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Classic Car Watch
A Day With $12,000
December 1, 2009
By Scott Lewis
In the October edition of this column I told you about a lot a scams I saw when searching AutoTrader Classics. That was not my intent. My original intent was to look for classic that fit these two simple criteria:
- 1962 - 1973
- $5000 - $12,000
While looking at the results of this search I was seeing a lot of cars. Unfortunately, the scam article made me reject most of them. But I still wanted to show you what I could find on AutoTrader on a single day, which a reasonable budget.
Every car listed here is below $12,000 and I was able to confirm all but the last one as legitimate cars for sale. I expect the last one is valid as it is close to one of the other cars here as sold by a dealer. Regardless, here is what I saw if I had a day with $12,000 burning a hole in my pocket.
1972 Chevrolet Camaro - $11,000
Description: 51,600 mi, all original, 2nd owner of 2nd gen, split bumper, Rally Sport pkg, always garaged, looks/runs great, nonsmoker, very clean int, fact ac, gold w/black vinyl top.
Source: AutoTrader Classics
Found: 9/18/2009
Comments: This is my favorite car here... if only because I am a Camaro nut. A Corvette for under $12K, is not as good as a true split bumper RS Camaro. I love the low mileage and all original aspect. That makes it the perfect canvas for my own project.
1971 Chevrolet Corvette - $11,850
Description: 350 CID V-8, automatic transmission, power steering, power brakes, power windows, and much more!
Source: Classic Auto Showplace, LTD.
Found: 9/18/2009
Comments: I was stunned when i came across a nice looking 68-72 Corvette in this price range. I should have called about it immediately, but I don't actually have $12,000 in cash at the moment. This also reminded me that I saw a blue 71 or 72 Corvette at the Lonestar National with w for sale sign that with a price of $10,500. The car was driving out of site and I didn't get a look at the phone number. Darn.
1963 Ford Falcon - $10,950
Description: SWEET V8 FALCON 1963 Ford Falcon Futura Hardtop Detailed, quick 302 V-8, smooth shifting automatic transmission. Dealer installed under dash A/C. Freshly buffed and waxed Rangoon Red finish with very nice Gray cloth interior stitched in the correct pattern. Excellent whitewall tires with factory optional wire wheel covers. This one is ready for fun.
Source: Duffy's Collectible Cars
Found: 9/18/2009
Comments: This one just looked like a nice clean old car. The A/C sold it for me. As long as it blows cold I could see using this as an occasional drive. Remember, the Falcon was really a Mustang before that put that Mustang body on it.
1972 Chevrolet Nova - $10,950
Description: Original Oregon car with absolutely no rust or corrosion anywhere. Factory power disc brakes, power steering, tilt wheel and rear window defroster. This car has been completely restored with in the past 5 years and 3,000 miles. 350 c.i., 4 barrel, dual exhaust, steel cowl induction hood, new upholstery, rally wheels, turbo 350 transmission, 10 bolt rear differential, sub-frame connectors, all original body panels, all original glass including windshield, and more. Runs and drives as good as it looks. Excellent collector and investment car value.
Source: Executive Auto Sales
Found: 9/18/2009
Comments: I love the 68-72 Nova body style. Like the
Falcon above, this is a first generation Camaro with different sheet
metal. I had a friend as a kid that had a 71 with a 396 (swap) and her
mother has a regular Nova with a 307. Kind of cool. These cars used to
be so cheap. But all the other cars from this time period became so
expensive that even these salvage yard fodder are now getting expensive.
1969 Pontiac Tempest - $8,500
Description: 1969 Pontiac Tempest Custom S. Exterior: Midnight Green. Interior: Dk. Green. Vinyl. Engine: 250 OHC 6 cyl. Transmission: 3 spd. 350. Odometer: 124450.
Source: Classic Car Guy
Found: 9/18/2009
Comments: If you have read this column much you know I have a fondness for sixties cars with six cylinder engines... especially Pontiacs with the OHC Sprint 6.
1968 Pontiac LeMans - $10,000
Description: 20,000 miles on an orig. rebuilt inline 6, 250ci/190hp engine, single barrel carb., runs good, 3 speed manual fac. Hurst floor shifter transmission, good condition, orig. owner, Calif. car, no rust, garaged, new Mich. tires, A.C., new shocks, great paint, great interior, vinyl seats, interior in good shape, new carpet, new brakes, AM radio, oil-water- AMP- tach. gauges, a must see.
Source: AutoTrader Classics
Found: 9/18/2009
Comments: The one car I could not confirm as a legitimate sale or a scam. But if it is a scam they are going to have a tough time with the car above as its competition. For this car the A/C with the 6 makes it perfect. If this is a legitimate car i would love to take it for a test drive.
