So let’s see how much of a crack pipe these cars are. I took a popular local used car site (think Autotrader but worse in every way) and sorted the cars by price and year. Nothing newer than 79 because I’m a borderline boomer and after the 80's stuff is modern to me. I chose the top and bottom 3 (with passable photos).
Let’s start with the cheapest 3:
#3. ‘78 Celica - $3500
Yeah... we’re not off to a good start here. I think the owner was going for the rat rod look but it stopped halfway through, gave no more fucks and went racing.
This looks like a 20R engine, known for being eternal unless you supercharg... Wait! Is that thing a supercharger?
The interior is ok-ish, I guess. Looks like you could go back to normal with not too much trouble. I don’t see anything major missing or broken.
Overall, I’m not a fan of the RA40 looks and this seems a hack job of a project, so it’s all yours.
#2. ‘78 J40 Land Cruiser - $3400
Next up is something you see pretty much every day around here. A J40 Land Cruiser. This one lacks a few bits - like a roof - but makes it up for in heart.
According to the seller, it runs and it’s mechanically sound (nothing about what engine is in it). I’m just not loving the prospect of rolling over in that thing.
The extremely bald/decorative spare is the least of your concerns.
#1. ‘66 Chevy Nova - $2900
Do you like project cars? Do you hate glass? Then I have great news for you!
The ad claims it has a 5.3L engine, which is weird because I thought that engine was only made available the next year, but that makes it even more interesting! I think...
There are no actual pics of the engine bay so it might as well be full of spiders. I do like the red interior, though!
Now let’s move on to the most expensive trio:
#3. ‘74 International Harvester Scout II - $32800
This is much better, and much much more expensive.
To be honest, to this day I didn’t even know those things existed, but I dig it. Looks like a Bronco?
#2. ‘73 BMW 3.0 CS - $70000
Would you look at this beauty!
The front end seems to be sitting a tad high but it’s probably the curb.
Alpina bits everywhere. I don’t even care it’s an automatic. Too bad I’m poor.
#1. ‘67 MB 230SL - $80000
Also an automatic, but it’s a Merc so it makes sense.
So, um... that’s it. I would buy the BMW CS in a heartbeat if I had that kind of money.