Please help me identify this car.
May 7, 2009 10:59 AM Subscribe
Can anyone identify the make, model, and year of this car?
Yes, I think it looks like a Volkswagon Karmann Ghia.
posted by Houstonian at 11:06 AM on May 7, 2009
posted by Houstonian at 11:06 AM on May 7, 2009
Looks similar to a Renault Dauphine my dad had when I was a kid.
posted by torquemaniac at 11:10 AM on May 7, 2009
posted by torquemaniac at 11:10 AM on May 7, 2009
Actually, I retract my guess. Karmann Ghias have a more sloping back end.
posted by Houstonian at 11:12 AM on May 7, 2009
posted by Houstonian at 11:12 AM on May 7, 2009
It reminded me of this old Nissan Figaro thread, but it's not quite the same.
posted by mbrubeck at 11:20 AM on May 7, 2009
posted by mbrubeck at 11:20 AM on May 7, 2009
It definitely looks like a Dauphine, but the rear body panels are wrong. There's a venty thing missing in front of the rear wheels.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renault_Dauphine
posted by elsietheeel at 11:27 AM on May 7, 2009
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renault_Dauphine
posted by elsietheeel at 11:27 AM on May 7, 2009
It looks a little like a Karmann body style, but none that I've ever seen. My own first instinct was to say that this car was a Volvo 122, but it's clear from the picture that there are subtle differences, particularly in the configuration of the rear of the car.
(For reference, it's easiest to identify a car if you have an image of the sides and the front grille; in fact, if there's any one part of a car that makes it easy to identify, it's the grille. But I don't know if you took this picture, or if somebody else did, or if maybe you didn't have much time or didn't want to be hanging around taking pictures of someone else's car...)
For what it's worth, Karmann was a body manufacturer in Europe in the '60s and '70s; car companies from this time and place can seem a bit incestuous to those of us who grew up with cars that were Chevrolets or Fords or some one brand because several of them who focused variously on different ranges of manufacture often worked together. Hence there is a Volkwagen/Karmann Ghia, and hence the body for the Porsche 914 (and many other cars made in these times) was actually a Karmann body.
The thing, I think, which reminds people of the VW/Karmann Ghia in the photo you've linked is the fact that the line along the side is curved in a particular way. But even the original version first produced in 1955 actually didn't look very similar to the car you're looking for; and the Ghia was a unique car whose look didn't change much during its production run. That car is not a VW/Karmann Ghia. Nor, to my chagrin, is it a Volvo 122.
I'll keep looking around, though...
posted by koeselitz at 11:28 AM on May 7, 2009
(For reference, it's easiest to identify a car if you have an image of the sides and the front grille; in fact, if there's any one part of a car that makes it easy to identify, it's the grille. But I don't know if you took this picture, or if somebody else did, or if maybe you didn't have much time or didn't want to be hanging around taking pictures of someone else's car...)
For what it's worth, Karmann was a body manufacturer in Europe in the '60s and '70s; car companies from this time and place can seem a bit incestuous to those of us who grew up with cars that were Chevrolets or Fords or some one brand because several of them who focused variously on different ranges of manufacture often worked together. Hence there is a Volkwagen/Karmann Ghia, and hence the body for the Porsche 914 (and many other cars made in these times) was actually a Karmann body.
The thing, I think, which reminds people of the VW/Karmann Ghia in the photo you've linked is the fact that the line along the side is curved in a particular way. But even the original version first produced in 1955 actually didn't look very similar to the car you're looking for; and the Ghia was a unique car whose look didn't change much during its production run. That car is not a VW/Karmann Ghia. Nor, to my chagrin, is it a Volvo 122.
I'll keep looking around, though...
posted by koeselitz at 11:28 AM on May 7, 2009
It is very similar to Morris Oxford III and its offspring the Hindustan Ambassador. But not identical to either.
posted by beniamino at 11:35 AM on May 7, 2009
posted by beniamino at 11:35 AM on May 7, 2009
The trim looks very Volkswagen to me, like a 1600 or some other type 3 variant. Other than that, the Volvo 122 seems the closest.
posted by ladypants at 11:54 AM on May 7, 2009
posted by ladypants at 11:54 AM on May 7, 2009
Can't figure out the exact make or model but this looks like a FIAT or possibly a SEAT to me.
posted by Kattullus at 12:09 PM on May 7, 2009
posted by Kattullus at 12:09 PM on May 7, 2009
Why on earth wouldn't the photograhper snap the front or back of it if they were hoping for an id!
I sent a link to the guys at the Blackhawk Motor Museum, perhaps they can help
posted by zeoslap at 12:11 PM on May 7, 2009
I sent a link to the guys at the Blackhawk Motor Museum, perhaps they can help
posted by zeoslap at 12:11 PM on May 7, 2009
Okay, I've found the FIAT I was thinking of, the 1400, but it's all wrong.
posted by Kattullus at 12:14 PM on May 7, 2009
posted by Kattullus at 12:14 PM on May 7, 2009
Can't say with just the side picture.
I would guess Nash as well, but I think I'm wrong - Nash Rambler/Metropolitan etc often had a pretty distinct bit of trim at the bottom of the door.
Could be an Austin or a Morris also, but I don't think so.
posted by From Bklyn at 12:14 PM on May 7, 2009
I would guess Nash as well, but I think I'm wrong - Nash Rambler/Metropolitan etc often had a pretty distinct bit of trim at the bottom of the door.
Could be an Austin or a Morris also, but I don't think so.
posted by From Bklyn at 12:14 PM on May 7, 2009
Definitely not a Volkswagen, ghia, notchback or otherwise. All VWs of this era were rear-engined, and you can see the exhaust pipe underneath the car in this photo running from the front to the back, thereby revealing this car as front-engined.
My guess is this is one of the countless Morris variations.
posted by M.C. Lo-Carb! at 12:15 PM on May 7, 2009
My guess is this is one of the countless Morris variations.
posted by M.C. Lo-Carb! at 12:15 PM on May 7, 2009
Ha! I think I was right with my first guess: it looks like a 2-door variant of the Datsun/Austin Cambridge on this site. Lots of similarity on the front end, the chrome trim, and the basic shape of the wheel wells.
posted by mathowie at 12:15 PM on May 7, 2009
posted by mathowie at 12:15 PM on May 7, 2009
Kattullus: Can't figure out the exact make or model but this looks like a FIAT or possibly a SEAT to me.
Yeah, I'd felt like it might be a Fiat 1400, but I can't find a year that really matches.
posted by koeselitz at 12:15 PM on May 7, 2009
Yeah, I'd felt like it might be a Fiat 1400, but I can't find a year that really matches.
posted by koeselitz at 12:15 PM on May 7, 2009
I think electroboy has it. Volkswagen 1500/1600 (Type 3) notchback.
posted by exogenous at 12:16 PM on May 7, 2009
posted by exogenous at 12:16 PM on May 7, 2009
I am the photographer. i appreciate all the suggestions and ID help. there were circumstances preventing me from taking more pictures than that one, otherwise this would have been much easier.
i have asked a few people I work with, and all three of them think it is a Volvo 122, which elsietheeel suggested, but they are not positive either.
posted by denaps at 12:17 PM on May 7, 2009
i have asked a few people I work with, and all three of them think it is a Volvo 122, which elsietheeel suggested, but they are not positive either.
posted by denaps at 12:17 PM on May 7, 2009
Definitely not a Nash/Rambler/AMC product. It looks a lot like a 1950 Mercedes a long-lost friend used to own, but I'm not entirely certain.
posted by chez shoes at 12:24 PM on May 7, 2009
posted by chez shoes at 12:24 PM on May 7, 2009
mathowie has it, it's the Datsun Austin Cambridge.
Dammit! By a hair he beat me... by a hair!
posted by Kattullus at 12:26 PM on May 7, 2009
Dammit! By a hair he beat me... by a hair!
posted by Kattullus at 12:26 PM on May 7, 2009
The linked Datsun is a four-door, as are most of the Volvo 122 models in google images (and the coupes have a different roofline than the pictured car).
C'mon people, at least get the number of doors right!
I was looking more closely at the VWs and the trunk looks wrong.
posted by exogenous at 12:34 PM on May 7, 2009
C'mon people, at least get the number of doors right!
I was looking more closely at the VWs and the trunk looks wrong.
posted by exogenous at 12:34 PM on May 7, 2009
exogenous: I think electroboy has it. Volkswagen 1500/1600 (Type 3) notchback.
Certainly not - even just the lines on the side are different, even before noting that the rear is very dissimilar.
denaps: i have asked a few people I work with, and all three of them think it is a Volvo 122, which elsietheeel suggested, but they are not positive either.
Well, I suggested that, but it can't possibly be—again, look at the rear of the car and its lines.
mathowie: Ha! I think I was right with my first guess: it looks like a 2-door variant of the Datsun/Austin Cambridge on this site. Lots of similarity on the front end, the chrome trim, and the basic shape of the wheel wells.
Hey, you're right! Looking at it, there are some distinct bits that are too similar to be missed. Unfortunately, the link you've given was almost immediately bricked (fuckin' geocities, eh?) but here's a great picture of an Austin A50 Cambridge that shows the similarities, which are chiefly the wheel wells and the lights.
But if that's true, then this car is extremely rare; there were no 2-door Austin Cambridge saloons (sedans) besides a few pre-production models, according to Wikipedia.
Maybe a different Austin?
posted by koeselitz at 12:38 PM on May 7, 2009
Certainly not - even just the lines on the side are different, even before noting that the rear is very dissimilar.
denaps: i have asked a few people I work with, and all three of them think it is a Volvo 122, which elsietheeel suggested, but they are not positive either.
Well, I suggested that, but it can't possibly be—again, look at the rear of the car and its lines.
mathowie: Ha! I think I was right with my first guess: it looks like a 2-door variant of the Datsun/Austin Cambridge on this site. Lots of similarity on the front end, the chrome trim, and the basic shape of the wheel wells.
Hey, you're right! Looking at it, there are some distinct bits that are too similar to be missed. Unfortunately, the link you've given was almost immediately bricked (fuckin' geocities, eh?) but here's a great picture of an Austin A50 Cambridge that shows the similarities, which are chiefly the wheel wells and the lights.
But if that's true, then this car is extremely rare; there were no 2-door Austin Cambridge saloons (sedans) besides a few pre-production models, according to Wikipedia.
Maybe a different Austin?
posted by koeselitz at 12:38 PM on May 7, 2009
At the very least, I think it's certain this is an Austin car.
posted by koeselitz at 12:41 PM on May 7, 2009
posted by koeselitz at 12:41 PM on May 7, 2009
Holy crap, here it is. I was wrong about there not being a 2-door model, I guess.
Right on, mathowie.
posted by koeselitz at 12:43 PM on May 7, 2009
Right on, mathowie.
posted by koeselitz at 12:43 PM on May 7, 2009
Okay, not quite there yet—still some dissimilarities. The rear still seems wrong. Another year, maybe.
posted by koeselitz at 12:45 PM on May 7, 2009
posted by koeselitz at 12:45 PM on May 7, 2009
Hmmm... yeah. Rear wheel well is not quite right and the trunk on the Notchback slopes a little more.
posted by electroboy at 12:55 PM on May 7, 2009
posted by electroboy at 12:55 PM on May 7, 2009
So I found this fantastic web site run by the Cambridge-Oxford Owner's Club with some resources on the Austin Motor Company cars that look to me very similar to the car in question, specifically the Cambridge. There are some really great explanations and descriptions (like of the 'cow hips' style of the rear of the car)—and I encourage everyone to check it out, as it's a fun site with lots of neat pictures of old Austin cars—but even there I can't find a picture of a car that looks like what we're in seeking.
So I shot an email over to them with this picture asking if they can identify the car. Hopefully they might have some info.
posted by koeselitz at 1:30 PM on May 7, 2009 [2 favorites]
So I shot an email over to them with this picture asking if they can identify the car. Hopefully they might have some info.
posted by koeselitz at 1:30 PM on May 7, 2009 [2 favorites]
Crud, a dude just emailed the correct answer. I flipped him a free account, so hopefully he pops in soon to claim it and give the answer. Hint: it's a Polish car.
posted by mathowie at 2:47 PM on May 7, 2009
posted by mathowie at 2:47 PM on May 7, 2009
Best answer: Thanks to the immense generosity of Matt, I've signed up today specifically to answer this question.
It's a Polish car, a Syrena model 105.
I've been lurking since 2002, and it's good to finally be able to participate on this wonderful site.
posted by VikingSword at 2:52 PM on May 7, 2009 [10 favorites]
It's a Polish car, a Syrena model 105.
I've been lurking since 2002, and it's good to finally be able to participate on this wonderful site.
posted by VikingSword at 2:52 PM on May 7, 2009 [10 favorites]
Oh, and a linky:
http://www.autohistories.com/fso/syrena.html
Do a google image search for Syrena 105 and there can be no doubt. Plus, did ya notice the Polish flag in that photo?
posted by VikingSword at 2:55 PM on May 7, 2009
http://www.autohistories.com/fso/syrena.html
Do a google image search for Syrena 105 and there can be no doubt. Plus, did ya notice the Polish flag in that photo?
posted by VikingSword at 2:55 PM on May 7, 2009
wow... the power of the internets is in full force here. thanks for all the help. that definitely looks like the right car! now i can finally label the photo properly :)
posted by denaps at 2:58 PM on May 7, 2009
posted by denaps at 2:58 PM on May 7, 2009
good call on the flag... that was the day of the polish parade in Chicago - i didn't make the connection though.
posted by denaps at 2:59 PM on May 7, 2009
posted by denaps at 2:59 PM on May 7, 2009
The car on the Wikipedia page is a perfect match for the car in the photo.
posted by mathowie at 3:01 PM on May 7, 2009
posted by mathowie at 3:01 PM on May 7, 2009
PS Viking... I gave you a credit for the ID on the picture. Thanks again.
posted by denaps at 3:02 PM on May 7, 2009
posted by denaps at 3:02 PM on May 7, 2009
Thank you everyone for the kudos and denaps for the credit! Wonderful to be part of this community after lurking all these years (paypal, as method of payment, was my obstacle to an earlier sign-up).
posted by VikingSword at 3:15 PM on May 7, 2009
posted by VikingSword at 3:15 PM on May 7, 2009
I spent about an hour on this yesterday, VikingSword. Good eye, and welcome!
Here's a particularly nice shot of the Syrena 105.
posted by Floydd at 8:43 AM on May 8, 2009
Here's a particularly nice shot of the Syrena 105.
posted by Floydd at 8:43 AM on May 8, 2009
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by Slenny at 11:03 AM on May 7, 2009