The good thing about the classic car hobby is this: there’s something for every taste and budget. No matter how small the budget may be, many shoppers still prefer two doors to four, even if the latter makes hauling of passengers that much easier. This edition of the $5,000 Challenge offers a mix of mostly two-doors, some with a roof and some without, along with a single four-door that appears to be a very solid offering for those just entering the hobby.
1961 Ford Galaxie
Let’s get the four-door out of the way first, shall we? Admittedly, a 1961 Ford Galaxie Town Sedan isn’t at the top of every collector’s “must have” list, but this car is appealing in its simplicity. The seller claims it to be all original, with just 39,000 miles showing on the odometer, and the condition of the interior and the engine seem to back this up. Beneath the hood lies a frugal 223-cu.in. “Mileage Maker” six, mated to a three-speed Ford-O-Matic automatic transmission, which should provide a dependable introduction into the world of classic car ownership. For the $4,950 asking price, this appears to be a solid driver that can be enjoyed as is, or restored as time and budget allow.
1978 Jeep CJ-7
Jeep CJs, in almost all forms, have long enjoyed a near-rabid cult following. There’s good reason for this, as fun-to-drive CJ models can often go where other SUVs can’t, while giving owners the added joy of roof-free motoring in fair weather. This 1978 Jeep CJ-7 boasts a rust-proof fiberglass body, a removable hard top and steel doors for all-season use. Power comes from the proven 258-cu.in. AMC six, mated to a three-speed manual transmission sending power to two or four wheels as needed. Assuming the CJ is solid underneath, this could be a year-round weekend driver or a candidate for restoration. It may also be the most enjoyment you can have for $4,900.
1993 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme Convertible
Built between 1988 and 1997, the fifth generation Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme would prove to be the last gasp for this once-revered model. The change to the W-body brought with it a switch to front-wheel drive, but by the 1990s the Cutlass Supreme was more about style than performance. While some may pan this Oldsmobile for its stick-on plastic cladding, by the standards of the day it was a clean design that didn’t mimic anything else on the road. Today, this 1993 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme convertible may be just a clean used car, but in the coming decades, its models like this that are the most likely to be collectible. For $4,995, it’s also an enjoyable way to soak up the last rays of summer.
1967 Dodge Dart GT
Anyone who’s priced muscle cars lately knows this: generally speaking, they’re no longer in the realm of the affordable. This 1967 Dodge Dart GT may be an exception to the rule, but it will take a bit of wrenching before it’s ready for the strip (and a bit of bodywork and paint before it’s ready for the street). With a 360 crate motor beneath the hood, it should provide ample quarter-mile entertainment once completed, but along the way the Dart’s next owner will get to learn the basics of mechanical and cosmetic restoration. It’s no Hemi ‘Cuda, but for $3,800 it may be an affordable way to go racing or enter the world of muscle cars.
1970 Volvo 142S
In the interest of full disclosure, this car belongs to a Hemmings editor. That’s probably a selling point, since long-time readers know the care that we tend to lavish on the cars in our stables. Ownership aside, it’s a Southern car, spared the ravages of winter in New England, and comes complete with a shop manual, spare parts and a binder of repair and service records from the car’s second (of three) owners. The car could use a repaint, but aside from that sounds ready for its next owner to enjoy as is. The asking price? $4,250.
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