QuestionI would like to know what you think the easiest vintage car to fix is, besides an old VW bug. I have limited funds and limited working space. I'm looking for the smallest and least expensive to repair car I can find. I would appriciate any and all suggestions.
Thank You.
AnswerYou probably have pegged correctly the smallest and easiest AND cheapest car to repair, an air-cooled VW beetle.
But more importantly, what car do you WANT when you are through? Are you going to be happy with just anything old to drive?
What are your goals? Do you want this car just as a project to sell, or something for you to drive and enjoy? If you want it to drive, are you going to want to carry other people, luggage, go long distances, or just to local cruise-ins?
If what you really want is something else, then why not go for that?
My second choice for an old car to fix up would be an old Chevy. Parts are cheap, and depending on the model, lots of parts are available.
For cheap, look for Four-door sedans instead of hardtops or convertibles. These can be just as fun to drive, but remember, no sedan will ever have the value of a 2 door hardtop or a convertible. And it can cost just as much to restore an undesirable car as one that LOTS of people will want and buy in the future. So if resale is your goal, you really should start with something un-desirable.
For instance if restoring a '57 chevy, it will cost just as much to restore a 2-door hardtop as a 4-door sedan. The cost of the original car will be quite a bit different, but you will get that back and more when you sell it.
Finally, are you really looking for a project? or would you rather just have something fun to drive and do a little work on?
Buying something complete and driveable will ALWAYS be cheaper in the long run than buying a major project car.
Feel free to write back with the answers to my questions above and I will try to help you hone in on a car you can have fun with.
Oh, and my wife and I own a VW bug (convertible) and enjoy the heck out of it. I owned one in college. They are great fun cars and have a HUGE network of businesses selling parts/service and owners clubs all over the globe. If you like the bug, then you could do a LOT worse for a fun little car. I have also owned an MGB, pretty much the same thing, good parts availability, good clubs etc, but buying a good one will be a bit more expensive, but they are very fun cars with better handling. But finding someone to work on British cars is a bit harder sometimes than on the Bug that was made for so many years.
Don
