Spotted at WalMart

[Disaffected.citizen]

How'ld you like to drive home in this

Mini-van combo pick-up 2016-04-04.jpg

Uncle Al

I've held out long enough! I absolutely hate it. I detest these behemoths; any "stretched" vehicle where it goes beyond reasonable practicality. The example shown doesn't look good, certainly will not handle well, is unlikely to convey as many in comfort as it should, and is likely akin to driving an oil tanker (i.e. of the floating variety). Buses and light to mid sized (3 to 10 ton) trucks have shorter wheelbases!

The American market is very different from the European market; I'm not American, so really cannot understand about the culture and mindset behind some of the "excesses" we see from over there. Sadly, some in the UK are following the trend; our roads simply aren't big enough!

There are some pretty awful vehicles from around the world, we've all produced rubbish (Austin Allegro and Maxi; Alfa Romeo Arna (a Nissan/Alfa hybrid of Japanese style with Italian quality when both were oxymorons) but it seems to me that the American designers have had more than their fair share of misses versus hits; for every 1955-57 T-bird or Corvette (1953-62 & 1963-67) you seem to have had 50 plus horrors (ok, this post started well but now I can't find examples of what I consider "crimes against automotive art and engineering") but I'm sure you know what I mean

However, I'm fairly certain that without those "horrors" we could never have had the "gems"!

Enjoy your "behemoths"

[moonshadow]

I've held out long enough! I absolutely hate it. I detest these behemoths; any "stretched" vehicle where it goes beyond reasonable practicality. The example shown doesn't look good, certainly will not handle well, is unlikely to convey as many in comfort as it should, and is likely akin to driving an oil tanker (i.e. of the floating variety). Buses and light to mid sized (3 to 10 ton) trucks have shorter wheelbases!

The American market is very different from the European market; I'm not American, so really cannot understand about the culture and mindset behind some of the "excesses" we see from over there. Sadly, some in the UK are following the trend; our roads simply aren't big enough!

There are some pretty awful vehicles from around the world, we've all produced rubbish (Austin Allegro and Maxi; Alfa Romeo Arna (a Nissan/Alfa hybrid of Japanese style with Italian quality when both were oxymorons) but it seems to me that the American designers have had more than their fair share of misses versus hits; for every 1955-57 T-bird or Corvette (1953-62 & 1963-67) you seem to have had 50 plus horrors (ok, this post started well but now I can't find examples of what I consider "crimes against automotive art and engineering") but I'm sure you know what I mean

However, I'm fairly certain that without those "horrors" we could never have had the "gems"!

Enjoy your "behemoths"

Now now D.C...... big cars are like high heels not for everybody. (just teasing....)

Funny, my boss and I were discussion the direction that modern day [American] car manufacturer's are going, and that being the direction of European vehicles. No offense, but I find European service vans to look.... well... not my cup of tea.

I think the 90's churned out some pretty cool vehicles. There were some good ones in the 80's too. The 70's were just ugly. 50's and 60's were just downright sexy.

Oh my God how my mouth waters....

STABIL-Rick-Boutwell-1955-Chevrolet-Bel-Air-Hardtop.jpg

Now THAT is sexy!
Someday... someday....

Hudson_Commodore_4-Door_Sedan_1949.jpg

.....drools......

[Disaffected.citizen]

Now now D.C...... big cars are like high heels not for everybody. (just teasing....)

I know you are Moon; I had hoped my comments would come across as a bit of gentle banter! There are big cars, but I don't think that really fits the category!

Funny, my boss and I were discussion the direction that modern day [American] car manufacturer's are going, and that being the direction of European vehicles. No offense, but I find European service vans to look.... well... not my cup of tea.

No offense taken! I'm not partisan to "British", "European" or anything else...

I'm assuming (dangerous thing, that) that, by service vans, you mean similar to the pictures posted earlier in this thread? I don't particularly like MPVs (if they're a similar thing); although I think the technological designs to get the multiple seating arrangements, etc, are clever.

I think the 90's churned out some pretty cool vehicles. There were some good ones in the 80's too. The 70's were just ugly. 50's and 60's were just downright sexy.

Oh my God how my mouth waters....

STABIL-Rick-Boutwell-1955-Chevrolet-Bel-Air-Hardtop.jpg

Now THAT is sexy!

Someday... someday....

Hudson_Commodore_4-Door_Sedan_1949.jpg

.....drools......

Yep, the 1970s were automotive "hell"; design, quality, style (or lack thereof)! The exceptions proved the rule. 1980s were marginally better. Personally, I'd like to see some of the "style" of the '50s re-engineered, smoothed, etc. '60s, too.

Modern engineering and quality are superb; the same cannot be said for the majority of the styles - European, American, or far-Eastern. They mostly look like jelly (jello?) moulds. OK, there are exceptions and tastes, and I'm not telling anybody what "they" should or shouldn't like.

Although I don't want one, that '55 Bel-Air is an example of automotive art; no argument from me on that count, even though it is huge! I prefer the 'vette from that era. I can't upload from this device, but a "pretty" European from a similar era was the 1958 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spider. It had less "bling", but times were harder this side of the pond; simplicity comes to mind, but compared to most of the other things from Europe around that era, I'd challege anybody to deny it's place in a cool list!

But, to bring things back around to that "stretched behemoth", sorry, but I'd like to put it in a museum - for everything that's wrong with it! I am able to dissect it; it has some nice design "cues", but all together? I'm glad somebody went to the trouble of making it; I think it serves the purpose of showing us that we can do better! We know we can.

[Disaffected.citizen]

Oh, and I know why they've blacked out the windows.... they realised anyone sitting in the back wouldn't want to be seen in it

[Uncle Al]

A Google Search yielded this - -
1958 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spider


Uncle Al

[Disaffected.citizen]

That's the one; thanks Uncle Al. Seems you've even managed to find a RHD version, so perfect for me in the UK (United Kingdom, not Utili-Kilt).

It was ahead of its time and, I think, was genesis for the Spider from "The Graduate". And the model range pre-dates the MGA and later MGB that is now an iconic British staple!

[Sinned]

Unless my vision is going wonky that looks like a LHD to me as the steering wheel appears to be on the RHS looking from the front or LHS looking from the rear. But I do agree that the Spyder is a design classic although I would prefer a little Lotus Elan S2.

[Judah14]

As for a vehicle I find really cool, here is the Philippine jeepney:

Unlike others, it may not look that nice but is meant to be very reliable (as they are built with the KISS principle in mind) and easy to fix, and often have detailed custom artwork on them. Jeepneys are made by various manufacturers all around the Philippines, the one shown in the picture is of a jeepney manufactured in Rizal Province by LGS Motors.

[moonshadow]

As for a vehicle I find really cool, here is the Philippine jeepney:

Unlike others, it may not look that nice but is meant to be very reliable (as they are built with the KISS principle in mind) and easy to fix, and often have detailed custom artwork on them. Jeepneys are made by various manufacturers all around the Philippines, the one shown in the picture is of a jeepney manufactured in Rizal Province by LGS Motors.

Jenn, that's what we need to get and convert it over into an RV. Wonder if I can get one of those street legal in the U.S.? If not I'd seriously consider buying a similar frame and painting it thusly. That's pretty COOL!

And it's got all the flare, color, and pop that you all've come to expect from Moon Shadow!

[Judah14]

Jenn, that's what we need to get and convert it over into an RV. Wonder if I can get one of those street legal in the U.S.? If not I'd seriously consider buying a similar frame and painting it thusly. That's pretty COOL!

And it's got all the flare, color, and pop that you all've come to expect from Moon Shadow!

Converting one into the RV might require heavy modification as they are actually not that large:

[Fred in Skirts]

Converting one into the RV might require heavy modification as they are actually not that large:

They look more like Amusement Park rides!! I like them my self and would drive one if I could get street legal for SC.

Fred

[Disaffected.citizen]

Unless my vision is going wonky that looks like a LHD to me as the steering wheel appears to be on the RHS looking from the front or LHS looking from the rear. But I do agree that the Spyder is a design classic although I would prefer a little Lotus Elan S2.

Oh, the shortcomings of a 3.5 inch screen! You are quite correct Dennis, it's LHD.

And yes, the Elan is another classic, presuming you mean the one from The Avengers (Emma Peel?) rather than the front wheel drive abomination from the 1980s/90s; but remember what Lotus is an acronym for......

Lots of trouble, usually serious

I quite like those Jeepneys, Judah. They remind me of the traditional buses used on Malta, but more colourful!

[skirted_in_SF]

You could always start with an old school bus Moon.

[moonshadow]

You could always start with an old school bus Moon.

We've actually talked about that. Believe it or not, that's still a strong retirement idea for us. Maybe a bus, maybe a traditional RV. But we always talk about just living on the road. Only issue is now, I have to maintain some type of living. The only thing I'm qualified to do is work on cooking equipment (my only shot a middle class). While it puts me on the road regionally, I'm still somewhat bound to a fixed area. It's not like I'm one of those who's in Boston one day, and San Fransisco the other.

Still, if things ever went south at work I've entertained the idea of getting my CDL and becoming a long haul trucker. I mentioned my wife going in on it with me and we could be a team. I do love to drive. I've already got a D.O.T. card, and I've maneuvered rigs around in lots at former jobs.

[crfriend]

Old school-bus conversions? The only comment I can make about this is "drool".