Let’s talk about nomenclature. Our subject car is a Volkswagen Type 3, but more specifically it is a Type 31. The “3” means it was of the notchback/squareback/fastback family, introduced in 1961; and the “1” means it’s a notchback…. more»
Jun 6, 2024 • For Sale • 9 Comments
One Owner! 1989 Honda Prelude Si
Honda’s first sports car was its S500, launched in 1963. It entered a market already populated with Datsun’s Fairlady and soon, Toyota’s Sports 800. From then, it was just a few short years until Japanese sports cars proliferated into… more»
Jun 6, 2024 • For Sale • 40 Comments
Last of the Breed: 1961 DeSoto Two-Door Hardtop
In the 1950s, DeSoto was knocking the ball out of the park. The nameplate had migrated upscale from a bread-and-butter necessity in the immediate post-war period, to a fashionista by 1957. That year, Virgil Exner gave the car exuberant… more»
Jun 5, 2024 • For Sale • 14 Comments
Previously Swanky Brit: 1967 Rolls Royce Silver Shadow
Rolls-Royce began suffering a sales shortfall in the 1960s, a victim of its culture of tradition. This tenacity had already prevented the adoption of the first, modernized design drawn by John Blatchley a decade before, for its new Silver… more»
Jun 4, 2024 • For Sale • 36 Comments
Low-Buck Cult Classic: 1995 Ford Taurus SHO
The Ford Taurus was a best-seller when it arrived in 1986. Its styling broke new ground, introducing the rounded lines that have become ubiquitous today. It was the ultimate family car, with decent gas mileage and adequate performance. But… more»
Jun 3, 2024 • For Sale • 7 Comments
Engine Out: 1967 Sunbeam Alpine Series V Project
Sunbeam’s Alpine nameplate was recycled over the course of more than two decades, putting thousands of Alpines of one sort or another on the roads. The first of these descended from the Sunbeam-Talbot saloon and was famous for its… more»
Jun 3, 2024 • For Sale • 8 Comments
Mopar Project: 1971 Dodge Dart Swinger
The Dodge Dart was a chameleon in the Chrysler line-up: it was first introduced for model year 1960 as a full-sized car, then spent a year in the mid-sized segment before settling into the compact category until the last… more»
Jun 2, 2024 • For Sale • 18 Comments
Swan Song: 1955 Packard Caribbean Convertible
Nothing did more to put independent automakers out of business than the price war of ’53-’54. Post-war demand for cars had been thoroughly satisfied by then, and increasing market share meant a steady drumbeat of new products and lower… more»
Jun 1, 2024 • For Sale • 14 Comments
Estate Sale: 1957 MGA 1500 Roadster
The MGA delivers a high “smiles to miles” quotient, with its graceful shape, reasonable price, and simple mechanicals. The design of the car far preceded its production. It was first unveiled in 1951 as a race car built on… more»
May 31, 2024 • For Sale • 11 Comments
Long Term Ownership: 1967 Austin Healey 3000 BJ8
The arrival of Donald Healey’s new British sports car in 1953 permanently shifted the trajectory of buyers’ expectations. The Healey 100 was fast – in fact, it was named for its top speed. Later models were even more muscular…. more»
May 30, 2024 • For Sale • 11 Comments
No Reserve Turbo Diesel: 1982 Mercedes 300TD Wagon
Is a project Mercedes 300TD Turbodiesel a money-pit? or a gem in the rough? That’s the question as we contemplate this 1982 300TD, fresh from storage. On the one hand, the seller has replaced enough parts so the wagon… more»
May 29, 2024 • For Sale • 16 Comments
One Owner, Original Paint: 1966 Jaguar Mark X
Jaguar’s Mark X was the ultimate expression of the company’s marketing tagline – Grace… Space… Pace. Introduced in October 1961, just a few months after the Jaguar XKE, the new saloon represented an upgrade over every other Jag saloon… more»
May 28, 2024 • For Sale • 18 Comments
Understated Luxury: 1956 Continental Mark II
In contrast to the fireworks emanating from the studios of Virgil Exner over at Chrysler and Harley Earl at GM, Ford organized its Continental division in 1952 to produce an understated but exclusive car for a well-heeled few. The… more»
May 27, 2024 • For Sale • 26 Comments
Did You Ever Own One? 1979 Toyota Cressida “Woody” Wagon
Toyota nurtured its “luxury niche” ambitions in its home market for several years before finally sending its best offering to the American market in 1978. Called the Cressida, it sold in small numbers at first, thanks to a high… more»
May 26, 2024 • For Sale • 30 Comments
Vintage Hauler: 1967 Datsun 1300 Pickup
Datsun’s automotive ambitions stretch back to the 1930s when it made the Type 15 in a variety of body styles. Rolling through the decades, the company innovated relentlessly. Its first foray into America was in 1958, with the Datsun… more»
May 25, 2024 • For Sale • 11 Comments
MGB-Powered 1955 MG TF Replica
When is an MG TF not an MG TF? When it is made of fiberglass by Victor Antique Auto, with an MGB engine, transmission, and suspension. Well, that’s not entirely accurate: only about 6 to 8 Victors were made… more»
