Built The Way It Should Have Been: 1988 Pontiac Fiero GT

The Pontiac Fiero was the runt of the litter in the sports car world when it was new, and was the brunt of many jokes in the decades after...but...if you are going to buy a Fiero, don't fall for the V8 swapped monster or the '84 iron duke powered original and instead get yourself a nice 88 GT that has been restored by a Fiero expert and upgraded with a 3.4 liter Camaro V6. Handling wasn't by Lotus (that was a common, but unfounded, rumor), but the final year of Fiero did have upgraded suspension and is best of the breed. Find this 1988 Pontiac Fiero GT offered for $7950 near Seattle, WA via craigslist. Tip from Rock On!

Could Be Fun: 1972 Ford Pinto

When the Ford Pinto was first released for the 1971 model year, it was supposed to be a light weight import fighter, but a lack of power and a design flaw in the fuel tank relegated the little mini-pony to the back of the history books.  But today's example isn't your grandma's Pinto. Find this 1972 Ford Pinto offered for $8000 in Dallas, TX via craigslist. Tip from Rock On!

Late Model Powertrain: 1950 Willys Jeepster

This next car comes from Terry B who writes: Not much information here, but all things wrong with a jeepster has been replaced.  Do not think you could modify a jeepster for the asking price. Find this 1950 Willys Jeepster offered for $14000 in Sacramento, CA via craigslist.

Silver Surfer: 1974 Triumph Spitfire

There is no better money spent on a car than a serious investment from the previous owner and today we've got a whooper.  How about $24,000 spent and countless weekends of assembly -- and you get the entire package from something you can negotiate that is less than $10k. Find this 1974 Triumph Spitfire offered for $10,000 in Campbell, CA via craigslist.

Discount Restomod: 1971 Ford Maverick

We've said it before, and I'll say it again: there is no money better spent on any car than the previous owner's money.  It is the equivalent of drafting when racing -- why burn your own fuel and generate your own speed when you can let the other guy do the dirty work for you.  Find this 1971 Ford Maverick here on eBay bidding for $8,602 with a few hours to go, located in Blacksburg, SC.

Resto-rotary: 1975 Mazda RX-3

The third generation (1992-1995) Mazda RX-7 was one of the best looking cars produced in the 1990's at any price level.  They were known to have temperamental twin turbo rotary engines that came fitted with an absurd amount of rubber vacuum hoses.   It is not uncommon to find LS swapped FD RX-7's for this reason.  Today's example keeps things in the rotary family so to speak.  Find this 1975 Mazda RX-3 for sale in New Haven, CT for $8,500 via craigslist.

Modern Powertrained: 1988 Pontiac Firebird Formula

The third generation Pontiac Firebird (1982-1992) might not have the cool looks of the earlier 1st (1967-1969) or 2nd gen (1970-1981) but it was certainly a better assembled and constructed automobile, and it wasn't as strangely styled as the 4th generation that replaced it.  There is also the Knight Rider connection, which can be a good or bad thing depending on which way your hassel hoffs.  Find this  1988 Pontiac Firebird Formula with 6.0 LQ4 V8 offered for $7,200 in Perryville, MO.

Auction Watch: 1968 Chevrolet Corvette "Restomad Project"

Take a look at this 1968 Chevrolet Corvette "Restomad Project" here on eBay offered for $14,995 buy-it-now or make offer, located in Huntington, NY.

Topless Cruiser: 1963 Ford Falcon Convertible Restomod

The first generation Ford Falcon was introduced as Ford's entry level compact in 1960, but it wasn't until halfway through the 1963 model year that a convertible version or a the V8 Sprint model was released.  The seller doesn't state if this car was originally a Sprint, but now it features a fuel injected Ford 5.0 V8 mated to an AOD transmission and it looks like a fantastic cruiser.  Find this 1963 Ford Falcon Restomod here on eBay bidding for $11,100 reserve-not-met with 3 days to go, located in Lombard, IL.

Restomod Hardtop:1965 Dodge Dart

The Dart name first appeared as a Chrysler concept built by Carrozzeria Ghia in the late '50s, but the production version was released on 1960 as an inexpensive full sized Dodge.  A few years later the Dart was put on a diet and then mid-sized, but the anorexia continued until 1963 when it was a compact to compete with Chevy's Corvair, Ford's Falcon, and Studebaker's Lark. This next Dart started out as a simple 2-door driver but has been owned by the same owner since 1979 and is quite a screamer today. Find this 1965 Dodge Dart Restomod offered for $16,000 in Kingman, AZ via Craigslist.  Tip from FuelTruck.

10k: Miata Powered: 1963 Volvo P1800 Restomod

 The Volvo P1800/1800S/1800E is a cool looking sports coupe built for worldwide consumption in decent numbers (39k from 1963 to 1972.)  The decent numbers part is important, because as a classic it lives in a land between massively overproduced cars you'll see everyday (Mustang or Beetle for instance) and massively under produced cars that demand a premium (Shelby Mustang). Today's example started life as a bullhorn equipped P1800, but is now a bit of a hot rod.  Find this 1963 Volvo P1800 Restomod here on eBay currently bidding for $6,500 reserve-not-met with a few days to go, located in Hillsboro, OR.

5k: Square Peg: 1974 Volvo 142 GL Custom

The Volvo 140 was first introduced in 1966 as the first in a long line of boxy sedans from those crazy Swedes.  The 140-series was a huge leap stylistically from the curvy Amazon and the same basic shape survived into the 1990s with the 200-series.  Somebody figure out that the square peg will fit in the round hole if you use a big enough hammer.  Find this 1974 Volvo 142 GL Custom here on eBay currently bidding for $5,600 reserve-not-met with 3 days to go, located in Cambridge, OH.

DTO: Drag and Drop: 1953 Ford F100 with Ford Explorer chassis

Debuting in 1954, the second-generation Ford F100 sported a 110-inch wheelbase, which is just 1.5 inches off of the second-gen Explorer. Sandwiching one body to the other frame together must be as easy as dragging and dropping elements in Photoshop, right? Regardless of the labor put into it, the result is the restomod you see here. In flat black with 20-inch chrome torque thrust wheels, it's sure to be embraced by tasteless casuals a discerning buyer looking for modern convenience with an old-school facade. Find this 1953 Ford F100 restomod for sale in Dallas, TX for $22,000 via craigslist.

15k: Trans Am Style Restorod: 1971 Dodge Dart Swinger

Few things get the octane in my blood pumping quicker than a vintage racer themed American 2-door from the 1960s.  True vintage racers tend to be expensive and not street-able, but slap together a decent restomod with a few stickers and I'll bite.  The car doesn't even need to be a model that was campaigned back it the day, it just needs to look the part.  Like this 1971 Dodge Dart Swinger restomod found here on eBay currently bidding for $15,000 with a few hours to go, located in Laguna Hills, CA.

15k: No Post: 1963 Ford Falcon Sprint

If you remember the Coffee Brake two weeks ago, I asked if it was possible to build a sweet replica trans-am racer Falcon for less than the $40k reserve (or whatever the car sold for off eBay in a behind the scenes deal). The general consensus from the comments was that the car could easily cost what it sold for in the end, but I still think you can build an awesome Falcon restomod for cheap, but you've got to start with the right skeleton.  Like this 1963 Ford Falcon Sprint offered here on eBay currently bidding for $12,300 reserve-not-met with 2 days to go.

Coffee Brake: Can You Do It For Less -- Ford Falcon Racer

Time for our weekly episode of Coffee Brake, where the coffee drops to the floor and the brakes are ground into bits.  This week we chase the age old question of make versus buy -- by looking at this incredibly well done 1963 Ford Falcon racer (Tip from Rod S.) offered here on eBay currently bidding for $25,100 reserve-not-met with 4 days to go.  The question is -- can you build your own for less?