mod@tech

Among the most popular muscle cars is the 1970 Chevelle Super Sport, whether stock or built to the hilt. It’s like the planets aligned for Chevrolet that year as the car was restyled to good effect and General Motors removed its edict limiting cubic inches, allowing the inclusion of the new LS6 454. What’s not to like? Gas Monkey Garage and the founder of System X like, and their collaboration led to a marathon build just in time for the SEMA 2025 Show.

As you can see, a slightly modified Champagne Gold 1970 Malibu (the upmarket trim level for the Chevelle) with white top was the basis of the build. Though not specified in the videos for the build, this Bow Tie had a White vinyl top, though if it painted Classic White top, it would have been one of 995 Chevelles painted in this fashion by the factory.

System X’s Todd Rudovich once owned a 1970 Chevelle in his youth and was pining for another one, of which Gas Monkey was only too happy to oblige. Once Gas Monkey bought the Chevelle and brought it from California to Dallas, next on the agenda was to determine the direction of the build. As enthusiasts, you know builds like these are all about style, power, performance, and braking. What color should it be? Transmission? How does it put down its power? What about tires and wheels? And how will it be driven? They all got together to discuss, with Todd determining he wanted a black-on-black supercharged driver with as much horsepower as possible while running on pump gas. In other words, a sinister Chevelle that evolved into Synister!

As bought, the Chevelle drove well and featured original sheetmetal and interior, including a solid dash pad. Starting with a good mule was key—a fine car to start with.

Then came the SpeedTech Performance chassis, which Rawlings claims to have the most bad-arse chassis for the Chevelle. This one features an independent rear suspension with overhead cantilever shock mounts plus adjustable QA1 Mod Shocks.

For several months, parts were ordered and gathered. Now, with SEMA 2025 approaching, the goal was to rally the team and finish the project in under 30 days. Makes for good television, of course, but what about the product?

Allow us to show you the finished product, which was unveiled earlier this week at SEMA. Stats include HRE wheels and Wildwood disc brakes, one-off custom Titans of CNC grille and headlight bezels, one-off CNC MagnaFlow rear exhaust tips, custom DTS interior, Sparco carbon fiber seats, Audison Thesis audio system, and more. However, the pièce de resistance is a 1,200-horsepower LME 427 LT4 with 2.7 Magnuson supercharger with Ultimate Headers and 3-inch MagnaFlow stainless exhaust.

The Synister Chevelle is on display in the System X booth (#52211) at SEMA in Las Vegas. Visit YouTube to view the serial build process, with the series finale dropping on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at 11 a.m. (CST).

There was a time when the sound of a high-compression V8 echoing down Main Street was the heartbeat of America. When gas was cheap, Saturday nights were loud, and every young driver dreamed of owning a car that could take the quarter-mile by storm. Those days may be long gone—but Dream Giveaway is bringing them roaring back to life.

This time, one lucky winner will take home two of Chevrolet’s most legendary muscle machines—a 1970 Chevelle SS454 LS6 and a 1969 Camaro Z/28 Cross-Ram—each restored to concours perfection and ready to reclaim their rightful place as kings of the street. Click here to enter now!

Prize #1: 1970 Chevelle SS454 LS6

When Chevrolet engineers unleashed the LS6 in 1970, they didn’t just build a car—they created a statement. The Chevelle SS454 LS6 was the apex predator of the muscle-car era, boasting a monstrous 454-cubic-inch big-block rated at 450 horsepower and 500 lb-ft of torque. It was the most powerful engine ever stuffed into a midsize Chevy, and even today, its numbers command respect.

This Autumn Gold Chevelle SS454, painstakingly restored to its original glory, brings that legend to life. Under the functional cowl-induction hood lies the factory-spec LS6 engine paired with a Muncie M22 “Rock Crusher” four-speed manual—a combination that made the car both a boulevard bruiser and a drag-strip dominator. Its deep-throated idle and explosive acceleration once earned it the nickname “King of the Street,” and half a century later, that title still fits.

Every inch of this car reflects Chevrolet’s golden age—from the gleaming chrome bumpers to the black-striped hood and the perfectly restored interior. For muscle-car purists, it’s a rolling time capsule from the most exciting year in Detroit history.

Prize #2: 1969 Camaro Z/28 Cross-Ram

If the Chevelle was Chevrolet’s brute force, the 1969 Z/28 was its precision instrument. Built to dominate the SCCA Trans-Am racing series, the Z/28 was designed around a high-revving, small-block 302 cubic-inch V8, officially rated at 290 horsepower—but insiders knew the real number was far higher.

The car offered in the Super Chevy Dream Giveaway is an Olympic Gold Z/28 equipped with the rare Cross-Ram intake—a dual-four-barrel carburetor system mounted on an aluminum manifold with long runners designed to boost high-RPM power. This setup was a race-ready option making this example one of the most coveted Camaros of all time.

Paired with a Muncie four-speed gearbox, Positraction rear end, and dual exhaust, this Z/28 is as exhilarating to drive today as it was in 1969. Inside, the cockpit is pure vintage performance: black bucket seats, a full gauge package, and that unmistakable 160-mph speedometer daring you to go further than you should.

It’s a car that captures the raw, mechanical essence of American racing—a machine built not for comfort, but for glory.

Plus, Bonus Prizes

Dream Giveaway didn’t stop at the cars. The grand-prize package also includes a Wildfire Lifts Exotic automotive lift, made in the USA and engineered for professional-grade performance, plus a $250 Legendary Auto Interiors gift certificate.

And because Dream Giveaway wants the winner to enjoy the thrill without the tax bill, the team will also cover $44,000 in federal prize taxes.

Two Golden Legends. One Lucky Winner.

The 1970 Chevelle SS454 LS6 and the 1969 Camaro Z/28 Cross-Ram—two icons from the height of the muscle-car era, reunited in one unforgettable giveaway. Both are museum-quality restorations, both are ready to drive, and both could soon be sitting in your garage.

Don’t miss your chance to own the muscle-car duo that defined an era. Enter today!

Currently listed for sale on AutoHunter is this restored 1968 Buick GS 400 Sport Coupe. As configurated by a previous owner, this is a car Buick should have built as it’s currently powered by a rebuilt 430 V8 from a full-size Wildcat or Electra. It is paired to four-speed manual for bottomless fun. Features include red racing stripe, aftermarket Alpine stereo, aftermarket mags, and more. Painted Regal Black with a white vinyl interior, this “Flint Flyer” is offered by the selling dealer with receipts and a clear title.

The Regal Black paint is complemented by a red lower-body racing stripe. Other features include simulated front fender air extractors, simulated hood scoop, driver-side chrome mirror, and red GS badges on the grille and front fenders. A set of US Mags wheels is wrapped in 235/60 Mickey Thompson Sportsman S/T radials.

The recently upholstered white vinyl interior features bucket seats up front. Mounted on the floor is a Hurst shifter. Other features include aftermarket steering wheel, power steering, AM/FM Alpine stereo with CD player, USB, SiriusXM and Bluetooth compatibility, and aftermarket speaker system.

Instrumentation includes a 120-mph speedometer flanked by a fuel gauge and clock. A Sunpro 8,000-rpm tachometer is mounted on the steering column, and a cluster of Bosch auxiliary gauges (measuring oil pressure, temperature, and voltage) is mounted underneath the dashboard. The odometer shows 81,906 miles, though the title reads mileage-exempt.

The rebuilt 430ci V8 was transplanted from a full-size Buick. It features a four-barrel carburetor atop an Edelbrock intake manifold. Also part of the supporting cast is an MSD ignition. All this is tied to a four-speed manual transmission.

The undercarriage features power front disc brakes and a dual exhaust system.

General Motors had a strange edict that limited cubic-inches depending on the platform—in this case, 400ci was the best an A-body could get from the factory until 1970. However, somebody down the line took a 360-horsepower 430 from a full-size Buick and dropped it in today’s AutoHunter Spotlight, thereby creating a proto-GS 455 of sorts. With solid GM styling and the low-end torque that Buick was famous for, here you have a street bruiser par excellence. Wanna have fun with your classic? Then this 1968 Buick GS 400 Sport Coupe is the car for you, so place your bid before 11:45 a.m. on Wednesday, November 12, 2025 (MST), or you’ll miss out.

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and a photo gallery

My own personal BMW Z3 is the only car I have owned twice. I originally bought mine in 2015 while attending the Lime Rock Historic Festival. I bought it sight unseen after having had my friend Joe Gearin take a look at it. By the end of that weekend, I had wired the seller the money. I did this because it was a one-owner 1996 007-edition Z3 with a full service history and 16,000 original miles. I took that car to the Hilton Head Concours in 2015, drove it from Connecticut to Amelia Island in 2016 on the Hagerty Rally to Amelia, plus I showed it at The Quail in Monterey in 2016 as well. Our Pick of the Day is one of these cars, a second-year 1997 BMW Z3 listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a dealer in Salem, Ohio.

My Z3 was fun-to-drive and did everything I wanted a classic roadster to do, plus it had functional air conditioning, comfortable seats, and a top that was not only easy to open and close, but was also watertight. In a fit of stupidity, I sold it in 2019 in order to pay for another car I had my eyes on. Last year, I bought my exact Z3 back, and the reason I did it is because every other car I have owned after the Z3 was not as fun as that crazy BMW.

The Z3 is so good because, like the Mazda Miata, it takes all the elements of a classic roadster and incorporates modern elements to make the car easy to live with. I say that having owned a number of classic roadsters over the years so, to me, the Z3 is the perfect example. Sure, a Miata is a fine car, but BMW took the Miata idea and built a higher-end version. It is interesting that today, an exceptional, low-mile example of the four-cylinder Z3 sells for less money that a first-generation Miata in the same condition. What makes this even more interesting is that the Z3 cost around $10,000 more than the Miata when new, but you can see why the minute you take a long look at and actually drive a Z3. Sorry, Miata fans, the 1.9-liter four-cylinder Z3 is a better car.

One thing to know about this specific car is that since it is a 1997 model, it does not have the integrated roll bars that BMW added in 1998. To me, the lack of these make the first two years a much nicer and more classic design.

This Z3 is painted in its original Arctic Silver Metallic paint and, from the photos, looks to be in perfect as-new condition. It is riding on its original Style 35 16-inch alloy wheels that are clad with Firestone tires. The factory original black soft top is also in great condition, with a clear rear window and no signs of any wear. This should not be a surprise as this Z3 has only covered 14,487 miles from new that is verified by its CARFAX report.

The interior of this Z3 is also in remarkable condition. The Tanin Red leather seats and door panels are very clean with no rips or cracks anywhere, and little to no fading as well. The carpets, dash, and everything else about the interior is also perfect. This is as close as you can get to owning a brand new 1997 Z3.

Under the hood is the DOHC 1.9 liter “M44” inline-four that looks just like it did when new—and it still even has evidence of the factory cosmoline. According to the seller, the car has had a lot of recent servicing including new clutch, tires, replacement of major AC components, and new front struts, plus all fluids have recently replaced, serviced, or flushed. This again is the exact kind of car to buy if you want an absolute trouble-free collector car.

The driving experience of the 1.9 liter Z3 is a perfect mix of modern and classic. From behind the wheel, these cars feel like a classic roadster but with more power, better handling, and comfort no MGB, TR4, or Spitfire could ever dream of having. The leather used on the seats is very high quality and the seats are comfortable and supportive. My longest time behind the wheel of my Z3 is 14 hours, and the car did not beat me up. The steering is typical BMW power-assisted steering of the era and uses a hydraulic (and not an electric) pump. The road feel in this system is part of what made BMWs legendary, with that, combined with the staggeringly high limits due to the 225 series tires with the 1.9 liter engine, makes this a car that can really surprise you with how well it handles corners. Over uneven pavement, the rear end will step around slightly in corners, giving a vintage feel almost like a live-axle car like an Alfa Spider or MG, but then it takes a set and hooks up in a way those cars can only dream about. The Bimmer does not offer blistering acceleration, covering the 0-60 sprint in about 8.1 seconds but, due to the small size and low seating position, it feels a lot faster.

Top speed is just under 120 mph and, again, the sense of speed at 80-100 mph makes you think you are traveling much faster. This is the very essence of a car that you can fully use and drive hard without risk of losing your license. Every drive feels fun, and longer drives are an event much like they are in a vintage car but with the certainty that you will be able to complete any trip without getting stranded. In addition, because these cars are so good, finding a low-mile example is next to impossible as most of these early cars have clocked more than 100,000 miles at this point. That makes this 14,000-mile 1997 BMW Z3 a serious find. An important note is that this Z3 includes all books, tools, service records and even its original window sticker.

Something interesting about the Z3 today is that these cars seem to get noticed as being special by people you see on the road and at stops. This happened when they were launched, but people seem to be rediscovering them, though somehow the market has yet to respond with higher prices. I think that the Z3 is the best value for a modern classic car and prices are already starting to increase, so you can buy this one for the $19,800 asking price or wait and pay more if you can even find one that is in this amazingly original condition. If I didn’t already my own mint-condition Z3, I would buy this one myself.

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

When I first discovered I was going to have the opportunity to review a Jeep Wrangler (and not even one with a Hemi under the hood), I was a bit underwhelmed. Just the week before, I tested a 2025 Morgan Plus 4, so I probably sound a bit ungrateful to get the Jeep, but my specialty is classic sports and high-end enthusiast cars—what the heck am I going to write about? You see I never really understood the Jeep. I saw it as something that was not really an SUV and not really a truck. It didn’t help that I own a BMW X3 and an X5 which are both great SUVs and always compared every Jeep I have briefly driven to them. Then this tangerine Jeep Wrangler (a hue which Jeep calls Joose) showed up in my driveway, and I began to form an idea in the back of my mind that maybe I have somehow overlooked a ride that is one of the most important American vehicles being built, even more important than the Ford Mustang or Chevrolet Corvette.

You will not mistake the 2025 Jeep Wrangler for anything else but a Jeep. It still has a flat windshield, slat grill, round headlights, short hood that is closed by a pair of side latches, big fenders that are bolted on to the body, removable doors, and compact proportions (despite this one being a four-door model)—basically, the 2025 Jeep Wrangler shares many design cues with every other Jeep since 1941. The fact that this design is still here this many years later makes the Jeep one of the most iconic American vehicle designs in the history of American automobiles.

In the past week, I learned that not only are Jeeps super cool (even with only a V6 under the hood), but that they also are probably the best retro-modern American enthusiast car that has ever been built.

Jeep is a fascinating brand here in the United States. Initially conceived as a military vehicle, it has been built for almost 85 years without interruption. The longer I drove this Jeep, the more it reminded the Morgan Plus 4, another car that in many ways is the exact same car that has been built since 1936—sure, with upgrades and redesigns here and there, but building a car that, despite upgrades in technology and manufacturing, is not mistaken for any other car. In essence, the Jeep is the American Morgan.

The current version of the Jeep that was introduced in 2018 (known as the JL) is the 12th generation of the civilian Jeep and the fourth generation of the Jeep in Wrangler form. Think about that for a moment: the same basic vehicle is still being built in the U.S. as a civilian model for decades upon decades. Not only that but, during that entire period, the Jeep has continued to be a very popular and successful vehicle. To me, this makes the Jeep an amazing vehicle and one that has an enthusiast community as popular as brands like Porsche or Ferrari.

The specific Jeep Wrangler four-door I was given was a Sahara spec model. The only options on this Wrangler were a tow package and McKinley leather seating, which alone make the Wrangler feel much more premium and special. As one of the better-trimmed versions, the Sahara gives you better seats and other options keyed towards comfort and style. It should be noted that the cell phone integration was excellent, as was the on-board navigation system with traffic data; additionally, the audio system sounded excellent for a vehicle in this class. It might sound crazy, but the entire center stack package felt much better executed and easier to use than the one used in all the Land Rovers I’ve driven—vehicles that cost much more than most Jeeps.

If you have ever driven a Jeep of any generation and liked it, then you will not be disappointed by the 2025 Wrangler. It gives you the Jeep driving experience through and through, though with a few softer edges than, say, a CJ-5. Nonetheless, you still gain that confidence that no matter what the road looks like, this is a vehicle that can climb any mountain or conquer any form of rough terrain. The view from the flat windshield is so familiar, adding to the classic old-style Jeep look, and something you will not find in any other new vehicle—not even the new Land Rover Defender. The Jeep is built for fun and, much like riding a BMW GS adventure bike, you might find yourself daydreaming about a driving adventure in the wilderness, maybe while being chased by dinosaurs escaping from the latest reboot of Jurassic Park.

I used the Jeep both on- and off-road, so the Wrangler Sahara can be summed up in one word: capable. While louder than many vehicles when driven on the highway, the Jeep has less wind noise than the Ford Bronco, plus it also feels smaller, which is nice.

During my time with this 2025 Wrangler, I learned a lot about the wildly passionate Jeep culture. When passing another Jeep, drivers would wave or blink their lights. When stopping for gas next to another Jeep, a conversation always happened, going on well past the point when our Jeeps were filled with fuel.

I also learned about the duck phenomenon: when a Jeep owner sees another Jeep parked somewhere that (s)he thinks is cool, (s)he may have a habit of leaving a little rubber duck on the hood. This has been going on for years and, now, even Mopar sells big bags of various Mopar-branded ducks for owners to give away. Sadly, no one gave me a duck, but I often saw Jeeps with their entire front window lined with little ducks. This duck thing might sound silly but it is another thing that shows just how strong the Jeep community is.

Another thing I learned about Jeeps is that, since 1997, the brand has put a number of “easter eggs” baked into the design. Some of these include the exterior vent behind the hood matching the front grill, grills in the lights when they are illuminated, and lots of classic WW2 Jeep silhouettes around the vehicle, including on the wheel centers, shifter, and even a little Jeep climbing a hill on the right side of the windshield. The fact that the folks at Jeep not only acknowledge their history but also celebrate it in such a fun and whimsical way is something I have not seen from any other manufacturer. I personally love the born-on sticker (somewhat like a birth certificate) on the inside of the rear door, which tells an owner about a particular Jeep and the location from where it was built.

After a week with the 2025 Wrangler, I began to get the itch to buy one myself. It certainly is fun to drive, and one of the most capable off-road vehicles ever built. While behind the wheel of this Jeep, I though of the adventures I could go on—with the full knowledge that my Jeep would not let me down, and we would get “there” no matter if there was in the middle of the Grand Tetons, the wilds of Alaska, or just to the local grocery store. You take it to run a quick errand but you also know that if you wanted to take a detour, say, to the middle of the Mojave Desert, the Jeep would and could. That feeling made every drive in the Jeep fun and full of amazing possibilities.

I decided that, after my time in the Jeep, I needed a second opinion, so I called my bud Ralph Gilles, chief design officer for Stellantis, to see what he thought of the car. Ralph said that the magic of Jeep is “how it makes you feel. It’s hella fun in the winter, and you always know that fun is in store whenever you get behind the wheel.”

I then asked Ralph how the designers can update the Jeep Wrangler and not ruin the design. He responded, “The key is that it always has stayed pure to what it is. The key to the design is finding that balance between what the Jeep was and still being able to update it.”

As you know, I arrived at the conclusion that the Jeep Wrangler is, in many ways, the American Morgan and, in so many ways, it is. However, it is more than that—the Jeep Wrangler is the original American enthusiast vehicle and the very definition of a vehicle built for adventure. It is also a cult car of the highest order, with owners being some of the most enthusiastic I have ever seen, even when compared to Porsche owners (who are known to take their passion for their cars to 10—Jeep owners take it to 11). After being with this Wrangler for a week, I have learned that the Cult of Jeep is not only one well worth being a part of, but it also is the most inclusive of all automotive communities: all you need is a Jeep, new or used. There is no hierarchy by model—just a shared love for these amazing vehicles. I will say that if I join this community, I would go for one spec’d like my test vehicle. This well-equipped 2025 Wrangler Sahara four-door listed for $62,615, which is still an excellent value, if not the absolute best value for a serious off-road vehicle that still offers comfort and all the amenities you would want. If that is too much for your budget, the Jeep Wrangler still has a starting price of only $32,690. My advice is to go to a dealer and drive one or—better yet—rent one for a week. Be forewarned though, as the fun the Jeep Wrangler offers may well make you join the Cult of Jeep.

In this video from Monterey Car Week 2025, we break down what makes the Ford GT Mk IV the ultimate evolution of the modern GT: its design brief, longtail aero philosophy, and packaging choices that you don’t see at first glance. It features bespoke carbon fiber construction, a purpose-built cockpit, and hardware chosen with lap times in mind. 

Named in honor of the 1967 Le Mans winner, the GT Mk IV is a track-only machine hand-built by Multimatic – and the last word in the second-generation Ford GT’s story.

This video is sponsored by our friends at Borro. For the trusted source in liquidity when you need it most, call Borro today at (720) 458-6788 or learn more at borro.com.

Subscribe to the CCN Media YouTube channel for more Monterey Car Week 2025 content.

Chevrolet’s “Advance Design” trucks were hugely successful from a sales perspective. They were produced beginning in June 1947, and they rolled out of an impressive 11 different assembly plants around the country for about the next eight years. Featured on AutoHunter is one of these trucks, this 1954 Chevrolet 3100 Custom Pickup. It is being sold by a dealer in Gladstone, Oregon, with the auction ending on Friday, November 7, 2025, at 12:30 p.m. (MST).

While true to its original shape, the truck was reimagined from front to back, inside and out, during a body-off restoration. The blue and silver two-tone paint job is stunning, and exterior features include a “bull nose” grille and one-piece windshield (both of which were new for 1954). The truck’s sharp, lowered stance is made possible by a custom suspension with Ridetech adjustable front coilovers and tubular control arms. The Rally-look 17-inch wheels give the truck a retro look but with modern-day dimensions.

“Whatever or wherever you haul or deliver, you’ll find the most trustworthy truck on any job with the completely new 1954 Chevrolet,” proclaimed a television commercial from the period. The advertisement was only partially true—the 1954 Chevy truck was not “completely new,” although it did feature a number of new features. The ad discussed some of the newly-available engines, a new automatic transmission, and the truck’s enhanced ruggedness and durability. “These great new trucks are engineered to do your work faster, more efficiently, and more economically,” it said.

The interior of the cab for this restomod pickup was enhanced with power-adjustable bucket seats, power steering, aftermarket steering wheel, Vintage Air A/C, and modernized instrumentation. The digital odometer reads 7,442 miles, although true mileage is unknown. The engine is a fuel-injected Vortec 5.3-liter V8 mated to a 4L60E four-speed automatic transmission and a 10-bolt rear end. Equipment-wise, the listing says that performance headers have been added, and the custom dual exhaust system sports a pair of polished outlets cleanly integrated into the rollpan at the rear.  

Today, Advance Design trucks have a special place in the collector-car marketplace. The 1954 model, manufactured during the twilight of the series, is a particularly unique part of Chevrolet’s truck history. Add modern niceties like air conditioning, power steering, and four-wheel disc brakes, and you have a classic ride with both form and function.

The auction for this 1954 Chevrolet 3100 Custom Pickup ends Friday, November 7, 2025 at 12:30 p.m. (MST).

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and a photo gallery