Project Cars

Not Pretty, But It Runs! 1961 Ford Falcon

By the beginning of the 1960s, U.S.-built compact cars were starting to pop up everywhere. Ford’s entry was the Falcon which enjoyed an 11-year run from 1960 to 1970 (the name was briefly applied to a bare-bones Fairlane in… more»

Worth Saving? 1979 Mercedes-Benz 450SL

Deciding to save a Mercedes-Benz R107 is a challenging decision, no matter how low the purchase price. These cars are inherently good at what they do – excellent highway manners and truly enjoyable as a usable convertible – but… more»

Montana Barn Find: 1966 Dodge Charger 383

If I were forced to pick my favorite Dodge Charger, the 1966 model would sit at the top of the list. Dodge released a car that perfectly combined luxury and performance, although buyers paid a premium to park one… more»

Barn-Stored 49 Years: 1964 Buick Electra

The Electra was Buick’s top-of-the-line full-size automobile in the 1950s and throughout the 1980s. It’s also referred to as the Electra 225 as a nod to the car’s typical length (in inches). This second-generation example is from 1964, and… more»

93k Mile 1949 Studebaker Champion

The Champion was considered Studebaker’s “entry-level” model in the late ’40s and ’50s. It was the affordable economy car for the brand and was fairly common. The example at hand is said to have 93k miles and is the… more»

455 V8 Project: 1970 Oldsmobile Delta 88

For more than 50 years (1949 to 1999), the “88” series of automobiles played a key role in the Oldsmobile lineup. One of these was the Delta 88 which you might think of as the Chevy Impala of the… more»

Too Many Doors? 1973 Dodge Dart

From 1963 to 1976, the Dodge Dart and Plymouth Valiant ran parallel with one another at Chrysler. What one had to offer, the other was likely to muster up, too. Both were A-body compacts and sold well, though the… more»

Ever Seen One? 1956 Ford Fairlane Ambulance

Most vintage ambulances and hearses that pop up here on Barn Finds are usually customized Cadillacs and other high-end vehicles. This 1956 example is the first time I’ve seen one as a Ford Fairlane (or more appropriately a Country… more»

4-Speed Project: 1966 Plymouth Satellite

The Satellite entered the Plymouth lineup as a 1965 model and was the top-of-the-line offering for the Belvedere series, coming with sporty bucket seats plus a console in between as standard equipment.  The Satellite quickly got a redesign the… more»

No Reserve! 1972 Mercedes-Benz 280SE Sedan

Here’s another estate sale, with the seller looking to move this 1972 Mercedes-Benz 280SE out of the family’s garage – where it’s been parked for twenty-five years – into a new home. The listing is here on eBay, and… more»

Not a Fleetwood: 1958 Cadillac Series 62

It is easy for a seller to portray a car as something it isn’t, and many enthusiasts have been caught flat-footed by what they later discover to be a Tribute or clone of a desirable classic. However, that isn’t… more»

Neglected Restoration: 1989 Lincoln Town Car

Lincoln sold the Town Car as a luxury sedan for more than 30 years (from 1981 to 2011). The nameplate had previously been part of the Lincoln Continental Series. This 1989 version was once a running project that supposedly… more»

Al Bundy Special: 1975 Plymouth Duster

The Duster was the sporty version of the Plymouth Valiant in the 1970s. It enjoyed a seven-year run before being replaced by the Volare (which turned out to be a lesser product in terms of quality). The Duster got… more»

A Star Is Born: 1966 Rambler Classic 770

During its time in the American Motors line-up (1961 to 1966), the Rambler Classic was considered the manufacturer’s mid-size car. It was positioned above the compact American and below the Ambassador (at least in terms of trim). The 1966… more»

Semi-Barn Find: 1966 Ford Mustang Drop-Top

Few U.S. nameplates have sold more than 600,000 copies in a single model year. And one of those would be the 1966 Ford Mustang. Everyone at the company must have been working overtime to produce 607,568 of them along… more»

1 of 296: 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T SE

Dodge’s Challenger would be the last to join the “pony car” movement of the late 1960s. But it’s probably at the top of the list of collectors who go in for the genre. This example of one of the… more»

Barn Finds