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24-Years-Owned, 283-Powered 1949 Mercury M-47 Pickup

This 1949 Mercury M-47 is a half-ton pickup that was purchased by its current owner in 2001. Since that time, it has been fitted with a 283ci Chevrolet V8, a three-speed automatic transmission, a GM 12-bolt rear end, and a Mustang II-style independent front end with disc brakes and power rack-and-pinion steering. The truck has been refinished in yellow with matte-black fenders, and the interior features a gray vinyl bench seat, a Lokar shifter, and a Sony CD receiver. This modified M-47 is now offered in Canada by the seller on behalf of a family member with Ontario registration.

The body has been refinished in yellow with a matte black grille, fenders, running boards, bed rails, and tailgate. Additional exterior features include a windshield visor and front bumper that were likewise painted matte black as well as M-47 badging, a peep mirror, a chrome rear bumper, and frenched taillights with bullet-style lenses. The logo for an Italian eatery adorns the doors. There are no windshield wipers, and the seller notes rust in the cowl vent and fenders along with a cracked vent window.

The 6.5′ bed features a diamond-plate storage box, bulkhead wall, and bed sides as well as a drop-down tailgate and a weathered wood-plank floor with metal cargo strips.

Silver 17″ Ridler five-spoke wheels are mounted with older 205/50 front and 235/60 rear Michelin Premier LTX tires. A Mustang II-stylee front end that was installed in 2021 employs independent control-arm suspension and power rack-and-pinion steering, while the factory configuration of leaf springs and tube shocks is retained out back. Power-assisted front disc brakes with GM calipers are paired with rear drums.

The interior features a newer bench seat trimmed in vinyl, and the doors are a combination of green vinyl panels and body-color painted metal with “49 – Merc” in Gothic script. A Lokar floor shifter has been installed along with lap belts, a Sony CD receiver, and kick-panel speakers. The hot-water cabin heater is inoperative.

The wood-rimmed steering wheel fronts a green-painted dash housing a factory 100-mph speedometer and an aftermarket combination gauge. The inoperative odometer indicates 65k miles, and the speedometer does not work. The seller estimates that 20k miles were added under current ownership, with total mileage unknown.

The 283ci Chevrolet V8 is equipped with an Edelbrock four-barrel carburetor and aluminum intake manifold, a dual exhaust system, and a finned air cleaner and valve covers. The radiator and starter were replaced in 2021.

Power is sent to the rear wheels through a TH350 three-speed automatic transmission and a GM 12-bolt rear end.

The vehicle is being sold on its Ontario registration, which serves as the ownership document in Ontario, Canada.

24-Years-Owned, 350-Powered Volkswagen Beetle-Style Roadster

This 1969 Volkswagen Beetle sedan was converted into a custom roadster in the 1990s by a Southern California hot rod builder, with work involving removing the roof and fenders, chopping the windshield, and fitting fiberglass body components. Following the seller’s acquisition in 2001, the body was removed from the pan and mounted on a custom tubular ladder frame, which incorporates a tubular drop axle up front, front coilover springs, and rear ladder bars with shocks and coil springs. It was later repowered with a front-mounted 350ci Chevrolet V8 linked to a four-speed 700R4 automatic transmission and a Ford 9″ rear end, and the car also has four-wheel disc brakes and 15″ Center Line wheels. The engine is topped by an Edelbrock intake manifold and a Weber carburetor, and Sanderson headers were also installed along with PerTronix ignition. This custom V8-powered Beetle roadster is now offered with service records and an Oregon title in the seller’s name.

The Beetle sedan bodywork was modified during the initial 1990s build, with work involving removing the roof and fenders, chopping the windshield, and fitting around a dozen fiberglass components including a rear compartment cover with integrated air intakes. It was subsequently repainted red. The seller notes rust along the inner nose, and flaws in the finish are shown up-close in the gallery below.

The car rides on a custom tubular steel frame, which was fabricated and powder-coated black in 2007. It uses rack-and-pinion steering, front coilovers, Morrison ladder bars, and shocks with coil springs out back. Four-wheel disc brakes are assisted by a dual-circuit master cylinder mounted under the floor. Sanderson Street Rod headers are linked to a fabricated dual exhaust system.

Chrome-finished 15″ Center Line wheels are mounted with staggered tires.

The cabin has been retrofitted with a pair of aftermarket high-back bucket seats trimmed in gray cloth with patterned inserts. Dynamat insulation is fitted under the carpeting. The rear seats have been removed, and lap belts, a wood radio blanking plate, and a passenger grab handle are further appointments.

The wrap on the split-spoke Grant steering wheel is worn, and a Lokar shifter and pedals were installed. A Dolphin 120-mph speedometer was installed in 2007, and a combination gauge monitoring fuel level, oil pressure, coolant temperature, and voltage has been mounted in the locking glovebox. The digital odometer now shows 2k miles, and approximately 5k miles were added under current ownership. Total mileage is unknown.

The 350ci V8 was purchased as a crate engine and installed in 2009, and induction is via an Edelbrock intake manifold, a Weber carburetor, and a chrome air cleaner assembly. Additional equipment includes polished valve covers, an Edelbrock water pump, and a PerTronix Flame Thrower ignition coil.

The radiator is mounted out back along with a fuel tank mounted under the custom hard tonneau.

Power is sent to the rear wheels through a four-speed 700R4 automatic transmission. A Ford 9″ rear end with Dutchman axles has been installed along with a replacement driveshaft assembly.

Historical photos and images of the work being performed are detailed in the gallery along with records.

Chassis number 119492450 is listed as the VIN on the current Oregon title, and the sequence is consistent with a Volkswagen Beetle sedan produced in 1969.

10 Cars From the 80s That Should’ve Been Terrible — But Weren’t

The 1980s were a tumultuous period for the automotive industry, marked by oil crises, stringent regulations, and designs often criticized for their boxy aesthetics. (en.wikipedia.org) Amidst these challenges, certain vehicles defied expectations, earning cult status and delivering performances that surprised many. This article explores ten such cars that, against the odds, became icons of their era.

Source

Ford Made a Modern Bronco Roadster Concept Vehicle

If you were swept up in the news coming out of Monterey Car Week and the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, we can’t blame you. How could you not be distracted by all the cool vehicles showcased and introduced in such a short amount of time? But that means you may have missed the Bronco Roadster Concept that Ford rolled out as part of the legendary off-roader’s 60th birthday festivities.

Today, you can get the sixth-generation Bronco with two or four doors and with a soft top and/or a removable hardtop. But when the original Bronco entered the market as a 1966 model, it was available in three basic forms: the Sports Utility (essentially a single-cab pickup), the two-door Wagon, and the roofless and doorless Roadster. Robert Gelardi, the current model’s chief designer, said, “During the development of the 2021 Bronco and Bronco Sport, we worked with a group of experts and enthusiasts who helped guide our vision. One of them, who has since become a good friend, owns a beautifully spartan 1966 Wimbledon White roadster. We’ve admired that vehicle for a long time, and it served as the design team’s inspiration, as well as a tangible link to the Bronco’s original design DNA, for this Roadster Concept.”

To give the concept vehicle the same “Go Anywhere, Open Air” personality as the original model, Gelardi and his team kept things simple. Of course, there’s no roof or doors on the Wimbledon White one-off, but there’s also a clear lack of the kind of gear you see on many classic and modern Broncos, such as a winch, light bar, or sky-high lift. Silver bumpers cap both ends of the concept and visually connect it to the vehicle that inspired it. The stock wheels were swapped out for a set of silver Fifteen52 Analog HDs.

Behind the largely white interior’s manual shifter and metallic silver bucket seats, the cargo area was gutted to make room for a spare tire. Maroon graphics over the rear fender flares commemorate the Bronco’s 60th and connect near the bottom of the throwback fold-down tailgate.

Unfortunately, the Bronco Roadster, like many concept vehicles, has no shot of making it into production. Perhaps at this year’s SEMA show we’ll see aftermarket companies offering conversion kits that provide the same old-school look.

Mikey and Mels May 2025 Cruise in

Mikey and Mels May 2025 Cruise in commenced another installment of their monthly cruise-in series on Mother’s Day weekend, May 10th, and, as expected, attracted a diverse group of enthusiasts from across the DMV area. Mikey and Mel’s Cruise-In has established itself as a prominent event in region, serving the premier cars and coffee or […]

The post Mikey and Mels May 2025 Cruise in appeared first on CarShowz.com.

1963 Impala Lowrider Zach Pennock – SEMA 2024

The 1963 Impala Lowrider, showcased by Zach Pennock at SEMA 2024 and nicknamed ‘Sexxy Red,’ represents a unique fusion of classic lowrider aesthetics with contemporary power, adorned with abundant gold, chrome, and extensive engraving. Zach Pennock, renowned for his affinity for patina, blower motors, and burnouts, introduced a novel twist this year: a chrome-encased lowrider […]

The post 1963 Impala Lowrider Zach Pennock – SEMA 2024 appeared first on CarShowz.com.

Wagner Tuning MK2 Golf SEMA 2024

Wagner Tuning MK2 Golf – The Wagner Tuning MK2 Golf, owned by Jean Pierre Kraemer, dubbed the “Thunderbunny” showcased at SEMA 2024, immediately stood out with its wide-body stance, which then led my attention to the gold accents adorning the engine bay. The design flow of the MK2 seamlessly guided the gaze from one modification […]

The post Wagner Tuning MK2 Golf SEMA 2024 appeared first on CarShowz.com.

2025 Ford Mustang Mach-E Updates

At the Electrify Expo Phoenix 2025, we saw all sorts of electric cars, trucks, and SUVs, including the updated 2025 Ford Mustang Mach-E lineup. As Mustang Mach-E Assistant Brand Manager James Duszkiewicz explains in this video, customer feedback led to some of the changes made to the all-electric Mustang, such as the standard heat pump and the Premium model’s heated and ventilated front seats.

Duszkiewicz also tells us more about the GT-style Sport Appearance Package and the Mustang Mach-E Rally, a lifted model designed to blast over trails with 480 horsepower and 700 lb-ft of torque. Later on, we get into the things traditional Mustang fans and those who have never driven a Mustang at all should know about the Mach-E.

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Derek’s AutoHunter Picks

Every Friday, my colleague Diego brings you a list of vehicles that caught his eye on AutoHunter.com, but he is on a much-deserved vacation so I will be filling in for him today. Other than the color white, there’s not a theme to my selections, although they would make for a well-rounded collection of cars: a wagon, a hardtop convertible, and German and British roadsters.

1956 Pontiac Star Chief Safari (Auction ends August 26, 2025, at 12:15 p.m. PDT)

If you’ve seen some of my previous AutoHunter Spotlights or Pick of the Day pieces, you can probably guess I have a thing for wagons, which partially explains this Safari’s presence on this list. But there are other reasons too.

The Shadow Gray and Cream White paint colors go so well together and are applied in just the right areas. Then there’s the bold vertical trim on the hood and the upright brightwork at the rear end. The interior is just as eye-catching yet subtle, furnished with gray leather seats with black, gray, and white striped cloth inserts.

Updates can sometimes ruin the looks or personality of a vintage car, but in this case, the power front buckets, 350 V8, and 700R4 four-speed automatic are nice additions. This Safari would be great for a family night at a local drive-in movie or a run to get ice cream in this seemingly endless summer heat.

1957 Porsche 356 Replica (Auction ends August 27, 2025, at 11:45 a.m. PDT)

Ideal convertible weather is coming and this Porsche 356 replica made by Vintage Motorcars looks like a perfect car for it. Finished in the pleasant combination of Ivory over a Cognac Brown leather interior, it brings to mind languid, top-down drives along the coast.

To where? That doesn’t really matter – the journey is the best part. But if there are twists and turns along the way that are too enticing, the dual-carb, air-cooled 1,915cc four-cylinder engine and the four-speed manual are ready for action.

1959 Ford Galaxie Skyliner (Auction ends August 28, 2025, at 12:45 p.m. PDT)

This is a great example of how forward-thinking certain automakers can be. In the mid-1990s, Mercedes-Benz made a big splash with its first-generation SLK roadster, which wowed people with its power-retractable hardtop. There’s no denying that that’s a cool feature, but it wasn’t an industry first. Way back in the 1950s, Ford’s Galaxie Skyliner had that kind of roof and it covered two rows of passengers.

1959 Ford Galaxie Skyliner interior

This ’57 Skyliner benefits from a total restoration that resulted in the attractive pairing of Colonial White with a two-tone blue vinyl and fabric interior. A 300-horsepower Thunderbird 352 Special V8 keeps the breeze blowing during top-down driving.

If the weather turns nasty, the power Hide-Away hardtop will keep it out – but it won’t stop people from staring at it when it’s transforming this Galaxie from a convertible to a coupe.

1969 MG MGC (Auction ends August 27, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. PDT)

Before the Toyota Prius came along in the late-1990s, the term “hybrid” had a very different meaning in the automotive industry. Cars such as the Facel Vega, Iso Grifo, and De Tomaso Pantera combined European styling with American V8 power. Thanks to an Oldsmobile 215ci V8 engine swap, this MG roadster falls into that same category. In addition, the transmission was upgraded to a TREMEC T-5 five-speed manual.

But there’s more to this MG than what’s under its hood. The entire car was restored, repainted Wimbledon White, and fitted with a new red leather interior from MG specialist Moss Motors, which provides the perfect pop of color to contrast with the low-key exterior.