Looking back through the Unique Cars classifieds
BMW 3.0 CSL ‘Batmobile’ – Advertised August 1999
Come on all you CSL tragics, why does this car – and a few other CSLs we have seen – sit with so much fresh air under its wheel arches while others show no daylight at all around the tyres? Very odd but hopefully not off-putting for buyers who must have clamoured to invest pre-GST dollars in such a significant BMW. Only 500 of the lightweight 3.0 CS were made and fewer than half had the full kit of ‘Batmobile’ aero additions. These made significant gains during the 2020-21 pandemic period and one very rare Series 3 car was recently offered in Italy at the equivalent of $810,000.
Then: $42,999. Now: $340,000-380,000
Mazda RX-7 Series 3 – Advertised April 1991
The original 1979 Mazda RX-7 was a refreshing new arrival in a market where pretty much everything comparable – Triumph’s TR7 excepted – had disappeared. Five years later the RX-7 Series 3 Limited was very different in character, with two-
tone paint, power windows, a sunroof and air-con. Initially, the Limited cost $23,000 but a year later as the price hit $27,000 they were still selling like the proverbial hot cakes. By 1991, even in a tough environment for selling cars, $14,900 was feasible and good ones remained at around that money until quite recently when prices soared.
Then: $14,900. Now: $40,000-45,000
Valiant VF Regal V8 hardtop – Advertised April 1997
Here’s a car that could stand out in our Muscle Car Guide; a classic two-door, V8 powered and welcome at any gathering of definitive Aussie models. This one is a Regal and typically features a rust-trapping vinyl roof which didn’t do much at all for survival prospects. During the 1970s when fuel became costly – not for the first time – cars with a V8 did themselves no favours either and more disappeared. Having survived until 1997, we hope this stylish red Regal did find a caring owner and is today still fronting up regularly to the local servo’s Premium pump.
Then: $8990. Now: $40,000-45,000
Reader’s One That Got Away
Alfa Romeo GTV6
My grandparent’s neighbour owned a red GTV6 for over a decade in the 1990s. As a child I was always mesmerised by the stunning shape and shiny paint, it was put up for sale for a measly $5k in 1999, but as a university student on limited income I let the Alfa slip away. Gee I regret not buying that car.
From Unique Cars #473, Dec 2022