The Belvedere-based Plymouth GTX was one of the most mighty American muscle cars in its day, yet it is often overlooked by buyers when compared to the ‘Cudas and Road Runners appearing on the market. The GTX is a refined alternative, a luxury dare we say, for the drivers who desire serious performance wrapped in cozy comfort.
Speaking of serious performance, this restomod Plymouth GTX prowls the streets with a bigger, badder 496 stroker big-block V-8, but you wouldn’t know it at first glance. Pop the hood and at first glance you’ll see what appears to be a stock 440+6. Take a peek through the driver’s window and you’ll find a pistol grip shifter that leads to an original rebuilt Hemi four-speed manual transmission. The seller states the engine, topped with Mopar’s famous six-barrel induction system, blasts nearly 630 lb-ft of torque to the crankshaft. The heavy-duty Hemi suspension package paired with a Sure Grip-equipped Dana 60 rear axle takes the brunt force and transfers it through the tires to the pavement. Braking performance, backed by power disc brakes in the front and rebuilt drums in the rear, is reportedly strong.
According to the seller, the GTX underwent a no expense spared restoration, and it shows. Just look at the photos: Everything appears to be in like-new condition, and the odometer shows just slightly over 1,200-miles driven since the build was complete. It retains its original Lemon Twist Yellow color ordered without the side stripes, which was resprayed 10 years ago, but reportedly looks a fresh paint job.
Overall, this GTX is quite a rare find. Plymouth built just 7,748 GTX models in the entire 1970 model year production run. This example is said to be an original Track Pack car that retains its original fender tag and two build sheets. Learn more about this street machine here and get your bids in before time runs out.
Honda co-founder Takeo Fujisawa has been inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame, the Detroit-area shrine to prominent auto-industry figures.
Fujisawa was the business partner of Soichiro Honda and was instrumental in building Honda into a successful company. While Honda supplied the ideas, Fujisawa brought a pragmatic business sense to the operation.
Born on November 10, 1910, Fujisawa originally thought of becoming a teacher but ended up as a salesmen for a steel products company and then a lumber company. He met Honda in 1949, about one year after he founded his eponymous company, which then was a small operation in the Japanese city of Hamamatsu. The company was just transitioning from making small engines for mounting on bicycle frames to making complete motorcycles, having just launched the Dream D-Type.
Despite different personalities (Fujisawa was much more reserved than Honda), the two hit it off. Fujisawa formally joined Honda in October of 1949 as Honda’s right-hand man, responsible for sales, finance, and marketing. He helped steer Honda, who maintained control of product development and engineering, making several crucial decisions to grow the company.
Honda co-founder Takeo Fujisawa (second from right) at opening of Honda’s second U.S. headquarters
One of those decisions was the 1959 establishment of American Honda, the company’s first overseas branch, something Soichiro Honda wasn’t initially enthusiastic about. He hoped to build the company’s reputation mainly through motorsports, but Fujisawa thought it was more important to enter the U.S. market, declaring that “to succeed in the U.S. is to succeed worldwide.”
Fujisawa also insisted that Honda establish its own U.S. dealer network (initially selling motorcycles and later cars), rather than rely on an importer, as most other Japanese companies were doing at the time. In 1960 he also established Honda R&D as a separate company, ensuring that research would be separately funded and wouldn’t have to rely on the volatile car and motorcycle market.
Honda co-founders Soichiro Honda (left) and Takeo Fujisawa (right)
Honda and Fujisawa agreed to retire together, which they did in March 1973. Fujisawa died in December 1998.
Located next to the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan, the Automotive Hall of Fame was founded in 1939 to honor individuals who have had a significant impact on the auto industry. It includes not only automaker founders like Ferruccio Lamborghini, but also enthusiasts like Jay Leno and concours organizer Helene Rother. Fujisawa will be formally inducted in July 2023.
This Mach 1’s original Bright Red exterior was refinished in Wimbledon White by previous ownership. The Ford’s Wimbledon White exterior is complemented by a functional NASA hood, black side accent stripes, a matte black rear spoiler, and a matte black lower body.
It rides on new 14-inch chrome Magnum 500-style wheels with BFGoodrich Radial T/A tires.
1973 Ford Mustang Mach 1
“According to the selling dealer, the black vinyl interior (trim code GA) is original,” the listing states. “Features include fabric inserts, a center console with a manual transmission shifter, power steering, power brakes, air conditioning, a digital AM/FM stereo with an equalizer and a trunk-mounted subwoofer, manual windows, and simulated woodgrain accents.”
Q-code 351ci V8 engine
Under the Ford Mustang’s functional NASA hood is a Q-code 351ci V8 engine that is paired with a four-speed manual transmission. This Mach 1 features a dual exhaust system that exits at the rear through a pair of outlets, and power front disc and rear drum brakes.
Marti Report
The odometer reads 48,576 miles, which the selling dealer reports to be accurate, and the listing advises that a safety check was performed when the vehicle was added to its inventory.
1973 Ford Mustang Mach 1
The sale includes a clear title, and a Marti Report.
This Mustang’s auction ends on Monday, February 27, 2023, at 3:40 p.m. (MST)
The 1970s were a time of automotive excess: an era when size, strength, and luxuries were pushed to increasingly high standards just before the fuel crisis caused things to scale back.
“If you’re shopping for a ’76 Eldorado convertible, you already know that 1976 was the last year that Cadillac produced a convertible, and the Eldorado was the ultimate in luxury,” the listing begins.
That statement is only somewhat true: This was the last convertible of its generation, but not the last overall. An Eldorado convertible was reintroduced in 1984, and the 2004-2009 Cadillac XLR was also a two-seat roadster that shared platforms with the sixth-generation Corvette. At any rate, we’ll give the seller the benefit of the doubt because this looks like a remarkable example of a rare car.
The Eldorado was produced for 12 generations over the course of 50 years beginning with the 1952 model year. Today’s feature car comes from the ninth generation which debuted in 1971 on the General Motors E-body platform. The aesthetics reflected significant design updates from the prior car, including a wheelbase that was stretched by six inches. Overall length was pushed to 224 inches in 1976, making it possible for the roomy interior to accommodate six passengers comfortably via two bench seats.
“I’m the second owner and purchased it from a family member in 1996,” the listing states. “It has always been garaged and there’s no apparent rust.” Finished in “Firethorn Red,” this Eldorado shows 38,902 miles on the odometer and was reportedly repainted in 1998. The seller notes that the convertible top and the door panels could use some upholstery work, but the car looks great inside and out.
Moving this big beast down the road is a similarly big motor: Available powerplants were a 425cid V8 and a massive 500cid V8. Either one could be mated only to a three-speed automatic transmission.
Even though General Motors marketed this car as “the last American convertible,” we now know otherwise. Still, these 1976 convertible models have a special place in automotive history as the last of their kind. The final Eldorado, incidentally, rolled off the assembly in April 2002, about 21 years ago. That unit was donated to the Cadillac Museum in honor of one of Cadillac’s dealers, Don Massey.
“The car rides like a dream and always attracts attention,” the listing concludes. The asking price is $24,900 for this well-kept drop-top Cadillac Eldorado that would look right at home in any hometown parade.
Automobile security has been a concern on the radars of many vehicle owners in recent years, but during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic worries mounted as auto theft has spiked to astronomical figures across the U.S. Two years after shutdowns caused by the pandemic began, the automotive industry is still grappling with vehicle theft.
Image: LandAirSea
LandAirSea Director of Analytics Jared Zientz is seeing an uptick in theft in both big and small cities and across all of the nearly 40 verticals that the company services. LandAirSea provides GPS tracking solutions for automotive dealerships and adjacent industries, as well as any industry in need of monitoring a terrain, air or marine asset on the move.
“Everything is being stolen nowadays. Police can’t even keep up and now, insurance companies are requiring even longer timelines before paying out any claims.” Zientz said.
The number of vehicles stolen by thieves varies by year. Generally, though, you can expect the FBI to report about 720,000 stolen vehicles per year in the United States. Nearly 220 out of 100,000 Americans will experience a car theft within the next year.
“Small and midsize businesses have to worry about everything from quality workmanship and employees to billing and supply chain. Now, they have to worry about their assets being stolen, how it affects their jobs and how long it will take their insurance — if they even can afford to carry it — on their hard-earned assets,” Zientz said.
Experts are expecting theft activity to remain high during 2022, so vehicle owners must stay vigilant by getting ahead of the issue.
Zientz has, however, also seen positive signs for business owners that indicate now is a good time to invest in asset protection, especially when it comes to GPS tracking. In recent years, GPS hardware has become more affordable and reliable, and easier for the average person to use than ever before.
By installing a GPS tracker, vehicle owners can have peace of mind knowing they can always see where important equipment or shipments are and can provide that data to law enforcement if needed. Mobile device applications connected to GPS software provide flexibility for asset managers to monitor their assets from anywhere, allowing for instant data visibility for quick decision-making.
One company providing modern and affordable GPS tracking devices is LandAirSea, which offers a no-contract solution for transportation and logistics companies and dozens of other industries that need the locations of their equipment monitored. Combining the power of its proprietary plug-and-play GPS tracking hardware and user-friendly software platform, companies can easily track and manage their assets on a single account — whether they have one or 2,000 units.
Image: LandAirSea
With the real-time GPS asset tracker LandAirSea 54, users can receive location updates as frequently as once every three seconds to once every 24 hours. Vehicle owners also have the option to schedule tracking only during the night if assets are in use during the day.
Using the API-integrative platform, users can set up geofences and receive email or text alerts when assets move outside a designated area. For vehicle owners with multiple assets, such as a dealership with a growing fleet, managers can label units with a custom icon and name for easy identification.
Other uses of LandAirSea’s GPS trackers include:
Visibility tool for confirmation that a service or operation has been performed.
Staff training, monitoring driver behavior and monitoring deadhead miles.
Reduction in carbon emissions through route monitoring.
As a family-run business, LandAirSea ensures quality customer service. It has an in-house tech support team to assist clients in setting up or adjusting asset tracking requirements as their business grows.
“LandAirSea has spent nearly 30 years working across numerous different markets to create a customizable and easy-to-use software platform and a reliable GPS tracking device.” Zientz said.
Connect with LandAirSea representatives at any of the ways below to learn more about their GPS tracking solutions:
Once known as the standard of the auto world, Cadillac is a long-respected car company. Established in 1902, the company has been on the market for 120 years. That alone is a great success. During this period, Cadillac produced several well-built luxury cars, defining the segment in the American market. For most of the 20th century, Cadillac was the no. 1 luxury car brand in the world. But recently, its luck has changed.
Imported luxury brands, recessions, and customer tastes all forced Cadillac to change its approach and philosophy. We’ve already chronicled the best Cadillacs ever made, and indeed there are many. So we had to look at the other side of the coin with the worst cars Cadillac has ever made. Some were good but failed to sell. But most were below this brand’s standards and customers’ expectations. Check them out right here.
Photo Credit: GM
Cadillac BLS
The first car on the list is an example of this approach. The idea behind the Cadillac BLS was sound. It was a compact, luxury sedan in the mold of the Mercedes C-Class or BMW 3-Series. The BLS was built in SAAB’s factory in Sweden and sold in Europe. Presenting Cadillac in a new light, it was a good plan on paper, but its realization was tragic (via The Autopian).
Photo Credit: GM
In order to cut costs, GM used SAAB 93 underpinnings. They weren’t the best parts, but they were cheap. They also saved on interior materials and unique drivetrain or engine options. The result was a dull vehicle that had the same driving characteristics as the SAAB 93 or Opel Vectra. The market’s reaction could have been much more favorable. The BLS spent only a few years on the market and the last examples left the factory in 2009.
I’m a fan of special-order colors. Ever see a Chevy ordered in Pontiac’s Verdoro Green? Or an Oldsmobile ordered in Dodge’s Plum Crazy? I have, and it’s somewhat neat to see. The day of paying extra for a non-production color are long gone for most “regular” cars, but fancy brands and special models (Corvette, anyone?) offer bespoke colors. BMW offers a program called BMW Individual for drivers who desire “expressive and exclusive” paint colors and finishes, and now the program has been expanded to include the controversially styled 644-hp XM plug-in hybrid “Sports Activity Vehicle.”
Petrol Mica
The German brand’s 29 year-old factory in Spartanburg, South Carolina (actually in nearby Greer) has “flexibility in the painting process,” so Bimmers built in the Palmetto State — XM and otherwise — have the option for special paint finishes.
Sepia
Originally limited to BMW M models, “BMW Individual is a unique division of BMW M that focuses on creating special and bespoke BMW vehicles for almost any new BMW. There is a palette of over 165 custom exterior paint colors and four different finishes: non-metallics, metallics, Pearl Effect tones, and matte BMW Frozen finishes. “Within each of these finishes, there are even more unique treatments that require multiple coats or extended cure times, depending on the specific ingredients and features of each special color.” They are applied in a separate manufacturing process that eschews automated labor for manual. You can expect to wait approximately 8-12 weeks for your unique BMW.
Anglesey Green
BMW won’t handle just any swatch you submit, though we suspect some of the more prestigious models may have more flexibility in that regard. Pricing is dependent on the model and color.
Icon founder Jonathan Ward is a frequent visitor to Jay Leno’s Garage. This time he brought the latest of his company’s Derelict projects, a purposefully distressed 1971 Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL 6.3 with an LS heart, along with Steve Rulewicz, the client that commissioned it.
Unveiled for the 2022 SEMA show, the Mercedes Derelict follows the pattern of previous Icon Derelicts, which have ranged from a 1958 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud to a 1952 DeSoto wagon, by combining external patina with internal performance upgrades.
Icon Derelict 1971 Mercedes-Benz 300SEL on Jay Leno’s Garage
Beneath the weathered paint, the Mercedes is a full-on restomod. The car left the factory as a unibody, though the original body shell now rides on a separate Art Morrison chassis that includes four-wheel adjustable coilovers and independent rear suspension. The car also has Brembo brakes with Wilwood power-assist hardware, as well as an Icon-designed power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering setup.
The 300 SEL 6.3 was a forerunner of modern Mercedes-Benz AMG performance models. Mercedes took the 6.3-liter V-8 from the gargantuan 600 sedan and dropped it in the smaller 300 SEL, creating a sort of German muscle car. This was a pure factory effort dreamed up by engineer Erich Waxenberger, as AMG was then a completely independent tuner, although it did race a 300 SEL 6.3 called the Red Pig.
The Red Pig, and the general look of these sedans, inspired Rulewicz to commission this build. As for why the rare 6.3 model was used as a basis instead of a more common 6-cylinder model, Ward said the higher-end interior fittings and other small details justified the decision. The donor car had sat in San Bernardino, California, so it was relatively free of rust.
The Derelict is still powered by a V-8, but it’s now the supercharged 6.2-liter LS9 from the C6 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1. The engine makes 638 hp at the crank in the ZR1, and about 500 hp at the wheels in the Mercedes. Installing the LS9 required a custom firewall and front inner fenders, and the car now sports “6.2” badging instead of the stock 6.3 badge.
Purists may scoff, but Ward was committed to the GM engine swap for its reliability, power, and sound. Check out the full video and have a listen for yourself.
These three Rochester 2GC carburetors are part of a setup that includes a cast-iron intake manifold, throttle linkages, a Marshall fuel-pressure gauge, chrome fuel lines, and three polished Edmunds air-cleaner housings. The setup is said to have been removed from a customized 1955 Cadillac Series 62 with a 331ci V8, and the carburetors were refurbished by Hotrodcarbs.com in 2009 and again by the seller using rebuild kits from the same company in January 2023. The set of carburetors reportedly is compatible with General Motors, Ford, and Mopar triple-carburetor intake manifolds designed for small-block V8 applications, and the included intake manifold fits 1949–1962 Cadillac 331ci, 365ci, and 390ci V8 engines. This Rochester carburetor setup is now offered at no reserve in Forest Hills, Tennessee.
Rochester 2GC carburetors were manufactured for use on intake manifolds mated to General Motors small-block V8 engines. This set of carburetors was reportedly removed by the seller from a 1955 Cadillac Series 62 Coupe DeVille with a 331ci V8 and is said to be suitable for use on other General Motors, Ford, and Mopar triple-carburetor intake manifolds designed for small-block V8s.
The carburetors were reportedly refurbished by Hotrodcarbs.com of Great Falls, Montana in 2009 and again in January 2023 by the seller utilizing Hotrodcarbs.com rebuild kits. The recent refurbishment involved replacement of the floats, filters, accelerator pumps, power valves, and gaskets. The seller states that the carburetor jets were not replaced as part of the January 2023 refurbishment and that the setup has not been used on an engine since the 2023 work was completed.
Fuel is delivered to the carburetors through chrome tubing with an attached 15-psi Marshall fuel-pressure gauge.
The carburetors are mounted to a refinished cast-iron intake manifold along with throttle linkages. The silver-finished manifold shows part number 1469689 and fits 1949–1962 Cadillac 331ci, 365ci, and 390ci V8 engines.
Three polished-aluminum Edmunds air-cleaner housings are mounted on top of the carburetors.
This 1937 Ford has been fitted with a Gibbons fiberglass Cabriolet body that is finished in dark purple over black leather upholstery. Power is from a 350ci Chevrolet V8 paired with a Turbo-Hydramatic three-speed automatic transmission, and equipment includes a Ford 8″ rear end, a chopped black fabric roof, a Vintage Air heater and air conditioning system, electric door poppers, a Sony AM/FM CD stereo, power windows, four-wheel disc brakes, air suspension, and staggered-diameter Billet Specialties wheels. This 1937 Ford is being offered by the selling dealer in New Jersey with a Reconstructed Pennsylvania title.
The Gibbons fiberglass body is mounted to a 1937 Ford chassis and is finished in dark purple with a chopped fabric-covered roof. Exterior details include shaved trunk and door handles, electric door poppers, a third brake light, 1956-spec Chevrolet taillights, and under-car lighting.
Polished Billet Specialties wheels measure 15” up front and 16” out back and are mounted with mismatched tires. Braking is through four-wheel discs with ventilated rotors at all four corners. The car rides on air shocks.
The cabin houses power-adjustable bucket seats that were sourced from a later-model vehicle and are upholstered in black leather. Amenities include a Vintage Air heater and A/C system reportedly setup for R12 refrigerant, along with electric windows, a Genie floor shifter, and a Sony AM/FM CD stereo. Vehicle functions are controlled via a custom set of switches mounted between the seats.
A three-spoke steering wheel is mounted to a tilt and telescoping steering column and sits ahead of a centrally-mounted Dakota Digital multifunction display with an integrated 6k-rpm tachometer. The digital odometer shows approximately 17k miles.
The 350ci Chevrolet V8 was reportedly sourced from a 1985 Corvette and features a Jet Hot-coated Edelbrock intake manifold topped by a Holley carburetor. Additional equipment includes a Carter electric fuel pump, a 120-amp alternator, and a chrome air cleaner cover and valve covers.
Power is sent to the rear wheels via a Turbo-Hydramatic three-speed automatic transmission equipped with an auxiliary cooler and a Ford 8” rear end. Additional underbody images are provided in the gallery below.
The car is titled using the Pennsylvania Vehicle Identification Number shown above. The Pennsylvania title lists “Reconstructed”, “Street Rod”, and “Reissued VIN” under the brands section.
