What is your favorite unicorn version of a “normal” car?

Colin
By Colin Wood
Jul 12, 2021 | rare, Unusual, Camry

Photograph Courtesy Toyota

Normally, a Toyota Camry really isn’t thought of as a rare car, unless it’s the predecessor to the Solara, the Camry Coupe.

The coupe version of the third-gen Camry was only sold in North America from 1994-1996, making at least somewhat of an unusual sight on the road.

What are some rare versions of totally normal cars that you know of? Any that you own?

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Comments
MadScientistMatt
MadScientistMatt UltimaDork
7/9/21 8:27 a.m.

The odd cases where somebody signed off on a performance minivan options package: The Dodge Caravan with the 2.5 Turbo / 5 speed manual option, and the AMG R63 are the only two I can think of.

Javelin (Forum Supporter)
Javelin (Forum Supporter) GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
7/9/21 8:59 a.m.

Mazda6 hatchback (looks nearly identical to the sedan but has a rear wiper).

Any modern pickup in regular cab form, but especially with a short bed and 2wd.

 

Wicked93gs
Wicked93gs Reader
7/9/21 9:00 a.m.

For me it was always the Shelby CSX:

 

 

The Shelby version of the Dodge Shadow....I used to own a regular Shadow for awhile and loved the car...almost bought a CSX for $900 about 12 years ago, but backed out simply because it needed so many Shelby specific pieces to be restored.

David S. Wallens
David S. Wallens Editorial Director
7/9/21 9:05 a.m.

How about the Chevrolet Classic, the fleet/rental car version of the Malibu. 

David S. Wallens
David S. Wallens Editorial Director
7/9/21 9:09 a.m.

And one a bit more old school. Growing up, everyone had a 1977-'85 Impala/Caprice--including my grandparents. (We had the Malibu.)

The cool Impala from that time period? Those coupes.

Patrick (Forum Supporter)
Patrick (Forum Supporter) GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
7/9/21 9:09 a.m.

Ian F (Forum Supporter)
Ian F (Forum Supporter) MegaDork
7/9/21 9:19 a.m.

I've always had a thing for the Mk IV R32.  

With bit over 10K built and almost half sent to the US, it's not quite a "unicorn" although it was a one-year only car. The "last-hurrah" for the Mk IV chassis Golf.  Love it or hate it, the Mk IV did set a standard for base level cars that rippled through the industry to this day - mainly in the interior.  

I'll have one in blue, please. (clipped from a BaT auction listing that sold for $62K - surprise ):

slowbird
slowbird UltraDork
7/9/21 9:23 a.m.

Everyone knows about the lowly Ford Escort. Most people know about the "sporty" GT hatchback.

Almost nobody knows about the LX-E, the less popular sedan equivalent of the GT.

Even fewer people have heard of the Mercury version, the Tracer LTS.

Colin Wood
Colin Wood Associate Editor
7/9/21 9:25 a.m.

I'm going to add the VW Toureg V10 TDI.

Nobody needs a diesel V10, but if I had nothing but money to burn, I'd pick one up in a heartbeat.

ProDarwin
ProDarwin MegaDork
7/9/21 9:26 a.m.

Yes, I know I have a problem:

1995 Saturn SW2.  Only year with the 1st gen body, and 2nd gen interior.

 

Not sure if this is considered normal, but:

Z32 Slicktop.  The lightest version of the Z32, and super rare.  I miss mine.

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