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Lane's ten nastiest vehicles you've never heard of...

By
Real Estate Agent with Century 21 Results Realty GA RE Lic # 282060

And they range from vicious to downright rude... and I like every one of them.  Each of these is about doing something very well... and leaving everything else aside. Prodrive P2

#10.  ProDrive P2.  Don't get your hopes up.  You can't buy one.  Prodrive runs the "factory" racing efforts for Subaru's World Rally Team, Aston Martin, and Ford's Australian Supercar Series.  For this little gem, they took a slightly detuned Subaru rally engine, and made a newer, lighter, less compromised car that the Imprezza Rally car.  The P2 is said to be production ready, but only serves as a technology catalog.  0-62mph in about 4 seconds.  It is reasonably handsome, all wheel drive, and smarter than most drivers.  if you are feeling like you need some greens after reading this, look up the NARO and the ENV fuel cell motorcycle on their site.  BTW, this car was fast enough on the skidpad to make Jeremy Clarkson from TopGear get carsick... gotta love a car that can make the tester barf. 

Bowler Nemesis#9.  Bowler NemesisI am a 4x4 guy... so here is a full on race 4x4 that you CAN buy.  Kinda.  All it takes is cash... lots of cash... Ok, for a race truck, it's dirt cheap.  Performance is astounding.  Depending on configuration, these things can do 0-60 in under 5 seconds.  Not as fast as the P2, but several times the ground clearance, and can carry almost 100 gallons of fuel.  These are designed to run Dakar, and may go far enough between services to need that kind of range.  Please not, that while it looks like a modified Land Rover... it shares almost nothing with it... a couple of engine components.  Even those are modified.  BTW, on the website there is a very cool little paper car that you can print and fold up for free.  

Mallett Sky#8.  Mallett SkyOk, so maybe you've heard of the Saturn Sky, but the Mallett is the fire-breathing, dragon-snorting, evil kinda twin.  Take an average Saturn Sky, and stuff a 400hp Chevy LS2 into it.  Pretty and nasty...  But, with all GM parts, and a 2 year, 24,000 mile warranty.  That's just wrong.  0-60 is in the 4.2 second range.  That's quicker than a Vette.  And the 0-100mph time is less than half of the stocker.  And it looks like it has attitude, too.  for just north of $50k, it should... but it is a bargain.  And it will bite like a mean dog with a rash if you don't give it respect.  If you prefer the Pontiac Solstice... they do that too... as well as some other GM vehicles that need a little more nasty.  

Tatra#7.  TatraAnd now for something completely different.  I'll let the photo be worth 1000 words.  Let's get a few things out of the way.  The stockers are just boring trucks.  They cart junk all over eastern Europe.  But, when the guys that run Dakar decide they need help... these are the "support" vehicles of choice, along with similar offerings from a handful of other European truck companies.  You see, competitors are the only ones allowed on the course, so the heavy trucks are IN THE RACE.  The guys that fix the race cars, race trucks... And they want to win, too.  So, what do you think of a double cab truck with 5 occupants getting air at 100mph in the desert?  Personally... I like it.  BTW, the Dakar is coming up from January 5th-20th.  There will be video of these guys doing crazy things.  What always amazes me though, is that if one of these things is stuck, the others will pull it out.  They want to win, but they know that it could be them getting stuck next...  0-60, I have no idea.  Truthfully, i'd worry more about the braking distance... in the sand... from 100mph.

TVR Sagaris#6.  TVR SagarisRacers often say that too much power is almost enough.  This car has too much power... it doesn't weigh enough, either.  0-60 is in 3.7 seconds.  Purely nasty.  Look at it.  it looks like somebody took a Cobra Daytona Coupe and gave it an attitude.  (I just uttered heresy...)  It is street legal... but it was designed to race.  It snorts, and it breaks traction.  It burbles...  It coos like a baby... dragon.  I used to know a guy with an old TVR Tasmin, and it was a wonderful car when it ran.  He hated it for the 80 % of the time it just wouldn't run, and was indifferent the 15% of the time when it ran poorly.  But, that other 5%...  I can't describe what it was like to drive in a family friendly format.  And that car was a crude shopping cart with a wobbly wheel compared to this thing.  And the British have figured out how to build cars that run well more than 5% of the time now.  TVR doesn't do cheap or mainstream... or steering wheel on the left. 

Caterham 7#5.  Caterham 7 C SR Superlight50 years ago, Colin Chapman designed an icon.  It was the Lotus 7.  It was SO different that people didn't know what to make of it.  And 50 years later, copies are made all over the world by all sorts of companies.  Caterham is making the "official" knock-off" of the Seven, and they have evolved this machine into something sinister.  I drove a 160hp version back in the later 1980s, and it was a ball.  I ran a few laps on an autocross course, hitting about 70mph.  Had I not been wearing a full face helmet, I think my ears would have bled.  The stand-up windshield was NOT designed to reduce buffeting.  But, who cares!This thing was like a go-cart loaded with nitro.  And the version I'm pinging here has another 100hp.  And weighs less.  And has a more advanced suspension.  0-60 in 3.1 seconds.  Pulling away from a traffic light can be like getting launched off of a carrier in a fighter plane.  To hold the steering wheel you need velcro gloves.

Unimog#4.  Unimog.  Redefining ugly and spartan.  Seriously.  These are business 4x4s.  They plow snow, plow field, drag stuff, fight fires, evacuate people from disasters and move the military.  They can be bulletproof... or they can be outfitted with optional three point hitches... like a tractor.  The axles weight more than a small car.  0-50 is measured with a sun-dial.  To get in... learn to jump.  They actually have a step incorporated into the front wheel...  I like ugly trucks.  

Morgan Roadster#3.  Morgan RoadsterIf you don't love the looks, you hate the looks.  Keep in mind that this is a brand new car.  You can go to the Morgan dealer near you and order one.  They'll deliver when they are good and ready.  It isn't that they don't want your business, it's that they are crafted, and there is a LONG line of buyers.  I used to know a guy that had a Morgan +8.  It had been passed down from his father.  My friend's son asked if he could drive it to Prom...  Not just a "no", but "I can make another one of you... that car is not replaceable." 

It might look like a car Grampa would own, but 0-62mph comes in 4.9 seconds.  What about (according to some British standard) 19mpg around town?  What about 28mpg combined city/hwy?  Not just a classic look, but great performance and reasonable fuel mileage.  And, if you really want to be green, many older ones are running around powered by propane.  Back in the 1980s they couldn't get an emissions certification for the engine, but found a loophole.  So, the factory built American spec V-8 cars with propane power.  Less emissions than a Prius.  

Scorpion#2.  Scorpion 4x4.  I have said that I loved ugly.  This is ugly on a new level.  Ugly has a purpose... Ok, sometimes ugly has a purpose.  Obviously the purpose here is to crawl and climb.  In 1997 when Heath Biggs designed this thing, he broke so many rules that it wasn't funny.  The suspension is a revolution.  The look is military meets mean.  One of these competed in the first Top Truck Challenge and dominated.  It does almost everything well.  I'm sure it will do 60mph, but who cares how fast it gets there. If I had to guess, I'd say around 10 seconds.  it does have a healthy V8 powering it, but it weighs as much as any two of the rockets here. 

the website is WAY out of date.  I'm guessing that you can't buy one anymore.  However, the Scorpion literally cleared the way for dozens of builders to make buggies for customers.  These things are amazing in their capabilities.  But, I have a thing for the innovators, and this is an innovative vehicle. 

Ariel Atom#1.  Ariel AtomTake the Caterham 7 above, and strip away all of the luxurious stuff... like body panels and an interior.  This car is pure art.  The space frame is right there for all to see.  For a hard-core guy like me, this is better than any bodywork.  I can't imagine a body that could cover this that could make it prettier.  But, it is more than art.  It is wickedly quick.  0-60 can be as quick as 2.9 seconds.  Not a typo.  Guys in Vipers will wonder just what happened.  And they are street legal.  There are at least two of these things here in Atlanta.  There are a couple of guys that are tossing on a full face helmet and driving to work.  (Ladies, I'm not being condescending here... you are smarter than we are... and so I expect better behavior out of you... during the week).  

In all seriousness, the performance of these cars is astounding.  And the cost (considering the performance) is cheap.  This is Ferrari Enzo performance for Corvette money... ok, expensive Corvette money.  You could get a sportbike and goa little quicker... but this is WAY cooler.  

 

So, there is my own little list.  It obviously isn't complete... and never will be.  Some people might know all of these varied vehicles, but most will have never heard of any of them.  I hope you enjoyed, learned a little, and maybe were inspired to get a toy.  

If you are car people, and want to find a new place to call home... or need to have new people call your place home, give me a shout.  I can help.  I have an extensive network of agents all over the country to refer you to if you aren't in the Atlanta area.   

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Unless otherwise noted, all content of this blog is the property of Lane Bailey, ©2012 Lane Bailey. 

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Comments (25)

Georgie Hunter R(S) 58089
Hawai'i Life Real Estate Brokers - Haiku, HI
Maui Real Estate sales and lifestyle info
Somehow I don't think this can be a good thing.... lol
Dec 21, 2007 03:57 PM
Lane Bailey
Century 21 Results Realty - Suwanee, GA
Realtor & Car Guy

Georgina - What couldn't be good?  Getting on a proper track with any of these would be a hoot.  I don't believe in driving like you stole it on the road... although I also don't think there should be a speed limit on most Interstates...

And why does Hawaii have an Interstate highway?

;^ ) 

Dec 22, 2007 01:15 AM
Doreen McPherson
Homesmart ~ Scottsdale ~ Tempe - Tempe, AZ
Phoenix Arizona Real Estate ~

I could have used the Scorpion back in the day…  when I used to follow locked up CJ7’s around in my toy truck.  I took a lot of heat, until the day the Land Cruiser had to pull the Willys up the hill. 

Dec 23, 2007 02:28 AM
Lane Bailey
Century 21 Results Realty - Suwanee, GA
Realtor & Car Guy
Doreen - The first Scorpion was actually title as a CJ7...  It had about 4 feet of CJ frame rail in it...
Dec 23, 2007 01:56 PM
Fred Carver Real Estate Consulant
Retired BC Realtor - Victoria, BC
Accredited Real Estate Consultant

Hi Lane...Great Blog post, I learned about some new cars and trucks. if you enjoy cars we hosted the 75th Anniversary of the 32 Ford in Victoria this Summer, over 750 cars registered to come, before we closed the registration. Some very nice cars came from all over North America and few from Europe and Australia.

MERRY CHRISTMAS !

Dec 23, 2007 04:06 PM
Lane Bailey
Century 21 Results Realty - Suwanee, GA
Realtor & Car Guy
Fred - Let me guess, you like the Morgan?  That owuld have been a cool event to visit. 
Dec 24, 2007 02:57 AM
Anonymous
ali

i work for prodrive and have sat in th P2, its such an amazing piece of machinery even right dwn 2 th last carbon fibre panels, it is perfect. unfortunately th designing team destroyed all moulds used 2 make it so theres never gna b 1 made 4 production, hw sad!

my dad also owns a morgan aero 8 nd its absolutli amazin, i dnt fink iv eva bn in a car as impressive (both styling nd engine wise) this list is full of dam impressive cars!

May 24, 2008 11:19 PM
#12
Anonymous
bob

has ne1 noticed that half of these amazing cars r british?

says it all i fink, cnt beat n brit!

May 24, 2008 11:21 PM
#13
Sam Miller
RE/MAX Stars Realty - Howard, OH
Knox County Ohio Real Estate Specialist

Mallet is located about 2 hours from me.  The guy is the mad scientist when it comes to GM super tuning.  Mallet is probably most recognized for his Green Slime C5 Corvette which was a real monster.

May 25, 2008 09:15 AM
Sam Miller
RE/MAX Stars Realty - Howard, OH
Knox County Ohio Real Estate Specialist

Lane:  Lingenfelter is a builder and tuner that is WAY up top when it comes to building street legal high performance cars.  Here is a link that you won't want to miss:  Lingenfelter Corvette.  Let me know what you think once you hace had a chance to check it out.  (Big Smile)

May 25, 2008 09:19 AM
Lane Bailey
Century 21 Results Realty - Suwanee, GA
Realtor & Car Guy

Ali - I have loved Morgans since I was a kid... and I am a Subaru WRC fan. 

Bob - A case could be made that 6 of the 10 are British.  But, there aren't the "Superest" of Supercars... but the ones that most people have never heard of.  If it was just the 10 nastiest cars, I think there would have been more balance... Hard to argue with a Corvette... cheap, fast, and on par with some of the nastiest cars in the world.  Viper, Ford GT, Saleen. 

Sam - Mallett has Tahoes running around that will puff stock Vettes.  That is just wrong.  And I am familiar with Linginfelter.  And that thing is fast... but no drama.  Good for driving, bad for viewing.  ;^ )

May 26, 2008 01:38 AM
Sam Miller
RE/MAX Stars Realty - Howard, OH
Knox County Ohio Real Estate Specialist

Lane - John Lingenfelter has been my horsepower hero for years.  His operation still continues to prosper even after his passing.

May 28, 2008 02:32 PM
Lane Bailey
Century 21 Results Realty - Suwanee, GA
Realtor & Car Guy

Sam - He did an amazing job building a horsepower empire...

May 29, 2008 01:51 AM
Sam Miller
RE/MAX Stars Realty - Howard, OH
Knox County Ohio Real Estate Specialist

Lane - And he started doing it with mainly GM production line parts that he ported and massaged.  Lingenfelter's book "On Modifying Small Block Chevy Engines" is simply amazing.  The explanation between high pressure oil pumps compared to high volume oil pumps was huge.  He was the first person that I can remember that build his street cars with a primary focus on low speed torque rather than ultra high rpm horsepower.  Low speed grunt in a street car is what gets the car rolling and it makes the car so much easier to drive from stop light to stop light. 

May 29, 2008 05:15 AM
Lane Bailey
Century 21 Results Realty - Suwanee, GA
Realtor & Car Guy

Sam - I think Mallett is going in that direction.

May 31, 2008 01:49 PM
Sam Miller
RE/MAX Stars Realty - Howard, OH
Knox County Ohio Real Estate Specialist

Yeah - I met Mallet at a Corvette event at Quaker Steak and Lube in Columbus, Ohio.  He brought his "Green Slime" Vette with him and he is a great guy. 

Jun 01, 2008 10:58 PM
Pat Hommel
Annapolis Plaza CB Residential and Commercial - Annapolis, MD
Annapolis, AA Co., Md. Real Estate Sales

Lane,  A Morgan with speed.........what more can you ask for?  Thanks for sharing this information, good blog and hot pictures.

Jun 26, 2008 02:38 PM
Lane Bailey
Century 21 Results Realty - Suwanee, GA
Realtor & Car Guy

Pat - I have always loved Morgans.  I think they are beautiful machines. 

Jun 29, 2008 02:04 AM
Anonymous
Addy

You mention dakar trucks, but not the DAF turbotwin? Look it up, it had an engine for each axle, and put out over 1100 HP

Sep 05, 2010 09:15 AM
#24
Lane Bailey
Century 21 Results Realty - Suwanee, GA
Realtor & Car Guy

No issues with DAF or MAN trucks.  I just picked one from that genre..

Sep 05, 2010 01:14 PM