1970 Camaro Z28

The second generation Camaro lives in the shadow of the iconic first generation, which is what GM modeled the new retro-styled Camaro after.

That's a shame, because the second generation is arguably the coolest of them all.

It debuted in 1970, benefitting from a development process that wasn't rushed and all the lessons learned from the first-generation. The body and chassis were all-new. A range of 6 and 8 cylinder engines were available.

The best second-generation Camaro are the earliest ones like this, which have classic styling and more powerful engines and.

The seller says this is a real LT1 Z28, although they don't know if it's a matching numbers car due to inability to read the serial numbers, but they say that's besides the point because it's not a perfect anyways and is still fun, fast and reliable.

They also say the engine has been rebuilt, and everything looks decent and correct in the photos.

They also mention that a numbers-matching car might command double what they are asking. That also might be true, so this could be considered a nice way to save some money on a very similar car.

Available here on craigslist for $24,999.

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.

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.

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.

$975 1990 Eagle Premier

The Eagle Premier is a lost sedan that has flown totally underneath the collector radar. But it has a lot of important history tied to it.

Eagle was a brand by American Motors Corportaion. AMC lasted as one piece until the 80s. First, Renault gained controlling interest. Then, Chrysler bought it out altogether and dissolved it, although they kept the Eagle and Jeep brands.

The Premier, which was designed under AMC's partnership with Renault before they were bought out, is therefore notable for being the last American Motors car ever built.

They tried to go out on top, though. The Premier was supposed to herald the brand's focus on a new range of front-wheel drive family cars to fight Detroit and Japan's offerings.

It helped they got one of the greatest automotive stylists of all time (literally voted Car Designer of the Century by the Global Automotive Elections Foundation): Giorgetto Giugiaro. Using his trademark touch, he crated the definitive large sedan shape of the late 20th century: long hood, flat planes, minimal detail, a love for rectangular forms and a big greenhouse. It was not only handsome, but aerodynamic and efficient, with an impressive drag coefficient of just .31.

The interior is equally functional-mod with an array of buttons close to the steering wheel, clear gauges and simple layout.

One of the best things about spare exterior design is that it usually means a spacious interior, and the Premier is no exception. The comfy front and rear seats as well as the trunk are all huge.

Underneath the metal lay some sophisticated equipment, including fully independent suspension and a choice between either an AMC 4-cylinder or a Renault V6.

Unfortunately the car wasn't a success. Some blame a lack of faith and promotion on Chysler's part. Others point to the crowded field of competitors in which another sedan just didn't have a chance. Production ended in 1991, along with the Soviet Union and so many other things.

Seeing that so few were sold, even less remain. These aren't exactly things that people are preserving and restoring, either. You can bet a whole bunch were lost to Cash for Clunkers. This Premier is the kind of car that gets trashed and then scrapped.

This one claims only 75k miles and a bunch of new parts but a dead battery. The seller wants just $975 for it. Granted nothing else is wrong, a car battery is usually about $60-$100. Total investment to drive a piece of automotive history would be a little over a grand. Not bad.

Available here on craigslist.

1990 Dodge Caravan Turbo

I like the idea of a turbocharged Caravan. I mean, if you've got to haul a bunch of people and their stuff, why not have a little extra boost?

Dodge actually did offer a factory turbo on the Caravan very briefly from 1989-1990. It was a small 4-cylinder, but the effort was appreciated. This was during the Iacocca days, when the company was trying hard to keep up with the Japanese econobox invasion and did whatever they could to stand out, including adding a turbocharger to everything.

Turbocharging didn't matter much, but they struck gold in the form of something bigger: the first minivan. It was a great idea. There were certainly people-carriying vehicles before the Caravan. But they were big, bulky, uncool and fuel thirsty. Chrysler took the best virtues of a sedan and the best virtues of a truck and put them together to create something new. The Caravan was cleanly styled, small on the outside but big on the inside and had a couple decent engine choices. Families all across America embraced it quickly. The first Caravans from the 80s are like the first few Volkswagen Beetles: the birth of an icon.

The seller of this survivor also seems to have shown their appreciation for the Caravan's importance by enhancing the turbo. For one, the engine bay is very nicely detailed. They've also added a bunch of gauges to the interior that don't look half bad, as well as what looks like a ZEX nitrous boost kit. They say the engine has been bored 20 over with arp bolts and rods and it runs great.

This thing had about 150 horsepower when new, but it's probable got more now. The silver body is fitting of the speed demon theme here, and the aftermarket wheels are perfectly appropriate. It looks like they've pulled the stock grille, so I'd probably want to fill that in with a black or body-colored aftermarket piece and also try to clean or replace the headlamps.

The car is a little dirty and could be hiding some rust, so we're hoping it's clean, because this would be one fun ride. The ultimate sleeper?

Available here on craigslist where the seller is accepting offers.

4,822-Mile 1988 Merkur XR4Ti

There's a running joke here on COTC about absurdly low mileage cars. Why are they always boring econoboxes? Well, this super-low-mileager is slightly more unusual this time around.

The story of Merkur and the XR4Ti is a convoluted and mostly unpleasant one. Basically, Ford Motor Co. had been running an entirely different show in Europe, selling cars that were smaller, sleeker and more fuel efficient. Europeans may have a tradition of better made cars that do admittedly meet slightly different demands, but that in no way means Americans should want anything less. That's exactly what Ford did though. They often gave us less.

Of course, the plan inevitably backfired, as most corner cutting does. In a bittersweet case of 'free enterprise' and 'competition', Americans did finally get better products - from rivals across the Atlantic and Pacific. Add in a fuel crisis or two and Detroit's Big Three were in Big Trouble. If only they had just sold us the cars they had given Europe that whole time, things may have been entirely different.

Not totally tone-deaf though, Ford thought they'd start to bring over some European models based on the Sierra and Scorpio. But instead of just calling it a Ford, they gave it a name the press instantly mocked and consumers mispronounced, prompting Ford's people to conduct spelling sessions at press releases. Note to marketing boardrooms everywhere: don't sell something you can't pronounce easily.

The shame is, botched rollout aside, the cars themselves weren't half bad. The XR4Ti was based on the Sierra and featured a futuristic aerodynamic body, hatchback rear door, turbocharged 4-cylinder power and rear-wheel drive. It wasn't a jet rocket but it offered similar performance to entry level Japanese sports cars of the time. It had no major flaws, and have held up well over time. The XR4Ti was in no way a bad car.

But the damage was already done. Production halted in 1989 with just over 42k examples produced and the brand dissolved, relegated to yet another bizarre chapter in eighties auto history.

The people that did end up with these cars took a liking to them. You could say the Merkur has since developed a cult following. But I have never seen one with this low mileage. Is it for real? The odometer only has 5 digits. The interior and exterior look pretty good, but the undercarriage shows surface rust and wear. The seller says he believes it is accurate.

If you missed the whole Merkur story this could be a rare opportunity to start fresh with a like-new one.

Available here on ebay.

1985 Ford E250 Super Club XLT Diesel

When's the last time you saw one of these? Vans are missing widespread collector appreciation because so many were used for utilitarian purposes and run into the ground. But when a clean one comes up on the market it sure reminds you how bold and fun and (sometimes) colorful they were, like this one.

Some post-war work vans were rear-engined like the Volkswagen Vanagon and even America's own Corvair Van. But after the rear-engine fling of the 60s and 70s, manufacturers switched over to front-engine, impractically squeezing in large workhorse engines into the snub-nosed front of these new vans designs.

In the long run perhaps it was for the better. The front-engine configuration made most sense on vans, so that the entire rest of the body could be devoted to space. In this case, it's for passengers and their luggage.

The orange and creme two-tone color is bright and retro and it's amazing to see the brushed aluminum hubcaps still intact. Roof gear adds to the rugged, outdoorsy look.

The interior screams of "in the empire" America: long, flat planes, rectangular shapes and fake wood trim. But man, those seats sure do look cozy.

In back are two more rows of seats. Bring the whole family!

It's also got an 8 cylinder diesel engine powering the rear-wheels. Does it drift? All kidding aside, this will be expensive to operate energy-wise whichever way you splice it (unless you go bio), but I'd still rather have the oil-burner than a petrol guzzler.

Here's the thing. What is the entry price to seating 8 adults in a new vehicle today. At least $30k-$40k, right? And those aren't even diesels. This beast can be had for just under $4k.

Available here on ebay

42k-Mile 1992 Dodge Stealth R/T Twin Turbo

The Stealth is a nameplate Dodge doesn't even bother using anymore. That's a shame, because in the 90s it had potency - thanks to the VR4 AWD.

In actuality, the Stealth was no triumph of American engineering. It was a triumph of American dollars and bargaining power. Chrysler made a deal with Mitsubishi and were able to sell cars using their mechanical components. One such car was the Mitsubishi 300GT, from which Chrysler/Dodge made the Stealth.

I guess it was a good deal if you really had to have that American design pen touch...but even then, it was very similar looking to the 3000GT. Still, that's not a bad thing. These are classics of the 90s, all smooth corners, globular shapes and swishy swoopy lines. The big benefit to the driver is aerodynamics and efficiency.

So what were the mechanicals that Chrysler wanted to get their hands on so badly? The Stealth has a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged 6-cylinder engine good for almost 300 horsepower. That was a big deal then and remains impressive today. It'll be a gas guzzler, but damn this thing will haul on the highways.

As if that wasn't enough, it's got not only four-wheel drive, but four-wheel steering to keep you in total control, glued to the road with the utmost confidence. The 3000GT/Stealth cars were laboratories of 90s Japan hi-technology. The basic fact is that you just don't get this kind of package anymore, at least not for under, what, $40k?

The interior is also impressive, swathed in black leather. This one is mated to a manual transmission and seems to have an aftermarket DVD player upgrade.

I wouldn't expect anything less from a 2-owner, 42k-mile car. Look for accidents, rust and maintenance history. The engine is complex and I imagine would need oil changed religiously.

But if you want a big, safe, powerful sports car from the 90s, this packed with similar power as a 300ZX but has more technology and is less common.

Available here on ebay for $12,500.

The Case For Replicas: 1987 Fiero-Ferrari

Replicas are the Rodney Dangerfield of the auto world: they don't get any respect. But I like them. In fact, I think in some cases they make more sense than owning the original.

Take Ferrari replicas. Real Ferraris are expensive to start with. Then there's the cost of parts, repairs, worrying about getting a scratch in it, heck, even an oil change on some models requires the engine to come out of the bay! It's not for the faint of heart, or wallet.

However, a replica gives you that classic Pininfarina styling without all the headaches of the real thing. The best Ferrari replicas were either the Corvette-based McBurnie Daytona or the Pontiac Fiero-based 308/328. This is a Fiero-based 328. Pontiac actually liked the idea of a replica so much they allowed dealers to sell a 308 body as an option called the Mera. This was quickly shutdown after threats of lawsuits, but it got enough gears turning for people to be interested.

The Mera was based on the 308. I've never seen a 328 replica, although it could be easily done since the basic body is the same as the 308. It looks pretty good, especially with the post-'86 lights.

The seller confirms this is indeed based on a Fiero. Unfortunately, it will not have Ferrari-like performance, as it's a 4-cylinder version, a shame since the 6-cylinders are readily available. They also say it has an auto transmission. On the upside, they list the mileage as 69k and say the seats are leather.

This is a mostly show-and-no-go car, but the details and spirit are in the right place.  I would remove the Corvette side mirrors and rear spoiler and then just have a good laugh driving around. Also, if I were a b-movie director I'd totally want one of my characters to drive one and not worry if they crash it in a chase.

Available here on craigslist for $9,999.

1961 Corvair Rampside Pickup

What's one of the best kept vintage car secrets? The Corvair! Today's automakers have shown no indication of bringing back the rear engine. That means older cars are the only way to drive one, and that alone makes them valuable.

General Motors made the Corvair in a variety of different body styles - sedan, coupe, convertible, van and pickup - and COTC loves them all.

The "Rampside" was based on the Corvair van, and shared the futuristic cab-over front and engine under a slightly elevated rear floor. But while the van was made from '61-'65, the pickup was only made until '62, with production totaling just 3,213 units, making this a very rare vehicle.

The a gate on the side opened vertically for easy access. It was used by Bell Telephone because of that design. Most pickup trucks today are to huge and high off the ground to have anything like this.

This example looks pretty good. Cosmetically, the seller says the body was done by a tech school and isn't great, but it looks complete and fine enough from a distance. The color scheme is charming and period correct, to say the least. The shade of turquoise used for the seating doesn't match the exterior but it still looks clean and tidy.

Mechanically, the seller says the engine and transmission have been upgraded but there is gear grinding. They do have the original engine and transmission however. They also say it will need new tires and shocks and the windshield has a chip. Replacing the windshield might be expensive but not impossible as it should be the same piece that was in the more common van.

This isn't a perfect example but it's definitely not a big project car and beyond some minor work it should be nice for either occasional use or everyday driving.

Available here on craigslist for $7,995.

45k-Mile 1984 Lincoln Mark VII Turbo Diesel

I love diesels and I make no effort to hide it. In America, we've been deprived of widespread use of diesel engines in passenger cars for quite a long time (save for the excellent offerings from Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen of course). In Europe however, diesels are the norm, not the exception.

Since we're facing another fuel and energy crisis (or really just the same one we've always had), diesels are popular again, even though those who know their advantages never stopped loving them over the years. What makes diesels especially interesting despite their own merits of efficiency and reliability is a 21st century twist of converting them to run on biofuel - that's right, vegetable oil and restaurant leftovers.

Biofuel is cheap and inexpensive (though smelly) so interested customers are hunting down old diesel cars like predators. That makes otherwise insignificant cars like this Lincoln Mark VII rather significant again.

Of course, someone like me already finds this car intriguing.

The fuel crisis of 1979 renewed interest in efficient vehicles again, and this time American manufacturers were listening, unlike their woeful incompetence after the first incident in1973. Of course, diesels still didn't take off for one reason or another, but some of the cars they stuck diesels in were amusing to say the least.

Such is the case with this Lincoln. The Mark VII was based on the rear-wheel drive Fox platform. It lasted from 1983-1992. These aren't sports cars, but they are great, comfortable cruisers, and they styling isn't terribly offensive.

Underneath the hood, however, is a real surprise: a BMW inline 6-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine, the same one in the brief 524TD that came and went here. Just how Lincoln struck a deal with BMW is a story still untold, but it's not a bad idea; Ford's diesel experience was limited to trucks, and BMW's diesel was a great engine the fastest of it's day (even with just 115 horsepower). But since the Lincoln is a bigger, heavier car, you really can't expect much power. Still, you can expect overall reliability if you change the oil religiously.

Lincoln only offered the Mark VII diesel from '84-'85, along with a diesel Continental. From that point on, declining gas prices, politics and the general buoyant mood of the times made diesels disappear again.

The seller says this survivor has just 45k miles on the clock, comes from southern California, has no rust, wears the original paint and has never been in an accident. They say they have been a diesel mechanic for 30 years and have given this engine a new injector pump, a/c compressor, timing belt and battery, and have religiously changed the oil using Mobil 1 full synthetic turbo diesel oil.

This is a rare car in good shape that seems to have been very well cared for by a mechanic that just simply understood the quirky appeal of this car.

Available here on craigslist for $6,000.