1981-1983 Imperial: What is it? Chrysler Co's high-end personal luxury car, and the last car by the Imperial brand. Based on the Dodge Mirada/Chrysler Cordoba chassis, and only available with a 318 ci V8/3-spd automatic combo. Why is it rare? Lack of brand prestige, being too close to the cheaper Mirada and Cordoba, unorthodox styling, reliability issues (especially in early examples). How much were built? 12,385, at least two of which were converted into sedans. Are they expensive? Between sub-$1000 for a project-grade example and ~$20k for the best ones, with about $5-10k for ordinary ones. In other words, about as much as similar cars. Where to find them? The United States, mainly the Upper Midwest. Have I ever seen one? No. Are there any in my country? Haven't found evidence of any, but there are some in Germany. On a scale of 1 to 5, how much do I want one? 5. Misc info Over half of all these cars (6241, to be exact) were made in the calendar year 1980. Only 932 of '81-'83 Imperials were made in the calendar year 1983. The early fuel-injected models were so unreliable that some dealers offered free-of-charge carburettor conversions. Every Imperial of this generation was shipped with a "Mark Cross Gift Set" - umbrella, portfolio, key fob, key with a Cartier crystal and stereo sound demonstration tape. Frank Sinatra was an important figure in the car's marketing, with the 1981 Imperial even having an "fs" package, with paint matching Sinatra's eye color. Only 271 of such cars were sold.
1965-2006 Avanti II What is it? After production of the Studebaker Avanti was ceased, cars were produced by Avanti Motor Company from leftover Studebaker parts and, later, from GM and Ford chassis and engines Why is it rare? Fiberglass body, very unique styling especially during the last model years, interesting history, just a curious car overall. How much were built? Nobody knows for sure, but it definitely wasn't much. How much are still around? http://theavanti.com/registry65.html Are they expensive? Sort of- depending on the condition, model year, and specs of the car, prices can range from $15,000 to $60,000 Where to find them? Collector / classic car dealerships in the U.S. Have I ever seen one? No, only an original Studebaker. Are there any in my country? Yes. On a scale of 1 to 5, how much do I want one? 1 Misc info Avanti Motor Co. went through around five different ownership arrangements, and different model years were built on many different platforms. I believe the final cars from the 2000s were built on a Mustang platform.
Imma take it waaaay back 1948 Tucker Torpedo If my sources and grandparents where/are correct: It was the most unique car in that era, coining the middle headlight and inventing the headlights that turned with the wheel. Technology Porsche says they invented. It gave Ford a run for its money yet only a few hundred were made. I think this was their downfall cause ford bought the company from the guy who started it out. I saw only one during a fair in California back in the 90s. Didnt own a camera or smartphone, but i wish i would have taken a picture somehow.
1988-2008 Yugo/Zastava Florida What is it? Late 80s 5-door hatch, related to Fiat Tipo. Also, it's technically most modern car made in Yugoslavia, and maybe in whole socialist world. Why is it rare? Lack of organisation, problems with part supplier factories (co-operants), relatively high price, political events. How much were built? 29.950 (according to all sources I found) How much are still around? N/A Are they expensive? Not at all, most expensive examples can fetch only 1500 euros in Serbia. Where to find them? Serbia, only place where you can see a Florida on daily basis. In my city there are dozen of them. Not weird, because they were produced here. Have I ever seen one? Yes. More than 50 for sure. Also driven one. Are there any in my country? Yes, a lot. On a scale of 1 to 5, how much do I want one? 5+ Misc info It was known under several names: Yugo Florida (1988 - 2002), Zastava Florida In/In L (2002 - 2008), Yugo Sana (UK and Dutch market, 1988 to 1992) and Yugo Miami (Belgian market, 1988 - 1992). Later models were offered with PSA 1.6 95 HP and 1.1 60 HP engine. There was also 1.4 HDI variant, but only 18 examples was produced (saw 2 of them in person, one is on photos). From 2002 to 2008 facelift model, called Florida In/In L (In L had PSA engine) was produced. Also, small series of these cars was built in 2009 too. Today this car is one of the rarest on UK roads (only 4 survived). all photos above were taken by myself
the JB holden camira: Australia/new zealand's version of the GM J-Body. they were so bad quality wise compared to ford's mazda-based cars at the time, that basically all the reviews about them were terrible, so no-one bought them in the first place. even then, the few that did get sold fell to bits in the next 10 years. they eventually figured out the reliability issues with the later generations: but they were still bad. in fact, despite living in Australia for nearly 2 decades, I can't say I've ever seen a 1st gen, and I have only seen noticed 2 camiras at all in the last 10 years, both JD/E models, both of them red SLis, like this one.
Funnily enough, I was just going to write about this one. --- Post updated --- Also, How did it happen that you had seen not one, but two of these things? --- Post updated --- Fisker Karma (2011-12)/Karma Revero (2017-): What is it? Fisker's first and only production car, a Finnish-made large range-extender EV sedan, powered by two 161 HP electric engines (Revero uprated to 403 HP in total), which can use a GM-sourced 2.0 turbo I4 (or a BMW 1.5 turbo I3 in the Revero). Its production ceased in 2012 after the battery supplier went bankrupt, but was restored for 2017 when Fisker was bought by the Chinese auto part supplier Wanxiang and rebranded as Karma, with the Karma now rebadged as Revero. Why is it rare? Lack of brand recognition, unprofitability for the battery manufacturer, low build quality, high price, cramped interior, strong competition from the Tesla Model S. How many were built? 2667 as Karmas, unknown (but low) quantity as Reveros. How many are still around? Most are still on the road. Are they expensive? New ones cost over $130k, so yes. Used ones start from a more affordable $40k. Where to find them? Western Europe and coastal United States, mainly high-income metro areas. Have I ever seen one? Yes, at a car show. Are there any in my country? At least three that I'm aware of. On a scale of 1 to 5, how much do I want one? 4. Misc info Fisker was also planning to make convertible and wagon version of the car, as well as a smaller model (Atlantic), but run out of money necessary to make the plans a reality. A company called VLF, co-founded by Bob Lutz, swapped 20 Karmas with Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 V8 engines in 2016 and sold them at over $200k apiece. Leonardo DiCaprio and Jay Leno were owners and outspoken fans of the Fisker Karma.
What a coincidence. I was lucky. Though for one I wasn't sure firstly, but found out that it's diesel after I saw ad for it. --- Post updated --- IMO Karma is much prettier than Tesla Model S.
It looks good, but the styling is so limiting for interior room that the US government officially classified the Karma as a subcompact.
Pontiac Firebird "Color Birds" (1978 - 1981) What is it?: Special edition color coordinated Firebird Esprits aimed to give the base model a little flair. The Skybird was '77 only, the Redbird was '78 and '79, and Yellowbird from '80 to '81 How many where built No production numbers where specifically recorded for these special editions, but according to 2 sources only about 4,000 Redbirds where estimated to be produced Why is it rare Limited edition run of a base model car How many are still around Highly likely not a lot due to programs like Cash for Clunkers and people not wanting to keep an underpowered V6 or smog choked 5.0l firebird Are they expensive Fully restored around $12,000, so still an affordable classic Where to find them 'Murica Have I seen one One 81 Yellowbird with a 305 1 to 5 how bad to i want one 5, gotta be a '79 350 Redbird with t-tops Misc Both the wheels and interior trim are color matched to each bird. These special editions where released thanks in part to the success of the Black and Gold (or Bandit) editon Trans Am's
Giles Duzgo (1970s-80s) What is it? It is a New Zealand built predecessor to the ATV Why is it rare? It was built by 2 men in a shed and production was stopped by NZ customs after 10 were built How much were built? 10 How much are still around? 6 Are they expensive? N/A Where to find them? New Zealand Have I ever seen one? No Are there any in my country? Definitely not On a scale of 1 to 5, how much do I want one? 5+ Misc info It was built on a custom chassis using a ford sidevalve transmission as a rangebox, an austin gearbox as a gearbox, morris minor front suspension, a ford rear end, a single cylinder engine (can be retrofitted with a briggs V-Twin), and was capable of 30mph. The original builders still maintain the 6 surviving models
1955 Buick Century 2-door sedan: What is it? A version of the Buick Century that wasn't available to the general public, only being built as a special order car for the California Highway Patrol. It combined the Special's 2-door sedan body with the exterior trim and more powerful engine of the Century. Why is it rare? Lack of availability for the general public. How many were built? 270. How much are still around? It's unknown, but it's likely a single-digit number. Are they expensive? If one came up for sale, it would probably be at something between $10k and $50k, depending on condition. Where to find them? Most likely California. Have I ever seen one? No. Are there any in my country? No. On a scale of 1 to 5, how much do I want one? 3+. Misc info One of these cars appeared in the TV series "Highway Patrol" as the main character's patrol car.
I've mentioned these in a couple of places, I may as well elaborate on them. 1979-1981 Bolwell Ikara Bolwell, a company which had previously made various fibreglass bodied, FR, Holden V8 powered sports cars, mostly in kit form, wanted to make a more basic sports car than their previous offerings, somewhat like early MGs, and the clubman kit cars which were popular at the time (stuff like the caterham 7). They opted for a no-frills "functional styling" body design, which, as you can see, was quite... interesting looking. the car was sold in kit form, and used a VW golf engine and front suspension assembly in the back, and had modified holden isuzu gemini suspension in the front. As for the amount produced, people must not have liked the styling, as only 12 were ever produced. all but one of these are currently accounted for, and thanks to this guy, there's a website detailing basically all the information about them: http://www.theikaraproject.com/ I have seen one of these IRL, I believe it was car #6. it was at a car show, and the styling of it definitely caught my eye. Fun fact: car #5, a yellow one with saab wheels, was exported to hong kong, where it was also used in multiple movies in the early 80's. Do I want one? well, Bolwell still exists, but the Ikara was the last car they made for a while. they have more recently made the nagari 300 and 500, both LS powered, but they mainly specialise in manufacturing stuff from fibreglass and carbon fibre. if I had the money, I would ask them to make a 13th one out of carbon fibre, and I'd probably put a honda drivetrain in it or something.
1998 - 2002 Moskvich 2142 What is it? Line of Moskvich models, available from 1998 to 2002. Why is it rare? Financial mismanagement, disruption in work of the company, economic crisis influenced this car not to be produced in many examples. How much were built? 3500 How much are still around? N/A Are they expensive? Most expensive one has a price of nearly 5K euros. Where to find them? Russia. Have I ever seen one? No. Are there any in my country? No. On a scale of 1 to 5, how much do I want one? 0 Misc info It was available as sedan, Knyaz Vladimir - entry level sedan and Ivan Kalita - executive sedan, and coupe, Duet - executive coupe. Whole range was conceived as executive and upscale cars, and aimed at such a market. All of the cars had Renault engines installed.
And probably also building a car that looks like an attempt at making an 80s luxury car in the late 90s. On a side note, do you happen to be a member of the Car Museum, Brougham Society or The Society of Eccentric Automobile Facebook groups?
Because I saw a post about one of those on one of these groups, and posted about it on the other two.
now I dont want to judge, but it a small european hatch, and you seem to worship this thing? What makes it so great?
