Another Toyota that captured attention for its aesthetics is the second-generation MR2. This time it borrowed design queues from the Ferrari V8 cars, in particular the 348 TS (though today it more closely resembles the F355 GTS, which would arrive midway through the MR2’s lifespan). From its inception, the MR2 was designed to be a run-about (Mid-ship Run-about/Rear-wheel-drive 2-seater), offering good fuel economy in a youthful package. But with its relative light weight and mid-engine layout, it couldn’t help its aspirations as a sports car, especially with noted figures like Dsn Gurney helping to tune its handling. The turbocharged models of the MK II were the performance stars, with 200 bhp on tap, but the 130-hp 2.2-liter 5S-FE offers plenty of fun for $20,000 less in today’s market.
An unmolested FD-model Mazda RX-7 has become something of a unicorn and while this one has a modified exhaust, it remains otherwise bone stock. It’s racked up some miles, but it has done so under proper maintenance. It appears to be a Touring spec so one can hardly blame its two owners from using the car as intended. Values of FDs in all conditions continue to climb so this one looks to be priced fairly. Find it here on Craigslist for $37,500.
It’s the earliest known Corvette Sting Ray to be offered to the public and it is one of the Main Attractions at the upcoming Mecum Kissimmee auction in early January. Aside from its monumental historical significance, it is also a highly desirable spec, with a fuel-injected L84 327/360 and well-optioned. See all the details here and happy bidding.
This looks like fun. A second-year BMW Z3 Roadster that has been lovingly cared for by a single owner since new. Its 78,000 miles indicate it has been enjoyed but not abused While not the M model, it has the 189-hp 2.8-liter inline six, that is plenty spirited and perfectly suited to the 5-speed ZF gearbox. It has been garaged since new and retains the original window sticker. This, along with fastidious maintenance records demonstrate the car has been cherished. It’s hard to think of a better color combo as well. Get it before its gone here on Craigslist for an underpriced $10,800.
It wasn’t that long ago that sporty Japanese cars, while admired by drivers for their relative fun factor (relative to their cost to own), weren’t paid much attention from collectors. A well-sorted, rust-free 240Z, for example, could easily be had for under $15K six or seven years ago. In the past month alone, auction sites have seen those same quality examples exchange hands at around $70K, with a couple exceptional-quality Zs climbing well into six figures.
It’s not surprising then that collectors are looking for the Next 240Z and an obvious place to look is to its contemporaries. The Toyota Celica wasn’t considered a true sports car like the Z (which, by the time the Celica GT Liftback arrived in the States, had evolved into the more refined 260Z and 280Z). It aimed instead, as the name implies, to be thought of in buyers’ minds as a GT. Not so much GT in the European sense, but rather, the Mustang GT. Its styling, rather than taking inspiration from 60s Ferraris, borrowed heavily from Ford’s pony car and in particular, the 1968 Sportback.
The 97-hp 20R engine wasn’t going to win any drag races against its American exemplar, but its bucket seats nested deep between a center console that housed a still-uncommon 5-speed stick, along with a five-gauge instrument panel, gave the driver the feeling of something more sporting. Today it’s the aesthetic, inside and out, that continues to hold their appeal and with it a steady rise in value.
There were over a quarter million Celicas brought to US dealers in 1976 and 1977 (unknown how many of those were GT Liftbacks), yet today they do seem scarce; much more so than the Z cars of the day. Many have rusted out or ended up in scrap heaps (the fate of many Japanese cars of the 70s) so finding one, especially in unmodified, well-kept (No 2) condition, may take some determination and patience. The Next Z? Only time will tell but in the meantime you’ll enjoy a fun, reliable GT that exudes Steve McQueen cool on a smaller scale.
After a couple years of dormant prices for air-cooled Porsches, the market seems to have been, if not stimulated, mildly awakened in the past year. Early 911s continue to lead the way, but their more “entry-level” siblings like the 912 and 914 have seen the highest gains. This example—at roughly a third of the cost of a similar-condition 911S—looks to have gone through a proper restoration. There’s no mention of a numbers-matching spec, but its late serial number (among the last 100 912 Targas made) coincides with the late-production engine number. It’s a collectible luftgekühlt that you won’t feel bad about flogging around. And the 912, while lacking the engine performance of an early 911, is plenty of fun to flog around. Find this one here at Desert Private Collection, priced right at $59,750.
Sant’Agata Bolognese, 23rd December 2022 – Automobili Lamborghini wishes Happy Holidays to its social community with a new video: a story about how there is no future without the past and the importance of small gestures. An elderly barber is forced to close his historic barber-shop due to inactivity. A young man, who was a loyal customer as a child, in order to save the fortunes of a place dear to him, attempts to generate visibility in front of the shop by parking his Lamborghini Huracán Tecnica. Attracted by the bright Verde Selvans car, many young people and influencers start posting photos and videos geolocating themselves in front of the barbershop where, driven by the desire to renew their look, they start entering in large numbers and, in doing so, manage to prevent the elderly barber from going bankrupt.
A contemporary story that reminds us how the present we live in and the future we desire would not be possible without the people and choices of the past.
The 2021 video has garnered around 4 million views on the official Instagram profile and 2.6 million views on YouTube. In 2022, Lamborghini’s community on the different social media channels continued to grow, reaching 32.5 million users and grew stronger, achieving more than 57M total interactions on Instagram, more than 21M views on the YouTube channel and 27.42M views on TikTok.
As much of the country braces against the winter chill, here’s a little—or not so little—something to make us dream of hot summer nights. It’s a 1969 Buick Electra 225 Convertible that’s done only 29,000 miles of said nights by a single owner. It’s from Detroit’s pre-emissions heyday, which means cruising along with a 360-hp 430 cubic-inch V8 in a 225-inch living room. Paint, brightwork, and leather all gorgeous. It’s two tons of red and it’s here on Craigslist for an attractive $19,400.
