Journal Classic Cars

The car world has taught us that sometimes it takes patience—not just money—to get what you want. Dodge released a modern version of the Power Wagon for the 2005 model year, but truck enthusiasts have been waiting since then for a diesel engine option. Well, the wait is finally over, as the 2027 Ram Power Wagon can now be ordered with the Cummins 6.7-liter turbo-diesel inline-six.

Way back in 2016, I had a chance to drive the redesigned 2017 Ram 2500 Power Wagon at the Texas Auto Writers Association’s Texas Truck Rodeo. This was an event where journalists drive a variety of trucks and SUVs to determine winners in various categories, including the Truck of Texas. While there, I asked a Ram representative why the Power Wagon wasn’t available with a Cummins diesel. He told me that it was due to packaging and dynamics: the position of the front winch would interfere with the placement of the charge air cooler, and the heavy Cummins would put too much weight over the front axle, detracting from the Power Wagon’s off-road abilities.

It seems Ram has worked out those engineering issues because a Cummins 6.7-liter turbo-diesel I6 is now on the options list. With 430 horsepower and 1,075 lb-ft of torque, it enables the Power Wagon to haul close to 3,000 pounds of payload and tow almost 20,000 pounds. A 31-gallon fuel tank provides up to 600 miles of range.

The optional Towing Technology Group makes pulling heavy loads more convenient with features such as trailer reverse guidance, a 360-degree camera system, and a trailer tire pressure monitoring system. Ticking the box for the Tow Technology Plus Group adds a digital rearview mirror and trailer reverse steering control.

There’s more to the Power Wagon than just the engine, though. As usual, it has front and rear electronic lockers, an electronically disconnecting sway bar for better articulation, and five-link coil rear suspension. Two more firsts for the juggernaut are the available fifth-wheel/gooseneck setup and an automatically leveling rear air suspension. To better harness the Cummins’ enormous power, Ram changed the rear end to run the 3.42 gears introduced on the 2025 Ram Heavy Duty lineup, and installed larger 38-millimeter rear axle shafts.

In its base form, the Power Wagon comes equipped with a heated cloth bench seat up front, Uconnect 5 with a 12-inch touchscreen, integrated trailer brake controller, ParkSense front and rear park assist, and more. Available upgrades include heated and ventilated leather bucket seats, 14.5-inch Uconnect 5 touchscreen, interactive display for the front passenger, towing and off-road information pages, and a nine-speaker Alpine or 17-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. Opting for the Level 2 Equipment Group upgrades the cabin with more leather touchpoints, including the grab handles and column shifter for the TorqueFlite HD eight-speed automatic.

Prices for the Cummins-powered 2027 Ram Power Wagon start at $88,470 (including destination). You’ll start seeing it in dealer showrooms in the second half of this year . . . and on a trail near you soon after that.

Have you ever heard the expression “There’s always room for dessert”? Well, there is—and a similar concept applies to collecting: you can always find more space for your latest acquisition. If you’re a fan of car-themed Lego kits, you’ll need to free up two spots in your display case for the Lego versions of the Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport and Vision Gran Turismo.

Both kits join the Lego Technic Bugatti Bolide and the Lego Speed Champions Bugatti Centodieci (which we told you about here). As a 771-piece Technic set, the Chiron Pur Sport is the more complex of the newest additions. Inspired by the lighter, more aerodynamic, and shorter-geared car that Bugatti “systematically calibrated for agility, handling, and driving performance and drives particularly fast in bends,” the Lego Technic interpretation comes in the striking combination of orange and black.

It features functional steering, hood and doors that open, and a Lego-fied recreation of Bugatti’s 8.0-liter, quad-turbo W16 that generates 1,500 horsepower and 1,180 lb-ft of torque. Astronomical service bills and a crippling fear of valet parking? Not included.

The Bugatti Vision Gran Turismo started as a car in the Sony PlayStation Gran Turismo video game franchise, then Bugatti made a physical concept car version of it to display at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show. The one-off simultaneously drew inspiration from the Bugatti Type 57 Tank, which won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1937 and 1939, and showed the future of the French automaker’s design language.

The 284-piece Lego Speed Champions kit captures the Vision Gran Turismo’s standout features, such as its eight-beam headlights, horseshoe-shaped front grille, central roof fin, and pronounced rear wing. It even has a front tow hook and Michelin-branded tires, as well as a driver minifigure with a helmet (if your kids or grandchildren get their hands on this car, that will come in handy).

As of January 1, the Lego Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport and Vision Gran Turismo sets are available in Bugatti’s online store for $70 and $32, respectively. The prices on Lego.com and in Lego stores are slightly lower, coming in at $64.99 and $27.99 (if you have a real Bugatti already, you can ignore that savings tip).

Right now on AutoHunter, you can find this 1956 Chevrolet 3100 custom pickup, which is powered by a 283ci V8 paired with a five-speed manual transmission. Highlights include air conditioning, rack-and-pinion steering, rear coilovers, and power disc brakes. Finished in aqua over an aqua and white vinyl interior, this Task-Force truck comes from the private seller in Florida with a clear title.

As part of a restoration, the color of the body was changed to the current aqua. That eye-catching color is accented with chrome bumpers, dual mirrors, and dual exhaust outlets. The floor of the bed is lined with wood planks and metal strips, and provides access to the cap for the relocated fuel tank.

A set of 15-inch American Racing Torq Thrust wheels with 295/50 BFGoodrich Radial T/A raised-white-letter tires make it clear this truck was meant for fun on the streets, not work at a farm.

The aqua exterior finish flows into the cabin, where it covers the dash and door panels. Even the bench seat is covered in aqua vinyl, although there is a white accent stripe down the middle. Features include a tilt steering column connected to an aftermarket wood-rimmed steering wheel, billet control stalks, Vintage Air A/C and heat, aftermarket retro-look AM/FM stereo with Bluetooth, and floor-mounted Hurst manual shifter.

Inside the gauge cluster is an 8,000-rpm tachometer, 140-mph speedometer, and readouts for the temperature, voltage, oil pressure, and fuel level. The odometer shows 1,436 miles, but the title indicates this truck is mileage-exempt.

The original engine has been replaced with a 283ci V8 that comes equipped with a Holley Brawler four-barrel carburetor, aftermarket intake manifold, MSD ignition, and aluminum radiator with dual electric fans. A five-speed manual gearbox sends the engine’s power to 3.50 rear gears.

In addition to the under-bed fuel tank, there’s also rack-and-pinion steering, an upgraded suspension with rear coilovers, and power Wilwood disc brakes at all four corners.

To see more of this customized 1956 Chevrolet 3100 pickup, check out the video below. To make it yours, bid on it before the auction ends on Thursday, January 15, 2026, at 11:15 a.m. (MST).

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and a photo gallery

The Italians seem to have co-opted the title for “most desirable cars in the world,” but in a different era, that unofficial title could have gone to the French. At one time, Paris was the epicenter of culture for much of the world. Automobiles joined those ranks in the 1920s, with the following decade arguably being the greatest among all automobiles. One of the finest brands, paired with the finest of coachbuilders, is our Pick of the Day. This 1936 Delahaye 135 Competition Convertible by Figoni et Falaschi is listed on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in La Jolla, California.

Delahaye was founded by Emile Delahaye in 1894 in Tours before moving to Paris in 1898. As a producer of low-volume, high-quality luxury cars, trucks, and utility and commercial vehicles, Delahaye took the next logical step by establishing a racing department in 1932, garnering the company international recognition for fast and resilient cars due to setting many world records by the mid- to late-1930s. This was during the time when coachbuilders were developing a reputation separate from the automobiles they were designing.

The most esteemed coachbuilders also were French, though Figoni et Falaschi (like Bugatti) was founded by two Italian expats who moved to France in their youth. Designer Giuseppe Figoni formed his own company after World War I. In 1935, he was joined by business partner Ovidio Falaschi, who handled the business side. Pair their bespoke designs with Delahaye’s winning record of race-proven cars and you have a tour de force among prestigious cars of the 1930s.

One of Figoni’s personal friends was a wealthy gentleman by the name of Monsieur Wolff. While the two were dining together and discussing Figoni’s new streamlined concepts, Wolff decided he wanted to commission a car that would wow the cognoscenti at concours events and be capable of the performance demanded by racing teams. The first of these was “Design 532,” a 1936 Delahaye 135 Competition Coupe with enclosed fenders and a sliding metal roof.

The second, “Design 581,” is the subject of our Pick of the Day: a Bleu Foncé 1936 Delahaye 135 Competition Convertible. A longer wheelbase was chosen to give Figoni more reign to express his vision, which included a flowing, streamlined design with chrome accents and components. Perhaps most unique was the patented top mechanism that allows the roof to neatly fold into the space between the passenger compartment and the trunk, creating a cleaner look than what was prevalent at the time.

Of course, an automobile of this caliber has an artisan’s bent on the inside as well. Upholstery is light gray quill ostrich with dark blue piping and carpet, with a perimeter of wood trim accenting the cabin. The instrument panel features a guilloché (engine-turned) fascia with Jaeger gauges. The four-spoke steering wheel cleverly uses leaf springs. A pair of ostrich jump seats rest folded behind the front compartment, along with a shelf for three pieces of elegant luggage that inversely match the interior colors: dark blue quill ostrich piped with light gray quill ostrich.

The 3,557cc overhead-valve inline-six engine offered a substantial (for its time) 120 horsepower, equal to a contemporary Buick Century straight-eight. It is paired with a competition-tested four-speed manual transmission with synchromesh on the top three gears. Fuel delivery is handled by a trio of Solex 40PAI carburetors, a higher-compression cylinder head, oil cooler, and two fuel fillers in the trunk. Underneath the 116-inch wheelbase, you’ll find an independent suspension using transverse leaf springs as the lower control arm. A set of 17-inch Rudge-Whitworth chromed wire wheels are wrapped in 5.60 x 6.00 Michelin tires.

In modern times, this Delahaye has continued the tradition of visiting concours events, this time around North America. It has garnered approximately 30 Best of Show awards plus a host of other prizes (Best Prewar, Best Paint, Best Interior, Most Elegant, Best of the Best, etc.). At Classic Car Club of America (CCCA) Grand Classics competitions, this vehicle proudly wears the Senior Premier badge, the highest CCCA recognition badge available, thanks to never having been judged less than a perfect 100 points. The body is the original from Figoni, as authenticated in writing by Club Delahaye France, along with the competition drivetrain that includes the four-speed manual transmission.

This Delahaye is also very complete thanks to copies of the original build sheet and owner’s manual in English, a comprehensive matching leather tool kit, the correct French jack, a three-inch-thick history/authentication book, a copy of the original French registrations, and a photo of the car being raced by a famous French racing team at Rallye de Monte Carlo in 1949.  In all, it is one of the most complete and well documented classic cars extant. If this sounds like one of the most important vehicles listed on ClassicCars.com to you, you are not wrong, so move mountains so you can be the first in line to Venmo $15 million from your account.

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

If the winter weather is hitting you hard, I’m sorry. It seems the cold is even affecting the internet because when I had the Random Word Generator spit out three words for this week’s installment of Car Connections, a game in which I link random words to automobiles, it gave me fund, winter, and north. Bundle up and keep reading.

Fund: Fundraising. Lee Iacocca. Yes, he secured government loans to keep the Chrysler Corporation out of bankruptcy but, for some reason, what first came to my mind was the fundraising he did for the restoration and preservation of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island in the 1980s. He found the money, but where did he find the time to do all that?

Winter: Cold. Ice. Frozen. BMW! The BMW Individual division offers a variety of special and bespoke paint colors in four finishes: non-metallic, metallic, pearl, and Frozen. What exactly is Frozen? That’s BMW-speak for matte (and a one-word warning to not take your Frozen Portimão Blue M3 Competition through a touchless car wash unless you want a burnished look).

North: The second I read this word, the voice in my head whispered, “North Edition.” No, that’s not the name of a Canadian boy band—it’s the name of a line of special-edition models Jeep released in 2020. To prepare the North Editions for the cold, Jeep equipped them with features that included all-season or all-terrain tires, heated seats and steering wheel, remote start, all-weather floor mats, power heated mirrors, and the Jeep Trail Rated kit. As it gets colder here in Arizona, I can’t help but envision taking a North Edition up to Flagstaff for a winter getaway.

How would you associate these words with cars? Tell us in the Comments section below. And be sure to share your ideas for random words to use in a future installment of Car Connections. Looking for your next Chrysler, BMW, or Jeep? Find them on ClassicCars.com and AutoHunter.com.

An informal poll among enthusiasts I know shows that they absolutely love the AMC AMX, but how many of them own one? They had limited appeal and sales due to their two-seat configuration, but they are easy to find if you want one. Alas, it seems few of these Brand Xers have stepped up to the plate.

A little-known secret is that the most popular AMX engine was the biggest one from 1968-70, which means the 390—yes, it was more popular than the 290, 343, or 360. The 390 was rated at 315 horsepower for 1968-69, then went up 10 for 1970. Four-speeds, as a whole, were more popular than automatics, which suggests AMC did a fine job attracting enthusiasts. Perhaps some of them were conquest sales from those who previously were never in the market for an AMC product?

Join Muscle Car Campy as he gives us a tour of this Hunter Green metallic 1969 AMX. Owned by Gary Kelly, it is equipped with a tan leather interior, four-speed, the Go Package, and 3.54 gears. And, as it is from Kenosha, it features AMC’s famous reclining seats!

Click here to view other Muscle Car Campy videos at The ClassicCars.com Journal!

When I was in high school in the 1980s, the Toyota 4X4 pickup was one of the “it” cars. So many of the cool kids had them. Given how much time has passed since then, today’s AutoHunter Spotlight is a truly rare find: a mint-condition 1982 Toyota Deluxe 4X4 pickup.

Many people think that the sales of the Toyota 4X4 were due to its memorable appearance at the end of the movie “Back to the Future,” but it is the other way around: young people discovered the Toyota 4X4 years before the release of the film, which reflected the culture of the time by featuring the truck.

The reason is that Toyota trucks were reliable and capable off-road vehicles that were also pretty civilized on the road. In addition, they were supported by a huge aftermarket. which enabled you to turn a Toyota pickup into just about any kind of custom truck you wanted. These were the trucks that really put Toyota on the map as a manufacturer of great utility vehicles, ones that could hold their own with anything built in America.

The downside is that the great majority of these fine trucks were literally driven into the ground. Due to the multitude of available customization options, they were jumped, raced off-road, and just used up. Those that escaped such fates were used as daily transportation for hundreds of thousands of miles—until they literally died.

According to the selling dealer, this 1982 Toyota 4X4 is powered by a 2.4-liter 22R inline-four mated to a four-speed L45 manual transmission and a dual-range transfer case. Finished in white over a blue vinyl interior, this four-wheel-drive truck is now offered by the dealer with a clean AutoCheck report and a clear title.

The exterior appears to be in amazing condition with straight body panels, paint that looks to be in exceptional shape, and no rust or corrosion issues anywhere. The brightwork also seems excellent. The fact that this 44-year-old truck is this nice is simply amazing.

The blue vinyl interior is the same, with no cracks in the seats, door cards, or dash. While the term “time capsule” is overused in car descriptions, it truly fits this truck. I also love that it has a period aftermarket Craig AM/FM/cassette stereo, which is right on point for the era. The pop-out sunroof is also a period mod that looks just right here. In addition, there is a sliding rear window, which will help a lot with keeping this truck cool in the summer months.

The engine bay is possibly more immaculate than the paint, with the 22R engine looking to be extra clean and completely stock. I honestly see no wear at all. It looks as if this truck was extremely well maintained with Toyota factory parts over the years.

The same goes for the underside, although there is possibly a small amount of surface rust on the catalytic converter. The suspension and floors all look as great as the rest of this truck, which you could probably win a car show with tomorrow.

I fully expect this great example of an ’80s Toyota to easily meet its reserve price. If you grew up when these were new or simply want to experience the generation of Toyota trucks that literally created the brand, then you had better bid ASAP. The auction for this 1982 Toyota Deluxe 4X4 pickup ends on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at 11:45 a.m. (MST).

A couple of years ago, I published a story about a web-based resource containing a wealth of information on BMW M Coupes and M Roadsters. The site, maintained by Jon Martin, is still active today and continues to be a handy source of data. One of the cars we can learn about there is our Pick of the Day: a 2006 BMW Z4 M Coupe listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in London, Ontario, Canada.

“Very rare, low-production, future collectible M Coupe,” the listing says. According to Jon Martin’s Z4 M Coupe Buyer’s Guide, total production across the three model years for the Z4 M Coupe was 1,815 units. Drilling down even further, we see there were 212 cars built in Titanium Silver Metallic, and only 46 of those contained Imola Red interiors. This is one of those 46 cars. Talk about rarity – fewer than 50 were built in its combination.

From the beginning, the M Coupe and M Roadster were high-performance variants of the Z3 and Z4. They were seen as raw, driver-focused sports cars, and were produced between 1997 and 2002 for the first generation, and 2003 through 2008 for the second generation. Production took place in Spartanburg, South Carolina, the world’s largest BMW manufacturing facility, which even today is still cranking out cars.

In the interest of performance, the M Coupe had the heart of an M3: an S54 3.2-liter inline-six, which was paired with a six-speed manual. The S54 was a legendary engine, worthy of its own Wikipedia section even. It boasted “double VANOS” variable-valve timing, offering 330 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. The seller of this M Coupe says that service is up to date (complete with documented service history dating back to 2012), and the “car needs nothing.”

There are 73,000 miles on the odometer, and the car is said to be largely original with the exception of a set of H&R lowering springs. The seller says that a pre-purchase inspection has been performed, and importation to the United States should be a breeze. (We recommend that any interested buyers perform their own due diligence.)

The asking price is $35,500 USD or $49,900 CAD; the price will include the car’s original springs. A small price to pay to own a one-of-46, limited-edition collectible!

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

Automotive history spans much more than just classic cars themselves. Over the last century (and beyond), the automotive industry has impacted fashion, architecture, hospitality, infrastructure, culture, and – most importantly – individual families. In some instances, a family-run service station may date back many generations.

Some stations I’ve featured include my great-grandfather’s station in Logan, Utah, the “snow cone” Art Deco station in Tucson, Arizona, and Bob’s Sinclair in Kanosh, Utah. Each was full of personality and history. As the saying goes, “If walls could talk …”. It would be fascinating to hear about some of the vehicles – and people – that have been to those sites.

In the 20 years I’ve lived in Arizona, I’ve stopped by a specific abandoned service station in Fredonia for photos countless times (and in many different vehicles). On a recent trip over Thanksgiving, I noticed a for-sale sign out front. I decided to inquire with the real estate agent, and I arranged a time to view the interior of the building.

Buckskin Tavern

During my five-hour drive from Phoenix to Fredonia, I had worked up an appetite, so I decided to hit up a local favorite: Buckskin Tavern. It was located a few miles up the road, just a bit shy of the Utah state line. Greeting visitors near the neon Buckskin sign out front was a 1955 Chevrolet 3200 pickup, complete with a skeleton sitting in the driver seat and a Christmas tree in the bed. While showing its fair share of patina, the truck had a relatively straight body from what I could tell in the dim lighting.

For 1955, Chevrolet was moving into what became known as the “Task Force” generation of light-duty and medium-duty trucks. Exterior features included an eggcrate grille, fender-mounted emblems, and a stepside bed. The truck on display looked like it had been parked there for quite some time. My curiosity got the best of me, so I looked on Google Maps to see if I could figure out when it was first parked. The 2018 street view image shows it there – and that the paint was in quite a bit better condition then. The Buckskin Tavern, by the way, holds the title for being home to Arizona’s “longest bar” at 96 feet in length.

Pratt Street Station

As for the Fredonia service station, information online is relatively light. Fredonia was laid out in 1886. At one point, Pratt Street was the major east-west route through town (it was later bypassed by a newer alignment of Highway 89A). The station probably got its start in the 1920s. I’ve been able to come up with only one historic photo of the property, but it provides a lot of clues about the building’s history. A few observations:

• The pump out front was a gravity-fed, hand-crank-style pump. One of the signs was for Vico Motor Oil. Vico was a brand produced by the Utah Oil Refining Company (Utah’s first refinery) from 1908 through 1948, and it was sold alongside “Pep 88” gasoline.
• The station was a multi-purpose roadside stop that offered bread and groceries – common in rural areas where people needed more than just fuel.
• The flat roof and stucco finish were typical of buildings in the Southwest.
• The wardrobe said a lot about the era, too, featuring high-waisted trousers for the men.
• The commercial truck out front was probably used for fuel deliveries and similar tasks.

The 1920s marked a time when automobiles were becoming mainstream and tourism was beginning to boom. The fact the station was only 73 miles from the North Rim of the Grand Canyon meant it was part of a key tourism route for the region.

Getting inside the barn-style front doors was like taking a step back in time. Littered throughout the interior were relics of the past – old cans, jars, boxes, and equipment. The smell was consistent with an “old building.” I was surprised there were no bathroom facilities apparent – just a stove, some shelving, and lots of memorabilia.

If I had a week to spare, I’d offer to help the family comb through it; if I had a quarter-million dollars to spare, I’d make an offer. Some friends and family were supportive of the idea. In fact, one of them developed an AI rendering of what the place would look like as an automotive-themed coffee shop (see below). We could all use a shot of high-octane espresso sometimes.

Interested in the property? Here’s a link to the listing on Zillow.

Historically, either Indiana or Ohio can be considered #2 after Michigan in terms of automotive impact in the United States. However, Wisconsin was the final holdout for an independent manufacturer outside of the Big Three. Located in Kenosha, the former headquarters for Nash, American Motors Corporation managed to survive through 1987. Several of Kenosha’s hottest were on display at the 2025 Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals.

After the Nash and Hudson merger, AMC first produced a performance car beginning with the 1957 Rambler Rebel, but the manufacturer’s dedication to the performance segment (in a bid to compete toe-to-toe with the Big Three) arguably began with the 1965 Rambler Marlin, to be followed by the 1966 Rambler American with the 290. That was upgraded to a 343 (with mandatory four-speed) in 1967, which would then be followed by the 1968 Javelin and AMX, 1969 Hurst SC/Rambler, and 1970 Rebel Machine. Through 1974, AMC produced the Javelin and Javelin AMX, upon which it seems AMC reverted to being a more practical producer of automobiles.

The NashNutz display at the 2025 MCACN gives us a taste of most of the above. Though not a meaty display this year, I am sure you will agree they all nicely competed with equivalents from the Big Three.

Click here to check out other displays from the 2025 Muscle Cars and Corvette Nationals.