1960's prices ???

What do y'all think about a price of $ 4000 for a '69 Impala 4door dude has on Craigs List near me ? Always garaged and looks to be good shape for the year, but no a/c.

Reason I ask is because in 2013 - 14 I advertised a '69 Mercury Monterey 4 door, and there was absolutely zero interest, except the usual time waters. Eventually sold for a lot less than the $3500 asking price.

I've been pretty dumb over years selling, buying used cars, always with regret. I know my limitations, lol.

Yeah, I'd pay $ 2000, reasonable in my opinion, but am I being un-realistic ? ? ?

My experience (window shopping and tire kicking; never actually buying) is that anything rust free built before 1972 is at minimum 4k. This is regardless of make, model, or trim. Any impala seems to command a premium compared to other full sized models of the time, so I think getting out of there for 4k is reasonable.

No idea how common A/C would have been on those cars. My gut feel is that this asking price is a bit high unless it looks like it was brought over from 1969 via time machine, but it would be a good buy at $3000. A 4 door Impala may not be mainstream, but it is a bit more mainstream than a Mercury Monterey and likely to sell for a little more in comparable condition.

Think of it this way, around here basically anything that runs and is in decently good shape is $3K on CL. There is usually some slack on the shape for older cars. I think the 3-4K region is reasonable provided the car is in good shape.

I would pay that, but keep in mind that in my area 1) prices are a little higher than the national average, and 2) cars don't rust (much) compared to other places. Remember on those cars it is rust in the trunk area and around the rear window that kills them.

And yes Impala's bring higher prices than other domestic full-size cars from the same era, that car as a two-door would be $8k++ around here. I don't think A/C is a big deal, I play around with 2nd gen F-bodies where factory A/C is common, and lot of guys pull the A/C to get a cleaner firewall. The higher-dollar builds replace it with something like Vintage Air, but the average dude just says they don't need A/C in a "play" car.

As an overall theme it seems to be GM stuff and Chevy stuff in particular seems to go for a higher prices than the equivalent Fords in four door models. Why? I dunno. Seems people are likely to accept a four dour Chevy more than the same year four door Ford.

$4k asking sounds about right (assuming a flexible $4k that will settle closer to 3) if the paint is decent and it's a V8 car. I wouldn't expect it to move fast at that price, but the right buyer would probably show up in a month or so.

Around here, it's pretty difficult to try and figure an accurate value for older stuff. It's not uncommon to see 60s iron in pieces going for 2 or 3 times that price. Other times mostly solid, running examples can go for 3500-10000.

10 years ago I sold my 1970 4dr Impala for $3200. It wasn't special - a well preserved 350 auto car with drum brakes all around. Factory air that didnt work, seats that weren't awful but needed reupholstered, no rust to speak of. Dude was young, paid me in $100 bills. In a week it had working air, new flowmaster duals all the way out, and 22" wheels. We put it in his mom's name....

A couple months later and he went to jail. I saw an older woman (mom, I guess) driving it around back on the white steelies for a couple years after that.

A couple years back I had a 1968 Ford Falcon four door that ran and drove. Wasn't rusty. I think I got $400 for it. Granted you would likely have trouble locating a more mundane classic but hard to imagine a running and driving classic was worth so little. Oh course could have been because the previous owner to me swapped in a full (and ill fitting Ford Tempo interior).

$4K is not out of the question providing it is mostly rust free, driven periodically, reasonably maintained and not wrecked... and a V8 car. It is a 47 y/o car after all. As mentioned look for rust behind rear window, trunk and quarters. Plan on brake, coolant, fuel system and suspension work as w/ any older car.

I've owned '67 and '70 sedans, they can be made into really nice drivers.

Besides paint and interior condition I'd negotiate price on non-A/C, +/- maintenance records and needed repairs for a stored/ sitting car. 4-door is less desirable but the '69 has that one year only grille that makes it a plus IMO.

Got pics?

Don't forget to flip the air cleaner cover over FTW.

Dave wrote: As an overall theme it seems to be GM stuff and Chevy stuff in particular seems to go for a higher prices than the equivalent Fords in four door models. Why? I dunno. Seems people are likely to accept a four dour Chevy more than the same year four door Ford.

This also seems to apply if you're comparing two doors besides Mustangs; compare Chevelle prices vs Torrinos.

Thanx for all your opinions, about what I expect - $4000 is a tipping point for me, so I dunno...

Watch the jump scene in Dirty Mary, Crazy Larry. It'll change your mind.

Deke's '66 made it cool to own an old Impala. It was an inspiration for my '70 sedan build.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/DvxMNSWFJGI