Ferrari Testac4ossa: 1984 Chevrolet Corvette Custom

The C4 generation Corvette is the unloved sibling in the Vette family, the red-headed step child that was born in the Malaise era and surprisingly transformed into a sophisticated and remarkably fast car by the end of its production run.  But today's example is something else...something so utterly blasphemous to the Corvette faithful that I have to admit I'm drawing like a moth to a nuclear reactor core.  But...I dunno, the styling isn't for everybody, but it certainly is priced reasonably. Find this 1984 Chevrolet Corvette Custom offered for $4250 in Valencia, CA via craigslist. Tip from Rock On!

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. 

Truck Conversion: 1999 Jeep Cherokee

The list of small 4-door pickup trucks isn't very large -- a fact pointed out by the builder of this custom machine, who writes: I built this because I have always felt that the US manufacturers totally missed the boat on the mid-size 4-door pickup market. They built some – but they were all weird-shaped, weird-looking, independent front suspension garbage with too much motor and not enough simplicity. Dodge Dakotas, Chevy Colorados (or those really rare and weird 4-door S10s) Ford Exploder, etc. At least the Fords were kind of square for a while.  I love the idea of a rugged 4-door pickup and this thing with a built-in tool/gun/ammo box looks ready to rock. Find this 1999 Jeep Cherokee offered for $6500 in Omaha, NE via craigslist. Tip from ISAUN. 

Scion iQ Inside: 1974 Honda Z600

What a way to start a Monday! This next car had my scratching my head for a while.  I'm pretty sure there is a bald spot up there now...cause I'm still scratching.  Maybe somebody can explain to me how a car like a 2014 Scion iQ ended up being the donor chassis/drivetrain/interior for a '74 Honda Z600.  This really looks like one of the first model cars I tried to build with Testors model cement when I was about 8 years old...it looks great on the package but that glue melts everything and the end product is NEVER as good as it looked on the box or in store.  I dunno.  Somehow the seller's ALLCAPS SHOUTING DESCRIPTION ONLY ADDS TO THE ALLURE. You'll certainly get to say you are the only one on the block with this thing. Find this 1974 Honda Z600 built on a Scion iQ chassis offered for $5950 in Huntington Beach, CA via craigslist. Tip from Mike Jr.

Déjà Ewww: 2000 Mazda MX-5 Custom 60s Alfa Look

The Mazda MX-5 Miata is a fun little sports car wrapped in a boring exterior (sorry Miata fanboys, the shape is pretty blah...with maybe the exception of the newest model that brings some more style than the OG jelly bean) that is unfortunately slathered with a thick brush of innuendo about the driver and his dog.  Regardless, if you want the sweet driving experience of the modern Mazda platform with the classic looks of a 60s sports car 90s home-built-retro-custom, then I can imagine this next piece of Italiopanese sculpture might fit nicely in front of your Greco-Roman yard art. And if you get the vague sense of déjà ewwww...yes, we did feature this before. Find this 2000 Mazda MX-5 Custom 60s Alfa Look offered for $15500 in Temecula, CA via craigslist. Tip from Rock On!

Coronapocalypse Ready: 1978 Custom Built Tank

Okay, if the Chevy Grunt (whatever that means) we posted early today is too wussy for your redneck inner self, then this next vehicle hits all of the right buttons for a gun slinger, tank commander, or urban prepper.  All I can say is; that rotating cannon better be fully functioning. Find this 1978 Custom Built Tank offered for $5500 in Cummings, GA via craigslist. Tip from Rock On!

Buick V8 Rad Rod: 1970 Datsun 521 Pickup

This next car comes as a tip from JB1025 offered My neck is hurting just to look @ this !  But has Kewl Factor...Kewl indeed, you'll need a sweet neckbeard and sleeve tatts to truly do this thing justice, but a few days of itchy neck and arm dermatitis is a small price to pay for driving something that'll make women, children, and valets run with terror.  Find this 1970 Datsun 521 Pickup offered for $10,900 in Toledo, OR via craigslist.

Korvmaro Kustom: 1963 Chevrolet Corvair V8

The Corvair is one of the few aircooled classics from the 60s that you can buy for a reasonable amount of money and drive around everyday (helps if you live in a place that is easy on weather.)  It had an advanced independent rear suspension under that aircooled engine out back...but today everything is amok and this Corvair is powered by a front mounted small block V8 and features a stick beam rear axle!! I don't know if this is an upgrade or downgrade. Find this 1963 Chevrolet Corvair V8 offered for $16,500 in Longview, CA via craigslist.

Ugg Eye: 1960 Austin Healey Sprite

This next car comes as a tip from JB1025 who writes: How dare you hit my Bug eye sprite with the ugly stick!  I sorta dig the SP311 style taillight treatment, but the front end just looks sad.  Like a bugeye sprite that has lost its friends.  Find this 1960 Austin Healey Sprite offered for $7250 in Puyallup, WA via craigslist.

Repeat Offender: 1978 Datsun 280Z V8 Custom

This next car comes as a tip from JB1025 who calls it Dat-Vette Custom V8 and says; Not everybody's cup of tea but looks well done could not build for this...but hang on just one minute...we've seen this car before.  Find this 1978 Datsun 280Z V8 Custom offered for $8,500 in Tukwila (funny...those wheels could use some tuck..hah!), WA via craigslist.

Six Wheel Ranchero'd: 1971 Lincoln Continental Mark III

At the risk of sounding like an old codger...I'm going to say that "back in my day" if you wanted to modify your pickup truck, it usually involved some knobby tires and removing a few letters from the tailgate to spell "yota." But this...this is a whole 'nother level of customization and will probably end up in the Swiss Museum of Art Brut someday. Find this 1971 Lincoln Continental MkIII offered for $8000 in Chewelah, WA via thefacepalm marketplace.  Tip from Matt C, who probably preferred to remain anonymous, but I hear that outing whistle-blowers is in style this week.

You Raise Me Up: 1984 Pontiac Fiero 4X4 Monster Ferrari

When people say, aim high...this what they are talking about.  This is the stuff of dreams, forget the James Webb Space Telescope, or the latest Trailer Swift album..this is your nirvana, the apple of your eye, the pea in the pod...it buts the eef in beef and the ding in pudding. When I am down, and, oh, my soul, so weary, when troubles come, and my heart burdened be, then, I am still and wait here in the silence, until you come and sit awhile with me, you raise me up, so I can stand on mountains, you raise me up to walk on stormy seas, I am strong when I am on your shoulders, you raise me up to more than I can be. Find this 1984 Pontiac Fiero 4X4 Monster Ferrari here on eBay offered for $8900 buy-it-now or make-offer in Richmond, VA. Tip from Matt C.

Slower, Harder, Less Seductive: 1951 Ford Custom

I've had a number of conversations with people about new cars...recently.  The conversation always revolves around reliability, ease of use, and Apple CarPlay.  But I am reminded of Yoda's advice to a young Skywalker who asks him if the Dark Side is stronger...to which the little green freak replies;  “No, no, no. Quicker, easier, more seductive.” And that's sums up what I feel about new cars...they aren't better than old cars, just quicker, easier, and more seductive.  Find this 1951 Ford Custom offered for $2800 in Cape Coral, FL via craigslist. Tip from Dascpcu.

Dee You Eye: 1967 Volkswagen Custom Corona Bottle Car

In the world of custom cars there is a "custom" car and then there is a "KUSTOM" car and this next car fits squarely into the later category.  It is so rad that the only thing I see a problem is when you hit a DUI checkpoint, you might get hassled.  Otherwise, I'd daily drive this thing in a heartbeat. Find this 1967 Volkswagen Custom Corona Bottle Car offered for $7500 in Sacramento, CA via craigslist.

1340 Evil Power: 1991 Geo Metro with Harley Power

I've always lamented the lack of belt-drive automobiles from major manufacturers, but the bigger crime is the lack of V-twin power.  You can get cars with miserable 3-cylinders or all manner of 4-bangers, but V-twins are only available in motorcycles...until now. Find this 1991 Geo Metro with Harley Power offered for $3,200 here on eBay buy-it-now or make-offer in Watertown, WI with 2 days to go.

Mopar Madness: 1965 Dodge Custom 880

We get a few tips in our daily inbox over here at DT headquarters. More than a few.  It is quite an interesting and eclectic group of automobiles, and I'd love to write a feature on every single car...but there are many cars that don't make the cut due to various factors...and this next car almost go tossed to the cutting room floor, except that it is (a) awesome, (b) Mopar, and (c) came in as a tip from tippers FuelTruck and Rock On.  Yeah.  That last reason is what we around here call the DT equinox. Find this 1965 Dodge Custom 880 offered for $6500 simultaneously in Austin, TX and New Jersey via craigslist.

Brougham Wagon: 1976 Cadillac Fleetwood Castillian Estate

To say that this next car will need some restoration is a bit of an understatement.  The interior will need to be nuked from orbit (it's the only way to be sure) and there is enough rust to earn a spot on the endangered species list...but...BUT...this thing is wicked sweet.  It started life from the Cadillac factory as a 4-door sedan, but the guys at  Traditional Coach Works in Chatsworth, CA transformed it into a wagon with a large rear hatch and a custom roof. Find this 1976 Cadillac Fleetwood Castillian Estate offered for $4800 in Midlothian, TX via craigslist. Tip from Rock On!

Hot Rodded: 1985 Chevrolet Corvette

This next car comes from tipper Art C who writes: This looks like a hoot for shortish money. If the motor is a well built 383 with a real 500hp its worth a few grand on its own.  Plus, its got a six peed! Find this 1985 Chevrolet Corvette offered for $6497 near Leominster, MA via craigslist.