Fair, Fat, and Wide – 1979 AMC Pacer DL Wagon

February 26, 2014

Everyone who grew up in the 1980s has at one time or another mocked the AMC Pacer, when they were just weird old used cars. Ignoring the ordinary old-tech engine, the AMC Pacer was a very innovative car when it was introduced. The fishbowl design allowed for great visibility, a perimeter frame and built-in rollover bar, along with a longer passenger door for ease of access, allowed for improved safety. It was equipped with rack and pinion steering and the engine and front suspension rode on a separate subframe, isolated by rubber bushings. The original plan was also to include a rotary engine, so the ancient engine was actually simply AMC’s Plan B. You can find this 1979 AMC Pacer DL wagon for sale for $3200 in Redmond, OR.

1979 AMC Pacer DL wagon left side

Read the rest of this entry »

Small Bumpers – 1973 Mercedes 450 SEL

February 26, 2014

As a follow-up to the cheap-meat W116 Mercedes 280SE from late last year, there are other options out there for you if you’re put off by the questionable origin of that car, albeit at a much higher price. Incidentally, that car is now down to all of $450, with a bit more of a realistic description of the car’s needs. And that puts today’s feature car at a significant multiple of the cheap-meat one – you’ll pay 8.5 times the price to have a car you won’t have to smog that’s also said to be in good condition. Check out this 1973 Mercedes 450 SEL, for sale for $3800 in Sacramento, CA.

1973 Mercedes 450 SEL right front

Read the rest of this entry »

Eighties Coupes – 1987 Subaru GL Turbo Coupe

February 25, 2014

Our next feature is a rather unusual car. Do you desire more style and practicality than a sedan? More style and less practicality than a station wagon? The Subaru equivalent of a Saab 900 turbo? Well, here’s your choice (the only one, really). In the eighties, Subaru’s Leone range included a 4-door sedan, 5-door station wagon, and 3-door coupe. You can find this 1987 Subaru GL Turbo Coupe for sale for $1500 in Martinez, CA.

1987 Subaru GL turbo left side

Read the rest of this entry »