Encyclopedia Hoonatica: Thieving Foreign Parts Bins

EH-shared-tail-lights
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

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  1. tonyola Avatar
    tonyola

    TVR Granturas used Ford Cortina taillights.

    1. crank_case Avatar
      crank_case

      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

  2. tonyola Avatar
    tonyola

    The Blakely kit car used 1977 Olds Cutlass grille pieces turned sideways.

    1. tonyola Avatar
      tonyola

      Oops, should have read the article more carefully….my bad.

      1. Rover 1 Avatar
        Rover 1

        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

    2. Tiller188 Avatar
      Tiller188

      That’s…actually pretty clever. Not a bad look, and I’d assume the parts must have been quite easy to come by.

  3. smalleyxb122 Avatar
    smalleyxb122

    The lowest of the low hanging fruits: Z32 headlights on the Diablo.
    https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5f/Lamborghini_Diablo.JPG

  4. tonyola Avatar
    tonyola

    The Lotus Esprit Mark II and its Toyota Corolla taillights.

    1. Batshitbox Avatar
      Batshitbox

      Again with the Lotus tail lights? I’m beginning to think the Lotus factory is just across the road from a junkyard.

    2. Sjalabais Avatar
      Sjalabais

      Most reliable Lotus rear lights ever? I did not know this one, neat.

  5. dukeisduke Avatar
    dukeisduke

    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.

    1. Citric Avatar
      Citric

      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

      1. Tiberiuswise Avatar

        That wheel was in everything from Taurus to Mustang.

        1. dukeisduke Avatar
          dukeisduke

          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.

        2. ptschett Avatar
          ptschett

          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.

      2. salguod Avatar

        Was this when Ford owned Aston? If so, I wouldn’t think the wheel would count.

        1. Citric Avatar
          Citric

          Going by memory, I think this was right before Ford took full control, and just continued after Ford took over.

    2. PowerTryp Avatar
      PowerTryp

      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/

      1. JayP Avatar
        JayP

        That 200 looks good.

  6. engineerd Avatar
    engineerd

    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.

    1. Citric Avatar
      Citric

      Does that count as foreign parts bins though? Both American cars. But then again the Focus could be considered Ford of Europe.

      1. engineerd Avatar
        engineerd

        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.

    1. ptschett Avatar
      ptschett

      Grand Am headlights, too.

      1. dukeisduke Avatar
        dukeisduke

        Weinermobile GrandTransAm? There needs to be a GXP version.

    2. 0A5599 Avatar
      0A5599

      Are you counting Canada (Firebird) as non-US, or the weiner as German?

      1. Vairship Avatar
        Vairship

        See Tanshanomi’s comment: Chipotle, so Mexican!

  7. Tiberiuswise Avatar

    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

    1. JayP Avatar
      JayP

      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.

      1. Tiberiuswise Avatar

        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

        1. Sjalabais Avatar
          Sjalabais

          One has to wonder whey they chose these lights, really – they are not particularly well-integrated.

          1. Cool_Cadillac_Cat Avatar
            Cool_Cadillac_Cat

            I bet because of cost.

          2. Sjalabais Avatar
            Sjalabais

            Most probably – but I figure square bus lights shouldn’t have been that much more expensive.

          3. Cool_Cadillac_Cat Avatar
            Cool_Cadillac_Cat

            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.

          4. Sjalabais Avatar
            Sjalabais

            So strange – who makes those busses? Who maintains them? Someone should know…

          5. Cool_Cadillac_Cat Avatar
            Cool_Cadillac_Cat

            I can even tell you who makes them!
            Whelen.
            Used to have a part number and everything. Googling turned up nothing.

          6. boxdin Avatar
            boxdin

            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.

    2. Cool_Cadillac_Cat Avatar
      Cool_Cadillac_Cat

      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

  8. oldcarjunkie Avatar
    oldcarjunkie

    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.

    1. Tanshanomi Avatar

      But all from Britain.

      1. oldcarjunkie Avatar
        oldcarjunkie

        Ah yes – quite right.

      2. Rover 1 Avatar
        Rover 1

        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

    2. Sjalabais Avatar
      Sjalabais

      Is that your Scimitar in the picture? How was the car like?

      1. oldcarjunkie Avatar
        oldcarjunkie

        Yes it was. It was a really neat car although I never actually drove it.

    1. engineerd Avatar
      engineerd

      At least the Alfa and Lancias were just doing some corporate parts bin sharing.

      1. Tomsk Avatar
        Tomsk

        Alfa didn’t join Lancia under the Fiat umbrella until 1986, well after those taillights were retired.

    2. Vairship Avatar
      Vairship

      Meanwhile other Ford GT40s used Chevy Corvair taillights:

  9. BigRedCaveTroll Avatar
    BigRedCaveTroll

    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…

  10. Sjalabais Avatar
    Sjalabais

    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

  11. Manic_King Avatar
    Manic_King

    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

    1. Manic_King Avatar
      Manic_King

      Oh, and Chrysler-powered Jensen Interceptor.
      http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/02006/jensen-3_2006237i.jpg

      1. Rover 1 Avatar
        Rover 1

        And there are those Hillman tail-lights again.

    2. 0A5599 Avatar
      0A5599

      Sunbeam Tiger had a small block Ford, even, for a short time under Chrysler ownership.

  12. Ross Ballot Avatar
    Ross Ballot

    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])

  13. P161911 Avatar
    P161911

    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.

  14. desmo Avatar
    desmo

    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.

    1. desmo Avatar
      desmo

      oh, sorry. Wrong thread. This belongs to the Skoda thread.

    2. Tanshanomi Avatar

      Thanks for that. I think.

  15. Tiberiuswise Avatar

    Chryslers sometimes have doors from Bugatti.
    http://www.toledorimsandtires.com/LAMBO_DOOR.jpg

    1. Monkey10is Avatar
      Monkey10is

      Dude, I’m pretty sure that’s a lambo.

    2. Rover 1 Avatar
      Rover 1

      One Chrysler was completely Lamborghini, the 1987 Portofino show car.
      http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s–VuGNhl41–/18qdvrvf9gqo1jpg.jpg

      1. Sjalabais Avatar
        Sjalabais

        Looks ready to chop anyone willing to enter.

        1. Rover 1 Avatar
          Rover 1

          It’s most definitely the first Chrysler with Lambo doors.

      2. Tanshanomi Avatar

        Lambo level infinity!

    1. Tanshanomi Avatar

      Somehow, knowing that a clutch tool for an MGB or an International Scout will work on a 308GTB made my day that much brighter.

    1. Rover 1 Avatar
      Rover 1

      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

      1. boxdin Avatar
        boxdin

        Love Morgans, but that car is cross eyed for sure.

  16. Monkey10is Avatar
    Monkey10is

    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)

    1. Sjalabais Avatar
      Sjalabais

      That’s odd. I’ve never looked at a mirror and thought: That was expensive. Might be my shabby looks though.

  17. Monkey10is Avatar
    Monkey10is

    The McLaren F1 borrowed its wing mirrors from the VW Corrado.

      1. Tanshanomi Avatar

        Yeah, but those are just generic 4 inch grommet mount truck lights.

    1. Rover 1 Avatar
      Rover 1

      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

  18. sunbeammadd Avatar

    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

  19. Scubie Avatar
    Scubie

    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

  20. P161911 Avatar
    P161911

    Mazda Roadpacer AP. A big Australian made Holden with a little Mazda rotary. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mazda_Roadpacer_AP

  21. Rover 1 Avatar
    Rover 1

    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

  22. Tomsk Avatar
    Tomsk

    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

    1. Rover 1 Avatar
      Rover 1

      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

  23. JayP Avatar
    JayP

    Did we miss the BMW diesel powered MkVII?
    http://gas2.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/diesel-lincoln-1.jpg