mod@tech

A few days ago, I was browsing the listings on ClassicCars.com and came across a car that is eligible for any concours event you can think of, has a decent chance of getting a class award, and also is somehow affordable. My Pick of the Day is that car: a 1953 Chrysler Ghia Special Coupe by Ghia located in Auburn, Indiana.

At the sharp end of world of collector cars—more specifically potential concours winners—there are very few bargains. Even to get a class award at many of these events often requires spending a million dollars. I have shown at many concours events over the past 10 years, and every single car we won an award with cost in excess of $400,000 (and most cost over $1 million). This is the sad truth, but when you consider the reason people attend these concours events is to see cars they have never seen before, it starts to make more sense.

The Chrysler-Ghia relationship is an interesting one. The two companies collaborated for over a decade to create some of the most stunning Chrysler-badged products in the entire history of the company. This effort was the result of Chrysler design chief Virgil Exner being tasked with bringing some glamour and excitement to the brand. The end result were the Chrysler Ghia cars.

This Chrysler Ghia collaboration was called the Special Coupe, with just 18 examples crafted by Ghia for Chrysler. Although the company’s board was hesitant to approve the model, Export Manager C.B. Thomas thankfully was able to convince them to go ahead with the build.

This specific car is finished in its original color of Dove Gray and is believed to have received only one professional exterior respray in the correct color since it was sold new in 1953.

The interior is also largely original, with comfortable maroon leather seats that look quite nice. There is wear, but I could call that patina and, in my opinion, it is something that should not be changed, redone, or even redyed. It is almost impossible to come across almost any car of this era with an original interior, and it would be a shame to mess that up by renewing it.

Under the hood is the correct Chrysler 331ci Hemi V8 engine, which is mated to a 1954 PowerFlite automatic transmission that shifts smoothly. I would personally inquire about the original transmission but, if it is indeed lost, I would not let this deter me from purchasing the car. This Special Coupe is currently equipped with a 1954 four-barrel carburetor, but the original carburetor accompanies the sale. 

Like most of the Chrysler Ghia cars, this example has an interesting history. The car was first sold new by France Motors in Paris in 1953 to famous jockey Johnny Longden. Longden shipped the car on the SS Liberte to his residential home in Arcadia, California, in September of the same year. By the 1950s, this Ghia had passed to a resident in the affluent neighborhood of San Marino. Under her ownership, this Special Coupe received supplemental bumpers to protect the hand-formed front and rear body, which explains the holes present today. This Ghia then made its way to the home of well-known Chrysler collector and authority Robert Frumkin of Los Angeles in the 1960s. Frumkin retained this wonderful example for two decades, during which he received a handwritten letter from the original owner confirming the Ghia’s provenance, as well as its originality and color. In 1979, this example traded hands for the last time to the current owner and became a welcome addition to his own collection. 

Chrysler Ghia Special Coupes are absolutely spectacular in person. I have shown a 1954 model myself and have won First in Class awards with it at every concours in which it was shown. In addition, these cars possess the “easy button” when it comes to participating in concours tours and classic car events, as the Chrysler underpinnings make them simple to fix and maintain.

The best part about this specific car is the asking price which, at only $299,000, I am going to call a steal. No, the car is not likely in good enough shape for Pebble Beach, but I can practically guarantee that at any other concours you would come away with some hardware.

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

Part of owning a classic car is recognizing—and accepting—the fact that you have to “expect the unexpected.” When I set out on a recent 2,700-mile road trip from Phoenix to Vermont for this year’s National Acura Legend Meet, I carried a trunk full of replacement parts. After all, I was 100% aware that, at a moment’s notice, I could need an alternator, starter, main relay, gallon of coolant, or a myriad of other things. I’ve also gotten in the habit of carrying a full-sized spare tire. A car with nearly 600,000 miles on the odometer could be a ticking time bomb.

But of all the times to experience to a critical part failure, I didn’t anticipate it would be on the first day of a five-day cross-country adventure . . . in a rural part of Arizona . . . on a holiday weekend, just a few hours from home. That’s how things played out, and it was thanks to a small mom-and-pop car repair facility that I miraculously continued my journey later that same day and made it to my destination three time zones away, on perfect schedule later in the week.

It was about 12 miles west of Holbrook, Arizona, when the battery light illuminated in my car. I had flashbacks of the previous time it had happened 16 years ago, just outside Las Vegas. That had been about 200,000 miles prior, so it was not shocking. It was, however, inconvenient. I managed to get the car to a truck stop just west of town and started the process of running through phone numbers for any and all repair facilities I could find. Unfortunately, Holbrook is a town of fewer than 5,000 people, most of whom were already enjoying Labor Day weekend. I only managed to go through several places, some of which referred me to mobile mechanics or other resources. I did manage to find one shop that would install my part, so I limped the car there using a battery jump pack (another handy lifesaver, I’ve learned).

Unfortunately, after waiting an hour and a half, I determined I’d been stood up. In a bit of desperation, I took to the phone again. This time, I even called the businesses that said “Closed” according to Google. To my surprise, a voice answered the phone at Arizona Auto Service on Route 66. I explained my predicament and they said, “Bring it down.” Somehow, I was again able to start the car and drive about three more miles just before my battery pack lost voltage and I had to coast to the side of the road about a half-block from the facility. (Incidentally, Arizona Auto was located just several blocks from the Wigwam Motel.)

The hospitality that I experienced next was unprecedented. The shop was bustling with activity—deep in preparations for an upcoming demolition derby at the Navajo County Fair. But they dropped what they were doing, helped me push the car to a service bay, and got to work with the install. Meanwhile, I got to know the family members who were there and even watched them paint some accessories for the demolition derby cars. In short order, the shop foreman, Frank, said I was good to go and asked me to fire up the car so he could test the voltage output. Everything checked out, and my sense of optimism reached new heights.

I insisted on paying more for the alternator installation than Frank wanted to charge me. I also insisted on letting him take a picture with the entire crew before I continued my journey. I drove away with a deepened appreciation and respect for the compassion of people in the automotive community who are willing to help one another. The experience solidified my conviction that the automotive community is one big family.

As a follow-up expression of gratitude, I reached out to Arizona Auto the following week to let them know that my new alternator got me to Vermont successfully, and I wished them luck on the demolition derby. Maybe next year I’ll join them!

Collector Car Network Media got a close look at one of the most talked-about concept cars on the Pebble Beach Concept Lawn this year: the Attucks Apex AP-0, which is backed by musician and car enthusiast Wyclef Jean.

In this video, we break down what makes this electric supercar unique, from its ultra-light carbon fiber monocoque and exposed aero-focused design to its 650-horsepower rear-mounted motor and sub-2.5-second 0–60 mph time. What could this mean for the next generation of supercars? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below.

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.

Sometimes, the only thing “classic” about a classic car is the model year listed on its title. Here’s one example of a car that went through a nut-and-bolt refresh and is just as youthful as the day it was new: this 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air Custom Convertible featured on AutoHunter. It is being sold by a dealer in Paso Robles, California, and the auction will end Friday, September 26, 2025, at 12:30 p.m. (PDT).

While staying true to its original body lines, the car has modernized and enhanced in every mechanical aspect. During a frame-off restoration that was completed in 2024, it received a custom chassis from Newman Car Creations. Take a look at the underbody photos included in the listing—it’s essentially a brand-new car despite its “official” age being 70 years old.

The 1955 Chevrolet is undisputed American icon; it paved the way for the 1956 and 1957 models that would complete the “Tri-Five” series. The American Tri-Five Association is just one of any nationwide organization dedicated to the display, restoration, preservation, and appreciation of such cars. Next year’s Tri-Five Nationals will be held August 15, 2026, in Bowling Green, Kentucky. A 1956 Chevrolet will be given away too!

Exterior features for this clean, custom machine include a Cobalt Blue and Pearl White two-tone paint job, dark blue power-retractable top, chrome brightwork, and dual side mirrors. Grip comes from a set of BFGoodrich tires wrapped around 17-inch American Racing polished aluminum wheels.

The cabin has its share of upgrades, too, starting with front bucket seats and a custom center console, courtesy of Dave Stoeckel of Fresno, California. Features include a Vintage Air A/C system, power windows, tilt steering column, and Bluetooth-compatible audio system. The odometer reads 1,630 miles, but title reads mileage-exempt.

We’ve talked in the past about how GM “LS” engines have become so popular in restomod-type restorations (here’s a story from a number of years ago that gives an overview of LS history). True to tradition, this car employs an LS2 6.0-liter V8 mated to a 4L60E four-speed automatic transmission. But the build doesn’t stop there, as the Chevy also has a Magnuson supercharger and has been dyno-tested to produce 450 horsepower.

For those not familiar with Magnuson Superchargers, the Ventura, California-based company was founded about 40 years go. It produces a wide range of supercharger systems, most of which are straightforward bolt-ons that use Eaton rotors. While results vary by application, Magnuson says most applications elevate a stock vehicle’s performance by as much as 45%.

The engineering upgrades don’t stop there, as the build sheet also includes a carbon-fiber driveshaft, C4 Corvette suspension, Wilwood four-wheel power disc brakes, and Flowmaster dual exhaust system. Overhauled? I’d say so. In fact, I’d dare say this ’55 is ready to drive to Bowling Green for next year’s Tri-Five Nationals—no matter how far that drive may be.

The auction for this 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air Custom Convertible ends Friday, September 26, 2025, at 12:30 p.m. (PDT). The winning bidder will receive restoration photos, an owner’s manual, and build receipts.

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and a photo gallery

There seems to be a misconception that the Mercury Cougar was a luxury variant of the Ford Mustang, but that is not quite true. Take a look at the interior of a 1967 Cougar and it’s clearly not a luxury pony car. However, the Cougar would eventually turn into a personal luxury vehicle. Our Pick of the Day shows the evolution of this transformation while also playing another role. This 1969 Mercury Cougar XR-7 convertible is currently listed on ClassicCars.com by a dealer in Milford, Michigan.

Some may say, “But what about the XR-7?” Yes, Mercury added leather and wooden touches to the interior, but it could be argued that the interior invoked more of a European GT flavor than anything else. Could that be considered luxury? Maybe, but it still doesn’t make the Cougar a luxurious variant of the Mustang—not compared to the luxury available in a Lincoln.

The Cougar’s first restyle for 1969 was the first step in that direction. The wheelbase continued to be a generous 111 inches, but length grew by 3.5 inches and width by more than two. A sweeping, sculpted body crease similar to that on some Buicks certainly imparted a more upscale image. Inside, even the standard Cougar received an upgrade in appointments. And the XR-7? It continued to be furnished with “supple vinyl upholstery, accented by touches of genuine leather” with the effect now being more luxurious than GT, though Mercury continued to tout the “sports car mystique” with “European style and flair.” Each Cougar model continued to offer standard bucket seats, a floor shifter, concealed headlamps, sequential taillamps, and a standard V8. New on the roster was a convertible, available on the both standard and XR-7 Cougars.

Engines were a mixture of old and new. New was the 351 Windsor; one with 250 horsepower and a two-barrel carburetor was the standard engine for all Cougars. Opt for the four-barrel and horsepower jumped to 290. The importance of this engine cannot be understated because the competition offered several mid-300ci engines, which Ford’s engine portfolio failed to meet toe-to-toe until 1969.

Making a return for the last time was the 390, now rated at 320 horsepower. The top option for the Cougar was the 428 Cobra Jet, which was available with or without ram air induction; when the former was ordered, you received a hood scoop and stripes on the hood. Add the Drag Pak and you’d receive upgraded engine components, an external oil cooler, and 3.91 or 4.30 gears.

By 1972, the second year of the Cougar’s third generation, the XR-7 began to outsell the base model, completing the Cougar’s evolution from upscale pony car to personal luxury coupe and convertible. This Red 1969 Cougar XR-7 convertible plays double duty in another manner: Yes, it has the upscale appointments, but it also has upscale power thanks to an “R-code” 428 Cobra Jet with ram air. Only 96 R-codes were built with an automatic transmission—check out the list of options on the Marti Report: Traction-Lok differential with 3.25 gears, a collapsible spare tire, whitewall F70 x 14 Wide Ovals, power windows, a console, power front disc brakes, power steering with tilt-away feature, hood pins, power ventilation, an AM/FM stereo, Styled Steel wheels, a white power convertible top, and Deluxe seat belts. Retail price was almost $5,100 new. The original buyer worked for Ford so (s)he took advantage of company perks to spec out this vehicle.

LED headlamps and taillights are one update. Air conditioning is another. A third is the white interior with red components, as the original seating material was Dark Red vinyl and leather. None detract from the essence of this vehicle, which is perhaps the most luxurious muscle car out there. Rather than shop for both a classic Lincoln and a Mustang, you can get everything both cars offer in one vehicle for $115,000.

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