In the 1930s and 1940s, a “business coupe” was a two-door sedan without a back seat. Its target market was traveling sales types (or vendors) who needed to carry their products in tow. I would have thought that a… more»
Auctions Ending Soon
Jun 17, 2024 • For Sale • 10 Comments
One-Owner 350 V8: 1972 Oldsmobile 442
In the General Motors camp, when it came to muscle cars, Oldsmobile had the 442 (or 4-4-2 depending on the model year). Originally, it was the abbreviation for four-barrel carburetor, four-speed transmission, and dual exhaust (but that would evolve… more»
Jun 17, 2024 • For Sale • 16 Comments
9k Original Miles: 1986 Panther Kallista
It would be easy to look at this 1986 Panther Kallista and believe it is just another of the numerous kit cars that flooded the market during the 1970s and 1980s. However, it is far more than that. The… more»
Jun 17, 2024 • For Sale • 31 Comments
Possible 77K Mile Daily Driver: 1950 Plymouth Sedan
Your question is this: If you had to pick one car built before 1970 to be a reliable, no-fail daily driver, which car would you pick and why? One of the most logical answers would be a Checker. The… more»
Jun 17, 2024 • For Sale • 12 Comments
Final Edition: 1990 Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser
I have long lamented the demise of the domestic Station Wagon. However, with buyers focusing on Vans and SUVs, it simply didn’t make economic sense for manufacturers to develop and produce what quickly became a niche vehicle. This 1990… more»
Jun 17, 2024 • For Sale • 7 Comments
No Reserve: 1992 Oldsmobile Cutlass Calais Quad 442 W41
It is common for manufacturers to revive an iconic badge to improve sales and draw buyers into showrooms. However, the practice isn’t successful if the company keeps the model a secret. Such was the case with Oldsmobile and its… more»
Jun 16, 2024 • For Sale • 7 Comments
Fire Survivor: 1976 Datsun 280Z
Survivors are typically cars that have managed to get through life without any modifications or restoration. However, this 1976 Datsun 280Z wears that title for a different reason. Years ago, it suffered an engine bay fire that could have… more»
Jun 16, 2024 • For Sale • 2 Comments
Real Twin Cam Race Car: 1959 MG MGA Twin Cam
Believe it or not, we have a second MG MGA race car to discuss here on Barn Finds. This one is a rare twin-cam 1959 MG MGA that was outfitted long ago to do battle at Laguna Seca, Watkins,… more»
Jun 16, 2024 • For Sale • 20 Comments
Mostly Original Survivor? 1959 DeSoto Fireflite
DeSoto was a storied division of Chrysler Corporation from 1928 to 1961. It was part of a four-division family that also comprised the Dodge and Plymouth. But by the late 1950s. things were getting crowded and Chrysler discovered there… more»
Jun 16, 2024 • For Sale • 6 Comments
Former 1960s SCCA Race Car: 1957 MG MGA
It was none other than Junior Johnson who gave the best piece of advice in racing history. Johnson flatly stated that if you want to make a small fortune in racing you start with a large one. This was… more»
Jun 16, 2024 • For Sale • 7 Comments
Faded Glory Project: 1979 Chevrolet Nova
The Nova (originally Chevy II) was a mainstay in the Chevrolet line-up for 18 model years (1962 through 1979). It was a conventional rear-wheel drive small car (liquid-cooled front-mounted engine) versus the Corvair that preceded it by two years… more»
Jun 16, 2024 • For Sale • 21 Comments
California Hot Rod History: 1928 Ford Roadster
Contrary to popular belief, the concept of the hot rod didn’t only spring up in Southern California. In many areas of the country, the search for speed while on a budget infected many people, and they built faster, lower,… more»
Jun 16, 2024 • For Sale • 26 Comments
Solid Survivor: 1965 Ford Galaxie 500 LTD Hardtop Coupe
Model year 1965 was a milestone year for The Big Three, especially the Ford Motor Company. It was the first time Ford had joined rival Chevrolet in the “Two-Million-Units-Sold Club” (thanks to the Mustang), and like their two other… more»
Jun 16, 2024 • For Sale • 19 Comments
45k Miles: Like New 1973 Dodge Dart Swinger
The compact Dodge Dart was popular in the 1960s, but mostly with older folks before 1969. That’s when they introduced the Dart Swinger, a 2-door hardtop that added some physical pizzaz for younger buyers. Especially when equipped with a… more»
Jun 16, 2024 • For Sale • 17 Comments
2X2 Motorcycle: 1969 Rokon Trail-Breaker Mark III
It might be hard to believe that a company that made what many consider the most-rugged off-road motorcycle of all time, was once owned by a cosmetics company. Merle Norman Cosmetics owner, J.B. Nethercutt – yes, the same one… more»
Jun 16, 2024 • For Sale • 7 Comments
Road or Track: 1991 Mazda MX-5 Miata
Consider the poverty of the American car scene in the 1970s. The dominant themes were horsepower reduction and fuel efficiency, sapping fun from the driving experience. Only Japan was meeting our new requirements handily, sending over cars like the… more»
