Reader dwegmull was skipping out from his responsibilities at work returning from lunch, and he stumbled across a car that caught his eye. We suspect that might have been because he was searching for any opportunity to procrastinate on his return to work, but nonetheless it is rare enough to be interesting. Mostly, it’s interesting because of the little badge on its flanks which defeat the claim that Americans never buy diesel-engined cars. There! You see, at least one American did!
Your mission, should you choose to accept it: Name the car, and take a shot-in-the-dark guess at the license plate. Bonus points to anyone who can identify the camera-phone he was using from the reflection. The answer, except for the model of phone, will be revealed later, whenever I get around to it. On your marks, get set, GO!
Kamil Kaluski
Oldsmobile Diesel from whenever they made those miserable things.
And I’ma gonna guess the plate says “Mexico”.
Cadillac Seville Diesel? The badge seems to match.
A 1980 Cadillac Eldorado with the 5.7L Oldsmobile diesel powerplant. The phone is either an iPhone or Storm. The license plate says “SMOKEY”.
Chevette diesel
Since Caddy and Olds have already been picked, I’m going to shoot the moon and guess “Buick Electra Diesel”. The camera phone is a Sony Ericsson. And the license plate says “Arizona, Grand Canyon State.”
1979 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham V-8 Diesel
Definitely a Cadillac. The Oldsmodiesels were so-badged in a different style and location.
Also,
I forgot to mention that based on the curve of the fender vs. trim location in dwegmull’s photo, I’m going to guess a bustle-back Seville.
Same here.
1984 Buick Regal
Minnesota plates saying “Green Klnk”
The phone is a BB Storm
The guy taking the picture is wearing a Scottish kilt
It’s almost certainly a Diesel Caddy, and I’m gonna guess the plate is “DSLCADDY” although I’m not sure how long the plates are allowed to be in his neck of the woods.
The badge and the fact the trim is falling off says Malaise era GM with an Olds diesel. A Chevette is eliminated because it actually has trim. The few G-bodies that came with these made great emissions dodge cars back in the day when these were young enough to matter. In most states diesels are emissions exempt and the insurance is pretty cheap on a 105 HP diesel engine. If the VIN says diesel, no DOT or insurance hassles.
Forgot to mention the important part of that is to install a monster crate/junkyard motor. I need some coffee.
Here is a hint: the phone is a
CrackberryBlackberry Curve 8900.I have one sitting in my desk drawer right now. I still prefer the keyboard on the 8310 though.
I’m going with early 80’s Buick LeSabre diesel. It’s that Buick typeface that is seared into my retinas from many childhood vacations spent riding in one.
P.S. Im a long time lurker at that other site, but feel the need to start speaking out here. I’m all for a site commited to the strange yet awesome.
Welcome, and given the avatar, a perfect choice of handle.
I’m going with an ’82 Caddy Fleetwood Brougham with Mexican plates and the guy taking the picture is clearly the Unknown Comic with an iPhone.
I thought it was a Fleetwood Brougham too, but the door curve is wrong, isn’t it? I think the FB’s door was straight along the hinge not a curved one, at least in the front…
/too lazy to look up photo before I post
I think it was called above, a Cadillac Eldo from the early eighties. Surprising that it’s still on the road. The engines sucked, and the transmissions didn’t hold up, either.
Olds diesel. Phone is a Palm Pre. I’d recognize that uncomfortable shooting pose anywhere. Yep I have a Pre.
Mk VI Golf TDI?
Oldsmobile, Blackberry, Pennsylvania.
Was gonna say Olds, but that’s been debunked (I think)- so Cadillac diesel, Blackberry, Pennsylvania.
Person taking the picture is wearing brown paperbag?
I am the person who took the picture. I was trying to keep most of my body out of the shot. All you see is my arm, my hand and the phone…
Honestly, you look like you’re standing in front of the Alamo.
I just assumed he was dressed like this.
Perfect. Just watched it last night. You just gave me a good laugh, thanks!
I’m going to guess a 1st gen Escort diesel (such a surprise /sarcasm) with the license plate “REDGRN”. I think we’re running out of the possible options that are out there.
Did pontiac make a diesel?
Oh yes. I think every GM brand used the same Oldsmobile diesel engine in one car or another.
I was thinking of Pontiac also. The Pontiac T1000 Diesel was a stablemate to the Chevette. The pictured portion of trim might rule out a T1000 because it’s a bit posh (albeit damaged).
Oldsmobile Delta 88, ’79 or so, plate reads “5-CATS”.
Car smells like patchoulli and french-fries and has a “BIO DSL” plate. There’s a million of those around here.
’67 GTO, license plate reads “XXX”
My first thought was a Chevette. The missing belt trim insert supports that argument in my own foggy head, though in reality all GMs (indeed, anything with belt trim) were subject to TFOA. There is only madness to my methods.
I have not a clue.
On a side note; my evil-stepfather asked my youngest sister if she wanted a baby blue ‘Vette for her 16th birthday. She got all excited jumped around and screamed yes. She knows better. The next day he brought home her first car- a horrible baby blue Chevette. She ended up with no social life and eventually ran it into a tree, which resulted in it only able to drive around in right-hand circles but did not kill it. So we renamed it the “Shove-it”.
Edit: I think I'm brain dead.
Now that’s a story.
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