Encyclopedia Hoonatica: Asymmetrical Grilles

Bertone Volvo Tundra, 1979
Two weeks back, our How & Why Wonder Book of Hooning examined dashboard asymmetry. The next day, in Antti’s profile of the DMC-BX, faithful Hooniverse commenter Sjalabais posted this photo of the ill-fated Bertone-Volvo Tundra of 1979, a car that was never put in production because a few level-headed Swedes couldn’t quite understand the Italian concept that ending up with a car full of random shapes and odd angles was justification for using a bunch of random shapes and odd angles (something the French could totally get into, it turns out). But forget all that. The important thing is that that photo prompted a spontaneous discussion of asymmetrical grilles, and why they aren’t really a thing.
But how much of a thing are they actually not? That is what I’d like you all to answer today. Your hoonatically significant task is to compile a list of all the cars with asymmetrical grilles and/or front facia.
The Caveats (there are always caveats):

  • For all those looking for loopholes, I am specifically looking for cars that eschew the typical bilateral, right-left symmetry we’ve come to expect. Asymmetry on a horizontal axis (top to bottom) is a given.
  • We’re talking about deliberate asymmetry. Incidental details are excluded.
  • We all realize that Volvo’s iconic diagonal slash is, itself, asymmetrical. And now that we have established that, let’s not list every Volvo car and truck ever.

Difficulty: Half a league out and six points off the starboard bow.
How This Works: Read the comments first and don’t post duplicates. Bonus points for adding photos. Remember, you can simply paste in the raw image URL now, thanks to the magic of Disqus.
Image Source: carstyling.ru

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  1. PotbellyJoe★★★★★ Avatar
    PotbellyJoe★★★★★

    https://images.copart.com/website/data/pix/20120111/10907922_1X.JPG
    Late 80s Ford Escort GT. My grandmother had one in red.

    1. PotbellyJoe★★★★★ Avatar
      PotbellyJoe★★★★★
    2. smalleyxb122 Avatar
      smalleyxb122

      You beat me to it (them). The Escort GT was the first thing that came to mind.
      edit: And I’m really struggling to come up with anything else.

  2. nanoop Avatar
    nanoop

    I can offer the final iteration of the Trabant, with a 1.1L 4-stroker from VW:
    https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6a/Trabant_1.1.jpg/800px-Trabant_1.1.jpg

  3. dukeisduke Avatar
    dukeisduke

    Admit it, you just wanted another reason to run that chick’s picture.

    1. nanoop Avatar
      nanoop

      I’ve seen that picture a couple of times here, but only today I recognized the damaged bumper (middle is looking… bumpy?)
      [Edit: oh my, clumsy keyboard fingers]

      1. Sjalabais Avatar
        Sjalabais

        An excellent example of diverted attention.

        1. dukeisduke Avatar
          dukeisduke

          Like the bumper sticker says, “Look at my rear end, not hers.”

      2. dead_elvis Avatar
        dead_elvis

        Her bumpers look undamaged from here.

        1. Jeepster Avatar
          Jeepster

          ditto – the 70’s disco age was sweet as a preteen !

    1. PotbellyJoe★★★★★ Avatar
      PotbellyJoe★★★★★

      http://static.cargurus.com/images/site/2013/06/13/02/40/pic-1280709963263866808.jpeg
      for those curious about the cut-out and what it says.

      1. nanoop Avatar
        nanoop

        Bonus points for the arrow pointing inward.

        1. Maymar Avatar
          Maymar

          You know, just in case the wind needed directions.

          1. dukeisduke Avatar
            dukeisduke

            And the pushbutton latch in the center.

      2. Krautwursten Avatar
        Krautwursten

        Is that where you insert Atari cartridges?

  4. PotbellyJoe★★★★★ Avatar
    PotbellyJoe★★★★★

    http://imganuncios.mitula.net/2005_toyota_sienna_xle_limited_2000055421803585004.jpg
    2004-6 Toyota Sienna with the laser cruise control option had a cutaway in the lower fascia, making it asymmetrical.
    In 2007 they had a mid-cycle refresh and widened the lower valence grille and the unit was moved to the inside of the grille.

    1. PotbellyJoe★★★★★ Avatar
      PotbellyJoe★★★★★

      Which coincides with the same year of Avalons:
      http://media.caranddriver.com/images/05q2/267355/toyota-avalon-photo-9128-s-429×262.jpg

      1. PotbellyJoe★★★★★ Avatar
        PotbellyJoe★★★★★

        http://images.gizmag.com/gallery_lrg/volvo-autonomous-cars-48.jpg
        Volvo was more subtle with their approach.

  5. theskitter Avatar

    http://i615.photobucket.com/albums/tt237/jskitter/hooniverse/GhiaFocus.jpg
    I really don’t know why this isn’t done more. You already need different left and right side tooling, so it comes down to design and programming/setup, which is only a small component of the actual tooling cost.

    1. nanoop Avatar
      nanoop

      Of course!

    2. fede Avatar
      fede

      related to it… does this count?

    3. jim Avatar
      jim

      Fun fact : the Panda 30 (30 hp 652cc aircooled twin) had the grill on the left and the Fiat badge on the right, while the 45 (45 hp 903cc watercooled four-pot) had it the opposite way.

      View post on imgur.com

      View post on imgur.com


      This also seems like a good moment to post this totally awesome press pic :

      View post on imgur.com

  6. Rust-MyEnemy Avatar

    And the facelifted Mk1 Honda City, though all the Turbos had the assymmetrical grille from the get-go.
    https://ranwhenparkeddotnet.files.wordpress.com/2011/12/hondaturbo2a.jpg

      1. Rust-MyEnemy Avatar

        I don’t want to give away friday’s Carchive too soon…

        1. Rover 1 Avatar
          Rover 1

          Anticipation, (said as if by Frankenfurter in the Rocky Horror Picture Show

  7. Sjalabais Avatar
    Sjalabais

    Extra points for obscurity, right? The AZLK concept C1 from 1975 gives off a distinct Honda-SAAB-vibe with a slightly asymmetrical front:
    http://www.autoreview.ru/new_site/year2002/n05/azlk/800/azlk_08.jpg
    2002 interview with AZLK head designer of 1974-1987, Igor Andreevich: http://www.autoreview.ru/new_site/year2002/n05/azlk/1.htm

  8. tonyola Avatar
    tonyola

    Late 1980s Wartburg

  9. Jeepster Avatar
    Jeepster

    1942 Ford GTB aka the ” Burma Jeep ” ( the thing next to the hood is a big ass toolbox )

    1. Jeepster Avatar
      Jeepster

      image

      1. Jeepster Avatar
        Jeepster

        better view from the front … too cool !
        but I think the wide open speed is just over 40 mph . The driver in this photo looks like he is having some fun though.

  10. Jeepster Avatar
    Jeepster

    Tuesday yet ?
    the BMW S1000RR. ( one of the top 5 fastest things sold new at the moment )

    1. Jeepster Avatar
      Jeepster

      unless you have a top fuel car in yur garage … Thank you BMW.
      NOW make one in black with white pinstripes !! numbskulls
      ( and drop a full power RR engine in a full GS – black with white pinstripes of course )

  11. tonyola Avatar
    tonyola

    1983 Toyota Tercel wagon

    1. Sjalabais Avatar
      Sjalabais

      We all realize that Volvo’s iconic diagonal slash is, itself,
      asymmetrical. And now that we have established that, let’s not list
      every Volvo car and truck ever.

      If it doesn’t alter the grille layout, I’d say…nay.

  12. roguetoaster Avatar
    roguetoaster

    http://www.wired.com/wp-content/uploads/images_blogs/autopia/2013/09/180207652-1500.jpg
    I really wanted to find an older offset mounted radiator Audi grille that was lacking in symmetry but I only found this monstrosity.

  13. Jeepster Avatar
    Jeepster

    1943 Ford extra light GPW, ( model XLW )

  14. Jeepster Avatar
    Jeepster

    1961 AMC ” muskrat”

    1. Rover 1 Avatar
      Rover 1

      The poster boy of asymmetry.

  15. ptschett Avatar
    ptschett

    1969-70 Dodges with “Super-Lite” option.
    It was meant to be something you used when you needed more than a low beam but didn’t want to face the wrath of oncoming drivers’ high beams. Also the 1st OEM quartz-halogen projector lamp.

  16. tonyola Avatar
    tonyola

    Dave Puhl’s 1965 Illusion custom

    1. Tanshanomi Avatar

      Then I guess Ed Roth’s MegaCycle would count too?
      http://in1.ccio.co/19/eC/HB/d4f674da16656a99beba3fb3b2791784.jpg

      1. 0A5599 Avatar
        0A5599

        http://assets.blog.hemmings.com/wp-content/uploads//2011/01/1986OmniGLH_700.jpg
        It looks symmetrical to me. Offset, but symmetrical.
        For the same reason, I didn’t include the hood grille on a Omni GLH (S).

        1. Tanshanomi Avatar

          The grille may be symmetrical, but I would disagree that the MegaCycle’s “facia” is!

  17. hubba Avatar
    hubba

    Asymetric grille plus asymetric light pattern.

  18. Ramón Rivera Notario Avatar
    Ramón Rivera Notario

    Fiat Panda