The automotive landscape was changing in the early 1970s as governments and manufacturers focused on cleaner air and improved vehicle safety. Many enthusiasts decried the changes that sapped engine power and performance, but there will always be a price… more»
Survivor Cars
Not all barn finds are rusty! Here are the very best unrestored classics:
BF Exclusive: 1972 Mercury Cougar XR7 Convertible
Mercury introduced its Cougar range as a more luxurious alternative to Ford’s Mustang. They did so despite the initial misgivings expressed by the parent company’s management, but it proved to be a wise decision. By the time Mercury closed… more»
Two-Owner Survivor: 1986 Buick Grand National
We see a few examples of the 1986 Buick Grand National at Barn Finds, which is understandable considering how popular these classics are. Some are extraordinarily well-preserved vehicles with ultra-low odometer readings, while others are tired examples that have… more»
What’s It Worth? 1972 Pontiac GTO
My, how quickly things can change in the automotive world. The GTO began life as a mid-size muscle car in 1964, reached 96,000 units in sales in 1966, yet couldn’t break the 6,000 number in 1972. Market saturation had… more»
Wine Country Find: 1985 Ford F-150 4-Speed
Located in dry Sacramento, California for the last 38 years, where I should have moved after high school over 38 years ago, this rust-free, short-bed 1985 Ford F-150 looks like a great truck. That’s dangerously close to one of… more»
No Reserve 1973 Plymouth Gold Duster V8
The Duster was perhaps Plymouth’s big success story of the 1970s. They took a Valiant compact and grafted on a new fastback body from the cowl back. The result was sales of nearly 1.3 million copies from 1970 to… more»
Original K-Code: 1966 Ford Mustang GT 2+2 Fastback
We often see sellers frustrated by non-paying winning bidders, but the story of this 1966 Mustang GT 2+2 Fastback is one of frustration for a different reason. A technical glitch appears to have seen most of the photos disappear… more»
360/4-Speed: 1970 Ford F-250 4×4 Highboy
Determining whether a classic is desirable can be challenging, but this 1970 Ford F-250 4×4 Highboy leaves no doubt. It has attracted thirty-nine bids in just over three days, suggesting people genuinely want to be its new owner. It… more»
Original V8: 1979 Chevrolet Monza Coupe
Tidy vehicles from the 1970s have developed a strong following because a new generation of enthusiasts views them as an affordable option to enter the world of classic car ownership. Some alternatives seem obvious, but the 1979 Chevrolet Monza… more»
Lariat Survivor: 1986 Ford F-150 XLT
While we’re all generally impressed by survivor-grade vehicles, it’s particularly impressive when the vehicle in question is fairly plane-jane. The logic here is that an ordinary vehicle is far more likely to be abused, or kept in average condition… more»
BF Auction: 1986 Puch Maxi Sport LS 2
Austrian moped maker, Puch, offered many models of these small pedal-started motorcycles beginning in the early-1950s and they were popular well into the 1980s. After that, the company was squeezed out of the market due to intense competition and… more»
Cheap Project: 1970s Muskin Tri-Cat
We’ve seen many three-wheelers here on Barn Finds over the years, even a few of this genre, as in not an ATV or ATC from a Japanese manufacturer, but almost homemade-looking fiberglass-body models with a rear engine. This one… more»
Low Miles: 1973 Mercury Cougar Convertible
The Mustang was a wild success from the get-go, so it wasn’t long before Ford granted Mercury’s wish for a pony car of its own. The Cougar, in development since 1964, was launched for model year 1967 as a… more»