VW Squareback + Holden Sandman HZ + Ford Mustang - Phil's picks 416

By: Phil Walker

Date: 09.08.2018

Uncle Phil's top picks this month from the Unique Cars classifieds...

1973 VW SQUAREBACK $11,500

The VW Beetle spawned a few different shapes, including the Squareback wagon. I’ve seen plenty of these packed to the hilt on the way to the beach at summer. And wouldn’t this one look the goods in its retro livery with a mini Malibu on its roofrack. Being a ’73 it’s powered by a 1600 engine in the back but being a Type 3 it weighed more than its its predecessor which sapped its already meagre power. On the plus side the rear suspension was less death-defying and this one has a four-speed manual to play with box. At this price for a serve of nostalgia, I’m tempted to open my own wallet! 

- See more details on the VW Squareback here

1979 HOLDEN SANDMAN HZ $35,900

The Sandman was Holden’s way of shifting more metal. In its better known panel van guise it also helped populate the future Australia. This one has a rebuilt 253 V8 in its snout, but it now has a Supra five-slot manual. A country car – that explains its 324,000kms – when it was stripped for a repaint no rust or bog was found and the tray was in good nick. Inside it has new trim and GTS dash and rides on original GTS wheels with dress rims and centre caps. A daily driver now and a future resto project.

- See more details on the HZ Sandman ute here

1968 FORD TORINO GT PACE CAR $49,000

Come Indy 500 time it’s fascinating to see which company trots out something special to be used as the pace car. Although they’re usually driven by a past winner, in 1968 it was William Clay Ford Sr. behind the wheel of the GT Torino convertible bearing his name on the hubcaps, grille and steering wheel. This is one of the 159 that Ford produced to commemorate that occasion. The resto has it looking as good as new and it comes with full papers, matching numbers and a mere 800km since a rebuild of its 302 V8.

- See more details on the Ford Torino here

1965 FORD MUSTANG $58,500

Given the recent antics of Border Force with its asbestos issues, Mustangs already here like this example become even more valuable. This is a beaut example that has been taken back to bare metal and resprayed in Wimbledon White with the blue grey interior that are period correct. So too are the red-line tyres. It has had a specialist conversion to RHD and an electric roof for easier open-air cruising and aircon. It has a digital radio and Bluetooth phone connectivity, but I’d rather ditch the phone and listen to the V8 soundtrack up front.

- See more details on the Ford Mustang here

1961 CHEVROLET IMPALA $69,990

Astute readers will recognise this teal steel beauty was our cover car on issue 353 and rightly so. It’s a multi concours winner and the bubble top option is as rare as it is stylish. I’d happily park it in my shed anytime.

It has all its original documentation from 1961 including service books, order sheet, brochures and even the original purchase invoice for $3,214 from the Columbia Motor Co, in Columbia, Kentucky when it was ordered with the all new and rare ‘W’ series ‘Super Turbo Thrust’ option, of a 348ci Big Block engine and ‘Tri Power’ triple 2-barrel carbs bolted to a Powerglide Auto Transmission. Yes please.

- See more details on the Chev Impala here

2012 CHRYSLER 300C SRT8 $34,990

"The end of HSV" was being touted by muttering scribblers when the 300C SRT8 fronted here but the locally-made power king just shrugged its shoulders, flexed its substantial V8 muscles and kept right on selling in big numbers. It has to be said the flash Chrysler has rather enormous presence and street cred and when it arrived you needed close to eighty grand to stick one in your driveway. This SRT8 has a wheelspin-inducing 426hp at the rear wheels from its 6.4 litre bent-eight Hemi thanks to quite a good degree of fettling.

- See more details on the Chrysler 300C here

2008 CADILLAC CTS $34,900

You don’t see one of these on every street corner, well not here anyway. In fact, it is the only one in Victoria. The CTS was the General’s rival to the SRT8 and this one has been converted to RHD, which would have cost a shed load to do. At one stage Holden considered adding Cadillac to its lineup but in the end it didn’t stack up so it never happened. This 2008 model in head-turning black has a six under the bonnet and travelled 80,000kms. Being the General’s premium brand there’s no doubt that its chock full of luxo appointments along with a touch of sportiness.

- See more details on the Cadillac CTS here

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