1975 BMW 2002 Automatic

This is just about the worst version of the 2002 you can buy. It's a base model, base engine US-spec with the huge bumpers and automatic transmission to sap the already small engine.

That said, it could also make for a great jumping point into a nice 2002 build. I'm usually all for originality, but when originality means US DOT mandated bumpers, needless side markers and engine-strangling emissions equipment, modifying is a very attractive alternative.

The thing about the 2002 is that you know it can do so much better. Introduced in 1968 as part of the Neu Klasse cars that revolutionized the company and brought it widespread acclaim from the press and sales from consumers. Intended as a smaller, less expensive alternative to the sedans, the 2002 made good impressions with its relatively light weight, good handling and affordable price. In 1973 a Turbo version was launched, the first production turbocharged car in Europe.

It helped the styling was so good that it is now a certifiable classic. It wears the high-wasited bathtub shape that was popular on cars in the 50s, 60s and 70s after designers saw the first generation Corvair. and later NSU 110. The Europeans further tweaked and refined this charming, unpretentious shape.

The interior is also classic early BMW, with an all-black dash, clear, simple gauges and an oversized steering wheel. The seller says the interior is good and it looks mostly disaster free in the photos.

Underneath the hood is a small inline 4-cylinder that makes around 85 horsepower. The seller says its "great running". This can easily be given more life with some simple, common sense upgrades. A manual transmission swap is a must, and the seller even says the sale of this car comes with a spare parts donor car.

The exterior color and interior are fine for the meantime on this, but it's begging for a stick shift, weber carbs and euro bumpers.

Available here on craigslist for $5,800.

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

1975 Porsche 914 1.7L

The Porsche 914 is a such a funny little car. It was intended to be a Volkswagen. But so close were Porsche-VW ties in those days, it ended up with with the more prestigious of the two's badge. And values have increased in an absurd and irritating Porsche-like way, too.

The one thing going for the 914 is a sense of low-key fun that the hot-tempered, snooty 911 doesn't have. The 914 came with mid-placed 4-cylinder engines (although a 6-cyl was briefly offered). These aren't fast cars. But they handled well, were relatively easy to maintain, and looked cool at the beach or drive in movies.

The styling is strangely appealing too. You want to be repulsed at first, then you just "get it". Aaahh, 70s German car. Pop art. Rampant crime in NYC. Milk is $1.40 and gas is only .57 cents a gallon.

Early models had smaller chrome bumpers, but this one is cursed with the larger black rubber pieces. Thank American lawyers and bureacracy.

One big thing about old Porsches is the degree of originality. Fortunately, this one has just a light re-spray, but everything else seems original, including the nice wheels. Although the interior looks too good.

The seller is a dealer and says it has just 60k miles and $10k in maintenance receipts. Obviously, this is one of the better kept 914.

Unfortunately, for the price they want, you could easily find a decent 1997 Boxtser, which was essentially the same idea but looked way better and was way faster. Also, you will never get your money back. The 911 is a whole different league and will always be worth more.

Available here on craigslist for $14,500.

COTC Spotted: 1975 Mercedes-Benz 220D

Spotted in Providence, RI. Photos taken using my iPhone.

Beautiful Berlinette: 32k-Mile 1975 Renault Alpine

This is one of the cleanest examples of an Alpine A110 seen around, and it's also conveniently located in the United States, as opposed to several that have been found in Mexico lately (as there used to be a factory there).

The A110 was produced from 1961-1977. These featured rear-mounted engines that powered the rear wheels. The engine makers varied but they were all four-cylinders.

The lovely fiberglass body was styled by Giovanni Michellotti, who also penned the BMW 2002.

Renault eventually took complete control over Alpine, but it didn't hurt the cars. Engine displacement increased among various other modifications. These cars have extensive rally history that deepens their historical significance, winning the 1971 Monte Carlo Rally and becoming the first World Rally Champion in 1973, to name a few.

This late build example looks terrific in refrigerator white, showing off the excellent proportions and classic shape. The seller says the body is mostly original with no cracks, and that the interior has the original seats and floor mats. They state the mileage as being around 53,000 kilometers, which is about 32k miles.

They also say it has the Gordini engine, but give no indication as to whether it is running or not.

It's hard to find an Alpine in good shape, let alone one in the U.S. This could be a great opportunity for someone looking for one that doesn't require a major restoration.

Find it here on ebay in Staten Island, New York.

Yes, They Did: 1975 Jaguar XJ6 Coupe

If you ever wondered why Jaguar never made a coupe version of their smashing XJ sedan...it's because you didn't know that they actually did. You're be in good company.

At first I thought it was a photoshop job or even dare I say a custom shortened chassis or something. But no. Between 1975-1978, Jaguar pumped out over 10,000 of these, small figures but enough so that a few have survived today.

The idea is really attractive. Their XJ sedan was already legendary. The ancient, gothic styling. 6-cylinder powerplant. Royal credentials. Any anglophile automatically loves Jaguar. So why not a coupe?

Fortunately, the XJ body translates really well into a 2-door coupe. It looks long, low and sleek. Suddenly, you can visualize yourself taking day trips from London to the English countryside and back.

That's about where the advantages end, though. To make the doors longer, Jaguar just welded extensions on to the standard XJ sedan door. The seams are often visible on the other side. Since there are no b-pillars, the roof flexed, causing paint to crack and chip away. Jaguar covered the roof with vinyl, but not only does it look in poor taste but was also a rust trap.

The seller of this example states it was restored in 2003. Their pictures are from 2011. They say it has a new biscuit interior, which does indeed look good. They say the car is otherwise original down to the chrome hubcaps.

I would try to swap the clunky 5 mph bumpers for slim Euro pieces, and maybe take the vinyl off and take the roof down to the bare metal then repaint it matching the bright red body color. Other than that, it's fine cosmetically.

The seller makes no mention of the mechanicals, however.

Find it here on craigslist in Minnesota for $10,500.

First Generation: 1975 Audi 100 LS Manual

Here's an Audi you never see on the roads anymore.

It's a first generation "C1". The 100 nameplate would last for another three generations until 1994.

These were important cars for Audi. Over 800,000 were sold and they helped established the brand since it had been revived by Volkswagen in 1965.

Still, these were simple cars. They had front-wheel drive and four cylinder engines. This one is mated to a manual transmission.

Styling is classic '70s European sedan: simple, large flat planes, round headlights, big trunk, small taillights. Other than the trademark four-ring Audi logo, they have no innate connection to the flashy, hi-tech Audi cars of today, as these are stark, bare-bones two-wheel drive cars.

Although these sold in large numbers, not many must have made it to North America.

The seller states this survivor runs and drives, but the vacuum lines are rotted and will need to be replaced. Cosmetically, they say the vehicle may have had a repaint but they can't be sure. They do say there is rust on the rear wheel arches, strut tower in the trunk, floorboards, and radiator support. That would make this car good for just continued daily driving or a possible total restoration, although such an expenditure may never be justified.

But this definitely has some charm.

Find it here on ebay in Mount Vernon, Ohio with 5 bids at $305 and reserve not met.

Gullwing Glory: 28k-mile 1975 Bricklin SV-1

The seller says this vehicle is up for sale just in time for the Bricklin Nationals in Michigan July 18-22.

The SV-1 was the vision of auto entreprenuer Malcolm Bricklin, who had previously founded Subaru of America. SV stood for Safety Vehicle and was his idea of a fast, safe and efficient sports car. They had rear-wheel drive, reinforced fiberglass bodies, bright acrylic "safety" colors (should you get lost in the mountains or buried in snow), no cigarette lighters or ashtrays, power gullwing doors (an industry first) and intentional 5 mph government mandated bumpers built into the design.

Unfortunately the SV-1 wasn't very fast or economical, although it could be seen as safe by 1970s standards I suppose. While powered with V8 engines, they were still heavy and their small radiators were prone to overheating. Customers were offered a choice of colors and transmission in 1974, in 1975 the only options were colors as the only transmission available was an automatic, hurting any chances of being taken seriously by enthusiasts.

The styling isn't half bad. It's a prototypical '70s wedge shape (who started that anyways? Gandini's Countach in 1971?). Tapered nose with hidden headlights that widens to a steeply raked windshield, then gently sloping c pillar that drops to an angular rear. Fortunately the Bricklin pulls it off quite well. It's a little cartoonish, almost like an imaginary Hot Wheels toy, especially in neon green, but it's still eye-catching and really cool looking. The black lower panels help give it a low, long appearance.

The Bricklin story ended sourly, actually lot like the Delorean only a couple of years later. Bricklin secured funds from a local government in New Brunswick, Canada for factories to build the Bricklin, but the money was wasted and the factory eventually shut down, millions in debt. Only 2,854 cars were made from 1974-1975. Shame on both parties for getting involved in a deal that shouldn't have been made. All that resulted was a couple thousand cult cars.

The seller mentions this survivor is all-original and still wears its rare acrylic Safety Green paint. They also say this car has the presumably more desirable 351 cubic inch Ford V8 engine, and that it has under 28,000 original miles on the odometer. They say the car runs fine and they are selling only because they don't use it enough.

These are certainly rare and kitschy cars. You'll never see one on Bring a Trailer. But I like them for the design, and as a cautionary tale on private-public partnerships gone awry, something we still see today, over and over again (Solyndra, 38 Studios).

Hemmings values a '74-'75 Bricklin in fair condition at $4,200, good $7,500 and excellent $15,750.

Find it here on ebay in Springfield, Illinois with bidding at $12,445 and a buy-it-now of $18,999.

Club Racer: 1975 Ferrari 308 GT4 Custom Outlaw

This rare Ferrari 308 GT4 has been made even more unique with an appealing custom widebody kit, 16" HRE wheels and Recaro seats.

The 308 GT4 was the first production Ferrari to feature a mid-mounted 8-cylinder engine, setting the template for many future models from the company. Production lasted from 1973 to 1980, resulting in a scarce 2,826 vehicles made. It was also the first Ferrari not to be styled by famed design house Pininfarina. Body work was instead penned by Bertone. All subsequent Ferrari designs would return to Pininfarina.

Not that there's anything wrong with the GT4. In fact, it fits right in with the Ferrari line and had I not discovered otherwise, would have just assumed it a Pininfarina body. The shape is pretty cool, the front end just like every other '70s supercar wedge, hidden headlights, slim black mandated bumper jutting out, very Lotus Esprit-esque. It widens to a boxy rear with trademark Ferarri round taillights housed in a rectangle. The most striking aspect is the rear air intake cut on the c-pillar that mimics the quarter window angle. The seller states the vehicle was widened by 6" in the rear. For a custom body, it looks terrific, right down to the lower triangular air intakes seen on later factory Ferrari cars. Coupled with the deep set chrome star wheels, it gives the car new aggressive stance for the 21st century.

Mechanically, the seller says the vehicle retains its Ferrari engine but the size has been increased to 3.3-litres and electronic ignition was added. They say it was rebuilt in 1999 and only has 3,500 miles on it.

The seller mentions some flaws as being the speedometer not working, a/c compressor removed, power windows are slow, and the paint shows some age. None of those are likely major problems.

On the upside, they say it's currently running and comes with a current registration and clear title.

Find it here on craigslist in Westminster, California for $19,500.

Another One: 1975 Steyr-Puch Pinzgauer 710 4X4

This is the second rare but mighty Pinzgauer utility truck I've featured. The first was here.

These things are awesome. Forget about your typical Mercedes Unimog. These things are more obscure but just as tough, if not more so.

The Pinzgauer replaced the Halfinger utility vehicle and was made by extinct European conglomerate Steyr-Daimler-Puch. Production started in 1971 and continues to this day. First generation Pinzgauer 710 and 712 vehicles were sold to both the military and civilians until 1985.

This one looks great in dark green with the chunky Goodyear Wrangler tires. I love the design. The enclosed body and windows makes it seem like an extreme motorhome on steroids or something. Note the large rear mudflaps to protect vehicles traveling behind from particles kicked up by the huge wheels.

The seller states this vehicle has had only 1 owner after use by the Swiss military, and has received some upgrades to make it more usable. Among some of the additions are sound-deadening carpeting, new shocks and a block heater for cold weather starting. The seller also says that windows were created in the rear to give passengers a better view out. It makes a world of difference on the outside and is probably very enjoyable from inside.

The seller says this vehicle has only 50,976 kilometers on the clock, which is only 31,675 miles.

If you are into extreme utility vehicles, this could be a great chance to acquire one. The seller makes no mention of the mechanical condition, but do say test drives are welcome, so it seems ready to go.

If you dare, that is.

 Find it here on ebay in Vallejo, California.

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.

Daimler in Distress: 1975 Mercedes 0309 Diesel Bus

When you think of Mercedes-Benz, chances are you wouldn't think of a vehicle like this one.

A lot of people misunderstand Mercedes-Benz. Correction, a lot of Americans misunderstand Mercedes-Benz.

But that's not all our fault.

When European cars started to gain traction in the American marketplace in the post-war '50s, it was in large part due to the superior products that German auto manufacturers like Mercedes-Benz offered. Perhaps as part of offsetting the cost of exportation and regulation, some of the first products Mercedes offered in the U.S. were also their very best. At the urging of New York Mercedes distributor Max Hoffman, Mercedes made a street-legal version of the legendary 300SL Gullwing with the U.S. market specifically in mind. Of the 1,400 units ever made, 80% were sold in the U.S. to people like movie star Clark Gable.

The Gullwing was a unique and special car. Mercedes would then go on to offer a remarkable series of much more practical, everyday automobiles for the next 50 years that permanently cemented their reputation as masters of craftsmanship and build quality. As their advertisements proudly boasted in the 1980s, Mercedes were "engineered like no other car in the world". For Americans, whose domestic cars were considerably less sophisticated, Mercedes truly were like nothing else.

But the reputation also had a downside. Since their cars were marked up in price, there came the stigma of snobbery and elitism. Mercedes eventually became more synonymous with "luxury" and "status" than "quality" and "durability", though even the very quality and durability that made wealthy people like Mercedes in the first place would eventually slip at the beginning of the 21st century.

But what did Mercedes mean to its home country of Deutschland? For Germans, Mercedes was no doubt a source of patriotic pride in the same way that Fords are to Americans. And since it was a domestic car for Germans, the role of Mercedes-Benz in Germany is much more populist and utilitarian.

Therefore, to Germans, Mercedes had nothing to do with personal wealth, power, and status and more about their country's wealth, power and status. And what a success story it is. Germans rose from the ashes of WWII to become a peaceful nation engaged in commercial trade. To the German individual, a Mercedes was just a supremely solid and well-made product made.

Which brings me to this glorious '75 Benz Bus.

Given the upper-crust reputation of Mercedes in America, it might come as a surprise in 2012 to find this large, dusty, dinged up Mercedes diesel bus in two-tone medical green and white, about the size of a Boston T. But here it is, solid proof of the company's track record in the late 20th century of making not just great cars but also vans and buses.

This is a 1975 309D. The owner states they are selling to because they have too many other projects. The owner says it was sold in the Unites States for a limited time in the '70s. They also say not many are left, which is probably also true. If you saw this in a junkyard, beyond the large three-pointed star on the front, you wouldn't think twice about it.

But that's the thing. A lot of mid-size to large vans and buses actually are junk. But since this is a Mercedes from the 1970s, you know the build quality is excellent, construction solid, design practical and easy to use, and the diesel engine bulletproof for many, many miles. The engine is a OM616 4-cylinder 3.8L motor. The odometer shows 267,309 miles.

What isn't clear is what this bus was originally used for. If it wasn't a grey market car and was intentionally imported by the manufacturer, perhaps they envisioned it as part of a fleet of buses for a taxi company or hotel?

I would characterize the condition as rough. Cosmetically, it will need a lot of work. The paint looks faded. The interior is a mess. Dirt and grime are just the beginning. The driver's seat is torn, and it seems that all the passenger seats have been removed. Wires look exposed and pieces missing.

The seller makes no mention of rust, but that would be another thing to look out for.

Mechanically, the seller states it was last on the streets in 2006, but has been started periodically since then. Their grammar is poor, but they seem to say it only needs the batteries charged and tires inflated to go. They also seem to say it may have a brake leak in the rear.

Although this 309D is a rare and interesting vehicle, it's admittedly harder to justify as a personal acquisition. If you intend to use it and enjoy it at all, it would need a lot of attention. This bus would make most sense for a small business that wanted a unique vehicle to shuttle passengers and could give this a modern freshening, or for a total restoration to original specs by a museum.

I have no idea what it would cost to fully restore it. It would certainly be less than a Porsche, but still requiring uncommon foreign parts. Finding the right-looking seats doesn't mean they have to be OEM, however, which could cut costs.

Find it here on ebay with a buy-it-now price of $4,500 and bidding still under the reserve. At the bottom of the page it looks like the previous owner who sold the vehicle in 1997 contacted the current seller to see if it was the same vehicle. The seller seemed to think it was. Both seemed to have fond memories of the vehicle.