Tag: Forbidden Fruit
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Set your own Rekords in this Shift-it-Yourself Opel
With some funds, any European auto fan can score a 1980s BMW, Mercedes or even Audi; but this Opel Rekord will stand out in any American crowd today. This is the 2.2i version, which came with the most sporting engine available, and this also has the Irmscher sport package, which consists of mostly cosmetic goodies.…
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Forbidden Fruit: 1973 Opel Commodore GT/E
The Opel Commodore was an executive sedan which was never sold in the US. We don’t know how this one found its way to the high desert of California; but we do know it’s the most desirable variant: a two-door GT/E with a four-speed manual. The GS/E was the top sport trim level and came…
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A Skyline Granting Safe Passage?
Here’s a rarely seen Nissan Skyline Passage GT with a 2.0-liter, turbocharged inline six. Sounds perfect, right? The only catch here is that it is equipped with an automatic transmission. Still, this is highly unusual and the auto will help keep it on boost. With that, this should make a great cruiser! The R31 Skyline…
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You can’t Beat this Honda with a Stick
Yes, this is a rare (especially outside Japan) Honda Beat Kei Car. This little beast has a 0.7L, three cylinder engine and weighs just about nothing. 0-60 wasn’t impressive by today’s standards, due primarily to a lack of torque, but we imagine this would be amazingly fun to drive. The seller claims this car is…
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Daihatsu Kei Truck in the US
If what’s missing from your life is a single-seat pickup with a three cylinder engine and four-speed trans, this is just the ticket! Kei Cars are common in Japan and underachieve certain weight and size figures in order to be taxed at lower rates versus typical passenger cars. This example would typically see use as…
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Pontiac What?? Yes, it’s a Laurentian!
The Laurentian was Pontiac’s full-size car in Canada for decades and usually based on a large Chevrolet platform, although the sheet metal made it look like US Pontiacs. Why all the work to create something so similar? We don’t know. Presumably, plant capacity played a role. This 1970 Laurentian is essentially an Impala in Pontiac…
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Best of the Breed: 1971 2002tii Touring
The BMW 2002 is known as one of the best handling, most fun to drive cars. This is the “Touring” hatchback version that was never sold in the US and, being a hatchback, adds practicality. Being a “tii”, this has the top, fuel injected engine. Tail light snobs will also like the round units on…
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McLaren F1 Seating on a Budget with Thai Memories Thrown In
If you’ve ever been to Southeast Asia, or perhaps India, you know what a Tuk Tuk is. For me, this brings back honeymoon memories! These are ubiquitous taxis in certain parts of the world and riding in them is an experience unto itself. This is your big change to join in the fun! This one’s…
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Silvia with her Top Off: S15 Varietta Roller
Though the S13 and S14 Nissan Sylvias were popular in the US, where they were known as 240SX, the S15 verision, produced from 1999 to 2002, never made it to the US. Nissan did offer a soft-top convertible version of the S13 for a couple years, with that car converted at ASC in California. Few…
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Japanese Fire Truck in the US
This is a Mitsubishi Micro Cab fire truck which found its way to the US. These are imported for farm and industrial use, but are not road legal in the States. Notably, the Micro Cab is a competitor for the VERY oddly names Mazda Scrum! The seller says the driver’s side (right side in this…