True UNICORNS,,, spotted one today

[B3passatBMX]

Quite certain I caught a glimpse of a 3.0 CSL like the one the OP posted around the corner from my apartment the other. Will confirm tonight.

[GolfVIDriver]

and what we are saying is that your definition of a car unicorn is NOT the generally accepted definition.

a car unicorn is about rareness and how nearly no one has ever seen one beyond pictures.

not how special a car is to you specifically.

try also to think of it this way.
go look to buy an SHO.
go look to buy an XJ220.

i can probably find 100 SHO's for potential purchase within a few minutes. (fyi between autotrader and CL i found 196 ads within 30 seconds)

i am nearly 100% positive i could NOT find 100 XJ220's for sale world wide even if you gave me a year to research.
edit:
hell... i dont even think i can find ONE XJ220 for sale...

You show me where this is defined somewhere in a dictionary and I will happily work within that definition.

To me, rare = your definition of unicorn. A rare car is a rare car. Hard/impossible to find, not likely to see another one.

I was at that car show with the XJ220. The owner opened the door for me. I smelled the leather, touched the door panel, and as a car geek, it was quite an experience...one I will never forget, as I am not likely to even SEE an XJ220 in person again.

It's a RARE car. Unicorn? Not to me.

[barry2952]

Unicorn. It's one of a kind.

[G_RockNYTN]

You show me where this is defined somewhere in a dictionary and I will happily work within that definition.

To me, rare = your definition of unicorn. A rare car is a rare car. Hard/impossible to find, not likely to see another one.

I was at that car show with the XJ220. The owner opened the door for me. I smelled the leather, touched the door panel, and as a car geek, it was quite an experience...one I will never forget, as I am not likely to even SEE an XJ220 in person again.

It's a RARE car. Unicorn? Not to me.

Unicorn = Rare. The end.

[SB82]

I think Golf is getting his definition from Gone in 60 Seconds.

Guy1: Man did you see Lizzie the other night? She looked amazing!
Guy2: Son you still hooked on that girl? Give up!
Guy1: What can I say bro? She's Eleanor!
Guy2: True bro. That ****'s a unicorn!

In this case Lizzie means something to Guy1. I'm sure there are 100s of other Lizzies, but that one is special, hence a unicorn

[barry2952]

Yes, we should all develop our automotive definitions by pop-culture movies.

Hey, if he wants to think an SHO is something special, who are we to burst his bubble?

[VR6GURU]

The definition of a Unicorn

u·ni·corn
   [yoo-ni-kawrn] Show IPA
noun
1.
a mythical creature resembling a horse, with a single horn in the center of its forehead: often symbolic of chastity or purity.


Definition of Myth

myth
   [mith] Show IPA
noun
1. A traditional or legendary story, usually concerning some being or hero or event, with or without a determinable basis of fact or a natural explanation, especially one that is concerned with deities or demigods and explains some practice, rite, or phenomenon of nature.

2. Stories or matter of this kind: realm of myth.

3. Any invented story, idea, or concept: His account of the event is pure myth.

4. An imaginary or fictitious thing or person.

5. An unproved or false collective belief that is used to justify a social institution.

When you apply that to car terms, it has to be a car so damn rare that it has achieved the status of myth. Where people basically talk about them as they exist, but have never actually seen one. We could call this the mermaid, big foot, yeti, thread and it would be the same.

Posting a car that we all know exists and have seen one, is not a car of mythical nature. By the logic of some here I will post a Chevy Berretta; I can't remember the last time I saw one, and the last few that I saw where beat to hell, so when I see a mint one; well it must be a unicorn.

my .02

[MRVW00]

Spotted one in Key West FL. Sorry for the crappy phone pic

I could be wrong, but I think those are both plastic.

CORRECT.

If it's a replica it's not a unicorn...

WTF do you people have against reading?

[choochoo]

WTF do you people have against reading?

Seriously, right? this problem seems to infect most TCL threads.

What OP wrote:

i've seen similar threads pop up once in a while, but they never last.
would be cool if we can keep on going for true UNICORNS (i know everyone's definition is different)
so the only things i would suggest:
1. you must be the one who spotted it and took the pic (please dont post pics form car shows or internets
2. car shows/ gtg's shouldnt count,
3. lets keep it to some very limited cars: classic or modern, i dont care.

[FujiTekniques]

You show me where this is defined somewhere in a dictionary and I will happily work within that definition.

To me, rare = your definition of unicorn. A rare car is a rare car. Hard/impossible to find, not likely to see another one.

I was at that car show with the XJ220. The owner opened the door for me. I smelled the leather, touched the door panel, and as a car geek, it was quite an experience...one I will never forget, as I am not likely to even SEE an XJ220 in person again.

It's a RARE car. Unicorn? Not to me.

I tend to agree, but with a slight deviation.

9 times out of 10, an XJ220 is going to be impeccably maintained, owned by someone of means and only rolled out for car shows.

9 times out of 10, an SHO, at this point in its life, has been through several owners, a few accidents, some questionable repairs, etc., etc.

By that definition, a beautiful XJ220 is not a unicorn. It's a striking car that is valuable and desirable. Unicorn? Sure, if we're going purely by production numbers. But in real-world, how the car is used, what's it's exposed to, etc.? I wouldn't consider it a unicorn. Its odds of having a know-nothing owner or being driven through some broke-ass city filled with potholes and bad drivers is highly unlikely, and therefore, increases the likelihood of it leading a pampered life free from risk.

A car like Matt's, or my ZHP, or someone with an unmolested Galant VR4 Turbo sedan, is far more likely to end up in the hands of an owner without the means (or concern/motivation) to preserve it because to 90% of the population, it's just a used car. For people in the know, a clean first-gen SHO is a true unicorn just knowing the odds of it falling into disrepair grow with every passing year.

I'm sure in ten years, the car I just sold - an FA5 Civic Si sedan - will be a unicorn if it's still in the stock condition I left it. But with each subsequent owner, the odds of every driver caring for it like I did grows increasingly less likely. A car like my ZHP, however, that is now with its fourth owner and has never been modified or been in an accident is truly impressive, and increasingly difficult to find.

Just my two cents.

[patrikman]

Quite certain I caught a glimpse of a 3.0 CSL like the one the OP posted around the corner from my apartment the other. Will confirm tonight.

I may have seen that at Road America a few years ago.

Unicorn. It's one of a kind.

I hope so.

FWIW I really don't get all of the SHO hoopla. Every owner I have met thinks they have a museum piece as well as a race car.

[Zinhead1]

SHO
The SHO would go on to be produced for ten years in three generations, totaling 106,465

XJ220
A total of 281 road-cars(XJ220) were made
Although the XJ220 was not built in compliance with the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards of the United States, it has since become possible to privately import it to the US under the "Show and Display" exemption.


You're right, the SHO is more of a unicorn than the XJ220.

Thank you for posting the obvious....to some people.

[AHFlynn]

In Gone in 60 Seconds, (which I admit isn't exactly the zenith of modern cinema), Cage's unicorn was a 1967 Shelby GT500. Not as rare as an XJ220, but still special to him.

"A unicorn is the one car that no matter how many times you try to boost, something always goes wrong."

the ****? this is your working definition of a unicorn?

[BattleRabbit]

A car like Matt's, or my ZHP, or someone with an unmolested Galant VR4 Turbo sedan, is far more likely to end up in the hands of an owner without the means (or concern/motivation) to preserve it because to 90% of the population, it's just a used car. For people in the know, a clean first-gen SHO is a true unicorn just knowing the odds of it falling into disrepair grow with every passing year.

I'm sure in ten years, the car I just sold - an FA5 Civic Si sedan - will be a unicorn if it's still in the stock condition I left it. But with each subsequent owner, the odds of every driver caring for it like I did grows increasingly less likely. A car like my ZHP, however, that is now with its fourth owner and has never been modified or been in an accident is truly impressive, and increasingly difficult to find.

Just my two cents.

That's not really a unicorn though... A ZHP or a Taurus SHO may be uncommon and aging, but they're far from impossible to find, and you do see them. They were limited models of fairly common cars, and even in New York I still see SHOs and VR4s. Even though they are rare in good shape there are still more of them in good shape than there ever were XJ220s. An XJ220 exists primarily in magazine articles and posters to most people, while an SHO, VR4, or E46 ZHP are kind of just regular cars by comparison. Good regular cars, but regular cars.

Which leads me to my next point, a unicorn doesn't have to be a good car. One of my coworkers saw one of those little DIY lawnmower engined cars they used to advertise in the back of Popular Mechanics 50 years ago, and he was astonished. He didn't think they actually existed outside the ads. Those are not particularly good, but they've probably been darn near non-existant since they came out!

[TheJuggernaut]

Saw this today cruising through Bethlehem, PA. ~2000 made worldwide, 22 years old at a minimum, and it's an 80's Maserati product....don't know about unicorn status, but I don't expect to ever see another one on the road.

Quattroporte III. Saw one at a local junkyard last year. I actually saw its engine first, they had just pulled it and put it into the front office. I saw it and started daydreaming about what kind of cool little autocross buggy I could build around it. I knew nothing about it but it's a Maserati V8, must be cool. By the time I asked how much, some other random scavenger in the office bought it. Saw the car later.. what a heap. Interior reminded me of an 80s Caddy.

[barry2952]

One of my coworkers saw one of those little DIY lawnmower engined cars they used to advertise in the back of Popular Mechanics 50 years ago, and he was astonished. He didn't think they actually existed outside the ads. Those are not particularly good, but they've probably been darn near non-existant since they came out!

I've seen two in the last year. Both at shows, so that doesn't count.

[6cylVWguy]

That's not really a unicorn though... A ZHP or a Taurus SHO may be uncommon and aging, but they're far from impossible to find, and you do see them. They were limited models of fairly common cars, and even in New York I still see SHOs and VR4s. Even though they are rare in good shape there are still more of them in good shape than there ever were XJ220s. An XJ220 exists primarily in magazine articles and posters to most people, while an SHO, VR4, or E46 ZHP are kind of just regular cars by comparison. Good regular cars, but regular cars.

A unicorn isn't about ultimate production numbers. It's about how common something is at the current time. An XJ220 was of course a unicorn even when it was being produced. SHOs (early cars) or VR4s were definitely not unicorns when they were being sold, but age and general condition has made thenm unicorns---but only certain versions.

Unicorn status of older, affordable, performance cars is generally reserved for mint versions of that model. Just because your buddy, acquaintance, dad, co-worker, etc has a Galant VR4 doesn't mean it's a unicorn. IF one of those people had a 10k miles 93 SHO that was showroom fresh? Yeah, to people who really like those cars, that's definitely a unicorn. And people will pay a lot more for them. It's the same thing with cars like mkII GTI 16v and Corrados. You can easily buy either one of those cars right now if you wanted to. But to buy one that hasn't been molested or poorly repaired or in an accident? And with low mileage and excellent original paint? That would take years to find (especially the GTI) if you started from scratch. And certainly would be unicorn if you found one. I can't tell you the last time I saw ANY mkII GTI 16v or Corrado on the road--much less a mint one.

It really all about relative rarity over total production numbers, IMO. It's also very subjective. Some people on here would probably go nuts for a low mileage 87 Celebrity eurosport in showroom condition. That would be a unicorn to them. Saying that something is more of a unicorn that something else is silly then. Either it is or it isn't. There's no levels of unicorness.

[FujiTekniques]

A unicorn isn't about ultimate production numbers. It's about how common something is at the current time. An XJ220 was of course a unicorn even when it was being produced. SHOs (early cars) or VR4s were definitely not unicorns when they were being sold, but age and general condition has made thenm unicorns---but only certain versions.

Unicorn status of older, affordable, performance cars is generally reserved for mint versions of that model. Just because your buddy, acquaintance, dad, co-worker, etc has a Galant VR4 doesn't mean it's a unicorn. IF one of those people had a 10k miles 93 SHO that was showroom fresh? Yeah, to people who really like those cars, that's definitely a unicorn. And people will pay a lot more for them. It's the same thing with cars like mkII GTI 16v and Corrados. You can easily buy either one of those cars right now if you wanted to. But to buy one that hasn't been molested or poorly repaired or in an accident? And with low mileage and excellent original paint? That would take years to find (especially the GTI) if you started from scratch. And certainly would be unicorn if you found one. I can't tell you the last time I saw ANY mkII GTI 16v or Corrado on the road--much less a mint one.

It really all about relative rarity over total production numbers, IMO. It's also very subjective. Some people on here would probably go nuts for a low mileage 87 Celebrity eurosport in showroom condition. That would be a unicorn to them. Saying that something is more of a unicorn that something else is silly then. Either it is or it isn't. There's no levels of unicorness.

This probably better articulates the point I was trying to make that this is all somewhat subjective. An XJ220 isn't a unicorn to me, but after months of searching for the right ZHP, it took on unicorn status in my book. However, if you're a bajillionare searching for a white ZJ220 instead of the more common silver versions, well - that particular iteration becomes your unicorn.

And yes, I haven't seen a minty MK2 on the road in AGES.

[BattleRabbit]

And yes, I haven't seen a minty MK2 on the road in AGES.

See, and those I see a few a week of... And a few Corrados, Mk.Is, Volvo 240s, Saab 900s, Porsche 944s et cetera... I deal with people that own those cars regularly though, so my mileage may vary. In my line of work I see a lot of relatively uncommon modern-ish cars in all sorts of shape. I guess that forms my bias, because after a while they just don't seem that special. Neat, sure, but they just don't seem like mythical things because I see them constantly.

Once in a while someone will show up with something truly bizarre, like a Volvo 240 Bertone, Lamborghini Jalpa, or a Porsche 928 and that's where my "whoa, that's special and unusual" light starts to light. I guess everyone's threshold for "unicorn" falls somewhere different based on their surroundings.

And Barry, that little car you posted is exactly what I was talking about. One of my coworker's neighbors just bought one and it's been puttering around, sitting in his driveway and on his trailer for a few weeks. Neat thing to see, for sure!

[slirt]

I took this picture Sunday 30 September 2012 in Point Loma area of San Diego, outside a livery company:



wish i had noticed you can't see the double rear wheels; 2 axles, not dually...
just did an image search and plenty of examples appear (below), but i'd never seen one before.



Oldsmobile Toronado Hi-Top
"Jetaway 707" by American Quality Coach
(Later used as a base for the famous GM Motor Homes)

[This is my username]

Saw an Enzo today on the open road in NJ while on bike ride.

Red Enzo? Might possibly have been Rich. Great humble guy who deserves each and every one of his F-cars whole heartedly.

Probably won't be the last time you see him either, he drives that Enzo around as much as he can.

[BmwFanBoy]

I knew this thread is gonna derail after 10posts. Someone should start a poll on defintion of unicorn car and make it TLC law. To many homers posting cars that don't belong and to many pages of bickering.

[6cylVWguy]

See, and those I see a few a week of... And a few Corrados, Mk.Is, Volvo 240s, Saab 900s, Porsche 944s et cetera... I deal with people that own those cars regularly though, so my mileage may vary. In my line of work I see a lot of relatively uncommon modern-ish cars in all sorts of shape. I guess that forms my bias, because after a while they just don't seem that special. Neat, sure, but they just don't seem like mythical things because I see them constantly.

I'm willing to bet that of the people who own those cars that you deal with, very few of them own a version of the car that is showroom fresh. I'm not talking tastefully modded and in nice shape, with new paint. I'm talking low miles, only driven on occassion, everything's original. You might see one or two people with cars like that for each of the models you listed, but that's still a unicorn. I might see some of those cars at shows, for instance. But I sure as hell don't ever see them driving on the road. I never see Galant VR4s, ever, in any condition. But I know, like any affordable performance car, most by this point in time are beaten down. Finding one that's mint and original is the real treasure. That's the definition of a unicorn for the average car enthusiast with average means.

I also agree with FT's comment about the XJ220 in colors other than silver.

[barry2952]

Someone should start a poll on defintion of unicorn car and make it TLC law. To many homers posting cars that don't belong and to many pages of bickering.

How would you go about doing that?

[redstar]

saw lots of rarish ferraris at VIR earlier this year. this was probably the rarest:

[Dave_Car_Guy]

saw lots of rarish ferraris at VIR earlier this year. this was probably the rarest:

NICE! That Ferrari GTO is one of my favorite cars ever produced. Love to see it at the track!

[mycarsux]

I've posted these in the past but they both qualify as legit unicorn status. Both were limited production cars, both were seen on the public streets, and both had to jump through hoops to be in the U.S..

Mclaren F1....you know the stats.





Aston DB7 Zagato. 99 produced, this was one of five in left had drive.

[Fe2O3]

You show me where this is defined somewhere in a dictionary and I will happily work within that definition.

To me, rare = your definition of unicorn. A rare car is a rare car. Hard/impossible to find, not likely to see another one.

I was at that car show with the XJ220. The owner opened the door for me. I smelled the leather, touched the door panel, and as a car geek, it was quite an experience...one I will never forget, as I am not likely to even SEE an XJ220 in person again.

It's a RARE car. Unicorn? Not to me.

I think the automotive "unicorn" would include some level of actual desire by most auto enthusiasts to see one. Would you sprain your neck trying to see it? Maybe u-turn and go back for a pic?
XJ220 is one of those cars.
The SHO is not. They are "cars of note", but not hard to find by any means.

[FujiTekniques]

I think the automotive "unicorn" would include some level of actual desire by most auto enthusiasts to see one. Would you sprain your neck trying to see it? Maybe u-turn and go back for a pic?
XJ220 is one of those cars.
The SHO is not. They are "cars of note", but not hard to find by any means.

Try finding a minty first-gen SHO. Not trying to pick a fight, but that's a damned hard car to find in any condition, let alone showroom fresh.

[rynodyno312]

Try finding a minty first-gen SHO. Not trying to pick a fight, but that's a damned hard car to find in any condition, let alone showroom fresh.

When you have to add a qualifier like "in showroom condition," a don't think it really fits into the discussion. Pretty much anything old is going to be hard to find in showroom condition, regardless of how popular a car it was.

[what]

I saw this a few months ago and may have posted a thread. It wasn't at a GTG but it was probably at supercar sunday that day.

[mtbscoTT]

I've posted these in the past but they both qualify as legit unicorn status. Both were limited production cars, both were seen on the public streets, and both had to jump through hoops to be in the U.S..

Mclaren F1....you know the stats.

I've seen your F1 post before, La Griglia! Keep hoping to see the car in the 'hood since seeing him drive it to Cars and Coffee.

[roadtripper]

Originally Posted by GolfVIDriver
In Gone in 60 Seconds, (which I admit isn't exactly the zenith of modern cinema), Cage's unicorn was a 1967 Shelby GT500. Not as rare as an XJ220, but still special to him.

"A unicorn is the one car that no matter how many times you try to boost, something always goes wrong."


the ****? this is your working definition of a unicorn?

yeah, but nic cage, yo.



nicolas MOTHER BLEEPING cage. you change your definition of unicorn to conform to the cage NOW!!!!!

[SCVR6]

saw one of these today

[BattleRabbit]

I think the automotive "unicorn" would include some level of actual desire by most auto enthusiasts to see one. Would you sprain your neck trying to see it? Maybe u-turn and go back for a pic?
XJ220 is one of those cars.
The SHO is not. They are "cars of note", but not hard to find by any means.

This. A unicorn is special even if it's sitting in a scrapyard.