What is the oldest car you own?
We truly hope everyone in the Hagerty Community enjoys participating in this series, According to You, in which we amplify the contributions of our loyal readers and commenters! Your responses to our various questions are often both enlightening and—dare I say it—heartwarming. Last week’s answers were no different, as we asked a very open-ended question that led to some fantastic answers. So, in the interest of balance, this week’s question will be far easier to answer: What is the oldest car you own?
Here’s mine. Well, not exactly, because the above image is a manufacturer press shot; I neither have a picture of my Continental Mark III, nor can I remember if it is a 1970 or a 1971. And I really should have a picture of it, considering what I do for a living and how enjoyable these cars are for Lincoln enthusiasts.
The Mark III has sat for months, mostly due to a bad front main seal on its 460 big-block, and I haven’t had the time to do it myself. I probably could, but it’s gonna require some training on my end, and I’d prefer if someone else did it. Finding someone has been harder than expected, or perhaps I am asking the wrong people. It is a very nice car, drives well, and even has a new Magnaflow exhaust with just a little rumble. Sigh.
The more words I type about my Mark III, the more depressed I get about its current state. Anyone want to teach me how to do a front main seal on a big-block Ford? Just kidding (sort of). Anyway, let’s answer the question at hand:
What is the oldest car you own?
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I have three fairly old cars. The oldest is a 1931 Ford Model A deluxe coupe which my father originally bought (and restored) in the mid sixties. I also have his 1956 Studebaker pickup which he bought brand new. My favorite is my recently restored 1963 Porsche 356 B. All work on that was done by me, except the seats and the dash and the rebuilding of the transmission. I bought that car as a basket case in 2008.
I drive a 1986 GMC Caballero with the 4.3 TBI V-6. It still runs like a top with over 400,000 miles on the clock, never had the heads off.
I HAVE A 1966 MUATANG I BOUGHT NEW, A 289 COUPE 3 SPEED MANUAL. I HAVE HAD TIME TO FIX IT UP SINCE I AM RETIRED NOW. IT IS MOSTLY ORIGNAL. I AM ALMOAST 80 AND STILL ENJOY DRIVING IT.
1985 Honda CRX Si. Bought new, always a toy, always garaged. Only 66k miles. Stock except for Tokiko Illumina adjustable struts. They just don’t make lightweight 1800 pound cars anymore! Even the new Lotus Emira weighs 3000 pounds. Nothing beats opening the sunroof and going for an early Sunday drive once a month. Handles like a go kart. Revs like a Honda. Always leaves me smiling.
1921 Dodge Touring cared for since 1991
1956 Chevy, 2 door b210 coupe. Corvette 84 yellow. I’m 6 years younger! 5 on the floor, stroked 350, 3 two setup!
The oldest car I own is a brewster green 1973 Firebird Trans Am that I took delivery of new in 1973 after waiting for 3 months. I ordered it optioned in brewster green with the 455 engine, close ratio four-speed manual transmission, tilt steering, A/C, deluxe saddle brown interior, rear nerf bars, rain gutter delete, radial tires, etc. It has been an absolute hoot to drive this car for the last 50 years and still handles incredibly well. It is not a daily driver and hasn’t been for many years – only show & shine’s now. My wife and I bought it when I was 23 years old just out of university.
I’m 78 and unless I counted wrong, the one I’m drivin, 1951 Chevrolet Styleline Deluxe, is number 46 cars I’ve had. Oldest one being a 1930 Chevrolet Sedan (street rod) and the newest one which I am currently driving, a 2002 Cadillac Eldorado. I drive the 51 once a week to the local cruise in. I asked my grandchildren who wants the 51 when I’m gone and they all looked at me like I was nuts. Hate to see our hobby goin down the tube. Lotta nice old cars out there. I like to think mine is nice. It’s a 8 out of 10.
1968 Firebird. Frame off restoration that took me three years to finish. Three speed stock HD Dearborn transmission. Purchased from the original owner with all the original paperwork. Beautiful car.
1960 Elva Courier I am the only orginal owner of an Elva world wide.
1976 Nova, Purchased in 1988 as my first car at 19-years old. The Nova was only 12 years old at the time but seemed ancient in 1988.
What’s strange is, that’s equivalent to a 2011 car today but 2011 cars don’t seem so old. Heck, my 2008 Solstice was 13 years old when I purchased it in 2021 but still feels modern even today. Worse yet, my son’s 1999 Camaro Z28 was 24 years old when he bought it earlier this year and it also feels modern.
Four pages of comments, and only nine posters own unbutchered prewar cars or trucks, half the rest are members of the Used Car Club of America.
My oldest car is a 1966 Mustang fastback. Bought it in 2011 as a project. Disassembled it and put it on a rotisserie to do the metal work. Had a lot of rust to repair, including half the floorboard. After 122 months of work, I got it back on the road last month — just in time to put it up for the winter! I am rebuilding a wide ratio T10 and plan to replace the close ratio T10 that’s in it this winter.
Although I have had a couple of old cars since the turn of the millennium (1960 Chev Belair 2 door post and a 1966 Valiant Signet (Dodge Dart GT in the US), I currently have a low mileage 2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser that I really love to drive around and do errands with. It’s got just the right mix of electronics and safety equipment without being absurdly overbearing. It’s also really comfortable and I think it’s Cool looking.
I’m the owner for 46 years of a 1973 Mustang Mach1 in medium Aqua with a 351 cleveland