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. 
In Great Britain – and maybe elsewhere – they have a phrase “Get Yer Kit Off” which means to get nekkid. How ironic it is then that the UK has long been one of the leading purveyors of cars that you have to put together. Last week we went looking for kit cars – of any nationality – that were completed and not requiring that new owners “get their kit on” so to speak. We’ll see the most attractive of those in a sec, but first this week’s task.
We’re just two weeks from the start of fall which means it’s going to be blazing hot for another month or so. It’s also the time when we start dreaming about driving with the top down and enjoying some cooler climes like these guys in the classic VW commercial. That of course will require a drop top, and since we want to be sociable, this week let’s have a look for the best-valued four- or five-seat convertibles we can find for sale.
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 get our kit on!


I have to be honest with you, I was expecting a flood of ’32 Ford and Cobras after last week’s request. Instead, you brought a slew of amazing – and eclectic – cars spanning both category and credulity.
I’d like to acknowledge Manic_King for all the amazing Euro-finds, including a Carlton Carrera that looks to be an awesome hole into which to throw money, and KAC, who found the most comical faux Porsche 930 imaginable (hint, it’s really a VW Type 3).
Taking the crown however, is Lokki who found this Bugatti T35B that was once sought after by our own Alff. This car wins the week for its unflagging dedication to deception. There’s no way this is a real Bugatti, not with VW’s iconic torsion bar front suspension loud and proud and bare in the air, but its builder went to great lengths to keep the illusion alive.
Congrats to Lokki, and thanks as always to you all for making this one of the week’s most interesting collaborations week after week!
1927 BUGATTI T-35B replica

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

The maximum upload file size: 64 MB. You can upload: image, audio, video. Links to YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and other services inserted in the comment text will be automatically embedded. Drop files here

67 responses to “Craigslist Crapshoot”

  1. PotbellyJoe★★★★★ Avatar
    PotbellyJoe★★★★★

    So for best value, we mean bang-for-our-buck 4- or 5-seater convertibles, yes? No money requirement to hit, so long as we see it as a good value.

  2. GTXcellent Avatar
    GTXcellent

    Seems like a little too good a deal, but it is a local number and there are no palm trees in the pictures. Not sure if ‘Manuel’ is the seller, or just a poor speller although he’s also ‘whiling’ to trade. Regardless, a stock looking, supposedly rust free ’99 GS for only $2800.
    http://images.craigslist.org/00m0m_a7eOAJzrHZp_600x450.jpg
    http://fargo.craigslist.org/cto/5176233478.html

  3. Kiefmo Avatar
    Kiefmo

    Hows about a ’63 Mercury Comet Convertible with the 260 V8, last owned by a ballerina*?
    http://images.craigslist.org/00x0x_46biTeuDlZG_600x450.jpg
    https://kansascity.craigslist.org/cto/5194526655.html
    *I know the owner — she is my daughter’s ballet instructor, which means she is among the most patient women on the planet.

  4. PotbellyJoe★★★★★ Avatar
    PotbellyJoe★★★★★

    http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/cto/5196280799.html
    How much of a pain in the ass are you willing to deal with for the car?
    http://images.craigslist.org/00000_94TIyiJfvE9_600x450.jpg
    2009 pontiac g6 convertible coupe ($2000) low mileage
    2009 Pontiac g6 convertible coupe
    75,XXX miles on it
    $2000 !!! $2000!!! $2000!!!
    Price so low because CAR HAS NO TITLE !!!
    Nothing wrong with the car what so ever, just needs an oil change and a new owner

    Yep… no title.

    1. Lokki Avatar
      Lokki

      Perhaps I am naive, or at least unworldly but how does a 2009 model car come to be legitimately for sale with no title?

      1. 0A5599 Avatar
        0A5599

        I bought one after the owner died and didn’t leave enough of an estate to pay for probate. Technically, his daughter gave me the title, but it wasn’t signed over, and it was advertised as not having a title.
        Occasionally, people will advertise late model cars as no title when they really mean they can’t find the physical piece of paper, but the car is still registered to them.

      2. PotbellyJoe★★★★★ Avatar
        PotbellyJoe★★★★★

        There can be a lien against the title that the owner never finished paying, so the title can’t transfer. In the world of bankruptcies that’s actually not unheard of. In fact I feel like this would be the case here.
        So you buy it, and either figure out a way to pay the lien to the bank, or don’t buy it, tell the bank where to pick it up and then get access (by Dealer License or Proxy) to the auction it will be sold at.
        Older cars are one thing as they may just be sitting in a field and there is simply no way to track down a previous owner, new cars it’s often a unresolved dispute with a bank or insurance company.

  5. Jeepster Avatar
    Jeepster

    1969 Jeepster Commando ( sport convertible ! ) for 5K … http://grandrapids.craigslist.org/cto/5184849144.html HMMM what else was I going to post first carpshooters

    1. mrh1965 Avatar
      mrh1965

      I would love to play with a Jeepster one day. Great car for a Michigan summer.

      1. Jeepster Avatar
        Jeepster

        They are great cars for Tennessee summer also !

  6. Sjalabais Avatar
    Sjalabais

    What a worthy winner!
    Here’s a beautiful 2001 Volvo C70 with the awesome low pressure turbo 2.4 with 193hp. Unfortunately, it’s an auto trans. 14500$ for a car almost 15 years old is harsh though.
    http://finncdn.no/mmo/2015/8/vertical-3/24/3/634/069/13_906590184_xl.jpg
    So it is amazing to see how much more bucks are banging, so to say, if you look at the same cars in Germany.

    1. Guest Avatar
      Guest

      Or Canada…

      This one is $1700 CAD, and actually isn’t as bad as one would expect for the price, with the nice added addition of a manual.

      http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/NzY4WDEwMjQ=/z/06gAAOSwu4BVnDJ-/$_27.JPG

      http://www.kijiji.ca/v-cars-trucks/edmonton/1999-volvo-c70-convertible/1085716035?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

      1. Sjalabais Avatar
        Sjalabais

        https://az598155.vo.msecnd.net/wp-uploads/2015/07/surprise-face-gif.gif
        Why oh why? Always assumed these would avoid the “valley of depreciational death” and go straight to some heated garages. Also, I live in the wrong country. Damnit.

  7. Jeepster Avatar
    Jeepster

    1975 Delta 88 … for $3500 biguns – wow http://nashville.craigslist.org/cto/5170435531.html

    1. 0A5599 Avatar
      0A5599

      Indeed a decent value, but you would have to swap in front bucket seats to make it a four-or-five seater.

      1. Jeepster Avatar
        Jeepster

        I think 4 will fit in the back seat alone on these, never been in one though.

  8. Jeepster Avatar
    Jeepster

    1970 Olds “98” for $4750 http://bham.craigslist.org/cto/5176005472.html

  9. PotbellyJoe★★★★★ Avatar
    PotbellyJoe★★★★★

    http://newjersey.craigslist.org/cto/5161014074.html
    1996 SAAB 2000 SE CONVERTIBLE–Drives well and looks good! – $1800 (North Jersey)
    109k miles, 4-cyl. turbo engine. Transmission and interior are very good. Body and paint not perfect, but overall car looks good. Top works fine. Well maintained. Just passed inspection. Problem with AC/Heater-fan will not turn off. Took out fuse so it’s not running all the time. Needs fan speed controller. AC does not work-needs Freon. Easy DIY fixes. Otherwise you can drop the top and go. All reasonable offers considered. Text preferred
    If those truly are the fixes, that’s a cheap car for what it is.

    1. mrh1965 Avatar
      mrh1965

      It does look good, actually.

  10. Jeepster Avatar
    Jeepster

    1967 Mercury Monterey Convertible – Asking $4995 !! OK , the Jeepster is done now carps…http://gadsden.craigslist.org/cto/5139133284.html

    1. Jeepster Avatar
      Jeepster

      with bench in the front, this one should fit 6 or 7 ?
      / subtract points for the 8 mpg, maybe.

  11. mrh1965 Avatar
    mrh1965

    $17,000 650i convertible. You can totally fit actual human beings in the back seat right?
    http://houston.craigslist.org/cto/5163135365.html

  12. engineerd Avatar
    engineerd

    1985 Chrysler LeBaron convertible with only 31,xxx miles on the clock. They are asking the low, paltry sum of $11,000 for it.
    How is this a good bargain, you ask? Well, I’ll tell you. According to NADAGuides, the LeBaron would have stickered for approximately $9460 in 1985. Adjusted for inflation, that’s nearly $21,000! So, for basically half off a low mile car, you could be driving in top down wood grained style!
    http://detroit.craigslist.org/mcb/cto/5200219954.html
    *Drugs and brain damage required to pay this much for a K Car not included

    1. 0A5599 Avatar
      0A5599

      Party like John Voight.

      1. Jeepster Avatar
        Jeepster

        Just don’t let Voight bite your arm ..

      2. Jeepster Avatar
        Jeepster

        dang the internet is useful for wasting time, look

  13. mrh1965 Avatar
    mrh1965

    I think I actually prefer this 02 Mustang GT. Miles are high at 200,000 (wow) but I bet you could get it for under $4,000. 5 speed, too.
    http://houston.craigslist.org/cto/5201161413.html
    Good A/C, a Houston must-have.

  14. Sjalabais Avatar
    Sjalabais

    Sitting here trying to get the kids to sleep, a little compilation of Swedish crazy:
    http://cdn.blocket.com/static/0/original/77/7747304965.jpg
    http://cdn.blocket.com/static/2/original/77/7707564191.jpg
    Hard to tell, but what you see here is actually a wild hot rod based on a Volvo Duett: 9000$.
    http://cdn.blocket.com/static/0/images_full/54/5449132150.jpg
    Without the spoilers, this would be pretty neat: ’86 “742”, 2500$.
    http://cdn.blocket.com/static/2/original/57/5707407500.jpg
    http://cdn.blocket.com/static/0/original/57/5754091902.jpg
    Amazon custom convertible with a Ford 2.2 V6 and the classic owner-insight of “haven’t seen any rust”, a deal at 2500$.

    1. Mr Campbell Avatar
      Mr Campbell

      I also spend too much looking at Blocket!

    2. Vairship Avatar
      Vairship

      The Amazon has beautiful lines, but the fact that it doesn’t have any doors might limit the customer base…

  15. Fred Talmadge Avatar
    Fred Talmadge

    What the heck is a “licensed automobile builder”?

  16. ptschett Avatar
    ptschett

    $14k for a ’63 Olds that had a frame-off restoration 10 years ago doesn’t sound exceedingly unreasonable.
    http://fargo.craigslist.org/cto/5143311883.html
    http://images.craigslist.org/00A0A_3pOYfLz67eQ_600x450.jpg

    1. Vairship Avatar
      Vairship

      It’s as unfinished as the garage behind it!

  17. Citric Avatar
    Citric

    I found this while looking, I don’t think it has rear seats and if it does humans definitely won’t fit, but turbo Sprint convertible!
    http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/NDUwWDgwMA==/z/az0AAOSwDNdV5y13/$_27.JPG
    http://www.kijiji.ca/v-classic-cars/saskatoon/91-convertible-turbo/1099640922?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

    1. Tomsk Avatar
      Tomsk

      Unless two of your passengers are leprechauns, I wouldn’t call it a four-seater…

      1. ptschett Avatar
        ptschett

        Could be worse. When me and my sister were very young, we’d ride in the alcove behind the seats of my dad’s ’63 Austin-Healey Sprite Mk II while mom & dad occupied the only two actual seats.

        1. Vairship Avatar
          Vairship

          Children are a renewable resource, right?

  18. Manic_King Avatar
    Manic_King

    Right, this here is a “Fiat Punto Cabrio S mit Abi Wallenstein Karikatur” for a $130, no belt, everything else is also in very bad condition, winter tires, no MOT. Sad sad Punto…
    http://suchen.mobile.de/fahrzeuge/details.html?id=209684005
    Abi Wallenstein who has made that drawing is blues singer btw.
    http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTIwMFgxNjAw/z/2cMAAOSw3ydV3c9T/$/$_57.JPG
    Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hj_NdkxGHSc

  19. Manic_King Avatar
    1. dukeisduke Avatar
      dukeisduke

      Wow. Do they have mobile homes in Germany, because I think this should be parked in front of one.

    1. mrh1965 Avatar
      mrh1965

      550 Euros? Rolling Stones Collection? Sold!

  20. Lokki Avatar
    Lokki

    Expensive? Hell yeah, but you know you want it!
    https://dallas.craigslist.org/mdf/cto/5190196593.html

    1. ptschett Avatar
      ptschett

      8 lug wheels!

    2. mrh1965 Avatar
      mrh1965

      Not gonna win on “best value” but she’s a beauty.

    1. Kiefmo Avatar
      Kiefmo

      “…just put them together and you can have a 1963 convertible impala.”
      I’m sure that’s what he told his wife when he was buying this heap of scrap metal.

    2. dukeisduke Avatar
      dukeisduke

      What the..?

    3. Citric Avatar
      Citric

      “will need minor metal work.”
      http://software-carpentry.org/blog/2013/10/inigo.png

      1. neight428 Avatar
        neight428

        It seems he’s got a coupe and thinks the hunks in the yard would enable a convertible retrofit. The pics of the coupe make it look like it might roll with a few hundred dollars invested, but he led with the pic I used, so I’m going with that and hoping for a disputable win here. Perhaps by “minor” he refers to well trained child labor.

    4. Vairship Avatar
      Vairship

      At least now it’ll fit into my garage!

    1. smalleyxb122 Avatar
      smalleyxb122

      Nice car, but we’re looking for bargains…like (probably not) this ’63 for $1850
      http://images.craigslist.org/00P0P_dZNLyNetOLR_600x450.jpg
      http://detroit.craigslist.org/okl/cto/5202068053.html

      1. neight428 Avatar
        neight428

        I’d be lying if I said that I knew what made for a good value in Corvairs these days.

        1. Vairship Avatar
          Vairship

          If it’s in as good a condition as the seller says, that would not be a bad price. Corvairs haven’t been bid up to the stratosphere yet: http://www.jaxed.com/cgi-bin/mash.cgi?cat=cp&itm=corvair&fil=&pg=&loc=&q=corvair

  21. Tomsk Avatar
    Tomsk

    Mercedes W124 convertibles are well built, look great and likely to appreciate as time goes on, so this one for $8,000 seems like a pretty good deal (though it might not be once you get the top mechanism sorted).
    http://images.craigslist.org/00707_9dKhW49Srx9_600x450.jpg
    http://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/cto/5137713423.html

  22. Guest Avatar
    Guest

    This guy calls it a “Porche Speedster prototype f/glass body ….”

    I don’t know about that, but for $100, I’m sure you find some use for it.

    http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/NTM0WDgwMA==/z/WwEAAOSwyQtVzjz7/$_27.JPG

    http://www.kijiji.ca/v-classic-cars/calgary/porche-speedster-camaro-firebird-beetle/1094865751?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

    (I’m thinking dune buggy body, but you could go the garage art way…)

  23. Mr Campbell Avatar
    Mr Campbell

    I have a soft spot for these that is going to get me into a lot of trouble one of these days.
    https://www.gumtree.com/p/other-cars/1967-morris-minor-1000-1098-cc-two-door-convertible/1129855131