thePULSEBy Ross Joseph
It’s that time of year when car fanatics pull their classic babies out of storage, polish them up and hit the road in search of adventure or whatever comes their way; the destination rarely matters. Summer is also a popular time to buy a classic. When it comes to collectibles, most classic car mags focus on the no-way-in-hell-I-can-afford-that end of the spectrum, but there’s just as much fun to be had with a low-cost cruiser. Here are 8 ways to get into older-car nostalgia/addiction without spending a bundle. (The model years listed are the best years to buy, not always the entire production run.)
1964 — 1973 Ford Mustang
Mint: Up to $245,000
Fixer-upper: $1,000
When Lee Iacocca pushed the Ford Mustang into production in the mid-1960s, he couldn’t have known that the car’s name would last for decades (or maybe he did, and we just don’t give him enough credit for his foresight). You can thank the Stang’s inimitable character and relatively low cost of entry for that. Time has made the Mustang faster and more comfortable, but it hasn’t eclipsed the early cars’ charm. They still offer great looks, a spacious interior and more charisma than you can shake a Holley carburetor at. Six-cylinder versions are an inexpensive way in, but V8 models provide fantastic acceleration and a great soundtrack. Either way, you can’t go wrong. It’s a freakin’ Mustang.
1962 — 1980 MG MGB
Mint: $19,500
Fixer-upper: $1,000
If you’re thinking “British sports cars,” at the top of your list is probably an MGB. The car once named “World’s Most Popular Roadster” is everything a real person’s sports car should be: cheap, durable and fun to drive. The “B” came in both coupe and convertible form and was built for almost 20 years, which means finding one to suit your taste is super easy. And thanks to modern technology, the infamous reliability woes of old English cars have been all but eliminated. You can buy sexier summer cruisers, but when it comes to old-car bang for the buck, the B can’t be beat.
1968 — 1974 AMC Javelin
Mint: $36,000
Fixer-upper: $1,500
The world of desirable pony and muscle cars is a small one. The genre’s golden age lasted only a few years, so the list of genuine rock stars is pretty short. The AMC Javelin makes it onto that list, but is somehow less sought-after than gems such as the Chevy Camaro. Thankfully, this means good Javelins are still easy to come by. With slinky looks, two available V8 engines and a cool history of Trans-Am competition, this is an ideal way to enter the muscle-car world without breaking the bank.
1970 — 1974 Datsun 240Z
Mint: $45,000
Fixer-upper: $2,800
The Datsun 240Z basically started the Japanese sports-car revolution. In the days of the Jaguar E-Type and the Ferrari Daytona, Datsun (now Nissan) dreamed up a sexy grand tourer whose looks rivaled them both. A torquey straight-6 engine lived under the hood, and the car cost thousands less than the E-Type it emulated. The appeal still stands. The 240Z ~ and the later, larger-engined 260Z ~ is a great long-distance cruiser and a stylish piece of art that shows up its more expensive rivals.
1968 — 1985 Fiat 124 Sport Spider
Mint: $9,500
Fixer-upper: $500
The stateside arrival of the 2011 Fiat 500 and now the Abarth has done a lot for Fiat’s household name recognition, but it hasn’t really raised the prices of the brand’s older models. Fun machines like the 124 Spider are still everywhere, and still available for far less than you’d expect. More than 200,000 Spiders were built, and 75% of those came to the U.S., so you’ll have a lot to choose from. Italian looks? Check. Great handling? Check. Cheaper than an expensive night out with your spouse? Check! And please don’t get me started on classic Fiats v. the new Fiats. I think you know where my loyalty lies.
1970 — 1981 Pontiac Firebird
Mint: $80,000
Fixer-upper: $2,000
The second-generation Pontiac Firebird is something of a contradiction: nearly everyone likes the way it looks, but few people want to own one. Perhaps Burt Reynolds is to blame since Smokey and the Bandit featured a hot ‘Bird. Regardless, this is a car worth owning. The second-generation F-body is a cultural touchstone, and although it was never gifted with great power or nimble handling, it looks amazing. Plus, people might think you’re the Bandit, which might be good for free drinks… or something. Eastbound and down, y’all.
1970 — 1976 Porsche 914
Mint: $32,995
Fixer-upper: $10,500
Among Porsche enthusiasts, the 914 is seen as a “lesser” Porsche, kind of a “poor man’s Porsche.” Its air-cooled engine is basically a Volkswagen 4-cylinder, the same powerplant found in the Beetle. And yes, compared with a period 911, it’s slow. If you subscribe to the traditional definition of automotive beauty, it’s not even very pretty. But the 914’s mid-engine chassis is a thing of beauty. It handles like the proverbial Go-Kart and it’s well-built. Happily, good examples can be had for as little as $10K.
1953 — 1980 Volkswagen Beetle
Mint: $35,000
Fixer-upper: $2,498
Everyone knows someone who had, or still has, a Beetle. The bug-shaped wonder was born in Hitler’s Germany and designed by Ferdinand Porsche; it featured a practical layout that proved to be the perfect answer to Europe’s postwar transportation needs. The Beetle’s air-cooled, rear-mounted flat-4 engine is rugged and its interior is all but indestructible. A long production run ~ Beetles were still made in Mexico until 2002 ~ means that parts will essentially never become expensive. And there doesn’t seem to be much middle ground ~ people either love Beetles or hate them.
Editor’s note ~ my classic summer vehicle of choice would be a 1978 Ford Bronco with the top chopped off ~ big, bulky, horrible on gas, and probably able to singlehandedly wipe out a good portion of the ozone layer on its own, but c’mon, these ugly beauties just scream good times…
