Rotary Swapped: 1981 Toyota Corolla

The 4th generation E70 Toyota Corolla was the last RWD platform that extended across the entire Corolla lineup (the AE86 "Hachi-Roku" coupe remained RWD for the next generation, but within a few years everything was front-drive, understeering, no-fun, appliance-city).  The Corolla was a simple economy car with no particular designs on world domination, but it was cheap to buy, cheap on fuel, cheap to insure, but most importantly: it was reliable....which we are going to throw out the window like a used microwave with this next feature, because it is now powered by the spinning thing known as a rotary. Find this 1981 Toyota Corolla with rotary swap offered for $11,000 in Philadelphia, PA via craigslist. Tip from FuelTruck.

Blown Rotary Swapped: 1981 Toyota Starlet

The Toyota Starlet KP61 generation was the first and only Starlet sold in the US Market and in 1985 it was replaced by the Toyota Corolla FX-16. Unfortunately, the FX-16 that replaced it was a front drive un-fun box, but the Starlet was setup with proper rear wheel drive...not that you could tell with the 3 squirrels under the hood provided by the stock K-series engine.  Thankfully, many of the remaining Starlets you'll find have been properly upgraded with something that leaves dark streaks on the road and your underwear with equal aplomb.  Find this 1981 Toyota Starlet with 13B power offered for $13000 in New York, NY via craigslist. Tip from Art C.

Mazda 12A Power: 1970 MG Midget

People love to exaggerate on their craigslist advertisements. This is the lowest mile Maserati BiTurbo on craigslist or This is the nicest salvage titled M3 for sale in Ft Lauderdale...but this next seller starts with a simple statement: For Sale...the fastest Bay Area MG midget around.  Yup.  I'm just gonna nod my head and agree.  Find this 1970 MG Midget offered for $15000 in SF Bay Area, CA via craigslist. Tip from Rock On!

Rotary Powered: 1969 Volkswagen Type 1 Beetle

Remember when Mazda purchased the rights to build the Volkswagen Beetle and started shoving 13B rotary engines into version that were setup from the factory as Baja racers, and then Donald Trump was sworn in as president. Wait...that stuff didn't happen?  It was just a dream.  But you were there...and you...and you... Find this 1969 Volkswagen Type 1 Beetle offered for $6,000 in Inland Empire Los Angeles Area, CA via craigslist.  Tip from Rock On!

Orbiting Star: 1963 Sunbeam Alpine

Mention the Sunbeam car brand in North America and instantly the next comment will include something about their Tiger model.  Lesser known is the Alpine, otherwise known as "Tiger's little brother".  With Tigers commanding large moola these days for even the scrappiest of specimens, lesser demand Alpines can offer tons of fun for smaller wallets.  Find this modified 1963 Sunbeam Alpine listed for sale in Sacramento, CA, but located in Oregon, for $5,000 via craigslist.

Wankel ‘Stang: 1977 Toyota Celica Liftback with 13b Swap

By Matt -- Forgive me for making assumptions here but you, me, and all of our friends are priced out of the original Mazda Cosmo, Skyline GT-R, and Toyota 2000GT, among many other things. Most of us would have to switch to Ramen diets to even afford an RX-3 or 240Z that isn’t made of nightmares. So what vintage Rising Sun tin is left for the rest of us which slots below the Barrett Jackson-san but with more GT prestige than say, a B210 Honeybee? Behold, this RA29 Toyota Celica Liftback with Watanabe RS8’s and a 13b swap on Charleston, SC craigslist for $6,000.

13B Rotary Swapped: 1972 Datsun 510

The original Datsun 510 Bluebird was sold in the US market from 1968 through 1973 on a well engineered compact unibody platform that used MacPherson strut suspension up from and semi-trailing arms out back.  Power came from a SOHC 4-banger that was basically Nissan's 240Z engine with two cylinders lopped off, but today's 510 is powered by one of those spinning cam-less/piston-less freaks of nature from Mazda.  Find this 1972 Datsun 510 with Mazda 13B offered for $12,000 in Los Angeles, CA via craigslist.

The Ultimate Zoom Zoom: 1992 BMW 325 with Mazda 12A Rotary

The E36 generation BMW 3-series was released in 1990 with "dolphin shape" styling by Darrin Boyer and Joji Nagashima -- but this car isn't known for its styling, it is known as the benchmark for 90s sedan handling.  The Z-axle multilink suspension out back and MacPherson strut with rack-n-pinion up front wasn't tuned to punish you, but offers superb balance in most driving conditions.  Matched with a torquey inline-6 the 325 makes a great canyon carver...but what happens when you swap a rotary Mazda engine?  Find this 1992 BMW 325 with Mazda 12A offered for $4,000 in Cape Coral, FL.

13Buzz Power: 1970 Porsche 914

There has been a deluge of keg powered cars around here, so I figure why not continue that flood by posting a 13B powered Porsche 914.  Not only does this car have a spinning rotor (or two) tucked behind the driver, but it wears an outlandish body kit that makes it look like a red Batmobile.  Find this 1970 Porsche 914 offered for $14,500 in Franklin, NC via craigslist.  Tip from PB.