Journal Classic Cars

Whenever we receive a vehicle to review for this site, we usually get a week to drive it and test it out. That didn’t happen with the 2025 Toyota Tundra SR5 TRD Rally. We had an unbelievably short amount of time with it, so I’ll keep my review short, too. These are my observations from my brief experience behind the wheel.

YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR

Toyota introduced the Baja racing-inspired TRD Rally package as an option on the 2025 Tundra SR5 CrewMax 4X4 with the 5.5-foot bed. It costs a whopping $8,660, which (along with a few other add-ons such as a TRD performance air filter and a bed mat) brought the as-tested price of my review vehicle up to $62,442, but it transforms the truck inside and out. Ticking the box for it adds a yellow, orange, and red decal to the grille, front doors, and tailgate. Toyota upgrades the rollers to a set of black 18-inch TRD wheels wrapped in all-terrain rubber. Inside, there are more yellow, orange, and red stripes on the heated and power-adjustable Heritage Black SofTex front seats as well as dual-zone automatic climate control, a TRD leather-wrapped steering wheel, a matching shifter, and a red TRD start button. Multi-Terrain Select, Crawl Control, Downhill Assist Control, an off-road suspension, and a rear locker magnify the four-wheel drive system’s capabilities.

SIMPLICITY IS KEY

When Toyota mixed the TRD Off-Road Package with its Texas-themed 1794 trim level on the 2025 Sequoia we tested, the result was odd and unattractive because those two elements were so bold and different that they didn’t mesh together well. However, the TRD Rally treatment looks great on – and in – the Tundra SR5 because Toyota starts with a low-key look, then applies subtle yet distinctive cosmetic changes.

HEARTY WITHOUT A HYBRID

You can only get the Tundra SR5 TRD Rally with the i-Force 3.4-liter twin-turbo V6. Although it lacked the outright grunt of the i-Force Max hybrid setup, with 389 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque channeled through a 10-speed automatic, the mid-range engine offering was plenty quick when I put my right foot down. Too bad I didn’t have more time to do that.

The good news is that my colleague Luke spent slightly more time in the 2025 Toyota Tundra SR5 TRD Rally than I did, so check out his video review below.

Click above and watch our full video review on YouTube!

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Several years from now, Chevrolet will be able to celebrate the Corvette’s 75th anniversary. The Vette – in production since 1953 – is without a doubt one of the most iconic symbols of automotive Americana. Featured on AutoHunter is a car that was part of anniversary celebrations a couple of decades ago: it’s a 2003 Chevrolet Corvette 50th Anniversary Edition Convertible listed by a dealer in Easton, Maryland. The auction will end on Monday, January 5, at 11:00 a.m. (MST).

All the 50th Anniversary Corvettes were finished in Anniversary Red paint over a Shale leather interior, but there were a lot of smaller details that set them apart from the rest. Standard features included a unique wheel finish, a head-up display, a premium sound system, unique embroidery, and an upgraded suspension (more on that shortly). Chevrolet put the car on prominent display throughout 2003, including using it as a festival/event car during the Indianapolis 500 in May of that year. (The “official” pace vehicle that year was the then-new SSR pickup).

The current odometer reading for this C5 shows just 58,405 miles. The AutoCheck report shows a clean history, too, with no brands, accidents, or recalls on record. The report also shows just two owners, with consistent registration renewals in New Jersey for the last 22 years. Based on what we can see in the photos, the car looks unmodified – something that should make the purists in the community happy. Power comes from an LS1 5.7-liter V8 mated to a six-speed manual transmission and a limited-slip differential. Chevrolet rated the car at 350 horsepower and 375 lb-ft of torque.

One of the C5 Corvette’s engineering innovations was the “F55” Magnetic Selective Ride Control suspension. Instead of being filled with standard oil, the dampers were filled with magnetorheological fluid – a synthetic oil with tiny iron balls suspended in it. They reacted to magnetic fields generated by an electric coil, which could change the viscosity. Car and Driver explained, “A dual-processor computer adjusts the current about 1,000 times per second based on wheel travel and speed, vehicle speed, steering-wheel angle, lateral acceleration, brake application, and temperature.” The end goal was maximizing contact of the tires with the pavement while keeping things stable.

The F55 suspension was just one feature that made Corvettes – especially the Anniversary Edition cars – showcases of technology over the years. This clean 50th Anniversary Corvette will come with promotional materials and an instructional CD. What do you think Chevrolet has in store for the upcoming 75th Anniversary Corvette?

The auction for this 2003 Chevrolet Corvette 50th Anniversary Edition Convertible ends Monday, January 5, at 11:00 a.m. (MST).

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and a photo gallery

Today’s Pick of the Day on ClassicCars.com is an interesting mix of the ideas behind my two favorite BMW cars: a 2017 BMW M2 Performance Edition offered by a dealer in Newport Beach, California.

I remember the first time I drove the first-generation M2. It was in 2020 during COVID at a very small press event hosted by BMW for a select group of journalists. They had brought out the M2 and the brand-new (at the time) M2 CS for tests on both the track and the street. Having already driven the M2, I at last got behind the wheel of the wheel of the M2 CS and took off around the track.

Up until this time my favorite more-modern BMW M car was the limited-production 1M. It was such a well-balanced car – my only complaint was the lack of a true BMW M engine. After a few laps in the M2 CS, I knew I had found my favorite BMW M model in the 2 Series. The CS version was a dedicated performance vehicle, a true sports car that you could live with day to day. I am not alone in thinking highly of the M2; many journalists have sung the car’s praises over the years. In many ways it is a modern take on the E36 and E46 M3 cars, offering all the lightness and compact size while delivering much higher performance and all the modern amenities you might want.

You might not have heard of the M2 Performance Edition, as it was limited to only 150 examples. In essence it is the same concept as the E36 M3 Lightweight: Take a standard car and strip as much weight out as possible, while at the same time adding performance options to make a great car even better. These options/deletions include manually adjustable sport seats without heat or lumbar, basic keyless entry, no comfort access, single-zone automatic climate control, HiFi audio system (in place of Harman Kardon audio), no smokers package, black mirror caps, M Performance coilover suspension specifically tuned for the M2, M Performance exhaust, titanium exhaust tips, black kidney and side grilles, M Performance illuminated door sills, and LED door projectors with customer “Performance Edition” image. Pretty much everything that added weight was removed, and other items were enhanced or improved to offer better performance. Sounds like the perfect M car to me.

This BMW looks to be in absolutely immaculate condition. When you consider it has covered 75,700 miles and still looks this good, you know it has been well cared for. Residing in California its whole life, the car was owned by a collector for the last six years and has been serviced exclusively by Crevier BMW since 2019.

Here is my advice. Take a look at the price trend for the E36 M3 Lightweight and then consider this M2 Performance Edition’s asking price of only $34,800. This looks like a tremendous opportunity to me. I feel that these first-generation M2 cars are about to have their day in the market, as they are everything a BMW M car is supposed to be and nothing they aren’t. It is a sort of throwback to the E36 and E46 era and something we are never likely to see again in this purity of form. I would love to have this car in my garage.

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

One of my favorite pieces of art in my home is a framed magazine advertisement for the 1950 Buick that discusses how a husband and wife daringly took their “Dynaflow” transmission-equipped Special four-door all the way up the Alcan highway from the Lower 48 to Fairbanks while towing a travel trailer. “People couldn’t believe their eyes,” it said.

Back in the 1950s – and even beyond – it was not uncommon for people to tow campers, boats, and other types of trailers behind their passenger cars. Heck, even the owner’s manual for my 1994 Acura has a chapter dedicated to towing instructions. Nowadays, though, you’d probably void your warranty on a modern car or crossover trying to tow much of anything around.

Airstream Backstory

Much like the chrome-laden vehicles of the 1950s, some of the camp trailers from the era were equally flashy. One of the popular brands on the market was Airstream. The company had been founded in about 1930 in California. One of its first trailers was a 1936 model for $1,200 that could house four occupants as well as provide electric lights and a water supply. Airstreams were manufactured with aerospace-grade aluminum and riveted construction – allowing them to remain relatively lightweight, yet strong. From a design perspective, they were known for having rounded “silver bullet” shapes and a low center of gravity.

Shady Dell History

As part of a year-end adventure, I decided to make the trek to the Shady Dell RV Park in Bisbee, Arizona. It was about a 215-mile, 3.5-hour trek one-way from the Phoenix area to Bisbee.

Shady Dell’s history dates back to 1927 – nearly 100 years ago – when it was established as a stop along the highway for people to park their cars and trailers. The RV park lies along historic Highway 80 and is home to 18 restored travel trailers, a yacht, and even a tiki-themed bus – all styled in period-correct décor. It’s a step back in time and a place rich in nostalgia.

My Stay in a 1955 Airstream

The check-in process was slick – the key was simply left inside my unit. I made my way around the property and settled in. Along the way, I noticed a few classic cars around the property, including a 1958 Checker taxi in the front parking lot, a 1954 Chevrolet 210, and a 1955 Cadillac Eldorado. Each one looked like it had a lot of stories to tell.

As for my camp trailer, which was unit number 9: Airstream had skills it came to maximizing available space. Every nook and cranny was accounted for – two small beds, a couch, a kitchenette, and a bathroom. My favorite feature inside the wood-paneled interior was a small record player and a library of music selections. I played some period-correct music to get into the mood. The Airstream had everything except a shower, but communal showers were located just steps away, and I wasn’t too worried about taking a shower on a quick overnight trip.

One thing that did catch me by surprise was that the power outlets inside the trailer were two-prong instead of three, so I couldn’t charge my laptop computer. But that ended up being a blessing – what better reason to emotionally unplug and enjoy a night away! As dusk settled in, I viewed the colorful skies from the chairs outside my front door before calling it a night.

For on-site food options with a nostalgic feel, Shady Dell has a vintage 1957 Valentine diner on-site called Dot’s, which is open from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. every Thursday to Monday. I elected to walk over to the Bisbee Breakfast Club in Lowell for breakfast, instead – more to come on that in a future story. I highly recommend checking out the Shady Dell!

Right now on AutoHunter, you can find this customized 1962 Chevrolet C10, which is powered by a 350ci V8 paired with a four-speed manual transmission. Finished in Pearl Gray over a beige leather interior, this two-wheel-drive classic American pickup is now offered by the selling dealer in Oregon with a clear title.

The exterior has a nice, clean look, thanks to its Pearl Gray paint job. Features include a silver front bumper, driver-side mirror, exposed fuel cap, sliding rear window, wood bed slats, tailgate chains, and body-color roll pan. The exhaust exits through two pairs of bright rectangular outlets.

The neutral color scheme carries down to this truck’s set of black 15-inch wheels, which are wrapped in 235/75 Lionhart radials. Those rollers, combined with the lowered suspension, make this truck look sporty and ready to rip down the road. Manual drum brakes help keep it in between the lines.

Inside, Chevy’s “Comfort-King” cab has been outfitted with beige leather bucket seats, beige and gray door panels, aftermarket wood-rimmed steering wheel, and sport pedals. Other features include a floor-mounted manual shifter and Bluetooth-compatible AM/FM Alpine stereo.

The Dolphin instrumentation consists of a 140-mph speedometer and water temperature, voltage, oil pressure, and fuel level gauges. An aftermarket 8,000-rpm tachometer is mounted under the dash. The odometer shows zero miles, but this truck is mileage-exempt according to its title.

Chevy didn’t offer a 350ci V8 for the C10 in 1962, but this truck has one. Even better, its 350 is connected to an aftermarket intake manifold, four-barrel carburetor, and headers. A four-speed manual gearbox sends the engine’s output to the rear end.

Slick looks and a bigger engine with a stick is a great combo. If that’s what you want in your next classic vehicle, bid on this 1962 Chevrolet C10 custom pickup right now. The auction for it ends on Monday, January 5, 2026, at 11:45 a.m. (MST).

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and a photo gallery

There are three basic types of hybrids. The first is the European exotics of the 1960s and 1970s powered by American V8s, such as the Monteverde High Speed and Iso Grifo. The second type of hybrid is something we see a lot of these days: vehicles equipped with an electric motor, a battery, and an internal-combustion engine. The third variety of hybrid combines the fun of off-roading with the pleasure of open-air driving, such as our Pick of the Day. You can find this 1976 Chevrolet K5 Blazer Cheyenne 4X4 listed on ClassicCars.com by a dealer in Milford, Michigan.

If you’re familiar with the old-school Blazers, you probably know that 1975 was the last year for the one-piece removable hardtop. The 1976 model year brought a steel half top over the front seats and a removable rear cap that covered the rear seats and cargo area.

However, this Blazer isn’t your ordinary ’76. It was restored in 2021, a process which brought fresh white paint, an NOS grille, and a new saddle tan interior with Vintage Air A/C and Dakota Digital gauges.

Without a doubt, the most notable part of this ’76 Blazer is what isn’t there: the half top and the removable rear cap. Someone converted it to go fully topless and equipped it with a slant-back canvas roof that can be fully closed, partially open once the plastic side and rear windows are rolled up, or removed.

The changes didn’t stop there. As part of the overhaul, a new 350ci V8 crate engine was installed and paired with a rebuilt 700R4 four-speed automatic and a rebuilt New Process dual-range transfer case that delivers the engine’s grunt to the locking front hubs and a set of 15-inch polished aluminum wheels wrapped in General Grabber tires.

It may be cold right now, but spring will be here before you know it. That’s a great time to get outdoors, which you’ll be able to see, hear, and feel all around you in this 1976 Chevrolet K5 Blazer Cheyenne 4X4. You can do that for $59,476.

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

Among the Big Three, Ford was the only one with a completely new mid-size series. From the Fairlane 500 to the new Torino Brougham, Ford offered something distinctive among the restyled rehashes from Chrysler and General Motors. Ford also had an answer to them under the hood thanks to an all-new 385-series 429 Cobra Jet V8. This 1970 Ford Torino GT convertible available for bidding at the Barrett-Jackson 2026 Scottsdale Auction January 17-25, 2026 is a showcase for both the new car and engine.

As the replacement for the FE-series 428 Cobra Jet, the 429 was available in three versions: The 429-4V was rated at 360 horsepower and had been available in large Ford vehicles since 1968, often marketed as the Thunder Jet; next was the 429 Cobra (429 Cobra Jet without ram air, coded “C” in the VIN), which was rated at 370 horsepower; almost identical was the 429 Cobra Jet with Ram Air (“J-code”). Add the Drag Pack to either of the latter two and you’d have the 375-horsepower 429 Super Cobra Jet.

This engine was most popular in the budget-friendly Torino Cobra but, if you wanted to be stylin’, you chose the Torino GT. Available as a SportsRoof fastback or convertible (the hardtop was discontinued), the larger (117-inch wheelbase) unibody mid-sizer had a wider stance, long hood/short deck proportions, and low roofline. Base GT power came from a 302, with two 351s and the three 429s as options.

Only 3,939 folks took Ford up on this opportunity to order the 1970 Torino GT convertible. When it comes to both versions of the Cobra Jet, no one could have predicted how rare it would be: 94 built, of which 64 had the CJ with Ram Air. This 1970 Torino GT convertible is one of 37 J-codes with the C6 SelectShift automatic. Outside, you’ll find perks like original Wimbledon White paint, hidden headlights and “Laser” stripes; peek inside that red interior and you’ll note options like bucket seats, console, power windows, air conditioning, AM/FM radio, and more. This is a special opportunity to own one of the most spectacular Fords of the muscle car era, and you can only get it at the Barrett-Jackson 2026 Scottsdale Auction from January 17-25, 2026. Click here to register as a bidder; if you wish to see your car cross the block, go here.

We saw Andy Warhol’s BMW M1 Art Car at the 2025 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, where BMW brought it out as part of the Art Car anniversary display. This is BMW Art Car No. 4 from 1979, which was based on a BMW M1 Group 4 race car. Aiming to visually capture speed with bold, blurred brushwork, Warhol painted the car himself by applying more than 13 pounds of paint in approximately 28 minutes. It went on to compete in the 1979 24 Hours of Le Mans with Hervé Poulain, Manfred Winkelhock, and Marcel Mignot driving. This high-horsepower painting finished 6th overall and 2nd in class, giving it real motorsport credibility to go with its art world legacy!

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.

One of the most interesting things about writing about cars is how much you learn. When I made my choice to write about a Plymouth Duster for today’s AutoHunter Spotlight – a second-year 1971 Plymouth Duster offered by a dealer in Missouri – all I really knew about the model was that it was Chrysler’s more compact-size muscle car, built to compete with the Chevy Nova. As I did my research, I learned that the Duster, from the cowl forward, was basically a Plymouth Valiant. From the cowl back, the Duster featured a steeper-angled windshield and also received more of a fastback styling look, penned by Neil Walling.

The project gets more interesting with the fact that Chrysler-Plymouth A-body product planner Gene Weiss came up with the Duster in only six weeks, with little management support and a minuscule tooling budget of less than $15 million. Nevertheless, that all added up to a sales success. The Duster also was more than $600 cheaper – and, in its 340ci engine form, faster – than the heavier ‘Cuda.

The seller describes this Duster as being powered by a Mopar Performance 360ci V8 mated to a three-speed 904 automatic transmission with 2700 stall converter. Finished in Curious Yellow over a Chestnut vinyl interior, this classic is offered by the selling dealer with a build sheet and clear title.

Overall, this Duster looks to be an excellent example, having been judged at the Monster Mopar Weekend in 2009, 2010, and 2011. Now finished in the great-looking color of Curious Yellow with black stripes and “340” decals, the car’s original (and quite boring) color was Tunisian Tan (code GT2). It also features a Ramcharger hood. The car rides on 15-inch chrome Cragar wheels clad with 225/60 BFGoodrich radial front and 275/30 Nitto Extreme Drag rear tires.

The interior, finished in Chestnut vinyl upholstery (code T7), features a bench seat, a factory radio delete plate, and a column-mounted automatic shifter. Instrumentation includes factory 120-mph speedometer, as well as temperature, fuel, and alternator gauges. In addition, it features Bosch auxiliary gauges for oil pressure and temperature.

Under the hood is a Mopar Performance 360ci Magnum V8 crate engine fed by a Holley 750-cfm four-barrel carburetor mounted to an Edelbrock aluminum intake manifold. The engine also features high-performance headers, an aluminum radiator, and an MSD 6AL ignition control module. Power is sent to the rear wheels via a three-speed 904 automatic transmission with a 2700 stall converter. The rear end is an 8 3/4-inch Sure-Grip with 3.55 gears. The engine is said to have 400 horsepower, which gives it plenty of punch to impress from the driver’s seat – and much preferable to the 145-horsepower 225ci six-cylinder engine it came with originally. This really looks like an excellent build.

If you are looking for a Mopar muscle car, this Duster looks like it ticks all the boxes. It should leave any stock 340 ‘Cuda in the dust (pun intended) and would make for a great car to take to shows or even the drag strip if you are so inclined.

If this custom 1971 Plymouth Duster is as interesting to you as it is to me, then I would get over to AutoHunter and made a few bids, as the auction for this yellow Duster ends Monday, January 5, 2026, at 11:30 a.m. (MST). Be sure to wave as you leave behind the ‘Cudas and Novas.

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and a photo gallery

It’s easy to think of the Firebird as being Pontiac’s version of the Camaro, but John DeLorean engineered it to be more distinct. The later introduction of the Firebird gave Pontiac engineers time to give the suspension a different calibration including a rear trailing link or two depending on the team member—yes, the Firebird was not just a model, but was a team of five magnificent models with different purposes. Perhaps the most obscure of those is our Pick of the Day, a 1968 Pontiac Firebird HO coupe. It is listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a dealership in Webster, South Dakota.

When the “Magnificent Five” debuted early in 1967, Pontiac had created a team of pony cars with different purposes:

1. Firebird 6
2. Firebird Sprint
3. Firebird 326
4. Firebird HO
5. Firebird 400

The first came with an OHC-6 and a single-barrel carburetor, but a performance version called the Sprint came with a four-barrel and was capable of outperforming small V8s like the Firebird 326, which had a two-barrel V8. The Firebird 400 was the high-performance version, akin to a GTO pony car. Where did that leave the Firebird HO? Pontiac called it its “light heavyweight” thanks to a high-output 326 four-barrel with 285 horsepower. Aside of a standard three-speed on the column (with floor-mounted three-speed, four-speed, and automatic as options), it received a side stripe with “H.O.” on the front fender.

For 1968, the Magnificent Five continued, but Pontiac increased the base V8 to 350ci. For the Firebird HO, that meant a nice bump to 320 horsepower. Styling was marginally tweaked (the parking lights, side markers, and lack of vent windows were the biggest tell-tale), while equipment was similar otherwise. The HO continued into 1969, including a five-horsepower bump though the Firebird’s restyle also resulted in the elimination of the H.O. stripe. Throughout all this, the Firebird HO was always the rarest model of the five.

This Solar Red 1968 Pontiac Firebird HO coupe has the 320-horsepower 350 backed by a two-speed automatic. Little is given by the description, but I spy a white vinyl top, Rally II wheels, console, and AM/FM radio. There is no gauge package, but you can keep track of revs with the hood tach.

The Firebird HO is a sleeper Pontiac in the collector world. One magazine back in the day had a tuned Tempest with the same engine and it was beating Plymouth Road Runners. For $39,875, would you be interested in how you can do the same?

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