Author: Carter

1969 Mercedes Benz 280 SL Roadster

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My favorite memory of my father’s 1971 280SL 4 speed is riding home in the evening from some vintage car races in the New England fall. His 280 didn’t have a very nice roof at that point, so we were driving with the top down. Cool, right? No, it was just downright cold. I huddled low in the cabin, trying to get as much of the heat trickling out of the non-existent ventilation system. It’s a perfect example of how spartan the W113 SLs are in comparison to the later R107 cars, but it’s also a reminder that SL stands for “Sport Light” – something the newer cars lost along the way. The W113 also got a dose of “Sport” compared to the anemic 190 SL that preceded it as well, with the 230 and 250 sporting 150 growling horsepower. The 280 gained 20 more ponies, but most were coupled to an automatic transmission that diluted the experience. Thankfully, that’s not the case with this 1969 280 SL 4 speed:

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Year: 1969
Model: 280 SL
Engine: 2.8 liter inline-6
Transmission: 4-speed manual
Mileage: 69,000 mi
Price: $45,000 Buy it Now

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1969 Mercedes Benz 280 SL on eBay

Gorgeous, head turning 280 SL Roadster. Rare 4-speed, dealer A/C. Both tops, interior is like new, radio and clock work as do all guages lights and levers. Original tool kit, like new Michelins. No known rust issues, rockers and floor pans were restored by a classic mercedes shop and are documented. Paint finish looks very good but does have a few imperfections. The soft top has a few wear spots, typical of older tops. Mechanically this car is near perfect. It runs amazingly and tracks straight as an arrow. Brakes are new all around and it has been mechanically maintained by a classic expert.

Enjoy this car as it is for years or invest in a high end paint job and you will have a show car. This car will only appreciate in value. There aren’t many available at this price in this fine condition.

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In the 1990s, these cars could be had for a song. Through the 2000s though, appreciation for the very attractive Paul Bracq design and the no frills simplicity drove prices into the $40,000 range for very nice examples. Since then values have continued to climb, and mint examples fetch the best part of $100,000. This car makes no claim to be a mint example, and to me that’s its appeal. At about half the price of the best examples, you have a show worthy driver. These really are enjoyable cars to drive, though not so much on the highway – 70 miles an hour equates to nearly 4,000 RPMs, but on a back road with the top down, that throaty inline 6 will reward you rowing through the gears. It’s not a fast car, but you sure can have a lot of fun on your way to your destination! Better yet, arriving at that destination in your W113 will make you feel like you’re at a Hollywood premier. People will turn their heads to see who is driving this beautiful, classic Mercedes. It has a presence about it that cars at twice the price can’t achieve. Just dress warmly.

-Carter

2007 Audi A4 Avant S-line Titanium Package

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Let’s face it – wagons are awesome, and fast wagons are even better. Until very recently and the monster Mercedes, BMW and Cadillac offerings, Audi was the undisputed king of the fast wagon. While the S4 and S6 Avants grab most of the headlines and attention, the normal A4 was a solid performer in either V6 or turbo 4 form. This was especially true of the B7 chassis A4s, which offered either the silky smooth 3.2 V6 or the torque-rich 2.0T. More than just a pretty face lift of the B6 chassis, the B7 also sported revised steering and suspension that livened the ride. The ultimate of these cars were the S-line with the Titanium Package option, such as the car we see here.

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Year: 2007
Model: A4 Avant
Engine: 2.0 liter inline-4 Turbo FSI
Transmission: 6-speed manual
Mileage: 99,251 mi
Price: $17,995

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 2007 Audi A4 S-line Titanium Avant at Coventry Motor Cars

2007 Audi A4 2.0T Titanium S-Line
Price: $17,995
VIN: WAUSF78E07A173373 Stock Number: 7A173373
Exterior: Brilliant Red Body Type: Wagon AWD
Interior: Ebony Miles: 99,251
Transmission: 6-Speed Manual Engine: 4 Cyl. 2L

*Actual MPG Rating will vary with options, driving conditions, habits and vehicle condition.
EXTREMELY RARE S-LINE TITANIUM PACKAGE CAR, CONVENIENCE PACKAGE, COLD WEATHER PACKAGE, ONE OWNER, DEALER SERVICED, FOUR KEYS, ALL MANUALS AND ORIGINAL WINDOW STICKER

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To me, the main appeal of this car is that it isn’t an S4. Sure, you lose a lot of horsepower and sound from that V8. But, you also lose the repair bills from maintaining it. With the S-line Titanium Package, you get the fantastically well proportioned look of the B7, the usefulness of the wagon, and enough sport thrown in to have fun on your favorite road or commute. Did I mention how incredible those wheels look? They’re perfect.

The 2.0T has proven to be a stout motor if you want to tweak it, so attaining S4 levels of performance isn’t unheard of or out of reach. While we’d all love to run around in a sports car every day, the reality it’s hard to fit the wife, the child(ren), the dog(s), and the groceries into that R8 you’ve been pining after. Coupled with the great 6 speed manual, this is a fun, sporty, practical choice if you want to get into an Audi with over 100,000 miles and have your bank account remain in the black! The seller is well regarded in the Audi community and offer only premium examples of the marque, which is reflected in the condition of this car. As such, I think the car is fairly priced especially when you take into consideration the rarity of the the combination of color, manual, wagon, S-line and Titanium Package options.

-Carter

1983 Volkswagen Scirocco Wolfsburg Edition

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The water cooled Volkswagen crowd was, for many years, a fickle bunch. If it didn’t say “GTi”, “GLi” or “16V” somewhere on it, it just wasn’t really considered to be very cool. In the past few years, though, things have changed and appreciation for the broader range of models has increased. While at one time if you didn’t have a GTi you weren’t part of the “in” crowd, the VW shows have increasingly filled with more obscure models as owners try to find more unique survivors to stand out. This 1983 Scirocco Wolfsburg Edition is the perfect opportunity to show up your friends at the next Volkswagen meet:

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Year: 1983
Model: Scirocco Wolfsburg Edition
Engine: 1.8 liter inline-4
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage: 6,484 miles
Price: No reserve auction

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1983 Volkswagen Scirocco Wolfsburg Edition on eBay

This is quite possibly the finest original, unmolested 1983 scirocco left in existence. This rust free car has 6,484 actual miles! The car runs, drives and smells like the day it was new.

The car was purchased new 30 years ago in July of 1983, driven very little, then stored for 26 years. I purchased the car from a collector in Los Angeles 4 years ago with 4,700 miles on it. The original factory window sticker and owners manuals are with the car as well as the original spare tire and tool kit which has never been used or out of the car. The cigarette lighter and ashtray are in unused condition as well. A new set of P185/R60-14 Toyo Eclipse tires and a new battery were installed in the last year as well as a fresh oil change this month. The car needs nothing. The car has never been detailed and does not need it, It has never been dirty.

The interior is impeccable! It shows no sign of cracks, wear or fading. The only flaw is on the right side of the hood near the windshield where something hit it and left less than a one inch crack in the paint. All the rubber moldings are soft and pliable with no cracking. Both AutoCheck and Carfax are clean, the car has never been hit or in a accident of any kind. It still retains all of it’s original paint and look great! The car starts and runs great with NO oil or other fluids leaking from car. It came from the factory with A/C and it blows ice cold. If you Google “1983 Volkswagen Scirocco Wolfsburg GT” on the internet it will pull up more information and pictures on THIS CAR. If I can answer any questions or to set up an appointment to see this incredible car, please call Mike @ (406)-360-1288.

Remember a car like this is only original once, and you could not restore one this nice!

I have been collecting nice, honest cars for the past 25 years and will be selling off about a dozen of them the next few months so check back. Thank you.

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Much like the 924S I covered recently, the “Buy it Now” price – $13,500 – is at the highest point for this particular model. Also like the 924S, this isn’t in general the most desirable Scirocco, which is usually reserved for the first generation and 16V models. However, it’s simply impossible to replicate the condition that this vehicle is in or low miles that are on the clock. As a survivor, it stands alone as a near museum-quality piece of Volkswagen history. Is it worth $13,500? That’s a hard question to answer. Harder still will be to answer what you do with it – keep it in a climate controlled display area as one of the last of its kind, or drive and enjoy it? I think if you could get the asking price in the $8000-9,000 range you’d have a fantastic weekend warrior to enjoy both at the show and on the go!

-Carter

1986 Porsche 944 GTR

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Let me get this out of the way first – the asking price of this 1986 Porsche 944 Turbo is $120,000. There, I said it. If you’re still reading, you’re either intrigued or horrified. In either case, the next set of numbers is equally staggering – 650 hp and 2300 lbs. Still reading? How about this – they only made seven of them. You thought the 962 was rare? Nope, they made over 90 of those. The 917? Wrong again, with somewhere around 65 of those made. Allow me to introduce what many consider to be the ultimate front engine Porsche – the 944 GTR.

A little background history – the 944 evolved through the racing program of the 924 – and specifically, the 924 Carrera GT, GTS, and GTR. In the early 1980s, these cars dominated their classes in IMSA racing. In 1981, Porsche Motorsports built a highly evolved version of the 924 GTR called the 924GTP or 944GTP Le Mans, which finished 7th overall at Le Mans sporting a newly developed 2.5 liter motor which would be, in part, the basis for the road going 944. At the same time, the U.S. based Fabcar run by Dave Klym had modified some winning Porsches for Paul Miller and Bob Akin. Al Holbert, who was head of Porsche Motorsports North America, contracted Klym to make a new evolution of the 944 which would be called the 944 GTR. Below is a development photo from Fabcar and not the actual car listed:

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Unlike its predecessors, the 944 GTR was a tube frame race car, meaning it had no connection to the road car. Brakes and wheels from a 962 were fitted, and the 944 GTR received a specially developed all aluminum 2.5 liter turbo under its silhouette body. The early 2.0 and 2.5 liter turbos had developed between 250 and 450 horsepower; the new unit in the GTR developed between 525 to 650 hp. Here is a photo, again from Fabcar, of the development motor:

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A veritable who’s who of Porsche motorsports history worked on these cars, including McLaren and Andial. Slated to race in both the SCCA Trans Am series and IMSA GTO, the GTR achieved moderate success but ultimately fell victim to bad timing and a lack of funding following the death of Holbert. Despite this, they were the fastest front engine Porsches ever raced. The cars were sold off to private parties, which is how this one comes up for sale today:

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Year: 1986
Model: 944 GTR
Engine: 2.5 liter turbocharged inline-4
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage: Miles unknown
Price: 120,000

CLICK FOR DETAILS: Porsche 944 GTR on eBay

1986 Porsche 944 GTR turbo race car chassis # 2 of only seven built for trans am at Fabcar. 650 hp engine full tube frame with Hewland 5 speed gearbox.This car is race ready to race in PCA, HSR and SVRA. 3 sets BBS wheels and spares package. 770-596-4844

The listing is lacking many details that would be really helpful in a purchase of this magnitude. Many of these cars were modified after their initial launch so it’s difficult to say if it retains the original – and very valuable – all aluminum engine, or what race history it has had. It also seems to sport a different nose than the original cars had, hinting at some body damage. Obviously, a thorough pre-purchase inspection by a knowledgeable race shop would be a must if you were serious about buying it.

In terms of value, Carrera GTS and GTR values are typically at or above this level, and the purchase price is a fraction of what it cost to develop these cars originally, but judging race car values depends in large amount on the race history and condition. Running this car on track – where it deserves to be – would certainly be an expensive proposition, but I would estimate running costs to be roughly on par with a 996 or 997 GT3 Cup Car, for example. That’s rarefied air for sure, but you would own a really unique piece of automotive history that would be as welcome at a Porsche Club car show as it would be at historical races.

-Carter

1987 Porsche 924S

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Please join me in giving a warm welcome to our newest contributor (and longtime reader) at German Cars For Sale Blog, Carter Johnson.

-Paul

Often overlooked by both people who own Porsches and people who want to own Porsches, the 924S remains a bit of a hidden gem. Even people “in the know” often dismiss the 924S as nothing more than a budget offering undeserving of the Porsche name. However, if you could get past the dashboard which carried over from the earlier Audi-engine model of the late 1970s, the 1987 924S was quite the performance bargain. Underneath, it was infused with 944 DNA in the form of engine, suspension and brakes, and while the exterior remained understated and lacked the sexy flares of its 944 and 944 turbo brethren, the 924S was actually quicker to 60 and top speed than the 944, and due to a slightly more slippery exterior, returned better fuel economy as well. As most were under-appreciated, values fell quickly and most were abused – thankfully this is not the case with this low mileage Guards Red 1987.

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Year: 1987
Model: 924S
Engine: 2.4 liter inline-4
Transmission: 3-speed automatic
Mileage: 50,700 mi
Price: $12,900 Buy It Now

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1987 Porsche 924S on eBay

1987 Porsche 924S. One owner since new! Gorgeous Guards Red with Porsche logo black interior! 50,700 original miles! Original factory manuals! Full service records from new! Factory removable sunroof! Automatic transmission! Like new inside and out! Possibly the finest, most well documented 924S in existence!

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This car appears to be setting the market for a pristine example. There are two ways to look at the steep “Buy it Now” price – $12,900 is a tremendous amount for a 924S, or $12,900 is a bargain for a pristine classic Porsche. While $13,000 may get you past 944 Turbo entry and even brush a bargain 968 price, it’s unlikely that you could find a example of this quality level of either of those models for anywhere near that amount. While $10,000 might be a more realistic price, it’s just about impossible to find a 924S in this condition and you certainly couldn’t replicate it for the asking price. The only downside for most enthusiasts is the automatic transmission. Still, since it’s not an ultra-low mileage museum piece, this is a classic car that could be driven to events and enjoyed on weekends for many years to come. Better yet, you’d be driving a red Porsche without breaking the bank on maintenance or restoration. Twenty six years later, perhaps the promise of the entry level Porsche has finally come true!

-Carter