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

  • Thread starter Rue
  • 6,207 comments
  • 1,074,923 views
Qvale Mangusta. 284 produced from 2000 to 2002. Quite frankly I'm glad you don't see these on the road very often because they're freakishly ugly to me. I did see one at a car show once, and the interior isn't much better.
Qvale_Mangusta_%28Foto_Alice%29_2010-05-22_bearb.jpg
 
Qvale Mangusta. 284 produced from 2000 to 2002. Quite frankly I'm glad you don't see these on the road very often because they're freakishly ugly to me. I did see one at a car show once, and the interior isn't much better.
Qvale_Mangusta_%28Foto_Alice%29_2010-05-22_bearb.jpg
Those things are actually kind of cool. A guy who lives 5 minutes from me has a yellow one that is always sitting in his driveway.
 
My adventures in a FB car group recently brought my attention to this;

1280px-Toyota_Origin_1.jpg

Toyota_ORIGIN_a-2.jpg


The Toyota Origin. Another member in the long line of "1990-Noughties JDM cars that want to go back in time to the Sixties", and you can tell that's what the Origin wanted when Toyota released it... Around 1,000 were made, with a price tag of SEVEN MILLION YEN (good grief), sold as an hommage to the Toyopet Crown.

Oh, and it also featured a 2JZ-GE engine, so if you're on the lookout for one of those for your tuner project... I guess you could start here? :P :lol:
 
-> Speaking of Retro-Styled cars, here is another one that I stumbled!

-> Remember Autech? Yeah, one of Nissan's tuning arm developed a couple of Zagato cars and a 4-door R33 GT-R right!? Well, I've found a 3rd car!

Autech A-10 Sports "Nostalgic Sports Sedan" '96
tumblr_nso5rmMNU51twpcoho1_1280.jpg


tumblr_nso5rmMNU51twpcoho2_540.jpg


49.jpg


50.jpg


aug21.jpg


^ This box is based on the S14 Silvia, with a non-turbo SR20 2.0L I4 with 180hp AND RWD a 5-speed MT!! I quite like it, imagine a sleeper sedan!!!

-> Unfortunately, this wonderful car is only a one-off prototype. :indiff:

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

-> And another treat from Autech, a 4th car!!! :eek:

Autech [K11] MID-11 '03
aug22.jpg


aug23.jpg


aug24.jpg


ARC_U_4ac048b9436318611016593b7b5f61fec228d21b_20150915163654.jpg


ARC_U_13926435ab6943c69ce022d9e311ecb8047509bc_20150915163654.jpg


ARC_U_6d7b7a094bd9a3ad1bd63ab602766f1b3b6474b9_20150915163654.jpg


66123_2.jpg


Here's a rough link (JDM)

^ This mid-engined isn't as extreme as the Clio V6, the Festiva SHOgun, the Aygo Crazy, nor Nissan's own Micra 350SR. But it was powered by the SR20VE with 204hp & 6MT.

-> And the best part? It's street legal!!! The worst part, like the A-10 above...it's only a prototype. :(
 
cmwlb70i560dfk4trk1h.jpg

Toyota 222d. Quite an odd looking car. Underneath, it's actually a heavily modified, 4WD gen 1 MR2. Makes an absurd 750hp. Was meant to be for group B but group B was cancelled before this thing was ready.

nissan-micra-super-turbo-3.jpg

Nissan Micra Super Turbo. Look how cool and futuristic that grille looks, even today. Not an especially quick car with only 108hp, but with it's small body and light weight, this thing is basically a Japanese Mini Cooper, i.e a Mini Cooper built well. This seems like a car that I stand a chance of owning in my life which is cool.

1988_BMW_325iX_E30_For_Sale_Rear_0_resize.jpg

This might look like just another BMW E30, but this one is kind of special. This is the 325iX; a 4WD E30! It's not particularly amazing, but I can't help but think of the potential it had, I mean, Imagine if they used an M42 engine from the 318i at the time, and turbocharged it, considering that these were still built when the early Mitsubishi Evo's and Impreza's appeared on the market and dominated the WRC. I'm sure someone out there must have modded an E30 like that.
 
I never realized how many Chinese specific VWs there are.


VW Bora

volkswagen_bora_cn-spec_1.jpg



VW Santana

Volkswagen-Santana-2014.jpg


09-vw-santana-3000.jpg



VW Lavida

volkswagenlavida0392012acircethfrac12ethsup2-l-303cd9269d146327.jpg


They're all very generic looking though.
 
The Chinese Bora isn't a China-specific car so much as it is a fifth generation Jetta facelifted to look like the current American Jetta. Kinda like what Volkswagen did worldwide with the Cabriolet in 1998.



Which makes me think that the US is getting a raw deal.
 
My adventures in a FB car group recently brought my attention to this;

1280px-Toyota_Origin_1.jpg

Toyota_ORIGIN_a-2.jpg


The Toyota Origin. Another member in the long line of "1990-Noughties JDM cars that want to go back in time to the Sixties", and you can tell that's what the Origin wanted when Toyota released it... Around 1,000 were made, with a price tag of SEVEN MILLION YEN (good grief), sold as an hommage to the Toyopet Crown.

Oh, and it also featured a 2JZ-GE engine, so if you're on the lookout for one of those for your tuner project... I guess you could start here? :P :lol:

Toyota released another retro styled limited production car alongside the Origin called the 'Classic', which was based on a Hilux. It's styled after the Toyota AA of the late 30s early 40s. Only 100 produced which cost about $75K USD.

image.jpg


They actually have one at the Toyota USA museum! Saw this in 2013.
image.jpg
 
Toyota released another retro styled limited production car alongside the Origin called the 'Classic', which was based on a Hilux. It's styled after the Toyota AA of the late 30s early 40s. Only 100 produced which cost about $75K USD.

View attachment 569468

They actually have one at the Toyota USA museum! Saw this in 2013.
View attachment 569469

Well would you look at that... An Hilux would be just about the last choice I would go for if I wanted a base for my 1930's hommage car, but those were weirder times at Toyotaland. It's as if a Chrysler PT Cruiser and a Chevrolet HHR got together to make one large-sized child to carry on their retro legacy! :lol:
 
nissan-micra-super-turbo-3-jpg.568872

Nissan Micra Super Turbo. Look how cool and futuristic that grille looks, even today. Not an especially quick car with only 108hp, but with it's small body and light weight, this thing is basically a Japanese Mini Cooper, i.e a Mini Cooper built well. This seems like a car that I stand a chance of owning in my life which is cool.
I love these things so much. Almost anything with a twincharged engine is pretty awesome in my book.
 
SVX
I kinda wish they weren't low production, seeing those in Japan's car scene would be wild.

Modern Japanese reliability coupled with the soul and beauty of classic cars. What's not to like???
Have to get one imported on day
 
Back