You learn something new... - Cars you didn't know existed, until now!

[Scuderia Paul]

-> ...

^ Is that a Chaparral?

Indeed it is. Here are a few stats on it.

 

[ScottPuss20]

Leland Australia Force 7, based on the P76. 10 produced.

This is a super unique vehicle man. I saw one once on TV, and I could easily appreciate the rarity.

 

[JR98]

Found out about 2 interesting Kei cars earlier this week

Mazda Autozam AZ550 Sports

Basically the prototype version of the Autozam AZ-1. Was created after Suzuki failed to get their RS/3 into production and the team that built it was led by Toshiko Hirai, who designed the Mazda MX-5 (NA). It even had a "Type C" Le Mans inspired concept.

Mitsubishi 360/Minica

One of Mitsubishi's more successful Kei car efforts that led them to stop making 3-wheeled cars. Powered by a 2-Stroke I2 producing 16-20HP depending on the year and had a top speed of 50-55MPH. Was designed to go up against the Subaru 360 and every model came with suicide doors. There was also a passenger version that became the first generation Minica.

 

[RandomCarGuy17]

Apparently the Chinese Chevrolet Caprice was being sold with the Buick Park Avenue nameplate.

 

[GT'S BiG FaN]

Apparently the Chinese Chevrolet Caprice was being sold with the Buick Park Avenue nameplate.

Jeez how many rebrands of the Chevy Caprice are there?!!

 

[SVX]

Mazda Autozam AZ550 Sports

Basically the prototype version of the Autozam AZ-1. Was created after Suzuki failed to get their RS/3 into production and the team that built it was led by Toshiko Hirai, who designed the Mazda MX-5 (NA). It even had a "Type C" Le Mans inspired concept.

Yep, three versions:

Autozam AZ-550 Sports



Type A

Type B/Sports

Type C/Race

And I'm not sure what this is, other than it being an AZ 550. Maybe an early prototype.

Looks like they're not around anymore, though:

Bonus:

 

[deadbob777]

Aston Martin Bulldog, It's like Bricklin, DeLorean, Dome Zero and all of my favorite door wedge cars but with an Aston badge

 

[RandomCarGuy17]

Jeez how many rebrands of the Chevy Caprice are there?!!

Just 3 actually, there's the Chevy Caprice, Holden Caprice, and the Buick Park Avenue.

 

[Tornado]

That was the one GM has planned to bring over to America after the Impala version was canceled and the G8 flopped, as late as 2011.

Indeed it is. Here are a few stats on it.

View attachment 595310​

Also notable because the 2D was the American entry of that type that was successful before the GT40 really picked up steam.

 

[Aerocoupe]

This, ladies and gentlemen is the 1992 GMC Syclone Marlboro edition. Ten of these were built for a special contest that Marlboro ran in 1992. But these were more than a simple sticker job, as they included:

• T-Tops and slide down rear window from ASC
• Special hard tonneau cover
• Boyd Coddington Cobra wheels
• Recaro seats with racing harnesses
• Momo steering wheel
• Special Bell Tech suspension that was dropped by 3in.
• Along with a PROMPAQ performance chip and Borla exhaust.

 

[Tornado]

I'm not sure how exactly the turbo version differs from the regular one in terms of stock sound, but in my experience when you put any kind of performance exhaust on the normally aspirated 4300 it sounds awful.

 

[RocZX]

That was the one GM has planned to bring over to America after the Impala version was canceled and the G8 flopped, as late as 2011.

GM has been selling them in US since 2010 as a cop car, I never heard that they were going to sell a civilian version in the US.

 

[Legro]

Some finds just won't get old:

Mazda AZ 550 Sports.

Concept version of the Autozam AZ-1, which had as suggested by the name, a 550 cc engine. Three versions were shown at the Tokyo Motor Show in 1989, the most production AZ-1 resembling A Spec with pop-up headlights, stripped B Spec which was supposed to be more pure sportscar version than the A Spec, and Group C inspired C Spec, which was painted in the same colour as Mazda's Group C cars at the time.

A Spec
View attachment 353527
View attachment 353535

C Spec
View attachment 353529
View attachment 353533

B Spec
View attachment 353532
View attachment 353534

View attachment 353528
View attachment 353530

Autozam AZ-550 Sports



Type A

Type B/Sports

Type C/Race

And I'm not sure what this is, other than it being an AZ 550. Maybe an early prototype.

Looks like they're not around anymore, though:

Bonus:

Mazda Autozam AZ550 Sports

Basically the prototype version of the Autozam AZ-1. Was created after Suzuki failed to get their RS/3 into production and the team that built it was led by Toshiko Hirai, who designed the Mazda MX-5 (NA). It even had a "Type C" Le Mans inspired concept.

 

[ToyGTone]

Found out about 2 interesting Kei cars earlier this week

Mazda Autozam AZ550 Sports

Basically the prototype version of the Autozam AZ-1. Was created after Suzuki failed to get their RS/3 into production and the team that built it was led by Toshiko Hirai, who designed the Mazda MX-5 (NA). It even had a "Type C" Le Mans inspired concept.​

Yep, three versions:

Some finds just won't get old:

I just realized that the prototype in that image had Pop-out headlights instead of the production's fixed one. Would loved to if that was like that in the final product.

--------

 

[SVX]

Some finds just won't get old:

Hah. I was more quoting him because he missed out a version, but it's like the gift that keeps on giving.

 

[The Vanishing Boy]

-> ...

View attachment 596127 View attachment 596128
This, ladies and gentlemen is the 1992 GMC Syclone Marlboro edition. Ten of these were built for a special contest that Marlboro ran in 1992. But these were more than a simple sticker job, as they included:

• T-Tops and slide down rear window from ASC
• Special hard tonneau cover
• Boyd Coddington Cobra wheels
• Recaro seats with racing harnesses
• Momo steering wheel
• Special Bell Tech suspension that was dropped by 3in.
• Along with a PROMPAQ performance chip and Borla exhaust.

^ I saw this on Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas two years ago!

^ Apologies, I was try to format this pic on IG back in the day.

==================================

BT -> Saw this on this year's Barrett-Jackson:

Chevrolet 150 Coupe '57

^ I simply love this thing! It was basically a less-powerful, less-blingy, and a more basic version of the legendary Bel Air!

-> Apologies for the quality, as my phone began to poop on me after I took these shots.

 

[Heldenzeit]

Someone in Japan converted an AZ-1 to look like the prototype by using Miata headlights.

 

[Razor440]

1969 Chevrolet Camaro ZL-1 Prototype

A prototype version of the 1969 Camaro ZL-1. Apparently it was too much to handle for most Camaro buyers, and considering the extremely low sales of the ZL-1 and the COPO Camaro, Chevrolet thought it was just wasn't needed.

A replica was created, but they didn't get the front badge right and the exhaust looks measly compared to the old prototype's set.

Still, for the most part it looks pretty cool and is pretty interesting.

 

[LM7325]

It really needs the 15" wheels and F70-15 tires to have the same presence the prototype has.

 

[05XR8]

Nissan Serena IMPUL. Never heard of it.

 

[Roo]

I saw a Fiat pick up truck yesterday. Turns out it's called the Fullback, and is a Mitsubishi L200 with a different badge.

 

[Heldenzeit]

63 Corvair Pininfarina Concept

60 Corvair Coupe Speciale Pininfarina

 

[homeforsummer]

Pontiac Grand Prix Richard Petty Edition. Who knew?

Appears there was also a Richard Petty Edition of the previous-gen model too. The surprising thing is that it actually looks like a reasonably thorough job. The other surprising thing is that I actually quite like it.

 

[TexRex]

Who knew?

Safe bet, anyhow.

 

[Tornado]

Better than the awful Intimidator Monte for sure. I always liked that Grand Prix a lot more than the following one.

 

[Turbo]

Pontiac Grand Prix Richard Petty Edition. Who knew?

Appears there was also a Richard Petty Edition of the previous-gen model too. The surprising thing is that it actually looks like a reasonably thorough job. The other surprising thing is that I actually quite like it.

Reminds me of the Monte Carlo Jeff Gordon Edition.

Both are tacky as hell, though.

 

[homeforsummer]

I suppose they're a bit tacky, but they're better than the equivalent we'd get in the UK. Can you imagine? "Subaru Levorg Jason Plato Edition".

 

[TexRex]

I suppose they're a bit tacky, but they're better than the equivalent we'd get in the UK. Can you imagine? "Subaru Levorg Jason Plato Edition".

I don't imagine something similar would be available over there. It takes a "special" kind of person to buy a NASCAR-themed special edition car.

 

[homeforsummer]

I don't imagine something similar would be available over there. It takes a "special" kind of person to buy a NASCAR-themed special edition car.

I'm not gonna lie, I'd probably buy a NASCAR-themed special edition car. But then I'm English and I have a soft spot for slightly exaggerated Americana, in the same way some Americans might love the idea of driving around the Cotswolds in a Morgan and drinking afternoon tea (or [insert other stereotype here]).

 

[TexRex]

Disregard.