Electric Myrrh: 1995 Tropica Roadster

The Christian feast of the Epiphany is celebrated on January 6th, (the word Epiphany comes from the ancient Greek work Τheophaneia meaning "vision of God") and is a commemoration of the three Magi visiting the infant Jesus.  Around here we celebrate the Epiphany by posting 3 cars, one for each of the magi -- first up from the East is Gaspar and his gift was myrrh, which is an oil that was used in embalming before burial...which is what happened to Renaissance Cars after they launched an all electric sports car called the Tropica Roadster.  It was an interesting car at a time when all electric cars were mostly home built machines, but it didn't sell well and fell into an early grave. Luckily for fans of cars with boat interiors, there is one for sale on craigslist. Find this 1995 Tropica Roadster offered for $19000 in St Augustine, FL via craigslist. Tip from Rock On!

Range Extended: 2016 BMW i3

Mother Teresa (aka Saint Teresa of Calcutta) was well known for her views espousing the benefits of suffering. Now I'm okay with as much suffering as the next guy...but..you know...sometimes my left knee aches a bit, and then there was that time I waited in line at the DMV for what must have been a century (before I paid for AAA so that I didn't have to wait in line..) but I sorta think the guy or gal who drives this car every day to work has got to be eligible for a plenary indulgences or at least a few years off purgatory.  Anyway, I'm going to end this little soliloquy/diatribe with my favorite Mother Teresa quote with relation to modern electric cars: “I have come to realize more and more that the greatest disease and the greatest suffering is to be unwanted, unloved, uncared for, to be shunned by everybody, to be just nobody.”  Find this 2016 BMW i3 offered for $19,900 in Flagstaff, AZ via craigslist.  Tip from FuelTruck.

Actually Custom: 1958 Triumph TR-10 Electric Conversion

I think, as car "journalists" we tend to think we've seen it all.  Or at least, I do.  And whenever I become jaded with all of the mundane junk (that passes for custom) for sale on craigslist (Chevy V8 powered RX-7s, dime-a-dozen, Bio-diesel Mercs been-there-done-that, etc) I go off in search for the oddballs, the unique stuff that only one guy ever thought "hey, this is a good idea". Like an electric Triumph Standard 10 here on eBay bidding for $704 with 5 days to go, located in Simi Valley, CA.

Almost A Tesla: 1986 Pontiac Fiero GT Electric Conversion

I was making a dumpster bin run in one of the ritzier parts of town the other day and...you'd be amazed at the stuff that well-to-do folks consider garbage and leave in their trash, on the curb, or in a locked safe in their panic room...and I noticed something-- ever third driveway had a Tesla Model S parked next to a Maserati, Range Rover, or Jeep Grand Wagoneer.  Naturally, when I returned to a place with free wifi, I did a quick interweb search and found that those Teslas are still bloody expensive on the used market. So, if you want an inexpensive used Tesla, it ain't gonna happen, but you'll need to settle for something like this this 1986 Pontiac Fiero Electric offered for $1700 in Burleson TX via craigslist. Found on deadclutch.

Electric overload(ed): Electrified 1998 Mazda MX-5 Miata

Another day, another Miata post on good old DT.  We've done a fastback, blown heart transplant and cream puff and there was once even a diesel conversion featured, so now today's answer is a plug-in electric conversion.  Supposedly, this is the future of classic car ownership, once the last gallon of crude is burned off in China while making a rubber spatula for Walmart.  I'm skeptical, but I'm always the last in line.  Find this 1998(?) Mazda MX-5 Miata EV - Plug in Electric Conversion for sale in Spanaway, WA for $29,999 via craigslist.

Orange Juiced: 1995 Tropica by Renaissance Cars

If you are anything like the average car guy, you must remember the mid 90s electric sports car called the Tropica -- it was...okay...yeah...I got nothin. Zip, zitch, nada. No recollection of anything electric with Corvette tail lights and a limited run of 16 cars, some of which ended up in the private collection of Don Johnson, who put them on the small screen in "Nash Bridges"...but I've got to admit that this could have been a totally made up background story.  Find this 1995 Tropica by Renaissance Cars offered for $5555 in Laguna Beach, CA via craigslist. Tip from Rock On!

Another Reverse Swap: 1968 Volkswagen Beetle Electric Baja

In the world of reverse engine swaps, I love nothing more than an electric swap where at first glance it seems like a good idea (torque in off-road situations is good), but through further analysis...the consequences of running out of juice involves death via exposure.  Find this 1968 Volkswagen Beetle Electric Baja offered for $10,000 in Jamul, CA via craigslist.  Tip from Rock On!

Electric Avenue: 1984 Nissan Sentra EV conversion

These days it's popular to fret about how the inventive spirit of Edison or the Wright brothers has all but disappeared from America.  I submit to you that it hasn't and the coming electric singularity for the automobile provides ample opportunities for guys in sheds.  Find this 1984 Nissan Sentra EV conversion for sale in Port Orchard, WA for $1,000 via craigslist.

Electric 3-Wheeler: 1967 Sports Rider by Kelsen Manufacturing

The modern version of the three wheel automobile has taken a decidedly sporty approach (with the exception of the Elio...which will probably never actually be sold in any decent quantity) with things like the Slingshot and the Campagna T-Rex...but it wasn't always this way.  There was a time when a three wheeler was just a single performance step above a bicycle.  Find this 1967 Sports Rider by Kelsen Manufacturing offered for $2,000 in Petaluma, CA via craigslist. Tip from Rock On!

Electric Boogaloo: 1961 Henney Kilowatt

Why do Millennials love Elon Musk so much?  Aside from his name making for a fantastic cologne brand, there isn't much there other than that he made a bunch of money with an online bank (X.com) and has parlayed that cash into a bunch of other businesses...so I guess we should all start worshipping the modern day Rockefellers -- the internet barons of the 21st century -- BUT, I do want to say that, contrary to popular belief, Elon Musk did not invent the electric car, that award goes to Thomas Davenport of Vermont who ran the first electric car way back in 1834.  Fast-forward a century or so and you could buy a Renault Dauphine based Henney Kilowatt.  Find this 1961 Henney Kilowatt here on eBay for $15,950 buy-it-now with 4 days to go located in Kingsport, TN. Tip from Frank.

Swap 'Em If You Got 'Em: V8 Yoda, H22A Turbo EK Hatch, Electric Dino Replicar

I love a good wacky engine swap as much as the next guy (probably more, to tell the truth) but Matt C delivered the good stuff with these next three tips that came in as a trifeca of tumultuous tire shredding transplants.  Matt's words and links below.

Electric Yellow: 1976 BMW 2002

The BMW 2002 was the spiritual predecessor to BMW's super successful 3-series, but today it is probably better compared to a 1-series or 2-series...although I'm not entirely sure of the difference these days, BMW seems to have subscribed to the "more is better" school of car models. Anyway, a classic BMW 2002 is a cool ride, but does it get better with electricity? Find this 1976 BMW 2002 here on eBay offered for $10.500 buy-it-now or make-offer, located in Seattle, WA.  Tip from Frank.

Bazinga! 1967 B&Z Electra King Electric Car

Words and tip by Rod444:  This is not my car nor am I connected to the sale, but here's a little yellow wonder that your significant other may not even threaten to leave you for purchasing. Despite needing batteries I'm pretty sure this 1967 B&Z Electra King Electric Car is priced at least 50 grand less than your neighbor's Tesla. That alone pays for a lot of cappuccinos that you'll be rolling up to buy with all the fuel costs you'll save. No top speed is mentioned, but by the looks of the aerodynamic body, it's much likely to be closer to 'brick wall' then 'supercar' speed.

Charged Up: 1981 Ford Escort Jet Electrica

The US version of the Ford Escort was not as well loved as the European version, which is a cult classic over on the other side of the world...but the US Escort was about as forgettable as a mild case of hand, foot and mouth disease.  Find this 1981 Ford Escort Jet Electrica here on eBay for $1,000 buy-it-now or make-offer, located in Hamilton, OH.  Tip from SeanT.

Wheeler Dealer Maserletric: 1985 Maserati BiTurbo EV

 Mention the name BiTurbo around a Maserati lover and listen carefully. If he (or a she...it could happen) rave about how great the car is, he probably owns one, but if he moan/groan about mechanical meltdowns, he probably sold it already.  Yes, the twin turbo V6 under the hood wasn't a paradigm of reliability...in fact you could probably say it was about as reliable as gas station sushi...And that is what makes this next BiTurbo so captivating -- keep the Pierangelo Andreani (with heavy influence from Giugiaro's Quattroporte III) styling but add a quiet and planet saving electric drivetrain. This 1985 Maserati BiTurbo EV is offered for $35,000 or best offer in the Orange County area, CA -- email: gregg.wheelerdealer@gmail.com for more details or to make an offer.

Auction Watch: 1957 Porsche 356 Speedster Electric Replica

Take a look at this 1957 Porsche 356 Electric Replica here on eBay offered for $30,000 buy-it-now or make-offer located in Redwood City, CA.

Electric Conversion: 1979 Porsche 924

All this talk about electric cars has me thinking, maybe an electric conversion would be a cool way to save the planet, save on gasoline, and still have a fun drive.  The real trick is to find something that still keeps the manual transmission, has a decent amount of horsepower kilowatts and isn't weighed down by keel's worth of lead acid batteries.  Like this 1979 Porsche 924 Electric Conversion offered for $5,120 or best offer located near Winona, MN via craigslist.

DT Radio Show Ep 18: Mark Brems And The Electric Porsche 914

On today's episode of Daily Turismo Radio we interviewed Mark Brems, the man who converted a Porsche 914 to electric powahhhh! We also talk suspension (yawn..) and play a few games with the peanut gallery, and discuss the future of DT Radio. Enjoy! Don't for get to leave a rating and review and listen to us live on TalkRadioOne.com Friday 7PM Pacific time. Embedded below or on PodBean or iTunes.

Auction Watch: 1980 Porsche 911 Targa Electric

Take a look at this 1980 Porsche 911 Targa Electric here on eBay bidding for $5,200 reserve-not-met with auction ending Sunday at 8AM pacific time.