30 Classic Cars That Require Little Maintenance

Cameron Eittreim September 10, 2020

7: Pontiac Firebird – 1970-73

GM F-Body cars are synonymous with performance from a period when pony cars were increasing in popularity. The Pontiac Firebird in its second generation was far more advanced than the original cars, and this helped in terms of reliability. The second-generation F-Body cars are generally easy to repair and inexpensive in terms of maintenance. These cars have been building in value but the price is still affordable enough to get in.

The Pontiac Firebird from this generation is also remembered for being the ‘Smokey and the Bandit’ car. In addition to that, the Firebird has some distinct features that separate it from the Camaro. When it comes to choosing a classic car that you can build on for cheap, the 1970-73 Firebird is the right choice.

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6: Mercury Cougar – 1967-68

The 1967-68 Cougar is a car that was based on the popular Mustang and added a sense of style to the car that the original never had. The Cougar from this generation has a timeless style and the factory 200hp 289 c.i. V-8 moved the car with authority. The benefit of the Cougar is the fact that it’s based on the Mustang, which has sold millions of examples during its production run.

Parts are easy to come by and this makes maintenance on a Mustang or Cougar affordable. The Cougar is a lightweight performance car and the perfect car for someone who wants a project car that won’t break the bank. There’s a lot the Cougar has to offer and you can find these cars relatively affordably.

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5: Ford Falcon — 1964-’65

Surprisingly enough, the Falcon is another car built on the Mustang platform, and that helps things out when it comes to performance. Interesting features like the three-speed Cruise-O-Matic automatic transmission are unique to this car. The interior was also unique to the Falcon and it offers a lot of room. If you’re lucky enough to get a factory interior that’s still in good shape, you’ll have a great car that will last you.

If you’ve been looking for a classic car that doesn’t take a whole lot of money to get your hands on, this could be it. The Falcon is a notable performance car for several reasons and in the Ford community, you can’t go wrong with it. Mustang roots and a powerful standard engine make the Falcon a great choice.

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4: Chevrolet Impala – 1965

The Impala is one of the longest-running and most iconic nameplates in the auto world. That has to do with the quality design of the car. The 1965 models especially were known for their long sloping styling and powerful engine. All of this combined made for a spectacular driving experience. The SS model is going to set you back some serious change, but standard models are a bit easier to come across. If you are on a budget the Impala is going to set you back, but you can find a barn model that might need some work.

If you are willing to put the work into it, the Impala is one of the most iconic models on the road. The car has a lot to offer in terms of design and the performance still lives up to the expectations. The styling is iconic and whether you are designing a streetcar or a lowrider, the Impala is a great choice.

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3: Cadillac Series 62 – 1957

The Cadillac Series 62 is one of the most iconic original Cadillac models on the road. When you think about a performance sedan, the Series 62 wasn’t it, but the car could hold its own on the road. The shark fin styling became iconic for big and bold American sedans and the 365 cu in (6.0 L) OHV V8 could handle its own. The reliability of the Series 62 was one of the strongest selling points for the car. There were four-door and two-door models and there was even a convertible version of the car as well.

Cadillac did a great job of selling Series 62 to the public and as such, there is a surplus of used models on the market. The Series 62 is not as well known as the Eldorado, which made the car rarer to find and customize. But the value is more affordable and you can build one of these cars pretty easily.

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2: De Soto Fireflite Hemi – 1955-’56

Rare and fun to drive are two things that come to mind when you think of the De Soto Fireflite Hemi. The Fireflite was one of the few cars in existence that got a Mopar-derived Hemi V8 engine. The powerband gave the car a serious amount of power to play with at the time. The 426 Hemi is reliable and easy for maintenance. The six-passenger seating makes for a comfortable riding experience, and the design of the car is timeless.

There are very few cars on the road that don’t have a Chrysler badge while still possessing a Hemi powerplant. If you want a great base for building a Mopar powered rig the Fireflite Hemi is a standout car that you can enjoy for a long time. A fun fact about the Fireflite is the fact that it was also an Indianapolis 500 pace car.

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1: Chevrolet Corvair Corsa – 1965-’66

Finally, we come across one of the cheapest and fun to drive classic cars on the market. The underrated Chevrolet Corvair Corsa, a car that needs no introduction. The styling was a blend of the Corvette and the Camaro combined. While you might not expect a car that combines like this to make an interesting proposition, the Corvair Corsa is it. The 140-hp configuration of the 161-ci, air-cooled boxer six was unique for a car at this time frame. The interior of the Corvair Corsa is relatively basic but roomy enough compared to other cars in this class.

Parts for this car are relatively cheap and easy to come by, making maintenance a breeze. Another good thing about this car is the shared components with other GM rides. The Corvair Corsa might not be the most well-known classic car on the market, but it does offer great value for the price you can find one for.

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