What are your favorite mildly interesting classic cars?

Kinja'd!!! "Jim Spanfeller" (awesomeaustinv)
03/31/2020 at 19:16 • Filed to: None

Kinja'd!!!2 Kinja'd!!! 46
Kinja'd!!!

I like the Austin Allegro. It’s a great example of a mildly interesting classic car.

Classic cars, at least in my opinion, generally tend to be at least somewhat interesting. Most people go for things like classic muscle, sports, or luxury cars, or even just cars that have a particularly unusual or interesting design, like the Fiat 500 or C itroen 2CV. You know, cars with flair. But what about the more ordinary ones? The ones average people owned, the ones that weren’t particularly flashy, fast, fun to drive, or luxurious; but got the job done? I find these often-overlooked everyday cars of yesterday intriguing. I would argue that despite their age and the obvious downsides that come with that, they’re more interesting nowadays than the average new car. Plus, there tends to be lower demand for them, so you can find loads of them for much cheaper than popular choices like muscle or sports cars. So what’s your favorite mildly interesting classic car?


DISCUSSION (46)


Kinja'd!!! ranwhenparked > Jim Spanfeller
03/31/2020 at 19:28

Kinja'd!!!2

I like the 67-76 Plymouth Valiant/Dodge Dart. Not exciting, but there's an honest simplicity to them and a slant six is certainly not hard to keep going.


Kinja'd!!! Jim Spanfeller > ranwhenparked
03/31/2020 at 19:29

Kinja'd!!!1

They’re not bad in a Duel, either!

Kinja'd!!!


Kinja'd!!! AestheticsInMotion > Jim Spanfeller
03/31/2020 at 19:30

Kinja'd!!!4

Older Volvos, and Datsuns that don’t have a “z” anywhere in the name. Although in  fairness, this particular Volvo isn’t exactly known for being cheap...

Kinja'd!!!

Kinja'd!!!


Kinja'd!!! Jim Spanfeller > AestheticsInMotion
03/31/2020 at 19:31

Kinja'd!!!0

Nice. I like me a P1800...


Kinja'd!!! interstate366, now In The Industry > Jim Spanfeller
03/31/2020 at 19:33

Kinja'd!!!1

Toyota Cressidas. I’d have bought one myself if I could have found a running  one locally for the price I ended up buying my GS at.


Kinja'd!!! JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > Jim Spanfeller
03/31/2020 at 19:39

Kinja'd!!!2

possibly of interest to you:

I like the entire Mazda F amilia/323/Protege line. From the first to the eighth gen they were all just a little bit more intere sting than the average small economy car. T he 3 carr ies on the tradition, but the earlier ones are definitely neat. I had a sixth gen (BG) LX, and it was a great little car, just a little better and funkier than the competition while still being at the heart a small, cheap, economical car.

Kinja'd!!!

Kinja'd!!!

Kinja'd!!!

Kinja'd!!!

Kinja'd!!!

Kinja'd!!!

Kinja'd!!!

Kinja'd!!!

Kinja'd!!!

Kinja'd!!!


Kinja'd!!! Just Jeepin' > Jim Spanfeller
03/31/2020 at 19:46

Kinja'd!!!1

I spotted what I think was a first-gen Camry last year and thought it looked really good. Very boxy, which I can’t seem to shut up about, and was quite clean.

Also boxy Volvo wagons .

And it’s hardly overlooked, but otherwise doesn’t really fit any of your excluded categories, but XJs of course (non-Jaguar variety ).


Kinja'd!!! Kiltedpadre > Jim Spanfeller
03/31/2020 at 19:59

Kinja'd!!!2

I like malaise era land yachts; especially in super-sized two door varieties.

Kinja'd!!!

I also have a soft spot for cars like the Dodge Diplomat. That’s partially because a burgundy Diplomat with burgundy velour interior was among the first cars I drove after getting my license.

Kinja'd!!!

I also really like some of the oddball cars produced by American orphan brands, but they tend to have a cult following and may not fit the question. I’m thinking companies like Frasier, Kaiser, Nash, Desoto, Crosley, and Studebaker.

I kinda want a King Midget even though I’m not sure I’d fit in it.

Kinja'd!!!


Kinja'd!!! AdamB > Jim Spanfeller
03/31/2020 at 20:23

Kinja'd!!!4

Kinja'd!!!

Kinja'd!!!

I like the Caprice’s boxy shape and long hood


Kinja'd!!! Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing. > Jim Spanfeller
03/31/2020 at 20:44

Kinja'd!!!0

Here are a few odd/old things I’d like to have in a collection of underappreciated vehicles:

Kinja'd!!!

Kinja'd!!!

Kinja'd!!!

Kinja'd!!!

Kinja'd!!!

Kinja'd!!!

Kinja'd!!!

Kinja'd!!!

Kinja'd!!!

Kinja'd!!!

Kinja'd!!!

Kinja'd!!!

Kinja'd!!!

Kinja'd!!!

Kinja'd!!!

Kinja'd!!!

Kinja'd!!!

Kinja'd!!!

A lot of them are crap cars, but I don’t care. Many have sentimental value, or are just rare/non-existent in the US.


Kinja'd!!! 415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) > Jim Spanfeller
03/31/2020 at 22:43

Kinja'd!!!1

Kinja'd!!!


Kinja'd!!! not for canada - australian in disguise > Jim Spanfeller
03/31/2020 at 23:05

Kinja'd!!!3

Canadian-market Cheviacs, Mercury pickups, Meteors, Fargos, and other similar Canada-specific rebadges from the pre-Autopact era.

Kinja'd!!!

Kinja'd!!!

Kinja'd!!!

Rootes Group cars and European Chryslers.

Kinja'd!!!

Kinja'd!!!

And also weird South American stuff that’s a mix of European and North American influence. The Brazillian Charger, the Ford Corcel (also known as the Renault 9 or Dacia 1300), and the Chevy Opala (aka an Opel Rekord).

Kinja'd!!!

Kinja'd!!!

Kinja'd!!!


Kinja'd!!! pip bip - choose Corrour > Jim Spanfeller
04/01/2020 at 02:10

Kinja'd!!!2

lada samara


Kinja'd!!! I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker > Jim Spanfeller
04/01/2020 at 09:26

Kinja'd!!!2

My answer should be no surprise: old VWs. I currently own (youngest to oldest, by model year ): a 1996 Golf, 1995 Jetta, 1991 Jetta (turbodiesel swapped), 1986 Cabriolet, 1981 Rabbit (NA diesel). All of these cars are equipped with some flavor of the ubiquitous EA827 motor, all SOHC with 8 valves, and none making more than a hundred horsepower at the wheels. They’re absurdly easy to work on, parts are cheap and readily available, aftermarket support is widespread, the “scene” is, for the most part, friendly, and the cars are a hoot to drive aggressively. They’re crazy fun to throw through corners, easily lifting a tire in a corner. The best part about old Vdubs? They’re cheap. The most expensive one I’ve bought was my Golf, which came into my ownership for $1400. The next most expensive was $900. It’s always a buyer’s market. A well-kept Mk1 GTI with little to no rust can be yours for under five grand.

What makes them fun to drive? Apart from the aforementioned tendency to tripod around corners, they just feel... right. The steering is very direct, as all of them have hydraulically assisted rack and pinion steering, or, in the case of the diesels, no power steering at all. The throttle response is quick, snapping open or shut instantly. Blips happen without trouble. The clutch feel is love it or hate it. Travel is very long. I enjoy this because it makes using the car in city traffic very easy.

So, to summarize: they’re cheap, fun, easy to work on, decently reliable, daily drivable classics. 


Kinja'd!!! Snuze: Needs another Swede > Jim Spanfeller
04/01/2020 at 10:18

Kinja'd!!!3

The Opel Manta

Kinja'd!!!


Kinja'd!!! jimz > Jim Spanfeller
04/01/2020 at 11:25

Kinja'd!!!2

Mercury Montego. Never really measured up against its Torino platform-mate, never had the pony car rep of the Cougar.

Kinja'd!!!

Kinja'd!!!

Kinja'd!!!


Kinja'd!!! RacinBob > Jim Spanfeller
04/01/2020 at 11:47

Kinja'd!!!2

Kinja'd!!!

1975 Alfetta Berlina. It was a case where Alfa decided to swing for the bleachers and make a truly modern sports sedan with 4 wheel disks, a 5 speed transaxle, torsion bar front suspension and De Dion rear suspension and struck themselves out. I had one and it was a neat car but it never came close to it’s sales potential. Meanwhile BMW made a much simpler 3 series and printed money ever since.

Alfa would have been better served if they had kept the front transmission, twin A arm front suspension and put an independent rear suspension on it. Instead it was needlessly complex and expensive. The Alfetta design soldiered on as the ALFA GTV, GTV-6 and Milano with limited success.

The ‘75 Alfetta was a complete new car, built in a new factory. All of the US dealers went to Italy to pick up and drive their personal cars. My ‘75 was one of those cars in the video below. I bought it used in 1980.


Kinja'd!!! 29 model a > Jim Spanfeller
04/01/2020 at 12:18

Kinja'd!!!1

i am looking for a nice 1980 chevette


Kinja'd!!! Jim Spanfeller > 29 model a
04/01/2020 at 12:38

Kinja'd!!!0

Someone I know had a Chevette once... He bought it for $200 just to have a cheap car to mess around and have fun with. It was beige, had maybe one working light, and they put a turbocharger from a junkyard on it, which surprisingly had a noticeable impact on performance. It was a fun random car, but when he went to get it registered, the DMV took one look at it and said “H eck no, ” so he ended up selling it.


Kinja'd!!! Jim Spanfeller > Kiltedpadre
04/01/2020 at 12:44

Kinja'd!!!0

OOH yes. I like me some land yacht. The American orphan brands are also very interesting to me. One minor nitpick though...

This is Frasier:

Kinja'd!!!

This is a Frazer:

Kinja'd!!!


Kinja'd!!! Jim Spanfeller > Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing.
04/01/2020 at 12:46

Kinja'd!!!0

Rare/non- existe nt in the U.S. is a big plus for me. I love the idea of driving a car that nobody else recognizes. And those all have really nice retro styling, too!


Kinja'd!!! Jim Spanfeller > not for canada - australian in disguise
04/01/2020 at 12:50

Kinja'd!!!1

I wanna say some of those (the weird Brazillian cars) are verging on too genuinely fascinating, but I’ll allow it since it may just be that I  find them oddly fascinating. In any case, good picks. I like those :)


Kinja'd!!! Jim Spanfeller > RacinBob
04/01/2020 at 12:56

Kinja'd!!!2

Mayday! Mayday! Too interesting! You must post a picture of a white one to lower the interesting level down to the edge of mild, otherwise this will break the system.


Kinja'd!!! Jim Spanfeller > jimz
04/01/2020 at 12:58

Kinja'd!!!1

Those 5 mph bumpers on the bottom one are unfortunate, but otherwise these are kinda neat. The Cyclone is an under-appreciated muscle car in my opinion, and have you ever seen another car with a nose like that? It’s definitely unique. Good choice.


Kinja'd!!! Jim Spanfeller > Snuze: Needs another Swede
04/01/2020 at 13:00

Kinja'd!!!0

It’s like a slightly more subdued German Camaro... I like it!


Kinja'd!!! Jim Spanfeller > 415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°)
04/01/2020 at 13:10

Kinja'd!!!0

It’s almost like a baby Ford Anglia! Very cute.


Kinja'd!!! 415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) > Jim Spanfeller
04/01/2020 at 13:17

Kinja'd!!!1

It’s also rear engine air cooled, a Japanese bug. 


Kinja'd!!! Snuze: Needs another Swede > Jim Spanfeller
04/01/2020 at 13:19

Kinja'd!!!2

There were sold in the US alongside the Opel GT, which is regarded as baby Corvette. So yeah, it’s like a baby Camaro. But I have only ever seen one or two in my life, and only a handful for sale.

One of the things that always stood out to me about these cars is they are rather light. I want to say in the 2600-2800 lbs range, with a heavy ass iron block engine. I always thought one would be bitchin’ with something like an Ecotec 2.0L Turbo 4 and 6 speed stick. I did mention they are RWD, right?


Kinja'd!!! 415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) > AestheticsInMotion
04/01/2020 at 13:20

Kinja'd!!!0

Y U no like my Z??


Kinja'd!!! Jim Spanfeller > Snuze: Needs another Swede
04/01/2020 at 13:26

Kinja'd!!!0

I didn’t know they sold them in the U.S. I thought it was just the GT and Kadett. But yeah, that sounds like a fun engine swap.


Kinja'd!!! Snuze: Needs another Swede > Jim Spanfeller
04/01/2020 at 13:43

Kinja'd!!!1

T hey actually sold 4 models in the US -   the Kadett, the Ascon a ( called the “ 1900" ) , the Manta, and the GT.

The Ascona in particular seems to have a weird story - it was supposed to be the next gen Kadett when it debuted in 1970 but at the last minute it was decided to make a new, smaller Kadett, name the new car the Ascona, and place it in competition with the Ford Tana us. The Ascona was sold as a coupe, sedan, and “3 door wagon” (basically LWB hatch). Oddly, they dropped the sedan in the US after 2 years, which seems odd to me since they already had a RWD coupe (the Manta).

After 1975 all actual Opel models in the US were replaced with Opel badged Isuzu Geminis.


Kinja'd!!! Otto-the-Croatian-'Whoops my Volvo is a sedan' > ranwhenparked
04/02/2020 at 08:51

Kinja'd!!!0

This is my reply, too! I love that thing.


Kinja'd!!! Otto-the-Croatian-'Whoops my Volvo is a sedan' > AdamB
04/02/2020 at 08:53

Kinja'd!!!1

That front end looks so badass. I lov e the rear window on the aero coupe.

Kinja'd!!!


Kinja'd!!! Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Jim Spanfeller
04/02/2020 at 10:00

Kinja'd!!!1

There are a lot of cars that I like that people might not see any interest in other than them being old. For example,

Kinja'd!!!

https://oppositelock.kinja.com/dioccusa-far-flung-fiat-1842410700

Or even the Ford Anglia behind it. I tend to like quirky European cars, but classic l an d yachts are not beyond me. I can find interest in just about anything, regardless of how conventional they are.

Does the UAZ “loaf van” count as a modern classic because they are still being produced?

Kinja'd!!!

And look at what also showed up in the image search!

Kinja'd!!!

Soviet stuff fascinates me deeply as well but most people wouldn’t get what the big deal is.

Kinja'd!!!

Not just UAZs, but the “modern” Niva as well.

Kinja'd!!!


Kinja'd!!! Otto-the-Croatian-'Whoops my Volvo is a sedan' > Jim Spanfeller
04/02/2020 at 11:39

Kinja'd!!!3

I recently discovered that I have a thing for the slightly curvy 3 box sedan shape.

Lancia Appia (smaller brother to the beloved Aurelia)

Kinja'd!!!

Kinja'd!!!

Fiat 1100

Kinja'd!!!

Peugeot 403

Kinja'd!!!

Less curvy but still cool:

Simca 1000

Kinja'd!!!

Renault 8

Kinja'd!!!

I also love the older small pickups:

Kinja'd!!!

Kinja'd!!!


Kinja'd!!! Jim Spanfeller > Otto-the-Croatian-'Whoops my Volvo is a sedan'
04/02/2020 at 11:56

Kinja'd!!!1

Oh yeah, I like those curvy old sedans. And the Renault R8 was the basis for the Alpine A110, which is one of my favorite classic sports cars, so I have to like it. Last I checked, the autotech teacher at my local high school was selling a For d Courier like that for $900, though it’s missing the front bumper and has a few dents. I like those smaller old pickup trucks because you get pickup truck utility without looking like a truck bro. ;)


Kinja'd!!! Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Otto-the-Croatian-'Whoops my Volvo is a sedan'
04/02/2020 at 12:15

Kinja'd!!!1

This is a correct take except it leaves out some great curvy two box shapes.

Kinja'd!!!

Kinja'd!!!

This one in particular.

Ralleydarkstrike loves to mention the Fiat Millicento/1100, which is how I recognized it.


Kinja'd!!! Jim Spanfeller > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available
04/02/2020 at 12:16

Kinja'd!!!1

1) The Fiat is interesting because it’s old and charming, and therefore perfectly mildly interesting. Excellent choice.

2) The loaf van is definitely a modern classic, and also I really want one. That camper is whatever the Soviet equivalent of “rad” is.

3) Soviet and other communist cars have always been fascinating to me... I think t hey’re a bit like characters from books and movies who have a dark, troubled, or even evil past, but are trying to find a better, more meaningful life . Characters like that are endearing because you want to root for them, and you hope that they do find what they’re looking for. Or maybe that’s all in my head. But nevertheless, I think Soviet and other communist cars have a really unique charm to them.

And the Niva is like the car equivalent of an adorable rescue puppy :)


Kinja'd!!! Cé hé sin > 415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°)
04/02/2020 at 13:14

Kinja'd!!!1

Oooh, an Anglia!

(peers closely)

Nope.


Kinja'd!!! Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Jim Spanfeller
04/02/2020 at 13:17

Kinja'd!!!1

Very good observations there. Those famous Soviet cars that soldiered on unchanged into the modern era are exactly like some book antihero, or maybe like the more sympathetic Marlow from Heart of Darkness or Guy Montag from Fahrenheit 451 .


Kinja'd!!! Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Snuze: Needs another Swede
04/02/2020 at 13:46

Kinja'd!!!0

The only Opel badged car I’ve seen in the USA was a junked Kadett

Kinja'd!!!

Kinja'd!!!

Opel had quite a lot to do with the Cruze design though, to counteract all the Daewoo.


Kinja'd!!! Snuze: Needs another Swede > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available
04/02/2020 at 14:32

Kinja'd!!!0

Ooo, that’s a rough Kadett. I’m not sure if they were exceptionally rust prone or just unloved but old Opels in the US are fairly rare today.

I know the engine is an Opel engine, but didn’t know they did any other design work on it. 


Kinja'd!!! Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Snuze: Needs another Swede
04/02/2020 at 15:18

Kinja'd!!!0

IDK Wikipedia was pretty vague but it seems to indicate more than just engine work.

Old Opels are basically nonexistent even here on a non-rust prone section of the east coast, so they may have just been undesir able, cheap, and hard to get parts for for too long, much like older Fiats and other European stuff. They had low survival rates everywhere.


Kinja'd!!! feather-throttle-not-hair > Jim Spanfeller
04/02/2020 at 16:13

Kinja'd!!!1

I once ran into a guy who volunteers at our local Lemons race here in Seattle, at a Lemons race down in northern California. The dude had driven his Austin Allegro all the way down and was then sleeping in it over night between race days. Needless to say, i was impressed.

Kinja'd!!!


Kinja'd!!! Jim Spanfeller > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available
04/02/2020 at 16:56

Kinja'd!!!1

That red Saab! It looks just like the red Saab in Rallysport 2, one of my favorite games from the original Xbox. We played that right up until the Xbox gave us the red ring... But those were good times while they lasted. The Saab was a favorite because it was probably the slowest car in the whole game (we rarely got it past 93 mph on level ground), but was nevertheless a really fun car to drive, and definitely the goofiest car in the game. I’d love a real one someday...


Kinja'd!!! Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Jim Spanfeller
04/02/2020 at 17:02

Kinja'd!!!1

An angry two stroke beehive on wheels is certainly what you would call goofy. The lookalike in W reckfest (with the totally wrong engine) understeers like a pig whenever you get on the throttle, which makes it much less usable, but it is still tons of fun. I think it would be hard to make a vehicle that light and tossable boring to drive in a video game.