Junkyard Gems

Junkyard Gem: 1979 Lincoln Continental Town Car

Close to 5,000 pounds of Malaise Era Detroit luxury, now residing in the high desert

Junkyard Gem: 1989 Merkur Scorpio

The lesser-known of the two Merkur models, found in the Nevada desert

Junkyard Gem: 1994 Dodge Caravan with 434,475 miles

This minivan averaged nearly 15,000 miles for each year of its driving career

Junkyard Gem: 2002 Daewoo Nubira SE Sedan

If you sought a cheap Corolla competitor from a bankrupt manufacturer, the Nubira was for you!

Junkyard Gem: 1984 Grumman Olson Kurbside Krew Kab, Frito-Lay Edition

This truck hauled countless tons of Cheetos, Funyuns and Munchos during its career

Junkyard Gem: 2012 BMW ActiveHybrid 750Li

A rare piece of hybrid history, found in a Denver car graveyard.

Junkyard Gem: 1971 Opel GT

The little German sports car sold by American Buick dealers

Junkyard Gem: 2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid SE

The very European replacement for the Escape Hybrid, found in Wyoming.

Junkyard Gem: 1963 International C-1000 Pickup

How about a pickup made by a manufacturer of farm equipment?

Junkyard Gem: 1982 Toyota Cressida Wagon

The most expensive Toyota car Americans could buy in 1982, complete with Supra engine

Junkyard Gem: 1985 GMC Suburban K1500

A sturdy fleet-built Suburban forcibly retired in the Nevada desert

Junkyard Gem: 2014 Nissan Leaf

Yes, EVs have now been around long enough to show up in the big self-service junkyards

Junkyard Gem: 2008 Volkswagen Rabbit

Remember when Volkswagen of America brought back the Rabbit name for a few years?

Junkyard Gem: 2006 Isuzu Ascender

Saab gets a Trailbazer! Buick gets a Trailblazer! Everyone gets a Trailblazer!

Junkyard Gem: 1982 Jeep J-20 4X4 Pickup

The pickup version of the SJ Wagoneer, with snowplow hardware still attached

Junkyard Gem: 1985 Ford F-150 Explorer XL 4X4

With straight-six engine and four-on-the-floor manual transmission, as is proper

Junkyard Gem: 1985 Jaguar XJ-S

Britain's big, bad V12-powered coupe for the Rad Era

Junkyard Gem: 1991 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz

One of the last Biarritzes ever built

Junkyard Gem: 1999 Suzuki Vitara JX 4WD four-door

The first model year for the Suzuki Sidekick's replacement

Junkyard Gem: 2003 Mazda Protegé5

Mazda's sporty wagon for the end of the Familia line.