| Most classic car collectors (me included) have | | | | kicked in and I startedthinking, there must be |
| always maintained that a 4-door sedan wasn't | | | | some reasons why a 4-door would be a good car |
| really a classic car. Usually the argument was | | | | to own and by golly I thought of some. Even |
| about the styling and desirablility. A popular | | | | though a 4-door (even a 4-door hardtop) will |
| argument has alway been "just because it's | | | | never have style of a hardtop ora convertible |
| olddoesn't make it a classic". This is likely still | | | | there are a number of reasons why they are a |
| true but all older cars that have been restored | | | | good deal. Here they are: |
| may be viewed as a classic car to some degree. | | | | 1. First of all, the price is going to be much less |
| It's true that a coupe or convertible isgoing to be | | | | than a hardtop, sometimes as much as 50% less, |
| more desirable than a 4-door in most cases, but | | | | mainly because they are less desirable. |
| later I'll give you some reasons why a 4-door | | | | 2.Secondly many 4-doors are still original. A lot of |
| might be the way to go. | | | | them will be one or two owner cars and likely be |
| In this article classic cars will basically be a catchall | | | | low milage. Many will be passed down from |
| name for all the cars that I'm discussing here, so | | | | parents and will be in very good condition. This is |
| bear with me. | | | | a plus as there will be less expense for |
| Here is a brief trip through history to try and | | | | restoration and you can put your own touches on |
| explain how the 4-door kind of got shoved aside | | | | it. |
| as a classic car. If someone is restoring or making | | | | 3. Third the utility is greater in a 4-door because |
| a street rod from the twenties, thirties orforties | | | | of the back doors letting people get in and out |
| car a 4-door is sometimes more desirable than a | | | | easier plus there will be more leg room. Kids, |
| roadster or a coupe. This is due to utility being | | | | wives and older people will appreciate this. |
| very important as a lot of owners like to cruise | | | | 4. Fourth your insurance will likely cost less than |
| with their family and friends. | | | | the sportier cars as the insurance company will |
| In 1949 there was a big change as most cars | | | | know that someone who buys a 4-door will likely |
| now came with rear seats and could carry four | | | | be a safer driver because it'll probably be a family |
| or more people in comfort, so there wasn't much | | | | car. |
| reason to choose the utility of a sedan over a | | | | 5. Fifth the operating cost most likely be less |
| coupe or convertible. With the utility factor gone | | | | because most of the 4-door cars had smaller |
| buyers started buying classic cars based on | | | | engines and most had automatic transmissions. |
| desirability. This really kicked into high gear when | | | | This in itself will keep the desire to hotrod down |
| the hardtops became the hot ticket in theearly | | | | to a minimum which will save money in gas and |
| fifties. | | | | parts. |
| When the muscle car era began in 1964 almost | | | | 6. Sixth and probably most important is the fact |
| no one looking for a muscle car ordered a 4-door | | | | that the wife will be much more receptive to |
| because muscle cars were built on the premise of | | | | your buying a classic car if you can explain how |
| low weight and high horsepower. Today | | | | the whole family can go cruising instead of just |
| mostbuyers would prefer a car from 1964 to | | | | you and your buddy. I speak from experience. |
| 1972 to be a muscle car or at least have the | | | | There are likely more reasons for someone to |
| appearance of one which of course excludes the | | | | buy a 4-door but I can't think of them right now. |
| 4-doors. | | | | If you have any let me know and I update |
| As I'm writing this I'm beginning to be a little more | | | | thisarticle it the future. |
| tolerant of 4-doors than I was yesterday. This | | | | Author: Don Levy My website at Classic Car |
| started this morning as I approached a 1966 | | | | Hunter has over a thousand classic cars and |
| Chevelle Malibu from the rear and saying tomyself | | | | trucks, muscle cars, hotrods street rods and |
| "that's a good looking classic car" and | | | | assorted cars for sale along with an area to list |
| then as I passed I said "too bad it's a | | | | your car for sale. |
| 4-door". Shortly after the "different | | | | There are also many articles like this about the |
| strokes for different folks syndrome" | | | | classic car hobby. |