Epiphany Special: 2003 Volkswagen Golf GTI 20th Anniversary

Today is January 6th, the traditional feast of the Three Kings Day or DT's Epiphany Special.  It is a celebration of when the three wise men visit the new born baby Jesus bringing him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.  Unfortunately, frankincense and myrrh are basically forms of tree sap and gold is way pricey -- so instead we bring gifts of golf, frankenbenz, and myrrhkur.  First of the wise men is Balthasar who comes bearing golf -- this 2003 Volkswagen Golf GTI 20th Anniversary edition here on eBay bidding for $5,100 reserve-not-met with 1 day to go, located in New Fairfield, CT.

Mid Week Match-Up: Subjects Needed

Do you need a car, but don't know what to get?  Do you want a bunch of random people on the internet to suggest cars that are just as likely to get you arrested for impersonating a police officer as reaching your destiation?  It must be your lucky day, because suckers subjects are needed for this week's Mid Week Match-Up.  Just send an e-mail to tips@dailyturismo.com with your automotive needs -- budget/size/location, we'll do the rest.  Sometimes the number of requests overloads my ability to process them, so if I forget about you, just hit me with an e-mail and I'll get it sorted!

35th Anniversary Edition: 1990 Ford Thunderbird Super Coupe

The tenth generation Ford Thunderbird was released in 1989 (along with the Mercury Cougar) on the MN12 platform, which distanced it from the Mustang it had previously shared the Fox platform with.  New to the 10th gen T-Bird was an independent rear suspension, a supercharged V6 and a Mazda sourced 5-speed manual gearbox.  But if you wanted all of those goodies together, the only way was to get the Super Coupe.  Find this 1990 Ford Thunderbird Super Coupe 35th Anniversary Edition here on eBay offered for $3,995 buy-it-now or make-offer located in San Diego, CA.

Duc Dynasty: 1973 Ducati 750 GT

If I say Italian motorcycle, chances are the first word that springs to mind is Ducati.  Sure, there are other Italian brands like Moto Guzzi and MV Agusta to name a couple, but Ducati is what most people think when they think two wheels and Italy - and its just so much fun to say with an Italian accent.  Find this 1973 Ducati 750 GT for sale in Half Moon Bay, CA for $26,000 via craigslist.

Keitorampside Project: 1966 Subaru Sambar Truck

The Sambar is a Subaru 360 platform based mini-truck that was launched in 1961 as Japan's first Keitora (軽トラ) or kei class truck.  The 2-stroke 2-cylinder engine is mounted low and under the bed out back, making it as close to a 1/2 sized VW Bus or Chevy Corvair Truck as you can get.  Find this 1966ish Subaru Sambar Rampside Truck here on eBay bidding for $1775 with a few hours to go, located in Bogata, TX.

White Porpoise: 1992 Chevrolet Cavalier Wagon

In the recent decades of compact economy car history, a few names have been constant.  Volkswagen Golf, Honda Civic, & Toyota Corolla have all been in production for decades and with each new generation they get better, but somehow maintain a sense of history.  General Motors compact offering however, has seen a number of name changes in that same time period: Nova, Citation, Cavalier, Cobalt, Cruze. While VW/Honda/Toyota are building on decades of reputation, it would appear that GM wants the buyer to forget that miserable econobox they purchased a few years prior and step up into the new and improved econobox that is probably better, but equally forgettable in a few years.  Of course that doesn't mean that there isn't a butt for every seat, and you will find fanboys for any make/model, even the 2nd generation Cavalier has its following.  Find this 1992 Chevrolet Cavalier Wagon offered for $2,400 in Ft Myers, FL. Tip from Dascpcu.

Not Your Doc's Volvo: 1962 Volvo 544 Rat Rod

The Volvo PV444/544 was a passenger car built by Volvo to fulfill simple driving needs of the post World War II family starting in 1947.  It was powered by an early version of Volvo's rugged B-series engine and stayed in production for a remarkable 18 years.  Imagine Ford building '41 Fords in 1966...but this is essentially what happened with the 544.  Find this 1962 Volvo 544 Rat Rod offered for $5,200 in Richmond, VA.

What Am I? Double Feature

This week, we've got an extra special What Am I? feature.  The photo below comes from DT's friend Pierce who sent this picture.  Not only do you get to guess the make/model of the ghost car, but you also need tell us what the photographer is riding in.

Rusty Project: 1960 Renault Caravelle

Remember when you could pickup "barn find" classics for pennies on the dollar, and restore them to glory with your hard earned cash?  It seems these days that folks think that some patina on a car builds character, and they want more for the rusted hunks-o-junk, but today's car is a beaten up example of an interesting/rare auto offered for a rock-bottom price.  Find this 1960 Renault Caravelle offered for $2,000 in Camino, CA...(wait, there is a placed called Camino?  Awesome...). Tip from Lou.

Off Rocker: 1987 Suzuki Samurai 12A Powered

The seconding generation Suzuki Jimny (SJ40) was sold as the Samurai at dealers in the United States, and featured a mix of economical city driving and (surprisingly good) light off-roading for the weekends.  It featured a simple and durable 1.3 liter 4-banger, and many have been swapped out for domestic V8s for more low end grunt...however...I can't say I've seen on powered by a rotary before today.  Find this 1987 Suzuki Samurai 12A Powered offered for $3,000 in Buffalo, NY via craigslist.

V8 Swap: 1986 Mazda RX-7

Another day, another V8 powered Mazda RX-7 -- it isn't that rotary engines are somehow not as good as a standard reciprocating piston engine, it is just that if you want to make 300 horsepower to the wheels, the cheapest way is usually with a domestic V8, even if it requires a total transformation of the engine bay.  Find this 1986 Mazda RX-7 offered for $2,500 in Topeka, KS via craigslist.

Turbo Chevy V8: 2001 BMW 540i E39

The E39 BMW 5-series was released in 1999 and was arguably the last conservatively styled BMW, at least until a few years ago when the last of the Banglized stuff went out the door with the F10 5-series.  The E39 was available with various engines from the lowly M52 inline-6 to the crazy S62 V8 in the M5, but today's example might just be the fastest E39 you can buy.  Find this 2001 BMW 540i E39 with turbocharged Chevy V8 offered for $9,500 in Cordova, TN via craigslist.

El A'Cccord 1988 Honda Accord

The Honda Accord isn't exactly known for being a paradigm of excitement, even the lauded 6-speed coupe version is about as fun as Betty White in a poodle skirt.  Honestly the only way you are going to get me excited about an Accord is if you find a REALLY clean original example...or an El Camino'd version.  Find this 1988 Honda Accord offered for $800 near Denver, CO via craigslist.  Tip from matthewdesigns.

Coffee Brake: U.S. EPA Fuel Economy Trends Report

by Gianni -- Each year since 1975, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issues an annual Light-Duty Automotive Technology,Carbon Dioxide Emissions, and Fuel Economy Trends Report.  The report for 2015 has just been issued this month.  The report runs 155 pages and is chock full of interesting trend data on the U.S. car and truck fleet.  You can read the entire PDF of the report here, or if you have a short attention span, I've pulled out a few interesting tidbits for this Coffee Brake, for you, our dear reader.

Ray No Wheat: 1963 Renault R8

The Renault R8 (later simply called the 8) was a rear-engine rear-drive small people carrier produced in France from 1962 through 1973.  It shared its architecture and many components with the Dauphine (the successor to the 4CV), but featured radical boxy styling penned by Philippe Charbonneaux.  You won't see one on the road anytime soon, but they make for an interesting inexpensive classic.  Find this 1963 Renault R8 offered for $1200 in Rio Rancho, NM via craigslist.  Tip from John.

5.3 LS Powered: 1972 Chevrolet C-10

Act quickly if you want to get a really good deal on a classic C-10 Pickup with a an LSX fuel injected V8 from a modern car.  Find this 1972 Chevrolet C-10 5.3 LS here on eBay bidding for $6,500 with 45 minutes to go, located in Evans, GA.

Happy New Year 2016 From Daily Turismo

Happy New Year to all readers from the staff here at Daily Turismo, we hope your 2016 is as interesting as 2015.  Thank you for all the great tips, comments, suggestions, criticism, and encouragement.  Stay tuned for more special features, stinging sarcasm, and cheap used cars.  Happy 2016!!