Classic Under $10k: 1959 Chevrolet Apache

This thing is going to go fast. Not drive fast. Sell fast.

Pre-1970s American trucks are collector's items. This was way before the Japanese got into the pickup business as Toyota did in the 1980s and took a chunk out of Detroit's sales. In the late 40s and 50s no one else in the world were making trucks like this. They were unique. They were also "built tough" as they saying goes, and could be used for a long time, provided they did not rust away (alas, as most did).

The Apache was part of Chevrolet's Task Force lineup that debuted in 1955, replacing the legendary Advance Design series that dominated the post-war truck market. The Task Force trucks featured wrap around windshields, power steering and brakes, an upgraded electrical system and refreshed styling. The actual name Apache was used from 1958 onward for all 1/3 ton trucks. They gained two more front headlights. Meanwhile factory air conditioning debuted. They could also be ordered with four-wheel drive instead of the default rear-wheel setup.

In 1960, the pickup lineup was totally revised again with entirely different and more boxy styling.

This is a final year 1959 Apache 3600. The owner says it has the 235 straight 6-cylinder engine with a column mounted three-speed shifter.

Cosmetically it's looking worn, but that's expected, even desired. I like the green and white paint. It'll look good year round in any locale.

As with any old car, rust is a top concern. The seller says they welded the front cab mounts and floor but the rear cabin needs floor welding. They also say they installed an electric windshield wiper motor and are including extra bumpers and a driver's side door.

Mechanically, they say it's running.

This is clearly a project car, but if you intend to use it as the beater it really beckons to be, it could be ready to haul your firewood and Christmas tree home this winter.

Available here on craigslist in Manchester, New Hampshire for $5,500.

1959 Goliath Express 1100

This is one of those rare car classifieds where the seller offers some context to flesh out the full story of the vehicle. The seller of this Goliath says it made the car blog rounds before they bought it this summer. They say it was advertised as a "museum quality" and in running condition, but it was actually much different.

Fortunately the seller had enough admiration for the vehicle that they devoted themselves to getting it running again. They say it now runs well and is up for grabs again.

Goliath was part of the larger Borgward German automaker group before both folded in 1961. They specialized in small three-wheel trucks, but also made passenger cars and larger trucks. The 1100 was intended to distinguish them from their smaller trucks, and was later sold under the name Hansa.

Underneath the charming red paint and wood bed is a flat four-cylinder four-stroke water-cooled engine powering the front-wheels. The rear-axle is solid drop-forged 1-ton steel, and it features low gears for hauling heavy freight.

Cosmetically, the seller does say it needs TLC, although with no major visible flaws the existing patina could pass. Mechanically, they cleaned the carburetors, added brake fluid, reseated valve covers, gaskets and seals and rebuilt the fuel tank. They say they got help and support from Goliath fans along the way.

The seller estimates this is just 1 of 3 Goliath trucks in North America.

If you saw this before and wanted it, here's another chance to have it better sorted.

Available here on ebay in Salt Lake City, Utah with a Buy-It-Now of $15,000 and the Make Offer option.

Matching Numbers 1959 Jaguar Mark IX

The first time I saw this listing, the seller had a post script that said the vehicle could be the same exact Jaguar driven by Kim Novak in Vertigo. My attention immediately piqued so I did some research and sure enough there was a similar car in the film. Hitchcock's movies are already A-list, and the cars that appeared in them (remember the Aston Martin from The Birds?) are iconic to say the least. I was ready to post it when poof - the listing disppeared.

Then I was reading Old Parked Cars this morning and I came across their in-person encounter of this car, along with a link to a new ebay listing. Thanks guys!

Only 10,009 produced Mark IX were produced from 1959-1961. These come from a long line of beautiful Jaguar cars, and was one of the last of its shape before it was replaced by the wider, lower and more modern Mark X. They were available in one or two-tone colors. This one is pitch-perfect in dark green/light moss green over grey leather interior.

These were powered by just one engine: a large 3781cc inline 6-cylinder that pumped out a very respectable 220 horsepower to the rear wheels. It came to an equally forceful stop thanks to four-wheel disc brakes.

Older Jaguar sedans run the gamut in price and condition. They aren't as desirable and worth nearly as much as they coupes and convertibles, but they are just as pretty and intriguing to look at. This is undoubtedly the high point of the British auto industry, before the successes of the Germans and Japanese in the 70s and 80s.

The seller of this example states it is a matching numbers older restoration with a complete engine, transmission, body and interior. They note the paint is likely not new, but the job was done well and still looks presentable.

Mechanically, they say it had problem with the starter, but was garaged while sitting. The seller says they did get it running, so it could be an easy fix.

Available here on ebay with 16 bids at $4,156 and a Buy-It-Now of $6,300. Hemmings CPI value guide puts a 1959-61 MK IX in fair shape at $7,550 and good at $13,500, with a 4% increase over time, so this seems like a good deal.

1959 Fiat 600 Mutlipla

Remember the future? This Fiat is over 50 years old but solves some problems automakers are still struggling with today: size, space, efficiency, and affordability.

The Multipla is actually based on the 600, a two-door subcompact from Fiat that was essentially to the Italians what the Austin Cooper was to the British. Over 2 million Fiat 600 cars were made. But the setup was more intriguing than any Mini Cooper: the 600 featured a rear-mounted engine propelling the rear wheels, more similar to Volkswagen of the same era.

In 1956 Fiat introduced the Multipla. It used a 600 chassis stretched by around 10 inches, but featured the same rear-engine, rear-wheel drive layout. The driver's seat was pushed forward, eliminating a front hood and cargo space. The rest of the interior was devoted to either one or two bench seats or a flat floor, possibly seating up to 6 people, including the driver.

Behind the interior lay the engine, usually a straight 4-cylinder engine producing a modest twenty something horsepower.

The car had a top speed of just under 60 mph, accelerated to 50 mph in 43 seconds, and got 38 miles per gallon. The price in pounds was originally £799, or around $20k in today's dollars when adjusted for inflation.

243,000 units were made until 1969.

The no-nonsense seller details what seems to be a mind-boggling nut-and-bolt inside-and-out restoration to pristine (but not original) condition. The engine was replaced with a slightly larger 850cc unit that provides more power. The axles, brakes and body were stripped to bare and completely rebuilt from scratch. Rust was replaced with new metal.

The car is finished in two-tone multi-stage modern urethane paint, using what the seller calls "Aston Martin Green" for the lower half and smoked silver for the top. The interior and engine compartment are also finished in the green. Along with the UK-sourced Minilite wheels, it gives the car a British vibe which works but is somewhat sad considering the Multipla should really be a source of Italian pride. It also begs what the original color combination was.

Regardless, this is what a no-expense-spared restoration usually looks like. Time, energy, money and passion were clearly put into this. The car not only looks good, but the seller says it's fully functional and completely usable in modern traffic.

Find it here on ebay in Irvine, California with bidding at $27,632 but reserve not met.

Right Hand Drive: 1959 Peerless GT

I didn't know much about Peerless before I found this car. But I know enough about cars to know this is an unusual find.

The seller does too.

They state there were only 325 Peerless GT cars were ever built. This one is #145. The seller also estimates there are only about 40 left. That's not much.

Peerless was a short-lived UK car manufacturer from 1957 to 1960, during which they made this car. It was then supposedly re-started from '60 to '62, but folded again.

The body was a fiberglass unit that has a nice shape, a cross between Aston Martin and Jaguar, with a little Ferrari. The fins are interesting. The engines were from the Triumph TR3. It also had a de Dion tube rear suspension. "Phase 2" cars supposedly had slight improvements over earlier cars.

This example is a Phase 2.

The seller claims its a "barn find", one of the most cliched and over-used terms in the classic car market, and it also seems factually incorrect in this case. Instead, the seller explains it's been sitting for 15 years before they bought it from the previous owner who also let it sit for 15 years. Collectively, it's been overdue for a restoration for about 30 years. There is no 'barn' and no 'finding' in that story. Instead, it just makes you think less of the car if two different owners both felt it wasn't worth restoring and better left to decay outside for almost a third of a century. They must have thought, "Hey, it's fiberglass, it's not gonna rot it'll be around forever." Sure, it'll just look like garbage though.

And yet, there's no disputing in doing anything else than a complete restoration to it. It's definitely worthy, if the production stats are accurate. The question is whether you have the time, energy and deep pockets to restore.

The seller states they think a door handle is the only missing component. I'm not sure if they have a parts bin lying around for this car that wasn't photographed, but there sure seem to a lot more than just the door handle missing. I count a front grille, bumpers, gas cap and side mirrors all visually missing to start. They do say they have the bumpers, however.

It's also questionable on whether you'll ever see your money back. These cars, while attractive, apparently did not have unique engines which no doubt reduces collector value, as they therefore do not offer a wholly unique engineering and driving experience.

The seller also states the car was hit. They make it seem like the fiberglass repair is a piece of cake, "all easy fiberglass work". I've never personally repaired fiberglass, but any repair to a pre-molded fiberglass body, especially with as many cracks and shatters this one has, can't be easy or inexpensive. What would it entail? A total stripping and repaint, for sure.

The up side is that there is no rust on the body at least.

The seller does state the engine turns over, which is good.

I think this is a nice piece as a leisurely long-term project for experts but only for the right price. The bidding is over $3,500 right now and 6 days left and the reserve not met. I have no idea what direction it could go. I think anything under $5k is a bargain. Anything under $10k is reasonable. Anything over $15k is probably way too much.

 Find it here on ebay.