# 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:** 335
**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:** [August 27, 2024, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889/6687 "2024-08-27T00:11:26Z")
Just today at lunch… a confrontation with the owner of this Jeep. But first, the Jeep. [![](https://i.imgur.com/AwGGi9B.jpg) ](https://i.imgur.com/AwGGi9B.jpg) [![](https://i.imgur.com/ie0ehLl.jpg) ](https://i.imgur.com/ie0ehLl.jpg) These are 40s. Huge tires, 40” diameter. This Jeep Wrangler Rubicon is lifted and it looks nicely equipped. But most owners put 35s or 37s on them. 40s are not very common. The Rubicon is Jeep’s most trail capable Wrangler. While it may have been fun to own when I was younger, when I bought my Jeep 10 years ago in my 50s I wasn’t a fan of the Wrangler’s ride, handling, and suspension. My Jeep was on the road for 95% of its miles, and only 5% out on the trail. Wranglers aren’t the best street handling and maneuvering 4x4s out there. So I went with a Grand Cherokee which, off road, was surprisingly quite capable. I learned a lot taking some 4x4 classes. On the road the Grand Cherokee handles pretty well, especially with QL, the air suspension (Quadra-Lift). With QL, at speeds over 50 MPH the air suspension lowers the Grand Cherokee a little bit for better handling and aerodynamics. I drove the old M151 Jeeps in the Marines (driving was not my primary job BTW), in the 1980s before the HummVees came out, and I always wanted a Jeep product. But for me in 2014 my choice was the Grand Cherokee. It was probably the most luxurious car I’ll ever own. But will this Jeep ever see dirt? Will it be out on the trails? Who knows? A lot of people dress them up but never take them onto the dirt and mud. Those rigs are called Mall Queens. There aren’t any scratches on the wheels here so this one’s likely a Mall Queen. [![](https://i.imgur.com/YT6zYui.jpeg) ](https://i.imgur.com/YT6zYui.jpeg) [![](https://i.imgur.com/5USfXJA.jpeg) ](https://i.imgur.com/5USfXJA.jpeg) [![](https://i.imgur.com/cQAYPsv.jpeg) ](https://i.imgur.com/cQAYPsv.jpeg) And now about the owner confrontation… Mrs. @Bullitt and I were at a deli enjoying our lunch sandwiches seated outside when he pulled into the parking lot. As he walked into the deli I called out with, Hi, nice Rubicon. He barely acknowledged. Once he was in the deli I walked up to take these pictures. When I was done he had come outside to talk. This guy was big and muscular. Not overly built like a body builder but he looked like he played some Div 1 college football. He stood a little close. Anyway this guy just says to me, with outstretched hand, That’ll be $20 for the pictures. Me — I’m not giving you $20. Him — You’re taking pictures of my Jeep. That’ll cost you $20. Me — You’re out in public driving your Jeep. I’m not giving you $20. Now, he’s a little close and his outstretched hand was 6-12” from my chest. He wasn’t loud, but he was clearly trying to intimidate me with his size and presence and standing a little close. I’m sure he could’ve kicked my ass, I’m 63 while he was maybe 30, but I stood my ground, was firm and professional, and I didn’t raise my voice. And I didn’t back down. Over the course of the 1-2 minutes we were having this conversation his hand stayed out. At one point I offered my hand to shake and said Hi, without a smile but with a friendly voice, but he wasn’t interested. He mentioned the $20 at least 5 times, and each time I simply said no, and that he’s driving around out in public. I ended up walking away. I take a lot of pictures of cars, and maybe 99% of the time when the owner is there they’re cool with it and they encourage it. I’ve stopped asking, May I take a picture of your car?, because on rare occasions the answer will be No. And when that’s happened, since I asked the question and since they’ve said No, I don’t take any pictures. So I just stopped asking and it has been working out really well, even with buttheads like this Jeep owner. That’s also why I usually don’t hide the license plates. They’re out in public. Oh well, there are assholes out there and it’s best to steer clear of them. What I should’ve done was turn around and take a picture of him! 🤪 On to the next car! ---
**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:** [August 27, 2024, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889/6688 "2024-08-27T00:21:56Z")
Bummer of a confrontation. I’ve never had that happen (and I’d never pay) but I would stop taking photos if the owner asked. ---
**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:** [August 27, 2024, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889/6689 "2024-08-27T01:22:01Z")
Yeah I stopped. I also promised him that I’d mask his license plate, and I did. ---
**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:** [August 27, 2024, 12:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889/6690 "2024-08-27T12:19:34Z")
just tell him your a professional photographer and chage $500 per session - and he owes you $480.00 i am a bit lost for words … and as an avid (ex) 4x4er … I agree … no way in hell he is gonna offroad with that types of fancy-shmancy wheels… ---
**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:** [August 28, 2024, 8:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889/6691 "2024-08-28T08:54:25Z")
I’m confident that, if we were in a place that was more private or without any other observers, that the dynamics of that conversation would have been very different. ---
**Author:** ![kferr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/71e660/32.png) [@kferr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kferr)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2024, 12:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889/6692 "2024-08-28T12:50:17Z")
Saw a Morgan 3-wheeler yesterday. Not sure if an original from the 1930’s or the resurrected version from 2011. Some pics [here.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morgan_Motor_Company) ---
**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:** [August 28, 2024, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889/6693 "2024-08-28T14:17:14Z")
> [@Telemark](#): > > Not my area of expertise, but I think this is an Austin-Healey Sprite Mark III (1964-66). Or it could have been an MB Midget Mark II, which I believe is essentially the same car. Yes, they are the same car with different badges. IIRC, the MG Midget was the ‘upscale’ version. An easy way to tell the difference if the badges are missing is to look at the grille. **Austin-Healey grille:** [![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/proxy/-2Tlyj3qwF9wuKL00eShRTUQJB2KxM56EdVzP0E0Cjf4zMJf-MzSxQdd450EBJX0sY4v7uGWfXA37T4AXBXRcp3aVyOV8tzR2CXoSQ5qAj1oC2P9-6zKVS8hpPn8sGhVGvk) ](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/proxy/-2Tlyj3qwF9wuKL00eShRTUQJB2KxM56EdVzP0E0Cjf4zMJf-MzSxQdd450EBJX0sY4v7uGWfXA37T4AXBXRcp3aVyOV8tzR2CXoSQ5qAj1oC2P9-6zKVS8hpPn8sGhVGvk) **MG Midget grille:** [![](https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQoUu1__JDvk5d_doFrvx631mfpF61L8kC_lA&s) ](https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQoUu1__JDvk5d_doFrvx631mfpF61L8kC_lA&s) (Also, note the badges.) ---
**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:** [August 28, 2024, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889/6694 "2024-08-28T20:27:07Z")
Last weekend we went to Electrify Expo 2024, in Alameda, which is essentially a car show for EVs and hybrids, and cars and SUVs and that CyberTruck thingie too. And motorcycles and e-bikes and skateboards… Test drives and test rides were available. I drove one car and rode one motorcycle. You could test drive a CyberTruck thingie if you wanted to, but we didn’t. And the line for it was long. I did sit in one there, though. I noted that with the several times we passed the Lexus electric cars display, hardly anyone was there. Hmmm, interesting. Electrify Expo 2024 goes next to Seattle, NYC, and Austin. Previously they were at Orlando, Phoenix, Long Beach, and Denver. ➜ [https://www.electrifyExpo.com](https://www.electrifyExpo.com) ⇦ Our first time attending this, it was a really good event. I took lots of pictures. [[Album] Electrify Expo 2024, in Alameda ![](https://i.imgur.com/MTpdGsv.jpeg?fb "Electrify Expo 2024, in Alameda") ](https://imgur.com/gallery/P2Xr6Nn) [[Album] Final pictures from Electrify Expo in Alameda last weekend. ![](https://i.imgur.com/xGbGD6w.jpeg?fb "Final pictures from Electrify Expo in Alameda last weekend.") ](https://imgur.com/gallery/NFstGNe) ---
**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:** [August 29, 2024, 12:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889/6695 "2024-08-29T12:42:30Z")
interesting: as somebody who does NOT see a lot of EV-trucks, that Ford grille just looks awful/improvised/afterthoughtish [![](https://i.imgur.com/G9yqv8n.jpeg) ](https://i.imgur.com/G9yqv8n.jpeg) I first thought somebody put black clingy foil on a regular grille (like sometimes found in harsh winter-weather), until it dawned on me … * * * expanding on that thought: I think many makers need to “rething” the whole EV-grille concept … yet they seem to be stuck in their rut … reminds me of another example, where it took companies quite some time to adapt to new paradigms: - TV-ads … the first TV ads were carry-overs from radio days, where 2 people standin opposite to each other would read scripts off of sheets of paper… - or those early 1990ies websites of companies, that were pretty much a .jpeg of one of their catalogues … edit to add: It’s ok, Hans - just stuff anything intho those 2 big holes, nobody will notice … [![](https://i.imgur.com/mb17Ttd.jpeg) ](https://i.imgur.com/mb17Ttd.jpeg) [![](https://i.imgur.com/FDDZMbF.jpeg) ](https://i.imgur.com/FDDZMbF.jpeg) [![](https://i.imgur.com/FDDZMbF.jpeg) ](https://i.imgur.com/FDDZMbF.jpeg) ---
**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:** [August 29, 2024, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889/6696 "2024-08-29T12:58:51Z")
btw: thx @Bullitt for those great pix!!! [![](https://i.imgur.com/iH5x58R.jpeg) ](https://i.imgur.com/iH5x58R.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:** [August 29, 2024, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889/6697 "2024-08-29T14:21:59Z")
Sure thing! ---
**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:** [August 29, 2024, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889/6698 "2024-08-29T15:06:27Z")
> [@Al128](#): > > that Ford grille just looks awful/improvised/afterthoughtish IMHO, grilles on virtually all Ford trucks have been fugly for nearly 30 years. The only exceptions I can think of are the [Ranger Raptor](https://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/ford-ranger-raptor-puckup-truck-designboom-newsletter.jpg) and the recent [Bronco](https://di-sitebuilder-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/Ford/MLP/Bronco/2024/trim-Outer-Banks.png). ---
**Author:** ![Paintcharge](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/paintcharge/32/7946_2.png) [@Paintcharge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paintcharge)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2024, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889/6699 "2024-08-29T15:30:28Z")
[![Imgur](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53956635975_19a6419944_b.jpg "PXL\_20240829\_134155310") ](https://www.flickr.com/photos/138053458@N07/53956635975/) At my friend’s garage this morning I saw a TR6. Not in the best of shape, but still cool. ---
**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:** [August 29, 2024, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889/6700 "2024-08-29T15:41:24Z")
I love the TR6. They just look right, good proportions, good design. ---
**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:** [August 29, 2024, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889/6701 "2024-08-29T15:59:25Z")
I always wanted a TR6, but I don’t really want to deal with the reliability or lack thereof of a 40 something year old British car. So I got a Miata instead. ---
**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:** [August 29, 2024, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889/6702 "2024-08-29T17:02:38Z")
> [@Paintcharge](#): > > At my friend’s garage this morning I saw a TR6. Not in the best of shape, but still cool. I know it’s just the angle & they aren’t connected but it looks like it’s pulling a trailer that bigger (& probably weighs more) than the car itself. While out on my nightly walk, in an area with no houses or any other cars on the street there was a flatbed tow truck rolled back & running. Hmmm, wha? why? As I walked past a 'regular' tow truck pulled up with a Maserati hooked. Ahhh, I know what's going on here (I know someone who drives a larger flatbed) - late at night, hooked & run, drives a couple of blocks away to transfer to another tower; that Maserati was just repoed. ---
**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:** [August 29, 2024, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889/6703 "2024-08-29T17:22:17Z")
Bullitt, so sorry you ran into that a-hole. Glad you were able to stand up to that bully; it’s not easy. And keep posting all the cool car pix. ---
**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:** [August 29, 2024, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889/6704 "2024-08-29T20:45:07Z")
Roger that. ---
**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:** [August 29, 2024, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889/6705 "2024-08-29T21:06:29Z")
> [@WildaBeast](#): > > a 40 something year old British car. Wait, IIRC the last TR6s were built in 1976, which makes the newest ones almost, but not quite, 50 years old. Damn. ---
**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:** [August 30, 2024, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889/6706 "2024-08-30T01:08:13Z")
I posted some shots of these two earlier, but they were in a better position on the street to get photos this time. 1957 Chevy Bel Air [![Google Photos](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AP1GczN0gh6j430ahHf7l7KsODefk9_z6sMqg0wIJWdnu1TSAYyul40L4XP0LhaYGjH0FNPWdWszKhFyUEXuFnMRzyXsBR8zg_PxlmEq-raK7qS7DOrJhQYt=w600-h315-p-k "New item by David Metsky") ](https://photos.app.goo.gl/9FryzjHtSaMDerCQ9) [![Google Photos](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AP1GczMHoSWTDsTwxIR062EDsFlLp1ZiMb88XzkwrfE2v_BeMtzPdrFNmEE6viab_5Jz-Nt4To_7zCuBOILGul_HCeyI6u8Z7aLkqbF2_TFSeX9OafP0dFbx=w600-h315-p-k "New item by David Metsky") ](https://photos.app.goo.gl/QZt5MmNcqz2hqnJ76) [![Google Photos](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AP1GczNE43uB_DBKK-nYo3tTREVKFUvxBtIoZt4_isO9UOQiMu3FciX91Rlgrnm6rx3aorPNea1GUu4IPkhCRoWjM9rGq55hEA9Pbu6phAyPWw6Ix76kRmFU=w600-h315-p-k "New item by David Metsky") ](https://photos.app.goo.gl/Z95j4wKe5Jhwcfny7) [![Google Photos](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AP1GczOMmSfUHsGTLQXukEw9I5sjfC65TzWyMuC6lyStd9x6Q2Yn7sM1Pq5QU_P8let9HbCYmExuxL_uYeoT7bpt9ibkLL_L-xZc4XWQO7I7F4FmE4T6foT_=w600-h315-p-k "New item by David Metsky") ](https://photos.app.goo.gl/8mCKb4XaVprauRW56) 1932 Ford Roadster hotrod [![Google Photos](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AP1GczNsuaxsIlAw54Le2nQAuX6gZ_mFVDJIQUJaLckWRZaInRpO_k-NmzWA87ufVNMcxc457M57l3DTM8AUGNValm1YQxt8f7WsP1SaYdcxKqUuvbxuYcs4=w600-h315-p-k "New item by David Metsky") ](https://photos.app.goo.gl/BUYgDjCCBXm5acg57) [![Google Photos](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AP1GczO8Aqw3Ptkz6pegf6LANDLK07UHoKML_iFE6tZXk0GneT5HDSwCbqEIbkZl5onX2sihrPPwzOvuSYvgw3_2mLDkbQo3iv_YJIoJrn3XtIeScgFkkJiY=w600-h315-p-k "New item by David Metsky") ](https://photos.app.goo.gl/cDz5hhMmTZyYGDuH8) [![Google Photos](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AP1GczOgeS8ch-ulUUijGzoK03GTDhVUfSsyTJPpgMajyGtxiQKXozwjw8TxPH4k4AIRWwucqptz44ydhr0KoigxIEPWCNveXEwQfDA9Lvx54V_4J6b27xKE=w600-h315-p-k "New item by David Metsky") ](https://photos.app.goo.gl/sQGaqFPESmL8xf8U9) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889.md?page=334) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889.md?page=336)