1987 Subaru XT Turbo

If you were to ask me, "Are there any Subaru classics?" I would respond with a resounding, "Yes!" And then I would ramble on and on about the XT.

The 80s were a pivotal time for Japanese automakers. Like a phoenix rising from the ashes of World War II, the Japanese rebounded remarkably and excelled at making cars. But when it came time to infiltrate the American market, they had stiff competition from both Detroit and Europe.

One way to buck both was to offer cars that were well-made (which American cars weren't) and affordable (which German cars weren't). This way, they appealed to consumers best instincts: thrift, value and quality.

Subaru had already made an impression with their compact all-wheel drive sedans and wagons. To take on the compact sport coupe, they introduced the all-new XT in 1985. Like other Subaru, it was a simple, uncomplicated front-wheel layout with the option of all-wheel drive. But unlike Subaru's existing models, it wore a radical wedge-shaped body of laser-straight lines, blackened pillars and hidden headlights, looking like a Syd Mead-designed prop for the set of Blade Runner.

The futuristic vibes continued into the interior with an asymmetrical steering wheel, digital layout and stalks of vital buttons and controls housed in two pods flanking each side of the steering wheel for access within finger-reach.

The only initial complaints about the XT were lack of power, especially in the naturally aspirated 4-cylindr. Fortunately, this is the much more desirable turbocharged 4 mated to a 5-speed manual transmission. It put out just 115 horsepower, but with the stick shift, aerodynamic body and relatively light weight, could easily feel sufficient and nimble.

The seller says this survivor is rust free, and the paint shows just some oxidizing. Mechanically, they say it not only has a rebuilt engine but a suspension transplanted from an '03 WRX! Whoa! Not surpassingly they say it handles amazingly. Always nice to find older cars with sweet sleeper upgrades like this, and the seller isn't passing down the cost of the swap, either.

These are flying totally underneath the elite collector radar, despite Subaru restoring one for their museum recently and Gen-X car fans looking back on them with nostalgia. But to those in the know, these are a best kept secret, blending outrageous styling and fun, economical performance.

Available here on ebay for a $5,000 Buy It Now.

1972 Volvo 142E

How things have changed! Volvo abandoned their trademark boxy styling with their S60 sedan, but they had long abandoned rear-wheel drive before that. This 142 is from Volvo's late 20th century glory days when their cars were both boxy and RWD.

The 140 series debuted in 1966 and was basically the car that helped put Volvo on the map, and in middle class garages around the Western world. The 140 was available as a 2-door, 4-door sedan or 4-door wagon.

The design is a slice of heaven. The 1970s were a terrible time for auto design in the United States, but it was a great period in Europe, setting the template for the next two decades. The key is functionality. The stylists understood that good design follows function. As such, the Volvo is simple, clean and handsome with a high waistline, huge greenhouse and long front and rear decks for ample engine and storage space.

Power came from a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine. Like a lot of engines from the 1970s, it won't be fast, but should offer decent economy. This one is strangled with an automatic transmission, but a stick shift swap is always a possibility for the talent and time-inclined.

The exterior looks charming in flat green and the interior seems remarkably well-preserved. The seller says it was 121k miles and they drive it regularly so it hasn't sat. I do see some rust near the rear wheel well, so be sure to look into that.

Otherwise, these 2-door versions are sweet deals and great alternative to the pricier BMW 2002, which are a similar idea.

Available here on ebay for $5,999 or the Make Offer option.

1978 Fiat 128 Rally

Fiat have made a big splash returning to the US market with their retro-styled 500. But back in the late Malaise Era they were slogging it out with this econobox.

The 128 was basically their entry-level family car. It debuted in 1969 and revolutionized the small car market with its front-wheel drive layout that contrasted with Volkswagen's aging rear-engine platforms.

To make a front-wheel drive car more affordably and efficiently than previous industry examples such as in the British Mini, Fiat designed the engine and transmission so that they did not have to share lubricating fluid while an electronically controlled fan supplied cooling. To do this, they mounted the engine transversely with the transmission mounted beside the engine driving the front-wheels through an offset final-drive and unequal driveshafts.

It was such a good engineering solution that eventually most entry-level car manufactures would follow suit, including Volkswagen themselves. The 4-cylinder won't light the street on fire but should work well against the car's small proportions and relatively low weight.

The 128 was wrapped in clean, simple, appliance-like sheetmetal evocative of the efficient mechanicals underneath.

Production ended in 1985. This is a US market example that the seller says has been mechanically restored to working order, and the exterior remains rough but original. We say keep 'er as is and get in and go.

Available here on ebay.

1990 Alfa Romeo 33 Imola Edition

Alfa Romeo in the 90s is something the US market never quite got to see. The company ceased exporting cars to North America in 1995. The last new car they sold here was the 164, a large, expensive front-wheel drive sedan that left probably left consumers feeling indifferent more than anything.

But in the European market, Alfa offered a much broader spectrum of cars. Perhaps if they had brought something like the 33 over here, they would have sold a lot more cars.

The 33 debuted in 1983 and was basically Alfa's entry-level family car. It was based on the modified front-wheel drive platform of its predecessor, the Alfasud, and featured a range of 4-cylinder boxer engines.

The styling is classic Eurobox, which, if you love them as I do, you just 'get' it. You can see traces of the Milano/75 and even the 164 blood in it, with the downturned front lights, hard angles and thick, high rear boot.

This example has found its way to the US from Holland and currently resides in Florida. Cosmetically, the seller says it isn't perfect but it is rust-free, otherwise a concern on any Alfa Romeo.

Mechanically, they say the engine runs very well and even boasts a performance chip that boosts the 1.7 4-cylinder boxer engine output to 120 horsepower. That's not a lot, but it's a relatively small car, and like most Alfa Romeo it should complement a tight and balanced chassis for superb handling.

The seller says the odometer reads about 87,000 kilometers which is only about 55k miles, and that is has a clear Florida title, a huge plus that should make it transferrable to any other state, except perhaps California where it would not be exempt from smog.

I've never seen one here before, although with cars of the 80s now easily importable under the 25-year rule we may see more. But given this or a 164, I'd take this. It's also a great alternative to a Volkswagen, Saab or Volvo from the same era.

Available here on ebay for $17,895.

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.

1980 Peugeot 504 Diesel Wagon

Peugeot has a puzzling legacy in the US. Ask anyone old enough to remember and they'll either scorn or swear by them. Not surprisingly, Peugeot stopped selling here a long time ago. But cars like the 504 were part of the reason why the people who liked Peugeot do so with a great admiration.

The 504 was sort of like a Volkswagen beetle for Peugeot, selling more than 3 million units during its very long production run from 1968-1983.

The formula for its success was simple on the surface: quality construction, efficient and robust engines, inoffensive but pleasing design and that legendary French suspension. It would go on to win the European Car of the Year Award for 1969.

Perhaps the epitome of the 504's rugged-but-refined character is this '80 Diesel Wagon. I often find wagon versions of Euro sedans to be the the ultimate in utilitarianism. If you can have more space but essentially the same driving characteristics as the sedan, why not?

The remarkable survivor has a claimed 42,664 miles on the clock. The seller is a dealer and says it even came with the original tires. Wow. It certainly looks unusually clean inside and out. Check out this awesome lined rear trunk.

Underneath the hood is a 4-cylinder diesel engine. It will be slow, perhaps uncomfortably slow, especially with onramps and highway travel. But it will provide reliability and great fuel economy.

This is a great alternative to that other European diesel wagon we got here during same era, the Mercedes W123. Those are commanding steep prices. Some also have the benefit of a turbo, but it's almost impossible to find them in this condition and low miles.

Available here 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.

1962 Auto Union 1000S

The oldest second hand Audi cars you usually see are from the 90s. This one, however, goes way back to the beginning.

Auto Union was formed before WWII. In the 1930s it acquired Audi-Werke AG. In the later post-war years, Auto Union made mainstream cars similar to Volkswagen. They were  ahead of the curve, utilizing the front-engine, front-wheel drive layout that Volkswagen would switch over to in the 70s and is all but ubiquitous today.

It made sense then that Auto Union later merged with NSU, who were also pioneering front-wheel drive, in 1969. Audi was re-launched as a separate brand and the name returned to use.

The compact 1000 debuted in 1958 and was available in either two or four doors, sedan or wagon. The styling is mighty charming, with chrome accents, covered rear wheels and contrasting white roof.

Underneath the hood was a tiny two-stroke three-cylinder engine able to deliver just 50 horsepower. A column-mounted 4-speed manual shifter controlled power.

The seller says they acquired this from someone who acquired it from the original owner in the 90s, and although it was running before it was stored, it does not turn over anymore. They speculate it could have been sitting for as long as 30 years.

They say there is no serious rust besides what is visible on the exterior surface, and the chrome and glass are in generally good shape. I assume the original color was the splendid mustard yellow seen in the interior. While the exterior should absolutely be brought back to condition, it'd be cool to leave as much of the interior alone as possible.

Someone with the right knowledge should try to get it running and minimally restore it cosmetically. I'm sure parts are hard to find, but with a little over 6,000 made and presumably much less still around, let alone even fewer in the US, this one deserves special attention.

Available here on ebay.

1973 Fiat 130 Coupe

The 130 looks like a combination of a Maserati Kyalami, Peugeot 604, Ferrari 400 and Bitter SC but that's a all a compliment. The thing about this design is that it's all good for the customer. You can actually see out of the car, and enjoy the view while driving.

Like a lot of Italian cars, the interior is a nice place to bee, with a black dashboard contesting with a healthy helping of wood and beautiful tan leather seats. I bet it smells damn good too, even if it's 41 years old. Steering wheel is retro-future-cool, too.

Underneath the hood is an OHC V6 good for about 160 horsepower to the rear wheels. This one mercifully also has a stick. Unfortunately, against a 3,400 lb. curb weight, it had a lot of work to do, and won't be terribly fast or remotely fuel efficient. It may make a nice tenor, though.

The seller says the car was imported under the 25-year-and-older rule and so does not have to comply with the DOT. As such, it comes in complete Euro trim, with lovely headlights, small bumpers and unconstrained engine. Mechanically they say it runs and drives well. Cosmetically they say it does have some bubbling but the undercarriage is rust free.

With slightly over 4,000 made, this is a rare car in general and even more obscure in the US. I think it has a lot of appeal though, as either a garage queen, weekender, show car or possibly daily driver, if you've got deep enough pockets, however.

Available here on ebay.

1969 Lancia Fulvia Berlina GTE

The Fulvia nameplate was used by Lancia for a sedan and two different coupes from the 60s until the late 70s. I'm not into the coupes. But the sedans set my fire. It's just like an Alfa sedan, except slightly more obscure. You can instantly picture them hustling a bunch of polizia to bust a Red Brigade meeting.

The styling is fantastic. It's got all the right 60s Euro sedan touches: high waistline, huge greenhouse, three-box shape, tiny taillights and tasteful slivers of chrome.

Inside is equally delightful, with a black scheme contrasting nicely with the refrigerator white exterior and looking surprisingly clean and tidy.

The Berlina GTE came along in '68 with an upgraded V4 engine, new brakes and a brake servo. Power and handling will be adequate by today's standard but feel sprightly with the stick shift, low eight and small dimensions.

The seller says this one came over in '05 and are offering another as well, but the paperwork is different. They do say its sorted and just needs a driver. They also think it's one of just a handful in the US. I've certainly never seen one for sale before.

Available here on ebay for $18,500 or the Make Offer option.

1988 Sterling 825 SL

The Sterling was one of the more bizarre automotive marriages in history: the British company Rover and none other than Honda of Japan.

On paper, it seemed like a great idea. The tasteful styling flair of British design with the efficiency and driver-oriented dynamics of Honda engineering. But perhaps the first sign of trouble was the name. Rover had so little success in North America that they decided to name this car the Sterling, so as to appear as an entirely new brand when it was in fact not.

Despite the international heritage, it wasn't enough of either, or perhaps too much of both. The exterior design was decidedly bland but passable, but the interior build quality was poor. Electrical problems arose. The body rusted (in typical British car fashion).

Since the engine was the same as in some Acuras, which were better looking and way better built, the Sterling was pointless. Sales plummeted, and even when some problems were rectified, it was too late. Besides, the late 80s Eurobox market was already flooded with vastly superior options.

All that said, they make dainty little second hand cars. Usually all the bugs have been worked out by now, the interior seats are super cozy and the Honda engine means reliability and cheap parts.

Available here on ebay.

1980 Trabant 601

Ah, the fall of the Iron Curtain. The End of the Cold War. The opening of free trade...ah..wait, what is this thing? Oh man they drove this over there? Quick, close the curtain! Re-build the wall! Bring back the Cold War!

All kidding aside, former Soviet satellite state cars are starting to see the light of Western day and bring their own set of charms.

As the seller correctly notes, the Trabant 601 was basically to the East Germans what the Volkwagen Beetle was for West Germans: that everyday people's car. It's not beautiful (though one could stretch for cute), it's not fast, it's probably not terribly comfortable, but it got people from point A to B. And in the communist German Democratic Republic, that was all cars were expected to do. It was produced from 1963-1990, resulting in over 2 million units sold.

The interior is a mind blowing exercise in frugality, which the dash housing only the most vital gauges and the steering wheel looking like it came off a metal playground set.

Despite the aesthetic austerity, the 601 actually hid some nice innovations for the time, eschewing the 'decadent' West's rear-engine fever in favor of the front-engine, front-wheel drive setup that is ubiquitous today. It also had froth and rear independent suspension.

The engine itself is an extremely small two-stroke, two-cylinder unit that probably gets great gas mileage.

The seller says this one is solid and runs and drives great, with the original drivetrain and some imperfections in the paint. They also have a Maryland title.

Available here on ebay with a Buy It Now of $3,995.

1985 TVR Tasmin 280i

Although I typically try to steer clear of the "little British roadster" so cliched and overexposed in the classic auto world, this TVR is shunned enough by purists that it's right at home on COTC.

British cars had a hard time in the late 70s and early 80s, especially in markets outside the UK. They shed the legendary sexy curves of the 50s and 60s in favor of hard angles that the Germans and Japanese were so good at. But unlike German and Japanese engineering, British cars weren't known for ergonomics or efficiency. They also rusted faster than the speed of light.

The Tasmin showed up in 1980 looking like Giugario took the weekend off and gave styling duties to his son or brother. You'd think it would be hard to screw up the wedge, but here TVR go and do it, making it awkward, derivative and cheap, especially with those parts-bin taillights last seen on the 70s Lotus lineup. This one takes things further with chintzy gold paint and even golder BBS knock-off wheels.

Inside is that stack-of-boxes dashboard, infuriatingly made worse with a wood steering wheel and shift knob (never understood why those appear on supposedly sporty cars - aren't they slipper and make you lose grip?).

Fortunately, some relief comes from under the hood, a 2.8-liter Ford Cologne V6 good for about 160 horsepower to the rear wheels.

This one has obviously been lucky enough to have an adoring owner, who imported it themselves from the UK to the US in 2011. They state it has no catalytic converter or engine-strangling emissions equipment, keeping power intact. The seller says it's in better than daily driver condition. It's not everybody's cup of English tea, but it seems like a well kept example of a quirky chapter in TVR history, sandwiched inbetween their sumptuous 60s and 90s-00s cars.

By the way, as I'mm writing this I'm listening to this sweet song called "Maybe Tonight" by Lovelock which totally seems like it would be playing from this thing's stereo system.

Available here on ebay.