Now I've always liked the first gen like that one best. I think that those sort of lines worked better on it than the 62 downsized Polar and Fury. But I know a lot of people loathe all of them.
I always liked the somewhat weird styling on those early Valiants and that one is certainly unique. I also find the price ridiculous but maybe someone wants one like that really bad.
It is fortunate that over all that time rodents didn't chew everything chewable, that the garage wasn't broken into, whatever. I wonder how the title, inheritance, and other legalities were handled after all those years. I think anything rubber on that likely would need to be replaced. Sitting forever does mechanical systems no favors.
@ab348, Good story if you choose to believe it. When I was looking to buy a Mustang GT, there were quite a few LX convertibles for sale(obviously rentals), but they were all supposedly traded in by a widow whose husband passed away not long after buying it.
2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
I'm a bit confused by the writeup on this, as it sounds like it is all about preserving originality, yet a '64 Galaxie with a 302 and 4-speed auto certainly ain't original. Aside from that, though, looks to be a gorgeous car and has an incredible sound. I'm quite interested. http://www.gatewayclassiccars.com/milwaukee/1964/ford/galaxie-S36.html
Everything that was done to that car I dislike, from the stance to the engine to the paint color to the interior to the spotlights, which are a particular pet peeve of mine.
I don't have quite the eye for originality stuff. I'm more interested in whether it "works" for what it is. For example, I love the color! Overall, I like this one, but there are a few things that nag at me:
1. Trunk lid fitment. What's going on with that?! The lid on this car is far too prominent of a feature to have such poor fitment (particularly on the passenger side). 2. Also trunk related, the exposed rear seat cushions. That's just asking for trouble (if you actually were to use this car). 3. The paint over the left rear wheel seemed off to me. Looked like drips, or maybe bubbling or something. 4. The vinyl wrapped around the rear of the door posts. Maybe it was just how the photo(s) caught it, but that seems like a weak point. Not only does it look sloppy to me, but if you have rear seat passengers (e.g., BOYS!), rubbing against that area might cause it to start coming lose.
I guess I don't mind the spotlights too much, but they do seem out of place to me.
2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 2013 Ford F250 Lariat D, 1976 Ford F250, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100
If any 60s car screams "little old lady", a 61 Valiant is certainly on the list.
I think in that category I might go mid - late 60's Dodge Dart or Chevy Nova. Sure, they could be gussied up into pretty quick vehicles, but most were just plain and ordinary sedans. When US compacts first came out the Valiant and Corvair were considered a bit controversial actually. The conservative buyer back then went Ford Falcon or Rambler American. Studebaker Lark is a little harder to place then I think.
I think people found the Valiant styling a bit off-putting. The Corvair was quite popular (for a while, until you-know-what). The Falcon was the cheesiest of the bunch, until they tarted it up around 1963. A 1960 Falcon with the 144 cid engine was a grim piece. The Lark was very popular, too, and thought of as rather cute in a bulldog sort of way. Studebaker was always stressing economy back then, and wasn't considered a "youthful" car.
I think people found the Valiant styling a bit off-putting. The Corvair was quite popular (for a while, until you-know-what). The Falcon was the cheesiest of the bunch, until they tarted it up around 1963. A 1960 Falcon with the 144 cid engine was a grim piece. The Lark was very popular, too, and thought of as rather cute in a bulldog sort of way. Studebaker was always stressing economy back then, and wasn't considered a "youthful" car.
Get the Falcon with a Fordomatic and it was an almost religious experience in masochism. It might have been able to keep up with a 240D Mercedes, but my Rabbit diesel would have dusted it.
2009 BMW 335i, 2003 Corvette cnv. (RIP 2001 Jaguar XK8 cnv and 1985 MB 380SE [the best of the lot])
Speaking of 'original', my friend who's going through my new '66 Studebaker emailed to say he looked at the air filter and it has the Studebaker part number on it, making him believe it's the original or possibly one put in by the Studebaker dealer at some point. There's a lot of NOS for later Studebakers, but I'm not aware of filters.
He's replacing it, but giving me the old one.
2024 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 2LT; 2019 Chevrolet Equinox LT; 2015 Chevrolet Cruze LS
Years ago, I'd have preferred the Falcon's styling to the Valiant's. Can't say that now. Could that rear wheel opening of the Falcon been any droopier, LOL?
I wouldn't buy that Valiant, and not sure what the buyer would do with it at this point, but it is under-the-radar and I like that. Go to most car shows around here and one would think that red Mustang and GM convertibles, laden with accessories, were the only things the industry built back then.
2024 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 2LT; 2019 Chevrolet Equinox LT; 2015 Chevrolet Cruze LS
Regarding the '64 Galaxie: my view is that while metallic orange may look good on a Viper or a S2000, it has no place on a '60s car, especially with the array of colors that they were available with originally. It just looks wrong to me. The interior on this one is a total disaster. Not only is the seat upholstery done wrong, but look at the door panels. I guess whomever did it did not like armrests. I mean, really... what else did they totally botch that you cannot easily see? I would run, not walk, away from this one.
I just talked to them about the Galaxie. He admits the 302 is not up to the job in that car and if I want something fast, that ain't it. So, moving on.
I'm digging this, although I know, at least in stock form, this one isn't exactly fast, either.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
No, that reserve is pretty much spot on. It's not a Hemi and it's not a '68 or '69 or '70, which bring more money. Also it's a non-matching motor, so the "purists" drop out. It'll probably bid to around $21,5K. If it were "local show" quality, correct engine, etc. it might pull close to $40K. This one sounds like a #3.
Weird. So Hagerty is way off again. Although I guess non-numbers matching is tough to get from Hagerty. They say a #4 is $19k.
I'm thinking about calling him and buying it outright at this point. I sent an email to him with 2 more questions. Is it a real RT? is the title clean?
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
On the GS is it just me or is all the HVAC stuff not present under the hood? I see no heater hoses to the firewall, nor A/C lines. I didn't see any mention of that in the ad copy.
I love the colors on the Coronet. That too has no heater hoses and you can see the open nipples of the heater core. OTOH It does look really clean, and solid. Good luck.
He said he got it from Jacksonville, FL, so I guess they didn't bother with a heater. I have to add AC, too. But, all in all, far less work than I have been thinking I need to do on other vehicles I have looked at for more money.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
Weird. So Hagerty is way off again. Although I guess non-numbers matching is tough to get from Hagerty. They say a #4 is $19k.
I'm thinking about calling him and buying it outright at this point. I sent an email to him with 2 more questions. Is it a real RT? is the title clean?
Well the general rule on NOM engines is that you deduct what it costs to find, rebuild and install a date-correct engine (at least). Also the missing heater is going to take a little effort to correct.
Hagerty ALWAYS presume a) a correct car and b) very good condition in each class or category. So if it's a #3, it's in pretty nice shape, is correct, and doesn't have things missing.
Most cars you see at local Show n Shines are actually #3s or 3++.
so the Coronet is missing the heat? I guess you can handle that piece. I would not even bother with AC myself, but if you think you need it, go for it. But sharp looking car. I would want buckets with headrests though, and shoulder belts, just to feel more comfortable. But at least you should have plenty of power, and a 3.23 rear is a good all around set up.
I actually like that Torino. Upgraded to a 4bbl, a 351 should not be too bad. Easy to squeeze some more HP out of it if you really need it. Silly that he goes on about the Clint Eastwood connection, since that was a much different model.
Very nice. based on the other stuff you posted along the way, if that car is as nice and clean as it sounds, a good deal. And pretty spot on for what you are looking for. Just enough work for you (and not stuff that has to happen immediately) to keep you busy. Good luck having it shipped from Wisconsin.
On the GS is it just me or is all the HVAC stuff not present under the hood? I see no heater hoses to the firewall, nor A/C lines. I didn't see any mention of that in the ad copy.
I love the colors on the Coronet. That too has no heater hoses and you can see the open nipples of the heater core. OTOH It does look really clean, and solid. Good luck.
I see two black heater hoses going to the firewall at the far left of one of the GS pictures. Two open heater connections on the Mopar, no hoses, like you said.
I get amused by what I see on those trucks (obviously shipping personal cars). Often a mix of normal regular cars, with a weird old car of some sort mixed in that really looks out of place.
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It is fortunate that over all that time rodents didn't chew everything chewable, that the garage wasn't broken into, whatever. I wonder how the title, inheritance, and other legalities were handled after all those years. I think anything rubber on that likely would need to be replaced. Sitting forever does mechanical systems no favors.
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Good story if you choose to believe it.
When I was looking to buy a Mustang GT, there were quite a few LX convertibles for sale(obviously rentals), but they were all supposedly traded in by a widow whose husband passed away not long after buying it.
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
IAMMMMW is an all time classic, maybe in the top 10 comedies. Must have had Mopar sponsorship, too. Who can forget:
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
https://charlotte.craigslist.org/cto/6071411423.html
1. Trunk lid fitment. What's going on with that?! The lid on this car is far too prominent of a feature to have such poor fitment (particularly on the passenger side).
2. Also trunk related, the exposed rear seat cushions. That's just asking for trouble (if you actually were to use this car).
3. The paint over the left rear wheel seemed off to me. Looked like drips, or maybe bubbling or something.
4. The vinyl wrapped around the rear of the door posts. Maybe it was just how the photo(s) caught it, but that seems like a weak point. Not only does it look sloppy to me, but if you have rear seat passengers (e.g., BOYS!), rubbing against that area might cause it to start coming lose.
I guess I don't mind the spotlights too much, but they do seem out of place to me.
I think in that category I might go mid - late 60's Dodge Dart or Chevy Nova. Sure, they could be gussied up into pretty quick vehicles, but most were just plain and ordinary sedans. When US compacts first came out the Valiant and Corvair were considered a bit controversial actually. The conservative buyer back then went Ford Falcon or Rambler American. Studebaker Lark is a little harder to place then I think.
The often spartan 60 Falcon played a role in a great episode of a well known TV show:
You mean Avant Guard
2009 BMW 335i, 2003 Corvette cnv. (RIP 2001 Jaguar XK8 cnv and 1985 MB 380SE [the best of the lot])
He's replacing it, but giving me the old one.
I wouldn't buy that Valiant, and not sure what the buyer would do with it at this point, but it is under-the-radar and I like that. Go to most car shows around here and one would think that red Mustang and GM convertibles, laden with accessories, were the only things the industry built back then.
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
I'm digging this, although I know, at least in stock form, this one isn't exactly fast, either.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
Am I crazy or is that a really low reserve? I was not expecting to meet it.
I bid on this one from the same seller first because I figured it would go cheaper. It SHOULD go cheaper. But I did not hit the reserve. Huh. http://www.ebay.com/itm/1971-Buick-GS/322466018145
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
I'm thinking about calling him and buying it outright at this point. I sent an email to him with 2 more questions. Is it a real RT? is the title clean?
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
I love the colors on the Coronet. That too has no heater hoses and you can see the open nipples of the heater core. OTOH It does look really clean, and solid. Good luck.
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
Hagerty ALWAYS presume a) a correct car and b) very good condition in each class or category. So if it's a #3, it's in pretty nice shape, is correct, and doesn't have things missing.
Most cars you see at local Show n Shines are actually #3s or 3++.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
I actually like that Torino. Upgraded to a 4bbl, a 351 should not be too bad. Easy to squeeze some more HP out of it if you really need it. Silly that he goes on about the Clint Eastwood connection, since that was a much different model.
good luck with the R/T. Looks really nice.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
For the same or less money, I vote ROAD TRIP! ROAD TRIP!
Wisconsin is a pretty quick jaunt from your haunts.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
I need me another road trip in my C20.
https://hartford.craigslist.org/cto/6069353999.html
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
I did opt for the enclosed. Heck, a simple rock to the windshield would make saving that $300 difference look awfully foolish.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Shipper just emailed me. Estimates the car will be here Friday.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S