Kit cars have been around for decades, with the craze starting in California in the 1970s. Several manufacturers have been involved and a variety of mechanical underpinnings were deployed, often donated by the Volkswagen Type 1 Beetle. From Orange County, California, comes this trio of kit cars that replicate three decades: a 1929 Mercedes-Benz SSK (Gazelle), a 1934 Frazer-Nash, and a 1952 MG TD Midget. If you’re interested, you can buy one or all three for $9,500 each here on craigslist. Another tip brought to us by Barn Finder “numskal”.

Normally we would talk about the builders and assembly processes of these cars, but the seller doesn’t go into any details. We’re told that VW engines and standard transmission are present and we assume that applies to all three, but is that true? For example, an online listing for a Gazelle indicates it has a Corvette frame and GM drivetrain. But they’re all likely to have fiberglass bodies.

1929 Mercedes-Benz SSK (Gazelle)

The Gazelle was a replica of the German-built Mercedes-Benz SSK, a roadster built between 1928 and 1932. The name was a shortening of “Super Sport Kurz” aka Super Sport Short in English. It was considered a desirable car in its day, although the timing of its sale was unfortunate given the economic crisis that began in the U.S. with The Great Depression.

1934 Frazer-Nash

British car builder Frazer-Nash began in the car business in the early 1920s. In the late 1920s, they started producing 2-seat roadsters that would continue in some form into the 1950s. One of the noteworthy features of the cars was their multi-chain transmissions. The remnants of the company would eventually become a part of Porsche in the 1980s.

1952 MG TD Midget

Another British sports car builder was MG whose T-Type models would be around in some fashion from 1936 to 1955. One of these was the TD Midget, which debuted in 1950 and used the drivetrain from the previous TC. These autos likely saw greater production numbers than the other two foundation cars in this listing.