mod@tech

Every once in a while, a car comes along that stands out among similar (if not all) vehicles. It has everything going for it: color, engine, and options. Sometimes it may have something unusual that gives it distinction even if it didn’t have the “right” option mix. This 1971 Ford Mustang Mach I checks all those boxes and maybe more. It is slated to hit the block with No Reserve at the Barrett-Jackson 2025 Scottsdale Fall Auction October 15-18.

Let’s start with the big picture: This Mustang is a Mach I SportsRoof, Ford’s sporty Mustang fastback. Though in standard form it was hardly a screamer (a 302 two-barrel was included), the Mach I started to get interesting with the 351 four-barrel. If that was not enough horsepower and you had enough wampum to step up, there was only one way to go: 429 Cobra Jet. Introduced in 1970, it arrived for the Mustang with the car’s 1971 redesign. The 429 was the replacement for the 428 Cobra Jet and was rated at 370 horsepower, but everyone knew that was underrated.

Like in 1969-70, Ford offered the Cobra Jet in two versions: one without ram air, the other with. In the case of the 1971 Mustang, a new air induction system was implemented—gone was the novel Shaker hood scoop, to be replaced by aeronautics-inspired NASA scoops. If you’re going by the engine code in the VIN, the Cobra Jet without ram air was a C-code; the same engine with ram air was a J-code.

Though identical otherwise, Ford specified different standard gearing for the two Cobra Jets, with 3.25 for the C-code and 3.50 for the J-code. If neither was adequate in squeezing out every last ounce of horsepower, the Drag Pack was available, featuring upgraded engine hardware, an external oil cooler, and 3.91 Traction-Lok or 4.11 Detroit Locker rears.

A J-code Mach I is a beefy performance car—a great way to end the high-compression era with a bang-shift. But this Mach I has something going for it that makes it stand out from all the others out there. First, look at the color combination. Grabber Yellow is nothing remarkable in the world of Mustangs, but it’s not often paired with a red interior. Only one person saw fit to specify this combination for a Mach I. It sears the eyes in ways you’ve likely never seen.

Additionally, check out that vinyl top. Ford initially offered, then cancelled, a canopy vinyl top for SportsRoofs, but full vinyl tops were a dealer-installed thing, which is why seeing this may make you dig deep into the recesses of your mind trying to identify why this car looks different than others you’ve seen.

Aside from the true 1-of-1 exterior/interior distinction, this 1971 Mustang Mach I was originally ordered with body side tape stripes, Traction-Lok with 3.25 gears, power steering, power front disc brakes, a Sport Deck rear seat, Selectaire air conditioning, an AM radio, a console, tinted glass, Magnum 500 wheels wrapped in F60x15 Wide Ovals, and the J-code 429 backed by the C-6 Select Shift automatic, all of which make for a nice Mach I beyond the funky paint job and vinyl top.

A lot of cars claim to be 1-of-1, but you have to drill them down by option upon option to the point that every car seems to be 1-of-1. In contrast, this 1971 Ford Mustang Mach I drills down to the one-and-only immediately, giving it much more gravitas among Mustangs and other muscle cars. It’s ready to appear in your garage, but only when you’re the high bidder at the one-and-only Barrett-Jackson 2025 Scottsdale Fall Auction, which takes place October 15-18.

Tom Matano, the man credited for being the father of the Mazda Miata, passed away on September 20 at the age of 77. His career in automotive design helped shape some of the industry’s most iconic machines—not just at Mazda, but also at General Motors, BMW, and Volvo.

Matano’s design for the Miata was an undisputed home run, and that car will forever hold its place in automotive history: the first-generation “NA” chassis MX-5 sold nearly 230,000 examples in the United States alone between 1989-97. In 2000, the Guinness Book of World Records named the Miata as the best-selling two-seat sports car in history. The MX-5 has since evolved through three subsequent generations and still holds a key place in the Mazda lineup today. It was thanks to Matano’s influence that the brand’s “Zoom-Zoom” slogan took deeper meaning. After all, the Miata was—and is—all about the joy of driving.

Matano was born in Nagasaki, Japan, in 1947 and graduated from Seikei University. He worked on many enthusiast-favorite Mazdas, including the “FD” RX-7, MX-6, and MX-3. His career at Mazda first started in 1983 when he became Chief Designer for the North American operations. Subsequent roles included Executive Vice President of Western Operations and General Manager of Mazda design. Following retirement in 2002, he remained active in the automotive community. One of his roles was serving as the Executive Director for the School of Industrial Design at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. He also frequently appeared at enthusiast events, including an appearance at the Japanese Classic Car Show in 2024.

This video of an interview with Matano at the New York Auto Show in 2014 captures his charismatic personality. He said, “We tap into the relationship between a car and a driver.” He also said, “I knew this would be a success, but never thought of this continued passion of the people. I’m still amazed at the smile on their faces. That’s the moment I love most.”

Matano will surely still enjoy seeing the smiles on people’s faces for the years and decades to come. The world has lost an automotive legend, but his memory will live on among sports car enthusiasts indefinitely.

Right now on AutoHunter, you can find this 40,123-mile 2002 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am WS6 Convertible, which is powered by an LS1 5.7-liter V8 connected to a Ram Air Induction System and a four-speed automatic. Finished in Arctic White with a black power convertible top over an Ebony Prado leather interior, this final-year Trans Am is now offered by the selling dealer in Montana with a three-piece tonneau cover and its storage bag, clean CARFAX report, and clear title.

The Arctic White exterior features fog lamps, pop-up headlights, hood scoops for the Ram Air Induction System, power mirrors with body-color caps, power-operated black soft top with a heated glass rear window, rear spoiler, and dual exhaust outlets.

All that power under the aggressive-looking hood reaches the pavement through a set of polished 17 x 9-inch cast aluminum wheels and 275/40 Toyo Extensa HP II tires.

The cockpit is furnished with Ebony Prado leather seating with perforated inserts for the power-adjustable front buckets. Other features include power locks and windows, cruise control, tilt steering column, audio controls on the steering wheel, air conditioning, Monsoon AM/FM/CD sound system with trunk-mounted 12-disc CD changer, and center console.

Instrumentation consists of a 155-mph speedometer, 7,000-rpm tachometer, and temperature, oil pressure, voltage, and fuel gauges. The digital odometer shows 40,123 miles, a figure slightly above the CARFAX report’s latest reading of 39,195 miles from July 2025.

Under the hood is a Ram Air-fed LS1 5.7-liter V8 that was factory-rated at 325 horsepower and 350 lb-ft of torque. A four-speed automatic and a 3.23:1 rear end deliver that output to the road.

The WS6 Performance and Handling Package adds specially tuned suspension hardware, which works in conjunction with the four-wheel anti-lock power disc brakes to keep this Trans Am’s rubber on the road.

If you want this this 2002 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am WS6 Convertible to be on the road to your house, bid on it now. The auction ends on Thursday, October 2, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. (PDT).

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and a photo gallery

Hopped-up roadsters from the 1930s are standout symbols American hot-rodding culture. And nothing says “hot rod” like a flame-inspired paint scheme. The Pick of the Day is a 1933 Ford Roadster listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in Casa Grande, Arizona.

The listing begins, “Fabricated by the best craftsmen in the business, this roadster is a masterpiece. Roy Brizio built the chassis and is responsible for the gorgeous body, three-piece hood, louvers, and extensive aluminum work.”

People have been painting flames on cars for upwards of 90 years—originally incorporating them as references to racing engines and, later, inspired from World War I and World War II aircraft. By the 1940s and 1950s, the trend had gained widespread popularity. Even today, flames are used in many custom builds, and they can range in design from traditional flames to “ghost” flames (only visible in certain angle/lighting perspectives), tribal flames, and flame-themed pinstripes.

This car has the right kind of powertrain to back up its spicy exterior. Power under the hood comes from a 383ci stroker V8 that has been upgraded with an MSD ignition system and Ron Francis wiring. The car has reportedly accrued 1,900 miles since completion, but the engine bay and undercarriage look brand-new in the images. The seller says, “Engine bay and undercarriage painted to match with polished and chrome brightwork.”

Exterior features for the custom build are based around a 123-inch Brizio chassis with a Gibbons body, and noteworthy characteristics include a Duvall two-piece windshield, three-piece hood, rear-hinged doors, and louvers throughout. Since it was designed as a fair-weather car, it does not have a retractable top, but it does offer plenty of amenities as a parade cruiser or a show/weekend ride.  The passenger compartment features tan leather heated seats, wool carpet, billet dash panel, and full gauges including a column-mounted tachometer.

“This is the epitome of hot rods—guaranteed to draw a crowd and bring home top awards at every show and rod run,” the listing says. The car’s license plate, FLAME33, sums it up well. If you have ever wanted to own a hot rod that will heat up your love for classic American roadsters, this 1933 Ford’s engine is ready to rumble.  

The asking price is $58,000.

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

My family has ancestral roots in Switzerland. More specifically, my great-great-great grandfather, Christian Hugi (modified spelling) was born on November 19, 1842, in Bern. He and his wife Margaret moved to the United States in 1879 and made their home in Utah. He passed away in 1922 at age 79 in the city of Logan, where I was born about 60 years later.

My dad is not typically one to travel internationally, but he was interested in the idea of visiting our “homeland,” so to speak. A few of us packed our bags and headed to Europe to explore in early September. In addition to seeing all the grandeur of Lake Geneva, the Matterhorn, and Zurich, we feasted our eyes on the diverse—and sometimes downright odd—cars that were seen roaming the streets. Spoiler alert: it was station-wagons galore!

Cute little EV Honda

I convinced my family to make a pit-stop at a Honda dealership in Bern, and the first vehicle that caught my eye there was a Honda “e”. The e was never sold in the United States, but it was offered in Europe until just a year or two ago. Classified as a “supermini,” it had design language that looked a little bit like the first-generation, five-door, Honda Civic hatchback.

Power for the e came from a 35.5-kWh lithium-ion battery paired with an electric motor, with Honda rating it at a 220-kilometer (137-mile) range. The e was rear-wheel drive—something unique for a Honda. Perhaps the e’s most distinctive feature (to me anyway) was its camera-based side mirrors. Instead of traditional mirrors, the car featured screens that were fed information from a small camera mounted on each door. It was an odd setup for sure, but it did provide benefits in improving aerodynamics and minimizing wind noise.

In addition to the e, we saw other unfamiliar Honda models, including the e:Ny1 and the ZR-V. Otherwise, the dealership looked just about like any U.S. dealership, complete with a customer lounge, brochure display, paint color samples, and other promotional swag. 

Non-U.S. brands abound

During our several days of driving our rental Audi A6 station wagon, we noticed brands like Cupra (owned by Seat), Opel, Peugeot, Renault, and Skoda. We saw just one Ford truck—a Raptor—an occasional Mustang, and several Jeep Grand Cherokees. But the vast majority of vehicles in Switzerland were European-built and have never left the continent.

It will be interesting to see how the marketplace for cars evolves in the United States in the coming years. For urban city-dwellers who need an easy-to-park compact, something like the Honda e might have done well. Perhaps Honda will rework the formula and send one our way!