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Which cars are classics /"collectibles" /curiosities /or scrap metal? - READ ONLY
88 messages, Last post on Apr 11, 2002 at 4:18 PM
You are in the Classic Cars - Archived Discussions Forum.- Your Host is mr_shiftright
This discussion is ARCHIVED. To reactivate the discussion, post a request in the Lost In The Town Hall... discussion.
What is this discussion about? Coupe, Convertible
The title of this forum has been changed somewhat from the original started by <speedshift>. Thank you, HOST
#79 of 88 by speedshift
Apr 10, 2002 (10:05 pm)
Shifty, any opinion on this car?
http://www.wearsch.com/darrin.htm
This is the kind of esoteric '50s car I think of when I think post-war classic, but with that Willys F-head it falls a little short in the engineering department--although they were quick for their day. Apparently a number of them didn't sell and were retrofitted by Darrin with Cadillac engines. I don't know how well the Henry J chassis they're built on performs.
#80 of 88 by Mr_Shiftright HOST
Apr 11, 2002 (6:47 am)
HI Speedy,Well, oddly enough, the Kaiser Darrin brings pretty good money at collectible car auctions, so I cannot argue with its collectibility, even though I think it is one of the most hideous, ghastly things on four wheels. One reason it will never be a classic is that it is ugly to most people; however, being an "attempt" at an American sports car gives it some historical interest, and I think it is on this basis, rather than aesthetics or technical prowess (both of which are about zero or a little less) that the car's value remains respectable.
I would categorize this car as an "interesting curiosity" type of collector car, and this niche has its followers. But as I've said so many times to no doubt bore you, if a car was a flop when it was new, it will never achieve greatness. By "flop" I don't mean financially, but in the eyes of the general and perhaps even non-car buying public. Same holds true for new cars presented today. If it leaves you flat when your 51 it's not going to excite you when you're 51 and got cash to spend. The Kaiser Darrin came and went pretty quickly with some temporary flurry of publicity that quickly died out.
#81 of 88 The Darrin... by andre1969
Apr 11, 2002 (7:20 am)
...I think it could've been an attractive car, except for the taillights that looked like they were thrown on as an afterthought. Also, central themes up front tend not to go over too well with me, as they end up making me think of a '58 Edsel or some other "piggy" design.#82 of 88 After reading the previous, it is suggested the main title be by kinley
Apr 11, 2002 (8:56 am)
'Collectible Cars' rather than 'Classic Cars'.#83 of 88 That might work... by andre1969
Apr 11, 2002 (9:37 am)
...or, to cover it better, maybe "Antiques, collectibles, and classics?" Of course, we've also gone off on tangents such as the Fairmont, GM's Diesels, '77-96 B-bodies, etc, so I don't know what a good catch-all title would be?#84 of 88 by speedshift
Apr 11, 2002 (10:29 am)
That's right, I'd forgotten Shifty's Flop Rule.As usual, the Darrin looks a lot better in the ads than in the amateur photos. The ad photos catch that nose-up jet fighter look, so hip then and so funky today. I've heard the grille called the "Clara Bow grille" because it resembles the mouth of a certain '20s movie star.
As for the main title, I'd like something besides Classic Cars too but since the idea is to draw the largest number of posters to this site I think Classic works best. Classic is the most universal word, it's just that everyone here has their own definition. That's okay--I've learned more about Fairmonts than I...well, than I ever wanted to know
.
#85 of 88 by Mr_Shiftright HOST
Apr 11, 2002 (10:43 am)
Well, let's try a change in title and see what happens. If we don't get a comfortable mix of people and responses, we'll switch back, okay?Shifty
#86 of 88 I guess the Darrin could've been called worse things... by andre1969
Apr 11, 2002 (12:00 pm)
...like Derwood, Duspin, Dumbo, and all the other mis-pronunciations that Endora made on "Bewtiched"
#88 of 88 Here goes.... by andys120
Apr 11, 2002 (4:18 pm)
It's time to name names:CLASSICS (to be):
It takes time to make a classic we're probably too close to make a judgment on anything newer than 1960, with a few obvious exceptions. Here are some and a few from the late 40s and 50s that will make it IMHO:
Mercedes 300SL Gullwing/Roadster
Any '50s Ferrari
60s Ferraris 250/275, esp.GTOs
'49/'50 Cad/Olds, HT/Conv
Any Cunningham or Cad Allard
BMW 507
Aston DB2/4
Chrysler 300/300B
Lamborghini Miura
Maserati Ghibli
COLLECTIBLE: Really to numerous to list..If enough time passes almost everything is collectible (look at the Nash Metropolitan, a hot collectible right now).
FUTURE SCRAP:
Mass-produced sedans that didn't have a big motor or high trim level.
Suvs with some exceptions such as original Land Rovers, FJ series Land Cruisers, G-Wagens, CJ-2
thru 5s.
Most pickups except for some oddballs w. collector potential (Dodge Red Wagons, that Dakota convertible and of course Power Wagons.
You'll let me know if I've forgotten anything.
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