Award-winning 1965 Chevrolet Corvair Hardtop Sedan

The Corvair is one of the greatest American cars ever made. Historically, Europe has always led the way in auto innovation and especially aesthetics. Volkswagen burst onto the post-war scene with their iconic lineup of air-cooled rear-engine cars. Sensing the inevitability of that engine layout, General Motors conceived of the Corvair to stave off competition. What it lacked in mechanical originality it made up in bounds with styling and performance.

The Corvairs are divided between two generations. The first one was brilliant. The bathtub styling was so well done it finally influenced European designers for a change - famously inspiring Claus Luthe and his NSU Prinz 4. This is a second generation up for sale. The second generation was arguably even better looking. I prefer it over its predecessor. It's slightly more modern, but still retains cues from the first generation. It was one of the best looking cars of its time and still looks terrific today.

A range of body styles were offered, but most sold were the two door hardtops and convertibles. This is the lesser seen hardtop sedan however, which was dropped from the lineup in 1967, making it available for just two years in the second generation body style and therefore rather rare. The pillar-less body is elegant, liberating and beautiful. This one looks particularly good in dark blue over tan. The rear luggage rack seems a period option and works perfectly with the people-carrying setup.

Underneath the rear (how nice it is to say that for a change) is a flat-6-cylinder engine. GM mercifully understood the cars would have been grossly underpowered with just 4-cylinders. Even with 6 they weren't lighting the street on fire, but this one is fortunately a 110-horsepower optioned car, not shabby for the time and just adequate for modern traffic.

The seller says it runs and drives excellent, is original, has no rot and has accrued just 40k miles over its lifetime. It certainly looks terrific in the photos. They also say it was won awards presumably for its good condition.

This seems like an honest, proud and well-kept example of a car from an all-too brief high point in American auto history.

Available here on craigslist for $9,500.

1964 & '65 Isuzu Bellel Diesels

These two rare Isuzu are being offered for sale together. One is a complete running car and the other is more for parts but is also running.

The Bellel was Isuzu's first independent design and was produced from 1961-1966. Only 37,206 examples were made, and doubtless just a fraction have survived to today.

Styling is neat and compact, and it's especially great to see the pre-facelift '64 model with the quirky triangular taillights that were later erased. Even better is that it's the running one.

Isuzu offered the Bellel with either gasoline or diesel engines. Interestingly, these are both the diesel variants. While known for being unrefined, it makes them even more charming and purposeful, and not surprisingly they were popular as taxicabs.

The diesel engine was a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder. All engines were mated to 4-speed manual transmissions with the shifter mounted on the steering column. The engine powered the rear two wheels.

Given how rare these are in the U.S., especially left-hand drive versions, we say restore both.

Available here on ebay in Oracle, Arizona with bidding at $1,125 and reserve not met.

COTC Spotted: 1965 Mercedes-Benz 220S Fintail

Spotted in Providence, RI. Photos taken with my iPhone. Many thanks to the dapper owner for taking a moment to tell me about this beautiful flat grey over red W111 in original condition. When another onlooker asked if it was for sale, the owner gently removed the pipe from his mouth and said, "Anything's for sale at the right price." Well done. Thanks again.

Still 5 Lug: 1965 Volkswagen Type 3 1500S Notchback

This VW is in need of some serious love.

The Type 3 was a rear-engine, rear-wheel drive compact vehicle produced by Volkswagen from 1961-1973, resulting in over 2 million built. That's a ton of cars but I wonder where they are all hiding, as I'm not sure I've ever seen one.

Oh, to live in a time when automobile manufacturers gave consumers a real choice of vehicles. Wanted the superior handling and driving dynamics of rear-engine setup? No problem, Volkswagen offered you practical, affordable and reliable cars. Ask the same thing today and the least expensive rear-engine car is a Porsche 911 at $70k or whatever they start at. And Volkswagen has completely abandoned the engineering principles they held for most of the 20th century.

The condition on this one is clearly rough. Paint is poor and the seller states there is rust. The interior has no seats. The seller makes no mention of the engine and transmission, but say it is very complete, and still wears the 5-lug wheels. They also mention they have a donor '66 floorpan to use on this and a bunch of extra parts.

The seller says they have paperwork for the vehicle as well.

This thing needs a lot of work, but it's a classic vehicle with the unique rear-engine setup that has a devoted following around the world.

Find it here on craigslist in Fall River, Massachusetts for $1,700.