What happens when one British icon merges with another? Some very pricey garments!
Over in Warwickshire, Aston Martin has teamed up with The Greatest Rock and Roll Band in the World to produce the Aston Martin F1 x Rolling Stones Collection. This limited-edition collaboration features Andy Warhol’s best work—the Rolling Stones tongue logo—blended with the iconic Aston Martin wings. Logical, innit?
“Ultra exclusive, limited run, co-branded merchandise collection fusing the speed and precision of Formula One with the rebellious spirit of rock and roll,” says the RS No. 9 Carnaby website. What’s that? The website for Rolling Stones’ “flagship retail experience” that brings together music and fashion in the uber-fashionable Carnaby Street in London. (In case you need a reminder, that’s the home city of the Rolling Stones, not that wimpy Liverpudlian foursome.)
Currently, the RS No. 9 Carnaby website features three items of collaboration: T-shirt, hoodie, and baseball cap, all worn by two sullen young adults who were not alive when Tattoo You was the Stones’ latest and greatest. If you fancy yourself as both an automotive and music enthusiast, you can inspect the “wears” at rsno9.com and see if they meet your fashionable standards.
“They should’ve put a V8 in it!” If you spend enough time online, you’ll come across that comment in regards to certain cars. Take the Plymouth Prowler or the second-generation Ford F-150 Raptor as examples of this kind of thinking. The Mazda MX-5 Miata has never been offered by the factory with anything other than a four-cylinder engine, making it the perfect target for the lamentations of power-hungry enthusiasts. Well, the people behind our Pick of the Day, an LS7-powered 2006 Mazda MX-5 Miata track car posted on ClassicCars.com by a dealer in Wisconsin, did put a V8 in it – and a big one, too.
For the 2006 model year, Mazda released an all-new, third generation of the MX-5 Miata. The “NC,” as it’s otherwise known, was a front-mid-engine car based on a new platform covered with new exterior styling. Weight went down and rigidity increased. Mazda paired the new 170-horsepower, 140-lb-ft 2.0-liter I4 with a standard five-speed manual gearbox, an available six-speed stick, or an all-new six-speed automatic (which shaved output slightly to 166 horsepower). Trim levels included the base Club Spec, MX-5, Touring, Sport, and flagship Grand Touring.
Despite its modest power, the Miata is a perennial favorite for people who like to go to the track. But whoever got their wrenches on this one, which is reportedly based on an MX-5 Cup car campaigned by Playboy Enterprises Inc., decided that more is more. He or she yanked out the original engine and replaced it with a new LS7 7.0-liter V8 crate engine running a dry-sump oiling system. In the C6 Corvette Z06, the LS7 pumped out 505 horsepower; here, it produces 520 – at the wheels.
Of course, everything around that had to be beefed up, so the builder(s) installed a Tranzilla six-speed manual from Rockland Standard Gear Inc., custom axles, and the rear differential from a fifth-generation Camaro. A V8 Roadsters tubular suspension with Ohlins adjustable coilovers and a set of big Wilwood brakes keep this race car on the track. Whoever modified this car also made sure to fit it with a vented hood, a dramatic red and silver color scheme, a black hardtop, and Konig wheels.
The cockpit was completely overhauled as well. Instead of carpeting, it now has exposed Thermo-Tec heat and sound insulation. When the detachable Sparco steering wheel is in place, it sits in front of an AiM dash logger. The driver and a lucky passenger (who doesn’t get motion sickness) are held in place during high-G turns by a pair of black racing buckets and surrounded by a roll cage.
If you want to see how wild a V8-powered Miata can be at your local track (and find out who you can beat with one), add this this LS7-powered 2006 Mazda MX-5 Miata to your paddock. All you need to do to qualify for the race is pay the asking price of $79,900.
Currently listed on AutoHunter is this 1970 Plymouth ‘Cuda hardtop. Wearing new duds, the redesigned Barracuda was expected to be a smash hit but the sporty car market was down, and Barracuda sales even lagged its more expensive cousin, the Dodge Challenger, by a long shot. Nonetheless, the all-new Barracuda (and the performance-oriented ‘Cuda model we have here) exploited everything that was desirable about pony cars, like deft proportions, an engine suitable for every type of consumer, and enough options to make a Mustang envious. The car in this AutoHunter Spotlight features a 335-horsepower 383, which was the standard engine for the ‘Cuda, backed by a TorqueFlite automatic. Painted “FJ5” Limelight” with white vinyl top over a black vinyl interior, this muscle Mopar comes from the selling dealer with a clear title.
The Limelight hue is seemingly made brighter by the white vinyl top. Other exterior features include front Elastomeric bumper, non-functional scooped hood with pins and lanyards, dual racing mirrors, rear panel blackout, driving lights, “gilled” rocker panels, and rear spoiler. A set of 14-inch Rallye wheels are wrapped in F70 Goodyear Polyglas white-letter radials.
The black interior features front bucket seats divided by a console housing a Slap-Stik shifter. Other features include woodgrain trim, pushbutton AM radio, two-spoke steering wheel, and driver-side remote mirror.
Instrumentation includes a 150-mph speedometer, 8,000-rpm tachometer, and gauges for the oil pressure, coolant temperature, alternator, clock, and fuel. The odometer currently shows 1,403 miles, though the title reads mileage-exempt.
The “’Cuda 383” V8 was originally rated at 335 horsepower with a four-barrel carburetor. It’s connected to a three-speed TorqueFlite automatic.
Underneath, you’ll find drum brakes on all four corners. A dual exhaust system is routed through the rear valence panel.
Limelight is among the brightest of Mopar High Impact colors during the era. Combined with a white vinyl top and Elastomeric front bumper, this 1970 ‘Cuda 383 hardtop really pops—dare I say it’s pretty? If you want to go on a date with her, be sure to place a bid because the auction ends on Monday, May 5, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. (PDT).
Currently listed on AutoHunter is this 1976 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible, which is powered by a 1600cc horizontally opposed four-cylinder engine mated to a four-speed manual transmission. Finished in Competition Orange and equipped with a black convertible top over a black vinyl interior, this VW Bug is now offered by the seller in Oregon with service records, an emissions report, a car cover, spare parts (including an engine), and a clear title.
After being stored for more than 10 years, this Beetle was recently refreshed. Its Competition Orange exterior features chrome bumpers with black trim, chrome trim, front fender-mounted turn signals, chrome side mirror housings, running boards, and dual exhaust outlets. A black manual soft top covers the passenger compartment.
The 15-inch chrome wheels have VW-branded hubcaps and come wrapped in 165/80 Federal Super Steel 657 radial tires.
Inside the cabin is black vinyl front bucket and rear bench seating. Features include manual windows, a floor-mounted shifter, and a locking glove box.
A VDO 100-mph speedometer with an integrated fuel gauge displays important information. The analog odometer shows 87,522 miles, but the title for this vehicle indicates it’s mileage-exempt.
The original engine was swapped out for a 1600cc horizontally opposed four-cylinder engine that has less than 200 miles on it. The powerplant is connected to a four-speed manual gearbox. New parts include a two-barrel carburetor, clutch, throwout bearing, pressure plate, and battery.
Underpinnings consist of a four-wheel independent suspension and drum brakes, which have been updated with new drums and shoes.
The parts that come with the purchase of this VW Beetle consist of a rebuildable engine, three spare carburetors, two distributors and flywheels, a workbench-mountable engine stand, and more.
There’s plenty of weird stuff on the Intertnet. Once in awhile, however, you stumble upon something that doesn’t garner the viral treatment for one reason or another. This story is one of them.
If you look at the above picture, it appears that a 1970-72 Corvette slammed into someone’s garage. This is a story that is somewhat common on American roads: someone has been drinking and rounds the corner too fast and, next thing you know, the car he or she was driving has hit a house. Sometimes the corner is trouble-prone and has been the scene of several accidents in the past.
However, those accidents usually don’t involve a classic car. By the looks of the image, this one does—how did the driver of this Vette end up on top of the car in the garage, destroying another classic in the process?
According to a Facebook post by the New Castle County (DE) Paramedics, a team of Technical Rescue Paramedics were called to an address as part of the NCC Structural Collapse Team to assist the Mill Creek Fire Company “in treating the driver of the striking vehicle” and “to shore the structure.”
This story was reported in this news article: the Corvette slammed into a garage and landed atop a vintage Chevy. Yet that’s not what happened despite “information from this article was provided by New Castle County paramedics and the Claymont Fire Company.”
(Image courtesy of New Castle County Paramedics on Facebook)
Glancing at this other image, you can see that there is a late-model SUV to the right of the garage. What likely happened is that the SUV hit the garage and knocked the Corvette off a lift, which collapsed upon the ’66 Nova SS underneath. The SUV stopped after hitting a neighboring house.
This other article confirms the above sequence of events. And, if you look at a map, Claymont is far from the accident scene, so no idea why the Claymont Fire Company was consulted in the first story because clearly the narrative was not correct.
We can only hope that the collector had proper insurance coverage.
The monochromatic look wasn’t yet a thing in the 1960s, though the 1968 Pontiac GTO introduced the concept to American audiences. Soon, other manufacturers followed suit, as evidenced by the below cars currently listed on AutoHunter of ClassicCars.com.
Can you tell us more about the quartet of cars posted below? List the model year, brand, and model in the Comments section below. And if you’re finding yourself stuck, you can always click on an image for a hint.
Long before the days of high-end sport-utility vehicles, the “cushiest” way to haul around a crew of people and their cargo was with a conversion van. If you close your eyes and picture what a conversion van from the 1980s and 1990s might look like, you might envision the Chevrolet G20, Dodge Ram Van or the Ford Econoline/E-Series.
When it came to versatility, each of those vehicles had sky-high customization options. Some were outfitted with fiberglass high tops, RV-style amenities, cabinetry, lounge seating and – in the case of the super elite – even TVs and VCRs.
“This has been an Arizona van since brand new, with only 129k original miles and no rust,” the listing begins.
The two-tone maroon and gray exterior portrays a period-correct theme for the era, and exterior features include chrome bumpers, white-letter tires, aluminum running boards, a roof rack and a rear-mounted spare tire. The paint finish does show some wear and tear consistent with a vehicle that has spent over 30 years in Arizona. However, as you’ll soon see, the price is right if you really want to repaint it to show-level condition.
Comfortable burgundy velour seating for seven is offered on the inside via two rows of swiveling captain’s chairs followed by a three-seat bench in the back. The cabin is equipped with a center console, cruise control, an AM/FM/cassette and of course plenty of wood-grain trim for luxury’s sake. The privacy curtains are a nice touch, too. This van is the kind of vehicle you could ride in cross-country and still arrive refreshed.
Dodge’s “B-Series” vans date back as far as 1971. When they were restyled several years later in 1979, the front-end design resembled that of Ram pickup trucks – a nod to the vehicle’s capability and power. A smaller sibling, the Caravan, was introduced in 1984 and launched the minivan movement that continues even today over 40 years later. The full-sized B-Series continued through 1997 with a facelift and a few incremental changes.
The seller says that the 318ci V8 “runs very well,” and power is sent to the rear wheels via a column-shifted three-speed automatic transmission. If you need to haul the family around this summer and don’t want to break the bank on a newer crossover or minivan, the asking price for this people-mover is a fair $6,500.
It doesn’t have the coveted TV/VCR combo, but there just happens to be room in the second row for you to add one.
Barrett-Jackson has once again generated enthusiasm of the collector car hobby with an incredible Palm Beach Auction held April 24-26, 2025, at the South Florida Fairgrounds. During this year’s ultimate automotive lifestyle event in Florida, Barrett-Jackson offered a 100% No Reserve docket of 613 collectible vehicles that realized more than $38 million in auction sales. Six vehicles sold for a total of $992,000 to benefit charity, bringing the total amount Barrett-Jackson has helped raise for important causes since its 1971 founding to more than $163 million. Additionally, Barrett-Jackson sold 283 pieces of authentic automobilia for more than $874,000, bringing the auction’s total sales to over $40 million with a 100% sell-through rate.
“This year’s Palm Beach Auction was an incredible event and illustrated that the momentum we created in Scottsdale is only growing,” said Craig Jackson, chairman and CEO of Barrett-Jackson. “We kicked off our event in Palm Beach with a high-energy Opening Night Party. Throughout the weekend we celebrated incredible moments and hosted celebrities from across the sports, entertainment and business communities. Just as important, we rallied the collector car community to raise $992,000 for a variety of charitable organizations.”
2018 Ford GT
The top vehicles, all selling with No Reserve, during the 2025 Palm Beach Auction include:
1950 Chevrolet 3100 Custom Pickup (Lot #715) – $291,500
2008 Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 Custom Coupe (Lot #748) – $282,700
1967 Ford Mustang Eleanor Tribute Edition (Lot #707) – $275,000
Celebrities attending this year’s Palm Beach Auction include Edsel Ford II, Frank Siller, David Hobbs, Paul Teutul Jr., Linda Vaughn, Fabio Iha and Jerome Bettis.
“What Barrett-Jackson brings to the collector car hobby is absolute magic,” said Steve Davis, president of Barrett-Jackson. “Our Palm Beach Auction celebrated the automotive lifestyle event and who we are as a community, as demonstrated by the generosity of several bidders who opened their hearts and wallets to render aid for programs that support our nation’s first responders, military heroes and youth. Of course, we also filled our docket with in-demand vehicles that both appeal to our seasoned collectors and also attract new generations to this amazing hobby.”
2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse VIN 001
An inspiring $992,000 was raised for charity with the sale of six vehicles during this year’s Palm Beach Auction. The six charity vehicles in Palm Beach included:
2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse VIN 001 (Lot #3004) – $325,000 from NASCAR team owner Rick Hendrick, plus an additional $100,000 donation from businessman and philanthropist Ron Pratte, for a total of $425,000 to benefit the Tunnel to Towers Foundation
2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 (Lot #3003) – $110,000 to benefit Hannah’s Home of South Florida
Jerome Bettis’ 2025 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Convertible VIN 001 (Lot #3002) – $200,000 to benefit the Jerome Bettis Bus Stops Here Foundation
1965 Superformance MKIII Custom Roadster (Lot #3001.1) – $110,000 to benefit Breakthrough T1D (formerly known as JDRF)
2017 Ford F-250 Dwayne Wade Champions Edition Custom Pickup (Lot #3001) – $60,000 to benefit Social Change Fund United
1994 Dodge Viper RT/10 Convertible (Lot #3000) – $87,000 to benefit the Florida Highway Patrol Advisory Council
1940s Dunlop Tires porcelain clock
This Automobilia Auction included 283 authentic items that all sold with No Reserve. The top Automobilia pieces sold during the 2025 Palm Beach Auction include:
Late 1950s-Early ’60s Walt Disney/Disneyland Donald Duck Kiddie Ride (Lot #8164) – $23,000
1950s Standard Oil Porcelain with Neon Sign (Lot #7196) – $23,000
Mid-1950s Texaco Oil Fuel Island with Two Wayne 80 Gas Pumps (Lot #8176) – $21,850
“We’re keeping the good times rolling this October 15-18 during our Scottsdale Fall Auction at WestWorld of Scottsdale,” said Jackson. “We have incredible events and activities planned that share the passion we all have for this amazing hobby. It’s the perfect way to celebrate 2025, and we can’t wait to host our collector car family in our beautiful hometown of Scottsdale.”
Adam Ferara, Jerome Bettis, Craig Jackson
Take advantage of advance ticket pricing and Barrett-Jackson Experiences for the Barrett-Jackson 2025 Scottsdale Fall Auction, October 15-18 at WestWorld of Scottsdale. Join in the action by consigning vehicles with confidence using our online application. Bidder registration is open, with two packages to choose from and upgrades for Muscle Lounge access.
Join Barrett-Jackson’s online conversation with #BarrettJackson and #BJAC on Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube.
Despite occasional posts on social media that EVs “are just a trend” or “it’s a scam,” EVs are here to stay for the time being if the involvement of just about every manufacturer is a hint. Are EVs going to replace ICE? I have no crystal ball, and I have no interest either way because I care more about manual transmissions than propulsion.
Mini Cooper EV sales have cratered since it ditched the brand’s MO
Certainly, someone out there in Reader Land is groaning, but I’m a lemonade-kind of guy, so I don’t get too worked up about things out of my control. What interests me more are classic cars and production numbers—even for modern machinery. If you frown on the thought of EVs having traction in the American market, feel free to skip this story but, for the rest of you, the below statistics may be enlightening.
Top 10 EV Sales in U.S. for First Quarter of 2025
10. BMW i4: 7,125 units
9. Ford F-150 Lightning: 7,187 units
8. Volkswagen ID.4: 7,663 units
7. Hyundai Ioniq 5: 8,611 units
6. Tesla Cybertruck: 9,000 units (estimated)
5. Honda Prologue: 9,561 units
4. Chevrolet Equinox: 10,329 units
3. Ford Mustang Mach-E: 11,607 units
2. Tesla Model 3: 41,000 units (estimated)
1. Tesla Model Y: 71,000 units (estimated)
This gives perspective on the hierarchy of EV sales, which appears to be all about Tesla versus the rest. Though Tesla’s numbers are estimated (politics aside, its business model is completely different from traditional automakers), they are likely based on the number of deliveries made, which is distinct but similar from sales numbers. (That being said, it’s estimated that Tesla’s sales are down between 8-15 percent from last year, while the EV segment is up 10 percent.
BMW i4 concept
See anything in the above list you haven’t noticed in the street? It’s easy to think the Bimmer you keep on seeing on your morning commute may have been an ICE model and not the i4. Or maybe you didn’t realize that the new Chevy SUV was actually an EV and not just some fresh, conventional model. Either way, these cars should be proliferating barring any tariffs that may adjust the market.
If this type of data is of interest to you (EVs or otherwise), we can direct you to several fine resources: (1) Car and Driver (and possibly other periodicals) featured the above Top 10 list, (2) GoodCarBadCar,net is a popular go-to for automotive sales data, (3) Electrek tracks and analyzes the transition from fossil-fuel to electric transport, and (4) Cox Automotive (which includes Autotrader and Kelly Blue Book) focuses on consumers for a seamless online-to-offline experience. We are sure there are other resources that you may find preferable.
The Pontiac Grand Prix of the 1980s was a G-body car with underpinnings shared with the Chevy Monte Carlo, Olds Cutlass and the Buick Regal. Of all of these models, the one seemingly seen the least is the Grand Prix. I am guessing “Cash for Clunkers” got them all, as for every 25 Monte Carlos you see, you will be lucky to spot a single Grand Prix.
The fact that this Grand Prix exists in such excellent condition is nothing short of amazing. The listing states it has only covered a total of 60,412 miles – and I believe it, based on the condition. The dealer offering this car calls it “immaculate,” and we would agree.
The original Light Blue Metallic paint looks to be in almost perfect condition, with no fade noticeable anywhere – just look at the clouds reflected in the pristine paint in the photo above. Even the padded landau top with its opera lamps looks to be in perfect shape, with no wear or fading noticeable anywhere.
The interior is the same: the pillow-top Royal Blue velour seats are in flawless condition with no sagging, something you never see. This car is also equipped with air conditioning, which the seller says works perfectly, along with power windows, power driver’s seat, and optional Rally instrumentation. This Grand Prix is an absolute time capsule.
Under the hood, things are just as impressive, with the GM 305ci V8 looking as if it was just put in the car yesterday. It’s in show-winning condition, just like the rest of the car. The coolant overflow tank and windshield washer tank are the same color they were when new, with none of the yellowing you usually see on these plastic parts. I also see no evidence of corrosion on any of the fasteners.
Lest you think my evaluation of this Grand Prix is biased, I am not alone in my admiration. There is a new website called The Best on the Planet, which was created to call out the finest examples of a given car model that still exist. Their jurors voted and gave this exact car their Best On The Planet rating.
The asking price for this 1985 Pontiac Grand Prix is $18,995, which sounds like a bargain for a car that has been voted to be the best example of its type in the world.
