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.
You guys NEED this Mercedes pickup. Just imagine the possibilities! The cargo you can haul in the back of a classic Merc! The attention it can get! How cool it is!
https://www.copart.com/lot/71298404/clean-title-1966-mercedes-benz-240-ca-van-nuys
Tracy already has a Nash. OK, it’s not an Airflyte, but a Nash is a Nash, right? Why not restore the one you have? Or restore the Nash and get the Airflyte? Nobody cares about that BMW, or so it seems.
What are you smoking, Copart? $16k estimated value? Is it filled with cocaine?
That is a scoot that someone loved and, unfortunately, ran into something rather hard. Anything is fixable-ish but really it’s just a parts donor at this point unless you’re suicidal.
First off, DT: A “three-speed column-shift” is called a “three-on-the-tree”. See how much easier that rolls off the tongue?
Second, get the Nash and the Vespa. You can toss the Vespa in the trunk for road trips.