1974 Maserati Bora Coupe

"1974 Maserati Bora Royal Blue with Tan leather interior. Car has been owned by the same elderly gentleman since 1976. 27K original miles. Extremely original Arizona car. Absolutely rust free. It has spent all its life in Arizona. Good original Bora with such a low mileage is almost impossible to find. Interior of the car looks almost brand new but its all original. For only, $67,500"

Carpet in the garage.  My favorite.  I once did a story on it for Motor Car Market.  You just can't go wrong walking "outside" in your socks, looking at your prize collectibles and maybe sitting down next to them to have a chat about life.  It's so stinkin' comfortable and slightly weird to talk to your cars, so just pretend I didn't say that.

On Hemmings from Gullwing Motor Cars.

1977 Jeep CJ

You can't expect the general lee paint job to look good on much besides a Charger.  But you know what?  Daisey coming out of this thing.  Yee haw.  Nice wheels too.

 Reserved bidding in Zephyr, Texas.

1994 Twin Turbo 454 Hummer H1 Project

 

"1994 Hummer H1, bought two years ago with the stock 6.5 non-turbo diesel seized up, the previous owner's insurance would not pay to have engine replaced so they salvaged it out for some reason, and I bought as is. Truck had not been in any accident, just an engine failure. Stock diesel was removed, fuel injected 454 with twin T3/T4 turbos was installed. Chevrolet 81 454 block, standard bore, 2 bolt mains, square port heads, JDM T3T4 turbochargers, Professional Products Powerjection III EFI. Engine is mounted to solid motor mounts and bolted to stock GM 4L80E transmission with standalone computer, Optishift by Beaumann Electronics. Truck has a WARN 12,000lb winch. Truck comes with 6 spare cv/halfshafts, over 20 spare ball joints, tie rods, pitman arms, idler arms, 6 fuel cans, fuel cans mount to back and can be seen in video. Sitting on brand new Goodyear MTR's, still have the whiskers on them.When the diesel was removed all the wiring in engine bay was cut with it, so the new motor is wired to a temp ignition inside, new owner will have to hook up oem harness to get power to the lights, windows ect. Again, wiring is not finished, harness will need to be spliced back together... Turbo seals are worn out and will need to be rebuilt or replaced as they leak oil into the exhaust and smoke considerably. This truck is a really nice project for the right buyer who can turn wrenches and handle a project that is one of a kind, turns heads everywhere you go, way faster than the diesels. It's a project, an offroad machine, not a daily driven pavement princess. Not a gem by any means but is an awesome truck and would be one of a kind once finished."

Jimmy finally saw the shortcomings in his plan to revive the Hummer sans wiring and decided to buy something he could drive out of his backyard.

On eBay in Riverside, California for a reserved $14,000 start.

1953 Chevrolet 3100 Pickup

 

I've always thought that I'd make a good wheeler dealer.  Buy low and sell high.  The problem is getting attached to the cars and never wanting to sell.  Or that fact that I'm no Ed.  It would also help if I had a shop, a lift and experience too.

If you feel you have the chops, I've found you another car for the ultimate restoration and included the video to get you motivated.

On eBay in Zanesville, Ohio for a starting reserved bid of $2,500.

1965 Iso Rivolta

"Rare and desirable Iso Rivolta.  Obviously needs a restoration, but is suprisingly original, complete, straight and not rusty.  Same owner since 1970!  Has A/C and desirable Borrani wire wheels.  Underside of car, floors, door bottoms, engine bay, wheel wells, etc., are solid. I believe much of the paint is original. Stainless bumpers and glass are good. I have the other door panel but it's quite rough.  Car has been parked since 1985 so assume a rebuild. At least it's a 327, which is far cheaper to redo than an Italian driveline."

These cars have such a classic Italian shape with American muscle underneath the skin.  This one looks really complete with mirrors, bumpers, trim and original radio in the dash.

On eBay in Northridge, California with the reserve lifted and bidding at $24,433. 

1976 Ford F-250

My continued search for my brother-in-law's up north pickup has me finding some good looking rigs.  This one is an original owner, California born and raised truck with only 57,000 miles, 4 speed, 4x4.  I could do without the huge tow mirrors on the side.  But I've always loved the wagon wheels.  This one looks particularly nice with slight lift and big tires. 

On eBay in Ventura, California with reserved bidding at $5,000.

1992 Lexus 300SC - Toyota Supra Twin Turbo

This car is one of the reasons I founded Motor Car Market magazine.   The Lexus 300SC came with a little known straight six and manual transmission and I wanted to make sure I never forgot that detail.  Naturally the tuner community took notice and performed things like Supra Twin Turbo engine swaps or simply hyped out the Lexus engine a bit.  The Lexus engine from my recollection is not the same block as the famed Supra straight six so most SCs still have their parts intact.  

This one has a Supra engine and looks well done.  It would be a screamer sleeper with a claimed 400+ horsepower.   Yet, I'm always leery of someone who only owned the car for several months, did all the engine swap work and then decided to sell the car.  But he claims a need for a SUV in the Utah snow as the reason. 

On eBay in Orem, Utah for BIN of $9,500 or $5,000 to start the reserved bidding.

Will Manual Transmissions Save Our Children?

You may be surprised at the obvious solution that has eluded gear heads, buff books, safety administrations, even moms and dads.  Read about it at Motor Car Market magazine, our parent publication. 

1980 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ45

I'm surprised to find nobody has bid on this at the starting price of $7,500.  That seems like a fair deal to me if the reserve was lifted.  Oh wait... the FJ was listed by "pirates-trade" with zero feedback and is waving a pirate flag is the last photo below.  It may be a legitimate seller but with no phone number and the skull flag bearing down at me, I'm moving on to more favorable waters. 

"IMPORTED  3 YEARS AGO FROM THE AUSTRALIA  OUTBACK  ( Alabama Title ) 

!980 TOYOTA LAND CRUSIER - FJ 45  - Wagon - Top can be removed

ORIGINAL  MOTOR - SOUNDS & RUNS GREAT   ( 55050 KM)

NEW HEATER SYSTEM -

NEW BRAKES SYSTEM - EVERYTING REPLACED -

NEW FRONT STOCKS

SEAT 10  - 8 IN THE BACK ON BRENCH SEATS  

4 SPEED  - 4 WD  -

RIGHT SIDE STEER -

COME WITH

5 NEW  INTER CO TIRES ( LT 255-85  &  I6' PRO COMP BLACK RIMS  -  NEW CD PLAYER - WRINCH - 2 INCH TOW BAR -"

1969 Toyota Landcruiser FJ40 (Canyon, Texas)

This one sounded like it was well taken care of by a guy who knew how to turn a wrench.  Most recently, the crank pulley came off it which was press fitted on the earlier models before being bolted on.  The owner hasn't gotten around to pulling the radiator to fix it but the engine fired right up just the same.  

Interior Rhino lined.  Lots of media blasting and an attempt to paint it in the olive Toyota army green, which is the heritage of the FJ when the Japanese reverse engineered a Jeep after the war. 

On Craigslist Amarillo.

"69 FJ40 for sale, Cash/Trade, for small car, mountain bike, guns, ammo, AR15 AK, SK, $4,200 OBO solid floors, 1F motor, 3speed on column, headers, exhaust/muffler, weber carb. 2 1/2" suspension, 1" body spacers, poly body mounts, factory hard top, lots of New Toyota OEM parts, new brakes, E-brake, clutch, brake master cylinder, wheel cylinders, clutch master cylinder, clutch slave cylinder, turn signal switch, light switch, turn signals, tail lights, fuel pump, coolant hoses, battery, front fenders, tie rod ends, drag link kit, SOR floor mats, Bikini Top, washer pump, exhaust, muffler, brake drums and flywheel surfaces machined, extra paint/body supplies, bumperettes, receiver hitch, and lots more parts, everything works, current tags and inspection clear title"

1968 International Travelall - $1200 (Amarillo)

"Selling my 68 Travelall Custom 3/4 ton 2wd. All original down to the hubcaps. 345 V8 with a 5 speed transmission. Factory AC. Power brakes. Body is in very good shape except for a few hail dents. Some glass neds replaced on right side. Always stored inside since hail damage. Sorry for the bad pictures."

 

I'm still looking out west for something that my friend can tow home in his empty trailer.  I found this on Craigslist Amarillo, Texas and decided to call.  After about five minutes, I mentioned my friend with the trailer heading his way.  "Yeah, I think I talked to that guy yesterday."  What?  Really?  Yes, my friend Roy had called on the same truck the day before me and we never connected on it.  Funny we were in sync with what type of "find" we would wrangle in Texas, apparently big-rust-free-tonnage.

Today, Roy made it over take a look.  The guy seemed a little off but Roy plugged along in the usual manner of cutting straight to the lowest price.  The hail damage beat up the windshield, passenger window and cracked the huge wrap around side glass.  Not cheap fixes but the price accounted for this thought the owner.

However, upon filling one of two tanks with fresh gas, fuel leaked to the ground.  Ironic since it's Texas.  The second tank held and after three years, three squirts of ether and three minutes of cranking, the motor fired.  Roy took a couple laps around the building.  Brakes were frozen yet cracked free then hardly worked, steering was loose, things were funky... "How 'bout $600 bucks."  The guy still wanted $900.  Leaking gas and all the issues?  Ah, that's a pass.

If it were 4x4 it might be on the trailer.  But 2WD doesn't bring the call of the wild passed the dry flats of Texas tumbleweed.  On to Oklahoma, Oklahoma, Oklahoma.

2012 - Detroit Auto Show

Last week we went to the Detroit Auto Show during Tuesday's press days on Motor Car Market magazine passes.  Yeah, I know it's suppose to be called the North American International Auto Show.  But that was before Detroit staged a comeback, Chrysler got Imported from Detroit and Ford made it through the dip without taking a dime from the debt-queens.  It'll always be the Detroit Auto Show to me.

These are just a few of the photo covers from the show.  We'll get some more posted soon.  Watch for stories linked to some of these manufacturers as well.

1979 Lincoln Mark V Collectors Series

You guys must laugh and laugh at me for posting these cars.  But I like them and won't let your snickering deter my desire from wanting one!   

At only 23,000 miles this would be one to get and hold on to.  The starting reserved bid price of $8,500 is about all I'd want to spend but this dealer is looking for more.  Take a guess where the previous owner died leaving this behind.

 

1972 Ford Bronco - $12500 (Surprise, AZ)

One of our readers is traveling to Phoenix so it got me to looking on Craigslist there. It's so nice seeing rust free opportunities.  

I love the old Broncos, FJ40s and Jeeps.  This one ticks all the right boxes with orange paint, white top and wheels that are slightly oversize but not obnoxious.

"Full Frame Off Restoration

302/4v with three on the tree that was moved to the floor

New paint job only 1 year old

Inside has a roll on bed liner

Underneath it is sprayed with bed liner.

All new upholstery

Am/Fm Cd player

Brand new 33x12.5 r15

Has bikini top and Original hard top

Full duel exhaust out the back

Duel fuel tanks with bigger rear tank"

On Craigslist Phoenix. 

1971 Maserati Ghibli SS (Eurospec)

If I just had a tad more budget...

On eBay in Hershey, PA with reserved bidding at $84K.