mod@tech

When a certain model is discontinued, the total number of cars produced is capped and the amount out of that run that remain intact can only go down over time. It decreases due to factors such as mileage, accidents, theft, natural disasters, abuse, and general neglect. A certain portion of those total remaining cars also trends downward: the original, unmodified specimens. The longer a particular vehicle has been around and the more owners it has had, the higher the likelihood that it gets some aftermarket parts. When I used to write for a Lexus enthusiast website, I saw that a lot with Lexus SCs on the associated owner’s forum. There were dozens of threads devoted to SC 300 and 400 builds with upgraded engine, suspension, and brake hardware. You won’t see our Pick of the Day, a 1996 Lexus SC 300 posted by an Illinois dealership on ClassicCars.com, on those pages, though. It not only has survived the past 29 years, but it also made it through looking just as Lexus intended.

The SC was significant in the early days of Lexus. Only two years after the brand’s 1989 debut with the launch of the LS 400 and ES 250 sedans, Lexus diversified its portfolio by introducing the 1992 SC 300 and SC 400 sport coupes. As its name implies, the SC 300 was powered by a 3.0-liter engine—the 2JZ-GE DOHC straight-six that Toyota also used in the naturally aspirated Mk4 Supra. Output was 225 horsepower and 210 lb-ft of torque, all processed by either a five-speed manual gearbox or a four-speed automatic, the latter being the transmission in the car you see here.

It may sound like a cheesy sales line, but you really don’t see many cars like this Lexus. According to the selling dealer, it’s a one-owner car. That may explain why it’s accumulated only 69,772 miles over the past three decades. That kind of mileage lines up with the dealer’s description: “The paint is in great shape and condition. No dings are visible on this vehicle.”

What is visible is the condition of the tan leather interior, which appears to have been nicely preserved. It is accented with woodgrain trim and filled with comfort and convenience features such as heated, power-adjustable front seats, two-person memory for the driver’s seat, power mirrors, power windows and locks, power-adjustable steering column, cruise control, automatic climate control, AM/FM/CD/cassette stereo with a trunk-mounted 12-disc CD changer, and sunroof.

So far, this Lexus has escaped the brutality of time and circumstance, and the questionable choices of misguided owners. If you want to keep this piece of Lexus history as it is (and always has been), you can do that by paying the $13,998 asking price.

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

What if you could turn back the clock and roll up to your local dragstrip, where George Hurst and the legendary “Miss Hurst” Linda Vaughn were waiting to hand you the keys to a brand-new 1969 Hurst/Olds convertible?

That would be the dream, right?

Back in 1969, muscle car history was made when two special Hurst/Olds convertibles were commissioned for parade duty at drag strips across America. A third was later built to replace one of the originals. Today, these ultra-rare muscle machines are so valuable that they hardly ever see the road.

That’s where the Hurst Dream Giveaway comes in—to bring that dream roaring back to life. Click here to enter now!

Imagine opening your garage door to find a 1969 Hurst/Olds convertible. Unlike the two that stay stationary in museums, you can let the rubber meet the road anytime you want.

This isn’t just any tribute—it’s a masterpiece built to relive the golden era of Detroit muscle. Over $100K went into crafting this never-available-to-the-public 1969 Hurst/Olds convertible, designed to be an absolute showstopper.

Under the hood, you’ll find a period-correct 455ci big-block engine, complete with a Hurst Dual/Gate floor shifter and console, power brakes and steering, and dual-comfort air conditioning. It even comes with a fully restored factory-issued AM/FM 8-track stereo and tilt steering—because old-school is timeless.

This grand-prize muscle machine has already earned its place at some of the nation’s most prestigious automotive events, including the Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals. It’s a piece of history, rebuilt to perfection and ready to tear up the streets—or turn heads at every car show.

How did the original 1969 Hurst/Olds convertibles get to the drag strips? By truck, of course. That’s why Dream Giveaway included a fully loaded 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali to get you out of the house in the mornings.

Drenched in Summit White with a Jet Black interior, this special-ordered Denali is powered by a beastly 420-horsepower factory V-8 engine paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission for effortless cruising. It includes the Denali Reverse package, Brembo performance brakes, Tri-fold hard tonneau cover, Multi-pro audio system and GMC multipro tailgate.

Thanks to Holley, this truck features performance upgrades from Hurst, Flowmaster, and B&M.

And the look? Custom Hurst graphics tie this modern hauler to its classic muscle-car counterpart, ensuring they look stunning side by side in your garage.

Forget about making a pricey truck payment. If you have the winning entry, you’ll own it free and clear.

One lucky entry is all it takes to win both this jaw-dropping 1969 Hurst/Olds convertible tribute and the ultra-capable 2024 GMC Sierra Denali. Plus, Dream Giveaway pays the federal prize tax of $37,000.

This isn’t just a chance to own history—it’s an opportunity to make a difference. Your entries support veterans’ and children’s charities, ensuring that every donation helps those in need.

But time is running out for you to enter. This sweepstakes ends at midnight PDT on March 25, 2024.

CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR ENTRIES.

The pony car segment, which the Ford Mustang launched in the mid-1960s, saw fierce competition. Chevrolet’s rival to the Mustang was the Camaro, and for about the first decade that the two were battling head-to-head, the Mustang maintained the sales lead. That changed in 1977, which was the first year the Camaro overtook the Mustang in sales (by about 65,000 units).

Featured on AutoHunter is this 1977 Chevrolet Camaro Z28. It is being offered by a dealer in Watford, Ontario, and the auction will end on Monday.

One of the contributing factors for the turning point in pony car sales was the fact that the Camaro’s available Z28 package gave it an improved suspension, enhanced steering equipment and a strong balance of power and efficiency. According to its trim tag, this Camaro is a true Z28, and it brings to the table some desirable equipment like power steering, power front disc brakes, a dual exhaust system and air conditioning.

The second-generation Camaro was produced from 1970 through 1981 on the General Motors F-body platform. Three assembly plants – one in California, one in Ohio and one in Venezuela – cranked out roughly 1.5 million Camaros across the entire generation. During the third week of July 1977, this one was born. Its Brown (code 69) paint finish is carried through to the bumpers and the centers of the 15-inch wheels. Noteworthy exterior features include accent graphics, dual sport mirrors, a chin spoiler and a decklid spoiler. While the five-digit odometer shows 81,764 miles, the title reads mileage-exempt.

A magazine advertisement for the 1977 Camaro was headlined, “We’re looking for people who love to drive.” It went on to say, “We realize that, for some of you, driving an automobile is about as exhilarating as riding an escalator. That’s sad. Because with the right kind of car in your hands, the act of driving can be one of the truly pleasant things you do each day.”

One of the things that contributed to the Camaro’s driving enjoyment was its powertrain. Motivation for this Z28 comes from a 185-horsepower 350ci V8 with a four-barrel carburetor. A close-ratio four-speed manual transmission and a rear end with a 3.73 gear ratio deliver power to the rear wheels.

“If you love to drive, or would like to, take a turn in a ’77 Camaro one day real soon,” an advertisement said. “Your Chevy dealer has one all gassed up and ready to go. Driving gloves are optional.”

Want to experience the car that pushed Chevy into the sales lead? Here you go! The auction for this 1977 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 ends Monday, March 17, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. (PDT)

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and a photo gallery

The Nissan Z was introduced for the 2023 model year, but I’ve barely seen any on the street. We evaluated one two years ago, and I wouldn’t be surprised if that was the last one I have seen. Meanwhile, the Toyota Supra seems to be much more popular. Is that true?

Yes and no.

The redesigned Z replaced the 370Z starting in the spring of 2022, though deliveries didn’t begin until the fall due to supply chain issues, keeping U.S. sales to a low 263. Equipped with a twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6, the Z put out 400 horsepower, with a bump to 420 for the NIMSO variant that was unveiled in the summer of 2023. By the end of calendar year 2023, U.S. sales amounted to 1,771.

Compare that to the Toyota Supra, a sports car with BMW Z4 bones: In 2021, 6,830 were sold in the U.S., with another 4,952 sold the following year. However, it may be more fair to compare sales with the Z’s first complete calendar year, so the Supra’s 2,652 makes the Z’s 1,771 pale in comparison—this despite the fact that the Supra’s standard engine is a turbo inline-four, with the turbo inline-six costing 10 grand more than the Z.

However, the trend has flipped for calendar year 2024, with the Z outselling the Supra 3,164 to 2,615. Still, I can’t remember the last time I saw a Z. Of course, there are regional issues at play, so that may be one explanation, while another is the Supra has been in production since 2019 and sold well in those early years.

The 2025 Nissan Z has quite a reasonable base price, so the poor sales initially come off as a head-scratcher. The Z Sport starts at $42,970. Opt for the Z Performance, which adds the features below, and the price gets bumped up $10,000:

• 8-speaker Bose audio system
• 9-inch touchscreen with navigation
• NissanConnect Services with Wi-Fi hotspot
• Mechanical limited-slip differential
• 19-inch RAYS super-lightweight forged aluminum wheels with Bridgestone Potenza S007 high-performance tires
• Nissan performance brakes
• Heated side mirrors
• Aluminum sport pedals
• Heated power leather seats

Go the NISMO route and it’ll cost you $65,750. Aside from the 20-horse bump and mandatory nine-speed automatic, it includes the following:

• NISMO-tuned suspension and brakes
• Revised aerodynamic bodywork
• Wider wheels with a more aggressive tire compound
• Red anodized engine start and drive mode buttons
• Manually adjustable Recaro seats
• Leather- and Alcantara-wrapped steering wheel with a red marker at the 12 o’clock position

There’s a lot of unusual forces currently at play in the market, especially with a new administration in the White House. Will the Nissan Z continue its rise for the duration of 2025? In about 11 months, we will know.

Though not among the most significant cars from the 1960s, the 1969 Pontiac Grand Prix changed the way Detroit approached personal luxury. Downsized to a stretched mid-size platform, the Grand Prix set the template for all other mainstream personal luxury cars for the 1970s. The first competitor on the scene is our AutoHunter Spotlight vehicle, a 1970 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS 454 currently listed for sale by a dealer. The sale of this Chevy will include the original bill of sale, Protect-O-Plate, an owner’s manual, and a clear title, plus Vintage Vehicle Services documentation.

Chevrolet built 145,975 Monte Carlos in 1970, but only 3,823 had the “Z20” SS 454 package. Identification was quite subtle with this option, as a “SS 454” badge resided on the rocker panel trim just behind the front wheels on both sides. This Forest Green example (originally Gobi Beige) also features a black “halo” vinyl top and bumper guards front and rear.

This Monte features a set of 15-inch Rally wheels with staggered-width BFGoodrich Radial T/As with raised white letters—225/60 up front, 245/60 out back.

The cabin features a black vinyl interior with a front split bench, though the original bench was gold cloth and vinyl. Notable features include power windows, Deluxe seat belts with shoulder harnesses, a rear window defogger, a remote driver-side mirror, power steering, and a push-button AM radio.

The instrument panel includes a 120-mph speedometer, clock, and fuel gauge, plus aftermarket gauges that show the oil pressure, temperature, and voltage. The odometer indicates 27,944 miles, though the title reads mileage-exempt.

The engine is a 360-horsepower LS5 454, which was the only engine available with the SS 454 package, though the V8 currently residing underneath the hood is not the original. A Turbo Hydra-matic 400 was required with the package. Of course, a dual exhaust system routes emissions to the rear. Power brakes with front discs bring this Bow Tie to a stop.

Best of all, this 1970 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS 454 was originally sold new in Canada, so it comes with Vintage Vehicle Services documentation that proves it is a real Z20 SS 454 car and shows the list of options that originally came on it. That alone should be good enough to motivate you to bid—but hurry up as this auction ends on Friday, March 14, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. (PDT).

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and a photo gallery

The EV revolution hasn’t just affected new vehicles. Many companies, such as EV West and Legacy EV, make kits to give vintage vehicles all-electric power. Halcyon, a new “British luxury automotive brand dedicated to providing remastering services for classic Rolls-Royce and Bentley models” (and also a sibling company of electric powertrain firm Evice Technologies), recently announced its first run of EVs will be based on the 1978 Rolls-Royce Corniche.

Given the model year, the ’78 Corniche comes from the Corniche I generation of ultra-luxury convertibles that ran from 1971 through 1987. According to Halcyon, its handcrafted build process takes 12 months, 1,000 hours of which are spent on just the bodywork. The end result is what Halcyon thinks the Corniche would’ve looked like 60 years ago if today’s technology had existed then. Each Corniche is stripped down to bare metal, then repainted and polished until it has a mirror finish. Halcyon uses a “less is more approach” and refrains from making radical changes to the exterior, although it does fit each of its builds with handmade chrome bumpers, bespoke headlights, and minor revisions to the front end to accentuate the Corniche’s lines.

The cabin’s colors, stitching, and features can be tailored to each buyer’s specifications. Halcyon’s description makes it sound as if it’s a thoroughly modern space—in more ways than one. In addition to heated and ventilated power-adjustable front seats, cruise control, and a bespoke audio system with wireless Apple CarPlay, there’s “an exhibition feature that spans the width of the dashboard, offering a dedicated space for bespoke art pieces.” Hmmm . . . that sounds a lot like “The Gallery” inside the Rolls-Royce Phantom VIII.

As part of its build process, Halcyon removes the Corniche’s massive 6.75-liter V8 and three-speed automatic and installs an 800-volt electrical system (developed in-house) and a rear-axle drive unit that produces between 400 and 500 horsepower, depending on configuration. Two battery packs are available, both of which can be replenished with AC charging and DC fast-charging. The base unit features one battery at each end of the car. Combined, the two produce a total of 77 kWh and more than 200 miles of range. The optional setup consists of three batteries that deliver 94 kWh and over 250 miles of range on a single charge.

To maintain the famous Rolls-Royce on-road composure and ride quality, Halcyon equips its creations with upgraded brakes and an active suspension that allows for three drive modes. “Drive” is a blend of smooth ride quality and timely throttle response. “Touring” relaxes the suspension and throttle. “Spirited” sharpens the throttle response and tightens up the dampers.

Just like any Rolls-Royce, Halcyon’s updated EV Corniches will carry hefty price tags. It will only build 60 commissions, each with a starting price of £395,000 ($510,469), plus the cost of the donor Corniche and local taxes. Production begins in Q4 of this year; deliveries start making their way to customers in Q4 2026.

Since I was 16 years old, I have owned more than 33 Porsche 911 and 912 series cars – everything from a 1968 912 Targa at the low end to a 1973 Carrera RS at the high end. As a result, I have quite a few opinions about the 911 model, some of them less popular than others. One of the more unpopular is that I honestly feel the pinnacle of 911 development was with the 997 models. I say this because the subsequent 991 and 992 era models became too big, too heavy and, for the first time, changed the classic 911 silhouette to become almost comical to my eye. Sure, the later cars – especially in the GT2 and GT3 forms – are among the most desirable and expensive 911 cars around. Despite that, the 997, to me, still represents perfection as far as the 911 goes. The fact you can buy a nice 997-era 911 for what I consider a great price only adds to the model’s allure.

The Pick of the Day is one of these stunning cars, a 2005 Porsche 911 Carrera located in Mesa, Arizona.

The seller offering this 911 has a great listing on ClassicCars.com that indicates this 997 coupe is painted in its original Seal Gray Metallic over a black standard leather interior, and was delivered new at Kempthorn Motors of Canton, Ohio, in February 2005. The car went on to be serviced and enjoyed in Georgia briefly before moving to California for most its life and then coming to Arizona. This car’s 3.6-liter flat-six engine was replaced by Porsche Rocklin in 2012 at approximately 53,000 miles and delivers power to the rear wheels by way of a 6-speed manual transmission. This car also has some nice options, including heated front seats, sport wheel, sport chrono package, Bose stereo, xenon headlights and a newly updated PCCM stereo.

The engine replacement by a Porsche dealer should in no way effect the value of this car, but I am sure there are people out there who think it does. I’m guessing this was due to an IMS bearing failure or some such. As it was replaced at a dealer, this likely means a brand-new factory engine that was dealer-shaped, possibly under warranty. To me, this only makes it a better buy.

The car is riding on a beautiful set of Porsche 19″ Turbo Style wheels, all in perfect good condition with zero curb rash of any kind and wrapped in newer Continental performance tires. The seller is also very transparent, as they reveal CARFAX shows minor damage to the front of the car in 2016, but it was back on the road and in for service only 10 days later. Our shop inspection revealed the rear bumper has been repainted, but there are no other compromised components. 

The interior of this Porsche looks to be in fantastic condition with little, if any, wear visible in the photos. This car is optioned exactly as I would want it, and the addition of the Porsche Classic PCCM head unit gives it the ability to sync with your phone like any modern car – making it as functional as the newest 992, but with better styling and a much lower price point.

Mechanically, this car also sounds to be in great condition. It has the factory 325bhp Boxer 6, which gives it a 0-60 time of 4.7 seconds with a top speed of 182 mph. The seller states the car has a very strong manual transmission that shifts perfectly and transfers power to the rear wheels smoothly. In addition, the air conditioning blows ice-cold and the heat works as it should.

This 2005 911 includes the OEM key/keyfob and a full set of floor mats. The car has just been serviced by Porsche Rocklin, which included inspection, oil change, cabin/air filters, spark plugs and drive belts.

If you want to buy a nice example of what I still feel is the pinnacle of 911 styling and performance, this 2005 997-era 911 coupe at an asking price of only $36,997 looks to be the one to pick.

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

Every Bugatti is special in its own way, but some are in their own category. The Type 57SC Atlantic is an iconic rarity. The quad-turbo V12-powered EB110 is the only product of the brand’s 1990s revival by Italian industrialist Romano Artioli. In the 2000s, the 987-horsepower Veyron took the Molsheim hypercar-maker into a new stratosphere of price at a top speed of 253 mph. Then there’s the Baby II.

The original Bugatti Baby, styled after the Type 35, was what its name implies it would be. According to the company, “In 1926 Ettore and his son Jean decided to build a half-scale Type 35 for Ettore’s youngest son, Roland, on the occasion of his fourth birthday.” That was supposed to be a one-off, but it was so popular with Bugatti clients that the company ended up producing approximately 500 Baby models between 1927 and 1936. Back in 2019, to celebrate its 110^th anniversary, Bugatti announced a 500-unit production run of the Baby II, a three-quarters-size all-electric replica of the Type 35 that could be driven by children and adults. The 1-kW “child mode” capped the top speed at 20 km/h (12 mph); the 4-kW “adult mode” raised that to 45 km/h (28 mph). There was even a “Speed Key” upgrade that unlocked 10 kW and took the governor off.

Now comes news of an even more exclusive Baby II. Hedley Studios (formerly known as The Little Car Company) collaborated with Jascha Straub, Bugatti’s Manager of Sur Mesure and Individualisation, to create a 1-of-1 Baby II inspired by Bugatti’s history and its founder, Ettore Bugatti.

The body is finished in a combination of Nocturne black and Giallo Midas yellow, a pairing which Ettore himself favored, which is why it was applied to the Type 57 Roadster Grand Raid Usine.

Straub decorated the two-tone finish with hand-drawn sketches that honor Ettore and Jean Bugatti, Bugatti’s home city of Molsheim, Ettore’s love of horses, and the Type 35’s racing victories, all of which are protected by clear coat.

The open cockpit is furnished with black leather from Bridge of Weir as well as a vintage-style four-spoke steering wheel and an engine-turned dashboard fascia (driving goggles not included).

No word on who commissioned this or the price tag for it, but it’s highly likely seeing Bugatti’s bill for it would make the average person cry . . . like a baby.

The 1970s: it was the best of times, it was the worst of times. And when looking at performance cars of the late-1970s, it tends to be the latter—but nothing a set of decals couldn’t fix!

Nonetheless, there were some neat cars produced during this era. Can you identify the below cars that are currently being sold on AutoHunter or ClassicCars.com? Year, make, and model, please! Post your answers in the Comments section below.

Click on a photo to reveal each car

Tuesday is puzzle day at The ClassicCars.com Journal. Click here to play more automotive games.