Journal Classic Cars

There’s a name I haven’t heard in awhile—One Lap of America, the legal version of the Cannonball Run that also happened to be created by Brock Yates. The idea was to produce a similar race without being thrown in jail for reckless driving. Dodge—you know, the company that had the world’s quickest and most powerful muscle car and continues to make that claim without a Hemi—will be making its first race appearance a specially prepared Charger in the 41^st annual One Lap of America.

By the time you read this, the race will have already started at the Tire Rack corporate headquarters in South Bend, Indiana. Dodge high-performance vehicle dynamics engineer David Carr will be driving a special Dodge Charger Daytona Scat Pack in Alternative Fuel class, accompanied by Dodge Garage contributor Sean Yoder. This white Charger will feature interesting orange graphics on the rear with a hood blackout featuring the Dodge Fratzog. A standard feature on the Scat Pack are huge 16-inch Brembo vented rotors and red six-piston front/four-piston rear fixed calipers. The only modification to this Charger is the roll cage.

“The One Lap of America is a formidable endurance test, one the 670-horsepower Dodge Charger Daytona Scat Pack is uniquely equipped to meet head-on, as the all-new Charger is not only designed and engineered for performance on the street, but also at the track and the strip,” says Dodge CEO Matt McAlear. “The One Lap competition will showcase key Charger Daytona Scat Pack features, such as Track Package performance content and best-in-class cargo space in the ‘hidden hatch’ muscle-car design, providing our race team plenty of room to stretch out and bring along important gear as they spend basically an entire week in the Charger.”

Here’s the schedule of the One Lap:

Saturday, May 3

• Tire Rack Corporate Headquarters, South Bend, Indiana (skid pad)
• Grissom Air Force Base, North Central, Indiana (autocross)

Sunday, May 4

• Gateway Motorsports Park, Madison, Illinois (time trials)

Monday, May 5

• Hedge Hollow Road Course, Adrian, Missouri (time trials)

Tuesday, May 6

• NCM Motorsports Park Road Course, Bowling Green, Kentucky (time trials)

Wednesday, May 7

• Virginia International Raceway, Alton, Virginia (time trials)

Thursday, May 8

• Pittsburgh International Race Complex, Wampum, Pennsylvania (time trials) 
• Quaker City Motorsports Drag Strip, Salem, Ohio (drag race/bracket drag)

Friday, May 9

• Grattan Raceway, Belding, Michigan (time trials) 

Saturday, May 10

• Tire Rack Corporate Headquarters, South Bend, Indiana (skid pad)

If you’d like to follow the Dodge via online race coverage, you can visit DodgeGarage.com. You can also view the YouTube livestream at onelapofamerica.com.

(And let’s hope next year Dodge will run a companion vehicle with Hemi V8 power!)

Last week, I told you what it was like traveling around Palm Beach with some of my Collector Car Network colleagues in a rented 2025 Chevrolet Tahoe. Its 5.3-liter V8 got us where we needed to go, but we could have saved a hell of a lot of commuting time in a 2025 Hennessey H600 Tahoe or Suburban.

Technically, Hennessey could have called the upgrade package H625. By adding a new Magnuson supercharger with an intercooler, a cat-back exhaust, and upgrades to the air induction and crankcase ventilation systems, the Texas company boosted the output of the 6.2-liter V8-powered Tahoe and Suburban to 625 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 633 lb-ft torque at 4,200 rpm (and dyno-tested them to 600 horsepower, as shown in the video below). While those numbers aren’t as high as the Cadillac Escalade-V’s 682 horsepower and 653 lb-ft, they are substantially greater than the stock specs for the Tahoe and Suburban. According to Hennessey, its enhancements boost horsepower by more than 200 and torque by more than a third.

Hennessey also upgrades the hardware responsible for channeling that kind of grunt to the road. It lowers the Tahoe and Suburban 2.5 inches closer to the ground and installs a set of lightweight 24-inch gloss black wheels with Firestone Firehawk Pursuit tires. Up front, the stock brakes are replaced with heavy-duty Brembos with six-piston calipers. Of course, Hennessey makes it clear these aren’t your normal full-size Chevy SUVs by adding a windshield banner, and special exterior and interior badging.

The 2025 Hennessey H600 Tahoe and Suburban will probably be hard to spot on the road because of their supercar levels of power, but don’t worry. There’s a chance you’ll see them on showroom floors because they’re the first GM models available through Hennessey’s authorized Chevrolet dealers in the U.S. But there’s no guarantee: production is limited to 100 units for 2025.

Below you will find four pickup trucks that are currently listed for sale on AutoHunter. Some are stock, some are modified, but all should be readily identifiable. Up to the task?

You can write your answers in the Comments section below. Be sure to give us the year and make, with bonus points if you can identify the model. If you need an assist, just click on any image and you’ll be taken to the actual AutoHunter auction.

Click on a photo to reveal each car

The ClassicCars.com Journal has a new automotive puzzle every Tuesday. Once you’re done with this one, you can test your knowledge with previous games.

I love the first-generation Pontiac Firebird. It’s the combination of what I think is stellar styling, good performance and ease of use – making it, in my opinion, one of the greatest cars the U.S. has ever produced. You could say that the Camaro is the same car, but it is not. I also like the Camaro – but the Firebird was, to me, the pinnacle pony car of all time.

Our AutoHunter Spotlight of the day is one of these awesome cars, a 1968 Pontiac Firebird Sport Coupe located in Somersworth, New Hampshire. The auction will end Monday, May 12, 2025, at 11:00 p.m. PDT.

The seller describes this Firebird as powered by a GM Performance ZZ6 350ci V8 crate engine mated to a four-speed 700R4 automatic transmission. Finished in Hugger Orange over a black vinyl interior, this muscle car is now offered by the seller with service receipts, parts paperwork and a New Hampshire registration.

The exterior of this Firebird looks to be in nice shape, with only a couple of paint chips on the Hugger Orange paint. The body features a cowl induction hood, rear spoiler and louvered quarter-panels. Upgrades include LED headlights and taillights, as well as 15-inch Rev wheels mounted with 225/60 General radial tires.

The interior is nice-looking with a bit of a Restomod feel. It features factory black vinyl bucket seats in correct upholstery, as well as a custom center console with a B&M automatic shifter. The car also features power steering, a three-spoke steering wheel, a column-mounted Sunpro 10,000-rpm tachometer, Sunpro auxiliary gauges for oil pressure, temp and voltage, and the owner has installed a Bluetooth-enabled aftermarket Jensen stereo.

Under the hood, you see a ZZ6 350ci V8 Chevrolet crate engine with 405 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque, which makes this a seriously fast first-gen Firebird. The engine features a Holley four-barrel carburetor mounted to an upgraded intake manifold, with a March Performance serpentine belt system and Patriot headers. Power is delivered to the rear wheels by a four-speed 700R4 automatic transmission.

Under the car is a 10-bolt rear end featuring an Eaton Detroit Truetrac differential with Richmond 3.55 gears, front coilover shocks, and power front disc brakes with drilled and slotted rotors.

This is much more of a Restomod than a stock Firebird, but that only makes it a better and considerable faster car than it ever was new. It looks to be the perfect car for events such as the Hot Rod Power Tour and would be fun to run at a vintage rally like the Copperstate 1000, where I am guessing it would quickly make most of the European cars in attendance distant specks in your rearview mirror.

If you are interested, you might want to log into your AutoHunter account and place a bid, as the auction for this 1968 Pontiac Firebird ends on Monday, May 12, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. (PDT).

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and a photo gallery

Chevrolet made the C3 Corvette for so long (1968-1982) that it can be hard to tell with a quick glance just which model year one of them is, especially if it’s passing you on the highway. But if you become the next owner of our Pick of the Day, a 1982 Chevrolet Corvette Collector Edition posted on ClassicCars.com by a dealer in Florida, it’ll be clear where it falls on the Corvette’s timeline.

There are a few reasons for that. Let’s start with the most obvious: the colors. To mark the end of the third-generation Vette, Chevy covered the 1982 Collector Edition in silver-beige metallic paint with pinstripes and fade-away striping on the hood, fenders, and doors. A pair of bronze-colored glass removable roof panels protected passengers from inclement weather. There’s more silver-beige metallic in the leather interior, with the bucket seats and door panels upholstered in an array of neutral colors.

Then there’s the equipment. The center console houses the shifter for the new-for-1982 four-speed automatic transmission with overdrive. Elsewhere in the cabin of this particular Collector Edition you’ll find power controls for the windows and mirrors, power locks, power driver’s seat, leather-wrapped steering wheel on a tilt and telescoping column, and air conditioning. Fitting luggage in the back is easy thanks to the lift-up glass rear hatch, another new addition to the Corvette.

The 1982 model’s engine stayed the same size as before (5.7 liters), but came equipped with Cross-Fire Injection, which delivered gas through dual throttle-body fuel injectors. Output for the L83 was 200 horsepower at 4,200 rpm and 285 lb-ft of torque at 2,800 revs.

Over the past 43 years, this final-year C3 hasn’t been mothballed or driven into the ground. It’s actually been enjoyed (as all Corvettes should be), but not much: there are only 32,330 miles on it. For $39,997, you can add this 1982 Chevrolet Corvette Collector Edition to your collection of cool cars, then decide how many more miles you’ll put on the odometer.

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

Atomic Age magnificence and the Red Rocker converged at the Barrett-Jackson 2025 Scottsdale Auction! Owned by Sammy Hagar, this 1962 Ford Thunderbird Landau was a new entry for the model year, adding sophisticated formality to the Thunderbird lineup thanks to a standard vinyl top and landau “S-bars” on the C-pillar. Horsepower from the standard 390 V8 was 300, which was more than enough to achieve cruising speeds exceeding 55. This space-age street rocket scored $69,300 for Sammy.

Subscribe to the AutoHunter Cinema YouTube channel for more Interesting Finds!

Currently on AutoHunter is this Shelby-esque 1966 Ford Mustang GT350 replica. This pony car has been transformed into a very nice street car with road-racing aspirations. Originally built as a Mustang hardtop, this vehicle has received a Dynacorn fastback conversion and a 358ci V8 transplant paired with a Toploader four-speed transmission. Finished in PPG Radiance Red with white band-aid and rocker stripes over a black and white “Pony” vinyl interior, this GT350 replica is offered by a private seller in California with restoration receipts and a clear title.

Originally a Mustang hardtop, this vehicle has been transformed into a 2+2 via a Dynacorn fastback conversion kit. The flanks are painted in Radiance Red paint, with overhead white stripes going from nose to tail and matching “GT350” stripes above the rocker panels. Other features include a hood scoop, rear brake scoops, C-pillar louvers, a driver-side mirror, Shelby gas cap, and GT-style exhausts poking out from the rear valence. Fifteen-inch American Racing Torq Thrust mags are wrapped in 205/60 BFGoodrich Radial T/A raised-white-letter tires.

The cabin is furnished with stylish black and white Pony vinyl bucket seats. Other interior features include four-point harnesses, a roll bar (welded to the frame), three-spoke wood-rimmed steering wheel with an Ididit tilt column, Hurst shifter, radio-delete plate, and more.

The instrument panel consists of a set of Intellitronix gauges that include a 160-mph speedometer and gauges for the oil pressure, water temperature, voltage, and fuel level. Auxiliary gauges include an 8,000-rpm tachometer and gauges for the oil pressure, water temperature, and voltage. The odometer currently shows 208 miles; the car’s title indicates it’s mileage-exempt.

The engine, a 358 Windsor V8 bored .040 over, is paired with a Toploader four-speed manual. An Edelbrock four-barrel carburetor sits atop an intake manifold from the same brand. Aluminum heads from Air Flow Research, Hedman shorty headers, and an MSD 6AL ignition box are other modifications to the small-block. The engine bay also features a Monte Carlo bar.

The undercarriage features an eight-inch Traction-Lok differential housing 3.31 gears. Other noteworthy highlights include Scott Drake progressive-rate front springs, Grab-A-Trak rear leaf springs, power front disc brakes, and a dual exhaust system with Turbo mufflers.

This 1966 Ford Mustang GT350 replica has a big bang-for-the-buck quotient that cannot be achieved by a regular Mustang or authentic Shelby. Whether you take it to the next car cruise or through mountain curves, we imagine you will enjoy yourself and that classic small-block burble. Be sure to prepare ahead of time with your bid because the auction ends on Friday, May 9, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. (PDT).

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and a photo gallery

The last several years have been tough for owners of classic cars and trucks. Costs are surging for things like labor and parts while at the same time the average cost for auto insurance has increased 51% over the past 3 years. That is a growth rate six times faster than inflation overall according to The Consumer Price Index (CPI). Adding further strain on collectible vehicle owners is the limited options available when it comes to classic auto insurance. For decades, these owners have been faced with the same old confusing programs and complicated coverage options, not to mention many regularly getting notices of their rates going up even when they have good driving records and haven’t filed a claim. Given these market trends, it’s unsurprising to read reports that today 49% of auto insurance customers are actively shopping for more affordable rates.

Some Good News for Classic & Collectible Vehicle Owners

In all this market turmoil there does seem to be some good news for classic car and truck owners, and word is quickly spreading. Recently the auto enthusiast community has been buzzing about a program being offered by the Dallas-based collector vehicle insurer OpenRoad. Customer testimonials from owners previously covered by standard auto insurers, as well as many previously insured by classic car insurance providers, continue to roll in highlighting significant savings, better coverage, and superior customer service. The collector vehicle insurer has also seen significant interest among insurance agencies and brokerages, registering over 1,000 new partners in the past few months who are keen to have another option for their clients.

OpenRoad’s insurance program not only includes specialized coverages tailored to the unique needs of classic and modern collector vehicle owners, but their pricing models also account for the reduced accident frequency associated with collector vehicles, often resulting in far lower insurance rates. But OpenRoad goes above and beyond on pricing as well, offering additional discounts to car club members as well as customers who transfer their coverage from another classic car insurer.

With so many auto enthusiasts making the switch to OpenRoad, it seems that they have found everything that they have been looking for in a classic auto insurance provider. Just check out these recent customer reviews:

• “Almost half the price (of) your competitors for equal coverage.”
• “Better coverage for less cost than other classic car insurance companies.”
• “Easier to work with than other classic car insurance companies. We didn’t have to jump through hoops to get a policy.”
• “Simple to use, fast to get coverage and very affordable rates! Who wouldn’t recommend such a company!!”
• “Great rates and great service. Highly recommend. We have a lot of car friends!”
• “Pricing was 20% lower than their direct competitor for the exact same coverage on multiple vehicles… These days, when insurance (cost) is outrageous, these people stepped up to the plate … Thank you, Open Road.”

Beyond the significant cost relief, many customers also point to the excellent customer service they received with reviews that include statements such as, “The team went above and beyond to help us,” and, “Overall, the best experience I’ve had setting up insurance.” That’s some high praise for an auto insurance company.

Delivering Superior Customer Service & Specialized Coverage

With OpenRoad, paying less definitely doesn’t mean getting less. In fact, their coverage goes above and beyond what many other programs out there can offer. In addition to getting all the standard coverage you’d expect with an auto insurance policy— think comprehensive, collision, uninsured motorist, and the like — every OpenRoad policy comes with several protections tailored to car collectors. Their agreed value policy guarantees that the insurance payout you’ll receive in the event of a total loss equals the actual worth of your classic car, rather than a depreciated value that most insurance programs use. This guarantees that you’re covered for the true value of your ride, considering the time, effort, and investments you put into your vehicle as well as its condition and rarity.

OpenRoad is also setting a new bar when it comes to coverage for repairs. Under their program you know that if you need to file a claim the repairs will be done right. Not only will repairs be performed with OEM parts specifically tailored to your vehicle, but you’ll also get to choose a repair shop you know and trust, one that specializes in collector vehicles and classic car restorations. This is another differentiator from standard auto insurance programs that often do not guarantee coverage for OEM parts and rarely let you pick a shop outside of their approved body shop network.

OpenRoad also includes a generous emergency roadside cost reimbursement program at no additional cost as well as coverage for the relocation and temporary storage of your ride in the event of major disasters such as hurricanes and wildfires.

Rapidly Expanding Across the U.S.

To keep up with the massive market demand that they’ve seen, OpenRoad has been rolling out its insurance program across the U.S., quickly growing coverage availability to 23. Don’t reside in one of their currently live states? Don’t worry, brand plans to operate in 30 states by the summer of 2025.

Get your quote today and see how much you could save in about 5 minutes.

Many Toyota owners will attest – a 200,000-mile odometer reading is usually just the beginning. Longevity is one of the brand’s strongest suits, and the 4Runner sport-utility has been a popular vehicle for adventure-seekers for several decades. It has a longstanding legacy as a reliable, capable rig. In some magazine advertisements, Toyota called the 4Runner “The Answering Machine for the Call of the Wild.”

The Pick of the Day is a 1996 Toyota 4Runner SR5 4WD listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in Newland, North Carolina. (Click here to view the listing)

“This 4Runner has been carefully maintained by its owner – a mechanical engineer – for over 10 years,” the listing says. Despite the vehicle’s odometer reading of about 244,500 miles, it looks to be in remarkable shape both inside and out. The seller says the paint is original with exception of the hood, which was repainted in 2024.

The 4Runner nameplate has been around for over 40 years. It was first brought to market in 1983 with what Toyota called the “N60 series” three-door compact SUV. In other markets around the world, it was called the Hilux Surf. The 4Runner shared mechanical architecture with Toyota’s pickups of the time, and the same basic formula still holds true today: While most sport-utility vehicles now utilize unibody designs, the newest 4Runner is still built on a truck-style ladder frame (called the TNGA-F global truck platform).

The third-generation 4Runner was introduced in model year 1996 boasting a new design on an all-new chassis when compared to the outgoing model. It offered the highest ground clearance in its class, yet could be optioned with luxurious amenities like leather upholstery on upper trim models. In so doing, it paved the way for many of today’s modern SUVs. This example is an SR5 with tan cloth, but it’s still well-appointed with a power sunroof and other options. The seller has upgraded the factory sound system with a JVC head unit that has modern Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.

About that long-lived engine: Power is sourced from a 3.4-liter V6 mated to a four-speed automatic transmission and a dual-range transfer case. The listing outlines some of the maintenance that has been carried out in the last year or so: Timing belt, water pump, spark plugs, steering rack, front CV axle, lower ball joints, power steering pump, alternator, battery, muffler, tires, charcoal canister, belts and hoses. This 4Runner easily has another quarter-million miles of life left in it with that kind of service history.

“This truck turns heads and draws compliments everywhere it goes. Please reach out if you are serious about wanting to make it yours,” the listing concludes.

The asking price is $14,995.

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

Dad was working in Stamford, Connecticut when I moved to New York City for a new job in the summer of 2004. Visiting him was easy because the Metro-North Railroad made it a direct hour-long ride. During one of those visits, I spied what was possibly an “FK5” Deep Burnt Orange Metallic Plymouth B-body two-door coupe in a fenced-in lot. The taillights told me it likely was not a Road Runner, so the body-colored B-pillar meant there was a good chance it was a Belvedere. I wondered to myself, “What if it’s a 383 car?” Not only was the idea (and irony) of a Q-ship Belvedere equipped as a Road Runner just my style, but I also was well aware 383 Belvederes were as rare as any car out there (for some reason, my little “White Book” by Galen Govier doesn’t have production figures listed, but only 13 of the similar Dodge Coronet Deluxe coupe with the 383-4 were built for the U.S. market).

Fast-forward to 2009. I have been living in Connecticut—15 minutes north of Stamford—to be closer to a job that I no longer had, yet commuting back to NYC for my new job. On one January morning, I missed my usual Metro-North express train and was forced to take the next, local one. In between my feeble attempts at finishing office work and getting some shuteye, I noticed the very same Belvedere in the very same spot from five years before. I made a mental note of the Woodlawn stop and closed my eyes.

When tax time came around a few months later, I solicited the services of an accountant in the New York City borough of the Bronx. Looking at a map for driving directions told me he was by the Woodlawn stop. After my consultation, I hunted for the train stop to use it as a reference point. I knew the Plymouth was due north from the stop, so I hopped onto the Bronx River Parkway for the first time and drove one or two exits up to Mt. Vernon, which is on the cusp where Westchester County begins. Backtracking along the train’s route immediately led me to an industrial area that wasn’t open to traffic. I turned around and tried to find a street that was more traffic-friendly and closer to the tracks. With a bunch of one-way streets that often led me astray or in circles, I honed my approach till it led me back to the industrial area.

This time, I drove all the way to the back to find a fenced lot with a sign that proclaimed NO TRESPASSING and some other mumbo-jumbo. I had a hunch this is where the Plymouth was sitting, so I inconspicuously parked beside in another lot. Approaching a man in a car in the off-limits lot, I asked if there was a porter I could speak with. He replied in the negative, somewhat confused, so I proceeded to tell him my story (as random as it sounds to anyone who’s not a car guy or gal) and what I was looking for. He mentioned this place was a police lot so I couldn’t look around, but he thought he may know about this bronze Plymouth and who owned it. He suggested I talk with the cops in the nondescript building that I apparently had passed earlier.

The two policemen at the front desk were soon subjected to this strange story of a car seen from the train and trying to track it down. As luck would have it, one of the officers was a car guy and understood where I was coming from, so he escorted me to the lot. There, among the late-model vehicles was a forlorn Plymouth whose image had been pinned to my brain all these years. Indeed, it was a 1970 Belvedere coupe, one of 4,717 built. Dual exhausts poking under the rear bumper made my 383 dreams look promising as I rushed to the windshield to check for that all-important “N” in the fifth character of the VIN, only to find it was obscured. Undaunted, I opened the door and uncovered the VIN. A G-code—damn! That meant this Mopar was originally equipped with a pedestrian 318. Meanwhile, the cop was chatting me up about his old rides, a 1970 Cyclone Spoiler and Camaros among them. Opening the hood of the Belvedere and analyzing the data plate revealed it had originally been painted “FT6” Burnt Tan Metallic with a black vinyl top. As it sat, this old Plymouth was junk that had suffered from “Street Cruiser Syndrome” at some moment in its past and had been relegated to the indignity that many idle vehicles have suffered over the years.

Discovering this Belvedere was not the diamond in the rough that I had hoped may appear like an underwhelming conclusion but, after five years of imagining this car as my entry into the Mopar ranks, it was the thrill of the chase that made it far from a disappointment.