Craigslist Crapshoot

The World’s Worst Car Is For Sale On Craigslist
Welcome to Craigslist Crapshoot, our weekly search for the most bizarre, awesome, and/or terrible vehicles that the online classifieds has to offer. 
Are you OD’d on Pebble Beach and news of the Monterey Weekend? yeah, it’s nice to see how the other-half lives, but after a while it makes you wonder where these people get all their money. I mean, this is America, right? We’re the home of the poors. Still, I’m contemplating a trek up to hobnob with the haves next year and I asked you all to find me something to drive up the coast that would both impress and cost less than twenty-five grand. We’ll see what my hypothetical ride might be in a sec, but first this week’s quarry.
You know what they say will make you rich? A lifetime of hard work, that’s what. I don’t know, as I see a lot of people trading on their celebrity and seemingly not doing all that much to make beaucoup bucks in return. I think that maybe getting someone else to do the work and then taking advantage of that is really the way to go, and as such this week I want us to find the best in completed kit cars presently for sale. No half-finished fare, only finished works – and stuff we’d perhaps like to drive.
As always, we want your finds to go down in infamy and not in the site’s spam filter. Since we’ve 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.

Got that? Good, now let’s put me behind the wheel.


One of my trips up to the Monterey Weekend was behind the wheel of an old Ford E250 window van, towing a box trailer that must have weighed somewhere in the neighborhood of twenty tons. At least that’s how it felt, and no matter how we positioned the car inside or adjusted air pressure in the tires, that thing would wag like a happy dog at anything over 55 miles per hour. It was a long trip up and back.
Of course, once we pulled the 1950 Jaguar XK120 we were carrying out of the tailer and used that for the weekend’s activities, the journey up was all but forgotten. That’s just what you need for a multi-day car event – something sweet to drive and to show off amid all the other expensive iron. I appreciate all the suggestions, especially those involving cars that wouldn’t be able to break 40 on Hwy 1, and came without A/C. Still, I could totally see pulling into the Nepenthe restaurant, or Ventana Inn parking lots in Big Sur in either the 1952 MG TD found by Kiefmo or the ’53 Kaiser offered up by smalleyxb122.
The car that I really think would make a statement however – especially seeing as BMW is the featured marque at next year’s Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion – is this sweet ’67 Barracuda coupe found by AnamDuine. Rocking a 340 and being one of the lesser-loved of the ’60s muscle cars makes it the perfect choice for a quick run up the coast and a cruiser for the long weekend. Of course the lack of A/C will mean that day’s end will require a cooling quaff, but I have no issue with that.
Congrats to AnimDuine and thanks to  you all! Now I have 51 weeks to figure out how to make this happen.
1967 plymouth Barracuda, Restored California Car

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70 responses to “Craigslist Crapshoot”

  1. engineerd Avatar
    engineerd

    Prepare for an onslaught of Cobra kits…
    How about an Austin Healey Sebring kit with a Chevy 350 and auto trans. Hey, you’re buying someone else’s kit that they did all the work on, why start working now?
    http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTIwMFgxNjAw/z/YekAAOSwDNdVwrah/$_35.JPG
    http://www.ebay.com/itm/1960-Austin-Healy-V8-automatic-Replica-/252060000840?_trksid=p2054897.l4275

    1. Alff Avatar
      Alff

      As with this Sebring, several times this week I’ve come to post something and found that someone beat me to the punch. After all of these years together, has this group developed a hive mind?

      1. engineerd Avatar
        engineerd

        I like to think of it as a mensa mind when it comes to this group.

        1. mdharrell Avatar

          A mind that’s flat and generally supportive of food? Yeah, I can relate to that.

          1. engineerd Avatar
            engineerd

            I suppose I deserve that as I didn’t capitalize the word indicating the proper noun “Mensa” meaning a group of really smart people as opposed to the Latin word “mensa” meaning an altar slab.

          2. mdharrell Avatar

            The Latin dictionary that I trust the most (Leverett, 1844) gives the primary meaning as surveyor’s board but the word soon came to refer to tables in general, particularly serving or dining tables.

          3. Alff Avatar
            Alff

            I’sa knewsa what you mensa’d.
            https://media0.giphy.com/media/olnuKV0a3Et5C/200_s.gif

    2. Kiefmo Avatar
      Kiefmo

      I found a near-identical one, but packing a Ferd 302 and 4-speed manual. The Ford mill is nearly as much of a default choice for V8 replica powerplant, but seemingly used only by those who already had one taking up space in their garage, or those who are so anti-GM they can’t see a set of unevenly spaced | |–| || |–| | headers without getting irrationally angry.

      1. smalleyxb122 Avatar
        smalleyxb122

        I think the 302 is the default over a 350 for certain kits. You aren’t making any friends if you drop a SBC into a Cobra kit, although the LS-series has become fairly popular.

        1. Kiefmo Avatar
          Kiefmo

          I know when the firewall space is an issue, the Ford’s front-mounted distro helps, but later GM SBC with electronic ignition and the LS series alleviated that. I think the LS engine is currently the top choice for size and weight, especially if you get an aluminum block car mill instead of an iron block truck mill (unless, of course, you want to make stupid power levels and need the strength of the iron block).

          1. smalleyxb122 Avatar
            smalleyxb122

            The LS (and even the earlier-gen SBCs) gets some backlash for its ubiquity, but it is ubiquitous for a reason. It is incredibly versatile. I also have enthusiast friends that shun the LS because (and only because) it “still” has push rods, or because they drank the “specific output” kool-aid, and think the same horsepower isn’t as good if it comes from large displacement instead of a turbo or an insane redline.

  2. mdharrell Avatar

    It’s just as well I’ve already taken my turn at buying a Craigslist Crapshoot entry, because this is a complete, running Bradley GT for $1450.
    http://images.craigslist.org/00B0B_8ggShdoGPvq_600x450.jpg
    http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/cto/5186232129.html

    1. CruisinTime Avatar
      CruisinTime

      That is a decent find for that little money.

      1. mdharrell Avatar

        I know! It’s also only about twenty miles away.

        1. Sjalabais Avatar
          Sjalabais

          Can you get that far within the week?
          /showing myself out. Too tempting!

          1. mdharrell Avatar

            Provided I’m not restricted to just one attempt and just one vehicle, yes.
            Probably.

    2. salguod Avatar

      Saw this Bradley GT at a car show in Maumee OH a couple of weeks ago. It doesn’t match that one, however. Were there two generations?
      Bradley GT
      Bradley GT

      1. mdharrell Avatar

        Good point! The one for sale above is actually the significantly rarer GT II. Its main advantage is that the windshield was made specifically for the car instead of being from a donor. It is therefore irreplaceable.

    1. Sjalabais Avatar
      Sjalabais

      This should be maximum offensive for the British, even without mentioning the war.

  3. mdharrell Avatar

    Not a kit, but searching under “fiberglass” turned up a Fargo motorhome for $3000, so of course I’m posting it:
    http://images.craigslist.org/00L0L_ebM2dqDNI9n_600x450.jpg
    http://abbotsford.craigslist.ca/cto/5185896333.html

  4. Kiefmo Avatar
    Kiefmo

    Whether it’s finished depends upon what you think about the state of its top and paint, but what appears to be a convertible C2 is actually a fiberglass C2 replica body on a Monte Carlo chassis of unspecified year.
    http://images.craigslist.org/01212_cNsQScNDXRl_600x450.jpg
    http://kansascity.craigslist.org/cto/5146569478.html

    1. Guest Avatar
      Guest

      And how is this different from an authentic one?

      😉

  5. Kiefmo Avatar
    Kiefmo

    And in keeping with the grand tradition with putting any and every different type of body onto a Type I chassis, here’s a 1934 Frazer Nash replica. Unfortunately, while capturing the only complete photo of the car, the seller was overcome with a case of the shakes.
    http://images.craigslist.org/00y0y_61OvfUYhno5_600x450.jpg
    With all of that unused space under the super-long hood, imagine the cargo capacity!
    http://kansascity.craigslist.org/cto/5168037535.html

    1. dukeisduke Avatar
      dukeisduke

      It looks fast, even standing still!

    2. Vairship Avatar
      Vairship

      The only question being: is the engine located in the black trunk on the rear bumper?

  6. PotbellyJoe★★★★★ Avatar
    PotbellyJoe★★★★★

    http://cnj.craigslist.org/cto/5151685702.html
    http://images.craigslist.org/00U0U_628K3dgEfnp_600x450.jpg
    1982 MP Lafer – Rare Brazilian Roadster – Best Offer (Mercer County)
    Rare Brazilian Roadster. 1982 MP Lafer. 58000 km = 35000 miles. Very Nice Condition – Head Turner. For Sale. $7500 or best offer.
    It’s a laugher for sure. I like the color/seats combo. It’s at least unique.

  7. JayP Avatar
    JayP

    No Mercedes, no Sebring, no Cobra, no Speedster…
    It runs a Pinto 2.3… imagine this with an ecoboost.
    http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/cto/5154027401.html
    http://images.craigslist.org/00p0p_5OyFri48lwa_600x450.jpg

    1. Guest Avatar
      Guest

      “No half-finished fare, only finished works – and stuff we’d perhaps like to drive.”

      I’d perhaps like to drive that…

      Italian looks, Japanese reliability, what’s not to like?

  8. Mr Campbell Avatar
    Mr Campbell

    it’s not a kit car, but I had to share….
    http://www.nettimoto.com/muu-merkki/muu-malli/1905468

  9. Mr Campbell Avatar
    Mr Campbell

    Not a kit car, and not running, sorry, but been waiting all week to post this thing. 2200€ for a nice big shed with a Chrysler V8 in it.
    http://www.nettimoto.com/muu-merkki/muu-malli/1905468

    1. Sjalabais Avatar
      Sjalabais

      These are still in use all over Norway, example:
      http://jvb.no/no/beltebiler/Om+beltebilene.9UFRjS2H.ips
      I used to live where these go. They are pretty quick, fantastically noisy (!!) and the fuel smell inside will add a layer of drug-induced euphoria on top of your experience.

      1. Mr Campbell Avatar
        Mr Campbell

        Cool. A running one was for sale here a couple of years ago. Apart from that I’d only ever seen one in The Billion Dollar Brain.

        1. Jeepster Avatar
          Jeepster

          Also one in the movie Naked Lunch, at the last scenes

  10. Lokki Avatar
    Lokki

    Here’s a rare thing – a classic Mercedes kit I wouldn’t mind being seen in:
    https://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/cto/5168261526.html
    Bonus -NOT based on a VW

    1. Kiefmo Avatar
      Kiefmo

      Does that have a Fox platform underneath, or a Mustang II/Pinto?

  11. Lokki Avatar
    Lokki

    Hmmmm. A replica but apparently NOT a kit per se. However it IS on a VW chassis it says so I think it qualifies.
    https://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/cto/5160537442.html
    Still pretty darn cool looking and the VW Is well hidden in the Bugatti. I’d drive it .

    1. Sjalabais Avatar
      Sjalabais

      The car, the photos, the gentle ad – everything’s impressive. But…how much is it worth?

      1. Vairship Avatar
        Vairship

        According to the ad itself: $1
        Which would be a great price! 😉

    2. Alff Avatar
      Alff

      Courtesy of our own Tanshanomi, I had the opportunity to buy this very car a couple of years ago for a very low price. Missed that window by a few hours. Still kicking myself.

      1. Kiefmo Avatar
        Kiefmo

        No time like the present! Ad says it’s still in OP!

        1. Alff Avatar
          Alff

          I doubt this seller is offering at the same smoking price, plus this would be the fourth car that needs garaged; I’ve already got three such vehicles competing for two spots.

    1. JayP Avatar
      JayP

      Is that a Capri under there?

      1. Manic_King Avatar
        Manic_King

        Per Wikipedia these were kinda Capri and Nissan Z car mix, this one seems to have Rover(Buick) V8 though, which makes it mid-version, Ford I4 and Jag V12 were other possible engines. Wiki says 155 pcs. were built.

  12. Jeepster Avatar
    Jeepster

    Lancia Stratos Hawk HF2000, bonus Ferrari V8 powered. http://dallas.craigslist.org/ftw/cto/5167958742.html I thought these were kit cars ?

    1. Lokki Avatar
      Lokki

      This is difficult for me. I think the Lancia Stratos is one of the most Kick-Ass cars on the planet. Further, it’s nearby. However, I don’t like the color, the car has body-fit issues, and he’s asking $38K for a car that needs at least $15K more spent on it.
      Thank God, or otherwise, I’d be going to look at it.

      1. Jeepster Avatar
        Jeepster

        maybe this will help Lokki, this Hawk has been “fixed” ……. you can do it ( and Maaco) !

    2. jeepster Avatar
      jeepster

      will yall quit it – I h8ate itiatilien cars,and their 250% markup parts, they all suck- but of all the crapshoot listed so far…for little monney – I would try to learn the Ferrari V8 engine for this ride, I drive Willys Jeeps .. and they suck on the road …. ok rant done. ya’ll buy this car, drive to Nashville – we will hoon it

    1. Kiefmo Avatar
      Kiefmo

      Door’s thataway –>

    1. Kiefmo Avatar
      Kiefmo

      Those flares are sending a check the wheel/tire combo can’t cash. It’d look the business with less rubber/fender gappage.

    1. Kiefmo Avatar
      Kiefmo

      That certainly looks the business, until, of course, you fire it up. Then the game’s over.

      1. Ol' Shel' Avatar
        Ol’ Shel’

        Except that they sound exactly the same.

        1. Kiefmo Avatar
          Kiefmo

          Er, no?
          4/=6
          Flat, air-cooled, but still a different tune.

    2. Sjalabais Avatar
      Sjalabais

      What an amazing thread! All the trouble people go through just to pretend…it’s mind-baffling.

    3. Cameron Vanderhorst Avatar
      Cameron Vanderhorst

      It amazes me that this was a thing, somewhat in the realm of Miata-to-Z3 kits, where Miatas are arguably more valuable than early Z3s nowadays. Hindsight is 20/20…
      Then I remember what aircooled prices are now. Carry on…