In a world where loud exhausts and bold badges often signify performance, there exists a rare breed of car that chooses discretion over display. These silent powerhouses impress not with flashy spoilers or aggressive grilles, but with refined engineering and subtle confidence.
For many enthusiasts, the appeal lies in the ability to blend in while knowing there’s serious muscle under the hood—a secret only true aficionados recognize. Manufacturers, too, sometimes prefer understated designs, letting performance speak through experience rather than appearance.
This low-key approach to high horsepower has quietly shaped automotive history, earning these cars a cult following among those who value substance over show.
I don’t know which books are in your automotive literature collection, but I do know that there are more you may want to add. “Car Guys vs. Bean Counters: The Battle for the Soul of American Business” by Bob Lutz and “Bruno Sacco: Leading Mercedes-Benz Design, 1975-1999″ by Nicholas Greene are on my list. If you’re a fan of GM cars, Harley Earl’s designs, or the Oldsmobile Toronado, “Designing Dreams: Essays on the inside story of GM, Harley Earl and America’s Golden Automotive Age” might be the next addition to your library.
In this 197-page read, author Dick Ruzzin, former Director of Design for Chevrolet Cars in the United States, shares over one hundred sketches and GM archival images, as well as essays about the creative process and ideas behind certain cars. One of those essays focuses on the Oldsmobile Toronado, a car which Ruzzin had a hand (and pen) in designing.
No discussion of 20th-century GM styling would be complete without covering Harley Earl. The Automotive Hall of Fame inductee and former head of GM design is credited with introducing the use of clay modeling, the Buick Y-Job (which GM calls “the industry’s first concept car”), and “Project Opel,” which eventually became the first Chevrolet Corvette. According to Veloce, the publisher, Ruzzin’s book “reflects on the profound influence of Harley Earl, the pioneer car designer who elevated automobiles into works of art. Earl’s creativity and design philosophies reshaped the industry, leaving a legacy that continues to inspire.”
“Designing Dreams” is available to pre-order now before its release on July 29, 2025. Barnes and Noble and Amazon have digital versions priced at $18.99; the hardcover goes for $29.99. Those of you overseas can find it on Veloce’s website for £24.99.
Since the early days of the automobile, manufacturers have tailored cars to market in specific regions of the country. One example is the RAM 1500 Lone Star Edition, sold only in Texas. It’s essentially just a Big Horn-trim level truck with unique badging, but buyers appreciate the exclusivity. I’m pretty sure I’ve seen some “Arizona Edition” Cadillacs with cactus pinstriping, too.
In the late 1960s, the Ford Mustang was similarly offered in unique variants based on specific regional target markets. Among them were the California Special (sold in the West Coast), the High Country Special (sold in Colorado) and the Golden Nugget (sold in Oregon and Washington). Now is a perfect time to look a little more closely at that last one.
Featured on AutoHunter is this 1968 Ford Mustang Golden Nugget Special. The car is being sold by a private seller and the auction will end Wednesday, July 30, 2025, at 11:30 a.m. (PDT).
A wealth of information (only some of which appears to cite source data) abounds on the Golden Nugget, but from what I was able to gather, Ford’s Seattle sales district made a request for a special edition Mustang, and Ford delivered one in 1968—called the Golden Nugget. Only 481 such cars were produced, and all were directed toward dealerships in Oregon and Washington. Exclusive features included Sunlit Gold paint with black hood stripes (code Y5), black striping, a black vinyl top, and some gold features on the interior. There even was a dash placard featuring the original owner’s name.
This car was assembled at Ford’s San Jose, California, assembly plant on January 16, 1968, and was originally delivered to a dealership called Smith & Gandy Inc. in Seattle. The Marti Report says its features included the Visibility Group, whitewall tires, wheel covers, console, power steering, AM radio and deluxe seat belts. The original owner took delivery on September 26, 1968. The steelies have been ditched for 16-inch American Racing wheels, and the audio system is upgraded to a Bluetooth setup, but the car is otherwise original to many of its build specifications.
Power comes from a rebuilt, period-correct 302-4V V8 mated to the car’s reportedly original C4 three-speed automatic transmission. The seller says that the car has been driven just 395 miles since the engine rebuild, and upgrades include a Summit Racing four-barrel carburetor, an aluminum radiator, and shorty headers. The odometer says 71,275, but the title reads mileage-exempt.
Various people have tried tracking the surviving Golden Nugget Mustangs over the years. Today, the “official” record/registry is apparently a Facebook group managed by Bill Gorman with just 32 members in it. Bill indicates that there used to be a website that served as a repository for the information, but the information was lost when the page was corrupted.
So, what better way to start with helping the community to rebuild the most current data than by becoming a member of the Golden Nugget Mustang family yourself? You’ve made your lucky strike on the search for rare metal.
The auction for this 1968 Ford Mustang Golden Nugget Special ends Wednesday, July 30, 2025, at 11:30 a.m. (PDT).
Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and a photo gallery
If you’re looking forward to the start of fall, you’re not alone—we are too because summer in Arizona is brutal! September will be a great time to visit national parks, such as Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming and Maine’s Acadia National Park, according to Earth Trekkers. It’s a classic American road trip that’s the perfect fit for another American classic: the Chevrolet Suburban, one of which happens to be our Pick of the Day. You can find this 1972 Chevrolet Suburban listed on ClassicCars.com by a dealer in Englewood, Colorado.
Consider this Suburban part of the end of an era. As a 1972, it’s from the final model year of the legendary model’s sixth generation that debuted for 1967. After this, it was nearly 20 years of the “Square Body” version that ran through 1991.
The 1972 model year was also the last time Chevrolet offered a three-door Suburban: one door on the driver’s side and two on the passengers’ side.
The unusual door layout could lead to you being the only one getting in on your side but, once your passengers load into the bright blue vinyl and cloth interior, they’ll have room for their luggage behind the second row bench and enjoy the comfort of the optional front and rear air conditioning system (once it’s recharged).
As the driver, you’ll appreciate the air conditioning as well as the convenience of power steering, three-speed Turbo Hydra-matic, cup holders, and gauges for the battery, temperature, and oil pressure (there’s never a good time for the engine to overheat, but one of the worst is halfway through a 10-hour out-of-state trip).
A good, old-fashioned 350ci small-block and a set of Rally wheels with BFGoodrich Radial T/A tires will get you and your family and/or friends on the way to the park of your choice. Power front disc and rear drum brakes will help each of you get there in one piece (it’s much easier to enjoy the view from the top of a mountain that way).
Fall is getting closer and closer, and this 1972 Chevrolet Suburban C10 Custom Deluxe might not be available by the time it arrives. You can officially start planning your trek to one of our country’s majestic national parks once you buy this iconic people-mover for $36,900.
Click here to view this Pick of the Day on ClassicCars.com
Throughout automotive history, some cars have been misunderstood or dismissed as failures when they first appeared.
Designs that seemed too radical, technologies that felt unnecessary, or styles that broke every rule often led to skepticism or ridicule.
Yet, many of these so-called “mistakes” would later be recognized as masterpieces, paving the way for innovations we take for granted today.
As the years passed, their influence became undeniable, inspiring future generations of vehicles and reshaping what we expect from the automobile.
Let’s celebrate 12 such cars that were truly ahead of their time.
While car theft remains a serious issue worldwide, not all vehicles are equally at risk.
Some cars are so undesirable to both thieves and buyers that they’re practically “unstealable.”
A lack of demand for parts, outdated technology, and unremarkable performance often make these models unattractive to criminals.
Thieves typically target vehicles with high resale value or popular parts, but cars with dated features or a reputation for reliability over excitement are often ignored.
In fact, the Insurance Information Institute notes that theft rates are closely tied to a model’s popularity and ease of resale.
It’s ironic—sometimes the best anti-theft device is simply driving a car nobody wants.
Automotive history is riddled with fierce rivalries and high-stakes one-upmanship. While some cars are born from a desire to innovate or dazzle the world, others exist for a far pettier purpose: to beat the competition at all costs.
These vehicles weren’t designed to break new ground or win over critics—they were built because a rival dared to succeed first.
From Detroit to Tokyo, brands have unleashed cars made not for glory, but for sales charts, fueled by corporate ego and the simple urge to outsell, not outshine.
This spiteful drive has produced some of the industry’s most memorable—and occasionally questionable—machines.
Throughout automotive history, there have been moments when designers dared to dream beyond the ordinary. While most cars blend into traffic, some emerge as bold statements, instantly recognizable—even polarizing. These vehicles are the result of creativity unleashed, where teams rejected safe choices for something truly unique.
From swooping curves to angular lines and wild proportions, these cars challenged expectations and often divided opinions.
Their legacy? Proof that risk-taking and unconventional design can leave a lasting impact on both the industry and our collective imagination.
For more on automotive design breakthroughs, visit MotorTrend.
Across driveways and mall parking lots, a curious paradox plays out: vehicles engineered to conquer mountains, deserts, and untamed wilderness instead spend their days idling in suburbia. These rugged off-roaders boast advanced four-wheel drive systems, impressive ground clearance, and heritage built for adventure. Yet, for many owners, the wildest terrain they see is a gravel driveway or the occasional speed bump.
It’s a trend that has only grown as automakers blend luxury and off-road prowess, creating status symbols as much as trail machines. This list dives into 12 of the most capable off-road vehicles, designed to roam but priced to sit—living lives far removed from the mud and rocks they were born to conquer.
The Acura Integra turns 40 this year. The most recent iteration of it was released as a 2023 model with turbocharged power, an available six-speed manual gearbox, and a liftback body style. For 2026, Acura’s sport compact receives a variety of visual and technology updates that make it more distinctive and user-friendly.
Three new options join the palette of available colors: Solar Silver Metallic, Urban Gray Pearl (which you may recognize from the 2025 TLX Type S we reviewed), and Double Apex Blue Pearl. Acura automatically pairs the latter (and Performance Red Pearl) with a new color-matched grille; Urban Gray Pearl and Platinum White Pearl Integras can be equipped with a matching grille as an option. Otherwise, Integras in all other colors come with a black grille, with Double Apex Blue Pearl and Performance Red Pearl models having that as an option. Long story short: you can opt for a black grille with every Integra color, and the body-color grille on several.
The A-Spec package gets updated with a new body kit that adds glossy black side spoilers to the corners of the front fascia and side sill accents.
The A-Spec 18-inch wheels have also been redesigned and now come in black instead Shark Gray.
Integras with the A-Spec package receive the bulk of interior revisions for 2026. In addition to the new dash trim, larger nine-inch infotainment touchscreen with a faster processor, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and wireless phone charger (all standard equipment for ’26 Integras), the A-Spec package includes extended ambient lighting and additional color-specific visual updates.
According to Acura, “Integra A-Spec models with the Orchid interior gain new blue micro suede inserts, first seen on the 2025 ADX. Integra A-Spec models with the Ebony interior sport new yellow stitching on the seats, steering wheel, shift boot and door panels.”
Integra enthusiasts in the U.S. had to wait more than 20 years for its full return (the Acura RSX of the early to mid-2000s that we got here was called the Honda Integra in other markets). The good news is that they only have to wait until late August for the updated 2026 model to arrive in Acura dealerships. Pricing hasn’t been released yet, but it’s reasonable to expect it to increase slightly from the 2025 base price of $33,000.