This year marked the 20th annualNational Acura Legend Meet. Since 2005, the event has served as a “family reunion” for like-minded Acura owners and enthusiasts, and the community bond remains stronger than ever. (Here’s a story about last year’s program.)
Burlington, with a population of about 44,000 people, is the largest city in Vermont—known for its outdoor recreation and panoramic scenery. It is located on the shores of Lake Champlain and, most importantly, it offers some excellent driving roads. Husband-and-wife team and area locals Ty and Ashley MacWalters rolled out the red carpet with an event schedule that was brimming with fun activities in early September.
Background on the Community
The Legend laid the foundation for Honda’s luxury division as its flagship model back in 1986 and remained in production until it was replaced by the 3.5 RL in 1996. Over its decade in production, more than 400,000 units were sold in the United States. This year’s NALM attracted about 25 of those that remain on the roads, and they drove from 18 different states to attend (including Leon, who made the long haul from California). One devout attendee, Al, flew from his home in Alberta to Ontario so he could rent a car in Montreal and drive across the border for the festivities. The dedication of these folks is unmatched!
Attractions
Event highlights this year included a visit to Vermont Sports Car, a facility that designs and manufacturers competition cars, as well as a number of other noteworthy destinations. The group toured the world headquarters for Ben & Jerry’s ice cream—complete with free samples at the conclusion. A group photo was captured at Stowe Mountain, a favorite destination for world-class snow skiing. Finally, on the last day, the group convened at Veteran’s Memorial Park for a public “cars and coffee” event, which drew participants from around the community.
The Big 6-0-0
One of the noteworthy pieces of the program, for me anyway, was achieving the long-awaited 600,000-mile mark on my 1994 Legend LS coupe. With careful planning, I was able to roll the milestone at a precise date, time, and place—quite a feat, especially considering my drive from Arizona to Vermont alone was about 2,700 miles one-way.
Award Recipients
The competition was fierce, but Best of Show for this year’s NALM went to the Altrui family from Branford, Connecticut, who brought out their stunning 1993 Legend L coupe in Milano Red with fewer than 30,000 original miles on the odometer.
Recognitions were given for cars with the best paint, best interior, best wheels, and more. There was a special mention for all first-time attendees to the event, for the women who attended, and for NALM’s youngest attendee, four-month-old Hudson, who came with his parents Richard and Danielle from North Carolina. Lastly, the group made sure to give its long-time member Alan from Florida a hard time because he celebrated his 70th birthday during the week.
The Legend Lives On
Even though Legend owners experience the same struggles as other classic-car-owner groups (scarcity of replacement parts among them), enthusiasts have proven that the passion for keeping their cars on the road is well worth the hurdles and challenges. The overarching sense of “family” among the NALM group is the reason they come together year after year.
Proposals will be accepted beginning later this fall for the 2026 NALM event location. More information will be posted on the Acura Legend forums at this link.
There once was a time when Californian enthusiasts had to endure not being able to order certain new vehicles due to emissions regulations. Today, this can hold true for 17 states, as certain Dodge Durango variants will not be available based on state regulations.
Seventeen states? That’s the number that are not allowed to sell the Durango R/T and Hellcat, according to Car and Driver.
2026 Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat Jailbreak
Those states follow the CARB (California Air Resources Board) emissions standard, a piece of California regulation that appears to have proliferated to 16 other states, including Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington.
Dodge certainly could have made the 6.4-liter 392 Hemi and 6.2-liter Hellcat compliant with CARB, but the cost to do so possibly would have been greater than the profit potential. As such, consumers in CARB states are left with the Durango GT if a V8 is desired, in this case a 5.7-liter Hemi with 360 horsepower—a nice step up from the 295-horse V6 from previous GTs.
2026 Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat Jailbreaks in Green Machine and Stryker Purple
“As we prepare to begin production of the Durango SRT Hellcat Jailbreak later in Q4 and open for orders of the Durango R/T 392 by the end of the year, we continue to work with CARB on opportunities to sell these two powertrains in all states alongside the 5.7-liter Durango GT,” says a Dodge spokesperson.
Right now on AutoHunter, you can find this restored 1949 Chevrolet 3100, which is powered by a rebuilt 235ci I6 mated to a four-speed manual transmission. Finished in green and black over a brown cloth and black vinyl interior, this “Advance-Design” Chevy pickup is now offered by the selling dealer in Kansas with a clear title.
As part of the restoration, the body was refinished in green; the fenders and running boards were refinished in black. Exterior features include a chrome grille and bumpers, bright trim, two-piece windshield, dual mirrors, varnished wood bed floor planks, wrapped tailgate chains, and a single exhaust outlet.
The 15-inch wheels stand out because they’re red, equipped with chrome Chevrolet hub caps, and surrounded by 215/75 Firestone whitewall radials.
Inside the cab, the bench seat is covered in brown cloth and black vinyl. Features include manual windows, seat belts, aftermarket turn signal assembly, and a floor-mounted manual shifter.
Instrumentation consists of an 80-mph speedometer and gauges for the fuel level, battery, temperature, and oil pressure. The odometer shows 655 miles, but this truck is mileage-exempt, according to its title.
A rebuilt 235ci inline-six engine and a four-speed manual gearbox help this truck haul and tow. The I6 is fitted with a single-barrel carburetor, 12-volt electrical system, and alternator. A 4.11:1 rear end applies the six’s output to the road; manual front disc and rear drum brakes help ensure this 3100 keeps on truckin’.
If you’re in the market for a classic American truck with some thoughtful upgrades, bid on this 1949 Chevrolet 3100 before the end of the auction on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. (PDT).
From today’s perspective, the black four-door seen here doesn’t appear all that different from other late-prewar cars; it certainly doesn’t look like it sparked an automotive styling revolution. But the Cadillac Sixty Special Sedan was, and it did. And for a short time, you have the rare opportunity to own a genuine piece of rolling history.
Bill Mitchell, who would go on to succeed Harley Earl atop General Motors Styling Section -née Art and Colour Section— with the title GM Vice President of Design, was just 24 when he was charged with leading the Cadillac Division studio in 1936. His first complete project was the new-for-1938 Sixty Special, an upmarket model positioned above Series 60 variants that would be built through 1940. This five-passenger sedan sported a very modern design that was much lower than contemporary cars, and its large windows with slender, bright-trimmed frames, integrated notchback trunk design, and lack of running boards stood out. But it wasn’t all-surface, no-substance; a 346-cu.in., 135-hp V8, column-shifted three-speed “Synromatic” manual transmission, and front and rear ride stabilizers gave the 127-inch-wheelbase, 214 3/4-inch-long car a smooth and comfortable ride that is still at home on any road.
This 1939 Sixty Special Sedan
The 1939 version of the Sixty Special offered a more streamlined grille and headlight treatment –seen here– that’s considered one of the most desirable of the era, today. This example, currently on offer through Hemmings Auctions, is one of 5,513 Sixty Specials that Cadillac produced that year, and it’s had a small number of caring owners who have preserved its impressive originality. Like its 1938 and 1940 brethren, this car is honored as a Full Classic by the Classic Car Club of America.
Fewer than 81,000 miles register on the four-door’s odometer, and they’re believed to represent all of the Cadillac’s time on the road from new. Behind a woodgrain-painted dash containing a radio and clock, the cloth-trimmed seats offer stretch-out room, particularly in the rear compartment that contains a fold-down center armrest and robe cord.
The 90-degree L-head V8 underhood uses a dual-downdraft carburetor that draws from a 22-gallon fuel tank. It’s recently been serviced and is said to drive “very well.”
The Sixty Special’s double-drop frame and advanced-for-the-day underpinnings made it stand out from contemporary American luxury sedans, and it still turns heads. Its roomy trunk remains practical, underscoring this is a genuine touring car whose capabilities stand up 86 years on.
Despite their importance and rarity, first-generation Sixty Specials are approachably valued, with classic.com indicating 1939 examples average around $40,000. The Hemmings Auctions listing for this car is currently attracting strong attention – will you toss your fedora into the ring?
A rolling bed named The Sex Machine demonstrates just how far touring show cars had diverged from real rods and customs by 1969. Promoters wanted at least one new “odd rod” each winter to attract nonautomotive types. (A 40-page program that George Barris produced for this L.A. auction highlights “…a Panasonic TV with all of the fun things that could be imagined in a touring round sex machine on wheels.”) Builder Jay Ohrberg appealed to actual gearheads, too, by using modern racing parts to mock up outrageous combinations. Attending rodders and racers surely snarked about Jay wasting two Chrysler 426 Hemis and Hilborn fuel systems on a doggone show car—err, show bed—but even the hardcores had to stop, gawk, and count off those blowers.
Photographer: Dave Wallace
Date: September 1983
Location: George Barris Hollywood Collector Car Auction #4, Universal Studios; Studio City, California
The 1950s were a magical time for the auto industry in the U.S. The Big Three in Detroit—especially Ford and General Motors—were working to build some of the best cars on the planet. If one single car best demonstrated this, it was the Cadillac Eldorado Brougham. My Pick of the Day on ClassicCars.com is one of these cars, a 1958 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham offered by a dealer in Glendale, California.
The Eldorado Brougham was the very definition of a “halo” car: one that demonstrated exactly how great a car GM could make when they set aside things like budgets. These cars were literally hand-built at Cadillac, and the cost reflected that. In 1957-58, when a new Rolls-Royce cost $10,000, the price for the Eldorado Brougham was $13,074. Although you could choose from a myriad of 28 paint colors and 45 different interiors, the car had no added options because it came fully loaded from the factory.
Standard features included power steering, power brakes, power windows, power locks, power front seat with “favorite position” seat memory, alloy wheels and, of course, air conditioning. Also standard was a control to open, close, and lock the trunk from the glove compartment. Special switches in the rear doors stopped the transmission from shifting into a driving gear while the rear doors were open. Every Eldorado Brougham was also delivered with a full vanity set, including four metal drink tumblers with a magnetic tray in the glovebox to hold them, a tissue holder, and a special cigarette case.
For the female driver or passenger, there was an Evans compact case that included a comb, mirror, cigarette case, lipstick, coin holder, and powder. In the rear, a special compartment contained a small leather notebook with Cross pencil, beveled mirror, and a perfume atomizer with an ounce of Arpège Extrait de Lanvin perfume.
These were simply the finest luxury cars in the world at that time.
With the price being so high, Cadillac did not sell many 1957-58 Eldorado Broughams. Total production in 1957 was 400 cars, with another 304 built in 1958, making them the one of the rarest production Cadillacs ever.
The seller states that this example is an older restoration done by White Post Restorations in Virginia that cost over $70,000. Work included converting the factory air suspension to a conventional system (a common practice when restoring these cars), a full repaint, replacing all chrome, and lots of other mechanical work, including going through the engine. The car has covered 44,000 miles from new and is finished in Copenhagen Blue with a black leather interior. Both the paint and interior look to be in excellent condition.
Under the hood is the same, featuring a tidy-looking engine compartment with no issues to be seen in the provided photos.
The underside of the car is also exceptionally clean, with no rust visible at all in any of the many provided photos in the listing.
These cars are extremely special and do not come up for sale more than a few times a year. They are eligible for concours events across the world and also are one of the nicest 1950s cars to drive, whether you’re on a long or short trip. There is just an elegance to the Eldorado Brougham that surpasses just about every other luxury car of the era.
If you are looking for the best of the best of the 1950s, this is your car. The asking price for this stunning Cadillac is $115,000, which is well in line for the current market for these rare and special vehicles. The chances of passing one on the road are all but non-existent; this car is guaranteed to draw a crowd wherever you go.
The 1980s were a transformative period in the automotive industry, marked by experimentation and innovation. Automakers began to blur the lines between traditional cars and trucks, resulting in vehicles that defied conventional classifications. This era saw the emergence of models that combined the comfort and style of cars with the utility and ruggedness of trucks, catering to a diverse range of consumer preferences. The following decade would witness the rise of SUVs and crossovers, but the 1980s laid the groundwork for this shift by challenging existing automotive norms.
If you were buying/selling a 2020 Chevy Silverado, you likely consider ordering up a vehicle history report or “VHR” to help you negotiate the price or determine your interest when buying a vehicle. VHRs are a great way to check the actual accident records, ownership, title records, and even recalls for any vehicle. What you may not realize is that these reports are available for ANY vehicle, even those built before 17-digit VIN numbers were required in 1981.
One of the biggest concerns for classic car buyers is title washing. This is not the same thing as title swapping, which is removing the VIN tag from one body to another, which is only legal when done under the supervision of state authorities. Title washing is just like money laundering; the title is sold to another person using specific tactics to yield a clean title. This is not only unethical, but also a felony. The purpose of title washing is to conceal a vehicle’s previous history of major damage that would have it labeled as a junk motor vehicle or salvage.
You are probably thinking “but how would that even work? A title is a title”, the answer is just as simple- every state has different laws and rules regarding vehicle titles. Some states don’t even title vehicles after a certain timeframe, so it can get tricky ensuring that the vehicle you are looking at purchasing has a legitimate title history.
This is what the report looks like. You can click on the tabs to access each section. The trial gives you access to the premium information,
How Title Washing Works
An unscrupulous seller links up with a cohort to scam some unsuspecting buyers. They buy a few cars at auction from a recent flood sale. These vehicles have “Salvage” or “Flood” stamped on the title indicating that they have been in a flood and must be sold as scrap. Next, they get the vehicles running and driving (usually the bare minimum of effort) and then take the vehicles to another state that does not have the same rules. The vehicle is retitled in the new state following their rules. Some states require a rebuilder, but many do not. Once the vehicle has been inspected (this is usually a VIN check only), a new title is created without any of the previous damage attached. A vehicle with a clean title is worth a lot more than a salvage item, making this a very lucrative option for the low-down dirty fools who do it. In the end, someone gets snookered and loses a lot of money. In most cases, the issues soon return, and the seller has disappeared.
Not only could you lose a lot of value, but you could also find yourself in a heap of legal trouble as well. The owner of the vehicle is responsible for it, and if your vehicle fails and causes an accident, you could be in for a long legal battle that you did nothing to deserve.
We tried two other vehicles, and OOPS, turns out our 2010 Subaru Outback had been salvage titled and then washed 6 months before we bought it at a dealership.
How Do I Make Sure My Vehicle Has Not Been Title Washed?
There may be tell-tale signs such as too low a price, or very recent out-of-state title issuance, but the best way to verify the history is to order a VHR from Bumper.com. With Bumper.com, you get a detailed history of the vehicle, including sales history, accidents*, theft, liens, recalls, estimated market value, and more. You don’t even need the VIN, you can use the plate to get the information as well.
For as little as $1, you can get access to your vehicle’s history with the 7-day trial membership. This allows you to check up to 50 VINs per month (great for dealers and casual flippers). For a $5 7-day membership, you get the same access, with the added ability to print PDFs and save reports. After the 7-day trial, a monthly charge of $27.99 is billed to the account used for the initial setup.
This is a 2007 BMW 750LI we purchased in 2019 from a local small used dealership. We knew it had been in an accident, but we didn’t know that it had been 6 times in as many days on an auction site. Had we seen this beforehand, we would have passed on buying it.
Buying a title-washed vehicle usually ends poorly for the buyer. The phrase “Caveat Emptor” or “Buyer Beware” applies to any and every vehicle you are considering purchasing. Even if you know the seller, they could have been duped along the way. A vehicle history report from Bumper.com is the best way to help ensure that you know the dirty details of any vehicle you are buying or selling. Providing a clean VHR to any prospective buyer shows that you are not out to defraud anyone. Got a vehicle with low miles on the odometer? A VHR can help prove they are original miles and not a rollback or rollover.
Whether buying, selling, or just doing research on a vehicle you already own, a Bumper.com vehicle history report is a great way to confirm the details. It makes a nice addition to any vehicle’s service portfolio as well. Visit Bumper.com for more information on their services and get a report ordered for all of your vehicles.
*Bumper reports are based on data available and may not include historical accident records in all states.
The 1990s produced a range of vehicles that seamlessly blend reliability, affordability, and distinctive features, making them excellent choices for novice drivers. Models like the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord are renowned for their durability and low maintenance costs. These vehicles not only offer practical transportation but also evoke a sense of nostalgia, appealing to those who appreciate classic automotive design. Their enduring popularity underscores their lasting appeal and suitability for first-time car owners.
We tend to think of high-end vehicles or super-rare cars when it comes to making an impact at car shows. But small cars, particularly those from the 1950s and 1960s, tend to do the job just fine.
Want to make a splash at your next car show, either metaphorically or quite literally? This 1964 Amphicar Model 770 now available on Hemmings Auctions might be just the car you’re looking for. So, while we’re sharing details about the Amphicar, we thought we’d also give you some info on this equally charming 1958 Autobianchi Bianchina Transformabile that’s also ending the same day on Hemmings Auctions.
1964 Amphicar Model 770
The designer of the Amphicar, one of the few amphibious vehicles ever marketed to a non-military market, got his start prior to World War II. Hanns Trippel created the Trippel SG6 Schwimmwagen. Ironically enough, it was created for civilian use, but several variants were created for the Nazi war machine. Trippel actually manufactured the Schwimmwagen at Bugatti’s Molsheim, France factory, which had been seized under German orders.
Following the war, Trippel spent a few years in prison in France as a war profiteer. He later attempted to build a sports car with various partners throughout Europe. That project never panned out. He did inadvertently invent—and later patent—gullwing doors, which Mercedes-Benz famously used in the 300SL coupes of the 1950s.
Amphicar Built in Partnership with IKW
With the failure of the sports car, Trippel returned to his roots and designed another amphibious car. This time, he found success with the Amphicar. Built in West Germany by IWK with the backing of the government there, Amphicar production began in 1961.
Amphicar Powered by a Triumph Engine
Powered by a 1.1-liter OHV Triumph Herald engine, which was good for all of 43 horsepower, the Amphicar could had a top speed on land of 70 mph. In the water, the Amphicar boasted of a 7 knot maximum velocity. Acceleration was not its strong suit. It took an estimated 40 seconds to reach 60 mph from a dead stop on the road.
The Amphicar Could Navigates Roads and Waterways
On the water, the driver disengaged wheel drive and engaged the twin-prop water drive via a lever. The double-sealed doors had a locking mechanism. The Amphicar included an on-board bilge pump should water enter the passenger cabin. With no rudder, steering on the water was via the front wheels, which was probably not ideal. But with its limited speed, it sufficed.
Production continued from 1961 through the mid-1960s, though sales continued nearly through the end of the decade. Today, Amphicars will almost always draw attention at car shows and if spotted on the road. Walt Disney World in Florida maintains a fleet for tours on its Lake Buena Vista to this day.
The 1964 Amphicar 770 Now on Hemmings Auctions
This 1964 Amphicar Model 770 convertible presently listed on Hemmings Auctions was repainted 25 years ago, according to the seller. He notes in the listing that “the hull is solid, with no rust or leaks.” He does indicate that the canvas top is in “good condition,” while acknowledging two small patches to keep it leak-free.
The car is said to run well. The seller included a video showing the car running and him engaging the props and then reversing them. The listing notes recent rebuilds for the starter, generator and carburetor. The dash was rewired and “soldered properly,” per the seller. He adds that the brakes have been rebuilt with new shoes.
Fiat’s postwar savior was the Nuova 500, a car that not only served yeoman’s work in putting the company back on its feet, but also provided a blank slate for a surprisingly large number of variants. Some of these variants were badged Fiats, while others, like this 1958 Autobianchi Bianchina Transformabile, carried their own unique badges.
Joint Venture Formed to Build the Autobianchi Bianchina
One of the more ambitious Fiat 500-based vehicles came from Autobianchi, a venture formed by Fiat, Pirelli, and Bianchi, the latter one of Italy’s most famous bicycle manufacturers. Autobianchi started production of the Bianchina just two months after the car it was based on. An estimated 35,500 examples of this charming little convertible were produced between 1957 and 1962 at Bianchi’s Desio, Italy factory.
Rather than a simple enclosed car designed for efficient transportation, the Bianchina was a somewhat luxurious and fun take on the concept using unique bodywork. Passenger and cargo space was rather limited as the rear-engined Transformabile had only a rear seat suitable for small children and just enough space in the frunk for a spare tire and fuel tank.
In terms of looks, there is an undeniable cuteness to the otherwise conventional three-box design as it was built on a 72-inch wheelbase and measured just 117.5 inches long. It was tiny even compared to the Volkswagen Beetle, which was 160 inches from stem to stern.
Though it did not have a full convertible top, the center section of the roof, from the top edge of the windshield back, could be rolled down for a nearly fully open-top driving experience.
Fiat Provided the Engines for the Bianchina
Fiat rated the 500’s 479-cc OHV, air-cooled twin-cylinder engine at 13 horsepower and 20 lb-ft of torque. Autobianchi began installing an updated 499.5-cc version of this engine in the cars in 1959. It boosted output to 17.5 horsepower and 26 lb-ft of torque. That half horsepower was likely worth bragging about in the sub-1,200-pound Bianchina. Top speed was somewhere north of 60 mph, though not likely too much beyond that figure. A sportier version of the 499.5-cc engine featured higher compression and a Weber carburetor to produce 21 horsepower.
The Bianchina also had a bit of flair with more brightwork inside and out as compared to the 500. That stylish panache was likely expected by customers paying a 20 percent premium over the basic Fiat. Rather than a true top-of-the-market luxury car, it was for the upper middle class family that wanted a second car and could afford something not as practical as a typical family car.
The 1958 Autobianchi Bianchina Transformabile Now on Hemmings Auctions
The seller of this 1958 Autobianchi Bianchina Transformabile now on Hemmings Auctions describes it as “a good, well-running vehicle that’s been restored.” Details of the restoration include replacement of suspension and braking components. He also notes rebuilds of both the engine and transmission. Cosmetically, both the red top and red houndstooth upholstery are indicated as new.
There is truly nothing else on the road quite like a Bianchina. Show up at cars and coffee or even when just going out for a cup of coffee and you had better be ready for a conversation. You will get questions for sure!
Never in danger of breaking any speed records, these two small European cars instead deliver their own unique driving experiences, on land or on water. Head on over to Hemmings Auctions for more details. Just be prepared to be smitten with their charms.
