I spotted an (insert obscure car name here) classic car today! (Archived)

Mr_Shiftright

roadburner said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

Well in that case, no BMW 320 for me. I would have already read the reviews, which were rather scathing.

Like this one?

Or maybe Road & Track in February 1980:
"Summing up the 320i is child's play: superb ride and handling characteristics, crisp gearbox, well thought-out controls, comfortable seats, and an engine that's relatively responsive while meeting emission levels and fuel economy standards for the new decade."

Perhaps Road Test in January 1977: "...the 320i is a genuinely excellent car."

And the opinion across the pond?
Well, there's Motor in June 1977: " great fun to drive... Definitely an enthusiasts' car."

Autosport really lambasted the E21 in January 1976: "As a practical touring car of good looks and high quality, it's about the best yet from the celebrated Bavarian constructor."

You can certainly make the argument that several of the road tests of the E21 were not as glowing as those of the 2002 or E30- but "scathing" is hardly an accurate characterization of how it was received by the automotive press.

OK, fair enough, but I'm not going to get into a cut 'n paste battle. I could find damning comments to match. Perhaps our differences of opinion rest in the fact that my historical record is from the automotive press a year or two AFTER the cars went into the public's hands. Post-honeymoon, so to speak.

And, as a former unfortunate owner of not one, but two of them, I think I have a right to complain. Overpriced, buzzy, and literally brimming with cost-cutting features. IMO a very cynical offering from BMW. They could hardly have been proud of it, don't you think?

The car was not without its good points. But on the balance scale of life? No thanks.

xwesx

Michaell said:

Not classic, nor obscure, but what a find!

https://truckyeah.jalopnik.com/someone-just-snagged-the-jeep-cherokee-barn-find-of-the-1796801689

Yeah, no doubt. Great score for them!

texases

The big advance for 3ers was the appearance of the 6 cylinder engine.

One of my pet peeves is the modern-day canonization of the first-gen M3. In every measurable way, the next gen M3 was better: faster, better brakes, better handling, more powerful, smoother, etc, etc. All for the same cost. But it's the first gen prices that are skyrocketing now. Go figger.

roadburner

In 1993 I spent a day at what was then called Sears Point in a 1990 M3 fitted with Dinan springs and a Conforti ECU chip. It was by far the most fun I've ever had at an HPDE. It's by far my favorite iteration of the M3, although I think that the current M2 comes extremely close in terms of driving satisfaction. That said, I also love the E9x M3, but I consider it to be more of a successor to the first generation M5 and M6.

Mr_Shiftright

texases said:

The big advance for 3ers was the appearance of the 6 cylinder engine.

One of my pet peeves is the modern-day canonization of the first-gen M3. In every measurable way, the next gen M3 was better: faster, better brakes, better handling, more powerful, smoother, etc, etc. All for the same cost. But it's the first gen prices that are skyrocketing now. Go figger.

The purists say it has all the "soul", and the purists are willing to pay far more for an E30 than an E36.

I guess you could say the same about early Ferraris.

fintail

I always thought the E30 M3 is worth more because it looks better (and is likely more rare).

texases

roadburner said:

In 1993 I spent a day at what was then called Sears Point in a 1990 M3 fitted with Dinan springs and a Conforti ECU chip. It was by far the most fun I've ever had at an HPDE. It's by far my favorite iteration of the M3, although I think that the current M2 comes extremely close in terms of driving satisfaction. That said, I also love the E9x M3, but I consider it to be more of a successor to the first generation M5 and M6.

Sounds like huge fun. Wonder how a hotted-up E36 M3 would compare?

Some of the E30 M3 lovers denigrate the E36 M3 we got because it wasn't as good as the (much more expensive) European M3. OK, but that's not the comparison for us, right.

As to looks, I happen to prefer the E36 M3. And I'm sure E30 rarity figures in big time.

Mr_Shiftright

They made quite a few E30 M3s--almost 18,000 of them, so they are certainly available if you really want one. I can see the appeal of the E30, with real racing roots, and many unique body and suspension pieces. This wasn't just a tarted up regular E30.

They'll bring about 4X the money of an E36 M3.

fintail

It's those boxed fender flares and the boxy spoiler. Looks-wise, it works.

texases

To each his own. When the E36 came out it instantly made the E30 look 'old' to me.

And I get the racing connection, but 6.9S for 0-60 is just not much to get excited about, to me.

kyfdx

The E30 M3 was panned by the customer base, generally, at the time it came out. Two less cylinders, and only 24 extra HP. For an extra $10K.

It didn't get the cult following until later, much like the Z8.

Mr_Shiftright

Oh, you mean compared to a 325? Yeah, I could see why they might be disappointed although the M3 put out more ponies. But you're right, it's the Ur-M3 with distinct racing heritage. Counts for a lot in the collector car world.

stickguy

out on my walk tonight, parked in a driveway (so definitely being driven), a 74 or 75 Plymouth Gold duster. Actually in pretty nice shape, with just a little rust on one rear fender. In way better shape than mine was when I got it in 1979!

And something that made me feel old. A nice red early Fox body Mustang GT convertible. With classic tags.

fintail

I saw a Citation with classic tags some time ago, I laughed. I have thought of getting an early Taurus and putting classic tags on it (30 year rule here, I think), just for looks.

stickguy

also saw a Jim Rockford Firebird (Esprit?) drive past. That very period bronze color.

kyfdx

25 years here for historic plates.. I see them on some real crap-mobiles

Michaell

Weren't we talking about 80's era luxury?

I spotted a Peugeot 505 Sti on highway 101 south near San Francisco this evening. The guy driving was doing a good imitation of an Ivy League college professor.

Mr_Shiftright

Nice looking car actually. A refreshing change from the 80's "three cardboard box" design.

tifighter

I liked the 505. The wagon version always looked to be about nine miles long.

fintail

Saw a brand new looking 90-93 300E in traffic today, also a C hatch, a decent later 7 series Volvo, AcuraVigor, and a young guy driving a spotless looking baby blue early 80s F-series.

fintail

505 will always be immortalized to me in this movie scene:

xwesx

Real Genius?

Michaell

xwesx said:

Real Genius?

yep. and the car I saw was the same color

fintail

Yep, classic 80s stuff. The evil professor guy drives the 505, and his dorky sycophant drives a yellow Citroen DS.

Michaell

fintail said:

Yep, classic 80s stuff. The evil professor guy drives the 505, and his dorky sycophant drives a yellow Citroen DS.

While our heroes drive ... what, exactly? One is barely old enough to have his license.

One of the buddies has a motorcycle, but I don't remember the Val Kilmer character actually owning a car. How did he get around?

fintail

Yeah, the Asian guy had a BMW motorcycle, I think. I don't recall the young guy or Kilmer driving, until the scene where they use Kent's Citroen.

Loved that one when I was a kid, I remember taping it off HBO (I think) back in the day.

Michaell said:

While our heroes drive ... what, exactly? One is barely old enough to have his license.

One of the buddies has a motorcycle, but I don't remember the Val Kilmer character actually owning a car. How did he get around?

Michaell

fintail said:

Yeah, the Asian guy had a BMW motorcycle, I think. I don't recall the young guy or Kilmer driving, until the scene where they use Kent's Citroen.

Loved that one when I was a kid, I remember taping it off HBO (I think) back in the day.

Michaell said:

While our heroes drive ... what, exactly? One is barely old enough to have his license.

One of the buddies has a motorcycle, but I don't remember the Val Kilmer character actually owning a car. How did he get around?

I'll catch it on cable now and again. Still fun to watch.

fintail

There was a time in the mid 80s when so many good fun movies hit the screen. Nothing like that anymore. This scene always sticks in my mind:

https://youtu.be/tenMfwfdS0A

On the road today, a yellow 2nd gen MR2, and a funky mid 90s Camry wagon. Nothing else caught my eye, surprising with the perfect weather here.

Michaell said:

I'll catch it on cable now and again. Still fun to watch.

stickguy

I have no clue what that movie is. Don't think I ever heard of it

Michaell

stickguy said:

I have no clue what that movie is. Don't think I ever heard of it

We are hereby rescinding your 80's card!

kyfdx

Michaell said:

stickguy said:

I have no clue what that movie is. Don't think I ever heard of it

We are hereby rescinding your 80's card!

Anything worth watching or listening to, was created before 1980.

omarman

Definitely worth watching in 1982 but you had to look quickly before it disappeared after 6 episodes.

edit: tried to add a pic of Frank's car but it's not showing up.

fintail

Luckily, those were revived with the Naked Gun movies. The running gag about Frank's bad driving was a good one:

https://youtu.be/yHNqA5wuAag

tjc78

Funny clip.  On the Panther forums that box model with a slick top and strip less bumpers would be highly wanted! 

ab348

Here's one for our Seattle friends - a mint Plymouth Sapporo! Cheap too.

https://seattle.craigslist.org/see/cto/6190937503.html

stickguy

not bad looking at all. price is reasonable. Too bad it isn't a 5 speed.

fintail

I like the style of those. I think that's definitely worth it - if I had a place to keep old oddballs, and a budget to fund random purchases, I'd be looking at this. Too bad it is a luxury model rather than a sporty one, but as these are virtually unicorns, you can't be too choosy.

Mr_Shiftright

ab348 said:

Here's one for our Seattle friends - a mint Plymouth Sapporo! Cheap too.

https://seattle.craigslist.org/see/cto/6190937503.html

Not a bad little car actually.

berri

I like the name too

Mr_Shiftright

it's the name of a city.

ab348

Mr_Shiftright said:

it's the name of a city.

And a beer.

kyfdx

The Winter Olympics were held there!

sda

Mr_Shiftright said:

ab348 said:

Here's one for our Seattle friends - a mint Plymouth Sapporo! Cheap too.

https://seattle.craigslist.org/see/cto/6190937503.html

Not a bad little car actually.

Dodge sold a sportier version with stripes, sport wheels and a plaid cloth interior originally called the Dodge Colt Challenger, and later named Challenger.

Mr_Shiftright

Correct, and I think quite a few owners like them.

fintail

On the road earlier in the fintail, had a good PNW intersection meeting - me, a 70s VW bus, and a Saab 9000. Probably not many places where such a mixture can happen anymore.

roadburner

Mr_Shiftright said:

Correct, and I think quite a few owners like them.

I had a 1979 Arrow GT with the same 2.6 liter engine; it also boasted a five speed manual and four wheel discs. A fantastic econo-coupe and pretty advanced for it's time.

kyfdx

Passed a Cadillac ELR on the freeway, today.

It's been a long time since I spotted one on the road.

Michaell

roadburner said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

Correct, and I think quite a few owners like them.

I had a 1979 Arrow GT with the same 2.6 liter engine; it also boasted a five speed manual and four wheel discs. A fantastic econo-coupe and pretty advanced for it's time.

At the time, the 120HP from that engine made it a rocket.

Mr_Shiftright

kyfdx said:

Passed a Cadillac ELR on the freeway, today.

It's been a long time since I spotted one on the road.

One of the world's worst purchases. Twice the price of a Volt with very little added to it.

roadburner

roadburner said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

Correct, and I think quite a few owners like them.

I had a 1979 Arrow GT with the same 2.6 liter engine; it also boasted a five speed manual and four wheel discs. A fantastic econo-coupe and pretty advanced for it's time.

At the time, the 120HP from that engine made it a rocket.

I have the Car and Driver issue that contains a test of the Fire Arrow(except for different stripes and alloy wheels it was identical to my GT). The article mentioned that time of car was the fastest car in Chrysler's 1979 model line- 0-60 in a blisteringly fast 10 seconds...