Buying a classic vehicle is an incredibly rewarding experience that allows you to own a piece of automotive history. You can take pride in being a custodian preserving part of a bygone era while enjoying your classic’s unique style and fine craftsmanship.
Beyond their aesthetic appeal, classic cars also offer car enthusiasts excellent investment opportunities. Over time, well-preserved and sought-after models typically appreciate in value, providing a potential return on investment for their owners.
Whether you’re a veteran collector or are just getting started, it’s important to know what vehicles are selling in collector car markets. That’s why Classic Auto Insurance is here to keep you updated about what classics recently sold. Let’s take a tour of some of these remarkable units, which include a 1965 Land Rover Series IIA Santana, a 1971 Cadillac Fleetwood Eldorado convertible, a 1970 Subaru Sambar 360 van, and a 1960 Chevrolet El Camino.
1965 Land Rover 88 Series IIA Santana
First on our list is an iconic 1965 Land Rover 88 Series IIA Santana that sold for $30,000. The Spanish automotive manufacturer Metalúrgica de Santa Ana S.A. constructed this vehicle and other impressive models after obtaining a license from Land Rover.
This particular unit is a left-hand-drive example that underwent an extensive refurbishment back in 2018, which included notable cosmetic updates and necessary mechanical repairs. The refurbishing team rebuilt its 2.25-liter inline-four engine and replaced numerous components, including its pistons, spark plugs, ignition wires, camshaft retainers, valves, connecting rod bearings, and more. Plus, they installed an electric fuel pump and an electronic ignition conversion kit. The engine features a single Weber carburetor and is mated to a four-speed manual transmission and a dual-range transfer case.
Those working on the vehicle also removed the 1965 Land Rover 88’s body from its frame and repainted it a stunning light blue and refinished its frame in black. They also replaced its weatherstripping and re-trimmed its interior with crisp black vinyl.
Some of the truck’s equipment features include a folding windscreen, Defender-style dual side mirrors, a removable tan canvas top, power-assisted drum brakes, a bolt-in rear roll cage, rear mud flaps, a clevis pin hitch, troop-style rear seating, cream-finished 16” steel wheels with 6.50” Lima Caucho Cordillera tires, and a spare tire mounted on its hood.
The truck features three seats in its forward cabin and two inward-facing bench seats in its rear cabin, and its interior includes a banjo-style steering wheel and a body-color instrument panel.
1971 Cadillac Fleetwood Eldorado Convertible
Next up is a breathtaking 1971 Cadillac Fleetwood Eldorado convertible with a green finish and matching leather interior. The car sold for $22,000 and comes with a green, manually-operated convertible soft top, Automatic Level Control, Twilight Sentinel automatic headlights, and a top boot.
This eye-catching classic offers more than just style — it’s powered by an 8.2-liter V8 with a Rochester Quadrajet four-barrel carburetor. The car sends power to its front wheels via a Turbo Hydra-Matic three-speed automatic transmission, ultimately producing 235 horsepower and 410 foot-pounds of torque.
The Eldorado’s stunning body rests on 15” steel wheels with polished covers mounted with 235/70 Vogue Wide Trac Touring tires. Plus, it features rear wheel spats. Its suspension system is made up of a coil-sprung solid rear axle and a torsion bar front suspension, and the car also features front disc and rear drum brakes.
The vehicle’s interior comes with a power-adjustable front bench with an Antique Medium Pewter leather trim. The leather looks all the more stunning with the cabin’s wood grain veneer dashboard and door panels.
Some of the cabin’s other notable qualities include its three-spoke steering wheel, power windows, an analog clock, and helpful instrumentation, such as a horizontal-sweep 120-speedometer and a fuel-level gauge.
1970 Subaru Sambar 360 Van
Subaru’s classic and distinct Sambar 360 van utilizes a body-on-frame construction, and this particular 1970 example features left-hand drive.
The vehicle underwent an extensive refurbishment in 2022 that included important external and internal repairs. The car’s air-cooled 356 cc inline-twin engine was rebuilt and now features a single side-draft carburetor. The Sambar’s engine sends power to its rear wheels by way of a dogleg four-speed manual transaxle.
In addition to having its engine rebuilt, those working on the van re-finished it in white, retrimmed its interior in a stunning red vinyl, and overhauled its braking system. The van features four-wheel drum brakes with replaced hydraulics, lines, and shoes. The team also reinstalled its windows with replacement seals and re-chromed its bumpers.
Other notable details on the Sambar 360 van include its rear-hinged front doors, split tailgate, amber roof marker lights, dual side mirrors, and dual side doors with sliding windows. It also features covered silver-finished 10” steel wheels with Camac tires featuring whitewall inserts, and it includes a spare tire mounted under the cabin’s front bench seat.
The van’s interior comes with two rows of bench seats trimmed in the aforementioned red vinyl along with matching lap belts and door panels. The red looks all the more attractive juxtaposed with the cabin’s black carpets. The cabin’s rear bench folds and tumbles, allowing room for more cargo.
This 1970 Subaru Sambar 360 van is truly a breathtaking and distinct piece of motor history, and it’s no surprise that it sold for $32,360.
1960 Chevrolet El Camino
Last on our tour is a remarkable classic El Camino that sold for $17,750. The car sports an incredibly attractive red-and-white finish and bright trim on its bumpers, side moldings, grille, tailgate, and window surrounds. These notable external features look all the more breathtaking with the car’s black and white interior.
Some of the car’s other external features include its quadruple headlights, driver-side mirror, wrap-around windshield, back glass, and curved A-pillar.
The stylish car boasts a 283 cu in V8 with stunning orange-painted details, including its engine block, cylinder heads, valve covers, and intake manifold, and the V8 is mated to a three-speed automatic transmission, routing power to its rear wheels.
This 1960 Chevrolet El Camino also comes with impressive American Racing 15” five-spoke wheels mounted with 215/70 Venezia Classic tires. Plus, it comes with power steering, power-assisted four-wheel drum brakes, and a power steering rack that was replaced in 2022.
The car’s cabin includes a black and white vinyl bench seat with matching door panels and patterned cloth inserts. The interior also features a silver dashboard and a glimmering bright trim on its lower dash as well as black carpets. The interior also comes with lap belts, vent windows, door panel armrests, an AM radio, bright door sill guards, a two-spoke steering wheel, an analog clock, and a 120-mph speedometer.
Get the Best Insurance for Your 1965 Land Rover or Another Classic
If you have the privilege of owning a classic Land Rover, Cadillac, Sambar, Camino, or any other type of collector car, you need to protect your cherished piece of automotive history with the best classic car insurance available.
Fortunately, you can get robust and affordable insurance through Classic Auto. Classic Auto Insurance provides flexible plans that we tailor to the needs of our clients’ vehicles. We’ll work with you to determine your car’s actual worth and will create a custom policy based on that agreed-upon value.
Our policies also come with exceptional perks designed to keep your classic operational for years to come, such as inflation guard and nationwide roadside assistance with flatbed towing.
Ready to learn more about how Classic Auto Insurance can protect your prized beauty? Call us today at 888-901-1338, or you can get an instant quote online here.
***All Photos in this Blog Courtesy of Bring A Trailer Auctions***
