Journal Classic Cars

The third-generation Lexus IS sport sedan has been on the market for more than a decade. The end is near, so Lexus is streamlining and simplifying the lineup for 2026, which we be limited to just the IS 350 with rear- or all-wheel drive and the F Sport or F Sport Design trim level.

That’s a drastic reduction from the 2025 model year, which offered three core models (IS 300, IS 350, and IS 500), four model-dependent engine options (turbo four, 260-horsepower V6, 311-horsepower V6, and 5.0-liter V8), and the choice of RWD or AWD for much of the range.

However, in the process of reducing complexity for the 2026 IS, Lexus made some updates and improvements. It refreshed the front end, giving it a wider-mouthed, more aggressive appearance (albeit one that brings the Toyota Camry Nightshade and its “hammerhead” design to mind). Both trim levels come equipped with new 19-inch wheel designs. A new rear spoiler and red brake calipers are available to make the IS 350 F Sport look F Sport-ier. Wind, a light gray with metallic highlights, brings the number of available colors up to seven.

There’s also a new interior color: Radiant Red, which is offset by the addition of dark Forged Bamboo trim with natural bamboo fibers. Both the digital instrument cluster and the touchscreen for the Lexus Interface infotainment system have grown to 12.3 inches. A wireless charging pad and four USB-C ports add modern conveniences to the cockpit.

All 2026 IS models feature the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 suite of technologies, which include the Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, Full-Speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist, Proactive Driving Assist, and more.

Output of the 3.5-liter V6 holds steady at 311 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque. As before, in RWD models, it’s paired with an eight-speed automatic; in AWD IS 350s, the big six is connected to a six-speed auto. Lexus saved the most significant hardware changes for the steering and suspension systems, further refining the IS’s Lexus Driving Signature. According to the automaker, “By optimizing the Electric Power Steering (EPS) and suspension systems, development focused on delivering linear, consistent steering feel across a wide range of roads and driving conditions. Attention was given not only to how the vehicle reacts to steering and pedal inputs, but also to the smoothness and control of their return motion.”

How has the MSRP of the 2026 IS changed with all these changes and updates? That’s one thing Lexus hasn’t yet disclosed. Expect the company to announce pricing for the refreshed IS closer to when it goes on sale early next year.

Shelby Mustang fans had to wait a long time for the GT500 to return in 2007, but the all-new model was worth the wait. Developed by Carroll Shelby and SVT, Ford’s Special Vehicle Team, the S197 GT500 had a 500-horsepower supercharged 5.4-liter V8 under its hood and a TREMEC six-speed manual to turn all that fury into forward motion. Of course, the GT500 also had upgraded brakes and suspension hardware to keep all four 18-inch machined aluminum wheels on the road.

Someone had the willpower to resist driving this particular Shelby GT500, which was sold at the Barrett-Jackson 2025 Palm Beach Auction, into a road warrior, and put fewer than 1,000 miles on it. We here at ClassicCars TV would enjoy the supercharged power too much and rack up big numbers on the odometer. Would you drive this 2007 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 sparingly or take it everywhere and show it off? Let us know in the comments below.

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Right now on AutoHunter, you can find this restored 1966 Chevrolet C10 Fleetside, which has been converted to four-wheel drive with the addition of a Rockwell dual-range transfer case. It’s powered by a 350ci V8 connected to a four-speed manual gearbox. Finished in Forest Green over a black vinyl interior, this first-generation Chevy C/K pickup is now offered by the selling dealer in Oregon with a clear title that’s currently in transit.

As part of a complete restoration, the body was refinished in Forest Green, which is accented with a white grille and matching bumpers. Equipment includes dual mirrors, tailgate chains, and dual exhaust outlets.

The 15-inch wheels are also white, and come equipped with manual locking front hubs and Multi-Mile Wild Country TXR tires. Behind the wheels are power front disc and rear drum brakes.

The two-tone cabin has a white dashboard, door panels, and ceiling, which contrast with the black vinyl bench seat and black carpeting. Features include floor-mounted manual transmission and transfer case shifters, and an Alpine AM/FM/cassette stereo.

Instrumentation consists of a 100-mph speedometer and gauges for the temperature, battery, oil pressure, and fuel level. The odometer shows 64,669 miles, but the title indicates this vehicle is mileage-exempt.

Under the hood, the original engine has been replaced with a 350ci V8, which is equipped with a four-barrel carburetor. A four-speed manual gearbox sends power to the 12-bolt rear end; a Rockwell dual-range transfer case helps deliver the engine’s output to all four wheels.

To start taking this four-wheel-drive 1966 Chevrolet C10 down your favorite roads or up your favorite trails, you have to make the winning bid on it. The auction ends on Friday, September 19, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. (PDT).

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and a photo gallery

There’s a sweet spot between flashy and boring. There are cars out there that are tastefully designed, capable of drawing attention without giant gaudy wheels, a wrap so bright that it sears your retinas, or an annoyingly loud exhaust. Our Pick of the Day is one of those cars. You can find this 1995 Mercedes-Benz SL 500 listed on ClassicCars.com by a dealer in West Chester, Pennsylvania.

The late, great Bruno Sacco was the head of Mercedes-Benz design from 1975 until 1999. One of his many creations during that long run was the R129 generation (1989-2001) of the SL, a roadster with strong, defined lines that gave it an ingot-like appearance. An SL of that period has undeniable presence despite its conservative design – even in a low-key color such as silver.

This particular SL 500 is a ’95, so it benefits from the R129’s first facelift. It also stands out even more than usual thanks to its Imperial Red paint. Judging by the pictures, the past 30 years and 93,704 miles have been kind to the handsome exterior, the matching hardtop, and the black power-operated soft top.

The same goes for the beige leather interior. Not only does it coordinate well with the body color, but it features wood trim, power everything, heated seats, air conditioning, a Kenwood AM/FM/CD/Bluetooth head unit, a wind deflector, and a power-folding roll bar too.

This SL’s two previous owners were also gentle on it. According to the selling dealer, it’s been “garaged and meticulously maintained” as well as “fully serviced,” so the 315-horsepower 5.0-liter V8 and four-speed automatic should be ready for top-down drives for years to come.

This 1995 Mercedes-Benz SL 500 is a modern classic that hits a visual sweet spot, but the sweetest spot of all for it is your driveway. To get it there, you’ll need to pay $14,500.

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

By now, you may be aware how artificial intelligence has begun to infiltrate all parts of the Internet. It’s impossible to scroll through Facebook without being forced to read a biography on cars (or any other topic) that seeks to elevate a certain object or person without saying something particularly meaningful or sincere. The ad for our Pick of the Day suffers from the same fate, but we at The ClassicCars.com Journal are here to help a guy or gal out and show you, the car-buying public, just what a cool car and great deal this 1970 Buick Skylark Custom four-door hardtop really is. It’s listed on ClassicCars.com by a dealership in Alsip, Illinois.

Let’s be honest: The 1970 Buick Skylark is nothing but a blip on the radar of American automotive history. It’s a car that resonates with few—those whose parents had one, or maybe they want to convert it to a GS clone and go racing. It isn’t a “cultural icon that encapsulates the essence of American automotive ingenuity” because it made no cultural impact, it isn’t an icon, and there was nothing ingenious about its engineering.

But the 1970 Skylark is a good-looking car, like all the restyled 1970 General Motors A-bodies. And as the most upmarket of GM brands with this platform, Buick took no shortcuts in making sure you knew you were riding in or driving a Buick. Of course, all Skylarks were Buicks, but some Skylarks were more Buick than others.

The base Skylark replaced the Special, but that didn’t necessarily mean it was a down-market model with a taxicab interior. It was available only as a sedan (both two- and four-door) with a Chevrolet-derived inline-six standard, with several 350s optional. Move up a trim level and you’d have the Skylark 350, which naturally came standard with a 350. This version was only available as a four-door sedan and Sport Coupe (hardtop).

At the top of the Skylark range was the Skylark Custom, which included a four-door sedan and hardtop, two-door Sport Coupe, and convertible. The 350 V8 was standard, as was a luxurious cloth and vinyl bench seat interior save the convertible, which came standard with a vinyl bench (optional on the sedan). There also was an all-vinyl notchback bench for other body styles. Want buckets? They were available in the Sport Coupe and convertible.

The standard 350 for both the Skylark 350 and Skylark Custom was a 350 two-barrel, which was rated at 260 horsepower. A four-barrel with 285 horsepower that ran on regular gas was optional for all Skylarks, but it didn’t stop there because a high-performance 350 with 315 horsepower and a very impressive 410 lb-ft of torque was available, though it ran on premium fuel. If the engine seems familiar, that’s because it’s the same engine that was included in the Buick GS. That’s some muscle!

The Desert Gold 1970 Buick Skylark Custom four-door hardtop presented here demonstrates the strengths of the Buick brand in 1970. When was the last time you saw a four-door Skylark in this condition? The earthtones—the gold with a Dark Brown vinyl top—are on target for the Buick brand for 1970, as is the standard Sandalwood cloth and vinyl bench interior. This one is powered by a 350/285 backed by a TH350 automatic. Other features include dual exhaust, power steering, air conditioning (with an R-134a conversion), tinted windows, a remote driver’s mirror, and Buick’s classic chrome road wheels. Modifications include Wilwood four-wheel discs, a Custom Autosound AM/FM radio, three-point seat belts, HID headlights, and for you sharp-eyed fans of Flint, a Gran Sport grille.

“More-door” cars don’t often receive love in this era. ChatGPT tells me they “often get overlooked for a few cultural and emotional reasons” that include lacking a sporting and performance image, collector/enthusiast bias, and styling compromises. We think that’s fair—as fair as the $19,900 asking price.

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

Do you enjoy reading about cars you cannot afford? Then pull up a chair and listen intently because I’m going to tell you about the summer success of the Bentley Heritage Collection.

Since The ClassicCars.com Journal first told you about the Heritage Collection, Bentley has expanded the aggregation to 50 cars, including 10 race-ready vehicles that we probably can guarantee don’t include a Bentayga.

One of the 40 “road-legal” cars—a bespoke 1939 Mark V Corniche—participated in the 2025 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. Having undergone a 15-year restoration that started with a crew of Bentley enthusiasts and finished with the assistance of Mulliner, the Corniche was the first-ever submission from a manufacturer to be fully judged at the event. It even successfully participated in the “Tour d’Elegance” drive along the California Coast.

A second Bentley, the familiar-yet-absolutely-classic 1953 R Type Continental, garnered a concours award—a first for the Heritage Collection—by winning Best-in-Class at the Salon Privé Concours.

A third, a 1930 8 Litre saloon, won Best Manufacturer-Entered Car (a new show class) at the Hampton Court Concours of Elegance. One of 100 8 Litres built and often suggested as W.O. Bentley’s crowning achievement, this vehicle was once owned by its namesake and was among 10 Bentleys from the Heritage Collection on display at the event.

“The recent recognition of the quality, condition and importance of the Bentleys that have attended concours events over the summer is testament to the hard work of the team in Crewe who have helped to rejuvenate the Collection,” says Mike Sayer, the head of the Heritage Collection. “It now represents the entire company history, with 50 extraordinary, driveable vehicles that together describe the evolution of Bentley design, performance and craftsmanship. The entire fleet is now regularly consulted by Bentley’s R&D teams to help inform the future, and we will continue to use the cars to guide new developments while showcasing our history at events around the world.”

As someone who’s into timepieces, I know I’m biased when I say that a watch makes a great gift for a special occasion, such as Christmas or a birthday: it’s functional, attractive, and forever memorable. I am lucky to have received Orient, Seiko, Timex, Invicta, Fossil, and Citizen timepieces from my wife, family members, and friends. American watch company Bulova seems to think the same thing because it’s celebrating its 150th birthday with the release of the Shelby Racing Chronograph. Consider it Bulova’s gift to Shelby fans and automotive enthusiasts in general.

The design of the watch honors a specific time—and model—in Shelby’s history: the 1967 GT500, a high-performance version of the Ford Mustang with a 355-horsepower 428ci V8, sharper handling, and a Sebring-developed four-speed gearbox.

This Shelby is powered by Bulova’s Precisionist quartz movement, which resonates at a frequency of 262khz. According to the brand, that’s “8 times greater than standard quartz,” which makes the movement accurate to seconds a year. The 43mm stainless steel “bullhead” case features grooves on the sides and a blue and white HNBR (Hydrogenated Nitrile Butadiene Rubber) strap, both of which echo the stripes found on various Shelby models. At the top, the center-mounted crown is flanked by the pushers for the stopwatch function. A sapphire crystal covers the black tachymeter ring, blue dial, and white subdials, the latter which includes one with the Shelby Cobra logo and another that counts milliseconds.

The caseback is marked with the Shelby logo, Carroll Shelby’s signature, and each Shelby Racing Chronograph’s individual number in the 7,500-unit production run. To really drive the connection with the ’67 GT500 home (pun intended), Bulova packages the watch in a limited-edition box right next to a 1:24-scale GT500 diecast model.

The Bulova Shelby Racing Chronograph is currently available at Bulova retailers and on Bulova’s website for $1,350. It raises a question: Would you give this watch as a present to your Shelby-obsessed friend or gift it to yourself and wear it whenever you drive your Shelby? Tell us in the comments below.

Featured on AutoHunter is this 1965 Acadian Beaumont Sport Deluxe convertible. To Americans, this may be a head-scratcher, but to Canadians, this is prime pre-Auto Pact goodness. The Sport Deluxe was akin to Chevrolet’s Super Sport, so this A-body is refined inside and out with bucket seats and extra brightwork. Power comes from a modern 5.3-liter small-block backed by a four-speed automatic. Other features include cruise control, an aftermarket AM/FM/8-track, Cragars, and more. Painted red with a black power top over a red interior, this Can-Am hybrid is offered by the seller with the original radio, a dealer brochure, a service repair manual, a Vintage Vehicle Services invoice, and a clear title.

Originally painted Sierra Tan metallic, this Beaumont now struts in arrest-me red, complemented by a black power convertible top. Other exterior features include chrome lower-body trim, Sport Deluxe-specific rear fender chrome accents, dual chrome side mirrors, a front antenna, and more. A set of 15-inch Cragar S/S mags are wrapped in staggered-width Mickey Thompson tires—215/75 (front) and 275/60 (rear).

The red bucket-seat vinyl interior features a center console housing an automatic transmission shifter. Other features include power steering, a modern cruise control set-up, and an aftermarket AM/FM stereo that also has—get this—an 8-track player.

If the instrumentation looks familiar, that’s because Beaumonts borrowed it from the Pontiac parts bin. A 120-mph speedometer and 6,000-rpm tachometer are flanked by a fuel gauge. A trio of aftermarket gauges measuring oil pressure, water temperature, and voltage are mounted under the dashboard, plus a digital speedometer is mounted on top of the dashboard. The odometer shows 78,603 miles, though the title reads mileage-exempt.

A fuel-injected 5.3-liter small-block V8 has replaced the original 194ci six-cylinder (one of 133 Sport Deluxe convertibles built as such). It is backed by a four-speed 4L60E automatic transmission, which replaces the original Powerglide.

The undercarriage features a 10-bold rear with Positraction and 4.10 gears. Air shocks, power front disc brakes, and a dual exhaust system have been added.

Are you a Canadian who has pride in the Great White North? Or a Chevy guy who lusts for something different? Or a Pontiac guy who wants to annoy purists who believe it can’t be a Poncho with a Chevy engine? Then our AutoHunter Spotlight is just the car for you! The auction for this 1965 Acadian Beaumont Sport Deluxe convertible ends on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, at 12:15 p.m. (PDT) so be prepared like a good Mountie!

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and a photo gallery

One thing that everyone has in common is the need to know that someone is listening to what they say. That’s especially true when someone is paying (or willing to pay) their hard-earned money to a company for a product. When I attended the media launch of the first-ever 2016 Ford Explorer Platinum, I learned it was made in response to customers who wanted more luxury features than the Limited model offered. The changes made to the 2025 Mustang Mach-E were led by customer feedback. Now comes news that potential F-150 Lightning buyers who want a more trail-ready model can get the 2026 Ford F-150 Lightning STX.

“Customers have been asking for a rugged F-150 Lightning with more range than the standard range XLT,” says Will Marchand, Ford F-150 Lightning product and consumer marketing manager. Instead of adding the STX to the Lightning lineup (which has five trim levels for 2025), Ford made it a replacement for the XLT. To make the STX stand out from its more road-focused siblings, Ford gave it a new grille with a Grabber Blue horizontal center stripe, a black STX hood decal with blue striping, and coordinating bedside graphics.

New color options include Argon Blue, Marsh Gray, and Ruby Red Metallic Tinted Clearcoat. If you’re familiar with the F-150 Tremor, you may recognize the STX’s off-road running boards. The black wheels are new to the Lightning and come wrapped in all-terrain rubber. When the path ahead is especially difficult, the standard rear e-locker is there to help the Lightning power through it.

Inside, the cloth seats feature Grabber Blue “Lightning STX” embroidery and stitching. Black vinyl flooring is available for those who intend to take the STX to its natural habitat. A heated steering wheel comes standard. Assuming Ford ports over the 2025 XLT model’s equipment, the STX should also get a 12-inch digital instrument cluster, 360-degree camera, Pro Trailer Hitch Assist, Pro Trailer Backup Assist, Trailer Reverse Guidance, SYNC 4 infotainment with a 12-inch touchscreen, and more.

An extended-range battery pack supplies juice to the STX’s dual electric motors, which should hit Ford’s target of 536 horsepower and 775 lb-ft of torque. Under ideal circumstances, the STX can cover 290 miles on a full charge. If pulling heavy cargo is more important, it’s capable of hauling 2,000-plus pounds of payload and towing a maximum of 10,000 pounds.

How much more does the 2026 Ford F-150 Lightning STX cost over the outgoing XLT? Exactly zero dollars—like its predecessor, it has an MSRP of $63,345. Expect to see the STX in dealerships in early 2026. There’s a good chance you’ll soon spot many on roads and trails because Ford projects that the STX is going to be one of the Lightning’s top-selling trim levels for 2026.

Barrett-Jackson is gearing up for this year’s Scottsdale Fall Auction highlighted by the Select Preview that includes the one-of-one 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Split-Window Coupe (preview) built by Jeff Hayes. Collectors and enthusiasts from around the world will attend this year’s Fall Auction to bid on hundreds of No Reserve collectible vehicles and genuine automobilia pieces set to cross the auction block Oct. 15-18, 2025, at WestWorld of Scottsdale.

“From unrestored classics to SUVs and modern supercars, our Select Preview highlights the diversity of our vehicles that draws bidders from around the globe,” said Craig Jackson, chairman and CEO of Barrett-Jackson. “We take great pride in the fact that all our auctions offer something for everyone. From the custom 1963 Corvette Split-Window built by Jeff Hayes and professionally restored 1972 De Tomaso Pantera (preview) to the 2024 GMC Hummer EV 3X Bandit Outlaw Edition No. 1 (preview), there is no shortage of opportunities to take home the collector car of your dreams.”

The 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Split-Window Coupe (preview) built by Jeff Hayes features a custom-built chassis and is powered by a new GM LS3 Hot Cam engine that produces 500 horsepower. It is finished in silver over a custom red interior and rides on Z06 Corvette wheels measuring 8.5 inches in the front and 12 inches in the rear. The interior features AutoMeter gauges, tilt steering column, power windows, power hood, Vintage Air climate control, and AM/FM radio. A second 1963 Corvette Split-Window Coupe (preview) is finished in the original paint code 923A of Riverside Red with matching code 490C red vinyl seats. It retains the original fiberglass headlight buckets only seen on the very early-build cars and comes with AM/FM radio, clock, tachometer, Soft-Ray tinted windshield and knock-off aluminum wheels.

Classic Ford Mustangs set to cross the block include the officially licensed 1967 Ford Mustang Eleanor Tribute Edition (preview). Hand-built from the ground up using a factory 1967 Ford Mustang, this Eleanor was fully reconditioned and finished in the Midnight Edition reverse paint scheme of Axalta DuPont Black exterior paint with movie-correct 44490 Pepper Gray stripes. Number 57 of 300 units to be built, the 2025 Shelby Super Snake (preview) is powered by an 830 horsepower Whipple-supercharged Gen 4 Ford Coyote 5.0-liter V8 engine paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. Finished in Shadow Black with Satin Black vinyl stripes, it has 13 actual miles.

“This is an exciting time to be a collector car enthusiast,” said Steve Davis, president of Barrett-Jackson. “From the professionally restored 1955 Cadillac Series 62 convertible (preview) that represents the post-war American luxury, to the track-ready 2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 convertible with ZTK Track Performance Package (preview), we’re bringing only the best to Scottsdale. I look forward to seeing everyone in Scottsdale this fall to close out the year with the ultimate automotive lifestyle event in one the most beautiful cities in America.”

Custom trucks and SUVs will also be a part of this year’s Fall Auction including the 1970 Chevrolet K5 Blazer (preview). Powered by a 525 horsepower LS3 V8 engine linked to a 4L60E 4-speed automatic transmission and a dual-range NP205 transfer case, the custom K5 is finished in Earl Gray and white with deluxe side moldings and tailgate band and has a custom roll cage painted in the body color. The 1964 Chevrolet C10 (preview) is powered by a supercharged, fuel-injected V8 engine with a 700R4 transmission. It is painted in a custom-mixed Candy Apple Red over a silver base and features a fully custom hand-built leather interior using five high-grade hides.

Those interested in consigning their vehicles with confidence for the Scottsdale Fall Auction are welcome to submit their application online. In addition, bidder registration is now open, with three packages to choose from and upgrades for Muscle Lounge access and new Hammer High Top tables. Throughout the four-day Scottsdale Fall Auction, children aged 12 and under enjoy complimentary admission with a paying adult. General admission tickets for students age 13 through college are $10 and adult ticket prices start at $28.  

 Join Barrett-Jackson’s online conversation with #BarrettJackson and #BJAC on Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube.