# 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:** 307
**Author:** ![Capn\_Carl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/838e76/32.png) [@Capn\_Carl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capn_Carl)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2024, 11:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889/6127 "2024-03-09T11:47:25Z")
It’s been a long time since I’ve seen a Javelin. Agreed, it was a good looking car. ---
**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:** [March 9, 2024, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889/6128 "2024-03-09T13:17:05Z")
> [@Bullitt](#): > > ([Imgur: The magic of the Internet](https://i.imgur.com/UISlczV.jpeg)) looks like a Rolls Royce from that angle … and that says a lot about RR (imho) … and there is def. a russian-design-component in there … 😉 ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2024, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889/6129 "2024-03-10T00:28:04Z")
A Grenadier? [[Album] imgur.com ![](https://i.imgur.com/P28BTmi.jpeg?fb "imgur.com") ](https://imgur.com/a/vbVFVwR) ---
**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:** [March 10, 2024, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889/6130 "2024-03-10T01:46:42Z")
A 1976 Hercules W-2000, rotary engine motorcycle The 1976 Hercules W-2000, from Germany. Produced 1974-1977, this is the first production motorcycle with a Wankel rotary engine. The engine displaces 300 CCs. Suzuki also made a rotary motorcycle, the RE5. It has a larger engine, displacing 500 CCs. Criticized as being underpowered, expensive and too complicated, in 1985 Cycle World magazine called it one of “The Ten Worst Motorcycles”. Cycle World also found the W-2000 to be underpowered and too costly. This video nicely explains the Wankel rotary engine ➜ [https://youtu.be/ZePgOTqXA2g](https://youtu.be/ZePgOTqXA2g). [![](https://thumbs2.imgbox.com/cb/25/vrlhU55N_t.jpeg) ](https://thumbs2.imgbox.com/cb/25/vrlhU55N_t.jpeg) [[Album] 1976 Hercules W-2000, rotary engine motorcycle ![](https://i.imgur.com/2JVqXV4.jpeg?fb "1976 Hercules W-2000, rotary engine motorcycle") ](https://imgur.com/gallery/tl8eml5) ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2024, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889/6131 "2024-03-10T02:34:23Z")
Cool. Never new a Wankel made it into a motor cycle. IMHO, the Wankel is an interesting idea. Why go up and down, instead of round and round. ---
**Author:** ![JacobSwan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a6a055/32.png) [@JacobSwan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JacobSwan)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2024, 10:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889/6132 "2024-03-10T10:22:49Z")
There have been a few wankel engines in motorbikes over the years. The british maker Norton built one that was used by a few police forces in the UK back in the late 80’s. As teenagers we used to go around pointing at police bikes and shouting ‘wankel’ and then collapsing with giggles. (change the last letter to ‘R’ and you get a rude word that’s more popular in UK than US) ---
**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:** [March 10, 2024, 12:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889/6133 "2024-03-10T12:14:39Z")
In my imgur link there are 2 videos. The exhaust sound is unique, a mix between diesel popcorn machine and weed whacker. ---
**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:** [March 10, 2024, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889/6134 "2024-03-10T12:49:30Z")
Besides that rotary engine motorcycle, yesterday I also saw a Tatra 603, from Czechoslovakia. The Tatra 603 was made from 1956 to 1975. Its engine is in the rear and is an air cooled, longitudinally mounted 2.4L V8. Tatra has been making cars and trucks since 1897. Today they make about 2,000 trucks annually. ➜ [https://www.tatratrucks.com](https://www.tatratrucks.com) [[Album] Tatra 603, from Czechoslovakia ![](https://i.imgur.com/5X1cEMl.jpeg?fb "Tatra 603, from Czechoslovakia") ](https://imgur.com/gallery/Oiiv6KZ) ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2024, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889/6135 "2024-03-10T15:28:30Z")
I _soooo_ want a Marathon, painted up as a NYC taxi; no logical reason, I just do! . I saw a black & white Crown Vic, but instead of taking the six letters off of the door, they just spray-painted over it. Looks like a newer Blues Mobile because it was so crappy ---
**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:** [March 10, 2024, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889/6136 "2024-03-10T17:20:10Z")
> [@Spiderman](#): > > I _soooo_ want a Marathon, painted up as a NYC taxi; no logical reason, I just do! Checkers do show up for sale in that classic yellow + checkerboard livery from time to time. This one sold for just over $10K in October. > **[No Reserve: Original-Owner 1978 Checker A11 Taxicab](https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1978-checker-taxicab/)** > > Bid for the chance to own a No Reserve: Original-Owner 1978 Checker A11 Taxicab at auction with Bring a Trailer, the home of the best vintage and classic cars online. Lot #124,591. ---
**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:** [March 10, 2024, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889/6137 "2024-03-10T20:23:13Z")
Lots of room in the Checker Marathon, for sure. Yesterday, besides the wankel rotary motorcycle and the Tatra 603, there were some other nice toys at the monthly Ronnie’s Morning Get Together in San Jose. My wife is in the reflection of the 427 side badge of a beautiful Cobra. I’m blessed to be married to a car chick. [[Album] Ronnie’s Morning Get Together, Mar 2024 ![](https://i.imgur.com/uxLd8nX.jpeg?fb "Ronnie’s Morning Get Together, Mar 2024") ](https://imgur.com/gallery/YaxHzNN) ---
**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:** [March 10, 2024, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889/6138 "2024-03-10T22:05:16Z")
> [@Bullitt](#): > > When you hear “Checker cab”, it’s because they drove Checker Marathons. Actually, the Checker A11 was the taxicab sold exclusively to fleet buyers. The Marathon was the consumer version. Although I don’t know what if any difference there was between the A11 and the Marathon, apart from the Marathon not being painted taxi yellow. > [@Spiderman](#): > > I _soooo_ want a Marathon, painted up as a NYC taxi; no logical reason, I just do! I’ve always dreamed of getting a Checker painted in the classic taxi livery and using it as an Uber. Of course that wouldn’t actually be possible; I’m pretty sure Uber has a limit on how old your car can be if you drive for them. ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2024, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889/6139 "2024-03-11T15:50:12Z")
> [@Skywatcher](#): > > > [@Spiderman](#): > > > > I _soooo_ want a Marathon, painted up as a NYC taxi; no logical reason, I just do! > > Checkers do show up for sale in that classic yellow + checkerboard livery from time to time. This one sold for just over $10K in October. Some builder built a multimillion dollar house on spec (or the buyer fell thru) nearby a few years ago. It was built in a really weird place & I wouldn’t like living there but the one thing it had that I really liked was it had his & hers garages - 3 cars at one end of the house & 4 at the other. As far as I know it’s still vacant; mebbe I should offer him $1000 for it; at least he’ll cut his losses & get out of paying any more property tax on it. That would also solve my problem of not having anywhere to put my desired taxi; you don’t leave a 40-60 year old car outside in the elements & we already have more cars than garages. > [@WildaBeast](#): > > I’ve always dreamed of getting a Checker painted in the classic taxi livery and using it as an Uber. Of course that wouldn’t actually be possible; I’m pretty sure Uber has a limit on how old your car can be if you drive for them. I think uber requires cars to be \< 10yo, so you’re right, not possible. I’d use it to pick up friends/family from the airport; I’m sure it would turn heads in the pickup line! ---
**Author:** ![racer72](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/racer72/32/3075_2.png) [@racer72](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racer72)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2024, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889/6140 "2024-03-11T16:07:09Z")
My father had a 64 Checker in his wrecking yard. Someone had done an engine swapped and installed a Buick V-8. I wanted to take the car and run in in a demo derby at my local race track but the rules forbid Checkers and Chrysler Imperials. ---
**Author:** ![Ignatz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/3be4f8/32.png) [@Ignatz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ignatz)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2024, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889/6141 "2024-03-11T23:25:48Z")
I saw my first Lucid in the Rx line at CVS. Don’t know if it was an Air or a Lightning. Website says they start at $69,900. ---
**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:** [March 11, 2024, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889/6142 "2024-03-11T23:53:46Z")
Lucids are making a comeback of sorts. I only base that on what I see on the roads here near San Francisco. 4-5 years ago or thereabouts, I’d see one or two each month, pretty regularly. Then for the last couple of years, nothing. Now for the last six months I see them almost every week. Those Lucid Airs move pretty quickly. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2024, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889/6143 "2024-03-12T01:49:08Z")
It was really windy here today, and a few tarps blew off or partly off cars that I’ve been eager to look at. The Camaro SS that needs a little bit of work: [![Google Photos](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AP1GczMQBJw2kyGQgh3T4BMl_sKkL8g3rBjb4ZjOy4nVyiBqHXHG2wwfnjfyF44P93HDe6KFsC8B2GIMW9ib6XYddkKY7t-9k6Xza-QfY8EaAZqprdfl1YuZ=w600-h315-p-k "New item by David Metsky") ](https://photos.app.goo.gl/cJiifNqP3D17njwHA) [![Google Photos](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AP1GczPzbGROHy27bYiRnAhAkhsCDs-KAxmsHh6IrBMJOesTykqvrj95v5EnXnLylKVSR0EMoaQe-ftQppShzE_oNj7PqtT3KBPN5Jnzf4Li_DKiN0PTW1NR=w600-h315-p-k "New item by David Metsky") ](https://photos.app.goo.gl/UgHuF7KohrQoervn7) Can anyone help with this mystery based on a glimpse of the front bumper? The car in front is a Spitfire Mark IV for scale and maybe gives a hint as to the mystery car. [![Google Photos](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AP1GczM52W88hZWQuBrUfy_imu8Fk9vFk7R9vbe7JT1okAXKEUt6O6NnB8OipidkAgP8hDnygm01W71MFHi1LWKVB_1-WkJtXs0wOIG6BzSWhWrJqCwm4N-j=w600-h315-p-k "New item by David Metsky") ](https://photos.app.goo.gl/q6CoYW2m8EV7Udrc7) ---
**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:** [March 12, 2024, 8:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889/6144 "2024-03-12T08:24:56Z")
As a wild guess I was thinking Datsun 1600? But no, I don’t think so ➜ [https://is.gd/ryy6uB](https://is.gd/ryy6uB). It doesn’t fit the scale compared to the Triumph Spitfire. ETA, since that’s a Spitfire, then perhaps an Aston? DB4? DB5? ETA2, Jaguar XJ6? I’m through guessing wildly. And wrongly. ---
**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:** [March 13, 2024, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889/6145 "2024-03-13T23:09:49Z")
A Cybertruck, wrapped. It was green at first, and that green was truly stunning, but as I approached and the angles changed, the green turned to blue, then to pink, then to purple. [![](https://i.imgur.com/ZJIrVHr.jpg) ](https://i.imgur.com/ZJIrVHr.jpg) [![](https://i.imgur.com/p6CZSxQ.jpg) ](https://i.imgur.com/p6CZSxQ.jpg) Pretty cool. These pics don’t do it justice. [![](https://i.imgur.com/dRYCvZN.jpeg) ](https://i.imgur.com/dRYCvZN.jpeg) ---
**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:** [March 13, 2024, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889/6146 "2024-03-13T23:49:25Z")
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