Modern Mercedes Sprinters are some of the most versatile and capable vehicles out there, and we’ve taken a few trips down memory lane to look at the history of Mercedes vans. This example comes from the first generation of Mercedes mid-size van, the 319, which came in a variety of van and truck bodystyles. This Panoramabus comes with the windows up, down, and all-around greenhouse that many lust after in the 21-Window VW Bus, offering as much sunlight as you can handle. It’s been around the block, originally living the US before heading to Holland to become a tour bus for the unfortunately-named Inn at Fawnskin and then transitioning into a camper (though the Fawnskin decals remain). I find it truly astonishing that it’s covered 164k miles given that it shares the meager 1.9-liter inline-4 which powered the diminutive 190SL. It has a very funky look and could be an epic van once restored, but is also being sold for an epic price at nearly $40k.
Month: May 2015
At one point or another during my time writing for GCFSB I have had the opportunity to feature nearly every variant of the 964 and as I’ve noted in previous posts there is a ton of variability within the 964 model range. The exception, the car I have yet to feature, is the 964 Carrera RS, quite possibly the best of the breed, especially were we to stumble across the ultra-rare 3.8 RS, which sadly this one is not. Nevertheless, the 3.6 version is truly a fantastic machine. The US market had to settle for the RS America, a lightened low-option version of the Carrera 2, that never fully approached, nor did Porsche intend it to approach, the full-on Carrera RS of other markets. The Carrera RS used the tried-and-true method of more power/less weight, combining a higher output version of the 964’s 3.6 liter flax-six with significant weight reduction – coming in 155 kg lighter than a standard Carrera 2 – to provide the sort of no frills performance that 911 enthusiasts had long craved since the original RS. To wear that moniker, the coveted Carrera RS badge, requires a special car and the version for the 964 filled those shoes quite well. It showed how far this newly redesigned 911 could be pushed and continued Porsche’s history of melding excellent road-going manners with track-focused performance. The particular example we see here is a Maritime Blue 1992 Porsche 911 Carrera RS with a contrasting black and blue leather interior and just 20,005 miles on it.
CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1992 Porsche 911 Carrera RS on 4 Star Classics
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Funny how the passage of time works when it comes to the automotive world. It seems like just yesterday that I looked at the C63 AMG as a completely unattainable car, the kind of ride that only Euro club bros with frosted tips and too much of dad’s money to spend would be be able to afford. However, thanks to our old friend depreciation, the smallest AMG worth owning is under the $30k mark, good news for those of us without a Scrooge McDuck vault of money to swim in.
$30k is the high mark for what I would consider a reasonable amount of money to spend on a car give or take a couple grand. These days you can get a whole lot of car in this price range, 1st gen Cayman S, E90/92 M3 and of course this lil hot rod from Stuttgart that houses a hand built motor. While I’ve long been a bigger fan of the M3 because of the availability of a 3rd pedal, a C63 AMG sedan always turns my head when one rolls by. Sadly they’re often piloted by people who should probably have the keys taken away, for their safety and the well being of the car. This example down in Texas has made it 86,199 miles, still looks quite fresh and I hope someone with a real appreciation and respect for the powertrain takes it home.
CLICK FOR DETAILS:Â 2009 Mercedes Benz C63 AMG on Cars.com
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We’ve shown a few examples of the 911T over the past weeks and we always enjoy featuring these early entry-level 911s for their (at least on a relative scale) less costly asking prices that still retain that vintage 911 style and feel. They do tend to get caught in the general craze surrounding long-hood 911s with asking prices that are too high for their condition, but we can forgive sellers for attempting to extract the most from their cars. No one is going to give these away. In that regard the 911T can be a tough sell; even a good one is destined to command far less than a 911S so collectors remain less enamored with them, but values are high enough that as a driver it really takes a buyer with a strong nostalgic desire for an early 911 for the purchase to make much sense. The example we see here falls into that driver category and given the asking price will probably be another tough sell, but it’s incredibly striking and appears to have been shown a high degree of care. Here we have a Yellow 1971 Porsche 911T, located in Massachusetts, that’s traveled 171,785 miles over the course of its life. From the pictures it hardly looks it!
CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1971 Porsche 911T Coupe on eBay
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Hot on the heels of wagon week, we have another great little E30 Touring that was brought to Virginia from Germany (probably by an armed services member) a while back. In addition to the great looks of the original 3-series longroof, you get a dog cage, buttons in German, and that 80s cloth interior that reminds me so much of my childhood. Bidding is hot but significantly lower than most clean E30s out there as I write this. It seems like the allure and rarity of these wagons is starting to wane, bringing them to a much wider audience and taking them back to their original status as an entertaining, useful, and affordable daily driver.