Some cars I have looked at this weekend.

As most know by now, I can say that I am officially looking for a classic american station (again). I have to sell my Subaru first or be able to trade it in, so I have time. This is really good, but also difficult for me, as I am really impulsive! Car will be a year round daily driver and needs to have airco and preferably cruise control. Engine not to small, as I will drive most miles fully loaded with family and stuff. LPg conversion or price has to allow my own conversion.
This weekend I looked at another 3 cars, although I only saw 2, as one shop was closed. First was a 1980 Pontiac Bonneville Safari. Talking about a good daily driver!! It has most options as I could see, and it looks really decent. Only the engine is a bit of a doubt. It is advertised as having a 5.7L, 350, but the registration says it has 4998cc. This would be a 305, that was not sold that year in the Safari's. The registration also says it has 120 kW, which would make it more likely of being a 350. I really hope so, as I really want a more powerfull engine for such a heavy car then the 307 olds I had in my '88 Caprice Classic! If it is a 350, it is still the question if it is a buick or olds engine, as both were delivered.
The other one I wanted to see but the shop was closed is a 1965 Mercury Colony Park. Maybe in a lesser state then the Pontiac, but already having an LPG conversion. Same garage and same problem with the engine identification. It is stated to have a 428, but mercury had only a 427 that year, but could not be delivered in the Colony Park as it was only sold in combination with the manual transmission! So, what is in it? I will try to see this car next week.
Last on the list was a 1970 Ford LTD Country Squire. Very cheap, with LPG conversion, and the 429 engine! (maybe it is the 4 barrel with 360 HP!).
But in a bad state, whole interior shot etc, although with enough time and TLC it could resored to its old glory. Just not for me, right now.

Of the cars I have seen in the last couple of months, there are some favourites that I like most, fit with my budget and needs, and senseable (if this term can even be used in combination with classic american wagons ) for being a daily driver.
In no particular order it is the 1965 Mercury Colony Park (engine unknown), the 1968 Ford LTD Country Squire 390, 1980 Pontiac Bonneville Safari 350?. I have seen a nice 1964 Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser, I just don't know anything about it, only that it has a rebuild 350 rocket engine and LPG conversion.

What do you think?

 

that 70 with the hood scoops??????
man...she'd have to be CHEAP !!

the rest look OK
as for the 65..it most likely has a 390 in it
I like it

 

I'd go with the '68 Squire.

 

The 68 was surely the neatest car of all, and since I am not driving alone, that is now a far more important issue.
BTW, the hoodscoops on the 70 are even functional! Below it, the owner drilled a whole set of holes true the hood..... :banghead3:. Just to get things in perspective, this car is not rotted, just treated badly and not cared for. It is advertised cheap, but that is for us. Asking price is 3500 euro, so almost $5000,-!!!!! Out of curiosity, how many 70's squires with the 429 engine were made?

 

Probably not as rare as you might think. '69-'70 were 'power' years - manufacturers emphasizing the cubic inches. Most would have had the 390, but I know I've seen quite a few over the years with the 429. I'd venture to say MOST of the Mercury Colony Park's had the 429. (Might have even been standard in the Merc's, IDK)

 

Buy them all.

 

Did you say $5000 US dollars.... for that, how many miles a year do you plan on driving it, and how much money do you want to put into it to make it road ready..

 

whats the LPg conversion. How much do they all cost, it would be easier to detemine which one I would buy if I knew what they cost.

 

The LPG conversion makes it possible for us to drive these cars for more then just a sunny sunday afternoon. Premium gas is now about $6.90/us gallon while LPG is about half. Oldtimers (25 years+) don't pay roadtax anymore and so the conversion has no other impact then the first financial investment. Modern cars pay much more roadtax with LPG, so it only becomes profitable when driving lots of miles/year.
A good LPG conversion for classic american cars will cost about 1500 euro's. So when the car does not have this, this should actually be added to the price.

So far on the LPG subject. The prices:
1981 Pontiac Bonneville Safari, no LPG, 7500,- euro
1968 Ford LTD Country Squire, no LPG, 7750,- euro
1970 Ford LTD Country Squire, incl. LPG, 3500,- euro
1965 Mercury Colony Park, incl. LPG, 7950,- euro
1964 Olds Vista Cruiser, incl. LPG, 6950,- euro

and a new one:
1970 Ford Torino Country Squire, incl. LPG, 5900,- euro
It has a 460 in it and dual flowmaster exhausts:
http://link.marktplaats.nl/201360006

And not to forget my favourite for now:
1972 Chrysler T&C, no LPG, 6950,- euro
http://www.speurders.nl/advertenties/chrysler-town-county-1972-a-p-k-10-2010(44028598).html

That probably gives you some idea about the prices here. For 6 to 8k you can buy a decent car, some with others without LPG. 2 to 5k you can buy a restoration project. Favourable models in perfect state: well, sky is the limit let's say.

 

Wow, what does a new car cost.. why so much for a car there...

 

Wow, that t&c is a sweet ride, if money was no object, thats the car i would pick.

 

That 72 Torino Squire is great looking and already LPG. I'm biased towards Fords though.:2_thumbs_up_-_anima

 

Yeah - i was going to mention that too. The ad has the wrong year for the Torino. It appears to be a 1972.

 

I drive a beautiful 1970 LTD Country Squire with a 390 every day. You WON'T be disappointed in the power of any of the big block Fords of that era. The torque is unreal. Too bad you live so far away, I'd sell ya mine for that kind of dough. Good luck with your wagon hunting!

 

Thanks Gasser. I will just take my time, partly forced as I am waiting to sell my Subaru. I have seen the T&C and that is so neat, it really is a long time ago I have seen such a nice preserved classic american, and that is even without considering the price!
The Torino is still an option too, I haven't seen it though. I just noticed the what appears to be a bent right front fender. It looks a bit strange to me anyway.
And I just missed out on a 1960 Pontiac Bonneville Safari. I was planning on looking at it, but the guy had already had some cash to reserve it. Just to late!