More Underdog – 1979 Alfa Romeo Alfetta GT

February 6, 2014

Here at RustyButTrusty, we’re endless defenders of the Alfetta’s honor. Apparently, the joys of the Alfetta are being recognized in other parts of the world, but here their reputation has been somewhat permanently damaged by all the modifications required to make them conform to then-new environmental and safety regulations. At this point, most states will let you toss the one major safety modification you really don’t want if you care about performance – the bumpers – and many states also don’t care if you dump the primitive emissions equipment on a car that only gets driven a few thousand miles per year (damn you, California!). Even within the confines of California laws, there are some changes you can make (1750 cams, 10:1 pistons) the smog police won’t be able to see, although that’s only worth doing if you’re already doing an engine rebuild. You can find this seemingly stock 1979 Alfa Romeo Alfetta GT for sale for $3500 in Oakland, CA.

1979 Alfa Romeo Alfetta GT right rear

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The Underdog – 1972 BMW Bavaria Two-Fer

February 6, 2014

This might come as a surprise, but this site is all about the underdog cars. Well, mostly. And often times, the underdog can be an equally capable vehicle that has less desirable styling – consider the Falcon as a 4-door Mustang, the Alfa Berlina as a 4-door GTV, or the Maserati Quattroporte as a 4-door Sebring/3500. Sure, the 2-doors are all great looking cars, but they cost more, and you can’t bring your friends along. And who of you doesn’t secretly hope that a ride in a classic car will bring another convert into the fold? So when you walk up to a stranger’s door with Bible (AKA repair manual) in hand and clean coveralls on, you should be driving door-to-door in exhibit one in the conversion tool kit, this 1972 BMW Bavaria for sale for $4000 in San Luis Obispo, CA.

1972 BMW Bavaria blue left rear

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QSW – 1986 VW Quantum Syncro Wagon

February 5, 2014

It’s pretty odd how when you find one rare car, another two or three pop up at the same time. After featuring a B2 Passat Avant (known as the Quantum Syncro Wagon in the North American market, or QSW), another one popped up in substantially better condition, even if the color is not as attractive. You can find this 1986 Volkswagen Quantum Syncro wagon for sale for $2500 in South Everett, WA (the same town, even!). Everett is clearly a QSW hotspot.

1986 VW Quantum Syncro left side

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