Journal Classic Cars

No matter where you live in the U.S., the weather is just about perfect right now, so I thought I would highlight a classic motorcycle as my Pick of the Day.

I have owned a number of classic bikes: a Brough Superior SS80, six different Norton Commandos, five Harleys, and more than 20 BSAs and Triumphs, as well as Ducatis and Moto Guzzis. Of all the classic motorcycles out there, the most reliable, easiest to ride, and simplest to maintain are BMWs.

The classic bikes from BMW are well built, feel more modern than many of their contemporaries, have great parts support, and are amazingly reliable. To me, they are also an iconic part of motorcycle history.

My Pick of the Day from ClassicCars.com is a motorcycle from BMW’s great postwar era that was, at the time, the company’s top-of-the-line bike: a 1959 BMW R69.

You may note that I have not named this bike an R69S. That is because it is not an R69S, but rather an R69. You see, BMW introduced their highest-displacement (600cc) postwar motorcycle, which was tuned higher than their 600cc R60. This allowed the R69 to reach speeds in excess of 100 mph – quite fast for a motorcycle in the 1950s. The fact that it was also amazingly reliable just adds to its allure.

An innovation BMW incorporated into the R69 was the front swingarm suspension developed by Englishman Ernie Earles, called the Earles Fork. This front suspension was revolutionary at the time, as it provided incredible roadholding combined with a supremely comfortable ride. It also brought the added benefit of not having any fork dive under hard braking. What is interesting is that every BMW R-series bike since 1994 has had a similar front fork, called the Telelever.

From the many photos provided, this specific R69 looks to be in amazing condition. The seller states that it is a completely numbers-matching example (frame, engine, and transmission) and has been owned by one family from new.

It is also important to note that, according to the seller, this R69 had a comprehensive and fully documented mechanical restoration completed in 2024. This is important, as BMW bikes from this era are getting a bit old and, lacking any kind of an oil filter, they rely on “slingers” on the crankshaft to clean the oil. Over time, those can become pretty gummed up and lead to problems. Any R69 that has received a comprehensive mechanical restoration has had these attended to. Pro tip: If you have one of these bikes, simply change the oil every 1,000 miles to avoid this happening.

The bike includes its tool kit and a full set of manuals, as well as keys and accessories. In addition, this bike looks like it may even have a lot of its original paint, something that makes me like and want it even more. The seller also has a few period photos of the original owner with the bike, something pretty rare these days.

Sure, you can buy a used R69 for around $12,000, but when you factor in the cost of getting it up to speed mechanically (as this one seems to be), you are likely to go way over the $28,000 (OBO) asking price for this example.

If you love the idea of a vintage motorcycle and hate hassles, this 1959 BMW R69 would be a great one to pick.

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

The Factory Appearing Stock Tire (F.A.S.T.) racing series is the little brother of the Pure Stock Muscle Car Drag Race. If you’re less a purist and more of a heads-up racer, then F.A.S.T. is the bee’s knees. Here’s a hot Poncho owned by Dave Marquis that looks good and goes better.

This Nightshade Green 1968 Pontiac Firebird 400 convertible originally started out as a standard 330-horsepower example, but after Dave bought it for his wife in 2001, there were some issues that made her lose interest. Come 2017, Dave took over and converted it to a F.A.S.T. racer. He dropped in a 455 (originally destined for his 1971 Formula 400) and upgraded the camshaft, which resulted in a certified 430 horses and low-13s/high-12s in the quarter.

Dave then had the heads ported, updated the rocker arms, and selected a new 2500-rpm stall converter. Now, the Firebird pulls a best ET of 12.59 on street tires.

Join Muscle Car Campy as he gives us a driving impression of this Pontiac pony car, while Dave fills us in on this car’s journey from dismay to drag-racing dandy. If you enjoy this video, you can view more of Muscle Car Campy’s automotive adventures by clicking here.

Featured on AutoHunter is this 1959 GMC 100 pickup, which is powered by a rebuilt 350ci V8 and equipped with a TH400 three-speed automatic, four-wheel drive, and a dual-range transfer case. Finished in aqua blue and white with red pinstriping over a matching vinyl interior, this rolling tribute to Route 66 is now offered by the seller in Colorado with a clear title.

The single-cab, Fleetside exterior is finished in a combination of aqua blue and white with custom red pinstriping. Features include a visor over the wraparound windshield, chrome trim, a Route 66-themed bed floor, a custom toolbox mounted in the bed behind the cab, a diamond-plate rear bumper, and dual exhaust outlets.

This customized truck rides on 16-inch wheels with chrome covers and 235/75 whitewall radial tires.

Like the body, the cabin has an aqua blue and white color scheme with red accents and references to Route 66. Equipment includes a bench seat, a tilt steering column with an automatic shifter, power steering, air conditioning, and a Custom Autosound AM/FM/AUX/USB radio.

The set of Dolphin gauges consists of a 140-mph speedometer, an 8,000-rpm tachometer, and readouts for the fuel level, oil pressure, water temperature, and voltage. The odometer shows 3,076 miles, but the title for this truck indicates it’s mileage-exempt.

Under the hood is a 350ci V8 that was rebuilt in 2024. It comes equipped with a Holley four-barrel carburetor, Buick valve covers, and a Champion aluminum radiator. A TH400 three-speed automatic, 3.92 rear end, and dual-range transfer case deliver the engine’s output to the road or trail.

Like the engine, the suspension was rebuilt. That works with the power brakes to help this classic pickup keep on truckin’.

The auction for this 1959 GMC 100 ends on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, at 11:30 a.m. (PDT).

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and a photo gallery

It doesn’t matter how many bells and whistles your car has on it – there are some features that you’re never going to use. After having my Hyundai for a year and a half, I’ve gotten into a groove with the features that I access on a daily basis. I know other people do the same thing. That got me thinking about some of the features people in my life don’t or will never use. And now I’m wondering: Do you ever use any of the conveniences below? If you don’t, please tell me why in the comments below.

Soft-close Doors

Every time I get a press car to review that has these, I always make sure to tell my wife she doesn’t have to close her door all the way because it’ll take care of that for her. And each time she gets in the car, she closes the door the same way she would in a Chevy Cavalier. She’s just so used to regular car doors. Plus, it takes a certain conscious effort to bring the door to the starting point, then let it take over. I’m somewhat used to soft-close doors because of my line of work, but even I forget to take advantage of them from time to time. For those of you who have them on your vehicle, do you let them do their job or do you just slam your door closed and get on with your life?

Rear Wiper

I can probably count the number of times I’ve used a rear wiper on two hands. Granted, not every vehicle has one, but when I’ve driven one with a rear wiper in the rain, I’ve rarely turned it on – and even then, I let it do a swipe or two before shutting it off. How much time does the rear wiper on your vehicle spend in motion?

Hands-free Liftgate

The idea behind this convenience is simple: If you have your hands full and need to load what you’re carrying into the back of your crossover or SUV, just wave your foot below a sensor in the rear bumper and the liftgate will open. But some vehicles are easier to do that with on the first try than others, which leave you looking like a lunatic doing a solo version of the Hokey Pokey. That’s not you, is it?

Sunroof

I love the panoramic sunroof on my car – when the sun’s down here in Arizona. My wife and mother-in-law have a conventional sunroof in their crossovers, which I’ve seen them use a combined total of probably one time, even at night. Under the right conditions, the view of the sky above can make any drive just that little bit better. Do you agree?

Paddle Shifters

Paddle shifters seem to be in or at least available in almost every kind of vehicle these days. I can imagine their instant access and clutchless shifting appeals to a lot of enthusiasts out there, but even they might only use them every once in a while. If you have paddle shifters in your vehicle, how often do you change gears with them?

Auto Start/Stop

If there’s any answer that’s going to noticeably skew a certain direction, it’s this one. To save gas, some automakers equip their vehicles with auto start/stop, which shuts off the engine when you stop at a red light or stop sign, then fires it up again once you take your foot off the brake. But not everyone loves the technology because they find it annoying or worry about the damage it’s doing to their engine, so they either shut it off every time they start their vehicle or use an aftermarket solution to defeat the system entirely. What about you? Do you use it or would you prefer to lose it?

Cadillac made its cars – and their paint finishes – to withstand the test of time. Did you ever notice that the trim tag on some classic Cadillacs says, “This car finished with Magic Mirror Acrylic Lacquer”? The lacquer was manufactured by DuPont and was known for its high-gloss, mirror-like finish. I am curious if the vehicles from any other divisions of General Motors were painted with such a product.

This car was one of the lucky recipients of Magic Mirror when new:

Featured on AutoHunter is this 1961 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz. The car is being sold by a dealer in Woodland Hills, California, and the auction will end Monday, May 19, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. PDT.

The listing says the car was one of 1,450 Eldorado Biarritz models produced for the year. When compared to the ostentatious Cadillacs of the late 1950s, subsequent models had toned-down tailfins, although they were still a prominent part of the design. One of the noteworthy exterior features for 1961 was the convex “jeweled” grille. According to the included photo of the trim tag, this car’s original paint code was 96: Jade Metallic.

The interior, on the other hand, bore trim code 16: Jade Florentine and ostrich leather. The cabin retains an original look, although a modern Pioneer head unit has been cleverly installed in the glove compartment – and connected to an amplifier and a speaker box in the trunk. Options abound, including power windows, power steering, power door locks, and even factory air conditioning.

For about 50 years and across 12 generations, the Eldorado held its spot as one of the automotive industry’s premier personal luxury vehicles. A magazine advertisement for the Eldo said, “Cadillac Supremacy: Wherever highways lead and quality is recognized, Cadillac is known and accepted as motordom’s supreme achievement.” The 1961 Biarritz was a car aimed at the high-rollers of society; its retail price of $6,477 was lofty compared to lesser GM models (for example, the least-expensive Bel Air was only $2,536).  

Power comes from a 390ci OHV V8 mated to a four-speed Hydra-Matic automatic transmission. The engine is fed by a four-barrel carburetor and was rebuilt about 12,000 miles ago, according to the listing.

These days, it seems there are so many ways to dress up the exterior of a car as opposed to just a paint coating: Many people use wraps or paint protection films (some of which are available in matte finishes), and some hobbyists even customize their vehicles by creating faux patina.

Personally, I’m still a fan of the Magic Mirror concept – there’s nothing like a brilliant paint reflection to accentuate the curves of a classic machine.

The auction for this 1961 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz Convertible ends Monday, May 19, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. (PDT).

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and a photo gallery

Do you recall Jaguar’s “interesting” rebranding campaign? The beleaguered British automotive company aroused snickers six months ago thanks to its marketing and advertising staff’s goofy lack of self-awareness. Since then, the future world of EVs (not to mention the future world of trade) has changed a bit. Has Jaguar’s future changed as well?

According to The Telegraph, Jaguar is searching for a new advertising agency months after wiping egg off its face due to the rebranding campaign developed by Accenture Song and Spark44, Jaguar Land Rover’s agency of record. However, Jaguar refuses to comment on the rumor: “As a matter of policy JLR does not comment on any supplier arrangements, Accenture Song are currently under contract to the middle of 2026. We have nothing further to say on this matter.”

The impetus for the account review is said to have come after President Trump slapped 25-percent tariffs on imported cars from the United Kingdom, which drove Jaguar Land Rover to temporarily pause exports to the U.S. Since then, the two countries have settled on an agreement that includes the reduction of import taxes on a specific number of British cars exported to the U.S. (though no word on what Detroit thinks of this). British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer described the agreement as a “fantastic platform” while speaking at a Jaguar Land Rover factory. “This historic deal delivers for British business and British workers protecting thousands of British jobs in key sectors including car manufacturing and steel.”

Jaguar is one of the most emotive automotive brands in the world. It has aspired to follow the business model of Land Rover and sell fewer cars at a price tag of more than £100,000 each (approximately $130,000), according to The Telegraph, but the poor start has not done the repositioning any favors. Let’s hope it doesn’t pull a British Leyland and disappear.

When you go to a car show, you sometimes see so many of the same model that they’re all grouped together. Let’s just say they’re victims of their own success. Unless you take it to an Auburn Cord Duesenberg owner’s meeting, our Pick of the Day will absolutely stand out at a car show: a 1936 Cord 810 Westchester sedan posted on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in Texas.

That’s partly due to its rarity—on several levels. “The New Cord” came out as a 1936 model, a few years after the L-29 was discontinued. Unfortunately, it only lasted through 1937, changing name from 810 in ’36 to 812 the following year. Production total estimates vary, but they show Cord produced fewer than 3,000 vehicles between those two years. After 1937, Cord, the company itself, was done.

Then there’s the most obvious reason this Cord 810 would turn heads at a car show: the styling. Just look at it. What makes it even more attractive—if only on an intellectual level—is how unusual it is for a car of its time. Instead of an upright radiator shell in the middle of large, exposed headlights and wide running boards, the 810 has a “coffin nose” with what Cord called “Venetian type louvers,” concealed headlights that can be revealed with hand cranks, and open space below the rocker panels. The front end does have quite an underbite, but there’s a good reason for that: once again, Cord did things differently, opting for front-wheel and installing the hardware for it behind the front bumper.

Cord’s corporate cousin Lycoming produced the 810’s 289ci V8, which was factory-rated at 125 horsepower at 3,500 rpm. Instead of a three-speed stick, the 810 delivered its output to the road through a four-speed pre-selector transmission, which allowed the driver to pick the next gear he or she would use with a Bendix Finger-Tip Gear Control, then press the clutch pedal to engage it when necessary.

The Cord company may be long gone, but the 810 Westchester sedan you see here has received a second lease on life thanks to a cosmetic restoration and mechanical overhaul. As part of the process, the body was refinished in Cadet Grey, and the interior was reupholstered in dark blue wool. Most importantly, the engine and transmission were rebuilt by the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Company, which knows a thing or two about working on Cords.

And now you know some of the things that make this 1936 Cord 810 Westchester sedan cool and unusual. All you have to figure out is where you’ll get the $95,000 (OBO) to buy it—and the first car show you’ll drive to in it.

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

Ain’t technology great? These days, you can drive around in your late-model vehicle and have its engine shut off at stoplights, only to restart seamlessly when the light turns green. Helps save you dinero at the gas pump by increasing the efficiency of your flivver, plus it cuts down on CO2 emissions. However, the big guy at the EPA says this nice bit of tech will be scrutinized.

Lee Zeldin, a former New York Representative who was appointed Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency by President Trump, recently tweeted this on X several days ago: “Start/stop technology: where your car dies at every red light so companies get a climate participation trophy. EPA approved it, and everyone hates it, so we’re fixing it.”

Believe it or not, stop-start first appeared on the six-cylinder version of the 1974 Toyota Crown (which was not imported to the U.S.). In the 1990s, several miserly European cars adopted the feature. Starting with the Euro 5 European emissions standards from 2009, most new cars sold on the Continent have included a stop-start system; the same could also be said about cars sold in the U.S., though not via regulation. Per Car and Driver, the EPA offers manufacturers something called “off-cycle credits” that create an incentive to use a stop-start feature as it’s purported to reduce emissions. Per the EPA’s website:

Stop-start systems (sometimes called idle-stop, start/stop, smart start, or other manufacturer-specific names) save fuel by turning off the engine when the vehicle comes to a stop and automatically starting it back up when you step on the accelerator. Stop-start can improve fuel economy by 4 to 5 percent and provides the biggest benefit in conditions where the engine would otherwise be idling, such as stop-and-go city driving.

But does it? Depends on several variables, such as the amount of time at a standstill and the type of stop-start system (some switch on when you lift off the brake, while mild hybrids may shut off when coasting to a stop).

Whatever the case, the vehicles that include this feature also offer a way to shut it off if it bothers you, though there are some vehicles that require you to turn it off every single time you’re behind the wheel. We imagine that would be a PITA, but hey, I already have to press so many buttons to change the temp in my car, so what’s another button? Nonetheless, it remains to be seen what Zeldin has in mind with his fix.

In the world of vintage car events, the biggest issue many people have is finding an eligible car that is in any way affordable. This is because most of the higher-end vintage events require that a car not only be a 1957 or older but also be rare. This means that your 1957 Chevy, while it does meet the age requirement, does not get accepted because Chevy built tens of thousands of them.

What this usually means is that you need a mid-six-figure to million-dollar car – like a Ferrari 250, postwar Alfa 6C, or an early Porsche 356 – just to be accepted. But there is a bit of a “hack” at a much lower cost: the Austin-Healey 100M, also sometimes called the Austin-Healey 100M Le Mans.

The Austin-Healey 100M was introduced in 1955 as a higher-performance version of the 100. It featured larger carburetors, a high-flow cold-air box, a performance camshaft, and higher-compression 8.1:1 pistons. These factory modifications gave the 100M 20 more horsepower for a total of 110 horsepower at 4,500 rpm. The front suspension was also modified and made stiffer, and louvres were added to the bonnet (hood) to improve cooling. Healey produced a total of 640 “factory-built” 100M cars.

Here’s where it gets interesting: Austin-Healey would later offer these modifications in kit form for dealers to install. Healey 100s with the Le Mans kit are much more common and worth considerably less than the 640 factory-built cars. The only way to verify that a car is a factory-built example is by having the VIN checked against the 100M registry records. The best part of all this is that a true factory-built 100M is eligible for practically any vintage event you can think of, from races to tours and concours, and they can be affordable as well.

Our Pick of the Day on ClassicCars.com is one of these cars, a 1956 Austin-Healey 100M located in Brookfield, Connecticut.

The ad is well presented and gives a prospective buyer all the info they need to be sure they are buying a true 100M. The seller states right off the bat that this 1956 Austin Healey 100M Le Mans is one of 640 factory-built cars. It is certified by the 100M registry and includes a Heritage Certificate stating it left the factory in February 1956 as a 100M.

The seller goes on to say the car has its correct-number M louvered hood, carbs, and cockpit molding. Originally two-tone white with black coves, it is now painted solid white and features a wood-rim Derrington steering wheel installed when the car was purchased new. The listing also states that this 100M is in excellent running and driving condition.

The seller has some good history as well, relating that this Healey was at the end of a restoration by the previous owner when he passed away. He had the car disassembled to the chassis and performed a true frame-up restoration. The car features a fully rebuilt engine, brakes, and suspension and is in very good, rust-free condition.

The listing notes the engine tag is missing, something sadly very common. That being said, this car still has its original distributor, vacuum advance, and carburetors, which are all numbered correctly and are original to this 100M.

The seller does point out there are a few things left to do. There are no rubber mats or carpets in the car, but these are easily available from places like Moss Motors. In addition, the convertible top and frame, as well as the interior door panels, are currently not installed but are included with the car.

All in all, this looks like a very honest example of a nice driver-level Healey 100M. The few things left to do are quite easy to deal with, and for the asking price of $97,500, this car offers more – both as a driving experience and an entry ticket to top-tier events – than anything else close to the price.

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

It’s not even that hot yet, but you know what sounds nice right now? A trip to the beach. If you have a 2025 Ford Bronco four-door, Ford Performance’s new Coastal Package will get it ready for some fun in the sun and sand.

The $5,400 Coastal Package fits the 2025 Bronco Base, Big Bend (with or without the Black Diamond package), and Outer Banks models, regardless of the engine or transmission configuration. As long as you don’t have a trim level outside of those, a Bronco Raptor, a two-door model, or a Bronco with the Sasquatch Package, you can opt for the Coastal Package.

As you’re probably thinking, the Coastal Package has to come with some colorful graphics. It certainly does, adding teal, orange, and yellow stripes just below the greenhouse (too bad those colors aren’t on the plain and somber spare tire cover, too).

But silver—actually, Iconic Silver—seems to be the package’s dominant color because it covers the grille, fender flares, and 17-inch wheels (including the spare). Even the Bronco on the bimini top is silver.

Plenty of special packages are heavy on the cosmetics, and the Coastal Package is no exception, but it does have a functional upgrade as well: a two-inch lift (in case you want to go dune bashing after your time at the beach). The Coastal Package also comes with a ProCal tool to make sure the speedometer is showing the right numbers.

One thing not on the Coastal Package’s list of features? Tires. It looks like that—and sunscreen—will be up to you.