Feb 2, 2016  •  Name That Car Stories  •  102 Comments

Name This Mystery Find

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Reader Guy H recently messaged us with a find a friend of his had made in Israel and I have to admit, I had no idea what it was! Clearly someone turned it into their own version of the Batmobile, but prior to their customization work, it was a very rare and impressive machine. Guy let me guess what it was, but I had to give up and he finally revealed what it is. I had such a great time trying to figure it out, that I thought I’d let you guys take a crack at guessing what it is! If no one is able to figure it out right away, I will get on and start giving out clues in the comment section! Good luck guys! Special thanks to Guy and his friend Yakir Even Z for sharing this with us.

Comments

  1. maserati
    Feb 2, 2016 at 9:35am

    Lancia? Body Style with a V8 ? mmmh..

    Like 0
    • Josh JoshAuthor
      Feb 2, 2016 at 9:41am

      Not a Lancia, but it is Italian!

      Like 0
      • maserati
        Feb 2, 2016 at 9:44am

        I don’t have the Book on Hand,ISO build one that Style,I think it was called a Lele???

        Like 0
      • Josh JoshAuthor
        Feb 2, 2016 at 10:01am

        Great guess, but not an Iso

        Like 0
      • Austin
        Feb 5, 2016 at 10:19am

        I think i might be an Dual Ghia!

        Like 0
    • WILL
      Feb 2, 2016 at 6:31pm

      ghia 450ss

      Like 0
      • Catalina381
        Feb 4, 2016 at 4:16am

        WILL is correct about, it’s a GHIA 450SS coupe

        Like 0
      • WILL
        Feb 8, 2016 at 9:46am

        Real question is, taking it back to original styling cues and what that would cost. properly done these are great fast road touring cars with style and muscle done properly.

        Like 0
      • Ol Shel
        Feb 23, 2016 at 8:16pm

        You just need to find an early ’70s Celica to donate its front end to get this back to stock.

        Like 0
  2. AJD350
    Feb 2, 2016 at 9:39am

    Studebaker

    Like 0
    • Josh JoshAuthor
      Feb 2, 2016 at 10:02am

      Not a Studebaker, but good guess!

      Like 0
  3. JayGryph
    Feb 2, 2016 at 9:40am

    I dunno, but those remind me of kaiser tail lights. Crazy car. Neat tho.

    Like 0
    • Josh JoshAuthor
      Feb 2, 2016 at 9:42am

      The fins and upper set of taillights were added by whoever tried to turn it into the Batmobile.

      Like 0
  4. MountainMan
    Feb 2, 2016 at 9:42am

    Mercedes SL?

    Like 0
    • Josh JoshAuthor
      Feb 2, 2016 at 9:43am

      Nope, good guess though!

      Like 0
  5. Michael
    Feb 2, 2016 at 9:43am

    Was it once something designed by Michelotti? Fiat-based?

    Like 0
  6. MountainMan
    Feb 2, 2016 at 9:44am

    OK, Italian….obviously not a Mercedes…

    Like 0
  7. MountainMan
    Feb 2, 2016 at 9:46am

    Ferrari

    Like 0
    • Josh JoshAuthor
      Feb 2, 2016 at 9:59am

      It wasn’t built in Maranello, so it’s not a Ferrari. You’re getting closer though!

      Like 0
  8. Alexis
    Feb 2, 2016 at 9:54am

    Is this an ISO GRIFO?

    Like 0
    • Josh JoshAuthor
      Feb 2, 2016 at 10:02am

      Nope, keep guessing though!

      Like 0
  9. Nick
    Feb 2, 2016 at 9:55am

    Thought it was a Gordon Keeble at first glance, but the back is puzzling me! It’s a bit of a mish mash if you ask me! Maserati, Lancia, Chrysler?? Bit of Corvette paintwork aswell!!

    Like 0
  10. John B
    Feb 2, 2016 at 9:58am

    The logo on the right side of the dashboard looks like Maserati.

    Like 0
    • Josh JoshAuthor
      Feb 2, 2016 at 10:00am

      It’s not a Maserati either

      Like 0
  11. skloon
    Feb 2, 2016 at 10:02am

    The grill looks like Lancia the roof like an early Mustang the back end is too hideous to be Italian so my guess is a one off, the Fuggedaboutit

    Like 0
  12. MH
    Feb 2, 2016 at 10:03am

    I don’t k n ow what it is but to bad they had to wreck what looked like a cool car.

    Like 0
  13. FiatLancia
    Feb 2, 2016 at 10:04am

    De Tomaso Longchamp?

    Like 0
  14. Alexis
    Feb 2, 2016 at 10:05am

    Momo Mirage 2+2 ? :-)

    Like 0
    • Jamie Palmer JamieStaff
      Feb 2, 2016 at 10:11am

      Alexis, that’s what I thought too, until I looked at the dashboards. But we’ll see what Josh says.

      Like 0
  15. Rob Squire
    Feb 2, 2016 at 10:07am

    ’65 or ’66 Mustang

    Like 0
    • yaug
      Feb 2, 2016 at 2:52pm

      My guess too, the roof lines

      Like 0
  16. mike hardy
    Feb 2, 2016 at 10:07am

    alfa c8

    Like 0
  17. DolphinMember
    Feb 2, 2016 at 10:07am

    A Fiat coupe, maybe a Fiat Dino, but the rear of the greenhouse on this Isralei special is too square and un-Italian.

    And those Henry J tail lights and all the other lights and do-dads just hurt my eyes. Need some real dark glasses, the kind Enzo wore. That would fix things….cut down how much of this I could see.

    Like 0
  18. John Holden
    Feb 2, 2016 at 10:09am

    lamborghini 400

    Like 0
  19. Jim
    Feb 2, 2016 at 10:13am

    At first glance I was thinking Ferrari, but isn’t that a small block Chrysler v8, maybe a 318 and I’m sure that’s a Chrysler alternator.

    Like 0
    • Rhett
      Feb 2, 2016 at 10:20am

      And Chrysler Interior trim – I thought Monteverdi, but that’s Swiss. Maybe a Frua one off?
      As a side note – I never realized how much I really dig Monterverdi’s and Frua’s till I did all this research!

      Like 0
  20. Jamie Palmer JamieStaff
    Feb 2, 2016 at 10:13am

    Lamborghini Islero?

    Like 0
    • Josh JoshAuthor
      Feb 2, 2016 at 10:49am

      Sorry Jamie, it’s not a Lambo

      Like 0
  21. Ard
    Feb 2, 2016 at 10:13am

    Looks like a Fuglyni.
    Or maybe a Bastardinetta.

    Like 0
    • Ard
      Feb 2, 2016 at 10:34am

      Intermeccanica ? Not sure what type though.

      Like 0
    • Jim
      Feb 2, 2016 at 5:36pm

      Fuglyni! LMAO, I’ll have to keep that for future reference, thanks

      Like 0
  22. scott
    Feb 2, 2016 at 10:17am

    Small block mopar,Mopar shifter,Kaiser upper tail lights,Motorhome front head light bessles .Side markers tell me its 1969 or newer.looks like a piece together car.

    Like 0
    • Mike H. Mike H.
      Feb 2, 2016 at 11:12am

      I was thinking the headlights came from a Checker. . .

      Like 0
  23. Lee Hartman
    Feb 2, 2016 at 10:17am

    Monteverdi?

    Like 0
  24. Getrag
    Feb 2, 2016 at 10:18am

    Not a Jensen? Fergusen (sp?) is second choice, I suppose.

    Like 0
  25. MountainMan
    Feb 2, 2016 at 10:18am

    wow, Im stumped ….even with the google I cant seem to find a match for that greenhouse

    Like 0
  26. Tom
    Feb 2, 2016 at 10:23am

    Ghia 450SS??

    Like 0
    • Josh JoshAuthor
      Feb 2, 2016 at 10:48am

      We’ve got a winner!!!!

      Like 0
  27. boxdin
    Feb 2, 2016 at 10:23am

    Some kind of Ghia? Or designed by Ghia?

    Like 0
    • Josh JoshAuthor
      Feb 2, 2016 at 10:50am

      It is a Ghia!

      Like 0
  28. David C
    Feb 2, 2016 at 10:24am

    Is it a Jensen?

    Like 0
  29. MountainMan
    Feb 2, 2016 at 10:24am

    Think Jamie got it…Islero

    Like 0
  30. Mark
    Feb 2, 2016 at 10:26am

    Detomaso Longchamp ?

    Like 0
    • Josh JoshAuthor
      Feb 2, 2016 at 10:51am

      Good guess, but not quite right

      Like 0
  31. jeff6599
    Feb 2, 2016 at 10:29am

    Rolls Royce Boxer

    Like 0
  32. maserati
    Feb 2, 2016 at 10:29am

    Intermeccanica

    Like 0
    • Ard
      Feb 2, 2016 at 10:35am

      Ah just seen this after posting my second comment.

      Like 0
  33. 69' CUDA DUDE
    Feb 2, 2016 at 10:34am

    Is it some kind of Lotus?

    Like 0
    • Josh JoshAuthor
      Feb 2, 2016 at 10:51am

      Nope it isn’t a Lotus, but that’s a good guess!

      Like 0
  34. maserati
    Feb 2, 2016 at 10:36am

    Intermeccanica only about the Hardtop Style and Frameless Door Glas,nothing else does match

    Like 0
  35. Jim L
    Feb 2, 2016 at 10:40am

    That sure looks like a Chrysler 318 to me. Rounded bell housing pattern, rear distributor, oil pressure sender right beside the distributor and Siamesed center exhaust ports.
    If it weren’t for the fact he keeps saying it is Italian made, I would guess Facel-Vega.

    Like 0
  36. DolphinMember
    Feb 2, 2016 at 10:43am

    A disimproved, Plymouth V8 powered 1967 Ghia 450SS Spyder by Giugiaro

    http://www.carscoops.com/2010/07/ebay-find-giugiaro-plymouth-v8-powered.html#more

    Like 0
    • Josh JoshAuthor
      Feb 2, 2016 at 10:49am

      Thanks for the photo of one in original condition Dolphin!

      Like 0
    • Chris in Australia
      Feb 2, 2016 at 2:13pm

      We can all see where Toyota cribbed the front end for the first Celica from.
      And the 1970 Torino was influenced by it to.

      Like 0
  37. Mike S
    Feb 2, 2016 at 10:44am

    Maybe an Alfa Romeo with the front grill changed to hide the signature triangle and its emblem

    Like 0
    • Josh JoshAuthor
      Feb 2, 2016 at 10:52am

      Nope, but it definitely has had a lot of work done to it

      Like 0
  38. MikeG
    Feb 2, 2016 at 10:44am

    Whatever it is, it looks like it spent some time in Tijuana…

    Like 0
    • George
      Feb 2, 2016 at 2:37pm

      Spent time? It looks like it did time…

      Like 0
  39. L J
    Feb 2, 2016 at 10:45am

    The profile of the front fenders remind me of a Bizzarrini.

    Like 0
  40. MountainMan
    Feb 2, 2016 at 10:46am

    ^ yup, Dolphin….think you nailed it

    Like 0
  41. Mark
    Feb 2, 2016 at 10:46am

    Ghia 450. look at the fenders….

    Like 0
  42. piper62j
    Feb 2, 2016 at 10:47am

    Looks like a customized mish-mash of different vehicles.. I can’t make out the nameplate on the rt side of the dash.. (:

    Like 0
  43. gary k
    Feb 2, 2016 at 10:47am

    A serious marriage of sorts, looks like a Hotus, (cross between a Hudson and a Lotus) ..would have to wear some very dark glasses to drive this around

    Like 0
  44. PilotMike
    Feb 2, 2016 at 10:47am

    Dolphin got it. The center console, and the underhood pics are a match.

    Like 0
  45. MountainMan
    Feb 2, 2016 at 10:48am

    ^ yup, Dolphin….think you nailed it
    Thought jamie had it but the Ghia looks like its what this Batmobile once was

    Like 0
  46. maserati
    Feb 2, 2016 at 10:55am

    so far the Ghia 450 looks very close to it

    Like 0
  47. Josh JoshAuthor
    Feb 2, 2016 at 10:56am

    Lots of great guesses guys! It looks like Tom was the first one to figure out what it is! It is a Ghia 450SS! Of course, it has had a few unfortunate modifications made to it.

    Like 0
  48. Mike S
    Feb 2, 2016 at 11:06am

    Wow that car looks so much better unaltered….what a shame

    Like 0
  49. SteveMember
    Feb 2, 2016 at 11:16am

    Yugo

    Like 0
  50. Jose
    Feb 2, 2016 at 11:36am

    Mustang with Torino grill, Kaiser taillights , Cadillac/Batmobile fins, and a sorry mistake. (smile) I’d say let the seller keep the car.

    Like 0
  51. Frankie Paige
    Feb 2, 2016 at 11:40am

    That car was made for Batman down in Austrailia.

    Like 0
    • Tony C.
      Feb 2, 2016 at 6:17pm

      Steady on Frankie, we do have a little pride in the cars we drive down here, and anyone in that ‘thing’ would have to be feeling like a true ‘wanker’. We do like American cars, I’ve got 2, so we do appreciate them even though they tend to be “in your face” compared to the European stuff. We can only register LHD cars over 25 to 30 years old so we only have the good 50’s to 70’s stuff mainly with some 80’s thrown in.
      Tony C.

      Like 0
  52. Dan h
    Feb 2, 2016 at 11:52am

    Space shuttle?

    Like 0
  53. Alexis
    Feb 2, 2016 at 12:16pm

    It was a great exercise. Found a lot of cars I never hear about before including the winning Ghia 450SS :)

    Like 0
  54. Jim Harlan
    Feb 2, 2016 at 12:45pm

    I think the car looks like a custom Willys. It has 1953 Kaiser tail lights.

    Like 0
    • Jim Harlan
      Feb 2, 2016 at 12:57pm

      Will I guessed that make wrong, but I still say it has 1953 Kaiser tail lights. What do you think?

      Like 0
  55. CT
    Feb 2, 2016 at 12:57pm

    I was going to suggest that it started life out as a Sabra……I see the Ghia now though….long road traveled to get here…..

    Like 0
  56. michaedo
    Feb 2, 2016 at 1:38pm

    Whoever did that to this car oughta be arrested.

    Like 0
  57. Glen
    Feb 2, 2016 at 1:54pm

    I enjoyed that! Even if I didn’t have a clue, it got me searching through images on google. Work gets in the way!

    Like 0
  58. Rhett
    Feb 2, 2016 at 1:59pm

    oh, the humanity…….

    Like 0
  59. Milt
    Feb 2, 2016 at 4:02pm

    Looks like American-made Gaylord of the early 50’s.

    Like 0
  60. Jason Houston
    Feb 2, 2016 at 4:30pm

    Akchully, sence im pretty good at car’s id say it was a 1959 Mustang 4-door Hardtop Sedan.

    Like 0
  61. Erik
    Feb 2, 2016 at 5:40pm

    Lagonda?

    Like 0
  62. Ernie the Dancing Weasel
    Feb 2, 2016 at 6:39pm

    One can only hope criminal charges are pending against the sadistic SOB that perpetrated this crime against good taste…

    Like 0
  63. Mark E
    Feb 2, 2016 at 7:15pm

    Ghia 450SS! Of COURSE! Now that I know it I can see…the corvair headlights, the massive radiator grille and, the most distinctive feature, those bulbous fins! Why didn’t I see it?!??

    I was surprised to see that the coves in the front fenders are factory original!

    Like 0
  64. bcavileer
    Feb 2, 2016 at 7:20pm

    It’s a Wopeedo! My cuzzin Vinnie’s ride. (No haters please, just a joke)

    Like 0
  65. john C
    Feb 2, 2016 at 7:24pm

    I enjoyed all the guessing and commentary on this ‘automotive unicorn’. Lots of good humor !!! And my ‘black plate’ t-shirt came today…Thanx !!!

    Like 0
  66. EDW A CLYMER
    Feb 2, 2016 at 7:33pm

    Looks like an Avanti made by hand in Indiana by hand with whatever fabric the customer wanted..The Company Used Studebaker parts from the Original Leftover Parts of the Closed Factory’s…

    Like 0
  67. charlieMember
    Feb 2, 2016 at 8:10pm

    I like the pointy Avanti,

    Like 0
  68. MikeW
    Feb 2, 2016 at 9:21pm

    Fox body

    Like 0
  69. avi shabtai
    Feb 3, 2016 at 12:18pm

    Its a Susita

    Like 0
  70. Car Guy
    Feb 3, 2016 at 8:57pm

    Looks like a turd to me, one persons dream. For me i reminds of a dream i had when i ate pizza too late one night.

    Like 0

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