Importable eBay Germany finds of the week

"duurtlang" (duurtlang) 09/14/2015 at 10:40 • Filed to: german ebay, ebay, import

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(Repost for the weekcrowd) It’s been a while since I’ve posted something in this series, but I believe there’s enough to show here. All of these cars are 25+ years old and rather cheap. I’ll start with the first modern minivan, a Caravan Renault Espace.

This is the 1986 version of the Espace, the first modern minivan that was conceived in the 1970s and introduced in 1984. This one is !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , and they’re rather rare nowadays. It seems rather ratty, and I don’t see the third row seating.

I’m cheating a bit with this next car, as it’s not on Ebay. It’s my own car that I’m auctioning. ‘89 BMW 320i Touring. !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! ends tomorrow (Monday) and the highest bit as at €2200 right now, with reserve almost met. The by the auction house provided English translation of my Dutch text is a bit wonky. Car comes with removable tow hitch!

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

1969 Citroën DS restauration candidate. ‘Barn find’. Excluding battery it’s said to be complete. Needs brakes and some welding on the floor. !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , buy it now.

LHD Classic Mini parts donor restoration candidate. !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! right now, no reserve. Just look at those cute wheels. 5Jx10.

While on the topic of 70s/80s red subcompact hatches in desperate need of fresh steel there’s this 1979 Renault 5 Alpine. !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . Located in Romania, but supposedly willing to ship.

That Renault is a Western car located in the (formerly) Communist East. The commies produced their own vehicles as well. This €1300 with zero bids ‘82 !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! is one of them. It’s located in Lithuania, and the auction is surprisingly in English.

Eastern Germany produced a few types of vehicles of their own as well. The Trabant is the most commonly know, and this one has been used as rolling advertisement for a goldsmith. Because nothing says exclusing/classy as a gold painted Trabbi. !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , comes with a valid inspection.

1990 Lancia Thema Turbo. Sibling of the Saab 9000/Alfa Romeo 164/Fiat Croma. This one has the turbo engine, which makes it almost as fast as the factory Thema 8.32 with Ferrari V8. This car was originally bought as an engine donor for a Delta Integrale, according to the seller. It’ll need a lot of work (not on the engine/transmission) to get it back on the road safely. !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , lots of days left.

One Lancia won’t do, so here’s a second one. A Lancia Beta coupe. In ‘drivable’ condition, but will need a bunch of work. !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! .

1982 Opel Rekord wagon/diesel/manual/RWD. Green on green, and very dirty. Mostly rust free, according to the seller. French import, hence (older) French plates. !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! .

Keeping it practical there’s this ex-fire department !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . It too will need a bit of attention. €353 highest bid.

After many cars that need immediate attention having one that’s immidiately ready to go is refreshing. This one is, obviously, French. It’s a 1989 Renault 4. Like the 2CV, Beetle and Mini the Renault 4 is an icon that was produced way past its expiry date. 1989 must’ve been one of the last years of this 1960s design. !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! .

One could argue that in 1989 the rear engined VW Transporter T3 was rather outdated as well. At that time it didn’t take long for VW to introduce the FWD T4. This ‘89 pickup ‘DOKA’ is still of the old configuration though. It’s got a somewhat recent inspection and seems to be taken care off, with rust being actively battled. For some reason a plastic chicken is strung up on the tow hook. !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! .

So what do you think? Anything interesting among these vehicles?

pjhusa > duurtlang 09/13/2015 at 13:09

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I like your touring, but I'm not in a position to purchase a car right now :)

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > duurtlang 09/13/2015 at 13:13

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I want everything on this list.

ly2v8-Brian > duurtlang 09/13/2015 at 13:26

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Trabi, Beta, Rekord, and your car.

Klaus Schmoll > duurtlang 09/13/2015 at 13:35

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Interesting list! I always had a soft spot for the Thema even though its name sounds a bit silly in German “Theme”. The T3 isn’t a Doka or Doppelkabine (double cab) as it comes with the short cab. In Doka form it would command a much higher price.

I have no idea why they are so sought after. My guess is that it’s simply because it’s the rarest body style.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > duurtlang 09/13/2015 at 13:46

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Is... is it overheating in the photo?

duurtlang > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. 09/13/2015 at 13:50

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I thought the same thing, not the best picture to post when trying to sell your car. It’s at a DIY cleaning station though, it might just be water vapour originating from the cleaning.

Birddog > duurtlang 09/13/2015 at 14:40

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That Espace reminds me of a miniature Aerostar.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > duurtlang 09/13/2015 at 14:44

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Yeah could be. Either way poor choice of photo.

Laurence > duurtlang 09/13/2015 at 15:10

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I obsess over minis the same way Torch does Volkswagens, but I’ve never seen these wheels before; they're really cool, and I wish I knew what they were

duurtlang > Birddog 09/13/2015 at 15:10

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I do see some similarities. The mk1 Espace pre-dates the Aerostar and isn’t much smaller though.

MM54 > duurtlang 09/13/2015 at 15:11

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Man, if I could afford to both buy and import your e30 (I could only swing one or the other at this point :( ) I’d be all over it right now

duurtlang > Laurence 09/13/2015 at 15:15

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According to the ad: “10“ Maifrini Mille Miglia”

Apparently 1970s Italian Mini wheels. I found this:

Laurence > duurtlang 09/13/2015 at 15:28

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Thanks! So, they’re factory innocenti wheels, I’ll have to see if I find any photos on other cars

I'd also like to add that that ad is pretty cool too

duurtlang > Laurence 09/13/2015 at 16:27

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I don’t know if they’re Innocenti wheels? Did you find that out? From a very quick google search my conclusion was: aftermarket, 1970s, Italian. But it’s very plausible I’m wrong about the aftermarket part.

Laurence > duurtlang 09/14/2015 at 12:08

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I’m guessing they aren’t then? I read the ‘Italian mini’ section of your comment as a oem part for the Italian built minis (innocentis), as these did use many different parts to the ones built elsewhere, but looking back, it kinda become obvious they’re aftermarket. You were right. Sorry for the confusion

m2m, apex detective > duurtlang 09/14/2015 at 12:27

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Like a catalyseur.

The owner should be interesting as well, Mantra-Club sticker and whatnot.

JGrabowMSt > duurtlang 09/14/2015 at 12:51

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Pretty sure that’s not the exhaust. “Drivable” certainly is a matter of opinion.

duurtlang > m2m, apex detective 09/14/2015 at 15:22

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Agreed. The first Espace is a Matra, obviously, but which Espace owner knows such a tidbit?

edit: wait, did you intentionally spell that as ma n tra?

m2m, apex detective > duurtlang 09/14/2015 at 15:47

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Freud’d, I guess. I did not mean to spell it that way, but now I’ll obviously claim I did ... since it’s somehow fitting, too, with the Espace being very much an oasis of personal space you can drive around. ;)