By Robert Emslie
Welcome to Craigslist Crapshoot, our weekly search for the most bizarre, awesome, and/or terrible vehicles that the online classifieds has to offer. Oh man, I wasn’t expecting last week’s challenge to bring so much awesome, but you guys really stepped up. That’s because the task was to find the best and worst of Step Vans. We’ll find out which one was a step above the rest in just a sec, but first, this week’s classified conquest!
You may find them a pox on the landscape, always seemingly blocking the roads and rarely making left turns. Or you may eagerly await their arrival for whatever package they might bring, or food they might just dispense. Wither way, working trucks are a fact of life in the both the city and the suburbs. Another fact is that most big cities also have a lot of taxis clogging and hogging the best curbsides and corners, and that’s just what this week’s challenge is, to find the best and worst of taxi cab ads. We’ll leave the meter running, and remember the driver carries no more than $20 cash.
And, as usual, we want your finds to go down in infamy and not in the site’s spam filter. Follow any of the following advice and you’re crap will be known far and wide.
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Jeff Glucker
The only thing I could find on Dallas Craigslist is this 1958 London Taxi for a grand (sadly, no pictures):
http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/cto/3920642950.h…
"1967 London Taxi Cab – Austin Fx4D – $5900"
<img src="http://images.craigslist.org/00k0k_dRpZzHLXGw3_600x450.jpg" width="500">
Real roomy. Makes the back seats of the Crown Vic look like a Porsche 911
back seatparcel shelf.<img src="http://images.craigslist.org/00S0S_doaeNBReTcJ_600x450.jpg" width="500">
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/4012428135.ht…
Wide whitewalls? Where's the fuzzy dice?
1961 Ford Galaxie "Speedy Cab Taxi". 429 cubic inches with dual quads and a C6
<img src="http://images.craigslist.org/01010_5QAGfyG0cPF_600x450.jpg" width=500>
Ad link: http://greenville.craigslist.org/cto/4011549225.h…
I smell a winner…
Stance? Check.
Dog Dishes? Check.
Stuff sticking out from the hood? Check.
Probably never was a taxi? Check.
"Patina"? Check.
I don't see anything that I would want to change with this car. It's got my definition of awesome stance, seems to have an abundance of power, and looks badass. If this doesn't win, I may have to stop playing this game.
For added emphasis:
<img src="http://images.craigslist.org/00y0y_6uyAH1v9i9I_600x450.jpg" width=500>
A Checker Limo Taxi. The ad states that is has the "factory" 327. Ran when parked… hahahahahaha
<img src="http://images.craigslist.org/00h0h_j1EC9lk6lVD_600x450.jpg" width=500>
Ad link: <a href="http://auburn.craigslist.org/ctd/3988590341.html” target=”_blank”>http://auburn.craigslist.org/ctd/3988590341.html
It really does say "DID RUN AND DRIVE WHEN PARKED."
Plus, the ad is in all capitals… so you know he's serious.
1967 Austin taxi cab. Right hand drive. 4 cylinder diesel. Needs work.
<img src="http://images.craigslist.org/3Ia3F63sa5L75Gd5r1d7f71ed414480201232.jpg" width=500>
Ad link: <a href="http://detroit.craigslist.org/wyn/cto/3938600317.html” target=”_blank”>http://detroit.craigslist.org/wyn/cto/3938600317.html
Searching for taxi gave me nuttin', so I instead searched for that old standby for taxi companies — the ex-police interceptor. Since the Crown Vic is the default, common example, I went with something different — a Dodge Intrepid Interceptor, which somehow managed to have a strong engine that also happens to be in need of a timing belt.
A quick wiki-researching tells me that the 3.5L SOHC V6, which was the largest available in the Intrepid and therefore probably the engine used, is an interference engine. So, a broken timing belt means some ruined valves at least, damaged pistons at most. That engine might've been strong before the timing belt broke, but it ain't necessarily so anymore!
<img src="http://images.craigslist.org/00N0N_6JHwa2LoVhn_600x450.jpg">
<a href="http://kansascity.craigslist.org/cto/3951721100.html” target=”_blank”>http://kansascity.craigslist.org/cto/3951721100.html
The 3.5L was a non-interference engine, and I changed a timing belt in a Colorado rest area back in 1998…might have been 1999.
Regardless, it ain't no thang.
Ahh — all I know about that engine, I learned from Wikipedia, and it told me this: "1993–97 3.5 L engines are a non-interference engine meaning that the valves will not collide with the pistons in the event of a timing belt failure. The 1998–2001 3.2 L, the 1998–2010 3.5 L, and the 2007–2011 4.0 L engines are interference designs."
Is that right? No clue. It's wikipedia, afterall. Allpar might be a better source.
Good point, the later ones may well have been interference engines.
I'm familiar only with the first-gen LH car 3.5's.
I gotta tell ya, it's odd to have the cruise set at 80 MPH…on I-25 in CO, the speed limit is 75, so no biggie…then all of a sudden, you're slowing for no apparent reason.
Austin taxis are apparently more popular in The States than I would have thought.
<img src="http://images.craigslist.org/01111_eP8TbQBBZ3b_600x450.jpg" width="500">
http://sandiego.craigslist.org/nsd/cto/3981306280…
This guy seems to subscribe to the "brevity is the soul of wit" philosophy of life, where an 18 word listing somehow warrants 7 abbreviations. Maybe he thinks CL works like the newspaper classifieds and charges by the letter…
"1957 AUSTIN TAXI 4 CYL DIESEL W/SUICIDE DRS. NEW INT.RUNS GRT, NDS VERY LITTLE. CLN TITLE. $12,000 OBO"
And my submission for best: Black Lincoln Town car? How pedestrian.
One of the fastest big sedans in the world, the AMG-ified S-class. And it's already black with dark tint. Ready to shuttle executives to-and-from MCI in record time.
<img src="http://images.craigslist.org/00i0i_bBt4wQJuKua_600x450.jpg">
<a href="http://kansascity.craigslist.org/cto/3969452460.html” target=”_blank”>http://kansascity.craigslist.org/cto/3969452460.html
If a picture is worth a thousand words, this picture is the text equivalent of the average YouTube comment.
<img src="http://images.craigslist.org/00808_kaIIPgiIF8d_600x450.jpg" width="500">
Because cropping out the roof wasn't enough, he also had to stand behind one of two trees on the entire street.
<a href="http://tijuana.es.craigslist.com.mx/cto/3991984433.html” target=”_blank”>http://tijuana.es.craigslist.com.mx/cto/3991984433.html
[youtube J-t-g_msR2o http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-t-g_msR2o youtube]
Not a taxi, but it is a Dacia in North America
<img src="http://images.craigslist.org/00Y0Y_4237f1zgBsX_600x450.jpg"/> <a href="http://tijuana.es.craigslist.com.mx/cto/4012836823.html” target=”_blank”>http://tijuana.es.craigslist.com.mx/cto/4012836823.html
I just had a look for taxis and certainly didn't find crap at all. Just nice cars and the obligatory London cabs. But I found something of interest earlier today: A 1939 Volvo PV56. This is a truly rare car now, the luxury version of the PV54. This particular one is an older restauration from 1981 and looks nice, even though it is said to have minor, unmentioned, issues, and even though the paint is probably not too shiny (photographed wet is always a bad sign). But it is gorgeous to look at – and might just have been a taxi in its day.
<img src="http://finncdn.no/mmo/2013/8/vertical-3/21/6/435/014/96_1495468951_xl.jpg" width="600">
<img src="http://finncdn.no/mmo/2013/8/vertical-3/21/6/435/014/96_976135872_xl.jpg" width="600">
<img src="http://finncdn.no/mmo/2013/8/vertical-3/21/6/435/014/96_1866800901_xl.jpg" width="600">
<img src="http://finncdn.no/mmo/2013/8/vertical-3/21/6/435/014/96_1871423068_xl.jpg" width="600">
That's amazing. It's great introducing people to these older, lesser known Volvos. "……..That's… a Volvo???"
I also really love the vintage Volvo emblems.
Swedespeed had a beautiful detail shot of the rear emblem for years, can't seem to find it now. At times like this I really wish I had a big war chest. But even without my wife gets nervous every time I click on my most precious bookmarks…
I love that there's four separate renditions of the emblem; trunk, mudflaps, steering wheel, and above the grille.
My favorite though is still the rear pillar emblem on the p1800.
<img src="http://farm1.staticflickr.com/137/343774333_d0e44807c5.jpg">
Seen from just across the border, blue, yellow and a crown are always a bit too much. =8^)
Beautiful car.
Ex-cop car and ex-taxi.
Sub-$1K for the loser trifecta!
http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/cto/3996013414…
<img src="http://images.craigslist.org/00303_h0Lf84fiuy9_600x450.jpg">
To hell and back, twice!
Ticketed for a DUI and then you have to pay the cops to take you to jail?
…and the winner is
Perfect for Boston traffic. Nothing says that you don't give a damn if you get hit better than a Panther.
A black cab that was in a music video, in the middle of Nova Scotia. That's unexpected, and I briefly considered just driving all the way home across the country.
<img src="http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/ODI1WDEwMDA=/$T2eC16VHJHIFFhK1R)U6BSE7WsMjOw~~48_20.JPG" width="500">
But I'm not sure it's worth $7,750
Its only a few minutes from my brothers shop and from where I grew up. I may have to go and see that thing when I head down that way on friday.
How about the "Maxi Taxi"
1971 "Maxi Taxi" Dune Buggy – $4500 (Carol Stream)
<img src=http://images.craigslist.org/00505_hY1bleqIxxC_600x450.jpg>
http://chicago.craigslist.org/wcl/cto/4004335426….
Here's a Maxie Taxi
<img src="http://images.craigslist.org/01212_3bzyzJZZ5AF_600x450.jpg"width=500> <a href="http://greenville.craigslist.org/cto/4016291227.html” target=”_blank”>http://greenville.craigslist.org/cto/4016291227.html
A Crown Vic for only $900? Yes please!
<img src="http://images.craigslist.org/00r0r_6Y5HygfiTII_600x450.jpg" />
<a href="http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/cto/3949526211.html” target=”_blank”>http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/cto/3949526211.html
When a cab company is giving up on a Crown Vic, it's gotta be pretty well used up.
After only 169k miles, too??
Pass.
Cost half that much for a ride to LAX if you do it right. Make your money back quick.
Does this count?
<img src="http://i.ebayimg.com/t/1972-International-Harvester-4-x-4-Travelall-15-passenger-Stageways-Airporter-/00/s/Mzg1WDY0MA==/z/rOkAAOxyMd1SDav1/$T2eC16F,!zEE9s3!(IV6BSD,v08New~~60_3.JPG"width=500>
1972 International Traveall 4X4 limo/taxi. <a href="http://www.ebay.com/itm/International-Harvester-Other-Custom-1972-international-harvester-4-x-4-travelall-15-passenger-/261266022320?forcerrptr=true&hash=item3cd4ab1fb0&item=261266022320&pt=US_Cars_Trucks” target=”_blank”>http://www.ebay.com/itm/International-Harvester-Other-Custom-1972-international-harvester-4-x-4-travelall-15-passenger-/261266022320?forcerrptr=true&hash=item3cd4ab1fb0&item=261266022320&pt=US_Cars_Trucks
Just read about this exact vehicle on Barn Finds…
I knew I saw it somewhere, couldn't remember, I thought it was BaT.
I'm sorry, I can't count that high. :-/
Here's my 'London-Taxi-Not-Currently-In-London' contribution: http://nh.craigslist.org/cto/3999536246.html
<img src="http://images.craigslist.org/00N0N_jNeyzwb0bNI_600x450.jpg" width="600">
I believe that mine is the oldest posted thus far, though (1949).
Normally this wouldn't warrant even posting but there is one tiny thing here of importance.
<img src="http://images.craigslist.org/01111_9HnXdnSqflC_600x450.jpg" width=500 />
But Fodder, you say,its just a Camry. It's a 2012 with 80,000!!!! miles on it. 80,000 NYC miles. That's not wear and tear. That's abuse, draw and quartering, and generally hated for maybe eighteen months. Plus the old "Why are they throwing it away"? question.
http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/cto/3928368339…
94 hp, 6-door diesel Mercedes with (painfully slow-) 1,1 million km's = 683k miles on clock. Price is firm.
<img src="http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/NzY4WDEwMjQ=/$T2eC16J,!wsE9suw)zD1BRrMtJddj!~~48_1.JPG">
http://suchen.mobile.de/auto-inserat/mercedes-ben…
1937 pontiac taxi – $10000 (springville)
<DIV style="OVERFLOW: auto"><img src="http://images.craigslist.org/00U0U_6rbz2eGxcyF_600x450.jpg">
http://buffalo.craigslist.org/cto/3998216073.html
1947 Hudson Taxi – CAD14000 (Gibsons BC)
<img src="http://images.craigslist.org/00f0f_ivOKQIoe6CD_600x450.jpg"> <a href="http://sunshine.en.craigslist.ca/cto/4011809414.html” target=”_blank”>http://sunshine.en.craigslist.ca/cto/4011809414.html
Wow, the Hudson…why on earth do people think that selling a car like that warrants just one photo…? What role does the guy in the wheel chair play? Is he the original owner? And is the hood actually descending towards the wind shield? Would love to see this one from the driver's seat!
Why settle for just a taxi, when you can buy the whole company for a mere $128,000?
<img src="http://images.craigslist.org/00f0f_ksMgy4Di00X_600x450.jpg">
<img src="http://images.craigslist.org/01515_cVohqgVy9lA_600x450.jpg">
http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/dak/bfs/4011357…
Stop the presses! Come back and see! I've found something amazing!
A two-headed Checker Cab!
<img src="http://images.craigslist.org/00t0t_j1PmPPRt1VK_600x450.jpg">
<a href="http://kansascity.craigslist.org/cto/3987502663.html” target=”_blank”>http://kansascity.craigslist.org/cto/3987502663.html