# Help ID a car model **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 29, 2013, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-id-a-car-model/669951 "2013-09-29T21:17:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2013, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-id-a-car-model/669951/1 "2013-09-29T21:17:59Z")
Twice now, I’ve encountered a summer car in my area that to my great gearheaded shame I can’t identify. The first time, the driver drove past me and parked and I had a few moments to look the car over, but it was dark. Today, he passed me on a two-lane road (and waved, since I was driving my summer car, too). I have not spotted any badges or nameplates; it seems oddly unmarked. It’s all black and looks very vaguely like an early Z-car, but with a squarer tail and is a convertible. It has a square chisel nose a bit like an older RX-7, and two-bar stacked tailights (both red) a little like a Z-car’s. It might have a wood-rimmed steering wheel. Overall, it screams mid-1970s at me and from my first look I was sure it was a Scarab (Z-car conversion). Today… it’s not. The one remaining thing I know is it has a hell of a lot of engine, probably a big-block V-8, which narrows the field quite a bit. I’m pretty sure it’s one of the melds of a Euro body with an American V-8. It’s not an Iso Grifo; it could be an Iso Rivolta but what I can find of the tail lights for those don’t match. It’s not any Jensen I’m familiar with. It’s also pretty big - maybe a tad bigger than a Z-car, certainly not RX-7 size. So: a cross between an original Z-car and a convertible RX-7, on the bigger side, with a big-ass engine… any ideas? ---
**Author:** ![breezman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4491bb/32.png) [@breezman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/breezman)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2013, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-id-a-car-model/669951/2 "2013-09-29T21:38:20Z")
Could it be a [lotus europa](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fe/Lotus_Europe_series_1_1967.jpg) ? They qualify as square-ended, and IMO the ugliest sports car ever made. ---
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2013, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-id-a-car-model/669951/3 "2013-09-29T21:43:13Z")
> [@breezman](#): > > Could it be a [lotus europa](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fe/Lotus_Europe_series_1_1967.jpg)? > > They qualify as square-ended, and IMO the ugliest sports car ever made. No, I know Lotuses. Besides being ugly, Europa’s self-disassemble. This was a handsome 70s-ish square-tailed wedge in the RX-7, Z-car, Daytona, 80s Vette mold. I’m now wondering if it’s an old Z-car with a dual conversion - V-8 \*and \*convertible - and customized details like dark red tail lights and all the badging stripped. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2013, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-id-a-car-model/669951/4 "2013-09-29T21:50:37Z")
[Saab Sonett III](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saab_Sonett#Sonett_III)? ---
**Author:** ![Isilder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/cc9497/32.png) [@Isilder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isilder)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2013, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-id-a-car-model/669951/5 "2013-09-29T21:53:07Z")
The two bar tail light sounds like a very american tail light. Have a look at a Firebirds’s rear tail lights. Bars… > **[File:Pontiac Firebird 1991 Heck.JPG](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pontiac_Firebird_1991_Heck.JPG)** But google , using image search, search for firebird tail light mustang tail light corvette tail light Jaguar XKR tail light ---
**Author:** ![cougar58](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f07891/32.png) [@cougar58](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cougar58)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2013, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-id-a-car-model/669951/6 "2013-09-29T21:55:07Z")
Sounds like a Studebaker Avanti II. Few ppl know that these were made in South Bend until 1982, long after Studebaker went under in the 1960’s [https://www.google.com/search?q=studebaker+avanti&safe=off&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=zaBIUvbRNMG8yAGfm4GQDw&ved=0CAkQ\_AUoAQ&biw=1280&bih=713&dpr=1](https://www.google.com/search?q=studebaker+avanti&safe=off&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=zaBIUvbRNMG8yAGfm4GQDw&ved=0CAkQ_AUoAQ&biw=1280&bih=713&dpr=1) They were rated the safest car on the road, and in fact had a big GM V8. ---
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2013, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-id-a-car-model/669951/7 "2013-09-29T21:57:48Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > [Saab Sonett III](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saab_Sonett#Sonett_III)? Nope, I know III’s and IV’s well. Almost bought one until I found out the bad carburetor was going to set me back $600 (When 2BBL Holleys were $40). Not an Avanti, either. I know most classic cars quite well, which is why this one is frustrating me. It’s not quite like anything I’ve seen, which is why I suspect it may be something heavily customized. It doesn’t look custom, just a very clean conversion of some kind. Or not. ---
**Author:** ![cougar58](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f07891/32.png) [@cougar58](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cougar58)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2013, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-id-a-car-model/669951/8 "2013-09-29T22:02:27Z")
here is the Avanti II with a wooden steering wheel [http://classiccars.com/listings/view/429296/1984-studebaker-avanti-for-sale-in-montreal-quebec-canada-h1r2y7](http://classiccars.com/listings/view/429296/1984-studebaker-avanti-for-sale-in-montreal-quebec-canada-h1r2y7) here is a black convertible > **[2004 Studebaker Avanti convertible](http://www.dragtimes.com/2004-Studebaker-Avanti-Pictures-13351.html)** > > 2004 Studebaker Avanti convertible runs 13.830 @ 102.730 http://www.dragtimes.com/Studebaker-Avanti-Timeslip-13351.html ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2013, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-id-a-car-model/669951/9 "2013-09-29T22:02:41Z")
> [@Amateur\_Barbarian](#): > > and is a convertible. Not a Pantera, then. ---
**Author:** ![cougar58](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f07891/32.png) [@cougar58](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cougar58)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2013, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-id-a-car-model/669951/10 "2013-09-29T22:03:57Z")
blue Avanti II convertible (tell me this isn’t absolutely delicious) [![Imgur](https://live.staticflickr.com/4073/4824693998_057ed1425f_b.jpg "Avanti Convertible") ](https://www.flickr.com/photos/dok1/4824693998/) ---
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2013, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-id-a-car-model/669951/11 "2013-09-29T22:09:58Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > Not a Pantera, then. Nope, more conventional front-engine style. I know the Ford racers, too. (Have one.) > [@cougar58](#): > > blue Avanti II convertible > (tell me this isn’t absolutely delicious) Avantis never really lit my fuse, but I do like seeing them. My other favorites are Stude Hawk GTs and the one '50s model I’d love to own… a Kaiser Darrin. There was a beautiful model that showed up at the local concourses - it may be the light green one seen in many web images. Loved it. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2013, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-id-a-car-model/669951/12 "2013-09-29T22:11:16Z")
Maserati Ghibli convertible (c. 1970)? ---
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2013, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-id-a-car-model/669951/13 "2013-09-29T22:14:07Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > Maserati Ghibli convertible (c. 1970)? Very close, but single-bar taillights and a somewhat taller nose. (I used to work with a doctor whose daily driver was a powder-blue Ghibli… _sigh_. Possibly the most beautiful car of all time. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2013, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-id-a-car-model/669951/14 "2013-09-29T22:32:31Z")
Oh, you seem to know what you are talking about, so this may be a challenge. How about the [Bricklin SV-1?](http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/1087961975bricklinsv1.jpg)TVR Tasmin? A few [AMX/3s](http://www.conceptcarz.com/view/photo/27116,1749,0,0/photo.aspx) escaped into the wild, and you can now get a kit for it. ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2013, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-id-a-car-model/669951/15 "2013-09-29T23:08:09Z")
How about a TR8? [http://www.seriouswheels.com/stuv/Triumph-TR8-Convertible.htm](http://www.seriouswheels.com/stuv/Triumph-TR8-Convertible.htm) ---
**Author:** ![stanger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7ba0ec/32.png) [@stanger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stanger)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2013, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-id-a-car-model/669951/16 "2013-09-29T23:39:57Z")
[Opel GT?](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opel_GT) Came with a small engine, but a lot of people put small-block Chevys in them. ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2013, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-id-a-car-model/669951/17 "2013-09-30T03:18:14Z")
> [@stanger](#): > > [Opel GT?](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opel_GT) > > Came with a small engine, but a lot of people put small-block Chevys in them. O-piles didn’t come as vertibles. ---
**Author:** ![Isilder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/cc9497/32.png) [@Isilder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isilder)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2013, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-id-a-car-model/669951/18 "2013-09-30T04:01:22Z")
> **[Nissan 300ZX](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nissan_300ZX)** > > The Nissan 300ZX is a sports car that was produced across two different generations. As with all other versions of the Z, the 300ZX was sold within the Japanese domestic market under the name Fairlady Z. > It was sold in Japan from 1983 to 2000 and in the United States from 1984 to 1996, the 300ZX name followed the numerical convention initiated with the original Z car, the Nissan Fairlady Z (S30), which was marketed in the U.S. as the 240Z. The addition of the "X" to the car's name was a carryo... 300 ZX had a convertible option from 1993, and a tall engine bay . The whole front grill and bumper may have changed to allow the engine change. Some models of 300ZX have a wide bar tail light. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2013, 6:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-id-a-car-model/669951/19 "2013-09-30T06:00:33Z")
> [@dropzone](#): > > Oh, you seem to know what you are talking about, so this may be a challenge. How about the [Bricklin SV-1?](http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/1087961975bricklinsv1.jpg)TVR Tasmin? A few [AMX/3s](http://www.conceptcarz.com/view/photo/27116,1749,0,0/photo.aspx) escaped into the wild, and you can now get a kit for it. I was thinking of a TVR, too; and that link doesn’t work for me. Try [here](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:TVR_Tasmin_280i_Series_2_(1986).jpg). ---
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2013, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-id-a-car-model/669951/20 "2013-09-30T13:18:03Z")
> [@dropzone](#): > > How about the [Bricklin SV-1?](http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/1087961975bricklinsv1.jpg)TVR Tasmin? A few [AMX/3s](http://www.conceptcarz.com/view/photo/27116,1749,0,0/photo.aspx) escaped into the wild, and you can now get a kit for it. Not as wild looking as either the Bricklin or AMX/3 - aside, the row of AMXs will always get me to wander over at a lawn show. Tasmin is close but the images I can find aren’t quite on… also very rare, not sure one would be here. but it’s closer than anything yet. > [@Rick](#): > > How about a TR8?[ This one was running. 😃 I loved the TR7/8s and wore out a dealer brochure for the latter… of course, the hot British chick draped elegantly around the car helped. But wow were they crapmobiles in most ways… > [@stanger](#): > > [URL=“[Opel GT - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opel_GT)”]Opel GT?]([http://www.seriouswheels.com/stuv/Triumph-TR8-Convertible.htm](http://www.seriouswheels.com/stuv/Triumph-TR8-Convertible.htm)) Came with a small engine, but a lot of people put small-block Chevys in them. > [@Rick](#): > > O-piles didn’t come as vertibles. Which follows on nicely, because I came very close to buying not only a GT but a Buick 213 V8 - the aluminum V8 that was later sold to Rover and ended up in the TR8. I was going to chop the top, drop the block and… well, it didn’t happen. Too small and a rounded tail rather than a square one. > [@Isilder](#): > > 300 ZX had a convertible option from 1993, and a tall engine bay. Close again, allowing for some customization. It occurred to me that I might know who owns it - new guy in town (explaining why I’ve never seen it before, and now have seen it twice) who was at the meeting where I saw it parked, and coincidentally contacted me about joining one of the committees. I pinged his email with a guarded query; haven’t heard back yet. Thanks for all suggestions so far. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-id-a-car-model/669951.md?page=2)