Archive for the ‘Feature’ Category

Up, Up, Up and Away – 1974 BMW Bavaria

December 3, 2015

For quite a long time, BMW’s E3 series of sedans (2500, 2800, 3.0Si and Bavaria) soldiered on in the shadow of their more famous E10 2002 and E9 coupe siblings, and they were a hidden secret in the BMW community. But it seems the internet does not conceal much, and those who own and sell their E3s are waking up to the possibility that they should sell for more money than in the past. So while these are still not as desirable, the way Alfa Berlinas are less desirable than Giulia sedans, they have gained value in the same way. Of course, with diligent searching you can still find what appear to be decent drivers at a fair price. Check out this 1974 BMW Bavaria for sale for $3999 in Burien, WA.

1974 BMW Bavaria left side

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Rhymes With? – 1976 Pontiac Sunbird

December 1, 2015

Speaking of once-popular cars that are now largely forgotten, this is one that is popular because it was produced by GM with its strong distribution network, but not because it had much intrinsic virtue. Basically a rebadged, slightly refined Chevrolet Vega, it was only offered in the notchback body style and intended to compete with “sporty” coupes like the Mustang II, Capri, Datsun 200SX, and Toyota Celica. And it was certainly there on the field, but whether it truly competed was another question. Check out this 1976 Pontiac Sunbird for sale for $3995 in Foley, MN.

1976 Pontiac Sunbird left front

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Safety Orange – 1976 Mercury Capri II Pair

December 1, 2015

If you’re a music lover, you’ll most likely be familiar with the sensation of going back to an album you liked, but haven’t listened to in a long time, and rediscovering why you liked those songs or the musicians that created them. Part of the mission here is to do the same for once-popular (and sometimes not-so-popular) cars that have faded into obscurity, a good example of which is the Ford/Mercury Capri. The Capri was originally sold as the sexy European, but by the time the second generation car had arrived, the 2.3-liter car had gained 476 pounds over the original 1970 1.6 Kent-engined car, had lost several of the design flourishes of the original, and together with a new hatch, had matured into the “pleasantly plump and practical European”. Which might have been a great tagline for commercials, but a weakening dollar and the arrival of the Fox-body Mustang in 1978 meant North American Capris did not last long. Check out this 1976 Mercury Capri II for sale for $3000 in Rialto, CA.

1976 Mercury Capri right front

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