This Alfa Romeo 164 S is available on eBay and is a very clean largely stock example. At TME, we have always like these cars, and this one is unusually well-preserved. As is the case with practical cars that were once expensive but are now affordable (like old M5′s, M3′s, 500E’s etc.), most examples have an unfortunate combination of intergalactic mileage, deterioration with age, and deferred maintenance. This one has low mileage, no tasteless modifications, and has obviously been loved, which makes it quite a unique find.

When new, these cars were relatively expensive and represented a unique and sporting alternative to the likes of the BMW 5-series, Mercedes E-Class, Audi 200 etc. with quintessentially Italian flair. The S was the most sporting model, featuring a more powerful engine, ground effects, Speedline wheels, rear spoiler, sport seats, adjustable shock absorbers, and contrasting red stitching on the door panels, center console, and instrument binnacle. They were available in a limited palette of black, white, or red, with either a black or tan interior. Even though we don’t feel this way about Ferraris, red/tan is an ideal combination on this model, but this example’s condition is hard to argue with.

The car is in great cosmetic shape and retains all of its original S bits including ground effects and rear spoiler. The body is straight and rust-free, which is important since these cars can rust (again the practicality meant that in snowy areas the cars were used year round). The car wears its original California license plates, which is a great sign too, and the original wheels are on the car as well. These cars are perhaps considered weird looking or unremarkable to modern lay-people, but we think they have a great 80′s/early 90′s aggressiveness that is still in fashion in our eyes, and will be considered cool by everyone else at some point in the future, sort of like the garish colors of the 70′s.

The interior is also very nice. We much prefer the tan in these cars as the black can be oppressive and the tan is exactly the same as the lovely tan that is frequently seen in Ferraris. A neat touch about the interiors of these cars are the embossed Alfa Romeo emblems in the seatbacks. Not as neat is the horrible stereo, which will look familiar to someone who has spent time in a Dodge K-series from the 80′s (parts bin!). The interior of this car is stock and in great shape.

The engine room is also in great shape and very clean. The front wheel drive layout is perhaps not the best for the enthusiast, but Alfa’s lovely 3-liter V6 is a superb unit and makes some of the most glorious noises around for the price of these cars (think Ferrari Dino/Fiat Dino/Lancia Stratos). This car has evidence of maintenance which is a great sign, though one might need to be alarmed about the stepper motors in the climate control system, a frequent weak point in 164′s, and a tremendous pain to replace. Grubby examples of the 164S with high mileage can be found for less than $3000, while the substantially similar but rarer quad cam version (the 164 Quadrifoglio) can run over $15,000. This car will fall somewhere in between, and the bidding activity shows that there are alfisti out there who appreciate what a rare find this car is in this condition.

This Jaguar C-Type Replica by Proteus is available on eBay. The asking price is $99,000, or about the same as very nicely restored Series I E-Type. Certainly this car is a more exciting and higher performing alternative to the E-Type. Proteus are highly regarded for their high quality recreations, and indeed this car impresses with its aluminum body, and Jaguar mechanicals, including 3.8 liter XK engine with triple Weber carburetors. It is based on a Mk. II and has a 5-speed gearbox, as well as disc brakes, as late C-Types would have employed.

The car has tremendous presence, and the idea of having such an iconic and beautiful car at such a small fraction of the price of an original is highly appealing. The body and stance are evocative and convincing, and the British racing green livery is very appropriate. The scoop on the hood indicates that this car is fashioned after the later “Le Mans” cars with Weber carburetors. The detailing, which often lets down lesser replicas, is very well done on this car.

The interior is also very evocative. The cars would have originally used upholstery in a color other than saddle (typically black), but this color looks very smart. The instruments and switchgear are Jaguar items, likely from the Mk. II donor car, while the wheel is a gorgeous wood item, probably a Moto Lita.

The engine compartment is very clean and well-executed. The Webers are an exciting sight, while the installation of the engine and ancillaries is tidily done.

This 1985 BMW M535i is available on eBay and is an extremely clean example of this desirable Europe only model. This model is rare in the United States, is in excellent shape, and is perfectly set up. The car has a number of unique European features, including M535i M-Technik body kit, and high compression European engine, shadowline trim, European headlamps, and rear sunshade. The car also has a number of tasteful modifications including the “throwing star” wheels from an E34 M5 (certainly one of our favorite wheels for this car), E34 M5 brakes, M5 clutch/flywheel, performance intake (appears to be a TCD item), and performance exhaust.

The M-Technik kit is sometimes criticised for being too boy-racer, but it has a delightful 80′s sportiness these days. The appearance of the European variants of these cars is completely different from the US cars, to the point of being shocking. They are also very sensitive to ride height and wheels. The 17″ wheels and M-tech springs on this one make for a great stance, not to “slammed” as the Eibach and H&R springs tend to be when the perches are placed too low.

The interior is quite stock in appearance, though the sharp will note the larger headrests from the non-sport seats. The taurusrot upholstery is a very unusual color that was never available on US cars, further adding to the unique “Euro-ness” of this example.

The engine is quite tidy, with the quality TCD intake and rare Alpina valve cover. There are no other Alpina bits on the car, but this is a cool piece nonetheless. The coolant overflow tank has been replaced as they tend to brown over the years, showing that the owner was fairly anal and detail-oriented.

These are wonderful balanced and robust cars that have a dedicated following. This car is up there in terms of ultimate desirability thanks to its condition, subtle and tasteful mods, and plentiful Euro touches. Properly maintained, these cars last for ever and ever, and this example has relatively low mileage as these cars go. This car is well-known in E28 circles and is widely admired for the above reasons.