052 | Weirdest Factory Edition Cars Ever: Levi’s Gremlin, VW Harlequin & Eddie Bauer Explorer

<p>What happens when car manufacturers decide a normal trim package just isn’t enough?</p><p>On this episode of <strong>Cool Cars with Chris</strong>, Chris and Courage take a trip through automotive history to explore some of the <strong>weirdest factory edition cars ever made</strong>. We’re talking unusual brand collaborations, wild color combinations, denim-inspired interiors, and special editions that could only have come from their particular era.</p><p>First up is the <strong>1973 AMC Gremlin Levi’s Edition</strong>, 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?</p><p>Then things get even more colorful with the <strong>Volkswagen Golf Harlequin</strong>. 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.</p><p>Finally, they revisit a special edition that was much more common: the <strong>Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer Edition</strong>. 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.</p><p>But before getting into the weird factory editions, Chris and Courage talk <strong>car culture, speeding, police attention and modified cars</strong>. Chris discusses the temptation of owning a fast <strong>Nissan 370Z</strong>, 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 <strong>California car laws, CARB-legal modifications, state refs, aftermarket exhausts</strong>, and why some modified cars attract more attention than others. </p><p>The conversation ultimately comes back to something every car enthusiast understands: <strong>we want our cars to feel like our cars.</strong> Whether it’s a factory special edition, a <strong>Roush F-150</strong>, custom wheels, an exhaust, or even a license plate, making a vehicle different is a huge part of car culture.</p><p>Which would you rather own: the <strong>Levi’s AMC Gremlin, VW Golf Harlequin, or Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer Edition?</strong></p><p