Next Level Patina: 1947 Indian Chief

In 1922, Indian introduced the Chief as the largest and most powerful motorcycle in the lineup.  Yet it wasn’t until Indian designer Charles Franklin added full fenders to the motorcycle’s lanky frame that it became a cultural icon.  The… more»

Close Enough? 1957 Porsche Speedster Replica

Kit cars, even after all these years, still seem to be the Rodney Dangerfield of automobiles.  They just don’t get no respect.  Is that a fair attitude to take?  The majority of them were built to replicate famous vehicles… more»

American Icon Serial Number 001: 1954 GMC Scenicruiser

While there were serious issues to deal with in the America of the 1950s, there was also a sense that it was a country on the move.  Cars were getting larger, sleeker, and faster.  The passenger aviation industry was… more»

Old School Motor Coach: 1931 Mack Greyhound Bus

We take for granted that we can now travel across our great country in just a few hours by plane, or a few days by automobile.  You can still even cross the country by train or bus a few… more»

Six Cylinder Investment: 1970 Porsche 914-6

Porsche’s much-maligned 914 represents one of the most obvious “what if?” scenarios in automotive history.  What if the original deal with Volkswagen was honored?  What if Porsche found a way to make the six-cylinder variant more distinctive?  What if… more»

Older Body, New Chassis: Brewster Bodied 1938 Buick

One of the more interesting aspects of prewar automobile production was the use of coachbuilders to craft bodies for high-end classics.  The deal was you selected a chassis from a builder like Packard, Duesenberg, or Rolls Royce.  These chassis… more»

Bathtub Aerodynamics: 1949 Nash 600 Two Door Sedan

One of the most frequent complaints from consumers today is that all cars look alike.  Part of that is due to the SUV craze infecting the nation.  The other reason is aerodynamics.  With ever-tightening fuel economy standards forcing automakers… more»

Seventies Personal Luxury Pinnacle: 1979 Buick Riviera

When the era of the muscle car ended in the early 1970s, times were tough for car lovers.  Life got even rougher with the fuel crisis and the advent of the dreaded 55 MPH speed limit.  What resulted was… more»

Long Forgotten Orphan: 1927 Erskine Coupe

The history of the American automobile is one of expansion and consolidation with a lot of drama thrown in for good measure.  As Americans fell in love with the automobile, dozens of companies sprang up to meet the wants… more»

American Pickers Auction Bike: 1948 Indian Chief

Is a vehicle worth extra if it has a connection to a famous name?  That is the question presented by this 1948 Indian Chief.  At first glance, this legendary motorcycle skates the line between restorable and a parts bike. … more»

So Close to the Original: 1955 Corvette Replica

While there is a halo surrounding the 1953 Corvette for being first in a long line of legendary sports cars, critics are quick to point out the shortcomings of these early Corvettes.  Some have hinted that the early Corvette’s… more»

Original and Ready for the Road: 1937 Dodge Coupe

How did car companies maximize profits back in the day?  Before the war, most automobile manufacturers offered cars with identical front ends, frames, and running gear with different bodies from the cowl back.  This standardization of parts allowed them… more»

Always Stored Inside: 1974 Jensen-Healey

If you take a bird’s eye view of the automotive marketplace post-WWII, you notice some interesting patterns.  One of the most fascinating is the rise and fall of the British sports car.  These fun-to-drive convertibles arrived on these shores… more»

Seldom Seen Original: 1933 Willys Coupe

Rarity is a strange condition.  Some items are rare because very few were produced.  Some items are rare because they were poorly built and did not hold up as time passed.  Others were used up and the remnants were… more»

Fighter Jet Fixer Upper: Canadair F-86 Sabre Mk. 6

We write about a lot of unusual forms of transportation here at Barn Finds.  As one of the staff writers, I have completed write-ups on motorcycles, trains, boats, and, of course, about every type of car ever produced.  However,… more»

1948 Ford Deluxe Coupe Barn Find

It comes as no surprise for seasoned car collectors that placing a car out of sight for a long time is not a good idea.  Anything can happen when it is not under your watchful eye.  Take for example… more»

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