Welcome back to Mercedes’ Marketplace Madness! As you know, I love picking up dirt-cheap cars and motorcycles then telling you lovely readers about the dumb things that I do with them. Since I’m shopping all of the time, I always have an evolving list of vehicles for sale. Here’s what I’m obsessed with lately.
This week, I’ve found a mix of vehicles that are both affordable and can be of the window shopping variety. One of these is rare enough that there are just 82 of them in existence. Some of these will be quite expensive, but that’s ok!
Here’s what I’m looking at this week!
1947 Ford Super DeLuxe – $21,950
Here’s an interesting piece of postwar American automotive history up for grabs at a not-unreasonable price!
As the Audrain Auto Museum writes, Ford temporarily stopped car and truck production on February 10, 1942 so it could focus on the important task of blowing up Nazis. Ford’s Willow Run plant produced one B-24 bomber every 59 minutes. Production of cars for the public restarted in July 1945 and Ford, like other automakers, started up again by selling warmed-over models from pre-war times until it could get more modern stuff and up and running.
This 1947 Ford Super DeLuxe comes from that time and Ford touted the vehicle as having a large enough interior for “bigger-than-average adults to ride in perfect comfort.” The dashboard was described to have “jewel-like” elegance and with a quality interior of broadcloth or mohair. This particular example has simulated wood paneling and a refreshed interior. Power comes from a 239 cubic inch flathead V8 making 100 HP.
It’s $21,950 by Country Classic Cars in Staunton, Illinois with 74,745 miles.
2004 Subaru Forester 2.5XT – $6,000
Back to something a lot more modern now.
The Subaru Forester launched in 1998 as a vehicle larger than an Impreza but smaller than the Outback. It was built on the same platform as the Impreza but was sort of an early crossover, taking traits of SUV design and traits of car design. Subaru marketed it as “SUV Tough, Car Easy.”
This Forester comes from the model’s second generation, which was launched in 2002 and further refined the concept. Normally, a Forester gets a 2.5-liter flat-four making 165 hp and 166 lb-ft torque. But in this XT, you get something special: a 2.5-liter turbo flat four making 210 HP and 235 lb-ft borrowed from the WRX. That makes this a sleeper small SUV.
What you get is a roomy car that looks like something a Geography teacher would drive, but is capable of hitting 60 mph in 6.1 seconds. Most of the Forester 2.5XTs that I’ve been able to find had mileage numbers so huge that the cars could have driven to the Moon. This one still has high mileage as it has 160,000 miles on the odometer, but presents in decent condition and has a manual transmission. It’s $6,000 on Facebook Marketplace in Richland, Washington.
1996 Nissan President Sovereign – $9,995
Next up, we have some stately luxury from the Far East. This sedan represented the flagship of Nissan’s line in Japan. Here’s a bit of history from Nissan:
The President was Japan’s first authentic full-size car. The first-generation model (150) debuted on October 21, 1965. This was followed by a full model change (250) in August 1973, and the third-generation JHG50 was announced on October 24, 1990.
The styling of the JHG50, representing the first full model change in 17 years, was distinguished by the elegant vertical design of its front grille and the grand proportions resulting from its long wheelbase. The interior was enhanced by the extended wheelbase (+180mm) and reduced noise (62dB in the cabin at 100km/h), while comfort was improved further with silk wool seats (standard), Connolly leather seats (option), power seats with auto-lifter, and a central control for the rear seats. Powered by the VH45DE engine (V8 4.5-liter DOHC), offering a maximum output of 270PS, the JHG50 featured the very latest of Nissan’s technologies, as demonstrated by its 4-wheel multilink hydraulic active suspension, V-TCS traction control with viscous LSD, and engine automatic integrated control.
With a minor change in February 1992, the short-wheelbase JS Series was added to the lineup, and in April 1993 a model was launched with the world’s first rear-seat SRS airbags.
Fun fact: the President also had a ton in common with the original Infiniti Q45, one of the best cars in the world when it debuted. In that way, it’s not totally unknown stateside.
This President is noted to have just about 56,000 miles and it comes with an air purifier and an intact hydraulic suspension. Despite its age, it has plenty of modern features like heated front and rear power seats, a rear TV and radio just for the rear passengers, and even a power-adjustable wheel. It’s $9,995 On Facebook Marketplace in Cleveland, Tennessee.
1966 Matchless G2CSR – $2,900
Like many early motorcycle manufacturers, Henry Herbert Collier and sons Charlie and Harry started their Collier & Sons venture off by making bicycles. Then in 1899, the team built their first motorcycle, putting it into production in 1901. In 1905, the firm produced a motorcycle featuring an early example of a rear swing arm suspension. Then, just two years later, Matchless went racing, where Charlie won the Inaugural TT Singles Race. Web Bike World notes that Charlie averaged 38.21 mph, which must have felt exhilarating for a vehicle in 1907. Harry did not finish the race in 1907 but won it in 1909. Charlie took another win the next year. Until this time, Matchless had mostly produced singles with engines from other manufacturers, but the company got into making its own engines in 1912.
Fast forward through further developments and Matchless found itself purchasing AJS Motorcycles in 1931. Matchless would also supply engines to Morgan for its 3 Wheeler. In 1938, Associated Motor Cycles (AMC) was formed as a parent company to Matchless and AJS, as well as Francis-Barnett Motorcycles, James Motorcycles, Norton Motorcycles, Sunbeam Motorcycles, and more brands.
AMC kept British brands alive for a few decades and motorcycles made under the umbrella even continued to win races. As Classic Bike Guide writes, 250cc Matchless and AJS lightweights were introduced in 1958 for the 1959 model year. Then in 1962 came the sporty CSR. This 1966 Matchless G2CSR comes from the last year of production for lightweights and the year that AMC itself collapsed.
Power comes from a 242cc single making about 19 HP and this one is described as “very original.” It’s $2,900 on Facebook Marketplace in Lynchburg, Tennessee.
1951 Nash Statesman Custom Coupe – $39,995
American automaker Nash was famous for the streamlined design of its Airflytes. As Hemmings explains, Nash vice president of engineering Nils Wahlberg was obsessed with aerodynamics. He teamed up with chief engineer Meade Moor and engineer Theodore Ulrich to create the 1949 Airflyte. Nash incorporated wind tunnel testing and features front and rear wheel shrouds, a one-piece curved windshield, and a unibody.
This design was slick and it turned out to be profitable for Nash, however, it wasn’t perfect. For example, the shrouded front wheels couldn’t turn very sharp, leading to a large turn radius.
This 1951 Nash Statesman Custom Coupe has that distinctive Airflyte design and sports a 184 cubic inch inline 6 making 85 HP. The interior is believed to have been restored at some point. It’s $39,995 at Ellingson #1 Classic and Collectible Cars in Rogers, Minnesota.
1989 BMW 750iL – $12,990
This BMW 750iL comes from the second generation of the 7 Series, known as the E32. Its party trick was a smooth V12, but we’ll get to that in a second. Here’s a quick story about the E32:
Under the design leadership of Claus Luthe, the second BMW 7 series model incorporates harmonious lines and dynamic, confident style elements. The wide kidney on the front, for example, or the imposing rear, whose L-shaped taillights further underline the look. The BMW 7 series now comes with ABS as standard together with optional Park Distance Control and dual pane glass, which significantly reduces noise levels and ensures mist-free windows.
This car sports a 5.0-liter M70B50 V12 making 296 HP and 332 lb-ft torque. BMW notes that this engine is the first of its kind used in German cars since 1945. Representing the latest in BMW’s technology at the time, the E32 was available with such luxuries as a refrigerator and a car phone. In 1991, the 7-series also gained Xenon headlights.
This 750iL was sold new in Lake Bluff, Illinois for $73,225, or for $179,462 in today’s money. Today? You can have it for $12,990 from a seller on Hemmings in West Palm Beach, Florida. It has 146,315 miles and some wear like dead pixels and a locked radio, but it presents in decent condition.
2007 MG XPower SV-R – Inquire
I’ll be frank and say that this car is in the UK and is technically too young to come to America. However, Just 82 of these were ever built and it appears to fit the NHTSA’s other requirements for a Show or Display exemption from the infamous 25-year rule.
This car was actually a substitution. Reader John E sent in a lovely MG ZT 190 that I was going to write about, then it sold. I think this will make a neat addition to the list instead.
This is another car to come out of the aftermath of BMW dumping Rover and MG onto the Phoenix Consortium in 2000. The newly-minted MG Rover Group went a bit nutty with cars and did things that perhaps BMW would have never approved of. I wrote about some of this history in my Holy Grails entry on the MG ZT-T 260. That British wagon with the heart of a Ford Mustang’s V8 is a perfect example of MG Rover’s insanity. Then there was a Le Mans project and perhaps the most ambitious idea yet: the MG XPower SV.
As the UK’s Retro Motor explains, MG Rover Group made the decision to create a halo car. To do it, MG Rover Group bought out failing Italian automaker Qvale, which had the Qvale Mangusta. That car is the production version of the De Tomaso Bigua concept that made its debut at the 1996 Geneva International Motor Show. Back in the 1990s, Maserati technical director Giordano Casarini and Alejandro de Tomaso were friends. After Alejandro suffered a heart attack, he wondered what to do with his company. Casarini suggested building what was more or less an Italian TVR.
The result was a sports car that sold just 284 units. Under the hood is a stock 4.6-liter Ford SVT Mustang Cobra V8 making 320 horses. Since the Mangusta rode on a steel chassis, MG was left with putting a new body on top of the Mangusta. Casarini came from Qvale for the project and apparently described the XPower SV as a car “that will aggress you.”
Under the hood was still the same Mustang Cobra V8, but now it had a completely different body to haul. The chassis was still steel, but now it had a body made from 3,000 pieces of carbon fiber. Apparently, the body weighs just 143 pounds and the whole car is 3,395 pounds.
If 320 horses aren’t enough to have in the stable, MG also produced the XPower SV-R, which is what we’re looking at here. This one has a 5.0 modular V8 making 385 horses. According to MG, this made it able to hit 60 mph in 4.9 seconds and race on to a top speed of 175 mph. The seller for this one says it’s one of just 23 left-hand drive SV-Rs. Not that there are many of these anywhere. Just 42 SV-Rs exist and there are just 82 SVs period, not counting the 4 prototypes.
Inquire about this one from DD Classics Ltd. in the United Kingdom.
1963 Fiat 600 Viotti Torino – $21,699
Our friends at the Lane Motor Museum have written a helpful history about the Fiat 600:
When it was time to replace the Fiat 500, many engine and chassis configurations were designed, built, and tested. The layout for the 600 was chosen for a simple reason –low manufacturing costs. Fiat introduced the 600 at the Geneva Motor Show of 1955. It was part of the postwar Italian “economic miracle” that helped mobilize the country, being produced in large numbers (for its time). As released, the 600 was a two (suicide) door, four seat car with a 633cc, water cooled, four cylinder engine located behind the rear seats and driving the rear wheels. Other notable features were the monocoque construction and the independent suspension on all four wheels. The 600 enjoyed a long lifespan, and Fiat not only used the 600 chassis for other models such as the Multipla (world’s first Minivan? – perhaps), they also sold chassis and drivetrain components to other small manufacturers for their own specialized offerings.
This Viotti Torino is a special edition from Italian coachbuilder Viotti. Changes include unique two-tone paint, a three-gauge instrument panel, and a matching interior. Viotti also made a coupe on the 600 chassis. Power comes from a 767cc inline-four making 32 horsepower. It was restored just last year, hence why it looks so fresh.
This Fiat 600 Viotti Torino is $21,699 by a seller on Hemmings in Jacksonville, Florida. The odometer shows the equivalent of 116 miles.
2006 Dodge Magnum SRT8 – Auction
Let’s close this list out today with the forgotten member of the Challenger/300/Charger family.
Dodge in the 2000s experimented with a lot of ideas. There was the Circuit EV, a Lotus Europa S-based electric sports car. Then there was the Slingshot, a rebodied Smart Roadster. And who can forget vehicles like the Caliber SRT4 and the Nitro SUV? Chrysler itself was pretty wild and produced concepts like the ME Four-Twelve supercar.
The Magnum was another Dodge from this odd time, and it’s one that remains tantalizing today. Riding on the LX platform, the Magnum had a sibling with the Chrysler 300 and later, the Dodge Charger. Yep, the Magnum came first! The top-of-the-line Magnum was the SRT8, which came with a 6.1-liter Hemi V8 pumping out 425-HP and delivering it to tall 20-inch wheels. That’s good for a 60 mph sprint in 5.1 seconds, or right on the money with the day’s Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG wagon.
This Magnum is currently up for auction on Hemmings with the current bid at $17,500 with four days to go. It’s said to drive well with 66,612 miles but will need new front tires.
That’s it for this week! Thank you for reading.
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The XPower SV was supposed to be the car that would bring MG back to North America – the fact that Qvale had spent the money to certify the Mangusta with NHTSA was a major reason for the acquisition. Drop in an already EPA compliant engine, leave all the Mangusta’s structure unchanged under the new carbon fiber body panels, then do some other steps that weren’t thought through properly, get some money from SAIC, and be back on easy street.
Really hard to envision how any of that was supposed to work in practice
That Nissan is hot.
“1989 BMW 750iL – $12,990”
ALL THE NOPE.JPG IN THE WORLD.
NOPE. NUHUH.
“This car sports a 5.0-liter M70B50 V12 making 296 HP and 332 lb-ft torque” for about a week after you buy it, and then you’ll never get the fucking thing to run again because it is the most batshit insane unsynchronized, uncoordinated multi-ECU setup ever created. (Those are technical terms, not just a statement on the design process that approved it.) And I hope you really, really fucking love trying to replace unobtanium modules prone to failure, because this car is nothing but.
This kind of mileage and they didn’t even bother to get the pixels fixed? (It’s extremely cheap relative to costs on these. Bavtek charges a whole $160 for the cluster rebuild, $130 for the MID.) Yeah. No. This is someone who knows exactly what they have, and they’re throwing it as fast and hard as they can before throwing the pin in the sea.
“I’ll be frank and say that this car is in the UK and is technically too young to come to America. However, Just 82 of these were ever built and it appears to fit the NHTSA’s other requirements for a Show or Display exemption from the infamous 25-year rule.”
An S&D can be applied for, but, let’s just say you shouldn’t expect a response any time this year. And as the XPower SV is reported to have attempted FMVSS certification (LHD examples do exist,) denial would likely be swift.
Remember, you can’t just apply for S&D. You must apply for a determination that the vehicle is eligible, then you must apply for permission to import after the determination.
It can be done as a Box 7 immediately, but then cannot be driven on public roads, and also cannot be converted to a Box 10.
“2006 Dodge Magnum SRT8”
Half yes half no. The price isn’t unreasonable, but getting damn close, especially with the low miles and being an early NAG1 gearbox. See, Dumber-Chrysler insisted that their hot to trot Hemi 6.1 have a Mercedes gearbox, because what does the company that invented half the technology in the modern automatic know about transmissions?
Well, for one, they actually knew how to build something that wasn’t a glass cannon that needs constant eye-wateringly expensive maintenance. Because yup, it’s a 5GTronic. The worst one, at that. Even 3.5’s were blowing it up. So of course they insisted on stuffing it behind the 6.1 instead of the absolutely bulletproof 45RFE. Oh, and the ‘580’ in W5A580? That’s the maximum torque capacity – 580Nm.
The 6.1 Hemi in stock trim was underrated at 570Nm giving a negative capacity margin. Coupled to very high maintenance costs, and with the vehicle and incentives aggressively targeting the 0/0/0 demographic from Mitsubishi? 50-60k is usually when the gearbox exploded. Sometimes even with proper maintenance. So I’d consider putting money on this one having gone to salvage or mechanic’s lien.
I wonder with the BMW if it wouldn’t be easier and cheaper to use an after-market ECU.
Not that doing so would be particularly easy or cheap, but compared to repairing 80’s BMW electronics it might be the sane choice.
RFE and “bulletproof” are two things I’d never thought would be said in the same sentence.
I decided to consult my AI adviser on which of these models would appeal to me. It came back with two models distilled from the training set:
– Super DeLuxe President Sovereign Statesman
– 2.5XT G2CSR 750iL XPower SV-R SRT8
The AI is kinda wordy but also fixated on alphanumeric stuff. It didn’t want to work the FIAT into anything. I’m assuming the crazy price tag broke the algorithm.
That MG looks like it was designed by the car designers for the GTA series.
I remember reading a story about some big shot at Chrysler who hated the idea of wagons so he did everything he could to kill the Magnum. I think it was a fine idea. Raise the suspension a bit, call it a CUV, count the money.
I like what you do here. Present the cars plus give a little history lesson on each one. What’s the old saying? “I had fun and I learned something? Whaaat?”
I’ve always loved the Magnum. I think I’ll spring for new tires all around, not just the front ones.
I’m still holding out hope that Cadillac will throw a V8 Blackwing into a new CTS-V Wagon.
They already did.
It just came with an extra 5 feet of unneeded vertical.
In 2004 the WRX had a 2.0L; that suby engine is borrowed from the turbo Legacys.
The 2004 Forester XT actually had exactly the same 2.5L long block (block/heads/internal parts) as the 2004 WRX STi. The 2005 Legacy GT/Outback XT also shared the STi long block. The STi had a bigger turbo, bigger intercooler, and revised ECM calibration for more power.
That beautiful Nash looks like it would’ve made a pretty big circle even if you could turn the wheels all the way.
Just make sure you never have to park it, i guess.
During my work on an old cable TV show, I drove the Dodge Magnum SRT on a test track at the Chrysler Chelsea Proving Grounds. You feel it’s weight but it is balanced and really goes. We returned our test car with a lot less rubber.
The President Sovereign and Magnum caught my eye.
Somebody is a keen observer of prophylactics!
That MG looks like someone had a Dodge Neon, a JC Whitney catalog, and some time on their hands.
I came to say an Avenger as the base. Neon works too.
Fox body Mustang as the base, Avenger in the front, and a Neon rear end, finished off with a discount auto store aftermarket body kit, wing and tail lights.
Even when this was new, I seriously thought this was a Fox body with a Dodge front clip grafted on.
And that is the problem with it, every time you drive it having to explain that it isn’t some weird Dodge.
I always thought the Magnum was better looking than the 300 or the Charger, but not enough to actually go buy one, which is probably why you don’t see them anymore.
You don’t see them because they were targeted at Mitsubishi’s 0/0/0 demographic, and the overwhelming majority were 3.5 V6’s with unreliable transmissions and interior plastics and upholstery that appear on the Mohs scale.
If it wasn’t for the absolutely atrocious materials and Dumber-Chrysler’s insistence on using a transmission guaranteed to self destruct, along with some other truly bad engineering SNAFUs, they were rather cromulent haulers.
I honestly keep hoping for someone to come to me with a Magnum 5.7. The entire interior and some portions of the body are straight into the dumpster, as well as the NAG1. But the core to build something special is there.
Forester is smaller than an Outback? That doesn’t feel right. Possibly shorter but we’re still talking about an SUV vs a wagon
2004 Outback: 184-187″ L x 69″ W x 58-63″ H
2004 Forester: 175″ L x 68″ W x 65″ H
The Forester is taller, but the Outback is both longer and wider. And that has stayed the case over time.
2023 Outback: 191″ L x 73-75″ W x 66-67″ H
2023 Forester: 183″ L x 72″ W x 68-69″ H
If that Ford was a real woody, it’d be outstanding. Instead I’ll take the Nash, turning radius be damned!
Not to pick nits, but… The President has a “power wheel”?
I guess you could’ve meant power steering, or not.
I have to admit, every car I’ve ever owned had at least one power wheel. My Audi had four!
Power-adjustable wheel. Oh what missing just a single word will do. Fixed!
Ah, Lexus-LS style. I forgot about that very important feature.
That Matchless looks like a screaming deal on some proper British steel. Just remember that the brake and shifter are on the wrong sides!
If it’s not your right boot that’s creased and greasy then you’re doing it wrong.
“Just 42 SV-Rs exist and there are just 82 SVs period, not counting the 4 prototypes.”
Good, it’s shouldn’t be too difficult to round them all up and have a bonfire then. The collective eyes of the world will be better for it.
LOL
I’ve been laughing about this comment off and on throughout the day. Yeah, it’s not going to win any beauty contests.
Yes, but you have to catch it to look at it.
$6k for the seemingly unmodified Fozzie XT? That’s almost “shut up and take my money” level. All those here in the Northeast were long ago consumed by tin worm. Or head gaskets. Or exploded center diff. Or all three. Pull the EJ, bulletproof it, do the timing belt for good measure since it’s off anyhow, make sure the diffs are okay, and have a riot. IIRC axles were an issue with higher power levels. Maybe manual swap, but honestly the slushbox is inoffensive.
On paper, a Subaru build is good. I had a 400whp forester XT like the one above. Engine build receipts plus upgrades was about $12k (for a maybe 600hp engine) from previous owner. Then the 5 speed shredded 3rd gear. $4k on the low end by the time a legacy gt 6 speed was swapped in since you need a new rear diff. But that wasn’t even to get an STI drivetrain in. The STI diff doesn’t easily drop in without replacing the full suspension due to axles being different. Then there’s lug pattern mismatch if you only do the rear end, unless you get an ultra-rare 2004 (if I remember) STI rear end, which has 5×100 bolt pattern. This is at least another $5k realistically. I sold it before going deeper down the money pit.
Ouch! Good idea not messing with the engine or AWD then. Maybe some wheels, sway bars and sticky tires. Then enjoy it between the frequent trips to the pump. An old friend’s ex had one modded like that. He said it got about 20 mpg keeping his foot out of it.
So, Willie, then you WILL be doing the full Subie build?
If it’s in decent condition, that would be an okay price even for a standard Forester.