Like a wild turkey dropped in a corn pit, we are almost overwhelmed by the goodness we’ve found on Copart in our search for the perfectly imperfect fun car to take to car shows. There are a number of great options you suggested and we’d like to tell you about our favorites so far to help you in our search.
As a reminder, Copart is a place where enthusiasts know they can get all kinds of cars in all kinds of conditions. It’s a single-source auto solution for enthusiasts and wrenchers like us, but one with a more curated experience that allows you to find, inspect, buy, and receive delivery in one place. Copart has a relatively low-cost Membership, which brings a bunch of features, especially because every state has its own laws about who can bid and buy at auction, and Copart makes navigating those regulations a lot easier. Copart also puts verifications in place to avoid issues like fraudulent sellers.
What we’re looking for is a vehicle that’s going to get attention wherever we go and we want a car suggested by a reader. Ideally, it’s a car that’s: interesting, running and driving, not a brand newish Lambo.
Here’s what we’ve found interesting so far.
David: What About This Sweet Nash Airflyte?
I do wish this Nash 600 had a straight-eight engine, but even without eight cylinders of inline glory, the car’s got a lot going for it. The body, for example, looks borderline mint. Speaking of, that paint color matches the character of the car perfectly.
The inside looks like a lounge, with big brown benches and more ashtrays than anyone could ever need. The rear legroom is tremendous, and you know that trunk could fit every single thing you own.
I love the three-speed column-shift manual transmission, but above all, it’s the vehicle’s presence that has me intrigued. I think the kids today would say it has “aura” or that “it’s giving… rizz(?)” Anyway, the car looks badass and that alone is a good enough reason to buy it and turn it into a true LA lowrider.
Matt: This BMW Is Dangerously
A big thanks to World24 for spotting this gorgeous 1967 BMW 1600. This is the last of the BMW New Class (or Neue Klasse) models, which were the company’s attempt at building a modern car to replace their big, unfashionable luxobarges. These were sleek, quick, and economical.
While the 1600 pictured here is not the quickest of these offered, nor does it have the athletic personality of the later 2002, this particular model looks like it’s in great shape. I even love those giant crash bumpers. There are enough 1600s out in the world that we could be a little blasphemous with it. A Bōsōzoku BMW anyone?
Mercedes: Clearly, We Need More Two- And Three-Wheeled Content On This Site
As the Autopian’s motorcyclist, I will take the one moto option offered by our readers. What you’re looking at here is a 1965 Vespa 150 VBB2T. It’s pretty banged up after a frontal collision. Its connection to its sidecar appears to be all bent up and the leg shield also took a big hit. My eyeballs also seem to detect maybe a bent fork as well.
Fixing this little scooter up would be a pretty interesting journey to partake in. From there, I think we could get pretty nutty. Maybe we’ll lower it using an air suspension. I’ve also always wanted to see how one of those tiny Chinese superchargers could boost a tiny scooter. Or, heck, the sky’s the limit here. Maybe we can put a small turbine on the back?
Ok, Now It’s Your Turn
Let us know which of these cars seems like the right direction and then go find some more! Searching Copoart is straightforward, and there are a lot of options. First, go to the Search bar or Vehicle Finder tool. Or just click this link.
Mr. Natural sez the Nash!
https://www.flickr.com/photos/mickythepixel/4200773486
Well I recommended the Nash in the last post, so guess I’ll stick with it. Plus, you guys/gals are always on about column shifters. Time to literally put your money where your mouth (er, keyboard?) is!
Personally I want the Vespa but having been burned on an Indonesian pile of assorted scrap welded up into a Vespa shape I would say Nash all the was- can even dress as Nash the Slash
One more vote for the Nash! That thing is awesome!
The Nash, Nuff said!
Nash, those are great cars – look like the frame of the Empire State Building underneath, was before they had perfected stress analysis, so the unibody is ridiculously overbuilt and rugged
Also, I have that same straight six in my 1961 Rambler, albeit with the newer OHV cylinder head, it’s stout and smooth and should be fine in that car, 1940s vehicles are deceptively light for how large they appear
Get the Nash, then let some of the Lowrider guys from the Galpin auto show loose on the paint. That thing is a blank canvas!
Nash, with air suspension, and whatever drivetrain you want. It’s just absolutely perfect.
This is no contest, the Nash by a mile.
Nash. Used to see these a lot in the old “Adventures of Superman” series from the 50s. In fact, various Nash models were regularly featured.
None of those.
Get the Nash, and play Curtis Turner in the Mexican Road Race. That would justify a few dings and scrapes.
Bimmer for sure! Love those classic New Class cars!
I’d go with the Nash for sure. It’s the most unique by far and has the potential to hold the most number of Autopians for showing up at The Fancy Shows.
I recommend as much restoration as possible, make the engine bay fully shiny and functionally perfect as possible. Go full luxury on the interior restoration and leave the paint and exterior as is. It just fits the site and team better that way.
Get the Nash.
Then hire Toecutter to do an electric conversion.
P.S. if y’all are still looking for an RV, I sent this to Hardigree, and he seemed to dig it.
https://www.facebook.com/share/HWdFNgzrF1VTckW9/
The Nash is as unique as they come and would be a ton of fun to own and operate.
My grandfather bought a Vespa P200E with sidecar and full fairing brand new back in the 70s, my dad has it now, and hopefully I’ll inherit it some day. So for sentimental reasons the scoot gets my vote.
Nash by a mile, then Vespa, no love for the BMW.
The Nash is going to win, but my vote is for der Neue Klasse.
front wheel covers on the Nash? what’s the turning radius…6 miles?
”more ashtrays than anyone could ever need”
Challenge accepted.
NASH!
We’ve seen enough BMWs, yawn.
The Vespa is cute enough, but it’s too crumpled.
The Nash oozes cool, but do yourself a favor and click through to see the photo of the odometer, surrounded by the speedo. The “100” is so bonkers… assuming it could reach 100, I would crash by staring at how it’s written on the display.
Thanks for this. I also like the temp gauge: Cold \ Hot
70!… 80!!… 90!!!… 18?
its 100, just with stacked zeros.
I know 😉
A realistic top speed is maybe about 90, barely.
I love the Nash, it has a mid-century cartoonish character about it.
Add in the condition and the capacity to haul people and goods and it is in my mind the obvious winner.
Get the Nash. It has so much skibidi aura rizz.
sigma lvl 1000
getout.gif
You kids get off my lawn! Skedaddle, now!
I don’t say “skibidi aura rizz” often. But when I do. It’s to annoy older people.
The designers of the Nash understood the assignment. That Nash sends me.
It’s got a great vibe, doesn’t it?