# 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:** 64
**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 8, 2016, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889/1262 "2016-09-08T16:20:43Z")
> [@Bullitt](#): > > Finally, in the wild (the true wild, not parked in front of a specialty car store, for sale), I finally saw one - a Porsche 911 Targa. The new one. It was a red Targa 4S, driving southbound on US-97 near Klamath Falls, OR. Meant to add that this was on Monday afternoon. Not today. We were driving back from Crater Lake, OR. ---
**Author:** ![epbrown01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7ba0ec/32.png) [@epbrown01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/epbrown01)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2016, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889/1263 "2016-09-08T18:55:12Z")
> [@Bullitt](#): > > Beauty must be in the eye of the beholder - to me the 70s targa ruined the 911’s lines, but for some reason the new targa really works. I must be in the very extreme minority, because I hardly see them here in the SF Bay Area. Hey, maybe that means they’d sell me one for cheap! The weird thing is that while the 911 targas are cheaper than coupes and convertibles, the 993+ cars aren’t. Demand is small, but so is supply, so there’s no need to discount them. I don’t think \*anyone \*just has a targa sitting on their lot brand new - you have to order one and wait. ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2016, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889/1264 "2016-09-08T20:01:56Z")
> [@Bullitt](#): > > Beauty must be in the eye of the beholder - to me the 70s targa ruined the 911’s lines, but for some reason the new targa really works. I must be in the very extreme minority, because I hardly see them here in the SF Bay Area. Hey, maybe that means they’d sell me one for cheap! If people aren’t buying targas now, i think it’s probably less because of the appearance than the fact that they don’t seem to be as necessary these days. There was a time when a targa gave you some of the thrill of open-top motoring without the excessive wind noise and hair blowing, without the fairly significant structural compromises of a full convertible, and without the hassle of messing with (often finicky) manual or partly-manual folding roof. These days, though, design advances mean that many convertibles, especially expensive ones, can be driven with the top down while barely ruffling your hair. Technological and materials advances mean that high-end convertibles are now almost as structurally rigid as their coupe counterparts. And the modern convertible roof is generally a simple push of a button. Given all of these changes, it seems to me that most people who want an open-top Porsche will just opt for the cabrio, and those who don’t will take the coupe, maybe with a massive sunroof which, on some of the newer models, seems to offer almost as much open roof as the targa does. ---
**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 9, 2016, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889/1265 "2016-09-09T05:08:15Z")
@epbrown01, I’m betting you are right, there aren’t any sitting in (most, if not almost all) showrooms. As for price point, that is interesting. I’m willing to guess the new targa doesn’t hold its value as well as the coupe or cabrio. @mhendo, one thing I liked about my targa (1979 Fiat X1/9, my very first car), was it had hard-roof security when parked. Nobody was going to slash the top, like a ragtop could be slashed. The top was a hard, firm fiberglass. Very sturdy. But these days I think most convertibles have stiff, solid tops, except for the tiny roadsters like the MX-5. Yes, with advances in materials, chassis stiffness is greatly improved. ---
**Author:** ![Meurglys](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/258eb7/32.png) [@Meurglys](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meurglys)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2016, 11:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889/1266 "2016-09-10T11:38:49Z")
I saw [this 1953](https://www.flickr.com/photos/17270214@N05/29208163480) [Citroen](https://www.flickr.com/photos/17270214@N05/29208163480) parked in the street a few days ago. ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2016, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889/1267 "2016-09-10T23:22:59Z")
Aston Martin DB9 convertible. Looked out of place in small town Hartville, OH. ---
**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 11, 2016, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889/1268 "2016-09-11T02:05:34Z")
1965 Chevy Impala. Red, clean. In San Jose CA this morning. Very nice. ---
**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 11, 2016, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889/1269 "2016-09-11T02:16:56Z")
I saw a beautiful turquoise '56 Thunderbird convertible in La Jolla today. ---
**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 11, 2016, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889/1270 "2016-09-11T02:21:33Z")
> [@blondebear](#): > > I saw a beautiful turquoise '56 Thunderbird convertible in La Jolla today. Thanks for the reminder. I saw an all-turquoise Chevy Suburban (or some beastie GM large SUV) today - bumpers, trim, the whole body was turquoise. Interesting. ---
**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 12, 2016, 12:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889/1271 "2016-09-12T12:54:00Z")
A 4th generation (1979-1983) Toyota Corolla wagon, in bright orange, lowered (with a big Boston Low Riders Club sticker on the back) and the entire bed filled with a sound system blasting some god-awful “music”. ---
**Author:** ![Beelzebubba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Beelzebubba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beelzebubba)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2016, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889/1272 "2016-09-12T14:11:48Z")
I saw a beautiful dark green Volvo P1800 that looked amazing! It had obviously been restored and I would guess it was a '71-'73 model. I wanted it! For those who may not know, the P1800 was a 2-seater sports car that Volvo made from 1961-1973. It was/is a very cool car. ---
**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:** [September 12, 2016, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889/1273 "2016-09-12T18:23:49Z")
The guy who came to measure my window this morning showed up in a beautiful 1963 Chevy truck that he is almost done restoring. He declared he had to drive it for work because it is a beautiful day and the truck asked him politely. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Spud](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spud/32/347_2.png) [@Spud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spud)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2016, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889/1274 "2016-09-13T19:57:22Z")
'67 Shelby GT 350 at the drug store. It looked showroom new. He said he had it for 40 years, but I would guess it was a recent restoration. I’m a Mustang guy so it made my day. ---
**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, 2016, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889/1275 "2016-09-13T20:14:44Z")
A Kia Soul EV plugged into a charging station at the supermarket, a car I didn’t know existed. ---
**Author:** ![Mallard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b9bd4f/32.png) [@Mallard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mallard)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2016, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889/1276 "2016-09-13T20:23:52Z")
1969 Chevelle SS 396 convertible, orange with white stripes. Was on the freeway going my direction this morning. No idea if the colour was original but it had factory rally rims and the big block hood. Gorgeous! ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2016, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889/1277 "2016-09-13T20:59:12Z")
We stopped in a local town while on a tour Saturday and I saw a [1938 Packard Super 8](http://www.ohioconcours.com/1999/99-143.jpg) convertible parked at the curb. ---
**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, 2016, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889/1278 "2016-09-13T22:27:22Z")
Today I saw an old 1960s Chevy van that was actually a pickup truck. I did a double-take when I saw it parked, and doubled back for a close look. It had a badge on it that said _ **Corvair 95** _. Corvair?? What!? I had to look it up. Wikipedia says it’s a Rampside Pickup version of a Chevy Corvair Greenbrier - never heard of that before: [Chevrolet Greenbrier - Wikipedia](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrolet_Greenbrier#1961.E2.80.931965_Corvair_Greenbrier_Sportswagon) Image: [https://www.google.com/search?q=chevy+van+pickup+corvair+95&client=safari&hl=en-us&biw=1024&bih=672&prmd=sivn&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi36P7GsI3PAhUD7GMKHVhnBrQQ\_AUIBigC#imgrc=zEQG5VVJWUnHoM%3A](https://www.google.com/search?q=chevy+van+pickup+corvair+95&client=safari&hl=en-us&biw=1024&bih=672&prmd=sivn&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi36P7GsI3PAhUD7GMKHVhnBrQQ_AUIBigC#imgrc=zEQG5VVJWUnHoM%3A) Very interesting! ---
**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, 2016, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889/1279 "2016-09-13T22:28:43Z")
> [@Mallard](#): > > 1969 Chevelle SS 396 convertible, orange with white stripes. Was on the freeway going my direction this morning. No idea if the colour was original but it had factory rally rims and the big block hood. Gorgeous! I used to have a 1970 SS 396. It was so loud I named him Bubba. I miss Bubba! ---
**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 15, 2016, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889/1280 "2016-09-15T02:33:36Z")
A Studebaker Avanti today. According to Wikipedia, Studebaker only manufactured the Avanto from 1962 to 1963. ---
**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 15, 2016, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889/1281 "2016-09-15T02:56:12Z")
> [@Bullitt](#): > > A Studebaker Avanti today. According to Wikipedia, Studebaker only manufactured the Avanto from 1962 to 1963. How do you distinguish the Studebaker Avanti from the ones made after? I saw a Porsche 928 in traffic tonight. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889.md?page=63) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889.md?page=65)