1972 Volvo 142E

How things have changed! Volvo abandoned their trademark boxy styling with their S60 sedan, but they had long abandoned rear-wheel drive before that. This 142 is from Volvo's late 20th century glory days when their cars were both boxy and RWD.

The 140 series debuted in 1966 and was basically the car that helped put Volvo on the map, and in middle class garages around the Western world. The 140 was available as a 2-door, 4-door sedan or 4-door wagon.

The design is a slice of heaven. The 1970s were a terrible time for auto design in the United States, but it was a great period in Europe, setting the template for the next two decades. The key is functionality. The stylists understood that good design follows function. As such, the Volvo is simple, clean and handsome with a high waistline, huge greenhouse and long front and rear decks for ample engine and storage space.

Power came from a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine. Like a lot of engines from the 1970s, it won't be fast, but should offer decent economy. This one is strangled with an automatic transmission, but a stick shift swap is always a possibility for the talent and time-inclined.

The exterior looks charming in flat green and the interior seems remarkably well-preserved. The seller says it was 121k miles and they drive it regularly so it hasn't sat. I do see some rust near the rear wheel well, so be sure to look into that.

Otherwise, these 2-door versions are sweet deals and great alternative to the pricier BMW 2002, which are a similar idea.

Available here on ebay for $5,999 or the Make Offer option.

76k-Mile 1985 Nissan 200SX Notchback

Remember the notchback? This kitschy American styling cue was briefly borrowed by the Japanese in the 80s on cars like the 200SX.

Outside North America, this was called the Silvia and followed a long line of compact rear-wheel drive coupes from Nissan.

In 1984 the S12 generation debuted, featured an all-new small, tightly styled body...and a notchback, along side a more traditional hatchback.

It's classic Rising Sun 80s, all hard angles, straight lines, off-center front logo, hidden headlights, and huge red plastic taillights. Americans are fond of this design because it was when Japanese cars were making their first impressions on us, and those impressions were mostly good. These cars were decent looking, handled well, sipped gas and were affordable. They were the perfect answer in between American and German cars.

Power could have come from either 4 or 6 cylinders, and this is the 4-cylinder option. Thankfully, it's mated to a 5-speed stick for optimal performance and efficiency.

The interior looks remarkably clean and tidy for the age, and is a yuppie nerd's dream, outfitted with what the seller calls the optional Digital Package Upgrade, a fantastic period accessory that gives the full effect. The odometer reads just 76,039 miles and the seller says it's a one-owner car that runs great, was meticulously owned, garaged, never smoked in, never in an accident and has a title ready.

Finding one in this condition is getting extremely difficult, as most are rusted out, parted out or slammed into ground by now.

These don't get much respect on the fancier corners of the web, but Japanese cars of the 80s and 90s are the hot new classics, and this is a remarkable survivor.

Available here on ebay for $6,300 or the Make Offer option.

1978 Fiat 128 Rally

Fiat have made a big splash returning to the US market with their retro-styled 500. But back in the late Malaise Era they were slogging it out with this econobox.

The 128 was basically their entry-level family car. It debuted in 1969 and revolutionized the small car market with its front-wheel drive layout that contrasted with Volkswagen's aging rear-engine platforms.

To make a front-wheel drive car more affordably and efficiently than previous industry examples such as in the British Mini, Fiat designed the engine and transmission so that they did not have to share lubricating fluid while an electronically controlled fan supplied cooling. To do this, they mounted the engine transversely with the transmission mounted beside the engine driving the front-wheels through an offset final-drive and unequal driveshafts.

It was such a good engineering solution that eventually most entry-level car manufactures would follow suit, including Volkswagen themselves. The 4-cylinder won't light the street on fire but should work well against the car's small proportions and relatively low weight.

The 128 was wrapped in clean, simple, appliance-like sheetmetal evocative of the efficient mechanicals underneath.

Production ended in 1985. This is a US market example that the seller says has been mechanically restored to working order, and the exterior remains rough but original. We say keep 'er as is and get in and go.

Available here on ebay.

1990 Alfa Romeo 33 Imola Edition

Alfa Romeo in the 90s is something the US market never quite got to see. The company ceased exporting cars to North America in 1995. The last new car they sold here was the 164, a large, expensive front-wheel drive sedan that left probably left consumers feeling indifferent more than anything.

But in the European market, Alfa offered a much broader spectrum of cars. Perhaps if they had brought something like the 33 over here, they would have sold a lot more cars.

The 33 debuted in 1983 and was basically Alfa's entry-level family car. It was based on the modified front-wheel drive platform of its predecessor, the Alfasud, and featured a range of 4-cylinder boxer engines.

The styling is classic Eurobox, which, if you love them as I do, you just 'get' it. You can see traces of the Milano/75 and even the 164 blood in it, with the downturned front lights, hard angles and thick, high rear boot.

This example has found its way to the US from Holland and currently resides in Florida. Cosmetically, the seller says it isn't perfect but it is rust-free, otherwise a concern on any Alfa Romeo.

Mechanically, they say the engine runs very well and even boasts a performance chip that boosts the 1.7 4-cylinder boxer engine output to 120 horsepower. That's not a lot, but it's a relatively small car, and like most Alfa Romeo it should complement a tight and balanced chassis for superb handling.

The seller says the odometer reads about 87,000 kilometers which is only about 55k miles, and that is has a clear Florida title, a huge plus that should make it transferrable to any other state, except perhaps California where it would not be exempt from smog.

I've never seen one here before, although with cars of the 80s now easily importable under the 25-year rule we may see more. But given this or a 164, I'd take this. It's also a great alternative to a Volkswagen, Saab or Volvo from the same era.

Available here on ebay for $17,895.

Replica Ferrari Testarossa Spider

You know how I feel about a replica Ferrari. If you don't, here's a brief summary: I love them! Shocking, isn't it? But here's the thing. We live in an era of endless duplication. All new cars look the same. And so a replica of a rare, expensive and fussy old Italian car is actually great idea.

Now, some Testarossa replicas are horrible, like the inane front-engine Corvette ones. This is NOT one of those.

I actually think this is one of the best Testarossa replicas I've ever seen, and definitely the best spider replica. The body is high-quality and the details and overall proportions are excellent. I love the deep-set wheels, which give a nice dose of attitude.

The seller says it's based on a 1986 Fiero. But while some Fiero replicas still have the lackluster Fiero engines in back, this one has a 3.8-liter V8 from a Buick Grand National that pumps out 250 horsepower!

The seller says this car was loved greatly but it doesn't get driven enough. They also say it has high-compression forged pistons, an Alpine audio system and the "stunning, eye-popping, head turning looks of a real Testarossa".

You can say that again. The bidders seem to agree, driving it past $9k at the time of this writing.

Honestly, if I had a big garage and extra time on weekends I would snap one up and drive it proudly. The big engine, beautiful body and rare topless version make this one of the finest replicas I've ever seen.

Hey, when Tarantino starts mining the 80s for material and a character pulls up in one of these (not a real one, mind you), don't say I didn't tell you.

Available here on ebay.

1980 Peugeot 504 Diesel Wagon

Peugeot has a puzzling legacy in the US. Ask anyone old enough to remember and they'll either scorn or swear by them. Not surprisingly, Peugeot stopped selling here a long time ago. But cars like the 504 were part of the reason why the people who liked Peugeot do so with a great admiration.

The 504 was sort of like a Volkswagen beetle for Peugeot, selling more than 3 million units during its very long production run from 1968-1983.

The formula for its success was simple on the surface: quality construction, efficient and robust engines, inoffensive but pleasing design and that legendary French suspension. It would go on to win the European Car of the Year Award for 1969.

Perhaps the epitome of the 504's rugged-but-refined character is this '80 Diesel Wagon. I often find wagon versions of Euro sedans to be the the ultimate in utilitarianism. If you can have more space but essentially the same driving characteristics as the sedan, why not?

The remarkable survivor has a claimed 42,664 miles on the clock. The seller is a dealer and says it even came with the original tires. Wow. It certainly looks unusually clean inside and out. Check out this awesome lined rear trunk.

Underneath the hood is a 4-cylinder diesel engine. It will be slow, perhaps uncomfortably slow, especially with onramps and highway travel. But it will provide reliability and great fuel economy.

This is a great alternative to that other European diesel wagon we got here during same era, the Mercedes W123. Those are commanding steep prices. Some also have the benefit of a turbo, but it's almost impossible to find them in this condition and low miles.

Available here ebay.

1989 Maserati 430

Maserati have always been a source of automotive pride in their home country of Italy, but they had a tough time in the 80s, especially in the US market. Gone was their riveting, exclusive lineup of fast sports cars from the 60s and 70s. Instead, their only cars were the huge Quattroporte sedan and Biturbo coupes and convertibles, the latter of which has a legacy reduced to a punchline on auto blogs.

There was one other alternative however: the 430, which was essentially a Biturbo with a lengthened chassis and 4-doors.

Despite looking exactly like the Biturbo, it only shares a front end, and everything past it is unique. Neither are a bad thing at all. Maserati from the 60s had always pioneered the angular wedge shape of Marcello Gandini and the 430 continues that trend, but with an 80s twist. I think it's aged just fine, and the sedan actually looks better than the Biturbo coupes and convertibles, which look too short. The length and two additional doors help balance and flesh out the shark-like snout. Things get E30 and W201-ish in the back, which again is a good thing.

Given that the Quattroporte was older and larger, the 430 was a great alternative. Inside is a classic Italian interior, with an array of exotic materials and surfaces, like the suede dashboard, wood accents and gold clock. It's gauche compared to German interiors but more modern than British ones.

The real surprise though is underneath the hood, which houses a 2790 cc turbocharged V6 OHC engine good for a whopping 225 horsepower. The only other comparable European sedans at the time would have been the 231-horspower Mercedes W126 500 and the Audi V8.

The seller says $10k has been invested into this example, including an rebuilt engine and turbochargers, which is good news for everyone except the person who spent $10k. The seller says it is nearly complete and has been driven sparingly since.

The Bitrubo cars have poor reputations, but time usually heals all wounds, right? Today, with depreciation fully set in, this thing represents a bargain sleeper. Given the nature of the engine and availability of parts however, I would recommend purchase only to people who fix their own cars or know an specialist in Italian cars.

Available here on craigslist for $4,900.

1978 Porsche 911 SC

Prices of air-cooled Porsche 911 are going through the roof, with old racing and Turbo versions hitting six figures. Eventually all models will follow suit. This means that long time collectors can cash out, and new people wanting to get in can't anymore.

One of the last moderately affordable air-cooled 911 is the SC that was produced from 1978-1983. It served as the base model, but had a 3.0-liter 6-cylinder engine that produced 180 horsepower, Bosch fuel injection and a 5-speed 915 transmission.

This one looks great in silver over black with ATS cookie cutter wheels. The seller says it is a documented one-owner car, with 70% original paint, original interior and 106k miles. They say they have receipts since new, and say it was just serviced and runs good.

I think the Porsche market is ridiculous, but I'm glad I found this base model "bargain" for my readers before it appreciates out of reach for most. Check for rust and accidents, but it otherwise looks like an honest, decent daily driver that can be restored later in life during retirement or something.

Available here on craigslist for $28,500.

12k-Mile 1995 Mazda Miata M Edition

The Miata isn't just a new classic. It was that near-impossible to achieve category in commercial industry: an instant classic.

That said, it became an instant classic by basically borrowing everything from the 1960s Lotus Elan. But the Miata did everything the Elan did better and far more efficiency, while looking damn good, too.

It debuted in 1990 as just in time for Baby Boomer midlife crises. Mazda brilliantly found a gap in the market where the only other remotely similar vehicle was the aging, fussy and pricey Alfa Romeo Spider. The result was a huge success, with over 400,000 selling by 1997.

The formula was simple. A conventional but lightweight body, straight 4-cylinder engine and power directed to the rear-wheels.

The styling was ingenious. Sure, it took a ton of inspiration from older cars. But to pull it off required a subtle eye and a simple touch that today's auto designers seemingly lack.

This was from an era when Japanese cars were hitting their peak, so when they crossed into niche markets, the results were staggering. This intersection is especially apparent in the interior. A uninformed opinion might mistake it for being bland. But the whole point of the classic two-seater convertible was a bare bones interior that didn't distract from the most important view: the horizon outside. As such, the Miata's dash is awash in dark, high quality plastics and simple, easy to read and use gauges and buttons. Note the spherical a/c vents, a cool sporty touch.

Of course there were people who wanted more power. But they could get the more expensive and complex Z3. The straight 4, despite originally having just 115 horsepower, worked great with the balanced chassis and low weight, as well as providing excellent fuel economy. Something new was born: a fun commuter car.

This is the second run of M Edition cars, unique to model year 1995 and featuring Merlot Mica paint and 15-inch BBS wheels. This seller of this one says it has an astounding 12,785 miles. They say their mother bought it, then was transferred to his sister and now him since last year. He's done taken care of some obvious needs for a car that has been sitting so long, and it seems mostly ready to go again.

Available here on ebay.

1988 Ford Thunderbird Turbo Coupe

Ford ended the legendary Thunderbird nameplate a while ago, having come full-circle with a retro version at the start of the new millennium. Every generation had some appeal, and a lot of people were puzzled and saddened to seed it go. It's like if McDonald's got rid of their Big Mac suddenly one day for no good reason.

Speaking of fast-food, this is a fast ruiser that would totally be rad to go to the drive through with. In 1983, Ford launched an all-new, totally redesigned Thunderbird that finally erased any memories of the bloated barges of the Malaise 70s. The new car was handsome, well-proportioned and perhaps most importantly very aerodynamic, with a drag coefficient of just 0.35.

It mercifully shared the rear-wheel drive Fox platform with the Mustang of the era. This meant a balanced chassis, decent handling and a real shot at taking on the European competition.

In 1987, Ford gave the Thunderbird a refresh which ditched the awful sealed-beam headlights in favor of flush units, shrinked the grille and tweaked the taillights. The thing I really like about this generation Thunderbird is that it aesthetically offers something Europe still couldn't replicate, a mix of muscle and modernity.

There were a bunch of engine options, too. You could get a V6, V8, or a special turbocharged 4-cylinder engine like this one.

Of all the engines, I'd want the turbo 4. The V6 wasn't like today's powerful 6-cylinders and had to move a relatively large and heavy car. The V8 made the car too fuel thirsty and irrelevant, as the similar and better appointed Lincoln Mark VII was essentially the same car. But the 4-cylinder turbo offered everything: decent fuel economy and gobs of power. Ford knew they had a hit and gave the engine a air-to-air intercooler from the SVO Mustang that boosted output to an impressive 190 horsepower.

Other features included 4-wheel disc brakes Automatic Ride Control, functional hood scoops for the intercooler and 16-inch "snowflake" alloy wheels.

These are new classic American muscle cars. The 80s were a mixed decade for the US auto industry, as they had to stave off serious competition from Europe and Japan, but cars like this show they still had interesting things to say. '88 was the best year for the Turbo Coupe, and the last year for this entire generation.

The seller says this example has over 120k miles, and although they say it isn't perfect, it looks clean and well kept enough. The seller also says they have a bunch of spare parts.

Available here on craigslist for $3,000.

1962 Auto Union 1000S

The oldest second hand Audi cars you usually see are from the 90s. This one, however, goes way back to the beginning.

Auto Union was formed before WWII. In the 1930s it acquired Audi-Werke AG. In the later post-war years, Auto Union made mainstream cars similar to Volkswagen. They were  ahead of the curve, utilizing the front-engine, front-wheel drive layout that Volkswagen would switch over to in the 70s and is all but ubiquitous today.

It made sense then that Auto Union later merged with NSU, who were also pioneering front-wheel drive, in 1969. Audi was re-launched as a separate brand and the name returned to use.

The compact 1000 debuted in 1958 and was available in either two or four doors, sedan or wagon. The styling is mighty charming, with chrome accents, covered rear wheels and contrasting white roof.

Underneath the hood was a tiny two-stroke three-cylinder engine able to deliver just 50 horsepower. A column-mounted 4-speed manual shifter controlled power.

The seller says they acquired this from someone who acquired it from the original owner in the 90s, and although it was running before it was stored, it does not turn over anymore. They speculate it could have been sitting for as long as 30 years.

They say there is no serious rust besides what is visible on the exterior surface, and the chrome and glass are in generally good shape. I assume the original color was the splendid mustard yellow seen in the interior. While the exterior should absolutely be brought back to condition, it'd be cool to leave as much of the interior alone as possible.

Someone with the right knowledge should try to get it running and minimally restore it cosmetically. I'm sure parts are hard to find, but with a little over 6,000 made and presumably much less still around, let alone even fewer in the US, this one deserves special attention.

Available here on ebay.

1973 Fiat 130 Coupe

The 130 looks like a combination of a Maserati Kyalami, Peugeot 604, Ferrari 400 and Bitter SC but that's a all a compliment. The thing about this design is that it's all good for the customer. You can actually see out of the car, and enjoy the view while driving.

Like a lot of Italian cars, the interior is a nice place to bee, with a black dashboard contesting with a healthy helping of wood and beautiful tan leather seats. I bet it smells damn good too, even if it's 41 years old. Steering wheel is retro-future-cool, too.

Underneath the hood is an OHC V6 good for about 160 horsepower to the rear wheels. This one mercifully also has a stick. Unfortunately, against a 3,400 lb. curb weight, it had a lot of work to do, and won't be terribly fast or remotely fuel efficient. It may make a nice tenor, though.

The seller says the car was imported under the 25-year-and-older rule and so does not have to comply with the DOT. As such, it comes in complete Euro trim, with lovely headlights, small bumpers and unconstrained engine. Mechanically they say it runs and drives well. Cosmetically they say it does have some bubbling but the undercarriage is rust free.

With slightly over 4,000 made, this is a rare car in general and even more obscure in the US. I think it has a lot of appeal though, as either a garage queen, weekender, show car or possibly daily driver, if you've got deep enough pockets, however.

Available here on ebay.

Mike's 1964 Chevrolet Corvair Monza

I spotted this Corvair at the coffee shop on a rainy spring day recently. I was actually having a conversation and stopped mid-sentence when I saw it cruise by, amazed. So my buddy Patrick and I headed to the back parking lot to investigate.

As I approached the owner Mike, he opened the rear and added some oil to the engine, prompting his companion to ask whether everything was fine. "No problems," he said cooly, as if it was ordinary procedure. They had just driven up from New York and the car originally came from California, as the rare black plates suggest.

It's a '64 Monza Coupe, the last year of the beloved first generation. The Corvair remains the only mass-produced rear-engine American car. General Motors created it to stave off the threat of Volkswagen's domination in the entry-level car market.

There are fierce devotees on each side of the two generations, and while I've been digging the second generation lately, seeing a first generation car in person makes me really like it, too. The styling is amazing. The front and rear hoods look long and flat but the overall proportions still remind you it's a small car. It also has that classic high-waisted bathtub shape that influenced dozens of cars in America and Europe, like the NSU 110 and BMW 2002.

The Corvair debuted as a four-door sedan, then a two-door "Monza" was added in 1960. All Corvairs had flat 6-cylinder engines, but the displacement and power varied from around 80 to 180 horsepower in some second generation turbocharged cars.

Mike said he wishes he could tell people he got it from the original owner, but that would be a stretch. He also said it's got parts from a "million other different cars". The wheels are aftermarket and the exterior paint isn't original either, as the red engine bay suggested (which itself might not have been the original color), but it looks good in the current silver. Inside, the dash wears a cover to protect from cracking, and the tan seats are intact.

Originality matters less and functionality more when you're using a classic car like this for daily driver as Mike is. The whole car itself is an original, unique monument to a totally different era. General Motors is a very different company and cars are literally the complete opposite (with the engines in front) today.

Ralph Nader famously called out the Corvair in his book Unsafe at Any Speed, but most of the complaints about it could also have been made about dozens of European cars at the time. However, the damage was done, and sales dropped. GM's commitment to the Corvair eroded and they stopped production in 1969. But it didn't go without making a fond impression on lots of people. Today, as rear-engine Volkswagens and Porsches sell for a lot of money, the Corvair is a great alternative and a bargain, too.

When Mike was done checking up on the engine, he closed the lid, threw the towel and bottle in the back seat and went inside for coffee, just like that. Well done, sir. It was truly great to not only see a Corvair, but see it used as any other car might be.