What is your (slow) Dream Car?

"GhostZ" (GhostZ) 07/19/2015 at 14:19 • Filed to: Show us, GhostZ

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Even non-enthusiasts would love to have a $1m+ hypercar, a vintage Ferrari, or and number of luxury cars. But sometimes our dream cars can be slower than a Toyota Camry. In fact, that’s exactly what I’m asking you to show me.

I don’t mean cars that are slow now but were fast in their day. I’m talking about cars that were slow always. What is your absolute dream car, money no object, that was slower than a Toyota Camry of a similar year?

For me, it has to be one of two models of the Nissan President Limousine. Either the 1992 President Royal Limo, pictured above... or, the 1974-1989 model, pictured below.

The President was designed for the Imperial Family of Japan similar to the Toyota Crown.

The Rules:

1. For at least one year of its production, it must be slower in the quarter mile than the fastest consumer-available Toyota Camry of that year. For year’s before 1980, I’ve chosen similar base consumer cars. Here’s a reference table for speeds your car must be slower than:

Prior to 1950: 23s
1950 - 1959: 21s (Ford Customline)
1960 - 1963: 19s (Ford Fairlane Sedan 292)
1964 - 1966: 18.9s (Ford Country Sedan 289)
1967 - 1970: 18.6s (Ford Country Sedan 302)
1971 - 1975: 20.6s (Ford Pinto)
1976 - 1982: 19.7s (Honda Accord)
1983 - 1987 : 18.6s (Toyota Camry)
1988 - 1991: 18.1s
1992 - 1993: 15.9s
1994 - 1996 : 15.8s
1997 - 2006: 15.7s
2007 - 2011 : 14.4s
2012 - present: 14.1s

If you cannot find how fast your car is, just guess and if it’s close enough, post it anyway. But obviously a Ferrari 250 GTO or Jaguar XK140 is going to be faster than 19s in the quarter mile.

Times before 1971 come from estimations provided by !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . Times afterwards come from !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! .

A few notes to get you started:

1. You can choose any trim level of your car, as long as the “dream” trim is sufficiently slow, such as the Mustang II 4 cylinder.

2. No engine swaps or restomods this time. You have to drive it as-is. Factory cars only, no tuned ones.

3. Cost being no object, reliability, storage, repairs, and maintenance is free for you.

...Now let’s sit back and see how long it takes for someone to post a Miata or a Citreon DS...

fhrblig > GhostZ 07/19/2015 at 14:27

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The AMC Matador Barcelona coupe.

I love the lines of this car. The vinyl roof, not so much. I’d live with it, though.

GhostZ > fhrblig 07/19/2015 at 14:29

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I didn’t know they made a vinyl top version of this, and I have to agree, the rear window kink and bullet-straight median line are extremely beautiful. It’s a damn shame most of the matadors out there don’t look like this, or have opera windows instead.

Viggen > GhostZ 07/19/2015 at 14:30

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, 

BorkBorkBjork > GhostZ 07/19/2015 at 14:31

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I’m weird.

GhostZ > BorkBorkBjork 07/19/2015 at 14:32

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If by weird you mean “fucking badass”, sure.

GhostZ > Viggen 07/19/2015 at 14:36

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Makes me want a Volga!

415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) > GhostZ 07/19/2015 at 14:37

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How long did that take? Also a 2CV, pretty much slow French cars. I have a W123, its a turbo but its not fast. I love the DS interior up to 1969.

GhostZ > 415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) 07/19/2015 at 14:40

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8 minutes, which is fairly slow. Then again, it is the weekend.

I imagine the DS is probably more of a dream car than the W123 because of its insane maintenance. I seriously considered it before going with the Limo.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > GhostZ 07/19/2015 at 14:44

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FJ60 in blue, don’t care what engine, though I would prefer the diesel.

415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) > GhostZ 07/19/2015 at 14:45

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There is a French car club here and one guy told me they have a few tricks for the suspension, there was a fluid change and some parts that greatly increased the reliability of that system. SF is also lucky to have a couple mechanics from there so they know them well. But for sure my Merc is way more reliable. Man if you ever sit in a pre 1970 DS, so nice.

not for canada - australian in disguise > GhostZ 07/19/2015 at 14:56

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ZIL.

FlimFlamMan > GhostZ 07/19/2015 at 15:22

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Ford Model A

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > Viggen 07/19/2015 at 15:27

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Chaika! :D

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > GhostZ 07/19/2015 at 15:27

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Sadly, I’ve always liked the Volga as well, wouldn’t mind having one - Jay Leno has one and he likes his quite a lot! :)

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > 415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) 07/19/2015 at 15:28

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I would love a DS, but I’d love a 2CV just as much, or a Citroen HY van!

GhostZ > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 07/19/2015 at 15:29

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I actually expected more offroaders and utility vehicles. I can get behind this.

GhostZ > FlimFlamMan 07/19/2015 at 15:34

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Where is Calzonegolem... I think he actually has a Model A project, or at least did at one time.

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > GhostZ 07/19/2015 at 15:35

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Classic FIAT 500 or FIAT 126 for me! I fully intend on importing a 126 sometime in the next few years once I get a full-time job! :D I love the 500 more, but they have gone up a lot in price in the last few years. The 126 can be had for MUCH cheaper in decent shape, and their mechanicals are based on classic 500’s mechanicals, so the layout/maintenance/etc is basically the same, the only thing really different is the styling.

500:

126:

I’d also love a Trabant ever since I saw this video online...

GhostZ > not for canada - australian in disguise 07/19/2015 at 15:39

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Chosing between a President, a Crown, a Zil, or a Cadillac One limo was tough for me, but I kept my brand loyalty.

Unfortunately the Imperial Limo is too fast... or that would obviously take the top spot.

GhostZ > RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars 07/19/2015 at 15:39

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I’ve always liked the 126 more than the 500.

MultiplaOrgasms > FlimFlamMan 07/19/2015 at 15:56

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Well technically the Model A was the Camry of its day, so I don’t think it actually counts.

MultiplaOrgasms > GhostZ 07/19/2015 at 16:19

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Certainly slow cars compared to a Ford.

Berang > GhostZ 07/19/2015 at 16:48

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Kelsey Motorette rickshaw version. But the amusement of being scared to death at 20mph might wear off after a few minutes, so:

Hino 4cv because a Japanese version of a French minicar built by a heavy truck company.

GhostZ > MultiplaOrgasms 07/19/2015 at 17:25

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What’s the drawn one second from the bottom?

Berang > RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars 07/19/2015 at 17:40

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Why not a 600? Spanish or Yugo 600 variants too. In most ways more fun to drive than the 500 based cars.

Berang > GhostZ 07/19/2015 at 17:42

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Cisitalia.

MultiplaOrgasms > GhostZ 07/19/2015 at 17:56

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Cisitalia 202 Gran Sport. 65hp of Fiat powered glory.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > GhostZ 07/19/2015 at 18:35

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This Land Rover has to be up there.

http://oppositelock.kinja.com/i-found-some-m…

Wurrwulf > GhostZ 07/19/2015 at 19:32

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2000 Mini Classic Cooper! 18.4 seconds of glory!

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > Berang 07/19/2015 at 19:48

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I’ve thought a 600, but being quirky, I’m partial to the air-cooled cars! :) If a good deal on a 600 came around, I would get it though!

Berang > RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars 07/20/2015 at 01:43

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Yeah but the 500 is pretty much the go to Fiat. Everybody expects it, and it’s not nearly as much fun to drive as the 600. Plus people will always be saying “hey is that a fiat 500?” and you can go “No, it’s a 600!” which ups the nerd joy.

pip bip - choose Corrour > GhostZ 07/20/2015 at 03:54

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Trabant 601

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > Berang 07/20/2015 at 08:07

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Maybe so, 600s are less common than the 500, but, then again, so is the 126 and it has the same mechanicals as the 500! :) Plus, here in my home province in Nova Scotia, you don’t see 500s, 600s or 126s...FIAT had a small presence compared to other Euro brands in Canada when they did sell cars here back in the day, and most of their sales were in the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s, so the 500/600/126 are virtually unknown to most people here. I’ve only ever seen any of them in person once in my entire life and by insane coincidence, it just so happens to be two 500s in the town 10 minutes that a guy that moved here from Ontario owns. He keeps them locked up in a garage 99% of the time and they aren’t road registered or insured at the moment.........Long story short, they would all have just as much nerd factor here, haha! :)

As for the fun to drive thing - I’m sure the 600 is, but that’s a personal preference. I’d love driving any of them I think, but I’d have just as much fun in a 500 or 126 as with a 600! The 500 is my favorite in terms of styling, but I think I would actually go for the 126 just to be different.

There’s also the issue of cost. A 500 or 600 in good nick would be several thousand at least (probably at least $5000-6000 CDN), PLUS the shipping costs to get it here. As for a 126, I would probably spring to import one from Poland - a 126p like Borsuq has. With the Canadian dollar - Polish Zloty exchange rate, I could get a 126 in great shape including shipping to Canada for like $3000-$4000 total. Parts for them are also INSANELY cheap there (Borsuq bought a whole replacement steering box for like $12), so I could get a bunch of parts purchased there cheap and have a bunch of spares shipped over wth the car as well.

I could still end up with a 600 though if I saw one for the right price in good shape! :) I imagine a SEAT or Zastava variant would be cheaper than an out-and-out FIAT model, although shipping would be more costly for those I would think...