Lost Giugiaro: 1984 Isuzu Impulse

I love the Impulse! This is a forgotten chapter in Isuzu history. Today, the company has been reduced to selling commercial diesel trucks in the US. But during the Japanese Invasion of the 80s, Isuzu was striving to stand out against a crowded field of competitors like Toyota, Honda, Nissan and Subaru.

I give them a lot of credit for trying. They specialized in small, efficient cars but weren't afraid to take design risks. One such was the Impulse, otherwise known as the Piazza outside of North America.

Isuzu commissioned legendary designer Giorgio Giugiaro to style a new sporty coupe for them in the late 70s. The result was the Piazza/Impulse. It was classic Giugiaro: simple two-box design, long hood, sloping rear hatchback, flat simple planes, sharp edges and square shapes. If you appreciate modern design, you appreciate Giugiaro and the Impulse.

The car debuted in 1980 but wasn't available in the US until 1983. Unfortunately by that point, the entry level two door rear wheel drive segment was very competitive. The Impulse was initially only offered with a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter 4-cylinder, then gained a turbocharger and fancy Lotus suspension in later years. Production ended around 1990.

This is a nice early example with the basic 4-cylinder engine mated to an automatic transmission. The seller doesn't say much about the condition except it runs and drives. The car was obviously used a lot. A photo of the odometer shows it reading 140,636. The engine compartment, accessible through a cool front-hinged hood, looks decent and tidy enough. The exterior clear coat and rubber look worn, although what appear to be the sweet original alloys are a huge plus.

Inside, the cloth seats are torn, but the dash looks intact. These had cool adjustable steering wheels that moved the instrument cluster with them for maximum visibility.

The seller does say they have lowered the price down to $2,500, which is a good deal provided the car runs ok, has some maintenance history and no rust. This could become a daily driver, but would be nice to restore sooner or later, with fresh paint, mechanical going over and fixed upholstery. Japanese cars of the 80s and early 90s are the new up and coming classics, and mean a lot to the twenty and thirty-something crowd today. This car is a cool, easily obtainable new classic that can function as transportation and a piece of auto history. Not bad.

Available here on craigslist.

1989 Dodge Caravan Turbo 5-Speed

The Caravan was a bright spot in Dodge/Chrysler's 80s lineup. Under Lee Iacocca, it debuted in 1984 as a combination of car and truck: the space and roominess of a van and the ride and handling of a car. It was an instant hit with families and the market has never been the same since.

The mechanicals are less innovative, with front engine and front wheel drive. Fortunately, Dodge was also an another kick in the 80s: turbocharging. I guess they figured the way to beat the front wheel blues was add a turbo boost to everything they sold. As a marketing schtick, turbocharging always looks and seems great. I actuality, it can be a mixed blessing.

So it's perhaps not surprising that a 2.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine found its way into some early Caravans. Even more rare is to find it mated to a stick shift. The engine was good for about 150 horsepower, not bad for the time. In fact, it felt quicker than some of the heavier rear-wheel drive Dodges of the time. Unfortunately the turbo was overshadowed by the more sensible and powerful V6. Sales dropped and 1990 was the last year for the turbo Caravan.

Early Caravans sold in huge numbers but were always driven into the ground, understandably. That means they're hard to find nowadays. The turbo version is even more obscure, but this one survived.

The seller says this one has minor dings, no rust, no roof racks, a new clutch, struts, shocks, tires, windshield, fuel pump, radiator and more. The say it runs good and was being driven 50 miles a day, but don't mention the odometer reading. They do say it needs paint, headliner and a cooling fan.

This is a fun alternative to your usual dull vans and wagons. It's under the collector radar but with some fresh black paint, armor-all and elbow grease this could make a quirky contender at Mopar shows.

Available here on craigslist in Pemberton, New Jersey for $3,200 firm.

No Reserve Project 1963 Corvair Greenbriar Van

As the desirability and prices of a Volkswagen Type 2 continue to escalate, I'd like to remind everyone there's an equally cool if not cooler alternative that is way less expensive and 100% American: the Corvair Van.

In anticipation of the threat of rear engine dominance coming from Volkswagen, General Motors launched the Corvair name in 1959. Within a couple years was available in almost every body imaginable - coupe, convertible, sedan, wagon, pickup and van. The lineup lasted until 1969, and while not a disaster, was never followed up and remains to this day America's only rear engine production car. Fortunately for fans today the Corvair offers the uniqueness of rear engine setup at still affordable prices.

The van itself lasted from 1961-1965 and was available with either 6 or 8 doors. Unlike rear engine Volkswagens, all Corvairs had with 6-cylinder engines. The cabin-forward design put the driver over the front wheels, and the engine was way in back behind the rear wheels underneath a slightly raised bed floor.

This particular example is a '63 window van the seller bought off ebay from Arizona, then shipped it to Wisconsin. They intended to fix it up but alas never had the chance (how many times does that happen?) and are now offering it for sale with no reserve. COTC loves window vans for their airy outward appearance and passenger-friendliness from the inside.

The biggest issue on a van this old is rust, and while the seller says the floors are ok, they do mention some small holes in the doors.

Mechanically, they say the original 80 horsepower engine starts but putters. The a/c isn't operational and the engine is running off a gas can because the tank gas sat too long. That means this is going to need a bunch of engine work and new fuel lines and gas tank.

Cosmetically it looks rough, although I like the worn white and green paint and would personally be ok with it, older vans sometimes look better beat up than too clean and polished. This could look really cool in the right setting. Glass is an often neglected concern and this one is missing a few but the seller says they have replacements.

This is obviously going to cost money to fix, but could be reasonable done if you're doing the fixing.

Available here on ebay.

1991 Toyota MR2 With V6 Swap

I love the MR2. Part of what makes the cut for cars I write about is if there isn't anything quite like it on the market today. This is especially true of the MR2. Toyota had just three generations before they canceled the program. Today's handful of mid engine cars such as the Porsche Boxster start at, what $50k-$70k? But in the glory days of Japanese automating, Toyota delivered a car that looked good, handled great, was good on gas, reliable and affordably priced.

There's a lot of debate as to which generation MR2 is the best. Most agree the third is the least desirable, as it was only available as a convertible and naturally aspirated. That leaves the first two generations, one symbolic of the 80s and the other of the 90s. It all comes down to taste. I tend to prefer the early first generation models for their quirky new wave looks, lower weight and simplicity.

This is a second generation. It's heavier, but in this example the weight is offset by more power. The seller says they have removed the 4-cylinder engine and put in a V6. There are a lot of V6 engines out there, and not all great. My guess is this was a non-turbo car and they owner was a mechanic who felt they could do the job well and had a good enough V6 to put in to make it worthwhile. Performance should be pretty sweet as a result.

The seller says there are about 118k miles on the body and 110k miles on the engine, neither spectacularly low but average for this year. Unfortunately there's a problem that prevents the car from driving. The seller says they don't have the time to fix it.

Fortunately, the say the body has no rust.

If you're a mechanic and you love the MR2, this could be a really cool find and a blast to drive one set up. Black is a good color and the the gold alloys don't even bother me much. I'd want a complete rundown on the history of the engine and the car first though.

Available here on craigslist for $3,500.

73K-Mile 1994 Mazda RX-7

Mazda's RX-7 made quite an impression when the charming first generation debuted in 1978. By then, the Germans had long abandoned any notions of mainstream, mass-produced rotary engines. But Japan hadn't given up on the quirky engine setup, which was noted for its smoothness and high output, although not necessarily reliability and efficiency.

Successive generations of the RX-7 have come and gone, but the 90s version remains the most enigmatic. Firstly, it's rare. Mazda only offered it here from 1993-1995 and never sold many, hence pulling it off the market so quickly. Second, it was the only rotary engined car available. The rotary engine is a piece of complex machinery, and is not measured by cylinders. This generation RX-7 came with a sequential twin-turbocharger unit that was good for north of 250 horsepower, impressive for the time. But despite being a quality, capable rear-wheel drive sports car, it was often out-shined by stiff competition like the 300ZX, Supra, Corvette and NSX. Lastly, the styling, while admired for its simplicity, is almost a little too soft and anonymous to stand out in a field of alpha-personalities.

Only three models were offered in North America: base, touring and R. This is a 1994 model that is being offered by a private seller. They don't specify what trim it is, but it seems well equipped with a sunroof, leather seating and a rear spoiler, all of which are rather must-haves on this type of car.

They say it has just 73k miles on the clock. It's no garage queen though, and has dings and dents on the body along with a worn driver's seat.

Mechanically, the seller says it runs and drive nice. Reliability will depend on their upkeep, so check for proof. I'd also check for accidents. These were fast cars and inexperienced owners often pushed them to the limits, with repercussions. Scarce parts and service might be expensive, as well.

The seller is asking $12,000, which is a large chunk of change for an old car not in perfect condition. But, the mileage is low enough and the car itself rare that it is still desirable. Knowledge is power and will help in negotiating.

Available here on craigslist.

1964 Chevrolet C10 Short Bed Pickup

Nothing says American transportation like pickup trucks. That is, pickup trucks before the Japanese invasion of the late 70s and 80s. Before that, buying any other pickup than a Chevy or Ford was unthinkable, in fact, impossible, as there really wasn't anything else like them.

Although we all know how the "tiny two-seat convertible" is the most likely variant of automobile to appreciate in value, their polar opposite, the tough unwieldy, unglamorous American pickup truck, is having its moment too. Firstly, they are hard to find. These were solidly built and dependable but were worked to death in the early post-industrial years of the 50s, 60s and 70s. Second, they are unique and fill a niche. They ignite the imagination as easily as apple pie or the marlboro man.

This particular find is a '64 C10 with the desirable short bed. COTC likes the short bed for the nice proportions it gives the truck and better handling, too.

The 1960 model year heralded a whole new pickup for Chevrolet. These trucks had a lower cabin for easier access and independent front suspension for an almost car-like ride. They were offered with either 6- or 8-cylinders, and either 2- or 4-wheel drive. The C denoted 2wd and the K 4wd. 1964 models eliminated the wrap-aroud windshield and featured a new grille. The range was changed again in 1967 and wasn't as good looking.

The seller says the 230 6-cylinder engine is under the hood mated to a 3-speed column shifter.

The 6-speed and 2wd combo is fine for most macho tasks.

The seller says they purchased the vehicle as a project but are going to work on another vehicle instead. It's always a little irritating when sellers say that. What was it about this car that bugged them? Still, the honesty is appreciated.

Mechanically, they say it runs and drives but will need work on a bunch of stuff that degrades with age like the carburator and brakes.

Fortunately, they say it's about 95% rust free, nothing short of a miracle on an old picked located in New England. They say the paint job is not original and is poor, but the red and white combo isn't terrible from afar.

I can't stand when old pickups are redone into showroom queens. Something always gets lots in translation. COTC thinks this should be mechanically sorted, then driven as is to the lake, antique furniture sprees and Christmas tree hauling. Unless the paint is really that bad, but paint jobs are extensive and the seller wants enough dough as it is.

Available here on craigslist for $6,500.

1964 Corvair Corvan 95

The Corvair lineup was a bright spot in American automotive history. With the shadow of Volkswagen's impressive rear-engine domination looming, GM enlisted the Corvair to fend off the threat. The Corvair sedan, coupe, convertible and wagon were pretty cool and successful cars.

The Corvan was officially known as the Greenbriar Sportswagon and was made from 1961-65. The air-cooled horizontally opposed 6-cylinder engine was mounted in the rear and powered the rear wheels, like the Volkswagen Type 2. The cabin forward design sat over the front wheels.

The engine was good for about 100 horsepower. This particular example is mated to the more desirable 4-speed manual transmission.

It also features a windowless panel body with two rear opening doors on one side for easy access.

The seller has added a new steering kit, windshield, weather stripping clutch and paint job.

They say it needs new upholstery, shocks, horn and heater.

Vans are cool in general because they are roomy and practical. This one takes that to another level with the unique rear engine setup. With Volkswagen Vanagan prices and desirability going through the roof, an obscure but worthy alternative are Corvair vans like this. With a little work, this is a nice classic van.

Available here on craigslist for $8,500.

In the US: 1988 BMW 325ix Wagon

Oh winter! How you punish me with your freezing temperatures, relentless snow and overly sanded and salted roads. But how you give me reason to buy cars that would make the winter so much more bearble - at least when driving.

The E30 station wagon was never officially offered in North America, and only a handful have made their way here since through private importation. While Mercedes-Benz wagons are legendary, BMW variants are less so. They were never offered in diesels, and weren't introduced until the late 80s, so they never developed a cult following. But that doesn't mean they aren't as cool.

The E30 wagon is particularly neat because the E30 chassis is arguably one of the best BMW cars of all time. It's about the size of a Honda Civic, but with superior design and engineering.

This particular example is the first year they starting making the wagon body style, and it's utterly brilliant. The roof is extended and the rear slopes perfectly into the same taillights as sedan, coupe and convertible had. It also has a rear wiper.

As a cherry on top, this one is also equipped with BMW's first all-wheel drive system, simply denoted by the "x" in 325ix. BMW did not advertise this system as much as Audi did with Quattro and Mercedes with 4Matic, so it disappeared after the E30 and did not return until nearly a decade later with the E46 "xi" (of which I am a very happy owner). As an additional bonus, this one has a stick shift for those rally enthusiasts.

The U.S. government prohibits the private importation of vehicles newer than 25 years old for road use, but this puppy just turned 25 this year, so it should be here legally. The seller says it is exempt from DOT and EPA exempt, and can be registered as a classic vehicle.

Cosmetically, it seems to be wearing ugly aftermarket rims, but otherwise looks fine. The front black plastic spoiler is missing, a common flaw on these as they are usually taken out by road debris or parking blocks, and should be easy to replace.

Mechanically, the seller says it's a 1-owner vehicle with full maintenance, everything working, and no needs.

If this thing checks out with no rust and a clear title, you've got one really cool car for a bargain price.

Available here on ebay in New York for $6,999.

Early Bangle: 1996 Fiat Coupe Turbo

Utter the name of designer "Chris Bangle" among auto enthusiasts and a collective shudder will ensue. Bangle is an American who was hired as a stylist for BMW, and beginning with the 2002 E65 7-Series, radically altered the look, tone, and feel of all BMW vehicles, much to the public's disdain. During the late 20th century, BMW designs under Claus Luthe were always evolutionary, building carefully on each predecessor. These cars, like the E30, E32 and E34, were also built extremely well and when combined with the conservative styling, became seared in the minds of drivers all over the world as superior products. Bangle broke the evolutionary chain in favor of revolution. It backfired. The E65, with its bloated proportions, ridiculous trunk, overly complex electronics and unintelligible "iDrive", was a step in the wrong direction after the beloved E38 it replaced.

So what was Chris up to before he "bangled" up BMW? He worked for Opel and then Fiat, and this '96 Coupe bears his mark.

The Coupe was produced from 1993-2000. Bangle designed the body, and Pininfarina did the interior. Bangle's work here isn't half bad. It's quite in line with that Italian designers were striving for in the 90s, moving past the chiseled-from-steel edges and lines of the Eighties and into soft curves and minimalist panels. The unorthodox wheel arch shapes are interesting but give it an odd look from certain angles. The round taillights are nice. It's kinda futuristic, kinda pretentious. I also appreciate the rear wiper.

Inside, exterior color flows in and wraps around the dashboard to brighten things up.

Like Alfa Romeo at the time, which Fiat owned, the Coupe is front-wheel drive. Fortunately, under the hood of this example is the later 2.0-liter 20-valve 5-cylinder turbocharged engine. It pumped out around 217 horsepower and propelled the car from 0-60 mph in 6.5 seconds, not bad. This one is mated to a 5-speed manual transmission.

The car is located in Canada and the seller says it has only 69,999 kilometers on the clock, which is only about 42k miles. They say it's in "perfect" condition inside and out. The also say it's one of just a handful ever imported to North America. The US currently doesn't allow cars newer than 25 years old to be imported for road use, but there are exceptions. Perhaps this could be made into one of them? The seller warns however if you are a US bidder and you don't have a concrete plan on getting the car across the border, don't bother bidding.

Available here on ebay with no bids starting at $6,000 and a Buy-It-Now of $12k.

$700 Project: 1986 Mazda 626 Coupe Turbo

Mazda was putting a lot of effort into their 626 of the 80s. This was before it became the dumbed down low quality rental-fleet mobile of the late 90s. But back in the 80s, the Japanese mid-size sedan segment was still wide open. Anyone could become what the Accord and Camry are today (which isn't so say much, as they are both now overpriced, poorly styled and cheaply made front-wheel drive cars). Japanese automakers rose to the competitive challenge and put their best designs and engineering innovations forward.

To distinguish the 626, Mazda was refreshingly open to ideas. This included offering the 626 in a variety of body styles like a 2-door coupe, a 4-door sedan, and a sleek 4-door hatchback. They also added an intriguing array of driving systems from four-wheel steering to four-wheel drive.

This is a 2-door coupe from the "GC" generation, which was only sold from 1983-1987, the briefness of which is evidence Mazda was watching the competition closely and felt the need to change the vehicle yet again. This generation 626 were once a common sight on American roads but have all but vanished now. I can't even remember the last time I've seen one.

Underneath the hood is a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder turbocharged engine that produced 120 horsepower. Sure, they were front-wheel drive, but the turbo is a really nice addition. Neither Toyota or especially Honda were fond of turbocharging, at least on their sedans, so this is a pleasant surprise.

In the 80s, Japanese designers has a penchant for forward leaning instrument displays and this 626 follows suit, with a nifty horizontal tachometer and (presumably) digital speedometer, which is unlit. The Germans wouldn't touch this kind of edgy, almost kitschy gaucheness, and always stuck with analog displays, but these are real conversation pieces and are a unique insight on the mind fame that assembled the vehicle at the time.

Unfortunately this is a project car. The seller says the engine was given a thorough rebuild 1k miles ago at a price of $1,100, but then the turbocharger blew and has been left to sit since. The seller says they have a stock turbo from a donor car, but haven't installed it and won't let prospective buyers do so, understandably. They also have a bunch of extra parts that will come with the sale of this vehicle.

Honestly, for $700 you can't go wrong. This is a rare car that deserves some time and attention, inside and out. Get the turbo working, see if it needs anything else, give it a glossy re-paint in red, and then just drive it and take it to Japanese shows.

Available here on craigslist in Des Moines, Iowa for just $700.

Under $15k: 1979 Porsche 911SC Targa

Want to catch some fresh fall air before it gets too cold (which is happening very fast for us New Englanders)? Try on this 911 Targa for size.

The Targa body is still the unloved child of the 911 range. The coupes and convertibles are about equally desirable, but no one seems to want a targa. I'm not sure why. It's the best of both worlds, with some of the structural rigidity of a hardtop and some of the open air pleasure of the convertible. And yet maybe that's exactly why they still haven't taken to collectors, a car with such a strong personality as the 911 shouldn't be ambiguous and undecided as to what the nature of its roof is. Or should it?

I like the them. Since collector's don't, the targa versions are often priced lower for those looking to get into the rear-engine Porsche world.

The seller of this example says it is mostly original except for a whale tale, front spoiler with integrated fog lamps, steering wheel and other items that enhance the car, even if cliche.

911 look good in white and this is no exception. The red interior contrasts nicely, and the seller shows matching red seat covers protecting the leather.

Most importantly, they say it has no rust. Mechanically, they say it runs and drives nice and everything works including the power windows. Under the hood is Porsche's tried and true bulletproof 3.0-liter 6-cylidner air-cooled engine. The seller says there is 107k miles on it.

This seems like a relatively well cared for example. I would inquire about ownership and accidents, and look into more maintenance history. If it checks out, stash that targa top away for a blast of cold air.

Available here on craigslist in Salem, Massachusetts for $12,400.

1990 Subaru XT

If you haven't noticed already, I love the Subaru XT. These were forgotten for years until just recently when Subaru themselves restored an XT for their museum that caught a bit of attention. Subaru also doesn't currently offer anything similar to it.

The XT was sold from 1985-1991. It featured either front or four-wheel drive, four or six cylinders, and was either normally aspirated or turbocharged.

Perhaps the coolest aspect is the avant garde styling. Sure, at first glance it looks like a 1980s vision of the future, perpetually auditioning for a background shot in Blade Runner or Total Recall. But a careful examination reveals the design to deceptively thoughtful. The wedge shape provides for a .29 drag coefficient, and the large greenhouse glass and blackened pillars give it superior visibility in and out, while looking super stealthy. The thin taillight strip no doubt inspired the Alfa 164. The whole thing is almost primordial, progressive but ancient feeling, like some kind of aborted project or lost code, and reminds me of the Apex building in Pawtucket, RI, like it should be the structure's emergency shuttle craft or something.

Inside, the futuristic theme continues with an asymmetrical steering wheel, joystick-like gearshift and tightly spaced and intense instrument cluster.

Not many were sold and most were thrashed during ownership so even less have survived. The seller of this example says the odometer reads 119,997 miles, but a complete engine rebuild was done at 101k. They say nothing is wrong with it and they are just selling because of excess vehicles. Cosmetically, they say it has normal wear, dings, and scratches but nothing major. They say the interior is even better.

If Subaru is restoring these, we're not far off from the days when individuals start doing so too. These are interestingly styled and fun to drive. This is just the front-wheel drive version, but the turbocharged four cylinder examples with four-wheel drive are first in line to become modern collector classics. Snatch these up before they all get scrapped.

Available here on craigslist in Seattle, Washington for $2,300.

Flying Brick: 1988 BMW K75C

Motorcycles are some of the fastest and most fuel efficient ways to get around, but they aren't practical in colder climates like here in New England. I still envy places where they make more sense. A friend of mine once described the sensation of riding a motorcycle as being unlike anything else, not a car or a bicycle. He was especially fond of BMW motorcycles and their construction.

The K-Series was launched in 1983 to great enthusiasm for a new generation of water-cooled four-cylinder BMW motorcycles, and used the line to launch a bunch of new technology, like anti-lock braking, electronic cruise control, and electronic suspension adjustment.

In 1985 they launched the K75, which was the entry-level motorcycle with only three cylinders. The engine was positioned longitudinally for greater center of gravity and an appearance which lending it the nickname "Flying Brick".

This is the "C" model, which has some slight differences like a unique handlebar-mounded cockpit fairing.

I love the styling of these. BMW made a truly modern motorcycle, landing smack in the middle of the Americans and Japanese offerings, with the simplicity of Harley Davidson and the technology of Kawasaki, but looking way cooler than both of them. This example looks particularly clean and crisp in white.

The seller says it has a healthy 70k miles on the odometer, which is a lot for a motorcycle, but has to indicate it was simultaneously taken care of to keep going that much. The seller says it is in good mechanical shape and purchased another K-series so they no longer need this one.

This could easily be someone's commuter to and from work on bright, sunny, cloudless days.

Available here on craigslist in Daphne, Alabama for $2,500.