Journal Classic Cars

For a one-of-a-kind driving experience, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a hot rod like this: Featured on AutoHunter is this 1933 Willys 5-Window Custom Coupe. The car is being sold by a private party in Blairsville, Pennsylvania, and the auction will end Monday, September 15, 2025, at 11:30 a.m. (PDT).

The Willys 77 was an important car for its time, since it was introduced during the height of the Great Depression and was among the least-expensive new cars in the American market. When compared to its competitors, it was relatively compact and fuel-efficient; the standard-issue four-cylinder engine was hardly performance-oriented, as it was rated only about 48 horsepower.

Thankfully, decades later, someone with a big vision gave a restomod version of the Willys coupe some high-power DNA courtesy of a 377ci V8 that puts down a dyno-tested 600 horsepower. The car’s spec sheet also includes dual Holley 600cfm four-barrel carburetors, Crane hydraulic roller cams, Speed Pro pistons, and a Ron Francis wiring harness. Power is transferred to the pavement via a Turbo Hydra-matic 400 four-speed automatic transmission. No wonder there are a parachute and a wheelie bar attached to the rear end—this machine is race-ready.

The Custom Coupe’s curb appeal is as striking as its powertrain. The body itself is a composite unit from Sheffler Enterprises. The entire front clip can be removed, and exterior features include 15-inch Center Line aluminum wheels, side-exit exhaust pipes, and tubular chrome bumpers. The gallery in the listing shows several pages from a photo album that chronicle the car’s evolution in various stages of its restoration.

The car’s interior could best be described as “plush,” complete with cloth upholstery, padded door panels, and even a matching padded dashboard. Features include Stewart-Warner gauges, a wood-rimmed steering wheel, a T-handle shifter, and (of course!) a pair of obligatory fuzzy dice hanging from the rearview mirror.

I think what most impressed me about this Willys is that it’s been turning heads for so long. According to the listing, it was featured in Street Rodder Magazine in 1983. I bet the original builders didn’t anticipate it would still be going strong and looking fresh over four decades later. Hopefully the car’s next owner will continue to preserve and enjoy it for generations to come. He or she better also remember to activate the parachute after dipping into the go-fast pedal.

The auction for this 1933 Willys 5-Window Custom Coupe ends Monday, September 15, 2025, at 11:30 a.m. (PDT).

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and a photo gallery

The world of trucks can be confusing to those who know nothing about them. What’s a quarter-ton? What model number corresponds to each classification? Does this hold true across brands? Our Pick of the Day is a primo, low-mileage workhorse that we’ll use to explain the complicated world of trucks. This 1989 Chevrolet K3500 one-ton dump truck is listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in Fenton, Missouri.

If I were to ask ChatGPT, “How are truck ton ratings classified?”, I would be told that this is an outdated measure of payload capacity that has nothing to do with the amount of weight a truck can carry. Considering you can always count on human beings to be irrational, this should come as no surprise.

In the past, classifications like ½-ton, ¾-ton, and one-ton were measurements of how much payload a truck could carry: 1,000 pounds 1,500 pounds, and 2,000 pounds, respectively. Today, it’s a little different. A ½-ton is your basic light-duty truck like a Ford F-150 or Chevrolet Silverado 1500, though you’ll notice the numbers don’t correspond to half a ton. Move up into a heavy-duty truck and you’ll be shopping for a Ford F-250 Super Duty or Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD. Need something more capable still? The F-350 Super Duty and Silverado 3500 HD will fit the bill.

Since the payload isn’t necessarily represented by the naming structure, this is what you have to do: Find the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR), which is the total weight the truck is capable of handling (including its own weight) and subtract the weight of the truck while empty. GVWR is dependent on many factors, so there is no blanket manner for attributing a particular rating. A decal in the driver-side door jamb is the easy way to determine GVWR. For example, a truck with a 12,400 GVWR rating may have a curb weight of 7,000 pounds, so that means its payload is 5,400 pounds.

Yes, it would be logical to infer that an F-150 or a Silverado 1500 is a ¾-ton truck, but that’s simply not the case today. Curses, you truck manufacturers! When and why did the industry change from one manner to the other? In 2008, for the purpose of standardizing measuring methods across manufacturers . . . yet it doesn’t seem simpler to me.

This 1989 Chevrolet K3500 one-ton dump truck doesn’t use the old manner because 3500 does not equal one ton. Confused? You’re not the only one, but let’s not get distracted—I want to tell you about this vehicle because you will want to be the next owner. The K means it has four-wheel drive (a “C” would indicate two-wheel drive through the rear wheels), so it has some extra capability. Check out the odometer and you’ll see this truck has only 11,877 miles on it, which means there’s plenty of life left in the ol’ rig. A 230-horsepower 454 with electronic fuel injection, backed by a four-speed manual, powers this behemoth. Options on this garage-kept dump truck include air conditioning, power steering with a tilt steering wheel, power brakes, AM/FM/cassette, gauge package, dual fuel tanks, overload springs, and a Heil dump bed. Additionally, Zeibart rustproofing was applied when new.

This is a truck that means business. If your hauling needs mean a bed that tilts is a requirement, then this is the best of both worlds: a new retro vehicle. If your needs are something else, then put your thinking cap on because you need to figure out how to take this $38,000 (OBO) Bow Tie home.

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

The longer you live, the more you see things repeat themselves. What was once old becomes new again. It’s the same in the automotive world. Companies bring back long-dead nameplates (sometimes in a different body style, aka the last-generation Dodge Charger) or pay homage to a decades-old icon with a current model (*cough* Bugatti Centodieci! *cough*). I recently learned from the video below that Chevrolet gave some of its trucks a full-float rear axle for the 1936 model year—a design which Jeep made standard on the Wrangler Rubicon starting in 2024.

As part of a long list of upgrades to its 1936 trucks, which included higher compression, better engine cooling, and improved fuel economy, Chevy equipped its one- and 1.5-ton models with a full-float rear end consisting of axle shafts within a robust outer assembly. As the video explains, “All these axle shafts have to do is turn the wheels. They do not bear the weight of the load as it is borne by this husky axle housing.” If an axle shaft did break, the driver could swap it out for a new one without having to take off the associated wheel.

The Wrangler Rubicon received a similar upgrade last year. Granted, the Dana 44 rear axle benefits from nearly 90 years of technological advancements, but the basic benefits are the same. The full-float setup “consists of a wheel hub assembly that is separate from the axle shaft, with a spindle bolted to the axle tube that supports the wheel hub via a pair of wheel bearings,” according to Stellantis. Not only can a full-float design potentially tow more weight, but in worst-case scenarios, it also allows broken axle shafts to be replaced without the entire rear axle assembly being pulled off—a great thing when you’re hours away from your local off-road shop (just remember to bring tools and a spare shaft or two).

Within the next few weeks, we’ll bring you our written and video reviews of the 2025 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392, which not only has a full-float rear axle but also a 470-horsepower 6.4-liter Hemi V8 as well. It’ll be the first in what should be a long line of Jeep reviews on The ClassicCars.com Journal. Perhaps in the near future we can show you what to expect from the 2025 Jeep Wagoneer Super, Jeep’s modern version of the Super Wagoneer from the 1960s.

During Monterey Car Week, Collector Car Network Media met with Shelby American’s Gary Patterson and Vince LaViolette in front of the all-new 2026 Shelby Super Snake-R, the most aggressive Super Snake ever built. With over 850 horsepower from a Whipple-supercharged 5.0-liter V8, lightweight magnesium wheels, a widebody design, an array of lightweight carbon fiber components, and a track-focused suspension, this limited-edition machine is part of the next generation of Shelby performance. In our interview, Patterson and LaViolette share their insight on the engineering, design, and vision behind this car, giving you an exclusive look at what makes the Super Snake-R so special.

This video is sponsored by our friends at Borro. For the trusted source in liquidity when you need it most, call Borro today at (720) 458-6788 or learn more at borro.com.

Subscribe to the CCN Media YouTube channel for more Monterey Car Week 2025 content.

Right now on AutoHunter, you can find this 9,042-mile 2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 3ZR coupe, which is equipped with the ZTK Track Performance Package. It’s powered by an LT5 supercharged 6.2-liter V8 paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Finished in Shadow Gray Metallic over a Jet Black Napa leather and microfiber interior, this one-year-only ZR1 is now offered by the selling dealer in Braintree, Massachusetts with owner’s manuals, a clean CARFAX report, and a clear title.

To end the C7 generation of the Corvette on a high note, Chevrolet released a new ZR1 for 2019, which packed even more power than the Z06 plus added enhanced cooling, and aggressive aerodynamics and styling. At the time, Chevrolet called it “the fastest, more powerful production Corvette ever.” This Shadow Gray Metallic ZR1 was optioned with the ZTK Track Performance Package, which adds ZR1-specific front splitter end caps and an adjustable high-wing rear spoiler, as well as the suspension upgrades (covered below). Other exterior features include carbon fiber trim, Xenon high-intensity discharge headlights, body-color carbon fiber hood with removable exposed carbon fiber insert, power mirrors, removable carbon fiber roof panel, and four center-mounted exhaust outlets.

A set of 19 x 10.5-inch front/20 x 12-inch rear 10-spoke aluminum wheels with 285/30 and 335/25 Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires, respectively, keeps a grip on both roads and tracks.

Inside the cockpit, the heated and ventilated, power-adjustable Competition Sport seats are covered in Jet Black Napa leather with microfiber inserts and Blue stitching. The sueded microfiber and carbon fiber steering wheel coordinates with the Sueded Microfibre-Wrapped Upper Interior Trim Package. In addition, this Corvette has power everything, carbon fiber trim, a head-up display, cruise control, an infotainment system with navigation and an eight-inch touchscreen, a 10-speaker Bose Centerpoint Surround Sound system, and dual-zone automatic climate control.

Instrumentation consists of a 220-mph speedometer, 7,500-rpm tachometer, multi-information display, and gauges for the oil pressure, oil temperature, fuel level, and boost pressure. The digital odometer shows 9,042 miles, which is slightly above the most recent figure of 8,800 miles logged on the CARFAX report in August 2024.

The ZR1’s LT5 6.2-liter V8 eclipsed the Z06’s potent engine by cranking out 755 horsepower and 715 lb-ft of torque with the help of an Eaton TVS R2650 supercharger and an air-to-liquid intercooler. It channels that pavement-rippling grunt through an eight-speed automatic with paddle shifters. That output and transmission, coupled with the ZTK Track Performance Package, make this ZR1 capable of blasting to 60 mph in 2.85 seconds, flashing through the quarter-mile in 10.6 seconds, and pulling up to 1.2g on a skid pad.

Another part of the ZTK Track Performance Package is the ZR1 Performance Ride and Handling suspension with Magnetic Selective Ride Control. Combined with the Brembo carbon ceramic braking system, it keeps this end-of-an-era Vette on the road—and out of the salvage yard.

If you want to own a significant piece of Corvette history, bid now on this 2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1. But move fast (just like it does) because the auction ends on Monday, September 15, 2025, at 11:45 a.m. (PDT).

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and a photo gallery

My Pick of the Day is a 1995 Ferrari 456 available on ClassicCars.com located at a dealer in Southampton, New York.

There is something that is just magic about a Ferrari. The ring history, the performance, the engines, and the styling over the years have built these cars into the legends they are today. The problem is that Ferraris are also quite expensive, especially the 12-cylinder models, with prices for almost every desirable model in excess of $100,000, putting them out of the affordability category for many people.

There is an exception, though: a V12-powered Ferrari road car, which offers strong performance, classic Italian styling, and a great view from behind the steering wheel. It’s also an engaging car to drive when it has a 6-speed manual and only the most basic driver’s aids. That car is the Ferrari 456.

The best way to think of the 456 is as a 2+2 version of the 550 Maranello, with more interior room than the 550 and an optional gated 6-speed manual gearbox, an F116B V12 with 436hp and 406 lb-ft of torque under the hood, and pop-up headlights (the last Ferrari with this feature).

This 456 is finished in Canna Di Fucile (Gunmetal Gray) over a natural-colored leather interior. It importantly is equipped with that 6-speed manual transmission and – possibly more importantly – includes its service history, all original books, a complete tool kit, and has covered 56,156 miles from new. The seller points out that this 456 had its last service in 2023 at Ferrari of Seattle, which included refreshed suspension bushings as part of the $14,000 in work done. 

Yes, you can buy an automatic-equipped 456 for around 20 percent less than this manual-equipped car, but while it is a better deal, it lacks that extra-special driver-involved detail of putting a 6-speed gated shifter through its paces.

Both the interior and exterior of this 456 appear to be in excellent condition, and the color combination is terrific to me. The fact it includes service history and all books and tools makes this car that much more attractive as a buy.

I have driven a few of these cars over the years, and the 456 is the very essence of all that makes a Ferrari GT so desirable. It has a modern air-conditioning system, and the seats are quite comfortable. It is also quite fast, with period tests recording 0-60 times of a still-respectable 4.8 seconds and a top speed of a very fast 192 mph. The car delivers this performance with ease, able to loaf at 75 mph all day long on an interstate and then instantly react when you hit the throttle in sixth gear, quickly doubling the speed limit. The ride is firm yet comfortable, and the car not only cruises nicely but also handles well when the road gets curvy. You also get the sound of that V12 under the hood the minute the revs rise, which in itself is very addicting.

Owning a Ferrari is a lifetime goal for many people. Most settle for a V8-powered mid-engined car, which is amazing in its own right – but a front-engine V12 Ferrari GT is something extra-special. It is a car that I guarantee will get noticed, whether you are in traffic or parked in a garage. It also likely has similar service costs to a V8-equipped car despite the extra cylinders, because the engine is front-mounted and easily accessible.

Now for the best part. Because the Ferrari audience has largely ignored the 456 for years, you can buy this 1995 Ferrari 456 for only $89,995, which is cheaper than many modern manual-equipped V8-powered Ferraris. If there is a bargain on a V12 Ferrari GT car, this 456 is it.

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

You may know Lamborghini has its origins in tractors, which led to automobiles after Ferruccio Lamborghini’s unsatisfactory experience with Ferrari (Enzo and his car company). Next in Lamborghini‘s brand evolution is the seascooter.

I never knew this water sled existed, but now I want one. Built by Cayago, this German creation is properly referred to as a Seabob. Using a patented electric Jetstream propulsion system, the Seabob allows you to glide on the surface of the water or dive to depths of 130 feet.

Two control grips give you command of engine power, thrust, and deceleration. An instrument panel fills you in on speed, depth, water temperature, and battery charge. To steer, merely shift your body weight, as the Seabob’s weight of 50-57 pounds allows for agile moves—just like the fishies! And marine life will barely notice your mug because the electric motor minimizes disturbance. That sounds perfect for underwater photographers and marine watchers, if not scuba divers wanting to conserve air and explore for longer periods.

Seabob has just announced the Seabob for Automobili Lamborghini, a collaboration that has created the most stylish, futuristic model yet. Clearly model SE63 has the Lamborghini DNA baked in. This watercraft is claimed to be a step up from previous Seabobs with an “innovative drive system with explosive power delivery” thanks to “newly-developed motor architecture, groundbreaking battery technology, and premium materials.” And the available colors? Arancio Egon, Verde Gea, Grigio Lynx, Verde Selvans, Giallo, and Bianco Siderale.

It is often said that if you have to ask, you probably cannot afford it. The current Cayago Seabob F9 lists for over $10,000, and there’s no reason to expect the new Seabob SE63 for Automobili Lamborghini will be any less. Feel deflated? Please don’t—you probably can’t afford a Lamborghini Revuelto either.

The 1960s was full of distinct hoods for sporty cars. Chevrolet never got into ram air the way other manufacturers did, but its sporty cars certainly wore bonnets that were inspired by the sporting side of automobiles.

Below, we have four hoods from Chevrolet Super Sports. All of them are on cars listed for sale on AutoHunter or ClassicCars.com. Can you tell us the year and model of each? Post your answers in the Comments section below. If you need a hint, simply click on an image.

Click on a photo to reveal each car

Every Tuesday, The ClassicCars.com Journal posts an automotive puzzle. You can also play past games once you finish this one.

My AutoHunter Spotlight for today is a 1987 BMW 325i convertible offered at auction by a seller in Miami. The auction ends Monday, September 15, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. (PDT).

The BMW’s 3 Series is what built the company into what it is today. The original 3 Series was an immediate success in the U.S. and became a symbol of success for those climbing the career ladder. They were marketed as “The Ultimate Driving Machine” and delivered on that promise even more with the second-generation 3 Series. It took the original idea and bettered it, creating not only the standard two-door coupe, but also a sedan version, a performance version with the M3, and a convertible version. This was BMW’s first full convertible since the very rare 02 Series. BMW called the 325i convertible “The Ultimate Tanning Machine” in their advertisements and sold thousands of the cars.

I can still remember the first time I drove a 325i convertible. It was 1987 and a friend in college had one. Not only was it a great-handling and fun car to drive, but it was also the first sporty convertible of any kind I had driven that felt civilized, with low wind noise and buffeting. You could have a conversation without shouting and could hear the stereo at normal volume levels. The car felt special and at the time I thought it was simply the best convertible ever built. I still feel the same. In fact, I drove another about four months ago just to see if I remembered the car as being better than it really was. Nope—these are amazing cars and, for whatever reason, are also among the more affordable E30 3 Series cars out there.

The seller describes this 325i convertible as being powered by its original 2.5-liter inline-six that is backed by a five-speed manual transmission. Finished in BMW Bronzit Beige Metallic with a tan convertible top over a gray/tan vinyl interior, this 3 Series convertible is offered by a dealer with a clean CARFAX report and clear title.

I think this car likely has its original paint; I see enough small flaws to indicate it is just a well-cared-for 325i convertible. The owner states that the car has only 74,663 original miles and, looking at the photos, I think this is the case. To me, it looks like an extremely nice example of a first-year 325i convertible. It also still wears its correct BMW factory alloy wheels, which look great.

The interior and top are also in excellent shape, as is the vinyl on the seats. I saw no dash cracks in any of the accompanying photos; everything looks exactly as it should. The shift knob has been replaced with a BMW M example, but this is a period modification that fits the car. It does have an aftermarket Bluetooth-compatible stereo, which is likely better than the radio that came with the car from the factory.

Under the hood is the 2.5-liter M20B25 BMW inline six-cylinder engine. The entire engine compartment looks incredibly clean and original as well. The seller states that this 325i received a recent tune-up, which included replacement of the timing belt.

If I were in the market for a cool German convertible collector car with a fun driving experience, reliability, classic 1980s looks, and the benefit of a five-speed manual gearbox, I would look no further than this 1987 325i convertible. In fact, if you see my name on a bid or two for this car, don’t be surprised, because I have been looking for an excellent example of one of these cars for a while. This means act fast, as the auction for this 1987 BMW 325i convertible ends Monday, September 15, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. (PDT). Buying this car would be a great way to celebrate this year’s 50th anniversary of the BMW 3 Series.

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and a photo gallery

The Jeep CJ was a go-anywhere, do-anything vehicle. But despite its strong off-road chops, one of its most unique attributes was actually its interior, which was developed as a collaboration with a well-known fashion brand. The Pick of the Day is a low-mileage 1979 Jeep CJ-7 Renegade listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in Thompsons Station, Tennessee.

Finished in “Russet Metallic,” this retro Jeep has been enthusiast-owned, and it shows. Its exterior evokes a palette of “harvest” themed colors – an appropriate motif for the upcoming fall season. The seller says the paint is original with exception of the rocker panels and the removable hardtop, which have both been redone. The Renegade package added bold graphics that gave it an unmistakable 1970s flair.

Building on the longstanding CJ (or Civilian Jeep) platform, which had been around since 1945, the CJ-7 variant came out in 1976 on a wheelbase that was 10 inches longer than its predecessor. It had a versatile design with available Dana axles, a removable hardtop, and a variety of engine and transmission offerings. Across 11 years of production for the CJ-7, there were 379,299 units assembled.

Over the years, there have many lots of partnerships between auto manufacturers and clothing companies. Consider the Eddie Bauer Ford Bronco. Jeep took a similar approach by collaborating with Levi’s beginning in 1975 and lasting until 1986. The Levi’s interior came standard on Renegade trim vehicles and could be ordered in denim or in tan (as seen here). The seller says that the upholstery has been replaced, but it still retains the characteristic copper rivets, signature stitching, and original color.

Power comes from a 304ci AMC V8 mated to a three-speed automatic transmission and a dual-range transfer case. The seller says the carburetor is new and the Jeep is “ready to go.” The five-digit odometer shows 79,699 miles.

Today the CJ-7 holds a strong enthusiast base with people who share off-road adventures, restoration tips, and modification ideas. The Renegade CJ-7 with a Levi’s interior is a tribute to two brands that are both ingrained in American culture. It would make a perfect conversation piece at any car show – or fashion show, for that matter.

The asking price is $32,500 or best offer.

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