The pony car races have been going on for decades: Ever since the Mustang debuted in the mid-1960s, it has competed head-to-head with the Camaro (and with other vehicles in the segment) for market share. By the 1990s, both the Camaro and the Mustang were in their fourth generations, and the battle raged on. Today’s Camaro convertible is a standout survivor from that neo-classic era with only 27,509 miles on the odometer. It is being offered by a private seller in Peachtree City, Georgia, and the auction ends on Tuesday.
Finished in Bright Red, this Camaro clearly comes from an enthusiast’s garage. The seller posted the following comment on the auction: “I have driven it several long distances and it drives like new. Paint is near flawless and top works as it should. The car has been stored inside its entire life.”
One thing you may not know about this car is that all 1993 through 2002 Camaros were built in Canada. General Motors had closed up shop at the Van Nuys assembly plant in California and moved production to Sainte-Therese, Quebec, beginning in late 1992. In addition to the new facility, there were also new techniques and tools implemented at the time including construction using sheet molding compound (SMC) which was a form of fiberglass. The Camaro’s F-body platform was again shared with its badge-engineered sibling, the Pontiac Firebird.
Aside from the audio system (which has been upgraded to an Alpine radio with Bluetooth compatibility) this car is all stock. Momentum comes from an LT1 5.7-liter OHV V8 mated to a 4L60E four-speed automatic transmission and a limited-slip differential. The powertrain was rated at 275 horsepower and 325 lb-ft of torque when new.
This Camaro was previously listed on AutoHunter in September and is now being offered at a lower reserve price. Here is your (second) chance to buy a well-kept Z28. Best of all (at least according to the photos in the listing) it comes with a bowtie-branded cassette tape. I wonder what kind of tunes that has on it?
Finally, you may have heard: Chevrolet has discontinued the Camaro for the 2024 model year, but company representatives said, “This is not the end of the Camaro’s story.” It will be interesting to see what the future holds for the important model. Meanwhile, pick up a classic that is bound to appreciate!
Ferrari and the NHTSA have issued a recall on the SF90 Stradale and SF90 Spider and urged owners not to drive their supercars.
The reason is due to turbocharger oil delivery pipes used on the SF90’s twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8 that may have been manufactured with a notch or incorrect thickness. The defect could result in an oil leak that in turn could cause a fire.
The recall affects SF90s from the 2022-2024 model years, which equates to 614 vehicles in the U.S., according to the recall notice published on the NHTSA’s website on Oct. 17.
The remedy requires dealers to replace any defective turbocharger oil delivery pipes, a service that will be provided free of charge.
Ferrari SF90 Stradale
Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed out on Dec. 16, but anyone looking for further information can contact Ferrari at 1-201-816-2668 or the NHTSA at 1-888-327-4236 (reference recall campaign number 23V698000).
The SF90 has been around since 2019, but the issue was only detected by Ferrari in July following the pre-production review of a new model, likely to be the hardcore SF90 XX that was unveiled one month prior. The SF90 XX shares its twin-turbo 4.0-liter V-8 with other SF90 variants, although the XX version of the engine has been substantially upgraded.
This is actually the second recall for the SF90 this year. In March, a recall (NHTSA recall campaign number 23V136000) was issued for 13 examples built from the 2021-2023 model years due to airbags that could impact a child seat. So few cars were included because the recall only affected SF90s ordered with a specific seat.
As 2023 draws to a close, it’s mind-boggling to even think of writing the date “2024” on anything. The number just looks crazy. But, ready or not, it’s here. And with the new year comes advancement of the automotive industry: There are huge initiatives underway with focuses on emissions, safety, traffic control, and autonomy. Over the past year, I have firsthand experience with a self-driving “robotaxi” service that is operated by a company called Waymo. And it may be coming to a city near you.
Just like the day I got my driver license, I will forever remember another red-letter day:
The first time I rode in a completely autonomous vehicle was March 4, 2023, when a couple of friends and I were looking to travel from a busy part of downtown Phoenix toward our homes. When my brothers visited from Utah for the No Fly Zone event later in the year, I knew I had to introduce them to the experience as well. As someone who loves to drive – and to be in complete control – it feels odd to surrender that privilege to a machine. It’s even weirder is to watch the steering wheel turn on its own.
Waymo Background
This coming January will mark 15 years since the earliest beginnings of Waymo. At the time, it was called the “Google Self-Driving Car Project.” The program grew in size and scope, eventually partnering with Stellantis in 2016 on a fleet of about 100 Chrysler Pacifica minivans. Things evolved from there, and just like any technology-related industry, it’s been a fast pace ever since.
“Level 4” autonomy, as utilized here, refers to a scenario where nobody is behind the wheel and a vehicle is sharing the road with cars and pedestrians. Testing for the platform took place in Chandler, Arizona. Weather, of course, could throw an entirely new variable at these vehicles. Perhaps that is why the existing services areas are in predictable climates without severe storms or the potential for snow. Along those lines, up until just recently, Waymo has operated in only two cities: San Francisco and here in Phoenix. Los Angeles is now on the map as of just recently, and expansion to Austin is in the works.
How does it work?
Each Jaguar I-Pace (all-electric) sport-utility vehicle in the Waymo fleet is outfitted with enhanced vision systems, radar, lidar, and a myriad of cameras. The completed setup looks a little bit like a moon-crawler with all that apparatus, but every piece of it serves some type of purpose.
The Waymo smartphone application operates in the same fashion as other ride-sharing services. A rider creates an account, links it to a credit card, and adds some basic information. From there, a vehicle can be summoned (that makes it sound like witchcraft, but this isn’t too far off!) and the application will give an estimated wait time until a vehicle will arrive for pick-up. All of this functionality mirrors the way that Uber and Lyft operate, so the learning curve is not steep for most people to figure out.
Atop each vehicle is a digital display with the initials of the rider – after all, in congested urban areas, there could be multiple similar-looking robotaxis. The doors to the vehicle must be unlocked via the phone app by the individual who called the ride, and from there, the vehicle will recognize how many people get inside and it won’t depart until everyone is buckled up.
The vehicles are extremely thoughtful – welcoming you to the car, telling you when the ride is about to conclude, and reminding you to collect your belongings at the conclusion of the ride. “I feel like I’m on a ride at Disneyland,” my sister-in-law Kali remarked. The touch-screen interface allows a rider to start the ride, control the music, adjust the climate control, pull over, and call for help if needed.
How much does it cost?
I compared fares across Waymo versus traditional ride-sharing services, and pricing was similar. It cost about $15 to go roughly six miles from my house to a restaurant downtown (well worth the price, considering we saved time on finding parking – and paying for it – on a busy weekend evening).
What about all the unexpected encounters?
I have seen Waymo vehicles pull over for emergency personnel, slow down for gutters, yield for pedestrians, and make all sorts of other maneuvers. For anyone who is concerned about safety, or who even just wants to geek out on all the safety-related data they could possibly want, Waymo has an entire section of the website dedicated to reporting on this topic. I noticed the vehicle we rode in during the October ride had over 80,000 miles on it. How many of those were autonomous? I wonder.
What are the service area and routing basics?
The grid of supported service area in Phoenix has expanded rapidly in recent months. Waymo vehicles are programmed to stick to surface streets. Freeway driving will require a whole new set of security and navigation features that may still be in development. In addition to that, we noticed that the vehicle preferred making right turns, which made sense from a safety perspective.
Takeaways
Even as someone who enjoys the act of driving, I see the benefit in having a service like this. Sometimes you just want a peaceful ride, and a “robot” driver might be the best solution for not having to make small talk with an overly chatty chauffeur. Adding to that: There is nobody to tip. And perhaps most importantly, the travel experience is likely safer than riding with a human driver.
I’d like to hear it in the comment section: Is this a service you will use when it eventually comes to your community? Waymo says that there are 1.36 million deaths due to vehicle crashes each year. If this technology can help give mobility to people who otherwise don’t have access to it, and save a few lives along the way, I welcome it.
Featured on AutoHunter, the online auction platform driven by ClassicCars.com, is this 1966 Ford Mustang 2+2 restomod. The result of a one-off build by Sabas Customs, this 347-powered fastback is connected to a TREMEC TKO 600 five-speed manual transmission. Other features include a custom frame, adjustable coilovers, Wilwood disc brakes, keyless entry, and much more. Finished in silver and matte gray over a tan leather interior, this first-generation Mustang comes from the selling dealer with a clear title.
As part of a $200,000+, five-year build by Sabas Customs of Grand Junction, Colorado, the body was given a custom silver and matte gray paint job. Features include LED headlights, external hood latches, hood scoop, mesh C-pillar inserts, and dual rear valance-exit exhaust outlets. The door handles have been shaved and replaced with remote door poppers.
The 17 x 7-inch front/18 x 9-inch rear Forgeline wheels are respectively wrapped in 225/45R17 and 245/45R18 Bridgestone Potenza RE-71RS tires.
The 2+2 cabin has been customized with a tan leather interior that includes a leather-wrapped dashboard and transmission tunnel in lieu of a console. Other features include tilt steering column, push-button start, wood-rimmed steering wheel, power steering, E-Stopp electric parking brake, and Bluetooth-capable audio system.
The instrument panel consists of a 120-mph speedometer, 8,000-rpm tachometer, and gauges for the fuel level, voltage, coolant temperature, and oil pressure.
The 347cid V8 is equipped with a Quick Fuel Technology carburetor and sends power to the rear wheels through a TREMEC TKO 600 five-speed manual transmission with hydraulic clutch. Engine bay components include an aluminum radiator with dual electric fans, MSD ignition system, and Wilwood master cylinder. The battery has been relocated to a custom box in the trunk.
The original frame has been replaced with a custom unit, with the suspension being upgraded with adjustable coilovers. Braking is handled by manual Wilwood disc brakes with cross-drilled and slotted rotors — six-piston calipers up front, four-piston out back.
The auction for this 1966 Ford Mustang 2+2 restomod ends Monday, November 6, 2023, at 12:30 p.m. (PDT)
The phrase “luxury liner” evokes mental images of an executive cruise ship carrying black-tie passengers to an exotic high-end vacation destination somewhere (champagne glass in hand, of course). Let that visual marinate on your mind while we introduce today’s feature car.
“Here’s a chance to own a rare 1941 Dodge three-window Business Coupe,” the listing begins. “Frame-off restoration done back in the 80s. Tons of records throughout the restoration process; 3,700 miles since completion.”
My favorite feature on this pre-war Dodge is of course the “Luxury Liner” badge embedded into the grille on the driver side. The base price of this car was $954 when it was new. Inflated to 2023 dollars, the amount becomes $20,081. Few new vehicles – even entry level compacts – can be had for such a bargain today. But in its time, Dodge’s idea was to offer a car with high-end features that could be obtained for a reasonable price. The Luxury Liner series was launched to commemorate Dodge’s 25th anniversary, and the cars could be configured in coupe, convertible, or sedan styles.
The seller states that this one is rust-free, and it has had just one owner for about the last 50 years. The exterior was reportedly resprayed in the original Flare Red, which extends to the steel wheels with polished hubcaps. Even the chrome back bumper – which itself has a unique swoopy design – bears the phrase Luxury Liner in the middle in cursive script lettering. Dodge didn’t want anyone to forget about this car’s high-end aspirations.
The one-bench-seat cabin is well-appointed and even has simulated woodgrain trim on the dashboard. The upholstery, door panels, headliner, and carpeting look to be in good condition based on the photos included in the listing. Up front, the hood has a center-hinge setup. Underneath it, power comes from a flathead six-cylinder paired with a “Fluid Drive” column-shifted three-speed manual transmission. Recent maintenance included replacement of the Delinte tires and the Optima battery per the seller.
“Smooth riding, and goes down the road just like new,” the seller says.
Does this car convey a presence that would have been considered luxurious in 1941? And could any automaker get away with calling a car a Luxury Liner today? That would be fun to find out.
The asking price is $18,000, which is a relative bargain for such a fancy ride.
Car, motorcycle and military vehicle enthusiasts, get revved up for the 10th Annual Concours in the Hills, on Saturday, Feb. 3 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the gorgeous Fountain Park in Fountain Hills, Arizona. This marks a spectacular decade of “The Greatest Car Show on Grass,” with truly breathtaking vehicles, all benefiting world-class care at Phoenix Children’s.
Concours in the Hills creator Peter Volny built a thriving advertising business around promoting the automobile industry. Migrating to Arizona, a “mecca” for car collectors, he turned his passion for speed and exotic cars into the premier auto show that draws car enthusiasts from across the Southwest. As a childhood cancer survivor, Phoenix Children’s is a cause near to Volny’s heart.
“We are honored to be celebrating the 10th anniversary of Concours in the Hills in 2024,” Volny said. “The community of car enthusiast are equally generous as we are passionate, which makes for a very special event that attracts guests from all over the country, and even the world, to participate.”
While the money raised has always gone to the Phoenix Children’s, Volny handed the reigns of the event over to Phoenix Children’s in 2022. The auxiliary group, PCH50, now leads Concours in the Hills, with member Dr. Peter Birkland as chair. The group, also known as “The Fifty”, has a mission to harness the energy, enthusiasm and experience of 50 driven community leaders as the next generation of supporters of Phoenix Children’s.
Image courtesy of Tyson Hugie
“The PCH50’s mission is to serve Phoenix Children’s with the three pillars of fundraising, volunteer efforts and awareness building,” said Dr. Birkeland. “The scope, size and success of Concours in The Hills allows our members to further that mission with a well-established event and work to continue growing it well into the future.”
The show is organized into sections for Domestics, Imports, Race Cars, Limited-Edition Exotics, Off-Road, and Motorcycles. A helicopter display includes military attack helicopters.
The show is heavily supported by leading car clubs and dealers, including Ferrari, Lamborghini, Porsche, McLaren, Corvette, Viper, Ford GT, Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Mustang, Jaguar, Cadillac, Lotus, and others. The value of vehicles is many hundreds of millions, with several individual cars worth over $10 million.
Concours in the Hills began in 2014 with 220 cars and 3,000 spectators. In 2023, there were approximately 50,000 spectators, 1,200 vehicles and more than 100 vendor and sponsor booths.
Event admission and parking is FREE to spectators. The exhibitor entry fee is a minimum $55 donation for vehicles, $35 for motorcycles and has sold out for the past two years. Find out more here.
I have had a few less than obvious (or sometimes just plain weird) Picks of the Day while writing here at the Journal. Today is a car that, while it might seem the weirdest, is also a very interesting car and one that represents a time when manufacturers were struggling to make cars more efficient. It is also the car that was the first true luxury hybrid car to come from one of the oldest American manufacturers.
Cadillac first unveiled the concept car for the ELR as the Converj Concept at the 2009 North American Auto Show in Detroit. The car was a huge hit with the press due to the concepts behind the powertrain and the striking styling, and it was scheduled for production shortly after but timing is everything and the GM bankruptcy and restructuring caused the cancellation of the model. After many arguments within GM, the Converj was finally scheduled for production in August of 2011, which many guess was due to the legendary Bob Lutz. The new car was named the ELR and went on sale as a 2014 model.
Cadillac stated that the, “The 2014 ELR luxury coupe blends dramatic design and industry-leading extended-range technology to deliver a driving experience that is sporty and environmentally friendly.”
They went on to state that, “The ELR delivers on the promise of the Converj Concept on which it is based. The exterior establishes a new, progressive proportion for the brand while the interior introduces a new design theme that will define future Cadillac models, emphasizing modern elegance, technology and precisely crafted details.”
Both of these are bold statements, but I actually got to drive the 2014 ELR at its launch and my take away is that these are amazing cars that not only deliver on what Cadillac intended but also have striking interior design elements that we are just now seeing in other cars from the brand.
So why is this a collector car? Well the ELR was built during a time concerned with diminishing oil resources and, while by today’s standards has a silly all-electric range of only 35 miles, this is a plug-in hybrid and the total range of the ELR is more than 400 miles. In addition the styling is simply amazing, the materials used in the interior are the best Cadillac had ever put into a modern car, and the ELR is extremely rare with a total of only 2,958 cars built in 2014 and 2016. No, that is not a typo, they skipped 2015.
The seller describes this 2014 ELR as being basically a brand new car, with a total of only 850 miles from new and is still covered by its original factory/manufacturers warranty until 1/21/2024.
The exterior of this car is finished in Crystal Red Tint coat said to be in showroom condition. They add that this car utilized the latest technology of the day, including LED tail and head lights, large 20-inch ultra-bright, polished two-tone wheels are wrapped by 245/40R20’s on all 4 corners.
The interior is just as good as the exterior. It features two tone cashmere leather, including all surfaces leather covered. It even has an Alcantara headliner, one of my single favorite interior options on any car. Other options include power windows, power locks, power mirrors, and power door actuators. The dash is a still-modern looking display screen where the CUE system controls various functionality of the interior settings and contains a navigation system and back up camera. Other features include Bluetooth connectivity for your phone. Just like the rest of the interior, the carpeting is flawless.
So basically, you have the opportunity here to buy a brand new Cadillac ELR. I maintain that the ELR is quickly becoming a real collector car due to its rarity and, quite frankly, just how great a car it is. This is a collector car for those who are thinking towards the future as Cadillac was when they designed it.
The asking price for this stunning example of a first year Cadillac ELR is $64,900, and while that might seem a bit high, take a look at the prices for an ELR with high mileage and then you will get the picture. These cars are on the rise and the time to buy one that is this perfect is now.
The 2023 edition of the Specialty Equipment Market Association’s (SEMA) yearly convention commences on October 31. There’s so much to see at this Las Vegas event that it’s possible that four days are not enough but, if there is one display that everyone is likely to visit, it’s Ringbrothers.
Images courtesy of Ringbrothers
The renowned custom car builder and parts manufacturer is slated to unveil three custom builds that represent over 10,000 combined build hours, with the crowned jewel of the bunch being “Paramount,” a 1961 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud II that’s had its stiff upper lip transformed into a 640-horsepower LT4 fire-breather that’s claimed to be on par with any modern grand tourer. It’s assisted by a Bowler Tru-Street 10-speed automatic transmission and custom QA1 carbon-fiber driveshaft. A custom chassis and hand-built floor pans (I can feel the swooning all the way from Crewe) keep things proper, while the “starlight” headliner is a nod to more modern Rolls machinery.
“Unlike many of our builds, we chose to retain the original bodywork and lines of the Rolls, so at first glance, there are only hints to what lies beneath,” says Ringbrothers co-owner Jim Ring. “That all changes when the door opens to show the completely custom interior or a press of the go pedal emits a telltale supercharger whine. This truly is the ultimate luxury sleeper.”
The second unveiling will be a 1969 Dodge Charger called “Tusk.” Built as a homage to everyone’s favorite pachyderm, the elephant, Tusk is powered by the Hellephant, the 1,000-horsepower, all-aluminum, supercharged 426cid crate engine that was introduced five years ago at SEMA. The Hellaphant is connected to a TREMEC T-56 Magnum six-speed manual and QA1 REV Series custom carbon-fiber driveshaft with Strange Engineering Ford 9-inch rear.
The Charger’s wheelbase was lengthened to help set the Hellephant 2.5 inches back. And, of course, the firewall and cowl are custom-built. With extended rockers and fenders and more, Tusk is poised to be your favorite Charger unless you prefer the 1968 or 1970, to which we proclaim, “Tastes great! Less filling!”
The final Ringbrothers build is a 1965 Mustang convertible called “Caged.” The body has been streamlined and widened two inches “for an improved aesthetic and stance.” Naturally, every other component has been adjusted to fit the widened look.
The new physique sits on an utterly modern chassis, suspension, and drivetrain, the latter being a Ford Performance 5.0-liter Coyote V8 crate engine developing 460 horsepower.
The 2023 SEMA Show will be operating through November 4th at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
Coming soon to a street or trail near you, check out this go-anywhere SUV.
The Defender series of off-road sport-utility vehicles and pickups launched 40 years ago in 1983 in the United Kingdom. The Land Rover brand has since become known for its tagline “Above and Beyond.” Today’s Defender takes that motto to new heights with LED lighting, tubular side steps, Toyo all-terrain tires, and a refurbished interior. The vehicle is being offered for auction by a dealer in Los Angeles, California, and the listing ends this Friday.
Over the course of its lifetime, the Defender model went through relatively few exterior design changes: The rugged, boxy look remained as one of its characteristic traits (kind of like how the Jeep Wrangler evolved). In fact, the vehicle’s overall silhouette stuck around until as recently as 2016. At 35 years old, today’s Defender has a list of upgrades that set it up apart from the rest. Most notably, its curb appeal has been enhanced with a blue paint job, a Project Kahn body kit, and 18-inch gloss black wheels shod in Toyo tires.
One of the important distinctions for this era of Land Rover pertained to wheelbase length: The 110 (four-door) had a 110-inch wheelbase, and the 90 (two-door) had a 93-inch wheelbase. When both the 90 and the 110 were rolling off the U.K. assembly line in the 1980s, they offered equipment that had been vastly improved from prior versions of Land Rover sport-utility vehicles. Included on that list were coil springs, a permanent four-wheel-drive system, a one-piece windshield, and more powerful drivetrains.
Speaking of drivetrains, power for today’s 110 comes from a 2.5-liter inline-four mated to a five-speed manual transmission and a dual-range transfer case. The selling dealer says that recent mechanical work included replacement of the brakes.
This Defender 110 is particularly unique because it originated in a non-U.S. market. The CARFAX report begins in April 2023 in Tennessee. It would be fascinating to piece together the backstory on this one-of-a-kind build.
Worth noting: The selling dealer of this Defender is motivated, because they have now lowered the reserve from a prior AutoHunter auction listing. So, this is your second chance to drive home with a unique 110-series!
H&H Classics is set to offer a rare 1936 Frazer-Nash BMW 319/55 Sports at its upcoming auction at the Pavilion Gardens, Buxton on November 29. Expected to fetch between £150,000 – £180,000 (about $180,000 – $218,000), the car is steeped in rich motoring history, being one of just 26 319/55 Sports crafted by Frazer-Nash.
This example is recognized as the second Frazer-Nash BMW 319/55 Sports to arrive on UK shores and boasts an extensive period competition history. Originally supplied to C.G. Fitt Esq., a wealthy and accomplished amateur racing driver, ‘DHX 347’ distinguished itself at revered racing venues such as Brooklands, Shelsley Walsh, and Donington. It has also been a proud participant in numerous rallies since its acquisition by the current vendor in 2006, when it became part of a cherished private collection.
Paul Cheetham and Lucas Gomersall, the motorcar specialists at H&H Classics who consigned the car between them, commented: “The 1936 Frazer-Nash BMW 319/55 Sports is a rare motorsport heritage gem. Its storied past on iconic tracks and its imminent appearance at our Buxton auction demonstrate the timeless allure of true racing classics. The car is eligible for a host of prestigious events and ready to be campaigned again after being well kept in a private collection.”
One of the standout attributes of this 1936 Frazer-Nash BMW is its wire wheels, a specification added upon its creation. Over the years, the car has undergone thorough maintenance and mechanical attention, ensuring it remains ‘on the button’. Today, the vehicle showcases a combination of White finish offset by elegant Red leather upholstery.
Included with the car is a comprehensive history file, complete with ‘in-action’ period photographs and significant documentation. This includes correspondence from the original owner, detailing aspects of the vehicle’s vibrant racing history including a first-in-class at the 1939 Brooklands J.C.C Rally, and a competitive finish at the London to Exeter Trial.
The 319/55 Sports is regarded as one of the most desirable Frazer-Nash BMW models. With better road-holding than anything else in its class and far nimbler than a contemporary Bentley or Lagonda, the lightweight two-seater quickly distinguished itself on rallies, sprints, hillclimbs and racetracks around the UK.
“We believe this is the first time in many years that one of these rare models has been put under the hammer so we expect a significant level of interest,” concludes Cheetham.
