Trying to score a bonafide classic car on a $5000 total budget isn’t going to fly in most circumstances. Nobody wants to be seen in an out-and-out rot box, and if it is pretty you are running the risk of finding an empty engine bay, or a car that isn’t going to move, or worst of all, hidden rust. Generally speaking, if someone is seriously interested in finding the nicest and cheapest older ride they can that will run and drive, their best bet is to hunt most of the American Southwest and the area of land that includes Colorado, Wyoming and most of Montana. The high-desert climates are great for older iron: they are drier and warm, but aren’t really humid. Rust is minimal in a well-maintained vehicle, and it isn’t uncommon to see older cars and trucks tooling around like the years haven’t passed.
This 1963 Buick Electra 225 two-door is in great shape for a car that is fifty-two years old. Sure, it predates the muscle car movement by a year, but can you argue with a 401 Nailhead-powered Buick that looks this good? This wasn’t meant to be a tire-burner…this was the car that you drove home in the evening after a day at the office. The ride was smooth so that you could relax, and the engine was powerful enough to carry the car effortlessly. This isn’t like a Buick GS, this was a Cadillac without the pretentiousness. And it had the looks to to turn your neighbors green with envy. White with blue interior? Classy.
This 128,000 mile survivor has fared well over the years, but signs of aging are present. The paint could use a refresh, and the carpet and interior shows wear from the years. If you are on a budget, though, would you really care? For a price of $3,850, we wouldn’t think twice. It’s a Wildcat-powered Buick coupe…we need no more persuasion than that.
Craigslist Link: 1963 Buick Electra 225 two-door
There’s something about near-vertical valve covers that just makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.
For that price and another $1K in fluids, bearings, belts hoses, a water pump, plugs, wires and assorted maintenance work, this would be a great starter car for a young driver with a wise parent. There’s no way Junior is getting any decent speed out of it, it’s a great platform to learn basic mechanicals on and it’ll stand out like a sore thumb.
Wow, that is mad clean. I hope it goes to a good home. I would take a page out of NAS Backyard’s book and rebuild the essentials. Plenty of fun to be had cruising it just the way it is.
There are a few thousand miles between me and that car so that’s my excuse. What’s yours?