"Oh, that's interesting..." Interesting facts : Automobiles

[DTMTrini]

Initially, I was just going to ask a question but I couldn't think of a clever thread idea so thus I figured i'd turn this into an interesting-to-read kind of thread. The point really is just post up interesting facts about certain autos [at least in your own opinion] that not many people may know about.

-One thing I was thinking about recently is about the Honda Inspire and the Honda Accord.
-Unless im trippin, the Inspire costs more than the Accord in Japan. In America, we got the Honda ----Inspire as Acura Vigor and the first two generation Acura TL's, which naturally costs more than the Accord of the same vintage.
-However, now we get the Honda Accord as the Acura TSX (more $$) and the Honda Inspire as the Honda Accord (less $$) which I find very interesting.

[Troike]

Hope to enjoy this later

Here's a Vortex link on Interesting mk1 (VW) facts .. I haven't browsed that thread for ages but know there's some cool stuff therein.

and this is my favorite Mercedes site of all time; tons of details on the old W110 / W111 Models.

[DTMTrini]

I hope so as well actually! I'll certainly be browsing those two links

[vwlarry]

The point really is just post up interesting facts about certain autos [at least in your own opinion] that not many people may know about.

.

That's what I've been doing here for going on 14 years or so.

[simple]

The 1995 to 1997 Toyota Previa used a supercharged 4 cylinder engine. The supercharger is not attached directly to the intake manifold of the engine. It is connected to the engine via a supplemental driveshaft that is nearly 2 feet long. The supercharger is engaged on-demand by an electromagnetic clutch, based on input from the ECU.

[SSLByron]

The 1995 to 1997 Toyota Previa used a supercharged 4 cylinder engine. The supercharger is not attached directly to the intake manifold of the engine. It is connected to the engine via a supplemental driveshaft that is nearly 2 feet long. The supercharger is engaged on-demand by an electromagnetic clutch, based on input from the ECU.

Also, you can use it in outer space.

[rains]

Also, you can use it in outer space.

ha ha ha ha

[rimtrim]

In 1985, GM introduced a brake system called Powermaster, which replaced the traditional vacuum booster with a system consisting of an electric motor, a gas-charged pressure accumulator and an electronic pressure switch. It was used on the Buick Grand National and some full-size station wagons. The system was an epic disaster that resulted in several recalls, and most owners chose to remove it and install a standard vacuum booster (which fortunately was possible with some modifications). The most interesting part is that the Toyota Prius uses almost the exact same design (except the Toyota version actually works!) because there's no source of vacuum when the gas engine isn't running.

The Ford F-150 with heavy-duty payload package is one of the only vehicles ever to offer a 7-lug wheel bolt pattern.

Chrysler offered an electronic fuel injection system in 1958! It didn't work well and few were produced, but it was an orderable option sold to the public. One car with the system has been fully restored to working condition. More here: http://www.allpar.com/cars/desoto/electrojector.html

The 1970s GMC factory-built motorhomes are FWD and mechanically related to the Cadillac Eldorado.

Our first-gen Scion xB was sold in Japan as the Toyota bB. However, our second-gen xB is a JDM model called the Corolla Rumion. There is a second-gen Toyota bB in Japan that was never sold here.

The car we knew as the 1988-93 Pontiac LeMans is still built and sold in Uzbekistan as the Daewoo Nexia.

The AMC Pacer was originally supposed to have a rotary engine that would be developed as a joint venture between AMC and GM. When the first energy crisis hit, GM gave up on the idea and left AMC hanging, without enough funding to complete the project. This is why the AMC I-6 barely fits in the engine bay of the Pacer -- it wasn't originally designed to be there.

-Andrew L

[93JC]

The Pacer was also meant to be front-wheel-drive.

[Yugoslavia!]

- You can disable the 4WD in a PDK-equipped C4/C4S 911 (997) by simply pulling the e-brake one (1) notch thus making it RWD.

[2Cor]

IIRC the 66 Triumph gt6 was thr first car with a rear window defroster.

[Dr.AK]

IIRC the 66 Triumph gt6 was thr first car with a rear window defroster.

On that note, IIRC, the Triumph Dolomite Sprint was the first real mass produced car with a 16 valve 4 cyl.

[Bigtree]

Good stuff here. Keep it coming!

[barry2952]

The Pacer was also meant to be front-wheel-drive.

The Pacer's passenger door is longer than the driver's door to allow better access to the back seat.

[GruuvenNorth]

In 1985, GM introduced a brake system called Powermaster, which replaced the traditional vacuum booster with a system consisting of an electric motor, a gas-charged pressure accumulator and an electronic pressure switch. It was used on the Buick Grand National and some full-size station wagons. The system was an epic disaster that resulted in several recalls, and most owners chose to remove it and install a standard vacuum booster (which fortunately was possible with some modifications). The most interesting part is that the Toyota Prius uses almost the exact same design (except the Toyota version actually works!) because there's no source of vacuum when the gas engine isn't running.

The Ford F-150 with heavy-duty payload package is one of the only vehicles ever to offer a 7-lug wheel bolt pattern.

Chrysler offered an electronic fuel injection system in 1958! It didn't work well and few were produced, but it was an orderable option sold to the public. One car with the system has been fully restored to working condition. More here: http://www.allpar.com/cars/desoto/electrojector.html

The 1970s GMC factory-built motorhomes are FWD and mechanically related to the Cadillac Eldorado.

Our first-gen Scion xB was sold in Japan as the Toyota bB. However, our second-gen xB is a JDM model called the Corolla Rumion. There is a second-gen Toyota bB in Japan that was never sold here.

The car we knew as the 1988-93 Pontiac LeMans is still built and sold in Uzbekistan as the Daewoo Nexia.

The AMC Pacer was originally supposed to have a rotary engine that would be developed as a joint venture between AMC and GM. When the first energy crisis hit, GM gave up on the idea and left AMC hanging, without enough funding to complete the project. This is why the AMC I-6 barely fits in the engine bay of the Pacer -- it wasn't originally designed to be there.

-Andrew L

[evosky]

Our first-gen Scion xB was sold in Japan as the Toyota bB. However, our second-gen xB is a JDM model called the Corolla Rumion. There is a second-gen Toyota bB in Japan that was never sold here.

Actually, the first-gen xB that we got here in the States was the 1.5-gen bB from Japan (a very mild front and end facelift). Japan also received the option of 4-wheel drive and also a Open Deck "mini-truck" version of the bB.



The second-gen bB was more curvaceous and was also badge engineered to be a Daihatsu and Subaru as well.

[Bibs]

C5 (and C6?) Corvettes use laminated balsa wood in the floor pan...light weight and good sound attenuation.

[DTMTrini]

Nice!

[Shin Akuma]

droppin' knowledge

[nismo4life]

There were rougly 3,600 6 speed 3.2 CL Type S's ever made in 2003 only.

[alfafan]

IIRC the 66 Triumph gt6 was thr first car with a rear window defroster.

You say defroster, I say hand warmer

[VR6 GLX Man]

The Ford probe was supposed to be the new 4gen mustang.

[MikeSAABt]

There were rougly 3,600 6 speed 3.2 CL Type S's ever made in 2003 only.

*interesting* facts

[phryxis]

The Beat
Designed by Pininfarina
Mid engine (ITBs too)
RWD
Last car approved by Soichiro Honda before his passing



Want!

[nismo4life]

*interesting* facts

I find that interesting. Its a pretty sought after car.


How about, the NSX bare chassis comes in at just under 500lbs.

[Troike]

The car we knew as the 1988-93 Pontiac LeMans is still built and sold in Uzbekistan as the Daewoo Nexia.

poor Uzbeks .. life just never gets better

On that note, the Peugeot 405 has been built on 4 different continents, and is still produced in Iran today

and this oddity about the Ford Transit Connect came up in another thread:

Ford currently imports all of its Transit Connect models as passenger vehicles by including specific items, e.g., rear windows, rear seats and rear seatbelts. The vehicles are exported from Turkey on cargo ships owned by Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics (WWL), arrive in Baltimore, and are converted back into light trucks at WWL's Vehicle Services Americas Inc. facility by replacing rear windows with metal panels and removing the rear seats and seatbelts.
The removed parts are not shipped back to Turkey for reuse, but shredded and recycled in Ohio.
The process exploits the loophole in the customs definition of a light truck: as cargo does not need seats with seat belts or rear windows, presence of those items automatically qualifies the vehicle as a passenger vehicle and exempts the vehicle from light truck status. The process costs Ford hundreds of dollars per van, but saves thousands in taxes

[rimtrim]

and this oddity about the Ford Transit Connect came up in another thread:

Another regulatory oddity about the Transit Connect: The Euro version has the third brake light mounted on one of the rear doors, so it's slightly offset. EU regulations allow that, but USDOT said no, the brake light must be exactly on the center line. So all USDM Connects have a blank where the original brake light went, and an add-on brake light on top of the roof.

-Andrew L

[GTE77]

and this oddity about the Ford Transit Connect came up in another thread:

I love these types of loopholes in business.

[DTMTrini]

*interesting* facts

That is interesting, because I have yet to see a manual CL Type-s...ever.

[nismo4life]

That is interesting, because I have yet to see a manual CL Type-s...ever.

. Keep in mind Navigation was a big deal back in 2002, so when you look at certain combos, you have a very rare car.




Ex; 1 of 52.
http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail...nal&listType=5

[GTE77]

WOW, a Taffeta White with Ebony interior and GPS is one of only 15........

[VDub2625]

Volkswagen was 99% of the way to releasing the Rallye Golf here in the US as the "GTI Rallye". It was going to be a 1990 model.They had a color list (which was Tornado Red, Black, and a color not offered commercially in Europe, but on models for racing, Alpine White). They also had developed US spec headlights, and regular, untinted US spec tail lights (no GTIs in the US at the time had smoked tails). It used Corrado side markers. THe body shell, being a G60, already had the glued-in windshield and US crash standard frame rails (for strength), so it just needed minor adaptations.

http://www.a2resource.com/brochures/...gtirallye.html

The man who was spearheading the campaign (can't recall his name) died on Pan Am Flight 103. He did actually succeed in bringing over the Corrado G60.

[kindofblue59]

Another regulatory oddity about the Transit Connect: The Euro version has the third brake light mounted on one of the rear doors, so it's slightly offset. EU regulations allow that, but USDOT said no, the brake light must be exactly on the center line. So all USDM Connects have a blank where the original brake light went, and an add-on brake light on top of the roof.

-Andrew L

Cannot be unseen! Made so much safer!

[kindofblue59]

I agree: to avoid a rare daily driver thread-esque meltdown, sales statistics don't count as "interesting."

I desperately want a Honda Motocompo: the Honda City's trunk was built around fitting this tiny, foldable scooter.




Here it is in the trunk of the City:


Gratuitious 80s commercial:

[kindofblue59]

This isn't very earth-shattering, but I only recently learned how the Saab 900's hood opened, which is pretty unconventional:

Try jumping to 4 minutes in--sorry to waste everyone else's time! Thought my little url hack worked and I guess it didn't.