Recently, four stunning rides sold at auction on Bringatrailer.com, and these remarkable pieces of motor history demonstrate the artistry and timeless appeal of classic vehicles. The vehicles sold were a 1969 Mercury Monterey Custom 2-Door Hardtop, a 1963 Volkswagen Beetle, a 1985 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ60, and a 1961 Austin-Healey Bugeye Sprite 5-Speed.
These vehicles are all incredibly distinct from one another and provide breathtaking examples of how classic cars and trucks offer exceptional styles, specifications, and fine craftsmanship. Let’s take a tour of these four historic and culturally-rich units.
1969 Mercury Monterey Custom 2-Door Hardtop
This remarkable 1969 Mercury Monterey sports a Dark Aqua Metallic (FM) finish. Although the car is over 50 years old, it’s only had a few previous owners. Its first owner bought the car in Culver, Indiana in 1969 and served as the classic’s custodian until 1997.
The seller of this impressive unit obtained the vehicle back in 2020, and they had the car undergo critical repairs. The Monterey’s fuel tank, tires, battery, and carburetor were all replaced, and its brakes were overhauled. It now features power-assisted front disc and rear drum brakes.
Other important equipment features include its power steering, left-side remote mirror, aftermarket shocks, rear-window defogger, an aftermarket muffler, and 15” steel wheels with 225/75 Nexen N’priz AH5 tires. Plus, the car comes with a full-size spare in its trunk.
This classic Mercury is energized by a Y-code 390 cu in V8 with a Holley two-barrel carburetor, producing 265 horsepower and 390 foot-pounds of torque. The V8 sends power to the Monterey’s rear wheels via a Select-Shift three-speed automatic transmission.
The car’s Dark Aqua Metallic exterior looks all the more breathtaking along with its white roof and pinstriping, chrome bumpers and trim, quad headlights, and its Monterey badging, which resides on its rear panels.
The 1969 Mercury Monterey’s cabin is upholstered in white vinyl and features two rows of bench seats. It also includes a black dashboard with stunning woodgrain trim. The car sold for $18,500.
1963 Volkswagen Beetle
Next on our tour is a striking green 1963 Volkswagen Beetle that features a roof rack, rubber-lined running boards, pop-out quarter windows, and a left mirror. The car sold for $19,800.
Its distinct green exterior looks all the more stylish with its chrome-finished bumpers, fender-mounted front indicators, and silver-finished Klassik Radar Falcon 15” wheels with black accents. These wheels come with 155/60 Continental ContiProContact tires in the front and 195/60 Vredestein Quatrac 5 tires in the rear.
This classic Beetle is powered by a rebuilt air-cooled flat-four engine that’s mated to a four-speed manual transaxle, sending power to its rear wheels. It also comes with front disc and rear drum brakes.
The car’s cabin boasts fashionable green-cloth-upholstered front bucket seats and a rear bench, matching its stunning exterior. It also features a green dashboard as well as beige vinyl siding and matching door panels. The seats come with Wolfsburg Crest lap belts, and the car’s battery resides beneath its rear bench.
Other notable features within the classic Beetle’s interior include woven floor mats, a center console, map pockets, an aftermarket stereo, and rear speakers. In front of the driver’s seat resides a two-spoke steering wheel with a Wolfsburg Crest center cap and a horn ring. Behind the steering wheel are a VDO 90-mph speedometer, a fuel level gauge, and a five-digit odometer.
1985 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ60
This stunning and versatile 1985 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ60 features a White (033) finish with stylish blue accents that were repainted by the seller. The fortunate buyer walked away with this historic Land Cruiser for $31,000.
Some of the truck’s notable equipment features include its split tailgate, black FJ62-style mirrors, chrome bumpers with black end caps, rear window wiper, receiver hitch, and round headlights.
The seller had the truck’s grille replaced and installed 4Runner-specification brake components and sound-dampening material. They also replaced the vehicle’s fuel filter, A/C compressor, fan, fan clutch, spark plugs, serpentine belt, alternator, battery, fuel lines, thermostat, and wires. Plus, they refurbished its radiator and cleaned its fuel tank.
The truck is powered by a 4.2-liter 2F inline-six engine with a single carburetor, and it has a factory rating of 135 horsepower and 210 foot-pounds of torque. It’s paired with a four-speed manual transmission with a dual-range transfer case, allowing the driver to route power to all four wheels or just its rear wheels.
The FJ60’s 15” wheels are black and come with durable BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM tires. It features front disc and rear drum brakes as well as a front axle that’s equipped with manual locking hubs.
Its interior displays gray-cloth-upholstered front bucket seats and a folding rear bench seat as well as matching door panels.
1961 Austin-Healey Bugeye Sprite 5-Speed
Last but not least on our list is a beautiful 1961 Austin Healey with a glimmering black finish over red leather upholstery. This classic’s stylish finish looks even more attractive with its shining chrome rear bumperettes and a forward-tilting hood conversion secured by pins. The vehicle came with a soft top and sold for $20,250.
The car’s seller acquired the vehicle in 2021, and they equipped the 1961 Austin Healey with important revisions, including a replacement engine. The Sprite’s powertrain now consists of a 1,275 cc Austin A-series inline four cylinder with dual SU carburetors, and the engine sends its power to its rear wheels by way of a Datsun five-speed manual transmission. Before the sale, the owner had the engine tuned up and equipped it with a replacement fuel tank and pump. Plus, those working on the engine rebuilt its radiator and carburetors.
In addition to boasting an exquisite style and impressive powertrain, the car features 13” Minilite-style wheels with 175/70 Cornell 1000 Radial A/S tires, and it comes with front disc and rear drum brakes.
The 1961 Austin Healey’s cabin features red leather vinyl upholstery covering its dashboard, door panels, and bucket seats. Additionally, it features matching red carpets, a passenger-side grab handle, a dash-mounted rear-view mirror, a wood-rimmed steering wheel, Smiths instrumentation, and a black leather shift boot.
Get Affordable and Protective Insurance for Your 1969 Mercury Monterey
If you’re driving a classic Mercury, Volkswagen, Toyota, or another stunning collector’s car, you need insurance that’s specifically designed for your ride. Here at Classic Auto Insurance, we supply our clients with top-of-the-line classic car insurance that’s tailored to their specific needs.
Rather than offering one-size-fits-all policies, our plans are based on agreed-upon value coverage, meaning we’ll work with you to determine your car’s actual worth. Additionally, our flexible policies come with perks designed to keep your classic on the road for years to come, such as inflation guard, rollover miles, nationwide roadside assistance with flatbed towing, and more.
Call our classic car insurance experts today at 888-901-1338, or you can get an instant quote online here.
***Photos in this blog courtesy of Bring a Trailer Auctions***
