Survivor Cars

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

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Ranch Truck: 1959 Volkswagen Single Cab

The thing about patina is it can’t be faked – it has to be earned. And while some car flippers may claim otherwise, rust does not equal patina; it simply means the car has been in the elements, unprotected,… more»

28k Original Miles: 1986 Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z

When I saw this 1986 Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z, my first thought was that I wish I’d been so nicely preserved when I was forty years old. This classic presents beautifully, which is unsurprising. It has been part of the… more»

Desirable 5-Speed: 1987 Ford Thunderbird Turbo Coupe

If you walked into a Ford dealership in 1987, intent on driving away in a Thunderbird Turbo Coupe, this was the one to have. It features a five-speed manual transmission, making it the most powerful variant of the badge…. more»

Real Deal 12k Miles? 1962 Chevrolet Biscayne

In 1958, Chevrolet ditched the benign-sounding 150 and 210 nameplates for its lowest two series of automobiles. The Biscayne and Bel Air replaced them, and the Impala debuted at the top spot. Through 1975, the Biscayne was the barest… more»

53K-Mile 1997 Ford Aerostar Cargo Van

With under 54,000 miles, this 1997 Ford Aerostar Cargo Van has barely been used over the last 29 years.  We don’t know its history, but it looks really nice in the photos that the seller has provided. It can… more»

Five-Wheel Find: 1988 John Deere AMT 600

This 1988 John Deere AMT 600 can be found posted here on craigslist in Maynardville, Tennessee, and the seller is asking $3,200. Here is the original listing. It’s my fault that the above tip went away, but thankfully, Rocco… more»

Lots of New Parts: 1973 Chevrolet Corvette

Changes were afoot for America’s Sports Car, the Chevy Corvette, in 1973. It was the first year for the polyurethane front bumpers and the last for the chrome rear bumpers (new federal safety standards). Demand continued to be strong… more»

One-Family Owned: 1957 Buick Century

It’s anybody’s guess what the percentage of 69-year-old vehicles have remained in the same family since brand new. I’m sure it’s in the low single-digits. Well, here’s one of those rare vehicles that’s been in the same family since… more»

Rare Spirit of America Edition: 1974 Chevrolet Impala

The United States was set to celebrate its Bicentenary in 1976, but Chevrolet started the party early by releasing the Spirit of America options package across various badges in 1974. The Impala was one of the beneficiaries, but the… more»

428/4-Speed: 1967 Pontiac Catalina 2+2

Some classics are more than a pretty face, possessing genuine performance credentials. That is undoubtedly the case with this 1967 Pontiac Catalina 2+2. It isn’t perfect, but it presents as a driver-grade classic with a few visible rust issues…. more»

Affordable Driver: 1983 Dodge Shelby Charger

Mention the name Shelby, and the thoughts of many enthusiasts will turn to high-performance variants of Ford’s First Generation Mustang. However, the legendary engineer also targeted the Fifth Generation Dodge Charger, adding enhancements to improve the driving experience. This… more»

Recent Import: 1988 Renault R4 Savane

Although the Citroën 2CV is considered France’s iconic “car of the people,” its sales figures pale in comparison to those achieved by the Renault R4. In fact, during a much shorter production run, the R4 outsold the 2CV by… more»

Real Attitude: 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air Gasser

While some custom builds are subtle and restrained, others possess a genuine attitude. This 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air Gasser falls into the latter category, with an appearance guaranteed to turn heads. It runs and drives well, leaving scope for… more»

2-Owner Running Project: 1961 Plymouth Valiant

In the late 1950s and early 1960s, just about every major U.S. automaker began to field a compact car. The impetus may have come from the success that Volkswagen was having with the Beetle. Plymouth’s entry was the Valiant,… more»

Cheap Wheels Project: 1979 Ford Pinto

The Pinto was Ford’s first subcompact built in the U.S. Between 1971 and 1980, more than three million copies rolled off the assembly line. Yet you seldom see one anymore because they were cheaply-priced, disposable automobiles. This 1979 edition… more»

1 Owner 30 Years: 1991 Volvo 940 SE

Despite being the sort of car people hold onto for multiple generations, we rarely get to see older Volvos in survivor-grade condition. They are never outright abused, but it does seem like because of their reliability, they get band-aid… more»