Enthusiasts Blogging Our Favorite Classifieds
The crazy C55-engined C43 that I wrote up last September has reappeared with a new seller. Now with around 600 more miles on the clock, a new description and some new photos, it is now offered as a no reserve auction. Also note, if you’re seriously interested, that the original line that the car could not pass California smog has been removed. I like the concept of this swap and it looks clean, but I wonder why it’s being flipped after so few miles.
Here’s another roundup of some of the cooler accessories I found on EBay this week. The Nardi steering wheel is an absolute classic design and would really dress up a classic Volkswagen. I think the Mercedes-Benz reserve gas tank is too cool, even though it’s technically not a tuner accessory. It makes me want to buy the entire car just so I can slot it in! That DKW racing manifold certainly has a small number of applications, but it’s sure neat to see something for the old classics. Grabbing an original radio might not seem fun, but I love how the Blaupunkt-made Gamma units look for the Audis and you could return your car towards stock. Much as the Metric Mechanics team offers great motors for BMW, Techtonics Tuning offers this well-built 2.1 8V motor pumping out an impressive 150 horsepower with plenty of torque and instant response. Zender accessories are always popular, especially when they’re original items. And one of my favorite wheels has always been the MOMO Monte Carlo – what a stellar looking steering wheel! What’s your favorite?
With prices of certain German classics on the rise, it’s easy to get dismayed, but there are still plenty of vehicles out there within reach for the enthusiast of more modest means. Case in point, the Volkswagen Cabriolet. The Mk1 Cabriolet had a particularly long production life, from 1980 through 1993, so you won’t have trouble sourcing one on the used market. Later examples, like this low mileage 1990 example for sale in Florida, came equipped with a few more niceties, such as power windows, a glass rear window, body colored bumpers and a driver’s side airbag.
Similar to fine wines, certain cars seem to be getting better with age in light of some of the less than exciting offerings some manufacturers have to offer these days. However, with the case of the second generation Porsche Boxster, it seems successive generations have improved the breed. That’s not to say the original Boxster was a bad car, but the revamped version offered more power and a bit more refinement than the first one, especially when it came to interior accoutrements. This 2005 Boxster S for sale from our friends at Encore Motors represents the first year of a new era for the Boxster and with just under 30,000 miles. It presents the opportunity to put yourself behind the wheel of a low mileage, modern Porsche at a reasonable entry point.
For a car maker one of the perks of sustained success for a particular model comes in the guise of special or commemorative editions. These editions tend to garner additional sales from those who are fans of the car while also, even if this has less impact on the marque’s finances itself, holding greater long-term appeal on the used-car market. Porsche in general is a big fan of special editions and given the 911’s longevity and success it is then no surprise that quite a few have been produced over the long life of this sports car. So, as the end of the 3.2 Carrera coincided with the 25th anniversary of the 911 it was natural to produce a special edition as a send off for the model that had brought Porsche so much success. And, of course, it helped move some of the last remaining stock. Win-win! While most of the ‘specialness’ of these cars comes solely through cosmetic changes, these editions do tend to show better value on the current market so collectors seek them out. The example here is a Satin Black Metallic Silver Anniversary 911 (the other available color being Silver Metallic), located in California, which has seen 66,236 miles.