No radio. No wheel covers. No bumper paint. No A/C — a hard sell under the year-round South Texas sun. At just over $10,500, this 1996 Toyota Tercel had no tachometer, either, but it had something no other US-market car offered at any price: a four-speed manual transmission.

The fifth-generation Tercel landed on American shores in 1995. Rounded in front to match the Camry of the day, the sharp, flat-cut rear decklid added a sporty edge to otherwise simple transportation. DX-trim models in period-correct hues of teal and green come to mind, but the base-grade two-door was the only Tercel of the era missing its fifth ratio. Unexpectedly punchy in its class, the 1.5-liter 5E-FE four-cylinder churned out 94 horsepower, put to pavement in the base cars by a C141 four-speed stick.

In 1997, the base Tercel was replaced by a better-equipped CE trim level, thus marking the demise of the last four-speed manual for sale in the United States. Two years later, the Tercel would disappear from America altogether.

With only 143,498 miles on the clock, this tough-as-nails Tercel might seem too young for the crusher — until you walk around back. Is this custom ute conversion the necessity of genius or an affront to what should have been a rolling tribute to the legendary four-on-the-floor? Let us know in the comments.

@highmileage is a world-traveling automotive historian. follow adam barrera on instagram.