I made the “mistake” of checking the internet for American convertibles today, and hit the motherlode of projects in Spokane, Washington. They are listed here on craigslist and range in price from $1,600 to $4,000 each. According to the seller most of the cars have come from the desert I’ll be interested in seeing which one of these, if any, you think are worth taking on.
First up, let’s consider this 1965 Chrysler Newport that is priced at $3,000. While the top is obviously gone, I’m guessing this is one of the desert cars as it doesn’t seem to have a lot of rust, and the floor looks exceptionally solid.
Next, let’s consider this 1959 Ford for $3,000. It’s apparent this car is wearing sheet metal from at least two cars and possibly three. Like the Newport, there might as well not be a top, and there’s certainly more rust in this car.
This first Cadillac is a 1963, and it’s the least expensive car here at $1,600. Unfortunately there are only these two pictures of it, so we can’t tell you much else. It does appear that the top frame may be missing, though.
It appears that our seller doesn’t like photographing Cadillacs, as this 1967 doesn’t get much in the way of pictures either. It does appear to have the top frame, though, and costs a little more at $3,000.
This one is my favorite of the bunch, a 1966 Pontiac Tempest, and the price reflects it at $3,500. I’ve liked the vertically stacked 60’s Pontiacs since I was a kid, and nothing had changed now. Just don’t try to turn it into a GTO!
My other favorite car is this 1965 Ford Falcon. In my dreams, it has a 289 and a four-speed, but more than likely it’s an inline six and an automatic. It’s also priced at $3,500
The most expensive car of the bunch is this early ’60’s Chrysler 300 with a 383. Honestly, looking at it I can only assume that the seller is pricing it higher because it is a 300–it certainly doesn’t warrant it on condition. Nevertheless, the seller wants $4,000 for it.
Finally, we have a car that looks like it’s been stored inside and has had some work done on it. It’s a 1962 Pontiac Catalina convertible that has at least a repainted engine. We can hope it’s rebuilt, right? And at least this one was pictured under cover, although we have no idea whether it’s been there for a while or not. It looks like there’s at least some rust in the quarter panel we can see. So–if you had to take one of these projects on, which one would you pick?
Something fishy, already deleted. Typical CL. Quite frankly, I wouldn’t give them a dime for any of them. It’s collections like these, that don’t draw a lot of interest, just too late for these cars. Maybe the ’62 Pontiac, but convertibles without tops stored outside, is the kiss of death.
There they were! GONE!
Having grown up in Spokane, the “desert cars” are usually cars from the Tri-cities area (Kennewick, Pasco, and Richland). It’s arid for sure as it’s in the rain shadow of the Cascades, but it’s not Arizona.
I like the 59 ford only because of the fins.
My pick would be the ’62 Pontiac. I’m a convertible guy so choosing is hard but… I think the Catalina would make me smile the most.
The 63 Cadillac would be my choice, at least as a finished car.. In that condition, it’s gonna require deep pockets and a lot of time to return any of those cars to the road.
“It appears that our seller doesn’t like photographing Cadillacs, as this 1967 doesn’t get much in the way of pictures either.”
You did mean 1969, right?