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Anycar I (1971)
The original "Anycar" was a quirky mashup of components from various vehicles, earning its initial name "ChevAmChrysWagen" due to its eclectic blend of American and European parts. This custom creation featured a 1964 Comet chassis and center body, paired with the rear body and bumper of a 1964 Volkswagen. Its front fenders came from a 1971 Chevy Caprice/Impala, while the rear fenders hailed from a 1958 Chrysler 300. The headlights and side lights were taken from a 1971 Plymouth Duster 340, and the front grille was sourced from a 1971 Continental Mk III, adorned with a Mercedes emblem from 1979. Powered by a 289 Mercury engine with a Mercury Krag gearbox, it stood 62 inches tall and 70 inches wide. Known for its unique combination of styles and components, the Anycar I was used by WesBank for promotions and events throughout South Africa before being donated to the James Hall Museum of Transport in 1990.
Anycar II (1973)
Built in 1973 by legendary hot rod builder Gene Winfield, the Anycar II was a follow-up to the original, commissioned as part of a creative advertising campaign for Manufacturers Hanover Trust. The campaign was designed to promote their "Any Car" auto loan program, using a custom car that combined parts from different models to represent the diversity of cars customers could buy. The Anycar II continued the whimsical approach of blending various car components, but with a more polished design compared to its predecessor. Though specifics of its composition are less detailed than Anycar I, it retained the same spirit of amalgamation, bringing together parts from different years and manufacturers to create a striking, unconventional vehicle.
Anycar III (Mid-1970s)
The Anycar III, designed by George Barris around 1975, took the concept of the "Frankenstein car" to new heights. As a more advanced and ambitious project than its predecessors, the most remarkable feature of Anycar III was its front grille, which housed a small car that could drive out of it, adding an unexpected and playful touch. Like the previous Anycars, it was a unique fusion of parts from various cars, but it was also a demonstration of Barris's ingenuity and talent for creating memorable, eccentric designs. Built for the same ad campaign promoting Manufacturers Hanover Trust's auto loans, Anycar III exemplified the fun and limitless possibilities of car customization in the 1970s.