tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23319532327588559692024-03-06T02:31:35.417-05:00Grey in the USAA blog about grey market cars in the USA. "Grey market" cars were never intended to be sold in this country, but entrepreneurs and enthusiasts have gone through the process of bringing them over en masse or individually.greyintheusahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01902454788704027408noreply@blogger.comBlogger51125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2331953232758855969.post-13180488180553085912010-07-13T11:25:00.000-04:002010-07-13T11:25:15.913-04:001968 Fiat 500 for 5 GrandOne of my favorite cars is the original Fiat 500. Produced from 1957 through 1975, the <em>cinquecento</em> was Italy's answer to the VW Beetle and was sold sparingly in the US for only a few years. The US cars are distinguishable by their oversized headlights. This is an original Euro-market 1968 Fiat 500 (F?) for sale on <a href="http://smd.craigslist.org/cto/1771911529.html">Craigslist</a> in Southern Maryland for only $5,000.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNqfo4viTpBsE2rkqUZUkv8h4Ks_no_RXypgAwEtl_p0CYytTuHVuRO-nncOgFWdN8zN9xIjnzqmelSYk36HcmPIDIAg6FBzVZhUa-jE-5TMmChvPRbqSrx6yoQAvpS2Ewmz_7ppQtfdAN/s1600/front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNqfo4viTpBsE2rkqUZUkv8h4Ks_no_RXypgAwEtl_p0CYytTuHVuRO-nncOgFWdN8zN9xIjnzqmelSYk36HcmPIDIAg6FBzVZhUa-jE-5TMmChvPRbqSrx6yoQAvpS2Ewmz_7ppQtfdAN/s400/front.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
Most Fiat 500s in the USA that are in halfway-decent condition have been selling for around $10-15k for the last few years, which makes this an interesting find. It doesn't appear to be a heap, and even if it needed some fixin' up it is still a great deal - parts are very easy to find on eBay and from Europe. The car has an aftermarket roof and tail lights (and is that a satellite radio antenna?), which imply that somebody has at least been looking after this car recently. The background hints that it may have even been garaged! And it may or may not be for sale by Superman.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxNC6GsD0LWgx_FqcfhQfb56EwXXwdMWnAdF6yrYULGiupqAaCDOAHr5AbevtXV1aEG_3rGCcCwzyswOQzYqG7b6Bd2SinczbtrjIgny2fpdnkW0R6QAc5Qx_p1lmKAD5eLJ5kRgUZmPON/s1600/rear.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxNC6GsD0LWgx_FqcfhQfb56EwXXwdMWnAdF6yrYULGiupqAaCDOAHr5AbevtXV1aEG_3rGCcCwzyswOQzYqG7b6Bd2SinczbtrjIgny2fpdnkW0R6QAc5Qx_p1lmKAD5eLJ5kRgUZmPON/s400/rear.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
Just finding one of these for sale in Maryland is interesting enough for me, but the price is great. I just wish I could afford to spend any money right now, because I have wanted one of these for years. When I lived in Amsterdam, I was even working with a shop in Holland and supplier in Italy to restore and export Fiat 500s to America (surprise: didn't work out). The last one I checked out was in DC two years ago and was $12k firm, and it wasn't perfect. Somebody snap this up, it's been on Craigslist for over a month! Contact Carlton at two four zero, four three one, ninety-four thirty-nine. If you still want something even cheaper, check out this <a href="http://www.microcar.org/blog/2010/06/fiat-500-for-sale-craigslist-tx/">$500 Fiat Nuova 500</a> in Texas!<br />
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Source: <a href="http://smd.craigslist.org/cto/1771911529.html">Craigslist</a> via <a href="http://www.microcar.org/blog/2010/06/1968-fiat-500-for-sale-craigslist-md/">Microcar News Online 1</a>, <a href="http://www.microcar.org/blog/2010/06/fiat-500-for-sale-craigslist-tx/">2</a>greyintheusahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01902454788704027408noreply@blogger.com58tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2331953232758855969.post-21380773543425883282010-06-10T10:57:00.002-04:002010-06-10T18:37:08.087-04:00BaT Repost - 1972 BMW 2002tiiI saw this on <a href="http://bringatrailer.com/2010/06/10/double-take-euro-1972-bmw-2002tii/">Bring a Trailer</a> this morning and just had to comment briefly, what a beauty! The BMW 2002 is a favorite of mine, and <em>this</em> is exact the type of car that I would want if I were in the market. From the color to the condition to the history, it's a wonderful find. Currently for sale <a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270588792357">here on eBay</a> with bidding up to $12k, r.n.m. I'm sure the ol' BaT Bump will help it reach the reserve, which the seller says isn't far from the starting bid.<br />
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It's a three-owner Euro car imported to California when it was one year old. It has been well-maintained and looks great despite a few imperfections. The original 4-speed manual is still in the car, but a new 5-speed is included with the sale. The suspension, rims, diff, lights, lines, etc., were all upgraded by the current seller and are very tasteful improvements. I can't say the same thing for the steering wheel, but it's easy enough to personalize. I'd follow BaT's advice to a T and spend a bit on a vintage Bimmer wheel. I'd probably also want to do something about the stained seats and maybe the cracked dash, and definitely repair the minor rust in the driver door and trunk lid. All in all it should still be a great deal on a great car.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHrKcWllYvLdwiv7twqC6UME5sFPtg-zSV1MDxJXMpE5KRAkyBohGFqJvwBP_6gu4ShgyK_3gEj4VKGizOCyE-aKy4iX5hPGceDWI9DJhwKXUcoSuqRoPUViH5HGqGAz_QpePmXNo6EXRj/s1600/int.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" qu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHrKcWllYvLdwiv7twqC6UME5sFPtg-zSV1MDxJXMpE5KRAkyBohGFqJvwBP_6gu4ShgyK_3gEj4VKGizOCyE-aKy4iX5hPGceDWI9DJhwKXUcoSuqRoPUViH5HGqGAz_QpePmXNo6EXRj/s200/int.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCe3Yw9k8lwNqHDG9SqM65ZqOXX9TSHlZoHekJv09eMzZrrBe5MiTWF_upeW5rm2zwH3Wq2oPgBK_Gl-JyHD-3M_1n6PN-trG-aL_j6sV0ZjbY0_2_VOvXKZ2OVGq6m9FD7AB3WcQ_YPyX/s1600/rear.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" qu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCe3Yw9k8lwNqHDG9SqM65ZqOXX9TSHlZoHekJv09eMzZrrBe5MiTWF_upeW5rm2zwH3Wq2oPgBK_Gl-JyHD-3M_1n6PN-trG-aL_j6sV0ZjbY0_2_VOvXKZ2OVGq6m9FD7AB3WcQ_YPyX/s200/rear.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
Sources: <a href="http://bringatrailer.com/2010/06/10/double-take-euro-1972-bmw-2002tii/">Bring a Trailer</a>, <a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270588792357">eBay ad</a><br />
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<strong>Same Day Update:</strong> Reserve is met and bidding is up to $13,999.greyintheusahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01902454788704027408noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2331953232758855969.post-48606445228382423932010-06-09T13:31:00.001-04:002010-06-09T13:32:29.578-04:00Submissions Wanted - Share Your ExperienceSo this site has been online for 7 months now, and the hit counter is approaching 10,000 pageviews. About half of the visits come from search engines, often linking directly to a post about a car someone searched for on Google (the Renault 5 Turbo is the most "hit" car on this site). It's probably no surprise that most visits come from North America as well. What this means to me is that there are really a good amount of people interested in grey market cars, whether they know about the grey market or not, and they're hitting this site when searching for more information.<br />
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I wish I were more of a valuable resource on the subject, but my experiences are limited, and we can only gather so much from reading public information and classifieds. That's where you come in! If you've ever dealt with a grey market car are and are willing to share your stories and experiences with us, please shoot me an email at greyintheusa [at] gmail {dot} com (I have to write it that way or I'll get tons of spam).<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We would love to hear about your grey market car, where it came from, shipping and customs recommendations, complications you've encountered, loopholes that are helpful to know, basically anything that can help the grey market enthusiasts among us learn more about the ins and outs of the process so we can more easily put it to use. I'm especially interested in hearing from people who've dealt with late model cars that don't have model-wide DOT and EPA approvals. Many owners of these cars are tight-lipped about the road to their car's legitimacy, especially when trying to sell the car, which makes me weary of fraudulent methods. But I want to get deeper into the subject and the legal means for getting a car cleared and tagged.</div><br />
Any information you send can be credited anonymously if you prefer, and I can't say I'll use everything, but I'll do the best I can to pass along all the good info that I get. Also, thanks to all who've written to me so far!greyintheusahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01902454788704027408noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2331953232758855969.post-89000653317372003852010-06-06T23:51:00.004-04:002010-06-07T00:03:47.343-04:00Bookends - Jaguar XJ220Around the mid-90s, a few years before I was even old enough to drive, a company called IMP started sending out free samples of a publication called <a href="http://www.lotus-cortina.com/library/hotcar/hotcar2.htm">Hot Cars</a> (you may have received them, too). They were single-sheet glossy folders full of vivid pictures and mostly-accurate information about a random assortment of exotic and classic autos. Upon receiving the first 8-folder packet free, if you were so inclined, you could subscribe and get new folders every few weeks in the mail. I thought it was interesting that they covered cars available all over the world, not just the US. The first packet included the XJ220 folder. This was my entry into the car world - the free unsolicited info about the XJ220. And yes, I subscribed - I have 3 or 4 large binders full of these! haha...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm46u0N3UOFVSQsO91ssdD_-HXHuV7G6XxzgMQUpTLsDmA8iaJXHt8wZMRzqbff8bqDJuLoTy1KxGsqIAS3F3hhV_DPPP3TUYO_P1zXCjC6R4Mf2UKEMUiMSFYEir11aKzmLFu5UY-o_cg/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm46u0N3UOFVSQsO91ssdD_-HXHuV7G6XxzgMQUpTLsDmA8iaJXHt8wZMRzqbff8bqDJuLoTy1KxGsqIAS3F3hhV_DPPP3TUYO_P1zXCjC6R4Mf2UKEMUiMSFYEir11aKzmLFu5UY-o_cg/s200/2.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqa2ckBNMZ9wBzz8FNaxSqsvuWm76njV-VqJ0BSKo_DfgM3ZMeQ7JKyU5eeXlPIXAS887Vu7YqPRunWkFrYTA9epkDZNbOiYUDHVM1dJuUZX556dtqtc-eLWmJ1UJnOOBpDE-A-d9EK5uF/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqa2ckBNMZ9wBzz8FNaxSqsvuWm76njV-VqJ0BSKo_DfgM3ZMeQ7JKyU5eeXlPIXAS887Vu7YqPRunWkFrYTA9epkDZNbOiYUDHVM1dJuUZX556dtqtc-eLWmJ1UJnOOBpDE-A-d9EK5uF/s200/1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
Anyway, even when Show or Display was just a twinkle in Bill Gates' eye, I was enamored with the XJ220. It was the first 1/18 scale model I bought, which I still have. Against all the odds, I found out online that one XJ220 lived <em>in Maryland </em>in the late 90s, imported as a racecar around 1994. It was a road version that was bought new by a Maryland resident, stripped down to its bare essentials by Tom Walkinshaw of TWR/JaguarSport semi-fame, and brought over for off-road use only. Even better, it was on display in an exotic car dealership 30 minutes from my home (but not for sale, darn). Eventually my dad agreed to take me there to see it, a Jalpa, an Anniversary Countach, and some other 80s-90s fantasy cars that I had been drooling over. That was when I decided I wanted to be in the exotic car game, and I started buying and selling cool cars for profit.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH8GIYAklICo07ixB6pytmndQiu-BuhZoq0cYmpWTvZE44QG_8jIk0XvUcRVtf5L4AJmbLkG-sb45-ENsC3hTVCF1tyxZCqo99bqsygK-OtZsH0k3vvzj7b0f2BJMsY2TSM4_-k613i1ds/s1600/our_int.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH8GIYAklICo07ixB6pytmndQiu-BuhZoq0cYmpWTvZE44QG_8jIk0XvUcRVtf5L4AJmbLkG-sb45-ENsC3hTVCF1tyxZCqo99bqsygK-OtZsH0k3vvzj7b0f2BJMsY2TSM4_-k613i1ds/s200/our_int.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDVfbiDK6b-auaqpaii5HIXyAlueQJVs-DzxJskNueo46hFFLYy3h3H9s8nZAq2K8gNcJvXLSIPr83i0Bj_CwF_xUJd6ikRvl5tpERitxlihlCc0DMuyWWGDAWpW6gqW6ApWNXFBeV0dke/s1600/our_side.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDVfbiDK6b-auaqpaii5HIXyAlueQJVs-DzxJskNueo46hFFLYy3h3H9s8nZAq2K8gNcJvXLSIPr83i0Bj_CwF_xUJd6ikRvl5tpERitxlihlCc0DMuyWWGDAWpW6gqW6ApWNXFBeV0dke/s200/our_side.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
Maybe 7-8 years later, I came to work at that dealership. The XJ220 was gone, but it hadn't gone far. It sat dusty on flat tires for years in an unassuming warehouse in South Baltimore, with the Countach, a Testarossa, a 959, <a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/02/XJR-15_Chassis_20_front_1.jpg">an XJR-15</a>, a Jensen Interceptor, and a Maserati Indy. The owner was a friend of the dealership and would buy a new car from us every now and then. Suddenly, the Jag was back and for sale, and I had to sell it. The car was parked outside my office door for months. We would occasionally fire it up and take it outside, but it wasn't street legal so we couldn't really drive it (not to say it was <em>never</em> taken on the road though...), and I didn't want to as the risks were too great. But what an amazing car. Too much to say really, but it took me back to my first experience reading about what four wheels could do. I had no idea where to price it, the market was starting to be very unstable around that time. We tried our best but 2008 was a <strong>bad</strong> year for the exotic car business (as you can imagine), and we closed down for good after 20 years in business. The XJ220 went home to it's warehouse, and I don't know what's become of it. Since then I've been moving away from the car biz, leaving XJ220 bookends on my automotive career.<br />
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I happened across <a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Jaguar-XJ220-Supercar-possible-trade-Ferrari-/330439537163?cmd=ViewItem&pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item4cefbb320b">this eBay ad</a> this morning. It's not the same car, though it is the same color. The ad struck me in that it was written from the honest perspective of a realistic, no-BS exotic car broker, a guy I can relate to through my years at the dealership. It's also listed <a href="http://www.anamera.com/en/detail/car/70831/index.html?no_cache=1&ret=63">here on Anamera</a> by a different broker, with a more detailed history. It's a beautiful, US-legal car at a very good price, $195k or best offer or trade. The eBay ad quotes a recent auction sale of a silver non-US car a few months ago for $148k - it might be the one I knew...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPqskUHA6IUeV-50pSNil9e0cUDfPlFssB_Oz7u0rNz8jom6HqO5lKA2EdwaJPIhhwjH2ubWrCSa3CniX5qEqBlKOnLbTcO5kYe6T2ykcl1Dik27PPidDjDZXOf8936gfbk2MSVlYM444m/s1600/front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPqskUHA6IUeV-50pSNil9e0cUDfPlFssB_Oz7u0rNz8jom6HqO5lKA2EdwaJPIhhwjH2ubWrCSa3CniX5qEqBlKOnLbTcO5kYe6T2ykcl1Dik27PPidDjDZXOf8936gfbk2MSVlYM444m/s400/front.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWxjIVoCkLw0buDlKhDtqLP7fZrWR-kolsqAp17cRxZ4XDKAAh3fOeej-HmeoYjSKgbRDai5d_2WNIhIx6Z4r5FBahADSwg_lyh5T2dMsyQVbxj5PGxY224BSvi_nY0IM0zNnVgdqFD88a/s1600/int.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWxjIVoCkLw0buDlKhDtqLP7fZrWR-kolsqAp17cRxZ4XDKAAh3fOeej-HmeoYjSKgbRDai5d_2WNIhIx6Z4r5FBahADSwg_lyh5T2dMsyQVbxj5PGxY224BSvi_nY0IM0zNnVgdqFD88a/s200/int.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg97jdvk0CkARKhknwVEaXmTPOMdr6gS7VU0OBxrSk0qfLDFImbmDdPPR31xfqKa0fTLt_3RHE5abJ3_EijRATGrKigPoFxuXC_IdBJ72I1g9SmnJwIJPajgBSmDAjRCZrp7BYMpADHm-Nt/s1600/rear.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg97jdvk0CkARKhknwVEaXmTPOMdr6gS7VU0OBxrSk0qfLDFImbmDdPPR31xfqKa0fTLt_3RHE5abJ3_EijRATGrKigPoFxuXC_IdBJ72I1g9SmnJwIJPajgBSmDAjRCZrp7BYMpADHm-Nt/s200/rear.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
Sources: <a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&Item=200404706245&Category=35936&_trkparms=algo%3DLVI%26its%3DI%26otn%3D2">Hot Cars eBay Ad</a>, my pictures, <a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Jaguar-XJ220-Supercar-possible-trade-Ferrari-/330439537163?cmd=ViewItem&pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item4cefbb320b">Jag eBay Ad</a>, <a href="http://www.anamera.com/en/detail/car/70831/index.html?no_cache=1&ret=63">Jag Anamera Ad</a>greyintheusahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01902454788704027408noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2331953232758855969.post-32997650850570214032010-05-19T23:33:00.005-04:002010-05-19T23:42:10.207-04:00Great new-ish blog - ChrisOnCars.com<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So I was sent a link a few months ago about a new website, <a href="http://www.chrisoncars.com/">http://www.chrisoncars.com/</a>, but I neglected my online accounts for so long that I am just now getting around to reading the email and checking the site. I think I've been missing out, because Chris writes some really great articles that are so relatable to me that I had to share it with you, whoever you may be. Check it out!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTBRQJ-nPP32lUySlxol5fyWe1rk2_R_z44AhNJrUsqqz2vaYgk5xHyJsLubQDn4Z1C9NffsOpK4C6irRYbw6MgiwVMn3alteZNVocrWy7sQpK7I7XqEvan8yZEMGHFa0YX2Rg6Gz5MecV/s1600/spyker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTBRQJ-nPP32lUySlxol5fyWe1rk2_R_z44AhNJrUsqqz2vaYgk5xHyJsLubQDn4Z1C9NffsOpK4C6irRYbw6MgiwVMn3alteZNVocrWy7sQpK7I7XqEvan8yZEMGHFa0YX2Rg6Gz5MecV/s320/spyker.jpg" width="320" wt="true" /></a></div>greyintheusahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01902454788704027408noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2331953232758855969.post-15296750545353726252010-05-17T12:05:00.006-04:002010-06-07T01:54:01.048-04:00Reader's car For Sale - 1983 Peugeot 505 SRThis car was sent to me by the seller, David, and I'm happy to plug it on this site! It's a European-spec Peugeot 505 SR that is in remarkably nice shape and is totally complete, needing just new tires and trans fluid to be a regular driver. Find it <a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290436198432#ht_1010wt_941">here on eBay</a> in PA with a starting bid of $200, r.n.m.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq-WPfKHkS7DIWkyBKZCpQR4XixFW4_BvUUncrJGDcesMU00oFu9bgahaVmxo49T5gyuwJSg_6xcfpTPZijunLQyLe1CiMxMjBml49H5GwB0zbITT6Mn_oTYVtyt92YpwGjkFRPH-biD8g/s1600/front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq-WPfKHkS7DIWkyBKZCpQR4XixFW4_BvUUncrJGDcesMU00oFu9bgahaVmxo49T5gyuwJSg_6xcfpTPZijunLQyLe1CiMxMjBml49H5GwB0zbITT6Mn_oTYVtyt92YpwGjkFRPH-biD8g/s400/front.jpg" width="400" wt="true" /></a></div><br />
The eBay ad runs through the car's history since 2000, when the current seller bought the car. Its 96hp 4-cyllinder engine was rebuilt in 2002 and the car was repainted in OEM-style beige, which matches the awesome brown and beige tweed interior perfectly. The car packs a 5-speed transmission, adjustable European headlights, power windows up front, no A/C, no emmissions equipment (which should be OK in most/all states due to age), and plenty of spares. The car also has non-original Pug mag wheels, which I think might be NA-spec, and they look pretty nice on this car.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip6u442Kew0LyalU30x2LnERf7ph6QvFgwjFjeEAm0ORIF2K8fGV1RZVoSVJPXzd-XMhaqhyphenhyphenJmVN8Xv8SP3MAbKgl4qtSyDBnxEINqL25P6ibw4-5m3w1mGf_H263j1AwpgpERQ9cWs2gW/s1600/interior.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip6u442Kew0LyalU30x2LnERf7ph6QvFgwjFjeEAm0ORIF2K8fGV1RZVoSVJPXzd-XMhaqhyphenhyphenJmVN8Xv8SP3MAbKgl4qtSyDBnxEINqL25P6ibw4-5m3w1mGf_H263j1AwpgpERQ9cWs2gW/s400/interior.jpg" width="400" wt="true" /></a></div><br />
Peugeot 505 sedans were sold in the States through 1990 and wagons through 1991, but this model came from Europe. Some differences between NA and ROW models include the headlights, tail lights, roof-mounted antenna, bumpers, gas filler, and exhaust pipe location. These little changes really make the European models that much more stylish, and what's a French car if not stylish??<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWhgomHK0Q_JJVopdO-YOKCYPUcp-br065KvJI3RMHrLelmOobV2apTr1cmqJOT5MT5G7v8AB_griJhpBf9OEAp5wveWtd43aTvUi8HZw2L7pf8cLuBqvNSWpYSzMJGbGBtqAb40uhW8RP/s1600/rear.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWhgomHK0Q_JJVopdO-YOKCYPUcp-br065KvJI3RMHrLelmOobV2apTr1cmqJOT5MT5G7v8AB_griJhpBf9OEAp5wveWtd43aTvUi8HZw2L7pf8cLuBqvNSWpYSzMJGbGBtqAb40uhW8RP/s200/rear.jpg" width="200" wt="true" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBO7dvewLAsu_HN1oEXjsIhR8wp-mkdGHZZD3SXHNtpcSMzg6M4J3hD2-Foel4VXCfdTZKo7e0vaNjetwgQv_20-JHnR259NZ6e10UXd3y03aNv0jj0TWI4-ObL5GQshXc-rhUED-mvY14/s1600/leftside.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBO7dvewLAsu_HN1oEXjsIhR8wp-mkdGHZZD3SXHNtpcSMzg6M4J3hD2-Foel4VXCfdTZKo7e0vaNjetwgQv_20-JHnR259NZ6e10UXd3y03aNv0jj0TWI4-ObL5GQshXc-rhUED-mvY14/s200/leftside.jpg" width="200" wt="true" /></a></div><br />
Check out the slideshow below for more shots of this car. Also of note: David bought the <a href="http://greyintheusa.blogspot.com/2010/01/1975-mazda-chantez-gl-kei-car.html">Mazda Chantez</a> that I wrote about a few months ago, and he also has a Lancia Delta and Euro-spec Alfetta at home!<br />
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<div style="width:320px;text-align:right;"><embed width="320" height="240" src="http://static.pbsrc.com/flash/rss_slideshow.swf" flashvars="rssFeed=http%3A%2F%2Ffeed713.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fww138%2Fdnaj11%2FEuroPug%2Ffeed.rss" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" /><a href="http://photobucket.com/redirect/album?showShareLB=1" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.pbsrc.com/share/icons/embed/btn_geturs.gif" style="border:none;" /></a><a href="http://s713.photobucket.com/albums/ww138/dnaj11/EuroPug/" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.pbsrc.com/share/icons/embed/btn_viewall.gif" style="border:none;" /></a></div><br />
links: <a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290436198432#ht_1010wt_941">eBay listing</a>, <a href="http://s713.photobucket.com/albums/ww138/dnaj11/">photo album</a></embed>greyintheusahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01902454788704027408noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2331953232758855969.post-58137747793675911372010-03-01T15:27:00.004-05:002010-03-02T12:04:57.612-05:001998 Alfa Romeo Spider on Craigslist in OregonThis car was sent to me by reader <a href="http://karakullake.blogspot.com/"><em>Tamerlane</em></a> (thanks for the assist, I need to get back to writing more).<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-UzVDhTBHC67boMj4fA0DrZEyQrotIBmcw_stA5wsQEEykYh3wGm62yRRqrMQEPE6QR2fkCjaSAmelqCclFK2TOfIMT8GKe_NKc2Or69XLyg-dlKIX6WuiuUG__WzrrXZXdfmxGbw7Uqr/s1600-h/front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-UzVDhTBHC67boMj4fA0DrZEyQrotIBmcw_stA5wsQEEykYh3wGm62yRRqrMQEPE6QR2fkCjaSAmelqCclFK2TOfIMT8GKe_NKc2Or69XLyg-dlKIX6WuiuUG__WzrrXZXdfmxGbw7Uqr/s400/front.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>These cars are very cool, but generally reserved for Europeans since Alfa pulled out of the US market the mid-90s. The seller of this one says it's one of about a dozen that was legally imported, so I'm hoping to hear back about exactly what was done.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6V6T_hzvQqLEiF4hyphenhyphenE4dEFjk-CGFcvwrbKQ0_XtqxmxbNgI9IoqULmbZ6121d3RvRcJZJ0eJLSjMb9Q2yktcwgYOCTWzoRfxEaClPSpEe39rAfXebpD51kYpiGM4iG0_RHiDsoqdpxGyB/s1600-h/rear.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6V6T_hzvQqLEiF4hyphenhyphenE4dEFjk-CGFcvwrbKQ0_XtqxmxbNgI9IoqULmbZ6121d3RvRcJZJ0eJLSjMb9Q2yktcwgYOCTWzoRfxEaClPSpEe39rAfXebpD51kYpiGM4iG0_RHiDsoqdpxGyB/s200/rear.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv1p7btnkULmDWLIhMRDaf2-qpEVV90hTcd8s4rWOihE33tbLflJuv9doaArPdvG0gV0LauoiswXOhHn5X3pmk-d-oOej_GP8qCTL2HZx5J9SC_NZ0SnFuOYsOO9YnkWHzpxRPKaIM28Fy/s1600-h/side.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv1p7btnkULmDWLIhMRDaf2-qpEVV90hTcd8s4rWOihE33tbLflJuv9doaArPdvG0gV0LauoiswXOhHn5X3pmk-d-oOej_GP8qCTL2HZx5J9SC_NZ0SnFuOYsOO9YnkWHzpxRPKaIM28Fy/s200/side.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>The car is photographed outside Gran Prix Imports - Lamborghini Portland, but I have a hunch this is a potential trade-in since the seller is not directing buyers to their website (which actually seems to be down at the moment) and it's still wearing it's licence plates. Grey market cars are very difficult for dealers to sell - the Manheim Auto Auction, the country's most prominent dealer auction network, doesn't typically allow grey market cars. The advertising websites Cars.com, Autotrader.com, etc., typically don't either (though DuPont Registry is helpful). That's one important notion that buyers and sellers of imported cars have to keep in mind.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZac-xGZzN4wan4jdvCtE5TB_tJOELUJ4c9vt7rYjRdK3W6613BPBwRarqPHRDPpRlAf_HwYPrNpnszyh-FvqdZdeLPRRSZONn22FdI9AxjMrYkQdLJmPrQJ74sa7ASdOSS7SvvhfIB_Hz/s1600-h/seat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZac-xGZzN4wan4jdvCtE5TB_tJOELUJ4c9vt7rYjRdK3W6613BPBwRarqPHRDPpRlAf_HwYPrNpnszyh-FvqdZdeLPRRSZONn22FdI9AxjMrYkQdLJmPrQJ74sa7ASdOSS7SvvhfIB_Hz/s200/seat.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7rK02Ox1VM88M8vWdNO38XUVbAudS2G9a3QYWi1mQQuhhJ-V5eV1jFDsI0WxWPcey3NXHoW_bVM5BtHUxHgnmZlc-SNdySzS4-SSusq5hdJRDB5g-mJAMju_0OIybRW9tvua4LWEchq2x/s1600-h/dash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7rK02Ox1VM88M8vWdNO38XUVbAudS2G9a3QYWi1mQQuhhJ-V5eV1jFDsI0WxWPcey3NXHoW_bVM5BtHUxHgnmZlc-SNdySzS4-SSusq5hdJRDB5g-mJAMju_0OIybRW9tvua4LWEchq2x/s200/dash.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Sources: <a href="http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2006-6/1193082/2123469">Craigslist ad</a>, <a href="http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2006-6/1193082/2123469">Photo Gallery</a>greyintheusahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01902454788704027408noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2331953232758855969.post-71524818248623717752010-03-01T07:30:00.003-05:002010-03-08T19:23:27.528-05:00Why wait for the new TVR? Get one now... but not from TVROn the heels of the expected announcement of TVR's long-awaited return to the US market, I just read on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/02/28/why-wait-for-the-new-tvr-get-one-now-but-not-from-tvr/">Autoblog</a> that an Indiana car dealer, <a href="http://www.carmelmotorsports.com/">Carmel Motorsports</a>, is selling remanufactured TVRs as rolling chassis in the USA. The models they sell are the Tuscan, Sagaris, and T350, which are some pretty mean machines previously available only on more liberal shores. Just as long as the buyer supplies an EPA-compliant engine the cars are totally street-legal. The best part: the cars aren't being distributed by <em>the</em> TVR, but <em>a</em> TVR nonetheless - <strong>T</strong>otal <strong>V</strong>ehicle <strong>R</strong>emanufacturing... No more info yet online about them other than the Autoblog article.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitt9Xs50hC1-f2i6r8a-QJthtYVOgZwx0e6R0VYcHDKOhQ87CHDSG0oYToLEqqLXGRsQUvlV6n5SNqnjzNqNObftz6wUxqhph9ydXPZkj9LcIfK-qsbQpxbrXYqPlLulaDxosy5Sp5x_Ee/s1600-h/05carmeltvr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitt9Xs50hC1-f2i6r8a-QJthtYVOgZwx0e6R0VYcHDKOhQ87CHDSG0oYToLEqqLXGRsQUvlV6n5SNqnjzNqNObftz6wUxqhph9ydXPZkj9LcIfK-qsbQpxbrXYqPlLulaDxosy5Sp5x_Ee/s400/05carmeltvr.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Source: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/02/28/why-wait-for-the-new-tvr-get-one-now-but-not-from-tvr/">Why wait for the new TVR? Get one now... but not from TVR</a> (Autoblog)<br />
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<strong>UPDATE:</strong> Apparently the real TVR is none too happy about Total Vehicle Remanufacturing selling it's car chassis and bodies in the US without their permission. They say they'll be looking into the matter to make sure it doesn't conflict with their own interests during the brand's revival and could potentially bring suit against the other TVR. Oh well, nice try at least... (<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/03/08/tvr-remanufacturer-facing-legal-opposition/">Autoblog</a>)greyintheusahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01902454788704027408noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2331953232758855969.post-53365358729221104472010-02-24T12:50:00.001-05:002010-02-24T12:51:26.416-05:00Holden Monaro conversion - Pontiac GTOI've thought about this before, first time I've seen somebody do it. In order to get a smoother look, the owner of this GTO swapped on a front bumper from an Aussie Holden Monaro VZ, removed the rear spoiler and vented hood, and changed some of the badges. He also installed a beefy exhaust system and trialer hitch.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgycoZkfdOT_ScauSpMdVzt8le8WnVTMNL3ZGiRiqgNYHjmymV_ubi0YTSmq7YVWQo24cU2aU8dAB3ZHJ5pbpQJJKg0cHffxgqI6bWkDBubx94XGYTF2jFiuZma3EMuyRYJ40le2aUYq7og/s1600-h/185C-HiRear.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgycoZkfdOT_ScauSpMdVzt8le8WnVTMNL3ZGiRiqgNYHjmymV_ubi0YTSmq7YVWQo24cU2aU8dAB3ZHJ5pbpQJJKg0cHffxgqI6bWkDBubx94XGYTF2jFiuZma3EMuyRYJ40le2aUYq7og/s200/185C-HiRear.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4SLK9n1nuvA3pqIWrAVN55XWouthZ7aAy4rnK-5B6MXcxNqisFTREL6N1XpTnOdrSFbMjib5UT1FzQdKd3qQ7ZpGOv3rFVkXsrp1ID99MCgn6fcEZmBuaELyptTSIMj5o79tL74eN7Lqf/s1600-h/185C-LoFront.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4SLK9n1nuvA3pqIWrAVN55XWouthZ7aAy4rnK-5B6MXcxNqisFTREL6N1XpTnOdrSFbMjib5UT1FzQdKd3qQ7ZpGOv3rFVkXsrp1ID99MCgn6fcEZmBuaELyptTSIMj5o79tL74eN7Lqf/s200/185C-LoFront.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>The GTO was mostly just a rebadged Monaro, so the parts are a perfect fit. Might as well have gone all the way, though - there are Pontiac emblems interspersed in. Too bad the Monaro uses the same Playskool steering wheel as the GTO, or he may have been able to improve the interior a bit as well, though it looks to be in great shape.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDZa59YvBdCROEjvZFKiSiKPOuaZO9aG9KJTm__NM2h6SoO8SxCnsdzRJ-DbS6qYJeLLBdASDPQWHUNr6E9BSKviLyyeOwyqb4tm3RySWIrchRAoZsaU7g0bPUa3NDPvIkm1W7tYLoO-j_/s1600-h/185C-Rear.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDZa59YvBdCROEjvZFKiSiKPOuaZO9aG9KJTm__NM2h6SoO8SxCnsdzRJ-DbS6qYJeLLBdASDPQWHUNr6E9BSKviLyyeOwyqb4tm3RySWIrchRAoZsaU7g0bPUa3NDPvIkm1W7tYLoO-j_/s200/185C-Rear.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhppe0gQpI0FqMFhazjvaVaIrRtc1wXADo0Pd0Jw-a98EpjdmqwC7L4wwXznCh8GP9EuQ2ysJOBGdEKWKxKGafii73OeNcQHArk-8i280OsbUsGKxGeePqBYMYbKPWxLUm53HUS0gFlFbYR/s1600-h/185C-Driv.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhppe0gQpI0FqMFhazjvaVaIrRtc1wXADo0Pd0Jw-a98EpjdmqwC7L4wwXznCh8GP9EuQ2ysJOBGdEKWKxKGafii73OeNcQHArk-8i280OsbUsGKxGeePqBYMYbKPWxLUm53HUS0gFlFbYR/s200/185C-Driv.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>For sale on eBay in NJ for $17,000 ($16k in the writeup) with 48k miles. The asking price isn't bad, but given the limited appeal of a Holden look, and the buyers immediately turned away by its lack of hood scoops and wings, the seller may have a tough time. Maintenance records look good as well. Good luck to the seller.<br />
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Source: <a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2005-PONTIAC-GTO-Monaro-VZ-front-Red-M6-50k-mi_W0QQitemZ180473196219QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_Cars_Trucks?hash=item2a050a6ebb">eBay Motors</a>greyintheusahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01902454788704027408noreply@blogger.com46tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2331953232758855969.post-36709097667623399062010-02-04T17:25:00.002-05:002010-03-01T15:31:32.334-05:00"We are experiencing a temporary break in service..."To everyone who's been coming back to see if I've added any new posts (there are a surprisingly large number of you), I apoligize for leaving this site stagnant for so long. I've been really busy with complicated family and work situations lately, more than I have been in quite a while. I'm hoping to get back to posting soon, it helps maintain my sanity, but I need to be able to take a mental break periodically to actually do it...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh78JreA_G1FUxUJ89qhQGH2kl1br5IlHg5pukWlIe5Xbu1jtaBTNDmNUfMDggMjOuODGZNx3yfv4DhjXwApRQ1uZgt-sHIJYhzd4JOSswo48reKVSrHV8sLXLCXCUa9-m3jQwdrUuoKlHV/s1600-h/RCA_Indian_Head_test_pattern.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh78JreA_G1FUxUJ89qhQGH2kl1br5IlHg5pukWlIe5Xbu1jtaBTNDmNUfMDggMjOuODGZNx3yfv4DhjXwApRQ1uZgt-sHIJYhzd4JOSswo48reKVSrHV8sLXLCXCUa9-m3jQwdrUuoKlHV/s400/RCA_Indian_Head_test_pattern.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>greyintheusahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01902454788704027408noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2331953232758855969.post-88216282524342273382010-01-21T13:00:00.006-05:002010-03-01T07:40:54.610-05:001985 Trabant 601 Tramp Cabrio "Border Guard Special"The Trabant doesn't get a lot of respect in Europe, for obvious reasons, but it's definitely an unusual collector piece, especially in the USA. The convertible Tramp variant was built for the East German military and border guards (green for military and tan for border guards) and is even more rarely seen. This one, the 601F border guard model, is located in Birmingham, MI, and is for sale on eBay.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSw20Dt76LrlD5A8xm7KAQ8i6-bhSFSM0-zq2jiCOS6mshZ9GnHf9YrxoXw7TDythphqU9asOrIaXwz9HnD2V7EqaFwLxbdlxxOv9ETxUCG2wUWKNWQk9XdXhbhZ0OxoCrLS1tNhxrUY7-/s1600-h/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSw20Dt76LrlD5A8xm7KAQ8i6-bhSFSM0-zq2jiCOS6mshZ9GnHf9YrxoXw7TDythphqU9asOrIaXwz9HnD2V7EqaFwLxbdlxxOv9ETxUCG2wUWKNWQk9XdXhbhZ0OxoCrLS1tNhxrUY7-/s400/4.jpg" /></a></div>The typical Trabant sedan and <em>kombi</em> bodies were made of Duroplast, a cotton and wool fiber-reinforced plastic (often jokingly referred to as cardboard). The fibers were recycled waste from other industries, but the pollition coming out of the back end makes up for any green credibility. The Tramp, however, uses duraplast only for it's front clip, which it appears to share with the rest of the Trabant lineup. The rest of the body is steel. The engine is the same 600cc two-cyllinder two-stroke as well, using pre-mix gas (fill the gas tank, add oil, and shake) and producing 26 hp. This Trabi weighs in at just 1400 lbs, so while not great, it apparently does get along nicely enough.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtlBnnor6rcLE4AIlzlkDbiLzGkZwF9YDvIutfOmB54tvaO6HZ-_eev8AzL-hY5YFTIIOmK1rtrvQGYNb0S6YWNlb7kxZ7LKomFhfUTyMrCHTzeng2Hp4QIY5n9sYlaAdchk65J2BuUOLr/s1600-h/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtlBnnor6rcLE4AIlzlkDbiLzGkZwF9YDvIutfOmB54tvaO6HZ-_eev8AzL-hY5YFTIIOmK1rtrvQGYNb0S6YWNlb7kxZ7LKomFhfUTyMrCHTzeng2Hp4QIY5n9sYlaAdchk65J2BuUOLr/s400/1.jpg" /></a></div>While searching for more information about Trabi Tramps, I came across a brief "must-read" <a href="http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2005/03/16/013673.html">article on The Auto Channel</a> from March 2005 that featured this exact car and it's present seller. A previous Trabant owner, he found this car for sale by a collector in Ohio and bought it with 7,000 miles. Turned out to be just 700, and it's now up to 1,200 miles (2,000kms). The owner said he didn't drive it often, just around town and at least once on the Woodward Dream Cruise. He appears to be knowledgeable about the car and has stored it indoors, kept it up nicely, and has the full top, windows, tools, original upholstery (under those seat covers) and an English repair manual. At the time the 2005 article was written it drove very nicely. I like the "DDR" country sticker.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirnSgqOupLQ91sITkq4FBlm38xY0S_hSZbOs1Q9tPRa96wuvSUIbeIdHeIVuLMWsvJJXQNbOxygK2xC64fuQNNs0WLGLccXccELyXt9EFaTALnfYwNijdXvKvnHv275sUq5_FACtd8JtXq/s1600-h/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirnSgqOupLQ91sITkq4FBlm38xY0S_hSZbOs1Q9tPRa96wuvSUIbeIdHeIVuLMWsvJJXQNbOxygK2xC64fuQNNs0WLGLccXccELyXt9EFaTALnfYwNijdXvKvnHv275sUq5_FACtd8JtXq/s400/3.jpg" /></a></div>It looks like the owner is still getting used to eBay selling as he has two active auctions for this car, listed <a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170434824580&category=6472&_trksid=p4340.m263&_trkparms=algo%3DSI%26its%3DI%252BC%26itu%3DUCI%26otn%3D10%26ps%3D63">here</a> and <a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170434821173&category=6472&_trksid=p4340.m263&_trkparms=algo%3DSI%26its%3DI%252BC%26itu%3DUCI%26otn%3D10%26ps%3D63">here</a>, both with reserves. Can't help but think he might get a better response to the auction if he included the picture at the top of this page from the Auto Channel article and some more information about the car.<br />
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Click on this picture to see a military-green Tramp on duty at the Inner German Border in 1982:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK8Gr3Kl-ZHsB3-eVrD0CJnW3Sn8k7qyHvsqB3bxNBDgNKoYRo-P-LNnoItxDfLjQpxm43kG3_D8JC2zTVXaCqd6u0-WYkm8bx9OmhCRJhNxnY72CuHW10hlBBeIY1qCC8K-GmdtOuAd7e/s1600-h/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK8Gr3Kl-ZHsB3-eVrD0CJnW3Sn8k7qyHvsqB3bxNBDgNKoYRo-P-LNnoItxDfLjQpxm43kG3_D8JC2zTVXaCqd6u0-WYkm8bx9OmhCRJhNxnY72CuHW10hlBBeIY1qCC8K-GmdtOuAd7e/s400/5.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Now for some <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GDR_jokes#The_Trabant_.28an_East_German_Car.29">Trabant Jokes</a>:<br />
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How do you double the value of a Trabant? Fill up the tank!<br />
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An East German driver pulled into a service station and asked, "Can I get a windshield wiper blade for this Trabi?" The mechanic looked the car over for a long time and finally said, "Okay, it's a trade!<br />
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Sorry.<br />
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Source links: <a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170434824580&category=6472&_trksid=p4340.m263&_trkparms=algo%3DSI%26its%3DI%252BC%26itu%3DUCI%26otn%3D10%26ps%3D63">Auction 1</a>, <a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170434821173&category=6472&_trksid=p4340.m263&_trkparms=algo%3DSI%26its%3DI%252BC%26itu%3DUCI%26otn%3D10%26ps%3D63">Auction 2</a>, <a href="http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2005/03/16/013673.html">The Auto Channel article</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trabant">Trabant Wiki</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Grenze_bei_Duderstadt.jpg">border picture</a><br />
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<strong>UPDATE:</strong> Both auctions ended at $2,550, r.n.m.greyintheusahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01902454788704027408noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2331953232758855969.post-47262026584690904442010-01-18T17:55:00.001-05:002010-01-21T11:50:57.758-05:001999 Nissan Silvia S15 - Stock and in CaliforniaI'm really hoping that the seller responds to my questions on this auction. They're selling a 1999 Nissan Silvia that's located in California but is not currently registered. They say the car was imported from Japan four months ago, and the seller wanted to make it their daily driver, but now they have a kid on the way and want to sell it to buy a minivan... They claim to have paperwork that will help the new owner register the car.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSHz9Q0CO0m0KTQi7EehUdkv2di00Sj3gGqN8NbW0XfAZoeOktzXclhyVsXnV-k4E2Nm4TK25wSDn2tKAsjZYS2rJwhyphenhyphenoWyaZOF7fbBRl965TemoilViZulFD1wVZoZ1uznjHzGmUsbkmN/s1600-h/front.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSHz9Q0CO0m0KTQi7EehUdkv2di00Sj3gGqN8NbW0XfAZoeOktzXclhyVsXnV-k4E2Nm4TK25wSDn2tKAsjZYS2rJwhyphenhyphenoWyaZOF7fbBRl965TemoilViZulFD1wVZoZ1uznjHzGmUsbkmN/s400/front.bmp" /></a><br />
</div>The Nissan Silvia S15 is a very popular car in Japan and in import circles because it is an excellent track car for drifting and autocross. Not quite as desirable as it's big brother, the Skyline, but very interesting none the less. Pretty stylish I think. The cars aren't US-legal, though, unless imported temporarily, for racing purposes, or if brought over as just a body and chassis and stuffed with an EPA-compliant engine. If the seller has sufficient documentation, it could be a very rare grey market car to have. I'm curious to know how it was imported.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvDP0Cf8lzhfdRm_2dFh7VrENtYrI3wvBDdSfPg-YcXU3VMBE2bPPi1EbU-x9IS6Ly9GJlIzC2dKAhDiyOjEOn9LNeT7-wd7wXqSw-sfndQTlyru8MgXLWTdgDALBTmLhjXhYiWEnh4iwZ/s1600-h/interior.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvDP0Cf8lzhfdRm_2dFh7VrENtYrI3wvBDdSfPg-YcXU3VMBE2bPPi1EbU-x9IS6Ly9GJlIzC2dKAhDiyOjEOn9LNeT7-wd7wXqSw-sfndQTlyru8MgXLWTdgDALBTmLhjXhYiWEnh4iwZ/s200/interior.bmp" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2HBl7trbLfkR0v8sUxiTRoODfpv0ANKo0RXV7Xgs8B01UURTSQTjGjpzcJ-C_lkxHJob3hHO_EVRafLHhistZoY6Rt4USfoLsf6qx_cPj04aT09E_QvEC41W1eVWsnMkEVU4fWuNGZfRW/s1600-h/rear.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2HBl7trbLfkR0v8sUxiTRoODfpv0ANKo0RXV7Xgs8B01UURTSQTjGjpzcJ-C_lkxHJob3hHO_EVRafLHhistZoY6Rt4USfoLsf6qx_cPj04aT09E_QvEC41W1eVWsnMkEVU4fWuNGZfRW/s200/rear.bmp" /></a><br />
</div>The company I wrote about <a href="http://greyintheusa.blogspot.com/2010/01/bunch-of-rhd-honda-accord-wagons-on.html">last week</a>, Right Hand Drive JAPAN, LTD., is working on an S15 Silvia now also. Their car can be seen <a href="http://www.righthanddrivejapan.com/view/main2.php?p=viewVehicle.php&C=20&pg=1&Id=199">here</a>. Another company, <a href="http://www.drifttuners.com/">DRIFT Tuners</a>, lists the S15 Silvia as one of the many non-US-legal Japanese cars that they can import, but on their <a href="http://drifttuners.com/req.php">Info page</a> they say the can only be brougth here temporarily or for off-road use.<br />
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Find this 1999 Silvia eBay listing <a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1999-JDM-Nissan-Silvia-S15-Gunmetal-SR20-RHD-240SX-OEM_W0QQitemZ280452034942QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_Cars_Trucks?hash=item414c3e717e">here</a>.<br />
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<strong>UPDATE:</strong> No response, and the listing was pulled from eBay...greyintheusahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01902454788704027408noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2331953232758855969.post-35000215973100533492010-01-15T15:27:00.003-05:002010-05-19T23:48:50.295-04:001975 Mazda Chantez GL "Kei Car""For the person who wants something different, look no farther." Directly from the ad, I think it could be the tagline to my website. The Chantez was produced for the JDM market from 1972-1977. It runs on a 360cc two-stroke engine that's oil-injected and produces around 35hp, and it has a 4-speed manual. Weighing in at just over a half a ton, this car is said to be good for 71 mph. I think it sounds like a blast! Pretty cool looking, too. I love the mirrors.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWmD3R0ucWiaU2Fc7oP55WskpgleBohR36QG8QHoADOKy857kIwyc6MAtRrBtSGfwC2xRY2PHQz1eOWBBwxEVg9cHW4Qc05HMRs2s6bhsU8RP17PG99nImrGSJrrhFpQZZ07Agm_dBQT-r/s1600-h/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWmD3R0ucWiaU2Fc7oP55WskpgleBohR36QG8QHoADOKy857kIwyc6MAtRrBtSGfwC2xRY2PHQz1eOWBBwxEVg9cHW4Qc05HMRs2s6bhsU8RP17PG99nImrGSJrrhFpQZZ07Agm_dBQT-r/s400/2.jpg" /></a></div>This car was imported about 6-7 years ago by a microcar collector, and the present owner bought it three years ago on eBay. The <em>Kanji</em> on the passenger door are apparently a remnant of this car's earlier days when it was associated with Kazu Auto Service in Hayama, Japan.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIrZgjSaaxjeybDcis1jdta8VykwuZXGlBGQy6sZda91y0dis1FOGdmEhk4izfBxI0AAu57Qh8b4eqg5Jvw0WB4MYFjmEYorx4Bnrviaz1rN5EauhaPlUlHKUM4DBXK3Hlf6Rt2a3oxrsI/s1600-h/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIrZgjSaaxjeybDcis1jdta8VykwuZXGlBGQy6sZda91y0dis1FOGdmEhk4izfBxI0AAu57Qh8b4eqg5Jvw0WB4MYFjmEYorx4Bnrviaz1rN5EauhaPlUlHKUM4DBXK3Hlf6Rt2a3oxrsI/s400/4.jpg" /></a></div>The seller describes this car as a good driver, but just a few jobs away from being perfect. It could use some new paint, a bit of reupholstery, and the speedo and AC don't work. I assume the seller believes that the engine, transmission, and suspension are fine, as there's no mention of their condition. With just about 30k showing and it's last two owners being enthusiasts/collectors, they're probably ok... <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2PyWy6gfmeQn76kNbDd2FNwNPY-N1cF_RMGJCkLHPwAMEfjfvOKsC3YxwLMPEoDCUVj1W-ylsAZAW-oW1jGCbXdm8F98QMx5c5iglmwGKO5HwPIQdJ7P3oDfnryIk37kzjFmU0flJvvcX/s1600-h/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2PyWy6gfmeQn76kNbDd2FNwNPY-N1cF_RMGJCkLHPwAMEfjfvOKsC3YxwLMPEoDCUVj1W-ylsAZAW-oW1jGCbXdm8F98QMx5c5iglmwGKO5HwPIQdJ7P3oDfnryIk37kzjFmU0flJvvcX/s200/3.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ-cjq87QEfvbZDOyG2Hempj2v1ZVUe9rc8nMdIXLpj-k5Gf6fkNElin-bXL0xxxU7lwQXyyx-K1mhxw-7YKdDl2trEl-S4fv-3IN8wywDWF_jGsnSSFaj18kAcXjWVPT8yjPwnfaR3vVL/s1600-h/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ-cjq87QEfvbZDOyG2Hempj2v1ZVUe9rc8nMdIXLpj-k5Gf6fkNElin-bXL0xxxU7lwQXyyx-K1mhxw-7YKdDl2trEl-S4fv-3IN8wywDWF_jGsnSSFaj18kAcXjWVPT8yjPwnfaR3vVL/s200/1.jpg" /></a></div>Find this little bugger <a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1975-Mazda-Chantez-JDM-micro-car-Right-Hand-Drive_W0QQitemZ330394252055QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_Cars_Trucks?hash=item4ced083317">here on eBay</a> for $4,695 or best offer.<br />
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<strong>UPDATE:</strong> Price reduced to $4,295, still no sale, relisted <a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1975-Mazda-Chantez-JDM-micro-car-Right-Hand-Drive_W0QQitemZ330396457495QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_Cars_Trucks?hash=item4ced29da17">here</a> with price further reduced. Bidding stalled at $1,684, r.n.m.<br />
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<strong>UPDATE 2:</strong> This car was sold to a buyer in PA, who is a grey market enthusiast that also owns a Lancia Delta, Alfa Alfetta, and <a href="http://greyintheusa.blogspot.com/2010/05/readers-car-for-sale-1983-peugeot-505.html">Peugeot 505</a>.greyintheusahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01902454788704027408noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2331953232758855969.post-13133051542356837232010-01-15T01:10:00.004-05:002010-01-15T01:15:00.943-05:001984 Renault 5 Turbo 2 on eBayI think the R5 Turbo is one of the most ludicrously great cars ever made. It looks insane, like the ugliest hatchback you could draw, but it's ugliness is part of what makes it so freakin' cool. The winning rally history doesn't hurt, either. This street model, imported in the mid-80's by Sun International, is for sale by Autosport Designs, Inc. of Long Island, NY and is listed <a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/R5-Turbo-2-Rare-California-BAR-Sticker-No-Reserve_W0QQitemZ200427611723QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_Cars_Trucks?hash=item2eaa6aa64b">here on eBay</a> for $39,500 with no reserve.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVU-mps4mZgACqJ6DftK15amOY3AUNnnx8BH-2OpNNN3GLPIVk4_6y29k8RKw0TCeG1AKUB16vhkz2V-cXTLrCrbtIX0zZrbv3ZQC8L0LVJ7Z-g8xDXjUgbiZOuMA8k29Nm1u11uZyVbic/s1600-h/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVU-mps4mZgACqJ6DftK15amOY3AUNnnx8BH-2OpNNN3GLPIVk4_6y29k8RKw0TCeG1AKUB16vhkz2V-cXTLrCrbtIX0zZrbv3ZQC8L0LVJ7Z-g8xDXjUgbiZOuMA8k29Nm1u11uZyVbic/s400/1.jpg" /></a><br />
</div>Not your everyday LeCar, the street-going R5 Turbo had a 158hp mid-mounted 4-cyllinder engine and some radically-modified bodywork. Every time I read about R5 Turbos I have to re-read what the "2" is for - according to Wikipedia the original streetable R5 Turbo was produced in a batch of 400 for FIA homologation and used "many...light alloy components" while the R5 Turbo 2 used "stock R5 parts." Not exactly sure which parts that means, but apparently "the Turbo 2 was less expensive, but had nearly the same levels of performance."<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghJpIWY2vUjY56gWjbFXr9UUoGIhgmNk-xcetEs66zpqd5wmQsOKvFAEKlTzfUSS8U96C7MvmsXrIrIuOACdNPuRp9-J_O96r5vN7oYah9wJEhFLbn-CzoeRINDFrBA24icJMTBpFL6HPL/s1600-h/rear.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghJpIWY2vUjY56gWjbFXr9UUoGIhgmNk-xcetEs66zpqd5wmQsOKvFAEKlTzfUSS8U96C7MvmsXrIrIuOACdNPuRp9-J_O96r5vN7oYah9wJEhFLbn-CzoeRINDFrBA24icJMTBpFL6HPL/s200/rear.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5AdxjkYVi-Bt9opt-mzzSv6XRdVM3DWAIek4Lzmc0B5RtO12sEQEPl1fECotqOuXd6US9vx2Rv1jvC5sn8DjO0yue_FbkdPyZWVYc_BSyLiFcyny6VkuP_ssIaCs6HaaZ4RJtkcDAAB-x/s1600-h/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5AdxjkYVi-Bt9opt-mzzSv6XRdVM3DWAIek4Lzmc0B5RtO12sEQEPl1fECotqOuXd6US9vx2Rv1jvC5sn8DjO0yue_FbkdPyZWVYc_BSyLiFcyny6VkuP_ssIaCs6HaaZ4RJtkcDAAB-x/s200/2.jpg" /></a><br />
</div>Sun International was the only importer to bring the R5 Turbo to America and had DOT, EPA, and California certification, but now that the car is over 25 years old any exclusivity they had is obsolete. I'm really not even sure if Sun is still around, but their website is still up under the name "Sun Speed." They actually have a pretty strange R5 Turbo for sale on their site (updated 2/09) <a href="http://www.sunspeed.com/PPG-2.html">here for $40,000</a>.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje8ryDq6qggshkTxN1ADI8QOhjeS3x6tyoKElkTV_pc46wDnG0u-9eRHX1ESdPYarqyTkR43wHnbS1boe5DeAS9VYgDeqpVVfGip-nnBz2FHKRn4TpfzBzk4tj7zgXUATbLZtwFgm28oCF/s1600-h/int1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje8ryDq6qggshkTxN1ADI8QOhjeS3x6tyoKElkTV_pc46wDnG0u-9eRHX1ESdPYarqyTkR43wHnbS1boe5DeAS9VYgDeqpVVfGip-nnBz2FHKRn4TpfzBzk4tj7zgXUATbLZtwFgm28oCF/s200/int1.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvzspAlwtTb6tU0ZLznM_uZDQFdA8v80Rqf-1JGo2UPVmET4JcuUVT13RvkrR3kj0OW-2qvkpZBQejnbTiOP_3E9aonsYBJLsr6b2kp-b2x3IxF6zz6gw4FvTV96K3Lz_t83caULnCNEMH/s1600-h/trunk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvzspAlwtTb6tU0ZLznM_uZDQFdA8v80Rqf-1JGo2UPVmET4JcuUVT13RvkrR3kj0OW-2qvkpZBQejnbTiOP_3E9aonsYBJLsr6b2kp-b2x3IxF6zz6gw4FvTV96K3Lz_t83caULnCNEMH/s200/trunk.jpg" /></a><br />
</div>The track versions of the car, being 2WD, had difficulty up against the 4WD cars on dirt rally stages, but were killer on the pavement. Check out this video to see the car stertching it's legs:<br />
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Links: <a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/R5-Turbo-2-Rare-California-BAR-Sticker-No-Reserve_W0QQitemZ200427611723QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_Cars_Trucks?hash=item2eaa6aa64b">eBay Ad</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renault_5_Turbo">Wikipedia</a>, <a href="http://www.sunspeed.com/index3.html">Sun International</a>greyintheusahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01902454788704027408noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2331953232758855969.post-39224946683867131512010-01-13T12:56:00.006-05:002010-01-13T21:41:36.618-05:00Alfa Romeo 166 on CraigslistI was sent this car by Dave over at <a href="http://justacargeek.blogspot.com/">Just a Car Geek</a>. It's a 2003 Alfa Romeo 166 on Craigslist in Midtown Manhattan. As optimistic as I usually am, I have to admit thast this ad is dripping with scam telltales. Were the car truly for sale in the US it would be totally black market and not legally registerable, but the photos look like they're taken in Italy, and the seller's description is in British English aside from a few American keywords at the end. Find the listing <a href="http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/cto/1543388470.html">here on Craigslist</a>.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDDvqJXjAL0HfjucWqSqxHQ69l-OWWcpx4tq6MCHUDKtw21igC93HVmwZ8MUPDwOrl33rHMZ7Br1dMPs51pE2ZvNugpAFmFpu9cox3qA8aAW4vtDnUD19xzKISfBB3D0N8Pa398YpBgMcI/s1600-h/rear.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDDvqJXjAL0HfjucWqSqxHQ69l-OWWcpx4tq6MCHUDKtw21igC93HVmwZ8MUPDwOrl33rHMZ7Br1dMPs51pE2ZvNugpAFmFpu9cox3qA8aAW4vtDnUD19xzKISfBB3D0N8Pa398YpBgMcI/s200/rear.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-WD4KXvOSLtuv7ucjbliCLHYSJZqZhCU-OKyu6HSDLDXrWpmPmWtU2V07J9nhpq45bf55SdY1s03xMweVSCFX-zFGRRGflla4e4krMU4jqsMG9rBJMaS5Ij8-8moMuX8oq3l4fNFN2hRI/s1600-h/front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-WD4KXvOSLtuv7ucjbliCLHYSJZqZhCU-OKyu6HSDLDXrWpmPmWtU2V07J9nhpq45bf55SdY1s03xMweVSCFX-zFGRRGflla4e4krMU4jqsMG9rBJMaS5Ij8-8moMuX8oq3l4fNFN2hRI/s200/front.jpg" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZwo6Y9TZ2oFBoZppSQt7KBmco-FPGmGq-wqSIrxMC2_qCKkUVBvLssrMWGGZLPKXqfysmaQ3vztnRoMDEVSEVypHcBkkSq8pqsMUhe-H3kfXjCb7Uc6or6tbXs06MfzGlIHUMYEOuZIpK/s1600-h/bseat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZwo6Y9TZ2oFBoZppSQt7KBmco-FPGmGq-wqSIrxMC2_qCKkUVBvLssrMWGGZLPKXqfysmaQ3vztnRoMDEVSEVypHcBkkSq8pqsMUhe-H3kfXjCb7Uc6or6tbXs06MfzGlIHUMYEOuZIpK/s200/bseat.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwRG8oaG6phTf_7klH6w_7y6YG0fA5waX52RwpJxa14ywc46J85KljP1sV8uWyBBMxEmUUiXTFN7-lXXOqkg_Pl_tMbLTVJIMwAnPFRedaLCjzIubWh3hjzO2BfRkdnIbdmPu3rX_C45oM/s1600-h/fseat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwRG8oaG6phTf_7klH6w_7y6YG0fA5waX52RwpJxa14ywc46J85KljP1sV8uWyBBMxEmUUiXTFN7-lXXOqkg_Pl_tMbLTVJIMwAnPFRedaLCjzIubWh3hjzO2BfRkdnIbdmPu3rX_C45oM/s200/fseat.jpg" /></a><br />
</div>The 166 was the successor to the Alfa 164, which was the last Alfa Romeo sold in the US up through 1995. It was introduced in 1998, facelifted after the 2003 model year to a less-droopy, more edgy look, and discontinued in 2007. The replacement, to be called the 169, is tentatively scheduled for North American sales in 2011 and will share it's platform with the next-generation Chrysler 300. Another potential shared-platform Chrysler-Fiat was just shown this week at the Detroit Auto Show - the Chrysler-badged Lancia Delta. Check it out <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/11/detroit-2010-chrysler-lancia-might-be-a-look-into-the-future/">here on Autoblog</a>.<br />
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Thanks for the tip, Dave!<br />
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<strong>UPDATE:</strong> Reader <em>kashgar216</em> blew my mind with a <a href="http://jalopnik.com/238418/">link to Jalopnik</a> that showed a dark colored Alfa 166 in Manhattan nearly three years ago, with PA registration and a British owner. Their source link, a <a href="http://forum.thecarconnection.com/showthread.php?p=47189#post47189">post by <em>justin</em> on TheCarConnection.com</a>, includes a bunch of photos as well as mention of AutoDelta (the illegal Alfa Romeo importers who have been shut down). I don't know much about AutoDelta, but I assumed that any of their cars must have been confiscated. Apparently not so, at least in 2007, unless this car was actually a legal <a href="http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/import/TempInfo.html">Temporary Import</a> by it's expat owner. This Craigslist car, however, has some visual differences to car in the Jalop/CarConenction story - the color, the location of the rear badges, the wheel size, and the rear license plate bracket (note the US plate on the Jalop/CarConnection car and the empty European bracket and frame on Craigslist). While I now believe there are black market 166s here on US plates (and as you know I'm officially opposed to black market cars), I'm sticking to my guns and calling this ad a scam with Italian photos. If anyone is in Manhattan and wants to set up a test drive with the seller, we'll know for sure. Thanks <em>kashgar216</em>!greyintheusahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01902454788704027408noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2331953232758855969.post-18762312886629015442010-01-11T12:38:00.002-05:002010-06-10T11:20:05.449-04:001971 Lancia Fulvia Coupe 1600 HF "Fanalino" Replica<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The Series 2 Fulvia is one of my absolute favorite cars, but really nice examples can be hard to find here in the US. This high-dollar 1971 coupe is located in Italy, but is an easy import.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd4nQz8wLUyzTJ6IR3rMiFHkNy0yswvw_6pFrKIXRVq8oaD8EuGaCGtIjf0VKsHU7-7Zw-9et_Sjwc4utuardKLkO7r9WenNpD31gdh4eqKXyLjIFE-uuHdby6eb1VHJ6RWp_z4S8rv0kZ/s1600-h/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd4nQz8wLUyzTJ6IR3rMiFHkNy0yswvw_6pFrKIXRVq8oaD8EuGaCGtIjf0VKsHU7-7Zw-9et_Sjwc4utuardKLkO7r9WenNpD31gdh4eqKXyLjIFE-uuHdby6eb1VHJ6RWp_z4S8rv0kZ/s400/1.jpg" /></a></div>In total opposition to what I wrote in my last post (should give you a good idea of how thought-out my writings are), I love the "upgrades" that were done to this 1.3 S to bring it up to spec of a 1600 HF. The ad calls this car a "Fanalone" replica, but I think they meant "Fanalino," as the former was the nickname of the Series 1 Rallye 1.6 HF, and the latter referred to the Series 2 1600 HF. Mechanically the cars are very similar, but cosmetically the Series 1 HF has a different grille layout and signature large inner Carello headlights.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNO-kD33J0E4dTUjwfeF0VqSUWv0Wg8HsLcVBa7YFRBgbgTNGWRghhhpX0-T2va-SACPvH4ZKPQtLIAs67XouaCCqukEs-cBqyTqhWpUWhB4VhxH33d2wVj7Nhhlh2AxQr340yLTdT53qe/s1600-h/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNO-kD33J0E4dTUjwfeF0VqSUWv0Wg8HsLcVBa7YFRBgbgTNGWRghhhpX0-T2va-SACPvH4ZKPQtLIAs67XouaCCqukEs-cBqyTqhWpUWhB4VhxH33d2wVj7Nhhlh2AxQr340yLTdT53qe/s200/6.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSHdXfQwBA4UP30PEEOTeodrtelC68-9FkgNaeA22ErVUrqjC3DRI-aJ4aEiiv8C4kUvuK90btkdy3JmLDwMtnlEx8m46seDE9dy_tnwom0n5s7ELt25h30JeuydQ-p3GapMuQ6C0edGVi/s1600-h/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSHdXfQwBA4UP30PEEOTeodrtelC68-9FkgNaeA22ErVUrqjC3DRI-aJ4aEiiv8C4kUvuK90btkdy3JmLDwMtnlEx8m46seDE9dy_tnwom0n5s7ELt25h30JeuydQ-p3GapMuQ6C0edGVi/s200/2.jpg" /></a></div>I'm not sure if the gold wheels and wheel arch extensions are correct on a Series 2 1600 HF, but aside from those two distractions this car is perfect. The mechanical upgrades include the correct 115hp, 1584cc (11°) V-4 engine, tubular suspension, oil cooler, and aluminum doors and hood. The steering wheel, seats, black dash, yellow engine, and stripes and decals complete the look.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjntJK2keGDRmU7_MuvBl4LiT5QYd_No0vntCb1EaazJysQ7z8k89jhK7M9wJhsKhoMJ0V_pw833WVGpvSJ1n1CsHUQVlISdVXvuaLQmNNdG_aYEs7gPoVwNU8sb40YZX7YvignwQJsQb3s/s1600-h/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjntJK2keGDRmU7_MuvBl4LiT5QYd_No0vntCb1EaazJysQ7z8k89jhK7M9wJhsKhoMJ0V_pw833WVGpvSJ1n1CsHUQVlISdVXvuaLQmNNdG_aYEs7gPoVwNU8sb40YZX7YvignwQJsQb3s/s200/4.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_GjSNeJBz3YLgfL_Boe1QbaNnRd1th49MgKko-ks_ELEZndlNSHvNy7EpwOYyFQncmpJ1Wkg2BgpcbVR0n_ddc_DkZA_EqJxTAoii7M8ev8jR6makyEO4c6Gpsy_TWoxNWhFnbfIiZHl6/s1600-h/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_GjSNeJBz3YLgfL_Boe1QbaNnRd1th49MgKko-ks_ELEZndlNSHvNy7EpwOYyFQncmpJ1Wkg2BgpcbVR0n_ddc_DkZA_EqJxTAoii7M8ev8jR6makyEO4c6Gpsy_TWoxNWhFnbfIiZHl6/s200/3.jpg" /></a></div>While a "run of the mill" Fulvia 1.3 is more than adequate for my driving pleasure (should the opportunity someday arise), the HF models are the top of the line, and the 1600 the best of the best (though the Series 1 Fanalone is the most valuable). For about half the cost of the real deal, this car is available exclusively <a href="http://carclassic.com/stock.asp?Ref=EG34&Lang=en">here on CarClassic.com</a> in Italy for €25,000 including European taxes, which may be waived if the car is being exported.greyintheusahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01902454788704027408noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2331953232758855969.post-91405630516877336172010-01-09T19:37:00.003-05:002010-02-09T19:45:42.044-05:001968 Alfa Romeo Giulia GT 1300 JuniorI don't know why, but of all the Giulia variants it's the Junior that I'm most partial to. The 1300cc model was created for buyers in Europe (especially Italy) who wanted the style and handling of the 1600cc Sprint GT but in a lower horsepower-tax bracket. It had minor styling differences from the other models but was more or less the same packaging without all the punch. This one was imported from Italy in 2000 and is for sale on AlfaBB for $28,500.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipTXo16Nufy1Tl5vM-YrPsE1PHyGOqv0oqJrSkLgypV7ryBtKrUpmGMYEssU6lRBAMsXYN0bhBsbwVCKDktVZQIcE8jyVZiG152r3PHHmUn9pccQsdXKGxUpSLnVmfdBGCruC2yQiPtu3C/s1600-h/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipTXo16Nufy1Tl5vM-YrPsE1PHyGOqv0oqJrSkLgypV7ryBtKrUpmGMYEssU6lRBAMsXYN0bhBsbwVCKDktVZQIcE8jyVZiG152r3PHHmUn9pccQsdXKGxUpSLnVmfdBGCruC2yQiPtu3C/s400/1.jpg" /></a></div>The Junior wore the "stepnose" bodystyle until 1970, when it was updated with a cleaner bodystyle, even as the GT and GTV were updated in 1968. I personally really like the unusual stepnose look. The early cars also had simpler dash layouts in a cool faux-woodgrain.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB1N8_aXz3K6JyFU6wV_4xrQXfN75ihJpDY0YqALchYDSIzB3z80-Ftolvub9jm3MnV1Xo3pgiF0YiAy-6JTD8TWtta5cuYIaALKm6jv4APSS3P90vB8cqQ0MX65d88Jy0W6ZNs5-3Kl5c/s1600-h/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB1N8_aXz3K6JyFU6wV_4xrQXfN75ihJpDY0YqALchYDSIzB3z80-Ftolvub9jm3MnV1Xo3pgiF0YiAy-6JTD8TWtta5cuYIaALKm6jv4APSS3P90vB8cqQ0MX65d88Jy0W6ZNs5-3Kl5c/s400/2.jpg" /></a></div>This car has GTA-style wheels and grille (the lightweight race variant of the Giulia), and an uncommon color scheme. If the true condition is as good as it looks in the pictures, the seller may get close to what he's asking. A more common GTV can usually be had for less money, though, presumably because there are more around. Oddly, not many 1300 Juniors in the US have retained their original drivetrains and running gear. It's apparently very common to "upgrade" these to GTV-spec and beyond. That should make an original car like this a good find for someone like me, but with a fatter wallet.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZeYK_Mn5Bw9Igo4EU78eqa68PTivaTqDhTgtSB4KWGvHq-TLPmzfRjI202XvtP7xp8CpnI-AvQw9mg1wzP1y9mFh8MTA6-GSjzJVj6IcDOzbfEuqOqYA7zKJGHzKLN1yc4RQrTNmAvWeb/s1600-h/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZeYK_Mn5Bw9Igo4EU78eqa68PTivaTqDhTgtSB4KWGvHq-TLPmzfRjI202XvtP7xp8CpnI-AvQw9mg1wzP1y9mFh8MTA6-GSjzJVj6IcDOzbfEuqOqYA7zKJGHzKLN1yc4RQrTNmAvWeb/s400/3.jpg" /></a></div>The car is for sale near Detroit and is posted <a href="http://www.alfabb.com/bb/forums/alfa-romeo-cars-sale-wanted/160313-1968-gt-1300-junior.html">here on AlfaBB.com</a> for $28,500 firm. There aren't many pictures in the posting, but here are some of another "<strike>Pinot</strike> Pino Verde" Junior: <a href="http://giuliagt.blogspot.com/">http://giuliagt.blogspot.com/</a>.greyintheusahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01902454788704027408noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2331953232758855969.post-37416446113249603302010-01-06T14:31:00.000-05:002010-01-06T14:31:47.690-05:00A Bunch of RHD Honda Accord Wagons on eBayFor the last few weeks I've been noticing a lot of 1997 RHD Accord Wagons for sale on eBay in Torrance, CA from a seller called Right Hand Drive JAPAN, LTD. They all have around 40-60k miles and a starting bid of around $6,000 with a reserve (their website lists them for around $9,000). The seller describes them as being well-suited for paper routes or postal carriers, but I think there must be some perceived demand from retail consumers, too. Not sure why they're all automatics - you'd think the import crowd might be into a stick-shift RHD wagon.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdJTEgZSDHz3seZeJu4sAqq9x9juPhwpFoZ8cMYMT2FcahAizykcFzaxUK2AFLEMXEdj9lUzMTwUX7qGR9_fYeQ9iQvgyvePPOMvdDp8gz_O7oYuTvqkjumc4JMYnviKtSqBrMlXH_-KEM/s1600-h/frontsode.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdJTEgZSDHz3seZeJu4sAqq9x9juPhwpFoZ8cMYMT2FcahAizykcFzaxUK2AFLEMXEdj9lUzMTwUX7qGR9_fYeQ9iQvgyvePPOMvdDp8gz_O7oYuTvqkjumc4JMYnviKtSqBrMlXH_-KEM/s400/frontsode.jpg" /></a><br />
</div>The 1994-1997 Honda Accord RHD Wagon and Sedan were granted NHTSA "VSP" eligibility in 2004 based on a petition from a registered importer that a similar vehicle exists on the American market. The cars only needed to have some parts converted to the necessary US-spec counterparts like headlights, ECU, and OBDII diagnistics. The cars are now EPA legal as well, having been converted to US-spec Accord emmissions systems, but they still do not meet California's stricker "CARB" requirements. They're appropriately marketed as 49 State Legal.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfGSVVl4EHX0eLJypyAmrncmRWva4OhSgrto4xDwLQlrpDrJzieZB240vKsIrtxDqQmcAFxiIfQMMwvx3NZqUZLhw1SSwgou-YE01Q9d7_Ej_3qeoScIsgNdpqVuX38GK9cxkaQijkGaG4/s1600-h/parrts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfGSVVl4EHX0eLJypyAmrncmRWva4OhSgrto4xDwLQlrpDrJzieZB240vKsIrtxDqQmcAFxiIfQMMwvx3NZqUZLhw1SSwgou-YE01Q9d7_Ej_3qeoScIsgNdpqVuX38GK9cxkaQijkGaG4/s200/parrts.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXfI1yFtPhg-zqOpLAEA0vWGpuVEp0k-Vf7yPnlVsl0WaoY7DnL4PoezcKXu9NJldpgkh8-tGRSYT5mBUYQUg51ssOdxcanoTtPmpIoBJdZRjN8It2vfTDhWXwmwNOL7AIk5Qgkcx0DEcp/s1600-h/int.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXfI1yFtPhg-zqOpLAEA0vWGpuVEp0k-Vf7yPnlVsl0WaoY7DnL4PoezcKXu9NJldpgkh8-tGRSYT5mBUYQUg51ssOdxcanoTtPmpIoBJdZRjN8It2vfTDhWXwmwNOL7AIk5Qgkcx0DEcp/s200/int.jpg" /></a><br />
</div>One detail that strikes me as kind of funny is that these JDM cars were actually built in America. I know they built some of this generation of Accords in Japan, but maybe the wagons were only built here. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZUcArSSTe0j_6gJSa33H-8qRzqUuNQDLMTzAb8Q3tjNFoF1-FzhWxpSVMFXEoUNEdLX-XInhzNUXYakEvxVkYfMfuo4BR47KQaKvILiFK4MkJKVmPfYeY6cJFK0YY9Rn_zIVhDYaKhO1I/s1600-h/plate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZUcArSSTe0j_6gJSa33H-8qRzqUuNQDLMTzAb8Q3tjNFoF1-FzhWxpSVMFXEoUNEdLX-XInhzNUXYakEvxVkYfMfuo4BR47KQaKvILiFK4MkJKVmPfYeY6cJFK0YY9Rn_zIVhDYaKhO1I/s400/plate.jpg" /></a><br />
</div>Some of the seller's cars are mildly kitted-out while others are stock-looking. I'm not sure how many mail carriers are looking for pimped-out JDM Accord Wagons, but it sure is an interesting alternative. The seller also has on offer an early Skyline "GT-R clone" that's pretty rad-looking for $30,000 and some other pretty intersting JDM classics. They also appear to be working on a 1999 Nissan Silvia, but I don't know if/how this is going to be federalized.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibOZqKBUgs6jz7F8mlrti7EOESdOlQ3X3RyZGEPmWNpjxviogPh514F2g1JfIM4DjsaezmdbagXWqnJAiTE1fKK4XUIcmZhQNl_qv2Yz5FTnJ2UgpMTd-jo-RD5K1odkeu5qycX8R3c7DM/s1600-h/gtr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibOZqKBUgs6jz7F8mlrti7EOESdOlQ3X3RyZGEPmWNpjxviogPh514F2g1JfIM4DjsaezmdbagXWqnJAiTE1fKK4XUIcmZhQNl_qv2Yz5FTnJ2UgpMTd-jo-RD5K1odkeu5qycX8R3c7DM/s200/gtr.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNGYuklWixji-ExXosdn7WcHHlePPfFFOA2_e3smtqB5p8Gopxl2LWYvKXfLtCAoiO3GbRixMJDJlpY21yjml_Ha5hN7msPl1kSF47zwYMLGaWdO4j1b3UkdlGLT1dlclD3mEkyN6P0T-m/s1600-h/pimp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNGYuklWixji-ExXosdn7WcHHlePPfFFOA2_e3smtqB5p8Gopxl2LWYvKXfLtCAoiO3GbRixMJDJlpY21yjml_Ha5hN7msPl1kSF47zwYMLGaWdO4j1b3UkdlGLT1dlclD3mEkyN6P0T-m/s200/pimp.jpg" /></a><br />
</div>Check out the seller's website here: <a href="http://www.righthanddrivejapan.com/">http://www.righthanddrivejapan.com/</a> and their eBay listings <a href="http://motors.shop.ebay.com/righthanddrivejapan/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=">here</a>.greyintheusahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01902454788704027408noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2331953232758855969.post-49055386208124131502010-01-04T16:43:00.001-05:002010-01-21T13:21:14.754-05:00Happy New Year / 1967 Bristol 409Now that the holidays are officially over, I can finally get back to business! Man, what a busy few weeks it's been... <br />
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I just hopped on eBay and found this great '67 Bristol 409. The last one I saw on here was about a year ago in West Virginia I think. This one is in PA and is listed with a Buy it Now price of $29,950 and has just 43,000 miles on the odometer.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirtxqc5EWVz-0jrON423Zip0HGIey2DnT2wvLiwulWQGPfSil25lefKG6GFrV35zt6I437CRkM6r7LOWpse_u-wHxC6bdyh_0ukiwiX1KxzMJV7TaFYxqBSYpCCwSl3bPATQ4p_FVIFV-n/s1600-h/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirtxqc5EWVz-0jrON423Zip0HGIey2DnT2wvLiwulWQGPfSil25lefKG6GFrV35zt6I437CRkM6r7LOWpse_u-wHxC6bdyh_0ukiwiX1KxzMJV7TaFYxqBSYpCCwSl3bPATQ4p_FVIFV-n/s400/1.jpg" /></a><br />
</div>Bristol cars were sort of similar to Rolls Royce, in that they are most noteworthy because of their price and limited availability (this is one of 74 built in 1967). They used the nicest materials they could, so when they're kept in good condition like this car, the high-quality leather and wood really stand out. This car appears to have been pretty well-cared-for.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghcTi_lZnJLlWXQz-igdOfjzXrJxOPwp8zdUhabQhalfVJsoYVCCZKxF4wBeIZ65sm1XLWq2h1-IyRBwOH0E3basckZpfS9ic0lCdbOxR_0IHH4CqGWn9fldDhvNWvS0AUZvec4DfW568t/s1600-h/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghcTi_lZnJLlWXQz-igdOfjzXrJxOPwp8zdUhabQhalfVJsoYVCCZKxF4wBeIZ65sm1XLWq2h1-IyRBwOH0E3basckZpfS9ic0lCdbOxR_0IHH4CqGWn9fldDhvNWvS0AUZvec4DfW568t/s400/2.jpg" /></a><br />
</div>One of the unique features of this car is the storage space for a spare wheel and the battery in the front fenders. It's almost like the storage compartments in the McLaren F1, wouldn't you say? The 5.2L Chrysler V8 is quoted in the ad as developing 250 hp and 340 lb/ft, and 0-60 mph is stated as taking only 8.8 seconds with a top speed of 130 mph.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgftiyDEPHrXgAW_dJbGNeMDfXnGBa8K75A7HgyxheGxowVp_REelDvs-qos1688rl_TvUzx96Uhg7bVTghu5kX0u1EdJs0fs8khfZgItb5iLJ6SbcmLJvDmjFqQWd-w22C3uBZujDlePP8/s1600-h/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgftiyDEPHrXgAW_dJbGNeMDfXnGBa8K75A7HgyxheGxowVp_REelDvs-qos1688rl_TvUzx96Uhg7bVTghu5kX0u1EdJs0fs8khfZgItb5iLJ6SbcmLJvDmjFqQWd-w22C3uBZujDlePP8/s400/3.jpg" /></a><br />
</div>These cars are not often seen in this country, so it's cool to see one that's been here with the same owner since '78 in such nice condition. The ad says he bought it in 1977 from Bristol (the company still sells pre-owned models as well as their new models). It's part of an estate sale, and the price doesn't seem too high for what you get, but I'm no expert on Bristols.....<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJxnmLoIB35APgwSBIz-iCuIwbvtS9_OnZn7fnvNvca44zoY2MARylMHu9Xjyn3acX-wxl9ibaP7eMtPYAdsISJHdd2qeLUlPapPt4I_E7u9uZvBl6d4iLS2-iOVJACXRCLjfWc93pgFa6/s1600-h/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJxnmLoIB35APgwSBIz-iCuIwbvtS9_OnZn7fnvNvca44zoY2MARylMHu9Xjyn3acX-wxl9ibaP7eMtPYAdsISJHdd2qeLUlPapPt4I_E7u9uZvBl6d4iLS2-iOVJACXRCLjfWc93pgFa6/s200/4.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX3acgNrnLmM0TxfVheOp4KVtQixq1mMhlxu8ArDOXT7mMa80z6brBYPGoyfpf3WIYn5533yK5uz0q4ek24v2DqnVfucgvgzGiz82Y6BsASZowNNDYYv8tortvvseHhEoCqsOGmNCS5vAL/s1600-h/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX3acgNrnLmM0TxfVheOp4KVtQixq1mMhlxu8ArDOXT7mMa80z6brBYPGoyfpf3WIYn5533yK5uz0q4ek24v2DqnVfucgvgzGiz82Y6BsASZowNNDYYv8tortvvseHhEoCqsOGmNCS5vAL/s200/5.jpg" /></a><br />
</div>Find the listing <a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1967-Bristol-409-Mark-II-Sports-Saloon-Rare_W0QQitemZ190362718461QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_Cars_Trucks?hash=item2c528090fd">here on eBay</a>.<br />
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<strong>UPDATE:</strong> Seller has lowered the Buy It Now price to $24,990. Same link.greyintheusahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01902454788704027408noreply@blogger.com39tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2331953232758855969.post-68371014373424005912009-12-24T14:31:00.004-05:002010-02-25T23:43:59.163-05:002001 Lada 110 / VAZ-2110Ok, I don't have anything valuable to say about this, but I wanted to stick it up here. It's a 2001 Lada 110, claimed to be currently registered in Washington and for sale on US eBay in Seattle. The seller says it's the only known 110 in the US, and I'd imagine that's correct.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqNKvLcgBz-hhyphenhyphenH7YdzG7hV7R_j8JLWFP-L6V3dGq4krkYfhLeqO2h47qKc_M_b1YjeOgjnSKb6oNZKQ1BHy8ofNOXGk7VHjWglrJbijzWIvYfDBPdyfqiPQodq8pbXwFPHndfrnpQyg1H/s1600-h/front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqNKvLcgBz-hhyphenhyphenH7YdzG7hV7R_j8JLWFP-L6V3dGq4krkYfhLeqO2h47qKc_M_b1YjeOgjnSKb6oNZKQ1BHy8ofNOXGk7VHjWglrJbijzWIvYfDBPdyfqiPQodq8pbXwFPHndfrnpQyg1H/s400/front.jpg" /></a></div>AvtoVAZ sold it's Lada-branded cars in Canada in the 80s and 90s, but withdrew after the 1998 model year. This 2001 Model was probably a Latin American- or European-market car. There's no legit way to import and register this car on a permanent basis, so the status of this one is definitely "black market." <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKuAc4gILhxU3dxuNCm2Ej3fe2UZUEItQUJvEaoxtxbxM58IzB98WWCBSTW0uvSIa1UCcy70VB91aA66dPAaZdk3gtFxuLZwfDSNTnNLx4SvNcHyJerOyVUTsDM53fOJ-otqdH-yhs_BtC/s1600-h/rear.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKuAc4gILhxU3dxuNCm2Ej3fe2UZUEItQUJvEaoxtxbxM58IzB98WWCBSTW0uvSIa1UCcy70VB91aA66dPAaZdk3gtFxuLZwfDSNTnNLx4SvNcHyJerOyVUTsDM53fOJ-otqdH-yhs_BtC/s400/rear.jpg" /></a></div>The seller says in the listing that "the car came to [him] without paperwork [and] will be sold with a Bill of Sale only. Registering this car in US will prove difficult..." That's for sure, but so far three bidders have placed 2 bids each on the car. The seller has had it for two years, and it shows only 8,000 miles on the clock.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvZZyK3Fcs4u5r39M84iXQwJ5U_whyZ_29lbUww_JOM1LLklH9-Jag7EPVG3opwH6sG2k3gg7sq94bidAIua7CjRr2KVzEsqqcHbFx1mFOWsuV1DRqq8Q3rBaA-1FZnHql1TkEegKMI818/s1600-h/steer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvZZyK3Fcs4u5r39M84iXQwJ5U_whyZ_29lbUww_JOM1LLklH9-Jag7EPVG3opwH6sG2k3gg7sq94bidAIua7CjRr2KVzEsqqcHbFx1mFOWsuV1DRqq8Q3rBaA-1FZnHql1TkEegKMI818/s200/steer.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyGfX-G32Mkn2BUR5i_537bRUhfly9EfBVeTIXD7LdKL8WZ4Tx-UtAmKG8JivSj1mWdvF2o3rVRbM8d47vzMQ5yS7Bu-scjPAqId7d9yi-vPvSbJU3E5GzgSfm51ndHl8MWlChcDffzVkB/s1600-h/side.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyGfX-G32Mkn2BUR5i_537bRUhfly9EfBVeTIXD7LdKL8WZ4Tx-UtAmKG8JivSj1mWdvF2o3rVRbM8d47vzMQ5yS7Bu-scjPAqId7d9yi-vPvSbJU3E5GzgSfm51ndHl8MWlChcDffzVkB/s200/side.jpg" /></a></div>It's listed <a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2001-Lada-2110-16V-for-the-true-collector_W0QQitemZ200420857672QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_Cars_Trucks?hash=item2eaa039748">here on eBay</a> with a Buy It Now price of $6,500.<br />
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<strong>UPDATE:</strong> Auction ended with no bids at the $200 starting price with reserve not met. The seller must have cancelled the previous bids.greyintheusahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01902454788704027408noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2331953232758855969.post-1383442163968357252009-12-22T13:03:00.011-05:002010-01-06T15:01:26.723-05:001995 BMW 740i 6-SpeedI got excited when I saw the title of this eBay listing. I used to have a '99 740i Sport and I really liked the car. It's the kind of car that I'd really like to try and get again. In Europe it was available with a broader range of motors than in the US, and you could get an optional Manual Transmission. Not much information exists about fitting the manual trans to a US car, and in listings I've looked at as recently as last week there aren't a lot of 6-speed cars for sale in Europe either. This is a rare car.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfi8AJWUxZryxreaptA8DPZge7CG5US6zTBB8N0diE7DTpQp0ZwjaN1GdYcawj44QJ8tW1A6KuJiOGr02F9ZVDX1elb3kqxqAT02lWMFigAB2h8T1zd2zv35pEWqPzzNqGRAwXYqPYS-zt/s1600-h/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfi8AJWUxZryxreaptA8DPZge7CG5US6zTBB8N0diE7DTpQp0ZwjaN1GdYcawj44QJ8tW1A6KuJiOGr02F9ZVDX1elb3kqxqAT02lWMFigAB2h8T1zd2zv35pEWqPzzNqGRAwXYqPYS-zt/s320/4.jpg" /></a><br />
</div>The 1995 740i has the smaller M60 V8 with less torque than the later cars. It also had that tricky Nikasil block. The 1999-2001 models are "facelifted" and I think they look a lot nicer, plus the available Sport Package stiffens up the suspension and adds more supportive seats, in addition to the upgraded M62 motor. The seller has advertised this car as having an "M7 Kit" inside and out, which appears to be the application of ///<em>M</em> stickers on the trunk, grille, and seats, tacky projector headlights, late model tail lights and wheels, and an ///<em>M</em> shift knob and pedal covers.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKs29VDAs4oFQeY5EEuDiNHKeXMkQvHk-kvCYPe5mHv3PihQMkCJ8e4vk6jp0EE8rei4rGo4H248c29k58UYPUhD5D1aVNL9yDIuYb5_5qllPuQEgXmtBhOfG7pXuchaSxtn07pvGB5yfQ/s1600-h/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKs29VDAs4oFQeY5EEuDiNHKeXMkQvHk-kvCYPe5mHv3PihQMkCJ8e4vk6jp0EE8rei4rGo4H248c29k58UYPUhD5D1aVNL9yDIuYb5_5qllPuQEgXmtBhOfG7pXuchaSxtn07pvGB5yfQ/s320/3.jpg" /></a><br />
</div>The car is fairly high mileage, at 155k. The seller recommends that the buyer gets a tune-up, and also recommends swapping the engine to a V12... Doesn't sound encouraging to me, but whatever. He also says the paint is original but he replaced the rear bumper. The trunk doesn't seem to shut properly.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdzTEpwKmGzjbVDSKMWiNvEgzBzISihInZdBcmhdRG1_HWxKy3bjUQAnORFr71EMcTzqOwkwm4VKr6RzR9l-MJH4uLAwULy152g9USGbPaxu-VLHJN_fJz-1_T0ohMD2rF_GvSFHqlcPp_/s1600-h/bmw8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdzTEpwKmGzjbVDSKMWiNvEgzBzISihInZdBcmhdRG1_HWxKy3bjUQAnORFr71EMcTzqOwkwm4VKr6RzR9l-MJH4uLAwULy152g9USGbPaxu-VLHJN_fJz-1_T0ohMD2rF_GvSFHqlcPp_/s400/bmw8.jpg" /></a><br />
</div>The title bothers me. The seller says he bought it from someone in Chicago, who imported it from Germany via Canada. It's still titled in Illinois as a '94, and the title was issued in '98. The seller says he bought it four years ago, but apparently never titled it? Maybe he's been driving on dealer plates, but he doesn't mention being a dealer. Also, if that title has been signed over to a buyer on the back, you're gonna have big problems. I had that happen to me once, a seller screwed up and wrote his name as buyer on a car he never titled himself, and we had to track down the previous owner from many years prior and beg her to get a duplicate title. Luckilly I tracked her down and she agreed to help out. Pain in the butt. From then on, I like to see cars titled to their owners.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjchLXh4WZNhy3LkuXNyL7j1Rxe77qIbp_n886YRZAmSirwdNBx_MEK8giioUe_fjKpvoYeb-kXYs37ikUNz9BSnGj9IsIqc_rHmXPqrClhHZVBwbOV6Tm_PY5Wbyxgu0r5h-8OsD__T7Tp/s1600-h/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjchLXh4WZNhy3LkuXNyL7j1Rxe77qIbp_n886YRZAmSirwdNBx_MEK8giioUe_fjKpvoYeb-kXYs37ikUNz9BSnGj9IsIqc_rHmXPqrClhHZVBwbOV6Tm_PY5Wbyxgu0r5h-8OsD__T7Tp/s400/1.jpg" /></a><br />
</div>Find it <a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/GERMAN-740i-BMW-6spd-Manual-Transporter-M7-Kit-RARE_W0QQitemZ270504879543QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_Cars_Trucks?hash=item3efb58e5b7">here on eBay</a> in Fairfax, VA, starting at $0.99 with No Reserve.<br />
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<strong>UPDATE: This car sold with a surprisingly high bid of $8,000.</strong>greyintheusahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01902454788704027408noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2331953232758855969.post-36769538599327332582009-12-17T19:12:00.002-05:002010-01-15T15:31:01.686-05:001976 Morris Mini Moke - new and improvedThis Mini Moke was imported from New Zealand in 2006 and has been updated with a more modern 1300 motor, stainless hardware, underbody coating, seat belts, a new top, disc brakes, the list goes on. It's a great looking buggy that's in like-new shape.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaNhF8m6hIxWzG07FytyHRkSlvCAFrp9eijJ9MC2NV09soEEmwym5Jiyh7ifnewciMCkD1uiMPmb85IWwWkkXe0dgnRRhU0Br9mObIf93mmT9Furcz06u0prLvhfY9ZL0ux-t5ulfVSaJC/s1600-h/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaNhF8m6hIxWzG07FytyHRkSlvCAFrp9eijJ9MC2NV09soEEmwym5Jiyh7ifnewciMCkD1uiMPmb85IWwWkkXe0dgnRRhU0Br9mObIf93mmT9Furcz06u0prLvhfY9ZL0ux-t5ulfVSaJC/s400/1.jpg" /></a><br />
</div>I really like the color scheme, and that the top is a new Sunbrella unit. The seller says the car had a hard top when he bought it, but he welded the mounting holes closed. He also says the car was totally rust free. The condition of this Moke is amazing, it looks like it was just built. The Superlite wheels are pretty slick, too. the undercarriage and wheel wells are coated in spray-on liner that was color matched to the grille and top.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY859E4H9ws8bTH2yR2AiqzuEUFgwX8E51A1P8CIdngpBpf_s1vPQplLVe1AKi0O1twTbFsClfq9m8LTSi7GRhtnaQLiddw-jiUTnSbk_ltwI6KkFCY1rRqiYS_2TjjMwyjXTlI6q-cZxo/s1600-h/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY859E4H9ws8bTH2yR2AiqzuEUFgwX8E51A1P8CIdngpBpf_s1vPQplLVe1AKi0O1twTbFsClfq9m8LTSi7GRhtnaQLiddw-jiUTnSbk_ltwI6KkFCY1rRqiYS_2TjjMwyjXTlI6q-cZxo/s400/2.jpg" /></a><br />
</div>The seller compares this Moke to one that sold recently at Barrett-Jackson for $19k and says his is way nicer. I never take any prices from a soap-opera auction like B-J as anything more than curiosity, and the seller says he basically does, too, since he wants "thousands less" than the B-J car.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAR1ZLzQWn1rP4MVMrqBoFrvKFfVXa6ljtExLku8I5zGxPMQHScZ72SNeYDZSWyyiTBqaF4w7DwzvXb72PEiuzU8QWNJkzw4bsDNmPtpIuLHoIJjv20Hbolb9sLEQttoeK6Qgd4H_FLTaO/s1600-h/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAR1ZLzQWn1rP4MVMrqBoFrvKFfVXa6ljtExLku8I5zGxPMQHScZ72SNeYDZSWyyiTBqaF4w7DwzvXb72PEiuzU8QWNJkzw4bsDNmPtpIuLHoIJjv20Hbolb9sLEQttoeK6Qgd4H_FLTaO/s200/4.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieo2lVVRUBIt7Ky7xDoi9q-GcMM_ggMSwxzMBnoqTCkBR515e1x3zYLKtpr4WZaZIf1Zuqvhx5bTGmhfsxMC_H1623tnL_XoWhhNTIJtN1hDRUvodMWNO6LJigihmq80tv2oV-feOvOZfs/s1600-h/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieo2lVVRUBIt7Ky7xDoi9q-GcMM_ggMSwxzMBnoqTCkBR515e1x3zYLKtpr4WZaZIf1Zuqvhx5bTGmhfsxMC_H1623tnL_XoWhhNTIJtN1hDRUvodMWNO6LJigihmq80tv2oV-feOvOZfs/s200/3.jpg" /></a><br />
</div>Find the listing <a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Morris-Mini-Moke-Classic-Mini_W0QQitemZ280436362659QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_Cars_Trucks?hash=item414b4f4da3">here on eBay</a>. Bids are up to just up to about 5 grand with a day and a half left, r.n.m.<br />
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<strong>UPDATE:</strong> No sale at $7,877.77. Relisted, no sale at $10,600.greyintheusahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01902454788704027408noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2331953232758855969.post-71527320685227683022009-12-14T17:27:00.002-05:002009-12-14T17:30:19.602-05:001984 Marcos Mantula V8 - LHDThe Marcos Mantula sports car was built from 1984 through 1993, making it the latest Marcos model to be eligible for import to the USA. It is also the first Marcos to be powered by a V8, in this case an alloy Rover 3.5 litre unit, mated to a 5-speed gearbox. A convertible variant called the Spider was introduced in 1986. This car, a 1984, is located in Holland and was converted to LHD by a Dutch Triumph and Marcos specialist. It's available for EUR 22,500 (about 33 grand at today's dismal exchange rate). The seller's reason for selling: the car is 42 inches tall, and he can't fit.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTePiojpqwd80zlWXiM2LUSl13_JhfAufV3EN1ukJ4Q21OtsFu-Sh2sLXPJFEOd1Xf96_nSDklwK0SgT-Q1ZVGzYM_2Oxk4xnnrz9rJxCDakgiD66CAZPOrZmOd-wSvGL1BfqqvM6Bv_cC/s1600-h/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rs="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTePiojpqwd80zlWXiM2LUSl13_JhfAufV3EN1ukJ4Q21OtsFu-Sh2sLXPJFEOd1Xf96_nSDklwK0SgT-Q1ZVGzYM_2Oxk4xnnrz9rJxCDakgiD66CAZPOrZmOd-wSvGL1BfqqvM6Bv_cC/s400/1.jpg" /></a><br />
</div>Marcos cars have a very distinct look, which I think is a bit like a Corvette melded with a Morgan, especially from the rear and side. The front view of the car is very sporty and modern, in a retro sort of way. This car looks like it may have some add-ons, like a front spoiler and body colored headlight housings, which sort of detract from the classic look of the Marcos. The ad only includes the one photo above, so the rest of these come from Motorbase and are of similar cars.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibWhtOm-BEvWS-VsnKZty1GTw3zHC-Ao6aIdOqhkgdRiq4bnCOAfzK8xaWLBObcBvulSkAb6ek-RP5iXdvmdQ3eWjftzYTgd7n9Dxlq773ebrfabW9t29n9dj8MwJ8ZkzeLDPj-N1Erzz_/s1600-h/9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" rs="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibWhtOm-BEvWS-VsnKZty1GTw3zHC-Ao6aIdOqhkgdRiq4bnCOAfzK8xaWLBObcBvulSkAb6ek-RP5iXdvmdQ3eWjftzYTgd7n9Dxlq773ebrfabW9t29n9dj8MwJ8ZkzeLDPj-N1Erzz_/s200/9.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5hfeHhlikCJL5VxEBzoRzH-TCmyzQvV2_lHOlIvdCQSQfIx1APr8Qa3Tm-AEzBRdxidAmMC_bdXmRI2LGeU0YBkQTkrGQrKHqxK6YQBQ0jj25uNx2dLpJYE8IHh7kkbPUJEHjYQSEgokD/s1600-h/8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rs="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5hfeHhlikCJL5VxEBzoRzH-TCmyzQvV2_lHOlIvdCQSQfIx1APr8Qa3Tm-AEzBRdxidAmMC_bdXmRI2LGeU0YBkQTkrGQrKHqxK6YQBQ0jj25uNx2dLpJYE8IHh7kkbPUJEHjYQSEgokD/s200/8.jpg" /></a><br />
</div>The Marcos company has gone through a series of bankrupcies and rebirths, sold cars as kits and turnkey, and been produced and sold in a variety of different countries. It's primarily been a British company, though, and has competed in all sorts of races. It's styling is distinctive and clever. It's presence is also rarely seen in the USA. This may be due to the two wacky-looking predecessors to this car, the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Mini_Marcos_Mark_3.jpg">Mini Marcos</a> (based on a Mini) and the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:1971_Marcos_Mantis.jpg">Mantis</a>, which has a kind of <a href="http://bringatrailer.com/2009/12/13/buggy-gone-sportscar-1970-meyers-manx-sr/">Meyers Manx SR</a>-look without the cool. But this car revived the good looks of the '64 <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Marcos_GT.jpg">Marcos 1800</a>, and set the bar high for future Marcos models like the <a href="http://www.nicobaas.nl/html/mantaray.htm">Mantaray</a>.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBBRLqRcdQ_dL1cpqkJ2VFbAYJZgIevHq6-ZTBeJfATAOUqS0eXbtYDyehwOcz_W7zZ8rWTjl2jZ2cbuD2Q9DiCIm7Uw8j5KrGkLnH_TxWCrID3DF7ROWBnXkd5C1IMR1rZczBuNXVyGFq/s1600-h/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rs="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBBRLqRcdQ_dL1cpqkJ2VFbAYJZgIevHq6-ZTBeJfATAOUqS0eXbtYDyehwOcz_W7zZ8rWTjl2jZ2cbuD2Q9DiCIm7Uw8j5KrGkLnH_TxWCrID3DF7ROWBnXkd5C1IMR1rZczBuNXVyGFq/s400/5.jpg" /></a><br />
</div>Find the listing <a href="http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C124283">here on Car and Classic UK</a> for EUR 22,500 or trade. I found the ad via <a href="http://www.prewarcar.com/pre1966/show_postwar_car.asp?car_id=209987326">Post War Classics</a>.greyintheusahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01902454788704027408noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2331953232758855969.post-55232323876687849482009-12-11T16:32:00.000-05:002009-12-11T16:32:24.755-05:001969 Škoda Octavia CombiThis Škoda is a rare sight in the US. The original Octavia sedan was built from 1959-64 and the wagons 1961-71. All wagons, because of their greater mass, were built with the "more powerful" 51hp 1221cc engines, allowing for a top speed of about 70 mph. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC4bAINGxygakIObMmWhjmvW0lRSrYRP10E9pelcdimEtbP31xB8fGqy7udCx1TQ5pHrF6CUoytO8mz1pAmZwh7UjD3baCI8tZ6ckDmGOLhk8eGvql-xcyzJMIJDa2g2aljzPyXl2C-WUf/s1600-h/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC4bAINGxygakIObMmWhjmvW0lRSrYRP10E9pelcdimEtbP31xB8fGqy7udCx1TQ5pHrF6CUoytO8mz1pAmZwh7UjD3baCI8tZ6ckDmGOLhk8eGvql-xcyzJMIJDa2g2aljzPyXl2C-WUf/s400/1.jpg" /></a><br />
</div>This car was completely restored in the Czech Republic in 2000, though the side panels look a little wonky now. It currently resides in California. Not sure what would be the draw of this car that would make it worthwhile to import it to the US, but I suppose if someone is of Czech heritage or has sentimental feelings about it then it could have motivated them (I think the seller, Tomas, may be). Now that it's here, though, it's a pretty cool looking old wagon in tip top shape and is for sale for only $4,000.<br />
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</div>Given the seller's asking price, it seems ridiculous for someone who wants one of these not to buy this one. Between finding, restoring, painting, and shipping this car not just to the US but to California, the expense could be at least double. And I can imagine it would be nothing but trouble to import one with the idea to restore it here, because something tells me any parts you'll need will have to come from the Czech Republic(And Czech isn't the most intuitive language for English speakers, either).<br />
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</div>Find the car advertised <a href="http://www.atacar.net/inventory.php?id=8">here</a> on the seller's website for $4,000. He's a part-time used car dealer that gets some funky stuff every now and then. While you're there, check (czech?) out the ČZ motorcycle on the inventory page.<br />
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Source: <a href="http://www.atacar.net/">Ata Car - Walnut Creek, CA</a>greyintheusahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01902454788704027408noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2331953232758855969.post-33911373561628555672009-12-10T16:02:00.001-05:002009-12-10T16:04:26.394-05:00What is "Show or Display" all about?I wrote and re-wrote this post a few times over, and I've decided that the best way to share some interesting facts about "Show or Display" (variously "Show and Display") is to offer up a few articles and resources that have already been published. They're better written than what I had come up with, even if they aren't as comprehensive individually. They offer the complete picture when read together.<br />
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Below are two articles from AutoWeek magazine which are available online. The <a href="http://www.autoweek.com/article/19990920/FREE/909200701">first</a> is fairly brief and was written about a month after "Show or Display" passed in 1999. The <a href="http://www.autoweek.com/article/20010108/FREE/101080703">second</a>, written over a year later, is a much more in-depth article, but is slightly outdated (the CLK-GTR has been approved, Trabant rejected). At the center of the article is Gary Bartlett and his XJ220. The article also references the difficulty of EPA compliance of post-OBDII (1996) cars, but these OBDII conversions been since been accomplished. [See bottom of post for photos from this article.]<br />
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The <a href="http://www.motivemag.com/pub/feature/drivers_ed/Motive_Drivers_Ed_Amazing_Greys_-_Importing_Those_Rare_Cars_You_Always_Wanted.shtml">third article</a> is from Motive Magazine and is sort of a rewording of what's already been written on the DOT website, but in much clearer terms. The author describes why it's so hard to get late-model cars through EPA and DOT, and why "Show or Display" is a viable alternative as long as you aren't looking for a daily-driver.<br />
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Check out the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Porsche_959#Canepa_Design_modifications">Wikipedia article</a> on the Porsche 959 for a blurb about Bill Gates' car and Canepa's work on getting EPA approval.<br />
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Finally, head over to the DOT-NHTSA page about "<a href="http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/import/ShowDisplay/howtosd072003.html">Show or Display</a>" and then look at the <a href="http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/import/sdlist040109.pdf">list</a> of approved and disapproved cars.<br />
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If anyone has any other vaulable resources regarding "Show or Display" please feel free to post them in the comments section.<br />
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<a href="http://www.autoweek.com/article/19990920/FREE/909200701">Easier Import Rules</a><em> </em>- AutoWeek, 20 Sep. 1999<br />
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<a href="http://www.autoweek.com/article/20010108/FREE/101080703">Display of Speed</a><em> </em>- AutoWeek, 8 Jan. 2001<br />
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<a href="http://www.motivemag.com/pub/feature/drivers_ed/Motive_Drivers_Ed_Amazing_Greys_-_Importing_Those_Rare_Cars_You_Always_Wanted.shtml">Amazing Greys</a> - Motive<br />
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<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Porsche_959">Porsche 959</a> - Wikipedia<br />
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<a href="http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/import/ShowDisplay/howtosd072003.html">How to Import a Motor Vehicle for Show or Display</a> - NHTSA<br />
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<a href="http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/import/sdlist040109.pdf">Vehicles Determined Eligible (and Not Eligible) for Importation for Show or Display</a> (pdf) - NHTSA<br />
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</div>greyintheusahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01902454788704027408noreply@blogger.com0