Our latest stop for random cities around the United States is Ft. Collins, Colorado. Ft. Collins has a population quite close to that of Eugene, Oregon, which we visited previously. It is also a place where Mrs. Jason and I spent the night during a trip in 2010.
We went there because all the motels in Cheyenne, Wyoming were full. The hotel was forgettable although the morning carbohydrate buffet was not forgettable as I was able to witness the Rabbit Family. He jumped around all over the place and she appeared to have….well, we all know what rabbits sometimes do to their young.
Ft. Collins has a small but fine selection of tempting vehicular treats upon which to feast such as this amazing 1959 Plymouth Suburban wagon.
While advertised as having 840,000 miles (which could be quite likely given its age), it has at least had a heart transplant. It’s running a 318 from a 1970 model Plymouth.
Much like Eugene, a potential buyer from the List Of Craig has a veritable smorgasbord of pickups from which to choose. There are some good ones for sale, especially this 1986 Ford F-150.
Unlike the one we saw in Eugene that had had height enhancement surgery, this one remains stock. Also better than the one in Eugene is this one has a decent engine under the hood – a fuel-injected 302 cubic inch V8. Not a powerhouse by any stretch but not a lump of agonizing torture, either.
With 160,000 residents, many in Ft. Collins likely don’t need a pickup but could use something for some periodic hauling. Datsuns like this 1979 model 210 (didn’t Chevrolet use that same name in the 1950s???) would be terrific for that purpose.
Apart from being confused about its color, this Datsun looks fantastic.
But some people like to think outside the box and that wagon was, well, a box. Sometimes you have tall loads that could better be serviced by this fabulous 1979 Ford Ranchero.
This Ranchero has it all – stacked headlamps, a proper 351, the curvy hips of the most delicious Ford Torino, and best of all –
Comfortable seats. Were do I sign up? I had a 1974 Ranchero for a short while and it wasn’t anywhere near being the temptress this Ranchero is. Day-um!
Winning the award for Too Much Information is this 1986 Toyota Corolla diesel. I shan’t repeat such things, so click the link and find out for yourself. It takes a lot of fortitude to write such a thing as that!
Some cars are well linked to various professions. One such car is this 1988 Chrysler Fifth Avenue. For years, these Fifth Avenues have seemed like the ultimate car for real estate professionals. They go as well together as peanut butter and jelly, milk and cookies, and rum and coke. A true match if ever there was.
This one would be a goody too; its 318 has been upgraded to having a four-barrel carburetor working into dual exhausts and twisting a driveshaft hooked to a rear axle sporting 3.07:1 gears instead of the ludicrous factory gears in the 2.2:1 neighborhood.
If ever a car screamed bad-ass, it would be this Fifth Avenue. Even the dual exhaust is being dumped in front of the rear wheels. The only way this Chrysler could be better is if a 440 sat under the hood.
While not every car can have the raw magnetism of that Chrysler, others still do a darn good job of making a strong, positive impression. A Mini wagon really can’t help but do anything else and it would be a blast to buzz around Ft. Collins in this right-hand drive Mini.
I would enthusiastically learn to shift with my left hand if offered a spin in this Mini.
Can you think anything more the opposite of the Mini than this Dodge Macho Power Wagon? I’m not wanting to dwell on pickups, but this one was simply too good to overlook.
If one believes in frequently inaccurate stereotypes, it would seem Colorado is crawling with Subarus. If it is, people are keeping them as there was a grand total of one advertised at the time I looked. With the pictures of it being lousy, here’s the opposite of a Subaru – a 1964 Buick Wildcat.
We must always have the obligatory GM product in articles such as these plus this one sounds like its had some recent love slathered on it.
In Indianapolis, we found a Merkur XR4TI; there’s another in Ft. Collins. This one appears to be in a bit better shape.
Stay tuned for more of our journey for finding cars under $6500 and older than 1990. Where will we go next? Galveston, Texas? Biloxi, Mississippi? Chattanooga, Tennessee? Mankato, Minnesota?
The Plymouth wagon the Datsun and that F-150 would be mine if I lived out that way
While it is true that Ford indeed was “The Wagon Masters” of the 1950’s and 1960’s (quoting their apt advertising slogan); various Mopar station wagons gave Ford some serious competition.
As long as the mechanical bits are solid and well done I want to restore that 5th Ave! 4 barrel and gear swap are one of the things on my “MUST” list for an M-body.
FYI likely the owner exited in front of the rear wheels because dual exhausts on an M-body require the gas tank to be moved over a bit. It isn’t located on the center-line of the vehicle, it hugs the driver’s side of the vehicle where the gas filler is.
The A-38 Police F bodies with E58 engines had a “dual” exhaust system albeit with a single tail pipe on the passenger side for that very reason.
Interestingly I’ve seen forum posts about how to modify things (loosen the metal straps, cut the filler neck, slide the tank over roughly 2 in, tighten straps, lengthen filler neck) that I would think that modification would be less difficult than what he’s already done.
What. The. Heck. Now I have to scrap the next ten of my CCFS posts that I had under development as you picked them all up here. The mother ship will not be pleased. 🙂
I know for a fact that Jefferson City has a cornucopia of old iron for sale in its environs. I’m particularly thinking of a particular Lincoln Versailles. But nooooo, Mr. Shafer would rather the world assume that every Missouri citizen just drives a brand new product of the Wentzville GM plant and like clockwork returns annually for a new one whilst having the old one crushed or sent abroad, never to be offered for sale locally.
Also, people here don’t sell Subarus because they A) Last forever and don’t age and B) Are all worth significantly more than your self-imposed price limit no matter the mileage or condition.
There’s a small elementary school in the heart of Gallup with no bus service (must live within walking distance) and the few times I visited there was a long line of parents dropping off and picking up.
The highlight of the drop off line for me was a Versailles well kept with Cragar SS wheels and a LOUD dual exhaust system on it. I sincerely hope that it had the 351 V8.
We don’t buy all of our stuff from the Wentzville plant – there’s the Ford plant north of Kansas City. That’s why every third vehicle on the road here is an F-150. I’m looking out my office window and can see three as I type this. Talk about vehicles that don’t age.
Subaru? What the heck are those, really? I see Bentley’s more often than I do Subarus. The only one I’ve seen in the past three years is a base model Impreza that belongs to some youngster engineer at work.
I hate taking food from your children’s mouths. So, in a peace offering, here are two very fine specimens, plus a something else, for your viewing pleasure. My best wishes for you and your family and may your Christmas in Pueblo (that’s where you live, isn’t it???) be merry!
https://columbiamo.craigslist.org/search/cto?query=cordoba
Wow, when did Cordoba’s become $5000 baseline cars? I mean, three in one area is a definite trend.
And keep an eye on that youngster engineer of yours, he’s clearly gifted and will be going places!
I’ve actually never been to Pueblo, but now have a hankering to check out their Craigslist. If their cars are as budget friendly as their real estate, it might be worthwhile…
Mazel Tov, my friend, Mazel Tov.
I think Jim might have his feelings hurt after learning that, as a real estate professional, he is driving the wrong car. I have no doubt that his sales of mobile homes would skyrocket if he picked up that snazzy (partially) blue Fifth Avenue. 🙂
I actually like Fifth Avenues; in college I had a roommate that drove an ex-CHP Diplomat in light metallic blue with the large CHP pushbar on the front and a 318. It was a magnificent car. The Fifth would be good nowadays, a Diplomat is just not high-falutin’ enough for me anymore.
And here I thought “Taking the Fifth” applied only to criminals, lawyers and drunks (or at least old drunks from before everything was sold in milliliters).
Given your three choices, a real estate professional is often is at least one, can certainly be two, and every once in a while could actually be all three…I am none of the above but consider myself as having a high tolerance or at least being high-functioning… 🙂
Here’s my winter special – Buy a house using my services and I will put that Fifth Avenue in your garage upon successful closing. Contact me directly to review the fine print on that.
You name it, I can get it for you. One highfalutin’ Diplomat for Herr Klein…
https://stlouis.craigslist.org/cto/d/1987-dodge-diplomat/6366193546.html
Damn, that’s nice, it even has the chicken lips on the fenders. You better go put a deposit down for me, if Captain Principal Dan sees that he’s gonna start a bidding war.
The only cleaner Diplomat I’ve seen is a final year model SE, deep blue paint, deep blue interior, deep blue vinyl top. 318 V8 almost all the options. It is owned by the father of my brother in law (we’re married to sisters from the same family.)
Since the old fellow’s be divorced 3 times he’s often at Thanksgiving with us and I get to ogle that Dippy. It has to be garage kept though given that the old man has taught both Shop and Science at different times he might just be that good at maintenance.
$5500 for a 30 year old Corolla. That’s more crack pipe that the $240,000 ’76 Eldorado from earlier.
After not being a regular visitor and poster on Jalopnik for many years, you bring back memories of their regular feature “Nice Price or Crack Pipe?”
If you ever drove that 79 Ranchero in town you’d soon learn not to drive it on narrow streets or in alleys. By the time you’ve pulled out far enough to see oncoming traffic your front bumper’s already halfway out there.
As much as I like fin cars, that Fifth Avenue really speaks to me.
Sounds to me like the Toyota seller has a medical condition that should be seen by a qualified physician. Maybe he’s trying to raise the funds? 😉
Jason, you have some real talent for vehicular curation. While I’m sure that CL is full of pedestrian iron no matter the locale, you have certainly mined the nuggets from the veins of gold in Eugene, Indy, and now Fort Collins. Applying the skills of a maestro, you have composed a symphony from the cacophony of the classifieds. The question remains whether the local residents will heed the siren call and make a purchase from your fine selections.
In this piece, I find the Merkur especially enticing. I have always had a soft spot for the Merkur stemming from a semester of study in Germany when the Ford Sierra was the European Car of the Year. If that has sold already, then I’d veer to the other extreme and consider the 1959 Plymouth.
Damnit I want that F-150!
Actually, I’m not sure I do… I’d feel bad every time I needed to go to Home Depot from now until the beginning of March or so and drove it through the salt and snow.
I am having contrary feelings about Jason Shafer today. On the one hand I know him to be a gentleman and interesting to talk to. On the other he keeps torturing me with craigslist ads. AAAHHH!
Nice wagon. Luckily for me the ad has been taken down, so I can’t see if there’s a left quarter panel to make a template for the missing right one.
And I never imagined ft collins to be a hot bed of minis.
My Mrs has relatives in CO, every once in a while I suggest a fly and drive vacation.
She knows better.
An Australian built Mini at that.
Aussie Mini indeed Bernard, although the seller says it was imported from Europe, despite being RHD and having a km odometer.
$18000!
That’s a lot of $$$$s per inch!
I believe that what is missing on the right rear quarter of that 59 Plymouth wagon is the access door for the spare. That may have been a feature on the 9 passenger models only, as I see pictures of wagons without that access door at all. This ad clearly shows it.
IIRC, the original Wagon Queen Family Truckster was none other than a 1959 Plymouth Sport Suburban Six station wagon.
Was always intrigued by 50’s/60’s station wagon tail styling, compared to the sedan mates. By the 70’s, Big 3 just had plain rears, due to cost cutting.
There is a part of me that feels like I’m lifting the tarp for everyone else to see what is in others backyard.
That part enjoys it, the other part of me feels like I’m taunting everyone.
In the big scheme of things, if one person reading this rescues one of these rides, it will have been worth it. If nothing else, we’ve all pondered the various “what-if’s” of calculating storage and transport.
The “missing quarter” is the spare tire cover. Nine passenger wagons had the spare inside the right rear fender
Great collection! Alas, I won’t be reading about the ’58 Plymouth, and neither will anyone else, because the ad has been deleted. There’s a free page-archive service available at webcitation.org, just perfect for preserving transient pages like Craigslist and Ebay ads for long-term availability in articles like this. For example, here’s the archive of the New Yorker ad. Too late for the Plymouth this time, but…next time, please?
This helpful. Thank you.
It’s about time to expose my own backyard.
Surely. The archive doesn’t retain the pics in the long run, so whatever pics you want us to be able to see, yoink ’em from the ad and post ’em. Another way instead of archiving: take a screen shot of the ad in the browser window and post that here on CC.
Galveston – one place outside the “rust belt” where rusty cars can be found. Salt air and sand do their worst. Add to that the relentless summer sun and you can see vehicles with some deep “patina.”
A quick look just now shows a preponderance of 10-12 year old compact sedans. There are also many cars listed that are actually in Houston.
Any of those Fords or Mopars would suit me just fine. Top pick today goes to that Macho Power Wagon. Because if a guy is going to get a pickup, he needs one with some friggin attitude. 🙂
The 59 Plymouth certainly got my attention. But then I got on the Ft. Collins CL and found (in the nearby lists) a 59 Stude Lark 2 door wagon (also turquoise) with the V8 and OD for $2200. Hey Jim, you wanna go pick that up for me? I can be there with the cash next summer. I’m sure that one winter/spring out in the weather won’t hurt that Porsche of yours at all.
Preparing for St. Louis, I did find a ’58 Studebaker Scotsman. Sadly, no pictures as it was one of a batch of Studes with the only picture being of a Lark Wagonnaire.
Here Jim, just so that you get the right one. 🙂
It’s a good thing I can tow 7000 pounds with the GL. I have a feeling about a ton and half of sod is going to accompany that when its dragged out of the pasture. Just wire me the money, I’ll take very good care of the car for you. Did I mention I now winter in Nigeria as I found out I am a crown prince?
If you half shut your eyes it looks like a Renault 4 that’s about to break in half.
There’s an idea. My CO relative can just drop this off while Jim’s away in Nigeria. I’m sure it’ll be fine, if he lives in a HOA neighborhood there’s probably an exemption for Edsels and Studebakers.
You are really in luck, I sold my HOA house this summer and now live in a non-HOA neighborhood. Bring on the cinder blocks!
An HOA neighborhood I lived near had a problem with one guy for parking a yellow Chevy Citation out front. The car was is decent condition, they just didn’t think an old Citation belonged in those upscale digs.
Please note I said “lived near” not “lived in”. I would NEVER move to a house in a HOA neighborhood again, after the only time I did and kept getting dinged for having the wrong color curtains or blinds.
That 86 Ford is amazing. A two tone Bullnose with the FI 5.0? Perfect!
I just read the Toyota ad Jason and I see what you mean about it.
I don’t know if it’s a case of TMI or truth in advertising but you do have to admire his “brass”?
I’ve been to Ft Collins many times over the years, the earlier times with Troy, a best friend who had relatives all over Colorado we stayed with (he liked VW Beetles, but the trips went faster in one of my convertibles, plus he liked the company traveling) The relative s we stayed with in Ft Collins had a small farm, with a very large white Victorian house, this was on the north side of Ft Collins. Less than a mile away, Troy directed me to a fenced area that went on for quite awhile, finally there was a barn type structure and large gate, which was closed. The car we had gone back to CO in that time was my 1958 Chrysler New Yorker convertible in emerald green with white leather interior and top. with full accessories, a/c, and dealer added 2x4bbl carbs on the 392 Hemi. It was an original car but low mileage and with wide whites. When I parked there, a guy came out who looked in his 90’s. There was a very faded sign with a name before cars on it, which I forgot soon, with a reason. We all stood around my New Yorker a bit before the guy said I might be interested in seeing his ’58 like it. We went through the normal doorway into the building and out though a side door into the vast yard. I had instant Mopar overload. Rows of each year Chrysler were visible, from 51-52, through 59, lined up in 2 doors, 4 doors, wagons and at the end of each section at least one convertible (when Windsors and New Yorkers were both offered in convert, he had both) the newer Mopars were further in. This wasn’t a wrecking yard, ALL the cars had decent paint and were nice shape,and he said all ran. I was most interested in the convertibles, which he said he bought new for himself each year. We walked the area for hours. It wasn’t just Chryslers, but Plymouth, Dodge, DeSoto, Chrysler and Imperial. All years had at least one convertible. He Collected from 1949 through about 1965 (this was in 1969 and the later cars looked new. All the time we were there I couldn’t believe what I was looking at. He said he had the money to buy them and decided at 89 he should start selling. I was really interested in the 1955 New Yorker convert, but he said the price was $15,000, which was high then. Later that year I was able to buy the 1955 NY convert in Chico for a few hundred. He wasn’t interested in parting anything,each car could be driven away. This was a massive private collection. Troy directed me there the next two years when we went back, by the third time there were far fewer cars, but still heavy on convertibles, and paint was more faded, but no failed convert tops. Prices were higher still. The following year Troy was killed, in his early 20’s, by a drunk college student driving on the wrong aside of the road in a curve at an estimated 140 mph. (the student lived, his Ford crushing the Bug) the student went on to kill two people in the next wreck, and five in the final one that killed the student also. It was several years before getting back to Ft Collins. When I did Troys relatives all volunteered places to stay in CO. I tried going to the place again and was sure it was the right road, but no fence, no yard, only acres of orchard Does any one know what happened?
Very cool story, LRF! Sounds almost like you were once transported to an alternate, fantasy universe, which you are now unable to go back to. By the way, I started driving in 1970 and didn’t get my own car until 1972. And am from a Mopar family. Really like the sounds of the 1958 New Yorker convertible you had at the time.
Man, just more great finds, Jason. And, 840,000 miles on a 1959 Plymouth wagon that still looks to be in decent shape? Those venerable old Mopars. My dad had sales literature going back to the 1950s, and the only Dodge Macho Power Wagon I’ve ever seen was in magazine ads or sales literature; never seen one in the flesh. L’il Red Wagons, yes, as I live rather near to where the Mopar Nationals is held every year.
And, that 1964 Buick Wildcat sure looks to be in solid and decent shape for an old ride. And, yes, I am a sucker for the very rare and unusual stuff like that very clean and nice old Merkur. Even the clean and solid-looking 1986 F-150 is appealing.
Forgot to say, have always been fascinated and intrigued by the very rare and unusual stuff like the Toyota Corolla diesel. Have never, ever encountered one of those rare little cars. So, I did click on the link. Seller didn’t provide enough photos or information about his car, though. Don’t know if anybody else remembers but in the mid to late 1980s, Isuzu offered a diesel in one or more of their models. Last time I found one, out-of-state, on the ‘net was 10-12 years ago.
Here’s my CC on the Corolla diesel: https://www.curbsideclassic.com/curbside-classics-asian/curbside-classic-1984-toyota-corolla-diesel-latecomer-to-the-diesel-party/
Isuzu had a diesel in the pre-85 I-Mark version as well as the P’up in the US market.
The Corolla Diesel pictured here says it’s an ’86 in the ad but the picture of the emissions sticker (one of only two total pictures!) leads me to believe it’s actually an ’84.
There is a diesel I-Mark coupe in Eugene that Paul has written about on a couple of occasions, though I can’t recall if one was a feature or if both were outtakes.
As a matter of fact (and going on memory as I’ve only seen one in recent years) it seemed like quite a lot of the T-platform I-Marks were diesels here.
OK, found one on Columbus, OH CL that you’re going to love. A 2-door 1980 AMC Concord. With only 52K actual miles. Being sold by the 82 y.o. owner/driver. Now for the best part! It has a supercharged Mopar 360 V-8, with a 4-speed manual transmission. And, yes, it has a big old blower sticking out of the hood! Only has 3 pictures, which show some other customization and mild mods. What a wild, accidental find. Somebody is going to want to jump on that!
Failed to mention that the car is NOT IN Columbus, Ohio. It is listed as Mantua, Ohio, which is about 10-15 miles NE of Akron. The old fellow has it listed at $9500. But, hey, where could you find another one like that? Check it out. It’s one-of-a-kind for sure. The original factory color shows as a light blue, and it still has it’s factory original half vinyl top. Listing says his health is the motivation for the sale.
OMG!!!! I found a super rare car! Also on Columbus, Ohio CL. You guys ready? A 1992 Peugeot 405 S, for only $1700. Says it has the 1.9L, 4 cylinder, with 5-speed manual transmission. For the Francophile who is anxious to find out more details, call Dave at (937) 303-2862. It states he’s in Marysville, Ohio. Just a short distance west of Columbus, out in the area where the North American Honda plant is which builds the highly regarded (according to Car & Driver) Honda Accord.
Pssshh, that’s nothing, do the same search out here in CO, there’s a guy that has TWO 405MI16’s in one ad for $1999. And on top of that he has another ad with TWO 505’s for sale….
Gotta give a shout-out on one more car you’re not likely to find anywhere else. A 1981 AMC Spirit Drag (Racing) Car. And it is painted red, white and blue like back in the AMC racing days. It is also listed as being in Marysville, Ohio by the same Dave with the same phone number as the Peugeot.
OK, just one more that most of us haven’t seen for quite some time. A 1975 Oldsmobile Omega. With only 53K miles, this baby must have spent most of it’s life inside somebody’s garage. The 13 pictures show it to like very, very nice – almost as good as new. Has a 350 V8 with automatic and dual exhaust. Blue in color with an $8500 asking price. Also on Columbus, Ohio CL.
Since we’re mostly into the old iron, had to mention a few nice examples I came across. A 1925 Chevy Roadster @$12,500. A 1951 Ford F3 @$13,500. A 1964 Ford Fairlane @$22,500. A 1964 Olds F85 w/94K miles @$20,000. And, a 1968 Chevy Bel Aire station wagon @$7500. All on Columbus CL.