MARKET REVIEW
American Motors/Studebaker
America’s favourite independent brands were both at various times assembled in Australia, finding favour as police cars and government VIP transport. Numbers of available cars are down on previous years but the prices being asked are realistic. Among the undervalued models would be V8 Javelins at $35,000 and Studebaker Hawk coupes at similar money. When normality returns, pay around $20,000 for an excellent Classic, roomy Rebel or Matador. 1950s Studebaker sedan are worthwhile at $10-12,000 while V8 Larks, excluding two-door versions, and 1940s cars generally cost $20,000.
Classic/Ambassador 1959-66 $8500 [1] Rebel/Matador 1967-78 $22,000 [3] Hornet 1970-77 $11,500 [2] Javelin 1968-73 $18,495 [2] Stude Sedan 1948-52 $20,335 [3] Stude Sedan 1953-57 $9465 [3] Lark/Cruiser 1960-66 $20,000 [1] Daytona H/Top 1962-66 $35,500 [1] Hawk 1958-64 $35,000 [1]
Buick 1935-63
Australia can trace our ties to the Buick brand back over 100 years, including their use as official cars by State Premiers and Prime Ministers. If you’ve got a black 1930s-60s Buick it may have some VIP history. Money being sought for pre-1950s models has been climbing since 2009 and excellent Straight Eights make $50,000. Cars dating from the 1950s weren’t built here and most are recent imports. However, they are relatively easy to find and often reasonably priced. Special sedans in good condition cost around $40,000, with the rare Limited hardtop $20,000 dearer. Move into the 1960s and a topline Electra at $30,000 can be cheaper than some Chevrolets of similar age.
All Models 1935-48 $45,665 [12] All Models 1949-52 $45,820 [7] All Models 1953-57 $41,840 [16] Electra/Invicta 1958-63 $30,615 [4] Convertible 1952-58 $65,000 [1]
Buick 1962-88
Literally hundreds of Buicks arrived in Australia during the 1960s and early ’70s, giving Holden dealers a showroom draw card and keeping RHD conversion shops very busy. Rivieras were popular and surviving examples of the model’s three distinctive styles sell at $30-50,000. Less exotic and also less expensive, Skylarks came here usually with V8 engines and lots of power-assisted accessories. Electras and 1970s Limiteds are roomy and luxurious yet excellent cars can be found at $25,000. 1980s Buicks aren’t common here, or even in their country of origin, however collectors should visit the USA – virtually for now – to find turbocharged GNX coupes. These under normal circumstances will cost considerably more than $30,000.
Skylark 1962-72 $26,450 [2] Skylark Conv. 1962-72 $32,470 [5] Electra/Limited 1964-77 $27,375 [13] Wildcat 1964-71 $31,280 [5] Riviera 1963-65 $47,975 [4] Riviera 1966-70 $35,040 [8] Riviera 1971-74 $41,945 [11] GN/GNX $32,700 [1]
Cadillac 1936-60
If you feel intimidated by fins and chrome bumpers that weigh more than the average human, don’t look in here. Cadillacs if sold by weight would be some of the most costly US models and you do get a huge quantity of car for your money. 1950s Cadillacs came in three distinct styles and the money being sought for all of them is climbing. Cars built from 1959-60 are the most plentiful and expensive with some vendors pushing sedan prices towards six figures. Early-1950s models with Cadillac’s 331 V8 can be found in good condition at around $40,000 but Conv.ertibles from the 1950s have hit $125,000, with the rare Biarritz $100K dearer.
Sedan 1936-49 $75,000 [1] Sedan/Coupe 1950-56 $42,550 [10] Sedan/Coupe 1957-58 $71,175 [8] Sedan/Coupe 1959-60 $70,110 [17] Convertible 1957-60 $106,175 [6]
Cadillac 1961-2006
For reasons best understood by people who own them, America’s most elaborate luxury car can very often be bought in excellent condition for minimal money. Consider the huge, front-wheel drive Eldorado with leather trim and power everything that is available as a coupe or Conv.ertible for less than $30,000. Want an even cheaper Caddy? Grab a ‘compact’ post-1976 Eldo or full-sized sedan from the 1980s at under $20,000. 1961-73 sedans and coupes are more expensive, but still around half the price of equivalent models from the 1950s. There once were plans to sell CTS sedans as new cars through Holden dealers but that is now impossible and people wanting a late-model Caddy will have to buy used.
Sedan/Coupe 1961-64 $35,075 [12] Sedan/Coupe 1965-72 $30,750 [9] Conv. 1961-72 $61,700 [9] Sedan/Coupe 1973-92 $20,780 [17] Eldorado Coupe 1967-76 $25,500 [8] Eldorado Conv 1971-77 $29,625 [12] Eldorado Coupe 1977-90 $18,500 [3] CTS 1999-04 $23,500 [2]
Chevrolet 1920-54
Just how many early Chevrolets have sold recently is hard to
