Good morning! Today we have another pair of cars with nothing in common. (I mean, not nothing; they both have four wheels, and run on gasoline, and all that, but you know.) But first, let’s check in on yesterday’s results:
Close one, as expected. But it looks like the Ford has the edge this time. I’d have trouble making this call, but since the Ford is local to me, I guess it wins by default.
Now, before we get started today, I need to make an announcement: This will be my last Shitbox Showdown for a while. I have some personal family-type stuff I need to take care of, and sometimes there is something more important than bullshitting about old cars on the internet. (No, really; there is.) So I am taking a brief hiatus from writing every day. How long? I don’t know, but probably at least through December. I’m not sure whether the plan is to put the Showdown on hold, or have someone else take over, but either way, I want to thank you all for reading, and assure you that like my fellow UW-Superior alum Ah-nold: I’ll be back.
So, once more, with feeling:
1984 Ford LTD Wagon – $2,500
Engine/drivetrain: Doesn’t say, but probably a 3.8 liter OHV V6, 3 speed automatic, RWD
Location: North Hollywood, CA
Odometer reading: 42,000 miles
Runs/drives? Just fine
Platform-sharing is common practice among automakers, and with good reason: it allows development costs to be spread out over lots of different models. The same underpinnings can be used for sedans, wagons, sporty coupes, and more. In the ’80s, Chrysler caught some flak for the K platform and all its various guises, but Ford had already been doing the same thing with their unibody Fox platform for a couple years by then. The Fox served as the basis for the Fairmont, Granada, Mustang, Thunderbird, and this car, the LTD – not to be confused with the LTD Crown Victoria, which was on the larger, body-on-frame Panther platform – as well as all their Mercury twins.
The seller doesn’t specify what engine is in this LTD, but the most common would have been a 3.8 liter “Essex” V6. Ford’s 2.3 liter four was also offered, but I’ve never seen a wagon with the four, and I can’t imagine anyone would want one. It’s a sluggish car with the V6; with the 2.3 it probably can’t even get out of its own way, especially with an automatic.
The ad claims 42,000 miles, and who am I to argue? Plenty of cars end up sitting in garages for years, only being used occasionally. It might be 142,000 but somehow I don’t think it would have held up this well for that many miles. We don’t get any valuable info; the ad only says it “runs and drives fine.” C’mon, folks; it’s not like Craigslist charges by the word.
Anyway, the nice thing about this being a Fox-body car, and thus sharing a platform with the 1979-93 Mustang, is that all sorts of higher-performance goodies exist, ready to be bolted into this dark blue grocery-getter. You could really build a great sleeper with this car, and in the process, make it run a damn sight better than “fine.”
1990 Daihatsu Charade SX – $2,000
Engine/drivetrain: 1.3 liter SOHC inline 4, 5 speed manual, FWD
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Odometer reading: 57,000 miles
Runs/drives? Doesn’t expressly say, but since it’s photographed in a public parking lot…
Do you remember that Daihatsu used to sell cars in the US? They weren’t here for long, only from 1988-1991. Only the Charade subcompact and the Rocky mini-SUV were sold here, and they didn’t do well: this Charade is one of only about 43,000 US models, and I’d imagine there aren’t many of those left.
Believe it or not, the fuel-injected 1.3 liter four in this Charade is the big engine. The standard Charade engine was a carbureted 993cc three-cylinder. Oddly, the three-banger only propelled the car in reverse: as you backed up, you wound up a big spring, and then when you shifted into a forward gear, the spring powered the car and sent it zooming across the kitchen floor. (Just kidding.) At least this Charade makes up for its lack of power with a manual gearbox. Driving an automatic Charade would be like watching paint dry.
This car only has 57,000 miles on the clock, and it looks like it’s in good shape, except for some missing clearcoat and a popped seam on the driver’s seat. The ad doesn’t expressly say that it runs, but we have to assume it does.
Even though it appears to be fully functional, I can’t imagine this car being used for its intended purpose. Parts must be tough to come by these days, and one good fender-bender would spell disaster. It’s an interesting historical curiosity, and it would be a hit at Radwood (and probably the only Charade there), but commuting in it probably isn’t a brilliant idea.
Welp, that’ll do it, I guess. I hope to be back soon, but until then, take care of yourselves, and go do fun stuff with cars whenever you can. Thanks so much for reading!
(Image credits: Craigslist sellers)
With only 43,000 sold I’m not liking the quest for parts for that Daihatsu. Anyone who says they’re voting for that would be bluffing. However, I see through the charade.
Besides that, I’m a Ford guy. I see a Ford wagon, I vote for it.
This daily is the main reason I show up every morning (and David Tracy stuff) – hurry back!
I was all in on the Daihatsu because it is cheaper and weirder, but then you reminded me that the LTD uses the Fox platform. The possibilities are endless with cars with that Swiss Army knife of a platform. A junkyard 5.0 and upgraded brakes will make that LTD a real gem.
Go take care of your family, Mark. We’ll find ways to entertain ourselves while you are gone. Some of those ways might end with Florida Man-style local news stories, but at least we’ll be having fun!
charade
noun
1. A game in which words or phrases are represented in pantomime, sometimes syllable by syllable, until they are guessed by the other players.
2. An episode in this game or a word or phrase so represented.
3. A readily perceived pretense; a travesty.
The Daihatsu’s name is absolutely accurate. This isn’t even a showdown. You know why these things didn’t sell well? Because they only shipped the absolute worst one here; a 1.3L 4 cylinder making a whole 70ft/lbs, with a hollow crank and cam. Because lightness over durability. Instead of ever offering the genuinely excellent CB-80 3 cylinder turbo which made 101HP and 130ft/lbs of torque.
While I’m not a Ford fan, I like the Foxes and especially this LTD, which has simple, straightforward styling. This one could be the ultimate sleeper with Mustang parts grafted on, like a 302 with some moderate power upgrades.
Just for parts alone the Ford wins. Also a bit more usable.
As for a temp takeover, I think Mercedes has a knack for this type of thing.
Some damage on the Ford’s left rear corner, but seems like the better option overall. Should be easier to find parts, and more potential to either bring it back up to spec or use it as a blank canvas for some upgrades as mentioned.
The Daihatsu would probably be a fun daily driver. But it’s another case where keeping it on the road would be a 9-5 job. At least you’d get to enjoy the Ford, so it gets my vote.
Charades sold well everywhere else so parts must still be out there. The problem is that “out there” consists of other continents and once you do manage to pay an arm and a leg to get whatever you need, you still have what’s almost certainly going to be a slow, not very exciting to drive little car. And this is coming from someone who is normally all about obscure old Japanese cars
I’ll have to go with the wagon here. The endless Fox body aftermarket support is just too much to pass up. I don’t think I’d go too wild with it, probably just a simple 5.0 swap with some mild go fast bits. I’d want a reliable driver that can move when it needs to and not some big power drag car.
Your daily posts always bring a smile to my face, Mark, so thank you. I hope everything turns out well.
Also, LTD all day.
The Charade is cool, but I had to vote for the Fox body wagon. I always like the idea of swapping Mustang shit in them.
I hope everything gets better soon
Take care of the family, Mark. That’s job one.
Looking forward to your return.
All I see in my head is a 90mm turbo and a cage in the wagon.
Thanks for the posts Mark. I hope everything works out good for you.
The Ford and that was easy. If the engine sucks, just drop a V8 in and call it a day.
Mark, I hope things get worked out for you and you are able to return. I enjoy your writing but family is always first as others have already said.
Mark, I hope the family situation comes out as well as that wagon would with a 5-speed and built 5.0 swap. Cheers.
That Ford is a steal. Capable, capacious and mostly reliable.
But buy both and a trailer. Haul the charade to car shows and both will have crowds circling them.
Mark, hope all is well in your circle. Glad you’re able to put personal issues as your focus, some ignore things for too long and the issue becomes irreparable. Best luck!
Gimme the wagon that was made for some shaggin’.
And, best of wishes Mark, Godspeed and hope to read more of your articles.
I want the Daihatsu because it’s literally the shittiest car ever made and I’d know the only way to go from there is up.
It’s actually NOT shitty. The Daihatsus were said to be quite well-made and high quality. Unfortunately, they were priced accordingly.
Charade. I like weird stuff with hard to find parts.
P.S.
Mark, we will miss you but family is first. We hope all goes well and that you are soon back amongst us.
The Charade is/was a fantastic quality car, but you are more likely to date Jesus’ sister than you are to find parts for a 1990 Charade.
The Ford was never a great car, and after sitting so much for so long there’s going to be an ugly oil-and-other-fluids everywhere period of coaxing it into becoming a daily driver because of dried out gaskets and seals.
Still, Rock Auto will help you make her right, and you’ll be cruising in style past that parked Daihatsu every day.
I just checked RockAuto and you can still get most common parts for it… such as alternators, filters, water pumps, start motors, clutch kits, etc
So it seems that while it may not have sold well in the USA, it sold enough elsewhere that online sources stock the parts for them.
Hope everything turns out for the best!
bummer to hear this daily will be delayed for a while.
Thank you for the entertainment.
The Ford, no question.
When the Charade came out, my standard comment about it was “It’s not a real car. It’s only pretending to be one. Hence, the name.”