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1951 Mercury Eight Coupe Hot Rod Project

This 1951 Mercury Eight Coupe is a running-and-driving project that was found parked in a non-running state by the seller and their friend in Oregon. Subsequent work included rebuilding the 255.4ci flathead V8 and Merc-O-Matic three-speed automatic transmission, chopping the roof and performing bodywork, and installing a later-model bench seat. Approximately ~$40k worth of work was performed between 2016 and 2024 according to the seller, who notes the cosmetic work and wiring is incomplete. This Mercury coupe is now offered by the seller on behalf of its owner with spare and removed parts, service records, and an Oregon title.

The seller tells us that areas of of rust on the lower half of the car were cut out before replacement steel components were sourced and professionally welded-in and installed. The roof was chopped ~3″, and some trim components were replaced along with the glass. 

The red-painted 15″ steel wheels are wrapped whitewall tires. The seller tells us the suspension was lowered and the brakes were overhauled as part of the work. 

A later-model bench seat has been installed, though it requires upholstery work. A multi-color patterned blanket covers the seat, and the seller adds that bucket seats from a 1969 Mustang and a new carpeting set are included in the sale.

Dakota Digital gauges have been installed, though they are not fully wired. The Dakota Digital harness is included along with an original-style harness for the car.

The 255.4ci Flathead V8 was rebuilt, as was the Merc-O-Matic three-speed automatic transmission. The fuel tank was also replaced according to the seller, and the aluminum radiator is cooled by an electric fan.

Records documenting work between 2017 and 2024 are displayed in the gallery.

The seller notes that chrome exhaust lake pipes and removed trim components are also included.

Serial number ☆51LA19494M☆ is displayed above. The car is titled using VIN S1LA19494M.

502 Ram Jet–Powered 1940 Buick Series 50 Super Coupe

This 1940 Buick Series 50 Super sport coupe hot rod was overhauled by Drifter’s Garage of Escondido, California, during 2024 following the seller’s acquisition of the already-modified vehicle the previous year. The car has been repainted in red over tan leather upholstery, and modifications include a 502ci Ram Jet V8, a 4L80E four-speed automatic transmission, a Ford 9″ rear end, a RideTech air suspension, front control arms, a four-link rear suspension, power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering, staggered-diameter American Racing wheels, power-assisted four-wheel disc brakes, shaved exterior handles, power-adjustable front seats, power windows, a center console, a Pioneer stereo, Vintage Air climate control, and Dakota Digital gauges. This ’40 Buick hot rod is now offered with service records from current ownership and a clean California title in the seller’s name.

The car has been repainted in a color described by the seller as Porsche Red. Exterior details include a two-piece windshield, a body-color grille, fender portholes, and dual side mirrors. The handles for the doors and the trunk have been shaved, and the vehicle lacks bumpers and windshield wipers.

Five-spoke American Racing wheels measuring 16″ at the front and 17″ out back are mounted with Goodyear front and Uniroyal rear tires. The rack-and-pinion steering is power assisted, as is the four-wheel disc-braking system. A RideTech RidePRO air suspension has been fitted along with front control arms and a four-link setup at the rear. The air suspension was installed and the steering was replaced under current ownership, and other parts of the suspension including bushings were replaced or serviced.

The cabin houses bolstered front bucket seats and a rear bench upholstered in tan leather and accented by Buick logos. The interior was retrimmed under current ownership, and the leather upholstery carries over to the padded dashboard, the center console, the door panels, and the headliner. Appointments include patterned carpeting, power-adjustable front seats, power windows, a Pioneer head unit, Vintage Air climate control, cruise control, and front and rear seatbelts.

A leather-rimmed billet steering wheel is secured to a body-color tilting column. Horizontally oriented Dakota Digital instrumentation has been adapted. The digital odometer shows 1,200 miles, approximately 200 of which were added under current ownership; true chassis mileage is unknown.

The trunk compartment is trimmed to match the cabin.

The 502ci Ram Jet V8 was installed under prior ownership and features chrome-finished dress-up components. Work performed under current ownership involved repairing the wiring for the fuel system and the cooling fan as well as replacing a valve-cover gasket and a header gasket. The hood lifts using power-actuated hydraulic supports.

Power is routed to the rear wheels through a 4L80E four-speed automatic transmission and a Ford 9″ rear end.

283-Powered 1929 Ford 5-Window Coupe Highboy

This 1929 Ford Model A hot rod is based on a steel-bodied five-window coupe that was stored indoors for ~four decades in San Francisco according to the seller, who acquired it in 2013 and subsequently built it over the next two years. The body was media-blasted and repainted Viper Red, and the car rides on chrome wire wheels with a Pete & Jake’s drop front end with discs along with a four-link rear end with coilovers. The 283ci V8 was built in 2012 with 305 heads and an Edelbrock carburetor, and it is linked to a 700R4 automatic and a Ford 9″ axle. Inside is an oak headliner, a Lokar shifter, an Ididit tilt column, a Lecarra steering wheel, and custom upholstery. This Model A Highboy is now offered with a clean Nevada title in the seller’s name.

The five-window coupe body was glass-beaded, repaired, and epoxy-primed before it was painted Viper Red.

The front end is a drop axle setup from Pete & Jake’s with hairpin radius rods, a transverse leaf spring, and discs. The car has a tilt-out windshield, a visor, and a fabric roof.

The rear end is a four-link setup with coilovers and discs brakes. The chromed wire wheels have 205/60 front and 255/70 rear BFGoodrich tires mounted.

Custom upholstery covers the bench seat, and the headliner is a custom oak slats. A Lokar shifter is mounted on the floor, which is covered by carpeting that matches the outer seat upholstery and door panels.

The banjo-style Lecarra wheel is mounted on an Ididit column. The ~4,300 miles on the Auto Meter cluster represents the mileage on the build.

The seller states 305ci heads were installed on the 283ci V8, and it is topped by an aluminum intake manifold as well as an Edelbrock carburetor and valve covers. PerTronix ignition was utilized along with a Griffin aluminum radiator. The headers are linked to a custom stainless-steel exhaust system with Porter mufflers.

The 700R4 automatic is linked to a Ford 9″ axle.

The car is titled as a 1929 Ford using the VIN shown above.

Honda Insight: Pioneer of the Hybrid Revolution

Honda once said, “How many cars does it take to change the world? Just one, perhaps.”

On March 6 of this year, the Antique Automobile Club of America formally welcomed a new group of cars to the collectible vehicle community: “AACA recognizes the Class of 2000, which has crossed the 25-year threshold because the New Millennium is already the now Millennium. In addition, a whole host of recently imported Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) models are included as well, as long as they remain original and unmodified.”

AACA said about the Insight:

“The Honda Insight slipped in ahead of the Toyota Prius as America’s first modern hybrid. But instead of relying on a redundant gasoline engine and electric powertrain, it included a motor between the 1.0-liter, three-cylinder engine and transmission, which provided additional energy (boost) on demand like a turbocharger.

The Insight was optimized extensively for utmost fuel economy, exotically engineered and built alongside the NSX supercar. It was only available as an aerodynamic coupe, sans door pockets to save weight, and even gasoline robbing air-conditioning was a hard-to-source option.”

Insight on Insights

We touched a little bit on the Insight during a feature from the Kyusha Club last fall. My friend Kai, featured in that story, has recently become a little Insight-obsessed, so when the opportunity came up to acquire a first-year, introductory-color Insight with relatively low miles, he had to have it. The car is a “Citrus Yellow” 2000 Insight with a five-speed manual transmission. There were about 13,000 first-generation Insights sold in the United States between 2000 and 2006. Kai says that, according to his research, there were only 350 Insights in Citrus Yellow, so any such survivors 25-plus years later have become sought-after rarities.

Kai with his Citrus Yellow Honda Insight.

Engineering

Cutting straight to the chase, the Insight is a fuel-economy wizard. The car was rated when new at 61 mpg in the city and 70 on the highway. Contributing factors included a lightweight aluminum monocoque body along with streamlined aerodynamic styling that reduced drag.

Power came from a teeny 1.0-liter inline-three paired with an electric assist motor. Together, they produced 73 horsepower and 91 lb-ft of torque. Clearly, the original Insight was not designed to deliver blistering acceleration, but rather, with the intent of optimizing economy.

A five-speed manual transaxle sent power to the front wheels, and a continuously variable transmission (CVT) was offered as an option in subsequent years. Honda included a number of innovations on the Insight, including an auto-stop system, regenerative braking, integrated motor assist (IMA), electric power steering and even lightweight wheels to reduce rolling resistance. The car had a curb weight of only 1,878 pounds.

Lasting Influence

The Insight was one of the first hybrid vehicles offer to the public, and it paved the path for the many similar vehicles that would follow – even 25 years later. It was an affordable, fuel-efficient and innovative car that was truly ahead of its time. The styling, while polarizing to some, follows a “function over form” mindset, and it’s an unmistakable eye-catcher on the roads today.

Just as citrus fruits are bright, tangy, and refreshing – the Citrus Yellow Honda Insight is a car that stands out. And its sky-high mpg credentials are shocking even today.

What other cars from the Y2K era are you excited to see becoming official classics? According to the AACA, these vehicles are on the newest list: 2000 BMW X5, the 2000 BMW Z8, the 2000 Ford Excursion, the 2000 Lincoln LS, the 2000 Morgan Aero 8, the 2000 Nissan Xterra, the 2000 Qvale Mangusta, the 2000 Rolls-Royce Corniche V and the 2000 Saturn L-Series.

Book Review: 1960-1974 Pontiac Performance

It may be difficult to fathom that a car brand that soared to such heights—Pontiac—is no longer with us, but that’s the nature of business. Nonetheless, there’s no automotive American brand whose impact was larger than itself than Pontiac. While there have been books and articles published that have presented Pontiacs in this moment of ripeness, none have connected the historical dots and presented the proper context of Pontiac’s ascension until now. Noted Pontiac expert Don Keefe has undertaken this task to positive results.

Before 1955, Pontiac was perhaps the least interesting brand within General Motors, but a group of engineers and a new general manager helped change Pontiac’s trajectory. Several years within the merging of both groups (1956), Pontiac became the number-three sales leader in the American market, outselling both the traditional number-three brand (Plymouth) and unseating the surprising bearer of the spot (Rambler). From exploits from the racetrack (Super Duty) to the street (GTO), Pontiac was the brand that everyone in Detroit admired.

Pontiac, like other GM brands, had the unfortunate situation of having cubic-inch limits for certain platforms. Unique among American automotive brands, Pontiac marginally improved its engines, especially with the heads and exhaust manifolds, to help mitigate the disadvantages Pontiac faced against competitors with larger engines. This manner would lead to the development of the Super Duty 455 in a time when performance had taken a huge hit thanks to lowered compression and emission controls.

The pictures—both current and vintage—are plenty and tell a visual story of postwar Pontiac history, but it’s the narrative that truly makes this book seminal. Whether you’re a Pontiac enthusiast or simply a fan of the era, this book is indispensable.

Note: The writer of this review knows the author. You can purchase signed copies via PayPal or visit your local book store.

AutoHunter Spotlight: 1965 Chevrolet Malibu SS

Currently listed on AutoHunter is this restored 1965 Chevrolet Malibu SS Sport Coupe. As the sportiest and most upscale of Chevelle models, the Malibu SS came standard with bucket seats and console when equipped with Powerglide or four-speed manual. In these early years, the SS could be powered by a six-cylinder or V8, with this one being powered by a 327 V8 paired to a four-speed manual. Other features include American Racing mags, power steering, aftermarket Alpine AM/FM stereo with CD/USB/Bluetooth/SiriusXM, and more. Painted Regal Red with black interior, this Malibu is offered by the selling dealer with a branded title.

The Regal Red hue is complemented by include dual chrome side mirrors, chrome and black rear trim, Malibu SS and 327 engine badges, and chrome exhaust extensions. A set of 15-inch American Racing Torq Thrust wheels is wrapped in 225/60 BFGoodrich Radial T/A raised white letter tires.

The interior is furnished in black with bucket seats up front. As this is an SS with a Hurst-shifted four-speed manual, this vehicle includes a console. Other features include wood-grain three-spoke steering wheel, power steering, and aftermarket Alpine AM/FM stereo with CD player, and USB, plus it’s SiriusXM- and Bluetooth-capable.

The instrument panel consists of a 120-mph speedometer, 6,000-rpm tachometer, and fuel gauge; aftermarket AutoMeter gauges mounted under the dashboard include oil pressure, coolant temperature, and voltage. The odometer shows 75,874 miles though the true mileage is unknown.

The replacement Turbo-Fire 327 V8 is equipped with a four-barrel carburetor and is backed by an M20 Muncie wide-ratio four-speed. It breathes via a dual exhaust system. Power front disc brakes help make stopping a cinch.

These first iterations (1964-65) of the first-generation Chevelle are quite popular in the hobby, and it’s not hard to see why—they look good, plus they have an infinite supply of available aftermarket equipment. There’s a lot fun to be had with this restored 1965 Chevrolet Malibu SS Sport Coupe as equipped, so don’t be caught snoozing and miss this auction—bid before its conclusion on Friday, May 23, 2025, at 11:15 a.m. (PDT).

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and a photo gallery

Pick of the Day: 1991 Nissan 300ZX Twin-Turbo

About a month ago, I featured a remarkably clean Nissan 300ZX as my Pick of the Day. It was a sweet car with only 52,000 miles on it – but it was lacking something: max power. Any Z enthusiast knows the most coveted cars from this era are the ones with the “VG30DETT” 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6. And, as luck would have it, I just found one:

The Pick of the Day is a 1991 Nissan 300ZX twin-turbo listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in Nashville, Tennessee.

“This beautiful all-original 300ZX features the legendary VG30DETT 3.0-liter V6 engine producing 300 horsepower and 283 lb-ft of torque,” the listing says. “This particular example has been properly maintained with no expense spared. I’ve invested in all the critical maintenance.” More on that in just a bit.

The “Z32” chassis 300ZX was produced from model years 1990 through 1996, and it was also referred to as the Fairlady Z in some markets. It was a car known for its brisk acceleration, precise handling and vast aftermarket support. The popularity of the Z in the modification arena is one of the reasons why many/most surviving cars are no longer original. And with only 35,500 miles, this one is very much a time capsule.

The Z was marketed for being “180 degrees from everything,” and one of the advertisements for the car said, “You’ll discover that while in a Turbo Z, no matter which way you’re going, it will feel like a whole new direction.”

As the seller mentioned, a great deal of maintenance has already been performed on the car, so it’s ready to rock and roll with elevated peace of mind. Included on the checklist were the timing belt, water pump, tensioner, drive belts, brake rotors and pads, brake master cylinder, compression rods, shifter bushings and Pirelli tires. The car has an accident-free CARFAX and is said to be “ready to enjoy immediately.”

From the Aztec Red paint finish to the Charcoal leather upholstery, the car looks the part of a low-miler. Perhaps my favorite feature is the period-correct mobile phone affixed to the center console. Although, on second thought, I’d probably rather put life on hold and just focus on experiencing that seamless gearbox instead.

“Don’t miss this opportunity to own a turn-key 300ZX twin-turbo that’s been properly cared for,” the listing concludes. “These are becoming increasingly rare in this condition, especially with documented maintenance history and all original components.”

The asking price is $41,500.

Click here to view this Pick of the Day on ClassicCars.com

350-Powered 1931 Pontiac Big Six 2-Door Sedan Street Rod

This 1931 Pontiac Big Six two-door sedan was acquired by the seller in 2020 and subsequently built into a street rod. Power comes from a 350ci Chevrolet V8 with a Holley carburetor, a Weiand aluminum intake manifold, and a dual exhaust system with cutouts, and the engine is backed by a Powerglide two-speed automatic. Finished in red with maroon fenders, the car rides on a boxed frame with a Fat Man independent front suspension, a C3 Corvette rear assembly, rack-and-pinion steering, and four-wheel disc brakes. Other highlights include Foose 18” alloy wheels, wood running boards and interior trim, two-tone upholstery, a Jensen digital media receiver, and aftermarket gauges. This custom Pontiac is now offered with a clean North Carolina title in the seller’s name.

The steel body was removed from the frame and stripped before the car was repainted in red with maroon fenders. A klaxon-style horn is mounted to the headlight bar, and other exterior details include a mesh grille insert, louvered hood side panels, round side mirrors, wood running boards, and a rear-mounted spare. Paint imperfections are noted by the seller, and chips around the car are shown up close in the image gallery below.

Foose 18” alloy wheels are wrapped in 225/45 front and 235/55 rear Yokohama YK740 GTX tires. The steel frame has been boxed, and a Fat Man independent front suspension with unassisted rack-and-pinion steering has been added along with a C3 Corvette rear assembly. Braking is handled by four-wheel discs, and the booster is mounted below the floor

The cabin features front bucket seats and a rear bench trimmed in beige vinyl with maroon diamond-stitched inserts, and the upholstery scheme carries over to the door panels. The front headrests are embroidered with Pontiac lettering, and wood trim accents the dashboard fascia. A Jensen MPR210 digital media receiver is mounted in a custom overhead console, and a Speedway Motors aluminum throttle pedal has been installed. The seller notes that the car is not equipped with a climate control system.

The wood-rimmed steering wheel frames aftermarket instrumentation consisting of a 140-mph speedometer, an 8k-rpm tachometer, and auxiliary gauges. The digital odometer indicates 365 miles, which is said to represent the distance driven since the build was completed.

The 350ci V8 was source from a 1995 Chevrolet truck and rebuilt prior to installation according to the seller, and it is equipped with a Holley carburetor, a Weiand aluminum intake manifold, “rams horn” exhaust manifolds, and T-bar valve cover bolts. The aluminum radiator is cooled by an electric puller fan.

Power is sent to the rear wheels through a Powerglide two-speed automatic and a rear end said to be sourced from a 1978 Corvette. The dual exhaust system has solenoid-actuated cutouts and oblong finishers.

The car is titled as a 1931 Pontiac using the North Carolina assigned VIN NCS106771.

Photos taken at various stages of the build are presented in the gallery.

Custom 1954 Mercury Monterey Convertible

This 1954 Mercury Monterey convertible was acquired by the prior owner in 2016 and subsequently refurbished and customized. The car was nosed and decked, the door handles were shaved, the headlights were frenched, and faux lake pipes were added along with a fabricated body-color cover during the build, and the body was painted in Sunset Pearl. The interior is trimmed in beige and white, and a Vintage Air climate control system and power windows have been fitted. Additional details include a Continental kit, chrome bumpers with guards, dual spotlights, rear fender skirts, and MagnaFlow dual exhaust outlets. Power is provided by a 256ci V8 paired with a three-speed automatic transmission, and the 15″ wheels wear full chrome covers and whitewall tires. This custom Monterey was acquired by the selling dealer in 2024 and is now offered with a Connecticut registration document.

The body was nosed and decked, the door handles were shaved, the headlights were frenched, and a custom rocker cover was fabricated to conceal faux lake pipes before the car was finished in House of Kolor Sunset Pearl. Additional details include a power-operated tan soft top, rear fender skirts, dual spotlights, and a Continental spare tire kit. Paint cracks and touched-up chips are pictured in the gallery below.

The 15″ steel wheels wear full covers and are mounted with 205/70 Broadway Classic Radial tires. The car is equipped with power steering and power-assisted drum brakes, and the seller notes that Monroe shocks were installed and the brakes were serviced in preparation for the sale.

The interior features custom beige and white upholstery on the seats and door panels along with a painted dash panel and tan carpets. A Vintage Air climate control system has been added along with power windows, a power antenna, a clock, and an AM radio.

The two-spoke steering wheel has a chrome horn ring, and it frames a 110-mph speedometer along with gauges for engine temperature, oil pressure, fuel level, and battery charge. The five-digit odometer shows 5k miles, approximately 30 of which were added under current ownership. Total mileage is unknown.

The 256ci V8 is equipped with an Edelbrock four-barrel carburetor and is accompanied by an aluminum radiator. The selling dealer states the fluids and carburetor were serviced and the battery, spark plugs, ignition wires, points, and cap and rotor were replaced in preparation for the sale.

Power is routed to the rear wheels through a three-speed automatic transmission. The dual exhaust system utilizes glasspack mufflers and terminates with MagnaFlow tips below the rear bumper. The underside has been sprayed with black undercoating.

Decoding the data plate reveals the following production information:

  • Style: BR76B – Monterey two-door convertible
  • Paint: 03 – Lakeland Blue
  • Trim: 476 – Dark Blue and Ivory vinyl
  • Date: 14D – April 14 production date
  • Production number: 109 – Production number for the day

The car is being sold on its Connecticut registration, which serves as the ownership document for a vehicle of its age in the state.

350-Powered 1950 Oldsmobile 76 Club Coupe

This 1950 Oldsmobile 76 Club Coupe was refurbished and modified around 2015 by its current long-term owner. Power comes from a 350ci Chevrolet V8 linked to a TH350 three-speed automatic transmission and a 9” rear end, and the car rides on an independent front suspension with disc brakes, Fatman dropped spindles, and a CPP steering box. Custom tan leather upholstery was installed by Ron Mangus Interiors of Yucaipa, California, and a Vintage Air climate-control system was added along with cruise control, a concealed Sony CD head unit, and a banjo-style steering wheel. Other equipment includes an Edelbrock carburetor, a batwing-style air cleaner, short-tube exhaust headers, a twelve-volt electrical system, wheel covers, and whitewall tires. This custom Oldsmobile coupe is now offered by the seller on behalf of the owner with a clean California title in the name of the owner’s trust.

The car was repainted in Royal Jade Pearl Metallic during the aforementioned refurbishment, according to the seller, and the exterior brightwork was polished or refinished. Details include a split windshield, round side mirrors, dual exhaust outlets, and chrome bumpers and trim.

Steel wheels wear spinner-style covers and are mounted with BFGoodrich Silvertown whitewall tires. A Chevrolet Camaro–sourced independent front suspension assembly with disc brakes has been installed along with a Classic Performance Products 500-series steering box, Fatman Fabrications 2” dropped spindles, and brake-system hydraulics from ABS Power Brake in Orange, California.

The cabin was reupholstered in tan leather by Ron Mangus Interiors, and a cupholder console was added along with color-coordinated three-point front seatbelts. Vintage Air climate control was also installed along with a Rostra 16-R cruise-control system and a Sony CD head unit mounted in the glove compartment.

The banjo-style steering wheel is attached to a tilting column and frames a sweeping 110-mph speedometer with inset auxiliary gauges, while an 8k-rpm tachometer is positioned atop the dash. The five-digit odometer shows 25k miles, approximately 3k of which have been added under current ownership; total mileage is unknown.

The trunk is trimmed to complement the cabin, and the trunk lid is fully lined. A JBL GT5 amplifier, an Optima Red Top battery, and a battery tender are concealed behind a removable panel emblazoned with Oldsmobile lettering.

The 350ci Chevrolet V8 is equipped with a batwing-style air cleaner, an Edelbrock carburetor, short-tube exhaust headers, and valve covers accented with Oldsmobile script. Polished accessories have been installed, and the electrical system has been converted to twelve-volt operation. The aluminum multi-pass radiator is cooled by a Spal electric puller fan.

Power is sent to the rear wheels through a TH350 three-speed automatic transmission and a 9” rear end. A remote transmission-fluid cooler has been added.