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Author: Paul

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1979 Mercedes-Benz 450SEL – REVISIT

The low mileage 450SEL we featured last month is back up for sale. The car failed to meet its reserve last time at $18,800 after an impressive 50 bids.

-Paul

THE BELOW POST ORIGINALLY APPEARED ON OUR SITE November 14, 2013:

With a new Mercedes-Benz S class upon us, it’s an opportune time to look back through the years and see how this luxury sedan development. The W116 S class quickly became an afterthought after the much loved W126 debuted at the dawn of the 1980s. This big bruiser’s moment came via a movie most of us all know and love, Ronin. The top of the range 6.9 made an appearance in this action packed flick, terrorizing a Citroën XM and duo of Peugeot 605s in the pursuit of a mysterious case. Even with a rocket launcher perched through the sunroof opening, the 6.9 still looked dignified going about its business. This 450SEL captures much of the 6.9’s aura even if the V8 is down on power. But for most, the power, safety and luxury this classic S class offers is quite adequate.

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1979 Mercedes-Benz 450SEL on eBay

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1985 Volkswagen Quantum Syncro Wagon

My love for obscure cars dictates my leaning towards one of my favorite Volkswagens of all time: the Quantum Syncro Wagon. Known as the Passat, Santana, Corsar and Carat in other markets, the Quantum was the choice for someone seeking German engineering in a mid-sized package on a budget. Curiously, Volkswagen only offered Syncro four-wheel drive in the Quantum Wagon, as it was the bigger seller. This car shared its drivetrain with the Audi 80 and required a completely new floorpan which relocated the gas tank and deleted the spare tire well. Mated exclusively to the 2.2 liter inline-5 engine, this was a very versatile machine popular with those in the snow belt.

Few of these Quantum Syncro Wagons survive in good condition, but they have a rabid following of enthusiasts. Rarely do you see a pre-facelift Quantum Syncro Wagon but here is one for sale in Seattle. A few items need doing but nothing too terrible to put off those handy with a wrench.

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1985 Volkswagen Quantum Syncro Wagon on Craigslist Seattle

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1998 BMW M3 Sedan

As we close out the year here at GCFSB, it’s safe to say that 2013 could be considered the year of the M3. With the original E30 leading the charge on the value charts, we’ve seen the effect trickle down and values have begun to creep up on its successor, the E36 M3. With the E36, however, there were several different variants available, some being more popular than others. Curiously, the M3 sedan was a tad bit lighter than its two-door sibling, making it the not so obvious choice for the track day enthusiast. Does the automatic gearbox in this example for sale in Florida diminish the fun?

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1998 BMW M3 Sedan on eBay

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1989 Porsche 930 Turbo Slantnose Cabriolet

The eighties were a time of experimentation in outrageousness when it came to automotive styling. From the flared gills of the Ferrari Testarossa to wide fendered hot rods from the Mercedes-Benz tuning firm, AMG, the sky was the limit. There was one styling modification that I was never too particularly fond of, and it came by way of the number 505, otherwise known as the factory option code for Flachbau (slantnose). This option eviscerated the classic front end profile of the 911 for a decidedly eighties appearance by way of a wedge shape front end with pop-up headlamps. Who ever would go to the lengths of modifying a classic design like the 911 was beyond me. But, only a limited run of these were manufactured, much to the joy of purists everywhere. Perhaps this spoke to how popular this option was amongst 911 buyers? Whatever the case may be, this Slantnose Cabriolet for sale in New Jersey is but a handful that were produced in the 3.2 Carrera’s final year.

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1989 Porsche 930 Turbo Slantnose Cabriolet on eBay

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1975 Volkswagen Rabbit Swallowtail

By the time the late 1960s rolled around, Volkswagen saw the writing on the wall when it came to the Beetle. It was time to plan for its replacement. Designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro, the Golf (or Rabbit as it came to be known in the US), was one of the first mass produced front engined, front-wheel drive, transverse engined compacts to gain success after the introduction of the trailblazing Mini in 1959. In 1978, Volkswagen began to produce this compact hatchback in the US at the Westmoreland, Pennsylvania manufacturing plant under the Rabbit badge. But before the domestic Rabbits began to roll off the line, the very first Rabbits to appear in the US were distinguished by their curious rear bodywork, with a drooping panel line around the rear tail lamps. These early Rabbits became known as the “swallowtail.”

It’s rare to come across these early Rabbits, but this 1975 model for sale in Florida is one of the earliest we’ve featured here on GCFSB, with a build date of December 1974. For the purist, this is certainly a chance to snag what has to be one the earliest, most well preserved Rabbits on US shores.

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1975 Volkswagen Rabbit on eBay

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