Journal Classic Cars

Isn’t it interesting how the sensibilities of the past may not be matched by those of the present? Take our Pick of the Day as an example: When it hit the market, it wasn’t the most stylish vehicle on the road—neither in its class nor the whole marketplace—yet for decades it’s been among everyone’s favorite. This 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Sport Coupe is listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in Soddy-Daisy, Tennessee.

As you may already know, the 1957 Chevrolet was simply a heavy restyle of the car that originated for 1955. The ’56 facelift felt appropriate at the time, while the 1957 appeared overwrought in comparison. Gone were the clean Ferrari-inspired grille, high-mounted taillights, and tasteful two-toning, replaced by a busy front end with several protrusions (including optional rubber “Dagmars”) and a tail that hardly looked like an evolution. “A product of extensive engineering development, the 1957 passenger car incorporated many far-reaching new features designed to keep Chevrolet at the forefront of contemporary passenger cars in performance, styling, and roadability,” claimed the company.

Additionally, Plymouth was leading the charge of the Chrysler Corporation’s “Forward Look,” featuring sleek two-door hardtops with low rooflines and high tailfins, not to mention Torsion-Aire front suspension. Compared to Chevrolet, the Plymouth two-door hardtop was around five inches lower and four inches wider. It was Plymouth and its Dodge, DeSoto, Chrysler, and Imperial companions that made Chevrolet go back to the drawing board and introduce a spectacular response two years later.

That’s not to say the 1957 Chevrolet was lackluster—quite the opposite, actually. It simply worked, giving kids everywhere a car to dream about. It’s been “America’s Sweetheart” for decades because it has style in spades, plus it was underneath the hood that the newsboys had something to shout about. The 265ci small-block was given a 0.125-inch bore to achieve 283ci, making an engine that would reside in Chevrolet’s roster for 11 years. For 1957, a two-barrel 283 was rated at 160 horsepower, with a four-barrel adding 60 more horses. Two versions were available with dual quads: one with 245 horses, the other a solid-lifter job rated at 270; add the all-new Rochester fuel injection and those numbers increased to 250 and 283, respectively. This car has been embraced by hot rodders ever since.

This award-winning Onyx Black 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Sport Coupe flaunts everything that has made it America’s Sweetheart of the collectible car world. “This outstanding car just won Best Restored, First in Class, Best Interior, and Best Engine at the 2026 World of Wheels, Chattanooga, Tennessee,” says the seller. “It has the original matching-numbers 283 Power Pack engine, 3-speed manual transmission, and rear end. Also, T3 headlights, dual side-view mirror, radio, rear-mounted antenna, stainless exhaust, 14-inch 800 bias-ply tires with correct ‘57 spinner hubcaps, and original spare and jack.”

You may know what it’s like to get the girl of your dreams. Even if you don’t know that feeling, certainly you can imagine the feeling of owning America’s Sweetheart. For $95,000 (OBO) including shipping anywhere in the Continental U.S., you can be that lucky person.

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

Right now, you’re probably busy preparing for the Super Bowl. But at this very moment, you’re here, checking out the latest installment of Car Connections, a series in which I link three outputs from the Random Word Generator to cars in some way—and I am thankful that you are. This week’s words are ratio, medicine, and tube. (How would you associate these words with cars? Tell us in the Comments section below.)

Ratio: I can just end this one by choosing compression ratio, but that’s too easy. Instead, I’ll start with sandwiches because I believe part of a good sandwich is its ratio of bread to fillings. There needs to be a balance of the two so that you can sink your teeth into the bread but also taste what’s in the sandwich. That leads me to the sandwich chain Jimmy John’s, which makes me think of Jimmy Johnson, the two-time Super Bowl-winning former NFL coach. Yes, he took the Dallas Cowboys to the top in the ’90s but, when he popped into my head, I thought of Florida, where he led the University of Miami to a national championship and coached the NFL’s Miami Dolphins. Florida is where Velocity Restorations transforms “iconic vehicles into modern masterpieces.” Last year, we brought you reviews of its 1966 Ford Bronco with the Blackout Package and its 1972 Chevrolet K5 Blazer.

Medicine: Every now and then, especially when colds are going around, it’s time to break out a jar of Vicks VapoRub. In this case, rubbing is a good thing, but it’s terrible for matte paint jobs, such as the Bond Silver finish offered on another one of our review vehicles, the 2024 Genesis G70 3.3T RWD Sport Prestige.

Tube: Going to the bank is a boring errand, but using the drive-thru’s pneumatic tube system is somewhat fun. Hmmm . . . tube. Torque tube. You know which car had one of those, which housed the driveshaft and connected the front-mounted V8 to the rear-mounted transmission? The 1997-2004 C5 Chevrolet Corvette.

Share your ideas with us for random words to use in a future installment of Car Connections. Want to add a Velocity Restorations build, Corvette, or Genesis to your garage? Visit ClassicCars.com and AutoHunter.com.

It seems every automaker in Detroit has discontinued and reintroduced a model name from its portfolio. Sometimes it feels like a natural segue, while other times it’s egregious, as if there’s a lack of creativity. In rare instances, companies transferred the name from one brand to another. Here are several examples of the latter. Can you think of more?

Ford Parklane and Mercury Park Lane
When Chevrolet debuted the Nomad (and Pontiac the Safari), it was quite the unique wagon, what with its hardtop styling, radiused rear wheel arches (a distinguishing feature of the ’55), and premium trim. Ford scrambled to produce a competitor, but creating a new body style doesn’t come easy. In this case, Ford returned the serve with the 1956 Parklane wagon. It too was a “ultra-fashionable” two-door station wagon that “carries six big passengers in complete luxury,” with Ford stylists grafting on Fairlane side trim and stainless steel trim on the B-pillar; inside, you’d find a fully carpeted interior (“even in the load area”) and a privacy cover for cargo. Ford built 15,185 Parklanes (almost twice as many as the Nomad), then discontinued the model.

Mercury began using the very similar Park Lane name for its new top-of-the-line model for 1958. This lasted through 1960, when Mercury appeared to be confused and moved its marketplace position down a notch. For 1964, the Park Lane returned as Mercury’s top-line model, though the late 1960s brought evolution to Mercury’s portfolio as the Marquis, a personal luxury coupe introduced for 1967, was expanded and replaced the Park Lane as the top full-size Mercury.

Lincoln-Zephyr and Mercury Zephyr
Lincoln’s Zephyr was Ford Motor Company’s youthful, streamlined series that competed with LaSalle, Cadillac’s junior companion make, and the Packard One-Twenty. What distinguished the 1936 Zephyr from its eight-cylinder competition was its flathead V12. The Lincoln-Zephyr’s streamlined appearance came off better than most aerodynamic predecessors, although for 1938, it adopted more conventional styling in the Ford vein, though it was no less stunning. Though the Lincoln-Zephyr can stand on its own, it’s worth noting that it was the basis for the landmark 1940 Lincoln Continental convertible and coupe. While the Continental lasted through 1948, the Zephyr name ended in 1942. Once production resumed after World War II, these cars were simply referred to as “Lincoln.”

The Zephyr name was used by the British Ford beginning with the 1951 model year and lasted through 1972. In the States, Mercury revived the name for a Fox-bodied compact for 1978 that was a cousin to the Fairmont and replacement for the Comet. This car was replaced by the even more unloved 1984 Mercury Topaz. After hibernating for several decades, the Zephyr nameplate returned to the Lincoln fold for 2006 before being renamed the Lincoln MKZ for 2007.

Imperial LeBaron and Chrysler LeBaron
Founded in 1920 in New York City, LeBaron was one of the premiere design houses in the United States. Briggs Manufacturing Company bought LeBaron in 1926, which in turn was purchased by Chrysler in 1953. Two years later, Chrysler spun off the Imperial model to be an independent brand. Two years after that, the Imperial LeBaron played the role of the top-ranked Imperial. The Imperial LeBaron remained at the top of Chrysler’s premium brand through 1975, upon which the brand was discontinued until 1981.

For 1977, Chrysler christened its first small car the LeBaron. Based on the M-body platform (along with the Plymouth Volare and Dodge Aspen), the LeBaron deftly disguised its humbler origins until the model was applied to Chrysler’s version of the K-car for 1982. Variations of this vehicle would be produced through 1994.

Cadillac Calais and Oldsmobile Calais
Calais is a northern French port city right by the English Channel. It’s also the namesake of a forgotten Cadillac model that first appeared in 1965 as a replacement for the Series 62. As the entry-level Cadillac, the Calais never really caught on as a name with buyers (or collectors, for that matter), so it was discontinued after 1976; for 1977, with the introduction of the full-size, downsized Cadillac, the De Ville became the entry-level model and continued to kill it in sales.

Ironically, when Oldsmobile downsized the mid-size Cutlass series for 1978, the Calais became part of that series, a Euro-inspired coupe based on the Cutlass Supreme. It was produced through 1984, upon which it was replaced by the Cutlass Salon. For 1985, the Calais name was transferred to a brand-new compact that was chosen to pace the Indianapolis 500. For 1988, Oldsmobile—already drunk with “Cutlass Fever”—applied the Cutlass name to the Calais, and it was this Cutlass Calais that was laid to rest at the end of the 1991 model year.

Just so you Aussies don’t dox me, I should mention that the Calais name was also used on the top version of the Holden Commodore starting in 1984. It would continue through 2020, the year before Holden was discontinued as a brand.

Right now on AutoHunter, you can find this four-wheel-drive 1971 Chevrolet K10, which is powered by a 350ci V8 paired with a four-speed manual gearbox and a dual-range transfer case. Highlights include power steering and front disc brakes, left- and right-side mirrors, hitch receiver, and more. Finished in Medium Blue over a Blue cloth and vinyl interior, this second-generation C/K pickup is now offered by the selling dealer in Oregon with a clear title.

Part of General Motors’ “Action Line” of trucks, this K10 is covered in Medium Blue, which is accented with chrome bumpers and bright mirror housings. Features include a cab-mounted fuel cap, bed and tailgate liners, and hitch receiver.

A set of 15-inch steel wheels with manual-locking front hubs and 30-inch Cooper Discoverer A/T raised-white-letter radial tires get this classic truck down the road and up trails.

The cabin is just as colorful as the body. Nearly everything is blue, from the door panels to the dashboard, and the Blue cloth and vinyl bench seat. Features include power steering, floor-mounted manual transmission and transfer case shifters, and AM/FM radio.

However, there is some black for contrast, which surrounds and fills the dials of the 100-mph speedometer and the gauges for the battery, temperature, fuel level, and oil pressure. The odometer shows 95,667 miles, but this truck is mileage-exempt, according to the title.

The 350ci V8 left the factory with 8.5:1 compression and gross output ratings of 250 horsepower at 4,600 rpm and 350 lb-ft of torque at 3,000 rpm. A four-speed manual transmission and dual-range transfer case send the small-block’s grunt to the road or trail below.

If you want to get some mud on this 1971 Chevrolet K10’s tires, you have to bid on it first. Do it now—don’t wait until right before the auction ends on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, at 12:15 p.m. (MST).

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and a photo gallery

When compared to its big-brother Chevelle, the compact Chevy II was lighter (to the tune of about 500 pounds), thanks to its semi-unibody construction. As a result of that, the car has always been a popular platform for restomod-style upgrades with high-horsepower engines. The Pick of the Day is a 1967 Chevrolet Chevy II Nova hardtop that has been elevated to all-new performance heights. It is listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in Coarsegold, California.

If a picture is worth a thousand words, a video might be worth 5,000 or more. Do yourself a favor and view an 11-second clip before reading any further. This Nova passes by in a flash, but its supercharged 6.2-liter GM Performance LSX engine makes some great noises. We might as well name the car a “Silver Bullet” for the way that it performs.

This pro-street 1967 Nova was the recipient of a $140,000-plus build, and the classified listing outlines some of the key elements. The car is said to produce in excess of 800 horsepower thanks to a Whipple LS supercharger, a Fuel Injector Clinic (FIC) fuel-injection system, an LSX drive-by-wire throttle boy, a cold-air intake, an intercooler system, and other go-fast goodies. The transmission is an RPM Transmissions Level V four-speed automatic that was engineered specifically for high-horsepower street, strip, and race applications.

Suffice it to say, this Nova will get up and go, but the build didn’t focus on sheer acceleration. The car also handles and brakes with confidence: Features include a TCI independent front suspension, Ridetech adjustable coilovers, and Wilwood 12-inch drilled rotors with four-piston calipers.

Some have called the Chevy II Nova a sneaky street-racer because its exterior packaging was so restrained. Model year 1967 marked the final phase of the second-generation for the Nova. The car was marketed as Chevrolet’s “stylish economy car.” One advertisement said, “Designed to keep upkeep down and make you look good at the same time.”

And look good it does! Check out the pics of the exterior and interior of this machine, including the Super Sport-spec furnishings. Features include chrome brightwork, Super Sport badging, and Rally-style aluminum wheels wrapped in Nitto tires. The interior has black vinyl bucket seats with white accents, Dakota Digital gauges, wood-rimmed steering wheel, and stereo system.

Of course, with all the sweet noises the Whipple supercharger makes, I don’t think I’d care too much about my audio playlist—treat your ears to the sounds of performance instead.

The asking price $115,000 or best offer.

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

It seemed like he’d live forever, but not even Ed Iskenderian was immortal. He passed away on February 4, 2026, at the ripe old age of 104.

Hot rodders around the world know Iskenderian for the camshaft business he built in California, the locus for acceleration runs that gave fuel to cars from Detroit and beyond. That camshaft machine he bought after returning from Air Force duty in World War II was the impetus that garnered attention from racers from all realms, on land and water, to this very day. Not bad for a young 20-something who had previously modified his Model T roadster for top-end dry lake runs.

During the pre-Internet era, Isky Racing Cams ads were regulars within the pages of many periodicals. Iskenderian was also a founding member of the Speed Equipment Manufacturers Association, known today as the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) that brings together the aftermarket in Las Vegas every November.

It’s been said many times that veterans of the Second World War are of the “Greatest Generation.” It also could be said that Ed Iskenderian was the last man standing, a remnant of the past that produced the present. Godspeed, hot rodding’s elder statesman!

We spotted the Toyota Turbo Trail Cruiser at SEMA in Las Vegas. It’s a great example of what companies at the show do best: use a heritage platform to showcase engineering and aftermarket-style creativity. SEMA, short for the Specialty Equipment Market Association, has been the industry’s main stage for custom vehicles and parts for decades, and manufacturers use it to test ideas, show off capabilities, and grab attention with builds that are more “rolling proof-of-concept” than production preview.

Toyota’s approach here is pretty straightforward: Keep the FJ60 Land Cruiser silhouette and proportions, then modernize the driving experience with the i-Force 3.4-liter twin-turbo V6 from the current Tundra, which is rated for 389 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque. It’s paired with a custom setup that retains the original 5-speed manual, which preserves some of the analog feel enthusiasts want while still delivering power. Would you rather have this classic FJ60 look with modern twin-turbo power or keep a Land Cruiser totally original? Let us know in the comments below. Stay tuned for more SEMA content.

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While you’re still counting the days before Stellantis gives in and gives us a V8 Charger, we might as well show you one of the running changes that Dodge has made for current Chargers.

I enjoy running changes because they can contribute to cool trivia many years later. Take the 1969 Dodge Charger as a fine example. On February 4, 1969, Dodge sent a bulletin to dealerships announcing the addition of Performance Hood Paint (code V21) on both the Charger and Charger R/T. “A new performance hood paint for the hood and cowl of all Charger models is now available. This is a dull finish black Organasol paint which is applied to the two indented louvre [sic] surfaces of the hood as well as the cowl.” Another bulletin from March 3, 1969 stated, “It is recommended that Chargers and Charger R/Ts ordered with Hemi Orange also specify the recently announced black performance hood (code V21) which combines to make a striking performance car.”

Only 455 V8 Charger and 338 Charger R/T vehicles were built for the U.S. market (plus a few more for Canada and Export markets) for the abbreviated model year. Strangely, these stripes were not very popular notwithstanding the mid-year introduction, but interestingly, they were rarer for the complete 1970 model year.

That same spirit has existed within Dodge in contemporary times if past Challengers and Chargers are any indication, which is why we embrace the recent announcement that a Satin Black hood graphic and Fratzog dual stripes have been added as options for Sixpack-powered Dodge Charger Scat Pack and R/T models (which offer 550 and 420 horsepower, respectively). The graphic “offers a high-contrast accent point to the Charger’s available exterior colors” while “accentuating Charger’s sculpted power dome,” while the stripes “carry red trim accents and a unique, repeating Fratzog logo pattern that fills in each stripe.”

Dodge CEO Matt McAlear said, “This is just the start of what owners can expect when it comes to customizing the all‑new Sixpack-powered Charger. Our enthusiasts want personalization options, and the Fratzog dual stripes and new Satin Black hood graphic are just the beginning in turbocharging customization for the Sixpack. We’re leaning all the way in on factory‑backed personalization choices so customers can build their Charger their way.”

The MSRP for the graphic is $395, while the Fratzog dual stripes (which are compatible with both steel and glass roofs) start at $1,695. I for one cannot wait to see one of these striped Chargers on the street, though I suppose I could say the same thing about any late-model Charger.

Going to a museum is like watching a movie: you see the carefully prepared, eye-catching final result of a sometimes years-long process full of research, problem solving, and elbow grease. Starting March 12, 2026, the National Corvette Museum‘s “Driven to Preserve” exhibit will show you “how Corvettes are tracked, documented, stabilized, and interpreted—not just displayed.”

There are three main components to the enlightening display. The first is the museum-grade documentation, logistics, and care involved in handling the NCM’s precious contents. The second is that there’s more to the museum’s work than just keeping the cars in great shape—their context, modifications, materials, and history also have to be maintained.

The third is Corvettes, of course, which will be displayed on lifts in the Limited Engagement Gallery and accompanied by “interpretive displays explaining how Museum staff manage everything from environmental monitoring to object tracking.”

This fall, the NCM’s new 66,000-square-foot Collections Facility will open as a showcase of the most historically significant Corvettes, Corvette artifacts, and Corvette preservation efforts. Those who attend “Driven to Preserve” will be able to preview what to expect in the space. The Corvettes included in the sneak-peek will be:

—Tuxedo Black ’62 that fell into the sinkhole back in 2014 and was restored in 2018, right down to the Frisch’s Big Boy sugar packet that was found under the seat.

—1979 engineering development mule that was built as an experimental platform and later used as a training tool for employees at the Bowling Green Assembly Plant. It received its own restoration: after arriving at the NCM in pieces, it was reassembled over the course of several years.

—2003 Z06 that was modified by Callaway to produce nearly 500 horsepower.

To score tickets for the National Corvette Museum’s “Driven to Preserve” exhibit, click here.

For over 60 years, Shelby Mustangs have been enthusiast favorites. When Shelby American got its hands on the “S197” (fifth-generation) variant of Ford’s popular pony car, the company created a performance powerhouse that was every bit worthy of the Shelby name. Featured on AutoHunter is a Mustang that received some of that “special sauce”: a 2008 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 listed by a dealer in Asheboro, North Carolina. The auction is scheduled to end on Monday, February 9, 2026 at 11:15 a.m. (MST).

Key components on the GT500’s equipment list were a 500-horsepower supercharged V8, a TREMEC six-speed manual transmission, an SVT-tuned suspension, and Brembo brakes. All of those elements worked together to make the GT500 a well-rounded, jack-of-all-trades performance car. Car and Driver said, “This is a sports car that loves to tackle that favorite twisty road or local racetrack, and it does so with utter confidence.”

Features of this low-mileage GT500’s Performance White exterior include a “power dome” hood, Vista Blue striping, GT500 rocker decals, rear window louvers, and a flush-mounted rear spoiler. The car is said to be free of imperfections, and most importantly, it’s original. A good number of the Shelby-built cars likely went on to become modified track machines. Each Shelby Mustang was individually serialized with a dash plaque containing the car’s VIN and a representation of Carroll Shelby’s signature.

The key to the GT500’s success was found under its hood. The 5.4-liter V8 was part of Ford’s “Modular” series of engines, and each one had a placard that said “Hand-Built with Pride” and featured the signature of the individual who performed final assembly. The engine used an iron block, aluminum cylinder heads, a forged steel crankshaft, a dual 60mm electronic throttle body, and a nine-psi Eaton supercharger. On paper, it was impressive engineering; in practice, it worked well. The car could sprint to 60 mph in only about four seconds.

The AutoCheck report for this Shelby shows accident-free ownership in South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, and North Carolina. The current mileage reading of 17,658 miles is corroborated – the last recorded reading on the AutoCheck was 15,041 miles about three years ago, so the car has only been driven about 2,500 miles in that span of time. You’ll be hard-pressed to find an 18-year-old Shelby in such nice shape. The selling dealer has included a walk-around video for added buyer confidence. Throw in your highest bid!

The auction for this 2008 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 ends on Monday, February 9, 2026 at 11:15 a.m. (MST).

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and a photo gallery