The world of performance cars is a realm where passion meets precision, and boundaries are made to be broken.
High-octane excellence isn’t just about raw power—it’s about the relentless pursuit of innovation,
unforgettable design, and the thrill that pulses through every curve and straightaway.
This curated journey spotlights fifteen automotive legends that didn’t just raise the bar;
they reshaped what drivers dreamed possible.
From record-shattering speedsters to technological trailblazers, these vehicles stand as monuments to engineering brilliance and automotive artistry.
Prepare to rediscover the icons that changed the way we experience the road.
If you live near St. Louis or anticipate passing through in the near future, then we’d recommend giving yourself time to visit the Saint Louis Art Museum for the exhibit Roaring: Art, Fashion, and the Automobile in France, 1918-1939.
Curated by noted automotive expert Ken Gross, Roaring “explores the transformative role of the automobile in pre–World War II France and highlights innovations across art and industry by those who embraced it as a provocative expression of the modern age. This expansive exhibition features paintings, photographs, sculpture, furniture, films, fashion, textiles, and 12 historic automobiles.”
In case you didn’t know this, automotive designers are almost like fashion designers—they use their skills to make figure and form look better to admiring eyes. And as Paris had been the traditional hub for fashion at the time, the French took their automotive designs seriously. “As driving became more comfortable, motoring fashions evolved into stylish wardrobe staples. Magazines portrayed liberated women dressed in knit sportswear driving convertibles … With an open, interdisciplinary approach, Roaring illuminates the rich ecosystems that nourished this golden age of French automotive design.”
The exhibit is divided into six sections, with the 12 cars being among more than 160 works from notable institutions and private collections from Europe and North America. There even is an exhibition catalog (more like a book on the exhibit) with contributions from seven authors that tie it all together.
This exhibit will continue through July 27, 2025. If you cannot attend, the best Plan B is to listen to the audio tour where you can hear from experts about the transformative role of the automobile in France before the war. If are able to attend, then you may also be interested in the exhibit In Search of America: Photography and the Road Trip, which runs through October 19, 2025.
We usually (and rightfully) associate the 1960s-era Chevrolet Chevelles with high-performance two-door muscle cars, but the reality is, a good number – a majority, in fact – of the Chevelles sold during that decade were family-oriented sedans built for the masses. Station wagons, too, were popular during that time for their unmatched versatility.
But here’s the thing: Just because a car looks like a cargo-hauler doesn’t mean it can’t have a powerful drivetrain, a manual transmission, and a mean-sounding exhaust system. Best of both worlds? You’re looking at it.
Featured on AutoHunter is this 1966 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu Wagon. The car is being sold by a dealer in Oregon City, Oregon, and the auction will end Tuesday, June 10, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. PDT.
The car is ready for a cross-country road trip, complete with a luggage rack, newer tires and a replacement engine. According to its trim tag, the car was built in Fremont, California, in November 1966 and finished in Willow Green with a Medium Fawn and Light Fawn imitation leather interior. The interior, which has a two-row-bench layout, is now upholstered in black vinyl.
Chevrolet based the first-generation Chevelle on the General Motors A-body platform. It slotted in the hierarchy as a midsized vehicle and, in the Chevy lineup, it bridged the gap between the compact Chevy II and full-sized models. The Pontiac Tempest, Buick Special and Oldsmobile F-85 were all Chevelle-related models from a chassis engineering perspective.
One magazine ad for the ’66 Chevelle station wagon said, “What did you buy a Chevelle Malibu wagon for?” It then listed out in two columns some of the reasons why men versus women liked the car. On one side, it talked about the long-load floor, full coil suspension and V8 for handling and power. On the other side, it mentioned the soft seats, handling and “Magic Mirror” finish. In other words, the Chevelle station wagon offered something for everyone.
Power for this car, which the listing says was restored within the last five years, comes from a replacement 350ci small-block V8 that features a four-barrel carburetor, polished aluminum intake manifold, and a chrome air intake. A valved dual exhaust system with cutouts has been added so, despite its grocery-getter style, it has a muscle-car growl.
So load up your luggage and fill up the tank, because this is one “muscle wagon” that is ready to work – and play!
The auction for this 1966 Chevrolet Chevelle Wagon ends Tuesday, June 10, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. (PDT).
Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and a photo gallery
France has long been a breeding ground for automotive creativity, producing sports cars that veer wildly from convention. From tiny twin-cylinder phantoms to radical canopy designs, these French machines often balance audacious style with unorthodox engineering choices. This article explores ten of the strangest French sports cars ever produced, each unfolding in roughly one hundred words.
Some embraced minimalism and extreme weight reduction, while others flaunted futuristic dashboards or mid-engine layouts in unexpected segments. Whether propelled by two cylinders or turbocharged V6s, these vehicles reveal how French designers and engineers repeatedly challenged norms. Prepare to discover the delightful oddities that make these ten true outliers.
1. DB
Founded by Charles Deutsch and René Bonnet in 1953, DB crafted lightweight sports cars built around diminutive Panhard flat-twin engines. Rather than chase big displacement, DB’s engineers used tubular steel frames and fiberglass bodies to keep weight under 600 kilograms, pairing slender two-cylinder powerplants to deliver nimble performance.
Models like the HBR boasted pontoon-styled fenders and aerodynamic nose cones rarely seen on small-displacement cars. Despite producing barely sixty horsepower, these machines could reach around 160 km/h, thanks to exceptional weight distribution and minimal mass. DB’s quirky embrace of economy-car engines in bespoke sports bodies exemplified French ingenuity, creating a unique driving experience defined by agility over brute force.
Long before “Rocket” became a marketing buzzword, Oldsmobile engineers pursued a delicate balance of innovation and brute force—combining refined engineering with raw V-8 torque to create some of the most memorable performance machines of their eras. In this article we explore ten of Oldsmobile’s most impressive performance cars. Each entry delves into basic specs and explains why these models earned a place in sports car history, showcasing Oldsmobile’s evolution from postwar disruptor to ’60s muscle icon and beyond.
1. Oldsmobile Rocket 88 (1949)
When General Motors introduced the 1949 Oldsmobile Rocket 88, it wasn’t just another new model—it was the world’s first muscle car in spirit. Underneath the streamlined body sat Oldsmobile’s groundbreaking 303-cid (5.0-L) V-8, producing a remarkable 135 horsepower—more than most contemporaries with much larger engines. Combined with a lightweight 2,880-lb chassis derived from the junior 76 platform, the Rocket 88 stormed to 60 mph in under 15 seconds—a startling figure for the era.
Its combination of overhead-valve technology, comparatively compact layout, and a smooth automatic transmission captivated buyers seeking high-speed comfort. The Rocket 88 established Oldsmobile’s “Rocket” identity, inspiring competitors to chase similar high-output V-8s and cementing its legacy as a pioneering American performance car.
Mazda’s saga in the sports car realm reads like an impassioned chronicle of engineering boldness, lightweight agility, and soulful design. From the groundbreaking Cosmo rotary to the global phenomenon of the Miata, Mazda has consistently demonstrated that driving pleasure transcends raw horsepower.
In the spirit of renowned automotive journalist Vukasin Herbez, this article explores ten of the most important sports cars in Mazda’s history. Each selection represents a pivotal moment when Mazda dared to innovate—reinventing package layouts, embracing rotary power, or redefining affordability in a way that reshaped both the brand’s DNA and the broader sports car landscape.
1. Mazda 110S Cosmo (1967-1972)
When the 110S Cosmo debuted in October 1967, it wasn’t merely a halo car—it was a declaration of Mazda’s ambition. Underneath its gracefully curving coupe body hid a two-rotor Wankel engine displacing just 982 cc yet delivering 110 horsepower. That power-to-weight ratio translated to a 0-60 mph sprint in roughly 10 seconds and a top speed past 120 mph—astonishing for a sub-1.0-liter engine in 1967.
Limited to around 1,176 units, the Cosmo proved rotary reliability in series production. By marrying exotic engine technology with a refined grand tourer ethos, the Cosmo launched Mazda’s long-standing romance with the rotary and set the stage for every RX that followed.
In an era when motorsports regulations demanded homologation specials, manufacturers unleashed engineering marvels that blurred the line between track dominance and street legality. These “crazy racing cars” were effectively detuned—or sometimes barely detuned—versions of purebred racers, fitted with headlights, mirrors, and just enough emissions controls to pass for a road car.
Here are ten of the most outrageous racing cars ever homologated for street use. Each represents a remarkable chapter in sports car history, where performance trumped practicality and a factory’s racing ambitions were writen in metal.
1. Lancia Delta S4 Stradale
In the mid-1980s, Group B rallying reached incandescent levels of power and danger—and nowhere was that more evident than in the Lancia Delta S4. Its Stradale (road) version, produced from late 1985, was effectively a slightly tamed rally monster. Underneath the unassuming five-door hatch exterior lurked a mid-mounted 1.8 L twincharged (supercharged and turbocharged) four-cylinder making around 250 hp in road trim—or significantly more in full rally spec.
With all-wheel drive, a Hewland gearbox, and a curb weight near 2,300 lb, the S4 Stradale could sprint to 60 mph in about 4.5 seconds. Despite its homologation requirement of 200 units, Lancia delivered only around 200 cars to customers, each a visceral reminder of the Group B lunacy. Today, the Delta S4 Stradale remains a fever dream: a car so wild on gravel that tamed slightly for tarmac, it still feels feral behind the wheel.
Throughout automotive history, only a select few car models have stood the test of time, captivating generations of drivers and adapting seamlessly to ever-evolving trends.
These legendary vehicles blend classic design with modern innovations, showcasing how engineering excellence and cultural significance can ensure longevity.
From humble beginnings to global icons, they reflect the spirit of their eras while embracing the future.
Join us as we explore the remarkable stories behind the world’s longest-running car models and discover what makes them truly timeless.
The problem with Chevrolet muscle cars is that many were performance packages, so you need documentation in order to prove their provenance. However, our Pick of the Day is one of the few hi-po Chevrolets that has its pedigree baked in the VIN. This 1972 Chevrolet Nova SS is listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a dealership in Lenexa, Kansas.
Make a list of primo Chevrolet muscle cars and there’s a good chance documentation is the only way to prove it is what it is. 1961 409 Impala SS? Nothing will tell you whether it came with a 409 or the SS package. L78 1966 Chevelle SS 396? Sorry, you’re SOL—the VIN will tell you it’s a real SS, but nothing will tell you which version of the Rat motor was originally installed. Ditto the L79 1966 Nova SS. What about a first-gen Camaro Z/28? The data plate may hold a clue, depending on the model year. And the hallowed LS6 Chevelle? Nothing will give you info on whether it’s an SS 454 or which 454 it was built with, again unless you have original documentation.
The 1972 Nova SS doesn’t suffer from this problem. No, the Super Sport package is not reflected in the VIN, but the engine is. Nineteen seventy-two was the first year General Motors put the engine code in the VIN, which helps collectors to no end, and the Super Sport’s engine was an exclusive, so it wasn’t available on any other Nova. That means if you find a Nova with a “K” in the fifth character of the VIN, you will have an authentic Super Sport. The L48 350, which first appeared in the Nova SS in 1968, was now rated at 200 net horsepower after producing 270 gross horsepower the year before. Most of the drop had to do with the rating method rather than an actual drop in horsepower.
Through 1968, the model was known as the Chevy II, with the Nova and Nova SS being the highest trim levels. Starting in 1969, the Chevy II name was dropped and all were now known as Novas. From 1968-72, the Chevy II/Nova evolved little, featuring detail changes that would require a discerning eye to determine the model year. Starting in 1973, with federalized requirements for the front bumper, Chevrolet’s compact received its first restyle for its generation.
As such, the 1972 Nova SS is the last of the desirable Novas. However, this 1972 Chevrolet Nova SS stands out for other reasons, as it has only 33K miles on the odometer. It has “the original window sticker, Protect-O-Plate, new vehicle inspection from the original dealer, maintenance logs, [and] owner’s manual, many historical and restoration photos will be included in the sale,” says the seller. Aside from its numbers-matching 350, it is equipped with a Muncie four-speed manual transmission, power front disc brakes, and Flowmaster exhaust system. Vintage aftermarket items include a column-mounted tachometer, Thrush headers, Lakewood traction bars and subframe connectors, Accel SuperCoil, Weiand intake, and Holley carb. It’s painted Golden Brown with a Light Covert cloth and vinyl bench seat—can you think of a more 1972 color combo?
Sure, the big-block 396 often seems the way to go, but those weren’t built past 1970, and it takes a lot to prove that it’s real. This 1972 Nova SS requires little fuss and offers peace of mind that no other Nova SS can offer. For $59,900, isn’t it worth the peace of mind?
Click here to view this Pick of the Day on ClassicCars.com
This 1936 Cord 810 began its life as a Westchester sedan before becoming the subject of a custom build by a marque specialist in the 1990s that included the conversion of its bodywork to a two-door configuration and the installation of a 350ci small-block Chevrolet V8. Additional work following the seller’s acquisition 16 years ago included the installation of a General Motors 700R4 automatic transmission that sends power to the rear wheels through a 3.70:1 limited-slip Ford 9” rear end. It rides on a custom perimeter frame supported by Mustang II-style independent front suspension, triangulated four-link rear suspension, and adjustable coilover shock absorbers. Finished in black, the car also features power steering, power-assisted Wilwood cross-drilled and ventilated disc brakes, staggered-width 15” wheels with Cord chrome covers, mechanically operated pop-up headlights, burgundy cloth upholstery, air conditioning, power windows, and an engine-turned dashboard with Classic Instruments gauges. This custom Cord 810 two-door Westchester is now offered in Costa Mesa, California, with a fitted indoor car cover and a clean California title in the seller’s name.
The Cord 810 was introduced in late 1935 for the 1936 model year and returned for 1937 as the 812 before the Auburn Automobile Company ceased manufacture of the Cord marque. Gordon Buehrig-penned styling included a “coffin-nose” front profile with a louvered wraparound grille, a rear-hinged hood, hideaway headlights raised via dash-mounted hand cranks, concealed door hinges, and a locking fuel-filler door. Six body styles were offered during the Cord’s production including a pair of two-door convertibles and four four-door, fixed-roof variants.
This example’s fastback Westchester sedan coachwork was modified during the 1990s build to create a two-door, fixed roof configuration. Work included relocation of the B-pillars 6” rearward of their original positions, elimination of the rear doors, and elongation of the rear-hinged front doors to the 42” length utilized for the factory convertible variants. A perimeter frame was added underneath the unibody during the project. The body was refinished in black following the work, and a ceramic coating is said to have been applied in preparation for the sale, at which time the headlight cables were lubricated.
Burgundy-powder-coated Chevrolet Rally wheels measure 15×7” up front and 15×8″ at the rear and wear chrome Cord hubcaps and stainless-steel beauty rings. Michelin wide-whitewall tires from Diamond Back Tires measure 215R15 and 235R15. Power-assisted Wilwood Dynalite four-wheel disc brakes were added during a mechanical refresh performed by DF Metalworks in Huntington Beach, California, after the seller’s acquisition and feature four-piston calipers acting upon slotted, cross-drilled, and ventilated rotors at front and rear. The brake fluid was flushed in preparation for the sale.
The cabin is trimmed in burgundy cloth over folding front and fixed rear bench seats with matching upholstery over the door panels and rear side panels and a color-keyed headliner, carpeting, and lap belts. Modifications include Specialty Power Windows, Vintage Air air conditioning, and a Pioneer CD player. The driver-side power window unit was replaced in preparation for the sale.
The banjo-spoke steering wheel is wrapped in burgundy leather and sits on an Iditit tilt column ahead of a burgundy-painted dashboard. A Cord engine-turned panel has been retained and houses custom Classic Instruments instrumentation with burgundy dial faces including a 120-mph speedometer, a 7k-rpm tachometer, a clock, and gauges monitoring fuel pressure, fuel level, oil pressure, coolant temperature, and voltage. The six-digit odometer shows 8,300 miles, approximately 4k of which have been added under current ownership. The oil pressure and coolant temperature gauges are inaccurate.
The 350ci Chevrolet small-block V8 is said to be a crate engine that was supplied in 1995 and features an Edelbrock 1406 four-barrel carburetor, an Edelbrock Performer intake manifold, HEI ignition, and custom valve covers. The cooling system was updated following the seller’s acquisition with a Stewart Stage 2 aluminum water pump, a Walker Super Cobra copper and brass radiator, and a SPAL 2600-cfm shrouded puller fan modulated by a Derale PWM control unit. An Odyssey 980 battery is located in the trunk and is equipped with a cutout switch. An oil change was performed using synthetic oil in preparation for the sale.
The driveline has been converted from front- to rear-wheel drive and features a Stage 2 GM 700R4 automatic transmission from Mad Dog Transmissions that was installed during the work by DF Metalworks after the seller’s acquisition of the car. Also fitted at that time was a solid axle featuring a J&S Gear Co. 3.70:1 Ford 9” rear end with a limited-slip differential. Suspension modifications during the project included the addition of a Mustang II-style front end that incorporates .204-wall DOM Spartan Rod Works upper and lower A-arms, dropped forged spindles, a chrome sway bar, Carrera adjustable coilover shock absorbers, and rack-and-pinion power steering. Rear suspension utilizes an Art Morrison triangulated four-link setup with a sway bar and Bilstein adjustable coilover shock absorbers.
The title lists the car’s identification number as FB1501, which corresponds with a Cord engine number but is stamped on the cowl tag as the serial number. FB1501 is also stamped on one of the frame rails, and the stamp is shown in the photo gallery below.