Well, this is a first, a Smart car on BF. In this case, it’s a 2009 Smart Fortwo, normally something that I likely would not consider reviewing. This Berlin, New Jersey subject, presented by Tony P. however, is just too outlandish to skip. You have to really appreciate someone with a sense of adventure and a “what if?” disposition when it comes to cars – it’s the essence of hot rodding. I wouldn’t exactly place this Smart in a serious hot-rodding classification but it’s one for the books, so please read on.
I haven’t seen a Smart car in a while but I understand that Mercedes-Benz discontinued the Fortwo model earlier this year – though Smart is still producing other models at an assembly plant in France. Having been in production since 1998, the Fortwo was never a big hit in the U.S., I recall seeing them everywhere in crowded European cities in the early-mid 2000s. Drivers in Rome would park them perpendicular to the curb, jammed between two parallel-parked cars. In spite of the Fortwo’s diminutive size, weighing in at only 1,700 lbs, in 2008 the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety rated the Fortwo “good” in front and side crash tests.
There’s no mention of engine mods, or a listing image either, so I’ll run with the assumption that this Smart’s 1.0 liter, 70 HP, I-3 engine, courtesy of Mitsubishi, is stock. The seller says that it runs daily and has accumulated 94K miles in its lifetime. I’ll state the obvious by quoting the seller, “What you see here is a custom lifted Smart with front coil overs and adjustable tubular control arms. 4 inches of lift allows this little monster to be sitting on 15×7 fuel wheels wrapped in 215/75 atlas Parrel m/t, equivalent to 28s.” Also mentioned is the replacement of the disc brake pads and rotors.
The simple bucket seat interior features power windows, cold A/C, and heated seats – that’s one I wasn’t expecting! The image isn’t very revealing but what can be seen appears to be in typical shape for a fifteen-year-old car that is closing in on the mileage century mark. I thought the dash-mounted gauges may be aftermarket, but general Fortwo images that I can find all show them in place so I’d say that they’re stock.
What I’d really like to know is how well this runt, as the seller has named it, performs off-road. It’s probably OK, at least as far as clearance is concerned, but it has only a two-wheel drivetrain and lacks power – of course, it’s not pulling a lot of weight either. If you would like to know more, you can find this unique microcar here on Facebook Marketplace where it’s available for $7,500. What’s your thought, a serious off-roader or just a novelty?
On a recent visit to my father’s hometown, side-by-side and golf carts are now the norm… the mayor has an enclosed one with A/C. This this would fit right in with it’s redneck vibe.
Seems like one of those projects that started with the words “hold my beer.”
As the owner of a 2013 smart car my opinion is they ruined it when they did this to it. I have seen some other videos of them like this And I am in the market for a second one but this one is a no or me
I have a 2013 EV version, with all the equipment this car has. I really like it, and it pulls much harder than the gas version does.
I feel blasphemous for saying this but, I guess this is now a “FourForTwo.” God, strike me down…
I like to call it a “Not Too Smartfortwo”!
This is the “Passion” model decked out with every option including leather seats. I have a 2013 EV version with all of the same equipment. I like these cars. Very small, maneuverable and stupid easy to park. If you don’t use the freeway much they are a perfect car, and with the rear engine rear drive setup they handle well on icy and snowy roads.
What happens when a couple “good ol’ boys” get ahold of a couple cases of PBR and the wife’s car. Such a waste.
And why is this on BF anyway?
Yes i have a 09 also and luv it, but i also have other daily cars and trucks. They have not sold any new ones in the USA for a few years now. Should have left this dead stock.
Ha,ha,ha,ha,,,,,no wait,,this is pretty cool. While modern ATVs can be decked out, its still an ATV and for the most part, must be trailered to off road locations. This solves that completely. There are literally hundreds of miles of off road paths, many too rough for stock 4x4s, where an ATV is required. This could do the same thing, provided one doesn’t go too far back. Rule of thumb here, the farther back you go, the rougher it gets. It upsets me that the NFD rakes in a ton of money, but can’t do anything about the roads. There are many pristine locations, basically unavailable to see because of the roads. I’m no hiker, and 7 miles is still a long ways to hike, this would solve that. How much? $7500, down from $8, meaning $5 might get it and with ATVs over $10gs today, I like it.
That is why they are still “pristine locations”. Most people cannot just drive to them!
our retirement community uses the electric version of this for a patrol car.
also i worked with a guy who drove one from Phoenix to the East coast and back.
It needs a safari rack with a spare tire and jerry gas cans.
This is the first one of these that I actually like!
I remember seeing Europe in 2009 a Smart FourFour, which was a four door version of the FourTwo. Same body, only stretched to accomodate the back doors and back seat. Much more practical. Might have done better in the US than the FourTwo.
Given the location, I’d say it’s setup for running the fireroads in the Pine Barrons. And I’ll bet it does that very well with its FWD. My bone stock 81 Prelude did, although it was hell on the CV joints.
Y’all are missing a piece of your sense of humor if you don’t get the joke with this. It is a classic “why not?” I’d take it a step further and go full “classic Land Rover Defender 90” on it. Brush guard with extra driving lights, roof rack, or put the spare tire on the roof since you can’t fit it on the “hood.” Do the whole Kenyan Safari approach.
Yeah, I’m nuts, but I think if you’re going full-bore absurdity, just do it!
I agree that going “full-bore” on a project like this is the only way. One of the major reasons is to inspire the next repressed genius to out-do you.
I like it. Dare to be different
There’s one almost identical to this in Swannanoa, NC. I about busted a gut laughing when I saw it.
Okay, everyone has an opinion just like they have something else. There’s no harm or foul here. Someone had a vision and appear to have acted on it. It looks fun and wouldn’t matter if it was two or four wheel drive. The original Smart car was really a kind of fun car to drive. Lots of interior space once you got past that low set steering wheel and column. Think early seventies GM mid or full size car. The rear engine and drive is great in the snow and maneuverability is terrific.
I tend to agree with Howard A. Remove the side glass, the rear hatch, and the A/C compressor, and assuming it is the turbocharged engine (83 HP), it comes fairly close to the basic Meyers Manx with a shorter wheelbase.
Excuse me, but without a final drive gear change, this thing has to be a total Sloth off the line. That problem will really rear its ugly head if taken “off-road”. It is amazing how the big the modest 215/75-15 tires appear on this thing. The tires and lift are strictly for show. In my book this is simply a novelty or curiosity.
ROGER DENNIS its a hoot why not, I had earlier model because I drove one in Germany, ittwas fun and mt hot rode buddies hooted me for days.For parking it in my garage with my 800 horse fastback 69 Mustang
Why do I have to join Facebook to look at so many cars on BF?