B Jake Moran

Found this - Mercury offered a snap-on interior shade for high summer.

Agreed. Which is why they did not take off as a hybrid to a convertible. If I owned one, I would create a vinyl piece for the inside. Attach using Velcro. Discreet. Use it during hot months. Remove at car show.

Yes there is no way that’s aftermarket.

I received a mailing from Hemmings for a one year subscription to Hemmings Motor News for $20. Further research showed that processing this order by an on-line method saved another $5. Are you kidding me? $15 for one year of Hemmings runs to $1.25 per month, or basically free. I processed the opportunity.

I’m not 100% sure the Wildcats on the side are stock. I think so. The rub strip is added. Great. They were in the right place with cash to buy it for $5,000 or so. Now they want you to pay nearly $20,000.

There is a basket case Sun Valley in my facebook feed. One family owned for 55 years. They decided to restore it 5 years ago. Now it’s a pile of parts - the usual enthusiastic start that ends with nothing. At $2,000 no one is biting. Front hubs removed so it’s not even a roller.

Thanks for that history. I’ll have to review the one book I have on Edsels. Ford was NOT better managed by Henry Ford 2. In my opinion. He deferred too much. Ford was a company with too much critical mass. I never saw it as a company that would go bankrupt and be sold off. But Henry II green lighted the Mark II Continental, then killed it. He greenlighted the Edsel. Then killed it. He could not manage Iacocca, fired him. But because Henry I and Edsel managed Ford for years, it was - in the modern vernacular - too big too fail. I would own a 58 Citation or s 60 Edsel like this one. But for its historical cool factor as much or more than style.

You are correct. These were great cars aside from the motor. So well engineered.

Not a $20,000 car - mileage and front seat - but at the asking price, not bad. Color is awesome. But not for everyone.

Agreed. Seats correct, floor not so much.

Marketplace - 1939 Packard super 8 | Facebook 1939 Packard 120 Great for weddings, specials events, or to just drive and enjoy. Step back into an era where cars had soul. Every vehicle that rolled off the line was a piece of art, destine for the driveways of America. In 1939 this vehicle was the finest the middle class could buy. Everything on this Packard looks original, down to the spark plug wires. It currently pumps fuel to the original inline 8 using an electric fuel pump. This was done for sake of reliability while on the road. She is also equipped with the Packard Overdrive system. This feature was not released until 1940 but here it is! Recently underwent a full frame-on restoration and has been enjoyed since. Dial [hidden information] for more details and to come take a look. More Photos coming soon or available upon request.

They are not. Those appendages would need to be removable and reinserted at the gathering.

Clearly, as I just learned from reading the General Discussion thread - because 1988 is the year to buy. That's not crazy money for a low mileage GT example, but maybe still a tad high. For those that might provide a different perspective to my price comment, please consider you can get a well sorted low mileage 1988 Corvette either a removable top coupe or a convertible for the same money or less.

This is a bargain, even with that dash pad. Some know these as "the bankers hot rod." A bow shot by Mercedes Benz, an S Class gem. One of the last 2 door hardtop models made. I looked for one for years, and still occasionally look. The problem is - these cars are good for 250,000 miles or more and owners love to drive them. So to find one for less than $10,000, with 68,000 original miles, is nearly unheard of. Kind of boring color, yes, but this and the even nicer 560 SEC are truly collectible and enjoyable. I always wanted a 560 SEC and a 560SL combination. The best of both worlds.

I was waiting for Jim to comment, as I knew we would get good information. Despite the teal interior being a close match, I think it's a lot of teal for the interior. I would have preferred a large rubber mat in front, to break up some of that teal! If you are going to view a 47-48 Manhattan, this is how to do it - restored. I always thought this slab sider looks so bad with tired paint, in dull black. It's hard to wrap your head around one restored. But this looks awesome, and enjoyable. Jim - Rudy tried to sell me a 48 Frazer Manhattan with a factory leather interior from that Colorado place for $1,000 years ago. I should have bought it. Frazers were rare with leather.

I understand, but it is not worth the risk. We just don't have any idea what we are buying from 1982 to 1985. I am a Cadillac LaSalle Club member and the HT4100 is often discussed. Even if it was reliable - it was underpowered for it's purpose. Owners talk of the transmission "hunting" for a gear as the HT4100 screams going onto a freeway on ramp trying to hit 65 mph, with a semi bearing down on them at the pinch point. Yes, that story has been relayed many times. In 1982-85, Americans still drove fast but not as fast as today, so this issue is even worse. Once you get to 70, a HT4100 equipped Cadillac eases into overdrive, then maybe you are OK, put the cruise on and go, but acceleration was very scary. The bigger V8s from 1979 to 1981 are fine. I believe Eldorado used the Oldsmobile 350 in 1979 and the reduced to 368 Cadillac 500-425-368 family in 1980-1981. Disabling the 8-6-4 microcomputer for 1981 is fairly simple. Plus stouter transmissions. I used to comb salvage yards a lot as a hobby 15 years go (age 45). I can't tell you how many 82-85 Eldorados with low mileage, perfect (I mean PERFECT) interiors and bodies were in there. Hundreds! I always thought it would make sense to pull interior parts from the cars I was seeing, stock pile them for "restoration sales". But few if any restore these cars, from 1979 to 1985. You still see 79-81 Eldorados for sale on FB marketplace, but not like the old Craigslist days 10 years ago, when, using a national search engine, a person could find 50 cars within 50 miles for reasonable prices. Now, these cars have aged out. I did a recent search and found 4, 2 of which were overpriced junk - again, only 79-81, (NEVER 82-85). IF you have the resources and find an 82-85 you just have to have, then source and rebuild a 350 and put it in the there. But remember, transmissions went to a less robust style in 1982 as well. Just NOT worth the risk. 79-81 only, in my opinion.

I am into older trucks. I subscribe to a magazine issued 6 times a year called Vintage Trucks, even though I do not currently own a truck, except my driver a 2022 Chevy Colorado. I have owned a 49 Chevy Advanced Design Truck, a 1952 Suburban (now super hot in the marketplace), and several other trucks. This truck is iconic. In 1955 Chevy, under the design leadership of Chuck Jordan, created the 1st suburban styled truck called the Cameo, which I am sure some of you have heard of. Fiberglass swept side (flat sided) bed, nice interior, room for 3. Meant for the suburban dad or even mom to drive, as a 2nd car. NOT for the farm. Following that success, International - always #3 or 4 in pick up sales in the era - came out with a Golden Jubilee truck in sweptside styling for 1957, metallic Gold and White. Dodge followed with this truck, and used the finned sides of a station wagon. Few were made, but style wise it is a match to the Cameo. Inside, as noted, not so much. BUT, I believe these could be had with power steering. (I'm sorry, I did not read the sales comments before writing.) These sell for good money restored because those sides of the bed are difficult to restore and there are some unobtanium parts. This has a push button automatic, THAT is luxury for a 1950's truck. And a big reason the price tag is high for this one. Beautiful bed wood too. That seat is very nice. I understand the door panels and dash look plain.

It is - rare. Competition is Chevy Cameo. These high end trucks have a following but not sure $120,000 following.

Correct. 100% failure rate. Not worth the risk. And even if it runs well, it can not keep up with modern traffic.

Never buy any 1982 to 1985 Cadillac. Never.

Not a fan of that light blue color. I do like 56 Cadillac coupes, whether 62 series or CdV.

Right. It was priced right. And likely sold for $1500 not $2000. Of course we won’t know, but $2,000 is not out of line. In the Midwest these Facebook sellers are selling cars at $2,000 or lower (project). But $2,500 and above they are not.

OK, I’d buy it (seriously) but this $4,000 asking is nonsense. I’m dealing with this now, trying to buy a project with a young man. Everything is $3,000, $4,000, $6,000. And you know these Facebook sellers have $500 in these cars! But the sellers don’t care. It’s free to put anything on Facebook marketplace. They create an ad, get 200 + “is it still available “? It slides down the Facebook algorithm and there it sits weeks later at $4,000 no sale, no adjustment to price. What’s it worth? Looks solid and complete. But cmon! The cost to restore about anything is $50,000 +. Even a base Special. The asking price is a sure sign this seller cares zero about Buick history.

Me too, but this presents so well.

I was going to mention the Kaiser application. It boggles the mind really. So Flatheads were safe reliable engines and were started at 4.5 to 1 compression and ended - in normal application- at 6:1. How in the heck do you explain supercharging a motor not able to go above 6:1? Let’s supercharge it and go to 9:1 ! How is that possible? It begs the question- why not increase the compression ratio to 8:1 or in line with the OHV compression ratios of that early 50s era? What happens to a Flathead when the compression ratio is increased?