Journal Classic Cars

I would say that I hope you’re out and about, enjoying the weekend, but clearly, you’re here right now. Thank you for stopping by for the latest installment of Car Connections. First time reading it? Here’s how it goes: I have the Random Word Generator toss out three words, then I use my car nerdiness to link each of them to automobiles in some way. Let’s get to it! This week’s words are wheat, strict, and salad.

Wheat: As in bread. Sandwich. Club sandwich. Golf clubs.

Which sports car has a trunk big enough to fit golf clubs inside? The C8 Chevrolet Corvette!

Strict: Hmmm . . . many people try to lose weight with a strict diet. Certain automakers keep their vehicles light with carbon fiber, using it for parts such as the chassis, body panels, and even the wheels. A company that’s particularly famous for this is the Swedish hypercar manufacturer Koenigsegg. Its CC850, a celebration of 20 years of vehicle production and the 50th birthday of company founder Christian von Koenigsegg, has a twin-turbo 5.0-liter V8 and a carbon fiber monocoque with an aluminum honeycomb core. That combination gives the CC850 a power-to-weight ratio of 1:1—that’s 1,385 horsepower that propels 1,385 kilograms of Scandinavian exotica.

Salad: Salad needs salad dressing. Hidden Valley’s Original Ranch is a popular option (and to some, a beloved pizza condiment). Ranch, huh? Well, cowboys and cowgirls, there’s only one answer here: Ford’s rugged yet luxurious King Ranch trim level, named after the King Ranch, an 825,000-plus-acre “major agribusiness with interests in cattle ranching, farming (citrus, cotton, grain, sugar cane, and turfgrass), luxury retail goods, and recreational hunting” founded in South Texas back in 1853.

A variety of Ford trucks and SUVs are available in King Ranch form, including the 2026 F-150, which comes with a two-tone finish with Marsh Gray lower-body trim, badging with the King Ranch’s “Running W” brand, wood interior accents, leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front captain’s chairs, unique center console, and more.

How would you associate these words with cars? Tell us in the Comments section below. And be sure to share your ideas for random words to use in a future installment of Car Connections. Want to add a Chevrolet, Koenigsegg, or Ford to your garage? Find them in ClassicCars.com and AutoHunter.com.

For 28 consecutive years, RM Sotheby’s has drawn aficionados and collectors from around the country and beyond to metropolitan Phoenix during what’s come to be known as Arizona Auction Week. Held at the Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa, the location and cars may be tony but being an enthusiast is an egalitarian affair.

Given the lineage of supercars on the docket, kids would especially appreciate RM Sotheby’s because a dream sequence of Ferraris were waiting to find new owners. Like Bonhams, Sotheby’s can find its origins in 18^th century London, where it was founded almost 282 years ago. Today, there are several subsidiaries of Sotheby’s, with RM Sotheby’s being the automotive arm that has its origins as RM Auctions. Since that first auction in Toronto in 1991, founder Rob Myers continues to be its Ontario, Canada-based CEO.

If you’re keeping your finger on the pulse of the event, you’ll notice a shift in the cars at certain auctions, RM Sotheby’s included. Though prewar classics are not as much of a core attraction as they used to be, you’ll find those and a little bit of everything else here—just be sure to show your kids the cars painted red.

Shelby American announced another special-edition Shelby Mustang at the Barrett-Jackson 2026 Scottsdale Auction. Each release always focuses on a particular segment of the Shelby narrative, with this one being a track-focused Shelby GT350/TA to celebrate 60 years of the Trans Am racing series.

The Trans Am Manufacturers’ Championship debuted in 1966 with help from Shelby American, which built Mustangs with GT350R-spec parts. With talent like Jerry Titus, Peter Talbert, Ira Morrison, and Vic McClain racing Shelby American Group 2 Mustang notchbacks in the inaugural series, Ford clinched the championship in the Group 2 class.

“1966 was a dominant year for Shelby American in motor racing,” said Joe Conway, CEO of Shelby American. “Shelby American helped Ford Motor Company win the FIA World Sportscar Championship, largely thanks to the legendary victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, along with SCCA B-production series with the Shelby GT350. Shelby’s efforts were vital in Ford’s overall Trans Am success, as the Mustangs’ points helped it win the first-ever Manufacturers’ Championship. We’re returning to those racing roots with this limited-edition car, which also portends many elements of our future Trans Am spec race car.”

Starting with the typical 2026 Shelby GT350 (which—let’s be honest—isn’t typical), the Shelby team focused on removing weight, sharpening its overall performance, and keeping everything cool at speed. Key differences include:

• New carbon fiber front splitter, front fender vents, rocker/splitter, grille, and fascia aero dive planes
• Shelby Performance hood with carbon fiber air extraction and painted Shelby ghost graphic
• Quad exhaust outlets with black tips
• Carbon tail panel with GT350/TA and 60^th Trans Am ghost graphics
• Quarter panel Shelby Racing Team matte-finish graphic for the 60^th anniversary package
• Trans Am-spec Forgeline wheels with Pirelli P Zero tires
• Pro-System Alcon Trans Am Cup brake package
• Safety cage with carbon fiber protective covers 
• New colors: Grabber Blue, Oxford White, Shadow Black, Orange Fury, Carbonized Gray, or Race Red with coordinated graphics package
• Shelby GT350/TA door graphic

“The 2026 Shelby GT350/TA is an amazing car that builds upon the 60^th anniversary model Shelby GT350R that we introduced last year,” said Gary Patterson, President of Shelby American. “This sports car is designed to be competitive on both the street and track. Our motorsports roots are deep, and we continue to bring that championship DNA to every car we build.”

Unusual for a street-legal car is the carbon fiber interior “tub” plus integrated roll cage, Trans Am-spec high-speed carbon fiber aero package, fully adjustable race struts and shocks with remote reservoirs, new Alcon racing brakes, numerous chassis upgrades, and more. Power comes from an 830-plus-horsepower supercharged V8 (with the supercharger available for post-title sales only). You can have any transmission that you want as long as it’s a six-speed manual.

Seventy cars are planned for 2026, all built in Michigan in collaboration with Turn Key Automotive/Motorsports. The GT350/TA will only be available directly through Shelby American, with each vehicle documented in the official Shelby Registry. 

“Working with Shelby American has been a great adventure for our team,” said Turn Key owner Rich Rinke. “It is exciting to help Shelby connect enthusiasts with motorsports through limited edition cars that leverage our extensive competition experience. This incredible car will impress any serious racer.”

Pricing starts at $219,970 (including the 401A 2026 Mustang GT used as a base); updates on the Trans Am-spec vehicle that is planned to enter the 2026 race season will come soon. Individuals interested in a Shelby vehicle can visit their local dealer or go to Shelby.com.  

Want to go to a car show this weekend? Of course you do. If you happen to be in Southern California, head to the Fairplex in Pomona for the 76th annual Grand National Roadster Show to check out hundreds of hot rods and customs, muscle cars, classics, and trucks.

Founded by Al and Mary Slonaker in Oakland, California (and previously known as the Oakland Roadster Show), the GNRS has grown to be “longest running indoor car show in the world!”

Expect to see more than 500 vehicles inside the Fairplex competing for a variety of awards. Entrants with 1937 and earlier U.S. production-based roadsters, roadster pickups, phaetons, touring cars, and even designer roadsters that resemble 1937 or older U.S.-built roadsters are eligible to win the most desired prize of the event: the America’s Most Beautiful Roadster Award, which the GNRS deems “the ultimate recognition in the world of Hot Rodding.” Officially, the award is $12,500 in prize money and a replica of the nine-foot-tall perpetual trophy. Joining the ranks of greats such as George Barris and Boyd Coddington is a nice bonus.

Those with any vehicle that’s not a roadster have a chance of going home with the Al Slonaker Memorial Award, which recognizes the best non-roadster vehicle at the GNRS. According to the GNRS website, “ARP Fasteners presents the award, which brings a prize of $12,500 and a custom billet trophy.”

Other indoor attractions include the 1940-60s hot rods, customs, and drag cars inside the Suede Palace, and Fat Attack! at the Feature Building, which will be filled with 1935-48 fat-fendered cars and trucks in a variety of styles, from Pro Street machines to race cars.

There will be plenty of outdoor action at the 2026 GNRS, too. You can join the Grand Daddy Drive-In and possibly win an Editor’s Pick award. At the very least, you’ll get an eyeful of 800-1,000 hot rods and customs, classics, muscle cars, and trucks parked outside the Fairplex (which sounds like its own kind of victory).

The 2026 Grand National Roadster Show runs 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. from Friday, January 30 through Sunday, February 1. General admission is $45 for people 13 and older; tickets for kids ages 6-12 are $10 (children 5 and younger get in free). For more information about events, parking, lodging, and more, go to the GNRS website by clicking here.

To many people, the words “station wagon” bring to mind a frumpy, boring family-hauler. But those who are more into cars know that not all station wagons are bland vessels for large cargo. About 15 years ago, GM dropped a 556-horsepower LSA 6.2-liter supercharged V8 into the Cadillac CTS-V Wagon. In the 1990s, GM put a (detuned) version of the C4 Corvette’s LT1 into the Buick Roadmaster Estate Wagon. As the 1954 Dodge Coronet Suburban Two-door Station Wagon in a recent “Jay Leno’s Garage” video shows, Dodge had its own dragon wagon decades earlier.

In 1954, Dodge offered six station wagon configurations. You could get the Coronet Sierra Four-door with seating for six or eight passengers, powered by a 230ci “Get-Away Six” or 241ci “Red Ram” OHV V8 with hemispherical heads and 7.5:1 compression that helped it generate 150 horsepower and 222 lb-ft of torque. The six-passenger Coronet Suburban Two-door was available with the same engine options. Surprise, surprise—Leno’s Coronet has the Hemi.

There’s more to the Coronet Suburban than just power, though. Leno also loves it for its bright and fun turquoise and white two-tone paint and old-school wire wheels and whitewalls. The JC Whitney radio signal booster may be more form than function, but it adds to the longroof’s charm.

That explains why Leno largely left the car alone. Although he had the generator converted into an alternator for more power and consistency, the car still runs on a six-volt electrical system and doesn’t have power steering.

Clearly, as you’ll see in the video below, neither of those retained features diminish the driving experience or Leno’s enjoyment of it.

During Arizona Auction Week, several other niche auction houses crash Scottsdale and make The West’s Most Western Town more about automobiles than horses. Bonhams, the global auction house that was founded in London in 1793, always has an assortment of vehicles that leans towards the sporting and luxury set.

Held at The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa, The Scottsdale Auction had several vehicles worthy of note, including a 2024 Bugatti Chiron Super Sport in a hue called Éléphant Blanc (“White Elephant”). It sold for over $5 million, which isn’t a world record, believe it or not. Porsches dominated, but there always has been a smattering of American vehicles, mainly unusual pre-war classics, several 1950s cruisers, and 1960s muscle and sporty cars like Corvettes, Mustangs and Shelbys, and a lone Hemi’Cuda.

The below gallery shows most of the Bonhams vehicles that crossed the block on January 23, 2026.

The Bentley Continental GTC took a “bigger is better” approach to automotive engineering. Despite being a two-door convertible, it was only about four inches shorter than a Ford Explorer. It also weighed two and a half tons, and it was powered by a 6.0-liter W12. Featured on AutoHunter is a low-mileage 2007 Bentley Continental GTC listed by a dealer in Woodland Hills, California. The auction will end on Monday, February 2, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. (MST).

When it was sold new, the Continental GTC listed for about $190,000. The car was crafted in Bentley’s Crewe, England, facility on a purpose-built line with high-quality materials. As a reflection of that, the car tipped the scales at about 5,500 pounds—approximately twice the weight of a same-year Nissan Versa. Still, the Continental managed to accelerate and handle with authoritative confidence. Motor Trend said, “Despite all the mass and weight, there is an unexpected lightness in the controls. The steering is a two-finger job at all speeds, the brakes respond eagerly to the tips of your toes, and the paddle-shift transmission juggles ratios in an amazingly efficient fashion.”

This GTC’s AutoCheck report shows accident-free ownership in Oregon and California under two owners. The odometer shows just 74,193 miles, which is a relatively low reading for a car that’s now 19 years old. Speaking of the car’s age, it’s hard to believe the design—riding on the Volkswagen Group D1 platform—came out 23 years ago. Even today, the look conveys opulence and class. Exterior features include quad headlamps, a matrix grille, a power-folding cloth soft-top, chrome trim, LED taillights, and dual oval tailpipes.

The automotive media largely agreed that the Continental felt lighter than it really weighed—and the main reason for that was its muscular powerplant. Under the hood was a 6.0-liter twin-turbocharged DOHC W12 mated to a ZF six-speed automatic transmission and an all-wheel drive system. Bentley rated the car at 552 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque.

In line with the Continental’s luxury-oriented approach, the cabin of this GTC has loads of creature comforts like heated black leather upholstery, a Breitling clock, navigation, a 12-speaker audio system, and dual-zone automatic climate control. If that doesn’t make the car sound comfortable enough, it also has an adaptive air suspension for an even more posh ride. You’ll undoubtedly feel like a big wig in this plus-sized luxo-convertible.

The auction for this 2007 Bentley Continental GTC ends Monday, February 2, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. (MST).

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and a photo gallery

I still remember the first time I got to drive the SLS AMG. I was at a Mercedes press event at Road America in Wisconsin and was given the opportunity to spend the weekend with one of these cars. Our Pick of the Day on ClassicCars.com is one of these spectacular GTs, a 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG coupe offered by a dealer in Sherman Oaks, California.

The car was faultless. Not only did it look amazing, but even every single switch and control in the cockpit was extra-special, either covered with leather or made of aluminum. The fit and finish were spectacular. Hands-down, it was one of the finest-built cars I had been in at the time, on par with the offerings from the new Rolls-Royce cars, but in a sports/GT package. I still remember coming out of a sandwich shop in downtown Elkheart Lake after a food run and finding a crowd of people outside looking at the car in amazement.

My biggest takeaway from the experience is that I could not believe that Mercedes actually was able to build the SLS and have them in dealerships. Much like the BMW Z8 a few years before, this was basically a fully developed concept car brought to life. The SLS also delivered supercar levels of performance for the era yet combined it with a car you can literally use as a daily driver. Somehow this gullwing-door Mercedes is actually practical. It is capable of 0-60 times of 3.5 seconds, will cover the quarter-mile in 11.6 seconds, can do 0-130 mph in 12.4 seconds and has a top speed of 197 mph.

Mercedes only built around 12,000 examples of the SLS. As an added bonus, the Mercedes Gullwing Group now considers them eligible for their 300SL events. This means the prices are going up, but you can still find them for a very fair price, especially when compared to some of their Italian competitors.

This 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG supercar is powered by a hand-built 6.2-liter V8 engine. It produces 563 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque. The engine is paired with a rear-mounted 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission for better weight distribution. Built on a lightweight aluminum spaceframe, the car features iconic gullwing doors, 19-inch front and 20-inch rear wheels, and high-performance compound disc brakes. Inside, the two-seat cockpit includes leather upholstery, navigation, and a premium audio system as standard.

This specific car is finished in the nice combination of what appears to be Diamond White Metallic over an Espresso Brown leather interior. It has covered a total of only 19,385 miles from new and looks to be in spectacular condition.

Even though the listing does not mention anything regarding service, I am guessing many records are available and would ask the selling dealer about this. If they do not have them, I might go to a dealer with the VIN (which is WDDRJ7HA3CA009077) and see what they have. It might be as easy as asking the dealer for a CARFAX report, which will document any dealer service.

This is probably the last time a car like this will still be affordable. It is just such a great car to drive and own and always feels amazingly special. This SLS has an asking price of only $239,980, which is just a bit more than they cost when new. If you want one and like the colors of this example, I suggest you buy it now.

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

You know how it feels everything is upside-down these days? You don’t need to do more than look in the direction of General Motors to get that idea because it seems that the 2027 Chevrolet Bolt (which has returned to dealerships after a respite of four model years) will only last another 18 months.

It’s an interesting development considering Chevrolet appears to have brought back the Bolt due to customer demand. Initially, the first-gen Bolt’s factory in Orion Township (Michigan) was retooled to produce Chevrolet and GMC EV pickup trucks, with the Equinox EV expected to fill the space of the Bolt. Now it seems the General Motors plans to reconfigure the Fairfax Assembly (Kansas) plant to produce the Equinox (Chevrolet’s second-biggest-selling vehicle) and a new Buick SUV (currently known as the Envision) at the end of the 2027 calendar year, according to Car and Driver.

Some have speculated that the move has something to do with expired tax credits for EVs, while someone out there may also wonder whether tariffs are an explanation. According to a General Motors spokesperson, “When we revealed Bolt in October, we said it’d be a limited-run model, which we are bringing back due to strong customer demand. We also said it would account for the majority of EV volume for Chevrolet in 2026, alongside the Chevrolet Equinox EV. We reiterate that today.”

“One of these days, I’ll get a Jeep.” I keep telling myself that—perhaps it’ll be an XJ Cherokee 4×4 with the 4.0-liter I6, a TJ Wrangler Sahara, or a 1989 Grand Wagoneer. Now is not the time, though, because I bought a brand-new 2023 Hyundai Sonata in October of 2023 out of a need for a comfortable, fuel-efficient commuter car, and I plan on using it well after it’s paid off. For my one-year-old son Hayden, “one of these days” is now: He’s an enthusiastic owner of Delta Children’s Jeep Classic Wrangler 3-in-1 Grow With Me Walker.

Oddly enough, I have to credit my wife Eli for Hayden’s little off-roader. A few months ago, she was looking for walkers and texted me the links to several options, one of which was the Wrangler. Of course, I picked that—in Anniversary Green for a touch of heritage. As its name implies, it can be used three different ways. Right now, we place Hayden in it so he can use it as a sort of training wheels for walking on his own. An adjustable handle bar on the back allows him to push the Jeep and work on his balance and coordination. We haven’t removed the body from the base to use it as a rolling toy box yet, but that day is coming soon.

Being a father has made me look at things differently. I recently realized one of my favorite things to see, aside from Hayden’s smiling face, is any sign of his presence: one of his socks that he tore off, his little letter/number/word/picture blocks that he refuses to let me stack, a stuffed animal that got called up to the big leagues (aka “playtime with Hayden”), a random Cheerio that evaded the broom, etc. As a person who’s spent a lot of time in Jeep Wranglers, I find Hayden’s rig to be an amusing sight. It has a lift alright, but it’s just for the body, not the suspension. Ground clearance under the functional wheels is minimal. Perhaps when he’s older, Hayden will like the look of low-riders raised up on their hydraulics . . .

Talking with and observing Jeep Wrangler owners has taught me that the only unmodified Wrangler is the one that hasn’t been made yet. I can tell that Hayden is already thinking about upgrades—he frequently pries off the wheel covers and I occasionally see him sitting next to his Wrangler and spinning its tires. Who do I contact for toddler-sized beadlock wheels and all-terrain rubber?

Ben Folds Five has a great song called “Evaporated.” One of the lyrics I find to be especially true: “It seems that all men wanna get into a car and go anywhere.” I know I do, whether it’s a long road trip with my family or a solo drive to decompress and clear my mind. Hayden isn’t a man yet, but he’s proof of that concept because he loves going for a post-dinner cruise around the house, his chunky feet propelling him Fred Flintstone-style the whole way. He’s rarely fussy but, when he does get worked up, some time behind the tiny wheel of his Wrangler helps calm him down. No matter what time it is or how Hayden’s feeling, he’s “that guy” that every neighborhood seems to have: the one who’s always revving his engine. It’s not Hayden’s fault, though. He must have some sort of wiring issue because even if he doesn’t use the engine start/stop button, his engine roars when he pushes the shift lever.

In a story from last year, I mentioned that Hayden is a good “driver.” Luckily, that hasn’t changed. He knows how to adjust his mirrors, plus he uses his turn signals. Hayden’s Wrangler doesn’t have a back-up camera, but there’s also no top so, when he needs to go in reverse, he just twists and looks behind him to make sure he’s clear. He even knows what bump stops are—his version of them, at least: when he bumps into a cabinet door or the dishwasher, he stops and moves on. “Mr. H” is years away from real off-roading, but he already knows to stay on the trail. If I stand in a doorway to keep him from going to a part of the house that’s off-limits, he doesn’t ram me or throw a fit—he backs up and returns to the designated trail.

I’m patiently awaiting the day I can get a Jeep of my own so Hayden and I can go wheeling and camping together. Until then, I’m happy to see him enjoy top-off adventures in his Wrangler.

The Delta Children Jeep Classic Wrangler 3-in-1 Grow With Me Walker is normally $99 but right now, you can get 15 percent off during the company’s Winter Sale. If you’re thinking about getting one for your child or grandchild, you can learn more about it by clicking here.