mod@tech

Just when you think you’ve seen it all: Did you know that there existed such a thing as a Corvette-branded cologne?

The overlap between the automotive and fashion industries has been going on for decades (here’s an Eddie Bauer + Ford example). But did you know that cars and fragrances also go hand-in-hand? At least, they did in 1996, when Corvette Cologne for Men ran a full-page ad in Car and Driver magazine.

The ad said, “The Cool Scent is Corvette Cologne for Men. An easy-to-wear, long-lasting masculine blend of citrus, lavender and bracing spearmint, rich leathers, and warm woods. In the 1.7-oz spray size, ideal for the bathroom, bedroom, suitcase, or glove box.”

Of course, “in-car” sensory experiences are nothing new. For example, Mercedes-Benz has been offering built-in air fresheners with customizable scents for many years. The company calls its current solution the “Air Balance” system, and it works by combining air ionization, charcoal filtration, and a glove box-mounted atomizer to purify air and disperse fragrance. But having something that’s actually wearable fosters a completely different level of connection with an end user.

According to a 2021 story from Road & Track magazine, some of the car/cologne partnerships over the years have included Bentley for Men, Ford Mustang for Men, Ferrari Scuderia Red, and Jaguar Classic Black, among others. So, if you have a friend or loved one who’s a car geek and already “has everything,” maybe a car-themed scent is a solid gift idea.

Unfortunately, so far, I haven’t found one that smells like a coolant leak or burning rubber.

Remember the Mystic Mustang Cobra? It was a color-shifting pony car that elicited many oohs and aahs. But what if you could control the hue of your car? Digital carbon fiber, you say? Holy gas masks, Batman! With a layered composite epoxy combined with shredded carbon fiber, a chemical is added to the molding process to give you what you see here — all controlled by remote control! We caught up with this glowing, fantastic fantasy at the Rupes booth at the 2025 SEMA Show.

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I made the mistake of never attending Lead East when I was living in the region. So, when I noticed the Goodguys Rod & Custom Association holds an event in Scottsdale twice a year (and how well run it was, according to several friends), my interest was piqued. The premiere Scottsdale event generally conflicts with my November trip to the Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals, but I had an opportunity to stop by WestWorld of Scottsdale this past Friday and check out the Goodguys scene (presented by Grundy Insurance).

As you can imagine, Saturday would have been the day to attend, but I didn’t turn down the chance to dip my toes. Plus, the unseasonably warm 91.9-degree temperature was nudging folks to leave early for shade, but I still managed to score pictures of a diverse group of cars and trucks, many of which I hadn’t seen in years. When’s the last time you saw a 1971 Mercury Montego MX Brougham four-door? Or a Fiat “Topolino” in the swap meet?

That’s the beauty of Goodguys: The event attracts so many diverse types of cars, and the condition doesn’t matter. It’s refreshing to experience, especially when I’m hung up on my rather conformist muscle and classic car events.

Appetite whetted, I look forward to having the whole Goodguys experience whenever my schedule allows it — as should you.

Barrett-Jackson, The World’s Greatest Collector Car Auctions, is ready to shine the spotlight on beautiful customs and original Chevrolet Corvettes and Bel Airs from the 1950s and ’60s during this year’s Palm Beach Auction, April 16-18, 2026. Each crossing the block with No Reserve, collectible custom Chevrolet vehicles include a 1967 Chevrolet Corvette custom convertible (preview) powered by a Gen V LT1 direct-injection engine paired with a 4L70E automatic overdrive transmission. Original Chevrolets will also be showcased, including a 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air convertible (preview) powered by a Power Pack V-8 engine paired with an automatic transmission.

“Chevrolet has long symbolized the ‘American Dream,’ and its legacy has been woven into our pop culture through songs and movies for generations,” said Craig Jackson, chairman and CEO of Barrett-Jackson. “The Corvette is a special American icon and we have some incredible custom options up for sale in Palm Beach, including the 1967 Chevrolet Corvette custom convertible (preview) that’s beautifully finished in Ferrari Bianco Fuji Pearl White with a black cloth convertible top. For collectors looking for original models, the 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air convertible (preview) is an incredible option that has been well-maintained in a private collection.”

Built on an Art Morrison Sport GT chassis with independent rear suspension, the 1967 Chevrolet Corvette custom convertible (preview) is powered by a V-8 paired with automatic overdrive transmission. It rides on Schott wheels with white-line tires with stopping handled by C8 Corvette Brembo four-wheel disc brakes. The interior features a fully finished leather interior with LED accent lighting, a chrome Ididit steering column and a pearl-accented wood steering wheel.

Powered by a 650hp V-8 paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, this 1966 Chevrolet Corvette custom convertible (preview) features a push-button electronic shifter and is built on a Roadster Shop Spec 7 chassis. The interior is upholstered in brown Nappa leather with custom-bolstered and thinned seats and features Dakota Digital gauges and a Restomod Air climate-control system. A 1967 Chevrolet Corvette Pro-Touring restomod convertible (preview) was built using the original 1967 body that was professionally fitted to a Roadster Shop Fast Track chassis. It is powered by a 625hp V-8 mated to a six-speed manual transmission with a hydraulic clutch. The interior offers Dakota Digital programmable gauges and clock, as well as restored original 1967 seat frames with new leather upholstery and foam.

Two original Chevrolet Bel Air convertibles from The Legacy on Wheels Collection include a 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air convertible (preview) powered by a Power Pack V-8 paired with an automatic transmission and equipped with power steering, power brakes and a Continental kit. Powered by its matching-numbers Power Pack V-8 paired with an automatic transmission, a 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air convertible (preview) was restored during a no-expense-spared, frame-off restoration. The exterior is finished in Matador Red and India Ivory, and features a Continental kit, accessory bumper guards and additional factory convenience options.

Nicknamed the “Black Widow,” a custom 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Split-Window Coupe (preview) is powered by a Mast Motorsports Black Label V-8 engine producing 665hp paired with a five-speed manual transmission. Exterior features include tucked bumpers, a custom front spoiler, custom rear diffuser, custom side mirrors and front turn signal driving lights. The interior is trimmed in black Italian leather with red double stitching and features a Competition Sound audio system with GPS mapping, MP3 and Bluetooth capability. Upgraded shoulder harness seat belts are fitted for driver and passenger safety.

Other notable Chevrolets crossing the Palm Beach Auction block include:

• 1958 Chevrolet Corvette 283/245 convertible (preview) – Fully restored, one of 510 finished in Regal Turquoise of the 9,168 Corvette models built for 1958; marks the first factory installation of seat belts and the introduction of twin chrome trunk spears.
• 1960 Chevrolet Corvette convertible (preview) – Finished in Ermine White, one of 3,717 examples for the 1960 model year; features Sateen Silver coves.
• Custom 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air (preview) – Frame-off restoration, refinished in the original Matador Red color and rides on new custom wheels and tires; approximately 1,250 miles on the build.

The Select Preview for the April 16-18 Palm Beach Auction is live and highlights a diverse selection of vehicles that will appeal to first-time and seasoned collectors alike.

Barrett-Jackson is inviting consignments for the April 16-18 Palm Beach Auction. Bidder registration is open with options that give full access to the action. Advance tickets are on sale now, with special pricing for seniors, military and first responders. Student tickets are $10 and children 12 years of age and younger automatically receive complimentary admission. Barrett-Jackson VIP Experiences hospitality packages are available and offer elevated access. 

Barrett-Jackson will host its inaugural Columbus Auction at the Ohio Expo Center & State Fairgrounds, June 25-27, 2026, and is returning to Nevada for its Las Vegas Auction, Sept. 10-12, 2026, in the West Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center.

This article was originally published on Barrett-Jackson.com.

While thumbing through an older (1995-era) issue of Car and Driver magazine, I came across an advertisement for Havoline motor oil. It showed a man named Arthur Kelly who owned a 1970 Buick LeSabre convertible, racked up 674,000 miles on the car, and “never changed his oil” (except he did change it — he just always used the same brand of oil). Motor oil always seems to be a hot topic (pun intended), and the ad provoked some questions.

My 1994 Acura with 601,000 miles on it has received 187 oil changes. That comes out to an oil change every 3,219 miles over the car’s 32-year lifespan. In more recent years, I’ve been using a “synthetic blend” oil type. What exactly does that mean? Here’s a short guide:

• Conventional – Derived directly from refined crude oil. It is said to break down relatively quickly under high heat or heavy loads.
• Synthetic blend – This is considered a mid-grade option, made up of a mixture between synthetic and conventional base oils.
• Full synthetic – Chemically engineered with few impurities. It is said to flow better in extreme temperatures and is less prone to break down, resulting in longer intervals between changes, improved fuel efficiency, and reduced engine wear.  
• “High mileage” – Formulated with seal conditioners that are said to reduce oil consumption and leaks. Intended for vehicles with more than 75,000 miles.

This might also be a good opportunity for a crash course on oil grades. I found a handy graphic from U.S. Lubricants as shown below.

There are 14 classes of oil viscosity that were established by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE): six “winter” classes and eight “summer” classes. An oil grade will designate both. For example, “5W-20” is oil with a viscosity rating of five at cold temperatures (“W” for winter) and a viscosity rating of 20 when the engine is at normal operating temperature. (In case you wanted to know, the normal operating temperature for most cars ranges from about 190-225 degrees Fahrenheit.)

So, which weight and change interval is optimal?

That depends! The manual for my Legend says to use a 5W-30 oil, but does not specify its type. Also worth noting: It calls for a 7,500-mile interval, which is twice as much as I’ve been running each change.

Clearly, I’ve been doing something right when it comes to maintaining my Legend, but what about my newer car?

My 252,000-mile 2013 Acura ILX uses 0W-20 fully synthetic oil. Instead of going by the old “every 3,000 miles” rule of thumb, I let the car’s computer (which Acura calls the Maintenance Minder) tell me when it’s time to schedule service. Usually, when the readout says that I have 15 percent oil life remaining, I schedule an appointment. That car has received 36 oil changes over its 13 years, which comes out to exactly 7,000 miles between changes. So, with synthetic oil, the ILX is being driven more than double the number of miles that the Legend does on a change of “blend.”

I might be opening up Pandora’s Box by asking this question, but I’ll do it anyway: Which brand, weight, and change interval do you swear by for your classic or modern vehicle?

If you’ve read some of my previous work at The ClassicCars.com Journal, you may have noticed that I have a thing for “Woodys,” vehicles with genuine (or fake) wood paneling on the sides. They have a visual warmth to them and an undeniable old-school flair. That’s why I enjoy writing about vehicles like this 1946 Pontiac, 1947 Chrysler, 1948 Oldsmobile, 1949 Buick, and many other Woodys. As I was thinking about them on the way to the office, I realized that the last Woody (with panels cut from real vinyl trees!) just might be the Chrysler PT Cruiser of the early 2000s. What?!

Woodys might not exist without steel — the same metal that played a major part in their demise. The expanded reach of railroad tracks in the early 20th century led to a need for vehicles that could transport people to and from train stations. Those became known as depot hacks, which were characterized by open bodies with wagon-style wood planks. Changes in construction techniques and features gave way to more lifestyle-focused station wagons. For a time, many Woodys consisted of an automaker’s chassis and a wood body that the customer either made or ordered from an outside firm. Eventually, automakers started offering complete station wagons, although even those had bodies that were made by other companies.

One of the reasons why wood was so popular was that it was easier to use because stamping large steel panels was difficult. After World War II, wood was also in greater supply than steel. Those two limitations turned out to be temporary, but labor-intensive Woodys continued to be produced for several more years. According to Hagerty, “By late 1939, for example, Ford was assembling the 1940 station wagon using 445 board feet of lumber including gum or mahogany for paneling, birch and maple for framing, and basswood for the inner roof slats. Then, the Rouge plant in Dearborn shipped to Iron Mountain 25 boxcars a day containing the required steel parts. The assembly of each wagon required different 167 sizes and shapes of wood, from long stringers to tiny framing blocks. The bodies also required a further 750 different parts, from screws to safety glass.” And let’s not forget the multiple coats of varnish and all the sanding required afterward.

The fundamental materials of Woodys changed over the years. By the late 1940s, wood became more of a framing material for body-color steel panels or Di-Noc vinyl sheeting. The National Woodie Club has an entire page on its site devoted to the different types of Woodys out there. Classic models feature wood as a structural component. Convertibles and sedans such as the Chrysler Town & Country qualify as Woodys, too. Then there are those vehicles with decorative, non-load-bearing wood trim. “Tin” Woodys are “1949 and later station wagons with metal profiles suggesting wood framework and panels although they were actually stamped steel.” Woodys from later decades only have a semblance of wood thanks to vinyl side panels.

The vinyl-sided Woodys lasted well into the 1980s and 1990s. Jeep rocked that look with the XJ Wagoneer and Cherokee Briarwood, and the SJ Grand Wagoneer, which was discontinued at the end of the 1991 model year. Buick held out even longer, offering the Roadmaster Estate Wagon until 1996.

For a while, I thought that was the end of the factory Woody (genuine wood or not). However, the more I thought about it, the more an old memory kept rising up, reminding me that there was an even later model: the Chrysler PT Cruiser. It’s fitting that the model inspired by the Art Deco era (which produced the Chrysler Building) was available with such a retro option. Between the 2002-04 model years, the name for it changed from the Woodgrain Package/Woodgrain Exterior Accents to the Woodie Cruiser/Woodie Package to the Woodgrain Accent Group. One thing that stayed the same was its two-tone faux-wood exterior accents — appropriate in the age of automotive retrofuturism that spawned the S197 Ford Mustang, final Ford Thunderbird, reborn Dodge Challenger, and fifth-generation Chevrolet Camaro.

It seems that at least one Ford dealer offered a Woody look on the Flex, but that wasn’t a factory option. As such, it looks as if the 2002-04 Chrysler PT Cruiser is the end of the line for Woodys. Is there a later Woody that I have missed? Post it in the Comments section below.

Well done DIY projects and expensive mistakes are separated by a thin margin. We researched what restoration experts consistently see, the mistakes that turn a weekend into a month, or a $100 fix into a five-figure invoice.

1. Letting Wiring Problems Slide

Electronics don’t stand the test of time; they corrode or fail.

Your car starts fine for months, then one morning it won’t, or worse, you smell some burning insulation. Specialists in classic electric systems report that brittle, cracked, or frayed wires from heat exposure are standard in aging vehicles. The reality is these systems weren’t bult to last 60+ years.

The reason this can be so unexpected is because you assumed everything was fine. After all, there were no warning lights, no symptoms, no indication of an issue.  

Start here: Check grounds and connections at the battery and engine block. Inspect harnesses near heat sources and look at your fuse block for discolored or melted fuses. If your car’s been sitting, pull the battery terminals and clean them. This should help solve most intermittent electrical issues.

Have Electrical Issues?

We found that these are the most common reasons collectors reach out to mechanics for a professional diagnosis. Before you spend a month of weekends searching, cover your beauty with Legendary Car Protection, a vehicle service provider built for classic cars and everyday car enthusiasts.

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2. Modern Fluids

You decide that upgrading to synthetic oil is better, so you switch. Six months later, you find a slow drip from under your car. Modern oils and synthetics are engineered for modern cars. Your 1960’s engine was not engineered for this and can have a bad reaction. Ethanol can cause rubber and plastic parts to break down causing the tank to expand or contract.

BEFORE you switch fluids, check your engine specs to see what it was designed for. If you must go to synthetics remember to replace your gaskets and seals. It costs more upfront but prevents leaks that compound over time.

• Ethanol Fuel May be Corroding Your Fuel System

Your carburetor isn’t designed for E10 Gasoline. Neither are your fuel lines, fuel tank, or accelerator pump. Every fill up, you’re introducing something that damages those components.  

To Avoid this:

• Use ethanol-free fuel if available
• Install ethanol-safe components if you’re doing fuel system work
• Use fuel stabilizer specifically formulated for ethanol when storing your car
• If you must use E10, drain the fuel system or fill the tank completely with treated fuel

Non-ethanol fuel costs can be a bit expensive, but you know what is more expensive? Replacing the corroded fuel tank. Fuel system failures often trigger other mechanical issues. When a fuel pump fails mid-season, or the carburetor failure derails your plans, mechanical coverage from Legendary Car Protection means you’re back on the road instead of back in the garage.

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3. Buying a Classic and skipping the inspection

You found the car. It starts right up, drives well, and the previous owner says it’s fully restored.

Congrats! You own a classic car.

Except for most problems won’t show up right away during your test drive. Differential fluid that’s never being changed, wheel bearings that are shot, coolant that’s now sludge; these types of issues don’t rear themselves until you’re 50 miles from home.

See our checklist below to help mitigate potential issues:

• Differential fluid condition and level
• Wheel bearing play (grab the tire and check movement)
• Coolant level and condition
• Valve Lash
• Brake fluid condition and line integrity
• Oil condition and level

Spend a week and I am sure you will find some things that need addressing. Finding these issues early is worth it.  

Serious collectors don’t skip this critical step; they also pair their DIY check-up with proper mechanical coverage. Legendary Car Protection covers mechanical breakdowns, so the unexpected repairs don’t become disasters.

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4. Smart DIY Means Knowing What You Can’t Control

DIY saves money when done right, done wrong and it costs time and money. The difference isn’t knowledge or skill. It’s discipline: following specs, diagnosing before replacing, and checking components before moving forward.

You invested the time and money into your beauty, so you understand more than most that mechanical failures don’t care how prepared you are. Legendary Car Protection covers mechanical breakdowns and repairs on classic, exotics, and everyday vehicles.

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