mod@tech

As a decentralized country, the United States features 50 independent states that are united under one federal government. As such, each one of the 50 has laws that may differ from those of other states, including how automobiles are licensed. This is especially true for antique or historic vehicles. The seventh state of the union—Maryland—has found its citizens in opposition to the rules as they were intended and has taken action to curb their behavior.

If seeing Toyota Camrys with historic plates has had you scratching your head, you’re not alone. But it’s not so much that some Millennial thinks his/her car is historic as it is gaming the rules. Until recently, Maryland considered cars 20 years old or older “historic,” and many residents applied for historic plates because they cost less (originally about 58 percent the cost of regular plates, though since mid-2024, it’s about 29 percent) and can give you a pass on certain things like annual safety inspections.

According to the Wall Street Journal, Maryland’s department of motor vehicles issued around 60,000 historic tags in 2024 (the year before it began cracking down on these scofflaws)—that was a 34-percent jump from just three years earlier. Even more profound: close to 60 percent were for cars from the 2000-2004 model years. Care to guess the most popular cars? Chevrolet Silverado, Ford F-150, and Honda Accord (sorry, Camry, but you’re still the whipping boy here).

You and I know that a historic plate means one is restricted to using a vehicle in parades, car shows, exhibitions, occasional transportation, and similar uses, but that’s not how it ends up with the aforementioned Camry. Car clubs have complained, as relying on age itself diminishes what a historic vehicle actually is. In turn, the distinction ends up being diminished.

The state also sees the issue in another manner: liability and negligence. Unsafe vehicles with the shroud of historic plates are a liability on the road. It should be no surprise that lawyers have gotten smart to this tactic—what should you do if you’re in an accident with a “historic” vehicle?

One idea to combat this is to require residents to put standard tags on one car before obtaining historic plates for another, which demonstrates that the owner has one reliable, mainstream vehicle. For now, the Maryland legislature has approved a 25-year definition—yeah, still arbitrary—that took effect January 1, 2025. This affects approximately 72,000 scofflaws, which is one-third of all historic tag holders. Unfortunately, the age marker is not rolling, meaning a 2000 model year vehicle will never achieve historic status, according to Maryland.

With a new legislative session under way, let’s see how this pans out.

One of the reasons Chevrolet switched the Corvette to a mid-engine layout for its eighth generation was so that America’s Sports Car would have more weight over its rear axle, which would benefit traction and overall performance. Then, as it usually does, Chevrolet started releasing more powerful models, such as the E-Ray hybrid and the 1,064-horsepower ZR1. Chevy combined the E-Ray’s hybrid AWD configuration with the ZR1’s LT7 twin-turbo V8 to make the range-topping ZR1X, which blazed its way down the drag strip to become America’s quickest production car.

Last summer, we learned just how much power the ZR1X generates: the ZR1’s 1,064-horsepower, twin-turbo 5.5-liter DOHC V8 pushes the mega-Vette while a more potent version of the E-Ray’s electric front axle pulls—and bumps the total output to a staggering 1,250 horses. To find out just how fast the ZR1X is, Chevy’s crew hit the drag strip at the US 131 Motorsports Park in Martin, Michigan. According to the automaker, the cars were equipped with “standard Michelin PS4S tires, and available carbon fiber wheels” and ran “on pump gas, using standard-equipment tires and production 50-state street-legal engine calibration.”

Over the course of two days, the engineers and driver Stefan Frick gradually shaved the ZR1X’s quarter-mile times and raised its trap speed. Passes in the high eight-second range were good but, when it comes to quarter mile times, less is more.

After prepping the tires in the water box and several blasts down the strip, Frick crossed the finish line and absolutely flew into the record books with a time of 8.675 seconds at 159.57 mph. Crunching more numbers revealed the ZR1X zoomed to 60 mph in only 1.68 seconds, with acceleration force peaking at 1.75 g.

Numbers in that range would be impressive just once, but the ZR1X team was able to hit them over and over again. What makes this even more of a monumental accomplishment is that Chevrolet’s $209,700 flagship performance car beat the times of hyper-expensive European exotics, such as the $3.4 million Koenigsegg Jesko Absolut and $4.6 million Bugatti Tourbillon.

And let’s not forget that the ZR1X already had the #5 spot on the leader board at the Nürburgring Nordschleife with a lap time of 6:49.275.

Right now on AutoHunter, you can find this restored and upgraded 1966 Ford Mustang Convertible, which is powered by a 347ci V8 paired with a BorgWarner T5 five-speed manual gearbox. Highlights include power steering and front disc brakes, and new suspension and brake hardware. Finished in dark green and equipped with a black convertible top over a black vinyl interior, this classic drop-top is now offered by the private seller in Texas with a clear title.

Originally Vintage Burgundy, the body was repainted in a handsome dark shade of green. Exterior features include chrome bumpers, grille-mounted fog lights, dual mirrors, and dual exhaust outlets that exit through the lower rear fascia.

A black soft top with plastic rear window covers the passenger compartment and fits under a black top boot.

The wheels were also changed, which are now larger 17-inch Legendary Wheels rollers wrapped in 225/45 (front) and 245/45 (rear) BFGoodrich g-Force Sport Comp-2 radial tires.

Furnished with black vinyl upholstery, the cabin is equipped with power steering, center console with Hurst manual shifter, Bluetooth-compatible Kenwood AM/FM/SiriusXM/CD/DVD radio, and JL Audio speakers.

Instrumentation consists of a 140-mph speedometer, column-mounted Sunpro 8,000-rpm tachometer, and gauges for the fuel level, oil pressure, amps, and temperature. The odometer shows 46,725 miles, but the title indicates this vehicle is mileage-exempt.

There are more changes under the hood, where the original engine was replaced with a 347ci V8, which has a rebuilt Holley 750cfm four-barrel carburetor, roller rockers, aluminum heads, aluminum radiator, and ceramic-coated headers. New parts include hoses, belts, plugs, gaskets, and ignition module. In addition, the factory transmission was replaced with a BorgWarner T5 five-speed manual gearbox.

Underneath, the power front disc brakes were rebuilt. As part of a mechanical refresh, new drop spindles, rear springs, and drum brakes were installed.

This 1966 Ford Mustang Convertible is an undeniable classic with a variety of attractive and performance-enhancing modifications. To make it yours, bid high before the auction ends on Thursday, January 22, 2026, at 11:30 a.m. (MST).

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and a photo gallery

The 1980s General Motors “G-body” cars (including the Chevrolet Monte Carlo, Oldsmobile Cutlass, and Buick Regal) are widely recognized as hot collector vehicles nowadays. They use traditional rear-wheel drive and body-on-frame engineering, yet they offer some modern creature comforts. The Pick of the Day is a G-body that remains unmodified even after over 40 years. Find this low-mileage 1985 SS model listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in Valdese, North Carolina.

“99% original car,” the listing begins. Exterior features include quad headlights, a cowl-induction hood, accent striping, color-keyed side mirrors, tinted windows, a flush-mounted spoiler, and Rally-style wheels with Mastercraft Avenger G/T white-letter tires. The interior is upholstered in burgundy cloth and features bucket seats, a center console, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, logo floor mats, air conditioning, and a Pioneer CD player.

The Monte Carlo first came to life in 1970 as Chevrolet’s entry into the personal luxury car segment. A little over a decade later, it was already in its fourth generation. Model year 1985 Monte Carlos, such as this one, used the General Motors G-body platform. The design for the car was done largely by Irvin Rybicki, who had a 43-year history with GM and also had his hand in certain generations of the Cadillac Eldorado, Pontiac Bonneville, and Chevrolet Beretta. Rybicki’s impact on the look of GM cars was deeply rooted.

It’s easy to see that Chevrolet was pushing the Monte Carlo’s luxury side in its marketing materials. One magazine ad for the car said, “Everything you think a car should be, the Monte Carlo still is.” It added, “Monte Carlo will impress you the moment you lay eyes on it. Monte Carlo’s suspension system helps translate patchy pavement into a quiet, controlled driving experience. With cushioned seating for five, Monte Carlo is perhaps the most comfortable car you’ll ever ride in.”

But aside from being a grand-touring coupe, the Monte Carlo had a sportier side. One such model was the Super Sport (SS) like this one. It came standard with a 305ci (5.0-liter) high-output V8 as opposed to the base car’s 4.3-liter. Added performance features for the SS included a computer-controlled Quadrajet carburetor, a Turbo-Hydramatic four-speed automatic transmission, a sport rear axle with 3.73:1 gearing, and an available F41 suspension package with a larger anti-sway bar.

“Original mileage, original interior, super nice car” sums up the ad (which perhaps has the shortest description of any listing I’ve decided to feature). If you’re looking to get into the G-body collector game, this car is worth talking with the seller to learn more about it. The asking price is $25,000 or best offer.

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

If you’re up on your muscle car history, you’re likely familiar with how NASCAR and drag racing helped contribute to the era of GTOs and the like. In particular, drag strips popped up all over the U.S., some of which are still standing today. But have you ever heard of indoor drag racing? For locales with climate that doesn’t allow year-round racing, this sounds like a solution. Several enterprising individuals did this in Chicago from 1962 through 1964. As it turned out, it was a short-lived but memorable phenomenon.

The now-demolished Chicago International Amphitheater was the location. A 440-foot concrete strip followed by a 700-foot shutdown area was the layout, so clearly dragsters were not permitted. Cars staged outside, then entered through some doors to compete the race while spectators watched from inside. Though traction is a common enemy even today, it was certainly a challenge in this environment (not to mention carbon monoxide)—in fact, Coca-Cola syrup was applied to the floor to aid traction, but legends like Arnie Beswick and Mr. Norm have said that it did not work.

Howard Crull and Gene Devening have created a book that documents this relic of the era. The project began with the purchase of a 1964 Dodge 330 Max Wedge, which led to the discovery of a collection of photographs (which included the Mopar) taken by Herman Zehnder. The book that you see here is the photo collection in hardcover form, one of only 100 that have been printed. At $150, it’s large, beefy, and worthy of those into muscle car or Chicago history. Visit the Chicago Amphitheater Indoor Drag Races group on Facebook to inquire.

It’s the weekend, everyone! What do you have planned? A car show? Lunch with friends? A scenic drive? Whatever it is, you’re here right now, so be sure to read this latest installment of Car Connections first. I had the Random Word Generator produce a trio of words, which I then linked to automobiles. This week’s words are hen, transaction, and stun.

Hen: A female chicken. In other words, a lady bird. Former First Lady Claudia “Lady Bird” Johnson. President Johnson had a 1962 Amphicar at his Stonewall, Texas ranch (aka the “Texas White House”) that he would use to play a terrifying prank on his guests. Joseph A. Califano, Jr., LBJ’s special assistant for domestic affairs from 1965-69, was one of his unsuspecting victims.

According to the National Park Service, he said, “The President, with Vicky McCammon in the seat alongside him and me in the back, was now driving around in a small blue car with the top down. We reached a steep incline at the edge of the lake and the car started rolling rapidly toward the water. The President shouted, ‘The brakes don’t work! The brakes won’t hold! We’re going in! We’re going under!’ The car splashed into the water. I started to get out. Just then the car leveled and I realized we were in a Amphicar. The President laughed. As we putted along the lake then (and throughout the evening), he teased me. ‘Vicky, did you see what Joe did? He didn’t give a damn about his President. He just wanted to save his own skin and get out of the car.’ Then he’d roar.”

Transaction: My response is another single word: Jaaaaaaaaaag. Way back in 2017, Jaguar and Shell launched an in-car gas purchase app for the updated 2018 XE, XF, and F‑PACE models.

Drivers could wheel up to a pump, use the touchscreen to enter how much fuel they needed, then complete the transaction with PayPal or Apple Pay. A receipt would then pop up on the screen and another would be sent to the driver’s registered email address. Don’t be surprised if a similar app is available when Jaguar is reborn as a high-end EV brand.

Stun: As a 007 fan, the first thing I thought of when I saw this word was the BMW 750iL in the 1997 James Bond movie “Tomorrow Never Dies,” which finds him trying to prevent media mogul Elliot Carver from starting a war between China and the United Kingdom that would benefit his empire. One of the key pieces to foiling Carver’s scheme is a GPS encoder, which 007 secures in the glove box of his V12-powered uber-luxury sedan. Carver’s thugs try to break in and steal it, but are thwarted by the car’s countermeasures that includes an electrified exterior that shocks unwanted guests. You can see more of its gadgets in the video below.

How would you associate these words with cars? Tell us in the Comments section below. And be sure to share your ideas for random words to use in a future installment of Car Connections. Looking for your next Amphicar, Jaguar, or BMW? Find it on ClassicCars.com and AutoHunter.com.

I was 17 years old when I was first saw the ad below. I was already a Shelby and Mustang fan, so I was excited to see the GT350 side stripe on a Mustang again. Sure, it had nothing to do with Shelby and yes, it was just a trim package but, regardless, I was an instant fan. Our AutoHunter Spotlight is a nicely preserved example of one of these cars, a 1984 Ford Mustang GT350 20th Anniversary Edition. It is listed by a dealer in Gladstone, Oregon, with the auction ending on January 19, 2026, at 11:30 a.m. (MST).

Only 5,260 GT350 20th Anniversary Package Mustangs hatchbacks and convertibles were built. It was based on a basic 1984 Mustang, with the entire package added to the car in only 35 days. All cars were painted Oxford White with dark red GT350 side stripes and dark red body side moldings. In addition, the exterior featured a rear spoiler and Marchal fog lamps.

The GT350 edition had a Dark Canyon Red interior and a center console with a clock.

Under the hood you got a choice of two 5-liter V8s, one fuel-injected and one not, or the 2.3-liter turbo engine. The suspension was also modified on all cars and included the TRX Handling Package, four-link rear axle, and gas shocks.

The seller states that this Mustang is powered by the most desirable engine option that was available, the H.O. 5.0-liter V8, and it is backed by a five-speed BorgWarner T5 manual transmission. It is offered by the selling dealer with documentation, clean AutoCheck report, and clear title.

The seller adds that this Mustang underwent an exterior and trim restoration that was accurately done using the correct materials. This car truly looks to be an excellent example.

The interior is said to be all original and also looks to be in excellent shape. Everything appears to be in literal show condition, with no flaws that I could see anywhere.

Under the hood is just as nice, with the engine compartment looking both clean and unmodified. The 175-horsepower 5-liter V8 looks excellent, and the car is fueled by its original four-barrel carburetor.

These Fox Body Mustangs have really taken off in the last few years, with younger collectors buying every nice example out there. This one, while lacking the performance of the later cars, is also rarer and was built to celebrate the milestone of 20 years of the Ford Mustang, which still seems really cool to me.

if you are also as interested in this car as I was in 1984, you should bid soon as the auction for this 1984 Ford Mustang GT350 20th Anniversary Edition ends on Monday, January 19, 2026, at 11:30 a.m. (MST).

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and a photo gallery

This may sound cheesy, but you can find your dream car on ClassicCars.com. I frequently see some of my dream cars there, such as this 28K-mile 1988 Jeep Grand Wagoneer, this handsome 1996 Ford Bronco Eddie Bauer, and this graceful 1972 Ferrari 365 GTC4. After a long search, I finally came across another one of my “grail” vehicles, so I had to make it the latest Pick of the Day. You can find this 45K-mile 1996 Buick Roadmaster Limited Estate Wagon Collector’s Edition listed on ClassicCars.com by a dealer in St. Louis.

Back when I was a kid in the ’90s, I had no appreciation for cars like the Roadmaster Estate Wagon—European exotics turned my head in those days. As I’ve gotten older and discovered cars from different eras, I’ve grown to love the 1991-1996 Roadmaster Estate Wagon’s sheer Americana. Every time I see one of those big-bodied family haulers with the faux woodgrain panels, it makes me think of a 1990s family sitcom in which everyone piles into the car on a Friday night for pizza and a trip to Blockbuster. Now that I’m a husband and father, I can easily picture myself being the lighthearted dad wheeling a Roadmaster around town for errands and being the captain of the 18-foot land-yacht for out-of-state road trips. The one you see here is the Roadmaster Estate Wagon I always envision during my daydreams: a ’96 Collector’s Edition in Bright White with the Light Colonial Oak “wood” (aka vinyl) appliques and a Light Beige leather interior.

This final-year Roadmaster also appeals to the car nerd in me. There’s really nothing quite like it anymore. Factory woodies (even those with fake wood) are long gone. No American manufacturer currently offers a station wagon—and even if one of them did, it wouldn’t be a full-size model with body-on-frame construction, V8 under the hood, and rear-facing third row. And if you spot one of these Buick longroofs on the street, there’s a very good chance it has close to or over 100,000 miles because these are big, roomy cruisers, many of which have been absolute road warriors. Not only is this particular wagon attractive, but it’s also an anomaly.

Given its model year, this final-generation Roadmaster benefits from the updates incorporated over its production run, such as the 260-horsepower LT1 5.7-liter V8, dual front airbags, and OBD-II diagnostics. Then there are all the comfort and convenience features, which include keyless entry, cruise control, tilt steering column, power everything, air conditioning, the Vista roof over the second row, and the load-leveling heavy-duty suspension. And I can’t leave out the cool two-way tailgate, which can be lowered or opened from the side like a door.

Low mileage is great, but it’s even better when coupled with refreshed hardware because let’s face it: parts wear out over time, regardless of how much a vehicle has been driven. Fortunately, this Roadmaster has received a lot of replacement components over the years. According to the selling dealer/museum, since the spring of 2024, the following new parts have been installed:

• Battery
• Whitewalls tires
• Belt tensioner
• Idler pulley
• Drive belts
• Water pump and gasket
• Thermostat
• Optispark distributor kit
• Fuel pressure regulator
• Spark plugs and wires
• Fuel filter
• Rear drum brakes
• Rear ride-leveling shocks

Sadly, I can’t make this dream car of mine a reality right now, but if you can swing the $28,900 asking price for this nicely configured, low-mileage 1996 Buick Roadmaster Limited Estate Wagon, I congratulate you—and urge you to buy it ASAP.

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