I’ll admit, one of my sources of pride is that I think I’m pretty good at identifying cars when they’re under tarps or car covers or even filthy, moldy bedspreads. As far as personal vanity goes, I suppose this isn’t the worst example, and I’d like to note our own David Tracy can confirm that I once ID’d a Volvo 544 under a tarp in a driveway in a fraction of a second as we whizzed by at 35 mph or so.
But it’s not easy! And just the other day, Autopian contributor Emily Velasco sent me a car-under-cover picture that was satisfyingly challenging. You can see it up above there. We do know the answer, which I’ll have a link for you at the end of the post, but it seems like it’d be more fun to just try and figure it out, right?
I’ll admit, this one did give me some fits before identification; the lower valence with its vents felt like something I’d seen before, but after realizing that there’s a surprising number of cars with vented rear valences, I hadn’t found my answer. Also, it appears that if you’re going to have a louvered or vented rear under-bumper/muffler-area valence, those louvers are more likely to be vertical as opposed to the horizontal ones seen here.
I’d also like to encourage all of you to attempt this raw-dog, with just the automotive visual parts of your brains working hard, and not to use reverse-image search solutions or anything like that, because that just feels more, you know, sporting.
So, what is that thing under that tarp? Give your guesses in the comments, and if you want to see the answer, well, here you go.
These are kinda fun, right? If you like, we can maybe try and do more quick what’s-under-the-tarp posts. Let me know that in the comments, too!
Oh. My. God. I got this one in like 10 seconds. I saved up so much lawn mowing money trying to buy one with a really similar level of tarp coverage, but it had so much rust it wasn’t salvageable. I still want one so bad, particularly to build a replica of the group b version.
037
My guess is a Lancia Montecarlo.
I thought the same when I saw it, and i was super confident too
Lancia was my first thought too.
I bet it’s a car under there. At least a pretty good portion of one.
The way the tarp hangs off the rear spoiler made me brain see “Art & Science”.
Mk1 MR2 with some oddball exhaust. I’m not looking at comment yet.
If you look there is only one cut out in the valance for the exhaust tip, so the dual exhaust is something custom.
This. I had a quad exhaust on my Mk1for a while. https://eccppautoparts.com/dual-path-catback-muffler-exhaust-system-for-toyota-1pcs.html?gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAABThn3ZxG6dqzkZ9vffPkYdnmMqyc&gclid=Cj0KCQjwkdO0BhDxARIsANkNcrdk2wfpJcnptfIVDDmwctqC2VvWF46a06o76dtMaJoEU-BTUpxcVTIaAh3mEALw_wcB
I pit an old cherry bomb on on mine once when I was skint.. I had a welder a nd parts, but no money
I was going more exotic and thought Lanica Stratos.
Sometime in the past (almost put the time period, but there may still be some readers a’guessin) I was with my brother and dad oozing through a tunnel that was down to one lane in each direction, and in the other lane we saw one of these rear-end a Dodge Shadow (or Plymouth Sundance) such that the back wheels of the Shadow were in the middle of its hood. Fun times.
The steelies give it away.
It did.. and the tow loops.
For me it was the little super-’80s aero-bit under the rear quarter, and then I remembered where I’d seen those wheels before.
It’s a nice touch that the Autopian reveal photo has some extra rust spots along the bottom in the back.
I think it’s a late 1980s MR2 Supercharged which came with quad exhausts like that:
https://carsandbids.com/auctions/KVNaRYNY/1989-toyota-mr2-supercharged
Hmmm ok- So immediately I saw this and said it is an MR2. But then I looked closer and saw that exhaust on the left side of the car and thought wait no that’s not right. But then I saw this post. Interesting but I know for a fact that all supercharged MR2’s didn’t have quad exhausts. So option or some aftermarket?
Either a common aftermarket thing or an OEM option is what I’m thinking
So I don’t believe the supercharged models came with the steel wheels, so either the wheels are not original to the car or the exhaust is aftermarket. I also could have sworn that my friend’s supercharged Mk1 MR2 only had exhaust tips on one side, but it’s been a few decades since I saw that car last.
There is also the ‘project car’ factor… might have started life as a base model and the owner is in the process of modding/improving/ruining it.
I think the exhaust is custom, you can see there isn’t a notch for it on the left side.
I was focused on the wheels, but as soon as Torch pointed out the rear valence, I was like “wait… that’s Mister 2!”
It was the steelies that first made me think MR2 then the valance
Got it, but that’s because the neighbor that lives behind me has had an
In addition to his broken MR2 he also has a dead 240 diesel, dead Accord, and dead Camry. I’m starting to think he doesn’t know about oil changes.
Researched those vents, can agree and confirm. Great catch!
First thought is 1st gen MR2 or X1/9, but I’m leaning MR2.
I like the challenge, I stink at it though.
I think it is a Toyota MR2, I cheated a bit. My stepsisters MR2 is sitting in one of the barns under a cover and on ramps!
Hah, I knew this one!! Helps that I owned one once. I have a picture I’ll send in for this game, if you want to make it a feature.
Sure! Why not?
sent
My dad and I play this game all the time. Please make this a weekly feature!
Did they come with dual exhaust? Maybe after-market?
It’s boxy but I can’t place the rims. It also looks small but that could be the angle. I gotta get back to work so I’m going to guess it’s an XT? I don’t think the rear bumper was vented though. Definitely don’t think it was a dual exhaust. Time to go look at the answer and get back to work.
Dammit! Please don’t revoke my membership
I immediately thought of the correct car, so therefore I thought there was no way that was right, couldn’t think of anything else, and clicked on the answer 🙁
It almost looks like a Fiat X1/9, but the wheels aren’t right nor is the back end unless it has a spoiler. The exhaust looks pretty aftermarket, so maybe it is an X1/9?
MkI Toyota MR2 is my guess
Yep, with an aftermarket quad-tip exhaust.
My immediate thought was a Toyota, probably a lift back Corolla from before the switch to FWD. I was reasonably close!
I completely skipped over noticing the link showing the answer……
The tall taillights immediately brought to mind
Maybe a
Edit: nope, way off.
I remember taking my son for a walk, maybe 7 or 8 years old ,and he correctly identified a Mustang under a cover. That’s when I knew I had spawned a tiny Autopian.
Your version of Mini-Me ! 😉
Father of the day!