1993 Nissan 240SX
S/N JN1MS36P6PW309175. 236,800 miles. “2.4-liter, 4-cylinder KA24DE, rated at 155 horsepower and 160 lb-ft of torque, 5-speed manual transmission, 18-inch NISMO RAYS 57CR wheels, a JDM Kouki 180SX Type X body kit, APEXi N1 coil-overs, NISMO front and rear lower control arms, Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X Brembo front brake calipers, 300ZX Twin Turbo rear brake calipers, NISMO limited-slip differential.” Condition: 2. SOLD AT $15,152. Cars & Bids, 12/19/23.
The Nissan 240SX still hasn’t become a hit with mainstream collectors. Many buyers are looking for these rear-drive cars to drift, so they want a deal on a project car, of which there are plenty. Nice examples like this one are rare and tend to sell for slightly less than the cost of the build. The seller here sourced some desirable imported parts, such as the Type X seats, rear side windows and taillights from the 180SX. Also, expensive NISMO parts include wheels, radiator cap, control arms and limited-slip differential. With the obvious care that went into this build, it is surprising that the car didn’t also have the later and more-powerful SR20DET motor swapped in rather than the stock KA24DE “truck motor.” Until the market for the 240SX matures, mid-teens sales like this one are all a seller can expect. A fair sale both ways.
1991 Mitsubishi Pajero Exceed
S/N V444005896. 103k kilometers (64k miles). “2.5-liter turbodiesel inline-4, 4-speed automatic transmission, white-and-gold paint, black-and-red graphics, gray leather upholstery, six-spoke 15-inch alloy wheels, rear window wiper, second-row sunroof, brush guard with auxiliary lights, adjustable damping settings, four-wheel disc brakes, cassette stereo, off-road instruments.” Condition: 2. SOLD AT $5,985. Bring a Trailer, 12/14/23.
The Pajero was sold here as the Montero; this is because in Spanish “pajero” is a derogatory term, similar to the British slang “wanker.” This second-generation Pajero came in many variants. There were two different 4-cylinders, two V6s and two turbodiesels. In the U.S., the more-powerful V6 engines were offered in 3.0- and 3.5-liter displacements. Our subject vehicle is equipped with the same 2.5-liter turbodiesel as in the Mitsubishi Delica. A common complaint with this engine is that it is underpowered for U.S. highways. With V6 Monteros trading at similar prices here in the U.S., the main draw here would be that this is a right-hand-drive model. Let’s hope that’s what the buyer really wanted. The high bid was about what it would cost to buy one in Japan and import it, so at least the price was reasonable.
1973 Toyota Celica ST
S/N RA21103056. 68k miles. “2.0-liter inline-4, 4-speed manual transmission, blue paint, black vinyl upholstery, aftermarket 14-inch wheels, front disc brakes, front and rear spoilers, rear window louvers, front bucket seats, wood shift knob, Jensen AM/FM cassette stereo, owner’s manual.” Condition: 3. SOLD AT $19,134. Cars & Bids, 12/20/23.
The first-generation Celica has had a slow march into the $20k range. In the April 2017 issue, I covered a low-mileage example that sold for $7,300, and in March 2019 we saw a high-mileage but good-condition car sell for $13,750. In the five years since, condition #3 examples have hovered under $20k and condition #2 cars have been trading at $25k. We’ve even seen some #1 condition outliers selling in the $35k–$60k range. Despite this trend, I don’t see much future movement with these cars. While these are, no doubt, classic Toyotas, there are just more desirable models in the collector market now. Our subject car was a nice driver, and this was the last year before federal bumper regs ruined the lines of most 1970s cars. In 1974 the Celica was equipped with overriders and in 1975 received large 5-mph bumpers. The engine bay here was fairly dirty, which might have kept bidding down a little. Overall, the buyer paid a reasonable price, but the seller should not be disappointed.
