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.
The park bench bumpers on the 1600 are kind of wild. I wonder whatever possessed someone to do that. They look like they’re off an E12.
As much as I like old BMWs, I’d probably pick the Nash because it’s the most attention-getting.
The Nash is terrific. It would be a travesty to make it into an LA lowrider. It’s low enough already! A nice restoration and it will attract plenty of attention. Overmodding it would make it less than what it already is.
No contest, gotta go with the Nash, with the Vespa a close second.
Gotta go for the Nash. The BMW is way cool to those who know the history, but the Nash has a streamlined presence the vastly outshines it. Likewise, I think the Nash will draw more eyes at a car show than the Vespa, which is also way cool—but doesn’t have the commanding size the sedan does
Get both and install a hitch on the Nash and a rack for the Vespa.
https://www.amazon.com/Motorcycle-Scooter-Carrier-Anti-Tilt-Capacity/dp/B07YPRLPLY/ref=asc_df_B07YPRLPLY?tag=bingshoppinga-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=80883014769754&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=e&hvbmt=be&hvdev=m&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4584482479436761&psc=1&msclkid=b3b4094bf5711d130dc46e55ac52fb75
Yeah, but they already know where to get a Metropolitan shuttle craft to tow behind it. That thing needs saving, paint and twin S.U. carbs.
The Nash is the correct answer.
The BMW has a nostalgic appeal. My parents had a BMW 2000 in the 70s that started me on my gearhead journey. The 4 door Neue Klass went 1500, 1600, 1800, 2000, and the US 2000 had quad headlights. The 2 door models came slightly later, culminating in the 2002.
Nash, and with an aero looking hitch for the Vespa!
If I remember correctly, a good part of the brief was to find something that would make an impression, and while the BMW can do that intellectually for people familiar with Neue Klasse history and significance, I don’t think it will inspire much on the way of awe in anyone who isn’t. It’s almost assuredly going to be the best driver of the three at an equal level of restoration and upgrading, though, so I get why Matt would prefer it, as it’s been established that he will serve as chauffeur at any events, and Mercedes will be the only one who’ll think to bring him a plate.
The other two have more
WOW
out of the box. Restored or restomodded, the Nash is a retrofuturist icon, like something out of a period superhero comic book, and would have been on my list had it not been called out already when I compiled it. I didn’t notice all the damage when I chose it, but I still think the Vespa, with its copper trim and sidecar (beat up though they both may be), would impress a casual viewer after a little work. Porque no los dos? The Vespa would be an interesting side project that could fill in any gaps in the Nash’s narrative.I started browsing Copart again, of course, what with several expressions of neurodiversity hanging out together in my brain and looking for something. useless to do. I saw several interesting cars but, sadly, most were victims of Floridan flood damage. But there was this cheerful little artifact of the Khrushchev-era Soviet economic expansion, a 1963 GAZ M21 Volga, which Copart coyly refers to as an “Other Other”. It looks like it’s in very good shape, which may kill some of the joy, and it is a national icon, even featured as the preferred target for theft in Beware of the Car, a 1966 satirical Soviet film about an insurance investigator and car thief dismayed by official corruption that only a couple minutes of camera work and subtitles have got me eager to see. These were available to the very few private citizens who could afford them, but most were made for official use by the номенклату́ра, so it will be right in its element as Matt chauffeurs Hollywood David™ around whatever event he’s ordered to take them to. And, hey, there’s even a “Buy It Now” price of $10,500 on it in case y’all want to a little behind-the-scenes stage management to make sure you get something on time and on budget and all.
The Nash looks like an American Tatraplan. A vehicle from a forgotten future. Like it should have self-driving, but in the form of a humanoid robot with a speaker grille for a face and a stylized bowtie cast into its chrome chassis. I let out an audiable ‘ooh!’ when I saw the rear view (heh); it’s gorgeous!
I think I’d like to see a sympathetic, driver-level restomod. Just enough to make it a useful practical car today with as little interference with the original look and feel as possible.
I love the Nash! It looks great from either angle, and holy cow that thing looks enormous! The BMW is lovely, but that Nash is a car that would absolutely stop people in their tracks.
Nash. Big enough to be comfortable on road trips. David and Jason can get out of “smelling each other” range.
That Nash is absolutely incredible – it’s my vote
Nash, EV it with a Model S drivetrain. Of corse save the cut out bits for restoration at some point.
I love the idea of an EV conversion. Was excited when David first mentioned that was the plan for that FC, until I saw the condition it was in… I think the Nash or the Vespa would have a better shot at actually getting done.
It might take some enginerding to accomplish. The Nash is a Unibody. Would be seriously cool machine.
Nash, had one and loved it. BMW, had one, was okay. Still have nightmares about dealing with the rust. I would go for the Vespa. Guessing it would be a blast to ride and would attract fun folks to chat with at a show.
The Nash for certain, although the BMW is intriguing. The way the Nash’s speedo represents 100MPH is worth a Torch post all on it’s own.
Should’ve made a poll, but I’d say the Nash, that’s fancy.
Is that my username in an article?! Holy cow!
Honestly thought the Desoto had the better shot/was the better option. But hey, people do like BMW’s!
So the Renault I sent is not worthy?
Jumpi’ Jack Flash that Nash is a Gas!
NASH
The Nash. The other vehicles are great but the Nash is perfect for this site. It is what is good about cars. Straight 8 swap it. 3 on the tree and not a Big 3 Maker golden.
Nash, by far.
I love the 4 door Neue Klasse vehicles. 1.6L and those bumpers are unfortunate but freat driving dynamics and no-nonsense German design takes my vote.
Um, Matt, this one might need a bit of work.
https://www.copart.com/lot/72511344/1969-chevrolet-uk-al-montgomery
I want to know why the hell someone has actually bid on this thing.
“Estimated Retail Value: $27,000.00 USD”
Hahahaha!!!
That Nash is awesome, but can I interest anyone in a brown, manual station wagon?
https://www.copart.com/lot/68544744/clean-title-1973-volkswagen-squareback-az-phoenix-north
I think the perfect choice is this amazing two-tone fintail Benz-amino.
https://www.copart.com/lot/71298404/clean-title-1966-mercedes-benz-240-ca-van-nuys
I’m sure it was a flower car, but look at the front and rear windshields, and the rear doors to nowhere!
I have so many questions about this car, but I’m absolutely here for it.
I have three words for you:
Hot. Yoga. Bus.
Very prudent – we’ve all seen some things.
YES! I think that has a DT466E in it, which means a wonderful soundtrack and great reliability.
Autopian staffers can take turns driving while the rest of you rollerskate around in the back!