AmericanClassicCarSale.com

A sign that reads  Classic Mustangs for sale means there should be stangs there built from between 1964 ½ and 1973.  If it is any other year then it’s not a classic mustang.  The Ford Mustang carries the title of American Classic Car very nicely.

1969 Mustang - flickr

Most people and mustang enthusiasts love the little pony car especially the early years.  As an old mechanic I preferred the older ones.   It was basic to me, I am a big guy and those early ones were so small and the engine so large they were hard to work on.

From the year 1971 thru 1973 there was enough room to turn a wrench and not bust a knuckle. This was the first time the mustang’s wheelbase was extended to 109”.  In addition only big engines were placed into the engine compartment. Gone was the mild 200 cu in six-cylinder. For 1971 the Boss 351 with 330 horsepower was the most widely produced stang that year.  But also available were 2 versions of the 429.  The standard and the Ram Air both with 370 horsepower.

The hood was longer and sleek looking while from the rear the large bold triple lenses could be seen as you pulled away from all that were behind you.

In 1971 was also the first year with the high bucket seats and power windows were an option. The Mach I trim option was still available along with the Boss trim option that came standard with the 351 Cleveland with the 4 bolt mains. The completion of the Boss package was the suspension combined with a 4 speed transmission and a Hurst shifter along with the 3.91:1 traction lock rear end made this car a dream to drive.

If you can find one of these classic mustangs for sale and they are still in good shape you have a true selection of muscle cars..

A Muscle car sale, how could that be true?  Who would put a muscle car for sale at a discounted price?  This is close to being a sin. With the demand so high a discount price is unheard of.  For most places I have found that sell muscle cars the price is far from a sale price.

I did find a 1968 Chevy big block Camaro for only $24,500 and another Camaro for $23,500 with the RS option, but that is about as cheap as I could find for a car that ran and was nicely restored.  I kept looking and noticed that the lower range of prices for muscle cars were mostly Camaro’s.  I loved that car.  It was fast and slick with all the power one would want. But then I remembered how many were made.

68 Camarro - courtesy flickr

I know supply and demand drive the market place of everything that is sold including muscle cars. I was disappointed in 2002 when Chevrolet discontinued production of this iconic pony car. There were four different generations of this car until it was discontinued. The first two generations were my favorites.  The only draw back to owning one was the frame or lack there of one. They were unibody with only a subframe.

Yes do you remember like me seeing all those Camaro’s going down the street with a twisted frame and the front and rear tires not aligned.  Most car lovers that I knew back then had the frame extensions put in to prevent this, but not everybody did so.

I was so glad when Chevrolet brought the Camaro back and for the first time I am grateful for the transformer cartoon. Yes when it was made into a movie and the car named Bumble Bee was such a hit, the management at GM took noticed and the Camaro was reborn.

So I kinda see muscle car sale now but not really.

There are many classic car auctions around our nation.  Some are every week and some are once a year events.  These can be tricky events if you are not prepared. There is time before each auction to inspect all of the cars. Make a complete inspection of all the cars you may want to bid on.

If you are the type of person that gets tunnel vision, then maybe you should avoid the auctions or have a friend accompany you.  It is best to find at least three cars, if not more that you are interested in.  Inspect each one and take notes. Test every component you can.  Turn on every accessory just to make sure it works. Look at each light and ensure that they are all one.  If possible stick a rod on the engine and listen for noise.  Remember a deep thump is a main bearing while a light tap is in the valve train.

Before going to the auction see if you can find the same type of car you are looking for and ask the owner if you can inspect it.  This will help give you a better idea of what to look for, especially the engine noises. If you do not know what noises to listen for in the engine then listening to one at the auction is meaningless. Be prepared.

As the cars you have looked at go past make sure you stick to your limit.  There are times an outside bidder will want it no matter what.  If you get stuck in one of those bidding wars, it will cost you dearly.  Every once in a while the bidding wars are a plant by a shill to increase the price. Never look too eager and always act as if the car is just a car.  This is the hardest thing to do. But at a classic car auction it is a must, if you can.

There are millions of used cars being sold every single day and at these American classic car auctions if you miss this one dream of a lifetime, just remember there is another one right around the corner that will get your juices flowing.  Never go over your bid limit no matter how cute the auctioneer tries to be when coaxing out just one more bid increment.  Remember the auctioneer could give a crap about the car.  He just wants a little more commission money.

A good used muscle car is hard to find.  Remember these cars were built to run fast and look bad.  Most are over 30 yeas old and have a lot of miles on them So if you are in the market for a used muscle car whether it is a Mustang, Barracuda, Camaro, Firebird, GTO or Corvette, take your time and know the weak points of that particular model.

A perfect example is the Camaro and Firebird weaknesses.  With large engines their bodies had a tendency to twist. This was because the designers built them on a unibody.  Yes, it was not a complete frame just one that goes back about mid way where the transmission ends.  The rest is just sheet metal. I have seen many of the Camaro’s with the 396 engines that would side step down the road.

The same goes for the Firebirds and Trans Am’s, a twisted body because of so much torque from the large engines. This can be corrected in a properly equipped body shop but that costs a lot of money.  This should only be done if you are restoring a muscle car.  If you just want to build a muscle car then buy a model with a smaller engine.  You can still buy frame extensions to prevent the twisting.  Have them in place before the large engine is installed.  This is one way to be assured of ending up with a fine American classic car.   If you are like me once the engine goes in I am out on a test run.  Just to make sure it is running properly of course.  Even a test run can twist the body or at least I can do it.

Just be careful with used muscle cars. Know the model and its weaknesses so you will get what you think you bought.

The all time American classic car for most is the 1957 Chevy Bel-Air. This classic car is better known as just 57 Chevy.  This is one of the most loved and best recognized car in American automobile history.  It was the last of a 3-year series that introduced the Chevy small block V-8 to the world.

Not too many people know this but the 57 Chevy was the car that almost wasn’t.  General Motor’s executives wanted a whole new car for 1957 but they had production delays and were forced to continue the shoebox design of the 1955-6 for another year. Some redesigning was done which increased the length and made fuel injection an option. The ad for the car stated “The road isn’t built that can make it breathe hard”. The V-8 was combined with the all-new Turboglide transmission that gave this a quick smooth ride. Chevy officials were said to describe the car as “Sweet, Smooth and Sassy”.

An unusual point that I do not understand is that the 1957 Ford outsold this American Icon. But the 60’s is where this car made it big hit, as a used car.  The car was cheap, light and fast that made it perfect for the younger crowd.

Today there is the Danchuk Manufacturing Inc and Classic Chevy International that makes and sells parts to keep the 57 Chevy’s running as long as you keep buying the new parts that are needed.

This car has been used as an icon for toys, graphics, music movies and television. This is the all time American Classic Car.

Just the words “Corvette for sale” bring back so many memories. It is hard to decide which Corvette is my favorite. But undoubtedly, one of the earliest is of a banana yellow one.  A draftsman that worked for my father owned it.  A beautiful 1969 stingray that had the mako modification kit added on it.   I could never forget what looked like a menacing grin on from the front grill. It just looked mean. Along with the front modifications were the wheel-well flaring and the spoiler on the back.  This was the baddest ride this pre-teen had ever seen. To top off the looks, it had my favorite wheels, mags.

Back then I just listened to him when he described what he had done to make it go faster while my eyes just enjoyed that great piece of eye candy. He emphasized the engine and certain components that helped the performance.  I remember thinking why do those things? It doesn’t make it look any better. No one can see inside an engine. Yes, sooo naive was I!

I decided to learn more about why a high-rise cam with roller lifters meant so much to him.  I also found out that the great-looking side pipes had an actual performance function. In time, I learned to really appreciate his car and all he had done.

There are a lot of great looking cars out there but if the performance package is not there or not adjusted and tuned right, it will be like most show Harleys I know of.  They look great but need a truck to move because they are all show no go.

But that Corvette for sale was both show and go.

The need for the grease jockey to have a project classic car is great. But from time to time they get stuck on where to go and what is next.  Sure there is the internet today with listings and listing of old cars for sale. These also have had added to their prices the finder’s fees and storage of the facilities that house them.

If one thinks back just a decade or so ago, before the internet there were still project classic cars being restored.  Most of the older generation had a project car just to get to work.  Not all of them were fancy but most of us had to work and the price of a new car was out of reach so we built one.  You might end up with a great American Classic Car.

Do what was done in the past for a bargain project classic car; look in the rural gas stations.  Old farmers that have passed on but left their cars in these small garages to be repaired and then forgotten about by the family is a great source, I know I found an old truck that way.

Other places to look are those old farms.  With today’s farms being run by large corporations, a large number of family farms are no longer occupied. I know of a family friend that found a 1958 MGA in one. For a future car enthusiast, it will still be there.   Yes it was purchased and has been worked on for 30 years but the engine still does not run nor is there any interior, including no seats. The last time I saw it was 10 years ago and I know nothing has been done to it.  It is just waiting to be restored.

The internet is great for finding all the parts but the body to start your project classic car will be easier and cheaper if you rely on the best source of knowledge in the world, your elders.

Antique autos for sale is a sign that always gets my attention every time. Not only do I love old cars but also this sign is plural so I know there is more than one near each other. But the word antique is so vague one will never know what models and makes are there until you stop and look. The quest for American classic cars is never ending around here.

I am not usually disappointed but at times I am, but that happens in everything. I remember some years back traveling from St. Louis to Peoria to visit my mother on I55. I would see along the highway numerous signs reading just that antique cars for sale. Most of the time they were just old muscle cars for sale that have seen better days. My favorite place to visit was Country Classic Cars. This place was located just outside Staunton Illinois. They are on the east side of the highway up on the hill. There are about 100 cars in view of the drivers on the highway, which has caused a few close calls. I have had a few close calls there myself. I am not the only one looking at all the old cars.

They literally have hundreds of antique and classic cars, trucks and other items for sale. Inside one of their buildings are the finest selections they have that are protected from the weather. But unless one would stop they would never see them. The ones out in view of the highway are mostly in need of some type of repair.

The years of antique cars for sale are a wide range from 1929 to 2006. I do not consider the 2006 a classic car or an antique car but it is there but most of the vehicles are over 20 years old from almost every make and model. It is almost like stepping back in time. They have a Kaiser, a few old Willys not to mention the Packard but no Hudson’s.

To go back in time just follow the signs that read antique autos for sale and enjoy.

There is nothing like taking a ride in your classic car on Sunday and going to one of the Classic Car Shows.   Spring is coming and all the gear heads are getting ready.  If you are like me, my garage is heated and I have worked on my car all winter long. Some repairs were just to make sure it was still right and other parts did need fixing.

Yes this is one mechanical device that gets torn up even if it is not working.  I know the old saying “if it’s not broken don’t fix it” but that does not apply to a classic car. Most are 20 or more years old and the metal will have some fatigue to it. This must be checked.  I know some car collectors build their cars for the show and an occasional Sunday drive, but not me.  I bought and built my classic car to drive and enjoy.

When I get in my other car it just seems wrong.  The doors are so light and the noise and comfort level is just not there.  I do get better gas mileage but it won’t get out of its own way. I guess it is just what one gets used to.

The kids nowadays are amazed at the old cars and the difference between them and the new ones.  You can always tell when a kid has never been in an old car and they have trouble closing the door. I always tell them ”that is made out of real metal”.

I am so glad the classic car shows are still go on. Spring is in the air and I am ready to place my baby in the show.

Notice: You are welcome to post your American Classic Car For Sale advertisement on this Blog.  We have good coverage and steady readers now.  We run the Honor System for payment as in you do not have to pay anything at the time you place the ad.  When the car sells you are on your honor to send us fifty bucks.  That’s a great deal and you will put your for sale ad in a very targeted group of collectors.  Refer to other posts for the procedure.

During times like the present recession or depression, investments are not always stable. But classic car values are holding steady.  These investments are more than just a thing of value but loved and admired by all that see them.

It is well known fact that a car nut will pay anything for that special, one of a kind car he has always dreamed of.  This is a constant. For most of us though this is a labor of love. When restoring a classic car the value usually does not even come to mind.  The price of that hard to find part is never too high; the thought is “I finally got it.” This is the same with the overall value of your pride and joy.

The market might not be large at this time but there is always a market for classic cars and the value of classic cars are always on the rise do to their scarcity. I found an old Mach 1 from 1969.  It looks like it has not run in years and has three different color body panels on it but they still want over $6000 for it. Back as a teenager in the late 70’s my neighbor bought one in better shape and it ran balls to the walls for only $700. That’s almost a thousand percent increase.

Classic car values will always rise; just make sure you know what you have or what you are looking at. Pontiac enthusiasts know this for sure.  A Tempo is not a Lemans, which is not a GTO.  I have seen many disguised in the past.  Do your homework and help keep those classic car values up. They are more than just an investment.

Notice: We are starting an honor system advertising program for those of you that have American Classic Cars for sale.  Send us you ad copy, with your name address and phone number, a full description of the vehicle (particularly any faults,) and most importantly the actual price that you are asking for the vehicle.

You may submit up to six good quality digital images of the vehicle and we will run your advetisement at no cost to you at the time you place the ad.

When you sell the vehicle, you are on your honor to send us a payment of $50.00 $100.00 USD for helping you make the sale. That’s all there is to it.  The ad will stay up until it is sold.  You can’t beat that deal and we will reach the proper targeted audience of potential buyers.

No warranty or guarantee of any kind is expressed or implied by AmericanClassicCarSale.com and all negotiations and terms of the sale shall be between the advertiser/owner and the buyer.  We are only offering a service to put collector buyers and sellers together for the benefit of both parties.

Pay no fee until you sell the vehicle.  You are on “The Honor System.”