Archive for the ‘Feature’ Category

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No Alpha – 1982 Lancia Beta Zagato

May 31, 2016

When Lancia introduced their Beta line of cars, returning to the practice of naming their cars after the Greek alphabet, they decided not to name it the Alpha because of possible confusion with Alfa Romeo. Further, in North America, the car known as the Lancia Beta Spyder was known here as the Lancia Beta Zagato (even more confusing since it was designed by Pininfarina and built by Zagato, suggesting some serious pride-swallowing in the name of a paycheck). Taking that one step further, if the car had been designated the Alpha, submodel Spyder, we could have had a Lancia Alpha Spyder. Wait, what? Now you’re thoroughly confused, let’s take a look at this 1982 Lancia Beta Zagato for sale for $3495 in Bend, OR.

1982 Lancia Beta Zagato right front

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124 Times Two – 1973 Fiat 124 Wagon and 1972 Fiat 124 Sport Coupe

May 30, 2016

In recent years, VW seems to have cornered the market for affordable cars that are also fun to drive and reasonably attractive. But 40-50 years ago, that ball was solidly in Fiat’s hand, with their 124 series of sedan, wagon, coupe, and spider offering driving fun for all. In North America, there were different levels of driving fun with the 124, starting with the sedan and wagon, which were equipped with a 1438cc overhead valve engine giving 69-74hp and moving up to a 1592cc twin cam in 1973, giving a more fun 95hp. Further up, the coupe and the spider started with a 1438cc twin cam, moved on to 1592cc and 1608cc, then the 1756cc and finally the 1920cc twin cam. So basically, it is anyone’s guess what engine is in any of the surviving 124s, like this 1973 Fiat 124 wagon for sale for $2300 in Tigard, OR.

1973 Fiat 124 Wagon right front

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One of 1576 – 1988 Toyota MR2 Supercharged

May 26, 2016

Toyota’s MR2 scored on a lot of characteristics – a sharp, light platform; wedgy 1980s styling, even if it is awfully similar to other cars of the same period; a truly enjoyable powertrain; and legendary reliability and durability. Of course, like many 1980s Japanese cars, it had a strong propensity to rust and a rather plasticky interior. And that’s the basic MR2, to which you can add more 1980s features like t-tops and a wedgy spoiler, or a pop-out moonroof. But if you’re looking for more power, the factory offered a supercharged version that was good for an additional 33hp and dropped the 0-60mph time by about 1.5 seconds. Unfortunately for the budget-oriented car enthusiast, they’re not too readily available, but for today let’s take a look at this 1988 Toyota MR2 Supercharged for sale for $3500 in Medford, OR.

1988 Toyota MR2 SC left front

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