# One of the Niftiest Automotive Pics I've Ever Seen **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [June 5, 2005, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-of-the-niftiest-automotive-pics-ive-ever-seen/306970 "2005-06-05T03:56:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2005, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-of-the-niftiest-automotive-pics-ive-ever-seen/306970/1 "2005-06-05T03:56:00Z")
[It’s a Nash Metropolitan towing a teardrop camper trailer.](http://tincantourists.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=16&size=big&ppuser=7) A tiny little car, with a tiny little trailer! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![gotpasswords](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c57346/32.png) [@gotpasswords](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gotpasswords)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2005, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-of-the-niftiest-automotive-pics-ive-ever-seen/306970/2 "2005-06-05T05:08:56Z")
Awww… it’s adorable! I googled up Benroy trailers, and that thing is ten feet long? Is that including the tongue? Just wondering, as a Met is just a smidge over twelve feet long and the pic makes the trailer look more like perhaps seven feet long. Now, just compare it to trailers today that are long enough that a Met could drive inside of it long enough to need to upshift. ---
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2005, 5:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-of-the-niftiest-automotive-pics-ive-ever-seen/306970/3 "2005-06-05T05:27:06Z")
> [@gotpasswords](#): > > Awww… it’s adorable! > > I googled up Benroy trailers, and that thing is ten feet long? Is that including the tongue? Just wondering, as a Met is just a smidge over twelve feet long and the pic makes the trailer look more like perhaps seven feet long. Some of them are even smaller. You can download scans of plans for trailers like the Benroy [here.](http://www.tinytears.cc/scans.html) A gallery of similar trailers can be found [here.](http://www.desertteardrops.com/plans/plancust.html) > [@](#): > > Now, just compare it to trailers today that are long enough that a Met could drive inside of it long enough to need to upshift. Heck, I’ve seen motorhomes that had frickin cars in racks **over** the cab! ---
**Author:** ![DMark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@DMark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMark)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2005, 6:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-of-the-niftiest-automotive-pics-ive-ever-seen/306970/4 "2005-06-05T06:52:17Z")
All that is missing is having 38 clowns exit from the back trailer when you park in the center ring. Claustrophobia is not your friend if you own that setup. ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2005, 7:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-of-the-niftiest-automotive-pics-ive-ever-seen/306970/5 "2005-06-05T07:02:14Z")
Very nice. I’ve never seen those teardrop trailers in use - what’s in there? Just a bed and some storage space? I _have_ seen a 16’ Airstream - those are pretty impressive. > [@](#): > > Heck, I’ve seen motorhomes that had frickin cars in racks over the cab! Uh, a car on top of the motoerhome? How does it get up there? I did see a RV towing a double-decker trailer loaded with a car and boat (I forget which was on top), and I can’t figure that one either. ---
**Author:** ![kniz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c37758/32.png) [@kniz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kniz)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2005, 7:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-of-the-niftiest-automotive-pics-ive-ever-seen/306970/6 "2005-06-05T07:58:47Z")
In 1978, we drove a Honda and pulled a pop-up tent behind from Tupelo to LA; up to Crater Lake in Oregon; over to Yellowstone; across South Dakota; down to St. Louis and back home. Over 7,000 miles in 3 weeks and didn’t spend one night in a motel. People were amazed that little car made the trip. A couple of years later the engine blew…oh well. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2005, 8:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-of-the-niftiest-automotive-pics-ive-ever-seen/306970/7 "2005-06-05T08:14:28Z")
> [@scr4](#): > > Very nice. I’ve never seen those teardrop trailers in use - what’s in there? Just a bed and some storage space? Basically. There’s a kitchen of sorts in the back, but not much more. I first learned about them on an episode of “Road Kings” (or something like that) on the Travel Channel. Sadly, I haven’t been able to find pics of some of the nicer ones from that show on the web. They’re pretty light, too. One of the owners they feature is the proverbial little old lady (who drove a 50s convertable) and she could pick the thing up by the hitch and scoot it around with no trouble. > [@](#): > > Uh, a car on top of the motoerhome? How does it get up there? I did see a RV towing a double-decker trailer loaded with a car and boat (I forget which was on top), and I can’t figure that one either. Got me. Shocked the hell out of me. All I could think about was the car going flying off in the event of a head on collision. ---
**Author:** ![JohnBckWLD](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d6d6ee/32.png) [@JohnBckWLD](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnBckWLD)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2005, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-of-the-niftiest-automotive-pics-ive-ever-seen/306970/8 "2005-06-14T02:44:17Z")
Tuckerfan, seeing that you’re our resident car & space MPSIMS’er, I figured this [Mercedes Bubblefish Bionic Concept car\*](http://www.gizmag.com/go/4133/) belonged in a bumped thread of yours as opposed to in one of it’s own. Unfortunately, from my perspective, the title isn’t the most appropriate…this thing looks like a cross between a Pokeman anime creature, a Pontiac Atztek & a beluga whale (as opposed to fish). \*Warning: Possibly disturbing / offending images included in link. ---
**Author:** ![Daithi\_Lacha](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/daithi_lacha/32/5430_2.png) [@Daithi\_Lacha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Daithi_Lacha)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2005, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-of-the-niftiest-automotive-pics-ive-ever-seen/306970/9 "2005-06-14T02:58:03Z")
> [@JohnBckWLD](#): > > \*Warning: Possibly disturbing / offending images included in link. OK, I gotta know: what did _you_ see that _I_ didn’t see? All the images I saw were of concept cars and their ilk. Aw, don’t tell me: did I just get whooshed? ---
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2005, 7:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-of-the-niftiest-automotive-pics-ive-ever-seen/306970/10 "2005-06-14T07:13:09Z")
> [@JohnBckWLD](#): > > Tuckerfan, seeing that you’re our resident car & space MPSIMS’er, I figured this [Mercedes Bubblefish Bionic Concept car\*](http://www.gizmag.com/go/4133/) belonged in a bumped thread of yours as opposed to in one of it’s own. Unfortunately, from my perspective, the title isn’t the most appropriate…this thing looks like a cross between a Pokeman anime creature, a Pontiac Atztek & a beluga whale (as opposed to fish). > > \*Warning: Possibly disturbing / offending images included in link. :eek: What the hell are they smoking the bratwurst with these days? ---
**Author:** ![E-Sabbath](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e19adc/32.png) [@E-Sabbath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-Sabbath)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2005, 10:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-of-the-niftiest-automotive-pics-ive-ever-seen/306970/11 "2005-06-14T10:15:08Z")
Hah! That’s nothing! You want to see a really nifty unknown car? [This](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v449/LaPucelle/M-BVW-6.jpg) is the car Dr. Porsche got fired from Mercedes for having them build, after having designed their famous S, SS, and SSK automobiles. That’s the very first Volkswagen Beetle, circa… hum. I think he got fired round '23. When the Model A was brand new, this was a concept. Notice the split bumper, the suicide doors, the split front window, and the Mercedes emblem. Found it, more or less ignored, in the ‘not on display’ section of the Mercedes Museum in Stuttgart. Kinda dusty, as I recall. And yes, there’s only _one_ of them in the world. Ever. Actually, when we figured out what it was, people were kind of surprised it was still around. I mean, it survived WWII! ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2005, 10:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-of-the-niftiest-automotive-pics-ive-ever-seen/306970/12 "2005-06-14T10:43:25Z")
I think that bubblefish thing looks rather like the Fiat [Multipla](http://www.fiat.co.uk/cgi-bin/pbrand.dll/FIAT_UK/showroom/showroomModel.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@1208665854.1118746480@@@@&BV_EngineID=cccfaddeleielijcefecejgdfiidgng.0&modelKey=061). ---
**Author:** ![Rocketeer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocketeer/32/4437_2.png) [@Rocketeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rocketeer)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2005, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-of-the-niftiest-automotive-pics-ive-ever-seen/306970/13 "2005-06-14T12:59:56Z")
I’ve seen lots of teardrop trailers. People build them themselves and I think there’s some kind of unspoken competition about who can cram the most clever features into theirs. But this is the trailer I’d buy, if I had a few spare thousands lying around and if I could think of a use for it. Talk about cool: > **[Teardrop Campers - TAG, TAB, TAB 400 | nuCamp RV](https://nucamprv.com/)** > > nuCamp RV manufactures the highest quality teardrop campers and truck campers available in North America. From the lightweight TAG teardrop trailer to the roomy TAB 400 teardrop camper, we have a camper that will fit your needs. Find your nuCamp... ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2005, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-of-the-niftiest-automotive-pics-ive-ever-seen/306970/14 "2005-06-14T13:50:57Z")
> [@Rocketeer](#): > > I’ve seen lots of teardrop trailers. People build them themselves and I think there’s some kind of unspoken competition about who can cram the most clever features into theirs. > > But this is the trailer I’d buy, if I had a few spare thousands lying around and if I could think of a use for it. Talk about cool: > > [http://www.tab-rv.com/](http://www.tab-rv.com/) As someone who sells trailers for a living, I can tell you that that VW is destined for either a fried transmission, a ruined engine, a wracked frame, or all three. A car that size is not designed to tow anything, and if you can set it up with a hitch, it’s rated at about 1,000 pounds…_maybe._ The [GVWR on this trailer](http://www.tab-rv.com/specs/dimensions.php) is nearly 2000 pounds. ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2005, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-of-the-niftiest-automotive-pics-ive-ever-seen/306970/15 "2005-06-14T13:55:46Z")
Teardrops are making a comeback. Google them and there are a few manufacturers out there that are recreating these really great thingies. I wants one,but we’d have to feed the kids to the wolves or something. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Goob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c77e96/32.png) [@Mr.Goob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Goob)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2005, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-of-the-niftiest-automotive-pics-ive-ever-seen/306970/16 "2005-06-14T14:32:49Z")
I’ve seen a really nifty one man pop up camper for behind a motorcycle. I really like it for the geek factor and knowing my Triumph could pull it. Still not convinced on how it would feel going through the twisty bit in the mountains just shy of Mach I. My friends just bought a 5th wheel trailer, a gear box. The front two thirds is a beautiful camper and the back third drops the hatch and you could fit two or three bikes in it. Oh joy. The inside is all done in black and grey and stainless steel. Manley man colors, the awning is a black and white checkerboard. Onboard generator, air compressor and a fueling station, just in case you run out of gas on your scootor in the middle of nowhere. I can’t wait until our next trip to Deal’s Gap. ---
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2005, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-of-the-niftiest-automotive-pics-ive-ever-seen/306970/17 "2005-06-14T14:58:45Z")
> [@E-Sabbath](#): > > Hah! That’s nothing! You want to see a really nifty unknown car? > [This](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v449/LaPucelle/M-BVW-6.jpg) is the car Dr. Porsche got fired from Mercedes for having them build, after having designed their famous S, SS, and SSK automobiles. > > That’s the very first Volkswagen Beetle, circa… hum. I think he got fired round '23. When the Model A was brand new, this was a concept. Notice the split bumper, the suicide doors, the split front window, and the Mercedes emblem. > > Found it, more or less ignored, in the ‘not on display’ section of the Mercedes Museum in Stuttgart. Kinda dusty, as I recall. And yes, there’s only _one_ of them in the world. Ever. Actually, when we figured out what it was, people were kind of surprised it was still around. I mean, it survived WWII! **E-Sabbath** , I’d be interested to see your source on Porsche having designed that car in '23, since everything I’ve read indicates that Porsche cribbed his design for the Beetle from Tatra (and after the war, VW had to pay money to Tatra for patent infringements). If that car was built in '23, it pretty much nullifies Tatra’s claim, so one has to ask why VW paid them an undisclosed some of money? ---
**Author:** ![JohnBckWLD](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d6d6ee/32.png) [@JohnBckWLD](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnBckWLD)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2005, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-of-the-niftiest-automotive-pics-ive-ever-seen/306970/18 "2005-06-14T17:24:34Z")
> [@Tuckerfan](#): > > :eek: What the hell are they smoking the bratwurst with these days? I want to amend my description of the Bubblefish concept car from a cross between a Pokeman anime creature, a Pontiac Atztek & a beluga whale to a cross between a cross between: [An ugly concept car & a quirky comedian](http://public.fotki.com/JohnBuckLINY/farks/gottfried.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:** [June 14, 2005, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-of-the-niftiest-automotive-pics-ive-ever-seen/306970/19 "2005-06-14T17:39:22Z")
[MGA towing a caravan](http://www.mgcars.org.uk/pics/bossea.jpg) I couldn’t find a photo of an actual car, but I did find this model of an [MGB towing a caravan](http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=56358&item=6964770915&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW). (Mini w/caravan in the bg.) Incidentally, the Nash Metropolitan and my Triumph Herald resemble each other. ---
**Author:** ![Finagle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b19c9b/32.png) [@Finagle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Finagle)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2005, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-of-the-niftiest-automotive-pics-ive-ever-seen/306970/20 "2005-06-14T17:46:54Z")
Towing \* anything \* with a Metro is pretty questionable. Even at its best, you can use an egg timer to clock a Metro on 0-60, and the brakes are nothing to write home about. With a trailer, I bet they get passed by toddlers on tricycles. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-of-the-niftiest-automotive-pics-ive-ever-seen/306970.md?page=2)