Project Cars

Original Paint Barn Find: 1963 Lancia Flavia

When it comes to vintage Italian cars, there’s a wide variety of vehicles that fly under the radar and offer just as much style and panache as your 60s Lamborghini or Ferrari. You have to accept slightly less sporting… more»

BF Auction: Pair Of 1963 Pontiac LeMans Convertibles

Pontiac had a history of creating sporty trim options that became so popular that they became their own car model. When the LeMans first appeared, it was a trim option for the Tempest. By 1963, the LeMans became its… more»

BF Auction: No Reserve 1978 Alfa Romeo Spider

This was a very nice Alfa Romeo… until a fateful day a few weeks ago. The body had no major rust, and the paint looked great. It had been parked for a while, but I had big plans for… more»

Dolphin Gray Project: 1964 Porsche 356 C

The Porsche 356 is one of the more instantly recognizable sports cars ever made. It maintains a significant place in history as Porsche’s first major entry into the global sports car market, spawning multiple high-performance variants that today are… more»

Wrecked and Bent: 1969 Plymouth Road Runner

Plymouth introduced its budget mid-size muscle car, the Road Runner, in 1968. It was an instant hit but was only available at first as a coupe (pillared or hardtop). When 1969 rolled around, they added a convertible which saw… more»

Ambitious Project: 1959 Triumph TR3

The TR3 successfully replaced the TR2, resulting in nearly 75,000 assemblies between 1955 and 1962. The cars were changed little over time and the TR3A and TR3B were unofficial variants of the evolving design. This 1959 edition is said… more»

Assembly Required: 1970 Dodge Charger 500

To better compete in NASCAR, Dodge developed the Charger 500 in 1969. It was more aerodynamic than the rest of the series, with a flat front end with exposed headlights and no tunnel back for the roof. That didn’t… more»

It’s Not a Jeep! 1953 Willys Aero

When you think you the Willys brand, you likely have visions of the venerable Jeep that was built in huge numbers during and after World War II. But they were also in the automobile business for a time, including… more»

Collector’s Edition Project: 1982 Chevrolet Corvette

When you hear the words “collector’s edition,” you might think that it meant a car would be immune from falling into disrepair. We know that it doesn’t work that way, especially when a so-called collector car is produced in… more»

454 V8 Roller: 1972 Chevrolet Monte Carlo

The Monte Carlo was Chevrolet’s personal luxury car and was in its third year in 1972. The cars were little changed and the emphasis on luxury was increased with the discontinuance of the SS 454 package. Yet, the engine… more»

Supercharged Survivor: 1963 Studebaker Avanti R2

Releasing a new model is always a calculated risk, but it is more so when the company is teetering on the edge of financial collapse. However, Studebaker rolled the dice in 1962 when it released its Avanti. It was… more»

No Reserve: 1966 Ford Mustang Convertible

If you ever harbored doubts about the desirability of First Generation Mustang project candidates, this 1966 Convertible probably removes those doubts. It is complete and unmolested but has extensive rust issues requiring attention. However, that hasn’t prevented it from… more»

Rare Rotary: 1968 NSU Ro 80

It is easy for some cars to claim the crown of the most advanced or radical car of the 20th Century, such was the rapid rate of vehicle development during the first one hundred years of passenger car production…. more»

6,500-Mile Survivor: 1954 Hudson Jet

Attempting to remain competitive in the automobile business, Hudson Motor Car Co. developed and launched the compact Jet in 1953. However, the cost of bringing the little car to market left minimal capital for much else, so Hudson merged… more»

Just Out of the Barn: 1955 Packard Clipper

The Clipper enjoyed a sporadic run at Packard in the 1940s and 1950s. In later years, it was the entry-level product for a car company that had touted luxury. But the Clipper was seen internally as a sales draw… more»

Real Barn Find: 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air Project

Although the Chevrolet Bel Air was introduced back in 1950, it’s the ’55 through ’57 models that enthusiasts typically have recurring dreams about, the years lovingly known as the tri-fives.  Sadly, the fifties decade was a long time ago,… more»

Barn Finds