Super Sliding Rearend: 2005 Chevrolet SSR

A few years back, when retro styling was all the rage, the guys at GM decided to break another glass door in the automotive world.  They introduced what was probably the worlds first mass market convertible pickup truck -- there was the ill-fated Dodge Dakota Sport, but that was another ASC hack job, not to be confused with a car purposed built from the factory like a Ford Model A pickup.  Regardless, the SSR was built on the Chevy Trailblazer platform and was motivated by a 6 liter version of the LS2 V8 and it was gloriously fast and retro (in contrast the Fords anemic Thunderturd from the same retro-era).  Although the styling left something to be desired, and the SSR had the torsional rigidity of a wet churro, a remarkable 24,000 were produced from 2003 through 2006, so expect them to be cheap in the coming years as the original owners have their cataracts removed. Find this 2005 Chevrolet SSR offered for $15,900 in Chapel Hill, NC via craigslist. Tip from FuelTruck.

Red Classic: 1988 Nissan Be-1

In the late 1980s Nissan released a series of retro-styled vehicles into the Japanese market built on what is called the Pike platform.  The wacky designs were penned by Naoki Sakai who was noted for bringing retro styling to Olympus brand cameras.  The limited production retro-minis included Be-1, K10-Micra, Pao, Figaro and snail styled S-Cargo.  Regrettably, Nissan did not export any of these little oddballs into the USA, but you can find examples that have migrated here over the years.  Yay for the grey market!  Find this 1988 Nissan Be-1 offered for $11570 near Atlanta, GA via craigslist. Tip from Matt C.

1989 Nissan S-Cargo

Back in the 1980s when retro-styling wasn't a thing, the nuts at Nissan built a series of cars known as the Pike family that consisted of the Be-1, Pao, Figaro and S-Cargo.  Various examples of the Pao and Figaro seem to be for sale around the web from time-to-time, but the S-Cargo version is much more rare (at least in the USA). The the 25 year rule behind us, it seems like a good time to own one of the Pike cars. Find this 1989 Nissan S-Cargo offered for $8,495 via Japaneseclassics.com. Tip from SeanT.

Retroriffic: 1990 Nissan Pao

Starting in the late 1990s, cars with retro styling cues have become big sellers in the US.  The retro car trend did not originate in America, however.  PT Cruisers, Prowlers, SSRs, HHRs, Crossfires, VW Beetles, Fiat 500s, Mustangs, Camaros and Minis all owe something to this early pioneer of the nostalgic aesthetic movement.  Find this 1990 Nissan Pao for sale in Omaha, NE for $5,500 via craigslist.