Tag Archives: Mimbolove1980s

Sparks Turbo at Motoreum

Written by Ken Altes

These cars have steel bodies, a Cadillac chasis and turbo Caddy engine.

Sparks Turbo at Motoreum

Rare Fiat 2000 Turbo Spider on Burnet Road

Written by Ken Altes

Designed by Tom Tjaarda and Pininfarina, engine designed by ex-Ferrari chief engineer Aurelio Lampredi. Only 700 of these cars were made in 1981 and 1982. This twin cam engine has 120 hp to go with four-wheel disc brakes and a five-speed transmission.

Fiat 2000 Spider in Austin TX Fiat 2000 SpiderFiat 2000 Spider in Austin TX interior  Fiat 2000 Spider in Austin Texas detail Fiat 2000 Spider in Austin TX on Burnet Rd

VW Vanagon Type 2 T3 in S. Austin

Written by Ken Altes

Rectangular headlights were used from 1986 to the end of production in 1991. These later vans had water cooled boxer engines. More info here.

VW Vanagon in Austin TX frontVW Vanagon in Austin TX   VW Vanagon in Austin TX rear

VW Vanagon in Austin TX side view

The Shah’s Austrian Mercedes 280 GE at Goodwill on N. Lamar

Written by Ken Altes

… and he’s ARMED.  The Shah of Iran was a major stockholder in MB, and suggested that they make a rugged 4×4.  Made with Puch and Steyr, the first one debuted in 1978 . This one has Mercedes’ smooth 2.8 liter straight six with 154 h.p. and 167 lbs. torque. The first Gelaendewagen.  Note the sticker on the back window: “molan labe,” meaning in Greek: Come and take it — the Greeks’ response to the Persian army’s demand to lay down their arms before the Battle of Thermopylae.  While it didn’t end so well for the Greeks, wiki says the phrase has been used since by the Texas Revolution, the modern Greek army, the U.S. Special Operations Command Central and 2nd Amendment defenders.  Whatever the case, I’d keep a respectful distance from this driver. The modern connection to the Shah is ironic (they took it).

Mercedes 280GE in Austin TexasMercedes Benz 280GE in Austin TXMercedes 280GE in Austin TX interior Mercedes 280GE in Austin TX fenderMercedes 280GE in Austin TX detail Mercedes 280GE in Austin TX rear