The Riviera was designed from its onset to be an exclusive car. In its inaugural model year, Buick limited production to 40,000 units (compared to the 440,000 cars sold overall), accounting for just 9% of the brand’s overall production volume. How many of those 40,000 cars are left? Here’s one.
“This car is one of the nicest all-original (except for one repaint) ’63 Rivieras you will find. It has been babied and meticulously cared for,” the listing states. “The seller’s family has owned it for 31 years.”
The Riviera was classified as a personal luxury car and existed for over 30 years. This example comes from the initial year which was introduced in October 1962 as a 1963 model A two-door hardtop was the only available body style, and underpinnings used the General Motors E-body platform. The “luxury” offerings from this car were vast: Included in the amenities were power windows, an AM/FM radio, a power driver seat, cornering lights, deluxe walnut interior trim, Soft Ray tinted glass, and dual exhaust.
This 60-year-old Riviera’s Marlin Blue paint finish is an older respray, although it still shines up well and the seller rates the quality as an 8 out of 10. The listing states that over $25,000 has been spent on the car over the last five years, and the list of service items is extensive. Even the air conditioning system was overhauled and blows ice cold (a nice perk for any classic car, especially with summertime temperatures on the horizon).
Up front, power comes from a numbers-matching 401cid Nailhead V8. This engine was called a “Wildcat 445,” and was rated at 325 horsepower and 445 lb-ft of torque – thus the name. The seller states, “It runs and drives exceptionally well. The Dynaflow automatic transmission was completely rebuilt three years ago and performs flawlessly. This car could be driven on a 500-mile road trip at the drop of a hat.”
The listing comes with a comprehensive 65-photo gallery with detailed images both inside and out, along with two YouTube videos for an in-depth tour. You almost don’t need an in-person test-drive!
The seller is asking $39,000 for this Riviera, which is not only a survivor from the original production of 40,000 cars, but also an exceptionally clean one at that.
A few months ago, I was given the opportunity (while showing a car and judging at the Radnor Hunt Concours) to spend a few days behind the wheel of the 2023 Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing. I had heard about the car before picking it up and had fairly high expectations as I knew it was designed to be directly aimed at the BMW M3. I have a lot of seat time in every version of the current, as well as past, M3 cars, so if the Cadillac was truly this good, I would find out rather quickly.
Meeting the Blackwing
I got to the parking facility at Philadelphia International Airport and saw my bright orange (the factory named Blaze Orange) Cadillac waiting for me. My first impression was that the styling is very DTM like and, yet, still has the Cadillac styling cues in place. The look is aggressive, racecar like, but also sophisticated as one would expect from America’s luxury brand. I immediately noticed the wide wheels, flared fenders, hood bulge and huge Brembo brakes. If the car drove as nice as it looked, it could well be the first car that truly can compete with the M3.
I opened the door and was greeted by a great looking racecar inspired interior with two tone black leather with tan microfiber insert seats with carbon fiber trim, a nice fat rimmed steering wheel, and a 6-speed manual gearbox. I got in and started the car. The sound of the twin-turbocharged DOHC 24-valve aluminum V6 was excellent, again just about as good as performance offerings from the Europeans. I had about 2 hours to kill so I headed off to the Simeone Auto Museum to see what was new there.
I familiarized myself with the Blackwing on the way to the museum, moving through menus that control performance levels and found a happy medium of performance and comfort. The adaptive suspension on the Blackwing is excellent and easily deals with the horrible streets in the Philly area. It can change to full race settings if the car senses you are driving it hard. The gearbox is faultless, pedal placement was also perfect, as were all the ergonomics. This car is definitely a top tier sports sedan and likely the best one ever built in this country.
I picked up my friend and coworker, Allan Davis, at the airport. He had come in to show a 1958 Cadillac Viewmaster at the Radnor Concours, and then we headed to the first event of the weekend. Just to keep everything in the GM family, we were showing the 1958 Cadillac Viewmaster station wagon, a coachbuilt woody wagon that is part of the collection I manage at the Maine Classic Car Museum. Allan was blown away by the car and took an immediate liking to it.
We arrived at the Radnor Hunt Club and in the parking lot ran in to legendary Cadillac designer Kip Wasenko, who went over the Blackwing with me in detail. It was the first one he had seen on the road, he asked how I liked it. I told him that the car seemed to be a strong competitor with the BMW M3 and that so far, I had only praise for it. We discussed the exterior styling and the bright orange car quickly attracted a crowd of car people all with questions. Kip and I answered these and let a number of people get in the car to see what it was like inside. I personally think that the interior styling was as nice as the exterior styling. From behind the wheel it felt like a very special car, with racecar inspired sports seats in very high-quality quilted leather that not only look cool but are also somehow very comfortable. Other features includes a great steering wheel, upmarket buttons, and an Alcantara headliner. A note to other manufacturers, if you are building a high-quality luxury or performance car please make an Alcantara headliner a standard feature. It elevates the interior quite a bit and feels wonderful to the touch. This is an inexpensive feature in the grand scheme of things, however it makes a tremendous difference to the interior of any car. Cadillac did this right and yes, it’s an option, but I would never consider not adding to a car of this caliber.
We all headed into the Club for the Friday BBQ that is a Radnor tradition, and after a fun-filled evening headed back to my hotel for the night. On the way back to the hotel I stopped for gas at a Wawa, inserted my credit card and headed in the store for some snacks. When I went back out I noticed that the parking lot was filled with European and Japanese tuner cars, and that there was a mob of twentysomething guys and girls around the car. As I walked up to the Cadillac someone yelled, “Is this the Blackwing?”
“Yes” I answered.
He then smugly announced to his friends, “See I told you it was the Blackwing. This car is bad a##.”
I spent around 20 minutes with the crowd letting them get into it. Cadillac has hit it right on the nose with the Blackwing cars, as these newcomer enthusiasts were blown away by the car and every single comment was positive.
I finally got in the car and they wanted me to rev the engine (which I of course did) and made a very aggressive exit from the parking top in full sport mode. I left to the sound of their cheers.
The next morning, I got back into the Blackwing and headed over to the start point of the Radnor Hunt Concours tour. Upon arriving my friend, the head judge for my class, John Lawless asked if I had any room in the car for guests. I said of course and he brought over former motorcycle racer and filmmaker Peter Starr with his son-in-law who would be my companions on the ride. We went through the tour route, only making two or three wrong turns. But due to the traffic it was next to impossible to show Peter what the car was capable of.
After the final tour spot before lunch, I finally got some open road and was able to open the car up a bit. “Holy crap,” said Peter “this car is amazing. “
I agreed as we continued to accelerate down the road.
As I continued to accelerate in Sport Mode on a long straight bit of road, Peter then spoke the words that made my heartrate immediately climb, “Andy, did you see the cop we just passed?”
I had not seen the police officer and quickly slowed down to a legalish speed, and it should be said that Brembo brakes of the Blackwing are amazing. Happily, the lunch spot was in sight, so I parked the car and hoped to not see any flashing lights in the parking lot. Somehow the car and I escaped unscathed.
After lunch I headed back to the hotel before dinner at Radnor head judge Tim McNair’s house. I had a great time with many good friends and then headed back for the evening.
Sunday, I arrived early at the Club to secure good parking, as this day I was judging motorcycles at the event.
Sadly, the day started with rain which continued on and off. Despite the weather the turnout for the Concours was impressive and the spectators seemed to not mind standing in the rain all day, with many even staying for the awards ceremony.
Our 1948 Cadillac came away with the Chairman’s award, so the rain did not have a negative effect on us!
I got into the 1948 Cadillac to drive it to the transporter but it would not start. Only three hours before it worked fine for judges, and all was well but no matter what we tried the car would not run.
Happily, this is the collector car hobby which is filled with collector car people, and my friend Harrison Platz saw the trouble I was having. He graciously pulled us to the transporter with his Jeep. This is part of what makes the hobby as great as it is: there are always amazing people who understand the issues with old cars and can help.
After this ordeal, I was thoroughly soaked. I got into the Blackwing was happy that it had heated seats to help dry me off. The heater helped quite a bit too. Modern cars absolutely have their advantages.
On my drive towards the airport, I reflected on what I thought of the Blackwing. My first thought was that if Cadillac has aimed this at a younger market, then they have nailed it. The car runs as good as it looks and the power at hand, combined with a 6-speed manual gearbox, amazing adjustable suspension, and razor-sharp steering with great feel makes it feel like a DTM racecar in street clothes. The fact that when you switch it to comfort mode you are immediately transported to a plush Cadillac makes it almost two cars in one. The fit and finish is the best I have seen in a GM car and the quality of materials is almost as good as the best the Europeans are offering.
The one complaint I had was a bit of the interior seemed to not fit in with the luxury feel. The door pockets were made of the typical GM cheap plastic, with a sharp mold mark on the edge and were the single thing I found that brought down the quality from everywhere else. It is a small thing but one that they could fix for $20 per car by covering the stupid plastic door pocket with vinyl. Putting this plastic part, which seems like it came from a base model Chevy Malibu, on a car like the Blackwing is a stupid decision. However, this was my only complaint about the CT4 V-Series Blackwing. It is truly a competitor to European sports sedans and offers a unique take on design within the segment. This is a Cadillac that delivers on all fronts in the high-performance sedan world. It’s not quite the car the 2023 M3 is but it is close, very close.
2023 Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing
Vehicle type: 4-passenger 4 door sedan, rear-wheel drive
Base price: $60,495 Price as tested: $71,535
Engine: twin turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 24-valve 3,564cc inline-6, 472 hp @ 5750 RMP and 445 lb-ft of torque @ 3500 rpm
A few months ago, I was given the opportunity (while showing a car and judging at the Radnor Hunt Concours) to spend a few days behind the wheel of the 2023 Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing. I had heard about the car before picking it up and had fairly high expectations as I knew it was designed to be directly aimed at the BMW M3. I have a lot of seat time in every version of the current, as well as past, M3 cars, so if the Cadillac was truly this good, I would find out rather quickly.
Meeting the Blackwing
I got to the parking facility at Philadelphia International Airport and saw my bright orange (the factory named Blaze Orange) Cadillac waiting for me. My first impression was that the styling is very DTM like and, yet, still has the Cadillac styling cues in place. The look is aggressive, racecar like, but also sophisticated as one would expect from America’s luxury brand. I immediately noticed the wide wheels, flared fenders, hood bulge and huge Brembo brakes. If the car drove as nice as it looked, it could well be the first car that truly can compete with the M3.
I opened the door and was greeted by a great looking racecar inspired interior with two tone black leather with tan microfiber insert seats with carbon fiber trim, a nice fat rimmed steering wheel, and a 6-speed manual gearbox. I got in and started the car. The sound of the twin-turbocharged DOHC 24-valve aluminum V6 was excellent, again just about as good as performance offerings from the Europeans. I had about 2 hours to kill so I headed off to the Simeone Auto Museum to see what was new there.
I familiarized myself with the Blackwing on the way to the museum, moving through menus that control performance levels and found a happy medium of performance and comfort. The adaptive suspension on the Blackwing is excellent and easily deals with the horrible streets in the Philly area. It can change to full race settings if the car senses you are driving it hard. The gearbox is faultless, pedal placement was also perfect, as were all the ergonomics. This car is definitely a top tier sports sedan and likely the best one ever built in this country.
I picked up my friend and coworker, Allan Davis, at the airport. He had come in to show a 1958 Cadillac Viewmaster at the Radnor Concours, and then we headed to the first event of the weekend. Just to keep everything in the GM family, we were showing the 1958 Cadillac Viewmaster station wagon, a coachbuilt woody wagon that is part of the collection I manage at the Maine Classic Car Museum. Allan was blown away by the car and took an immediate liking to it.
We arrived at the Radnor Hunt Club and in the parking lot ran in to legendary Cadillac designer Kip Wasenko, who went over the Blackwing with me in detail. It was the first one he had seen on the road, he asked how I liked it. I told him that the car seemed to be a strong competitor with the BMW M3 and that so far, I had only praise for it. We discussed the exterior styling and the bright orange car quickly attracted a crowd of car people all with questions. Kip and I answered these and let a number of people get in the car to see what it was like inside. I personally think that the interior styling was as nice as the exterior styling. From behind the wheel it felt like a very special car, with racecar inspired sports seats in very high-quality quilted leather that not only look cool but are also somehow very comfortable. Other features includes a great steering wheel, upmarket buttons, and an Alcantara headliner. A note to other manufacturers, if you are building a high-quality luxury or performance car please make an Alcantara headliner a standard feature. It elevates the interior quite a bit and feels wonderful to the touch. This is an inexpensive feature in the grand scheme of things, however it makes a tremendous difference to the interior of any car. Cadillac did this right and yes, it’s an option, but I would never consider not adding to a car of this caliber.
We all headed into the Club for the Friday BBQ that is a Radnor tradition, and after a fun-filled evening headed back to my hotel for the night. On the way back to the hotel I stopped for gas at a Wawa, inserted my credit card and headed in the store for some snacks. When I went back out I noticed that the parking lot was filled with European and Japanese tuner cars, and that there was a mob of twentysomething guys and girls around the car. As I walked up to the Cadillac someone yelled, “Is this the Blackwing?”
“Yes” I answered.
He then smugly announced to his friends, “See I told you it was the Blackwing. This car is bad a##.”
I spent around 20 minutes with the crowd letting them get into it. Cadillac has hit it right on the nose with the Blackwing cars, as these newcomer enthusiasts were blown away by the car and every single comment was positive.
I finally got in the car and they wanted me to rev the engine (which I of course did) and made a very aggressive exit from the parking top in full sport mode. I left to the sound of their cheers.
The next morning, I got back into the Blackwing and headed over to the start point of the Radnor Hunt Concours tour. Upon arriving my friend, the head judge for my class, John Lawless asked if I had any room in the car for guests. I said of course and he brought over former motorcycle racer and filmmaker Peter Starr with his son-in-law who would be my companions on the ride. We went through the tour route, only making two or three wrong turns. But due to the traffic it was next to impossible to show Peter what the car was capable of.
After the final tour spot before lunch, I finally got some open road and was able to open the car up a bit. “Holy crap,” said Peter “this car is amazing. “
I agreed as we continued to accelerate down the road.
As I continued to accelerate in Sport Mode on a long straight bit of road, Peter then spoke the words that made my heartrate immediately climb, “Andy, did you see the cop we just passed?”
I had not seen the police officer and quickly slowed down to a legalish speed, and it should be said that Brembo brakes of the Blackwing are amazing. Happily, the lunch spot was in sight, so I parked the car and hoped to not see any flashing lights in the parking lot. Somehow the car and I escaped unscathed.
After lunch I headed back to the hotel before dinner at Radnor head judge Tim McNair’s house. I had a great time with many good friends and then headed back for the evening.
Sunday, I arrived early at the Club to secure good parking, as this day I was judging motorcycles at the event.
Sadly, the day started with rain which continued on and off. Despite the weather the turnout for the Concours was impressive and the spectators seemed to not mind standing in the rain all day, with many even staying for the awards ceremony.
Our 1948 Cadillac came away with the Chairman’s award, so the rain did not have a negative effect on us!
I got into the 1948 Cadillac to drive it to the transporter but it would not start. Only three hours before it worked fine for judges, and all was well but no matter what we tried the car would not run.
Happily, this is the collector car hobby which is filled with collector car people, and my friend Harrison Platz saw the trouble I was having. He graciously pulled us to the transporter with his Jeep. This is part of what makes the hobby as great as it is: there are always amazing people who understand the issues with old cars and can help.
After this ordeal, I was thoroughly soaked. I got into the Blackwing was happy that it had heated seats to help dry me off. The heater helped quite a bit too. Modern cars absolutely have their advantages.
On my drive towards the airport, I reflected on what I thought of the Blackwing. My first thought was that if Cadillac has aimed this at a younger market, then they have nailed it. The car runs as good as it looks and the power at hand, combined with a 6-speed manual gearbox, amazing adjustable suspension, and razor-sharp steering with great feel makes it feel like a DTM racecar in street clothes. The fact that when you switch it to comfort mode you are immediately transported to a plush Cadillac makes it almost two cars in one. The fit and finish is the best I have seen in a GM car and the quality of materials is almost as good as the best the Europeans are offering.
The one complaint I had was a bit of the interior seemed to not fit in with the luxury feel. The door pockets were made of the typical GM cheap plastic, with a sharp mold mark on the edge and were the single thing I found that brought down the quality from everywhere else. It is a small thing but one that they could fix for $20 per car by covering the stupid plastic door pocket with vinyl. Putting this plastic part, which seems like it came from a base model Chevy Malibu, on a car like the Blackwing is a stupid decision. However, this was my only complaint about the CT4 V-Series Blackwing. It is truly a competitor to European sports sedans and offers a unique take on design within the segment. This is a Cadillac that delivers on all fronts in the high-performance sedan world. It’s not quite the car the 2023 M3 is but it is close, very close.
2023 Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing
Vehicle type: 4-passenger 4 door sedan, rear-wheel drive
Base price: $60,495 Price as tested: $71,535
Engine: twin turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 24-valve 3,564cc inline-6, 472 hp @ 5750 RMP and 445 lb-ft of torque @ 3500 rpm
Mothers may not realize it, but they are huge automotive influencers. After all, it was my mom’s 1990 Integra GS sedan that ignited my lifelong passion for the Acura brand when I was just 14 years old. In honor of Mother’s Day, let’s look a little more closely at my mom’s current set of hot wheels.
Mom’s Integra
During a recent interview with entrepreneur Gary Duncan, who has spent his life in the automotive business and currently has a 1,000-plus car inventory of Japanese classic cars, I asked him to name a few cars that he thought will be future collectibles. He named off a handful of vehicles that he considered “future collectible,” and one of them was the second-generation Lexus SC430 (from model years 2001 through 2010).
Definitely a cool Mom
The original Lexus SC launched in 1992 as a grand-touring luxury coupe from Toyota’s luxury brand. We recently featured an exceptional example of a first-year SC from this era as a Pick of the Day. A second generation, dubbed the “Z40” chassis, debuted nine years later for the 2001 model year with some dramatic advancements: Most notably, the luxo-coupe became a convertible with a retractable aluminum hardtop as opposed to a having a fixed roof. The SC was advanced – and some would say even over-engineered. The interior boasted gloss woodgrain trim panels what would electronically retract to cover things like the navigation screen at the top of the center-dash.
Power for the new SC was ramped up, too. The inline-six option was dropped, and the 4.0-liter V8 was upsized to a 4.3-liter that was good for 288 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque. The only available transmission for the initial model years was a five-speed automatic, but beginning in 2006, it became a six-speed. Production of the SC was phased out after mid-2010, although Lexus went on to offer other coupes including the RC and LC in later years.
The month before my mom’s 59th birthday in 2021, she had been feeling the itch for a convertible in her life to take advantage of the beautiful weather in southern Utah. We found a primo 2003 SC430 listed for sale in Phoenix with just 35,230 miles on the odometer. Painted “Super Red,” this SC was priced around $20,000 but had all the right trimmings of a cream puff including lots of service records and a perfect saddle-colored interior. While not everyone’s cup of tea, it also had rare optional 18-inch TRD (Toyota Racing Development) chrome-finished wheels.
We sealed a deal with the seller, Chris, and five days after the purchase, I drove it to Utah to make the delivery. That was two years ago last month, and mom is still happily cruising around in her SC430.
Fun side note: It’s fitting that just one year after mom’s Lexus was built, the 2004 teen comedy film “Mean Girls” came out. One of the key characters in that film was a beige Lexus SC. We took the liberty of re-creating a scene from the movie where the SC takes center stage. “Get in loser, we’re going shopping.”
Another scene from that same movie yields the quote, “I’m not like a regular mom; I’m a cool mom.” Well, I think my mom is the definition of cool. Little did we know that she was so in tune with the collector marketplace! Her SC430 is now 20 years old, making it officially a classic (or at least a future classic) with increasing recognition.
What are some of your most memorable mom-rides from growing up? Let us know in the comment section!
Mothers may not realize it, but they are huge automotive influencers. After all, it was my mom’s 1990 Integra GS sedan that ignited my lifelong passion for the Acura brand when I was just 14 years old. In honor of Mother’s Day, let’s look a little more closely at my mom’s current set of hot wheels.
Mom’s Integra
During a recent interview with entrepreneur Gary Duncan, who has spent his life in the automotive business and currently has a 1,000-plus car inventory of Japanese classic cars, I asked him to name a few cars that he thought will be future collectibles. He named off a handful of vehicles that he considered “future collectible,” and one of them was the second-generation Lexus SC430 (from model years 2001 through 2010).
Definitely a cool Mom
The original Lexus SC launched in 1992 as a grand-touring luxury coupe from Toyota’s luxury brand. We recently featured an exceptional example of a first-year SC from this era as a Pick of the Day. A second generation, dubbed the “Z40” chassis, debuted nine years later for the 2001 model year with some dramatic advancements: Most notably, the luxo-coupe became a convertible with a retractable aluminum hardtop as opposed to a having a fixed roof. The SC was advanced – and some would say even over-engineered. The interior boasted gloss woodgrain trim panels what would electronically retract to cover things like the navigation screen at the top of the center-dash.
Power for the new SC was ramped up, too. The inline-six option was dropped, and the 4.0-liter V8 was upsized to a 4.3-liter that was good for 288 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque. The only available transmission for the initial model years was a five-speed automatic, but beginning in 2006, it became a six-speed. Production of the SC was phased out after mid-2010, although Lexus went on to offer other coupes including the RC and LC in later years.
The month before my mom’s 59th birthday in 2021, she had been feeling the itch for a convertible in her life to take advantage of the beautiful weather in southern Utah. We found a primo 2003 SC430 listed for sale in Phoenix with just 35,230 miles on the odometer. Painted “Super Red,” this SC was priced around $20,000 but had all the right trimmings of a cream puff including lots of service records and a perfect saddle-colored interior. While not everyone’s cup of tea, it also had rare optional 18-inch TRD (Toyota Racing Development) chrome-finished wheels.
We sealed a deal with the seller, Chris, and five days after the purchase, I drove it to Utah to make the delivery. That was two years ago last month, and mom is still happily cruising around in her SC430.
Fun side note: It’s fitting that just one year after mom’s Lexus was built, the 2004 teen comedy film “Mean Girls” came out. One of the key characters in that film was a beige Lexus SC. We took the liberty of re-creating a scene from the movie where the SC takes center stage. “Get in loser, we’re going shopping.”
Another scene from that same movie yields the quote, “I’m not like a regular mom; I’m a cool mom.” Well, I think my mom is the definition of cool. Little did we know that she was so in tune with the collector marketplace! Her SC430 is now 20 years old, making it officially a classic (or at least a future classic) with increasing recognition.
What are some of your most memorable mom-rides from growing up? Let us know in the comment section!
Featured on AutoHunter, the online auction platform driven by ClassicCars.com, is this 1970 Shelby GT350 SportsRoof. It is powered by a 351ci “Windsor” V8 backed by an FMX three-speed automatic transmission. Features include NACA air induction system, bucket seats, Sport Deck folding rear seat, driving lights, Traction-Lok differential and blue reflective side stripes. Finished in Wimbledon White over a black vinyl interior, this garage-kept GT350 comes from the selling dealer with Marti Report documentation, build sheet, original paperwork, service records, owner’s manual and a clear title.
The exterior of this Shelby GT350 is finished in Wimbledon White. Features include blue reflective side stripes, black front spoiler, driving lights, color-keyed racing mirrors with manual driver-side remote, and cast aluminum exhaust tips. The hood features a NACA air induction system, twist-lock hood pins and black stripes, the latter something that distinguishes it from 1969s.
A set of 15-inch five-spoke Shelby mag-type wheels is wrapped in 245/60/R15 Cooper Cobra Radial G/T tires.
The black vinyl interior features front bucket seats with red accents; the Sport Deck rear seats fold to create more utility. Features include power steering and brakes, center console with automatic transmission shifter, woodgrain accents including three-spoke woodgrain Rim Blow steering wheel, and Clarion AM/FM/cassette stereo.
The instrument panel includes a 140-mph speedometer, 8,000-rpm tachometer and gauges for the fuel level and temperature. The odometer reads 41,989 miles, which the selling dealer reports to be accurate. Aftermarket readouts for the oil pressure and alternator are mounted on the console.
The reportedly original 290-horsepower 351ci V8 is backed by an FMX SelectShift Cruise-O-Matic three-speed automatic transmission. Engine bay features include black cast aluminum valve covers and chrome export brace.
This Shelby was factory-equipped with an independent front suspension and a solid rear-drive axle with Traction-Lok differential housing 3.25 gears. Braking is provided by power front discs and rear drums.
The above Marti Report shows the information from the data plate and includes the list of options from the original build.
The auction for this 1970 Shelby GT350 SportsRoof ends on Friday, May 19, 2023, at 12:15 p.m. (PDT)
Triumph and Mercedes-Benz had something in common in the 1970s, and it was the color “Signal Red.” The hue is classified under code 32 for Triumph models and code 568H for Mercedes models. The exterior designers for each manufacturer must have been inspired while sitting at stoplights.
The Pick of the Day is a 1970 Triumph TR6 convertible listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in Hopedale, Massachusetts. (Click the link to view the listing)
“Born paint code 32 – Signal Red,” the listing states. “Spent most of its life in Washington state. Last owner enjoyed this TR6 for 20 years.”
The English-built TR6 was launched in 1969, and production lasted until 1976. There were over 90,000 TR6 units produced, the majority of which were exported to the United States. Styling was penned in Germany by Karmann, and chassis architecture used a body-on-frame layout with a four-wheel independent suspension and front disc brakes. A removable hardtop was available as an option.
Even though the car only had an eight-year production run, there were a variety of engineering changes that took place including different versions of seats, carburetors, bumpers, and emissions equipment.
The data plate for this TR6 shows that it was manufactured in December 1969. Exterior features include factory-correct wheels with trim rings, a tonneau cover, and a dual exhaust system with quad tips. The seller states that the top is in good condition, the original bumpers are nice, and the glass presents well. The interior is in a similarly nice shape, upholstered in black vinyl with matching lap belts and generous woodgrain adorning the dash face.
Up front, power comes from a 2.5-liter inline-six mated to a four-speed manual transmission. The powerplant in this TR6 has been upgraded with a Moss supercharger and a chrome finished Edelbrock air cleaner. While the listing doesn’t go into detail about the performance gains from this equipment, it does say that the car drives very well and stops well.
TR6 model production was completed in July 1976, and these days, many TR6 models are being transported back to the U.K. where they originated, as collectors there have become increasingly fond of the model. A walkaround video accompanies the listing and shows the vehicle running at idle.
“Not a show car, but a cool supercharged driver-quality 53-year-old TR6,” the listing concludes. And if you buy it, you’re guaranteed to want to see way more “Signal Greens” than “Signal Reds” at traffic intersections. The asking price is $14,500.
When Pontiac introduced the GTO in 1964, the company also offered a trim package for the Catalina that featured a Ferrari-inspired name: 2+2. It was a trim package not unlike the Super Sport for Chevrolet’s Impala but, in 1965, it was reconfigured to be a performance package. One of those big brothers to the GTO is featured in Muscle Car Campy’s latest video.
The 2+2 package for the 1964 Catalina two-door hardtop and convertible included front bucket seats with console, choice of four-speed manual or Hydra-Matic automatic, and dual exhausts. Standard engine was the Trophy 389 two-barrel with 283 horsepower (four-speed) or 267 horses (automatic), with options up to the 370-horse 421 HO.
For 1965, the 2+2 package included bucket seats, floor-shifted three-speed manual, dual exhausts, performance axle ratio, heavy-duty springs and shocks, custom pinstriping, front fender louvers and 338-horsepower 421ci V8. Top engine again was the 421 HO, though now it produced 376 horses.
One of these cars is the subject of Muscle Car Campy’s latest video. This Mayfair Maize 2+2 hardtop was originally ordered with the standard 421 and three-speed, AM radio, whitewall tires and nothing else. Today, the Poncho also benefits from the addition of Pontiac’s famous 8-lugs wheels wrapped in modern tires.
While just about everyone can appreciate a pristine Bel Air, a barn-find Mustang Mach 1, or an unmodified Supra, what about the common-yet-underappreciated vehicle models that somehow survived the test of time?
I recently came across a wintertime photo taken near the Teton Mountains of my mom in her then-new 1982 Chevrolet Cavalier two-door coupe. She and my dad purchased that car from Axtell Chevrolet in Logan, Utah right around the time I was born, and they proudly drove it around the Rockies for several years before trading up to a larger Celebrity.
Tyson’s mom and the Cavalier
Mom and dad were at the cutting edge of automotive technology at the time, since 1982 was the inaugural model year for the Cavalier. The car was underpinned by the General Motors “J-body” platform and went on sale in May 1981 with came with just one motor choice: a 1.8-liter L46 inline-four which could be mated to a four-speed manual or a three-speed automatic transaxle. The J-platform was widely used during this era for other rebadged Cavalier variants like the Buick Skyhawk, the Cadillac Cimarron, the Oldsmobile Firenza, and the Pontiac Sunbird.
Forty years later (yikes, that hurts to type!) mom has long-since moved on from the General Motors family (she currently splits her time between a late-model Acura sedan and a Lexus convertible). But just as we are seeing within other areas of the collector car world, the market for some 1980s and 1990s vehicles – even the Cavalier – has picked up momentum.
I caught up with Spencer Strucienski, a collector from Detroit who is a keen aficionado of these types of cars. Spencer and share a similar passion for 1980s boxy styles from General Motors. His current collection spans some unique nostalgia-inducing cars from that era including a Pontiac Grand Prix and an Oldsmobile Silhouette minivan – a vehicle lovingly referred to as a “Dustbuster van” for its iconic wedge shape.
Below is a 10-question Q&A session with Spencer about what it is like being a 1980s and 1990s GM collector.
The “Dustbuster” Van
How many vehicles have you owned?
Spencer: I’m currently up to 52 vehicles in the 15 years that I’ve been driving. They are vehicles ranging from model year 1983 up to 2018.
What vehicles are in your current collection? Which is a daily driver, or do you cycle through?
Spencer: This changes on a monthly basis, but currently I have a 1986 Chevy Cavalier CL, 1989 Pontiac Grand Prix SE, 1990 Pontiac Grand Prix STE, 1993 Chevy Cavalier Z24, 1995 Oldsmobile Silhouette, and my daily driver – a 2012 Ford Fusion SEL. During the winter months, none of my old cars get driven, so the Fusion takes up daily duties. Once the weather warms up though, I cycle through cars; usually driving them for one to two weeks at a time.
What first sparked your interest in 1980s GM vehicles?
Spencer: My dad was a Mopar guy, but I somehow wound up being a dyed in the wool Ford fanboy as a kid. Two of my aunts had Tempos growing up and for whatever reason, I was enamored by them and always wanted one to be my first car. Before I got my license, I would ride my bike through my neighborhood and “Tempo Spot.” Oddly enough, I still have all these photos I took years ago stored on an old laptop of mine. Anyway, fast forward to me being 15 years old in auto shop in high school. We had a 1993 Chevy Cavalier RS with a 3.1L V6 donated to our shop. My auto shop teacher decided that we were going to fix it up and sell it to buy tools/supplies for the shop. My 16th birthday was coming up soon, and I ran the car by my mom and she said she’d buy it for me as my first car. I wasn’t terribly enthused because at the time, I wasn’t a big fan of GMs. But that Cavalier is what sparked my interested in old GM FWD cars. The 3.1 V6 was very potent in that car and it was incredibly reliable in the five years I owned it; ferrying me to and from high school and eventually college. Rust finally did it in, but it still ran and drove to the junkyard. I owe a lot to that car because I think my life would’ve been vastly different had I gotten any other car.
What are some of the unique features that vehicles of that era had (digital dashes, the Grand Prix combination lock glove box, the Cimarron Symphony Sound audio system, things like that)?
Spencer: I am really big on any digital displays, like the 88-91 Cutlass Supreme gauge clusters, info center/compass displays in the Grand Prixs and Bonnevilles. Basically, all the gimmicky stuff that doesn’t add much to the car, other than overwhelming nostalgia for what it was like living in the 1980s. Quirky steering wheel controls in the Pontiacs were also great. I still get a kick out of naïve people who get concerned about the buttons flying everywhere if the “airbag” deploys. I guess we’re entering the age where people don’t realize not all cars had airbags back then. On the topic of safety, while a lot of people find them annoying, I loved the motorized seatbelts of this era too. I have owned a couple Tempos and I like that feature.
I noticed you recently had a Cavalier transported from California to Michigan. What made that vehicle desirable and what are your plans for it?
Spencer: This was a bit of an impulse buy. As I’ve gotten older, I have less and less patience for rusty vehicles and when this car popped up on marketplace, I couldn’t look away. It’s a very highly optioned car in a cool color combination – it’s only a couple options short of being a Cadillac Cimarron. Luckily, the seller was super chill and patient with me setting up the shipping and paying him online. I never even talked to the guy on the phone – we did the whole transaction over text. In today’s society, that’s probably going to make some people cringe, but it worked out for me! I’m very happy to have the car now, it’s a native California car and it shows. The underbody is as clean as can be, just the way I like.
What are one or two of your dream cars – either from within your current “scope” or far beyond it?
Spencer: This is a tough question because I’m a simple guy. I basically own all of my dream cars at this point. I really love this era of FWD cars and own most everything I’ve wanted. Still on my bucket list is a Dodge Omni GLHS and Dodge Charger (the FWD Omni based one). I know, they’re Mopars but they’re so 1980s and I love it. GLHS’ are selling at a premium because of their desirability and the Chargers are incredibly hard to find.
If you had to make a prediction, what do you think is a currently underappreciated future collectible?
Spencer: Unfortunately, I think these eras of cars aren’t going to appreciate by much, at least the normal mundane cars anyway. I believe they will perhaps appreciate to very low five-figures once availability drops to near impossible to find, but it depends on the car. Generations X and Millennials don’t seem to be doing as well financially as baby boomers who can afford to pay 6-figures for classic muscle cars. Gen-X and Millennials enjoy these cars from a nostalgic standpoint, but not too many of them have the disposable income to pay big-ticket prices for these cars. Also, the shift in electrification I feel is slowly killing off car culture.
Are any specific parts for these vehicles getting difficult to find?
Spencer: Any vehicle-specific parts are starting to get hard to find – body parts, interior parts, etc. Mechanically, I haven’t had much issue finding parts for my cars. My 1993 Cavalier Z24 for example has sat for almost 20 years – it needs a lot of random bits and pieces that really can only be rectified with a junkyard donor car, but they’re just not showing up in yards anymore. Also, front struts are very hard to find for these cars. That’s really the only parts I’ve had a hard time finding.
What community resources are available to someone looking to get into this niche?
Spencer: Facebook groups are absolutely the best resource for someone trying to get into this community. I co-run Classic GM FWD Society which focuses on any GM FWD vehicle 2001 and older. We’ve built a community of 15,000+ members since 2015 and we’re always willing to help people with their related vehicles. Other clubs like Underappreciated Survivors and Malaise Motors are great for showing off your rides as well. There are also more focused groups depending on your type of vehicles like the Cimarron Owners Club, First/Second Gen J-body, 5th Gen Grand Prix Owners, Club APV (For the Dustbuster vans), and a ton more if you want a more specific club.
What’s your favorite period-correct 1980s or 1990s song or album to blast while you’re road tripping?
Spencer: I make it a point to listen to period-correct music whenever I am driving my old vehicles. I don’t have a specific song or album that I like, but I have curated a 1980s playlist on Spotify that I often like to listen to. Given that recent Cavalier is a 1986, I’ve been listening to the GTA: Vice City soundtrack while I’ve been driving it. I love getting in the mood of the time when driving my old cars so it’s definitely something that helps me enjoy my cars even more. I’ve also curated a 1990s R&B playlist for when I drive my ‘93 Cavalier or ‘95 Olds Silhouette.
It was great to connect with Spencer about his love-affair with 1980s GM cars.
Incidentally, the Chevrolet Cavalier made it through two additional generations after the one my parents owned and was sent off into the sunset after 2005. (Worth noting: The Cavalier nameplate still lives on in other parts of the world. It is currently sold in Mexico as a rebadged version of the Chinese-built Chevrolet Monza compact car).
Did you or a member of your family own a 1980s General Motors vehicle back in the day? Let us know in the comment section. And if you are ready to jump in and join Spencer on the journey for 1980s malaise-era car-collecting, check out the listings on ClassicCars.com and the auctions at AutoHunter.com.
This 1994 Ford Bronco XLT four-wheel drive sport-utility vehicle went through a rebuild of its 5.8-liter Windsor V8 about 12,000 miles ago. This powerplant is combined with a dual-range transfer case and a four-speed automatic transmission for all-terrain capability. Upgrades include a Flowmaster exhaust system, a JVC radio, 32-inch Falken tires, and air conditioning. Coated in Tobago Green Clearcoat over an Opal Gray cloth interior, this Bronco is available with a clear California title.
Accompanying this Bronco’s Tobago Green Clearcoat body is a complementary white factory hardtop. Additional treatment includes chrome brightwork, sideview mirrors, and a spare tire on a swing-away carrier. There are some blemishes around the body per the seller.
Traction comes from a set of 32-inch Falken Wildpeak AT3W tires wrapped around 15-inch American Racing polished-aluminum wheels.
The upholstery is themed in Opal Gray cloth which covers the captain’s chairs up front and a bench in the rear. The remainder of the cabin has matching hues, and features include a JVC sound system, air conditioning, power windows, power door locks, a vanity mirror, and cruise control. There are a few noteworthy flaws including issues with the rear window and some upholstery blemishes.
An 85-mph speedometer is joined by a 6K-rpm tachometer and supporting gauges for coolant temperature, fuel level, oil pressure, and voltage. The current digital odometer reading is 236,764 miles. The CARFAX report shows some inconsistencies including a 9,999-mile reading in May 2006, which the seller addresses in the comments.
The Windsor 5.8-liter V8 had factory ratings of 210 horsepower and 325 lb-ft of torque when new. It was rebuilt nine years and about 12,000 miles ago, and it sends power to all four wheels through a rebuilt four-speed automatic transmission and a dual-range transfer case. The CARFAX report shows some of the vehicle’s service history including a radiator replacement.
There is an open manufacturer recall on the speed control system, and a California emissions inspection was performed in March of this year. The seller is including service records with the vehicle.
The auction for this 1994 Ford Bronco XLT ends on Wednesday, May 17, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. (PDT)
