Journal Classic Cars

Sticking with the Italian theme I will begin next week, I did some scrounging around on ClassicCars.com and found this little gem to use as my Pick of the Day, a Fiat Dino Coupe located at a dealer in Newport Beach, California.

The Fiat Dino is interesting and often misunderstood in the world of collector cars. They are also often messed with and frequently wear Ferrari badges on every possible surface. Whenever I see this, I cringe, as the Fiat Dino is a great GT car of its own accord.

Fiat Dino road cars came to be when Ferrari needed to homologate a V6 engine for their Formula 2 racing cars. In 1965 the FIA created new rules for the 1967 season that stated F2 engines would be required to have no more than six cylinders and had to be derived from a production engine used in a road car homologated in the GT class. In addition, the manufacturer had to produce at least 500 examples of said road cars powered by this engine within 12 months. Being a small manufacturer, Ferrari did not possess the production capacity to build this many engines or road cars. To solve this problem, Ferrari made an agreement with Fiat to produce the 500 engines needed for the homologation that they would then install in a yet-to-be-designed GT car.

These Dino V6 engines were based on the racing engine designed by Vittorio Jano and then modified for road use by Aurelio Lampredi, who not only designed several four-cylinder Ferrari racing engines but is also responsible for the Fiat 124 Spider engine. According to Lampredi, “Things didn’t work out exactly as Ferrari had foreseen.” Enzo Ferrari had counted on building the engines at Maranello, but Fiat insisted on taking control of production to avoid any engine supply slowdowns. The result is that the Fiat-built Dino V6 ended was installed in two very different vehicles: the Fiat Dino, a front-engine Grand Tourer assembled in Turin by Fiat, and Ferrari’s first production mid-engine sports car, built in Maranello – the Dino.

While the Fiat Dino Spider was designed by Pininfarina, the coupe was designed by Bertone. Not only that, but the Fiat coupe designers were none other than the legendary Giorgetto Giugiaro and Marcello Gandini.

The seller describes this 1967 Fiat Dino coupe as a solid, “no stories” Fiat of the 1960s. The car is said to have received a $30,000 service last year by a local specialist shop, during which they rebuilt the Weber carbs, did a full tune (including valve adjustment), installed new mufflers, a new interior and window motors. 

The seller goes on to say that a local Fiat specialist shop just inspected the vehicle and was surprised that parts usually missing or corroded are all intact, solid and tidy. 

In addition, this car has all the correct trim and badging a Fiat Dino is supposed to have (there’s not a single Ferrari badge in sight).

I have personally owned a Fiat Dino coupe and can honestly say it’s a great car for driving on vintage tours and is certainly something you don’t see every day. The model is powered by a true Ferrari engine and the exhaust note is one of the best I have ever heard on a road car. Being a V6 that sports cam chains rather than belts, it is also the least expensive Ferrari engine to deal with and service.

If you are looking for a true, storied, great-driving Italian GT car with impressive design and development history, but are also on a budget, then this Fiat Dino coupe, with an asking price of $59,800, is just the ticket.

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

In North America, we tend to look at V8s as a traditional configuration, but that’s not true with the rest of the world. In Italy, four-cylinders have been the standard, with sixes reserved for the more upscale mainstream cars. Our Pick of the Day is one of those vehicles, but it has the additional twist of coachbuilt design. This 1968 Alfa Romeo 2600 Sprint Zagato is listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a dealership in the Netherlands.

When we think of Alfa Romeos from the 1960s, the one that pops up in people’s minds is the one Dustin Hoffman made famous in The Graduate. That car was sold as the Spider (a.k.a. Duetto), though it was based on the popular Giulia sedan and the Giulia Sprint GT (and variants). Twin-cam inline-fours hooked up to four- and five-speed manuals backed this series.

The 2600, on the other hand, was a fancier Italian, a flagship of sorts that was produced from 1962-68. It was available in several different configurations that, like the Giulia and many other mainstream Italian cars, may not have appeared related to each other. All mainstream 2600s were facelifted versions of their predecessor (the 2000), but the 2600 featured an engine upgrade that included two extra cylinders. In European terms, it would be considered an Executive car though, to American sensibilities it would be a tidy mid-sizer or even smaller.

Powering the 2600 was a 2,584cc DOHC straight-six with a pair of Solex carburetors and 8.5:1 compression. With 130 horsepower, this engine powered the Berlina (sedan). You would not be wrong in thinking this would have been the bread-and-butter model, but production was only 2,038 cars out of 11,451. There was also a contemporary de Luxe version by OSI but only 54 were built.

The 2600 Spider looked like a larger version of the Giulietta Spider though with a more imposing front end featuring driving lights almost equal in size to the headlights. It featured an upgraded engine featuring three Solex carburetors and 9.0:1 compression for 15 more horses. This engine was also used in the 2600 Sprint coupe, which was designed by Bertone. Interestingly, this was the biggest seller at 6,999 units.

A special version of this car designed by Zagato was unveiled at the 1965 Frankfurt Motor Show. Bucking the usual Zagato habit of using steel instead of aluminum, this special 2600 Sprint featured styling in the usual Zagato idiom including show-car looks and a more aerodynamic silhouette. Only 105 were built through 1968.

This 1968 Alfa Romeo 2600 Sprint Zagato was originally built for a customer in Switzerland, though it has been with its current owner since 2007. The numbers-matching engine has recently been rebuilt, and the four-disc braking system has been “renewed” to ensure better stopping power. “This is no ordinary vehicle; it is a dynamic work of art that refuses to hide behind the silent walls of a museum and instead dazzles on the catwalk of the streets as an extremely rare and coveted phenomenon,” says the seller.

Cutting-edge engineering and design are something that the Italians have done well, though it often features a prancing horse or a trident. Here we have something different, something that will get people asking you questions while others will simply nod with envy. For $225,000 OBO (a hair over a quarter of a million dollars), you can own one of the most darling of Alfas with style that could only come from Zagato.

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

The below vehicles that are currently listed for sale on AutoHunter or ClassicCars.com share something: a model year. Can you identify which?

While you’re at it, can you tell us the brand of each? Post your answers in the Comments section below.

Click on a photo to reveal each car

Every Tuesday, The ClassicCars.com Journal features an automotive puzzle for your enjoyment. You can also access past car games here!

When Ford introduced its 1963 full-size models, hardtops featured a Thunderbird-inspired roofline. If you wanted the ultimate in performance, your only choice was the carry-over 406, available in 385- and 405-horse flavors (four-barrel and tri-carb, respectively). However, mid-year 1963, Ford introduced the Sports Hardtop body style, which featured a sleeker look—perfect for NASCAR. At the time, Ford also introduced an upgrade to the 406, now measuring 427ci. With 410 or 425 horsepower (four-barrel or dual-quads), the 427 was the engine that truly created a Ford legend through six model years and plenty of racing wins—most notably Le Mans. Our AutoHunter Spotlight is on this 1963½ Ford Galaxie 500/XL Sports Hardtop that features the “R-code” 427 with four-speed manual, nine-inch rear with limited-slip, aftermarket mags, and more. Finished in red over white vinyl interior, this early muscle car comes from the selling dealer with a clear title.

This car was originally painted in Rose Beige but, along the way, it was repainted red. Exterior features include a driver-side chrome mirror and a set of 15-inch mag wheels with spinners wrapped in staggered-width Michelin radials—225/70 (front) and 255/65 (rear).

The original White and Rose Beige interior has been replaced with White with Black components. Being an XL, bucket seats and console were the name of the game. A Hurst shifter, AM/FM radio (currently inoperable), and clock are several interior features.

The instrument panel includes a 120-mph speedometer and gauges for the temperature and fuel. A column-mounted 8,000-rpm tachometer (currently inoperable) sits right in the line of sight. The odometer shows 30,967 miles, though the mileage is not indicated on the title.

The engine is an authentic dual-quad 427 as evidenced by the code “R” in the VIN. It is backed by a Borg-Warner T-10 four-speed manual transmission.

The undercarriage features a tough nine-inch rear with 3.00 gears plus limited slip, though the originals were 4.11s. Drum brakes are at all four corners. And, of course, for an engine of this caliber, there is a dual exhaust system.

Early Ford muscle cars have a distinction that few can match: as much horsepower as any American brand, and good looks that rival any mainstream vehicle of the period. Add the stylish interior that was part of the XL trim level and this R-code 1963½ Galaxie 500/XL Sports Hardtop stands tall among 1960s American cars. Plus, if you look up what it would look like with the original hue and interior, you’ll realize what a pretty car this is. Curious? Keep tabs on this car by plugging the end date on your smart phone because you don’t want to miss the auction deadline of Friday, June 13, 2025, at 12:45 p.m. (PDT).

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and a photo gallery

It’s been more than 20 years since Cadillac unveiled the CTS-V, the first model in its high-performance V sub-brand, showing the world that it could produce vehicles beyond cushy sedans for octogenarians to drive slowly to the grocery store. Since then, Cadillac has made V versions of coupes, four-doors, wagons, and even the Escalade. It’s done the same with its electric vehicles, the newest of which is the 2026 Optiq-V.

To differentiate the Optiq-V from its tamer Optiq sibling, Cadillac gave it a different front fascia with V-pattern mesh in the lower grill, a glossy black front splitter, body-color lower trim, and a glossy black rear diffuser. The standard 21-inch wheels have a satin graphite finish and come wrapped in all-season or optional summer performance tires; polished and painted 21s with a dark finish are also available. For a more aggressive look, there’s a carbon fiber package that includes a front splitter, rear diffuser, and rear mid-spoiler made out of the lightweight material.

Two limited-edition exterior colors join the palette of paint choices: Magnus Metal Frost and Deep Ocean Tintcoat. There’s more blue on the rear quarter windows, which feature blue accents inspired by the V-Series badge. If that’s not enough, royal blue brake calipers are an option. No matter which color the Optiq-V wears, it comes with Brembo front calipers and a black roof with a panoramic fixed glass panel. Most importantly, all Optiq-Vs are equipped with an NACS (North American Charging Standard) charging port—a first for a General Motors vehicle.

There are two available interior color schemes: Noir and Noir/Sky Cool Gray, both of which have blue accents. Technically, they’re Santorini Blue, which Cadillac says, “evokes the energy, action, and excitement associated with innovation and high performance.” You can even step things up to Santorini Blue seatback panels and matching seatbelts. If for some reason you don’t feel like driving, you can let the standard Super Cruise system do it for you and watch it take you closer to your destination on the 33-inch LED infotainment display while you enjoy the sound of the 19-speaker AKG Studio Audio System.

Like the regular Optiq, the V-Series model is equipped with an 85-kilowatt-hour battery pack connected to dual-motor all-wheel drive. Range is down from 302 to 275 miles, but output is way up from 300 horsepower and 354 lb-ft of torque to 519 and 650, respectively. The Optiq-V’s Velocity Max mode unleashes the full potential of all that power. Launch Control focuses it on straight-forward acceleration, enabling the Optiq-V to reach 60 mph in only 3.5 seconds—0.4 seconds ahead of the CT4-V Blackwing with the six-speed stick (and only a tenth behind the 682-horsepower CT5-V Blackwing with the same gearbox).

The 2026 Cadillac Optiq-V will go into production this fall and carry a starting price of $68,795. When will it be drag-raced against a gas V-Series vehicle? Probably shortly after it hits the streets.

The year 1942 was interesting in terms of automotive manufacturing. You see, there was this conflict going on called World War II, and very quickly production at every automotive plant in the world was converted to wartime production of tanks, jeeps, and aircraft. Cars were not built in the U.S. from 1942 through 1946, and production of 1942 model-year vehicles was very low. In 1941 – the year America entered the war – about 3 million cars were manufactured, but in 1942, that number shrank to about 100,000. That year, Lincoln produced a total of only 336 Continentals, while in 1941, they built 850.

Today’s AutoHunter Spotlight vehicle is one of those cars, a 1942 Lincoln Continental Club Coupe.

The seller states this 1942 Lincoln Continental is powered by the reportedly original 4.8-liter V12 mated to a three-speed manual transmission. It is finished in stunning deep green paint over a beige cloth and light brown vinyl interior, and comes with a 1942 Lincoln reference book, Arizona Classic Roadrunner magazine, and clear title.

This specific 1942 Lincoln Club Coupe is said to have received a complete restoration and is considered to be what the Classic Car Club of America (CCCA) calls a “Full Classic,” putting it at the top of the heap of American collector cars. I know many people like the convertible version of the Lincoln Continental, but I honestly prefer the stately grandeur of the Club Coupe much more.

The exterior of this Lincoln appears to be in excellent condition. The paintwork looks amazing and is show-ready. The only flaw I can see is that the radio antenna looks like it could use some chromework and the tires appear a bit old and may need replacing (easily rectified with a call to Coker Tire). That’s really it – otherwise, this seems to be a truly show-worthy example.

From what I can see in the photos provided, the interior looks to be even better, with no wear and perfect trim. The gold plating on the instruments and dash trim appears to have been done flawlessly. The stunning dash makes these already special cars look even more exclusive.

Under the hood is the Lincoln flathead V12 engine in all its glory. Everything looks correct and is quite tidy, only needing some cleaning around the firewall to be ready to show.

These classic Lincoln Continentals were some of the finest cars in the world when new and could hold their own against just about any rival. The fact that this is a 1942 model only adds to its rareness and collectibility. This model continues to impress beyond expectations in the world of classic show cars. It’s also nice to drive, offering everything you would expect from a prewar luxury automobile.

If you have been looking for a true top-tier collector car that qualifies for just about any concours and absolutely any standard car show in the world, this could be just the ticket. Act fast and place your bid on AutoHunter right away because the auction for this 1942 Lincoln Continental Club Coupe ends on Friday, June 13, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. (PDT).

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and a photo gallery

Modern living is great! You live in your smart home where the lights turn on when the alarm on your smart phone goes off, then you ask your Alexa Echo to tell you about the latest and greatest news/online spats while you take a shower. Next, you get dressed and put on your Ray-Ban Meta glasses and your smart watch before heading downstairs, where you pound some juice, skip breakfast (not so smart, according to your doctor), then leave and have your smart lock secure your property while your smart thermostat adjusts the air conditioning. You hop in your car (which, ironically, is not a Smart car) and drive off, using an autopilot-type system that allows you to check emails during your daily commute.

Does this sound like you? If so, the smart thing to do will be to buy the new Volvo EX60 crossover SUV when it debuts in 2026 because it will be equipped with the world’s first smart seat belt.

Volvo pioneered the three-point seat belt in 1959. Automotive safety has been part of Volvo’s branding for decades, but it’s been awhile since Volvo has flaunted this relevant differentiating benefit. With the EX60, Volvo will reclaim its rightful position as producing the world’s safest cars with the introduction of this multi-adaptive safety belt.

According to Volvo, modern safety belts use load limiters to control how much force the safety belt applies to your body during a crash. This new safety belt design expands the load-limiting profiles (from three to eleven) and, hence, increases the possible number of settings to offer optimal performance for each situation and individual. It adapts to specific bodies and positions in respect to real-time data from the vehicle’s exterior, interior, and crash sensors for customized protection for each belted passenger. Considering the unique characteristics of a crash (such as direction, speed, and passenger posture), the system in turn shares the data with the safety belt and selects the most appropriate setting for peak protection.

Think of it this way: When you’re at your peak weight in January, you will receive a higher belt load setting in an accident than in the spring after you’ve spent several months at the gym. Profiles such as your height, weight, body shape, and seating position are calculated and adapted to upon impact. As a result, head and rib injuries (among others) will be minimized. With over-the-air software updates, protection marginally improves with time.

“The world first multi-adaptive safety belt is another milestone for automotive safety and a great example of how we leverage real-time data with the ambition to help save millions of more lives,” said Åsa Haglund, head of the Volvo Cars Safety Centre. “This marks a major upgrade to the modern three-point safety belt, a Volvo invention introduced in 1959, estimated to have saved over a million lives.”

According to Car, the EX60 will run on the group’s modular SPA3 platform and sit in the middle of the brand’s range. For greater efficiency and faster charging, 800-volt technology will be used. Single- and dual-motor powertrain systems are estimated to offer from 329 to 670 horsepower.

For more than two decades, the Dodge Viper stunned people with its bold looks and unusual V10 power. That era of American performance started with the 1992 Dodge Viper RT/10 roadster, a curvaceous beast with a 400-horsepower 8.0-liter V10 under its massive hood, a six-speed manual gearbox, and side pipes. There was nothing to get in the way of going fast – no traction control, ABS, or even side windows. We got a chance to grab some up-close footage of this first-year Dodge Viper at the Barrett-Jackson 2025 Palm Beach Auction before it was sold to its new owner at no reserve.

For more interesting finds, be sure to follow our YouTube channel here.

You should never buy a car based on what other people are going to think of you when they see it because it’s your car and you’re the one paying for it. But it helps to be aware of just how much attention – good or bad – a certain vehicle will get because you may prefer to be left alone while you’re out driving. A new Mercedes with a light-up three-pointed star in the grille and colorful interior ambient lighting? Lots of people will be looking at you. Our Pick of the Day, a 1992 Mercedes-Benz 500SL posted on ClassicCars.com by a dealership in Englewood, Colorado? It’s still an SL with great lines, V8 power, and leather seats, but it should allow you to fly under the radar.

Designed by Bruno Sacco and first presented at the 1989 Geneva Motor Show, the R129 generation of the SL simultaneously has presence (thanks to its ingot-like lines) and the ability to be self-effacing (thanks it being out of the new car spotlight for decades). These days, it has an “old money” look to it. It’s hard to look at it and not think it was the go-to for hit record producers and successful L.A. attorneys in the 1990s.

What makes this high-class cruiser even more low-key is its gray and taupe two-tone paint, although its headlight wipers might turn some heads. As the photos show, this 500SL currently has a body-color hardtop in place, but that can be removed so the power-operated soft top can be used on those occasions when you do want to be seen. If you change your mind, just mash the gas and let the 322-horsepower 5.0-liter V8 and four-speed automatic turn you into a blur.

The interior has a color scheme that’s as tasteful and restrained as the exterior finish: gray leather and wood veneer accents on the door panels and center stack/console. Both seats have power controls as well as three-person memory settings; additional amenities include power everything, automatic climate control, and a Clarion AM/FM/CD stereo.

One thing this luxury drop-top doesn’t have? A lot of miles. The odometer indicates it’s only been driven 56,967 miles over the past 30+ years. If you buy this 1992 Mercedes-Benz 500SL for $13,899, you should be able to add to that number without being bothered – and in total comfort.

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

The day was Friday, August 19, 1955. Colleen Curtis, 20, received the keys to a brand-new black Chevrolet two-door. It was grand-opening day for Ben Redd Chevrolet at 335 North Main Street in Logan, Utah. Colleen was having an eventful era in her life; her wedding had taken place just a few months earlier and, the previous year, she had taken a job at Mountain Bell as a telephone operator. Her new car retailed at around $1,900. A photo of Colleen’s happy day was featured in The Herald Journal newspaper three days following her car purchase.

This August will mark the 70th anniversary of Colleen’s key handoff. She and I have a little bit of a connection: A few years ago, I told the story of my first car, a 1986 Chevrolet Celebrity. My mom and dad bought that car new on April 19, 1986, from Axtell Chevrolet in Logan, Utah, which was what became of Ben Redd Chevrolet. I recently decided to dig a little deeper into some history of dealerships in Logan, and I ended up on a journey of great discovery.

This falls in line with my prior “classic building” stories that some of you liked about my great-grandfather’s 1923 service station and my visit to Bob’s Sinclair in rural Kanosh, Utah.

Origins of 335 North Main Street

A January 24, 1947, story from The Herald Journal announced the opening of the Humphrey and Evans Motor Company. “The new building is modern and complete,” the story said, “Representing investment of about $50,000. Constructed of tile and cinder block, it has a spacious showroom with a floor finished in marble, a parts room, office upstairs finished in knotty pine, and a shop in the rear. The showroom is recognized as one of the most beautiful in the state.” For its first several years, the Humphrey-Evans Motor Company sold Hudson vehicles.

Ben Redd Chevrolet Takes Over

The 1950s were a time of postwar optimism – an era of prosperity, an economic boom and thriving car culture. Car ownership became a rite of passage and a status symbol for people like Colleen Curtis. Redd Chevrolet took over the Humphrey-Evans dealership location in mid-1955 and rode the wave, selling many iconic vehicles like Bel Airs, Task Force trucks and Corvettes.

Just about five years after Colleen bought her car, in January 1960, the dealership changed ownership to a Mr. Ellis Axtell. A month later, operations at 335 North Main were closed, and Axtell Chevrolet relocated to 1475 North Main (the former location of an equipment building). The move was logical for a lot of reasons: Most notably, the original location had become a hub of traffic and industry with limited parking. The new location – at the time, on the outskirts on the north end of town – offered lots of space. “Inspect the new enlarged facilities and view the large selection of new 1960 Chevrolet cars and trucks. Remember, parking is no problem at Axtell Chevrolet,” an advertisement from February 10, 1960, said.

Evolution and Decline

Now that Chevrolet had moved its operations, the original 335 North Main location became home to a number of different businesses in the decades that followed. I remember my uncle saying he worked a speed shop there in the 1970s. It went by a few names, including Custom Muffler & Speed. The facility fell into some disrepair and became surrounded on all sides by more modern infrastructure as development ensued. Main Street, too, became too busy to allow for easy entry or exit to the property, so its days were numbered.

Google Street View chronology shows that the once-glamorous 1947-era showroom was bulldozed sometime between November 2021 and September 2022. As of the most recent image taken in August 2024, it was an empty lot – a quiet reminder of the many exciting automotive stories over the years.

Tribute to Colleen

As for Ms. Curtis, since the photo of her in The Herald Journal was what prompted this story: Colleen lived her entire life in Logan, Utah, and eventually pursued a career in real estate.

When she passed away on December 28, 2000, she left behind three children, 14 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. What a great legacy! And, as it turns out, great taste in cars.