For the past few weeks, our editors have been taking turns featuring vehicles available for sale on the AutoHunter online collector car auction website that was recently launched by ClassicCars.com.
This week it’s my turn and, as is the case each week, these selections are made by the editor’s personal preference. And my personal preference this week is to proclaim the 1957 Dodge Custom Sierra station wagon as the coolest thing yet advertised on AutoHunter.
Yes, I’m of an age when I grew up riding in the third row of my family’s station wagon (a soft shade of yellow-painted 1960 Chevrolet), and it was one of two cars in which I’d later learn to drive (the other being my grandmother’s ’57 Ford sedan).
Station wagons have retained a soft spot in my heart, and this 2-tone, finned, chromed and Hemi-powered Dodge is cool, and then some. It even has a Spectator badge, an indication that there’s a fold-down third row seat.
1957 Dodge Custom Sierra station wagon
Yes, I know Chevrolet Nomads are coveted by collectors, and Ford’s 2-door station wagon of that era, the Ranch Wagon, also is popular. But if you really want to stand out at the car show, you want to consider this 1957 Dodge Sierra, which not only is a 2-door station wagon but 2-tone as well, and with an incredible set of tailfins.
Oh, and yes indeed, it’s got a Hemi, a 354cid V8 fed by a pair of 4-barrel carburetors. And for good measure, it carries a surfboard on its roof rack.
The wagon is done in Sunfire Yellow and Glacier White over a 2-tone interior in the same shades (the exterior also features some red pinstriping on the rear quarter panels). The V8 is linked to a 3-speed Torqueflite push-button transmission. The wagon has power steering, electric rear window, aftermarket air conditioning and updated radio. The wagon rides on factory steel wheels with polished hubcaps and white sidewall tires.
This vintage Pontiac offered on AutoHunter has been owned by the same person since it was brand spanking new, and even comes with its original factory build sheet. Pontiac’s Firebird was redesigned for the 1979 model year and featured a quartet of headlamps, full-width tail light panel, body-colored mirrors and urethane bumpers at both ends.
This car came out of the factory in black over gray with red side stripes and a prominent Firebird on its rear flank.
The car retains its original 350cid small-block V8 linked to a 3-speed automatic transmission. The car has been driven only 49,000 miles since new. It has a Positraction rear axle, power windows, brakes and steering and air conditioning, and it rides on 15-inch Rallye wheels.
Inside, there are bucket seats covered in black velour and a 3-spoke tilt steering wheel with the Firebird logo. And an 8-track player.
This right-hand-drive car was produced by Daimler in Coventry, England, but was imported into the United States at some point and currently resides in Riverside, California. It has a 2.4-liter inline 6-cylinder engine and 3-speed manual transmission.
The elegant British sedan was restored 8 years ago and repainted in its factory shade of black. The seller reports that the braking system was recently refurbished with new parts. The engine also was serviced and the car got new tires. The interior is done in red vinyl and has a full-width wooden dashboard.
This stunning pickup was restored in 2016 in maroon with a red-and-gray interior. It has an upgraded electrical system, new interior, wood-lined bed and polished artillery-style wheels. It looks gorgeous in the photos that are part of the AutoHunter display. The Thriftmaster 235cid inline 6-cylinder engine is not original but came from a 1957 Chevy. The transmission is a 3-speed manual.
There was a time when the stars of the television series Bonanza were featured in Chevrolet commercials. In 1979, Chevy put the Bonanza name on a special year-end sales package for its C30 pickup truck and one of them is listed on AutoHunter.
The Bonanza package entailed a chrome grille and special badging. Done in Cordova Brown over Santa Fe Tan, and with a tan cloth interior, this pickup is powered by a rebuilt 454cid V8 linked to a 3-speed automatic transmission.
Originally sold in the state of Washington and retained by its first buyer for around 30 years, the truck also has the Scottsdale trim package and the camper package with its longer bed and tie-downs for a slide-in sleeper shell, as well as larger mirrors, heavy-duty power brakes, and auxiliary fuel tank. It also has air conditioning, trailer brake, power steering, cruise control and a sliding rear window.
So, you want a vintage off-roader but you want something other than the usual Bronco or Wrangler and you want to be able to take your friends and relatives along for an adventure. AutoHunter has just what you might want with this 1970 Toyota FJ40 that has a pair of rear bench seats.
Power comes from a 3.9-liter inline 6-cylinder engine linked to a 3-speed manual gearbox. The vintage off-roader is painted forest green and has a black cloth top, front-mounted winch, full-size rear spare tire and diamond-plated running boards and rear bumper access step.
OK, so those are my choices. But there’s plenty more to peruse on the AutoHunter website. Help yourself.
Hi. Wondering if you could help me an older Shelby, looking in the 125,000 range. What are your recommendations for year and model to find a good one in that range
Thanks Rick
Hi Rick! We are happy to help. I’ll pass your email to our team at AutoHunter. They’ll be in touch soon.