Grandpa's Sedan: 1971 Ford Torino 500

The Torino was an intermediate sized sedan, coupe, fastback or convertible available from Ford starting in 1968...but the history of the Torino (named for the Italian city of Turin) is slightly complicated.  The Torino name was firstly applied to an upscale version of the intermediate Fairlane sedan, but in 1968 the Torino was a lower option model compared to the Fairlane, and then in 1970 the Torino became the basic name for Ford's midsize beast and the Fairlane was a designation for lower spec models, until 1971 when they were all called the Torino.  Confused?  Don't be.  Just buy this 4-door Torino sedan and enjoy this yellow (or light gold) classic machine for cheap. Find this 1971 Ford Torino 500 offered for $5000 in Eugene, OR via craigslist.

Happy Columbus Day: 2013 Fiat 500C Abarth

We continue DT's Columbus Day/Canadian Thanksgiving celebration with this next Italian import, which is a Fiat:  The 2012 release of the Fiat 500 for the US market was actually a success from a sales perspective..but despite the "Eye-tal-yon" heritage, this thing was assembled in Meh-he-co, which probably isn't a bad thing, because I have to guess that Mexican build quality is gonna be superior to Italian build quality over the long run.  Anyway, this 500 is no normal 500, it is the 500C version AND it is upgraded with Scorpion venom to the Abarth spec, which means 160 horsepower and 170 ft-lbs of front tire shredding torque from the 1.4 liter Multi-Air 4-banger mated to a 5-speed shift-it-yourself transmission. Find this 2013 Fiat 500C Abarth offered for $9000 in Long Beach, CA via craigslist.

FIat Abarth Munday: 2013 Fiat 500 Abarth

Our next feature on this most festive holiday known around the globe as Fiat Munday's is another Fiat, but this one is wasn't assembled by someone named Gianni in Italy, but more than likely built by Jan in Poland or Juan in Mexico...which is not to say it isn't a better car...but would fettuccine made by Jan or Juan be as scrumptious?  Find this 2013 Fiat 500 Abarth here on eBay offered for $8000 buy-it-now or make-offer in Wilmington, NC.

Fiat Munday: 1972 Fiat 500 Lusso

If the marketing wanks at Hallmark are able to make up fake holidays, then we here at DT are equally qualified to create opportunities for commerce and profit.  Therefore, I declare today, the day after Mother's Day to be henceforth known furthermore as "Fiat Munday".  And YES, the spelling is "Munday" to differentiate it from all of the mundane Monday holidays out in the world. This first feature on Fiat Munday is a 1972 Fiat 500 offered for $8000 in Overland Park, KS via craigslist. Tip from Rock On!

Rice Crispy Exhaust: 2013 Fiat 500 Abarth

One of the problems with driving a fast factory sports car (like a newish Corvette, M3, 911..etc) is that random people want to race you...which leaves you with the conundrum of winning these on-ramp derbys and looking like a rich buy-your-way-into-first-douche and losing your license as you murder innocent strangers in a fiery crash....so the best alternative is just to drive like a dowager in your fancy sports car confident that its Nurburgring track time is better than the next guy's.  Alternatively you could buy a sleeper V8 powered Chevette, but then you need to convince those new Vette owners to race against you instead of driving like grandpa, and you still won't win the race because your wheels fall off and you still end up in jail after crashing into a crowd of nuns waiting for the bus.  So...what you really need is a car that looks like it is fast, sounds like it is fast, makes you feel good about mashing the loud pedal, but is really slow and you barely exceed the speed limit.  You need the automotive equivalent of a Harley...like this 2013 Fiat 500 Abarth here on eBay bidding for $8,100 reserve-not-met with $10,500 buy-it-now located in White Plains, NY.

Pimp Hand Strong: 1970 Cadillac Eldorado Del Caballero

If a 1970 Caddy Eldorado is not quite pimp enough for you, what was a man to do?  Back in the day, legendary car customizer George Barris created the Del Caballero package that was available at select dealerships. The end result was a car fit for none other than Huggy Bear Brown himself.  The package included: a landau half-top and irons, kustom grille, sunroof, aircraft interior lamps, a Derham-limousine type window in back, chrome moldings, kustom paint and deluxe wheel covers.  Find this 1970 Cadillac Eldorado for sale in Louisville, KY for $8,000 via craigslist.

Green Monster: 1972 Ford Galaxie 500

Out of all the terrible retro styled junk to come from Detroit in the past few years, I really think they've missed the boat on...well...old boats.  GM should bring back the Biscayne name on some giant gas guzzler sedan, and Ford should bring back the Galaxie, complete with pushrod V8, larger than life styling, and color coordinating vinyl top.  Nah, the product planners at Ford are probably working on the next cross-over to fit between CUVs and small SUVs.  If you want to rule the galaxy, you'll have to buy a classic -- like this 1972 Ford Galaxie 500 offered for $4,500 in Stanwood, WA via craigslist. Tip from FuelTruck.

Luigi Lusso: 1971 Fiat 550 L

Post WWII saw European automobile manufacturers racing to develop and produce economy cars for the general population.  Getting people moving throughout Europe again was a top priority and viewed as healthy for the economy.  Many offerings were rear engine air-cooled models, but none were revered as much as the Fiat 500.  Find this 1971 Fiat 550 L for sale in Ventura, CA for $13,500 via craigslist.

Stars Aligned: 1962 Ford Galaxie 500 Sunliner Convertible

The classic V8 American muscle convertible has been a sought after and collected commodity for years, and it should surprise exactly no-one that prices tend to be high.  You could pay top dollar from the guy on eBay who only buys his cars from full-figured young ladies (who are always happy to pose with their car for the resale pics in something skimpy) or you could buy one that one on craigslist that might not be as shellacked with ArmorAll, but at least the car isn't obscured in the photos by lady parts.  Like this 1962 Ford Galaxie 500 Sunliner Convertible offered for$11,900 in Jonesville, MI via craigslist. Tip from FuelTruck.

390 Cubes, No Excuses: 1965 Ford Galaxie 500 LTD

The 3rd generation Ford Galaxie was introduced in 1965 as a taller and larger full-sized Ford family sedan with the 500 LTD as top-of-the-line version.  These were big brutish cars that were terrible to drive with the Thriftpower-6, but would come alive if you picked the big block V8 on the option list.  It was a time when gas was cheap and tires were terrible, but if you want a big pillarless 2-door that typifies the mid-60s, the Galaxie 500 LTD is the one to get.  Find this 1965 Ford Galaxie 500 LTD here on eBay bidding for $9,900 with less than one day to go, located in Fallbrook, CA.

Auction Watch: 1968 Ford Fairlane 500 Fastback

Check out this 1968 Ford Fairlane 500 Fastback here on eBay bidding for $7,100 with auction ending on Monday at 5:30PM.

Auction Watch: 2013 Fiat 500 Turbo

Take a look at this 2013 Fiat 500 Turbo here on eBay ibidding for $5,700 with auction ending today at 12:56PM PST.

Cinquecento Sportivo: 1972 Fiat 500

A few years ago if you had pointed me to an advert for a classic Fiat 500 with a $17k asking price, I would have laughed and started searching for custom El Caminos...but times change and the whims of the car buying public might make this thing a decent buy.  Find this 1972 Fiat 500 Sport Abarth offered for $17,000 in Los Angeles, CA via craigslist. Tip from FuelTruck.

You Had Me At Stickers: 1965 Ford Galaxie 500

The '65 Ford Galaxie is one of those iconic and unforgettable car shapes -- and if you are old enough to remember the mid 1960s, you might remember the 20 or so Grand National Galaxies with super cheationium 427 high rise V8s that were ordered by Ford's factory racing effort and prepared by Holman & Moody for the 1965 NASCAR season.  Today's car isn't an actual NASCAR Galaxie, but I doubt that your neighbors at the pre-fab home park are gonna know the difference.  Find this 1965 Ford Galaxie 500 offered for $14,000 in Hollister, CA via craigslist.   Tip from Kaibeezy.

The Italians Are Here: 2013 Fiat 500 Abarth

We continue DT's Columbus Day/Canadian Thanksgiving celebration with this Fiat:  The 2012 release of the Fiat 500 for the US market was actually a success from a sales perspective, even if the JLo returning to the Bronx ad was as fake as the so-called "Moon Landing." Not to mention the Charlie Sheen Abarth advertisements that started airing just as Charlie Sheen was in full-on Warlock mode.  Frankly I think that Cher would have been a better choice over JLo for an Italian car because Cher's performance in Moonstruck was far superior to JLo's in the Wedding Planner, but the North American version of the new 500 is built in Mexico. Anyway, find this 2013 Fiat 500 Abarth here on eBay bidding for $12,900 reserve-not-met with 1 day to go, located in San Ramon, CA.

5k: Full Sized, 2 Doors: 1969 Ford Galaxie 500

As summer comes to an end, much of the classic car world begins preparations for the long fall/winter period where bad weather keeps your classic off the roads for months.  Often this means that sellers will take less money for their classic due to garage constraints or other issues, but in hot/dry climates this is only beginning of the car season, so time to buy in Connecticut and sell in Texas.  Find this 1969 Ford Galaxie 500 offered for $6,000 in Enfield, CT via craigslist. Tip from jdah.

15k: Roasted Espresso: 2013 Fiat 500 Abarth

Classic Italian cars are like a fine wine, aged to perfection and consumed in a leisurely manner.  Modern Italian cars, on the other hand, are like coffee.  Properly prepared, they can be tasty, but consume them quickly, lest they spoil and become rancid.  Find this 2013 Fiat 500 Abarth here on eBay offered for $14,542 buy-it-now or make-offer located in Mountain Lakes, NJ.