. They look like they are sagging until you realize they were designed to fit that way, keeping the bolts on both sides at the same height.

And then there is the faded red.