There are still a few cars out there that many enthusiasts have probably never heard of, and I’m speculating that the Chevrolet- whoops, I meant Leata- Cabalero is one that might be a new face to some of our readers. It’s an unmistakable high-scorer in terms of rarity, but I’m not sure how many collectors have thought to add one of these to their list of must-own vehicles before passing away, especially if it’s going to set them back $18,500 like this one here on Facebook Marketplace. However, it’s far-fetched to imagine anyone else in your town (or probably state) driving one, and it will certainly generate plenty of attention and questions wherever you go. This little luxury hatchback coupe is currently residing in Scottsdale, Arizona, and we’d like to thank Cameron for spotting it and providing the tip here!
The Leata debuted in 1975, and, in all fairness, the company’s first car was a sleek little vehicle with fun curves that mimicked designs from the 1930s. In 1977, the brand introduced the Cabalero, based on the Chevrolet Chevette. Unfortunately, even with the front as a possible exception, it still looked more like a seventies econobox than any classic from the days of yore. However, those lucky enough to score one got far more bling to boast about than any base Chevette could offer, with sculpted fiberglass side panels, a vinyl top, and opera lights that fit right in with what was popular among personal luxury coupes of the period. Thankfully, the body and paint look very good here, and the seller reports the car has been completely restored.
Once inside, a few more features help ensure passengers won’t immediately think they are riding in an ordinary Chevette. Those two-tone green vinyl and cloth seats look almost comfortable, and the buckets have headrests that are more like small sleeping pillows. The door panels are also trimmed out nicely, and this one’s got a more rocking Stereo than it would have originally come with, since I don’t recall CDs being around until the eighties. It also has a more modern dashboard, including a handy map pocket over the glove box door, but swapping the stock Chevy steering wheel for something more exciting would have been a low-cost, welcome addition to the Leata Cabalero.
Perhaps the biggest oversight was in performance, since a standard Chevrolet inline-4 sits in the bay, but at least it’s the 1.6-liter variety instead of the smaller 1.4. Still, it makes only around 60 HP, and I have no idea whether the header here was added by Leata or a gearhead owner trying to increase power. Fortunately, this one’s described as ready to be a daily driver, so if your commute is short and doesn’t include freeways, it might be a rewarding way to travel. Any thoughts to share on this 1977 Leata Cabalero and its $18.5k asking price?
If one already owns a Mitsuoka Viewt, this would be a must-have.
I looked up pictures of the Mitsuoka Viewt and it looks 10 times better than this. And they are still in business. They offer quite a few different models, some are awkward looking, but others like their Miata/Morgan look pretty good. As for this, all I can say is why? Did they sell more than one?
I’m sorry, but the term that instantly came to my mind is
“LIPSTICK ON A PIG!
I will pass quickly, I don’t want anyone to even see me looking at this much less being me in one. (I’d have to wear a bag over my head with eye holes cut out )
What was someone smoking when they made this thing? They definitely were trying too hard to make it look fancy with the landau vinyl roof with those huge opera windows. Those louvers on the back window ruin the luxury aspect of it, and I guess they think you’ll get rear ended so they put 2 extra brake lights above the taillights.
The 2 additional brake lights are to try to discourage you from punting it out if your way in disgust!
Someone in the Design team had a really bad nightmare.
Just what the Chevette platform needed: more weight. If they were doing an economy version of the Monte Carlo it should have been a Mont Carl instead of dropping an L from Caballero.
This would have been better attempted on a Nova.
The weight thing was one of the first things I wondered about. How much weight did all that “customization” add?
Looks like the answer to a question that nobody asked
Pass the eye bleach
Very true Andy! Too bad you can’t UNSEE this.
Looks like a Pontiac, thats why its featured here.
I can just imagine the conversation now –
Owner – “I restored it”
Other guy – “WHY?!”
ridiculous
The fanciest, cleanest, nicest Chevette on the planet…is still a Chevette.
So Cameron what did we do to you?
You meet the nicest people on a Honda.
Looks like somebody won a shopping spree at JC Whitney & went to town with it. Yikes!
Rare for a reason
Customized Beetles were popular during this time. Someone must have thought they could do better. On a good note it’s a loaded up air conditioned model.
Contender – Most hideous motor vehicle of all time.
Simply wrong at every juncture.
That said, probably winning place for her somewhere… in that category.
$18,500? That’s what they are offering someone to take it away?
Can we say ugly
And someone spent time and monery to restore this.
Well…. someone had a good time.
I think I would rather look for the same mini personal luxury car effect with a stock 1976 Sunbird Coupe.V6, manual transmission, vinyl top, opera windows “luxury” decor and wood grain dash trim…
Well…. someone had a good time.
I think I would rather look for the same thing with a stock 1976 Sunbird Coupe with the V6, actually. Manual transmission, vinyl top, opera windows “luxury” decor and wood grain dash trim…
I can’t believe someone would actually do this. What a designer. What a POS.
I think the most amazing thing is that anybody bought them
Who says anyone did?
Looks like a high school body shop class(remember those?)had a go at this! After lunch break in the school parking lot.
My high school auto class was a nothing (almost) experience. Instead of learning about cars and engines, we just sat there in the small classroom missing around and looking at the clock. The only thing I recall from the class was the other students getting someone (whoever they picked) and carrying them to the bathroom toilet where one’s head would get a ‘Swirly’. In other words, the victims head would get douched into the toilet bowl. They tried to get me once, but I do not remember if they were successful even though they had me and were carrying me to the latrine. And this goes to show what happens when there is no structure in the classroom back then and it applies to today as well. Furries? – please…,
This car is a contraption to look at. Yep, it looks like remnants of a Chevette, a Monte Carlo, a Lincoln Town Car, and those extra non-aesthetic brake lights, well…. As far as this car being restored – repainted maybe, but the engine does not appear to have been restored.
Luckily, our auto shop was very busy with projects and teacher’s cars. Overhauled a Renaut R10, a early ’60s Comet V8, a ’63 Chev 327 wagon and ’66 442. Among other odds and ends. Since I was way ahead of most of the students I was more or less the shop foreman. And since I worked at the local NAPA store, I was also the parts runner as I was able to look up my own parts and get put of there quickly. I remember one of the guys with a ’57 4 door wagon decided to lift the rear end. So he did a leaf spring axle lift. ( put the axle under the springs where they used to be over the top ofvthe springs. And he just flipped it over and used the factory spring perches. Several of us told him that it was not the way to do it. But he was stubborn. So he drove home in reverse gear. Which was the only one that would propel him forward! At least he had 3 reverse gears! I never saw the car again. So I have no idea what happened to it after that.
A B210 that thinks it’s a Stutz Bearcat.
Is J C Whitney still in business ???
must be clown car week here.
This is beneath the dignity of a neighborhood pimp–but for the trailer park whoremonker though…
Is this a joke from Scotty G?
Come on Scotty own up to graphically building the most hideous vehicle imaginable. No body in their right (or left) mind would build something like this. Nor would someone “restore” this. Just the cost from JC Whitney would be prohibitive, not to mention the laughter you would hear on the other end of the phone from the order desk at JC Whitney! “Hey Elmo, quickly process this guy’s credit card before he sobers up!” He had to talk to them directly as the AI order desk would not except his order because it made no sense!
I know, to each his own. (vision) (I apologize for my comments) But looking through s _ _ t colored glasses gets you this monstrosity.
This here thingee is butt ugly.
You’d have to wear a bag over your head when you drove it
How about a bag over the whole car!!
This is what they should’ve had Al Czervik driven onto the greens with!
(Rodney Dangerfield in Caddyshack)
I believe this is the first time I have seen bile green upholstery in a car.
Pass the pepto bismo,please.
In the words of Phoebe Buffett … MY EYES!
Didn’t Homer Simpson lead the design team at the direction of his brother? (Danny DeVito)
Well…. at least lots of comments! I would have a very hard time @ $1850 let alone 18.5 K! Come to think of it…. I would have a tough time at $185 also, because now I would have to bring it home!
It would definitely get attention at a Sunday morning coffee meet…….if that is what you are looking for!! It belongs in a household that has a Harvest Gold colored refrigerator and shag carpeting…….and can you believe money was spent on a vanity license plate?
Only way I’d drive is with a bag on my head.
This thing is the new definition of “automotive ugly”. And the seller must
be dreaming with the asking price.
Well… At least it has the correct transmission.
I must say that I actually LIKE the outside rear view mirrors.
Here is a good article on the Leata.
https://www.makesthatdidntmakeit.com/leata-cabalero
This car isn’t bad looking as a truck in the above link. According to the article three were produced.
I used to own an 81 Ford Durango pickup (formerly an 81 Ford Fairmont car) for a very short time. The work done on that one was interesting as well. Its taillights remained on the tailgate. I wonder if this one was done the same way?