Fabulous Four Doors

January, 27, 2007.

As the values of two door hardtops and convertibles continue to soar, the four door sedans, hardtops, and wagons have gained in popularity. The reasons are many for this phenomenon. Most believe that the primary reasons are the retiring baby-boomers with their 401K type money, and empty nesters buying back their youth. With the recent problems with large corporate bankruptcies and accounting fraud, many investors are turning to investments that they control directly. Investments that can be touched, felt, and enjoyed. Not just money on a report, or stashed in a mutual fund. These and many other reasons drive these increases in value. There is no question, at this time, a rare and desirable vintage auto is a good investment. Resulting in the astronomical prices these collector cars are bringing at televised auctions and on-line. With most muscle-cars, two door hardtop, and convertible models now in the hands of serious investment collectors, they have increased in value to a point that most are almost too valuable to drive.

Because of this increase in value and collector car hysteria sweeping the nation, many main-stream vintage auto enthusiasts have been pushed out of the hobby. In response, many of these enthusiasts have turned to the fast growing collector segment of antique autos with four doors. (Oddly, the European market for antique American automobiles seems not as affected by the need for two door and convertible models. Collectors in the Netherlands, Nordic, and Western European countries are buying-up four door and wagon models and exporting them to their home countries. A growing number of Enthusiasts in Australia and New Zealand are also buying and exporting vintage four door autos from the USA.)

Simple common sense and sales numbers tell us that actually these types of cars were much more common than the two door models so sought after by the collectors. A fine example of a wagon or sedan is a unique car-show item and represents the real cars of yesteryear. Many persons have memories of the wagon or the sedan they rode in as a child. The one grandma had, or that mom drove when she took the kids to school, or the car that the family used when they crossed the continent on summer vacation. As millions of these autos were produced, they exist today in far greater numbers, spare parts are more readily available and they can be driven and enjoyed. Fortunately, many fine examples of vintage American sedans and wagons continue to be found and can be purchased for reasonable prices. However, we have seen in the past few years, that sedans and wagons in good condition are rapidly increasing in value. (For example, 1959 and 1960 Impala four door hardtop and wagons are now fetching prices well above $10,000.00 U.S. Dollars. Just two or three years ago, these cars were selling for $5,000.00 to $7,000.00.)

As a tribute to this growing collector car niche, I dedicate this new page to the fabulous four doors.

Enjoy and best regards to fellow four-door admirers, Jim

NOTE: If you would like to have your four door or wagon placed on this page, please contact Jim via email and include a photo of your car. This website is not for profit and fellow enthusiasts are invited to exhibit their autos at this location.

1942 Plymouth

Built right before automobile production was canceled to assist the war effort, this type of auto is commonly known as a "blackout car". As copper, chromium and all other alloys and metals were vital for war production, using them to decorate an automobile was not permitted. Consequently, these autos had painted bumpers and moldings made of mild steel alloy. In addition, it was thought that they would be less reflective at night during potential air raids. This auto has been featured in magazines and is a fine example of this extremely rare period in USA automobile production.

Newport Hill Climb, 04 October 2008

Jim's 4 door 1959 Chevrolet Impala

Included within are detailed photographs of Jim's recent restoration of a 1959 Chevrolet Impala. What was lost now has found itself a trophy winning show car.

View photographs of Jim's 1959 El Caminos.

See the link to the many cars that Jim has restored in the past, and his familiy's collection of vintage automobiles Jim's Projects Past and Present

May 2007. Jim essentially Inherits the 1969 Belair

It belonged to Jim's grandfather's cousin since new! WOW! 56,000 actual miles. Garaged it's entire life! 327 235 HP, Powerglide automatic, factory A/C, P/S, AM radio. A tiny amount of rust, and 90% original paint! Seat covers since new. This one is a real cream puff and drives perfect!

Raub Indiana auto show. May the 6th 2007

Wayne in Kankakee Illinois owns this beautiful 1971 Impala hartop.

57,000 actual miles. 350/350 AC/AM/FM PS/PB. Blue cloth interior. This car is almost perfect!

Click on photo to enlarge.

Additional image click here.

Additional image click here.

Additional image click here.

2007 Newport Indiana antique auto hill climb and auto show.

John in Lafayette Indiana owns this beautiful 1972 Caprice hardtop. 61,000 actual miles. 350/350 AC/AM/FM PS/PB. Black cloth interior. This car is another always garaged original-paint creampuff!

Click on photo to enlarge.

Click on photo to enlarge.

Click here for an additional image of this auto

Click here for an additional image of this auto

Newport Indiana Hill Climb auto show. October 1 2006

Sweet 1953 BELAIR Original low mile survivor with exquisite original interior, show chrome, and a very high quality repaint. A superb example of a four door sedan. Documents on this car to day one including a photo of the original lady owner shown with the car when it was almost new.

Ken Havlin, Lizton Indiana

Click on photo to enlarge.