Posts Tagged ‘convertible’

American Hustle, Part 1 – 1978 Cadillac Eldorado (plus bonus ’71 convertible!)

January 10, 2014

Today, we’re going to look at a couple of cars inspired by the film, American Hustle. One of the great things about older cars is they not only represent the period in which they were built, but also their country of origin. It’s nothing that hasn’t been said before, but with globalization of the automotive industry, cars have lost their national characters, such that you could hide the badges on Lexus, Mercedes, and Cadillacs and couldn’t definitively tell each sport-luxury sedan’s nationality, even if they have distinctive brand styling attributes. You can find an exemplary expression of 1970s America in this 1978 Cadillac Eldorado for sale in Everett, WA for $4000.

1978 Cadillac Eldorado for sale left front

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Rabriolet – 1986 VW Cabriolet

December 23, 2013

Over the years, there have been many posts extolling the virtues of the VW Rabbit, most recently a 1984 diesel upgraded with a later TDI engine. However, the real revolution the Rabbit caused was for 1980s cheerleaders. When VW released their Cabriolet in 1980, every one of them was asking their daddy for one, preferably in triple white. Unfortunately, this reputation overshadowed what was really a fun little car – the only regular production (that means no weirdo Subaru GL convertibles) 4-seat convertible available in North America, and equipped with the engine from a contemporary GTI. Where convertibles like the Alfa and Fiat spiders limited you to only one friend, the Rabbit could comfortably accommodate three. Check out this 1986 VW Cabriolet (it was only a Rabbit Convertible through 1984), for sale in Bow, WA for $1600.

1986 VW Cabriolet right front

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Heckflosse Has Nothing On This – 1961 Sunbeam Alpine

November 26, 2013

In addition to wind-up windows, door handles, and a proper top, the Sunbeam Alpine was criticized for its styling. It had more than a passing similarity to Ford’s Thunderbird, and had some pretty huge fins for a post-war British car. However, it was quite prescient, and its more successful competition followed with cars like the MGB and TR4 sprouting wind-up windows and other comforts once considered too soft. As a result, the Alpine makes a pretty usable car, even by today’s standards. You can find this 1961 Sunbeam Alpine Series 1 for sale for $2750 in Beaverton, OR.

1961 Sunbeam Alpine for sale right front

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