Classic face-off is a feature where we show you a couple of similarly priced classic cars from the same era, and you vote for the one you find most appealing.
This week features a couple of 1970s Japanese sports cars, decent motors in their heyday, and cult classics today. Neither of today’s contenders is quite ready to hit the streets due to some neglect over the years. However both of them don’t look like too much work, and their low price means there should be plenty left over in the piggy bank for the necessary repairs.
First up is a Toyota Celica GT of 1977 vintage. It’s not moved for three years, but the seller says it starts and drives when hooked up to a new battery. It’s reluctantly up for sale due to the current owner having some financial difficulties, and they have admitted that the car isn’t in quite as good condition as the pictures suggest saying; “paint has weathered since these pics”. There’s not a lot of info on the car other than it needing some work both inside and out. Being a GT Liftback its a desirable model, and its fitted with the standard 2.2 litre 4 cylinder engine which, when new, produced 96 horsepower. So don’t expect to be first away from the lights. But with these cars becoming a bit of rarity nowadays, rest assured you will be the one getting all the attention. Price $2,500. eBay link here
Up against the Celica is one of Japan’s best known and most loved classic sports cars. A Z-car. A 1974 Datsun 260Z to be exact. It’s a runner, and it hasn’t been molested by questionable “upgrades” over the years. And although the car requires some work to make it roadworthy, the seller is kindly including a multitude of parts in the sale. It’s also had some recent work done to it, including a top-to-bottom rebuild of the brakes. The 260Z was fitted with a 2.6 litre inline 6-cylinder, and depending on whether its an early or late 1974 car it could be producing either 140 or 165 horsepower. Not bad even today for a light weight sports car. Price $2,500. eBay link here
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The Z is a much better buy. Better condition, easier resto. The Celica is more unusual, but not as nice in my opinion.
The Z has so much better styling.
Of the newer ones, I much prefer the clean and honed from solid metal 350Z to the born-again retromobile presently on offer.