Ambitious Amphibious: 1992 Dutton Mariner

We posted a Dutton the other day...but it was from the early days when Dutton built kit cars and before it was sued by Ford for using the Sierra name...and this next car dates from a time when Dutton stopped making street cars (after a run of almost 8000 kit cars...not bad for a botique manufacturer out of Sussex) and turned to amphibious car production for a few years before ending that too.  We don't typically exceed DT's self imposed $20k limit on price...but this machine is extraordinary enough to warrant a feature. Find this  1992 Dutton Mariner offered for $39000 in Sherman, CT via craigslist. Tip from Hugh C.

Oddball Import: 1989 Merkur XR4TI

Ford's decision to import the European Sierra XR4i is often attributed to the automotive icon known Bob Lutz (Swiss born, but American through and through).  Lost in history is the half-brain behind the decision to brand the vehicle as a Merkur and sell it at Lincoln-Mercury dealers. Just what the hell is a Merkur anyway?  The German spelling of Mercury, you say...so what...the bottom line is that buyers had no idea what it was or why they would want one and it was a bust.  Oh yeah, in case the "MeeerrrKURRR" name wasn't pretentious enough, there was a issue with the model name...the unpronounceable and unremembered XR4Ti.  Of course, Maximum Bob Lutz went on to work at Chrysler before the bean counters at Ford realized this European import thing with the bizarre name was a financial disaster, but it would have at least made a bit more sense to sell it at a Ford dealer with a name like Pinto or something. Anyway, a few decades later I do like them on the used car market because they are cool oddball machines. Find this 1989 Merkur XR4Ti here on eBay bidding for $4181 reserve-not-met with 4 days to go, located in Palm Harbor, FL. Tip from Dave.

Red, White & Green: 1974 GMC Sierra Grande Camper Special

What's a 'good ole' pre-smog 3/4 ton pickup worth these days?  The seller seems pretty straightforward ('cept he cain't spell breaks) and includes good shots of all the little rust areas.  On the plus side, old 'Murican trucks are SUPER easy to restore, you can buy anything you need for carpet, vinyl, headliner at your local UFO or Keyston,  As for the exterior, you leave it, and you do whatever you want to the engine exhaust.  Parts couldn't be easier to come by than for a Chebby pickup.  Find this 1974 GMC Sierra Grande Camper Special offered for $6,400 in Rancho Peñasquitos (I don't believe Rancho Penisqitos is a real place...but I could be wrong) via craigslist.

Plain Car...No Plane Car! 2005 GMC Sierra 2500

Hi, Boeing 747, this is GMC Sierra...yeah, remember that drunken night we spent together in Acapulco 9 months ago?  Yeah.  Well, I've got some news, first you'll need to get some testing for something else, and next I'm gonna need 18 years of child support checks. Yes, I'm sure it was yours..take a look at the pictures.  Find this 2005 GMC Sierra 2500 here on eBay bidding for $10,000 reserve-not-met with 2 days to go, located in Roswell, GA. As seen on Oddimotive.

5k: German Mustang: 1989 Merkur XR4Ti

Among the great list of cars with seemingly unpronounceable names, there is one that stands out for its alpha-numeric naming mish-mash, multiple side windows, and "Maximum" Bob Lutz connection.  The special version of the Ford Sierra was inexplicably badged as the Merkur XR4Ti for the US market and sold for a few years before common sense prevailed the external market conditions made it unprofitable.  Today, the XR4Ti seems like a great option for the motoring enthusiast who wants an SVO but loathes the idea of driving a Mustang.  Find this 1989 Merkur XR4Ti offered for $2,500 in Los Angeles, CA via craigslist.

15k: What Were They Thinking? 1989 Merkur XR4Ti

Ford's decision to import the European Sierra XR4i is often attributed to the Swiss born automotive executive known as Bob Lutz.  Lost in history is the nincompoop behind the decision to brand the vehicle as the Merkur XR4Ti and sell it at Lincoln-Mercury dealers.  Just what the hell is a Merkur anyway?  The German spelling of Mercury, you say...so what...the bottom line is that buyers had no idea what it was or why they would want one and it was a bust.  Of course, Bob went on to work at Chrysler before the bean counters at Ford realized this European import thing was a financial disaster, but it would have at least made a bit more sense to sell it at a Ford dealer.  Find this 1989 Merkur XR4Ti offered for $15,000 in the LeHigh Valley, PA via craigslist.  Tip from David.

10k: Der Vetter der Pferde: 1988 Merkur XR4Ti

In the 1980s Ford Motor Company decided to try importing some of its European spawn from Ford-Werke GmbH in Germany...back home to the US. The only semi-successful fruit of the so-called "Merkur" brand program was giving the US buyer access to the Ford Sierra, an aero-styled RWD replacement for the Cortina and sort of the more sophisticated cousin of the Fox body Mustang. In the US, the turbocharged version was sold as the Merkur XR4Ti to make it sound fancy and German, and today represents a cool alternative to the Mustang SVO for the turbo-four RWD Blue Oval fan. Find this 1988 Merkur XR4Ti with uberlow-mileage  for sale in Barberton, Ohio with bidding over $7k on ebay. Tip from Rene.

1k Flash: Grassroots Racer: 1985 Merkur XR4Ti

The Merkur XR4Ti was the European Ford Sierra XR4Ti, but confusingly rebadged and exported for US consumption from 1985-1989. This 1985 Merkur XR4Ti has been built into a "grassroots race car" (maybe a Grassroots Motorsports Challenge car?) and is for sale in Atlanta, GA for $1,500 via craigslist.  This one has a roll cage and probably lots of questionable modifications... but...it could make a great track rat.

15k Flash: 1992 Ford Sierra Cosworth Race Car

The Ford Sierra RS Cosworth was a souped up version of the Sierra, built specifically to homologate the race cars for Group A racing in Europe.  They were never sold on this side of the Atlantic and it's probably immaterial because this car is located in Europe and likely not legal for street use...anywhere.  This 1992 Ford Sierra Cosworth race car is for sale on ebay, currently bidding for $16,100 and located in Prague, Czech Republic (not Czechoslovakia - that was dissolved 19 years ago).

DT Tinsel Towncar Feature: The Cars of the Rockford Files

The Daily Turismo is proud to announced a new special feature - the Tinsel Towncar - where we feature our favorite cars from TV and Movies, not the actual show cars, but a reasonable facsimile that you can buy for cheap! Our first feature is of the cars of the Rockford Files; the Universal Studios/Roy Huggins production that ran for 6 series and helped make a legend out of the 2nd generation Firebird.