On occasion I have owned something else other than an Italian car, or in conjunction while one of my Italian cars was undergoing restoration. Here is a brief section on some of the more interesting ones. Images are forthcoming.

1989 Mazda RX-7

First car I bought with my own money. Ironically enough it was not my first choice, but the car dealer was the only one that was nice to me. This was back in 1991 and the car had been traded in on a pickup. About one week later the original owner called me up and asked if he could buy back his car. I declined, saying I enjoyed it too much. One and a half years later I sold the car to my neighbor, who owned a first generation Seven, and liked mine. After that I bought my X 1/9.

1992 Nissan 300zx

Found this car at a Cadillac dealership. They were anxious to sell it and I was in the market for a high performance sports car. Unfortunately this wasn't it. Sure, it was fast, and it looked good, but it had all the personality of cardboard. It was perfect, tight, flawless and sterile. I owned it for about four months before (happily) trading it for the Alfa Spyder.

1985 Toyota MR-2

Found it on a car lot way in the back. Since this was the Japanese version of the Fiat X 1/9, and I'd been missing my X 1/9, I bought it. Fun little car, nimble and good power. Seats were comfortable and I was low to the ground. It needed a good paint job but otherwise was well taken care of. For several personal reasons I sold it to a friend who needed transportation.

1989 Buick Reatta

An inheritance that I could not turn down. Not really my type of car, but it had all you could ask for. Leather interior, bright red paint, V-6, power everything, loud stereo. A billion speakers. Two seats. More electronic controls than a 747. Not many made, by American standards it was a failure. Buick was trying to woo the younger crowd and this was not quite the vehicle to do it with. Turned off normal Buick buyers, couldn't attract new ones. Mine was destroyed by an idiot in an SUV.