mod@tech

Italian cars can be like a Fellini flick: fantastic, with a dose of drama for good measure. Seems that sounds like our Pick of the Day: a 1959 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spider Veloce listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a dealer in Philadelphia. (Click the link to view the listing)

Italian cars of this era can be confusing to American car lovers because there were so many variations done with the same chassis: a Bertone here, a Pinin Farina there, and maybe a Zagato for the truly avant-garde. That’s why you see sedans, coupes, convertibles, and practically bespoke versions sharing the same name. That’s very true of the Alfa Romeo Giulietta, which started off as a 1.3-liter twin-cam inline-four-powered Sprint coupe in 1954, soon to be joined by a Berlina (four-door sedan) and Spider (convertible) a year later.

At the time, unibody construction, aluminum alloy engine block with cast iron sleeves, and hemi heads were novel ideas beyond the twin cams. More powerful versions of the 1956-62 Sprint and Spider were called Veloce (think “velocity”), which added another twin-venturi carburetor and more compression for 89 horsepower, a ten-horse bump. The 1957-62 Giulietta Sprint Speciale, a custom Bertone two-seater, and a race-inspired Sprint Zagato, featured even more compression and 99 horsepower.

This 1959 Alfa Romeo was born a white Giulietta Spider Veloce in Milan on January 3, 1959, and sold through the famous Hoffman Motor Car Co. in Manhattan. In the 1990s, the Alfa was sent to Ashcroft Restorations in Phoenix for an interior refreshing. The exterior was repainted a shade of BMW red by the owner, who owned Day BMW in Concord, California.

The driveline was sent to Conrad Stevenson of Berkeley, where he adapted the Veloce’s exhaust manifold, carburetors, air box and filter, headers, and oil sump to a 1750cc block, then mated the engine to a five-speed manual transmission (the original had four forward speeds). The charging system was also upgraded to an alternator. Underneath, the suspension was upgraded to include a larger sway bar and other tweaks.

Since 2004, this 1959 Giulietta Spider Veloce has been in the possession of the current owner. “The car has been cared for and looked after since thanks to consistent service records on file, and now shows a scant 87,500 on the odometer,” says the dealer, which is a scant 1,500 miles added over 20 years. With classic Italian style and subtle Alfa upgrades, this Giulietta is a dream collectible with some rev-happy drama under the hood. For $95,000, it’s a fine way to enjoy the good life.

Today’s AutoHunter Cinema feature is a fine example of how final generation D150s are almost a blank canvas for builders. This 1983 Dodge D150 is powered by a Blouch Performance twin-turbocharged 318ci V8 mated to a 904 TorqueFlite automatic transmission. The modified D150 features a ton of customization from the Indigo Blue exterior to the custom navy interior and the performance modifications are more bite than bark. This custom pickup sold for $46,200 at the Barrett-Jackson Houston auction.

Check out AutoHunter Cinema on YouTube for other great videos.

If the quintessential station wagon is the Ford Country Squire, then you have a certain expectation of what a station wagon looks like. So when you encounter a wagon like this 1958 Mercury, does something strike you as being somewhat different? It’s a proper hardtop, which is why this 1958 Mercury Commuter is our Pick of the Day. It is listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a dealership in Branson, Missouri. (Click the link to view the listing)

By the time this Mercury was built, hardtop wagons had become a thing thanks to the 1955-57 Chevrolet Nomad and Pontiac Safari. Truth be told, they were two-door hardtop wagons that were more about style than service. The 1957 Mercury was among the first to offer a “regular” hardtop wagon, which included the Buick Special Riviera Estate Wagon and Century Caballero, and Oldsmobile Rocket 88 and Super 88 Fiestas. Rambler, Dodge, and Chrysler eventually would join the bandwagon. (See what we did there?)

For 1958, Commuter sat at the bottom of the Mercury wagon hierarchy. Trimmed similar to the Monterey, it was available as a two-door, six-passenger vehicle, as well as a four-door version capable handling either six- or nine-passengers. A step up was the Voyager, which was trimmed like a Montclair. It was available in the same three configurations as the Commuter. The Colony Park was trimmed like a Park Lane and was the only wagon to feature wood-grained steel paneling. It was only available as a four-door with seating for six or nine passengers. All were hardtops.

Nineteen fifty-eight was the year Mercury started offering a new family of Marauder V8s that’s commonly known as “MEL” (Mercury-Edsel-Lincoln). Standard for the Commuter was a 312-horsepower 383, while the Voyager and Colony Park came standard with 330-horse 383. Optional for all models was the Super Marauder 430 with 400 horsepower — more than Chrysler’s 300-D!

This 1958 Mercury Commuter wagon features four doors and room for nine passengers. Mildly customized, the seller calls this the “California Beach Wagon,” and it shows thanks to four-wheel power disc brakes, American Racing mags, and lowered suspension. With 80,000 miles, the 330-horse wagon also features push-button automatic transmission. “Paint is high-quality with no blemishes or chips. All trim and chrome has been repaired, straightened and either polished or re chromed,” says the seller. “Power steering, power rear window, power antenna … all lights, gauges and accessories in working order … radio works.” Inside, the interior is original and looks great aside of the third row, which has been reupholstered with non-matching material. Best of all, a new under-dash AC system was just installed.

The seller concludes, “Would drive anywhere.” For $87,500 OBO, it better be capable, so tell the tribe to pile in and go to Mount Rushmore with nary a worry. In a sea of SUVs, you certainly would stand out, and the memories would be priceless.

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

A group of New York lawmakers want to mandate speed limiters for the cars of serial speeders, The New York Daily News recently reported.

Drivers with multiple speed-camera violations would be ordered to install aftermarket speed limiters in their vehicles, under a bill proposed in the New York State legislature Tuesday by two legislators representing New York City’s Brooklyn borough.

Senator Andrew Gounardes, who is sponsoring the bill in the New York Senate, said in an interview with the Daily News that fines don’t serve as a significant consequence for speeding, adding that a “cohort of drivers” continue to rack up multiple speeding violations.

The proposed alternative is a speed limiter that would prevent cars from traveling no more than 5 mph above the posted speed limit. The bill calls for installing these devices in cars that have been flagged with six or more speed-camera violations.

In New York State, speed-camera violations do not come with driver’s license points, as the automated system can’t prove who is driving. Drivers who are stopped by police can receive points on their licenses for speeding in addition to fines. State law allows for licenses to be suspended if a driver accumulates 11 points in 18 months, but that’s not mandatory. Under the proposed bill, speed limiters would also be installed in the cars of drivers who accumulate 11 points but don’t have their licenses suspended.

This isn’t the only proposal to limit speed in New York. In 2022, legislators proposed fitting every car manufactured or registered in the state with a system called Active Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA) that would use GPS and traffic sign recognition to determine the speed limit—and prevent drivers from exceeding it. That bill failed to advance beyond the New York Senate Rules Committee.

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

Featured on AutoHunter, the online auction platform driven by ClassicCars.com, is this 1968 Pontiac GTO two-door hardtop. Like all GTOs of this vintage, it is powered by a 400cid V8 backed by a three-speed automatic transmission. Features include power steering and brakes, air conditioning, hood-mounted tachometer, and hideaway headlights. Finished in Solar Red with black Cordova vinyl top over a black vinyl interior, this 1968 GTO comes from the selling dealer with a clear title.

With carry-over engines and an all-new body, the GTO was a bit of old, a bit of new. The 400 was introduced the year before, but the standard engine received a bump to 350 horsepower and the optional step-down 400 two-barrel received a nudge to 265 horses. The optional 400 HO and 400 Ram Air continued to be rated at 360 horsepower, with a mid-year Ram Air II being rated at 366 horses. New was the availability of hidden headlights, though most notable was the plastic Endura nose, which pioneered monochromatic styling. For those who found the look too jarring, an Endura delete option (using the Tempest/LeMans’ chrome bumper) was available, though concealed headlights could not be ordered with it.

The exterior is finished in the factory color of Solar Red (code R). Options include hideaway headlights, hood-mounted tachometer, black Cordova vinyl top, and fender-mounted antenna for the radio.

A set of 14-inch Pontiac Rally II wheels is wrapped in Firestone Polyglas redline tires.

The interior is upholstered in black vinyl. Features include notch back front seat with center armrest, column-mounted automatic transmission shifter, power steering, and air conditioning.

The instrument panel includes a 120-mph speedometer, Rally clock, and fuel gauge, plus simulated woodgrain trim. The odometer reads 19,855 miles, but the true mileage on this vehicle is unknown.

Power is provided by the reportedly numbers-matching 400/350 backed by a TH400 three-speed automatic transmission. Engine bay features include chrome valve covers, aluminum intake, and a chrome air cleaner.

This GTO was factory-equipped with an independent front suspension and solid rear-drive axle with rear sway bar. Braking is provided by four-wheel power drum brakes.

The auction for this 1968 Pontiac GTO two-door hardtop ends on Monday, August 14, 2023, at 12:30 p.m. (PDT)

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and photo gallery

The Impala has been a popular car in the lowrider community for decades now. But even beyond that appeal, the Impala had a lot going for it: It was a top-tier, full-size car with available big-block power and lots of creature comforts for its time.

The Pick of the Day is a 1964 Chevrolet Impala SS two-door hardtop listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in Phoenix, Arizona. (Click the link to view the listing)

“This is a clean and quality built ’64 Impala,” the listing states. This car has driven just 8,000 miles since a full rebuild, and as we’ll soon see, it offers a lot of special equipment.

The Impala name first made its debut 65 years ago in 1958. It was named after an African antelope and was initially known as a top-trim Bel Air. The following year, the Impala name stood alone. This restomod hails from the third-generation of the full-size Impala which launched in 1961 on the General Motors B-platform.

A mild restyle was applied in 1964 that softened the lines just slightly and changed the look of the front and rear lighting. Some Impalas were outfitted with Super Sport trim, as shown here. SS packaging was appearance-related for the most part, although later in life, the name took on a more performance-oriented approach with drivetrain enhancements.

Speaking of drivetrains, power for this modified Impala comes from a small-block fuel-injected LT1 5.7-liter V8 mated to a 700R4 four-speed automatic transmission. Adding to that already-capable powertrain, a few special touches were added to enhance performance: The equipment list includes Hedman headers, an aluminum radiator, an electric fan, and a chrome-finished alternator. Stopping power comes from four-wheel power-assisted disc brakes, and a set of 17-inch Foose alloys wrapped in radial tires put the power to the pavement.

The interior of the cabin looks like a nice place to spend time, thanks to red vinyl bucket seats up front along with a custom steering wheel, a center console, lap belts, embossed floor mats, all-new gauges, and a modern audio system.

Chances are, you or your family have an Impala story to share. The car went on to be produced through seven more generations after this one and was finally discontinued after model year 2020. Who knows, maybe the nameplate will make a comeback!

The asking price is $70,000 for this unique Impala.

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 1982 Jeep CJ-7 Renegade.  

At over 40 years old, this all-terrain utility Jeep delivers both vintage looks and rugged versatility. Retro graphics, tubular bumpers, and fender flares give the right amount of curb appeal. It is being offered for sale by a dealer in Missouri with a clear title and upgrades including 35-inch Toyo tires, a CD audio system, a Rough Country suspension lift, and a removable hardtop.

The longstanding CJ, or ‘civilian Jeep’, evolved from a military-grade off-road vehicle during World War II and dates back to the mid-1940s under the Willys-Overland company. Over 1.5 million CJs were eventually produced over a period of about four decades through the 1980s. When the CJ-7 generation debuted in 1976, its wheelbase had been stretched by 10 inches, the chassis utilized twin C-section rails, and the rear end was modified to allow the suspension to be mounted closer to the body.

According to its accident-free CARFAX report which starts in 1996, this CJ spent much of its life in Oklahoma and was registered in the Tulsa area before being relocated to Missouri in 2012. It has resided there ever since, and it last changed hands in December of last year. The listing doesn’t specify exactly when some of the upgrades were installed, but this Jeep appears to have been enthusiast-owned since it has features like black tubular bumpers, fender flares, taillight guards, and a full-size spare tire out back.

The well-presented interior shows garnet red vinyl bucket seats which match the door panels. The odometer shows 97,427 miles, which lines up with the last reading of 93,329 miles on the CARFAX report in 2012. True mileage on the chassis is unknown, however.

There were six different engines and four different transmissions available during this generation. This CJ-7 draws power from a 4.2-liter inline-six mated to a rebuilt five-speed manual transmission and a dual-range transfer case. As far as tech specs are concerned, one of the most important components of this build is its suspension. A Rough Country lift was installed that included springs, bushings, shocks, and hardware.

The CJ-7 was followed by the YJ-Series Wrangler but continues to be a favorite among Jeep enthusiasts and automotive collectors in general. This could be your best chance to snag a clean and tastefully-modified example.

The auction for this 1982 Jeep CJ-7 Renegade ends Tuesday, August 15, 2023, at 12:45 p.m. (PDT)

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and photo gallery

When it comes to classic Shelby Mustangs, the 1968 GT350 is a turkey of sorts. While the 1965-67 featured 306 horsepower from an upgraded 289 High-Performance, the 1968 made do with a 250-horsepower 302. Gee, Carroll, whatsamattah?

Some of that can be explained due to the discontinuation of the solid-lifter 289 at the end of the 1967 model year. When installed in a Mustang, the four-barrel 302 was rated at 230 horses, but Shelby installed an aluminum Cobra intake manifold (actually, an Offenhauser piece) and a 600cfm carb for the horsepower bump.

Another explanation is that Ford took over Shelby production and handed modifications to the A.O. Smith Corporation in Ionia, a nice westward hike from Detroit. (In fact, incomplete 1968 Mustangs were built in Metuchen, New Jersey and shipped by rail all the way to the Great Lake State for the Shelby conversion to be completed.) Did Ford’s involvement result in a lack of effort with the Shelby GT350?

But the 1968 Shelby GT350 also was more grown up, functioning more as an American GT than a quasi-sports car. Those days of the two-seat GT350 without creature comforts were gone. The following year, the introduction of the 351 Windsor would fix the power deficit as well.

Join Muscle Car Campy as he road-tests this 1968 Shelby GT350. In the hands of the same person who has owned it since 1972, this four-speed fastback has received an improved camshaft and headers to truly wake up the 302 and give it the character it so deserved.  

Just in time for a weekend off-roading adventure in the dog days of summer, we’re looking at this AutoHunter Cinema feature of a retro-themed Jeep ’41 Concept built to salute Jeep’s long-standing military history. Based on the Wrangler 4xe, the Jeep ’41 Concept features a turbocharged four-cylinder hybrid drivetrain capable of 49 MPGe. Appropriately, this Jeep is finished in Olive “D.A.R.B. ‘41” Matte Green with tan soft top and black powder-coated steel bumpers over a tan and camouflage interior. A variety of aftermarket parts and modifications from Jeep Graphic Studios and various other suppliers add to the custom build.

Check out AutoHunter Cinema on YouTube for other great videos.