How Not to Customize Redux: 1996 Ford Taurus “Space Ship”

Do you want a car that, "look deferent and feel deferent [sic]"? If so, this Australian tuner - whose skill at vehicle modification is in line with his comprehension of the English language - has the car for you...

The third generation Ford Taurus was not a very pretty car to begin with. Its ovoid shape, which extended to the taillights, rear window and even the dashboard was not especially attractive and made the car look like it was slowly melting.

This enterprising owner has attempted to fix that by adding an ill-fitting body kit, hood and roof scoops and a generous amount of black and gold paint (which makes the car look like a tin of Lyle's Golden Syrup). The result is...well, you can see for yourself.

Underneath that hideous façade the Taurus appears pretty stock with a 3.0 L V6, automatic transmission and 164,321 km (102,104 miles) on the clock. It looks like it even has the stock wheels and tires.

For the enterprising buyer in Blacktown, NSW, this...thing could be yours for a little over AU$1,500 - or at least that's the highest bid currently on eBay.

By Tristan Hankins

Link: eBay 1 & 2 , Via: Jalopnik

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eBay Huh? Find: Ford Aspire Jet AirCar Prototype

Sometimes, we're absolutely dumbfounded by the type of products that people try to get rid off on eBay. Why would anybody actually want to buy a 1996 Ford Aspire with a pair of custom made wings? Beats us, but the eBay seller says that it retractable wings are street legal in Illinois if they are folded - we'd ask an official if we were 'high' enough to buy such a car and drive around in it. In any case, skip the jump to check out the photo gallery and the seller's amusing description.

Seller's Description:

Jet AirCar Prototype Mock-up was designed and built by Superior Areo Designs as a whimsical tribute to the concept of the flying car, or the roadable airplane. It is built on a 1996 Ford Aspire, but more on the car later. The Jet AirCar is constructed of wood, foam, metal and assorted other materials, some are actually from an experimental aircraft but most are hardware store grade. The Jet AirCar has not and never will fly, but it is an attention getter driving around town and in parades. Maximum taxi speed with the wings up is 35mph and 15mph with them in the down position. It is street legal in Illinois with the wings folded, 10ft high and less than 8 ft wide. Attaching the wing assembly takes about 30 minutes. The "Jet" engine is a nacelle only. It is taking up space in my hangar and I'm getting married in the fall so out it goes.

The car part of the Jet AirCar Prototype Mock-up is a 1996 Ford Aspire 4 door. It has a 5 speed manual trans, AM/FM radio cassette, good heater, nice interior, decent paint with little or no rust, good tires and an easy starting, strong running 4 cylinder engine. I got the car in 2006 from a local dealer friend of mine. They had sold the car in '96 and just taken it in trade from the original owner. It has about 110,000 miles, though the speedometer cable is damaged and I'm not completely sure of the mileage. The speedometer cable fitting is also the filler cap for the trans oil and it spits some oil when it runs. But the engine itself is tight and leak free. The wings can be removed but the wing mounting boards are riveted to the top of the car. The car has been stored in my heated hangar for the last 2 years, taken out only for some parades and car shows in 06 and 07. I have not kept the license or emissions test current and the winning bidder will have to accept that responsibility.

The vehicle can be driven with the wings attached, but at 30mph you will get nowhere fast. Best to put the wings in another vehicle, a small pickup or trailer would be fine. Winning bidder must make a 50% payment within 3 days of the close of the auction and the balance with 7 days of the close of the auction.

Link: eBay - Hat tip to Joe!

Lincoln Sentinel Concept Car: Could be Yours for $48,500

One of Lincoln's past concept cars, the Sentinel luxury sedan study from the 1996 Detroit Auto Show has been put up for sale on eBay Motors. The 'Buy it Now' price for the concept car that supposedly fused styling traits from classic vehicles such as the 1961 Continental and the Facel Vega Excellence of the late 1950s (don't ask) with Ford's "New Edge" design theme is $48,500 US.

And yes, the front end styling does remind us of Renault's Vel Satis luxury model that was introduced in 2001 and is still under production.

This is not the first time that the Sentinel showcar has been listed for auction as back in April, O.C. Welch Ford Lincoln-Mercury in Hardeeville, South Carolina tried to sell the concept study for $80,000 without any success.

Mind you, the Sentinel is a static showpiece built on a rolling chassis without an engine and a proper interior.

Link: eBay , Via: Jalopnik