[Remember when you could order a car with any of 7 motor transmission choices. The windows cranked down and you had rubber mats on the floor. When you opened the hood you couls see the ground beneath and all of the spark plugs?]
That’s why I bought and am reconditioning a ‘57 Bel Air. I can repair almost anything on her for much cheaper. I can afford to customize it to the hilt. It’s value will go up with time and it is paid for. Plenty of room and panorama windos. No smog test. I’m tired of fixing newer cars.
Also you can drive it with no seat belts if you wish to. Historic tags are cheaper than regular tags.Parts are readily available for Chey and Ford restorations.
Some 57’s had air conditioning, power steering ,power brakes and a bulletproof powerglide transmission.
That car should get you 23 mpg if you drive it right and that isn’t bad mileage.
If well taken care of you can sell it for more than you paid for it.
Really great cars can be found at Carlisle’s Car corral in the spring.