A Family Classic Car-the Case For The 4-door Sedan
Most classic car collectors me included have always maintained that a 4door sedan wasn’t really a classic car. Usually the argument was about the styling and desirablility. A popular argument has alway been just because it’s old
doesn’t make it a classic. This is likely still true but all older cars that have been restored may be viewed as a classic car to some degree. It’s true that a coupe or convertible is
going to be more desirable than a 4door in most cases but later I’ll give you some reasons why a 4door might be the way to go.
In this article classic cars will basically be a catchall name for all the cars that I’m discussing here so bear with me.
Here is a brief trip through history to try and explain how the 4door kind of got shoved aside as a classic car. If someone is restoring or making a street rod from the twenties thirties or
forties car a 4door is sometimes more desirable than a roadster or a coupe. This is due to utility being very important as a lot of owners like to cruise with their family and friends.
In 1949 there was a big change as most cars now came with rear seats and could carry four or more people in comfort so there wasn’t much reason to choose the utility of a sedan over a coupe or convertible. With the utility factor gone buyers started buying classic cars based on desirability. This really kicked into high gear when the hardtops became the hot ticket in the
early fifties.
When the muscle car era began in 1964 almost no one looking for a muscle car ordered a 4door because muscle cars were built on the premise of low weight and high horsepower. Today most
buyers would prefer a car from 1964 to 1972 to be a muscle car or at least have the appearance of one which of course excludes the 4doors.
As I’m writing this I’m beginning to be a little more tolerant of 4doors than I was yesterday. This started this morning as I approached a 1966 Chevelle Malibu from the rear and saying to
myself that’s a good looking classic car and then as I passed I said too bad it’s a 4door. Shortly after the different strokes for different folks syndrome kicked in and I started
thinking there must be some reasons why a 4door would be a good car to own and by golly I thought of some. Even though a 4door even a 4door hardtop will never have style of a hardtop or
a convertible there are a number of reasons why they are a good deal. Here they are:
1. First of all the price is going to be much less than a hardtop sometimes as much as 50 less mainly because they are less desirable.
2.Secondly many 4doors are still original. A lot of them will be one or two owner cars and likely be low milage. Many will be passed down from parents and will be in very good condition. This is a plus as there will be less expense for restoration and you can put your own touches on it.
3. Third the utility is greater in a 4door because of the back doors letting people get in and out easier plus there will be more leg room. Kids wives and older people will appreciate this.
4. Fourth your insurance will likely cost less than the sportier cars as the insurance company will know that someone who buys a 4door will likely be a safer driver because it’ll probably be a family car.
5. Fifth the operating cost most likely be less because most of the 4door cars had smaller engines and most had automatic transmissions.
This in itself will keep the desire to hotrod down to a minimum which will save money in gas and parts.
6. Sixth and probably most important is the fact that the wife will be much more receptive to your buying a classic car if you can explain how the whole family can go cruising instead of just you and your buddy. I speak from experience.
There are likely more reasons for someone to buy a 4door but I can’t think of them right now. If you have any let me know and I update this
article it the future.
Author: Don Levy My website at Classic Car Hunter has over a thousand classic cars and trucks muscle cars hotrods street rods and assorted cars for sale along with an area to list your car for sale.
There are also many articles like this about the classic car hobby.
My blog address is Classic Car Hunter Blog
About the writer: Don Levy has over 50 years of driving and collecting classic cars and hotrods. His website and blog are listed in the article.
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