2003 Suzuki Transrover

I love micro trucks! Why aren't we privy to these here? All of the major Japanese automakers offered "kei" cars in their domestic market. A couple of small vans were officially imported to North America, but I'm pretty sure we missed out on the micro pickup trucks, which are awfully well-built, fuel-efficient, and practical. Oh, and cute. But therein lies the problem. Try to win over the F-150 crowd with a cute pickup.

What I haven't seen before is a Suzuki variety, almost identical looking to what Honda and Toyota put out.

Although there are no badges I can make out on the vehicle, it appears to be an eighth generation Suzuki Carry, produced from 1985-1991, although the seller calls this a 2003 "Transrover" (which sounds cool at least). The year could very well be true, as these were sold under a variety of nameplates for a long time. They also say it is from the Philippines, so production could still be going on there. The Carry also hold the notability of being the only car in history to be sold as a Chevrolet and Ford at one point.

The seller says it has only 28,561 kilometers which is only about 17k miles. They say everything works great, and they are just getting rid of it because it was used in a scrap yard and they don't want to ruin it. It most likely has a small three or four-cylinder engine under the hood powering the rear wheels.

Unfortunately, having bought the vehicle in the Philippines and never used it on the road, the seller seems to have never registered it and do not have a title. But they have "all the papers from the Republic of the Philippines." Who knows what that means. But if you check with your DMV and see how they process vehicles that seemingly weren't properly imported, you may have an opening. Otherwise, this will only be good for use on your own private scrap yard lot.

See? It may be cute, but it was used for tough work after all.

Available here on ebay in Lebanon, Oregon with no bidders and a Buy-It-Now of $3,550.

Threatened Species: 1976 Volkswagen Scirocco

Hagerty Classic Car Insurance released this fascinating but alarming list of cars once built in great numbers that they now insure very few of.

One of them is the first generation or Mark I Scirocco produced from 1974-1982. Hagerty says they insure fewer than 25 of them.

Well, I found one. This gives new meaning to the term 'survivor'.

The Scirocco was a front-engine, front-wheel drive two-door hatchback with four-cylinder engines.

Perhaps the most notable feature was the lovely styling by Giugiaro from his heyday. It's typically well done, perfect proportions and still cool and fresh looking now. I especially love the quad round headlights which contrast nicely with the angular shape.

The seller says this surviving example has a 1.6-litre 4-cylinder engine, 82k miles, and a 4-speed manual transmission. The later teardrop wheels look good and although the seller says they are keeping them, they say they have the original alloys. Mechanically,  the seller says the radiator is missing and the car does not currently run.

Cosmetically, the seller says there is no serious structural rust but there is rot in a few places. Inside, they say the interior is complete and original, but the seats are torn. Still, it's great to see those rare Euro-style plaid seats still with the car.

Unfortunately, the seller says they don't have a title. They say the Pennsylvania DOT lost the title during the last transfer of ownership, but the seller says they have the last registered owner's info. Honestly, if the seller doesn't have a title in their name and never registered the vehicle, they have no authority to sell it unless I'm mistaken. They say they are unsure of what to do, but I can say you'll definitely need a title if you want to ever have this legally on the road again.

This car doesn't run, has rot and no paperwork, which are usually things to avoid, but for the right price (as in under $1k) it could be a good start for a restoration. They aren't many left, after all.

Available here on ebay in Emmaus, Pennsylvania with 7 bids at $256.