Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Just Another Old Kit Car
Chrysler wrote: “The Sundance 2-door and 4-door liftback are fun to drive because of their high level of standard equipment, their versatility and precision handling. They're intelligent buys for the younger, upscale, contemporary buyer. Both models have special appeal to women because they offer purchase economy, value, reliability, fun-to-drive appeal and style in a complete package. They are truly cars anyone can be proud to own.Bigger Car Ride
The Shadow and Sundance were only .1 inches shorter in wheelbase than the original K cars, but had somewhat less length than the K-cars. The styling looked aerodynamic, but wasn’t. The name Sundance, incidentally, had been used on the final, 1974 Plymouth Satellite, as a trim level.When it was first announced, Chrysler said the P-body would have a 1.8 liter derivative of the popular 2.2. This never happened, possibly because Iaccoca balked at the development costs for a new engine, and possibly because the heavy car would have been too sluggish with the smaller powerplant, and few Americans were demanding higher gas mileage.Interior Amenities Storage and Flexibility
Inside, the Equinox features attention to detail – including a number of storage bins, such as an oversized glove box; a closed storage bin in the instrument panel above the center stack; and closed storage under the center armrest large enough for a laptop computer.
A “floating” center stack houses a multitude of ergonomic comfort and convenience controls. Contemporary, ice-blue ambient lighting – featured within and surrounding the center stack, encircling the center-console cupholders and within the door pull cups – accentuates the cabin. The front and rear seats, which include cloth and uplevel, perforated leather-trimmed offerings, were developed to help deliver best-in-class comfort.
The new Equinox retains its MultiFlex rear seat capability, which allows the seat to be moved fore or aft nearly eight inches (203 mm), for the best rear legroom in its class. With the 60/40-split-back rear seat moved all the way forward, the cargo area offers 31.4 cubic feet (889 liters) of storage.
The Equinox’s cabin is notable for its quietness. Noise-absorbing elements are built into the chassis, engine compartment and interior.
Barn Find Vintage Racer
The 1000cc engine is said to be freshly built, but it looks just as dusty as the rest of the car so it might have been built before extended storage. A slick Oberg oil filter is fitted near the exhaust but the lines are not connected and we don’t see any spark plug wires. The car also needs a fuel system installed.
This Abarth Allemano 850 Coupe was restored as a vintage racer but does not look to have seen competition in some time. The low-slung stance over Cromodora mags gives the car a good attitude, and the rear engine should keep any driver on their toes. Find it here on Craigslist in San Diego, California for $22,500. Special thanks to BaT reader Brian P. for this submission!The sloping front fenders and wheels tucked way up in the wells remind us of an Alfa Giulia SS. The convex plexiglas quarter windows offer built-in ventilation and the rear lid does its best to let the engine breathe.The interior features a single racing seat and a rollbar. The stock gauges and wheel are in place and the dash plaque is from an SVRA event in 1983. The passenger floor area is full of spare parts which might be for spares or upgrades.The 1000cc engine is said to be freshly built, but it looks just as dusty as the rest of the car so it might have been built before extended storage. A slick Oberg oil filter is fitted near the exhaust but the lines are not connected and we don’t see any spark plug wires. The car also needs a fuel system installed.This is an interesting example and logbooks should help piece together the history. The exterior design is sleeker than most Abarths and the heritage and limited production would help with entry at vintage events. We’d like to see the car driven on the street but that might require bringing the ride height up a bit
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