Kitted out Combi: 1970 Ford E200 Supervan

The Boomers and Hipsters in their quest to project certain images, have pushed the values of Westfalias and other VW Van camper conversions to the point of ridiculousness.  Never mind that they really are barely adequate to drive ad the posted speed limit on the way to your mountain campground, the image of you and your facial hair and wool shirt chopping wood at the campsite is worth overpaying for.  If you are really serious about van camping though, you'd get one of these for a reasonable price.   Find this 1970 Ford E200 Supervan for sale in Bellingham, WA for $7,500 via craigslist.

Make tracks: 1999 Jeep Wrangler with Mattracks

Last week our E-i-C, who lives in temperate climes, made a reference to winter fading away and the comentariat that lives the subarctic took him to task. So for those of you in reader-ville, north of the 50th parallel, here's something to get you to the mailbox until hope returns. Find this 1999 Jeep Wrangler with Mattracks for sale in Kalispell, MT for $32,500 via craigslist.

Ground Beetle: 1971 Fiberfab Aztec 7

Most of the time, out of this world show cars end up as one offs that either find their way to a collection or the crusher.  However, some provide inspiration for a man in a shed to create a kit homage that uses the concept as an inspiration.  Find this 1971 Fiberfab Aztec 7 for sale in Van Nuys, CA for $13,000 via craigslist. Tip from Sean S.

Art Bike: 1981 Puch Magnum LTD Mk2

If you watch any of those home flipper shows on HGTV, when the work of flip is done, the last major element is the staging for the sale.  In looking at that other car site that has become nothing but auctions, the better the staging as far as the photograph locations, the better the price.  Avoiding locations where the object for sale is lost in the picture is rule #1.    See if you can find this 1981 Puch Magnum LTD Mk2 for sale in Foothill Ranch, CA for $2,200 via craigslist.
Tip from Rock On!

Coffee Brake: Daily Turismo Car Pack

Video game manufacturers have figured out that not only can they sell you a game at $60 a pop, they can further "monetize" you with paid downloadable content (DLC).  The Forza Motorsport franchise on Xbox has been doing this with it's monthly car packs.  A couple of notable sites on the inter-tubes such as Jalopnik and The Smoking Tire have had Forza car packs along with industry vendors such as Meguiar's, eBay Motors and even Hot Wheels.  Which got me thinking: what would a Daily Turismo Car Pack look like? Note:  this is just idle thinking, there is no Daily Turismo Car Pack for Forza Motorsport coming out.

Thanks Forza Motorsport/AllKindzaGains

Daily Turismo Fleet Update

It's been about a year since the last update on the goings on with the cars that make up the DT fleet.   There has been some additions, sales, crashes and a couple of new guys have staff  joined the staff since the last update in July, 2015.

Not the DT fleet, but there have been a few Volvos and Miatas and even a 911 in the fleet.

So, here's what's been going on with the cars in the DT fleet. 

Boss Stage: 1970 Kawasaki G4TR Trail Boss

In 1968 Yamaha introduced the DT-1, the original dual sport or enduro as it was called back then.  The DT-1 created a market in the US for on/off road capable bikes that weren't just street bikes that just looked rugged.  Kawasaki followed with their line of enduros including the 100cc two stroke G4TR Trail Boss produced from 1970 to 1978. Find this highly original 1970 Kawasaki Trail Boss for sale in Spokane, WA for $900 via craigslist.

Speedy Delivery: Custom 1979 Ford Pinto Wagon

Poor Ford Pinto.  You are the Rodney Dangerfield of the car world; endless fodder for car jokes.  Like this one:  A commuter's version of hell is to be stuck in bumper to bumper traffic with a Pinto in front of you and an Audi 5000 behind you.  But stuff a V-8 in a Pinto and write in all caps and you'll have the last laugh.  Find this V-8 swapped 1979 Ford Pinto Wagon for sale in Arlington, WA for $11,999 via craigslist.

Giovedì Festa Italiano: A selection of Italian Crocks from the Seattle area Craigslist by Gianni

Commenter RyanM and regular contributor Kaibeezy were onto something when they posted a curated list of finds off their local Craigslist.  Here in the Northwest we seem to have nearly as many elderly Italian cars as the Bay Area.  I attribute it to the Boeing effect still echo-ing around the area (the software industry nouveau riche prefer brand new stuff).  Plus, even though it rains here most of the time, we don't use salt and its more of a drizzle for days vs. heavy rain (come visit, but don't move here), so the Italian stuff hasn't rusted in half.  Sold?  Then plan a road trip to purchase one of these slightly dog eared classic from Italia in this cornucopia of macchina for sale in the Puget Sound region:

Welcome Contributing Writer Gianni To DT

Long before we asked for new contributors, we've had our eye on Gianni, who has commented, tipped, and composed many DT features in the recent past.  Today, it my pleasure to announce that he is joining our ragtag group of internet pundits, two-stroke lovers, and armchair mechanics as a contributing writer.

2k: Stoned in WA (It’s Legal!): 1970 Bridgestone 350 GTR

This next feature comes from the pen of Gianni as part of Daily Turismo's 4-Stroke Good, 2-Stroke Better campaign to save the 2-strokes: The Kabushiki-gaisha Burijisuton or Bridgestone Corporation started in Japan in 1930 as a tire manufacturer with the goal of manufacturing tires based solely on Japanese technology in order to avoid dependence on European and North American technology.  During WW2 it was placed under military control and all tire manufacturing was directed toward military use.  The country and company was devastated after the war and began manufacturing motorcycles and bicycles in addition to tires.  In 1967, Bridgestone introduced the 350 GTR two stroke.  It was considered as one of the most sophisticated Japanese motorcycles of the 60’s and cost as much as a Triumph Bonneville.  Production ended in 1971 with only a small number of sales over the 4 years of manufacture.  Rumors persist that Honda and the other large Japanese bike manufacturers pressured Bridgestone to get out of motorcycle construction and concentrate on tires.  Find this 1970 Bridgestone 350 GTR on Craigslist in Des Moines, WA (not IA) for $2,100.