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Pick of the Day: 1950 Chevrolet Deluxe Styleline

A 90-horsepower inline-six might not make for the fastest hot-rod on the road, but this classic Chevrolet has body upgrades, a raked stance and a rocking audio system that make up for whatever it might lack in zero-to-sixty acceleration.

The Pick of the Day is a 1950 Chevrolet Deluxe Styleline listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in Long Beach, Mississippi. (Click the link to view the listing)

“I’m proud to present this exceptionally clean, absolutely stunning, gorgeous, and very reliable and enjoyable driver and show car: My 1950 Chevy Styleline Deluxe two-door sedan with air ride,” the listing begins. “One family owned the car before me.”

The Deluxe model rode on the General Motors A-body and got its start in 1941 just before the US involvement in World War II and was offered in coupe, cabriolet, sedan, and station wagon body styles. A halt was put on civilian car production in February 1942 and picked up a couple of years later. The first significant redesign of the Deluxe happened in 1949, and today’s feature car came off the assembly line the following year.

“Streamlined” is a word that comes to mind when viewing the side profile. The aggressive stance is made possible thanks to a SlamAir management system with an air bag suspension and two compressors. This custom suspension setup, combined with a windshield visor, Coker wide-whitewall tires, rear fender skirts and a continental kit, make this ’50 look like it’s riding on the ground.

Mechanically, this Styleline has a lot going for it. Under the hood resides a rebuilt 216cid “Victory Six” inline-six, and power is directed rearward through a column-shifted three-speed manual transmission. Service history appears comprehensive: included in recent maintenance are replacement of the oil filter, fuel tank, fuel lines, fuel pump, Rochester carburetor, air filter, and exhaust system. The electrical system has been upgraded with a 12-volt conversion, dual batteries, and new lights and bulbs. Finally, the braking system received similar TLC with a new master cylinder and replacement disc brakes up front with drums in the rear.

The cabin is full of modern technology and audio equipment, starting with a glove box-mounted radio with AM, FM, CD, MP3, Bluetooth, and USB connectivity. That head unit is joined with tweeters, six-by-nine speakers, two amplifiers and dual 15-inch subwoofers. This car undoubtedly rocks, and the surroundings make for a nice sound stage to enjoy the audio goodies — complete with newer velour and suede upholstery along with a new headliner, pile carpeting and floor mats.

“Thank you for checking out my 1950 Chevy Deluxe Styleline. It could be yours,” the listing concludes.

The seller is asking $42,500 for this Styleline, which looks stylish at any speed.

To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.

Bruce Meyer Donates World’s Most Famous Hot Rod

A recent donation to the Petersen Automotive Museum will ensure that generations to come can enjoy one of the quintessential American hot rods.

Renowned car collector Bruce Meyer recently handed over the keys to his 1932 Ford “McGee Roadster” to Terry L. Karges, executive director of the Petersen Automotive Museum. Constructed by noted hot-rod builder Bob McGee, the McGee Roadster introduced an aesthetic that quickly became nearly ubiquitous in the roadster community. The popular hot rod will become part of the Petersen’s permanent collection.

Bruce Meyer and Terry L. Karges

The Petersen Automotive Museum and the McGee Roadster share an origin story that stems from Hot Rod Magazine, founded by Robert E. Petersen in 1948. The McGee Roadster’s popularity skyrocketed after appearing on the cover of Hot Rod Magazine, the first street car to do so. Petersen’s subsequent success in publishing allowed him to launch one of the world’s finest automotive museums in 1994.

“Hot rods are vital to the entire automotive industry, and Robert Petersen is the man who really brought hot rodding to the people. This car is an important piece of automotive history, and there is no more worthy destination than the Petersen Automotive Museum,” said Meyer, who is also founding chairman of the Petersen.

The iconic roadster has raced on the Bonneville salt flats, served as a daily driver and originated many of the design cues synonymous with hot rodding. McGee, who started working on the roadster in 1947, created the signature look with plenty of customization, including lowered suspension, larger Lincoln Zephyr rear wheels, a three-piece louvered hood, peaked and filled grille shell, hidden door hinges and shaved door handles, all painted bright red with a custom interior.

“The McGee Roadster is so much more than just a car. It is the symbol of an entire era and generation of innovative hot rodders,” said Karges. “We are honored by Bruce’s donation and proud to preserve this piece of history.”

In 1956, McGee sold the roadster to Dick Scritchfield, an avid hot rodder and automotive career man. Scritchfield, who had contacts in the film industry, started leasing the car to movie producers and television shows for use in their productions. Repainted by a friend of Scritchfield’s using Candy Apple Red paint and silver metal flake, the roadster also became the first non-experimental metal-flake paint job in the automotive industry. Over the following years, the car underwent many additional modifications before Meyer restored it to its original 1948 configuration in the late 1990s.

The McGee Roadster paved the way for hot rodding’s entrance into mainstream culture. Its appearances in many films and classic television shows, such as “Happy Days,” “Dragnet” and “Fantasy Island,” helped it become an icon for a generation.

It was featured on the U.S. Postal Service’s “Hot Rods Forever” commemorative stamp in 2014; the stamps were designed by Derry Noyes and digitally rendered by graphic artist John Mattos.  The car has also been shown and won in its current configuration at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance and the Grand National Roadster Show. On April 12, 2017, the McGee Roadster became the only hot rod added to the National Historic Vehicle Register.

The McGee Roaster is currently on display in the Ross & Beth Myers Gallery at the Petersen Automotive Museum.

Ferrari Announces a Data Breach that Potentially Exposed Customer’s Private Information

Ferrari, the world-renown Italian Supercar manufacturer, sent customers an email on Monday disclosing that the company was attacked by a data breach. A threat actor demanded a ransom from Ferrari regarding customer contact details that may have been exposed in a ransomware attack. The unnamed attackers, while accessing a limited number of Ferrari’s IT systems, may have had access to the personal information of the marque’s customers, such as names, addresses, email addresses and telephone numbers.

In the letter to Ferrari customers, Ferrari CEO Benedetto Vigna wrote, “We regret to inform you of a cyber incident at Ferrari, where a threat actor was able to access a limited number of systems in our IT environment… However, based on our investigation, no payment details and/or bank account numbers and/or other sensitive payment information, nor details of Ferrari cars owned or ordered have been stolen.”

According to a separate statement made by the Ferrari company, the breach did not impact any operational functions. It is unclear what technologies Ferrari is using to track what the attackers actually had access to, and the number of customers affected is either unknown or not yet released to the public. As of this writing, even the actual date of the breach is unknown.

Ferrari had a similar incident in October 2022, when a ransomware group called “RansomEXX” made online claims of breaching the firm, allegedly stealing 7GB of data from Ferrari, including data sheets, repair manuals and other internal documents. Ferrari denied those claims.

“As a policy, Ferrari will not be held to ransom as paying such demands funds criminal activity and enables threat actors to perpetuate their attacks,” Ferrari said in a statement on March 20. “Instead, we believed the best course of action was to inform our clients and thus we have notified our customers of the potential data exposure and the nature of the incident.”

It makes sense for Ferrari to be a target for Ransomware considering the high-dollar car lineups and a contact list full of wealthy customers. However, even if the attackers did gain access to the customer’s basic contact information, the result could simply be an onset of tricky malicious targeted emails.

Ferrari also states that after receiving the threat, the firm hired a third-party cybersecurity company to assist with an investigation and boost the security of its systems.

Hemmings Auctions Weekly Round Up: 1959 MG MGA Roadster, 1968 Buick GS 400 Convertible, 1957 Ford Thunderbird

You’ve made our day by checking in on this week’s Hemmings Auctions Roundup. Forty-nine new vehicle listings launched between Sunday, March 12 and Saturday the 18th, and 30 of those sold, including 6 post-auction Make Offer listings. This equates to a sell-through rate of 61 percent. You can stay on top of the latest consignments by subscribing to the daily Hemmings Auctions email newsletter.

1959 MG MGA

1959 MG MGA front quarter top up

1959 MG MGA interior

1959 MG MGA trunk

1959 MG MGA engine

1959 MG MGA

1959 MG MGA undercarriage

1959 MG MGA rear quarter top down

Reserve: $10,000

Selling Price: $18,690

Recent Market Range: $8,000-$13,000

While it looked like it was doing 100 mph standing still, the classic 1959 MGA roadster was not a powerhouse in standard form. Replacing its 1,600-cc engine with the 1,800-cc version from an MGB is a tried-and-true way to add oomph. This example got such a heart transplant as part of an early-2000s refreshing that brought new paint (now admittedly containing some blemishes but no rust) and a vinyl-upholstered interior (replacing factory leather). The four-speed driveline worked with only a minor oil leak, while no water leaks for the top or body seals were revealed and the brakes and suspension were serviced within the past five years. This British classic handily exceeded its reserve.

1972 Cadillac Eldorado

1972 Cadillac Eldorado Convertible front quarter top down

1972 Cadillac Eldorado Convertible interior

1972 Cadillac Eldorado Convertible engine

1972 Cadillac Eldorado Convertible trunk

1972 Cadillac Eldorado Convertible undercarriage

1972 Cadillac Eldorado 

1972 Cadillac Eldorado Convertible profile top up

Reserve: $19,333

Selling Price: $23,100

Recent Market Range: $18,000-$27,000

In dollar-per-inch terms, few cars offer as much value as the early-1970s Cadillac Eldorado. This head-turning 1972 convertible looked period-perfect in Sumatra Green Metallic with a coordinating green leather-upholstered interior. Its seller described the general condition as “great” with scratch- and rust-free paint and a fully intact interior with working A/C and AM/FM radio; the clock was described as the car’s only component to have failed. Just under 100,000 miles showed on the odometer, but the 500-cu.in. V-8 and three-speed automatic had no reported issues and the car showed little evidence of that mileage. The hammer price represented a very good result for the winning bidder.

1957 Chevrolet Corvette

1957 Chevrolet Corvette front quarter top down

1957 Chevrolet Corvette interior

1957 Chevrolet Corvette engine

1957 Chevrolet Corvette trunk

1957 Chevrolet Corvette undercarriage

1957 Chevrolet Corvette

1957 Chevrolet Corvette rear quarter top up

Reserve: $80,000

Selling Price: $86,625

Recent Market Range: $79,000-$107,000

The 1957 Corvette is beloved in Chevrolet circles for its clean styling and extra power, and this Arctic Blue over Beige example was a head-turner. Its excellent-appearing condition resulted from a body-off restoration that took place circa-2009, while its double-four-barrel-carbureted 283-cu.in. V-8 and other mechanicals were refurbished in 2016. That 283 was paired with a three-speed manual, a minor oil leak was noted. The ’Vette’s cosmetics were very nice, with a few scratches present and an interior in “excellent” shape with the addition of a retro-look modern stereo. Older radial tires were fitted, and the chassis appeared very tidy. Buyer and seller could be happy with this auction.

1968 Buick GS 400 

1968 Buick GS 400 Convertible top down front quarter

1968 Buick GS 400 Convertible interior

1968 Buick GS 400 Convertible engine

1968 Buick GS 400 Convertible undercarriage

1968 Buick GS 400 Convertible restoration photos

1968 Buick GS 400 Convertible rear quarter top up

Reserve: $43,000

Selling Price: $70,350

Recent Market Range: N/A

This GS 400 was a real hot ticket, and two bidders went back and forth with no fewer than 18 time extensions leading to a total of 45 bids. Why did the Buick convertible beat its reserve by more than 50 percent? It was a rare, low-mileage car that enjoyed a documented body-off restoration less than 10 years ago and was driven fewer than 5,000 miles since. Its paint and interior colors were changed at that time, but this obviously didn’t hurt its desirability. The 400-cu.in. V-8 and automatic operated without issue, and recent reproduction redline tires made it look period-perfect. A video and comprehensive, top-quality photo documentation reassured interested parties of the GS’s goodness.

1971 Chevrolet C10  

1971 Chevrolet C10 front quarter

1971 Chevrolet C10 interior

1971 Chevrolet C10 engine

1971 Chevrolet C10 undercarriage

1971 Chevrolet C10 bed

1971 Chevrolet C10 rear quarter

Reserve: $35,000

Selling Price: $44,100

Recent Market Range: $28,000-$42,000

The clean, timeless lines of late-Sixties/early-Seventies Chevrolet pickups make them perennial favorites for restoration and customization, the latter being what this 1971 C10 was treated to. It turned heads with its two-tone paint, which was said to have just a couple of noteworthy chips, as well as its bold 20-inch alloy wheels wearing staggered-size tires. The interior featured black vinyl bucket seats and a column-mounted tachometer, as well as working A/C. Go was provided by an Edelbrock intake- and header-equipped 350-inch small-block V-8 mated to a column-shifted TH350, and whoa was courtesy of front disc/rear drum brakes. This stylish truck handily beat its recent market range.

1957 Ford Thunderbird

1957 Ford Thunderbird front quarter top down

1957 Ford Thunderbird interior

1957 Ford Thunderbird engine

1957 Ford Thunderbird trunk

1957 Ford Thunderbird undercarriage

1957 Ford Thunderbird rear quarter top up

Reserve: $40,000

Selling Price: $44,000

Recent Market Range: N/A

Few can resist the siren call of a black 1957 Thunderbird, as this handsomely restored two-seater proved. Offered by a well-reputed classic-car dealer, the Ford convertible was said to be totally rust- and accident-free. While it was originally equipped with a removable hard top, that accessory was no longer present, the car simply having its paint-color-matched soft top. The two-tone black and white interior was stylish and looked fresh, and the four-barrel-carbureted 312-cu.in. V-8 and floor-shifted automatic transmission both operated without issue. Chromed wire wheels mounted recently installed bias-ply tires. The seller answered questions and the Thunderbird exceeded its reserve.

The 10 Most Expensive Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever Sold

Harley-Davidson is perhaps the most well-known and world-renowned motorcycle brand in the world. There have been hundreds of different Harleys on the road. The modern-day Harley-Davidson brand has defined the motorcycle world as we know it. The price of a new Harley Davidson is as expensive as a brand-new car and sometimes even more.

But some Harleys reach insanely high sales prices that other motorcycles can only dream of. We looked at Harley-Davidsons that broke records for high price tags. There were rare models such as the original Harley race bike and others that are just valuable in the motorcycle community. These Harley-Davidsons are far outside the price range of the average rider, and you won’t see them sitting in front of your local Starbucks. Check out the most expensive Harleys ever right here.

Photo Credit: Mecum

1912 Harley-Davidson 8A Twin – $236,500

This motorcycle features a V-twin engine with a capacity of 61 cubic inches and a top speed of 60 mph. The 8A Twin had the design and functionality of a classic motor from the period coupled with twin-engined performance. The comfortable seat and functionality of the trunk are notable features of the bike, as are the fat tires (via Hot Cars).

Photo Credit: Mecum

The 8A Twin took the V-Twin engine style to the next level. The side-mounted shift lever is the groundbreaking feature that set the bike apart. The bike was in excellent condition, with all original parts and a beautiful vintage aesthetic. Back in 1912, motorcycles were still a new thing but Harley Davidson changed the game with the 8A Twin. Although motorcycle design changed from the early days of the 8A Twin, the unique design was unlike anything else. To this day, the V-Twin motor is the defining characteristic of any Harley Davidson motorcycle.

The post The 10 Most Expensive Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever Sold appeared first on Motor Junkie.

Back To The Future: Why ’80s Muscle Cars Are Gaining Huge Popularity

The car collecting world is certainly a crazy place as evidenced by the recent surge in value for ’80s muscle cars. Some cars turn into extremely sought-after objects overnight, commanding high prices and becoming out of reach for most enthusiasts. But many other vehicles never achieve worldwide acclaim despite being rare and old. It seems that the classic car community has no rules. However, by now we can safely predict what cars have good chances of being the next big thing and which vehicles will never achieve classic car status.

Interestingly, in some cases, a car’s specifications, technology, or design, have nothing to do with its popularity. That often has to do with the moments in history or people’s recollections of specific cars or classes. That’s why ’80s muscle cars have gained so much popularity in recent years. Today, we’re going to break down all the major reasons why the classic car world has recently seen this shift.

Foto Credit: Auto WP

Availability

Many collectors know that 1960s muscle cars are rare, which is a big reason why they’re so valuable. But ’80s models are more common and still around despite being 30 to 40 years old. The ’80s models are also built better than their 1960s counterparts, so they survived the years in better condition. Also, some thoughtful owners paid more attention to keeping these cars in top condition. So collectors now have 1980s models with few miles and in perfect shape for sale. It is almost impossible to find a 1967 Camaro RS with 3000 miles on the clock.

Photo Credit: GM

Yet there are 1987 Camaro IROC with similar mileage for sale at auctions every once in a while (via Automobile Catalog). If we look at the production figures for ’80s muscle cars, we can see that most of them were bought in vast numbers, like the Fox-body Mustang. This famous Ford sold 2.6 million copies in 14 years on the market. Of course, a lot of them were crushed, rusted, or discarded over the years, but such a high number suggests that there are still a lot of similar models around the market.

The post Back To The Future: Why ’80s Muscle Cars Are Gaining Huge Popularity appeared first on Motor Junkie.

Classic Old-School Car Features That Gen Z Will Never Know

Growing up as a kid in the 1970s to 1990s was a different time. During this era, the automotive industry was constantly changing. Certain features that we found inside a car were still new and revolutionary, like the first airbag or the first shoulder seat belts. Remember manual crank windows? Yes, those were actually a thing long before power windows became the norm.

Gen Z has grown up in an age where cars and trucks are covered in technology from top to bottom. Nowadays, cars even have built-in internet connectivity inside them. Those old-school car features of the past have since been forgotten by a new generation of drivers. Most of these car features such as antennas and bench seating will never be a part of the auto industry again. We looked back at the classic car features that Gen Z drivers will never know about. Take a walk down memory lane right here.

Photo Credit: Pinterest

Manual/Crank Windows

Manual or crank car windows were the norm for many years before power windows became popular. They were operated by a hand crank that you had to turn to roll the windows up or down. Many people found them to be a hassle and preferred the convenience of power windows. However, there are some advantages to manual windows, including that they are less likely to break and are more affordable to repair (via Car & Driver).

Photo Credit: Pinterest

Using manual windows could be a workout for your arms, especially if you had to roll them up and down repeatedly. On hot days, they could be particularly difficult to operate due to the heat expanding the metal tracks. Nevertheless, there was something satisfying about being able to control the airflow with a simple turn of the crank. Overall, while they may seem outdated now, manual windows were a reliable and straightforward way to operate car windows.

The post Classic Old-School Car Features That Gen Z Will Never Know appeared first on Motor Junkie.

Hits and Misses: The Best and Worst Pontiac GTOs Ever Made

Even though the Pontiac brand is just a distant memory in the automotive industry, the legacy of the famous brand is kept alive through its cars. Most notable among those are its iconic GTOs. The GTO was the first proper muscle car, singlehandedly establishing a whole new and popular class of vehicles. The car’s combination of great design, solid underpinnings, and power brought power to the masses and created the most significant muscle car legend.

However, despite being such an influential and fantastic machine, the GTO had its share of cars that carried that infamous nameplate but never deserved it. So today, we’ll make an interesting parallel between the five best GTOs and the five worst cars under that name. Check out the GTOs that made those three letters so iconic and those that almost ruined it right here.

Foto Credit: Auto WP

1964 Pontiac Tempest GTO (Best)

In the early 1960s, Pontiac had a ton of success on drag strips across America. That performance aspect became a powerful marketing tool since a new generation of buyers wanted fast cars. Pontiac understandably wanted to capitalize on its success. But the company was reluctant to invest in a sports car built from scratch. All of their production models were big, heavy vehicles. However, a young engineer named John DeLorean thought of a genius idea. Install a big and powerful 396 V8 into a light, intermediate Tempest two-door body to quickly (and cheaply) create an actual performance machine (via Car and Driver).

Foto Credit: Auto WP

The result was the Tempest GTO, an option on the intermediate Tempest model. For just $295, buyers would get a high-performance 396 V8 with 325 HP in standard trim or 348 HP in the famous Tri Power form. Manual transmission, unique trim, GTO decals, and dual exhaust were all part of the package. Since the car was light, the Tempest GTO had a convincing performance. Even the Corvette owners weren’t safe from the Tempest GTOs lurking at stoplights across the country. Pontiac’s sales manager wasn’t particularly fond of the model and thought that the GTO package didn’t have perspective. His estimate of a maximum of 5000 examples per year was drastically surpassed by official sales figures of over 32,000 copies. It was clear that the GTO was a hit amongst younger buyers and that a star had been born.

The post Hits and Misses: The Best and Worst Pontiac GTOs Ever Made appeared first on Motor Junkie.

Supercharged 1932 Plymouth Coupe Hot Rod

This 1932 Plymouth is a steel-bodied three-window coupe that was modified under prior ownership by John Moss of Brass Junkie Company in Huntington Beach, Califonia, and subsequently featured in a 2019 issue of Hot Rod Magazine. Modifications included lowering the roofline, narrowing the front frame section, and installing a 1932 Ford grille, 355ci Chevrolet V8, Weiand 177 supercharger, Holley 750cfm carburetor, TH400 three-speed automatic transmission, and 9″ rear axle. Weathered black paint covers the body, and additional features include white pinstriping, staggered-diameter steel wheels, a windshield visor, reverse-hinged doors, brass badges, and SoCal Speed Shop-branded instruments. This Plymouth coupe was acquired by the current owner in 2022 and is now offered with a Hot Rod Magazine article featuring the car and a California title in the seller’s name.

The roofline was lowered, the front of the frame narrowed, and a 1932 Ford grille was installed before white pinstriping was applied to the weathered black paint under prior ownership. Exterior features include a windshield visor, side mirrors, reverse-hinged doors, brass badges, cabin fresh-air vents, Brass Junkie door lettering, and side outlet exhaust pipes. An auger is used as the front frame spreader bar, and leather trim accents the hood where the throttle linkage passes through. The roof cover is missing snaps, and images showing body imperfections are provided in the gallery.

The 15″ and 16″ steel wheels wear Firestone tires. Braking is handled by four-wheel drums, and the 9″ solid rear axle features adjustable coilovers.

The bucket seat is trimmed in blue vinyl, and interior equipment includes a floor-mounted gear selector, rearview mirror, leather driver’s door pouch, wired-glass windshield and back window, manually operated windows, and tin can cup holders. The fuel tank and battery are mounted in the trunk.

The two-spoke steering wheel fronts a SoCal Speed Shop-branded 200-mph speedometer. A trio of additional SoCal Speed Shop-branded instruments mounted above the windshield display oil pressure, coolant temperature, and oil pressure, while a tachometer and vacuum gauge are mounted beneath the dashboard. The five-digit odometer does not work and shows two miles. Total mileage is unknown.

The 355ci Chevrolet V8 is equipped with a Weiand 177 Roots-type supercharger along with a Holley 750cfm carburetor, Edelbrock valve covers, and an aluminum radiator.

Power is sent to the rear wheels via a three-speed TH400 automatic transmission. The seller states the transmission gasket was replaced in preparation for the sale.

A 2019 issue of Hot Rod Magazine featuring the car is included in the sale and shown in the gallery.