It is always interesting to see just what other folk’s collections look like. Some of us collect different variations of the same model, make, and/or year of car. Others, just gobble up anything that comes along that strikes their fancy. The seller of this eclectic car and truck collection for sale on Craigslist in Coos Bay, Oregon seemed to be the latter. From trucks to cars, stock vehicles to hot rods, and projects in pieces to complete ready-to-roll drivers, this collection has it all. While there aren’t any in-depth descriptions in the ad, we will do our best to describe what we can identify. If you spot something else or can answer a question or two, please share in the comments. Meanwhile, are there any on the list here that you would like to take home? Thanks to Seth J. for the tip!
We are going to start chronologically. First up is this 1935 Dodge pickup hot rod on a 1-ton chassis and an asking price of $32,000. This is the vehicle we wish the seller would have given us some background on. The initial picture shows a Dodge pickup grille, hood, fenders, and cab. Attached to the rear of that cab is an old-school sleeper from a semi. The front wheels look to pulled from a one-ton truck, but we have no idea what type of truck donated its chassis for the project. As for under the hood, does anyone have an idea of exactly what we are looking at here?
Next on the roster is this 1940 Buick sedan for a reasonable $2,300. Once again, we are not sure as to the story behind this one. By all appearances, this Buick has spent many a moon outside, but the rust may be limited to just surface rust. If my memory is correct, didn’t these have chromed grilles?
Under the hood is a modern engine of some sort nestled under a spider’s web of wires. It looks like the seller was deep into rewiring this car while not quite at the point it was running. Can anyone identify the engine chosen to power this prewar Buick?
A 1968 Ford Mustang GT project for$10,000 is next on the list. This one is a bit of a head-scratcher in regard to price. If this were a fastback, then the price would be a bargain. A convertible, and it would be in the ballpark. But a coupe? Is this the going rate for coupes in this condition at the moment?
Looking inside reveals that the car may have had the floor pans replaced recently. We can also see that this is a manual transmission car. What else am I missing here?
Taking a big step up in quality and drivability, this 1968 Ford Galaxie XL fastback is being listed for $14,000. Appearing to be in either a cleaner part of the garage or in separate and very not equal digs, this Galaxie looks to be ready to roll out on a long trip. The maroon paint appears to be in good shape and the aftermarket wheels suggest that this one isn’t 100% bone stock.
Here we need a little help from Ford fans. What engine do you think is under the hood of this Galaxie? If it is not original, what engine options were available in 1968? See anything out of place here?
Next is the only imported automobile in this collection. Perhaps not 100% imported, as you will soon see. The seller is asking $8,200 for this very presentable 1974 Jaguar XJ6. $8200. We don’t see many Jaguars of this vintage on the road anymore. While they are absolutely beautiful in an old-school British way, reliability has always been an Achille’s heel of these cars.
This is likely why the seller has chosen to transplant a small block Ford V-8 into this car. A look under the forward-tilting hood reveals an engine compartment that looks positively modern in this already 50-year-old Jaguar. Have any of you performed such a transplant on a Jaguar of this era? If so, can you fill us in on how involved and expensive the project was?
Finally, we come to the newest ride in the collection. The seller is letting go of this 2003 Chevrolet SSR for $18,000. These modern-day roadster pickups were a limited production item for a short time and are quite beautiful. This one seems to have been well tended to and I think we can assume that it is in running and driving condition.
Unfortunately, working on the engine of one of these isn’t quite as easy as tending to a Stovebolt Six in the early fifties Chevy trucks these were styled like. Have any of you ever owned one of these unique sports trucks?
In all, it is an interesting collection even if it doesn’t really have a theme. The seller is probably like a lot of us in that they have a varied set of tastes when it comes to cars, and a few strays manage to find a home in our collections too. While it is sad to see any collection being broken up, I hope they have good luck finding homes for these vehicles.
Perhaps I can fill in the truck details. I don’t think it’s a pickup, but a 1.5 ton KCL and the motor is a 350 GM(?). The sleeper is a single “coffin” from an early 70s Peterbilt or KW. Originally, I read, the KC series Dodges were one of the 1st HD trucks with juice brakes. From what I can see, someone did an outstanding job here, and a similar fate for all these old trucks is what should happen. The Buick, I read, was one of the last cars to be made before the war, Feb. 3, 1942,and had painted grills and no chrome, but I think here, someone just painted the grill. I also read, Ford put the 240/6, 302s, 390s, 428s and 429s in ’68 Galaxies. I’d bet this is a 390.
And I’m sorry, not calling this out was NOT one of my resolutions, but another of “dads” collections going up. Bums me directly,,,oooot.
1940 and 1941 Buicks had chromed grills. IIRC, some of the last 1942 Buicks had painted grills.
The engine in the Galaxie is one of the FE series engines. That would make it a 352, 390, 406, 427, or 428. The only way to really know would be to tear into it. Without knowing if it is the original engine for the car it could be any of those sizes. You can tell it is an FE series engine by the valve cover overlapping the intake.
An interesting mixed group in this collection with the only common denominator being a classy finished product.
The truck engine is a punched out 400 Chevy to 406 ci breathing through a Edlebrock 650 carb and a 700R4 transmission, the donor chassis is a ‘78 Chevy 1 ton C30 dually with a Dana 70 rear end (according to the attached notebook). More than a ton of love built this magnificent beast-you’d think it’s going to be a heart wrenching moment when this incredible truck is sold and goes down the road.
The Buick has an Oldsmobile engine.
It may be sad to see a collection broken up, but heirs are under no obligation to keep it together, nor they should be. It’s a lot of work and a large garage/shop keeping that that many cars running and otherwise preserved. People have their own lives to live and need to prioritize what’s best for them. Besides, there are several cars in the background which are not listed, hopefully the family cherry picked the cars that mean something to them before selling those that don’t hold as much sentimental value.
Some people don’t want to saddle their heirs with a collection. A friend of mine has a huge collection of signs and vintage speed equipment plus half a dozen hot rods and muscle cars. He started collection in the early-60’s when he was in junior high. He’s has the walls of his shop covered in memorabilia and a loft filled with display cases. One day I asked what he plans to do with everything when he’s gone, he said he gave his daughter instructions to call an auction company and to sell everything for as much as she can.
Steve R
Everything Howard said about the engine choices for the 68 Galaxie is correct, but my Hollander’s Interchange Manual also lists a 427 as a choice. I’m not a Ford guy, but I can’t imagine more than a few of them (if any) were built.
The only Ford in my collection is a 1943 Ford GPW Jeep, but my cousin built it with mostly 42 Willys parts, 36″ Desert Dog tires, a 6″ lift kit, and a 283 Chevy motor. I sometimes torture the local Ford dealer by asking them to work on it.
Anyone who has a collection and cares about what happens to it after they’re gone needs to take care of that in their will. I’m over 70, single, never married, and no kids. Lots of my friends and relatives have expressed an interest in my stuff, and they all know what’s in my will.
The collection has a 57 Bel Air that my cousin bought from the original owner in 1963 and a 62 Impala that I got from the original owner in 1972. I spent some money on the best estate attorney around here, but knowing what will happen with my stuff means a lot to me.
Joe, it sounds like you’ve got everything as squared away as possible. A good friend once told me that we’re all headed to the same place, we just get there at different times. And, we don’t really own anything, we just get the pleasure of talking care of it for awhile. It sounds like you’ve got some great cars. I’m right behind you.
There were zero 1968 Galaxies factory built with a 427 engine. The only 1968 FoMoCo product to leave the factory with a 427 under the hood was the 1968 Mercury Cougar.
Very nice collection! A little bit of everything! Some finished, some are projects! All are a long way from me….
Given my choice, I’ll take the 1968 Galaxie please!
The Jag is my favorite but I think stuffing a 350 would have been easier I’m pretty sure it was GM transmission behind that British lump
Yup it would have been a GM trans. That’s why they sold kits to throw a small block in these. Love to check this one out, but it’s on the wrong coast and my project days are behind me.
AFA the SSR, I was a Parts Mgr at a Chevy Dealership when they Came out.
Only 1 per most dealers. Put it up on the lift, and to a trained GM eye you could see the chassis and drivetrain was all Trailblazer, just re-skinned.
Mustang looks to be a ’66.
The Mustang is definitely not a 1968. It is a 1965 or a 1966. I do not know enough of the small details that are different between the 2 years.
Boy that dodge is something else. You rarely see those early-thirties trucks around anymore, well I guess this one has a modern drivetrain and frame and such… shame in my opinion not to keep the equipment that came with it. Those old trucks were sure slow, but nothing a little monkeying in the gear department wouldn’t fix, or maybe a custom-fabricated supercharger or a good turbo kit to fix the power issues people would have with it. I personally wouldn’t mind the speed if it were original, I would gladly drive it , if I were only old enough… Well, i’ve got plenty of time to think about it…
Good night to all
Flint