mod@tech

The W124 Mercedes-Benz coupes have been desirable cars since they were new. In period road tests the 300CE was often referred to as one of the best cars in the world with reviewers praising the coupe’s styling, performance, comfort and build quality. Among Mercedes collectors and enthusiasts many consider the 300CE as the last of the truly great Mercedes cars. The only car in the era that bettered the quality of the 300CE was the 560SEC, a car that cost $10,000 more than the $53,340 300CE cost when new.

One of these world class coupes is featured on AutoHunter, the online auction platform driven by ClassicCars.com, a 1989 Mercedes-Benz 300CE.

The seller states that this 300CE is a one owner car from new and has been well cared for its entire life. It is powered by its legendary Mercedes 3.0-liter inline-six fated at 177 horsepower and 188 lb-ft of torque and is paired with a four-speed automatic transmission.

The car spent its entire life in Arkansas and received over $5,000 in engine and suspension updates in 2011. Equipment includes automatic climate control, a Becker radio, woodgrain interior trim, and Continental tires. It is finished in its original Mercedes Anthracite Gray paint and beige over a tan MB-Tex vinyl interior, this C124 300CE is now offered by the selling dealer with service records, a clean CARFAX report, and a clear title.

Other features include fog lamps, headlight wipers, a hood ornament, a mono-blade windshield wiper, a pillarless roofline, accent pinstripes, 15-inch Gullideckel alloy wheels with correct size 195/65R15 Continental tires, and a power sunroof. The seller notes that there is minor paint discoloration on the left side of the roof, which can be seen in the photo gallery in the listing.

The car has VDO-branded instrumentation that include a 160-mph speedometer, 7,000-rpm tachometer, clock, and gauges for the fuel level, coolant temperature, oil pressure, and fuel economy. The six-digit mechanical odometer reads 98,750 miles, but the seller states the odometer is not functional. The last mileage figure logged in the CARFAX report in October 2011 was 90,840 miles. So it may have a few more miles than it reads, but it looks like a very nice and clean car. I personally would have the odometer fixed as soon as I purchased the car.

The CARFAX report starts in September 1989 and shows no history of accidents or damage. The seller has provided a walk-around video in the listing that shows a start-up, a 360-degree tour, and a demonstration of the electronics. Service records will come with the purchase of the car.

And now for the best part of this spotlight. This stunning car is being offered at no reserve. This means that the highest bid gets the car regardless of price. These coupes are true world class GT cars, think of them as a sort of pocket Bentley coupe built in Germany and you get the idea of just how great they are. If I had the time this year, I would buy this myself and drive it to Monterey for car week. It would be more than welcome at events that week including RADwood and Legends of the Autobahn. Not to mention it would be a nice way to travel from event to event during the week.

The online auction for this 1989 Mercedes-Benz 300CE ends on Friday, June 30, 2023, at 12:00 p.m. (PDT)

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and photo gallery

Toyota recently unveiled updates for its Gazoo Racing (GR) performance line, including a Supra 45th Anniversary Edition model slated to reach U.S. showrooms this year as a 2024 model.

The 45th Anniversary Edition commemorates the 1979 launch of the first-generation Mark I Supra in the U.S. (badged as the Celica Supra), but Toyota also calls it an ode to the 1990s Supra models like the Mark IV, which achieved pop culture immortality through the “Fast and Furious” franchise.

The special edition’s available Mikan Blast (“mikan” is Japanese for “orange”) paint color helps make that connection with the “Fast and Furious” Supra. The only other available color is Absolute Zero (white).

Also included is a rear spoiler that stands about three inches above the deck lid, the angle of which can be manually adjusted. Other changes include matte-black 19-inch wheels, GR-logo brake calipers, and a black side-panel graphic with the Supra logo.

The 45 Anniversary Edition is available only with the 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-6 engine, which makes the same 382 hp and 367 lb-ft of torque as other Supra models. That power is sent to the rear wheels through 6-speed manual or 8-speed automatic transmissions. Toyota brought the manual back for the 2023 model year, but only with the 6-cylinder engine; the base 2.0-liter turbo-4 remains automatic-only.

Production of the 2024 Toyota GR Supra 45th Anniversary Edition will be limited to 900 units, split between the Mikan Blast and Absolute Zero paint colors. Pricing for the special edition and the rest of the 2024 Supra lineup will be announced at a later date.

HIGH-RES GALLERY: 2024 Toyota Supra 45th Anniversary Edition

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

The world-famous Goodwood Festival of Speed is coming up in July, and the 30^th incarnation of this British event is slated to feature history, new introductions, celebrations, concours, and even a nod to the future of transportation. Yet though it’s worth celebrating 30 years of the Festival of Speed, the theme of the 2023 event is Goodwood 75, as it’s the 75^th anniversary since Goodwood Motor Circuit first opened its doors.

The Supercar and First Glance Paddock will offer glimpses of “some of the most innovative and anticipated vehicles from across the automotive industry” with over 100 world-exclusives, debuts, reveals, and more. Expected public debuts include the Caterham Electric Seven, Hyundai Ioniq 5, Porsche 718 Spyder RS, and the UK debut of the BMW 5 Series.

The Goodwood Hill will be open to visitors on Thursday the 13^th in anticipation for the Sunday race. Even better, Thursday is when the racers practice, giving the visitors an opportunity to play spectator as well.

Thursday visitors will also have the opportunity to attend the Goodwood Festival of Speed Central Feature, which is a celebration on 75 years of Porsche. Will a 917 appear? We don’t have any insider information, but it sounds completely appropriate, innit?

All the featured fun isn’t just for terra firma, mind you, as the Red Arrows, the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, will strut their spectacular stuff up in the atmosphere. Additionally, fans can enter a contest to win lunch with the Red Arrows team at Goodwood.

The Festival of Speed will also play host to McLaren’s Formula 1 team, as well as the teams from Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One, Scuderia Ferrari Formula 1, and Williams Racing. If your flavor of racing leans towards the two-wheel kind, the Ducati Lenovo, GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3, LCR Honda and Red Bull KTM Factory Racing teams will also be part of the celebration.

A relaxing respite of automotive elegance will occur on Sunday with the Cartier Style et Luxe, a concours d’elegance. You will find the crème de la crème of automobiles at this event, almost like a British version of Amelia Island but on the British Isles. It will be interesting to see what cars are in attendance because the mix of cars in the UK is different. Maybe a Minerva?

To the Luddites out there, you may want to skip this part: Goodwood will be hosting a Future Lab exhibit with a curated line-up of 20 pioneering EV companies, plus a display on Electric Avenue with a selection of the current crop of EVs. Looking ahead has never been so, um, electrifying!

A nod to the past, a nod to the present, and a nod to the future — that’s Goodwood 75 on July 13-16, 2023.

Part of American Motors’ bid to compete toe-to-toe with the Big Three was the introduction of the Javelin. With the success of the Ford Mustang, this new market segment could not be ignored, even if such a vehicle wasn’t quite a fit within AMC. But, considering AMC was on the sporty bandwagon with hardtops like the 1963 Rambler American 440-H, 1964 Classic 770-H, 1964 Ambassador 990-H, and 1965 Marlin, it was only a matter of time for AMC to come up with Mustang-fighter. A very nice example of AMC’s pony car, an inaugural 1968 Javelin SST, is our Pick of the Day. It is for sale on ClassicCars.com by a dealership in Christiansburg, Virginia. (Click on the link to view the listing)

Unlike the Mustang, the Javelin was only available as a semi-fastback coupe. “Its price is much less than the Mustang’s, yet you get much more,” claimed AMC. More room front and rear, more trunk space, more glass, and more maneuverability were some of the benefits. Two trim levels were available: standard and SST. Engine choices started with a 232ci inline-six, but you could opt for a 290 (available with two- or four-barrel carburetor), 343, and 390 V8s (the latter a late introduction). Additionally, performance fans could opt for the Go Package, which included a 343 or 390, dual exhausts, power disc brakes, heavy-duty springs, beefier sway bar, larger tires, and a nice fat longitudinal stripe.

The Javelin compared well in the marketplace to the Mustang and other cars in the segment, and the top 390 V8 was comparable in performance to most pony cars with similar cubic-inches aside of a solid-lifter 396 or Ram Air 400. By the end of the model year, 55,124 Javelins were built — 29,097 standard Javelins and 26,027 Javelin SSTs. They’re not often seen because they are drastically overshadowed by the two-seater AMX, and finding one in fine condition can be a tough proposition. The seller of this 1968 AMC Javelin SST hasn’t given much information — “all-original survivor . . . has plenty of pep to take you down the highway” — but we can infer some things from the pictures: the stripe tells us it has the Go Package, the engine bay shows it as being one of 8,954 SSTs built with the 343 (confirmed by the “T” in the VIN), and the paint looks to be Scarab Gold. Options appear to be black vinyl top, automatic transmission, woodgrain steering wheel, clock, AM radio, and Magnum 500 wheels.

The combination of condition and performance equipment makes this 44,644-mile 1968 Javelin SST a desirable pony car among more popular ponies (if not 1960s collectibles). For $45,000, this is a classic that is the perfect conversation starter for the loquacious.

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

With great anticipation and energy, the first Porsche Studio in the United States has celebrated its grand opening in Portland, Oregon.

“We are thrilled to bring the Porsche Studio concept to Portland,” says Joe Lawrence, Executive Vice President and COO of Porsche Cars North America, (PCNA). “The Studio concept offers our customers a warm, inviting, and convenient new place to engage with Porsche, whether configuring their new dream car, taking delivery, or just stopping by for an espresso.”

Porsche Studio Portland is in the heart of the city’s fashionable Pearl District, a former warehouse district, known for its art galleries, microbreweries and the iconic Powell City of Books. As part of the festivities, the legendary rock band Foreigner performed at the studio for around a thousand guests.

“We feel honored and excited to open the first Porsche Studio in the United States,” says Frank Geary, Executive Vice President of Sunset Imports, which also owns Porsche Beaverton. “We believe in the brand, product and community, and could not pass up the opportunity to introduce Porsche in such a vibrant part of our city.”

In honor of the grand opening, a 2003 911 Targa restored by technicians at Porsche Beaverton as part of last year’s Porsche Classic Restoration Challenge was auctioned off for $61,000. The proceeds went to the Dougy Center, whose mission is to provide support to families dealing with grief.

The new contemporary, boutique-like facility features a 12,920 sq-ft studio space over two floors. Guests can comfortably immerse themselves in Porsche’s heritage while learning more about its future direction. An inviting bar and lounge area features regional cuisine and beverages including locally roasted artisan coffee. The work of local artists is also on display among a rotating selection of vehicles. In the configuration space, customers can look through the inspiring list of options and configure and order the vehicle of their dreams. As an option for existing clients, drivers can drop-off and pick-up their vehicle at the Studio for service at Porsche Beaverton. The Studio will also offer courtesy vehicles and rideshare transportation options. Test drives are also available. Plans are in place to host events and activities for Porsche enthusiasts and the local community including yoga days and wellness weeks.

Ready to recite your ABCs?

The Pick of the Day is a 1958 Chrysler 300D listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in Prescott, Arizona. (Click the link to view the listing)

“Always garaged, rust-free, and run weekly,” the listing states. “Two-door hardtop with a gorgeous white and pearlescent highlight repaint.”

This 300 comes from what Chrysler called its “Letter Series” and was sold as a personal luxury car beginning in model year 1955 with a car that people retroactively consider the 300A. Following that car were the 300B, 300C, and 300D, and so on. Eventually Chrysler made its way all the way to the letter L in 1965. The naming convention was brought back much later in 1999 on the 300M model but didn’t stick around.

The seller has owned this car since 2014 and had performed some upgrades to the interior such as adding a new dash and headliner. The wheel covers have also been refinished, and the wide whitewall tires are recent. This was a high-option car when new and came with an original dealer-installed Cool Air A/C system and an Electro-Touch AM radio, although neither is currently functioning per the listing.

There were a total of 809 300D units produced in 1958, 618 of which were hardtops such as this one, and 191 were convertibles. Design language came from Chrysler Chief Engineer Virgil Exner who started his career with General Motors. He oversaw Pontiac styling before the age of 30, and he was eventually hired by Chrysler in the Advanced Styling Group beginning in 1949.

Power under the hood comes from a FirePower 392cid V8 that is equipped with dual four-barrel carburetors and is mated to a push-button TorqueFlite A488 three-speed automatic transmission. The seller states, “Motor tuned and runs strong.” The odometer reads 22,055 but the seller doesn’t indicate whether that is believed original. Regardless, the car looks incredibly well-preserved.

Maybe Stellantis should consider reviving the Letter Series one more time and making its way all the way to the letter Z at some point. Considering they left off with M, there are 13 letters remaining (exactly half the alphabet). If they started in 2025, they could finish in model year 2037!

The seller is asking $45,000 for this pearl white hardtop.

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 restored 1967 Ford Mustang GTA 2+2. It is powered by a 320-horsepower 390cid V8 backed by a three-speed automatic transmission. Features include power steering and brakes, GT Equipment Group (when, combined with the automatic, created the GTA), folding rear seat, and center console. Finished in Candyapple Red over a black vinyl interior, this Mustang comes with a Marti Report and a clear title.

Nineteen sixty-seven was a big year for the Mustang because it was the first time the Mustang was redesigned. Everything about the Mustang was bigger, but it still retained everything that made the Mustang popular in the first place, such as the familiar styling and proportions. Inside, the Mustang was stylish enough, but options allowed a buyer to build his/her Mustang with the latest in custom features — of special note were the combination of the Décor Option and Convenience Control Panel, a complement of fancier interior trim, overhead console, and warning lights. Plus, there now was room for Ford’s big-block 390, bringing the Mustang to a level that was competitive with its stablemate, the Fairlane GT, if not the Pontiac GTO.

The original Lime Gold paint has been replaced with a Candyapple Red repaint. According to the seller, this Mustang has an older refinish that shows well but has aged. Features include hood-mounted turn signals, fender-mounted antenna, rocker and wheel lip moldings, black GT stripes with GTA emblems, chrome dual side mirrors, and a flip-up GT gas cap.

A set of chrome 14-inch Styled Steel wheels with stainless steel trim rings is wrapped in 215/70R14 BFGoodrich Radial T/A tires.

The front bucket seats, Sport Deck folding rear seat, and door panels are upholstered in black vinyl. Features include power steering, AM radio, three-spoke steering wheel with wood rim, and console-mounted automatic transmission shifter.

The instrument panel consists of a 120-mph speedometer, 6,000-rpm tachometer, and gauges for the fuel level and temperature. The odometer reads 29,905 miles, which the seller reports to be accurate.

Power is provided by an S-code 390cid V8 backed by a C6 three-speed automatic transmission. Engine bay features include chrome valve covers, shock tower brace, Monte Carlo bar, and air cleaner.

This Mustang is equipped with an independent front suspension and limited-slip rear with 3.25:1 gears. Braking is provided by power front discs and rear drums. A dual exhaust system exits at the rear through the valence panel as part of the GT Equipment Group.

The online auction for this 1967 Ford Mustang GTA 2+2 ends on Wednesday, July 5, 2023, at 12:00 p.m. (PDT)

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and photo gallery