We’ve witnessed some pretty crazy market increases over the past few years. While generally it’s been the big names from Porsche and BMW stealing headlines, the reality is that the entire 1980s market is on the rise. Hagerty, for example, recently emailed me to tell me that the 1984 Pontiac Fiero has increased in value nearly 100% in the past year. As I had nightmares about that, I thought about the many other cars that used to be bought for chips that are now heading into unaffordable territory. Two years ago, we saw the Mk.1 GTi join that list when in a few weeks we witnessed back to back record sales. First to hit the market was the nearly $18,000 1983 Callaway Turbo example with 18,000 miles,followed closely by a 1984 with some period modifications and 20,000 miles for $16,000 in December, 2013. Those were enough to assume that the market was heading strongly up. Yet we also saw it flounder slightly, as very nice and original examples struggled to break – or even come close to – $10,000 again. Well, it would seem that things are back on track, because another low mile Callaway Turbo with period Zender kit has arrived on the scene, and it’s currently poised to blow the market apart once again:
Month: December 2015
Every day I log onto Facebook, I see a few people I know out on the West Coast of the US complaining about the weather this winter. However, it’s been unseasonably warm on the East Coast of the US. To all those on the left coast complaining, I say it’s about time I had a break from the usual. I’ve had a lifetime of bad winter weather. And with warm temperatures comes the desire for drop top motoring. This 1992 318i Convertible for sale is an original California vehicle closing in on 200,000 miles. The great pictures in this ad really do a great job of showcasing just how well-preserved of an E30 this is.
Click for details:Â 1992 BMW 318i Convertible on eBay
Comments closedLike the 1993 Volvo 240 Wagon we featured last week, the Mercedes-Benz W123 estate is a legend due to its durability. The Mercedes-Benz W123 estate was aimed a bit more upmarket than Volvo’s venerable five-door, combining luxury with utility in a package that is still popular amongst the motoring elite to this day. This final year 300TD for sale in California has crossed the 200,000 mark but those familiar with the W123 Mercedes-Benz will realize that kind of distance is trivial for one of the most legendary Mercedes-Benzes of the past 40 years.
Click for details:Â 1985 Mercedes-Benz 300TD on eBay
1 CommentIn the late 1990s, as Volkswagen introduced it’s New Beetle, few outside of dyed in the wool VW enthusiasts were aware that production of the original, air-cooled Volkswagen Beetle was still going on in Mexico. A few of these late model Mexican built Beetles made their way back to Europe. By then, these cars were a novelty more than anything else, outclassed as a mode of basic transport even by other models in the Volkswagen product portfolio. Still, there is something neat about seeing modern VW trim pieces in an otherwise vintage interior, similar to the 1967 Beetle from my childhood. In need of some nostalgia mixed with modernism this week? Read further, then.
Click for details:Â 1997 Volkswagen Beetle on Classic Driver
5 CommentsThere’s a strange part of me that loves the idea of turning up to the track in something no one is expecting to see turn fast laps. It’s part of what drove me to continuously develop my Audi GT into a track car, and most of what I love about racers like the Audi V8 quattro and 850 Estate Super Touring. But certainly, when it comes to Porsches everyone expects them to appear on the circuit, right? Well, in the case of the 928, it’s somewhat rare to see them hit the track. Big, heavy and complicated grand tourers, they’re more at home hitting top speed on the Frankfurt-Darmstadt Autobahn then slithering through La Source. Yet some, including Porsche themselves, took the big GT racing – from Le Mans to Daytona, the 928 saw competitive action around the globe even if it never was quite as celebrated as its rear engine brethren. Today it’s just as rare to find a track prepared 928 for sale, but an early example has surfaced on eBay: