DP44 Cargo

[Peter Empson]

This probably isn't news to anyone but me, but I stumbled upon the DP Motorsport website and saw that they are claiming they will still do the 'estate' conversion.

[h2]"dp44 Cargo: Take the last chance[/h2]Ekkehard Zimmermann developed the dp44 Cargo in the late 80s. Ever since that time the interest in this special model has not stopped. We have taken this as a reason to remake this special edition. Now - the last five to ten models are available. The conversion kit consists of the extended hood with fiberglass hatchback, all relevant construction changes, three windows etc..
The total conversion "ready to go" takes approx. two months, also includes assembly and painting and costs EUR 18.000,- incl. 19% VAT."




From:
http://www.dp-motorsport....2&cHash=2b577b5078

Always fancied one (weirdly I often prefer the look of estate versions of most cars, maybe not the case here, but I like the novelty of it, albeit not at that price). I don't think I've ever seen one in the flesh, I wonder how many they made?

 

[jackois]

or you could buy this completed one... http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C802674

Only £25,995!

For me, you're welcome to it. Looks like the lovechild of a 924 & a Reliant Scimitar.

 

[Peter Empson]

hmm, that doesn't look so good, doesn't seem to work as well on the 924 body as the 944.

 

[Swindon_Mick]

I think it's the rear arches that make the 944 cargo - hence why the 924 version falls a bit flat in comparison.

Mick

 

[pauljmcnulty]

£25K is a lot for one that's based on a 924, converted to a turbo as well. I'd rather spend the money getting mine converted - first thing I'd do if I had a spare £20K. []

 

[422hp944]

Whilst I'm not knocking these conversions per se, You have to ask the question...Why???? Surely it's easier( and cheaper ) to buy an estate car and be done with it...Am I being too simplistic...[8|]

 

[PSH]

I don't see the point....ok you can get a more boxed shape in but from what I can see your actual floor area is unchanged, so why bother?

Pete

 

[zcacogp]

Because you can! That's why, Pete!

Yes, I like them too. Very much indeed actually. There seem to have been several different ways of achieving a similar effect - didn't some of them use a VW passat roof?

Some things don't make sense but have to be done anyway. I sometimes think that my for-evermore-dream-car would be a DP44 with a Corvette V8 engine in the front. If you want something practical then buy a Volvo. If you want something that's practical and good value for money then buy a second-hand Volvo. How many people on here own their 944's because it's a sensible choice?


Oli.

 

[GlennS]

Beauty is (of course) in the eye of the beholder. I rather like the DP 44. I've always felt that if I HAD to own an estate car, then I'd like either a DP44 or that rather nice conversion Pininfarina did on the Ferrari 456 GT. The former (whilst unlikely) is infinitely more likely than the latter. []

 

[blade7]

Or just buy an Audi RS2/S2 Avant....

 

[Peter Empson]

or that rather nice conversion Pininfarina did on the Ferrari 456 GT

I was just thinking of those, IIRC they were supposedly done for the Sultan of Brunei originally.

Not my pic, but I think I saw this car in the paddock at Silverstone many years ago (in fact I suspect this picture was taken in the same spot), I love the fact that most people would probably think it was a just Peugeot...

 

[pauljmcnulty]

Or one of these. [8D]

 

[Peter Empson]

Lots of interesting bits of design going on there, quite Jaguar like in places, bit of a mash up, but still very cool (show me an Aston that isn't, apart from the Cygnet of course).

 

[pauljmcnulty]

An Aston that REALLY isn't cool - despite the original being a thing of beauty this is just wrong.

 

[Peter Empson]

Blimey, that's quite, err, striking. Definitely never seen a pic of one of those before. What was happening with that final rear side window! Looks a bit like a sinking canal boat to me. Don't care though, the view from the drivers seat would still be much the same!

 

[John Sims]

Blimey, that's quite, err, striking. Definitely never seen a pic of one of those before. What was happening with that final rear side window! Looks a bit like a sinking canal boat to me. Don't care though, the view from the drivers seat would still be much the same!

I agree. It almost works if they had stopped at the E pillar and a shame they went for F. I am wondering if it was a hearse as I can't otherwise see the requirement for the extra length, or did the saloon go that far back any way?

As a kid I thought the Lagonda was an awesome car and, while we slate it today, a lot of the Aston's preceding it, and of that time, were boxy aircraft carriers.

The DP44 is a great looking car IMHO and does make the rear of a 944 properly practical. Even as a puppy the rear of the 944 was too low for Mostyn to be comfortable, set aside the fact he was in his own personal green house. He hated it. The extra height would make a spectacular difference.

 

[GlennS]

I have never liked the Lagonda, however, I will concede it isn't the worst thing William Towns ever penned...

It is difficult to make an E-type Series III V12 look even uglier than it was originally, but he managed it.

 

[Peter Empson]

Wow, that's quite astonishing.

 

[pauljmcnulty]

crikey! [:'(]

 

[zcacogp]

Peter: "Astonishing"
McNulters: "Crikey".

I'd probably use a stronger descriptive than these two, and would probably fall foul of the swear filter for doing so ....


Oli.