M3/4/5: 1997 BMW M3 4-Door

In the classic car market coupes are almost always worth more than sedans...but there are a few notable exceptions, such as the mid 60s Lincoln Continental (the suicide door equipped sedan is way cooler and more expensive than the coupe) and possibly the E36 generation M3.  The 2-door M3 coupe was certainly more common, but a 4-door E36 M3 5-Speed (aka the E36 M3/4/5) does seem to command a premium due to its additional usability and rarity. Find this 1997 BMW M3 4-Door offered for $7995 in Brattleboro, VT via craigslist. Tip from TeleArrow.

1946 Mercury Eight Sedan

The second generation Mercury Eight was first introduced in 1941 with bodyshell shared with the '41 Ford and flathead V8 power. The design was frozen during the war and emerged back in 1946 with a revised grille, but the same reputation for being fast and fun.  Find this 1946 Mercury Eight Sedan offered for $6,500 in Norther MN via craigslist.  This post is part of DT's 2016 Birthday Celebration of 100 cars; enjoy the ride!

KA24E Swapped: 1971 Datsun 510 Sedan

The Datsun 510 was produced from 1968-1973  as Nissan's compact sedan offering for worldwide consumption.  But it was more than just another cheap economy car to rust in junk yards a few years later -- it was engineered to be an enthusiasts car, had European inspired sheet metal designed by Nissan's Teruo Uchino, and featured rugged overhead cam L-series power.  Find this 1971 Datsun 510 Sedan with KA24E swap offered for $6,000 in Hayward, CA via craigslist.

5k: Bentecono Box: 1972 Datsun 510 4 Door

The Datsun 510 (known as the Bluebird outside the US & Canada) was a compact Japanese sedan with econobox roots, but a surprisingly sporty attitude.  The combination of low curb weight, decent engine, stiff chassis (relatively speaking), and rear wheel drive was an instant recipe for fun.  Find this 1972 Datsun 510 4 Door offered for $8,500 in Fremont, CA via craigslist. Tip from Gianni. 

10k: KA24DE Power: 1971 Datsun 510 Sedan

The Datsun 510/Bluebird was a small sedan (2-door, 4-door, or wagon) built in Japan and sold from 1968 through 1973.  Their boxy good looks have stood the test of time better than most other Datsuns from the same time period, and if you like the 510 sedan's style you'll dig this next feature.  Find this 1971 Datsun 510 Sedan with KA24DE power offered for $8,500 in Palm Springs, CA via craigslist. 

5k: No Love: 1966 Chevrolet II Nova 4-Door Sedan

I always feel sorry for well preserved 4-door muscle cars.  They get no respect.  It is a shame because they do offer more room for your kids, plus easy rear seat access for adults...and they can be picked up for cheap.  Find this 1966 Chevrolet Nova 4-Door Sedan offered for $8000 in Phoenix, AZ.  Tip from FuelTruck.

5k: 4-Doors Good: 1973 Mazda RX2 Sedan

The Mazda Capella (as it was known in Japan) was badged as the Mazda 616 or 618 for export, but once you selected the rotary engine they slapped on an RX-2 badge and threw an extra case of motor oil in the trunk.  The RX-2 was one of the first cars available for sale in the US with rotary power and isn't seen on the road often today. Find this 1973 Mazda RX2 Sedan offered for an undisclosed price in Los Angeles, CA via craigslist.

15k: LS1 All Things: 1965 Buick Wildcat 4-Door Sedan

 When first released to the public in 1962 the Wildcat name was used to identify an option package on the Buick Invicta line, but in 1963 the Wildcat became its own model.  The Wildcat was built on GM's full size B-platform which meant it shared key dimensions and parts with the Buick LeSabre, Chevrolet Impala,  Pontiac Catalina, Pontiac Laurentian/Bonneville and Chevrolet Bel Air.  Stock power plants in 1965 included a few gigantic 7.0 and 7.5 liter V8s from the Buick catalog, but who wouldn't want a modern engine with more power and less weight?  Find this 1965 Buick Wildcat LS1 currently bidding for $16,900 buy-it-now or best offer in Atkins, IA via ebay.

10k: For The Birds: 1962 Buick Invicta 4-Door Hardtop

Alfred Hitchcock's 1963 classic horror movie The Birds was released three years after his infamous and ground breaking film Psycho.  The Birds did away with the abject terror of the depraved slasher and instead used a combination of sodium vapor spit screen (instead of the standard blue screen which would have cause visible anomalies during high speed wing flapping) and a scoreless soundtrack.  The typical symphonic background music that theater goers had been accustomed to was replaced with bird-like squawks created by something called an electroacoustic trautonium.  Today watching Psycho is a campy but creepy event, but watching The Birds is downright frightening to the ornithophobist in anyone.  This next car, a 1962 Buick Invicta sedan found in Napa County, CA offered for $10,000 via craigslist, was used as a background car in The Birds and was allegedly used to transport Mr. Hitchcock at least once.

5k: 1998 BMW E36 M3 Sedan; Clean, One-Owner

The E36 BMW M3 was sold from 1995-1999 with a sweet sounding inline 6, a 5 speed shift-it-yourself-transmission and standard limited slip differential.  The coupe version is far more common and most have been pimped out or crashed by Instagramming teenagers, but the sedan version has room for your kids and qualifies as a sleeper.  This 1998 BMW E36 M3 sedan is for sale by the original owner in Fullerton, CA for $7500 asking via craigslist.

5k: US Army Staff Car, 1956 Chevy 150 4-door

The Chevy 150 was the economy and fleet version of the Chevrolet car from 1953-1957.  It shares many components with the consumer oriented 210 and Bel Air models but was tailored to meet the needs of fleet use.  Today's featured 1956 Chevy 150 is an ex-US Army Staff Car and is for sale in Moss Landing, CA for the buy-it-now price of $6,000 via ebay.