In the world of muscle cars, it’s rare to find examples that either haven’t been completely bastardized or resto-modded to the point that they look nothing like they did when leaving the factory. This 1970 Dodge Charger R/T here on eBay appears to have lead a gentle existence, remaining almost completely stock and wearing its factory colors. It’s also quite pure in the performance sense: no other options besides the AM/FM radio and light package were added when new, making this 440 and Pistol Grip-equipped Charger a desirable specimen in more ways than one.
Bidders seem to agree, with lots of folks raising their virtual paddles to the tune of $35,000 with more than five days left on the auction. The Charger also still wears its factory black interior, although the seats could use some work. You can tell this is a true Mopar guy, not only because of the cars in the storage area with this Charger but because of the spare parts that are included. The seller notes there is a tiny crack developing on the dash pad, but don’t worry: a new one will go with the car, along with a very nice used example. There are some aftermarket speakers in place but even the original stereo components are included!
He does acknowledge he’s discovered some body putty in the rear quarters but there are no other indications of major bodywork or corrosion present. I spot some surface rust here and there but nothing significant; in this photo, it appears the sometimes-troublesome vinyl roof remains in good shape and hopefully isn’t hiding any rot. Although we can’t see it in the photos, the work done on the quarters must be past its prime as the seller notes that this is an area he’d repair, along with a “lower fender patch and paint.” While some photos of these trouble spots would be welcome, I don’t think it matters: the rest of this car is just too good to let some age-appropriate bodywork get in your way of owning it. What do you think it will sell for?
It’s funny how vehicle monikers and model designations travel between the brands. For instance, I had never heard of a Mustang GLX until I saw this low-mileage 1983 model here on eBay, looking spiffy in its white-on-white configuration. Previously, I had only associated the letters “GLX” with the VR6-equipped VW Jetta sedan. Now I know it can also reside on the back of a 3.8L V6-powered pony car like this one, ready for top-down summer cruising with a Buy-It-Now of $7,000.
Though far from the most desirable generation of Mustang, the four-eyed variety is becoming a rarity on modern roadways. I’ve seen quite a few residing in junkyards over the years, which seems to be a common plight even among late-model ‘Stangs equipped with the V6. This example’s low mileage, survivor-grade condition has likely kept it from the scrap pile, as heavily-used, non-GT models saddled with an automatic are high on no body’s list. This car’s cosmetic condition does seem to reflect its limited use, but some more photos of the interior would be appreciated.
The 3.8L Essex V6 replaced the 3.3L six, and this one shows nicely, with the air cleaner and plastics retaining an as-new luster. Little is said about the Mustang’s maintenance history, but the seller does list some recent service work (more on that below). While it’s easy to wax poetic about the Windsor V8 that found its way into the GT variants, there’s something to be said for a car that’s simply easy to cruise in. Truth be told, the Essex V6 made decent power for its time, with a healthy 175 lb. ft. of torque available. Later models with fuel injection made more power than the example seen here.
Although I think the seller’s ask is strong (especially considering how awful the photos are!), I’m sure there’s someone out there looking to relive their high school years by owning a nearly-new Mustang convertible. The GLX trim was short-lived, so this one’s an interesting footnote in the Mustang family tree, but it doesn’t necessarily add any real value. The seller has addressed a number of big-ticket maintenance items, including new brakes and carburetor, and he’s throwing in a factory A/C unit. When’s the last time you saw such a clean, stock ’83 Mustang?
Over the past couple years I’ve seen interest in old trucks really climb. At first it was a bit of a surprise, but the more I look at these old workhorses the more I see why they are so appealing. Trucks were built to last, so the ones that are still around tend to still be in good shape. They also have a level of functionality that most classic cars lack, I don’t know too many ’50s cars you would want to toss a load of 2x4s into or a greasy engine, but you can do that with an old truck! This Chevy 3100 definitely isn’t perfect, but it looks like it’s a good ol’ truck that you can use and enjoy! Find it here on eBay in Roberts, Wisconsin.
Like many old farm trucks, this rig has some rust in the cab corners and the floors, but it doesn’t looks too serious. As long as the frame is solid, you can still use this truck to haul junk and lumber. While I’m not a fan of rust, it actually gives this truck a certain rugged look that I kind of like. Looking at it, you know this isn’t a pampered trailer queen, but a rig you can climb right into and put to work.
If I had this truck, I would struggle to decide what to do with it. Restoring it will involve lots of metal work, but these rigs are quite simple and parts are available for them. At the same time, I like the idea of having a truck I can toss stuff into without worrying about the expensive paint job or fancy truck bed. I would be inclined to leave it as is and just make it a nice driver, but what about you? Would you restore it, leave it as is, or meet somewhere in the middle?
Holy cow – I love this car. The Mustang II King Cobra has been on my list of “Cars to Own Before I Die” list for quite some time, and finding one in Tangerine Orange is the ultimate bucket list achievement. I wish I were in a place to snatch up this 1978 example here on eBay, which aside from some rough cosmetics and an incorrect interior, appears to be a great starting point for a distinctive muscle car project. Of course, first on the list of To-Do’s should be an appropriate cobra snake decal on the hood.
Although it is commonly derided for being an impostor of a real-deal Mustang, the King Cobra at least made the most valiant attempt of the Mustang II family to be a contender. Sold only with a V8, it also featured one of my favorite factory body kits with a deep air dam, sweet rear spoiler and mesh wheels that were of a style typically only found on European imports (fun fact: I adore mesh-look basketweave wheels, especially painted to match like these are). To me, the best part about this example is that all of the original kit remains in place, especially those sexy rear quarter flares. You will likely need to find new bumpers front and rear, however.
The interior is a bit of a bummer. Personally, I hate dealing with interior work, but at least the swapped-in seats are from another Mustang. The original King Cobra interior would have likely featured some killer plaid-style fabrics or vinyl buckets, either of which are better looking than this combination. However, the hard-to-find bits are here, which is what matters most. You can even see on the passenger floor area that the car will come with its desirable hub trim rings complete with cobra emblems. Speaking of the floor, the seller mentions that the carpet is torn and may need replacement. I suspect it’s best just to factor in interior replacement into the final sale price.
The seller notes the sunroof is aftermarket, which is a bummer – those have a tendency for leaks. The only rust trouble spots appear to be contained to the bottom of the passenger-side door. Although I’m tempted to call this Mustang II King Cobra a survivor, it’s a little closer to project status in my mind with the interior work needed. But if the paint can be restored with some minor touch-up work and the OEM-correct striping and hood decor sourced, it wouldn’t be difficult to bring this Mustang to driver quality and enjoy as-is while making other corrections as needed. The price is $3K OBO – what do you think is a fair offer?
A boat auction may seem like an unlikely place to find old cars, but if you live anywhere near Brookline, New Hampshire, the upcoming antique boat and auto auction will be worth attenting. We have featured this event before and they always have some very interesting stuff. The preview starts on May 14th and the auction begins at 1pm on the 15th. You can get more information here on woodboats.org or keep reading to view a few of the highlights.
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The DMC may be the best “barn find” in attendance, but I found a few other lots that caught my attention too. This 1965 MGB is claimed to run good and includes wire wheels. It’s most likely been restored, but it would be a blast to take this roadster for a drive around the lake this summer!
How about this 1948 BSA M21? I’m not sure if it’s been restored or not, but it has been stored inside and with the same owner for the past 10 years. It might be worth a look if you are into motorcycles. The auction is still accepting consignments so there will be even more stuff to choose from by next week.
There are a few other cars listed already that may be worth a look and of course a ton of classic boats will be on offer. I dont know a lot about boats, but this 1928 Chris Craft Triple Cockpit Runabout looks like an interesting restoration project. What do you think – see anything you’d like to drag home?
It may seem like I’ve got a thing for Mustangs based on some of the recent posts, but the frequency more has to do with some pretty unique examples popping up for sale. Here’s a little-used 1988 Mustang Saleen here on eBay with only 38,456 original miles. Supposedly, it has never been rained on and the original owner purchased it with the proceeds from a lottery windfall. Thanks to Barn Finds reader Jim S. for the find!
The Saleen Mustangs were hardly a case of mere window dressing on a gussied-up Fox Body. The 5.0L V8 was the standard engine, and in addition to the sport steering wheel and Recaro seats seen here, the Saleens also received four wheel disc brakes, a heavy-duty master cylinder, five-lug SVO rotors and an optional 3.55 rear end. No word on whether this car wears that last part, but it does have the correct body kit featuring aggressive spoilers front and rear as well as the original body graphics and mesh wheels.
Mileage is low but not incredibly so. This doesn’t bother me as it means the car was at least used! The ’88 models received the 170 m.p.h. speedo seen here, along with Monroe shock absorbers and a Pioneer sound system. While the hatchback is the most commonly seen Saleen of this generation, you could spec one out in coupe or convertible form. The notchback is my favorite body style and the one I’d try to find if I were hunting for a Saleen, but very few were made. However, the Oxford White paint job that this example wears makes it a compelling choice.
Overall, the Saleens of this generation are a tasty but restrained upgrade over a stock Mustang. The exclusivity factor is high with a car like this, if that sort of thing matters to you. What’s better is that they weren’t just for show – the Saleens actually had a decent track record in competition as well, winning at the 24 Hours of Mosport along with other SCCA-sanctioned events. While this ’88 is already certain to fetch a fair price based on bidding presently exceeding $15,000, it’s likely an investment that will appreciate while being driven just enough that you won’t be afraid to use it. Which Saleen generation is your favorite?
I don’t much care for these mid-seventies Dodge Darts (though I have always liked the earlier two door versions, especially the more muscular GTS model.)
By the time this car was new, Darts were more or less boring basic transportation modules that satisfied the needs of families all over America. Powered by Mopar’s famous and reliable 225 cubic inch slant six, most of these cars were driven into the ground by successive owners, though every so often, it seems we run across examples whose owners did not drive them very much, and kept them in pristine condition.
Here on craigslist in the rural town of Sherman, Connecticut, is one such low mileage car, a 1974 Dodge Dart Custom four door sedan with only 12,568 miles showing on its pristine odometer.
The seller of the car does not provide any information about its history. When I run across these low mileage cars, part of the fun is in hearing the stories of their owners, and why these cars were driven so little over the course of such a long time. At 42 years old, this car has been driven an average of just under 300 miles a year! How did that happen?
Anyway, car’s current owner says it “looks, runs, and drives, like the day it left the showroom” and “the vinyl top, interior, paint, are like new.” The car was always garaged and not driven in bad weather.
Based on the photos in the ad listing, I see no reason to doubt the accuracy of this description.
Dodge introduced the Dart nameplate as a full size car in 1960 and then applied it to its compact car line starting in 1963. By 1974, when this car was built, Dart sales were in decline, and only 50,047 Customs were built. The final year for this body style was 1976.
While this car is not one I would like to own, I can see the attraction it will hold for others. It is great to see any old car in such well preserved original condition. At car shows, the new owner will doubtless get plenty of comments from people who grew up riding in the back seat of one of these cars as a kid, or who drove one through high school or college until it just would not run anymore or simply rusted away beneath them. These cars are memory machines, taking us back in time, and reminding us of our past lives when everything seemed simpler. That will doubtless spur someone to part with some cash to take this car home. However, the asking price of $8,200 appears to be more hopeful than realistic. Given the pedestrian nature of a four door, six cylinder, early emissions era Dart, it looks like $6,000 is top dollar for this car.
Like several of us…ok, many of us…I really love the early Ford Broncos, especially those that haven’t been carved up or rusted away. This almost stock 1967 model pushes a lot of my buttons, especially with these great period colors! It’s located in Marshall, Illinois (hmmm, I’m currently in an airport waiting to fly to the Midwest–maybe I could drive home!) and is listed for sale here on eBay, where I’m sure bidding will rise from the opening bid of $2,500.
The seller maintains that the biggest problem with this vehicle is responding to all the attention it receives–the thumbs up, honking and waving! The stated reason for selling is that the owner’s daughter is getting ready to attend college and that she’s prettier than the Bronco. My only comment on that is that she must be a real knockout!
Just look at that shine! The seller doesn’t mention any rust or filler, and I can’t detect any from the pictures, but it might be worth the question anyway. As always with a vehicle that has potentially been off-road, I’d like to see some undercar pictures as well. That being said, this one is equipped just the way I’d like it, with a 289 V8, three speed and no power options (less to break).
I’m pleased to report that the rear is just as nice as the front. I’m not too sure I’d leave the surfboard decal, but hey, maybe there’s a case for that too. I’m guessing this isn’t original paint and chrome, but it sure looks terrific in these pictures.
There’s some more personalized touches on the inside as well. I’d at least like to know the story behind them before making any decisions one way or the other about keeping them. I love the plainness of these honest vehicles, though.
I think I would try to source an original air cleaner and paint the header tank, but otherwise I’d leave well enough alone under here. A 289 is plenty of power for this vehicle, and you won’t be breaking any speed records with it anyway. The seller includes one picture of it with the top off, which is the way I’d want to drive it whenever possible, anyway! While I’m pretty sure it’s not a survivor, it does look the part, doesn’t it? So–what do you think it’s worth, and should I make a detour on my trip?
The rod-or-restore argument has been going on for years now among the various factions in the old car world. Purists hate to see restorable old cars turned into hot rods, and of course rodders’ eyes get big when they see a solid old coupe or roadster like this one for sale on craigslist. This 1931 Chevrolet 5 window rumble seat coupe is located in Leicester, Massachusetts (near the city of Worcester).
While I respect the property rights of any owner to do what they want with their cars, my own preference is to see original cars in really decent shape restored, and then it makes sense for the lesser examples to be turned into whatever kind of rod or custom an imaginative builder can think of.
While this Chevy will need a ton of work regardless of what a new owner does with it, it does look to be very restorable and complete. And if my research is correct, Chevy made only 20,297 of these rumble seat 5 window coupes (called “five passenger coupes”) out of a total 623,901 Chevrolets manufactured during the Depression year of 1931.
The relative rarity and completeness of this car makes me feel this car really should be restored.
The seller says this car is unmolested, though it is plainly in need of some body and wood work, as well as a new fabric top, and will require a complete interior as well. According to the seller, the engine is not seized, but doubtless this car will need a full mechanical rebuild or restoration. The car has been sitting in dry storage for many years. The seller says it “rolls and steers,” but that just means it will be easy to move into the shop, where it will be taken apart.
There are some parts inside the car, including the headlight bar and front splash pan.
The 5 passenger coupe was a new style for Chevy for 1931 and along with other models produced that year, these Chevrolets are very attractive cars. Their prices have been climbing too. According to what I have learned, a restored example of this particular car might sell in the range of $27,000, with a low value of about $8,000 for a driver in poor condition. There are not that many examples sold recently, so it’s not easy to determine the ultimate value of this car. The seller is asking $6,900 for his car. I’m thinking it should be closer to $5,000, but what do you Barn Finds readers think? And would you restore or rod this car?
This nice-looking, original 1968 Dodge Polara 500 is on eBay in Lowell, Michigan with a current bid price of $1,850.01. Which one of you put in that $0.01 bid?! (kidding)
This is a third-generation car, which ran from 1965 to 1968. Dodge wanted to get in on the space race hype in the early-1960s and they named the Polara after the Polaris Star. The Polara name was used until 1973 when it was replaced by the Monaco, in Dodge’s attempt to get in on the hype of naming things after exotic casinos (kidding, again).
The seller says that this particular car is fully-functional and they wouldn’t hesitate to drive it anywhere in the country. They say that there is no need to have this one hauled home. That’s the very definition of adventure in my book: flying somewhere, buying a car, and then driving it home; hopefully the whole way without breaking down or having any major problems along the way. It sounds like this is one car where a person could do that. Of course, you’ll have to source some OEM seat material and there’ll be a few things to do, but it really does look like a great car.
This is the original 6.3L 383 V8 with 290 hp and it is said to run perfectly. The seller also says that the car drives perfectly and the tires and brakes are good. There is no specific word on if the AC works or not, but that this car even has AC is frankly surprising to me. I love cars of this era that have AC, it seems so rare, especially for non-luxury cars. I wonder if this is an original Michigan car or from the south or southwest to have AC? 1968 was the second year that Polaras required to meet new government safety regulations and they had an energy-absorbing steering column, blunt dashboard controls, and more interior padding. The 1968s also received front shoulder belts for outboard occupants. It’s hard to believe that cars didn’t have those things at one time.
Have you been looking for a sporty and fun BMW to hit the roads in this summer, but want something more unique and interesting than an M3? Take a look at this beautiful Alpina built C1 2.3! It is based on the E21 that has been extensively modified for performance. There aren’t many of these around, some say between 30 and 40 were built, and I’m sure there are even few that are still in this nice of condition. You can find this preserved Bavarian here on eBay in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
While the exact number of C1 2.3s built is unknown, they are definitely rare. When was the last time you saw one of these on the road? I can honestly say, I haven’t ever seen one of these in person, but I sure would like to!
To build the C1, Alpina took an E21, installed all their usual suspension and wheel upgrades. They also dropped a more powerful engine under the hood. The body and interior also received some special treatments. The bright green and blue graphics on this car might be a bit much for some, but I like it!
This 60k mile survivor looks to be in great shape throughout and should be an absolute blast to drive. It’s 170 horsepower might not seem like much, but for 1983 it’s pretty impressive for a small car like this one. I sure would enjoy owning this rare BMW, if only I could afford it! Special thanks to our friends over at BoldRide for this tip!
Throughout the BMW world, there are consistently tremors of which cars are going to be the next model to rise in value. Although high-quality 2002s have been on that list for a while, honest drivers that still need a good amount of finishing work are rapidly becoming desirable as well. This 1974 2002 tii here on eBay will need a fair amount of bodywork in the future, but it’s a running, driving example that you can enjoy while tackling the cosmetics in phases.
This tii has lots of desirable bits, from the Recaro seats to the European-style chrome bumpers. It also is a rare factory sunroof model. The three-spoke steering wheel is a take-it-or-leave it option for me; personally, I like the sport wheel out of an E21 for an OEM+ upgrade. No word on whether the dash is cracked, but given it lives in climate with lots of sun, I’m going to assume it needs replacing to be perfect. The Recaros are likely the ones found in the E21, but appear to be cloth. I’d want to have them recovered in black vinyl to match the rear bench.
The seller claims the motor runs well enough that there’s a likelihood it was rebuilt at some point. Though tii’s are sometimes harvested for the Kugelfischer injection system or because previous owners wanted to run carbs, this example appears unmodified. One of the modifications the seller did perform is a sensible one, which is the upgrade to a 5-speed gearbox. Other enhancements include an aftermarket suspension, consisting of Bilsteins and unnamed lowering springs and larger sway bars. The battery has been moved to the trunk for better weight distribution and the next owner will have his choice of either the Minilite wheels shown or stock BMW steelies.
The square tail light models were slapped with the generous “park bench” bumpers front and rear, so the presence of the neatly-tucked European-style chrome bumpers is a visually-pleasing upgrade. While the Golf Yellow paint is a tad rough, it’s one of the best factory colors to come on a 2002. More importantly, the rear shock towers are solid and none of the rust appears to be anything out of the ordinary for a daily-driven car of this vintage. Bidding is already over $5,000 with plenty of time left in the auction. Cars like these are always interesting to watch as it provides some indication as to the market’s appetite for original projects over turnkey drivers.