Survivor Cars

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

Get email alerts of similar finds:

Stately And Original: 1964 Imperial Crown

This! A 1964 Imperial Crown is one of the first cars that I can recall that really caught my attention. Yeah, it’s an odd one for a “car kid” to latch on to and I’m not sure why. I… more»

A “Temple on Wheels:” 1989 Nissan President Hearse

I don’t know about you, but I had never heard of a Nissan President. Nissan introduced their expensive, flagship, top-of-the-line luxury vehicle in 1965, some two years ahead of its rival, Toyota, and their Century luxury vehicle. At the… more»

International 5-Speed! 1991 Oldsmobile Calais

Things had certainly changed at Oldsmobile by 1991 – but then they had changed for everyone in the automobile biz by that point. The Doctor’s sales leviathan, the rear-wheel drive Cutlass/Cutlass Supreme had gone away and Cutlass was now… more»

12k Mile Survivor: 1967 Volkswagen Beetle

Built between 1938 and 2003, the VW Type 1 (aka Beetle or Bug) is one of the world’s most recognizable vehicles. That’s because of its shape and more than 21.5 million were built across the globe. They came into… more»

Japanese Pony Car? 1973 Toyota Celica ST

The Celica might be thought of as Toyota’s version of the original Ford Mustang, with its sporty long hood/short deck proportions and 2+2 seating. Its name was an iteration of the Latin word “coelica” which meant celestial or heavenly…. more»

Stepside Survivor: 1976 Chevrolet C-10

The seller of this awesome 1976 Chevrolet C-10 freely admits that the original decals, courtesy of the factory Sport stripe package, were a big reason for buying the truck. I wholeheartedly endorse this approach, as silly as it seems,… more»

Sport Truck Survivor: 1986 Nissan 720 ST Pickup

The concept of a “sport truck” doesn’t necessarily have any grounding in actual performance enhancements; rather, it’s the idea of a compact pickup that places some emphasis on vanity versus utility. There was a time when compact pickup trucks… more»

Original Survivor: 1978 Volkswagen Westfalia Deluxe Camper Bus

Treating an older classic to a restoration, whether total or sympathetic, is tempting. However, there is something undeniably attractive about preservation, allowing the vehicle to wear its survivor badge proudly. That was the path taken by the seller when… more»

Off Road Ram: 1975 Dodge Ramcharger SE

The Ramcharger was Dodge’s answer to the Chevy Blazer and Ford Bronco. It was a large SUV based on a shortened version of the Dodge Ram pickup. Built from 1974 to 1993, it had an intercompany companion in the… more»

No Reserve: 1977 Ford F-250 4×4 Pickup

You know you’re getting older when it feels like yesterday since it was 1977, and then you realize that it was actually forty-six years ago! That is the age of this Ford F-250 4×4 Pickup, which has probably aged… more»

427 Tri-Power/4-Speed: 1969 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible

It is fair to say that Chevrolet’s Corvette underwhelmed potential buyers and motoring journalists upon its 1953 release. There was no questioning its looks, but its Powerglide transmission stifled performance, which wasn’t what people sought in a genuine sports… more»

No Reserve: 1982 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 Pace Car Edition

Survivor-grade classics from the 1980s have gained traction in the current market, especially if they are low-mileage vehicles or if the seller lists them for auction with No Reserve. This 1982 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 Indy Pace Car Edition ticks… more»

Car Lot Find: 58k Mile 1986 Chevrolet Celebrity Wagon

Could you drive a relatively ancient car like any other daily driver? Well, given current interest rates, there’s a strong inclination to do so, especially when the vehicle in question would be dirt cheap to own and maintain. This… more»

Barn Find Dust Returns: 1937 Oldsmobile Coupe

Not so long ago, in a galaxy you currently reside in, barn dust magically added thousands of dollars to the price of any vintage automobile.  The trend was so prevalent that more unscrupulous sellers were purposely dirtying up cars… more»

Cummins Turbo Diesel: 1991 Dodge Ram 2500

Dodge rocked the truck market in 1989, partnering with big rig engine maker Cummins to fit a long-haul trucker style turbo diesel engine in its Dodge Ram pickups. This 1991 Dodge Ram 2500 in Logan, Utah presents as a… more»

Coca-Cola Carrier: 1954 Chevrolet COE

Ever since Coca-Cola went mainstream in the late 19th Century, they’ve had some form of a distribution network. The more products they sold, the more complicated that network would become. Coke has been using delivery trucks from practically every… more»