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

fintail

That's what I was thinking, 15K range. Even in "The Star", where owners sometimes over-value their old treasures, these rarely get close to 20K, even for low mileage cars.

Mr_Shiftright

It's the poor sister of the V8 sedans.

fintail

I might actually prefer an I6 model - the engine is adequate and smooth, just not to period American tastes. It'll be easier to maintain, and a little more economical to run. I think for late run 108-109, 1971 and after, the I6 is probably less common than the V8, in US spec models.

Mr_Shiftright

I would agree. Those 4.5 V8 are troublesome and gas-hungry.

fintail

Today saw 3 oldies on the road: 89-93 Sedan DeVille, ~65 Ford pickup, and a Vanagon Syncro on 8 hole MB wheels.

stickguy

passed some sort of garage building and there was an early 60s Pontiac Tempest of some sort parked out front. Red. Pretty neat looking.

fintail

Peak malaise, have fun:

https://youtu.be/VNquasAVeoI

stickguy

Back in HS, a friend of mine drove an Aspen wagon (his families car). Roomy certainly. But, typical of the era, a dog (slant 6). Also ran like crap. I recall it used to stall when making a sharp left turn. Always fun in traffic! We called it the ashcan

ab348

I remember test-driving an Aspen SE wagon back then with the parents. It was actually really nice inside and trimmed very nicely, but it understeered very badly as I recall and was pretty gutless. We also drove a Fairmont and found it very stark inside and quite tinny-feeling. Dad had an Omega like the one shown and it was a decent car though I never liked how it felt behind the wheel. Nice orange peel on that Skylark. I had to laugh at the glowing words about the Dasher and the Fiat. The best thing I saw in that video was the reporter.

fintail

I had a laugh at a lot in the video, even the disco muzak in the background. Amusing how they featured old cars like the Aspen, Dasher, unloved Versailles etc, but no mention of the then-new Continental/Town Car or bustleback Seville. How rare is a turbo Fairmont? I don't think I've ever seen one in person.

What would have been the best choice? Maybe the big Buick, or Eldo, or LTD? Even the MB W123 is not the most beloved model, in 280E form. There'd be no W126 or turbodiesel W123 until MY 1981. The constant use of the term "luxury" also made me smirk - having a "luxury car" must have been a big buzzword at the time. The presenter did a good job given the material.

That year, my mom's beloved mid 70s gargantuan T-Bird was still doing fine, and my dad still had the 70 Mustang, soon to be replaced by a Horizon, which for domestic compacts, was probably one of the good choices.

stickguy

My folks were looking to replace the 1969 Volvo in 1979. I remember looking at a zephyr, and a chevette. But they ended up with a horizon. Total stripper model.

roadburner

During that period my dad had a 1978 and a 1981 Caprice. My mother had the beyond crappy Maverick LDO. I had my modded 1974 Monte Carlo, a 1979 Arrow 2.6 GT and my Datsun SPL311 roadster.
Mom eventually got a 1984 Topaz(still crappy, but not rusty) while Dad bought a 1986 Mark VII LSC.

berri

I forgot all about the Arrow. Was that a Dodge or Plymouth branded car?

texases

Plymouth

omarman

"With Trans Am you get something extra. Especially if you order it turbofied."
Plus available decals!

roadburner

texases said:

Plymouth

Yes, by Mitsubishi. The GT 2.6 and the Fire Arrow had a 2.6 four cylinder, four wheel disc brakes, and a five speed manual. It was fast by late '70s standards.

Michaell

The 70's.

My folks owned three cars the entire decade.

Dad had his '70 Chevy pickup (bought new, sold last year after he passed away)
Mom started off the decade with the '67 Squareback, then bought the '73 Corona new when the engine gave out on the VW.

explorerx4

For most of 1980 I was driving my "Bruisemobile" Plymouth Duster.
Got my first "new" car near the end of the year a Black VW Scirrocco demo.
Now that I think of it, my truck has a very similar color scheme, mostly black and red.

texases

In 1981 I sold my ‘72 Duster and got a ‘79 Scirocco, black. 

explorerx4

My Duster was a 74, Put 63k miles on it in about 2 years.
Decided living closer to work would be a good decision.

xwesx

explorerx4 said:

My Duster was a 74, Put 63k miles on it in about 2 years.
Decided living closer to work would be a good decision.

That's crazy! Not quite as crazy as my friend in high school, who had a 1994 Ford Escort. He had nearly 120,000 miles on it in less than two years! It was new in August of 1993, and in June of 1995 he had 116,000 miles. Perhaps craziest of all: He didn't even have a job! LOL

explorerx4

@xwesx,
So he had a great girlfriend?

stickguy

in Alaska, wouldn't you get that just going to the dentist a few times?

Mr_Shiftright

Nah, there are no roads up there to speak of. You fly everywhere.

xwesx

explorerx4 said:

@xwesx,
So he had a great girlfriend?

Oh, now that's hilarious! Possibly?! As I recall, he was on a rather loose leash with his parents (who had too deep of pockets), and he just took advantage of it.

And, this wasn't in Alaska, but, yes, you can definitely rack up some miles up here! Heck, I put 700 miles on my Q7 just making a visit to the nearest dealership for warranty service!

kyfdx

Please help identify this golf cart/utility vehicle:
https://forums.edmunds.com/discussion/49617/general/x/identify-this-weird-looking-car#latest

ab348

Another proper Mercedes at BaT offers some interesting commentary from the purists. I've never seen a seller get their comments flagged for removal before, suspect some of the nitpicking got to him.

1971 M-B 280 SE 3.5 Coupe

fintail

Nice looking low grille, but I can see the reason for the debate re: floor shift, but I might side with the seller in it being an individual configuration. Either way, I can't imagine it being more than something like a 10% value impact. I think BaT has had a little censorship before. Price is still low for the market, these have gone insane lately.
I am surprised an engine rebuild was only 9K.

stickguy

And, another trip down the BaT rabbit hole! This is too cool for school.

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1965-volvo-pv544/

roadburner

This 1988 535is is incredibly tempting. The 1987 I owned remains one of my all-time favorite BMWs...

texases

Saw it got bid up to $17,200 on ebay, no sale - wonder what the reserve is?

kyfdx

roadburner said:

This 1988 535is is incredibly tempting. The 1987 I owned remains one of my all-time favorite BMWs...

I think it's awesome. Probably won't bring half of what the guy has put into it. Which makes it a good buy for someone that really wants it.

I test drove a high-mileage 1983 533i, once.. I think it was around 1990.. way north of 100K miles.

It was about 90 F, and it broke down about six blocks from the owner's house. My girlfriend got to hang out, while I ran back and got my car. Tossed him the keys, and said sorry, it's at 17th and Greenup Street. (middle of the intersection, naturally).

His last words: "When I get it fixed, are you still interested?"

stickguy

Gorgeous car

xwesx

stickguy said:

And, another trip down the BaT rabbit hole! This is too cool for school.

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1965-volvo-pv544/

Nice! I have no idea of actual value, but it seems reasonable to me at the current bid of 5-6K.

We had one of these (well, looked very similar, anyway) in our quonset hut for many years about 30 years ago. It was so gorgeous in black over red. Of the various vehicles in there (and there were some pretty cool ones), this one always caught my eye the most.

Mr_Shiftright

stickguy said:

And, another trip down the BaT rabbit hole! This is too cool for school.

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1965-volvo-pv544/

I like the way it looks but it is way, way over-carbed, and I'm guessing that between that and the IPD poly bushings all around, that this is not going to be a pleasant around-town car. The B20E engine is a good idea though. The head breathes a lot better. It begs for SUs, though.

xwesx

Wow; the current owner bought that Volvo for $8K a couple years ago. I have a gut feeling that he over-paid a bit given its condition at that time.

What is your analysis there, Shifty?

Mr_Shiftright

Hard to say. I've seen restored ones sell for $9K--$12K, but they were tasty-nice. It's possible that the car he bought was a)not in as good shape as he believed it to be when he bid on it and/or b) it's as ornery as hell driving it around town---over-cammed, over-carbed, over-bushed and probably happy only at WOT (I would guess) flying over bumps, and with horrendous fuel mileage. I mean, even ONE of those Webers is more than enough for the car.

So I'm thinking it was a dedicated build and no fun except for that desert enduro someone was planning on.

ab348

The '71 M-B 280SE sold for $175K.

fintail

I remember when 3.5 low grille cabrios were barely over 100K.

tjc78

Two 98-02 Town Car Signature Touring Edition. Not all that classic, but somewhat rare.   These were basically Town Cars fitted with the cop spec suspension and 3.73 rear.  Grand Pop has 98. One of the best driving Panthers they ever made.  Only someone who knows these cars would spot one easily. (Unique wheels and grille along with black burl interior wood trim). 

explorerx4

@tjc78,
You have to post a picture so I can see how to spot one.

ab348

Not sure if this would be all that much fun to drive, but it sure looks good:

1963 International Travelall

texases

Saw a mid-80s full size Pontiac this morning - Parisienne? Rough but running...

Mr_Shiftright

ab348 said:

The '71 M-B 280SE sold for $175K.

Supply and demand. They only made about 1400 of them both high grille and low grille. I appraised one last year but it showed wear and tear. The whole car was just dulled-out somehow--not shabby, but just....old. For 175K it had better have been pretty nice. That is in the market range, however.

tjc78

berri

I always liked the IH Traveler and pick up trucks. Those Lincolns look like O'Hare liveries a decade ago.

ab348

Those unique wheels on the Lincoln look pretty ugly to me. Maybe better in person.

fintail

Forgot to mention I saw a no-grille aero Panther Crown Vic, model year 1992 only? It looked a little worse for wear, but still on the road.

Also an 88-89 Accord coupe.

Michaell

fintail said:

Also an 88-89 Accord coupe.

Ooo, with the pop up headlights?

Had a co-worker who had an '87 LX-i (one of the first fuel injected Accords). I got to drive it once, when she needed to borrow the Isuzu P'up we owned at the time.

Her Accord was a stick, and I remember the clutch being quite fiddly. I had an '85 Accord with a stick, and it was much easier to drive. Might have been an issue with her car in particular.

tjc78

fintail said:

Forgot to mention I saw a no-grille aero Panther Crown Vic, model year 1992 only? It looked a little worse for wear, but still on the road. Also an 88-89 Accord coupe.

Yes, 92 only.  Poor public response and actually reduced airflow that made them prone to overheating in some climates.  

My Brother’s first car was an 87 Accord LXi.  I hated that car, I honestly thought it drove like crap.  I was driving an 89 Grand Marquis at the time, so worlds different for sure.