zzdcar
Home
/
Reviews
/
Buying
/
At $14,500, Would Buying This BMW M-Roadster Open Up A Whole Hornet’s Nest?
At $14,500, Would Buying This BMW M-Roadster Open Up A Whole Hornet’s Nest?-September 2024
2024-02-19 EST 22:09:37

Image for article titled At $14,500, Would Buying This BMW M-Roadster Open Up A Whole Hornet’s Nest?

Today’s candidate is a BMW M-roadster clothed in an AMC Hornet coupé body because the world isn’t crazy enough as it is. Now that you’ve absorbed that fact, let’s find out what the buzz is all about.

I probably should have mentioned in the exposé of yesterday’s that my first job out of high school was working as an EMT on just such a rig. That made the high-mileage Dodge of particular interest to me, but at a $14,500 asking price, few of you could muster much if any enthusiasm for the former emergency response vehicle. That resulted in a 68 percent Crack Pipe loss since even a camper conversion seemed ill-timed right now considering our present state of affairs.

As a matter of fact, with everybody locked in their homes these days practicing “social distancing” it’s not surprising to discover (usually on TikTok) that some folks are finding new ways to keep from getting unfathomably bored.

I can say with certainty that there’s nothing in any way, shape or form boringabout this, ahem, . That’s because this uniquely American (hence the brand) body hides a surprising secret just beneath the skin, and is something obviously concocted by someone with more than a few hours in the day to fill.

Image for article titled At $14,500, Would Buying This BMW M-Roadster Open Up A Whole Hornet’s Nest?

To let the cat out of the bag, this Hornet is actually a BMW M Roadster beneath its petticoats, having adopted the AMC skin in the same manner envisioned by that Silence of the Lambs weirdo who kept lotion-applying girls in his basement.

See? People have time on their hands.

The car looks like your standard Hornet semi-fastback coupé from most angles although both the wheels and their offset start to give it away. Speaking of giving, something had to give in the draping of the AMC body over the little Bimmer’s frame. That’s because the M Roadster only stretched 96.3 inches between axle centers. The Hornet, on the other hand, managed a much longer 108-inch wheelbase.

Image for article titled At $14,500, Would Buying This BMW M-Roadster Open Up A Whole Hornet’s Nest?

However it was handled, the fat wheels and tires seem to reach where they are supposed to, even if they look a little lost under the Hornet’s bulbous wheel arches. The dark grey paint with red stripes looks serviceable here and extends to the bumpers, door handles, and mirrors. An air-dam in front and wing in the rear combo offers a bit of throw-back sporty style too.

Image for article titled At $14,500, Would Buying This BMW M-Roadster Open Up A Whole Hornet’s Nest?

Popping open a door reveals an unexpected interior, sort of like getting invited inside Dr. Who’s Tardis. There’s nothing extraordinary here if you’re familiar at all with the M Roadster’s dash, seats, and controls, but they all do look a bit out of place next to the Hornet’s door cards and seatbelt latches—sort of like that one emo kid in the family photo.

The engine compartment is surprisingly tidy for a mad mashup like this. There’s a general mise en place here although you might expect the Hornet’s engine compartment to afford more space for the BMW straight-six.

Image for article titled At $14,500, Would Buying This BMW M-Roadster Open Up A Whole Hornet’s Nest?

It does look a bit tight, and while we don’t get any clue from the ad as to what year M Roadster gave up its life for this Frank-and-beans monster, that does look to be the 240 horsepower S50 3.2-litre in residence there. Behind that lives a five-speed ZF manual which feeds a limited-slip pumpkin in back.

Oh, and did I mention that’s all clothed in AMC Hornet bodywork? Yeah, I know, that’s nuts. Remarkably, the ad claims the title to be clear. You might expect such drastic action to have only been taken once a car has been scrapped, but that seems not to be the case here. It’s also described as having everything working as it should, including the HVAC system, as well as to drive “like new.”

Image for article titled At $14,500, Would Buying This BMW M-Roadster Open Up A Whole Hornet’s Nest?

Now, I don’t know if that means new like in ’75 Hornet new or new like in late-‘90s BMW new. There’s a difference there as you can imagine. Either way, this is one wacky ride and obviously the realization of some very individualistic individual’s unique vision. What might that be worth on the broader stage?

Well, the seller is asking $14,500 or exactly the same amount as was asked for yesterday’s ambulance. That’s an interesting coincidence and makes me wonder if it’s the set price for oddball rides these days?

While you’re rolling that over in the old cabeza, also give so thought to that particular price when associated with this car/cars. Do you think this mad mashup could be worth that $14,500 asking? Or, is it just too weird to warrant so much?

You decide!

Knoxville, TN , or go if the ad disappears.

H/T to Craig B. for the hookup!

Help me out with NPOCP. Hit me up at and send me a fixed-price tip. Remember to include your Kinja handle.

Comments
Welcome to zzdcar comments! Please keep conversations courteous and on-topic. To fosterproductive and respectful conversations, you may see comments from our Community Managers.
Sign up to post
Sort by
Show More Comments
Buying
At $8,600, Would You Go Topless In This 1994 Cadillac Eldorado?
At $8,600, Would You Go Topless In This 1994 Cadillac Eldorado?
The seller of today’s Caddy claims they should be selling it at auction but says who’s got time for that? Let’s see if we have the time for this custom convertible at its non-auction price. Many of you agreed that the $950 asked for yesterday’s was “chump change.” Even...
Sep 22, 2024
Someone Willingly Paid $16,000 For A Maserati Ghibli On Cars & Bids. Don’t Make The Same Mistake
Someone Willingly Paid $16,000 For A Maserati Ghibli On Cars & Bids. Don’t Make The Same Mistake
Let’s cut right to the chase: buying a is not a good idea unless you have deep enough pockets for the upkeep. For those not in the know, they’re sirens. They draw you in with their premium Italian image and sweet songs of and then go in for the...
Sep 22, 2024
At $5,900, Is This 1984 Nissan 720 4X4 A Solid Deal?
At $5,900, Is This 1984 Nissan 720 4X4 A Solid Deal?
According to its seller, today’s Nissan 4X4 shows “pride of ownership.” Let’s see if it would take swallowing one’s pride to pay its asking price. Opinions were split on how well the design of yesterday’s has held up over the years. Some of you commented that the design still...
Sep 22, 2024
At $18,500, Would You Lean Toward Buying This 2022 Ford Mustang?
At $18,500, Would You Lean Toward Buying This 2022 Ford Mustang?
Today’s Mustang is being sold by a towing yard, which means it’s probably a lien sale. Let’s see if this clean title convertible is priced to put a new buyer on the hook. The general consensus on last Friday’s was that it would be the perfect car for someone...
Sep 22, 2024
Which One Of You Suckers Is Going To Pay Over $32,000 For A 25-Year-Old Toyota 4Runner
Which One Of You Suckers Is Going To Pay Over $32,000 For A 25-Year-Old Toyota 4Runner
The (and Tacoma) have a death grip on used values. It’s been this way for years. Go ahead, go try and buy any TRD trim that’s a couple of years old; it’ll cost you as much as a new one — not that you could buy a new one...
Sep 22, 2024
At $950, Would You Go All-In On This 1984 Plymouth Colt GTS Turbo Project?
At $950, Would You Go All-In On This 1984 Plymouth Colt GTS Turbo Project?
One of the calling cards of today’s Plymouth Colt is its “Twin Stick” overdrive gear change, which gives the car eight speeds going forward and two in reverse. Let’s see if this project car has anything else to offer. Just as Goldilocks discovered when appropriating Papa Bear’s lifestyle and...
Sep 22, 2024
Copyright 2023-2024 - www.zzdcar.com All Rights Reserved