Name That Convertible

[Jewels 0]

So, yesterday I saw a gorgeous red convertible on the road and have been trying to figure out what it might have been. My fiance suggested either a Carman-Ghia or a bathtub Porsche, so I took the scientific approach and used Google images. It wasn't a Carman-Ghia; it had rounder lines than that. In fact, it really looked a lot like the Porsche, although I couldn't swear to it. The car I saw DID have a silver metal strip running up the hood, though, which also looks very much like the Porsche. I'm thinking the odds of it actually being a bathtub Porsche are pretty slim, though, if those are as pricey as I think they are. Any ideas for what else it might have been? It reminded me faintly of something along the lines of a VW bug that has been flattened and elongated . . . and given some class. (I actually think the Bugs are cute, too, but you most definitely would not use the term "cute" with this little vehicle.) I know nothing about cars, but I saw it and thought "European."

TPM Sister #102

[AggieDave 6]

So it wasn't a Porsche 356? How about a 550?

It could have been a kit car of some sort. There are a number of kits that are available on VW Type 1 pans or tube chassis, all running Type 1 motors and transaxles.

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[Jewels 0]

Hmmmm . . . . The Google images of the 550 don't show the metal strip up the hood, but we're still in the right neighborhood for the overall look. Maybe it WAS a kit car. I really liked it. It takes a lot for a car to turn my head but that one made a statement.

TPM Sister #102

[AggieDave 6]

There are a number of variations of VW Type 3s. The most commonly known is the Ghia and the Squareback, but there are some other strange variations as well. So maybe it was a Ghia. Although, the variations aren't as "pretty" as the Ghia.

It wasn't a Hebmueller VW was it?

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3240/3152576777_85d462386d.jpg

If so, then sorry, they're pretty danged rare.

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[countzero 7]

aston martin DB mark III- they had a chrome strip on the hood

diamonds are a dawgs best friend

[Jewels 0]

No, I'm really sure it wasn't a VW. That's TOO rounded.

I tried to maneuver around in traffic so I could get closer and get behind him but he turned too soon. Curses--now I'm going to have to drive the streets, looking for my little dream convertible.

I like your idea of a kit car, though.

TPM Sister #102

[JerryBaumchen 1,468]

Hi Jewels,

Having owned two 356's, this might help:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Porsche_356

Take a look at the photos there and see if it was something like the later 356 versions.

JerryBaumchen

[Jewels 0]

Quote

aston martin DB mark III- they had a chrome strip on the hood

Oooo--not quite, but that's a nice little car, too, and the chrome strip is key because it was one of the things I could see most clearly.

Now I want a bathtub Porsche AND an Aston Martin. Never gonna happen, but I sure like those!!

TPM Sister #102

[Jewels 0]

Okay, scroll down to the picture of two convertibles, taken from above. The right convertible in white has the EXACT chrome strip on the little car I saw:

http://daveloop.drumtable.com/40_Years_In_A_Bathtub__Porsche__That_Is_

Does that mean it IS a Porsche, or could a kit car replicate that?

TPM Sister #102

[poe62 0]

Maybe a Shelby?
http://www.kitcarconnection.com/files/images/shelby-cobra.preview.jpg

~Nikki
http://www.facebook.com/poe62

Irgity Dirgity

[quade 4]

Even a photo taken by a camera phone would have made this trivial.

Pity none was taken!

Did it look like this?

quade -
The World's Most Boring Skydiver

[Jewels 0]

There must just be something about these lines that I like. This isn't the car, but I would drive it in a heartbeat. Troy had a 2007 Shelby Cobra (not a convertible) and I LOVED that thing because it was fast. This Shelby I just like the appearance of--although I'm pretty sure it would be fun to drive, too.

TPM Sister #102

[quade 4]

Crap. Sorry Jewels. I accidently edited a post you made, by clicking a wrong button. This happens occasionally when my finger slips.

Anyway . . . did it look like this?

quade -
The World's Most Boring Skydiver

[Jewels 0]

Quote

Crap. Sorry Jewels. I accidently edited a post you made, by clicking a wrong button. This happens occasionally when my finger slips.

Anyway . . . did it look like this?

YES!!!!!!!!! That's it exactly, except that the top was black. Ohhhh, that's a pretty, pretty little car. I showed Troy and he said, "So, now we know what you can't have." Life is so rough! Is that the Porsche?

(I didn't see what you edited but I'm not worried, even if I should be. . . . )

TPM Sister #102

[quade 4]

Yes, that's a Porsche.

quade -
The World's Most Boring Skydiver

[Jewels 0]

I'm so glad you found that. At least now I don't have to go crazy trying to guess what it might have been. I'm kind of surprised, though. I've never been overly impressed by Porsches before. Now I guess I'll have to re-think that.

TPM Sister #102

[AggieDave 6]

And once again, if a real one is out of your price range, then there are some decent kit cars out there.

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[Jewels 0]

Quote

And once again, if a real one is out of your price range, then there are some decent kit cars out there.

Welcome to reality. . . . That would make a nice change from my Volvo.

Oh, and the other thing my fiance asked me was to describe the grill and I told him I couldn't remember a grill. Looking at the picture again, I know why!

TPM Sister #102