Welp, here we are, at the end of another week, and that means it’s time for a four-way shootout. This week was all about project cars, and I think we ended up with a good mix: we’ve got a couple that run and a couple that don’t, a couple that are shiny and a couple that aren’t. There’s something here for everyone, I think.
Yesterday, as you might have guessed from the headline, the old postwar Lincoln took home the prize. Yes, it’s a primitive design mechanically, and no, it no longer has its distinctive twelve-cylinder engine. But it is a looker, and there are all sorts of period-correct things you can do to a flathead V8 to soup it up a little.
I’m honor-bound to choose the Lincoln as well, because my wife loved it when she saw it. But I wouldn’t fault anyone for preferring that Fairlane either; it has a cool private-eye or unmarked-cop-car vibe to it, like it’s shouting out “This Is An Ordinary Nondescript Car From Its Era.” It would be fun to build it up mechanically, but keep it looking exactly the same.
All right; let’s get down to it. One of these cars is going to be your new winter project. Are you renting a trailer, or driving it home? Are you buying primer paint, or Turtle Wax? Let’s recap so you can make an informed decision.
Not-really-a-1965 Toyota Corona – $3,500
The case for it: It’s a cool Japanese classic, a car you don’t see very often anymore, at least not in this condition. It’s clean enough to be worth fixing up mechanically and would make a great conversation starter among car folks.
The case against it: The seller doesn’t even know what year it really is. It’s clearly newer than a ’65, but if that’s what the title says, that could be trouble. Also, a two-speed automatic doesn’t exactly scream “fun.”
1970 Ford Ranchero – $3,900
The case for it: Utes are cool, and Rancheros are somehow cooler than El Caminos – and that’s a Chevy guy saying that. It’s a great bodystyle, it has a big V8 already, and the seller says it runs and drives very well.
The case against it: It’s pretty ratty, and a little rusty. It could be fixed up, of course, but it’s probably more economical and practical to just come to terms with the condition it’s in.
1990 Mercedes-Benz 300E – $3,990
The case for it: It’s maybe one of the best-built cars ever made. And it’s a really nice car, too. It has low miles, and it’s in really good shape.
The case against it: It’s kinda boring, actually, now that I look at it again.
1947 Lincoln Club Coupe – $4,450
The case for it: Wide whitewalls! A big winged chrome hood ornament! Style for days! And it runs, sorta! Sure, it’s not the original V12, but a flathead V8 is pretty damn cool in its own right.
The case against it: A 1947 model is pretty much a 1939 model, technologically speaking. And that’s practically prehistoric, compared to what most of us are used to working on – and driving. Solid axles on leaf springs at both ends, single-circuit drum brakes, and power steering by Armstrong are all part of the deal.
So that’s our show for this week. Tune in next week when our guests will be – well, I don’t know, actually, but it’ll be something cheap and sketchy, as always. For now, choose your favorite among these four, and have a good weekend!
(Image credits: sellers)
I picked the Mercedes. I do love late 20th century German automobile design.
This one looks like a project car that you don’t actually work on directly. Instead, you work overtime or a side hustle to keep enough money in the bank for when it breaks down. Breakdowns won’t be very often, but they will be expensive.
The Ranchero wins my heart – I’ve always liked this body style, and it was a close second to the 544 for me the other day.
The Corona, however, is second, because someone involved with the 24 Hours of LeMons should bring that thing to an event where Judge Phil will be.
I’d probably hate myself for doing so if I bought it, but I loved the W124 E Class. Peak styling and engineering. They got ugly after this one. And it does look remarkably clean and intact.
Lincoln is a bunch of work and the front end is just not that appealing. the Boring but trusty Merc would be my choice of these losers.
I wanted a 40s packard but it sold…so I voted for the Lincoln
I gotta go Lincoln again, I like it the best and it’s a classic body style and has a V8…I would paint it blue. I would have to “bring a trailer” then fix it up good! It will be fun
I’ve always wanted to own a car from the 40s, and I’m not even particular about make and model. So Lincoln it is for me.
it’d be the lincoln or the toyota for me… Probably the Toyota, but it’s a close race.
Nostalgia forced me to go with the Lincoln. My high school debate coach in the early 1960s had a similar car in dark green. He, too, had replaced the original V12 with a Ford flathead V8. The car had a tendency to overheat that he attributed to the the transplanted V8 having the fan farther away from the radiator than the original V12. He talked about doing something about this condition, but I don’t know if he ever did.
The Mercedes is a too rational choice for me.
Benz, because why work on getting something to drive when you can just drive something the way it is?
That Lincoln is just too cool. And compared to my Model A, it’ll be pretty easy to drive.
It came down to the Lincoln or the Benz for me. The Lincoln is a coupe, which is a plus, but frankly the styling of this era of Lincolns has always struck me as kind of ungainly and awkward; too puffy, or something.
This week, make mine a Benz.
For a “project”, definitely the Ford. This would be a great father/son (or daughter) project for a high school kid looking to get into wrenching.
I do kinda dig the Merc, but those are still not a rare sight, and it IS boring.