Welcome to Craigslist Crapshoot, our weekly search for the most bizarre, awesome, and/or terrible vehicles that the online classifieds has to offer.
Last week we got prepped for some summer fun with a quest for the best and worst of mini motorhomes available for sale. We’ll make it mobile home in a sec, but first let’s get this week’s challenge out of the way.
They say that absence makes the heart grow fonder, and this week we’re counting on that being true. What we’re looking for this week are ads for cars that you can’t easily have, but still desperately want. If you live in the U.S. maybe you jones over one of those BMW Z1s. Likewise, maybe you live in Japan and are sick-crazy over a ’78 Mustang King Cobra with T-tops. Whatever the vehicle, we want to know what it is, and where you can find the best deal for one – even if you can’t have it.
As always, we want your finds to go down in infamy and not in the site’s spam filter. Since we’ve recently changed commenting systems, you may need to update your commenter account. Make sure you have a Disqus account – they’re free and easy to get – and then comment away.
Little motorhomes straddle the line between the portability of a travel tailer and the comfort and security of a full-sized rig. As such, they have never been hugely popular, at least here in the States. Oh sure, every time there’s been a major spike in fuel costs some manufacturer has popped out a smaller, more efficient rig, but it seems like those who want to take it with them, really want to take it all.
You all still found a bunch of cool old mini-motorhomes, as well as some things that defy description and possibly require a hazmat suit instead of a sleeping bag for a sleepover. The rarest of them all was this 1984 Winnebago LeSharo (that name always makes me think of Harry Shearer) found by TheRustyHub. Powered by a Renault turbo-diesel of lilliputian displacement, and with an actual manual gearbox, these Mini-Winnies were exceeded only by the BMW-powered Vixen in their quirky coolness.
Not only would this little rig allow you to see the sights, but would give you the opportunity to get a good look, so slow and prone to breakdown were the mechanicals. Still, there are plenty of alternative engines that will fit the Renault engine bay- I’m thinking VW D24 – and considering this one’s apparent shape and $5,250 price, that might be a viable option.
Well done, TheRustyHub, and thanks to all of you for playing!
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