15k: 429 Cobra Jet Powered: 1970 Ford Torino Coupe

 This next feature comes from DT regular Andy L who writes:  Here is a car that seems to occupy an unusual niche.  It is a real live big block muscle car with a 4-speed that has not been restored, molested or otherwise permanently devalued and falls well within the DT $20K limit.  While it is not perfect, it seems to be a car that nearly anyone could jump into and see what a blue collar gear-head of the 70's might have enjoyed.  Find this 1970 Ford Torino Coupe with 429 V8 power and 4-speed manual found here on eBay located in Gaines, MI with 1 day to go.

UK Silverstone Auction on Feb 21st 2015: Jags, Alfa SZ, Escort RS Cosworth, Etc

You don't see many feature cars listed under the bright and intoxicating lights of high-end auction houses here at the Daily Turismo.  This is because they are prohibitively expensive and you can keep your hard earned cash by buying a dirty car from the fat guy who wears the Lynyrd Skynyrd t-shirts and lives on the wrong side of the tracks.....but sometimes the cars listed at the auction house are so bitchin that I can't pass them up. 

2k: Uncommonly Stockish: 1988 Volkswagen Jetta Mk II

 The Mk II Volkswagen Jetta was very successful during its 1984-1992 sales life and went on to be a favorite with VW fan boys around the globe.  Unfortunately, this means that most Mk II Jettas still around are stanced and/or ruined by ill-conceived swaps (2JZ-yo!!) and located a stock example is next to impossible.  So, finding one that doesn't have a plasti-dip hood or illest (just what is "illest" anyway -- it sounds like something you'd get from being un-vaccinated) stickers is gotta be a victory.  Find this 1988 Volkswagen Jetta Mk II offered for $2,000 in San Jose, CA via craigslist.  Tip from FuelTruck.

Mid Week Match-Up: Best Advertisement

It's Wednesday, so that means it's time for another edition of Daily Turismo's better than becoming a freegan game also known as Mid Week Match-Up!  Today's MWMU isn't going to be another search for another low budget car -- not quite -- it is a search for the best automotive related advertisement you can find.  Old, new, print, video -- doesn't matter. 

15k: Upsidedown Cheesecake: 1965 Chevrolet Corvair Convertible Turbo

There's also no hiding the fact that Corvairs are going up in price, making them a solid investment for the fair weather driver who wants a car that be used as a daily driver, be easily prepped to be a fun weekend autocrosser or used as an easy going targa vehicle; for less than the price of a very basic new car.  This next feature is a 1965 Corvair Convertible Turbo offered for $15,900 in Upland, CA via craigslist.

15k: Dual Sequential Gravy: 2008 Audi TT 2.0 FSI

 If you ever get sick of rowing your own gears, there is German conglomerate called the Volkswagen Group that puts together an excellent alternative to the stick shift. They call it S-Tronic, but don't confuse it with the old Tiptronic (aka Tip"hang on, having a coffee break, will get to that gearshift when i'm done"tronic) slushbox system as the S-Tronic is dual-clutch gearbox that fires off gear changes like an LAPD officer shooting at dark shadows.  The end result is a satisfyingly aggressive manual shift experience that can be turned into a relaxing auto when you need to drink a cup of Joe, text on your phone, unlock handcuffs, read a book, do the things you normally do when you should be driving etc.  Find this 2008 Audi TT 2.0TFSI offered for $18,995 from a dealer in Rochester, NY via craigslist.

5k: The Hobbit Truck: 1948 Ford F-550 Cabover

 When I first started writing the Daily Turismo, people would ask me; why are you looking at me writing about these cars?  My typical answer was because I enjoyed finding and sharing stock or wild rides, and each time I find a new and interesting model I learn a little more.  What will you do when you see everything? Of course, I'll never see everything I would say...that was before I found this 1948 Ford F-550 Cabover "Hobbit Truck" here on eBay currently bidding for $6,100 located in Sacramento, CA. 

DTO: Australian For El Camino: 2008 Holden Commodore Ute

The Holden Commodore is a full sized sedan built by GM's Australian subsidiary that was (for a precious few years) imported into the USA as the Pontiac G8, and currently as the Chevrolet SS.  The Commodore has always been a rear-wheel-drive monster, but the VE generation (2007-2013) brought new lunacy in the form of an all independent suspension setup and GM's GenIV small block up front -- plus it was available as a Ute.  What's a Ute, you ask?  This is a 2008 Holden Commodore Ute offered for $37,500 buy-it-now here on eBay in Phoenix, Arizona.

15k: Is This The Road To Meranello? 1988 Pontiac Fiero Mera Northstar V8

 The Holy Grail of Pontiac Fiero family has always been the 1987-88 Mera, a car so shamelessly derivative of the Ferrari 308 that it is almost always painted red with embarrassment.  According to Fiero.net, a gentleman by the name of Bob Bracey from Corporate Concepts in Michigan engineered/built the Mera conversion for Pontiac.  The total Mera production is 247 and they do show up for sale occasionally, but this appears to be one that has had its engine upgraded to a Northstar V8.  Find this 1988 Pontiac Fiero Mera offered for $17,000 buy-it-now here on eBay located in Orlando, FL.

10k: Hidden Treasure: 1970 Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser Wagon

When it comes to real estate, they always say it's "location, location, location," but for old cars, the chant is, "mileage, mileage, mileage."  This next feature is an Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser that has a sweet two tone baby puke/poop vintage gold/wood setup and an odometer reading that might be believable.  Find this 1970 Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser Wagon offered for $10,500 in Sanibel, FL.  Tip from Dascpu.

10k: Schneewittchensarg: 1972 Volvo 1800ES

The Volvo 1800ES is the limited edition shooting brake version of the Volvo 1800 that was sold in the 1972 and 1973 models years as a way to extend the life of the long-in-the-tooth 1800 coupe (first offered in 1962 as the P1800).  The goofy looks can be polarizing - the Germans call this model Schneewittchensarg, which translates literally to "Snow White's coffin."  Find this 1972 Volvo 1800ES offered for $8,500 in Santa Rosa, CA via craigslist.

What Am I?

Welcome to another edition of DT's cure for the Monday morning blues -- What Am I?  We find a random picture of a car and you get to guess what it is.  Last week's puzzle was easily solved by Fleetwood T Brougham who instantly identified the inside of a Ford EXP.  Today's puzzle is on the obscure side, and was provided by DT reader Anthony.  Just what am I anyway? 

2k: 4 Wheel Steer: 1988 Honda Prelude 2.0 Si 4WS

In 1987 Road and Track tested Honda's new Prelude 2.0Si and found that it outperformed every other car (included Ferrari 328, Porsche 911, C4 Corvette) that year on the 700-ft slalom with a speed of 65.5 mph.  How could a front-wheel-drive Japanese sports coupe out slalom all of the the wide/sticky tire equipped competition? Simply put, it cheated.  The 2.0Si introduced the world's first active four wheel steering system (called 4WS) for any mass produced car -- and turned the little prelude into a cone killing machine by swinging the rear wheels around like a forklift.  Find this 1988 Honda Prelude Si 4WS here on eBay currently for $1,200 reserve-not-met with a few hours to go, located in Lakeport, CA. Tip from Brian.

15k: Almost A Lotus: 1997 Kia Elan M100

 The Lotus Elan M100 was a wedge shaped convertible penned by Peter Stevens (Jaguar XJR-15, McLaren F1, Lotus Esprit, MG ZR, ZS, ZT & TF) and built in the UK from 1989 through 1995...and later produced by Kia in South Korea under the name Kia Elan (and Kia Vigato).  The Elan used a lightweight chassis and a name borrowed from the historical Lotus archives...but it was powered by an Isuzu (and later Kia) 4-banger mated to the front wheels.  Find this 1997 Lotus Kia Elan M100 offered for $17,900 CAD ($14,061 USD at time of printing) in Walkerton, ON, Canada via kijiji.ca.  Tip from Gianni.

Low Pressure Sale: 10 Classic 50s/60s Cars For Sale

Super Bowl XLIX (brought to you by Norvartis) is going to start in a few minutes and as a tribute to Tom Brady and Bill Belichick, the Daily Turismo is happy to feature the following batch of barn fresh cars with carefully lowered tire air pressure. Find them here on craigslist located in Saratoga, NY with prices from $7500 to $12,000.

5k: Stage Left: 1988 International 28ft Box Truck

This next feature can pull a serious Bruce Jenner -- it starts off looking like a run-of-the-mill industrial box truck that looks like it would be driven by guys named Max or Gus and then with the press of a button it turns into an instant stage for your homegrown mobile production of Cabaret. Find this 1988 International 28 ft Box Truck offered for $5,000 in Glassell Park, CA via craigslist.  Tip from Alex V.

5k: Low Mile Original: 1985 Mazda RX-7

The first generation (SA/FB) Mazda RX-7 was cool looking Japanese classic built from 1978 through 1985.  Its lightweight chassis was equipped with pop-up headlights and an engine located behind the front wheels for maximum fun.  Find this original 40k mile 1985 Mazda RX-7 offered for $3800 via craigslist.  Tip from Art C.