mod@tech

Josh Mazerolle doesn’t smoke, never has, never will. Regardless, he said the Marlboro-inspired paint scheme for his 1982 Cadillac Sedan DeVille was just too spot-on to pass up.

“The car’s already shaped like a pack of cigarettes,” he said. “Plus it’s got that cream paint with some patina, it was kind of a gross car.”

Thus with some simple masking, some red paint, and liberal appropriation of the Marlboro font, the Whoop-DeVille was thrust upon the Internet in a blatant effort to, as Mazerolle said, “instigate a emotional response,” “make it look cool without sucking a lot of my life away,” and also provide Mazerolle with a winter ride that he could also drive to Holley’s LS Fest and feature on “Deathwish,” the car build show he stars in on Amazon Prime.

“And it’s gotten a lotta laughs, that’s for sure,” he said.

The Cadillac, to the best of Mazerolle’s knowledge, started out as a Florida car before eventually migrating north to New Hampshire, where Mazerolle lives. Rust wasn’t a problem for it, but the “notoriously bad” 125hp 4.1-liter V-8 with Digital Fuel Injection was, and with a bum engine, the car nearly met its fate at a local salvage yard.

“Apparently it was going across the scales when the junkyard owner’s son said, ‘Nope, it’s mine,’ and stuffed a junkyard 5.3 in it,” Mazerolle said.

The early LS-based engine – most probably a 285hp LM7 out of a GMT800 Chevrolet Silverado – more than doubled the 4100’s power rating without any modifications and fit neatly and easily into the DeVille’s engine bay. The swap was nearly finished, too, when the junkyard owner’s son put the Cadillac up for sale.

“I figured it was an easy thing for me,” Mazerolle said. “It just needed an exhaust and a brake caliper.”

He fully intended to fix it and drive it just the way it was, but as he started in on the caliper, a case of the might-as-wells sprang up. He’d often wondered what a GM B-body car would look like with a Ford Twin I-Beam or Twin Traction Beam axle (what he calls “whoop scissors”) under the front of it, so he figured if he had the front end of the Cadillac apart, he might as well grab one of the Ford setups to see how it’d fit.

“I’m an off-road guy, and those TTBs get a lot of wheel travel without having to spend much money,” he said. “It’s not a really good setup, but it’s cool.”

In the end, he sourced two Twin I-Beam setups from a pair of two-wheel-drive 1995 Ford F-250s just to use both passenger-side axle arms, which he then mounted to a single pivot in the center of the car, giving the setup the exact width that Mazerolle wanted. He kept the Ford disc brakes and eight-lug spindles but rather than try to fit the Ford coil springs, he fabricated mounts for Profender bypass shocks with position-sensitive dampening and custom-fabricated control arms that gave him 20 inches of wheel travel. To ensure zero bump-steer with the suspension setup, he custom-built a steering system with long tie rods that also share a common center pivot.

“In my head, it fit better than it actually did,” he said. “It took building the car to realize I’m an idiot.”

Around back, he matched the front end’s new height with an eight-lug GM 14-bolt rear axle fitted with disc brakes and suspended on 1999 Chevrolet S-10 ZR-2 springs with custom-length shackles. Seventeen-inch Hummer H2 wheels bolted right up to both the Ford front spindles and the 14-bolt rear axle. Falcon Wildpeak M/T tires provided appropriate knobbiness for what Mazerolle calls a “trophy car.”

Other than adding a complete Flowmaster exhaust, the LS engine remained untouched. So did the Cadillac’s stock TH200-4R transmission, and Mazerolle instantly came to regret leaving it so when he discovered it had given up the ghost on the Whoop-DeVille’s test drive to the gas station to fill up for the trip to Kentucky for last year’s LS Fest East. Rather than turn around, Mazerolle limped the car to Gearstar Performance Transmission in Akron, Ohio, where he convinced them to let him swap out the stock transmission for one of Gearstar’s Level 5 TH200-4R performance transmissions in the company’s parking lot. “The LS will get a supercharger, so I wanted to make sure we were prepared for that,” Mazerolle said. “We’re just not there yet.”

Still, he managed to make it to the show, get plenty of social media exposure for the car, and dial in the front suspension on the off-road course. Since then, he’s followed through on his intention of making it his winter driver, though he’s also considering not just adding the aforementioned supercharger but also taking it desert racing out West. “I think it’d be cool on a short course,” he said.

Race cars aren’t the first genre that comes to mind when discussing the Autorama World of Wheels show, but 2023 saw an impressive variety of go-fast vehicles on display in Detroit. Anything from fresh builds to race cars with a heritage were present, and the most popular words from show-goers wandering the Cobo center were “Wow, look at all the race cars here!” Tom Bailey and the Sick Week crew had several of their drag-and-drive vehicles on display, and a few rare historic race cars also made an appearance. Check out five fan favorites followed by an additional gallery of horsepower below.

“Blastro” 1985 Chevrolet Astro Van

The info card on this eye-catching fast van sang “Knock, knock, knockin’ on seven’s door.” Blastro is an all-steel street legal pro-mod motorhome built by Tom Richey. The home build took 14 years and over 14,000 hours to complete. The entire build is custom, but a few standout details include a unique swinging side door, pro-mod rear wing, and a 10” chop in the front and 7.5” in the rear. It’s powered by a blown alcohol 526-ci pro-mod engine capable of 2,200 horsepower.

“Blastro” 1985 Chevrolet Astro Van

The info card on this eye-catching fast van sang “Knock, knock, knockin’ on seven’s door.” Blastro is an all-steel street legal pro-mod motorhome built by Tom Richey. The home build took 14 years and over 14,000 hours to complete. The entire build is custom, but a few standout details include a unique swinging side door, pro-mod rear wing, and a 10” chop in the front and 7.5” in the rear. It’s powered by a blown alcohol 526-ci pro-mod engine capable of 2,200 horsepower.

“Blastro” 1985 Chevrolet Astro Van

The info card on this eye-catching fast van sang “Knock, knock, knockin’ on seven’s door.” Blastro is an all-steel street legal pro-mod motorhome built by Tom Richey. The home build took 14 years and over 14,000 hours to complete. The entire build is custom, but a few standout details include a unique swinging side door, pro-mod rear wing, and a 10” chop in the front and 7.5” in the rear. It’s powered by a blown alcohol 526-ci pro-mod engine capable of 2,200 horsepower.

“Blastro” 1985 Chevrolet Astro Van

The info card on this eye-catching fast van sang “Knock, knock, knockin’ on seven’s door.” Blastro is an all-steel street legal pro-mod motorhome built by Tom Richey. The home build took 14 years and over 14,000 hours to complete. The entire build is custom, but a few standout details include a unique swinging side door, pro-mod rear wing, and a 10” chop in the front and 7.5” in the rear. It’s powered by a blown alcohol 526-ci pro-mod engine capable of 2,200 horsepower.

1965 Dodge Coronet

This lightweight race car uses all factory original engine components, including factory installed headers, a high-lift mechanical cam, 12.5:1 compression pistons, and an aluminum water pump and oil pump. Weight reduction includes the removal of the back seat, rear window regulators, radio and heater elements. Special lightweight body parts include steel bumpers and brackets, fenders, hood and scoop, doors with aluminum hinges, lightweight corning glass, and a weight-saving interior including front seats and door panels.

1940 Willys Gasser

A fan favorite race car list wouldn’t be complete without a Willys gasser. This one, owned by Bill Kellogg of Warren, MI, has all the vintage vibes and is equipped with a 392 Chrysler Hemi and topped with a big blower. A Ford 9-inch rear axle teamed with drag shocks and ladder bars gives it its menacing stance and the traction required to propel it down the dragstrip.

1940 Willys Gasser

A fan favorite race car list wouldn’t be complete without a Willys gasser. This one, owned by Bill Kellogg of Warren, MI, has all the vintage vibes and is equipped with a 392 Chrysler Hemi and topped with a big blower. A Ford 9-inch rear axle teamed with drag shocks and ladder bars gives it its menacing stance and the traction required to propel it down the dragstrip.

1940s Belly Tank Lakester Race Car

Otherwise called belly tanks, drop tanks, tankers, or streamliners, the belly tank lakesters are associated with the heydays of dry lakes racing. Built from a mix of discarded WWII aircraft parts, namely drop tanks or portable fuel cells, these quick little racers are an important part of early hot-rodding history. Back in the day, they could reach over 100-hp, but the tankers still raced today can reach upwards of 360-mph.

1940s Belly Tank Lakester Race Car

Otherwise called belly tanks, drop tanks, tankers, or streamliners, the belly tank lakesters are associated with the heydays of dry lakes racing. Built from a mix of discarded WWII aircraft parts, namely drop tanks or portable fuel cells, these quick little racers are an important part of early hot-rodding history. Back in the day, they could reach over 100-hp, but the tankers still raced today can reach upwards of 360-mph.

1940s Belly Tank Lakester Race Car

Otherwise called belly tanks, drop tanks, tankers, or streamliners, the belly tank lakesters are associated with the heydays of dry lakes racing. Built from a mix of discarded WWII aircraft parts, namely drop tanks or portable fuel cells, these quick little racers are an important part of early hot-rodding history. Back in the day, they could reach over 100-hp, but the tankers still raced today can reach upwards of 360-mph.

2019 C7 Corvette “Miss Sexy”

This 632-ci three stage nitrous Chevy roadster holds a best elapsed time of 6.67-seconds at 212 MPH. The entire body is made of fiberglass and the chassis is custom built by Bob’s Profab Chassis Shop. Custom carbon fiber interior keeps the weight off. It features front Strange strut suspension, and a custom rear sheet metal 9-inch Ford axle transfers power to the tires. Mandell also brought his fiberglass 1955 Chevrolet “Creamsicle” to the show, which can be seen in the gallery below.

2019 C7 Corvette “Miss Sexy”

This 632-ci three stage nitrous Chevy roadster holds a best elapsed time of 6.67-seconds at 212 MPH. The entire body is made of fiberglass and the chassis is custom built by Bob’s Profab Chassis Shop. Custom carbon fiber interior keeps the weight off. It features front Strange strut suspension, and a custom rear sheet metal 9-inch Ford axle transfers power to the tires. Mandell also brought his fiberglass 1955 Chevrolet “Creamsicle” to the show, which can be seen in the gallery below.

2019 C7 Corvette “Miss Sexy”

This 632-ci three stage nitrous Chevy roadster holds a best elapsed time of 6.67-seconds at 212 MPH. The entire body is made of fiberglass and the chassis is custom built by Bob’s Profab Chassis Shop. Custom carbon fiber interior keeps the weight off. It features front Strange strut suspension, and a custom rear sheet metal 9-inch Ford axle transfers power to the tires. Mandell also brought his fiberglass 1955 Chevrolet “Creamsicle” to the show, which can be seen in the gallery below.

More horsepower from the 2023 Detroit Autorama:

The 2023 Detroit Autorama spotlighted over 800 unique vehicles last weekend. Everything from off-the-wall custom cars and trucks to the more traditional hot rods, muscle cars and race cars were on display. Here we focus in on some of the most creative creations, crazy builds and head-scratching oddities that adorned the showroom floors. You may even recognize a handful of iconic custom cars on this page from hot rodding history, pop culture, movies or TV shows.

Starbird’s Futurista

Built on a 1963 Volkswagen chassis, this three-wheeled, stick-steering bubbletop was inspired by Darryl Starbird’s concept design. The original version debuted at the 1963 Oakland Roaster Show but was sadly destroyed after it fell off the transporter. This recreation was led by owner and builder Everett Reynolds Oronogo, MO, with the assistance of Cliff Starbird who hand built the body.

Starbird’s Futurista

Built on a 1963 Volkswagen chassis, this three-wheeled, stick-steering bubbletop was inspired by Darryl Starbird’s concept design. The original version debuted at the 1963 Oakland Roaster Show but was sadly destroyed after it fell off the transporter. This recreation was led by owner and builder Everett Reynolds Oronogo, MO, with the assistance of Cliff Starbird who hand built the body.

Starbird’s Futurista

Built on a 1963 Volkswagen chassis, this three-wheeled, stick-steering bubbletop was inspired by Darryl Starbird’s concept design. The original version debuted at the 1963 Oakland Roaster Show but was sadly destroyed after it fell off the transporter. This recreation was led by owner and builder Everett Reynolds Oronogo, MO, with the assistance of Cliff Starbird who hand built the body.

Starbird’s Futurista

Built on a 1963 Volkswagen chassis, this three-wheeled, stick-steering bubbletop was inspired by Darryl Starbird’s concept design. The original version debuted at the 1963 Oakland Roaster Show but was sadly destroyed after it fell off the transporter. This recreation was led by owner and builder Everett Reynolds Oronogo, MO, with the assistance of Cliff Starbird who hand built the body.

Starbird’s Futurista

Built on a 1963 Volkswagen chassis, this three-wheeled, stick-steering bubbletop was inspired by Darryl Starbird’s concept design. The original version debuted at the 1963 Oakland Roaster Show but was sadly destroyed after it fell off the transporter. This recreation was led by owner and builder Everett Reynolds Oronogo, MO, with the assistance of Cliff Starbird who hand built the body.

Starbird’s Futurista

Built on a 1963 Volkswagen chassis, this three-wheeled, stick-steering bubbletop was inspired by Darryl Starbird’s concept design. The original version debuted at the 1963 Oakland Roaster Show but was sadly destroyed after it fell off the transporter. This recreation was led by owner and builder Everett Reynolds Oronogo, MO, with the assistance of Cliff Starbird who hand built the body.

“Poriero” the 1999 Porsche Boxster

Another Starbird mention, this modern bubbletop car is owned and designed by Cliff Starbird of Derby, KS. Cliff is also a monster truck driver known for piloting vehicles such as Frankenstein, the Monster Vette, and Wild Stang. The bubble top was formed by Frankie Enloe of Oklahoma City.

“Poriero” the 1999 Porsche Boxster

Another Starbird mention, this modern bubbletop car is owned and designed by Cliff Starbird of Derby, KS. Cliff is also a monster truck driver known for piloting vehicles such as Frankenstein, the Monster Vette, and Wild Stang. The bubble top was formed by Frankie Enloe of Oklahoma City.

“Poriero” the 1999 Porsche Boxster

Another Starbird mention, this modern bubbletop car is owned and designed by Cliff Starbird of Derby, KS. Cliff is also a monster truck driver known for piloting vehicles such as Frankenstein, the Monster Vette, and Wild Stang. The bubble top was formed by Frankie Enloe of Oklahoma City.

“Strictly Kandy” 1996 Cadillac Fleetwood

Several low riders were on display at the show, but Michael Martinez’s car stood out due to the multi-colored custom paint and intricate glass etching throughout the build. The hydraulics are controlled by three pumps powered by eight batteries. The exterior details carry through to the custom interior.

“Strictly Kandy” 1996 Cadillac Fleetwood

Several low riders were on display at the show, but Michael Martinez’s car stood out due to the multi-colored custom paint and intricate glass etching throughout the build. The hydraulics are controlled by three pumps powered by eight batteries. The exterior details carry through to the custom interior.

“Strictly Kandy” 1996 Cadillac Fleetwood

Several low riders were on display at the show, but Michael Martinez’s car stood out due to the multi-colored custom paint and intricate glass etching throughout the build. The hydraulics are controlled by three pumps powered by eight batteries. The exterior details carry through to the custom interior.

“Strictly Kandy” 1996 Cadillac Fleetwood

Several low riders were on display at the show, but Michael Martinez’s car stood out due to the multi-colored custom paint and intricate glass etching throughout the build. The hydraulics are controlled by three pumps powered by eight batteries. The exterior details carry through to the custom interior.

“Strictly Kandy” 1996 Cadillac Fleetwood

Several low riders were on display at the show, but Michael Martinez’s car stood out due to the multi-colored custom paint and intricate glass etching throughout the build. The hydraulics are controlled by three pumps powered by eight batteries. The exterior details carry through to the custom interior.

The Monster Coach

Dan Dennis from Shelby Township, MI, created the Monster Coach with simple hand tools. The build is based on a 1922 Ford truck and inspired by The Munsters TV series. The black base paint is “Greasy Black” from the Ed Roth collection, painted by Dennis Kemle. Dr. Rue completed the pinstriping.

The Monster Coach

Dan Dennis from Shelby Township, MI, created the Monster Coach with simple hand tools. The build is based on a 1922 Ford truck and inspired by The Munsters TV series. The black base paint is “Greasy Black” from the Ed Roth collection, painted by Dennis Kemle. Dr. Rue completed the pinstriping.

The Monster Coach

Dan Dennis from Shelby Township, MI, created the Monster Coach with simple hand tools. The build is based on a 1922 Ford truck and inspired by The Munsters TV series. The black base paint is “Greasy Black” from the Ed Roth collection, painted by Dennis Kemle. Dr. Rue completed the pinstriping.

The Monster Coach

Dan Dennis from Shelby Township, MI, created the Monster Coach with simple hand tools. The build is based on a 1922 Ford truck and inspired by The Munsters TV series. The black base paint is “Greasy Black” from the Ed Roth collection, painted by Dennis Kemle. Dr. Rue completed the pinstriping.

Neil Sidders’ Outlaw

The Rat Rink Reunion displayed several Ed Roth creations upstairs on the main show room floor. To coincide with that display, this Outlaw-inspired creation appeared in the basement of Autorama. The Outlaw was Ed Roth’s first fiberglass show rod. Despite Roth making a four-piece mold to easily make and sell the bodies to the public, only two extra bodies were made. Neil Sidder took on the challenge of restoring one of the bodies, originally found battered and stored in a shed. This build isn’t meant to be an exact replica of Ed Roth’s original outlaw, but it certainly encompasses the spirit of Roth’s car.

Neil Sidders’ Outlaw

The Rat Rink Reunion displayed several Ed Roth creations upstairs on the main show room floor. To coincide with that display, this Outlaw-inspired creation appeared in the basement of Autorama. The Outlaw was Ed Roth’s first fiberglass show rod. Despite Roth making a four-piece mold to easily make and sell the bodies to the public, only two extra bodies were made. Neil Sidder took on the challenge of restoring one of the bodies, originally found battered and stored in a shed. This build isn’t meant to be an exact replica of Ed Roth’s original outlaw, but it certainly encompasses the spirit of Roth’s car.

Neil Sidders’ Outlaw

The Rat Rink Reunion displayed several Ed Roth creations upstairs on the main show room floor. To coincide with that display, this Outlaw-inspired creation appeared in the basement of Autorama. The Outlaw was Ed Roth’s first fiberglass show rod. Despite Roth making a four-piece mold to easily make and sell the bodies to the public, only two extra bodies were made. Neil Sidder took on the challenge of restoring one of the bodies, originally found battered and stored in a shed. This build isn’t meant to be an exact replica of Ed Roth’s original outlaw, but it certainly encompasses the spirit of Roth’s car.

Neil Sidders’ Outlaw

The Rat Rink Reunion displayed several Ed Roth creations upstairs on the main show room floor. To coincide with that display, this Outlaw-inspired creation appeared in the basement of Autorama. The Outlaw was Ed Roth’s first fiberglass show rod. Despite Roth making a four-piece mold to easily make and sell the bodies to the public, only two extra bodies were made. Neil Sidder took on the challenge of restoring one of the bodies, originally found battered and stored in a shed. This build isn’t meant to be an exact replica of Ed Roth’s original outlaw, but it certainly encompasses the spirit of Roth’s car.

Neil Sidders’ Outlaw

The Rat Rink Reunion displayed several Ed Roth creations upstairs on the main show room floor. To coincide with that display, this Outlaw-inspired creation appeared in the basement of Autorama. The Outlaw was Ed Roth’s first fiberglass show rod. Despite Roth making a four-piece mold to easily make and sell the bodies to the public, only two extra bodies were made. Neil Sidder took on the challenge of restoring one of the bodies, originally found battered and stored in a shed. This build isn’t meant to be an exact replica of Ed Roth’s original outlaw, but it certainly encompasses the spirit of Roth’s car.

“The Big Bat” 1957 Lincoln

​The legendary Bill Hines was slinging lead, chopping tops and building custom cars for over 60 years. The Big Bat is one of his original creations, now owned by Bob “Sh-Boom” Fryz. All paint and body modifications were completed by the famous Leadslinger himself, and it was an honor to be in the presence of such an iconic vehicle straight out of custom car history.

“The Big Bat” 1957 Lincoln

The legendary Bill Hines was slinging lead, chopping tops and building custom cars for over 60 years. The Big Bat is one of his original creations, now owned by Bob “Sh-Boom” Fryz. All paint and body modifications were completed by the famous Leadslinger himself, and it was an honor to be in the presence of such an iconic vehicle straight out of custom car history.

“The Big Bat” 1957 Lincoln

The legendary Bill Hines was slinging lead, chopping tops and building custom cars for over 60 years. The Big Bat is one of his original creations, now owned by Bob “Sh-Boom” Fryz. All paint and body modifications were completed by the famous Leadslinger himself, and it was an honor to be in the presence of such an iconic vehicle straight out of custom car history.

“The Big Bat” 1957 Lincoln

​The legendary Bill Hines was slinging lead, chopping tops and building custom cars for over 60 years. The Big Bat is one of his original creations, now owned by Bob “Sh-Boom” Fryz. All paint and body modifications were completed by the famous Leadslinger himself, and it was an honor to be in the presence of such an iconic vehicle straight out of custom car history.

“The Big Bat” 1957 Lincoln

The legendary Bill Hines was slinging lead, chopping tops and building custom cars for over 60 years. The Big Bat is one of his original creations, now owned by Bob “Sh-Boom” Fryz. All paint and body modifications were completed by the famous Leadslinger himself, and it was an honor to be in the presence of such an iconic vehicle straight out of custom car history.

“The Big Bat” 1957 Lincoln

The legendary Bill Hines was slinging lead, chopping tops and building custom cars for over 60 years. The Big Bat is one of his original creations, now owned by Bob “Sh-Boom” Fryz. All paint and body modifications were completed by the famous Leadslinger himself, and it was an honor to be in the presence of such an iconic vehicle straight out of custom car history.

Swipe through the below gallery for more 2023 Autorama favorites

Swipe through this gallery for more 2023 Detroit Autorama favorites

Your week is off to a great start because you made the time to check out this week’s Hemmings Auctions Roundup. Thirty-nine new listings ran through our online auctions between Sunday, February 19, and Saturday the 25th, and we saw a sell-through rate of 82 percent. Of the 32 that sold, 4 were post-auction Make Offer listings. View the latest consignments and consider placing your bids after subscribing to the daily Hemmings Auctions newsletter.

1992 Chevrolet Camaro RS

1992 Chevrolet Camaro RS

Reserve: $22,000

Selling Price: $23,100

Recent Market Range: $20,100-$28,500

This was basically a year-old 1992 Camaro RS, or as close as one could get to such a thing. The sole owner was selling the 8,145-mile car, which hadn’t been used in 31 years; it came out of climate-controlled storage and appeared damage-free, save for one ding and paint scratch; the seals, undercarriage, and trim looked great. So did the cloth-upholstered interior, which retained its “new-car” smell. The 170-hp 5.0-liter V-8 and automatic operated without issue or leaks, although the factory tires needed replacement if the car will be driven. Ample documentation was included. Considering how the Camaro’s original $15,871 price equates nearly $34,000 today, the hammer price was a bargain.

1959 Triumph TR3A

Reserve: $22,000

Selling Price: $39,375

Recent Market Range: $21,000-$34,000

There was a reason, beyond this classic British sports car’s tidy looks and fine presentation, that it handily exceeded its market range: the 1959 Triumph TR3A was auctioned with proceeds benefitting the Chesapeake Conservancy. It was described as an “excellent driver” that had a photo-documented 2017 cosmetic restoration over previous metalwork; its driveline, brakes, and suspension were inspected for correct functionality prior to the auction (minor oil weeps were noted), and Michelin tires dated back to 2020. A top and side curtains were included, and seatbelts were fitted; the fuel gauge was noted as reading incorrectly. A video showed the TR in motion and the 32nd bid sealed the deal.

1941 Chevrolet Half-Ton Pickup

1941 Chevrolet Half-Ton Pickup

Reserve: $35,000

Selling Price: $40,061

Recent Market Range: $32,000-$48,000

This prewar Chevy truck received a bold new paint scheme during its body-off restoration, which was finished in 2014. The seller included a photo of its appearance prior to the work, as well as of its original, 1940-dated title. The Half-Ton had been driven sparingly since the work, which included rebuilding the leak-free 216-cu.in. inline-six and three-speed manual gearbox. Its custom two-tone gold and black paint was reportedly the only change from as-built, and no blemishes or corrosion were reported. The Spartan interior looked as it should, the heater worked, and all bright trim shined. The seller engaged with interested parties, and the truck sold in the heart of its market range.

1966 Ford Fairlane GT

1966 Ford Fairlane GT

1966 Ford Fairlane GT

Reserve: None

Selling Price: $23,888

Recent Market Range: $13,000-$19,000

Ford had a winner in its new Fairlane GT for 1966, and this convertible example coming out of long-term ownership had all the right stuff to entice muscle car fans. Under its faux-vented hood was a rebuilt 335-hp, 390-cu.in. V-8 with upgraded parts that was mated to a four-speed manual. The Ford had a repaint and body repairs in its past but was said to present well; its convertible top operated properly too. The Parchment vinyl upholstery looked intact and clean, although the carpet was noted to have faded and the steering wheel rim was broken in sections; aftermarket gauges were mounted. Original engine components went with the car. The hammer price for this no-reserve listing was fair.

2016 Land Rover LR4

2016 Land Rover LR4

Reserve: $33,000

Selling Price: $36,759

Recent Market Range: $29,000-$45,000

The LR4 represented the third-generation version of Land Rover’s three-row, go-anywhere SUV, and this sub-57,000-mile 2016 example was one of the last of its kind. Excellent photography showed a well-cared-for truck with no major damage outside or in; no undue wear was revealed and the LR4’s many electronic systems were said to function as they should. Corrosion didn’t appear on the undercarriage or around the supercharged 3.0-liter V-6 engine and ZF 8-speed automatic transmission, the later pair looking tidy without leaks or lit warning lamps. The four-wheel-drive system should operate properly too. A Carfax and other documentation were included, and the Land Rover sold for an appropriate sum.

1967 Ford Mustang Shelby G.T. 500

1967 Ford Mustang Shelby G.T. 500

Reserve: $139,000

Selling Price: $150,150

Recent Market Range: $135,000-$175,000

Nearly 20,000 views showed this 1967 G.T. 500 was hot stuff. What garnered so much attention? Well, the white-striped Acapulco Blue livery –a circa-1985 reversal of the factory Wimbledon White with blue stripes– certainly helped, as did it having A/C and a dual-quad-topped 427-cu.in. V-8, which may have been original since it was reportedly a company car assigned to Shelby American’s engineering department. That V-8 was rebuilt some 1,500 miles ago, and it and the four-speed manual didn’t leak or smoke. Minor paint blemishes were divulged, as was some undercarriage corrosion that could be seen in photos; the black vinyl interior looked good. The auction result was good for all parties.

General Motors was on the top of its game in the 1950s. Each model that rolled off the factory lines was a unique piece of rolling art, with very little in the way of platform sharing. Many of the models from the marque featured different engines, transmissions, and other options. This pair of convertibles, a 1957 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz and a 1957 Buick Roadmaster Model 76C are prime examples of what the fabulous fifties had to offer. Both vehicles are actively on auction as of the writing, but time is running out. Which would you choose?

1957 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz Convertible

This restored 1957 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz Convertible sits on a high-rigidity tubular X-frame chassis and is just one of 1,800 made during that year. According to the seller, the car runs as new and is in overall excellent condition with no leaks, no rust or paint blemishes, and light but appropriate aging on the red leather interior in the form of shallow creases. The dual-carburetor, 365-cu.in. OHV V-8 engine is reported to be numbers-matching and all-original with no rebuild history intact.

1957 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz Convertible

This restored 1957 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz Convertible sits on a high-rigidity tubular X-frame chassis and is just one of 1,800 made during that year. According to the seller, the car runs as new and is in overall excellent condition with no leaks, no rust or paint blemishes, and light but appropriate aging on the red leather interior in the form of shallow creases. The dual-carburetor, 365-cu.in. OHV V-8 engine is reported to be numbers-matching and all-original with no rebuild history intact.

1957 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz Convertible

This restored 1957 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz Convertible sits on a high-rigidity tubular X-frame chassis and is just one of 1,800 made during that year. According to the seller, the car runs as new and is in overall excellent condition with no leaks, no rust or paint blemishes, and light but appropriate aging on the red leather interior in the form of shallow creases. The dual-carburetor, 365-cu.in. OHV V-8 engine is reported to be numbers-matching and all-original with no rebuild history intact.

1957 Buick Roadmaster Model 76C Convertible

This award-winning 1957 Buick Roadmaster Series 76C convertible was recognized by the AACA with Junior and Senior awards, as well as a Senior Grand National Award around 20 years ago and is reportedly still in show-winning condition. It retains its numbers-matching 364-ci OHV Nailhead V-8 engine and the original Dynaflow two-speed automatic transmission and the R-coded rear axle, exclusive to the 1957 Buick. There are less than 500 miles on the rebuilt engine, and according to the seller, it starts easily, idles well and shifts smoothly. The paint, convertible top, glass, seals, trim and chrome appear to be in excellent condition, and the seller firmly states that there is no rust anywhere on the car. The red leather interior is described as being in exceptional condition, and unlike the Cadillac above, this car does have functional air conditioning.

1957 Buick Roadmaster Model 76C Convertible

This award-winning 1957 Buick Roadmaster Series 76C convertible was recognized by the AACA with Junior and Senior awards, as well as a Senior Grand National Award around 20 years ago and is reportedly still in show-winning condition. It retains its numbers-matching 364-ci OHV Nailhead V-8 engine and the original Dynaflow two-speed automatic transmission and the R-coded rear axle, exclusive to the 1957 Buick. There are less than 500 miles on the rebuilt engine, and according to the seller, it starts easily, idles well and shifts smoothly. The paint, convertible top, glass, seals, trim and chrome appear to be in excellent condition, and the seller firmly states that there is no rust anywhere on the car. The red leather interior is described as being in exceptional condition, and unlike the Cadillac above, this car does have functional air conditioning.

1957 Buick Roadmaster Model 76C Convertible

This award-winning 1957 Buick Roadmaster Series 76C convertible was recognized by the AACA with Junior and Senior awards, as well as a Senior Grand National Award around 20 years ago and is reportedly still in show-winning condition. It retains its numbers-matching 364-ci OHV Nailhead V-8 engine and the original Dynaflow two-speed automatic transmission and the R-coded rear axle, exclusive to the 1957 Buick. There are less than 500 miles on the rebuilt engine, and according to the seller, it starts easily, idles well and shifts smoothly. The paint, convertible top, glass, seals, trim and chrome appear to be in excellent condition, and the seller firmly states that there is no rust anywhere on the car. The red leather interior is described as being in exceptional condition, and unlike the Cadillac above, this car does have functional air conditioning.