Got $3,500

Are you too broke to engage Mr. October or the King of Late Night in a bidding war at some glitzy, televised collector-car auction?

Awww...too bad.

So now what're you going to do? Stand in line at the Quik Mart, shoulders slumped, waiting to trade your lunch money for a chance to play some state-sponsored, scratch-and-match fool's game and dreaming that you'll win enough money to satisfy your nagging collector-car addiction?

Would you like that big sack of nothing that you're going to score paid out in one lump sum or multiple installments over the course of your lifetime?

Here's a better idea: Give the distracted, body-pierced teenager behind the Quik Mart's counter your money in exchange for the latest copy of Hemmings Motor News (or log on to Hemmings.com).

Hemmings' sprawling classified listings boast literally hundreds of bargain-priced vintage collector cars that no retired pro athlete, or entertainer with a multimillion dollar network TV deal, would be caught dead dragging back to their Malibu estate where said bargain could drool gear oil all over the hand-laid Belgian cobblestone driveway.

But for someone in your tax bracket (make that our tax bracket)...with some late nights spent spinning wrenches; a half-dozen minor, self-inflicted flesh wounds (easily bandaged with shop rags and duct tape); and a dump truckload of new and/or salvaged parts, why the possibilities are endless!

Just so we don't have to listen to you whine about there not really being any deals in Hemmings, here are 100 actual vehicles that either are or were on the market recently for $3,500 or less. Pre-war, post-war, orphans, independents, '70s and '80s iron... whatever your fetish happens to be it's all here. Approximately 99 percent of these were advertised either in HMN or on Hemmings.com. One or two were found on web sites belonging to dealers who regularly advertise their wares in Hemmings.

We attempted to weed out the complete basket cases and parts cars in favor of candidates that were either drivers or showed strong winter-project potential. There probably are some clunkers lurking in the list, but there are some real deals too.

So stand up straight, stop dreaming about being a collector-car owner, and become one right now!

AMC

1967

Rambler American Rogue

290-225hp, four-barrel, four-speed, 354 Twin Grip, handling package, heavy-duty cooling, tach, red exterior, white bucket interior, all documentation from day one, $3,500; 1967 American 440 hardtop, 290-225hp, four-speed, 354 Twin Grip, handling package, heavy-duty cooling, turquoise exterior, black interior, former Stock class record holder, rare, $3,300.

What better way to kick off a list of affordable collectibles? Here are not one, but two factory hot rods from American Motors--one with a drag-racing history, the other with a complete paper trail. AMC produced fewer than 5,000 each of the scrappy compacts detailed in that ad. Go look, bring cash.

Buick

1963

Skylark

All original, older restoration, 215 V-8, aluminum block, white leather interior, runs great, $3,000 obo.

This 1963 Skylark was among the last Buicks armed with the aluminum 215-cu.in. V-8. In its final form it was packing an 11:1 compression ratio and 200hp. For $3,000 or best offer you can own a car powered by one of the greatest engines of all time that "runs great." Imagine that.

1971

Riviera

Boattail, loaded, 455, disc brakes, good driver, great body, needs cosmetics, $3,400.

The boattail design polarizes American collectible car fans, which means that, love it or hate it, it makes a strong statement. A pair of Texas license plates is a reassuring touch for anyone who has experienced firsthand the horror of road-salt induced corrosion.

1974

Electra 225

Coupe, dark green, white top, one owner, complete maintenance records, 164k, registered until 2005, summer vehicle, serviced annually by Buick dealership, new tires in 2004, $2,000, negotiable.

For a negotiable $2,000 you get a pampered 455 V-8/Turbo Hydra-Matic combination in a one-owner Buick, that was dealer serviced annually, with the records to prove it. It even has new tires. What better way to cruise through summer than from behind the wheel of a '70s-vintage GM land yacht?

1979

Regal

Two-door Sport, one owner, 53K miles, V-8, 100% complete, all options, new paint and parts, $2,500.

While hardly on the top of many collectors' lists, '70s Buicks have a following. If nothing else, this V-8 Regal would make a fun driver for a mere $2,500.

1983

Riviera

95K miles, mint condition, three new tires, new belts and new alternator, $2,500.

This listing is worth a phone call, simply to find out why the owner only sprung for three new tires. (Maybe they rotated in the spare?) But at least he was honest enough to admit to it. Available for $2,500 now, but, in 1983, the base MSRP of Buick's sport-luxury Riviera was an eye-popping $15,000. Talk about depreciation--save your money, drive old cars.

Cadillac

1969

deVille

Convertible, many powers, factory air, been sitting many years, needs restoration, first $3,500.

Cadillacs of this vintage aren't hard to come by, but convertibles are always a good investment. If it had proper care, the 375hp 472-cu.in. V-8 under this deVille's football-field-sized hood should deliver gobs of power for hundreds of thousands of miles.

1973

Eldorado

Convertible, Nevada car, needs paint and top, runs excellent, $2,500.

If you've been searching for a place to mount that set of giant Texas steer horns that you picked up for pennies on the dollar when your favorite steakhouse closed down a few years back, consider this never-seen-road-salt front-driver. No car screams American excess quite like the Eldorados equipped with the whopping 500-cu.in. V-8. This one is a convertible to boot. Campy? Yeah well, O.K. Collectible? Definitely.

1983

Sedan deVille

The classic little old lady's car, one owner, always garaged, gray-green with original vinyl top in excellent condition, exceptionally clean, pristine body, replaced rear light/bumper guard extension fillers two years ago, 71K miles, engine replaced in 1990s, $2,995.

Somewhere along the line the 4.1-liter (248-cu.in.) V-8 apparently grew tired of hauling around this 4,000-lb. sled and was plucked out. Of course there is a possibility that this deVille is powered by the 5.7-liter diesel. You do know what your first question is going to be when you call, right?

Chevrolet

1955

Bel Air

Two-door sedan, less engine and transmission, frame cleaned and painted, new ball joints, bushings, brakes, etc. Rust in rockers, lower quarters, tail pan, rolling, $3,500 firm.

1956

Bel Air

Two-door sedan, Oklahoma car needing restoration, $2,900.

1957

Bel Air

Two-door hardtop, charcoal gray, good frame, trunk, body, no engine or transmission, unrestored, good project, $3,500.

The infamously collectible Tri-Five Chevys really have no place on a bargain-hunter's hit list these days, but we can dream can't we? All of these cars are listed by their respective sellers as projects, which should speak volumes about the condition they're probably in. Everything is relative however, so given the breed's popularity, they're probably reasonably priced.

1963

Impala

Station wagon, solid, needs restoring, $3,000; 1964 Super Sport, needs restoring, $3,000; 1955 Olds two-door hardtop, restorable, $3,000; 1958 Oldsmobile two-door sedan, restorable, $3,000.

Talk about your one-stop shopping, this seller has a quartet of slightly off-the-beaten-path collectibles up for grabs, any of which can be had for $3,000. Why not impress your spouse, neighbors and local code enforcement officer by collecting all four?

1963

Corvair

Spyder, 150hp turbo coupe for restoration, engine turns freely, turbo complete, exterior minor rust usual spots, interior rough, $1,475 or best reasonable offer.

1964

Corvair

Coupe, very original, driven into dry storage a few years ago, four new radial tires, automatic, has title, needs restoration, $1,900.

History has not been kind to the Corvair, which is good for collectors in search of some cheap thrills. The 1964 car has the revised rear suspension with the Corvette-inspired transverse leaf spring that Chevrolet designed to help correct some of the car's negative-publicity generating oversteer. The 1963 is the more desirable Spyder coupe with the 150hp turbocharged engine. Decisions, decisions...

1964

Impala

Nine-passenger wagon, PS, PB, PW, factory A/C, luggage rack, project car, $2,200 obo.

This seller included a link to his Web site where he posted dozens of pictures of his Impala. The verdict? This is a solid-looking car for a very low asking price. With some TLC it would make a killer tow vehicle for a vintage dragster, Bonneville racer or whatever.

1966

Impala

Convertible, original red car, needs total restoration, $3,500, can arrange delivery.

While the bare-bones description makes this sound like a car to avoid--the fact that it was located in Arizona gave us a glimmer of hope. Chevy's full-size cars are perennial favorites among collectors, though some years are more dear than others. The fact that it's a convertible doesn't hurt this Impala's value.

1966

Caprice

Two-door coupe, 327 automatic, marina blue outside, black bucket console interior, structurally solid southern body in running condition, needs restoration, $2,950, delivery possible.

In 1966 the Caprice Custom Coupe wasn't just an Impala with some luxury add-ons but a separate model with a squared-off rear roofline. This is a lot of car to embark on a complete restoration of, but at least a strong parts availability would be on your side.

1966

El Camino

327, automatic, PS, PB, new paint, needs windshield and interior done, $3,500.

1971

El Camino SS

Complete rolling chassis with new sheetmetal, car has a big-block V-8, F-41, disc/drum combo, gauges and center console, buckets, sheetmetal is all new, ready to be installed, ran out of time to restore this one, my loss your gain, $3,500 obo.

Get off your high horse and consider one of Chevrolet's worker-bee muscle cars--you are, after all, on a budget. If this were a 1971 Chevelle SS or a 1966 Chevelle the prices would be double, but just because these machines have tailgates...

Both sound like potential projects; however, with a little imagination and a lot of work, the payoff could be worth the effort.

1974

Impala

Four-door, very clean original, perfect dash, good paint, 350 V-8, automatic, cold air, shows 29K, asking $3,500.

O.K., so it's a little hard to get worked up over the prospect of owning a 4,200-lb., 145hp four-door car that looks more or less like a giant box of Kleenex on wheels. That is, of course, until you get to the part of the ad that says the Impala's odometer shows just 29K miles. A 33-year-old automobile in nearly new condition for an asking price of $3,500? If you like gigantic American cars this one's worth investigating.

1975

Monte Carlo

Landau, V-8, automatic, A/C, PS, PB, swivel buckets, 68K miles, $2,500 obo.

The availability of the swivel bucket seat (It turned to face out, making ingress as easy as falling into your bean bag chair) may have been this generation Monte Carlo's single greatest contribution to society. Even if you're not sold on the pouncing-jungle-cat styling, you will probably like the way this Monte cruises. With 68K miles on the odometer--assuming it has had even minimal maintenance--there's plenty of cruising left in its small-block.

1976

Nova

Two-door sedan, six-cylinder, automatic, power steering, excellent condition, sacrifice $2,200.

Though they don't get a lot of respect among collectors, this style Nova, which made its debut in 1975, was a marked improvement cosmetically over the dumpy 1974 model. Two-door Novas were available as coupes or with a hatchback, and the 250-cu.in. straight-six was standard.

1976

Laguna S3

400-cu.in. V-8 automatic, PS, PB, A/C, black outside, maroon bench-seat interior, solid southern body with bad engine, $1,950, delivery possible.

The 1976 model year was the end of the line for the Chevelle's performance variant, the Laguna S3. Though hardly a factory hot rod by modern or 1960s standards, the S3 at least looked tough with its urethane front end, rally wheels and color-keyed bumpers. Beefy anti-roll bars kept the big body from leaning in the turns and the dash featured a semi-racy round-dial gauge cluster. Considering how inexpensive small-blocks are to buy and rebuild, with a little investment of time and cash this could be a fun-to-drive car.

Chrysler

1956

New Yorker

This car is all original with a 354-cu.in. four-barrel Hemi, straight body, needs interior, car has sat for nine years but I believe it would run with effort, options include automatic transmission, PS; would deliver within reasonable distance, $2,500 obo.

O.K., so "...would run with effort," isn't the most reassuring phrase you would hope to find in the description for your low-buck dream car, but in this price range you might as well get used to it, partner. With the value of anything Hemi-powered reaching new heights, this car is definitely worth a look. Keep in mind that aficionados of early Hemis tend to gravitate toward the 1957-'58 392 engine, but the 331-354 was no slouch. Some say that the 354 had the freest flowing heads.

1962

300

Coupe, white body with red interior, factory air automobile requiring restoration, first $3,500.

Don't expect to find many bargains on early 300s, letter cars or otherwise. This ad is a little light on details, which probably makes it seem even more tantalizing. Chrysler only made 11,776 copies of the 1962 300 Sport Series in two-door coupe trim. Those were powered by a 305hp 383-cu.in. V-8. By comparison, only 435 1962 300Hs, packing a 413-inch V-8, were built.

1978

New Yorker

Four-door hardtop, 72K miles, 440 V-8, gold and white, one owner, good condition, $2,000.

It's hard to believe there was a time when auto manufacturers were generating less than 200hp with 7.2-liter engines, but this one-owner New Yorker is a rolling testament to the stranger-than-fiction cars of the mid- to late-1970s. Like many of the other semi-collectible full-size machines on this list, this one is here because it might be in very good condition for little money.

Dodge

1947

Two-door sedan

Original complete car, engine runs, very good body, $3,450.

Carryovers from pre-WWII production and, frankly, nothing to get wildly excited about--which is why they make great post-war collector cars for bargain hunters. In 1946, Dodge added a new grille and parking lamps to the 1942 design and incorporated Fluid-Drive for the first time. Power was provided by a 230-cu.in. one-barrel-topped, six-cylinder which produced 102hp. Buy it, drive it around, and enjoy all the attention you get from surviving members of the Greatest Generation.

1959

Coronet

Two-door hardtop, PS, PB, TorqueFlite transmission, straight New Mexico car, engine runs, $2,500.

Exaggerated fins and giant brows over quad headlamps make the '59 Coronet a spooky-looking machine. There's a high probability that this car is a V-8, as it's listed as having a TorqueFlite. Plus, of the 151,851 cars that Dodge built in '59, 136,200 had V-8 power. At $2,500 it's definitely worth a look.

1964

440

Original, very good condition, red, white top, good interior, no rust, $3,500.

Two-door? Four-door? Wagon? Hard to say from the ad, but the 440 has a big following among Dodge loyalists. Its design is uncluttered and a little boxy, but very tough looking.

1965

Coronet 500

Two-door hardtop, 383, automatic, bucket seats, console shifter, good straight car, sitting many years, missing some parts, $2,495 obo.

1965

Coronet

Two-door post, $3,000; with parts car, $4, 000.

It seems like there's always a lot of hoopla about Chevelles and Fairlanes of this vintage but the Coronet is often overlooked. Not on this list. Here's a pair (three if you count the parts car) of very strong prospects for anyone looking to build a stout quarter-miler or Saturday night cruiser.

The redesigned '66 car and its Charger variant tend to be the cars most people think of when they think of mid-'60s Coronets, which is one of the reasons the '65 made our bargain list. All told, Dodge made 63,100 of these mid-sized bread-and-butter cars--about half of the number of entry-level, compact Darts it produced.

1991

Daytona Shelby IROC Turbo

Black, 150K miles, engine rebuilt at 45K, recent transmission overhaul, factory AM-FM/CD, A/C, PS, PB, power locks, tilt, cruise, two complete parts cars included, $3,400.

While these cars were hardly fast by Hemi Charger standards, in their day they commanded some street credibility. Besides, this car has already had a substantial amount of work done to it and the price includes two more reasons for your spouse to file for a divorce. Four-wheel discs and a five-speed manual transmission were standard on these 152-horse front drivers as were a body color air dam and rear spoiler.

Ford

1923

Model T

Roadster, decent sheetmetal, engine turns, needs restoration, $2,900.

1924

Model T

Touring, engine turns, complete with top irons, needs restoration, $2,400.

1924

Model T

Touring, nice straight sheetmetal, original wood for patterns, good wheels, engine turns, $2,900.

Model Ts are often as good of a deal today as they were new. Nice examples in driveable condition can be picked up for under $10,000 and solid projects often can be found for less than our $3,500 limit. Try to find another pre-war car at this price.

1949

Custom

Two-door, flathead V-8, three-speed with overdrive, radio, heater, shows 48k miles, been in dry storage 30 years, needs total restoration, engine turns, not running, good title, no front bumper, $3,000.

1949

Custom

$3,000.

1950

Deluxe Four-door. Excellent restoration candidate. 98K miles. Flathead V-8 (not running), 3-speed. Exterior: Top surface rust, front-bumper dent, grille small dent, left front fender small dent/lower rust hole/ chrome gone, left front door small dent/glass cracked, left rocker panel rusted out, left rear door wing glass cracked, left quarter small dent, trunk lid small dent, rear quarter small dent, rear-rear door rust hole/small dent/glass cracked, rear rocker rusted out, rear front fender chrome gone/small rust hole, windshields cracked, great frame, no brakes. Interior: Front floor pans have rust holes, front seat torn, radio gone, trunk floor has a small rust hole. $2,300.

Here's a cluster of the ever-popular '49 and '50 Fords--the first all-new machines from Dearborn following the WWII switch to arms building. Though all are probably projects, they help to illustrate how readily available these Fords are at reasonable prices. In 1949 Ford made an incredible 1,118,740 of these cars in response to post-war America's hunger for new wheels. Needless to say, a wide selection is available today as is a full line of reproduction body and trim parts.

1956

Fairlane Victoria

Exceptional body, solid crossmember, floors, trunk. All new side chrome, two 292 engines, all chrome needs replating, too many projects. Only needs hood. $3,500.

For whatever reason, 1955-'57 Fords don't haul down the dollars that their Bowtie-wearing crosstown rivals do. A hood shouldn't be too much trouble to locate, though finding a perfect rust-free one will take some hunting.

1963

Thunderbird Landau

390, automatic, 65k, complete, restorable, solid, PS, PB, $2,500.

This Landau is a relatively rare Bird with just 14,139 produced in 1963. The Landau two-door hardtops featured a white exterior with a maroon top and white leather interior. This is another example of an excellent collectible lurking in the pages of Hemmings.

1964

Fords

Four-door hardtop, 390 auto, $3,500; XL convertible, rough, 390 four-speed, $2,900; Galaxie 500 convertible, 390 automatic, $3,500.

This seller is trying to unload not one but three 1964 Fords--none of which will set you back more than our preset $3,500 limit. Nothing makes a project go smoother than a couple of good parts cars, if you happen to have a good place to keep them. Bring cash.

1965

Custom 500

Tudor post, rare, lowest production body style in 1965 except XL convertible, southern car, V-8, needs restoration, way too many new and used parts to list, $2,900.

1965

Galaxie convertibles

1965 XL, $1,500; 1966 big-blocks, both run, $2,500; 1965 two-door hardtop, A/C, $500; dump truck full parts, $4,500 all.

1965

Thunderbird

Engine turns over, doesn't run, factory disc brakes and A/C, $1,500 obo.

Ford's 1965 lineup not only featured striking styling but offered a dizzying array of notable power plants including the plucky 240 straight-six, the legendary 289 V-8 and the thundering 427. Ford's full-size sedans rode on coil springs for the first time and boasted an all-new design. The Thunderbird was a carryover from the previous year but offered buyers uncommon features like power disc brakes and vacuum-operated power door locks. This bevy of mid-'60s Blue Ovals are all good potential projects with a strong fan base, ample parts availability and strong resale potential.

1966

F250 Camper Special

Rebuilt 390, four-speed, AC, original radio, new tires. Very clean Arizona truck needs very little to complete restoration. $2,500

Is the 1965 3/4-ton Ford on this list too much work for you? Then shell out the extra $1,500 for this 1966 F250 and pull your Fairlane to the drags immediately. Both of these heavy haulers are priced on the extreme low end of what Ford trucks of this vintage are worth. Besides, your significant other will love it above all of your other vehicular treasures the first time you use it to haul in some new shrubs, kitchen cabinets, etc. etc.

1966

Fairlanes

GTA and 500, 390 hardtop cars, no engine or trans, $1,900 each; also have convertible and hardtop parts.

The Fairlane was an all-new machine for 1966, larger than the 1965 and sporting those signature stacked headlamps. In case you were wondering, that A after the GT denotes that this particular car was one of Ford's performance Fairlane GTs with an automatic transmission. This sounds like a treasure trove of pieces and a good place to begin a Fairlane project.

1973

Galaxie 500

Unrestored, excellent condition, 351 V-8, 93K miles, dark ivy color, garage kept, very clean, looks brand new inside and out, $3,500.

1973

Mustang Mach I

Gold, 302 V8, auto, most options, air, window sticker, card, stored, mostly disassembled, original and restorable, new parts included, $2,900 obo.

1973

LTD

Four-door hardtop, brown, 400-cu.in., PW, PS, all original including vanity plates and papers, many new parts, solid car, $1,500 obo.

Here's a pretty good cross section of Ford's 1973 lineup, all available for $3,500 or less. None of these cars are particularly noteworthy from a collector's perspective, but the parts availability remains abundant, and they would all make great drivers. Take your pick, a big family sedan, a big sporty sedan, or a big pony car.

1986

Mustang SVO

One owner, 70k miles, much rebuilt, some parts missing, for parts for restoration, $1,950.

For some reason the turbocharged Pinto engine in a Mustang with Fairmont underpinnings formula just never caught fire, but the SVO Mustang does enjoy a cult following. Though they lack the grunt of their V-8 counterparts, SVO Mustangs benefited from a more favorable front-to-rear weight distribution courtesy of the four-cylinder's trim physique. Goodies like 16-inch wheels and beefy anti-roll bars were standard. This seems like a deal for a one-owner car with 70K miles--depending of course on which parts are missing.

Hudson

1940

Deluxe

Coupe, complete, surface rust, rod or restore, $2,800.

Here's a nice nugget of trivia that all carmakers should take note of: In 1940, Hudson's six-cylinder-powered cars not only set several AAA speed records, but managed to finish a 1,000-mile economy run with an average fuel consumption of 32.66 mpg. Help conserve the Earth's natural resources; drive a 66-year-old Hudson.

1950

Pacemaker

Two-door, 66K miles, barn fresh, $3,000 obo.

Here's an entry-level, but spiffy two-door Hudson that will start you down the road to early 1950s Hudson addiction. Low, sleek and subsequently imbued with very respectable handling traits, Hudsons once ruled the roads and the racetracks of America. Make a best offer on this machine and find out why.

Lincoln

1946

Model 66H

Four-door sedan, 55K miles, V-12, three-speed overdrive, complete, solid, restorable, $2,500.

Though having a V-12 under the hood sounds impressive, the Lincoln engine managed to produce just 130hp out of 305 cubic inches. Still, it was deemed powerful enough to pace the Indy 500 (between the fenders of a Continental) that year. Try to find another V-12 classic for the same price!

1969

Continental

Four-door, butterfly doors, 460 engine, dark green outside, green satin original interior, solid southern car in running condition, needs restoration, $3,450, delivery possible.

1969

Continental

Four-door, 460 engine, yellow exterior, green leather, 83K miles, $3,000 obo.

At over 5,000 lbs., these luxury barges needed every bit of those 460-cu.in. V-8's 365 horses to pull them around. Still, they have no problem smoking the rear tires from a standstill and came fairly well loaded with creature comforts. And about that styling: If you can find a more ominous-looking pair of cars, buy them.

1973

Mark IV

Cartier Edition, 42k miles, original, wire wheels, new tires, vinyl top, Nevada car, $2,900.

This is definitely a plush, powerful cruiser, but if it's a 1973 then it isn't a Cartier Edition. Lincolns with Cartier clocks are commonly mistaken for Cartier Edition cars which were produced as part of the Designer Series in 1976. Still, for $2,900, this would make a fantastic road trip machine.

Mercury

1961

Monterey Convertible

Runs good, 390 automatic, low rider, $3,500.

The average Hemmings reader's skin crawls at the thought of making this Monterey convertible into a custom low rider, but unfortunately it looks as if work has already progressed in that direction. Even in primer and missing a hood, this is an elegant-looking car, though there's much to be done... But there's still time to make it stock again.

Oldsmobile

1963

Holiday

454 engine, garage-stored for 30 years. Low miles, runs good, had tune-up. Estate sale. Must sell fast. $1,800 appraised at $7,500. Rare.

Hmmm... 88? 98? Two-door? Four-door? And just how did that 454 get in there? Frankly, the suspense is killing us, and if the car wasn't 2,500 miles away we might have already peeked under the hood long before you read this.

1963

Ninety-Eight

Four-door hardtop, 394 Rocket, 84k, all original, sky blue, six-window, no A/C, minor bodywork needed, runs great. $3,500.

This was Oldsmobile's top model for 1963 and it retailed for a then-hefty $4,332. The V-8 pumped out 330hp and a whopping 440-lb.ft. of torque. With just 84,000 on the odometer this car still has a lot of luxurious driving to offer.

1966

Toronado

Deluxe model, factory chrome wheels, black with black interior, solid southern car needing full restoration, engine will run, $3,450; delivery possible.

This was the first year for the then-futuristic front-wheel-drive Toronado. It was a no-brainer choice for Car of the Year accolades from automotive scribes of the day, thanks in no small part to its mighty 385hp 425-cu.in V-8. These cars continue to enjoy an enthusiastic following, so restorable examples will command figures on the high end of our bargain-hunter price range.

1967

Cutlass

Two-door, needs restoration but in good workable condition, $2,800; '67 4-4-2 convertible, body in good condition, no frame, all other parts are there including M21 trans and Hurst shifter, $1,500.

The 1967 Olds Cutlass is a big, boxy, but nonetheless handsome-looking automobile. This seller has a pair to part with, one of which is a valuable 4-4-2 convertible that's in need of underpinnings. There's no mention of engines in the listing but a good first question would pertain to whether or not a certain numbers-matching 350hp 400-cu.in. V-8 happens to be lying around.

1974

Two-Door Coupe

350 V-8, no rust, 53K miles, second owner, A/C, PS, PB, radio, all original, drive it home, well maintained, kept inside, $3,500 obo.

Talk about a mystery. This could be a Cutlass, a Cutlass S, a Cutlass Supreme, a Delta 88 or a Delta 88 Royale. With just 53,535 miles in the hands of the second owner, whatever it is, it's worth a phone call.

1976

Ninety-Eight

Coupe, green with white landau top, 455, 76K miles, good driver with PB, PS, power seats and windows, garaged until October 2003, needs minor cosmetic attention, $3,000 obo, has to go.

Two decades ago, now-defunct Oldsmobile was thriving, thanks largely to the 500,000 Cutlasses sold, and still stamping out enormous cars like this 98 which rode on a sprawling 127-inch wheelbase. The 1976 edition was powered by a 190hp 455 twisting up 350 pound-feet of torque. This car has at least 150,000 miles of cruising left in it.

1983

Delta 88

Four-door sedan, 46K miles, excellent condition, $3,000 obo.

The early 1980s 88s were big sellers and were available with the 5.7-liter diesel as well as the Olds 307 and the 3.8-liter V-6. No word about which powerplant this car came with but, with proper care, any of them should be able to spin the odometer well into the six digits.

Packard

1955

Clipper Custom

Four-door, 352 V-8, automatic, yellow/white exterior, black/white interior. Runs great, body good, has two dents and a little surface rust. Thin whitewall tires. Needs windshield, includes one that could be used. Needs bodywork and interior work. I drive this to cruise nights. $2,150 negotiable.

Here's your chance to own a running, driving, presentable example of the 8,708 stately '55 Clipper Customs for less than the sales tax on a new SUV. So, don't whine to us that you can't afford a unique collectible car if you haven't bothered negotiating on the already-reasonable $2,150 asking price of this car.

Plymouth

1969

Road Runner

Yellow coupe, 383, automatic, super solid Wyoming car, needs complete restoration, $3,200.

Let's face it, the chances of finding a running, driving '69 Road Runner for under $3,500 are not particularly good--especially with Mopar collector-car madness spreading across the land like a deadly bird flu. Still, here it is, needing a complete restoration for just over $3,000. Though not the biggest hammer in Plymouth's toolbox, with 335hp on tap the 383 in this Road Runner would nail you to the back of the seat, nonetheless.

Pontiac

1949

Deluxe coupe

Silver Streak, Straight Eight, slantback, stored since 1964, auto, radio, spotlamps, restorable, minor rust, $3,200 obo.

This post-war Pontiac has it all except an owner who wants to use and maintain it as the collectible it is. Pontiac's L-head 103hp straight-eight is a great conversation piece and will deliver miles of dependable driving. This is an excellent car to use and enjoy.

1968 & 1972

Le Mans

Convertible, complete western car, runs, needs restoration, $2,500; 1972 Luxury Le Mans, 350 automatic, buckets, console, California car, $2,500.

Looking for a Le Mans? This seller has two, one of which is a low-volume '68 convertible-only 8,820 made. The other is a Luxury Le Mans with bucket seats and a console, issued in two-door hardtops, of which 8,641 were built. A plentiful parts supply makes restoration easy.

1973

Grand Prix

Maroon with maroon interior, bucket seats and console, 400 engine, Turbo Hydra-Matic, super driver, original, $3,000.

The seller definitely speaks the truth--these Grand Prixs are smooth riding, powerful drivers. Good examples can be had at cheap used-car prices. Enough said.

Rambler

1960

Four-Door Barn find, runs and drives, no smoke, 3-speed, column shift, original pink and white, 56K miles, original, drive it home, $2,650.

Subtle tailfins, a split front bumper, that eggcrate grille topped by chrome RAMBLER letters--Ramblers definitely made a late-1950s/early 1960s styling statement. This one is up for grabs for less than the down payment required to lease a mid-sized Korean car, and the owner claims it's ready to be driven.

Studebaker

1908

Doctor's horse drawn buggy

$3,295

1935

Dictator

$2,995

1950

Business Coupe

$1,995

1956

Station Wagon

Two-door, $895

1948

Starlight

coupe $1,295

1950 Starlight

coupe $2,995

1966

Cruiser

$2,995; payments considered, low-cost delivery.

1966

Cruiser

$2,995; payments considered, low-cost delivery.

Studebaker still has such a loyal following, you would think that the company went out of business last week. Here's what amounts to a Studebaker dealer selling everything from a 1908 buggy to a boxy 1966 cruiser--complete with financing and available low-cost delivery. Best of all, nothing on this list exceeds $3,000, leaving a few bucks in the budget for parts or a new buggy whip.

1962

GT Hawk

289 V-8 fully rebuilt, 3-speed manual transmission with overdrive, four-barrel, original white interior, full dash, original glass, four finned brake drums all within tolerances, minor rust but overall great condition. $3,500 obo.

Again, why are you reading this and not scouring the pages of Hemmings Motor News or browsing Hemmings.com/cars-for-sale for your own affordable collector car? Low book value for a GT Hawk is $5,000 and, in tip-top shape, they'll haul in $20,000. This seems like off-the-charts low pricing for this car and, odds are, since it's in Southern California, the person who wrote the ad wasn't exaggerating about the minor rust.

Willys

1952

Aero

Appears to be original paint and interior, very little rust, odometer shows 36K miles, last driven in 1984, $3,500.

Willys' cute little Aeros were capable of 35 mpg which would make one of them a good choice for semi-daily driving these days. The base Lark was powered by a 161-cu.in. L-head six that delivered 75hp, while the Wing, Ace and Eagle models used a 90hp, F-head, 161-cu.in six. You'll be hard pressed to find a more affordable, rarely seen collector car than this.