Stored 10+ Years: 1986 Isuzu Impulse Turbo

The Impulse is one of the great lost cars of the 80s. There is so much going on with them: Giugiaro body, Japanese engineering, Lotus tuning. They looked terrific, were fun to drive and have held up over time pretty well. They are also extremely rare.

The basic fact is that there just aren't any sporty, compact, affordable rear-wheel drive cars anymore. But back in the late 70s to the early 90s there were many options.

The Impulse was one such option when it debuted in 1981. It was otherwise known, perhaps fittingly (given the Italian design) as the Piazza outside North America. This was way back when Isuzu was an equal contender alongside Honda and Toyota for king of Japanese auto sales in North America. The Impulse was way nicer than most other Japanese cars at the time. Isuzu made a great call in commissioning Giugiaro to do the body work. Japanese design was struggling to find a language, and he helped them see how they could craft a look, tone and shape that neither America nor Germany were seizing upon - yet.

Engines were either naturally aspirated or turbocharged 4-cylinders. This is the rarer and far more desirable 2.0-liter turbo, with a 5-speed manual transmission, ventilated front disc brakes, and rear solid disc brakes. The seller says the suspension is by Lotus, but I thought it was only offered on later models.

The seller says this survivor has been in enclosed storage for over a decade and needs a cleaning. They do mention a new battery and oil change, however, and that is was "started up". 10 years is a long slumber for any car, so it may need more, but the basics are here, and it looks great in presumably original Turbo trim, wheels and rear spoiler.

The Impulse is flying low on the collector radar but deserves a new appraisal as a special, exotic car of multinational breeding. To sum it up, it's pretty and fast.

Available here on craigslist for just $2,800.

1975 BMW 2002 Automatic

This is just about the worst version of the 2002 you can buy. It's a base model, base engine US-spec with the huge bumpers and automatic transmission to sap the already small engine.

That said, it could also make for a great jumping point into a nice 2002 build. I'm usually all for originality, but when originality means US DOT mandated bumpers, needless side markers and engine-strangling emissions equipment, modifying is a very attractive alternative.

The thing about the 2002 is that you know it can do so much better. Introduced in 1968 as part of the Neu Klasse cars that revolutionized the company and brought it widespread acclaim from the press and sales from consumers. Intended as a smaller, less expensive alternative to the sedans, the 2002 made good impressions with its relatively light weight, good handling and affordable price. In 1973 a Turbo version was launched, the first production turbocharged car in Europe.

It helped the styling was so good that it is now a certifiable classic. It wears the high-wasited bathtub shape that was popular on cars in the 50s, 60s and 70s after designers saw the first generation Corvair. and later NSU 110. The Europeans further tweaked and refined this charming, unpretentious shape.

The interior is also classic early BMW, with an all-black dash, clear, simple gauges and an oversized steering wheel. The seller says the interior is good and it looks mostly disaster free in the photos.

Underneath the hood is a small inline 4-cylinder that makes around 85 horsepower. The seller says its "great running". This can easily be given more life with some simple, common sense upgrades. A manual transmission swap is a must, and the seller even says the sale of this car comes with a spare parts donor car.

The exterior color and interior are fine for the meantime on this, but it's begging for a stick shift, weber carbs and euro bumpers.

Available here on craigslist for $5,800.

1970 Toyota Corolla Sprinter

There is something so innocent and undiluted about post-war Japanese cars like this rare first generation E10 Corolla Sprinter.

Way before their superstardom days of the 80s and 90s, Toyota were barely making a dent in the North American market of the early 70s, where the only cars Americans bought were their own: huge, unsightly, gas-guzzling barges. Then, BAM the fuel crises started happening. Suddenly, small, fuel efficient cars were in demand. Toyota, who had already been building those cars, were suddenly popular. Americans woke up and the rest is history.

But with this young classic, Toyota were still getting out of the gates. The styling is something to behold, with absolutely no traces of any of their annoying and un-artful design cues of today. Instead, the E10 Spinter is sparse, simple, lean and frugal looking, almost resembling a poor man's BMW 2002 Touring hatchback. The pre-regultion bumpers help, too, and the originality of this example is really wonderful, down to the emblems and nameplate.

Underneath the hood is a 1.2-liter inline 4-cylinder engine good for about just 65 horsepower to the rear wheels. That seems pitifully low, but remember the car is significantly smaller, simpler and lighter than today's cars. It will also mean the engine is relatively easy to fix, and extremely good on gas. A peek inside the hood shows just how little space even the engine itself takes up.

The seller says it is all-origial with no rust, both claims seem credible given the pictures and sunny, dry California location and plates.

The E10 was replaced shortly after this model, but this is a remarkable survivor and reminder of the global super company's humble roots and rise from the ashes of WWII.

Available here on ebay.