Battle of the Abandoned: 1963 Chevrolet Corvair Convertible vs. 1968 Mustang Fastback

Theoretically, these discoveries represent the second chance a classic car receives to get back to the road, often posing serious challenges to the brave soul that decides to begin the restoration.

If you're in the market looking for a compelling project, I have two exciting models to share. One was discovered in a barn not long ago, while the other is a project that could become a head-turning machine with the right repairs.

They're not direct competitors or models coming from the same carmaker, and the only thing they have in common is the long tenure in hiding. If you're in the mood to save a classic, they're worth checking out.

1963 Chevrolet Corvair convertible

It's safe to say that the Impala was Chevrolet's superstar during the '60s, especially because its sales kept growing. Impala put Chevy back on the map, and in 1965, it became the first car in the US to sell more than one million units in a single year.

The Corvair production was also on the rise, though the late '60s brought a significant decline. The model started the decade with 250,000 units leaving the factory in 1960, followed by a massive increase to 329,000 units in 1961. The output was nearly identical in 1962 before dropping to 281,000 and 207,000 units in the next two years.

The convertible, in particular, witnessed growing numbers, with over 36,000 Monzas rolling off the assembly lines in 1963. Chevrolet also produced 7,472 Spyder convertibles for this model year.

The Corvair that recently made its way to Craigslist waved goodbye to a barn, likely after years of sitting under its roof. The car is a barn find that needs a full restoration, though the owner explains they have already conducted several repairs.

The convertible now comes with new brakes, new floor pans (which the buyer must install), a new master cylinder, and other miscellaneous repairs.

The six-cylinder mill under the hood starts and runs properly. It's paired with a 4-speed manual transmission and should be ready to take you anywhere, though the vehicle still seems to require several important fixes before becoming completely road-worthy.

The car looks restorable and is unlikely to remain available for too long. The owner will let it go for $4,000, but buyers must know that the Corvair will sell without a title.

1968 Ford Mustang fastback

A 1968 Mustang posted on eBay by seller hbmustangs, who has previously come up with several intriguing Ford ponies, many of them recovered from long-term storage, is also fighting for a complete restoration.

The car has been sitting for many years, and living proof is its general shape. The buyer will have to deal with the typical rust suspects, including the floors and the trunk pa.

The seller says the "underside is pretty rusty," but this isn't a surprise. Cars sitting for many years in any other place than a climate-controlled garage end up struggling with rust invasion, and the undersides usually become a victim very fast. You should put the car on a lift to inspect the floors, but it's safe to assume you'll need new panels.

The good news is the fastback rolled off the assembly lines in Highland Green, which was one of the most successful finishes for this model year. The original paint is still on the body, but a complete restoration must include a full respray.

The interior also comes in a decent shape. The seller says most parts are still there, though the photos suggest you won't get the door panels and possibly other goodies, too. If you're interested in the Mustang, you should inspect it in person so you'll be able to figure out the missing tidbits more accurately.

As a C-code Mustang, this fastback rolled off the assembly lines with a 289 under the hood. The seller says a 289 is still available, though it's unclear if it's the original unit. The 289 was the base V8 for this model year, but Ford provided buyers with many more powerful options, including a 4-barrel version of the same unit.

However, the icing on the cake was the 428 Cobra Jet installed on the R-code Mustang. The 4-barrel mill developed 335 horsepower.

The seller did not reveal if the 289 runs and drives, so make sure you ask more questions if you're interested in the fastback.

As any connoisseur would expect, this 1968 Mustang fastback can't come with a low price tag. It's a very expensive project, and the seller expects to get around $18,500 for it. The Make Offer button has also been enabled, so if you believe this Mustang should be the next project you restore, contact the seller with your offer. The car sleeps in Aragon, Georgia, and you'll need a trailer to take it home.