mod@tech

March 8^th is recognized as International Women’s Day around the world. We take this day to honor women’s accomplishments and contributions to society while also bringing attention to the issues and disparity women continue to face. We at the ClassicCars.com Journal want to recognize and remember the women who have been (and continue to be) part of the automotive world. Women have been pioneers, inventors, drivers and executives in transportation innovation throughout history. Here are some women and their accomplishments.

Bertha Benz

Not only was Bertha the wife of Karl Benz, but she also played an essential role in the early development of the automobile. In 1888, she made the first long-distance automotive excursion (or, as we say today, “road trip”) by driving 65 miles in her husband’s Benz Patent-Motorwagen vehicle with her two teenage sons.

Denise McCluggage

A trailblazing journalist and race car driver in the 1950s and 1960s, Denise participated in sports car and rally competitions, and became the first female winner of a significant sports car race. She began racing after meeting Briggs Cunningham, builder of the first American cars in Le Mans. She also worked as a journalist for various outlets and helped launch the magazine which would become AutoWeek.

Lyn St. James

Lyn is a former race car driver who participated in the Indianapolis 500 seven times. She was voted Rookie of the Year in 1992 and became the second woman to qualify for the race. She has been a role model for many women aspiring to become race car drivers, breaking barriers and challenging the stereotypes of women in the sport. In 2022 she was inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame.

Mary Barra

In 2014 Mary became CEO of General Motors, making her the first woman to run a major multinational automaker. She has been a part of GM since 1980 and has served in various executive capacities with the company.

Margie Petersen

To honor her late husband, publisher Robert E. Petersen, Margie founded the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles. It houses more than 300 vintage and collector cars in its collection. Her museum has become a vacation destination for many and has helped create a space that celebrates and preserves automotive history.

Alice Ramsey 

Alice has a few claims to fame in the automotive world: she was the first woman to drive coast-to-coast in 1909, as well as the first woman to be inaugurated into the Automotive Hall of Fame in 2000. Coast-to-coast at that time meant 150 or so miles of the 3,600 driven was on pavement. She went on to complete this journey 30 more times.

Dorothee Pullinger

The daughter of the early auto designer Thomas Pullinger, Dorothee was interested in engineering her whole life. In 1910, she joined her father at Arrol-Johnston, the oldest and largest Scottish car manufacturer at that time. After WWI, she became the director of Galloway Motors Ltd. and helped produce the Galloway car for Arrol-Johnston, which was the first car designed especially for women. Dorothee was also an enthusiastic racer and won the cup in the Scottish Six Day Car Trials in 1924. The only Galloway car available for publish view in the UK is on display at the Riverside Museum in Glasgow.

The above women are but a few examples of the role models for upcoming generations of women automotive professionals. Their contributions to the automotive industry have been significant, and we celebrate them on this International Women’s Day. We must continue to recognize the accomplishments of women and advocate for gender equality in all industries. Together, we can create a more equitable and just world for all.

During the Future Collector Car Show at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale, The ClassicCars.com Journal’s very own Tyson Hugie met up with the AutoHunter Cinema team to do a deep dive on this 1999 Acura NSX Zanardi Edition. This edition was a lightweight version of the NSX produced only for 1999 and limited to 51 examples. The car was inspired by Alex Zanardi, a racer who won back-to-back championships in the CART open wheel series driving Honda-powered machines. All Zanardi Editions were finished in Formula Red and featured a fixed roof which, along with lightweight BBS wheels, and lighter spoiler battery, single-pane rear window, and unassisted rack-and-pinion steering, contributed to a weight savings of 149 pounds.

The last time I visited Paris was at the end of 2005 when the city was experiencing youth riots. I have always enjoyed the city because kiosks gave me an opportunity to find good automotive reading material. In particular, I enjoy new car yearbooks and classic car periodicals, and the French had a good magazine scene. Two of the titles I picked up were “Gazoline” and “Automobilia.” The latter in particular was your basic classic car magazine, but the inside cover showed special issues on automotive retrospectives focused on one model year per issue.

Hors-Serie Automobilia was listed at the top, with the title Toutes Les Voitures Francaises and a model year. I know practically no French other than sacre bleu and Johnny Hallyday n’était pas Elvis so the cover meant little to me other than the model year but now, 17+ years later, I have Google Translate to tell me it means “Automobilia [magazine] Special-Edition” and “All French Cars.”

Of course, a few days in Paris would never give me the opportunity to order back issues and have them sent to the hotel, and having them sent to the U.S. would have been cost-prohibitive. I went home satisfied my American magazine subscription would keep me entertained.

Maybe six years later, I found four issues of Hors-Serie Automobilia on eBay from an American seller. What luck! And when I received the issues, I discovered they were as good as I had hoped. Soon after, I even managed to find an American eBayer selling a single issue, but I felt his price was quite high after spending perhaps a third for the issues I already had. I moved on and then, when I noticed it sold, I had that empty feeling of losing something within reach.

Over time, I set up an email response on eBay so that any time someone had an auction with the words “Hors-Serie Automobilia,” I would receive an email alert. However, eBay’s email response is not dependable, so the magazine hasn’t been on my radar for awhile … until recently. A chance encounter with a French guy at Burbank, California’s Autobooks-Aerobooks made me think about the magazines, so I ran a search on eBay.

Could it be true? Are there copies from an American seller? And there are a ton of them! I quickly emailed the seller and asked if he/she could sell them all as one lot, which would make things cheaper for both parties. The planets aligned for me and I scored 25 issues, though included were the four issues I already had. No bother — why make a fuss?

So now I have most of the collection, and with continued patience I will fill the holes. A quick scan on France’s eBay page shows it ain’t gonna happen soon based on the exchange rate and shipping, but that cost is nothing compared to the joy of finding something I’ve thought about off and on since 2005.

Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, perhaps the most prestigious concours event on the East Coast, just happened while you were distracted with life. With classes like Pre-war European Coachwork, American Limited Production, and Fiberglass Dreams, The Amelia brings together unusual vehicles and the usual suspects — automotive enthusiasts. However, one judged class was a portent for something for the future: VW Transporters.

If you pay attention to the hobby and auctions like Barrett-Jackson, you know there is a breed of Volkswagen Type 2 that defies logic in the bids they receive. The rule of thumb is like this: the higher the window count, the higher the bids. If you’re not in-the-know, the lowly Microbus can command six-figure prices in the collector market.

“Few vehicles have been embraced by such a diverse group of admirers and enthusiasts as the beloved Volkswagen Type 2. This year’s display tells the story of VW’s transporter: from the classic passenger bus and transport truck to the ambulance and fire truck,” says Matt Orendac, Vice Chairman of Hagerty’s Concours Group. “The eclectic appeal of the Type 2 makes it the perfect choice for a featured class at The Amelia Concours d’Elegance.”

The Best in Class winner among the VW Transporters at Amelia was a 1951 Deluxe 15-window Transporter owned by Joe Mond of Iowa. Nineteen fifty was the first year of this model in America after an auspicious debut of the Type 1 the year before (only two Beetles were sold in the U.S. in 1949). Horsepower was only 25, which didn’t compare favorably with the 92 horsepower on tap with Chevrolet’s “Stovebolt” six, but clearly the German company had an vision for basic transportation for American consumers.

In addition to the Type 2 show cars, Volkswagen brought several transporters from its Commercial Vehicles’ collection including bus from Fast Times at Ridgemont High, a replica of The Light Bus that appeared at Woodstock, and Jerry Garcia’s personal bus.

With the Type 2’s heir apparent, the ID. Buzz, also making an appearance at the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, Volkswagen is poised to make another impact on American roads as the automaker has just announced that the North American iteration of the ID. Buzz will be debuting in California in the summer of 2023.

Featured on AutoHunter, the online auction platform driven by ClassicCars.com, is this 1970 Camaro Z/28-RS sport coupe. It was restored in 2010 and the current owner has had the Camaro in his possession for the past five years. Power comes from an LT1 350ci V8 backed by a M22 four-speed manual with Hurst shifter. Features include Rally Sport package, AM/FM radio and COPO spoiler. Finished in Citrus Green with black stripes over dark green vinyl interior, this 1970 Camaro Z/28-RS comes with several original and miscellaneous parts plus the build sheet and a clear Pennsylvania title in the seller’s name.

During the 2010 restoration, the exterior was refinished in the original Citrus Green (code 43) and accented with black stripes. Exterior features include color-keyed Endura grille surround (part of the RS trim), aftermarket cowl induction hood, color-keyed mirrors, manual remote driver-side mirror and COPO 9697 rear spoiler. The seller states that the trunk lid does not stay open on its own.

A set of 15-inch five-spoke Cragar S/S wheels is wrapped in Goodyear Eagle GT II radials.

The interior is upholstered in dark green vinyl (code 724). Features include AM/FM stereo, three-spoke steering wheel, center console with Hurst shifter, and power steering and power brakes.

The seller states that all gauges are functional. A 150-mph speedometer, 8,000-rpm tachometer, clock and readouts for the fuel level, coolant temperature and amperage are located on the instrument panel. The odometer shows 25,570 miles, which the seller reports to be accurate.

Power is provided by the reportedly original LT1 350ci V8 and backed by a Muncie M22 close-ratio four-speed manual transmission with Hurst shifter. Engine bay features include chrome valve covers, aluminum intake, Holley carburetor, chrome air cleaner, MSD ignition and tube exhaust headers. The gallery on the auction page contains a picture of the engine stamps.

This Camaro is equipped with an independent front suspension and 12-bolt rear end with 3.73:1 gears. Braking is handled by power front discs and rear drums. A full-length dual exhaust system exits at the rear.

The seller will include the original hood, wheels, steering wheel and other miscellaneous parts with the sale, including the original build sheet.

The auction for this 1970 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28-RS ends on Monday, March 13, 2023, at 4:20 p.m. (MST)

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and photo gallery.

To view more information about our Pick of the Day, click the links in the article below.

While giving a ClassicCars.com auction tour at the Bonhams auction in Arizona, I briefly spoke to the group about a pair of Porsche 928 cars. One was a perfect survivor condition example with a 5-speed manual gearbox, original paint, and a Pasha interior, and the other was a decent driver. Both were sunroof delete models which to me is important, as I do not fit in sunroof cars.

I told the group that the 928 has always been one of my all-time favorite Porsche road cars ever since I drove one for the first time when I was 17 years old. No, it is not a 911, which is a pure sports car, but instead is possibly the finest GT car of the 1970s and 80s. The build quality of the cars is second to none, the V8 engine sounds amazing, the comfort of the interior is better than any Porsche model built at the time, and the futuristic (for the time) styling seems to get better with each passing year. I bid on the second car, but stopped when the price got to a point that I started to wonder if the car had any recent service history.

The 928 was introduced to the world in 1978 and was Porsche’s first clean sheet design since the introduction of the 356. You can argue that the 911 was a new design but if you look hard enough it is in its basic form an extensive revision of the 356. The car was commissioned by Ferdinand Porsche and aimed at the Mercedes and BMW market. The car offered luxury combined with performance but still has the Porsche feel and look. The mistake made with the car is that Porsche at one point thought of the 928 as a replacement for the 911, which it never would be.

The Pick of the Day is one of these fantastic GT cars, a 1980 Porsche 928 finished in Grand Prix White paint over a black leather interior. 

According to the O’Fallon, Illinois, dealer representing this car it has covered only 40,600 miles from new and is original aside from service items, including a few nice upgrades.

They also state that in 2020 maintenance included replacement of the timing belt, water pump, fuel pump and filter, air intake hoses, air filter, airbox straps, fuel injectors, ignition coils, spark plug wires, spark plugs, distributor cap, distributor rotor, new battery, and hood pad. In addition, the transaxle was also recently rebuilt, and the torque converter was replaced. The A/C system was recently serviced and blows strong and cold; however, the climate control unit is stuck on the cold setting and its heating function is currently inoperative. They state that this can be easily fixed by replacing the climate control unit, which is readily available and inexpensive. I think they may be right, but this should be checked to be sure that it is not a $3,000 job. At the same time the coolant expansion tank and radiator were replaced with aftermarket all aluminum units.

These cars are simply amazing to drive at speed and to this day remain the best 70s-80s GT I have ever driven.

The asking price for this 928 is a very reasonable $29,000, especially when you consider the recent service items that have been attended to. The owner of this car knew what the trouble spots on an older 928 can be and seems to have addressed them properly.

If you want a classic Porsche, but want a GT instead of a sportscar, look no further than this 928.

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

Featured on AutoHunter, the online auction platform driven by ClassicCars.com, is this 1969 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu. It has undergone a restoration that included new paint, seats and a fuel tank. Power comes from a rebuilt 350ci V8 backed by a TH400 automatic transmission. Notable features include tilt steering column with three-spoke steering wheel. Finished in blue over a white interior, this reportedly rust-free Chevelle comes with a Florida title in the seller’s name.

The exterior was refinished in a metallic blue about 18 months ago. Features include newer window trim, black grille with silver trim, and wheel arch moldings.

A set of five-spoke American Racing wheels is wrapped in newer Cooper Cobra Radial G/T tires.

The front bench seat, rear seat, trim, and door panels have been reupholstered in white vinyl. The seller also states that a new headliner and black carpeting were recently installed. Other features include tilt steering column, three-spoke steering wheel, power steering and brakes, and automatic shifter on the column.

The instrument panel includes a 120-mph speedometer and a fuel gauge, plus an aftermarket tachometer and a set of three auxiliary gauges are located under the dashboard. This Malibu has been driven 700 miles since the engine was rebuilt, with the current owner having added 150 miles. The odometer currently reads 84,690 miles though the true mileage remains unknown.

Power comes by a rebuilt 350ci small-block backed by a TH400 three-speed automatic transmission. The engine features include black valve covers and air cleaner lid, exhaust headers and electronic ignition. The seller states that while this Chevelle was originally equipped with an air conditioning system, it is currently disconnected and will not be included in the sale.

Braking is provided by power front disc brakes and rear drums. A full-length dual exhaust system exits at the rear. A new fuel tank has also been installed.

This 1969 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu‘s auction ends on Friday, March 10, 2023, at 4:20 p.m. (MST)

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and photo gallery

The Nissan Z first came to the U.S. in the late 1960s as the Datsun 240Z, but in Japan this first-generation model (code-named S30) was known as the Nissan Fairlady Z. On a recent episode of “Jay Leno’s Garage,” Z specialist Jay Ataka shows off an early example of the version sold in Japan.

While sold in both markets, the 240Z was designed with the U.S. in mind. Yutaka Katayama, then head of Nissan’s West Coast operations and known as Mr. K to Z car fans, pushed for the car and, concerned that Americans wouldn’t like the Fairlady name, advocated for the 240Z name instead. Like other U.S.-market Nissan models of the period, the sports car was also badged a Datsun.

The car shown here is easily identifiable as a JDM model by its fender-mounted mirrors, a common feature on cars sold in Japan. It also has covered headlights, grille-mounted turn signals, and, because this is a base model, plain steel wheels without hub caps. This car also has a locking gas cap, which wasn’t offered in the U.S. as a factory option.

The U.S.-spec 240Z launched with a 2.4-liter inline-6 producing 130 hp, but that was later downgraded to 125 hp partway through 1971. However, Japanese-market base models like this car left the factory with a 2.0-liter version of this engine, and also started production a bit earlier, in late 1969. This car features an upgraded head that boosted output to 125 hp, with a 5-speed manual transmission. 

Japan also got the 2.4-liter version, as well as a special Z432, which had a twin-cam version of the 2.0-liter inline-6 shared with the Nissan Skyline GT-R sold at the time. The S30-generation Z was relatively affordable in Japan when new, Ataka noted, but most still went to the U.S.

The 240Z is still a common sight in U.S. classic-car circles today, with multiple examples appearing on Jay Leno’s Garage over the years, but this JDM Fairlady Z provides a rare look at the Nissan Z’s early history. Watch the full video and check it out.

This article was originally published by Motor Authority, an editorial partner of ClassicCars.com.