Has Sticker, No Engine: 1995 Volvo 960 V8 Swap Ready

The most famous Volvo wagon (or wagons) of all time is the V8 swapped 960 wagon that Paul Newman owned -- the saga of this car was told years later by Dave Letterman and in 2014 Newman's wagon was found in a cheap used car lot -- that story was broken here on DT.  Many have created tribute cars to that insane ideal of a fast sleeper wagon, and today's 960 is offered with its engine/trans recently pulled, but swap ready and a CA BAR sticker on the firewall.  Not bad at all for the price. Find this 1995 Volvo 960 V8 Swap Ready offered for $2000 in San Mateo, CA via craigslist.

Fraud v Fieroarri: 1969 Fiberfab Avenger GT V8

The seller of this next thing starts his advert off with the casual question; Did you see the movie "Ford Vs Ferrari"?  The answer, of course, is yes...but I do have a counter question; Did you see any Pontiac Fiero parts in Ken Miles' GT40?  Mmmmmm. I guess the guys at GM didn't get a shout out in this movie, so you could do it yourself by driving this thing around after some serious price negotiation with the seller. Find this 1969 Fiberfab Avenger GT V8 offered for $15000 in Fresno, CA via craigslist. Tip from Rock On!

Battle of the Rollers: 2007 Saturn Sky vs 1970 Jensen Interceptor

Picture this; you are stuck at home under stay-at-home orders and you need something to occupy your time since your internet connection is dead.  What you need is an engine and a vehicle that needs an engine.  Then you just need a few wrenches, some zip ties, a welder, and some fresh 5w30 oil.  The only question is -- which do you get, do you get a 2007 Saturn Sky setup for LS1 swap offered for $2500 or do you get an powertrain-less 1970 Jensen Interceptor offered for $3995, both are offered on Los Angeles craigslist.

Deux Pour Un: A Pair of 1953 Panhard Dyna Juniors

In the world of low volume '50s roadsters, there are oddballs and then there are complete bizarro world lunatics.  This is the narwhal in the room...the twin tusked unicorn that was designed by French car builder Panhard to be sold into the US market -- think of it like a poor man's version of a Porsche 356 speedster, but setup like a Citroen DS-- yup front engine, front wheel drive...and that engine is 2-cylinder boxer good for something like 35 horsepower give or take. With only 1390 lbs to haul around this little Frenchie should be fun to drive, just don't expect it to be fast. Find this pair of 1953 Panhard Dyna Juniors here on eBay bidding for $3750 in Sacramento, CA with 4 days to go.

Cheap Project: 1972 Saab 96 V4

This next car comes as a tip from Erik202 who writes: If you’re going to buy what amounts to a rolling shell with potential you could do much much worse. Yup, the seller admits that the powertrain has been disassembled, but the German built Taunus V4 is one of those little engines that you can rebuild in your garage with a pair of pliers, a 6-pack of Heineken, and a jar of Loctite. And this is the kind of car that you will drive everywhere because you won't worry about rock chips but you will worry about missing out on beautiful mountain views because you are grabbing fistfuls of opposite-lock. Find this 1972 Saab 96 V4 offered for $2500 CAD ($1800 USD) in Calgary, AB via kijiji.net.

Make or Buy: 1972 Dodge Dart Project vs 1968 Dodge Dart Turnkey

There is an old saying in the business world; there are two ways to develop a new product--make it, or buy it...but that rule also applies to classic cars.  This choice is often financially motivated, but as often it is personality based.  Therefore we are happy to present these two cars and ask which you would buy; intro and words from tipper Erik202.  I didn't grow up loving mopars or anything and I'm not sure I want to fully immerse myself in the "Dodge Guy" culture but I think having one of these Darts would be cool, just not sure which one, the project ($3580 USD) or the "turn key" version ($11,400 USD).  Find this 1968 Dodge Dart offered for $16,000 CAD ($11,400 USD) located in Sherwood Park, AB, Canada via kijiji.net.

427 Big Block on Blocks: 1965 Chevrolet Impala SS

This next car comes as a tip from SecondMouse who writes: Somewhere within the vicinity of this particular automobile is someone who needs a good slap. Letting a 1965 two-door Impala SS with a 427 4 speed sit outside like this... Hopefully, someone out there has the desire and the budget to put this beast back on the road. Find it here in the Houston area, asking $8500 and looking pretty complete.  Find this 1965 Chevrolet Impala SS offered for $8,500 in Houston, TX via craigslist.

Project Z: 1974 Datsun 260Z 2+2

The 1974 Datsun 260Z was an evolution of the original 240Z that was first released in 1970 but it was only a one year affair before it was replaced by the 280Z in 1975.  The difference between a 240Z and a 260Z is hard to see from the outside...unless you find a 260Z 2+2, which added a small back seat and notched roofline. Today's example isn't perfect, but if it runs/drives it could be a good buy. Find this 1974 Datsun 260Z 2+2 offered for $5500 in Dublin, CA via craigslist.

Buick V6 Ready for Assembly: 1973 MGB GT

The MGB GT was a fixed roof version of Morris Garage's iconic MGB roadster, introduced in 1965 and built through 1980 for various markets.  When first released, the GT used the same BMC B-series inline-4 cylinder engine, but added small back seats for miniature passengers and Pininfarina designed greenhouse with a fastback lift-gate and storage area.  Today's next example isn't a pristine all-original-example, but it does have a Buick V6 ready for install and is offered for a crazy cheap price. Find this 1973 MGB GT with uninstalled Buick V6 and 5-speed offered for $2500 in Bay Park, CA via craigslist.

Mid Engine Project: 1970 Lotus Europa S2

The Lotus Europa has always been a favorite car over around these here parts -- we DT writers love its lightweight composite chassis, mid engine high revving powerplant and cheap entry price.  Time has driven the nicer examples to higher prices, but you can still get nice cheap Europa for the price of a 911 rear bumper mounting flange and we think the Europa is sweet. Find this 1970 Lotus Europa S2 offered for $7450 in Long Beach, CA via craigslist. Tip from Hugh.

Relatively Complete: 1966 Lotus Elan S2

Most of the automobiles features on these pages are inexpensive classics or late model maniac machines...with an emphasis on cars you can drive and enjoy on the cheap for years on end.  However...there are sometimes cars that cross our path that offer a combination of exclusivity and cool factor at an economy car entry price...BUT you might need to put thousands of dollars and hours into a restoration. Ehh...what else are you gonna do with your weekends? Find this 1966 Lotus Elan S2 offered for $18,500 in Worcester, MA via craigslist.

Something Something Something Jet Engine: 1970s Jet Dragster Allison J35

This next car is either a really expensive project that needs thousands of dollars of work to get it on the road...or a really good deal on a jet engine sitting on a "vehicle" chassis.  Not sure which yet...but I'd take it for a test drive. Find this 1970s Jet Dragster Allison J35 here on eBay offered for $10,000 buy-it-now. 

Small Car, Big Project: 1978 MG Midget

I hate getting other people's half baked projects.  It never ends well.  It always starts with a simple -- hey I'll adjust the timing, air up the spare, and drive it...but ends with crap, where the blazes can I get another a double cardan constant velocity u-joint for a Simca?  The ONLY reason I'd ever take another project is if the price was really good...yeah...$500...that'll do.  Find this 1978 MG Midget in pieces here on eBay offered for $500 buy-it-now located in Haddam, CT.

Coming or Going? 1948 Studebaker Commander Project

Sometimes I say I want a particular car...but I can't buy every car that crosses these pages, so it is without any hint of irony or other-y when I say that I am tempted to buy this next car.  Seriously, half of me wants to not post this for you guys and just go get it.  How magnificent would it be to put this together on the weekend instead of watching my kids play soccer?  Find this 1948 Studebaker Commander Project offered for $2000 (with a Ford 4.6 V8, 5-speed transmission, and 10-bolt rear end) located in Forest Ranch, CA via craigslist. Tip from Terry B.

Vintage Wagon: 1967 Ford Cortina Estate Mk1

You know what is cooler than a wagon?  An old crusty wagon. And what is cooler than an old crusty wagon...? An old crusty wagon that is rarer than rocking horse poo....and Cory found us a beauty today! Find this 1967 Ford Cortina Estate Mk1 offered for $1500 in Orange, VA via craigslist.

Needs TLC: 1964 Chevrolet Impala

Some cars are so awesome that we can forgive a tragic condition and third generation Chevy Impala is part of that small group of cars (E28 M5 is another...and anything with a fuel injected V8 or a Wankel swap...but we've got strange taste).  Todays example is pretty crusty, doesn't run, but the price isn't too insane when you factor what a running/nice example costs and the potential is huuuuuuuuuge. Find this 1964 Chevrolet Impala offered for $6000 in Lee, FL via craigslist. Tip from Dascpcu.

Not Cliché : 1969 Ford Cortina Mk2

As I write up the posts for today, I've got Mecum Auctions 2018 at Indianapolis on the tele, and it makes for an interesting juxtaposition to the thing looking at me on the screen.  The '65 GTO crossing the block (that sold for $21k) is a nice car...in fact, all of the cars hitting the block at a big name auction are "nice" but they are mostly lacking in character, individuality, or (critically) affordability.  These things are bloody expensive and most are the typical cliché cars you'd find at any Friday night car show, so why not get something like this 1969 Ford Cortina Mk2 offered for $1600 in Corona, CA via craigslist. Tip from Erik.