1994 Lada Niva 1600

The Lada Niva is to Russia as the Jeep Wrangler is to the US: that standard, rugged, dependable two-door off-road vehicle. It is made by Russian auto manufacturer AvtoVAZ, formerly just VAZ. The Niva has been in production since the late 70s, remarkably surviving the fall of the Berlin Wall and the collapse of the USSR.

The Niva was the first AvtoVAZ product not to be directly based on a Fiat. It shared some Fiat 124 mechanicals, but the body, four-wheel drive system and independent front suspension were all unique to AvtoVAZ.

Styling is pretty neat. It's typical 70s Eastern European mod, compact, hard angles and pure function but not without some character and soul. The red paint helps brighten things as well.

The seller says this is a 1.6-liter 4-cylinder gas version mated to a manual transmission. It won't win any drag races (unless your racing a Yugo) but it will get the job done and not guzzle fuel. Another bonus is the 4WD system, so fear no winter, either.

Mechanically, the seller says it runs like mint, with new battery, fuel pump, oil and filter and brakes. They say it has racked up just 85,000 kilometers which equals only about 52k miles. Cosmetically, they don't mention the exterior but say inside is immaculate with no rips, scratches or tears.

I would definitely check for rust. Otherwise, this is a sweet alternative to the ubiquitous Wrangler or too expensive and fussy Defender 90.

Available on ebay here with bidding at $2,300.

Still For Sale: 1986 UMM Alter II

Over a year after COTC first featured this UMM Alter II it appears to still be for sale here in Plaistow, New Hampsire.

I had never heard of this thing before I found it the wilds of craigslist. But I'm sure glad I did because it's pretty cool.

UMM (which stands for Uniao Metalo-Mecanica) is a Portugese truck manufacturer, and the Alter was standard-issue their all-terrain passenger vehicle. The "II" denotes this being a second generation Alter, and follows a long line of 4x4 vehicles. It brought about a new transmission, transfer case and suspension.

Styling-wise, this is a pretty sweet looking ride. It's sort of a combination between the Mercedes-Benz Galendenwagen, Toyota FJ-cruiser, and Land Rover Defender. All hard angles and utilitarian details. The steeply slanted hood, square headlights and triple windshield wipers add unique touches.

It helps this one is in black, always a good color. The white steel wheels are correct and the front guard bars and rear mud flaps finish the rugged look. It's definitely not lacking. I also like the two-door configuration, adding to the quirk factor.

Inside is definitely not lacking for space, with two seats up front and side benches in the rear. The instrument cluster is refreshingly spartan, although the plastics all look worn and faded, including the Peugeot steering wheel and tired foot well. The center console also seems to be missing a few things, although again given the simplicity of the rest of the dashboard it's hard to tell exactly.

As the steering wheel implies, underneath the hood is a Peugeot 2.0-liter 4-cylinder gasoline engine. It's not the most desirable engine the UMM came with, but it will get the job done and shouldn't be too bad servicing and fixing, with Peugeot parts readily available in Europe.

Unfortunately the seller doesn't give any indication things are working or not. Just from the photos the cosmetic condition seems about fair, and that's without even seeing the underside, which might hide extensive rust. The odometer reads 19,342 but that's probably in kilometers so the mileage would be about 11,809, if the reading is functioning and accurate.

Despite that, it's an extremely rare vehicle for a US dealer to be selling and overall seems worth getting cleaned, detailed and properly sorted so it can be used and brought to auto clubs.

1999 Isuzu Vehicross

I looooove these things! They're on my list to own someday. I'm one of the people that cringes at most sport utility vehicles. Let's face it: despite their girth, most are pretty un-manly and get used to haul groceries and soccer equipment. On top of that, they consume heinous amounts of fuel per gallon. And they look ugly.

The Vehicross gets my vote for Coolest SUV however. In fact, it's probably the only cool SUV, except perhaps for stuff like the Mercedes Galendenwagen or Land Rover Defender 90, but those are ridiculously expensive to acquire and maintain.

I'll be the first to admit part of the charm is the otherworldly styling, looking like it was something designed for a cross between Blade Runner and Baywatch. But I like Blade Runner and I like some of Baywatch. I mean, the year was 1997, if you're gonna make a two-door SUV, it's got to stand out and Isuzu did an excellent job because not only did it stand out, it remarkably still looks good today.

Underneath the spacey metal is equally impressive technology. While Japan was privy to either a 2WD or 4WD version, Americans were thankfully just given the amazing 4WD version. The unique Torque-On-Demand (TOD) system had 12 different sensors detecting which wheel was experiencing the most amount of spin and redirected power to the wheel with the least. This made handling and control over even the most wet and icy of roads manageable.

The engine was a 3.5-liter V6 good for about 215 horsepower. It got the job done. I've heard people say it's even sporty feeling.

Inside, the interior was the only week spot, with a dashboard recycled from the Isuzu Trooper or something. But they spiced it up with cool two-town seating and doors, this one in red.

Sadly, only around 5,000 were produced between 1997 and 2001. These are hard to find now and command a premium when they do hit the market because the loving owners almost always know how rare they are. Fortunately, the price is usually worth it. These were solid, reliable cars with no glaring issues over time. They can go for 100k-200k+ miles before major repairs. Isuzu was a good brand. There is nothing quite like the Vehicross anymore.

Available here on ebay with bidding starting at $10k.

1997 3/4 Ton GMC Suburban Diesel

Ah, the Suburban of the 90s, that all-American family hauler that crept around the quiet blocks of Suburbia. Bigger and tougher than Ford's Explorer, there really wasn't anything else like it. Square-jawed, no-nonsense and simply styled, they made an instant presence. This was the optimism, power and excess of the post-Cold War Clinton Era bundled into a single vehicle.

GM debuted the much-needed new face of their Chevrolet truck range in the late 80s. They were fresh and bold looking and were an instant hit. It wasn't until 1992 however that the new Suburban came out. It was a huge hit too. I don't remember ever seeing the previous generation. But growing up, the '92 and onward body style was everywhere in my small middle class New England town. They were most often driven by soccer moms but dads weren't self-conscious to drive them, either.

Of course, this was when gas was still hovering around a dollar. There wasn't a worry in the world. So guzzlers like almost all of Chevrolet's trucks were socially acceptable, understood and even respected. But let's face it. Not everybody was doing well then. And even if you were, any responsible mind would cringe at the thought of filling up one of these monsters.

Which is where this particular example comes in. It's the rare diesel version that I didn't even know existed until I stumbled across it deep within the craigslist classifieds. If you know this blog, you know I love diesels. They are rare in passenger cars, but they weren't rare in trucks. They were rare in passenger trucks, however. Chevrolet assumed that mom and dad and five kids didn't worry about fuel efficiency as much as getting to the movie theater on time. But their marketing department thought some head of the household might be, so they sold this GMC diesel version for only two years.

The diesel engine of choice is a huge 6.5-liter V8 turbo diesel that pumped out 310 horsepower. It wasn't any kind of record breaker, but it was strong, torquey, reliable and efficient enough. The seller claims it gets "much better" mileage than the gasoline version, "especially on the highway". Frankly, if you're going to have a huge truck like this, I really have no idea why you wouldn't want anything else other than a diesel for all of those exact reasons mentioned above. Only in the last couple years have diesels in big family trucks thankfully returned, but they are often ridiculously expensive and complicated. Chevy's diesels had a relatively simple fuel system.

The seller says this one comes in SLT trim, so it has cushy leather upholstery, three rows of seats, two batteries and a tow package (and I bet this is a great hauler). They say the mileage is at 173k, nothing surprising. Mechanically, they say it runs and drives great.

If you have a big family but a tight budget or run a airport taxi service, I would absolutely consider this beast. With the 4x4 and diesel, this is a go-anywhere mobile.

Available here on craigslist for $5,200.

One Year Only: 71k-Mile 1986 Isuzu Trooper C223T

Isuzu's original Trooper remains a favorite of COTC for wearing a remarkably fresh and clean design while still being capable on and off-road. It's also worlds away from the later second generation that was ubiquitous in suburbs of the '90s and later caused hysteria about the high center of gravity in SUVs when Consumer Reports managed to roll one over during a test and subsequently gave it a "Not Acceptable" grade.

Before all that ridiculousness, there was the pure, simple, undiluted 1981-1991 Trooper, when people still bought them for going off-roading, camp sites, heavy hauling, and driving in poor weather. Isuzu debuted the vehicle with a solid rear axle and independent front suspension.

The styling is really great. In the 80s, the Japanese were starting to topple Mercedes-Benz as the jack-of-all-trades automaker by demonstrating mastery of almost every type of vehicle. The Trooper is brilliant in that it emulates the stark, hard angles of the Galendenwagen and provides some of the capability but at a miniscule fraction of the price. Essentially, they beat the Germans in the race to an affordable but reliable SUV, something the Germans still haven't been able to offer today.

The no-nonsense interior is an exercise in artful and aesthetically pleasing utilitarian design. Note the minimal use of plastic around the instrument cluster and pre-airbag steering wheel that give it a airy look.

Early Troopers were known to be relatively underpowered, but this rare example features the one-year-only (in the U.S. at least) 2.2-liter inline 4-cylinder C223 turbocharged diesel engine. Though still small, the Garrett turbocharger and low-end torque combined with the manual transmission and four-wheel drive make this a really nifty package. It doesn't get much more capable, sporty, and reliable than that.

The seller says this is a 2-owner vehicle with only 71,635 miles that has been in the San Antonio, Texas are all it's life. Cosmetically, they say its all-original inside and out and has no rust. Mechanically, they say it runs and drives great and everything works, including the a/c.

The rear seats fold down to make generous cargo space.

This is a really rare and under-appreciated vehicle in even unusually good shape with low miles and a great color combo. If there is such a thing as a collector Isuzu Trooper, this is it, hands down. Snap it up, pamper it and document your ownership. It's time this sees as much respect as a FJ Cruiser or Defender 90. And it does it all on a penny budget, too. Nice.

Available here on ebay in Navasota, Texas with extremely vigorous bidding already at $5,988 but reserve not met.

COTC Spotted: 2004 AM General Hummer H1

Spotted in Providence, RI. Photos taken using my iPhone.

Brawny: 1972 Chevrolet Suburban Deluxe K10 4X4

If you thought the SUV craze of the 1990s was mystifying, you'll be humbled to know they made them just as large in the 70s.

In the history of automobiles, the contributions the United States has made to this mode of transportation are still to be determined. The Germans made the first automobiles, and, for a while, arguably the best. The Italians made the prettiest cars, car bodies as an art form. The Japanese made the most reliable and well-built cars.

But in America, we were better at processes than at an actual finished artistic statement of a product. Henry Ford brilliantly made the Model T affordable to many people thanks to mass production techniques, but how interesting or sophisticated of a vehicle was it actually? He refused to make many year-by-year updates, and by the time it was retired, competitors had advanced well beyond it.

Perhaps the most notable contribution then of an actual concept has been the Sport Utility Vehicle. Sure, the Europeans and Asians pumped out the Defender 90, Unimog, Pinzgauer, FJ Cruiser. But American trucks had this raw attitude the others lacked. They were enormous, but for civilian consumption. They were well-built and well-equipped, but accessible to almost everyone. They were good looking but never truly stylish.

Which is when we arrive at the this seventh-generation Chevy Suburban, produced during the welfare-warfare heyday of 1967-1972. These did not populate the driveways of suburban homes, nor were they expected to. I imagine people only bought these for specific uses in rural areas: cattle baron herder, ski resort shuttle, Yellowstone National Park patrol. Clearly the vehicle is just as large as today's Suburban. The key difference was that Americans of the late 60s and 70s might have showed some practicality and restraint.

This generation Suburban is not without some charms. It has only one door on the driver's side, and two doors on the passenger side. It looks fantastic in period bronze with a white roof. It's sitting on late model factory Rally wheels and Michelin Radials. The seller provides one of the better classified writeups I've seen lately, but doesn't seem to know any history about the vehicle, and assumes it has been "professionally" repainted and restored. As such, the paint is in good shape, and they say the body has no rust and no indications of being repaired.

Inside, the seats are tooled vinyl and the floor is carpeted. The interior looks immaculate and the dashboard is spotless. Note the use of exterior color inside, for a playful yet utilitarian feel.

Underneath the hood is an equally clean and detailed 350 V8 engine, tastefully given a coat of orange paint (that's a thing they do for American V8 engines, I haven't figured out why yet).

This was either a very well done restoration or an incredible survivor. The seller says the odometer reads 36,701 miles, but it's a 5 digit odometer so it can't be verified as original miles or turned over.

Regardless, it looks great and seems ready to hit the trails.

Find it here on ebay in Charlotte, North Carolina for $28, 995, about the same price as a new SUV. Which would you rather have?

SUV Pioneer: 48k-mile 1989 Laforza 4x4

The Laforza was one of the first automobiles marketed as a luxury sport utility vehicle. Other than Range Rover, the Lamborghini LM002 and the Mercedes G-Class (which wasn't offered here officially until 2002), I really can't think of anything else quite like the Laforza at the time. There sure were many vehicles like it after, however.

It was designed and built in Italy for military and police use. Then a manufacturer named Rayton Fissore used a Ford V8 engine and upgraded the interior to luxurious appointments before it was sold in the USA for the 1988 model year as a Laforza.

Styling is credited to Dutch-American Tom Tjaarda, who has quite a number of designs for various companies under his belt, including the DeTomaso Pantera, Chrysler LeBaron and Aston Martin Lagonda Coupe.

The Laforza is another mostly successful design of Mr. Tjaarda. Proportions are good. Styling is extremely bland and generic but that's part of the whole 'forgotten' charm of this thing. You can't tell whether it's a Jeep or a Toyota or something else. There is no logo on the grille but a "Laforza" badge does sit on the base of the hood hump. The greenhouse glass is plentiful, so vision isn't impaired as in most of today's cars, especially SUVs. This one also boasts some impressive ground clearance. I'm not sure whether the owner has raised it or what, but it looks funky especially with smaller-than-norm wheels.

The bottom line is that the design pulls off a large, attactive boxy shape that would  be duplicated hundreds of times over and over again in the '90s by dozens of automakers with maximum success.

Inside, occupants were treated to swaths of leather and wood in the best tradition of Italian luxury cars.

The seller states this survivor is in "excellent" condition and has no rust. They state the odometer as reading only 48,500 miles. From the pictures it looks excellent, especially the interior. Many owners often swap the stock wheels or tint the windows so this example seems refreshingly untouched. Black over tan is also a nice combo that flatters the car, inside and out.

The engine is a 5.0-litre Ford V8 powering all four wheels. The seller also says the vehicle has a moonroof.

I like these. The idea is along the same lines as the DeTomaso Pantera: Italian/exotic design coupled with reliable American muscle for power. They are also noteworthy for helping to start a huge trend in automotive history, even though they rarely get credit for it. Have an itch for a big people hauler, but don't want the typical Jeep Grand Cherokee or Ford Explorer? Grab one of these.

Find it here on ebay in Tallahassee, Florida.