Journal Classic Cars

Gold is a color that symbolizes status more than any other: men and women love gold jewelry. Rappers love gold grillz. Olympians love gold medals. The Israelites loved the golden calf. It’s a color that has made men commit tremendous crimes and women commit to marriage. It’s also a fitting color for “Borracho,” an award-winning 1963 GMC 1000 pickup that is currently being auctioned on AutoHunter.

Over 900 hours were spent on this custom build by Tre5 Customs of Peoria, Arizona. That time roughly translates to over 54 bars’ worth of gold. It’s the kind of build that will garner you fame and glory in the printing press — in fact, Borracho was recognized by none other than Classic Truck Performance magazine. If you’re scratchin’ yer noggin and wondering how “truck” and “performance” can be said in the same breath when big-block El Caminos or Rancheros are not the topic of discussion, then consider yourself schooled in the world of hot-rodded old school pickups cuz this is a muscle machine par excellence. Skeptical? Need more convincing?

Power comes from a rebuilt 454 that features FiTech throttle-body fuel injection fed by a 20-gallon aluminum fuel cell between the rear frame rail for nice, reliable fuel delivery. What? You’d rather hear about the nitty-gritty? Alright, a Trick Flow top-end kit includes aluminum cylinder heads, camshaft (one that’s street-friendly and smooth) and roller rockers. And like a mullet, the engine bay is a combination of party and business as the horsepower is augmented by polished All American Billet pulleys handling the AC compressor, and power steering and water pumps (the latter the high-flow kind). A handmade Entropy aluminum radiator with twin electric fans keeps the BBC hydrated.

And would you believe all that passed California emissions last year? Yup, Borracho was built to drive fast and jump through hoops!

That Mark IV temple of zoom needs a harness to put the power to the pavement. In the case of Borracho, a TH400 with valve body and torque converter upgrades has stepped up to the plate to handle confident, three-speed automatic shifts. Out back, a narrowed 12-bolt rear is fitted with 3.73s paired with an Auburn Gear limited-slip diff.

But enough of what’s under the hood — let’s look at what you see when the hood’s closed. The paint is called Kurkuma Yellow Metallic and, believe it or not, you may have seen a more pedestrian version of the color on late-model Volkswagens. Catchy, right? Components like bumpers, trim, wheels (Intro Flow two-piece billet aluminum jobs) also have received contrasting Candy Gold powder-coated accents, with the whole kit and caboodle receiving a House of Kolor clearcoat. Suspend disbelief when you discover Borracho’s arresting hue has been recognized at shows with multiple awards including “Best Paint.” Kudos go to former owner and painter extraordinaire, Frank Rechlin of IKandy Paintworks in Peoria, Arizona, for the job done right.

Underneath, you won’t find no wussified unibody here! Like the body, the custom chassis too is powder-coated. The suspension components feature modern underpinnings with Porterbuilt Fabrication components and airbags from Slam Specialties. Your tuchus will thank you for the Air Lift  Performance 3H auto-leveling air management system that is connected to dual aluminum tanks and a pair of VIAIR compressors.

Speaking of your derriere, the luxurious cabin was created by Phoenix’s own Elevated Design. TMI saddle leather split bench seat, door panels and steering wheel add to the cockpit’s warmth, while an ididit steering column, and rack and pinion steering are your direction connection to the road. A Restomod Air climate control (with billet vents), and 2,600-watt audio system (comprised of a Pioneer double-DIN head unit and four 13.5-inch JL Audio subwoofers) complement the music from the 454.

The instrument panel features Dakota Digital HDX gauges that include a 160-mph speedo, 8,000-rpm tach and auxiliary gauges for the fuel, coolant temperature, oil pressure and voltage. Out back, an air-actuated tonneau cover conceals an upholstered bed.

They say all that glitters is not gold, but here we have a very glaring exception, as proven by the below GrinderTV video that shows the gilded pickup in all its glowing glory. This truck is your golden ticket to the status that trophies and adoration will bring you so stand by because the auction for this 1963 GMC 1000 pickup ends on April 3, 2023 at 4:00 p.m. (PDT).

Featured on AutoHunter, the online auction platform driven by ClassicCars.com, is this restored 1972 International Harvester Scout II. It is powered by a 345ci V8 engine backed by a three-speed automatic transmission with dual-range transfer case. Features include an updated stereo with AM/FM/CD,power brakes and steering, tube bumpers, body-colored roll bar, and bed liner. Finished in metallic orange with removable black soft top, this 1972 Scout II comes from the selling dealer with a clear title.

During the restoration, the exterior was refinished in the metallic orange hue you see here. Features include, wheel flares, dual mirrors, and a black soft top with plastic windows.

A set of eight-hole aluminum wheels with manual locking front hubs is wrapped in radial tires.

The front bucket seats and the rear bench are protected by black seat covers. Features include Grant GTsteering wheel, floor-mounted transmission and transfer case shifters, black bed liner and Alpine AM/FM/CD stereo.

An 85-mph speedometer and gauges for the fuel level, coolant temperature, oil pressure and voltage are located ahead of the driver. The odometer reads 12,641 miles, though the true mileage on this vehicle is unknown.

Power is provided by a 345ci “Comanche” V8 and backed by a three-speed automatic transmission with dual-range transfer case.

This Scout II is equipped with both solid front and rear axles featuring part-time four-wheel drive. Power front discs and rear drums stop the motion on pavement or earth. A dual exhaust system with MagnaFlow mufflers exits ahead of the rear tires. Additional equipment includes newer bushings and suspension components.

The auction for this 1972 International Harvester Scout II ends on Wednesday, April 5, 2023, at 3:40 p.m. (PDT)

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and photo gallery

While Malcolm Bricklin is perhaps most widely recognized in automotive circles for bringing Subaru (and the Yugo) to the U.S., the insatiable entrepreneur has actually started more than 30 companies, including the eponymous car brand Bricklin.

Like many of his ventures, Bricklin’s car brand didn’t last long, but from 1974 to 1975 it managed to churn out a striking sports car with gullwing doors, a lightweight composite body, and V-8 power.

The car is the Bricklin SV-1, and comedian Jeff Dunham happens to own one. It’s featured in the latest episode of Jay Leno’s web series, “Jay Leno’s Garage.”

Dunham’s example is a 1975 model, which means it features a Ford V-8 instead of the original AMC V-8 used the previous model year. The Ford V-8, the popular Windsor, generates approximately 175 hp in this application and is paired with a 3-speed automatic. Drive is to the rear wheels only.

Unusually for a sports car, the SV-1 was marketed for its safety, in addition to its performance. The SV in the name actually stands for “safety vehicle,” and the car has features like an integrated roll cage. Some of the body panels, including the front and rear fascias, were also designed to absorb the energy of low-speed impacts, helping to prevent dents.

As told in the video, many of the car’s available colors also have the word safety in their names, such as Safety Red, as featured on Dunham’s car. In an effort to save costs, the cars weren’t actually painted. Instead, the color was impregnated in the acrylic resin used for the body. However, quality issues quickly emerged, like the resin blistering at high temperatures.

Various other quality issues, together with a rising price meant the SV-1 was never a top seller. Production, which took place at a purpose-built plant in Saint John, in Canada’s New Brunswick, is thought to have totaled less than 3,000 units.

This article was originally published by Motor Authority, an editorial partner of ClassicCars.com.

Featured on AutoHunter, the online auction platform driven by ClassicCars.com, is this 1980 Pontiac Turbo Trans Am Pace Car. The limited-edition Firebird was originally sold in Canada and shows 3,460 kilometers (2,150 miles). Built to commemorate both the 1980 Indianapolis 500 and Daytona 500 races, all were powered by a turbocharged 4.9-liter V8 mated to a three-speed automatic transmission. According to the build sheet, this F-body was originally delivered to Smyl Motors Ltd. in St. Paul, Alberta. Equipment includes T-tops, power windows, Delco AM/FM stereo with cassette, and more. Finished in white with multicolor accents over an off-white vinyl and cloth interior, this Trans Am comes with documentation, owner’s booklets, T-top bags, original pace car decals with instructions, and Canadian registration.

The Cameo White body is accented with silver trim, red and black striping, and black/silver/gray/red “Screaming Chicken” hood graphic. Other features include front and rear fender flares, rear spoiler and exhaust splitters.

The original color-keyed 15-inch aluminum wheels are wrapped in the original 225/70 Goodyear Polysteel Radial white-letter tires.

The cockpit features Oyster vinyl and cloth high-back bucket seats with matching rear buckets. The instrument panel is trimmed with engine-turned aluminum. Amenities include air conditioning, cruise control, leather-wrapped steering wheel with tilt steering column, tinted glass, rear defroster, and power decklid with space-saver tire in the trunk.

Instrumentation includes a 140-kmh speedometer, 6,000-rpm tachometer, hood-mounted boost indicators, clock and gauges for the fuel level, coolant temperature, oil pressure and voltage.

The turbocharged 4.9-liter V8 was rated at 210 horsepower and 345 lb-ft of torque when new. Interestingly, per the built sheet, this Trans Am came factory-equipped with an engine block heater. The three-speed “M33” automatic transmission is backed by a 3.08:1 Positraction rear end.

The chassis features Pontiac’s Radial Tuned Suspension. Steering is power-assisted. Power disc brakes can be found on all four corners.

The auction for this 1980 Pontiac Turbo Trans Am Pace Car ends on Tuesday, March 28, 2023, at 4:40 p.m. (PDT)

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and photo gallery

Featured on AutoHunter, the online auction platform driven by ClassicCars.com, is this 1980 Pontiac Turbo Trans Am Pace Car. The limited-edition Firebird was originally sold in Canada and shows 3,460 kilometers (2,150 miles). Built to commemorate both the 1980 Indianapolis 500 and Daytona 500 races, all were powered by a turbocharged 4.9-liter V8 mated to a three-speed automatic transmission. According to the build sheet, this F-body was originally delivered to Smyl Motors Ltd. in St. Paul, Alberta. Equipment includes T-tops, power windows, Delco AM/FM stereo with cassette, and more. Finished in white with multicolor accents over an off-white vinyl and cloth interior, this Trans Am comes with documentation, owner’s booklets, T-top bags, original pace car decals with instructions, and Canadian registration.

The Cameo White body is accented with silver trim, red and black striping, and black/silver/gray/red “Screaming Chicken” hood graphic. Other features include front and rear fender flares, rear spoiler and exhaust splitters.

The original color-keyed 15-inch aluminum wheels are wrapped in the original 225/70 Goodyear Polysteel Radial white-letter tires.

The cockpit features Oyster vinyl and cloth high-back bucket seats with matching rear buckets. The instrument panel is trimmed with engine-turned aluminum. Amenities include air conditioning, cruise control, leather-wrapped steering wheel with tilt steering column, tinted glass, rear defroster, and power decklid with space-saver tire in the trunk.

Instrumentation includes a 140-kmh speedometer, 6,000-rpm tachometer, hood-mounted boost indicators, clock and gauges for the fuel level, coolant temperature, oil pressure and voltage.

The turbocharged 4.9-liter V8 was rated at 210 horsepower and 345 lb-ft of torque when new. Interestingly, per the built sheet, this Trans Am came factory-equipped with an engine block heater. The three-speed “M33” automatic transmission is backed by a 3.08:1 Positraction rear end.

The chassis features Pontiac’s Radial Tuned Suspension. Steering is power-assisted. Power disc brakes can be found on all four corners.

The auction for this 1980 Pontiac Turbo Trans Am Pace Car ends on Tuesday, March 28, 2023, at 4:40 p.m. (PDT)

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and photo gallery

Featured on AutoHunter, the online auction platform driven by ClassicCars.com, is this 1980 Pontiac Turbo Trans Am Pace Car. The limited-edition Firebird was originally sold in Canada and shows 3,460 kilometers (2,150 miles). Built to commemorate both the 1980 Indianapolis 500 and Daytona 500 races, all were powered by a turbocharged 4.9-liter V8 mated to a three-speed automatic transmission. According to the build sheet, this F-body was originally delivered to Smyl Motors Ltd. in St. Paul, Alberta. Equipment includes T-tops, power windows, Delco AM/FM stereo with cassette, and more. Finished in white with multicolor accents over an off-white vinyl and cloth interior, this Trans Am comes with documentation, owner’s booklets, T-top bags, original pace car decals with instructions, and Canadian registration.

The Cameo White body is accented with silver trim, red and black striping, and black/silver/gray/red “Screaming Chicken” hood graphic. Other features include front and rear fender flares, rear spoiler and exhaust splitters.

The original color-keyed 15-inch aluminum wheels are wrapped in the original 225/70 Goodyear Polysteel Radial white-letter tires.

The cockpit features Oyster vinyl and cloth high-back bucket seats with matching rear buckets. The instrument panel is trimmed with engine-turned aluminum. Amenities include air conditioning, cruise control, leather-wrapped steering wheel with tilt steering column, tinted glass, rear defroster, and power decklid with space-saver tire in the trunk.

Instrumentation includes a 140-kmh speedometer, 6,000-rpm tachometer, hood-mounted boost indicators, clock and gauges for the fuel level, coolant temperature, oil pressure and voltage.

The turbocharged 4.9-liter V8 was rated at 210 horsepower and 345 lb-ft of torque when new. Interestingly, per the built sheet, this Trans Am came factory-equipped with an engine block heater. The three-speed “M33” automatic transmission is backed by a 3.08:1 Positraction rear end.

The chassis features Pontiac’s Radial Tuned Suspension. Steering is power-assisted. Power disc brakes can be found on all four corners.

The auction for this 1980 Pontiac Turbo Trans Am Pace Car ends on Tuesday, March 28, 2023, at 4:40 p.m. (PDT)

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and photo gallery

Hyundai Motor America donated $50,000 to the Banner Health Foundation to help build a Play Zone at Diamond Children’s Medical Center in Tucson, Arizona. The donation is part of Hyundai’s corporate social responsibility initiative, Hyundai Hope, and will assist in creating a dedicated play space for pediatric patients and their families. A ceremonial check was presented to the Banner Health Foundation in Scottsdale, Arizona.

“The opportunities and benefits that a safe and supportive space like the Play Zone will offer families is at the heart of Hyundai Hope’s mission,” said Brandon Ramirez, director, corporate social responsibility, Hyundai Motor America. “We are proud to partner with the Banner Health Foundation to bring this to life and continue to uplift children and families in the community.”

Banner Health is one of the largest nonprofit health systems in the country, consisting of 30 hospitals, three academic medical centers, and other health-related entities operating in six states. Banner Children’s at Diamond Children’s Medical Center is focused on helping kids feel safe while receiving advanced care from pediatric specialty physicians and researchers. The Play Zone at Diamond Children’s Medical Center will be a non-medical, supportive environment for kids where they can ask questions, build coping mechanisms, reduce anxiety, and prepare for treatments in a bright, positive environment. Children will also participate in recreation and therapeutic play, which can ultimately improve children’s emotional outlook and uplift their mood.

“I’ve had the opportunity to provide clinical care to patients in a play zone and the magic of the space is truly incredible,” says Hadley Trull, associate director of Child Life, Diamond Children’s. “The honest conversations that come from a relaxed environment and the creative outlet this space provides are unlike anything that can be offered in a hospital room.”

Hyundai Motor America donated $50,000 to the Banner Health Foundation to help build a Play Zone at Diamond Children’s Medical Center in Tucson, Arizona. The donation is part of Hyundai’s corporate social responsibility initiative, Hyundai Hope, and will assist in creating a dedicated play space for pediatric patients and their families. A ceremonial check was presented to the Banner Health Foundation in Scottsdale, Arizona.

“The opportunities and benefits that a safe and supportive space like the Play Zone will offer families is at the heart of Hyundai Hope’s mission,” said Brandon Ramirez, director, corporate social responsibility, Hyundai Motor America. “We are proud to partner with the Banner Health Foundation to bring this to life and continue to uplift children and families in the community.”

Banner Health is one of the largest nonprofit health systems in the country, consisting of 30 hospitals, three academic medical centers, and other health-related entities operating in six states. Banner Children’s at Diamond Children’s Medical Center is focused on helping kids feel safe while receiving advanced care from pediatric specialty physicians and researchers. The Play Zone at Diamond Children’s Medical Center will be a non-medical, supportive environment for kids where they can ask questions, build coping mechanisms, reduce anxiety, and prepare for treatments in a bright, positive environment. Children will also participate in recreation and therapeutic play, which can ultimately improve children’s emotional outlook and uplift their mood.

“I’ve had the opportunity to provide clinical care to patients in a play zone and the magic of the space is truly incredible,” says Hadley Trull, associate director of Child Life, Diamond Children’s. “The honest conversations that come from a relaxed environment and the creative outlet this space provides are unlike anything that can be offered in a hospital room.”

Hyundai Motor America donated $50,000 to the Banner Health Foundation to help build a Play Zone at Diamond Children’s Medical Center in Tucson, Arizona. The donation is part of Hyundai’s corporate social responsibility initiative, Hyundai Hope, and will assist in creating a dedicated play space for pediatric patients and their families. A ceremonial check was presented to the Banner Health Foundation in Scottsdale, Arizona.

“The opportunities and benefits that a safe and supportive space like the Play Zone will offer families is at the heart of Hyundai Hope’s mission,” said Brandon Ramirez, director, corporate social responsibility, Hyundai Motor America. “We are proud to partner with the Banner Health Foundation to bring this to life and continue to uplift children and families in the community.”

Banner Health is one of the largest nonprofit health systems in the country, consisting of 30 hospitals, three academic medical centers, and other health-related entities operating in six states. Banner Children’s at Diamond Children’s Medical Center is focused on helping kids feel safe while receiving advanced care from pediatric specialty physicians and researchers. The Play Zone at Diamond Children’s Medical Center will be a non-medical, supportive environment for kids where they can ask questions, build coping mechanisms, reduce anxiety, and prepare for treatments in a bright, positive environment. Children will also participate in recreation and therapeutic play, which can ultimately improve children’s emotional outlook and uplift their mood.

“I’ve had the opportunity to provide clinical care to patients in a play zone and the magic of the space is truly incredible,” says Hadley Trull, associate director of Child Life, Diamond Children’s. “The honest conversations that come from a relaxed environment and the creative outlet this space provides are unlike anything that can be offered in a hospital room.”

Any Duesenberg is bound to attract attention, but the car featured on this episode of “Jay Leno’s Garage” has always stood out from the rest.

This four-door was built as a show car for the 1933 Chicago World’s Fair, where it became famous in its time as the “Twenty Grand” Duesenberg because of its then-outrageous price of $20,000. Leno notes in the video that the average American car cost less than $1,000 at the time, and the average house was less than $2,000.

The one-off Twenty Grand was not the most expensive Duesenberg ever built—the 1934 Duesenberg Walker Coupe cost $25,000 when new—but it was too expensive to attract a buyer the first time around. Duesenberg repainted it black and brought it back to Chicago in 1934, where it was eventually sold to a wealthy buyer. It’s now part of California’s Nethercutt Collection, where it’s displayed alongside other classics from storied automakers like Bugatti and Hispano-Suiza.

Like other Duesenbergs, the Twenty Grand is powered by a straight-8 engine based on Indianapolis 500 racing engines. This car’s engine displaces 421 cubic inches and has a supercharger, generating 320 hp. Like the car’s price, that was an astounding figure in the 1930s. 

The race-bred engine and the performance it provided meant that Duesenbergs were considered driver’s cars in their time, but this car was also designed to be chauffeur driven. Its unique coachbuilt body includes a partition and a complete set of gauges for rear-seat passengers so they monitor what the driver is doing. It gives new meaning to the term “back-seat driver.”

The car was restored in 1979 and has been shown frequently since then, although because of its value it isn’t driven very often anymore. That means the driving portion of this video is limited to a bit of taxiing around an airport apron, but it’s rare to see this unique Duesenberg in motion at all.

This article was originally published by Motor Authority, an editorial partner of ClassicCars.com.