Wednesday, October 10, 2018

Seller Submission: 1982 Mercedes-Benz 300TD

The Mercedes-Benz W123 is about as close to a tank for the road as you can find. They combine a uniquely pleasant driving experience (albeit slow...but the turbo version is quicker) with a rugged drive train, chassis, interior...well just about everything. This next example has some rust that the next owner will need to tackle, but for the right guy with a welder -- the price is very reasonable.  Or you could drive it for a year or two and then sell it to the next guy or part it out if the rust gets too bad. Either way, this car is probably worth it for the price of the window glass. Find this 1982 Mercedes-Benz 300TD offered for $1950 in New Albany, IN via craigslist. Seller submission from Robert.


No Title, No Problem: 1995 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am Convertible

This next car comes as a tip from Art C who writes: Some seriously cheap fun here. 275 hp, 6 speed, posi... strip it and turn it into an auto x toy??  Art is onto something here because this thing should be fun and the missing title shouldn't scare away the guy who wants to race this thing in the 24 Hrs of LeMons. Find this 1995 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am Convertible offered for $1700 in Derry, NH via craigslist.


Tuesday, October 9, 2018

5-Speed Classic: 1985 BMW 535i E28

I don't know what the future holds for automotive enthusiasts, but I can tell you for certain that we live in exciting times.  A few years ago a car like this sweet BMW 5-series would have cost you an arm/leg and in a few years they'll be all crushed or appreciated to silly money. New cars, while clinically fast and superbly comfortable, are missing that crucial man-machine symbiosis that makes them seem like something other than a pile of parts.  But for the next few years you can drive stuff like this and seem like a forward thinking genius...I guess. Find this 1985 BMW 535i E28 offered for $3,500 in SF Bay Area, CA via craigslist.


2JZ Yo: 1984 Buick Regal

Once upon a time, in a galaxy far far away, a really long time ago, there was a parallel universe where bearded Spocks ran amok.  They snatched the inventor of the Buick V6 and forced him to work at 7-11s (which only dispense soylent green from warm slurpee machines...it is a really terrible place) and Buick goes for years without a proper 6-cylinder engine, until the day that Toyota agrees to provide Buick with versions of Beyonce's favorite engine, (Beyonce is not a pop diva in this universe, she is a polydactic classical guitar player who made a fortune in frivolous litigation) the two-Jay-zed.  Errr...2JZ. Anyway, the 2JZ powered Buick Regals sold quite well and were equipped with a faux woodgrain interior and a spare plastic center console installed haphazardly where the passenger seat should be.  Beyonce is lucky this car has 2JZ under the hood because it'll fit none-Jay-Zees in the interior.  Find this 1984 Buick Regal with 2JZ swap offered for $1600 near Dallas, TX via craigslist.
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Monday, October 8, 2018

Black on Palomino: 1977 Mercedes-Benz 450SEL 6.9


This next car comes as a Columbus Day special -- because it is a proper boat you could use to explore regions unknown and enjoy the freedom that comes with a smooth ride and a huge gas tank. You could hide a few dozen bodies in the trunk if needed.  Find this 1977 Mercedes-Benz 450SEL 6.9 offered for $9,500 in Norfolk, VA via craigslist. Tip from FuelTruck.



Almost A Tesla: 1986 Pontiac Fiero GT Electric Conversion

I was making a dumpster bin run in one of the ritzier parts of town the other day and...you'd be amazed at the stuff that well-to-do folks consider garbage and leave in their trash, on the curb, or in a locked safe in their panic room...and I noticed something-- ever third driveway had a Tesla Model S parked next to a Maserati, Range Rover, or Jeep Grand Wagoneer.  Naturally, when I returned to a place with free wifi, I did a quick interweb search and found that those Teslas are still bloody expensive on the used market. So, if you want an inexpensive used Tesla, it ain't gonna happen, but you'll need to settle for something like this this 1986 Pontiac Fiero Electric offered for $1700 in Burleson TX via craigslist. Found on deadclutch.


Saturday, October 6, 2018

Baur Targa: 1983 BMW 323i

The '75-'83 BMW 3-Series Baur Targa is a strange intersection of BMW E21 handling/driving goodness with a unique convertible/targa styling...and I've gotta admit that I'm really not an expert on these wild looking things, but they guys over at Baurspotting can give you the full details of how Karosserie Baur would hack the top off a new BMW 3-series and offer a unique and safe alternative to the ragtop. Not many were built and not many remain, but they are still cheap.  Find this 1983 BMW 323i Baur Targa offered for $6,500 in Clovis, CA via craigslist.


Friday, October 5, 2018

Raptor and Tribulation: 2010 Ford F150 SVT Raptor

When the Ford SVT Raptor hit the showrooms in late 2009, I said to myself:  "Self, this is going to be an AWESOME DT car once the frames have been bent, odometers rolled, and the magic wand of depreciation has driven prices low...can't take more than 5 years."  Well...amazingly enough, these beasts maintained high resale value for almost a decade and ONLY now (ten years after launch...literally) can you get one for less than $20k -- and not just sketchy craigslist ads with minimal details and probably a complex 419 scam on the other end.  But, a real 5.4L V8 powered off-road beast for the price of a few Dodge Ram beaters. Find this 2010 Ford F150 SVT Raptor offered for $21,500 in Watertown, CT via craigslist.


Yamaha V-Twin Powered: 1923 Ford T Bucket Replica

The typical vintage T-Bucket replica goes like this; off-the-shelf tube axle front end kit, bucket of fiberglass, Ford 9-inch rear end, TH350 slushbox, Chevy 350 small bloc---whoa...who put that Chebby part in my Ford?  Thems' fightin' words. The only non Ford power I'll put in a T-Bucket is something from a long-time Ford partner...like Lincoln, Jaguar, or Yamaha.  Yeah.  A V-Twin from a chopper will do nicely. Find this 1923 Ford T Bucket Replica offered for $2250 in Oxnard, CA via craigslist. Tip from Sean S.



Thursday, October 4, 2018

Non Aero Van: 1971 Ford Econoline E250 Food Truck

It isn't uncommon for a reader to see something on DailyTurismo and say "what am I looking at?" because that's the way we like it around these parts.  But today, I'm asking that question because I can't tell if this next thing is a functioning auto or a trailer or a home...or...? Whatever it is, I'm getting hungry.  Find this 1971 Ford Econoline Food Truck offered for $18500 in Columbus, NE via craigslist. Tip from Taylor.



V10 SMG: 2006 BMW M5 E60

I know what you'll say. Another BMW...sheesh, you DT guys must have some kind of sponsorship from Bavaria.  Not quite (although we'd love to get some kick back from BMW if you guys are reading this...send unmarked cash in brown paper envelopes care of the crazy cat lady down the street)..but if you can find another company that sells nicely styled manual transmission equipped sports sedans and V10 powered hoonmobiles, I'll become a fan boy for that OE too.  Deal?  Anyway, BMW M division's first bruiser sedan was the 1988 BMW M5; they had previously dabbled in the M1 supercar and 4-cylinder powered E30 M3 but it was the E28 M5 that set the standard for a fast M-sedan.  Multiple generations later that formula had outgrown its inline-6 roots and by the E60 generation the M5 was powered by an F1 inspired V10 with a screaming high 8250 rpm redline.  Today these M5s are out of factory warranty and can be purchased for less than a new Honda Accord. Find this 2006 BMW M5 E60 starting bid at $1000 with estimated value $17k here on SecondDaily.com.



Wednesday, October 3, 2018

What Is That Pedal For? 1989 BMW 325i E30

Unless you've been hiding under an old BMW for the past few weeks, you probably have read something about the new 2019 BMW 3-series, and you may have caught that it launches without a manual gearbox option!?!?  That's it, I've had it -- I'm never buying a new BMW again...oh...wait...I've never purchased a new BMW and probably wouldn't if I had Bill Gates' money because used BMWs are so delectably cheap and available with manual gearboxes and non-hideous styling.  Like this 1989 BMW 325i offered for $3,500 in SF Bay Area, CA via craigslist.



Feelin' Blue: 2004 Audi S4 6-Speed

The V8 powered B6 generation Audi S4 is something of a jack-of-all-trades in the world of late model performance super-sedans.  It isn't as fast or viscerale as an STi or Evo, but it is far more refined.  The S4 might not offer as much straight line punch as an E55 AMG, but it offers a manual gearbox and the safety of all-wheel-drive.  If you want a well rounded sport sedan, this is your car, and it comes in the most incredible shade of blue you'll ever see.  Find this 2004 Audi S4 6-Speed offered for $13,400 in Scottsdale, AZ via craigslist. Tip from FuelTruck.


Tuesday, October 2, 2018

"Adventure" Van: 1991 Ford E350 4X4

There is a fine line between a sweet van and a free candy van...which is ironic given the sweetness of candy, but ultimately the difference between seeming quirky and creepy.  You'll have to be the judge with this next van, but I wouldn't park it in any school zones until you've fix the body damage on the side. Find this 1991 Ford E350 4X4 offered for $14,500 in Black Canyon City, AZ via craigslist.



Diesel Camping Saloon: 1992 Toyota Coaster Motorhome

This next car comes as a tip from JB1025 who writes: Pretty Cool motor-home.  Yes, yes, it is -- and I've seen a bunch of cool motor homes in the past few years including that Toyota Townace pop-out, and a Clark Cortez (or two) and that BMW diesel powered Vixen...but this next car is a sweet medium sized right-hand-drive creampuff with a turbodiesel inline-6 out of a Land Crusher.  Find this 1992 Toyota Coaster Motorhome offered for $24,000 near Seattle, WA via craigslist.



Monday, October 1, 2018

Hertz Rent-A-Racer: 1968 Mercury Cougar XR7-G

The legend of the Shelby Mustang GT350-H Hertz race ready rental cars is an old campfire story among car guys, but a little known fact is that there were a few hundred Mercury Cougar XR7-G (G for Gurney...as in Dan Gurney) rental ready racers built alongside the Shelby Mustangs. This next example is a complete basket case with rust everywhere and a seized engine...but it looks like Dynacorn is getting into the Cougar resto-sheet metal business and for a few tens of thousands of bucks this could be a keeper.  Find this 1968 Mercury Cougar XR7-G here on eBay bidding for $4,750 reserve-not-met located in Lake Elsinore, CA with 2 days to go.



Dick Dean's: 1970 Shala-Vette

Dick Dean was born Richard Dean Sawitskas, but ditched his unpronounceable and cringeworthy last name when an announcer at the 1959 Autorama car show gave it an impromptu shortening. A customizer by trade, Dick went on to run George Barris' famous Kustom City, where he did much of the dirty work on classics like the Batmobile, Munster Koach, and others -- but he also built a few custom VW based buggies, about 10 that were called the Shala-Vette.  Find this 1970 Shala-Vette offered for $15,000 in LA Inland Empire, CA via craigslist. Tip from Rock On!