What happens when car manufacturers decide a normal trim package just isn’t enough?
On this episode of Cool Cars with Chris, Chris and Courage take a trip through automotive history to explore some of the weirdest factory edition cars ever made. We’re talking unusual brand collaborations, wild color combinations, denim-inspired interiors, and special editions that could only have come from their particular era.
First up is the 1973 AMC Gremlin Levi’s Edition, an unlikely collaboration between AMC and Levi’s that brought blue-jean style inside one of the 1970s’ most recognizable cars. Would something this unusual actually be desirable today?
Then things get even more colorful with the Volkswagen Golf Harlequin. With mismatched red, yellow, blue and green body panels straight from the factory, the VW Harlequin looks like someone built a Golf using whatever painted panels happened to be lying around. Chris and Courage debate whether they’d actually drive one — and why this bizarre Volkswagen has become such a memorable piece of automotive history.
Finally, they revisit a special edition that was much more common: the Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer Edition. The partnership between Ford and outdoor clothing brand Eddie Bauer became closely associated with Ford SUVs and helped turn a simple appearance package into something buyers instantly recognized.
But before getting into the weird factory editions, Chris and Courage talk car culture, speeding, police attention and modified cars. Chris discusses the temptation of owning a fast Nissan 370Z, while Courage talks about track events and the difficulty of finding safe, legal places where enthusiasts can really experience their cars. They also get into California car laws, CARB-legal modifications, state refs, aftermarket exhausts, and why some modified cars attract more attention than others.
The conversation ultimately comes back to something every car enthusiast understands: we want our cars to feel like our cars. Whether it’s a factory special edition, a Roush F-150, custom wheels, an exhaust, or even a license plate, making a vehicle different is a huge part of car culture.
Which would you rather own: the Levi’s AMC Gremlin, VW Golf Harlequin, or Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer Edition?
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00:00 — Welcome to Cool Cars with Chris
00:25 — Track Days, Fast Cars & Courage’s Elantra
00:48 — Where Can You Legally Open Up a Fast Car?
03:04 — Nissan 370Z Speed & Highway Patrol Stories
05:47 — Modified Cars & Avoiding Unwanted Attention
08:17 — Courage’s Wild Highway Patrol Encounter
10:21 — California State Refs & CARB-Legal Mods
13:05 — The Weirdest Factory Edition Cars Ever
16:40 — 1973 AMC Gremlin Levi’s Edition
22:21 — Volkswagen Golf Harlequin
29:06 — Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer Edition
34:03 — Why Special Edition Cars Are So Cool
36:13 — Roush F-150s & Making Your Car Unique
37:33 — Courage’s Driven Dad 22 & What’s Next
38:32 — Leasing vs. Buying Cars
39:05 — Final Thoughts & Outro
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