Nothing like creativity! You start out with parts from a ’63 Pontiac LeMans, make a few drawings, take a few measurements, wave a wand, and voila, a wedge car. How? Why? Who knows but it’s unique and, according to the listing, it was homemade by a GM employee. While looking like something that you might find in New Mexico’s Nevada’s Area 51, this wedge car is actually located in Sierra Vista, Arizona and is available, here on craigslist for $2,500. Thanks to Paul G. for this most unusual tip!
The seller tells us that this Wedge is constructed of steel and aluminum with a removable, fabric convertible top. It is balanced on parts from a 1963 Pontiac LeMans chassis with a mid-engine attached to, presumably, the LeMans automatic transaxle. Other ingredients such as the headlights, taillights, instrument panel, armrests, etc. have been cobbled from production model cars The seller advises that he has owned for all of two months and now wishes to find it a new home. Perhaps the rose is off the bloom?
Mid-engine power is courtesy of a 215 CI Buick aluminum V8 engine with an original power rating of about 150 HP. The seller advises that the Wedge runs and drives OK. He further adds, “I just took it on a 5000-mile road trip, and made it home.” It is capable of cruising at 75 MPH while delivering about 17 MPG. As for needed repairs, apparently both the engine and transmission leak fluid and need repair.
There is no description of the interior but this is a two-seater with a sizable bulkhead separating the drivers and passenger seats. As referenced earlier, there is a Pontiac LeMans instrument panel in place and the seats appear to be GM units of some sort. It would seem that the interior was finished off with nylon loop carpet in a curious shade of cranberry, curious because it seems out of place with a silver and blue exterior and black vinyl seats. Perhaps the carpeting was leftover from some other project. Drive 5,000 miles in this environment? I don’t think so.
I’m not sure how such a vehicle would be titled. There is an Arizona license plate affixed to the rear so I suppose it’s possible but a potential acquirer may want to see the title first before taking the plunge. This Wedge is described as follows, “This is a very unique car, and attracts a lot of attention. It would be great for promoting a business, or as a conversation starter. It would even be a good commuter car if you’re handy at keeping an old car running.” Generally, commuter cars are ones that have to be reliable. If you are using it to get to your job, you’re going to be more concerned about getting there on time as opposed to tinkering with what amounts to a Frankenstein collection of production and homemade parts. That said, you have to admire the creativity that was employed here. Sometimes the only answer to why? is, “Because I could!” Anyway, all is not lost, if this Wedge gives it up for good, you can always use it to hold open a very large door, right?
RUN! There other way
“I just took it on a 5000- mile road trip,and made it home”.
To me,that doesn’t inspire a lot of confidence.
Looks like the inspiration for the tesla cyber truck
I’m surprised it left the driveway…
This car just won the Lemons Rally.
Did you mean, Lemon Rally? LOL11
At least it has good tires.
Looks more like a shim.
Your wrong, a pack of shims….lol
I wonder what the drag coefficient is lol..actually I would probably drive it just for the looks and questions I’d get
Seems he didn’t have access to an English wheel / just the sheet metal brake his house siding guy left behind…
Kind of disappointed that it’s not an EV with that lightening bolt side!
No accounting for taste- I like it!
What? Do you need glasses…..
Looks better the the tr7s “bold slashing wedge”. Lol
The TR7 gave a “wedgy” to the car community lol
Guys….I’m dying here…your making me laugh too much…
Guys….I can’t stop laughing here…great comments….
check out @jforb427 on instagram for more pictures.
Street legal? Needs bumpers/cat converter? Pedestrian friendly?
It would be right at home on old ’70s & ’80s sci-fi tv programs.
& in “Road Warrior”, “Death Race”, etc. movies.
…He got it one piece at a time. And it
didn’t cost him a dime. You’d know it’s
him when he came through your town.
You’re gonna drive around in style. You’re gonna drive everybody wild. ‘Cause you’ll have the only one there is
around.
I would drive it around just for the Horrified looks people would give me.
Imagine driving that to your state inspection station.
Much like Area 51, we need answers as to why this happened
Right off the set of the not so classic Buck Rogers in the 25th Century.
The lead photo reminded me of a Lost in Space TV show set.
Looks about 8 feet wide, so should corner well?
Junk it…!!! That thing is a 2 bagger, to be worn on the driver and passengers head. You’d have to give me money to take. FUUUGLLLY.
Looking at this car makes me think of the movie line in National Lampoons vacation where Randy Quaid says “she’s a beaut Clark” . If I drove the car I would have a tendency to try to fill a slot or take pictures of it at the base of leaning structures.
Made me laugh out loud then I thought, gee, at least this guy built his own car. More than I can say.
Ok, but makes one wonder why builder sold it!!!
I would not take it on a 5 mile trip. Liar
There’s proof lol. Look up the LemonsRally on Instagram. This car just won the Route66 Rally.
yeah I think he added at least one zero! Mid engine cars are hot inside!
I like it! Yes, it’s ridiculous and ugly, but based on the sellers’ statement that he drove it 5,000 miles and it goes 75 mph down the highway, this home-brew creation seems to have held up better than a lot of factory cars! Maybe Jaguar or Alfa Romeo should hire the guy who built this thing to run their reliability department.
At $2,500, you’re in used Corolla territory, and you’ll have the only one like it at Cars and Coffee. Think of all the Youtube content you could make with this thing . . . taking it to an autocross, track days, run-what-you-brung events at the local dragstrip, entering it in a judged car show, trying to daily drive it- this thing would practically pay for itself in Youtube money! I’d replace the fugly house carpet and shag interior with some vinyl, which looks more period-correct and is less likely to smell, then I’d think about throwing some Rover V8 speed parts at the engine!
Spridget, I had to laugh…
The only thing you forgot was the look on the Valet’s face when you pull up to the fine dining establishment!
It should be painted like a wedge of cheese. It’s cheesy. And, it would appear that the front wheels can only go straight, and thus limiting it’s maneuverability quite severely.
I’m not nerdy enough to be seen in it.
My castle has a 25 foot entry door that won’t stay open, this car will do the trick I will just take the wheels off it or I could put it in the skate park and have the kids ride there skate boards on.
three words – “jaws of life”
I’ve seen it and talked to the man who built it. Much nicer in person than in photos.
I wonder how you change a flat tire.
Very carefully, Chio. LOL!!
Throw a can of gasoline on the car with a match…never change another tire…
The front looks like a stretched out (electric) Vanguard Citicar.
The Citicar was known for its “wedge styling”…Did I say styling?
Cyber truck how it all began …
Anyone else notice the wooden stick that appears to be a mount for the driver’s front seat? In an accident at least it’ll break off, so the rescuers can pull the driver and seat out in one piece!
Anyone who has frequented the car show circuit in Southern Arizona for the last decade or so is familiar with this car. It seems it was at most of them. Actually the workmanship on the body always stuck me as surprisingly well-done. What a person would do with it is as much a mystery as why it was built in the 1st place.
“Thunderbirds, we are GO!”
Shop project by the designer of the Tesla Truck when he/she was in high school?
Rectangular headlamps and 1978 Monte Carlo taillights suggest this is a late-70s creation. Let’s send it back there.
Ummmmmm….. Eagle Scout project?????
Eagle Scout projects are supposed to be a service to the community or an organization. In this case, the service would be to destroy the car.
Sledge hammer anyone? Anyone…..
Rodney-GSM has it right. And “building it himself” is more than a high percentage of commenters here can say. Especially those who disparage creations like this. By the way, to change a tire, just jack up the body. It will leave enough room to get at the wheel lugs.
Eyyyyyyye Like Eeeeet! Its ridiculous. It makes no sense. Its a hodge podge of car parts. It actually works.
So many seem to forget that one man’s dream is another nightmare. The creation rolling around inside your thick skull is likely just as ridiculous as this fine wedge. Appreciate the skills it takes to build such things, not everyone can be a Harley Earl or a Zora Duntov or even Preston Tucker.
I promise most of you would HATE the care I’d design and build if I ever decide to do so but it’ll make me happy as can be. That’s what matters.
Ah, hello. Area 51 in located in Nevada, NOT New Mexico!
Congratulations, you found the intentional buried error…
(Thx, fixed now).
JO
I think he had it confused with Roswell, NM.
He had it confused with Roswell, NM.
What,,,? No comments or references to Top Gear, Jeremy Clarkson or Geoff (that home-built electric car they made)?
Has anyone noticed the car has 3 wipers, two pair of headlamps, and yes, TWO pair of back-up lights?
Wonder why the creator of this thing forgot the federally mandated side marker lights? And, why not 2 pair of them…too?
The final MGBs also had three windshield wipers, two headlights and two reverse lamps. It just makes sense. Side marker lights weren’t required until 1968 on manufactured cars, and it appears still are not required on home made or kit cars.
If the donor car or chassis was built and titled before 1 January 1968, the car is not required to have sidelights and other US DOT safety items like headrests. So this car, titled as a 1963 Pontiac, is exempt from any & all government required equipment from the date it was built and newer. That also includes seat belts, as they didn’t become a requirement until 1 January 1964.
I like what the constructor created, using an early production US car, bringing new ideas and solutions to design problems. Not all of it worked, and this car reflects good and bad designs of merit and note.
That said, I wouldn’t even drive or ride in this car without belts & shoulder harnesses.
This is so ugly that even I would look cool in that – strong buy
Stop it dude….I can’t stop laughing…
I built this car!! I like all the comments!!
Then we talked at the Tucson Classic Car Show. I usually bring out my old dilapidated RHD Cobra. You may have seen it.