Journal Classic Cars

I have been writing about old cars for more than 20 years, so it is not often that I find a model I’ve never heard of—but a few days ago I came across something that was new to me. While searching the listings on AutoHunter, I saw a one for a GMC Caballero. I could tell as soon as I saw the photos that it was obviously a “badge-engineered” version of the El Camino, but I had never seen or heard of the GMC variant.

The GMC division’s Sprint was as described and something common across the entire GMC product line: a badge-engineered version of the Chevy El Camino. When the downsized platform for the El Camino was introduced in 1978, the Sprint was renamed the Caballero. I think the name change was good, as “Sprint” does not have a lot of impact, but “Caballero” sounds as cool as El Camino. In keeping with the Western theme, the car’s three trim editions were named Laredo, Amarillo, and Diablo. These were basically all trim and option packages (think different interiors, different wheels and a lot of decals).

Today’s AutoHunter Spotlight on ClassicCars.com is that car I found: a 1984 GMC Caballero located in St. Louis, Missouri. The auction for this unusual GMC ends on Tuesday, May 27, at 1:15 p.m. PST.

The car is painted in its original color of Briar Brown over a light brown cloth and dark brown vinyl interior. The seller says this Caballero is a garage-kept survivor with only two owners from new. To me, this statement means this example likely still has its original paint and original interior, something I like more than a restored car. To verify this, I would ask the seller about this in the auction listing comments section, but when I look carefully at the photos, it truly looks like an original example.

The one change from stock on the exterior is that instead of the factory GM wheels, this Caballero is fitted with nice-looking 15-inch American Racing Torq Thrust wheels with proper-looking Cooper tires. I don’t mind this, as these wheels have been around since this car was new and are way cooler than the stock ones.

The interior also looks to be in original condition, with a vast expanse of brown and tan plastic, vinyl and velour everywhere you look. It is an example of period GM booting, but all looks correct and original. I see no rips in the seats or cracks in the dash. It also still has its stock radio, which is very surprising—if my friends and I had our hands on this car in the 1980s, it would have a crappy power booster and poorly installed Jensen 6 x 9s to blast Ozzy.

Under the hood is the stock GM 305ci V8 with a four-barrel carburetor. It also looks completely stock and original and is very clean. The seller does note that the air-conditioning system has been upgraded to use R134, which is a good thing (you certainly want working air conditioning in a brown car).

I wanted to know more about this car, so I called my friends Alan Galbraith (founder of the Concours d’Lemons) and Tim Suddard (publisher of Grassroots and Classic Motorsports magazines) to ask them what they knew about the Caballero. They were both considerably less excited about the rebadged El Camino than I was, but Alan did say they are rarer than the El Camino and that it would be welcome at the Monterey Concours d’Lemons. So maybe the Caballero is not a blue-chip collector car, but it is not very common either.

If you are looking for something a little bit different, love the idea of the Wild West and the Caballero name evokes that in you, and want a collector car in original shape that is also useful for hauling stuff, then maybe make a bid or two on this Caballero—but do so soon, as the auction for this unusual GMC ends on Tuesday, May 27, at 1:15 p.m. PST.

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and a photo gallery

All Cord vehicles are special in some way, but our Pick of the Day, a 1937 Cord 812 Supercharged Sportsman convertible, has a few characteristics that make it even more of a standout. It is posted on ClassicCars.com by a dealership in Pennsylvania,

The first is the model year. The 1937 812 (known as the 810 in 1936) debuted in what turned out to be the final year of Cord automobiles as a whole. The second is the car itself. Cord only produced 1,066 vehicles in 1937, according to the third edition of the “Standard Catalog of American Cars, 1805-1942.” When this 812 Sportsman (aka Sportsman’s Convertible Coupe) was auctioned off by RM Sotheby’s in 2020, it was listed as “One of only 64 examples built; approximately only 30 extant.”

Do you see the pipes coming out of the sides of the “coffin nose”? Those mean that this 812’s Lycoming 289ci V8 is supercharged to produce 170 horsepower, which is processed by a four-speed pre-selector transmission.

Then there are the things that are less obvious about this car, but no less significant. The story goes that in 1969, an Arizona man named Lee Richardson purchased it and kept it for the next 37 years. In addition to great taste, he also had a technical background because he was one of Disney’s early “imagineers.” The selling dealer states, “Richardson focused on resolving several of the Cord’s notorious quirks, notably developing the acclaimed ‘Richardson joint’ conversion to address the unreliable front-wheel CV joints. During his tenure with the cabriolet, he implemented advantageous modifications, including his distinctive front axle joints, a modern 12-volt electrical system, discreetly integrated electric fuel pump and cutoff switch, and an electric radiator fan. Adding a playful touch, he even installed power operation for the headlights.” As part of his overhaul, Richardson also replaced the original supercharged engine with another one, number FC 3232.

After being sold to an Auburn Cord Duesenberg Club member in 1997, this distinctive drop-top was refinished in its factory color of Rich Maroon, which looks great with the tan leather interior. Not shown in the pictures is the tan soft top stored under the tonneau cover.

If you want this attractive and special piece of automotive history, it can be yours for $299,000.

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

June 22 is right around the corner! If you find yourself anywhere near Burlingame, California, or feel like a road trip to Northern California is a great idea, I highly recommend attending the Hillsborough Concours d’Elegance.

It has been a few years since I have attended Hillsborough, but it is a wonderful, smaller concours located on the grounds of the Crystal Springs Golf Course. I in no way mean smaller in stature, but more in the size of the field. It is much easier to navigate logistically than the biggest concours events yet still celebrates and showcases some truly amazing cars. I have served as a judge there a few times and can say from that experience that it draws some truly great cars.

First held in 1966, this marks the amazing 69th year of the Hillsborough Concours d’ Elegance and they are celebrating in style, with classes that include the 50th anniversary of Ferrari’s 308/328, as well as the 90th anniversary of Volkswagen’s iconic Beetle and the 75th of its legendary Bus. The show features 24 judged classes and this year includes two new classes: pre- and postwar Cadillacs.

The concours already has a number of amazing entries, including a number of great Cadillacs (with my favorite being a 1931 Cadillac 452).

Other standout entries include a 1957 Mercedes-Benz 300SL roadster and a 1966 Shelby GT350.

The Ferrari 308 celebration also has quite a few standouts, including a 1984 308 and a pair from the 1985 model year. More amazing is that only one of these cars is red!

I highly urge you to get out there and help the Hillsborough Concours celebrate their 69th year. It is a fun event at a great location and is well worth the trip. Basic admission is also a very reasonable $60, which makes it a bit of a bargain these days. Heck, you may still be able to enter your car if it is good enough to qualify – but I would act fast.

For more information, you can go to their website here.

Electric vehicles (EVs) are available from nearly every mainstream manufacturer now, but that doesn’t mean love for them in the car-buying public is as widespread. Some people just downright hate them. The good news is that nobody is required to buy an EV, but those who want one can choose to have electricity power their next economy car, performance vehicle, or even off-road truck, such as the 2026 Chevrolet Silverado, which will be available for the first time with the Trail Boss package.

First launched on the 2019 Silverado, the Trail Boss off-road trim was eventually expanded to the Colorado mid-size truck. In addition to a two-inch lift (which boosts ground clearance by 24 percent to 10 inches), the Silverado EV version of the Trail Boss treatment consists of red front tow hooks, a front fascia that contributes to a 31.6-degree approach angle, Trail Boss badging, and trim-specific 18-inch wheels with 285/75 35-inch all-terrain tires. There are nine color options, including three new ones: White Sands, Polar White Tricoat, and Magnus Gray Matte Metallic.

Chevy didn’t release pictures of the “unique interior,” but it did disclose that it’ll have auxiliary switches and be available with upgraded adaptive cruise control that can automatically set the speed to posted speed limits. An enhanced version of Super Cruise is also available. While the driver has his or her hands on the wheel, the system keeps the Silverado EV in its lane and adapts to the speed of the vehicle ahead; once the truck reaches a Super Cruise-compatible road, the feature’s hands-free driving technology takes over, using new Google Maps integration to navigate to the correct lane for the chosen route.

Off-road, a special Terrain mode engages 4-Wheel Steer to provide better torque application and traction control at low speeds, such as those used on difficult inclines. The Sidewinder feature turns all four wheels in the same direction, enabling the Silverado EV to move diagonally.

Prices for the 2026 Silverado EV start at $54,895 for the base Work Truck model with the standard battery pack that’s capable of 286 miles of range. The RST launch trim has been discontinued, leaving LT and Trail Boss as the two other grades. No matter which one you choose, the Silverado EV comes standard with Dual Motor 4WD, an 11-inch digital gauge cluster, and a 17.7-inch infotainment system screen. The Trail Boss can only be ordered with the Extended or Max battery pack. The Extended power source generates 625 horsepower, 775 lb-ft of torque, and 410 miles of range at an MSRP of $72,095. It also enables the Silverado EV to haul up to 2,100 pounds of payload and tow as much as 12,500 pounds.

Opting for the Max battery pack gets you 725 horsepower, the same amount of grunt as the Extended, and 478 miles of range for an $88,695 starting price. The most potent battery also has the fastest charging speed of 350 kW, which can add 100 miles of range in 10 minutes when the Silverado EV is plugged into a DC fast charger.

Expect to see the 2026 Chevrolet Silverado EV Trail Boss in dealerships this summer—and silently off-roading sometime later this summer.

Featured on AutoHunter is this 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air Nomad wagon, which is powered by a rebuilt 350ci V8 paired with a three-speed manual gearbox. Refinished in India Ivory and Twilight Turquoise over a turquoise vinyl and gray cloth interior, this second-year Nomad is now offered by the seller in New Jersey with a clear title.

At one point, the exterior was repainted in its original colors of India Ivory and Twilight Turquoise, which are accented with chrome bumpers and brightwork. Other features include hood and fender ornaments, a driver-side mirror, and vertical tailgate trim strips.

This Nomad travels the roads and highways on a set of 15-inch wheels equipped with chrome covers and 205/75 Hankook whitewall radial tires.

The cabin is furnished with turquoise vinyl and gray cloth split-bench front and bench rear seating. Features include a three-spoke steering wheel with a chrome horn ring, a column-mounted manual shifter, an AM radio, a locking storage compartment, and a passenger-side clock.

Instrumentation consists of a 110-mph speedometer, gauges for the temperature and fuel level, and warning lights for the generator and oil pressure. The odometer shows 16,366 miles; the title for this vehicle indicates it’s mileage-exempt.

Under the hood is a 350ci V8 that was rebuilt in 1987. It comes equipped with an Edelbrock intake manifold, a four-barrel carburetor, and an HEI ignition. The engine sends its power to the road through a three-on-the-tree manual transmission. Manual drum brakes keep the engine in check.

In August 2023, this Nomad was aligned and its front suspension was updated with new upper and lower control arms, shafts, bushings. front shocks and springs, tie rods, and ball joints.

The auction for this 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air Nomad ends on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, at 11:15 a.m. (PDT).

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and a photo gallery

Let me start with this. If you want to get a brand-new Porsche 911 Turbo, it is going to cost you a minimum of $160,000 and will likely end up running somewhere north of $200K once you add fee options. If you doubt this, visit the Porsche website, “build” one and see how you do.

Besides the economic to your bank account, there is another reason to reconsider a new Porsche 911 Turbo as a car purchase: The newest version, to me, is both too big and not that attractive.

I honestly think the best-looking 911 Porsches of the modern era are the 997 Series cars. These Grant Larson-designed 911s are the perfect modern take on the classic 911 shape. Every subsequent design seems to have slowly erased the original design language, making the newer 911 cars appear almost “cartoonish” to my eyes.

Of all the 997-era 911 Porsches, my favorite is the Turbo. It is less ostentatious than the original 911 Turbo of the 1970s and ’80s but looks like it means business and has the performance to back that up.

Our Pick of the Day on ClassicCars.com is one of these end-of-an-era Porsche 911 cars, a 2011 Porsche 911 Turbo offered for sale in Flowery Branch, Georgia.

The selling dealer states this 911 Turbo has a completely stock exterior, interior, exhaust and catalytic converters. They go on to say it is currently running a Stage 3 tune from FVD (a very prestigious and respected German company) that provides a reliable 670 horsepower and a 0 to 62.5 time of 3.2 seconds.

This 911 Turbo is a lower-mileage car, having covered only 67,000 miles from new and, judging from the photos provided, it looks to be in excellent condition.

This is also a nicely optioned car equipped with many tasteful features without going overboard. These include a limited-slip rear differential, PDK transmission, heated and ventilated seats, heated steering wheel, bi-xenon headlights with the Porsche Dynamic Light System (PDLS), and a black full leather interior with the carbon interior package.

This 911 Turbo also seems to have a great service history backed up by documentation. No really major service items are listed, but a 2011 Porsche 911 Turbo with 67,000 miles should not need any major things repaired or replaced.

Just for a point of comparison, I went on the Porsche website and built a new 911 Turbo as close as possible to the specs of this one. The summary of my build had a price tag of $219,685. I have a better idea. Get this 997.2-era Porsche 911 Turbo for its $98,000 asking price and then take the extra $112K and get another Porsche (say, a classic 911) to go with it. Seems like a better deal to me.

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

Whenever we review a new vehicle, the same questions usually arise: Who is the target customer? How will it perform? Does it live up to expectations? Things were a little different with the 2025 Toyota Crown Signia Limited as it raised questions such as What IS this? An SUV or a wagon? Over the course of a week, we learned what the Crown is on paper and in the real world.

A HYBRID IN MORE WAYS THAN ONE

If you go to the Toyota website and click on the Vehicles tab on the top right of the page, a menu with the various types that Toyota makes drops down on the left. You’ll find the Crown Signia under the Crossovers and SUVs section, where’s it categorized as a Hybrid EV. Unlike its Crown sedan sibling, the Crown Signia is available with only one powertrain: a 2.5-liter I4 combined with a Nickel-Metal Hydride battery pack, two electric motor-generators, and a rear-mounted electric motor that gives the Crown Signia all-wheel drive on demand. Net horsepower is 240 and processed by an electronically controlled Continuously Variable Transmission (ECVT). Under ideal circumstances, the Crown Signia Limited can deliver 39 mpg in the city, 37 on the highway, and 38 combined. A snapshot at 109.5 miles showed we were averaging 40.8 mpg.

Once you go to the Crown Signia’s dedicated page on Toyota’s website, you’ll see its highlights, features, and the things it can do, but nothing about what it is. Interestingly, a June 2024 press release on Toyota’s media site refers to the Crown Signia as being part of Toyota’s SUV lineup, making “an all-new statement for the modern crossover,” and having “the advantages that drivers love about crossover Sport Utility Vehicles.” It seems many companies use either “crossover” or “SUV” to identify their respective vehicles, but Toyota uses both.

Unofficially, it’s easy to see the Crown Signia as a wagon. After all, it is essentially the longroof version of the Crown, which Toyota clearly identifies as a sedan. Looking at it from the side, the Subaru Outback came to mind, although that vehicle is more clearly focused on and equipped for dirty outdoor adventures.

ONE OF TOYOTA’S MOST EXPENSIVE HYBRID CROSSOVERS
Prices for the 2025 Crown Signia start at $43,790, making it slightly cheaper than the $44,210 Grand Highlander Hybrid and within several thousand of the Highlander Hybrid’s $46,320 base MSRP. Go beyond those and you start getting into Toyota’s truck-based hybrid SUVs.

There are are only two trim levels available: XLE and Limited. According to the window sticker for our Storm-Cloud-over-Saddle-Tan Crown Signia Limited review vehicle, base price shows $47,990. For that, you receive such standard features as 21-inch dark gray wheels, a fixed panoramic glass roof with a power sunshade, heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and a 12.3-inch center touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Toyota added on the $1,865 Advanced Technology Package, $375 dash cam, $405 Preferred Accessory Package with carpet mats, and two other options to our test vehicle, which raised the as-tested price to $52,515 – that’s entry-level 2025 4Runner i-Force Max or 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid money.

FUNCTIONAL YET INFURIATING

There was a lot to like about the Crown Signia’s cabin. It felt completely modern with its 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, rearview camera mirror, and large center touchscreen. The automatic settings for its climate control system and front seats made sure every drive was at the right temperature. Storing small items was easy and quick thanks to the vertical wireless charging slot, open cubbyhole, and generously sized dual cup holders. The heated second row offered plenty of headroom and legroom as well as a pair of dedicated HVAC vents. Both rows seemed more spacious when the shade for the panoramic roof was open. At the very back, the 24.8 cubic feet of cargo space was enough to fit a collapsed baby stroller and additional gear.

However, there were a few odd or downright enraging parts of the Crown Signia’s user experience. The first became apparent upon sliding into the driver’s seat. The steep rake to the windshield made the front row seem more intimate and shrink-wrapped, like a sports car’s cockpit. As we’ve already learned, the Crown Signia is a lot of things, but a sports car is not one of them. Then there were those techy screens. Configuring the gauge cluster to show a desired readout was annoyingly tedious, but doing that was a pleasure compared to the sporadic wireless Apple CarPlay. Whether it was used to run YouTube audio and Apple Maps at the same time or just the latter, CarPlay lost connection so often that it was nearly useless. If anyone at Apple happened to be listening on the other end, they received an earful of expletives.

NOT SURPRISING

Whether you think the Crown Signia is a crossover, SUV, or wagon, that doesn’t change the fact that it’s a hybrid built for practical commuting, not thrilling performance. It behaved as such: the steering was firm, with a noticeable weight to it, yet it never felt heavy. Output from the hybrid engine was satisfying (not aurally – the four-cylinder engine always sounded a bit gruff), but counteracted by a stiff, uncommunicative brake pedal.

Our Luke Lamendola also spent time in the 2025 Toyota Crown Signia Limited, so listen to his thoughts in the below video review.

Click above and watch our full video review on YouTube!

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In a previous life, I sold Lexus vehicles. My choice was more about recession-era employment than the type of vehicle, but I imagine Lexus has always been a fine vehicle to sell—after all, it wasn’t too long ago that the brand made the Germans (and Americans) take notice and up their game. Now it appears that one of the brand’s bread-and-butter may be discontinued, a reflection of an aged generation combined with a changing market.

The Lexus IS was the first of Lexus’ Bimmer 3-Series fighters. I myself never warmed up to it but, when I had an opportunity to drive one, I changed my tune. The SportCross, the shooting brake-esque that was available for 2002-05, was pretty cool, though not available with a manual transmission in the U.S.

The second-generation version, sold in the U.S. as the IS 250 and IS 350, featured the availability of AWD on IS 250 models (which also introduced a four-cylinder for the American market). Also available for several years were the IS C retractable hardtop coupe and the IS F, a nice BMW M3 competitor featuring a 5.0-liter V8 and 416 horsepower. These are the cars I’m most familiar with from my experience at the Lexus dealership. The tight rear seat and tepid performance with AWD were the biggest misgivings that I recall.

The third and current generation of the IS has been in production since the 2014 model year. Hasn’t seemed as long, right? Depending on the year, there has been an IS 200t (with a turbo-four), IS 250, IS 350, and IS 350h featuring a four-cylinder and an electric motor. The IS 500 F Sport Performance continued to use the 5.0-liter V8, now with 472 horsepower.

The market has changed a lot since 2014, and sedans (and coupes—don’t forget the RC spin-off) like this don’t sell as well as they used to. When this current generation debuted, Lexus sold over 51,000 in the U.S. for the calendar year. For 2024, it’s around 19,000 plus another 1,800 RC coupes, and sales so far for 2025 project the final tally will cut that by a third.

So when Car and Driver reported the announcement of the 2025 Lexus IS Ultimate Edition, the periodical couldn’t help but think this is a swan song to go out with a bang—in fact, when approached, a Lexus rep said the company “could not comment on future product plans,” though we’ve known that the RC was already on the chopping block. This special IS 500 model features the basic 472-horse V8 and will be available a white hue called Wind, with matte-black BBS wheels and red brake calipers. The cabin is finished in two-tone red, and all 500 built will be numbered on a plaque.

For all the misgivings about Lexus’ “spindle” grille and angular hallmarks all over, I feel the latest IS continues to wear it quite well. Unfortunately, it might be time to bid adieu to another RWD sedan/coupe in the marketplace for the moment.

Not gonna lie—when I was a kid, there were few cars that were as desirable to me as a Pontiac GTO Judge. I don’t think I preferred one year over the other, as they all have their own strengths, but the original 1969 version is the one that was seared in my mind, what with the signature Carousel Red paint, rear spoiler, pop-art striping, standard Ram Air 400 engine, and blacked-out grilles.

However, thanks to the Internet, we are able to network with others and discuss topics that interest us, if not connect with those who know more than us. This is not new, of course, but knowledge has increased exponentially due to you and me being on this particular medium. So, would it surprise you to learn that blacked-out grilles were not a part of the Judge package but, rather, were dependent on ordering one of two available Ram Air engines?

When I first heard of this several years ago from an a popular Pontiac forum, I thought it was absurd—why change the grille color for an engine option? I was not alone as a naysayer, as evidenced by this 2010 thread in the Ames Performance Years Pontiac forum. But read further and someone posted images from an assembly manual that specifies different part numbers for grilles from cars with the L74 and L67 engines, respectively known as the 400 Ram Air (aka Ram Air III) and Ram Air IV.

It appears that black grilles were only a Judge thing for 1970-71 but, for 1969, it’s clearly a Ram Air thing and not just a Judge thing.

Did you know that in the early 1960s, 16 different drivers road-tested every Lincoln Continental that was built? A magazine ad from that era called them the “Sixteen Intolerant Men.”

Those detail-oriented individuals were among the many individuals responsible for putting each new Continental through 2,000 unique tests at the Wixom, Michigan, assembly plant. “The only passing mark is one hundred percent,” Lincoln boasted. “Each Continental is more than a luxury automobile. It is an engineering triumph.”

Featured on AutoHunter is this 1963 Lincoln Continental Convertible. The car is being sold by a dealer in Ramsey, Minnesota, and the auction will end Monday, May 27, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. PDT.

A four-door convertible is a rare sight, and one with rear-hinged (“suicide”) rear doors is even more special. According to the statistics presented in the listing, the car was one of just 3,138 Continental convertibles produced for its model year. A frame-off restoration was performed in the 1990s and included a respray in the car’s original Ermine White. As one would expect from a high-end car, the antenna and the retractable top are power-operated. Lincoln incorporated a “door ajar” warning lamp in the instrument cluster for added safety – given the rather unconventional arrangement of the doors.

The Rose Beige interior was redone with “new old stock” (NOS) leather upholstery during restoration, according to the selling dealer’s video. Features include power windows, a power driver’s seat, an automatic headlight dimmer and power steering. The dealer says the air conditioning does not blow cool, and the AM/FM dual-range radio is not operational.

Power for this luxo-ride comes from a 430ci MEL V8 mated to a three-speed Turbo-Drive automatic transmission. When new, Lincoln rated the car at 310 horsepower. The car comes with a maintenance journal, and the video says that the dealer has put about 50 miles on the car as part of its vetting. A 25-point vehicle inspection is available for review.

The dealer has also provided an 11-minute video showing a look at the exterior, interior, engine bay and a start-up. As an added bonus, there is some drone footage showing the car in action. It looks like a car commercial – something Lincoln’s marketing team would enjoy even today.

“Intolerant rejection of anything less than the finest, insistence on excellence in every detail, make Continental the finest car built in America. And it was the first American car to offer a total-car warranty of two full years or 24,000 miles,” Lincoln said.

It’s too bad that warranty isn’t still in effect after 62 years – but with a car as well-presented as this one, bidders can be confident in its quality.

The auction for this 1963 Lincoln Continental Convertible ends Monday, May 27, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. (PDT).

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and a photo gallery