Esoteric Jalopies

Chevrolet Cosworth Vega

2011-07-26T09:26:00.000-07:00

Now here's something you don't see everyday. Built for only two model years (1975 and 1976), the Cosworth Vega perhaps represents the American car industries greatest foiled opportunity. Had it succeeded, American cars might have advanced to their current level years earlier.

Its twin-cam engine was revolutionary for American cars in 1975; Saturns of the early 1990's still advertised it as a big feature, to give you an idea.

What the?

2011-07-08T09:18:00.000-07:00

I found a picture of a Maserati equipped with a water cannon in the rear. I don't know if it's real, but it's bizarre.

1979 Camaro Z28

2011-06-22T12:46:00.000-07:00

SAAB Sonett II Dyno Run

2011-06-15T13:35:00.000-07:00

I'm utterly in love with SAAB two-strokes.

Enjoy!

Swedish Delight

2011-06-13T13:18:00.001-07:00

Honda 1300 Coupe 9

2011-06-13T10:54:00.000-07:00

"It handles like a very well-set-up, front-engined rear-wheel-drive car, even to the point that pouring on power in the apex of the corner brings the front in tighter." - Sports Car World, June 1971

Ever heard of the Honda 1300? Didn't think so.

Sold almost exclusively in Japan, the 1300 was Honda's first attempt at building a non-kei jidosha-sized car. At a time when most competitors' cars had rear-wheel-drive, the Honda featured the still uncommon front-wheel-drive.

The engine was a 1.3-liter,single overhead cam, air-cooled four cylinder, that made a then-astounding 88 horsepower per liter.

Voisin C28 Aerosport

2011-06-12T10:43:00.001-07:00

Plexiglass Pontiac

2011-06-11T14:40:00.000-07:00

Designed for the 1939 and 1940 World's Fairs in New York City, this Pontiac is quite the looker.

Abarth 1500 Biposto

2011-06-11T13:16:00.000-07:00

Subaru Sambar

2011-06-10T20:18:00.000-07:00

Interested in a tiny, two-stroke van? I give you, the Subaru Sambar!

Pretty snazzy, huh?

A Little Old Swedish Lady

2011-06-10T18:46:00.001-07:00

I just met the sweetest old (six-foot-tall) Swedish lady. I was looking at her old SAAB, and she was telling me all her stories.

She picked it up at the docks in New York City in 1965 and drove it all the way to L.A. On the way, when she was mixing in the two-stroke oil when gassing up, men condescendingly told her that that's not how you do it.

Bless her soul.

Matra Bagheera

2011-06-10T08:56:00.000-07:00

Ever thought "Gee, I wish that my sports car had room for three"? Well, have I got a solution for you!

I give you, the Matra Bagheera!

It sat three abreast, as seen below.

Chaparral 2J

2011-06-09T22:33:00.000-07:00

In the late Sixties and early Seventies, auto racing didn't get much more wild than in the Can-Am series. The most wild of the bunch would be the obscure Chaparral 2J.

Powered by a heavily modified Chevrolet V8, the 2J had plenty of power to spare. What made it really stick out, though, were the pair of turbines at the rear powered by a snowmobile engine!

Predictably, it was banned by the authorities after one season.

Saab Two-Stroke Engine

2011-06-09T22:12:00.000-07:00

The first SAAB two-stroke engine was based on a pre-war DKW design. The SAAB engine, displacing 764 cubic centimeters, had a mere 25 horsepower. Over time, an extra cylinder was added, with sporting models having one carburetor per cylinder.

Two-cylinder

And now, listen to that engine! It can be explained in two words: angry chainsaw.