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

roadburner

The 968 is the final evolution of the 924/944 platform, and is regarded by many to be the best of the breed. The front end styling in particular was an attempt to update the car to resemble the rest of the lineup.

Michaell

ab348 said:

I'm not a Porsche aficionado but I honestly never heard of a 968 before this:

1995 Porsche 968 on BaT


Looks sort of odd to my eye.

The 968 is the last iteration of the 924 / 944 body style.

That 3.0 4-cylinder has gotta run rough; did it have balance shafts?

texases

According to wiki for the 944: "To overcome roughness caused by the unbalanced secondary forces that are typical of four-cylinder engines, Porsche included two counter-rotating balance shafts running at twice engine speed. "
So I'd assume the 968 had them too.

edit - it does, according to BAT: "The DOHC 3.0-liter engine benefits from a recent service that included a new timing belt and water pump, as well as a balance shaft belt, roller, and tensioner."

stickguy

Oh man, I love that car. Curious to see what it ends up going for.

texases

I'm sure the 968 is a better car, but I just would have to go with a 944, I like the looks better.

Mr_Shiftright

ab348 said:

Someone here on the forums (I can't recall exactly who) mentioned that they had lost a 380SL in the Santa Rosa wildfires recently.

Here would be a nice replacement to spend the (hopeful) insurance money on: 1985 M-B 380SL

A 560SL would be a much better choice, unless of course there is as emotional attachment to having a 380SL.

Mr_Shiftright

texases said:

According to wiki for the 944: "To overcome roughness caused by the unbalanced secondary forces that are typical of four-cylinder engines, Porsche included two counter-rotating balance shafts running at twice engine speed. "
So I'd assume the 968 had them too.

edit - it does, according to BAT: "The DOHC 3.0-liter engine benefits from a recent service that included a new timing belt and water pump, as well as a balance shaft belt, roller, and tensioner."

Yep, balance shaft technology they got from......Mitsubishi! Porsche tried to design its own balance shaft tech so as not to violate the Mitsubishi patent, but turns out the Mitsubishi system worked a lot better--so Porsche reportedly paid Mitsu about 8 bucks a car in royalties.

Big inline 4s are inherently rough, which is why you see so few large displacement 4s. People have run 944s without the balance shaft though and I guess it's tolerable for some.

ab348

texases said:

I'm sure the 968 is a better car, but I just would have to go with a 944, I like the looks better.

Yeah, that's part of why I posted the link aside from never having heard of one before. The front end looks like someone Frankensteined a 911 to it. Very odd-looking.

texases

It has a bit of 928 to it, along with a touch of '83 Celica. I'm not a fan of the stargazer look:

roadburner

I talked with a BMW engine builder years ago and he was adamant that-from a smoothness standpoint-2 liters was the maximum displacement for an I4 without balance shafts and 4.0 was the maximum for an I6. Note that an I6 has no primary or appreciable secondary imbalances so they can be built considerably larger.

fintail

Saw a black 58-59 T-Bird out in the rain today, and a very early R107 SL - small bumpers and hubcaps, so 1972-73. It was in the repair waiting area at the MB dealer.

fintail

Saw a first gen Bronco and second gen MR2 this afternoon.

fintail

On the road this evening, seen at right, a very clean 77-79 Cadillac Fleetwood:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTQk3dFOw5M&feature=youtu.be

ab348

The Caddy sighting is nice, but I'm more impressed that you're listening to General Public.

ab348

I love the pic of the very official-looking "Zertifikat" in this listing. I am not brave enough to want one of these.

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1994-mercedes-benz-sl600-5/

imidazol97

Nice page. Saw this!

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1958-chevrolet-corvette-3/

ab348

That '58 Vette is in great colors and looks nice, but the VIN tag was missing and had to be reissued, so that would scare me a bit. It's all academic as I don't fit in those cars anyway.

Mr_Shiftright

ab348 said:

That '58 Vette is in great colors and looks nice, but the VIN tag was missing and had to be reissued, so that would scare me a bit. It's all academic as I don't fit in those cars anyway.

Obviously scaring the bidders as well--that re-issued VIN plus the non-original motor. These aren't exactly scarce either--they made over 9,000 of them that year and you readily see them for sale--so buyers can be fussy if they want to be. Also I'm puzzled by the comment that the cops "checked the VIN number on the frame"--I thought you had to lift the body on these to see that. (driver's side, mid-door area). Not sure.

So between those two issues the guy has to expect a 30% hit at least. But, nonetheless, you'd think the car should be bid to around $55K--$60K but seems stalled at $45K with 3 hours left. Maybe he'll get a burst.

RE: SL600 -- it would be interesting to review the car's service records, to give you an idea of what you're facing on a cost per mile basis. If you know that number, then you can go into cars like this with eyes wide open.

fintail

For the SL600, wiring issues are really the key, along with keeping the transmission serviced. If those check out, it shouldn't be too bad aside from maybe electrical quirks that will impact most vehicles of that age.

I notice it has pinstripes too, you'll only see that dopeyness on NA market cars, as far as I know.

Mr_Shiftright

I always tell people buying older exotics like this to play vigorously with EVERY gadget, button and switch, even if it takes an hour to go through everything.

fintail

Good idea, as the parts cost for a 25 year old SL are probably the exact same as for a brand new one. A few non-working accessories could end up costing a significant amount of the purchase price (as really nice ones can be had in the low teens now).

Also a car where you want to be friendly with a good indy mechanic.

Mr_Shiftright said:

I always tell people buying older exotics like this to play vigorously with EVERY gadget, button and switch, even if it takes an hour to go through everything.

ab348

The owner of that '58 Vette got the burst you mentioned - sold at $61K.

imidazol97

ab348 said:

The owner of that '58 Vette got the burst you mentioned - sold at $61K.

WOW

ab348

This one is interesting and the price is... well, more interesting.

1959 Chevrolet Nomad



Not so sure about the "Superglide" transmission...

Mr_Shiftright

He's exercising his First Amendment Rights. He's about double market price, or more, so that car should remain firmly epoxied to his garage floor for years to come.

fintail

I'd want a better attempt at cleaning those carpets for 55K.

stickguy

guy in my neighborhood had his Vette out on the driveway today (nice here, and I think he had to move it to get his Xmas decorations out). Top was down. A C2 of some year (I think a 65). 4 speed. That classic corvette medium blue. Not sure which engine, but has side pipes. Beautiful car.

Mr_Shiftright

fintail said:

I'd want a better attempt at cleaning those carpets for 55K.

Those carpets are toast---sun-faded. I see other defects over the car as well.

berri

The guy may just be fishing to see if there is some wealthy person out there that is reminded of his childhood. Although there is an old station wagon subset out there.

fintail

I agree with Shifty's price estimate.

On the road today saw an immaculate late 80s XJS cabrio, white. To keep one this nice means you are in love with the car.

Mr_Shiftright

berri said:

The guy may just be fishing to see if there is some wealthy person out there that is reminded of his childhood. Although there is an old station wagon subset out there.

No one's going to buy that car at $55K----E-V-E-R. You can buy some awesome machinery for $55K rather than a tired old wagon.

I just saw a drop-dead beautiful Lapis Blue '67 Chevelle SS with a professionally built 600 HP motor and all the best components for $45K, for gawd's sake.

bhill2

Mr_Shiftright said:

berri said:

The guy may just be fishing to see if there is some wealthy person out there that is reminded of his childhood. Although there is an old station wagon subset out there.

No one's going to buy that car at $55K----E-V-E-R. You can buy some awesome machinery for $55K rather than a tired old wagon.

I just saw a drop-dead beautiful Lapis Blue '67 Chevelle SS with a professionally built 600 HP motor and all the best components for $45K, for gawd's sake.

But does the Chevelle have a Superglide transmission? Those are rare! I thought Chevy used Turboglide. Maybe a Superglide has less lag.

tjc78

bhill2 said:

The guy may just be fishing to see if there is some wealthy person out there that is reminded of his childhood. Although there is an old station wagon subset out there.

No one's going to buy that car at $55K----E-V-E-R. You can buy some awesome machinery for $55K rather than a tired old wagon. I just saw a drop-dead beautiful Lapis Blue '67 Chevelle SS with a professionally built 600 HP motor and all the best components for $45K, for gawd's sake.

But does the Chevelle have a Superglide transmission? Those are rare! I thought Chevy used Turboglide. Maybe a Superglide has less lag.

Ha ha... you know what else really bothers me in ads?  When someone is listing a Ford and they say “Posi” rear... no it’s a Ford so it’s Traction-Lok

roadburner

My pet peeves are BMW and Wrangler TJ ads where the seller says the car has a "V6." If they are too stupid to look under the hood I'm not going to trust anything else that they say.

Mr_Shiftright

bhill2 said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

berri said:

The guy may just be fishing to see if there is some wealthy person out there that is reminded of his childhood. Although there is an old station wagon subset out there.

No one's going to buy that car at $55K----E-V-E-R. You can buy some awesome machinery for $55K rather than a tired old wagon.

I just saw a drop-dead beautiful Lapis Blue '67 Chevelle SS with a professionally built 600 HP motor and all the best components for $45K, for gawd's sake.

But does the Chevelle have a Superglide transmission? Those are rare! I thought Chevy used Turboglide. Maybe a Superglide has less lag.

No, that Chevy has an M-22 Muncie "rock crusher". Not as good as a Superglide of course, but it gets the job done

I romped on the gas on that Chevelle on a freeway on-ramp and yep, it has 600 HP. Of course, it could use more

PF_Flyer

Not a car flick at all, so this will put your vehicle identification skills to the test

kyfdx

Is that from “Network”?

berri

I'm not gonna take it anymore

ab348

I was going to say Network also, but why is there a Lada in the background?

stickguy

Mid 70s fiat. A 128?

Mr_Shiftright

It has Fiat-y hubcaps

fintail

Looks like big bumper, same basis as Lada, but likely Fiat 124.

PF_Flyer

Yep, Network.
Yep, mid-70's Fiat

1974 124 Special

ab348

Fiat really worked hard to integrate the crash bumpers on those.

Mr_Shiftright

I'll see your Fiat 124 crash bumper and RAISE you 1 1975 Mercury Comet:

stickguy

hey, it is for sale! I like it. wonder if it is a 302/4 speed? Or are the wheels just a sham!

fintail

I'll call with MB R107:



And W116:

stickguy

VW could hold it's own back then.

texases

stickguy said:

hey, it is for sale! I like it. wonder if it is a 302/4 speed? Or are the wheels just a sham!

Did a Comet come that way?  Not many, I’d bet. 

stickguy

story time. When I was in HS, the guy across the street was the used car manager (I think UCM) at a IIRC Caddy dealer in the Bronx (we lived in the NYC burbs). and brought various cars home. A few I really liked. An SS396 Gen 2 Camaro (4 speed), a pointy fender 69ish Blue 350/4 speed front disk (I still remember the brake pedal said disk brakes) El Camino. And a Comet GT 302 with a stick. I should have tried to buy the Comet. But I really lusted after the El Camino.