I been looking into buying a pre smog vehicle (since I live in California, that is 1975 or older) so far I’m considering two private sale vehicles that are within my price range. The first is a 1972 Buick skylark and the second is a 1974 Dodge ramcharger. Both run and drive and don’t look in too bad of condition for me to own as a project vehicle. Which one would you think is a better buy?
Well, assuming condition is comparable, do you want a sedan or do you want a truck? Two totally different vehicles. (I'd probably go for the Buick myself. Those late 1960s-early 1970s GM A-bodies were real nice.)
Be sure to check both underneath for rust. Old cars and trucks from that era readily rust out. Check the floor pan and frame. I'd probably go for the Buick Skylark myself, but I love old sedans. I bought a decent B-Body 1979 Pontiac Catalina this year as a project car. Old sedans tend to go cheaper than trucks, and especially muscle cars. They don't have as much wow! factor, but they are fun. Drive a B-Body and listen to Steppenwolf's song Magic Carpet Ride, and you'll see what I mean.
Funny fact for your story/ location, my Catalina was illegal to sell in California when it was brand new. The Pontiac 301 V8 it has was unable to meet California's emission standards at the time. Even with a catalytic converter and the other emissions crap. Haha. The only one you could get in that state was the 3.8L V6 or the newer GM V8s.
