Can You Identify All of These Restored Classic Cars?

Pontiac produced some iconic names in motoring and none more so than its GTO. The first models, released in 1964, were available in a convertible, hardtop and coupe. This was a serious muscle car and remains a firm favorite with enthusiasts today.

The Model A was the successor to the Model T and was just as much of a success. In a period of only six months, between February and July 1929, more than 1 million were sold.

Designed by Erwin Komenda, the 356 coupe was produced between 1948 and 1963. This was the first vehicle offered by the company and started off its rear-engined, rear-wheel drive design philosophy. More than 76,000 were built and it is estimated that half still survive.

710 units of this stunning-looking car were produced from 1934 to 1940. This is a true classic and a vehicle of rare beauty. That would explain the price of $7.9 million at auction in 2008.

One of the earliest Cadillac models, the Model Thirty was produced between 1909 and 1911. It was the first model in the United States to offer a closed body.

T​he Riviera stirs up a lot of debate as to whether it should be regarded as a muscle car or not. What is not disputed is its impact on American motoring. With the Riviera, Buick aimed at a European style while keeping the framework of the larger American automobile. Here, they definitely succeeded. The 1965 Riviera added a Grand Sport model, molding performance and luxury.

Although the 1957 Bel Air is considered a classic car, the 1953 and 1954 model is also in high demand by restorers. It came in a number of body types, including a 4-door sedan, 2-door convertible and 2-door coupe and hardtop. The first generation of the Bel Air didn’t have a V-engine of any type. Instead, it was powered by a straight-6 motor, either a 3.5 or 3.9-liter.

Available in a 2-door as a coupe or convertible and as a 4-door sedan, the Cosmopolitan was produced by Lincoln between 1949 and 1951. Power came from a 337 cubic inch 5.5-liter V8 coupled to either a 3-speed manual or 4-speed automatic gearbox.

First released in 1964, the Ford Mustang is one of the most iconic muscle cars ever built. Sales in its first year were well beyond what Ford had envisaged as around 400,000 vehicles were shifted.

The two-door Barracuda was a muscle car from auto manufacturer Plymouth. It was manufactured between 1964 and 1974. Interestingly, the Barracuda was introduced before the Mustang, by a mere two weeks. The first generation was noted for its wraparound back window. Two power units were available for this model, a 2.8 liter straight six and a 3.7 liter straight six capable of producing 145 brake horsepower.

Available as a two-door roadster or coupe, the MGA was extremely popular outside Britain with more than 95 percent of the more than 100,000 built exported. Over its production run from 1955 to 1962, six distinct models were available, including a Twin Cam version powered by a 1.6-liter engine.

Built between 1959 and 1967, the Austin Healey 3000 was powered by a 2.9-liter straight-6 engine. This two-door vehicle was available as a roadster or convertible and many 3000s made their way to North America. In fact, in 1963, more than 90 percent of the 3000s produced ended​ up in the USA.

With a production run from 1941 to 1962, the Series 62 was a popular front-engine, rear-wheeled drive sedan from Cadillac. Seven generations of this model were produced with multiple vehicle types, including convertibles, sedans and coupes. The 1957 model is a particular favorite with restorers.

Based on the two-seat Isetta microcar, the 600 microcar was bigger and could seat four occupants. It was the first four-person car produced in Germany after the war but was not much of a success in terms of sales. The 600 was powered by a 600cc engine.

Made between 1958 and 1963, the Lotus Elite is another beautiful British sports car. Powered by a 1.4-liter straight-6 engine, the Elite was extremely light, weighing only just over 500 kg.

Produced by the American Motors Corporation between 1968 and 1970, the AMX was a GT-style sports car. It featured a two-door coupe-styled body and had six different engine options, all V8s of varying size. AMXs came with either a four-speed manual or three-speed automatic transmission.

The Grand Prix series from Pontiac was first produced in 1962 and right up until 2008. It’s the 1962 models that are in demand, though. Each first-generation Grand Prix not only looked incredible but was powered by a V8 engine.

Studebaker Golden Hawk -- 1956-'58 – The late ‘50’s version of the Studebaker Golden Hawk was a pillarless hardtop coupe. It had all the classic lines of the time, including pointy tail fins, but still retained its own unique look. A different car like this is a restorer's dream.

Released in America between 1960 and 1970, the Falcon from Ford saw three generations. The second, produced from 1964 to 1965, included eight different body types. The two-door convertibles are highly sought after.

Established in 1897 by Ransom E. Olds, this American auto manufactured closed its doors in 2004 after producing 35 million vehicles for American roads. The Cutlass, a model introduced in the early ‘60s, proved to be one of the most popular introduced by the company. It started life in the compact class before the 1964 models moved the Cutlass into the mid-size category.

With the typical looks of the mid-'50s​, it’s easy to see why restorers want to get their hands on a De Soto Fireflite. The 1955 model with the Hemi V8 is particularly sought after.

More than 4,500 Plus 4s were built by the British auto maker, Morgan, between 1950 and 1969. Recently, the company has begun building this popular convertible again.

Another classic British two-door convertible sports car, the TR6 was produced by Triumph between 1968 and 1976. More than 90,000 were built, of which around 83,000 were exported. The TR6 was powered by a 2.5-liter straight-6 engine.

Started by Henry Ford’s son, Edsel, in 1937, the Mercury brand was positioned between the Ford and luxurious Lincoln brands. Although Ford ended the brand in 2010, some iconic Mercurys were built over the years, including the Cougar XR7, a sort of upscaled Mustang.

The Camaro was first launched in 1967 and is still a Chevrolet model to this day. This muscle car has seen six different generations. The current Camaro offers three different engine configurations with the SS sporting a 6.2 liter V8 capable of producing 455 brake horsepower.

More than ​100,000 1100 saloons were built by MG from 1962 to 1971. When it was released, it was described at the most advanced MG of all time. Powered by a 1.0-liter motor, the 1100 produced around 55 brake horsepower.

Although the P1800 came out as a sports car in a two-door coupe style, strangely, a three-door sports estate was also released. More than 39,000 coupes were built. This vehicle quickly became popular, largely thanks to appearing in the TV series, "The Saint."

The Corvette name is loved around the world. From its inception in 1953, the Corvette brand is the jewel in the Chevrolet crown. Of course, everyone has their favorite Corvette, with many citing the C1 and the C2 Stingray as personal preferences.

Produced for an 18-year period from 1962 to 1980, the Triumph Spitfire was designed by Giovanni Michelotti. This two-seat sports car produced five generations over that period.

Although the Alfa Rome Spider had a production run from 1966 to 1993, it is the ’66 to ’69 models, the first generation, that are highly sought as classic cars. This version had three power plant options, either 1.3-liter, 1.5-liter or 1.8-liter.

With a different look to the 500, the Fiat 600 was produced over the same period. This was the first rear-engine car produced by the company. A four-door MPV originated in 1959 and became very popular. This was called the Multipla.

Many muscle car aficionados call the Chrysler 300 the first muscle car. No matter if you agree or not, the 300, introduced in 1955 and produced until 1965, certainly had the cool factor.

The Challenger was first introduced in 1970 as a muscle car. The top of the range model from this era was powered by a 6.98-liter Chrysler Hemi engine. Since its reintroduction in 2008, more than 400,000 Challengers have been sold.

One of Chevrolet's most popular brands, the Impala has always sold well throughout its history. Early models are now in demand to be restored.

The first generation of the GT40 won the prestigious Le Mans 24-hour endurance race for four straight years, from 1966 to 1969, which included filling out the top three positions in 1966. Only 105 were produced.

Based on the Chevrolet Camaro chassis, the Pontiac Firebird was its own car and certainly caught the attention in the mid-1960s. The Firebird was powered by a range of engines, including straight-six and V8s. More than 82,000 were sold in 1967, the first year of production.

As one of Chevrolet's most successful brands, the Chevelle was produced over two decades between 1963 and 1978. It included a variety of body options, including station wagons, convertibles, coupes and sedans and even took part in NASCAR. The largest engine put into a Chevelle was a 454 cu in (7.4 L) Big-Block V8.

The Thunderbird was originally devised by Ford to compete with the first generation Corvette. And it's those early models that make great cars to restore.

Often less spoken about than its more famous siblings like the Beetle, the Karmann Ghia is certainly a sought-after vehicle to restore, particularly the convertible.

Possibly the most famous Porsche of them all, the 911 was introduced by the German sports car manufacturer in 1963 and remain a model to this day.