MARKET REVIEW
American Motors/Studebaker
Owning an American classic doesn’t mean having to spend a lot or limit yourself to one of the US market’s mainstream brands. Budget $25,000 and you can afford almost anything produced by American Motors (Rambler), or Studebaker during their post-WW2 period. Cheapest in this group are the Ramblers, which were assembled locally and where the ‘Most Car For Your Money’ award has to go to the 1970s Matador which rarely tops $12,000. The Holden-sized Hornet is worth a look too. Among the Studebakers the easiest to find and most affordable are locally-assembled Larks and Cruisers. These with V8 engines and in good condition cost around $20,000. Two-door Daytona Hardtops reach $45,000 and it’s possible to spend the same on an excellent Hawk GT coupe.
Classic/Ambassador 1959-66 $13,200 [6] Rebel/Matador 1967-78 $8080 [5] Hornet 1970-77 $11,950 [5] Javelin/AMX 1968-73 $39,000 [1] Stude Sedan/Coupe 1949-57 $17,125 [4] Lark/Cruiser 1960-66 $18,000 [3] Daytona H/Top 1962-66 $40,000 [2] Hawk 1958-64 $36,980 [6]
Buick 1935-61
Providing you avoid pricey open-top Buicks from the 1940s-50s there are plenty of affordable opportunities among these imposing cars. Before 1949, Buicks with six and eight cylinder engines were assembled in Australia but later versions were all fully-imported. Values are consistent across the 1949-61 model range and $20-25,000 will buy tidy four-door sedans in a variety of models. Early straight-eight cars are very traditional with plenty of torque but don’t respond with the same verve as a late-1950s V8. If you want something visually spectacular and have $50-60,000 to spend, a two-door Roadmaster or 1950s Riviera will occasionally become available.
All Models 1935-48 $38,700 [15] All Models 1949-58 $40,100 [20] Conv. 1949-58 $130,000 [2] Electra/Invicta 1959-61 $37,500 [2]
Buick 1962-82
Fully-imported Buicks were popular choices with local prestige vehicle buyers during the 1960s. Hundreds were imported and RHD converted, however few survive as they succumb to rust and mechanical issues. RHD hurts long-term value so the cars to look for first will be recent imports in excellent, authentic condition. In LHD form a 1963-65 Riviera will likely cost $50,000, but 1966-70 or post-71 cars are around $20,000 cheaper. GS and GS400 Skylarks are hard to find but cheaper than early Rivieras. So are 1964-70 Wildcats with engines around 7.0 litres in size. As everyday transport or a roomy and flamboyant family cruiser, spend $20-30,000 on a 1970s Electra/Limited or 1960s Skylark convertible.
Skylark/Invicta 1962-72 $26,355 [6] Skylark Conv. 1962-72 $33,635 [10] Electra/Limited 1962-82 $23,900 [18] GS400/GS455 $44,180 [5] Riviera 1963-65 $54,250 [2] Riviera 1966-70 $27,940 [6] Riviera 1971-74 $39,270 [13]
Cadillac 1936-60
Park 1949 and 1959 Cadillacs side-by-side and the difference a decade can make becomes very obvious. Cadillac’s style changed in 1947 and didn’t stop evolving until 1959 but which time the fins had taken on lives of their own. Values also climbed in unison with the fins; 1948-55 cars now averaging $40-45,000 and four-door ‘57-59s above $60,000. Coupes can cost a little more. Exceptions among the early-1950s cars are Eldorados which can reach $200,000. If you find a genuine 1959 convertible that doesn’t need lashings of cash spent on restoration, expect to pay $115-130,000.
Sedan 1936-49 $43,300 [3] Sedan/Coupe 1950-56 $42,560 [16] Sedan/Coupe 1957-58 $63,500 [5] Sedan/Coupe 1959-60 $63,200 [19] Convertible 1959-60 $101,500 [3]
Cadillac 1961-2006
Cadillacs from the latter part of the 20th Century hang together well and are also holding their values. Cars from the 1960s that haven’t had buckets of restoration money poured into them remain usable and can cost less than $20,000. Early-1970s sedans and coupes are common and very good ones make $25,000, with 1967-70 front-wheel drive Eldorado coupes now popular with collectors they’re above $30,000. Big convertibles of the kind made famous by Dukes of Hazzard villain J D ‘Boss’ Hogg are plentiful and only very good ones should cost more than $30,000. Compact Eldorados built after 1976 and quite recent CTS sedans work fine as regular transport and cost $18-25,000.
Sedan/Coupe 1961-64 $38,080 [15] Sedan/Coupe 1965-72 $24,125 [11] Conv. 1965-72 $38,090 [10] Sedan/Coupe 1973-92 $19,100 [38] Eldorado Coupe 1967-70 $31,700 [5] Eldorado Coupe 1971-77 $25,565 [3] Eldorado Conv. 1971-77 $30,415 [18] Eldorado Coupe 1977-90 $22,500 [4] CTS 1999-06 $24,125 [4]
Chevrolet 1920-54
Anyone who hoped that early Chevrolets being plentiful might make them less expensive needs to think again. Some cars are about
