1972 GAZ 69A Custom Pickup

The GAZ is basically to Russia what the Jeep is the US: the standard-issue two-door off-road utilitarian machine. Gaz produced the 69A from 1954 to 1972. It was popular in the Eastern Bloc, making it a relic from the Cold War, too.

The nice thing about a lot of European cars from the 60s, 70s and 80s is that they are surprisingly compact and make the most of very little sheet metal. This one has a nice look going with aftermarket fog lamps, plain Jane wheels, and a custom pickup confirmation, complete with a soft top roof and side-mounted spare.

The seller says it has a 4-cylinder Volga engine good for 70 horsepower directed to all four wheels and a manual transmission. They say it was imported to the US from the nation of Georgia in 2011, but it currently registered as a Collector Vehicle in Washington State, so that may have restrictions, although it does seem to wear valid tags.

Available here on ebay for $9,500 or the Make Offer option.

1986 Nissan Stanza 4X4 5-Speed

In the 80s, Japanese automakers were devoted to bringing customers the most practical, useful and efficient automobiles possible. One particularly interesting result was the Prairie, otherwise known as the Stanza Wagon in the US.

The Prairie/Stanza debuted in 1982 as a 'tall wagon', a clever body style that merged the body of a compact sedan with the interior headroom, sliding doors and rear hatchback of a full-size van. This was a great idea, and was perfect for someone who wanted the space and versatility of a van but the driving characteristics of a small car.

Nissan certainly doesn't make anything like this anymore, and nobody else really does either. It's a shame, because it's a really great idea, especially for frugal families or transportation companies. Why didn't New York adopt something similar as their cabbie instead of the lumbering and aging Crown Victoria fleet? They're having a crisis now choosing a replacement when an answer was given to them decades ago.

The styling is perhaps the nadir of Rising Sun functionalism. I love it. If you prefer your machines to look like a machine, then you just get this. All hard angles, clean lines and funky details like the 'SPORT' decal stripe on the sides. Beige is a fitting color, too. Clearly they were influenced by Giugiaro's Lancia Megagamma from 1978, itself building on Giugiaro's 1976 Alfa Romeo Brivido taxi concept.

Inside is swathed in plastic and cloth earth tones. A door slides open for extremely easy access into the rear. These were usually used hard, so it's remarkable to see one in this kind of condition. Visibility and ergonomics are superb.

The engines ranged from 1.5 to 2.0-liter 4-cylinders. This is probably the later 1.8. What makes this a complete and rather special little package is that it has a 5-speed and four-wheel drive. It's not a fast car, but the stick shift and all-wheel power will make it amusing and stable in foul weather to say the least.

The seller says it's in fantastic condition and has a tow package and new tires. This is a nice survivor of an innovative automobile, the solution which it provided we still need today.

Available here on craigslist for $1,700.

1982 Nissan Patrol MQ Turbo Diesel

Winter may be waning in North America but it sure was a long one - enough to make some people want to start preparing for the next year. One thing might to be to pick up a vehicle that can hold its own in snowy conditions.

One such ride would be this sweet Nissan Patrol. The JDM flood is on! Now that every year of the 80s is legal to import to the US, all sorts of fantastic Japanese cars that were never imported to North America are finally seeing the light of day here.

The Patrol is a long-running name that dates back to the 50s and is still in use to this day. This is a "160" MQ series, that was produced from 1980-1989.

The styling is classic 80s Japanese truck, all merciless hard angles, black plastic and entertaining decal text. This one looks great in silver with "turbo diesel" on the sides and rear tailgate.

Inside is an equally brutalist exercise in functionality. The pre-airbag steering wheel is nifty, as are the striped cloth seats. It's all in surprisingly good shape.

A lot of older Japanese cars are usually underpowered but this one has what made it worth the trip across the Pacific: a 6-cylinder turbo diesel engine. Sure, it won't win any drag races, but it will be torquey, relatively fuel efficient (at least compared to a gasoline V8) and bulletproof for half a million miles with simple care and routine oil changes. It's also mated to a stick shift for extra fun.

The seller says the mileage is an astonishingly low 75k miles, everything works and there is no rust.

This is a really cool and rare alternative to the more common early Toyota Landcruisers and first-generation Isuzu Troopers.

Available here on ebay with bidding over $7k already.

1994 Lada Niva 1600

The Lada Niva is to Russia as the Jeep Wrangler is to the US: that standard, rugged, dependable two-door off-road vehicle. It is made by Russian auto manufacturer AvtoVAZ, formerly just VAZ. The Niva has been in production since the late 70s, remarkably surviving the fall of the Berlin Wall and the collapse of the USSR.

The Niva was the first AvtoVAZ product not to be directly based on a Fiat. It shared some Fiat 124 mechanicals, but the body, four-wheel drive system and independent front suspension were all unique to AvtoVAZ.

Styling is pretty neat. It's typical 70s Eastern European mod, compact, hard angles and pure function but not without some character and soul. The red paint helps brighten things as well.

The seller says this is a 1.6-liter 4-cylinder gas version mated to a manual transmission. It won't win any drag races (unless your racing a Yugo) but it will get the job done and not guzzle fuel. Another bonus is the 4WD system, so fear no winter, either.

Mechanically, the seller says it runs like mint, with new battery, fuel pump, oil and filter and brakes. They say it has racked up just 85,000 kilometers which equals only about 52k miles. Cosmetically, they don't mention the exterior but say inside is immaculate with no rips, scratches or tears.

I would definitely check for rust. Otherwise, this is a sweet alternative to the ubiquitous Wrangler or too expensive and fussy Defender 90.

Available on ebay here with bidding at $2,300.

Ex-Military: 1984 Chevrolet K30 Diesel 4x4

Looking like it came straight from a Schwarzenegger movie is this mid 80s diesel truck with a few unique things going for it.

Firstly, you just never see Chevy trucks from the 80s anymore, at least here in the wet, salty Northeast, where most cars over a decade old start succumbing to the elements and rust away into the earth again. On top of that, most trucks were used hard and frequently, adding extra wear and tear.

Secondly, underneath the hood is a 6.21 "J" Code Detroit diesel engine. Diesels never took off in popularity they way the did in Europe, which is a shame because they are torquey, efficient and reliable. Just in the past couple years, however, they have come into widespread awareness, with second hand Mercedes and Volkswagen diesels commanding ridiculous prices. It seems silly, but there's a reason they have a devoted following. Unfortunately, this large a diesel engine can't be that much more efficient than it's gasoline counterpart, especially when it's pulling the weight of this truck. Still, it adds character and charm.

The last and perhaps most intriguing element to this is its former military usage. "Military" is a broad term of course and can actually mean anything from national guard to marines to covert intelligence. Of course, once the vehicles are ready for civilian marketplace they are usually stripped of anything interesting, but this one retained its camouflage paint scheme and a rear compartment box full of goodies. It's insulated and features a fold-up bunk bed and door access to the front cabin. There's also a ball hitch, trailer brake controller, 12-volt power for a rear winch, 2 55-gallon fuel tanks, and a 20-AMP interior power supply. The seller also says it's immune to Electro Magnetic Pulses (EMP). Cool!

The seller does say there is some minimal surface rust, but it only has 42k original miles and they have invested $10k in this and it's ready to go.

This could make a unique and dependable camping machine.

Available here on craigslist fro $8,900.

Winter Proof: 1980 Mercedes-Benz Unimog

Ah, the Unimog. No other vehicle can make a driver fearless against cold and harsh winters. And look good doing it, too.

There are the classic 404/406 series of the 1950s, and then there are the more angular and industrial-techno 424 series introduced in 1976. This is one such 424. In some ways, it's every bit as classic as the 406, and even slightly cooler, with the big grille and headlights mounted in the bumpers. It's got this ultra-stern, almost minimalist look that the Mercedes designers reserved for their most capable truck.

It also helps this one looks terrific in orange with everything below the belt line in black. It practically begs to be driven in a blizzard. The bed is huge and provides versatility and use.

The seller says they bought it from Volkswagen AG and it was owned by them as a track patrol vehicle. They then swapped the old bed for a better unit, welded some rust and re-painted the exterior, no crimes on a big truck, where function and and overall appearance matter more than details. Besides, it's a German guy doing it. He must know what he's doing.

Underneath the hood is a 6-cylinder diesel engine producing just 95 horsepower, but you can bet it has a lot of low end torque for overtaking the worst inclines and terrain.

The seller says it is equipped with power steering and brakes, and runs, drives and starts fine, even on cold days.

Although the vehicle is in Germany, the seller says they used to export vehicles and have friends in the US who have imported, so they can offer some assistance.

These can be found in the US, but they are expensive and in varying condition. If you're going to plunk down the chunk of change they command, why not just import the right one straight for Europe? This is one time where importing does make more sense. And this example looks great and seems to have been cared for, with some interesting ownership history to boot.

Available here on ebay with bidding at $15.5 and less than a day left.

1986 UMM Alter 2

Umm...what is this? It's an UMM. Get it? Sorry.

Here's another gem from the infamous Euro Car Garage. You just don't see this everyday. It's a Portuguese off-road vehicle. I didn't even know Portugal had an auto industry, but I'm glad to see they made their contribution to the European 4x4 movement. Pinzgauer, G-Wagen...UMM.

UMM stands for União Metalo-Mecânica. They started making trucks in 1979 until the late 90s, and featured a couples models. The Alter is perhaps the most well-known, as it also served as the Popemobile for John Paul II.

The seller is typically scant on details, but do mention it has only 19,342 miles on the odometer and a 2.0-liter Peugeot engine under the hood. Inside, a Peugeot steering wheel confirms the "french connection". For a car with supposedly such low miles, though, the interior does seem to show a lot of wear, especially in the footwell.

The body seems to be a two-door extended back, so there is room for friends.

The "Alter" model seems to have been produced from the company's inception to around 1996, and had two versions. It is estimated only around 10,000 were made. Styling is very German and looks half Galendenwagen, half Unimog. It works though, and looks good in black, almost like a armored bank truck or something. This is one of the few vehicles where tinted windows and a good detailing in and out will go a long way. Unfortunately, the seller does not disclose the mechanical condition.

This time, the photos Euro Car uses do not show the vehicle with European plates, and a Ford F-150 pickup can be seen in the background of one photo. Is this in the United States? You can bet it's the only one here, and would be a head-scratch er at the local Euro or 4x4 show.

Available here in Plaistow, New Hampshire for $6,995.

COTC Spotted: 2004 AM General Hummer H1

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

Winter Proof: 1987 Mercedes-Benz Unimog Snow Blower

I can't resist. Here is another Unimog within the span of a week. This one will make sure you never, ever get stuck in snow, or any inclement weather for that matter.

The Unimog is perhaps the ultimate 4x4 vehicle. As far as I can tell, there has never been a purely civilian version offered. They were initially military vehicles. The ones that pop up for resale are usually decommissioned civil service vehicles. They were never officially sold here until 2002, when Daimler Chrysler attempted sales of the U500 variant for only 5 years, resulting in just 184 units sold.

This is a 1987 U-1500, based off the 1976-88 424 series. These featured more angular styling than the beloved 406 series. The "classic" 406-style was categorized as a "light" truck, while the new 424 became "middle" and "heavy".

The seller of this example says it is a Class 6 vehicle, weighing between 19,000-26,000 lbs. The seller says is is powered by twin diesel engines. It's mated to no less than 8 forward and reverse gears. Attached to the truck is a Sicard Snow Blower that is powered by a twin-turbocharged 12-cylinder OA424A engine.

Mechanically, the seller says both engines run great, and have low miles and hours logged. They say the tires are good and the blower is effective, throwing snow "great distances".

Cosmetically, this thing is a beacon of hope in the desolate winter landscape with bright orange paint and black accents. When the Unimog is used for military and civil work for the German government, they are aesthetically pleasing in a level of detail only the Germans can master. This one comes close, but could use some more details. I'd paint the rear bumper guard in yellow and red diagonal hazard stripes.

It is not clear whether this example was used for a public or private entity.

If you own large commercial space or a farm in areas that get dense snowfall, this could be a nifty tool all winter long.

Available here on ebay in Stanley, South Dakota with bidding and a Buy-It-Now of $33.9k.

40k-Mile 1985 Toyota Pickup 4x4

Remember the black Toyota pickup truck Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) salivated over in the first Back to the Future film? I used to be perplexed at the appeal. Why did he want it so bad? Oversized, impractical, poor handling, poor gas mileage, bad on highways. I just chalked it up to one of the quirks of being a teenager in 1985.

But finding this unusually clean and low mileage similar survivor makes me think twice. Maybe Marty was on to something.

The car is officially known as a fourth generation 'Hilux' and was produced from 1984-1989, making it THE Toyota pickup of the second half of the 80s.

The seller of this example is a dealer who acquired it from an estate sale and say the mileage is only an astoundingly low 40,850. They go on to explain it had only one previous owner from new who owned a Toyota dealer and kept this pickup in immaculate condition. The seller says it has the rare "National Traveler Special Edition" package which consisted of a lift, wider turbine wheels, offroad tires, striping package, rollbar, deluxe carpeting and cloth seat upgrade.

The exterior looks fresh in refrigerator white and the period side striping is fitting and not overdone.

The interior plastics look remarkably fresh and almost new.

Underneath the hood lies a 22R four-cylinder engine powering all four wheels. With the grippy tires and ample ground clearence, this is a serious off-roader.

Toyota sold lots of pickups and gained lots of fans, but most were trashed, thrashed and abused, so finding low-mileage and well-kept examples is almost impossible. Many people have fond memories of these sturdy and ultra-reliable trucks that looked good and were simple to maintain and fix. They're ripe and ready to be upgraded to collector status.

Available here on ebay in Etters, Pennsylvania.

1998 Jeep Cherokee 2-Door 5-Speed 4x4

This a neat solution for someone looking for an SUV but doesn't want anything too hideous, flashy, gas guzzling or uncool (as so many of them are).

The Cherokee was Jeep's standard issue four-door off-road vehicle that complemented the larger Grand Wagoneer starting in 1984. It continued largely unchanged until 2001, and was a high benchmark in the development of civilian-friendly off-road vehicles for everyday use as well. The monocoque body ensured great structural rigidity and composure for navigating even the roughest of terrain.

This is a later 1997+ facelift. The front nose and rear-taillights were re-designed, among dozens of other small touches. The unibody frame was also stiffined to reduce road and wind noise and improve refinement.

Styling is unusually good. Jeep has a lot of simple cues from their heritage to work with, like the vertical slotted grille and simple, boxy profile. The rest just falls into place. It's every bit as handsome and iconic as a Land Rover, Galendenwagen, or FJ Cruiser. In the same way the Germans mastered the look and feel of mid-size sedans, American automakers aced the construction and aethetics of the full-size SUV. Not the greatest feat, but a noteworthy one nonetheless.

This one stands out from the thousands of other Cherokee still on the road because it's the lesser seen 2-door variant. It has one bench seat behind the front seats, then a spacious cargo area. The lack of rear doors stiffens the body and will no doubt help make this feel even more solid on and off-road. The side profile is even simpler and more classic looking.

Inside, accommodations are sparse but clean and simple. The post-'97 update yielded some new buttons and a new steering wheel. The seats are grey cloth and contrast well with the deep metallic purple exterior.

Under the hood is Jeep's workhorse 2.5-lite four cylinder engine producing 125 horsepower turning all four wheels. That's not a lot of power, but it will mean more efficiency. It's mated to a rare 5-speed manual transmission.

The Cherokee isn't rare, but this combination is. This one looks clean and well-kept too, with just 101,581 on the clock. The seller says it's free of major defects. It could be ready to go, in any type of weather and road condition, for another 100k miles.

Available here on ebay in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with a $7,450 Buy-It-Now and the Make Offer option.

No Reserve 74k-Mile 1984 Ford Bronco

It's just not often you come across a Bronco in this good conditon.

Of all the sport utility vehicles pumped out by American manufacturers in the 80s and 90s, perhaps the Bronco stands the best chance at becoming a collectible classic. They were two-doors, big engines and featured quaint styling. They are iconic.

It's also noteworthy that Ford has stopped making the Bronco entirely, after 30 years and five generations. Why do they always end good cars just as they keep getting better? Surely rising fuel prices and changing tastes and lifestyles have something to do with it, but an iconic vehicle is never worth ditching. And there will always be a customer base for the Bronco in the U.S.

Still, if you missed out on one when they were new, there are still some examples left in good condition.

This one is for sale by a private party who says they are thinning out a vehicle collection. They say it has no rust, wears the original paint, original engine and transmission and was never in any accidents. The two-tone earth colors perfectly befit the rugged charm of these.

Mechanically, they say it has the power option package which will ease modern drivers. They say the 351 cubic inch Ford V8 engine starts and runs "perfectly", and that the 4x4 works.

There really is nothing quite like the Bronco on the market today. This one seems to be in good shape, and will provide many more miles of strong transportation to come.

Check it out here on ebay in Phoenix, Arizona with no-reserve bidding already over $10k.

Brawny: 1972 Chevrolet Suburban Deluxe K10 4X4

If you thought the SUV craze of the 1990s was mystifying, you'll be humbled to know they made them just as large in the 70s.

In the history of automobiles, the contributions the United States has made to this mode of transportation are still to be determined. The Germans made the first automobiles, and, for a while, arguably the best. The Italians made the prettiest cars, car bodies as an art form. The Japanese made the most reliable and well-built cars.

But in America, we were better at processes than at an actual finished artistic statement of a product. Henry Ford brilliantly made the Model T affordable to many people thanks to mass production techniques, but how interesting or sophisticated of a vehicle was it actually? He refused to make many year-by-year updates, and by the time it was retired, competitors had advanced well beyond it.

Perhaps the most notable contribution then of an actual concept has been the Sport Utility Vehicle. Sure, the Europeans and Asians pumped out the Defender 90, Unimog, Pinzgauer, FJ Cruiser. But American trucks had this raw attitude the others lacked. They were enormous, but for civilian consumption. They were well-built and well-equipped, but accessible to almost everyone. They were good looking but never truly stylish.

Which is when we arrive at the this seventh-generation Chevy Suburban, produced during the welfare-warfare heyday of 1967-1972. These did not populate the driveways of suburban homes, nor were they expected to. I imagine people only bought these for specific uses in rural areas: cattle baron herder, ski resort shuttle, Yellowstone National Park patrol. Clearly the vehicle is just as large as today's Suburban. The key difference was that Americans of the late 60s and 70s might have showed some practicality and restraint.

This generation Suburban is not without some charms. It has only one door on the driver's side, and two doors on the passenger side. It looks fantastic in period bronze with a white roof. It's sitting on late model factory Rally wheels and Michelin Radials. The seller provides one of the better classified writeups I've seen lately, but doesn't seem to know any history about the vehicle, and assumes it has been "professionally" repainted and restored. As such, the paint is in good shape, and they say the body has no rust and no indications of being repaired.

Inside, the seats are tooled vinyl and the floor is carpeted. The interior looks immaculate and the dashboard is spotless. Note the use of exterior color inside, for a playful yet utilitarian feel.

Underneath the hood is an equally clean and detailed 350 V8 engine, tastefully given a coat of orange paint (that's a thing they do for American V8 engines, I haven't figured out why yet).

This was either a very well done restoration or an incredible survivor. The seller says the odometer reads 36,701 miles, but it's a 5 digit odometer so it can't be verified as original miles or turned over.

Regardless, it looks great and seems ready to hit the trails.

Find it here on ebay in Charlotte, North Carolina for $28, 995, about the same price as a new SUV. Which would you rather have?

SUV Pioneer: 48k-mile 1989 Laforza 4x4

The Laforza was one of the first automobiles marketed as a luxury sport utility vehicle. Other than Range Rover, the Lamborghini LM002 and the Mercedes G-Class (which wasn't offered here officially until 2002), I really can't think of anything else quite like the Laforza at the time. There sure were many vehicles like it after, however.

It was designed and built in Italy for military and police use. Then a manufacturer named Rayton Fissore used a Ford V8 engine and upgraded the interior to luxurious appointments before it was sold in the USA for the 1988 model year as a Laforza.

Styling is credited to Dutch-American Tom Tjaarda, who has quite a number of designs for various companies under his belt, including the DeTomaso Pantera, Chrysler LeBaron and Aston Martin Lagonda Coupe.

The Laforza is another mostly successful design of Mr. Tjaarda. Proportions are good. Styling is extremely bland and generic but that's part of the whole 'forgotten' charm of this thing. You can't tell whether it's a Jeep or a Toyota or something else. There is no logo on the grille but a "Laforza" badge does sit on the base of the hood hump. The greenhouse glass is plentiful, so vision isn't impaired as in most of today's cars, especially SUVs. This one also boasts some impressive ground clearance. I'm not sure whether the owner has raised it or what, but it looks funky especially with smaller-than-norm wheels.

The bottom line is that the design pulls off a large, attactive boxy shape that would  be duplicated hundreds of times over and over again in the '90s by dozens of automakers with maximum success.

Inside, occupants were treated to swaths of leather and wood in the best tradition of Italian luxury cars.

The seller states this survivor is in "excellent" condition and has no rust. They state the odometer as reading only 48,500 miles. From the pictures it looks excellent, especially the interior. Many owners often swap the stock wheels or tint the windows so this example seems refreshingly untouched. Black over tan is also a nice combo that flatters the car, inside and out.

The engine is a 5.0-litre Ford V8 powering all four wheels. The seller also says the vehicle has a moonroof.

I like these. The idea is along the same lines as the DeTomaso Pantera: Italian/exotic design coupled with reliable American muscle for power. They are also noteworthy for helping to start a huge trend in automotive history, even though they rarely get credit for it. Have an itch for a big people hauler, but don't want the typical Jeep Grand Cherokee or Ford Explorer? Grab one of these.

Find it here on ebay in Tallahassee, Florida.