I would say the Chevy Geo Metro (made my suzuki maybe) except I am not sure of the all wheel drive part - it had the rest.

 

You are close, but it was not the Metro/Swift. It was that size however. The Metro/Swift did of course have the 3 Cylinder Engine, but they offered a 3 Speed Automatic, not a CVT, and didn't offer Part Time 4 Wheel Drive.

Hint: It was sold from 1989-1993

 

This sounds like the (in)famous all aluminum V8 from GM in the early 60's. First used in the Buick Special, Olds Starfire and Pontiac Tempest. If memory serves me correctly GM sold them the v8 and the 60 degree cast iron V6 (which they purchased back the rights to build). I seem to recall that the aluminum V8 did not have steel piston sleeves and as a result the chemicals in the coolant actually eroded the engine walls and allowed cross contamination between coolant and oil. You could remove the radiator cap and actually see the dissolved aluminum in the coolant.

I had a Skylark (top of the line) two door coupe (with vinyl roof of course). Came with the required bucket seats (indication that it was a "sports" car). No tape on racing stripes back then, mine was a set of three painted on front to rear on the driver's side...

 

WOW!!! I didn't think anyone would get that one... That's truly impressive my friend. Please impress me more by telling me you DIDN'T have to google that.

To expand on that some more. What made the engine unusual was the fact that it was an all aluminum V8 and the crank assembly spun counter clockwise. Also of important note. This engine, known as the Rockette, was also used in the 1963 Olds Jetfire. The Jetfire was the first Turbo Charged car sold here (and may have been the first anywhere, not sure) and was rated at 215 HP. It featured a Garrett AI Research Turbo feeding a single barrel carb. It also featured something that no other Turbo Charged car has ever been factory equipped with to my knowledge. It featured a unique Methyl Alcohol Injection system to help combat the inherent spark knock that was a side effect of the high compression engine (10.25:1) The main reason these never took off was the fact that most owners didn't keep the water injection tank full, and frequently ran the system dry, which created any number of mechanical problems from blown head gaskets to overheating and warped everything. Of course the coolant corrosion problem was even worse on the Turbo cars because of higher operating temps.

Aside from its lack luster performance in the Jetfire, the engine went on to be used by the Repco3 Formula 1 team to when the World F1 Championship in both 1966 and 1967.

For extra points, tell me what modern V8 Sportscar also featured an all aluminum V8 that spins counter clockwise...

 

NeverEnought be prepared to be further impressed...no Google on that.Been there, done that, lived it!

For extra credit...could that car be the wedge doorstop shaped Triumph TR8 (I would include the Triumph Stag, but it had a back seat. That kinda makes it a "sports of sorts" car, doesn't it?)

BTW I remember the Jetfire as well. But didn't the Corvair Monza Spyder beat it to market as a '62 or possibly '63 built in '62?

 

I'm fairly sure the Jetfire came first, but I'd have to do a little research to 100% sure. I didn't think of the TR8, as I'm not that familiar with Triumphs. I assume that it had a counter rotating engine as well?

To my defense, I wasn't born till 1978, so most of this discussion is generations before my prime.

I was actually thinking about the Corvette ZR-1. The quad cammed 32 valve motor was sourced from Mercury Marine or Mercruiser. Even though it rotated backwards, it was still based on a good ol Small block chevy. It spun backwards, as most marine V engines do, in order to pump water INTO them and not out. Chevy figured it was easier to reverse the rotation of this engine through the transmission to it's proper automotive style rotation.

 

So no one has gotten the 3 Cylinder 4x4 CVT car yet...

I'll post it up later tonight. Give you a chance to think some more.

 

Subaru Justy?

I think the local pizza delivery guys used to use them in the upstate NY town I grew up in.

 

OK, I'll try: would it be SAAB - at first I thought DKW but I don't think they produced a 3 cylinder.

 

How about the Honda Insight?

The Triumph TR8 was part of the Rover group and it and the Stag both used the aluminum V8.

You are pretty good at the trivia considering you are just a baby...compared to me anyway.

 

You got it. It was the Subbie Justy!

There are either some pretty smart people here, or you guys are Google Masters...

I'm going to have to dig really deep to stump all of you...

 

Well duh, I feel dumb. I never thought about a Triumph being related to Rover. I knew Rover used that engine as well. Oh well, I'll just keep sucking up the new info.

 

I did it from memory. The key was that pretty much only VW, Audi & Subaru (plus AMC, but come on, a CVT from AMC - no way!) made all wheel drive cars back then.

 

Just to add - the TVR 350i used the same Rover/ Buick engine.

 

Here's an easy one...

What American car built in Indiana was the first to feature Front Wheel Drive? Also, it was designed and built by its parent company for the purpose of having a mid-level car between which other two Brands?

 

I think Cord was the first front wheel car from Indiana - but I don't know the parent company.

 

Cord...Auburn and Deusenberg ?

 

Of course!!!

Figured that one wouldn't last long.

 

DUH! Thanks.

 

SRT SIX, you were correct. The Corvair Monza did come out in 1962. So I guess that makes the Jetfire the first V8 Turbo Car.