Posts from ‘Vehicles That Nearly Were’
Factory photograph of the Diamond T Wagon Prototype (1946)
Text and drawing by Frank Peiler
The American auto industry returned to building cars soon after the end of World War II, and the car-starved public was clamoring to trade in its worn-out old rides for almost anything new that had at least four wheels and was self-propelled.
Fisker founder and designer Henrik Fisker poses with the company’s Surf sport wagon concept.
All told, about 1800 Fisker vehicles were built before the company’s collapse, all of which were 2011 and 2012 Karma sedans. First shown at the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show was the Surf, a rakish wagon based on the Karma. Sadly, Fisker ran out of cash before the Surf would see production. Presented here are Consumer Guide’s original highlights written in anticipation of Surf’s 2013 arrival.
The Indian-built Mahindra TR 20 and TR 40 were originally due to arrive in U.S. showrooms for the 2010 model year. A TR 20 is shown here.
The Mahindra TR 10 and TR 20 pickups were first scheduled to arrive in U.S. show rooms for 2010, then pushed back to 2011, then pushed back to 2012. The trucks never arrived–blame complications federalizing the Indian-built vehicle and discord between Mahindra and the would-be American distributor. Presented here are Consumer Guide’s original highlights written in anticipation of the truck’s 2012 model-year arrival.
