DailyTurismo

December 26 2020

Cool Clone: 1973 Pontiac Firebird Formula 400

DailyTurismo Classic 'Murica, Firebird, Formula, Pontiac 3

A few short years ago the early 2nd generation Pontiac Firebird (1970 -1974) was a cheap classic, but prices have soared, particularly for the Firebird Formula 400 version. Today’s next example isn’t a real deal Formula, but it has a 400 cubic inch Poncho V8 with a bunch of hod-rod goodies and is probably a hoot to drive. The price is high, but it probably cost more to build it. Find this 1973 Pontiac Firebird Formula 400 offered for $23,000 in Tulsa, OK via craigslist. Tip from Rock On!

December 24 2020

Happy Christmas Eve V8: 1984 Pontiac Fiero Indy 500 Pace Car

DailyTurismo Modern Classic 'Murica, 305, Fiero, Indy 500 Pace Car, Pace Car, Pontiac, V8 Swap 5

If you had a limited edition Indy 500 “Official” Pace Car Pontiac Fiero and wanted to maintain maximum sellable value, you’d think it would be best to keep the original iron duke 4-banger, but you’d be dead wrong. That is because an upgrade to a Chevy 305 small-block V8 is indeed an upgrade in value to the market, even if said 305 V8 has an air cleaner that is smaller in diameter than the average toilet bowl cleaning brush. Find this 1984 Pontiac Fiero Indy 500 Pace Car offered for $8000 in Topeka, KS via facetrash bigbrotherbook Tip from Jason.

December 24 2020

Strange Custom: 1989 Chevrolet Corvette C4

DailyTurismo Modern Classic 'Murica, C4, Chevrolet, Corvette, Custom 5

This next custom Chevrolet Corvette came as a tip from REDACTED. The story you are about to see is true. The names have been changed to protect the innocent. Of course this thing is located in the Jersey Shore — where else would you find such a car that is stricken with VettAIDS…oh…never mind, that is a VettAid Dash Cluster. I’m sure there is an antibiotic ointment for that. Find this 1989 Chevrolet Corvette offered for $11,500 in Jersey Shore, NJ via craigslist.

December 23 2020

Monster: 1971 Chevrolet Camaro

DailyTurismo Classic 'Murica, Chevrolet, Custom 6

There is this existential question that runs through my head — if the human body replaces all of its cells within a span of 7 years, am I really the same person who did something 7 years ago? I ask this question not just from a statute of limitations perspective, but also from a philosophical question — what makes something a new thing versus just a modified version of the original? To wit, is this next car actually a Camaro, or a tube frame chassis race car with a Camaroish body on top? Find this 1971 Chevrolet Camaro offered for $18,950 in Temecula, CA via craigslist.

December 22 2020

Some TLC Needed: 1970 Jaguar XJ V8 Swap

DailyTurismo Classic 'Murica, British, Chevy V8, Series 1, V8 Swap, XJ 12

The series 1 Jaguar XJ was built from 1968 through 1973 with a standard inline-6 engine and an optional V12 (introduced for the 1972 model year). The XJ12 was the “fastest” 4-door car in the world when it was introduced, but keeping one running will make you the “brokest” person on your block…so…swap in a Chevy V8 and cruise into the sunset…or until you IROC V8 siezes and then sell it for pocket change. Find this 1970 Jaguar XJ V8 Swap offered for $2000 in Albany, NY via craigslist.

December 16 2020

Pinnacle of the Car: 1965 Buick Skylark

DailyTurismo Classic 'Murica, 455ci, Buick, Restomod, Skylark, Special 6

If a 1965 isn’t the best year for automobiles of all time, then I don’t know what year is better. Take this next car, it is a Buick Skylark that still has a reasonable curb weight and clean styling (later A-Body Buicks were heavier and chunkier) but is modern enough that you don’t have to deal with wacky engineering like a late ’50s car or complex emissions equipment like ’70s junk. It should have seat belts and with the addition of dual-circuit master cylinder (and discs up front) it should be totally drivable in 2020 or 2050 or 2065. Try that with a car from any other year. Find this 1965 Buick Skylark offered for $10,900 in La Mesa, CA via craigslist.

December 11 2020

Survivor’s Glint: 1989 Pontiac Grand Prix

DailyTurismo Modern Classic 'Murica, Clean, Grand Prix, Pontiac, survivor, Turkey 7

DT’s resident Godfather Kaibeezy was onto something (not on something, pay attention!) when he commented on that low mile Taurus from the other day; Drive 50,000 miles, wash occasionally, sell it along… basically a free car. This, this is what you can and should do to separate yourself from the “new car” buying masses, the drones, the sheeple that are always clogging up the fast lane with newfangled cars. There is nothing inherently wrong with buying a new car (I’ve done it myself a few times) but there is something gloriously liberating about driving a car for a few years and recouping your entire purchase price. Yeah…I’ve done that myself a few times too. The trick is; low miles, clean condition, and make money when you buy it. Find this 1989 Pontiac Grand Prix offered for $4,500 in Zeeland, MI via craigslist. Tip from Jeff.

December 7 2020

Aerocoupe: 1986 Pontiac Grand Prix 2+2

DailyTurismo Modern Classic 'Murica, 2+2, Aerocoupe, Grand Prix, NASCAR, Pontiac 3

When tipper Cory sent us an email with the subject line; rare G-body- 86 grand prix with funky rear window glass, I instantly knew it was one of those sweet Poncho 2+2 Aerocoupes and there was no way I wasn’t gonna feature it. But the best part is that the car is offered for a reasonable sum of money and looks great in black (this is a repaint from the original silver-black two-tone from the factory). Get one of the 1118 Grand Prix 2+2’s built to homologate an aero nose, bubble glass, and fiberglass trunk lid for NASCAR competition. Find this 1986 Pontiac Grand Prix 2+2 offered for $7,300 in Hellertown, PA via craigslist. Tip from Cory.

December 7 2020

Insane People Carrier: 1999 Oldsmobile Silhouette OSV

DailyTurismo Classic 'Murica, GM, Oldsmobile, OSV, Silhouette, Special 4

Do you remember the Oldsmobile Special Vehicle program from the 1990s…no don’t worry, your memory isn’t going bad, you probably don’t remember it because it was a memorable as your Great Aunt Barb’s green bean casserole at Thanksgiving dinner…but think of the Silhouette OSV as if that green bean casserole had been spiked with a heavy dose of Carolina Reaper chili peppers. Because that is what Oldsmobile did at the 1999 SEMA show, they produced a few concept Olds speed machines, an Intrigue, an Alero, and a Silhouette. Somehow Oldsmobile managed to build at least 3 concept Silhouettes before the bean counters at GM’s corporate HQ shut them down and redirected them back to producing more hospital cafeteria menu cars. Regardless, you can buy one for next to nothing. Find this 1999 Oldsmobile Silhouette OSV offered for $8,588 CAD ($6,717 USD) in Kelowna, BC, Canada via autotrader.ca. Shout out to Hagerty for finding this oddball.

December 4 2020

HMMWV Pickup: 1993 AM General M998

DailyTurismo Modern Classic 'Murica, AM General, Army, HMMWV, Hummer, M998, Military, Pickup 1

If you are going to buy a Humvee, you should just skip past all of the modern mass market versions with names like H2, H3…which were just styling exercises from the goons at General Motors. The correct way to drive a High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle is to get a used military surplus version, like this next M998 Hummercamino. The typical HMMWV setup is a 4-door cabin, but the troop/cargo carrier version seen here has two doors and a large pickup bed that can be stuffed with gear or people. Find this 1993 AM General M998 offered for $11,000 in Baton Rouge, LA via craigslist. Tip from Ramjet.

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‘Murica