The $5,000 Challenge, cabin fever edition
We’re deep in the heart of winter in Vermont, which, this year anyway, means snow accumulations measured in feet and daytime high temperatures that often struggle to break into the double digits. For those of us with unheated garages, cabin fever has most definitely set in, meaning it’s prime time to dream about warmer weather and summer projects.
This crop of $5,000 challenge candidates features a little something for everyone, from compact British cars to dump-bed trucks. There’s even a blank-canvas Mustang in the mix, and a Buick Riviera with a remarkably intact interior that needs saving. The days are getting longer, and winter won’t last forever, so which of these five projects would you most like to welcome into your own (soon-to-be-warm-enough-to-work-in) garage?
The Mustang II was an important car for Ford, as it kept the Mustang line alive and contributed significantly to the automaker’s bottom line. It’s also among the least-loved of Mustang models, thanks to its anemic base four-cylinder engine, built with an eye on fuel economy over performance.
Which makes this 1978 Ford Mustang II something of a blank canvas. The years have not been particularly kind to the car, and while many mechanical issues have been addressed, the interior and exterior need serious attention. No one will think less of a builder who drops in a more potent engine, and the list of Ford Motor Company options is long indeed. We’d opt for a forced-induction four to keep weight down, update the interior and use the exterior to practice our filler and paint skills. The most frugal builders could easily end up with a pleasant driver for under $5,000, based on this example’s $1,995 asking price.
“Well preserved” isn’t a phrase we often associate with farm trucks pushing the seven-decade mark, but this 1947 GMC two-ton dump bed is certainly an exception to the rule. Mechanically speaking, the seller’s description sounds as if only the braking system needs to be rebuilt, as the engine and dump bed are both functional. The truck wears its original green and black livery, leaving its next (and second) owner with a choice: preserve the truck as is, or restore it for use as something like a vintage car hauler. The asking price? $4,500.
For those with limited mechanical, upholstery or paint skills, the old car hobby can be a bit daunting. A car needing all of the above can be a bit much for a first-timer to take on, which makes this Chrysler (“big as a whale,” in the words of the B-52s) particularly appealing for those seeking a first old car. The description is a bit brief, but based on the pictures the plus-size sedan needs just upholstery repair to make it a respectable weekend driver, if not a regional show winner. That leaves both time and money to learn the finer points of spinning wrenches on a 440-cu.in. V-8. The asking price? $4,950.
From 1963 into the early 1970s, Buick’s Riviera was among the most stylish of “personal luxury cars” produced by domestic automakers. This restoration candidate 1966 model comes from the first year of the second generation, which proved to be a sales success for Buick. Buyers snapped up over 45,000 “new” Rivieras that year, and while not an uncommon car, the early second generation models do stand out from the crowd. This example needs paint, but its interior appears to be surprisingly well-preserved. It’s not clear what other “minor repairs” the seller is referring to, but at an asking price of $4,500, someone needs to save this Riviera for future generations to enjoy.
Hillman reportedly put eight years of engineering effort into the 1957 version of its Minx, and the new model was designed with an emphasis on the American market. Though still small, the car could now seat five adults, four comfortably. Power still came from a 1,390cc four cylinder, but output was raised from 47 horsepower in 1956 to 51 horsepower in 1957, thanks to a bump in compression from 7.0:1 to 8.0:1. This example is said to be complete, and is sold with manuals and some spare parts. It was running as recently as 2014, meaning that the car’s next owner can likely enjoy the import sedan as he chips away at its restoration. The asking price? $1,650.
If you have a sub-$5,000 vehicle you’re looking to sell, Hemmings is now offering a discounted ad package that include a month of print advertising and 90 days of online advertising at a significantly reduced rate. You’ll find complete details on the special offer here.