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Undiscovered classic cars?

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yeah... same engine and tranny as the early Eclipse VR4's. It has been discovered by many, but it's still a bit of an unknown when it comes to general populace recognition. From cruising the Galant boards, there seems to be a bunch of people that like racing them. So, that may be something to keep in mind if you're ever looking for one.

The last time I went in search of one they could be had for around 10,000 in excellent condition. I've seen them as low as 6,000. However, that was a few years ago. So, the market for those particular cars might have changed a bit.
 
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I like the Mitsu/Dodge Starion/Conquest (TSI models) too.

Those cars were hot looking and running-- real sleepers back then if you didn't know about them.. I considered buying one but after driving them for anything over 15 minutes was painful... terribly noisey and unconfortable! Maybe for track use but not as a driver, thanks. I also bought new a '79 a Dodge Omni 024. Fun to drive, economical but not hot (last new car I bought). It had the 1.7 liter VW engine that after 35K miles leaked from faulty valve stem seals. Now if you'd put in a modern day 180 hp 1.8 VW turbo 4 banger....
 
Another couple of japanese collectibles would be the 1997 Integra Type R (if you can find one), any generation of RX7, expecially the turbo models and the last generation models (which were very low production). 1991 and up 300zx - turbo or not. 3000GT VR4 Twin Turbo with the 4 wheel steering and active ground effects. And any generation of Supra turbo (although the last generation of those are still high dollar cars)... But most of these are like the GN and GNX - they were collectibles when new.
 
Those last gen Supras made about the worst autocross cars ever -- the boost always seemed to come on like a sledgehammer mid-corner sending the car spinning!

Actually, come to think of it...add Toyota MR2 to my list -- especially the rounded third gen turbos! Those also were notorious spinners, but were pretty and fast.
 
mmm... yup... i kinda like the 2nd gen MR2s too. Had a Gunny Sgt in the Marines that must have been 6'8" that drove on of those all the time. It always boggled my mind how he fit in there. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/jester.gif


I reckon you could add the Lotus Elan M100 to the list. Possibly, not everyone's favorite, but it IS a Lotus, and from what I've been seeing and reading it was probably the best handling FWD car of it's time. It's not a bad looking car over all, it's a Lotus (of the GM era), and it falls into the same time frame as those first generation Miatas, which will have to be admitted into "classic cardom" relatively soon. Although, some purists may try to deny it's (the Lotus Elan M100) existance. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

I use to not even give the Elan M100 any thought, but the more I think about it the more it seems like the entry level Lotus to get. Price of admission has got to be less than any other road worthy Lotus on the market... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
 
I'm hard pressed to name anything that hit the market after about 1970 as a future classic, but it's likely a generational thing. To me, a classic (as opposed to a "collectable") should be simple enough to restore and maintain at home with minimum outside specialized help. It should also be fun to work on.

I'd agree with the 240Z nomination above somewhere. I'd add the Triumph GT6 and TR8 and maybe the first generation VW Scirocco and even the Rabbit. Maybe even the 80's era Chevy Cavalier Z24's.

I'd consider the last Toyota pickups with the solid front axle and the first gen Toy IFS pickups also, but wouldn't dare suggest them here....
 
Dare I suggest some terribly non-sporting vehicles? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

These are older classic vehicles I have considered purchasing... 1) Peugeot 404 wagon 2) Triumph 2000 Mk 1 sedan 3) Ford Cortina (Mk 1 or Mk 2) 4) Toyota Crown (1960's models) 5) 1969 Sunbeam Arrow 6) Any 1960's British/European/Japanse sedan, with around a 2-litre engine

Some of the above may not be the most sporting, in particular that Peugeot! But to me they are undiscovered classics, generally cheap to pick up because their value over here isn't high, and their value will probably never rise much, but you can say you're the only one in the neighbourhood...
 
Fiero GT, especially the 1988 version with all new (just before they canned it) suspension.

Easy to get more power (I run c. 300 on turbo and a SBC fits in there easily....) All plastic non-rotting, decent looks......

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Check out the latest issue of <u>Classic Motorsports</u> & the article on Jay Leno's rotary engined Mazda Cosmos!
 
I'd say all but 2 of them are completely already on collectors lists - Leaving the Volvo, and the Citroen. If I had to shoose, I'd go with the Volvo, but I usually choose investements that leave me in the same tax bracket I was before. Citroens are pretty cool, but not much of a following, and fairly NOT known. That said-I'd drive a DS.
 
I'll have to second the Fiero GT ... I remember lusting after them when I was in high school... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
 
Saab Sonnett, first year Celica(72?), 71 Mazda R100, VW Thing, VW rabbit Pickup, Subaru Brat, Pinto California cruiser Wagon, Dodge Dakoda convertable Pickup,
That's all I can think of now.
Have you picked up on my "weird car" theme yet?
 
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I'd say all but 2 of them are completely already on collectors lists - Leaving the Volvo, and the Citroen. If I had to shoose, I'd go with the Volvo, but I usually choose investements that leave me in the same tax bracket I was before. Citroens are pretty cool, but not much of a following, and fairly NOT known. That said-I'd drive a DS.

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I like the wagons also. I tried to convince my wife that this would be a great car for her. She didn't go for it

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I'll third the Fiero GT...Actually any Fiero, and the dakota pickup.

This give me an idea.....For about creating a ' official undiscovered classics' list for a future edition of the newsletter. We could nominate a bunch of cars(or trucks) and vote a 'top 10' or something. Any thoughts?
 
Hmmmm, I know where there's a sweet Fiero GT for sale!

& do you remember the Fiero that Pontiac made to look like a Ferrari? I also know where one of them is - for sale!
 
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first year Celica(72

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/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/iagree.gif The first new car that SWMBO and I bought was a '73 Celica, and I wish I had kept it. I believe the first year for it was '71, but the body stayed the same for several years. Great looking car, and when was the last time you saw one? Last one I saw was pretty beat up and neglected in Oaxaca, Mexico. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Mickey
 
nope... I don't remember that one Tony, but I DO remember that there were a LOT of Ferrari Testarossa kit cars based on the Fiero... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

Also, I'm not sure if I mentioned this one already, but I'd like to tack the Toyota Celica GT All-Trac on the list. Although, I don't think it's "undiscovered", but it, along with the first model Celica to be imported into the US, is the only Celica I'd like to have. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
The Fiero Mera...."The MERA was sold through Pontiac dealers only as a new car. No kits were ever sold, and only new Fieros were used for the conversions. The MERA was not endorsed by GM but was a Pontiac dealer option similar to that of ordering a conversion van. 1988 MERAs sold for (depending on options -- MERA and Pontiac) for about $24,000 to $28,000."

https://www.fiero.net/mera/article.html

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