Bracket Racer: 1966 Plymouth Belvedere II Hardtop

If I'm going to pay money for a classic car, its gonna be for the experience.  I'll pay for something that is unique, interesting, fast (or slow...depends on mood), and fun.  What I won't pay for is some silly badge of exclusivity, the latest trendy flashy cool car, an over priced restoration, or more money than some other guy in a Vegas style auction environment suited to the seller's best interest. This next car is something I could park my hard earned sawbucks into. Find this 1966 Plymouth Belvedere II Hardtop offered for $4900 in Petaluma, CA via craigslist. Tip from FuelTruck.

Got Back: 1995 Mazda Miata Fastback

Most people fall into either the "convertibles are OK" or "I would never own a convertible" camps.  For campers in the later position, when one brings up the quintessential convertible, the Mazda Miata, it's the old "I'd give Mazda my money if they built it as a coupe" song and dance.  Outside of Japan, those people have been out of luck.  Until now... Find this 1995 M-Edition Mazda Miata Fastback here for sale in Anaheim, CA for a price only Serious Buyers can find out, via craigslist.

Oh What A Feel...Zzzzzzz: 2003 Lexus SC430 Convertible Hardtop

The Lexus SC430 was introduced in 2001 with all of the ingredients to be a resounding success -- a reliable small displacement V8, a double wishbone suspension, rear wheel drive, a folding hardtop and room for two...unfortunately it had all the character of a box of kraft mac & cheese. However, now on the used market, it isn't a bad car for the cash if you aren't someone who wants to tear up apexes or live your life one quarter mile at a time.  Find this 2003 Lexus SC430 offered for $6,500 in New York via craigslist.  From Cory.

Speed Holes: 1964 Ford Galaxie Hardtop

I'm getting ready for the 4th of July and trying to get into the spirit of things , so I jumped when I saw a 2-door muscle car from tipper FuelTruck offered for a fabulous asking price.  What could possibly go wrong?  Find this 1964 Ford Galaxie Hardtop offered for $5995 via craigslist.  Tip from FuelTruck.

Brown Bomber: 1951 DeSoto Custom Sportsman

As a Gen-Xer, I really don't dig the American car of the 1950's. They don't really do much for me.  But, I think this next one would be really cool as a Rockabilly wreck in primer black with a little bit of red pin striping, white walls and some fuzzy dice.  Sacrilege?   Find this 1951 DeSoto Custom Sportsman for sale on Anderson Island, WA for $10,000 via craigslist.

2-Door Classic: 1969 Toyota Corona Deluxe

A few weeks ago I wrote a story about a Corona 2-door hardtop and mentioned that you don't see many of the 2-door versions for sale (for whatever reason), naturally this means the DT inbox would be flooded with the exact car that I claimed was rarely seen.  Find this 1969 Toyota Corona here on eBay bidding for $3,450 with 3 days to go, located in Huntington Beach, CA. Tip from Rod S.

Rare 2-Door: 1969 Toyota Corona Hardtop

The T40 generation Toyota Corona is by all accounts a good looking Japanese classic, and it should be with design input by the legendary Battista "Pinin" Farina himself.  We've featured various Corona sedans and wagons over the years on DT, but never before a Corona 2-door hardtop.  Find this 1969 Toyota Corona 2-Door Hardtop offered for $8,000 in San Pedro, CA via craigslist.  Tip from John.

Budget Mopar: 1966 Chrysler 300 2dr Hardtop

Who says you can't get a decent looking/running/driving 2-door V8 muscle car for $5,000 anymore?   Okay, I admit, that was me, but the truth is you don't get much for your money these days and 2-door Mopar muscle is no exception.  Find this 1966 Chrysler 300 2dr Hardtop offered for $5,500 in McKinleyville, CA via craigslist.

Auction Watch: 1960 Ford Starliner Hardtop

Take a look at this 1960 Ford Starliner Hardtop with 390 V8 and 4-speed here on eBay bidding for $18,100 reserve-not-met auction ending on Sunday.

The Hardtop Life: 1962 Buick Skylark

For the 1961 model year, General Motors introduced a new trio of compacts built on the original GM Y-chassis -- the Pontiac Tempest, Oldsmobile F-85, and Buick Special.  Buick introduced a luxury 2-door version mid model year known as the Special Skylark, and in 1962 the Skylark became its own model (again), now available in 2-door coupe and 2-door hardtop (pillar-less) versions.  The era of the compact Skylark ended after 1963 when the Skylark name was moved up-size to the mid-sized A-body, but the early 61-63 Buick Special/Skylark is one of the cheaper 2-door compacts around. Find this 1962 Buick Skylark offered for $10,000 in Houston, TX, via craigslist.

Dick Dean Kustom Bug: 1971 Shala-Vette Hardtop

Dick Dean was born Richard Dean Sawitskas, but ditched his unpronounceable last name when an announcer at the 1959 Autorama car show shortened it. A customizer by trade, Dick went on to run George Barris' famous Kustom City, where he did much of the dirty work on classics like the Batmobile, Munster Koach, and others -- but he also built a few custom VW based buggies, about 10 that were called the Shala-Vette.  Find this 1971 Shala-Vette here on eBay bidding for $1,000 reserve-not-met with 4 days to go, located in Thurman, OH.

Thursday Twister: No B-Post

Welcome back another edition of the Thursday Twister, DT's weekly quiz show where we discuss the stuff that nobody wants to talk about...not even us.   That doesn't really make sense, because I'll talk to anybody about anything, but that is probably a story better kept for a trained therapist.  Anyway, today we are looking for all the 4-door cars that are missing the B-pillar.

Tow It Home: 1964 Ford Falcon Futura Hardtop

The Ford Falcon looks great in 2-door Futura hardtop trim, particularly when painted in black and wearing steelies with dog dish style hubcaps.  Heck, this one even looks good sitting on a trailer, and that is indeed an unusual occurrence!  Find this 1964 Ford Falcon Futura Hardtop here on eBay bidding for $7,100 located in Eads, TN with 2 days to go.

Restomod Hardtop:1965 Dodge Dart

The Dart name first appeared as a Chrysler concept built by Carrozzeria Ghia in the late '50s, but the production version was released on 1960 as an inexpensive full sized Dodge.  A few years later the Dart was put on a diet and then mid-sized, but the anorexia continued until 1963 when it was a compact to compete with Chevy's Corvair, Ford's Falcon, and Studebaker's Lark. This next Dart started out as a simple 2-door driver but has been owned by the same owner since 1979 and is quite a screamer today. Find this 1965 Dodge Dart Restomod offered for $16,000 in Kingman, AZ via Craigslist.  Tip from FuelTruck.

Vintage Japanese: 1975 Toyota Celica GT Hardtop

This is All Toyota, All Day; DT's celebration of things made by Toyota.  The first generation Celica hit the pavement running at the 1970 Tokyo Motor Show with a sense of optimism befitting a young middle weight.  It wasn't a pricey supercar like Toyota's 2000GT, but it was so much more than the typical Corona or Crown coming out of Toyota at the time.  It was sporty, cheap, and its simplicity-over-muscle approach to the fuel crisis era pony car made it a first round knockout.  Find this 1975 Toyota Celica GT Hardtop here on eBay offered for $10,000 buy-it-now or make offer, located in Johnson City, TN.

15k: Sue Has Side Doors: 1961 Lincoln Continental Hardtop

 The 4th generation Lincoln Continental (1961-1969) is one of the most recognizable cars with a Lincoln badge on it that hasn't been driven around by a xanaxed Matthew McConaughey.  The suicide door equipped Conti gets plenty of screen time (Goldfinger, The Matrix, etc) but values are still low enough that the average Joe can afford one...for now.  Find this 1961 Lincoln Continental Hardtop here on eBay offered for $14,900 buy-it-now or make-offer located in San Pedro, CA.  Tip from Ignacio.