This Week on Hagerty Marketplace: American V-8 Cruisers

For this check-on in Hagerty Marketplace, we’re focusing on three very different cars that still have quite a bit in common and could fill the same role in a collection. Each is V-8–powered and each is clearly more focused on comfortable cruising rather than speed or utility. For a collectible that sees occasional use and just-for-fun driving, any of the following would do quite nicely. We’ve sorted them in order of affordability, but even the least expensive on the list will turn heads. Which one would you choose for your collection?

2005 Ford Thunderbird

Sold for $18,725

The final generation of Ford Thunderbird (so far) came after the nameplate had been on hiatus for years. Its retro design was inspired by the early Thunderbirds of 1955–56, forgoing the more extravagant fins of the 1957 model but offering an optional hardtop that included portholes from that final year of first-gen production. Its platform, Jaguar V-8 engine, and dash were shared with the Lincoln LS sedan. Contemporary reviews of the Thunderbird praised it as a competent grand touring droptop. With 280 hp and a five-speed, performance was solid if not particularly sporty, with Ford smartly tuning the car to be a comfortable cruiser. This 39,000-mile example brought a solid price, nearly #2 (excellent) value, thanks perhaps to its rather rare Inca Gold paint job.

1957 Buick Special Riviera

Sold for $21,400

The ’50s marked a great time for American car styling, with manufacturers constantly trying to smooth, crease, or tweak designs to lure customers into the latest model. Buick spent the 1950s one-upping itself with ventiports and that brand’s signature sweep-spear profile, and 1957 marked what many Buick fans would call a pinnacle. New sheetmetal, new windshield glass, and a three-piece rear window (shared with Oldsmobile) gave the hardtop Riviera striking looks. Under the hood, a new 364-cubic-inch V-8 also gave it more power. It was a fantastic combination. This understated two-tone hardtop sold for just under its #3 (good) valuation, reflecting the few minor flaws in its refinished paint. Still, as evidenced by the videos in the listing, the V-8 has a healthy rumble and seems a bit more lively than you might expect from Buick’s staid ’50s reputation.

1967 Plymouth Sport Fury

Sold for $11,503

We’ve always been big fans of big ’60s coupes. They’re a great way to get behind the wheel of a beautiful V-8 two-door without paying the premium that comes with a lot of mid-sized muscle. The 1967 Sport Fury is a great example of packing sporty styling into a big, comfortable cruiser, and it marked the first year of the “Fast Top” with its upswept C-pillar that previewed the design of the 1968 Barracuda fastback. For 1967, the Fury was available with a slant-six, three versions of Chrysler’s big-block, and one small-block: a 230-hp, two-barrel version of the 318, which powers the car seen here. This black-roofed beauty has been in the same family since it was new and seems like it has been well maintained in factory condition. Its sale price put it a bit above its #3 (good) condition value, with its ownership history probably helping a bit. It seems like it has plenty of long-distance road trips and weekend car shows still in its future.