mod@tech

The last time I visited Paris was at the end of 2005 when the city was experiencing youth riots. I have always enjoyed the city because kiosks gave me an opportunity to find good automotive reading material. In particular, I enjoy new car yearbooks and classic car periodicals, and the French had a good magazine scene. Two of the titles I picked up were “Gazoline” and “Automobilia.” The latter in particular was your basic classic car magazine, but the inside cover showed special issues on automotive retrospectives focused on one model year per issue.

Hors-Serie Automobilia was listed at the top, with the title Toutes Les Voitures Francaises and a model year. I know practically no French other than sacre bleu and Johnny Hallyday n’était pas Elvis so the cover meant little to me other than the model year but now, 17+ years later, I have Google Translate to tell me it means “Automobilia [magazine] Special-Edition” and “All French Cars.”

Of course, a few days in Paris would never give me the opportunity to order back issues and have them sent to the hotel, and having them sent to the U.S. would have been cost-prohibitive. I went home satisfied my American magazine subscription would keep me entertained.

Maybe six years later, I found four issues of Hors-Serie Automobilia on eBay from an American seller. What luck! And when I received the issues, I discovered they were as good as I had hoped. Soon after, I even managed to find an American eBayer selling a single issue, but I felt his price was quite high after spending perhaps a third for the issues I already had. I moved on and then, when I noticed it sold, I had that empty feeling of losing something within reach.

Over time, I set up an email response on eBay so that any time someone had an auction with the words “Hors-Serie Automobilia,” I would receive an email alert. However, eBay’s email response is not dependable, so the magazine hasn’t been on my radar for awhile … until recently. A chance encounter with a French guy at Burbank, California’s Autobooks-Aerobooks made me think about the magazines, so I ran a search on eBay.

Could it be true? Are there copies from an American seller? And there are a ton of them! I quickly emailed the seller and asked if he/she could sell them all as one lot, which would make things cheaper for both parties. The planets aligned for me and I scored 25 issues, though included were the four issues I already had. No bother — why make a fuss?

So now I have most of the collection, and with continued patience I will fill the holes. A quick scan on France’s eBay page shows it ain’t gonna happen soon based on the exchange rate and shipping, but that cost is nothing compared to the joy of finding something I’ve thought about off and on since 2005.

Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, perhaps the most prestigious concours event on the East Coast, just happened while you were distracted with life. With classes like Pre-war European Coachwork, American Limited Production, and Fiberglass Dreams, The Amelia brings together unusual vehicles and the usual suspects — automotive enthusiasts. However, one judged class was a portent for something for the future: VW Transporters.

If you pay attention to the hobby and auctions like Barrett-Jackson, you know there is a breed of Volkswagen Type 2 that defies logic in the bids they receive. The rule of thumb is like this: the higher the window count, the higher the bids. If you’re not in-the-know, the lowly Microbus can command six-figure prices in the collector market.

“Few vehicles have been embraced by such a diverse group of admirers and enthusiasts as the beloved Volkswagen Type 2. This year’s display tells the story of VW’s transporter: from the classic passenger bus and transport truck to the ambulance and fire truck,” says Matt Orendac, Vice Chairman of Hagerty’s Concours Group. “The eclectic appeal of the Type 2 makes it the perfect choice for a featured class at The Amelia Concours d’Elegance.”

The Best in Class winner among the VW Transporters at Amelia was a 1951 Deluxe 15-window Transporter owned by Joe Mond of Iowa. Nineteen fifty was the first year of this model in America after an auspicious debut of the Type 1 the year before (only two Beetles were sold in the U.S. in 1949). Horsepower was only 25, which didn’t compare favorably with the 92 horsepower on tap with Chevrolet’s “Stovebolt” six, but clearly the German company had an vision for basic transportation for American consumers.

In addition to the Type 2 show cars, Volkswagen brought several transporters from its Commercial Vehicles’ collection including bus from Fast Times at Ridgemont High, a replica of The Light Bus that appeared at Woodstock, and Jerry Garcia’s personal bus.

With the Type 2’s heir apparent, the ID. Buzz, also making an appearance at the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, Volkswagen is poised to make another impact on American roads as the automaker has just announced that the North American iteration of the ID. Buzz will be debuting in California in the summer of 2023.

Featured on AutoHunter, the online auction platform driven by ClassicCars.com, is this 1970 Camaro Z/28-RS sport coupe. It was restored in 2010 and the current owner has had the Camaro in his possession for the past five years. Power comes from an LT1 350ci V8 backed by a M22 four-speed manual with Hurst shifter. Features include Rally Sport package, AM/FM radio and COPO spoiler. Finished in Citrus Green with black stripes over dark green vinyl interior, this 1970 Camaro Z/28-RS comes with several original and miscellaneous parts plus the build sheet and a clear Pennsylvania title in the seller’s name.

During the 2010 restoration, the exterior was refinished in the original Citrus Green (code 43) and accented with black stripes. Exterior features include color-keyed Endura grille surround (part of the RS trim), aftermarket cowl induction hood, color-keyed mirrors, manual remote driver-side mirror and COPO 9697 rear spoiler. The seller states that the trunk lid does not stay open on its own.

A set of 15-inch five-spoke Cragar S/S wheels is wrapped in Goodyear Eagle GT II radials.

The interior is upholstered in dark green vinyl (code 724). Features include AM/FM stereo, three-spoke steering wheel, center console with Hurst shifter, and power steering and power brakes.

The seller states that all gauges are functional. A 150-mph speedometer, 8,000-rpm tachometer, clock and readouts for the fuel level, coolant temperature and amperage are located on the instrument panel. The odometer shows 25,570 miles, which the seller reports to be accurate.

Power is provided by the reportedly original LT1 350ci V8 and backed by a Muncie M22 close-ratio four-speed manual transmission with Hurst shifter. Engine bay features include chrome valve covers, aluminum intake, Holley carburetor, chrome air cleaner, MSD ignition and tube exhaust headers. The gallery on the auction page contains a picture of the engine stamps.

This Camaro is equipped with an independent front suspension and 12-bolt rear end with 3.73:1 gears. Braking is handled by power front discs and rear drums. A full-length dual exhaust system exits at the rear.

The seller will include the original hood, wheels, steering wheel and other miscellaneous parts with the sale, including the original build sheet.

The auction for this 1970 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28-RS ends on Monday, March 13, 2023, at 4:20 p.m. (MST)

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and photo gallery.

To view more information about our Pick of the Day, click the links in the article below.

While giving a ClassicCars.com auction tour at the Bonhams auction in Arizona, I briefly spoke to the group about a pair of Porsche 928 cars. One was a perfect survivor condition example with a 5-speed manual gearbox, original paint, and a Pasha interior, and the other was a decent driver. Both were sunroof delete models which to me is important, as I do not fit in sunroof cars.

I told the group that the 928 has always been one of my all-time favorite Porsche road cars ever since I drove one for the first time when I was 17 years old. No, it is not a 911, which is a pure sports car, but instead is possibly the finest GT car of the 1970s and 80s. The build quality of the cars is second to none, the V8 engine sounds amazing, the comfort of the interior is better than any Porsche model built at the time, and the futuristic (for the time) styling seems to get better with each passing year. I bid on the second car, but stopped when the price got to a point that I started to wonder if the car had any recent service history.

The 928 was introduced to the world in 1978 and was Porsche’s first clean sheet design since the introduction of the 356. You can argue that the 911 was a new design but if you look hard enough it is in its basic form an extensive revision of the 356. The car was commissioned by Ferdinand Porsche and aimed at the Mercedes and BMW market. The car offered luxury combined with performance but still has the Porsche feel and look. The mistake made with the car is that Porsche at one point thought of the 928 as a replacement for the 911, which it never would be.

The Pick of the Day is one of these fantastic GT cars, a 1980 Porsche 928 finished in Grand Prix White paint over a black leather interior. 

According to the O’Fallon, Illinois, dealer representing this car it has covered only 40,600 miles from new and is original aside from service items, including a few nice upgrades.

They also state that in 2020 maintenance included replacement of the timing belt, water pump, fuel pump and filter, air intake hoses, air filter, airbox straps, fuel injectors, ignition coils, spark plug wires, spark plugs, distributor cap, distributor rotor, new battery, and hood pad. In addition, the transaxle was also recently rebuilt, and the torque converter was replaced. The A/C system was recently serviced and blows strong and cold; however, the climate control unit is stuck on the cold setting and its heating function is currently inoperative. They state that this can be easily fixed by replacing the climate control unit, which is readily available and inexpensive. I think they may be right, but this should be checked to be sure that it is not a $3,000 job. At the same time the coolant expansion tank and radiator were replaced with aftermarket all aluminum units.

These cars are simply amazing to drive at speed and to this day remain the best 70s-80s GT I have ever driven.

The asking price for this 928 is a very reasonable $29,000, especially when you consider the recent service items that have been attended to. The owner of this car knew what the trouble spots on an older 928 can be and seems to have addressed them properly.

If you want a classic Porsche, but want a GT instead of a sportscar, look no further than this 928.

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

Featured on AutoHunter, the online auction platform driven by ClassicCars.com, is this 1969 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu. It has undergone a restoration that included new paint, seats and a fuel tank. Power comes from a rebuilt 350ci V8 backed by a TH400 automatic transmission. Notable features include tilt steering column with three-spoke steering wheel. Finished in blue over a white interior, this reportedly rust-free Chevelle comes with a Florida title in the seller’s name.

The exterior was refinished in a metallic blue about 18 months ago. Features include newer window trim, black grille with silver trim, and wheel arch moldings.

A set of five-spoke American Racing wheels is wrapped in newer Cooper Cobra Radial G/T tires.

The front bench seat, rear seat, trim, and door panels have been reupholstered in white vinyl. The seller also states that a new headliner and black carpeting were recently installed. Other features include tilt steering column, three-spoke steering wheel, power steering and brakes, and automatic shifter on the column.

The instrument panel includes a 120-mph speedometer and a fuel gauge, plus an aftermarket tachometer and a set of three auxiliary gauges are located under the dashboard. This Malibu has been driven 700 miles since the engine was rebuilt, with the current owner having added 150 miles. The odometer currently reads 84,690 miles though the true mileage remains unknown.

Power comes by a rebuilt 350ci small-block backed by a TH400 three-speed automatic transmission. The engine features include black valve covers and air cleaner lid, exhaust headers and electronic ignition. The seller states that while this Chevelle was originally equipped with an air conditioning system, it is currently disconnected and will not be included in the sale.

Braking is provided by power front disc brakes and rear drums. A full-length dual exhaust system exits at the rear. A new fuel tank has also been installed.

This 1969 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu‘s auction ends on Friday, March 10, 2023, at 4:20 p.m. (MST)

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and photo gallery

The Nissan Z first came to the U.S. in the late 1960s as the Datsun 240Z, but in Japan this first-generation model (code-named S30) was known as the Nissan Fairlady Z. On a recent episode of “Jay Leno’s Garage,” Z specialist Jay Ataka shows off an early example of the version sold in Japan.

While sold in both markets, the 240Z was designed with the U.S. in mind. Yutaka Katayama, then head of Nissan’s West Coast operations and known as Mr. K to Z car fans, pushed for the car and, concerned that Americans wouldn’t like the Fairlady name, advocated for the 240Z name instead. Like other U.S.-market Nissan models of the period, the sports car was also badged a Datsun.

The car shown here is easily identifiable as a JDM model by its fender-mounted mirrors, a common feature on cars sold in Japan. It also has covered headlights, grille-mounted turn signals, and, because this is a base model, plain steel wheels without hub caps. This car also has a locking gas cap, which wasn’t offered in the U.S. as a factory option.

The U.S.-spec 240Z launched with a 2.4-liter inline-6 producing 130 hp, but that was later downgraded to 125 hp partway through 1971. However, Japanese-market base models like this car left the factory with a 2.0-liter version of this engine, and also started production a bit earlier, in late 1969. This car features an upgraded head that boosted output to 125 hp, with a 5-speed manual transmission. 

Japan also got the 2.4-liter version, as well as a special Z432, which had a twin-cam version of the 2.0-liter inline-6 shared with the Nissan Skyline GT-R sold at the time. The S30-generation Z was relatively affordable in Japan when new, Ataka noted, but most still went to the U.S.

The 240Z is still a common sight in U.S. classic-car circles today, with multiple examples appearing on Jay Leno’s Garage over the years, but this JDM Fairlady Z provides a rare look at the Nissan Z’s early history. Watch the full video and check it out.

This article was originally published by Motor Authority, an editorial partner of ClassicCars.com.

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars today unveils Phantom Syntopia, an intricate, Haute Couture-inspired masterpiece created in collaboration with renowned Dutch fashion designer and Haute Couturière Iris van Herpen. Based on Phantom Extended – the ultimate blank canvas for personalization – it is the most technically complex commission ever undertaken by the Rolls-Royce Bespoke Collective. Now, after four years of continuous development, this extraordinary and unique creation is complete; it will soon take its place in the private collection of discerning patrons of the brand.

Phantom Syntopia takes its name from Iris van Herpen’s landmark 2018 collection, designed on the principles of biomimicry in which art is inspired by patterns and shapes found in nature. Like the collection, which comprises a series of highly sculptural garments brought to life through movement, Phantom Syntopia seeks to represent the elusive, ethereal beauty of fluid motion in solid materials through its ‘Weaving Water’ theme.

“From the very beginning, this truly was a meeting of minds: two luxury houses that share the innovative vision and ambition to transcend the boundaries of luxury design,” says Gavin Hartley, Head of Bespoke Design, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. “Together, we further explored the potential of Phantom as a perfect canvas for individualization. Phantom Syntopia literally takes Rolls‑Royce interior design into a new dimension with its immersive, sculptural elements, reinterpreting the elusive fragility of nature’s forms in a perfectly engineered reality.”

Torsten Müller-Ötvös, Rolls Royce Motor Cars CEO states, “Phantom Syntopia is the most ambitious, singular and highly Bespoke Phantom we have ever created, and a clear statement of Rolls-Royce’s standing as a true luxury house.”

EXTERIOR COACHWORK: IRIDESCENT MAGNETISM
To create the stunning, shimmering exterior, the Rolls-Royce Bespoke Collective developed a one-off Liquid Noir paint. Iridescent in sunlight, it reveals Purple, Blue, Magenta and Gold undertones when viewed at different angles. To achieve this effect, the marque’s darkest solid-black paint is overlaid with a finish incorporating a mirror-like pigment, selected for its colour-shifting properties. To add a subtle, elegant shimmer, the team developed a brand-new technique for applying pigment to the clearcoat – a process that took several months, including over 3,000 hours of testing and validation alone.

On closer inspection, the motor car’s bonnet is seen to feature a subtle rendering of the Weaving Water motif that appears throughout the interior, produced by carefully redistributing the pigment during the finishing process.

INTERIOR SUITE: THREE-DIMENSIONAL ART
Phantom Syntopia’s interior suite incorporates magnificent features which were co-created in a creative and technical meeting of minds by the Rolls-Royce Bespoke Collective and Iris van Herpen. Some interior elements were handcrafted at the Home of Rolls-Royce by the company’s leading craftspeople working alongside members of Iris van Herpen’s team, while others were created in Iris van Herpen’s Amsterdam atelier, alongside her Haute Couture garments.

NEXT CHAPTER IN TEXTILE EXPLORATION
Phantom Syntopia continues the Bespoke Collective’s exploration of textiles. In homage to Rolls-Royce’s heritage, this unique motor car recalls an era where a driver’s seat was trimmed in hardwearing leather and the rear compartment in luxurious, inviting fabrics. The front seats of Phantom Syntopia are finished in Magic Grey leather, distinguished by its lustrous finish. The rear seats are upholstered with a specially created silk-blend fabric, featuring a distinctive pattern which recalls the patterns cast by light reflecting on water at night.

The seats are quilted with a Weaving Water motif, inspired by a tufting technique often employed in fine furniture-making in which embroidery is applied to the reverse side of the textile. This creates a three-dimensional depth while achieving a smooth, seamless, uninterrupted surface.

PINNACLE LUXURY MEETS HAUTE COUTURE
For a truly Haute Couture experience, Iris van Herpen will design a one-off garment especially for the clients of this transformative commission. The sculptural design of the dress echoes the Weaving Water theme explored in Phantom Syntopia’s Starlight Headliner, featuring an elegant application of the ‘liquid metal’ fabric and the glass organza petals, laser-cut and hand-stitched in a pattern resembling undulating waves. This exquisite garment, reflective of Iris van Herpen’s newly developed Haute Couture techniques, is expected to take around six months of work, including pattern development, crafting and applying the petals, embroidery, fitting and tailoring.

Phantom Syntopia will take its place in the clients’ private collection in May. As a true one-of-one commission, Rolls-Royce has undertaken that it will never be replicated.

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars today unveils Phantom Syntopia, an intricate, Haute Couture-inspired masterpiece created in collaboration with renowned Dutch fashion designer and Haute Couturière Iris van Herpen. Based on Phantom Extended – the ultimate blank canvas for personalization – it is the most technically complex commission ever undertaken by the Rolls-Royce Bespoke Collective. Now, after four years of continuous development, this extraordinary and unique creation is complete; it will soon take its place in the private collection of discerning patrons of the brand.

Phantom Syntopia takes its name from Iris van Herpen’s landmark 2018 collection, designed on the principles of biomimicry in which art is inspired by patterns and shapes found in nature. Like the collection, which comprises a series of highly sculptural garments brought to life through movement, Phantom Syntopia seeks to represent the elusive, ethereal beauty of fluid motion in solid materials through its ‘Weaving Water’ theme.

“From the very beginning, this truly was a meeting of minds: two luxury houses that share the innovative vision and ambition to transcend the boundaries of luxury design,” says Gavin Hartley, Head of Bespoke Design, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. “Together, we further explored the potential of Phantom as a perfect canvas for individualization. Phantom Syntopia literally takes Rolls‑Royce interior design into a new dimension with its immersive, sculptural elements, reinterpreting the elusive fragility of nature’s forms in a perfectly engineered reality.”

Torsten Müller-Ötvös, Rolls Royce Motor Cars CEO states, “Phantom Syntopia is the most ambitious, singular and highly Bespoke Phantom we have ever created, and a clear statement of Rolls-Royce’s standing as a true luxury house.”

EXTERIOR COACHWORK: IRIDESCENT MAGNETISM
To create the stunning, shimmering exterior, the Rolls-Royce Bespoke Collective developed a one-off Liquid Noir paint. Iridescent in sunlight, it reveals Purple, Blue, Magenta and Gold undertones when viewed at different angles. To achieve this effect, the marque’s darkest solid-black paint is overlaid with a finish incorporating a mirror-like pigment, selected for its colour-shifting properties. To add a subtle, elegant shimmer, the team developed a brand-new technique for applying pigment to the clearcoat – a process that took several months, including over 3,000 hours of testing and validation alone.

On closer inspection, the motor car’s bonnet is seen to feature a subtle rendering of the Weaving Water motif that appears throughout the interior, produced by carefully redistributing the pigment during the finishing process.

INTERIOR SUITE: THREE-DIMENSIONAL ART
Phantom Syntopia’s interior suite incorporates magnificent features which were co-created in a creative and technical meeting of minds by the Rolls-Royce Bespoke Collective and Iris van Herpen. Some interior elements were handcrafted at the Home of Rolls-Royce by the company’s leading craftspeople working alongside members of Iris van Herpen’s team, while others were created in Iris van Herpen’s Amsterdam atelier, alongside her Haute Couture garments.

NEXT CHAPTER IN TEXTILE EXPLORATION
Phantom Syntopia continues the Bespoke Collective’s exploration of textiles. In homage to Rolls-Royce’s heritage, this unique motor car recalls an era where a driver’s seat was trimmed in hardwearing leather and the rear compartment in luxurious, inviting fabrics. The front seats of Phantom Syntopia are finished in Magic Grey leather, distinguished by its lustrous finish. The rear seats are upholstered with a specially created silk-blend fabric, featuring a distinctive pattern which recalls the patterns cast by light reflecting on water at night.

The seats are quilted with a Weaving Water motif, inspired by a tufting technique often employed in fine furniture-making in which embroidery is applied to the reverse side of the textile. This creates a three-dimensional depth while achieving a smooth, seamless, uninterrupted surface.

PINNACLE LUXURY MEETS HAUTE COUTURE
For a truly Haute Couture experience, Iris van Herpen will design a one-off garment especially for the clients of this transformative commission. The sculptural design of the dress echoes the Weaving Water theme explored in Phantom Syntopia’s Starlight Headliner, featuring an elegant application of the ‘liquid metal’ fabric and the glass organza petals, laser-cut and hand-stitched in a pattern resembling undulating waves. This exquisite garment, reflective of Iris van Herpen’s newly developed Haute Couture techniques, is expected to take around six months of work, including pattern development, crafting and applying the petals, embroidery, fitting and tailoring.

Phantom Syntopia will take its place in the clients’ private collection in May. As a true one-of-one commission, Rolls-Royce has undertaken that it will never be replicated.