Archive for September, 2013

RustyButTrusty On The Street – Porsche, VW, Ford, Toyota

September 28, 2013

It’s interesting to observe what cars survive on the streets of San Francisco. Some are obvious, like the VW Beetle, which is still an icon associated with the city. Others, like the Porsche 924 and Toyota van, are somewhat unexpected, but if you look at the reasons why, it makes more sense.

You can still find Porsche 924s here and there, being used as daily drivers. Thanks to their well-rust-proofed bodies, they can endure sitting outside, and with their large rear windows they should have good visibility and maneuverability for parking and driving on narrow streets. They’re also powerful enough for the occasional out of town trip, and have decent luggage space should you decide to go away overnight.

Porsche 924

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American Mid-Engine – 1988 Pontiac Fiero GT

September 27, 2013

Out of the fuel crisis and corresponding high prices of the 1970s and early 1980s came some pretty interesting cars, many intended as second cars for one or two people to commute to work. Of course, this begged the question of why this prospective car should even have 4 seats, and so a crop of two seat sporting commuter cars was born. Among those were the Toyota MR2, Honda CRX, Ford EXP (remember those?), and the Pontiac Fiero. While the Fiero delivered on compact size and mimicked the layout of such cars as the Fiat X1/9, Lancia Stratos and Ferrari 308, it also developed a reputation for engine fires and poor handling. However, this was resolved by 1988, and you can find this 1988 Pontiac Fiero GT for $3150 in New Haven, CT.

1988 Pontiac Fiero right rear

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Leisure Suit On Wheels – 1974 Plymouth Gold Duster

September 27, 2013

As much as there are cars that are clearly of the 1980s, so there are cars that were unmistakably built in the 1970s. Such is especially the case for the number 3 and 4 American automakers, Chrysler and AMC. They used paisley patterns, stripes, and other elements in new and garish ways that were no doubt considered stylish and avant-garde at the time, but now just seem dated and kitschy. While searching for a fuselage-bodied Chrysler vehicle, we stumbled upon a car with a fantastic original 1970s interior that you might call the automotive equivalent of a leisure suit, or perhaps it recalls those multi-colored garden chairs made up of vinyl strips on a metal frame. You can find this 1974 Plymouth Gold Duster with bidding at $3200 and 3 days left to go in Mount Vernon, WA, just an hour north of Seattle.

1974 Plymouth Gold Duster interior

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