Hardtops have a peculiar appeal. That long unsupported section of roof and the empty space beneath it says "look at me and how powerful I am".

When I saw that "ornament" on the grille I thought it had just been added in an attempt to be ironic. After only a little research, it appears original.

I'm guessing this car used to be painted red or white. At least when the matte fad is over it can be restored. I love the scratched steering wheel, and the way the transmission lever and shaft are left (dangerously?) exposed next to the steering column, the way the front wheel arch rises just a bit too close to the arrow straight trim, and is embraced by the side sculpting which flows back from the outside headlight.

This is his work truck, according to the owner. Greatly preferable to the 4 door, 4WD, chromed monstrosities common to work sites in town. Yes it is kind of shiny and flashy, but I would call it more honest, simply meeting the owner's needs while providing some pleasure as well.

This is the first time I've noticed the continuous sculpting from the front headlight and fender all the way back to the rear tailight, giving the impression of a sloping rear fender.

Elegant and functional. Owner says it has not been restored (aside from paint), and it shows in minor dings plus wear on the interior (which is still excellent, particularly for white). The nicely domed hood, clapping wipers and chromed air intake, the excellent colour, separate left & right rear bumpers, the narrow shut lines which do not interrupt the flow of fine lines leading from the headlights to the tail. And those wheel arches!

Oh sure there are a few excesses -- the bits of chrome everywhere, including the chrome exhaust extension, but even that has a durable look to it. A car fit for a playboy.

A remarkable car which I'd been hoping to find parked for a while.

Of note
- The massive single spoke of the eroded chrome steering wheel visible through dirt on the window in #5, as well as the unusual positioning of the semi-automatic transmission lever, in #5 & #6.
- Ribbed aluminum in the C pillar (also in the skinny B pillar) supporting the curious elevated rear turn indicators
- Beautiful aerodynamic shape, accentuated by it's lowered body when parked. So far ahead of it's time.
- That emblematic shape of the headlight glass -- unlike any of it's contemporaries.

When I shot this one I thought... well the light is crappy, the car is too new, it's just not, um, something. It probably won't work out. But I played with the images a bit, reconsidered them, and now this seems OK.

Dirty, dusty and somewhat rusty. GM was desperately trying to turn a Cavalier (!) into a muscle car. You know they are trying too hard when they have to add all kinds of junk like the red/purple/blue badge, the aero bits all around the base of the body. And naming it "Z24", as if a front drive car could be somehow related to a Z28. Silly, really, but that's what makes it interesting.

The owner said the reason this car was found in this particular spot is because this is where it dropped the clutch, and also where it was awaiting a flatbed lift to a specialist.

Ahh that rounded nose/grille leading into the classic hood (or should I say "bonnet") flanked by the dramatic fenders, which lead all the way back to the similar back fenders That remarkable real wood dash & steering wheel. The sticker on the windshield. A design unchanged and still in production today.

I knew there must be something interesting in the area when I saw three motorcycles in the front yard in various states of assembly. Given it's current environment in deepest darkest Commercial Drive, this rare car is in pretty good shape.

One must wonder what Volkswagen executives were thinking when they decided to build a truck based on the Rabbit. Probably decided to build cars in the US at the same meeting. Seeing that long loadbed behind the econobox front is now a treat.

BTW 1778 is the address, not the year.