This week, I'm heading out to Oregon for a weekend of camping and dirt bikes, so I thought I'd bring along some of the dopest car listings from the region. The selection is eclectic, featuring off-road beasts, future autocross contenders, and builds of questionable engineering. There's even a pristine old Studebaker that looks like it just rolled off a 76-year-old showroom floor.
One standout is a modded Volvo 740, which I'm pitching as a full-on project: drop it to the ground, boost it, and send me photos. We've seen plenty of patina'd Volvo 240s as drift missiles, so why not a 740? For $1,400, plus the cost of some Wats, this could be a unique build.
Another gem is a 2000s Toyota MR2 Spyder, a lightweight two-seat roadster with a simple cloth top and a fun little engine behind the driver. In today's market, we'd be all over it, but back then, it was seen as a misstep. Compare it to modern offerings, and it's a car that would likely get reviewers putting their own money down, much like the Fiesta ST.
For $3,000, there's a 2015 Kawasaki KLR650, a bike known for its indestructibility. With millions on the used market, prices stay low, but they always command some cash due to their reliability. A 1964 Volkswagen Baja Bug is also listed for $3,000, featuring a Subaru EJ25 flat-four swap. The engine sits in a custom cradle made from hardware store piping, and while it's not turbocharged, you could easily fix that.
A 1950 Studebaker Champion is priced at $10,000, with a trunk as long as a Smart ForTwo and a wraparound rear window. It's a gorgeous, near-three-ton coupe that could be a six-seater, adding to its charm. A 1979 Ford Ranchero, a ute based on a car platform, has been jacked up to truck height, making it a cool and absurd project.
Finally, there's a 1996 Toyota Adventure Ace for $25,000, built by now-defunct Oregon importer Yota Imports. It's a HiAce camper van with expedition modifications. Despite the company's closure, the build looks solid. Other listings include a 2015 Yamaha Stryker for $4,000 with minor damage, and a 2007 Mazda RX-8 with a 383 stroker V8 and a blower sticking out of the hood, a hilarious and immaculate build from friends of the blog The Import Guys.