Before They Were Beaters: 1981 Dodge Challenger

I'm not sure what the writing means across the top, but Google translator tells me it's definitely NOT Challenger. Maybe it's reverse Engrish or perhaps a disgruntled translator is playing the same joke that many tattoo artists play on spring breakers when "Strength, Power, Honor" is intentionally mistranslated to "I cry myself to sleep" on someones forearm.

Beat on the Street - S10 Baja

Unless it's a Brazilian market Diesel, S-10s are generally not worth mentioning on Beaterblog. But this 1989 Baja edition may, just may, be worth mentioning. As of posting this, I'm still not totally sure. Maybe it's the Taz livery, but I still kind of hate it.

Marketplace Feature: 1959 Carabela Hearsotargamino!

Wondering what to drive to this year's Dia De Los Muertos party? Look no further than this 1959 Carabela!

Before They Were Beaters: 1960 NSU Prinz

Obviously, this bubble car is fresh in your mind from its noisy two second bit in Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinkin' Your Juice in the Hood (5:24) but in case you forgot, it's the 1960 NSU Prinz.

Beat on the Streetview - Vandalized Skyline

It's best to not talk about driving your Skyline, especially if it's the least desirable Skyline of all time. That must have been what happened here, prompting vandals to bounce around on the roof and proceeded to knock out the rear window with that cardboard box now left lying on the ground.

A window mullet could have improved the looks of this car and prevented the hoodlum damage.

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In the Garage - Any Ideas?

These aren't mine, but they were obtained for a cost of naught by friend of Beaterblog, Karl, who could likely be persuaded to allow pretty much anything to happen to these electric maintenance vehicles.

Mid mount small block swap? 'Busa motor? UP democross? Trarification?

All ideas will be considered and brought to Karl's attention.

Marketplace Feature: Tell 'em He's Dreamin' - 1987 Jeep Commanche

Jeep Commanches at this point in time - even though 100% awesome - are still used vehicles, not collector's items. Unless there is a massive amount of wiggle room in the dealer's price, this one seems quite inflated.

Project Beater Update: Turbo Van

Procrastination be damned, I've mounted the powerplant into the turbo van. When I pulled the old carb'd motor out in November I envisioned the turbo mill taking its place about six weeks later. So much for meeting goals.

Marketplace Feature: Spec Neon Race Car

After much consideration, I'm selling the best car I've ever owned and I'm only slightly embarrassed its a Plymouth Neon.

Anatomy of a Breakdown #2 - Simca Spark Plug Ballistics

Something terrible has happened. Tired of my unreliable soup can exhaust fix, I was on my way out to drop the Simca off at Phil's Undercar in Clinton, MI this afternoon for some new tubing. Then something broke in a large and substantial way, resulting in me being flat-towed home with a knotted up air hose.

Marketplace Feature: 1957 Simca Aronde 1300 Pickup

In my daily e-trip around the world in search of Simcas on craigslist and eBay, I found what is without a doubt the coolest vehicle ever offered for sale - a 1957 Simca Aronde Pickup. And it came that way from the factory! Why don't I own this vehicle already?

Before They Were Beaters: 1990 Sterling 827Si

Fascinating fact: 100% of 1965 Rover-BRM Le Mans car owners also own Sterlings. I also came across this ad just minutes before I would have forgotten forever that either of these vehicles existed.

The appeal of owning a Sterling is somewhat muted due to the fact that they aren't really British cars. Sure, they were sold in England as the Rover 800, they have all the requisite rich leather and burl, and some minor suspension changes were made because the Japanese just "didn't understand". But in the end, its an Acura underneath - for better or worse.

PCPS March Open House

Points Condensers Preservation Society collection is too vast to give each car the attention it deserves so I've narrowed my focus this month. At least in the circles I travel, I don't get enough of Alfa Romeos and since they were well represented I'll feature them here. Lots of Italian car love after the jump.

Beat on the Street - 6 Door F-350

Stretching an F-350 and then packing it full of drunk rural prom goers in exchange for checks from Mom and Dad is one thing, but stretching an F-350 then proceeding to demolish it on the job site honestly quite intriguing.

Maybe my math is wrong, but it seems that it would have to be cheaper to buy an F-350 and then purchase a couple of Ranger tail vehicles to haul your extra workers around in. I guess the only part of the equation that I don't have is the dollar value associated with being a complete badass. Thankfully, this value is quite high for some people, allowing us sightings like this.

Beaterblog Dream Garage #1

Not everyone can afford to have a Jay Leno style man-cave filled with a plethora of coveted automobiles and equipment. Sometimes the budget calls for something more along the lines of yellow-jacket infested firewood packed tightly around a Nova sedan in a corrugated iron third world lean-to.

Before They Were Beaters: Dodge Charger (L-body)

A year before Carroll Shelby lent his name to Chargers and Omnis he was already showing up in advertisements. Although Carroll doesn't claim to prepare or race Joe Varde's IMSA charger he does have a favorable opinion. Joe was able to find more success with Shelby Chargers in '83.

Beat on the Street: VW Westfalia's Final Camp Site

While trudging around Parts Galore in search of turbo van parts last weekend I noticed this Volkswagen Westy camper van awaiting its turn with the crusher.

Beaterblog Book Feature: Cars of the 70's

I know it just doesn't sound right to have a book feature section on a car blog, but some cars books can't really be ignored and should actually be read. And let's not forget that there is also a wealth of information outside of the internet often published in an accurate, entertaining, and grammatically superior format. I don't care to review books so much as just bring them to attention. And it helps that I found this one for $6.

Cars of the 70's is chronologically the latest in the George Flammang series that starts with the 30's and hopefully will grow to include the 80's and 90's in the near future.

Marketplace Feature: Modified Jet Powered Pulling Tractor

My friend's Dad, Mayberry Jim, sent me this jet powered pulling tractor ad on eBay. First of all, you can always trust Luke's dad to find the good projects, like a 1964 4-speed V8 Falcon wagon or a Pinto bodied big-block dirt late model that's road registered.

Anyways, If you can find more reasons not to buy than to buy this rig, you are an idiot. For example, it comes with a Jeep that has been modified to use as a gigantic starter motor. Anything that requires another internal combustion engine, let alone a whole entire damn Jeep just to get it fired up is something worthy of a spot in the garage. It also features a 3,000 horsepower 1960's helicopter jet engine whose every pulling pass likely sounds like a blast down the Ho Chi Mihn trail.

As of writing this, the price of 10 grand is not too a bad deal to literally burn down anything on the road. Check here for the ad.