BMW’s E23 745i was the lesser-known big brother to the better-known 733i and 735i. The first turbocharged production six-cylinder from BMW, it was not followed by a similar engine configuration until the N54 turbo six of 2006, with BMW choosing to go the V8/V12 route in the interim. The 3.2 liter turbo six put out 252bhp and 276 lb.-ft. of torque, and was only offered with an automatic transmission. As such, these were the only 7-series to match the output of their E32 750i successors – check out this 1985 BMW 745i for sale for $3800 in Emeryville, CA.
Archive for June, 2014
Bahn Burner – 1985 BMW 745i
June 26, 2014Little Blue Wagon – 1973 Mazda RX-3
June 25, 2014You have to admire Mazda for their commitment to the rotary engine. As we’ve seen with other engineering-driven companies, their solutions don’t always contribute to the financial health of the company, but they sure do make for some interesting products any well-rounded car enthusiast cannot overlook. Right now, the rotary is down for the count, with the RX-8 having run its course with no immediate replacement, but Mazda still claims to be working on future evolutions of the rotary. Back in the 1970s, Mazda had a whole lineup of rotary-powered cars, from compact coupe to pickup truck. You can find this 1973 Mazda RX-3 wagon for sale for $3500 in Pittsburgh/Antioch, CA.
Westmoreland or Bust! – 1980 VW Rabbit Diesel
June 25, 2014While the Volkswagen cars built at the Westmoreland, PA are an interesting sidebar in VW’s production history (together with the South African CitiGolf and the Mexican Caribe), but their compromised interior design and quality, together with softened suspension, mean they’re not viewed all that fondly by enthusiasts. That said, survivors are few and far between at this point, and it’s interesting to look back and see what a former Chevrolet executive thought was the right strategy for selling more Rabbits in North America. Check out this 1980 VW Rabbit Diesel for sale for $2500 in Palo Alto, CA.


