ETC

Retail Car Show: Spotting future classics at the big-box store

Shopping trips become protracted. Friends and family call, wondering if you've been abducted. But it's a compulsion car enthusiasts can't help. Always on the lookout for interesting and exciting cars, any random parking lot can turn into a smorgasbord of "I haven't seen one of those in years!" You stand there taking smartphone pics of random old cars, confusing passers-by as you text and tweet your finds with a goofy smile on your face.

It's inescapable and unavoidable, so you might as well just celebrate the addiction. To that end, here are some of my most recent finds from a weekend shopping excursion. The cars stood out for a few different reasons, but mostly because they're increasingly rare.

When was the last time you saw a Ford Festiva that clean? Wouldn't you like to own that second-generation Toyota MR2? Check out that Acura Legend; elegant, mostly rust-free (surprisingly) and on its way to being a classic for a new generation. The capper, though, was the final-gen Toyota Cressida. Rare when it was new, it's even rarer now. What have you seen lately?

Share This Photo X