Class: Needlessly Complex Italian
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I proudly present my Needlessly Complex Italian Sports Coupe....with a twist of K Car! My 1990 Chrysler's TC by Maserati(Chrysler "Q" Platform) was purchased last July from a gentleman who at one point owned 15 of them and was himself featured in a Hagerty magazine article about getting rid of them all. I paid arguably too much money for it mourning Lee Iacocca to run it in a Lemons Rally in 2019 which I couldnt make. Now with COVID it just got pressed into duty as a winter, followed by a summer, daily driver. The rear windows don't roll down, the top barely works, the tach thinks its idling at 7,000 and most of the interior electronics have failed. You also have to tap the brake pedal to engage the overdrive, I have no idea what's up with that. At 120,000 miles and Michigan winter status, I would like to know if someone is actually driving around a rattier one with a non-matching hard top. Due to parts expense and scarcity, the TEVES ABS as well as axles and brake calipers, along with some other misc parts, have been replaced with those from a 1990 LeBaron. These parts bolted right up, imagine that! I hope to eventually run this on Fall Failage or Route 66.
I have additional TC adventures along with my other Lemons on Instagram @DlangsHoopties.
Consider for a moment, the car is no longer sold in America... ...for good reason. It sports wheel bearings from a skateboard. Leather accented by hard plastics. A wheel base so short that the entire side of the car can be lifted on one jack point. If you can fit it underneath that is. Fitted with 17" rims guaranteed to bend at their first encounter with a pothole. Interior carpeting that's 1 step above burlap. Oil filter location that can only be described as, "so Italian". Designed in Italy. Made in Mexico. Sold by Chrysler. What could go wrong?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4tnTBraW6o&feature=youtu.be
Concour D'LeMons 500 Abarth Entry
Consider for a moment, the car is no longer sold in America... ...for good reason. It sports wheel bearings from a skateboard. Leather accented by hard plastics. A wheel base so short that the entire side of the car can be lifted on one jack point. If you can fit it underneath that is. Fitted with 17" rims guaranteed to bend at their first encounter with a pothole. Interior carpeting that's 1 step above burlap. Oil filter location that can only be described as, "so Italian". Designed in Italy. Made in Mexico. Sold by Chrysler. What could go wrong?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4tnTBraW6o&feature=youtu.be
Concour D'LeMons 500 Abarth Entry
This is our 1987 Bertone (FIAT) X1/9. It is a Lemons Rally veteran, placing 2nd in the Four Bangors Rally. We dragged it out of a backyard and fixed the bare minimum to get it back on the road while doing some quality of life improvements. The X1/9s are small cars, this one is about the same size as a Miata. The car is rusty and is constantly making new noises, vibrations or worrying motions when on the road. It may be a piece of junk, but it will get you where you want to go as long as you have the tools and the time!
Entry Video Link
Here is my 1973 Fiat 124 special, mileage unknown. Olive is powered by a 1400cc pushrod engine making an adequate 70 hp, runs 4 wheel disc brakes and a brake bias system that decreases rear brake pressure based on the angle of the body to the rear axle. The car does not have a heater, fan, wiper motor or bumpers, but it does have an AM/FM cassette and rust.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Last weekend we Lemons Rallied this 1959 Fiat 1100, badged as an Indian liscenced version the Premier Padmini. In spite of overheating issues, fuel delivery shortcomings, and general awfulness, she persevered over 900 miles, seven mountain passes (up to 12,095' elevation), and some ill-advised dirt roads, to beat out 19 other (newer cars) for the overall points win. We're happy to report that neither the exhaust leak, the suicide doors, nor the stubborn pull to the left under braking managed to kill us.
Here is my entry for the Needlessly Complex Italian Class. An Alfa with three shoe brakes to start with! Built in 1962 shoulda' been a 1963 but it was registered as a 64. I was going to repaint it but everyone said "but its got patina! Err, no, that's Earl Scheib gone bad (The Earl of Scheib)". It is blast to drive and does have some cosmetic issues.
Ciao, here is my submission for Needlessly Complex Italian Class. Wheel bearings, pulleys and door latches all squeal in disapproval on this 2002 Fiat Multipla with only 60,000kms that I imported from Japan to Alberta (Canada's version of Texas). To prove this RHD exotic beast has truly emigrated to North America - it is likely the only one on the continent - I photographed it in front of a buffalo herd. The look of horror, shock and confusion on the faces of pickup drivers everywhere prove that this gem stands out in a crowd (not necessarily in a good way) and is worthy of d'Lemons. And for further proof, if any were needed, the UK's Sunday Times Driving section voted this much-maligned vehicle the #1 ugliest car ever created. Please, have mercy.
Thank you and grazie.
The Concours d'Lemons is a wonderful event for rare, quirky, and truly awful cars. Given current circumstances, this year's event is carried out virtually on...
