A handful of companies were founded as sewing machine makers – Singer, Opel, Peugeot, White Motors. NSU was a variation on the same theme; its predecessor, Mechanische Werkstätte zur Herstellung von Strickmaschinen, made knitting machines. In 1905 – after… more»
Project Cars
Early Model Rarity: 1959 TVR Grantura
By now, we all know TVR as the fledgling automaker that made charming sports cars featuring lightweight construction and a variety of engine choices ranging from mild to wild. The car that started it all was the Grantura, which… more»
Rusty 4×4 Project: 1978 Ford Bronco Custom
I believe this round-headlight 1978 Ford Bronco Custom is Castillo Red, shown on page four of this brochure, but it’s hard to tell from the photos. A 1978 Ford color chart shows the Bronco being available in Bright Red,… more»
First Year Project: 1966 Dodge Charger
More often than not, it’s the second-generation examples that seem to get most of the praise and attention among fans of the Dodge Charger. That’s understandable, as the 1968 through 1970 models are among the most fondly remembered offerings… more»
Buy With The Heart? 1973 Plymouth Duster
The blinders of nostalgia are a curious thing. They make me look at the 1973 Duster here on ebay with fondness rather than fright. Why fright? Because on the way to restoring this car, should I give in to… more»
Diesel-Powered Mini Bus: 1975 Mercedes-Benz O 309 D
We’ve featured numerous fine automobiles from Mercedes-Benz on Barn Finds over the years, but I don’t recall coming across many wearing the O 309 D badge. This moniker signifies a bus, one small enough to be driven with ease, yet providing… more»
Colorado Orange: 1972 BMW 2002 Tii
There comes a point in our lives when we decide time is at a premium and you become very selective about how that time is used. When it comes to project cars, the idea of restoring a vehicle and… more»
Body Restored: 1972 Maserati Indy 4.9
Every now and again, after looking at the local Facebook Marketplace listings for the hundredth time and seeing nothing that appeals, you’ll spot a car that isn’t a new listing but that also has never popped into your feed… more»
Stored Since 1982: 1959 Jaguar MK2 3.8
The Jaguar Mark II is one of the most important and successful cars the British automaker has ever built. It was everything at the time: opulent, fast, and looking like nothing else on the road. To think that this… more»
Compare and Contrast: Two MGB GTs
Up next, we have two MGB GTs at opposite ends of the spectrum: one is in need of just about everything, the other has a known history and could go to a casual show tomorrow. The 1970 project car… more»
New Turbo V6: 1987 Buick Grand National
For those of you who thought the mid-size muscle car was dead after the 1970s, you may have never met the 1980s Buick Grand National. Based on the popular Regal rear-wheel-drive platform, it was the street version of the… more»
Original Paint: 1967 Pontiac GTO Ragtop
The Pontiac GTO enjoyed its second-best sales year in 1967, even though it was down 15% over the record 1966 model run. With subtle styling updates in ‘67, the biggest “news” may have been the retirement of the 389… more»
Big Job: 1967 Chevrolet Camaro
The Pony Car, the class of smaller sporty cars of which the Mustang and Camaro are primary exemplars, took the automotive world by surprise. Nobody could have imagined people would sleep all night in the car on the showroom… more»
Drive Or Restore? 1970 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme Convertible
When shopping for a vintage car project, it’s always wise to consider one that’s still operational, even if you plan to perform a restoration. Being able to drive as you work is certainly a fun perk, and you’ll be… more»
Solid 1950 Packard Eight Woody Wagon Project
Having entered my sixth decade of life recently, I’m old enough to recall when cars were primarily built from metal, before all those plastic components became the norm. However, I’m not quite of the age to remember when station… more»
V8 Plus Parts: Pair of Chevrolet Vega Projects
Both Chevrolet and Ford got into the U.S. subcompact car market at the same time, in 1971. The Chevy Vega was well thought out but poorly executed, with persistent engine troubles and premature corrosion. The seller has a pair… more»
