Uri correctly ID’d the Taurus’s alloy wheel as a Mercury unit. Since later 2006-07 Tauruses used these wheels, I have no idea how you could tell the difference from the Clue photo. Thus, musicalmcs8706 gets to share the win, with his rather specific ID of a 2006 Taurus SEL.
How about this one? Look familiar?
’80s LTD II
There was no LTD II in the 1980’s. It was only built between 1977 and 1979 as a re-skinned Torino.
Could you possibly be referring to the Fox-body LTD? It was a re-skin itself, but of the Granada. And it was LTD. Just LTD.
And the photo is of something else.
1981-84 Toyota Cressida
Agreed. I’m going to say ’84 based on the side mirror.
81-84 Nissan Maxima
Datsun 310GX (with the chrome package)
AMC Ambassador
Cressida? Nah. It’s a 1961 Ambassador’s A-pillar. Which has an interesting back story.
Many are familiar with how Pininfarina was involved with a number of early-50s Nashes. However, even few automotive historians know that Enzo Ferrari was significantly responsible for the 1961 Ambassador’s controversial look.
Enzo came up with the Ambassador’s swept-back front end. AMC head George Romney liked the look but wanted to make it a wee bit more practical so Rambler could garner greater sales out west — particularly with ranchers. Thus an early prototype’s rounded corners were replaced with thrust-out, “cow catcher” fenders that could be used to herd cattle.
Meanwhile, Enzo tried to compensate for the Ambassador’s unusually high cowl by cutting four inches from the roofline and giving the windshield the sharpest rake of any car of that era. That resulted in a driving position only an Italian — or a teenager — could love.
Sales tanked and for 1962 the Ambassador quietly reverted to the Classic’s utilitarian body. Enzo subsequently denied any involvement with the 1961 Ambassador. But we know better.
I always look forward to your Clue guesses, but this may well have been the best yet. We should do a compilation of them. Thanks for making my evening.
I have no idea what it is, but I’m intrigued by the haphazardly-fitted plastic rub strip between the fender and the A-pillar/windshield molding.