The trick with a turbocharger is to make the compressor (that is the cold intake size) big enough that it flows the desired air you need to make your power target and the turbine small enough that it spools at a reasonable rpm (before your engine blows up…for instance). Or…you could just strap on a […]
Some people collect stamps…and others collect celebrity autographs, but if you enjoy a special collection cease and desist letters — this next car might bag you a few from Mercedes-Benz corporate offices. It is described by the seller as a “Mercedes-Benz AMG C8 GTR” and it appears to be home-brew metal frame construction with a plastic body and a classic iron small block Chevy V8. Find this 2008 Mercedes-Benz WTF offered for $75000 in Chicago, IL via craigslist.
I know it might be a few days late for Loony Labor Day, but this next car is ready for the next lunatic owner. I’m still not entirely sure what it is or how it was built, but it is powered by a 454 cubic inch V8 and…well…that’s about all you need to know. Find this 1946 Jeep Willys Replica Replicotrod offered for $14,999 in Duluth, MN.
Welcome to another DT Loony Labor Day. Most websites celebrate Labor Day with a 10% off coupon or some sale, but here at DT we celebrate the co-option of a worker’s protest movement (formerly known as May Day) and today known as Labor Day by sharing strange stuff. Instead of getting our sabots stuck in the gears of capitalism, we find the craziest, wildest, looniest rides around and share them with you. Up first is a sweet piece of Japanese engineering that has been turned into a movie production vehicle and the best ice hockey carpool ride around. You won’t have to worry about being asphyxiated by the odor of teenagers and hockey gear (it is seriously the worst smelling sport on the planet) and instead will enjoy the pleasant breeze and soothing screams from your passengers on the freeway. Find this 2004 Toyota Sienna offered for $3900 in Orange County, CA via craigslist.
This next car came in as a tip from Cory and I was excited to see a Volvo that had been modified so you can haul around your old rusty deck chairs, used wheels, 55-gallon drum lids, and other assorted flotsam AND it keeps the back doors/seats for you kids. But wow the kids are gonna be disappointed when they find there are no rear seats, just some old wood/rope/algae on top of rusting metal. Find this 1983 Volvo 240 Ute offered for $1300 on the Faceute Elcaminobook in Easton, MD.
DT E-i-C Vince: We’re off for the next three days watching cars race around the beautiful Laguna Seca raceway in Monterey. I’ve scheduled a few featured cars to keep you guys entertained, but posts will be light as I’ll be camping at the race and won’t have much of an internet connection. I will, however, post some photos and videos on DT’s Instagram account, so follow us if that is your kinda thing. I will also try and post a few updates from the track via mobile, but I apologize now if the formatting is wacky.
he Suzuki Cappuccino was introduced for the 1987 model year as an attempt to add some sportiness to the Suzuki lineup in native Japan. In a photograph it looks like a Mazda Miata competitor, but with a total length of only 129 inches and a 1598 lb curb weight, the Cappuccino was closer to a go-kart and it conformed to Japan’s Kei (Keijidosha light car) regulations that gave buyers a tax break and easier license/insurance requirements. The pint sized cup of Japanese coffee was never sold in North America, but a few made it across the pond and into the wilds of the US car market. Find this 1992 Suzuki Cappuccino offered for $11,000 in Clifton, TX via craigslist. Tip from Rock On!
The seller of this next car describes it as a “dune buggy with doors” which is not entirely accurate. This is less a dune buggy and more a classic hot rod. The Maxi Taxi is a well known kit that adds pre-war 1930s styling to the rear engine Beetle and it would be more at home on the road with a Surfboard sticking out the window than on a dune somewhere in the desert. But wherever you drive this thing, it is cool. Find this 1970 Volkswagen Beetle Kit Car offered for $6,500 in Acampo, CA via craigslist.
Sometimes you don’t need a Mercedes-Benz or a Ferrari to get you around town — you just need a simple set of wheels that’ll take you from point A to point B with minimal consumption of fuel and maximum efficiency. Today’s next feature is advertised by the seller as being able to “reach speeds of 45mph to 50mph” which seems like an optimistic figure given the sub 50cc engine side. Find this Panther Motors P150-P50 offered for $3500 in Madison, TN via ebay.
Today’s next feature is a special…no, that’s not right. Today’s next feature is special. It features two cars where the asking prices are nuts, but you get to decide which seller took a bigger hit off the bong before posting the price. Yup, it is that kinda day. A $20k Suzuki Samurai, versus a $10k Buick Reatta. I picked the wrong week to stop sniffing glue.