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I spotted an (insert obscure car name here) classic car today! (Archived)
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Somehow, the sedan actually looks like it has a lower roofline.
I'm a fan of the early (1980s?) 560SEC HT coupes as well. It's sort of a Teutonic Pontiac GTO.
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
I feel that the line of good-looking MB Coupés ended with the SLC models (C107, up until 81 or so), the following ones have always been sorta tank-like and lacking the graceful lines of their predecessors. Only the latest CL seems to have got some of that groove back.
I LOVE the current Benz hardtops though. At least, the looks of 'em, that is. I tried to sit in one though, at the DC auto show this past winter. Even more daring, I tried (and I stress "tried") to fit in the back. If I had a spare $100K to throw around on a plaything like that, then sure it'd be cool. But alas, I don't :-(
I cannot imagine what a display of folding body parts it must be trying to accommodate yourself in the back of any currect two-seater. How tall are you?
BTW, that Coupé you posted is exactly the model I meant, even though the high-profile rubbers somehow scream I'm old like nothing else. Simple and non-intrusive surgery is available, though...
As for those tires...hey, at least they're not whitewalls! ;-)
Ironically the only Jaguar sedan that shows any vital signs in the collector market is the 3.8 sedan, especially with wire wheels, left hand drive, and a 4-speed overdrive. (right hand drives with automatic are hard to sell to anybody). These cars are now pushing over $30,000 in top shape at auction! You'd be lucky to get 1/3 of that for a stunning XJC.
The experts keep insisting that the XJC will become a collectible but they've been saying it for so long we've kind of stop listening.
As you say, all the better for the people who like them.
The Jaguar coupes were made only 4 years I think, but only 2 years in America because nobody bought them.
If the coupe is like the sedan, it should handle pretty well given its size and the fact it has a 2.2 litre engine in a tank-like car. The 111 was quite the competition car.
I still want a 112 300SE LWB sedan. Now there's an obscure car, I bet there can't be more than around 100 in the world that are still roadworthy. And as the super-high end model of the fintail, it has to be cool.
Does that 300 Sedan have the dreaded air suspension as well?
The 300 had the air suspension, the whole 9 yards, it was also the first model with MBs famous power lock system. I don't even want to know what it would be like to work on one....the fintail's FI is weird enough. I look under the hood at all the plumbing, and I just don't get it. All I know is the car can sit for 4 or 5 weeks and still start effortlessly.
This morning I spotted an Infiniti I35. That's a rare car, right?
The fintail loves to be wound up...I drive it much harder than I do the 126. Rev it way up when accelerating, downshift instead of brake...the car seems happiest when treated that way. If it just dawdles along, especially in city traffic, it will start to run a little poorly. It hates stop and go, and if it sits like in a lineup for maybe 20 mins or more, the engine will miss.
Junky auto auction this morning had a top of the line 1983 Volvo diesel...that seemed kind of odd. Also a thrashed 928.
I am moving back to Seattle so I am trying to find a car that's stylish, reliable, and can handle mountain driving. I may break down and get a Subie, but a 4-matic Benz would be fun.
Speaking of old pickups, I saw a restored black '59 El Camino today. It was very slick! Usually, I see a lot of Chevelle-bodied El Caminos from the mid-60's and early 70's, but rarely see the Impala-based El Camino's that they built in '59 and '60.
Those nicer GM designs just reinforce how the company has faltered.
That truck was cool in its own way I guess...must have been some 60s Japanese interpretation of modern. The weirdest thing I have seen lately.
To me though, Mercedes doesn't seem to invoke passion. I mean, they're extremely well-built durable cars, but they don't have the feel of, say, a BMW 3-Series or a Volvo 850 for that matter. Every time I try an older Benz or Jag, I am always happy to get back into my '93 850 (which has been the most fun car I have ever had).
I wonder- if the Fintail or 126 300SE were to go eventually, would you consider going to, say, a 535i or 735iL BMW?
A friend of mine has a 96 850...it's a nicely equipped car, but the refinement of even my S class with the little 6 cylinder is light years ahead. I guess it depends on what "feel" you like most. I like that solid as a vault feel, and the feel of material quality that cannot be approached. I know the car has the potential for decent performance as well...and I don't have to be forced to feel that constantly...just when I want.
I have never cared for BMW styling...I don't like the dogleg rear window. And maybe it goes back to childhood too. I always liked MB when I was younger...I always sought out toy MBs, and the S class in particular appealed to me...always the bad guy's car, so imposing and solid.
And money is another matter. I am pretty much a tightwad. I have around 9 grand involved in the purchase price of the 126 and fintail together. Money in the bank is as attractive as many cars. Both cars are also cheap to insure and are more or less finished depreciating.
I am a bit of an anomaly for my age group. I like big wafty cars, yet cars that are composed at speed. I like a car that will be as comfortable at 120 as it is at 60. I also like timeless styling. If I want something really sporty, I will get something sporty...yet probably big, like a Supra (or a Yamaha YZF1000R...but that's another matter). I know MB is a bit of an old man's car for most models...none of my friends drive one, that's for sure. But there's a benefit to that.
If I was to get a BMW, it would be a 95-on 7 series, or maybe a 97-on 5 series, but it would have to be mint....I really can't think of anything else. The current M3 is pretty damn nice, but I could never justify the cost. And if I could find that immaculate blue 124 500E/E500 for less than any of those, I would jump on it.
And listen to this: one of my friends here drives a '99 BMW M3 back home. But it costs so much bucks to insure, according to him! That's outrageous and I can't believe it myself!
I bet M3 insurance approaches that of a Porsche or Corvette...I can't even imagine. Insuring a couple old Mercedes is maybe like insuring a new Taurus.
A Volvo diesel and a flogged 928. Yikes, two money pits waiting for a new victim. Those are two cars you really want to run away from, screaming preferably. Both will bury you in short order.
Funny how fine a line between happiness and hell with old cars. An 80s Volvo with a gas engine could last you a long time, and a well-cared for 928 is a cheap supercar---but pick the wrong model or the wrong condition, and you're toast.
Also at this gas station was a '71-72 Cutlass Supreme coupe, in that bright medium blue they used to offer. Sweet looking car.
Also saw a guy cruising around in a '64-65 T-bird, yellow with a white top. There's a burgundy '64 T-bird up the street from me for sale...asking $4500. I've never looked at it close up, but from driving by, it doesn't look too bad. Maybe it's time to walk the dog, and I should take the dog up that way to check it out closer? ;-)
I saw an immaculate 72 or so Coupe Deville today...once common, but not seen at all now. I also saw the strangest thing on a car carrier...there were but 2 cars on this big semi...a Kia Rio on top, and a '64 Chevy II/Nova 2 door post on the bottom.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
I always loved the style of those '79-81 New Yorkers. In fact, I found a '79 NYer 5th Ave on eBay a few years back, and snatched it up. Unfortunately the 5th Ave only came in a limited-edition creme-over-beige, which looks nice in its own way (I don't think any modern car could pull it off though!), but I've seen a few NYers in that 2-tone blue, which I think is beautiful. They also had a 2-tone green, which I reall love, and also a 2-tone burgundy. Again, they're all color schemes that no modern car could probably ever get away with, but somehow they look right at home on those long, chiseled Chryslers.
They were comparatively rare, with something like 55K units sold in '79, and only like maybe 13K in 1980 and around 5-6K in '81. They made great taxis, which I think ultimately did them in. Once they'd hit the used car market, cabbies would snatch 'em up, and run 'em into the ground. Well that, and the '79's had a tendency to rust!
Steve, Host
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
-MG-TF/ca.'54-55. I followed this beauty for 4-5 miles, had the top off naturally.
-BMW 6 series-ca. '80s. I saw at least two nice ones including an M6 and a slightly tatty earlier one, either a 630CSi or a 635.
-Street rods-- a '32 Roadster looking tatty but quite driveable, assorted other ones and an honest-to-God "Lead Sled"/'49 Merc coupe- chopped and channelled, small-block Chevy, suicide doors candy apple paint and all. The owner had a prism fit into the windshield header to be able to see
traffic lights thru the low cut widshield.
This Merc was a real crowd pleaser spoiled only by small imperfections in the otherwise great paint job and a pair of faux Lake Pipes.
The pipes looked great but I don't see the point if the real pipes are still there exiting under the rear bumper.
Mystery Rolls Royce-this was parked right outside my room under a car cover all weekend. It was low enough to be a recent (Shadow or newer) design but old enough to wear wheel covers rather than alloys.
We also saw a Silver Spur drive by in town.
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
Two Hummer stretch limos
1966 Ford GT40 - white with purple stripes
911 slant nose
a trio of Lamborghini Diablos
a few Ferrari 360's and 550's
various RR and Bentley models
At a previous stop at the Barnes and Noble, there was a new Maserati Spyder. Beautiful.
Saw a stunningly beautiful Lotus Seven in BRG. Better yet, it was on the track, teaching heavier, newer cars a lesson in power/weight ratios.
One thing that surprised me was how quiet it was, and how flat it cornered.
-juice
- a 20 something Roller (big huge black box - very imposing)
- a 70s vintage roller
- a 1932 Cadillac. Awesome looking beast (it was the driver du jour because the weather was nice).
- a 1953 Vette in the showroom, along with an MG T (C I think). Also a Jag XK-120 chassis and shell (no interior).
- Jag XJ_S convertible (this one for sale)
- 2002 Sebring COnvert with a 5 speed stick (well, it is obscure).
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
the Buick/Rover V8 was cleverly called the MGV8.
At least that's how I remember it, perhaps Shifty can confirm (or not).
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
If the MGC owner stuffed a V8 in it, then he's modified the car and really not improved it, since the problem with it was handling. It was very nose heavy and slugglish---more of a straight line cruiser, THE MBC, which it did very well. The media beat up on this car mercilessly when it first came out, and that killed it. It wasn't as bad a car as the media made it out to be. I guess they were disappointed that it wasn't a good MGB and it wasn't a good Austin Healey.
Old Rolls---you can buy these cars very cheap, especially 80s models, because maintenance costs are frightening so nobody wants them. If you're patient, $15,000 should be more than enough. Of course, that's just the beginning of your expenses.
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
It's a five speed!
Buy it, put limo tint on the windows, big chrome rims, then sell it for twice as much while claimign it used to belong to a hip hop star. ;-)
-juice
2009 BMW 335i, 2003 Corvette cnv. (RIP 2001 Jaguar XK8 cnv and 1985 MB 380SE [the best of the lot])
The seller is being forthright and says it's a 6 in bold text.
-juice
The venerable 6 in that car is not MBs best engine, btw.
That fintail is priced right if it had no rust. Otherwise, too much for a lowline car.