There’s really nothing quite like the Bellanca Viking. Motor up to the ramp and inevitably someone from the inquisitive outdoor lunch crowd will ask what it is. After explaining that it’s not a Mooney or a Comanche, you can say the Viking is very much its own airplane. Yes, with wooden spars, fabric covering, impressive speed and good handling.
But the airplane’s construction is the obvious hint for committing to a solid prepurchase evaluation on any Viking that you’re serious about, and maintaining and storing it inside when you own it. The earliest Vikings are nearly 53 years old, priced around $30,000, while pristine late-model Super Vikings from 2001 can fetch $200,000 or more. There are some good ones to be found, although perhaps fewer than when we last looked at the market. Here’s a refresh.