The beauty of the collector car hobby is this: there’s something with wheels to satisfy (almost) everyone’s taste. Used fire engines, while not practical daily (or weekend) drivers, enjoy a respectable following, as do professional cars, like those used in the funerary services. While this edition of the $5,000 Challenge features a few ordinary automobiles, others break from convention to offer a glimpse of what the guy-down-the-street might collect.
1957 American LaFrance 800 Fire Engine
Generally speaking, fire engines are well-maintained and driven relatively few miles over the course of their oft-lengthy careers. The seller of this 1957 American LaFrance Model 800 lists an odometer reading of just 11,474 miles, despite the truck’s five-plus decades of service for the Nantucket Fire Department. In its current state, it’s devoid of ladders, hoses and other gear required for fighting fires, but chances are good these items remain readily available for collectors. We’re not sure where one would drive a rig like this, but when fully outfitted, it would give a certain peace of mind when parked in the driveway. The asking price? $4,500.
1970 Cadillac Superior Royale Flower Car
Cadillac is typically not a brand one associates with pickup trucks, but the luxury manufacturer did build flower cars for the funeral industry. Many, like this 1970 Cadillac Superior Royale Flower Car (said to be one of just 23 built for 1970), lacked expected amenities like air conditioning, a radio or even carpeting, since the comfort of those driving wasn’t of primary importance. The buyer of this Cadillac will need to address the body rot before it gets worse, but for $4,750, and a few weekends of work, it could make a very unusual weekend hauler.
1967 Plymouth Fury III
If brevity is indeed the soul of wit, the seller of this 1967 Plymouth Fury III has a lot of soul. The description of the car offered is on the sparse side, but the Plymouth sedan apparently shows just 77,000 miles on the odometer. Judging from the fender dents (and what appears to be flaking Bondo on the right front fender), this Mopar has spent most of its life on the mean streets of New York City, yet rust appears to be minimal. Assuming the 383 V-8 runs, the car could be a reasonable entry-level project, with an asking price of $2,500.
1970 Sunbeam Alpine GT
Most of us appreciate a bargain, and it’s hard to beat “buy one, get two free.” This 1970 Sunbeam Alpine GT, based upon the Rootes Arrow, appears to be in reasonably good shape, but also comes with two parts cars to further its restoration and preservation. According to the seller, the 1.7-liter four, rated at 74 horsepower when new, has racked up just 5,000 miles, presumably since it was last rebuilt. By anyone’s standards, post-1960s Sunbeams are a rare find on these shores, and for the Anglophile collector seeking something different, this $3,500 fastback may be just the ticket.
1963 Ford Falcon Futura
For decades, the Ford Falcon went largely unnoticed, while its flashier sibling the Ford Mustang grabbed the attention of collectors. Now that early Mustang prices have climbed into the stratosphere (or at least the upper troposphere), the Falcon is often seen as a reasonably priced, and perhaps more practical, alternative. This particular Falcon carries its original 170-cu.in. straight-six engine, mated to a three speed column-shift manual transmission. Think of it as a blank canvas – few would object to the addition of a 260 or 289 V-8 beneath the hood, and if restored as is, the Ford would make a practical and relatively uncommon weekend cruiser. For $3,800, it’s also a low-cost entry into the collector car hobby.
More gadget review in www.mamaktalk.com
