15k: Guards Red 964: 1989 Porsche 911 Carrera 4

The classic Porsche 911 was getting a bit long in the tooth when the 964 generation was released in 1989 with only a four-wheel-drive and manual transmission Carrera 4 version.  Purists derided the lack of a rear wheel drive version, the simpler styling and general softening of the 911.  However, it is a thoroughly better car than the outgoing Carrera 3.2 and today 964 values are about as low as they will ever be.  Find this 1989 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 in Kennebunk, ME currently bidding on ebay for $14,100 reserve-not-met with 3 days to go.

10k: Frugal Fun: 2004 MINI Cooper Base

The 2001 MINI reboot introduced the world to a much larger Mini design and built by BMW.  It added BMW build quality and Germanic heft to the small hatchback and sold decently well around the world.  Speed junkies will claim the MINI Cooper S with its supercharged (and later turbocharged) engine is the one to get, but if you want the feel of the classic Mini (old Mini, new MINI is correct capitalization practice) go for the base Cooper.  Find this 2004 MINI Cooper base for sale in Super Clean, WA for $8,900.  Tip from Chris L.

10k: Polished Aluminium: 1972 Land Rover Series III

The Land Rover Series III was built in the UK from 1971-1985.  It was available with I4, I6 or V8 engines and featured an all-alloy body that was covered in paint from the factory. This 1972 Land Rover Series III is offered in naked polished Aluminium for $10,000 in Los Angeles, CA via craigslist.  Tip from Scooter.

5k: Unsold Adams: 1973 Datsun 240Z w/ Chevy V8

The original Z was as close as Japan ever came to building a pony car, so needless to say, everyone loves a good V8 swapped Datsun 240Z.  The lightweight chassis with long hood offers plenty of room for domestic iron and parts for non drivetrain items are easy and cheap.  Even better is when you find a V8 powered Z where all the work is done and the owner isn't asking crazy money for it.  Find this 1973 Datsun 240Z with Chevy 383 V8 for $4,800 located in Bakersfield, CA via craigslist.

 

5k: Measure Before Purchase: 1971 Lincoln Continental Mk III

There are many items that require careful measurement before purchase to check for fit, such as shoes, furniture or colossal boats like a 70s Lincoln.  Find this 1971 Lincoln Continental Mk III with rare sunroof for $2,500 in Dallas TX via craigslist.  With this boat there are two things you need to carefully measure, the length of your garage and then distance to your nearest fuel station.  A miscalculation in either one could have you seriously regretting this purchase.  Tip from Jimboz.

10k: Mullet Madness: 1986 Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z

In 1985 Chevrolet introduced a sport option to its Z28 option called the IROC, and while pronounced "I-Rock" it has nothing to do with Whitesnake and is an acronym for the International Race of Champions.  The International Race of Champions was a North American race that pitted a group of invited drivers against each other in a group of identical Camaros (from 1975-1989).  Chevrolet saw the opportunity to cash in on its advertising money and created the IROC-Z version that included upgraded suspension, staggered wheels and a TPI engine borrowed from the Corvette.  Find this 1986 Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z for sale in Santa Fe, NM for $11,873 via craigslist.  Big thanks to tipper Paul M.

5k: Pistachio Thorsday: 1969 Volvo 142S

It's July 5th, and with the Stars n' Stripes related theme cashed we are forced to turn back to our old standbys of primered wagons, Honda Civic based El Caminos, AMC Javelin based Batmobiles, and Volvos...of course, Volvos. The 140 series was Volvo's first foray into the brick styling that would become synonymous with the brand, and considering that the word Volvo translates to "I roll" in Latin, it's a bit ironic because most bricks don't tend to roll very well. Maybe Volvo's American-Swedish Chief Designer Jan Wilsgaard was actually the first hipster, ironically styling a "roller" as a brick? Regardless, here's a fetching example of the 2-door variety, painted in a non-original pistachio green and looking very well kept and clean. Find this 1969 Volvo 142S for $5000 (or trade) on craigslist in Long Beach, CA.

5k: VetteCruiser: 1967 Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser Project with LT1

The first generation Vista Cruiser featured a unique skylight for the rear seat passengers and a raised rear roof section above the 3rd row passengers.  Today's market for Vista Cruisers and the similar skylight equipped GM siblings is all over the place, but good examples fetch decent money and rusty pits are worth scrap value.  Today's feature fits somewhere in the middle but is offered for a low price.  Find this 1967 Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser project with LT1 fuel-injected V8 for sale in St Louis, MO for $3,000 via craigslist.  Tip from Scot.

5k: Independence From Boring: 1987 GMC American Short Bus

What better way to finish out your fleet of American Independence themed classics than with a 12 passenger short bus with USA themed paint job.  This 1987 GMC school bus has front/rear heat 86k miles and is offered in South Bend, IN for $2,500 via craigslist.  This would be great for patriots who need to haul people on a budget; like a state assembly campaign, a budding daredevil who needs a bus to jump with his motorcycle or a local militia that is short on funds.

See a better short bus? email us here: tips@dailyturismo.com

10k: Independence From Boring: 1968 Volvo 1800S

As we continue our Independence day celebration we are happy to feature a car that wasn't born here in the land of the free, but was imported via boat like so many of our ancestors.  The Volvo 1800S was originally born in Sweden but took a long trip on a boat and while its name wasn't mangled at Ellis Island, it did jump through some emissions related hoops to get certified for US road use.  Find this 1968 Volvo 1800S for sale in Mission Hills, CA currently bidding on ebay for $8,100 reserve-not-met with 4 days to go.  Seller submission from Oprah85 on ebay.

15k: Independence From Boring: 1976 International Harvester Scout II Spirit of 76 Edition

The Independence from Boring celebration continues with a piece of rare steel from Fort Wayne, IN built by the International Harvester company around the bicentenial celebrations of 1976.  International celebrated our nations 200th birthday by producing a number of limited editions of the Scout II SUV.  The Spirit of 76 edition and Patriot editions added little more than a few red,white & blue stripes down the side and some higher end options, and only a few were selected (less than 400 in total) making them quite rare today.  Find this 1976 International Harvester Scout II Spirit of 76 Edition for sale in San Francisco, CA for $18,000 via craiglist.  Tip from Kaibeezy.

15k: July 4th, Independence from Boring Day: 1931 Ford Model A Pickup

Welcome to DailyTurismo's 4th of July Independence from Boring feature!!  We are going to celebrate the 237th year of freedom in this fair land by featuring the most patriotic and coolest whips you can find this side of the freezer aisle in your local mega mart. We start off this this 1931 Ford Model A Pickup located in Canyon, TX currently bidding for $10,000 reserve-not-met and $17,500 buy-it-now on ebay.

Send Us Your 4th of July Tips!

We are kicking off the 4th of July celebrations early here at the Daily Turismo because we need your Patriotic tips!!  Find us more of the good stuff, like this 1972 AMC Javelin covered in an incredible display of Americana offered in Hamburg, PA for $15,900 buy-it-now on ebay. DT needs your help!!  Buy war bonds Send tips now!  No Jeep Patriots please. tips@dailyturismo.com

5k: Conquistador: 1954 DeSoto Firedome Sedan w/ Chevy V8

The DeSoto division of the Chrysler Corporation got its name from a long dead Spanish conquistador, Hernando DeSoto, who was the first European to cross the Mississippi River. Like its namesake, the DeSoto brand was a pioneer and during the pre-war period it introduced the first powered pop-up headlights.  They both died young, Hernando when he was 46 on the banks of the Mississippi River and the DeSoto division at 33 when Chrysler decided they couldn't maintain two mid-level brands and kept the Dodge name.  However, a number of cool cars left the DeSoto factory and one of the last was the full sized Firedome.  Find this 1954 DeSoto Firedome sedan with Chevy V8 located in Hanceville, AL currently bidding on ebay for $2,025 reserve-not-met with 4 days to go.

10k: Luminous Intimidator: 1993 Chevrolet Lumina Z34 Dale Earnhardt Championship Signature Edition

In 1993 Dale Earnhardt achieved his sixth Winston Cup championship driving a custom built tube frame race car with some Chevy stickers on the side.  Of course GM wanted to capitalize on Dale's win, so they released a Dale Earnhardt Signature Edition Chevrolet Lumina that consisted of a smattering of stickers and embroidered Dale signatures on the headrests among other places.  However, a North Carolina based dealer went one step further by creating a Championship version of the Signature Edition that included a full Earnhardt number/decal/sponsor package for the ultimate fan collectible Lumina.  Find this 1993 Chevrolet Lumina Z34 Dale Earnhardt Championship Signature Edition for sale in Spring Hill, FL for $8,000 via craigslist.  Tip from Scooter.

10k: Mintyship Runabout: 2000 Toyota MR2 Spyder, Low MIles

The third generation Toyota MR2 debuted in 1999 with a  new lightweight chassis and Spyder name to highlight its drop-top design, a change from the past coupe/T-top only generations.  It is one of the few times that a new model actually dropped a few pounds between re-fresh and demonstrates that for all the appliance/boring/econobox hate that gets slung at Toyota, the engineers in the Aichi prefecture actually know how to build fun cars.  They just don't do it very often.  Find this 2000 Toyota MR2 Spyder for sale in Fontana, CA currently bidding on ebay for $8,200 reserve-not-met with 3 days to go.  Big thanks to tipper Gore Rod S.

0.5k: Cheapie Roundie: BMW 2002 Project

BMW 2002s have recently ridden a wave of nostalgia based price appreciation to the point that even basket cases are expensive.  If is refreshing to see one offered for a proper amount, just above scrap value, as it should be.  Find this undisclosed model year (but it is a roundie) BMW 2002 for sale in St Louis, MO for $400 via craigslist.

20k: Not A Studebaker: 2002 Avanti LS1

The Italian word "Avanti" means "go ahead," "forward" or even "after you" and is an expression you could use when letting someone in a door ahead of you. You could also use it when letting someone else bid first on a hideously odd looking re-bodied Chevy Camaro. This design harkens back to the original 1962-63 fiberglass bodied Studebaker Avanti, which was unique for its time and soldiered on as an independent marque after being orphaned by Studebaker Corporation's collapse. Find this 2002 Avanti with LS1 power for sale in Miami, FL currently bidding for $20,088 with 2 days to go.

5k: Pacecar of the Apocalypse: 1985 Oldsmobile Calais, Indy 500 Pace Car, Low Miles

The Oldsmobile Calais was named after a small northern French port city that was for many years occupied by the English and used as a shipping point as it is only 21 miles away from the white cliffs of Dover.  The costs of maintaining a naturally indefensible city (once used by Julius Caesar as a staging point for his invasion of Britannia) were high and the British historian Sir Geoffrey Elton once remarked "Calais—expensive and useless—was better lost than kept."  A fitting quote for the 4-wheeled Calais, or even better, for the Oldsmobile marque in general.  However, today's featured Calais isn't your average GM N-platform junker.  Find this 1985 Oldsmobile Calais Indy 500 Pace Car edition with 6,100 miles on the odometer currently bidding on ebay for $3,850 reserve-not-met with 3 days to go, located in Lansing, MI.

10k: Saleen Solution: 1998 Saleen S281 'Vert

Steve Saleen was a former Formula Atlantic racing driver who started his own aftermarket tuning company in 1983.  Saleen Performance rapidly became a small automotive OEM and as such released cars that while based on Ford's Mustang were technically a Saleen.  The company's future has been in question recently as Steve left in 2009 and various questionable MBA run entities have owned it, sold it, and gone bankrupt.  Frankly it doesn't matter for a used Saleen, so we are happy to share this 1998 Saleen S281 convertible with supercharger for sale in San Francisco, CA for $8,500 via craigslist.  Another solid SF Bay area find from Kaibeezy.

5k: EFI-Bird: 1962 Ford Thunderbird w/ 5.0 V8

The term RestoMod gets tossed around a lot, but in simple terms it is a classic car that has had some modern parts put into it in a combination of restoration and modification.  Today's feature has had some modification but could use some restoration to properly qualify, but the price leaves a lot of your savings for paint/body.  Find this 1962 Ford Thunderbird with '89 Mustang 5.0 V8 for sale in High Ridge, MO for $4,500 via craigslist.  Big thanks to tip from Scot, who also contacted the owner and got a few engine bay pics for us to share!

DTO: Han Fired First: 1996 Hummer H1, Star Wars Taco Bell, Feel The Force Grand Prize

Welcome to another edition of Daily Turismo Omologato (DTO) where we showcase cars that are above the standard DT price range, but are unique and worthy of a feature.  Today's subject is the grand prize vehicle from a Taco Bell/Pepsi sponsored "Feel The Force" ad campaign that was launched to commemorate the re-release a Special Edition of the original Star Wars Trilogy with some subtle tweaks from the master of the dark lord himself, Geroge Lucas.  Find this 1996 Hummer H1 with Darth Vader's face on the side for sale in toasty Phoenix, AZ offered for $59,995 buy-it-now on ebay.

Darth Vader parks where ever he wants because he can force choke meter maids.