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

[The Vanishing Boy]

^ Thanks for sharing the video! Awesome!

 

[titleguy1]

So, this one is actually a short story. Bear with me.
I was in California (US) on vacation, across the country from my home, last year in 2013. We had been driving a rental car up to San Francisco from Los Angeles, and then this bright orange car comes flying by, with a distinct V8 noise. I researched this car a little bit, and then found out that is was... this.
(I remember seeing the exact car!)

That is the Vision SZR, a one-off prototype which has 3 different versions. This is the latest version, made in 2011. And just look at it!
Also, interior.

Strangest car I've ever seen on the road.

 

[RandomCarGuy17]

The SLP Ranger Thunderbolt, I just learned of its existance today from seeing one in front of me at a random intersection.

 

[Snorevette]

So, this one is actually a short story. Bear with me.
I was in California (US) on vacation, across the country from my home, last year in 2013. We had been driving a rental car up to San Francisco from Los Angeles, and then this bright orange car comes flying by, with a distinct V8 noise. I researched this car a little bit, and then found out that is was... this.
(I remember seeing the exact car!)

That is the Vision SZR, a one-off prototype which has 3 different versions. This is the latest version, made in 2011. And just look at it!
Also, interior.

Strangest car I've ever seen on the road.

I don't think I've ever seen a single car that embodies (an 80's vision of) 2011 more than this.

 

[XxKaitoShionxX]

So, this one is actually a short story. Bear with me.
I was in California (US) on vacation, across the country from my home, last year in 2013. We had been driving a rental car up to San Francisco from Los Angeles, and then this bright orange car comes flying by, with a distinct V8 noise. I researched this car a little bit, and then found out that is was... this.
(I remember seeing the exact car!)

That is the Vision SZR, a one-off prototype which has 3 different versions. This is the latest version, made in 2011. And just look at it!
Also, interior.

Strangest car I've ever seen on the road.

reminds me of this

 

[Dennisch]

What the hell kind of Mustangs are this?

 

[Peasantslayer]

@Dennisch I searched by image on Google and it looks like they have been modified by George Barris.

 

[The Stig Farmer]

Hehehehe no.

 

[Dennisch]

Ah now I recognise Cher.

 

[RandomCarGuy17]

Yeah, I don't think I'll ever be able to fathom how those two thought that those Mustangs look good like that.

 

[Dennisch]

Yeah, I don't think I'll ever be able to fathom how those two thought that those Mustangs look good like that.

You need to think like they did back then. With acid and other funky stuff.

 

[SlipZtrEm]

My girlfriend has been sending me pictures of cars she spots on the road while she's in Paris. I was stumped for a while on a small convertible, as it was a head-on shot, and I didn't recognize the grille shape. There were no noticeable badges anywhere either. A little bit of hunting around the web, and I've finally cracked it: It's the Autobianchi Bianchina cabriolet!

D'awwwww.

 

[AudiMan2011]

So apparently Subaru rebadged the Vauxhall/Opel Zafira to create the Traviq for sale in Japan from 2001 to 2004.

 

[RandomCarGuy17]

Subaru BRZ TS, a lighter, track version of the BRZ.

Subaru Legacy TS

and yeah; there's a Chevy badged Forester.

 

[Wiegert]

Only just realised this was a thing while researching the SHO V6. SHOGun Festiva, AKA 'Give That Kia Pride the Clio V6 Treatment'.

 

[VXR]

So apparently Subaru rebadged the Vauxhall/Opel Zafira to create the Traviq for sale in Japan from 2001 to 2004.

Autocar once ran this in a news story with the same image. I'd forgotten about the car until now. The lower skirts look bespoke to the Traviq, I definitely don't recall Irmscher's kit looking like that.

 

[stumpydino]

Ha that Traviq this is interesting!
So, what the heck is this. looks vw based, steering wheel had an emblem of a castle with a fox on top(?) but that could be just a steering wheel brand!

 

[Wiegert]

So, what the heck is this. looks vw based, steering wheel had an emblem of a castle with a fox on top(?) but that could be just a steering wheel brand!

Fiberfab Bonanza GT. And that emblem sounds like the Wolfsburg crest, which verifies its VW underpinning.

 

[SVX]

So apparently Subaru rebadged the Vauxhall/Opel Zafira to create the Traviq for sale in Japan from 2001 to 2004.

The Subaru variants are surprisingly very, very common over here.

 

[D.Kadettdriver]

In 1977, the German Daihatsu importer tried to revive the Borgward brand by rebadging some AMC Hornets:

 

[GT Pro]

Nissan Almera:

I swear this car is a myth or just a really protracted April Fool's joke by Nissan. It's the only car sold by a mainstream manufacturer in Australia in the past ten years which I have never seen. That or they are just so perfectly bland that not even my subconscious registers it when it comes into my sight.

 

[Rage Racer]

Lada Riva 1600 SLX Sport. A special conversion sold by the British Lada dealers, was never available on the Russian market, only in UK.

Lada faster than an Audi Quattro, they say?..
0-100 km/h in 9 seconds - sounds cool.

 

[The Vanishing Boy]

^ I'd rock that Lada!...maybe I'd go as far as featuring it on my manga project!

 

[Tyger]

There's a Group B Riva somewhere in the suggestions forum, it's flippin' nuts.

Edit: Here

 

[yabiggoose]

Nissan Almera:

I swear this car is a myth or just a really protracted April Fool's joke by Nissan. It's the only car sold by a mainstream manufacturer in Australia in the past ten years which I have never seen. That or they are just so perfectly bland that not even my subconscious registers it when it comes into my sight.

I've never seen one either........

 

[Legro]

Porsche B32. Porsche tuned Volkswagen T3 with 3.2 Carrera engine.

http://oppositelock.jalopnik.com/porsche-b32-the-porsche-camper-van-that-almost-was-1453489406
http://www.carbuildindex.com/24024/porsche-vw-t3-bus-the-b32/
http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/15/did-you-know-porsche-built-a-vw-t3-vanagon-based-b32/

Spoiler: And for those who can understand German

http://www.autobild.de/klassik/artikel/klassik-test-porsche-b32-3710877.html

 

[Bo]

Can I have it please?

 

[knoxviue]

Lada 112 VK S2000
http://www.s2000rally.com/lada-112-s2000.php

 

[kikie]

The Larea GT1 S9 Evo.

 

[Rage Racer]

^ I'd rock that Lada!...maybe I'd go as far as featuring it on my manga project!

Some people say, the 2107 (aka Riva) is the Russian AE86.
Underpowered, but light (1049 kg in stock, can be lightened to ~800), agile (thanks to the FIAT 124 chassis) and having a decent tuning potential.

Spoiler