When a row of shops came down in busy Chapel Street, the housing commission buildings sitting behind came into view. I stumbled across this one winter evening, when the apricot sundown was still catching the higher surfaces in the area.
I took this one a few days earlier. The clouds seem to give the shot more of a sense of scale. Plus, the Volvo is a more apt analogy for that rectangular apartment block.
But I think the 1994 RAV4 is the truer classic.
I think a Lada would look even better than the Volvo, for that apartment block. But agree that a 2 door RAV4 is a classic, in several ways … rare, but also one of the few 2 door crossovers, a breed now extinct, sold globally. What’s the local branding on the GM car in front of the Volvo?
If we’re in the US, that’s a Chevrolet Sonic. If we’re in Australia, that’s a Holden Barina.
The sign suggesting we “enquire now” suggests Australia. In the US, it might read “Inquire Now”. Also, the cars being parked on the left side of the street suggest we’re in a RHD country.
Thanks, I assumed this was Australia so knew it wasn’t a Chevy, and even looked up a Holden Astra, which is one size larger than our Sonic, more of a Cruze. GM is funny with branding, reusing some names all over the world, and then using very local names. It took me a while on Google to find any application for Barina other than the Holden and a few people’s names, but finally found a city of that name in Kenya. I guess it does have some automotive heritage; rhymes with Carina, Marina and Farina.
They’ve used the Barina nameplate on so many different Daewoo, Opel and Suzuki-derived small cars that at this point “Holden Barina” is more a job title than a vehicle lineage.
This is Melbourne.
“one of the few 2 door crossovers”
They were quite common. Most manufacturers of CUVs/small SUVs had 2-door versions. It’s more like who didn’t have a 2 door version. Honda didn’t. But Isuzu, Kia, Suzuki, Mazda, Ford , Chevy, Mitsubishi…..
SUVs, sure, but the only one of those that was a FWD unibody CUV, unless I’m mistaken, was the RAV4.
I was thinking the same. I wouldn’t call any of those crossovers, as unless I’m thinking of different models to you they weren’t based on passenger cars.
Some non-global crossovers were sold with 2 doors, the Honda HRV, Mitsubishi Pajero Junior & iO are the first to come to mind.
Toyota sidebyside, thats what they seem to be used for I see them every day covered in mud usually towing something like a calf feeder between farms at least that was yesterdays one, Theres the odd road legal RAV still plodding along too.
I think that RAV4 was based on Camry architecture. There may have been a 2-door with the Camry’s V-6. That would be lightweight enough to have some decent scoot.
When they were new, I really wanted the semi-convertible 2-door, which was sold for even fewer seasons than the 2-door hardtop. Heck, I might buy one today if they still made it.
This RAV4 was not based on Camry architecture. It had its own unique platform but shared some Corolla/Carina elements. There was no RAV4 V6 until much later, long after the 2-door was gone.
That Volvo used to be a pretty big car in its day, but it looks decidedly small between those blobby modern appliances.
Bear in mind that the Vovlo is the smaller 850/V70 rather than the bigger 700/900/V90 series though.
It’s still a compact/midsize luxury-class vehicle in its’ day while the Ecosport and Sonic are both classed as subcompacts.
Got stuck behind a RAV4 just like this yesterday, except it was in one of those nasty shades of metallic green that they do. Hard to imagine anyone driving one in a “lively” way, they always seem to be holding you up.
One of those designs that just looks so right. Pity the following models were so forgettably generic.
Nice shot Don
Is there a group of cc’ers going to Motorclassica this year? I’ve changed my word arrangements and can actually come this time!
Friday morning then lunch at this point. I’ll post something once we’re organised.
Thanks Don. I’ll keep an eye out.