Chevy's new Cruze, in artandcolour's pillarless coupe bodystyle. I was going to go back and touch-up all three of these chops, dating back about 18 months, but I just never seem to find the time. Plus, I'd rather just do new chops when I have the time to play. So enjoy these today, lol!
I think the fugly Dodge Avenger would look best as a smaller Magnum sport wagon. I think it almost looks like a natural, so much so that I have to wonder if they made a sport wagon first, but for marketing reasons only produced the sedan.
Lexus CS250—How about a small hybrid from Toyota/Lexus that doesn't look like it's a game piece for New Monopoly? This was obviously a Corolla to start with, but I lowered and widened it, gave it much more classic details, and didn't try to put 25lbs of design into a 5lb grille shell. Sometimes a grille is only a grille.
From the SHOULD NEVER SEE THE LIGHT OF DAY file:
A Dodge Avenger sedan chop that didn't exactly cure the original's ills, lol. I tried to make the Avenger's existing odd rear door window shape work more with the overall roofline by adding a wraparound rear window. Then I tried to make the rear taillights work with the new rear window by making them full-width, an old Dodge Charger trick from the '60s. I lowered the car on it's suspension, added quad exhaust and even added a couple of smoked glass 'windows' in the tailgate to make reversing easier. With the proliferation of rearview cameras now, this probably wouldn't be necessary.
All photos are clickable thumbnails as always.
Casey,
ReplyDeleteThe Cruze t-door hardtop is really nice. I hope the Cruze lives up to all the hype. Chevrolet used to be the default choice of car buyers (my how things change) and while never a Chevrolet fan myself, I think it would be good for us all if it became at least a choice once again!
And the Dodge Avenger Wagon is amazing! I think this one cures its ills (although its ills are not as ill as the Sebring) perfectly. Having rented a couple of Avengers, I think a slight wheelbase stretch would probably help as well -- with the driver's seat set for me there was no legroom in the rear seat.
With regard to the Avenger with wrap-around rear window: After seeing the teaser shots about the Chrysler 200 (nee Sebring) and reading a comment that the shape of the grrenhouse is the real problem with that car (well, one of them), I was thinking how it could be changed and the thought that came to me was maybe a wrap-around rear window! I see great minds think alike!!
Paul, NYC
Hi Paul,
ReplyDeleteI agree about Chevy and the Cruze. I've never owned a Chevy, and growing up we never did either, but they're an iconic American brand, and I really hope they return to big profits. Seeing the Cruze 'move' on its new TV commercials makes me think that's the car that will do it, more so than the Malibu which is still striking too.
It's really too bad about the Sebring. I LOVED the concept it was based on, forget the name, but they just ruined it in production form. That black triangle on the C pillar is ridiculous, and that's a small point.
Creating a wagon version of the Avenger is probably the smartest chop idea I've ever seen. Casey, once again is a genius. The Caliber would have been more successful in my eyes if they didn't have to resort to cheap looking materials throughout. That's what seems to kill the brands (Jeep, Chrysler, Dodge/Ram) image.
ReplyDeleteMorning !
ReplyDeleteI like the Cruze as a pillarless coupe. It makes it look bigger and more expensive. But that bowtie cheapens an otherwise good looking front end.
I agree with Paul on the Avenger Sportwagon - looks great and works better in this form - send this one to Chrysler! I have always loved the Magnum, so since it was dropped, this coiuld fill that hole in the lineup.
The Lexus has a uncanny similarity to the Honda Civic 4 door to me. Hmmm...
Can I sandwich a little invitation in between all this car talk? But SHHHH It's a SURPRISE PARTY! SHHHH
ReplyDeleteFor Who? - Marius
For Why? - His Birthday
For When? - Friday, September 17th
For Where? - Artichoke Annie's Place
It's an all day affair so come when you can, dress as you want and stay as long as you will.
There will be music and cake and surprises galore BUT NO BALLOONS - somebody should bring balloons and party hats. Remember it's a SURPRISE don't spill the beans. See you there, this FRIDAY! :) By golly that's TOMORROW, TOMORROW, TOMORROW IT'S ONLY A DAY AWAY, sang little Annie.
Will Marius be there, lol? I think he might be away. Either that or he's gotten bored with my blog! : )
ReplyDeletelol I know, I hope he gets back in time, I've cleaned house and everything!
ReplyDeleteIF ANYONE NEEDS A RIDE TO ANNIES FOR THE BIRTHDAY BASH I'LL PICK YOU ALL UP IN MY WAGON HOOKED UP TO THE BACK OF MY LITTLE RED SCOOTER. I JUST BOUGHT NEW TIRES JUST FOR THE TRIP. NOT REALLY J/K BUT IT SOUNDS GOOD. IF ONLY EVERYTHING WAS THAT EASY IN LIFE. HERE IT'S 1:30 AND STILL NOT DRESSED. GRAMPS AT THE OTHER HOUSE DOING HIS THING, DOG NAPPING AND ME I'M READY FOR ONE. MORE FLOWER PICTURE SOON. MAYBE WHEN I WAKE UP. HUGS TO ALL
ReplyDeleteGRANNY
Casey, I thought this was pretty good. From the Huffington Post:
ReplyDeletePeggy Drexler: My question to the women of the Tea Party is this. If you take back America from the forces of big government, big spending and big taxes, do you plan to share it with the teenage girl who is unprepared to raise a child, with the gay couple who want the simple right to marry, and with families who may not fit your own definitions?
To read more go to: dailybrief@huffingtonpost.com
Casey,
ReplyDeleteI believe the concept was called the AirFlyte (thank you, Nash) and I'm not sure why I couldn't find a photo or even a mention of it on www.allpar.com. My recollection is that it was a fastback four door and maybe pillarless? Not sure about that.
Anyway, I'm glad the Avenger Wagon is popular on the blog! Not only should they build it, but they should bring back the Magnum. I rented one once in San Francisco and liked it a lot!
Paul, NYC
Thanks, Annie. My mother did a lot of work in the health field, as an RN and an early activist. She got health benefits for the migrant workers in the local farms around here in the 1960s, even though they'd be called 'illegals' today. She was a big proponent of birth control and supported abortion and adoption. One of her biggest peeves were the religious people that forced young unmarried women to have their babies and then walked away from those women, or then berated them for being on Welfare. She always butted heads with religious people asking them if THEY were going to take care of the baby and the mother, and of course, never got a real answer.
ReplyDeletePaul: Yes, the Airflite! It was pillarless, and elegant, almost a 4 door Crossfire. here it is:
http://files.conceptcarz.com/img/Chrysler/chryser_airflite-concept-03_manu-09-800.jpg
I'LL TAKE THE FORUTH ONE.
ReplyDeleteGRANNY
FOURTH
ReplyDeleteGRANNY
A little Photoshop fun in the news:
ReplyDeletehttp://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_upshot/20100916/cm_yblog_upshot/egyptian-paper-doctors-photo-of-mubarak-and-obama
Guess you can't believe your eyes anymore...
Thanks for the link Casey. I'm still amazed that this car is not mentioned on the allpar website. I remember it got a lot of play in the car magazines when it came out.
ReplyDeleteI'm still loving the Avenger wagon!
Paul, NYC