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. 
Last week we rocked down to Electric Avenue, looking for home brew cars and trucks that swing both ways, you know AC/DC. We’ll see which of those most gives us a charge in a minute, but first we have this week’s quest to discuss.
The words “Mid-engine” and “Italian” usually engender visions of the uber rich and maybe a smoking hulk on Wrecked Exotics, but this week we’re going hunting for a mid-engine Italian that’s both affordable, and maintains a rep for avoiding immolation. That’s right, this week we want Fiat X1/9s! All the X1/9s we can find. We’ll sort them out in our next meeting.
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 get our wires crossed.


Well, I think the most obvious takeaway from last week’s quest is that there is nothing sadder than a crapped out home-made electric car. Imagine being stuck with the electrified Jeep Cherokee found by bigredcavetroll. That’s presently immobile not because its seller couldn’t find a long enough extension cord, but due to a burned out controller. The problem facing the seller of the electric VW Beetle found by Wayne Moyer is that he’s lost the car’s key. As pointed out by Tim, can’t he hotwire it?
The winner of last week’s quest of sadness was Jeepster, who found this Mechanix Illustrated Urba Town Car on eBay. Imagine if you will, ordering a Town Car for your bachelor party or prom date and having this thing show up! Remarkably the eBay ad claims that the auction (starting bid $4,000) is over because the car is no longer available.
Congrats to Jeepster, and thank you all for playing!
Replica Kit Makes 2 Door | eBay

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54 responses to “Craigslist Crapshoot”

  1. GTXcellent Avatar
    GTXcellent

    Real nice use of Craigslist cliches here: ‘Barn find’, ‘ran when parked’. I just wished he’d have mentioned something about the ‘AC just needs a charge’.
    http://images.craigslist.org/00i0i_68cdqsDcABI_600x450.jpg
    https://minneapolis.craigslist.org/dak/cto/5381637775.html

    1. Rob A Avatar
      Rob A

      mmm, those wheels

  2. Jeepster Avatar
    Jeepster

    Seems a bit steep asking $6000 … https://memphis.craigslist.org/cto/5371774829.html

    1. ol shel Avatar
      ol shel

      Not of you remember that it’s a baby Ferrari.

  3. Jofes2 Avatar
    Jofes2

    http://www.subito.it/auto/fiat-x1-9-2-serie-1981-salerno-142150167.htm
    Here’s a beautiful one in nice condition. I just have to say love the steering wheel design on these. And the gear lever. The whole interior actually.
    http://s.sbito.it/images/04/04302676614742.jpg

    1. JayP Avatar
      JayP

      I want the shift knob for my beer tap handle.

  4. Jeepster Avatar
    Jeepster

    Asking $1500 – it runs ! https://jacksonville.craigslist.org/cto/5397744805.html extra engine for $300 !
    Has anyone ever hit the crapshoot three weeks in a row ??

  5. Andrew_theS2kBore Avatar
    1. Jeepster Avatar
      Jeepster

      Good one .. Look at the postings so far.. All have different wheels !

    2. ramLlama Avatar
      ramLlama

      Wow, just look at that rear bumper…

  6. Jeepster Avatar
    Jeepster

    “Good reliable runner” for 1500 pounds, http://www.classiccarsforsale.co.uk/detail/motors/classic-cars/fiat/x19/109664 ( different wheels once again ) and Right hand drive,

  7. I_Borgward Avatar
    I_Borgward

    300 Benjamins! Basket not included.
    https://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/cto/5377831029.html

    1. mdharrell Avatar

      I do like the photo of someone either putting it in gear after pushing it or taking it out of gear before pushing it. The asking price, however, is a much more modest 300 Washingtons.

      1. I_Borgward Avatar
        I_Borgward

        (note to self: do not attempt to balance checkbook, negotiate loans or comment prior to sufficient caffeination)

        1. mdharrell Avatar

          If, on the other hand, you ever want to buy a slightly used SAAB 96….

          1. I_Borgward Avatar
            I_Borgward

            So, you were thinking $30,000?

          2. mdharrell Avatar

            I was rather hoping you’d agree just to keep laying down Benjamins until I say it’s enough.

  8. smalleyxb122 Avatar
    smalleyxb122

    the only X1/9 that shows up locally is this ’82 for $1300.
    http://images.craigslist.org/00505_9QEu19atLET_600x450.jpg
    http://detroit.craigslist.org/wyn/cto/5372007222.html

    1. engineerd Avatar
      engineerd

      I was just about to post this. The ad cracks me up. “I don’t have a door key. These aren’t hard to get. The code is somewhere inside the car from what I read.” OK, why didn’t you get a door key?
      “The previous owner told me that it might need a clutch plate. Someone else told me that the clutch might just need fluid and be bled, an easy process from what I understand.” OK, why didn’t you add fluid and bleed it to see if that was the issue?

      1. smalleyxb122 Avatar
        smalleyxb122

        Yeah, sorry for stepping on your turf. Detroit craigslist isn’t really my local, but it kicks out as a nearby area when there are few or no local results.

        1. engineerd Avatar
          engineerd

          Don’t worry about it! On some of these furrin’ car Crapshoots the pickings are slim here in the rust belt.

  9. I_Borgward Avatar
    I_Borgward

    Brown interior and funky Euro-bumpers! It’s a dream! But, then, so is the asking price, IMHO:
    https://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/ctd/5404496642.html

    1. Manic_King Avatar
      Manic_King

      Portland, as in Portland, Oregon? Is there kangaroos on the road or why these homebrew bumpers……and oh so chocolate-y interior but with grey seats.
      Owner probably thinks that alum. rails as a bumpers help little paper mache Fiat and him when meeting elk on the road. Yeah, dreams.

    1. mdharrell Avatar

      The last photo from that ad deserves to be included here:
      http://images.craigslist.org/00x0x_3vFTDRSHl2v_600x450.jpg

      1. Vairship Avatar
        Vairship

        There seems to be more smoke coming from the bottom of the engine than from the tires…

  10. BЯдΖǐL-ЯЄРΘЯΤЄЯ Avatar
    BЯдΖǐL-ЯЄРΘЯΤЄЯ

    Well it’s almost a X1/9. The Fiat Dardo Targa was build in Brazil for a short period of time and said there were only 300 ever build and now for JUST R$32,000.00 (U$ 8,000.00) it can be yours! http://carro.mercadolivre.com.br/MLB-733518788-fiat-dardo-targa-80-_JM http://mlb-s2-p.mlstatic.com/fiat-dardo-targa-80-222011-MLB20471349498_112015-F.jpg http://mlb-s1-p.mlstatic.com/fiat-dardo-targa-80-791011-MLB20471352010_112015-F.jpg

    1. Jeepster Avatar
      Jeepster

      Ok -wow. I hate to sound like a broken record. the 928ish looking wheels ?
      There are more different wheel types, per type of car, something something.
      Nice find.
      A crapshoot challenge in the future: find a camero, mustang, etc- no wheel type duplicates !
      Has that been done yet ?

      1. Manic_King Avatar
        Manic_King

        Also, outside rearview mirrors, many different designs.

  11. The Real Number_Six Avatar
    The Real Number_Six

    Here’s a Quebecois example for sale. Relatively low kilometerage, and practically free for Americans taking advantage of the comatose Canuck Buck at $3500CAD.
    In case you can’t read French, the seller is basically saying “I’ll actually give this away for a pack of Player’s Lights and an autographed picture of a young Mitsou’s breasts”.
    http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/NjAwWDgwMA==/z/1u4AAOSwcOFWbjVU/$_27.JPG
    http://www.kijiji.ca/v-voiture-collection/gatineau/fiat-x19-1978/1125867702?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

  12. Manic_King Avatar
    Manic_King

    Wow, what a dealership. Bunch of Integrales, Delta S4, Metro Group B, Rally Ferrari 308, Safari Rally prepped Celica etc…….link: https://home.automobile.it/AUTOIERIDIMARINOGEOMFAUSTO#ses
    2 rally X1/9s, cheaper Group 4 car: http://suchen.mobile.de/fahrzeuge/details.html?id=217675891
    http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTIwMFgxNjAw/z/8RkAAOSwI-BWOem8/$/$_57.JPG

    1. The Real Number_Six Avatar
      The Real Number_Six

      The Group 4 car is amazing!

  13. Manic_King Avatar
    Manic_King

    Cocaine- white eighties’ spoiler- tuning wonder, bodykit and wheels added in 1984.
    http://suchen.mobile.de/fahrzeuge/details.html?id=207862773
    http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTIwMFgxNjAw/z/bM4AAOSw34FVIStc/$/$_57.JPG

    1. Jeepster Avatar
      Jeepster

      Bonus points for slotted looking mags Manic !

      1. Manic_King Avatar
        Manic_King

        Wolfrace wheels, old respected brand. 205/60 R13 tires, only 1500 km on them (how many years old?), not sure where from the next 4 could come.

  14. neight428 Avatar
    neight428

    I found this, not sure what to do with it, so I’ll leave it here.
    http://images.craigslist.org/00E0E_3t3O5Kn1bY6_600x450.jpg
    http://houston.craigslist.org/cto/5362759237.html

  15. PotbellyJoe★★★★★ Avatar
    PotbellyJoe★★★★★

    http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/pts/5396921143.html
    FIAT ELECTRICAL TROUBLESHOOTING MANUALS – $35 (Wayne, PA)
    http://images.craigslist.org/00K0K_4vm9LtCQQ4U_600x450.jpg
    Anyone who is looking at these Fiat X1/9s may want to consider the $35 on these.

    1. neight428 Avatar
      neight428

      Put that in the floorboard of one and you’ll double its value.

      1. mdharrell Avatar

        You’ll also more than double the integrity of the floorboard.

        1. nanoop Avatar
          nanoop

          I doubt that, it’s not a comprehensive documentation of the wire loom, but only the diagnostics: “Does the Check-Engine-Light light up? Then that bulb is ok. ” would fit on a single sheet of paper..

          1. mdharrell Avatar

            The thickness of the manual doesn’t change my assessment.

    1. Guest Avatar
      Guest

      Considering the limited number of ads, I find it interesting that the only other search result is for a Fiat X1/9 fan club.

      http://www.kijiji.ca/v-activities-groups/edmonton/fiat-x1-9-fans/1067494224?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

    2. Jeepster Avatar
      Jeepster

      OK – no more kidding and carp. Look at these bizarre finds of a junky POS car – and there are 20+ wheel types( some kick mule butts) – on the same POS single type car to search …. this is profound.

  16. gerberbaby Avatar

    Another set of wheels? white on white. $1750. Ran when parked, then apparently ran again last year
    http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/ram/cto/5372232403.html

  17. salguod Avatar

    Columbus is home to Midwest Bayless, a Fiat specialist. They’ve got this race prepped X 1/9 rolling chassis for $2600:
    http://www.midwest-bayless1.com/mwb/docs/FORSALE/X19-RaceCar.htm
    http://www.midwest-bayless1.com/mwb/docs/FORSALE/X19-RaceCar_files/image002.jpg

    1. Fuhrman16 Avatar
      Fuhrman16

      That cage seems awfully low to be of any use…

  18. Mr. Ollivander Avatar
    Mr. Ollivander

    This one “needs nothing” for $6K (other than repairs to the seats and addressing the paint bubbling in multiple spots. It looks good from a distance. It’s listed four times, three without images. Without the images, $5,300. With the images, $6,000.
    http://cleveland.craigslist.org/cto/5350808149.html

    1. ol shel Avatar
      ol shel

      Paint bubbling is rust-through.
      Owners are in denial bout this.