Project Cars

Hideaway Hardtop Project: 1958 Ford Fairlane Skyliner

One of the most interesting cars of the late 1950s was the Ford Skyliner. It was the first mass-produced, U.S.-built automobile to have a retractable roof which Ford marketed as the “Hideaway Hardtop.” It was technically complicated but sold… more»

Droptop Project: 1990 Dodge Dakota Convertible

Technically a Dodge Dakota Sport, reportedly only 909 examples of this unique convertible pickup were made for the 1990 model year. We’ve seen a few examples here on Barn Finds over the years and this may be the one… more»

Rare British Roadster: 1986 TVR 280i

We all have cars that we look at longingly as potential projects, despite knowing the vehicle in question is likely a terrible idea. For me, any vintage TVR checks that box, but it’s this car – the 280i, or… more»

Rock-Solid Project: 1965 Ford Mustang

Releasing an entirely new model is a calculated risk, especially when the vehicle is essentially a niche model. It can sometimes lead to failure, but Ford proved it had the ability to produce the right car at the right… more»

Classified Find: 1956 Continental Mark II

Today, very few manufacturers produce “money is no object” vehicles that record a financial loss on every car sold. Volkswagen is a notable exception with its Bugatti models, but Ford pursued that approach in the 1950s with the Continental… more»

Real Super Sport Project: 1972 Chevrolet Nova

Horsepower ratings were in decline in 1972, but not all of that was because of tightening emissions controls. The industry changed its reporting measures to be in SAE net terms. So, the L48 350 cubic inch V8 which was… more»

Non Original Engine: 1968 Mercury Cyclone

“Makes the scene in a sporty manner: Cyclone 2-door hardtop” proclaims Mercury’s 1968 sales brochure. The mid-size lineup for defunct Mercury was a bit confusing in ’68 as there was the Montego, the Cyclone, and the Cyclone GT. Today’s… more»

Drop-Top Pony Project: 1965 Ford Mustang

The Ford Mustang was introduced at the New York World’s Fair in April 1964. Two and a half years later, the company had built more than 1.2 million of them, making it one of the most successful automobile launches… more»

BF Auction: 1959 Jaguar XK150 Drophead Coupe

UPDATE – The seller has taken additional photos of the car and all the included parts! Be sure to take a look at them in the gallery. They have also gathered all the parts together to make shipping the… more»

Cabover Project: 1946 Ford Truck

After WWII, Ford was allowed to return to civilian production in time for model year 1946. Most manufacturers’ designs did not change much from their pre-war counterparts for a couple of years (anyone know what company was first to… more»

First Year Project: 1974 Ford Mustang II

What to make of the Ford Mustang II such as this first-year 1974 fastback or a “3 door 2+2” model as Ford described it in their marketing brochure. And, this example is a Mach I trim level – I… more»

Real or Clone? Complicated 1965 Shelby Mustang GT350-R

While Mustangs were as plentiful as Carter’s peanuts in 1965, the high-performance Shelby Mustangs were built for a limited crowd. 562 of them were GT350s while another three dozen were GT350-Rs for SCCA Trans Am racing (which it won… more»

Storage Unit Find? 1988 Porsche 944

The Porsche 944 remains one of the more attainable 1980s European sports cars you can buy, and if you find one in a storage unit with no keys, it will be quite cheap indeed. While the hot ticket is… more»

Beach Car Bonanza: Fiat 600 Jolly by Ghia & Fiat 850 Shellette by Michelotti

Pining for a beach car to lend a bit of flair to your summer fun? Thanks to T.J., we have a couple of suggestions. Here on craigslist is your one-stop Fiat shop near Ventura, California, showcasing two beachy options…. more»

Two-Stroke Popcorn Popper Project: 1967 Saab 96

“If they ever give an award to a car for not looking like all the rest . . . for retaining individualism in the face of look-alike styling trends . . . for sticking to the sound engineering principle… more»

390 V8 Power! 1969 Mercury Cougar XR7

The Cougar arrived in 1967 as Mercury’s contribution to the “pony car” movement. It gave Ford two entries in the market space that was beginning to populate with competitors. The car would get a facelift in 1969, including the… more»

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