Tag: original (Page 2 of 5)

PICK OF THE DAY: Solid Original Triumph TR6

June 28, 2014 / moto+match / 0 Comments

With the end of the Triumph TR6 in 1976, so too was the beginning of the end for the British roadster. With Karmann styling atop a Michelotti design that began with the TR4 40 years ago, and the last of the affordable six-cylinder roadsters, the TR6 had the longest run of any of the TRs. With nearly 100,000 produced over eight years, it was also the most popular. Its popularity remains today for its classic styling, respectable performance and relative affordability. In other words, all the traits of a true British roadster. While prices have seen an upturn in the last several months and No. 1 cars are fetching over $30,000 at collector car auctions, decent examples can still be found for $10-15K. This TR6 appears to be a solid, rust-free, original car with a very straight body and original interior, though it does show some cracks on the dash pad and possible splitting in the driver’s seat. With only two owners, it’s benefited from long-term care, the current owner being its steward for nearly 30 years. According to seller it’s not far off from mint condition. If that is indeed the case, this would be a sound investment on top of Find it here on Craigslist in Collierville TN for a bargain $8,900.

PICK OF THE DAY: Nicely Preserved Volvo 145

June 26, 2014 / moto+match / 0 Comments

When it was time to replace Volvo’s classic rounded shapes of its Amazon and earlier PV cars, they thought out of the box. Or rather, they created the box, which would become a Volvo hallmark for the next 40 years. The boxiest of these was its wagon form, the 145. Like the 122S Wagon which preceded it, it was immediately popular for its build quality, safety and cavernous cargo room. In 1971, the 145 was further adored for having a new fuel-injected motor providing a very respectable 135 hp as well as a 4-speed gearbox, now with electronic overdrive. Volvo 145s don’t come on the market very often and those that do are mostly a testament to Volvo’s legendary durability, logging hundreds of thousands of miles and looking the part. This 145 appears to be a remarkably well preserved 90,000-mile example showing some patina in the paint and a leather interior that has been under seat covers for most of its life, thus looking practically new. A fair amount of recent mechanical attention has been given to it as well, making for what could be a very enjoyable car for a very long time. 145s and 245s have long been a favorite of the “hooning” set, but this one deserves to receive the careful preservation it’s been accustomed to. Priced at $4,500, it is a rather attractive package. Or box. Find it here on AutoTrader Classics in Gadsen AL.

PICK OF THE DAY: Original 81,000 Mile BMW 320i

June 21, 2014 / moto+match / 0 Comments

Described as a survivor, this 1981 BMW 320i presents very well in its excellent original paint and upholstery. Under one owner from new until 2013, with excellent records, it appears to be have been impeccably maintained as well. For whatever reason, the E21 3 Series (the first to have been officially called a 3) have been skipped over by most enthusiasts who either seek the E10 2002s or its successor, the E30. This may simply be due to the era, when manufacturers were burdened by emissions and safety regulations before figuring out an engineering solution whereby they could comply without compromise. This impression is further jaded by the later cars (1980-83) receiving a smaller 1.8 liter engine (US opting to keep the 320 moniker as it was the only E21 available here). While the 1.8 is somewhat less powerful, with just over 100 hp, the later cars also benefitted greatly from chassis refinements that shed about 80 kilos. The result was a more spry performer, better in fact than the highly revered, top-of-the-line 2002tii which came before it. The 320i was also a much more solid feeling car than the 2002, with smooth, precise shift linkages and a 50/50 weight distribution (100 kg more than the 2002) that gave the car a more firmly planted rear end. This particular 320i is also nicely optioned with air conditioning (not working), manual sunroof and AM/FM. It has its original toolkit, manuals and sales documentation as well as a stack of receipts. With the values of outstanding-example 320i’s poised to leap, there aren’t many left as original and tidy as this one. Find it here on Craigslist in Pleasonton CA priced to sell at $7,900.

PICK OF THE DAY: 48,000 Mile Volkswagen GTI 20th

June 20, 2014 / moto+match / 0 Comments

Marking 20 years since the U.S. launch of the world’s most successful “hot hatch”—and the one that’s credited with creating the category—Volkswagen of America celebrated the occasion with the GTI 20th Anniversary. Of the 4,200 made, about a quarter were in Imola Yellow, nodding to Ferrari’s Giallo Fly (Black Pearl and Jazz Blue were the other two available colors). Despite its limited production, not much reverie was given to keeping them pure and most eventually ended up glommed among the other MK 4 Golfs that are highly coveted by the tuner set. Some were genuinely elevated to astonishing feats far beyond what anyone would imagine possible from what is essentially a people’s car. Others are nothing short of abominations. Few were left untouched. This is an Imola Yellow 20th that has remained mostly pure, with its turbo-back exhaust the only modification. And that is a good thing. With only 48,000 miles, it gives its next owner the option a more or less blank canvas upon which to either tune or preserve. It is otherwise described as “basically mint” and does appear to be exceptional clean and well cared for. Find it here on Craigslist in Allentown PA for $11,000 or best offer.

PICK OF THE DAY: Nearly There Alfa Romeo 2600 Sprint

June 19, 2014 / moto+match / 0 Comments

After a long period of hesitation, the market for ‘60s Alfas has become hot in the past six months. Most of the attention is directed toward the Type 101 Giulia and Giuliettas, however the touring cars are seeing the lift as well. While obscure in comparison, fans of Fellini and Rosselini films may recognize the 2600 Sprint as the car of choice for the Caribinieri. It’s not hard to see why. The 145-hp six cylinder was more than capable of a spirited chase along twisty country roads, whist offering its drivers and occasional occupants ample comfort to enjoy the scenery. Its styling was by Bertone, but more significantly it was the first project under the Carrozzeria’s new head of design, Giorgetto Giugiaro. Its shape went on to influence dozens of other cars from Fiat, Lancia, Opel, and more. Giugiaro, meanwhile, would go on to create some of the world’s most memorable designs like the Lotus Esprit, Volkswagen Golf and Scirocco, and yes, the Yugo. An Alfa Romeo 2600 Sprint rarely comes on the market and when it does it’s typically offered by one of the high-end collector car suction. This particular 2600 is offered by private party. Seller describes it as a good driver-quality but that may be underselling it. There is no evidence of any rust and interior appears to be tidy and original, except for an older recovering of the seats. The car will need a proper paint job and new headliner to be show quality, but as is, appears to be a very presentable example. Find it here on Craigslist in Miami FL for a reasonable $25,000.

PICK OF THE DAY: One Owner 79,000-Mile Chevrolet Vega GT Kammback

June 17, 2014 / moto+match / 0 Comments

This is not a story about a ‘74 Vega becoming the next Dino 246GT. Nor is anyone suggesting that we overlook the series of recalls and failures that earned the Vega its rightful place as being one of the all-time crappiest of crap cars. This isn’t a Cosworth Vega, with its twin-cam fuel injected all-alluminum engine. It’s not a more relaible, better appointed later model. This is a simple 1974 Vega Kammback with GT trim. Yet it’s been pampered as though it were a six-figure LS6 Chevelle. Paint shines without any evidence of a respray and no signs of rust. Interior has been kept as new thanks to seat covers that look as though they were put on shortly after the car was bought. Carpets appear to have very little wear. Glass and brightwork don’t appear to have any pitting or other blemishes. There’s an awkward coolness to the Kammback’s styling; like it’s begging for a surfboard or carbon-fibre road bike to be placed upon it, if for no other reason than to be parked in front of the brewpub for conversation. In the end, this is about the very essence of this car love thing: that even a very basic crap car, when given love and exceptional preservation—by a single owner through 40 years—can be elevated into something… desirable? Find it here on Craigslist in Santa Clara CA for $4,600.

PICK OF THE DAY: Sterling 76,000 Mile Saab 99 EMS

June 16, 2014 / moto+match / 0 Comments

Before the Saab 99 even went out of production after a 16-year run, it was already a classic. Earlier Saabs, like the 92,93, 95, and 96 built a following for their advances in engineering , safety, toughness, and aerodynamics. Later Saabs like the 900 would be more sophisticated and offer more creature comforts around the same basic shape, but it was the 99 that cemented Saab’s place in the automotive landscape. It was built like a tank, yet agile and peppy; practical yet quirky; a people’s car but not mainstream. With the 99 EMS, performance and handling were dialed up a notch with a fuel-injected 2.0 litre developing 108 hp, along with quicker steering, stiffer suspension, front air dam, and the now-iconic “soccer ball” wheels. With most 99s lasting a half million miles or more, this 76,000-mile EMS looks to have benefited from spare driving not only mechanically, but as a long-time Florida car, it retains a well-preserved, rust-free Sterling Silver body and tidy interior as well. With a great deal of recent service, it promises to be as loyal as its next owner will be to it and the Saab story yet to be told. Find it here on the Saabnet Classifieds for a very reasonable $4,800

PICK OF THE DAY: Pristine 34,000 Mile Mercedes-Benz 300 CD

June 12, 2014 / moto+match / 0 Comments

Imagine walking into a Mercedes-Benz showroom in 1985. There sits before you a handsome coupé with a turbo-diesel motor in the popular-at-the-time 877 Blue-Green Metallic over Beige Tex. By now, the stalwart 3-litre five cylinder diesel motor has already gained legendary status, but placed in this two-door pillarless variant of the W123 chassis, it takes on a completely new purpose. This, in its turbo-charged form, combined with the sporty aesthetic, is the world’s first diesel-powered performance touring 2+2. This is the same basic motor that in 1978 broke nine different diesel and gas speed records, averaging nearly 15 MPG at over 195 MPH through 12 hours. Furthermore, the 300 CD was so impeccably engineered, that in its styling, it lost nothing in structural integrity, its Mercedes-Benzness. Naturally, you’re sold. Jump ahead to 2014 and after 29 years as the sole owner, it’s time to sell. Despite limited production, a 300 CD coming on the market is nothing extraordinary. As the designers and engineers intended, most are still on the road and somehow managed to skip over the period where they looked tired, such that they seamlessly went from modern to classic. A 300 CD, like any of the Mercedes-Benz diesels, can clock literally millions of miles, thus it’s certainly not extraordinary to find nice examples with 250,000 miles or more. What is extraordinary is that the very same Blue-Green over Beige 300CD that lured its owner on that showroom in 1985 looks exactly the same as it did then. With only 34,000 miles, it’s not hard to imagine why. Original paint appears flawless as does the interior. Even the floor mats look like they’ve had nary a soled shoe placed upon them. Everything including the original Becker radio and all power accessories, such as windows and sunroof, are said to be working perfectly.The owner states that it has been meticulously maintained and there’s surely no reason to doubt that. The attention to detail in its preservation is evident in every sense, including all its original documents, such as the 1985 brochure, from the original sale. Perfection has its price with this one priced double of what a 100,000-mile example would go for and several thousand over Hagerty’s high value. This however, is clearly one of those that is hors categorie. Its condition and mileage might be better compared to a late-model E or CLK Class coupé, except that this, in 1985, was the last two-door diesel-powered Mercedes-Benz we would see on these shores. Hors categorie indeed. Find it here on Craigslist in Seattle WA for $22,500.

PICK OF THE DAY: One Owner Low Mile Lancia Beta Coupé

May 30, 2014 / moto+match / 0 Comments

With a history nearly as long as the automobile itself, it is somewhat surprising that Lancia was never able to build a bigger presence in the US. Despite enthusiast and critical favorites like the Aurelia and Fulva, by the late 70s and early 80s, Lancia was competing in a congested GT market with the likes of BMW, Audi, Alfa Romeo, and Japanese marques, as well as parent company Fiat. Faced with perceived reliability problems (mostly derived from the US emissions-burdened carbureted cars) and anemic revenues, Lancia, along with the Fiat, exited the US market in 1982. That’s not to say they weren’t making nice cars. The cars were in fact nicer than their pricepoints allowed. The fuel-injected 2.0 Litre DOHC motor introduced in 1981 was better tuned to the emissions regulations and many of the reliability issues were alleviated in its last two years. Nevertheless, it was too little too late to turn a profit, despite needing export markets to keep volumes high enough to cost-justify their production in the first place. Whilst the US missed out on some of the exquisite Lancias like the Delta Integrale and Ferrari-powered Thema 3.2, we did get some interesting variations on the Beta platform including the mid-engine Scorpion and Targa-roofed Zagato, as well as the handsome 2+2 Coupé like the one presented today. With less than 55,000 miles put on by a single owner, it is as honest an example of a Beta Coupé as there has been on the market in some time. As a 1981, it has the original 120-hp fuel injected motor and five-speed gearbox. It wears its original silver metallic paint with no bodywork and only one small spot of rust disclosed. Black leather upholstery looks to be in stellar condition, as do the dash and carpets. This Beta Coupé is also well documented, including manuals, sales brochure and original window sticker. Though there aren’t many to track, prices for Beta Coupés are on par with their early 80s contemporaries like the BMW 320i and VW Scirocco, ranging from a couple thousand for cars needing some TLC to Concours-quality examples fetching five digits. Whether or not a Lancia Beta Coupé has the fan base to support it being investment-grade like the BMW or Scirocco remains to be seen, but it’s a unique Italian GT that can certainly be enjoyed in the meantime. Find it here on Craigslist in Lakeville MN for $7,500.

PICK OF THE DAY: Banner Big Body Benz

May 29, 2014 / moto+match / 0 Comments

If the 80s were about affluence, power and opulence, there were few cars better suited to express it than the W126 S-Class. It was big. It was luxurious. It was sleek. But it was also smart. Safe. And as the tagline stated at the time, engineered like no other car in the world. In short, it was uncompromising. It was the Flagship of the Mercedes-Benz product line, commanding a sticker price of over $65,000. With an incredible 12-year production run, no S-Class before or since has captured the essence of what it means to be a flagship for longer. It continues to be used in film and popular culture as the iconic Big-Body Benz and doesn’t get much argument when referred to as classic. The top-of-the-line 126, the 560 SEL, still evokes power and panache like few cars throughout history. The 560 SEL presented here is a perfect example of that. It appears to have been revered by its owners—its current one for 26 years—to remain a statement of elegance and prestige, but with a classic presence that simply cannot be found in today’s luxury cars. While it’s true that 560 SELs—like any Mercedes-Benz—have legendary durability, finding one with less than 100K miles is somewhat rare. This one shows just over 80,000 on the clock with some recent service to assure continued durability. It’s to-order white paint appears to be original and, having been garaged throughout its life, is in excellent condition. Wheels appear to free of curb rash or flaking clearcoat. Inside, the burgundy leather appears to show proper patina with no tears, whilst the wood is free of the crackling that plagues Mercedes from this period. It is a well optioned SEL, including the sought-after reclining and heated rear seats. Find it here on Craigslist in Arlington Heights IL for a very reasonable $7,450.