Survivor Cars

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

19k Mile Survivor: 1980 Mercury Monarch

The Mercury Monarch and its corporate cousin, the Ford Granada, aren’t typically compacts that have earned much of a reputation for taking home very many awards from car shows.  However, in terms of originality, this 1980 Mercury Monarch here… more»

“5600 Documented Miles”: 1993 Chevrolet Camaro Z28

I was a 15-year-old boy with a Mustang fixation when the ’93 Camaro was introduced, and my first impression was envy. With 275 horsepower under the hood and quarter-mile times flirting with the 13s, no Mustang could touch it…. more»

Numbers-Matching Driver: 1970 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible

Winter might be fast approaching, but that doesn’t make it the wrong time to buy a classic Convertible. It provides an enthusiast time to learn the ropes with their new purchase before hitting the road for some top-down summer… more»

Worth The Asking Price? 1982 Mercedes-Benz 240 TD Wagon

Some classics rewrite the rule books courtesy of their extraordinary preservation level. They will typically command a premium price when they hit the market, but this 1982 Mercedes-Benz 240TD Wagon might set a new benchmark. There is no questioning… more»

Loads of Character: 1964 Dodge Power Wagon Crew Cab 4×4

While many people prefer to slip behind the wheel of a pristine classic, there is always something attractive about owning one that can be considered a survivor-grade vehicle. Such is the case with this 1964 Dodge Power Wagon 4×4…. more»

Museum Quality: No Reserve 1985 Mercedes-Benz 300 D

Describing any classic as “museum quality” is bold and brave, but it might not be far off the mark with this 1985 Mercedes-Benz 300 D. It presents superbly and has a documented 20,500 miles showing on its odometer. If… more»

18k Original Miles: 1999 Chevrolet Monte Carlo LS

Finding a well-preserved classic with an extraordinarily low odometer reading that is also affordable is challenging, but this 1999 Chevrolet Monte Carlo LS proves that it isn’t impossible. It has a genuine 18,000 miles showing on its odometer and… more»

Cheap Driver: 1980 Pontiac Grand Prix

Affordability is often a key consideration for an enthusiast seeking a first project candidate. The thought of investing a large sum for a classic requiring work can be daunting, which is where cars like this 1980 Pontiac Grand Prix… more»

Fancy Estate Wagon: 1974 Chevrolet Vega Kammback

Chevrolet built more than two million copies of its subcompact Vega between 1971 and 1977. And yet you see so few of them on the road today because of some infamous quality control issues. But if you were to… more»

V12 Driver: 1971 Jaguar E-Type Series III 2+2

Running out of energy to undertake a project build is not uncommon, and can often result from advancing age or deteriorating health. It is unclear whether either of those issues has beset the owner of this 1971 Jaguar E-Type… more»

39k Mile Time Machine: 1961 Ford Galaxie 500

From 1959 to 1974, the Ford Galaxie 500 did battle with the Chevrolet Impala. In 1961, the Galaxie was a step up from the Fairlane, which would become a mid-size car in 1962. The styling was revised in ‘61… more»

Survivor Sedan: 1950 Studebaker Champion

Wearing an almost-perfect patina (I know that’s an oxymoron to some folks), this 1950 Studebaker Champion sedan has had that perfect patina protected by a layer of clear coat, according to the seller. The seller has it posted here… more»

Fully Loaded Survivor: 1980 Chevrolet Camaro Z28

Many enthusiasts prefer genuine survivors to pristine classics because they offer a more relaxed ownership experience. The occasional chip or mark won’t cause the same concern that it might if it were to mar perfection, making this 1980 Chevrolet… more»

One Year Only Color: 1993 Dodge Daytona IROC R/T

There was once a time when a four-cylinder engine and front-wheel drive architecture weren’t the recipe for high performance. However, cars like this 1993 Dodge Daytona IROC R/T proved what was possible when a manufacturer added a turbocharger to… more»

Muscle Pickup: 2004 Ford F150 SVT Lightning

Ford formed its Special Vehicle Team, better known as SVT, in 1991. Its mission was to inject excitement into the company’s model range by producing limited edition high-performance variants of Ford’s production models. The Mustang was an obvious candidate… more»

Older Restoration Done Right: 1936 Ford Roadster

Anyone who has completely restored a classic car can tell you that the process always requires a lot of money, time, and parts.  Finding good parts can be the most frustrating part of the process.  Sometimes the parts you… more»

Barn Finds