Category: Uncategorized

  • Once Somewhat Common, Now Unthinkable.  Austin Healey V8 Swap

    Once Somewhat Common, Now Unthinkable. Austin Healey V8 Swap

    These days, ’58 Healeys have gone up in value and are $50K++ cars if in restored or good original condition.  Projects can trade at $20K or so.  With values where they are today, these cars are preserved or restored, but they were relatively cheap, used cars.  Over the years, some lost their inline six cylinder…

  • Pulse Quickening (?) Early Pulsar NX

    Pulse Quickening (?) Early Pulsar NX

    This variety of Nissan Pulsar – known as the Pulsar EXA in Japan – was sold for two generations in the US before being replaced by the Nissan NX1600 and NX2000 for the 1991 model year.  The NX2000 has a justifiably great reputation for performance, given its B13 “Classic” SE-R underpinnings.  Unfortunately, however, the US…

  • Crack Smokin’ Price on a Cool Cat

    Crack Smokin’ Price on a Cool Cat

    It’s not secret that we are fans of MN12 Cougar XR7s and T-Bird SCs here at Oddimotive, so why not get one related post out of the way early in 2015? As a reminder, we love these because they are underrated by enthusiasts.  The supercharged 3.8L V6 put out 210 to 230 HP, depending on…

  • Low-Mile Saab 99 in the Desert

    Low-Mile Saab 99 in the Desert

    The Saab 93 and 96 may be what enthusiasts think of when remembering the original Quirky Saabs, but the 1968 Saab 99, the company’s first “executive car” started a styling trend that would last decades. Fear not, as this car still has quirks!  The ignition is, of course, on the center console.  This car also…

  • Throwback Friday: Custom S-10 Blazer

    Throwback Friday: Custom S-10 Blazer

    Once upon a time, customized mini-blazers were fairly common; but I can’t say I’ve ever seen this ‘puffy top’ approach employed. The seller claims this was a ‘show truck’ back in the day.  It does indeed have some sort of body kit, in addition to shaved bumpers, ‘Vette wheels and that remarkably odd soft top.…

  • 95 Honda Accord Wagon Convertible?  Sure!

    95 Honda Accord Wagon Convertible? Sure!

    Apparently, this 1995 Honda Accord Wagon appeared in the original The Fast and the Furious movie before someone chopped it to make a convertible.  It certainly is an oddity.  I’m just not sure what else to say about it. It seems this was once nice enough to be a ‘show car’, but it’s now basically…

  • Tough Decision – Which is the Coolest US Mitsubishi Chariot Derivative?

    Tough Decision – Which is the Coolest US Mitsubishi Chariot Derivative?

    We never got the Mitsubishi Chariot in the US with its Japan market name (or its turbocharged four), but we did get no fewer than three derivatives, due to the often-strange alliance between Chrysler and Mitsu.  Today’s feature car is the rarely-seen Plymouth Colt Vista version, one of at least two vehicles which shared a…

  • NUMMI-licious Chevyota Nova Twin Cam

    NUMMI-licious Chevyota Nova Twin Cam

    In the 80s, the Domestics resurrected some names which were thought to be lost in the 70s.   Plymouth briefly brought back the Duster name, as documented in Jalopnik’s excellent coverage of the resultant Cocaine Factory ad.  Chevrolet also brought back the Nova name and put it on a version of the Toyota built at…

  • Common 50s French Sedan, Rarely Seen in the US

    Common 50s French Sedan, Rarely Seen in the US

    The Simca Aronde  was a big seller in its home country of France in the 50s and early 60s, but is very rarely seen here.  This is not quite a microcar by conventional definitions, but it is a very small sedan and was designed to provide economical family transportation. This is a non-running project car…

  • Maxima Coupe?  Essentially, yes!

    Maxima Coupe? Essentially, yes!

    Okay, so this wasn’t badged as a Maxima due to its age, but we all know the 810 was the predecessor to the Maxima, with some even badged “810 Maxima” as part of the transition.  What does all this mean?  In this case, it’s not only a two-door Maxima, but it includes rear-wheel drive, inline…