I Didn't Know This Existed

"JohnnyWasASchoolBoy" (JohnnyWasASchoolBoy) 02/03/2014 at 12:13 • Filed to: None

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I've been going to car shows, reading car magazines, following automotive news, and generally have been up on cars since I was a kid. My brother and I have Road and Track stacked in our parent's basement like most people have National Geographic. A few weeks ago Jalopnik we were asked "What car didn't you know existed?" I had at least seen about 95% of everything that had been posted, even if I couldn't remember some specifics.

So, today I was looking for an image to post in the QOTD thread when I stumbled across this:

This was completely new to me. It's a 1980 Mercedes Auto2000; a research vehicle designed to explore turbo diesel power and advanced aero shapes.

Once I got over being horrified by it, I gave it a more critical look. That cam-back and huge C-Pillar kind of give the back end a Volvo Bertone Coupe look. I kind of like how they've dropped the back end so that the rear wheels are shrouded. I assume this is to reduce drag.

Anyway, it was new to me. Some of you have probably seen it before. Enjoy.

daender > JohnnyWasASchoolBoy 02/03/2014 at 12:18

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Now I can see where Mercedes got their 80s-90s nose design from.

carcrasher88 > JohnnyWasASchoolBoy 02/03/2014 at 12:19

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Yeah, there were at least 3 Auto2000 cars, if I recall properly.

This M-B, a Volkswagen (the styling of which eventually evolved into the third-gen Passat)...

...and an Audi...

AMC/Renauledge > JohnnyWasASchoolBoy 02/03/2014 at 12:24

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Wow. Very interesting car.

Also, it's spelled "Kammback". The term was coined in honor of a German engineer who made significant advances in vehicle aerodynamics in the 1930s. His name was Wunibald Kamm.

JohnnyWasASchoolBoy > carcrasher88 02/03/2014 at 12:24

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Cool. Thanks for these. You can totally see the Passat in the first one.

JohnnyWasASchoolBoy > AMC/Renauledge 02/03/2014 at 12:33

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Thanks for the catch. Typing fast and distracted today.

Party-vi > JohnnyWasASchoolBoy 02/03/2014 at 12:42

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It looks like a W126 made an ugly lovechild with a SAAB.