In America, the day after Thanksgiving has come to be symbolized by chaotic scenes of shoppers scrambling for discounted television sets and electronics, all in the name of joyous holiday giving. At the opposite extreme are those of us who’d rather face water boarding than a shopping mall on the day after Thanksgiving, and chances are good we’ll spend at least part of the day visiting our favorite automotive websites. For those still compelled to shop online, we offer up the Black Friday edition of the $5,000 Challenge, also (coincidentally) just in time for holiday gifting.
1970 Chrysler Town & Country Station Wagon
If holiday plans include over-the-river-and-through-the-woods travel, is there a better vehicle than a vintage full-size station wagon? Now that gas is cheap again, at least temporarily, this 1970 Chrysler Town & Country seems like a reasonable investment and a great starting point for a full restoration. With seating for nine and a roof-mounted luggage rack, this Chrysler long-roof will likely meet all of your hauling needs, at a negotiable price of $3,250.
1977 Lincoln Continental MK V
Is your significant other hard to shop for? Would something from Cartier brighten up her (or his) day? Then why not think outside the box, and wrap a bow around this 1977 Lincoln Continental Mk V Cartier edition? The description is on the light side, but from the provided images the car appears to be in better-than-driver condition, though a good interior detailing would be needed before we felt comfortable handing over the keys. Chances are good you won’t lose this in the grocery store parking lot, and for $4,995 it’s a lot less expensive than many other choices from the Cartier catalog.
1984 Honda Prelude
Japanese cars are becoming more collectible by the day, and once-common cars like the second-gen Honda Prelude have now all but vanished from the automotive landscape. Find one in reasonable condition, restore it and sit on it long enough, and it’s a safe bet your return will be higher than on the U.S. Mint proof sets your Aunt Ida and Uncle Phil used to give at the holidays. This 1984 Prelude has a few dings and a bit of surface rust, but none that appears serious; on the plus side, it’s a five-speed car, and it picked up our “Drivable Dream” award at the 2015 Hemmings Sports and Exotic Car Show. For $2,000, how can you go wrong?
1966 Pontiac Tempest
As the price of muscle cars continues to climb, it sometimes appears as if anything with a Pontiac badge is going up at an equal rate. Even basket case projects are drawing eyebrow-raising prices, which is why we found this 1966 Pontiac Tempest so appealing. Not only does the $4,995 price seem reasonable for the car’s rust-free status, but the car appears to be mostly complete and original, too. Sure, it will take a bit of work to call it a driver, but as a project car, this one deserves a second look for those preferring four doors to two.
1970 International Loadstar CO 1700
We’ve all been there before: go to the local home improvement store for a box of deck screws, and the next thing you know you’re leaving with 20 sheets of ¾-inch plywood, 40 2x4s, a compressor, pneumatic nailer, 20 bags of concrete mix, 5 yards of gravel, a carton of lag bolts and the box of screws. Good luck fitting that in a cute-ute, or even in a full-size pickup; own this 1970 International Loadstar, on the other hand, and the world is your oyster. Yes, it needs work (and, potentially a commercial driver’s license), but get the carburetor and steering issues sorted, and for $4,500 you’ll have the most distinctive vehicle at your local Cars & Coffee, and quite possibly a new business opportunity.
