An LS-Swapped Rear Wheel Drive VW Rabbit Pickup – Now With 366 RWHP

This is the only LS-swapped rear wheel drive VW Rabbit Pickup we’ve ever seen, and it might very well be the only one in the world. What we do know for sure is that it’s definitely the only one in the world for sale right now.

Fans of the VW Rabbit, known as the VW Golf in much of the rest of the world, as an unusual group of people at the best of times. They’re among the most dedicated car people you’ll meet and you’ll find active communities of them in almost every country in the world.

When it left the factory this Rabbit pickup, known as a “Caddy”, was powered by an economical 1.7 litre four-cylinder engine, making it ideal for tradespeople who needed to carry tools and equipment without the expense of running a full-sized pickup truck.

Unlike the regular front wheel drive Rabbit with its relatively small engine and punchy handling, the car you see here has been comprehensively rebuilt into a rear wheel drive behemoth with over 366 rwhp. Yes you read that right. This car that weighs exactly as much as a shopping cart half full of empty aluminum cans has 366 rear wheel horsepower. It also has 351 lb ft of torque.

Above Image: The exterior of the car has been kept as unassuming as possible, with the exception of the wheels of course.

The project to rebuild this Rabbit took over two years, no one is entirely sure how much it cost but whatever the final bill was, it included a 6.0 litre “LS” LQ4 from a 2001 Chevrolet 2500 Silverado with upgrades to take it from 300 hp and 360 lb ft of torque to where it is today.

This engine was bolted to a GM 4l80e transmission, which sends power back to a narrowed Ford Explorer 8.8 rear end which has been drilled to 4×100.

Of course, putting all that power through a Rabbit unibody called for some additional strengthening, so longitudinal twist was controlled via “Caltrac” bars mounted at the rear, a custom cage made of 1.5 DOM tubing, and plates that extend forward to the strut towers.

As you would expect, brakes have been upgraded to better handle the new power output, the front end now sports VW Golf MK3 calipers and rotors with green stuff pads with an Audi large bore master cylinder and Wilwood prop valve higher up the hydraulics chain. In the rear the original Ford Explorer drums were deemed more than capable given the low weight over the rear axle.

Above Image: The pickup bed remains 100% usable, in fact loading it up would likely help with traction.

During the build the exterior/body of the Rabbit was deliberately left a little scruffy giving it an almost sleeper-like appeal.

Of course the burble from that V8 and the sight of the car sitting low on those Jongbloed racing wheels will give more than enough indication as to the hidden performance ability of the car.

The car is selling out of Modesto, California through the new Radwood auction website, it’s called “RAD For Sale” and it was developed to sell Radwood suitable vehicles to fans of the rapidly growing global community.

If you’d like to read more about this Rabbit or place a bit you can click here to visit the listing. At the time of writing there are still 4 days left to bid, and the bidding currently sits at $8,000 USD.

Images courtesy of RAD For Sale

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The Spyder Donington Coupe – A Rare V8 Lotus Eclat

This is a Spyder Donington coupe, it’s a rare car that uses the body of a Lotus Eclat paired with an all-new chassis built by the team at Spydersport Ltd. This new backbone chassis was designed to pair perfectly with the Eclat, but to also accommodate a Rover V8 under the hood.

The Lotus Eclat

The Lotus Eclat was originally fitted with a signature Lotus backbone chassis, made from folded and welded steel. This chassis accommodates the engine, transmission, suspension, and the body. This basic structure was used on all Lotus road cars of the era, the lightweight fiberglass body helped keep the weight down and the steel backbone chassis helped with rigidity.

This basic formula was used on famous Lotus cars like the Elite, the Europa, and the Esprit, and it also formed the underpinnings of the DeLorean DMC-12, which was engineered by Colin Chapman and the team at Lotus.

The Eclat was developed on the second generation Lotus Elite platform, in fact both cars shared a chassis and the lower half of their fiberglass body work was essentially identical. The Elite was release first, in 1975, and the Eclat followed a year later in 1975, with both cars remaining in production until 1982.

Above Image: The interior of the car is exactly as retro-70s as you’d want it to be.

Lotus developed the Eclat to offer more trunk space (at the expensive of rear seat space) to better cater for people who wanted to use the car as a proper cross-Continental GT. It also came in handy for people getting their groceries but this sounds far less exotic.

Lotus engineers designed the chassis for the Elite/Eclat to take the 2.0 litre Lotus 907 inline-four cylinder engine with its DOHC head containing four valves per cylinder. This all-alloy engine was also used in the Jensen-Healey and the Lotus Esprit, it offered good power for its size with 144 bhp in standard trim.

Later versions of the Eclat would get the 2.2 litre Lotus 912 engine that offered 160 bhp and 160 lb ft of torque.

The Spyder Donington

Due to the size of the Lotus 907 engine the backbone chassis couldn’t accommodate the Rover V8 without serious reconstructive surgery. The team at Spydersport Ltd realized that the Eclat would be well-suited to the Rover V8 but that the only way to get one into it was with a newly designed chassis with a wider gap between the front chassis rails.

They used the same basic shape as the Lotus chassis apart from front section, and they applied rust and corrosion inhibiting to protect it. Once fitted with suspension, wheels, an engine, transmission, and differential could then have an Eclat body lowered onto it and voilà – you had yourself a V8 Eclat.

The concept of coachbuilding was established at approximately the same time that the automobile was invented, automakers would build a powered rolling chassis and sell it to clients who would then pay a coachbuilding firm to make them a body. What the team at Spydersport did was invert this process – you bring them your body and they’d provide you with the chassis to go under it.

Above Image: The 2+2 seating and trunk space make it a reasonably practical Continental GT car.

When ordering your Spyder Donington you could specify that it had power steering, air conditioning, and performance modifications like a Jaguar XJ limited-slip differential with inboard disc brakes.

It’s not known how many of these were built, when asked about it staff at Spydersport said they think a handful have survived, so the car you see here is reasonably rare. Interestingly, engineers at Lotus also developed a Rover V8 version of the Eclat but it was nixed by Chapman who only wanted to use Lotus engines.

The Spyder Donington Shown Here

The Spyder Donington you see here is one of the few originals made, it was built in 1990 and used in the Spydersport publicity material.

It’s fitted with a Rover V8 as you would expect, sourced from a Rover SD1, it has a 5-speed Rover transmission, and a Jaguar limited-slip differential. The car has been kept in storage since 2000 and so it would now need a full recommissioning before any driving is attempted.

There’s no doubt that Donington will be quick once returned to the road, the previous owner I. P. Morrison was quoted as saying “This Lotus V8 is too fast for me. Please buy it before (a) I kill myself or worse still (b) I lose my licence!”

If you’d like to read more about this car or register to bid you can click here to visit the listing, it’s due to cross the auction block on the 20th of March with a hammer estimate of £12,000 to £16,000.

Images courtesy of Bonhams

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Saab 96 Monte Carlo 850 – The Mighty Little Two-Stroke Rally Winner

This is a rare Saab 96 Monte Carlo 850, it was built by the Swedish automaker to commemorate the victories of rally driver Erik Carlsson in the Monte Carlo Rally in 1962 and 1963.

The unusual Saab 96 had far outperformed the expectations of many in top flight rally competition, as mentioned above it won the the 1962 and 1963 Monte Carlo Rallies, it also won the 1960, 1961, and 1962 RAC Rallies in dominant fashion – all with famed Swedish driver Erik Carlsson behind the wheel.

He later took his race-prepared 96 to Kenya to compete in the East African Safari Rally, taking a hard-fought second place in 1964 after winning the San Remo Rally earlier the same year, and placing second in the Liège-Sofia-Liège Rally.

The Saab 96

Scandinavians have always had a unique approach to car design, and the Saab 96 is a great example. The car has an almost-bubble like body designed for the best possible aerodynamic performance, it’s front-wheel drive, and it was initially powered by a three-cylinder, two-stroke engine built by Saab.

The Saab 96 was originally released in 1960 as a successor to the Saab 93. It would be kept in production for an impressive 20 years until 1980.

Above Image: This car has been prepared for vintage rally, but it needs some work before it will be able to turn a wheel in anger.

The 96 was designed by Swedish industrial designer Sixten Sason, he was the son of a Swedish sculptor and he himself initially trained in Paris as an artist. It would only be later that he would train in industrial design.

Sason worked for Saab for most of his adult life, he designed the Saab 93, 95, 96, and 99, as well as the first Saab Sonett. Over the course of his career he would also design the Electrolux Z 70n vacuum cleaner, the first Hasselblad camera, and a number of motorcycles for Husqvarna.

Saab used variations on their three-cylinder, two-stroke engine for the Saab 96 from 1960 until 1968 and these cars that would enjoy many rally victories thanks to their reliability, low weight, and the front-wheel drive system which could help with control on slippery surfaces like snow, ice, and gravel.

From 1967 onwards most new 96s were offered with the Ford Taunus V4 engine, a four-stroke 1498cc V4 engine with pushrod actuated overhead valves. This compact engine fit neatly inside the small engine bay of the 96, one of the reasons it was chosen over the other main contender – the B18 engine from Volvo.

The unusual styling of the Sab 96 and the litany of motorsport successes it enjoyed have ensured that it’s a firm favorite with collectors and enthusiasts today. That said, they’re still highly affordable by the standards of the classic car world and unlike many of their contemporaries they can be very reliable if well maintained.

The Saab 96 Monte Carlo 850 Shown Here

The decision to build the Saab 96 Monte Carlo 850 was made to capitalize on the company’s wins in the world famous Monte Carlo Rally – as the old adage goes “win on Sunday sell on Monday.”

Above Video: Footage of the 1962 Monte Carlo Rally, including an appearance by Erik Carlsson and his 96.

In order wring more power from the two-stroke engine under the hood of the 96 a series of modifications were made – bringing power from 39 bhp in the standard model up to 57 bhp in the Monte Carlo 850. This may not sound like much but it’s important to remember that the car only weighed approximately 1,925 lbs or 873 kgs.

The performance upgrades applied to the 841cc engine included the addition of triple carburetors and oil injection. The cylinder head was modified for better flow characteristics, filled crankshaft counterweights were added along with an increased compression ratio.

In order to let people know you had bought the go-faster version of the 96 the car was adorned with special Monte Carlo badges, unique front seats and rear bench, special door cards, a wood-rimmed steering wheel, and dual chrome strips on the side.

The car you see here has been prepared for vintage rally competition, though it needs some work before it’ll be ready to race. It’s due to roll across the auction block on the 20th of March with Bonhams. It has a hammer estimate of £18,000 to £22,000 and you can click here if you’d like to read more about it or register to bid.

Above Image: Erik Carlsson enjoying a beer after one of his less successful races.

Above Image: The Saab 96 has excellent aerodynamics, possibly due to the fact that the company was also building fighter aircraft at the time.

Images courtesy of Bonhams

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10 Strange Automobile Mascots From The Bonhams Online Sale

These our our favorite mascots from the upcoming March Fine Motoring Mascots Online Sale currently being held by Bonhams. Each of these mascots is available individually with bid ranging from $100 USD on up, and the only thing they all have in common is that they’re all kind of strange. In a good way. Mostly.

One of the truly shameful things about the evolution of the automobile is that the humble mascot got left behind somewhere around the time of WWII. For the uninitiated, automobile mascots are essentially decorative radiator caps that have little “mascots” on them that would ride out at the front of the vehicle – sometimes to bring luck and sometimes to bring humor.

The most famous of these mascots is of course the “Spirit of Ecstasy” ornament used on Rolls-Royces, but back in the early part of the 20th century almost all cars had prominent radiators mounted up front, and a huge industry rose to sell unique mascots to go on them.

Today this industry is all but gone, however there is a healthy global community of collectors who buy and sell original mascots. The prices do range quite significantly however it’s usually possible to get unique pieces for $100 or a little more, making the barrier to entry low for newcomers.

Below we’ve listed our favorite mascots from the sale and added the description from Bonhams with a link to each individual mascot’s page where you can bid on it online if you want to put it on your desk.

⤉ A “Lucky Touch-Wud” Mascot, British – Circa 1914

This well-worn wooden ball was designed to impart luck to the superstitious, touching wood has long been thought to help keep bad juju at bay so what better way to ensure you always have some wood handy than by screwing a nice piece to the front of your car.

Description: A wooden ball with glass eyes and nickel-plated bronze arms and legs, 4 inches high, on period radiator cap.

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⤉ A Scarecrow Mascot by E. Charles, French – Circa 1922

This unusual, award-winning design shows a scarecrow as it’s tussled by the wind, giving it the illusion of being blown by the airflow as the car drives along.

Description: Signed, nickel plated bronze, 5 inches high, on Bakelite radiator cap. This mascot design won a diploma at the Concourse du Journal de L’Auto in 1922.

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⤉ A “Le Tank” Mascot by Brunswick

This is one of the most eye-catching designs in the collection, it shows a girl riding a snail with her hair swept back giving the impression they’re traveling at speed. Many of us have previously owned cars that could perhaps best be described as snails, but they do have a way of winning you over.

Description: Signed L. Brunswick, nickel plated alloy, 5.5 inches high, on a radiator cap.

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⤉ A Clown Car Mascot – Circa 1920s

This clown looks like he’s having the time of his life, we don’t know what the story behind it is but cars out there with diplomatic plates on them that would be well-suited to a clown mascot on the front between the flags.

Description: Stamped with makers mark, the nickel-plated well-dressed by unkempt figure on integral radiator cap 7 inches high overall.

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⤉ A “Tortoise and the Hare” Mascot, French – Circa 1924

This unusual mascot features a hare in a tortoise shell, a mashup from the famous fable of “The Tortoise and the Hare.”

Description: Signed A Luppi bronze, 2.5 inches high, on a period radiator cap.

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⤉ A “Chat de la Mere Michel” Mascot by Henri Molins, French – Circa 1920s

This mascot shows a startled cat on a rooftop. The name translates into English as something like “Mother Michel’s Cat” so it’s likely a period reference or an in-joke.

Description: Signed, nickel plated bronze, 5.5 inches high on a period radiator cap.

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⤉ A “Rampant Lion” Mascot, British – Circa 1930s

This mascot shows a British lion holding a red warning triangle. We’re mostly family with the use of these triangles today when we’re broken down by the side of the road or changing a tire – so depending on how reliable your car is this could be an ideal mascot.

Description: The chrome plated figure holding a red painted warning triangle, 3.5 inches high, on a nickeled radiator cap with two turning lugs.

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⤉ A “Mr Younger” Mascot, Scottish – Circa 1920s

This one is a bit of a personal favourite, it’s believed that this mascot was fitted to the radiator on the front of a delivery truck for the William Young Brewery. It shows the company’s founder holding a pint and making a mischievous facial expression.

Description: By repute originally fitted to a William Young Brewery delivery truck, painted brass depicting William Younger with his long beard, top hat and waistcoat holding a pint of Younger’s famous ale, 3 inches high, on a period radiator cap.

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⤉ A “Seated Billiken” Mascot – Circa 1920s

The “Billiken” was a lucky charm popular in the early 20th century, it’s a small little creature that appeared to its creator Florence Pretz in a dream. It’s likely that in this context it was hoped that the Billiken would bring luck and safety to the car and its occupants.

Description: Nickel-plated, 4.5 inches High, on original radiator cap.

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⤉ A Peugeot Goat Mascot, French – Circa 1920s

This distinguished, cigar-smoking billy goat was used as a mascot on a 1920s-era Peugeot in France.

Description: Marked ‘Jean Bari’ and ‘Cirages Roubaix’ on the front and ‘Banquet de Massais’ on rear, nickel plated bronze bust of a smartly dressed goat smoking a cigar, 6 inches high, on a period radiator cap.

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Sacrilege or Superb? A Porsche 911 / Bentley V8 Turbo Hot Rod By Alexandre Danton

This is undoubtably one of the most unusual vehicles we’ve ever featured on Silodrome, and it’s going to ruffle a lot of feathers.

What you’re looking at here is a creation by famed French artist Alexandre Danton, it started out as a 1971 Porsche 911T however as you can tell, there isn’t much of the original car left.

A bespoke chassis was created to accommodate a turbocharged, front-mounted 6.75 litre Bentley V8 engine from a Bentley Mulsanne Turbo producing over 300 bhp. Power is sent back through an automatic transmission to a live axle rear end, where it’s conveyed to the asphalt via a set of wildly oversized wheels and tires.

Now of course, there are the Porsche purists who’ll decry the very existence of this car, but it’s rarely the purists who you want to go for a beer with at the end of a car show.

Alexandre Danton is much more like the kind of person you’d go get a drink with, he builds wild custom cars, he’s covered in tattoos, and he eats purists for breakfast. Danton has built a number of completely unique custom cars including a Lamborghini Espada, a Ferrari 360 Modena, and a slew of other European cars that he’s built into his own kind of hot rod.

Above Image: The car is powered by a turbocharged 6.75 litre Bentley V8 engine from a Mulsanne Turbo producing over 300 bhp.

The car you see here is one of his most eye-catching creations, not least for the fact that it’s a front-engined V8 Porsche hot rod, a type of car that I don’t think has ever existed before.

Danton is well-known for taking both parts and inspiration from around the world, known officially as the Danton Arts Kustoms 911 Targa, this car takes its prodigious engine from Britain, its body from Germany, and its core philosophy from the United States – and it was all built by a Frenchman.

Although it has clearly been built for straight-line speed rather than cornering, with its live axle rear and wide rear tires, the car does also have double wishbone front suspension with coilovers allowing full adjustability and the ability to change ride height.

The interior of the car is spartan, as you’d expect from a hot rod, with WW2 bomber-inspired alloy seats, a shifter, switches and gauges, and ample use of riveted aluminum. Up front the car uses a 911-style front clip with a cold air intake filling the righthand side headlight location and feeding back into that Bentley V8.

Above Image: In true hot rod-style the interior is spartan, with WWII bomber inspired seats and ample use of riveted aluminum.

As with many of Danton’s builds this car was never intended to be road legal, so it’s not going to be a daily driver unless you happen to have a wildly incompetent vehicle examiner. But as a car show attendee and a collectible the Danton Arts Kustoms 911 Targa is one of few cars guaranteed to gather a crowd of curious onlookers and agitated purists.

Sadly I don’t have performance specifications on hand for the car, but given the fact that it clearly has a very low curb weight coupled with the 300 bhp and 455 lb ft of torque it’ll clearly have no trouble setting blisteringly quick 1/4 mile times.

If you’d like to read more about this unusual 911 or register to bid you can click here to visit the listing on Bonhams. It’s due to roll across the auction block on the 20th of March with a rather affordable hammer estimate of £5,000 to £10,000.

Images courtesy of Bonhams

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