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When it arrives, I'll clean it up and take pics. It was appraised over 10 years ago for $25K. I don't want to sell the Bel-Air. I want to sell the minivan. The van is a 2005 Kia Sedona EX with 85K.
The motorhomes I have been looking at are 2005 Class C, under 45K for around $25K. We would use the motorhome quite a bit and I have a place on my property to park it.
Old fart that I are, I've put quite a few miles on those cars. My dad had a couple '55 Bel Airs when I was a teen. My first car was a '54, followed by a '56. My brother and my best friend both had '57s.... I could go on, but my point was going to be that, if driven regularly, they're pretty dependable cars. If parked, eh.... I had a '57 Buick convertible a few years back that was my hangar queen, only taken out for parades, car shows and a rare Sunday drive now and then. It had been completely restored, but the darned thing developed oil leaks, etc., and I had to have the transmission overhauled (a second time).
Unless this is a show car, I'd let your wife drive it for her little runs to the store. Maybe you can convince her to park it out in the corner of the parking lot when she goes shopping, etc.
Old fart that I are, I've put quite a few miles on those cars. My dad had a couple '55 Bel Airs when I was a teen. My first car was a '54, followed by a '56. My brother and my best friend both had '57s.... I could go on, but my point was going to be that, if driven regularly, they're pretty dependable cars. If parked, eh.... I had a '57 Buick convertible a few years back that was my hangar queen, only taken out for parades, car shows and a rare Sunday drive now and then. It had been completely restored, but the darned thing developed oil leaks, etc., and I had to have the transmission overhauled (a second time).
Unless this is a show car, I'd let your wife drive it for her little runs to the store. Maybe you can convince her to park it out in the corner of the parking lot when she goes shopping, etc.
It's a very nice car, but not a show car. The paint has a few chips in it. She would definitely park it out towards the back of the lot. To be honest, I think she might love that car more than I do. LOL
!955 - 2012: The level of safety improvements between those periods is ENORMOUS!!!!!! I'm talking about literally thousands upon thousands of safety improvements.
Decades ago in my 30's (circa 1980-1989) I had what I thought was the bright idea of using classic cars as daily drivers. Why drive a depreciating asset as opposed to a vehicle which will hold, if not increase, in value for transportation? Seemed like a really smart idea.
Being a research nut, I went the whole nine yards in investigating the idea. Note: I was focusing on early/mid-60s vehicles (Buick Rivieras, Thunderbirds, Grand Prixs, Mustangs, Camaros, etc.). I researched all available injury/accident data, safety factors, maintenance, parts longevity, availability & cost/etc. - you name it - I looked at it.
Bottom Line - Its a very, very, very bad idea from a safety standpoint. There are a huge number of people who are alive and not crippled because of safety improvements in vehicles over the years.
Things like: sun visors made out of stamped metal lightly covered in fabric or plastic - in an accident its a great way to get the top of your head decapitated; a steering wheel column which will impale you on a frontal hit; no redundant brake systems (didn't come in until 1967/68 on the Mustangs) and forget about ABS, dashboards that become lethal in semi-side impacts; engines that end up in your lap; no crumple zones or airbags; the list goes on, and on and on.
Using a mid-fifties vehicle (or any of the classic period 60s vehicles) for regular driving is a serious roll of the dice. The majority of accidents happen within 25 miles or so of home.
Do you really want to risk yourself and family with primitive, more than half a century old automotive technology? I'd suggest you give it some serious thought. I did and ditched the idea back in the 80s. JMO
PS - I've owned and refurbed a number of classic era cars, I love them. BUT - driving them is for low traffic, country roads only and I'm always a bit nervous, especially if I have any passengers.
Since you don't need a minivan and a motor home, would it be possible to purchase a used vehicle for your wife's needs? You could look for another Honda Accord, or even something like a Volvo S60 (FWD, not AWD) -- basically something that has modern safety features, and one that is not going to drive you crazy when a shopping cart, or some inconsiderate driver/passenger from another vehicle lets go of a door into your car. I can understand wanting to get away from a Kia Sedona as a daily driver, but the Bel Air would be a throwback to another era; and, on Florida's roads, I don't know that I'd take chances unless equally armed in safety features.
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All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players: they have their exits and their entrances; and one man in his time plays many parts, his acts being seven ages.
~William Shakespeare (As You Like It Act II, Scene VII)
The market is soft now, a 55 bel air 2 door sedan in number 3 condition is about 14 k now tops. If it is a 2 door hard top top price about 23 but the cars have to be original with no alterations or the value will go lower. hope this helps.
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