Restored 1956 Volkswagen Beetle Cabriolet

The Beetle is usually overlooked but we can always appreciate a good example. It's legacy is so conflicting: they're collectible, yet over 21 million were made, they're triumphs of engineering, yet intended for everyday use, they were promoted by fascist Germany of the 1930s, yet later embraced by North American counter culture of the 1960s. Is there any corner of 20th century life the Beetle hadn't touched?

The best and most sought after examples of course are the purest, earliest, and cleanest. This fits all three bills.

Only 331,847 cabriolet versions were officially built from 1949-1980 by huge manufacturer Karmann. Styling is pitch perfect and the loss of a roof seemingly created a second new classic in its own right. The design is also handled well with the top up. Chrome window frames roll up to support the roof when closed. The black paint is a little eerie but still really cool, and the mirrorball wheels add some playfulness although we would do without the white mudflaps. Inside, the grey and white interior brightens things up.

Underneath the rear latch is 1200 cc flat four-cylinder air-cooled engine that produced a mere 36 horsepower. It won't be winning any drag races, but, as the seller says, "its appeal is in its reliability and thrift, making this a hobby car without compromises". Couldn't have said it better myself.

COTC has showcased two other impeccable vehicles from this seller before and their Beetle is no different, with dozens of clear photos of every angle inside and out, and a better than average writeup. They say this Beetle is restored, but has been done so in a careful, quality, and period-correct manner. They don't mention whether it is matching numbers but do say the engine is a correct '56 unit and everything was rebuilt to original specifications except for a new 12-volt electrical system cleverly hidden inside a vintage generator.

The asking price is really high, but the restoration must have cost a lot too. If you're looking for a refreshed Beetle in better than new condition that is ready for a new life, take notes. Even if you don't plan on considering this, it's great inspiration.

Available here on ebay for a $39,995 and the Make Offer option.

1981 Mercedes-Benz U3100 Unimog with HIAB Crane

The thing I love about the Unimog is that it makes any arduous task look easy and even stylish.

Need to cross a shallow river? Scale a mountainside? Trek the Sahara? No problem.

Add one more thing to that list: need a portable crane to lift something really, really heavy? This particular one can do it no problem.

The first Unimog prototype was created in 1946 and to the present day Mercedes is still offering some variation of this vehicle. In 1955, the classic Unimog 404 was created, and is perhaps the most aesthetically pleasing, along with the 406 from the 60s.

This is a later '81 424 series launched in 1976 and features more angular and modern styling. It's no less macho and cool looking however. Note the headlights have been moved to the bumper for an ultra-utilitarian look.

The seller says this example has a diesel engine that is mated to a 12-speed transmission, with front and rear locking differentials, and a Pintal hitch with standard ball as well.

This version has a three-way tilting rear bed. The seller says it just needs a piston to fully function. In between the bed and cabin is a PTO-driven HIAB crane with outriggers for extra stability.

The seller mentions the flat jaybird blue paint is "beautiful" and there is no rust. Inside, they say the seats are perfect, gauges function, and the dome lights turn on correctly.

The crane might seem to limit functionality, but I bet it folds up neat, and, along with the bed, will find itself useful one way or another. Tough guys would rather have it than not.

Available here on craigslist in Bedford, New Hampshire for $35,000.

Do You Dare: 3,700-mile 1998 Dare DZ Spyder

Dare is a custom auto manufacturer based in the United Kingdom.

You're looking at one of their extremely limited production models.The seller states this is only one of 10 DZ models, the last convertible made, and the only DZ at all in the entire U.S.

There need to be more cars like this. The stats are impressive: 16-valve 4-cylinder Ford Ztec engine transversely mounted in the rear middle of the car, power to the rear wheels, four wheel disc brakes, 5-speed manual transmission, composite resin body with a steel tubeframe chassis, and a weight of only 1,477 lbs.

I have never driven one, nor will I probably ever. But there are a couple things one can deduce about this vehicle: 1) it accelerates superbly 2) handles superbly 3) is a whole lot of fun to drive.

Styling is pretty cool too. In the 1990s, designers for British car had a renaissance of sorts, when the hard angles of the 70s and 80s were out, and soft swoopy curves that British cars were famous for during the 50s and 60s were back in (this trend helped Jaguar cars look lovely once again).

How is this thing even here? U.S. customs only allows importation of vehicles 25 years and older. But the seller states it was issued a VIN by the Florida DMV, so it must be legitimate. The seller doesn't state whether it has a title. Since titles are transferable to any state, that's the key to making sure this can be registered and driven anywhere.

I have no idea what these cost when new, but this one is very close to new with only 3,700 miles on the clock. In addition, if to be believed, extremely few were made. This is not an everyday practical car (unless maybe in Southern California or Florida, where it is currently located), but it will turn heads on bright clear weekends.

Find it here on ebay in Zephyr Hills, Florida with a buy it now of $35,000.

Check For Bullet Holes: 1974 DeTomaso Pantera Project

The seller states this '74 Pantera hasn't been started or driven since 1990 (!) and visibly wears 1980s Sunshine California plates but provides no backstory. It could be an expensive process getting it in running order again, depending on the diagnosis.

The Pantera holds a special place in the hearts of auto enthusiasts. It was designed by American Tom Tjaarda, built in Italy by DeTomaso, and sold here in America through Ford-Lincoln-Mercury dealers. This makes it a truly Italian-American car.

The idea looked great on paper and was successful in execution. The styling is awesome, pure classic '70s wedge supercar. Note the generic Carello taillights shared by dozens of other supercars from the time like the Maserati Bora and the AMC Bricklin. Mechanically, the rear mid-mounted 351 cubic inch 5.8-litre Ford V8 engine powering the rear wheels made it clear this thing meant serious business. One Pantera was pushed to 0-60 mph in just 5.5 seconds.

The seller is short on details but says the odometer reads 52,916 original miles. This example looks menacing in black with wire wheels.

Although the Pantera was made from 1971-1991, only a total of 7,260 were produced, with around 5,500 sold here. Apparently the initial imports were not well made, with Elvis Presley famously firing a gun into the dashboard of his yellow Pantera after it wouldn't start. Fortunately, some changes were made from 1972 onward. An "L" for Luxury model was added with black bumper guards that nicely extended the nose and a 248 horsepower Cleveland engine. The seller does say this has a/c and is a Cleveland so it could be an L model.

The seller is asking $35,000. Panteras are very desirable and not cheap. Hemmings estimates a fair condition '73-'74 Pantera Coupe in fair condition at $19,300 and good condition at $34,500, so the seller's price could be considered reasonable, assuming this has no rust and the engine just needs a tuneup (probably not the case though).

Find it here in San Marcos, California.

Matching Numbers Project: 1958 Porsche 356A Coupe

*UPDATE: The seller has now listed this vehicle on ebay here

This classic Porsche 356 is being offered by a seller who says it has been in storage since the 1970s. They say it is a matching numbers engine and transmission car that's been down to the bare metal for 4 decades.

The 356 was Porsche's first production car and lasted from 1948 to 1965, resulting in around 76,000 cars made but only about half are thought to be surviving today. They are one of the greatest cars of all time,  a beloved, admired, iconic classic and that is also extremely valuable and desirable. The rear-engine, rear-wheel drive layout, coupled with the timeless and seductive curvy little body, make the 356 one for the ages.

This is an early "A" car, of which 21, 045 were produced from 1955 to 1959. All of the 356 cars had flat four-cylinder engines, but each revision every few years brought about changes, mechanical and cosmetic, subtle and otherwise.

The seller states they have this car's pink slip from 40 years ago and also have the California black plates. It would have been nice to see the plates, but it's interesting to know they will be included, and will no doubt please the next owner, should they ever get it on the road and are able to actually use the plates.

The seller says the body and floor are original and there is no rust except in the battery box. They say it is all complete and original except for the seats. They don't have any photos of the interior, which is a shame, but, if a seller says complete, they usually mean complete, as that's a big claim.

Complete is good, but condition is a whole other ballgame. The car looks terrible. The paint has indeed been stripped and even a novice can tell a bunch of parts are missing, like the bumpers and taillights to start. Are these included with the sale? Who knows (although I do spot what looks like bumpers tied together on the roof in one pic). You better hope they are. The seller gives no word on the engine, so this isn't going to even be a rough driver. This thing will need a $30,000 restoration to make it presentable again. Factory-spec seats alone will probably be $1k-$5k. Most cars would be worthless with over $30k in needs.Yet the seller wants $38,500.

There is a Porsche bubble right now. They are unique, special, driver-oriented cars with racing pedigree and a mythology no amount of money can buy. The 911 in particular barely depreciates, then catches on fire about 10-20 years later and just keeps rising. But example like this are frustrating. It clearly needs work. You have to have $60,000 lying around to make this thing whole again. It would make most sense for the seller to let it go for about $15k-$20k to a reputable restorer who can put another $10k into it, then flip it for $30-$40k. Everybody will still get a piece of the action.

That's the fate this thing deserves.

Find it here on craigslist in Cedar Flat, California