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Dark Days In Detroit: The Worst Cadillac Models Of All Time

Once known as the standard of the auto world, Cadillac is a long-respected car company. Established in 1902, the company has been on the market for 120 years. That alone is a great success. During this period, Cadillac produced several well-built luxury cars, defining the segment in the American market. For most of the 20th century, Cadillac was the no. 1 luxury car brand in the world. But recently, its luck has changed.

Imported luxury brands, recessions, and customer tastes all forced Cadillac to change its approach and philosophy. We’ve already chronicled the best Cadillacs ever made, and indeed there are many. So we had to look at the other side of the coin with the worst cars Cadillac has ever made. Some were good but failed to sell. But most were below this brand’s standards and customers’ expectations. Check them out right here.

Photo Credit: GM

Cadillac BLS

The first car on the list is an example of this approach. The idea behind the Cadillac BLS was sound. It was a compact, luxury sedan in the mold of the Mercedes C-Class or BMW 3-Series. The BLS was built in SAAB’s factory in Sweden and sold in Europe. Presenting Cadillac in a new light, it was a good plan on paper, but its realization was tragic (via The Autopian).

Photo Credit: GM

In order to cut costs, GM used SAAB 93 underpinnings. They weren’t the best parts, but they were cheap. They also saved on interior materials and unique drivetrain or engine options. The result was a dull vehicle that had the same driving characteristics as the SAAB 93 or Opel Vectra. The market’s reaction could have been much more favorable. The BLS spent only a few years on the market and the last examples left the factory in 2009.

The post Dark Days In Detroit: The Worst Cadillac Models Of All Time appeared first on Motor Junkie.

BMW Individual Expands Special Paint Program

I’m a fan of special-order colors. Ever see a Chevy ordered in Pontiac’s Verdoro Green? Or an Oldsmobile ordered in Dodge’s Plum Crazy? I have, and it’s somewhat neat to see. The day of paying extra for a non-production color are long gone for most “regular” cars, but fancy brands and special models (Corvette, anyone?) offer bespoke colors. BMW offers a program called BMW Individual for drivers who desire “expressive and exclusive” paint colors and finishes, and now the program has been expanded to include the controversially styled 644-hp XM plug-in hybrid “Sports Activity Vehicle.”

Petrol Mica

The German brand’s 29 year-old factory in Spartanburg, South Carolina (actually in nearby Greer) has “flexibility in the painting process,” so Bimmers built in the Palmetto State — XM and otherwise — have the option for special paint finishes.

Sepia

Originally limited to BMW M models, “BMW Individual is a unique division of BMW M that focuses on creating special and bespoke BMW vehicles for almost any new BMW. There is a palette of over 165 custom exterior paint colors and four different finishes: non-metallics, metallics, Pearl Effect tones, and matte BMW Frozen finishes. “Within each of these finishes, there are even more unique treatments that require multiple coats or extended cure times, depending on the specific ingredients and features of each special color.” They are applied in a separate manufacturing process that eschews automated labor for manual. You can expect to wait approximately 8-12 weeks for your unique BMW.

Anglesey Green

BMW won’t handle just any swatch you submit, though we suspect some of the more prestigious models may have more flexibility in that regard. Pricing is dependent on the model and color.

Icon’s Mercedes 6.2 Derelict rumbles into Jay Leno’s Garage

Icon founder Jonathan Ward is a frequent visitor to Jay Leno’s Garage. This time he brought the latest of his company’s Derelict projects, a purposefully distressed 1971 Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL 6.3 with an LS heart, along with Steve Rulewicz, the client that commissioned it.

Unveiled for the 2022 SEMA show, the Mercedes Derelict follows the pattern of previous Icon Derelicts, which have ranged from a 1958 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud to a 1952 DeSoto wagon, by combining external patina with internal performance upgrades.

Icon Derelict 1971 Mercedes-Benz 300SEL on Jay Leno’s Garage

Beneath the weathered paint, the Mercedes is a full-on restomod. The car left the factory as a unibody, though the original body shell now rides on a separate Art Morrison chassis that includes four-wheel adjustable coilovers and independent rear suspension. The car also has Brembo brakes with Wilwood power-assist hardware, as well as an Icon-designed power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering setup.

The 300 SEL 6.3 was a forerunner of modern Mercedes-Benz AMG performance models. Mercedes took the 6.3-liter V-8 from the gargantuan 600 sedan and dropped it in the smaller 300 SEL, creating a sort of German muscle car. This was a pure factory effort dreamed up by engineer Erich Waxenberger, as AMG was then a completely independent tuner, although it did race a 300 SEL 6.3 called the Red Pig.

The Red Pig, and the general look of these sedans, inspired Rulewicz to commission this build. As for why the rare 6.3 model was used as a basis instead of a more common 6-cylinder model, Ward said the higher-end interior fittings and other small details justified the decision. The donor car had sat in San Bernardino, California, so it was relatively free of rust.

The Derelict is still powered by a V-8, but it’s now the supercharged 6.2-liter LS9 from the C6 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1. The engine makes 638 hp at the crank in the ZR1, and about 500 hp at the wheels in the Mercedes. Installing the LS9 required a custom firewall and front inner fenders, and the car now sports “6.2” badging instead of the stock 6.3 badge.

Purists may scoff, but Ward was committed to the GM engine swap for its reliability, power, and sound. Check out the full video and have a listen for yourself.

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

No Reserve: Triple Rochester 2GC Carburetors w/ Intake Manifold & Air Cleaners

These three Rochester 2GC carburetors are part of a setup that includes a cast-iron intake manifold, throttle linkages, a Marshall fuel-pressure gauge, chrome fuel lines, and three polished Edmunds air-cleaner housings. The setup is said to have been removed from a customized 1955 Cadillac Series 62 with a 331ci V8, and the carburetors were refurbished by Hotrodcarbs.com in 2009 and again by the seller using rebuild kits from the same company in January 2023. The set of carburetors reportedly is compatible with General Motors, Ford, and Mopar triple-carburetor intake manifolds designed for small-block V8 applications, and the included intake manifold fits 1949–1962 Cadillac 331ci, 365ci, and 390ci V8 engines. This Rochester carburetor setup is now offered at no reserve in Forest Hills, Tennessee.

Rochester 2GC carburetors were manufactured for use on intake manifolds mated to General Motors small-block V8 engines. This set of carburetors was reportedly removed by the seller from a 1955 Cadillac Series 62 Coupe DeVille with a 331ci V8 and is said to be suitable for use on other General Motors, Ford, and Mopar triple-carburetor intake manifolds designed for small-block V8s.

The carburetors were reportedly refurbished by Hotrodcarbs.com of Great Falls, Montana in 2009 and again in January 2023 by the seller utilizing Hotrodcarbs.com rebuild kits. The recent refurbishment involved replacement of the floats, filters, accelerator pumps, power valves, and gaskets. The seller states that the carburetor jets were not replaced as part of the January 2023 refurbishment and that the setup has not been used on an engine since the 2023 work was completed.

Fuel is delivered to the carburetors through chrome tubing with an attached 15-psi Marshall fuel-pressure gauge.

The carburetors are mounted to a refinished cast-iron intake manifold along with throttle linkages. The silver-finished manifold shows part number 1469689 and fits 1949–1962 Cadillac 331ci, 365ci, and 390ci V8 engines.

Three polished-aluminum Edmunds air-cleaner housings are mounted on top of the carburetors.

350-Powered 1937 Ford Cabriolet Street Rod

This 1937 Ford has been fitted with a Gibbons fiberglass Cabriolet body that is finished in dark purple over black leather upholstery. Power is from a 350ci Chevrolet V8 paired with a Turbo-Hydramatic three-speed automatic transmission, and equipment includes a Ford 8″ rear end, a chopped black fabric roof, a Vintage Air heater and air conditioning system, electric door poppers, a Sony AM/FM CD stereo, power windows, four-wheel disc brakes, air suspension, and staggered-diameter Billet Specialties wheels. This 1937 Ford is being offered by the selling dealer in New Jersey with a Reconstructed Pennsylvania title.

The Gibbons fiberglass body is mounted to a 1937 Ford chassis and is finished in dark purple with a chopped fabric-covered roof. Exterior details include shaved trunk and door handles, electric door poppers, a third brake light, 1956-spec Chevrolet taillights, and under-car lighting.

Polished Billet Specialties wheels measure 15” up front and 16” out back and are mounted with mismatched tires. Braking is through four-wheel discs with ventilated rotors at all four corners. The car rides on air shocks.

The cabin houses power-adjustable bucket seats that were sourced from a later-model vehicle and are upholstered in black leather. Amenities include a Vintage Air heater and A/C system reportedly setup for R12 refrigerant, along with electric windows, a Genie floor shifter, and a Sony AM/FM CD stereo. Vehicle functions are controlled via a custom set of switches mounted between the seats.

A three-spoke steering wheel is mounted to a tilt and telescoping steering column and sits ahead of a centrally-mounted Dakota Digital multifunction display with an integrated 6k-rpm tachometer. The digital odometer shows approximately 17k miles.

The 350ci Chevrolet V8 was reportedly sourced from a 1985 Corvette and features a Jet Hot-coated Edelbrock intake manifold topped by a Holley carburetor. Additional equipment includes a Carter electric fuel pump, a 120-amp alternator, and a chrome air cleaner cover and valve covers.

Power is sent to the rear wheels via a Turbo-Hydramatic three-speed automatic transmission equipped with an auxiliary cooler and a Ford 8” rear end. Additional underbody images are provided in the gallery below.

The car is titled using the Pennsylvania Vehicle Identification Number shown above. The Pennsylvania title lists “Reconstructed”, “Street Rod”, and “Reissued VIN” under the brands section.

Ford T-Bucket Hot Rod

This Ford T-Bucket hot rod was the subject of a custom build completed in 2015 and is powered by a Ford flathead V8 paired with a three-speed automatic transmission. The fiberglass 1923 Ford-style body is finished in red with custom pinstriping. Additional features include white upholstery, a rear cargo box, a 9″ Ford rear end, triple Stromberg 97 carburetors, Offenhauser cylinder heads, a front drop axle, hairpin radius rods, adjustable rear coilovers, 15″ Cragar aluminum wheels, disc brakes, dual exhaust outlets with Supertrapp mufflers, and Ford-branded instrumentation. This T-bucket was acquired by the selling dealer in 2022 and is now offered with a clean Florida title.

The fiberglass bodywork and frame are finished in red with black and white pinstripes. Features include a covered cargo box with an upholstered lid, a low profile windshield, teardrop-style taillights, turn signals, chrome headlight buckets, and dual exhaust outlets.

Polished aluminum 15″ Cragar wheels wear 165-width Metric Steel Radial tires up front and BFGoodrich Radial T/A tires measuring 285/70 out back. Equipment includes a front drop axle, a rear panhard bar, front and rear hairpin radius rods, front tube shocks, adjustable rear coilovers, and four-wheel disc brakes.

The seating and side panels are upholstered in white and accompanied by a matching cargo box lid. Additional equipment includes black carpets, a body-color painted dashboard, a floor-mounted gear selector, a chrome accelerator pedal, and seat belts.

The three-spoke steering wheel fronts Ford-branded instrumentation including a 120-mph speedometer, an 8k-rpm tachometer, and gauges for fuel level, voltage, oil pressure, and coolant temperature. The five-digit odometer shows 1,100 miles, a handful of which have been added under current ownership. Paint chips can be seen on the edges of the dashboard.

The Ford flathead V8 is equipped with triple Stromberg 97 single-barrel carburetors, MSD ignition components, polished headers, and finned Offenhauser cylinder heads. Additional modifications include an electric cooling fan along with a dual exhaust system capped with Supertrapp mufflers. An aluminum fuel tank is mounted in the rear cargo box.

Power is sent to the rear wheels through a three-speed automatic transmission and a 9″ Ford rear axle.

Supercharged 383-Powered 1940 Ford Deluxe Coupe Street Rod

This 1940 Ford Deluxe Coupe was acquired by the seller in 2014, and subsequent work consisted of installing a Weiand-supercharged 383ci stroker V8, a TH400 three-speed automatic transmission, a Quick Performance 9-inch rear axle with an Eaton Truetrac differential as well as replacement ignition, suspension, brake, and exhaust components. The car is finished in Deep Plumb Pearl over light mauve and cream vinyl and features a Mustang II-style front suspension, QA1 front shock absorbers, Eaton Detroit springs, Posies rear parallel leaf springs, power-assisted front disc brakes, 15″ steel wheels, a Lokar shifter, VDO instrumentation, and Vintage Air climate control. This Deluxe coupe is now offered with a fitted California Car Cover, an engine dynamometer sheet, build records, and a clean Nebraska title in the seller’s name.

The steel body is finished in Deep Plumb Pearl. Features include body modifications to the A and B-pillars and doors as well as frenched 1941 Studebaker taillamps, a split windshield and rear window, chrome trim, bumpers with concealed hardware, running boards, dual mirrors, body-colored headlamp surrounds, and dual-outlet exhaust that exits below the rear bumper. The seller notes that the car was repainted approximately 25 years ago and some chips and cracks are visible in the finish as shown in the gallery below.

The 15″ steel wheels wear 1949 Ford hubcaps and ribbed trim rings and are mounted with front 175/65 Uniroyal Tiger Paw and rear Cooper Cobra 235/80 tires. A spare tire and jack are mounted in a concealed compartment in the trunk. The car is fitted with a Mustang II-style front suspension, QA1 front shock absorbers, Eaton Detroit springs, Posies Superslide parallel rear leaf springs, rear traction bars, and Bilstein rear shock absorbers. Braking is handled by power-assisted front discs and 11″ rear drums.

The cabin features a split bench seat upholstered in light mauve and cream vinyl joined by a color-coordinated headliner, package tray, carpets, and door panels. Equipment includes a body-colored steel dashboard, a Lokar shifter, Vintage Air climate control, a fire extinguisher, lap belts, rear storage pockets, and an aftermarket CD stereo.

The billet two-spoke steering wheel frames a VDO 120-mph speedometer and gauges for fuel level, water temperature, battery voltage, and oil pressure. The VDO electric water temperature gauge does not work. A Bosch mechanical water temperature gauge and vacuum/boost pressure gauge are mounted below the center of the dashboard and an Autometer tachometer is mounted on top of the dashboard. The five-digit mechanical odometer shows 13k miles, approximately 3k of which were added under current ownership. Around 1,200 miles are said to have been added since the powertrain was installed although the total mileage is unknown.

The replacement 383ci stroker V8 was installed under current ownership and features a polished Weiand 177 Series supercharger, forged rotating assembly, ARP studded 4-bolt main caps, MSD electronic ignition, a Howards hydraulic roller blower camshaft, a Holley 750 Supercharger HP Carburetor, AFR aluminum cylinder heads, a Canton oversized oil pan, and block-hugger headers. The engine is cooled with a Walker Z-Series Radiator, a Hayden heavy-duty thermal fan clutch, and a Stewart water pump. An oil change was performed in autumn 2022. An engine dynamometer sheet is shown in the gallery.

Power is delivered to the rear wheels through a rebuilt TH400 three-speed automatic transmission and a Quick Performance 9-inch rear axle with heavy-duty 1/4″ axle tube walls, an Eaton Truetrac differential, and 3.50:1 gears. Features are said to include a Strange nodular iron center section, a B&M stacked plate cooler, a custom Dynamic Racing Transmissions torque converter, and a custom-length steel driveshaft with heavy-duty 1350 U-joints. A custom dual exhaust system with Hooker Aerochamber mufflers has been installed.

A fitted California Car Cover and build records are included in the sale.

The video images displayed in the gallery were taken in October 2022.

Pick of the Day: 1977 Datsun 280-Z ZZZap Edition

It seems so normal and common for cars to be co-branded with media — witness the “Transformers” movie for a fine example — but in 1977, it was highly unusual. In fact, video game culture that has influenced the old car hobby can look at this 1977 Datsun 280-Z ZZZap edition as being the godfather of them all. This vehicle, our Pick of the Day, is for sale on ClassicCars.com by a dealer near Grand Rapids, Michigan.

It all started with a 1977 arcade game produced by Midway called Datsun 280 ZZZAP. It originally was released in 1976 as Midnight Racer and then the co-branded ZZZAP version was released by Taito in 1977 in Japan before Midway released it in North America shortly after. A Special Decor Package inspired by the video game was introduced in the 1977 model year. Promotional material claimed, “The Z with more ZZZap!”

The basis was a 280-Z, which came with a 2,753cc OHC six with 149 horsepower and electronic fuel injection backed by a four-speed manual. The Special Decor Package included mandatory Sunburst Yellow paint with a black racing stripe along the hood, roof, and deck, plus longitudinal stripes on both sides; an additional gradated stripe in yellow/orange/red was placed on the hood and the front fenders. Other features included racing mirrors and rear window louvers. According to the Internet, 1,000 280-Zs were built with this package, but we cannot find supporting documentation to verify.

This particular 1977 280-Z with the Special Decor Package for sale on ClassicCars.com was originally sold new in Newburg, Oregon, then migrated to Wyoming, where it spent most of its life. Seller says the Nissan … er, Datsun has been driven only 2,500 miles in the past 20 years, which is supported by maintenance records. “Driving the 280-Z is a dream, with a tight 4-wheel independent suspension, power-assisted brakes, and rack and pinion steering,” adds the seller. “Highlights include rear window defogger, auxiliary gauges, Kenwood radio, Alpine speakers, and exterior racing stripe.”

This Datsun 280-Z ZZZap edition has only 73,125 miles on the odometer. Included in the sale are the original owner’s manual, service manual, original tool kit, unopened tire inflator canister and full factory exhaust including the original muffler. This limited-edition Z-car will cost you more than a quarter — more like $34,900. Maybe you can find the original arcade game for a nice pairing?

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

My Classic Car: Her Majesty’s Cougar XR-7 Convertible

Do you have a classic car with a story to share? Visit this link and fill in the information to submit your story for a chance to be featured on the ClassicCars.com Journal.

In 1972 I went to the $0.49 movie theater on Hollywood Blvd. to see the film On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. I was 12 years old and a little bummed out because Sean Connery had quit playing the lead role of James Bond. I needn’t have worried, it was a great film.
This was the first time I had ever seen a Mercury Cougar Convertible. In those days Bond films were always about beautiful people, in beautiful places, wearing beautiful clothes, driving beautiful machines. It’s no wonder that they used a Cougar driven by the lovely actress Diana Rigg.

Joe’s Mercury Cougar enjoying the ocean view

It was love at first sight for me with the Cougar, although Diana came in a close second. After seeing the movie, I vowed to myself that one day I would own a Cougar convertible.

In 2014 I was looking on ClassicCars.com, and I found a beautiful 1970 Cougar XR-7 Convertible. The thing about Cougars is: they really are an elegant, upscale Mustang with very unique features. I love the front grille with, as the ads of the day said, “dual concealed headlamps that gleam by night and hide by day” and “rear turn signals that flicker in sequence.” After a little soul searching I decided to buy the car.

Joe and his Cougar

The car is a real work of art. If you look at the center hood and front grille, you will see the nose of a cat. Also, the very front fenders resemble a cat’s ear. Amazingly, out of some 4,000 1970 Cougar convertibles built, only three came in this color combination of a Competition Gold exterior and Dark Tobacco Leather interior. Sometimes I think this must be the only Cougar on the planet in this color combination. This would make it one very rare cat indeed!

–Joe C., California

Tesla recalls 362,758 vehicles because Full Self-Driving features could cause crash

Tesla is recalling 362,758 electric cars equipped with its Full Self-Driving (FSD) driver-assist system because the system could cause crashes.

Despite the name, Full Self-Driving does not enable autonomous driving. Based on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recall documents, the system, which is still considered by Tesla to be in the “Beta” development stage, can in certain circumstances behave in ways that would be unacceptable for human drivers.

After analysis and testing, the NHTSA found that the Autosteer on City Streets function of the system “led to an unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety based on insufficient adherence to traffic safety laws,” the agency said in a statement.

2023 Tesla Model 3
2023 Tesla Model 3

Tesla launched the voluntary recall “out of an abundance of caution” after discussions with the NHTSA. Affected vehicles include 2016-2023 Model S and Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles equipped with FSD or pending installation of the feature.

The testing was done as part of an ongoing investigation opened June 8, 2022, in response to multiple instances of Tesla vehicles operating on Autopilot hitting emergency vehicles stopped on or at the side of roads. Autopilot is Tesla’s basic driver-assist system; FSD builds on it by adding features like automatic overtaking.

2023 Tesla Model Y
2023 Tesla Model Y – Courtesy of Tesla, Inc.

Tesla also advertises FSD as being able to react to traffic lights and stop signs, but in a recall notice, posted on its website, the NHTSA said the system may allow vehicles to enter stop-sign controlled intersections without coming to a full stop, proceed through steady yellow lights “without due caution,” and continue straight through an intersection from a turn-only lane. Note that Tesla previously recalled almost 54,000 vehicles in 2022 because FSD was found to disobey stop signs.

While the NHTSA investigation remains open, Tesla will have to meet its legal obligation to address these issues, the agency said. The automaker will release an over-the-air (OTA) software update free of charge as a fix. While this won’t require visits to service centers, Tesla will mail formal notification letters by April 15.

2023 Tesla Model X
2023 Tesla Model X – Courtesy of Tesla, Inc.

According to the New York Times, the NHTSA is investigating 41 crashes involving FSD and Autopilot that have led to 19 fatalities. For its part, Tesla has identified warranty claims in relation to the issue.

Tesla started offering FSD as a hardware package in 2016. CEO Elon Musk has claimed software updates would unlock true self-driving capability, saying at the time that he expected a Tesla to be able to travel from Los Angeles to New York “without the need for a single touch” of the steering wheel as soon as 2017.

That never happened, although Tesla has continued to offer the system in unfinished “Beta” form, gradually hiking the price from $5,000 in 2016 (when it was only offered to select customers) to $15,000 today.

This practice is now getting more scrutiny from regulators. In 2021, National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) chair Jennifer Homendy called the Full Self-Driving label “misleading and irresponsible,” while California has since moved to make it illegal. Last month Tesla was subpoenaed by the Justice Department for FSD, although the company said it was unaware of any ongoing investigation.

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