Journal Classic Cars

On August 17, 2025, Carolyn and Craig Jackson will present their 1936 Bugatti Type 57 Stelvio in the European Classic class at the 74th Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, one of the crown jewel events of Monterey Car Week.

Known for their commitment to the collector car industry, community and the driving forces behind the Barrett-Jackson auctions – Craig as chairman and CEO and Carolyn as chief brand officer – the Jacksons acquired the 1936 Bugatti Type 57 Stelvio, bearing Chassis No. 57406, at Barrett-Jackson’s 2024 Scottsdale Auction. Since then, Craig Jackson has led a nut-and-bolt restoration, carried out by his multi-generational team, ranging from veteran engine builders to recent graduates of McPherson College, bringing the car to its current concours-worthy condition and the Pebble Beach show field.

During the restoration process, Bugatti Heritage and Certification Specialist Luigi Galli was brought in to examine the vehicle and confirm its matching-numbers authenticity. The Bugatti retains its original No. 286 engine, No. 427 rear axle and No. 50 internal frame. Although the No. 68C transmission is not original to this Type 57, the same model was used in supercharged Stelvios.

Initially, Craig Jackson set out to make the vehicle as reliable as possible and mechanically sound so it could be driven in vintage rallies. As the project progressed, Jackson made the decision to drive and show the vintage Bugatti at the Pebble Beach Tour and Concours d’Elegance in part to honor the esteemed Don Williams, a beloved member of the Barrett-Jackson family. The 3257cc Straight-8, dual-overhead cam, gear-driven engine was completely gone through and rebuilt, with passageways cleaned out to ensure everything was refreshed with new seals and gaskets. During the process, the team found the engine had been rebuilt previously.

The entire chassis was stripped and sandblasted, and every nut and bolt were nickel-plated before being carefully indexed.

The restoration also included a full repaint, with the fenders and body carefully stripped, sanded and refinished in a deep, rich PPG black. For the “sweep panel,” Craig Jackson chose a striking silver hue, color-matched to his 2023 Bugatti Chiron, creating a visual bridge between the marque’s prewar elegance and modern hypercar performance.

Before joining the Jacksons’ collection, this prewar Bugatti had been part of the renowned Don Williams Collection and resided at the Blackhawk Museum. The late Williams truly left a legacy that continues to inspire. In 2023, the Jackson Family Foundation partnered with Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance Chairman Sandra Button and her husband Martin to establish a Classic Car Restoration Program in Williams’ name at Rancho Cielo, a Monterey County educational organization focused on youth facing many challenges to success.

Built in April 1936, this Bugatti Type 57 Stelvio was originally designed by Jean Bugatti as a four-passenger cabriolet featuring signature pontoon fenders and an Atalante-inspired rounded tail. The design evolved throughout production, with Stelvios from 1935 and 1936 featuring a folding windshield and a top retracted into the body.

The Bugatti was delivered to a Mr. R. Petit on August 8, 1936, and was originally finished in green with gray sweep panels. Subsequently, the car made its way into the ownership of a Mr. Ferrand, by which time it had been upgraded with several period-style updates, including integrated headlamps, rear fender spats, front “moustache” bumpers and upgraded Lockheed hydraulic brakes. As common upgrades to earlier cable-brake cars this indicates that these modifications were either done by the factory or by a Bugatti agent. Mr. Ferrand, who acquired the car in 1946, sold the car to French actor Jacques Dufilho, whose ownership is well documented through numerous historical photos.

In 1974 Dufilho passed it on to Alec Ulmann, the founder of the 12 Hours of Sebring endurance race. Ulmann refinished the car in blue and black and drove it without the rear fender spats. After his death in 1986, Ulmann’s wife held onto the car for two years before the Bugatti came under the care of the Blackhawk Museum in 1988. The museum completed a full restoration and preserved Ulmann’s two-tone royal blue and black “sweep panel” paint scheme and added pale gray leather upholstery for contrast. The rear spats were reinstalled and chrome wire wheels were added, echoing Bugatti’s own offerings from 1937. At some point, the Blackhawk Museum sold the Bugatti to a private collector; Williams later acquired the car in 2022.

This marks the second time in recent history the Jacksons have shown a grand automobile at Pebble Beach, following their 2019 appearance with a beautifully restored 1948 Talbot-Lago. Craig Jackson has a deep-rooted passion for restoration, shaped over decades of hands-on experience. He learned the craft from his late brother Brian, who passed away 30 years ago this September, and continued honing his skills under the guidance of his father Russ and Williams, as well as automotive legend Tom Barrett.

One of Craig Jackson’s most significant restoration achievements was a 1948 Figoni et Falaschi-bodied Delahaye 135M Narval. Russ Jackson and his wife Nellie had acquired the car in the early 1980s from a European owner. It arrived in the United States disassembled, with the engine and transmission packed in shipping crates. Craig Jackson poured his heart into the restoration, fabricating body panels and chassis components by hand. His efforts paid off: The finished Delahaye earned a perfect 100-point score at the 1987 Classic Car Club of America Grand Classic, and later headlined the 1989 Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction, where it sold for $900,000.

While at Pebble Beach Weekend, Craig Jackson will also showcase the double prototype “Little Red” at The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering, further highlighting his exceptional restoration expertise. Little Red, one of the most historically significant Shelby Mustangs known to exist, is the only known 1967 Mustang EXP500 prototype coupe equipped with a 428ci engine and dual four-barrel carburetors, and is the only twin supercharged Shelby ever built. Craig Jackson led the multi-year effort to locate, recover and meticulously restore the car – thought to be lost for decades – to its original factory specifications.

The following weekend, the Jacksons will show Little Red with “Green Hornet,” a 1968 Mustang EXP500 prototype coupe, at the Shelby American Automobile Club (SAAC) 50th Anniversary convention at the Sonoma Raceway. The two legendary muscle cars will be on display together for the first time since their public unveiling at the Barrett-Jackson 2020 Scottsdale Auction.

The Green Hornet, a “double prototype,” was originally built at the Dearborn Assembly Plant in the fall of 1967. This 1968 Mustang notchback coupe began life as a prototype for a nation-wide version of the California Special. In early 1968, the car was handed off to Carroll Shelby and his team, who transformed it into the experimental 500 (EXP500) with independent rear suspension and direct port computerized fuel injection. Like its sibling Little Red, Green Hornet was long believed to have been lost to history and crushed. Craig Jackson acquired Green Hornet and then completed a years-long comprehensive restoration to bring the car back to its original glory.

Showing the 1936 Bugatti Type 57 Stelvio at the 74th Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, and displaying Little Red and Green Hornet, underscores the Jacksons’ commitment to preserving automotive history with precision and passion, whether it’s a rare European classic or a one-of-one American icon.

This article was originally published on Barrett-Jackson.com

If you’re of a certain age, you probably remember when the word “hatchback” was a pejorative term for a small, no-frills, gutless car driven by either a broke student or an adult with nothing going for them. The 2025 Honda Civic Hatchback Hybrid Sport Touring isn’t the first car that shows how far the hatchback has come, but it’s a great example of how a modern one can be both practical and enjoyable.

One thing that’s no longer the same is the definition of hatchback, at least according to Honda. It calls this version of the Civic a hatchback, but given that the fifth door isn’t exactly upright, it seems more fitting to call it a liftback. The Civic lineup as a whole has changed for 2025. All models get a restyled front fascia and grille, but only sedans receive new darker taillights. Honda distinguishes the Civic hybrids with body-color headlamp trim and a front chin spoiler. The Sport Touring Hybrid rolls on a set of new, trim-specific 18-inch wheels with a machined finish.

A hybrid model with a 2.0-liter Atkinson-cycle I4 and a two-motor hybrid system – one that generates power for the lithium-ion battery pack and one that drives the wheels – is now available as a sedan or liftback hatchback. Combined, that hardware generates a total of 200 horsepower and 232 lb-ft of torque, making the hybrid the most powerful Civic without a Type R badge ever, according to Honda. A CVT sends that output to the front wheels.

There are only two hybrid trim levels for the Civic hatch: Sport and Sport Hybrid. According to the window sticker, our Sport Touring Hybrid review vehicle had a base MSRP of $32,950, which included standard equipment such leather seats with heating and power adjustments for the front row, a 12-speaker Bose audio system, built-in Google (also new for 2025), and wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, which can be accessed on the Sport Touring Hybrid’s larger nine-inch touchscreen. Our tester’s one option, the $455 Boost Blue paint, brought its as-tested price to $34,500.

Certain hatchbacks of yesteryear were dull, bland little things that were unpleasant to see and even worse to be seen in. With its handsome front end, fast roofline, and cheery, Skittle-esque blue paint, the Civic Sport Touring Hybrid was a pleasant sight in the parking lot at work or the grocery store.

The Sport Touring Hybrid was proof that you don’t have to be penalized with a cheap, boring interior for choosing a practical, fuel-efficient car. Its honeycomb dash trim and knurled HVAC dial rings showed that the interior of a small A-to-B car can look and feel special. The wireless phone charger and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were welcome conveniences that made the Civic seem more upscale.

The Civic Hatchback’s cabin was pleasant, but not perfect. It was hard to cruise comfortably and naturally with an elbow on the driver’s window sill because it was a little too high. Surprisingly, legroom in the second row was ample enough for someone my height, 5’10”, to be comfortable. The catch was that the downward slope of the roof didn’t leave enough headroom. Despite its top spot in the Civic Hatchback trim level hierarchy, the Sport Touring also didn’t have HVAC vents or USB ports on the back of the center console for second-row passengers to use.

Given the Sport Touring Hybrid’s focus on practicality and its ability to get up to 50 mpg in the city, 45 on the highway, and 48 combined, it seemed likely that it was going to be a disappointing driving experience. The exact opposite turned out to be true. Across 429 miles of mixed driving, we averaged a slightly disappointing 44 mpg. Perhaps we indulged a little too much in the Civic’s substantial power. The hardware around it was just as enjoyable. Even on bad pavement, the ride quality was composed and comfortable. Honda did a great job of dialing in the weight of the steering. Perhaps the biggest shock was the brake pedal, which was communicative and easy to modulate smoothly.

To learn more of the things the 2025 Honda Civic Hatchback Sport Touring Hybrid did well (and maybe not so well), check out my colleague Luke Lamendola’s video review below.

Click above and watch our full video review on YouTube!

You’re standing in your driveway, keys in hand. The afternoon sun hits the paint just right—Matador Red, a shade so rare it practically glows. The deep rumble of a Ram Air III V-8 fills the air as you open the door and slide into a cockpit that’s pure late-60s muscle-car magic. You’re not just imagining it—you’ve just won the 1969 Pontiac GTO Judge in the GTO Dream Giveaway.

It’s not just any GTO Judge. This one has been treated to a concours-quality restoration worth over $100,000, with restoration parts from Ames Performance Engineering. Every curve, every stitch, every bolt—restored to perfection. From the iconic 60-inch rear spoiler to the Muncie 4-speed manual transmission, it’s a muscle-car purist’s dream. And yes, it’s all documented and authentic.

But here’s the best part—you don’t have to be a millionaire collector to make this car yours. You just need to ENTER.

Slip into the driver’s seat and feel the heartbeat of the Ram Air III 400-ci V-8—366 horsepower, snarling its way to life. Attached is a Muncie 4-speed manual transmission, offering visceral control. The factory upgrades don’t stop there:

• Iconic 60-inch rear spoiler
• Hood-mounted tachometer
• Safe-T-Track rear differential
• 3.55:1 axle ratio
• Power steering, front disc brakes and a Rally gauge cluster

CLICK HERE, choose your entry level, and you’re in the running. Dream Giveaway will even cover $26,000 toward the federal prize taxes, so when you win, you get to focus on enjoying Detroit iron at its finest.

And while you’re chasing this dream, you’re also doing something bigger. Every entry supports New Beginning Children’s Homes and other great charities—helping veterans, foster children, and families in need.

So… what are you waiting for? The Judge is ready to rule in your favor. All you have to do is ENTER.

I’m a big fan of bespoke items, but they tend to be outside my price range. So when I see a special-order car in a non-regular-production color, I tend to linger because it challenges my expectations formed by what I have previously seen. Now, thanks to the Celestiq, Cadillac is introducing Curated by Cadillac, an “elevated” customization program for the 2026 CT5-V Blackwing.

Of course, the Celestiq is Cadillac’s ultra-luxury flagship that harkens back to the Eldorado Brougham—the best that Detroit has to offer. Sure, it’s an EV—a type of vehicle some out there won’t entertain—but it has introduced many processes, materials, and methods to Cadillac production that have begun to trickle down to the brand’s more mainstream vehicles.

Curated by Cadillac is the offspring of its Celestiq efforts, a customization program that will be offered on the 2026 CT5-V Blackwing. Available options will include the exterior colors and finishes, and interior colors and materials—all part of an “elevated” client experience via the dealership and a dedicated Cadillac concierge.

“Curated by Cadillac embodies our commitment to delivering an elevated level of customization,” says John Roth, vice president of global Cadillac. “Drawing upon experience from the ultra-luxury, hand-built Celestiq, we are now offering a limited number of CT5-V Blackwing customers an opportunity to create a vehicle that is as unique as their own story.”

Cadillac says every Curated by Cadillac 2026 CT5-V Blackwing will be hand-built at the Artisan Center in Warren, Michigan. While your basic CT5-V Blackwing starts at $95.595, the bespoke version will start at approximately $158,000, including destination freight.

A Curated by Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing will be on display at the Concours Village in Pebble Beach August 14 and 15, 2025, during Monterey Car Week. Visit www.cadillac.com/curatedbycadillac for more information on the program.

Barrett-Jackson Chairman/CEO Craig Jackson and Chief Brand Officer Carolyn Jackson will showcase “Little Red,” the 1967 Shelby EXP500 prototype coupe alongside the “Green Hornet,” the 1968 Shelby EXP500 prototype coupe at the Shelby American Automobile Club (SAAC) 50^th Anniversary event at Sonoma Raceway, August 21-24, 2025. This will be the second time the two legendary muscle cars will be on display together – the first being their public unveiling at the Barrett-Jackson 2020 Scottsdale Auction. Little Red and Green Hornet both hold a pivotal place in Shelby American’s history, contributing to many technological advancements seen on many modern vehicles today.

In August 1966, just months after Ford’s legendary triumph over Ferrari at Le Mans, a unique request was made by Shelby American to the San Jose Ford plant: three Mustangs, a convertible, a fastback, and a coupe. That coupe would go on to become “Little Red,” the only notchback ever built by Shelby American in Los Angeles. Designed as an experimental prototype, Little Red became a testbed for innovation. Carroll Shelby, alongside Shelby American’s Chief Engineer Fred Goodell and their team, used the car to push boundaries, combining Ford’s powerful 428ci engine with their bold vision of a street-legal Mustang with track-ready performance – something that could overtake Ferrari on the streets.

Little Red, a double prototype, holds a singular place in Mustang history as the only 1967 coupe factory-equipped with Ford’s formidable 428ci engine and the very first coupe to receive it. Even more remarkably, it remains the only GT coupe ever ordered and built with factory-installed dual-quad carburetors. Its rarity doesn’t stop there: Little Red is one of just two known 1967 GT Mustangs to feature a black Connolly leather interior, the other being the convertible delivered to Shelby alongside it. In terms of production sequence, Little Red was the second GT500 to be serialized and completed, preceded by the fastback (serial number 0100) and followed by the convertible (0139).

For decades, Little Red was believed to be lost to history, presumed crushed like so many prototype vehicles of its time. But in a remarkable twist, in 2018 the car was discovered in a field in rural North Texas, where it had quietly sat untouched for over 20 years. The search was led by Craig Jackson and classic car restoration expert Jason Billups, supported by a team of leading automotive historians and specialists. Their efforts revealed that Little Red had been re-skinned with many parts from a 1968 Mustang and sold rather than scrapped. It had remained with the same owner for more than two decades.

In poor condition but historically priceless, Little Red underwent a two-year restoration lead by Jackson and Billups using original Shelby schematics. Now fully restored, the car showcases features like twin Paxton superchargers, a reinforced C6 transmission, an electric antenna and its signature Candy Apple Red paint from the height of its experimental past, cementing its legacy as one of the most significant Shelby prototypes ever built.

What makes the Green Hornet truly one of a kind is its status as a “double prototype.” Originally built at the Dearborn Assembly Plant in the fall of 1967, this 1968 Mustang notchback coupe began life as a prototype for Ford’s nation-wide version of the California Special, initially known as the GT/Super Coupe program. In early 1968, the car was handed off to Carroll Shelby and his team, who transformed it into the experimental 500 (EXP500). Under Shelby’s direction, the Green Hornet received a host of unique, performance-focused upgrades, including a 428ci CJ-X big-block V8, Conelec fuel injection, independent rear suspension built by Ford Advanced Vehicles from the Daytona coupe, and 4-wheel disc brakes, all wrapped in a distinctive and aggressive appearance (including it’s electric antenna) that set it apart from anything else on the road.

At the request of Goodell the EXP500 was turned over to in-house custom painter Sonny Fee, who applied a striking, one-of-a-kind Candy Apple Green finish. This bold color choice played a key role in earning the car its iconic nickname, the “Green Hornet.” Beyond its show-stopping appearance, the Green Hornet served a critical role as a prototype test mule for Shelby, making it the second known Mustang notchback documented by Shelby and earning its dual prototype status during its development

Like its sibling Little Red, the Green Hornet was long believed to have been lost to history and crushed like so many other prototypes of its era. Restoring the Green Hornet was a deeply personal and historically driven mission for Craig Jackson, who approached the Shelby prototype’s revival with an unwavering commitment to authenticity. Jackson and Billups researched and sourced original components, including tracking down the one-off independent rear suspension system. Equally challenging was the recreation of the car’s pioneering and incredibly innovative Conelec electronic fuel injection system, a feat made possible through the expertise of Chris Long, whose father designed the original unit. Using his father’s notes and technical drawings, Long successfully reverse-engineered the system, reviving a key piece of Shelby innovation. The restoration also uncovered a remarkable surprise: the Green Hornet still retained its original engine used during Shelby’s development phase. To complete the project with period-correct precision, Jackson sourced an original paint chip from the underside of the hood that had not been stripped to recreate the car’s distinctive Candy Apple Green, applying it over Lime Gold base just as it had been done in 1968, overspray and all.

Little Red and the Green Hornet have only been shown to the public together one other time, making this appearance at SAAC August 21-24 in Sonoma, a special and rare opportunity for enthusiasts to take in these pieces of automotive history that changed the landscape of performance.

To learn more about Little Red or the Green Hornet, visit ShelbyPrototypeCoupes.com or watch the full-length documentaries on YouTube.

This article was originally posted on Barrett-Jackson.com

It’s safe to say that most American car fans have at some point in their lives fantasized about having a Chevrolet Corvette, a convertible, or a Corvette convertible. Many of them have made that dream a reality but, if you haven’t done that already, take a look at our latest AutoHunter Spotlight: a 71K-mile 2002 Chevrolet Corvette convertible. It’s available from a dealership in Sarasota, Florida and comes with a clean CARFAX report and a clear title.

For 2001, the Corvette coupe and convertible received a variety of updates that improved NVH (noise, vibration, and harshness), boosted power, and increased agility. The cockpit was quieter thanks to better sound insulation and the LS1 5.7-liter V8’s improved idle quality. Engineers also increased the engine’s output from 345 to 350 horsepower and, by opening up the intake system, bumped torque up by 10 to 360 lb-ft (for Corvettes with the 4L60-E four-speed automatic), most of which was available lower in the rev range than before. Even Corvettes with the auto and the standard rear end ratio were able to sprint to 60 mph a quarter-second faster than their 2000 predecessors, according to Chevrolet. A second-generation Active Handling stability control system, new Bosch brake pressure modulator, and revised calibrations made the ’01 Corvette more controllable whether it was oversteering or understeering.

As a 2002 model, this drop-top Vette benefits from all those changes as well as gentle use. Over the past 23 years, it has only accrued 71,767 miles, which means it has been neither a garage queen nor a road warrior. In the pictures provided by the selling dealer, the Magnetic Red Metallic paint appears even and glossy. There’s still plenty of shine on the 17-inch front/18-inch rear aluminum wheels. Soft tops in light colors easily show stains, but the Light Oak manual lid on this C5 seems to be free of discoloration.

Inside, the Light Oak power-adjustable bucket seats are in equally good shape. Whoever originally configured this Corvette picked the 1SC trim, which included a variety of convenience features such as dual-zone automatic climate control, driver’s seat memory, head-up display, and power telescoping/manual tilt steering column.

Other interior features include power windows, locks, and mirrors, cruise control, and Bose audio system with an AM/FM/CD radio.

If you want to make your dream of driving a Corvette convertible an everyday reality, bid on this 2002 Chevrolet Corvette. You may not have a lot of time because the auction ends at 11:00 a.m. (PDT) on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, but you have the rest of your life to enjoy driving this Corvette with the top down.

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and a photo gallery

Of late, we’ve been starting to see a few automakers resurrect “car” nameplates for crossover-type vehicles. Remember what happened with the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross? And now Acura says it’s coming out with a new RSX crossover – repurposing the name of its former sporty hatchback. Smart? Maybe. It does play into nostalgia, which as we know is a huge driving force behind vehicle purchases (whether for late-model or classic cars).

Mercury did the same thing several decades ago. It took the Monterey name – used on its full-size car line from 1952 through 1974 – and stuck it on a minivan from 2004 to 2007. I don’t know about you, but I’ll take the earlier version.

The Pick of the Day is a 1964 Mercury Monterey convertible listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in San Jose, California.

The 1964 Monterey was said to draw inspiration – or at least share design language with – the Ford Thunderbird and Lincoln Continental models of the era. From 1961 through 1964, the Monterey was essentially the Mercury equivalent of a Ford Galaxie.

In advertising, Mercury promoted the car’s comfortable ride as well as some of its wins at competitive racing events. One promotion said, “Mercury: The look, the feel, the ride of a great road car … and a championship record to back it up.”

Finished in red with a white retractable top, this Monterey looks right at home on a lakeside cruise. The seller says “Needs some finishing touches on the bumpers and body. The internal components don’t need any attention.” The paint is believed original, and according to the trim tag, the color is “J” – otherwise known as Carnival Red.

Under the hood, power comes from a 390ci “Super Marauder” FE V8 (with a two-barrel carburetor) linked to a Merc-O-Matic three-speed automatic transmission. The odometer reads 69,922 miles, and the seller says, “Looks to be original, but selling true-mileage-unknown.” The good news is there is some known service history, which includes:

• Coolant flush
• Fuel pump replacement
• Fuel tank cleaning
• Ignition coil and distributor assembly replacement
• Ignition repairs
• Oil and filter change
• Spark plug cleaning

The seller says. “You can start driving it today!”

The 1964 Monterey has aged gracefully, and its distinctive style still looks good after over 60 years. It will likely continue carry more collector appeal than its 2000s-era minivan counterpart, at least.

The asking price is $13,500.

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

It started with an email. My friend Adrian sent me a note stating, “I came across this interesting Chevrolet ad in the Monday, February 20, 1967, edition of the Gloucester County Times newspaper while doing some research on Ace Motor Sales and Eastlack Lincoln-Mercury, Inc. of Woodbury, New Jersey. Have you ever heard of this new ‘light monitoring system’ option? I wonder why it wasn’t available in California?”

I’ve seen this light monitoring system—later branded Vigilite—several times on Chevrolets, mainly 1968-69 models. It’s not a common option, being a feature that I would expect more on a Cadillac than the brand that was lowest on the General Motors totem pole. Digging into the 1967 full-size brochure, I found no mention of the option, though it appears in the 1968 catalog as a pair of fender-top monitors (versus the one pictured in the 1967 ad that sits on the rear package shelf). Logically, a vehicle should have both, so I will guess that I simply never noticed the interior monitor in cars that I have seen.

According to the ad, it was available in 1967 full-size Chevrolets and Chevelles, and I know it was expanded to Camaros for 1968. The option also was standard on the redesigned 1968 Corvette, though it was a set of monitor lights on the console.

I dove into old newspaper ads online and discovered this option was introduced in the middle of the model year. The first mention I found was a press release blurb in the January 26, 1967, edition of the Oakland (CA) Tribune.

Next, I grabbed my trusty Chevrolet SS Muscle Car Red Book, but the option was not listed for 1967 full-size or Chevelle models. However, ChevelleStuff.net shows 113 Chevelles were built with option code U46, which was introduced in February 1967. For full-size Chevrolets, the GM Heritage Center has provided a number of 1,107.

None of this addresses why cars sold in California could not be ordered with U46. Knowing that each state handles its affairs differently, it would not be unusual for something to be illegal in a particular state (the State of Pennsylvania had issues with the 1970 Plymouth Road Runner Superbird, for example). However, I did find this on the Internet:

CVC Section 25108(b–c) sets clear limits on external indicators used for monitoring functionality. Specifically:

• Exterior pilot indicators (like those used to show whether a lamp is functioning) must not exceed 0.20 square inches in lens area.
• Light intensity must be no more than 0.10 candlepower.
• Red lenses may not be visible from the front of the vehicle.

I do not know if this is particularly true for the light monitoring system in California, but I would be willing to bet the option ran afoul of state regulators.

If you know something about this, we would be appreciative if you chimed in!

The 2026 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X is a 1,250-horsepower hybrid and one of the fastest cars on the Nürburgring Nordschleife. The mid-engine, all-wheel-drive road rocket is light-years ahead of its ancestors in terms of output and performance. But there’s one major thing that connects the recently announced ZR1X Quail Silver Limited Edition to the first-generation Vette.

It certainly isn’t the layout, given that the current Corvette has its engine behind the passenger compartment. Yes, the ZR1X is powered by a V8 like most C1s, but it’s an LT7 5.5-liter DOHC V8 with a flat-plane crankshaft and twin turbos. Let’s not forget that the LT7 is assisted by the front axle’s electric motor and paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic, both of which enable the ZR1X to absolutely scorch its way to 60 mph in under two seconds and top out at 233 mph.

So what exactly is it that connects the ZR1X Quail Silver Limited Edition to the first-gen Vette? Its color. According to Chevrolet, its Blade Silver Matte finish was inspired by the Inca Silver available on 1957-1959 Corvettes. Accents include Carbon Flash mirror caps, orange calipers for the carbon ceramic brakes, and black exhaust tips.

As a 2026 model, the ZR1X Quail Silver Limited Edition benefits from the comprehensive interior updates Chevrolet rolled into all Corvettes. Although the ZR1X Quail Silver comes in an exclusive color and finish, its cockpit is dressed in a combination of Sky Cool and Medium Ash Gray along with Habanero orange accents, a color scheme available on less potent 2026 Vettes. A “Limited Edition” plaque between the seats identifies each car by its build number.

Prices for the 2026 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X start at $207,395* for the 1LZ coupe; the MSRP jumps up to $217,395* for the 1LZ convertible. The price of entry into a 3LZ coupe is $218,395*; opting for the drop-top model again will cost an additional $10,000 (with all prices including a $1,995 Destination Freight Charge). The Quail Silver Limited Edition package is available only on the ZR1X 3LZ convertible and increases its MSRP to $241,395 (before delivery fees). Adding on the ZTK Performance Package will bump that number even higher, though it adds a firmer chassis, higher spring rates, the ZR1X Carbon Fiber Aero Package, and Michelin Pilot Cup 2 R tires.

As part of Monterey Car Week, Chevrolet will have the 2026 Corvette ZR1X Quail Silver Limited Edition on display at “The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering” in Carmel, California, on August 15^th. If you happen to score a build slot for one, expect for it to come off the production line next year. If a “regular” ZR1X (the grossest of gross understatements) is fine with you, you won’t have to wait as long because that will be available by the end of 2025.

The highest-grossing film of 1978 was “Grease,” a musical starring John Travolta. It brought in $366.2 million worldwide and ended up having a wildly successful soundtrack, with over 30 million copies sold. One of the main characters in the film was a 1948 Ford . . . except it didn’t look much like a 1948 Ford at all, having been heavily modified with a plexiglass hood, chopped front fenders, and massive tailfins. Today, the actual movie car resides at the Volo Museum in Illinois.

If you’re a Ford fan who’s more into original-equipment classics, then you will enjoy our AutoHunter Spotlight that shows what the movie car might have started out looking like. This 1948 Ford Super Deluxe Convertible is being sold by a private seller in Deltona, Florida, with the auction ending Friday, August 15, 2025, at 11:15 a.m. (PDT).

Parrot Green (known as “M14226” in Ford’s color palette for the year) is a muted tone that works well with the coupe’s body lines. Exterior features include chrome brightwork, spotlight, split windshield, power-retractable white soft top, and wide-whitewall tires wrapped around body-colored steel wheels. Note the aftermarket driving lights.

By the time model year 1948 rolled around, Ford was getting ready to retire its design language that had been around since 1941. Because the brand’s focus was centered on getting buyers excited about the incoming, redesigned 1949 models, the 1948 production calendar was shorter than usual. Only 12,033 convertibles were built before the plants switched over. The Super Deluxe units rolled off the line with a luxurious interior for the time, offering features like a dash clock, radio, and armrests.

Power for this car comes from a two-barrel 239ci “Flathead” V8 mated to a three-speed manual transmission—a powertrain that was factory-rated at 100 horsepower. Later in life, this Ford was upgraded with a 12-volt electrical system, electric fuel pump, and power-assisted front disc brakes. The odometer shows 80,308 miles, but the title reads mileage-exempt.

The Super Deluxe is a practical ride with classic charm, making it a popular choice among collectors. If originality isn’t your thing, perhaps you have some customization ideas for a “Greased Lightning”-style hot rod tribute of your own? If so, you could start with a Super Deluxe as your blank canvas.

The auction for this 1948 Ford Super Deluxe Convertible ends Friday, August 15, 2025, at 11:15 a.m. (PDT).

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and a photo gallery