Built by Berry Plasti-Glass Works in the late 1960s, the Mini-T was a kit car modeled after the Ford Model T. Based on a ‘67 VW Beetle platform, this edition is especially interesting and rare as it’s a 4-seater that used the entire frame, not one that was chopped to be shorter. It may have been out of commission for 36 years and was recently rescued from a North Carolina garage. Needing work, it’s available from Mocksville and here on craigslist for $2,800. Thanks, T.J. for your continued efforts to find interesting tips like this one for us!

The 1920s Ford Model T became popular decades later with customizers who turned the “Tin Lizzies” into “T-Buckets” for hot rodding. To seize upon that popularity, a Pismo Beach, California company by the name of Berry built a VW-based tribute buggy between 1969 and 1971 (though almost any Bug chassis from the 1960s would work). We’re told that famed customizer George Barris lent his hand in the design of the Berry Mini-T and even had one of his own called the “Barris T”.

This VW was found in a garage where it may have been staying since 1987 (the last year on the NC registration sticker). Production numbers aren’t known, but this 4-person unit is probably harder to come by these days than the more common 2-seater. The seller indicates that it may have been part of the “Reynolds Estate” but that’s somewhat vague (as in the famed Reynolds House from 1855 in Asheville?). The seller has not attempted to get it running as yet, but these 1600-cc Beetle engines aren’t terribly complicated.

The fiberglass body and paint certainly show their age, with a break in the plastic where the rear bumper would attach (MIA?). The floorboards have rusted out, but the seller’s research indicates that replacements can be found for less than $500. This may be a project where you’re trying to erase the passage of time (36 years) more than rebuild a lot of broken stuff. How many of these 4-passenger dune climbers could still be out there?