Archive for April, 2016

From the Alps – 1969 Sunbeam Alpine GT

April 9, 2016

Sixties and seventies coupes and GT cars on the affordable end of the scale are a big part of the content here, and cars like Capris and Alfetta GTs are frequent features. Sunbeam Alpines in the later Hillman Hunter-based version have interesting Barracuda-influenced styling and a powerplant that, fitted with the optional Holbay head, can produce a decent amount of power. What’s more is, if you go for this later Alpine hardtop, you get a pillarless style as a bonus. Unfortunately, the cars were never as cherished as their earlier convertible siblings, and so most of them are projects – some better, some worse. Fortunately, a fairly decent looking one has come up recently – check out this 1969 Sunbeam Alpine GT for sale for $2150 in Vancouver, WA.

1969 Sunbeam Alpine GT right rear

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Not Creepy At All – 1977 Dodge Tradesman and 1980 Chevrolet Malibu

April 6, 2016

Perusing the local online listings can sometimes turn up some unintended gems. Most enthusiasts of small, cheap foreign sportscars don’t go hunting for conversion vans, but the wilds of the internet allow exposure to vehicles you might not ordinarily find in the local car club listings. And so it is that we come across a couple of not-interesting-yet-interesting items – a 1970s kustom van and a converted Malaise-era Chevrolet Malibu wagon. Neither is a particularly inspiring drive in its original state, and perhaps remains so in its current state, but both manage to pique at least momentary interest from enthusiasts. To start, let’s take a look at this 1977 Dodge Tradesman for sale for $1200 in Sumner, WA.

1977 Dodge Tradesman left side

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For Real? – 1970 Fiat 850 Spider

April 5, 2016

Basic sports cars are truly about the most bang for the buck – Midgets, Sprites, 700s, Spitfires and 850s all share enthusiastic (if not powerful) engines, sharp and often Italian styling, commonly have a removable top, and will do quite a bit of what the big-boy Bs, TR6s, Spiders and more will do on a fraction of the fuel. With attrition over the last 40 years, it’s not so common to find a running example for a low price of entry, which means you should take a look at this 1970 Fiat 850 Spider for sale for $900 in Sebastopol, CA.

1970 Fiat 850 Spider 3 left front

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