#1980s
Rare Rides: An All-wheel Drive Chevrolet Astro RV From 1991
The Rare Rides series has touched on recreational vehicles twice in the past, when it featured a BMW-powered Vixen, and the custom fiberglass hodgepodge which was the MSV.
Today’s RV is smaller than either of those, but it can also fit into normal parking spaces. It’s the 1991 Provan Tiger GT.
Rare Rides: Be a Real Businessman With the 1983 Chrysler Executive Sedan
The demand for executive limousines in North America was once satisfied by OEM-lengthened versions of domestic sedans. The Detroit Three built them in-house, or sent regular cars to a domestic coach builder. The lengthened cars were then sold via the regular dealership network. The desired buyer was a wealthy customer who’d have a driver for their daily conveyance. By the Eighties, the limousine market shifted in favor of coming with length: Stretch limousines were in demand. Independent companies built super-extended wheelbase cars for livery-type needs. The factory limousine car market faded away as business magnates chose standard sedans, or long-wheelbase offerings that were not limousines.
But there were one or two holdouts in the factory limousine marketplace, and today’s Rare Ride is one such car. It’s the Chrysler Executive from 1983.
Buy/Drive/Burn: Three-door Japanese SUVs in 1989
Do you remember what the compact SUV market looked like in 1989? Me either. But it was a time where every Japanese manufacturer (except Honda, obviously) offered a three-door SUV. Nissan, Mitsubishi, and Isuzu all vie for your 1989 dollars.
Rare Rides: The 1991 Oldsmobile Cutlass Calais Quad 442 W41
The Rare Rides series has visited a performance 442 Oldsmobile previously, when we took a look at a one-off Hurst Intrigue 442 (which most everyone hated). Today we’ll see the very last time 442 appeared on a factory Oldsmobile.
It’s a Cutlass Calais Quad 442 W41, from 1991.
Rare Rides: A Very Special 1979 Saab 900
Portland seems to be a relative hot spot for old, well-maintained Saabs, and Rare Rides covered this Portland-based 99 previously. And while that little blue sedan racked up 195,000 miles, today’s 900 has covered several times more than that. Just how far can an old Saab go?
Rare Rides: The 1985 MG Metro 6R4, a BL Rally Car Experiment
Ever wanted a rally car from 1985 which is brand new and pieced together from an old hatchback? Well now’s your chance. Let’s take a look at the MG Metro 6R4.
Rare Rides: The 1982 Plymouth TC3, Sporty Liftback Time
Today’s Rare Ride is the much sportier (but mostly the same) liftback version of the Horizon that everyone forgot. It’s a Plymouth TC3, from 1982.
Rare Rides: A Suzuki SC100, Delightfully Tiny
Rear-engine, rear-drive cars are few and far between, limited mostly to excellent things like the Porsche 911, and terrible things like the VW Karmann Ghia and Chevrolet Corvair. But there’s another car with an “RR” configuration that’s a bit more obscure. Presenting the Suzuki SC100.
Junkyard Find: 1988 Toyota Tercel 4WD Wagon With 413,344 Miles
Rare Rides: A 1990 UMM Alter II, Lots of Lime
What would you call a car designed in France out of parts from a Jeep, then built in Portugal by a company which previously ceased to exist?
UMM.
Rare Rides: A 1974 Toyota Corona 2000 GT
Today’s Rare Ride is a case of forbidden fruit. Though North American consumers could buy something similar, this Rare Ride was never on domestic shores as new.
It’s the Toyota Corona 2000 GT, from 1974.
Rare Rides: The 1986 Ford Escort EXP, for Driving Enjoyment
Rare Rides featured an EXP once before, in the form of a tidy first-generation example painted in blazing orange. Today’s EXP is a much more modern looking second generation, in two-tone grey and black.
Rare Rides: The SUV Oddity Which is a 1998 Laforza
Which SUV looked like a 1995 Range Rover at its debut in 1984, but was less reliable and more expensive?
Why, it’s a Laforza of course.
Rare Rides: This Midas Gold From 1998 Is Grey
Every once in a while, a car surfaces from the vast internet that truly deserves the title of “obscure.” It happened previously with a beautiful Gordon Keeble, and now Rare Rides is proud to present another very obscure British two-door.
It’s a Midas Gold, obviously.
Rare Rides: The 1981 AMC Concord Keeps It on the D/L
Vehicles from plucky AMC are always welcome here at Rare Rides. Thus far, the series has featured a Metropolitan, a concept Van, a Matador Barcelona, and a very tasty Sundancer. The latter is a cousin of today’s relentlessly beige Concord two-door sedan.
Ready for some malaise?
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