1980 Black Moon Concordia II

I admit I haven't watched Black Moon Rising, even though I love obscure and forgotten films. I can say I've noticed the weird cover for it in second hand DVD shops, which has an illustration of Tommy Lee Jones' face that is half realistic and half pixelated. Well, this is the vehicle from that movie. And the vehicle is just as weird looking.

Apparently the 1984 film is about a top-secret cassette that is stuck in the tape player of the "Black Moon" experimental vehicle destined for Los Angeles that Tommy Lee Jones must track down, along with Linda Hamilton. John Carpenter wrote the story.

The title vehicle was actually a 1980 design called the Wingho by Bernard Beaujardins and Clyde Kwok (both great names) of Wingho Auto Classique based in Montreal. Only one was originally built, so two copies from the original mold were made, one for stunts, and one for interior shots.

The seller doesn't give much mechanical specifics, but like a lot of custom cars from the 70s and 80s, it seems to be based on a Volkswagen Beetle chassis and rear-mounted engine.

The seller says a retired Colonel purchased it in 1996 and used it for parades, garnering trophies and awards until his death. The widow would now like to pass it on to new ownership.

I see no reason why it shouldn't continue garnering trophies. The seller also shows a photo of a hand written note from Linda Hamilton saying:

"To the Colonel - I loved riding in your car. The only thing missing was you. Hope we can meet someday...'til then, much love - Linda Hamilton"

If you're a fan of the film, this is a must. If you're a fan of Linda Hamilton this is a must. And if you're a fan of wild looking kit cars that are probably not road legal but really fun to drive around anyways, this is a must.

Available here on ebay in San Marcos, Texas with bidding starting at $10k and a $15k Buy-It-Now.

What Is It: 1979 Aztec 7

Looking like a reptilian with embedded louvers comes this fantastic late 70s kit car called an "Aztec 7".

Kit cars run the gamut. Ugly, bizarre, beautiful, ingenious, you name it. I don't know when the kit fad started but it seems to have been popular in the 70s and 80s...perhaps with mainstream vehicles (at least American cars) looking so dreadful from that time period, there was a market for these things, people hungry for wild designs and looking for a project to get their hands dirty.

I think the best kit cars offers cool designs the public isn't normally allowed to consume, coupled with cheap parts and fast engines.

This thing might fit that bill.

The seller is, unfortunately, not the original builder, but they clearly have an appreciation for this vehicle. They state that their research has indicated only about 400 were built, and most were on VW chassis. The say the builder of this example went all out, with a custom boxed frame and rear-mounted Chevy 350 V8 and four-wheel disc brakes. With the huge rear engine powering the rear wheels, this thing is in Pantera territory, and has got to be entertaining to drive.

Styling is evocative of the performance the statistics suggest. A lot of kit cars played up the fantasy of the stereotypical exotic car of the 1970s, which was essentially inspired by Gandini's groundbreaking 1968 Alfa Romeo Bera. After that, for nearly two decades, the "wedge" was the definitive shape for supercars. I don't blame designers for replicating it so many times: it is perhaps the ultimate junction of form and function, as the rear-engine design allows for the severely tapered nose, which in turn lets air glide smoothly over the car. Although this Aztec also has bears some supercar cliches like gullwing doors, louvers, and hidden headlights, they all work well and are just charming by now.

Mechanically, the seller says the vehicle has been in storage since and is honest about it not being road ready. They did start it up, but recommend a thorough inspection.

Cosmetically, they say the paint and chrome are ok, but with a little attention could be presentable.

I for one would replace all gross fake wood in the interior with carbon fiber inserts. The car is too futuristic to have a dated interior.

Find it here on ebay in Elkhorn, Wisconsin with 16 bids at $3,050.

It's Not What It Looks Like: 1988 Pontiac Mera

This it not a real Ferrari. It is also not a kit car.

So, what is it then, you ask?

The Mera was created by Corporate Concepts by adding a Ferrari 308-inspired body on top of the Pontiac Fiero chassis, mid-engine and interior. It was sold through Pontiac dealerships and was offered as a new car, so it not technically an aftermarket body kit. To my amazement, it's considered a unique vehicle.

Ferrari body kits for Fiero cars are a dime a dozen. Most are pretty awful looking, but they were very popular in the 1980s, probably in part thanks to the use of several fake Ferrari cars on Miami Vice. Once the public learned that such a thing even existed, it dawned on them they could have one too. Exotic looks for a fraction of the price!

Fortunately, the Mera does look good, at least about as good as a 308 body can look on the Fiero. The nose is a little long, but the overall shape is surprisingly accurate. There are also some clever changes too, like the grooved air intakes on the hood hiding the pop-up headlights and the reverse lights moved to around the license plates to accommodate the Fiero setup.

Unfortunately, since the car straddled such ill-defined legal parameters, it met its fate in the courtroom when Ferrari sued to stop production. Actually, I guess that's quite an honor of sorts, knowing that you caught the attention of Ferrari and were forced to stop making your car.

The seller says the injunction resulted in only about 247 being made and only 80 left. They say this is all-original with only 49k miles, power windows, sunroof and new clutch.

When Tarantino finally gets around to paying homage to exploitation films of the '80s, some character has to drive a Pontiac Mera. Not a real Ferrari. A Pontiac Mera.

Find it here on craigslist in (appropriately) Miami, Florida for $12,000. How do you put a price on imitation?