Whether it’s in real life, or in a movie or TV show, seeing a convoy of large, black SUVs usually means someone important (such as a politician or an executive) is on the move. Typically, those rigs are from General Motors, but soon you might see a group of 2025 Jeep Wagoneer COVs (Command Operations Vehicle) flying past you to bring a VIP to his or her next destination safely.
According to Stellantis, “The 2025 Jeep Wagoneer COV, developed at the request of and in cooperation with, federal, state and local government agencies” is a vehicle designed for VIP protection and law enforcement.
Fundamentally, the Wagoneer COV is largely a regular Wagoneer. It has leather seats for eight passengers, three-zone climate control, and a Quadra-Lift air suspension system. Its 10-inch heads-up display with night vision and 360-degree surround-view camera are a great fit for this important kind of work; they work in conjunction with approximately 130 other standard safety and security features to keep occupants safe. The Hurricane 3.0-liter twin-turbo I6 under the hood delivers 420 horsepower and can bring the Wagoneer COV to 60 mph in 6.3 seconds.
Of course, it takes special equipment to turn the three-row rig into VIP transportation. Whelen grille, side, and front and rear interior light bars make it clear to onlookers and other drivers that the COV is not your ordinary Wagoneer. Even those who can’t see the COV will know it’s nearby thanks to the Whelen siren system, which is connected to a speaker mounted behind the grille. Inside, a Power Distribution Center with dedicated circuits for equipment (camera, computer, radio, radar, siren, printer, modem, etc.), and cargo/weapon storage areas are there to make the driver and personnel’s jobs a bit less stressful.
Agencies that purchase the Jeep Wagoner Command Operations Vehicle will receive three years of Jeep Connect services, such as remote start, plus 10 years of access to the Safety and Security Package, which includes Recall Alert and Stolen Vehicle Assistance. If the Wagoneer COV gets swiped while you’re on assignment, be prepared for plenty of paperwork—including a pink slip.
During the muscle car era, it was not unusual for companies to offer exhaust extensions or fancy exhaust tips as an option. However, only one manufacturer offered a special exhaust tip option that came with a unique bumper. One of these cars, a 1971 Buick GS two-door hardtop, is our Pick of the Day. It is listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a dealership in Arlington Heights, Illinois.
Like Chevrolet, Buick changed its approach to its mid-size high-performance cars for 1971. In Buick’s case, the GS 350 and GS 455 were combined into a single Gran Sport series, available with 350, 455, and Stage 1 455. This was the year that compression was lowered for all of GM’s brands, so the standard 350 dropped from 315 to 260 horsepower, while the 455 dropped 35 to 315 horses. The top-dog Stage 1 went from 360 to 345 horses. The 350 came standard with a column-shifted three-speed, while either 455 required a four-speed or automatic to be specified. Unlike 1970, the 350 was not available with a floor shifter for the three-speed.
The GS (and Skylarks in general) were given a mild facelift, with the grille now featuring two nostrils underneath the front bar of the bumper; out back, the license plate moved up on the bumper to eliminate the trim that connected the taillights for 1970. For GSs, the grille’s pattern (which differed from the Skylark’s) was repeated in the grilles for the ram air system.
Interestingly, a front bench seat was standard. Compare this with other performance models within GM, such as the Pontiac GTO, and Oldsmobile 4-4-2, as they both came standard with bucket seats. Aside of bucket seats, buyers could opt for a vinyl notchback seat, which included an armrest.
New was the “Through Bumper Exhaust Extensions,” sales code E6 and UPC code N25. Unlike the Oldsmobile 4-4-2’s notched bumper with “trumpet” extensions, this option featured a rectangular hole punched through the bumper. Only 2,033 folks ordered a GS with this bumper.
This 1971 Buick GS is of 5,986 two-door hardtops powered by the 350 four-barrel. It’s also one of 552 painted Fire Red. This GS features Pearl White bucket seats with an added console. “All original with factory repaint,” says the seller. “The body is straight and free of dents or scratches.” The interior is in “outstanding shape,” presented as a clean and well-maintained cabin. Several options include console, tachometer (appears to be added), air conditioning, push-button Sonomatic AM radio, white vinyl top, driver-side mirror, and Buick’s famous chrome mags.
“Mechanically, everything is dialed in—all gauges, lights, and turn signals function properly,” adds the seller. Sounds like a “hop in and drive” car! And when you separate yourself from $42,995 to drive off in this Buick, be sure to shake that thang because the tail is what makes this one stand out.
As a youngster, I used to fixate on the passenger-side mirror of our car while looking out the window on family road trips. I remember reading the “Objects in Mirror” quote and not knowing exactly what it meant. Now, as a middle-aged adult with plenty of driving miles under my belt, I fully understand that it was an important reminder about the optical illusion that a convex mirror can create. The wider field of vision and minimized blind spots come at the price of a slightly distorted distance perspective.
I was recently going through some marketing materials and came across a pamphlet promoting the 2002 Acura NSX-T. The first page has that familiar mirror, with the saying “Objects in Mirror Are Closer Than They Appear,” and the second page says, “What Objects?” It’s a clever way of saying the car has left its followers far in the dust, but it also provokes a lot of questions.
Rules and Regs
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard FMVSS 111 pertains to rear visibility. Item S5.4.2 says, “Each convex mirror shall have permanently and indelibly marked at the lower edge of the mirror’s reflective surface, in letters not less than 4.8mm nor more than 6.4mm high the words “Objects in Mirror Are Closer Than They Appear.”
This code of regulations was made effective September 1, 1971 and applied to vehicles made after that date, so it would have likely affected all 1972-and-newer cars. My oldest car is a 1986 and my newest car is a 2019. I just checked them both. They are compliant. The only car I’ve seen that doesn’t have it is my Japanese-spec 1996 Integra, but it was subject to an entirely different set of standards unique to its target market.
“Are” or “May Be”?
A controversy stems from a so-called Mandela Effect regarding the verbiage on the mirrors. Many people believe the mirrors used to say, “Objects in Mirror May Be Closer Than They Appear.” I, too, have some recollection of this. But is that just because it’s been misquoted in pop culture my entire life? Or did some mirrors really used to have it written that way?
Maybe it won’t matter anyway – at the rate the industry is moving, we’ll soon have camera monitors in place of every mirror. Knowing that we have some seasoned automotive enthusiasts in our readership audience, I wanted to poll you all. Do you ever remember mirrors saying, “Objects in Mirror May Be Closer Than They Appear?” Tell us!
I read car ads every day. Part of my job description involves writing a Pick of the Day for vehicles listed on ClassicCars.com, or an AutoHunter Spotlight for vehicles on our AutoHunter auction site. One thing I can say without hesitation is that people don’t put on their thinking cap when writing an ad to sell a vehicle. I “get it” that it can be difficult to remember everything that is pertinent to a potential buyer, so let’s cover several issues I often encounter—heed these recommendations so you can write a better ad for your car(s).
Data Plate
This trim tag may show a little or a lot. For GM cars, you can learn about a car’s original trim combination (color and interior), scheduled build date, assembly plant, production sequence, and possibly several accessories depending on the model year. FoMoCo products offer more information like engine, transmission, rear gears, and original sales district. For Mopars, they are known as fender tags (as they are usually on the driver’s side inner fender) and show most options installed at the factory, though it’s not always complete and information may vary by assembly plant. Data plates for GM vehicles are generally found on the firewall, while Ford and AMC products have it on the door jamb.
This invoice proves this LeMans has the GTO package. Buyers won’t take your word for it otherwise.
Invoices and Other Paperwork
You know that super write-up you’ve just drafted? You’re probably patting yourself on the back for something so well-written. So, how come you mention you have the original invoice but don’t post it in the photo gallery? Ditto the Marti Report—why tell potential buyers that you have it but you don’t post it? Like data plates, any items involving pedigree should be photographed and uploaded. What about window stickers? Only if they’re original, as reproductions won’t cut it. Don’t waste our time saying you have it but don’t list it—back up your claims with photos!
Aperture setting prevents us from seeing the radio. Sellers should tell us what it is.
Updated Equipment
I recently looked at a car that had a bucket seat interior with console, but the ad did not show the data plate, so all I could do was assume this setup was original to the car. How did I determine something was fishy? A dial in the instrument panel featured a PRND21 quadrant, which meant the car originally came with a column-shift automatic (were the seats changed too?). Additionally, this vehicle had a tachometer but no other gauges, so I glanced at an order form I found online and noticed that the only way to order a tachometer was with the gauge package. Since there were idiot lights in place of gauges, I knew the tach was an incomplete installation. Sure, I was resourceful, but not everyone knows how to be. Mentioning what has been updated is a fine way to be a good citizen while selling.
This should prove what the engine is and if the numbers match.
Don’t Ignore the Details
Alright, so your car has a radio—big whoop. But it’s important to say whether it’s the original one, whether it has FM reception, and so forth. Be sure to give us the brand if it’s not original, which is especially pertinent for things like aftermarket wheels or headers. What about the engine? If you make the claim that it’s numbers-matching, it would be reasonable for the rest of us to expect to see images of the the engine code and production sequence.
Resolution and Perspective
We all can’t be Ansel Adams, but we all can channel our inner photographer and try to do our best. Confounding a lack of photography chops is the world of computers, which can get quite confusing with the settings on your phone’s camera. You may not have an idea that the photos you take with your phone are set on a poor resolution setting, so go on YouTube or elsewhere to learn how to adjust your phone’s camera—horizontal pixels should be at least 1200 and ideally more. (A good rule of thumb is to go overboard—we can always trim pictures and/or resolution if needed.) Additionally, a horizontal landscape works much, much better than vertical, so don’t hold your phone upright when taking pic (note the image below). Be sure to take pics earlier or later in the day so that it’s not too sunny, and be aware of shadows!
Vertical images serve no purpose. Take them horizontally for best effect.
For my fellow numbers geeks: There are 1,079 Nissan Motor Corporation dealerships in the United States. Collectively, those stores sold nearly a million vehicles in 2024—the figure was 924,008, to be exact. That volume can be broken down into the brand’s Nissan Division (at about 865,000 units) and Infiniti Division (at about 58,000 units).
Did you know that back in the day, Nissan corporate would award special gifts to the owners of its top-performing dealership locations? That’s how this unique 350Z started life—as a reward for selling a bunch of cars!
Featured on AutoHunter is this 2003 Nissan 350Z Stillen-Supercharged. The car is being sold by a dealer in Los Angeles, and the auction will end Monday, June 23, 2025, at 12:15 p.m. (PDT).
Showing just 5,300 miles on the odometer, this first-year Super Black Z has a special story to tell. First of all, it rides on chassis number 000002 for the model year. According to some online resources, the car was originally given by Nissan to a gentleman named Morrie Sage who ran the best-selling Nissan dealership in the country. The car was equipped with some special upgrades, including a prototype supercharger from Stillen, a cold-air intake, a cat-back exhaust system, and 18-inch NISMO wheels, so it looked and performed differently from its peers when new.
The 350Z, sold as the Fairlady Z in other markets, was manufactured from model years 2003 through 2009 as a two-seat hatchback (and, a year later, as a roadster) on the Nissan “FM” platform. Much of the chassis architecture was shared with the Infiniti G35 coupe/sedan. The 350Z had big shoes (or tires, rather) to fill. After all, the original Datsun/Nissan Z-car had been around since 1969 and had made a name for itself as a series of tight-handling, high-performance sports cars. One of the key differentiating factors of the Z had always been its relative affordability (“performance vs. price”).
In that vein, there were a lot of playful magazine ads that helped convey the 350Z’s fun-to-drive demeanor. One of them showed the car mid-air and said, “Cleared for Takeoff,” and another showed the blurry side profile of an in-motion Z and said, “The Runner-Up will Be Along Shortly.”
The window sticker for this car shows its original $37,112 retail price—which, of course, wasn’t charged to its recipient. Included in the listed options were the Aerodynamics Package, floor mats, splash guards, aluminum kick plates, side air bags and head curtains, a trunk mat and a DVD navigation system.
The provenance of executive ownership is strong with this Z, and the unique cosmetic/performance enhancements add to the appeal. By the way, Mr. Sage—the car’s original owner—lived until 2011 at the age of 80. We are sure he’d love it if his car could go to an enthusiastic new owner.
When it’s new, a large, powerful SUV is great because it can haul plenty of people or tow heavy loads. But those strengths in the primary market can turn into downsides in the secondary market because that versatility usually equates to high mileage. Consider our Pick of the Day, a 1999 Chevrolet Suburban K2500 LT 4X4, an anomaly as it has plenty of room and big-block power but only 5,445 miles. It is posted on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in Washington.
How did this rig escape the mileage and mechanical wear and tear of being a road warrior? By specializing. As the seller states, “It was bought to tow a small boat and wave runners but now it has only been used to take on a trip once a year.” This 3/4-ton Suburban has also been kept in a climate-controlled garage, which means the Light Pewter Metallic paint is in great shape. The same goes for the undercarriage.
Back in 1999, there was no LTZ or High Country trim level, so this LT was the most well-equipped version of the Suburban you could buy. It comes loaded with dark window tint, power everything, Tilt-Wheel steering column, cruise control, Neutral leather seats with power controls and heat for the first row, center and overhead consoles, front and rear air conditioning, and AM/FM/CD/cassette radio. When all three rows of seats aren’t needed, the second can be folded and the third can be removed to free up 149.5 cubic feet of space for carrying home a new piece of furniture, or a set of fresh wheels and tires for a project car.
Factory-rated at 290 horsepower at 4,000 rpm and 410 lb-ft of torque at 3,200 rpm, the massive Vortec 7400 7.4-liter big-block V8 is ready for towing utility trailers or toys. It’s paired with a heavy-duty 4L80-E four-speed automatic, which was upgraded for 1999 with “durability enhancements, including a revised gearset, new premium seals and improved front band material,” according to a period document from Chevrolet Communications. An Autotrac transfer case for the four-wheel drive system and a locking rear differential help the L29 work or play on challenging terrain; a 42-gallon tank keeps it fueled up until it’s done.
Whether you take this 1999 Chevrolet Suburban K2500 LT 4X4 to a job site or on a family camping trip is up to you. Either way, to make this low-mileage, big-block modern classic yours, it’ll cost you $65,000.
The fourth generation of theChevrolet Corvette spanned from 1984 until 1996. At the time, you might have thought C4 production would never end—for better or worse. Today, it has been more than twice that long since a C4 left the Bowling Green factory, as the final one left on this date in 1996.
Thanks to help from Jim Perkins, Chevrolet’s general manager, Mike Yager became the lucky owner. If his name sounds familiar, it’s because he’s the founder of Corvette parts and accessories company Mid America Designs (now known as Mid America Motorworks).
Yager didn’t have to wait long to see his Arctic White piece of Corvette history because he watched most of it get put together on the assembly line—and the line get torn down as his car progressed through the various stages of production. As the coupe went through each successive stage, Yager had employees at each one sign the parts they installed. He even got in on the action by bolting on some components himself.
After his C4 received the standard six gallons of gas (and probably a little more), Yager fired up the 300-horsepower LT1. But the Vette wasn’t ready to go yet, as it still had to be tested and customized with some visual elements you might recognize from other C4s. And, of course, it had to be shown off at the National Corvette Museum, where it shared space with the first C4 produced. These days, it’s on display at the MY Garage Museum & Retail Store in Effingham, Illinois.
Photo courtesy of Mid America Motorworks
To watch the end of an era in the history of “America’s Sports Car,” watch the two-part series below.
The Toyota Prius is officially25 years old. Since the early 2000s, it has shown that there is a market for small, fuel-efficient hybrids. It continues to do that now despite the majority of buyers throwing money at massive luxury or off-road SUVs. My brief amount of time in a 2025 Toyota Prius Nightshade Edition showed me ways in which the iconic hybrid has changed while remaining itself.
One thing that’s stayed the same is the Nightshade Edition trim level. Toyota has offered it on the Prius before, but 2025 marks its debut on the fifth-generation model. It’s based on the XLE, which is available with front- or all-wheel drive, and comes standard with features such as 19-inch wheels, heated and eight-way adjustable SofTex synthetic leather front seats, heated tilt/telescopic steering wheel wrapped in the same material, rain-sensing wipers, and Qi wireless phone charging slot. The Nightshade Edition does what its name implies (including inspire jokes about Tom Brady’s diet when he played in the NFL) and blacks out the badging, wheels, bumper trim, door sills, shark fin antenna, and seats, which receive gray stitching; inside, it adds what Toyota calls “carbon fiber detail” on the dashboard.
Prices for the Nightshade Edition with front-wheel drive start at $32,560. When Toyota configured my review vehicle, it was generous with the options, such as a 12.3-inch infotainment system touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, glass roof, wheel locks, and an accessory package with carpet mats and more, all of which contributed to its $36,308 as-tested price.
As always, the Prius combines a gas engine with electric power to wring as much range out of a tank of fuel as possible. Toyota pairs its fifth-generation hybrid system with an electronically controlled Continuously Variable Transmission (eCVT) and a 2.0-liter I4 that delivers 194 net horsepower (AWD Prii get an additional two horses). In my limited time with the Nightshade Edition, whenever I stepped on the gas to pass someone, the power swelled to a satisfying, confidence-inspiring level. According to its window sticker, my press loaner was capable of returning 52 mpg across the board—highway, city, and combined. Altogether, a few of my colleagues and I ended up putting 499 miles on it, but we only managed to average 48.8 mpg.
When it was introduced as a 2023 model, the XW60 generation of the Prius marked what many would consider a major turning point in the model’s design. For several years leading up to that point, the Prius had a nerdy, quirky design. Although I didn’t find the fourth-generation model ugly, I did think its angular, sci-fi spaceship looks were an acquired taste. You diehard Prius fans out there may not appreciate this, but the current model did what Tesla did for electric cars: it made the Prius look sleek and gave it a certain sex appeal. Part of that comes from the pronounced rake of the windshield and the noticeable use of curves. Then there’s the fact that, at first glance, the Prius looks like a coupe because Toyota blacked out the rear door handles. And the distinctive Nightshade-exclusive Karashi yellow paint shows Toyota is willing to be bold and adventurous.
The interior made me think that no matter how much a person changes their style and wardrobe, they’re still the same person they have always been. The Prius did receive a dramatic makeover, but its interior lacks that sleekness. After I first adjusted the driver’s seat, steering column, and mirrors to my preferences, I discovered the top of the steering wheel was obscuring much of my view of the gauge display. I remedied this by lowering my seat and steering column even more, only to find that I had a weird view over the top of the entire steering column. Not only was that something I wasn’t used to, but it was also proof that I had to adjust to the Prius in a fundamental way when it should have been the other way around. The wireless charging slot, designed to make a creative use of limited space, was a good idea that was better left in that stage of the design process. Aside from those issues and the brake pedal’s long and soft stroke, the interior was largely pleasant and well equipped.
My colleague Luke Lamendola also spent time in the 2025 Toyota Prius Nightshade Edition, so check out his video review below.
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Let’s be honest: humans can suck. We have an obsession with our pets, yet there are some citizens who don’t see dogs as our co-pilots in life. It’s a sad state of affairs that hurts to the core, but there are folks who help make a dog’s life a better life. BarkVille Dog Rescue in Jasper, Georgia (50 miles due north from Atlanta) is taking that concern to another level by raffling a 1993 40th Anniversary Chevrolet Corvette convertible.
Vintage car dealer Roy Podolin is a dog lover too, and he’s donating this C4 to benefit BarkVille, an all-volunteer, non-profit rescue that has found homes for more than 2,000 doggies since 2016 when it was founded. As owner of Cloud 9 Classics, Podolin saw an opportunity to use an automotive event to raise money for a local organization and joined forces with BarkVille. Over the past four years, Podolin has set up a corner at the Caffeine and Octane Car Atlanta show (the first Sunday of every month) promoting BarkVille and finding homes for the little ones, and that event will be used for the raffle drawing on July 6, 2025.
“Three of my own dogs (came from BarkVille), my daughters each have dogs from there and we foster dogs as well,” Podolin told Hemmings. “We’ll have three to six dogs at our house at any given time.”
The 40th Anniversary Corvette that is being raffled (you can view it here) has under 21,000 miles on the odometer and is one of 2,171 convertibles built with the Anniversary package.
If the winner of the raffle would rather opt for $10,000 cash prize instead of enjoying the sweet sounds of the LT1, that is an option. However, the Vette will only be awarded provided that the raffle generates at least $30,000 in donations; otherwise, the winner will be given a 25 percent share of the total proceeds.
But, in truth, the true winner are the dogs that pass through BarkVille because they’re one step away from their forever home.
To purchase a raffle ticket, visit go.rallyup.com/raffleforrescue. Tickets are $20 for one ticket, $100 for six, or $200 for 15. Remember—the winning ticket will be drawn on July 6, so be a good boy and fetch one now.
There isn’t much hustle and bustle in Portal, Arizona, and that’s the whole point. It’s a refuge where people go to escape the big city. In fact, if it weren’t for the WiFi, visitors would be completely disconnected from electronic communication, since cell signal is nonexistent.
The area, located in the southeast corner of Arizona about a four-hour drive from Phoenix, is commonly referred to as “Arizona’s Yosemite” because of the dramatic rock formations that mirror those of California’s popular national park. Towering west of town are the Chiricahua Mountains of Chiricahua National Monument – the highest peak reaching 9,773 feet. The area is popular among the birdwatching community for its nearly 300 aviary species, and the stargazing is reportedly brilliant thanks to minimal light pollution.
While not trying to sound like a promotional brochure, it’s sufficient to say that I greatly enjoyed an overnight stay in the area. My friend Jason – traveling from El Paso, Texas – met up with me in Portal to stay at the Portal Peak Lodge, a spot that has welcomed visitors to its 16-room motel since 1928. On the same property are a country store and a restaurant. And just up the street, you’ll find the post office and a library. That’s the extent of “downtown.”
1950 Chevrolet
Adding to the charm of the settlement a faded green 1950 Chevrolet Styleline Deluxe two-door welcomes you, and I could tell it had a lot of stories under its belt. The distinctive front grille, split windshield, body style and trim were all consistent with Chevrolet’s first post-WWII redesign.
I did a walk-around to admire some of the details. The car’s paint is blistering on the upper panels, but the body is straight and relatively rust-free for being 75 years old. The car is decked out with plenty of accessories, including dual spotlights, a windshield visor and extensive brightwork. The decklid reads “Power Glide” – a reference, of course, to its automatic transmission. Under the hood is a 235ci inline-six, an engine Chevrolet rated at 105 horsepower when new. It became known in later years as the “Blue Flame” six.
A sticker in the windshield dated June 2003 indicates that the car came from Massachusetts. A placard glued underneath the passenger window trim reads “Gianfriddo’s Cruise for MDA 11th Anniversary. 2000 Most Obnoxious Horn.” How fun is that? If only we could have heard that horn. There is also a worn-out AAA sticker next to a placard for Riley’s Framingham. Turns out this has to do with a place called Riley’s Roast Beef, which was a busy spot for classic-car enthusiasts in Framingham, Massachusetts. The popularity died down over 20 years ago.
Jason and I were visiting Portal in two cars that were vastly different from the Styleline: white right-hand-drive Honda Integra Type-Rs (mine from 1996; Jason’s from 2002). But it seemed appropriate to capture a few photos with the Chevy as souvenirs from our trip. I gave a salute to the classic Styleline on our way out of town, and I hope that at some point it gets revived and driven, because it’s clear the car hasn’t accrued any miles recently.
By the way, the Portal Peak store – along with the 2.8 acres of land it sits on – is apparently listed for sale for $875,000. The listing says that an RV is included but mentions nothing about the classic Chevy. Direct your inquiries here!
