Blue Plate 45k-Mile 1986 Nissan 720 Pickup

Pickups are weird. They have this kind of raw, pure feel similar to British convertibles. Especially early Japanese pickups like this amazing Nissan survivor. In today's market the compact pickup is dead, replaced by Ford, Chevrolet and Toyota behemoths. Even Ford canceled their much-loved mid-sized Ranger. But back in the 80s, the Japanese broke into US with smaller, more practicable offerings.

Nissan's pickup actually had roots that went a ways back. Their first offering was in 1950s Japan. The model grew and was replaced by subsequent generations until 1980, when the 720 debuted. It was available in either 2- or 4wd and only with a 4-cylinder engine. It lasted until 1986, when a larger body was introduced.

This remarkable example still retains its California blue plates and has accrued just 45,308 miles during its life so far, extremely unusual for an old pickup truck in a bustling region of the country.

It looks absolutely terrific in glossy black paint over tan interior. We especially like the thin stripe white wall tires over aluminum wheels and white "Nissan" text on the tailgate. The slightly tinted rear window is actually a nice feature if you live in a hot sunny climate. The only thing cosmetically needed is a rear chrome bumper to match the front.

Although it's an automatic, it's just the 2wd version, so this puppy is ideal for cruising miles of warm, dry highway and hauling lite loads.

I think it's absolutely beautiful and hope the owner keeps her as is.

Available here on ebay.

Imitation Is Flattery: Ferrari 512BB Replica

Quick! Do you want drive something flashy without having to fork over the dough normally associated with doing so? Answer: a replica Ferrari.

These cars are looked down upon by 99% of automotive enthusiasts out there. I could care less. I love replicas! When I was younger I used to build LEGOs all the time. On a couple occasions I made a few model cars. Building a LEGO car is like building a replica car: it ain't gonna come out exact, but the harder you try the closer you get, until you realize the effort was the fun part, and the end result is something greater than the actual thing because it's unique and your experience was involved in it.

We've all heard of the Ferrari Daytona replicas and then of course there was the Pontiac Mera, which imitated the Ferrari 308. But you don't see Ferrari 512BB replicas often. Part of it is personal preference. A replica 512BB sure as hell doesn't have a 12-cylinder engine in the back the way the actual car did. So the body styling must have appealed to somebody along the way enough to make a replica.

This one is okay looking. There are for worse replicas. The seller doesn't specify what the mechanical underpinnings are, but it looks to be a Pontiac Fiero, based on the proportions and interior. The seller does say it was built by Corson in Phoenix in 1989. A little internet sleuthing revealed there was indeed such a company, the cars were in fact based on a Fiero chassis and some apparently had V8 engines. Impresssive. I also found this neat vintage ad:

Unfortunately seller doesn't specify what engine is in this example, so it's anybody's guess - four, six or eight cylinders. They do however say it's not bad on gas, so it probably isn't an eight cylinder.

Mechanically the say it has only 45k miles, a warranty on the engine, and updated a/c. Cosmetically it looks pretty flawless, but you want to check the (presumably) fiberglass body for cracks or accident repair.

If you don't live near a bunch of car snobs, this is a fun ride that provides all the classic style of European cars without the headaches and expenses. Sounds like a good idea to me.

Available here on craigslist for $10,000.

JDM in the US: 1991 Nissan Figaro

This may look like a car from the 60s, but you read the year right: it's a 1991.

Nissan only made about 20,000 of them in the early 90s for the Japanese market only. They were so popular that owners were chosen by lottery.

The styling is one of the earliest examples of retro designs like the New Beetle, 2002 Ford Thunderbird and Mini Cooper. It works well, especially with the flat periwinkle paint, white top and white wheels (inside very small tires). "Cute" would be a word the casual observer might use.

Inside is a right-hand drive non-airbag steering wheel, nice leather seats with piped trim and classy white face gauges.

The actual mechanicals are just as low key and simplistic, with front wheel drive and a four cylinder engine under the hood. Thankfully, the engine was turbocharged to provide a little extra boost.

The actual mechanicals are just as low key and simplistic, with front wheel drive and a four cylinder engine under the hood. Thankfully, the engine was turbocharged to provide a little extra boost, while also being really good on gas: the seller claims it gets 57 mpg.

The seller says it was titled in Florida and Texas before making its way to California where it is now. They say it has about 75,000 km which is about 46k miles on the odometer. The only flaws they point out are cosmetic: cracked seats and dash. Fortunately, they say everything mechanical works and is ready to go.

The also say it's just one of three in the US at the moment. This one isn't practical. It's all about what your heart says.

Available here on ebay with 1 bid at $10k and reserve not met.

1999 Isuzu Vehicross

I looooove these things! They're on my list to own someday. I'm one of the people that cringes at most sport utility vehicles. Let's face it: despite their girth, most are pretty un-manly and get used to haul groceries and soccer equipment. On top of that, they consume heinous amounts of fuel per gallon. And they look ugly.

The Vehicross gets my vote for Coolest SUV however. In fact, it's probably the only cool SUV, except perhaps for stuff like the Mercedes Galendenwagen or Land Rover Defender 90, but those are ridiculously expensive to acquire and maintain.

I'll be the first to admit part of the charm is the otherworldly styling, looking like it was something designed for a cross between Blade Runner and Baywatch. But I like Blade Runner and I like some of Baywatch. I mean, the year was 1997, if you're gonna make a two-door SUV, it's got to stand out and Isuzu did an excellent job because not only did it stand out, it remarkably still looks good today.

Underneath the spacey metal is equally impressive technology. While Japan was privy to either a 2WD or 4WD version, Americans were thankfully just given the amazing 4WD version. The unique Torque-On-Demand (TOD) system had 12 different sensors detecting which wheel was experiencing the most amount of spin and redirected power to the wheel with the least. This made handling and control over even the most wet and icy of roads manageable.

The engine was a 3.5-liter V6 good for about 215 horsepower. It got the job done. I've heard people say it's even sporty feeling.

Inside, the interior was the only week spot, with a dashboard recycled from the Isuzu Trooper or something. But they spiced it up with cool two-town seating and doors, this one in red.

Sadly, only around 5,000 were produced between 1997 and 2001. These are hard to find now and command a premium when they do hit the market because the loving owners almost always know how rare they are. Fortunately, the price is usually worth it. These were solid, reliable cars with no glaring issues over time. They can go for 100k-200k+ miles before major repairs. Isuzu was a good brand. There is nothing quite like the Vehicross anymore.

Available here on ebay with bidding starting at $10k.

1984 Mercedes 230CE Euro

Oh Mercedes-Benz. How far you've come. I'm slightly worried about you despite your incredible fame and fortune, however. Sure, you're one of the oldest and richest car companies in existence and show no signs of slowing down. But you just aren't the same anymore, and I'm not sure that's a good thing.

Mercedes changed once BMW caught up with them in the 80s. They were really never the same from the 90s onward. Instead of careful attention to detail and quality that could last forever, they increasingly focused on flash, bling and the yuppie market instead of long term planning for the future. The designs got sloppy. The cars lost the heavy steering. Electronic gadgets were everywhere. Reliability plummeted.

In the mid-80s however they were still king, and perhaps no other car can exemplify their craftsmanship than this European specification 230CE. The engine was never available in the U.S. and has more power and spunk. The beautiful headlights and small chrome bumpers are Euro-only delights.

The W123 lasted rom 1976-1985 and resulted in 2.7 million units made. It was a commercial and critical success and is to many the definitive Mercedes-Benz, blending their old-world grace with new world durability, practicality and refinement.

The seller says the car was well-kept by the first owner and still wears its original paint. The rare cloth interior looks terrific too. They say the clutch shifts well and the rest of the car has no mechanical issues.

The seller has an auction and a $9,500 buy-it-now, which ain't bad. Considering this is easily one of the greatest cars ever built, you're getting your money's worth. This baby is fine doing weekend errands or making long trips. It's a versatile, strong, sexy automobile. And it has many more miles to go.

Available here on ebay.

22k-Mile 1989 Ford Thunderbird

Thunderbird is one of those priceless, iconic American names that is sadly not being used by Ford at the moment.

Between 1955 and 2005, however, the Thunderbird saw a total of eleven generations, most very different from each other. There was the original classic that gave birth to the concept of a personal luxury coupe, then the equally classic designs of the 60s, then the 70s gave way to big, bloated, very un-sporty designs, until a drastic rebirth in the 80s resulted in a slight reduction in size and great improvement in aerodynamics, aesthetics and efficiency.

This is the 10th generation that debuted in 1988. Ford changed American auto making with their 1986 Taurus, which was sleek and futuristic but practical. The new Thunderbird followed with similar styling cues: large, flat, smooth planes, a nearly grille less front, and a gently sloping rear. It's a big car, but it's styled so well that you don't realize it.

COTC likes these early Thunderbirds for their presence and style, as the later cars got more rounded and jellybean like and thus detracting of the persona going on here. Relive the American Empire days in all their glory.

These were also mercifully rear-wheel drive in a sea of American front-wheel drive cars in the late 80s and 90s. With the subtle styling, rwd and big V8, these could be sleeper drag racers and a nice alternative to the Mustang of the time.

Unfortunately this is just an early V6 version. But what an example it is. The seller claims it has just 22,501 miles and one previous owner. The car's condition is therefore like new. The exterior paint and plastic trim looks like it just rolled out of the factory.

The interior is also looking great. No dash cracks, clean gauges and buttons and immaculate cloth seats.

While not a collector car, it could easily be someone's daily driver or a great first car for a teenager. It's a big, comfortable boulevard and highway cruiser. Sure, the V6 isn't preferable, but it might save you a little bit of gas compared to the V8. This one makes most sense if the price stays under $5k.

Available here on ebay with no reserve.

1991 Toyota MR2 With V6 Swap

I love the MR2. Part of what makes the cut for cars I write about is if there isn't anything quite like it on the market today. This is especially true of the MR2. Toyota had just three generations before they canceled the program. Today's handful of mid engine cars such as the Porsche Boxster start at, what $50k-$70k? But in the glory days of Japanese automating, Toyota delivered a car that looked good, handled great, was good on gas, reliable and affordably priced.

There's a lot of debate as to which generation MR2 is the best. Most agree the third is the least desirable, as it was only available as a convertible and naturally aspirated. That leaves the first two generations, one symbolic of the 80s and the other of the 90s. It all comes down to taste. I tend to prefer the early first generation models for their quirky new wave looks, lower weight and simplicity.

This is a second generation. It's heavier, but in this example the weight is offset by more power. The seller says they have removed the 4-cylinder engine and put in a V6. There are a lot of V6 engines out there, and not all great. My guess is this was a non-turbo car and they owner was a mechanic who felt they could do the job well and had a good enough V6 to put in to make it worthwhile. Performance should be pretty sweet as a result.

The seller says there are about 118k miles on the body and 110k miles on the engine, neither spectacularly low but average for this year. Unfortunately there's a problem that prevents the car from driving. The seller says they don't have the time to fix it.

Fortunately, the say the body has no rust.

If you're a mechanic and you love the MR2, this could be a really cool find and a blast to drive one set up. Black is a good color and the the gold alloys don't even bother me much. I'd want a complete rundown on the history of the engine and the car first though.

Available here on craigslist for $3,500.

1975 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter O 309 Diesel

Although it's hard to believe, spring is coming up and then summer, and you know what that means...road trip time! What better way to canvas miles of American pavement then this sweet vintage Benz bus?

First of all let me say I love Mercedes-Benz. Not the snooty, blingy, gimmicky, over-engineered global car company of today. No, I love the company they used to be when they rose from the ashes of the second world war like a phoenix and remade themselves into a company that built great cars not just for their own people, but for the world. This meant a range of cargo vans, buses and trucks that could go anywhere and do anything. Best of all, they were often equipped with Mercedes-Benz's legendary diesel engines. Back then, the diesels were almost entirely mechanical, meaning they could theoretically operate submerged under water. These engines went on for half a million or more miles. They were specifically designed for the long haul.

So you can imagine a vintage Benz enthusiast pulse quicken when this baby popped up on ebay. Mercedes introduced the O 309 in 1967 and it lasted until 1986. This lovely '75 model year example comes smack in the middle and is equipped with a 4-cylinder diesel engine. The seller says they have added a factory turbocharger. These are far from fast, so the extra boost is welcome.

Inside there are two captains chairs up front and padded bench seats in back. There's also a fold out table, a full size bed, 3 way power, carpeted flooring and LED lighting.

Cosmetically, the seller says it is unrestored and may wear its original paint. They do say there are dings, dents, and some rust and rot but nothing too serious or threatening. Mechanically, the speedometer doesn't work, the engine leaks oil and a sway bar bushing will eventually have to be replaced. Despite all that, they stress it can be driven away and used as-is, which would be the most economically sensible idea.

Fortunately, they say it has had 13 years and over $11,000 worth of maintenance done and the records to back it up.

If you plan on living out of this, I'd put the time and money into perfecting it just how you want. But if you're just gonna embark on that summer road trip, it could be all set to go.

Available here on ebay with an asking price of $11,950

1989 Sterling 827 SLI Hatchback

Sterling is up there with Merkur as one of those failed 80s brands. The thing about both of them is that they actually made perfectly ok cars. The problem was mostly in their marketing boardrooms.

The Sterling was actually just a Rover, a British car company along the lines of Jaguar. But since Americans had come to detest all the Rovers that had been imported thus far, the company felt their latest offering would have a better chance if it was renamed. Rule number one: honesty is always the best policy. A brand that has a comeback car is better than a brand that nobody knows. This, however, was completely lost on Rover.

Sterling's only car was the 825 which debuted in 1987. In 1989 it was renamed 827, for the Honda 2.7-liter V6 engine under the hood. The idea was that Rover's partnership with Honda would bring out the best of each company in the car; the prestige and class of Rover and the reliability and build quality of Honda. Unfortunately the Sterling didn't have enough of either. Early models were plagued with problems. The engines were good, but the interiors are said to be a weak point. Rust was also an issue. By the time improvements came the public lost interest and sales ended in 1991 in the US.

Another issue is purpose. If it had the same underpinnings as the Acura Legend, why not just get an Acura Legend? Some of that was solved with the super rare hatchback version that is for sale here. Honda sure loved hatchbacks, but they never offered a four-door one, and certainly not under the Acura nameplate. Suddenly, the Sterling is making more sense. Four doors, huge trunk space, spunky V6 power, and good looks. It's a cosy, predicable family cruiser.

The seller of this one is a Sterling fanatic and claim they have gone through no less than four donor cars just to keep this one going. It's got a 183.5k miles, impressive for this car. They also have a huge binder of maintenance. While it's sad to see a dedicated owner forced to sell, I have a feeling this will end up in appreciate hands somehow, somewhere.

Available here on ebay for $3,495.

Clean 1991 Audi V8 Quattro

This car has made the blog rounds (deservedly so) and because I love the V8 Quattro (as they were simply called back then) I'm going to do my bit too.

The V8 Quattro debuted in 1988 and lasted until 1993. Audi were having a hard time in the 80s. Their lower range models were suffering from a media-induced hysteria over unintentional acceleration. 60 Minutes even went so far as to fabricate a report! The damage was unbelievable. Sales plummeted and I believe 1990-1991 was their all time low.

Wealthy people were missing out, however. The V8 Quattro had nothing to do with the acceleration debacle and offered one hell of an alternative from Mercedes and BMW. Firstly, it was fresh and new looking. Clean lines, squared off corners, minimal chrome, flared fenders and huge front and rear lights.

Second, it offered a mechanical combination no one else did: V8 power and all-wheel drive. BMW only offered the rather ridiculous V12 750iL and the underpowered 6-cylinder 735i, and Mercedes's biggest and most powerful was the 8-cylinder 560SE/SEL. But they were rear-wheel drive. Audi offered the power of eight cylinders with the traction of all-wheel drive. For people who didn't care about fuel consumption to start with and wanted an even more sure-footed driving experience, the Audi would have been a revelation.

Inside, occupants were treated to exquisitely carved driver-oriened shapes and surfaces with a whole bunch of extra analogue gauges for the geek inside. Seats were huge and comfy. Real wood was swathed everywhere.

Since it was a big expensive car that came out when Audi was unpopular and an economic recession was just setting in, very few V8 Quattro were sold, and even fewer survive today. Resale values plummeted and they were mostly acquired for very cheap in the 90s then abandoned as the price of parts surged. Interestingly, they rarely rusted away as other German cars from the 80s have because Audi brilliantly used galvanized steel on the handsome bodies.

All that makes this puppy a rare find. At 106k miles, it's already broken in, but the mileage and overall condition indicate it must have been pretty well take care of so far. Let's hope the next owner keeps it stock and maintained. It will guzzle premium gas like a truck and be pricey to fix, but it's a sweet vintage ride that won't ever let you get stuck in the snow.

Availble here on ebay for the pretty reasonable asking price of $3,900.

1991 Renault Alpine GTA Turbo

Renault's Alpine followed the spiritual tradition of the rear-engine Alpine of the 60s. In 1978, Renault bought the company. Then, in 1986, Renault debuted their own version. It bore none of the sexy curves of the original Alpine (which resembled a Ferrari Dino), instead featuring hard angles, futuristic greenhouse glass and a grille-less front that looked more demure than a Merkur (sorry I couldn't resist).

Despite the aesthetic rebellion, it still had the rare and intriguing rear engine setup, and this time, it was packed with power. This is the turbocharged V6 version putting out 200 horsepower. Thanks to extensive use of fiberglass body panels, it was lighter and faster than similar Porches of the era.

There are few cars that black-on-black doesn't work and this Alpine is no exception. The seller says the paint is original but has wear. It also mercifully retains its original factory alloys.

Inside, the interior is sparse and all-business. The leather looks comfy but also shows wear.

Mechanically, the seller says the car does run and drive well and recent maintenance includes a new clutch, flywheel resurfacing and engine-out tuneup.

This is a pretty rare specimen in the North America. The seller lists it as in Ontario Canada, and it will need a few more years to be road legal here but could possibly be brought over under the show and display law in the meantime.

'91 was the last year before a mild cosmetic refreshing and some other small changes.

Available here on ebay for $17,900.

Rare in the US: 1998 Mercedes-Benz A160

In the late 90s Mercedes-Benz started moving far away from the angular and no-nonsense look and feel of their cars of the 70s and 80s with some unusual additions to their lineup: the retractable hardtop convertible SLK (1996), the sport utility vehicle M-Class (1997), and the supermini A-Class (1997). Bruno Sacco's touch was no longer on every design. Quality was also starting to be a concern.

The W168 A-Class was unique for Mercedes in a lot of ways. It featured front-wheel drive, shocking for a company whose core tenet was the balance and refinement that rear-wheel drive provides. The compact but versatile body squeezed in four doors and a rear hatchback.

Some aspects of the A-Class were typically Mercedes, however. It featured an innovative "sandwich" system where the engine and transmission slide underneath the pedals instead of into the cockpit in the event of a major front impact.

Styling is credited to a Steve Mattin. While a departure for the brand, it still bears resemblance to other models at the time, with the ribbed taillights and integrated front-grille.

The seller lists the car as being located in Washington state, saying it came from Japan and they can transport it anywhere in the continental US if the buy-it-now is selected. They also say it has an Ohio title, but doesn't meed some federal regulation, so registering this thing in your state and planning on using it as an attention-getting commuter may not work. They also say the miles are low. The exterior and interior seem immaculate and the color combo is perfect.

This type of micro family cars was disappointingly absent from the US market until just a couple years ago when Honda debuted their Fit and cars like that. If the A-class was rear-wheel or even all-wheel drive or diesel powered it would still be unique, but it's not anymore, besides being an economical Mercedes-Benz, and for being rare. But rare doesn't cut it, at least not to the average car buyer.

Available here on ebay for $8,500.

73K-Mile 1994 Mazda RX-7

Mazda's RX-7 made quite an impression when the charming first generation debuted in 1978. By then, the Germans had long abandoned any notions of mainstream, mass-produced rotary engines. But Japan hadn't given up on the quirky engine setup, which was noted for its smoothness and high output, although not necessarily reliability and efficiency.

Successive generations of the RX-7 have come and gone, but the 90s version remains the most enigmatic. Firstly, it's rare. Mazda only offered it here from 1993-1995 and never sold many, hence pulling it off the market so quickly. Second, it was the only rotary engined car available. The rotary engine is a piece of complex machinery, and is not measured by cylinders. This generation RX-7 came with a sequential twin-turbocharger unit that was good for north of 250 horsepower, impressive for the time. But despite being a quality, capable rear-wheel drive sports car, it was often out-shined by stiff competition like the 300ZX, Supra, Corvette and NSX. Lastly, the styling, while admired for its simplicity, is almost a little too soft and anonymous to stand out in a field of alpha-personalities.

Only three models were offered in North America: base, touring and R. This is a 1994 model that is being offered by a private seller. They don't specify what trim it is, but it seems well equipped with a sunroof, leather seating and a rear spoiler, all of which are rather must-haves on this type of car.

They say it has just 73k miles on the clock. It's no garage queen though, and has dings and dents on the body along with a worn driver's seat.

Mechanically, the seller says it runs and drive nice. Reliability will depend on their upkeep, so check for proof. I'd also check for accidents. These were fast cars and inexperienced owners often pushed them to the limits, with repercussions. Scarce parts and service might be expensive, as well.

The seller is asking $12,000, which is a large chunk of change for an old car not in perfect condition. But, the mileage is low enough and the car itself rare that it is still desirable. Knowledge is power and will help in negotiating.

Available here on craigslist.