Joe Elliott

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This Lotus M90/X100 is said to be the final project company founder Colin Chapman oversaw prior to his passing in 1982. Designed to use many Toyota components including the then-new 16 valve twin cam 4AGE, funding fell through and the project floundered, though for years rumors persisted that this car was the basis for the first generation MR2, despite using a completely different front engined, rear-drive layout. Said to have been built to a high, pre-production standard, it languished in Lotus factory storage until auctioned in 1998, and though running when first sold, it has since been fully stripped and partially refurbished. Sale includes extensive documentation including original drawings, documents from testing in Japan, and even an owner’s manual and sales literature, the latter two showing how close this model came to full production. Find it here on race-cars.com in Houston, Texas for $30k OBO.

The M90/X100 went through many iterations prior to it’s final simplistic, wedge shape design. The two-tone silver and gray paint provides contrast to a design that’s looking for a bit more visual punch. Shown in various states of restoration within the ad, missing taillights and such are presumably included, as the seller claims that it remains fully complete. Note the Mk2 Supra wheels.

Photos are grainy and very low-quality, but the interior is clearly closely related to other contemporary Lotus products, looking especially similar to the Esprit’s angular, hodge-podge parts bin cabin. Sent to Japan for testing upon completion, above-mentioned documentation includes shipping paperwork.

Said to have been running prior to disassembly, the seemingly standard 1.6 liter four is conventionally placed in the front and drives the opposite end’s wheels via a 5-speed manual transmission, a T50 that was also supplied by Toyota. Note Lotus’ traditional backbone chassis, which with four wheel double wishbones and a bomb-proof, high-revving, naturally aspirated twin cam would have likely made for an excellent drive.

The ad mentions full documentation including an owner’s manual, test sales literature, original drawings, and shipping documents from its time with Toyota. Value aside, if at all possible to legally register for road use, we’d happily play factory test driver, ironing out little faults in spare time while enjoying what’s almost certainly an excellent chassis.

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This Chrysler turbine engine is described as a seventh generation model, and though missing a few small external parts, is believed to be largely complete. All internals sound to remain free-turning as well. Most will be familiar with Chrysler’s 60’s Turbine car, but it isn’t as well-known that the company continued to experiment with the technology well into the early 80’s–in fact, the 1981 M-body New Yorker apparently came incredibly close to being the world’s first production turbine-powered car. Perhaps this unit was once fitted to a development car? Whatever its history, it’d be amazing if it could run again. Find it here on eBay in Southfield, Michigan with no reserve and fast bidding. Special thanks to BaT reader Brian L. for this submission.

The seller says that this example is from 1976 or ’77, adding that it’s one of seven built, three of which went into test vehicles. Interestingly, the AllPar link above seems to suggest that Chrysler ended development with the fifth generation of turbines, which were apparently much improved over initial test examples built as far back as the 1950’s. The seller certainly sounds to know what they’re talking about however, and the engine’s proximity to nearby Detroit suggests a possible industry connection. Notably, the trans is a gutted TorqueFlite used for display purposes.

This fascinating piece of machinery’s full story might never be known, but that just adds to its mystique. Incredibly exotic and rare, hopefully it ends up on prominent public display–provided it can’t be made to run again, of course. In that case, we’ll be happy to help find a minty ’81 New Yorker.

70 years later, Murray Leinster's disaster scenario is the internet you know and love

Analysis  Buried deep in the pages of the March 1946 issue of Astounding Science Fiction magazine sits a short story by Murray Leinster that, 70 years on, has proven a remarkably sharp prediction of both 21st century consumer technology and culture.…

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If you can’t high five, hug it out ♥ 

The missing link, or just missing a link. We consider the much maligned swing axle. The swing axle is the first stop when considering how to make the movement of two rear wheels, previously attached to a solid axle, independent … Continue reading →

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Machines are just too inflexible, says production boss

In a surprise win for humanity, Mercedes Benz has announced that it's ditching the robots used on its assembly line in favor of human workers because they can cope with the job better.…

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This 1967 Fiat Dino coupe (chassis 50610M0001265) has been restored to what looks like a very impressive, highly correct standard. Work was completed over a five year stretch, and sounds to have been completed around 2014. Featured in a multi-page spread within this month’s Hemmings Sports & Exotic Car magazine, the seller says it drives as good as it looks. Find it here on eBay in Scottsdale, Arizona with reserve not met. Special thanks to BaT reader AMF for this submission.

Bought in Monterey, California about seven years ago, the seller believes that the car spent most of its life to that point in the same area. Restored in Arizona over the next five years, bodywork is described as arrow-straight and entirely free of rust. Resprayed in its original color, paint has been polished to a very smooth finish, and all trim including brightwork, plastic, original wheels and glass present largely as-new. All new weatherstripping is noted as well.

The interior is just as impressive, and apart from a dash top crack recovered with new vinyl, everything looks virtually factory fresh. Correctly patterned upholstery, tight-fitting carpets, excellent door and rear side panels, center console, complete switchgear, veneers and everything else pictured looks just as good. The traditional long arm/short leg Italian driving position is clearly visible.

No mechanical work is mentioned, but the engine bay is beautiful to look at anyway. Redlined at 8,000 RPM, these early 2.0 liter cars were good for about 160 HP. Funnily, Ferrari quoted 180 for the 206GT, despite both cars using identical, Fiat-built motors.

Despite the apparently excellent restoration, this one deserves to be driven hard and often. Here’s hoping someone with a similar point of view ends up writing the check.

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This 1991 Alfa Romeo (VIN ZAR1620003000625) is described as a well maintained, low-mile example that’s ready to be driven. It’s also said to be free of rust or damage, but most photos in the ad aren’t great. These limited production coupes (and later RZ convertibles) run a 3.0 liter V6/5-speed drivetrain layout, with styling by Robert Opron working under Zagato. As a ’91 model, this one should almost be ready for US import (depending on date of manufacture), with the ad quoting only two others already here. Find it here on eBay in Heerland, Netherlands with no reserve.

Combined with a fairly short wheelbase and squared-off rear, tall slab sides are mostly to blame for the car’s “Il Mostro” nickname, though the sextuplet of small, square lights probably contributed as well. Despite any shortcomings of the overall design, styling does have an inexplicable magnetism when seen in person, as is almost always true of even the most controversial Zagato design. Per the ad, this car’s paint is free of any flaws, though some rock chips are visible in front. No other noteworthy cosmetic issues are readily apparent however, which is noteworthy considering the model is prone to blistering finish on top of its plastic panels.

Aside from a few non-standard exceptions, all 1,036 coupes built came in red/gray over tan. Interior shots are at weird angles and most seem to focus on the passenger seat and door panel–at least both appear to be in good shape. Seen behind the passenger seat against some rather bright carpet, the luggage belts are listed as new.

Unfortunately, the ad doesn’t include a photo of the 210 HP Busso V6, but this period promotional video (complete with a driving rock montage and 360° studio shots) is an interesting substitute. The ad also notes new tires and a recent timing belt replacement, both within the past 6k kilometers (~3,700 miles). Total mileage is given as 65k km (~40,400 miles), and the seller says it’s ready to drive.

This SZ fan site contains lots of interesting information on the car and its roadster twin. With no reserve and fast bidding, it will be just as interesting to see where this one lands when bidding ends.