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

[R5]

A few things courtesy of Peter Stevens:

 

[Niku Driver HC]

I know most of those Brazillian sports cars, except for the Miura. A car with that name, which is not a Lamborghini? An interesting thing to copy, but I'm sure that there's more to that.

And out of all those, the Puma is the best known. It was even sold in South Africa, while all the others failed to leave Brazil's shores, for one reason or another. Also, VW wasn't necessarily involved with the Puma all the time, Puma was an independant brand...

 

[Wiegert]

Considering how scarce and wholly undesirable these conversions were, I'm surprised I discovered them through a random encounter over the weekend:

Avon Coachworks converted an unknown number of models from the Triumph Acclaim range through 1982 onwards. Basically you could take your Acclaim - regardless or trim level - into a BL dealership and request a conversion for the sum of £1365 (more than 1/3 of the cost of a basic Acclaim). This included a chrome radiator grille, vinyl roof, two-tone metallic paint, coach lines, extra soundproofing, Connolly leather seats and burr-walnut veneer dashboard/door panels similar to the Vanden Plas trim level on Austin Rover models.

It wasn't long before Avon offered a turbo conversion with pepper pot alloys, front and rear lip spoilers, very '80s "TURBO" decals along the doors, Nardi steering wheel and less luxurious suede seats. Considerably more impressive than any other variant, with the turbocharged Civic 1.3 reaching 105 hp. Fully loaded Turbos would end up costing £4,000 more than the base model, at almost £9k.

Guesses suggest that 200 or so were given the turbo conversion and only three exist today. Including the very first example which, as it turns out, is the very one I saw outside a Welsh supermarket yesterday.

Not my photo

 

[homeforsummer]

I knew the Honda Today existed:

What I didn't know is that they sold an 'MTREC' version, which effectively used the engine from the Honda Beat, with individual throttle bodies and an 8.5k rpm red line. Rather want one now, would make an awesome commuter.

 

[Clark]

That's a looker.

 

[Niku Driver HC]

Well, I know the Beat, but I sure as heck did not know that its engine was used for something other than the Beat itself, which is rather impressive. Having a ho-hum-looking kei with an engine that can rev up to 8.5k rpm would be a personal dream of mind as well, just for the sheer fun of driving such a car.

 

[SVX]

I knew there was one car I was forgetting when we were talking soft cross overs:

Nissan Lucino S-RV.

Lucino SR-V 5-door hatch (exactly same as Pulsar SR-V, except rear indicator lens covers being clear coloured). Lucino SR-V VZR 5-door hatch (SR16VE engine)

An Autech tuned version of the Pulsar SRV and Lucino SRV was also available featuring the SR18DE block, but was actually a 2.0L (1998cc) engine. Indicative features included the placement of the spare-wheel on the rear boot lid and inclusion of plastic side mouldings over the wheel arches and large rear spoiler. As a result of shifting the spare-wheel to the boot lid, the number plate had to be relocated in the rear bumper, meaning a bumper was produced specific for this model.

While we're talking Pulsars, what about the Autech version:

Customization model

• June 1996 SR18DE based on a 5-speed MT cars pulsar Serie GTI mounting, Autech Japan "Autech version" was developed ( AUTECH VERSION ) is released. Model is HN15 breaks. the previously HP10 breaks had been released in the Primera pursuant to tune (but those of the exhaust manifold only SR20DE standard vehicle for FF vehicles) premium gasoline specifications SR20DE improved type of 175ps which has been subjected to a (2.0L) is mounted, some crossing is dedicated viscous LSD was with with 5-speed MT combination enables sporty driving in and of. Features on the exterior and the front aero bumper of large fog lamps built-in, dedicated large roof spoiler, dedicated side step, common dedicated front and rear brakes and RNN14 Pulsar GTI-R, barnacle Giken muffler, a dedicated center muffler, sports suspension, 205 / 50R15 85V of Bridgestone it was equipped with a G grid tire. The interior is fitted with a white meter that contains the Autech Japan logo black tones. It had adopted a dedicated sheet point and door trim cross. Two colors of body color is black (# KH3) and Bluish Silver (# KG1).
• Minor change 1996 September Autech version year (late type). According to a minor change of the base vehicle, the front seat dual SRS airbags and ABS equipped.
• Add Aero selection and SR20DE mounting of aero sports of 1997 SR16VE installation of VZ-R base (FF · 5-speed MT only) (4WD · 5-speed MT and the OD with a 4-speed AT). Both Autech Japan was responsible for the development.

Aero selection

And front aero bumper of large fog lamps built-in, dedicated large roof spoiler, Fujitsubo Giken made special muffler, 205 / of 50VR15 gold that combines the Bridgestone Potenza tires RE710Kai dedicated aluminum wheel features on appearance. Only containing a red stitch peach binding Kawamaki shift knob and private parking brake lever, it had adopted white meter, a dedicated seat area and door trim cloth interior.

And look so much better with a drop and wheels, too:

 

[Clark]

It's a Nissan Almera :|

 

[Liquid]

It looks like a Nissan Almera with the Rover 25 Streetwise/Audi A6 Allroad/Alfa Romeo 156 Crosswagon "incredibly minor aesthetic changes to make it seem superficially more offroady" treatment.

 

[Wiegert]

And the other's a Nissan Pulsaab.

 

[Niku Driver HC]

It's a Nissan Almera :|

You're half right, except that there is a thing where the N15 Pulsar is better than the N15 Almera;

See the second car on the left column, in the first picture? That would be the Nissan Pulsar VZ-R, one of the two things where the N15 Pulsar is better than the Almera. Yes, it still looks like an Almera on both the outside and inside, but unlike the GTi, it's not castrated to a mere 140ps, oh no. Rather, the VZ-R and its variable valve timing engine could do with 170 horsepower. Yes, it still wasn't enough to beat the Civic Type R, but let's face it, what hot hatch from the '90's could beat a downright racing car with a road-going license plate? And the second thing where the Pulsar was better was the VZ-R N1 version, with 200 horsepower and more racing-esque gizmos (as it was a homolgation special).

Late edit: Oh, and you could also have the engine for the Pulsar S-RV (as SVX has mentioned), but that's not all; even the Sunny had a VZ-R version at one point;

 

[The Vanishing Boy]

^ And also the Sunny VZ-R is similar to the North American Sentra SR-R Spec-V:

Sunny = Sentra (up until the B15 series)

B15 Sunny interior:

B15 Sentra interior:

 

[INEEDNAWZZZ]

I already knew about Mazda's rebadged Mk. IV Fiesta, the 121. What I didn't know was that they facelifted it as well.

I have to say the end result actually makes it look like a proper Mazda product from the period instead of just a Fiesta with a different badge grafted on to it. Looks very 323-ish.

 

[Gotbeefboy564]

This. Saw one yesterday.

 

[Liquid]

I already knew about Mazda's rebadged Mk. IV Fiesta, the 121. What I didn't know was that they facelifted it as well.

View attachment 434466

I have to say the end result actually makes it look like a proper Mazda product from the period instead of just a Fiesta with a different badge grafted on to it. Looks very 323-ish.

"They" didn't facelift it. It's still a Ford Fiesta, facelift or not.

The Mazda version of the facelift looks awful. Like some kind of North Korean bodge job.

 

[TexRex]

I almost bought a Jamaican shell-on-pan (Volkswagen chassis) a number of years back--it was between that and the '70 911S that I went with.

 

[INEEDNAWZZZ]

"They" didn't facelift it. It's still a Ford Fiesta, facelift or not.

In hindsight, I worded that weirdly. What I meant was that I wasn't aware the 121 was sold alongside the facelifted Fiesta as well. I always assumed it was quietly dropped by Mazda around the time Ford revised it. After all, 121s were always only meant to be made in small numbers anyway.

 

[TVR27]

2010 M-Racing Larea GT1 S9

 

[Tornado]

"They" didn't facelift it. It's still a Ford Fiesta, facelift or not.

The Mazda version of the facelift looks awful. Like some kind of North Korean bodge job.

That one's not winning too many design awards either. Ford or Mazda both are about as obvious of a "this front end wasn't designed for this vehicle" that you can get without going full Dustbuster:

 

[GranTurismo916]

Alfa Romeo New York Taxi Concept. Designed by Giugiaro.

 

[Niku Driver HC]

Wow, it's like a prelude of the Nissan NV200, many years before New York had to bow to it when it came to taxi cars... Giugiaro sure had his hand on quite the concepts back then, is it wrong for me to say that I find that yellow box amusing on the eyes?

And what were its specs (if it had any)?

 

[RandomCarGuy17]

The Maserati Birdcage 75th Anniversary Concept.
http://www.supercars.net/cars/3124.html

 

[TheCracker]

Alfa Romeo New York Taxi Concept. Designed by Giugiaro.

Remarkably similar, especially in detailing, to the first generation of Renault Espace.

 

[Tyger]

Considering how scarce and wholly undesirable these conversions were, I'm surprised I discovered them through a random encounter over the weekend:

View attachment 432155

Avon Coachworks converted an unknown number of models from the Triumph Acclaim range through 1982 onwards. Basically you could take your Acclaim - regardless or trim level - into a BL dealership and request a conversion for the sum of £1365 (more than 1/3 of the cost of a basic Acclaim). This included a chrome radiator grille, vinyl roof, two-tone metallic paint, coach lines, extra soundproofing, Connolly leather seats and burr-walnut veneer dashboard/door panels similar to the Vanden Plas trim level on Austin Rover models.

View attachment 432184

It wasn't long before Avon offered a turbo conversion with pepper pot alloys, front and rear lip spoilers, very '80s "TURBO" decals along the doors, Nardi steering wheel and less luxurious suede seats. Considerably more impressive than any other variant, with the turbocharged Civic 1.3 reaching 105 hp. Fully loaded Turbos would end up costing £4,000 more than the base model, at almost £9k.

Guesses suggest that 200 or so were given the turbo conversion and only three exist today. Including the very first example which, as it turns out, is the very one I saw outside a Welsh supermarket yesterday.

View attachment 432185
View attachment 432186
Not my photo

This made me sad, great spot but if it was uprated with a 1.3 Civic engine making 105hp, the base models were way less pokey than I'd assumed them to be. Truly not the best swansong for the Triumph marques, but Acclaims are still somehow semi-classic.

Wish the TR8 had been their last gasp, not quite sure where that fell, canonically.

 

[SVX]

Recently discovered this after seeing one by my school:

I knew about the Ascot, but not the Innova. From Wikipedia:

Launched on March 5, 1992, the was also based on the CB Accord underpinnings, but was given an all-new, modern-looking and rounded body, with styling similar to the Honda Prelude BB4 series (1992–1996). It was the result of a joint effort with the Rover Groupthat provided Rover with the 600 series, and an Accord that was unique to Europe.[1] The Innova retained the original Ascot's six-light greenhouse layout and horizontal taillights, as well as long, sleek and low body proportions (as opposed to the second-generation Ascot's upright stance and more Accord CF-like rear end). The Innova was fitted with frameless side glazing to provide for the "pillared hardtop" look, thus being Honda's answer to cars like the Toyota Carina ED/Toyota Corona EXiV, Nissan Bluebird ARX and Mitsubishi Emeraude. The Ascot Innova was sold in conjunction to the Ascot, and did not replace it.

The Ascot Innova was available in three four-cylinder engine choices: the 2.0-litre F20A unit, producing 135 PS in the less expensive 2.0iC and 2.0i versions with SOHC, 150 in the 2.0Si trim with DOHC, and the H-series 2.3-litre H23A engine fitted in the export versions of the Prelude, producing 165 HP (the 2.3-litre versions were designated 2.3Si-Z). Interestingly, while the 2.0-litre versions maintained the 1695 mm width which allowed them to remain in the favorable tax class, the 2.3-litre Innovas were 1710 mm wide, as the engine displacement didn't allow them to remain in the lower tax band, and buyers in Japan were also liable for a higher annual road tax billalso.

A 4-wheel steering system like the one in the Prelude was made available for the 2.0i, 2.0Si and 2.3Si-Z versions. Apart from the cheapest 2.0iC version, which came with a 5-speed manual transmission, all Ascot Innovas came with a 4-speed automatic. The Ascot Innova range started at ¥1,558,000 for the 2.0iC in the Tokyo sales area, while the most expensive 2.3Si-Z fetched ¥2,992,000 in Sapporo area, not including extra charges for options such as 4-wheel steering, moonroof, passenger airbag, cornering lamps or ABS. The television advertising campaign was built around the slogan "Hardtop Innovation" and featured the American actress Geena Davis.

The Innova itself remained a JDM-only model, and a Honda Primo exclusive, with no JDM sister cars. It was the result of shared efforts with British partner Rover Group, and the car was sold as the European Accord, which was made in Swindon, UK and marketed in Europe as Honda Accord instead of the North American version. The European Accord and the Ascot Innova differ only slightly, with the Euro-Accord being wider and featuring framed windows. Normally, this type of vehicle with a sports car influence would have been sold at Honda Verno, however because of its strong similarity to the Prelude, and Honda Verno already had a luxury sports sedan called the Honda Vigor, the Ascott Innova was assigned to Honda Primo instead, as Honda Clio had the Honda Legend.

The European Accord was in turn the base for the Rover 600 saloon, developed under Honda's long-standing relationship with the British Rover Group. The Rover 600 and the Swindon Accord also shared two engine options not available for the Ascot Innova - Honda's F18A 1.8-litre unit and Rover's 2.0-litre L-series turbodiesel. The Ascot Innova remained in production until 1996, while the European Accord saloon continued until 1998, with a facelifted model in 1997. In 1998, it was replaced with an all-new model.

Trim Levels

• 2,000cc SOHC F20A engine (135 PS)
  • 2.0i･C
  • 2.0i
  • 2.0i･4WS
• 2,000cc DOHC F20A engine (150 PS)
  • 2.0Si
  • 2.0Si･4WS
• 2,300cc DOHC H23A engine (165 PS)
  • 2.3Si-Z
  • 2.3Si-Z･4WS
  • 2.3Si-Z･TCV
  • 2.3Si-Z･TCV･4WS

Rather attractive design - especially a fan of the rear.

Specifications:

2.0Si - 2.3SI-Z TCV - 2.0I ILLUMINE - 2.0IC

 

[VXR]

Europe has always had the best looking Accords, in my opinion. That one, the following one and then the one America got as an Acura were great looking cars.

Love the fact that during their bubble economy, the Japanese would make a version so close to another, but change to frameless doors.

 

[TVR27]

Locat C1000

 

[TheCracker]

Locat C1000

Lotec or Lolcat?

 

[Legro]

The Astra J is apparently also available as a saloon.

The only remotely interesting thing about it is that they made one.

 

[VXR]

Might as well sell those Buick Veranos back to the Europeans.

Modern, excessive cab-forward styling just doesn't work as a three-box saloon.