Prancing Deer: 1972 Triumph Stag Custom

The Triumph Stag was a 2+2 convertible sports tourer designed by Giovanni Michelotti (known for his work on the Triumph Spitfire, GT6, TR4, Ferrari 250/340/375, Maserati 3500/5000, and BMW 2002...you get the idea) and produced by Triumph. Today's Stag has been de-bumpered and the result is a car that looks more mid 60s Lotus or Ferrari than something from Coventry and with the addition of a Chevy V8 (big upgrade over the small 3 liter Triumph V8...maybe not in terms of cool, but certainly torque and power). Find this 1972 Triumph Stag Custom offered for $5100 in Tampa, FL via Facebash Marketrace. Tip from David S. 

Renegade V-Eight: 1972 Porsche 914

The 914 was meant to slot into Porsche's showrooms below the premium 911 but to also fill the top of VW/Audi's lineup with a Volkswagen badge.  But the suits at Porsche didn't want to risk having the VW nameplate tarnish its image and convinced VW to allow it to sell all 914's exclusively through its USA dealer network with a Porsche badge on the front.  The resulting car was slow but great fun to drive due to its mid-engine layout and 2100 lb curb weight, but today's next example has had the dial turned up to 11 with a 350 cubic inch crate motor. Find this 1972 Porsche 914 V8 offered for $14000 in Long Island, NY. Tip from Rock On!

Two Tone: 1974 Jaguar XJ6 V8

There is an older gentleman who drives a similar commute time to me (well...that was before the coronavirus...now my commute involves putting my temporary desk together in my room and avoiding the wife/kids by pretending on a conference call...but that's a story for another time) anyway, this guy has an XJ6 Coupe that has a particularly jaunty rumble coming out a set of dual pipes..and I suspect it is small block V8 conversion, but I can't be certain...and what this guy needs to do is to add some custom body paint accents and white letter Cooper Radial tires to let us all know that he's driving a muscle Jag. Like this 1974 Jaguar XJ6 V8 offered for $3490 in Sacramento, CA via craigslist.

Chevy V8 Swapped: 1985 Mazda RX-7

The first generation RX-7 (SA/FB built in Japan from 1978 to 1985) was a beautiful ballerina in the sports car world.  The RX-7's lithe frame was propelled by an equally dainty engine - the Mazda rotary...which was known for revvving high, consuming fuel, and sounding like angry bees when uncorked.  However, they are expensive to repair and many have (for better or worse) been swapped with another powertrain...and this next one is the most basic of swaps...Chebby V8 and 700R4 slushbox.  Find this 1985 Mazda RX-7 offered for $5900 in Caldwell, ID via craigslist. Tip from FuelTruck.

Chevy V8 Powered: 1972 Rolls Royce Silver Shadow

If you've never been to the LA Inland Empire...let me tell ya, you ain't missin' much.  It is connected to the web of pavement known as the Greater Los Angeles Area, but was ceded to the "Desert People" many years ago and most cities combine the charm and sophistication of Orange County's wide roads & strip malls with summer temperatures that would make a Bedouin cry for relief. However, there are a few highlights --or hidden gems -- such as the city of Temecula that combines a shockingly high medium income with golf courses, reasonably priced homes, and vineyards that offer respite from the scorching temperature.  This next car exemplifies the diamond in the rough character of Temecula and seems like a good deal. Find this 1972 Rolls Royce Silver Shadow offered for $8500 in Temecula, CA via craigslist. Tip from Rock On!

Chevy V8 Power: 1976 Jaguar XJ Series 2

This next car came with a burst of small block enhanced déjà vu.  I swear I've seen this exact same car before...offered for a same price..but it appears the car listed here in 2017 for roughly the same price and condition is NOT the same car but a doppelganger.  So...do the same reasons for featuring that car still apply?  You bet!  The added reliability and reduced cost of the Chebby swap makes me wanna have a V8. Find this 1976 Jaguar XJ Series 2 offered for  $4,500 in Lebanon, OR via craigslist. Tip from Rock On!

Apple Pie: 1988 Mazda RX-7

It is Pi-day today, time to enjoy a slice of apple pie, because what is more 'murican than a small block chevy shoved into a Japanese chassis?  The Mazda RX-7 is a regular recipient of domestic V8 power infusion -- certainly not because the Wankel is an inherently unreliable spinning piece of machinery, but potentially because the second generation RX-7 has a decent engine bay size and a chassis that can handle the torques and acceleration that comes with moooooooore displacement.  Find this 1988 Mazda RX7 offered for $6,500 in Mt Vernon, WA via craigslist.  Tip from FuelTruck.

Chevy V8 Engine: 1974 Triumph Spitfire

This next car comes from tipper Rock On who writes: This has to have one hell of a power to weight ratio!!!  Yeah, it also comes with a giant hole in the hood, which is good or bad depending on your particular feeling about hood "speed" holes.  Find this 1974 Triumph Spitfire offered for $11,900 in La Jolla, CA via craigslist.

Seller Submission: 1974 Jaguar XJ12 V8

The series 2 Jaguar XJ was updated from the series 1 in 1974 with the blessing of Jaguar's founder Sir William Lyons who is quoted as calling the XJ "the finest Jaguar ever made."  Of course Sr William would be rolling around in his grave (he is dead right...would be embarrassing if he was cruising around Nottingham eating steak and kidney pie...or whatever) if he knew this thing was powered by a cast iron lump of push rod equipped 'Murican arhn.  Find this 1974 Jaguar XJ12 V8  here on eBay bidding for $5,000 with 3 days to go located in Moorpark, CA. Seller submission from Dan.

Ford (not Chevy) V8 Powahh: 1966 Jaguar XKE 2+2

The XKE Jaguar came in a few flavors -- the gorgeous topless model, the curvy coupe and the slightly bulbous 2+2...which isn't really as bad as it sounds -- personally i'd drive one every day if they weren't so bloody expensive...oh...wait a minute.  Find this 1966 Jaguar XKE 2+2 offered for $15,000 near Kansas City, KS via craigslist.  Tip from Rock On!

Dubbya El Tea One 1970 Mercedes-Benz 280SE 5.7 V8

Let's see, I really love the style of the W108 chassis Mercedes-Benz sedan, but I want the driving experience of a Chevrolet Impala SS. What to do, what to do?  Oh...I know, drop an LT1 into the W108 and call it done.  Find this 1970 Mercedes-Benz 280SE 5.7 LT1 V8 offered for $5,500 in Spokane, WA via craigslist.  Tip from FuelTruck.

Chevy LT1 V8: 1988 Volvo 740 Wagon

The Volvo 740 (aka 745) wagon was a fine piece of engineering from safety focused guys at Volvo, but even in turbocharged trim it won't open any eyes with acceleration...so...an entire boutique industry has been born to fix it with injection of American V8 power -- even Paul Newman shoved a V8 into his Volvo wagon...but today we've got a special treat.  Find this 1988 Volvo 740 with V8 offered here on eBay for $2,900 buy-it-now located in Belen, NM with 4 days to go.

V8 Powered: 1976 Jaguar XJ-6

The Jaguar XJ-6 was launched in 1968 and I wonder if it even took a week before the first one was powered by a small block Chevy V8.  The shoehorning of SBC into Jags is almost out of hand to the point where it would be considered objectionable...except that they add power/torque/reliability at a reduced cost...so...yeah.  Find this 1976 Jaguar XJ-6 offered for $4,500 in Alameda, CA via craigslist.  Tip from Rock On!

Vee Eight Tube: 1969 Volkswagen Fastback

If you take a 69 Fastback Volkswagen and drop a larger engine inside...no one will argue that the car still isn't a Type 3.  Even if that engine is a flat-6 or a V8, as long as it lives in the rear and still uses some of the bodywork, no one will argue with you.  But, what if you replace the frame, engine transmission and every moving part with an assortment of welded Chevy parts...is it a Volkswagen anymore?  Find this 1969 Volkswagen Fastback offered for $12,500 in Olympia, WA via craigslist. Tip from Rock On!

V8 Convertible: 1984 Ford Ranger

File this next one under the "what the heck am I looking at folder" -- it seems to have started as a Ford Ranger pickup, but is now Chevy 350 V8 powered and equipped with a one-piece clamshell top.  Find this 1984 Ford Ranger offered for $5,500 in La Follette, TN via craigslist.  Tip from Dave M.

Auction Watch: 1969 Tweep Custom

Find this 1969 Tweep Custom here on eBay offered for $12,999 buy-it-now in Athens, TN.

Gorilla Whale: 1960 Volvo PV544

The name of the Japanese monster Godzilla (Gojira)  is is combination of the Japanese words for gorilla (gorira) and whale (kujira) -- a fitting name give his enormous strength, mammalian intelligence, and aquatic upbringing.  Currently the Nissan GTR is given the nickname Godzilla -- but it isn't an apt moniker for a car that is so cunningly clinical and razor sharp in its quest for speed.  The real Godzilla was known for razing a few blocks of downtown Toyko apartment buildings with an accidental swish of his tail, so I think this Swedish monster is the real Gorilla-Whale.  Find this 1960 Volvo PV544 offered for $4,200 in Bend, OR via craigslist. Tip from Rock On!