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Posted: 10/21/2014 9:35:04 PM EDT
Aside from the original VW Beetle, any other really successful designs, that sold well in the USA with a rear compartment engine?






Link Posted: 10/21/2014 9:36:35 PM EDT
[#1]
Porsche 911.
Sort of a beetle (if you ask Jeremy Clarkson).

Corvair sold pretty well for a few years.

Other then those, I can't think of any off the top of my head (if you are not counting mid-engine cars like varous Ferraris and Lamborghinis, Toyota's MR2 and MRS, Pontiac Fiero)

ETA: Don't forget all the other ACVWs. Bus, Fastback, Squareback, Notchback,411s, Karman Ghias,
Link Posted: 10/21/2014 9:37:28 PM EDT
[#2]
MR2
Link Posted: 10/21/2014 9:38:15 PM EDT
[#3]
Link Posted: 10/21/2014 9:38:28 PM EDT
[#4]
Porche 911 and variants

SmartCar

Tesla Model S?

Chevy Corvair
Link Posted: 10/21/2014 9:38:28 PM EDT
[#5]
Fiero once they got the bugs worked out. [at which time they cancelled it]

VW Bus.

Fiat X1/9
Link Posted: 10/21/2014 9:38:31 PM EDT
[#6]
Karmann Ghia, VW with Luigi Segre body.
Link Posted: 10/21/2014 9:38:34 PM EDT
[#7]

Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:


MR2
View Quote




Totally forgot about that one.



It was like the Fiero of toyotas.



I don't mean that as a compliment.



 
Link Posted: 10/21/2014 9:39:04 PM EDT
[#8]
Karmann Ghia?
Link Posted: 10/21/2014 9:39:16 PM EDT
[#9]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
Fiero once they got the bugs worked out. [at which time they cancelled it]
View Quote

Technically, the Fiero was mid-engine
Link Posted: 10/21/2014 9:39:25 PM EDT
[#10]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:


That's more mid/center than rear, I believe.
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Quoted:
Quoted:
MR2


That's more mid/center than rear, I believe.


Mid is the word.  


Link Posted: 10/21/2014 9:39:55 PM EDT
[#11]

Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
That's more mid/center than rear, I believe.
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Quoted:



Quoted:

MR2




That's more mid/center than rear, I believe.
Mid engine

 
Rear drive

Two seats
Link Posted: 10/21/2014 9:39:56 PM EDT
[#12]
nsx had the engine behind the driver
Link Posted: 10/21/2014 9:40:13 PM EDT
[#13]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:


Totally forgot about that one.

It was like the Fiero of toyotas.

I don't mean that as a compliment.
 
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Quoted:
Quoted:
MR2


Totally forgot about that one.

It was like the Fiero of toyotas.

I don't mean that as a compliment.
 


MR2s were pretty good cars. 2nd gen Turbo ones are becoming pretty collectable already.
Link Posted: 10/21/2014 9:41:18 PM EDT
[#14]
there is alot of difference between a mid engine car, such as the MR2, lamborghinis, some ferraris and just about most supercars, and rear engine cars such as the beetle and porshe 911.  

by definition a mid engine is where the engine sits between the two axles, and a rear engine sits on top of or behind the rear axle
Link Posted: 10/21/2014 9:41:41 PM EDT
[#15]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
Karmann Ghia, VW with Luigi Segre body.
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All Type I-IV's.

Eta:  I'd kill for a notchback.
Link Posted: 10/21/2014 9:43:02 PM EDT
[#16]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:


That's more mid/center than rear, I believe.
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Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
Quoted:
MR2


That's more mid/center than rear, I believe.


Yep...had a MKII MR2' truly a mid-engined car. The 911 is the only current car (that I know of,) still in production.
Link Posted: 10/21/2014 9:43:10 PM EDT
[#17]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
there is alot of difference between a mid engine car, such as the MR2, lamborghinis, some ferraris and just about most supercars, and rear engine cars such as the beetle and porshe 911.  

by definition a mid engine is where the engine sits between the two axles, and a rear engine sits on top of or behind the rear axle
View Quote


Thank you for that -- I always understood "I sit behind the engine" and "I sit in front of the engine" -- mid and rear were a mystery to me.






How about a BMW Issetta then?


ETA:  The Ultimate Driving Machine

Link Posted: 10/21/2014 9:43:57 PM EDT
[#18]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:

Technically, the Fiero was mid-engine
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Quoted:
Quoted:
Fiero once they got the bugs worked out. [at which time they cancelled it]

Technically, the Fiero was mid-engine


Also, cancelling it was the bug fix.
Link Posted: 10/21/2014 9:45:35 PM EDT
[#19]
Did any of the goofy Citroens make it to the states?
Eta: oops, none were rear engine

Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile
Link Posted: 10/21/2014 9:47:30 PM EDT
[#20]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:


Also, cancelling it was the bug fix.
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Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Fiero once they got the bugs worked out. [at which time they cancelled it]

Technically, the Fiero was mid-engine


Also, cancelling it was the bug fix.


By 1988 the GT was actually a far better car then when it started.


Link Posted: 10/21/2014 9:48:27 PM EDT
[#21]

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Quoted:


Did any of the goofy Citroens make it to the states?



Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile
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I saw them a couple times in the 80's.  



 
Link Posted: 10/21/2014 9:50:21 PM EDT
[#22]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
Fiero once they got the bugs worked out. [at which time they cancelled it]mid-engine

VW Bus.

Fiat X1/9mid-engine
View Quote

Link Posted: 10/21/2014 9:51:31 PM EDT
[#23]
The 911.
Link Posted: 10/21/2014 9:51:43 PM EDT
[#24]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
nsx had the engine behind the driver
View Quote


Mid-engine as opposed to rear engine such as the OP mentioned.
Link Posted: 10/21/2014 9:52:33 PM EDT
[#25]
Link Posted: 10/21/2014 9:52:50 PM EDT
[#26]
Subaru 360.





Link Posted: 10/21/2014 9:53:10 PM EDT
[#27]
Fiat 850....2 door sedan or convertible.
Renault Dauphine and Renault Gordini....4 door sedans. The Gordini was the high performance version. Right around 50hp.
Renault Caravelle....convertible
Link Posted: 10/21/2014 9:56:02 PM EDT
[#28]
Can't believe no one has mentioned the Tucker.
Link Posted: 10/21/2014 9:57:00 PM EDT
[#29]
They don't call it a "rear compartment" engine. It's just a "rear engine".

Then there's "mid engine", like the Boxster and Cayman, where the engine is in front of (the imaginary line that would be) the rear axle.
Link Posted: 10/21/2014 9:57:08 PM EDT
[#30]

Link Posted: 10/21/2014 9:59:08 PM EDT
[#31]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:


Thank you for that -- I always understood "I sit behind the engine" and "I sit in front of the engine" -- mid and rear were a mystery to me.






How about a BMW Issetta then?


ETA:  The Ultimate Driving Machine

http://4cars4wheels.files.wordpress.com/2009/12/bmw-isetta-800.jpg
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Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
Quoted:
there is alot of difference between a mid engine car, such as the MR2, lamborghinis, some ferraris and just about most supercars, and rear engine cars such as the beetle and porshe 911.  

by definition a mid engine is where the engine sits between the two axles, and a rear engine sits on top of or behind the rear axle


Thank you for that -- I always understood "I sit behind the engine" and "I sit in front of the engine" -- mid and rear were a mystery to me.






How about a BMW Issetta then?


ETA:  The Ultimate Driving Machine

http://4cars4wheels.files.wordpress.com/2009/12/bmw-isetta-800.jpg


Not sure what you would define that as.  It was chain drive and I think the itty bitty engine sat right on top of the rear axle.

Been a long time since I have seen one and I can't recall for sure on the layout.

ETA: Based on that pic you added, I would say mid-engine.
Link Posted: 10/21/2014 10:01:00 PM EDT
[#32]

Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:


They don't call it a "rear compartment" engine. It's just a "rear engine".



Then there's "mid engine", like the Boxster and Cayman, where the engine is in front of (the imaginary line that would be) the rear axle.
View Quote




So, I should stop referring to my AK banana clips, is what you're saying?



 
Link Posted: 10/21/2014 10:01:51 PM EDT
[#33]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
Did any of the goofy Citroens make it to the states?
Eta: oops, none were rear engine

Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile
View Quote

I think the 2 CV was rear engine. I know a British guy who drove one around the world.
Link Posted: 10/21/2014 10:04:36 PM EDT
[#34]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:

I think the 2 CV was rear engine. I know a British guy who drove one around the world.
View Quote View All Quotes
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Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
Quoted:
Did any of the goofy Citroens make it to the states?
Eta: oops, none were rear engine

Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile

I think the 2 CV was rear engine. I know a British guy who drove one around the world.


Front engine, FWD.


Link Posted: 10/21/2014 10:06:02 PM EDT
[#35]
Corvair
Link Posted: 10/21/2014 10:06:25 PM EDT
[#36]
Link Posted: 10/21/2014 10:10:09 PM EDT
[#37]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:


Not sure what you would define that as.  It was chain drive and I think the itty bitty engine sat right on top of the rear axle.

Been a long time since I have seen one and I can't recall for sure on the layout.

ETA: Based on that pic you added, I would say mid-engine.
View Quote View All Quotes
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Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
there is alot of difference between a mid engine car, such as the MR2, lamborghinis, some ferraris and just about most supercars, and rear engine cars such as the beetle and porshe 911.  

by definition a mid engine is where the engine sits between the two axles, and a rear engine sits on top of or behind the rear axle


Thank you for that -- I always understood "I sit behind the engine" and "I sit in front of the engine" -- mid and rear were a mystery to me.






How about a BMW Issetta then?


ETA:  The Ultimate Driving Machine

http://4cars4wheels.files.wordpress.com/2009/12/bmw-isetta-800.jpg


Not sure what you would define that as.  It was chain drive and I think the itty bitty engine sat right on top of the rear axle.

Been a long time since I have seen one and I can't recall for sure on the layout.

ETA: Based on that pic you added, I would say mid-engine.



Looking at some diagrams of the layout, I agree with you, mid engine.
Link Posted: 10/21/2014 10:12:40 PM EDT
[#38]
As long as we're being uber technical, the Amphicar:

Link Posted: 10/21/2014 10:13:11 PM EDT
[#39]
Didn't get to the US much.  But the Tatra 87 is pretty cool.  The VW was a rip off of the earlier Tatra V570.






 

 
Link Posted: 10/21/2014 10:16:21 PM EDT
[#40]
Link Posted: 10/21/2014 10:17:00 PM EDT
[#41]
Everyone forgets about the Tucker 48.
Link Posted: 10/21/2014 10:17:24 PM EDT
[#42]
They made @ 9K Delorean DMC12



Technically I think Smart cars are rear engined.


Link Posted: 10/21/2014 10:18:32 PM EDT
[#43]

Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:


Renault Dauphine; those were common enough around the US.



View Quote
Alpines were rear as well.



 
Link Posted: 10/21/2014 10:18:56 PM EDT
[#44]
VW Thing
356 Porsche
Link Posted: 10/21/2014 10:19:11 PM EDT
[#45]

Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:


Porsche 911.

Sort of a beetle (if you ask Jeremy Clarkson).



View Quote


Laziest car designers evah!



 
Link Posted: 10/21/2014 10:23:39 PM EDT
[#46]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
They made @ 9K Delorean DMC12

Technically I think Smart cars are rear engined.
View Quote


DeLorean was mid-engined.
Link Posted: 10/21/2014 10:23:46 PM EDT
[#47]

Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:


VW Thing

356 Porsche
View Quote
Throw in the Type 3 as well -



 
Link Posted: 10/21/2014 10:25:50 PM EDT
[#48]
Link Posted: 10/21/2014 10:27:23 PM EDT
[#49]
Link Posted: 10/21/2014 10:27:45 PM EDT
[#50]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:


DeLorean was mid-engined.
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Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
Quoted:
They made @ 9K Delorean DMC12

Technically I think Smart cars are rear engined.


DeLorean was mid-engined.


Now there was a car that was a rolling turd but ahead of its time. Sadly all it was was an elaborate money laundering psalm by Delorean. Didn't Johnny Carson loose a buttload of money as an investor?
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