Red Rover – 1980 Rover 3500 SD1

August 22, 2013

With only around 1200 cars sold in the US through 1980 and 1981, it’s fairly rare to find a Rover SD1 for sale. However, if they were going to survive anywhere, it would be the west coast. Sadly, most remaining examples have fallen into decay, which is somewhat surprising given the American-based V8, good handling and arguably the most elegant 4-door sedan styling of its time. And here we have two projects which, when combined, will never almost certainly make one fantastic driver. Even better, you could make a good driver out of the good parts, and a BTCC-inspired LeMons racer from what’s left – what could possibly go wrong? Find the most complete car for $1500 in Long Beach, CA.

1980 Rover SD1 left front

Read the rest of this entry »

1972 Triumph GT6 Mark III

August 19, 2013

Since Austin Healeys have long since moved sadly out of reach, your next choice for a British six that’ll put hair on your chest (watch out, ladies!) is offered by Triumph. And they can be quite expensive, or quite affordable, depending on your luck. Are you feeling lucky tonight? Because here’s a GT6 that, while small and lumbered with a hot passenger compartment, epitomizes what people think of as a quintessential British GT car. Look at it – the Italian-influenced styling, straight six power, wood dash, and at least two seats with room for luggage are shared with the fixed head Jaguar E-type, Aston Martin DB-series cars, MGC-GT, or an Alvis T-series car. Find our reasonably-priced option, a 1972 GT6, in Stevenson, MT for $3900.

1972 Triumph GT6 Mark III left front

Read the rest of this entry »

RustyButTrusty on the Street #1 – Hilux and F12

August 15, 2013

To start what might become a new series of posts, I thought it would be interesting to share some of the more unusual vehicles seen on the streets in northern California. San Francisco and Oakland/Berkeley in particular are home to all kinds of oddball older cars, and we’ll get this started with a van and a truck (what!).

20130810_095227

This 1979 Alfa Romeo F12 diesel van recently returned to California, under the influence of Andrew Watry, keeper of the Alfa Romeo Berlina Register. Powered by a 1.8 liter Perkins diesel with 50hp, it’s Alfa Romeo’s interpretation of the VW bus, with a three-spoke steering wheel, twin pod gauge cluster, and Alfa handling. Built from 1967-83, this one is a series two van with the black plastic grill and adhesive sticker badging.

Read the rest of this entry »