Archive for the ‘Feature’ Category

Future Brothers – 1965 Dodge Monaco

December 7, 2013

The Elwood Engle-influenced lines make for a particularly handsome period of design from the Chrysler group, and the Dodge Monaco is no exception. The coupe got a hardtop design with a couple of interesting details – a C-pillar that tapered from top to bottom, and a crease across the roof above the rear passengers’ heads that mimicked a bow on a convertible top. The slope of the rear window, combined with the slant of the leading edge ofthe B-pillar, make it look like the car is trying to move forward. And the delta-shaped tail lights can be seen on any number of Dodge products of the era. You can find this 1965 Dodge Monaco pillarless oupe for sale in Detroit, MI for $3800.

1965 Dodge Monaco for sale right rear

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Flat Four #2 – 1972 Porsche 914

December 5, 2013

In a twist of coincidence, today’s other feature car is also powered by a flat four engine. Porsche 914s, once a budget sports car derided by enthusiasts of the genre as a VW-Porsche, have been sucked into the 356/911 frenzy as the next affordable car. Porsche 914/6s, never dirt cheap to begin with, are moving towards the mid-high five figures, while 914/4s are cresting $10,000. Fortunately, this trend is fairly recent, and if you’re willing to dig and put in a little effort, you can find some decent drivers out there for not-crazy money. Check out this 1972 Porsche 914/4 for sale in Santa Monica, CA for $3900.

1972 Porsche 914 for sale right rear

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Flat Four #1 – 1984 Subaru GL Wagon (plus 2 bonus Scoobies!)

December 5, 2013

After talking about the purity of the earlier Saabs, and how they strayed from that to find greater appeal, it’s interesting to see how Subaru has followed a similar path, but with much greater success. Early Subarus grew out of the 360 microcars, into cars that were originally in the mid-size class with cars like the Accord, but are now probably smaller than a current generation Civic. Current Subarus have kept pace with their competition in terms of size, but Subaru has managed to cling to some of their brand DNA with their flat four engines and all wheel drive. Funny enough, while Subaru spends a lot of time publicizing the all wheel drive, they seem to have realized your average consumer does not care much if their cylinders are inline, flat, or in a vee, and as such they don’t say too much about it. You can find this 1984 Subaru GL wagon for sale in Enumclaw, WA for $3000.

1984 Subaru GL wagon right front

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