Oldsmobile Ruled: A Collection Of The Last 500

In the realm of domestic motor carriage marques, many people will say that Chevrolet is most quintessentially American brand (Corvette anyone?) and others will say that Ford (Mustang!) with its history for the everyman is better...but...here at Daily Turismo, we think that Oldsmobile is the most Americanest of marques.  Here is why.  Oldsmobile was the first American automaker and America is all about being first -- moon landing, atom bomb, per capita energy consumption...the list goes on.  Next, Olds was at its heyday during the 1950s/60s -- like the turbocharged F-85 Jetfire, 442, Vista Cruiser -- coincidentally when 'Merica was also showing the world who was boss.  Finally, Oldsmobile outlived its usefulness and was milked to death by its mercilessly capitalist bean-counter bottom-line driven corporate overlords and put to pasture in 2004...what could be more American than that? Kick off some 4th of July celebrations by looking at a collection of the final 500 cars to ever leave the Olds Assembly lines back in 2004.

DTO: Happy 4th of July: 1968 Ford Mustang Fastback

 It doesn't get much more 'Merican than Ford's iconic Mustang, especially one of the early first generation cars (1964-1973).  The 1967 restyle is one of my personal favorites and the fastback model is, has been and always will be, the one to get.  What could be more fitting for the Fourth of July than a 1968 Mustang Fastback covered in the American flag...well...nothing.  Find this 1968 Ford Mustang Fastback offered for $89,998 buy-it-now on ebay, located in Addison, TX.

5k: Seller Submission: 1967 Datsun 1600 SPL311 Roadster

The 1959-1970 Datsun Fairlady was badged as the Datsun Sports or Datsun 1600 Roadster in regions outside of Japan.  It was however a fantastic alternative to 2-seat roadsters from Britain and Italy and still quite affordable today.  Today's example comes to us from a seller submission and looks like a decent driver at a fair price -- what more can you ask for?  Find this 1967 Datsun 1600 SPL311 Roadster is offered for $5,950 in SF Bay Area, CA via craigslist.  Seller submission from Davin.

Reader Ride: 1973 BMW 3.0CS

Time for another edition of DT's Reader Ride feature, which -- like an episode of toenail fungus -- comes free with purchase of your latest pair of used shoes.  This next feature comes from reader Ken whose E9 generation BMW 3.0CS is an absolute gem.

1k: NACA Ducted: 1979 Porsche 924 Turbo

The Porsche 924 was first released in 1976 and in the ensuing years, countless negative press has been heaped on the Audi van/sedan engine under the hood.  Thankfully in 1979 Porsche introduced a turbocharged version with a few more ponies and a sweet NACA duct on the hood.  Porsche didn't sell many of the 924 turbo versions in the USA (only 950 in the first year and a total of 7000 by 1983), but if you want a 924, it's the only one to get.  Find this 1979 Porsche 924 Turbo offered for $1,400 in Berkeley, CA via craigslist. 
Tip from Kaibeezy.

10k: BMW M50 Power: 1985 Mazda RX-7 GSL

The first generation RX-7 (SA/FB built in Japan from 1978 to 1985) was a beautiful ballerina in the sports car world.  The RX-7's lithe frame was propelled by an equally dainty engine - the Mazda rotary.  So, why would you take an RX-7 and power it with a cast iron block BMW inline-6?  It is like casting a Schuhplattler dancer in the lead for Swan Lake -- she'll be great at jumps, but the landings will be painful.  Find this 1985 Mazda RX-7 GSL offered for $8,000 in Hollywood, FL via craigslist.  Tip from Greg S.

5k: Orange Creamsicle: 1973 Dodge Charger SE

The Dodge Charger was introduced in 1966 as a competitor to the pony car offerings from Ford and GM, but in typical Chrysler fashion, it was plus sized and late to the party.  It wasn't a bad car, it just exemplifies the typical Mopar approach to car building, which is to build something similar to the other guy's segment winners, but with a twist.  It's like Ford and Chevy are playing a ultra competitive soccer game at the local park and the Dodge guy shows up in full lacrosse gear.  Guys, I'm ready to play.  Find this 1973 Dodge Charger SE offered for $6,000 in Lodi, CA via craigslist.  Tip from Kaibeezy.

15k: Aussiecamino: 1955 Ford Mainline Ute

 In the 1950s Ford exported Customline convertible chassis to Australia where they were reworked by the madmen down under and turned into Ford Mainline Utes.  The Mainline Ute was sold starting in 1952 and was only canceled in 1959 when the new Falcon Ute became available.  However, the old Mainline is a classic by every sense of the word and finding one in the USA for cheap is way cool. Find this 1955 Ford Mainline Ute currently bidding for $13,100 reserve-not-met with 1 day to go. 

Mid Week Match-Up: What Would GI Joe Drive?

 It is Wednesday so that means it's time for another edition of Daily Turismo's game of pin the tail on the donk -- also known as Mid Week Match-Up!  Last week, we asked readers for an idea for a road trip car and were inundated with great suggestions (particularly tempting was this grandma owned Q45 suggested by Rich).  This week, in preparation for the 4th of July we are going to ask our readers to find a car for the real American hero known as GI Joe.  What is the right car for America's moveable fighting man?

5k: Grandma Had a Turbo: 1988 Volvo 745Ti

I think it's fairly safe to say that most grandmothers drive cars that are slow and sensible. Camrys, CR-Vs, maybe the occasional Delta 88 Brougham. One of my grandmothers drove a circa 1980 beige Chevrolet Malibu 4-door sedan, and the other a 1976 Dodge Colt in metallic green with a vinyl top. Both were basic transportation but did a fine job of hauling grandkids, antiques, and flower pots. The average Volvo wagon would also fit this bill nicely. But what if grandma had a turbo? A Volvo 745 wagon, with a manual transmission no less? Some lucky kid had just such a grandma, and now her car is for sale. Find this 1988 Volvo 745 Turbo for $4500 in Northern Virginia via craigslist.

10k: Cheap and Clean: 1972 Porsche 914 LS1

Someday, air-cooled Porsches could become entirely out of reach for the everyman. Even today, the going rate of a base 914 could put you in a 986 Boxster. If $70k 914s and six-figure 911s have you down, this budget 'Teener is just what the doctor ordered... if your doctor had a vested interest in your untimely death. Packing an LS1 where the VW-sourced 1.7 once sat, this 914-8 is a better performance:price proposition than any other 914 or Boxster. Find this LS1-swapped 1972 Porsche 914 for sale in Traverse City, MI for $9,001 with 5 days to go via eBay.

5k: 4th of July Camper: 1977 Chevrolet Blazer Chalet

The Fourth of July is days away, so why not start celebrating freedom with a little freedom from boring?  It would be easy this summer to head to your local RV rental place and pick up some late model motorhome, but rental cost can be downright ridiculous, especially once they start tacking on all sorts of misc fees, like cleaning fees, waste disposal fees, taxes, nude cheeks on the couch fees -- so why not skip the fees and get something that won't charge you when you unzip?  Find this 1977 Chevrolet Blazer Chalet currently bidding for $3,250 in Concord, CA via ebay with a few hours to go.

FreeK: Happy Meal: 1979 Volvo 244

The world seems to be chock full of people who complain about how the price of everything keeps going up endlessly...heck, I'm one of them!!  Imagine my surprise when a tip came over for a late 70s Volvo sedan at 1930's used car prices.  Who says you can't get anything for cheap anymore?  Find this 1979 Volvo 244 offered for $5 via the 24 Hours of LeMons forums.  Tip from Dan. 

5k: Not Collectible: 1978 Volkswagen Dasher

Raise your hand if someone has ever asked you if ordinary passenger cars being sold today will be valuable in 40 years. Yep, all of us. Here, in all its brown glory, is the end-all counterpoint to all the six-figure muscle cars that your friends will bring up. Despite its rarity and minty clean condition, it's been on the market for months. And it's finally priced right for us. Find this 49,000-mile 1978 Volkswagen Dasher in Palmdale, CA for just $3,900 via craigslist.

5k: Spare Parts: 1972 BMW Bavaria

There is an old saying amongst car guys that you should never pick up another man's project -- but sometimes you need to ignore those old sayings and take a risk you want to get a good deal.  The BMW E3, aka New Six, was a sedan chassis built from 1968 through 1977 and technically the predecessor of the 7 Series. Today prices are still reasonable when compared with similar classic BMW models. Find this 1972 BMW Bavaria offered for $3,000 in San Diego, CA via craigslist.  Update: Well, that didn't last.  The Bavaria's seller has deleted the listing.

10k: Non-Feminine Frite: 1960 Austin-Healey Sprite, 302-powered

Do you like car classifieds that read like a challenge to your testosterone levels? "If you do not own a toolbox, have never changed your own oil, and are scared of tinkering: THIS VEHICLE IS NOT FOR YOU" is one of six overtly masculine qualifiers accompanying profane sarcasm in between technical details in this ad. They're strong words for someone who replaced one of the era's most beloved faces with fiberglass. Although the ovoid headlights, powerdome, and feeder-fish grille opening might be forgiven since all was done in the name of fitting a big, American engine under the hood for the purpose of racing. Find this 1960 Austin-Healey SCCA racer 302-swapped  in Elmwood, NE for $9,625 via eBay with 6 days to go.