I’ve wanted to tear into this commercial from the moment I saw it. I chose the longer version for further dismemberment.
Given that the Toyota Corolla turned 50, it seems sort of fitting to revisit this commercial. This post was originally published in CarLustBlog.com on September 27, 2014. The original video was deleted and had to be replaced with an exact duplicate, but the author’s opinion is still intact.
This article originally appeared in CarLustBlog.com in June 7, 2012. Aside from refreshed hyperlinks, an expanded paragraph and extra pics, it’s all the same.
“It’s ugly-looking. And girly-ish.” Those were my (slightly politically incorrect) thoughts when I looked at the ZZW30 Toyota MR2 Spyder around the mid-‘00s. So imagine my surprise when my Uncle goes out and buys a used one. He’s a strange one. Depending on the deal, he has no qualms on changing a street machine for a 4×4 or vice-versa. Threw me for a loop a couple of times. But an MR2 Spyder? Continue reading
I direct your attention to a segment of Jay Leno’s Garage which I caught the other day:
The basic idea is summed up here:
Mostly known for turning classic SUVs and trucks such as the Toyota FJ, the Ford Bronco, and the Chevrolet 3100 into modern off-roaders or hot rods, ICON also spends time building rat rod-like vehicles as part of its Derelicts line. The Los Angeles shop buys “as found” vintage car bodies and mounts them on modern chassis and drivetrains, while adding various creature comforts.
Kind of an extreme form of restomodding, no?
I think I might hate it.
Submitted by Angela Ziesler Belt
I didn’t want it. It was small and old and cosmetically challenged. It had close to 100,000 miles on it. I don’t especially like low-slung cars. I prefer that my knees are below my butt and this car had a low drag. It felt like it was six inches off the ground. As I catalogued my other objections, my brother turned to me and said, “It runs. The tires aren’t bad. I’ll get the guy to throw in a new battery for you and I think I can get him to come down on the price.”
So I bought that fine, 1988 Pontiac Fiero for $300, $100 under the asking price. I’d liken it to accepting a date thinking, “well, I’ve nothing better going on ….”
It Rolls. 