About Jeff Lavery

After waking up and realizing my paid-for Civic Si left me empty and bored, I’ve been on a bender of daily-driving BMWs that constantly test my love affair with vintage machinery. I’ve tried Miatas and Mustangs but keep coming back to the church of blue-and-white, despite their best efforts to test my devotion. Although I’m still searching for that next great barn find, I’m content to own two projects that were headed straight past storage and into the scrap pile if it weren't for some divine intervention and an understanding wife, two things no gearhead should be without.

Stalled Turbo Project: 1976 Porsche 930

This Porsche 930 has been in the seller’s possession for some time but has only racked up nominal mileage since he took possession of it in the early 90s. The 930 is perhaps the most iconic turbocharged Porsche ever… 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»

The Classic Wagon: 1985 Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser

When it comes to station wagons, America is pretty tough to beat for crafting the ultimate version of a family hauler. The Europeans refined the concept by making wagons entertaining to drive in addition to hauling more cargo than… more»

Rare Bandit Edition: 1994 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am

Real or fake? I can’t for the life of me find much out about this so-called “Bandit Edition” 1994 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am. Given the popularity surrounding Burt Reynolds and his exploits from Smokey and the Bandit, it’s of… more»

32k Original Miles: 1977 Chevrolet Corvette

The C3-chassis Corvette remains perhaps one of the more recognizable classic cars available today, helped by generous production volumes and a seemingly universal appeal among car enthusiasts. While not particularly sporting or powerful by contemporary standards, the C3 Corvette… more»

Martini Edition: 1977 Porsche 924 Barn Find

Special editions among the domestic brands are a dime a dozen, but it was unusual back in the day for the likes of Porsche to roll out a limited trim package. The 1977 Porsche 924 Martini Championship Edition was… more»

Off Road Since ’71: 1952 MG TD

Is there a more iconic sports car than the MG TD? Well, for a time, this was basically the four-wheeled membership card to any sports car club you wished, but the torch may have been passed from the classic… more»

Parked Since 1990: 1980 Porsche 924 Turbo

One of my favorite underappreciated classics at the moment is the Porsche Type 931, otherwise known as the 924 Turbo. It has all the hallmarks of a future collector car that we all should have purchased when they were… more»

In-Law’s 1966 Alfa Romeo 2600 Garage Find

One of my biggest failings in the car hobby is that when I come across a seriously cool car for peanuts price-wise, I never flip it. I see it as a sign that I should own it, like the… more»

Minty Hilux: 1983 Toyota Pickup 4×4

It’s amazing how a once-utilitarian vehicle has suddenly become a collectible showpiece. This 1983 Toyota Hilux 4×4 pickup looks absolutely perfect sitting on color-matched steel wheels with the period-correct decals running down the sides. The old-school Toyota pickup has… more»

65K Mile 4×4: 1986 AMC Eagle Wagon

Do you ever notice that certain models of cars edge up slightly – possibly indicating they’re about to get “hot” – and then seemingly level off? The Porsche 944 is a car that comes to mind in the sports… more»

63K Miles: 1992 Ford Mustang LX

When it comes to Fox bodies, a clean 90s Mustang is hard to ignore. So many of these cars are ragged and tired that seeing an example with some smart modifications and in otherwise exceptional cosmetic and mechanical condition… more»

Original Paint Boogie Van? 1977 Dodge Tradesman

Ah, boogie van life: is there any clearer symbol of open road freedom than a small home on wheels that lets you party whenever the mood strikes? It’s amazing how many of these panel vans still pop up for… more»

BBS Wheels: 1987 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible

It’s amazing how much a decent set of wheels can change a car. In the case of the C4-chassis Corvette, a vehicle that’s fairly commonplace these days, seeing a barn find example like this one that doesn’t run and… more»

Movie Star: 1965 Apollo GT “Thorndyke Special”

Few cars have captured young gearhead imaginations the way Herbie has. “The Love Bug” is a very special film to yours truly, as it is for so many others; I actually showed it to my son for the first… more»

One of 147: 1974 Ferrari 365 GT4 5-Speed

Sometimes, I get bogged down in picturing the first few years of a car’s life. This is particularly true for exotic and luxury cars, as they almost always have some sort of incredible beginning with their first owner. This… more»