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ON THE BLOCK: Ferrari Dinos, Porsches Continue to Dazzle at Silverstone Sale

May 27, 2014 / moto+match / 0 Comments

Two very special Ferrari Dinos wowed the bidders at Silverstone Auctions’ May Sale, helping achieve a sales rate of 71 percent and a total sales value of over £1.7million, continuing the run of strong results from the auction house already achieved this year.

Just weeks after the highly successful inaugural Restoration Show Sale, a barn find 1973 Ferrari Dino sold to rapturous applause, for an astonishing premium inclusive total of £132,250. In polar opposite condition, a recently restored 1971 Ferrari 246 GT Dino, that was the show car at the 1971 Earls Court Motor Show, was successfully hammered away for a premium inclusive total of £250,700, more than £70,000 over its lower estimate.

However, it wasn’t just Ferraris that proved popular with the crowds at the sale, which took place at the Wing, Silverstone.

Proving that Porsche prices are continuing to rise, a 1973 Porsche 911 S 2.4 Targa sold for a premium inclusive £105,800, more than £20,000 over its upper estimate. A 1989 Porsche 911 930 Turbo, with just over 24,000 miles on the clock, sold similarly well, achieving a total of £92,000, nearly £40,000 over its lower estimate.

Speaking after the sale, managing director of Silverstone Auctions, Nick Whale, said: “These are another fantastic set of results for us and I hope our vendors are as delighted as we are. The team brought together a very exciting catalogue with many of the cars on offer impossible to ignore.”

Setting a believed new British auction record, a 1963 Fiat 500D Convertible was sold in a frenzied bidding battle for £20,930. From the world of Hollywood came a 1971 Jaguar E-Type Series III V12 Roadster, formerly owned by Gerard Butler, which sold for £60,375 and an unregistered 1990 BMW Z1, with only 197km on the clock, sold for £54,050.

Nick added: “We now look forward to our flagship sale of the year at the Silverstone Classic in July as well as our new sale at Salon Privé in September which are sure to attract some fantastic entries, so I would encourage those looking to sell their classic car to get in touch with us soon.”

For the full list of results from Silverstone Auctions’ May Sale or to find out more about submitting an entry in its upcoming sales, visit www.silverstoneauctions.com.

AT THE CONCOURS: Maserati Gets Best of Show and Other Awards at Villa d’Este

May 27, 2014 / moto+match / 0 Comments

Tuesday, 27th May 2014 – The 2014 edition of the ‘Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este’ competition could not have gone better for Maserati, especially in this year of celebrations marking the centenary of the company’s foundation.

Indeed, Maseratis earned the highest plaudits from the judges and public alike, collecting the Best of Show prize as well as other prestigious awards including the “Design Award for Concept Cars and Prototypes”.

The surprise winner of the jury’s Best of Show trophy, sweeping aside a host of prestigious rivals, was the dark blue 1956 Maserati 450 S, owned by Swiss entrepreneur and collector Albert Spiess. In 1956 and 1957, the Modena car manufacturer built just ten of these 2-seater racing cars, fitted with a 4.5-litre 400 HP engine and a body by Fantuzzi. This car, chassis number 4502, left for the United States in October 1956, purchased by Tony Parravano. It went on to compete in a number of races, meanwhile changing ownership several times before coming into the possession of the present day Swiss owner. At Villa d’Este the 450 S also triumphed in its own racing category, “For the track – racing for glory”, reserved, as the name suggests, for racing models from the 1950s and ’60s.

In the special centenary category “Maserati – the first century”, which saw six Maserati cars from different eras in the running, the V4 Sport from 1929 (chassis 4002) outshone its “sister” models, taking the jury’s top award. It is a truly rare and unique automobile, owned by Lawrence Auriana (USA). Only two were ever made, but one was converted into a V5 that was subsequently destroyed during a race. The V4 features a 16-cylinder V engine comprising two Tipo 26B inline-8 blocks, for a total cylinder capacity of 3,961 cc, delivering 305 HP. On 28th September 1929 Baconin Borzacchini set a world record in the V4 on the road circuit at Cremona (only partially asphalted), notching up an average speed of 246.069 km/h over a distance of 10 km. In 1934 the car displayed at Villa d’Este was rebodied as a Spyder by Zagato at the behest of the new owner, who also had it repainted in two shades of green. The V4 enjoyed more success than the other equally prestigious Maseratis present, namely: Maserati A6G/54 Berlinetta Allemano 1956 Jonathan Segal US; Maserati A6G/2000 Berlinetta Zagato 1956 Claudio Scalise AR; Maserati 150 GT Prototype Spider Fantuzzi 1957 Andreas Mohringer AT; Maserati Quattroporte 1st Series Saloon Frua 1965 Ermanno Keller IT; Maserati A6GCS Berlinetta Pininfarina 1953 Matteo Panini IT.

On Saturday the jury awarded the A6GCS Berlinetta the Auto & Design Trophy for the most thrilling style. Pininfarina made only four chassis mounted with a 6-cylinder 2-litre engine; it was this design that provided the Maserati Style Centre inspiration for creating the Alfieri concept car, unveiled at this year’s Geneva Motor Show. In a hypothetical passing of the baton, it was precisely the Maserati Alfieri that earned important recognition from the public at the parade held at Villa Erba, as it scooped the Design Award for Concept Cars & Prototypes, heralded as the most exciting prototype of the 2014 edition. The concept car designed to celebrate Maserati’s 100th Anniversary is an exciting but also functional prototype whose name pays tribute to Alfieri Maserati who, with the help of his brothers, promoted and founded “Officine Alfieri Maserati” in Bologna in Via Piepoli back in 1914.

The Maserati Alfieri was designed at the Maserati Style Centre in Turin by a group of designers coordinated by Marco Tencone, elaborating on a project by Lorenzo Ramaciotti, now Head of Global Design FCA. The Alfieri was driven into the exhibition area at Villa Erba by Harald Wester, CEO Maserati, who collected the award in person.

Also at Villa Erba, Maserati set up its own exhibition space to celebrate the marque’s 100th anniversary. On show, the new Ghibli plus the GranCabrio MC, alongside other vintage masterpieces of engineering, including a 1934 4C and a 3500 GT Spyder.

Lastly, also taking part in the “Six Days in the Sixties” class of the motorcycles category of the Concorso d’Eleganza, was a 1961 Maserati T 4 Regolarità 156 cc single-cylinder motorcycle, presented by the Bologna Historical Registry of Maserati Motorbikes.

PICK OF THE DAY: Restored One Owner Oval Window Volkswagen Beetle

May 27, 2014 / moto+match / 0 Comments

In 1957, a man walked into a Volkswagen showroom in Fort Wayne, Indiana and drove home with a brand new Black on Red Beetle. 57 years later, after enjoying the car over the course of more than 125,000 miles, that same Beetle has been restored and is available for sale for only the second time. Some personal touches were added at the time of delivery; otherwise it is all factory correct after a bare-metal repaint, fresh interior, new rubber and trim, the list goes on. A dealer-prepped undercoating in 1957 assured a solid rust-free undercarriage and the rest has been brought back to what appears to be a very high standard. Appreciation for Oval Windows is climbing, with over a 10% jump in the last year. The stories that this little Bug could tell are beyond any asking price, but it is being offered at no reserve with zero bids at the time of this writing. Find it here on eBay in Elgin NE with an opening bid of $10,000.

IN THE NEWS: Bentley Teases New SUV Design with Short Film

May 27, 2014 / moto+match / 0 Comments

(Crewe, England. 27 May 2014) The countdown to the arrival of the Bentley SUV has begun. Bentley’s craftsmen, designers and engineers are now completely dedicated to creating the world’s most powerful and luxurious SUV and are setting new standards in bespoke craftsmanship and performance.

A new film just released by Bentley – offering a rare glimpse of the company’s design approach – shows how the exterior of this remarkable new car is taking shape. Sculpted, contemporary and distinctive design is being combined with the exquisite and meticulous detailing for which Bentley is renowned.

The Bentley SUV will go into production in 2016 with a range of engines – including a plug-in hybrid option for 2017 – being offered to customers. For regular updates and further news on the Bentley SUV please join us at www.NewBentley.com

PICK OF THE DAY: One-Owner Original 83,000 Mile Mercedes-Benz 190SL

May 26, 2014 / moto+match / 0 Comments

As the smaller sibling of the legendary W198 300SL, the Mercedes-Benz 190SL was from a time when ‘Sports’ was still a genuine attribute to the ‘Sports Leicht’ model designation. Future generations, while sporting, leaned toward touring and became increasingly less leicht. Although its 1.9 litre inline four-cylinder put out less than half the horsepower of the 300SL (which was at the time the fastest production car in the world), it had much of the same character. Their resemblance, while not identical, is unmistakable. The W121 190Sl was somewhat heavier and less nimble than its contemporaries like the Porsche 356, Alfa Romeo Giulia, or Jaguar XK, but it was better planted and its fully independent suspension with double wishbones and stabilizer at the front, as well as power-assisted brakes delivered a more confident racy feel. This was further enhanced by the high-quality Mercedes-Benz construction. With 300SL prices soaring past the million-dollar mark, it’s no surprise that 190SL prices have been skyrocketing accordingly. Only a few years ago, it wasn’t unheard of to find a driver-quality 190SL for under $30,000. Today, that likely wouldn’t buy a rough project car. Most collector-quality 121s are into six figures. Today’s example appears to be an exceptionally well-kept one-owner 190SL with relatively low miles. It is said to have had a quality repaint in its original Ivory color at some point in the 90s and some of that is beginning to show some age. Its original interior however shows beautifully, as does the original motor (Webbers being used currently but original Solexes are included in the sale). Undercarriage is spotless. As a lifelong New Mexico and Colorado car, what minor rust there was in the boards has been addressed and the car sits today completely free of rust. Although not heavily optioned, it does include the hard top (~$300 in 1956 dollars), which judging from the condition of the soft top, must have been its primary cover. It is also well-document with its original service book, “instruction” manual and several service records including a recent $9,000 service, ensuring that the car is ready to go for its second owner. Find it here at Worldwide Vintage Autos in Denver Colorado with a Buy-it-Now on eBay of $97,000.

ON THE BLOCK: Original Gems Shine at Lucky Spring Classic 2014

May 26, 2014 / moto+match / 0 Comments

A black-plate 1967 Maserati Mistral 4000 stored in Washington since 1978, a 1964 Facel Vega Facel III stored in Northern California since 1974, and an original Fiat Tippolino Garden Car will be sold to settle estates at no reserve at the Lucky Collector Car Auction this weekend. The sale will be held on the grounds of the LeMay Family Foundation’s Marymount Campus in Tacoma, Washington on Saturday, May 31 2014.

In addition to the anticipated Euro and American sports cars, there are dozens more collector and low-mileage driver-quality vehicles, as well as barn finds and classics offered at no reserve. Other highlights include early Corvettes, Porsches, Mercedes-Benz, muscle cars, and vintage trucks. The event is expected to include 120 cars, 30 motorcycles, mahogany boats, and memorabilia.

PICK OF THE DAY: Nicely Restored Toyota FJ55 Land Cruiser

May 24, 2014 / moto+match / 0 Comments

With one of the longest continuous running nameplates on the planet, the legend of the Toyota Land Cruiser transcends rubber, glass and steel. From its roots as a military service vehicle to the country-club chariots we know today, it has always been a vehicle capable of taking on just about anything it was presented with. Somewhere in the middle of its lifecycle was the FJ55, the first Land Cruiser specifically designed as a wagon which, along with the Land Rover 107 and Jeep Cherokee, could be called the first SUVs. The FJ55, while considerably better appointed than the military BJs which preceded it, did not lose sight of its purpose as a durable and dependable go-anywhere vehicle. With seating up to six and a cavernous cargo area, the FJ55 was no stranger to African Safaris and humanitarian organizations that sent teams to remote areas. By today’s standards, it is rather spartan, but no less capable and plenty comfortable cruising at 60 MPH, whether in pursuit of adventure or schlepping IKEA cartons. Their drivetrains are bombproof and simple to repair and maintain. Bodies, unfortunately, are less so. Although the construction is a heavy-weight steel (total weight of the FJ55 is around two tons), corrosion is a common issue, particularly around wheels wells and the bottoms of doors. Bondo and other fillers are seldom an option as the rust is usually more pervasive than one or two corroded spots. Typically the affected panel needs to be cut away and replaced altogether. With few dry donor cars, there’s a price to be paid both in dollars and effort. Unless these kinds of projects interest you, it’s always best to buy one that’s either been in a dry climate and completely rust-free or one that’s been restored properly. Neither is cheap. They are sought after and can fetch $50,000 or more. Today’s example appears to be a quality restoration with everything but the original radio preserved per factory spec. As a 1974, it has the 125-hp 3.9 litre F motor with tree-climbing 209 torques. 1974 was also the first year for the 4-speed transmission; the additional gear providing better on-road drivability. Its Capri Blue/White scheme is both timeless and vintage. Furthermore, the sale includes several add-on parts, should the next owner choose to divert from originality. Some of these are quite pricey if bought individually, including an Old Man Emu lift kit, power steering conversion, disc brake conversion, mud tires with extra wheels, and a VintageAir AC system. Its a truck someone can play around with for a long time. And given the FJ55’s durability, “long” may not have limits. Find it here on Craigslist in Matthews NC for a relative bargain $20,000.

IN THE NEWS: Mini Superleggera™ Vision Blends Traditional and Modern

May 23, 2014 / moto+match / 0 Comments

Munich/Cernobbio. The BMW Group celebrates the meeting of the time-honoured and the contemporary at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2014 with a very special concept: the MINI Superleggera™ Vision. This exclusive interpretation of an open-top two-seater was created by MINI and Touring Superleggera, the tradition-steeped design and coach building house based in Milan. The MINI Superleggera™ Vision is on the one hand a classic roadster, a compact and agile two-seater, expressing the most minimalist and emotional style of motoring; and on the other hand its electric drivetrain gives the car distinctly modern driving dynamics. In collaboration with MINI, Touring Superleggera™ has designed and built an elaborately crafted, unique model which blends the tradition of classic coachwork construction with the MINI’s authentic British styling to create timeless aesthetic appeal.

Modern Britishness meets Italian flair: the iconic design of MINI meets elegant, athletic beauty – interpreted in contemporary style.
Classic Italian body construction and hand-shaped metal sheeting give the MINI SuperleggeraTM Vision a unique emotional appeal.
Both on the inside and outside, the form is reduced to the maximum extent so as to achieve a clear focus on the distinctive driving experience.
The interior reflects traditional coachwork construction in terms of materials and styling, combined with the icons of MINI interior design.
High-end materials such as leather, aluminium and black chrome highlight the clear aesthetics of the interior.

Adrian van Hooydonk, Senior Vice President BMW Group Design on the concept: “Touring Superleggera and MINI have much in common: both companies attach great importance to their history and this is something which defines their outward appearance to this day. What is more, they both emphasise iconic design and distinctive solutions. These elements are merged in the MINI SuperleggeraTM Vision to create an elegant automobile which interprets a British roadster under the influence of Italian style and hand craftsmanship.”

British design with an Italian accent – the exterior design.

“The MINI SuperleggeraTM Vision elegantly perpetuates what the Classic Mini started 55 years ago: reduction to the essentials. Its energetic, minimalistic design embodies the dynamic essence of an automobile. At the same time it creates unique emotional beauty in combining the past and future of the automotive industry, i.e. traditional coachwork craftsmanship and modern design styling. It was a pleasure for me to design a concept like this.” says Anders Warming, Head of MINI Design.

The perfectly balanced proportions indicate at first glance what the electrically powered MINI Superleggera™ Vision has to offer in terms of a driving experience: the stretched bonnet, long wheelbase and cool, short overhangs convey pure driving fun. As in every MINI, the wheels are set widely on the body, promising a high degree of agility. The passenger cell is slightly set back, further underscoring the car’s dynamic impression. The overall effect of the MINI Superleggera™ Vision is sporty, elegant and dynamic.

The front of the MINI Superleggera™ Vision features the traditional MINI design icons: two circular headlights and a hexagonal grille define the unmistakable front section, providing a contemporary interpretation of features which have become firmly established over decades. There are also striking classic sports car elements such as a wide track and distinctively curved wheel arches that give the front a dynamic presence. The classic MINI bonnet stripes are three-dimensionally embossed and run on into high-quality polished aluminum accents. The inlaid bonnet harks back to classic British roadsters of bygone days.

Meanwhile the horizontal rib look of the radiator grille adds a classic sporty touch. The fact that it is closed is a discreet indication of the car’s electric motor. The two fog lights echo the circular contours of the headlamps, providing a smaller interpretation of them in the radiator grille. The air inlets are also circular, giving the front section a distinctive touch. A flat front splitter made of carbon fibre closes off the front to the road, thereby underscoring the car’s sporty statement down to the last detail.

Classic coachwork construction in a cutting-edge interpretation.
The striking element of the side view is the characteristic “Touring” line. It embodies both the high art of coachwork building and classic aesthetics. Surrounded by tight, seamless surfaces, it traces a precise, vibrant movement from the front wheels through to the rear. This reflects the great craftsmanship and longstanding experience of Touring Superleggera in area of body construction: ever since it was founded the company has stood for fine, light sports car bodies. To this day, Touring Superleggera™ shapes large aluminium sheets by hand using the most performing frame structures. The hand-crafted style of construction gives the MINI Superleggera Vision an aesthetic form which would be virtually impossible to achieve by machine manufacture.

“MINI and Touring both believe that proportions are the key factor of beauty, and share the same values of essentiality and innovation” says Louis de Fabribeckers, Head of design of Touring Superleggera. “In this car all unnecessary equipment or decoration is sacrificed, as performance is gained through lightness and efficiency of the bodywork and interior. The Italian touch is in the proportions and the typical waistline.”

There are very few gaps in the body since it is constructed from large sheets of metal. The result is a closed look that conveys high-quality elegance. The specially developed exterior paint finish Como Blue, almost liquid in effect, stands for both classic and modern style. It particularly underlines the refined Italian touch of the MINI Superleggera™ Vision. The elaborate rims and the elegant exterior mirrors in long-hole look complete with a mirror base in polished aluminium add exclusive accentuations at the side. Echoing the front section, the discreet CFRP sills underscore the sporty character of the MINI Superleggera™ Vision.

Meanwhile the striking fin defines the look of the rear, adding a touch of extravagance. It gives the MINI Superleggera™ Vision a particular longitudinal dynamics while at the same time embodying the unconventional air of both MINI and Touring Superleggera. Like the “Touring” line at the side, it is modeled with enormous precision. The highlight of the flat, wide rear is the unusual lights: designed in the form of a Union Jack divided in two, they combine functionality and symbolism in a way never seen before. In this way they express the British roots of the MINI Superleggera™ Vision while at the same time emphasising the modern LED technology as already used in the new MINI. A chrome bar demarcates the rear lights at the centre of the rear, making this area a classic British jewellery icon. The CFRP diffuser rounds off the rear to the road in sporty style.

Echoing the exterior – the interior design.
The exterior and interior design of the MINI Superleggera™ Vision merge seamlessly. Only a surrounding shoulder line in polished aluminium visually separates the exterior and interior from each other. The border creates an encircling, sporty gesture that consistently perpetuates the clear elegance and generous surfaces of the exterior.
In its styling and in the look and feel of its materials, the interior design celebrates the tradition and the essence of classic coachwork construction. It reflects how the automobile was created: the essential features are quoted – the untreated aluminium sheeting and the tube-shaped structural elements – and they are made visible in the interior by means of a high-quality interpretation. This is most striking in the dashboard. The latter is created from a single aluminium sheet and has been left in the state the automobile body would look like without a paint finish. The generously sized unpainted surfaces and the clearly visible hand craftsmanship of the dashboard go together to reflect the skilled artistry of the coachbuilders. The doors and the sporty 3-spoke steering wheel likewise reveal the traditional method of construction. The structural elements in the doors form a Union Jack, discreetly indicating the British origins of the MINI Superleggera™ Vision.

The Center Instrument in the middle of the instrument panel draws on MINI design styling and has been extended for the MINI Superleggera™ Vision to include a touch-sensitive control element and two circular instruments with metal surrounds on the right. In addition to the analog clock on the far right, the second framed instrument activates the camera which is integrated between the driver and front passenger seat. It has the function of capturing those particularly worthwhile moments on the road.

Classic and modern to equal degrees – colour and material design.
The classic materials aluminium and leather in a virtually untreated state define the reduced aesthetics of the MINI Superleggera™ Vision in the interior. Below the shoulder covered in brown leather in the classical color Sabbia, the materials are kept to the essentials. The structural elements in the doors and centre console are finished in high-quality black chrome, exclusively set apart from the aluminium surfaces and the raw, matt textured paint finish in the footwell area. This deliberately contrasting mixture of structured surfaces and high-end materials gives the MINI Superleggera™ Vision an exceptional charm. The sporty bucket seats are reminiscent of bygone MINI motor racing achievements and are covered in high-quality black leather. True to the MINI Motto “Hide & Reveal”, accentuations in Misty Magenta provide a touch of Italian flair in tongue-in-cheek MINI style in concealed spots such as the two hot air outlets under the instrument panel and inside the door openings in the structural elements of the doors.

Coachbuilding in 2014.

Since 1926, Touring Superleggera is forerunner of advanced automotive design and custom coachbuilding. The company is one of the rare firms offering the whole in-house productive cycle from the first sketch, all the way through surface engineering and structural analysis, style models and prototypes, to turn-key, low-volume production of special bodywork.

“We are delighted that MINI wanted to stimulate an independent initiative and particularly Italian design for the first time”, says Piero Mancardi, CEO of Touring Superleggera. He continues: “This project also shows MINIs attention to preserving and nurturing the skills of craftsmanship incorporated in modern coach building.”

The MINI Superleggera™ Vision epitomizes the potential of “Carrozzeria” in today’s automobile industry: blending creativity and flexibility with rigor and respect of high standards. The result is a car of classic beauty that is also state of the art.

PICK OF THE DAY: Fortified Volkswagen Transporter Syncro DoKa

May 23, 2014 / moto+match / 0 Comments

Decades before the crew-cab pickup was a staple of suburban cul-de-sacs, there was the Volkswagen Doppelkabine, or DoKa, based on the Type 2 Bus (Transporter, Kombi, Microbus, etc.). Just as the Microbus variant can be credited as being the first minivan, the DoKa was among the first four-door pickups. Designed for work, they had a passenger cabin—or more accurately, two cabins put together—that could seat up to six people, as well as a bed with folding sides that allowed them to haul a variety of materials. It was frugal, practical, reliable, and its rear-engine/rear-drive layout pushed it through terrain where others bogged down. Nevertheless, VW engineers were also toying around with various four-wheel-drive systems to add greater utility to what was already a capable package. With the help of Steyr-Daimler-Puch, who also helped develop the Mercedes G-Wagen, the first production four-wheel-drive Type 2s rolled off near the end of 1985. Branded Syncro (though not to be confused with the earlier Audi Quattro-based Quantum/Passat Syncro), they transformed the Transporter (and soon after, the MK 2 Golf) into a rugged adventure vehicle. A Syncro today is quite sought after and commands significantly higher prices over its two-wheel-drive counterpart. This is a 1986 Transporter Doppelkabine Syncro with solid underpinnings that has undergone some perfectly acceptable modifications, including a recent Bostig Zetec conversion that increases the stock 2.1 litre motor’s horsepower and torques by over 40% without compromising balance. It also has a GoWesty lift kit with elegant Carat wheels shod with new All-Terrain TAs. With mechanics complete and a solid body, the interior, while perfectly acceptable, is a canvas that can be tailored to the next owner’s own tastes (GTI seats, custom AV, that sort of thing) and still be well under what an unmolested low-mileage example goes for. Find it here on Craigslist in La Mesa CA for a very reasonable $22,000.

PICK OF THE DAY: US-Legal Low Mileage Trabant 601

May 22, 2014 / moto+match / 0 Comments

Anyone who has spent any time in Eastern Europe will recognize the Trabant, which at one time was by far the most popular car there. These were the East German equivalent to the Volkswagen Beetle, philosophically anyway. They were basic transportation whose only criteria was to get from point A to point B and be relatively affordable for the average working family. As such they spread throughout the Eastern Bloc with demand far outnumbering supply, despite nearly three million built altogether. At the height of the Soviet era, the waiting list for a Trabant was as long as that of a Ferrari 458 today. Their bodies were made of a lightweight plastic similar to Formica, powered by a two-cylinder, two-stroke 600 cc motor. It was reliable and economical. It was an appliance. That said, weighing only a few hundred pounds more than a Triumph Bonneville with a similar engine, as well as a low center-of-gravity, four-wheel independent suspension and front wheel drive, some weren’t content with an appliance and made these quite capable weekend rally cars. The activity was popular enough to inspire Trabant to make a factory rally car near the end of production, with a bored-out 800cc motor and 5-speed transmission. Production of the Trabant ended shortly after the Wall came down. The West was adopting strict emission and safety standards while the East now had access to more modern cars. There are still some on the road today and those that remain have a rather passionate following. Several “Trabi” clubs exist worldwide, including in the US, where some have been imported and titled in states with less stringent emission standards. This 1980 Trabant P601 is US-legal with a Maryland title. It appears to be in good unrestored condition and has travelled only 55,000 km (~35K mi.). Paint is described as presentable with all original trim. Reliability was always one of the Trabi’s endearing qualities and what the two-stroke motor lacks in sheer horsepower, it makes up for in being very simple for even the least mechanically-inclined to work on, with parts available and help available through online community groups. It’s hard to say if we’ll ever see a Trabant 601 at a Bonham’s, Gooding or RM Auction, but there is enough nostalgia and fervor to keep interest, if not values, growing. Find it here on Craigslist in White Hall, MD for a very proletarian $3,500.