Back in the 1960s, there were several car companies that produced “factory lightweight” cars purpose-built for drag racing. They substituted steel body panels for aluminum and some even drilled large holes in the frame to save weight. I don’t think the owner of this 1984 Toyota let this truck rust to save weight, but there’s no doubt that it has shed some pounds over the years. It can be found for sale here on Craigslist with an asking price of $850. Located in Lincoln City, Oregon, I bet you’ve never seen a running and driving vehicle that is this rusty. Take a look and let us know if you’ve seen one that’s worse.
There’s not much holding this bed together. I wonder how long it’s been since it has seen any cargo? I guess you could tie something to the wheel wells? If you are thinking about buying this truck, you may want to check your local laws regarding “roadworthiness.” This truck wouldn’t pass inspections in some areas, but as rough as this truck is, there’s no doubt it would get attention.
As you can tell from the nameplate on the front of the engine, it is a 22R and shows 121,000 original miles. The seller says it runs great and idles perfectly. The ad also says it has “lots of power.” I’m not sure about that, but the oil has been changed regularly and the 4-speed manual transmission is said to work great.
The interior looks stock and apart from the seat, it doesn’t look too bad. It’s unusual to see the passenger seat in worse shape than the driver’s, but perhaps the seller has an explanation?
Overall, if you’ve been looking for an inexpensive truck that is a little out of the box, this might be the one for you. As mentioned before, it will definitely get attention (both bad and good I’m sure). What do you think of this one?
To paraphrase John Cleese, this is an ex-pickup.
Does it come with a raincoat and hat?
If I have nothing good to say, I usually say nothing but come on….. just pull the motor and sell it… then just scrap the rest
This thing was definitely in the salt water.
Lincoln City is located on the central Oregon coast. It gets lots of bad weather and the salty sea air will rust almost anything if left outside. You’ll see several cars with rust if they are more than 20 years old.
At least it looks like you won’t have to replace the rocker panels.
Floor board is gone on the drivers side. Must get that great power by Fred Flintstoning while you drive.
Geez, even the plastic looks rusty.
Wouldn’t pass state inspection in my state.You would have to pay a salvage yard to take it.
If you need a 22R motor and/or a 4 speed for a decent truck, it might be worth making an offer. If it’s had some maintenance (like the ad “SAYS” it has) the motor’s got another 150,000 miles of life left in it.
Just factor in, like sir mike says, you’re probably going to have to pay the salvage yard to get rid of it with no motor unless it has new tires. Don’t bet on good tires. I’m sure that no state inspection mechanic in PA would put an inspection sticker on it. I know some shakey people, but nobody that would put a sticker on this thing.
Offer the guy a dollar. That’s the minimum consideration required to make a contract (the bill of sale). Take the engine and transmission out and pay $50 to scrap it. If the engine is good, it’s probably worth $51.00. A cent more would be too much.
I know people from southern climates gasp at disbelief, surely this is some kind of “patina” joke, and it very well could be, but up north ( north of I-80, is that better?) this was very common, except, most people, for safety reasons, would have removed what’s left of the box by now, rather than some kind of apparent “badge of honor” rusty patina hulk. Great trucks, I had one, but they have a certain amount of useful time, and this one has had it.
This truck is located on the Pacific Ocean coast of Oregon. I can’t think that salt air could do that, even in 36 years. I’ve bought really solid Mopar parts from Wildcat Mopars in Eastern Oregon, getting away from the ocean and over the mountains makes a world of difference to car parts.
These things were rust buckets, but the owner must have taken it to the beach and given it a bath in salt water for most of its’ life. Or it could have come to Oregon from Western PA, north of I-80. That would explain a lot.
It actually looks worse than the Top Gear Hi-Lux. I would have thought that impossible.
This would be right at home at an import show. But first. Slam it on it’s nuts and add some progressive offset wheels. A set of ebay XXR’s would do it. 15 X 8 1/2, Throw some old road signs in the bed. Trim as needed. Better run the exhaust out through the side of the bed. Done. Show truck.
This belongs on ROADKILL. I would name it “LOCKJAW”.
From the look of the rust formation, my guess is that this thing sat many years under a poor excuse for a tarp (take a look at what is in the background of the pics). Willing to bet its just recently been fired back up.
Note to buyer….do not allow any passenger to slam the glovebox door while vehicle is in motion.
I wish I could think of something clever to say but for once I’m too stunned. That doesn’t happen often.
David, are you stunned at the condition or the fact that the owner is asking $850.00 for it?
I fall in to the latter category.
That’s gonna take a few gallons of mud. Remove the bed first and flatbed it..🤣👍
Probably would get more attention at a car show. You can’t look away from a train wreck like this. Funny how the engine compartment now looks out of place.
Best patina I’ve ever seen.
Just clear coat it and you’re done…
Credit where it’s due… the tailgate is awesome! lol
Living on the NORTH coast of California,
this is more of what I think of when I read the
words “Rust free California car”.
I’ve seen an MGA coupe that was parked
by the ocean rusted through,as well as an eType coupe.
Solid runner!
I owned the same model but a few years older in the midwest. You couldn’t stop the rust even if you tried. I use to get a lot of abuse from FORD owners when driving. Exhaust manifold would crack on most, but the drivetrain would keep running while the rest of it crumbled around you. Got a buddy drunk who lived across the street and sold it to him. He realized what happened the next morning when it was parked in his yard. It was painted brown, which helped hide the rust. Tough ugly old truck that would not die.
That pic looking straight down into the (what’s left of the) bed is indeed like a picture of some trendy work of art.
Now THAT’S what I call patina! All the more reason to paint a classic car before
the tinworm shows up! But seriously, I
recall Dad and I buying a new Chevy LUV
for Mom in ’75 or so. Within 6 months of
buying that truck, it started to rust–even
though we had it ziebarted before giving it to her. The same is true with late ’70s
Datsun 610 sedans. Once the rust starts,
it’s hard to stop it.
Makes me wonder where this person worked while the truck was parked outside, Union Carbide? Nuclear reactor, maybe? Oh, oh, it’s raining again, Dude, your truck is outside,,,it’ll be fine,,,
I can’t imagine this passing inspection in MA.
“that’ll buff out!”
Don’t scoff, this a very rare TuRD package with a lightened racing body
Famous Japanese quality. Winner of the J. D. Power IQS in it’s segment.
That’s crazy! I don’t mind patina if it’s on the surface. But not this. No thanks.
This is beyond rusty (roosty?). Guys in the rust belt can probably post photos that make this truck look rather clean, I am sure. I have heard horror stories from many of them about cars rusted all the way up to the side marker lights on both sides, front and back. Ironically, close to the ocean rust is the easiest rust to prevent a vehicle from ever getting. Ziebart, along with frequent washing can keep a coastal car from ever having so much as a pin hole of corrosion ever develop. Many cars here in California live within 1/4 mile of the high tide mark for decades without getting any rust whatsoever. Just a matter of upkeep and pride of ownership.
Just driven by a little old lady to church on sundays… every sunday, delivering battery acid.
I paid $750 for a completely rust-free 83 Datsun truck with air, they are still out there. This one probably whistles while you drive down the road at speed. This Toyota is overpriced by about $800.
Poster child for why you shouldn’t drive on the beach.
I live on the Oregon coast and this is entirely possible. These trucks were quick rusters and if parked ocean side this could happen. I’ve had a couple of these and still have a 91 with 223,000 miles.I’m close to the ocean and it’s getting a little rusty but still runs great and does have a lot of power. I’ve had it since 94 and would like to replace it with something a lot newer but you can’t. Nobody will sell a little truck in this country. Mechanically these things are pretty much bullet proof.
These trucks would rust bad even in Arizona…. They are known for how fast they will rust….only a Pinto in the northeast can keep up with them as far as disintegrating back to the earth in record speed although the Pinto’s mechanical parts would give out with only 50,000 miles.
It just feels like lots of power because there’s no truck left to weigh the engine down!
Cut a slab of plywood for the bed and use it for a hay hauler. License plate……? OLRUSTY