Category: Cars and Bikes

Here’s a solution to the ugliness of modern-day cars – take the workings of a modern-day BMW Z3 and convert it into a vintage Mercedes-Benz 190 SL sports car.

It’s the work of Japanese company Duesen Bayern, with the finished model going under the name Duesen Bayern Mystar and offering the best of both worlds – a modern-day engine with the looks of a real classic. No news on price or the service being offered outside Japan – if it is, we’ll let you know (and perhaps see you in the queue).

Duesen Bayern website

Via Winding Road

We’ve covered a number of retro cars in the past, but one we haven’t mentioned previously is the Chrysler PT Cruiser.

It’s a car that you either love for its 1930s-inspired (or indeed hot rod) styling or you hate for its bulk and its likeness to the dreaded people carrier. We actually quite like it. It’s been around since 2001, with a few updates along the way, now including a convertible version.

You could say it’s the sensible silly car – you’ll turn a few heads with the larger-than-life looks, but under the bonnet is a solid performer with the even more sensible option of a diesel engine, plenty of room and comfort, some retro styling on the dashboard and loads of boot room, including (oddly), a picnic shelf.

You can pick one up for around £17.000 new, but older versions can easily be picked up for £5,000 onwards. Good or bad? Have your say below.

Find out more at the Chrysler website

Looking for a sporty classic car? Check out this Lotus Elan LNK 120C. It’s no ordinary Lotus – this is the first-ever model baby Elan off the production line – shown off at the Motor Show of 1965 – and you can buy it.

It’s packed with unique features, including a rear compartment for golf clubs and has just undergone a 28 month total nut and bolt restoration to original factory specification by Lotus enthusiast and historian Nick Blunsden and has been in dehumidified storage ever since.

A gem of a classic, it’s available to buy for £29,995. Not cheap – but a worthy investment if you have some cash stashed away.

Find out more at the Pistonheads website

And thanks to Dave Clark for the tip-off.