Ford was two years behind General Motors in downsizing its full-size cars in 1979. Riding on a new Panther platform, the Ford LTD was now 15 inches shorter and 700 pounds lighter as part of the movement to squeeze… more»
Survivor Cars
Not all barn finds are rusty! Here are the very best unrestored classics:
Soichiro Honda’s Last Car: 1991 Honda Beat
Born in 1906, Soichiro Honda was as famous in Japanese culture as Henry Ford was here in the U.S., in much the same manner. He didn’t invent the car but he made it better and gave the masses an… more»
46k Mile 1979 Volkswagen Rabbit
The Rabbit is a first-car classic. In the ’80s the cars dotted high school parking lots across the country. In Europe, the cars were called Volkswagen Golfs but it sounded too fancy for the United States youth so they… more»
Two Owner Survivor: 1979 Pontiac Trans Am
We always welcome input from our readers at Barn Finds, because, without you, we would cease to exist. Your comments provide praise where it is deserved, but also correct us when we make glaring mistakes. You are a seemingly… more»
60k Documented Miles: 1970 Dodge Challenger Convertible
When Dodge released the Challenger in 1970, it offered something to appeal to every taste and budget. While some buyers focused on outright performance, the first owner of this Convertible craved luxury and comfort. It remains a genuine survivor… more»
Tidy Driver: 1970 Jeepster Commando
We’ve recently seen a few examples of the Jeepster Commando crossing our desks at Barn Finds, and this 1970 example stands out courtesy of its excellent presentation. It isn’t perfect, but it would need little to lift it to… more»
One-Year Model: 1966 Rambler Rebel
Though American Motors had used the nameplate before (1960), the Rebel moniker returned in 1966 as a sporty version of the Rambler Classic. With a revised roofline and available V8 engines, it inched AMC closer to playing in the… more»
1977 Plymouth Gran Fury Brougham Survivor
Some of you surely remember the era when “color-keyed carpet” was listed on the standard features list, along with padded armrests – front and rear (!), not to mention a one-piece headliner. Fancy stuff! And that’s on the highest… more»
84k Miles: 1995 Chevrolet S10
In the 1990s, Chevrolet practically handed out S10s for free. I remember radio ads offering leases for under $100 a month, and I guffawed that “there are hidden fees!” until several people I knew actually leased them for that… more»
Tidy Driver: 1965 Ford Mustang
As 2024 draws to a close, the world is slowly recovering from “Taylor Swift-itis.” The Pennsylvania-born singer wowed audiences across the globe during her “The Eras Tour,” earning millions of dollars through the sale of concert tickets and merchandise… more»
Meticulously Maintained: 1973 Datsun 240Z
A classic car’s odometer reading sometimes isn’t a consideration, particularly if it has received the TLC it richly deserves. This 1973 Datsun 240Z is a perfect example of that approach. It has 148,544 miles on the clock, but the… 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»
10k-Mile Luxurious Beauty: 1977 Pontiac Grand Prix LJ
Big changes were coming for the Pontiac Grand Prix in 1978, or maybe smaller changes might be a more accurate way of describing what was ahead. The General Motors A-bodies were destined for the chopping block, with the GP… more»
60k-Mile Survivor: 1967 Imperial by Chrysler
The Imperial had been Chrysler’s top luxury brand since 1926. To help it better compete against Cadillac and Lincoln, it was spun off as a separate make in 1955 (which may or may not have helped). This 1967 edition… more»