The Subaru Baja was factory built Legacy/Outback-based ute, which means car-like ride, all-wheel drive, and a tiny open bed that is more hardware store emergency run than move a refrigerator. It was not fast, but the 2.5 liter 4-banger has enough grunt to haul mulch, kayaks, dogs, bicycles, or one smug observation about how you […]
I’ve always wanted to do my own version of Top Gear road trip with a few friends…and I can’t imagine a more perfect vehicle for a cross-continental trip than this next thing. It started as a simple 924, but somebody put some off-road style wheels and tires, followed by a campter top and finished with […]
The first generation Z30 Lexus SC was a grand tourer released by Toyota for their export market based on the Toyota Soarer and Supra chassis. It was a much better car than the Z40 that replaced it, but today’s SC has been lifted to new heights. Find this 1993 Lexus SC400 offered for $8000 in […]
The Saab 96 marked the ultimate development of the initial aerospace-inspired and streamlined Ur-SAAB design. True to Saab’s tradition, the 96 remained in production well beyond the introduction of its intended successor, the 99. In fact, production of the 96 extended all the way to 1980, however they never built a convertible-baja-pickup version of the […]
The baja/safari thing has gotten so big that even OEMs are picking up on the thread — Porsche had some brand new Baja styled 911 Dakar, which had some impressive and meaty 19/20inch wheels/tire combo sitting under raised wheel arches. With only 2500 examples being planned and a monstrous price tag, don’t expect one in […]
I’ve never owned a Beetle, but if I did, it would look something like this next one. I know, the front end is a bit cross-eyed, and the interior is skuzzy, but there is something about the Star Wars themed two-tone paint and the big wheels/tires that makes this thing pop. It probably makes some […]
The Volkswagen Type 3 Fastback was sold from 1961 through 1973 in three distinct configurations, the notchback (looks like a notich), the squareback (has a square back), and the fastback…which is fast? This next thing is a fastback, but it has been converted into a Baja ready off-road machine without a back seat or any of the creature comforts that your wife might expect in a classic. But those rock skid bars look cool. Find this 1968 Volkswagen Fastback Type 3 offered for $4000 in San Diego, CA via craigslist.
There is an old saying; if you can’t beat ’em, join ’em. That’s sort of the way I feel about the Baja-everything movement. Sure, it started with Beetles back in the day, but then they started putting big wheels and lift kits on Firebirds, BMW Z3s, Miatas, Crown Victorias…where does it end? Let the apocalypse commence, I’ll be ready. Maybe with a W126 S-class? Find this 1982 Mercedes-Benz 300SD W126 offered for $4000 in Highland, CA via craigslist.
Are you a fan of the utility of El Camino style 4-door car-based pickup trucks? What about 5-speed equipped, turbo, all-wheel-drive versions? Down under they call them utes, but up here in right-side-up world we call them uticorns because they are all but non-existent — and if it wasn’t for a little Japanese company called […]
Everything Baja is cool right now — you can find Baja 911s, Baja Mustangs, and Baja Beetles galore, but I can’t say I’ve seen many Baja-Ghias in my time. But I like it because it combines the basic rugged Volkswagen Beetle powertrain with a unique body that doesn’t look like a pregnant ladybug. Find this 1966 […]