We might not all agree when debating the paradox of George Washington's axe as it applies to a Volkswagen Beetle that that has had every single original component replaced with new stuff -- but I think we can all agree that hooning around in some loose gravel is way more fun than chopping wood or debating ancient Greek philosophy. Find this 1973 Volkswagen Buggy with Ford 2.3 power offered for $5,000 in Kansas City, KS via craigslist.
What do you get when you combine a '58 Triumph title, a custom frame, a Ford Pinto 2.3 liter 4-banger, and finish it to look vaguely like a Lotus Seven? I don't know, but it sure seems like a steal at this price. Find this "1958 Triumph" Custom with Ford Power offered for $3,500 near Columbus, OH via craigslist. Tip from Justin.
In the 1980s Ford Motor Company decided to try importing some of its European spawn from Ford-Werke GmbH in Germany...back home to the US. The only semi-successful fruit of the so-called "Merkur" brand program was giving the US buyer access to the Ford Sierra, an aero-styled RWD replacement for the Cortina and sort of the more sophisticated cousin of the Fox body Mustang. In the US, the turbocharged version was sold as the Merkur XR4Ti to make it sound fancy and German, and today represents a cool alternative to the Mustang SVO for the turbo-four RWD Blue Oval fan. Find this 1988 Merkur XR4Ti
with uberlow-mileage for sale in Barberton, Ohio with bidding over $7k on ebay. Tip from Rene.
The Ford Pinto was the one of the original recipients of Ford's infamous OHC inline-4 cylinder "EAO" engine, but it was a carburetor fed and grossly underrated engine. Later variants added more displacement, turbocharger, fuel injection and upped the fun factor considerably, so it only makes sense that someone would put a later and higher powered 2.3 into a Pinto. Find this 1979 Ford Pinto 2.3 Turbo
currently bidding for $3,000 on ebay in Joplin, MO with 4 days to go. Tip from Andy L.
We've been critical of the Volkswagen Beetle in the past, mostly for its lackluster performance and tweedle-bleet exhaust note...no to mention sketchy handling characteristics...but that was before we found one with a Ford Mustang I-4 mounted out the back. Find this 1969 Volkswagen Beetle with Ford 2.3 liter inline-4 power for sale in Whittier, CA for $2,900 via craigslist.