A 1959 Chevrolet Impala is a classic that combines affordability and high style. (Photo by General Motors)
Nostalgic car lovers may hanker for a Concours-winning Bugatti or a Gatsby-era Packard, but the pleasures of owning a special car can be attained for a much smaller investment than those precious classics would require.
In fact, there are many vehicles in the lower price brackets -- less than the average new family sedan -- worth considering.
That these cars are not museum pieces may be their strongest attraction: They are artifacts that can be enjoyed, driven as intended without fretting over a sudden downpour or a stone chip in the paint. And repair parts are likely to be more reasonable.
The car suggestions that follow were gleaned from interviews with experts who have broad experience in classic cars. The top of the price range for their recommendations was set at $25,000.
ROBERT CASEY, CURATOR
From 1908 to 1927, the Ford Motor Co. produced some 15 million Model T cars. To Robert Casey, the John and Horace Dodge curator of transportation at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Mich., and author of "The Model T: A Centennial History," that's an important consideration.
Tips from the experts
- When buying, talk to local car clubs, says Smith. Brand enthusiasts may have intimate knowledge of current vehicles for sale. Later, they can advise on where to get parts and services.
- Buy cars built before the early emissions controls were installed, as they are more reliable -- generally 1973 and earlier, Smith says.
- If you want a car with usable performance, pick something newer than a 1960 and get radial tires for it, Mecum says.
- Consider how you'll use the car. "If you want to take friends for rides, don't get a roadster," Casey says.
"I recommend cars that have wide and affordable availability of parts and service," Casey says. "The overall experience gets better if the car you pick has an established community to support it."
"I recommend cars that have wide and affordable availability of parts and service," Casey says. "The overall experience gets better if the car you pick has an established community to support it."
The Model T is perhaps the classic of affordable classics. "Plan on spending $9,000 to $12,000 for a well-sorted car that is roadworthy," Casey says. "Because there are so many cars available, your toughest decision may be on the body style."
LARRY SMITH, COLLECTOR
Larry Smith, founder of a chain of body-repair shops in the Detroit area and a past chairman of the Meadow Brook Concours d'Elegance, has an alternative view of how to choose an occasional-use car: Let your emotions lead and emphasize image over practical matters like reliability and ease of service.
"For me, it's all about how cool the car is," Smith says. "I want cars to make a styling or performance statement. The cars I picked do that."
Ford's 1958 Thunderbird. (Photo by Ford)
Among models that emphasize style, Smith recommends the 1958-60 Ford Thunderbird, 1959 Chevrolet Impala hardtop, 1961-63 Ford Thunderbird, 1966-'67 Oldsmobile Toronado and the 1967-70 Cadillac Eldorado. Smith also likes the Virgil Exner-era Chryslers, with Dodge Darts and Plymouth Valiants from 1960-62 being the most affordable. Cheap classics with a modicum of performance include the 1971-72 Fiat 124 Spider, 124 Coupe and Bertone-bodied X1/9.
DANA MECUM, AUCTIONEER
Dana Mecum, president of Mecum Auctions, which produces classic-car sales, selected vehicles that in his opinion will hold their value. Examples include Chevrolets like the 1969 Camaro and 1970 Chevelle, available for less than $25,000 so long as you steer clear of convertibles and high-performance versions.
"These muscle cars are popular, so when you go to sell it, there will be buyers," he says.
For $15,000 or less, Mecum recommends first- and second-generation Ford Mustangs. "At this price," he says, "you'll find decent examples, but they won't have the biggest engines or the rare options found on the more expensive examples."
At $10,000 or less, Mecum recommends something completely different. "Old cars in this price range weren't popular when they were new, so their value isn't high today," he says. "This makes them harder to sell later, but they're still enjoyable. I'd look at 1948-54 Plymouth sedans."
Leave a comment