The Hang 10 Dodge Dart didn't come with a surfboard, but it did feature a rear seat that folded down, enabling Slant-Six-powered hodaddies to avoid that unsightly board-out-the-window look. You got cool Hang 10 graphics and a bunch of other special stuff to make you forget that the base Slant Six only made 95 horsepower and the 318 V8 just 145. We all want a Hang 10, of course, but where can you find one these days? Hawaii? Huntington Beach? No need to go anywhere near the Pacific, dudes and dudettes, because this 1975 Hang 10 Edition Dodge Dart (go here if the ad disappears) lives in South Carolina! We don't know what kind of engine this one has (in fact, judging by the height of the front end, we're not sure it even has an engine), but every junkyard in the hemisphere has at least one 360 waiting for you. As for the rest of the car… well, the seller doesn't waste any keystrokes on excess description: "Needs normal restoration, solid car." Does "normal restoration" mean "total replacement of floor pans, quarter panels, trunk floor, upholstery, wiring harness, brakes, and fuel system," or will this car end up being a difficult project? Only one way to find out! At least you can get repro decals for it.

Darts are great, but all the surfing-themed decals in the world can't make one a rare car. If you're thinking about a special-edition Malaisemobile that you don't see every day, you need to look at some of the stuff they built in Kenosha. Say, f'rexample, this 1977 Levi's Edition AMC Hornet AMX (go here if the ad disappears), priced at just $3,200. It's in (theoretically) rust-free New Mexico. The seller claims "This car is said to have belonged to the Levi Strauss family," and that it's either one of 2,500 or one of 100 made. It "runs and drives good," but needs a U-joint (or something more expensive that makes a sound like a defective U-joint) and a bunch of body work. The Hornet hood and trunk graphics are psilocybic, and you can even get replacements if necessary. How hard could it be?

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Fiat 500

Fiat has been on again, off again on its plans for a return to the US, but we're hoping eventually to see the reborn Fiat 500 on domestic shores — if for no other reason than to give Mini owners something to think about. Sure, it'll need a little more scoot or a totally different torque curve to get us interested, but the car has style and a superb interior, plus it sips the fuel.

Dodge Hornet

With production confirmation yesterday, we'll be waiting with baited breath for the sting of the Chinese-built Dodge Hornet. The little bruiser should come in right about when gas tops $15 a gallon and the cities start to burn. But that won't stop us from being interested in the Hornet. We'll just have to wait and see if Chryslerberus and Chery can deliver the goods on product quality.

Nissan Cube

The Nissan Cube has been forbidden, asymmetrical fruit for years now, but Nissan is telling us the next version will be US-bound. We don't know if the funky style will survive, but it could be the beneficiary of Carlos Ghosn's big electric push, resulting in an all-electric Cube. We'd welcome the little-van-that-could with open arms even if it's just a gasser.

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Speaking to the Financial Times Deutschland, Thomas Hausch, the company's vice president for international purchasing, stated unambiguously, "We are working intensely on the Hornet study," following with the inspirational and foresighted, "But I cannot rule out that there may be a Chrysler that is smaller than our economy model, the 2-liter Sebring." We're seriously impressed by Chrysler's commitment to bringing about a brave new future through progressive product lines. Unconfirmed reports from Europe and Asia state that automakers there are hurrying to develop plans for their own sub-2-liter economy cars in an effort to catch up with the American juggernaut. [via Forbes]

Zhang also mentioned the Hornet, which is a rumor we've reported on before and now seems to have a bit more support. Either way, it looks like it'll happen but we just don't know how, when or necessarily what. [FREEP]

"a Chery spokesman told Reuters on Wednesday that the newspaper had misquoted his colleague and that the earlier deal with Chrysler Group was progressing."

China's Chery say deal with Chrysler not halted [MSNBC]

Related:
No Chery-Flavor For Cerberus-Owned Chrysler? [internal]

"Zhang Li, the general manager of Chery Automobile Co. Ltd., told the German financial daily Handelsblatt the company has halted the project and wants to renegotiate its agreement on building a new compact for Chrysler...Zhang said the deal came as a "total surprise" for his company and it had not yet talked with Cerberus about the move."

Report: Chery halts Daimler deal following Chrysler sale to Cerberus [AP via Detroit News]

[Photo credit to metrix x]

Related:
It's Official Unless China Says It's Not: Chery To Make Itty-Bitty Cars For Chrysler Group; Speculation No More! Chrysler Group Sold To Cerberus Capital Management! [internal]

This deal's been in the works for what seems like forever. We'd even heard the 'merican side of the German-American hybrid was all set to go in October of this past year, but held off for "political reasons." So it's really no surprise that the deals' done — the DaimlerChrysler supervisory board's approved the "framework of a limited partnership to develop small vehicles between the Chrysler Group and Chery Motor Company of China." Under the agreement, Chery-built vehicles would be distributed under Chrysler brands, primarily in North American and Western Europe. That means we'll be talking about a Dodge, as it's the only brand the 'merican side of the not-so-much merger of equals is building any brand equity with. And that means it'll be the little horn-dog of a Hornet, and this will be an easy and quick win for Tom "Need To Lose Weight Of Excess Employees Fast" LaSorda. Of course the deal's still contingent on the approval of the Chinese government, but we're assuming that'll happen — unless the Hornet's some symbol of uncleanliness to a minority religion in China. But probably not. Full press release after the jump. – Ray Wert

DaimlerChrysler Supervisory Board Approves Small-Car Agreement Auburn Hills, Mich./Stuttgart, Germany, Feb 27, 2007 - The DaimlerChrysler Supervisory Board today approved the framework of a limited partnership to develop small vehicles between the Chrysler Group and Chery Motor Company of China. The deal is still contingent upon approval by the Chinese government, but the final pact of the framework is expected to be signed by the end of March. Under the non-equity partnership, Chery-built vehicles will be distributed under Chrysler brands, primarily in North America and Western Europe.

Chrysler Group indicated that the partnership would allow the company to become a bigger player on the global automotive stage by giving it access to products in new segments more quickly, with less capital spending.

Small vehicles such as these will allow Chrysler Group brands to compete in segments in which the brands do not currently compete, and which are especially important in price- and fuel-economy sensitive markets. Some 67 percent of all vehicles sold outside of North America are in these segments. Chrysler Group's major competitors in the U.S. and Western Europe have similar arrangements with Asian manufacturers for vehicles in these segments.

Related:
Chrysler Would Prefer A Chery-Flavored Hornet Rather Than Plain Chery; Chrysler Boss: Company Even Closer to Choosing China's Chery to Build Subcompact [internal]

Negotiations have been going on for around a month between Chery and the Chrysler Group over what b-segment car the folks at Chery may build for the less-than-equal side of the "merger of equals." AutoWeek's reporting the folks at the 'merican side of the German-American hybrid are a bit concerned over the quality level of Chery's b-segment lineup. So instead of having them build one of their own vehicles, Chrysler looks to be moving in the direction of having them build the Dodge Hornet concept instead as a vehicle for import to the US and euro market. Although pretty much everyone and their brother knew Chrysler would end up moving in this direction, to be honest, we're just excited to be getting some Chrysler news involving Chery having nothing to do with rumors of acquisition. In case you've already forgotten what the Chery-flavored Hornet concept looks like, we've included a gallery below. – Ray Wert

Will China car be a Chery or a Chrysler? [AutoWeek]

Related:
Breaking! DaimlerChrysler Chooses Chinese Chery To Build Dodge Hornet? [internal]

Report: China's Chery in talks with Fiat on closer ties [Detroit News]

Related:
Fiat Horny for Hornet? Boss Says Company Interested in Subcompact Partnership with DaimlerChrysler; Breaking! DaimlerChrysler Chooses Chinese Chery To Build Dodge Hornet? [internal]

Last week we'd heard rumblings of some kind of an announcement involving the Dodge Hornet sub-compact (picture gallery for a reminder below) to come at the Detroit Auto Show, although we never confirmed it. However, Chrysler Group veep o' talking Jason Vines is confirming today DaimlerChrysler's chosen Chinese manufacturer Chery (pending board approval) to build B-segment cars for the German-American hybrid. I guess you can reasonably put one and one together — so go ahead and do that and let me know if you're also getting three. You're not? Oh wait, where was this calculator I'm using made again? – Ray Wert

China's Chery to build small cars for Chrysler to sell worldwide [MLive]

Related:
Chrysler Boss: Company Even Closer to Choosing China's Chery to Build Subcompact [internal]

If one thinks about it, the only truly great thing Malcolm Bricklin ever did was bring Subarus to America. Other than that, Yugo? The Bricklin? Entirely amusing vehicles, but only if other people own them. So who really expected his venture with Chery to succeed? Well, we kind of did. At least for a while. But now that the Cheries are possibly on board to build the Dodge Hornet, Bricklin's holding the bag, calling the cars' quality not up to snuff, and deciding that Visionary Vehicles is going to design their own automobiles and find a producer in China to build them. We're suddenly feeling like this just won't end well. [Thanks to Kevin for the tip.] – Davey G. Johnson

Bricklin drops Chinese import plan [Inside Line]

Related:
Bricklin Delays Chinese Imports Yet Again [Internal]

According to Automotive News. Chrysler's about as close to picking China's Chery Automobile to build its new subcompact model as it can be without actually, say, selecting them. The group's CEO Tom LaSorda told reporters in Beijing (hmm) that the car — a ~$14,000 model likely based on the Hornet Concept shown at this year's Geneva show — will debut in western Europe, Mexico and Canada before coming to the US. LaSorda didn't mention which other company was in the running (they're down to two), which wasn't surprising, considering he was in China making a non-announcement that may or may not have to do with a Chinese company. How do you say "That guy is such a tease" in Mandarin?

Related:
A Chinese Bee: Chery to Build Dodge Hornet?; Chrysler Considering Chinese Chery-Built Model for Global Markets? [internal]

Will the Dodge Hornet be made in China? Automotive News reports today that DaimlerChrysler is in "late-stage negotiations" with China's Chery Motors to build a new small car for export, a car most believe will be one based on the Hornet concept (pictured) DCX showed in Geneva earlier this year. DaimlerChrysler executives are mum on the deal, saying they won't announce a small-car partnership until the end of the year. Still, a Chery-Chrysler partnership also calls to question a longstanding bid by auto entrepreneur Malcolm Bricklin to bring Chery cars to the US under his Visionary Vehicles badge. According to AN, Bricklin says he won't be closed out by a Chery-Chrysler partnership, and that Chery-built Chryslers will help his cause by legitimizing Chery's production capabilities. He also says his joint-venture with Chery will be finalized by year's end. Either way, Chinese cars are coming, possibly sooner than we think.

Related:
V-Dub Snubbed: Volkswagen out of Dodge Hornet Production Deal [internal]

A German magazine reports Volkswagen is out of the running to partner with the Dodge boys on the Hornet project. According to Germany's Automobilwoche, Chrysler chief Tom LaSorda says that while Dodge's minivan partnership with VW is intact, the company is seeking for a new partner for the subcompact project, and will announce the decision sometime during the fourth quarter. In addition to Hyundai, Mitsubishi, Fiat (now looking more likely), supplier Magna Steyr, and China's Chery, Dodge is rumored to be eyeing Malaysia's Proton, Schwinn, Domino's Pizza and six guys who may or may not have a pretty good set of tools.

VW: No small car for Dodge! [German Car Fans]

Related:
Fiat Horny for Hornet? Boss Says Company Interested in Subcompact Partnership with DaimlerChrysler

According to Reuters, Fiat boss Sergio "Mac-n-Cheese" Marchionne says the company is interested in hooking up with DaimlerChrysler to build a new subcompact car, likely based on the Dodge Hornet concept. DCX is reportedly looking for a production partner with which to manufacture the subcompact for the global market, and Fiat, Marchionne says, is always on the lookout for such partnerships that reduce its need for development capital — such as its linkeup with Ford on the new 500 / Ka project. Among other companies named as potential mates for DaimlerChrysler have been Volkswagen, Mitsubishi, Hyundai and outsourcer Magna Steyr. Still, with the new 500 on the way, and Punto sales inching Fiat back from the financial brink, we'd imagine another subcompact to compete with would be the last thing Marchionne wants, though maybe snagging a piece of the US market wouldn't be a bad trade-off.

Related:
Report: Dodge Hornet Nearing Greenlight [internal]

Dodge's Hornet concept totally has the X-factor — most agree not building it as a global B-segment car would be like Lee Iacocca killing the Mustang. It's got comfortably radical styling, C-segment roominess and windshield wipers (most concepts don't have 'em — go ahead and check). AutoWeek reports Dodge is likely ready to go with it, after a few details are ironed out. First, how will the US market for small cars shake out? Second, who will be its production partner, Mitsubishi or Volkswagen? Third, can it bring it to market without losing its off-kilter appeal? So many questions, only four years till the end of the decade.

One Step Closer [AutoWeek]

Related:
More on the Dodge Hornet concept [internal]

Word is, Volkswagen's taking in laundry to put a few extra bucks in its housecoat. The company is reportedly lobbying heavily to be Dodge's production partner for a dealership version of the Hornet concept Dodge showed off in Geneva this year. According to Automotive News, Volkswagen — which is already partnering with Dodge on a new minivan —proposes to use the last-generation Jetta platform to underpin the new subcompact, which would be sold in the US and South America — though a European launch would likely be in the cards.

Hat tip to The German Car Blog

Related:
Chrysler Looking for Partner to Build Hornet [internal]

Chrysler showed off its Hornet subcompact concept this week in Geneva, now AutoWeek reports the company is looking to build it in partnership with a European or Japanese partner. We'd heard a new, sub-Caliber entry Dodge would come from the company's partnership with Volkswagen, which will manifest in a new VW minivan due in 2008 — that consideration was confirmed by Chrysler CEO Tom LaSorda in Geneva. But we also heard a rumor that Chrysler could tap former small-car partner Mitsubishi for its European Colt platform. Sticker on such a car would likely start in the $12,000 range, with a sports-minded version like the Hornet shown in Geneva — with a supercharged 1.6-liter four — going for around $15,000.

Hornet could fly [AutoWeek]

Related:
Dodge Hornet to Buzz Geneva [internal]

Feckin' fack if we aren't useless. We grew up in California. We spent a year living in Tejas. And what language did we choose to learn? German. So we really have no clue about this Dodge Hornet thing, other than it looks like a cross between a Nitro and a Mini. Oh, and it cranks out 174hp from a blown 1.6 (yes! "compressor" the vaguely-universal power-adder!), which is pretty respectable for a car that appears to be the size it appears to be. It'll apparently premiere at Geneva. Or Ginebra. Maybe if the shit was just in Genf we'd actually understand where the goddamn thing's premiering, but now we're just acting out against the ineffectual result of our teenage desire to learn the true meaning of "fahrvergn gen."

Dodge Hornet Concept 2006 [El Diferencial]

Related:
Brabus S V12 S to Debute in Geneva [Internal]

We were born in 1975, which meant that as a small child AMC's then- current lineup seemed interesting and futuristic to us. We also remember thinking Porsche 914s were strange-looking, yet kind of cool. Now generally remembered as the nadir of automotive design (along with the Vega, Pinto and Aspen/Volar twins), we still have a lingering affection for the '70s AMC products. Except for the Matador. Not even James Bond could make the Matador cool.

Pacers, Gremins and Matadors! [retroCRUSH]

Related:
In Praise of the Gremlin [Internal]