OT-weird cars you like

[nostatic]

As a follow on to the bizarre car some people seem to like (94-what?), I got to thinking about some of the somewhat off-the-beaten track cars I've liked over the years. So post away...and extra points if you have pictures and actually owned one.

For me, Triumph TR-7 (the wedge), most any AMC car from around 1970 (Gremlin and Pacer in lime green a particular favorite), and the 356 notchback coupe (seems to not have a following amongst most p-car people).

[TimT]

My fav non p-car has to be the a Renault R1 (I think thats the designation).. It was based on a Le Car, and had some diabolical 1.something liter turbo motor in it. It could give a 930 a serious case of whoop ass. To top it all off it is front wheel drive!

I never owned one of those Renaults but sat in one once.... at the time I didnt have the $ to buy a worn rabbit. I was on the way to bridgehampton to do a track day on my Honda Interceptor and I saw it at a place in southhampton, stopped and had a look

TVR's and anything Lotus also interest me

[RANDY P]

This is probably more mainstream, but a 66 Chev P/U longbox I've always wanted to build.

rjp

[CamB]

I dig the Lotus Europa for some reason I can't tell. And I would love to try a bike engined 7, especially the 350hp Dax Rush I just read about (turboed Hyabasa sp? engine).

Todd - I've been taken for a (tarmac rally) special stage joy ride in a 300hp TR7. The wheelbase is about as long as the track is wide...

Tim - your thinking of the Renault 5 I think - front wheel drive, 1.4 litre. Can be tuned out to 200hp+

Even better - they made a mid engined one for rallying. It must be the dodgiest handling car (I'm guessing an even shorter wheelbase than that TR7).

http://www.renault.com/gb/passion/culte_p4.htm

It was in one of the Bond movies too.

[emcon5]

I worked with a guy who drove a purple Gremlin with a 350 Olds in it. Ugly as dirt, but very quick.

My first car was a VW rabbit, and every once in a while, I get a hankering for a early Rabbit GTI. There was an article in Grassroots Motorsport a while back about building a race car out of a GTI. 2100 lbs, and race ready for under $4K

Some day.

Tom

[eion]

I love Unimogs. I'm not quite sure why.

I also love Audi RSs, especially the RS/2 (does it count as an Audi or a Porsche)?
And TVR Tuscans...

I could definitely go for one of those...

[Botman]

OK, I'm game how about a 69 Cadillac El Dorado...


and I owned one of these (70 Dodge 440 R/T), but in that kickin 70's lime green!

[TimT]

Yea R5 and I want one!!!!!!!

[ZAMIRZ]

Renault R5 turbo has got to be it for me. Mid-engine turbo power. My friends dad has two of them (here in the states they're rare as hell, I haven't seen one on the streets in So Cal ever) that were imported from Canada back in the late '80s and he drives them frequently at road rallies. His full race one "Stage IV" has about 300rwhp in a little car that weighs under 2500 lbs.....insane wheelspin and sweet handling, very nimble and it looks awesome in my opinion too. Here's a pic:



And a nice shot of a yellow one:



later,

amir

[Don Plumley]

I have a soft spot for:

Mini Cooper S
Defender D90 soft top
BMW: 2002tii; 3.0csi

(Not too wierd, but I still remember the first time I saw a Lambo Countach and a Daytona Spyder.)

My wife likes the Nash Metropolitan. They look like clown cars!

[TimT]

I think those R5's were made during Renaults period of dominance in F1 in the early '80s. I just know I want one.

[autobonrun]

Originally posted by ZAMIRZ
Renault R5 turbo has got to be it for me. Mid-engine turbo power. My friends dad has two of them (here in the states they're rare as hell, I haven't seen one on the streets in So Cal ever) that were imported from Canada back in the late '80s and he drives them frequently at road rallies. His full race one "Stage IV" has about 300rwhp in a little car that weighs under 2500 lbs.....insane wheelspin and sweet handling, very nimble and it looks awesome in my opinion too. Here's a pic:

amir

I use to see these in Houston and the first one I saw was amazing. Blazing fast.

Speaking of odd little cars;
My first car was a bright Orange 72 Opel GT. It did not have much power but was fun to drive. If I had the garage space, I'd love to get another. Mine was totaled in a rear end collision by a drunk driver. The guy was a multiple offender. When the cop asked to see his license, he accidentally dropped it on the ground, reached to pick it up and fell head first into the cops stomach. There was no three strike rule back when this happened.

[speeder]

Oh boy, where to start? I have owned a Le Car, (*****box but comfortable compliant suspension), a Honda 600 sedan, (the precursor to Civic, mini-sized w/ 600cc 2cyl.), an MG midget, a '66 Caddy convert, couple of 914s in the '70s, (counts as a wierd car to some), too many really old Mercedes too name, etc...

Ones that I have not owned but like: Unimogs, '62 Olds Starfire, '67-'70 Eldorados, Peugots, Citroens, most all older(before '73) Italian cars,......

Where to end?

[GSpreeman]

Jaguar XKE. Although I'd have to live next to a mechanic, it might be worth it.

[Victor]

How about the early Renault Alpine? Sort of a French 911.

[slakjaw]

A Datsun 510

[TimT]

Datsun 510's can be made into awesome race cars

palindromes.... what is racecar spelled backwards?

[cstreit]

WOW! So many Renault fans... Suprising!

I'd love a Renault 110 and 310 (and and R5)

Wouldn't mind that Corvair turbo either...

[TimT]

Chris those Renault R5's are giant killers.. I remeber seeing write ups comparing them to 930's. The R5 kinda put the 930 in its place.

To bend and stretch the topic a bit.. I dynoed a 3.4 this year and got 311 RWHP... which is about 375 flywheel. This engine wasnt a 'watch your budget rebuild" though.

I guess it might be a dyno owners mantra, but they all seem to say 100 HP per Liter for a NA engine

Mercedes Unimog, Opel Manta, Lamborghini Espada, Lotus Europa.