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What do you guys think would be a good classic car for me to get maintenance wise? I am not good at working on car, so I would be rather helpless if it had problems all the time lol. Some I really would like to have are the following: 59 GM full size cars aside from the Impala, 61-63 Continental and Thunderbird, 64-72 Riviera, 69-76 Electra 225, 60 Monterey, and 69-72 Marquis. There are others, but they are mostly out of my price range (15k). I wouldn't mind some of the mid-late 70s fullsizers, but I want to try and get a car that came before the safety and fuel regulations. Now admittedly, I won't be getting a classic car for about 5-6 years (after I get out of college), but it is a Saturday night and I have nothing else to do!
Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
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One of the attractions of a classic car is that they are far easier to work on, so people can do their own work without expensive computerized equipment. If you don't learn to do a lot of that yourself, you can have trouble finding mechanics old enough to remember how to use such old fashioned devices as a dwell tach or timing light, or how to rebuild a carburetor. My last was a '72 El Camino, I changed to front disc brakes, all new suspension and steering, added oversize dual exhaust, a set of gauges, rebuilt the TH350 transmission, and many other work over the 5 years I had it. That one cost $8,000 in 2002. Unless you spend $30,000 or more for something totally restored, they need work regularly. On a 1963 Ranchero I changed out the engine, rebuilt the rear end and completely redid the brakes, changed out the rusted out heating system, did a lot of body work, paint, and a lot of electrical work.
I have always wanted a '59 Cadillac but never got one. I am not that mechanically inclined and having a garage that it would fit in would also be a big expense. Love those cars from the 50s and 60s.
If it is Thunderbird, I would suggest 1966.
However this one won't be available in the time frame you are suggesting.
It is up for sale presently. //www.city-data.com/forum/membe...uy-434734.html
Bob.
One of the attractions of a classic car is that they are far easier to work on, so people can do their own work without expensive computerized equipment. If you don't learn to do a lot of that yourself, you can have trouble finding mechanics old enough to remember how to use such old fashioned devices as a dwell tach or timing light, or how to rebuild a carburetor. My last was a '72 El Camino, I changed to front disc brakes, all new suspension and steering, added oversize dual exhaust, a set of gauges, rebuilt the TH350 transmission, and many other work over the 5 years I had it. That one cost $8,000 in 2002. Unless you spend $30,000 or more for something totally restored, they need work regularly. On a 1963 Ranchero I changed out the engine, rebuilt the rear end and completely redid the brakes, changed out the rusted out heating system, did a lot of body work, paint, and a lot of electrical work.
That is true. From what I can tell, if I spend close to 15k though, I won't have to replace as much.
I have always wanted a '59 Cadillac but never got one. I am not that mechanically inclined and having a garage that it would fit in would also be a big expense. Love those cars from the 50s and 60s.
Yeah lol our garage can barely fit our truck which is 221".
If it is Thunderbird, I would suggest 1966.
However this one won't be available in the time frame you are suggesting.
It is up for sale presently. //www.city-data.com/forum/membe...uy-434734.html
Bob.
Why 1966? I know starting in 1964 they had front disc brakes. And yes I would buy your Thunderbird right now if I could.
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