This Week on Hagerty Marketplace: Three Countries, Three Decades, Three Cruisers
Welcome to This Week on Hagerty Marketplace, a recurring recap of the previous week’s most noteworthy cars and significant sales from the Hagerty Marketplace online auctions.
You’ve heard it before, we’ll say it again until our final breath: Classic cars are better when they’re driven. Getting together with friends to cruise roads in vintage cars is one of the best parts of the hobby. Whether that’s a formalized car tour or a Sunday morning meetup, the range of cars on display can be delightfully diverse.
This week we’ve got a trio of cars from three different countries. Their variety ensures that there’s something for virtually everyone, but we like to picture them best rolling up to a bakery together. Let’s dive in.
1972 Dodge Charger SE
Sold for $13,642
Although the third-generation Charger still rode on the same “B-Body” platform as the prior generations, the new car boasted a more concerted effort when it came to style. Said the 1972 Dodge brochure: “Looking for styling that’s got motion when standing still? … Look no further. Here comes the Dodge Charger.” The “fuselage” that would come to define mopar cars of the era looked fantastic, and holds up well even today.
This example is one of just 2956 SE (Special Edition) models that were produced in ’72, which came rather well-equipped from the factory. Dodge called it a “rationally priced personal luxury car” at the time, and it’s not hard to see why. It’s finished in Eggshell White with a black tail stripe and sports a black vinyl interior. Those concealed headlights were unique to the Charger SE model.
Power comes from a 400 cubic-in V-8, which was new for that model year. It’s mated to a TorqueFlite three-speed automatic for easy, comfortable cruising. According to the listing, recent replacement items include the leaf springs and shocks, fuel tank, pump, and sending unit, the power steering pump, and more.
1956 MG MGA Roadster
Sold for $17,388
The MGA marked a radical departure from previous MG Corporation models. Its “pontoon” styling featured a single-styled envelope that fully enclosed the width and length of the car, delivering a cohesive, elegant look. Almost immediately after bowing at the 1955 Frankfurt Motor Show, the MGA began cementing itself as a capable tourer and a scrappy motorsport combatant.
This first-year example looks properly sporting in its Orient Red exterior paint, which compliments the tan leather interior perfectly. Power comes from a 1.5-liter inline-four with dual SU carburetors, driving the rear wheels through a four-speed manual transmission. Other noteworthy features include an aftermarket aluminum radiator, Borg and Beck single-plate dry clutch, a marvelous wood-rimmed three-spoke steering wheel, and 15-inch wire wheels with knock-off hubs.
According to the listing, this car was owned by the consigning family for several years and was reportedly treated to a restoration in 2021. There are a few imperfections noted, including a non-functioning odometer and horn, light cosmetic blemishes, and a front suspension system that needs further sorting. Still, as-is, this MGA looks like it would be a delightful driver and, in the right garage, a fun finishing project.
1998 BMW M3 Sedan Five-Speed
Sold for $20,598
You could credibly argue that the E36 BMW M3, launched in 1992, was the high-water mark for an automaker well-versed in great-driving machines. The car’s balanced chassis and precise steering made it a riot to toss around on backroads, and the blend of modern performance tech with analog controls earned it lifelong fans. Purists may yearn for the two-door coupe, but the four-door sedan, which arrived in 1994, offered a new level of practicality that undoubtedly helped BMW move appreciably more examples.
This well-appointed 1998 M3 Sedan, finished in Titanium Silver Metallic over black leather, is a fine example of that balance between pragmatism and performance. Power comes from a 3.2-liter S52 inline-six rated at 240 horsepower that pairs with a five-speed manual transmission to turn the rear wheels. Noteworthy features include the optional Harman-Kardon sound system, a power sunroof, heated seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, and more.
According to the listing, recent service items include an updated oil pump, new thermostat, water pump, and expansion tank (cognoscenti of this era of BMW will recognize those items as parts of the all-important “cooling system service”), a new clutch master and slave cylinder, and more.
Gifted the keys to all three, which one would you jump in to meet up with friends for a mid-morning coffee blast? Let us know in the comments!
