7 Classic Cars with great resale value

Do you have a soft spot for classic cars? With a range of classic cars for sale on Junk Mail, we wanted to highlight some of the popular classics you can find right here in South Africa. Aside from their resale value, these cars have a rich history and can get the heart of any motoring enthusiast revving.

For this blog post, we have rounded up some of the popular classics ranging to include the Dodge Charger, Morris Minor and, of course, the Chevy Impala. No matter the year, make or model, each of these classics offers something unique and special, as a part of history and a collectible from the period.

Want to know more about these classics, their age, their history, interior, exterior, features and performance? Then get comfortable and allow yourself to be taken back in time to when classic cars ruled.

1970 Dodge Charger

The 1970 Dodge Charger was built for speed, and just a bit of fun. In 1970, the Charger Daytona cemented its place in history when Buddy Baker was the first driver to have gone at over 200 mph per lap on a course at the Talladega Speedway. This record was unbeaten for many years and helped turn the 1970 Charger into something special.

Standard Chargers, compared with the 1970s options had a three-on-the-tree manual as opposed to a four-speed manual transmission, a four-barrel V8. The other options to choose between included front power disc brakes, heavy-duty drums, axle packages and much more.

The 1970s Dodge Charger included only small changes, with an inch added, as well as 14-inch wheels, as opposed to the 15-inch standards.

The Standard 1970 Charger came with self-adjusting brakes, heavy-duty suspension, rear bumper guards as well as a three-spoke steering wheel, deep-pile carpet and vinyl bench seat.

Options with the Dodge Charger for sale also included: a sunroof, air conditioning, radios, speakers and a tinted hood, among the many on choice.

The 1970 Cadillac DeVille

The sales for the 1970 Cadillac, in the various models set a divisional record. There were a total of five models to choose from including the Calais, Fleetwood Sixty-Special, Fleetwood Seventy-Five, Fleetwood Eldorado and the DeVille.

The DeVille was available as a four-door sedan, four-door hardtop sedan, two-door convertible or two-door coupe, meaning the choice was almost unrivalled among the models produced. These now classic cars for sale had a range of the same, and many similar features as the Calais models, along with a host of special features including control front seat adjusters and rear cigarette lighters.

The exterior of this Cadillac was distinctive in the DeVille script found on the rear as well as various light lenses and bumper shape. A new feature that was found was the body colour and the border around the edges.

Options for these now classic cars included: Automatic Climate Control, Cruise control, Special paint options, leather upholstery and carpets with matching instrument carpet panels.

1956 Morris Minor

The Morris Minor was first introduced in 1948 and over 1 million were produced between then and 1972. At first only two models were available a two-door saloon as well as a two-door convertible but from 1950 a four-door saloon was introduced.

The car was known for its spacious interior as well as for its handling and affordability for many.

The 1956 Morris Minor was known for it transformation. This was seen in both the exterior and interior features, from the new windscreen, rear window as well as the rear wings that were redesigned for a more compact look. The badges were replaced with new ones featured on the bonnet and boot lid. A dished wheel was the replacement for the old and a new handbrake and gear stick were introduced.

The A series engine in the Morris Minor for sale also got an upgrade with an 948cc unit that ensured an output of 37 bhp as well as a top speed of 74mph.

The 1962 Chevy Impala

The Chevy Impala has proven to be a hugely iconic car for Chevrolet and is arguably one of Chevrolet’s most historic cars.

One of the popular classic cars, the Impala was introduced in 1958 and was known for both its value and comfort factors, for years. Its distinctive grilles and rear became synonymous with the brand.

The 1962 Chevy Impala featured a redesign, this time for a more compact look. The Impala featured new front fenders, an aluminium coated muffler as well as a four-speed synchro-mesh as well as a powerglide transmission. Making it a powerful, and quiet drive.

There were six options for engine available and they ranged from 135 to 409 horsepower, depending on the choice.

Options for these classic cars for sale included a push-button radio that was offered for the first time in 1962.

The 1975 Datsun 1200

Introduced in the 1970s The Datsun 1200 had a motor of 1200cc and the Nissan was released in a host of key markets, including Japan, New Zealand, North America and South Africa.

The 1200 was a rear wheel drive saloon with a engine that was front mounted. It came in a two-door coupe, two-door sedan, four-door sedan, as well as a two-door, four-door van.

These classic cars have a sleek and sturdy look and an aspirated 4 cylinder motor, a 4 speed manual gearbox as well as a power output of 6000 rpm and 95 N·m of torque.

The Datsun 1200 for sale was a rival to the Toyota Corolla and featured a range of colours, interior options and additions.

1958 Chevy Apache

The 1950s saw a change and redesign in the Task Force series of trucks and the overall look from Chevy was rounded, sleek and a modern look.

The various Chevy Pickup options meant for a range of choices. They featured an eight-cylinder engine, a longer truck bed, an upgraded electrical system and a lighter feel.

The Chevy Apache models appeared in 1958 and was characterised with a new grille, bumper and metal trim.

Many of the various Chevy offerings included a 265-cid V8 engine, making it more powerful than the previous six-cylinder options.

Options included: power steering, a chrome front, interior, dual-sun visors and a wraparound window.

The 1969 Chevrolet Kommando 230

The Chevrolet Kommando was produced between 1969 and 1972 and was produced in South Africa. There are a range of options available, from a four-door sedan to a five-door station wagon.

The 1969 model remains a classic, as it was the first year the cars were produced.

The Chevrolet Kommando 230 was sleek and featured a range of colours, and trims. The grilles and headlights were standout features.

The 230 was a four-door sedan and rear wheel drive, with a 4-stroke spark ignition engine and manual three-speed gearbox. The power output was 104.5 kW with 298 Nm of torque.

Junk Mail boast a range of classic cars for sale. Check it out for yourself and find your dream classic car today…

Maintaining your Classic Cars

Now you know all there is to know about these classic cars, you’ll also need to know how to best maintain them and keep them in tip top condition, and if you like, ready to resell.

The first and most important way to keep your classic in great condition is to keep it in a garage or other facility, which is free from light, damp and outside conditions. Cover it up when you do this; it helps to prevent rust, corrosion or damaging the chrome or metal finishes, found on the various cars.

Another key tip to caring for classic cars is to start, and use, your car when possible. This should be done every few weeks to stop the possibility of the hydraulics, clutch and brake having problems. That said, if you do leave your car for a while without use, disconnect the battery to ensure it doesn’t go flat. Not jumpstarting the car helps with optimum battery life.

You’ll need to keep an eye on the key fluid levels of the car. It’s important to keep them in check as maintenance is vital for an older car. Brake, oil, water and clutch fluid levels are all important to keep an eye on. Servicing the car every year is also important. When you do service it, using a specialist dealer, or professional mechanic, would be ideal, as if you’re looking to resell the car, then it adds credibility to the service history.

While the urge may strike to customise and personalise your classic cars, to keep as much resale value as possible, means to keep it in the condition as close to the original as possible, while upgrades to many features are acceptable to most, keep those original parts in case someone wants to take on the restoration process.

Owning and maintaining a classic car is like owning a piece of history. It also serves as a timeless investment that allows you to appreciate bygone eras. It’s important to best preserve and maintain the car not just for safety and functionality but for resale value too.

Looking for stunning classic cars for sale to add to your collection? Junk Mail features an entire motoring category dedicated to classic cars! From the Cadillac to a sport Dodge Charger, browse through the ads on www.JunkMail.co.za today! Selling your classic? Place your FREE AD now!