Archive for March, 2010

Orphan American – 1972 Chevrolet Vega Kammback

March 29, 2010

So you’re probably thinking, oh, RustyButTrusty is wandering towards the mainstream again with this choice of car. To answer that, I have two responses. One, when’s the last time you saw a Vega on the road? Two, what car enthusiast wouldn’t be interested in a car with coil springs all around, front disc brakes, and an aluminum-block overhead cam 80-90hp four-cylinder, in a stylish 2-door package influenced by cars such as the Fiat 124 coupe? Let’s not dismiss the poor reputation Vegas had back when they were new , but 40 years on, any survivors must have been exempt from those issues, or have had them resolved by resourceful owners.

Going any further into the history of the Vega would just be duplicating the truly interesting Wikipedia page about this car, but the innovations in this car stretched beyond simply the car itself, into things such as the transportation. Cars were transported via rail stood up on their noses, vertically, yet were delivered in a ready-to-drive state. This particular car seems to have survived that and any number of other threats to its existence, and is available in Oklahoma City, OK for $2300.

1972 Chevrolet Vega Kammback right

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Rare Swede – 1980 Saab 900 5-door

March 25, 2010

Once in a while, I try to torture my friends by selling them links to cars they like, but can’t buy, for lack of space, time, or whatever. This is one of those cars – my friend Chris had one of these, so whenever I find one, I pass it along. While Saab 900s of the original generation are still fairly common (unlike the 99s – where did they all go?), the 5-door 900 was only offered very early on in the model run. Soon after they pulled the 5-door from the market, Saab brought a 4-door 900 sedan to the market, and of course the 5-door 9000 showed up in 1986.

This particular car is one of those few 5-doors. As with most older Saabs, it’s been a workhorse most of its life, and so it’s got some rough spots. And our example, listed for $850 in Phoenix, OR (near Medford), is really too good to pass up.

1980 Saab 900 5-door front left

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Voiture sans luxe – 1971 Simca 1204

March 24, 2010

“More of the oddball French cars!”, the voice in my head said, and luckily the market provided. When I was a kid, I had a toy Majorette Simca 1100 that came with a boat trailer. Don’t ask me why someone would tow a motorboat with a (at most) 1300cc car, but there it is. And I was inexplicably fascinated by toy cars with trailers… maybe because it mimicked an adult scenario I hoped to live out at some point, although I have so far not towed any kind of trailer, and have no desire to do so.

Speaking of trailers, this car will have to come home on one. Since these are so rare in the US (rarer than Lancia Beta sedans? I’ve never seen even one), beggars can’t be choosers, and I’m featuring this rather rusty, but intact, example. It runs, and with a bit of effort might at least be drivable. With no bids and currently at $199 with no reserve and 3 days left to go in LaPorte, IN, you really can’t go wrong.

1971 Simca 1100 right

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