Posts Tagged ‘coupe’

Poor Man’s BMW #1 – 1977 BMW 320i

September 24, 2013

By the mid-1970s, BMW sorely needed a replacement for its aging 2002. By 1977, when its replacement came around, it was 11 years old – can you imagine any passenger car model lasting that long nowadays? Its replacement was the E21 320i, which had big shoes to fill, coming with the 2002’s 2-liter M10 engine. The engine itself was equipped with K-Jetronic fuel injection for cleaner emissions and a 10hp bump, but this was offset by an extra 400 lb. of weight. This and more insulation took away some of the feel of connection to the road, and the 320i got mixed reviews in the press. However, buyers still cited performance as one of their main reasons for purchasing the car – you can have your own taste of this somewhat forgotten 2002 successor with this 1977 BMW 320i, available for $1950 in Milpitas, CA (although possibly in northern Nevada, according to the listing text).

1977 BMW 320i right rear

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Accessible Design Icon – 1968 Oldsmobile Toronado

September 23, 2013

Even though they haven’t always had the lifelong recognition some instant classics like the Jaguar E-type have, partly due to going in and out of fashion, there are quite a few design icons in the post-war repertoire of American manufacturers. While many of the cars Americans love and remember from their childhoods are, with hindsight, oversize, cluttered, and overwrought. That said, there was a golden period for design minimalism in the mid-1960s, and one of the cars to benefit from this fashion is the Oldsmobile Toronado. You can find today’s 1968 Oldsmobile Toronado for $3995 in Malvern, OH.

1968 Oldsmobile Toronado right front

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E30 is the new 02 – 1988 BMW 325is

September 18, 2013

It’s probably no revelation to anyone reading here that BMW’s E10 series of cars (2002s, 1600s, and their derivatives) are rising in price. And it’s probably also no surprise that while the E10’s successor, the E21 (sold in 320i and 320is form in North America) is not so prized by enthusiasts due to a less-than-exciting driving experience, that car’s replacement was a great comeback for BMW. The E30, initially released as the BMW 318i, soon sprouted a 6-cylinder engine and a 4-door version, as well as a touring (station wagon) version not sold in North America. You can find today’s 1988 BMW 325is listed for $3000 in west San Jose, CA.

1988 BMW 325is left front

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