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Ford Roadster Special

This hot rod roadster is built on a 1932 Ford-style rolling chassis from TCI Engineering and features bodywork constructed from steel and mahogany strips. Power comes from a fuel-injected Model A inline-four, which was built by JMS Racing Engines of El Monte, California, and features a reproduction Riley four-port cylinder head. Other equipment includes a Tremec five-speed manual gearbox, electronic ignition, vented front disc brakes, a fiberglass track nose, dropped front axle, rear coilovers, staggered-diameter wire wheels, and Speedster-style seats. The car was previously listed on BaT in October 2019 and acquired by the seller later that year. This Ford hot rod is now offered with a clean Missouri title listing the car as a 1929 Ford.

The TCI chassis was built in the early 2000s and later fitted with custom bodywork that incorporates a series of steel ribs welded to the chassis and covered with Honduran mahogany strips. The wood strips were steamed to form over the ribs and are secured with stainless-steel screws. The body was finished with a polyurethane oil, and metalwork includes a tail panel, louvered frame rail covers, and an engine-turned firewall. The fiberglass track-style nose is from Speedway Motors, and the car is also equipped with 1937 Ford-style taillights and front cycle fenders.

Powder-coated Vintique wire wheels measure 16″ up front and 17″ out back and are mounted with 5.50 and 7.50 Firestone blackwall tires, respectively. A dropped front axle and rear coilovers are equipped.

Speedster-style bucket seats are trimmed in black leather with green piping and equipped with latch-and-link belts

A leather-wrapped steering wheel fronts a Moon tachometer that is mounted to an Ididit steering column. A wood dashboard houses a metal dash panel with Classic Instruments gauges including a 140-mph speedometer and auxiliary gauges. The odometer shows 2,700 miles, approximately 200 of which were added under current ownership.

The Model A inline-four was built by JMS Racing Engines, and the reproduction Riley four-port head was rebuilt by Dick Crawford of Donovan Engineering in Torrance, California. The engine is equipped with Aeromotive electronic fuel injection, a counter-balanced crankshaft, a high-performance camshaft, electronic ignition, an alternator conversion, and a 12-volt electrical system.

Power is sent to the rear wheels via a Tremec five-speed manual gearbox with a hydraulic clutch and lightened flywheel. The underside of the chassis has been reinforced with fiberglass.

Modified 1960 DeSoto Fireflite 2-Door Hardtop

This 1960 DeSoto Fireflite two-door hardtop was modified and refurbished under previous ownership from 2009 to 2018 and was acquired by the seller in 2020. The custom bodywork is finished in turquoise over two-tone white and turquoise upholstery, and power is supplied by a 361ci V8 paired with a push-button three-speed automatic transmission. Equipment includes Holley Sniper fuel injection, an airbag suspension system, four-wheel disc brakes, 15″ steel wheels, wheel covers, whitewall tires, a power-adjustable front bench seat, air conditioning, electric door openers, and an Apple CarPlay–capable Kenwood head unit. Modifications adapted under current ownership include the brakes, fuel injection, air conditioning, head unit, and LED headlights. This modified DeSoto is now offered with build records and photos, service records, and a clean Maryland title in the seller’s name.

Under previous ownership, the body was disassembled, sanded, and modified with shaved door handles, trunk and hood trim, side trim, reverse lights, and license-plate lights. The front fenders were molded into the rocker panels and cowl, and the hood corners were rounded. The factory headlight location was tunneled and fitted with quad Harley-Davidson LED headlights, and a 2003 Ford F-150 grille housing was molded into the metal. Grille parts from a 1956 Chrysler Windsor were mounted inside the front opening, while 1961 Imperial taillight bezels were modified to affix 1959 Cadillac taillights on custom stanchions. The front bumper was sourced from a 1961 Buick LeSabre, the chrome rear bumper was moved approximately 2″ closer to the body, and the license-plate opening was trimmed and modified. The right-front headlight is misaligned, and the windshield wipers have been removed.

In 2016, a custom shade of turquoise was mixed by Matthew Means of Anaheim Rod and Custom in California using House of Kolor Shimrin 2 with seafoam sealer and a blend of iced mint pearl. The body was applied with 18 coats of paint followed by three coats of clearcoat before being wet-sanded and applied with an additional three coats of clearcoat. The roof, C-pillars, and rocker panels were painted pearl white, while white accents outlined in black were applied to the hood. Additional equipment includes front vent windows, a driver-side mirror, and dual exhaust outlets exiting ahead of the rear wheels. The seller notes the driver’s door popper function is inoperable.

Body-color 15″ steel wheels are fitted with covers and wrapped in 215/75 Coker Classic whitewall tires. A spare is housed in the trunk. The suspension is fitted with adjustable airbags, and braking is handled by four-wheel discs with an electric vacuum pump. Blemishes are noted on the wheel covers.

The cabin was reupholstered in white vinyl with turquoise inserts on a 1961 Chrysler power-adjustable front seat as well as the rear bench seat and the door panels. Replacement black carpeting has also been installed, and additional equipment includes air conditioning, a heater, a dash-mounted rearview mirror, bright headliner supports, and lap seatbelts. A Kenwood head unit with Apple CarPlay functionality is located in a custom enclosure, and a Holley Sniper control unit is positioned on the dashboard.

The two-spoke steering wheel fronts a horizontal-sweep 120-mph speedometer above twin pods containing auxiliary gauges as well as buttons for gear selection and other functions. The mechanical odometer has been removed, and true chassis mileage is unknown. The seller estimates that 5k miles have been added under current ownership.

The 361ci V8 has been modified with a Holley Sniper fuel-injection kit and sends power to the rear wheels via a three-speed TorqueFlite push-button automatic transmission. The engine was rebuilt in September 2019 with aluminum cylinder heads.

Additional photos of the underside are provided in the gallery below, and corrosion is noted on some underbody components.

Photos taken during various stages of the build can be viewed in the gallery.

No Reserve: Aluminum-Bodied 1929 Ford Model A Speedster

This 1929 Ford Model A was purchased as a project chassis by the seller in 2022 and was subsequently the subject of a custom build, which included fabricating a speedster-style aluminum body with riveted hand-formed panels over a steel tube frame as well as engine-turned dashboard and firewall panels and faux wood-plank flooring. The chassis was overhauled during the build and retains 1929 Model A frame rails, suspension, and brake components. Power is provided by an overhauled 201ci L-head inline-four, and additional features include a three-speed manual transmission, brown leather-upholstered low-back seats, a side-hinged rear cargo door, an aluminum fuel tank, a side-exit exhaust pipe, and a 1930-style radiator and grille shell as well as a 12-volt battery and electrical components. This Model A Speedster is now offered at no reserve with a conditional Georgia title.

Fabricated aluminum body panels are riveted together and attached to a custom steel tube structure over the 1929 Ford frame. The polished panels were cut, shaped, and assembled by the seller in 2022, and the body features a 1930-style grille shell, a fixed hood top panel, a hinged left-rear cargo door, black headlight assemblies, and dual taillights.

Black-finished 19″ wire-spoke wheels are mounted with Lucas tires and chrome dust caps. The car rides on transverse leaf springs front and rear, and braking is handled by lever-actuated drums that were overhauled during the build according to the seller.

The cockpit features a custom-fabricated steel seat assembly comprised of dual low-back seats upholstered in brown leather along with dual cupholders. The floor panels were fabricated using plywood covered in fiberglass as well as a faux wood-plank finish topped with clear epoxy. A black diamond-plate panel covers the battery storage compartment at the driver’s feet, and each seat is accompanied by a red lap belt.

The four-spoke steering wheel front an engine-turned dash panel housing an 80-mph GPS speedometer and an amperage gauge. The digital odometer does not work, and the speedometer is not calibrated. Total mileage is unknown.

The 201ci L-head inline-four was serviced and fitted with a replacement head gasket in 2022. The magneto housing was replaced, and modern V8-style points were installed along with a 12-volt starter and 100-amp one-wire alternator. Oil and coolant leaks are noted.

Power is sent to the rear wheels through a sliding-gear three-speed manual transmission. The seller notes that the rear axle and transmission fluids were serviced in 2022.

The Georgia title is marked with a “Contitional” notation.

Monterey Car Week Recap: Drive the Bid Podcast

Monterey Car Week may be over but, for many of us at AutoHunter, it’s just beginning as our very own “Jalopy Jeff” Sutton and roving cameraman Dustin Johnson have brought us content from the peninsula for everyone’s enjoyment.

In this episode of Drive the Bid podcast from AutoHunter.com, Derek and I each discuss a Monterey Car Week vehicle we saw online, while Jeff discusses several of the cars he personally saw at Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance and elsewhere, as well as his impressions as a first-timer. In the ensuing weeks, Jeff and Dustin’s coverage will be appearing in the ClassicCars.com Journal, as well as ClassicCars TV and AutoHunter Cinema.  

Other discussions include news on a special Mercedes-AMG SL65 “Big Sur” edition revealed at Pebble Beach, updates for the 2024 Toyota Tundra, and the 2025 Mustang GTD.

Of course, each of us picked our favorites currently on AutoHunter, including a supercharged 1998 Jaguar XJR, a 1965 Corvette convertible with the desirable L79 small-block, and a very stylish 1936 Ford Model 68 three-window coupe.

All this and more can be seen in the above video from AutoHunter Cinema, created by the experts behind ClassicCars.com, the world’s largest online collector car marketplace. AutoHunter brings forth a dedicated live customer support team, quicker auction listings and exclusive benefits for both buyers and sellers.

Monterey Car Week Recap: Drive the Bid Podcast

Monterey Car Week may be over but, for many of us at AutoHunter, it’s just beginning as our very own “Jalopy Jeff” Sutton and roving cameraman Dustin Johnson have brought us content from the peninsula for everyone’s enjoyment.

In this episode of Drive the Bid podcast from AutoHunter.com, Derek and I each discuss a Monterey Car Week vehicle we saw online, while Jeff discusses several of the cars he personally saw at Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance and elsewhere, as well as his impressions as a first-timer. In the ensuing weeks, Jeff and Dustin’s coverage will be appearing in the ClassicCars.com Journal, as well as ClassicCars TV and AutoHunter Cinema.  

Other discussions include news on a special Mercedes-AMG SL65 “Big Sur” edition revealed at Pebble Beach, updates for the 2024 Toyota Tundra, and the 2025 Mustang GTD.

Of course, each of us picked our favorites currently on AutoHunter, including a supercharged 1998 Jaguar XJR, a 1965 Corvette convertible with the desirable L79 small-block, and a very stylish 1936 Ford Model 68 three-window coupe.

All this and more can be seen in the above video from AutoHunter Cinema, created by the experts behind ClassicCars.com, the world’s largest online collector car marketplace. AutoHunter brings forth a dedicated live customer support team, quicker auction listings and exclusive benefits for both buyers and sellers.

Spectacular Array of Collectible Vehicles at Barrett-Jackson’s Inaugural New Orleans Auction

Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auctions is bringing a docket filled with a spectacular array of collectible vehicles for the inaugural New Orleans Auction, September 28-30, at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. From mid-engine exotics like a 2005 Ford GT Hennessey 1000 to a custom 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle convertible from the golden era of American Muscle, the inaugural New Orleans Auction will be the perfect bookend to another remarkable auction year for Barrett-Jackson. Click here to view the select preview for the New Orleans Auction.

“With hundreds of highly desirable collectible vehicles set to cross the block, our inaugural New Orleans Auction will be a historic celebration of the hobby,” said Craig Jackson, chairman and CEO of Barrett-Jackson. “Our docket is attracting an exceptional number of bidders and enthusiasts of all ages with highly coveted supercars, including a 2020 Lamborghini Huracan and some of the most popular American cars and trucks, like a custom 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Split-Window, as well as a host of beautifully restored 1960s convertibles.”

2020 Lamborghini Huracan LP640-4 EVO

Modern performance vehicles crossing the block in New Orleans include a 2005 Ford GT Hennessey 1000 that is modified by Hennessey Performance Engineering with custom twin 67mm turbos combined with the factory supercharger to produce approximately 1,000 horsepower. This supercar is painted in red with factory-painted white stripes and GT1000 vinyl side stripes. A 2020 Lamborghini Huracan LP640-4 EVO is powered by a V10 engine paired with a 7-speed dual clutch transmission. It is finished in Verde Mantis and features a forged carbon-fiber rear spoiler, side skirts, air inlets, mirror covers and front splitter. Modern performance also comes in a 2024 GMC Hummer EV SUV Edition 1 VIN 001. The very first 2024 Hummer EV SUV off the production line, this fully electric and highly collectible SUV’s technology enables off-road capability, on-road performance and an immersive driving experience.

1966 Lincoln Continental custom convertible

A select number of 1960s-era convertibles will be among the coveted rides in New Orleans. A black V8-powered 1966 Lincoln Continental custom convertible features iconic suicide doors, a black canvas convertible top, 20-inch Mobsteel wheels and upgraded LED halo lights. One of 37 M-code Sports Roadsters produced in 1963, a Ford Thunderbird Roadster features a 390ci Thunderbird High Performance Super 8 engine with three Holley two-barrel carburetors producing 340 horsepower. Options include leather seats, power windows and seats, and air conditioning, and it is certified as authentic by the Vintage Thunderbird Club International. A 1963 Mercedes-Benz 220SEB convertible was professionally restored and is powered by the original, rebuilt SOHC inline 6-cylinder engine mated to a 4-speed manual transmission, and the interior was restored using GAHH materials.

“The car culture and passion for this hobby runs deep across the south,” said Steve Davis, president of Barrett-Jackson. “We look forward to bringing the electric Barrett-Jackson experience to New Orleans and sharing in the culture and heritage that’s so abundant in this city. Our New Orleans Auction docket will cover the full spectrum. If you have a passion for all things automotive, you’ll want to join us in September to bid on the collector car of your dreams and be a part of Barrett-Jackson history.”

1967 Pontiac Firebird coupe

The golden era of muscle cars will be well represented with collectibles like a custom 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle convertible that is the recipient of a no-expense-spared restoration. It is powered by a period-correct Corvette V8 engine and mated to a 5-speed manual transmission. This Chevelle is painted in Cortez Silver with black stripes and rides on aluminum monoblock wheels with Pirelli P Zero tires. A custom 1967 Pontiac Firebird coupe known as “The Essence of 1967” is powered by a 450-horsepower LS2 engine and paired with an automatic transmission. It is finished in two-tone Copper and GM Cashmere, and the interior features a custom-fabricated dash, console and seats.

1963 Chevrolet Corvette Split-Window

Enthusiasts interested in being a part of the excitement may also consign their collector vehicle here. Those interested in registering to bid for Barrett-Jackson’s inaugural New Orleans Auction may do so here.

Advance tickets to the event are available here. On Location, Barrett-Jackson’s official hospitality partner, is offering several immersive VIP Experience packages for guests to join the action on the auction block, enjoy premium hospitality and connect with like-minded enthusiasts like never before. To learn more about On Location’s offerings, click here.

Join Barrett-Jackson’s online conversation with #BarrettJackson and #BJAC on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

Pick of the Day: 1958 Chevrolet Bel Air Impala

As much as I embrace the merits of autonomous, electrified driving, I will always love the burble of a good old-fashioned V8 motor with the right exhaust setup. Thankfully, Gateway Classic Cars is always thorough with its listings, and in this case, the accompanying video did not disappoint.

The Pick of the Day is a 1958 Chevrolet Impala two-door hardtop listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by Gateway Classic Cars’ Las Vegas-based facility. (Click the link to view the listing)

To properly introduce an Impala, one must start with the Bel Air. The Bel Air nameplate has become a part of everyday language in the car community. While most attention is directed to the famous “tri-five” Bel Airs of 1955 through 1957, the 1958 model gives off a similar vibe along with a few important model year updates.

Beginning in 1950, the Bel Air name referred to the two-door hardtop vehicles in the model lineup. Later, it referred to a trim level more than a body style. The 1955 Bel Air redesign would mark a significant shift in the shape and engineering of the vehicle, as it adopted a “shoebox” style side profile.

The rise and fall of tailfins took place in the years that followed, and in 1958, General Motors launched a one-year-only design for the Bel Air on the B-platform that was longer and lower than previous models. Notably, the front end received quad headlights and the rear took on round taillights in alcoves at either side. The “Impala” name was first seen that year, and it was applied to top-tier two-door hardtop Bel Air models.

This restored two-tone Impala is nicely finished in turquoise and black, and the color scheme carries through to the interior with a particularly eye-catching tri-tone black, turquoise, and white pattern in the bench seats. The car’s sweeping side profile is accented with rear wheel skirts, and the entire body is adorned in loads of brightwork as it should be. Tucked beneath the rear bumper are dual chrome exhaust outlets, which we get to hear in action thanks to the video Gateway provided.

The heart of this Impala is a 283cid small-block V8 mated to a Turbo 350 three-speed automatic transmission. The car is well-appointed with power brakes, and an aftermarket Bluetooth-enabled audio system provides the tunes (although the only sound I’d want to hear is the V8). Spoiler alert: Skip to 3:48 in the video to hear how nice this car sounds at idle – and it’s even better on takeoff.

“You will be the hit of any car meet when you roll in with this full-size classic in its striking color combination,” the listing concludes. The asking price is $64,000 for this Impala.

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

AutoHunter Spotlight: 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454

Featured on AutoHunter, the online auction platform driven by ClassicCars.com, is this rotisserie-restored 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454 convertible. Power comes from a numbers-matching 360-horsepower LS5 paired with a console-shifted three-speed automatic transmission. Equipment includes air conditioning, power windows, and Cowl Induction, among others. Finished in red with black stripes over a red vinyl interior, this 1970 SS 454 comes with a clear title in the seller’s name.

As you may already know, 1970 was the year that General Motors rescinded its cid limit and allowed the 454 to be installed in the Chevelle. The successor to the L72 427 became the 450-horsepower 454, though a lesser LS5 with 360 horsepower (rated 390 in full-size cars and the Corvette) was available. Interestingly, fewer were built than the LS6.

The Cranberry Red paint and black stripes were applied during a restoration under prior ownership. Exterior features include black convertible top, hood pins, and dual side mirrors.

The 14-inch Super Sport wheels are wrapped in FR70-14 Firestone Wide Oval white-letter tires.

The cockpit is upholstered in red vinyl with black components. Amenities include a center console with horseshoe shifter, AM radio, power windows, and air conditioning.

Instrumentation includes a 120-mph speedometer, 7,000-rpm tachometer, clock, and auxiliary gauges for the amps, fuel level, and coolant temperature. The five-digit mechanical odometer reads 53,000 miles, which the seller states is accurate.

The numbers-matching Turbo-Jet 454 features a stamped CRQ code, which corresponds to a 360-horsepower LS5. Power is sent to the rear wheels via a TH400 automatic.

Additional photos of the underbody have been provided in the gallery on the auction page.

The auction for this 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454 convertible ends Wednesday, August 30, 2023, at 12:15 p.m. (PDT)

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and photo gallery

Interesting Finds: Custom 1960 Cadillac De Ville Roadster

Today we’re looking at a ClassicCars TV feature of a custom 1960 Cadillac De Ville topless roadster. This custom Cadillac is finished in matte black over Blue Cepheus leather. Power comes from a 496ci V8 with Holley Sniper electronic fuel injection which is paired with a 3-speed automatic transmission. This car also features 20-inch Detroit Steel wheels, Air Lift Performance Air suspension, Restomod Air Haymaker climate control, and dual exhaust. This Cadillac sold for $58,300 at the 2023 Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas auction.

Want to see more interesting finds and car reviews? Check out the ClassicCars TV channel on YouTube!

Pick of the Day: 1966 Plymouth Belvedere II

If you look at a sample of human beings, you’ll find that common behaviors likely fall within a Bell curve. Look at their car-buying habits and you’ll find the same. But there are those who find red Mustangs terribly boring, so the Pick of the Day is tailor-made for them: a 1966 Plymouth Belvedere II two-door hardtop. It is listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a dealer in Clearwater, Florida. (Click the link to view the listing)

When looking at this 1966 Belvedere II, you have to go back to 1962 and look at Plymouth’s full-size series. Due to a misconstrued rumor that General Motors was downsizing its cars, the bosses at Chrysler shortened the cars Virgil Exner had planned. These vehicles, based on the new B-body platform, ended up being somewhat ungainly, turning off the public, but their 7/8th-scale size was not in line with the public’s expectations for full-size transportation, even though Plymouths lost nothing in terms of interior space. Model hierarchy started with the Savoy and then went up to Belvedere, Fury, and Sport Fury.

Styling was mainstreamed through 1964, upon which Plymouth made a sleight-of-hand move and transitioned the B-body platform as a mid-size series while introducing the truly full-size C-body platform. The model names for the latter were Fury I, Fury II, Fury III, and Sport Fury. For the new mid-size offerings, it was Belvedere I, Belvedere II, and Satellite, a new name taken from a show car.

The mid-size Plymouth series was restyled for 1966, now featuring razor-straight styling with bodyside sculpting. Though the 365-horsepower 426-S was discontinued for the platform, an all-new 426 Street Hemi was available. The only other engine with any semblance to performance was the 325-horeepower 383. It would be another year until Plymouth would have a packaged performance model (GTX) with a nice happy medium between the two engines (440 Super Commando).

This 1966 Plymouth Belvedere II two-door hardtop features the 383 backed by a four-speed manual, which is somewhat unusual and rare. However, what makes this vehicle even more interesting is the special-order “Corporate Blue” paint, as evidenced by the “999” under PAINT on the fender tag, as well as the “y9” special-order code. This is the same color used for Richard Petty’s cars. The seller has left absolutely nothing in the description, but we can see this Belvedere II has the “H4X” black bench seat (buckets were reserved for the Satellite), “R1” AM radio, and not much else.

If you’re a Mopar guy or gal and the thought of driving a Plum Crazy Challenger makes you want to get into a Chevy, then this $49,990 1966 Plymouth Belvedere II is your antidote for boredom.

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