NMNA:
IROC http://columbus.craigslist.org/cto/4259971794.html
BUICK http://columbus.craigslist.org/cto/4239888829.html
NMNA:
IROC http://columbus.craigslist.org/cto/4259971794.html
BUICK http://columbus.craigslist.org/cto/4239888829.html
I was in a similar boat and I ended up with a 1973 Dart... I initially was looking in the 3000.00 range but was having no luck. After 2 months of searching I stepped up and found this one for $5300.00 on the local craigslist. It was not a V8 but honestly I never felt like I was missing out on anything with a slant 6. The Mopar A bodys are a great way to get into a classic looking "muscle car" for a reasonable price.
Of course I sold it after 2 months to buy a different one. I aparently have a problem...
For comparisons sake I got the 1972 for $1850.00 without an engine. I then bought a rusty 1974 for $1400.00 with a complete drivetrain and lots of other sellable parts.
What exactly does the A body styles mean?
A Mopar A-Body is the platform many small chrysler cars of the 60's and 70's were built on.
Some examples are the Dodge Dart, Duster, Demon and Polara Plymouth had the Scamp, the Baracuda and the Valiant etc..
GM also had an A-Body line of cars, these included the Chevelle / Malibu, LeMans, Century, Skylark, Cutlass, El Camino
Aimcat wrote: What exactly does the A body styles mean?
Definition of GM A Body: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GM_A_platform_%281936%29 The Monte Carlos I listed are samples of A Bodys
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dodge-Dart-swinger-/231123744830?forcerrptr=true&hash=item35d00c783e&item=231123744830#ht_215wt_867
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Plymouth-Other-2-door-non-post-1973-plymouth-scamp-like-a-dodge-dart-/261360970098?forcerrptr=true&hash=item3cda53e972&item=261360970098&pt=US_Cars_Trucks#ht_44wt_1133
What helped me find my cars was simply typing in the year that I was looking for into craigslist. I would search for 1964, 1965 etc... up until about 1975. I would also search for 65, 66 etc... A lot of neat cars pop up that you may never catch by simply looking for chevelle, malibu, tempest etc..
If you type 196* you get all results from the 60's. I usually do this and go by decade.
Corvair!
In reply to Storz:
As much as I would want to say Corvair, I honestly believe if he wants a V8 automatic RWD car, he would be disappointed in a Corvair. Yeah there are V8 conversions, but still.
Might want to include #4 in the "Big Three"...and consider an AMC Matador Coupe or a 2-door Hornet/Concord or even a Spirit (Javelins and AMXs will command higher prices).
The I6 cars can easily be converted to a V8, and the V8 cars will all easily take a 360 or 401 (or 390) for stout motivation.
Here is my A Body mopar just to give you an idea. Realistically a solid car will run more like 5-6K range but still an inexpensive runner.
I bought my wife a 42k miles v8 auto '79 Nova 4-door that needed nothing for $2500. Sure it's a 4-door, but running and driving it's ready to go.
There is a lot to be said for nice and driving. If we were inclined to get a 2-door, and we aren't, having the 4-door means that we have a whole car for parts and could shop for a cheaper 2-door and swap parts we know work.
lol i don't think i'd consider 80s camaro, especially with 305, a "muscle car".
Lots of actually cool cars in this thread though, didn't expect that in this price.
$3500 is a very difficult price point for anything pre-1970. Most of the suggestions given are not realistic without it needing a total restoration. You may be able to find some oddball car like a 66-70 Ford Falcon for that kind of money but the V8 ones that aren't rusty will still demand that price as an absolute minimum, and the car will still need work. With your husband's lack of DIY skills, you really can't afford to buy something as inexpensive as a $3500 60s car with a V8. It will sit in the garage, in pieces, waiting for floorpans. Get something you can drive/use, then upgrade later.
I think you need to be looking more modern, i.e. 70s or early 1980s. Camaros, Firebirds, Fox body Mustangs can be had in this price range with judicious shopping. Rust typically isn't as big of an issue on these newer cars, either. I'd stick with something common like these as it makes parts and repairs far less expensive. Trying to find a new grille for an AMC Hornet is nowhere near as easy as getting one for a 77 Camaro.
Similar to ddavid's statements above, this is why I have found and recommended the Monte Carlo SS.
These were pretty much the last car offered that held over the true 60's muscle car theme (souped up Intermediate coupe.) Sure, it can be argued that they do not really have that much engine but from a customizing perspective, there is really nothing in a '68 Chevelle that can not be added to a Monte Carlo SS if you want. All the big drag strip style engines will fit if that is what you want.
Aside from this, the Montes are at an interesting point where they are old enough (1984 was 30 years ago!!!) but not too old. Parts are easy to source and they are supported enough that reproduction parts are available too.
These cars are used but not used up. Many were well taken car of by owners who cared for them.
A common question is what can I buy today that will increase in price like the '60 Muscle cars are increasing now. I think the answer is Monte Carlo SS's.
If your husband is 50 now, he was 20 in 1984. It is likely that cars from around that era are what he desires. An '83-88 Monte Carlo SS could fit the bill.
Am I on the right track?
Montes can easily be taken from mild to wild:
If Show and Shine type car shows are your thing, the Monte's do not seem out of place or unwelcome at these type of events also:
I wouldn't buy your husband a car, buying a car is highly subjective, theres a good chance he won't like what you picked out.
JohnRW1621 wrote:
Wow. That doesn't suck.
kanaric wrote: lol i don't think i'd consider 80s camaro, especially with 305, a "muscle car".
She stated an IROC was also a consideration...
Another thing to look at are AMCs, I've seen so many 60s Ramblers and Ambassadors, often with V8 power, more or less ready for cruising, sit forever on CL with extremely reasonable prices.
All those Monte SS's have me hankering for a Kia Rondo.
On a serious note, I have a soft spot for mid 80's Monte's. Mom had an '85(?) up until about '90/'91.
Didn't think I would but I like the Monte Carlo SS idea now for the budget, or spend a little more for a cleaner/ lower mileage example. Drive it, enjoy it, mod it later when funds available. $3500 probably won't get much in the way of turn-key classic Mustangs, Camaros, GTOs etc. that don't require a lot of work.
I just might look for one myself.
No to the Monte, no offense I just know he wouldn't like that. Something like the 70s Maverick would be up his alley!! I know what he likes and that is why I am A-OK with getting the car. To whomever said I wouldn't get him a car because I may not know what he likes.
On the AMC cars - someone said parts would be hard to find? True or no?
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