Topic: Remember the Rabbit Pickup / Dodge Rampage / Ford Ranchero?

[Thinking Out Loud]

Are there any of these vehicles still being made?  I think the last one here was the Subaru Baja? 

Anyone see a market for this class of vehicle?

[wing]

GM Is making the G8 with a bed....

[weebl]

Isn't that G8 with a bed only for the Aussie market, or are they selling it here now?

[sirAQUAMAN64]

Isn't that G8 with a bed only for the Aussie market, or are they selling it here now?

In the US next year, don't know about Canada but assuming here as well.

[ovr50]

These types of car/pickups sold poorly in the past, and don't see any reason to have them in today's market. A G8 with a bed will be a market failure, IMO.

[Mitlov]

Anyone see a market for this class of vehicle?

Ask Honda how its unibody Ridgeline is doing.  Seems to be a huge success to me.

[safristi]

Hey "PEEPS" and so to BED.......................I am SAM

[Mitlov]

Hey "PEEPS" and so to BED.......................I am SAM

WTF?  This is obtuse even for you, Saf.

[safristi]

..ref..."Samuel Pepys Diary.....closure !!!! ..."and so to bed....".......

[Greg B.]

Anyone see a market for this class of vehicle?

Ask Honda how its unibody Ridgeline is doing.  Seems to be a huge success to me.

They claim it to be a truck, even though it isn't. But that marketing sleight of hand lets them sell a bunch to people who don't know any better.

[xviper]

I remember them well.  I've owned 2 Dodge Rampages.  One was plowed into be an old guy having a seizure and written off and the other caught fire when my daughter was driving it.  A great concept - a little FWD mini pick up truck for those who only needed to haul a few large items once in a blue moon.  Good in winter without the need for AWD.  Good fuel economy and simple to fix.  Not a bad looking little vehicle either.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

I had a cousin that had an 1981 or so VW Rabbit pickup with the 70hp diesel. He put somewhere around 500K on it before the body rot got too severe to keep up with. It was similar to this one, sans cap.

[Snowman]

Anyone see a market for this class of vehicle?

Ask Honda how its unibody Ridgeline is doing.  Seems to be a huge success to me.

The Ridgeline has four doors and a rear seat and is far more functional for a family hauler.

[kard00d]

Anyone see a market for this class of vehicle?

Ask Honda how its unibody Ridgeline is doing.  Seems to be a huge success to me.

They claim it to be a truck, even though it isn't. But that marketing sleight of hand lets them sell a bunch to people who don't know any better.

What makes it not a truck?  The uni-body?  Jeep Comanche was unit body. 

Sure it's not a work truck, but then a lot of people don't use or under use their pickups - it's just for looks.   Almost like fat guys who wear sneakers but can't run the length of themselves.

[Thinking Out Loud]

I had a cousin that had an 1981 or so VW Rabbit pickup with the 70hp diesel. He put somewhere around 500K on it before the body rot got too severe to keep up with. It was similar to this one, sans cap.

What other compact car do you think would 'work' in the spirit of the auto/spliced/truck today?

Maybe the Mazda 5?  Dodge Nitro?

Any decent 'Photoshop'pers out there?  I think these are more popular in South America....does VW still do them there?

[sirAQUAMAN64]

A G8 with a bed will be a market failure, IMO.

I think it'll fail too, for the reason Snowman mentioned - it has no rear seat or doors! Geez, how many regular cab pick-ups do you see for personal use these days? Not much around here. Plus just think it's too low, a bit awkward, and fuel inefficient - what would the reason for buying one be besides nostalia? That's why I think it'll sell in California and some other US states, but can't see it doing all that well overall. Unless it cost next to nothing, I wouldn't even bother importing them into Canada if I were GM.

Have drooled over the Wagon tho.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

I had a cousin that had an 1981 or so VW Rabbit pickup with the 70hp diesel. He put somewhere around 500K on it before the body rot got too severe to keep up with. It was similar to this one, sans cap.

What other compact car do you think would 'work' in the spirit of the auto/spliced/truck today?

Maybe the Mazda 5?  Dodge Nitro?

Any decent 'Photoshop'pers out there?  I think these are more popular in South America....does VW still do them there?

There is (was?) one converted Tercel pickup that I used to see fairly frequently in Fredericton.

While swinging idly in the hammock one lazy summer afternoon a few years ago, it occurred to me that converting my old Corolla wagon to a mini-pickup wouldn't be that difficult for a skilled body shop. Prolly just as well that I never acted on it.

Starting with a wagon would likely make it easier. Weld in the rear doors, brace the structure, cut the roof and pillars off at the window line, then fab in a bed and tailgate. I could be off by miles though, no bodywork skills at all.

B2 has  some excellent photoshop skills, though he doesn't seem to come around much anymore.

[xviper]

What other compact car do you think would 'work' in the spirit of the auto/spliced/truck today?

Have you seen those little things that "Red Bull" gives their promo girls to drive around to special events?  Take out that giant can and look what you've got.   

[Sir Osis of Liver]

Red Bull girls taking out their cans....awrrrrrhhh....

[safristi]

  like  RED flag @ a BULL........... ....doesn't Coulthart Och aye tha noo mF*ckers drive a red BULL SHIP........