Journal Classic Cars

The current car dealer–markup flavor-of-the-week is the 2026 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1. It’s absolutely a bummer when you’ve waited for the latest and greatest, only for the dealership to ignore the manufacturer’s MSRP and take advantage of demand. However, instead of paying a six-figure markup, you can acquire this vehicle for as little as $45 from Gas Monkey Garage.

That’s $45 for the whole car, not a markup above MSRP. Wait…what? Sign me up!

Here’s the skinny on this giveaway, which has several levels of tickets that you can buy:

• The Value Easy Entry Pack gives you 4,500 entries for $50, plus you will receive five exclusive Gas Monkey Garage digital wallpapers for your desktop or mobile device.
• Move up to Bronze and you’ll receive 7,500 entries for $75, plus eight digital wallpapers.
• Feeling lucky? Try your hand at Silver for 10,000 entries for $100. If you’re a digital wallpaper fan, you’ll be delighted by the 10 coming your way.
• To increase your chances of winning even more, there’s the Gold Easy Entry Pack for $200. As you may have guessed, you’ll receive 20,000 tickets and 20 exclusive digital wallpapers.
• If you’re a fan of the game Pitfall!, you know that platinum ranks higher than gold. In this sweepstakes, Platinum will net you 30,000 entries for $300, plus 30 digital wallpapers.
• The top Easy Entry Pack is Diamond. That will set you back $500, but that’s still way cheaper than a dealer markup. Of course, 50,000 entries and 50 digital wallpapers are part of the package.

“This car is practically unattainable and is by far the biggest and coolest giveaway we’ve ever done here at Gas Monkey,” says Gas Monkey’s Richard Rawlings. “Somebody is going to have a very happy holiday cruising into the New Year in this ride.”

A random drawing will be held on or around December 11, 2025, in which one grand prize winner will receive $100,000 (though, despite what we said above, you can use it any way your heart desires). Another random drawing will be held on or about December 22, 2025, just in time for Christmas, with the grand prize being a brand-new, triple-black 2026 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 3LZ. Chevrolet claims a 233-mph top speed from the 1,064-horsepower twin-turbo 5.5-liter small-block V8. If you’re not a fan of black, you will be able to select a complimentary full exterior vinyl wrap in the color of your choice.

Visit Gas Monkey Garage to enter the sweepstakes and get a chance to take home the 2026 Corvette ZR1 for a cut-rate price or an opportunity to win the $100,000 prize. For sweepstakes rules, go here.

At the 2025 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, we spotted a car that’s a significant part of Chrysler and Pebble Beach history. This one-off 1932 CH Imperial Speedster, one of the vehicles in the Chrysler Centennial display, was made for a member of the Chrysler family. It features sporty custom bodywork and several experimental components, such as a high-compression head for the 384.8ci straight-8 engine and an automatic stall restart feature. Sam and Emily Mann purchased this bespoke beauty in the late 1980s. After it was restored, the Manns entered it in the 1991 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, where it won Best of Show—and started the Manns’ dynasty of victory at the prestigious event. Join us as we take a closer look at this unique and historically important machine.

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.

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The Corvette has been the only true U.S.-built sports car since its introduction in 1953. Over the years it has competed with some of the best cars in the world, often offering stronger performance for less money and less hassle than any other cars in the world. One of the coolest quotes about one of the Corvette’s most popular models, the 400-horsepower ZR-1, was in the owner’s manual for the car. GM wrote, “The reason we built the ZR-1 is because we can.” Today’s AutoHunter Spotlight is one of these legendary cars, a 1990 Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1. It is being sold by a dealer in Lynnwood, Washington, and the auction ends on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, at 12:15 p.m. (MST).

The ZR-1 was a legend from the start. With its Lotus-designed 5.7-liter, four-cam, 32-valve aluminum V8, the ZR-1 was both the quickest and the fastest car you could buy in 1990. It had a 0-60 time of 4.5 seconds, covered the quarter-mile in 12.8 seconds, had a top speed of 180 mph (though most tests only saw 175), and had a handling skid pad number of .89gs. It was faster around a racetrack than a 1990 Porsche 911 Turbo by 2 seconds and was the King of the Hill of sports cars for the era.

This ZR-1 is said to be painted in its original red paint with a red leather interior. It is powered by its original LT5 5.7-liter V8 that transfers power to the rear wheels via its six-speed ZF manual transmission and is offered by the selling dealer with an AutoCheck report and clear title.

The exterior of this Corvette ZR-1 is in absolutely immaculate original condition. This is likely due to the fact it has covered a total of only 9,457 miles from new. The red paint looks to be perfect – not surprising, as it has been stored in a climate-controlled garage since the car was new. The only change from stock is the addition of a set of 17-inch Boyd Coddington wheels clad in correct staggered width Goodyear Eagle tires (275/40 fronts and 315/35 rears).

The interior is more of the same. The red leather sports seats look to be in exceptional condition, and the rest of the interior components are just as perfect. If you are looking for a collector-grade C4 ZR-1, this car qualifies.

Under the super-cool forward-tilting clamshell hood is that stunning LT5 5.7-liter V8 engine. Like the rest of the car, everything looks absolutely perfect, with no modifications whatsoever. Notice the slant to the radiator in the photos. The reason it is slanted is an interesting story. The engineers at GM did this to give the car a smaller front area, making it more difficult for police radar to get a lock on the car. This actually worked and gave drivers of the C4 ZR-1 an edge, as the car was not detected by police radar until it was some 1,500 feet away.

This two-owner 1990 Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1 is ready for shows and – more importantly – any driving adventure you would like to take. It is a true collector-grade example and would likely clean up at Bloomington Gold and Carlisle Corvette Nationals. It is available just in time for Christmas: The auction ends on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, at 12:15 p.m. (MST).

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and a photo gallery

What’s the first thing you think of when you hear the words Jeep Wagoneer? There’s a good chance you envision faux-wood side panels because those have become synonymous with the classic versions of the full-size SUVs. But Brooks Stevens’ design for the Wagoneer was so handsome that it looks great without that embellishment, as our Pick of the Day shows. You can find this 1968 Jeep Wagoneer listed on ClassicCars.com by a dealership in Bellevue, Washington, which will throw in an original brochure and restoration photos and receipts as part of the sale.

There’s an attractive purity to a “wood”-free Wagoneer—and that’s coming from someone who has a 1989 Grand Wagoneer on his long list of dream vehicles. I think of it in terms of the Lamborghini Countach and the C3 Chevrolet Corvette: like those, the early Wagoneers had a nice simplicity to them, but the later ones with the visual add-ons are lookers, too. The truth is, there’s no such thing as an ugly SJ Wagoneer/Grand Wagoneer.

The one you see here is certainly proof of that. According to the selling dealer, it received a body-off restoration by the experts at The Jeep Farm in Phoenix. Red isn’t normally a color I associate with Jeeps, especially Wagoneers, but this shade is just right.

And then there’s everything else: the angled “razor” grille between the round headlights, peaked hood scoop, ribbed roof, and wrap-around taillights (a distinctive, jewel-like feature that I wish the 1984-1991 Grand Wagoneers kept). The white wheels have an old-school look and provide the right amount of contrast to all the red above them; BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A tires supply grip so this Wagoneer can do Jeep things.

The interior was also overhauled and fitted with fresh black vinyl upholstery with black and white houndstooth cloth inserts. The addition of the newer axles brought along power steering as a bonus. Although the radio looks retro, it’s equipped with USB and Bluetooth connectivity.

While The Jeep Farm had this Wagoneer disassembled, it took the liberty of fitting it with useful upgrades. Underneath, it swapped out the axles for those from an ’82 Wagoneer. All four corners are now equipped with disc brakes.

According to the selling dealer, the 350ci Buick V8 is numbers-matching. The “Dauntless” engine benefited from a mechanical refresh and a Howell electronic fuel injection system “with an engine control module that makes the car run smoother while improving power and efficiency.” Power reaches the road and trails below through a rebuilt Turbo Hydra-Matic three-speed, two-speed transfer case, and rebuilt differential (which the dealer’s website listing implies is the front unit).

Visually, there’s no way to go wrong with a classic Jeep Wagoneer. All you need to figure out is which look is more your style: all paint or paint and “wood.” If you prefer the former (and like helpful modern touches), this 1968 Jeep Wagoneer can be yours for $85,950.

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

When you buy an ultra-luxury vehicle these days, you can configure just about everything to your liking. Want the paint to match the color of the dress your now-wife was wearing when you two went on your first date? Rolls-Royce Bespoke can make that happen—for a price. Must you absolutely have leather HVAC vent surrounds and slats in your 911 Turbo S? Leave it—and $1,620—to Porsche’s Exclusive Manufaktur division. Now, the high-tech artisans in Bentley’s Mulliner coachbuilding workshop are offering clients custom animated welcome lamps.

“Bentley has crafted in wood, leather and metal for over 100 years, and now through the art of digital craftsmanship, light becomes the next medium—bridging the gap between handcrafted luxury and digital animation.” This isn’t the first time Bentley Mulliner has offered what it calls “digital light processing”—it introduced the flashy tech on the 18-unit production run of Batur grand touring coupes. The newest version of the feature allows buyers to personalize the design and animation of the welcome (aka puddle) lights. It starts with an introduction sequence that lasts as long as 11 seconds when the door is opened, then continues with a looped animation that’s projected continuously. The client can even incorporate other parts of their Bentley into the show, such as animated personalized embroidery.

According to Bentley, “The projection system that makes this all possible uses three coloured light sources projecting through five different lens and two prisms into a highly advanced 8mm² Digital Micromirror Device (DMDTM).” The DMD is a silicone chip that consists of 415,800 tiny aluminum mirrors that can be adjusted thousands of times per second to produce a moving image, which appears once the illumination from the colored light sources passes through the previous lenses and hits the mirrors in their “on” position. Mirrors that are “off” reflect light into a heat sink that absorbs it. Whatever light leaves the DMD is transmitted through an additional five lenses, then hits the ground below when a door is opened.

You can see an example of the Bentley Mulliner animated welcome lighting in the video below. Inspired by the headrest embroidery and the dashboard’s musical motif, the projection shows waves of music notes floating in front of the Romanian Athenaeum Concert Hall in Bucharest.

In the early 1960s, several manufacturers had “bubbletop” rooflines for their two-door hardtops. It’s almost a shame the trend didn’t last long as they seem to be eternally attractive.

Below, you will find four vehicles listed for sale on AutoHunter or ClassicCars.com. All four feature this slick roofline in question. Can you identify each vehicle? Post your answers in the Comments section below. Need a hint? It’s as near as clicking on the image.

Click on a photo to reveal each car

If it’s Tuesday, that means it’s game day on The ClassicCars.com Journal. Play past puzzles for even more fun!

Right now on AutoHunter, you can find this restored 1965 Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray Convertible, which is powered by a 300-horsepower L75 327ci V8 paired with a four-speed manual gearbox. Highlights include power steering, new carburetor, and four-wheel disc brakes. Finished in Rally Red and equipped with a black soft top over a black vinyl interior, this C2 Corvette comes from the selling dealer in Connecticut with a clear title.

As part of the restoration process, the fiberglass body was refinished in Rally Red and fitted with a new black soft top. Other exterior features include chrome bumpers, concealed headlights, front fender louvers, bright rocker panel trim, and dual exhaust outlets.

A set of 215/75 BFGoodrich whitewall radial tires surround the 15-inch wheels with knock-off-style center caps.

In the cockpit, black vinyl covers the bucket seats, which are divided by a center console that houses a Hurst four-speed shifter with a cue ball-style knob. Additional features include manual windows and power steering. The center stack contains a clock and a Delco AM/FM radio.

Behind the three-spoke steering wheel is a 160-mph speedometer, 7,000-rpm tachometer, and gauges for the fuel level, battery, oil pressure, and water temperature. The odometer shows 46,133, which is the car’s actual mileage, according to the title.

The L75 327ci V8 runs 10.5:1 compression and was factory-rated at 300 horsepower and 360 lb-ft of torque. In November of this year, the engine received a tune-up and a new four-barrel carburetor. Power reaches the rear end by way of a four-speed manual transmission.

This Vette rides on a four-wheel independent suspension and comes to a stop with the help of manual four-wheel disc brakes.

If you want to gift this restored 1965 Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray Convertible for someone you love (even if it’s yourself) as an early Christmas or Hannukah present, bid on it now because the auction ends on Monday, December 8, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. (MST).

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and a photo gallery

A new era was upon us in 1977 when General Motors downsized its full-size cars. However, the mid-size vehicles within the corporation continued to stretch their legs for one more year. Our Pick of the Day is one of the best of those swan songs, a 1977 Buick Regal Coupe. It is listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a dealership in Collierville, Tennessee.

This 1977 Regal has its origins in the 1973 “Colonnade” coupes and sedans (plus wagons) produced by Chevrolet, Pontiac, Oldsmobile, and Buick. The Skylark name was discontinued (later to resume as a successor to the Apollo compact) and Century was the name of the new mid-size series. Models were the Century, Century 350, Century Gran Sport (really, a performance package for the base Century), Century Luxus, and Century Regal, the latter more of a personal luxury car with the emphasis on luxury. Only available as a formal hardtop, the Regal also featured unique parking lights and grille that separated it from the rest of the Century series. A sedan joined the Regal lineup for 1974, while the base Century was discontinued. More model shuffling and a V6 arrived for 1975-76.

In the Colonnade’s final year, the Regal Coupe was characterized as “. . . about as close to a personal luxury car as you’re likely to get in a car of this size … It is distinguished from the regular Century by its more formal styling. Its squared-off front end. And its squared-off roofline.” Speaking of that front end, Buick had three different styles: Century Special, Century, and Century Custom Coupes featured a slanted front end with horizontal quad halogens; the Century, Century Custom, and Regal Sedans featured vertical halogens, with the Regal losing its unique grille and parking lamps; and the Regal Coupe featured an upright front end and elegant grille. Three distinctive designs? Bean counters today would have to DOGE that!

At the end of the model year, 192,506 Regals were built, including 174,560 Coupes. A sizable percentage of them were powered by a V8. Regal production also was 25 percent higher than lesser Century models. For 1978, with corporate-wide downsizing, Regal production shot up by almost 45,000, while Century production—with its controversial slant-back rear—fell to under 88,000 units. For the following decade, the Regal and Century would become more distinct from each other.

This Medium Green Metallic 1977 Buick Regal Coupe features a white Landau vinyl top, but don’t get distracted by how fancy it is because it’s the odometer that tells the tale: 22,000 original miles. “Never wrecked, always garaged, showroom condition,” says the seller. “This beauty boasts its original paint and interior, both in immaculate, showroom condition.” Power comes from a Buick 350 V8 with a two-barrel carburetor, as evidenced by the “H” in the fifth character of the VIN. Other features include white pinstripes, a matching green vinyl bench-seat interior, power steering, power brakes, and air conditioning.

Low-mileage cars are always neat, but we can never go back and choose which ones would lead such easy lives. Though a “Malaise Era” car such as this Buick may not be anyone’s first choice, I am certainly glad this car exists because it needs to represent. For $27,900, wouldn’t you agree?

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

People who have a bankroll that can choke a hippo can buy any new car they want. But do you know which new car they can’t get their hands on? One with a naturally aspirated V12 and a manual transmission (unless you count the one-off Aston Martin Victor). The Nilu27 Nilu hypercar that recently appeared on “Jay Leno’s Garage” aims to change that.

My colleague Diego Rosenberg and I told you about the Nilu on the Drive the Bid podcast back in May of 2024. Now there’s a prototype, which company co-founders (and husband and wife) Sasha and Inna Selipanov brought for Leno to see up close. Nilu27 may be the new kid on the block of hypercar manufacturers, but it has plenty of pedigree. Before the Selipanovs established their company, Sasha was a designer for Lamborghini and Bugatti, and the head of design for Koenigsegg. As a result, the Nilu—a portmanteau of Nica and Lucia, their daughters’ names—has an exotic, curvaceous body with a fighter jet-like canopy. Its carbon fiber construction helps the Nilu tip the scales at 1,200 kilograms (2,645 pounds).

Sasha wasn’t the only Bugatti designer involved in the creation of the Nilu; his former colleague Etienne Salomé designed the interior. The 1990s F1-inspired steering wheel has a small diameter to increase road feel, and sits in front of analog gauges. Between the two seats is a metal ignition key (remember those?) and a gated shifter for the Cima seven-speed manual gearbox. One thing you won’t see is a lot of gizmos or a giant touchscreen because the Nilu was made to be an analog machine.

Something else you won’t see is a cover over the 6.5-liter V12 built by Hartley Engines of New Zealand. In keeping with the analog theme, the 80-degree “hot-V” design doesn’t have any turbos. Even without power adders, the engine cranks out 1,070 horsepower at a stratospheric 11,000 rpm and 634 lb-ft of torque at 7,000 rpm.

Given its unusual mix of characteristics, the Nilu is an exotic among exotics. Perhaps the next time the Selipanovs visit Leno, they’ll have a car he can drive so we can see and hear what is a truly unique creation.

Luke and The ClassicCars.com Journal lead writer Diego Rosenberg caught something special at the Barrett-Jackson 2025 Scottsdale Fall Auction: a Competition Orange 1969 Mercury Cyclone CJ. According to its Elite Marti Report, this car is 1 of just 91 built in this paint and trim combo (Competition Orange with black split bench seat). This one is equipped with a 428 Cobra Jet V8 with optional ram air (“R-code”), four-speed gearbox with Hurst shifter, and the Competition Handling package.

Under the hood, the 428 runs with a hotter setup thanks to Comp Cams Mutha’ Thumpr camshaft, Edelbrock intake, Holley 750cfm carburetor, MSD ignition, and Borla ATAK exhaust. If you are into off-brand muscle, big-block Fords, or obscure Marti-proven builds, click the play button and let us know if this Cyclone CJ deserves more love in the muscle car world!

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