Dan Crouch Blog

As you can probably tell, I've been surfing for older cars than I normally do. Though I was nearly certain I was heading towards Porsche Boxster S ownership, there could be some changes in the mix. Attempting to fight the urge of the American way (uber-debt), the S is being put on hold, and with great sadness I might add. But with personal trips to Montana, Indiana and Ireland this year, as well as continuing home improvements, well, I just can't do it. I can, but I shouldn't. *sob*

But in a surprising and timely chance circumstance, there might be a new way to occupy the empty space the M3 has left behind. My very close friend Paul has recently moved from the Eugene BMW dealership to a great little classic car boutique in Eugene, The Sports Car Shop. And Paul's not going to be just a tech (like there is such a thing when working on classics). Paul is being groomed to handle a new arm of their business which focuses on restorations of classic cars. His first assignment is an Alfa Romeo 2600. Only a month or so ago, we walked by their downtown shop in Eugene, and drooled on the glass admiring this very car. A month later, he gets to lay hands on it. Congratulations Paul!

Naturally like the selfish friend I am, the thought of having a proper classic has been in the back of my mind ever since I heard the news. And I can't think of anyone I would rather have work on my cars, of any vintage! Paul is so meticulous in his work, it borderlines on mental disease.

So when I spotted this Alfa Romeo Giulia TI on the Alfa BB last night, I just about spit beer out on the monitor. $4500, runs and drives, recent engine rebuild, presentable body, and right up I-5 in Portland. Sure, she's not a show winner, but with Paul working at a classic car restoration shop, and several Becks beers altering my judgment, this looked like an easy decision. Naturally I envisioned it looking exactly like this Guilia Super project I posted last year.

Until I scrolled to the bottom of the post and found that the car had sold in a day! DOH!!

Sold 1964 Alfa Romeo Giulia TI on Alfa BB

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The Lambo orange paint is a big giveaway, but regardless of the non-factory color choice, this little car is tight! Apparently it sold last year on ebay for $25k and is being flipped this year. There's an extensive conversation on the Alfa BB concerning this car and many are watching this auction with anticpation as GTV prices are continuing to pick up steam and catch up with early 911S models of the same vintage. I'll post an update when the sale is over.

eBay auction for 1971 Alfa Romeo GTV

UPDATE: Reserve not met at $19.2k and has been relisted. Currently at $18k with 5 days remaining.

UPDATE 2: 2nd auction just ended, and it's at $28k. When I checked first thing this morning, it was at $21k. Considering it ended previously in the low 20's, this might be for real.

UPDATE 1.27.08: For sale again on eBay.
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With a pile of receipts showing in the ad, this looks very promising. Already features a reman rotary and a few hop-up bits, which up the ante to about 375hp at the crank. And right in our Oregon backyard, in the Laurelhurst neighborhood in Portland, judging from the pic that is. I've walked by that house

3rd generation RX-7's are hard to find in acceptable shape these days, at least at a price you can afford. But this one slots in at $17k, which seems like a pretty good deal. If it can drive reliably around town AND light up the back roads, should be a great pickup.

Online Ad for 1993 Mazda RX-7 FD in Portland

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Retrotech has this clean looking Porsche 911 3.2 Carrera out in Hood River for only $16k w/ 124k miles. Looks pretty sharp with a recent respray and the Retrotech inventory is almost always of good to great quality. Car is really begging for the H4 conversion though

Retrotech Website (which is frame based and lame! Sorry, no direct link available)

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This is a very tempting car. 82k miles on a rare sunroof-delete optioned car. The sunroof-delete should save at least 100lbs on a car that weighs in at only ~2500lbs anyway. And it's a euro, which gives it 20-30 more horsepower. Considering my outgoing M3 packed 240hp in a 3200lb package, this Euro 911 3.2 is looking pretty entertaining with 231hp and 2400lbs.

A car that would really need close inspection at purchase, but the pics sure look promising. It's been listed on the Pelican Parts Forums since November of last year -- probably because of the slow winter season, and you can pick up a slightly earlier SC model for $5k less at least. But the 1984 model year introduced the newer 3.2 motor, and examples seem to be hovering around 16-18k in good condition. I think it's probably worth about the 19k the seller is asking, if it's as sharp as it looks.

Online ad for Porsche 911 3.2 Carrera

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I've posted several Baur's in the past, and while they are rare in this country, I don't think $20.5k is a realistic price to ask for one of these -- even if it is restored. Suppose it is concour condition, where's the original wheels, transmissions and radio? The 5 speed, aftermarket rims and stereo are nice upgrades, but if you're gonna ask that much, I'd expect a perfect, original, concours show winner.

1973 BMW 2002 Convertible on Roadfly

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Not many of these left with that kind of mileage. Considering decent examples trade for at least $15k, this one seems priced right at $20k.

Low Mileage Porsche 944 Turbo for sale on Roadfly

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220hp + 1500lbs = incredible power to weight ratio! Unfortunately, I just don't see it going for the buy-it-now price the seller is asking, $34.5k! I don't doubt that he's got that much into it, probably more in fact. But it's one of those conversions that you'd have trouble trusting unless you had done it yourself.

But I'll bet it's a blast!

eBay auction for Austin Mini w/ Honda VTEC engine conversion.

UPDATE: Sold early with Buy-it-now. Wow!

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Another embargo broken, Audi A5 pics have been leaked all over ahead of the launch date. Seems to be a common trend these days.

Good looking car, I'll be curious to get the rest of the details at launch.

Autoblog Post on Audi A5 with Gallery

Audi A5 Microsite in German

UPDATE: Full S5 version details now on VWVortex

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Apparently it's pulling lap times with a few 10ths of the current 480hp Porsche 911 turbo.

2009 Skyline GT-R Video

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