I’m always on the hunt for new car projects. For a little while now, I’ve been searching for something from the Rad era. I really wanted something that was weird and/or unique in some way, turnkey, and had a current registration and a clean title. Think Volvo 240, Citroen CX, Renault Alliance convertible, Camry all trac, those kinds of things.

This week, I threw all that out the window when my neighbor told me a gentleman down the street was considering selling his 1967 MGB GT. From what he described, the car sounded like something I could get behind. I have always loved the sleek lines of the BGT, and they really aren’t too different from Minis which I have experience working on.

So yesterday, I went to take a look at the car. I was in awe of how cool it was. The knock-off wire wheels, Red interior and exterior, and the chrome bumpers were just a few of the qualities that made it appealing in my eyes. The car is complete and has been in California it’s entire life, meaning it has no rust (or at least nothing very serious). It’s actually been parked in the same spot since 1982 (40 years ago) under a cover. So, it’s kind of a barn find, except it wasn’t enclosed in an actual barn.

Today, I went out and bought it, and with the help of my dad and my neighbor got it back to my house.

It’s definitely a little rough around the edges, but it’s workable. My plan is to make it into a driver and then take it to local car shows/events and enjoy it. Even in its current condition I love it. It’s so cool.

And now, for the photos. Enjoy:

Hi all,
My name is Rowan and I come from DriveTribe. I have always been a viewer of Oppo from afar, and remember the Kinja days (Oppo, Jalopnik, and Live and Let Diecast were/still are my favorite blogs). I have an obsession with French and British cars and spend an unhealthy amount of time looking for cheap and/or weird cars for sale on the internet. Pictured is my current project car, my USDM 1969 Renault 16, which has been the topic of a couple of articles I wrote for DriveTribe. I also have a 2008 Mini with Mazda Miata wheels. I look forward to chatting with like-minded enthusiasts and sharing project updates and car spots.
Thanks,
-Rowan

This weekend, I started the initial cleanup process for the MGB. The entire car was pressure washed and the engine bay and interior were vacuumed out.

When cleaning up a car that went from being daily driven to sitting for 40 years, you are bound to find some interesting items in and around the car. So, here goes:
Old Coopertone suntan lotion. A must have for the California summer.

A list of swimming events. The previous owner was a lifeguard, so I suppose that is why this was in the car.

A vintage USC hat. It seems to have been burned which is odd.

Rocky Horror Picture show matches that I believe were a promotion for a hat.

A photo of two random people. I think they are some kind of singing group.

Vintage riding boots.
A comb and what I thought was a makeup compact. Right as I was about to throw away the compact, however, I opened it and found this:
Turns out it’s a 60s-70s era Bulova travel alarm clock. It is actually pretty cool and I think I will try and restore it. Next up, we have this:

A Rams vs. Vikings ticket from August 6th, 1977. I thought this was interesting as the Rams are playing at the Super Bowl this weekend.

And finally, a Sports Illustrated magazine from April 28, 1980. While I’m not really into sports, I did manage to find some pretty cool car ads in the magazine:

And that’s it! The car also has the original jack and toolkit which is nice. You never know what you might find in these cars, so it’s always fun to dig through them.

When working on a project car, one of the most exciting moments is watching your derelict vehicle spark back to life for the first time in seemingly forever. A rollercoaster of emotions occurs when trying to start a car, from hearing the starter motor work, getting it to fire for a few seconds, and finally getting the motor to turn over and run. I am pleased to say that my 1969 Renault 16 is finally at this point after sitting for nearly three years.

For those of you who don’t know, I purchased this car last summer as I was looking for a unique, interesting, and French project car. When I first went to pick up the car, I came equipped with a borrowed trailer. Nothing too special about this car trailer, just your average single axle car hauler. There was, however, one issue with it: It was too small. Unfortunately, I did not realize this until the car was on the trailer. While the R16 fit somewhat on one side, it has two different wheelbases and therefore was hanging off the trailer more than was safe on the other side. So, I waited until the next day and ordered a flatbed tow truck. I was very impressed by how quickly the car was loaded up and delivered to my house.

The first order of business for this project was to get the engine back together. The issue was that the original cylinder head had gone bad and needed to be replaced. Fortunately, the previous owner had already installed the new head and all that needed to be put back on was the water pump, valve cover, and various hoses and connections. The valve cover and exhaust/intake manifold got a new coat of paint and were promptly reinstalled, as were the water pump, alternator, and carburetor. I also purchased a new battery from Costco.

Eventually, once everything was somewhat in order, attempts to start the motor were made. Starter fluid was sprayed into the carburetor, and after many tries, it started up and ran for a short period of time. The current issue is that the fuel inside the car (it has a full tank) is old and rotten, and the engine seems to have a hard time running off of it. Once some new gas gets put in the car, it will likely run on its own fuel.

In addition to the motor, all of the tires on the car were extremely old and needed replacement. My plan for the R16 is to make it look like a vintage rally car, and thus I wanted some aggressive off-road style tires to help achieve this look. When it comes to shopping for 14-inch tires, however, options are limited. Luckily, I came across an eBay store that sells brand new Nokian tires, and I settled on a set of 185/80R14 Nokian Nordman 7s.

Once the tires arrived, I came to the realization that they would indeed not fit on the rear of the car due to the partially skirted fenders. So, I purchased 2 165/60R14 Nordmans and mounted those on the rear. This left me with 3 extra 185s (2 that were for the rear and 1 spare) that I will now use to put on my MGB since they are the perfect size for it. Sometimes, things just work out. Other details include the full respray on all of the wheels and brand new wiper blades.

So far that is most of the progress that has been made. The next big thing for this car is to get it running on its own fuel. After that attention needs to be given to the electronics, seat belts, and possibly the brakes. Once all of that is completed, the task is to get it registered in California. Stay tuned for part 2.

Hi, I’m 1969R16 and a I love just about any kind of weird or unusual car, especially French and British cars. I own a 2008 Mini Clubman S that I am in the process of wrapping purple myself, and I have some Mazda Miata wheels for it I have yet to put on:

I also have a 1969 Renault 16 that is very French and is almost in running condition:

Recently, I got a 1967 MGB GT. It had been sitting for 40 years before I got it and it is one of my current projects:

I am a big fan of RC cars, especially Tamiya and Kyosho ones. I love making vector artwork inspired by some of my favorite vehicles and automotive culture. I also love browsing Craigslist and Marketplace for cheap project cars and trucks. I’ve been on Oppo for a few months now and am enjoying it a lot.

Welcome new and returning users!

After months of searching, I’ve found the one. For a while now, I’ve been on the hunt for a classic scooter. Originally, I wasn’t that serious about getting one, thinking if one came up for a good price nearby I might consider buying it. After riding a few different mopeds and scooters and watching the 1979 film Quadrophenia, however, I became a bit obsessed and started searching online more extensively.
Above: a listing for one of the many scooters I considered purchasing. Image credit: Craigslist

Every day, I would search multiple terms on Facebook marketplace and Craigslist in hopes of finding a scooter for sale. I had narrowed down what I wanted to a classic Lambretta, Vespa P200, or a Genuine Stella (a Vespa PX150 made in India under license by LML).

I quickly learned that, while Lambrettas were once a cheap form of transportation, a good example nowadays will command a large premium. Vespa P200s, while being more affordable than a Lambretta, often appeared for much more than I was willing to pay for one.
Above: an example of one of the higher priced scooters I’ve seen for sale. Image credit: Craigslist

The Genuine Scooter Company Stella seemed to be the best option that combined affordability with style. It’s basically a factory restomod scooter. Most of the Stellas for sale near me, however, seemed to be overpriced, in poor condition, or both. That the case until a few days ago when one showed up nearby me for a great price in a color I liked. I promptly contacted the seller, they promptly responded, and a couple of days later I ended up purchasing this beauty:
It’s a 2012 Genuine Stella! Being a 2012 means that it is equipped with an LML 4 stroke motor and a 4 speed manual transmission. Stellas made prior to 2010 are two strokes, and in 2014 a CVT replaced the 4 speed.
It’s got a front disk brake and electric start. The electric start currently doesn’t work on mine, but that is due to the battery being dead. The kick start works perfectly though!
The individual I bought this scooter from purchased it brand new in 2012 and put 1200 miles on it. It’s been garage stored it’s entire life and is in great condition overall. Some corrosion is present on the trim due to it being located in Venice, California (near the ocean), but it should clean up with some steel wool.
The Stella and some later Vespa PXs have this cool 5 spoke hub. While it does look great, I’m considering putting a 10-inch Mini hubcap on the wheel:
The scooter also came with the original owners manual, tool kit, and keychain with “G” shaped keyring:
I couldn’t be more happy with this scooter. It’s amazing.

A few months ago, I was driving around looking for interesting cars in Los Gatos, California. Los Gatos is a more high end town, so whenever I go there I expect to see things like Ferraris, Bentleys, and other similar luxury vehicles. What I was not expecting to see, however, was a lifted Mercedes with a GMC badge on the front. I was only able to catch a quick glimpse of the vehicle, and it’s safe to say it left me with more questions than answers.

Fast forward a coupe months, and I found myself at a local car show. I didn’t find many of the cars at the show very interesting, but as I was leaving I noticed this in the parking area: The Benzilla! We meet again!
From the badge on the side, I assume that this W111 is sitting on a K5 blazer chassis and likely uses the Chevrolet motor as well. Other notable details include the enormous tires and exhaust tip: One of the main things I remembered from when I first saw it was the large GMC badge covering the grille. Here it is up close: Now, every time I see a derelict Fintail in a yard or for sale, I think about putting it on a Blazer chassis.

As a few of you may be aware, I am a huge fan of French vehicles. French-made cars and trucks are so unique in terms of design and engineering that they stand out against other vehicles. Two-wheelers are no exception to this uniqueness in design.

A few weeks ago, my grandfather brought over his VeloSolex moped for me to ride. The VeloSolex is a small air-cooled FWD 49cc moped produced by French manufacturer Solex (who also made the carburetor in my R16, amongst other things). They are powered by a grindstone that rubs on the front tire, propelling the bike forward at a top speed of about 16-20 miles per hour. After riding my grandfather’s Solex, I was sold. It was so fun and I decided I needed to get one for myself.

After searching for a while, I finally found one nearby-ish (a 3 hour drive away, which is close considering all the others I found were in other states) and decided to purchase it. Here it is:
A mostly-original 1967 VeloSolex 3800. The previous owner had the moped for 20 years prior to selling it to me and left it mostly stock, save for the rear basket.
The 49cc single cylinder motor runs perfectly, albeit the headlight does not work. The moped also came with what I presume to be the original tire air pump:
Some other unique details include the original Paris dealer sticker and the brake handles:
I’m extremely happy with the bike and have had fun riding it around. If you ever get the chance to ride a VeloSolex, I would definitely recommend trying it out.

Sweat engulfs my body. It must be ninety degrees outside, I think to myself. This heat is unbearable. I have no water and shade is nonexistent. And yet I could not be happier, as I am working on pushing my new project car—a 1969 Renault 16—out of storage.

My search for a vintage car began well before I could even drive. I was drawn to old cars because I wanted something quirky that would stand out from everything else on the road. The cars people drive nowadays are becoming more and more monotonous, and I did not want to be a part of that trend. I wanted something strange, something bold, something just a bit silly.

Every day, I would check local listings to see if any interesting vehicles had popped up for sale. I used a plethora of different websites and search terms day and day again. Sometimes there would be nothing; other days there would be too much to process. I started to become obsessed with several different classics: everything from Pontiac Fieros to Jeep Mailtrucks. None of these cars, however, perfectly fit what I was looking for. They just weren't strange enough.

Eventually, after searching for a long time, I had finally given up. Everything I wanted was either too expensive or required too much work. More readily available vehicles, such as BMW 3-series models, became extremely appealing, as did Volvo 240s and Volkswagen Jettas. But after looking at an '86 Volvo 244 I was considering purchasing, it hit me: I really did not want to blend in with everyday traffic. I didn't want to be able to park in a lot and find another example of my car. I wanted to stand out.

A few weeks ago, I decided to put out a wanted ad on the local car enthusiast forum. I simply stated I was looking for something odd, cheap, and in relatively good condition. Soon enough, I got responses from many individuals. One of these individuals mentioned he had a 1969 Renault 16 for sale.

A Renault 16? What on earth is that?

I knew I had seen one previously at a car meet, but I didn't find it particularly interesting. I began to do some research on the car, and I was in for a huge surprise. Like most French vehicles, the Renault 16 was extremely quirky and innovative in many ways. Column-shift 4 speed. Mid-engined front-wheel-drive. Seats that can be removed or folded into a bed. The list goes on. The Renault 16 was the first mid-sized hatchback, a segment previously dominated by various sedans and wagons. The 16 was surprisingly offered for sale in the United States, albeit it did not sell very well, and thus very few remain.

I was convinced I needed this car. I quickly contacted the seller and arranged a meeting time. The 16 is like nothing else on the road, and for that reason, it was perfect for me. Before I knew it, I was in a storage yard in the grueling heat picking up what was now my eccentric French project. It felt amazing to have such a bizarre car in my possession.

The car still requires a bit of work to get running and road-worthy, but I could not be more excited about it. After many hours of searching, I had found the car that was right for me. There is a project car right for everyone, you just have to find it. Or maybe it will find you first.

I will continue to post updates about the car, and will definitely do a photoshoot and document my adventures once it is running. Until then, I encourage you to drive and build what you love, even if it means straying away from the crowd.

Note: This article was originally published on DriveTribe sometime in Summer, 2021. Revisions have been made since its original publication.

A few weeks ago I was on the hunt for a new bike. I wanted something that would make for a nice cruiser that was also practical and would fit inside a car. I wasn’t really sure where to start, but then I remembered that Peugeot made bikes. Being a French car enthusiast, this got me excited. I immediately took to OfferUp and Craigslist, and eventually ended up with this:

It’s a 1970s-1980s era Peugeot 20” folding bike. From the little information I could find on it, it seems as if it wasn’t actually made by Peugeot but instead a Peugeot-branded bike. Anyways, the tires and tubes on the bike were completely rotted away. So, a few eBay purchases later, I ended up with this:

Who wouldn’t put pink tires on their bike? While it may not be everyone’s cup of tea, I think they stand out quite well and give the bike a lot of extra flair. In addition, the bike is a 3 speed and has amazing graphics:

I am really happy with it so far. I love how it rides and how practical it is. Maybe later on down the road I’ll get a Peugeot mountain bike to further add to my collection of French transportation.

@CarsOfFortLangley This concept has quite an interesting story behind it. The designer, Michael Santoro, also created other possible versions of the Caravan/Voyager, albeit they never left the sketch stage:
There’s some really great designs on his website in addition to this one. I’d definitely recommend checking them out.

@WBizarre the NSU TT was also visually similar to the Corvair:

@WhoIsTheLeader It looks like 21 people decided to turn in their Peugeot 505s, including 8 wagons:

@Mr-Ontop I went to take a look at this R16 in Fullerton a few months ago. I was going to purchase it, but the seller and I couldn’t agree on a price and it needed more work than mine. Nevertheless, it was still interesting to look at and could be a good project for someone else. It’s also cool to see yet another US spec still in California.

@Shop-Teacher Apparently the 4 stroke didn’t make it to the United States until 2011, so I’d say 2011-2013 for the 4 stroke motor with the 4 speed transmission. This link has a lot of good information about the Stella and describes the different versions of the scooter.

@Shop-Teacher Yup, no pre-mixing fuel or fumes but still a standard 4 speed. I don’t think there’s many 4 stroke manual scooters, most of them are either manual 2 stroke or automatic 4 stroke.

@bbg2d Those aren’t cracks, just staining/discoloration. The tires are the original ones from 2011 though, so they are on my list of things to replace along with the battery.

After months of searching, I’ve found the one. For a while now, I’ve been on the hunt for a classic scooter. Originally, I wasn’t that serious about getting one, thinking if one came up for a good price nearby I might consider buying it. After riding a few different mopeds and scooters and watching the 1979 film Quadrophenia, however, I became a bit obsessed and started searching online more extensively.
Above: a listing for one of the many scooters I considered purchasing. Image credit: Craigslist

Every day, I would search multiple terms on Facebook marketplace and Craigslist in hopes of finding a scooter for sale. I had narrowed down what I wanted to a classic Lambretta, Vespa P200, or a Genuine Stella (a Vespa PX150 made in India under license by LML).

I quickly learned that, while Lambrettas were once a cheap form of transportation, a good example nowadays will command a large premium. Vespa P200s, while being more affordable than a Lambretta, often appeared for much more than I was willing to pay for one.
Above: an example of one of the higher priced scooters I’ve seen for sale. Image credit: Craigslist

The Genuine Scooter Company Stella seemed to be the best option that combined affordability with style. It’s basically a factory restomod scooter. Most of the Stellas for sale near me, however, seemed to be overpriced, in poor condition, or both. That the case until a few days ago when one showed up nearby me for a great price in a color I liked. I promptly contacted the seller, they promptly responded, and a couple of days later I ended up purchasing this beauty:
It’s a 2012 Genuine Stella! Being a 2012 means that it is equipped with an LML 4 stroke motor and a 4 speed manual transmission. Stellas made prior to 2010 are two strokes, and in 2014 a CVT replaced the 4 speed.
It’s got a front disk brake and electric start. The electric start currently doesn’t work on mine, but that is due to the battery being dead. The kick start works perfectly though!
The individual I bought this scooter from purchased it brand new in 2012 and put 1200 miles on it. It’s been garage stored it’s entire life and is in great condition overall. Some corrosion is present on the trim due to it being located in Venice, California (near the ocean), but it should clean up with some steel wool.
The Stella and some later Vespa PXs have this cool 5 spoke hub. While it does look great, I’m considering putting a 10-inch Mini hubcap on the wheel:
The scooter also came with the original owners manual, tool kit, and keychain with “G” shaped keyring:
I couldn’t be more happy with this scooter. It’s amazing.

@Highlander Catalina Island has many small vehicles. Tons of kei trucks, Samurais/Jimmy’s, Smart Cars, Scion iQs, and others such as original Minis

@foghat1981 Wow, another 15/50 in the US! There’s quite a few MG Magnettes over here, but the only 15/50 I know of is owned by my uncle. They are quite rare considering they were never sold over here and I can’t imagine many were imported. I really like the trafficator turn signals they have.

The Minilites and maroon paint suit that MGB GT quite well. I’d like to eventually purchase a set of Minilites for my BGT but versions for wire wheel cars are quite expensive.

Also, that Jaguar reminds me of the one used in the John Hughes film Some Kind of Wonderful.