mod@tech

Currently listed for sale on AutoHunter is this 1969 Chevrolet Camaro SS/RS Pace Car convertible. With option code Z11 (pace car accents), combined with Z22 (Rally Sport package) and Z27 (Super Sport package), the 1969 Camaro was transformed into an Indy Pace Car replica at the factory. Like most Z11s, this vehicle is powered by the 300-horsepower 350, which is backed by a TH350 automatic. Features include air conditioning, power convertible top, front disc brakes, tilt steering column, and more. Painted Dover White with Hugger Orange stripes over an orange and black vinyl and houndstooth cloth interior, this performance pony car comes from the selling dealer with a reproduction window sticker, memorabilia, owner’s manual, and a clear title.

The Dover White hue was mandatory for Pace Cars, as were the Z/28-style stripes in Hugger Orange. There are also pinstripes on all four fenders as part of the Rally Sport package. And since it’s an RS, it has the semi-hidden headlights and special taillights. Other features include a white convertible top, Cowl Induction hood, chromed faux rear fender scoops, pace car lettering, chrome side-view mirrors, front and rear bumper guards, and a pair of chrome exhaust pipes. A set of 14-inch Rally wheels are wrapped in 215/70 BFGoodrich Radial T/A raised-white-letter radials.

The cabin is furnished with orange vinyl upholstery with black and orange houndstooth cloth inserts for the seats. There is no console, which means the automatic shifter is on the column—unusual for these cars. Other interior features include woodgrain trim, power steering, tilt steering column, and aftermarket retro-look AM/FM/Bluetooth stereo.

The instrument panel consists of a 120-mph speedometer and a gauge for the fuel. A clock resides in the right-hand cluster. The odometer currently shows 85,469 miles, though the title reads mileage-exempt.

The engine under the Cowl Induction hood is the standard engine for the SS package, which was a 300-horsepower 350 with a four-barrel carburetor—note the air cleaner baffle that mates to the plenum on the underside of the hood. A TH350 three-speed automatic puts the powerplant through the gears.

The undercarriage features power front disc brakes, a rear differential with 3.73 gears, and a dual exhaust system.

Indianapolis Pace Car replicas always are novel collectibles because they tend to be trimmed differently than their regular brethren. The Z11-equipped 1969 Chevrolet Camaro SS/RS Pace Car convertible is perhaps the best example of this because it features unique trim in one of the most popular cars ever created. Plus, it’s a performer due to its standard list of hi-po equipment. In other words, the subject of our AutoHunter Spotlight checks all the boxes. What’s left? For you to check the box that allows you to submit a bid because once the clock hits 12:15 p.m. (MST) on Friday, February 20, 2026, the auction will be over . . . and the car may be yours!

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and a photo gallery

It’s been a month since we featured a woodie wagon as our Pick of the Day (unless you count this 1991 Jeep Grand Wagoneer). That’s far too long to go without seeing one of the handsome, classic vehicles that used to cruise down American roads and highways in great numbers. This 1948 Oldsmobile Series 66 Station Wagon is just the car to end that streak. You can find it listed on ClassicCars.com by a dealer in Phoenix. It comes with original manuals, a jack, trunk-mounted spare tire, fire extinguisher, and recent inspection report.

Oldsmobile’s 1948 Dynamic Series brochure shows that it offered seven body styles: five for the Series 60 and two for the Series 70. Opting for a 60 with the 100-horsepower inline-six made it into a Series 66, which is what the original buyer of this wagon did. Later on, someone decided to restore this hauler, changing the color from Nickel Gray to the current Ivy Green. That pairs beautifully with the dark green vinyl top, and the ash and mahogany woodwork.

The two-row interior was reupholstered in maroon vinyl and tan cloth — an unexpected combo given the exterior colors. One thing that’s not shocking is the presence of even more wood, which forms the door panels and even the ceiling. The ivory-colored steering wheel, vintage gauges, and brightwork on the dash lighten up the cabin and make it even more attractive.

The long, domed hood covers what makes this 60 a 66: a 238ci I6 that was factory-rated to produce 100 horsepower at 3,400 rpm. The “Oldsmobile Six,” as it was otherwise known, could be paired with a synchromesh manual or a Hydra-Matic four-speed automatic, the latter of which is connected to this particular car’s column shifter.

With its handsome combination of materials and colors, this 1948 Oldsmobile Series 66 Station Wagon is a piece of rolling American that would be a welcome sight at any vintage car show. It’ll look even better in your driveway. You can get it there for $68,000.

Click here to view this Pick of the Day on ClassicCars.com

My Journal compatriot Derek Shiekhi mentioned earlier this week that someone in the building had driven a new-to-us white R129 SL to the office. Not being great on the internal names of late-model cars, I asked, “Mercedes?”

 “Yep! One of Bruno Sacco’s masterpieces.”

“Serious question: Just because you like it, does that make it a masterpiece?”

“Masterpiece” is a word I’ve seen thrown around plenty in online discussions of music, art, design, you name it. Seeing the word used to describe The Ramones’ “Rocket to Russia” makes me roll my eyes. Is it a seminal LP? Sure! Is it within the same graces of “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band”? Nope! I don’t want to think that everything I enjoy is great or perfect—a masterpiece, if you will—because it’s not, but it appears online inhabitants have the opposite habit.

So, now I’ve been confronted with the idea that the 1990-2002 R129 Mercedes-Benz SL is a masterpiece. I reckon I should look up the definition before I judge. According to Merriam-Webster, a masterpiece is “a work done with extraordinary skill” or “a supreme intellectual or artistic achievement.” Though the latter sounds subjective to my ears, what is not subjective is that “masterpiece” originates from a piece of work presented to a medieval guild as evidence of qualifications for the rank of master. In that sense, design leaders like Harley Earl or Virgil Exner would be considered masters. What about Bruno Sacco?

Apparently, he had a lengthy career at Mercedes-Benz, first hired in 1958 and then serving as the head of styling from 1975 until 1999. With those creds, he qualifies as a master. His favorite design? Nothing fancy—just the W201 190 sedan that was called the “Baby Benz” by the press when introduced, and the car to which the current C-Class (W206) can trace its lineage. From a historical standpoint within the brand, the W201 could be considered a masterpiece because there were so many facets to its creation that converged: suspension, roll bars, anti-dive and anti-squat geometry, airbags, ABS, seat belt pretensioners, and lightweight steel that could help the car withstand an offset crash at 35 mph while maintaining reasonable passenger protection.

Looking at the W201’s design and styling, I don’t think anyone would consider it a masterpiece unless they used the original definition; however, when it comes to packaging and content, as coming from a master designer, it most certainly is. Laypeople like you and me probably don’t consider anything beyond design and styling, so context may have a place here. The same holds true for the R129—the design comes off as a bit heavy and tank-like (which has its good points) but doesn’t seem to follow the lineage of the original W198 (aka 300 SL “Gullwing”), which could create a bias from an observer. But, like the W201, the R129 too was the complete package, with different elements converging to create the most modern of vehicles.

So, masterpiece or not? It may depend on context or subjectivity, or maybe I’m just full of it.

For some, a Rolls-Royce is not special enough—it has to be a one-of-a-kind creation. That explains why the dog-themed Spectre Bailey, Japanese-influenced Phantom Extended Cherry Blossom, and outer space-inspired Cullinan Cosmos exist. The Rolls-Royce Phantom Arabesque is the newest addition to that list and a showcase of the Middle East’s architectural heritage.

A client from that part of the world commissioned the Arabesque through Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Private Office Dubai. From certain angles, it may appear to be just a two-tone Phantom. That’s largely true because it’s finished in a combination of Diamond Black and Silver, although it also has an illuminated Pantheon grille and Spirit of Ecstasy, plus a set of elaborate 22-inch wheels.

But a closer look at the hand-painted Short Coachline reveals a distinctive design. It may seem to be a snowflake, but it’s far from that. Think hotter weather—as in the Middle East. That geometric pattern was inspired by Arabian mashrabiya latticework, which consists of “intricately carved wooden screens that create privacy, allowing those inside to look out without being seen,” according to Rolls-Royce. “The latticework also encourages airflow, providing natural cooling for the building’s interior.”

The Arabesque’s most prominent feature is its hood, not only for its giant mashrabiya design, but also for the time and technology that went into it. The artisans at Rolls-Royce’s Exterior Surface Centre spent five years developing the laser-engraving technique (which, oddly enough, was inspired by the Italian sgraffito technique) that carved those lines. Rolls started by laying down dark paint, then covered it with multiple layers of clearcoat. Once a lighter paint was applied over, the specialists used a laser to engrave the mashrabiya pattern. By carving only 145–190 microns deep, Rolls was able to reveal the darker paint below and give the hood a three-dimensional appearance. Variations in both the velocity and intensity of the laser beam resulted in a surface that seems to change slightly as light passes over it.

Inside, the Phantom Arabesque continues the two-tone theme with Selby Grey and Black leather, as well as Starlight Doors trimmed with Selby Grey piping and Black contrast stitching. Of course, there are also more mashrabiya flourishes, from the lit-up treadplates to the embroidered headrests. The most prominent one is the Blackwood and Black Bolivar woodwork in the Gallery that spans the width of the dashboard.

The Phantom Arabesque is the latest Rolls-Royce Bespoke build that was crafted using a company-first technique but, as history has shown, it certainly won’t be the last.

Right now on AutoHunter, you can find this 1995 Ford F-150 XLT Regular Cab, which is powered by a 5.0-liter V8 paired with a four-speed automatic transmission with overdrive. Highlights include power windows and air conditioning. Finished in Vermillion Red over an Opal Grey cloth interior, this two-wheel-drive, short-bed pickup is now offered by the private seller in South Carolina with the original owner’s manual, a clean AutoCheck report, and clear title.

The Vermillion Red exterior is accented with chrome bumpers, power mirrors with bright caps, and bright trim. Features include a sliding rear window, black bed liner and tailgate protector, single exhaust outlet, and hitch receiver.

As you may have noticed already, there’s even more brightwork underneath this truck, where the factory wheels have been replaced with 20-inch chrome Ion 141s wrapped in 275/45 Delinte Desert Storm II tires.

The cabin is nicely equipped. There’s an Opal Grey cloth bench seat with a fold-down center armrest. Surrounding features include power windows and locks, a switch for the dual tanks, tilt steering column, cruise control, power steering, column-mounted shifter, air conditioning, Bluetooth-compatible Kenwood eXcelon AM/FM/SiriusXM/HD Radio/USB head unit, and a pair of floor-mounted cup holders.

Behind the four-spoke steering wheel is an 85-mph speedometer, 6,000-rpm tachometer, and gauges for the oil pressure, voltage, temperature, and fuel level. The digital odometer shows 89,010 miles, although the AutoCheck report’s latest mileage reading from November 2025 was 8,455 miles. Either way, this truck is mileage-exempt according to its title.

Under the hood is a 5.0-liter V8 that was factory-rated at 195 horsepower at 4,000 rpm and 270 lb-ft of torque at 3,000 rpm. A four-speed automatic with overdrive sends that classic grunt to the rear wheels. If the back end gets a little squirrelly, power front disc brakes and power anti-lock rear drums help keep this truck’s composure.

If you’re looking for a modern classic pickup truck with V8 power and convenient features, bid on this 1995 Ford F-150 XLT Regular Cab before the auction ends on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. (MST).

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and a photo gallery

Pontiac may have the performance image, but Chevrolet was the “Hot One,” seducing the performance market on equal terms with the “Wide-Track” division. However, while Chevrolet’s performance offerings peaked in 1970, the same cannot be said for its full-size cars. Our Pick of the Day is a lingering effect of Chevrolet’s performance image. This 1970 Chevrolet Caprice Coupe is listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a dealer in Addison, Illinois.

Sure, the Hot One was a reference to the 1955 Chevy, but it set the tone for all subsequent Bow Tie vehicles. It also marked an egalitarian view on performance, as horsepower originally was an upper-middle-class or higher thing until then (bear witness to Cadillac’s and Chrysler’s proto-horsepower wars earlier in the decade). Starting in 1956, Chevrolet offered dual quads and, for 1957, fuel injection.

A big-block 348 came for 1958, available with several states of tune and levels of carburetion. The top version started at 315 horsepower and, by 1961, it was rated for as much as 350 horses. However, it was the mid-year introduction of the Super Sport package (RPO 240) for the 1961 Impala that gave Chevrolet its first true high-performance model. Though we normally associate the SS with being a buckets-and-console model, in ’61 it was a true performance model thanks to the requirement of the big-block and other heavy-duty equipment. Nineteen sixty-one also marked the introduction of the 409, which also appeared mid-year.

A mid-year introduction was made again with the 409’s replacement, the 396. The 425-horsepower version was only available for 1965 (the 325-horse version continued for several years), but that was because it was replaced by the 427. In L72 guise, a full-size 427 Chevrolet could give many popular mid-size cars a run for their money. Additionally, in 1967, Chevrolet introduced the SS 427 package for the Impala, which was the perfect companion to the Chevelle SS 396. The SS 427 lasted through 1969, though it was an odd duck of sorts because full-size performance cars hadn’t been a “thing” for several years.

So, when Chevrolet returned to 1970 with the 454, there was no performance model to highlight the big-block. The engine was available as a 345-horsepower LS4 and a 390-horse LS5, both available in any full-size model. And that is what makes cars like this 1970 Chevrolet Caprice Coupe interesting: it’s the last of the high-compression big-blocks, but the manufacturer did not see fit to continue a performance package, though, truth be told, the Caprice was fancier than the late Impala SS 427 anyway. This is reflected by its seats, door panels, woodgrain dashboard, and formal coupe roofline. Though the version is not specified, the engine’s air cleaner appears to suggest that this car is powered by the LS4 backed by a column-shifted TH400 automatic. “Fresh, high-quality restoration. Strong factory drivetrain combination,” says the seller. “Deep black paint with excellent presentation, black vinyl top, and NOS moldings throughout.” Note the polished Torq Thrust mags wrapped in BFGoodrich redlines. Though not seen in pictures, this Bow Tie has Positraction—always a nice feature.

High-compression engines first appeared in 1949. Chevrolet’s small-block first appeared for 1955, coinciding with the beginning of the “Horsepower Race.” This 1970 Caprice is the perfect bookend for the Chevy performance fan.

Click here to view this Pick of the Day on ClassicCars.com

It’s Valentine’s Day, a time of love, flowers, chocolates, and jewelry. Perhaps you and your significant other plan on celebrating tonight at what will undoubtedly be a jam-packed restaurant. For now, you’re checking out this week’s installment of Car Connections because you also love cars. It’s time to get three words from the Random Word Generator and link them to automobiles—no matter how clunky and labored that process may be. This week’s words are reserve, burn, and arise. How would you associate these words with cars? Tell us in the Comments section below.

Here we go!

Reserve: This is easy: The current generation (WL) of the Jeep Grand Cherokee, which was introduced in the 2022 model year. Why? Because it taught me that there’s a point higher than the summit, at least when it comes to trim levels. The Summit was the most luxurious version of the WK2 Grand Cherokee, but its successor topped that with the Summit Reserve trim. The two-row 2025 Grand Cherokee Summit Reserve has Palermo leather seats with heating, ventilation, and massage in the first row, heating and ventilation in the second row, a 19-speaker McIntosh audio system, 10.25-inch touchscreen display for the front passenger, dual-pane panoramic sunroof, and more.

Burn: The original Dodge Viper RT/10 roadster has muscular curves, cool three-spoke wheels, and a massive 8.0-liter V10. In earlier models, the engine is connected to side pipes, which make one of the most iconic cars of the 1990s look even cooler. Unfortunately, the routing of the exhaust also pumps a lot of heat right under the door sills, which can burn you if you’re not careful while getting in or out of the car.

Arise: Hmmm . . . yeast causes bread to rise. Bread. Sandwich. You know what kind of looks like a sandwich? The two-tone paint jobs you see on certain old trucks, such as this 1986 Chevrolet C10. It appears to have Chevy’s Exterior Decor Package (Combination D), which consists of body side moldings, decal stripes, one color (brown) above the stripes and below the moldings, and another color (tan) in between. I see the brown as the bread and the tan as the filling. Anyone order a dry chicken sandwich on pumpernickel?

If today’s round of Car Connections has you wanting to add a Jeep, Dodge, or Chevrolet to your garage, visit ClassicCars.com and AutoHunter.com. And if you have any ideas for random words to use in a future installment of Car Connections, shoot them our way!