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From the Tom Hardy Archives - Alfa Sprint and Aston Martins

Everyone knows there's a fairly strict policy of "no wagons" on the California Melee. So here are a few interesting Shooting Brakes and Estates you won't see galavanting across Northern California in Early September. (plus some of these are too new anyway.)

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The Old Car Manual Project has a huge selection of obscure automotive brochures and literature - wade through the archives - it's worth it!

What Not To Wear:

Shelby Stripes and Boss 302 stripes together. No explanation necessary.

In 1984 Yamaha inked a deal with Ford to produce a small 60° V6 engine for a transverse application that ended up in the engine bay of the high performance version of the Ford Taurus. Ford ultimately may have been plotting to drop it into the stillborn Ford GN34 mid-engine sportscar. Despite ending up in a hotted-up FWD sedan, the SHO motor has ended up in more than a few unorthodox places besides the back of Chuck Beck's Ford Festiva 'Shogun'. How about an Austin Healey 100-4, MGB, Triumph TR7, Ford Focus, Lotus Esprit... and even swapped to a longitudinal orientation with rear wheel drive in the Taurus itself. The Driving Enthusiast has the evidence here and takes a swipe at the 24 Hours of LeMons.

Jaguar edition: from literal paint schemes, to some rather bizarre custom coach work. Proof that people love to tinker!

The Munich, born on Almaden Expressway in San Jose CA. Dumball eligible???

Rising Sun Edition: The Viper powered Acura Integra. An R5 Turbo inspired Honda Civic, V12 Miatas, and more.....

What is it? 1950 Harry Lester built MG Special

MG put together and tested a racer specifically aimed at winning LeMans with a twin cam motor and DeDion rear suspension under the table without full company knowledge. When the project was scrapped, the EX 186 ended up in Kjell Qvale's British Motors here in San Francisco...

1960 Rambler wagon and a wrecked Ferrari 360 Modena were combined by Divers Street Rods into the "Ferrambo" back in 2008. Click the photo (left ) for finished pics or here for a couple of build shots. A modern interpretation of the Jerrari - the Jeep Wagoneer Ferrari 365 combination. How about another bad idea... Citroen 2CV/Ferrari.

Florida: Hardtuned's East Africa Rallye Renault could once again be yours. Just don't contact us about it....here it is, with a better option.

Just found more - the alternative list grows...

Styling meets economy in the 1970's with the Chevy Chevette based Leata Cabalero. Hand built luxury in the tradition of fine coachbuilders, only with disco spray cheese.

One man found this in his grandfathers barn..

He had a crazy idea no one knew about....

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What Do I do with that '84 Corvette.....?

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Citroen 2cv based rods and concepts

Sort of a parallel universe to the volksrod camp