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Showing posts with label sunroof. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sunroof. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 5, 2015
1981 Buick Riviera
My favourite element here is the hubcaps -- they add a sense of old school luxury and prestige. Most Rivs have wire wheel hubcaps, which look fake. Next is the colour -- which is rich and luxurious -- and the shape. That swept back front end and even more steeply raked windshield, followed by the formal roof. Also love the walnut veneer, and the mechanical digital clock. Of course this is not a practical, reasonable car, so the whole form factor is absurd, repeating the excesses of previous decades in a new design. It is simultaneously appealing and appalling, like so many luxury cars, and emblematic of GM's former resistance to change.
By the way, This American Life has an excellent podcast on NUMMI, GM's first effort to change it's philosophy.
Tags:
1980s
,
1981
,
Buick
,
cassette player
,
coupe
,
GM
,
hidden wipers
,
missing hood ornament
,
patina
,
pinstripes
,
quad rectangular headlights
,
rectangular headlights
,
Riviera
,
sunroof
,
vinyl roof
,
white walls
Tuesday, May 19, 2015
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".
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".
Tags:
1970s
,
1972
,
2002
,
BMW
,
coupe
,
dual round headlights
,
fog lamps
,
Michelotti
,
mild restoration
,
red
,
round headlights
,
sunroof
Tuesday, May 5, 2015
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.
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.
Tags:
1970s
,
1979
,
924
,
crash survivor
,
dual round headlights
,
hatchback
,
hidden headlights
,
malaise
,
patina
,
Porsche
,
rear wiper
,
round headlights
,
sports car
,
sunroof
,
VWAG
,
yellow
Tuesday, April 7, 2015
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.
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.
Tags:
1980s
,
1988
,
dual rectangular headlights
,
Fiero
,
GM
,
hidden headlights
,
patina
,
Pontiac
,
quad exhaust
,
rear spoiler
,
rectangular headlights
,
red
,
sunroof
Monday, April 6, 2015
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.
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.
Tags:
1970s
,
1974
,
500
,
dual round headlights
,
Fiat
,
promotional vehicle
,
round headlights
,
sunroof
Saturday, March 28, 2015
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.
Still -- gotta like a vehicle where most of the roof is plexiglass.
Wednesday, March 18, 2015
1988 Rover Mini Canvas Top
That classic shape from an unexpected source. This Mini looks completely normal until you notice the peculiar headlights, then that it is RHD, then the Rover badge. Of course, they had tried to spiff it up with bolt on fender flares, but the effort was half hearted at best.
Tags:
1980s
,
1988
,
British Leyland
,
canvas
,
Mini
,
right hand drive
,
round headlights
,
Rover
,
sunroof
,
tutone
Saturday, February 28, 2015
1990 Toyota HiAce Super Custom
JDM vans are somewhat common in Vancouver, however I've only seen few of these Toyotas.
Love the sloping, aerodynamic shape of the front door windows, and the interesting shut lines. Plus the extended step in front of the front wheel, and all those seemingly random sunroofs.
Love the sloping, aerodynamic shape of the front door windows, and the interesting shut lines. Plus the extended step in front of the front wheel, and all those seemingly random sunroofs.
Tags:
1990
,
1990s
,
diesel
,
dual rectangular headlights
,
factory graphics
,
HiAce
,
JDM
,
minivan
,
rain
,
rectangular headlights
,
right hand drive
,
stripes
,
sunroof
,
super
,
Super Custom
,
Toyota
,
van
Friday, February 6, 2015
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.
Still keeping an eye out for a Nissan Figaro.
Tags:
1980s
,
1989
,
canvas
,
cassette player
,
dual round headlights
,
JDM
,
Nissan
,
Pao
,
Pike Factory
,
promotional vehicle
,
rack
,
rain
,
retro
,
round headlights
,
sunroof
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