In a recent Pick of the Day, I wrote about a 1972 LeMans Sport convertible that nicely played the role of poseur because the GTO convertible had been discontinued. However, one could also have created a poseur in 1971 thanks to the introduction of the “T41” Endura Styling Option, a $73.72 extra that allowed a LeMans Sport two-door hardtop, convertible, or four-door hardtop to strut with the look of a GTO. Later in the model year, Pontiac allowed the pair of LeMans station wagons to be ordered with the T41 option.
Does that sound like cannibalization? Sure, seems like it considering the Endura front bumper was a GTO trademark. I bet John DeLorean would never have allowed this, but here we are.
In total, 4,660 LeMans models were built with the T41 option, including 778 LeMans Sport convertibles. Muscle Car Campy caught up with Rocky Trombacco, the owner of this ragtop that features a 400 four-barrel just like what you’d find on a GTO. Other factory-installed features include Honeycomb wheels, body-colored side mirrors, Custom Sport steering wheel, air conditioning, and more.
In retrospect, Pontiac fans don’t consider it a poseur at all — it’s simply an interesting footnote in Pontiac history, adding texture to a moment that had manufacturers scrambling to maintain a segment in decline.
Click here to view more videos from Muscle Car Campy!
Diego Rosenberg and Luke Lamendola team up to cover two of Pontiac’s coolest full-size performance cars: a 1964 Catalina 2+2 and 1965 Catalina 2+2. These are close relatives, but they land on totally different sides of Pontiac’s mid-1960s glow-up: the first-year 2+2 formula in 1964 and the fully restyled 1965 body that changed the whole look and presence of the car. Filmed at WestWorld of Scottsdale during the Barrett-Jackson 2026 Scottsdale Auction, this comparison is all about the details that matter to enthusiasts: styling, stance, and performance.
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Currently listed for sale on AutoHunter is this frame-off restored 1969 Chevrolet Camaro custom coupe powered by a 383 small-block V-8 paired with a four-speed manual. Features include aftermarket air conditioning, Cowl Induction hood, front and rear spoilers, Custom interior, aftermarket Bluetooth stereo, and more. Painted in Performance White with black vinyl top and “band-aid” stripes over a black/white vinyl/cloth houndstooth interior, this Bow Tie pony car comes from the private seller with spare parts, a clean AutoCheck report, and clear title.
The original Dover White hue has been replaced with Performance White, which is complemented by twin Z/28-style black stripes. Other features include black “halo” vinyl top, front and rear spoilers, Cowl Induction hood, black rear panel, rear quarter moldings, bright taillamp trim, dual chrome mirrors, SS and 383 badging, and more. A set of 15-inch Rally wheels are wrapped in staggered-width BFGoodrich raised white letter radials, 215/65 (front) and 235/70 (rear).
The cabin features the Custom interior package which included (in this case) black vinyl and white/black houndstooth cloth seats. In between the front buckets is a console with a Hurst manual shifter. Other features include woodgrain trim, aftermarket air conditioning, power steering, and aftermarket retro-look AM/FM/Bluetooth stereo.
Instrumentation includes a 120-mph speedometer, 7,000-rpm tachometer, and console-mounted gauges for oil pressure, coolant temperature, battery, and fuel. There also is a clock in the center of the instrument panel. The odometer shows 25,000 miles, though the title says that’s not the actual miles.
Powering this Camaro is a 383 “stroker” V-8 featuring a four-barrel carburetor with aftermarket intake manifold, long-tube headers, and Champion aluminum radiator. Note the generous use of chrome! The engine is connected to a four-speed manual transmission.
The undercarriage features power front disc brakes, 12-bolt rear end, and H-pipe dual exhaust system.
The 1969 Camaro is arguably akin to the 1957 Chevy of the collector car world — it doesn’t get more popular than that. The example that’s the focus of this AutoHunter Spotlight features the classic combination of white with black trim, giving this Bow Tie pony car presence to support its performance potential. Don’t hem and haw while the clock ticks because the auction for this 1969 Chevrolet Camaro custom coupe ends on Thursday, March 19, 2026, at 11:45 a.m. (PDT).
The fourth-generation Corvette made a technological leap from its predecessor, boasting new, aerodynamic wedge-shaped styling and a quasi-unibody structure. High-performance variants like the limited-production ZR-1 took the C4’s performance to new heights, too. Our Pick of the Day is a 1992 Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1 listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in Beaufort, North Carolina.
“One owner, vehicle number 119 off assembly line,” the listing says. “Components are original except for tires, brakes, battery, and starter, replaced due to age.”
The exterior is finished in Black Rose Metallic (paint code 73U) and, according to data assembled by the Corvette Action Center, there were only 48 1992 ZR-1s built in that color. (Trivia: 1993 saw 10 built, with 1994 another 11, so 69 built in this hue in total!) Features include pop-up headlights, frameless windows, quad taillights, and dual exhaust system.
The key to the ZR-1’s performance prowess was its unique engine: It came with an all-aluminum, 32-valve “LT5” that was designed by Lotus and produced by Mercury Marine in low volumes. Even in stock form, the LT5 cranked out 375 horsepower and 370 lb-ft of torque. Lingenfelter Performance Engineering of Decatur, Indiana, took this ZR-1 to the next level in 1999 when it had just over 10,000 miles on the odometer. Following the work, a dyno test showed that the car made 530 horsepower.
The car itself is special, but the supporting documentation makes it even more compelling. Included with the car are an owner’s manual, window sticker, bill of sale, odometer disclosure statement, temporary license plate, dealer invoice, and certificate of title. It’s a true “package deal” with plenty of provenance.
“[This] Vette is personal to me, as I worked with the owner for 10 years and became good friends until his passing in 2009,” the listing says. “I hope the new owner will care for it as we have.”
To many people, when itcomes to engine output, more is more. If you’re one of those folks, we have great news: Ford Racing Parts (FRP) has announced new supercharger kits for the 2021-26 F-150, and the 2024-26 Mustang GT and Dark Horse equipped with the Coyote 5.0-liter V-8. Horsepower figures are boosted as high as 810 with 615 lb-ft of torque.
FRP supercharger for the 2021-26 F-150
Co-developed with Whipple Superchargers, both Gen 6 3.0-liter blowers are designed to run on 91-plus octane and use Whipple’s inverted twin-screw design, a dual-pass intercooler, and exclusive Ford Racing calibration. Most importantly, they’re covered by a three-year/36,000-mile warranty.
Priced at $10,250, the supercharger kit for the Coyote-powered F-150 is slightly cheaper than the Mustang’s $10,500 setup. According to Ford Racing Parts, it pumps up the truck’s engine from 400 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque to 700 horses and 590 lb-ft — increases of 75 percent and 44 percent, respectively.
FRP supercharger for the 2024-26 Mustang GT and Dark Horse
The Mustang GT and Dark Horse supercharger package adds a 92mm throttle body, GT500 port fuel injectors, and cold spark plugs (which FRP says are “designed and intended for competition use only or off-highway use only”). Those changes add up to a huge jump in power. In stock form, the Mustang GT’s Coyote V-8 produces a maximum of 486 horsepower and 418 lb-ft when it’s paired with the optional active exhaust. The Dark Horse’s enhanced version of the 5.0 pumps out 500 and 418, respectively. With the FRP/Whipple supercharger installed, the Coyote (with the active exhaust system) makes its rear tires howl with 810 horsepower and 615 lb-ft (the regular exhaust comes up 10 ponies short).
Do the math and you’ll see that that first figure is just five short of the Mustang GTD’s horsepower rating. Using the Dark Horse as the baseline, calculations show that the blower increases horsepower by 62 percent and torque by 47 percent. In other words, that’s more — a lot more.
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.
