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Puzzles, Games and Name That Car => Solved AutoPuzzles => 2010 => Topic started by: Carnut on December 03, 2010, 04:47:41 AM

Title: Solved - NEH 851: Hal Sperlich's original Minivan prototype
Post by: Carnut on December 03, 2010, 04:47:41 AM
1 point for the correct identification of this:
Title: Re: NEH 851
Post by: knightfan26917 on December 12, 2010, 01:57:18 PM
That sure has GM cues in it, it seems.

It looks like the first-generation Lumina mini-vans that debuted in 1989 as 1990 models.  Oldsmobile and Pontiac had their own versions, too.



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Title: Re: NEH 851
Post by: Carnut on December 12, 2010, 06:46:04 PM
It may well look like those but I'm afraid that's not the answer!
Title: Re: NEH 851
Post by: Carnut on December 24, 2010, 04:25:38 AM
I'm sure there's an Expert will know this one...
Title: Re: NEH 851
Post by: hondast on December 24, 2010, 05:26:47 AM
Hal Spelrich prototype?
Title: Re: NEH 851
Post by: hondast on December 24, 2010, 05:46:11 AM
Sperlich... Minimax Ford minivan proposal?
Title: Re: NEH 851
Post by: Carnut on December 24, 2010, 06:29:30 AM
Quote from: hondast on December 24, 2010, 05:46:11 AM
Sperlich... Minimax Ford minivan proposal?

Yes it is!
This is the original Hal Sperlich Minivan prototype that he presented to Ford and they rejected, considering there was no market for it...  So he presented it to Chrysler instead and the rest, as they say, is history!
Title: Re: Solved - NEH 851: Hal Sperlich's original Minivan prototype
Post by: Allemano on December 24, 2010, 06:43:21 AM
I think it's also common under the name Ghia Ford Mini Max.

Title: Re: NEH 851
Post by: Otto Puzzell on December 24, 2010, 07:25:59 AM
Quote from: Carnut on December 24, 2010, 06:29:30 AM
This is the original Hal Sperlich Minivan prototype that he presented to Ford and they rejected, considering there was no market for it...  So he presented it to Chrysler instead and the rest, as they say, is history!

As I understand it, Lee Iacocca, fired by Henry Ford II in 1978, took fellow executive Hal Sperlich along to Chrysler. They set about reviving the Carousel concept (model built in '72, planned as a '76 model - below) as the T115 Caravan/Voyager after the second 'fuel crisis'.

I don't think the Ghia Mini Max was connected to that project.
Title: Re: Solved - NEH 851: Hal Sperlich's original Minivan prototype
Post by: Carnut on December 24, 2010, 07:41:07 AM
Here's the unmodified front view plus a rear view.
If that is a picture of the Ghia Mini Max and it has nothing to do with the Sperlich it doesn't half look similar; identical in fact!
Title: Re: Solved - NEH 851: Hal Sperlich's original Minivan prototype
Post by: Otto Puzzell on December 24, 2010, 08:01:00 AM
The Mini Max was introduced in 1983. Sperlich joined Chrysler in 1977.
Title: Re: Solved - NEH 851: Hal Sperlich's original Minivan prototype
Post by: Aaron65 on December 24, 2010, 11:11:42 AM
I need to get up earlier in the morning...I was waiting for this one!  :)