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These Once-Forgotten SUVs Are Surging In Value

The SUV market has changed dramatically since the ’80s when they were used for off-roading or getting around on the ranch. Today’s SUV models have become much more advanced and luxurious. In between that period of innovation and design lay SUV models that were forgotten in the wind. So with the current trend of everything retro being worth something way more than it was, we’ve seen classic SUV prices spike like never before.

Many of these SUV models were very common. But due to current consumer interest, they are now worth gold. We looked at some of the most common models that you’ll see that are now worth double what they used to be. Some of these SUVs are quite capable off-road while others are comfortable enough to be a modern daily driver. Whatever classic SUVs you like, there is sure to be a model that you’ll enjoy having in your garage. Let’s remember these once-forgotten SUVs right here.

Photo Credit: Car Domain

Mercedes Benz ML320

When Mercedes-Benz jumped into the crossover SUV craze in the late ’90s, the ML320 headlined that run. The ML320 was a fairly modest SUV that had a decent amount of capable luxury. The odd shape of the model was pure Mercedes, but drivers knew that there was something special about it. The ML320 was the definition of groundbreaking. Its unique styling and the new technology took it to another level (via JP Motor Pool).

Photo Credit: Car Domain

Today the ML320 is worth a pretty penny, especially for a low mileage example. The capable off-road system and the luxurious interior made it a great choice for consumers. The bulletproof reliability was also a very strong aspect of the ML320, with many examples of the SUV clocking in at over 300k on the odometer.

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IMSA Racing TireRack.com Battle on the Bricks

The IMSA Racing Weathertech Sportscar Championship hosted at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on September 15 through 17. The weekend series hosts: Lamborghini Super Trofeo, WeatherTech Championship Qualifying, Porsche Carrera Cup and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway 240. The IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship features two styles of cars – Prototype, which showcases the latest automotive technology and […]

The post IMSA Racing TireRack.com Battle on the Bricks appeared first on CarShowz.com.

Street-Legal Monster Trucks You Can Actually Buy

With their big tires, enormous engines, and insane performance capabilities, monster trucks are fantastic machines in many aspects. Now, the typical monster truck is of course not street-legal, mostly bound to shows at arenas and other special events.

But what about the real truck models that emulate that monster truck feel while still being legal for street use? Indeed, there are tucks out there that have all the characteristics, appeal, and appearance but with slightly milder specifications. Today, we looked at the best street-legal trucks that get as close to monster trucks as the laws will allow. Get ready to rip up the streets in these trucks below.

Photo Credit: GM

GMC Hummer EV

The Tesla Cybertruck might be the first fully operational prototype electric truck of the future. But GMC’s Hummer EV is newer, bigger, meaner-looking, and filled with several features that get drivers closer to owning a monster truck. But before attempting to reserve one, just know that the top-of-the-line version will cost around $100,000 (via GMC Hummer). It truly is close to a monster truck in that area.

Photo Credit: Auto WP

The features on the Hummer EV are insane. The base version will have a 625 hp engine, the next up will have 800 hp engines, and the top-tier model has an astonishing 1000 hp at its disposal. As with all-electric vehicles, the torque figure is equally impressive, and its predicted range is 350 miles. But what really compares it to a monster truck are the drivetrain and suspension, which allow it to climb even the steepest obstacles. It can even go diagonally, bringing a new dimension to off-road driving. With an EV powertrain, the Hummer EV is blisteringly fast in a straight line. It can allegedly do 3.3 seconds from 0 to 60 mph, which is insane.

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High-Tech Horsepower: Muscle Cars Fueled By Modern Technology

The definition of the muscle car is quite simple, at least on paper. You put a large V8 in a two-door coupe or convertible, send power to the rear wheels, and enjoy burning rubber on the road or track. However, in the last 60 years, US-based manufacturers have introduced modern muscle cars that strayed from that initial concept.

These cars featured the best and most modern technology for the time, utilizing different body styles, drivetrain designs, or engine configurations. They were the models that evolved the auto market at the time by using advanced technology, and that set the bar higher for competitors. So let’s dive into the exciting world of muscle cars fueled by modern technology for their times. They were true trendsetters, so let’s check them out right here.

Photo Credit: Mecum

Oldsmobile Jetfire

The Jetfire is a critical model for automotive history that unfortunately never got the respect it deserved. It was the first turbocharged passenger car along with the Chevrolet Corvair Monza. However, Oldsmobile’s system was far more complex and powerful than Chevrolet’s, so it deserves a detailed look (via Car Throttle).

Photo Credit: Auto WP

Oldsmobile engineers took the compact F-85 model and retained its small 215 cid V8 engine. This developed 185 hp and gave it a new forced induction intake system that included a Garett turbocharger and a unique “Turbo Rocket Fuel” tank. This fuel consisted of distilled water, methanol, and a corrosion inhibitor mix that was injected into a fuel and air mixture to prevent detonation. For the day’s standards, the Jetfire V8 was absolutely state-of-the-art technology. Initially, the market was very interested as a result. The new V8 delivered 215 hp, which was one hp per cubic inch. That made it one of the best performance cars of the day. It was almost as fast as the Corvette, with a 0 to 60 mph time of around eight seconds.

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Full Throttle: The Car World’s Loudest Stock Exhaust Systems

Although we’re going to have an electrified future in the auto world, there’s still something to be said about the sound of a roaring engine. But even more so than just the sound is the level of exhaust notes we’re hearing nowadays. Factory exhaust has oftentimes gotten better than the aftermarket options now, which leaves enthusiasts quite happy. But which automakers are cranking out the loudest ear-shattering exhaust notes?

There are many options to choose from and no two cars sound alike. So we delved deeper into the subject and found the cars that had the loudest exhaust from the factory. You don’t have to worry about tuning these cars and trucks because their exhaust note is unbelievably loud. Buckle up as we take a look at the cars and trucks that will make sure that you notice them from a mile away. These vehicles are loud to the extreme. Check them out here.

Photo Credit: Motor 1

McLaren 720S Spider

McLaren is a brand that auto enthusiasts have come to revere. Their cars routinely break the rules for what is and isn’t acceptable in the performance world. If you want a fast car then you want a McLaren, but they also broke the mold for sound as well. The 720S Spider delivers an ear-shattering 99 decibels at take-off which is sure to break some eardrums (via Car & Driver).

Photo Credit: Motor 1

The McLaren 720S has a potent power plant that delivers a serious amount of power to the wheels. You aren’t going to have a quiet engine with this type of power behind it and the McLaren has a unique sound to it. Very few cars have managed to cultivate the type of unique sound that comes from the McLaren and the performance is there to match.

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Gas vs. Electric: These Cars Will Outlive The EV Revolution

Gas-powered engines have been at the forefront of automotive engineering for over 100 years now. But the time has come for technology to change and we’re seeing a rapid shift to electrification. With that being said, there has never been a better time to protect the classic gas-powered cars that we love. Some gas-powered cars , like the Yugo and the Hyundai Excel, were horrible when it came to reliability. Yet there are other vehicles like the Honda Civic and the Toyota Corolla that have spent decades exemplifying reliability.

Even though the future will hold a lot for electric cars, many gas-powered cars will still be on the road. These cars will outlast just about anything else. Gasoline-fueled cars that possess precision engineering will be on the road for quite a while. With a wide availability of aftermarket parts these days, it’s also easier than ever to keep a car on the road. We looked at the gas-powered rides that are going to still be roaming the streets long after EVs take over, so find out which will survive the revolution here.

Photo Credit: Honda Forum

1990 Honda Civic

The early ’90s Civic is a car that you still see on the road today. It was a car that brought Honda into a new era of design and brought with it a new generation of drivers. This Civic was reliable and easy on the eyes. We might even say this Civic was a blast to drive (via Top Speed).

Photo Credit: Honda Forum

The 1990 Honda Civic was the birth of the modern car that we’ve all grown to love. It was comfortable enough to live with and reliable enough to stay on the road for decades at a time. There are very few cars that have broken the type of reliability records that the Civic has. The car just keeps running no matter what and that’s why people love it.

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300,000-Mile Club: The Acura NSX and Sports Cars That Never Say Quit

Sports cars understandably excite the automotive community. However, very few sports cars turn out to be a cheap endeavor. Maintenance and repair costs often add up, which is why not everyone can own one. But there is a selection of sports cars that are beyond reliable. Acura is one automaker that has perfected the sports car, offering a blend of reliability and performance with the NSX and the Integra. Toyota is another automaker that has done the same.

Not everyone wants to spend an arm and a leg to keep something on the road. So we looked at the most reliable sports cars for the money that can potentially surpass 300,000 miles with no problems whatsoever. Vehicle maintenance aside, these are some of the most fun to drive cars on the road because of several reasons. The great thing about a sports car is that it’s a driving experience. Buckle up as we take a look at the NSX and the rest of these reliable sports cars.

Photo Credit: Car Domain

Lexus SC400

The SC400 is the cream of the crop when it comes to beautiful sports cars but it was also one of the most reliable. The SC400 was developed from scratch for the new Lexus brand. The originality of the car helped it stand out from just about everything else on the road in 1992 as a result. The 32-valve 4.0-liter V-8 was one of the best engines that Toyota ever developed and was also extremely reliable (via Car & Driver).

Photo Credit: Hagerty

It’s not uncommon to see an early model SC400 on the market today with over 300,000 miles on the odometer and still going strong due to its sheer reliability. These cars were extremely well-built and packed with performance and sFew sports cars changedhanged the game like the SC400 did when it hit the market. It left a mark on the sports car world and helped solidify Lexus’s reputation for quality.

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No Reserve: 1935 Dodge Pickup Hot Rod

This 1935 Dodge pickup was modified under prior ownership with work that included chopping the top 2.5″, refinishing the truck in satin black over red upholstery, and installing independent front and rear suspension components in addition to a 350ci Chevrolet V8 mated to a 700R4 four-speed automatic transmission and a Positraction differential. Additional equipment includes a four-barrel carburetor, red-painted 15″ steel wheels, power-assisted disc brakes, power steering, fiberglass fenders, multi-color pinstriping, a tilt-out windshield, air conditioning, Stewart-Warner gauges, and a Pioneer head unit. This Dodge hot rod was acquired by the seller in July 2020 and is now offered at no reserve with service records, instruction manuals, a car cover, and a clean California title in the seller’s name.

The cab was chopped 2.5″ and fiberglass fenders were installed before the truck was refinished in satin black under prior ownership. Exterior features include multi-color accent pinstriping, running boards, a tilt-out windshield, side mirrors, louvered hood panels, and a Ram hood ornament.

Red-painted 15″ steel wheels wear Chevrolet hubcaps and bright trim rings along with 205/60 Doral SDL tires up front and 275/60 Hankook Kinergy tires out back. The truck is equipped with Mustang II independent front suspension components as well as an independent rear suspension setup said to have been sourced from a 1965 Corvette. Additional equipment includes power steering along with power-assisted disc brakes.

The pickup bed has been tubbed to accommodate the rear tires. Lifting the cargo-floor mat reveals spaced-out wood flooring plus access to the battery as well as the filling tube for the 16-gallon aluminum fuel tank.

The bench seat, door panels, and headliner were reupholstered in red under prior ownership. Additional appointments include air conditioning, tilt steering, a floor-mounted gear selector, three-point seatbelts, a dome light, and an overhead-mounted Pioneer stereo. The truck was rewired under prior ownership using a harness sourced from EZ Wiring.

The leather-wrapped banjo-style steering wheel fronts a bright dash bezel housing Stewart-Warner gauges including a 160-mph speedometer, an 8k-rpm tachometer, and auxiliary readouts for fuel level, voltage, oil pressure, and coolant temperature. The five-digit mechanical odometer shows 22k miles, approximately 1,100 of which have been added under current ownership. Total chassis mileage is unknown.

The 350ci Chevrolet V8 crate engine was installed under prior ownership and is equipped with a four-barrel carburetor, tubular headers, Billet Specialties accessory-drive pulleys, and finned valve covers. The radiator is assisted by a belt-driven electric fan.

Power is sent to the rear wheels via a rebuilt 700R4 four-speed automatic transmission and a Positraction differential. The seller notes that the frame was reinforced as part of the refurbishment. Additional underside images are provided in the gallery below.

The plaque shown above lists the sequence 9322603, which is also stamped into the frame and listed on the California title.

Service records and instruction manuals will accompany the vehicle.

No Reserve: Ford Phaeton Street Rod “Tom’s Tub II”

This custom street rod was built by Tom McMullen in 1982 utilizing a fiberglass Ford phaeton-style body from Wescott. Nicknamed “Tom’s Tub II,” the car was used in the 1984 music video for Van Halen’s “Hot for Teacher” and was acquired by the seller, the Petersen Automotive Museum, around six years ago. Power comes from a 350ci Chevrolet V8 equipped with a supercharger and dual carburetors. The car rides on a reinforced frame and is also equipped with a Doug Nash five-speed manual transmission, front disc brakes, adjustable rear coilovers, and slotted alloy wheels. The interior is trimmed in brown cloth upholstery with red accents and features a Lecarra steering wheel, VDO instrumentation, and a JVC cassette stereo. Work performed in preparation for the sale included replacing the radiator and changing the oil. The car is being offered at no reserve with a clean California title listing it as a special construction vehicle.

The fiberglass Wescott phaeton body is finished in yellow with orange, red, and maroon side graphics as well as pin striping on the grille shell, cowl, and rear bodywork. Exterior details include a chopped windscreen, removable soft top, quad exhaust outlets, and a rear ball hitch. Various paint imperfections are shown up close in the gallery below, and a hood top is included in the sale.

Five-slot wheels wear faux knock-off spinners and are mounted with older BFGoodrich tires. Braking is via front discs and rear drums. The car features adjustable rear coilovers and chromed suspension components, including a dropped front axle.

The cabin houses two rows of bench seats trimmed in brown fabric with red stripes and matching door panels. Red carpeting lines the floors, and an analog clock and JVC cassette stereo are mounted in the dash.

The Lecarra steering wheel sits ahead of a body-color dashboard accented by blue and red pinstripes. VDO instrumentation includes an 85-mph speedometer and 7k-rpm tachometer as well as gauges for boost, vacuum, temperature, voltage, and fuel level. The five-digit odometer shows under 11k miles.

The engine bay houses a 350ci Chevrolet V8 topped by a supercharger and dual carburetors. The firewall has a mirror finish, and an aluminum radiator with an electric fan was installed in preparation for the sale. An oil change was also performed at that time.

The frame features tubular reinforcement, and power is sent to the rear wheels via a Doug Nash five-speed manual transmission.

The car is titled as a “0000 SPCNS” using the California-assigned replacement identification number TM7149987274.

541-Powered Willys Street Rod

This street rod was acquired by the seller in 2011 and was subsequently the subject of a street-rod build utilizing a fiberglass Willys-style coupe body and a custom chassis. Power comes from a 541ci Ford Boss V8 linked with a TCI Super Street Fighter C6 three-speed automatic transmission and a 9″ rear axle, and the car is finished in blue over black upholstery. Features include rack-and-pinion steering, a four-link rear suspension setup, tubular front upper and lower control arms, four-wheel disc brakes, QA1 adjustable coilovers, and Weld Racing wheels as well as a bolt-in roll bar, AutoMeter instrumentation, power windows, electronic door poppers, Procar bucket seats, G-Force harnesses, and a trunk-mounted fuel cell. Registered as a 1941 Willys Car, this street rod is now offered in Canada with build records and a Saskatchewan registration document.

The Willys-style fiberglass body is modeled after a 1941 Americar and is said to have been sourced from Outlaw Racing. The exterior is finished in House of Kolor Cobalt Blue and features include a molded hood scoop, a tilting front end, a billet grille, a power-actuated decklid, rear-hinged doors, shaved door handles, body-color mirrors, and rectangular side exhaust outlets.

Staggered Weld Racing aluminum wheels are mounted with Mickey Thompson tires. The boxed frame has been fitted with rack-and-pinion steering, a four-link rear suspension, tubular front upper and lower control arms, and QA1 adjustable coilovers. Braking is handled by four-wheel discs with a Wilwood master cylinder, Wilwood front calipers, and SSBC rear calipers.

The cabin features Procar bolstered bucket seats trimmed in black upholstery. Equipment includes a body-color dashboard, a bolt-in roll bar, a Ron Francis wiring harness, power windows, electronic door poppers, and G-Force racing harnesses. An aluminum fuel cell and battery are mounted in the trunk.

The leather-wrapped steering wheel is mounted to a tilting column and frames an AutoMeter Carbon Fiber Ultra-Lite 160-mph speedometer, a tachometer, and auxiliary gauges. The digital odometer indicates 5 miles. Total mileage is unknown.

The Boss 429-based 541ci V8 was built with components from Jon Kaase Racing and utilizes a SCAT stroker rotating assembly, a COMP Cams camshaft, Diamond pistons, and a Jon Kaase Racing intake manifold, rocker arms, and cylinder heads. Additional equipment includes an 1150-cfm Quick Fuel four-barrel carburetor, a Moroso electric water pump, custom stainless steel tubular exhaust headers, and MSD electronic ignition components. An aluminum radiator with dual electric cooling fans has been installed.

Power is sent to the rear wheels through a TCI Super Street Fighter C6 three-speed automatic transmission and a 9″ rear axle with 3.60:1 gears. According to the seller, a Hughes 3000-rpm stall converter, an aluminum driveshaft, a NASCAR-style center section, and Strange 31-spline axles have been installed.

The replacement serial number tag reads W158AK5743, which corresponds with the VIN listed on the Saskatchewan registration. The factory-issued VIN tag is not present, and the Saskatchewan registration lists the car as a 1941 Willys Car.

Build records are shown in the gallery.

The car does not have a title, as it is registered in a province that does not issue titles for vehicles. It is being sold on its Saskatchewan registration.