I'll give you a little hint: You're (partially), not totally right on the Japanese part.

 

It looks Izuzu'ish, maybe Daihatsu?

 

Nope.....not among those.

 

Maybe in the Nissan Sentra hatchback family?

 

Mercury Tracer.

 

Wasn't that a version of a Mazda- 323 or Protege? Not sure when Mazda changed the name

 

Bingo.. Good Eye.

 

Yep...That was the first generation Mercury Tracer that came out in the late 1980s. It was a converted Mazda 323 hatchback with a number of Mercury styling touches, and a less-flexible 3-speed automatic which made the engine buzz at highway speeds.

 

Friend of mine had one it was a good city car.

 

Not many of you are going to know this one, but Kudos to those who do.

 

Studebaker Lark maybe? I appreciate various Studebakers more today than back when they were still produced. Avanti anyone?

 

I almost guess Daihatsu too.

It has that "look" about it. Lol

Didn't see that coming.
I swear this car looks like it has some Japaneese flavor going on.

Maybe the engine?

I bought a new Mazda 323 hatchback back in the day, 1990?, can't remember the year.

It lookes much more modern so guessing it was completely redone.

 

The First-Generation Mercury Tracer was based on the equivalent 1988 Mazda 323 hatchback, with some Mercury styling touches and a less-efficient three-speed automatic (as opposed to the four-speed auto in the 323). Except for the transmission, I actually liked the Mercury version better inside and out....it had a somewhat more premium look/feel to it. My late Mother owned one.

 

Bingo.

Some of you guys have better memories than I thought.


The former Avanti remained in production, as the Avanti II hand-built/special-order car, for decades after Studebaker itself folded in the mid-1960s. The old plant at South Bend, IN was bought up by entrepreneurs.

 

I was late to the party, but don't need memory for this one, since my next door neighbor for the past 10+ years has a Lark Convertible.

We were actually in South Bend this weekend and went to the Studebaker Museum. It was really neat, and I highly recommend it to anyone who finds themselves out that way. It covers their full history from the early 1800s up through their demise in 1963. Large number of Presidential coaches and "Last X to roll off the assembly line" models that have been preserved, along with some prototypes and one-offs.

We did not make it to the Avanti Museum and Guest House across the street, though we did check out a white 4-door with license plate AVANTI that was parked out front when we arrived. Only 90 4-doors were ever made.