Project Cars

Perfect Patina? 1977 Ford LTD II Squire Wagon

Entering the market at the same time as General Motors downsized most of their full-sized cars, the Ford LTD II was known as one of the biggest mid-sized cars, especially the station wagon, which is almost 19 feet long…. more»

Rare Sports Car: 1960s Elva Courier Coupe

Elva Engineering was an English builder of sports and racing cars. The Courier was one of their core products and the autos relied on MG as its source for chassis components and drivetrains. A roadster came first in 1958,… more»

Just Out of the Barn: 1954 DeSoto Firedome

Chrysler’s DeSoto brand was still hanging in there in 1952 when the Firedome models were introduced. They would hold various positions in the DeSoto line-up, beginning with the top series through 1955. They were big, boxy-looking cars that would… more»

BF Auction: DKW Project Cars and Parts Collection

When you consider how difficult it is to begin restoring a project belonging to an obscure or otherwise extinct nameplate, it’s of little surprise that these orphan makes can be passed over for restoration. However, when you come across… more»

Consequences of Going Under Cover: 1957 Ford Thunderbird

While we have a lot of fun here at Barn Finds writing up all of these neat old classic vehicles, sometimes you run across a car that makes you want to cry.  It just hurts to see a vehicle… more»

Minor Dings and Scrapes: 1980 Chevrolet Camaro Z28

While many enthusiasts aspire to own a pristine classic, there is something undeniably attractive about owning a tidy driver. Those cars offer a relaxed motoring experience because the owner doesn’t face the stress of an errant stone marring perfection… more»

Stalled Packard Project: 1953 Caribbean Convertible

1953 was the year that several automakers introduced elegant, full-sized luxury convertibles that featured both low-production and very high-prices. Some had fun and exotic names such as Fiesta, Eldorado, and in Packard’s case, Caribbean. I guess Packard figured that… more»

Restore or Preserve? 1967 Jaguar E-Type

The Jaguar E-Type is one of the more fascinating vehicles from the classic scene. Even rough and rusty examples command impressive prices, while pristine examples can be six-figure vehicles. This 1967 E-Type is a survivor, and while it would… more»

Revived After 45 Years: 1956 Hudson Hornet

The days of the Nash and Hudson brands were numbered when they joined forces in 1954 to form American Motors Corp. (AMC). Neither would field a car past the 1957 model year, which included the 1956 Hudson Hornet with… more»

Needs Interior: 1966 Chevrolet Bel Air

In its heyday in the 1950s, the Bel Air was Chevrolet’s top-of-the-line automobile. Then came the Impala and then the Caprice, so the Bel Air was repositioned toward the bottom of the rung by 1966. The rather stark Biscayne… more»

5-Speed Project: 1984 Chevrolet Chevette

The Chevette was the successor to the subcompact Vega. It was less controversial than its predecessor (but boring) and saw variants offered by Pontiac in the U.S. and Canada. Nearly 2.8 million copies were built over a dozen years… more»

Rust-Free Project: 1969 Ford Bronco

If I said I’d located a rust-free First Generation Ford Bronco for $16,500, most people wouldn’t be able to reach for their checkbook fast enough. These are desirable classics, and solid examples continue to command impressive prices. Therefore, I… more»

BF Auction: 1987 Pontiac 6000 STE

When it debuted, the Pontiac 6000 STE was a serious contender for anyone considering buying a sports sedan. The Special Touring Edition featured a high-output engine, a sport suspension, 4-wheel disc brakes, and performance tires. You don’t see these… more»

2-for-1: 1984 Chrysler LeBaron Town & Country

I don’t know anyone who doesn’t like a potential bargain. This is particularly true when they are searching for a project candidate to park in their workshop. This 1984 Chrysler LeBaron Town & Country kills two birds with one… more»

Patina Pickup: 1954 Chevrolet 3600

Older Pickups remain one of the star performers in the classic market, with enthusiasts split equally on the subject of preservation, restoration, and custom builds. This 1954 Chevrolet 3600 is a prime example of the breed, and while its… more»

Drivable Barn Find: 1929 Nash Standard Six Coupe

Charles Nash founded Nash Motors in 1916 after purchasing the Kenosha, Wisconsin factory belonging to the bankrupt Thomas B. Jeffery Company, maker of a car called the Rambler (history rhymes, eh?). With WWI in full swing, a critical cash… more»

Barn Finds