Are Vintage ‘Country Cars’ the Next Frontier in Collecting

From the Wall Street Journal: Are Vintage ‘Country Cars’ the Next Frontier in Collecting?

Collecting old cars used to be a quirky hobby mostly for gearheads. But in recent years it has swung increasingly toward the mainstream. Even shelter magazines are giving advice on finding and maintaining the vintage ride that suits you.

An article in this month’s edition of Country Living magazine highlights the “country” category of collectible cars. The magazine’s group of featured vehicles covers a few of my favorite segments of the old-car market, including vintage pickup trucks, SUVs and faux-woody station wagons from the 1960s and 1970s.

Vehicles like these are ideal for people who are just getting started with car collecting or would rather spend a few thousand dollars than the hundreds of thousands or even millions it can take to acquire classic Ferraris, Mercedes-Benzes and other of the rarest, most desirable collectibles.

Cars like the Ford Country Squire wagon or a pickup truck from the 1960s can be ideal for errands, weekend drives or taking the family out for dinner. Driving and parking them doesn’t generate the same level of anxiety one might experience with a million-dollar show winner. They are mechanically and electronically simple and easy to fix at home compared with modern vehicles. Parts are generally easier to find and less expensive than for high-end collectibles.

Still, as Country Living mentions, these are old vehicles that don’t accelerate, brake or handle curves as well as newer ones. And you may have a hard time finding parts for certain models that were less-common when new or had quirky features that were unique to just one or two model years. So before you go shopping, do a little research to get an idea of what it will take to keep your old car roadworthy.