Barn Finds

Author: Michelle Rand

  • Backyard Find: 1937 International Harvester D-Series Pickup

    Backyard Find: 1937 International Harvester D-Series Pickup

    International Harvester is best known for its agricultural equipment and heavy-duty trucks, but its first truck – the Auto Wagon – was a precursor to a light-duty line that gained traction in the early 1930s. The company toiled in this niche for decades, but it was tough sledding: the Big Three had captured significant share and were set to grow faster, with laser-focused dealerships; IH dealers preferred selling the company’s most profitable products, which meant heavy trucks; and the company itself unwisely pursued a strategy of internal competition, pitting divisions against each other. Given all these headwinds, it’s a miracle production lasted as long as it did. Here on craigslist is a representative from one of International’s earliest lines of half-ton pickups – a 1937 D2. The seller is asking $7500 for this project; trailer it away from Reno, Nevada. Good eye, Nevadahalfrack – thanks for the tip!

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  • Still Mostly Swanky: 1995 Cadillac DeVille

    Still Mostly Swanky: 1995 Cadillac DeVille

    With eight generations under its belt, Cadillac’s DeVille nameplate showcases the evolution of American automobile design from the 1950s to 2005. After its first appearance as a trim level, the car mostly occupied a middle niche in the spectrum of luxury Cadillacs, above the Calais and below both the Eldorado and, when it arrived, the Fleetwood. This seventh generation sedan is available here on craigslist for only $1999. It ought to get you home from Bend, Oregon now that its battery, fluids, and filters have been replaced. Don’t worry about the summer heat, either – the AC blows cold. Rocco B found this still-swanky car for us to write about – thanks!

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  • Perfect First Car? 1991 Geo Metro Convertible

    Perfect First Car? 1991 Geo Metro Convertible

    Behold, the lowly econo-box, glorified by no one but both necessary and useful in a cheap kind of way. Collector car? Not hardly. Fan club? Yes, just like lawn mower racing and extreme ironing. Here on craigslist is your ticket to this venerable category of car-ownership, where a 1991 Geo Metro convertible awaits your scrutiny. Defying its Kelly Blue Book value of $1298, the seller wants $2500 for this survivor plus extra parts. Drive it away from Olympia, Washington. I know what you’re thinking! It’s cute, red, and a convertible… Do I dare? Can I hide it somewhere, like the garden shed? Will my golf clubs/saddle (ok that’s me)/tennis racquet fit? Thanks to Curvette for the tip, prompting all these crucial questions.

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  • Restoration Candidate: 1972 International Scout II

    Restoration Candidate: 1972 International Scout II

    What was the first passenger vehicle to replace the horse in the farmer’s field? The Jeep might have been pressed into service; Citroën’s 2CV can take a bow in France; the Land Rover, certainly, in the UK. In America, designers over at International were asked to produce a four-wheel-drive “replacement for the horse”. A fast development period followed, and in 1960, the Scout 80 was launched. It beat Ford’s Bronco to market by five years, and was sold alongside International’s heavy duty trucks. Demand shocked the company – more than 25k Scout 80s were made annually through 1965. Upgrades to the 80 brought the 800 series, and in 1971, the Scout II – now marketed against the Blazer. These stout off-roaders trail the Bronco in value but have enjoyed a similar renaissance. Here on eBay is a 1972 International Scout II for restoration, currently bid to $2550, reserve not met. The seller states that it’s for sale locally – that’s in Casey, Illinois – for $13,000.

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  • Italian Hatchback: 1982 Lancia Delta LX

    Italian Hatchback: 1982 Lancia Delta LX

    Feeling stuck in your old hatchback? Tired of seeing twelve people every day driving the same car you own? Here’s a solution: still a hatchback, still family-friendly, but it’s a Lancia! Not only does it have exotic origins – with the styling penned by Giorgetto Giugiaro – but this example is pristine. It’s not a survivor – having had one repaint in its factory color – but it’s darn close. It’s also one of a few grocery-getters that spawned thundering performance cars destined to win rallies: this one was used as the basis for the Delta Integrale, and in a similar move over in France, the Renault 5 was transformed into the 5 Turbo. This 1982 Lancia Delta LX is available here on craigslist, with an asking price of $18,500. It’s located in the Washington D.C. area. Thanks to Tony Primo, who has a knack for finding unusual cars!

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  • On the Lawn: Forest Grove Concours

    On the Lawn: Forest Grove Concours

    What’s your idea of a concours? Pebble Beach-esque, with hats on the ladies, ties on the gentlemen, lawn cut to perfection, champagne, and the most exquisite cars in the world? How about Concours d’LeMons, where the ridiculous enjoy the fruits of sublimity? The Forest Grove Concours is somewhere in between, with a relaxed atmosphere more akin to d’LeMons than Pebble, but a cast of worthwhile cars including some you will never have seen or possibly even known about. Restorations range from, well, NOT, to spectacular. This event was held on July 20th this year, on the grounds of Pacific University as per usual. I’ve plucked a few items from the population that I thought Barn Finders might enjoy, beginning with this wonderful 1966 Shelby GT-350. This example was restored to perfection, including replication of the indifferent panel fit typical of Mustangs of the era. Of course a couple of its lawn-mates wore brighter hues, but this Wimbleton White set off with Guardsman Blue stripes is my favorite combination.

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  • Plastic Gullwing! 1978 Bradley GT ll

    Plastic Gullwing! 1978 Bradley GT ll

    I never expect much when faced with a kit car. Indifferent panel fit, scruffy paint, questionable engineering, or an unfinished mess – these all seem to go hand in hand with the kits we see for sale around here. This 1978 Bradley GT is a bird of another feather, winging its way through a prior owner’s pocketbook to the tune of $40k for the restoration. It’s impeccably presented here on craigslist with an asking price of $9000. Drive it home from Cranston, Rhode Island. Thanks to Tony Primo for the great tip!

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  • Daily Drive It? 1971 Lotus Elan Plus 2

    Daily Drive It? 1971 Lotus Elan Plus 2

    While this Lotus Elan +2 is narrowly tucked into a garage, it’s not exactly a barn find. It’s been fully restored to “daily driver status” and apparently only needs new gas and oil before leaping into life. Find it here on eBay, with an asking price of $25,500. If you want to tempt fate, you can try to start it where it sits in San Mateo, California, and drive it home. This coupe is one of the most elegant of its era, conceived to cater to Lotus customers who grew up with Elan roadsters but now wanted room for the whole family in an upmarket package. Lotus was always a specialty, low-production maker, so despite its eight year run, only somewhere between 3000 and 5000 Elan +2s rolled out of the factory; another 12,000 Elan two-seaters were made.

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  • Not Quite a Prince: 1964 Plymouth Valiant Wagon

    Not Quite a Prince: 1964 Plymouth Valiant Wagon

    Taming the excess of Virgil Exner’s original Valiant design took about four years, the effect of that “taming” amounting to lower-profile wedges, swales, rolls, and protrusions. They’re still there – just in subdued form. Despite its economy niche, the Valiant’s “Torsion-Aire” suspension was touted as providing a better ride than its competitors, and the well-insulated, unibody construction kept the cabin tight and quiet. Meanwhile, this example from 1964 – advertised here on craigslist along with its many extra parts – is a member of the best-selling vintage of all Valiants. Starting in 1965, sales began to sink. If you want to grab a Mopar project still sporting the remnants of Exner’s styling, the price is $2200; take a trailer to Sparks, Nevada to pack it all up. Thanks to Zappenduster for the family-friendly tip!

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  • Mopar Project: 1963 Dodge Dart GT Convertible

    Mopar Project: 1963 Dodge Dart GT Convertible

    “Honey, I shrunk the Dart” could have been the slogan from 1960 to 1963, as Dodge first introduced the Dart on a full size platform, nearly immediately downsized it to a mid sized, and then for ’63, situated it on the compact 111″ wheelbase that used to belong to the Lancer. The Lancer had been offered up to Dodge dealers as the compact they didn’t get when the Valiant went to Plymouth. But with the Dart nameplate selling so well, the strategy made sense at the time – and it worked, as sales in ’63 surged well past the Lancer’s. Here on craigslist is a 1963 Dodge Dart GT convertible, with an asking price of $6950, located in Santa Cruz, California. Thanks to Zappenduster for this promising tip!

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  • “AdVANtage”: 1978 Ford Econoline 150 Shorty 4WD Conversion

    “AdVANtage”: 1978 Ford Econoline 150 Shorty 4WD Conversion

    Ford’s clever marketing slogan – AdVANtage Ford! – reminded customers that the Econoline was ready for anything. The company had plenty of practice adapting the van’s format since launching the model in 1961 with a mid-engine layout on a Falcon frame. That early model was a little guy, measuring 168″ from tip to toe, equipped with one of three in-line six-cylinders and constructed as a unibody. Later, the Econoline was developed to handle more muscular tasks including towing: the motor moved to the very front of the nose to free up the cargo area, the body was set on a truck frame, multiple lengths and a variety of V8s were offered. From the third generation of this venerable van comes a 1978 E150 short-wheelbase converted to 4WD, advertised here on craigslist for $8900. Drive it home from Tacoma, Washington (visit the LeMay auto museum while you’re up there!). Thanks to Scott for finding this useful tip for us!

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  • Low Miles? 1980 Alfa Romeo Spider Veloce

    Low Miles? 1980 Alfa Romeo Spider Veloce

    By the 1970s, Alfa Romeo was government-owned and on the march toward a merger with Fiat. Its factories were limping along at roughly half-capacity. Despite this, the Spider Veloce – with origins reaching back to the 1950s – received a number of updates. The Kamm-tail refresh to the lovely Duetto arrived in 1970, and shortly thereafter, Alfa’s new 2.0 liter twin cam was available to power the car. Here on facebook Marketplace is a series 2 example, with a claimed 53,000 original miles and an asking price of $4400. The car is located in Tucson, Arizona, and we have Araknid78 to thank for the tip. The car runs and drives, and while low mileage claims need evidence in my opinion, let’s see what we can discern from the photos.

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  • Running Project: 1962 Triumph TR3A

    Running Project: 1962 Triumph TR3A

    Standard Triumph had put a few roadsters into buyers’ hands in the immediate post-war period, first its 1800, then the 2000, but the company’s competitiveness was slipping in the sports-car segment. Rumor has it that Sir John Black, managing director, took a run at acquiring the Morgan Motor Company, but was rebuffed, forcing Black back to the drawing board. Three years later – after some tribulation – the TR2 was launched into a market seething with MG T-series and Jaguar XK120 options. It was an auspicious moment, establishing the line of TR cars with a production run that stretched to the TR8 and 1981. Here on eBay is a TR3A (the “A” was appended by enthusiasts to differentiate it, with its several improvements, from the earlier TR3 and later TR3B), bid to $3200, reserve not met. The car is located in Imlay City, Michigan, and it’s a running project; let’s investigate the pros and cons….

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  • Red and Rare: 1982 Porsche 928

    Red and Rare: 1982 Porsche 928

    In the 1970s, while Giorgetto Giugiaro and Marcello Gandini were outdoing each other with every new wedge-y sports car that spun off their pens, Porsche was contemplating a potential grand touring car. Sales of the 911 had dipped and regulations were evolving; Porsche wanted to skate to where the puck would be, prospectively responding to safety strictures and providing another option for customers in case the 911 was truly losing favor. The 928 was conceived as a conventional front-engine design offering rear seating and relatively generous luggage capacity. In-house designers Wolfgang Möbius and Anatole Lapine eschewed the sharp-edged styling so prevalent at the time, opting for a rounded – some would say corpulent – look. The front end contained a hint of the popular wedge idiom, but aft-ward, the car resembled an upscale Pacer. Gestation was long: it took from 1971 to 1977 for the car to enter production – with an enforced hiatus due to the gas crisis of 1973. By the time of its launch, the 928 was entering a crowded market, and the 911 had proved its staying power; consequently, sales never reached the desired 8000 units per year. About 61,000 were made through the end of production in 1995; fewer than 15,000 were sold in the all-important US market. If you have a flair for the unusual and the wherewithal to cover potentially expensive maintenance, consider this 928 on craigslist, with an asking price of $10,995. The car is located in Tacoma, Washington, and the seller will consider trades – of the American muscle variety. We owe Scott thanks for the tip!

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  • Only Two Owners! 1979 Celica Supra

    Only Two Owners! 1979 Celica Supra

    The Toyota Celica Supra foreshadowed the arrival of one of Japan’s best-selling sports cars. Still sold today under the Supra name, this model has come a long way from its 100 hp beginnings. Today’s example is a first-year 1979 with only two owners and 108,485 miles on the clock. The car is located in Red Bluff, California and it’s advertised here on craigslist for $13,000. With a full list of options and in good running order, this Celica Supra would make a terrific starter classic. Thanks to T.J. for finding this Japanese gem.

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  • Rare Rampside: 1961 Chevrolet Corvair Pickup

    Rare Rampside: 1961 Chevrolet Corvair Pickup

    Whether you loved or hated the VW Beetle, there’s no question it kicked off a round of innovation at US automakers. AMC put its Rambler American “subcompact” on the ground in 1958; Ford introduced its Falcon in 1960; Studebaker had its Lark; and Chevrolet came to the table with the Corvair. Of these four, the Corvair was the only groundbreaker. It was not just a smaller version of an existing sedan powered by some thrifty six cylinder. Like the Beetle, it carried its air-cooled engine in the rear. But unlike the Beetle, its sedan body provided scads of room for passengers and luggage. Later, body styles proliferated and turbocharging spiced up the performance, so the Corvair could cater to almost any need. Here on eBay is one of the two pickups offered – a 1961 Rampside. Bidding has reached $9100, but the reserve is not yet met. Retrieve the truck from Atwater, California – and reading between the lines, a trailer might be a good idea.

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Barn Finds