An interesting collection of cars has popped up on craigslist, including a VW Beetle that has been sitting since 1972. Fortunately, it appears to be in very dry location as the sunburnt nose and license plate would attest. There are a few other projects included on the listing, such as a 1953 Lincoln Capri and a 1968 Chevy C/10 pickup. They all look like decent starting points, so check the lot out here on craigslist and let us know which one you’d choose (be sure to go here if the ad disappears.)
The Beetle, despite sitting in place for years, appears relatively solid. The white over red interior is a desirable combination, and seats and door panels appear to be in good condition. The thick covering of dust on the windows may indicate the seller’s claim that it’s been sitting since 1972 is not a case of hyperbole. The missing headlights really cause it to look worst than it is, and the seller says there’s no bondo or rot-through on the body.
The Lincoln Capri wears old-school blue plates and is a 1953 model with power windows. The seller says “…we just don’t see these on the road anymore,” and he’s not incorrect. Interestingly, these Lincolns were considered “hot rods,” popular with track and drag racers alike. Though this one is an earlier model that makes do with less power than the Y-Block cars, Hagerty rates a “Fair” example at close to $10K, so perhaps there’s some potential profit baked in here depending on the asking price.
Though we don’t have great photos of any of the vehicles, what we can see looks decent. The C/10 doesn’t show any major rot in the cab corners, and the paint looks like it even retains some modest shine. Hopefully the bed cap indicates the bed paint has remained intact, but I wouldn’t hold my breath. Some interesting choices here – which of these projects would you want to take a chance on?
The Beetle’s a 1966, only year with the 1300 script. And both the Beetle and the Lincoln are wearing black plates. California black plates and started with three letters, followed by three numbers. The blue plate started in 1970, and started with three numbers followed by three letters.
The Capri is a real find, and if I was still living in SoCal, I might have headed up the coast for a serious look.
The late Bob Estes was a friend of mine and I’d love to build a Carrera Panamericana replica in his memory…
That Lincoln Capri should have a 317 y block with 205 horsepower. Only engine available that year.
Is basic spelling that difficult ?
Hey at least there was more than one picture! What do you want? Literacy too?
Presumably, punctuation counts towards the character count with Craigslist?
Truck looks the nicest and better condition?
the dub, would be about right for the enthusiast, the Capri… would give it a go! the P/U ? great for somebody, but not me
Very tough to decide on this trio but I would first go with the Capri, love the body style and always had a desire to own one but prefer the ’54 year model, I did own a ’68 Chevy short bed years back and what a great GM truck so this would be my second choice, the VW is ok but still a 6 volt model, prefer the ’67 and later bugs. These would all be CA black plate vehicles according to the year of vehicle manufacture. The area where these are pictured is very close to the Pacific and not surprising the surface rust has taken over, wish the seller good luck with his/her sales. Nice find(s)!!
Should the beetle still have an engine, I’d buy it for no more than $1K. The seller is truly a dreamer!
Don’t know how much they want for the truck, but that would be my first choice.
One thing to remember about Monterey – a lot of salt water in the air, though not quite as bad as the San Francisco Peninsula. Just because it’s a California car, doesn’t make it any less of a rust bucket.
My first choice would be the Capri if only for those elegant taillights. Love ’em!
Big danger on the Capri. Be very careful with the hood hinges. They corrode and when you force them they will bend a hood. Bad design that year.