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Classic Car Watch
Alternative Classics
June 1, 2006
By Scott Lewis
This month I wanted to look at some alternative cars. I have looked at four door sedans, but this time I am really going off the deep end. All the cars below won't even come close to Muscle Cars. However, they are classics... by the definition of a classic as a car that is over 25 years old.
The car that started this month's list is a turquoise 64 Catalina. I was very impressed with the look of the car with the addition of some Torque Thrust wheels. It is amazing how a set of wheels can make a clean car look really cool. And Catalinas are not cool. Once I decided to use the Catalina I started collecting unusual cars. I never actually searched for any of these cars. They were mostly at dealer's web sites that I visit on a regular or not-so-regular basis.
Enough with my usual babbling, here are the cars I found.
1966 AMC Rambler - $5,995
Description: 232ci 6cyl, automatic, power steering, correct AM radio, factory A/C, split bench, factory steel wheels & hubcaps, Caballero tan metallic w/saddle interior, rear window shade, original owners manual & copies of original title, original paint & interior, one owner car until January 2005, only 79,xxx actual miles, always garaged & well cared for, nice driving car! What a great find classic!
NADA: ???
Source: Fast Lane Classic Cars
Found: 4/5/2006
Comments: Now this is alternative. Why did
a Rambler make the top spot this month. Well,
one of the reasons to get a car "off the
radar" is to get one cheap. This car may or
may not be cheap for a Rambler. I could not find
the Rambler on NADA's web site. However, at six
grand it is affordable. Hot Rod magazine's March
2006 issue (p. 72) has a two page spread on a 66
Rambler.. with a 6 cylinder engine. The owner
wanted to do something different. He touch up
the original paint and added a couple of coats
of clear (I assume so he color sanded and buffed
out the clear for a great shine). He also added
an Air Ride technologies suspension and some
nice wheels for a slammed look. Simple and easy.
Next, the May 06 issue of Car Craft magazine is
starting a $3,500 Street Machine project. Guess
what car they are using? Yep, a Rambler, however
this time a 67.
I see this car following that same path. Keep in mind that although you can spend a lot less on a car that goes against the grain, parts will be much harder... and more expensive... to get your hands on. It's not like Year One has a Rambler catalog. You will have to search around and get real intimate with eBay to get any kind of replacement trim and interior parts. But with some elbow grease instead of cash you could have a fun project here.
Ultimately this car came out on top for being clean, unmolested, different and affordable. Just the reasons you get an alternative classic.
1968 Pontiac Catalina - $14,995
Description: 400 2bbl V8, automatic, power steering, power brakes, factory A/C, factory AM radio, factory tinted glass, immaculate interior, factory steel wheels & hubcaps, black vinyl top, correct spare & jack, original build sheet, Protect-o-Plate & owners manual, only 12,230 actual miles, 1 family owned car, very original car! Unbelievably clean inside & out!!
NADA: $5,700 - $8,400
Source: Fast Lane Classic Cars
Found: 12/01/05
Comments: Definitely overpriced. But if they really
can document this is a 12K original mile car it might be worth looking into. Show a lot of interest over time. I saw this car about a month before my "official" found date above, but just hadn't captured it for this column yet.
It's still for sale, and I am surprised they
haven't lowered the price. For this kind of money the engine compartment should be well detailed.
With a detailed enigne compartment this car
should be a nice car to take to shows.
I would detail the engine compartment, maybe adding some horsepower, and put some nice looking wheels and tires on it. I think if we could score this car for $10-12K it
would be way cool.
1963 Chevrolet Impala - $16,500
Description: 350 V8, power steering, dual antennas, AM-FM CD stereo, new American Racing Torque Thrust II wheels, leather LeCarra steering wheel. Recent mild custom restoration, beautiful new paint & interior, solid Western body. Runs & drives great.
NADA: $9,850 - $15,000
Source: Classic & Collectible Cars
Found: 2/2/2006
Comments: Story time. Back around 1983-84 I
saw a 63 or 64 Impala SS with a for sale sign on
it. The guy was in the lane next to me. I called
out and asked how much he wanted for it. He
said, $2,500. That was a little pricey, but was
the exact amount of money I was planning to
spend for a car. It was also in real nice shape.
I memorized the phone number on the sign so I
could call him later. Well, when I called later
I got a wrong number. So much for my memory.
I still like this body style. Too bad this car isn't $2,500. Even NADA says this car is overpriced. I am not thrilled with the seat covers, but I love the wheels. If I had this car i would but buckets and a console in and add air conditioning. Considering NADA's price range for this car I would make an offer of about $12,000. That's me.
1967 Mercury Caliente - $9,995
Description: This car has only 69,000
original miles on it. Numbers matching 289 motor. It features factory
A/C, power steering and brakes, new exhaust. Excellent body and paint. No rust. The original interior is
mint. Super stock and original. Runs and drives great.
Extremely nice car in and out.
NADA: $5,750 - $8,813
Source: Premium Motors
Found: 1/27/2006
Comments. What is a Caliente? I never heard of this. I didn't think I would find it on NADA, but I did. Looks like a Comet to me. Regardless, this car looks really nice. They are asking top dollar
for it, but even at that it is still an affordable car.
If its condition matches what they are asking
for it I could see bolting in some A/C and
driving he wheels off this car.
1968 Plymouth Fury III - $12,900
Description: 2 Door Hardtop, original big block 383cid, 727 auto trans, p/s, factory a/c, am radio, outstanding rust free body, recent quality repaint, rust free undercarriage, like new white interior, dual exhaust, white lettered tires, 69k miles. Excellent condition throughout. Drive anywhere. Must see!
NADA: $6,510 - $9,450
Source: Klemme Klassic Kar Museum and Sales
Found: 4/6/2006
Comments: I love a blue on white car. Now
this would be really cool as a convertible.
Clearly we get some extras like power steering
and air conditioning, while keeping the price
far below a 383 Road Runner. Due to NADA's
pricing I would try to low ball and offer and
think of this as a cruiser with a big block.
It's heavier than a Road Runner, but we could
always add some aftermarket components to pick
up the horsepower.
1967 Pontiac Catalina Convertible - $13,995
Description: 389 V8, automatic, factory cold A/C, power steering, brakes & power top. Beautiful yellow paint, new top & interior. Runs and drives like a jewel. Looks great with the torque thrust wheels!
NADA: $11,550 - $17,930
Source: Summer Classic Cars
Found: 10/12/05
Comments: This car sold almost right after
I found it. I can believe that. This car looks
real nice for a big cruiser. I have been
avoiding looking at convertible, but the A/C and
power top do it for me. Oh, and those wheels. I
like them, though I would have went with the
polished Torque Thrust wheels like the turquoise Catalina
below. Overall I this car has me thinking about
convertibles again.
1973 Pontiac Grand Am - $4,995
Description: Original North Carolina car and has spent the past 25 years on the east coast! It sports it's original 400 CID engine coupled to automatic transmission, power steering and power brakes! Some new mechanics include a master cylinder, rear springs, shocks, flow master exhaust, and the Rimst tires have only 10,000 miles. This is a great sounding car and drives well!
NADA: $6,210 - $9,000
Source: Classic Auto Showplace Ltd.
Found: 12/14/05
Comments: I like 73-74 Road Runners and 73 up
Laguna Chevelles, so why not this. I actually like the way they designed these
bumpers. Much better than the big chrome monsters they put on so many cars starting in 73. Hey, the price is low and we could have fun with this.
1973 Buick Century - $4,900
Description: 2-door hardtop in beautiful Florentine red with a black vinyl top and chrome Rallye wheels. Mint condition car with only 42,781 actual miles!! The 350 4-barrel engine is 100% factory stock, has never been tampered with, and is still fitted with the factory original
Rochester Quadrajet 4-barrel carburetor. The automatic transmission shifts perfectly and the long 3.08
rear end allows relaxed high speed cruising. Power steering and power disc brakes for safe easy maneuvering. Ice cold air conditioning. Laser straight body with no signs of damage or repair ever and no bondo or
panel work. Drives literally like a brand new car with no play in the steering, no squeaks or rattles, and a smooth comfortable ride.
NADA: $2,888 - $4,620
Source: Sports Car Gallery of Beaver Falls
Found: 12/23/05
Comments: Now here is the example of those
big chrome bumpers. I had a friend that I used
to work in a gas station with. He had one of
these. I don't know what year he had, but it had
to be close to this. This car is extremely clean
looking in the pictures. If it is as good in
person as they say (the description was a lot
longer in their ad) and the picture show why
wouldn't this be a cool old car to drive to
cruise nights. And because it does cost much you
don't have to worry about losing a lot of money
driving it into the ground. Have fun with this
old classic.
1964 Pontiac Catalina - $18,950
Description: 2 door Hardtop, an original surviving car, turquoise on turquoise, 27,285 actual miles, 2-owner car from Tulsa, OK, cold air conditioning, automatic transmission, V-8, power steering, power brakes, am super deluxe radio. The only changes ever made to this car are the upgrade with modern 17" custom wheels, and one excellent repaint (due to fading), no damage or rust ever. I have driven the car over 300 miles at one sitting, it drives like new and rides superbly. Don't miss this one, it is a real sleeper.
NADA: $6,903 - $9,900
Source: Randy Blythe's Dream Cars
Found: 10/12/05
Comments: This is the car that inspired this
month's unusual list. Now, this car is out of my
price range, and I believe overpriced. However, I wanted to show it because it shows you what
you can do with a really clean car and a nice set
of wheels. The wheels really make the look here. What a simple and effective change. I like it.
I might be interested in this car if it was more reasonably priced. As it is I would pass. At $12-13K I would think about this cool old cruiser.
1958 Nash Metropolitan - $6,500
Description: 26,000 original miles, NO RUST, new two tone turquoise and white paint. Five new tires, Excellent running engine. Cute as can be!
NADA: $5,575 - $8,950
Source: Wayne's Classic Cars
Found: 11/02/05
Comments: You want alternative. It doesn't get
much more alternative than this. I saw it and just had to save the ad.
1963 Chevrolet Corvair Monza - $4,250
Description: Corvair Monza 900 convertible, 6-cyl, 4-spd, manual top in good condition, nice interior, runs and drives.
NADA: $6,925 - $10,700
Source: Classic Connection
Found: 10/6/05
Comments: Unsafe At Any Speed! That's what Ralph Nader had to say about this car. And he was close to right. Chevrolet didn't understand rear engine cars well enough then. But the original 911 was also a rear engine car with very "special" handling characteristics. The 911 eventual was tamed. The biggest thing you can do to this car is put slightly wider tires on
the rear.
What's not to like. O.K. No A/C. Oh yea, it's a manual top. Well, at this price who really cares. This is one of those funky old cars you just drive for the heck of it. Just to be different. And at
this price how can you really go wrong.
1963 Buick Skylark - $7,995
Description: This car is in excellent condition in and out. It features the
original V-8 motor. New flow-master exhaust. Original paint still looks great. Original interior is like new. Runs and drives awesome. New Cragar wheels and tires. Nice car priced to
sell!
NADA: $6,400 - $9,650
Source: Premium Motors
Found: 10/12/05
Comments: Four bolt wheels?!? That's weird for a sixties V-8 car. This is pretty different, and affordable. It actually seems price appropriately. The wheels are a nice touch. I just can't get warmed up enough on this car to move it higher on the list. Maybe it the over done white on red color scheme. Blame Mustangs for that.
1964 Ford Galaxie - $9,450
Description: Nice clean Galaxie! V8, auto believed
to be all original. Custom wheels and tires, runs and drives fantastic! Nice car.
NADA: $7,325 - $12,200
Source: Motor City
Found: 11/01/05
Comments: Why am I inspired by this car? I don't know, but this is
another one of those times when a nice set of wheels and tires make a great look for a car. The price
seems right too.
1964 Pontiac Bonneville - $7,100
Description: This is a great 1964 Pontiac Bonneville 2 door hardtop with a maroon exterior, a white top, and a white interior. Miles are 53,085. This is a very nice all original car that would not take very much to bring to a show level. The engine is a 389 cubic inch
V8 with automatic 3 speed transmission. What a great summer driver!
NADA: $9,500 - $13,550
Source: Classic Lady Motors
Found: 2/2/06
Comments: I was a little surprised at the
value of this car with NADA. So not only is it affordable,
but it seems to be a bargain as well.
1966 Oldsmobile Delta 88 - $4,995
Description: 2-dr Holiday Coupe, 425/310 hp, automatic, PS, PB, PW, nice interior, good and solid outside, drive it anywhere!! Wheels/Tires optional
NADA: $7,800 - $12,000
Source: Classic Connection
Found: 10/6/05
Comments: NADA does not list a 425/310 hp engine. They list a 425/365 hp, and a 425/375 hp option. I plugged in the 425/365 for my pricing. It added 20% to the base price. Obviously we need to do some
research. The 425/310 could be the base engine and not need any pricing.
1967 Buick Skylark Convertible - $8,995
Description: What a Great Ride! This Good-Looking Gold 1967 Buick Skylark Convertible will provide lots of Great Cruising! Nice Gold paint with a good black soft top and nice original style gold interior. Powered with a 300 V8 Motor and Automatic Transmission. Also equipped with Power Steering; Power Top; Tilt Wheel; AM Radio. What a Great Deal!
NADA: $11,400 - $18,800
Source: Classic Auto Showplace Ltd.
Found: 1/26/06
Comments: Too bad it doesn't have air
conditioning. Again, this is starting to get me
interested in convertible.
1970 Chevrolet Kingswood Wagon - $12,500
Description: This 1970 Chevrolet Kingswood Wagon had its engine and transmission rebuilt in 1999 (about 19,000 miles). It has a lot going for it including a very straight body and paint, ice cold a/c, power steering, power disc brakes (installed in 2000), and power windows. Under the hood, this Chevy sports a powerful 400 CID V-8 coupled to a turbo 400 transmission. This car needs absolutely nothing done to it. Other goodies include a tilt wheel and a AM/FM Stereo.
NADA: $7,530 - $13,260
Source: Classic Auto Showplace Ltd.
Found: 4/5/2006
Comments: I came across this car too late
to put it in my recent
four
door article. My parents had a station wagon
like this... with the rear facing third row
seat. I always thought it was kind of cool...
for a wagon. In today's politically correct
world this is probably a bad thing. That's a
shame.
1971 Buick Riviera - $4,995
Description: 455 V8, automatic, air conditioning, power steering, power brakes, power windows, power seats, cruise control, AM-FM stereo, good straight original driver, runs &
drives great, nice solid body.
NADA: $11,880 - $19,800
Source: Classic & Collectible Cars
Found: 4/6/2006
Comments: I love that boat tail rear end. I
would have moved this car way up on the
list if it had buckets and a factory console. At
this price we should be able to scrounge that
up. I wonder how bad the gas mileage is with
this boat.
1973 Ford Maverick - $6,500
Description: 2 dr, auto, air conditioning, power steering, power brakes, 28K miles, green, green interior, completely original, runs perfect, 6 cylinders.
NADA: $2,750 - $4,345 (Note:
price is for a Mercury Comet)
Source: Collector Car Trader
Found: 3/31/2006
Comments: I love finding super clean, original, low mileage cars that are unwanted. I would prefer the small bumper version before 73, but I like the idea here. I would still low ball an offer. This is a project car in my mind. Do we want to be
different?
1977 Pontiac Grand Prix - $9,995
Description: Professionally maintained and exceptionally clean, looks and runs like new, 38k original miles, original build sheet and sales contract, original manuals and books, always garaged. You must see to believe.
NADA: $3,878 - $6,435
Source: Specialty Sales Classic and Exotic Cars
Found: 12/16/05
Comments: Do you know some people look at an old
car that reminds them of that car they drove in
high school or college. This is that kind of car. I drove my
Mom's 76 Grand Prix in high school and some of
my college years for a lot more miles than
I care to remember. We have one problem here. These cars are heavy and slow. I would only get this car if it were
equipped with a 400. This car is clearly
overpriced. For $5,000 I might consider
this for fun. At least it's interesting.
