The Original Wide Body: 1966 Dodge Coronet 440 Manual

In 1965 the Coronet name was revived for use on a Dodge product, this time an intermediate sized sedan that immediately became the highest volume Dodge from a sales perspective. This fifth generation Dodge Coronet was built on a shared intermediate sized platform with the Plymouth Belvedere/Savoy/GTX/Road Runner and Dodge Charger from 1965 through 1970...and it is a beast of an automobile. Find this 1966 Dodge Coronet 440 Manual offered for $16,500 in Burlingame, CA via craigslist. Tip from FuelTruck.

Mopar Rules: 1975 Plymouth Scamp

Remember the other day when I wrote that the V8 and 4-speed was overrated?  Yeah...I may have been a bit tipsy from the Manhattan that Kaibeezy taught me to make the other day..and the reports of the death of the V8 and manual box have been greatly exaggerated.  Find this 1975 Plymouth Scamp offered for $10.900 in Strasburg, ND via craigslist. Tip from FuelTruck.

4Speed LT1: 1975 Chevrolet Corvette C3

I know that everybody loves to hate on the plastic bumper C3 generation Corvette -- yeah the chassis is a loose as wizard's cuff...and the low compression carburetor fed V8s are terrible and build quality is on par with the worst best stuff at Harbor Freight...but they have a certain aesthetic charm, and chicks dig 'em.  So, I have to say I'm surprised that one equipped with a late model LT1 and 4-speed goodbox is this inexpensive. Find this 1975 Chevrolet Corvette C3 offered for $7999 in Huntington Station, NY. Tip from FuelTruck.

Mustang Cousin: 1968 Mercury Cougar XR-7

The first generation Mercury Cougar was a bit more than just an up-market Mustang coupe.  It offered a few unique accouterments that were not available on the Mustang (such as pop-up hidden headlights) AND it was only available with V8 power (no wimpy inline-6s for the Cougar). As an additional hidden bonus, today's Cougar is both the hot-rod XR-7 version AND equipped with a 4-speed toploader gearbox.  Find this 1968 Mercury Cougar XR-7 offered for $14,000 in Carrollton, TX via craigslist. Tip from FuelTruck.

8 Cylinders, 4 Speeds: 1976 Chevrolet Monza

The following car comes from tipper Rock On, who writes: Yeah, I know your Mom’s V-6 Camry with 301 horsepower will eat this thing for breakfast. But, there is one thing this car can do better than any fwd or awd car. Long, smokey, John Force approved burn outs. This is essentially a factory built V-8 Vega. You better put your order in at Costco for some 13 inch tires now.  Find this 1976 Chevrolet Monza offered for $4,500 in Detroit, MI via craigslist.

Born on the 4th: 1965 Chevrolet Corvair Monza

It must be getting near the 4th of July because I'm getting that tingly feeling all over my body, which is either the all consuming pride of being a citizen of the greatest country on earth, or some kind of psoriasis.  Truth be told...it don't get much more 'Murican than ignoring a self-diagnosed and un-treated skin condition, but I'm going to up the patriotism around here with a sweet piece of American history - the most badass aircooled flat-6 powered machine to roam the roads. Find this 1965 Chevrolet Corvair Monza offered for $6,500 in Westport, WA via craigslist.

Copper Magic: 1980 Mazda RX-7

The original (SA or FB) generation Mazda RX-7 is a delicious modern classic for the budget car shopper who doesn't mind a 4-speed gearbox or a copper/goal paint job..  Prices are about as low as they will ever go and should be on the way up.  If you find a nice one, own/drive it for a few years, you might not lose a dime on it, even if you budget for a minor engine rebuild every 75k miles. Find this 1980 Mazda RX-7 offered for $3200 in North Dallas, TX via craigslist.  Tip from Sam.

Brown Time Capsule: 1969 Mercedes-Benz 250 4-Spd

The W114/115 chassis is the rugged 60s/70s era Mercedes-Benz E-class predecessor that is frequently a great deal for a cool classic.  The W114 is often overshadowed by the fancier front end and stacked headlamps of the W108/109 chassis, but some prefer the clean and simple lines of the smaller sibling in the Benz family.  For whatever reason, the W114 occupies one of those weird niches in the classic car world - it's old enough to be gazed upon fondly through the tint of nostalgia, yet not particularly revered among Euro car guys with cash...but today's example is something special.  Find this 1969 Mercedes-Benz 250 4-Spd offered for $12,500 near Phoenix, AZ via craigslist. Tip from FuelTruck.

4-Speed Coupe: 1978 Ford Granada

The Ford Granada was introduced for the 1975 model year as a planned replacement for the Maverick, but the fuel crisis kept the fuel friendly Maverick in production while the Granada/Monarch/Versailles moved up to a "luxury compact" status.  Find this 1978 Ford Granada offered for $4,500 in chillicothe, OH via craigslist. Tip from Rock On.

Oil Fried Chestnut: 1979 Mercedes-Benz 240D 4-Speed

The W123 Mercedes-Benz is known for three things; they are extraordinarily slow, last longer than an unopened can of Spam, and were sold in the most awesome colors of the un-rainbow.  Find this 1979 Mercedes 240D 4speed offered for $5,800 in Houston, TX via craigslist.

4-Speed 289: 1967 Mercury Cougar

The Mercury Cougar offered buyers a premium Mustang experience when new, but years later the Cougars offer the same Mustang chassis in a package that isn't quite as ubiqutous for less money.  What you do get is the same access to a huge collection of aftermarket repro parts, immense knowledge base (you won't be the first person to have the problem) and standard V8 plus available 4-speed.  Find this 1967 Mercury Cougar offered for $7,000 in San Francisco, CA via craigslist.  Tip from FuelTruck.

10k: Turbo 4-Speed: 1965 Chevrolet Corvair Corsa Convertible

The second generation Chevrolet Corvair continues to be a favorite topic of discussion around the water cooler at DT HQ.  (Actually, this isn't true, because even if there was a DT HQ, we'd be drinking beer, whiskey, or tap water).  Prices for the 'Vair continue to be great for the buyer when you consider the general appreciation of all things 60's, particularly sporty models with manual transmission.  Find this 1965 Chevrolet Corvair Corsa Convertible here on eBay currently bidding for $8,600 with a few hours to go, located in Greenville, SC.

20k: Blast Off: 1969 AMC Hurst SC/Rambler

Exactly 46 years ago to this day (May 18th, 1969) the Apollo 10 mission launched from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.  You won't recognize the names of the commander (Thomas P Stafford) and his two pilots (John W. Young & Eugene A Cernan) but the Apollo 10 mission was in essence a dry run of the first successful moon landing, which made household names of Armstrong and Aldrin.  But what the guys who didn't mess up a quote when walking on the moon for the first time did do was to set the record for the highest velocity achieved by an unmanned vehicle at 24,971 mph according to Guinness (the world record folks, not the brewer).  Step back in time and pickup a car that might be driven by a young astronaut, like this 1969 AMC Hurst SC/Rambler found here on eBay currently bidding for $24,100 reserve-not-met with 2 days to go, located in Schenectady, NY.

15k: 429 Cobra Jet Powered: 1970 Ford Torino Coupe

 This next feature comes from DT regular Andy L who writes:  Here is a car that seems to occupy an unusual niche.  It is a real live big block muscle car with a 4-speed that has not been restored, molested or otherwise permanently devalued and falls well within the DT $20K limit.  While it is not perfect, it seems to be a car that nearly anyone could jump into and see what a blue collar gear-head of the 70's might have enjoyed.  Find this 1970 Ford Torino Coupe with 429 V8 power and 4-speed manual found here on eBay located in Gaines, MI with 1 day to go.

5k: Scarlet Fever: 1975 BMW 2002 4-speed

Another day, another good looking BMW 2002 with 4-speed manual gearbox found bidding on eBay for a decent price with no reserve.  New class platform car prices are on the way up, but what hasn't changed in the past decade is that the BMW 2002 is a great starter classic for the man or woman on a budget.  Find this 1975 BMW 2002 here on eBay currently bidding for $6,600 with 2 days to go located in Pacoima, CA.

2k: 4-Carbs 4-Speeds: 1965 Chevrolet Corvair

Anyone in the large goods resale business will tell you that you don't make money when you sell an object, you make money when you buy.  You might be able to squeeze a few more bones from a particular buyer if he/she has an emotional reason to buy a particular item, but the market price is usually the market price, so when you make cash is when you buy something below the market price.  Like this 1965 Chevrolet Corvair 4-speed offered for $2,100 in Simi Valley, CA via craigslist.