mod@tech

The triumvirate of German luxury brands includes the legacies of other automakers. For example, Audi rose from the ashes of NSU and Auto Union once Volkswagen took over, while Daimler-Benz became the majority owner of (irony of ironies!) Auto Union. And BMW? Our Pick of the Day may have a BMW badge, but its origins come from another German automaker. This 1968 BMW 1600 GT is listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a dealership in Costa Mesa, California.

BMW has existed for a long time, but the 1950s were quite rough for the brand. Most of its lineup was for the rich; only one model had mass appeal around the world: the 507 sports car. Producing the Isetta under license may have helped the company, but the low profit margins from the microcar put BMW in a precarious financial position by the end of the decade. The BMW 700 helped save the company and allowed it to move up to the Neue Klasse line of sedans and coupes that set the tone—both culturally and financially—for BMW to this day.

Glas was originally an agriculture brand, which evolved into motor scooters (inspired by Vespa) and then cars. Its first four-wheeler was the Goggomobil T sedan, introduced for 1955. Several years later, the TS coupe debuted (somewhat familiar to American enthusiasts), as well as a TL van.

For 1958, Goggomobil introduced the T600 and T700, both of which became the first models built under the Glas name; the rechristened 1960 Glas Isar (Isard for export markets) offered several advanced engineering features but suffered from poor reliability. In 1962, a larger Glas 1004 was introduced, which featured a 992cc OHC inline-four with a rubber timing chain.

In 1964, Glas introduced the Frua-penned Glas 1300 GT, powered by a 1290cc OHC inline-four, with the 1700 GT added late in 1965. However, in 1966, BMW took over the company and installed the 1573cc inline-four from the BMW 1600, creating the BMW 1600 GT. Along with adding an independent rear suspension, the Glas-derived BMW now featured enhanced power and handling. Also added was the Bimmer’s signature twin-kidney grille and round taillights. As configured, this vehicle and all other remaining Glas models were available through 1968.

This restored 1968 BMW 1600 GT features the 103-horsepower, 1.6-liter inline-four. “It has recently been expertly renewed by European specialists, Oldenzaal Classics in the Netherlands,” says the seller. Painted Granada Red with a black vinyl interior, it’s an interesting Italo-Teutonic hybrid of which 1,259 were built before production was discontinued. “Their exceptional attention to authentic detail is evident in features like the 14-inch chrome wheels with BMW hubcaps, front disc brakes, perforated headliner, metric VDO instrumentation, wood-rimmed steering wheel, and period-correct radio.”

Originally a German-market car, this off-the-radar Bimmer now resides in the United States, so there’s no fussing with import duties or the inconvenience of shipping. With a contemporary fastback design and an engine that has good club support, this $92,500 1968 BMW 1600 GT is an interesting remnant of the postwar German automotive history.

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

The roster of 1970s Chrysler and Imperial vehicles reviewed by Consumer Guide was not as bad as I had expected. The takeaway after surveying the pair of books was that early C-bodies were horrible in the beginning but became better as the decade wore on, with the LeBaron actually forging an improved path for the brand.

So, what about Plymouth?

My recollection suggests that there was only one Plymouth that the testers recommended as a used car, with other models having poor body integrity over time, bad fuel economy, or too many recalls. Would that still be the case once I evaluated Plymouth’s entire lineup? I suspect my memory is a bit harsher than reality, so let the excerpts below demonstrate most of the reality versus my perception. Observe the captive imports save the Rootes-based Cricket (the latter of which had a poor record) and Mitsubishi-based Sapporo. Please note the CG rating scale of 5 being Excellent and 1 being Poor.

Plymouth
“The unitized bodies are practical for subcompacts and compacts, but they are unacceptable for the bigger, comfort-oriented models.”

• Barracuda: “Workmanship was bad. Body integrity was worse, resulting in air and water leaks, plus penetrating noise at all speeds.” CG rating: 1
• Fury/Gran Fury: “If you don’t mind sacrificing quiet [due to unitized construction], then the Fury is a good used-car buy.” CG rating: 2-3
• Satellite/Fury: “Plymouth’s intermediate … gives good gasoline mileage for its class and loses resale value quickly. That would be enough to qualify it as a best buy, if it were not for the car’s lackluster repair history.” CG rating: 2-3
• Horizon and TC3: “Overall, a fine little car, and rather underrated … [though] workmanship more lax than on German or Japanese imports.” CG rating: 5
• Valiant: “No car sold during 1969 through 1975 can compare with its all-around good sense and economy.” CG rating: 5
• Volaré: “A basically good design for its day spoiled by haphazard assembly practices.” CG rating: 5
• Champ: “Performance okay for this sort of car … fine fit and finish [make it an] excellent used-car buy.” CG rating: 4
• Arrow: “Engine and drive train durability is better than average, and body integrity superior.” CG rating: 4

August 11^th marks 60 years since Ford introduced the Bronco “sport-utility” to the world. To celebrate this milestone, Ford is offering a 60th Anniversary Package for the 2026 Bronco (sure, there was a 25-year gap between the fifth- and sixth-generation models, but who doesn’t love a party?).

Ford starts with the four-door-only Outer Banks model powered by either the EcoBoost 2.3-liter I4 or the EcoBoost 2.7-liter V6. Color combos are limited to Ruby Red with white 60th anniversary side graphics and Wimbledon White hardtop, or solid Wimbledon White with Vermilion Red graphics. No matter which color is selected, all Broncos with the 60th Anniversary Package receive a heritage-inspired Warm Alloy grille with Vermilion Red “BRONCO” lettering and special badging that identifies their place in SUV history.

The Sasquatch Package comes standard and adds automatic on-demand four-wheel drive, a high-clearance suspension, front and rear e-lockers, and a more aggressive rear end ratio. A set of 35-inch Goodyear Territory RT tires surrounds the unique 17-inch Gravity Gray wheels, which are styled after the wheels on the original Bronco. Vermilion Red center caps with a Bucking Bronco logo and the Bronco’s first production year, 1966, deepen the anniversary model’s connection to the original.

At the back, the 60th Anniversary Package adds a matte black Ford badge on the swing gate and a tire cover with a Wimbledon White hard center that features Vermilion Red “BRONCO” branding.

Getting into the cabin will be a little easier thanks to running boards and A-pillar-mounted grab handles, which are available on all 2026 Broncos. Like the outside, the leather seats are two-tone: Ebony around Alpine white inserts.

Other special touches include Alpine marine-grade vinyl armrests, Alpine stitching on the leather-topped dashboard, and 60th Anniversary logos embossed into the seatbacks. Bronco Red accents on the instrument panel and grab handles add pops of color to the otherwise neutral interior.

Expect Ford to release pricing for the 2026 Bronco and the 60th Anniversary Package shortly before dealers start accepting orders in October.

A family heirloom is typically not sold because it’s been a part of so many memories that it’s transcended being an object and become a part of the family. You can consider our latest AutoHunter Spotlight car, a 1967 Ford Mustang Hardtop, an heirloom because it’s been in the same family since it was new. But this Lime Gold pony car with an Ivy Gold vinyl interior is very much for sale. If you place the top bid on AutoHunter.com, you’ll become the new caretaker of this well-preserved Challenger 289-powered Mustang that’s equipped with a SelectShift Cruise-O-Matic. It comes from the Missouri-based private seller with an owner’s manual, Classic Auto Investments appraisal, and clear title.

The 1967 model year brought revised exterior styling (especially at the rear end), interior changes, and an optional 390ci Thunderbird Special V8, among other updates. That’s when the seller’s grandma bought this Mustang Hardtop. He says he’s had it the last 30 years and that it’s “all original,” which means the “motor, paint, interior and even the wheels” came straight from Ford’s factory back during the LBJ administration. Understandably, the Lime Gold paint has developed a patina over the last 58 years. The photo gallery shows chrome trim that appears to be in great shape.

Four things that have been changed—for good reason—are the tires, which are now 205/70 Goodyear Regatta whitewalls.

With 81,820 original miles on the clock, this car hasn’t been moth-balled, but it also hasn’t been driven a lot, considering its age. You can see that in the overall shape of the Ivy Gold vinyl upholstery and its lack of cracks and rips. The original AM radio is still in place. Even the headliner seems to be holding up well (literally) against Father Time. To see an entire list of things that have aged well on this car, check out the Classic Auto Investments appraisal. However, one thing that does need to be addressed is the factory air conditioning because the seller reports it doesn’t work.

According to the brochure for the ’67 Mustang, Ford offered it with four V8s. The one under the hood of this particular car is the entry-level Challenger 289 with 9.3:1 compression and a two-barrel carburetor, a combination which was factory-rated at 200 horsepower. A SelectShift Cruise-O-Matic (a.k.a. C4) three-speed auto turns that number into forward motion; manual drum brakes reign it in.

After nearly 60 years as a four-wheeled member of the seller’s family, it’s time for this 1967 Ford Mustang Hardtop to find a new home. If you’d like to welcome it to your family, the only way you can do that is by placing the winning bid for it on AutoHunter. Do it now before the auction for this heirloom automobile ends on Thursday, August 14, 2025, at 11:15 a.m. (PDT).

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and a photo gallery

While not as luxurious as the Bel Air or even the mid-range 210, the Chevrolet 150 was a popular car for economy-minded buyers and those managing fleets. It has also become a popular model for hot-rodders because it is essentially a blank/basic canvas. While badged as a Bel Air, today’s featured car is actually a 150 in disguise. More importantly, it has a few tricks up its sleeve, like a fuel-injected V8 and a six-speed automatic transmission.

The Pick of the Day is a 1957 Chevrolet 150 two-door wagon listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in Knoxville, Tennessee.

“The main components of this 150 wagon’s powertrain date from the 21st century,” the listing begins. “The engine is a 6.0-liter iron-block LS V8 sourced from a modern Chevrolet truck that showed about 25,000 miles on the odometer when the engine was removed.”

Throughout its lifespan, Chevrolet touted the 150’s value. One advertisement said, “You get more to be proud of in a Chevy. You’ll take extra pride and pleasure in the way it looks—the way it acts—and the way it’s put together. No other low-priced car is quite so sweet, smooth and sassy, or so solidly and finely made as Chevrolet.”

As for this car’s performance powertrain: The LS engine was reportedly torn down and rebuilt using LS3 components, including the cylinder heads, camshaft, and intake/fueling components. The seller says, “The engine bay is executed cleanly enough to nearly pass as factory.” Power is sent to the rear wheels through a 6L80 six-speed automatic transmission pulled from a 2011 Camaro.

The car’s two-tone Surf Green and Highland Green paint theme continues to the interior, where they work together nicely. While details of the options are not itemized in the listing, the photos show features that include a floor shifter, under-dash climate control vents, lap belts, radio, and wood-rimmed steering wheel.

My take: I love how the car is impressive on paper, yet so unassuming in person. It’s a wagon, it’s not a super flashy color, and it even has a set of simple retro-look wheels. But underneath its skin, it has more to offer—and it moves with the power and confidence of a modern fuel-injected V8. Yes, please.  

The asking price is $60,000 or best offer.

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