From Franken-cars to vintage Jaguars, we’ve received many fascinating collectible car donations over our vehicle donations program’s 30+ year history. Some of our vehicle donations will leave you drooling. Others will cause you to either applaud the owner’s creativity or shake your head in disbelief. Here’s a recap of memorable collectible car donations to Rawhide. 1956 Chevy Bel Air This 1956 Chevy is the Chevrolet Bel Air sedan. It came with a V-8 option and the grille was inspired by the Ferrari! Chevy advertised it as the “Hot One.” As you can see from this picture, this particular Bel Air is in pristine condition. What a delightful and generous donation! 1962 Studebaker Gran Turismo Hawk The 1962 Studebaker Gran Turismo Hawk is the final installment of the Studebaker Hawk series, and Rawhide was lucky enough to receive one as a donation. This sporty coupe line was sold new between 1962 and 1964. You may notice a resemblance to the Ford Thunderbird and rightly so. This coupe design was inspired by the Thunderbird. 1964 Ford Thunderbird Coupe Speaking of Thunderbirds, a generous donor gave this one to Rawhide. Notice the similar lines to the Studebaker above. This car is from the fourth generation of Thunderbirds and is larger than the previous 1956 two-seater sporty model seen in the movie “American Graffiti” by George Lucas and Lucasfilm, LTD. Cars from the World War II Era At times, Rawhide receives vehicle donations equipped with history lessons. For example, we received a 1941 Oldsmobile with a larger sticker in the rear window, imprinted with the letter “A.” After a little research, we discovered that it was a World War II gas ration sticker that qualified this driver to receive three gallons of gas per week. Think of how times have changed since then. How far could you get with only three gallons per week? 2. Volkswagen Beetle Another vehicle that originated and gained popularity during the World War II era was the Volkswagen Beetle. Although this particular beetle is not quite that old, we were lucky to receive it as a donation. The donor of this Volkswagen “Bug,” as it was commonly called, decided to make some creative customization. He used a car body lift kit to raise the vehicle higher from the ground and install bigger tires. Doing so creates more space between the ground and chassis bottom. He also souped-up the engine to make it look like a drag racer. How could anyone pass up a vehicle with this much personality? The Dodge Rebellion Some donated cars are classified as “muscle” cars. One of the most notable muscle car donations was a cherry red 1966 Dodge Charger. The Charger was donated by a widow in hopes that the perfect 2nd owner could be found. She trusted Rawhide because of “impressive work with troubled youth and the charitable spirit of Bart Starr.” These are just some of the many memorable vehicles we’ve received as donations. We receive many rare and collector vehicles throughout the year. Some of the other classic cars donated to Rawhide include: 1951 MG Replica Kit Car 1977 Ford LTD 1973 Mercedes-Benz 400 1950 Willy’s Overland Truck 1972 Jaguar XKE Coupe You’ll find collectible cars like these and other vehicles like wooden boats and cycles for sale on our eBay store. Proceeds fund programs for at risk youth and families in Wisconsin communities. Donate Your Vehicle Today! We accept all car donations—running or not—no matter what condition. Plus, we accept car donations nationwide with free transport! If you’re ready to donate your vehicle, we will pick it up for free. The process is simple and fast. Consider helping at-risk youth get a second chance in life by donating to Rawhide today. Share: