TjRubley.com

Unreal mileage, and the car is actually located right here in Oregon, in Eugene! The seller has the car consigned in Germany with 2-Shores and here is his explanation:

I consigned with 2 Shores for two reasons. First, I think the car will bring more money. European buyers are snapping up rust-free US cars and the Euro exchange rate is a huge help. Second, Jurgen is very well connected and has an excellent reputation.

Wow is the only word that describes this example. And even more so the thirst for clean examples abroad. I’ve been invited to take a look and if it’s still for sale after our vacation, I’ll have to do so!

Check out the other beautiful examples for sale via 2-Shores.

Good luck with the sale Blair W, and please update us with your sale!

dc

Why would I be surfing eBay Motors Germany for classic cars? Because I’m going on a glorious 2 week vacation to Germany on Wednesday! Check out this great looking 1976 Volvo 242 I spotted on German eBay Motors:

Der Motor hat eine eingetragene Leistung von 96 kw / 131 PS

und durch den Sport-Fächerkrümmer und die 2 1/2 Zoll Simsons-Anlage erhöht sich die Leistung auf ca.103-106 kw bzw. 140- 145 PS.

Weitere Highlights sind:

Orginal Sportlenkrad von Volvo R-Sport ( siehe Foto`s )

Orginal und über 20 Jahre alte Historische Sportsitze der Firma König in Blau mit orangenen Streifen ( siehe Foto´s ).

Auch Bestandteil der Auktion sind die Fondmetall-Felgen ( siehe Foto´s Nr.: 5 + 12 ) in 7 x 15 ET 20 und der Bereifung 225/50 R 15 91W -

2x FULDA Carat Extremo 3- 4mm DOT 1601 und 2x TOYO Proxes 5- 6mm DOT 4904.

Der Volvo macht auf Grund seiner Leistung und des geänderten Fahrwerks richtig Spass zu fahren

( absolut Spurtreu und einfach zu fahren selbst bei hoher Geschwindigkeit - 180 kmh ).

Er ist dadurch absolut Alltagstauglich.

Der Verbrauch liegt je nach Fahrweise zwischen 9 - 11 Ltr. dank Overdrive und ist ein Auto mit dem man mit ca. 140 kmh. relaxt über die Autobahn fahren kann.

Der Volvo kann jederzeit nach Terminabsprache besichtigt werden.

Currently the auction is at a mere 251 Euros, but it’s got to be worth more than that!! Naturally, I’ll have import dreams and aspirations filling my head while I’m there, so I’ll take lots of pictures!

I’ve recently learned that I’ll be without internet for most of the trip. So while I’m gone, I’ve handed over the blog to 6 fellow TjRubley.com enthusiasts. Enjoy the fresh perspective and comment on what you liked and what you didn’t. I appreciate the feedback!

Back in few weeks,

dc

I know, I know, the top 10 posts are way too sportbike oriented, but I can’t help it. It seems spring has sprung and sellers are anxious to capitalize on the adrenaline allergy (orgy?) season. Here are two more beautiful examples from the Bay Area Riders Forum:

1991 Honda NSR 250 SE MC21, Title and For Sale in California for $6k on BARF:

1991 NSR 250 SE. Current CA registration, clear CA title in hand.
The SE model gets you adjustable front and rear suspension and the zoomy and always exciting dry clutch.
Near original, all stock condition with the exception of chambers and front / rear steel brake lines. Original exhaust/mufflers included. Overall, it’s in really nice shape. The chassis, swing arm, forks, wheels and other hard parts are in top condition.
Bodywork has the usual chips here and there and a bit of scuffing on the underside of the lowers.
Currently runs rich but a jet kit is on the way!
$6000

For $6k with title — you have to be kidding me! What a killer deal on a gray market specialty. Is the market dead or is the seller in a hurry? Someone call him up before he changes his mind!

1988 Yamaha FZR1000 For Sale in California with 37k miles and “entertaining offers of $2000-2500″ on BARF:

Ask anyone who’s seen this bike, it’s clean.
All stock, except after market chain and sprockets, 1 down, 2 up.
37K miles.

Best offer.

I can’t remember the last time I saw an FZR1000, let alone this clean. Granted, it probably makes less power than this year’s R6, but who cares. How cool and original is this sweet bike - and for under $3k!

dc

Wow, what’s not to like about this really clean, enthusiast owned, e34 540i M Sport with every Dinan goodie known to man:

Souced from Roadfly and link to personal for sale page:

Now I know there are actually some things to nit-pick, like the worn driver’s seat, a few nicks here and there, and that naff Ferrari or Ansa sticker on the back. BUT, consider that this car is going on 13 years old, only has 93k miles, is loaded with Dinan goodness, has 414hp and a sub 5 second 0-60, and is only $13.5k, I think this is a screaming good deal! This better be gone before I get back from vacation or I might have to squeeze it into the budget!!

Update 3.30.08Looks like the car sold in only 12 hours!

dc

Thanks to Anthony for giving me the heads up on this really nicely looked after 1988 Alpine White e30 M3 For Sale in San Francisco:

1988 BMW e30 M3 For Sale on SF Craigstlist ($21k, 85k miles):

Up for sale is my beloved 1988 M3. She only has approximately 85k miles on it and it runs great (especially with the Dinan chip). The title is clear (meaning it is not salvage) and it has clean car fax.
I did not spare any cost from her so there are many new parts on my car. Some were part of necessary maintenance but some were changed just so I have peace of mind (plus I am little anal about my cars).

It’s a shame that price doesn’t include the AC Schnitzer rims shown in the photo’s, but otherwise I really like the interior upgrades and overall condition.

And here’s another nice looking example for sale right here in Portland:

1988 BMW e30 M3 in Red w/ 78k miles for $18.5k on Roadfly:

Selling red 1990 E30 M3 with tan interior. The car has 79K miles on the odometer, and comes with extensive maintenance records. The following has been done within the last 4K miles:
New suspension (Bilstein sport shocks and Ireland Stage 3 springs)
New aluminum shock mounts
Added rear and front strut bars
Added new fog lights
New steel brake lines
New brake pads
New oil baffle
Added E34 M5 polished rims
New Yokohama ES100 tires (235/40ZR-17)

These both look like really nice, enthusiast owned cars. Dare I say they look like good values considering the e30 M3 market?

dc

Although this one is a bit cheaper at $15k that the other one I posted recently:

1990 Honda RC30 For Sale on VFRDiscussion:

It must be spring, there’s a ton of really nice bikes coming up for sale!

dc

1989 Yamaha FZR600 on Corvallis Craigslist for $2200:It couldn’t be right?  This bike is exactly like my first bike, seen here in the scanned archives:

I originally bought mine 10 or 11 years ago for $2300, which was one of the most irresponsible financial decisions of my youth. And also one of the most fun and rewarding. And this one actually has both mirrors! Mine was owned by a bunch of kids who beat her hard and laid it over on one side. It was scratched the entire time I owned, and since I could barely afford to even own it, she got minimal care to say the least.

As I got closer to graduation, I decided I needed a car for interviews in Portland. Paul and I worked out a trade and some cash for his 84 Jetta GLi, and he really showed the bike some love that she had never seen before. The panels all came off and Paul took care of the rash I never did. He painted it black but didn’t replace the pricey side stickers, which were something like nearly $200 per side. He did some nice striping and added some logo’s and it looked great. And he sourced a carbon fiber D&D (or was it Two Brothers Racing) exhaust canister that sounded exactly like we were at Sonomafest for the races. I’m hoping he has pictures he can scan because he did a really nice job.

Paul rode that bike a lot while he owned it, including a round trip to Kansas which includes a story about getting caught in a hail storm! But I don’t think it crossed 30k miles.

Seeing this bike here in Corvallis where Paul sold it years back makes me think it might not be a coincidence. Maybe someone finally ponied up for the original decals (though they didn’t add the red stripe like mine had). But considering it’s been at least 6 years since we last saw her, I’d say it’s not entirely unlikely that someone put 3-4k miles on it a years and it’s the same bike.

I may have to contact the seller just to see… I hope it doesn’t follow me home!

dc

Blair and I were recently talking about the availability of Lotus 7 clones (Caterham, Ultralite, Westfield, etc) in the U.S. I’m a big fan of these cars, but didn’t really have a good answer for availability or cost to be expected. So I did a little digging

First of all, I really didn’t look for original Lotus 7’s because they’re nearly a different animal altogether compared to the clones, which represent significant engineering enhancements year after year since the 70’s.

Check these out, which I found on USA7s.org:

1996 Westfield on USA7s.org w/ 11k miles, in TX, for $20k:

Ford Kent 1700cc engine
Twin 45 DCOE Weber carbs.
High Compression Pistons
Oversize Valve
Competition Sump with full length baffle
13 row oil cooler
5 speed manual with short shift
LSD 3.9
ATS forged wheels
Curtains
Full tonneau and top

2007 Westfield Mazda Sport on USA7s.org ($24k, NC, 1200 miles):

This very car was also the most popular “7″ type car at the Carlisle show.This was also the Westfield USA display car. Upgrades include powder coated chassis and suspension, race seats on slide mounts, 5 point 3 inch harnesses, removable steering wheel, quick steering rack, nylon suspension bushings , heated windshield, long range fuel tank, Westfield shift knob, trunk tonneau cover and removable rear fenders.

2004 Caterham Superlight R on USA7s.org (4k miles, NJ, More than $34k less than $49k - read the thread for details):

• I took delivery in May 2005 and am the first owner
• Car is a 2003/4 Superlight built by Rex M. of Speed Classics
• Powered by non-SVT Zetec with throttle bodies
• Full windshield (also have aeroscreen — actually sold this in 2007)
• 6-speed Caterham tranny with LSD
• Full carbon pack - front and rear fenders, dash, and sills
• 15″ rims with Avon CR500s
• Composite/carpet seats with 4 & 5 point harnesses
• Heat shielding on firewall
• NEW AS OF 07/07 — Raceline Water Rail

And I’m not done yet! Here’s two more extreme clones for sale right here in the PNW:

Brand new Ultralite S2k for $36k in WA on Portland Craigslist:

NEW: This fabulous remake of the Lotus7 will blow Dad’s socks off. It’s powered by a Honda’s 240HP S2000 engine, w/ stock Honda 6 speed close ratio gear box, and sports a Subaru WRX independent coil-over rear suspension. It stops on a dime with all Wilwood brakes with 12 inch rotors f&r. With 240 HP this 1240 pound car flies (5 lbs/hp!): 0 to 60 MPH in 3.5 sec, and the ¼ mile in 11.87 sec.

2004 Ultralite S2k For Sale on eBayMotors (WA, 2500 miles, opening bid of $25.5):

So there you go Blair, from mild to wild, $20k - $40k+ looks to be the range for a good one.

Let me know if you have a 7 clone that should be listed or have other resources that should be listed. Leave a comment below!

dc

Here’s an e30 M3 for sale in Atlanta on eBay:

I know e30 purists and collectors cringe when the S50 conversion is mentioned, but these cars might be the last affordable way into an e30 M3 - and they come with a nice performance boost! For someone who is going to drive and maybe even compete at auto-x’s or track day’s, this car is a no brainer. The last conversion I featured went for $15k!

Update 3.30.08: This one sold for $15k too!

dc

I’m such a sucker for Alpina’s, and here’s another great looking example out of SoCal:

1982 Alpina C1 2.3 For Sale on eBay

This car has the following Alpina parts installed: 323i-based 6-cylinder engine, limited-slip finned-cover differential, front and rear sway bars, 7Jx15″ wheels & wheel caps, rear rubber strakes (mud guards), front fiberglass spoiler, rear rubber spoiler, dash plaque (no. 3-2108), 4 (somewhat worn) floormats, dead pedal, front grille emblem, L&R trunk emblems, decal on front spoiler. The following parts could be from Alpina but cannot easily be verified as such: springs, shocks and struts, extra gauge cluster on dash, close-ratio 5-speed transmission, early mechanical fuel injection system, headers, center muffler, twin rear mufflers, manual (non-power) steering gearbox. The following parts are definitely not from Alpina: steering wheel (needing recovering) and shift knob (although owner has access to used Alpina steering wheel & knob which are correct for this car, which could be substituted at buyer’s request), seats (Sparco driver’s seat, and Recaro passenger seat), US (MPH) instrument cluster. The following stock Euro-version E21 parts are of course installed on the car: front and rear bumpers (currently painted gloss black, along with the center grille), grey “basket weave” fabric door panels and seats, rear skirt-mounted license plate bracket, manual windows, power mirrors, manual sunroof.

Check out other Alpina cars I have listed previously.

dc