The Ford Ranchero debuted in 1957 as a pickup based on a 2-door station wagon platform. It morphed into a Falcon-based compact truck in 1960 and then to a mid-size in 1966, and it remained in the lineup through… more»
Driver Quality Cars
Special Order Paint: 1987 Volvo 240 Wagon
Ah, yes – the classic Volvo 240 station wagon. It’s impressive how many iconic long-roof models came out of the 1980s, both foreign and domestic. The GM variants are obviously well-loved on these pages, from the Roadmaster to the… more»
Low-Buck Cult Classic: 1995 Ford Taurus SHO
The Ford Taurus was a best-seller when it arrived in 1986. Its styling broke new ground, introducing the rounded lines that have become ubiquitous today. It was the ultimate family car, with decent gas mileage and adequate performance. But… more»
Modern Magnum Power: 1977 Dodge Ramcharger SE 4×4
Once upon a time, two-door sport utilities built on full-size truck frames were one of the more popular segments of the truck market. GM, Ford, and Chrysler all offered versions of them, and they managed to soldier on until… more»
Not a Wrap! 1986 Jeep CJ-7 “Patches”
Custom builds take many forms, and the finished product typically reflects the creator’s taste. Some builders follow a conventional path, while others choose what I will call a more eclectic approach. Such is the case with this 1986 Jeep… more»
One Family Owned: 53k Mile 1958 Chevrolet Bel Air
The 1958 Chevrolets are noteworthy today for being a one-year-only design. After the Tri-Fives of 1955-57, the cars became longer, wider, lower, and heavier in 1958. But Chevy would throw that out the window with another all-new “batwing” look… more»
427/4-Speed Project: 1969 Chevrolet Corvette
Here’s a 1969 Chevrolet Corvette where the positives seem to outweigh the negatives by far. While this one’s going to need some fiberglass replacement on the driver’s side, it appears the rest of the body is in reasonably nice… more»
California Survivor: 1980 Plymouth Horizon
In 1980, things were pretty grim for the country in general and automobiles in particular. The prime interest rate in this country reached an all-time high of 21.5% and inflation sat stubbornly at 13.5%. Doomsday predictors were all forecasting… more»
302/4-Speed: 1978 Ford Mustang II King Cobra
People are often unkind about the Mustang II, stating it is unworthy of wearing the iconic Mustang badge. However, history shows that, like its predecessor, the Mustang II was the right car at the right time for the American… more»
Mopar Project: 1971 Dodge Dart Swinger
The Dodge Dart was a chameleon in the Chrysler line-up: it was first introduced for model year 1960 as a full-sized car, then spent a year in the mid-sized segment before settling into the compact category until the last… more»
Rock-Solid Project: 1969 Pontiac GTO Convertible
Desirable classics can emerge from unexpected locations, as demonstrated by this 1969 Pontiac GTO Convertible. The seller unearthed it at a Sheriff’s Auction two years ago and was astounded by what they found. They looked beyond the tired exterior… more»
76K Mile Luxury Wagon: 1987 Buick Electra Estate Wagon
Once again, the Hot Rod Power Tour is close at hand. If you are like me, you always promise that you will attend only to perennially let lack of proper planning and the financially destructive tag team of food… more»
1-of-1? No Reserve 1968 Plymouth Road Runner
Claiming that your car is a genuine 1-of-1 vehicle is a bold move. With a steady stream of classics emerging from barns and sheds, there is a risk that an identical car might pop out of the woodwork. However,… more»
350 Miles A Year: 1977 Pontiac Catalina
Most of the 47,000 Pontiac Catalina 4-door sedans built in 1977 have long ago ended up in a junkyard or the crusher because they were all used up. But not this one. It’s well-preserved, has recently been serviced, and… more»
















