Journal Classic Cars

Currently listed on AutoHunter is this restored 1965 Chevrolet Malibu SS Sport Coupe. As the sportiest and most upscale of Chevelle models, the Malibu SS came standard with bucket seats and console when equipped with Powerglide or four-speed manual. In these early years, the SS could be powered by a six-cylinder or V8, with this one being powered by a 327 V8 paired to a four-speed manual. Other features include American Racing mags, power steering, aftermarket Alpine AM/FM stereo with CD/USB/Bluetooth/SiriusXM, and more. Painted Regal Red with black interior, this Malibu is offered by the selling dealer with a branded title.

The Regal Red hue is complemented by include dual chrome side mirrors, chrome and black rear trim, Malibu SS and 327 engine badges, and chrome exhaust extensions. A set of 15-inch American Racing Torq Thrust wheels is wrapped in 225/60 BFGoodrich Radial T/A raised white letter tires.

The interior is furnished in black with bucket seats up front. As this is an SS with a Hurst-shifted four-speed manual, this vehicle includes a console. Other features include wood-grain three-spoke steering wheel, power steering, and aftermarket Alpine AM/FM stereo with CD player, and USB, plus it’s SiriusXM- and Bluetooth-capable.

The instrument panel consists of a 120-mph speedometer, 6,000-rpm tachometer, and fuel gauge; aftermarket AutoMeter gauges mounted under the dashboard include oil pressure, coolant temperature, and voltage. The odometer shows 75,874 miles though the true mileage is unknown.

The replacement Turbo-Fire 327 V8 is equipped with a four-barrel carburetor and is backed by an M20 Muncie wide-ratio four-speed. It breathes via a dual exhaust system. Power front disc brakes help make stopping a cinch.

These first iterations (1964-65) of the first-generation Chevelle are quite popular in the hobby, and it’s not hard to see why—they look good, plus they have an infinite supply of available aftermarket equipment. There’s a lot fun to be had with this restored 1965 Chevrolet Malibu SS Sport Coupe as equipped, so don’t be caught snoozing and miss this auction—bid before its conclusion on Friday, May 23, 2025, at 11:15 a.m. (PDT).

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and a photo gallery

About a month ago, I featured a remarkably clean Nissan 300ZX as my Pick of the Day. It was a sweet car with only 52,000 miles on it – but it was lacking something: max power. Any Z enthusiast knows the most coveted cars from this era are the ones with the “VG30DETT” 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6. And, as luck would have it, I just found one:

The Pick of the Day is a 1991 Nissan 300ZX twin-turbo listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in Nashville, Tennessee.

“This beautiful all-original 300ZX features the legendary VG30DETT 3.0-liter V6 engine producing 300 horsepower and 283 lb-ft of torque,” the listing says. “This particular example has been properly maintained with no expense spared. I’ve invested in all the critical maintenance.” More on that in just a bit.

The “Z32” chassis 300ZX was produced from model years 1990 through 1996, and it was also referred to as the Fairlady Z in some markets. It was a car known for its brisk acceleration, precise handling and vast aftermarket support. The popularity of the Z in the modification arena is one of the reasons why many/most surviving cars are no longer original. And with only 35,500 miles, this one is very much a time capsule.

The Z was marketed for being “180 degrees from everything,” and one of the advertisements for the car said, “You’ll discover that while in a Turbo Z, no matter which way you’re going, it will feel like a whole new direction.”

As the seller mentioned, a great deal of maintenance has already been performed on the car, so it’s ready to rock and roll with elevated peace of mind. Included on the checklist were the timing belt, water pump, tensioner, drive belts, brake rotors and pads, brake master cylinder, compression rods, shifter bushings and Pirelli tires. The car has an accident-free CARFAX and is said to be “ready to enjoy immediately.”

From the Aztec Red paint finish to the Charcoal leather upholstery, the car looks the part of a low-miler. Perhaps my favorite feature is the period-correct mobile phone affixed to the center console. Although, on second thought, I’d probably rather put life on hold and just focus on experiencing that seamless gearbox instead.

“Don’t miss this opportunity to own a turn-key 300ZX twin-turbo that’s been properly cared for,” the listing concludes. “These are becoming increasingly rare in this condition, especially with documented maintenance history and all original components.”

The asking price is $41,500.

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

The saga of late-model Dodge Chargers has taken an interesting turn. No, no official announcement of the Hemi returning to the portfolio, but the Charger EV is on a death knell of sorts thanks to President Trump’s tariffs.

Unless you’re an absolute Dodge-head, it’s difficult to keep track with Dodge’s marketing for the redesigned Charger. There are two primary Charger models: the first is the Charger Daytona, the EV variant that has been part of the initial roll-out. Within the Daytona are the Daytona R/T and the Charger Daytona Scat Pack, with the latter offering 174 more horsepower for a total of 670. Both are currently only available as an all-wheel drive two-door coupe. A four-door is supposed to reach dealerships shortly.

Also due sometime in 2025 is the SixPack—this is the one for the Dodge purist, as it is powered by an ICE powerplant. Though past Six Packs (note the difference in spelling) have suggested three two-barrel carburetors, the modern definition means that a vehicle is equipped with a “Hurricane” twin-turbo inline-six in one of two flavors: a four-door with 420 horsepower, and a high-output two-door with 550 horsepower.

However, Dodge CEO Matt McAlear tells Car and Driver that “production of the Dodge Charger Daytona R/T is postponed for the 2026 model year as we continue to assess the effects of U.S. tariff policies.” This is due to the Dodge Charger Daytona being built in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. Sure, it’s just a short bridge or tunnel jaunt from the Motor City, but crossing the border will subject the vehicle to a 25 percent tariff.

As such, Dodge says the EV-powered Charger Daytona will be reduced to just the Scat Pack for 2026, with the R/T being postponed. Blame the tariffs? Considering only 1,947 Charger Daytonas were sold in the first quarter of 2025, no one would consider it an auspicious start. Additionally, the Daytona four-door will be delayed until the 2026 model year.

Also confirmed is the delay of the Charger SixPack, now slated for the second half of 2025. Two trim levels will be available out of the gate: GT and Outlaw, and we bet the standard-output version will be the former, with the high-output version being the latter. No word whether it will debut as a 2025 or 2026 model.

For years, the Thunderbird was one of the more important cars for Ford. The original 1955 T-Bird was initially designed to compete with the new-at-the-time Chevrolet Corvette. In a lot of ways, these first-generation T-Birds were the better car in every way, not only featuring g better build quality, but also more performance, as they came equipped with a V8 engine from the start. After the first three years of the two-seat T-Bird, Ford switched the focus to more of a personal luxury car as opposed to a sports car, adding two seats and focusing more on high-end options and comfort. This proved to be a great move, as these second-generation Thunderbirds outsold the Corvette by a huge margin. Sure, it was no longer a sports car – but it was a sales success. These personal luxury Thunderbirds lasted until the end of production for the model in 1997.

Then, a few years later, a funny thing happened in the car world. Chrysler introduced the Dodge Viper and Plymouth Prowler, followed closely by Volkswagen with their new Beetle. Almost overnight, manufacturers started to build retro-modern takes on their classic cars, including the Chevy SSR and the BMW Z8, among many others.

Ford, not wanting to be left out of the game, decided to bring back the T-Bird – not just a new version of the old four-seater, but a flashback to the first-generation two-seaters. Ford anointed Jack Telnack as the lead designer on the project, but after Telnack’s retirement, J. Mays brought it to completion. The project was well received, with MotorTrend naming the new Thunderbird their 2002 Car of the Year.

The AutoHunter Spotlight for today is one of these cars, a 2002 Ford Thunderbird. The auction ends Tuesday, May 27, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. (PDT).

The seller states that this Thunderbird is powered by its original 3.9-liter V8 (Ford owned Jaguar at the time, and the car has a detuned version of the Jaguar V8 under the hood) mated to a five-speed automatic transmission. It is painted in its original Evening Black with a black convertible top over a Midnight Black leather interior and includes its factory hardtop. This T-Bird has covered a total of 73,044 original miles from new and is offered by the selling dealer with the color-matched hardtop, clean CARFAX report and a clear title.

The exterior of this T-Bird features a hood scoop and dual side mirrors. All the panels look to be in good driver-level condition. The seller notes there are minor scuffs and discoloration on front bumper, a minor dent on driver’s-side door, and a few other minor exterior scuffs and scratches.

The interior looks to be in good shape as well, with some minor bolster wear on the driver’s seat. The carpets, door cards and dash all look to be in nice condition. The leather looks good on the seats and everything appears clean. Looking at the photos of the convertible soft-top, I’m guessing it will need to be either cleaned or replaced at some point.

Under the hood, the engine compartment is quite tidy, with the 280-horsepower 3.9-liter V8 looking to be leak-free. The photos of the engine compartment and underside of the car reveal nothing that would cause me any serious concern.

These final 11th-generation Ford Thunderbirds were one of my more favorite cars from the whole retro-modern car design era of the 1990s to 2000s. The T-Bird was a great mix of classic design with modern convenience. It has the look of the original with none of the hassles. It is in no way a sports car, but instead a nice two-seat drop-top GT car that would be fun for road trips.

This 2002 Thunderbird is the perfect car for someone who loves the idea of a classic T-Bird but doesn’t want to deal with the reality of classic car ownership. Over the years, these cars have proven to be reliable and easy to own. This 2002 Thunderbird takes all of the old and combines it with the new to make for a modern classic car that is in many ways the “easy button” to classic Thunderbird ownership. Sure, it’s not a 1955 – but it is simply a better-driving and more comfortable car that offers much of the look of the old model. At the same time, it’s becoming a true classic itself.

The auction for this 2002 Ford Thunderbird ends on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. (PDT), so if you are interested, why not make a few bids?

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and a photo gallery

Yet another puzzle for Tuesday! Here we have four vehicles listed for sale on AutoHunter or ClassicCars.com. They all share something in common though, by initial impressions, they have no connection. Can you tell us what that may be?

You can post your answer in the Comments section below. While you’re at it, why not tell us the make, model, and year for bonus points?

Click on a photo to reveal each car

Every Tuesday, The ClassicCars.com Journal offers automotive fun like this puzzle. You can play previous car games for more challenges!

In some classified ads, it’s straightforward to call out specific features that have been modified, added, or upgraded with a vehicle. With others, it would probably be easier to call out the few things that haven’t been changed. One seller in particular has an “Equipment Features” paragraph that is over 500 words long, encompassing everything from mechanical, to cosmetic, to interior – and everything in between. In fact, it uses the word “custom” an incredible 46 times. We’ll highlight some of the key items and let you take it from there! Let’s dive in. The Pick of the Day is a custom 1948 Chevrolet 3100 pickup listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in Bakersfield, California.

From front to back, the truck has been put through a comprehensive cosmetic rework. The front bumper has been deleted, and exterior upgrades include a custom grille, frenched-in headlights, tinted glass, chrome side mirrors, a smoothed and filled body, shaved door handles, a tubbed bed, and a chopped top (2.5 inches were deleted at the front, and two inches in the rear). Capping it all off is a Matador Red Mica paint job that does well to accentuate the clean body lines. And traction comes from a set of Hankook tires wrapped around Billet Specialties 17-inch polished aluminum wheels.

The interior, upholstered with black leather bucket seats and a custom center console, benefits from a fabricated dash, a Classic Instruments gauge set, cruise control, Vintage Air HVAC, a Flaming Rivers tilt-adjustable steering column (with a Lecarra steering wheel), power windows, a wool carpets, Lokar pedals, and a modern audio system with kick-panel speakers and a Pioneer 10-inch subwoofer behind the passenger seat. Many other in-cab features abound, but those are some of the basics. It is no wonder this truck is a National Street Rod Association (NSRA) show winner – and the windshield has a sticker to prove it.

Power comes from a BluePrint 355ci small-block crate motor that was rated at 375 horsepower. Performance upgrades include aluminum heads, a Speed Demon 650cfm carburetor, an Edelbrock “EnduraShine” intake manifold, a March Performance polished pulley system, Accel Extreme 9000 spark plug wires, and MSD ignition components.

One thing is for sure: This truck’s builder picked a popular platform: Chevrolet’s Advance Design trucks were sold from 1947 through 1954, and they were indeed advanced for their time. One of the advertisements from the period said: “More than a farm day’s work – in less than a farm day’s time. Yes, you can do more farm work in less time with these latest and greatest Chevrolet trucks.” The trucks were promoted for what Chevrolet called “Triple Economy.” The three aspects of that model included low operating cost, low upkeep cost, and the lowest list prices in the volume field.

Our guess is that this Matador Red truck won’t spend much time working around a farm. Rather, it will be an eye-catching conversation piece at parades, shows, and everywhere it goes. The asking price is $54,900.

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

The Ford Mustang wasn’t the only animal hungry for higher performance in the late-1960s. The Mercury Cougar wanted it, too. So Mercury created the Cougar Eliminator, which had cosmetic and performance upgrades, such as the Boss 302 V8, that made it clear it was a different breed of cat. Unfortunately, the Eliminator was only offered in the 1969 and 1970 model years, so Autohunter Cinema was lucky to spot this 1970 Mercury Cougar Eliminator at a Barrett-Jackson auction.

As part of a restoration, this Cougar Eliminator was painted the hard-to-miss color of Competition Green and accented with black stripes on the hood and sides. Under that black scoop in the middle of the hood is a numbers-matching 300-horsepower 351ci Cleveland V8 that’s kept under control by an FMX three-speed automatic, plus features such as a Competition Suspension, Magnum 500 wheels with Goodyear tires, and power front disc brakes. But none of that hardware stopped someone from buying this final-year Cougar Eliminator.

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Currently listed on AutoHunter is this 17,502-mile 1957 Ford Fairlane 500 Club Victoria, Ford’s term for a two-door hardtop. “The roof follows a new thin-line design that increases that wonderful ‘wide-open’ convertible feeling,” Ford wrote in its new-car brochure. This one is powered by a rebuilt 292ci “Y-block” V8 paired with a three-speed Fordomatic Drive automatic. Features include a Continental kit, rocker panel trim, a grille guard, skirts, and more. Painted in two-tone Flame Red and Colonial White with a white and red vinyl and cloth interior, this ’50s flyer is offered by the selling dealer in Virginia with engine and transmission rebuild receipts, service records, a clear title, and more.

The Flame Red and Colonial White exterior (a 2013 repaint from the original Woodsmoke Gray and Colonial White) is complemented by chrome rocker panel trim, a grille guard, left- and right-side mirrors, fender skirts, a Continental kit, and chrome exhaust extensions. A set of 14-inch wheels with full wheel covers is wrapped in 205/75 BFGoodrich Silvertown whitewall radials.

The cabin has front and rear bench seats in white vinyl and red cloth. Features include an AM radio, power steering, a clock, MagicAire ventilation system, and a column-mounted automatic shifter.

Instrumentation includes a 120-mph speedometer and gauges for the coolant temperature and fuel. The odometer shows 17,502, which is the true mileage per the title.

Powering this Fairlane 500 is a Thunderbird 292 V8 that was originally rated at 212 horsepower with a two-barrel carburetor. It is backed by a three-speed Fordomatic Drive automatic transmission. During the 2013 rebuild, the engine received hardened valve seats.

The undercarriage features front power disc brakes and a dual exhaust system that routes emissions to the rear. Gears are 3.10 single-traction.

Nineteen fifty-seven was an interesting time at Dearborn because Ford offered two bodies for its lineup, with the Fairlane and Fairlane 500 getting a larger, slightly more stylish body. This top-of-the-line 1957 Ford Fairlane 500 Club Victoria exploits that to the hilt, so time to pony up and buy that dream car you’ve always wanted! The auction for this Blue Oval ends on Friday, May 23, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. (PDT), so think hard and quick, and bid. Good luck!

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and a photo gallery

Toyotathon isn’t Toyota’s only yearly tradition. Since 2015, the automaker has released a new color for its TRD Pro line of off-road vehicles every year. The 2026 model year will mark the debut of its newest addition to the color palette: Wave Maker.

Over the past decade, Toyota has rolled out various shades of red, beige, silver, gray, blue, and green, according to Tacoma Lifestyle. Formulated by Toyota’s CALTY Design team, Wave Maker isn’t as dusty and low-key as 2018’s Cavalry Blue or as rich and bold as Voodoo Blue from 2019—think of it as more of an aqua blue (wherever that aqua happens to be). Benjamin Jimenez, general manager at CALTY’s Ann Arbor, Michigan location said, “With Wave Maker, we were inspired by unexplored areas of adventure including extreme territory and even beyond earth. Wave Maker expresses an elemental spirit that evokes images of glacial depths and the thrill of new frontiers.”

If you can’t swing a 2026 TRD Pro model in Wave Maker, don’t worry. In the past, Toyota has always expanded the availability of its newest TRD Pro color the year after its debut, so don’t be surprised if you see Wave Runner pop up as an optional color for other Tacoma, 4Runner, Tundra, and Sequoia trim levels in the 2027 model year.

When compression ratios were lowered for 1972 per federal edict, General Motors, Chrysler, and AMC continued to offer large engines in the high-performance market. Ford, it seems, abandoned it, offering the 351 Cobra Jet as its bread-and-butter hot engine. However, there was a special version that’s somewhat the low-compression successor to the 1971 Boss 351. One of these rare and enigmatic cars is our Pick of the Day, a 1972 Ford Mustang Mach I. It is listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a dealership in Volo, Illinois.

Ford introduced a redesigned Mustang for 1971. As before, there was a coupe, Grandé coupe, convertible, SportsRoof fastback, and Mach I SportsRoof. While the new pony car reflected the prevailing style for 1971, it was a bit too much for some. Car and Driver said, “While almost every mechanical spec of the [Mustang, in this case a Boss 351] is efficient and competent, the car has suffered mightily at the hands of the stylists … We aren’t condemning the [Mustang] on the basis of its external appearance. In fact, that side of it is generally attractive—striking rather than beautiful but it turns more than its quota of heads and that is what Detroit model changes are all about. It’s from the inside, from the driver’s seat, that you discover how the Boss has been sabotaged by the stylists. It’s like sitting in a bunker; You can hardly see out.”

For 1972, the Mustang hardly changed, but under the hood was a different story as federalized rules required the lowering of compression for 1972 models sold in the United States to enable the use of unleaded fuel for cleaner emissions. Gone was the big-block 429 Cobra Jet, leaving the “Q-code” 351 Cobra Jet as the sole performance offering. This engine was originally introduced in the spring of 1971 as a 280-horsepower alternative to the 285-horsepower “M-code” 351-4V, and ended up carrying the flag of performance for the Mustang through 1973. Compared to the latter, the Cobra Jet featured open-chamber cylinder heads, a lower 9:1 compression, a higher-lift hydraulic camshaft, four-bolt main bearing caps, and a 750-cfm carburetor. For 1972, it was rated at a robust 266 net horsepower.

However, there was another 351 that wasn’t available at the start of the model year which eventually appeared: the 351 HO. Essentially, this was a low-compression version of the Boss 351 engine with a milder camshaft, open-chamber heads, flat-top pistons, and an 8.8:1 compression ratio. Rated at 275 net horsepower, the 351 HO was only available with a four-speed manual and 3.91 gears. Ram air induction was not available. Like the Boss 351, it also shared the same R code in the VIN; unlike the Boss 351, the 1972 351 HO was not restricted to a package for the SportsRoof—it was available on all three body styles plus the Grandé and Mach I. Only 398 351 HO Mustangs were built in 1972 among all body styles, making these cars the last of the truly high-performance Mustangs from the era.

This Grabber Blue 1972 Mustang Mach I is one of 336 built with the 351 HO. Originally sold in Scarsdale, New York, this vehicle stayed with the original family for years before a subsequent owner embarked on a concours-level restoration in more recent years. Aside from the engine, this Mustang features 15-inch Magnum 500s, front power disc brakes, power steering, a fold-down rear seat, a tilt wheel, a Deluxe rim-blow steering wheel, an AM/8-track radio, a console, a rear defroster, Deluxe seat belts, spoilers, side stripes, and power windows.

Could this be the ultimate 1972 Mustang? Quite possibly—the combination of colors and options certainly make this Mach I a contender. For $99,998, you can verify the possibility and stake your claim as having the ultimate ’72.

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