1984 Porsche 911 Targa

This metallic dark green 911 with gold BBS rims immediately caught my eye. It's a rare - and handsome - combination. The seller claims it's original "moss green" paint with no accidents or paint work.

The Porsche bubble continues, the way Ferrari went 30 years ago, and with no signs of slowing down. The logic is as follows: your old air-cooled Porsche 911 will rapidly appreciate in value every year, with extra bonus on top if it's been well kept and in original condition.

Of all the 911, I do like the 80's versions. Despite the clunky rear bumper guards, these cars were solid, fast, and have aged well. The iconic 911 shape is HERE. These cars are also crazy SMALL - they are a micro-car compared to the average size of today's vehicles.

The targa is the least-loved 911 variant, because it's not the superior coupe and it's not the total top-down convertible either. Fortunately, with the rigid middle beam bar and cool single-piece wraparound rear window, it does what a Targa should do: give you a lot more open air and visibility than a sunroof coupe, and yet more structure and safety than a convertible.

If this one is as original as the seller claims, it could very well be worth the nearly $43k asking price. Hey, at least they're not asking $50k...or $60k...or $70k...

You know someone selling a Porsche has already won if you start thinking that way ;)

Available on craigslist here

1978 Porsche 911 SC

Prices of air-cooled Porsche 911 are going through the roof, with old racing and Turbo versions hitting six figures. Eventually all models will follow suit. This means that long time collectors can cash out, and new people wanting to get in can't anymore.

One of the last moderately affordable air-cooled 911 is the SC that was produced from 1978-1983. It served as the base model, but had a 3.0-liter 6-cylinder engine that produced 180 horsepower, Bosch fuel injection and a 5-speed 915 transmission.

This one looks great in silver over black with ATS cookie cutter wheels. The seller says it is a documented one-owner car, with 70% original paint, original interior and 106k miles. They say they have receipts since new, and say it was just serviced and runs good.

I think the Porsche market is ridiculous, but I'm glad I found this base model "bargain" for my readers before it appreciates out of reach for most. Check for rust and accidents, but it otherwise looks like an honest, decent daily driver that can be restored later in life during retirement or something.

Available here on craigslist for $28,500.

Mike's 1964 Chevrolet Corvair Monza

I spotted this Corvair at the coffee shop on a rainy spring day recently. I was actually having a conversation and stopped mid-sentence when I saw it cruise by, amazed. So my buddy Patrick and I headed to the back parking lot to investigate.

As I approached the owner Mike, he opened the rear and added some oil to the engine, prompting his companion to ask whether everything was fine. "No problems," he said cooly, as if it was ordinary procedure. They had just driven up from New York and the car originally came from California, as the rare black plates suggest.

It's a '64 Monza Coupe, the last year of the beloved first generation. The Corvair remains the only mass-produced rear-engine American car. General Motors created it to stave off the threat of Volkswagen's domination in the entry-level car market.

There are fierce devotees on each side of the two generations, and while I've been digging the second generation lately, seeing a first generation car in person makes me really like it, too. The styling is amazing. The front and rear hoods look long and flat but the overall proportions still remind you it's a small car. It also has that classic high-waisted bathtub shape that influenced dozens of cars in America and Europe, like the NSU 110 and BMW 2002.

The Corvair debuted as a four-door sedan, then a two-door "Monza" was added in 1960. All Corvairs had flat 6-cylinder engines, but the displacement and power varied from around 80 to 180 horsepower in some second generation turbocharged cars.

Mike said he wishes he could tell people he got it from the original owner, but that would be a stretch. He also said it's got parts from a "million other different cars". The wheels are aftermarket and the exterior paint isn't original either, as the red engine bay suggested (which itself might not have been the original color), but it looks good in the current silver. Inside, the dash wears a cover to protect from cracking, and the tan seats are intact.

Originality matters less and functionality more when you're using a classic car like this for daily driver as Mike is. The whole car itself is an original, unique monument to a totally different era. General Motors is a very different company and cars are literally the complete opposite (with the engines in front) today.

Ralph Nader famously called out the Corvair in his book Unsafe at Any Speed, but most of the complaints about it could also have been made about dozens of European cars at the time. However, the damage was done, and sales dropped. GM's commitment to the Corvair eroded and they stopped production in 1969. But it didn't go without making a fond impression on lots of people. Today, as rear-engine Volkswagens and Porsches sell for a lot of money, the Corvair is a great alternative and a bargain, too.

When Mike was done checking up on the engine, he closed the lid, threw the towel and bottle in the back seat and went inside for coffee, just like that. Well done, sir. It was truly great to not only see a Corvair, but see it used as any other car might be.

Award-winning 1965 Chevrolet Corvair Hardtop Sedan

The Corvair is one of the greatest American cars ever made. Historically, Europe has always led the way in auto innovation and especially aesthetics. Volkswagen burst onto the post-war scene with their iconic lineup of air-cooled rear-engine cars. Sensing the inevitability of that engine layout, General Motors conceived of the Corvair to stave off competition. What it lacked in mechanical originality it made up in bounds with styling and performance.

The Corvairs are divided between two generations. The first one was brilliant. The bathtub styling was so well done it finally influenced European designers for a change - famously inspiring Claus Luthe and his NSU Prinz 4. This is a second generation up for sale. The second generation was arguably even better looking. I prefer it over its predecessor. It's slightly more modern, but still retains cues from the first generation. It was one of the best looking cars of its time and still looks terrific today.

A range of body styles were offered, but most sold were the two door hardtops and convertibles. This is the lesser seen hardtop sedan however, which was dropped from the lineup in 1967, making it available for just two years in the second generation body style and therefore rather rare. The pillar-less body is elegant, liberating and beautiful. This one looks particularly good in dark blue over tan. The rear luggage rack seems a period option and works perfectly with the people-carrying setup.

Underneath the rear (how nice it is to say that for a change) is a flat-6-cylinder engine. GM mercifully understood the cars would have been grossly underpowered with just 4-cylinders. Even with 6 they weren't lighting the street on fire, but this one is fortunately a 110-horsepower optioned car, not shabby for the time and just adequate for modern traffic.

The seller says it runs and drives excellent, is original, has no rot and has accrued just 40k miles over its lifetime. It certainly looks terrific in the photos. They also say it was won awards presumably for its good condition.

This seems like an honest, proud and well-kept example of a car from an all-too brief high point in American auto history.

Available here on craigslist for $9,500.

1981 Tatra 613

I love Tatra! These are one of the coolest, strangest and most forgotten cars in history, but they also hold an extremely important place as the only rear-engine 8-cylinder passenger cars ever made.

Tatra has a long and colorful history as the third oldest automaker in the world, and have seen nations and governments rise and fall while making cars and trucks the entire time. Their chief designer, Hans Ledwinka, associated with Ferdinand Porsche so closely that Tatra produced a car similar to the Volkswagen Beetle two years before the Beetle came out. It's still a source of controversy to this day who was responsible for the eventual Beetle, but Tatra's contribution is undeniable.

Fortunately, Tatra kept on developing rear-engine ideas which resulted in the brilliant and gorgeous 1936 T77,  a huge, graceful, four-door, 8-cylinder rear-engine monster. It was unlike anything at the time an remains unchallenged to this very day in terms of style, aerodynamics and engineering principles.

Tatra essentially followed up with a predecessor to the T77 for the next 40 years, cumulating in the last major body style, the 613, launched in 1974 and lasting until the late 90s (!). It replaced the curvy, space-age 603 and was a complete departure with less chrome, hard angles and a large greenhouse. Late 70s and early 80s examples like this are the best looking with their classic bumpers and spartan interiors.

This one looks pitch perfect in black over burgundy. The exterior looks complete down to the wheels, and the interior is a period affair but cozy nonetheless. Sitting there on those velour seats in front of big analogue gauges and oversized pre-airbag steering wheel and staring out through the huge airy windows must be a totally liberating experience compared to the overdone, claustrophobic and distracting interiors of today.

Underneath the trunk (how I enjoy saying that for a change) is a 3.5-liter dohc air-cooled 8-cylinder engine good for 165 horsepower directed to the rear wheels. This is the stuff of some people's dreams. It sure wasn't efficient, but it definitely blew Volkswagen's rear four bangers out of the water. The only transmission available was a 4-speed manual. Later cars had fuel injection, but the early versions are noted for their simplicity.

The seller writes in poor english but seem to indicate the engine, brakes and transmission all work and valid documents are present. However, they do mention some rust, and say it would be a project car.

This is a really rare and very cool car and is a personal fantasy of mine to own. I know of only one documented 613 in the US. It's not as desirable as the 603, but this gives off more modern, everyday-driver vibes. I'd love to see an American grab this and bring her over. Depending on the rust it could be just driven as-is or need more work, but it's definitely not a deal breaker. This is a complete example of a special vehicle.

Available here for 8,999 Euros or about $12,500.

Mint 1983 Skoda 105L

Cars from the former Soviet Bloc don't get much respect, if any at all. For starters, not many got through to North America. And the few that did, like the Yugo, were mocked. Fortunately, with the cold war and its politics over, Eastern European cars are finally getting some appreciation on this side of the world, because what they had to offer sometimes was actually pretty nifty.

One such car would be Czech-made Skoda 105. It was a compact rear-engine, rear-wheel drive four door sedan. Skoda's long line of rear engine sedans started with the 1000MB back in 1964 and gradually evolved into the 105, which debuted in 1976. Almost 2 million were made until 1990, when it was replaced by a front-engine, front-wheel drive layout, making the 105 Skoda's last rear engine car.

Skoda's rear engine cars were always rather charmingly styled, and the 105 is in keeping with that tradition, but with a twist of late 70s modernism. Styling is simple, taught and no-frills. In an era like today when cars keep getting larger and rounder to meet stringent saftey requirements, the sparse, lean sheet metal of the Skoda is a revelation.

This particular example is a 105 "L" for Luxury and looks great in period flat orange. The black-centered wheels, mud flaps and rear spoiler are all nice and likely original touches.

The interior looks immaculate, in part helped by simple round gauges, pre-airbag steering wheel and small, flat seats.

Underneath the hood is the base 1046cc 4-cylinder engine producing just 44 horsepower. The 105 improved upon its predecessor however by mounting a radiator at the front to help cooling, hence the air slots in-between the front lights. The fuel tank was also moved to under the rear seats. The front suspension was independent and the rear was a swing-axle.

The seller says the car runs and drives great and has just 7,400 kilometers on the clock, which is about 4,500 miles, astonishingly low for cars that were often driven hard on rough rural roads. This one has either been restored or was basically never used, and it looks it, too.

Parts should be in ready supply given the popularity of these in Czech Republic. There aren't many here, so that makes this one pretty unique, and a cool alternative to rear engine Volkswagens.

Available here on craigslist for $6,500.

Project 1962 Karmann Ghia Convertible

With that famous other rear engine four banger from Germany reaching the stratosphere in prices a nice alternative is the very similar Karmann Ghia convertible.

Almost half a million Karmann Ghia were built from 1955-1974, but only about 80,000 were convertibles, and probably a fraction of that survive today.

Mechanically, they were really no different from the Beetle, both being 4-cylinder rear engines. But the Karmann Ghia was smaller, lower and sleeker. They "look" sportier, even if they really aren't. But sometimes looks are enough. It also helped the convertibles looked good with the top down and up, too.

This one is a "barn find", that over-used cliche in the classic car world. But there it is, sitting in a "barn", er garage, and appropriately well worn and needing work.

The seller doesn't say much except that the floor pans are good, the cloth top and seats are fair and that it's a "driver" (I thought barn finds weren't supposed to be drivers). The fact that it's driving is good news though. The engine looks ok enough in the photos. Rust is another issue however. There is obvious surface rusting all over the underside. The main concern is anything that has developed a hole, which the seller seems to imply hasn't happened yet by saying no "rot". That said, if you expect to use this regularly or want to keep it for a while, the body and undercarriage will need tending to. There also seems to be some front end damage.

It wears some strange mayor plates in the photos.

Available here on craiglist for $6,500.

1961 Corvair Rampside Pickup

What's one of the best kept vintage car secrets? The Corvair! Today's automakers have shown no indication of bringing back the rear engine. That means older cars are the only way to drive one, and that alone makes them valuable.

General Motors made the Corvair in a variety of different body styles - sedan, coupe, convertible, van and pickup - and COTC loves them all.

The "Rampside" was based on the Corvair van, and shared the futuristic cab-over front and engine under a slightly elevated rear floor. But while the van was made from '61-'65, the pickup was only made until '62, with production totaling just 3,213 units, making this a very rare vehicle.

The a gate on the side opened vertically for easy access. It was used by Bell Telephone because of that design. Most pickup trucks today are to huge and high off the ground to have anything like this.

This example looks pretty good. Cosmetically, the seller says the body was done by a tech school and isn't great, but it looks complete and fine enough from a distance. The color scheme is charming and period correct, to say the least. The shade of turquoise used for the seating doesn't match the exterior but it still looks clean and tidy.

Mechanically, the seller says the engine and transmission have been upgraded but there is gear grinding. They do have the original engine and transmission however. They also say it will need new tires and shocks and the windshield has a chip. Replacing the windshield might be expensive but not impossible as it should be the same piece that was in the more common van.

This isn't a perfect example but it's definitely not a big project car and beyond some minor work it should be nice for either occasional use or everyday driving.

Available here on craigslist for $7,995.

1987 Volkswagen Type 2 Westfalia Syncro

I recently posted a '91 Type 2 Syncro that was a decent late mode example. This is an even better bargain. The most desirable of all the Type 2 are the Westfalia campers, that basically take the versatility of a regular Type 2 to an extreme, with two rows of seating that fold down completely for sleeping bags or even a mattress and a roof that pops up so that a 6-foot tall adult can fully stand inside the vehicle.

Westfalia-Werke was the coach builder in Germany who added the camper modifications onto the vans after they left the factory. They had been doing this since the 50s.

By the time this was converted in the late 80s the Westfalia name was legendary. Not all VW campers are Westfalia and not all Westfalia VW are even the same. This one has a pop up and awning but does not seem to have much else, like a cooking facility and voltage outlets, however, I'm sure those things are possible to add now.

What is an amazing extra is the coveted 4wd Syncro. I'm not sure how many vans were made with both Westfalia and Syncro, but it wasn't many, and much less have survived today in one piece.

This one has 195k on the clock but looks clean. The owner says it's rust free and has good paint. The anthracite color is hard to wrong with and the interior looks pretty clean and tidy. I dig the exterior "Syncro" decals and what appear to be original plastic VW hubcaps.

Mechanically, the seller says it needs a locking leg for the pop up top and an a/c recharge.

I'd get some ownership history, maintenance records and check the underbody yourself for rust. If it checks out, this is a sweet vehicle. The mileage is high but with proper upkeep it could be good for another 190k. The rear engine four bangers are reliable and designed to go for half a million miles or more before a rebuild. It's also mated to a stick shift, so no worries about Volkswagen's troublesome automatics.

Westfalia Syncro prices are high. Sellers know what they have and want top dollar, not just because of the rarity but the desirability in usefulness. You can literally go almost anywhere on land, and stay the night, too. This one is reasonably asking $13,000.

Available here on craigslist.

1991 Volkswagen Type 2 Syncro

Ah, the third generation Type 2. The last of the rear-engine Volkswagens, before they Toyota-ized themselves into front-engine front-wheel drive oblivion.

But while they were still in production, these things were pretty unique. Long after Detroit had given up on the Corvair, the Type 2 "Vanagon" kept rolling on as the only rear engine van in production. The third generation lasted from 1979-1992, before they switched over to the front-engine "Eurovan".

The third generation featured more modern styling, but it was also larger and heavier. This example wears a nice shade of burgundy paint that contrasts well with the grey lower body cladding. The alloys are cool, and the square headlights are preferable over the poorly functioning round pre-'85 sealed beam units. These are cult classics now, just like almost all Volkswagen products from the late 20th century. Part of the reason is not just the unique layout, but the durability and ruggedness of the construction.

Adding to the appeal of this example is Volkswagen's patented system of four-wheel drive called Syncro. It was only offered on the Vanagaon from 1985-1992, making this one of the last. If these were go-anywhere vehicles before, the 4wd adds even more versatility.

They were available with either 4 or 5 cylinder and either gas or diesel engines. In 1984, Volkswagen switched the engines from air-cooled to water-cooled. This is an air-cooled 4-cylinder gas engine. It won't win any drag races, but it will be reliable if kept up. Earlier U.S. 1.9-liter engines were prone to head gasket failure, but the post-'85 2.1-liter were usually made to remedy that issue. This being a '91, you get all the benefits of years of improvements and upgrades.

The three-speed automatic is a downside for sporting purists, but might be easier on the hand and feet for long journeys. Volkswagen automatic transmissions have spotty reliability though, so that's one thing to watch out for.

The interior looks pretty clean and sorted, and the second row neatly folds up for extra space.

This is being offered by what appears to be a Ford dealer who provide no details on history, maintenance or even current condition. You'll definitely want the scoop on where this has been and how many owners. Vanagons are often kept for long periods by owners and then handed over to another family member or sold locally to a friend, so it's unusual for one to fall into dealer hands, unless it was just an ignorant trade-in. Check for accidents and rust, then on engine upkeep. I believe one of the photos does show rust beneath the rear window. If it all checks out though, this is a rare vehicle in decent shape and a nice color combo. The dealer doesn't list a price, but with the mileage at 150,215 you want to snag it for less than your average new 4wd SUV. Then, pack your bags, bring your family and go on a adventure and blast Steve Moore or Music For Airports-era Brian Eno on the speakers.

The craigslist ad is here and the dealer ad is here.

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 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.

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.