Celebrity Car Find
How do you appraise the value of celebrity ownership on a classic muscle car? This week Merlin Auto Group out of Atlanta, Georgia listed a 1969 Chevelle Big Block Convertible which was owned by legendary rock star Bruce Springsteen. In fact, they say it was displayed at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio in 2020. It was on exhibit there along with the surfboard which Springsteen was reported to carry in the car on his way to the beach in New Jersey.
The value of a celebrity owned vehicle is determined by several factors. Most important, it is vital to confirm the car’s history through documentation. In this case, a signed letter from Bruce Springsteen accompanies the car confirming his ownership. There is also a statement from his mechanic, and a photo of the license plate the car had when registered to Springsteen.
It is also important to consider the condition of the vehicle. Springsteen’s Chevelle has undergone a full rotisserie restoration in 2020. It was restored to the way it was described in a Springsteen song, Racing In The Streets. It has a big block Chevrolet 396 ci V8 engine, and a 4-speed manual transmission with a Hurst shifter. Now seen in Lemans Blue, it has a white convertible top and white bucket seat interior. (View all the photos at the ad link above. Photos include a shot of Springsteen in the car.)
The more famous the celebrity, the greater the collector value of the vehicle. While a Chevelle Big Block Convertible in Number 3 condition is worth over $54,000, the value of this celebrity version could be two to three times that number. Call Merlin Auto Group today to make your offer.
New Listings
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Classic Car News This Week
Getting Back on the Road
It looks like the Midwest is in for another blast of winter. We think it will be the final snowfall this year, though. So it might be time to think about getting the old car out of storage and prepping it for some cruisin’. Because old cars are very different from later model vehicles, and because they sometimes get left in cold storage for months during the winter season, there are some tricks and best practises that you need to consider before starting up the old buggy. This is where YouTube comes in handy. We like the video that Classic Motorsports magazine did on bringing your classic sports car out of hibernation. Click here to view their informative video on how to prep your car for the road after a long winter nap. Things like checking all your fluids, lubricating the cylinders before you fire it up and checking for leaks are the most obvious things to concentrate on. Every car loses air in the tires over the winter months, so that is imperative to check. My advice is to watch several videos on YouTube to jug your memory about best practises before firing the engine on an old car.
Spring Carlisle Auction
The upcoming Spring Carlisle Auction is on our Car Show Calendar for April 2024. They have announced this week that they are offering Half Price on bidder registration to Cars-On-Line.com newsletter readers if you register to bid now. Just use the code “Bidder2” when you register. Click here to find out how to register now. Remember, you don’t have to be present at the auction to place your bid. You can bid by phone or online. The Carlisle Auction is the big collector car auction that happens during the Spring Carlisle Car Show and Swap Meet, now in its 51st year. It is held at the Carlisle Expo Center across the street from the Carlisle Fairgrounds. If you haven’t seen the Spring Carlisle Car Show you should put it on your bucket list.
Inspection Report
A Cars-On-Line.com client ordered an inspection on a 1958 Chevrolet Apache Pickup. The two-tone Butterscotch and Cream Chevy pickup was a nice quality driver, according to the tech who inspected the truck. He said it had had an older restoration, probably over ten years old. The evidence was some cracked bondo in various body panels. There was some minor rust visible. But the inspector did not find any structural rust problems. A floor panel was cut out and replaced, but the inspector said it was a very professionally done. He also found some orange peel in the butterscotch upper doors. The truck drove and handled well, though. Overall it rated a Class Three condition. Since the buyer was looking for a good driver, this one fit the bill. Click here to read the report.
The first item on a buyer’s “Must Do” list should be to contact the Cars-On-Line Inspection Service with a network of inspectors all over the U.S. and Canada. You can read our inspection sample reports on the COL Inspection Referral Service page on our website.
This Weeks Featured Stories
1971 Pontiac Trans Am
This 1971 Pontiac Trans Am is significant because it was a Special Order car by General Motors of Canada for the Ontario Zone Office management. It was one of only 289 Trans Ams ever delivered to Canada making it very rare from a collector’s point of view. Today it is being offered for sale by its private party owner in London, Ontario, Canada. The Cameo White Code 11 exterior was complemented by its Dark Blue interior with Deluxe trim option Code 211. Under the hood is the original LS5 455 High Output V8 engine mated to an M40 Turbo Hydramatic 400 automatic transmission. And yes, those are ZR 5-spoke Rally 2 wheels. The seller reports that it has only 29,000 miles from new as represented by its previous owner. It is an older frame off restoration. The car is fully documented by GM of Canada.
Hennessey Corvette Carbon Z06
Another Canadian sports car enthusiast is selling his incredible 2011 Hennessey Corvette Z06 Carbon Edition ULZ. The Carbon Edition with ZR1 full carbon body includes the Z07 package with raised carbon fiber hood, black carbon fiber splitter and rockers, black wheels, mirrors and headlamps along with special badging and interior design. This special edition only came in two colors, this one is Supersonic Blue. Most important, the Z07 package included a range of special mechanical upgrades. Once ordered, this Carbon Edition was sent to Hennessey to work their magic. The Hennessey HPE700 performance upgrades with manual transmission and 3psi boosts the horsepower to 725 at 6300 rpm. Only 166 Supersonic Blue Corvettes were produced in 2011.
Auctions
Coming up next month is the Spring Carlisle Car Show and Swap Meet, one of the oldest and most respected collector car events in the country. One of the best parts of the show is the Spring Carlisle Auction where the Carlisle Events people put on a great collector car auction at the Carlisle Expo Center next to the Carlisle Fairgrounds. We will be there to see what we can buy. They have just started placing some of their auction inventory on the Cars-On-Line.com website this week. Here are some of the cars we will be watching.
1953 Corvette
It was Number 98 off the assembly line in 1953. This 1953 Corvette classic sports car will be offered for sale to the highest bidder at this year’s Spring Carlisle Auction during the Spring Carlisle Car Show and Swap Meet in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, April 18-19, 2024. It will be one of the star cars to be sold. The classic car retains its original VIN tag, body and frame. The Blue Flame 6 engine is correct and numbers matching. They say the body and paint on this classic Corvette is exceptional, and very original. The chrome and stainless is “exceptional,” while the interior is absolutely brand new and professionally installed. They say no expense was spared. You have to see the photo of the engine. How’d they get that in there? What do you think it will sell for?
1986 Ferrari F355 Replica
There are always some rare and desirable reproductions offered at the Spring Carlisle Auction. This year the most interesting replica is a 1986 Pontiac Fiero that has been restored as a Ferrari F355 Berlinetta. It has a 5-speed transmission and a 4.9L Cadillac V8 engine. Now there have been Ferrari replicas built before, but not with a big V8 engine. This one is a head turner and very well put together. You’ll be amazed at how they shoehorned the big V8 into the engine compartment.
1968 Camaro SS 396
The Spring Carlisle Auction will have a good selection of muscle cars like this 1968 Camaro SS 396 to be auctioned off to the highest bidder. Although there is no documentation offered on this one it does say that it has been built to RS/SS spec and has a big block 396. With the black finish and SS hood, this is a total reotissierie restoration, according to the Carlisle promos for this featured car. It has a black bucket seat interior. It also has Rally gauges and a 4-speed and 12-bolt rear end. It looks as clean underneath as on top.
Video Ads
1967 Chevrolet Nova
Dave at Southern Motors is bringing you another one of their top quality rides in video. The 1967 Chevrolet Nova runs as well as it looks. Dave says it is a clean Tennessee car that has undergone a body-up restoration with its factory Madera maroon paint with black vinyl top and original black interior. He shows you everything in detail in this very comprehensive video tour of the car. Click the video window above to watch. Notice all the upgrades so you can turn the key and enjoy.
Have you seen our CarsOnLine.tv Classic Car Video marketplace? To feature your car on CarsOnLine.tv, just add a video to your Cars-On-Line.com ad. Video ads have become the most important development for internet sellers. Just upload your video to YouTube and we’ll embed your video in your Cars On Line.com ad at no extra charge.
Here are a few more ads with interesting videos:
Collector Cars with Low Miles
1958 Chevrolet Biscayne
That’s a cool photo of this 1968 Chevrolet Biscayne all decked out as a police car. The private party seller from Orlando, Florida tells us it has just 17,000 original miles. The restoration is talked about in his description. He says it is “straight” and a consistent show winner. The police equipment can be removed if you want it to look stock original.
Here are more recent Low Miles additions:
1960 Chevrolet Impala, Spring Carlisle Auction, 49,300 actual miles
1998 Cadillac SLS, Spring Carlisle Auction, 35k miles
1986 Corvette Convertible, Spring Carlisle Auction, 37k miles
1993 Corvette 40th Anniv Convt from New Bedford, MA, 26k miles
1968 Buick Riviera, Streetside Nashville, 26,389 miles
You’ll find these and hundreds more in our Low Miles Section online now.
Project Vehicles for Restoration
1975 Ford Bronco
Looking a little rough for the wear, this 1975 Ford Bronco is an especially desirable vehicle right now. Classic Bronco 4X4’s have been hot ever since Ford came out with the new retro Broncos. It is equipped with an automatic transmission, 302ci V8 engine, 4-wheel drive system. This one will need extensive restoration to bring it back to life. But if you can do the restoration and body work, it could be a money maker.
The following are just some of the cars available in the Project Car Section this week:
1955 Ford Thunderbird, Beverly Hills Car Club, CA
1957 Porsche 356A, Gulllwing Motor Cars, NY
1969 Dodge Super Bee from Des Moines, IA
1958 Jaguar XK150 Roadster, Gullwing Motor Cars, NY
1975 Porsche 914, Gullwing Motor Cars, NY
1959 Mercedes-Benz 220S, Beverly Hills Car Club, CA
1966 Chevy Corvair Monza, Beverly Hills Car Club, CA
Find hundreds of project cars for sale in the Project Car Section.
Price Reduced
2016 Cadillac ATS
A private party seller from Michigan dropped the price on his 2016 Cadillac ATS Coupe this week. The black coupe has the 3.6L V6 Twin Turbo producing a lot of horsepower. With an 8-speed automatic you know is was born to perform. With very low miles, the seller says this late model luxury car has “never been wet.” He was originally asking $62,000 for this beauty. But just this week he dropped the price to $40,000. You can’t buy a new one for anywhere close to this price.
Here are more vehicles with price cuts this week:
| Vehicle For Sale | Original Price | Reduced To |
|---|---|---|
| 1972 Ford Ranchero | $35,500 | $25,500 |
| 1929 Cadillac LaSalle | $44,000 | $33,000 |
| 1931 Ford Vicky | $45,000 | $40,000 |
| 1929 Ford “Bobber” Hot Rod | $25,650 | $23,500 |
| 1988 Lincoln Mark VII | $12,500 | $9,500 |
Street Rods
See more great deals in the Street Rod Section, or watch the the New Listings page.
Rock n Roll 50’s
Find more in the Off Road Section on Cars On Line.com. There’s even more on the New Listings page!
Find more in the SUV Section online. You can see all the fresh ads on the New Listings page.
Fresh ads appear first on the New Listings page.
You can see all the fresh ads as they are listed each day on the New Listings page.
You can see all the fresh ads as they are listed each day on the New Listings page.
You can see all the fresh ads as they are listed each day on the New Listings page.
Chevy Muscle
Find more in the Camaro Section of our website.
Find more in the Ford Muscle Car Section, or watch the fresh listings as they appear on the New Listings page.
Check the Pontiac Performance Section for more. See all the fresh ads listed on the New Listings page.
Check the Oldsmobile Muscle Car Section . See more listed each day on the New Listings page.
Check out the Buick Muscle Car Section. More listed daily on the New Listings page.
You’ll find many more modern sports cars listed by year in the Late Model Sports Car Section.
Scroll through the Trucks & 4x4s Section for more. The newest ads come in on the New Listings page.
You’ll see more for sale in the Customs Section and on the New Listings page.
You’ll see more for sale in the Pro Street Section, or on the Cars On Line New Listings page.
See more for sale in the Truck Section or watch for fresh listings on the New Listings page.
See more great deals in the Luxury Section or on the New Listings page.
See more great deals in the Mustang Section and on the New Listings page.
Muscle Car Clones
1970 AMC Rebel Machine
American Motors collectors will love this one. This is a 1970 AMC Rouge dressed up as the legendary AMC Rebel Machine. Yes, it is a tribute. It’s the only one we’ve ever seen. Offered by Streetside Classics out of Nashville, they note that it has been restored to look like the Rebel Machine but has restomod upgrades, i.e. LS1 5.7 liter EFI V8, 5-speed manual transmission and shorty headers. What a unique piece!
The following are more recently listed Muscle Car Clones:
1969 Camaro, Spring Carlisle Auction, Yenko tribute
1967 Plymouth Belvedere II Convt, Streetside Phoenix, GTX tribute
1967 Mustang GT350, Streetside Phoenix, Shelby tribute
1968 Camaro, Spring Carlisle Auction, PA, Yenko tribute
1970 Dodge Challenger, Streetside Phoenix, R/T tribute
1970 Chevelle, USA Hot Cars, CA, Super Sport tribute
1969 Chevelle, Streetside Tampa, Yenko package
1971 Chevelle, Streetside Tampa, SS tribute
1966 Chevelle, Super Sport Classics, FL, SS tribute
1971 Chevrolet Nova, Streetside Phoenix, SS tribute
1969 Camaro, Super Sport Classics, SS tribute
1966 Chevelle Convt, Super Sport Classics, SS tribute
1967 Camaro, Super Sport Classics, SS tribute
1972 Chevelle, Super Sport Classics, Heavy Chevy tribute
1968 Chevy Nova, Streetside Nashville, SS tribute
1965 Pontiac Lemans, Streetside Nashville, GTO tribute
Make sure you watch our New Listings page for daily updates. There’s even more in the Muscle Car Section.
Deals of the Day
1965 Oldsmobile F-85
Beverly Hills Car Club listed a an unusual number of bargain priced cars in our New Listings this week. This 1965 Oldsmobile F-85 Holiday looks like a real “sleeper” deal. It looks great in the photos and they say it is mechanically sound. Finished in its factory Safron Yellow color over a black interior, this classic Cutlass is sleek and iconic. It comes with its 330 ci V8 engine, automatic transmission, Holley 4-barrel carburetor, power steering, dual exhaust, air conditioning, front bucket seats, a cigar lighter and fender mounted antenna. You should have a pre-purchase inspection done to determine how it goes down the road, but hurry. It will be our DEAL of the DAY on Saturday. The asking price is $15,750.
1954 Packard Convertible
Beverly Hills Car Club just posted a real interesting classic Packard convertible for sale. In fair No. 3 condition, this 1954 Packard Convertible would benefit from a total reconditioning. However, the opportunity to own such a desirable collector car is worth checking out. Be sure to have it inspected before you buy if you are not familiar with these cars. Although it looks solid the undercarriage would need to be inspected. The interior needs a total redo. The photos show a pretty complete package here, though. One thing is for sure … the price is affordable. It will be our DEAL of the DAY on Sunday because the asking price is only $26,600.
1959 Edsel Corsair
Restored about 10 years ago, this 1959 Edsel Corsair 2-Door Hardtop is said to be in “beautiful condition.” It is being offered for sale today by Country Classic Cars out of Staunton, Illinois. The Edsel was produced as a separate line of cars which were manufactured by Ford Motor Company even though it was marketed as a separate company. They say the paint and body are in excellent condition as is the interior. The car shows just over 61,000 miles on the odometer and stated by the previous owner to be actual miles. The car runs and drives well and would be a perfect starter car for your collection. It will be our DEAL of the DAY on Monday. Their asking price is just $20,950.
1950 Pontiac Streamliner
On the other hand, this 1950 Pontiac Streamliner looks real solid. It is another offering from Beverly Hills Car Club in Los Angeles. But even though the fastback exterior is in better then average condition, the interior really needs help. (Note the soiled door panels.) They say it is mechanically sound, so you mostly need to concentrate on the interior. It is equipped with a manual transmission with a three-on-a-tree and inline 8 cylinder engine with a single barrel carburetor. The Fisher body streamliner is very desirable among collectors. This one will be our DEAL of the DAY on Tuesday. Their asking price is $18,750.
1960 Chevrolet Bel Air
An interesting 1960 Chevrolet Bel Air was listed out of Des Moines, Iowa. It may be more of a project car, but the private party seller says it runs and drives well and “is dependable.” It has nice seats and the door panels are in “good shape,” he notes. The rust and condition is shown pretty well in the photos. It is interesting to note that the car has Air Ride on all four corners. He believes the engine is a small block 350 and the transmission is a 5-speed out of a Chevy S10. If you want a car you can drive while you fix it up, this may be the one for you. It will be our DEAL of the DAY on Wednesday next week. His asking price is only $8,500.
1954 Bentley R-Type
If you’ve always wanted to own a classic Bentley and are on a budget, well, here is your opportunity. The 1954 Bentley R-Type Saloon looks so nice in the photos that you might not catch at first that it needs a recommissioning. Thus the very low price. Here is a chance to own a right-hand-drive Bentley in classic stance and equipped with a rare automatic transmission. It has the straight six engine, SU dual carburetors, dual exhaust outlets, chrome trim, chrome bumpers with overriders, and the iconic Bentley “Flying B” hood ornament. It will be our DEAL of the DAY next week. Their asking price is $15,750.
1968 Buick Riviera
One of the great American sport luxury cars in history, a 1968 Buick Riviera, has been offered for sale by Beverly Hills Car Club this week. This one is truly an elegant looking big V8 grocery getter that looks like it belongs parked outside the country club. The Pearl White with a silver strike is stunning and sure to turn heads. The big 430 ci V8 moves this big luxury car with an Edelbrock 4-barrel driving an automatic transmission. It comes with air conditioning, power windows, and Buick GS badging. It will be our DEAL of the DAY later next week. The asking price is only $19,750.
Often there are more cars that deserve to be in the DEAL of the DAY than we can schedule for our front page feature. Here is a list of cars that just missed the cut for the DEAL of the DAY this week. Remember, you saw them here first:
| 1987 Rolls-Royce Silver Spur | $12,750 | Los Angeles, CA |
| 2005 Ford Thunderbird Anniv | $19,000 | Chandler, AZ |
| 1999 Corvette Convertible | $13,500 | Linthicum, MD |
| 1998 Lincoln Mark III LSC | $13,995 | Tampa, FL |
| 1993 Cadillac Fleetwood Brghm | $17,995 | Tampa, FL |
| 1993 Cadillac Fleetwood Brghm | $12,900 | Alsip, IL |
| 1995 Corvette | $17,995 | St Charles, MO |
| 2017 Jeep Renegade | $18,988 | Downers Grove, IL |
| 2005 Corvette | $24,995 | Phoenix, AZ |
| 1978 Cadillac Seville | $16,900 | Mundelein, IL |
| 1987 Chevy El Camino | $22,900 | Mundelein, IL |
Cars for under $10,000:
| 1984 Porsche 928 | $8,950 | Astoria, NY |
| 1984 Buick Riviera | $9,500 | Springfield, MO |
| 2004 Jaguar XJ8 | $6,900 | Flushing, MI |
Cars On Line features vehicles here based on their listed price. We are not endorsing these vehicles. We have not inspected or appraised any of the above vehicles. We are only pointing out that these vehicles are priced at a discount to the market. When you buy from a private party the purchase is always “as is” and “where is.” There is no warranty implied or given on any of these cars by Cars On Line. It is your responsibility as the buyer to protect yourself from misrepresentation of any car advertised. We strongly recommend having a vehicle inspected as one precaution before you buy. Click here to purchase a detailed vehicle inspection.
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Thank You
Thanks for reading Cars On Line ads. We really appreciate the community of car enthusiasts who read our website daily to keep up on what’s for sale. This newsletter is designed to make your efforts a little easier and give you a shot at the great deals when they first hit our pages.
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DISCLAIMER: Readers should be aware that the editiorial comments made in this newsletter are strictly the opinion of the author, Larry Kolb. Mr. Kolb offers his editorial opinion of the marketability of these cars based on information provided by the sellers. Neither Mr. Kolb nor Cars On Line.com has seen or inspected these cars. These comments are not to be mistaken for advertising, nor should they be considered an endorsement of any product. They are strictly editorial in nature. Neither Mr. Kolb nor Cars On Line will profit from the sale of any of the cars mentioned here. No warranty of these vehicles is implied or given. It is strongly recommended that anyone interested in the purchase of these vehicles should have them inspected before the sale.
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