Continuing the discussion from a couple of weeks back about what makes a great RustyButTrusty car, we should also consider that what a car is missing can mean just as much as what it has. No b-pillars? Check! Fewer than 4 wheels? Check! Fewer than 4 cylinders? Check! No b-pillars, c-pillars, windows, roof, doors, or carpet, and only 2 cylinders? Overload! Check out this 1970 Citroen Mehari for sale for $2500 in Dayton, VA.
Frequent readers will have noticed that most Renault LeCars offered for sale will show up here – they’re a quirky, iconic classic that had much more success outside of North America. Most survivors have faded paint, sun-baked interiors, rust, or mechanical failures, combined with low miles, but occasionally you’ll find a European market car, or one set up with some desirable features that keep it from getting lumped in with every other LeCar. You can find this 1983 Renault LeCar for sale for C$950 ($870 today) in Tsawwassen, BC.
In the lean post-war years in Europe, there was a golden age of spartan, well-built sedans that, unlike their American counterparts, were built to be durable to the extent they could be considered heirlooms with a bit of extra care. On their home continent, they served as taxis, ambulances, hearses, and in various other heavy-duty roles. Thanks to their remarkable designs (or the manufacturers’ need to get the most out of the development costs for these costly cars), they lasted long past their natural expiration dates, and some were manufactured well into the 1990s. Mercedes, Volvo, and Peugeot (and Saab, to a lesser extent) all built cars that fit in this category, so for today, check out this 1969 Peugeot 404 for sale for $3950 in Kuna, ID.
Rusty But Trusty 