# What's the most interesting car you saw today? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 21, 2014, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889 "2014-05-21T02:35:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 298
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2023, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889/5947 "2023-12-27T13:08:47Z")
> [@Al128](#): > > how long does a wrap last? … months, years? Back when they were wrapping a lot of cars on one of the shows I watched, I think they said you get a good couple (5?) years out of it before you have to redo it. Which works out to be about the right length of time for someone to start thinking about getting a new car and realizing they can re-wrap theirs instead and make it look like new, or if they’re selling it, have the wrap removed to reveal a perfect paint job since it’s never been exposed to UV from the sun, sap falling on it, getting pelted with dust and gravel etc. > [@Al128](#): > > what would I see if I open the rear trunk (or any door or pop the hood, really)? I assume the original color of the car on the door jamb, right?.. I think that depends on who’s doing it and how much you’re paying. I think the default that when doors/hood/trunk are closed, the wrap extends far enough that you don’t see the edges. If you want it to go further in (door jams/under hood/trunk) you’ll be paying more. Not just for the material but the labor and expertise required for, what I assume are, more difficult areas. > [@Al128](#): > > how much is it $$$ (ballpark) Starts at multiple thousands of dollars. > [@Al128](#): > > legality of it? (converting a car that is registered as white into black) … Some quick googling suggests that whether or not you need to let the DMV know about the color change varies from state to state, however, making them aware of gives the police one less reason to pull you over. ---
**Author:** ![BrickBat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ac91a4/32.png) [@BrickBat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrickBat)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2023, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889/5948 "2023-12-27T18:10:44Z")
I like that front end ( from the A-pillar forward ), I mean _really_ like. Too bad it’s an SUV. It would look good on a 2-door sport coupe. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2023, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889/5949 "2023-12-28T19:01:11Z")
Those 1st-gen Toyota RAV4s, the ones with only 2 doors so they have a shortened wheelbase, are not very common. When I spot one I’m always surprised at how short they are. The second photo is a web pic, side view, showing the short wheelbase. [![](https://i.imgur.com/3Wq9nzU.jpg) ](https://i.imgur.com/3Wq9nzU.jpg) [![](https://i.imgur.com/ZAuyR6b.jpeg) ](https://i.imgur.com/ZAuyR6b.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![Lancia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lancia/32/17174_2.png) [@Lancia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lancia)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2023, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889/5950 "2023-12-28T19:52:11Z")
> [@Bullitt](#): > > Those 1st-gen Toyota RAV4s, the ones with only 2 doors so they have a shortened wheelbase, are not very common. I spotted one of those a couple of weeks ago and it took me a moment to recognize it. They are indeed rare, and incredibly tiny. I had chance to ride in a 2019 Rav4 last week and it felt functionally the same size as my wifes 2014 GMC Terrain – twice the size of the OG Rav4. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2023, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889/5951 "2023-12-29T03:31:20Z")
I have no idea what this is. Do you? I saw this green BMW M4 and it had **TERRAPIN** on it: **BMW M4 TERRAPIN** was on the back, and the **TERRAPIN** was just above the right rear taillight. Not easy to see in this picture. [![](https://i.imgur.com/kRmYvqa.jpeg) ](https://i.imgur.com/kRmYvqa.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2023, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889/5952 "2023-12-29T03:55:55Z")
The Mercury Cougar was first released in late 1966. Ford Mustang, and web photos of the Ford Falcon. [[Album] The Mercury Cougar was first released in late 1966 ![](https://i.imgur.com/cKloGht.jpeg?fb "The Mercury Cougar was first released in late 1966") ](https://imgur.com/gallery/JXLQFnF) ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2023, 7:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889/5953 "2023-12-29T07:37:06Z")
Two T-birds. From 1955 to 2005 there have been 11 generations of the Ford Thunderbird (with a hiatus, 1997-2002). These are from the 11th gen (2002-2005). [![](https://i.imgur.com/FhcrV2l.jpeg) ](https://i.imgur.com/FhcrV2l.jpeg) [![](https://i.imgur.com/407KzWb.jpeg) ](https://i.imgur.com/407KzWb.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2023, 5:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889/5954 "2023-12-30T05:45:02Z")
In their garage my in-laws have a 1910 Buick Model 19 Touring Car. They pulled back the covers the other day… I think the wooden spoke wheels are pretty cool. [![](https://i.imgur.com/d7g3iqs.jpeg) ](https://i.imgur.com/d7g3iqs.jpeg) It has an inline 4: [![](https://i.imgur.com/t8xEXyG.jpeg) ](https://i.imgur.com/t8xEXyG.jpeg) The engine’s big flywheel is exposed: [![](https://i.imgur.com/Jz9tf6Q.jpeg) ](https://i.imgur.com/Jz9tf6Q.jpeg) With the seats and cabin, it’s downright huge in there! There’s a lot of boxes in it, though. [![](https://i.imgur.com/0YFsdQz.jpeg) ](https://i.imgur.com/0YFsdQz.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2023, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889/5955 "2023-12-30T12:36:34Z")
There’s a car I see on occasion. White sedan, nothing special…except for the red rims, the word SCARFACE along each side in red, and a huge graphic of _Al Pacino_ on the hood. It’s certainly memorable. ---
**Author:** ![Al128](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/al128/32/16541_2.png) [@Al128](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al128)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2023, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889/5956 "2023-12-30T14:21:19Z")
> [@Bullitt](#): > > Two T-birds. From 1955 to 2005 there have been 11 generations of the Ford Thunderbird (with a hiatus, 1997-2002). These are from the 11th gen (2002-2005). ouuchhh!!! … that one did not age well at all > [@Bullitt](#): > > In their garage my in-laws have a 1910 Buick Model 19 Touring Car. They pulled back the covers the other day… I think the wooden spoke wheels are pretty cool. on this old machinery I really love to see how basic an engine really is … and also the smart (field repairable?) solutions …e.g. how the exhaust manifold is being held in place … ---
**Author:** ![echoreply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/echoreply/32/3641_2.png) [@echoreply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/echoreply)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2023, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889/5957 "2023-12-30T22:44:16Z")
Rolls Royce probably a post war Silver Wraith, Georgetown, Texas. [![](https://thumbs4.imagebam.com/50/82/f9/MER3B99_t.jpg) ](https://thumbs4.imagebam.com/50/82/f9/MER3B99_t.jpg) [![](https://thumbs4.imagebam.com/aa/02/7f/MER3B98_t.jpg) ](https://thumbs4.imagebam.com/aa/02/7f/MER3B98_t.jpg) ---
**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:** [December 31, 2023, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889/5958 "2023-12-31T03:11:16Z")
This “Barrelnose” Ford turned up in my Facebook feed today. [![](https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/415553148_1233553920902215_7982208469425549308_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=3635dc&_nc_ohc=Neg0ldWcGL8AX_4Jml1&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBk-WDdkHkLHWrPtjd2HO5ROXpefJhOmCkF9IXbYQTkzw&oe=6595F5B4) ](https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/415553148_1233553920902215_7982208469425549308_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=3635dc&_nc_ohc=Neg0ldWcGL8AX_4Jml1&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBk-WDdkHkLHWrPtjd2HO5ROXpefJhOmCkF9IXbYQTkzw&oe=6595F5B4) ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2023, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889/5959 "2023-12-31T14:30:52Z")
I was wondering why the back of that truck looked so empty and found this picture. While I’m sure that truck probably has the same base as other ford trucks of the time, which introduces it’s own restrictions, but I wonder how long it took them to realize how much extra space they’d have for gear (and people) by stowing the ladder on top of the truck instead of in it. [![](https://i.pinimg.com/736x/bc/73/16/bc73163d5362e04940e48197d5d5c4dc.jpg) ](https://i.pinimg.com/736x/bc/73/16/bc73163d5362e04940e48197d5d5c4dc.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2023, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889/5960 "2023-12-31T14:39:33Z")
> [@Al128](#): > > e.g. how the exhaust manifold is being held in place … As a guy that has bust many a knuckle on exhaust manifolds, that solution was elegant. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2023, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889/5961 "2023-12-31T15:06:56Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > As a guy that has bust many a knuckle on exhaust manifolds I believe it was from the 90’s show Shadetree Mechanic where I learned a trick that I still regularly use. When trying to loosen a really tight bolt/nut, push on the wrench with an open hand (so, with your palm), that way when it finally breaks free, you don’t slam your knuckles into something. It’s not always possible, but you’ll be glad when the front of your hand hits that rusty manifold and your fingers are able to move around it instead of just removing all the skin from your knuckles. Also, wear gloves. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2023, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889/5962 "2023-12-31T21:37:42Z")
A Maserati Levante. She was a Mall Queen, though. On the street. Definitely not on the trail. I’ve never seen one out on the trail. Although someone did get one dirty. But this is just some simple mud play. Nothing too serious: [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/CVtjh5cNv9U/maxresdefault.jpg "Maserati Levante Q4 where you don't expect to see it! 💪 - Extreme Mud & 4x4 Off-Road Track") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CVtjh5cNv9U) Another one, also tame: [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/j6m7zMFem4o/maxresdefault.jpg "2017 Maserati Levante Offroad Test Drive") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6m7zMFem4o) A basic Honda Civic could easily handle those. ---
**Author:** ![carnut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnut/32/3531_2.png) [@carnut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnut)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2024, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889/5963 "2024-01-01T00:47:20Z")
Fabulous find @Joey_P ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2024, 7:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889/5964 "2024-01-01T07:00:31Z")
Today, a 1957 Plymouth Savoy in need of some help. [[Album] 1957 Plymouth Savoy ![](https://i.imgur.com/4BGBUE8.jpeg?fb "1957 Plymouth Savoy") ](https://imgur.com/gallery/SlI2OGt) ---
**Author:** ![WildaBeast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wildabeast/32/6_2.png) [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2024, 7:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889/5965 "2024-01-01T07:52:41Z")
I’m happy the owner kept it the (I assume) original color and resisted the urge to turn it into a Christine clone, as happened to so many Plymouths from that era. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2024, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889/5966 "2024-01-01T15:51:51Z")
What year MG Midget? [![](https://i.imgur.com/jllZ4bF.jpg) ](https://i.imgur.com/jllZ4bF.jpg) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889.md?page=297) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889.md?page=299)