looking for a mid 60s sedan

[otto_kretschmer]

So I'm toying with the idea of getting an old car. Something old enough that I can do everything myself. I narrowed it down to something from the 60s and needs a straight 6 and a manual transmission.

I narrowed it down to a Mercedes 220, Ford Falcon and a Plymouth Valiant.

Plymouth




Ford



Mercedes

[unclebilly]

The merc or the falcon would be my vote.

[pwd72s]

The Falcon has the best lines. The Mopar slant 6 is possibly the most bulletproof 6 banger ever made...period! The Mercedes? About the same as the Porsche tax, parts cost wise.

Name your poison...

(edit) A fun read on the mopar slant 6

https://axleaddict.com/cars/slantsix

[otto_kretschmer]

I had a childhood friend who had an early 60s Mercedes 220 so I started looking for one and found a couple. I don't need a pristine car, a beater will suffice but everything must be there and not a wreck.

I looked for parts for a heckflosse and I couldn't find pistons. I know parts are available at mercedes classics but I'd like to get an idea how much they are before jumping in. I can get by with rebuilding a stock engine with old cams and lifters but I don't want to go through a rebuild and have an oil burner when I'm done. These cars were used all over the world and the motors were used in Unimogs so I'm confused why I can't find parts online. If I did a rebuild I would want new pistons, bearings and camchain. Even main bearings I could mic and do a platic gauge check and reuse the old ones if they are in spec.

For the US cars, parts availabilty isn't a problem.

[JackDidley]

That "Plymouth" is a Dodge Dart. I like it though. They are sort of a bargain right now.

[911boost]

That falcon will have the 170ci straight six right? I think the 200ci came out in ‘66. My Mustang has the straight six with a triple Weber carb set up on an Offy intake, it goes well.

[pwd72s]

Originally Posted by otto_kretschmer

I had a childhood friend who had an early 60s Mercedes 220 so I started looking for one and found a couple. I don't need a pristine car, a beater will suffice but everything must be there and not a wreck.

I looked for parts for a heckflosse and I couldn't find pistons. I know parts are available at mercedes classics but I'd like to get an idea how much they are before jumping in. I can get by with rebuilding a stock engine with old cams and lifters but I don't want to go through a rebuild and have an oil burner when I'm done. These cars were used all over the world and the motors were used in Unimogs so I'm confused why I can't find parts online. If I did a rebuild I would want new pistons, bearings and camchain. Even main bearings I could mic and do a platic gauge check and reuse the old ones if they are in spec.

For the US cars, parts availabilty isn't a problem.

Sounds like you've made your choice. Have fun!

[otto_kretschmer]

Originally Posted by JackDidley

That "Plymouth" is a Dodge Dart. I like it though. They are sort of a bargain right now.

a Dart would be acceptable, even a Chevy Nova of the same era. As long as its a straight iron block 6.

My friend and his car are gone. If he was still around I offer to help him get the 220 running and we could do silly things like go see the Statue of Liberty on a whim and drive back.

I still have my 76 911s in my garage and its an official hanger queen. If I take it on road trips, I'll have to car camp and stay in KOAs. I'm not going to leave it in a Motel 6 parking lot overnight.

[pavulon]

‘64 comet.

[LWJ]

So I just looked at local (Portland) craigslist for this to see what else is out there with your specs.

You do have some great options.

I would like to call your attention to a S220 with 89,000 original miles for $2000 however.

They mentioned minor rust, which could be major rust. But, this may be your car. I didn’t study the pics at all-disclaimer!

Good luck. Fun toy.

EDIT: I was so excited I didn’t read that it was an automatic! Sorry.

[masraum]

I'd love to have a 60s vehicle as a weekend toy and tinker project. My first car was a 1965 Chevy Impala 2dr, V8, 4spd. It was fun, and in the grand scheme of things, reasonably reliable, and definitely easy to work on.

[Z-man]

I know you narrowed it down, but if I were in your shoes, I would be looking at something like a 1963 Studebaker Avanti R2 with a Supercharged V8:


It is different, and the pinnacle of 1960's futuristic design.

[Chocaholic]

If the Falcon were mostly rust free...that would be my choice.

62 Falcon Ranchero in NC. Go find another

https://greensboro.craigslist.org/cto/d/greensboro-ford-falcon/7410197488.html

[herr_oberst]

How about an early SUV? This Dodge TownWagon is easy to work on, has a straight 6 and a 4 speed (With a granny first) and lets you see ahead in traffic!

[GH85Carrera]

If you expand your year range to the early 70s, there are a lot of American cars that are popular, and parts are readily available from manufacturers like OPGI. In fact, go to the OPGI or other parts sellers web sites, and see what cars they cover.

If you want 60s rare foreign cars, parts can be a chore to find. I would bet there is a forum for most every old car type. Join some forums, and ask the enthusiasts about parts availability, and sources.

Even better see if there is a local car club for the 60s cars and talk to some owners.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by Chocaholic

If the Falcon were mostly rust free...that would be my choice.

62 Falcon Ranchero in NC. Go find another

https://greensboro.craigslist.org/cto/d/greensboro-ford-falcon/7410197488.html

Which is AWESOME!

[red-beard]

My idea of picking up an old vehicle to restore or restored would be a late 1940's/early 1950's pickup truck.

[Robert Coats]

In 1969, my dad decided our family needed a second car; as an engineer, he 'slide ruled' all the numbers and narrowed it down to a brand-new Valiant or Falcon. He went with the Plymouth, even though my mom hated to Coppertone bronze paint and its lack of power steering and A/C.

Seven years later, I got the keys and found out why you avoid any sizable puddle fording, as the lousy drum brakes hated water more that the Wicked Witch of The East. So I'd strongly think about retrofitting at least the fronts to disc brakes...

But that slant six, 200 or so cu. in. of cast iron reliability. After 20+ years of service, the engine ticked a bit, and would only get the car up to what felt like a governed 65 mph.

[otto_kretschmer]

Originally Posted by LWJ

So I just looked at local (Portland) craigslist for this to see what else is out there with your specs.

You do have some great options.

I would like to call your attention to a S220 with 89,000 original miles for $2000 however.

They mentioned minor rust, which could be major rust. But, this may be your car. I didn’t study the pics at all-disclaimer!

Good luck. Fun toy.

EDIT: I was so excited I didn’t read that it was an automatic! Sorry.

yea, its an auto... but it looks ok

[otto_kretschmer]

Originally Posted by herr_oberst

How about an early SUV? This Dodge TownWagon is easy to work on, has a straight 6 and a 4 speed (With a granny first) and lets you see ahead in traffic!

I once had an International Harvester Travelall. They've gotten crazy expensive when you can find one now.