# 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:** 387
**Author:** ![Pleonast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pleonast/32/1183_2.png) [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2025, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889/7727 "2025-09-13T01:35:07Z")
Mercury Grand Marquis, mid 1980s. Just a 40-year-old car someone is using as their daily drive through Los Angeles. [![](https://i.imgur.com/8lCctGv.jpeg) ](https://i.imgur.com/8lCctGv.jpeg) ---
**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:** [September 13, 2025, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889/7728 "2025-09-13T12:57:40Z")
> [@Lancia](#): > > and people _still_ don’t get it, so I give up. I have a custom plate very much tied to the name of my car. I’ve had people who own the _same car_ not get it. ---
**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:** [September 13, 2025, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889/7729 "2025-09-13T13:14:18Z")
An old Caddy painted all white with “SCARFACE” written on the sides and hood in huge red letters and Al Pacino’s face from the movie. ---
**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:** [September 13, 2025, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889/7730 "2025-09-13T13:54:43Z")
> [@Pleonast](#): > > Mercury Grand Marquis, mid 1980s. Just a 40-year-old car someone is using as their daily drive through Los Angeles. I don’t miss the days of being stuck behind one of those old cars at a red light as your car disappears into the cloud of exhaust it’s belching out. Bonus points if the engine is still cold and running rich or it’s burning oil. ---
**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:** [September 13, 2025, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889/7731 "2025-09-13T15:03:18Z")
> [@Spiderman](#): > > I have a custom plate very much tied to the name of my car. When I owned my 1979 Chevy Impala I always wanted to get **VLAD** for a custom plate. ---
**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:** [September 13, 2025, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889/7732 "2025-09-13T19:55:33Z")
My town’s sister city is Pieve del Grappa, Italy, something I didn’t actually know until recently. But to celebrate 25 years of being sister cities, they held an Italian cultural festival today. As part of that, they had this Alfa Romeo Spider on display. [![Imgur](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54784944660_dd433493eb_b.jpg "IMG\_2084") ](https://www.flickr.com/photos/66423490@N08/54784944660/) ---
**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:** [September 13, 2025, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889/7733 "2025-09-13T20:15:32Z")
I parked behind a Saturn Outlook SUV XR, essentially a rebadged Chevy Traverse. It was only made from 2007-10, and only a total of 75,000 sold. [![Imgur](https://i.imgur.com/FxYULNC.jpeg "imgur.com") ](https://imgur.com/FxYULNC) ---
**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:** [September 13, 2025, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889/7734 "2025-09-13T21:52:55Z")
> [@Telemark](#): > > Saturn Outlook Whoa! Didn’t know they existed. I doubt I’ve ever seen one. I’ll have to keep my eyes peeled for one. ---
**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:** [September 13, 2025, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889/7735 "2025-09-13T22:31:54Z")
Coming home from taking the Miata out for a drive, I was briefly behind a guy cruising in his first generation Corvair convertible. I couldn’t get a picture since I was driving, but this was pretty much what it looked like from my perspective: [![](https://cdn.dealeraccelerate.com/stlouis/1/1677/60747/1920x1440/1962-chevrolet-corvair-monza-spyder) ](https://cdn.dealeraccelerate.com/stlouis/1/1677/60747/1920x1440/1962-chevrolet-corvair-monza-spyder) ---
**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:** [September 14, 2025, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889/7736 "2025-09-14T01:46:31Z")
a 1957 Pontiac [Star Chief](https://cdn.dealeraccelerate.com/stlouis/1/1070/8227/1920x1440/1957-pontiac-star-chief), same color as in that photo, too. Restored & just _incredible_. That car got nothing while somehow, the best in show was a most pedestrian 1988 Ford Mark VIII LSC. Seriously?!?!? I was almost wondering why it was there; there is _no_ way it should have one best in show. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2025, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889/7737 "2025-09-14T21:19:20Z")
Wow, Willow Glen was the place to be in San Jose today for car buffs. Just a small sample of the hundreds of vehicles on display: [![](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54787542579_cfb1f8af13_z.jpg) ](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54787542579_cfb1f8af13_z.jpg) [![](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54786467292_6b17a6ac69_z.jpg) ](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54786467292_6b17a6ac69_z.jpg) [![](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54787562793_f251b782e7_z.jpg) ](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54787562793_f251b782e7_z.jpg) [![](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54786467312_6f62bba6b7_z.jpg) ](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54786467312_6f62bba6b7_z.jpg) [![](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54787542574_7c36a367c8_z.jpg) ](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54787542574_7c36a367c8_z.jpg) ---
**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:** [September 14, 2025, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889/7738 "2025-09-14T22:29:15Z")
I saw a new-ish Jaguar E-pace in a parking lot this afternoon. Knowing nothing about it I figured it was another electric “suv.” When I got home I discussed my confusion with Mr. Google and learned that the E-pace is a rather generic gas-powered, 2wd (although an AWD versionis available) “suv” with no real defining features that set it apart from every other vehicle in the same class. Other than the premium name, of course. To me it looked like a ten year old Buick Encore. Kind of boring, really. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2025, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889/7739 "2025-09-15T04:17:26Z")
I went to a car show and saw a 1930 Chrysler Model 70 Royal Coupe. what was interesting was that the front windshield had a crank in the visor area and would roll the window up about 1 1/2 inches to allow air in. It also had a lip that caught air and directed it to the floor. Another neat innovation was a mechanism that allowed a chemical to be dumped into the intake and coat the valves so the next time it was started it would blow out the crud that builds up. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2025, 5:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889/7740 "2025-09-15T05:49:27Z")
I was out in the desert with The Crew in a spot that you could see the highway from. I just happened to be looking at a truck pulling a car trailer with a small tractor. A small puff of white smoke appeared. I thought maybe a tire blew out. Then a giant plume of dense white smoke starting billowing out. It was like a New Pope announcement! But the guy didn’t stop. Jest kept on motorin’ slowly up a small grade. I watched him go about a half mile, with smoke so thick cars in both directions were visibly slowing down. I’d only seen a more catastrophic mechanical failure at the Reno Air Races (which would have been this weekend). Too far away to catch a whiff, but my first guess is transmission. It was an impressive display. ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2025, 9:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889/7741 "2025-09-15T09:28:12Z")
> [@TRC4941](#): > > It was a large, open-air vehicle with a bunch of people in it. When it passed me, my mouth fell open. It was a pontoon boat made into a vehicle. There was a bunch of senior citizens in it going for a joy ride. I know this is a thread about cars. But since you brought up pontoon boats… 😉 Daughter and I spent the weekend in Vermilion, Ohio. Nice place. We rented a boat at a local marina. Was talking with the owner afterwards, and he mention he’s a dealer for Trifecta pontoon boats. He said he just received one that he will soon be delivering to a customer, and he claimed it was the fastest pontoon boat in the world. He said that this boat has not one, not two, but three V10 engines. I took some pics. [![](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54788776490_d3e511a3c0_w.jpg) ](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54788776490_d3e511a3c0_w.jpg) [![](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54788442176_8e38d2a7ee_w.jpg) ](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54788442176_8e38d2a7ee_w.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2025, 10:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889/7742 "2025-09-15T10:46:18Z")
> [@Crafter\_Man](#): > > He said he just received one that he will soon be delivering to a customer, and he claimed it was the fastest pontoon boat in the world. He said that this boat has not one, not two, but three V10 engines. Soon to become the slowest airplane I bet. At least for a… short hop. ---
**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:** [September 19, 2025, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889/7743 "2025-09-19T03:00:54Z")
3rd generation Chevy Camero IROC-Z (85-92). [![Imgur](https://i.imgur.com/1ke9NeF.jpeg "imgur.com") ](https://imgur.com/1ke9NeF) [![Imgur](https://i.imgur.com/3BWBRB8.jpeg "imgur.com") ](https://imgur.com/3BWBRB8) ---
**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:** [September 19, 2025, 12:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889/7744 "2025-09-19T12:23:58Z")
For the rest of my life, (and for most of my past life) I’ll never be able to see an IROC-Z without hearing this line from SNL. You’ll have to hear this with Adam Sandler doing a heavy Italian/NY accent on a sketch called Good Morning Brooklyn (and I’ll quote it so it’s not ‘me’ saying it): > I pull up to the aquarium, I’m in my brand-new Z-28 IROC, and this tub of lard goes up to me, “You know what IROC stands for?” I says, “No.” He says, “Italian Retard Out Cruisin’”. ---
**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:** [September 21, 2025, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889/7745 "2025-09-21T16:40:11Z")
Two pickups on the opposite ends of the spectrum. First was an older (maybe 2000s) Ford F-150 Shelby. The graphics back then were very simple and plain, not like the flashy ones more recently. The second was a brand new Chevy Silverado EV crew cab extended range - definately a large vehicle. ---
**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:** [September 23, 2025, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889/7746 "2025-09-23T16:25:47Z")
I saw a Union Pacific track Hi-Rail truck, with the steel wheels for running on rails fore and aft of the regular truck tires, on city streets far from any railroad tracks. It was also pulling out from the parking lot of an oil change place, which also seemed a little odd. I would have assumed UP did their own vehicle maintenance, although it could have been there for some other reason. It looked sort of like the ones below, although those are from a different railroad. [![Imgur](https://live.staticflickr.com/7181/6882285831_fc3fb5f054_b.jpg "CSX Hi-Rail Maintenance-Of-Way Ford Pick-Up Truck, seen in the railroad yard...") ](https://www.flickr.com/photos/alcomike/6882285831/) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889.md?page=386) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889.md?page=388)