The original Rambler American was launched as a low priced sub-compact under the direction of George Romney. The junior Rambler was powered by a 195 cubic inch flathead-6 and sold for something in the range of $1800 when new...which adjusted for inflation is $16k in 2020 money. Today's example looks decent for the asking price and will get you smiles everywhere you go. Find this 1959 Rambler American offered for $8800 in San Francisco, CA via craigslist.
This next car comes from tipper Art who first writes: 3 on the tree 220 Deeeeeee! Kinda just rolls off the tounge, huh? Lotta cool for 5K... quick glance through looks clean. Can these stay cheap forever? Maybe, since they never die...And a few minutes later wipes a film of coronavirus repelling axle grease off his screen and sends us another message; I mean, minus the cost for a respray....Haha my phone screen was low, didn't notice the last few pics of the paint... still .... this kinda does it for me, be the only one on your block! Yup, you got it right Art. I drove one of these things for a few years and can tell you two things with certainty--(1), the interior build quality is second to none and (2) they are slower to 60mph than the Belarusian response to the coronavirus. Find this 1971 Mercedes-Benz 220D offered for $4999 in Fairlawn, NY via craigslist.
Production of the 3rd generation F-Series started in 1957 and only lasted a few years before it was phased out in 1961. It was a much more modern truck than its predecessor and featured fenders integrated into the body. Find this 1959 Ford F100 offered for $8,400 in Bonita Springs, FL via craigslist. 
The Ford Falcon shares most of its oily parts with Ford's cool as Steve McQueen Mustang coupe/fastback, but the Falcon was available in boring old 60s dad wagon trim...except that wagons are cool now. Find this 1964 Ford Falcon Wagon offered for $7,500 in Los Angeles, CA via craigslist. Tip from Pat L.
For whatever reason the automotive industry doesn't make small incremental improvements each year, and instead tends to make huge strides across time. Drive a 1960 Ford and then a 1965 and you won't notice much difference, but drive a 1955 Ford and the 1960 car seems like it is from another planet. The cars of the past few years have mostly stagnated in driving experience, but expect that to change as self driving and electric cars come into the market....Anyway, find this 1960 Ford Falcon sedan offered for $4,000 in Papillion, NE. Tip from Zach Z.
This week's Thursday Twister comes from Erik202 who writes: I have been having an ongoing conversation with my father about
what the last vehicle to be sold with a column shifted 3-speed (3 on the
tree) manual was. I think it has to be something like this 1979 Chevrolet C10. But I would love to know for sure!
One of the tricks when buying a used car is that you should always pick the example with the most options from the OEM. Those options can add up to tens of thousands of dollars on a modern luxury car, but you'll often get them for free when you pickup a used example because everybody looks at KBB and the options don't make much difference. What about on an older classic? The same principle applies, except that sometimes a low optioned car has a certain appeal...but how low can you go before it just becomes ridiculous? Find this 1970 Chrysler Newport Convertible currently bidding for $5,000 here on eBay
located in Flint, MI.