The 1970s and 1980s marked a golden era in automotive design, where visionary engineers and designers drew inspiration from the burgeoning space age and rapid technological advancements. This period witnessed the emergence of vehicles that transcended conventional aesthetics, embracing bold, otherworldly designs that seemed to defy gravity and time. These futuristic automobiles not only captivated the public imagination but also set the stage for the evolution of car design, blending form and function in ways previously unimagined. As we delve into this era, we’ll explore 15 iconic cars that epitomized the spirit of innovation and the allure of the cosmos.
mod@tech
This 1949 Ford Custom is said to have been acquired by the seller’s late uncle around 2003, and it was refurbished and modified between approximately 2010 and 2017. The car is finished in matte black with a chopped roofline and a louvered hood. Power is provided by a Chevrolet 327ci V8 paired with an automatic transmission, and additional equipment includes a split windshield, fender skirts, spinner-style wheel covers, faux lake pipes, and MOON gauges. The car was inherited by the seller in 2023, and the mechanical fuel pump was replaced in 2024. This modified Ford is now offered with a clean Florida title.
The car was repainted matte black around 2017 following bodywork and a roof chop performed under prior ownership. Exterior features include a split windshield, a louvered hood, integrated fender skirts, and dual spotlights. Faux lake pipes are mounted either side, and the seller states the body is all metal and notes that the front end has a higher stance than the rear.
Red-painted 15″ wheels have spinner-style covers and whitewall tires that were mounted in 2013. Braking is handled by drums at each corner, and the seller notes that the brakes require service.
The seller tells us the interior was reupholstered as part of the work.
Instrumentation consists of a 100-mph speedometer, and a trio of MOON gauges are mounted below the dashboard. The five-digit odometer shows under 63k miles, approximately 25 of which were added under current ownership. The seller states the mileage is not accurate, and total mileage is unknown.
A Chevrolet 327ci small-block V8 was installed under prior ownership, and it has an Edelbrock intake manifold and valve covers as well as headers. The seller reports that the mechanical fuel pump was replaced in 2024.
Included records indicate that a Turbo 350 transmission with a stall converter was installed in 2013, though the seller believes the car may be fitted with a two-speed Powerglide.
Images in the gallery depict the work in progress.
The car is titled using VIN 98BA478417.
This 1931 Ford Model A is a steel-bodied, five-window coupe that has been built into a hot rod on a ’32 chassis. It is powered by a 255ci flathead V8 from a 1950 Mercury that was rebuilt with an Isky camshaft, adjustable lifters, hardened valve seats, Offenhauser heads, dual Stromberg 97s, and Fenton intake and headers. A ’39 Ford three-speed manual transmission, ’40 hydraulic brakes, and ’40 wheels were also installed along with a ’32 drop axle, ’32 grille, a ’32 headlight bar with guide-style lights, and ’37 taillights. The seller acquired the car in 2016, and the work was completed around 2020. This Model A is now offered with a clean Michigan title in the seller’s name listing the car as a 1931 Ford.
The seller tells us the ’31 steel body was mounted on a ’32 frame. The top was chopped, and the fabric for the roof has not been replaced. The body was painted single-stage green, and a ’32 grille and headlight bar were used along with ’37 taillights. The car retains a tilt-out windshield and has a visor along with a louvered hood and chrome spreader bars.
The 16″ steel wheels are from a ’40 Ford and wear ’46 Mercury hubcaps. ’40 hydraulic brakes were also used along with a ’32 drop axle up front.
The bench seat and side panels are trimmed in brown upholstery. Black carpeting lines the floor.
The drop column is from a ’32, and a later-model steering wheel was used. The dashboard gauges are from a 1935, and extra gauges are mounted below. The seller estimates they have driven the car 1k miles.
The 255ci flathead V8 is from a 1950 Mercury, and the seller tells us it was rebuilt by an Isky camshaft, adjustable lifters, hardened valve seats, Offenhauser heads, a Fenton intake and headers, and dual Stromberg 97s. The dual-point Mallory distributor was built by Bubba.
The ’39 three-speed manual was resealed and rebushed as part of the work, and the rear end is from a ’40.
Photos showing various stages of the work are presented in the gallery.
The car is titled as a 1931 Ford using VIN A4331408.
Few figures in entertainment have embraced the unknown with as much charisma and curiosity as William Shatner. From commanding the USS Enterprise as Captain James T. Kirk in “Star Trek” to hosting “The UnXplained” on The History Channel, Shatner has made a career out of asking bold questions and venturing into uncharted territory. But beyond the sets, scripts and sound stages lies a piece of machinery that’s just as sleek, powerful and enigmatic as the man himself: a 2011 Porsche Panamera Turbo. Personally owned and autographed by Shatner, the Panamera – with just under 40,000 actual miles – is now selling with No Reserve at the 2025 Scottsdale Fall Auction.
This all-wheel-drive Porsche, finished in black over a matching black interior, represents a fusion of performance and presence. Its heart is a twin-turbocharged 4.8-liter V8 engine that produces a commanding 500 horsepower delivered through a 7-speed automatic transmission. It’s a vessel of speed, engineering and control, traits that mirror Shatner’s persona both on and off the screen. Yet what makes this Porsche truly compelling isn’t just its pedigree performance or its pristine one-owner condition. It’s the signature on the driver’s sun visor, Shatner’s own handwriting, etched into the cabin like a captain’s log, a subtle but tangible reminder that this was once the command center for a man who’s spent his life exploring both the fictional frontiers of space and the real-world mysteries of the unknown. For fans of “The UnXplained,” Shatner’s Porsche invites a deeper appreciation of the man behind the questions. Since 2019, Shatner has hosted the docuseries, which delves into enigmatic phenomena ranging from ancient ruins and extraterrestrial theories to mind-bending psychological puzzles. Unlike his iconic role as Captain Kirk, where fiction provided the answers, “The UnXplained” leans into life’s gray areas, the stories that science hasn’t yet solved and that folklore keeps alive. It’s not about offering conclusions; it’s about cultivating curiosity.
That same sense of wonder seems to apply to Shatner’s approach to life. At 94 years old, he’s busier than ever, recently becoming the oldest person to fly into space aboard Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin rocket. His appetite for the unknown is a way of life. And what better car to accompany such a mindset than the Panamera Turbo, a machine that defied conventions when it debuted?
When Porsche first introduced the Panamera in 2009, it raised eyebrows. A four-door sedan from a brand known for sports cars? Yet the Panamera blended the soul of a 911 with the utility and luxury of a Grand Touring saloon. In Turbo trim, the car is a study in duality: it’s luxurious yet ferocious, stately yet startlingly quick. In many ways, it’s the automotive embodiment of Shatner himself, a polished exterior concealing endless layers of depth, passion and surprise. This particular Panamera Turbo is also enabled for Sirius XM and registered with LoJack, underscoring Shatner’s practical side.
For collectors and fans alike, registering to bid on this Porsche Panamera is a chance to own a piece of pop culture history, a symbol of a man whose career hasntraversed genres, galaxies and generations. Whether you grew up watching “Star Trek,” have followed Shatner’s many music albums and memoirs, or are a devoted viewer of “The UnXplained,” this Panamera links you directly to the legend.
Shatner once said, “You have to create your life. You have to carve it, like a sculpture.” This Porsche is part of that sculpture, an artifact from a life built on defying expectations, embracing adventure and always asking what lies beyond the horizon.
As the car crosses the auction block with No Reserve, Oct. 15-18 at WestWorld, it will carry the spirit of curiosity and wonder. Like Shatner’s voice narrating tales of haunted lighthouses or mysterious disappearances, this Panamera tells its own story: one of speed, sophistication and the relentless pursuit of the unknown.
This article was originally published on Barrett-Jackson.com
Ford made thousands of 1957 Thunderbirds, but none of them were like this one. That’s because it was extensively modified with custom bodywork and even parts from other automakers. The Brilliant Gold Metallic exterior features 1959 Lincoln headlights, a chopped windshield, shaved door handles, tail fins, and 1959 Buick taillights. Inside, there’s diamond-stitched white vinyl upholstery as well as a Chrysler AstraDome gauge set, a Plymouth steering wheel, and an old-school telephone.
Under the hood, it’s all Ford: white vinyl surrounds a rebuilt 351ci V8, which sends its power to the road through a rebuilt C4 three-speed automatic. Someone captured this unusual 1957 Ford Thunderbird with the winning bid of $49,500 at the Barrett-Jackson 2024 Scottsdale Fall Auction.
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Right now on AutoHunter, you can find this 1964 Buick Skylark Convertible, which is powered by a Wildcat 310 300ci V8 paired with a Super Turbine 300 two-speed automatic transmission. It has received several updates, including new paint, rust removal, a new top, fresh upholstery, and new engine, suspension, and brake hardware. Finished in Teal Mist and equipped with a white power convertible top over a light blue vinyl interior, this A-body drop-top is now offered by the private seller in Utah with maintenance records, restoration receipts, a car cover, a full-size spare tire, and a clear title.
In June 2024, the body was refinished in Teal Mist. Exterior features include chrome bumpers, a driver-side mirror, full-length side trim, rocker panel trim, and a single rear exhaust outlet. The seller reports a rust removal process was performed on this car and that the new white, power-operated convertible top was installed within the last two years. When lowered, the top fits under a blue vinyl boot.
Under the distinctive and graceful wheel arches is a set of 14-inch steel wheels with Buick covers and 205/75 SA4 all-season radials.
Within the last two years, the interior was reupholstered in light blue vinyl and furnished with new carpeting and door panels. Other features include manual windows, a column-mounted automatic shifter, a split-bench front seat, lap belts for both rows, and an AM Radio, although it is nonfunctional.
Instrumentation consists of a 120-mph speedometer and a fuel gauge. The odometer shows 74,176 miles, which the seller claims to be an accurate figure.
Under the hood, the original six-cylinder engine was replaced with a Wildcat 310 300ci V8, which was factory-rated at 210 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. The upgraded engine is teamed with a Super Turbine 300 two-speed automatic transmission. Within the last four years, the timing was fixed and the motor mounts, oil pan gasket, and transmission mounts were replaced. Additional newer parts include the shocks, rear control arm bushings, and master cylinder for the drum brakes.
New brake components are great for slowing down, but if you like what you see here, don’t stop until you place a bid on this 1964 Buick Skylark Convertible. The auction for it ends on Friday, August 29, 2025 at 11:45 a.m. (PDT).
Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and a photo gallery
Whenever I hear or read the words “spared no expense,” I immediately think of the famous quote by the character John Hammond in the movie Jurassic Park. Whether related to theme parks, real estate, travel, or cars – I think we can all agree that it’s easy to lose control of budgetary restrictions when you get going on a project. Here’s a car with a six-figure price tag that still probably cost more to build than it’s being sold for:
The Pick of the Day is a custom 1936 Ford two-door coupe listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in Lincoln, Nebraska.
The listing begins, “Built from the frame up by multiple craftsmen, this one-of-a-kind classic collector’s gem was restored sparing no expense – and no detail. Pictures do this car little justice. You have to see it for yourself!”
Where do we even begin? First and foremost, the color ranks in at least the top five of any that I’ve ever come across in having written for The Journal for the last nine years. The seller says it’s a hue from House of Kolor, and it’s called “Burple” – presumably because it’s a combination of blue and purple. The car’s roof was chopped by 3.5 inches in the front in order to give it a streamlined look. Exterior features include a custom frame, a 1936 all-steel body, new hood side panels, shaved door handles, “swan” mirrors, teardrop-style 1939 taillights, and a 1937-style hood. It seems there isn’t much that’s original, but that’s the whole point of a restomod anyway: it’s a one-of-a-kind car throughout.
Even the interior was outfitted with a long list of modern niceties like tinted power windows, keyless entry, a backup camera, a custom sound system, LED lighting, aluminum door panels, a Vintage Air HVAC system, and an all-leather two-tone interior.
Momentum comes from a BluePrint 383ci high-performance stroker V8 that was rated at 430 horsepower, paired with a 700R four-speed automatic transmission. Features include aluminum heads, a roller cam, a cast steel crank, a four-bolt main, Hastings moly rings, and a heavy-duty timing set. With a spec sheet like that, I can imagine this car sounds (and drives) just as sweet as it looks.
The seller says, “This hot rod was built to sustain its classic style but meet every accoutrement of the 21st century.” As for the expense, the price tag might give some people sticker shock, but having restored a few cars myself, I can attest that it adds up quickly.
The asking price is $150,000 or best offer.
Click here to view this Pick of the Day on ClassicCars.com
The 1990s were a transformative era in the automotive world, marked by a surge of innovation, distinctive designs, and the emergence of unique models that captured the imagination of enthusiasts. From turbocharged engines to avant-garde aesthetics, this decade introduced vehicles that pushed the boundaries of performance and style. However, despite their groundbreaking features and dedicated followings, many of these cars have faded into obscurity. This article delves into 15 such models, exploring their unique contributions to automotive history and the reasons behind their decline into the annals of forgotten classics.
This ’32 Ford is a steel Brookville steel-bodied roadster that was built around 2004 by Troy Ladd of Hollywood Hot Rods as part of the television show Rides. Dubbed “Little Sister”, it was one of two that were built for Jon Riddle and displayed at the 2005 Grand National Roadster Show, with the pair being awarded 3rd and 4th in class, and Riddle went on to drive the car to shows on the West Coast for several years. It was featured in Hot Rod magazine in 2007 and won “Hottest Hot Rod” at Goodguys Pacific Northwest Nationals in 2024. The custom build rides on a So-Cal chassis with a Chassis Engineering 4″ drop axle, hairpin radius rods, and a buggy-style rear leaf spring setup with ladder bars as well as staggered American Rebel wheels. Power comes from a 350ci V8 with triple Rochester carburetors, and the 700R4 automatic transmission is linked to a Ford 9″ rear end. So-Cal drum-look disc brakes are fitted up front, and the car also has lake-style headers, a dual exhaust system, chrome spreader bars, a drilled steering wheel, and Stewart-Warner instruments. The seller acquired the car in 2021, and in 2023 a rebuilt transmission was installed. Little Sister is now offered with 2023 records and a Washington title in the seller’s name listing the car as a 1932 Ford.
The car is built on So-Cal Speed Shop Deuce rails that were powder-coated and finished with paint. The all-steel body from Brookville is painted blue, and chrome spreader bars are fitted front and rear. The car has a Duvall-style windshield and a slatted grille insert. Flaws in the paintwork are depicted in the gallery.
The car rides on transverse leaf springs with hairpin radius rods and a Chassis Engineering 4″ drop axle, radius rods out back, and 15×4.5″ and 16×10″ American Rebel alloy wheels with staggered tires. The drum-look front disc brakes are from So-Cal.
Ivory leather with contrasting blue piping covers the seat, which has a center armrest with cup holders. German square-weave carpeting lines the floor. The shifter and pedals are from Lokar.
The Stewart-Warner gauges have screen-printed Hollywood Hot Rods logos. They are set in a machined Auburn-style gauge panel from Knecht Equipment, and the four-spoke wheel is from Budnik. The seller has driven 1,500 of the 3,700 indicated miles, which represents the mileage on the build.
The 350ci V8 is a crate motor that was delivered for the build by Camee Edelbrock. It is topped by Edelbrock aluminum heads, finned valve covers, and a tri-power aluminum intake manifold with three Rochester carburetors. Patriot supplied the lake-style headers. The oil was changed ~500 miles ago.
The car was originally built with an Art Carr 700R4 automatic, and the seller had a rebuilt transmission installed in 2023. The 9″ rear end has a limited-slip differential and 3.73 gears.
The car is titled as a 1932 Ford Roadster using VIN 0310040417, which the seller cannot locate. The title carries an Antique brand.
The sports cars Alfa Romeo has made for the United States have been fleeting, and the recently introduced 33 Stradale is bound to be even more elusive.
First was the 8C Competizione, a 4.7-liter V8-powered two-seater that was available from 2007 to 2010. Out of the 500 coupes built, 90 ended up in the U.S., plus another 35 of the 329 Spiders. If you’ve seen one, consider yourself lucky.
More attainable was the 4C, which was produced for 2014-20. This one was powered by a turbocharged 1.8-liter four with direct fuel injection. Rumor has it that U.S.-spec cars featured extra bracing for strengthening to help them comply with crash test regulations. All told, 9,117 Coupes and Spiders were built, with 2,127 reaching the U.S.
The new 33 Stradale—an homage to the 1967 Tipo 33 Stradale—made an appearance at four venues during 2025 Monterey Car Week, including The Quail and Motorlux. Only 33 will be built worldwide, a “bespoke celebration of Italian craftmanship, performance, and heritage.” Power comes from a 3.0-liter V6 with 630 horsepower, which will bring the 33 Stradale to 100 km/h (62 mph) in under three seconds. Floor it to oblivion and you should be able to see 207 mph as long as you don’t run out of road.
Built at Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera, the 33 Stradale features a carbon fiber monocoque, active suspension, dihedral doors, and—wow!—an analog-inspired cabin that leans into driving, not texting.
Alas, all 33 that are planned to be built are already spoken for, but don’t worry—you probably couldn’t afford it anyway. Let’s hope the next Alfa Romeo sports car will be more attainable . . . and more common on these roads.