Enthusiasts can argue all they want about the role of the 1964 Pontiac GTO, but there’s one thing that’s indisputable: it’s the OG of muscle cars. You can note that Pontiac (if not other brands) were building performance cars before the GTO (and it would be a folly to deny them muscle car status), but the “Goat” is the one that transformed the market.
Herman Rainey owns this Tri-Power GTO. That means it is powered by a 389 originally rated at 348 horsepower. With the M20 wide-ratio four-speed, it is exactly the configuration that led to Ronny and the Daytonas waxing poetic about the GTO on vinyl, as well as me-too responses from the rest of Detroit.
Join Muscle Car Campy as he too waxes poetic about a simpler time when you drove cars, rather than cars driving you (as it seems to be today). And if you dig this video, be sure to check out other automotive shorts from Muscle Car Campy.
Cadillac has stood tall among the used cars of the 1970s, according to Consumer Guide. Could Chevrolet also be the recipient of good genes from General Motors? Or did the price gap between the two brands also mean there was a gap in performance and reliability?
It would make sense that Chevrolet’s ratings would be closer to Buick’s, as both brands shared several platforms. But enough speculation for now—let’s take a look at USA-1 and how its cars were viewed by the publication. Please note the CG rating scale of 5 being Excellent and 1 being Poor.
Chevrolet “You probably should be thinking smaller in your car purchase now.”
1976 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
Camaro: “Camaro has one of the best performance and durability records of any car in its class, [but] when contrasted to all car lines … Camaro scores average or even a little below average on repair frequency.” CG rating: 2-3
Chevelle/Malibu: “Pre-1978 Chevelles are very much middle-of-the-road cars in performance, comfort, and economy.” CG rating: 2-3
Malibu (1978-80): “Not as good a buy for the money as the Ford Fairmont … but better than all other American rivals.” CG rating: 4
Chevette: “Okay as a commuter car, but far from the best in class for all-around transportation.” CG rating: 4-5
Citation: “Outstanding domestic small car … but early owner experience suggests problems with both manual and automatic transmissions.” CG rating: N/A
Corvette: “Awful repair history, though few recalls, and wide variations in workmanship.” CG rating: 2-3
Caprice/Impala/Bel Air: “The car is noted for a ride that is as good or better than that of any model in its price range [but] the car has a higher than average frequency-of-repair record.” CG rating: 2
Impala/Caprice (1977-80): “Terrific repair record through 1979, with no black spots.” CG rating: 4-5
Monte Carlo: “Consider a Chevelle instead.” CG rating: 3
Monte Carlo (1978-80): “Monte Carlo for ’78 is certainly the best and least expensive of an impractical bunch.” CG rating: 3-4
Monza: “An overweight compact in search of an engine that fits, the Chevrolet Monza is a car that should have been dropped before it was introduced.” CG rating: 3-4
Nova: “We prefer Dodge Dart/Plymouth Valiant through 1974 … 1975 and later Novas are good economy cars.” CG rating: 1-3
Vega: “From 1976 on, Chevrolet has had better luck with rustproofing and with the aluminum engine.” CG rating: 1-3
Right now on AutoHunter, you can find this customized 1967 Ford Mustang Convertible, which is powered by a 4.6-liter V8 paired with a five-speed manual gearbox. Highlights include an Eleanor-style body kit, power steering, and Baer power disc brakes. Finished in Wimbledon White with Vapor Silver stripes, and equipped with a gray power convertible top over a Dark Charcoal and Dove leather interior, this restomod is now offered by the selling dealer in Missouri with a clear title.
The body was fitted with a Meier Racing Eleanor-style body kit, then refinished in Wimbledon White with Vapor Silver stripes. The lighting has been upgraded with aftermarket headlights and fog lights, as well as Shelby-style sequential taillights. Additional modifications include hood pins, dual hood scoops, a power-operated gray convertible top with a folding plastic rear window, and a custom exhaust system with side pipes integrated into the body work.
Whoever customized this car didn’t leave out the wheels. The previous rollers were swapped out for a set of 17-inch American Racing Torq Thrust wheels with knock-off-style center caps and 235/45 front and 255/45 rear Nitto radials.
If some of the interior looks much newer than 1967, that’s because it is. The Dark Charcoal and Dove leather seats were sourced from a 2007 Ford Mustang California Special. Additional updates include an Ididit steering column with a wood-rimmed steering wheel connected to power steering, a JVC AM/FM/CD/USB radio, and a center console with a B&M short-throw manual shifter.
Even the instrumentation has been modernized. The Auto Meter gauges include a 140-mph GPS speedometer, 10,000-rpm tachometer, and readouts for the oil pressure, water temperature, and fuel level. The digital odometer shows 38 miles, but this Mustang is mileage-exempt, according to its title.
Just like the seats, the engine was taken out of a much more modern Mustang. The 4.6-liter SOHC V8 came from a 2005 Mustang GT and was equipped with a Ford Racing computer, a dual-inlet K&N cold air intake, and an aluminum radiator with dual electric fans. It sends its power to the road through a five-speed manual transmission and an aluminum driveshaft. Adjustable front coilovers and Baer power four-wheel disc brakes with slotted and drilled rotors help this horse get where it’s headed—and avoid the glue factory.
This is an interesting Mustang build, which combines 1960s and movie-inspired styling with power and parts from the S197 Mustang of the 2000s. If you like what you see, place your bid on this modified 1967 Ford Mustang Convertible right now. The auction ends on Monday, November 3, 2025, at 11:30 a.m. (PDT).
Imagine it is 1984. Your high school parking lot is full of lame 1970s cars and a few remnants of a performance past. Then, the rich kid shows up in a Monte Carlo SS, and envy crept it. He even had a nice girl sitting shotgun, but you simply can’t take the car off your mind. It’s made an imprint, yet you never bought the object of your lust. Our Pick of the Day is that very car you never had a chance to own—this 1984 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS is listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a dealership in Sherman, Texas.
People like to complain about the 1980s, but where does that leave people like me—folks who came of age during this decade? I didn’t know any better that new cars were wheezing shells of their former selves, but it made no difference to me because new model years meant styling changes and redesigns. The first glimmer of hope appeared late in the 1983 model year with the L69 305, which was available for the Camaro Z/28.
Chevrolet also introduced a NASCAR homologation special at the same time, but for the mid-size Monte Carlo. Like most famous homologation specials before it (Dodge Charger Daytona and Plymouth Road Runner Superbird), the brand-new Monte Carlo SS was developed to certify aerodynamic modifications for NASCAR. Though General Motors previously had sat out the heyday of NASCAR racing, the 1980s were a different story.
Only available in White or Dark Blue Metallic, with special White and Blue split-bench seats and door trim, the SS also came standard with a L69 305ci V8 (rated at 175 horsepower for the SS) with robust (for the time) 9.5:1 compression, four-barrel carburetor, TH350 three-speed automatic, F41 Sport Suspension, 3.42 performance axle, dual exhaust system, special 15×7 Rally wheels, P215/65-15 GT white-letter Goodyears, gauge package including tachometer, automatic transmission, rear spoiler, special SS stripes, special SS black moldings and grille, and sport mirrors.
Thanks to revised engine calibration, the 305 had a five-horsepower bump to 180 for 1984. An optional 3.73 gear helped make the Monte feel like classic muscle if you squinted and imagined. Standard transmission continued to be a TH350, but a four-speed TH200-4R including overdrive was optional later in the model year. Now there were three colors in the palette, with Silver Metallic being new. Wheels continued to be the same 15×7 Rallys with detail differences. Monte Carlo SS production jumped almost 20,000 units to 24,050 for 1984, its first full model year.
This White 1984 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS features just 36,768 miles on the odometer. The Dark Blue split bench interior means the transmission shifter is on the column. Other features include power steering and front disc brakes (both standard), air conditioning (upgraded to R134a), 215/65R15 tires, power windows, cruise control tilt wheel, rear defroster and, most of all, clean CARFAX. Aftermarket Pioneer AM/FM/CD player isn’t circa 1984, but you must have a Quiet Riot CD, no?
About that rich kid: you never saw him after graduation, but you did get the girl. Now’s your chance to get the car if you shell out $29,950.
Several weeks ago, we showed you a preview of a concept that Mopar has in store for you at SEMA. Mopar Sneak Peek No.2 has appeared—this one a truck—but so has a complete reveal for these Mopar concepts for the November 4-7, 2025 event.
Image courtesy of Stellantis
Originally, I stated the above teaser appears to be a special Ram painted Sublime, which pans out as being true (cue celebration jig). Note the front fender badge, which features a charging ram’s head on a Hemi engine. Other notable features to the sneak peek included a domed hood and a cowboy’s hat hanging from the side mirror. Considering this is Mopar (Stellantis’ genuine parts and authentic accessories) presenting this concept, you can bet this vehicle will have several items within Mopar’s catalog of factory-backed performance parts and accessories. As it turns out, the truck is a lowered Ram 1500 Big Horn decked out with a revival of the Dude trim package from the early 1970s.
Image courtesy of Stellantis
The Dude concept rides on satin black 22-by-10-inch wheels. A custom front splitter and side sills accent the lowered stance, plus side-exit exhausts with black tips dump fumes in front of the rear wheels on both sides. Power comes from a 395-horsepower 5.7-liter Hemi with a Mopar cold-air intake.
Images courtesy of Stellantis
The Stryker Purple sedan is framed as a Moparized Dodge Sixpack Charger Concept, “inspired by heritage and driven by performance” with “a wide array of exterior performance and interior upgrades.” New, custom, five-spoke, 21-by-11-inch Brass Monkey wheels, custom orange Brembo brake calipers on all four corners, and performance suspension spring kit are complemented by Satin Black Mopar strobe-style bodyside graphics.
Image courtesy of Stellantis
Under the scooped carbon-fiber hood lies a 550-horsepower 3.0-liter Twin Turbo Sixpack High Output engine that includes a custom Mopar cold-air intake and cat-back, stainless-steel dual exhaust system.
The SEMA 2025 Mopar display will be in the South Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center, which will also include five Jeep concepts and several other surprises. The ClassicCars.com Journal will be here to bring you all the Mopar goodness and more.
What I’m about to tell you probably won’t come as a surprise: I like watches. Many car enthusiasts have an affinity for timepieces because of their design, mechanical nature, and craftsmanship. This year marks Bulova’s 150th anniversary, which it celebrated by releasing a line of special watches that includes a 1967 GT500-inspired Shelby Racing Chronograph. I was lucky enough to get my hands on one to review.
Bulova knows how to package the Shelby Racing Chronograph in a way that would be instantly recognizable to Shelby enthusiasts: a white box with blue stripes and the Shelby logo. To really drive home (pun intended) the connection between the horological and automotive worlds, Bulova placed the watch alongside a surprisingly detailed 1:24-scale model of the GT500, complete with a painted underbody, finely wrought door handles, and a removable metal antenna.
Photo courtesy of Bulova
I’ve been a watch guy since I was a kid, when I traded marbles for cheap plastic timepieces with kids at the bus stop. As I got older, my tastes grew more sophisticated. I wore a Fossil with a moon phase subdial all through middle and high school, then leveled up to a Seiko chronograph when I was in college. After I graduated and scored my first adult job, I bought a pre-owned automatic Omega Seamaster 300M, the same model worn by Pierce Brosnan in the 1997 James Bond movie “Tomorrow Never Dies” (surprise! I’m also a big 007 fan like my fellow gearhead and Journal contributor, Andy Reid). Several years after acquiring that “grail” watch, I was lucky enough to get a deal on a mid-1990s two-tone Seamaster 120M. Over the past several years, my assortment of watches has grown thanks to my wife, brother, and friends.
Photo courtesy of Bulova
I would consider most of my watches—especially those that I bought myself—relatively understated in terms of size, colors, complications, and decorative flourishes. None of them are as bold as the Shelby Racing Chronograph, which has a 43mm “bullhead” case with the crown and chronograph pushers at the top, four subdials (including one that measures milliseconds), and a blue and white rubber strap. Despite its fundamental differences from my longstanding preferences, the longer the Bulova was on my wrist, the more I liked it. It actually made me reconsider my biases. Yes, it was large and colorful and unusual, but it was also a sport watch, which can pull off bulk and flash in a way that dress watches cannot. The Shelby Racing Chronograph was also different in terms of its Precisionist quartz movement, which Bulova says is eight times more accurate that a regular quartz setup. By the time I shipped the Shelby Racing Chronograph back to Bulova, my perspective on watches had changed. One thing has stayed the same, though: I miss it.
You can learn more about the Bulova Shelby Racing Chronograph in my full video review below. If you want to buy your very own piece from the 7,500-unit production run—or you simply need a holiday gift for a loved one—buy now for $1,350.
Earlier this year, the2026 Nissan Armada Nismo showed the automaker was willing to take its full-size three-row SUV into new territory. Nissan’s upscale sibling brand Infiniti followed suit, showing off the Track Spec and Terrain Spec concept versions of its new QX80 at The Quail during Monterey Car Week. It’s not done showing how versatile the QX80 can be. If you attend the 2025 SEMA Show, you’ll see the Infiniti QX80 R-Spec concept, which has a Nissan GT-R Nismo engine capable of delivering 1,000 horsepower.
Tiago Castro, vice president of Infiniti Americas said, “QX80 R-Spec is extreme, aggressive and a showcase of what INFINITI can do when our engineering and design teams take off all the guardrails. With the QX80 R-Spec build, we challenged ourselves to explore an even more extreme direction for QX80 as we look to a future with high-performance variants that offer a broader breadth of adrenaline-pumping capabilities for our clients.”
The all-new 2025 Infiniti QX80 already has a twin-turbo V6, but it isn’t the 3.8-liter VR38DETT that helped make the R35 Nissan GT-R Nismo into such a rocket. To get up to 1,000 horsepower out of the QX80 R-Spec’s transplanted GT-R engine, Infiniti added ETS exhaust manifolds with Garrett G-series turbos, JE Pistons, a flex-fuel system with 2,600cc injectors, a custom intake with dual front-mounted intercoolers, and other upgrades.
Infiniti combined that colossal output with GT-R-inspired 24 x 12-inch bronze wheels wrapped in 315/35 Yokohama PARADA Spec-X tires, GT-R carbon ceramic brakes, and MCS three-way coilovers with external reservoirs.
Visually, the QX80 R-Spec was inspired by a different GT-R. Designers had the T-Spec Takumi Edition in mind when they designed the body kit, exhaust finishers, diffuser, fog lights, badges, and other parts. The body is covered in a color-shifting wrap – a nod to the Midnight Purple used on the R34 and R35 GT-R models.
If you can’t make it out to SEMA this year to see the Infiniti QX80 R-Spec concept, don’t worry—The ClassicCars.com Journal will be there to bring you coverage of the big show.
Camaros can be confusing to a novice—there’s Super Sport, Rally Sport, Z/28, and even Type LT for some years. How does one sort them all out considering several of the packages could be combined? And what’s the proper way to spell them out? I never have seen a hard rule on this, so let’s observe and see if a standard can be established for the most popular of these Camaro packages, the Super Sport and Rally Sport.
1967 Camaro SS
When the Chevrolet Camaro was introduced in the fall of 1966, there was only a base Camaro. If you wanted a performance version of this vehicle, you opted for the Super Sport, which initially was only available with a proprietary 295-horsepower 350 but soon became available with a L35 396/325 and L78 396/375. These cars featured SS badges on the grille, front fenders, and rear fuel filler cap, plus simulated twin louvers on the hood.
1967 Camaro RS
There also was a trim package called the Rally Sport that included hidden headlights and other quasi-custom features that gave the Camaro a slicker look. These cars featured RS badges on the front fenders, subtle rectangular emblems on grille and fuel filler cap, plus lower body side molding and accents, unique parking lights, taillights, and back-up lights, and other trim.
Note the “. . . with Rally Sport option” caption
A buyer could specify the SS package, the RS package, or both together. However, what’s the proper way to articulate the combination of the two? In 1967-68 literature, Chevrolet articulated it as SS 350 Camaro with Rally Sport option. This is because Super Sport badging always superseded Rally Sport badging.
1969 Camaro SS/RS
In 1969 literature, Chevrolet did not go into the combinations with the same detail, but magazine ads show the combined packages articulated in a similar manner. However, a brochure dedicated to “The Chevrolet Sports Department” shows a Hugger Orange Camaro as “SS/RS.” This makes sense considering SS badging always replaced RS badging.
So, today, why do we see people switching the abbreviations and calling it a “Camaro RS/SS”? Perhaps we should follow Chevrolet’s lead.
Ford built more than two million Mustangs from 1964 through 1970. That is a lot of cars to be sure, but there are Mustangs and then there are rare Mustangs. In 1970 Ford built a very special and extremely rare Mustang Mach 1 called the Twister Special. How rare? How about a total of 96 total cars. Our AutoHunter Spotlight is one of these cars, a 1970 Ford Mustang Mach 1 Twister Special.
Due to the popularity of the Mustang, the Ford Special Promotions Division started to build a number of special-edition Mustangs. Of these special edition cars, there were a number of what they called territorial specials, Mustangs that were built for specific regions of the country. These included among them the California Special, the Colorado market High Country Special, and the North Carolina market Cardinal Edition. In 1969, Ford’s Kansas City district put together one of the last and rarest of these regional specials as a 1970 model and they called it the Twister Special.
The 1970 Mustang received many exterior changes from stock including headlights that were relocated inside the grill opening, a set of non functional air intakes integrated into the outboard part of the front fenders, a new grille with different driving lights for the Mach I, slightly redesigned taillights, twist-style locking pins on the hood, and a Shaker hood scoop with select engine options. All 96 Twister Specials were finished in Grabber Orange with black side stripes and a unique tornado decal on each quarter panel. For the interior the Twister Specials all received the Mach 1 deluxe black interior which included bucket seats, molded door panels, woodgrain trim, center console, and three-spoke Rim Blow steering wheel.
The engines options on the Twister Special were limited to either the 428ci Super Cobra Jet or the 351 Cleveland with a four-barrel carburetor. The engine options were an even split with 48 cars equipped with the 428 Super Cobra Jet and the other 48 with the 351. Additional standard performance features included power steering, power brakes, Competition Suspension, and Traction-Lok differential.
According to the auction listing, this Twister Special is powered by a 351ci V8 mated to a three-speed FMX Cruise-O-Matic automatic transmission. The car is correctly finished in Grabber Orange over a correct Black Clarion Knit/Corinthian vinyl interior. It is offered by the selling dealer with a Deluxe Marti Report and clear title.
The exterior of this Twister Special looks to be very nice condition, with excellent looking paint, completely correct badging and Twister Special decals, all properly located. The car rides on correct 14-inch Magnum 500 wheels clad with 235/60 Cooper Cobra raised white letter radial tires.
The interior also looks absolutely perfect, with correct Black Clarion Knit/Corinthian vinyl upholstery, woodgrain trim, center console, and gauges that includes a 120-mph speedometer, oil pressure, temperature, fuel, and generator. Strangely, a tachometer was never part of the Twister Special package.
Under the hood lies the correct 351-4V. This engine features an 11.0:1 compression ratio, and was rated when new as having 300 horsepower. Everything under the hood not only looks correct but also appears to be in excellent condition.
With a total production of only 96 cars, the Twister Special is more rare than any Shelby or Boss 302, and is quite desirable among Mustang collectors. These cars do not come up for sale very often, and this 1970 Mustang Mach 1 Twister Special represents a rare opportunity to own a very rare Mustang.
If you are interested in owning this crazy rare Mustang you best act fast as the auction for this 1970 Ford Mustang Mach 1 Twister Special ends this Halloween, Friday, October 31, 2025, at 11:45 a.m. (PDT).
There were 10 different colors offered on the Corvette for model year 1972 – the most popular of which was Ontario Orange. One color you aren’t likely to see very frequently is War Bonnet Yellow. The Pick of the Day is a 1972 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray coupe listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in Fulshear, Texas.
“I am the second owner of this Texas car—highly original,” the listing says.
We see a lot of C3 Corvettes around here, what caught my eye the most about this one was that striking color. While initially thought to be custom job, it is in fact a factory shade that Chevrolet named “War Bonnet Yellow” (code 989). The color was only offered for model years 1971 and 1972, and it’s a unique metallic gold-yellow that seems to shift its appearance in different types of lighting. Adding to the exterior appeal of the C3, we find a set of American Racing polished aluminum wheels, color-matched removable T-tops, a luggage rack, and rocker moldings.
By 1972, “Corvette” had become a household word among many Americans, and Chevrolet prided itself in continually raising the bar to keep buyers coming back. One of the magazine advertisements for that year said, “Corvette. Everything you need is standard except the gas.” It then went on to list some of the equipment that was included at the base price ($5,533 for the coupe), such as a 350ci V8, four-wheel disc brakes, a Positraction rear end, full instrumentation, hideaway windshield wipers, and Astro Ventilation.
Under the hood of this vivid machine is a numbers-matching 350ci Turbo-Fire V8 connected to a TH400 three-speed automatic transmission. Aftermarket go-fast goodies include a Holley 625cfm Street Demon carburetor, HEI electronic ignition, an aluminum radiator, and Edelbrock headers. Finally, the chassis and braking system received some enhancements, courtesy of a custom suspension, Wilwood brake calipers, and slotted rotors. Based on the sounds of things, it’s a turn-key driver—ready for cruising and shows.
One interesting tidbit: 1972 was a significant year for the C3 Corvette because it was the last year to feature chrome bumpers. To some enthusiasts, that feature has made 1972 models desirable. Between that and the unique War Bonnet Yellow paint, this Vette has a lot to offer. As an added bonus, the seller is including components to add A/C, as well as the original wheels, tires, and hubcaps.
