1980 Porsche 928 Convertible

Summer isn't over just yet and neither is the point of having a convertible.

This particular topless cruiser is another unique custom piece like the Testarossa I featured recently. In some ways it's even more peculiar.

The front-engined 928 of course is already a controversial car. Intended to replace the 911 it actually ended up being sold alongside it from 1978-1994, before being discontinued without a successor as the 911 continues to this day.

The 928 wasn't a bad car. In fact, it was a pretty cool one. The engine was a big powerful V8, Porsche's first, and the styling was awesome. They sold in respectable numbers and the automotive press admired them regularly. They are expensive to maintain if driven harshly or never taken care of, but they are pretty solid and reliable overall, with the build quality being noted by many owners as superior than the 911. But despite being Tom Cruise's epic ride in Risky Business, the 928 never earned the respect it deserved. It didn't help the vast majority were made with automatic transmissions, even though several noted reviewers have remarked they like the auto better.

Part of what made the 928 so attractive though was the sexy sloping rear, which, despite housing nothing more two small rear seats and trunk space, emulated the roofline of the rear-engine 911 and invaluably tied the 928 to the brand aesthetic.

For this funky convertible, however, the roof has been complete hacked off and the trunk is now covered by a flat body colored panel. To deflect from the odd surface shapes, a spoiler has been added for extra flair and it works.

This is an early pre-facelift 928 with an automatic. It does not have ABS, which came on US cars in 1986. The seller says it's also a European import, which is a plus, with the deleted side markers, extra rear fog light, and presumably a small horsepower bump over the US version. They state the odometer is in kilometers but equals about 110,000 miles.

Mechanically, the seller says it starts, runs and drives strong. Cosmetically it needs some work like a new soft top and perhaps paint (both rather pricey fixes).

This is a rare car however, and while I wish we had more details on how it came here, who owned it and when the roof was subtracted, it's still pretty notable to see one on the market. It could easily be a headturner at the local German auto clubs.

Available here on Ebay in Tampa, Florida.

1 of 1: 1986 Toyota Camry Custom Pickup

I've been intrigued by the first generation Toyota Camry lately. Is it a classic? I loath what the car has turned into today: a bloated, overpriced and unreliable front-wheel drive vanillamobile. But in its first year, the original Camry was this lean and compact ultra-utilitarian vehicle for the calculator watch-wearing Reagan era commuter. Sure, it was fwd, but it was also cheap, simple, and extremely well built. It helped the body was a clean cut three-box shape of straight lines and zero pretensions.

So you can imagine my delight when I found a Camry that epitomizes the 1st gen's thrift to the max: a customized two-door pickup version, one of only one in existence to my knowledge (unless this was a common customization).

The seller has seemingly taken an '86 Camry four-door and done one heck of a chop job, removing the entire rear roof, seats, trunk and doors and replaced it with a pickup bed. I think it looks amazing, and the craftsmanship is extremely impressive. The cabin looks natural thanks to the b-pillars and side window slivers. There is no fold-down rear gate but the car is low enough that throwing items over the bed is easy enough.

Adding to usability is a 4-cylinder 2-liter turbo diesel engine putting out just 85 horsepower. Camry turbo diesels were offered by the factory briefly so they are rare. I'm assuming this was one such sedan before the transformation. There haven't been many complaints about Toyota diesels except that people wish they made more of them.

The seller doesn't shed much light on exactly who did this, how they did it, or why. But the pictures speak for themselves. Mechanically, they say the odometer reads 163k miles and it has new tires, brakes, belt, water pump and seals. They also say it's running well and turns heads. Toyota made diesel pickups, and there are also those Volkswagen Rabbit diesel pickups, but there probably isn't another Camry Pickup out there, and this one seems ready to go for many more miles of dutiful service. Just check for rust and get the full scoop on the transformation then decide for yourself.

Available here on craigslist in Raleigh, North Carolina for $4,500.

1976 Cadillac Fleetwood Castilian

This is about as Seventies as it gets: American. Cadillac. Enormous. And station wagon.

The Cadillac Sixty Special was produced from 1971-1976. The car weighed a lot: 5,400 lbs, and it was over 19ft long.

As if it weren't over the top enough (and they say the 1980s were decadent), at some point someone decided to extend the roof, add d-pillars and call it a 'Castilian'.

The work was performed by Traditional Coachworks of Chatsworth, California between 1975 and 1976. It is not known how many were made, but it was very limited. The silvery c-pillar is slanted and wraps around the roof. The rear hatch has a nicely integrated roof spoiler and opens the whole width of the car, stopping just above the reverse lights.

They were equipped with the Brougham d'Elegance package, which included pillowed seats, carpeted footrests, radio, outside temperature gauge and a variety of power features.

The interior is in a matching green. Cozy!

Underneath the hood lay a 500 cubic-inch overhead valve V8 engine producing a mere 190 horsepower. A drag racer this was not. But it was probably one floaty cruiser when up to speed.

The seller states the vehicle is all-original and has only 73,020 miles. A source here says it sold in Arizona in 2011 for $25,300.

Available here on ebay in Knoxville, Tennessee with bidding at $14,000 and reserve not met.

COTC Exlusive: Franco Sbarro Mercedes Gullwing 6.9

In the history of coachbuilding, Franco Sbarro has earned a special place. Inventor of the hubless wheel. Sculptor of wild body designs. Engineer of uninhibited speed and performance. If coachbuilding is an art form, then Sbarro is a great artist, expressing himself through automobiles that capture our imagination but also transform our notions of how they should look and work.

Italian-born and Swiss-bred Sbarro founded his company in 1971 to do just that. Over the years they crafted dozens of bodies, borrowing chassis and tweaking engines to create a unique vision. Coachbuilding allows for a manufacturer to build the cars of their customer’s dreams, without the cost associated with mass production. As such, all of their creations are produced in low quantities, making them even more rare and desirable.

Sometimes, though, coachbuilding isn’t just about innovation but inspiration and homage. That’s why Sbarro also builds high-quality replicas of classic cars like the BMW 328, Bugatti Royale, and Ford GT40. Although Sbarro’s designs are ultra-modern, he appreciates the classics too.

In the 1980s, something of a conundrum occurred in automotive manufacturing: Mercedes-Benz were building high-quality cars that were both modern and instant classic at the same time. For the ever-watchful eye of Franco Sbarro, these cars were ripe for the ultimate expression of gratitude towards Mercedes-Benz for their products.

Which brings us to his custom Gullwing 6.9. The first people of notoriety to customize the Mercedes C126 380-500SEC were Styling Garage out of Hamburg, Germany. Then, Sbarro debuted his legendary take at the 1983 Geneva Auto Show. These guys were the original “pimp my ride”. They were Europeans who loved European cars and wanted to add their own special touch. This usually called for extensive revisions of the interiors, exteriors, and engines.

For Sbarro’s 500SEC, he uses elements from not just one Mercedes-Benz, but two: the C124 coupe and W116 sedan. At first glance it appears to borrow more from the C124. The body is imposing to say the least. Sbarro has crafted entirely new sheetmetal in ways that Styling Garage did not.

The most striking aspect are the gullwing doors, a tribute to the classic Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing of the 1950s. These were popularized by the 300SL and have since become a trademark Mercedes feature, despite being used mainly on concept cars until their 2010 SLS. Sbarro's gullwings are made of plastic for easy lifting and less overall weight added to the vehicle.

The car has a unique roof that is lower than the C124. The trunk is higher, and the wheel wells are flared. Mercedes designs of the time featured an emphasis on horizontal lines, so Sbarro takes it new a new level. The whole front is covered in thin slats that hide the headlights and grille that are reminiscent of the rear of a Ferarri Testarossa. The lower panels feature horizontal groove lines too that mimic the iconic ribbed taillights.

Inside, Sbarro has completely reworked the interior, while retaining a Mercedes-Benz vibe throughout. The dashboard is from a W116 sedan. The steering wheel is unique. The center console houses climate controls and an aftermarket radio. The seats appear to be Recaro and are power adjustable from buttons on the seats themselves. Despite the ambition of the overall project, the interior is relatively modest and tasteful.

Underneath the hood lies an enormous 6.9-liter 8-cylinder engine, previously only available in the rare high performance W116 450SEL sedan from 1975-1980. Sbarro is a speed hound and wanted to put as much power in his creation as possible. The 6.9 put out around 286 horsepower, big for the time and still respectable today. It will easily move this thing along.

Most customers of Sbarro were royalty from the Middle East. This particular example was built for an Arabian princess before being owned by Celtics basketball player Dennis Johnson.

Cosmetically, the vehicle is in very good shape. It underwent a 5 year restoration and has been driven around 9,000 miles since. The paint is in good shape, with only some minor scratches and wear from typical usage. The interior is also in good shape.

Mechanically, the car starts, runs and drives fine, with no apparent issues. The owner has maintained it very well. The hydraulic gullwing doors open and shut easily. The car also has height-adjustable suspension.

Only 6 were supposedly built with this configuration, from a total of 28 including the later Biturbo. It could very well be the only one in the U.S. This is a rare piece of European coachbuilding history. The car is in good shape and should be ready to go. At the very least, it will be a big hit at the local car show and the cause of many scratched heads as people try to figure out what exactly it is.

The vehicle is being donated. Proceeds from the sale will benefit the Arthritis Foundation. The vehicle is currently located in Monroe, North Carolina. Click here to send an inquiry if interested.

Der Camino: 1978 Mercedes-Benz 450 SEL Custom

What if Mercedes decided to make a two-door pickup based on the body of the W116 chassis sedan? They didn't, but someone else thought they should have. So they created this wild custom car in the style of a Chevrolet El Camino.

The seller says $75,000 was spent making this dream come true. Based on the model name, I'm assuming they used a standard 450SEL long-wheelbase sedan, a good place to start. The extra length means more bed space, and the 4.5-litre V8 engine means plenty of power and torque to help haul or pull.

The body has undergone a radical transformation. The rear passenger seats and doors have been completely obliterated in favor of a small two-seat only cabin. The rear bed is enormous, but not too deep. It also features a sleek toneau cover that limits cargo height but looks really cool. The slim Euro bumpers and single-unit headlights combined with the black exterior and interior give this a no-nonsense, utilitarian look. The Germans love frugality, practicality, and functionality, so the concept of this Benz is actually quite fitting of the brand, at least where they were in the 1970s. I could see it being sold alongside the Geländewagen for use on farms in the European countryside. It would also be cool with a turbo diesel engine.

In keeping with superior build quality of Mercedes vehicles at the time of the original build date, the seller says the custom bodywork was professionally done and features "impeccable workmanship" with no visible seams.

The vehicle also has a moonroof, custom wheels (that look to be genuine OEM G-Class alloys), new tires, dual exhaust, and a carpeted bed.

Personally, I think this thing is awesome. The seller claims it is one of a kind, and it probably is. There can't be many people with the talent or skill to pull this off, but the idea was good and the execution seems mostly pretty successful. Job well done.

Find it here on ebay in Volo, Illinois with 1 bid at $14,500 and reserve not met.

Not Quite A Convertible: 1982 BMW 323i Baur TC1

Baur is an esteemed coachbuilder in Stuttgart, Germany who performed drop-top conversions for BMW cars. They work very closely with many German automakers, although the exact nature of their relationships is unclear. Bauer cars were even photographed in some BMW brochures, but it was not offered as an official model (as the convertible was), and was never sold in North America. However, it was sold with the authorization of BMW and was covered by their factory warranty. Bauer did help design the E30 convertible.

This is no hackjob. Bauer patented their roofless design in the early 20th century and would employ it until the '90s. It features a retractable soft top roof that peels back like a sardine can to the rear, but with key support b and c pillars intact, as well as a cross-top roll bar connecting the thickened b pillars. This was done to enjoy the open air that a convertible woyld otherwise provide, but with the structural integrity they could not. It's ingenious, quirky and tasteful.

Bauer converted 4,595 E21-chassis cars.

The seller says this vehicle was a grey market car that was specially imported by an individual and then federalized at their own expense. It's unfortunate the slim euro-bumpers didn't make it through, but it's still good to see the rest of the car unscathed. It's an otherwise typical delightfully designed E21 323i.

However, the seller says the replaced the engine with a M20 3.0-litre 6-cylinder engine from an early '90s 325i that was recovered from a rear-end wreck with only 20k miles on it. Depending on your take, this could be a good thing, as it's a larger and better engine than the stock 323i. The car's whole roof was modified after all, so a different engine is in keeping with the switcheroo theme. The seller also mentioned the original 323i engine can be included as an extra.

They also say the engine is mated to a rare "dogleg" 5-speed manual transmission, where reverse is the first gear.

The seller says the body has about 101,000 miles on it but has no rust and is clean and straight, having spent life in San Francisco before ending up in New Mexico where it is now.

BMW never made an official factory convertible for the E21, so if you dig the car but want to feel the sun and wind blow through your hair, this is a chance to snag a nicely preserved example of a rare and charming car. The owner mentions they are a BMW club member and the car was never rallied or tracked, though they say it is fun and lightweight.

Find it here in Albuquerque, New Mexico with reserve not met and a buy-it-now price of $5,000.

Club Racer: 1975 Ferrari 308 GT4 Custom Outlaw

This rare Ferrari 308 GT4 has been made even more unique with an appealing custom widebody kit, 16" HRE wheels and Recaro seats.

The 308 GT4 was the first production Ferrari to feature a mid-mounted 8-cylinder engine, setting the template for many future models from the company. Production lasted from 1973 to 1980, resulting in a scarce 2,826 vehicles made. It was also the first Ferrari not to be styled by famed design house Pininfarina. Body work was instead penned by Bertone. All subsequent Ferrari designs would return to Pininfarina.

Not that there's anything wrong with the GT4. In fact, it fits right in with the Ferrari line and had I not discovered otherwise, would have just assumed it a Pininfarina body. The shape is pretty cool, the front end just like every other '70s supercar wedge, hidden headlights, slim black mandated bumper jutting out, very Lotus Esprit-esque. It widens to a boxy rear with trademark Ferarri round taillights housed in a rectangle. The most striking aspect is the rear air intake cut on the c-pillar that mimics the quarter window angle. The seller states the vehicle was widened by 6" in the rear. For a custom body, it looks terrific, right down to the lower triangular air intakes seen on later factory Ferrari cars. Coupled with the deep set chrome star wheels, it gives the car new aggressive stance for the 21st century.

Mechanically, the seller says the vehicle retains its Ferrari engine but the size has been increased to 3.3-litres and electronic ignition was added. They say it was rebuilt in 1999 and only has 3,500 miles on it.

The seller mentions some flaws as being the speedometer not working, a/c compressor removed, power windows are slow, and the paint shows some age. None of those are likely major problems.

On the upside, they say it's currently running and comes with a current registration and clear title.

Find it here on craigslist in Westminster, California for $19,500.

Fast And Furious: 1992 Acura NSX Type-S Zero

This wild Acura NSX custom is like something out of movie.I've been meaning to come across a good NSX for this blog. But most out there are marred with amateur mods, and the pristine untouched examples are too pricey.

This one is however is leagues beyond anything else I've seen and definitely merits a spotlight.

It's been the beneficiary of an extensive custom body and engine job by Kaotic Customs and LoveFab. Those names meant absolutely nothing to me before but certainly command my respect now. Together, they transformed the already superb NSX into an all-out street racer rocket machine.

The NSX debuted at the Chicago Auto Show in February of 1989 and was an instant classic. With a weight of under 3,000 lbs, a mid-mounted 6-cylinder engine, rear-wheel drive and fantastic styling, it was as good a performer as it was a looker. On top of that, it was comfortable to use and relatively simple and inexpensive to maintain, earning it the nickname 'everyday supercar', which it definitely was, although most owners wisely kept use to a minimum. It gave every other exotic car serious competition and is one of my top favorite cars of all time.

Then, the late '90s and new millennium era saw an explosion in car customization, the second great wave of hot rodding since the '50s. This time, generation-x twentysomethings outfitted Japanese cars from the '70s, '80s and '90s with modifications to make them lighter and faster.

This car seems like a full-on professional transformation. In addition to cosmetic changes, the seller says they've added a turbocharger on the engine that produces a jaw-dropping 550 horsepower. These things were quick stock. With this modification I can't really imagine what this is like to drive.

The car now looks like a sneering python. It all works quite well, actually. The color is appropriately loud and is a refreshing change from the usual red. The additional air intakes jive with the rest of the design, including the very cool openings underneath the headlights. There are a lot of small changes, but all well done.

Inside, we have very slick 4 point harness leather seats, a Momo steering wheel and a Sony DVD system, among other amazing features. It looks really good and would be an incredible place to be.

The seller says the chassis has 100k miles but the engine is rebuilt with only 10k miles on it.

It's hard to put a pricetag on this but the modifications have doubtless costed tens of thousands of dollars, not to mention time, energy and sweat. The NSX cars weren't the most expensive exotic in their heyday but values have barely depreciated, so typical examples go for $20-$30k.

Bidding right now is at $25k.

Find it here on ebay in Park Ridge, Illinois.