This Mk IV Midget was made the same year that the UK government nationalized British Leyland, turning it into a ward of the state. Five years later, after spending the equivalent of $22 billion in taxpayer funds to support… more»
Sep 8, 2024 • For Sale • 27 Comments
British Trials Car: 1954 Dellow MKll
At last! – an opportunity to write about car trials, the gritty endeavor that evolved from reliability runs of the late 1880s. Reliability runs were designed to prove that a car could cover a convenient distance and become indispensable,… more»
Sep 7, 2024 • For Sale • 19 Comments
Long-Term Owner: 1940 Mercury Eight Coupe
I wish we could celebrate certain vintage car owners – those who coddled an individual car for decades, caring for its every need, polishing it, driving it, enjoying it. That kind of attention is immediately apparent. We see it… more»
Sep 6, 2024 • For Sale • 18 Comments
Love it, or Loathe it? 1978 Ford Mustang II
What car models can you think of that made you wonder what a formerly-revered manufacturer was up to? The MG TD – dimensionally bloated and pregnant with bumpers designed to protect its delicate body from inept drivers – was… more»
Sep 5, 2024 • For Sale • 13 Comments
Update: Single Cylinder Time Machine: 1912 Harley-Davidson Model 8
UPDATE: This 1912 Harley-Davidson Model 8 motorcycle, so adroitly profiled by Jeff Bennett in April 2024, has cropped up for sale here on craigslist, with a $75,000 price tag. Thanks to Nevadahalftrack for spotting the ad for us! The… more»
Sep 4, 2024 • For Sale • 5 Comments
No Reserve! 1974 Mercedes-Benz 280C
Mercedes-Benz introduced the W114/115 as a replacement for its “Fintail” series in 1968 and subsequently manufactured a veritable tide of these handsome sedans. Almost 2 million were sold over nine years of production. With sheet metal designed by Paul… more»
Sep 3, 2024 • For Sale • 13 Comments
Rare Convertible: 1985 Capri ASC/McLaren
When is a Fox body not a Mustang? When it’s a Mercury Capri, specifically the second generation Capri sold starting in 1979. With manufacturing repatriated to the US (the first Capris were captive imports made by Ford Europe and… more»
Sep 1, 2024 • For Sale • 8 Comments
From Good to Great? S38-Powered 1975 BMW 530i
The 5-series BMW is legendary. Introduced in 1972 as the E12 and continuing today in its eighth generation, a few million examples have been sold. Early cars still carve roads and tracks; racking up a few hundred thousand miles… more»
Sep 1, 2024 • For Sale • 24 Comments
Family Hauler: 1950 Plymouth Suburban
While the first steel “station wagon” was built by Chevrolet in 1935, most wagons were still expensive, wood-bodied maintenance nightmares. In the late 1940s – with the post-war economy entering prosperity – Crosley, Willys, and Plymouth introduced all-steel wagons… more»
Aug 30, 2024 • For Sale • 7 Comments
What’s It Worth? 1967 Lotus Elan SE Project Car
The Lotus Elan arrived in 1962 as the embodiment of Colin Chapman’s plan to improve his company’s road-car regime. With a fiberglass body mounted on a backbone chassis, the new Elan was configured as a two-seat convertible. Fixed-head coupes… more»
Aug 29, 2024 • For Sale • 8 Comments
No Reserve: 1980 Nissan 280ZX
“No reserve” can be a thrill – or, in the case of this 1980 Nissan 280ZX, a conundrum. Is there enough value in this ZX to make it worth the price? Nissan launched the 280ZX (aka, S130) in response… more»
Aug 28, 2024 • For Sale • 14 Comments
Restoration Underway: 1966 Sunbeam Tiger
The Sunbeam Tiger was developed when Rootes – maker of the Sunbeam Alpine – began pursuing a more powerful engine for the little car. After a few false starts, Carroll Shelby built a prototype at the behest of Ian… more»
Aug 27, 2024 • For Sale • 16 Comments
Rare Survivor! 1959 Dodge Sierra Wagon
Chrysler’s “Forward Look” wasn’t everyone’s idea of beauty, but for those who love vintage orphans, here’s a fantastic example of a rare Mopar wagon in driver condition. Fewer than 24,000 Sierra wagons – Custom and standard trim – were… more»
Aug 26, 2024 • For Sale • 8 Comments
Garage Dweller: 1957 Jaguar Mark VIII
Jaguar’s heritage began in 1935 when it emerged from the Swallow Sidecar Company. “Jaguar” was the company’s model name for a 3.5-liter two-seat roadster. At the same time, SS sold a 2.5-liter saloon. From these twin strands of DNA… more»
Aug 25, 2024 • For Sale • 7 Comments
Update: Garage Find! 1927 Rolls-Royce Twenty Cabriolet
UPDATE: This 1927 Rolls-Royce Twenty cabriolet is now at auction here on eBay, with bidding at $12,121, reserve met. Considering that no one was interested three weeks ago when the seller advertised the car on craigslist for $8000, he… more»
Aug 24, 2024 • For Sale • 10 Comments
Maserati Motor: 1973 Citroën SM
I’ve watched Citroën SMs sell at auction for a few years now, where generally only the best are offered – most particularly with manual gearboxes. Auctioneers have no problem attaining prices in the $40k to $60k range. But when… more»
