Karmann Coupe – 1980 Volkswagen Scirocco S

October 24, 2013

As a replacement for the antique-looking Karmann Ghia, which dated back to 1955, VW designed a new replacement. Heavily influenced by the wedge cars of the period – take a look at yesterday’s Alfetta GTV, a Lotus Esprit, or even a Lamborghini Countach – they successfully came up with a new interpretation of the sports-coupe-on-econobox-platform story. As they were inexpensive cars, many have disappeared, having succumbed to youthful overexuberance combined with youthful budgets. But there are still a few around if you look hard, and that’s how you can find this 1980 Volkswagen Scirocco S for sale for $1499 in Puyallup, WA.

1980 VW Scirocco right front

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Four Brothers Ranch – 1965 Datsun 320

October 23, 2013

It’s interesting to find that, as recently as the mid-1960s, there were cars that are not considered freeway capable. One of these was the Datsun 320 pickup. While only having 60hp should not prevent you from maintaining freeway speeds (various compact foreign cars of the time did), the low gearing to support a 1-ton load capacity would. That said, for an around town runner – or, in a larger city, an alternative to a scooter or one of those metermaid cars – this truck would work just fine, and would allow you to occasionally move car parts, furniture, and livestock. Which brings us to our feature truck, a 1965 Datsun 320 in Spanish Springs, NV, near Reno, for $1800.

1965 Datsun 320 left front

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Cheap Cossie – 1986 Mercedes 190E 2.3-16

October 22, 2013

Cosworth-powered cars are fairly rare on North American soil. Compared to what was available in Europe, we only received the Chevrolet Cosworth Vega, which was a great concept that fell down in the execution, and the Mercedes 190E 2.3-16, which was a great car that has lived in the shadow of the contemporary BMW M3. Mercedes had originally asked Cosworth to develop an engine for a rally version of their new 190E, but when Audi came out with the all-conquering Quattro, Mercedes side-stepped and took its car to touring races. This required homologation sales, so the road-going 190E 2.3-16 was developed for sale. Adding a twin cam 16-valve head, lightened pistons and upgraded rings yielded 49hp over the regular 2.3’s 136hp, though the engine was detuned to 167hp for the North American market. You can find your own Anglo-Teutonic screamer in this 1986 Mercedes 190E 2.3-16, available for $3500 in Berkeley, CA.

1986 Mercedes 190E 2.3-16 left front

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