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During my recent trek to the “pick-and-pull” junkyard (which you can read about here), I came up with five picks for vehicles to highlight. I’m back again with a few more that caught my eye the same day. Presented in alphabetical order, here’s the lowdown.

2005 Chrysler Crossfire

This oddball two-seat, rear-wheel drive sports car comes from the Daimler-Chrysler partnership and shared most of its architecture with the first-generation Mercedes-Benz SLK. It came to market in 2004 and was offered as a coupe and a roadster through the end of production in 2008, selling a total of just over 76,000 units during that window of time. Base and limited models employed a 3.2-liter V6, while high-performance SRT-6 models were outfitted with a supercharged version of the same (the latter producing 330 horsepower). Power was sent rearward through either a Mercedes 5G-Tronic five-speed automatic or a six-speed Chrysler manual transmission. The Crossfire roadster I encountered was equipped with the six-speed manual.

1989 Dodge Caravan

The minivan that started it all! This multi-purpose hauler was marketed as both a cargo van and a passenger vehicle. It was produced across five generations beginning in 1984 by the Chrysler Corporation, assembled concurrently with the Plymouth Voyager and the Chrysler Town & Country on the same “S” platform. The first-generation Caravan borrowed some chassis elements from other vehicles on the Chrysler K platform. Powertrains were diverse and ranged from a 96-horsepower inline-four all the way to a 150-horsepower 3.3-liter V6 in the final model year for the first-generation in 1990. My minivan encounter was with a woodgrain-paneled 1989 Caravan with captain’s chairs for the first and second rows (upholstered in surprisingly nice red cloth).

1995 Ford Ranger & Mazda B2300

The Ranger compact pickup was introduced in the United States and Canada beginning with the 1983 model year. It was sold in succession through 2012, and along the way, it shared some platform elements with the Ford Bronco II and the Ford Explorer sport-utility vehicles. The Mazda B-Series was a rebadged variant of this truck, whose long-lived platform went through multiple facelifts before being phased out. I encountered both a Ranger and a B2300 during my visit, both in regular-cab, two-wheel drive configurations. The Ranger came back into production in 2019 after a multi-year hiatus, but the second-generation carries special nostalgia for me since a 1994 regular-cab XL-trim pickup was the vehicle that I learned to drive a stick-shift on in the late 1990s.

1991 Infiniti Q45

As the Japanese luxury race was just getting started, Honda launched Acura, Toyota started Lexus, and Nissan created Infiniti. The flagship full-sized Q45 sedan brought a V8, rear-wheel drive platform to the states with competitive specs and standard equipment. The first generation used a 278-horspower 4.5-liter mated to a four-speed automatic transmission. Appointments were advanced for its time including Bose audio, memory seating, and automatic digital climate control, while some models came in “Touring” trim with special suspension updates like a multi-link front and rear, a stabilizer bar, a sway bar, and four-wheel steering. The Q45 that I encountered was finished in pearl white and was well-equipped, including controls for a compact disc changer in the center console.

1999 Lexus GS300

Another Japanese luxury contender during the 1990s was the Lexus GS. This executive car first launched in 1991 on the S140 platform and was powered by a 3.0-liter inline-six. A second-generation began in 1998 was dubbed a “high-performance sedan” when it first debuted at the Detroit Auto Show. Available engines included a straight-six or a 4.0-liter V8, the latter producing 300 horsepower and accelerating the sedan to 60 mph in just 5.7 seconds. So popular was this car that it was pronounced Motor Trend’s Import Car of the Year in 1998 and was named to Car and Driver’s Ten Best list for 1998 through 2000. The GS from my junkyard visit was a silver metallic 3.0-liter that had already been picked apart to a large degree but still had unmistakable body lines.

Bonus: Two Relics from the 1970s

While most vehicles in the junkyard I visited were from the 1980s through the early 2000s, I did come across a couple of standout older cars that deserve a minute in the spotlight:

1974 Cadillac Eldorado

This ragtop was ragged, but there was something incredibly neat about it. This 1974 came from the model’s ninth generation which launched in 1971 on the General Motors E-body platform. Its motor was a massive 500cid V8 that was paired with a three-speed automatic transmission.

1975 Plymouth Gran Fury

The full-size Gran Fury came in a number of designs including the two-door hardtop I spotted. It was a model continuation of the Plymouth Satellite and had V8 motors ranging in size from 360cid to 440cid, each mated to a TorqueFlite three-speed automatic transmission.

Do any of these cars evoke memories for you? Let us know in the comment section!

Featured on AutoHunter, the online auction platform driven by ClassicCars.com, is this 1970 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350.

This Shelby GT350 is finished in white complemented by blue accent striping. The exterior features Shelby badging, NACA-style hood intake vents, a chin spoiler, fog lamps, and rectangular exhaust outlets at the center of the rear bumper. It rides on a set of aluminum 15-inch wheels with polished lips and Cooper Cobra Radial G/T raised-white-letter tires.

“The cabin is upholstered with black vinyl high-back bucket seats with red accents, matched to the door panels, center console, dual-cockpit padded dash, and carpeting,” the listing states. “The cabin is trimmed in woodgrain veneer, and additional amenities include red floor mats, a push-button radio, a heater, a Shelby-branded wood-rimmed steering wheel, a clock, and a vinyl-lined trunk.”

Under the hood is a 351ci Windsor V8 engine that was last serviced in early 2021. The engine is paired with a console-shifted three-speed automatic transmission.

The sale includes a clear Washington title. The five-digit mechanical odometer reads just under 42K miles, although true mileage on the chassis is unknown.

This 1970 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350’s auction ends on Tuesday, November 29, 2022, at 12:20 p.m. (MST)

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and photo gallery

For over four decades, the Supra has been heralded as a favorite sports car of many enthusiasts. The name itself was derived from a Latin phrase that means “above” or “beyond.”

The Pick of the Day is a low-mileage 1986 Toyota Supra listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in Dublin, Georgia. (Click the link to view the listing)

This second-generation Supra underwent recent reconditioning both mechanically and cosmetically under the seller’s ownership. “Repainted in November 2021 along with refinishing black trim components,” the listing states. This car has a “P-Type” classification, for performance, while another Supra variant was produced as an “L-Type,” catering more to luxury. Adding to the curb appeal is a set of newly refinished 14-inch aluminum wheels on a set of BFGoodrich Radial T/A raised-white-letter tires.

The Supra name has been around since 1979 when it was first introduced as a sub-model of the liftback Celica. While some architecture of the traditional Celica was shared, the Supra version had longer front fenders and a distinct inline-six powertrain as opposed to the Celica’s inline-four.

This generation of Supra became known under the A60 chassis code and first debuted in mid-1981 as the Celica Supra model. Over the years that followed, the car saw some design and engineering updates such as added equipment and increases in power. For 1984, the front turn signals were changed to wraparound units, the taillights were changed, and paint schemes were modified.

Toyota’s original intent was to have 1985 be the final model year for this generation, but production nuances with available of the next-generation A70 model caused a shift in strategy and Toyota ended up continuing to sell 1986-branded Celica Supras for the first six months of that year. This car is one of those vehicles that were manufactured right at the end of the model lineup.

Power comes from a mechanically sorted 2.8-liter inline-six and is transferred rearward through a four-speed automatic transmission. “Work recently completed includes replacement of the valve cover gaskets, battery replacement, hood insulation pad, and struts,” the listing reads. The seller notes that the fuel door release doesn’t work and the defrost vents are cracked, but replacements are in hand.

With all the recent work being done to this car both inside and out, there’s nothing left to do but drive it and enjoy. The seller is asking $21,000 for this Supra, which comes with its original owner’s manual, two keys, and an awesome looking period-correct stereo with an equalizer.

To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.

Wandering through the wreckage at the local “pick-and-pull” junkyard is always a humbling experience. Every vehicle being torn apart for parts has some sort of story to tell. My thoughts always turn to each vehicle’s original owner – someone who took great pride in purchasing it new. I wonder what those people would have to say about their former pride and joy if they were walking alongside me and could share its story.

This early-Sunday-morning junkyard stroll provided treasure trove of conversation pieces – forgotten cars, trucks, minivans, and sport utility vehicles that have been retired from duty and relegated to donate their remaining usable parts to other vehicles. I came away from the experience with a few favorite vehicles. And it was worth the $2 entry fee for the sake of entertainment and nostalgia.

Here are five vehicles that caught my eye from my scavenger hunt, all of which happen to be from the 1990s, which is my favorite era of (now-classic) automobiles.

1998 BMW 740iL

The E38 BMW has been a long-time favorite of mine. This generation of BMW’s flagship executive sedan debuted in 1995 and was produced until 2001 in a variety of configurations including a 5.4-liter V12 model. The “L” in the name of this 7-Series means it came with the available long wheelbase for added cabin space particularly for rear occupants. Technology for the E38 was advanced for it time, and it was the first European car to offer satellite navigation as well as curtain airbags. It was also the last 7-Series to be available with a manual transmission. The focus car for my junkyard trip appeared relatively well kept and retained its mesh-style wheels and chrome center caps. This car sold for $65,020 when it was new – a sum which inflates to a staggering $118,875 today.

1995 Chevrolet Beretta

The Beretta was a front-wheel drive two-door compact coupe that was first sold in 1987 on the General Motors L-body platform. It lived on through 1996 in a variety of versions including a special Indianapolis 500 pace car with unique body work and graphics as well as an available Getrag five-speed manual transmission. A four-door sibling, the Corsica, was offered concurrently. Power for the Beretta was shared with the Chevrolet Cavalier, starting with a 2.2-liter inline-four paired with a three-speed automatic transmission. At the high end of the Beretta performance spectrum was a 3100-series (3.1-liter) “L82” V6 capable of output of 160 horsepower. This coupe evokes nostalgia for me since my grandmother had a 1989 black model when I was younger.

1995 Ford Taurus Sedan & Station Wagon

The Taurus had a revolutionary impact on the midsize sedan marketplace when it launched in 1986. It incorporated influential aerodynamic styling and refined driving mannerisms. It started on the Ford DN5 platform and evolved through six different generations, marketed concurrently as the Mercury Sable. A high-performance variant called the Taurus SHO (“Super High Output”) came out in 1989 with a 3.0-liter V6 paired with a five-speed manual transmission. But this time of year, the famous Taurus at the forefront everyone’s mind is the station wagon version: The classic 1989 film National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation prominently featured a wood-paneled Taurus wagon as the cargo carrier of choice for the Griswold family’s massive Christmas tree.

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee

The Grand Cherokee was a popular midsize five-door sport utility vehicle that debuted in 1993 on what was known as the ZJ platform. Development had begun much earlier, when Jeep was owned by American Motors Corporation (AMC) prior to the 1987 Chrysler acquisition. The Grand Cherokee came in three available trim levels (base, Laredo, and Limited). Its initial drivetrain was a 4.0-liter inline-six paired with a four-speed automatic transmission or a five-speed manual, and available rear-wheel drive or “Quadra Trac” four-wheel drive. Performance enhancements came a few years later when a 245-horsepower variant was offered with a 5.9-liter Magnum V8 that was pulled from the Dodge Ram pickup truck. It also offered amenities normally seen on luxury cars like woodgrain interior trim, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, automatic climate control, and heated seats. My junkyard sighting was a 1998 which exhibited revised styling from a 1996 refresh with a larger grille, different body cladding, and new wheel options.

1999 Isuzu Trooper & Acura SLX

The Japanese-built Trooper has been around for over 40 years, first launching in 1981 and evolving into its second generation a decade later. This full-sized sport utility vehicle came to market long before the SUV craze hit the automotive landscape in the 1990s. The platform has been one of the most widely rebadged in history, marketed by the Chevrolet, Subaru, Honda, Opel, Vauxhall, and Holden brands individually. Another particularly unique variant was the 1996 through 1999 Acura SLX, one of which I spotted on this trek. This vehicle was produced by Isuzu but sold under the Acura name several years before Acura’s own SUV, the MDX, came to market. Among the Trooper and SLX’s features were a Torque-on-Demand 4WD system, a large “safari” sunroof, a 70/30 split rear door, and power-folding sideview mirrors. The Trooper was phased out in the United States after the 2002 model year.

I have five other feature cars to showcase in my next article on this junkyard trip. Stay tuned!

Featured on AutoHunter, the online auction platform driven by ClassicCars.com, is this 1999 Ford F-150 SVT Lightning.

This SVT Lightning Flareside truck was produced at the Ford Canada Ontario Truck Plant in June 1999 and finished in Bright Red. It features fog lights, body-color bumpers, and dual side-exit exhaust outlets on the passenger side.

It rides on a set of set of silver factory 18-inch wheels with 295/45 Nitto NT555 Extreme ZR tires.

“The cabin is furnished with a pair of Medium Graphite cloth and Ebony leather seats connected by a center section with a fold-down storage compartment and a cup holder,” the listing states. “The dashboard, door panels, and carpeting feature coordinating colors. Equipment includes power mirrors, locks, and windows; a power-adjustable driver’s seat; a tilt steering column; cruise control; air conditioning; dual pop-out cup holders; and an AM/FM/cassette radio connected to a six-disc CD changer mounted in one of the two storage compartments behind the seats.”

Under the hood is a supercharged 5.4-liter V8 engine that produced a factory-rated 360 horsepower and 440 lb-ft of torque when new. The engine was upgraded with a Volant Performance intake and an oil catch can. A column-shifted 4R100 four-speed automatic transmission and a limited-slip rear differential send power to the rear wheels.

This Ford F-150 SVT Lightning has a twin short- and long-arm suspension design, coil springs and shocks up front. It features staggered shocks, leaf springs, and a solid stabilizer bar at the rear. 

The digital odometer shows 39,920 miles; the last mileage figure of 39,906 miles on the CARFAX report is dated August 2018.

The sale includes a clear title, owner’s manuals and three keys with key fob remotes. 

This 1999 Ford F-150 SVT Lightning’s auction ends on Monday, November 28, 2022, at 12:20 p.m. (MST)

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and photo gallery