1970 Chevy K/5 Blazer Restoration
This 1970 Chevy K/5 Blazer is a perfect example of the quality and craftsmanship that goes into each of Classic Ford Broncos’ builds, and much like the Classic Ford Broncos San Francisco we talked about earlier,…
5 Classic Off-Roaders More Affordable Than the New Range Rover
Editor’s Note: We love scouring the internet for reasons to spend money we don’t have on cars we daydream about owning, and these are our picks this week. All prices listed are bid amounts at the time of publishing.
The new 2018 Range Rover SV Coupe and the original 1970 two-door Range Rover couldn’t be more different (well, aside from the number of doors). In 1970, the Range Rover came with a plastic dash, vinyl seats, while ‘luxury’ appointments like power steering, carpeted floors and air conditioning were noticeably absent. Which made hosing down the interior after a weekend of off-roading much easier. Now imagine hosing down the soft leather and open-pore walnut and sycamore veneers in the new $295,000 two-door.
While the new Range Rover SV Coupe is most assuredly luxurious and an undoubtedly pleasant space to spend a few hours driving, it’s nice to have a four-wheeler you don’t mind scratching up a bit. So, in light of the new two-door Range Rover’s eye-watering price tag and don’t-you-dare-scratch-it paint options and interiors, we found a few classic two-door off-roaders that’d be happy to play in the dirt.
1981 Land Rover Range Rover
Mileage: 13,422
Location: Italy
What we like: This ’81 Range Rover doesn’t have the sumptuous interior of the new SV Coupe, but it’s not exactly as spartan and utilitarian as the original 1970 model. Velour upholstery, A/C and power steering put this comfy off-roader right in the Goldilocks spot.
What to look out for: Rust will always be a problem to look out for, but with this generation Range Rover, it’s imperative to check and look over the engine block. The blocks are known to crack, which can be a repair that costs more than the car itself. If you do get a perfect specimen, V8 models are incredibly needy when it comes to oil maintenance — don’t use the cheap stuff and always perform oil changes on time.
Expert opinion: “Before leaving for Michigan, we got a chance to play with our Range Rover at the bottom of the Grand Canyon. There we found that a lot of the Bigfoot-in-a-tux hyperbole that one hears about this vehicle is well deserved. We crawled up dunes, forded the Colorado River, bumped over boulders the size of large doghouses, and blasted down miles of gravel roads, and the Range Rover never once bogged down, got tippy or rattled our teeth loose. Even at 70 mph over unpaved roads, it had a remarkably smooth ride, more like a Cadillac than a dirt donk.” — Tony Assenza, Car and Driver, 1987
1976 Ford Bronco
Mileage: 1,450 (TMU)
Location: Oakland, California
What we like: This Bronco is a complete rebuild by Gas Monkey Garage of Discovery Channel fame. And while the owner and host of the show Fast n’ Loud is an acquired taste, this four-wheeler is inarguablly tastefully appointed. It’s hard to go wrong with dark green.
From the seller: “This 1976 Ford Bronco was featured by Gas Monkey Garage two years ago, at which time it underwent a body-off resto-mod. The truck was sold on the television show in season one, and was later won by the current owner in a raffle. The 302ci Ford crate V8 and C6 automatic transmission were installed at the time of the restoration. Custom paint and body work, a new interior and suspension upgrades are equipped.”
What to look out for: It’s a complete rebuild, so this Bronco is practically new with 1,450 miles on the clock, but it is a custom job. It doesn’t have doors or a top and won’t pass emissions tests in the state of California.
1990 Mercedes-Benz Wolf 250GD
Mileage: 26,200 (TMU)
Location: Saint Louis, Missouri
What we like: This 250GD is as bare-bones as you get. It saw military service so there’s nothing in the interior that isn’t essential. If you want an off-roader that’s easy to hose down, the metal floor, plastic dash and vinyl seats of the is diesel G-Wagen is what you want.
From the seller: “This 1990 Mercedes-Benz Wolf 250GD was used as a military vehicle in the European Union before it was retired and imported to the United States last year. The truck is a soft top model with a green interior and finished in green, brown and black camouflage. Power comes from a 2.5L diesel inline-five engine backed by a 4-speed manual transmission.”
What to look out for: This was a military service vehicle in Europe, so you have to assume it was beaten to hell and back. That said, it looks like it’s in decent condition, but there are noted problems with the wiring and heat blower.
Expert opinion: “I should mention at this point that the G-Wagen I drove had a dash-mounted, airplane-style artificial horizon gauge; the kind of gauge that tells you whether you’re level, or descending, or ascending, or about to crash into Lake Erie. Initially, I had no idea why this gauge would be fitted to an automobile, but then I realized that when you’re driving this G-Wagen, every corner feels like the banked turns at Bristol Motor Speedway.” — Doug Demuro, Jalopnik
1979 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ43
Mileage: 22,300 (TMU)
Location: Miami, Florida
What we like: Usually a near four-decade-old land Cruiser would raise some eyebrows in a condition and reliability discussion. However, this fire-red Landy received a full body-off repaint and a rebuilt 4.2L inline-six, transmission and transfer case. It’s not exactly as good as new, but it’s pretty damn close.
From the seller: “Work under the seller’s ownership has included a body-off repaint in red and white, reupholstering the interior, rebuilding the 4.2L inline-six, and more. Features include manually-engaged front hubs, rear troopie-style seating, a folding windscreen and grey painted steel wheels.”
What to look out for: This is a restored example so it should be mechanically sound. Historically, though, the front axle seals are prone to leaking.
Expert opinion: “Compared to the only modern 4×4 that can be even remotely described as “basic”, the Jeep Wrangler, the FJ40 is a mini-tank. Strip away all the modern amenities found in a new Wrangler and you’re still left with a vehicle that feels incredibly bloated compared to the FJ40. The simplicity of the FJ40 allows you to quickly bond with it and I can only hope that I’ll get a chance to do some true bushwhacking in one at some point.” — Andrew Maness, Jalopnik
1990 Land Rover 90 200TDi
Mileage: 149,000
Location: Carrollton, Texas
What we like: It’s easy to get lured in by this Defender’s beautiful blue paint job, but the interior shows its true age. That shouldn’t be too much of a concern if the going price doesn’t get astronomically high. After all, this is an overlander — it’s meant to go off-road and get dirty. But if you’re shelling out large sums of cash, you’ll be less inclined to have fun. Hopefully, the bidding stays humble.
From the seller: “A $12k engine rebuild was conducted before export and included new pistons, rings, bearings, seals, gaskets, cam belts and more as detailed below. The braking system features a new slave cylinder and pads, while the suspension was fitted with new turrets, mounting rings, and shock absorbers.”
What to look out for: The fuel system on the 200TDi tends to be an issue, but this particular Defender has a rebuilt engine and fuel system. Another thing to keep an eye out for on old off-roaders like this wear on the suspension.
Expert opinion: “Each new engine brought improvements in performance and refinement, but even the current Defenders can be considered noisy, uncomfortable and unresponsive by the standards of a modern SUV. The short wheelbase 90 model has a choppy ride; the long-wheelbase 110 feels like a bus. Steering response, braking performance and vehicle stability all require a certain adjustment in driving style.” — James Mills, The Sunday Times
Recapping the 2018 Geneva Motor Show: New Cars, Vintage Cars and More
In the event you’d a) like all your new-car news delivered in one fell swoop, and b) are not in Switzerland, here’s a summation of highlights from this year’s Geneva International Motor Show.
8 Vintage, Remastered and Insane Cars On Display at the Geneva Motor Show
I highly recommend you stray from the beaten path and admire the classic, gnarly and downright iconic other cars on display.
The 13 Best Sports Cars, 4x4s and Luxury Cars of the 2018 Geneva Motor Show
There are plenty of vintage, concept and just plain strange vehicles on display as well, but this is a good place to start.
Volkswagen Just Killed Off Its Most Iconic Car. Here’s Why You Should Care
The Beetle, the car that made Volkswagen a household name and carried it through the 20th century, is dead.
This 24-Year-Old Restored Audi Wagon Is the Most Desirable Car at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show
The 1994 Audi RS 2 Avant (wagon) was the first RS car Audi ever made, and it was a joint project with Porsche.
AMG-Mercedes Raises the Bar With an All-New Super Sedan
That is how AMG does practicality.
The Entry-Level Mercedes-AMG C43 Gets a Few Upgrades for 2019
Just announced at the Geneva International Motor Show, that, the Mercedes-AMG C43 get updated looks but it’s also set for a small power bump as well.
A Legendary ’90s Japanese Sports Car Finally Makes Its Return
For the first time, ever, Toyota finally, publically confirmed the existence of the next Supra.
The Future of BMW Design Is Back On Track
Why they don’t just show the actual M8 Gran Coupe, is beyond me, but if it looks anything like the show car, I don’t care.
The All-New 2018 Range Rover SV Coupe Is a Far Cry From the Original Two-Door Off-Roader
Range Rover has brought back the two-door version of its full-sized SUV.
10 Cars We Can’t Wait to See at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show
Only the best Europe and Asia have to offer are invited.
These Are Hands Down the Best Wheel Designs of the Year
One of the most anticipated cars of last year’s Geneva Motor Show is aiming for an equally exciting follow-up at this year’s show, next week.
The Heroic Rifter 4×4 Will Debut at the Geneva Motor Show
If indeed it goes into production, our friends in Europe will find themselves with a turnkey adventure mobile, replete with honest off-road cred and serious good looks.
The All-New Volvo V60 Is Definitely the Best Wagon Around, and Every American Should Buy One
Volvo has yielded one of the best-looking and most proportional lift back designs I’ve seen in years.
Ferrari Sets the Stage For the 2018 Geneva Motor Show
The most hardcore, track ready version of the Ferrari 488 we’ve seen yet.
Porsche Reveals its Maniacal 2019 911 GT3 RS for Geneva 2018
The latest non-turbo, race-ready 911 variant, freshly facelifted and very green, has finally arrived.
Mercedes Announces Three New Levels of Luxury Ahead of the 2018 Geneva International Motor Show
Expect the Mercedes Geneva show stand to be packed with new design, more performance and even more luxury.
8 Vintage, Remastered and Insane Cars On Display at the Geneva Motor Show
Sure, you could wander around the Geneva Motor Show, fighting crowds to stare at new McLarens and Ferraris and Porsches. Or you could stray from the beaten path and take your time admiring the classic, gnarly and downright iconic other cars on display. Here’s a sampling.
David Brown Minis Remastered
If the name David Brown sounds familiar, it’s because of his involvement with Aston Martin many decades ago — hence, the “DB” nomenclature in cars like the legendary DB5 and all-new DB11. The David Brown Automotive company is still going strong, producing newly-imagined versions of British cars we already know and love. Take, for instance, the Mini Remastered: bodywork has been smoothed and subtly reshaped; the deep paint job takes four weeks to complete; inside, modern technology completes the up-to-date experience.
Pininfarina Birdcage 75th Concept Car by Pininfarina
First introduced at the 2005 Geneva Motor Show, the Birdcage concept pays homage to design house Pininfarina’s 75th anniversary and to the classic Maserati Tipo 61 “Birdcage” cars of the ’60s.
Lamborghini Marzal Concept Car by Bertone
FOrward thinking designers at Bertone were ahead of even David Bowie by the late ’60s when this concept debuted. Featuring a carbureted straight-six and complex suspension, the car was meant to be as sporting as it was bizarre. It appears to be half glass and upholstered in emergency blankets, but the Lambo hood ornament makes sense of the craziness.
Bizzarini Manta Concept Car
Giorgetto Giugiaro was a genius designer whose work dominated cutting-edge car art roughly 50 years ago. There is plenty to discuss here, but most notable are the three-seat layout with center-mounted driver position and the impeccable paint scheme. (Those orange pinstripes — so good.)
Meanie 2.0
Not just another Mini, this one has been reborn as a steroidal sports car. It only generates 220 horsepower, but that rockets the small car to 60 mph in under four seconds and pushes it to a top speed of at least 120 mph. Only five will be built.
Belcar
Exact details here are scarce, but it seems that over a six-year run, only 81 cars of this kind were produced in various configurations. It’s a microcar from Germany, made of fiberglass-reinforced polyester over a simple frame and three wheels.
Brabus 4×4 Adventure
Add almost 140 horsepower and 140 lb-ft of torque to the already beastly Mercedes-Benz 4×4² and the behemoth will launch to 60 mph in 6.7 seconds. The electrically-adjustable suspension is good for three levels of firmness, and all around the nearly seven-foot-tall vehicle are all manner of off-road kit. Even the headliner features a fiber optic rainbow star array. This isn’t a newly-available truck, but it’s too good to pass up.
Italdesign-Airbus pop.up next
So, there’s not much more to say here other than it’s a modular vehicle that features super high-tech driver assistance and a massive drone-style airship. It all connects somehow, enabling the car (?) to…fly. Which is, apparently, a thing. Very exciting.
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You Can Preorder a Flying Car
It just wouldn’t be the Geneva Motor Show without the unveiling of at least one flying car. This year, the flying car everyone’s focusing on is the final production sample of the PAL-V Liberty, the…
The 13 Best Sports Cars, 4x4s and Luxury Cars of the 2018 Geneva Motor Show
The concentration of car news that springs forth from the Geneva Motor Show each year is nearly too much for one internet to handle. Below, I’ve cherry-picked the most notable newness from Switzerland — these are production-ready cars, or at least very close to being so. There are plenty of vintage, concept and just plain strange vehicles on display as well, but this is a good place to start. – Nick Caruso
2018 Geneva International Motor Show Details
Where: Palexpo Exhibition Center; Geneva, Swizterland
When: March 8-18
Tickets: ~$17 Here
More Info: Here
Sports Cars
McLaren Senna GTR Concept
When it was introduced in December 2017, the McLaren Senna was almost as superlative as the British company’s offerings got, with specs somewhat on par with the near-mythical McLaren F1. Those figures are surpassed by this, the ultra-limited-run GTR Concept version of the Senna. No, that’s not a snow plow attachment out front, nor are those surface-to-air missile launchers on the rear. The aerodynamic elements on the Senna GTR Concept are admittedly insane looking, and they’re also remarkably effective. Rendering the Senna GTR Concept illegal for road use, the collection of wings and spoilers and diffusers expertly placed over the taut bodywork is, in concert, able to produce up to roughly 2,200 pounds of downforce at speed. (That’s equivalent to around 10 baby elephants’ worth of air pressing the car down to the track when it’s going full-tilt.)
Key Specs
Engine: 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8
Horsepower: 813
Number Produced: 75
Weight: ~2,600 pounds
The Catch: It’s for track use only.
Hennessey Venom F5
The speed-obsessed American mad scientists at Hennessey have somehow managed to push their Venom hypercar even further into the realm of the unthinkable. On display at Geneva now, the Venom F5 has a solitary, stratospheric mission, according to Hennessey: “being the fastest road car on earth.” Translation: the company is shooting for upwards of 300 miles an hour as a top speed. John Hennessey himself has claimed that “it’s no question of if we will break 300 mph but a question of when.” Only 25 examples will be built and at least 10 have been spoken for.
Key Specs
Horsepower: 1,600+
Weight: less Than 3,000 pounds
Price: $1.6 million
Potential Bragging Rights: It may literally be fast as hell.
Bugatti Chiron Sport
Three. Point. Two. Six. Million. There are few products in the world that could justifiably command such a price tag. For those willing and able to shell out that kind of dough, Bugatti has a track-focused car ready and available for the taking. Compared to the “base-model” Chiron, which comes in at a relatively reasonable ~$2.8 million, the Chiron Sport is literally less car for more money: it benefits from a weight savings of (drum roll, please) 40 pounds thanks to engineering moves like replacing the stock windshield wipers with carbon fiber examples. The formula seems to have paid off: the Chiron Sport will lap the famous Nardò Ring test track five seconds faster than the regular Chiron. That is, of course, the result of a firmer suspension and the like paired with the famous 1,500-horsepower, quad-turbocharged W16 engine. Additionally, you’ll find styling cues like Alcantara and carbon fiber interior details on the inside and an available quad-pipe exhaust out back.
Key Specs
Horsepower: 1,500
Top Speed: 260+ mph
Price: $.26 million
Upshot: You won’t be the first person to pay a ton of money to lose a little bit of weight.
Lamborghini Performante Spyder
Down 77 pounds but up 30 horsepower from the all-wheel drive Huracan Spyder, the Performante is made to not only brtualize physics and eardrums alike, but to do so while ripping out each strand of a driver’s hair in the process. The top lowers in 17 seconds, and it’s not the only impressive moving mechanical bit: active aerodynamics shift dynamically as the car is driven to optimize air flow and downforce, sticking the car to the track as best as possible.
Key Specs
Engine: naturally-aspirated V10
Horsepower: 640
0-60: 3.1 seconds
Top Speed: 201 mph
Must-have Option: The red, white and green “Italian flag” stripes that run the length of both door sills.
Ferrari 488 Pista
A crazier version of Ferrari’s 488 GTB, the trick with this car is threefold: lots more power (50 more), lots less weight (198 pounds total) and clever aerodynamic engineering. (That is, of course, the only formula for going very fast.) Air is routed through the car in an “S shape,” wich creates a bunch of downforce. Its turbocharged V8 is freer-revving too, allowing it to nudge 8,000 RPM on the top end. All of these element conspire to hustle the Pista (which means “track” in Italian”) around Ferrari’s test track 1.5 fater than the GTB.
Key Specs
Horsepower: 711
Torque: 568 lb-ft
Weight: 3,306
Design Note: Those stripes aren’t vinyl add-ons like most manufacturers would use; they’re actually painted, and aligning them across multiple body panels isn’t easy.
A Legendary ’90s Japanese Sports Car Finally Makes Its Return
For the first time, ever, Toyota finally, publically confirmed the existence of the next Supra.
Takeaway
This is a barely-disguised road car. It’s been years and years since the Supra was a thing. The hotly-anticipated car will be incredibly important for the brand, and Supra fun to drive. Squint a little, then imagine away the spoiler and ground effects and racing livery — boom. There’s your new Supra.
Porsche Reveals its Maniacal 2019 911 GT3 RS for Geneva 2018
The latest non-turbo, race-ready 911 variant, freshly facelifted and very green, has finally arrived.
Takeaway
No turbos. The GT3 RS is a non-turbo track car, the former part of which is most notable these days. Porsche has begun turbocharging pretty much every engine they make (not necessarily a bad thing…at all), but if you’re a purist and want to scorch some laps, this is the answer.
Luxury Cars
Jaguar I-Pace
Yep, electric vehicles suck, right? Especially the beautiful ones. And the ones that go 0-60 in 4.5 seconds. And the ones that feature a range of approximately 10 times the average driven commute… Or, maybe I could be convinced. To date, I’m personally not 100 percent sold on electricity-powered anything, largey due to styling issues. Why alternative cars have to look alternative escapes me (Prius, thy name is but…why?.) However, Jag has made a very lovely looking car that promises to perform and please at every turn. We’ll see.
Key Specs
Powertrain: entirely electric; all-wheel drive
0-60: 4.5 seconds
Range: 300 miles
Bottom Line: Finally, one that’s not a Tesla. (Not that there’s anything wrong with Teslas.)
The Future of BMW Design Is Back On Track
Why they don’t just show the actual M8 Gran Coupe, is beyond me, but if it looks anything like the show car, I don’t care.
Takeaway
Drift Mode. The new sport sedan features a setting that sends all of its power to the rear wheels, eschewing is the standard all-wheel drive setup. Increase your tire budget.
AMG-Mercedes Raises the Bar With an All-New Super Sedan
That is how AMG does practicality.
Takeaway
It’s a steal. Especially with these updates, AMG’s entry-level performance mated to a nicely-sized sedan is really, really hard to beat.
The Entry-Level Mercedes-AMG C43 Gets a Few Upgrades for 2019
Just announced at the Geneva International Motor Show, that, the Mercedes-AMG C43 get updated looks but it’s also set for a small power bump as well.
Takeaway
Protip: “The best combination for usability and performance, though, is probably the twin-charged T6 engine, which can come paired with all-wheel-drive and packs a 316-horsepower punch in its platform mate the XC60.”
The All-New Volvo V60 Is Definitely the Best Wagon Around, and Every American Should Buy One
Volvo has yielded one of the best-looking and most proportional lift back designs I’ve seen in years.
Trucks and 4x4s
The All-New 2018 Range Rover SV Coupe Is a Far Cry From the Original Two-Door Off-Roader
After a nearly 40-year absence, Range Rover has brought back the two-door version of its full-sized SUV.
Ummm… wow. The new SV Coupe costs $295,000. I doubt any are going to be risking it all for the Camel Trophy anytime soon.
Mercedes-AMG G 63
After decades, a lot has changed on Mercedes-Benz’s military 4×4. It’s way, way more luxurious and sporting than its forebears, for instance. Something that hasn’t changed all that much is its styling. The boxy, upright rock-and-Rodeo-Drive-crawler still has that signature bank vault quality to it, but this latest version is admittedly the most refined a Geländewagen has ever been. AMG’s 5.5-liter turbo V8 still hustles this charming shipping container down the road, and numerous upgrades inside and out are bound to please the most discerning of brutalists.
Key Specs
Horsepower: 563
0-60: 5.3 seconds
Old School: There are simply not many vehicles on the road today that are so directly connected to yesteryear. That is, of course, the G-Wagen’s charm, whatever the generation. Just ask my mom.
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Volkswagen Just Killed Off Its Most Iconic Car. Here’s Why You Should Care
The Beetle, the car that made Volkswagen a household name and carried it through the 20th century, is dead after the current generation ends production. Volkswagen Research and Development Boss Frank Welsch announced at this year’s Geneva International Motor Show there’ll be no Beetle replacement and Volkswagen CEO, Dr. Herbert Diess, went one step further to claim the German carmaker “is evolving into an SUV brand.” This may annoy the few Beetle fans out there, and may even seem like the end of days for enthusiasts, but for a brand built on being ‘the people’s car,’ going full-on SUV is the only logical way forward.
However, VW won’t let the Beetle go without filling the gap in the lineup somehow. To make up for the loss of retro flavor, the I.D Buzz, a similarly retro-inspired electric vehicle, will pick up the slack when it arrives in 2022. Even though the new microbus doesn’t scream SUV, it follows the same ideology of a spacious, stylish people carrier. And why wouldn’t VW make this pivot? It has Audi, Porsche, and Lamborghini to take care of its performance credentials and SUV/Crossover sales are too much of a cash cow to resist. VW is, after all, supposed to be making the car of the people, and when ‘the people’ are all buying SUVs and crossovers, the plan of action is obvious.
VW isn’t the only band with this idea either —Ford made a similar claim earlier this year, that it’ll be making even more SUVs too. However, his doesn’t necessarily signal the end of small, fun, sporty cars. The VW brand could be positioning itself as the bankroll for all its sub-brands mentioned above. The more money the parent company brings in, the more wild and exciting cars we’ll see from the underlings. The German brand will be able to experiment more without having to worry about individual losses as much. SUVs and crossovers have been the bread and butter of all the world’s brands for a couple of years now. They’re the reason Mazda can still make the Miata; Porsche, the 718 and 911; Ford, the Mustang; etc. Volkswagen is just taking it to an extreme, and that’s a good thing. The Beetle died so that more fun cars can live.
More From the Geneva Motor Show
There are plenty of vintage, concept and just plain strange vehicles on display as well, but this is a good place to start. Read the Story
2011 Singer 911
Check out Singer’s take on the Vintage 60’s 911 with a 21st century twist.
This modern version gives you choice of three engines, ranging from 3.6 L to 3.9L with power range of 300-425 hp, a 5 speed Getrag G50 transmission, four piston Brembo calipers and drilled rotors, uprated Bilstein adjustable dampers and coil over springs, newly developed, three-piece forged aluminum 17-inch wheels, to match the vintage exterior a bespoke interior, and a classic 1973 Carrera RS steering wheel all within a new carbon fiber body that has been built upon an early ’90s-era 911.
