mod@tech

Station wagons were the quintessential family-haulers before the sport-utility vehicle boom – and even before minivans got much of a foothold in the market. One of the wagon offerings from General Motors in the 1980s was a rear-wheel-drive Pontiac, like today’s Pick of the Day: a 1984 Pontiac Parisienne Wagon listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a dealer in Lenoir City, Tennessee.

“This car has a clean Carfax with no history of accidents or damage,” the listing begins. “The odometer reading has been documented over the years, and it’s a 64k-original-mile car.” Exterior upgrades include two-tone green and silver paint, new beltline moldings, and staggered 18-inch front and 20-inch rear Ridler wheels.

The Parisienne (a word that refers to a Parisian woman) rode on the General Motors full-sized B-platform when it was sold in the United States from 1983 through 1986. Under its skin (and let’s be honest, even on the surface), it was nearly identical to the Chevrolet Caprice. The car was available as a coupe, sedan, and station wagon — and it could be optioned with a variety of V6 or V8 engines throughout its model run.

One of the magazine advertisements from the era said, “Few cars today can offer you the size, the luxury, and the confidence of the Parisienne.” It went on to say, “The Parisienne is expressly for those who prefer a full-sized formal sedan. It’s luxury, the way Pontiac defines it — distinctively styled, richly detailed, and gracefully confident on the open road.”

With that kind of description, it’s no wonder Pontiac chose an elegant name like Parisienne for the car. In line with the luxurious objective, the interior of this example is upholstered in gray cloth and looks to be clean for the car’s age. Both of the rear rows of seating are capable of folding flat for maximum cargo space. Niceties for the time include woodgrain trim, power windows, power door locks, a tilt wheel, and factory air conditioning. The selling dealer notes that the carpet and headliner are in good shape.

Power for the car comes from a four-barrel-carbureted 5.0-liter V8 mated to an automatic transmission. The seller says, “The steering is responsive, the engine runs excellently, and the transmission shifts smoothly. If you’re in the market for a nice cruiser wagon, then you don’t want to miss this one.”

Few people bought station wagons with the intent of preserving them long-term, but somehow, this Parisienne Wagon looks fabulous at age 42.

The asking price is $15,995.

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

I love a pristine show car just as much as anyone else, but there is something charming about a vehicle that’s been used up and put out to pasture yet remains awaiting some restoration love. That’s part of why I enjoy my trips to salvage yards like Desert Valley Auto Parts.

The fourth-generation Oldsmobile Cutlass debuted in 1973 on General Motors’ so-called “Colonnade” A-body platform. It was a front-engined, rear-wheel-drive car and was available as a coupe, sedan, or station wagon. Sales-wise, it was a heavy hitter for the brand, moving over 380,000 units in that initial model year and concluding with over 600,000 for 1977 alone.

One of the magazine advertisements from GM said, “Your friends may think you bought a Cutlass Supreme for looks. But in your heart, you knew it was for Supreme’s practicality.” The ad went on to outline three reasons why the Cutlass was such a practical car:

• Gas mileage: When equipped with the entry-level 231ci V6, the Cutlass was cable of hitting 25 mpg on the highway and 20 mpg in combined city/highway driving. That was an important skill for the time since the oil crisis of the 1970s had put pressure on automakers to improve fuel economy.
• Maneuverability: “Supreme’s maneuverability makes it easy to get around in traffic. Easy to park. Easy on turns. To put it another way, Supreme is just plain fun to drive,” the ad said.
• Resale: Oldsmobile alleged that the Supreme had been returning a higher percentage of its purchase price than any other competitor in the midsize field. By the way, the 1977 Cutlass Supreme had a retail price that could range from about $4,670 to $5,124, depending on options.

One of the vehicles I came across in recent weeks was a friend’s tired, white 1977 Cutlass Supreme Brougham. It had sat in his driveway for a decade or more, and it showed. The car was finished in White (paint code 2058) over a red interior, and it had 25,968 miles on the odometer (which probably meant the car really had 125,000 — or even 225,000 — miles on it).

Even in its abandoned-looking state, the car had a sense of status. The radio had been removed, but the woodgrain trim bezel remained. The red interior had largely faded to pink, and the carpet was closer to white. The dash showed massive cracks consistent with long-term Arizona exposure, and the rearview mirror sat in the passenger footwell for some reason. Miraculously, the headliner was still intact and in nice condition.

Power for the car came from a four-barrel Olds 350ci V8 mated to a Turbo-Hydramatic three-speed automatic transmission. How much work would it take to get this thing running again?

Interestingly enough, one of the reasons the white Cutlass stood out to me was because I saw one at the Barrett-Jackson 2026 Scottsdale Auction in January from the same model year (pictured below). It was a blue “Salon” variant showing just 67,894 miles. For being on the verge of turning 50 years old, it looked exceptional inside and out (unlike the white car that my friend has been letting rot in his driveway).

Do you have any fourth-gen Cutlass history in your automotive past? Do you think of the Cutlass as a desirable collectible car? Share your feedback in the comments!

Seeing a Skyline GT-R is cool enough, but getting an up-close look at this 1996 Nissan Skyline GT-R R33 LM Limited was an even better experience. Nissan created 188 LM Limited special-edition GT-Rs to commemorate its participation in the 1996 24 Hours of Le Mans: 86 like this car and 102 in V-Spec trim, all of which wore Champion Blue paint. In addition to its N1 front bumper ducts, front spoiler, and carbon fiber rear wing, this all-wheel-drive road rocket features several upgrades.

The RB26DETT twin-turbo 2.6-liter I6 is equipped with performance parts from HKS, which include the boost controller, turbo timer, intake, and Hi-Power cat-back exhaust. The suspension received R34 GT-R front lower control arms and Tein Flex Z coilovers. All of those enhancements make a rare car that much more special – and caused someone to pay $105,600 for it at the Barrett-Jackson 2024 Palm Beach Auction.

Currently listed on AutoHunter is this restored 1953 Buick Special Tourback Sedan. As Buick’s cheapest model and bodystyle, the Model 48D Special Tourback Sedan gave eight-cylinder performance at a price point that was agreeable to many. Powering this two-door sedan is Buick’s Fireball straight-eight backed by a three-speed manual transmission. Other features include tinted windows, driver-side chrome mirror, Cragar mags, Moog springs, and more. Painted turquoise over a multi-colored cloth interior, this 1950s cruiser is offered by the seller with books, full-size spare, and a clear title.

The turquoise exterior is complemented by generous flourishes of chrome, from the classic Buick spear and gunsight hood ornament to the Ventiports. Other features include chrome driver-side mirror, chrome gas door guard, and tinted windows. A set of 15-inch Cragar mags are wrapped in 235/70 Cooper Cobra radials.

The cabin features bench seats front and rear, both wrapped in multi-colored cloth. The steering is manual, as is the column-mounted transmission shifter. There is a factory-style Sonomatic AM radio, though it’s currently not operational.

Instrumentation consists of a 110-mph speedometer with gauges for the oil pressure, coolant temperature, amperage, and fuel. The odometer currently shows 63,257 miles, though the title reads mileage-exempt.

The 263.3ci Fireball straight-eight was originally rated at 125 horsepower with a two-barrel carburetor. This Buick was originally built with the standard three-speed manual versus the much more common Dynaflow automatic. Other under-hood features include an oil bath air cleaner and electric fuel pump.

The undercarriage features an independent front suspension and solid rear axle with the differential housing 3.90 gears. Other features include Moog lowering springs, polyurethane front sway bar end link bushings, and manual drum brakes. A dual exhaust system helps the straight-eight breathe.

Our AutoHunter Spotlight ain’t a ’57 Chevy — it’s something better! Buicks were known as cars with great passing power, and the combination of the straight-eight in Buick’s lightest vehicle can surprise some in the Stoplight Grand Prix. This Arizona-based 1953 Buick Special Tourback Sedan appears to be an easy way to get into a classic that you can drive often, so don’t be caught napping as the auction will end on Friday, February 27, 2026, at 11:15 a.m. (MST).

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and a photo gallery

The single most important car I have ever owned was a Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona. It had been my dream car since I was 13 years old, and owning one was a dream come true. The Daytona completely delivers on the Ferrari experience in every way, but unfortunately they have become much more expensive since I had mine. In addition, the one downside of the Daytona is that it has the heaviest slow-speed steering ever, making parking lot maneuvers a rather serious workout. Happily, there is a car that offers just about everything that the Daytona does, adds power steering, and costs much less. That car is our Pick of the Day, a 1972 Ferrari 365 GTC/4 listed on ClassicCars.com by the Barrett-Jackson Collection Showroom in Scottsdale, Arizona.

The 365GTC/4 styling was penned by Filippo Sapino at Carrozzeria Pininfarina in the first half of 1970. By September of that same year, a prototype had been built and was being tested by Ferrari. Interestingly, there was little said to the press about 365 GTC/4 as a new model prior to its launch.

Ferrari debuted the 365 GTC/4 model at the Geneva Motor Show in March, 1971. It was intended to be more civilized and practical, more in line with the 330 GTC and not a replacement for the old 365 2+2. Having driven a 365GTC/4 on multiple occasions, it is in essence a roomier and more luxurious version of the Daytona.

These are fast cars, sharing the basic DOHC V-12 engine of the Daytona, but with six sidedraft Webers instead of the downdraft ones used on the Daytona. Another change is the gearbox, which is mounted behind the engine instead of being mounted at the rear like on the Daytona. This gave the 365GTC/4 a 49/50 weight distribution front to rear.

The car featured here is one of 505 365GTC/4s built. It is finished in Marrone Colorado (“reddish brown”) over a tan leather interior. The condition of the exterior looks excellent in every way. Some folks haven’t warmed up to the exterior styling of the 365 GTC/4 but, in the right colors (anything but red), these cars can look striking. They have a lot of the DNA of the Daytona but are a bit softer. The side view is especially amazing.

The seller states that this car was owned by its original owner from 1972-2006, something almost unheard of in a classic Ferrari. It is a U.S.-spec example delivered new to Beverly Hills. I love that it rides on Borrani wire wheels, an option that fits this car perfectly. This car includes all books, complete tool kit, and years of service records — something nice to have on any classic V-12 Ferrari.

The 365 GTC/4 is one of the best 1970s Ferraris to take on a long-distance road trip, say from New York to Dallas. These cars were designed to be used as an alternative to air travel for those who would rather drive than fly to a far-off destination. They can literally cruise at 150 mph all day, making them one of the fastest cars of the era.

While I would hesitate to call this classic 1972 Ferrari 365 GTC/4 affordable, it is definitely a pretty serious value at an asking price of $224,900. Currently consigned at the Barrett-Jackson Collection Showroom in Scottsdale, it is still less than half the price of a comparable Daytona while delivering the complete V-12 Ferrari experience.

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

Remember when Volvo was America’s favorite European import? Do you recall how suburban moms drove Volvo wagons for safety and status? A lot has happened since then, including a global recession, new owners (with a move to a new continent), and electrification. In fact, Volvo stopped taking orders for the V60 Cross Country last month, spelling the end of its station wagon. However, Volvo has hinted that the station wagon will be coming back as a Polestar.

It’s a variant of one of four new EV models coming to Polestar through 2028. Here’s the list:

• Polestar 5 debuted at the 2025 Munich Motor Show and should reach dealerships this summer.
• Polestar 2 already exists, but a new-gen version will be introduced early in 2027.
• Polestar 7 is a “compact, premium SUV” that should debut in 2028.
• Polestar 4 is a “coupe crossover” that has been available since the 2024 model year, with the new wagon variant bound to offer more versatility.

“Polestar 4 coupé is our current best-seller. Already by the end of this year, we will launch a new variant of Polestar 4, based on the same great technology,” said Polestar CEO Michael Lohscheller. “With this car, Polestar will once again set new standards. Sweden is famous for its estate cars, and its SUVs are world-class. We are combining the space of an estate and the versatility of an SUV with the dynamic performance that is Polestar.”

Count on the Polestar 4 wagon to be launched later this year, with deliveries starting in the fourth quarter of 2026. Perhaps it’s not the manual transmission turbo wagon you wished for, but it’s a wagon that’s fighting the good fight.

Jeep is waging two campaigns right now. When “Twelve 4 Twelve” concludes later this year, there will be 12 new Wrangler special editions out on the roads and trails. The “Convoy” series focuses on “mission-ready special editions that embody strength, unity and purpose,” such as the stealthy Gladiator Black Ops. The newest addition to Jeep‘s convoy in the 2026 Gladiator Whitecap.

As its name implies, the Whitecap treatment includes a Bright White painted roof, but it also extends to the matching seven-slot grille, 1941 side‑stripe decal, and hood decal (on Rubicon, Rubicon X, Mojave, and Mojave X). Stellantis says the package was inspired by the earliest Jeep vehicles, so that may be why it looks familiar. Or perhaps it’s because December’s Twelve 4 Twelve release was the Wrangler Whitecap (which was reminiscent of the Chief package that Jeep offered on the JK Wrangler in 2017).

Adding the Whiteout trim to the Gladiator Sahara, Rubicon X, or Mojave X will cost $495; ticking the box for it on the Rubicon and Mojave models (when equipped with body‑color fender flares and the body‑color Freedom Top) will set you back the same amount. You can see the two-tone look on 2026 Gladiators in Jeep dealerships starting this spring.

The Roaring Twenties was a decade of modernization and optimism in the United States. Shortly before the stock market crash of late 1929, Ford came out with a successor to its Model T that still garners a collector following nearly 100 years later. One such car is a 1929 Ford Model A Tudor Custom that is listed on AutoHunter by a dealer in Gladstone, Oregon. The auction will end on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, at 12:15 p.m. (MST).

As a bit of backstory, between about 1908 and 1927, the pioneering Ford Model T had sold over 15 million units, making it the highest-selling vehicle in history until later being passed by the Volkswagen Beetle. Imagine being on Ford’s product planning team and trying to come up with a new car that could even come close to filling the shoes the Model T left behind.

That was where the Model A came into play, boasting a 40-horsepower engine (double what the Model T had), as well as conveniences like a three-speed transmission (replacing the complex two-speed planetary), four-wheel brakes, an electric starter, and hydraulic shocks. Oh yeah – and you could get the Model A in a variety of colors besides black, unlike its predecessor.

This burgundy Model A is full of unique upgrades. While the car is still boxy in shape, the chopped top gives it a sleeker, hot-rod stance. The body is said to be all steel (as opposed to fiberglass replacement parts) and the top is covered in an ivory soft material. Exterior features include turn signals, a pop-out windshield, dual side mirrors, dual exhaust outlets, and 15-inch steel wheels with Coker wide-whitewall tires.

The cozy cabin’s later-model bucket seats (as well as the door panels and headliner) have been reupholstered in ivory vinyl with black accent piping. Features include a floor-mounted shifter, a custom headliner, a Grant steering wheel, lap belts, and dashboard pinstriping.

Another attribute that makes this car stand out is its powertrain. In place of the original engine is a Studebaker 232ci flathead V8 mated to a three-speed manual transmission and a 1939 Ford “Quick Change” rear end. Dual two-barrel carburetors and an electric fan help bring it all together for optimal running and driving condition.

So, after all the Model T’s success, did the Model A live up to expectations? In 1929 alone, there were over a dozen body styles available, encompassing closed cars (sedans/coupes), open cars (convertibles), and commercial vehicles. There seemed to be a Model A for everyone, and indeed, it did sell well – at least until the Great Depression hit. Sales for 1929 topped about 1.5 million units.

If you’ve been considering a vintage hot rod with some period-correct character, your chopped-top Tudor has arrived.

The auction for this 1929 Ford Model A Custom ends Tuesday, February 24, 2026, at 12:15 p.m. (MST).

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and a photo gallery