Project For The Brave: Hurricane Sandy Casualty 1989 Aston Martin Lagonda

(all pics from seller)

This ultra-rare 1989 Aston Martin Lagonda appears to be a casualty of Hurricane Sandy and is said in this Hooniverse article to be the last car imported to the US and a former Greenwich Concours entrant.

Considering the rarity and beauty of the car, it may be worth bringing back to life by a devotee of the marque, but is probably best suited to be a parts car. If one could get it cheap enough and import a tatty or wrecked running Lagonda from overseas as a donor, then it would be a great project, but in any case but parting out, deep pockets will be necessary. 

If the Insomniac Garage staff and their friends were to rebuild this car, then all of the digital dash components, wiring and electrical/electronic parts would be swapped out for items used in the street rod aftermarket, the interior retrimmed in an approximation of the original by a Mexican upholstery shop, the most likely hydrolocked engine/transmission swapped out for a Roush-equipped Ford "Coyote" V8 and a Lincoln Town Car automatic transmission, and all of the rust damage treated with POR15. 

Find this car here at Insurance Auto Auctions, with sale date to be announced.

Missed Opportunity: 1974 Lotus Elite

(all photos from former seller, wirewheel.com)

While this car may no longer be available, and the "wedge" Elite may be polarizing, one still cannot deny that this was a milestone car for Lotus. 

The car in question here, recently sold by wirewheel.com, was far nicer than most other Elite projects seen on the market, had unusually good paint, fiberglass and trim for the model, which could be explained by long storage, the car has factory air conditioning and has had the ghost of Joe Lucas partly exorcised with a Crane Fireball electronic ignition and MSD coil, has had dual electric cooling fans and has only 36,000 original miles. 

Unfortunately the seat upholstery was worn and it needed work from having been stored, and I don't know the sale price, but one could do a lot worse as a starting point, and these cars are great with Ford small-block or Rover V8s.

Find the sold listing for this Lotus here.

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)

Nightmare Project: 60s Daimler Sovereign in Eugene, Oregon

Our first nightmare project is this 1960s Daimler Sovereign in Eugene, Oregon. (go here if page disappears). While the idea of owning a stately British luxury sedan once favored by the Royal Family may seem appealing, the appeal dies once reality slaps you in the face and you realize that this is merely a badge-engineered Jaguar 420, possibly the most boring Jaguar ever made until the XJ40 came along. Suddenly the rare classic you once found appealing becomes appalling.

Engine? No 2.5-liter Daimler hemi V8 under that bonnet, you just get the regular Jaguar XK straight-six, and this car has the wretched Moss 4-speed transmission too. And... this Daimler doesn't run. Cosmetic condition is another big thing, and that Jag lump doesn't matter if you're a red, white and blue-blooded 'murrican who "doesn't want to work on no furrin' motor, just stick a Chebby smallblock in that there car". But look at the car. The paint looks like a $49.99 Earl Scheib special left outdoors for a long time, the front of the car is barked up, there is evidence of bondo and the driver's wheelwell looks like it's got cancer.

Sure, it looks cool, but do you really want to restore and own this?

What could possibly go wrong here?

And that interior... just so shameful. The black rubber dash with only a little bit of wood and Triumph TR250-style gauges is a travesty, the passenger's door panel looks to have been misshapen by water leaks, the Malaise Era fake Nardi steering wheel belongs in a dumpster, and the whole interior is giving off a certain vibe reminiscent of a flood car.

Conclusion? Run away like the devil is chasing you, and don't look back, unless you want to waste the cost of a finished SP250 with chassis stiffeners, reliability upgrades and a factory hardtop on what might have been the worst Daimler ever made.