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The Fastest Muscle Cars of 1969: What They Cost Then and Now

The original muscle car era lasted for less than 10 years but undoubtedly left an everlasting mark on the industry. Muscle cars were built to be fast and look good doing it. Suddenly, there was a whole segment of affordable performance machines built to light up the rear tires and street race all night long. Besides their looks and the power numbers, quarter-mile times were the main talking point of enthusiasts. So today, we’ll take a closer look at the 20 fastest muscle cars of the class of 1969.

It was a very good year in muscle history. Some of the cars on the list are still very fast even by modern standards. These quarter-mile times listed below were compiled from various test publications and magazines. They sometimes vary from source to source since those cars were available with several rear-end rations and tire choices. Also, the location of the testing, temperature, and altitude play a significant part in the performance numbers. You’ll also find the prices of these cars when they were new in 1969 and their average price in today’s collector market. Take a trip back to 1969 right now.

Photo Credit: Auto WP

1969 Pontiac GTO Judge – 14.45 seconds

Price New: $4,400

Price Now: $60,000 +

Muscle cars started as affordable performance machines with lots of power and affordable prices. However, due to high demand, some models started to get more and more expensive. Soon, there was a need for a budget-friendly muscle car aimed at the youth market and buyers who wanted a fast car but couldn’t pay much. The Plymouth Roadrunner was a perfect example of such a car. It was cheap, fun, and fast. Pontiac wanted a similar car, and in 1969, the company presented the GTO Judge (via Audrain Auto Museum).

Photo Credit: W Super Cars

The Judge became a legend in its own right, first because it took the name from the popular TV show and second because it was a bright-colored muscle car with a big spoiler and funky graphics all over it. The GTO Judge wasn’t slow either, with 366 HP and a four-speed transmission. Available from 1969 to 1971, the Judge always represented a top-of-the-line model, which makes it very desirable today.

The post The Fastest Muscle Cars of 1969: What They Cost Then and Now appeared first on Motor Junkie.

Amazing Car Collections That Are Worth More Than Jay Leno’s

Jay Leno is one of the most successful comedians in show business, and he also has one of the most prominent car collections in the world. Leno’s car collection is worth multiple millions of dollars, so it’s hard to find anyone who can compete with him. But there are a few car collections out there that rival his. People like Brandon Wang have invested millions in their car collections. While some vehicles are not as rare as some of Leno’s, they are still impressive collections.

Most automotive collectors don’t take as much of a hands-on approach with their vehicles as Leno does. But that doesn’t mean that these collections aren’t something special to look at. We looked at the amazing car collections worth more than Leno’s. These car collections have something to offer car fans in every way. The thought of spending this much on a car collection isn’t something that many people can comprehend or accomplish. But there are enthusiasts out there who can and did. Check out the rare car collections worth more than Jay Leno’s right here.

Photo Credit: Exclusive Registry

Lawrence Stroll’s Car Collection – $140+ Million

Lawrence Stroll is a billionaire businessman and racing enthusiast with an impressive car collection that includes some of the rarest and most sought-after vehicles in the world. His collection features a wide range of classic and modern cars including Ferraris, McLarens, and Aston Martins. Stroll is particularly fond of vintage racecars and has several historic vehicles in his collection like a 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO and a 1956 Maserati 450S (via Car HP).

Photo Credit: Exclusive Registry

His collection also includes several ultra-rare and limited edition cars such as a McLaren F1 LM and a Bugatti Veyron Super Sport. Stroll’s love of cars and racing is evident in the quality and rarity of his collection. It’s considered one of the most impressive in the world as a result.

The post Amazing Car Collections That Are Worth More Than Jay Leno’s appeared first on Motor Junkie.

Living Legends: These Memorable Muscle Cars Still Last A Lifetime

To many car enthusiasts, muscle cars are arguably the best car segment in the auto world. They’re more fun, affordable, cooler-looking, and easier to work on. However, in the world of muscle cars, some are dependable, and some are not. Those that can withstand abuse and tuning are the ones that have gone down in the history books. So today, we’ll discuss some truly legendary muscle cars that can still last a lifetime to this day.

These cars earned a reputation for being fast and powerful. But they’re also tough and long-lasting. Check out these resilient classic muscle cars right here.

Photo Credit: Ford

Ford Mustang Mach I

The original Mach I was introduced as an affordable performance version of the Mustang Sportsroof in 1969. It featured a long list of options and three engines. The base engine was a 302 V8. There was also a 351 V8 and the top-of-the-line 428 Cobra Jet. Although Ford built over 20,000 Mach Is in 1969, only a small number had the Cobra Jet engine, the definitive option (via Car and Driver).

Photo Credit: Auto WP

Only the 428 CJ-equipped Mach Is had true performance potential and could beat other muscle cars on the street. The 428 Cobra Jet had 335 HP, but most knew it produced more than 400 HP. With a four-speed manual transmission and a skilled driver, the 428 Mach I could accelerate from 0 to 60 in 5.5 seconds. This was an excellent number for the time and still demands respect today.

The post Living Legends: These Memorable Muscle Cars Still Last A Lifetime appeared first on Motor Junkie.

No Reserve: 350-Powered Stutz-Style Pickup Hot Rod

This Stutz-style hot rod was built under previous ownership and features a custom body and pickup bed finished in silver as well as contrasting gray fenders and running boards. Power comes from a 350ci V8 crate engine paired with a 200R4 four-speed automatic transmission, and additional equipment includes 17″ American Racing wheels, four-wheel disc brakes, coilover suspension, a Mustang II front end, a black soft top, a wood bed floor, two-tone leather upholstery, Dakota Digital instrumentation, a Pioneer touchscreen head unit, power windows, and a dual exhaust system with Dynatech headers. The truck was acquired by the selling dealer in March 2023, and work in preparation for the sale has included installing an Edelbrock carburetor and performing an oil change. This Stutz-style pickup hot rod is now offered at no reserve by the selling dealer in California with a Nevada title listing the truck as a 2011 assembled vehicle.

The truck has been mounted on a Heidts chassis and features custom Stutz-style bodywork finished in silver with gray fenders. The doors have been replaced with fixed bodywork, and the pickup bed features a wood floor as well as custom Stutz lettering on the tailgate. Further exterior details include fender-mounted LED headlights, a black soft top, flush-mounted taillights, and a battery box installed within the bed.

Chrome 17″ American Racing wheels are mounted with “big and little” Toyo tires. The custom frame is equipped with a Mustang II front end with rack-and-pinion steering and tubular control arms as well as a solid rear axle with traction bars. The truck features a coilover suspension, and stopping power is provided by four-wheel disc brakes.

The custom bucket seats are upholstered in two-tone gray leather that extends to the door panels. A Pioneer touchscreen head unit is installed within the center console along with controls for the power windows.

The three-spoke steering wheel is mounted to an Ididit steering column and sits ahead of a silver-finished dash. The centrally mounted Dakota Digital instrument panel features a 160-mph speedometer, a tachometer, a clock, and supplementary gauges. The digital odometer shows 920 miles. Total mileage is unknown.

The 350ci V8 crate engine is said to have been sourced from ATK High Performance Engines of Grand Prairie, Texas. The engine features an MSD ignition system as well as Dynatech Pro Cruiser Block Hugger exhaust headers. An Edelbrock carburetor was installed and an oil change was performed in preparation for the sale.

Power is sent to the rear wheels via an Art Carr 200R4 four-speed automatic transmission.

The truck is titled using the Nevada assigned VIN DMV43234NV, and the current Nevada title carries a “Specially Constructed” brand.

350-Powered 1935 Ford Roadster Street Rod

This 1935 Ford street rod roadster is said to have been assembled in 2008 using a composite body mounted to a 1935 Ford sedan frame. The car is finished in gray with ghost flames over blue and gray upholstery and is powered by a 350ci V8 linked to a four-speed automatic transmission and a Ford 9″ rear axle. Additional details include staggered-diameter American Racing wheels, a Mustang II front suspension, a triangulated four-link rear suspension, QA1 coilovers, front disc brakes, a body-color removable hard top, a rumble seat, air conditioning, power windows, and an aftermarket head unit and speakers. This Ford street rod is offered with two key fobs and a clean California title in the seller’s name.

The composite body was mounted on the frame of a 1935 Ford sedan and is finished in gray with ghost flames. Details include a body-color removable hardtop with flame-accented upholstery along with chrome bumpers, running boards, and dual exhaust outlets. Areas of cracked and worn paint are visible.

Staggered-diameter American Racing wheels are mounted with a mixed set of BFGoodrich g-Force and Nitto NT450 Extreme Performance tires. The car is equipped with a Mustang II front suspension and QA1 coilovers. Stopping power is provided by front disc and rear drum brakes.

The bucket seats and door panels are trimmed in blue and gray upholstery. Appointments include air conditioning, power windows, an 8-ball shift knob, an aftermarket head unit, and Pioneer speakers. A cut is visible in the driver-side footwell.

A banjo-style three-spoke steering wheel sits ahead of Dolphin instrumentation including a 140-mph speedometer, a tachometer, and a combination gauge. The six-digit mechanical odometer shows 58k miles, all of which were added under current ownership.

A rumble seat with matching upholstery is located at the rear of the vehicle.

The 350ci Ram Jet V8 features polished accents, an aluminum radiator, Sanderson exhaust headers, and Magnaflow mufflers. The battery was replaced and an oil change was performed in January 2023.

Power is sent to the rear wheels via a 200R4 four-speed automatic transmission and a 9″ rear axle. The rear suspension features a triangulated four-link setup, and the seller states the frame was boxed and powder-coated during the build.

A frame stamp of 1855995 is shown in the video above. The VIN on the current California title is I855995.

Hemi-Powered 1931 Ford Model A Hot Rod

This 1931 Ford Model A is the product of a one-year build that was completed in 2020, and it was acquired by its current owner in 2021. The car is finished in red over a black leather tuck-and-roll interior and is powered by a rebuilt 392ci Chrysler V8 paired with a Tremec five-speed manual transmission. Features include an all-steel body with a 4″ chop, a pinched frame, a Ford 9″ rear end, a limited-slip differential, Halibrand-style alloy wheels, and front disc brakes as well as Hilborn electronic fuel injection, a full-flow oiling system, MSD electronic ignition, and a big-block Chevrolet water pump with an aluminum crossover. This Model A hot rod is now offered on dealer consignment with a clean Oregon title in the owner’s name.

The all-steel 1931 Model A body was purchased in Oregon and is finished in Viper Red. The pinched 32-style frame was sourced from Blackboard Hotrods and powder-coated to match. Four inches have been chopped out of the roof, the rear corners were radiused and smoothed, and hand-laid silver pinstripes were applied to the headlights, taillights, and each of the louvers on the custom hood and trunk lid. Additional features include a 1932 front grille, an external sunshade, a tilt-out windshield, tempered tinted glass, a black cloth roof panel, and a driver-side peep mirror.

Halibrand-style Rocket Racing alloy wheels are finished in gray and wear Firestone Deluxe Champion pie crust tires. The front brakes are SO-CAL Speed Shop discs with Buick-style alloy “drum” covers and polished stainless-steel backing plates. The rears are 12″ “Police Special” drums. A Corvette master cylinder and stainless-steel lines are also installed. The chrome front-end assembly was also sourced from SO-CAL Speed Shop and consists of a drop-axle, a transverse leaf spring, hairpin radius rods, and shrouded shocks. Rear suspension is handled by Peter and Jake’s ladder bars, a Posies Super Slide leaf spring, and shocks.

The cabin is lined with Dynamat heat and sound insulation and features a black leather tuck-and-roll bench seat with a matching leather headliner and door panels as well as a frame-connected roll bar.

The steering wheel is mounted to an Ididit column, and the engine-turned aluminum instrument panel houses a 160-mph Stewart Warner speedometer, 8k-rpm tachometer, and auxiliary gauges. The five-digit odometer shows 1,165 miles, approximately 800 of which were driven under current ownership.

The 392ci Chrysler Hemi V8 was rebuilt at Peckham Precision Engines of Grant’s Pass, Oregon, where work included boring the engine .030″ over and fitting it with Hilborn electronic fuel injection, a Hot Heads full-flow oiling system, a street camshaft, and a big block Chevrolet water pump with an aluminum crossover. Additional equipment includes:

  • Walker Radiator Works radiator
  • Cooling Components fan
  • MSD Street Fire ignition control and distributor
  • Hot Heads polished timing and valley covers
  • O’Brien Truckers polished valve covers
  • AN fuel-system fittings
  • Ceramic-coated headers
  • Ceramic-coated dual exhaust system
  • Hot Heads transmission adapter

Power is sent to the rear wheels through a Hurst-shifted Tremec five-speed manual transmission and a Currie 9″ Ford rear end with PosiTraction, alloy axles, and a 4.11:1 final drive. Additional photos of the underbody, including those showing scrapes on the exhaust system, can be viewed in the gallery below.

No Reserve: Willys Hot Rod–Style Scooter

This scooter was designed to resemble a hot-rodded Willys Americar coupe, and it was purchased by the seller out of Chicago, Illinois, in 2023. The fiberglass bodywork is finished in metallic red with a flame motif mounted over a tubular steel frame, and power comes from an air-cooled single that drives the rear axle via a chain drive. Additional equipment includes an electric starter, a single-exit exhaust, a rear disc brake, 6″ polished wheels, LED headlights and taillights, a chrome grille, handlebar-mounted throttle and brake controls, dual footrests, and a black vinyl seat. Service performed in preparation for the sale reportedly included the installation of a new spark plug and battery as well as a rebuild of the carburetor and an oil change. This Willys-style scooter is now offered at no reserve in Saint Louis, Missouri, on a bill of sale.

The fiberglass bodywork was designed to resemble a Willys Americar coupe, and it is finished in metallic red with both yellow and ghost flames as well as painted headlights. Features include a chrome grille, LED headlights and taillights, a chrome single-exit exhaust, and foot pegs mounted on either side of the body.

The 6″ polished wheels are mounted with bias-ply tires that feature black dice valve stem caps. The tubular steel frame is finished in silver, and stopping power is provided by a disc mounted on the rear axle.

Steering is controlled via a handlebar mounted over the front axle and routed through the hood. Features include two rubber grips, a twist-grip throttle on the right, and a brake lever on the left. A raised black vinyl seat is fitted over the rear deck. A leather storage bag was added behind the seat in preparation for the sale.

The air-cooled single is said to displace 110cc and sends power to the rear axle via a chain drive. An electric starter is fitted. Service performed in preparation for the sale reportedly included the installation of a new spark plug and battery as well as a rebuild of the carburetor and an oil change.

Pick of the Day: 1951 Mercury Coupe Custom

Today’s vehicle spotlight is proof that you can combine mobster looks with modern features.

The Pick of the Day is a 1951 Mercury coupe listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in Franklinville, New Jersey. (Click the link to view the listing)

The stealthy blacked-out appearance of this lead sled is accentuated by a beveled windshield, curved side moldings, and a dual exhaust system. “Chopped, shaved, nosed, decked,” the listing states. There isn’t much on this old coupe that hasn’t been given some sort of custom treatment.

This car is part of the Mercury “Eight” lineup of vehicles that became the first all-new postwar models from the brand beginning in 1949. The body at the time took on pontoon styling which eliminated the use of running boards and separate fenders. During that era, power for the Eight came from a 255cid flathead V8 paired with a three-speed manual transmission. However, as we would expect, today’s car leaves that dated powerplant behind.

In its place is a much more performance-oriented powerplant: a Chevrolet LS2 V8. This popular 6.0-liter engine was rated at 400 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque when it appeared in the C6 Corvette, the Pontiac GTO, and the Cadillac CTS-V. The transmission in the Mercury is similarly upgraded to a 4L65 four-speed automatic unit. This car clearly has the “go” to back up its “show.”

The chassis and braking systems received upgraded content in the form of four-wheel disc brakes and a coilover suspension. On the interior, the cabin features gray vinyl bucket seats and a custom center console, with added content like Vintage Air climate control, Dakota Digital instrumentation, power windows, and a Bluetooth-connected stereo system. The whitewall tires are new, too, so this car is ready to rock and roll.

Mid-century Mercury models continue to be popular with customizers in the modern era, and this car is a perfect example of a clean build that combines a vintage framework, a modified sleek profile, and modern underpinnings. This coupe would be right at home as a Sunday driver or as a dedicated show car. It has enough creature comforts to make gangster Al Capone feel right at home!

The seller is asking for $58,000 or the best offer for this hot rod.

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

Pick of the Day: 1951 Mercury Coupe Custom

Today’s vehicle spotlight is proof that you can combine mobster looks with modern features.

The Pick of the Day is a 1951 Mercury coupe listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in Franklinville, New Jersey. (Click the link to view the listing)

The stealthy blacked-out appearance of this lead sled is accentuated by a beveled windshield, curved side moldings, and a dual exhaust system. “Chopped, shaved, nosed, decked,” the listing states. There isn’t much on this old coupe that hasn’t been given some sort of custom treatment.

This car is part of the Mercury “Eight” lineup of vehicles that became the first all-new postwar models from the brand beginning in 1949. The body at the time took on pontoon styling which eliminated the use of running boards and separate fenders. During that era, power for the Eight came from a 255cid flathead V8 paired with a three-speed manual transmission. However, as we would expect, today’s car leaves that dated powerplant behind.

In its place is a much more performance-oriented powerplant: a Chevrolet LS2 V8. This popular 6.0-liter engine was rated at 400 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque when it appeared in the C6 Corvette, the Pontiac GTO, and the Cadillac CTS-V. The transmission in the Mercury is similarly upgraded to a 4L65 four-speed automatic unit. This car clearly has the “go” to back up its “show.”

The chassis and braking systems received upgraded content in the form of four-wheel disc brakes and a coilover suspension. On the interior, the cabin features gray vinyl bucket seats and a custom center console, with added content like Vintage Air climate control, Dakota Digital instrumentation, power windows, and a Bluetooth-connected stereo system. The whitewall tires are new, too, so this car is ready to rock and roll.

Mid-century Mercury models continue to be popular with customizers in the modern era, and this car is a perfect example of a clean build that combines a vintage framework, a modified sleek profile, and modern underpinnings. This coupe would be right at home as a Sunday driver or as a dedicated show car. It has enough creature comforts to make gangster Al Capone feel right at home!

The seller is asking for $58,000 or the best offer for this hot rod.

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

Mercedes-Benz G-Class goes retro to mark 500,000th build

The 500,000th Mercedes-Benz G-Class rolled off the production line on Thursday at the SUV’s plant in Graz, Austria.

The milestone comes 44 years after the civilian version of the G-Class made its debut, and as a sign of the vehicle’s growing popularity, the last 200,000 examples were built in just the previous six years.

To mark the milestone, the 500,000th example is a special one-off design with elements mimicking an early G-Class, specifically a 1986 280 GE. Key retro cues include the agave green exterior paint (one of the earliest colors available on a G-Class), checkered fabric on the seats, and orange lenses for the indicator lamps. The design of the steering wheel and spare wheel cover also feature classic cues, according to Mercedes.

The G-Class, which draws its name from gelandewagen, the German word for “off-road vehicle,” was conceived as a military vehicle. However, Mercedes and the Austrian firm Steyr-Daimler-Puch began discussions about a civilian version of the SUV as early as 1969.

1979 Mercedes-Benz G-Class lineup

By 1972, the decision was made to develop one and in the spring of 1979 the first civilian G-Class was launched. Steyr-Daimler-Puch was responsible for production, right up until 2001 when the company was dissolved. However, its vehicle manufacturing operations were taken over by Canada’s Magna International and turned into the new division Magna Steyr, which today still builds the G-Class for Mercedes.

Over the decades, the G-Class has been updated while keeping its look and feel unchanged—a philosophy that will be tested next year when the first electric G-Class is launched.

HIGH-RES GALLERY: 500,000th Mercedes-Benz G-Class is completed – April, 2023

This article was originally published by Motor Authority, an editorial partner of ClassicCars.com