mod@tech

Most, if not all, automakers today frown on the use of aftermarket parts. In fact, a vehicle manufacturer can explicitly deny warranty coverage if a modification or aftermarket part contributed to a failure. But during the late 1960s, at least one manufacturer actually encouraged vehicle owners to soup up their rides.

A magazine ad for the AMC AMX said, “Famous names are making custom parts specifically for the AMX: Hurst shifters, Doug’s headers, Isky cams, Edelbrock and Offenhauser intake manifolds, Grant Industries’ piston rings, Schiefer clutches and flywheels. These are just a few. But the point is you have a choice.”

Featured on AutoHunter is this 1969 AMC AMX. It is being offered by a dealer in Ramsey, Minnesota, and the auction will end on Tuesday.

With origins dating back to a concept car unveiled in 1966, the AMX name stood for American Motors Experimental. The car signaled a shift by AMC to appeal to a younger, more performance-focused audience, and it was a unique car for its time, to say the very least.

As a two-seater with a short wheelbase and a V8 powerplant, the AMX was positioned in marketing materials as “the first American sports car for under $3,500 since 1957.” Some of AMC’s magazine advertisements even portrayed the car as a spiritual successor to the Chevrolet Corvette and the Ford Thunderbird. AMC kept its production volumes low and the AMX was only built for three model years, from 1968 through 1970. Roughly 19,000 units were cranked out during that span.

The exterior of today’s spotlighted car looks fresh because it is. In fact, according to the AutoHunter listing, the silver paint job was applied within the last year. The cabin is well appointed for a car of small proportions. Creature comforts include black vinyl upholstery, wood-grain trim, a center console, a wood-rimmed steering wheel, and a JVC audio system. The 140-mph speedometer and 8,000-rpm tachometer became standard for 1969 models – again, helping AMC lean into the performance side of things.

Power comes from a 343ci V8 rated by the manufacturer at 280 horsepower and 365 lb-ft of torque; it is mated to a Shift-Command three-speed automatic transmission. Traction comes from a set of 14-inch wheels wrapped in Lee Radial white-letter tires. The equipment list boasts other niceties like power front disc brakes and a dual exhaust system.

Thanks to the AMX’s power-to-weight advantage, it performed well in races. A modified version of the car set over 100 speed and endurance records in 1968. To some, the AMX was considered an underdog of the muscle car segment. To many, the AMX was a foundation upon which to craft a custom car, thanks to so much aftermarket support.

So what are you waiting for? Place a bid and begin your muscle car build. The auction for this 1969 AMC AMX ends Tuesday, April 8, 2025, at 11:15 a.m. (PDT).

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and a photo gallery

Back in March, in an article about Rolls-Royce expanding its Goodwood factory, I mentioned that 2024 was its best year for Bespoke commissions ever. You can add the Phantom Extended Cherry Blossom, a custom build inspired by the Japanese tradition of Hanami, to the tally for 2025.

According to the Japan National Tourism Organization, “From the latter half of March to as late as early May, the blossoms of Japan’s iconic sakura (cherry blossoms) captivate visitors and locals alike, as they light up the length and breadth of Japan in subtle shades of pink splendor.” During Sakura season, families and friends take part in the tradition of Hanami (flower viewing) by gathering under cherry trees for picnics and celebrations. The memories may last a lifetime, but Sakura season doesn’t: Rolls-Royce states the blooms last only a week or so.

One of Rolls-Royce‘s clients in Japan has enjoyed a lifetime of Hanami, and commissioned the Phantom Extended Cherry Blossom as an experience to be passed down through his or her family. The design process started three years ago. From the outside, it’s not immediately obvious that Cherry Blossom is anything more than a Crystal and Arctic White long-wheelbase Phantom. But if you look closely, you’ll see there’s a cherry blossom motif to the hand-painted coachline that ends halfway across the rear passenger door. The inner lining of the umbrellas that pop out of the rear coach doors shows falling petals, further hinting at what’s inside the car itself.

Over the course of six months, Rolls-Royce’s Bespoke team designed and developed Cherry Blossom’s unique and history-making interior. To make rear passengers feel as if they’re sitting under a tree with intertwining branches full of Sakura blooms, one artisan assembled 11 individually embroidered frame sections to form one seamless graphic. The custom Starlight Headliner alone took three weeks of embroidery and more than 250,000 stitches.

The petals that appear to be falling on the rear door panels, and the privacy partition between the first and second rows of seats, took their own special work. In fact, it was so special that Rolls-Royce had never done it before. Rather than just sewing in flat petals, the automaker’s Bespoke crew assembled layers of thread into self-supporting structures for three-dimensional petals that they then shaped by hand, making Cherry Blossom the first Rolls-Royce with 3D sculptural embroidery.

One of the most distinguishing characteristics of the Phantom VIII is “The Gallery,” a glass enclosure across the entire dashboard that presents the owner’s choice of artwork. Clearly, Rolls-Royce’s Bespoke division can turn the entire Phantom itself into a work of art that can not only been seen, but also touched as well.

What would you have the Rolls-Royce Bespoke division create for you? Post your answers in the Comments section below.

Why do manufacturers always squander the equity of the cars they produce? The Mercury Cougar is a fine example—yes, the little pony car logically segued into a personal luxury coupe, only to grow into a mid-size personal luxury car and then a sedan. Our Pick of the Day, a 1965 Chrysler 300-L, is one of the first performance models from Detroit that shares a similar yet different sob story. This convertible is listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a dealership in Phoenix.

Within subcultures, there are years in which many things converge—look at popular music in 1955 as a fine example. The same year, the American auto industry’s “Horsepower Race” kicked into high gear. The king of horsepower in Detroit up to that point was generally was reserved for upscale brands. Chrysler rose to the occasion with the C-300, a luxurious performance coupe that offered the most horsepower out of any V8 being offered. The closest competitor lagged by 25 horsepower, which was far from inconsequential. Two years later, the 300-C (as it was subsequently known) was available with up to 390 horsepower, then achieved up to 400 horsepower in 1960 with the 413 “wedge” that was introduced the year before. For 1962, an optional ram-induction intake upped power to 405. Combined with a smaller wheelbase, that made the 300-H the fastest ever.

But, starting in 1964, Chrysler began to water down the 300 Letter Series. While the 1963 300-J offered 390 horsepower with short-tube ram-induction and dual-quads, plus a loaded options list that included the likes of power windows, the 1964 300-K made do with 360 horses from a single four-barrel (with ram-induction as an option). Worse, the 300-K was decontented by over $1,000, so while still somewhat fancy, this special series seemed a bit less special. Between the J and K, sales rebounded ninefold, setting a record for the series, but the model had lost its status.

The convergence of culture happened again during this time. Nineteen sixty-four was the year of the Beatles, the introduction of the Pontiac GTO, and the mid-year debut of the Mustang. There was a stronger cultural shift to youths, and the Detroit performance car world was evolving into mid-size and pony models. The 300 Letter Series no longer seemed to be relevant, but the truth is that Chrysler ruined the equity of the series with the introduction of the “regular” 300 for 1962. Intended to replace the mid-level Windsor (which had been moved up a notch to replace the Saratoga, though not in Canada), the new 300 series included a four-door sedan, two- and four-door door hardtop, and convertible. At first glance, it was nearly indistinguishable from the Letter Series car, from the grille to the side trim. The interior and other standard equipment was lacking in comparison, but the damage was now in motion, tarnishing a once-proud name.

Nonetheless, this French Ivory 1965 Chrysler 300-L convertible still presents itself as the “beautiful brute” it always was. Chrysler sold 2,805 300-Ls, but the convertibles have always had rarity on their side, “It is a true three-owner [car] that is one of just 440 produced,” says the seller. “It has been restored only as needed and today drives as great as it looks.” The current owner has owned it since 2020 and, since acquiring the car, has performed a paint correction and detailing to fix the 1984 repaint. “The door panels, dashboard and carpet are original and in gorgeous condition today,” he adds.

If big, strong American convertibles are your bag, then this Mopar checks all the boxes. And don’t let anyone tell you the ’65 is a lesser 300 Letter Car because it exhibits all the style and power of those from the Exner era. As the ad says “Contact Seller,” it would behoove you to do just that to see if the asking price matches your wallet.

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

Do you like Shelbys? Great—we do too! But if Shelby is not your favorite brand, you’re still in luck because the four-day 2025 Team Shelby Bash in Las Vegas will include the Make the American Muscle Car Great Again show, an all-makes muscle car event. Mark your calendar for the April 27, 2025 festivities at Shelby American headquarters!

The 2025 Team Shelby Bash going down April 24-27 will feature track sessions, a poker run, a “Snakes on the Strip” cruise, parties, and more. Closing the annual gathering will be the multi-brand Make the American Muscle Car Great Again event. This is the first time Shelby is inviting all American muscle cars to participate in the Sunday Team Shelby car show. All performance vehicles are welcome, plus car clubs are invited to attend and display their vehicles.

“Demand for American performance cars is surging again, which has fueled rumors that the Camaro and Hemi-powered MOPARs are returning,” said M. Neil Cummings, Esq, Co-CEO of Carroll Shelby International. “As the only company that has worked with the Detroit ‘Big Three’ to build muscle cars and trucks, we want to encourage their return. The purpose of the ‘Make the American Muscle Car Great Again’ show is to remind automakers that the public continues to embrace this performance culture. Enthusiasts are encouraged to join us and ignite a new golden era of muscle cars.”

Though the show is free to the public, displaying your car there comes with a fee that benefits the Carroll Shelby Foundation. Your entry ticket will include breakfast, an American flag, a discount voucher for the Shelby Store, and more. Awards for various show category winners will be provided, including one for the largest club representation.

“Millions of people worldwide consider Shelby American to be the home of American performance,” said Joe Conway, Co-CEO of Carroll Shelby International and CEO of Shelby American. “An incredible range of vehicles can be seen at our Las Vegas location every day, ranging from the iconic Shelby 427 Cobra roadster to the latest Shelby GT350 and Super Snake.”

To learn more about the 2025 Team Shelby Bash and the Make the American Muscle Car Great Again show, visit www.teamshelby.com.

At the airport, Customs translates to a lot of rules to follow. But in the automotive world, “customs” are whatever you want them to be. Velocity Restorations of Cantonment, Florida decided to make its own version of something that never existed: a 1972 Ford F-150.

If you look at the brochure for Ford’s line of 1972 pickups, you’ll see the advantages of the Twin-I-Beam front suspension, the selection of I6 and V8 engines, and the differences between the Sport Custom, Ranger, and Ranger XLT trim levels, among many other things. What you won’t spot is any mention of the F-150, a vehicle so common these days that it tends to blur into the background. That’s because Ford didn’t roll out the F-150 until the 1975 model year as its line of “New Heavy-Duty 1/2-Ton Pickups.” As the numbers in its name imply, the F-150 slotted in between the F-100 and F-250, particularly in terms of its Gross Combined Weight range. Whereas the F-100 could have a GCW of 4,650-5,700 pounds and the more capable F-250 had a GCW span of 6,200-8,100 pounds, the F-150’s GCW rating was 6,050 pounds exactly. Like its beefier sibling, the F-150 ran on low-lead or unleaded fuel, which made it more flexible than the unleaded-only F-100.

Velocity decided to rewrite that chapter in Ford truck history by making what you see here. Part of Velocity’s Heritage Series of vehicles, this 1972 F-150 is based on a Roadster Shop frame. The “Bumpside” body is finished in Midnight Blue and Wimbledon White, and fitted with chrome bumpers, custom-machined billet trim, and new glass and weatherstripping. Modern touches include the LED headlights, power side steps, and backup camera next to the tailgate handle.

Velocity didn’t pass up the chance to make its custom truck more capable. It gave this rig a Highboy-style stance and installed Dana 44 front and Dana 60 rear axles, sway bars at both ends, coilovers at every corner, and a four-link rear suspension. Of course, it upgraded the wheels and tires, too, bolting on a set of 18-inch wheels equipped with 305/70R18 BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A tires. Behind the eight holes drilled into the wheels are hydroboosted Wilwood disc brakes.

There’s another major upgrade under the hood. No, it’s not a 390 retrofitted with fuel injection. It’s a Gen III Coyote 5.0-liter V8 crate engine with Velocity’s own serpentine belt and exhaust systems. Another thoroughly modern piece of hardware is the 10R80 10-speed automatic.

The interior has been luxed up with full carpeting and brown leather upholstery with quilted inserts and contrast stitching. The same color scheme covers the dash pad, steering wheel, and door panels. Behind the Sparc Industries wheel is a set of Dakota Digital gauges specially made for Velocity. The Bluetooth-compatible Alpine head unit has Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, shows the feed from the backup camera, and helps adjust the Focal audio system. A Vintage Air climate control system keeps two lucky occupants comfortable on the road or trail.

Velocity hasn’t posted a price for its custom 1972 F-150, but you can use the $339,900-$349,900 price tags for its F-100s and the $379,900-$399,900 pricing for its F-250s as a rough guide. Unfortunately, paying is one rule that does apply to customs in the automotive sense of the word.

You’ve probably heard the trope in which someone wins the lottery, only for his or her life to take a negative turn or five due to poor decisions, scammers, and what-not. Steven Doyle may not have won $10 million, but the Nevada-based sweepstakes winner’s life has taken several 360s for the worse.

TunerCult.com has been running serial sweepstakes, with the current prize being a 2024 Nissan GT-R “T-Spec” plus $50,000, or the choice of $200,000 cash. The way to win is to buy something in the website’s store, as every $1 spent provides 200 entries for the giveaway drawing. Last fall, one of the sweepstakes prizes was a Porsche GT3 RS plus $50,000, or $200,000 cash. Doyle, a thirty-something male based in northwestern Nevada, chose the car and the accompanying cash. Can’t blame him for that, though my finance teacher would have taken the lump-sum.

We don’t know how things went down with Doyle when he was awarded his new Porsche, but we do know how Friday, March 28, 2025 went down: according to the Storey County Sheriff’s Office, a Porsche Coupe was traveling approximately 80-85 mph on Geiger Grade Road (SR-341), which has a posted speed limit of 45. As the Porsche approached a left-hand curve, Doyle dodged another motorist and moved too far to the right, striking a metal barrier and scaling down a dirt embankment. After a medical evaluation and investigation, Nevada Highway Patrol arrested Doyle for suspicion of driving while intoxicated.

Yet it gets worse, folks—Doyle had a firearm in the car, so he also faces an additional charge of carrying a firearm while intoxicated.

Running out of talent? Sure, it happens, but layperson’s talent does not exist in combination with alleged impairment. Who wants to bet Doyle doesn’t have enough of the 50 grand to fix this poor Porsche?

For now, the trope continues to be true.

Currently listed on AutoHunter is this 2011 Mercedes-Benz E 350 Cabriolet, which has covered only 37,351 miles since new. As its name implies, it’s powered by a 3.5-liter V6, which is connected to a seven-speed automatic transmission. Finished in Quartz Blue and equipped with a Blue power soft top over an Almond/Mocha leather interior, this German luxury convertible is now offered by the private seller with a clean CARFAX report and clear title.

The Quartz Blue exterior features fog lights, the AIRCAP power wind deflector, Blue power-operated soft top with a heated glass rear window, body-color power top boot, bright trim, and dual exhaust outlets.

This Mercedes rolls down the boulevard on a set of 17-inch factory wheels equipped with 235/45 front and 255/40 rear Michelin Primacy MXM4 tires.

The Almond/Mocha leather interior has Burl Walnut wood accents on the steering wheel, dashboard, door panels, shift knob, and center console. Luxury and convenience features include heated power front seats with the AIRSCARF neck-heating system, navigation, a harman/kardon LOGIC7 surround‑sound system, and rear HVAC vents.

Instrumentation consists of a 160-mph speedometer, 8,000-rpm tachometer, clock, a multi-information display, and readouts for the fuel level and temperature. The digital odometer shows 37,351 miles, a slight increase from the 37,144 miles indicated on the CARFAX report in November 2024.

Under the hood is a naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V6, which was factory-rated at 268 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. A seven-speed automatic with paddle shifters sends the engine’s output to the rear wheels.

A four-wheel multilink suspension helps this Mercedes keep its composure. Power anti-lock disc brakes make sure the top stays above the passenger compartment, not below it.

You can get this 2011 Mercedes-Benz E 350 Cabriolet and drive it with the top down before it gets too hot outside. The auction for it ends on Tuesday, April 8, 2025 at 11:30 a.m. (PDT).

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and a photo gallery

Imagine the world of 1949. America was emerging from World War II, and the postwar boom was fueling economic and industrial growth. Pop culture trends gave rise to new music and a growing television industry. There was a shift toward suburban living, and new housing developments were springing up around the country. That’s what happened in Phoenix, Arizona, and my home was one of many that were constructed in 1949.

I imagine what it would have been like to park the following car in my home’s driveway when both the car – and my home – were brand-new:

The Pick of the Day is a 1949 Ford 2-door convertible listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in Ferndale, Washington. (Click here to view the listing)

“20-year-old restoration, always stored inside,” the listing says. The car reportedly originated in California, and its Miami Cream body looks to have straight lines and precise panel gaps based on the photos. Even its tan ragtop is in nice condition considering the age of the restoration. Take a close look at the unique hood ornament. It has a conventional chrome base but is capped by a semi-circular clear sphere, presumably made of Lucite or a similar material. I was unable to identify the origins of such a design, but maybe some of our readers can shed some light on it in the comment section.

The cabin is upholstered in tan vinyl with “49 Ford” embroidery on the seatback. Lap belts, floor mats and a modern audio system have been added. Also, the car has an obligatory pair of fuzzy dice hanging from the rearview mirror.

Up front, power comes from a rebuilt 230ci flathead V8 mated to a three-speed manual overdrive transmission. The odometer shows 66,815 miles, but true mileage on the chassis is unknown. The seller says that the electrical system has been converted to 12 volts and employs an alternator, but all other components of the running gear are original.

Ford’s standard “Tudor” models for 1949 started at around $1,500. The Custom Convertible retailed at $1,950. For comparison purposes, a Lincoln at the time ranged in price from about $2,500 to $3,100. The asking price for this ragtop is $30,000 today.

Incidentally, I came across a classified listing from the Arizona Republic newspaper in September 1949 announcing homes in my neighborhood selling for $6,450, including the lot. Can you imagine? That comes out to $86,091 today, which is still an unheard-of steal.

All the more reason I’d love to travel back in time to buy a few homes and a few cars. Anyone care to join me for the adventure?

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

One of the most distinctive vintage automobiles is the Bugatti Type 57 SC Atlantic. Its riveted dorsal spine, dramatic front fenders, and high-mounted coach doors make it instantly recognizable almost 90 years after it was created. Bugatti only produced four of them between 1936 and 1938, but a black one, aka “La Voiture Noire,” made for company founder Ettore Bugatti’s son Jean, is arguably the most famous of them all. It went missing in 1938 and became an automotive cold case. You can now consider that case closed because La Voiture Noire was recently recovered.

According to a 2019 Bugatti press release, the company used chassis number 57 453 “with a front bumper and lower doors as a model for photos in brochures and a demonstration car for international motor shows such as those in Lyon and Nice. In contrast to the other models, there is no trace of this car after 1938. It is not quite clear whether Jean Bugatti sold the car to a racing driver among his friends or whether it was moved to a safer region of France when the German army invaded Alsace, which is more probable.”

A clue emerged last year, when a man by the name of Pierre Menteur discovered a seemingly mundane set of documents. While sorting through a collection of belongings from his great-grandfather, Arnaud, Menteur came across a clipping of a newspaper story reporting the derailment of a French freight train. Also in the collection was a list of the inventory in each train car compiled after the accident, which Arnaud himself might have typed out. At first glance, Menteur thought nothing of a car that was simply described in a note to the side as “noir.” Having lived in France his whole life, Menteur was aware of the mystery surrounding the disappearance of “La Voiture Noire.” He started to wonder if he had stumbled across a clue that could crack the case of the missing Bugatti.

Weeks passed until Menteur got another lead. Over dinner one evening, he mentioned what he found to his friend Ignace Mathieu Posteur, who hosts a podcast about unsolved crimes of the 20th century, Mystère Eternel. During the research process for one of his episodes, Posteur pulled up an archived newspaper article about the robbery of a lot that housed the contents of a derailed train. One of the things stolen from it? An unnamed black car.

Luckily, one of the thieves involved in the caper, Amélie Fausse, confessed her part in it to her great-granddaughter, Michele LeTruc, and Michele’s boyfriend, Henri Bergeaud, a French police officer. According to Fausse, she and her crew knew exactly what was in the lot and went straight for it. Although France was in utter chaos in the late 1930s, there were still people intent on getting the Bugatti – and most of them were not police or government officials. More than one head of an organized crime syndicate wanted the Atlantic as a sort of trophy. Ultimately, LeTruc and her fellow thieves sold it for a pittance to get the rising heat off their backs.

Bugatti worked tirelessly to authenticate the story Bergeaud relayed to them. As part of their investigation, Bugatti’s in-house historians learned that decades after La Voiture Noire was stolen, it was converted into the world’s most exclusive bed. The details are a bit murky, but in the late 2010s, a Bulgarian farmer somehow received the remnants of the Bugatti as part of a trade for some equipment. The engine and radiator had been removed well before the transaction, although the doors were still (barely) attached. This farmer had recently become the primary caregiver for his four-year-old grandson, but didn’t have a bed for him. Rather than buying one, the farmer decided to fashion one out of the Bugatti, completely unaware of its significance. He constructed a base and installed it where the straight-8 used to go, then topped that with a mattress. The interior was largely gutted, so the farmer filled the space with outward-facing shelves and children’s books that could be accessed by opening the Atlantic’s doors.

That’s the good news. Here’s the bad news: you might be wondering why there are no pictures of this automotive find of the century. They do exist, but people outside of Bugatti will probably never see them. A company spokesperson said, “We are aware of the passionate interest in the discovery of this legendary piece of Bugatti history. ‘La Voiture Noire’ has captivated Bugatti owners and those outside of the automotive realm for nearly a century. Since 1938, it has been more significant as a phantom of the past than a tangible automobile. Given its longstanding identity and the derelict state in which it was found, Bugatti has decided to destroy La Voiture Noire to preserve it as what it was always known to be: an elusive mystery.”

This news may be a real downer to you, but don’t be sad as you should be celebrating. After all, it’s April Fools’ Day. Check this space next April 1^st to see more shocking automotive discoveries.