Schwalbenschwanz – 1975 VW Rabbit “Swallowtail”

September 6, 2013

Well, in a strange coincidence, two of the most enduring cars of my childhood are showing up here. We already had a pair of Saab 99s, and now there’s a great VW Rabbit just itching to be featured. Introduced to North America not long after it came out in Europe, it was revolutionary as the first modern front-wheel-drive economy hatchback to be tremendously successful. And the first Rabbits in North America had a unique, if unremarkable design feature the later cars didn’t, known as the swallow tail (Schwalbenschwanz is the literal German translation). You can see it below on this Phoenix red Rabbit on VW Vortex for $2000 in Washington state.

1975 Volkswagen Rabbit rear

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Red Stripe – 1980 Volvo 242GT

September 5, 2013

If you grew up in the 1970s or 1980s, there’s a good chance you have some level of nostalgia (ironic or genuine) for the spoiler & strip performance packages they used to put on cars back then. Thanks to relatively new emissions and fuel economy regulations, manufacturers were likely reluctant to revisit the testing process for a limited-audience high performance models, so performance was in the eye of the beholder. Among its visual upgrades were a flat hood, red striping inside and out, and fog lights in the grill, but it did also get some proper performance features – anti-roll bars and a special grill with integrated fog lights. However, the rest of the world also got an upgraded engine (injected 2.3), where we had to make do with the standard 2.1 found on the regular DL. Anyhow, in the meantime it’s a fun oddity and possibly a good subject for an upgrade to a later Volvo turbo unit or a V8. Wait, did someone say V8? Today’s 242GT is available for $3300 in Arizona.

1980 Volvo 242GT right front

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Unbastardized – 1989 Honda Prelude Si 4WS

September 4, 2013

From a car enthusiast’s perspective, the 1970s and 1980s were really some of the best years for Japanese manufacturers. Sure, they came out with some piles, but they were also not afraid to be adventurous. They offered sports coupes like the wedgy Subaru XT of the 1980s, the funky Datsun 200SX of the 1970s, the sharp MR2, and the Corolla came in multiple body styles (coupe, 2-door, 4-door, wagon, etc.). Honda also offered the Prelude coupe in the sporty low-cowl, flip-up light, wedge look of the 1980s. While it’s no surprise to most of you, it’s pretty hard to find an older Honda that hasn’t been dressed up with all the finest accessories AutoZone has to offer. Fortunately, there is one Prelude, in top-level Si trim and with the high-tech four-wheel steering, for $3650 in Sturgeon Bay, WI.

1989 Honda Prelude Si 4WS right side

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