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Car Spots, Fun Stuff

Car Spot: Volkswagen Westfalia Camper

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It’s all about the adventure

It’s summer here in Wisconsin and that means the campsites are jammed. Camping is a big deal here. I know because I used to work for a local retailer that specialized in camping gear. This week’s spot has all the gear needed on four wheels, the Volkswagen Westfalia Camper. Affectionately known as the Westy by its owners it has a cult following.

Volkswagen Westfalia Camper
Found this Westy at the golf course I work at during the summer.

Maybe part of the reason for that cult following is because it first sold in the 50’s when split-windshield Kombis were sent to Westfalia-Werke in Rheda-Wiedenbrück for conversion into the camper. Later Vanagons and Transporters were used in the conversion and sent to Dormobile, EZ Camper, ASI/Riviera, Holdsworth, Danbury Motorcaravans until production ended in 2003.

Volkswagen Westfalia Camper
Top part pops up for more space.

Westys were sold through VW dealers worldwide. They even had a cool Tourist Delivery Program. Customers could pick up their new van in Germany, drive it in Europe, then VW would ship it to the customer’s home. Many campers were purchased by American servicemen and sent home in the 1950s and 1960s.

Owner of this Westy enjoyed Wisconsin’s great state parks.

With a four-cylinder engine putting out maybe 90 horses and rear-wheel drive Westys don’t go fast but if you’re going camping, what’s the hurry anyway? They’re are iconic, but they aren’t the best vans ever made and certainly aren’t luxurious compared to what’s out there right now. Not being aerodynamic, they are loud, hard to drive, and have a rough ride. Passengers in the rear will feel a sway and on windy days, so will those in the front. Visibility is great and the radiant heat from the sunlight streaming into the van quickly heats it up. You don’t want to be riding in one on a hot day, because owners say that you’ll feel like you’re in a hot tin can rolling down the road. Air conditioning was available but few Westys come with it. Automatic transmission models are out there, but they are hard to find.

Volkswagen Westfalia Camper
This Westy was super-clean

Owners who have a Westy say its like entering a relationship, a very passionate one, like your first boyfriend or girlfriend in high school who was both super exciting and hard to read. You don’t have to be a hippie to love these old hippy vans, and that means if you own one, you get to meet all kinds of neat people who, despite differences, will assume you’re a decent person by virtue of ownership. I’m in. Sounds like fun.

Volkswagen Westfalia Camper
Owners who have a Westy say its like entering a relationship, a very passionate one.

What are they worth now? Not a lot. I found several for sale, mostly in the mid-20s all the way up to $55,000. I can’t think of a better way to enjoy the camping season here in Wisconsin.

Thanks for stopping by and checking out this week’s spot. Check out my other spots and Mark’s new vehicle reviews. Come back next week for another one of my spots along with some of its history and have a great weekend.

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Car Spots, Fun Stuff

Car Spot: Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet

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A fun little drop top

Now that the weather has finally started to get decent here in Wisconsin I’m starting to see summer cars like this week’s car spot. This car just exudes fun! The Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet is the convertible version of the Volkswagen Golf, introduced in 1979. For younger readers, there was a time on American roads that convertibles were an everyday sight. They were fun and stylish. We had an 85 Chrysler LeBaron and it was a total blast. Living here in Wisconsin, where summer is sometimes short, I had that top down when it was 50 degrees out.

Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet
Fount this spot at the apartment complex our daughter lives at. In the upper left you can see the 86 Kawasaki 900 Ninja I just bought nearby.

It was a tough act to follow when VW replaced the Beetle Convertible with the Rabbit Cabriolet. Hitting the U.S market as their totally new compact, affordable convertible built with safety in mind. With the slogan ‘Sun, Moon and Cabriolet’ Volkswagen introduced the Golf Cabriolet on the market at February 14, 1979. The same year that Michael Jackson released Off the Wall and ESPN debuted on cable. The roof that folded all the way back, making it a hit with teens and younger drivers looking for something fun.

Just add sun. VW print ad.

With uni-body construction, and reinforcements welded in, it was built entirely at the Karmann factory, from stamping to final assembly. VW supplied the engine, suspension, interior, etc. for Karmann to install. The Karmann badges exist on all Cabriolets to pay tribute to the company that built the cars, from top to bottom; therefore, there is no such thing as a “Karmann Edition”.

RELATED Spot: See the VW it replaced and how I became caretaker.

Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet Karman logo
Karman logo located on the lower right front quarter.

For improved rollover protection, and structural integrity, it featured a permanently installed roll bar attached to the B-pillar sort of looking like the handle of a picnic basket. It was the first car in this class to have a permanently installed roll bar. Power came from h a naturally-aspirated Inline 4 cylinder engine producing 97 bhp at 5400 rpm transmitted to the road by the front wheel drive with a 5 speed Manual gearbox. It was a huge hit, overtaking the Beetle Cabriolet in sales with 388,522 units built becoming the most successful cabriolet of its time. The car went through three more generations before being discontinued in 2002, replaced by the Volkswagen New Beetle Cabriolet and the Volkswagen Eos.

RELATED Spot: Early 60s VW Convertible

Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet
REd was the color of the day as it was parked by two red BMWs.

The Cabriolet was sold all over the world, and sold under several names and special editions, including Wolfsburg models in the United States. A total of 684,226 Golf Cabriolets were sold. And because of that, they are super affordable. A quick search found a bunch of them for under 5 grand. Cheap fun during the summer.

Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet Houndstooth interior
Original rare Houndstooth interior.

Thanks for stopping by and checking out this spot. Go and browse my other unique spots and if you’re in the market for a new car, Mark’s reviews. Come back next week for another one of my spots along with some of its history and have a great weekend.

Car Spots, Fun Stuff

Car Spot: Buick Riviera

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GM’s first entry into the personal luxury car market …

I remember 1963. I was in fourth grade living in Madison, Wis. Yup, remember the day when we were told that JFK was assassinated. I remember it more because it was also the year that my dad was hired by American Motors, and we moved to Milwaukee. I was a car guy before, but this made my addiction to everything automotive even bigger.

1965 and 1967 Buick Rivieras
It’s not often that you see these cars, but I found these 65 and 67s for sale.

But beyond the AMC stuff, I remember what a big deal it was for the automakers to introduce their new cars. Take for example this week’s spot, or actually spots, the Buick Riviera. Advertised as “Buick’s bid for a great new international classic,” the Riviera was a hit when it was introduced at the Paris Auto Salon in October 1962. The hardtop coupe won praise from three of the world’s most respected designers, Sergio Pininfarina, Raymond Loewy, and Sir William Lyons. It was a ground-up design on a new GM E platform and the automotive press loved it.

1965 Buick Riviera with hideaway headlights
This 65 came from California. I love the headlights.

Giving the Ford Thunderbird its first real competition it came with one of two monster V8 engines either 401 cu in or 425 cu in and needed everything those bad boys could put out since it weighed just over 4,000 pounds. Motor Trend tested one of the luxury personal coupes equipped with the 425 cubic inch, four-barrel engine. Time from 0–60 mph was clocked at about 8 seconds while running the standing quarter mile in about 16 seconds.

1965 Buick Riviera hood
There are a lot of ponies under that big hood.

It came loaded. Standard features included “power steering, two-speed wipers with washers, back-up lights, glare-proof inside mirror, parking brake signal light, safety buzzer, Riviera wheel covers, electric clock, foam padded seat cushions, center console (covered in a black veneer material) heater and defroster and frameless side windows. Customers could order either fabric or leather seats.

Buick Riviera interior
This interior was spotless.
1967 Buick Riviera
The 67 also had hideaway headlights but instead of a door, they are tucked up above the grill.

The second generation debuted in 1966, retaining its cruciform X-frame on a platform shared with the Oldsmobile Toronado and later, the Cadillac Eldorado, but its redesigned body was longer, wider, and 200 pounds heavier. Along with the new styling came an entirely new 430 cu in V8 putting out 360 horsepower and 475 lb-ft of torque which improved performance. America liked it and sales for 1966 rebounded to 45,308, a new record. A total of 1,127,261 Rivieras were produced when the last one, the eighth generation, rolled off the assembly line in Orion Township, Michigan on Nov. 25, 1998. Less than 2,000 models sold in its final year.

67 Buick Riviera rear shot with my Hayabusa in the background.
Both these Rivs were in great shape. That’s my Hayabusa in the background.

So what will one of these cars set you back? Not a lot. A 67 in Concours condition according to Hagerty is $45,000 while the 69 is slightly less. These were both priced in the mid-30s. That’s not a lot of dough for this much power and luxury to drive a landmark car from the 60s.

67 Riviera front with the 65 behind it
A bright sunny day and these Rivs were glistening in the sun.

Thanks for stopping by. Be sure to check out my other spots and Mark’s reviews of new cars. Make sure to come back next Friday when I’ll have another one of my spots with some of the history behind it. Have a great weekend.

Car Spots, Fun Stuff

Car Spot: 56 Lincoln Continental Mark II Custom Bubbletop

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Wildness from the George Barris Kustom Shop

The 50s were a crazy time for custom cars. Builders were known for going way over the top in their creations and this week’s car spot, seen at this year’s Chicago Auto Show, is no exception.

56 Lincoln Continental Mark II Custom Bubbletop
If you look closely you can see a 56 Continental. That gold color, wow!

Created by Lee Wells, who worked for Barris, and a client who wanted to create a no-expense spared dream car. Under the hood is a Hillbourn fuel injected 368 cubic inch Lincoln V-8 with braided lines and tons of chrome, four carbs, and finned valve covers finish off the engine bay. Inside was Icelandic sheepskin floor covering, walnut dash, buckets seats all around that swivel outward, a TV, stereo tape player, electric razor (that’s a first I think in a custom car), and drink decanters.

RELATED Spot: See our coverage of the show.

56 Lincoln Continental Mark II Custom Bubbletop interior
An interior that would make most luxury cars look cheap

The Bubbletop Continental was a hit on the show circuit for decades and still attracted a decent amount of traffic at the show. Our daughter, Meg, who walked by while I was editing thought this looked like something out of The Jetsons.

56 Lincoln Continental Mark II Custom Bubbletop rear
Can you see George Jetson driving this?

Thanks for stopping by and checking out this car spot. There are lots of others. We also have a ton of car reviews so if you’re looking for a certain car, chances are we’ve reviewed it. Stop back next Friday for another one of my spots along with some of its history. Have a great weekend.

Car Spots, Fun Stuff

Car Spot: 1992 Mini Cooper

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If ever there was an iconic British car, this is it …

I was surprised when I started writing this article that fuel shortages are nothing new. It was one in 1956 that was the push British Motor Corp. needed to develop the Mini. Introduced in 1959, it was the car’s space-saving transverse engine and front-wheel drive layout – allowing 80% of the car’s floor pan to be used for passengers and luggage, that influenced a generation of car makers.

1992 Mini Cooper
Please do not touch but please take me home.

So Sir Leonard Lord of the Morris Co. issued his top engineer, Alec Issigonis, a challenge: design and build a small, fuel-efficient car capable of carrying four adults, within the economic reach of just about everyone. As fate would have it, the challenge of fitting so much function into such a small package inspired a couple of historic innovations.

RELATED Spot: Its upscale British cousin, the Bently S1

The car and company have gone through a few owners. Originally made by BMC, thata firm becamse part of British Motor Holdings in 1966. It then merged with Leyland Motors in 1968 to form British Leyland. In the 1980s British Leyland broke up, and in 1988 Rover Group, including Mini, was acquired by British Aerospace, yup the same company that makes jets. Mini models included the Morris Mini-Minor, the Austin Seven, the Countryman, Moke, 1275GT, and Clubman. Through a partnership with British racing legend John Cooper, a number of performance models were introduced. The original Mini continued in production until 2000.

RELATED Spot: Its more famous relative.

1992 Mini Cooper logo

More changes came in 1994 when the Rover Group was acquired by BMW with BMW retaining the Mini brand. Development of a modern successor to the Mini began in 1995 and an entirely new Mini was launched in 2001 by BMW.

1992 Mini Cooper interior
Rare right-hand drive model in the US.

It remains a cult classic today. I found this 1992 example for sale at a shop that specializes in classic cars. Not a lot of miles and with a price tag of $22 grand perhaps a bit on the high side since the most expensive ’92 I found on Bring a Trailer was $19,000. Still not a lot of money for a car that is a ton of fun and sure to get noticed at any Cars and Coffee event or summer car show.

1992 Mini Cooper rear
An iconic shape from the front and back,

Thanks for stopping by and be sure to check back next week for another one of my spots along with some of the history of the vehicle. Tell your friends and have a great weekend.

#Mini

#Mini Cooper

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Car Spots, Fun Stuff, hybrid

Car Spot: 1980 Briggs & Stratton Six-Wheel Hybrid Concept

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Yup, the people known for making great small engines came up with this.

This spot is sort of special to me because Briggs & Stratton is located right here in Milwaukee, and has been manufacturing small engines since 1908. If you have a lawn tractor, chances are it has an engine they manufacture. It also turns out that one of my flying buddies, Mike Dorna, works as Manager-Rapid Prototyping Center there. So we were talking one night over some beers about hybrid cars and the conversation turned to Briggs & Stratton developing a hybrid way back in 1980, 17 years before the Toyota Prius hit the market.

Briggs & Stratton Hybrid still looks good today.

This was a strictly one-off concept designed to be a technology demonstrator. It was put together using Ford Pinto front end and Volkswagen Scirocco doors, along with custom panels created by Brooks Stevens who lived in Milwaukee and was also a designer of the 60s era Jeeps. If you squint, you can sort of see elements of a 1980s L-Body Dodge Charger.

Concept are designed by Brooks Stevens from Milwaukee. Briggs & Stratton photo
A perfect vehicle for the early adapters. Briggs & Stratton photo

The idea behind this unusual hybrid was to showcase a more efficient way of travel and, in style. In theory, the electric motor and its instant torque would be used to get the car up to speed, then the gasoline engine would be used to maintain highway speeds. The top speed was just over 60 mph, but in 1980 the U.S. national speed limit was 55 mph so, in theory, this car could easily run within the limits of the law.

RELATED VIDEO: Learn more about the car and see it drive

Engine compartment with electronics towards the rear.
Batteries in the rear. Disconnected since it’s not in use.

Briggs & Stratton built this six-wheeler concept, giving the 12 Globe Union 6-volt batteries their own driven axle. With this additional 72-volt system at the rear, the company’s parallel hybrid was capable of 68 mph on its combined power and they hired Richard Petty to prove it. The 6-volt lead-acid batteries would also grant Briggs & Stratton’s 3200-pound hybrid a pure electric range of at least 45 miles. and giving it a combined mileage of around 30 mpg. Think about that. Doesn’t seem like a lot but the majority of hybrids we test can only go 20 miles on more powerful and lighter batteries. It also featured disc brakes at the front to handle the mass, a Recaro interior and had the unmistakable sound of an air-cooled industrial flat-two.

An interior right out of the 80s complete with Recaro seats and manual transmission

The car toured the country, taken to events in a special trailer sharing with the public what Briggs & Stratton could do. The last time it was on the road was in March of 2020 when on the streets of California, Jay Leno and a Briggs & Stratton Engineering Technician achieved 60 mph. Keep in mind that this was with just an 18-horsepower air-cooled twin-cylinder Briggs engine under the hood. An electric motor is connected to the engine, which then connects to a four-speed manual transmission sending power to the first set of rear wheels. The second set was just there to handle the extra weight of the batteries.

Jay Leno with the Briggs & Stratton Hybrid. YouTube screenbgrab

The Briggs & Stratton Hybrid concept cost a quarter of a million dollars to build, and when it was unveiled in 1980 there was no clear path forward for the vehicle. The company had no plans to put it into production and is the only one of its kind but it displays a shocking amount of hybrid technology that was far ahead of its time. Today this one-time star sits quietly in the museum located at the company’s headquarters in Milwaukee along with Briggs & Stratton’s other historical accomplishments.

Almost looks like a fastback.

Thanks for stopping by and checking out our blog. Have a great Easter! Check back next week for another spot along with some of its history and have a super weekend.

Car Spots, Fun Stuff

Car Spot: Rolls-Royce Cullinan

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How can an SUV be ugly and extremely expensive at the same time?

“From urban adventures to journeys into the wilderness” from the description on their website. Really? So you mean to tell me that I might see owners of this vehicle, which can cost close to half a million bucks, on the same trails as Jeeps, Broncos, and other SUVs? Not buying it.

Spotted this Cullinan while down at this year’s Chicago Auto Show.

In 2018, reluctantly followed Bentley and Lamborghini venturing into the SUV business with the Bentayga and the Urus which has become globally its best seller. A huge departure for the luxury British carmaker, which has a long history of producing luxurious passenger cars. It gets its name from the world’s largest uncut diamond. It sort of looks like a Rolls Royce Phantom that has been making too many stops at fast-food restaurants. It is a sure head-turner on the road but its enormous grille, flat sides, and boxy roofline won’t appeal to everyone. Yup, got that one right.

The Spirit of Ecstasy, also called Eleanor, Silver Lady, or Flying Lady adorns this Rolls-Royce.

The Cullinan comes with just one engine, a 6.75-liter V12 that produces 571hp and drives all four wheels through an automatic gearbox. This absolute beast of a vehicle can do 0-60mph in just 5.0sec. Its top speed is electronically limited to 155mph. It’s rated at 12 mpg in the city and 20 mpg on the highway which isn’t that bad considering its size and engine.

RELATED Spot: 71 Rolls-Royce Corniche Convertible

Inside the spacious cabin is lined in box-grain leather, lambs-wool carpeting, beautiful wood trim, and milled aluminum accents. The vehicle’s liftgate configuration allows the brand to fit the cargo area with an optional Viewing Suite consisting of a pair of leather-wrapped seats and a small table that pop out of the floor. This is by far the most luxurious way to take in a polo match at the country estate. Yup, not seeing it at any off-road events.

Opulence doesn’t begin to describe this interior.

The Cullinan’s arrival in showrooms in 2019 quickly translated into an order bank that was full through July and showed no signs of stopping. So much so that it added workers at its lone production plant in Goodwood, England. This was Rolls-Royce’s best-selling model last year although the company won’t provide exact numbers for each model. Keep in mind that this is a high-profit vehicle so they don’t have to sell a lot of them. With a base price of $355,000, they can be optioned all the way up to 600 grand! This one was $460,000. Wow that’s about what our house is worth. Just for grins I had some fun with numbers. On a zero-interest 48-month loan, monthly payments would be $9,583! With no interest! Wowy wow wow!

It’s Rolls-Royce’s best-selling vehicle.

Thanks for stopping by and checking us out. Be sure to hop back next Friday for another one of my car spots along with some it its history. Have a great weekend.

This one at Chicago Auto Show, $468,750

Car Spots, Fun Stuff

Car Spot: The AMC Mighty Mite

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The Jeep before they bought Jeep.

Being an AMC guy, I get a fair amount of abuse but I remind those abusing me of the innovative vehicles the company came out with in response to the market. One example is this week’s car spot, the Mighty Mite.

Found this example at the Russell Military Museum just south of Kenosha where the Mighty Mite was built. They also have lots of Jeeps built for military purposes.

So back to the response to the market thing. In the early 50s, the Marine Corps was looking for a lightweight Jeep-like vehicle and it had to fit in five main requisites. 1: weight not to exceed 1500 lbs. 2: High mobility and maneuverability. 3: Small, yet sufficient cargo and towing capacity for usual military duties. 4: Ease of maintenance and reliability. 5: Versatility to enable it to the various needs of the infantry. But they couldn’t find a manufacturer until, you guessed it, tiny AMC raised its hand in 1959 to say they could swing it.

That’s AMC president George Romney in the passenger seat in this press image.

So the reason for the weight limit is that helicopters of that era didn’t have great lifting ability. they wanted to be able to load a bunch of these vehicles along with the other stuff they would need on maneuvers. This, as it turns out, was way ahead of its time. The body was made out of aluminum, as are the axle center sections, transmission, and engine.

RELATED Spot: A classic CJ-7, the Mighty Mite’s big brother.

There were two wheelbase versions, 65 and 71 inches. The overall length is 6 inches longer at 113. The suspension is all independent and apparently balanced well enough to allow the removal of a rear wheel and it will still drive on the remaining 3 left. The brakes were inboard front and rear. Power is from an AMC all-aluminum air-cooled V4, 108 cubic inches producing 55 horsepower at 3,600 rpm and 90 lb-ft of torque at 2-3000 rpm. I could run on 80-octane gas.

RELATED Spot: The Mighty Mite’s great uncle, the M715.

55 hp baby and it would run on just about anything.

Ok, keep in mind this is the government we’re dealing with here and by the time the Mighty Mite started rolling off the Kenosha Assembly line helicopters started getting more powerful and the need for the Mighty Mite was gone. Somewhere between 4 and 5,000 were made when production ended in 1962. But, as it turns out, AMC wasn’t out of the military contract business for long because, in 1970, they bought Jeep Corporation.

They came down the same assembly line as these Ramblers did.

What are they worth now? You can grab these, if you can find one, pretty cheap for well under 20 grand. Of course, there are exceptions. This 1963 sold at an RM Sotheby’s auction in October 2020 for just over $47 grand.

Photo: RM Sotheby

Thanks for stopping by and checking us out. Come back next week for another car spot along with some of its history. Have a great weekend.

Car Spots, Fun Stuff

Car Spot: Chevy Cobalt SS

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A supercharged rocket

Introduced as a 2005 model, the Cobalt was GM’s most ambitious attempt to go fender-to-fender with compact Asian imports. It had a tough act to follow replacing the Cavalier. Motor Trend loved it saying it was solidly built, suitably refined, and attractively priced, it’s an American car that can compete with its foreign rivals. Let’s put a pin in that and come back to it later because it’s the SS model that is a real hoot and this week’s car spot. Sure they gave it a huge rear wing but more important is that the SS is supercharged putting out 205 horsepower, quite a lot for a 2,800-pound compact.

Cobalt SS in the Paddock area at Road America waiting to compete in the Winter Autocross Event I was also in which was a total blast.

In Motor Trend testing, the Cobalt SS was the fastest regular-production front-drive car through the slalom they’d tested in three years, faster through the cones than the new Corvette Z51. The SS out-cornered the VW R32 on the skidpad, outgunned the MINI Cooper S 0-to-60 mph, and out-stopped the Subaru Impreza WRX 60-to-0 mph. I had a chance to ride along with the dad and daughter of this Cobalt SS at Road America’s Winter Autocross Series when I ran my 22 Jeep Compass in. This car is a little rocket and it was really cool to hear the whine of the Roots-type Eaton blower pumping 12 psi of boost.

I kept up with it on the shorter circuits but on the long ones it was no match for my Jeep.
It was a father and daughter driving. This is her first car. Photo: Road America

Now let’s get back to the 800-pound gorilla in the room, GM quality. In typical form with the company cutting corners, there were lots of recalls. It began in November 2004 with a small recall on the new-for-2005 Cobalt due to a headlight shield that could loosen and cause additional glare for oncoming traffic affecting just 1,378 vehicles. The numbers kept getting worse with several more recalls for a variety of issues. In March 2010, GM conducted its largest Cobalt recall to date, 905,000 examples of the 2005-2010 Cobalt and 2007-2009 G5 (its Pontiac cousin), for a bad power-steering system that could make the car harder to turn at low speeds.

RELATED Video: I ride along with the father/daughter team at the Road America Winter Autocross Event.

First big clue it’s an SS is its big spoiler

A guy that I used to work with has a SS and he told me that once you get past all the recalls, it was a pretty decent car and a blast to drive. America put up with all the headaches because GM sold over a million of them before production ended in 2001 and the Cobalt was replaced with the Chevy Cruze in 2010. Just 3,168 Cobalt SS Turbo coupes were ever made, and the sedan is much rarer with just 474 being produced. What are they worth now? You can pick up one of these pretty cheap, under $5,000. The daughter was telling me that they picked up this one with a salvage title and another one as a parts car.

Cobalt in action. Road America photo

Thanks for stopping by and checking us out. Be sure to check back next Friday for another car spot along with some of its history. Have a great weekend.

Car Spots, Fun Stuff

Car Spot: The Nissan Cube

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You can see the French influence in its design …

Every time I see one of these I expect that when it stops a bunch of clowns will jump out of it. Kelly Blue Book loved the Cube naming it one of the coolest cars under $18,000 in 2009 and the following year listed the Nissan Cube as one of its Top 10 Road Trip Cars. But not all the media loved it. Cars.com wrote that when the Cube gets above city speeds it’s a dog: It handles like a skateboard, surrenders to highway crosswinds, and has the passing power of a 1990s econobox. Ouch!

Mileage? Not so good, only combined 20 MPG. Launched first in Japan and then the US, it came from the Nissan-Renault hookup, and I think the French influence is obvious.

One thing is for sure, it does stand out in a parking lot.

According to Nissan designers, the interior was inspired by the “enveloping curves of a jacuzzi to promote a comfortable and social atmosphere.” Um, sure, I guess. Nissan even developed an extended line of accessories for Cube to help encourage personalization.

The Cube had seating for five.

These included multicolor appliqués that could be placed around air vents and window switches, utility hooks and elastic bands in different colors, variable color LED accent lighting for the footwell and cup holders, and a sculptured piece of color-coordinated shag carpet that sits in a shallow well on the top of the dash. Shag carpet, I remember that!

RELATED Post: 5 cars that will never be classics and the Cube is one of them.

The rear door opened like a regular side door.

At its peak in 2010, the Cube remained firmly a niche vehicle, selling 22,968 units, but from there it started dropping like a rock, shaped like a cube, down to 2,965 through eight months of 2014 according to Nissan. The Cube was dropped for the 2015 model year. Duh!

Thanks for stopping by and have a great weekend. Be sure to check back next Friday when I have another one of my car spots along with some of its history.