By Robert Emslie
Everyone has a dream. For most that dream may be just a few beers and some hot wings at Hooters on a Friday night, but for a select few it’s realizing in metal and rubber their vision of automotive perfection. Take the Momo Mirage above for example. It represents the vision of Alfred Momo, former team manager for Briggs Cuningham, and Peter Kalikow, who sought Momo’s advice after finding the handling of his initially desired Aston Martin to be underwhelming. The two entered into partnership to build this remarkably clean and powerful touring car, but as is frequently the case, financial difficulties squelched their plans. Such a shame.
It isn’t just individuals with delusions of grandeur that come close to capturing that elusive gold ring. Back in the sixties, Pontiac developed a SOHC straight six with the intent of appearing an automotive technological leader. They also wanted to have a sports car in which to show the engine off, and built the Banshee as its star stage. Unfortunately Chevy caught wind of the project and, feeling it would take sales and hence profits away from the Corvette, got the GM overlords to kill it. So close.
That’s a couple of examples of cars that almost were, which had they been, could possibly have also been great, and maybe still could be. Got that? What do you think, what are some other cars that came within a hair’s breadth of production, and who’s failure to do so you lament? What, in your mind, is the most tragic almost was?
Image source: SportscarDigest
Jeff Glucker
Getting this out of the way early;
<img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/08/pontiacg8st_red_630.jpg" /img>
Don't get me wrong, it would've flopped horribly, but been awesome while doing so.
I also don't know why I think of this now, but Chrysler was mulling the possibility of an AWD LH car (since it would've been a relatively easy conversion with the longitudinal layout) – it's a shame that never saw production. And the Mahindra pickup, at least for North American consumption (which, seems to be mired in importation hell).
I really wanted Fisker to work; the cars were a neat idea, just poorly executed. They looked fantastic, but nobody had any way of predicting how unreliable the tech would be, especially since I haven't heard nearly as many complaints about the mechanically very similar Volt. It's a shame.
<img src="http://media.caranddriver.com/images/11q1/379496/2012-fisker-karma-review-car-and-driver-photo-386473-s-429×262.jpg" width="600">
I dont know how close this was to almost, but it would have been awesome if it made it to market:
<img src="http://www.carstyling.ru/Static/SIMG/420_0_I_MC_jpg_W/resources/concept/1977_AMC_Concept_AM_Van.jpg?7D0FD7B58942FFEA2AEAB32549A49A8E" width=550>
Ladies and Gentlemen
As you know we have something special for you
At Birdland this evening
A recording for Blue Note Records
Yeah, yeah, yeah – what's that? Diddi-diddi bop
Funky funky – yeah yeah – diddi-diddi bop
How 'bout a big hand now?
Wait, wait a minute
(they built one or maybe a few as concepts… some info is findable with the googles)
I liked it even better with the late panoramic window glass. Evidently, it was intended for production but the money just wouldn't materialize.
<img src="http://images.hemmings.com/wp-content/uploads//2009/10/AMVan_resized.jpg">
That windshield looks familiar. . .
My nomination is predictably predictable.
<img src="http://hooniverse.info/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/1_peugette-scaled.jpg">
http://hooniverse.info/2011/01/05/pininfarina-peug…
That would sooo work as a 1st gen Miata conversion kit.
Remember, you heard it hear first…..
The Tuesday answer is Harley's 1975 OHC 1100 Sportster prototype.
<img src="http://www.collectorsweekly.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/1975-model-ohc-1100-experim.jpg">
VW GX3.
Sub-$20k price, near supercar performance, track day special.
<img src="http://www.seriouswheels.com/pics-2006/2006-Volkswagen-GX3-FA-1024×768.jpg" width="600">
<img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g450eZc1KQk/T0ZR-WpPhMI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/7-txvIvxbTo/s1600/bpt2.jpg">
The car that might have saved Triumph.
The Ford-Shelby GR-1.
<img src="http://www.carws.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/ford-shelby-gr1-concept-side-600×450.jpg"width="500"/>
Sweet holy Jesus.
<img src="http://farm2.staticflickr.com/1217/1254395487_39a8a3b83f_z.jpg?zz=1" width=500>
My answer today is a near-miss because the car did indeed reach production, but the factory burned down before they could make enough cars for homologation. The Bill Thomas Cheetah.
Peugeot 106 Spider, a great FWD car without a roof and 2 seats… Sadly it wasn't to be!
<img src="http://images.forum-auto.com/mesimages/830994/CarDatabaseNetPhotoID00051735.jpg" width=670>
The Bosley Mark I wasn't intended as a production vehicle, but is a stunning example of what a 19-year-old (when he started) kid with no formal automotive training can design and build himself. Hemi engine with 6 carbs and a 5-speed transmission (in the days when 3 forward gears was the norm) meant 160 MPH was attainable.
http://www.forgottenfiberglass.com/?p=13563
<img src="http://www.gatsbyonline.com/Users/8/Images/GatsbyAutomobileDesign/1955_BosleyMk1_01.jpg" width=500>
Eternally the 989 for me. Even more now, given how the Panamera looks.
<img src="http://www.looksfeelsworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/989.jpg" width="500//">
I'm going with the '89 Fiero. By '88, the Fiero was actually a pretty damn decent car, but unfortunately its early reputation preceded it, not to mention the fact that GM had a habit of killing cars just as they got them right (probably because it cost them too much to get there).
<img src="http://jsears.cz28.com/images/89fiero.jpg">
Courtesy Embed.
<img src="http://www.tanshanomi.com/temp/89fiero.jpg">
Weird, it was fine a minute ago.
Probably in your browser cache. Also, you didn't get the URL wrong, their server is filtering the referral header on image URLs (they don't want to pay for bandwidth for someone else' site; my wife has her blog configured this way).
Probably because you had the image cached. All the rest of us got was a nastygram:
<img src="http://www.tanshanomi.com/temp/hotlink.gif">
Yeah, I get that now.
Thank you for posting this for me, Scott.
I indeed was on my way to post this very image. Doesn't the car evoke the NSX, a bit?
The Fiero really would've been amazing with a more powerful motor from the factory, too. The 3800SC swaps, or even the mild 3400 swap, the 3.4 DOHC V6, Northstar, EcoTec, Quad4, Cadillac 4.9L and even Chevy 350 swaps make it abundantly clear just how much fun the much maligned Fiero can be- even in shitty 2.8L form the cars are quite fun to drive.
Sort of makes me wonder how much the Solstice would've followed a similar evolution if Pontiac had been allowed to live. Getting the GXP and coupe were great starts, but would've there been more changes, right before GM killed the Solstice off without killing Pontiac?
Lotus Etna: in 1984 this would have shoved Lotus into the ranks of proper big-boy supercar manufacturer. It had a drag coefficient of 0.29, which was way beyond anything else in production at the time, plus what would have been the first active suspension.
<img src="http://www.carstyling.ru/resources/studio/large/84id_lotus_etna_01.jpg" width="500" />
By the way, I'll now be thinking Pontiac OHC Six all day.
Crap.
Or Thanks.
Whatever.
Mmmmm…Sprint…
<img src="http://www.tanshanomi.com/temp/Pontiac-OHC-six.png">
Glad I'm not the only one who ran off to the Googles in search of it.
One of those tantalizingly attainable dreams. There are enough left out there, and they are reasonably affordable. I often envision one in a T-bucket.
I like the way you think. Would also be good for a '50s or '60s fiberglass sportscar kit.
I like it in its original home best of all.
By that do you mean the Banshee, or the production LeMans/Tempest?
Buick Wilscat had an OHV 6. Pretty nice.
I'd say Tucker Torpedo, but that saw very limited production, so it doesn't really count.
<img src="http://www.shorey.net/Auto/American/Tucker/1948%20Tucker%20Torpedo%20f3q%20B&W.jpg" width="600">
I'm gonna have to say the Saab 9-3 Phoenix:
<img src="http://stblogs.automotive.com/files/2013/02/Saab-9-3-Phoenix-623×389.jpg" width="600">
There was also supposed to be a Sonett IV, but I don't think it had a final design yet.
Two-wheel Tuesday answer: Yamaha GTS 1000. It was actually produced from 1993 to 1999 but the "might-have-been" part of it is that Yamaha gave up on some cool technology. The GTS 1000 was a decade ahead of its time, with ABS, catalytic converter built into the exhaust, and the incredible parallel-arm suspension that gave it far superior stability and ride to its competitors. Even today it feels like a modern bike.
<img src="http://z1000.riderdestination.com/albums/museum/normal_Yamaha%20GTS1000.jpg" width="500" />
I have a serious like for that bike. Fear of a lack of parts availability has kept me away from it.
I seem to really have a thing for non traditional motorcycle front suspensions.
That's more along the lines of What's The Most Tragic Case Of People Don't Know A Good Thing When They See It.
How much change you got in the coin jar?
RED YAMAHA GTS1000 – AWESOME!!! – $3900 (sunnyvale) http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/mcy/3740384923.ht…
As senor IronBalls stated, parts availability is frightening. Otherwise there'd already be one parked outside chez 'six.
I don't know how seriously the Cadillac Sixteen was considered for production, but it is worth mentioning here, because…well, because One Thousand Horsepower.
<img src="http://images.askmen.com/top_10/cars/1247842564_top-10-cars-gm-should-have-produced_4.jpg">
I do like the way you think, young man.
Some serious Sploosh action going on there.
<img src="http://files.conceptcarz.com/img/amc/amx3amx_01.jpg"width=500>
Two cars for your consideration:
For starters, we have a RWD turbo Reatta, and for the coup de grâce, a GNX-powered Electra Estate. It's hard to see in this article, but 0-60 in five seconds with ¼ mile times in the 13s.
<img src="http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j129/hoopd87/PrototypeReatta01_zps11026f47.jpg" width=500>
<img src="http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j129/hoopd87/PrototypeReatta02_zps41297611.jpg" width=500>
Along those same lines, Ford's 1989 Ranger SHO. It would have been soooo easy…
<img src="http://www.bigblockranger.com/images/pic0190.jpg" height="512">
They did sell a Ranger GT with the ground effects package at least, but none of the goodies under the hood.
<img src="http://www.barrett-jackson.com/staging/carlist/items/Fullsize/Cars/21963/21963_Front_3-4_Web.jpg">
Saleen also made a handful of Rangers for SCCA homologation.
<img src="http://carphotos.cardomain.com/ride_images/3/2296/3482/30739240831_large.jpg"width=500>
My kingdom for that Electra Estate!
The 9-5 were supposed to be one of the new cars that can save Saab, but the plug was pulled too early. I really like the new 9-5 (although I haven't got the chance to get in one), and they've made some production pilot wagons before the doors were closed. Shame…
<img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/03/saab-9-5-sportcombi.jpg">
Also, the E34 M5 convertible. BMW was afraid that this car would cannibalize the sales of the 3-series convertible, so they decided to cancel it. I imagine this would've been a great grand tourer to cover massive distance in speed & comfort.
<img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/10/e34m5c00-1256843174.jpg">
By the way, what happened to the actual pilot 9-5 wagon examples?
They were auctioned after the bankruptcy.
<img src="http://saabworld.net/content/attachments/8687d1361297860-saab_auction_sweden_08.jpg/" width=640 />
Wow, that M5 convertible is sex.
Thanks for getting to this before I could.
<img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8240/8573352846_6328a72640.jpg" width="480" alt="SD1 Estate"> I'm having a hard time deciding. <img src="http://protauta45.republika.pl/warsz210syr110.jpg" alt="Warszawa 210"> Woah a prototype of the FSO still exists! And there was a kombi (Polish for wagon/estate) 1:1 scale clay model even! <img src="http://retrostalowawola.republika.pl/210kombi.jpg">
Really? That's the MOST TRAGIC?
I'd have put that way down the list slightly below the Saab 98…
<img src="http://gallery.p6club.com/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=5156&g2_serialNumber=2"> Yes, I'm really I'm being serious. It could have been worse. <img src="http://flipacars.com/pics/Rover/rover-sd1-estate-02.jpg"> And the 210 would have had a 2.5L I6, if the Soviets hadn't stopped the Poles, it really would have been something, a real crap of the dog to the nose moment. <img src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4f/Warszawa_210_inside.jpg/500px-Warszawa_210_inside.jpg">
trag•ic (ˈtrædʒ ɪk) also trag′i•cal,
adj.
1. dreadful, calamitous, disastrous, or fatal: a tragic event.
2. extremely mournful, melancholy, or pathetic.
No, I think he may be right.
ˈtrædʒ ɪk hmm… I'm onto you comrade.
It's only a matter of time before you're back in the fold, towarzysz.
Chevy Corvette Astro II concept.
I mean, c'mon, look at it!
But Chevy was trying to keep up time-wise with Ford's street legal version of the GT40 and concept Mach 2. To do so, Chevy used an off-the-shelf TWO-speed transaxle off a 63 Tempest for this car–vs Ford's race-developed and -proven gearbox. No quick solution to that one, so no mid-engine 60s Vette.
Dang. Dang for us all.
<img src="http://images.thetruthaboutcars.com/2010/03/Corvette-XP880.jpg" width=400>
Four rotor Corvette…
I'll leave this here
<img src="http://supercartalk.com/wp-content/gallery/jaguar-c-x75-concept/jaguar_c_x75_concept.jpg">
Frickin' Jaguar. They create the most lust-worthy car in years, then tell us they were only joking.
Bastards.
I think they learned their lesson with the XJ220
Not the first time that Jaguar blue balled auto enthusiasts.
[youtube U9FoExi1yxI http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9FoExi1yxI youtube]
Really, who would ever have wanted one of those? (Jumps up, waving both arms…)
I'm feeling sentimental for cars that didn't exist, or did in precious few numbers.
There's no cure for this is there?
No, but it is possible for the disease to progress to the point where you buy something that was produced in precious few numbers, provided you have the bank.
When this happens you can potentially become super cool though, depending on what you're obsession is, so it's not all bad.
I think that is the initial stimulus that eventually leads lots of otherwise sane guys to to build their own one-off custom somethingorother.
I kind of doubt that this was that close to production, but the SHOstar could have been very entertaining if they actually made it.
<img src="http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/jalopnik/2008/11/10-Mini-ShoSTar_01.jpg">
And the Dodge Demon roadster was pretty cool, and supposedly close to production before getting the axe.
<img src="http://www.dodgepedia.org/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/dodge_demon_fr-thumb.jpg">
Ditto with the Dodge Hornet. It was evidently green-lighted for production but was a bailout casualty. Seems as thought it might have been a fun little car.
<img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yrgw4mJaGKA/UNcLESdQrBI/AAAAAAAADbU/Ag1j8xUZULU/s1600/Dodge-Hornet-1.jpg">
the tragedy here is that the fucking CALIBER made it into production yet this didn't.
The Carousel was tragic mostly for Ford. They could've scooped the Voyager/Caravan by 12 years.
<img src="http://images.thetruthaboutcars.com/2010/03/ford-carousel.png">
One more two-wheeled answer. Not because of the myth that it would've saved the British motorcycle industry, (it wouldn't have), but because it was so close. All the production tooling was in place, and 26,000 piston and con rods were already in stock. In the end, only five pre-production examples were built.
<img src="http://hooniverse.info/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/triumph-bandit-thennow.png">
<img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2558/3700844322_3102b96cd8.jpg" width="500">
I'll say the Type 252. Sadly, Roland Bugatti couldn't quite hold together the family business.
Wasn't there a Virgil Exner Bugatti from the 60s that never quite existed as well?
Lemme see….
Yep, got it. The Type 101C:
<img src="http://chrysler300country.com/1965_bugatti_T101C.jpg">
Jeep Concepts:
Dakar, because it might've prevented the Liberty.
<img src="https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRMBVx6rzpD9iGbDzFpdiV7TlpikFaPGXxqXehfLfdcpf667n1x" width=400>
Rescue, because shaming the H2 would've been awesome:
<img src="http://www.seriouswheels.com/pics-2004/2004-Jeep-Rescue-Concept-FA-1600×1200.jpg" width=400>
Gladiator, because, well, of course:
<img src="http://www.jeep.com/shared/autoshow/concept_vehicles/images/gladiator_static.jpg" width=400>
I also have to mention the Chrysler Firepower:
<img src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a8/Chrysler_Firepower_Concept_-_fvl.jpg/1024px-Chrysler_Firepower_Concept_-_fvl.jpg" width="600">
Basically a Viper with a Crossfire body. I remember they made a big deal about the concept being production ready, and that it might actually be built. Then. . . nothing.
The VW EA128, a German Corvair fighter that utilized the Porsche 911's suspension, steering and engine (albeit detuned). Both a sedan and a wagon prototype were built.
<img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5237/5864892876_2f068e6a11_o.jpg" width="500" />
<img src="http://images.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/236754.jpg" />
Runner up would be Oldsmobile's 32-valve hemi 455.
<img src="http://www.streetlegaltv.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/10/files/2011/06/Hemi455Olds.jpg" width="500" />
Beat me to it!
Saddest question of the day ever…
I had to stop reading the answers on Monday, that was the worst for me.
Lumina Z34 + El Camino + 5speed = Want. http://autosofinterest.com/2012/05/06/1992-ascche…
<img src="http://autosofinterest.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/ASC-Lumina-Z34-El-Camino-front-three-qtr1.jpg" width="600">
<img src="http://autosofinterest.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/ASC-Lumina-Z34-El-Camino-rear-three-qtr-21.jpg" width="600">
We could take that another way – V8 AWD Lumina!
<img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7125/6862401782_4b01a41147.jpg" /img>
I like where this is going!
The Chrysler ME Four-Twelve because…well look at it.
<img src="http://files.conceptcarz.com/img/Chrysler/chrysler_ME412_slvr-manu-04_024-800.jpg" width="600">
It would be so much better without those hood strakes and that GIANT chrysler wing badge.
They were trying to make it look like the Sebring.
Agree with you there on the badge, just replace it with a Lancia one.
The Porsche 542 AKA the Studebaker Z-87
<img src="http://imageshack.us/scaled/landing/682/1954studebaker542bypors.png"width=500>
"Porsche built a car for Studebaker in August, 1952 with a 120-degree V-6 engine . This was the Porsche Type 542, also known as the Z-87 car at Studebaker. Though it was looked at then, it didn't get serious review until 1956 when Studebaker's director of experimental engineering tested the car and reported on it. The director's name: John Z. DeLorean, who later went on to other cars and other activities. He didn't like the Porsche effort and compared it unfavorably to the comfort and ride of the 1956 Champion and Commander."
<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/4bab5898615a58c0fec1898875f93c19/tumblr_mfzpl78t1s1qzq3mjo1_400.gif"> So it was like practice for the 960 whiteblock!
Mercury Marauder convertible – I wanted a new-tech but old fashioned american 5 seater convertible so badly.
<img src="http://photo.netcarshow.com/Mercury-Marauder_Convertible_Concept_2002_photo_02.jpg">
<img src="http://photo.netcarshow.com/Mercury-Marauder_Convertible_Concept_2002_photo_04.jpg">
<img src="http://photo.netcarshow.com/Mercury-Marauder_Convertible_Concept_2002_photo_08.jpg">
<img src="http://photo.netcarshow.com/Mercury-Marauder_Convertible_Concept_2002_photo_17.jpg">
I swear there are no side windows, and is there even a top? It's like Ford going back to it's roots, cool!
<img src="http://0-media-cdn.foolz.us/ffuuka/board/vg/image/1335/98/1335982824883.jpg" width="600">
The supercharged V8 in it was sweet too.
PRV V8. Everyone's favorite frog motor from hell started out with eight cylinders but ended up getting downsized due to the oil crisis. Had the original plan proceeded, we would have ended up with things like Volvo 284 and Talbot Tagora V8.
The Talbot Tagora V8, be still my beating heart.
First thought: "The DeLorean coulda had a V-8!"
Second thought: "…although maybe increasing both power and polar moment at the same time wouldn't have been such a great idea…"
Peugeot 908 coupe.
My heart sank when the VW Microbus Concept got nixed. Just give me enough power to get up mountains without slowing down this time…
<img src="http://bmaparts.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/2001_volkswagen_microbus_concept.jpg">
http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/06/rumormill-vw-m…
And instead they gave us a rebadged Dodge Caravan…
GM's woulda-coulda-shoulda minivan, the L'Universelle:<img src="http://www.carstyling.ru/resources/concept/1955_GMC_L-Universelle_Concept_Truck_05.jpg" width="600">
<img src="http://www.corvetteblogger.com/images/content/102011_15.jpg" width="600">
Duh, guys.
<img src="http://www.themustangsource.com/concept/sedan/FourDoor.jpg" width="600">
Duh.
Holden Torana GTR-X – 3.3 litre inline six with triple carburettors, 190bhp, 210 km/h (130 mph) top speed, weighed slightly less than a Datsun 240Z, had room under the hood for the Holden V8 which was being developed at the time, prototype was shown in 1970 and could have been production ready by 1972 – Holden even went to the trouble of producing brochures as below. Now imagine it as a potential replacement for the Buick Opel GT.
<img src="http://www.cartype.com/pics/4226/full/holden_gtr-x_sr1_70.jpg" width="600">
<img src="http://www.canberratoranaclub.com/images/gtrx/Holden_GTR-X_Concept_1970_011.jpg">
The Rover P8 and Rover P9. Sure they would have tanked in America http://www.aronline.co.uk/blogs/concepts/concepts… but how big a market would there have been for a mid engine V8 sportscar in the mid 70s http://www.aronline.co.uk/blogs/concepts/concepts…
Still, we got the Range Rover.
Online dating gives one the chance to brgin enjoying what God endowed inn thee
Garden of Eden. Thhe first thing I did was search ffor the “online dating website” on Google.
One of the top rated social search engines iis Social Mention.