Survivor Cars

Not all barn finds are rusty! Here are the very best unrestored classics:

Texas Oval Well: 1957 Volkswagen Beetle

  If you ask just about any Volkswagen fan what they wish they could find, their choices will always be an Oval, a Split, or a Kombi. Although time marches on, nice “original” condition cars are becoming harder to… more»

Another Mulletmobile! 1977 Z28 Survivor

We’ve noticed before here at Barn Finds that cars of certain types seem to come on the market in groups. The second-generation Camaros and Firebirds (and their sportier Z28 and Trans-Am brethren) seem to be flooding the market at the… more»

Original Survivor: 1960 Austin Healey Sprite

It must make some people groan when they hear any car called cute, but, well, this bug-eyed face really is cartoon cute. The headlights on the prototype rotated up. Since the Bugeye was built to be cheap, the headlights on… more»

Estate Sale Find: All-Original 1988 BMW 535is

The E28 platform BMW is among the most loved of the 5-Series lineup: comfortable, quick and a deft handler for a family car, the 535is was the next best thing if you couldn’t afford the upkeep on the legendary… more»

Untouched Survivor: 1966 Chevy Nova 283

Survivors are were it’s at these days, but finding a classic that hasn’t ever been rebuilt or repainted is truly a rarity. Quite often cars that are called survivors have actually been restored years ago or at the least… more»

Plastic Surgery Sometimes Works: 1990 Olds Toronado Trofeo

We all know the celebrities that plastic surgery didn’t work for. All that money spent to look like a permanent Halloween costume. Same thing happens in the automotive world. So many Pontiac Sunfire Botox injections, AMC Matador nose jobs,… more»

A Boys Depression Era Luxury: 1937 Elgin Bluebird

Bikes have had a heavy influence on history, including automotive history. The bicycle’s early beginnings were simple and humble, and changed little from the mid 1890’s up into the late 1920’s. Cue the 1930’s with Art Deco and Streamline… more»

Hurst So Good: 1979 Oldsmobile Cutlass W-30 Hurst/Olds

Here’s a sharp looker: a super clean two-owner, 106,000-mile 1979 Oldsmobile Cutlass W-30 Hurst/Olds. Available only on the top Cutlass Calais coupe, just 2,499 W-30 package cars were built in 1979 only, boasting the only 350-cubic inch engine available… more»

The Best Survivor I’ve Seen: 1990 Corvette ZR1

As the resident C2, C3 & C6 Corvette fan, the C4 is generally not my favorite version of America’s sports car. However, there’s one exception to that rule — the mighty ZR1, powered by the magnificent four cam, 32… more»

Number Six: 1967 Maserati Mexico

Wow – a gorgeous 1967 Maserati Mexico just popped up for sale and is said to be a preserved barn-find example that was number six off the production line. Wearing largely unmarked bodywork with just a gentle crease over… more»

Parade-Ready! 1978 Lincoln Mark V Convertible

A perfect fit for its home of Topeka, Kansas, this 1978 Lincoln Continental Mark V Convertible is well suited for cruising on flat roads that meet at predictable right angles. Thanks to our reader VWBubblehead for spotting this prairie-schooner… more»

Dad’s Wild Side: 1989 Mercury Sable Concept Car

The first generation Ford Taurus (and its twin, the Mercury Sable) were already significant vehicles in their own right. But take it one step further, and you might find yourself oggling this apparent one-off concept built by Ford for… more»

Flat Six Equipped: 49K Mile 1991 Subaru XT6

As some readers likely know, I just sold my lightly-restored 1988 Subaru XT6 project. Frankly, I’m glad the seller of a fairly minty 1991 XT6 waited a few weeks to list his, as it looks like a nice specimen… more»

1 Of 2743: 1968 Dodge Charger R/T

1968 was a special year for the Dodge Charger with a new muscular body that solidified the performance image that Dodge was going for. It was also the first year for the 426 Hemi in the Charger, although this… more»

1973 Brewster Green “McQ” Trans Am

This looks like the same car Brian covered about a year ago on this post, a 47,000 mile survivor. These Brewster Green 1973 Trans Ams are known as “McQ Trans Ams” after the John Wayne movie of the same… more»

Rotary-Powered Estate: 1976 Mazda RX4 Wagon

Add this one to the, “How many can there be left?” list. A 1976 Mazda RX4 wagon, replete with manual transmission, amber driving lights and all four original hubcaps. These rotary-powered wagons offered a distinctive alternative to the Country… more»

Barn Finds