Raymond Arsenault on Life and Business: The $5,000 Challenge, from four wheels to two edition

Since starting this series in 2014, we’ve received more than a few requests to broaden our horizons and include motorcycles in the $5,000 Challenge. As someone who once counted a bike as his only motorized transportation for three-plus years in Colorado, I’m all for it, but our classifieds don’t contain many two-wheel offerings below the maximum threshold.

This installment is the exception to the rule, and for the first time, we’re including a motorcycle among the offerings. Like some of the cars and trucks previous featured, it won’t appeal to everyone, but given the variety of cars up for grabs this time around, perhaps there’s something for (almost) everyone.

1953 Austin A40 Somerset

Built for just three years, 1952-’54, the Austin A40 Somerset was designed to resemble the larger A70 Hereford, in hopes of increasing the appeal of both the A40 and automaker Austin on this side of the pond. Given that sales for Austin in the U.S. declined year on year from 1952-’54, it’s safe to say the A40 wasn’t a hit; because of this, it’s equally safe to say that, today, you aren’t likely to find another in your town, county, or possibly even state. This example was last driven in 2014, and is said to be complete and mechanically simple, just the thing for a first-time restorer. The asking price? $4,000.

1949 De Soto Custom sedan

In 1949, the Custom Series topped automaker De Soto’s product lineup, giving buyers additional chrome trim, a nicer interior and a choice of short or long-wheelbase models. Power for all models came from a 236.7-cu.in. L-head six-cylinder, rated at 112 horsepower and mated to a Fluid Drive transmission (with Tip-Toe hydraulic shift) on Custom models. This example, last registered in 1980, is said to be in original condition and appears to be complete. For those seeking to restore and drive something a bit different, this postwar sedan may be just the thing, especially at an asking price of $3,900.

1989 Cadillac Allante

Cadillac’s Allante convertible was intended to give the automaker a luxury convertible capable of going head-to-head with the likes of the Mercedes-Benz SL. With a body styled by Pininfarina (and assembled in Italy, requiring the use of Boeing 747 freighter aircraft) and a focus on luxury trappings like 10-way leather-wrapped Recaro seats, the Allante was meant to appeal to a very narrow audience, one that could afford the $57,000-plus price of admission. Sales never reached the projected 8,000 units per year, and the Allante was killed off following the 1993 model year. Today (like the Mercedes-Benz SL), prices are quite a bit more reasonable, and for those favoring a car to drive over a car to restore, this example is priced at the $5,000 limit.

1981 Ford Mustang Ghia

Fox body Mustangs have climbed in price in recent years, but for buyers willing to think outside the box, there are still bargains to be had. This 1981 Ghia version comes with a glass t-top roof and appears to be in reasonable overall condition thanks to the care of its 33-year owner, minimizing the amount of restoration needed to make this a weekend driver. Under-hood is the 3.3-liter V-6 instead of the 4.2-liter V-8, but to the right buyer this may even be a selling point; V-8 Mustangs are well-represented at cruise-ins, but when was the last time you saw a nicely restored V-6 Fox body? The asking price? $3,000.

1969 Triumph T100C Trophy

Modern sportbikes typically have displacements ranging from 750cc to 1,200cc, but in the 1960s, 500cc was considered by most to be more than sufficient. Triumph’s T100 series, for example, was named for its top speed, with the bike builder essentially certifying that T100 models were capable of hitting the “ton.” This well-preserved example has been in the same owner’s care for the past 38 years, and while not entirely stock, does seem to incorporate a few carefully considered modifications (like an NGK ignition system, a taller fourth gear, and Lucas turn signal indicators). We’d want to change the late-1970s tires before we took it for a ride, but with a carb rebuild and a tune-up, this Triumph should be good to go for another few decades. The asking price? $5,000.