The tiny Morris Mini was undoubtedly one of the most-influential designs of the 20th Century, created by the visionary British engineer Alec Issigonis. The Mini’s space-saving transverse-engine, front-wheel-drive configuration eventually became the template for just about every compact car in the world, continuing with those produced today.
The original Mini was first rolled out by the British Motor Company in 1959, and it spun off a number of variations, even finding success as a diminutive race and rally car. One of the most-unlikely Mini twists was that of the Mini Moke, a bare-bones, low-slung adventure buggy and beach cruiser.
The Pick of the Day is a 1983 Mini Moke with a colorful history.
“This 1983 Moke was built in Portugal and used as a rental Moke on a resort island off Portugal,” according to the private seller in Goodyear, Arizona, advertising the car on ClassicCars.com. “The rental stickers are still on the windscreen.”
The Moke (which is an archaic British term for mule) was a 4-seat doorless convertible or 2-seat pickup that was built on a stretched Mini van platform. Originally proposed as a military vehicle, the Moke’s small wheels and limited ground clearance was deemed unsuitable for army duty. But it found much love from the civilian population.
Produced by BMC, followed by Austin, Morris and Leyland, the Moke was built in the UK from 1964-68, in Australia from 1966-81 and, like this one, in Portugal from 1980-93.
This apparently well-loved Moke has been comprehensively restored, according to the seller, and comes with two tops, side curtains and “roo bars” protecting the front and back ends. It rides on 10-inch Minilite wheels.
“It is a ground-up restoration taking 2 years to complete and has less than 100 miles since completed,” the seller says. “The 1,098cc engine was professionally rebuilt. All bushings, bearings, ball joints have been replaced. It has adjustable front suspension, disc brakes.
“The subframes have been powder coated and body has a fresh coat of paint. There is a new aluminum fuel tank, new manifold and exhaust … Wiring, clutch and master cylinders are new or rebuilt.”
Mokes are popular the world over as collector vehicles, and this one is priced at $21,900.
To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.
When you think of the Honda Civic CVCC of the 1960s and ‘70s, you likely recall the fuel-sipping 2-door hatchback that gained fame since its Compound Vortex Controlled Combustion technology met U.S. emission standards, and without needing a catalytic converter to do so.
But there also was a 4-door station wagon version of the Civic CVCC and the Pick of the Day is a 1976 Honda CVCC 4-door being offered for sale on ClassicCars.com by a private owner in Lake Almanor, California.
The seller said the wagon was purchased in Salt Lake City after being stored in a garage in Montana and has been restored and driven only 76,000 miles since new.
“Runs like Jimmy Carter in 76,” the seller notes.
“I am hesitant to let this beauty go so soon after purchasing it; however, I am re-relocating back to the Salt Lake valley and I need something more suitable for the winter.
“This piece of history has been a daily joy to own and it has impressed all who have had the chance to ride in it. I drove it regularly (2 mi) in Salt Lake between work and home. Since then, I have driven it maybe once a week for the last 4 months. I believe it is time for me to let this beauty fall into the hands of another deserving individual preferably a mechanic.”
The seller says the car runs just fine but needs an air filter, clutch release-arm lubrication and clutch adjustment and service.
“I am 20 years old and not a mechanic,” the seller notes, adding that “I have been working with the National Parks for the past 4 months and haven’t found much free time (to tackle the car’s needs).
“I understand that this car is absolute eye candy… no matter how much I want to enjoy cruising in ‘er every day, I realize the best service I can give to this vehicle is to pass it on to the next lucky fellow. “
In 1976, Honda Civic CVCCs had a 1,488cc 4-cylinder engine rated at 60 horsepower and 76 pound-feet of torque. A 4-speed manual gearbox was standard.
This one is being offered for $6,480. Note, however, that the advertisement includes only 4 photographs.
The Jaguar looks to be in great original condition
Sir William Lyons, the founder of Jaguar, was involved with every Jaguar built from the SS series, through the XK120 and the E-Type. What was the last Jaguar design he had anything to do with?
The correct answer is the XJ40 version of the XJ6, such as the Pick of the Day, a 1991 Jaguar XJ6 Sovereign sedan.
The XJ40 model was the much-needed update of the venerable Jaguar sports sedan. The British car was the most-modern car Jaguar had built, combining modern features and the new AJ6 Jaguar 4.0-liter inline-6 engine with new bodywork and suspension. Unlike earlier updated versions of the XJ6, this was a clean-slate rework of the car.
The Grand Rapids, Michigan, dealer advertising the XJ6 on ClassicCars.com describes it as well-cared for and with relatively low-mileage, pointing out that the white paint shows high luster with an absence of sun fading or dulling from improper care, and the chrome is shiny, although there is a slight haze in the headlight lenses.
The tan-leather upholstery and rich burled wood trim are in excellent condition, the dealer notes, and the doors close with a satisfying thunk. All of the car’s original equipment is present and functional, including the factory audio system, sunroof and automatic shoulder belts, the ad says.
The car includes its original manuals, leather case and recent maintenance records.
For years, this fourth generation of the XJ6 was overlooked by many due to its more squared-off European look. It did not help that the next-generation XJ6 returned to the traditional XK6 headlight treatment.
Interestingly, though, in the past few years, these cars have started to gather a more serious following. Due to their being among the least expensive older Jaguar models, many have been driven into the ground, making finding one this nice quite difficult.
There is also the fact that these were some of the best put-together Jaguars in the history of the company, and did much to improve Jaguar’s reputation for reliability.
The asking price of this nice example is an incredibly reasonable $13,500, or less than any current compact sedan costs new.
So, the questions is: would you rather pay $10,000 more to drive a new Hyundai or would you rather sit behind the wheel of this Jaguar? I know which I would choose.
To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.
It looks like a Dodge with a Willys-Overland greenhouse, but it’s a 1937 Detroit Electric
If you could ignore the headline and caption and see only the photograph above, you sharp-eyed automotive historians might assume that the Pick of the Day is some sort of automotive concoction created by placing a late 1930s Willys greenhouse atop a late 1930s Dodge body.
And you’re be pretty close, because that’s just what Detroit Electric was doing as it struggled against the tide for viability in the automotive marketplace with its battery-powered vehicles.
Who knew that Detroit Electric, or any of the early EV producers, was still in business that far into the 20th Century (Detroit Electric ended production in 1939)? Or that its drivers still steered its vehicles with tillers instead of steering wheels?
The Anderson Carriage Company was founded in 1884 in Port Huron, Michigan, but William C. Anderson moved his company to Detroit in the mid-1890s and in 1907 it moved again, not physically but from producing carriages to cars.
In the early days of the American automobile, about one-third of cars were powered by petroleum, another third by steam and the other third by electric batteries. Anderson was a leader in that final category, in part because of marketing his cars to urban-dwelling women who didn’t like the idea of powering up a boiler or the danger of hand-cranking an engine.
Detroit Electric cars (Anderson retired in 1918 and the company’s name changed a year later) also were popular because of their styling, which included a faux-radiator front section and a tall, glass-enclosed passenger compartment that resembled a china closet. And with a tiller that pivoted out of the B pillar, the interior was roomy and uncluttered.
Of course, tastes change, so in an effort to give its vehicles a more-modern appearance, the company started buying bodies from Willys-Overland, and then from Dodge, and thus the look of today’s car.
“It isn’t known precisely how many of these later Detroits were built, and they are a rare sight, indeed,” the dealer notes in the advertisement.
“This rare and unusual 1937 Detroit Electric Model 99 is an incredibly well-preserved survivor. It is a very late production model, one of a mere handful of known examples featuring the Dodge-sourced bodywork. It benefits from recent, sympathetic servicing and is offered in good working order, with a charming and endearing patina.”
The Model 99 was the long-wheelbase version of the Detroit Electric, with 112 inches between axles. The company also produced a model 97 on a 100-inch platform.
The dealer points out that “While Detroit sought to make the styling more conventional, the cabin is anything but that. The parlor-style seating arrangement places the driver on the rear bench seat, with a rear-facing jump seat and no traditional dash or steering column. The Model 99 was undoubtedly one of the last passenger cars sold with tiller steering.
Tiller pivots from B pillar
“Like the body, the cabin is exceptionally well-preserved, with original gray fabric trim in very good order. A few blemishes and minor tears are expected, yet overall, the seats, panels, and carpets are surprisingly intact. Fittings like the window winders and door handles have lovely, ornate details reflecting the Model 99’s high-end status.”
Appearances aside, “The beauty of early electric vehicles of this type is in their mechanical simplicity. Without a fuel system, cooling system, or many moving parts to maintain, they’re refreshingly straightforward to own and enjoy.”
The Standard Encyclopedia of American Cars reports that Detroit Electric advertised that its cars would “take you anywhere that an automobile may go with a milage radius farther than you will ever care to travel in a day.” It advertised a range of 80 miles between battery charges, although in an endurance run, a Detroit Electric reached 211.3 miles on a single charge.
“This example has been fitted with new, updated deep-cycle batteries in the front and rear compartments,” the dealer reports. “It drives quite well and needs little to enjoy to the fullest on the road.
“It would also be a most welcome participant in preservation-class shows or in gatherings of historically significant alternative-fuel vehicles that are an increasingly relevant part of international concours events.”
This 1975 Cadillac Fleetwood was customized for the 40th anniversary of bicycle and motorcycle supplier Magura USA
The Pick of the Day looks like it just arrived from the SEMA Show. It’s a 1975 Cadillac Fleetwood sedan with a custom wrap and riding on big aftermarket wheels.
This Caddy was the promotional ride celebrating the 40th anniversary of Magura USA back in 2015, and is offered for sale by its private owner in Olney, Illinois, via an advertisement on ClassicCars.com.
If you’re really into 2-wheel travel, you may know Magura USA as the distribution arm of German manufacturer Magura, which was established way back in 1893 in Bad Urach. Magura is known for producing the first hydraulic mountain-bike brakes and, in 1968 and for Malcolm Smith, the first adjust-on-the-fly motorcycle clutch for off-road racing.
According to its website, Magura offers a full range of hydraulic disc brake products for mountain bikes, the first wireless dropper seat post and radial brake and hydraulic clutch systems for motorcycles.
Magura USA was founded in 1975 and is based in Olney, Illinois, which likely explains the Caddy’s location.
The advertisement on ClassicCars.com has very little information, stating that under the graphic wrap, the ’75 Fleetwood Sedan Deville is black with a red pinstripe, has “every feature possible for that year,” and custom wheels and tires, dual exhaust and Edelbrock manifold and carburetor.
However, the website bikerumor.com, in reporting on the Sea Otter Classic in 2015, notes that “the real show stopper was Magura’s new ‘promotional vehicle.’ This pristine 1975 Cadillac Coupe de Ville got a custom Magura wrap to celebrate the 40th anniversary, but that Parlor Room Red interior is all original, baby.
“Seeing it in person, it’s hard to believe they used to make cars this big — there is enough room for 3, may be 4 bodies, we mean bikes, in the trunk alone. cq on the cross-through bodies
“Custom wheels with Vredestein tires and yellow calipers top it all off.”
In the specs portion of the ClassicCars.com ad, we learn the car has been driven 46,266 miles. In the photos, we see the stunning velour interior upholstery and the yellow trim on the V8 engine, presumably Cadillac’s standard 500cid V8.
The first-year GTO was a surprising success for Pontiac
Although the Pontiac GTO was never meant to be a Gran Turismo Omologato – a grand touring homologation race car – it did kick off the muscle car wars that raged between U.S. automakers throughout the 1960s and early ’70s.
That makes the first year of the GTO something special, when Pontiac took the plunge and made this performance package optional for its Tempest LeMans midsize car.
The Pick of the Day is a 1964 Pontiac Tempest LeMans GTO, a clean-looking example of the original lightweight muscle car, packing a 348-horsepower Tri-Power V8 and 4-speed manual transmission.
While there are many GTO clones out there muddying the water, this first-year GTO is the real deal, fully documented as a factory original, according to the seller, an Orville, Ohio, dealer advertising the Goat on ClassicCars.com.
“This 1964 Pontiac GTO has its Protect-O-Plate and is PHS (Pontiac Historic Services) documented!” the dealer says in the ad. “It has a nice straight body and the paint shows well. The front and rear bumpers have been re-chromed. It sits on a new set of BFG redline radials with factory spinner hubcaps. The interior has been redone including the seats and door panels.”
Most muscle car people know the story of the GTO, how the famed John DeLorean along with Bill Collins and Russ Gee bucked the GM establishment with a new breed of car designed to attract young drivers with its performance vibe.
The GTO was certainly not the first Detroit machine with thunderous horsepower, but it presented it in a smaller and more-nimble package. This was just before the advent of the Mustang from that car company across town, and the GTO was an unexpected runaway success for Pontiac.
Model year 1964 was unique, stylistically, as the Tempest and therefore the GTO received a complete redo for 1965. In 1966, GTO became a standalone Pontiac model.
This car is apparently the upgraded version with three two-barrel Rochester carbs feeding the 389cid V8, limited slip differential, heavy-duty cooling, handling package and metallic brake-drum linings. Brake performance was always an issue with these early models as they had the same 4-wheel drum brakes as the standard Tempest.
The GTO looks just as the dealer describes, a clean and straight Southern car that is well-presented with a new interior and decent paint. Photos of the undercarriage and front suspension show that it’s also clean and solid underneath. The specs claim just 33,000 miles on the odometer, but the seller does not say whether that is correct or original.
I like the straightforward design of these original GTOs, and
this one seems like a good deal at $39,900
To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.
For all his quirks, Henry Ford was a great American. He
loved Americana. He gave the American middle class a new way to travel and in
so doing, complete freedom of movement – affordably. He was friends with other
great inventors, including Thomas Edison. Reluctantly, he helped Roosevelt beat
the Axis powers in WWII as part of the Arsenal of Democracy.
The Pick of the Day for the Fourth of July is a 1912 Ford Model T Runabout roadster with a pickup box offered on ClassicCars.com by a dealer in Norwalk, Ohio. This is the car that revolutionized the way goods are manufactured with the everyday owner in mind.
The first year of the conveyer assembly line was actually 1913.
Ford incorporated it, but some of the credit must go to Ford employees Clarence
Avery, Peter E. Martin, Charles E. Sorensen, and C. Harold Wills
for conceptualizing the process. By 1927, when production ended for the Model T
to make way for an all-new Model A, the first mass-produced car represented
nearly half of all cars on the road.
Ford actually lowered the price of the car each year because of realized savings in manufacturing, which was passed onto the consumer. He sold the cars through a network of franchised dealerships and came up with creative financing to get people behind the wheel. The result was 16.5 million Model Ts sold. Its record for the best-selling car in the world stood for 45 years.
In 1914, Ford also paid his assembly-line employees nearly
double that of his competitors. A $5 a day wage seemed crazy, but it helped
Ford attract the best workers – who in turn would be consumers of the product.
His competitors would then need to raise the pay rate for retention of their
best employees.
According to the seller’s description, “This is a spectacular
brass-era Model T. Frame-off restoration to very high standards. Finished in
proper red. Black button-tufted seat. Black cloth top. Speedometer. Clock.
Brass Moto-Meter with Dog Bone. Brass Ford script step plate. E&J brass
headlamps, side lamps and tail lamp.”
The dealer also says that a modern acetylene tank is mounted
behind the seat and provides gas for the working headlamps. There are a few
other “modern features” including an accessory electric STOP lamp, a running-board-mounted tool box and both
battery and magneto, making for easy crank starts. The powertrain is a 177 cid
4 -cylinder engine through a planetary transmission.
“This Ford would be
great for HCCA (Horseless Carriage Club of America), AACA (Antique Automobile
Club of America) and MTFCA (Model T Ford Club of America) shows, tours and club
events. Ready to drive, show and enjoy,” the seller notes.
It’s a real slice of ingenuity. Grit. Americana. The asking
price is $55,900. A far cry from the $800 sticker nearly 110 years ago.
To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.
The Chieftain looks resplendent in red-and-gold 2-tone paint with loads of chrome trim
Always a favorite, the 1955 Pontiac was a stylistic gem that came at a time when General Motors was on an upswing of design across its divisions.
The Pick of the Day looks to be an exceptional example, a 1955 Pontiac Chieftain 2-door hardtop described as a “frame-off restoration job” by the Morgantown, Pennsylvania, dealer advertising the car on ClassicCars.com.
The advertising dealer goes into the history of the division (“The brand was named after Pontiac, Grand Chief of the Ottawa Native Americans, who was famous for his rebellion against Fort Detroit (the British) in 1763.”) as well as in-depth descriptions of the design and trim on this example.
“This beauty has wonderful lines, snappy 2-tone colors and correct interior,” the dealer notes. “Lots of horizontal chrome and black-banded trim, big bumpers front and rear, and a curved rear window complete with chromed B pillar and gleaming surrounds on all window trimmings. Oh, and did I mention it runs like a Swiss watch?”
The Chieftain looks quite regal in its gleaming red-and-black two-tone paint job, with the lavish array of intricate chrome pieces shining like new. Anyone who has attempted to restore one of these Pontiacs knows the vast complexity of its chrome bits, and this one looks like it was done right with the required fastidiousness of detail.
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“Topping the red hood and leading the way for the smiling grille and large bumper below, a jet with a glass chieftain head provides the ornament,” the dealer says in the colorful description. “Flanking this on either side is bands of horizontal ribs running the gamut of the hood and looking much like a package wrapping for you to open and enjoy.”
Photos with the ad also show the fine condition of the interior, engine compartment and underside. The Pontiac has its correct 287cid V8 valve-in-head engine fed by a Carter WGD 2-barrel carburetor. The engine is backed by a 4-speed Hydramatic automatic transmission and 3.08:1 ratio rear end.
The dashboard glistens with chrome accents.
“An original-looking dash gussied up with black paint, and wide chromed bezels with inserted gauges and levers gives my eyes mid-1950s dreams, it’s that nice,” the dealer says.
The asking price for this lovely example of a special year for Pontiac is $36,900.
To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.
