Murilee Martin - Autoblog Warlord

Junkyard Gem: 1980 Audi 5000

A rare example of the second-generation Audi 100 sedan

Junkyard Gem: 1996 Honda Odyssey

After 313,635 miles, it was time for this little minivan to retire

Junkyard Gem: 2005 Suzuki Verona

The Daewoo Leganza's Suzuki-badged successor.

Junkyard Gem: 2003 Land Rover Freelander SE3

Land Rover's first unibody, complete with removable rear canopy.

Junkyard Gem: 1984 Oldsmobile Omega Brougham Sedan

Complete with a GM Goodwrench replacement Iron Duke engine

Junkyard Gem: 1997 Ford Probe

The final model year for the would-be Mazda Mustang

Junkyard Gem: 1977 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu Classic Coupe

The poor man's Monte Carlo for '77, and the last year for the Chevelle name

Junkyard Gem: 1984 Volkswagen Rabbit L 4-door hatchback

If only its final owner had used that head gasket kit

Junkyard Gem: 1960 Renault Dauphine

The second-best-selling import in the United States during the late 1950s

Junkyard Gem: 1987 Honda Prelude Si

With paint bleached by the Arizona sun and better than 300,000 miles on the odometer

Junkyard Gem: 1986 Buick Riviera

Equipped with the futuristic Graphic Control Center — the first car touchscreen

Junkyard Gem: 1970 Lincoln Continental Mark III

The King of Fords for 1970, customized with a golden grille

Junkyard Gem: 1973 Volvo 1800ES

The final model year for Volvo's P1800 series of sporty two-doors

Junkyard Gem: 2008 Nissan Altima Hybrid Sedan

An ultra-rare junkyard example of the long-forgotten Altima Hybrid

Junkyard Gem: 1973 Saab 95

The last model year for Saab's quirky wagon in the United States

Junkyard Gem: 1992 Audi 100 CS Sedan

The first model year for V6 power in Audis here, in the car that became the original A6.

Junkyard Gem: 1976 Mercedes-Benz 450 SL

It cost nearly twice as much as a new Cadillac Eldorado convertible back in '76

Junkyard Gem: 2000 Daewoo Lanos Hatchback

There's a lot of GM Empire history in the humble Lanos

Junkyard Gem: 1982 Dodge B250 Ram Wagon with 4-on-the-floor manual

And bulletproof Slant Six engine, naturally

Junkyard Gem: 1995 Chevrolet G20 Chevy Van

GM built the 3rd-generation G-Series van for a quarter-century. Here's one of the last ones

Junkyard Gem: 2004 Chrysler Crossfire Coupe

And it even has the 6-speed manual transmission