Every day, the team at Aircraft For Sale chooses an airplane that catches our attention because it is unique, a good deal, or has other qualities we find interesting. You can read Aircraft For Sale: Today’s Top Pick at FLYINGMag.com daily.
Today’s Top Pick is a 1963 Piper PA-28-180 Cherokee.
This classic Cherokee 180 is a compelling find, offering both the pilot looking to build time or the first-time owner a forgiving, reliable platform. It represents the golden era of general aviation simplicity, offering a robust “Hershey Bar” wing design that is renowned for its stability and docile handling characteristics.
This 1963 model stands out not just for its classic lines but for its exceptionally fresh maintenance status. The airframe, with 5,217 total hours, was treated to a brand-new paint job in 2023, giving it a ramp presence that belies its vintage.
Crucially, it is powered by the legendary Lycoming O-360 engine that has only 165 hours since a major overhaul in 2023. This near-fresh powerplant is paired with a fixed-pitch Sensenich propeller, keeping operating costs and complexity low.
The current owner has spared no expense in revitalizing this airframe. Recent maintenance includes the replacement of fuel and oil lines in 2021, and new tires, tubes, wheel bearings, and brake rotors in 2025. The aircraft has been stored in a climate-controlled hangar, preserving the recent updates.
The panel is equipped for situational awareness and reliability. It features a Stratus ADS-B In/Out TSX transponder and dual KX-170B com radios, all managed by an Apollo audio panel. While it retains its vintage charm, the avionics provide the essential utility needed for modern VFR touring and time building.
![1963 Piper PA-28-180 Cherokee [Courtesy: Hiller Aviation]](https://flyingmag1.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/aircraft-single-engine-piston-pi-3.jpg?width=800&height=533)
While modern listings often group these aircraft with the “Archer” name, that moniker wasn’t officially adopted until 1974.
As mentioned, this 1963 model features the original constant-chord “Hershey Bar” wing, which many pilots prefer for its superior stability in crosswinds and gentle stall characteristics compared to the later tapered-wing models.
The Cherokee 180’s simple systems and rugged construction have made it a favorite of flight schools and private owners for over six decades, proving that a well-designed airplane never goes out of style.
Listed at $94,900, this 1963 Piper Cherokee 180 presents a unique opportunity to own a mechanically “fresh” classic for less than the price of many high-time trainers.
If you’re exploring ownership options, FLYING Finance can help get you airborne. Use our airplane loan calculator to estimate your monthly payments, or connect with an aviation finance expert at flyingfinance.com.
- FLYING Magazine: Piper Archer Through the Years
- FLYING Magazine: We Fly: Piper Archer DX
- FLYING Magazine: CAE and Piper Team Up to Electrify the Iconic Archer
- FLYING Magazine: Piper Delivers First Archer TXs to Flight School in Australia
- Plane & Pilot: First of 100 Piper Archers Delivered to UND
- Plane & Pilot: Piper Archer: 50 Years and Counting
- Plane & Pilot: Piper And Continental Obtain EASA STC for Diesel-Powered Archers
- The Aviation Consumer: Used Aircraft Guide: Cherokee 235/Dakota

