Looking to get into a classic ride

Whatever type of vehicle you decide on, spend more $ up front for the most rust-free example you can find, and in the long run, you'll be ahead on $, time, and effort.

IMO, you'll be more successful at aquiring the tools, knowlege, and the help you need to fix the mechanicals, as opposed to having to do the same with a rusty, rotten body and/or frame, etc.

But if you can swing it, of course buy a car that needs nothing...or close to it.

For ease of maintenance, availability of parts, etc...I agree with those who suggested a '55 or later...probably a Chevy.

One more thought. Buy something you really really like. Don't assume that when you decide to change up or upgrade to something "cooler", that you'll be able to easily and quickly sell your previous project.

Oh...and start schooling yourself on the workings of the various systems of a car.

Good luck with everything.

 

What about an early Chysler 300? They are way cool.
Expensive when new so it's more likely to find one in a garage kept environment.

 

Dont even think about it. Recipe for yard art if I have ever heard one. Keep your 300, buy a nice finished car, see if you
1) can drive it
2) like driving it, this one is a BIG if.
3) see if you can learn to do basic maintenance
Then if all that pans out, start to think about getting a project car, if you still have the stomach for it. Not to be a wise-guy, but if all you have driven is modern cars, you are used to "car as appliance". Old cars dont work that way. Its more like "car as a way of life". Not trying to be a wise-ass, but you yourself say you are "pretty unmechanically inclined to be honest". I remember the first and last time my ex drove my Falcon. After a couple blocks, she told me the car was a "death trap" and I was "insane".

 

Made a decision in the 70s to quit buying new/newer cars that depreciated every day and drive old cars as daily drivers....the 52 Chevy is my car which I've put 100,000 miles on in the past 13 years (only trouble was pertronic module in dist) it has '68 Nova 6 cyl and running gear....Also have an OT '75 GMC pickup as other driver...like has already been said, get someone with experience to help you pick a good early vehicle and learn all you can...no one is born knowing anything and if you're really interested, YOU WILL LEARN and have fun along the way !!

 

well since you has a 300 means you like luxury.....
well ditch the 300 and get a 75!

 

there are good deals to be had on 50s ford trucks. i bought a 53 ford pick up in the sping off of here and was told it was in excellent mechanical condition. well, i drove it daily to work on busy highways, rush hour traffic, rain, heat anything you can throw at it. i put on 20k from spring to summer with not one single issue. i sold my silverado and this was my driver. sadly i live in canada where it snows and is as cold as hell so it had to go. either way... not bad for 7 grand.

 

what do you guys think of the 60's-70's Oldsmobile convertibles?

 

Convertibles are super fun but can also be expensive to maintain. There is tons of aftermarket support for the Cutlass convertibles but very little for the full size.

If money is an issue, consider selling your Chrysler and buying a cheap late model beater to use, and an old car. If you have the space, this is the way to go. Having an old car all by itself with no experience fixing or maintaining them is a recipe for disaster, but you'll want as much capital as you can come up with to buy into your old car, nothing is more expensive than a cheap old car.

 

A 4 door is a cheap way to get in and see if you like the whole old car deal.

 

Look for a 4-door, station wagon, or truck from the early 60's. Cheaper than a 2-door. Get one that runs, and not a lot of rust. I suggest a GM product, parts are still available, and the engines, especally the 6's are easy to work on. Do not sell your daily driver.
This is the way I was able to get back into the old car hobby for not a lot of money. I have about average to below mechanical skill. Having a running car and no garage was the way to go for me.

 

Ive bought a few cars over the years from guys new to the hobby who bought the car pulled a whole bunch of stuff off em ,got in way over their head then couldnt put humpty together again. So as other guys said 60 s chevy pickups are real easy not much upholstery easy engine swap basic electrics great for hauling stuff not much weatherseals lots of spares both new and used plus mostly cheap to buy straight up easy to store just tarp over the cab also great year interchangeability .Oh and try and find a book on restoring automobiles [great tips like zip lock bag and tag parts etc] and a FACTORY workshop manual to help you get things off without bending or breaking them and back on again thats how I started years ago then learn learn learn because the more stuff you can do the more affordable this hobby becomes take your time and dont be afraid to ask questions.most of us love to share our knowledge GOOD LUCK with it all Its gonna change your life [for the better]

 

I would buy a early production mustang 6 cylindar. Very easy to work on and parts are very easy to find. Great for anyone to get started on. You can find sone great deals out there on some completely restored cars.

 

Buy my 55, its all of the above!

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=549967

 

48-54 chevy trucks are always a cheap way to get somthing cool and cheap,
try to find something running and stoping. This cuts out some of the agrivation of
learning curves...
Sounds like everyone has the same gerneral idea, but remember unless you got deep pockets, you better be ready to work on it yourself... and you need some tools and a
warm place to spend your winters in OLD-MASS
GOOD-LUCK

 

I'll just welcome you on this post instead of your intro.Unless your from a part of Massachusetts that has much better weather than my part,I would keep your 300.
Even in the southwest an old car can be a challenge as a daily driver,especially to the inexperienced.I'd echo the others on getting the most finished car you can afford and don't go too old in year.

 

Listen to these guys - they are spot on, but also keep in mind this is a traditional hot rod/custom site - we can't leave shit alone. If you're looking for a classic car to restore make sure you ask around on brand specific boards like chevytalk.org for chevys. (that's just the one I know - there are many) Once you hone in on what you want there are groups that can tell you very specific info on your make/model. VERY helpful when shopping around.

...and when you're ready to chop and drop it we'll be here!

Welcome to the board btw.

 

1950's Shoeboxes are reasonably cheap and easy to find and look darn good if you ask me....find one with a small block chevy or inline 6 and just have the car taken to a local mechanic and oversee all the things he does to it...carb adjusting, changing spark plugs ignition maintenance all that good stuff...
A reliable oldie isn't too far a reach...I've also found that manual transmissions have given me less headaches than automatics...especially if it's going to be in traffic...but that's my experience...so as long as you take a mechanic with you to see a car and then have him help you to maintain it and learn the basics you will be fine.

 

Buy tools, put em in a tool box, buy the vehicle you like leave your wallet home when you drive it...sooner or later without cash you will learn how to fix your S*IT!! learn by doing or just put white walls on a PT cruiser!!!

 

I agree with the consensus of everyone else, keep the 300 and buy something that is in decent shape. Then spend most of your free time roaming this board and gathering all the knowledge and information you can. You will be amazed at what you will learn from all these fine people.

Welcome to the HAMB.

 

And get someone with some old car experience to look at it with you before you buy.

 

Great advice here...
To echo some of it...

1. keep your other car... (classics are only fun when you DONT have to rely on them)
2. buy something that you really like and plan to keep (you wont get your money back no matter what Barrett Jackson tells you)
3. buy something MAINSTREAM with lots of aftermarket support (GM or Ford)
4. If you want simple, fun and fairly cheap (all relative!)... consider a pickup!
5. find a car club in your area
6. get help to evaluate prospects
7. have fun!

OH!! almost forgot... most important!!!
BUY THE MOST COMPLETE, RUST FREE, READY TO RUN CAR YOU CAN AFFORD!!!

Buy one to maintain, not BUILD!!!
That will help you learn , and not be overwhelming!

 

True.

 

The first question that comes to my mind (that I didn't see anyone else ask) is this: OP, what kind of vintage car/truck do you like?

 

whoa...thought the thread had died...thanks for all the further advice. I don't think i can afford a good running classic without selling the 300. I'm gonna take some time to figure out what it is I want exactly taking all the advice in account and then probably making a completely snap decision that ignores everything. (just kidding...i hope).

So far all I've been able to do is try and figure out how I can pull off a Oldsmobile 442.