German Jolly: 1957 Volkswagen Beetle Beach Cruiser

This 1957 Volkswagen Beetle is a custom job supposedly done "many years ago"; while the Fiat Jolly and Renault 4CV Jolly are not mentioned in the ad, they appear to be a definite inspiration for this car, and this would more than satisfy any desires for a fun oddball summer car among staff of this site.

It has no rust, a good top and interior, a desirable period aftermarket petrol gauge that replaces the stock fuel reserve, everything is functional, and the 40-horsepower flat-four (with later Karmann Ghia air cleaner) and the transmission shifts smoothly. If it is as described and built well, this car is a great deal at $4500, which would not even get you in the front door for a rusty or incomplete Jolly project, and unlike a Jolly, is not so rare and valuable that it couldn't be used regularly. The availability of VW parts and service also makes it a desirable Jolly alternative, and the rear seat space, full wheelbase and roadability make it a great alternative to a fiberglass street buggy.

Find it here for $4500 in Grants Pass, Oregon

British Oddball: 1958 Ford Thames Forward-Control 15cwt Minibus Project

This rare cousin of the American Econoline has been hacked up, but it appears rust-free and would make a good project van for a Euro Ford or British car enthusiast. But the paint job, Malaise Era Chevy truck side mirrors, spare tire mount and wheels have to go regardless. Has no title, but a bill of sale at the DMV outside of California, a lost title search, or going through Broadway Title would rectify that.

Find it here in Riverside, California for $3500 or best offer

Found on Craigslist: 1974 Toyota Celica ST

One of my father's favorite cars he ever owned was a yellow 1975 Toyota Celica GT. I've long had a soft spot for the little Japanese sport coupes with their mini-muscle-car styling. This Celica is an automatic ST model in original driver condition. Perhaps the best part of this one is the interior; it looks perfect. The body has some dents and scrapes here and there but mechanically is described as being well maintained and only has 62,000 miles on it. By Toyota standards, it's just a baby!

Photos courtesy seller - Craigslist

For $4995, is this an easy sell-ica or would you rather STay away? Find it here or click here if the ad expires.

Oddball Driver's Cars On The Cheap: Japan Vs. USA

1: 1990-93 Isuzu Impulse RS

An odd but strong performer, 1990 Isuzu Impulse RS (pic from Craigslist/previous IG feature)

While this car resembles a Geo Storm, and indeed both share many parts, the Impulse RS (also known in Canada as the 1993 Asuna Sunfire) is no slouch and is a strong performer, with ties to legendary automaker Lotus and unusual but pleasant styling. The aftermarket may be small and it may be an orphan marque, but the Isuzu car fanbase and the number of parts shared with the Geo Storm and Lotus Elan M100 help keep it easy to maintain. A minor project like this car (presumably sold now) normally runs under $1000 USD, a very nice one can often be had for under $3000. As with any 90s Japanese car, reliability and engineering are good, but electrical problems can and do pop up at times, and "riced" examples are not unknown. Also, fit & finish were perhaps worse at Isuzu than any other Japanese marque at the time, and the Isuzu twincam four is known for blowing head gaskets, so those two issues are to be kept in mind.

2: 1989-99 Ford Taurus SHO

pic from Wikimedia Commons, 1989-91 model shown

Yes, it's a Taurus, the ubiquitous, bulgy, flimsy family sedan that Ford sold zillions of. But the difference in the SHO lies in its engine (Yamaha-Ford DOHC V6 in first and second generation, Yamaha-Cosworth DOHC V8 in third), brakes, suspension and virtually all other aspects that pertain to enthusiastic driving. This is not the same trashed $300 hooncar candidate seen all over your local Craigslist, it's possibly America's best attempt at a European-style sport sedan that wasn't made with a poached European design. Build quality and fit-and-finish issues are the same as with any other Taurus, that is, highly variable between great and horrible, deferred maintenance is something to watch for on all generations, automatic transmissions on 1992-99 cars are highly suspect as with the standard Taurus, and camshaft failure on 1996-99 cars is a common problem. Cost of entry is anywhere from $500 for a parts car/crapcan racer candidate to $4000 for a nice and well-sorted car.

One-Off Oddball: 1966 Chevrolet Corvair Limousine

This car, originally built and stretched by 3 feet in the 1980s, is offered by someone who is trying to clear out their projects. It appears to need side glass, interior work, a paint job, a vinyl top and some body work, the seller appears to be a Corvair enthusiast, and offers to complete the restoration for a new owner at the cost of time and materials. The car runs and drives, but needs the restoration completed.

Accessories for completing the interior can be found here, for a more modern look, or can be found on eBay if one desires a vintage look, and find it here for $1600 in Post Falls, Idaho (go here if ad disappears)

Deal Of The Decade: 1986 Honda CRX Si, $300

This front-yard find is advertised as a 1986 Honda Civic, but eagle-eyed car people will notice that it is a CRX Si (early CRXs were also badged as Civics, much like early Toyota Tercels were also badged as Corollas), and it is rare to find a CRX Si of any kind that has not been riced to death or hooned. This one looks restorable, could use some paintless dent repair, a going-over with a clay bar or compounding/buffing, some badge replacements and most likely interior TLC, it is said to need a cylinder head too, but between being a decent-looking early Si in stock condition and its price range, it is a very good project car. $300 doesn't buy much in the world of cars these days, especially enthusiast cars, but this Si has even more potential than the 1985 Toyota Corolla AE86 project also posted today and needs less work to be a functional car. A buyer's guide to the 1985-87 CRX Si can be found here, and gives an idea of what to expect with this car, and a forum for 80s Hondas can be found here for the lucky buyer of this car.

Find it here in Eugene, Oregon, (or go here if ad disappears)

Mutant: "Modified" 1972 Lotus Europa TC Project

The modifications that this neglected car has had would make Colin Chapman roll over in his grave, but with the price talked down a bit, and if the flares, air dams, added lights & vents and fiberglass damage could be corrected, this car could make an excellent restoration or race project. Engine had 5,000 miles on a rebuild when parked and runs with petrol (gasoline) down the carburetors, and the overused claim of "barn find" was used yet again. This Lotus looks like a lifelong California car, so the chances of a rusty frame are lower, but still worth looking into.

Find this car here, in Fresno, California, for $4,000. (or look here once ad disappears)