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.

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.

JDM in the US: 1988 Toyota Celica Convertible

Now that every auto year of the 80s is exempt from the federal government's 25-year and older rule on importing used cars, all sorts of quirky new classics have been flooding in. One huge market in the making are Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) cars in the US. These were cars made for Japan and were either never imported here or were imported with changes ranging from subtle to major.

The Celia of course made it to North America and was very popular. But this is a JDM right-hand drive version. It's an odd choice of car to be worth the hassle of importing but it's definitely fascinating to see.

For one, I can't remember the last time I saw this era Celia, much less the convertible. These were among the first front-wheel drive Celica, and for what they scarified in glorious ability to drift they gained in better styling and greater efficiency.

It helps this one is in black-on-black, never a bad combo. The smoked indicators and amber-cornered taillights are tell-tale JDM-spec. Overall, the body looks remarkably clean, straight and free of dents and dings.

Underneath the hood is a 2.0-liter 16-valve 4-cylinder engine. It won't set your hair on fire, but it will get you to where you need to go, and without emptying the gas tank, too.

The seller says they brought this over in July 2013. They say everything is working except the cruise control and there is no rust. The also think the paint could be original.

The right-hand drive will take some getting used to (as will the Japanese waveband radio!) but this seems to be a neat little car in unusually good shape. It will be a hit at the JDM shows.

Available here on ebay with bidding starting at $5k and a Buy It Now of $7,200.

JDM in the US: 1991 Nissan Figaro

This may look like a car from the 60s, but you read the year right: it's a 1991.

Nissan only made about 20,000 of them in the early 90s for the Japanese market only. They were so popular that owners were chosen by lottery.

The styling is one of the earliest examples of retro designs like the New Beetle, 2002 Ford Thunderbird and Mini Cooper. It works well, especially with the flat periwinkle paint, white top and white wheels (inside very small tires). "Cute" would be a word the casual observer might use.

Inside is a right-hand drive non-airbag steering wheel, nice leather seats with piped trim and classy white face gauges.

The actual mechanicals are just as low key and simplistic, with front wheel drive and a four cylinder engine under the hood. Thankfully, the engine was turbocharged to provide a little extra boost.

The actual mechanicals are just as low key and simplistic, with front wheel drive and a four cylinder engine under the hood. Thankfully, the engine was turbocharged to provide a little extra boost, while also being really good on gas: the seller claims it gets 57 mpg.

The seller says it was titled in Florida and Texas before making its way to California where it is now. They say it has about 75,000 km which is about 46k miles on the odometer. The only flaws they point out are cosmetic: cracked seats and dash. Fortunately, they say everything mechanical works and is ready to go.

The also say it's just one of three in the US at the moment. This one isn't practical. It's all about what your heart says.

Available here on ebay with 1 bid at $10k and reserve not met.

1980 Porsche 928 Convertible

Summer isn't over just yet and neither is the point of having a convertible.

This particular topless cruiser is another unique custom piece like the Testarossa I featured recently. In some ways it's even more peculiar.

The front-engined 928 of course is already a controversial car. Intended to replace the 911 it actually ended up being sold alongside it from 1978-1994, before being discontinued without a successor as the 911 continues to this day.

The 928 wasn't a bad car. In fact, it was a pretty cool one. The engine was a big powerful V8, Porsche's first, and the styling was awesome. They sold in respectable numbers and the automotive press admired them regularly. They are expensive to maintain if driven harshly or never taken care of, but they are pretty solid and reliable overall, with the build quality being noted by many owners as superior than the 911. But despite being Tom Cruise's epic ride in Risky Business, the 928 never earned the respect it deserved. It didn't help the vast majority were made with automatic transmissions, even though several noted reviewers have remarked they like the auto better.

Part of what made the 928 so attractive though was the sexy sloping rear, which, despite housing nothing more two small rear seats and trunk space, emulated the roofline of the rear-engine 911 and invaluably tied the 928 to the brand aesthetic.

For this funky convertible, however, the roof has been complete hacked off and the trunk is now covered by a flat body colored panel. To deflect from the odd surface shapes, a spoiler has been added for extra flair and it works.

This is an early pre-facelift 928 with an automatic. It does not have ABS, which came on US cars in 1986. The seller says it's also a European import, which is a plus, with the deleted side markers, extra rear fog light, and presumably a small horsepower bump over the US version. They state the odometer is in kilometers but equals about 110,000 miles.

Mechanically, the seller says it starts, runs and drives strong. Cosmetically it needs some work like a new soft top and perhaps paint (both rather pricey fixes).

This is a rare car however, and while I wish we had more details on how it came here, who owned it and when the roof was subtracted, it's still pretty notable to see one on the market. It could easily be a headturner at the local German auto clubs.

Available here on Ebay in Tampa, Florida.

Outrun This: 1986 Ferrari Testarossa Spyder

What's cooler than a Testarossa? A Testarossa convertible of course!

There was only one official spyder designed and created by the factory. It was painted silver and delivered to the president of Fiat in August, 1986.

Testarossa convertibles started appearing in pop culture, too, with a red one being the default ride in Sega's arcade classic Outrun and a black one for a Michael Jackson Pepsi commercial.

Then, in September of 1987, Road & Track featured a cover story about special ordered custom conversions done by Richard Straman in California.

This is one such Straman convertible.

Straman's genius lay in the art of subtraction. He took away the entire roof and rear pillars and expertly cut around the cabin so that the canvas roof, when folded, tucked neatly behind the headrests. The result is extremely successful and emphasizes everything that is great about the Testarossa's original design, making the car seem even lower and wider than it already looked.

Mechanically, it is no different than the factory hardtop, with a smooth, naturally aspirated 4.9-liter flat 12-cylinder engine putting out 380 horsepower to the rear wheels and capable of launching the car from 0-60 mph in 5.2 seconds.

The Testarossa was a comeback car for Ferrari when it debuted at the Paris Auto Show in 1984 and was their flagship until 1991 when it was updated with the 512 TR. Although Ferrari has really never mass produced any car, they managed to build 7,177 of the Testarossa, a surprisingly large volume for a small exotic company, and enough so that the car could be deemed a success. Publicity-wise, it was beyond success, it's an icon of the era and continues to fascinate auto lovers to this day (yours truly included).

Testarossa values have come down and are starting to tick up, but they can still be had for around $60k for decent examples. Fortunately, the vast majority have barely been driven and remain with low miles and in near mint condition. This one is no exception, with the seller stating it has accumulated just 9,383 miles. In addition, they state it's just one of Straman's 12 conversions.

Buying a Testarossa is one thing (if you have the cash), but maintainence is entirely different, as you must seek a specialist for services and trouble shooting should the need arise (and it will, if it's used often or improperly). Ownership, however, complete with looking into the garage and seeing it, must be something else, which I can't quite comprehend.

Available here on ebay in Burbank, California with bidding already up to $58k.

Restored 1956 Volkswagen Beetle Cabriolet

The Beetle is usually overlooked but we can always appreciate a good example. It's legacy is so conflicting: they're collectible, yet over 21 million were made, they're triumphs of engineering, yet intended for everyday use, they were promoted by fascist Germany of the 1930s, yet later embraced by North American counter culture of the 1960s. Is there any corner of 20th century life the Beetle hadn't touched?

The best and most sought after examples of course are the purest, earliest, and cleanest. This fits all three bills.

Only 331,847 cabriolet versions were officially built from 1949-1980 by huge manufacturer Karmann. Styling is pitch perfect and the loss of a roof seemingly created a second new classic in its own right. The design is also handled well with the top up. Chrome window frames roll up to support the roof when closed. The black paint is a little eerie but still really cool, and the mirrorball wheels add some playfulness although we would do without the white mudflaps. Inside, the grey and white interior brightens things up.

Underneath the rear latch is 1200 cc flat four-cylinder air-cooled engine that produced a mere 36 horsepower. It won't be winning any drag races, but, as the seller says, "its appeal is in its reliability and thrift, making this a hobby car without compromises". Couldn't have said it better myself.

COTC has showcased two other impeccable vehicles from this seller before and their Beetle is no different, with dozens of clear photos of every angle inside and out, and a better than average writeup. They say this Beetle is restored, but has been done so in a careful, quality, and period-correct manner. They don't mention whether it is matching numbers but do say the engine is a correct '56 unit and everything was rebuilt to original specifications except for a new 12-volt electrical system cleverly hidden inside a vintage generator.

The asking price is really high, but the restoration must have cost a lot too. If you're looking for a refreshed Beetle in better than new condition that is ready for a new life, take notes. Even if you don't plan on considering this, it's great inspiration.

Available here on ebay for a $39,995 and the Make Offer option.

Twin Spark: 1997 Alfa Romeo Spider

The 1990s were a transition time for Alfa Romeo. They left the U.S. market in 1995 after years of dwindling sales. The moved most of their cars to simplistic front-wheel drive, much to the disdain of enthusiasts. And yet their designs started returning to the artful, sensuous curves not seen on their cars since the 1950s and early 60s.

The Spider was introduced in 1993 but the design by Enrico Fumia dates back to 1987. It's not everyone's cup of tea, but it does mark a change in Italian auto styling trends away from the harsh edges and angles of the late 70s and 80s and more towards softer corners, flat planes and minimal detail. Sex appeal was back. It was was sophisticated then, and it still looks fresh today.

This particular example is especially crisp in blue over tan leather with black top. I especially like the holed alloys.

Under the hood is a 2.0-liter 16-valve 4-cylinder twin spark engine that produced 147 horsepower mated to a 5-speed manual transmission.

The seller of this example says it has just 84,200 kilometers which is only about 53k miles. Cosmetically, they say it has no rust and no "bondo".

Mechanically, they say it drives good and just had a timing belt and water pump replaced at 78km.

These were never sold in North America, but this one had managed to find its way to Canada, so it's one step closer thank importing one directly from Europe. I can see it humming alongside vineyards in Napa Valley, California if you can get it here.

Available here on ebay in British Columbia, Canada with bidding at $2,824 and a Buy-It-Now of $7,800.

1950 Sunbeam Talbot Mark 1 Convertible

Just like there are some people that are so charming they are irresistible (however few and far between), there are some cars so charming you can't help but like them. This happens a lot to me with cars from the 1930s, 40s, and 50s. As a twentysomething millenial generation y-er, I have no real connection to these cars, as they were long gone by the time I was growing up. So when I stumble across them today, they stick out because they either remind me of something I've seen in an old film, or just plain look good.

File this Sunbeam under "just plain looks good". This is one of those few cars that is both cute and beautiful.

Sunbeam is a British company better known for their Alpine roadster that appeared in Dr. No. The Talbot was a more substantial offering from the company, however, and was produced in both a four-door saloon and two-door convertible bodies from 1948-1954.

This particular example is a late Mark I, based on a modified Humber chassis. The seller says this one has the 1944cc engine producing just 64 horsepower. It's mated to a column shift 4-speed transmission.

The odometer reads 91,097.

The creme over red color scheme is pitch-perfect post-war class, and the condition looks excellent. The seller says the paint, interior and top have been redone, but the rest of the car shows no signs of abuse. I guess that would classify this is a "restored survivor".

Only a total of 4,000 Talbot MK I were made, less were convertibles, and even less were left-hand drive and made it to North America, making this a very rare car. It won't win any races, but it will catch a lot of eyes.

Available here on ebay in Saint Louis, Missouri for $34,500 and the Make Offer option.

Pre-GM: 32k-Mile 1990 Saab 900 Turbo Convertible

Now that the brand is dead, historians will divide the Saab story into two distinct chapters: pre-General Motors, and everything after. Pre-GM Saabs, of course, are what everyone remembers fondly, and will likely increase in value. The same just can't be said of anything General Motors tampered with.

The 900 is probably the most identifiable and iconic Saab, and lasted from 1978-1993. Although they were simplistic front-wheel drive, the car made up for it in almost every way possible with rock-solid build construction, high quality materials, turbocharged engines, ample interior and trunk space and quirky styling. Almost 1 million were built.

In 1987, the 900 was updated with flush headlamps and smooth integrated bumpers that greatly helped their appearance. These, in my opinion, are the best 900 models and are vastly superior over the previous models. They still look crisp in a manner cars just can't pull off today.

This particular model is the coveted convertible with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine under the hood. It's mated to an automatic transmission, but we're fine with that as these were comfortable boulevard cruisers anyways. Refrigerator white shows off the clean lines and contrasts nicely with the black bumpers and cloth top. Inside, a cozy burgundy leather interior guarantees comfort.

The seller is a dealer and do not underestimate what they have, saying it is "beyond ridiculous" and "unmolested" with original paint and in perfect working order. They say it has no rust, an original rare interior color, and no accidents.

The seller is so confident about this 900, they even post shots of the car from underneath, and it does indeed look remarkably spotless.

Of all the 900 models the convertibles are the most likely to be least driven and in better condition, but this one is the cleanest I've seen yet and the condition and originality are truly inspiring. It's just a shame whoever was the previous owner decided to part with it, but their loss will be a new owner's happy gain.

Dealers usually exaggerate, but they could be right about one thing: there probably isn't another one like this. It could be the lowest mileage Saab 900 convertible in the world.

Available here on ebay in Maywood, New Jersey with 3 days left but bidding already at an astonishing $8,301.

Non-Turbo: 1991 Porsche 944 S2 Cabriolet

I never liked the 1982-1991 Porsche 944 much. If the front-engine 928 irked purists enough, then the 924/944 must have really annoyed them. The hatchback version isn't very pretty looking, and was always in danger of becoming irrelevant with less expensive, more reliable, and just as fast competition from Nissan's Z cars.

The convertible 944 S2 is a different story, though. With the flush fog lamp front end and smooth flat rear deck, it looks cool, and Nissan never offered a convertible Z, so it was unique on the market.

Only 2,402 S2 Cabriolet were imported to the U.S. between 1989 and 1991. The S2 featured a 16-valve 3.0-liter inline four cylinder engine that produced 208 horsepower to the rear wheels. It was the largest 4-cylinder in any car at the time. The transmission and gearing were also revived. When mated to a stick shift, the car went from 0-60 mph in 6.5 seconds and was capable of 150 mph.

The smooth integrated front-end previously only available on Turbo models does wonders for the look of the car. This example also looks good in electric blue with aftermarket gold BBS Mag wheels. The cabriolet body was built by ASC-American Sunroof Company in Weinsberg, Germany.

The interior is gray and contrasts with the exterior well.

The seller says the vehicle has only 42k miles. Mechanically, they say they have all current service records and the engine has good compression.

Cosmetically, they say it has no rust, straight body and only 1 scratch on the rear.

This is definitely a Sunday or dinner out-only car, but it seems to be a well-kept example of a relatively rare car. Hemmings CPI Value Guide estimates a '91 944 S2 Cabriolet in fair condition to be worth $4,375 and in good condition worth $7,825.

Available here on ebay in Reno, Nevada with bidding at $6,100 and a Buy-It-Now of $7,300.

Pininfarina Lines: 1991 Honda Beat

Remember when Honda used to make cutting-edge products available at bargain prices? If you can't, don't blame yourself. We were never officially offered their amazing 1991-1996 Beat.

The Beat featured a mid-mounted three-cylinder engine that powered the rear wheels, similar to a Porsche Boxster. It produced 63 horsepower and had an electronically limited top speed of 84 mph. It was only available with a manual transmission. The I3 SOHC engine was the only engine available, and there were minimal changes to the car over the years. That's it. It was what it was, you just had to "get it".

Styling is awesome. Japan and some other parts of the world were privy to a cute subcompact class called "kei cars" that were as small as possible but extremely usable while also conforming specifically to Japanese regulations. Fortunately, what sheet metal the Beat does wear it makes great use of, thanks to famed Italian design house Pininfarina. They give the car the right amount of subtly and edge that makes it a lost classic of late 20th century design. Note how the headlights flow into the front wheel fenders, for swept-back look. The side air intake is thankfully a clean simple cut, probably influenced by Honda's groundbreaking mid-engine NSX a couple years prior. The rear is nicely rounded off with simple taillights and engine intake slots.

The interior is an exercise in more simplicity and frugality. A driver's side airbag was optional. The center console is slim and tall. The instrument cluster is a single standalone unit that houses clear white-faced gauges. Zebra-striped seats spice things up and somehow don't seem tacky, but just fun.

Honda was really onto something with the Beat. This thing easily could have taken a slice out of Miata sales, and probably handled better, too. They were never imported here, and though one or two have shown up, they are extremely rare. This one, unfortunately for my fellow Americans, is located in the United Kingdom.

Available here on Car And Classic UK for about $6,400.

44k-Mile 1992 BMW 325iC M-Technic

Looking like it came right off the set of Miami Vice comes this '92 BMW with low miles and the rare M-Technic package.

The E30 really needs no introduction. It is perhaps THE definitive BMW of all time, blending the best of everything that came before it while looking to the future with new levels of performance and efficiency. These were compact, balanced, well-built and aesthetically near-perfect.

The convertible version was just icing on top.

This is a later example with a build date of 7/91 but sold as a model year 1992. The M-Technic package mostly adds just cosmetic changes: all formerly black plastic body trim is now "AlpinWeiss 2" paint, the front and rear gain lower spoilers and the sides get new lines. Foglamps are standard. The cross-spoke alloys are also white. This kind of all-white look was popular in the late 80s and early 90s and still looks striking and fresh today.

The interior is finished in an equally light "LotosWeiss" leather with all-black dashboard.

Under the hood is BMW's venerable 2.5-liter inline 6-cylinder powerplant producing a respectable 168 horsepower to the rear wheels and moved the modest 2,000 lb. weight along nicely.

Unfortunately for motoring purists, this one is mated to automatic transmission. But since these were Sunday boulevard cruisers anyways, a relaxing slushbox makes little difference.

Mechanically, at 29k the seller states a bunch of repairs were done. At 43k, a new power steering pump was added along with a regular tuneup.

This car seems to have been pampered, and if your heart is set on a E30, this well-kept and low mileage survivor could be the one.

Available here on ebay in Bellevue, Washington with bidding already past $7k.

1995 Land Rover Range Rover LWB Convertible

There's something really charming about this, despite how impractical it is.

The Range Rover Classic was produced from 1970-1996 and is one of the first luxury sport utility vehicles. Only the British could fuse two seemingly disparate worlds - utility and luxury - together so well. It has been imitated and copied so many times since then it's almost impossible keep track. And until the last couple years, these types of vehicles were very popular in the U.S.

Shortly before his death in 2010, the original designer, Spen King, remarked with disgust how Range Rover had ended up becoming a status symbol, which it was never intended to be. But classic car fans appreciate the bare bones intentions of the original. Regardless, it's a classic vehicle, and a classic SUV.

The seller of this example states it is 1 of 3 "made in the universe". Yes, I would assume some alien civilization halfway across the Milkyway isn't producing Range Rover out there. They provide no source for the low quantity, although they do mention they owned 2 of the 3. Since a factory convertible was never produced to my knowledge, anyone can have a custom conversion done, so I'm not sure if I believe there are just 3. That said, there sure can't be many.

The conversion isn't half bad. All of the pillars except for the rear most two are left intact. I think some sort of rollbar or frame for the rear would fill out the profile a little better, especially from the side. I don't see any softtop folded, and sure enough the seller says a brand new top is "being made as we speak".

The seller lists the odometer as reading 194k miles but says it drives great, the air conditioning blows cold and everything works, a minor blessing on a Range Rover, which are not known for reliability, like a lot of British cars, unfortunately.

Let's face it, this won't be used for photographing the safari, or to deliver first aid to an impoverished third world country. So if you need something big, bulky, unreliable, gas guzzling yet admittedly very unique for your summer ride, here it is.

Available here on ebay in Brooklyn, New York with a Buy-It-Now of $12,900 and the Make Offer option.