My uncle Jeff is a certified car nut, having built a number of hot rods over the years. Below is a photo of him with one of his project cars (a 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air two-door hardtop) taken sometime during the 1970s.
Even today, Jeff jokes about how he had to use a tool box as a driver seat to move the car around the property (photo of a photo below for reference).
During a visit to Jeff’s home in Salt Lake City over the holidays, he presented me with a book published in 1984 about General Motors’ first 75 years in business. It contained a wealth of knowledge about the organization’s chronology, which formally began on September 16, 1908 when incorporation papers were filed. Between 1910-20, more than 30 companies came together under the GM umbrella. And by 1920, GM offered a line of seven brands.
GM’s momentum continued from there. From the 1950-70s, GM and its subsidiaries accounted for more than half of the U.S. automobile market share. In the late 1970s through early 1980s, GM was selling anywhere from six to nine million vehicles worldwide. The company’s history runs deep, and it’s no wonder why GM car culture became such an integral part of our day-to-day lives. (One reference in the book said that, at the time of its writing, one-sixth of the jobs in the United States had ties to the auto industry.)
An interesting thing about this book is that there was a letter taped inside the front cover. It was written by then-Chairman Roger B. Smith, who served in that role from 1981-90. To some, his skills were less than adequate. Fortune magazine named him one of the 10 Worst Auto Chiefs, with one writer saying that Smith “wasted billions trying to revive the sagging giant.”
Indeed, Smith was tasked with leading the company during the difficult Malaise era. As turns out, he passed away in late 2007, just a year before GM would celebrate its 100th birthday.
The final chapter in the book has some forward-looking statements and photos, discussing the new C4 Corvette and mid-engined Fiero. The last paragraph of the book concludes, “Over 235 million vehicles from GM, and its 75 years of building on excellence, speak eloquently for GM’s contribution to the American way of life.”
Over four decades have passed since the 75th-anniversary book was written. Do you feel like GM remains the juggernaut it once was, or have other automakers risen to supremacy?
Some of us are in denial that the mid-1990s took place three decades ago. All it takes is a few magazine page-flips to feel nostalgic about cars (and culture) of a bygone era.
How many makes and models that were featured in full-page advertisements in the July 1996 issue of Car and Driver magazine are still in production today? In total, there were 20 vehicles featured (and surprisingly, three of them came from one brand alone). Here they are in alphabetical order:
1. Acura 3.5 RL: Acura’s flagship went on to become the RLX, which has since been discontinued.
2. BMW 328i: The 3-Series is still an important model for the BMW brand.
3. Chevrolet Cavalier: Went out of production after 2005.
4. Dodge Stratus: Ahh, remember Auto Stick? A precursor to many of today’s manually-shiftable automatics.
5. Ford Taurus SHO: A muscle car for the whole family.
6. GMC Sierra: Still a top-seller for General Motors, alongside the Silverado.
7. Isuzu Oasis: Essentially, a badge-engineered first-generation Honda Odyssey.
8. Land Rover Discovery: Still around, and marketed as a versatile seven-seater.
9. Lexus SC400: The original Lexus “sport coupe,” which lived on in spirit through the RC, which has just been discontinued.
10. Lincoln Continental: Perhaps the longest-running nameplate in this list — around since 1940.
11. Mazda 626: Mazda produced a “6” for many years, but today the largest sedan in the American market is the 3. Like many other brands, Mazda is focused on crossovers.
12. Mitsubishi Eclipse: An icon from a vastly different (and perhaps better?) era for Mitsubishi.
13. Nissan 200SX: Many of these cars are making me miss the days of compact sport coupes.
14. Nissan Pathfinder: A stalwart member of the Nissan family — still around, both in 2WD and 4WD configurations.
15. Nissan Quest: Wow, Nissan ran three ads one issue. The Quest was also badge-engineered as a Mercury Villager.
16. Saab 900: Lasted through 1998 and then was replaced by the 9-3. Saab went defunct in 2016.
17. Saturn SL2: Another brand that didn’t survive. I remember how Saturns were advertised for having dent-resistant plastic body panels.
18. Subaru Outback: The TV commercials for these were great as they featured Paul Hogan from “Crocodile Dundee.”
19. Suzuki X-90: Unique in its time, and incredibly rare today — it was a two-seat, open roof SUV.
20. Volkswagen Passat: Around since 1973, but discontinued in the United States after 2022.
Maybe you or someone you know owned (or still owns!) one of the vehicles on the list.
What vehicle nameplates from 2026 do you think will still be around in 2056?
Russ Jackson and Tom Barrett, the founding members behind Barrett-Jackson, will be inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame as members of the Class of 2026. The pair are being honored for setting the foundation of the collector car auction industry and elevating automotive culture.
Jackson’s path into the automotive world began far from auction blocks and global stages. Born in Pontiac, Michigan, he attended the General Motors Institute in Flint before working as a car salesman and serving with the Pontiac Fire Department. In 1941, he joined the U.S. Air Force, rising to the rank of chief mechanic while stationed at bases across Mississippi and California. Determined to keep his wife Nellie by his side, Jackson arranged for her to work as an accountant wherever he was posted. Nellie, who shared her husband’s love of classic automobiles, later became known as the “First Lady of Collector Cars.”
Russ and Nellie Jackson
After World War II, Jackson owned and operated Russ’s Country Store near Pontiac from 1946 to 1960. That same year, the family relocated to Arizona in search of a warmer climate to help ease Nellie’s arthritis. Once settled in Scottsdale, Russ and Nellie opened a full-service Super Car Wash, securing contracts with local police departments and auto dealerships. They also launched the Classic Carriage House, where they bought, sold, restored and refinished classic automobiles, laying early groundwork for what would become a defining legacy in collector cars.
Tom Barrett with his Bugatti
Tom Barrett and Russ Jackson at the Gilmore Car Museum
Tom Barrett’s automotive journey began in Oak Park, Illinois, where his fascination with cars took hold at an early age. Despite his father’s hopes that he would pursue law, Barrett became a car collector by age 19 and later moved to Arizona in 1960 to work as a real estate broker. He leveraged his passion for classic cars to build lasting business relationships with collectors nationwide, quickly earning a reputation as one of the industry’s foremost authorities on vehicle values.
Known globally as the “Grandfather of the Collector Car Industry,” Barrett played a pivotal role in preserving some of the world’s most important automobiles. His pursuit of rare vehicles took him behind the Iron Curtain, bringing home iconic Mercedes, Bugattis, one-off classics and early Grand Prix race cars, many of which now anchor premier private collections. His lifelong commitment to automotive history included decades of support for the Classic Car Club of America, which in 1989 named a building at the Gilmore Car Museum in Kalamazoo, Michigan, the Thomas W. Barrett III Barn in his honor. Barrett also expanded his automotive influence into motorsports, fielding his own Indy car team in 1981 and serving as a sponsor of the Indianapolis 500.
Russ and Craig Jackson
“My father and Tom Barrett shared a belief that cars bring people together and tell powerful stories about craftsmanship and history,” said Craig Jackson, chairman and CEO of Barrett-Jackson. “Their passion helped build an industry and a global community.”
That legacy is now being formally recognized. Russ Jackson and Tom Barrett will be inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame as members of the Class of 2026, honored for setting the foundation of the collector car auction industry and elevating automotive culture.
The Automotive Hall of Fame announced the Class of 2026 during REVEAL 2026, an exclusive reception held Saturday, Feb. 7, in Naples, Florida, presented by JM Family Enterprises and hosted in partnership with the Naples Automotive Experience.
The Automotive Hall of Fame
“Induction into the Automotive Hall of Fame is the highest honor bestowed in the global automotive industry, and the Class of 2026 exemplifies the vision, courage and lasting impact that honor represents,” said Sarah Cook, President of the Automotive Hall of Fame. “These inductees have not only shaped the industry in their own time, but have also inspired generations of engineers, leaders and enthusiasts around the world.”
Jon Husby, Chair of the Automotive Hall of Fame Board of Directors and CEO of ADAC, emphasized the rigor of the selection process. “Each member of the Class of 2026 was chosen for their enduring contributions to mobility and their influence on the future of the automotive industry,” Husby said. “We are proud to welcome them into this distinguished global circle.”
The formal Automotive Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, presented by MEMA, will take place Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, in downtown Detroit at The Department at Hudson’s. The black-tie event will bring together inductees, global automotive leaders, partners and guests for an evening celebrating excellence, legacy and innovation.
Following REVEAL 2026, the announcement officially launches the Automotive Hall of Fame’s Road to Induction, a months-long journey featuring digital storytelling, interviews, partnerships and live activations leading up to the September ceremony.
Our AutoHunter Spotlightfor today is this 1928 Ford Model A Tudor. If you want to know what driving and owning a pre-war car is like, there is no better deal than the Ford Model A. It is easy to maintain, has great aftermarket support, is fun to drive, and is inexpensive to buy. Finished in three-tone green/blue/black over a correct gray cloth interior, this antique Blue Oval is now offered by the selling dealer with a clear title.
To illustrate how a Model A is different from any post-war car, this is the starting procedure:
Engage emergency brake by pulling back on it.
Push lever left of steering wheel (spark control) all the way up (retard).
Pull lever right of the steering (hand throttle) halfway down.
Turn gas valve under dash on passenger side to open (pointing down).
Turn choke control valve (under right side of dash) fully clockwise and back off a quarter turn. If it’s cold outside, open a full turn.
Turn ignition switch on (clockwise).
Push in clutch and put transmission in neutral.
Pull choke control out.
Turn engine over three revolutions — choke in on third revolution.
When engine starts, push throttle lever (right lever) up.
Put left lever all the way down (depending on how your engine is timed, three-quarters down might be better).
Allow engine to warm up (the accelerator pedal should be used to keep engine running until warm).
Turn choke control (actually the gas adjusting valve) clockwise to smoothest operating condition.
When starting an engine that is already warmed up, omit above choke steps.
Always put left lever (spark retard position) all the way up when starting, then down when driving.
The key to buying a Model A (as with many other classic cars) is to buy the best example you can afford. This is exponentially more important for a Model A as the cost to restore one will run you much more than what a restored car is worth. Luckily, according to the seller this Model A, it has already undergone a quality restoration.
When examining the photos, the Model A’s exterior looks to be in great shape. The paintwork appears excellent, and the three-tone color combination really sets it off. The chrome also looks to be in very nice condition, along with the black-painted wire wheels, which are clad with correct 4.4014.50-2186M European Classic whitewall tires.
The interior is as nice as the exterior, with the correct seat material nicely installed.
The simplicity of the dash is fun, demonstrating pre-war charm at its best: speedometer, odometer, trip meter, and amperage gauge. I see no flaws at all — only standard wear that some polish, cloth, and time can make perfect.
Under the hood, the stock and correct 200.5ci flathead inline-four looks to be in great condition. It is fed by a correct single-barrel carburetor. Power is driven to the wheels by a three-speed manual transmission.
The underside of this Model A looks absolutely amazing. It is clean enough to compete at any car show or concours event. Like the rest of the car, everything is correct, with the car featuring a stock Model A 10-bolt rear end and drum brakes.
I mentioned earlier that the Model A is the perfect entry into the world of pre-war cars. This particular example is truly a nice specimen and, being a Tudor, it is a much nicer styling exercise than the four-door. In addition, being a closed model, it offers a level of usability that the convertible lacks thanks to strong weather protection. The utility is so good that my friend Jonathan Klinger drove a Model A Tudor every day for a year just to prove that it could be done.
If all this sounds like a recipe for automotive fun unlike anything else you have experienced, you would not be wrong — bid and score this car for your garage. There are many Model A cars on the market, but few are as nice as this one. Act fast and bid now as the auction for this restored 1928 Model A Tudor ends on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at 12:15 p.m. (PDT).
In honor of the upcoming St. Patrick’s Day holiday, we should set the tone of the season with a car that will make its next owner feel lucky. The Pick of the Day is a custom 1937 Ford Roadster listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in Deerfield Beach, Florida.
“This is a top-quality build that turns heads and commands attention everywhere it goes,” the listing begins.
While 89 years old in its exterior design motif, much everything else about this Ford is newer. It rides on a custom powder-coated frame and uses a Wild Rides fiberglass body with a removable Carson-style top. The Synergy Green hue is a GM-derived color, and the car features a horizontal-slat grille, airbrushed silver stripe, rear-hinged doors, shaved trunk handle, and a rear light bar that handles brake light and turn signal functions. The Ridetech air suspension is fully customizable, with footwork provided by a set of 17-inch front/20-inch rear five-spoke chrome wheels.
The saddle-colored upholstery is done is in “Ultraleather” high-end faux leather material, and you enter the two-tone cabin via a remote fob. Features include body-color accents, lap belts, LED lights, center console, power windows, Lokar shifter, air-ride suspension controls, Vintage Air HVAC, and a cutting-edge Sony audio system.
Now, take a peek under the engine bay where there’s even more green to be found. Power comes from a GM-sourced 5.7-liter LS1 V-8 mated to a 4L60E four-speed automatic transmission. The engine bay has received show-quality finishing, courtesy of chrome accessories and a color-keyed intake manifold. Upgrades include performance headers, aluminum radiator, and electric fan. Only 4,650 miles have been driven since the build was completed, so there are plenty more cruising miles ahead.
Ford roadsters from the late 1930s are beloved for their streamlined styling elements like prominent V-shaped grilles and teardrop headlights. This eye-catching ’37 delivers all of that style, plus modern performance, reliability, and ease of maintenance with its robust LS V-8. It’s a green machine that is bound to be a crowd-pleaser in any holiday parade.
The asking price is $72,900 or best offer. This fine Ford will come with build documentation and receipts.
Known for its “Coke-bottle” styling, the mid-size 1972 Gran Torino Sport was characterized by its long hood, short deck, and available “SportsRoof” fastback roofline. There was also no mistaking its one-year-only grille design (sometimes referred to as the “fishmouth”).
The brochure for 1972 models said, “Each Gran Torino Sport gives you lines that say action and mean it. With emphasis like integral hood scoops, dual racing mirrors, wide-oval white sidewalls, sporty trim rings with hub caps, and a jaunty new oval grille.”
Standard features for the year included a three-speed manual transmission, manual front disc brakes, DirectAire ventilation, high-back bench seat, lower bodyside moldings, concealed windshield wipers, and “Lifeguard” safety equipment. The ’72 Gran Torino Sport could be optioned with engines ranging in size from a 302ci V-8 to a 429ci V-8, with the 351 Cobra Jet offering the most horsepower.
In the late 1980s, my dad bought a 1972 Gran Torino Sport as his carpool car since he commuted about 100 miles per day for work. We named the car after “Slimer,” the green antagonist in the 1984 movie “Ghostbusters.”
Dad’s car had its share of issues. Among them, the heater core was on the fritz, so there was a coolant leak inside the passenger footwell. But that didn’t stop him from driving the car until the engine finally gave up — and by that time, rust was taking over the body anyway (this was in northern Utah, after all).
One of my memories with Slimer involved a time when Dad picked us up from the skating rink and did some donuts in the snow-laden street. My brothers and I laughed our heads off.
We have only a few photos of the Gran Torino Sport, and it always seemed to be lurking in the background. Two of the pics (including the above) show my youngest brother wearing an oversized coat. He’s is now 38 years old, so that may tell you how long ago the pictures were taken.
The below pic shows our family’s freshly-detailed 1989 Pontiac Grand Prix (Mom’s car) with Slimer in the background. That’s me at left in the purple sporting period-correct high-tops.
And here’s a picture of dad’s F-250, again with the Gran Torino Sport hiding out back in the same parking space.
I’ve toyed with the idea of tracking down a Gran Torino Sport like dad’s old car but, for now, I’m content with keeping memories of Slimer tucked away. After all, I still get flashbacks of the interior smell every time I get a whiff of a coolant leak.
SEMA is where brands, builders, and shops roll out their newest parts and builds so wild that you are still talking about them on the flight home. The show started in 1967 and has grown into a massive trade industry-focused event in Las Vegas. This video is all about a resurrected halo car: the first-generation Ford GT, a street car with a Le Mans-inspired shape and attitude built as Ford’s tribute to the GT40 era. At SEMA Show 2025, WD-40 and Throtl had to meet a tough deadline to unveil a secret project. Did they make it in time? Stay tuned to find out!
This video is sponsored by HowToo. Stop digging through forums and YouTube. Orion puts diagnosis, repair instructions, and guided videos in one place, plus exact-fit parts from your favorite brands at distributor-level pricing. It’s 100% free. Try it today at https://howtoo.com/.
This 1936 Ford Convertible Sedan was acquired by its current owner in 1972, and it was subsequently built into a street rod. A small-block Chevy V8 and three-speed automatic transmission were installed, and the car rides on 15″ alloy wheels and has rack-and-pinion steering as well as front disc brakes. The maroon paintwork is complemented by a beige top and upholstery, and a tilt column, a three-spoke wheel, and VDO gauges were added. This Convertible Sedan street rod is now offered on behalf of the owner’s estate with a car cover and transferable New York registration.
The body has been painted maroon, and a beige soft top is fitted. The doors stick intermittently, and there is no trim between the windows.
The car rides on 15″ alloy wheels and was modified with a Mustang II-style front end featuring a power rack-and-pinion steering system, front disc brakes, and A-arm suspension.
Beige upholstery covers the front and rear seats, and a tilt column with a wood-rimmed wheel was added.
VDO gauges are set in the body-color dashboard. The five-digit odometer shows under 7,500 miles, though true mileage is unknown.
The small-black V8 is topped by an Edelbrock carburetor and has headers. The battery is dead, and the seller notes that the car has to be jump-started to run.
A three-speed automatic was fitted as part of the build, and the frame was modified to accommodate the engine.
Copies of some build records and notes are supplied in the gallery.
The car is registered in New York using 182982920 as the VIN. The seller is unable to locate this number on the car. The registration, which expired in 2025, acts as the ownership document for the vehicle.
This 1936 Ford Model 68 Fordor sedan was built into a hot rod in the early 2000s. Its 350ci V8 is topped by a Holley Street Avenger carburetor and linked to a Turbo 350 automatic and a Ford rear end, and it rides on 15″ steel wheels with whitewalls. The Mustang II-style front end features rack-and-pinion steering and disc brakes, and the body was repainted black with custom pinstriping. The interior was redone with LeBaron Bonney upholstery, Vintage Air climate control, a modern sound system, and a tilt column. This Fordor Sedan is now offered in Florida by VB Autosport, a BaT Local Partner, on dealer consignment with records and a South Carolina title.
The car has black bodywork, full fenders, and red pinstriping. The hood has louvers, the grille is painted red, and a luggage rack is mounted out back. Paint bubbles are noted.
The front end has been modified with a Mustang II-style setup featuring rack-and-pinion steering, a sway bar, coil springs, and disc brakes. Whitewalls are mounted on the red-painted 15″ steel wheels.
The interior was redone with LeBaron Bonney upholstery, Vintage Air climate control, and a modern sound system. The rear doors have electric locks.
A LeCarra wheel is mounted on a tilt column, and the gauges are from Classic Instruments. 13k miles are indicated on the cluster.
The 350ci V8 is topped by an aluminum intake manifold and a Holley Street Avenger carburetor, and headers are linked to a dual exhaust system. It uses a PerTronix ignition module and a Lokar throttle cable.
The Turbo 350 automatic is linked to a Ford rear end.
Photos of build process are featured in the gallery.
The car is titled as a 1936 Ford using VIN 182466894, shown stamped above on the Body Number plate.
The South Carolina title carries an “Exempt” note in the Brands section.
This ’30 Ford Model A was acquired as a project in 2001, and between 2011 and 2023 it was rebuilt as a street rod by Sterling Customs Hot Rod Shop. The steel body was removed from the frame, refinished Axalta Hot Hues Lava, and mounted on a Hot Rod Factory frame. The car rides on staggered Wheelsmith wire wheels and has a drop axle, front and rear four-bar setups, rear coilovers, electric power steering, and Wilwood discs. The interior was customized with leather upholstery, a console, a Lokar shifter, a Bluetooth-capable stereo, Vintage Air, and a tilt column. This Model A is now offered with records and a clean Georgia title in the seller’s name listing the car as a 1930 Ford.
The seller tells us the car started as an original 1930 Model A Tudor, and the body was removed from the frame and is now mounted on a custom frame from the Hot Rod Factory that was painted dark brown. A rear access door was added along with a ’32 grille and one-piece hood, and the fabric roof was replaced. A double floor was also fitted along with King Bee stainless-steel headlights and low-profile running boards, and the the paintwork is Axalta Hot Hues Lava. One of the rear windows is cracked.
The car rides on staggered Wheelsmith wire wheels and has a drop axle, front and rear four-bar setups, rear coilovers, electric power steering, and Wilwood discs. The staggered Coker rubber’s sidewalls were shaved to remove logos.
Distressed-look leather upholstery was added to the bucket seats and side panels, and a custom console was installed along with a Lokar shifter and Vintage Air with hidden controls. Sound insulation was applied under the wool carpeting.
The Bluetooth-capable head unit is mounted in an overhead console along with a full-length mirror and color-changing LEDs.
The Billet Specialties wheel is mounted on a tilt column, and Classic Instruments gauges were used. The 1,600 indicated miles represents the distance driven on the build.
The 355ci V8 is from BluePrint Engines and was installed in 2022. It is topped by aluminum heads and an Edelbrock AVS four-barrel carburetor, and coated Sanderson headers are linked to a dual exhaust system. A Powermaster alternator and finned-aluminum valve covers were also used.
The TH350 automatic is linked to a 3.70 Currie 9″ rear end.
Photos from before and during the build are presented along with records in the gallery.
The car is titled as a 1930 Ford Model A 2-Door using VIN A3777795.
