As you can see  the paint is [...]]]> Yeah, I’m going British today on Market Meet. Check out this sporty little ’57 Triumph TR3 race car for sale on eBay.  The seller is mum on details as he recently “took it in trade for an expensive car.”,  but it appears to be a solid one.

As you can see  the paint is not in show car condition, a bit of surface rust seems to be creeping up all over. Personally I don’t care; I’d throw it into corners all day long as is.

It looks delightfully “vintage racy” with the Tonneau cover, roll bar and the grilleless front air dam.  I don’t dig the loud yellow canvas Tonneau though….it would be easy to swap in one of black vinyl.

As with the rest of the car, the seller offers little detail on the “tractor engine”.  What he did disclose that it has “twin Weber sidedrafts and sounds great”.   When new the 1991 cc straight-4 OHV engine produced approximately 100 hp.

 It will be interesting to see how high the price goes for this Triumph.  I’d like to throw it into my garage use it for daily driving, track day duty and an art sculpture.

Bid here on eBay

Back in 1968, the fine Rootes Group automobile assemblers were kind enough to take a break from the perpetual labor strikes to build this excellent Sunbeam Imp.  This one had been sitting in a warehouse since 1970 and has recently been refurbished mechanically and aesthetically.  It’s for sale here on eBay with a BIN price of $6,000.

Though I’m not a fan of the modern paint style – this two tone paint job works.  I somewhat like it. But, I don’t care much for the triangular grille cutouts in the hood.  Wouldn’t it look better if a hole was cut where 90% cars have a radiator grille? It’s unique none the less.

Rear window hatch is a win.

The interior is still all original and looks pretty good - I imagine it would clean up well.   But, it clashes with the shiny modern paint.  I’d be tempted to reupholster it in black vinyl and replace the front seat with period correct low-back racing buckets. 

The mighty aluminum  874cc Straight-4 overhead cam engine was cleaned up and completely rebuilt with “sport cam and head”.   It looks fantastic.  

Font and back suspension has been refreshed with new bushings, new AVO adjustable shocks and new sport springs.  Check out the new brake lines too.

Imps were successful racing cars in the 60’s and early 70’s.  Here an Imp leads a pack of Minis in at Brands Hatch, 1966 British Special Saloon Car Championship.

This car is, for lack of a better word, rad.  A guy has poured in countless hours of labor into this Imp. The only thing this car really needs is someone to drive quickly through corers, the rest is merely superficial.

Find it here for sale on eBay.

Some [...]]]> Some of the best and most interesting cars are hybrids. Nope, I’m not referring to a humdrum Prius or Insight.  I’m talking about European cars with Detroit power.  Such as this British engineered 1974 Jensen Interceptor III with an Italian designed body and a big healthy American V8 under the “bonnet”.  It’s for sale here on eBay.

Some loath the quirky bubbled hatch design, not me - I like it.  This Interceptor appears to be in fantastic condition. The paint, wheels trim and chrome look new.  I’m not a big fan of the black trim on the sides though, but I’d learn to live with it.

The driver’s seat, steering wheel and carpet are clearly showing its age.  The rear seats, on the other hand, look remarkably showroom new. The TorqueFlite automatic trans is a bummer, but few Interceptors had the manual.

 Nothing exotic here, just a reliable Chrysler big block 440 (that’s 7212cc for you Euros).  This one has recently been rebuilt, the seller says.  Replacement parts can be bought all day long at any local auto parts retailer.

There’s a lot to like about this car.  British hand-built + practical 4 seat configuration + large carnivorous hatch+ reliable and easily serviced Chrysler V8 + reasonable market price = easy win.  See, it’s okay to like hybrids.

For sale here on eBay

Another French car on Market Meet? Yep, that’s right – this time it’s a Peugeot 403 wagon.  This French estate appears be mostly complete and has lived most, if not all, of its 49 years in sunny California. Find it here for sale on eBay.  Though it’s complete, it’s not a runner and will need some engine [...]]]>

Another French car on Market Meet? Yep, that’s right – this time it’s a Peugeot 403 wagon.  This French estate appears be mostly complete and has lived most, if not all, of its 49 years in sunny California. Find it here for sale on eBay.  Though it’s complete, it’s not a runner and will need some engine and interior work.  Check out the photos and vintage literature below.

Like the ‘66 404 recently featured on Market Meet, the 403 body was styled by none other than Pininfarina.  This one has an early Volvo Amazon/Nash Rambler vibe - somehow it works.  Note that most of the essential trim is in its place. I like the sporty red line tires, they’d likely need to be replaced though. 

Of course it has the coveted black plates. Where’s the handle for the rear door? Not sure – if the seller doesn’t have it, it could be a challenge acquiring another one. It’s also missing a brake light lens.

 The front seat cover is dead.  Also, it looks as if the car may have been resprayed red.

Yeah, it’s a hemi.  When new, this hemispherical chambered, 1468cc, straight-4 produced a reliable 65hp. But this one is out of order and almost certainly will need a rebuild before she’ll run again.  The seller also states that he has another engine of unknown vintage and running condition that comes with the car.

It needs lots of love, mechanical and interior work, but I still like it and think it’s a decent deal.  The body should be California solid.  And though he paint is dead, it has tons of character and I’d leave as is.  I‘m a total sucker for wagons and would love to cruise this car to a local San Diego beach.

For sale here on eBay

Here’s a small German model that’s rarely seen for sale in the US, A late 50’s or early 60’s NSU Prinz.  This could be a fun one to own as NSU’s have a rich racing heritage. It’s available here on eBay with a reasonable BIN price.

 There are some unknowns, the seller does not know the [...]]]>  

Here’s a small German model that’s rarely seen for sale in the US, A late 50’s or early 60’s NSU Prinz.  This could be a fun one to own as NSU’s have a rich racing heritage. It’s available here on eBay with a reasonable BIN price.

 There are some unknowns, the seller does not know the manufactured year and he believes the four cylinder engine installed is from a ‘67.  But the seller states little car is drivable and runs well.

 Apparently it was stored in a barn for the past 20 years until a storm blew it down. Overall it looks fairly solid in the photographs, the floor pans may need a thorough inspection though.

Unfortunately the trim, emblems and the fender mounted mirrors are missing.   I dig the unique curved rear windows and large glasshouse.

The sparse two tone vinyl interior is a bit dirty. I think it should clean up well with a bit of scrubbing.

The engine compartment could use a good cleaning too.  It is indeed a four cylinder; the exhaust manifold is an easy giveaway. The hitch ball mounted on the bumper baffles me.

I found this excellent “GIANT KILLER” ad online.  Note how it only list the cars that placed behind them.

This car could be a lot of fun for someone who can put in the necessary sweat equity to bring it back to driving condition.  It’s quirky and would be a blast to race alongside a Mini.  Rebuild the suspension, tune up the motor, clean it up and drive.  Oh, pop off those hubcaps too. 

 Link to eBay ad

This 1987 BMW 325is Race Car is fully sorted and is ready to driven on the track today. Buy it here on eBay for a reasonable BIN price.   The car is one of two that were professionally constructed for the 1987-1988 IMSA International Sedan Series by BMW Motorsport North America. This one was primarily used for testing and [...]]]>

This 1987 BMW 325is Race Car is fully sorted and is ready to driven on the track today. Buy it here on eBay for a reasonable BIN price.   The car is one of two that were professionally constructed for the 1987-1988 IMSA International Sedan Series by BMW Motorsport North America. This one was primarily used for testing and its sister car was a consistent Top 5 finisher in IMSA and other sprint races.

I really dig the period BMW Motorsport triband stripe and Wasteiner livery.  The car comes with an assortment of spares including a set of classic BBS wheels with P-Zeros and various suspension components.

The interior is sparse and clean.  You’ve got to love the Motorsport steering wheel.  A modern Momo race seat and 5 point harness keeps the driver planted

The 2.5 liter inline 6-cylinder was professionally rebuilt in 2003 and is chock full of new performance parts.  The seller states that it only had 6-8 hours of track time since the rebuild

I’m willing to bet this car is an absolute blast to drive on the track.  I think it’s a safe investment too. It’s an authentic E30 Race Car from birth, it’s already a classic. 

For sale here on eBay