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.

65k-Mile 1987 Acura Legend

Remember the Japanese invasion? No, not the one at Pearl Harbor in 1941. I'm referring to the peaceful war of commerce waged during the 1980s.

Before the US stock market had its brief bull run, the Japanese were having a party of their own, no small thanks to their culture of close corporate-government partnership that made sure everybody won (although often at any cost). Japanese industrial concepts weren't what you'd call original, but they took European and American designs and built them faster, cheaper and stronger. So when they started exporting audio equipment, televisions and cars to the US, it caused panic among manufacturers, especially the Big Three auto making giants.

Japanese cars were small, affordable and, for the most part, aesthetically pleasing. On top of that, in the wake of the fuel crises of the 1970s and their mile-long gasoline lines, Japanese cars were fuel efficient. Detroit got the message, but it was too late. American consumers loved their Toyotas and Hondas.

Then the US government stepped in and convinced Japan to accept a voluntary limit on exported cars. Since their highest volume movers were economy cars, one clever way around the limit was to move upmarket. The results were often stunning. Toyota spawned Lexus and their brilliant Mercedes-fighting LS400, and Honda created Acura. The sky was the limit.

Acura wasn't as ambitious as Lexus. The cars retained the dull styling and front-wheel drive layout of their Honda counterparts (one magnificent exception being the NSX, but that's a whole other story), but they were better equipped and had larger powerplants.

One of the first Acuras was the top-of-the-line Legend. The sedan debuted in 1986, with a coupe following the next year. The car was an instant hit with the automotive press and consumers alike. Everything that people liked about Hondas - reliability and efficiency - was kept and enhanced tenfold. The cars were also wrapped in sleek, simple, clean designs that had drag coefficients as low as .30. The coupe also came with a new 24-valve, 2.7-litre engine good for about 160 horsepower, not bad for the time. All of it was enough for Motor Trend to name the Legend their Import Car of the Year 1987.

Since they were affordable and reliable, they were driven a lot. Clean, low mileage examples are incredibly rare, especially in the wet, salty East Coast where I hail from. This particular Legend has a remarkably low 65,142 miles. For a late 80s Japanese car, that's just getting broken in. The beige-on-beige color scheme is flattering to the shape and fits the low-key, easy-going nature of the car.

Given that it's in Florida, it was probably elderly-owned since new, and as long as it wasn't in an accident, this charming ride from the last pre-internet decade is a really nice find. The seller is a dealer and is asking $5,900, a tad high but not outrageous for the quality machine you'll be getting. You could easily have this car working for the rest of your life.

The next owner has my sincere envy.

Available here on carsforsale.com

Imitation is Flattery: Pontiac Mera

Ah, I love fake Ferraris. At least, the concept behind them. All the looks, and none of the mechanical headaches. If only it were that simple. 

Kit cars and replicas were all the rage in the yuppie 80s, when rolling in style was a priority, even if it meant driving a fake car. Interestingly, as car design has declined and classic car prices surged, kit cars have a new appeal to me: they can indeed give you the look of a classic car without all the worry and expense that comes with a real classic. 

Unfortunately most body kits from the 80s were poor. If the body was for a mid-engine Ferrari, it had to fit over a mid-engine chassis - and there were nary few mid-engine cars on the market in the 80s. That is, until the arrival of the legendary Pontiac Fiero in 1984. The Fiero gave reason for a whole new generation of Ferrari replicas.

The best replica body for the Fiero was, rather shockingly, officially sold through authorized GM/Pontiac dealers as an option called the "Mera". There was no Ferrari badging as far as I can tell, but the body sure as hell looked like a 308 - enough so that to the casual 80s observer, it was a real Ferrari. The body was never offered as a kit, and a company called "Corporate Concepts" installed everything before delivery. The interior mechanics underneath were 100% Fiero. It was only offered on new Fieros, and never retro-fitted.

Alas, the steal of the century didn't last long. Just as Ferrari threatened to sue the producers of Miami Vice for use of the Daytona replica, they sued Pontiac dealers over the Mera, and production stopped after a mere 247 examples were produced, making it an extreme rarity.

They do pop up for sale however, and usually as either derelict project cars or showroom queens. This one is definitely the latter, looking almost brand new. The seller says it has just 30k miles. They actually don't know if it is an official Mera, but say the taillights say Mera. Deductive reasoning skills! This is almost definitely a Mera, given the quality body and Fiero underpinnings. The nice thing about the Mera is that the body is really well done, looking almost exactly like a 308, with no major glaring inaccuracies. Proportions and fit and finish are good. While I would prefer white or black, the red exterior color is just fine as well.

As an added bonus, it's got the V6 Fiero engine for extra kick. Italian body, cheap American parts...I'd take it.

Available here on craigslist for $13,400 or trade.

In the Family: 1985 Chevrolet Impala

Remember these? There was once a time when the Chevrolet rear wheel drive b-body sedans were ubiquitous as police cars, cabbies, and your elderly neighbor's ride during the 80s and early 90s.

Chevrolet introduced this generation Impala in 1976. It was smaller and slightly more efficient than it's gargantuan predecessor of the excessive early 70s. Perhaps most noticeably, it looked a lot better. By no means a beautiful car, it's instead a exercise in clean, simple hard angles. It's tough and no-nonsense looking.

The b-body Impala lasted until 1985 - making this a final year car. Chevrolet then used the Caprice name from 1986 until a major redesign in 1991. The Impala name wasn't resurrected until the 2000 model year.

The seller says this one has been in the family since new and has logged 136,000 miles. Mechanically, they say it has new brakes, new gas line, exhaust, alternator, battery, timing belt and tires. They don't mention rust or any accidents, which are things to look for. They do say it is their daily driver but they need a truck or van now and are willing to trade for one.

Fortunately, under the hood is a 5.0-liter 4-barrel carburetor V8 engine. There's nothing like an American V8 rumbling underneath a boxy late 70s design. Put on your aviators, turn on the police scanner and pretend you're on an stakeout.

Available here on craigslist.

In the US: 1999 Nissan Silvia S15 Spec-S

The Silvia is a long-running nameplate of rear-wheel drive coupes by Nissan. North America was privy to a couple versions, but missed out on the version that debuted in Japan in 1999. It wore classic Japanese styling: simple, clean, unpretentious and sleek.

Underneath the hood is a 4-cylinder engine. There was a non-turbo version and although the seller doesn't specify I would assume and hope this is the turbo. These also came with 4-wheel steering, but, again, the seller does't specify.

What they do mention is that it is the Spec-S trim, which features a 5-speed manual transmission, open differential and 4-piston front brake caliper.

Since it was made for the Japanese domestic market, the steering is right-hand drive. The seller says they have added a Pioneer screen with some speakers, different coils, 300ZX brakes and tinted windows.

Although the U.S. government only allows importation of vehicles older than 25 years old, this one is somehow in the states. The ad implies it is in Rhode Island, but in the photos it wears Florida plates, which actually may explain matters as the Florida DMV is notoriously (and pleasantly) lenient when registering unusual and non-US motor vehicles. Regardless, the seller claims the car is titled, registered, inspected and insured, all huge pluses. They even have a photo of the title, although to confuse matters again it's a New Hampshire title.

These cars have a cult following. This one seems to be cared for and has to be only a handful that have made it here, making it even more of a rarity. There also isn't anything quite like it on the market today, especially from Japan: a 4-cylinder turbocharged rear-wheel drive coupe.

Available here on craigslist for $19,000.

Ex-Military: 1984 Chevrolet K30 Diesel 4x4

Looking like it came straight from a Schwarzenegger movie is this mid 80s diesel truck with a few unique things going for it.

Firstly, you just never see Chevy trucks from the 80s anymore, at least here in the wet, salty Northeast, where most cars over a decade old start succumbing to the elements and rust away into the earth again. On top of that, most trucks were used hard and frequently, adding extra wear and tear.

Secondly, underneath the hood is a 6.21 "J" Code Detroit diesel engine. Diesels never took off in popularity they way the did in Europe, which is a shame because they are torquey, efficient and reliable. Just in the past couple years, however, they have come into widespread awareness, with second hand Mercedes and Volkswagen diesels commanding ridiculous prices. It seems silly, but there's a reason they have a devoted following. Unfortunately, this large a diesel engine can't be that much more efficient than it's gasoline counterpart, especially when it's pulling the weight of this truck. Still, it adds character and charm.

The last and perhaps most intriguing element to this is its former military usage. "Military" is a broad term of course and can actually mean anything from national guard to marines to covert intelligence. Of course, once the vehicles are ready for civilian marketplace they are usually stripped of anything interesting, but this one retained its camouflage paint scheme and a rear compartment box full of goodies. It's insulated and features a fold-up bunk bed and door access to the front cabin. There's also a ball hitch, trailer brake controller, 12-volt power for a rear winch, 2 55-gallon fuel tanks, and a 20-AMP interior power supply. The seller also says it's immune to Electro Magnetic Pulses (EMP). Cool!

The seller does say there is some minimal surface rust, but it only has 42k original miles and they have invested $10k in this and it's ready to go.

This could make a unique and dependable camping machine.

Available here on craigslist fro $8,900.

Lost Technology: 1990 Honda Prelude 4WS

Once a upon a time the auto industry in Japan was offering interesting ideas directly to the consumer, things that far more expensive brands in Europe weren't even doing. One of those ideas was four-wheel steering.

Basically, turning the steering wheel not only turned the front wheels, but the rear wheels as well. They moved in the same direction, only to a lesser degree. This dramatically improved sharp turns, parallel parking and changing lanes at high speeds. The system was also entirely mechanical, not hydraulic or electrical, so it could last the lifetime of the vehicle.

The genius of 4WS wasn't just engineering, either. In terms of marketing, it finally brought something to the table that had been lacking in Honda's otherwise dull front-wheel drive cars.

And the Prelude was the perfect car to demonstrate the system with. Honda had offered the nameplate since 1978, but it wasn't until the second generation that debuted in 1983 that it really started getting admiration from consumers and critics alike. In 1988 the body was subtly modified and smoothened.

This is the brief and rare '88-'91 facelift, arguably the best Prelude of all time. The seller has clearly modified the car themselves, but done so with thought and taste that is lacking in so many other second hand Japanese cars seen today.

The seller has owned the car for 9 years and did a ton of work on it during that time. They replaced the engine and transmission in 2005 and also treated some rust. However, the say it runs, drives and shifts great, wears the original paint and has never been in an accident. Tough times are forcing them to give it up.

If you're looking to pamper the car as well as it has been by the seller and want a piece of automotive history, this is a unique opportunity to do so.

Available here on craigslist in Hopkinton, Rhode Island for $6,000.

1990 Toyota Camry All-Trac

Thinking about Toyota's Camry is weird. It's such a bland and common car, and yet the name has been around since 1982 and lasted a handful of very distinct generations. And what a difference the early cars were from the Camry of today, or, really, any car of today. Looking at how the Camry has changed shape over the years can also tell you how cars have changed.

The Camry was actually called the Vista outside North America. This is a second generation U.S.-spec Camry. The second generation debuted in 1987 and lasted briefly until it was replaced in 1992.

These cars are strange looking to 21st century eyes. They are remarkably compact and tightly styled. The hood is low and flat. The greenhouse is large, airy and inviting. There is an emphasis on horizontal lines. The bumpers are protruding. It's all because the Japanese were pushing the envelope on ergonomics and efficiency while complying with U.S. auto safety regulations.

While they were mass produced, these are gradually becoming rarities, especially here in the northeast where older cars succumb to rust and are taken off the roads.

Even more rare is the All-Trac option, which debuted in 1988 and added all-wheel drive. They weren't very popular, probably in part due to the higher cost than the regular front-wheel drive Camry.

Underneath the hood, however, is Toyota's tried and true 3S-FE 2.0-liter 16-valve 4-cylinder engine, which is good for efficiency and durability, although the head gaskets were prone to failure. All-Trac was only available with a 4-cylinder engine.

The seller says this survivor has just 131,000 miles, which they point out is only about 5,700 miles a year. This car seems barely driven. The body and interior look really clean, although I'd look for rust. Inside, it's no frills, just straightforward gauges and information.

It's even got the original stereo.

If you're looking for a economical four-seater but need extra traction in your area, this is a nice bet. Unfortunately, the seller hasn't included an asking price, but this should be had for under $5k.

Available here on craigslist in Los Angeles, California.

Classic Under $10k: 1959 Chevrolet Apache

This thing is going to go fast. Not drive fast. Sell fast.

Pre-1970s American trucks are collector's items. This was way before the Japanese got into the pickup business as Toyota did in the 1980s and took a chunk out of Detroit's sales. In the late 40s and 50s no one else in the world were making trucks like this. They were unique. They were also "built tough" as they saying goes, and could be used for a long time, provided they did not rust away (alas, as most did).

The Apache was part of Chevrolet's Task Force lineup that debuted in 1955, replacing the legendary Advance Design series that dominated the post-war truck market. The Task Force trucks featured wrap around windshields, power steering and brakes, an upgraded electrical system and refreshed styling. The actual name Apache was used from 1958 onward for all 1/3 ton trucks. They gained two more front headlights. Meanwhile factory air conditioning debuted. They could also be ordered with four-wheel drive instead of the default rear-wheel setup.

In 1960, the pickup lineup was totally revised again with entirely different and more boxy styling.

This is a final year 1959 Apache 3600. The owner says it has the 235 straight 6-cylinder engine with a column mounted three-speed shifter.

Cosmetically it's looking worn, but that's expected, even desired. I like the green and white paint. It'll look good year round in any locale.

As with any old car, rust is a top concern. The seller says they welded the front cab mounts and floor but the rear cabin needs floor welding. They also say they installed an electric windshield wiper motor and are including extra bumpers and a driver's side door.

Mechanically, they say it's running.

This is clearly a project car, but if you intend to use it as the beater it really beckons to be, it could be ready to haul your firewood and Christmas tree home this winter.

Available here on craigslist in Manchester, New Hampshire for $5,500.

She's Gone: I Sold My 2003 BMW 325xi

Last summer, without much fanfare (on COTC at least) I traded a 2008 Honda Civic coupe with around 80k miles for a 2003 BMW 325xi with only around 34k miles. At first glance, it might have seemed unusual. Trading a newer car for an older one? A "reliable" Japanese car for an "expensive" German one?

On paper, however, there was no comparison. The Civic was two doors, front wheel drive, and four measly cylinders. After driving it for about 5 years I can tell you that it got pretty annoying, especially from the critical perspective of an auto enthusiast like me. It was unrefined around town, and slow on the highway until around 70-80 mph when V-TEC finally kicked in. It was pretty good at handling, but it blew like a ragdoll in crosswinds. The automatic transmission felt rough. Exterior styling was ok, but the interior was full of foolish flaws: a gaudy electronic speedometer that cast glare on the windshield, cheap spray-painted silver accents, and a steering wheel logo that started peeling (which I ended up replacing but was a huge pain in the neck to do). As for that famous Honda reliability, it needed a whole new engine block at 60k miles, which was mercifully under warranty, but after that all four coils broke, which wasn't covered, and upon hearing that, I became so angry that the dealer gave in and replaced them for free, sparing me $1,000+ in repair costs. A little bit of rage goes a long way sometimes.

So, feeling fed up with the Honda I decided to look for a replacement vehicle, before the Civic needed anything more. I knew I wanted four doors, rear or all-wheel drive, and more power. And since I had just come from a Japanese car, I wanted one of the coveted German automobiles I had read so much about.

There really weren't many options that were affordable and practical. The pre-owned Mercedes-Benz C-Class were all overpriced. Then I considered BMW, whose resale prices depreciate notoriously, making them available to basically anyone. At first I was dead set on an E32, then an E36, until I finally set my sights on a silver 2003 BMW 325xi I had found not too far away. The mileage was low, carfax clean, and the body free of major damage. The engine bay was spotless. The interior smelled delicious. It started strong and drove flawlessly. I was instantly addicted to the absurdly heaving steering, silky acceleration and sexy sheet metal. I bought it and drove it home.

The '03 325 was also known as the internally designated E46 chassis code, which debuted in 1999 and replaced the beloved E36. In 2002 it was given a cosmetic refreshening. The 325xi designates it as the 3-series with a naturally aspirated gasoline powered 2.5-liter six cylinder engine, fuel injection and all-wheel drive. In 2006, it was replaced by the E90.

Perhaps the most peculiar aspect of this car is the pre-XDrive all-wheel drive system BMW used on these cars for a couple years, simply called "xi". It was based on the X5 SUV concept and featured a permanent full-time system that divided the torque 38:62 front:rear, so there was still a bias towards desirable rear-wheel drive, but with the added stability of power to the front wheels as well.

Inside, the interior was one of BMW's best. The analog instrument cluster was crystal clear, buttons were all in reach, and everything was composed of high grade plastics and looked and felt great. Mine was rather unique in that it had vinyl seats, which I loved and preferred over leather because they are indestructible. I also had heated seats, but no headlamp washers and no cruise control.

So, was it the ultimate driving experience? In short, compared to the Honda Civic, yes, absolutely. There's a reason why these cars have reputations and the E46 was no exception. Every act, every switch, every function of the car is so deliciously engineered feeling, from the turn of the key to the heavy steering, that it was thoroughly satisfying to routinely operate. Around town, the 185-horsepower inline 6-cylinder engine was quiet yet torquey, like a coiled lion purring as it eyes prey. On the highway it was a true performer. No, it wasn't fast off the line. That's for drag racers and Corvettes. Where the car really excelled was in maintaining a high rate of speed for long distances. 85-100 mph did not feel nearly as fast as those speeds really are. The car was solid as a rock, composed, refined and stable. I had found it! It was the anti-Civic.

As for the all-wheel drive system, which was really rather basic and more truck-like than anything else, it worked really well. In rain it cut through puddles like a knife, sending a tidal wave over the hood where other cars would start to hydroplane. The winter of 2012-2013 also brought a massive snowstorm to the New England region, so I was able to test the car's foul weather resistance to the true limits. During one snowfall I was able to cruise long stretches of dark, icy highway at 60-70 mph (yeah yeah faster than I should have been going) and felt completely safe and comfortable doing so. The car also got me home alive in the thick of the later bigger storm. So in a way, it saved my life. Can the AWD system climb mountains? No, but the car wasn't designed for that. It was designed to add more control and predictability to the car's handling in inclement conditions. And after years of dingy FWD Hondas, this thing might as well have been a Land Rover in the snow.

What were the downsides? The sunroof slide (not the actual glass sunroof) fell off the tracks, and one mechanic told me repairing it would mean a whole new sunroof which blew my mind but may not be entirely true. Some plastics wore unfavorably. No cruise control was rather irritating. But perhaps the biggest flaw was fuel efficiency. If you drive with a lead foot like I do, combined with the full-time AWD system always churning, and add in the cost of premium gas during an era of escalating prices, this thing costs a lot to operate energy-wise. I was used to $40 or less bucks for a full tank after a week of normal driving, and the BMW was now costing me $60 or more.

As for reliability, I can't say much as I owned it for just around one year. The coolant light came on at first until I topped it off myself and it never came back. Oil changes could either be $20 mixed or $100 synthetic. I did need new rear springs, however. And of course, being the immaculate owner I was, there were the small cosmetic fixes I couldn't resist: a new OEM front emblem, new OEM wipers (hard to find), an OEM replacement rest pedal, factory OEM floor mats, European-spec OEM convex side mirror glass pieces, and a sliding-cover storage bin that replaced the 'ugly american' cup holders and was what actually came on European-specification models. But beyond routine maintenance, the springs, and some voluntary changes, nothing terrible happened. The engine is bulletproof and known to go many thousands of miles, and even the automatic transmission (normally another problem area) was sourced from General Motors on the E46 xi so those aren't too exotic.

A change in location forced me to sell her, but it's with a tad of nostalgia for last summer and the subsequent tumultuous winter that I'm here writing about it all, my brief flirt with a fancy, hi-tech German sedan. I can say it was definitely worth it and I recommend that model to anyone else interested. I savor the days I spent flying through sleet and slush, basked in the glow of the red gauges, safe behind the wheel of German silver-steel.