The Official Curbside Classic Sales Lot: All $895 Or Less

Ever wonder where Eugenians get all those wonderful Curbside Classics I bring to you three times a week? After almost two years, it’s finally time to reveal the secret: the St. Vincent dePaul (a mere coincidence) Car Donation Sales Lot. Admittedly, the front row here facing Hwy 99 doesn’t sport a lot of heavy Curbside appeal, but those in the know quickly work their way to the side and back lot, where the really fine sixties, seventies and early eighties vintage iron is held for the true connoisseurs. This is where no less than TTAC’s Editor-In-Chief bought his first car, and returned it here in considerably worse shape a couple of years later. Recycling at its best. It might still be in the back lot where it sat for years; let’s go look.

Before we do that, let’s peruse the front section a bit, where the cars most likely to sell quickly hang out. Here’s a nice Fifth Avenue, subject of a contentious CC Deadly Sin. Plenty of GM A-Bodies abound around the front; which one shall we use for our upcoming CC?

And here’s an N-Body, also awaiting a future CC. We’ve done that vintage Camry, and that generation Civic is awaiting its turn too.

There’s some clean old Explorers on the front row, but I can’t be bothered. The rougher SUVs, vans and trucks are parked along the side, and here’s a very early two-door XJ with an equally early Trooper II ( CC here) ; two compact SUV pioneers.

Here’s a nice clean Grand Marquis for $895. Hurry! And a FWD Continental sedan awaits just past the Dakota.

A Mercury Topaz; companion to our recent Ford Tempo CC. Eugene’s inexhaustible supply of Volvo 240s are endlessly recycled through the St. Vinnies lot.

Now here’s some global variety: another Cutlass, a MB 190 (no, it’s not a 2.3 16), a Toyota van, and a Festiva. Four of the biggest car-building nations represented here, except China and Brazil. Too bad there isn’t a Zap on tap.

Time to head into the side “reserve” lot. You have to show your CC credentials before you’re admitted here. And we’re greeted by the welcoming committee: a couple of big bruisers from the early seventies. The Olds Delta 88 looks to be a ’73, and the Ford LTD might be a couple of years younger. Maybe you could offer them a two-fer price. And no worries; both are headed to CC before long, but we want to catch them in their full glory on the street, where they belong.

Here’s the lovely tail of that big 88. Did I hear you ask about rust? Perish the thought. In Oregon, we have moss, lichen and other organic materials growing on our cars, but we’re certified 100% rust free.

You say you like early seventies iron, but hanker for something a little smaller? Here’s a cute little Datsun B210, one of a surprising number still around in Eugene. Edward had a soft spot for these, and if there had been a nice coupe when we were shopping here ten years ago, he might have well ended up with one.

Here’s another Panther, and one of my favorite Buicks ever, the last Skylark. Its bizarre styling will make it the equivalent of a B210 in another decade or two. Time to buy now, before prices rise on this rare coupe version.

A Mercury Tracer! These are getting hard to find too. Shall I put a hold on it for you?

For some reason, the back lot is not open to the public. Maybe you have to make a donation first, or it’s for repeat buyers. There’s a lovely New Yorker (coming to CC soon), a Panther wagon, and a Corsica. Still my beating heart!

Speaking of K cars, a sweet Dynasty awaits you here. And that ’65 F-100 would make a fine parts car for my rapidly disintegrating Ford.

You say you fancy yourself in something sportier? Here’s a well-aged Firebird next to a similar vintage Mustang. Notice I didn’t say “fast”.

Let’s go back to the front and see what we might have missed. Here’s a serene and luxurious Park Avenue and a nice early Astro van. They make a nice pair, don’t you think?

Did I save the best for last? Quite possibly. This fine BMW 528e is priced at $796; it’s a stick too. The Continental Mark VII and Saab 900 Turbo haven’t been price-stickered yet. From the looks of it, they just got donated, so hurry on over, if you fancy one of them.

Well, we didn’t find Ed’s old ’81 Mazda 626. I hope someone took it and showered it with the love and attention it so needed and deserved, but I fear for the worst. Conveniently, or ominously, Eugene’s Pick And Pull yard is just down the road.

And this gem of a ’67 T-Bird that I shot here last summer is gone too. But I doubt it went to the boneyard. Maybe I should stop by here more often. And what would Steve Lang do with these? Sell, Finance, Keep or Kill?