Classic Auto Classifieds

What classic cars are least/most expensive to maintain?

I would imagine it is easier to find parts for 1960s General Motors car than it'd be for a 1960s AMC because GM is still around. I don't know a lot about maintenance of cars, but any classic car I'd get would be worked on by my mechanic. What brands would be easiest to find parts for and hence least expensive to maintain? What brands most rare parts and expensive?

Public Comments

1. Until recently I owned a 1966 Porsche. I loved the car. Parts were hell. Any American made classic has a following in the US and networks you can contact to help you find what you need. In many cases, areas of the country specialize in restoring to like new condition many types of classic US made cars. My personal favorites are the muscle cars from the 60's and early 70's. I want to die in my short block, 340 4-speed 'cuda dude. BEEP BEEP!
2. The Datsun Zcars from 1970 to 1978 are cheap,easy to get parts for and are simpler to service than most anything I've ever encountered.Chevys and Fords have good parts availability but stay away from the others because parts can be a nightmare.Stay as far away as possible from Italian cars.
3. You can get re-pops for almost any early Ford and Chevy. The more popular the make and model is, the more aftermarket parts there are available for it. Parts are still pretty easy to get for the Mopars as well, but only the more popular muscle car models from the '60s and '70s, and they are more expensive due to the fact aftermarket parts have to meet OEM specs, and Mopar used the top grade metal in their engines, and the second grade in their bodies, just the opposite of Ford and Chevy. Any of these are a breeze to work on, and they don't require a set of jewelers screwdrivers or special tools like the early rice burners or other foreign models... plus a good American small block or big block will smoke anything ever made overseas in the quarter mile, new or old.
4. Means you're not doing it yourself, have you considered going straight out of the catalogue? Year One offers just about everything for the 69 Camaro through their catalogue, including the entire body made from fiberglass. It's possible to build it up almost entirely without ever having to go to another source or a junk yard. As far as AMC goes, a lot of the driveline parts were interchangeable. You may have a hard time finding body panels, but I don't think it'd be too hard to find much else. Sometimes there are people out there who just hoard one kind of auto. I know of a guy in Wyoming who has nothing but 55-57 Chevy's, but he must have acres of parts and hundreds of cars. Also, in a lot of these older cars, their engines are even more basic than what they are today. No computers, fuel injection, electric transmissions...everything is straightforward and easy to maintain. I know a lot of people who start out that way...learn the basics, then move up. I know in my '70, it took maybe an hour total to pull the drivetrain out...just a few wires and bolts...nothing serious. Just take a look around out there, and take a chance. SOmetimes it only takes one donor car to make your build-up perfect.