Lost Prancing Horse: 1979 Ferrari 400 GTA

Some of the most common presumptions about an old Ferrari is either that it's worth a lot of money or someday it's going to be worth a lot of money. Both presumptions are hard at work in this ad. Both presumptions are not always true.

At least not with the Ferrari 400.

For a Ferrari to be worth a lot of money, theory says it has to have no rear seats, be mid-engine and have 12-cylinders. I guess 1 out of 3 ain't bad. The 400 had seating for four, a front-engine, and, yes mercifully, a 12-cylinder engine.

The 400 series was produced from 1976-1989, and featured Ferrari's first automatic transmission, a General Motors Turbo-Hydramatic THM400. It was mated to a 4.8-litre V12 producing about 340 horsepower. Reported 0-60 mph times were around 7.1 seconds.

No version of the 400 was ever officially imported to the U.S., an odd mistake given the automatic transmission, U.S. emissions compliance and upper-crust pedigree perfect for the dawn of the '80s.

That makes this car a rare grey market import.

This is a first-run series 400 car, of which 502 were made from '76-'79.

 

The pointy body was crafted by none other than famed design house Pininfarina, for whom Ferrari was their #1 client. This early '79 example has black plastic bumper moldings which were later body colored, as well as a painted-black rear taillight region, which I'm not sure was factory but looks passable. It is all typical of the era, and I imagine was horribly dated feeling by the mid-'90s, when smooth bodies and subtle curves were in and hard angles out. But it has since grown into a semi-classic of minimalist oddball expressionism. The squinty, sour-eyed front turn indicators and hidden headlamps take a lot of getting used to and they still occasionally annoy me, but I like them. After years of having the Ferrari Testarossa cheese-grater side air intakes burned into my mind, the flat, unassuming planes of the 400 are a refreshing relief and brilliant direction for the brand. This isn't the Ferrari you'd have on a poster in your room, but that's exactly why I like it.

So ground-breaking was the 400 that it might have had something to do with the very similar-looking 1980 Pinin Concept, which was the first and so far only four-door concept Ferrari has ever entertained the notion of. It's half way to Aston Martin Lagonda territory, but it looks good overall and would have fit alongside the 400 very well.

The seller states this 400 was from a private collection and is in great shape without any major flaws in the body and glass. They say it runs and drives and shifts smoothly. However, they say the a/c is not blowing cold and may need a new compressor. Low-mileage Ferraris are the norm, so the 46,578 on the clock is not at all unusual. Wealthy owners held on to them carefully with the hopes that they'll appreciate in value, along with the usual fair-weather-weekend-only usage.

So what's the price of this admission into the hyper-exclusive V12 Ferrari club? The seller here wants $25,900 but is open to best offers. Hemmings values a 1979 400 GTA in fair condition at $9,875, good condition at $15,950 and excellent condition at $26,475. That would place this at the upper end of value and is by no means a bargain, especially given the rumored cost of maintenance, if it's even used. That said, the 400 cars have got to be the least expensive purchase-price V12 Ferrari ever available when adjusted for inflation.

Find it here on ebay in Johnston, Rhode Island.

German Ford: 42k-mile 1987 Merkur XR4Ti

Merkur was Ford's short-lived import brand from the late '80s. In a rather rounabout way, Ford decided to market their German-made cars in the U.S. market. So we were getting a product made in Germany, owned by a U.S. corporation, intended for the European market, but modified and branded to sell here. Sheesh! Why they couldn't just be honest about it and call it what it was - a Ford - is one of automotive history's minor follies.

Since the brand was discontinued in 1989, it made one wonder whether all the trouble on Ford's behalf was worth it (they even once held press-conference to clarify the pronunciation of "Merkur"...note to marketing executives: if you have trouble saying the name of your brand, the whole brand is in trouble).

Fortunately, the actual car wasn't half bad.

The XR4Ti was the first of two Merkur models offered here, and lasted from 1985-1989. It was based on the European Ford Sierra.

The layout was front-engine and rear-wheel drive powered by a 2.3-litre inline turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that, when mated to a 5-speed manual transmission such as in this car, produced up to 175 horsepower, which is decent for a compact from 1987.

Styling-wise, the translation from European economy car to U.S. yuppie-mobile was mostly successful, and at least very memorable. The grille-less front takes getting used to, but the overall shape is nicely proportioned, and the rear quarter window is something rarely, if ever seen on vehicles. The double-decker bi-plane rear spoiler was also-controversial, but when they toned it down for a single level spoiler in the final year or two, the double-decker was somewhat missed. Did it really keep the car weighted down? Who knows. But it was unusual, looked good, and harkened to the car's distant rally cousins in Europe.

Inside, things work relatively well too. The dashboard is un-pretentious and deliciously bland, and is more '80s American than '80s European, but has held up well, mainly due to the fact it's wholly more functional, ergonomic and aesthetically pleasing than American interiors of the '70s. This one looks totally fresh in light grey bolstered leather seats.

The seller states the vehicle has only had one-owner and that the very low 42,774 miles are original. Finding a low mileage Merkur isn't difficult. 42,464 were made, and, with '87 still fresh in people's minds, they have a cult-following here, so some owners keep them preserved. The rest of them are junked, trashed, and abandoned.

Fortunately this one has definitely been in the hands of either someone that cared very much about it, or someone that didn't use it much. The seller states the car has no known defects, with a starting engine and smooth shifting transmission.

There is no real value in the XR4Ti and nobody expects them to rise, though I am sure they will someday in the distant future. Hemmings estimates the value of an "excellent" example at only $3,000. They are a relic of the '80s that failed not because they were a bad machine, but because they were marketed poorly by humans.

Still, if you want a Merkur, this is the one to have. Low miles, excellent condition, manual transmission, good year in two-tone metallic burgundy and grey plastic. How many other cars are turbocharged rear-wheel drive hatchbacks with leather seats and a stick-shift? Not many 2012 models that's for sure. Merkur: 1, 2012 cars: 0.

Find it here on ebay in Philadelphia, PA, with active bidding up to $2,225 and only 2 days left.

Yellow Submarine: 26k-mile 1980 Lotus Esprit

This 1980 Lotus Esprit is being offered up for sale by the same seller I wrote about here who were selling two rare Mercedes.

They are a dealer and are quickly becoming our favorite local seller as they have obscure cars at decent prices, and are located right in New England, where older cars are harder to find.

This Esprit is listed as having only 26,072 miles on the odometer. The seller doesn't say if that's original miles or if the odometer overturned, but if it is original that's very few miles and would classify this as a survivor.

What is clear is that this thing is awesome.

The body is perhaps the definitive wedge shape of the '70s and '80s. It was created by legendary Giorgetto Giugiaro and has become his signature design. It is clean, simple and still modern looking. A white 1977 model that transformed into a submarine was famously driven by Roger Moore in The Spy Who Loved Me.

This is a second generation "S2" Esprit and looks great in yellow. The S2 models were made from 1978-'81 and came after the first-generation S1 models from '76-'79. They featured minor cosmetic and mechanical improvements.

The body was fiberglass.

The Esprit had a mid-engine and rear-wheel drive. Since this is a 1980 model, it could have the 2.2-litre inline 4-cylinder engine that was introduced that year and had increased torque, or just a 2.0-litre. These are not the later turbocharged engines, so it's just a plain four-banger that is propelling you. While they are said to handle well and weigh only about 2,205 lbs., they are not rockets and could prove surprisingly slow.

That said, they are still probably a hoot to drive, especially with the low seats and manual shifting.

The seller has no details on whether it's running or not. Some of the pictures seem to show the vehicle sitting outside at a wholesale auction lot, so it may have been an insurance loss or donation that the seller then purchased. I would get the whole story on how this was acquired and what, if any, work was done. Any service receipts would be nice. If there is no history, be prepared to sink money into getting it working. Also check for rust on the undercarriage.

Early Lotus Esprit models are the best looking, even if they are the slowest. They are rare cars in any condition, and this one looks good in and out, which could corroborate the low miles. The body seems straight without any major problems. I'm not sure what it takes to rehabilitate fiberglass, but it could be similar to buffing a boat, if you've ever done that.

Find the craigslist ad here and the dealer listing here.

Classic Colors: 1972 Triumph TR6

Just in time for summer, this '72 TR6 is being offered by the seller as a runner that could also be a candidate for a detailed, mostly cosmetic restoration, or left alone.

The TR6 was another generation in a long line of classic two-seat, front-engine, rear-wheel drive roadsters made by Triumph. 94,619 were produced from 1969-1976. The U.S. models had a 2.5-litre inline 6-cylinder engine that produced 104 horsepower.

The seller states this example was a southern car before being brought up north in 1989. That's somewhat inconsequential, as there was plenty of time from 1989 to now for the car to rot. It's not like it was shipped up last week. As such, the owner does admit to some small rust spots, but don't say where. "Small" is subjective, so it's definitely something you'll want to check out.

They say it was 82,900 miles and the interior is original. This TR6 wears classic roadster colors: flat British Racing Green over rich saddle leather interior. It still looks good decades later.

As far as mechanics, the seller says the car runs strong and had a host of work done and new parts added, like a rebuilt carburetor, new brake and clutch master cylinders.

I like the looks of the TR6 more than other Triumphs and other British cars. The wheel-to-body ratio is interesting, and the front styling works fine, unlike the odd "bugeye" roadsters and many others. I also like the squared-off rear, bringing the car into the modern era.

The seller says the owner's manual, shop manual and extra parts are included in the sale.

Find it here on craigslist in Stow, MA for $5,700.

Get In And Go: 1-Owner 1991 Nissan 300ZX Twin Turbo

This '91 Nissan is a great way to get into the exciting ZX club at a semi-decent price.

The seller states the vehicle has about 104,000 miles but has only 65,000 miles on a new engine. They say it has had only one owner since new, has no rust and was garage kept the whole time. That makes the somewhat high mileage seem way better and explains everything. The owner probably drove it regularly and kept up with the maintenance, unlike the vast many of these which were traded down too many hands and suffer from delayed maintance and gross aftermarket modifications. They say they it's always been dealer serviced and just had a Mobil 1 synthetic oil change.

This is a Z32 second generation Nissan ZX car with a front-engine, rear-wheel drive layout. About 80,000 were sold in the U.S. from 1990 to 1996. They had twin-turbocharged 6-cylinder engines that produced 300 horsepower and rocketed the car to 60 mph in under 6 seconds. Its mortal enemy was the Porsche 944, of which it gave a good run for the money. Along with the Acura NSX and Toyota Supra, the Z32 300ZX was an instant classic of the '90s beloved by the press and consumers alike that cemented the Japanese as superior automakers, able to provide superb vehicles at extremely competitive prices.

This early '91 model looks terrific in black over black. You wouldn't say the design is exactly beautiful thanks to the exposed headlights but falls more into the "cool" category, and the low, smooth, chunky body is arguably better looking than the front-engine Porsche available at the time. These were also versatile: they came with a t-top and had a hatchback for extra trunk space.

The seller is asking $7,800. Hemmings CPI Value Guide estimates a good condition '91 300ZX to be worth $6,200 and an excellent condition car to be worth $12,150, so the seller's price is spot on (I reserve the "excellent" label to near-mint, ultra-low mileage cars). Hemmings also reports a 9% increase in value of the '91 ZX, which is impressive. These have nowhere to go but up as more and more get junked and modded out. Well-driven and stock models like this are hot items. That said, they were not particularly rare, so the prices are still accessible to most. It's the best of both worlds.

This thing is about as everyday exotic as you can get. Reliable, well-built, practical and FAST. Get it, drive it and maintain it. And in a few years you might be able to sell it for exactly what you paid for it - if you can let it go.

See the craigslist ad in North Shore, MA here.

Original Paint: 1986 Volkswagen Quantum Synchro Wagon

Here's a nifty piece for vintage wagon lovers.

This is a 1986 Volkswagen Quantum Synchro Wagon.

The Quantum was actually the second generation of the VW's Passat "B2" platform. It was called the Passat and Santana worldwide, and Quantum in North America. The B2 was made from 1981-1988. Then we got the B3 and the name Passat. Supposedly 4.5 million units were made worldwide of the various body styles, which included sedan, hatchback and wagon.

This is a wagon. It also has "Synchro", Volkswagen's patented system of all-wheel drive.

It looks terrific, especially in refrigerator white paint, and thanks to the seller's numerous high-resolution photos. Volkswagen had perfected their boxy, ultra-utilitarian cookie-cutter cars at this time and this is no exception. Hard angles, predictable lines, gentle front-fascia. It's extremely conservative and it works brilliantly. When will today's designers realize that less is more, and that cars are ultimately just tools, and we like them more when we think of them that way? The purposeful jackknife look of the '80s, in contrast to today's sloppy potpourri styling, will be looked back on as the second greatest realization in auto design, after the sensuous curves of cars from the '30s, '40s, and '50s.

Mechanically, it has a quirky 5-cylinder engine and manual transmission.

The seller states this is a two-owner car that was always garaged. They list the odometer as showing 161,890 but say it feels newer, wears the original paint, has no rust and has never been hit. The go on to say it has no electrical gremlins. However, they do say the Synchro indicator light is not working, so they do not know if the all-wheel drive is actually functioning or just the light is out. To be honest, it's a bit of a bummer to buy an AWD car and not have the AWD work, it's an essential function and asset of the vehicle. I would definitely investigate that and try to definitively prove if it's working. If it's not working, slash whatever the buyer wanted by a third to half. You're just left with a pleasant but unremarkable wagon without the Synchro.

This is a car that makes most sense to use as a practical daily driver, so everything should work to avoid headaches and annoyances.

The seller also states the climate control is only blowing hot.

Find it here on ebay for sale in Portland, OR.

Collector or Driver: 1992 Acura Integra GS-R

This is one of the most honest car ads I've seen in a while.

The seller explains he was so close to a sale last time around that a potential buyer flew out to the car with $6,000 in hand.

Then the seller says the buyer inspected the vehicle from the underside and did discover a few things that would put him over his budget. That, and what sounds like a combination of cold feet and ill-preparedness ended in no sale.

So what was all the fuss about?

This is a 1992 second generation Acura Integra GS-R. The 2nd gen Integra could be considered the rarest Integra that Honda/Acura ever built. Production only lasted a mere 3 years: from '90 to '93, before it was replaced by a whole new body in '94. The 2nd gen Integra is classic late '80s/early '90s Japanese design: simple, conservative, direct, no-frills. People loved it them and still love it today, especially given how far design has strayed since then. These are the "New Classics".

On top of that this is the GS-R model, which had different exterior trim, wheels, and a 1.7-litre V-TEC engine that produced 170 horsepower. That's a good amount for a small, relatively lightweight vehicle, elevating this into pocked-rocket category.

I can't find much into on 2nd gen Integra GS-R cars, but there were doubtless not many sold, are not many left, and those that are left are probably not stock and in good shape as this one appears to be, even with 119,467 on the clock.

So that's why this can make pulses quicken.

But why did the buyer back out?

The seller says they found the car needs new front axles, gaskets, ac compressor, light bulbs and rear brake pads. That's quite a laundry list. Fortunately, you'll be the one who benefits from the previous potential buyer's pricey plane ticket out to discover all these needs.

To account for that, the seller says they have adjusted the price and will let it go for less. But, they warn for buyers to know their budget before bidding, good advice in any scenario.

The Hemming CPI Value Guide places an good condition '92 GS-R at $1,950. Good condition is only $3,775. So this should be a cheap acquisition. The car has lots of needs, and is only front-engine, front-wheel drive after all. Nothing too sophisticated. But, maybe that's part of the charm. That and the super-'90s "Aztec Green" color it comes in.

Find it here on ebay in Allen Park, Michigan, with 4 days left, 4 bids, and no reserve.

Neutral But Still Mean: 1975 Pinzgauer Swiss Army Truck

You can take a Pinzgauer out of Switzerland, but you can't take the Switzerland out of a Pinzgauer.

They were developed around 1969 in Austria by European manufacturing conglomerate Steyr-Daimler-Puch, who existed from the late 1880s until they were dissolved in 2001. The Pinzgauer was available in 4x4 or 6x6 configurations.

The seller says this one has been fully restored from the ground up, and it shows. The vehicle looks stunning in glossy black over grey interior. Most of the ones you will see are worn camo-colored vehicles with canvas tops. This one has a full solid roof.

The aftermarket tires and Land Rover alloy wheels are pitch-perfect, but the seller says the original tires and wheels are available too.

The seller says the restoration even included a reconditioned drive-train that was sandblasted and painted black in and out. They say insulation and upholstery was added to the interior. In short, they tastefully refined but didn't tame this beast.

The inline 4-cylinder gas engine is smaller than I thought, but you don't drive these for insane performance the way you would a Lamborghini LM002.

The seller says it has a new engine with only 4,000 miles on it, and the odometer reads 40,000 kilometers which is only about 25,000 miles.

This thing seems like it was adored by the previous owner and is ready to go to a new home.

Find it here ebay.

Lost Pocket Rocket II: 1987 Toyota Corolla FX16 GT-S

I think this beats the '88 Chevrolet Sprint I posted earlier this month here.

It's a 1987 Toyota Corolla FX16 GT-S. That's a mouthful huh?

No sweat. Apparently it matched the hype.

This is based on the E80 Corolla body made from 1983-1987. From what I can tell, it's a front-wheel drive platform, among the first Corollas switched over from the beloved rear-wheel drive models.

This is a 3-door hatchback AE82 with a 4A-GE 1.6-litre inline 4-cylinder 16-valve DOHC engine that produced 112 horsepower. I can't quite figure out what distinguishes a GT-S from a non-GT-S other than cosmetic details. But either way, with that small a body and light a weight, this thing was supposedly a fun little rocket from the glory days of Toyota when they made fun cars for very competitive prices (file their cool MR2 under that category too).

This survivor looks great in silver. The seller states it was professionally re-painted and that was a wise choice. The paint on these almost always faded, so a fresh coat saves you the time, money and hassle. The original GT-S skirts and trim are intact and still fresh.

The seller says it's clean in and out and runs like a champ. They say there is some rust in the inner door jam, which is problematic but could be solved. They say the a/c is not installed but a compressor is included in the sale, which is good. They go on to say it has a bunch of new parts as well.

The steering wheel looks worn and could possible benefit from either a tasteful new wheel or a leather wheel cover.

The seller says the only extras are MR2 alloys, and they work perfectly with the car. 

It has 219,700 on the clock, which is a lot for any car but is probably good for many miles more of enjoyment. You don't see these often, and this one seems to be have been cared for pretty well.

Find it here on ebay in Leesburg, VA, with 1 bid at $500.00, a reserve, 6 days left and a very reasonable buy it now of $2,850.

Euro Pair: 1981 Mercedes-Benz 230E and 1984 200E

These old Mercedes W123 chassis cars are both up for sale by the same dealer in New Hampshire.

They're also both European-specification, meaning they were probably specially imported during the grey market heyday of the '80s.

If you're going to get a W123, these are the ones you want.

Read here to see why the Euro-spec cars, especially Mercedes from the '70s and '80s, are superior to the official versions we got.

With the square single-unit headlights and small chrome bumpers, the W123 cars are transformed into very handsome, still-fresh sedans, and the genealogy between them and their successor, the W124, is much more clear.

The beige car is a 1981 230E with an automatic transmission. It had a 2.3-litre 6-cylinder engine that produced 134 horsepower and was only offered here from '77-'78. In Europe, it was offered until '85, so this must be an actual grey market car.

The listing says the mileage is 193,305. That's high but completely normal for a '81 Benz. This was from the over-engineered era, when the cars were built with an emphasis on ingenious but practical mechanics over electronics. They were workhorses, and this one is probably good for another 100k. The interior looks incredibly good given the age and mileage and also has a rich two-tone color scheme I've never seen before.

The red car is an '84 200E with a 5-speed manual transmission. Again, the 200 was never offered here, but was available in Europe at the time and features a 2.0-litre inline 4-cylinder engine that produced between 93 and 108 horsepower. This one only has 77,339 miles. The aftermarket iceberg turn signals work surprisingly well and along with the metal grill badges give it a cold northern-Europe feel. The wheels are later W124 alloys that also work and make the car seem fresh and timeless. I also like it in red a lot.

The seller is asking the same price for both cars: $3,995 and is open to trades. The better car for the money is obviously the red one, with only 77k miles and a stick shift. But maybe both could be had for a special deal. These are good looking, likable cars that can give a new owner affordable, reliable and unique transportation pleasure for years to come.

Find the craigslist ads here and here and the dealer site listings here and here.