Older Mercedes sedans seem to be one of the better bargains of the classic car world. Generally straightforward and durable cars, these could also be considered to be an alternative to the significantly more expensive SLs. The /8 coupes in particular share some styling cues with the SL, including the Pagoda-style roof with inset metal trim strips, and of course the tall headlights in a similar style. While they’re not fun to drive in the sense a BMW of the same era can be, a person who argues that point will say any similar car (see Volvos, non-turbo Saabs, Lancia sedans) are also no fun. Check out this 1970 Mercedes 250C for sale in Van Nuys, CA with bidding at $1150 and 20 hours to go.
Archive for January, 2014
Budget Pagoda – 1970 Mercedes 250C
January 16, 2014Disappearing – 1981 Chevrolet Citation
January 16, 2014Here’s another in the line of cars you wouldn’t give a second glance, but are becoming interesting because they’ve just about disappeared from American roads. Conceived as a response to poor sales of GM’s extra-large family cars, and heavily referencing the Lancia Beta sedan (as some will have you believe), the Chevrolet Citation debuted in 1980 to great acclaim. Motor Trend bestowed its Car of the Year award upon it, although we all know about their dubious choices. Before launching into full-scale mockery mode, though, let’s take a look at what this car really meant for GM – it was their first transverse-engined, front-wheel-drive family sedan, with a hatchback in most cases. It spawned the A-, L-, and N-body cars from GM. Sales hit nearly 1.4 million for the X-platform cars, with the majority of those going to the Citation. You can find this surviving 1981 Chevrolet Citation for sale in Salt Lake City, UT with no bids at $0 and one day left to go on the auction.
Rare Truck – 1959 Jeep FC-170
January 16, 2014In the immediate post-war years, Jeep wanted to offer a larger truck to those customers needing more than the Willys Jeep Truck and DJ-3A/FJ-3A could do. So, evidently glancing at Europe, and at the then-new cab-over-engine full-size trucks, they came up with the Forward Control series. These were offered in various different formats to allow coachbuilders to add their own bodies, and the platform was used for ambulances, fire trucks, tow trucks, delivery vans, and more – just about anything you’d see on a modern COE truck or van platform today. Unfortunately, they were not very successful, with only 30,000 sold over eight years of production. You can find this 1959 Jeep FC-170 for sale in Sacramento, CA with an opening bid of $2350 and only 8 hours left to go.


