8k: Sincere(ly Slow) Flattery: 1957 Thunderbird, VW Kit

Making replicas of limited-production, rust-prone sports cars produced decades ago is an easy business, what with hazy memories and cataracts obfuscating perceptions of the original versus the replica. No one makes replicas of 2001 Toyota Camrys for a variety of reasons, one of which is the necessity for perfect proportions and design details to avoid revealing itself to a public quite familiar with it. Despite its legendary shape, the first-generation Thunderbird is old and uncommon enough to warrant a double-take on this well-executed imposter. Find this 1957 Ford Thunderbird Volkswagen-imitating kit car for $7,500 in Cleveland, OH via craigslist. 

5k: Some Assembly Required: 1957 Moretti 750 Spider

 The Moretti Motor Company was a Turin, Italy based automobile manufacturer that opened its doors in 1925 and survived until 1989 on various small car and truck projects.  In the 1950s Moretti used fiat mechanical bits for their cars, but somehow the idea of a pretty Fiat for a few extra dollars (lira?) sounded good to many buyers around the world.  Today's Moretti is a project, but you'll be the only one on the block with one.  Find this 1957 Moretti 750 Spider in the SF Bay Area from a seller who is entertaining offers.  Tip from Kaibeezy. 

3k: Nostalgic Already: Custom 1996 Chevy Cavalier

What's the distillation time between passe and relic? Are we there yet? Just when you thought all the speed-needy adolescents were all taking dirt naps with bits of chrome-gilded Chinese plastic lodged in their skulls, this Cavalier unearths itself with all the hallmarks of The Fast and The Furious customizing trend. It's spotlight-worthy for three reasons: No rust. Quality execution (in the way that Michael Bay has truly perfected the special effects explosion) and plenty of go to match the show kudos to a T3/T4 turbo and intercooler. Find this custom 1996 Chevy Cavalier in Rochester, NY for $3,200 via craigslist.

10k: Long Roof Narwhal: 1998 Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG Wagon

The W210 E55 AMG sedan is a supremely capable people hauler, but what about the guy with 5 kids or 3 kids and a few dogs?  Sure, you could step up to the RL63 AMG, but the W251 platform cars are expensive and suffer from the reliability/brand-whoring of the Daimler-Chrysler era...but it would be better to just find the elusive E55 AMG wagon.  Find this 1998 Mercedes-Beng E55 AMG Wagon offered for $12,500 CAD ($11,300 USD at time of printing) near Vancouver, BC, Canada.  Tip from E_Falhman.

10k: Claw For Grip: 1967 Buick Wildcat

When first released to the public in 1962, the Wildcat name was used to identify an option package on the Buick Invicta line, but in 1963 the Wildcat became its own model.  The Wildcat was built on GM's full size B-platform, which meant it shared key dimensions and parts with the Buick LeSabre, Chevrolet Impala,  Pontiac Catalina, Pontiac Laurentian/Bonneville and Chevrolet Bel Air.   In the wild, most unrestored versions of the Wildcat are giant door-dinging monsters, something to be avoided in 21st century parking lots, but this one looks nice.  Find this 1967 Buick Wildcat offered for $8,500 in Brentwood, CA via craigslist.  Tip from Kaibeezy.

Happy Birthday Honda: The 5 Best Used Hondas

Exactly 66 years ago on today (Sept 24th, 1948) the Honda Motor Corp was incorporated in Japan by Soichiro Honda.  Honda started out making a motorized bicycle (nicknamed the Bata Bata for its engine sound) using surplus Tohatsu 2-stroke engines from radio generators, but they soon ran out of the engines and started making their own.  It was from these humble beginnings, and only three years after multiple atomic bombs and uncountable quantities of conventional weapons had reduced the Land of the Rising Sun to shambles, that Honda in his 170 square foot workshack launched a commercial empire.  Today, we are happy to produce a short segment on the best cars to ever be born from Dreams.

5k: Green Longroof: 1967 Volvo 122S Amazon Wagon

 It never fails to happen.  Post a nice looking car for a decent price and suddenly a better one will pop up in the tips.  We could post a running/driving $1k short wheelbase 911 and someone would find a $500 example with nicer pictures.  The wagon from yesterday was offered for a very reasonable price, but this next one is offered for less, but is it a better deal?  Find this 1967 Volvo Amazon Wagon offered for $5,000 via craigslist, located in Port Angeles, WA.  Tip from Andrey.

10k: Cheap 4-Door: 1971 Alfa Romeo 1750 Berlina

The Alfa Romeo 1750 Berlina (which means sedan in Italian) is the square shouldered sister to the gorgeous GTV; less attractive but more useful.  Fancy yourself a vintage Alfa, but you need a set of shoulders that are more accustomed to pushing a plow than wearing a sundress, the Berlina is your choice.  Find this 1971 Alfa Romeo 1750 Berlina offered for $8,000 in Santa Clara, CA via craigslist.  Tip from Kaibeezy.

Parts Bin: Saab Soccerball Alloys

Welcome to a new feature from Daily Turismo -- Parts.  It is a horrible name, but it was the best I could do with the budget and resources provided me, perhaps someone in the comments can come up with a better name for DT's new obsession with cheap used junk.  First up in the parts bin (hey, that is a much better name) is this group of Saab Soccerball Alloys offered for $100/set (or $150 with special nuts) in Gig Harbor, WA via craigslist.

2k: Cheap Cat: 2000 Jaguar XJR

The last time we featured an XJR (a 1995 5-spd swapped example), I goofed and implied the car came with the supercharged V8 instead of the inline-6 of the earlier cars.  This next feature is a V8 XJR and it might not have a 5-speed swap, but it is offered for pennies on the original dollar.  Find this  2000 Jaguar XJR offered for $2,500 in Los Angeles, CA via craigslist.

Buyer Story: Old School Mazda RX-7

This next Reader Ride comes to us from Dennis who found the car via an article DT published in August of this year...so it is more of a Buyer Story.  The subject vehicle is a fantastically clean 1979 RX-7 Limited purchased for a great price, read the story in the buyer's own words below:

5k: Hammer Time: 1999 Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG W210

Mercedes-Benz redefined executive class performance when it released the E55 AMG in 1999 for the US Market.  Sure, BMW's M5 had been around for a few generations, but it was sabre with manual gearboxes that tempted its driver to carve up corners. The AMG was a hammer, a big tire smoking cudgel meant to bludgeon the pavement into submission, but at the same time it could be docile and liveable in traffic.  What more can you ask for in a 15 year old $5k driver?  Find this 1999 Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG offered for $4500 in Torrance, CA via craigslist.

5k: Needs More Cubes: 1967 Dodge Polara 318-V8

The 3rd generation of the Dodge Polara was introduced in 1965 and moved the Polara name up in size to the Chrysler C-platform.  The new Polara was bigger in almost every dimension but still used a unibody construction.  Today's example look great with the square-edged styling and a pseudo-fastback shape.  Find this 1967 Dodge Polara offered for $6,000 in Capitola, CA via craigslist.   Tip from FuelTruck.

10k: Litte Red Wagon: 1965 Volvo 122S Amazon Wagon

The Volvo Amazon (badged the 121/122S/123GT outside of Sweden) was the more practical, more upright older sibling of the P1800/1800S/1800ES sports car, to which it donated its engine, transmission, and suspension options.  The Amazon isn't traded by tweed jacket wearing collectors at pebble beach, instead it can be seen at your local car show or being used as a daily driver by cool kids around the country.  This is good news if you are a buyer, but don't wait too long because the combination of durability and cool is a recipe for future appreciation.  Find this 1965 Volvo 122 Amazon wagon offered for $8,500 in Santa Cruz, CA via craigslist.  Tip from FuelTruck.

DTO: Bertone Bomber: 1970 Alfa Romeo Montreal

Fancy picking up a 70's supercar, but your investment in mortgage backed securities didn't pan out?  Fear not, because there is an option that gives you the prestige of a Lamborghini Mura with the performance of a Jaguar E-Type at the price of a used Nissan.  It is called the Alfa Romeo Montreal and combines a 7000 rpm V8 with a body by Bertone.  Find this 1970 Alfa Romeo Montreal currently bidding for $23,300 on eBay with a few hours to go, located in Harwich, MA. UPDATE: This eBay listing is a scam.  Read more here. 

What Am I? Gauge The Response

Welcome to another edition of DT's cure for the Monday morning blues -- What Am I?  In this better than running out of gas game we find a random picture of a car and you get to guess what it is.  Last week we showed everybody the electric future and Fleetwood T. Brougham solved the riddle in 12 minutes, but today we have a simple set of analog gauges.  Just what am I anyway? Update below.

2k: Just Getting Broken In: 1986 BMW 535i e28

The E28 generation BMW 5-series may not have been the first 5-series launched to the public, but it looks, drives and feels miles ahead of the E12 and much vintagy-er than the E34.  The M5 version has already become a collectible, but if you are looking for a simple 535i, now couldn't be a better time to pick one up for cheap.  Find this 1986 BMW 535i offered for $2,500 in Berkeley, CA via craigslist.  Tip from Kaibeezy.

1k: Saved From The Crusher: 1972 Fiat 124 Sport Spider

The Alfa Romeo...whoa...this isn't an Alfa...this is a Fiat...right...the Fiat 124 Sport Spider was designed by Dutch-American designer Tom Tjaarda and built by Pininfarina starting in 1966 and ending in 1985.  The 124 Spider was upgraded as the years went by for performance, emissions, and safety, but the same basic chassis, suspension, and engine was retained for the entire lifespan.   Today, a used 124 Spider is an affordable way to get into an Italian car with a sweet sounding all-alloy DOHC engine mounted up front. Find this 1972 Fiat 124 Sport Spider offered for $1499 at a junkyard in Sacramento, CA via craigslist.