Direct Injected 2-Stroke: 1997 Ford Aspire Prototype

Folks have toyed with the concept of direct injected two-stroke engines for years...in fact, I worked at a (now defunct) small alt-fuels engineering firm (BKM) in the early 2000s that was working with Yamaha on direct injection technology for small engines...and it was neat stuff that never went anywhere.  Anyway, at the same time there was a small (not defunct, but now in the unmanned aerial vehicle biz) company in Perth, Australia called Orbital Engines Corp that produced about a hundred direct injection engines and put them in Ford Aspires that drove around making two-stroke noises without the 2-stroke smells.  Here is one that has some engine noises according to the seller -- just head to your local Pep Boys for new parts, shouldn't be a problem. Find this 1997 Ford Aspire offered for $5000 in Newbury, NH. Tip from Cory.

Un Piccolo Cammello: 1978 All-Cars Charly Camel

Back when cigarette advertising was everywhere, the guys at Camel decided that lung cancer was taking too long to kill their users, so they launched a three wheeled monstrosity that could murder you with CO2 from the 2-stroke weed-wacker engine, daily rollover events, or the complete lack of safety standards for you and your family (see Charly advert below for proper child placement).  Luckily for you, we've got this 1978 All-Cars Charly Camel offered for $1500 in Ridgecrest, CA via craigslist. Tip from Rock On!

Mmmm-Kei: 1975 Mazda Chantez

I looked it up just now, it's not a girl's name. Chantez means 'to sing' in French, so that's probably not a hard 'Z' there at the end. Via an alternate translation, Chantez would likely mean 'to scream musically in terror' if driven on US roads. Find this 1975 Mazda Chantez for sale in Pittsburgh, PA for $6,000 via craigslist.

SnoPed Two-fer: 1970 Chrysler Marine Sno Runner

Sometime on a cold winter day in the late 1960s, a jazzy suit wearing Chrysler product man had a brilliant idea.  Imagine combining the snow slaying capability of a snowmobile with the fun & cost of a moped -- and the Sno Runner was born.  Find these 1970s Chrysler Marine Sno Runners offered for $1,000 in La Habra, CA via craigslist.

Boss Stage: 1970 Kawasaki G4TR Trail Boss

In 1968 Yamaha introduced the DT-1, the original dual sport or enduro as it was called back then.  The DT-1 created a market in the US for on/off road capable bikes that weren't just street bikes that just looked rugged.  Kawasaki followed with their line of enduros including the 100cc two stroke G4TR Trail Boss produced from 1970 to 1978. Find this highly original 1970 Kawasaki Trail Boss for sale in Spokane, WA for $900 via craigslist.

Insurance Rider: 1973 Kawasaki H2 Mach IV

If we're talking two-stroke street bikes, it's inevitable that the Kawasaki H2 will come up.  The H2 Mach IV 750, a.k.a the "Widow Maker" was Kawasaki's entry into the 750cc big bike derby in the early 70's. Think of the other bike makers with their 4 stokes and liquid cooling as Fleetwood Mac. Kawasaki with their air-cooled 750cc two stroke triple with 74 brake, was like the Ramones to their safe, pop-rock. Find this 1973 Kawasaki H2 Mach IV for sale in Canton, OH with a starting bid of $13,500 here on eBay.

Tiddler Winks: 1975 Yamaha RD125

Like cars, motorcycles have gotten bigger, heavier and more powerful since the malaise era.  Nowadays most street motorcycles feature displacements over 1 liter and beginner bikes are considered to be 500cc's.  However, back in the bell-bottom era you could buy a 125cc two stroke street bike featuring 16 angry hp from Yamaha that you could ride on your commute and not be considered a nervous novice. Find this 1975 Yamaha RD125 for sale in Bothell, WA for $1,900 via craigslist.

Taco Tuesday: 1975 Bultaco Pursang 360

If you grew up in rural or suburban America in the 60's or 70's your first experience with powered wheels that you could control by yourself was probably with a dirt bike.  Back then you could ride all over trails near where you lived and there was probably a motocross track nearby.  You also had a wide range of bike manufacturers to choose from beyond the big Japanese 3.  Bultaco was a Spanish bike manufacturer known for their two stroke enduro, motocross and trials bikes from the late 50's to the early 80's.  Bultaco's premier model was the Pursang.  Not only fun to say, it was powerful and had excellent handling.  Today, $5K isn't going to buy you much on 4 wheels, but for a little over $5K you can buy a restored dirt bike from the 70's.  It won't be so big of an investment that you will feel bad about using it as intended.  Find this 1975 Bultaco Pursang 360 on Craiglist in Watsonville, CA

2k: Stoned in WA (It’s Legal!): 1970 Bridgestone 350 GTR

This next feature comes from the pen of Gianni as part of Daily Turismo's 4-Stroke Good, 2-Stroke Better campaign to save the 2-strokes: The Kabushiki-gaisha Burijisuton or Bridgestone Corporation started in Japan in 1930 as a tire manufacturer with the goal of manufacturing tires based solely on Japanese technology in order to avoid dependence on European and North American technology.  During WW2 it was placed under military control and all tire manufacturing was directed toward military use.  The country and company was devastated after the war and began manufacturing motorcycles and bicycles in addition to tires.  In 1967, Bridgestone introduced the 350 GTR two stroke.  It was considered as one of the most sophisticated Japanese motorcycles of the 60’s and cost as much as a Triumph Bonneville.  Production ended in 1971 with only a small number of sales over the 4 years of manufacture.  Rumors persist that Honda and the other large Japanese bike manufacturers pressured Bridgestone to get out of motorcycle construction and concentrate on tires.  Find this 1970 Bridgestone 350 GTR on Craigslist in Des Moines, WA (not IA) for $2,100.

5k: Farty Hans: 1977 Wartburg 353W

The Wartburg 353W was an East German built family sedan produced starting in 1968 and continuing with only minor changes all the way to 1988.  In that time over 1 million of the oil burning 2-stroke powered sedans were released into the world, but you'll be hard pressed to see one in the wild today.  Find this 1977 Wartburg 353W offered for $4,500 Burley, ID via craigslist. Tip from FuelTruck.

5k: You Want Fries With That? 1962 DKW Junior de Luxe

You might expect something called the DKW Junior Deluxe to come from an establishment that uses a pedophile clown, slutty heiress or creepy wax statue monarch for a spokesman, but the Junior Deluxe was an automobile built from 1959 to 1965 by Auto Union AG.  It is also one of the most unconventional 60's cars you will ever find that will have Saab 96 owners scratching their heads in confusion.  Find this 1962 DKW Junior de Luxe currently bidding for $9,500 with less than one day to go (zero bids), located in Spain.

5k: Olive Premix: 1966 SAAB 96 2-Stroke

The SAAB 96 was introduced in 1960 as a front drive streamlined styled descendant of the UrSAAB.  Proper capitalizing all of the letters in SAAB is well...proper...because it's actually an acronym, standing for Svenska Aeroplan Aktiebolaget which translates to Swedish Aeroplane Ltd. The early cars definitely had an aeronautical aura about them with blunt front, clean fuselages and teardrop tails.  Find this 1966 SAAB 96 2-stroke for sale in Merritt Island, FL currently bidding at $3,140 reserve-not-met on ebay with a buy-it-now of $6,500 with 1 day to go.  Update: This was submitted as a tip during the 50 car madness last week and commenter JPB is offering to test drive/inspect this car if necessary. See comment below.

12 of 50: Helga: 1966 SAAB 96 2-Stroke

The 2-stroke engine is a nasty piece of business that belches smoke and wakes you up on Saturday mornings when gardeners descend on suburbia like modern day locusts with leaf blower backpacks.  2-stroke engines are a plague and should be banned ...except... when pushing around a vintage piece of Swedish steel...then, they are cool.  Find this 1966 SAAB 96 2-stroke for sale in Merritt Island, FL currently bidding for $4,250 reserve-not-met and $6,500 buy-it-now via ebay. Thanks to tip from JPB.

5k Flash: Thor's Calabash: 1966 SAAB 96 2-Stroke

The calabash was the one of the first cultivated foods in the world, grown over 8,000 years ago for use as a vessel for holding fluids and known as the 'bottle gourd.'   The exterior color of the calabash isn't exactly what you'd expect on a sporting automobile, but it is essentially what was used on a number of classic 60s/70s machines.  Find this 1966 SAAB 96 2-Stroke covered in a gourdgeous shade of green for sale in SF Bay Area, CA for $6,500 via craigslist.  Thanks to tip from Kaibeezy T.