Yes but remember that buyers set the price not dealers. Besides, when you start asking $30K for an old car like that, buyers can choose some very tasty BMWs at that price point, like M3s, M6s,
I would peg a manual transmission car as being worth less. I don't see why you can't find the 850 coupe of your dreams for $15-16K and clean drivers at $10K. It's certainly a buyer's market on these.
interesting. Brute is an aftermarket conversion on a Wrangler unlimited turning it into a pick up truck. I'm surprised it took this long and Jeep still has not come out with a factory version.
Most BMW fanboys I know cling to the manual like it is some kind of macho thing. I think many of the people who would actually buy one of those pretty money pits would pay extra to have it, even if it doesn't make the car more enjoyable.
As most of them don't seem to be going anywhere pricewise in the past 5+ years, no doubt, nobody is lining up for one.
I would peg a manual transmission car as being worth less. I don't see why you can't find the 850 coupe of your dreams for $15-16K and clean drivers at $10K. It's certainly a buyer's market on these.
Nice pictures Fin. When I was a kid an uncle had a friend back in the late 50's and early 60's who drove around in a MB Adenauer (spelling?) . It fit him because he looked like Mr. Clean (but he was a more colorful character).
Unless I missed it, what year was that Adenauer? Weren't some of them four-door hardtops? I remember seeing the '58 Studebaker-Packard-MB newspaper insert that shows what I'm almost certain is a four-door hardtop Adenauer.
I sure can't throw any shade because my favorite old car would be a '64 Gran Turismo Hawk (with blower and half-vinyl top), but that Adenauer still has distinct pre-war styling doesn't it?
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The term "Adenauer" is a nickname and is generally applied to the 300 series 4-door cars produced from 1951-1962. They came in many different body styles, including a pillarless 4-door and also a 4-door Cabriolet D.
I want to say it was a 54, but I a not 100% certain. Starting in 57, the Adenauer/300 moved to a 4 door HT design, which existed until the end of the model run in 1962. I think the switch to FI occurred with the 57 models. Definitely prewar styling, as was the case of most German cars in 1951 (although the car was new, not a prewar carry over), and I think for something as expensive as one of these, it was seen as a positive, kind of like Rolls-Royce. By 1960, these were over 10K, not an inexpensive car.
Unless I missed it, what year was that Adenauer? Weren't some of them four-door hardtops? I remember seeing the '58 Studebaker-Packard-MB newspaper insert that shows what I'm almost certain is a four-door hardtop Adenauer.
I sure can't throw any shade because my favorite old car would be a '64 Gran Turismo Hawk (with blower and half-vinyl top), but that Adenauer still has distinct pre-war styling doesn't it?
That's an E500 4Matic wagon, unusual car and color. 2004-06.
The brown one is a special order E63, I agree about the wheels. If I had that, it would be stock. Owner bought it new and I hope is enjoying it, as when it is 120K new, it can fall a bit.
An Adenauer cabrio would be worth more today, I think, but not a sedan - a nice 60 Adenauer sedan might be 50K, but the convertible will be into 6 figures.
I suspect by 1965, both of them were pretty passe and well-depreciated.
Funny or crazy or weird thing, I think more people are a fan of that aesthetic than they may want to admit. Even Pontons, with their tall grilles and distinct fenders, have kind of a 40s air to them - and those had no problem selling, I think a Ponton cabrio was a pretty chic thing to drive in 1959 Hollywood.
I think the HT cars are interesting too - the design, although old fashioned, is also of the 50s, with harder angles, and almost kind of vestigial fins at the end of the rear fenders. I have seen a couple late run examples in the same color as my car. A blue Adenauer hardtop with wide whites and the same color as my car would be attractive.
An Adenauer cabrio would be worth more today, I think, but not a sedan - a nice 60 Adenauer sedan might be 50K, but the convertible will be into 6 figures.
I suspect by 1965, both of them were pretty passe and well-depreciated.
A nice MB 300 Cabriolet D should bring at least $150,000 and a Biarritz "could" bring $150K but it would have to be fully restored. So apples to apples, the Cabriolet D would be worth a bit more, but not drastically so. An Adenauer sedan would be lucky to bring $40K at auction. Naturally a car with an interesting provenance could do somewhat better.
And there's the biggest apples to apples idea in the world - comparing closed cars vs open cars.
For an Adenauer, I have to imagine the smartest money would be buying the nicest one possible, as they have to be more expensive to restore than a neglected 19th century manor house in Britain.
A nice MB 300 Cabriolet D should bring at least $150,000 and a Biarritz "could" bring $150K but it would have to be fully restored. So apples to apples, the Cabriolet D would be worth a bit more, but not drastically so. An Adenauer sedan would be lucky to bring $40K at auction. Naturally a car with an interesting provenance could do somewhat better.
I like the 62 Fury and Polara too. But maybe that 62 red Dodge convertible appeal is that Jane Hathaway, the banker's secretary, drove one in the Beverly Hillbillies
Cabrio too. Both could also be had in two tone paint. The engine in the 220SE models is quite similar to the engine in my fintail. I think these were seen as pretty elegant in the late 50s:
They also have interiors with lovely woodwork, no doubt insanely expensive to restore - the car in the BAT link appears to be complete inside, but this can't be cheap:
74K for the BAT car is far too expensive, overpriced by maybe 40-50%. The wood is real, veneer of course, with many odd curves and angles. Thousands upon thousands can be spent to restore it.
Pontons are very "1953" to my eyes, where a fintail is "1959".
At that point in time, I think it was unusual for cars to have chrome around the wheel openings; only cars I can think of at the time were the Golden Hawk and this car.
I saw one of these on a trailer in Oxford, OH, where my daughter goes to college, about a year ago.
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74K for the BAT car is far too expensive, overpriced by maybe 40-50%. The wood is real, veneer of course, with many odd curves and angles. Thousands upon thousands can be spent to restore it.
Pontons are very "1953" to my eyes, where a fintail is "1959".
Looks like the bidding should stop around $45K--$48, and even then you are being a bit generous.
It is a pretty rare car and having FI is a real plus---but it's never been a "hot"collectible and values have remained rather flat. Charming car in its own way, but you'd best buy the nicest one you can afford.
I was thinking 45K-ish for the BAT car, yeah. Even as complete as it is, I bet the interior could consume 10K alone, and who knows what else is there. Coupes bring a fraction of the money brought by cabrios, FI cabrios easily getting into 6 figures. That being said, for 45K, it might be a nice driver and will always be welcome at MB events.
Looks like the bidding should stop around $45K--$48, and even then you are being a bit generous.
It is a pretty rare car and having FI is a real plus---but it's never been a "hot"collectible and values have remained rather flat. Charming car in its own way, but you'd best buy the nicest one you can afford.
Yep, if that were a cabriolet in a similar sort of "driver" condition, it would probably bid up to near or just over $100K. Oddly enough, the earlier 220S is worth about 20% more. Don't ask me why...
220S price might just be an anomaly due to some high quality restorations or something. No reason in my eyes to want a carb car over FI - the FI system is generally reliable and needs a lot less maintenance. I am thankful my fintail is an SE rather than a dual carb S, much easier to live with.
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As most of them don't seem to be going anywhere pricewise in the past 5+ years, no doubt, nobody is lining up for one.
I also saw this on the road - Woodlites, nice:
Some nice cars there - high quality Adenauer won the best of show.
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I sure can't throw any shade because my favorite old car would be a '64 Gran Turismo Hawk (with blower and half-vinyl top), but that Adenauer still has distinct pre-war styling doesn't it?
A HT model is fairly striking, too:
As well as the brown one a few further down... though the wheels on it are atrocious!
The brown one is a special order E63, I agree about the wheels. If I had that, it would be stock. Owner bought it new and I hope is enjoying it, as when it is 120K new, it can fall a bit.
I suspect by 1965, both of them were pretty passe and well-depreciated.
I do find the older styling with four-door hardtop roofline interesting.
I think the HT cars are interesting too - the design, although old fashioned, is also of the 50s, with harder angles, and almost kind of vestigial fins at the end of the rear fenders. I have seen a couple late run examples in the same color as my car. A blue Adenauer hardtop with wide whites and the same color as my car would be attractive.
For an Adenauer, I have to imagine the smartest money would be buying the nicest one possible, as they have to be more expensive to restore than a neglected 19th century manor house in Britain.
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With the pretty Impala bubbletop that crashes along with the Dart:
Other 62 Darts in the same movie:
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I like the 62 Fury and Polara too. But maybe that 62 red Dodge convertible appeal is that Jane Hathaway, the banker's secretary, drove one in the Beverly Hillbillies
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Looks like Miss Hathaway's first car on the show was a Plymouth, before she moved to Dodge in 63:
Even in the 70s, as the show ended, she drove a Dodge convertible:
Here are some Darts in action. Seeing that 56 Ford convertible crash-parked by Phil Silvers really made me cringe when I was a kid:
And the red Dart convertible:
Lots of cool cars in both clips. There's a red and white 60 Ford identical looking to my dad's car in the first clip.
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Rather looks like a Studebaker from some angles.
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They also have interiors with lovely woodwork, no doubt insanely expensive to restore - the car in the BAT link appears to be complete inside, but this can't be cheap:
Two tone is less common:
Studebaker connection:
Nice familiar color:
The picture of the interior seems to show a woodgrain upper dash, can't tell if it is actual wood or painted faux-woodgrain.
I prefer the fintail styling to this body type.
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Pontons are very "1953" to my eyes, where a fintail is "1959".
I saw one of these on a trailer in Oxford, OH, where my daughter goes to college, about a year ago.
It is a pretty rare car and having FI is a real plus---but it's never been a "hot"collectible and values have remained rather flat. Charming car in its own way, but you'd best buy the nicest one you can afford.