Re: MB A Class. Yeah, we're starting to see a lot more Euro imports from the late 90s now. These cars must be dirt cheap in Europe if it's worth for someone to buy it, ship it, and make money reselling it here. Quite affordable for a cheap commuter that's different from anything else on the road.
Looks solid, although I dislike the repro interior and two-tone paint (not factory). Front fenders look good from what I can see...first place Larks go. That's a '59, not Stude's best-selling year (that was 1950), but was Studebaker's single most-profitable year in its 114-year-manufacturing history.
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Maybe they are Japanese cars that either didn't pass inspection, or are just too old to be desirable? I know old-but-not-classic cars there have a negative stigma and are generally discarded. Probably savings shipping in bulk, too.
There's a bit of other-market MB content on CL there now - I've even seen an E50 or two (predecessor to E55). A Brabus E73 might make me jump.
@boomchek said:
Re: MB A Class. Yeah, we're starting to see a lot more Euro imports from the late 90s now. These cars must be dirt cheap in Europe if it's worth for someone to buy it, ship it, and make money reselling it here. Quite affordable for a cheap commuter that's different from anything else on the road.
@texases said:
As neat as those old Mustangs are, I couldn't pass on a new one to have that, I'd get a lot more use out of a new one.
You would. Also, it is easy to overlook how much better the new ones perform. The GT500 was a 6 second machine 0-60, and maybe 14 sec and 100 mph in the quarter. It would be dusted by the latest 6 cyl Mustang (although I'd like to know how much better these classics would perform with modern rubber).
2009 BMW 335i, 2003 Corvette cnv. (RIP 2001 Jaguar XK8 cnv and 1985 MB 380SE [the best of the lot])
The GT500 has taken a tremendous hit in value these last 7 years. Some collectors have lost $60K on them. And no signs of recovery at the moment. Kinda flatlined, or as we say "fully priced at this time". They shoulda found it 7 years ago!
The early GT350s though, have almost recovered from their highs in 2006 when the economy collapsed.
I would agree that the old GT350s and GT500s are fun to look at, partly because of their nostalgia value, but would be less fun to own. The new ones - and this goes for almost all cars - are so much better in almost every way. I'll always enjoy looking and listening to the sounds of the old ones, though.
I got the web site for the auction house to load up today and I want it all. The Shelby GT500 most but even the pickups, Ranchero and the shag wagon too.
A time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing.
Okay, let's call that SST a 3/3+ car ("clean driver quality"), with a few items that need immediate repair--let's say $600 to square away the wipers and radio. Has the small V8 so no "muscle car" there (to qualify you'd need the 343cid Go Package).
Current bid is $5300 with 9 days to go...soooooo.....the AMX has taken a huge hit in value these last 5 years, so I'm going to guess that the reasonable retail bidder should pay between:
$12,500 and $15,000 tops
Any more than that, they're buried for 5 more years IMO.
If I were shopping for one and saw this car in a driveway and it test drove really well, I'd probably offer no more than $10K, to give myself insurance against the fact that this car sat for many years prior to rehab.
Well given what it costs to buy an equivalent Mustang coupe these days, it's a cheap way into the old car hobby for some people. And also, it's "not yet another '69 Chevelle", so it might have some appeal on those grounds. We'll see!
@Stever@Edmunds said:
Heh, must have sold them all. I get "Please try again later."
No, this is an on-site auction scheduled for April 25th. I suspect it is just a traffic issue with the website since it is definitely NOT a professional site! I was able to access it without incident.
What impresses me about this guy, Larry Brown? His dedication to manual transmissions and to the Ford brand! Nearly every one of the autos shown there, including the 1974 Econoline, are manuals! The only exceptions, as far as I could tell, were the '97 Explorer (manuals were available that year and through the 2000 MY, if I recall correctly) and the 2012 Escape (no MT offered).
I hope that van goes to a good home. Wow. I seriously doubt there is any 69-74 model-year Econoline in that good of condition anywhere, period. A stunning vehicle (in both good and bad ways!). While my personal preference is the "super van" version of these Econolines (LWB rather than SWB) with the cargo doors as opposed to the slider, I can also appreciate a quality example of any variant when I see it! I'm really curious about what will happen to that old beauty.
In addition to the Econoline, that Kubota tractor (not the lawnmowers) piqued my curiosity. No photos of that one, though.
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I think that is what appeals to me about the AMC, it's not another Mustang or Camaro pony car.
I know when I go to a major car show (e.g. Hot August Nights in Reno) I tend to gravitate towards the more unusual/less popular cars. I would find that 1969 Corvair or that Shag Econoline far more fascinating to look at (not necessarily own mind you...) than say... another perfectly restored 60's Camaro
I would guess that it will come in around $12,500-ish. You never know with EBAY though, because I suspect a lot of "shill" bidding occurs.
@MrShift@Edmunds said:
Well given what it costs to buy an equivalent Mustang coupe these days, it's a cheap way into the old car hobby for some people. And also, it's "not yet another '69 Chevelle", so it might have some appeal on those grounds. We'll see!
This one actually appeals to me a bit more. I guess because I could put my own personal touch on it. Plus, I prefer the interior on this. But reserve not met and bid currently at $4750? hmmm... not sure. It should be darn close by now. Whaddya think? $6k?
Yes, its obvious you love it. First off, how bout some interior pics? Second... $5k for a cloth interior, small-engined, grey-market, 21-year-old 7-series? ummmm... as shifty would say, be prepared to buy that thing a birthday cake each year.
1968 C-10: Looks like he did a nice job on it with good components. You're right, the console has to go. Looks like it came out of a kit car. But that can be corrected easily enough with a custom floorshifter. I'm guessing he wants $20K--$25.
1969 Ford F-100 -- obviously not done to anywhere near the standard of the prior truck you picked, and no shots of the underside, which tells you a lot. Clean topside and simple. I think they'd want about $8500 for it.
BMW 728i -- kind of a nothing car here. A stickshift would be awful in this car ((I know, I've driven them). Very heavy and clunky. Also a problematic car, not as good as the later 735i, which was a great car. I'd say $3500 is all the money here. And parts for a Euro 728i? GOOD LUCK! I think the honeymoon would be over on this car before you took your shirt off.
1999 BMW 740 -- world's worst headache. Run away unless you are a BMW tech with keys to the Parts Department and a weekend pass on the lifts. Seductive and lethal.
I'm not sure why that Chevy P/U owner would say it was restored. Rebuilt, perhaps, but if they "restored" it, then they got the interior mixed up with some other rig and they also forgot to put the suspension in it! Overall, It's a nice looking truck save for those glaring deficiencies.
I agree; the Ford is better. Sadly, though, they let a blind man choose those rims. Not only do they completely clash with the design of the truck, but they're way too big as well.
Not even a mother could love that kit car. Hhahahaa; I couldn't even read the description on that one. Too hideous!
Finally that 740iL is actually ugly, and I'm not prone to thinking that about BMW vehicles. How did they manage that?
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@MrShift@Edmunds said:
The Chevy PU is a resto-rod, so a combo of restoration and custom. Vastly improved over the original if you actually want to drive it.
If I had both the money and the inclination, I'd do that with my dad's '70 C-10. Convert the brakes to disc up front, add A/C, spruce up the interior and add some nice wheels (he's got dog dishes on white painted steelies now).
oh, I LOVE dog dishes on black steelies, though! Looks especially great on a black vehicle, IMHO. Not sure about a pickup, though. Guess I'd have to see it.
I actually like those wheels on the Ford. I'd, however, want to go wider on the wheels/tires on that thing and lower it. Its not 4wd, after all, so no need for the ground clearance.
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@MrShift@Edmunds said:
The Chevy PU is a resto-rod, so a combo of restoration and custom. Vastly improved over the original if you actually want to drive it.
I'm not so sure. I have one, and it's a darn fun driver that doesn't give anything up to be an excellent work horse as well. That's not to say that I have any problem with upgrading certain parts. But, changing parts doesn't necessarily equate to an upgrade. Part of the appeal of a vehicle like this is the fact that it is an experience rather than just transportation.
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@qbrozen said:
oh, I LOVE dog dishes on black steelies, though! Looks especially great on a black vehicle, IMHO. Not sure about a pickup, though. Guess I'd have to see it.
I like the "dog dish" steelies on my trucks. Both still have all of their original caps, amazingly, although a couple of the ones on my Ford (the plow truck) are three sheets to the wind. The Chevy has silver steelies under the caps, which was (and still is) the original scheme. That said, I'm not opposed to a nice set of aluminum alloys, but one has to be selective about size and style in order to accentuate the truck rather than attempt to distract from it or, worse, clash.
I guess you're right on the Ford, though. With those rims, it probably would look better lowered. Kinda ruins it for its purpose, though.
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I think the Ford will be a real drag to drive with that 3-speed column shift---it's a long first gear and not a very torquey motor. I hope it has power steering at least.
Once you've had power disk brakes, AC and a strong crate motor with modern carburetor, you don't necessarily want to go back to the "old days", if you plan to drive your old truck any distances.
Not that I mind old trucks---I'd drive a stock early 50s Chevy 3100 all day long, but not on a freeway or in the mountains.
Dog dish hubcaps on steelies would look good on this. It would give the car kind of a no-nonsense all-business look of authority. There was a dark green 1967 Plymouth Fury III at Carlisle a couple years ago. The car was wearing dog dish hubcaps, but the seller had the proper full-wheel discs in the trunk. I just liked how the car looked with the dog dishes. I'd have probably driven it that way and saved the full-size discs for car shows.
good grief. $10k and I don't get an air cleaner? Also looks like rust in front of the right rear wheel. Hood appears to be ill-fitting, as well. I think its priced about double where it should be.
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MGTD - I bet you could get a decent enough driver for 15K or so if you shopped around, so the seller is being a bit optimistic, as that car looks like it needs a bit to drive away.
I'd say 2x reality is about right for the rotary. I don't know about the wheels, but I swear I've seen them on an early RX7.
That Rotary wagon isn't really so tinny. That was quite a deluxe unit compared to other Japanese wagons of the time. They are really nice cars. Really nice cars. Price is quite optimistic but I'd love to have one of these. A distinct cut above your average Japanese vehicle in that era. And in this condition, you'll probably never see another in your lifetime. Value? Should be worth $5K, I agree.
MGTD-- price is nuts with bonus points for cluelessness. It's not a TC and it's not a TF. It's the "dog" of the family. The car can't be worth more than $4,000 tops. Where do people get their information?
I'd bet it is a stick - those engines need to rev don't they?
I guess when I think of 70s Japanese cars, I think of the Datsun 610 my dad picked up out of an estate in 2005 (80K mile car in decent shape). Engine was like a little sewing machine, but the steel didn't make me feel good at 55mph. Or I am comparing everything to the fintail, which is made of surplus armor plating from a Panzer VIII.
I looked at a used 610 (maybe 710? twas a long time ago) when I was a senior in HS. It was actually a teacher's car, which was kind of odd. Anyway, it was a red 2 door! and a stick.
I just remember it ran like the 70s. Dieseled, backfired, all that good stuff. Did not end up buying it.
Styling is subjective, obviously, but that looks right out of a Godzilla movie to my eyes! I'm surprised the mirror wasn't wayyyy out on the front fender. I always mocked cars that had the radio antenna above the center of the windshield--I'm thinking the first Preludes were like that, but I could be wrong. Glad this wasn't like that. Reminded me (not in a good way!) of Hudson Hornets!
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I forgot about those Buicks having the antenna like that. While the grille is iconic, the rest of the car doesn't do anything for me. It looks 'chubby' to me. I know I'm in the minority though!
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I think that '52 Buick is pretty handsome, for the time. Compare it to something like a DeSoto or Chrysler, and it looks downright futuristic! I think a '52 Packard has a more modern look to it, and isn't a bad looking car, although the grille seems a bit heavy-handed. The '52 Mercury seems more modern, but kind of dull, IMO. I guess you could throw Hudson in there as well as a competitor. But IMO, the Hudson had sort of a 40's futuristic look to it, that just started looking dated in the 1950's. If automotive design had followed in that direction, it would have aged better, but it didn't.
I think it's sort of how a lot of those angular, wedge-shaped cars in the late 70's and early 80's looked futuristic at the time, but automotive styling trends just didn't go that way, and they ended up trying to predict a future that was never to be.
As for that Datsun Fintail posted, I would have hated something like that when I was a kid. In fact, we had relatives that tended to buy Datsuns...I remember a couple of 510's, and we always thought they were weird. But, looking at it now, it doesn't seem so bad. The way that beltine kicks up toward the C-pillar makes me think a bit of a Mopar, like the '71-74 intermediate coupes.
In hindsight, I think the 510 is somewhat of a handsome car. For a small car, in my eyes it looks fairly substantial. Seems like a good use of space--in packaging I'm sort-of reminded of "'78 Malibu" in that regard. My uncle had a cheapo B-210 "Honey Bee" and frankly it made a Chevette look stately. I can't say if it was a good car or not.
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In general, I'm not a fan of the early '50's cars. I probably like a '53 Studebaker coupe best, but although I know folks who own and love '52 Studebakers, they don't do really anything for me but such was the '47 style that it could carry into '52 and look about as modern as some other stuff out there...only IMHO.
Growing up Chevy, I could like a '49-52 two-door fastback. I have a pic of my grandparents' '49 four-door Chevy fastback--a little odd! I don't mind a '54 Chevy nearly as much as I used to. Although they were frumpy and only sixes, I've read that era Chevy was well-built, although my grandfather said his new '54 Bel Air used a quart of oil every 100 miles and had to be torn down.
I find Henry J's interesting; same with Hudson Hornets and Willys cars. Packards--my favorite 'Detroit' Packard is a '56.
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I haven't seen a rotary wagon in YEARS! Always liked them.
Does anyone else remember how those early rotaries would BACKFIRE?
They would sometimes emit a backfire that would raise the dead AFTER they had been parked for awhile as gasoline would slowly drip intp the "blast furnace" that they had for some reason.
People would get home, park their rotary in the garage, sit down for dinner and KA-BOOM!
I had one go off once right behind me in a parking lot as I was loading my trunk with groceries!
Scared the bejeesus out of me and the others that were nearby!
I see Datsuns and similar of that time as a mismash of borrowed American styling details, too. It usually didn't work well. That F10 is a freaky thing, and the B210 is similar. I remember I liked the honeycomb hubcaps though.
When I was a kid maybe around 1987, I knew someone who's mother had one of these
It wasn't even terribly old then, already seemed unusual to me. maybe because of the details and rarity.
For the Buick, I just wanted one with the famous stern face. Most early 50s cars don't do a lot for me, either.
Comments
Re: MB A Class. Yeah, we're starting to see a lot more Euro imports from the late 90s now. These cars must be dirt cheap in Europe if it's worth for someone to buy it, ship it, and make money reselling it here. Quite affordable for a cheap commuter that's different from anything else on the road.
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Looks solid, although I dislike the repro interior and two-tone paint (not factory). Front fenders look good from what I can see...first place Larks go. That's a '59, not Stude's best-selling year (that was 1950), but was Studebaker's single most-profitable year in its 114-year-manufacturing history.
Maybe they are Japanese cars that either didn't pass inspection, or are just too old to be desirable? I know old-but-not-classic cars there have a negative stigma and are generally discarded. Probably savings shipping in bulk, too.
There's a bit of other-market MB content on CL there now - I've even seen an E50 or two (predecessor to E55). A Brabus E73 might make me jump.
Can't get the auction house web site to come up but the pics/story here looks interesting.
Garage find '69 Shelby GT500
I'll take it. But I also preferred (conceptually of course) a GT 350 over a 500, and a Z/28 over a big-block Camaro.
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As neat as those old Mustangs are, I couldn't pass on a new one. I'd get a lot more use out of a new one, more performance, etc, etc.
You would. Also, it is easy to overlook how much better the new ones perform. The GT500 was a 6 second machine 0-60, and maybe 14 sec and 100 mph in the quarter. It would be dusted by the latest 6 cyl Mustang (although I'd like to know how much better these classics would perform with modern rubber).
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The GT500 has taken a tremendous hit in value these last 7 years. Some collectors have lost $60K on them. And no signs of recovery at the moment. Kinda flatlined, or as we say "fully priced at this time". They shoulda found it 7 years ago!
The early GT350s though, have almost recovered from their highs in 2006 when the economy collapsed.
I would agree that the old GT350s and GT500s are fun to look at, partly because of their nostalgia value, but would be less fun to own. The new ones - and this goes for almost all cars - are so much better in almost every way. I'll always enjoy looking and listening to the sounds of the old ones, though.
The original GT350 is really a track car--you wouldn't want to drive it very much on the street.
I got the web site for the auction house to load up today and I want it all. The Shelby GT500 most but even the pickups, Ranchero and the shag wagon too.
Heh, must have sold them all. I get "Please try again later."
Here's that AMC again. This time the actual EBAY ad... any thoughts on final value?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/AMC-Javelin-SST-1969-amc-javelin-sst-/281293937163?forcerrptr=true&hash=item417e6cda0b&item=281293937163&pt=US_Cars_Trucks
Okay, let's call that SST a 3/3+ car ("clean driver quality"), with a few items that need immediate repair--let's say $600 to square away the wipers and radio. Has the small V8 so no "muscle car" there (to qualify you'd need the 343cid Go Package).
Current bid is $5300 with 9 days to go...soooooo.....the AMX has taken a huge hit in value these last 5 years, so I'm going to guess that the reasonable retail bidder should pay between:
$12,500 and $15,000 tops
Any more than that, they're buried for 5 more years IMO.
If I were shopping for one and saw this car in a driveway and it test drove really well, I'd probably offer no more than $10K, to give myself insurance against the fact that this car sat for many years prior to rehab.
that much, huh? I never would have guessed. The small engine and automatic makes it just a generic car, IMHO.
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Well given what it costs to buy an equivalent Mustang coupe these days, it's a cheap way into the old car hobby for some people. And also, it's "not yet another '69 Chevelle", so it might have some appeal on those grounds. We'll see!
No, this is an on-site auction scheduled for April 25th. I suspect it is just a traffic issue with the website since it is definitely NOT a professional site! I was able to access it without incident.
What impresses me about this guy, Larry Brown? His dedication to manual transmissions and to the Ford brand! Nearly every one of the autos shown there, including the 1974 Econoline, are manuals! The only exceptions, as far as I could tell, were the '97 Explorer (manuals were available that year and through the 2000 MY, if I recall correctly) and the 2012 Escape (no MT offered).
I hope that van goes to a good home. Wow. I seriously doubt there is any 69-74 model-year Econoline in that good of condition anywhere, period. A stunning vehicle (in both good and bad ways!). While my personal preference is the "super van" version of these Econolines (LWB rather than SWB) with the cargo doors as opposed to the slider, I can also appreciate a quality example of any variant when I see it! I'm really curious about what will happen to that old beauty.
In addition to the Econoline, that Kubota tractor (not the lawnmowers) piqued my curiosity. No photos of that one, though.
I think that is what appeals to me about the AMC, it's not another Mustang or Camaro pony car.
I know when I go to a major car show (e.g. Hot August Nights in Reno) I tend to gravitate towards the more unusual/less popular cars. I would find that 1969 Corvair or that Shag Econoline far more fascinating to look at (not necessarily own mind you...) than say... another perfectly restored 60's Camaro
I would guess that it will come in around $12,500-ish. You never know with EBAY though, because I suspect a lot of "shill" bidding occurs.
I like the Ranchero.
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ebay is ripe this morn in my area.
Overall nice job on this one, I'd say. Although I'm not a big fan of the interior.
This one actually appeals to me a bit more. I guess because I could put my own personal touch on it. Plus, I prefer the interior on this. But reserve not met and bid currently at $4750? hmmm... not sure. It should be darn close by now. Whaddya think? $6k?
Good luck!
Yes, its obvious you love it. First off, how bout some interior pics? Second... $5k for a cloth interior, small-engined, grey-market, 21-year-old 7-series? ummmm... as shifty would say, be prepared to buy that thing a birthday cake each year.
The last line says it all: "unload it"
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1968 C-10: Looks like he did a nice job on it with good components. You're right, the console has to go. Looks like it came out of a kit car. But that can be corrected easily enough with a custom floorshifter. I'm guessing he wants $20K--$25.
1969 Ford F-100 -- obviously not done to anywhere near the standard of the prior truck you picked, and no shots of the underside, which tells you a lot. Clean topside and simple. I think they'd want about $8500 for it.
BMW 728i -- kind of a nothing car here. A stickshift would be awful in this car ((I know, I've driven them). Very heavy and clunky. Also a problematic car, not as good as the later 735i, which was a great car. I'd say $3500 is all the money here. And parts for a Euro 728i? GOOD LUCK! I think the honeymoon would be over on this car before you took your shirt off.
1999 BMW 740 -- world's worst headache. Run away unless you are a BMW tech with keys to the Parts Department and a weekend pass on the lifts. Seductive and lethal.
>
I'm not sure why that Chevy P/U owner would say it was restored. Rebuilt, perhaps, but if they "restored" it, then they got the interior mixed up with some other rig and they also forgot to put the suspension in it! Overall, It's a nice looking truck save for those glaring deficiencies.
I agree; the Ford is better. Sadly, though, they let a blind man choose those rims. Not only do they completely clash with the design of the truck, but they're way too big as well.
Not even a mother could love that kit car. Hhahahaa; I couldn't even read the description on that one. Too hideous!
Finally that 740iL is actually ugly, and I'm not prone to thinking that about BMW vehicles. How did they manage that?
Here's a Project Car for someone with patience and deep pockets!
http://seattle.craigslist.org/est/cto/4386245762.html
Shifty?
The Chevy PU is a resto-rod, so a combo of restoration and custom. Vastly improved over the original if you actually want to drive it.
If I had both the money and the inclination, I'd do that with my dad's '70 C-10. Convert the brakes to disc up front, add A/C, spruce up the interior and add some nice wheels (he's got dog dishes on white painted steelies now).
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oh, I LOVE dog dishes on black steelies, though! Looks especially great on a black vehicle, IMHO. Not sure about a pickup, though. Guess I'd have to see it.
I actually like those wheels on the Ford. I'd, however, want to go wider on the wheels/tires on that thing and lower it. Its not 4wd, after all, so no need for the ground clearance.
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I'm not so sure. I have one, and it's a darn fun driver that doesn't give anything up to be an excellent work horse as well. That's not to say that I have any problem with upgrading certain parts. But, changing parts doesn't necessarily equate to an upgrade. Part of the appeal of a vehicle like this is the fact that it is an experience rather than just transportation.
I like the "dog dish" steelies on my trucks. Both still have all of their original caps, amazingly, although a couple of the ones on my Ford (the plow truck) are three sheets to the wind. The Chevy has silver steelies under the caps, which was (and still is) the original scheme. That said, I'm not opposed to a nice set of aluminum alloys, but one has to be selective about size and style in order to accentuate the truck rather than attempt to distract from it or, worse, clash.
I guess you're right on the Ford, though. With those rims, it probably would look better lowered. Kinda ruins it for its purpose, though.
I think the Ford will be a real drag to drive with that 3-speed column shift---it's a long first gear and not a very torquey motor. I hope it has power steering at least.
Once you've had power disk brakes, AC and a strong crate motor with modern carburetor, you don't necessarily want to go back to the "old days", if you plan to drive your old truck any distances.
Not that I mind old trucks---I'd drive a stock early 50s Chevy 3100 all day long, but not on a freeway or in the mountains.
A bit pricey for a tinny thing, but cool - love the wheels
Dog dish hubcaps on steelies would look good on this. It would give the car kind of a no-nonsense all-business look of authority. There was a dark green 1967 Plymouth Fury III at Carlisle a couple years ago. The car was wearing dog dish hubcaps, but the seller had the proper full-wheel discs in the trunk. I just liked how the car looked with the dog dishes. I'd have probably driven it that way and saved the full-size discs for car shows.
I love how tiny those early rotaries were. About the same size as the AC compressor on a Buick.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
I love those "rotary" rims... Are those stock?
good grief. $10k and I don't get an air cleaner? Also looks like rust in front of the right rear wheel. Hood appears to be ill-fitting, as well. I think its priced about double where it should be.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
MGTD - I bet you could get a decent enough driver for 15K or so if you shopped around, so the seller is being a bit optimistic, as that car looks like it needs a bit to drive away.
I'd say 2x reality is about right for the rotary. I don't know about the wheels, but I swear I've seen them on an early RX7.
That Rotary wagon isn't really so tinny. That was quite a deluxe unit compared to other Japanese wagons of the time. They are really nice cars. Really nice cars. Price is quite optimistic but I'd love to have one of these. A distinct cut above your average Japanese vehicle in that era. And in this condition, you'll probably never see another in your lifetime. Value? Should be worth $5K, I agree.
MGTD-- price is nuts with bonus points for cluelessness. It's not a TC and it's not a TF. It's the "dog" of the family. The car can't be worth more than $4,000 tops. Where do people get their information?
my beef with the Mazda (which I love BTW)?
no mention in the ad, and no picture to figure out, if it is a stick or AT.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
I'd bet it is a stick - those engines need to rev don't they?
I guess when I think of 70s Japanese cars, I think of the Datsun 610 my dad picked up out of an estate in 2005 (80K mile car in decent shape). Engine was like a little sewing machine, but the steel didn't make me feel good at 55mph. Or I am comparing everything to the fintail, which is made of surplus armor plating from a Panzer VIII.
I looked at a used 610 (maybe 710? twas a long time ago) when I was a senior in HS. It was actually a teacher's car, which was kind of odd. Anyway, it was a red 2 door! and a stick.
I just remember it ran like the 70s. Dieseled, backfired, all that good stuff. Did not end up buying it.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Here's my dad's car - I suppose it was a good one in that it actually survived. These couldn't have made it past the mid 80s in rust belt areas:
Automatic, so a very leisurely performer.
Styling is subjective, obviously, but that looks right out of a Godzilla movie to my eyes! I'm surprised the mirror wasn't wayyyy out on the front fender. I always mocked cars that had the radio antenna above the center of the windshield--I'm thinking the first Preludes were like that, but I could be wrong. Glad this wasn't like that. Reminded me (not in a good way!) of Hudson Hornets!
What, you don't like my antenna? You wanna do somethin about it?
I don't think anyone bought a Datsun 610 for looks, or performance, or interior quality.
Center antenna makes me think old Buick, or French car.
I forgot about those Buicks having the antenna like that. While the grille is iconic, the rest of the car doesn't do anything for me. It looks 'chubby' to me. I know I'm in the minority though!
I think that '52 Buick is pretty handsome, for the time. Compare it to something like a DeSoto or Chrysler, and it looks downright futuristic! I think a '52 Packard has a more modern look to it, and isn't a bad looking car, although the grille seems a bit heavy-handed. The '52 Mercury seems more modern, but kind of dull, IMO. I guess you could throw Hudson in there as well as a competitor. But IMO, the Hudson had sort of a 40's futuristic look to it, that just started looking dated in the 1950's. If automotive design had followed in that direction, it would have aged better, but it didn't.
I think it's sort of how a lot of those angular, wedge-shaped cars in the late 70's and early 80's looked futuristic at the time, but automotive styling trends just didn't go that way, and they ended up trying to predict a future that was never to be.
As for that Datsun Fintail posted, I would have hated something like that when I was a kid. In fact, we had relatives that tended to buy Datsuns...I remember a couple of 510's, and we always thought they were weird. But, looking at it now, it doesn't seem so bad. The way that beltine kicks up toward the C-pillar makes me think a bit of a Mopar, like the '71-74 intermediate coupes.
In hindsight, I think the 510 is somewhat of a handsome car. For a small car, in my eyes it looks fairly substantial. Seems like a good use of space--in packaging I'm sort-of reminded of "'78 Malibu" in that regard. My uncle had a cheapo B-210 "Honey Bee" and frankly it made a Chevette look stately. I can't say if it was a good car or not.
In general, I'm not a fan of the early '50's cars. I probably like a '53 Studebaker coupe best, but although I know folks who own and love '52 Studebakers, they don't do really anything for me but such was the '47 style that it could carry into '52 and look about as modern as some other stuff out there...only IMHO.
Growing up Chevy, I could like a '49-52 two-door fastback. I have a pic of my grandparents' '49 four-door Chevy fastback--a little odd! I don't mind a '54 Chevy nearly as much as I used to. Although they were frumpy and only sixes, I've read that era Chevy was well-built, although my grandfather said his new '54 Bel Air used a quart of oil every 100 miles and had to be torn down.
I find Henry J's interesting; same with Hudson Hornets and Willys cars. Packards--my favorite 'Detroit' Packard is a '56.
I couldn't remember the model, but I just googled "Ugly Datsun" and it came right up in images:
http://images.thetruthaboutcars.com/2010/01/CC-50-066-800.jpg
You have to ask, what on Earth were they thinking?
I haven't seen a rotary wagon in YEARS! Always liked them.
Does anyone else remember how those early rotaries would BACKFIRE?
They would sometimes emit a backfire that would raise the dead AFTER they had been parked for awhile as gasoline would slowly drip intp the "blast furnace" that they had for some reason.
People would get home, park their rotary in the garage, sit down for dinner and KA-BOOM!
I had one go off once right behind me in a parking lot as I was loading my trunk with groceries!
Scared the bejeesus out of me and the others that were nearby!
I see Datsuns and similar of that time as a mismash of borrowed American styling details, too. It usually didn't work well. That F10 is a freaky thing, and the B210 is similar. I remember I liked the honeycomb hubcaps though.
When I was a kid maybe around 1987, I knew someone who's mother had one of these
It wasn't even terribly old then, already seemed unusual to me. maybe because of the details and rarity.
For the Buick, I just wanted one with the famous stern face. Most early 50s cars don't do a lot for me, either.
The Buick is a 1951 Special.
The Datsun is around a 1978 200 SX. I always thought they were ugly cars.