Saab’s NG900/9‑3 platform might have been a reworked GM floorpan, but the Viggen variant took things to fighter‑jet levels. Built from 1999 to 2002 in the Trollhättan factory, the Viggen (Swedish for “thunderbolt”) packed a 2.3‑liter turbocharged inline‑four pumping out 225 horsepower and was only offered with a 5‑speed manual gearbox. Saab engineers tuned the […]
Back in the early 1980s, Chrysler’s survival hinged on a new family of compact front‑drive sedans and coupes called the K‑Cars. Built on the L platform, the Plymouth Reliant helped save the company by delivering decent fuel economy, bench‑seat comfort, and a no‑nonsense boxy style. Today, most K‑Cars have long since returned to the earth, […]
Introduced for the 1988 model year, the fourth-generation Mazda 626 (GD chassis) brought Mazda’s midsize sedan into the modern era with a clean, aerodynamic design and front‑wheel‑drive layout. Buyers could spec these Japanese-built cars with fuel‑sipping four‑cylinder 3-valve F2 engines or a turbocharged F2T version, which gave the 626 enough punch to make daily commutes […]
The Mercedes-Benz W126 S-Class set the standard for luxury sedans in the 1980s with its vault-like build quality, sophisticated suspension, and classic Bruno Sacco styling. The short-wheelbase 300SE was powered by a silky 3.0-liter inline six and delivered surprising performance and fuel economy for such a stately machine. This two-tone example sports fresh blue and […]
The Subaru Sambar is Subaru’s answer to Japan’s kei truck/van regulation. This sixth-generation microvan uses a tiny four-cylinder engine and is known for its surprising 4WD capability and clever packaging. This particular Sambar features a lift kit, off-road tires and one of the goofiest front ends you’ll ever see on a kei van thanks to […]
The third-generation Toyota Supra (the A70, built from 1986–1993) is finally old enough to be called both classic and cool, and today’s example nails the brief. With under 50k miles, a 5-speed manual, and an inline-six that still purrs like it did in the Reagan years, it’s a true survivor car. The paint shines, the […]
BMW’s E3 “New Six” sedans pre‑dated the modern 3/5/7‑series nomenclature and gave the Munich brand a full-size four-door that could challenge Jaguar and Mercedes. U.S. buyers got the Bavaria, a de-contented version of the 3.0S fitted with the same fuel-injected M30 straight‑six, independent suspension, and four-wheel disc brakes but sold at a more accessible price. […]
The Mazda MX-3 was Mazda’s attempt at a small 2+2 coupé for the early ’90s, using the company’s EC platform and a swoopy kammback body. Mazda offered the car with a variety of engines, but the GS trim was notable for its 1.8-liter K8 V6 — one of the smallest displacement six-cylinder engines ever fitted […]
The Ford Probe was Ford’s attempt at a modern front-drive performance coupe built on Mazda’s GE platform with styling influences from the Mustang. Introduced in 1989 and redesigned for 1993, the second-generation Probe GT got a gutsy 2.5 liter Mazda V6, four‑wheel disc brakes, and a swoopy aero shape that still looks like a ’90s concept […]
Ford’s fourth-generation Thunderbird introduced for 1964 traded the previous “bullet bird” curves for a more squared‑off, formal look that previewed Ford’s move toward personal luxury. Under the hood sat a 390 cubic‑inch FE V8 paired with an automatic transmission, while options like power seats, tilt‑away steering, and sequential rear turn signals kept Thunderbird buyers happy […]