Proto-WRX – 1988 Mazda 323 GTX

October 6, 2013

Often forgotten, the Mazda 323 GTX was the first all wheel drive turbo hatch on US shores. Sure, the Audi Quattro had been here for a few years, but this was based on an economy car that was more attainable for your average person. Equipped with bolstered sports seats, a 132hp turbocharged engine, all wheel drive with a driver-lockable differential, and redesigned platform with reinforced sills, the car was a significant step up from the regular model, and was priced accordingly. This led to weak sales at about half the expected rate, but the car is still prized among enthusiasts who were pining for a rally car for the street. You can find this 1988 Mazda 323 GTX in San Francisco, CA for $2800.

1988 Mazda 323 GTX black left rear

Read the rest of this entry »

One More Time – 1986 Saab Turbo

October 6, 2013

Frequent coverage of available Saabs will make this entry no surprise, but there are a couple of remarkable things about this car that merit a feature. While Saabs have a reputation for durability, for reasons that are not immediately apparent, we don’t see as many high-mileage examples offered as we would for other very durable makes. Perhaps collapsed driver’s seats have rendered them all undrivable? You can find this 1986 Saab 900 turbo 5-speed 3-door hatch for $2500 in North Seattle, WA.

1986 Saab 900 turbo interior front

Read the rest of this entry »

More 1980s Turbo – 1986 Dodge Daytona C/S

October 5, 2013

No American manufacturer (and perhaps no manufacturer at all) embraced turbocharging so wholeheartedly as Chrysler. Sure, Saab is renowned for its turbocharged engines, and various other manufacturers turbocharged their cars for extra power with acceptable efficiency, but Chrysler applied it across their model lines, to sedans, minivans, sports coupes, and luxury coupes. They even produced some very high performance turbo engines in their Shelby series of cars, including the Omni and Spirit R/T. Here’s one example of their enthusiasm for artificial aspiration, this 1986 Dodge Daytona Turbo Z C/S, available for $3800 in Modesto, CA.

1988 Dodge Daytona Turbo Z C-S right front

Read the rest of this entry »