No secret I love automobiles and have since I was a very young boy , all makes and models !! Also no secret I love my 56 Olds. but despite the fact that I am quite content with my Super 88 I spend a lot of my free time cruising classic car adds just to see what's out there.
Today was no different and I came across what I thought was a bargain, a 1966 Plymouth Belvedere 2 door sport coupe at a very reasonable price, this was not a performance model it was a 318, single exhaust 2 bbl, no air, no power accessories a very pedestrian vehicle BUT it appeared to be meticulously restored perfect red interior, perfect white paint, perfect under the hood and in the trunk and chassis as well. now this vehicle was reasonably priced probably due to the fact that it was not a performance model, it was probably less than half of what you would pay for a like year GTO, 442, Chevelle. As I scoured the add I thought to myself what a great ride for someone who wants a very solid fun to drive classic vehicle. I also thought to myself despite the fact I thought it was a beautiful restoration it was a pretty vanilla vehicle, the kind of vehicle that could pull up next to you and you may not even notice it !!
Now one thing about my Olds it gets noticed, maybe because of its size or its age or because of its color combination Tropical Green & Alcan white (factory colors) but its a head turner for sure and I have to admit I like the attention it gets !! so my question given a choice would you opt for a head turner (any make or model) or a solid ride ( any make or model) I know it sounds like a silly question but sometimes my mind wanders !!!

 

I suppose it depends upon if you’re a “Hey look at me!” kinda person or not.

 

Although the next car is not this, I feel the need for a large Oldsmobile to cruise the power tour in. Some 4 door hardtop white or cream or pastel green boat I can tag BIG MAMA.

 

The only head my car needs to turn is mine, as I'm walking away from it. If you don't turn around to look at your car, it's the wrong car for you...

 

In this age I think if anyone is going to notice any kind of car at all it would be one that is fity to sixty years old regardless if it was a performance car or a grocery getter originally. Most kids now don't know the difference in cars that old except if they were a gear head and even then they would appreciate a grocery getter in good shape.

 

I find it interesting when you see a 'plain jane' car restored. The restoration cost is roughly the same whether you're restoring a 6 cylinder Belvedere or a Hemi. OK, engine rebuild is going to cost more for the Hemi but the rest of it is identical. You have to really appreciate that base car to go through the time, effort and expense of a restoration and then when it's time to sell you're nowhere near above water on it.
About 10 years ago the local guy that painted my 442 was restoring a '67-ish Mustang coupe. Plain jane straight six grocery getter notchback car. Now, this guy does high end restoration work. He only takes on what we would consider high end projects. I asked him why anyone would be spending that kind of money on that crappy Mustang. Turned out the owner had deep pockets and just loved the car since he had it so long. Probably spent at least $80k on the restoration and street value, at the time (and probably even now) couldn't have been more than $10-15k. Oh, well.

 

Agreed !! I was told along time ago don't enter the collector car game looking to make money especially if your doing the restoration. several years ago when I restored my plain Jane 64 BelAir 2 door sedan I made money on the sale but I was the exception not the rule !!
I did a lot of networking and bartering for upholstery etc... and did a lot of the work myself (eng overhaul, suspension and chassis) and I got lucky that the buyer was actually looking for a sedan not a hardtop.
I'm sure the owner of this Belvedere is losing money but he must of had a passion for this car and saw his vision/project through.

 

Also guys, performance cars are getting harder to find as there are fewer left over. Fewer total numbers to choose from means that some people may have to resort to a second choice of a plain vanilla car, maybe even a four door. There are folks out there who appreciate any car still in good shape at that age regardless.

 

Agreed !! not only are there fewer, the cost of those performance cars may be prohibitive and just out of reach for some folks ! As I cruise the car ads I have seen plenty of lets say Ford Falcons, Dodge Darts, Plymouth Valliant's and even some really nice Ramblers (AMC's ) that are very nicely restored or preserved that I would be proud to own/drive and they are 1/2 the price of the more desirable models and would still be a blast.

 

They can be both, nothing makes my day more than seeing someone driving something old or older down the interstate from an early 1980s delta 4 door to a 1930's chevy pickup (with Alaska plates mind you. I'm in South Dakota) Any vehicle that someone has spent time on to keep it moving is good enough for me, turns my head anyway.