As values of two-door classics continue to rise, we can help but wonder if their four-door variants are just around the corner. I was always taught to shun the four-door equipped version of most any car, but they do present the best bargains in the classic car world today. Sure, they are not as good looking, but they do offer more function at a fraction of the price. Take this 1968 Chrysler Newport for example. 383 equipped with 70k miles and only two owners for $2,500 in Sunnyvale, California.
Or how about this 1960 Chevrolet Bel Air in Lake Havasu? It is claimed to be all original with no rust and in running condition. They are asking $4,900, but we bet there is wiggle room because we doubt people are knocking down their door for this four-door. So, what do you think? Should we give classics with two extra doors another look?
A special thanks goes to Robert J. and Norb for sending these in.
Yes give it a try. Some 4 door do still have style
I will probably look for a four door when replacing my present British Roadster, As they are good value for the money. The cars that most people drove should be preserved as well. Just like station wagons.
Given the choice of a two door post or a four door hardtop, I’d take the hardtop. I’m not a huge fan of post sedans though, in either two or four door form. A shame that the last American four door hardtop was made 35 years ago.
As the owner of a 1965 Corvair 500 4 door hardtop with 34,000 original miles, I like the family cars as well as the 2 doors. 4 drs are generally cheaper, and offer a fun way to do the old car hobby if you are on a budget, like me! And some of the 4 doors, particularly the hardtop style from the 50s, 60s and early 70s are extremely good looking in their own right.
Fellow vairs unite, I have a 63 Spyder. I do like the 4 drs, especially the pancake style GM roofs…… I like the 60 Chevy, it’s really nice & original.
There were a lot of good-looking four-door hardtops in the 60s and some into the 70s, particularly from GM. Although I like the faux-convertible roofline on the two-door 62-64 GM B-bodies, the four-door hardtops had a crisp, handsome roofline of their own. I also think the longer roof gives the four-door hardtops better proportions on these big cars. My ’64 Impala four-door hardtop stands out in a car show as one of the few sedans.
Personally I think 4 doors are cheap “alternatives,” That isn’t the best word choice, but that’s all I can think of right now. I’d love to have my Uncle’s 1960 Bel Air 283 all original 4DR.
I have a guy who has got a 1968 Newport 2 door 383 bucket seat car here in pa for $2000
4 door and wagons are still a good low cost way to go.
in this day and age of same looking cars (and same cars different badge here in Europe) the Newport would make a great daily driver if you could cope with the gas prices. A real standout car in the freeway dross !
4-doors are fine as are station wagons. They may not be the more exotic or exciting things on wheels, but they can be cool in their own right.
For years there’s been a stigma with 4-door cars. With the rising prices of collector cars these days, there’s a trend toward the 4-doors. And some seem to prefer them to 2-doors. I own (3) 4-door cars. My ’49 Chev and ’54 Ford are survivor/drivers and they attract lots of attention, moreso than the customs on the other side of the show’n’shine.
In the very early 70’s I bought a 1968 Chev Caprice 4 door H.T. with a 325 HP 396 engine. It was blue with a blue padded top.It looked like it belonged to my father and was the greatest sleeper I ever owned. I’d buy one again. Also really like the larger station wagons -not so much too many of the 4 door sedans. Today the regular sedans and wagons can be real bargains although the demand for wagons in really original condition seems to be growing and prices rising
I think they’re a terrific value. I’m partial to GM’s 4 door hardtop offerings in the sixties. Around this time Ford and Chrysler were trying to keep up with GM’s styling and commercial hits in the mid and full size family car market; compare a ’65 Dodge Monaco or Ford Galaxie/Mercury Monterey with a Pontiac Catalina or Buick LeSabre and you can see why both companies began to ape GM’s styling. These hardtops are great values today — comfortable, powerful and stylish if not terribly attention getting. And while relatively inexpensive to buy and maintain it’s wise to keep all gasoline credit cards current. You’ll need them.
I currently own a 1960 impala 4 door hard top that was a true barn find that sat in a garage for the last 12 years
Todays automobile styles favor the family AND the fourdoor. Familys need a fourdoor today. I think fourdoor classics offer a great value for those same familys who are up to their neck in payments. For the guy who dreams of having a vintage car but does not have a bank to break. A fourdoor offers him that opportunity to own a vintage car. He can take the family to a car show in style. Fourdoors need love too….and it is not a fourdoor when you are driving one it is just when you look behind!
FYI AMCFAN has a 75 Matador sedan and is a 35K mile car. I paid $1000. for it. It now has air ride and big rims/little tires. It is a very smooth running car. The emblems have been removed. Everyone who thinks of the coffin nose Matador has their mind made up…..that is untill they see this car. It is one of my favorites in my collection. It is a fun driver. I have a friend who is a Chevy guy and his driver to work is a 67 Nova sedan. It has the original faded paint and Ralleys.He bought it for a parts car but with all the interest he decided to enjoy it.
YOU CAN ALWAY MAKE A FOR DOOR LOOK LIKE A TWO DOOR WITH SOME WELDING AND OTHER MODS. MY FIRST EX’S PARENTS GAVE ME A 65 CHEVY MALIBU WAGON WHILE WE WERE DATING AND A COUPLE FRIENDS AND I MADE IT THE FASTEST GROCERY GETTER IN THE CITY.JUST AN ENGINE AND TRANNY SWAP REAR END UPGRADE WHEELS AND TIRES AND I ALMOST HAD TO GIVE IT BACK TO MY FATHER IN LAW THE COP CAUSE WHEN I WOULD PICK HIM UP AT THE POLICE STATION I ALWAYS DID A BURN OUT. HOW COULD I GET IN TROUBLE?
Some the quickest cars are 2 & 4 door pillered (post to US readers) cars. Almost always
a post car is lighter, tighter than a hardtop.
But. pillarless is the magic word. Here in Australia, we had locally assembled versions of the Impala, in sedan & sport sedan versions.
Guess which one is most desirable? The pillarless sport sedan.
BARGAINS!
love the cheap-body post sedans and wagons.
‘specially if they have a 6-cylinder with stick shift & overdrive……
Yes I’m looking for my old 4 door chevelle station wagon. 1971 4speed on the floor 402 engine
We have a 64 Bonneville 4 dr in the family. Doesn’t run, it’s rust free, and Mother in law is convinced it’s worth a gazillion. So she spends $50 a month on outdoor storage in the desert, and it just deteriorates more every day. Some day I hope to talk her into selling it…but I imagine it will be a donor car They are the original owners Maybe 4 doors will be the next thing to blossom. Remember, there was a time when Superbee’s were worthless : )
Four doors represent the best bang for the buck, and they are generally higher on the rarity scale as well. Can’t tell you how many times people have walked past a row of virtually identical Mustangs to check out my 1974 AMC Matador four door just because there are seemingly none around but mine. It also goes damn near as quick as the Javelin I used to own, and I’m into it for less than $2K…
There is a beautiful 65 chevelle sedan on the local Kijiji for 650 although Im not looking for another car if I where it would be a clean 65-66 chevelle sedan.