This 1973 Bellanca 17-30A Viking Is a Retro-Modern ‘AircraftForSale’ Top Pick

With a factory-remanufactured engine, the vintage speedster essentially serves as a time capsule.

FLYING Staff

Monday, April 27, 2026 at 10:30 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

1973 Bellanca 17-30A Viking [Credit: Chris Westcott]

Key Takeaways:

The featured 1973 Bellanca 17-30A Viking is highlighted for its unique handcrafted excellence, distinctive Sitka spruce wing, and steel-tube fuselage, standing out from its mass-produced contemporaries.
This specific aircraft boasts exceptionally low airframe hours (1,550 since new) and a recently remanufactured engine (300 hours), reflecting a history of meticulous care and maintenance.
Its cockpit has been strategically modernized with 21st-century avionics, including an Aspen ProMax PFD and Garmin GI-275 EIS, providing a blend of vintage charm and contemporary awareness.
Listed at $89,000 with recent upgrades and a fresh annual inspection, this well-preserved Viking offers a turnkey solution for pilots seeking speed, craftsmanship, and modern glass-panel capabilities.

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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 1973 Bellanca 17-30A Viking.

While the 1970s were an era of mass-produced, all-metal singles, the Bellanca Viking remained a holdout of handcrafted excellence. The Viking’s reputation was built on its legendary handling—the result of a Sitka spruce wing and a steel-tube fuselage.

This 1973 model, located in Howell, Michigan, represents a rare find for a pilot who wants that vintage soul paired with a panel that belongs in the 21st century.

With only 1,550 hours on the airframe since new, the aircraft has spent its life being pampered rather than worked. The current owner, who has maintained it since mid-2021, continued a long pedigree of care previously established by two decades of maintenance at Pasquale Aviation.

Under the cowling, the Continental IO-520-K engine delivers 300 hp and has only 300 hours since a factory remanufacture (SFRM) in 2005. To improve operational efficiency and pilot control, the engine has been upgraded with GAMIjectors and a McFarlane Vernier-Assist throttle. It is paired with a three-blade Hartzell propeller that also shows just 300 hours since new.

The real standout feature, however, is the cockpit.

While many legacy Bellancas rely on aging steam gauges, this aircraft has undergone a strategic modernization. The pilot is treated to an Aspen ProMax PFD with Synthetic Vision Technology and a Garmin GI-275 Engine Information System (EIS). The navigator suite is anchored by an Apollo CNX80 WAAS GPS and an Apollo MX20 multifunction display. For long-distance stability, the Century IIB lateral autopilot is supplemented by an S-Tec PSS60 for pitch, creating a highly capable cross-country platform.

The aircraft’s aesthetics match its mechanical pedigree.

1973 Bellanca 17-30A Viking [Credit: Chris Westcott]

Outfitted in a white factory scheme with black, gold, and red accents, the exterior reflects its lifetime of being hangared. Inside, the cabin retains its OEM brown and black fabric and wood trim, which the seller describes as being in excellent condition with fresh black carpeting. Modern utility upgrades include dual USB charging ports (USB-A and USB-C) on the panel, and four-point Hooker harnesses for the front seats.

A brand-new hydraulic power pack was installed in September 2025 (carrying a one-year warranty), and the aircraft is being sold with a fresh annual inspection completed in April 2026.

Listed at $89,000, this Super Viking offers a turnkey solution for the enthusiast who values speed, hand-sewn craftsmanship, and modern glass-panel awareness.

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.