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.

Restored 1956 Volkswagen Beetle Cabriolet

The Beetle is usually overlooked but we can always appreciate a good example. It's legacy is so conflicting: they're collectible, yet over 21 million were made, they're triumphs of engineering, yet intended for everyday use, they were promoted by fascist Germany of the 1930s, yet later embraced by North American counter culture of the 1960s. Is there any corner of 20th century life the Beetle hadn't touched?

The best and most sought after examples of course are the purest, earliest, and cleanest. This fits all three bills.

Only 331,847 cabriolet versions were officially built from 1949-1980 by huge manufacturer Karmann. Styling is pitch perfect and the loss of a roof seemingly created a second new classic in its own right. The design is also handled well with the top up. Chrome window frames roll up to support the roof when closed. The black paint is a little eerie but still really cool, and the mirrorball wheels add some playfulness although we would do without the white mudflaps. Inside, the grey and white interior brightens things up.

Underneath the rear latch is 1200 cc flat four-cylinder air-cooled engine that produced a mere 36 horsepower. It won't be winning any drag races, but, as the seller says, "its appeal is in its reliability and thrift, making this a hobby car without compromises". Couldn't have said it better myself.

COTC has showcased two other impeccable vehicles from this seller before and their Beetle is no different, with dozens of clear photos of every angle inside and out, and a better than average writeup. They say this Beetle is restored, but has been done so in a careful, quality, and period-correct manner. They don't mention whether it is matching numbers but do say the engine is a correct '56 unit and everything was rebuilt to original specifications except for a new 12-volt electrical system cleverly hidden inside a vintage generator.

The asking price is really high, but the restoration must have cost a lot too. If you're looking for a refreshed Beetle in better than new condition that is ready for a new life, take notes. Even if you don't plan on considering this, it's great inspiration.

Available here on ebay for a $39,995 and the Make Offer option.

COTC Spotted, Manhattan Edition Part I: 1958 Ford Edsel

Spotted in NYC. Photos taken with my iPhone

1950 Sunbeam Talbot Mark 1 Convertible

Just like there are some people that are so charming they are irresistible (however few and far between), there are some cars so charming you can't help but like them. This happens a lot to me with cars from the 1930s, 40s, and 50s. As a twentysomething millenial generation y-er, I have no real connection to these cars, as they were long gone by the time I was growing up. So when I stumble across them today, they stick out because they either remind me of something I've seen in an old film, or just plain look good.

File this Sunbeam under "just plain looks good". This is one of those few cars that is both cute and beautiful.

Sunbeam is a British company better known for their Alpine roadster that appeared in Dr. No. The Talbot was a more substantial offering from the company, however, and was produced in both a four-door saloon and two-door convertible bodies from 1948-1954.

This particular example is a late Mark I, based on a modified Humber chassis. The seller says this one has the 1944cc engine producing just 64 horsepower. It's mated to a column shift 4-speed transmission.

The odometer reads 91,097.

The creme over red color scheme is pitch-perfect post-war class, and the condition looks excellent. The seller says the paint, interior and top have been redone, but the rest of the car shows no signs of abuse. I guess that would classify this is a "restored survivor".

Only a total of 4,000 Talbot MK I were made, less were convertibles, and even less were left-hand drive and made it to North America, making this a very rare car. It won't win any races, but it will catch a lot of eyes.

Available here on ebay in Saint Louis, Missouri for $34,500 and the Make Offer option.

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.

1953 BMW 327 Cabriolet

The ad for this classic car is a little confusing but worth investigating. They list the car as a 1937 - the year BMW started building the 327 - but then go on to say it's actually from the early 50s. Production of the 327 ended in 1955, so that's plausible too. Either way, this is one rare and super cool car.

The 327 was a two-door coupe and cabriolet. Only 1,901 were built in total, with a majority before WWII. When the Allied forces occupied Germany after the war, the factory that produced the 327 actually fell into Soviet occupation zone. They continued building the 327 outside the control of BMW, which forced BMW to take legal action, stripping all association with them from any subsequent 327 models built. These 327 were eventually given the name EMW (Eisenacher Motoren Werke) and badged with red and white roundel emblems.

If this is indeed a 1953, it would probably be a EMW by that point, right?

The 327 featured an straight 6-cylinder engine powered the rear wheels. The brakes, gearbox, clutch and suspension were all hydraulic. Top speed was around 78 mph.

The seller of this example states a 2.0-liter carbureter inline 6-cylinder engine and manual transmission from the 70s or 80s was added, so the original engine is not present, sadly. Fortunately, the new power plant will hopefully give the car a nice boost for the relatively low curb weight of 2,400 lbs. The seller also states a modern relay board and instrumentation was added.

The seller also mentions the car hasn't been driven lately and "needs everything". Cosmetically, the say the top frame is present under the cover. They say the floors are rusty but the rest of the body is pretty good. Still, they concede "the car looks much better in the pictures than it is". How's that for honesty?

These are extremely rare vehicles. Not many were made, some were probably destroyed during the war, and more have probably bitten the dust in more than half a century since then. And how many have made it here? At first I thought this was a well-executed kit car, but it could be the genuine article that just needs a lot of expensive sorting.

Available here on ebay in Purcellville, Virginia with bidding at $10,300.

Matching Numbers Project: 1958 Porsche 356A Coupe

*UPDATE: The seller has now listed this vehicle on ebay here

This classic Porsche 356 is being offered by a seller who says it has been in storage since the 1970s. They say it is a matching numbers engine and transmission car that's been down to the bare metal for 4 decades.

The 356 was Porsche's first production car and lasted from 1948 to 1965, resulting in around 76,000 cars made but only about half are thought to be surviving today. They are one of the greatest cars of all time,  a beloved, admired, iconic classic and that is also extremely valuable and desirable. The rear-engine, rear-wheel drive layout, coupled with the timeless and seductive curvy little body, make the 356 one for the ages.

This is an early "A" car, of which 21, 045 were produced from 1955 to 1959. All of the 356 cars had flat four-cylinder engines, but each revision every few years brought about changes, mechanical and cosmetic, subtle and otherwise.

The seller states they have this car's pink slip from 40 years ago and also have the California black plates. It would have been nice to see the plates, but it's interesting to know they will be included, and will no doubt please the next owner, should they ever get it on the road and are able to actually use the plates.

The seller says the body and floor are original and there is no rust except in the battery box. They say it is all complete and original except for the seats. They don't have any photos of the interior, which is a shame, but, if a seller says complete, they usually mean complete, as that's a big claim.

Complete is good, but condition is a whole other ballgame. The car looks terrible. The paint has indeed been stripped and even a novice can tell a bunch of parts are missing, like the bumpers and taillights to start. Are these included with the sale? Who knows (although I do spot what looks like bumpers tied together on the roof in one pic). You better hope they are. The seller gives no word on the engine, so this isn't going to even be a rough driver. This thing will need a $30,000 restoration to make it presentable again. Factory-spec seats alone will probably be $1k-$5k. Most cars would be worthless with over $30k in needs.Yet the seller wants $38,500.

There is a Porsche bubble right now. They are unique, special, driver-oriented cars with racing pedigree and a mythology no amount of money can buy. The 911 in particular barely depreciates, then catches on fire about 10-20 years later and just keeps rising. But example like this are frustrating. It clearly needs work. You have to have $60,000 lying around to make this thing whole again. It would make most sense for the seller to let it go for about $15k-$20k to a reputable restorer who can put another $10k into it, then flip it for $30-$40k. Everybody will still get a piece of the action.

That's the fate this thing deserves.

Find it here on craigslist in Cedar Flat, California

Short Box Driver: 1958 Chevrolet Apache Pickup Truck

I think the Apache is my favorite of all classic American pickup trucks.

It has the look down to perfection: quad round headlamps, white front fascia and bumpers, flare-side bed. There is a feeling this gives that no other type of vehicle else can come close to replicating.

The seller states the body needs work, obviously. The paint is fair to poor, but I like the patina. The dull blue is low-key and nicely vintage feeling, and the wear is in all the right spots, enhancing the ruggedness. What I don't like is the rust, and fortunately the seller is honest and up front about it. He states there is rust on the cab corners, floors, fenders and eyebrows.

Just from looking at the pictures I can see a large hole at one corner:

Usually rust is a deal-breaker, but I'm not sure it matters too much on this, depending on what you do with it. The seller also states the 235 inline 6-cylinder is in running order, as are all major lights and gauges except the temperature. They say the glass is good except for one crack, and that a few new things like brake lines and shocks have been added. The seller says it could be driven home. So this could easily be used as an everyday work driver, which I like, and which you can't say about many of these.

The interior looks better, and possibly original, especially the dash, which is clean and simple. The seller says they added new seat covers and they don't look half bad.

These things are usually either field fixtures or pricey showcase pieces, so it's rare and somewhat comforting to find a beat-up runner that could continue to be a useful hauler for someone. I love old, un-restored runners because they can be enjoyed right away, then restored later, or just driven into the ground for maximum usage. Either scenario would be acceptable and in the proper spirit of this.

Find it here on ebay in Minnesota with no bids, $200.00 starting price, and a $4,100 buy it now.

Euro Patrol: 1960 Auto Union DKW F91/4 Custom

I had no idea what this thing was before I saw it on ebay.

Apparently this was to the West German military what the Willys Jeep was to the American army: the de facto standard-issue military vehicle.

One of the wonderful things about German automakers is that they don't just make fast cars for the autobahn. They also make terrific off-road utility vehicles.

This is undoubtedly one of them.

It's a 1960 Auto Union DKW F91/4. Just from the cold sounding name alone you can tell it means business.

Fortunately the seller has a great sense of humor in the listing.

They say that the official German name is "Mehrzweck UNiversal Gelandenwagen mit Allradantrieb", or "Munga" for short. They mention a lot of them were built for the German border patrol, probably for the Berlin Wall among other places. This could make it a historical and political piece.

Auto Union was a group of German automakers. As you might guess from the four-ringed logo above, the company was acquired by Volkswagen and then evolved into modern-day Audi as we know it.

What makes this one special is the custom chopped windshield, seats, seat belts, canvas top, and tubular space frame, among other things. The chopped windshield alone is enough to raise eyebrows, and the seller states, perhaps unsurprisingly, they prefer it over the original.

I googled "munga" and found some images of the original. It is certainly different looking, much less character and more rank-and-file than this yellow beast, which is like the Alpine meets Baywatch.

I also found a cover story two years ago from the legendary Bring a Trailer that included this exact Munga for sale among three others. It elaborates on the story behind this one. Apparently the entire original engine and drivetrain were removed in favor of a rear-mounted Volkswagen engine, among various other custom touches as mentioned above. BaT states it's a 1957 as apposed to the 1958-60 the current seller thinks it is. But officially, the actual year is irrelevant: it's titled as a 1968 VW.

Apparently the 2010 sale ended with this yellow Munga being sold for $9,200, impressive for a custom job that completely alters the car's mechanical geography and driving mannerisms from the manufacturer's original intentions. The current seller now wants $9,900. It's a lot for this vehicle, but whoever is selling it is not trying to make bank on it, and probably couldn't if they tried anyways. It would be fun for a vintage euro truck enthusiast with a beach house who wants to impress guests with rides out across the dunes in it. It'll be the only one for many miles, that's for sure.

Find it here on ebay.

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.