I'm sure some of those beasts become sculptures pretty quickly. I would want a driveable engine/exhaust set up, just want to fix the problem areas (turning and stopping!). That won't hurt anything, as long as you don't put in a go cart stiff suspension.
Was driving by the Bentley dealer, and a Maybach 57 sitting on the used car section magnetically drew me in to look. 2004, pretty wacky car and it meets my rarity requirements, but at a silly 90K the price would need to be cut by well over half for me to ever consider it. Maintenance is going to be just as bad as a V12 W220.
Also saw a pristine 2nd gen Scirocco 16V, older guy driving it - not many left like that. Nothing else caught my eye, hot here, many old cars original to the area lack AC, so they might not be out.
I think *basic* maintenance for the 10K, 20K, 30K, and 40K services are about $2500 combined, so not too bad. Of course, this does not include any repairs or damage, which I would imagine are extremely brutal. I'd guess brakes and rotors around $3000 (going by an S600/V-12). I think you need a special lift to even service the car, so you know the dealer is going to want to recoup that investment.
I dunno...maybe $250 a month to keep a Maybach on the road with maintenance and normal expendables?
Probably far worse is the catastrophic depreciation.
Took the '68 Cutlass out today for its first extended drive of the year. The annual shakedown cruise is always a bit of a nervous time after it has been laid up for 6 months but as always, everything was fine. The only issue was that about halfway through I realized I had not installed this years registration sticker (which came back in December) nor did I have the registration certificate in the car as both were still on my desk. I was nervously looking for police cars as I made my way back home.
The amazing thing for me, especially now that I have the ATS with its connected-to-the-road manner, is how vague the old car is. It has plenty of power and even though it has drum brakes they work OK for the way I drive it, but the steering and handling is close to theoretical compared to the Cadillac. You turn the wheel to take a curve on the expressway and you wonder if it is actually ever going to respond. Same way when you are in traffic at speed and want to maneuver away from someone in an adjacent lane. You really have to be careful.
As usual, got lots of waves, looks, and nice comments from passersby. Encountered a dark greenish-blue '71 or '72 Chevelle SS, nice-looking car but with an obnoxiously loud exhaust, twice in about a half-hour.
Your Cutlass is a real looker, man that is nice! I like the fact that you have a passenger door mirror, those were not that common in '68.
2018 VW Passat SE w/tech, 2016 Audi Q5 Premium Plus w/tech, 2006 Acura TL w/nav
Yesterday I saw a really clean mid-late '40s Pontiac 2 door fastback coupe. It was somewhat of a charcoal gray-blue color and looked to be moving along effortlessly about 50 mph and the driver enjoying every moment.
2018 VW Passat SE w/tech, 2016 Audi Q5 Premium Plus w/tech, 2006 Acura TL w/nav
Took the '68 Cutlass out today for its first extended drive of the year. The annual shakedown cruise is always a bit of a nervous time after it has been laid up for 6 months but as always, everything was fine. The only issue was that about halfway through I realized I had not installed this years registration sticker (which came back in December) nor did I have the registration certificate in the car as both were still on my desk. I was nervously looking for police cars as I made my way back home.
The amazing thing for me, especially now that I have the ATS with its connected-to-the-road manner, is how vague the old car is. It has plenty of power and even though it has drum brakes they work OK for the way I drive it, but the steering and handling is close to theoretical compared to the Cadillac. You turn the wheel to take a curve on the expressway and you wonder if it is actually ever going to respond. Same way when you are in traffic at speed and want to maneuver away from someone in an adjacent lane. You really have to be careful.
As usual, got lots of waves, looks, and nice comments from passersby. Encountered a dark greenish-blue '71 or '72 Chevelle SS, nice-looking car but with an obnoxiously loud exhaust, twice in about a half-hour.
Nice! I always wanted a 1969 W31, or a 1970 Rallye 350.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport 2020 C43 2021 Sahara 4xe 1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2015 X1 xDrive28i
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
Your Cutlass is a real looker, man that is nice! I like the fact that you have a passenger door mirror, those were not that common in '68.
Picked it up NOS, new in the box, at a local swap meet maybe 15 years ago. It even came with a paper template for drilling the holes in the door. It really is there more for the looks than function, since it is flat glass and not convex like todays are. It is fairly useless for actually seeing anything. That's probably why they were fairly uncommon.
Wow, for some reason, I thought I remembered your car as being kind of a beige gold color. Yours has to really stand out in a crowd. In an area like that where rust is a normal fact of life, I bet it really turns some heads. Sharp.
I wonder when dual mirrors became normal (even if optional, just ordered on most cars), maybe around 1980?
I was thinking running costs like a V12 S65, with its specialized brakes and other components. I would be most worried about sensors, engine management electronics, and the beloved airmatic/ABC system.
They depreciated a lot, but have a high floor, just like a Rolls-Royce, where even the most boring malaise Shadow is still worth 10K even if imperfect. I think a reasonably immaculate 04 S600 might be worth 15K today, and when new cost about a third of the Maybach. If they had equal depreciation, that would put the Maybach around 45K, not the 80K they want for it. However, I am pretty sure the real value of the car isn't 80K.
I think *basic* maintenance for the 10K, 20K, 30K, and 40K services are about $2500 combined, so not too bad. Of course, this does not include any repairs or damage, which I would imagine are extremely brutal. I'd guess brakes and rotors around $3000 (going by an S600/V-12). I think you need a special lift to even service the car, so you know the dealer is going to want to recoup that investment.
I dunno...maybe $250 a month to keep a Maybach on the road with maintenance and normal expendables?
Probably far worse is the catastrophic depreciation.
It's a downward spirals for cars like this. The people who can afford them don't want an old used one, and the people who want an old used one can't afford them. So they fall into the hands of wannabees, and punish each successive owner with repairs and headaches, or they get quickly flipped by curbstoners who can't wait to off load them, and thus to another round of abuse by owners ill-equipped to deal with them.
Just gotta find one from a brand-loyal preservationist who maintains the car. They exist, just not common. Every now and then I see an immaculate Silver Spur or similar, and know that it wasn't an easy ride getting it here.
I know of a guy who has a very early (1967) Shadow. He bought it from a long term owner who had the suspension and brakes overhauled before he bought it. It has apparently had few faults in his ownership. That's the kind to get,
He drives it maybe a little less than I drive the fintail, but he keeps the fluids circulated. I have seen it run and drive, it's a nice old car. I can't imagine working on that hydraulic system though, I think I will stick to an old MB.
I think the cars themselves, in clean condition, are still worth 45-50K or so. Probably won't get cheaper, as they have been stable around there for some time.
You mean the Corniche DHCs from the early 80s? Yeah, that's about right. The really super clean ones may stabilize, but anything with needs will continue to decline I think.
Yes, the cabrios. The coupes are older, and although pretty, don't have the convertible attraction (and have always brought a lot less). Most I have seen have been really clean, people take care of these. I don't imagine nice ones ever going below 40K, especially in this speculative age.
I dunno. It's all about supply and demand. Once all the aged buyers for these cars pass on, I'm not sure the young 'uns will take on the expense and hassle of owning one. You can buy some very tasty convertibles for $40,000 that would be far more pleasant to own. Keep in mind, these old RRs are pretty awful cars in terms of reliability, as charming as they might be. So the conundrum is, either look at it and don't drive it, or drive it and pay through the nose for the privilege.
IMO, they were never really meant to be driven. I'd wager well over 99% of all Corniche cabrios ever made have under 100K miles on them, and the model dates back over 45 years. That mileage isn't just because of running costs or reliability, but because the owner didn't need to drive it a long distance. They are ornaments. Relatively few were made, so the demand doesn't have to be huge. I think as long as there is a demographic who remembers what was chic in the 80s, the prices will remain high.
Looks nice and a convertible is great in the Keys. Only thing, no a/c, it gets hot there! I spent the summer of '67 in Big Pine Key. Dad was managing the build of a bridge that went from Big Pine to No Name Key (deer reserve). Seems like yesterday yet was almost 50 years ago, good grief!
2018 VW Passat SE w/tech, 2016 Audi Q5 Premium Plus w/tech, 2006 Acura TL w/nav
IMO, they were never really meant to be driven. I'd wager well over 99% of all Corniche cabrios ever made have under 100K miles on them, and the model dates back over 45 years. That mileage isn't just because of running costs or reliability, but because the owner didn't need to drive it a long distance. They are ornaments. Relatively few were made, so the demand doesn't have to be huge. I think as long as there is a demographic who remembers what was chic in the 80s, the prices will remain high.
I honestly don't think one could make it to 100,000 miles without some catastrophe.
That's a nice car, but I wish it didn't have a black interior, since it is a convertible.
My '67 has a black interior like that one, and yep, it can get pretty hot! Once you're moving, it's not bad, but if the car is just sitting around, such as in a parking lot or at a car show, it gets hot.
I visit lots of car shows and cruise ins through the summer. A pet peeve is the hoods up and trunks up making it difficult to get good looking pictures. Sunday at a GM only show at a Hamilton Buick dealer a rain squall went through. The show handlers asked everyone to close their trunks and hoods and come into the building for safety.
Hoods down!!! I waited for the rain squall to quit. Ran out and got good pictures of about half the cars that I had liked with hoods and trunks down. Other cars had left ahead of the rain.
My favorite is this. The color is off--it's a light yellow that has a green tone in it
Saw a Maverick, 1970 or so, rolling on interstate. Perfect condition. Tires normal size but wider tread than usual mounted on deep rims with a 3-prong spinner recessed. Color: Grabber Green. It rode slightly high so I suspect it has a different suspension and a different engine. Just like the old days.
Anti-establish Mint Counter Revolutionary Red History Onyx Young Turquoise Freudian Gilt Good Clean Fawn Thanks Vermillion There She Blue Home on the Orange Bring 'em Back Olive Last Stand Custard Hulla Blue Three Putt Green
Anti-establish Mint Counter Revolutionary Red History Onyx Young Turquoise Freudian Gilt Good Clean Fawn Thanks Vermillion There She Blue Home on the Orange Bring 'em Back Olive Last Stand Custard Hulla Blue Three Putt Green
I remember dragging my Dad down to Maverick introduction night, spring of '69.
In hindsight, I think Mavericks were not nearly as nice as the concurrent Novas and Dart/Valiant models.
Ha! I did the same thing.
I remember being struck by how cheap the base model interiors looked with the plaid upholstery and little chrome outside. The ones in the showroom with the optional decor groups that had better seats and trim were nicer. But overall I remember being underwhelmed. They sold like crazy though. I suspect because of the low low price and not so much because they were any kind of great car.
Comments
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Also saw a pristine 2nd gen Scirocco 16V, older guy driving it - not many left like that. Nothing else caught my eye, hot here, many old cars original to the area lack AC, so they might not be out.
I dunno...maybe $250 a month to keep a Maybach on the road with maintenance and normal expendables?
Probably far worse is the catastrophic depreciation.
2018 VW Passat SE w/tech, 2016 Audi Q5 Premium Plus w/tech, 2006 Acura TL w/nav
2018 VW Passat SE w/tech, 2016 Audi Q5 Premium Plus w/tech, 2006 Acura TL w/nav
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport 2020 C43 2021 Sahara 4xe 1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2015 X1 xDrive28i
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
I wonder when dual mirrors became normal (even if optional, just ordered on most cars), maybe around 1980?
They depreciated a lot, but have a high floor, just like a Rolls-Royce, where even the most boring malaise Shadow is still worth 10K even if imperfect. I think a reasonably immaculate 04 S600 might be worth 15K today, and when new cost about a third of the Maybach. If they had equal depreciation, that would put the Maybach around 45K, not the 80K they want for it. However, I am pretty sure the real value of the car isn't 80K.
I know of a guy who has a very early (1967) Shadow. He bought it from a long term owner who had the suspension and brakes overhauled before he bought it. It has apparently had few faults in his ownership. That's the kind to get,
Every blue moon or so I will see one on the road. Another car with a very high depreciation floor.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Pontiac-Catalina-convertible-/272265026534?forcerrptr=true&hash=item3f64429be6:g:-z4AAOSwzJ5XVInj&item=272265026534
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
2018 VW Passat SE w/tech, 2016 Audi Q5 Premium Plus w/tech, 2006 Acura TL w/nav
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
pet peeve is the hoods up and trunks up making it difficult to get good looking pictures. Sunday at a
GM only show at a Hamilton Buick dealer a rain squall went through. The show handlers asked everyone to close their trunks and hoods and come into the building for safety.
Hoods down!!! I waited for the rain squall to quit. Ran out and got good pictures of about half the cars that I had liked with hoods and trunks down. Other cars had left ahead of the rain.
My favorite is this. The color is off--it's a light yellow that has a green tone in it
The perfect GTO
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
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Look around a little more to see if you can find a Blackwood.
I wonder what the overhaul schedule is for an old RR hydraulic system - every 40-50K miles or so?
The transmissions are GM I think (in a RR case) so that should be okay. The engine is an outdated V-8 with all kinds of problems.
Best thing to do with one of these is just to sit in it and make vroom-vroom noises. The interiors are lovely to just inhale.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic / 2022 Ram 1500 Bighorn, Built to Serve
Or drop the body/interior on top of an F150 frame!
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Quite a lot of this kind of thing out there.
suspect it has a different suspension and a different engine. Just like the old days.
http://www.maverickcolor.com/chips/70ford.jpg
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Anti-establish Mint
Counter Revolutionary Red
History Onyx
Young Turquoise
Freudian Gilt
Good Clean Fawn
Thanks Vermillion
There She Blue
Home on the Orange
Bring 'em Back Olive
Last Stand Custard
Hulla Blue
Three Putt Green
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
In hindsight, I think Mavericks were not nearly as nice as the concurrent Novas and Dart/Valiant models.
I remember being struck by how cheap the base model interiors looked with the plaid upholstery and little chrome outside. The ones in the showroom with the optional decor groups that had better seats and trim were nicer. But overall I remember being underwhelmed. They sold like crazy though. I suspect because of the low low price and not so much because they were any kind of great car.
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6