# What unusual cars have you seen lately? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 22, 2003, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-unusual-cars-have-you-seen-lately/156783 "2003-02-22T15:52:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2003, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-unusual-cars-have-you-seen-lately/156783/81 "2003-06-12T21:51:53Z")
That should read **50’s** ford :smack: ---
**Author:** ![RadioWave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/91b2a8/32.png) [@RadioWave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RadioWave)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2003, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-unusual-cars-have-you-seen-lately/156783/82 "2003-06-12T22:07:55Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Frank #2 \* > \*\*I saw a bright red Lotus Esprit doing 85 on the highway last week. Looked to be fairly new, too. There are very few exotic car dealerships in the area so any European sports car is a rare sighting. \*\* A couple of weeks ago I was driving home around 2 in the morning when I saw a first generation Lotus Esprit. Normally, they aren’t considered “unusual” around here, but then again, normally they aren’t on fire. Yep, this guy was trailing more foul smelling smoke than a Cypress Hill concert. At first, he was headed in the general direction of some exotic car dealers (a very good idea) but then he made a turn into the parking lot of a shopping center which made no sense. As he turned, I could briefly see into his engine compartment (they’re mid engined) and noticed some pretty constant **flames** whipping around. Sadly, at the time I was completely exhausted and didn’t whip across three lanes to follow him and make sure he was okay. Now I wish I had. That little roadster sounds like it might be a kit car. I’ll look around to see if I can find it. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2003, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-unusual-cars-have-you-seen-lately/156783/83 "2003-06-13T01:37:37Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by gatopescado \* > **_Dinsdale_- Sounds like an old Jag, maybe or possible an old Benz?** Could be a [Delahaye](http://www.1motormart.com/gallery/36dela01.jpg) or a [Talbot-Lago](http://www.1motormart.com/gallery/38talb01.jpg). ---
**Author:** ![Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e36b37/32.png) [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airman_Doors_USAF)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2003, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-unusual-cars-have-you-seen-lately/156783/84 "2003-06-13T04:59:51Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by bernse \* > \*\*I saw a Bricklin a month or so ago. First time in many years I’ve seen one of those. > > [http://www.bricklin.org/MembersCarsF.htm](http://www.bricklin.org/MembersCarsF.htm) \*\* Isn’t that funny…I was just gonna post that. This garage here in town has one. The driver’s side door won’t shut, the front bumper’s missing, and they leave it out in the rain and snow. What an ignominious fate for such an awesome car. ---
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2003, 6:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-unusual-cars-have-you-seen-lately/156783/85 "2003-06-13T06:09:10Z")
Haven’t seen too many in recent days. About the oddest I’ve seen in the past couple of months were these kit cars which looked like old Fords that were mounted on a Pinto chassis. I saw a DeLorean that had been towed to a scrapyard in this little town in BFE about 2 months ago. There’s a guy down the street from my dad who takes late 70s/early80s model Honda Civics, slices them in half (lengthwise), and sticks them back together so that they’re a _single seater!_ Judging by the way they’re painted up, he uses them for racing, but what circuit and why, I have no idea. ---
**Author:** ![stolatt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@stolatt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stolatt)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2003, 8:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-unusual-cars-have-you-seen-lately/156783/86 "2003-06-13T08:06:41Z")
On the way to work yesterday, I saw a hearse jacked up on those giant tires that you only see at monster truck rallies. It was horrific. ---
**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 13, 2003, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-unusual-cars-have-you-seen-lately/156783/87 "2003-06-13T13:08:42Z")
> [@](#): > > 1. Porsche 928 **convertable!** I don’t think Porsche made a 928 convertible, but… > [@](#): > > [From here](http://www.kondratyev.com/porsche/technical/models.htm):Carelli of Costa Mesa. a custom car manufacturer that went out of business in the early 1980’s had a design for a 928 convertible and produced several of the cars on a special order basis from 1978 to 1986. It is estimated that 30 of these cars were made. A French company, Jacquemond, still produces a convertible and makes performance modifications to 928’s. Here’s a [photo of a “hand-crafted Porsche 928 convertible”](http://members.aol.com/cyberloafn/link_to_928.htm) But Porsche _did_ make the [968](http://www.968.net/images/images/968_cab_teal_lf.jpg) from 1992-1995, and it came in a rag-top version. As you can see in the photo, the 968 looks like a 944 with 928 headlights. The first time I saw one, I was convinced I’d seen a convertible 928. ---
**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 13, 2003, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-unusual-cars-have-you-seen-lately/156783/88 "2003-06-13T13:09:44Z")
[Fixing the 968 link](http://www.968.net/images/images/968_cab_teal_lf.jpg). ---
**Author:** ![pravnik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8edcca/32.png) [@pravnik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pravnik)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2003, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-unusual-cars-have-you-seen-lately/156783/89 "2003-06-13T14:32:33Z")
In the last few weeks or so I’ve seen: A Porsche 550 Spyder, very rare, like **Rick** said. The car James Dean died in. A Lamborghini Countach. Pulled onto the freeway in Austin a little ahead of me. I sped up to get a better look at it…and then he accelerated. The noise from the engine made my teeth rattle. He left my Corvette behind like I’d leave a Yugo. Some sort of red Ferrari convertable, parked in front of the Bronx bar next door to the Gingerman. I don’t know Ferraris, but I’m guessing it was late 60’s-early to mid 70’s. I wish I could be more specific. It was impressive. A 1965 Ford Shelby Cobra. A truly gorgeous beast. ---
**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 13, 2003, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-unusual-cars-have-you-seen-lately/156783/90 "2003-06-13T21:48:23Z")
Today I saw a c.1979 red Maserati Merak in a repair shop, and a silver Lancia Scorpion in the repair yard across the way. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2003, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-unusual-cars-have-you-seen-lately/156783/91 "2003-06-16T23:56:01Z")
Saw a late-model Mustang the other day. With a ridiculous ricer-style double wing. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2003, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-unusual-cars-have-you-seen-lately/156783/92 "2003-06-17T13:56:35Z")
Saw a couple of old Fords this morning. A black-on-peach '57 sedan and a '64 (I think) Ranchero. ---
**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 19, 2003, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-unusual-cars-have-you-seen-lately/156783/93 "2003-06-19T01:00:37Z")
Today I saw a British Racing Green **Austin-Healy** exiting the 405. I couldn’t tell at a glance if it was a 100 or a 3000. Sure was pretty, though! And on Sepulveda just south of Venice, I saw a **Studebaker** heading the other way on a flatbed truck. I don’t know anything about Studebakers, but it might have been a 1963 Daytona. It looked to be in excellent cosmetic condition, sort of a champagne or bronze-ish colour. Of course, I’d prefer the Healy. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Laughing\_Lagomorph](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/6bbea6/32.png) [@Laughing\_Lagomorph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Laughing_Lagomorph)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2003, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-unusual-cars-have-you-seen-lately/156783/94 "2003-06-19T01:19:25Z")
I saw a Nash Metropolitan parked in Cambridge MA the yesterday. Very unlikely place for one, if you ask me. Cute car. ---
**Author:** ![ENugent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/4af34b/32.png) [@ENugent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ENugent)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2003, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-unusual-cars-have-you-seen-lately/156783/95 "2003-06-19T01:43:46Z")
Last year in western MA, I saw a _stretch Hummer_. It was unbelievable. ---
**Author:** ![Arcite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/67e7ee/32.png) [@Arcite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arcite)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2003, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-unusual-cars-have-you-seen-lately/156783/96 "2003-06-19T02:01:11Z")
I’m surprised (and disappointed 🙂 ) that I’m the fourth person in this thread to have seen a DeLorean recently! I passed it coming the opposite direction on my way to the gym. Alas, no sign of Marty McFly or Doc Brown. ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2003, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-unusual-cars-have-you-seen-lately/156783/97 "2003-06-19T02:57:53Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Johnny L.A. \* > \*\*[Fixing the 968 link](http://www.968.net/images/images/968_cab_teal_lf.jpg). \*\* Johnny, Now with the link I think it probably was a 968. As I approached from the rear I wasn’t paying too much attention because the 550 spyder was just in front of it, and **that** held my attention. Jusst as I passed, I looked over and saw the rag top (up) and after passing the 550 I looked in the mirror and saw the headlights and assumed 928. ---
**Author:** ![Duke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e8c25b/32.png) [@Duke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duke)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2003, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-unusual-cars-have-you-seen-lately/156783/98 "2003-06-19T03:20:03Z")
At our University’s art gallery, there is a Plymouth Horizon parked out front. Nothing unusual about that, except the body of a second Plymouth Horizon has been welded onto its roof, upside down. Personally, I think it looks like a big ugly hunk of metal, but apparently it’s part of [the “Art on Wheels” exhibition](http://www.niagara.edu/cam/exhibitions/current.html) going on all over the area. ---
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2003, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-unusual-cars-have-you-seen-lately/156783/99 "2003-06-19T03:57:51Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by ENugent \* > \*\*Last year in western MA, I saw a _stretch Hummer_. It was unbelievable. \*\* There’s a local limo company that has one of those. Another has a stretched dually pick up, and lots of them now have stretched Excursions and Navigators. ---
**Author:** ![Laughing\_Lagomorph](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/6bbea6/32.png) [@Laughing\_Lagomorph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Laughing_Lagomorph)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2003, 11:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-unusual-cars-have-you-seen-lately/156783/100 "2003-06-19T11:03:06Z")
I see a stretch Volvo around Cambridge occasionally. I think one of the dealers uses it to pick up and drop off customers whose cars are being fixed. It is one of the older boxy Volvo sedans, and I did a triple take the first time I saw it. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-unusual-cars-have-you-seen-lately/156783.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-unusual-cars-have-you-seen-lately/156783.md?page=6)