56k-Mile 1970 Fiat 128 Euro

The seller of this rare Fiat says they personally imported it from the original owner in Europe and still have the registration papers from there.

Fiat launched the 128  in 1969 as their standard issue compact car. Production continued until 1985 after over 3 million units were made. Foreign markets continued making the car until 2001.

This car marked a new era of front-wheel drive from Fiat, good for the company's bottom line, bad for driving enthusiasts. Fortunately what the 128 does do, it does well. The engine is transversely mounted and unequal drive shaft lengths allowed Fiat to place the engine and gearbox side by side, now an industry standard in compact cars.

The sheet metal is also innovative, squeezing in a hood, four doors and a trunk in a tiny shape that's also quite charming. The flat mustard yellow is period but works.

This example is not entirely original but is most likely in better condition than it was before. The seller says the car had rust and was stripped down, treated and re-painted in the original color. Inside, they replaced the door panels, headliner and carpets. Underneath the hood the seller replaced the timing belt and gave it a tuneup. They say it has less thank 96,000 kilometers which is about 56k miles.

The 128 is one of those cars where a ton were made, then simultaneously wiped out through use and rust. Finding a relatively low mileage and refreshed version like this is difficult, especially in the US.

Available here on ebay in Sanford, Florida with bidding at $6,200 and reserve not met.

COTC 2012 Christmas Wish List

10. Toyota MR2

9. Citroen XM Turbo Diesel

8. Mazda 626 Sedan 4WS Turbo

7. Mercedes-Benz Galendenwagen

6. Subaru XT 4WD Turbo

5. Mercedes-Benz 190D 2.5 Turbo Diesel

4. Acura NSX

3. BMW E46 330xd

2. Porsche 964 Carrera 4

1. Mercedes-Benz CLS 350 CDI 4Matic BlueEFFICIENCY

Clean Bargain 1986 Saab 9000 Turbo

With Saab gone, there's never been a better time to reflect on their contributions to the auto industry over the second half of the 20th century. One of the best was their full-size top of the line 9000 hatchback and sedan.

The bigger sibling to the 900, the 9000 actually came later in 1984 as a way to bring in more buyers to the small Swedish brand. It worked. The 9000 took all the things that made the 900 great - space, styling, versatility and turbo power - and did it better. Over 500,000 units were produced until 1998.

The body by Bjorn Envall and Giorgio Giugiaro is an unrecognized classic. Using the Type Four platform that several automakers agreed to share at the time to reduce costs, the designers created a simple but handsome shape that is ever so slightly more conventional than the 900 but makes up for it in bounds more maturity and class, while still being uniquely Saab. We like the early pre-facelift versions for their rarity, cleaner lines, blackened rear pillars and larger hatch glass.

Although the front-wheel drive platform was disappointing when it was selected for the Alfa Romeo 164, it makes complete sense with the 9000. Saab was never a performance-oriented brand and had always employed front-wheel drive. They were not at the level of the German cars, and yet they had much more character than American or Japanese cars. Underneath the hood of this example is a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder turbocharged engine that produced about 130 horsepower. This one also has a 5-speed stick.

Saab has always done interiors well and the 9000 is no exception; in fact, it's one of their best. The wrap-around dashboard cloaked in black is as aesthetically pleasing as it is functional, with all gauges and readouts crystal clear, simple and easy to use. I remember reading that the dials and buttons were also designed to be usable with gloves on when those frigid Scandinavian winters hit. We also love the pre-airbag three-spoke steering wheel.

This example is the cleanest we've seen in a long time. The seller says it's in excellent condition, runs great and everything works. They say the miles are low but don't provide the actual number. From the photos the body looks remarkably clean and straight. The subtle burgundy paint with a hint of pink-purple is also very flattering to the shape, and is a color nobody has done right since. The alloy centers seem dull but can easily be refinished or just re-painted in spray can silver.

With four doors, big cozy seats, plenty of room in front and back, a huge rear hatchback and turbo power, this is one of those seemingly rare cars that is both fun to drive and extremely useful. The build quality on these old Saabs was also rare in that the doors shut with a satisfying heavy clunk. It's too bad the door was shut on the whole company, but cars like this 9000 are positive reminders of their better days.

Available here on craigslist in Inland Empire, California for a mere $1,700.

18k-Mile 1987 Toyota Corolla

There's a running joke on COTC about low mileage econoboxes: exactly that. They're low mileage econoboxes, as opposed to low mileage rare and exotic sports cars. Just what prompts someone to barely drive and then store an immaculate '87 Corolla? Sometimes it's not even intentional. The seller says this vehicle has had just one elderly owner who recently passed but always kept the car garaged.

The E80 was the fifth generation of Corolla and the first to implement front-wheel drive, although the AE86 hatchback versions still retained rear wheel power for a few more years. Purists will scoff at the switch, but it was inevitable and the car still retains a its core values of hardcore thrift, reliability and simplicity. Fwd just means it's even cheaper.

This body lasted until 1987 and was a huge success, with 3.3 million units sold. Despite that, you never see them on the roads anymore, at least not here in wet and salty New England. Styling is classic rising sun economy car of the 80s, all straight lines, hard angles, clean planes and minimal detail. Underneath the hood is a 1.6-liter SOHC 4-cylinder that produces a mere 90 horsepower.

Having accrued just 18,921 miles over the past 26 years, the seller says this Corolla is "exactly what it appears to be"...which is an unusually low mileage survivor Corolla in pretty good shape. Cosmetically, they say it has no rust and still smells new. They do say there is a small crease on the hood and some typical scratches. Otherwise, they say it's ready to hit the road.

What do you do with this? Try to get it into the Toyota USA museum? Keep it stored for another 26 years? Drive it as the daily commuter it was meant to be? Somehow, all seem acceptable.

Available here on ebay in Norristown, Pennsylvania with bidding at $3,325 and a Buy-It-Now of $4,499.

Restored 1956 Volkswagen Beetle Cabriolet

The Beetle is usually overlooked but we can always appreciate a good example. It's legacy is so conflicting: they're collectible, yet over 21 million were made, they're triumphs of engineering, yet intended for everyday use, they were promoted by fascist Germany of the 1930s, yet later embraced by North American counter culture of the 1960s. Is there any corner of 20th century life the Beetle hadn't touched?

The best and most sought after examples of course are the purest, earliest, and cleanest. This fits all three bills.

Only 331,847 cabriolet versions were officially built from 1949-1980 by huge manufacturer Karmann. Styling is pitch perfect and the loss of a roof seemingly created a second new classic in its own right. The design is also handled well with the top up. Chrome window frames roll up to support the roof when closed. The black paint is a little eerie but still really cool, and the mirrorball wheels add some playfulness although we would do without the white mudflaps. Inside, the grey and white interior brightens things up.

Underneath the rear latch is 1200 cc flat four-cylinder air-cooled engine that produced a mere 36 horsepower. It won't be winning any drag races, but, as the seller says, "its appeal is in its reliability and thrift, making this a hobby car without compromises". Couldn't have said it better myself.

COTC has showcased two other impeccable vehicles from this seller before and their Beetle is no different, with dozens of clear photos of every angle inside and out, and a better than average writeup. They say this Beetle is restored, but has been done so in a careful, quality, and period-correct manner. They don't mention whether it is matching numbers but do say the engine is a correct '56 unit and everything was rebuilt to original specifications except for a new 12-volt electrical system cleverly hidden inside a vintage generator.

The asking price is really high, but the restoration must have cost a lot too. If you're looking for a refreshed Beetle in better than new condition that is ready for a new life, take notes. Even if you don't plan on considering this, it's great inspiration.

Available here on ebay for a $39,995 and the Make Offer option.

Four Wheel Steering: 1989 Mazda MX-6 GT

The MX-6 was essentially a coupe version of the 626 sedan. Mazda sold only two generations between 1987 and 1997. The first generation was based on the Mark 3 "GD" platform 626, and only lasted until 1992.

Mazda is one of those on again, off again brands that have not been able to steadily build momentum like Toyota and Honda have (although both are currently teetering on the edge of slipping indefinitely). Mazda has had some moments of widespread appreciation in the industry (their refinement of the rotary engine) and in pop culture (the goofy but catchy Zoom Zoom ads), but nothing that has permanently stuck in the minds of consumers enough to make them a huge sales success, and, more importantly, iconic.

That doesn't mean they haven't made some great products however. To the contrary, they have a lot of modern classics under the belts. One of their lesser known gems is this '89 MX-6. In the 80s, Mazda was still competing on a relatively even playing field with Toyota and Honda for the no.1 Japanese car spot. Their 626 was arguably way cooler and better equipped than the comparable Camry and Accords of the time. To stick out from the competition, this MX-6 has a 2.2-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine under the hood. The thought of  turbo power on an otherwise sedate front-wheel drive car makes it infinitely more appealing, and Mazda understood this.

The seller says a couple of times it's "very fast". They also mention it has a Zombie SS chip and boost controller, but I have no idea what that is or how good it is. What they don't say is whether it has the legendary four wheel steering, which was only offered in the U.S. on 1989 GT models exactly like this one, making it an extreme rarity. Essentially, turning the steering wheel turned all four wheels. The rear wheels were electronically controlled to pivot no greater than 5 degrees in the opposite direction of the front wheels under 35 miles per hour and in the same direction for any speed faster. This allowed for both agile parking and greater maneuverability changing lanes and taking corners. Honda experimented with this too, before all automakers  abruptly pulled it from the market and never offered it again except on a couple other rare and expensive high performance cars. Why this lost but significant technology is being repressed is still a mystery. It could easily have become a standard feature on all cars in the same way that disc brakes and airbags have become.

The body clearly has some flaws and the seller says there is some rust. They also say it needs a wheel bearing and engine mount. Gross over-sized aftermarket exhaust aside, it's good to see the original wheels still intact. This thing is begging for an impeccable restoration. Be the first to do it, then tell me all about it!

Available here on craigslist in Minneapolis, Minnesota for $2,000.

Price Buster: $18.5k 1991 Bentley Turbo R

Bentley cars weren't always the super cool and sexy hi-tech mobiles they are today. In the 80s, the company was stuck with just two bodies, one of which was the dull and angular Mulsanne, and the other was the ancient Corniche, which had been in use since the 60s. Both were also shared with Rolls Royce, lessening the exclusivity even more.

With the Mulsanne-based Turbo R, however, the company sought to spice things up a bit.

'R' stood for road holding and referred to various tuning and suspension changes Bentley made to the Mulsanne to make it sportier. Wider tires and alloy wheels were also added. Underneath the hood was a huge 6.75 liter turbocharged V8 engine that pumped out nearly 300 horsepower to the rear wheels, very respectable for the time and still healthy today. If the goal was to blow the Mercedes 500SEL and BMW 750iL out of the water, Bentley succeeded, and it caught the attention of the press and upper crusters, too.

The only drawback is that reliability will be questionable. For a long time, expensive British cars were made with a lot of pride but not much practicality. I have absolutely no idea where you'd have this serviced and how much it could cost, but the huge engine and turbo boost is going to put a lot of stress on things, and it isn't going to be cheap when something does break.

This example is the cheapest I've ever seen, and could be the lowest priced example ever on the market, save for salvage and wrecked ones. The seller says they acquired it from a family friend and the car wears its original paint, has never been wrecked, and is in good running condition. They list the odometer as reading just 60,953 miles. It also looks good in lesser-seen grey, as so many were red.

I'd love to just have it for a Sunday to drive fast on the highway then show off driving slow around town.

Available here on ebay in Long Beach, California with no bids starting at $14k and a Buy It Now of $18,500.

1-Owner 1985 Merkur XR4Ti

Merkur was Ford's short-lived import brand from the late '80s. In a rather roundabout way, Ford decided to market their German-made cars in the U.S. market. So we were getting a product made in Germany, owned by a U.S. corporation, intended for the European market, but modified and branded to sell here. Sheesh! Why they couldn't just be honest about it and call it what it was - a Ford - is one of automotive history's minor follies.

Since the brand was discontinued in 1989, it made one wonder whether all the trouble on Ford's behalf was worth it (they even once held press-conference to clarify the pronunciation of "Merkur"...note to marketing executives: if you have trouble saying the name of your brand, the whole brand is in trouble).

Fortunately, the XR4Ti wasn't half bad. It was based on the European Ford Suerra. A 2.3-litre inline turbocharged 4-cylinder engine sent up to produced up to 175 horsepower to the rear wheels.

Styling-wise, the translation from European economy car to U.S. yuppie-mobile was mostly successful, and at least very memorable. The grille-less front takes getting used to, but the overall shape is nicely proportioned, and the rear quarter window is something rarely, if ever seen on vehicles. The double-decker bi-plane rear spoiler was also-controversial, but when they toned it down for a single level spoiler in the final year or two, the double-decker was somewhat missed. Did it really keep the car weighted down? Who knows. But it was unusual, looked good, and harkened to the car's distant rally cousins in Europe.

Inside, things work relatively well too. The dashboard is un-pretentious and deliciously bland, and is more '80s American than '80s European, but has held up well, mainly due to the fact it's wholly more functional, ergonomic and aesthetically pleasing than American interiors of the '70s. This one looks totally fresh in light grey bolstered leather seats.

The seller states the vehicle has only one previous owner that accumulated just 94k miles on the car. Finding a low mileage Merkur isn't difficult. 42,464 were made, and they have a cult-following here, so most owners are trying keep them preserved. The rest of them are junked, trashed, and abandoned.

There is no real value in the XR4Ti and nobody expects them to rise, though I am sure they will someday in the distant future. Hemmings estimates the value of an "excellent" example at only $3,000. They are a relic of the '80s that failed not because they were a bad machine, but because they were marketed poorly by humans.

Available here on ebay in El Cajon, California for $4,999 and the Make Offer option.

77k-Mile 1991 Toyota Cressida

The Cressida was Toyota's flagship sedan until Lexus took over that duty. Toyota offered four generations between 1976 and 1993. This is the final "X80" generation that debuted in 1988.

These are notable for their slender Camry-like proportions, 6-cylinder power and rear-wheel drive, rare on a Toyota today. With cars like the Cressida, the Japanese offered something the Americans and Germans didn't: luxury and comfort that was affordable and built well. It was this advantage that left a distinctly positive impression on consumers' minds.

The Cressida's body is classic late 80s Japan, heavily influenced by (and influential on) the Lexus LS400 which was developed alongside and launched shortly after. It smooths out the hard edges that were dominant at the start of the decade, but still has a carefully restrained and minimalist look that was lost by the late 90s. Note the slim pillars for maximum visibility in and out. We also love the crisp alloy wheels and factory body-colored mud flaps with rubber ends. The '91 facelift only enhanced matters.

Inside, occupants are treated to soft plastics and a driver-oriented dashboard. The pre-airbag steering wheel is funky and refreshing, and the cloth seats look cozy and keep things feeling simple and frugal. Passengers in the rear can enjoy their own headrests. Although we dock a couple points for those wacky automatic seat belts, the amazing array of buttons on the center console more than make up for it.

Underneath the hood is a 3.0-liter 6-cylinder engine good for a very healthy 190 horsepower, making sure this will be a smooth and strong cruiser on and off the highways. These Cressidas also shared a double-wishbone rear suspension with the Supra. 23 miles per gallon fuel economy was also decent.

Just 9,415 Cressida were sold in the U.S. in 1991. This particular example has just 77,132 miles on the clock and seems to have been extremely very well kept. The seller says it has had just one owner from new and no dents, damage, or rust. They say everything works, including the power antenna and it runs and drives fine.

Sleek looks, V6 power, rear-wheel drive, cheap parts and stellar reliability make this one desirable cruiser. The low miles and good shape are just icing on top. Never has the melding of comfort and practicality been so well executed.

Available here on ebay in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where an amazing 39 bids have put the price at $3,605 so far with 5 days still left.