Overshadowed – 1985 BMW 325e

February 14, 2015

BMW’s E30 3-series, once yuppie standard, now cult icon, has a definite pecking order. The M3 is way up at the top, followed by the 325is, 325i, 318is or 325iX, and then much further down, the 325e and 318i. While the early 318i probably can’t get out of its own way, the 325e and 325es are worth a second glance as the favorites creep up in value. While you give up some power, it’s still worth considering this is a relatively light car at around 2500 lb., and you still get the joy of the BMW straight six and excellent shifter, along with the tall greenhouse that’s a classic BMW design trait. Check out this 1985 BMW 325e for sale for $3000 in Berkeley, CA.

1985 BMW 325e right front

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Inspirational – 1978 Alfa Romeo Alfetta Berlina

February 14, 2015

It’s part of this site’s unofficial mission to feature every reasonably priced forlorn Alfetta out there, as the RustyButTrusty Alfetta GT was part of the inspiration for many of the cars featured here. That started with a lucky find in the storage lot of a trailer park, with a car that had some recent repairs but still looked rather rough. However, it was nearly complete and solid in many critical areas, and you can see what that turned into. Anyhow, let’s take a look at this 1978 Alfa Romeo Alfetta Berlina for sale for $1200 in Hazel Green, AL.

1978 Alfa Romeo Alfetta Berlina 2 right front

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Want Some Candy? Stretched 1972 VW Bus

February 12, 2015

Have you ever seen a car on the street that drew your attention, and you maybe wanted to snap a picture, but worried about whether the occupants might have a violent reaction? Well, today’s feature could have been a RustyButTrusty feature vehicle, but for the concern that photography might have alarmed its inhabitants. Fortunately, online classifieds come to the rescue, and that’s how you get to see this 1972/3 VW Bus stretch (don’t call it a limo) for sale for $2000 in Berkeley, CA.

1972 VW Bus stretch right rear

For quite a while, this bus was parked outside the day care center attended by the RustyButTrusty junior intern, provoking mild concern from the center’s management and worrisome parents. Turns out it’s pretty harmless – more of an art camper in the works than a residence. Now you might ask yourself, who’s selling this vehicle? Thanks to photography, you can see it’s the friendly artist above. And why is he selling? Well (and this will make a deal-sniffer’s ears perk up), he’s leaving for several months’ travel in early March and doesn’t have time to keep it. Needless to say, there are issues, but power is not among them as it’s been converted to Ford Ranger 2.9 V6 power, with fuel injection, and the standard VW transaxle with manual gearshift. Compression is tolerable, but the van is said to have some wiring issues which are causing it not to start.

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