mod@tech

It seemed like he’d live forever, but not even Ed Iskenderian was immortal. He passed away on February 4, 2026, at the ripe old age of 104.

Hot rodders around the world know Iskenderian for the camshaft business he built in California, the locus for acceleration runs that gave fuel to cars from Detroit and beyond. That camshaft machine he bought after returning from Air Force duty in World War II was the impetus that garnered attention from racers from all realms, on land and water, to this very day. Not bad for a young 20-something who had previously modified his Model T roadster for top-end dry lake runs.

During the pre-Internet era, Isky Racing Cams ads were regulars within the pages of many periodicals. Iskenderian was also a founding member of the Speed Equipment Manufacturers Association, known today as the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) that brings together the aftermarket in Las Vegas every November.

It’s been said many times that veterans of the Second World War are of the “Greatest Generation.” It also could be said that Ed Iskenderian was the last man standing, a remnant of the past that produced the present. Godspeed, hot rodding’s elder statesman!

We spotted the Toyota Turbo Trail Cruiser at SEMA in Las Vegas. It’s a great example of what companies at the show do best: use a heritage platform to showcase engineering and aftermarket-style creativity. SEMA, short for the Specialty Equipment Market Association, has been the industry’s main stage for custom vehicles and parts for decades, and manufacturers use it to test ideas, show off capabilities, and grab attention with builds that are more “rolling proof-of-concept” than production preview.

Toyota’s approach here is pretty straightforward: Keep the FJ60 Land Cruiser silhouette and proportions, then modernize the driving experience with the i-Force 3.4-liter twin-turbo V6 from the current Tundra, which is rated for 389 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque. It’s paired with a custom setup that retains the original 5-speed manual, which preserves some of the analog feel enthusiasts want while still delivering power. Would you rather have this classic FJ60 look with modern twin-turbo power or keep a Land Cruiser totally original? Let us know in the comments below. Stay tuned for more SEMA content.

This video is sponsored by HowToo. Stop digging through forums and YouTube. Orion puts diagnosis, repair instructions, and guided videos in one place, plus exact-fit parts from your favorite brands at distributor-level pricing. It’s 100% free. Try it today at HowToo.com.

While you’re still counting the days before Stellantis gives in and gives us a V8 Charger, we might as well show you one of the running changes that Dodge has made for current Chargers.

I enjoy running changes because they can contribute to cool trivia many years later. Take the 1969 Dodge Charger as a fine example. On February 4, 1969, Dodge sent a bulletin to dealerships announcing the addition of Performance Hood Paint (code V21) on both the Charger and Charger R/T. “A new performance hood paint for the hood and cowl of all Charger models is now available. This is a dull finish black Organasol paint which is applied to the two indented louvre [sic] surfaces of the hood as well as the cowl.” Another bulletin from March 3, 1969 stated, “It is recommended that Chargers and Charger R/Ts ordered with Hemi Orange also specify the recently announced black performance hood (code V21) which combines to make a striking performance car.”

Only 455 V8 Charger and 338 Charger R/T vehicles were built for the U.S. market (plus a few more for Canada and Export markets) for the abbreviated model year. Strangely, these stripes were not very popular notwithstanding the mid-year introduction, but interestingly, they were rarer for the complete 1970 model year.

That same spirit has existed within Dodge in contemporary times if past Challengers and Chargers are any indication, which is why we embrace the recent announcement that a Satin Black hood graphic and Fratzog dual stripes have been added as options for Sixpack-powered Dodge Charger Scat Pack and R/T models (which offer 550 and 420 horsepower, respectively). The graphic “offers a high-contrast accent point to the Charger’s available exterior colors” while “accentuating Charger’s sculpted power dome,” while the stripes “carry red trim accents and a unique, repeating Fratzog logo pattern that fills in each stripe.”

Dodge CEO Matt McAlear said, “This is just the start of what owners can expect when it comes to customizing the all‑new Sixpack-powered Charger. Our enthusiasts want personalization options, and the Fratzog dual stripes and new Satin Black hood graphic are just the beginning in turbocharging customization for the Sixpack. We’re leaning all the way in on factory‑backed personalization choices so customers can build their Charger their way.”

The MSRP for the graphic is $395, while the Fratzog dual stripes (which are compatible with both steel and glass roofs) start at $1,695. I for one cannot wait to see one of these striped Chargers on the street, though I suppose I could say the same thing about any late-model Charger.

Going to a museum is like watching a movie: you see the carefully prepared, eye-catching final result of a sometimes years-long process full of research, problem solving, and elbow grease. Starting March 12, 2026, the National Corvette Museum‘s “Driven to Preserve” exhibit will show you “how Corvettes are tracked, documented, stabilized, and interpreted—not just displayed.”

There are three main components to the enlightening display. The first is the museum-grade documentation, logistics, and care involved in handling the NCM’s precious contents. The second is that there’s more to the museum’s work than just keeping the cars in great shape—their context, modifications, materials, and history also have to be maintained.

The third is Corvettes, of course, which will be displayed on lifts in the Limited Engagement Gallery and accompanied by “interpretive displays explaining how Museum staff manage everything from environmental monitoring to object tracking.”

This fall, the NCM’s new 66,000-square-foot Collections Facility will open as a showcase of the most historically significant Corvettes, Corvette artifacts, and Corvette preservation efforts. Those who attend “Driven to Preserve” will be able to preview what to expect in the space. The Corvettes included in the sneak-peek will be:

—Tuxedo Black ’62 that fell into the sinkhole back in 2014 and was restored in 2018, right down to the Frisch’s Big Boy sugar packet that was found under the seat.

—1979 engineering development mule that was built as an experimental platform and later used as a training tool for employees at the Bowling Green Assembly Plant. It received its own restoration: after arriving at the NCM in pieces, it was reassembled over the course of several years.

—2003 Z06 that was modified by Callaway to produce nearly 500 horsepower.

To score tickets for the National Corvette Museum’s “Driven to Preserve” exhibit, click here.

For over 60 years, Shelby Mustangs have been enthusiast favorites. When Shelby American got its hands on the “S197” (fifth-generation) variant of Ford’s popular pony car, the company created a performance powerhouse that was every bit worthy of the Shelby name. Featured on AutoHunter is a Mustang that received some of that “special sauce”: a 2008 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 listed by a dealer in Asheboro, North Carolina. The auction is scheduled to end on Monday, February 9, 2026 at 11:15 a.m. (MST).

Key components on the GT500’s equipment list were a 500-horsepower supercharged V8, a TREMEC six-speed manual transmission, an SVT-tuned suspension, and Brembo brakes. All of those elements worked together to make the GT500 a well-rounded, jack-of-all-trades performance car. Car and Driver said, “This is a sports car that loves to tackle that favorite twisty road or local racetrack, and it does so with utter confidence.”

Features of this low-mileage GT500’s Performance White exterior include a “power dome” hood, Vista Blue striping, GT500 rocker decals, rear window louvers, and a flush-mounted rear spoiler. The car is said to be free of imperfections, and most importantly, it’s original. A good number of the Shelby-built cars likely went on to become modified track machines. Each Shelby Mustang was individually serialized with a dash plaque containing the car’s VIN and a representation of Carroll Shelby’s signature.

The key to the GT500’s success was found under its hood. The 5.4-liter V8 was part of Ford’s “Modular” series of engines, and each one had a placard that said “Hand-Built with Pride” and featured the signature of the individual who performed final assembly. The engine used an iron block, aluminum cylinder heads, a forged steel crankshaft, a dual 60mm electronic throttle body, and a nine-psi Eaton supercharger. On paper, it was impressive engineering; in practice, it worked well. The car could sprint to 60 mph in only about four seconds.

The AutoCheck report for this Shelby shows accident-free ownership in South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, and North Carolina. The current mileage reading of 17,658 miles is corroborated – the last recorded reading on the AutoCheck was 15,041 miles about three years ago, so the car has only been driven about 2,500 miles in that span of time. You’ll be hard-pressed to find an 18-year-old Shelby in such nice shape. The selling dealer has included a walk-around video for added buyer confidence. Throw in your highest bid!

The auction for this 2008 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 ends on Monday, February 9, 2026 at 11:15 a.m. (MST).

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and a photo gallery

Some cars are like a literal Swiss Army knife in the collector car world: They can be taken on any collector car rally (other than London to Brighton), are eligible for any concours on the planet, can serve as vintage race cars, and can also be used for weekend drives. Unfortunately, these cars (think 1950s Ferraris, classic Bugattis, prewar Aston Martins, Bentleys from the W.O. era) are pretty rare and often very expensive. Sometimes thinking outside the box and looking a little left of center can be beneficial when it comes to finding a vehicle at a somewhat affordable price. My Pick of the Day is one of these rare cars, a 1950 Maserati A6 1500 Berlinetta with coachwork by Pinin Farina, offered on ClassicCars.com by a dealer in St. Louis, Missouri.

You may have noticed that I spelled Pinin Farina as two words above. No, it’s not a typo. It’s because that is how Pininfarina was spelled until 1961.

Introduced at the 1947 Geneva Motor Show, the A6 was Maserati’s first production road car. The A6 1500 was powered by Maserati’s race-bred A6 TR SOHC 1488cc inline six-cylinder engine and featured a magnesium oil sump and an aluminum block. The chassis was just as good. Capitalizing on Maserati’s competition experience, it featured an independent front suspension and tubular frame, making the A6 as competent on the autostrada as it was on a mountain pass. Maserati built a total of only 51 A6 1500 cars, making this example quite rare, even when compared to Ferraris costing many times its price. In addition, every A6 1500 is a little different, making each a sort of one-of-a-kind automobile.

This A6 1500 is one of the final 10 produced, chassis number 0101. It was delivered as a rolling chassis to Carrozzeria Pinin Farina in March 1950 for completion. After construction was complete, it was sold through the marque’s Rome distributor, Gugliemo Dei, to its first owner, Mr. Catullo del Monte. Detailed factory records note that del Monte’s Maserati was equipped with Pirelli Corsa tires, a single Weber 36DCR carburetor, Maserati spark plugs, and a full tool kit. In 1952, this A6 was acquired by an American expatriate, Edwin Henry Morris, who later imported it to the United States.

Since arriving in the U.S., this A6 spent time in California and benefited from a comprehensive restoration by the late renowned Maserati expert Claudio Zampolli. His attention to detail ensured the car retained its authentic character while elevating it to concours standards.

Next the car passed through the hands of a Japanese enthusiast, who took the car on the 2011 edition of the Mille Miglia Storica.

The A6 1500 then returned to the United States in 2014, joining an East Coast collection before being acquired by its current owner. During its latest ownership, the Maserati continued to be exercised as intended, completing in the 2016 Mille Miglia, the Colorado Grand and Copperstate 1000. Demonstrating that “Swiss Army knife” ability, it was also shown at the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance and the 2023 Chattanooga Concours d’Elegance, where it earned a Best-in-Class award.

Driving one of these classic Maserati A6 1500s is an amazing experience. Unlike many Italian cars, the driving position is quite normal; the only tricky thing is figuring out what the mostly unmarked switches on the dash do. The rest is typical classic sports car: a nice five-speed gearbox, a responsive engine, and some of the most wonderful-looking gauges ever used in an automobile.

This A6 1500 features period-correct rich red paintwork over Blood Red upholstery and still retains its original numbers-matching inline six-cylinder engine, which is currently fitted with the desirable triple-Weber carburetor setup and a synchronized five-speed gearbox instead of the standard non-synchronized five-speed – upgrades that greatly improve both drivability and performance. Happily – and importantly – this A6 is being sold with its original gearbox and single-carburetor arrangement, ensuring the car can be both enjoyed as-is or returned to factory specification.

This A6 is FIVA-registered, carrying both its FIVA Identity Card and Registro 1000 Miglia certification, offering its next owner an open invitation to the world’s most prestigious historic motoring events. Its history – from Rome and Modena to the California coast and the Mille Miglia – is quite special and makes this A6 1500 a virtual time machine back to the classic era of high-end sports cars. At the asking price of $395,000, I honestly think this 1950 Maserati A6/1500 is a veritable bargain for a ticket to wherever you might want to go in the collector car hobby.

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