DTPC Cosmetic Fix-Up: Some Seats, Some Paint, Some Results

by CFlo

As I'm sure many of our readers are aware, the goal and scope of a vehicle project can change drastically after you've already dived in. Either money runs out, time gets short, priorities are rearranged or tastes change (thankfully someone told you to reconsider those chrome 24" wheels that were slated for your MG Midget Donk build). Such is the case with the DTPC, our 1983 Volvo 242 DL; the scope changed midway through the project. Originally we planned on building a Trans-Am racing tribute resto-mod, but after receiving news that we did not in fact win $5k from the ipd $25,000 Build Off, we had to rethink our priorities based on harsh economic realities.

10k: F-85 Stealth CutLasS1: 1963 Oldsmobile Cutlass F-85 w/ LQ4 GM V8

From May 13, 2013: Recently we had our eyes on a nice sleeper LS1 powered Nova, complete with granny wheels, but after getting a boost from a famous third party website the little Chevy's price went supernova and it sold for a lofty $19,500.  This was a premium price that we at Daily Turismo reserve for exotics like Goonsquad Porsche 911s, Fatlace Alfa GTVs and 550 hp Audi RS4s....not that this helps our credibility in the least bit ... ahem ... moving on. We passed on featuring the Nova but were able to find another LS wrapped in a super vintage sleeper shell...find this 1963 Oldsmobile Cutlass F-85 w/ fuel injected LQ4 GM V8 for sale in Watertown, WI currently bidding on ebay for $3,550 with 3 days to go. Tip from Oldsmobuick.

Update, Oct. 24 2013: This car apparently didn't sell on ebay, and was recently spotted by reader Art C. posted here on craigslist in Oconomowoc, WI. Looks like the same pictures are being used, a parts car is included (if desired) and the asking price is $6500...or is that $7500 (the ad lists both)? Either way, seems like a really decent sleeper muscle coupe for the price, even if this is now the third time it's come up on our radar. Thanks to Art for the re-tip!

How A Car Engine Works Infographic

Chances are, if you read this site regularly, you are a "car guy (or gal)."  This means constant questions about what car to buy... which you frequently ignore because your non-car friends just ignore the advice.  However, when you get someone who asks a question about how a engine or car component works, you may want to use this handy animated infographic designed/created by Jacob O'Neal.  Cool graphic and in keeping with a recurring DT theme...it is totally free!

15k: Respectful Offers Considered: 1986 Bertone X1/9 Dallara Replica

The X1/9 was manufactured by Fiat starting in 1972 but by 1982 they decided to withdraw from the US market and subsequently handed over importation responsibilities to millionaire entrepreneur Malcolm Bricklin and production to Gruppo Bertone in Torino, Italia.  The Bertone icsunonoves were just as speedy, zippy, funky and rusty as the Fiat versions, but this one has been given a full custom makeover to resemble the famous Dallara X1/9 racers from Group 5 racing.  Find this 1986 Bertone X1/9 Dallara Replica for sale in Hayward, CA for $15,000 or respectful offer via craigslist.  Tip from Kabeezy.

5k: Original Owner Sale: 1991 Toyota MR2 T-Top

The second generation Toyota MR2 is at the top of our list of depreciated modern classics.  The nimble rear drive chassis with excellent mid-engine handling works well and Toyota's turbo and naturally aspirated 4-cylinder engines are adequate.  Find this 1991 Toyota MR2 T-top for sale in Simi Valley, CA for $3,900 via craigslist.  Tip from Ryan.

1k: I'd Rather Take The Bus: 1984 Oldsmobile Firenza Wagon Horrorod

As Halloween approaches we continue to search for horrorods and this one will certainly raise the little hairs on the back of your neck.  This wild looking beast started out as a simple and slow Oldsmobile Firenza J-body, sharing a platform with the Buick Skylark, Cadillac Cimarron, Chevy Cavalier and Pontiac Sunbird...humble beginnings indeed.  Somewhere along the line it has been converted into a hot rod, with a huge hood scoop, side pipes, a two-tone paint job, ultra-wide rear tires...except that it is still driven by a stock front drive automatic transmission equipped engine and everything is just for looks.  Worst...car...ever.  Find this 1984 Oldsmobile Firenza wagon for sale in Murray, KY for $1,135 via ebay.

10k: Three Wheels Of Fun: 1992 Citroën 2CV Lomax 223

The 2CV, known colloquially as the deux chevaux (two horses), was a Toute Petite Voiture (compact) designed in the '30s by the French automaker Citroën.  In 1938 there was this war, with Nazis, tanks, occupation, all kinds of horrible stuff, and post-war France regressed into what they called the Grey Years as most of the pre-war cars had been destroyed or militarized or both. The devastated French population, now under a post-war French-Socialist government (1944) regressed to an earlier style of transportation, with horse drawn carriages and government dictated resource rationing further delayed the production of the 2CV.  Finally, in 1948, 2CV production started in earnest and didn't stop until 1990.  Find this 1992 Citroën 2CV Lomax 223 for sale in Aspiran, France for $15,000 or best offer via ebay.

15k: Three's A Crowd: 1987/88 BMW E30 3-Series with S50/S52 Swap

Regular tipper and SF Bay Area car aficionado Kaibeezy sent us a tip on a nice looking E30 BMW 3-series with a later M3 engine swapped into the front...but then he sent us two similar cars and we were presented with a dilemma. Which S50/S52 swapped E30 do we feature...and logically the answer is all three.  Find these S50/S52 swapped cars, a 1988 BMW 325is for $14,500, 1987 BMW 325i for $12,500, and 1988 BMW 325is for $9,000 for sale in the Bay Area via craigslist.  All tips from Kaibeezy.

5k: Already Gone: 1980 Mercedes-Benz Wagon W123, Chevy 5.7L V8 Swap

The Mercedes-Benz W123 300TD wagon is one of those solidly built classics that is powered by an engine fit for pulling a plow.  If you want that plow to make it to autobahn speeds you'll need to get one like this...complete with a swapped Chevy 5.7 liter V8 crate motor.  This 1980 Mercedes-Benz W123 Wagon for sale recently sold around $5,200 in Lake Forest, CA via craigslist.  This car was so cool, even though it was recently sold, we decided to publish the feature as a market reference.

1k: Eagle i Thrust Hammerhead Brougham: 1929 GM-Based Hand Made Wood Truck

If you've ever had a burning desire to drive around in something that looks like a mobile sauna, we've got a treat for you today.  The building material of the day is wood, and we aren't talking about something as subtle as wooden-frame Morgan or garish like a faux wood sided wagon...no...this is  entirely custom bodywork, built from varnish covered dead trees.  It is as if Canadian superstar handyman Mike Holmes has joined the cast of Top Gear BBC and helped them build an Eagle i Thrust Hammerhead Brougham Edition.  Find this 1929 GM-Based Hand Made Wood Truck for sale in Dayton, OH currently bidding on ebay for $355 with 6 days to go.

10k: Not Another Notch On The Bed Post: 1987 Ford Mustang LX Notchback

The 3rd generation Ford Mustang, known internally as the Fox platform, was built from 1979 to 1993 in coupe, hatchback and convertible trims.  Interestingly enough in the classic (pre-73) market, the fastbacks demand premium money (as they did when new) and the coupes (notchback) are cheap, but the relationship is flipped in the Fox platform.  The notchback LX Fox mustangs have become collectible in their own right and are worth a few more bucks than the average (more expensive when new) hatchback GT/GLX stang. Regardless, a nice LX 5.0 notchback is a modern classic priced well today -- expect significant appreciation in the next 10 years.  Find this 1987 Ford Mustang LX notchback for sale in Roseville, CA currently bidding for $6,100 via ebay.

5k: Classic Luxury: 1988 Acura Integra LS, Minty Clean

The Acura Integra was introduced in 1986 as one of two models available at Honda's newly unveiled Acura luxury dealerships, an attempt by the Japanese economy car builder to reach a new demographic.  The Integra was actually very inexpensive for the time and offered all sorts of luxury features typically reserved for more expensive automobiles for a fair price.  In the ensuing years the Integra spawned a bit of a boy-racer image and was eventually replaced by the RSX/TSX, but no one will deny the reliability and basic performance was a great bargain.  Find this 1988 Acura Integra LS hatchback for sale in Philadelphia, PA currently bidding on ebay for $3,001 with 2 days to go.

5k: Never See Another One In A Brazilian Years: 1977 Puma GTE

The Puma GTE is a small rear-engined sports car built by a Brazilian company that was typically exported engine-less to qualify as a kit car and then a locally sourced aircooled VW or Porsche flat-4 was added to let the car run on its own juices.  The fiberglass body created what was essentially a good looking Karmann Ghia (aka VW Type 34).  Find this 1977 Puma GTE bidding on ebay for $6,901 reserve-not-met with 1 day to go, located in Norman, OK.
 

2k: Perjure: 1960 Peugeot 403

If you've ever watched the original BBC Top Gear, you'll hear the announcers mention a French auto manufacturer with a name that sounds like the English world "perjure" - as in "willfully tell an untruth when giving evidence to a court."  Except that the dental hygiene challenged hosts are saying the name Peugeot with a properly British accent, and add some of the queen's "r"s into something the French call "Poo-shjo."  Whatever the proper pronunciation, they are seldom seen driving US roads today after being pulled from the market in 1991; something to do with words that start with r: rust, resale value and reliability.  We are going to fix that perception with today's nice looking 1960 Peugeot 403 sedan for sale in Mill Valley, CA for $2,000 via craigslist.  Tip from Kaibeezy.

20k: Another V8 Alfa: 1991 Alfa Romeo Spider Veloce S4 Ford V8 Swap

The Alfa Romeo Spider was a small two-seater from Italy produced between 1966 and 1993 in four distinct generations, but never fundamentally changed.  The Spider's eventual demise was a combination of Alfa's inability to evolve with the times and competition from the Japanese, specifically the Toyota MR2 and Mazda MX-5.  The other problem was that in the 27 years of production the Spider just got heavier, slower and less athletic, a good match for its aging buyer demographic.  Today they are inexpensive to pick up in any condition, and the perfect car for a V8 swap.  Find this 1991 Alfa Romeo Spider Veloce S4 w/ Ford V8 Swap for $21,950 in Hayward, CA via craigslist.  Tip from Kaibeezy.

5k: Bavarian Creme Pie: 1973 BMW Bavaria E3

In 1968 BMW launched a new large luxury sedan under the internal designation "New Six." The E3 sedan version eventually changed into the 7-series, but before it became the bloated twin-turbo pig it is today, this car was badged the Bavaria for the US market and powered by BMW's big six engines.  Find this 1973 BMW Bavaria for sale in Covina, CA for $6,800 $5,800 buy-it-now or best offer via ebay.  Tip from Rod S.  Updated 10/20/2013 price dropped to $5,800 BIN - thx Matthew.

5k: YesER! 1991 Nissan Sentra SE-R

We've been on the prowl for a stock Nissan Sentra SE-R for a while, but they seem to be hard to find in anything other than "plywood wing and mismatched body panel" configuration.  It's a great situation if you are in the hunt for a 24 Hrs of LeMons car, but for someone looking for cheap fast-ish transportation that you could use to drive your family around, it's like trying to find the beach in Oklahoma.  So when regular tipper Cory sent us a seller submission for his stock looking SE-R, we couldn't say no!  Find this 1991 Nissan Sentra SE-R for sale in Norwalk, CT for $5,000 via vwvortex forums.  Seller submission from Cory.

Reader Rides: DT Sticker Pics

Last week we sent out a few stacks of DT stickers (actually ran out of them because we didn't print enough in the first batch, but we are getting more on the way) and just got the first DT sticker pic from Story V who send us a few pics of a sticker on his car.

15k: Guards Red Snapper: 1979 Porsche 911 SC

The posting earlier this week on a salvage title E30 M3 elicited some revulsion from one of our regular commenters, slowcarSLOW-MPGlol,  who wrote

"For $15,000, you could get: 911SC, E39 M5 (2x cylinders, 2x hp, 2x doors)  1994 Viper RT-10.." 

This statement was soon rebuffed by an anonymous commenter who we will call Julie for expediency's sake -- Julie quipped

"Find me a 911SC for $15,000 and I'll show you a car that needs $15,000 in work to get into reliable driver condition." 

SlowcarSLOW-MPGlol responded by posting this gorgeous guards red 1979 Porsche 911 SC for sale in Wichita, KS currently bidding on ebay for $12,800 reserve-not-met with a few days to go.  Tips from slowcarSLOW-MPGlol

10k: Flyin Miata: 1997 Mazda MX-5 Turbo

The Mazda MX-5 Miata is a car that needs no introduction to the average car enthusiast, average dude or even some high functioning great apes.  They were ubiquitous in the 1990s as the convertible 2-seater for the masses who like to turn and are inexpensive performers for the average man today.  Mazda has built over a million of the little roadsters in the past 23 years and the only issue is lack of power...easily solved with an aftermarket turbo kit.  Find this 1997 Mazda MX-5 Turbo for sale in Brooklyn, NY for $9,750 via craigslist.  Seller submission from Brian A.