More Angles – 1979 Triumph TR7

July 3, 2014

In case this week’s cars haven’t been angular enough for you, there’s more coming. The late 1970s and early 1980s produced many angular, folded-paper style designs. While Triumph’s last breath (other than the post-mortem Acclaim, which was a badge-engineered Honda Civic sedan) didn’t have as sharp creases in its design as the Volvo 740 or VW Golf Mk1, it was nonetheless was one of the first cars to democratize the wedge as a viable car shape, heretofore only known on exotics. Critics and pundits labeled it the wedge or doorstop, and Triumph themselves called it the shape of things to come, but 35 years on it’s a capable, still-contemporary sports car. Check out this 1979 Triumph TR7 for sale for $4100 in Daly City, CA.

1979 Triumph TR7 right side

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Sports Box – 1991 Volvo 740 Turbo

July 2, 2014

As discussed in the past, Volvo 740 and 760 series cars have never aroused the interest of enthusiasts the way many other Volvos have. So these cars tend to languish in used car purgatory, where somewhere around $2000 will get you a reasonably clean, well-kept if not very exciting version of designer Jan Wilsgaard’s box-on-wheels. Interestingly enough, Wilsgaard was born in New York, and was chief designer for all Volvos running from the 122 to the 850. And perhaps it was this simple design that was the blessing and curse at once, following the brand identity but turning off many enthusiasts. Nonetheless, some people just won’t be deterred, like the seller of this 1991 Volvo 740 Turbo, for sale for $3600 in San Leandro, CA.

1991 Volvo 740 turbo left side

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Cheap Wedding Car – 1973 Mercedes 280SE 4.5

July 2, 2014

It seems fairly common practice in Britain to subsidize the running costs of a classic car through hiring it out for weddings and other special events. And as long as your car is reasonably reliable, and your passengers are not too intoxicated from their party, there are certainly worse things than driving around in your classic car all day. While the regulations surrounding transportation of passengers until recently seemed to prevent this practice for all but established limousine companies, that may be changing with the advent of services like Uber and Lyft. Check out this 1973 Mercedes 280SE 4.5 for sale for $3500 in Sonoma, CA.

1973 Mercedes 280SE 4.5 front

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