Golden Wrench’s Best Car Donation of 2022

The votes are in! Golden Wrench’s Best Car Donation of 2022 is the 1961 Jaguar MK2, donated to KNKX. The Jaguar Mark 2 is a luxury sports saloon that was produced from 1959 to 1967 by Jaguar in England. The previous Jaguar models made between 1955 and 1959 are known as Mark 1 Jaguars. The Mark 2 was a fast in-line saloon that came with Sir William Lyons’ 1950s advertising slogan: Grace… Space… Pace… The Mark 2 also came available with any of the three versions of the advanced Jaguar XK6 engine. The 2.4, 3.4, or 3.8 litre engine. Since 1967, there has been no direct successor to the Mark 2 series. This 1961 Jaguar was donated to KNKX, a public radio station in Washington, serving the Seattle Metropolitan Area. When you donate a vehicle to benefit KNKX, you are actually turning your car into the programs you rely on and love. Learn more about public radio and KNKX at the link below!

1965 Shelby Coupe

A signed piece of history is the newest addition to the Car Donation Wizard Hall of Fame! Coming from Castro Valley, California, this limited edition 1965 Shelby Coupe sends its proceeds to KALW, through the Car Talk Vehicle Donation Program. On the glovebox of this ’65 Shelby is a signature from legendary racer, and auto designer, Peter Brock. Brock worked at Shelby American in the design department, where he worked on projects such as the design of the components that would later be in the Mustang GT350s. The Coupe boasted a V8 engine and the models that were modified have a storied history of success in the world of racing.

1949 Chevrolet Styleline Deluxe

Dubbed “Chevrolet’s first all-new post-war car,” this 1949 Styleline Deluxe makes its way into Car Donation Wizard’s Hall of Fame! Coming from Havertown, Pennsylvania, the Styleline will send its proceeds to Habitat for Humanity of Montgomery & Deleware Counties! With a 6-cylinder engine and a 3-speed manual transmission, the basic, business coupe had a price tag of $1,300 (Roughly $17.5k in 2024). As a total company, Chevrolet sold 1.1 million vehicles in 1949, making it the #1 automobile manufacturer in the nation.

1957 Ford Thunderbird

With a production quantity of just under 22k, the latest addition to the Car Donation Wizard Hall of Fame is a red, 1957 Pontiac Thunderbird! Coming all the way from Key Largo, Florida, its proceeds will support Habitat for Humanity of the Upper Keys. The release of the Firebird was heavily favored over Chevrolet’s release of the Corvette, selling at a ratio of 24:1. Prior to donation, the owner tells that the ’57 Thunderbird was white, later to be repainted ‘Flame Red’ as seen in the picture. The Thunderbird’s lightweight frame hides a V-8 engine which allowed it to go 0-60mph in less than 8 seconds!

1966 Ford Mustang

A timeless praise to American muscle, the newest addition to the Car Donation Wizard Hall of Fame is a beautiful 1966 Ford Mustang.  This ’66 Mustang will be sending its proceeds to Maine Public Broadcasting through the Car Talk Vehicle Program. 1966 was the first year that federally mandated safety standards were implemented. This ensured that vehicles such as the ’66 Mustang had front, and rear seltbelts, a padded panel, emergency flashers, and electric wipers. Boasting a 6-cylinder engine, the Mustang had a 3-speed, manual transmission and could reach a top speed of over 120mph!

1980 Citroen 2CV

The newest addition to the Car Donation Wizard Hall of Fame comes from Santa Fe, New Mexico and is a storied, 1980 Citroen 2CV!  The 2CV will be sending its proceeds to the Santa Fe Habitat for Humanity. The owner explained that he fell in love with Citroens after spending many years in France, only to later buy the one you see now. He had it fully restored in Germany, before bringing it home. “Everywhere I drive it people smile…” the owner says. This iconic economy car, known for its affordablity and smooth ride, is one of the many produced by Citroen during the years of 1948-1990.

1979 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow II

Coming from Lower Lake, California, the newest addition to the Car Donation Wizard Hall of Fame is a 1979 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow II! This historic car will be sending its proceeds to the American Cancer Society! With only has 53,000 miles on it, the Silver Shadow II is in great condition. The highest sale price recorded for this line of vehicles from 1965-1980 was $325,666 and there were only 8,425 made in the four year production run. This iconic luxury car, known for its classic design and smooth ride, is a testament to the timeless elegance and enduring quality of Rolls Royce craftsmanship.

1994 Bentley RL

The newest Car Donation Wizard Hall of Fame inductee is a 1994 Bentley RL and comes from Troy, Virginia and sends its proceeds to U.S. Fund for UNICEF! Founded in 1919, W.O. Bentley had the vision of building the best luxury cars in their class. Bentley’s first model, the EXP 1, hit the road later that same year. Prior to building vehicles, W.O. Bentley had a storied history of building aircrafts during the first World War, such as the BR.1 which was considered one of the most successful British fighter aircrafts of its time.

1971 Mercedes-Benz 250C

The latest Car Donation Wizard Hall of Fame inductee is a 1971 Mercedes-Benz 250C! Coming from Yorktown Heights, New York it will provide support for Habitat for Humanity of NYC and Westchester County! Being on the road for over 50 years, this ’71 Mercedes-Benz has only 2 owners to its name and runs “extremely well when it sees the road on a regular basis”, according to its most recent owner. In production from 1968 to 1976, the 250C was the coupe model of the W114/W115. Using a 6-cylinder engine, the 250C was a part of the first Mercedes-Benz production group to utilize the Bosch D-Jetronic Fuel Injection (fully electronic fuel injection system)!

1967 Ford Mustang

This 1967 Ford Mustang made our Top 5 Grossing Car Donations of 2022 list coming in fourth place with a sale price of $33,000! This Mustang was donated to Habitat for Humanity through its Cars for Homes program. The proceeds from the sale of this Mustang will help families in the Habitat for Humanity Portland Region who are looking for a place to call home. Donate your car to Habitat today!

1976 Volkswagen Beetle

This 1976 Beetle was donated to WBUR, Boston’s NPR station. The Beetle is a 2-door, rear engine economy car that was manufactured and marketed by German automaker Volkswagen from 1938 to 2003. Beetle’s were originally designed in the 1930’s due to World War II, and were produced to be a cheap, simple car to be mass produced for the new roadways in Germany. The original Beetle was designed with only 25 horsepower, which means a top speed of only 62mph! The Beetle’s history is very interesting, click the link below to learn more about the classic Volkswagen Beetle and its redesigned new Beetle introduced in 1998!

1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS

This 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS made our Top 5 Grossing Car Donations of 2022 list coming in first place with an astounding sale price of $51,000! This Chevelle was donated to North Country Public Radio through the Car Talk Vehicle Donation Program. The proceeds from the sale of this “cool car” will actually be turned into the music and news of NCPR. Make a difference at NCPR by donating your car!

1992 Polaris SuperTrack

Think we just accept car donations? Well, at Car Donation Wizard we accept all kinds of different donations. In addition to cars and trucks, we accept boats, personal watercraft, RVs and motorhomes, motorcycles, and more! This 1992 Polaris snowmobile was donated to Habitat for Humanity and will help build homes in the Salt Lake Valley Habitat for Humanity Area. Polaris was founded in 1954, with its first off-roading vehicle invention of the snowmobile following in 1955.

1995 Land Rover Defender 90

Check out one of our top grossing car donations of 2021! This 1995 Land Rover Defender 90 was donated to Habitat for Humanity, and will help build homes for families in the Habitat for Humanity NYC and Westchester County Area. The Land Rover Defender is a series of British off-road cars and pickup trucks. They were developed in the 1980s from the original Land Rover series which was launched in April 1948. In 1990, Land Rover renamed the 90 and 110 models as the Defender 90 and Defender 110. Click the link below to learn more about these vehicles!

1950 Tatra 600

This 1950 Tatra 600 was donated through the American Cancer Society’s Cars for a Cure Program. The Tatra 600 was named the Tatraplan and was a luxury automobile produced in Czechoslovakia, behind the Iron Curtain. The 600 has a very interesting history to go with the outstanding craftsmanship and amazing art deco design. This was one of the last luxury automobiles produced in the communist Eastern Europe. After World War II, Tatra returned to its pre-war business of building passenger cars in addition to commercial (and military) vehicles. Tatra manufacturing was nationalized in 1946 two years before the Communist takeover in 1948. The Tatra 600 Tatraplan was designed in 1946-47 to celebrate nationalism and developing communist pride but also celebrated technology and had a distinct éroplan inspiration (‘éroplan’ means airplane in colloquial Czech).

Porsche 911

Every now and then we receive a really cool car donation that makes a huge impact for our charity partners. Recently, we processed a 1999 Porsche 911 6- cylinder from a generous donor in Florida. This beautiful car had just over 33,000 miles and was well cared for. Porsche lovers will recognize the 1999 model – code name 996 – as the first new body redesign since the Porsche 911 debuted in 1963. Curious about what motivates someone to donate a high value luxury car, I reached out to the donor, Carl, who was more than happy to share his story.

1972 Jaguar E-Type Series III

The “Duck Truck”

The “Zehnomobile”

This is the Zebra/Rhino mobile, a.k.a., the Zehnomobile. This 1995 Mazda MX-5 Miata saw a transformation from sporty to stripey when the donor’s company, “Zehno Cross Media Communications,” rebranded itself and adopted the Zehno mascot. Never heard of a Zehno before? Well, it’s a cross between a zebra and a rhinocerous. Zehno Communications got the idea to transform this vehicle when Zehno’s Paulette Hurdlik was trying to sell her car and couldn’t find a reputable buyer. The company got creative and transformed it into their mascot. Kathy, now the proud owner of the Zehnomobile, explained in an interview how the best part of owning it is the reactions it draws from motorists, children, and tourists. Click below to read the full interview between Car Talk and owner Kathy, and why she decided to donate it to her local NPR station.

Loki’s Best Friend, Rove

Not every car donation featured in the Hall of Fame is a fancy ’99 Porsche, or Tatra from the 50s. Some donors choose to share their personal stories and experiences with us, many heartfelt. This donor purchashed a used Land Rover LR3 back in 2013 because it was one of the only cars that would fit his 90lb German Shepherd, Loki. The donor would take an annual camping trip to Aspen, CO until 2018 when Loki fell ill. Loki spent his final moments sitting in the back of the Rove before his passing. The donor shares how it was fitting how the back of the Rove where they had spent so many fun times together, was the place where they shared their last moments. Click below to read more about this emotional story and why the donor decided to donate to public radio. 

Smokey and the Bandit Trans Am

Check out this epic donation, an almost exact replica of the Trans Am from the 1977 film Smokey and the Bandit. In this donor’s story, he shares how he purchased this car as a restoration project and a tribute to the film. Over the years, this donor unfortunately hasn’t had the time to finish the restoration, but hopes that by donating it to the right pereson, the job can get done. As a cancer survivor, this donor feels donating to the American Cancer Society is a perfect fit, as their research and commitment has helped people like himself beat cancer. Click below to read more about this 1979 Trans Am.

2004 Chevrolet Express Bus

This 2004 Chevrolet Express Bus was donated to the ALS Association. The proceeds from this donation will go to helping those affected by ALS. These donors shared their special story with us. In 2018, the couple converted this bus into their home while they went to school. The couple lived in the Express for two years, and upon graduating in 2020 they were able to purchase their second home. Click below to read their full story!

1973 Ford Mustang

Check out this classic car, a 1973 Ford Mustang. This vehicle was donated to Habitat for Humanity, where it will help build a home for a family in the Habitat for Humanity Fort Worth Area. The donor purchased this car when his son approached him one day asking to learn about cars and to rebuild one. The donor bought the Mustang from a coworker without even seeing it first. After the donor got home, unloaded the Mustang from his trailer, and started inventorying parts, he noticed something interesting in the trunk. Click the link below to find out what was stored in the Mustang’s trunk and to view the full story!