Low-volume car models are somewhat notorious for raiding existing cars’ parts books for easily adaptable components. Rear light assemblies are a case in point. The De Tomaso sourced the Pantera’s tail lights from whatever designs Alfa had sitting around, and there was a downright incestuous level of British parts-bin raiding by Bristol. Lotus, however, endured an extra level of contempt for re-purposing Renault Alpine GTA rear lights on the Elan. As if FWD wasn’t bad enough, the indignity of French components on a British design was almost too much for some Lotus fans to bear.
Which brings us to our encyclopedia heading for today: car designs that raided neither their own maker’s parts bin nor their countrymen’s, but reused existing components from a manufacturer in (gasp!) a foreign nation.
The Caveats (there are always caveats):
- This does NOT mean parts co-developed between two manufacturers as a technology-sharing partnership, or common parts used on sister brands as a result of intra-corporate cooperation, even if they’re located in different countries. The scenario we’re looking for is this: Company 1 in Nation A puts a part on its cars. At some later point, that part shows up on Company 2’s cars, manufactured in Nation B. Capisce?
- Generic parts that are manufactured and sold with the intention of being used on multiple vehicles don’t count.
- Likewise, components commonly sold to a variety of manufacturers by third party component builders don’t count. Allison, Getrag, Bilstein, Brembo and Dana have whored themsel— um, supplied just about everybody at one time or another.
- Production road cars only. No customs, prototypes, concept cars, or works race vehicles. Which is, admittedly, kind of a shame.
- No aircraft or marine craft, unless it’s because they stole parts from existing cars.
Difficulty: 2.9896 megapicas per microcentury.
How This Works: Read the comments first and don’t post duplicates! Bonus points for adding photos.
Image Sources: oppositelock.kinja.com & carphotographyplus.co.uk
TVR Granturas used Ford Cortina taillights.
Similarly, the later TVR Griffith (90s, not 60s) used Vauxhall Cavalier/Opel Vectra GSi lights cunningly disguised by being turned upside down
http://www.ridedrive.co.uk/images/articles-motoring/tvr-griffith-bobs/griffith-rear-747×500.jpg
For an Encore they did the same trick on the Chimera, this time taking MK4/5 Ford Fiesta lights.
http://static.autoblog.nl/images/wp2007/gespot/brits-2/tvr_chimaera_05.jpg
The Blakely kit car used 1977 Olds Cutlass grille pieces turned sideways.
Oops, should have read the article more carefully….my bad.
But props for mentioning a neat car.
http://hooniverse.info/2014/12/11/lovingly-resto-modded-kit-car-is-surprisingly-enticing/
But there is a connection from TVR to outside the UK, later TVRs all had Saab 900 front suspension uprights.
So Saab both gave and received with the UK.
Previously it had licensed the Triumph slant four which it ended up making it’s own. ( And like Triumph, Saab put two of the fours together to make a V8.)
http://the-saab-specialist-register.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/saab-v8-motor.jpg
http://www.sub5zero.com/sites/default/files/uploads/2011/11/Triumph%20V8%205.jpg
That’s…actually pretty clever. Not a bad look, and I’d assume the parts must have been quite easy to come by.
The lowest of the low hanging fruits: Z32 headlights on the Diablo.
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5f/Lamborghini_Diablo.JPG
The Lotus Esprit Mark II and its Toyota Corolla taillights.
Again with the Lotus tail lights? I’m beginning to think the Lotus factory is just across the road from a junkyard.
Most reliable Lotus rear lights ever? I did not know this one, neat.
One that came to mind is the Aston Martin Virage that got its taillights from the MkII Scirocco:
http://autoshite.com/uploads/monthly_11_2014/post-8466-0-19883100-1415645883.jpg
Picture stolen from Autoshite.
While I wasn’t sure if this counted as “generic parts,” when they got airbags they also got Ford Aerostar steering wheels.
http://astonmartins.com/wp-content/gallery/aston-martin-virage-volante_1/amd0305b5_virage_volante_interior.jpg
That wheel was in everything from Taurus to Mustang.
And F-150s – I’ve been nailed by one of those bags. They pack a wallop, and were popularized by a junkyard owner in Canada who used to do stuff like record them blowing up refrigerators, and post the videos on YouTube.
It did skip one Ford product: Thunderbird/Cougar. They went straight from having motorized seatbelts and a carryover ’80’s wheel in ’93, to standard belts and the 2nd-generation Ford corporate airbag wheel in ’94.
Classic?
http://o.aolcdn.com/dims-shared/dims3/GLOB/legacy_thumbnail/800×450/format/jpg/quality/85/http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/10/aston-volvo-key.jpg
Was this when Ford owned Aston? If so, I wouldn’t think the wheel would count.
Going by memory, I think this was right before Ford took full control, and just continued after Ford took over.
Aston was a god damn parts bin whore back in the day. They’ve shared tail with everyone at this point I’m pretty sure. http://hooniverse.info/2012/05/17/our-cars-ascension-day-and-the-aston-martin-db7-taillights/
DB7 tail lights same as Mazda Astina/323, Ford owned both at the time.
https://edgarscarsnfun.files.wordpress.com/2014/08/mazda_323f_green_rear_20080301.jpg
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/dd/Aston_Martin_DB7_rear_20080225.jpg
And it’s headlights from the Audi 200.
http://bestcarmag.com/sites/default/files/5517487audi-200-wheels-3.jpg
http://cdntbs.astonmartin.com/sitefinity/heritage/virage_volante_exterior.jpg?sfvrsn=0
That 200 looks good.
There’s always the Noble M12 and its Hyundai Sonata taillights.
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3f/Noble_M12_GTO_rear_blue.jpg
http://www.conceptcarz.com/images/Hyundai/hyundai_sonata_baltimore_04_dv_04.jpg
https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQOaA2JxN0XdzFKUOjMSlGqf0nXcFvngk_X7c1k6m_xLqkNRea2ihLq5Lmh
And before that, on Noble M10, taillights from Ford Mondeo:
http://farm9.static.flickr.com/8669/16265704367_c2afca2c68.jpg
http://bestcarmag.com/sites/default/files/19696551993-mondeo-4door-sedan-12.jpg
SSC Ultimate Aero uses Ford Focus headlights.
http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s–we0XJ0O0–/c_scale,fl_progressive,q_80,w_800/18nclqbvie7t7jpg.jpg
It’s actually pretty common for low-volume producers to use headlight and taillight assemblies from volume cars. The biggest reason is the DOT/TUV/Whatever other government dictates there are concerning light assemblies. They avoid all those development costs. Plus, they get them for less than a custom assembly that will be made less than 500 times.
Does that count as foreign parts bins though? Both American cars. But then again the Focus could be considered Ford of Europe.
I’ll await a ruling from the judges (which I will promptly ignore), but I believe this to be in the spirit of the law.
Then there’s Pontiac TransAm taillights on the Weinermobile!
http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s–QyN0zWHl–/c_scale,fl_progressive,q_80,w_800/18nclq9wdu5gijpg.jpg
Grand Am headlights, too.
Weinermobile GrandTransAm? There needs to be a GXP version.
They do make an SSC version.
http://www.oscarmayer.com/~/media/OscarMayer-New/images/products/hot-dogs/07570-SWChipDg-102014.jpg
Are you counting Canada (Firebird) as non-US, or the weiner as German?
See Tanshanomi’s comment: Chipotle, so Mexican!
Motor homes sometimes have very strange tail lights. Here’s one I’m assuming was made in America with Toyota parts.
http://accentstripes.com/images/strength_rear_corner_lg.JPG
That’s a game we play when on the road.
Sometimes the head lights and taillights match at least the manufacturer, sometimes the same car.
You might be right. I thought it was from a Tundra. I know I’ve seen them from a Camry.
http://www.linex.com/gallery/images/28/23.%20Back%20of%20Motorhome.jpg
One has to wonder whey they chose these lights, really – they are not particularly well-integrated.
I bet because of cost.
Most probably – but I figure square bus lights shouldn’t have been that much more expensive.
You’d think not, but those can be difficult to source.
I really want a set of LED lights which are seen on school buses, but I’ll be damned, can’t find ’em.
So strange – who makes those busses? Who maintains them? Someone should know…
I can even tell you who makes them!
Whelen.
Used to have a part number and everything. Googling turned up nothing.
A corner light shines both side and rear as the law says, a square light facing the rear only would mean another light on the side.
I was thinking of a variation of this theme:
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/attachments/commercial-vehicles/34121d1217572518-volvo-b7r-reviews-volvo-9700-germany_6.jpg
Then there’s this, 1987-era Ferd Econoline headlamps on a ’99 Fleetwood Bounder diesel.
And they were HORRIBLY designed, too. Perfect for blinding oncoming traffic, even if you have them pointing effectively straight down.
http://i394.photobucket.com/albums/pp29/mckellyb/P1000755_zpsf19b7b1c.jpg
I owned a 1969 Reliant Scimitar that was almost all borrowed parts.
Tail lights from a Hillman Hunter
Windshield from a Ford Capri Consul
Front suspension from a Triumph TR-series
Ford Essex V6 engine from various
Rear diff from a Daimler
etc, etc. There was even a cross reference book put out by the owner’s club.
But all from Britain.
Ah yes – quite right.
And those Hillman Hunter tail lights appeared on Aston Martins – because William Towns designed both. Yes, both British.
http://www.brooklandscc.com/img/upload/Aston_Martin_V8_Oscar_India_4.jpg
Is that your Scimitar in the picture? How was the car like?
Yes it was. It was a really neat car although I never actually drove it.
https://media.giphy.com/media/J1Pxgh8d7TOM0/giphy.gif
Some Ford GT40s…
http://www.conceptcarz.com/images/Ford/69-Ford-GT40-DV-09_GC_a01.jpg
had Fiat 850 taillights…
http://www.endangeredcars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/1968-fiat-850-d.jpg?efb8be
Other notable cars that borrowed them include the Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale, Lancia Stratos, rally-spec Lancia 037s, and possibly others
https://farm7.staticflickr.com/6182/6055748507_7c1cdca2b3_b.jpg
http://wallpaper.imcphoto.net/vehicle-wallpapers/beautiful-italian-cars/lancia/lancia-stratos-rear-view.jpg
http://silodrome.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Lancia-037-Group-B-1-740×551.jpg
At least the Alfa and Lancias were just doing some corporate parts bin sharing.
Alfa didn’t join Lancia under the Fiat umbrella until 1986, well after those taillights were retired.
Meanwhile other Ford GT40s used Chevy Corvair taillights:
No mention of the Vixen RV with a Renault 5 speed and a BMW M21 diesel?
http://www.vixenrv.com/images/techarticles-2-td-087-19-b.jpg
If ever there was an RV I desired…
British sports cars with Swedish/Japanese/French engines:
http://blog.caranddriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/M600-P4-carbon-black.jpg
http://cdn2.3dtuning.com/info/DeLorean DMC-12 1981 Coupe/factory/7.jpg
Iso Rivolta, DeTomaso, Bizzarrini etc. used American motors in their cars.
http://www.thewheelsofsteel.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Iso-2-email-001.jpg
Oh, and Chrysler-powered Jensen Interceptor.
http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/02006/jensen-3_2006237i.jpg
And there are those Hillman tail-lights again.
Ultima with the slightly modified SBC:
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/20/Ultima_Spyder.jpg/1280px-Ultima_Spyder.jpg
Sunbeam Tiger had a small block Ford, even, for a short time under Chrysler ownership.
Dis count?
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/24/Shelby_AC_Cobra%2C_CSX2000.JPG/280px-Shelby_AC_Cobra%2C_CSX2000.JPG
(Pic from Wikipedia hoping that it’s real [appears to be so])
How about the BMW diesel engines in Lincoln Mk VIIs? And the Nissan diesel in the IH Scout? I know that my dad’s old Mk VII LSC had a sunroof control with a BMW roundel stamped on it.
Skoda is the main reason why japanese cars are almost extinct in Germany. Some jap brands that I really liked (Daihatsu, Mitsubishi, Suzuki) have left. Toyota is down to ~1% market share I think. Some koreans are also gone. But these were borers anyway.
oh, sorry. Wrong thread. This belongs to the Skoda thread.
Thanks for that. I think.
Chryslers sometimes have doors from Bugatti.
http://www.toledorimsandtires.com/LAMBO_DOOR.jpg
Dude, I’m pretty sure that’s a lambo.
One Chrysler was completely Lamborghini, the 1987 Portofino show car.
http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s–VuGNhl41–/18qdvrvf9gqo1jpg.jpg
Looks ready to chop anyone willing to enter.
It’s most definitely the first Chrysler with Lambo doors.
Lambo level infinity!
Lotus worked in the other direction, too.
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/22/Tesla_Roadster_Japanese_display.jpg
A lot of this stuff falls under caveat #2, but it is still interesting. http://ferrarichat.com/forum/308-328-sponsored-yellow-compass-group/64460-308-328-gtb-gts-dino-gt4-parts-cross-ref-thread.html
Somehow, knowing that a clutch tool for an MGB or an International Scout will work on a 308GTB made my day that much brighter.
The tail lights of the Morgan Aero are from the Lancia Thesis, for the lord works in mysterious ways.
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/ac/Morgan_%28rear%29_-_Flickr_-_Moto%40Club4AG.jpg/800px-Morgan_%28rear%29_-_Flickr_-_Moto%40Club4AG.jpg
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/ae/Lancia_Thesis_rear_20071211.jpg/800px-Lancia_Thesis_rear_20071211.jpg
And the headlights from the VW New Beetle, on the early Aeros then switched to less controversial BMW Mini ones, (so outside this remit but here it is anyway).
http://images.car.bauercdn.com/pagefiles/4205/morgan_aero_8.jpg
http://roa.h-cdn.co/assets/15/10/980×653/aero817.jpg
Love Morgans, but that car is cross eyed for sure.
Jaguar XJ220 featured the wing mirrors from the Citroen CX:
https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lk0JyeM54Lo/VOp9zx5AB3I/AAAAAAAABOE/vHtvc8arEz8/s1600/jaguar%2Bxj220.jpg
(…as did several Lotuses, Astons and TVRs)
That’s odd. I’ve never looked at a mirror and thought: That was expensive. Might be my shabby looks though.
And the rear lights from a Rover 400, but tucked behind grilles.
http://wordpress.carthrottle.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/70571hist-b.jpg
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fc/Rover_416_GSi_16v_mk1.jpg
The McLaren F1 borrowed its wing mirrors from the VW Corrado.
It’s tail-lights from a Dutch bus
http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s–FTzEGupw–/c_scale,fl_progressive,q_80,w_800/jfwh2rp5uhuw4ppy2lp4.jpg
http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s–oxMq3uAM–/c_scale,fl_progressive,q_80,w_800/tequjw34qmr4cct55yp4.jpg
Yeah, but those are just generic 4 inch grommet mount truck lights.
And the final production front indicators from the Lotus M100 (FWD)Elan, Espirit S4 and Venturi Atlantique. Originally with a part orange lens but clear now more common.
http://www.pnmengineering.com/jpg/clearlens2a.jpg
Amphicar – with a Triumph engine.
http://assets.blog.hemmings.com/wp-content/uploads//2015/04/SE82-Converts-AMPHICAR_FRONT.jpg
This may be a bit contentious, but Nota Fang (an Australian sports car from the 1960s. It used a BMC Mini engine and Rootes Imp front suspension. However both the Mini and Imp were being produced in Australia at the time so it could be argued that these are all domestic Australian products.
http://www.notaengineering.com/images/Pictures/Type%204%20Fang/Nota%20Fang%20-%20%2780s.jpg
Holden Commodores of the mid-80’s had Nissan engines – 2L & 3L engines. The 5L V8’s were still GM product though: http://bestcarmag.com/makes/Holden/Commodore/1987-Holden-Commodore
Mazda Roadpacer AP. A big Australian made Holden with a little Mazda rotary. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mazda_Roadpacer_AP
Pagani Huayra has MG ZS/Rover 45 climate controls, (seen just below the air vents)
http://wordpress.carthrottle.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/4851118956_da2fbf1e42_z.jpg
The Lister Storm V12 borrowed its taillights from the B3 Audi 80/90 (albeit with a body-colored spacer added).
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/df/Green_Lister_Storm_(rear).jpg
http://cloudlakes.com/data_images/models/audi-80/audi-80-13.jpg
Bristol used spacers on their rather ham-fisted installation of Opel/Vauxhall Senator tail lights on the last Blenheim. I think they also used the rear bumper assembly.
Ham fisted but not as bad an installation as the previous model, the Brigand, with it’s lights off a Bedford CF2
http://bestcarmag.com/sites/default/files/6641957BRISTOL-BLENHEIM-BRIGAND.jpg
Did we miss the BMW diesel powered MkVII?
http://gas2.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/diesel-lincoln-1.jpg