Survivor Cars

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

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Drive and Restore: No Reserve 1967 Sunbeam Alpine

Regular readers have probably realized that I have a bit of a soft spot for classic British sports cars. They represent an attempt by manufacturers to combine some basic mechanical components from the company’s Parts Bin to produce cars… more»

Stylish Survivor: 1990 Lincoln Mark VII Bill Blass

Talk about a car that transcends time, this 1990 Lincoln Mark VII Bill Blass Edition looks as beautiful and modern today as it did 36 years ago, and a lot of people might have trouble naming the year when… more»

Same Family 30 Years: 1970 Chevrolet Monte Carlo

“Personal luxury” cars were quite popular in the 1960s, so Chevrolet finally decided to get into the action in 1970. Their entry was the Monte Carlo, which was built on the same platform as the Pontiac Grand Prix but… more»

Never This Nice: 1988 Nissan Pathfinder XE

Right now, there’s a Nissan Pathfinder similar to this one listed on a popular auction site that has been bid close to $20,000 at the moment. It’s a true survivor with miles lower than the one shown here, but… more»

Solid Bumpside: 1972 Ford F-250 Explorer

Several years ago, I found myself approached in a parking lot by a gentleman who asked me if I wanted to trade my 1965 Dart Wagon for a 1972 Ford truck. Although I had no interest in doing so,… more»

Show Car: 1972 Rolls-Royce Corniche

Describing any unrestored classic as a show car is bold, but the seller listing this 1972 Rolls-Royce Corniche adopts that strategy. It certainly presents exceptionally well, from its beautiful paint to its spotless interior. The seller has invested a… more»

Tiny Off-Roader: 1988 Suzuki Samurai

One of the drawbacks of most off-roaders is that they are quite big. That limits their ability to access tight locations. However, that shouldn’t be a problem with this 1988 Suzuki Samurai. Its modest exterior dimensions will allow it… more»

Museum Convertible: 1964 Studebaker Super Lark

In 1963, Studebaker introduced the Super Lark, a Daytona with a 289 cubic inch V8 and a 4-barrel carburetor in R1 and R2 trim. The former meant no supercharger, while the latter had a McCulloch blower. The new Avanti… more»

4K Mile 1991 Alfa Romeo Spider Veloce

There’s a quote ascribed to French Enlightenment philosopher Voltaire that “perfect is the enemy of good,” and I think that many twenty-first century sports cars have fallen victim to that mentality. While it would be a lie to say… more»

400 Stroker Power: 1967 Chevrolet Camaro Coupe

First-generation Camaros have long been one of the most recognizable American muscle cars, and examples with upgraded performance components continue to draw interest from enthusiasts. This 1967 Chevrolet Camaro coupe, currently listed on eBay, blends the classic styling of… more»

V8-Powered Cruiser: 1963 Pontiac LeMans Convertible

Early Pontiac compacts have gained steady appreciation among collectors, and this 1963 Pontiac LeMans Convertible represents a particularly appealing survivor. Currently listed on eBay by a private seller, the car is described as a largely original example with 88,000… more»

Mostly Original 1978 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme

After the Oldsmobile Cutlass had enjoyed five highly successful years with its stylish Colonnade body, lots of changes were in store when the downsized fifth generation arrived in 1978, with the car losing considerable size and weight.  However, the… more»

Low Mileage Survivor: 1967 Chevrolet Caprice

The Caprice was launched by Chevrolet in mid-1965 as an upscale version of the Impala. It was in response to the success Ford found with the LTD, which itself was a fancy Galaxie 500. The Caprice was cosmetically similar… more»

Rare Drop-Top: 1966 Oldsmobile Dela 88 Convertible

If you fancy a Florida vacation where you could drive home in a new classic, this 1966 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Convertible is worth a close look. It is a relatively rare vehicle that presents well and features a 425ci… more»

43k-Mile Survivor: 1985 Buick LeSabre Estate

The Estate was Buick’s top-of-the-line station wagon from 1940 to 1964 and then again from 1970 to 1996. The 1977 to 1990 editions were smaller than before, thanks to downsizing for better fuel economy, but without sacrificing passenger space…. more»

Classic Driver: 1979 Chevrolet Camaro Z28

This 1979 Chevrolet Camaro Z8 isn’t perfect, but its presentation is very tidy, and many enthusiasts would consider it an acceptable driver-grade classic. It has a few shortcomings, but none that would prevent the buyer from indulging in immediate… more»