Project Car Hell: Bricklin SV-1 or Fiat Spider Torino?

We know most of you have been asking yourselves, "How in the world can I get a sporty fiberglass car with 5MPH crash bumpers and AMC power?" Well, you're in luck, because we've spotted this beautiful 1974 Bricklin SV-1 for the no-really-we-mean-it amazing price of just $1500! The seller says it has the "Factory Chrysler 340" engine, but we're just about positive it really has the AMC 360 that came in the '74 Bricklins (the Ford 351W was used for the '75 and '76 models). Since this is Project Car Hell, this Bricklin has a few challenges to overcome. There's the little matter of some fire damage around the engine compartment, which hand-wringers might think is a big deal on a fiberglass car. Then there's the salvage title, but the seller promises it's never been wrecked. No word on whether it runs, but we're assuming you'll get a big ol' negatory in that department. If the 360 is toast, that's just all the more reason to drop a souped-up 401 (with 4-speed, of course) in it!

We can thank our tipster friend Ted for this worthy competitor to the Bricklin: a genuine 1969 Fiat 850 Torino! It's Italian, it's a convertible, it's ass-engined, and it's been sitting in the Deep South for more than 15 years. It's probably got a family of water moccasins living under the driver's seat at this very moment, so you know it's just bursting with character! It doesn't run, but the seller feels certain that it's just a matter of getting the timing right. Yeah, that's it! There's a bit of rust, of course, and no doubt every component through which fluid or electrons has ever passed will need replacement (at fantastic cost), but what do you want for $1950, egg in your beer? Come on now, get this super-rare Italian creampuff running and it will be worth all the agony!