What makes a car rare? In some cases, it’s low production numbers, while in other cases, it may be the number of survivors remaining intact. While none of the cars below qualify as low production (with the possible exception of the Toyota), the fact is you simply don’t see too many examples on the road, or in the show field, these days.
As with other installments of the $5,000 Challenge, some are clean enough to use as a second vehicle upon delivery, while others will require a bit of restorative work first. That’s the real joy of this hobby; while there’s a seat for every posterior, there’s also a level of difficulty for every classic car fan.
1973 Ford Gran Torino two-door hardtop
In 1973 alone, Ford built nearly a half-million Torino models, and of these, 138,962 were Gran Torinos in the two-door hardtop body style. A similar body style was retained through the car’s demise in 1976, and over the next three years, Ford built another 135,553 two-door Gran Torinos. Of those nearly 275,000 examples, it’s not clear how many remain today; what is clear is that Gran Torinos as well-preserved as this 351-cu.in. V-8 powered example don’t turn up every day, and at the asking price of $4,800, its certainly in the realm of an affordable entry-level collector car.
1962 Oldsmobile F85 Cutlass convertible
Let’s label this one as “some assembly required.” Though the description is on the sparse side, it appears as if restoration work on the drop-drop Olds was started, likely some time back, but never finished before life circumstances changed. Now painted, the car will still need, at a minimum, a new top, a new interior and some mechanical sorting. If the needed parts can be sourced economically manner by an owner with basic wrenching skills, this Cutlass could prove to be both entertaining and affordable. The asking price? $3,500.
1980 Toyota Celica Sunchaser
It isn’t often that we get to use the words “Toyota” and “rare” in a sentence, but from 1979 through 1981 it’s estimated that the Griffith Company chopped the top on a mere 2,000 Celica ST and GT models, converting them into the Sunchaser seen here. Using a Targa top in conjunction with a folding rear roof gave occupants a variety of al fresco options, even if the combination gave the Celica a slightly awkward appearance. Desired among Japanese car collectors today, if this Sunchaser is as described, it will likely prove well worth the $4,900 asking price.
1951 GMC Suburban
A former municipal and civil defense truck, it’s likely that this 1951 Suburban led a pampered life under local government care, but the ensuing years have not been kind. If that’s the bad news, here’s the good: this truck is a blank canvas for its next owner’s imagination. Restore it in all its Duck-and-Cover 1950s glory? Drop in a crate engine and a new interior to build a SUV your friends will envy? Preserve it as is, and use it, as the designers intended, for hauling stuff? For an asking price of $5,000, there really is no wrong answer.
1991 Dodge Ram 2500 LE
Yes, we know we included a Dodge pickup in the last $5,000 Challenge, but this one was simply too good to pass by. Caught in limbo between a nice used car and a collector car, this 25-year old pickup has reportedly traveled just 47,315 miles, and appears nearly showroom fresh from the photos provided. Aside from a sagging headliner and a rock chip in the windshield, there isn’t even anything to fix, making this $4,750 pickup a sound choice for those with limited mechanical skills.
