The New Zealand Herald

Cars that made us CLICK

From bubble cars to Lamborghin­is — Trade Me’s most viewed last year

- Meghan Lawrence

Avintage bubble car, the “best-looking Lamborghin­i in NZ” and a “hydro van” have all made the top Trade Me Motors listings of 2018.

The website’s list includes the 10 most-viewed listings from last year, with the top vehicle pulling in just under 80,000 views.

The most-viewed vehicle was a rare turbocharg­ed Mazda RX-7 Infini 1993.

The quarter century-old sports car was a special limited release with only 600 ever built.

The car was for sale in Wellington for $30,995. The auction received a total of 79,247 views.

Trade Me head of motors Alan Clark said, “with only 600 like it in the world, Trade Me members were keen to get a glimpse of this unique ride”.

As a nation that loves to dream, the second most viewed vehicle was a Lamborghin­i Aventador LP 720 Anniversar­y 2014.

The roadster was built to celebrate the company’s 50th anniversar­y and boasts a V-12 engine, tricked to deliver a total of 720 horsepower, that will sprint the super car from 0 to 60mph in just 2.9 seconds and up to a top speed of 349km/h (217mph).

The Tauranga owner popped it up on the website in March for a cool $710,000.

“This Lambo was one of just 100 ever built and the listing fetched almost 72,000 views from dreamy-eyed Kiwis,” Clark said.

In third place came a classic 1958 BMW Isetta 300 microcar.

The Isetta is an Italiandes­igned microcar that draws attention because of its egg shape and bubble-like windows, making it wellknown as a bubble car.

The entire front end of the car hinges outwards to allow entry, and in the event of a crash, the driver and passenger were to exit through the canvas sunroof.

The seat is said to provide reasonable comfort for two occupants, and perhaps a small child.

The car fetched 64,000 hits before it sold for $28,510.

In at number four was the Aston Martin DB2/4 Mk1 1955.

The sports touring car is outfitted with the powerful 2.9L engine and was available as a Fixed-Head Coupe or Drophead Coupe.

It is estimated that approximat­ely 565 Aston Martin DB2/4 Mk I models were manufactur­ed in total between 1953 and 1955.

”[The] 1955 Aston Martin was said to be the inspiratio­n for Ian Fleming’s James Bond character,” Clark said.

“With an asking price of $400,000 this piece of history even came with a handwritte­n letter from the former owner who was friends with Fleming.”

Another particular favourite of the Trade Me team was the opportunit­y to auction a hydro van — or floating caravan or trailer.

Dubbed the “trout slayer” or “bach on water”, the amphibious van received just over 60,000 views.

“The vessel came complete with a fireplace, barbecue, chilly bin and was listed for just $1 before it sold for $23,055,” Clark said.

The list also contained a red 2017 Ferrari 488 Spider, a 2018 Tesla Model X 75D and a Ford Falcon.

 ??  ?? A 2014 Lamborghin­i Aventador LP 720 was the second most viewed. A 1955 Aston Martin DB2/4 Mk1 made No 4 on the list. The most-viewed vehicle (above) was a rare Mazda RX-7 Infini.
A 2014 Lamborghin­i Aventador LP 720 was the second most viewed. A 1955 Aston Martin DB2/4 Mk1 made No 4 on the list. The most-viewed vehicle (above) was a rare Mazda RX-7 Infini.
 ??  ?? The amphibious Hydro van received around 60,000 views.
The amphibious Hydro van received around 60,000 views.
 ??  ?? In third place came a classic 1958 BMW Isetta 300 microcar.
In third place came a classic 1958 BMW Isetta 300 microcar.
 ??  ??
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