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

explorerx4 · June 2016

Just now a tomato red with black top XKE. Nice shape, but I didn't like the color combination.

Mr_Shiftright · June 2016

Popular color combo for the time.

hpmctorque · June 2016

A white 1990 Olds Regency Brougham (the last year of the first generation GM FWD large body, introduced in the '85 model year), being driven. It appeared to be in nice cosmetic condition.

Mr_Shiftright · June 2016

1968 Buick GS 400. Very nice shape. These were not a big seller in their day. Even more obscure would be the "California Special" version of this car, but I've never seen one and don't really know what they are.

uplanderguy · June 2016

The "California Special" was sold all around the country, as I can even remember one or two in my tiny Pennsylvania town when new. They were actually a lower-buck version of a GS and were available on only the pillared two-door coupe body style. When new, they'd have been considered less desirable than a hardtop GS.

explorerx4 · June 2016

I like the interior.
http://hartford.craigslist.org/cto/5646436124.html

texases · June 2016

I followed a Z3 M roadster into work today, looked to be in good shape, driven VERY slowly.

Mr_Shiftright · June 2016

uplanderguy said:
The "California Special" was sold all around the country, as I can even remember one or two in my tiny Pennsylvania town when new. They were actually a lower-buck version of a GS and were available on only the pillared two-door coupe body style. When new, they'd have been considered less desirable than a hardtop GS.

Thanks for the info.

Not sure any GS 400 was desirable at the time, and not much action even today.

texases · June 2016

Last Fantomworks had a Buick GS, 1972 I think, upgraded to a rare option pack, cost $70,000 (maybe including the car). I think the 50% rule would be in effect if the new owner sells...

xwesx · June 2016

What is this thing? It was debadged, but was still a very unusual sighting (at least around here). It almost looked sorta like a 1 series, but it was a hatch of some sort, and about the ugliest thing I've seen:

roadburner · June 2016

Z3 Coupe. AKA: "Clown Shoe." Unloved when new, now prices are spiking for the M Coupe derivative..

texases · June 2016

Coincidence time- this is pretty much the view I had this morning:

Looks like your coupe wasn't an M, what with just the 2 exhaust pipes.

stickguy · June 2016

I just watched that Fantom works episode today. It was a 1972 Buick GS. at least it was a real one. I think the 70K included Dan sourcing the car.

definitely seemed like a labor of love, financials be damned, for the guy that wanted to relive his childhood. Probably worth less than if it was OEM style, since it was a mild resto mod (modern rear end and trans), with some expensive options added that didn't come on the car.

Mr_Shiftright · June 2016

Probably a 455 motor with Stage 1 or Stage 2 options. Entirely different animal.

Mr_Shiftright · June 2016

Found this today. 1927 Studebaker--hasn't run in 50 years. Seems to be complete and pretty darn solid inside and out.

Mr_Shiftright · June 2016

A little moth eaten here and there but remarkably well preserved for 90 years! Look at that lovely trim on the upper door panel. Most of the hardware is nickel plates, not chrome. Body is wood-framed. No rust or rot anywhere.

stickguy · June 2016

how much is something like that worth (as is, and if fully restored?)

tjc78 · June 2016

Wow, really well preserved. I think a tune up would be pretty easy! Love the spark plug wire loom.

Mr_Shiftright · June 2016

Hmm.what's it worth? I'd guess, as is, where is, perhaps $8000, being a "high line" model of sorts and a time capsule that has not been molested. Restored? Perhaps $25,000 if you knocked it out of the park. So no pot of gold here.

Not sure what it would take to get it running---the big question is always---is the motor rusted shut? Given indoor dry storage, I'd guess not.

I personally would just get it running, buy new tires and leave it just as is. It has wonderful patina throughout but doesn't feel "shabby" somehow. Probably a bear to drive, and 50 mph is fast enough with mechanical brakes!

Nobody much wants "ordinary" 20s cars anymore.

Would make an awesome hot rod but Studebaker fanatics would probably surround my house with pitchforks and torches. Fine, let THEM spend the money to restore it.

I have seen fairly decent running ones sell for $12000 or so. So you have a $4000 "flip zone" here.

fintail · June 2016

Took a little trip in the fintail today, wondered how long it would be until I saw a car that was older - took some time, but I did. Cars spotted: 65-66 Chevy truck, early 70s Camaro, ~1960 Rambler, Model A rat rod, Mercury Zephyr still in daily driver use, 2 Tempos, kind of cool custom lowrider 41 Chevy sedan - a period 60s-70s looking piece that had been maintained and looked pretty good for what it was, Fiat Spider, immaculate white and grey 560SEL that waved and honked at me, When I got back to the fintail's garage, another tenant was there working on one of his E24s, he has a Euro and US model, both 635s, I think, Euro is going up for sale, the fairly immaculate red US one is being kept. Same guy who has an early RR Shadow, Porsche 911SC, early Esprit with all of the quirks one can imagine, he has a hoard of not terribly expensive unusual cars.

hpmctorque · June 2016

Dig this video...

http://autoweek.com/article/car-life/watch-jay-lenos-full-crash-2500-hp-hemi-under-glass

berri · June 2016

hey, he was on a roll

Mr_Shiftright · June 2016

Give us the car keys, Dad.....

hpmctorque · June 2016

berri said:
hey, he was on a roll

Good pun, berri!

hpmctorque · June 2016

A red Alfa Romeo Milano, traveling at a good clip on the DC Beltway. The Milano was a quirky looking car. Some would call the styling more ugly than quirky, but to my eyes it's interesting. You'd never mistake it for a Camry, that's for sure. Anyway, I got a good look at this car, since we were traveling in the same direction. The exterior was in good-excellent condition. I understand Milanos were fun-to-drive cars, especially when equipped with the 3.0 V6 and manual. I imagine that parts would be a real problem today.

By the way, my Italian tailor drove a Milano in the late '90s, and he loved it.

Mr_Shiftright · June 2016

It is a quirky car and it IS fun to drive. If you can hook up with a good Alfa mechanic (he knows where to get the parts) and a gold card from your local car rental agency, I'd say go for one!

roadburner · June 2016

I'd agree; there is more support for Alfas of that vintage than you might think.

Mr_Shiftright · June 2016

Indeed there is. It's just not as massive as vintage VW and the British cars, which now have so much aftermarket reproduction parts at hand.

ab348 · June 2016

Call me crazy, but I am strangely drawn to this, which my neighbor up the street is selling:

1970 Chevy C10

The price doesn't seem out of line given what I see these go for and probably could get it for less, a lot of work has been done already, and a truck always interested me. Biggest issue is where to keep it.

fintail · June 2016

So around 7K USD. Knock another grand off, and maybe a fair deal if it sound.

texases · June 2016

Wish there was an engine pic.

Mr_Shiftright · June 2016

Good grief. They call that an appraisal? As a referee in an arbitration, I'd immediately throw it out and give the judgment to the other side by default.

Anyway, if it runs out great and has no rust, price is fair enough.

Mr_Shiftright · June 2016

1982 Mercedes W 123 240 Diesel. One owner, 130K miles, clean as they come, about 9.5 out of 10. Asking price of $7800, and they will probably get it.

Volvo 242 Sedan, looks like mid 80s, clean, black 4 door, 200K miles but looked great and ran great. Asking $3000. They'll probably get that, too.

BMW 2002Tii, clean low miles car, asking $32000. Well, I guess......restored these bring big bucks.

BMW 85 Euro 635 coupe, looked pretty nice, asking $14,000, seems too pricey to me. I would have thought about $8500 on that one.

xwesx · June 2016

I am not all that excited about the C10.

The bed looks like it was done sorta half-[non-permissible content removed], as these had, IIRC, wooden beds just like my '69 C20. So, whatever they put in there when they "restored " it was less-than-original. And, a nicely finished oak bed really sets these old trucks off, I think. 166,000 on the chassis, kind of a ho-hum paint scheme, and automatic. Not my favorite truck, that's for sure. But, for $9K, you could do a lot worse!

Michaell · June 2016

That truck is pretty much an identical copy to my dads. Except his is a bright orange color. Currently trying to sell it – my sister has said she will not take less than $8000

fintail · June 2016

MB Museum is selling some cars through a new venue - nice prices

bhill2 · June 2016

fintail said:
MB Museum is selling some cars through a new venue - nice prices

Oh man! Who do I have to kill to get that 600? I don't have handy access to the $600K or so that they are asking. Sometimes I wonder why I wasn't born rich instead of so good-looking.

fintail · June 2016

A 1979 build car is among the last made. I don't think they were officially sold in NA that late. Upon looking at the pics, it appears the trim bits never changed from earlier models - the only thing of the later period is the radio. I suspect that's a retired embassy fleet car, as the diplomatic corps is so good at living within reasonable means.

The low mileage velour interior 560SEL caught my eye, too. Everything there is priced above normal, but for MB people, a car coming from the Museum/Classic Center has huge provenance, and you know it will be sorted.

bhill2 said:

Oh man! Who do I have to kill to get that 600? I don't have handy access to the $600K or so that they are asking. Sometimes I wonder why I wasn't born rich instead of so good-looking.

Mr_Shiftright · June 2016

bhill2 said:

fintail said:
MB Museum is selling some cars through a new venue - nice prices
Oh man! Who do I have to kill to get that 600? I don't have handy access to the $600K or so that they are asking. Sometimes I wonder why I wasn't born rich instead of so good-looking.

What cloud did they pick that price out of? Rikkilus. About 4X market price. Obviously they don't want to sell it.

fintail · June 2016

Negotiable prices. no hurry to sell, and rich uninformed speculator/investor/"collectors" can support high asking numbers.

xwesx · June 2016

I like that Crossblade; kind of a neat interpretation of the Smart.

Mr_Shiftright · June 2016

fintail said:
Negotiable prices. no hurry to sell, and rich uninformed speculator/investor/"collectors" can support high asking numbers.

Well as I always say, MB can have a birthday party for the car every year.

You can buy a concours example at auction for $150K, and the prices for these have been stagnant for years. Not a good investment IMO, like some Benzes. In fact, I think prices are dropping.

Their pricing structure borders on contempt if you ask me. Maybe it's a typo?

stickguy · June 2016

The Germans, don't make typos.

bhill2 · June 2016

Mr_Shiftright said:

fintail said:
Negotiable prices. no hurry to sell, and rich uninformed speculator/investor/"collectors" can support high asking numbers.
Well as I always say, MB can have a birthday party for the car every year.

You can buy a concours example at auction for $150K, and the prices for these have been stagnant for years. Not a good investment IMO, like some Benzes. In fact, I think prices are dropping.

Their pricing structure borders on contempt if you ask me. Maybe it's a typo?

You mean I could have it for only $150,000? I think I'll get right on tha... -oh wait, I don't have that much either.

Mr_Shiftright · June 2016

stickguy said:
The Germans, don't make typos.

Hmmm....you're probably right about that---well, ok, then, they don't actually want to sell the car.

fintail · June 2016

I think MB can afford to wait for the right insane buyer. This isn't a mom and pop car dealer, it's direct from the maker. Apparently some sell, too - The E60 AMG listed as "sold" was on display when I was there in November.

Mr_Shiftright · July 2016

Yeah but what fool buys a car 4X retail? I haven't even seen that at Barrett-Jackson, and believe me, that's a low bar.

ab348 · July 2016

Mr_Shiftright said:
Yeah but what fool buys a car 4X retail? I haven't even seen that at Barrett-Jackson, and believe me, that's a low bar.

We're talking the moneyed BMW/Porsche/M-B German car freak here. Prices do not matter if it is something they think they need to have.

Mr_Shiftright · July 2016

Still makes no sense. You can buy 600s all day long. I think there are 7 right now on Hemmings. Overpay by almost 1/2 million dollars? Really? One should be able to find a very nice example with low miles in the $125,000 range.

This must be a "just kidding' price.

fintail · July 2016

It's probably a "don't want to sell but will for the right price" price. Maybe a really late run car like that has a premium to the cult. All of their cars are priced high, and several have sold - someone is doing it.

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

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