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.

1986 Citroen CX Prestige

Viva la Citroen! This company consistently pumped out one iconic vehicle after another in the 20th century, and in the process pioneered monocoque bodies, hydropneumatic self-leveling suspension, disc brakes and swiveling headlights. They haven't quite done the same in this century so far, but, they have a while to go so I'll cut them some slack.

The CX was a classic Citroen in every manner. As their executive flagship, it wore the sleekest, largest body and came with a bunch of wild technology.

The thing I love about Citroen style is how fearless it is. The French, with their rich culture and history, appreciated the passage of time and therefore the philosophical and industrial madness of the modern era, and designed vehicles as the absurdity that they were - horseless carriages! They could have care less about the three-box sedan shape and instead embraced the more versatile and streamlined hatchback. The CX debuted in the late 70s and last until the 90s. The early models have a classic charm, but the later ones like this with fuller bumpers give off delirious mad-techno vibes.

Inside looks like something from a retro vision of a spaceship, with a single-spoke steering wheel and all vital controls within reach of the driver's hands from the wheel. The oversized button-tufted leather seats provide an old-world touch for a charming contrast.

The 'Prestige' trim added 10 extra inches to the wheelbase for more legroom. As such, the rear seating is ridiculously spacious.

The CX only came with a range of 4-cylinder engines. It is unclear which is in this car.  It does have an automatic, which is a bummer. Emissions controls to get it in the US may also hamper performance.

None were legally sold here, but many found their way through grey market importers, such as this one. Unfortunately the seller hasn't included any info pertinent to the vehicle itself beyond photos, price and location, so they would have to be contacted further.

Available here on craigslist for $8,500.

1987 Peugeot 505 STX

Peugeot is a legendary French automaker with a long, rich and successful history in France and Europe. It had a different story in North America, however. There cars weren't always the problem, but the public's perception of them was.

One example of their good cars was the 505. This was Peugeot's rear-wheel drive answer to Mercedes and BMW. It debuted in 1979 and last all the way until 1992, and even longer in other markets.

It's a classic European sedan design of the 70s. Huge greenhouse, long low hood and boot, and an overall clean, functional, appliance-like simplicity (enhanced on this example in flattering white paint). US versions did get downgraded headlights and larger bumpers but the main look of the car mercifully survived.

Inside, occupants were treated to an equally purposeful and business-like interior. The blue leather seats (remember when blue was an upholstery color?) look huge and cozy.

Underneath the hood of this example is a 2.8-liter 6-cylinder engine that the seller says was also in the Delorean. While it was not appreciated in that car, I'm sure it moves this Peugeot along fine. The automatic kills the mood somewhat, but the seller says the have a ton of extra parts, and perhaps could offer some pointers on a manual swap down the line. Speaking of swapping, they also say it has a spare Turbo engine.

Despite not being a success in the US, these cars were otherwise known for being solidly built cars that handled well and provided that legendary smooth French suspension. This car could use a bunch of tasteful improvements, or could be driven as is.

Available here on craigslist for $3,400.

$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.

59k-Mile 1991 Peugeot 405 Mi16

The 405 was not only the last Peugeot to be sold in the US, but the last French car as well. It's lack of success here must have come as a surprise to the company, because in Europe it was a hit with the press and consumers alike, winning a bunch of new car awards and selling millions of units. Just chalk it up to one of many differences between the two continents, I guess.

French cars did have a poor reputation this side of the Atlantic, but the 405 was intended to rectify that. It supplanted the smaller and less modern 305 in 1987 with an all-new body and range of engines. However it was only offered as a sedan with just three engines choices in the US from 1988-1991.

The styling was credited to famed design house Pininfarina and, if you love 80s Eurobox sedans as much as I do, you just 'get' the appeal: big greenhouse, clean flat planes, black plastic anti-dent trim all the way around, and a rear awash in red plastic. It's approachable, it's simple, and at this point it's classic. What's that saying about good design? That it is invisible? I wholeheartedly agree, and this car is an example of how subtle design is an art.

Inside, occupants are treated to a simple, functional layout, with clear gauges, manual climate controls and big cushy leather sport seats. Kind of reminds me of the third generation Jetta, and that's a compliment.

Now, the 405 was already a pleasant, capable front-wheel drive cruiser. But what makes this low-mileage survivor even more interesting is the Mi16 trim (VIN# VF3DB1332MS518585) which means that there is a 1.9-liter 16-valve 4-cylinder fuel-injected all-alloy engine under the hood, capable of producing 150 horsepower. Suddenly, an otherwise polite but sedate sedan with a modest curb weight of around 2,700 pounds was faster than Peugeot's own V6 engine.

There weren't many made, less were sold and very few survive. Practically none are in this remarkable condition. The dark green and black interior is a great combo, and the original 15" alloys are present. The chrome paneling below the belt line isn't preferred, but may have been an original factory option. The seller is a dealer who say the car has had just one previous owner and the 59k-miles are accurate. Things certainly look like that low of a mileage. Check for rust and maintenance history.

This is a rare edition of a historically important car. As of this year, there still hasn't been a French car here since the 405. The seller is asking a hefty $14.9k for car, about $9k more than the highest estimates I've read for a 406 Mi16, but they also have the Make Offer option. How do you put a price on this? Regardless, let's hope it ends up in an equally caring next home.

Available here on ebay.

1991 Renault Alpine GTA Turbo

Renault's Alpine followed the spiritual tradition of the rear-engine Alpine of the 60s. In 1978, Renault bought the company. Then, in 1986, Renault debuted their own version. It bore none of the sexy curves of the original Alpine (which resembled a Ferrari Dino), instead featuring hard angles, futuristic greenhouse glass and a grille-less front that looked more demure than a Merkur (sorry I couldn't resist).

Despite the aesthetic rebellion, it still had the rare and intriguing rear engine setup, and this time, it was packed with power. This is the turbocharged V6 version putting out 200 horsepower. Thanks to extensive use of fiberglass body panels, it was lighter and faster than similar Porches of the era.

There are few cars that black-on-black doesn't work and this Alpine is no exception. The seller says the paint is original but has wear. It also mercifully retains its original factory alloys.

Inside, the interior is sparse and all-business. The leather looks comfy but also shows wear.

Mechanically, the seller says the car does run and drive well and recent maintenance includes a new clutch, flywheel resurfacing and engine-out tuneup.

This is a pretty rare specimen in the North America. The seller lists it as in Ontario Canada, and it will need a few more years to be road legal here but could possibly be brought over under the show and display law in the meantime.

'91 was the last year before a mild cosmetic refreshing and some other small changes.

Available here on ebay for $17,900.

1990 Dodge Monaco

The Monaco was a clone of the Eagle Premier.

The Premier holds a special place in automotive history. It was the last car produced by American Motors Corporation before being acquired by Chrysler. The body was designed by Giugiaro (yes, Giugiaro).

When AMC realized people who bought their Wagoneer truck chose European cars for sedans, they set out to create a American car that could bring those buyers back. But with Renault parts, front-wheel drive and poor reliability, that effort failed. It was more on the level of a Camry or Accord (although it looked way cooler than both), but didn't sell nearly as many units.

The Premier was produced from 1987 to 1992. In 1990, Dodge decided to re-badge the car and sell it as the Monaco alongside the Premier. The car was identical inside and out except for some small cosmetic changes. If any examples of the Premier are hard to find today, the Monaco is even rarer. I don't have sales figures but given the brief production time and fact they get trashed then scrapped has to make them on the verge of extinction, if not so already.

The body by Giugiaro is one of his lesser known classics. Just as he set the standard with the wedge shape of the 70s, he createed the prototypical four-door family sedan shape of the 90s with the Premier/Monaco. It's a masterpiece of form over function, all clean straight lines and hard angles. No nonsense, but some people like their cars that way. I do.

The seller of this example says it has less than 94k miles on the clock, and is mercifully the V6 version. They say it was always stored in a garage, but, like a lot of craigslist ads, are scant on details. How many owners? Is there any rust? Is it even running?

Auto snobs will never accept the notion of a front-wheel drive four-door sedan as a classic, but the Monaco screams to be saved and recognized. How few examples have to be left for bells to start ringing? There's just too much history and style to be ignored.

Available here on craigslist in Milwaukee, Wisconsin for "best offer takes it". First time I've seen that.

Blue Plate 1970 Renault R10

The Renault R10 was a more upscale version of the R8. Both featured a rear-mounted engine powering the rear wheels. Production of the R10 last from 1965-1971.

The overall length of the R10 was increased from the R8, as well as luggage space but the interior size remained the same. Power came from several four-cylinder engines.

French cars are quirky and this Renault is no exception, especially with the engine in the rear. Still, it's easy to forget that rear engines were once the norm, even on economy cars. Will the auto industry forever collude to keep us starved with front-engine, front-wheel drive, or will rear engine ever make a widespread comeback?

The seller of this example says it is a two-owner vehicle that wears its blue plates proudly. Cosmetically, they say it is "99%" rust free but does have some dings, dimples and dents that would be expected from a decades old vehicle. They say the interior is in good shape.

In the rear is the larger 1300cc 4-cylinder engine that the seller says doesn't leak oil or smoke and and runs well.

The seller says there are a stack of receipts that come from day one of purchase.

This is a charming little car that you don't see often in the U.S. It could be further refined to become a show car, continue as a daily driver or errand car, or both.

Available here on ebay in Ventura, California with bidding at $200.

In the US: 1992 Citroen XM

Shortly after becoming infatuated with the XM one pops up on ebay to taunt COTC with its seductive shape, nifty technology and utilitarian hatchback.

The XM replaced the CX in 1989 and followed a long line of four-door hatchbacks from Citroen. It was, in many ways, their ultimate vision realized. On paper, some of the statistics are misleadingly banal: front-wheel drive, cloth seats, four- and six-cylinder engines. Yet, like the French themselves, there was much more to the XM than meets the eye. As Citroen's flagship vehicle, they loaded it with sophisticated technology they had refined over decades like the Hydractive suspension where electronic sensors monitored dozens of impulses on the car and adjust the suspension accordingly within milliseconds, resulting in the famous smooth Citroen ride. The suspension could also be lowered for high speeds or raised on poor surfaces

The sleek four-door wedge body was courtesy of Bertone and is truly awesome, building on both past Citroen shapes and themes while moving the company firmly into the future. The low belt-line makes the windows huge and the greenhouse is supported by no less than 12 blackened pillars for a stealthy and futuristic look. It usually contrasts nicely with lighter colors but this looks sharp in black.

Although the turbo-diesel versions are most in keeping with the car's character, this example (VIN VF7Y3AG0004AG5872) has a 12-valve 3.0-liter V6 gasoline engine good for about 170 horsepower.

Inside, occupants are treated to spaciousness and comfort with large leather seats. The trademark single-spoke steering wheel is intact, and although the rest of the dash is unusually subdued for a Citroen it fits the overall theme of hi-tech elegance.

The seller is scant on details but say they have owned the car for 19 years and that it has 78k miles (or kilometers?), new tires, and is "very fast". The rest of their ad is the entire wikipedia file on the car copy and pasted.

Citroen stopped officially selling cars in North America since 1974, and although some importers managed to bring in some over the years, very few XM were sold here (or, more importantly, understood), making this car an extreme rarity and and in seemingly great shape too. If you've been dreaming of owning an XM (and I know I lot of people have), this could be a great opportunity to buy one already here.

Available here on ebay in Virginia with bidding at $5,600, reserve not met, and a Buy-It-Now of $14,500.

Three Seater: 10k-Mile 1983 Matra Murena

Update 12/11/2012: This vehicle is up for sale again, but the price has been lowered to $10,200 from $12,900 seven months ago.

Matra was a French Automotive group that dissolved in 1994.The Murena was produced from 1980-1983. It replaced the '73-'80 Bagheera, also a two-door sports car, which Matra made with Simca.

The body was made from a combination of fiberglass and polyester. To combat rust, the spaceframe was galvanized. This kind of foresight from the manufacturer is very appreciated. One of the biggest problems facing older cars is rust. To find an older car that was made protected against rust is a big relief. 

 Inside, the interior is notable for having those three seats. The driver's seat is positioned far left, and then two individual seat units were placed next to it. The middle seat could be folded down to make a huge armrest. Leg and foot room looks generous. The seats look to be some sort of cozy cloth. The dashboard is typical sparsity and angles of the early '80s but it looks both exotic and inviting in brown and tan.

A rear-mounted 2.2-litre inline 4-cylinder powers the rear wears. This car also features the rare and desirable "S-kit", which raised bhp output to 142.

On top of being a very rare and desirable car, the seller states it only has 10,365 miles on it. The say it was from a museum in QC (Quebec?) which is probably the best explanation you can get accounting for the condition and low miles. The seller says it runs and drives however

The seller is asking $12,900.00. I found several for sale in France on ooyyo.com for about $4,000-$12,000, so this would be considered on the high end. Still, it seems like a fair price for a cool car, in exceptional condition, that is also rare. The only lingering question and major hurdle would be the cost of imporation. The seller mentions it's "USA legal" but who knows what that means. It still has to pass the border somehow and I have no idea what that entails, but it can't be easy.

But if you made it through, it would be one cool car to have here.

 Available here on ebay in Ontario, Canada.

Under $10k: 1988 Citroen CX 22 TRS

The CX replaced the legendary DS in 1974, and nearly 1.2 million units were sold until 1991. Citroen hasn't sold a vehicle here since 1974, which is a shame since they've come out with a handful of cool designs since then. So it's notable when privately imported examples do pop up.

In keeping with the DS and in true quirky French fashion, the CX features unusual styling cues and progressive engineering. It was available as a 5-door fastback, 5-door station wagon, or extended wheelbase limousine. This is the desirable fastback, which looks the best of the bunch.

I love how this was Citroen's largest car and flagship vehicle, and yet it's four cylinders, front-wheel drive and cloth seats. Were they out of touch, or a step ahead of the curve? Probably a little bit of both. Simplistic drive layout aside, these had innovative features such as hydro-pneumatic self-leveling suspension that helped the car glide over even the worst road surfaces, speed-adjustable power steering and a single-spoke steering wheel with all controls positioned on stalks reachable by the driver without taking their hands off the wheel.

The body was designed by Robert Opron who was responsible for a couple other Citroen and Renault designs and he keeps the tradition with the CX while also forging ahead into the future. It's more plain and modern than the DS, but that suits the car's hyper-techno-utilitarian nature just fine. The covered rear wheels help aerodynamics and these look even better with full-space spoke-less alloys (or plastic covers?). The large block single-unit headlights and clean, simple panels were a revelation in 1974 and still look fresh today. Note the parts-bin side mirrors which were also used on Aston Martin for quite a while.

The seller says this has the 2200cc 4-cylinder engine mated to a 5-speed manual transmission, and has 98 kilometers on the clock, which is only about 60k miles. They say it's never been in an accident and still wears its original white paint. The also say it's got "all books and extra manuals" and a Texas title. These were never sold here, although a few independent companies brought them in under lax importation rules during the grey market heyday of the 80s. It's unclear how this got here, but a clear title helps matters.

Overall, it looks like a decent example of a rare car. This has either daily driver potential or weekend-only cruiser.

Available here on craigslist in Dallas, Texas for just $7,250.

Remember the Future: 1981 Citroen GSAX3

Citroen is an odd but admirable brand. Their cars ranged from economy to luxury, but they all had an eccentric twist. They were unusual looking. They were futuristic. And yet many of them had simplistic front-wheel drive layout, such as this GSA, though there was often nothing simplistic about the technology underneath.

The GS was made from 1970-1986 and was a success, with over 2 million units produced. Most engines were air-cooled flat four-cylinders. In 1979, the GSA replaced the GS and added a new hatchback body.

Styling was done in-house by Robert Opron. He gives the GSA a classic shape that is very Citroen and very European but seldom seen here. I love four-door hatchbacks. They are so practical and functional. Saab offered them for years, and only a couple other automakers. It's a shame there aren't more.

Inside, the wild instrument cluster features a hi-tech diagnostic screen that monitors the hydraulic suspension, a single-spoke steering wheel, and cylindrical stalks covered in switches and buttons flaking each side of the wheel. This could easily have been a background prop for Blade Runner, except it was a consumer's reality in 1981. Cue Vangelis. Awesome.

Like many Citroen, the GSA was never officially sold here, making this one a rarity in the U.S. The seller states it has been in dry storage since 1987, but they say it runs good. They mention it has the 13/15 cc flat four, and is mated to a 5-speed manual transmission.

Cosmetically, they had it repainted once in a similar enamel-type paint they found it with. It looks great in "robin egg blue". They do say it has some rust, but just one spot, and there are no holes - yet. They also note a nick in the rear and some damage to the driver's side mirror.

They say the odometer reads about 119,009 kilometers which is only about 73k miles.

Available here on ebay in Copake Falls, New York with bidding starting at  $5,500 and a Buy-It-Now of $5,900.

No Reserve Pre-War 1923 Renault KJ Roadster

This boat tail Renault was made before WWII. Renault was founded in 1899 and is one of France's major automakers.

Pre-war cars featured the radiator behind the engine, hence the sloped nose and side vents. It was not until 1930 that radiators were moved to the front.

The 1920s were a time of economic prosperity and Renault produced a bunch of vehicles at the time. While closed cars were the most luxurious and costly, roadsters like this were the cheapest.

The seller says this example is motivated by a 4-cylinder engine mated to a 3-speed manual transmission. Mechanically, they say it has a rebuilt motor and carburator.

Cosmetically, it looks stunning in flat true blue which black wheel arches and running boards. I especially love the aerodynamic full-faced wheels.

The seller says it had no rust or rot, 1000 original miles (impossible to verify but ok), and a clear CA title.

This is a lovely car. If you're into pre-war, check it out.

Available here on ebay in Mission Hills, California with bidding at $7,600 and no reserve.

Extinct Or Not? 1987 Renault Alliance GTA Convertible

As of last summer, Hagerty's Insurance rated the 1986-1987 Renault GTA extinct.

Fortunately (or unfortunately, depending on your memory of them) some do pop up. In this case, it's a relatively low mileage and clean survivor, making it an extra rare find.

It was actually made by American Motors Company and built in Wisconsin. Since 1979, Renault had an ownership stake in AMC, which resulted in dozens of cars until AMC's eventual sale to Chrysler in 1988.

The Alliance was produced from 1983-1987. It's a rudimentary front-wheel drive compact car to compete with the likes of Chrysler's K-cars. It even looks like a K-car, although that's not necessarily an insult. The shape is simple, clean, well-proportioned and generally inoffensive.

Although hopes were high and the car initially impressed, the complexities of AMC's relationship with Renault seemed to eventually defeat the Alliance. Not a wide enough variety of body styles were offered. The cars were underpowered. And reliability grew poor. It was eventually determined that despite the U.S.-based construction, the cars were really no better than notoriously poorly built French cars. The final slap on the face was in 2009 when Car & Driver retracted their 1983 naming of the Alliance as car of the year. Ouch.

This Alliance is the final-year-only GTA trim. It was a "high performance" edition that came with a 2.0-litre 4-cylinder engine producing 95 horsepower, body skirts, and various other mechanical and cosmetic upgrades.

The seller is a dealer and does their best used-car-salesman writeup, complete with italics and exclamation points. They note the 94k-miles are original and it was owned by a Renault enthusiast.

Cosmetically, it looks immaculate. The color combo is flatters the simple, boxy, compact shape (dare I say reminiscent of the BMW E30).

Mechanically, the seller says the vehicle is "sound".

If Haggerty said there were no more left over a year ago, you can bet there are even fewer now. How many can be left? And in this good shape?

Available here on ebay in Fort Lauderdale, Florida with bidding starting at $3,000 and a buy-it-now of $4,688.