I gotta get me one of those Schwimmkubels...the halftrack, I think I'll pass. Saw a real Kubelwagen in a Seattle museum the other day, they're actually pretty tiny, I don't think I could get my frame into one. So, if we're going to stick to wartime German ordinance, try one of these on for size; I think that one would have a bit more utility than the half track. It's a Mercedes Benz G-4 from 1935, with a 5.4 L straight -8 in it. Not sure if this is like the 540K which had a blower on it, I think these were all normally aspirated.
When I was a kid, I was at Wannamaker's (if any of you are familiar with the old one near Salesianum in Wilmington, DE, that's it) looking through the car books and found this: It had the strangest cars in there, including the Messerschmidt you mentioned. I myself was more interested in some of the other cars (like the Taunus) that I had seen in visits overseas. But there was something that pulled me toward some of the strange ones (although I never warmed up to the Amphicar). I think a chance encounter with several Panhards while living in Nashville (in college) maybe 10 years later fostered that some more. Of course, the Citroen thing was the impetus for it all, as my favorite Matchbox model was the SM. While I'm on the opposite end of understanding engineering, a lot of these cars do have interesting engineering solutions to personal transportation. And now, thanks to the Internet and auctions, we get to see more of these cars.
I have one of these but mine is called a '65 Chevrolet Impala, profile looks identical except mine isn't slammed to the ground with the big rim look.
The Citroen, of course; - my dad always wanted an SM, we had models and pictures of the thing everywhere. The as an adult I got a chance to test drive one; - it was neat, kinda underwhelming in a way, but it was fairly modern in how it felt. I love the styling of the Traction Avant, - the Pallas was pretty neat for it's day, (did Studebaker inspire them or was it the other way around?) I remember watching at an intersection once as the guy next to us was lowering and raising his Pallas;- then one bag must have failed or something, this worried look came over him and he wobbled off with a slanted car. And then of course was the 2CV - the Germans knew it as "die Ente" or "the Duck". Not sure how they arrived at that, but it certainly wasn't the most attractive of cars. I think it had a similar motor to the Panhards; just not as wildly tuned. I'm surprised no one has mentioned the East German Trabant or the Wartburg... The Germans in the crowd will know what I mean by "Missed Wagons"...
Nothing really special to look at right now, not really picture worthy yet. It has a broken front spring(s) so I haven't been driving it until I fix that. I have another frame I want to slip under it so the frame in it now more than likely won't get the new springs. Body is REALLY solid but the frame not so much because it was Zebarted way back in the day but I think I may have been friven in the salt a couple of times before it was done causing the frame to rot out . Although the frame was "repaired" and the car is safe to drive, whoever "repaired" the frame used 1/2" x 6" x 6" angle iron from wheel well to wheel well on both sides so it has around 400 lbs of "repair" steel welded to it! Not counting the repair steel going all the way to the rear bumper on one side! When I put the new frame in I should be able to get the thing into the 12s with a diet like that, 400 + lbs lighter!(13.2s the best so far in the QM) I'm hoping next spring to be able to play with my cars again? I have all the parts I just need the time to get them ready to bolt them on and then actually bolt the parts on.
https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/dealer/dodge/charger/1984869.html# My dream car when age 6. Fastback Charger.
The 61 is killer, yes, I'm more partial to the 62 Starfire. Almost bought one last fall. And yes, that "Slim-Jim" Hydramatic was the killer of those cars. I'd be into Olds if it wasn't for those horrible things. The older 4 spd Jetaway Hydramatic was a much better unit. Had a 64 Dynamic 88 and a 60 Super 88 about 20 years ago; - both of them sedans, but hey, who cares, they were cheap and fun. Taught my now wife how to build engines with a 394 Olds; - we did a good job, that thing purred like a kitten.
Dad Dad had a four door Renault, with that rear liquid cooled engine. It had a crazy electromagnetic clutch. When energized and engaged the clutch activator was solid. When de-energized (disengaged) the material would turn to dust and disengage the clutch
So I don't know if this counts as a "car" but I feel like it captures the spirit. I have always wanted a tank. Right now you can get a T-54/55 for about 50-60Gs. http://www.mortarinvestments.eu/products/tanks-2/t-55-278#currency=USD That's a lot of money but its darn near what a brand new SUV cost or a primo muscle car so I can rationalize it. I have my wife convinced that when its my turn to get a new vehicle I will buy a 500 dollar Honda and one of these. Its on my bucket list.
I've been drooling over this Delta on Craigslist for a while now... https://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/cto/d/1966-olds-delta-88/6258924935.html
Some of the cars that you guys have picked aren't what I would describe as "Funky". I don't think of a full-size Pontiac Super-Duty, or a mid-60's Oldsmobile as fitting that description. I mentioned a Reliant Robin - seriously funky by practically anybody's standard. Another that I wouldn't mind would be an early 60's Ford Cortina GT; a little pocket rocket. An Airflow Mopar from the mid-30's might qualify, and they were very good and reliable cars (not to mention kinda weird looking). I think of the modern Nissan Murinos as funky, but it's so ugly that I wouldn't want one (in fact I don't know why anyone would want one), that goes for the Pontiac Aztek - the uglyist car ever built, and (sadly) the Buick Rendezvous, which is only slightly less ugly. Another funky one (that I actually did own) would be a '54 Nash Statesman, which had a backseat that folded down into a full-size double bed. One of the great options of all time!
Funny you should mention the Nissan Murano, my wife wants one. I agree with you, it's hideous and should have been called "Morono", 'cuz that's kinda what I equate it to. (Apologies to those who own one) But it does rate up there with the Aztek; - but then again, just about all modern cars are ugly to me, I just seem them as an appliance. As for funky cars, yes, the Robin Reliant is pretty wild...I think there was another whacked out thing called the "Bond" or something...also a 3 wheeler.
