Rare Rides! - Take 2

In this installment of rare rides, we have four rides that are unique in their own ways and capture various moments in automotive history. You just don’t see them often. Let’s dive in shall we?

1. 2011-2016 MV-1

Manufactured by Vehicle Production Group, the MV-1 was designed to be a wheelchair accessible specialty vehicle. It featured two available Ford-supplied engines, a 3.7 V6 and 4.6 V8, and was also used as a taxi cab. I rode in a taxi cab version in Chicago (pictured), I found its powertrain responsive. Not sure if it was a V6 or V8. One also passed me on the local roads back at home.

2. 2011-2014 Cadillac CTS-V Wagon

This was spotted in a parking garage after attending the 2018 Detroit NAIAS. While this one was dirty and appeared to have winter tires and rims on it (likely to protect the factory set from road salt), it doesn’t reduce the overall exclusivity of this car! The CTS Wagon is already uncommon, and spotting a V-Series is like seeing a unicorn jumping a rainbow! The 2nd-generation CTS-V came with a 6.2-liter V8 making 556 HP. 0-60 took 3.9 seconds for the automatic transmission, 4.1 for the manual. Dream car anyone?

3. 2001 Oldsmobile Intrigue

While not a super “rare” car in a traditional sense, what struck me about this ‘01 Olds was just how IMPECCABLY CLEAN it was. I only found one scratch on the body (bottom right picture)! When was the last time you saw an Oldsmobile THIS CLEAN!? Perhaps back in 2001! This vehicle was on sale at Suburban Cadillac in Plymouth, Michigan (not sure if it’s still there) and had Oldsmobile’s 3.5-liter “Shortstar” V6 good for 215 HP. The 2nd-generation Oldsmobile Aurora also used this engine. Prior to using this powertrain, the Intrigue used GM’s famed 3.8-liter V6. This particular Intrigue was on sale for $5,000 - not sure of the mileage on it. The Intrigue was produced from 1998-2002, and was the first car to die during the 2000s Oldsmobile phaseout. Admittedly, I've always had a soft spot for Oldsmobile in my heart. Its long been my favorite GM brand...

4. 2015 Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen TDI

Again, this wouldn’t necessarily be on here as a “rare” car I imagine if it weren’t for the VW “Dieselgate” scandal. Someone obviously didn’t feel compelled to turn their TDI in for a refund, or either got it fixed and kept it. I wasn’t able to get a picture of the one I actually saw, (I was driving, SAFETY FIRST) but it was blue just like this one here. Given the popularity of compact crossovers in America right now, seeing one of these wagons, let alone in diesel form, is interesting to say the least. The Golf Sportwagen was equipped with a 2.0-liter turbo diesel engine.

Have you seen any nice or rare rides lately? Post your findings.

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