When it comes to tough American muscle, Uncle Phil thinks the 427 powered C2 Corvette is at the top of the ranks.
1967 Corvette Sting Ray C2 – $249,950
I’m putting my hand in the air and declaring I’ve owned three C2 Corvettes, so I am a little biased and when one gets in my line of sight, I am easily sidetracked. These beasts rarely get to the open market so finding a fully restored, yet highly original, matching-numbers car is harder than winning the lottery.
Making this one stand out is the 427ci lump of V8 iron up front, with 390 neddies and tied to a four-speed manual, and it looks fabulous in its original Sunfire Yellow with a black vinyl interior.
Arriving here early 2011, it was bought by the current owner shortly after. After acquiring it he had Corvettes Down Under, on Bribie Island, completely restore it. Authenticating its originality is its Owner Protection Plan and New Vehicle Warranty book.
All the original and correct tags are on the car, along with the stamped and casting numbers and its original, matching-numbers engine and gearbox, confirming its originality and correctness.
It’s also listed in the Complete Corvette Restoration and Technical Guide written by Noland Adams, which also confirms the numbers.
If it was mine, I’d fling a set of side pipes and knock-offs on it making it perfect in my eyes.
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2004 Ford FPV BA GT – $39,996
After the disaster that was the AU Falcon, Ford quickly bounced back with the BA and won back many fans.
After 22 years it still looks good and this FPV GT, with build number 1033, is finished in the hero colour of Citric Acid, only offered in the BA series.
Up front is the ‘lazy’ 5.4-litre V8, I say lazy as the Barra Turbo ate it for breakfast, but the bent eight has the better soundtrack and in this car, it is paired with a four-speed auto.
It has travelled under 90,000 klicks, which is very rare and it won’t break the bank to buy and run it. And who wouldn’t want to own a Falcon with a GT badge on it? A very special car to drive and own.
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1937 Mercedes-Benz W143 – $89,950
When I am out and about or trawling the web for picks, I’m amazed at times what pops up and catches my eye, like this totally restored Mercedes-Benz from 1937.
Exported to Australia in 1996 it was originally ordered by Daimler-Benz in Frankfurt in April of that year on order number 220902.
Today the car remains in its original specification including its full-length optional sunroof.
The current owner bought it in 2001 and over three years restored it. His efforts have been rewarded with multiple Concours awards and ‘Best Restoration’ at the MBCV Concours in 2005.
Although it is approaching 90 years of age, I bet it drives superbly.
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1948 Jeep CJ Willys CJ2 – $26,000
The Willys Jeep played a vital role during the war effort and production continued long after.
Look at the current Wrangler and you can easily spot the lineage. The CJ-2A (CJ stands for civilian Jeep) is the first full-production civilian model from 1945 to 1949 and was built using many of the surplus parts from the military version.
This one is a left-hooker and has been restored back to military specification and retains its original windscreen decals from its service time in New Guinea.
I do like the green paintwork, star on the bonnet and numbers on its flanks as it reminds me of my old Jeep pedal car when I was a kid.
