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Gas vs. Electric: These Cars Will Outlive The EV Revolution

Gas-powered engines have been at the forefront of automotive engineering for over 100 years now. But the time has come for technology to change and we’re seeing a rapid shift to electrification. With that being said, there has never been a better time to protect the classic gas-powered cars that we love. Some gas-powered cars , like the Yugo and the Hyundai Excel, were horrible when it came to reliability. Yet there are other vehicles like the Honda Civic and the Toyota Corolla that have spent decades exemplifying reliability.

Even though the future will hold a lot for electric cars, many gas-powered cars will still be on the road. These cars will outlast just about anything else. Gasoline-fueled cars that possess precision engineering will be on the road for quite a while. With a wide availability of aftermarket parts these days, it’s also easier than ever to keep a car on the road. We looked at the gas-powered rides that are going to still be roaming the streets long after EVs take over, so find out which will survive the revolution here.

Photo Credit: Honda Forum

1990 Honda Civic

The early ’90s Civic is a car that you still see on the road today. It was a car that brought Honda into a new era of design and brought with it a new generation of drivers. This Civic was reliable and easy on the eyes. We might even say this Civic was a blast to drive (via Top Speed).

Photo Credit: Honda Forum

The 1990 Honda Civic was the birth of the modern car that we’ve all grown to love. It was comfortable enough to live with and reliable enough to stay on the road for decades at a time. There are very few cars that have broken the type of reliability records that the Civic has. The car just keeps running no matter what and that’s why people love it.

The post Gas vs. Electric: These Cars Will Outlive The EV Revolution appeared first on Motor Junkie.

300,000-Mile Club: The Acura NSX and Sports Cars That Never Say Quit

Sports cars understandably excite the automotive community. However, very few sports cars turn out to be a cheap endeavor. Maintenance and repair costs often add up, which is why not everyone can own one. But there is a selection of sports cars that are beyond reliable. Acura is one automaker that has perfected the sports car, offering a blend of reliability and performance with the NSX and the Integra. Toyota is another automaker that has done the same.

Not everyone wants to spend an arm and a leg to keep something on the road. So we looked at the most reliable sports cars for the money that can potentially surpass 300,000 miles with no problems whatsoever. Vehicle maintenance aside, these are some of the most fun to drive cars on the road because of several reasons. The great thing about a sports car is that it’s a driving experience. Buckle up as we take a look at the NSX and the rest of these reliable sports cars.

Photo Credit: Car Domain

Lexus SC400

The SC400 is the cream of the crop when it comes to beautiful sports cars but it was also one of the most reliable. The SC400 was developed from scratch for the new Lexus brand. The originality of the car helped it stand out from just about everything else on the road in 1992 as a result. The 32-valve 4.0-liter V-8 was one of the best engines that Toyota ever developed and was also extremely reliable (via Car & Driver).

Photo Credit: Hagerty

It’s not uncommon to see an early model SC400 on the market today with over 300,000 miles on the odometer and still going strong due to its sheer reliability. These cars were extremely well-built and packed with performance and sFew sports cars changedhanged the game like the SC400 did when it hit the market. It left a mark on the sports car world and helped solidify Lexus’s reputation for quality.

The post 300,000-Mile Club: The Acura NSX and Sports Cars That Never Say Quit appeared first on Motor Junkie.

No Reserve: 1935 Dodge Pickup Hot Rod

This 1935 Dodge pickup was modified under prior ownership with work that included chopping the top 2.5″, refinishing the truck in satin black over red upholstery, and installing independent front and rear suspension components in addition to a 350ci Chevrolet V8 mated to a 700R4 four-speed automatic transmission and a Positraction differential. Additional equipment includes a four-barrel carburetor, red-painted 15″ steel wheels, power-assisted disc brakes, power steering, fiberglass fenders, multi-color pinstriping, a tilt-out windshield, air conditioning, Stewart-Warner gauges, and a Pioneer head unit. This Dodge hot rod was acquired by the seller in July 2020 and is now offered at no reserve with service records, instruction manuals, a car cover, and a clean California title in the seller’s name.

The cab was chopped 2.5″ and fiberglass fenders were installed before the truck was refinished in satin black under prior ownership. Exterior features include multi-color accent pinstriping, running boards, a tilt-out windshield, side mirrors, louvered hood panels, and a Ram hood ornament.

Red-painted 15″ steel wheels wear Chevrolet hubcaps and bright trim rings along with 205/60 Doral SDL tires up front and 275/60 Hankook Kinergy tires out back. The truck is equipped with Mustang II independent front suspension components as well as an independent rear suspension setup said to have been sourced from a 1965 Corvette. Additional equipment includes power steering along with power-assisted disc brakes.

The pickup bed has been tubbed to accommodate the rear tires. Lifting the cargo-floor mat reveals spaced-out wood flooring plus access to the battery as well as the filling tube for the 16-gallon aluminum fuel tank.

The bench seat, door panels, and headliner were reupholstered in red under prior ownership. Additional appointments include air conditioning, tilt steering, a floor-mounted gear selector, three-point seatbelts, a dome light, and an overhead-mounted Pioneer stereo. The truck was rewired under prior ownership using a harness sourced from EZ Wiring.

The leather-wrapped banjo-style steering wheel fronts a bright dash bezel housing Stewart-Warner gauges including a 160-mph speedometer, an 8k-rpm tachometer, and auxiliary readouts for fuel level, voltage, oil pressure, and coolant temperature. The five-digit mechanical odometer shows 22k miles, approximately 1,100 of which have been added under current ownership. Total chassis mileage is unknown.

The 350ci Chevrolet V8 crate engine was installed under prior ownership and is equipped with a four-barrel carburetor, tubular headers, Billet Specialties accessory-drive pulleys, and finned valve covers. The radiator is assisted by a belt-driven electric fan.

Power is sent to the rear wheels via a rebuilt 700R4 four-speed automatic transmission and a Positraction differential. The seller notes that the frame was reinforced as part of the refurbishment. Additional underside images are provided in the gallery below.

The plaque shown above lists the sequence 9322603, which is also stamped into the frame and listed on the California title.

Service records and instruction manuals will accompany the vehicle.

No Reserve: Ford Phaeton Street Rod “Tom’s Tub II”

This custom street rod was built by Tom McMullen in 1982 utilizing a fiberglass Ford phaeton-style body from Wescott. Nicknamed “Tom’s Tub II,” the car was used in the 1984 music video for Van Halen’s “Hot for Teacher” and was acquired by the seller, the Petersen Automotive Museum, around six years ago. Power comes from a 350ci Chevrolet V8 equipped with a supercharger and dual carburetors. The car rides on a reinforced frame and is also equipped with a Doug Nash five-speed manual transmission, front disc brakes, adjustable rear coilovers, and slotted alloy wheels. The interior is trimmed in brown cloth upholstery with red accents and features a Lecarra steering wheel, VDO instrumentation, and a JVC cassette stereo. Work performed in preparation for the sale included replacing the radiator and changing the oil. The car is being offered at no reserve with a clean California title listing it as a special construction vehicle.

The fiberglass Wescott phaeton body is finished in yellow with orange, red, and maroon side graphics as well as pin striping on the grille shell, cowl, and rear bodywork. Exterior details include a chopped windscreen, removable soft top, quad exhaust outlets, and a rear ball hitch. Various paint imperfections are shown up close in the gallery below, and a hood top is included in the sale.

Five-slot wheels wear faux knock-off spinners and are mounted with older BFGoodrich tires. Braking is via front discs and rear drums. The car features adjustable rear coilovers and chromed suspension components, including a dropped front axle.

The cabin houses two rows of bench seats trimmed in brown fabric with red stripes and matching door panels. Red carpeting lines the floors, and an analog clock and JVC cassette stereo are mounted in the dash.

The Lecarra steering wheel sits ahead of a body-color dashboard accented by blue and red pinstripes. VDO instrumentation includes an 85-mph speedometer and 7k-rpm tachometer as well as gauges for boost, vacuum, temperature, voltage, and fuel level. The five-digit odometer shows under 11k miles.

The engine bay houses a 350ci Chevrolet V8 topped by a supercharger and dual carburetors. The firewall has a mirror finish, and an aluminum radiator with an electric fan was installed in preparation for the sale. An oil change was also performed at that time.

The frame features tubular reinforcement, and power is sent to the rear wheels via a Doug Nash five-speed manual transmission.

The car is titled as a “0000 SPCNS” using the California-assigned replacement identification number TM7149987274.

541-Powered Willys Street Rod

This street rod was acquired by the seller in 2011 and was subsequently the subject of a street-rod build utilizing a fiberglass Willys-style coupe body and a custom chassis. Power comes from a 541ci Ford Boss V8 linked with a TCI Super Street Fighter C6 three-speed automatic transmission and a 9″ rear axle, and the car is finished in blue over black upholstery. Features include rack-and-pinion steering, a four-link rear suspension setup, tubular front upper and lower control arms, four-wheel disc brakes, QA1 adjustable coilovers, and Weld Racing wheels as well as a bolt-in roll bar, AutoMeter instrumentation, power windows, electronic door poppers, Procar bucket seats, G-Force harnesses, and a trunk-mounted fuel cell. Registered as a 1941 Willys Car, this street rod is now offered in Canada with build records and a Saskatchewan registration document.

The Willys-style fiberglass body is modeled after a 1941 Americar and is said to have been sourced from Outlaw Racing. The exterior is finished in House of Kolor Cobalt Blue and features include a molded hood scoop, a tilting front end, a billet grille, a power-actuated decklid, rear-hinged doors, shaved door handles, body-color mirrors, and rectangular side exhaust outlets.

Staggered Weld Racing aluminum wheels are mounted with Mickey Thompson tires. The boxed frame has been fitted with rack-and-pinion steering, a four-link rear suspension, tubular front upper and lower control arms, and QA1 adjustable coilovers. Braking is handled by four-wheel discs with a Wilwood master cylinder, Wilwood front calipers, and SSBC rear calipers.

The cabin features Procar bolstered bucket seats trimmed in black upholstery. Equipment includes a body-color dashboard, a bolt-in roll bar, a Ron Francis wiring harness, power windows, electronic door poppers, and G-Force racing harnesses. An aluminum fuel cell and battery are mounted in the trunk.

The leather-wrapped steering wheel is mounted to a tilting column and frames an AutoMeter Carbon Fiber Ultra-Lite 160-mph speedometer, a tachometer, and auxiliary gauges. The digital odometer indicates 5 miles. Total mileage is unknown.

The Boss 429-based 541ci V8 was built with components from Jon Kaase Racing and utilizes a SCAT stroker rotating assembly, a COMP Cams camshaft, Diamond pistons, and a Jon Kaase Racing intake manifold, rocker arms, and cylinder heads. Additional equipment includes an 1150-cfm Quick Fuel four-barrel carburetor, a Moroso electric water pump, custom stainless steel tubular exhaust headers, and MSD electronic ignition components. An aluminum radiator with dual electric cooling fans has been installed.

Power is sent to the rear wheels through a TCI Super Street Fighter C6 three-speed automatic transmission and a 9″ rear axle with 3.60:1 gears. According to the seller, a Hughes 3000-rpm stall converter, an aluminum driveshaft, a NASCAR-style center section, and Strange 31-spline axles have been installed.

The replacement serial number tag reads W158AK5743, which corresponds with the VIN listed on the Saskatchewan registration. The factory-issued VIN tag is not present, and the Saskatchewan registration lists the car as a 1941 Willys Car.

Build records are shown in the gallery.

The car does not have a title, as it is registered in a province that does not issue titles for vehicles. It is being sold on its Saskatchewan registration.

AutoHunter Spotlight: 1980 Chevrolet K30 Pickup

Featured on AutoHunter, the online auction platform driven by ClassicCars.com, is this 1980 Chevrolet K30 4×4 Pickup.

Front bench seats are largely a thing of the past, which means that being able to comfortably accommodate six people inside a traditional car or truck interior is not an easy task. That’s where this vintage square body C/K-Series truck presents a compelling case. Finished in metallic blue and optioned with a four-inch suspension lift, power steering, and newer wheels and tires, this six-passenger, one-ton, crew-cab truck is being sold by a dealer in Oregon with a clear title.

For being over 40 years old, this truck doesn’t look it. The metallic blue exterior was resprayed within the last few months and the overall body appears to be straight. One of the unique features of trucks from this era – from other pickup brands, too – was a dual-fuel-tank setup. Each tank holds 16 gallons, so with a total capacity of 32 gallons, this truck has respectable driving range even with a V8 powerplant. Completing the exterior look is a four-inch suspension lift, a set of polished aluminum wheels, and newer all-terrain tires.

This truck comes from the third generation of General Motors’ C/K Series, which first launched 50 years ago in 1973. Versatility was the name of the game, and pickups could be optioned in two-door and four-door variants with shortbed, longbed, two-wheel-drive, and four-wheel drive configurations. This crew-cab is among the longest of trucks built during the time, combining both a four-door body style and an eight-foot-long cargo bed.

The interior of the cab is spacious and well-appointed, boasting newly-reupholstered blue vinyl and plaid cloth bench seats for three passengers up front and three in the rear. Options include power steering, an AM/FM/cassette radio, and a heater. The five-digit mechanical odometer shows about 21,000 miles, but true mileage is unknown. Worth noting: this truck came from one model year before 17-digit VIN standardization across all automakers, so CARFAX reports do not deliver data from cars and trucks that were built for the 1980 model year or prior.

Power for this big rig comes from Chevrolet’s robust 350cid small-block V8 mated to a four-speed manual transmission and a dual-range transfer case.

The auction for this 1980 Chevrolet K30 ends September 6, 2023, at 12:50 p.m. (PDT)

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and photo gallery

AutoHunter Spotlight: 1980 Chevrolet K30 Pickup

Featured on AutoHunter, the online auction platform driven by ClassicCars.com, is this 1980 Chevrolet K30 4×4 Pickup.

Front bench seats are largely a thing of the past, which means that being able to comfortably accommodate six people inside a traditional car or truck interior is not an easy task. That’s where this vintage square body C/K-Series truck presents a compelling case. Finished in metallic blue and optioned with a four-inch suspension lift, power steering, and newer wheels and tires, this six-passenger, one-ton, crew-cab truck is being sold by a dealer in Oregon with a clear title.

For being over 40 years old, this truck doesn’t look it. The metallic blue exterior was resprayed within the last few months and the overall body appears to be straight. One of the unique features of trucks from this era – from other pickup brands, too – was a dual-fuel-tank setup. Each tank holds 16 gallons, so with a total capacity of 32 gallons, this truck has respectable driving range even with a V8 powerplant. Completing the exterior look is a four-inch suspension lift, a set of polished aluminum wheels, and newer all-terrain tires.

This truck comes from the third generation of General Motors’ C/K Series, which first launched 50 years ago in 1973. Versatility was the name of the game, and pickups could be optioned in two-door and four-door variants with shortbed, longbed, two-wheel-drive, and four-wheel drive configurations. This crew-cab is among the longest of trucks built during the time, combining both a four-door body style and an eight-foot-long cargo bed.

The interior of the cab is spacious and well-appointed, boasting newly-reupholstered blue vinyl and plaid cloth bench seats for three passengers up front and three in the rear. Options include power steering, an AM/FM/cassette radio, and a heater. The five-digit mechanical odometer shows about 21,000 miles, but true mileage is unknown. Worth noting: this truck came from one model year before 17-digit VIN standardization across all automakers, so CARFAX reports do not deliver data from cars and trucks that were built for the 1980 model year or prior.

Power for this big rig comes from Chevrolet’s robust 350cid small-block V8 mated to a four-speed manual transmission and a dual-range transfer case.

The auction for this 1980 Chevrolet K30 ends September 6, 2023, at 12:50 p.m. (PDT)

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and photo gallery

Pick of the Day: 1965 Amphicar Model 770

Who’s ready to go for a swim? Now here’s something you don’t see every day. I’ve been wanting to write about one of these for so long, and now I finally get the chance.

The Pick of the Day is a 1965 Amphicar Model 770 listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in Lake Havasu City, Arizona. (Click the link to view the listing)

“Rare to find in this condition,” the listing states. “I have owned this car 20 years. Excellent condition, does great in the lake.”

The Amphicar was produced in West Germany and sold from model years 1961 through 1968. There were a total of 3,878 units manufactured, and this is one of those cars. The claim to fame for this car is of course that it can function as either an automobile or as a boat.

The engineering for the Amphicar is rather fascinating: Power comes from a rear-mounted, Triumph-produced 1,147cc inline-four mated to a four-speed manual transmission spinning the rear wheels. There are also two propellers at the rear capable of either forward or reverse direction. When submerged, the car is capable of going seven knots (or eight miles per hour), and it maxes out at roughly 70 miles per hour on land. Owners say that it cruises comfortably at 65 on the highway.

One thing that becomes a little tricky for first-timers: The “land” brakes of course do not work in the water. The only way to slow down an Amphicar in the water is to put the propellers into reverse. Because the car is capable of simultaneously driving the rear tires as well as the rear propellers, it can effectively drive itself up out of a waterway. Worth noting: According to service instructions, there were reportedly over a dozen areas of the chassis that required lubrication after submersion.

This nicely presented Amphicar has a clever “IFLOAT2” Arizona license plate. There were four colors available: Regatta Red, Lagoon Blue, Beach Sand White, and Fjord Green. The white exterior on this car was recently restored. “I just had it professionally painted which took a year,” the seller says.

Included in the listing is a video of the vehicle in action along with a photo of the car in the water.

Today, even about 60 years after Amphicar production, there is tight-knit community of owners and enthusiasts called the International Amphicar Owners Club (IAOC).  It is run entirely by volunteers and contains an informative and entertaining Frequently Asked Questions section.

The asking price is $89,500 or best offer for this unique multi-purpose vehicle.

To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.

Pick of the Day: 1965 Amphicar Model 770

Who’s ready to go for a swim? Now here’s something you don’t see every day. I’ve been wanting to write about one of these for so long, and now I finally get the chance.

The Pick of the Day is a 1965 Amphicar Model 770 listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in Lake Havasu City, Arizona. (Click the link to view the listing)

“Rare to find in this condition,” the listing states. “I have owned this car 20 years. Excellent condition, does great in the lake.”

The Amphicar was produced in West Germany and sold from model years 1961 through 1968. There were a total of 3,878 units manufactured, and this is one of those cars. The claim to fame for this car is of course that it can function as either an automobile or as a boat.

The engineering for the Amphicar is rather fascinating: Power comes from a rear-mounted, Triumph-produced 1,147cc inline-four mated to a four-speed manual transmission spinning the rear wheels. There are also two propellers at the rear capable of either forward or reverse direction. When submerged, the car is capable of going seven knots (or eight miles per hour), and it maxes out at roughly 70 miles per hour on land. Owners say that it cruises comfortably at 65 on the highway.

One thing that becomes a little tricky for first-timers: The “land” brakes of course do not work in the water. The only way to slow down an Amphicar in the water is to put the propellers into reverse. Because the car is capable of simultaneously driving the rear tires as well as the rear propellers, it can effectively drive itself up out of a waterway. Worth noting: According to service instructions, there were reportedly over a dozen areas of the chassis that required lubrication after submersion.

This nicely presented Amphicar has a clever “IFLOAT2” Arizona license plate. There were four colors available: Regatta Red, Lagoon Blue, Beach Sand White, and Fjord Green. The white exterior on this car was recently restored. “I just had it professionally painted which took a year,” the seller says.

Included in the listing is a video of the vehicle in action along with a photo of the car in the water.

Today, even about 60 years after Amphicar production, there is tight-knit community of owners and enthusiasts called the International Amphicar Owners Club (IAOC).  It is run entirely by volunteers and contains an informative and entertaining Frequently Asked Questions section.

The asking price is $89,500 or best offer for this unique multi-purpose vehicle.

To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.

AutoHunter Spotlight: 1968 Ford Mustang California Special

Featured on AutoHunter, the online auction platform driven by ClassicCars.com, is this restored 1968 Mustang California Special. This Ford is powered by a 289cid V8 backed by a C4 automatic transmission. Features include special GT/CCS stripes and emblems, fiberglass trunk lid and non-functional rear quarter extensions, Classic Auto Air climate control system, and more. Finished in Presidential Blue with white stripes over two-tone Aqua vinyl interior, this Mustang (which is listed in the California Special Registry) comes with a Marti Report, engine rebuild receipts and pictures, and clear title in the seller’s name.

Only 3,867 California Special Mustangs were produced for the 1968 model year for Ford’s western region (plus there were an additional 251 earmarked as the High Country Special for the Denver district). The Presidential Blue (code X) exterior is accented by white GT/CS stripes. Features include Lucas fog lights, special black grille, chrome hood locks, dual side mirrors, non-functional fiberglass Shelby-style rear quarter extensions, and Shelby sequential taillights, among other items.

A set of 14-inch Styled Steel Wheels with trim rings and GT center caps is wrapped in 215/70R14 Cooper Cobra Radial G/T tires.

The interior has been upgraded from the standard “2B” standard Blue buckets to “2K” two-tone Aqua. Features include Deluxe steering wheel, power steering, floor-mounted transmission shifter, Classic Auto Air climate control system, AM radio, and NOS kick panels.

The instrument panel includes a 120-mph speedometer and gauges for the fuel level, alternator, oil pressure, and coolant temperature. The odometer reads 143,609 miles, though it’s currently inoperative.

Power is provided by a rebuilt 289cid V8 bored 30 over and topped by a Holley Street Avenger two-barrel. The engine is reportedly original, as is the rebuilt C4 three-speed automatic transmission. The seller states that most of the engine and underhood components feature NOS parts.

This Mustang was factory-equipped with an independent front suspension and a solid rear-drive axle. Braking is provided by power front discs and rear drums. Less than a decade ago, new steering components, front disc brakes, and suspension parts front and rear were installed. A new dual exhaust system, rear brakes, and brake lines were added in 2020.

The auction for this 1968 Ford Mustang California Special ends Wednesday, September 6, 2023, at 12:40 p.m. (PDT)

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and photo gallery