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—last year, in fact—we went looking for the best deals in mid-engined cars for under $10,000. We’ll get to the bottom… er middle of those in just a sec. First however, this week’s quest.
Many a parent has spent the holidays putting together toys for their kids—bikes, Hookah Pipes (what?), dollhouses and the like. It’s time for us to do the same, and so this week we’re going to once again scour the classifieds for KIT CARS, the less-assembled the better.
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 go to the middle!


Clowns to the left of me, jokers to the right, here I am—stuck in the middle with you. The interpretation of “mid-engine” was joyfully broad last week, bringing to the fore a number of awesome contenders that gave new consequence to the term “middle man.” Let’s just start off with mdharrell, who gave us not some obscure sportster for Stuart Little but instead a massively-tired rat rod Jeep with its engine slung between the axles. Nothing middle of the road about that!
Following that up on the weirdly wonderful spectrum was the Fiero-based and LS-powered Ferrari BB replica that OA5599 turned us onto. Unsurprisingly, that beast is located in Las Vegas baby. As was noted by kogashiwa, if your mid-engine budget is only ten-grand, then a Toyota MR2 should be high on your list of options, and even found us one—in Canada no less—to prove the point.
Our winner however, is one of the entries that really stretches the concept of a mid-engine car. That is the phenomenally cool Chevy Van nominated by Wayne Moyer. Holy crap but this electric lime turbo diesel panel van pushes a lot of the right buttons. So many so that don’t be surprised to see it on NPOCP tomorrow.
Congrats to Wayne Moyer, and thank you all for bearing your midriffs… or something. Now, let’s find some kit and caboodle!
4BT 68 Chevy van GMC Handi Van 4BTA Cummins Conversion

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Your email address will not be published.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

38 responses to “Craigslist Crapshoot”

  1. Kiefmo Avatar
    Kiefmo

    With no chassis, no glass, no motor, I don’t even know if this qualifies, but it’s got potential nonetheless!
    https://images.craigslist.org/00j0j_k3xKHnjrfCr_1200x900.jpg
    http://kansascity.craigslist.org/cto/5893278595.html

    1. mdharrell Avatar

      I admire the seller for making reference to “Porsche” and “LeMans” while avoiding “VW” and “Laser 917.”

    2. P161911 Avatar
      P161911

      Out at the end of the Walmart parking lot, probably next to the family with free puppies.

      1. mdharrell Avatar

        Well, at least until the family with free puppies asked him to move.

    3. Kamil K Avatar

      Not sure if qualifies, he says.
      Son, that’s a damn winner in my eyes!

  2. Andrew_theS2kBore Avatar
    Andrew_theS2kBore

    There’s so much crap to choose in this category from that this week, I’ll break with tradition and submit something lustworthy instead:
    https://images.craigslist.org/00m0m_ahqgnsir3wt_600x450.jpg
    http://sandiego.craigslist.org/nsd/cto/5919487558.html

    1. mdharrell Avatar

      Now you’ve opened the door to the ongoing kerfuffle concerning the legacy of Bill Thomas, whether the BTM cars are kits or continuations, and whatever else is going on with these things. Even the ad is at pains to say “California title shows 1964 Cheetah not a kit car assigned number” so I hope you’re happy. I know I am, as I find the whole mess to be both fascinating and educational.
      http://www.billthomascheetah.com/btm-judgement-statement.php

      1. Andrew_theS2kBore Avatar
        Andrew_theS2kBore

        Anything Shelby could do, Bill Thomas could take one step further. Even kerfluffle.
        By the way, are you still looking for a Chuckwalla track patch? I’m heading there later this month, and I just remembered I totally forgot last time…

        1. mdharrell Avatar

          Yes, I am! Judging from their earlier nonresponsivity it may be best not to mention my name or anything involving LeMons while asking. Thanks!

  3. mdharrell Avatar

    “1960 vw bug migi stutz speedster with title – $4600”
    I’m not sure whether “$4600” or “with title” is the more surprising attribute.
    https://images.craigslist.org/00N0N_cqDhwxQTVnJ_600x450.jpg
    http://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/cto/5906617392.html

    1. Wayne Moyer Avatar
      Wayne Moyer

      So a Beetle with Morris Minor seats? What could possibly go wrong.

      1. mdharrell Avatar

        Nothing. Nothing whatsoever.

  4. Guest Avatar
    Guest

    How about a kit to make Batmobile kits?

    $20000, and the pictures of a finished one aren’t exactly inspiring.

    http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/NTk4WDgwMA==/z/3RkAAOSwoydWrs81/$_27.JPG

    http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/NTk4WDgwMA==/z/uDgAAOSw–1Wrs9r/$_27.JPG

  5. ptschett Avatar
    ptschett

    One of the hits I got for “kit car” was this. You’re welcome.
    https://images.craigslist.org/00V0V_642DHlbCy15_600x450.jpg
    http://fargo.craigslist.org/cto/5931790811.html

  6. ptschett Avatar
    ptschett

    1932 Alfa Romeo replica based on a ’68 Beetle, for $4,000.
    https://images.craigslist.org/00n0n_f5W7IjQGPZs_600x450.jpg
    http://fargo.craigslist.org/cto/5928312720.html

  7. 0A5599 Avatar
    0A5599

    Recycling from last week: Fauxrarri with a Vette engine.
    http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/cto/5921406973.html

  8. engineerd Avatar
    engineerd

    I kindly ask the judges to allow this. While a 2000 Miata with 60k on the clock is not a kit car per se, the seller has completely stripped this one down and the buyer will have to try to put everything back together with the Flyin’ Miata parts and stock parts required. I doubt it comes with Ikea-esque step-by-step instructions to do so. Therefore, while not the letter of the law…this is definitely the spirit of it. You may also want to buy a rotisserie to turn it right side up as the car is obviously sitting on its side from the photos.
    http://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/CXgAAOSwopRYbR1W/s-l1600.jpg
    http://www.ebay.com/itm/2016-Replica-Kit-Makes-Sport-international-orange-Jet-Black-body-work-/201772734646?forcerrptr=true&hash=item2efa9798b6:g:ZDIAAOSwImRYbR07&item=201772734646

    1. Andrew Pierce Avatar
      Andrew Pierce

      I’m sure the guy was planning on writing a detailed description of what was included in the sale and snapping pictures of everything, but lost interest after a couple of sentences and 5 pictures. Runs in the family.

      1. engineerd Avatar
        engineerd

        Ha! Probably. Like son like father.

    1. mdharrell Avatar

      The one upside would be taking it to car shows and explaining to everyone “I know it’s not really a Ferrari. It’s a Dino.”

  9. Wayne Moyer Avatar
    Wayne Moyer

    As always thanks for the win again. Most importantly I want to thank all the women dressing up as Velma and keeping the flame going for all of us overaged 14 year old boys.
    So onto this weeks. This week we get an ad that mixes the best of all Porsche worlds. It mentions the 356 while also misidentifying the 959 as a 659. It then talks about how you can take the VW engine out and put a rotary into it. You know because you want to take this amorphous blob and give it no torque and an oil leak. It also somehow managed to get a Fauxerri F40 rear end instead of a 959 one just to add to the real world confusion. Let’s not forget that you get a $650 horn button with this kit car. You may also notice that there isn’t much thought placed into getting air to that VW motor as well. Of course that won’t matter now will it? Not for $10,000.
    —————————————–
    http://jerseyshore.craigslist.org/cto/5906258931.html
    Porsche 359
    Porsche 359 Speedster
    Back in the 80’s, a Miami based Car Company called CMC, manufactured specialty cars. This, the Porsche 359 was one of them, a cross between a 50’s, 356 Speedster, and an 80’s 659. They sold the bodies, complete with all doors, deck lid, bonnet and glass for $14,000.00, That excluded a paint job, a chassis, wheels, brakes, motor and transmission.
    I’m selling a 99% complete car, mounted to a beefed up chassis, with motor & transmission, painted, assembled, with brand new American Racing Mag wheels and tires, four wheel disk brakes, Recaro style seats, Porsche front mounted, fan inducted, oil cooler, European HID headlights (Not blue tinted bulbs), LED bulbs in every other tail light, turn signal, parking lights, even license plate light, with everything needed to complete the car, Porsche VDO gauges, E. Nardi steering wheel & horn button (Worth $650. Alone!), shifter, and a brand new Porsche carpet kit. Car has full enameled, Porsche crests, on hood, wheels, steering wheel, shifter, even brake calipers.
    The car currently has a 2.2 liter, high performance, VW motor in it that needs a new two barrel carburetor, as it runs, but rough. You could stick a Porsche, Mazda rotary engine, or Subaru motor in this, as it has plenty of room in the engine bay, and have one hell of a hot rod.
    It’s got a clear title and has a current antique registration in Florida, as a 1969 Porsche Replica.
    I’m selling the car and everything I have acquired for it through the years, including a set of twin Dellorto 40 mm Carbs, car cover, and tons more, for $10, 000.00, firm, less than the body cost, unpainted! And, I have over $15K into it.
    VIN #: 119016674
    https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/ef4d98e4e8ed4a62fcf4200e5921d3275153894dafe074571c5461e4e2128662.jpg

      1. Wayne Moyer Avatar
        Wayne Moyer

        As a Britcar owner and eternal optimist and even I look at this and do a triple facepalm.

        1. mdharrell Avatar

          As a Britcar owner and eternally unhinged lunatic, even I agree.

      2. Andrew_theS2kBore Avatar
        Andrew_theS2kBore

        They’re really just selling the VIN and title, for some scumbag to slap on a replica/backdated 356 and scam the unwary. Side effect of the current Porsche market, unfortunately.

  10. 0A5599 Avatar
    0A5599

    Technically, it is still a 1 of 1, but the seller is keeping the molds in case anyone else wants one.
    https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/cars-for-sale/chevrolet/camaro/1904371.html?refer=blog

    1. A Peck Avatar
      A Peck

      250k…. this guy is smoking something unhealthy

  11. ptschett Avatar
    ptschett

    A Porsche 959 …roadster? (Intended to be Beetle-based, naturally.)
    https://images.craigslist.org/00K0K_dfZS3NyprKD_600x450.jpg
    http://denver.craigslist.org/cto/5935102485.html

    1. Vairship Avatar
      Vairship

      There’s probably a reason why they’re keeping it locked up in its cage!

  12. Lokki Avatar
    Lokki

    Here’s one didn’t start out as a kit car but became one:
    http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/272484301786?clk_rvr_id=1146623761653&rmvSB=true&afsrc=1&rmvSB=true&ul_ref=http%253A%252F%252Frover.ebay.com%252Frover%252F1%252F711-53200-19255-0%252F1%253Ftype%253D4%2526campid%253D5336789780%2526toolid%253D10001%2526afsrc%253D1%2526customid%253D74968X1525085Xb074d48e81dc0e674ecfbd00e4e417ac%2526mpre%253Dhttp%25253A%25252F%25252Fwww.ebay.co.uk%25252Fitm%25252F272484301786%25253Fclk_rvr_id%25253D1146623761653%252526rmvSB%25253Dtrue%2526srcrot%253D711-53200-19255-0%2526rvr_id%253D1148996877522&ul_noapp=true
    Genuine Lamborghini Diablo SE30, 1 of only 150 ever made and no doubt only half of them now exist. now in excess of £300,000 to buy;this is the correct model in the correct colour purple with black leather/carbon
    When I first got this car it was running, but needed work and a UK registration so it was never used/driven. Anyway time past and it just sat in my unit as I couldn’t decide what to do with it, then after about 5 years I made a decision to restore it to its former glory. I started doing this buy stripping the car down to just a shell, then the having a £5,000 chemical process completed on the chassis, via a company in Birmingham.
    I then got the car back and piece by piece I started restoring it. I spending a stupid amount of money on anything that it needed just to give you and idea of how crazy I was, all wishbones are new, all hubs are new, all bushes are new, all bearings are new, all tyres are new, are wheel sensors are new, all shocks are new, if you get the picture, I spent thousands and thousands.
    Anyway to cut a long stories short I moved from 1 unit to another and some bits just magically vanished (as they do!) due to this I lost heart. I then spent several years buying all the vanished parts and also getting more new bits.

    Just a cool £100,000 and, just like a real kit car, all you have to do is track down all the missing pieces, assemble everything, paint it, and Luigi’s you uncle!
    https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/b5e3c03b605e571958c59079268f561d4f83f891566bed17ddd6596b027a2da6.jpg

  13. salguod Avatar

    Why settle for just a kit car when you can buy a kit car company! Purchase includes the two (unfinished) cars shown.
    http://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/ABQAAOSwh2xYBST~/s-l1600.jpg
    http://www.ebay.com/itm/252590354827?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
    “The Willow is a two-seat, transverse 4-cylinder, mid-engine sports car, that was sold in kit form to be assembled by the buyer. This is a complete, turn-key business opportunity. If you ever wanted to get into the kit car manufacturing business, or if you are already a kit car manufacturer and wanted to add an additional model to your line, here is a rare opportunity to acquire everything needed to build the Willow Sports Car in production quantities, and at a price that is a fraction of the original costs.
    The Willow has appeared in many car magazines including: Road & Track: Hot Rod Magazine Kit Car Annual; Classic & Special Interest Cars; Motor Trend’s Sports Car Graphic; Kit Car Encyclopedia; and many others.
    Included in the sale: (16) fiberglass body molds; frame fixture table, 1” thick steel plate, 4.5 ft. x 11 ft., 1600-lbs., mounted on a single-axle utility trailer; Several additional frame sub-assembly jigs and fixtures; Construction & assembly drawings; Construction & assembly procedures; Bills of Materials with part numbers for all parts, purchased or manufactured; Vendor list; Photo albums with hundreds of photos showing construction and assembly details; (7) brand new, DOT approved, safety laminated windshields; and engines, transmissions, suspension, and many boxes of spare parts.”

    1. Wayne Moyer Avatar
      Wayne Moyer

      I was expecting to a really high price and was kind of surprised when I hit the link.

      1. salguod Avatar

        Yeah, but the reality is that kit is really dated and the work required to rework it into using a newer drivetrain is substantial. You’ll probably have to invest several multiples of his ask to get a marketable product and then is there really a market for it? It’s really hard to build any kit car for much less than $30K, does that look like something you’d invest $30K or more to build?
        I’d love to see it have a new life, but even if given away I’m not sure you’d make money with it.