mod@tech

The E30 325i is a cool car as is, offering an analog driving experience paired with a small, maneuverable wheelbase. This extra exciting example ups the smiles per mile with by adding 70-plus horsepower via an engine swap. The car’s original 168 horsepower 2.5 liter engine was traded for the more performance-oriented 3.2 liter inline-six out of a U.S.-spec E36 M3.

The blending of the E30 and E36 BMW generations resulted in a high-performance custom with several notable upgrades. Aside from its M3 power and matching five-speed manual transmission with an AKG short shifter, this 325i convertible sports a custom-fabricated exhaust system, an E36 steering rack, Ground Control coilover suspension, and larger aftermarket Wilwood brake calipers. Upon installation, the engine was equipped with an E34 oil pan, a Mishimoto aluminum radiator, and a Racing Dynamics carbon-fiber engine cover.

If you’re thinking that the exterior also looks updated, you’re right: the build also included an M-Tech body kit and BBS 17-inch wheels. Inside, the tan leather interior is refreshed and an aftermarket Pioneer stereo with Bluetooth was added.

All the listed modifications were completed by the pros at Castro Motorsport, a BMW specialist shop in North Hollywood, California. The seller states that the engine and transmission swap was completed in May 2017, and he only out 10,000 miles on it since.

“This car has been with me for many years, and I’ve put a lot of resources and love in it,” he said. “I never cut any corners.”

Visit the auction listing for more details but be quick! Time flies and the auction ends on Monday, March 27^th.

Date: March 1973

Location: Bethesda, Maryland

Source: Yoichi Okamoto, via Documerica

What do you see here?

Ferrari, the world-renown Italian Supercar manufacturer, sent customers an email on Monday disclosing that the company was attacked by a data breach. A threat actor demanded a ransom from Ferrari regarding customer contact details that may have been exposed in a ransomware attack. The unnamed attackers, while accessing a limited number of Ferrari’s IT systems, may have had access to the personal information of the marque’s customers, such as names, addresses, email addresses and telephone numbers.

In the letter to Ferrari customers, Ferrari CEO Benedetto Vigna wrote, “We regret to inform you of a cyber incident at Ferrari, where a threat actor was able to access a limited number of systems in our IT environment… However, based on our investigation, no payment details and/or bank account numbers and/or other sensitive payment information, nor details of Ferrari cars owned or ordered have been stolen.”

According to a separate statement made by the Ferrari company, the breach did not impact any operational functions. It is unclear what technologies Ferrari is using to track what the attackers actually had access to, and the number of customers affected is either unknown or not yet released to the public. As of this writing, even the actual date of the breach is unknown.

Ferrari had a similar incident in October 2022, when a ransomware group called “RansomEXX” made online claims of breaching the firm, allegedly stealing 7GB of data from Ferrari, including data sheets, repair manuals and other internal documents. Ferrari denied those claims.

“As a policy, Ferrari will not be held to ransom as paying such demands funds criminal activity and enables threat actors to perpetuate their attacks,” Ferrari said in a statement on March 20. “Instead, we believed the best course of action was to inform our clients and thus we have notified our customers of the potential data exposure and the nature of the incident.”

It makes sense for Ferrari to be a target for Ransomware considering the high-dollar car lineups and a contact list full of wealthy customers. However, even if the attackers did gain access to the customer’s basic contact information, the result could simply be an onset of tricky malicious targeted emails.

Ferrari also states that after receiving the threat, the firm hired a third-party cybersecurity company to assist with an investigation and boost the security of its systems.

You’ve made our day by checking in on this week’s Hemmings Auctions Roundup. Forty-nine new vehicle listings launched between Sunday, March 12 and Saturday the 18th, and 30 of those sold, including 6 post-auction Make Offer listings. This equates to a sell-through rate of 61 percent. You can stay on top of the latest consignments by subscribing to the daily Hemmings Auctions email newsletter.

1959 MG MGA

1959 MG MGA

Reserve: $10,000

Selling Price: $18,690

Recent Market Range: $8,000-$13,000

While it looked like it was doing 100 mph standing still, the classic 1959 MGA roadster was not a powerhouse in standard form. Replacing its 1,600-cc engine with the 1,800-cc version from an MGB is a tried-and-true way to add oomph. This example got such a heart transplant as part of an early-2000s refreshing that brought new paint (now admittedly containing some blemishes but no rust) and a vinyl-upholstered interior (replacing factory leather). The four-speed driveline worked with only a minor oil leak, while no water leaks for the top or body seals were revealed and the brakes and suspension were serviced within the past five years. This British classic handily exceeded its reserve.

1972 Cadillac Eldorado

1972 Cadillac Eldorado 

Reserve: $19,333

Selling Price: $23,100

Recent Market Range: $18,000-$27,000

In dollar-per-inch terms, few cars offer as much value as the early-1970s Cadillac Eldorado. This head-turning 1972 convertible looked period-perfect in Sumatra Green Metallic with a coordinating green leather-upholstered interior. Its seller described the general condition as “great” with scratch- and rust-free paint and a fully intact interior with working A/C and AM/FM radio; the clock was described as the car’s only component to have failed. Just under 100,000 miles showed on the odometer, but the 500-cu.in. V-8 and three-speed automatic had no reported issues and the car showed little evidence of that mileage. The hammer price represented a very good result for the winning bidder.

1957 Chevrolet Corvette

1957 Chevrolet Corvette

Reserve: $80,000

Selling Price: $86,625

Recent Market Range: $79,000-$107,000

The 1957 Corvette is beloved in Chevrolet circles for its clean styling and extra power, and this Arctic Blue over Beige example was a head-turner. Its excellent-appearing condition resulted from a body-off restoration that took place circa-2009, while its double-four-barrel-carbureted 283-cu.in. V-8 and other mechanicals were refurbished in 2016. That 283 was paired with a three-speed manual, a minor oil leak was noted. The ’Vette’s cosmetics were very nice, with a few scratches present and an interior in “excellent” shape with the addition of a retro-look modern stereo. Older radial tires were fitted, and the chassis appeared very tidy. Buyer and seller could be happy with this auction.

1968 Buick GS 400 

Reserve: $43,000

Selling Price: $70,350

Recent Market Range: N/A

This GS 400 was a real hot ticket, and two bidders went back and forth with no fewer than 18 time extensions leading to a total of 45 bids. Why did the Buick convertible beat its reserve by more than 50 percent? It was a rare, low-mileage car that enjoyed a documented body-off restoration less than 10 years ago and was driven fewer than 5,000 miles since. Its paint and interior colors were changed at that time, but this obviously didn’t hurt its desirability. The 400-cu.in. V-8 and automatic operated without issue, and recent reproduction redline tires made it look period-perfect. A video and comprehensive, top-quality photo documentation reassured interested parties of the GS’s goodness.

1971 Chevrolet C10  

Reserve: $35,000

Selling Price: $44,100

Recent Market Range: $28,000-$42,000

The clean, timeless lines of late-Sixties/early-Seventies Chevrolet pickups make them perennial favorites for restoration and customization, the latter being what this 1971 C10 was treated to. It turned heads with its two-tone paint, which was said to have just a couple of noteworthy chips, as well as its bold 20-inch alloy wheels wearing staggered-size tires. The interior featured black vinyl bucket seats and a column-mounted tachometer, as well as working A/C. Go was provided by an Edelbrock intake- and header-equipped 350-inch small-block V-8 mated to a column-shifted TH350, and whoa was courtesy of front disc/rear drum brakes. This stylish truck handily beat its recent market range.

1957 Ford Thunderbird

Reserve: $40,000

Selling Price: $44,000

Recent Market Range: N/A

Few can resist the siren call of a black 1957 Thunderbird, as this handsomely restored two-seater proved. Offered by a well-reputed classic-car dealer, the Ford convertible was said to be totally rust- and accident-free. While it was originally equipped with a removable hard top, that accessory was no longer present, the car simply having its paint-color-matched soft top. The two-tone black and white interior was stylish and looked fresh, and the four-barrel-carbureted 312-cu.in. V-8 and floor-shifted automatic transmission both operated without issue. Chromed wire wheels mounted recently installed bias-ply tires. The seller answered questions and the Thunderbird exceeded its reserve.