In 1976, the last American automaker to produce a convertible was Cadillac. On April 21, 1976, Cadillac Motor Car Division issued a press release announcing that the "last American convertible had been built." This week Vince Taliano of the Cadillac & LaSalle Club Potomac Region sent us a press release about a special webpage they have published about the historic "last 1976 Bicentennial Eldorado Convertible" ever built. It should be noted that American automakers had stopped making convertibles in the 1970's due to structural safety liability challenges inherent in the convertible design. According to their article a Cottillion White Eldorado convertible went down the assembly line at Cadillac's Clark Avenue plant and everybody at the plant wanted to have their picture taken with it. And as it came off the final line shortly after 10:00 AM, Cadillac Motor Car Division General Manager Edward C. Kennard sat behind the wheel. At that time it was thought to be the last convertible which would be produced in this country. Of course, we all know that convertibles are once again being produced today. But in the 1970's we thought that was the end of an American icon. Click here to read all about the "Last American convertible."

One of the top collector car auctions on the Eastern seaboard is set to open next week in Raleigh, North Carolina. Our newsletter readers know all about The Raleigh Classic Auction, one of Cars-On-Line’s favorite collector events. This is the spring edition, set for April 30-May 1, 2021. Cars-On-Line’s car show team will be on hand to bring you all the action and record auction prices. We expect to see a huge selection of stock original and low miles classics crossing the auction block, as always. This is a much revered auction sale with collectors from all over the Southeastern states congregated to buy quality collector vehicles. This auction is famous for some of the nicest low-mile collector cars available in the collector market today. And Cars-On-Line.com will be on hand for all the auction action. For a preview of this year’s spring Raleigh Classic follow this link to our ClassiCarNews blog . Then stay tuned to the blog all weekend as we update you with prices and photos.

An internet broker, Haggle Me, is one of the dealers in the Cars-On-Line Dealer Network. This week they have listed the rarest 4-Wheel-Drive vehicle we have ever seen, a 1938 Ford Marmon-Herrington Woody Wagon. What an historic artifact. They tell us that only two are known to exist. This is the first one we've seen. Marmon was a luxury car maker prior to the Great Depression. When the luxury car market died, they coordinated with Colonel Arthur Herrington, a retired engineer, and developed 4-wheel-drive vehicles for the military and industrial use. They also developed a market for 4X4 trucks and even a few passenger vehicles. This is the earliest example we have seen. Today, Marmon-Herrington still exists making axles and transfer cases. It is owned by Berkshire-Hathaway.

According to the listing for this 1972 Corvette LT-1 Convertible that Connors Motorcar Company just posted, it's one of only 405 produced. It features a build sheet and is an all original survivor in beautiful Ontario Orange paint. Also, only 40,000 miles!

The following are more recently listed Low Miles cars:

Build a classic up the way you want it! This week we have a 1958 Lincoln Continental Convertible in the listings from a seller in Doylestown, Pennsylvania. They say it's a complete car and that the engine ran when parked off a loaner battery and gas can. It has good floors, power steering, power brakes, power top, power antennae, and a Town and Country radio. Where it goes from here is up to you!

The following are just some of the cars available in the Project Car Section this week:

Oldsmobile's most famous muscle car has a worthy tribute in this 1972 Oldsmobile 442 Convertible. It's from Ellingson Motorcars in Minnesota and they tell us it's armed with an Oldsmobile 350ci V8 motor with single 4-barrel carburetor. It's a lot of power sitting on Rallye wheels. This one has the muscle car look you want. See the video!

The following are more recently listed Muscle Car Clones:

Saturday begins a whole new week of DEAL of the DAY features and we're kicking it off with this 1940 Ford Sedan Deluxe from Classic Car Deals in California. The current owner has had it since 1960 according to the listing. It sat in storage for 25 years but was professionally restored to original condition. It has a flathead V8, white sidewall tires, tan upholstery and 87,854 miles. Listed at just $26,995!

Collectors might be interested in this 1923 Durant Touring. Durant Motors Inc. began when General Motors CEO William Durant struck out on his own. Headquartered in Lansing, Michigan, the company produced the Flint, Durant, and Star brands between 1921 and 1931 when the company dissolved. This piece of American history is an older restoration that runs well according to the listing. It's just $12,900 and will be the Cars On Line DEAL of the DAY on Sunday.

Beverly Hills Car Club of Los Angeles, California is steady with listings like the one for this 1952 MG TD Roadster, but the price had us take a closer look at this one. It comes with a 4-speed manual transmission, single carburetor, soft top, MG hub caps, and solid wheels—all for just $14,750! See on the homepage of Cars On Line as Monday's DEAL of the DAY, or get to it first for yourself.

There's only 92,900 miles on this 1959 AMC Rambler according to the listing by Haggle Me. Not bad for 62 years. It runs and drives great and has a flathead 6-cylinder engine, 3-speed manual, as well as cold air conditioning. Get it for just $13,900!

The restoration of this 1950 Dodge Wayfarer Business Coupe is well underway according to the seller in Georgia. It runs with a restored flathead 6-cylinder engine, has new chrome front and rear, new gas tank, nwe glass, and more. The seller says it needs door panels, but the price is just $10,000! It's headed for the front page as one of next week's DEAL of the DAY features.

The lister of this 1969 Lincoln Continental Mark III is located in Greenville, Wisconsin, but they say this venerable vintage automobile originated in the south and remains in excellent shape. Take a look at the photographs and consider the price, just $18,000. It'll be one of next week's DEAL of the DAY cars but you saw it here first!

"Could not be any cuter." That's what Classic Car Marketing is saying about the 1971 VW Karmann Ghia one of their clients just listed. This is a fun little classic that boasts an original engine, an original (and rare) 2-speed automatic transmission, original interior, and more! It's driver quality, doesn't take up much space, and gets fantastic gas mileage, all for only $12,500!