Journal Classic Cars

Right now on AutoHunter, you can find this 52,275-mile 1989 Jaguar XJ-S coupe, which is powered by a 5.3-liter V12 paired with a TH400 three-speed automatic. Finished in Signal Red over a Sand leather interior, this British GT car is now offered by the selling dealer In Montana with an original owner’s manual, “The Total Driving Experience” cassette, a clean CARFAX report, and a clear title.

The low-slung Signal Red exterior features fog lights, black bumpers with bright trim, a “leaper” hood ornament, bright mirror caps, rear flying buttresses, and dual exhaust outlets. This cruiser of a cat has 15-inch “lattice” wheels and grips the road with 235/60 Cooper tires; a matching spare is in the trunk.

The cabin offers 2+2 Sand leather seating accented with woodgrain trim. Amenities include power locks and windows, power steering, heated front bucket seats, cruise control, air conditioning, and a Sony AM/FM/cassette radio.

There’s even an integrated radar detector and a factory Jaguar cell phone, although it’s been disconnected.

Behind the two-spoke steering wheel is a 160-mph speedometer, 7,000-rpm tachometer, and gauges for the temperature, oil pressure, fuel level, and voltage. The odometer shows 52,275 miles; the most recent CARFAX mileage figure of 51,449 miles was logged in September 2011.

Under the front-hinged hood is a fuel-injected 5.3-liter V12 equipped with dual aftermarket intakes. A TH400 three-speed automatic sends the engine’s power to the rear wheels. Four-wheel power disc brakes help this cat keep all nine of its lives.

Jaguar is in a state of flux right now, but even once it starts making cars again, none of them will have a V12. You can experience that smooth power in this low-mileage 1989 Jaguar XJ-S coupe, but you have to place the winning bid on it first. Do that before the auction ends on Thursday, September 18, 2025, at 12:15 p.m. (PDT).

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and a photo gallery

The 1980s saw the rise of the “mini truck” scene in a big way. Compact pickups became popular platforms for customization when it came to paint jobs, interiors, suspensions, and powertrains. Clubs sprouted up around the country to support the movement, and publications like Truckin’ magazine (which has been out of print since 2019) helped drive the movement. The Pick of the Day is a 1987 Chevrolet S-10 Sport pickup listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in Fort Collins, Colorado.

“If you’re looking for a clean, original example of a classic American mini truck, this S-10 is worth a serious look,” the listing begins. “The truck has had just one owner since new—my father—a lifelong mechanic who always took meticulous care of his vehicles.”

The black and gray two-tone exterior is well-kept, and noteworthy features include body side moldings, a color-keyed grille, a camper shell, and a receiver hitch. The interior of the cab is unique in the sense that it is equipped with bucket seats and “TRUCK”-branded cloth upholstery with red accents. It is a sporty arrangement indeed, especially considering the vast majority of trucks during the 1980s had bench seats.

The S-10 compact pickup was officially launched in 1981 for the 1982 model year, and it served as a replacement for the Chevrolet LUV compact pickup, which had been imported from Isuzu and rebadged accordingly. The truck was available in regular-cab and extended-cab (or “Maxi-Cab”) variants. A Sport package was available for two-wheel-drive models. It came with power steering, heavy-duty front and rear shocks, and 15-inch Rally wheels.

A few different engines were offered on the S-10, and this one is powered by a 2.8-liter V6 mated to a four-speed manual transmission. The odometer shows 165,092 miles, and the listing says that the engine, clutch, and brakes are in strong working order. “Runs and drives extremely well,” the seller says. “It’s a solid, original survivor with a great history. These first-gen S-10s are getting harder to find in this kind of condition, especially with a manual transmission and the Sport trim.”

Included in the documentation is a certified appraisal dated September 1, 2025, which valued the truck at $12,000. The asking price is $12,500.

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

Three years ago, I spent a week driving the all-electric 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5. It was a daring retro-futuristic design wrapped around an airy, spacious cabin and propelled by a powerful pair of electric motors. To make a long story short, I loved it. Would the thoroughly updated 2025 model be just as wonderful? There was only one way to find out.

Prices for the 2025 Ioniq 5 start at $42,600 for the entry-level SE Standard Range model and top out at $54,300 ⁠for the Limited with rear-wheel drive. My dual-motor Limited test vehicle came standard with HTRAC all-wheel drive, a V-shaped LED accent bar, 20-inch wheels, a large fixed glass roof panel with a retractable shade, a head-up display, heated and ventilated front seats, Bose audio, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, and more. Adding carpeted floor mats and the $1,000 Gravity Gold Matte paint raised the total price to $60,785.

As part of the Ioniq 5’s mid-cycle refresh, Hyundai made comprehensive visual, technological, and powertrain changes. The immediately recognizable 8-bit exterior was not only updated with new bumpers, a rear wiper and washer, and fresh paint colors, but with structural enhancements to the doors, B-pillars, and body as well. Luckily, none of those alterations were too extreme – the Ioniq 5 is still as quirky and distinctive as before.

The cabin comes with new features that make it more convenient. In properly equipped models such as my Limited AWD test vehicle, the sliding center console now has a wireless phone charging pad as well as physical controls for the heated and ventilated front seats and the redesigned heated steering wheel. Too bad Hyundai didn’t use buttons and switches for the new HVAC controls, which are touch-sensitive and difficult to use on the fly.

Two of the most significant updates to the Ioniq 5 are the switch to higher-capacity lithium-ion battery packs and the standard NACS (North American Charging Standard) charging port, which enables the Ioniq 5 to use Tesla Supercharger stations. The Limited AWD has a 74-kW front and a 165-kW rear electric motor, which produce a total of 320 horsepower and 446 lb-ft of torque. According to the EPA, it’s capable of returning 98 MPGe combined. On a full charge, the Limited AWD can cover 269 miles, a slight increase from its previous range of 260. When connected to 250+kW power, the battery goes from 10 to 80 percent full in 20 minutes. Unfortunately, the Electrify America station closest to my house was much slower, taking the battery from 10 to 80 percent in 53 minutes. Let’s just say I spent a lot of time browsing the nearby Walmart’s Hot Wheels and Lego aisles that afternoon.

On the road, the Ioniq 5’s cabin was just as soothing and airy as it was in the 2022 model. Although the suspension had a touch of firmness, it didn’t detract from the serene driving experience. When I needed to pick up the pace, the dual motors carried me forward at a brisk pace. I quickly realized that when Hyundai developed the new Ioniq 5, it didn’t “fix” something that wasn’t broken in the first place.

To learn more about the 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 Limited AWD, check out my review video below.

Click above and watch our full video review on YouTube!

Are you a Mustang fan but feel you don’t measure up running against those widebody Dodge Challengers and Chargers? Do you feel that Ford fans have had sand kicked in their faces for too long, yet the Mustang GTD is sold out? You now have another widebody solution (and it doesn’t require you to send in a stamp to Charles Atlas) as Trick Rides has previewed its first widebody Mustang—not only is it a ’69, but it also is made completely out of carbon fiber.

Trick Rides has reimagined the 1969 Mustang “SportsRoof” engineered entirely in CAD with advanced 3D-scanning technology for “aerospace-level precision.” This interpretation of Ford’s pony car features “advanced aerodynamics” and panel fitment that would make a Lexus fan blush. Of course, carbon fiber weighs less, too.

This body will be the basis of “Scorched,” a custom 1969 Mustang created in collaboration with TMI Products. The latter company contributes with a custom interior that includes all-new high-back seating, German square-weave carpeting, custom-bade door panels, console, and Alcantara headliner—all made and installed in America!

“Our latest creation, ‘Scorched,’ represents a new era in muscle car engineering and design,” says Jason Engel, founder of Trick Rides. “Our goal was to push the boundaries of what a resto-mod could be by adding modern twists to a timeless classic. The result showcases what is possible when modern engineering meets iconic heritage.”

If you’re interested in buying your own Scorched, you can choose from several engine options: a VMP-supercharged 5.0-liter Coyote V8, 429 cubic-inch Kaase “Boss Nine,” or Ford Performance 427 cubic-inch V8, all featuring a custom exhaust system with Stainless Works headers and MagnaFlow mufflers. A TREMEC T-56 six-speed manual will make your left leg and right arm larger.

The chassis comes from the Roadster Shop and boasts a Fox coilover independent front suspension, parallel four-link rear, and oversized sway bars for increased stability. Three-piece Forgeline wheels are wrapped in Continental ExtremeContact Force tires, while brakes are custom six-piston Baer Brakes.

The first completed vehicle will make its official debut in the TMI booth (#24477) in Central Hall at the SEMA Show this November in Las Vegas. Yet you don’t have to wait several months to find out all about this special vehicle—simply visit the Trick Rides website to learn how you can buy one.

While it currently appears Consumer Guide loved the Plymouth Valiant and Dodge Dart the most among all the used cars from the 1970s, the Ford brand was preferred as a whole. Sure, Ford had its issues—especially with overstyled sedans in all classes, and being late to the downsizing party—but it seems build quality was higher and recalls were fewer.

Does that also hold true for Mercury?

Most models were shared together, so possibly. But we also know distinctions can exist depending on engines and options. Let’s take a look at Mercury, then you can compare the below ratings with those for Ford. Please note the CG rating scale of 5 being Excellent and 1 being Poor.

Mercury
“Lincoln-Mercury cars have set new standards for quiet operation and comfortable rides.”

• Bobcat: “With the smaller engine [four-cylinder versus the V6], Bobcat owners can have the power train that has the best overall repair record in the American subcompact class.” CG rating: 4
• Capri (Import): “Capri’s repair history has been precisely opposite that of the Pinto, despite identical components.” CG rating: 3-4
• Capri (Domestic): “Overall repair record for ’79 models slightly below average with standard four, dismal with V6.” CG rating: N/A
• Comet: “Dull but dependable, and a safe choice among compacts of the early ‘70s.” CG rating: 4
• Cougar: “Repair record average to slightly below average. Electrical, brake, and suspension crop up in [early cars]. The 1974 through 1976 Cougars have above average repair records. It appears the newer [1977] model is not holding up as well.” CG rating: 2
• Monterey/Marquis: “The cars have excellent service records and live up to their images of quiet and comfort … but Marquis is a leftover from an age that is about to pass.” CG rating: 2
• Monarch: “Like people, there are cars that make great first impressions, then quickly wear out their welcome. The Mercury Monarch is just such a car.” CG rating: 2
• Montego: “Overstyled, overweight mid-size car with too much thirst and too little practicality.” CG rating: 2-1
• Zephyr: “Sketchy frequency-of-repair data, but overall record is average so far with either four- or six-cylinder engine.” CG rating: 4-5

There are moments in life when history and destiny meet at the turn of a key. Picture yourself stepping into your garage on a cool autumn morning. The golden light spills across polished chrome, glinting off the unmistakable lines of a 1966 Chevrolet Chevelle SS396. You slide into the driver’s seat, wrap your hands around the wheel, and with one twist of the ignition, the 396-cubic-inch big-block V-8 comes alive. The deep rumble fills the air, not just with sound, but with soul—the kind of sound that defined Detroit’s glory days.

This is the Zero-to-Sixty Dream Giveaway, and it’s your chance to bring home one of the most legendary muscle cars ever built. This Chevelle SS396 has been restored, capturing the essence of American muscle in its purest form. Under the hood lies a 325-horsepower L35 big-block engine mated to a 4-speed Muncie manual transmission. A Positraction limited-slip differential ensures the power makes its way to the pavement, while dual exhausts deliver the throaty roar that made the SS396 an icon nearly sixty years ago. Click here to enter now!

Finished in breathtaking Aztec Bronze, this Chevelle is a bridge between past and present, a time machine back to an era when horsepower ruled the roads. From the bench seats to the flowing Coke-bottle contours, every detail reminds you why the mid-sixties were a golden chapter in the book of American performance.

The grand prize includes $16,000 to cover federal prize taxes, easing the financial worry and letting you focus entirely on the joy of ownership.

Here’s the most important part—you don’t have forever. The sweepstakes runs only through October 14, 2025, and the winner will be announced on October 28, 2025. That date is closer than you think, and once it passes, the garage door will close on your chance to own this piece of muscle-car history.

So the question is simple: will you let this opportunity slip away, or will you seize it before time runs out? The Chevelle SS396 is waiting. The key could soon be in your hand. The road ahead could be yours. But only if you enter before the deadline.

Don’t wait. Enter today.

For a one-of-a-kind driving experience, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a hot rod like this: Featured on AutoHunter is this 1933 Willys 5-Window Custom Coupe. The car is being sold by a private party in Blairsville, Pennsylvania, and the auction will end Monday, September 15, 2025, at 11:30 a.m. (PDT).

The Willys 77 was an important car for its time, since it was introduced during the height of the Great Depression and was among the least-expensive new cars in the American market. When compared to its competitors, it was relatively compact and fuel-efficient; the standard-issue four-cylinder engine was hardly performance-oriented, as it was rated only about 48 horsepower.

Thankfully, decades later, someone with a big vision gave a restomod version of the Willys coupe some high-power DNA courtesy of a 377ci V8 that puts down a dyno-tested 600 horsepower. The car’s spec sheet also includes dual Holley 600cfm four-barrel carburetors, Crane hydraulic roller cams, Speed Pro pistons, and a Ron Francis wiring harness. Power is transferred to the pavement via a Turbo Hydra-matic 400 four-speed automatic transmission. No wonder there are a parachute and a wheelie bar attached to the rear end—this machine is race-ready.

The Custom Coupe’s curb appeal is as striking as its powertrain. The body itself is a composite unit from Sheffler Enterprises. The entire front clip can be removed, and exterior features include 15-inch Center Line aluminum wheels, side-exit exhaust pipes, and tubular chrome bumpers. The gallery in the listing shows several pages from a photo album that chronicle the car’s evolution in various stages of its restoration.

The car’s interior could best be described as “plush,” complete with cloth upholstery, padded door panels, and even a matching padded dashboard. Features include Stewart-Warner gauges, a wood-rimmed steering wheel, a T-handle shifter, and (of course!) a pair of obligatory fuzzy dice hanging from the rearview mirror.

I think what most impressed me about this Willys is that it’s been turning heads for so long. According to the listing, it was featured in Street Rodder Magazine in 1983. I bet the original builders didn’t anticipate it would still be going strong and looking fresh over four decades later. Hopefully the car’s next owner will continue to preserve and enjoy it for generations to come. He or she better also remember to activate the parachute after dipping into the go-fast pedal.

The auction for this 1933 Willys 5-Window Custom Coupe ends Monday, September 15, 2025, at 11:30 a.m. (PDT).

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and a photo gallery

The world of trucks can be confusing to those who know nothing about them. What’s a quarter-ton? What model number corresponds to each classification? Does this hold true across brands? Our Pick of the Day is a primo, low-mileage workhorse that we’ll use to explain the complicated world of trucks. This 1989 Chevrolet K3500 one-ton dump truck is listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in Fenton, Missouri.

If I were to ask ChatGPT, “How are truck ton ratings classified?”, I would be told that this is an outdated measure of payload capacity that has nothing to do with the amount of weight a truck can carry. Considering you can always count on human beings to be irrational, this should come as no surprise.

In the past, classifications like ½-ton, ¾-ton, and one-ton were measurements of how much payload a truck could carry: 1,000 pounds 1,500 pounds, and 2,000 pounds, respectively. Today, it’s a little different. A ½-ton is your basic light-duty truck like a Ford F-150 or Chevrolet Silverado 1500, though you’ll notice the numbers don’t correspond to half a ton. Move up into a heavy-duty truck and you’ll be shopping for a Ford F-250 Super Duty or Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD. Need something more capable still? The F-350 Super Duty and Silverado 3500 HD will fit the bill.

Since the payload isn’t necessarily represented by the naming structure, this is what you have to do: Find the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR), which is the total weight the truck is capable of handling (including its own weight) and subtract the weight of the truck while empty. GVWR is dependent on many factors, so there is no blanket manner for attributing a particular rating. A decal in the driver-side door jamb is the easy way to determine GVWR. For example, a truck with a 12,400 GVWR rating may have a curb weight of 7,000 pounds, so that means its payload is 5,400 pounds.

Yes, it would be logical to infer that an F-150 or a Silverado 1500 is a ¾-ton truck, but that’s simply not the case today. Curses, you truck manufacturers! When and why did the industry change from one manner to the other? In 2008, for the purpose of standardizing measuring methods across manufacturers . . . yet it doesn’t seem simpler to me.

This 1989 Chevrolet K3500 one-ton dump truck doesn’t use the old manner because 3500 does not equal one ton. Confused? You’re not the only one, but let’s not get distracted—I want to tell you about this vehicle because you will want to be the next owner. The K means it has four-wheel drive (a “C” would indicate two-wheel drive through the rear wheels), so it has some extra capability. Check out the odometer and you’ll see this truck has only 11,877 miles on it, which means there’s plenty of life left in the ol’ rig. A 230-horsepower 454 with electronic fuel injection, backed by a four-speed manual, powers this behemoth. Options on this garage-kept dump truck include air conditioning, power steering with a tilt steering wheel, power brakes, AM/FM/cassette, gauge package, dual fuel tanks, overload springs, and a Heil dump bed. Additionally, Zeibart rustproofing was applied when new.

This is a truck that means business. If your hauling needs mean a bed that tilts is a requirement, then this is the best of both worlds: a new retro vehicle. If your needs are something else, then put your thinking cap on because you need to figure out how to take this $38,000 (OBO) Bow Tie home.

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

The longer you live, the more you see things repeat themselves. What was once old becomes new again. It’s the same in the automotive world. Companies bring back long-dead nameplates (sometimes in a different body style, aka the last-generation Dodge Charger) or pay homage to a decades-old icon with a current model (*cough* Bugatti Centodieci! *cough*). I recently learned from the video below that Chevrolet gave some of its trucks a full-float rear axle for the 1936 model year—a design which Jeep made standard on the Wrangler Rubicon starting in 2024.

As part of a long list of upgrades to its 1936 trucks, which included higher compression, better engine cooling, and improved fuel economy, Chevy equipped its one- and 1.5-ton models with a full-float rear end consisting of axle shafts within a robust outer assembly. As the video explains, “All these axle shafts have to do is turn the wheels. They do not bear the weight of the load as it is borne by this husky axle housing.” If an axle shaft did break, the driver could swap it out for a new one without having to take off the associated wheel.

The Wrangler Rubicon received a similar upgrade last year. Granted, the Dana 44 rear axle benefits from nearly 90 years of technological advancements, but the basic benefits are the same. The full-float setup “consists of a wheel hub assembly that is separate from the axle shaft, with a spindle bolted to the axle tube that supports the wheel hub via a pair of wheel bearings,” according to Stellantis. Not only can a full-float design potentially tow more weight, but in worst-case scenarios, it also allows broken axle shafts to be replaced without the entire rear axle assembly being pulled off—a great thing when you’re hours away from your local off-road shop (just remember to bring tools and a spare shaft or two).

Within the next few weeks, we’ll bring you our written and video reviews of the 2025 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392, which not only has a full-float rear axle but also a 470-horsepower 6.4-liter Hemi V8 as well. It’ll be the first in what should be a long line of Jeep reviews on The ClassicCars.com Journal. Perhaps in the near future we can show you what to expect from the 2025 Jeep Wagoneer Super, Jeep’s modern version of the Super Wagoneer from the 1960s.

During Monterey Car Week, Collector Car Network Media met with Shelby American’s Gary Patterson and Vince LaViolette in front of the all-new 2026 Shelby Super Snake-R, the most aggressive Super Snake ever built. With over 850 horsepower from a Whipple-supercharged 5.0-liter V8, lightweight magnesium wheels, a widebody design, an array of lightweight carbon fiber components, and a track-focused suspension, this limited-edition machine is part of the next generation of Shelby performance. In our interview, Patterson and LaViolette share their insight on the engineering, design, and vision behind this car, giving you an exclusive look at what makes the Super Snake-R so special.

This video is sponsored by our friends at Borro. For the trusted source in liquidity when you need it most, call Borro today at (720) 458-6788 or learn more at borro.com.

Subscribe to the CCN Media YouTube channel for more Monterey Car Week 2025 content.