1970 Ford Mustang Coupe Hardtop 2-door 302 on 2040-cars

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Junkyard Gem: 1991 Geo Metro LSi Convertible

Americans lost the ability to buy a new Detroit-made convertible starting in the 1977 model year (unless you count aftermarket conversions), not regaining it until drop-top Chrysler K-Cars showed up in showrooms in 1981. This gave convertibles a certain magical quality that lasted for quite a while here, and so it seemed to make sense for GM to offer an open-air version of the Geo Metro. Here's one of those cars, spotted in a self-service yard in northeastern Colorado. The Metro was really a second-generation Suzuki Cultus, successor to the 1985-1988 Chevrolet Sprint. While a four-cylinder engine became available in the later Metro (which got Chevrolet badges when the Geo brand got the axe in 1997), all Chevy Sprints and early Metros got this 1.0-liter three-cylinder engine. You're looking at 55 Suzuki horsepower here. The XFi version of the Metro (not available with a convertible top) managed to get better than 60 highway miles per gallon with an engine rated at 49 horsepower. There was an automatic transmission available… for 465 bucks (about $993 in 2022 dollars). That would have added nearly 5% to the cost of this $9,740 car ($20,805 today) and killed the fuel economy, so nearly all Metro buyers got their cars with three pedals. Do you like simple instruments in cars? You'll love the Metro! This one is good and rusty, with some really scary corrosion underneath. I think it sat in a field, buried to the axles, for many years. However, the bra tells us that it once had an owner who loved their then-shiny red convertible. No 1991 competitor could offer a new convertible with a price tag even close to that of the $9,740 Metro LSi. Oh, sure, a ragtop version of the wretched Yugo was available in 1990 and maybe 1991, but that doesn't count. A new Miata cost $13,800 that year, with a Mazda-based Mercury Capri going for $12,588. The 1991 VW Golf Cabriolet cost $16,175, and prices for convertibles just got higher with other competitors. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. How much? No way!

Volkswagen forced to sell stake in Suzuki

The six-year-long failed marriage between Volkswagen and Suzuki has finally come to an end. Almost. An arbitration panel in London issued its final verdict which, according to a VW press release, cleared Suzuki in terminating the agreement, so VW now needs to get rid of its 19.9-percent share. However, the tribunal's decision said VW performed all of its obligations and Suzuki didn't – the Japanese carmaker should have given VW last-call rights for a delivery of diesel engines, but failed to. The breach opens Suzuki up to damage claim, but so far VW only says it reserves the right to sue. Now that Suzuki has an outside investor to provide funds it meant to get from VW, perhaps both can get back to their reasons for being. The press release is below. Ruling in arbitration proceedings: Cooperation between Volkswagen and Suzuki deemed terminated - Arbitral tribunal confirms Volkswagen met contractual obligations and finds that Suzuki has ordinary right to terminate agreement based on reasonable notice - Volkswagen to dispose of its 19.9 percent stake in Suzuki and expects positive effect on Company's earnings and liquidity from transaction - Arbitrators also find that Suzuki breached its contractual obligations to Volkswagen under the agreement and that Volkswagen has right to claim damages Wolfsburg, 30 August 2015 - An arbitral tribunal in London has announced its ruling in the dispute between Suzuki Motor Corporation and Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft. As a result, cooperation between the two parties is deemed terminated. The arbitrators confirmed that Volkswagen met its contractual obligations under the cooperation agreement and found that Suzuki has terminated the agreement upon reasonable notice. Volkswagen will therefore now dispose of its 19.9 percent stake in Suzuki and expects a positive effect on the Company's earnings and liquidity from the transaction. The arbitral tribunal also confirmed that Suzuki breached its contractual obligations to Volkswagen under the agreement and that Volkswagen has the right to claim damages. "We welcome the clarity created by this ruling. The tribunal rejected Suzuki's claims of breach and found that Volkswagen met its contractual obligations under the cooperation agreement. Nevertheless, the arbitrators found that termination of the cooperation agreement by Suzuki on reasonable notice was valid, and that Volkswagen must dispose of the shares purchased.

Suzuki Authentics Concept is genuine but drab

Looks can certainly be deceiving. Have a glance at this new Suzuki Authentics concept, for example - we were told that this would, essentially, be a proper sedan version of the new SX4, but our folks on the ground in Shanghai tell us it's actually much larger. Like, bigger than the Kizashi. (Hey, remember the Kizashi?)
Regardless, Suzuki says that the Authentics concept previews a C-segment vehicle for the Chinese market. A good move, too, since that segment has the highest volume in the Chinese market. (That's why automakers like Ford, for example, have more than one offering in the class.) If we're honest, the Authentics concept looks a bit "meh" for our tastes - there isn't a whole lot of emotion going on here with the design. Consider it a competitor for that spiffy new Ford Escort that also took the stage here in Shanghai.
We don't have any more details about the Authentics concept at the moment, but considering the fact that Suzuki has officially exited the US market, at least we don't have to worry about this thing showing up on our shores anytime soon.