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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 thanks to the owner, who generously allowed me access to the interior and told me about the car, which is brand new to him. He said that those great white walls are original equipment, and I believe him, considering the lack of tread in the second last shot. The odometer shows 46,000 km (28,600 mi), and this is the first time around. What a great find!

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.

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".

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.