When you think of the 1977 Pontiac Trans Am, chances are that “Smokey and the Bandit” comes to mind—and for good reason! Behind the Hollywood fame is a muscle car with real substance: killer styling, a functional shaker hood, and a big V8 under the scoop. Nineteen seventy-seven was a record-setting year for the Trans Am, thanks in part to its starring role in “Smokey and the Bandit,” which helped lead to more than 68,000 units being produced. The updated design featured a new slanted front end with quad halogen headlights. This one is a Y82 Special Edition, finished in Starlight Black with gold accents, including the famous “Screaming Chicken” hood decal. Today we’re taking a closer look at one of the most memorable American cars of the ‘70s, which sold at the Barrett-Jackson 2025 Scottsdale Auction for $106,700!
Today’s AutoHunter Spotlight is this restored 1953 Packard Caribbean convertible. Introduced in 1953, the Caribbean was a semi-custom halo car to help bring attention to the Packard brand, whose reputation had been slipping due to stale styling and lack of V8. Most noticeable were the fully radiused wheel openings and lack of side trim. Power comes from a 327ci “Thunderbolt” straight-eight backed by a two-speed Ultramatic Drive. Features include continental kit, 15-inch wire wheels, power windows, steering, brakes, and top, driver-side mirror, and more. Painted Sahara Sand with a tan top over blue and white interior, this classic chariot is now offered by the selling dealer with a tonneau cover and clear title.
Sahara Beige was one of several limited colors available for the Caribbean. It is complemented by a tan power convertible top. Other features include a continental kit, driver-side mirror, and bright metal wheel openings and belt moldings. Authentic, 15-inch multi-spoke wheels are wrapped in eight-inch American Classic bias-ply wide whitewalls.
The cabin is furnished in blue and white upholstery—Caribbeans had leather, but best to ask the sell how it was reupholstered. Interior features include a column-mounted automatic shifter, power windows, power steering, pushbutton AM radio, and aftermarket under-dash battery shut-off switch.
The instrument panel consists of three dials consisting of a 110-mph speedometer, clock, and gauges for the coolant temperature and fuel. The odometer shows 57,670, though the title reads mileage-exempt.
Powering this classic Packard is an 8.0:1-compression 327ci straight-eight topped by a four-barrel carburetor. Horsepower was originally rated at 180. It is backed by a two-speed Ultramatic Drive transmission.
The undercarriage features power front drum brakes and a single-exit exhaust system.
Packard built only 750 Caribbean convertibles in 1953, quite a respectable number considering the similar Cadillac Eldorado only achieved 532 units. Plus, the ’53 is the only Caribbean that featured radiused rear wheels, which was quite custom and spectacular at the time. Sounds like something that may be hard to resist? Be poised because the AutoHunter auction for this 1953 Packard Caribbean ends on Thursday, July 31, 2025, at 11:30 a.m. (PDT).
Before the Tacoma existed, Toyota trucks were simply called “pickups” aside of some regions outside North America, where they went by the name “Hilux.” Toyota pickups of the 1980s became renowned for their ruggedness, reliability, and versatility. Several years ago, I wrote a story about a man who is dedicated to the hobby of restoring 1980s Toyota trucks—in particular, ones that look like the famous black “Back to the Future” movie icon.
Here’s a silver truck from that same era that looks show (or movie)-ready.
“If you’re looking for a pristine example of the legendary Toyota pickup, this is it,” the listing begins. “This 1988 Toyota SR5 Xtracab 4WD is a one-owner, garage-kept, accident-free, and unmolested original truck with just 90,000 original miles. The truck has been babied its entire life and is in excellent mechanical and cosmetic condition.”
The Hilux/pickup had its fifth generation between model years 1984-88. There were some significant milestones during those years, one of which had to with powertrains. The first time you could get a V6 engine in the pickup came in 1986. A magazine advertisement from that timeframe said, “At 145 horsepower and 180 lb-ft of torque, the Toyota V6 4×4 makes you the king of the mountain. V6 power plus Hi-Trac independent front suspension lets you take on the meanest real estate. Why settle for anything less?”
Power for this truck comes from that heavily promoted fuel-injected 3.0-liter V6 mated to a five-speed manual transmission and dual-range transfer case. The seller says that the engine runs strong without smoke, the transmission shifts smoothly, and the four-wheel-drive system is fully functional. The truck has reportedly been regularly maintained, with available service records backing that up.
The truck has an enthusiast-owned look to it. Upgrades include a sunroof, a color-matched Leer fiberglass shell, and Yakima bike/ski rack. The listing says, “With its low miles, clean title, original equipment, and desirable extras, this truck is ready for its next adventure—or your collection.”
Toyota SR5 pickups enjoy a strong following among enthusiasts and collectors. Personally, I wish I could time-travel back to the 1980s and buy a brand-new one to outfit with KC auxiliary lights just like Marty McFly had. For now, the next best thing might be finding one like this that’s unmodified and ready for many more on- and off-road adventures.
Plenty of cars have been named after places in California: Catalina, Pacifica, and Santa Cruz are but a few. Some cars have even been named after the state itself. Now, you can add another car to the list as the Chevrolet California Corvette concept has been revealed.
Image courtesy of General Motors
Naming a Corvette after the Golden State may be fraught with issues these days considering California’s propensity for draconian automotive rules, but the 31st state of the union has been a cultural trend-setter for decades. “Southern California has been at the heart of automotive and design culture for a century, and GM has had a deep design presence here for nearly 40 years. We wanted to ensure that this concept was developed through that SoCal lens, but with a global and futuristic outlook. Duality of purpose is the basis of this concept’s design strategy,” says Brian Smith, design director of GM Advanced Design Pasadena. As such, let’s not get too hot ‘n bothered.
Image courtesy of General Motors
“Our Advanced Design teams are dedicated to shaping the future, driving innovation, and exploring what’s possible,” adds Bryan Nesbitt, vice president of global design. “The California Corvette concept is another example of forward-thinking design. We invited multiple GM studios to envision Corvette-inspired hypercars—the first of which was revealed by our UK studio in March. The California team has now delivered a complementary study that honors Corvette’s legendary performance, while infusing it with their own distinctive vision.”
Image courtesy of General Motors
This hypercar blends “racing-simulator inspiration” with the Corvette cues that you love to love. The proportions are classic Corvette, while the single-piece front-hinged canopy “enables the entire upper shell to be removed, transforming the concept from an agile, slick sports car to a lightweight, open-air track car,” says Smith.
Image courtesy of General Motors
Inside, the California Corvette embraces a minimalist aesthetic—somewhat the antithesis of California’s MO, come to think of it—with performance-focused displays that include an augmented-reality HUD.
Here’s the lowdown on the California Corvette:
Body Structure
Tunneled underbody with lightweight carbon tub
Active aero spoiler and air brake
Large, staggered wheels—21-inch front wheels and 22-inch rear wheels
Assumed T-shape prismatic battery pack—enabling low seating and better airflow around and through the chassis
I don’t know which books are in your automotive literature collection, but I do know that there are more you may want to add. “Car Guys vs. Bean Counters: The Battle for the Soul of American Business” by Bob Lutz and “Bruno Sacco: Leading Mercedes-Benz Design, 1975-1999″ by Nicholas Greene are on my list. If you’re a fan of GM cars, Harley Earl’s designs, or the Oldsmobile Toronado, “Designing Dreams: Essays on the inside story of GM, Harley Earl and America’s Golden Automotive Age” might be the next addition to your library.
In this 197-page read, author Dick Ruzzin, former Director of Design for Chevrolet Cars in the United States, shares over one hundred sketches and GM archival images, as well as essays about the creative process and ideas behind certain cars. One of those essays focuses on the Oldsmobile Toronado, a car which Ruzzin had a hand (and pen) in designing.
No discussion of 20th-century GM styling would be complete without covering Harley Earl. The Automotive Hall of Fame inductee and former head of GM design is credited with introducing the use of clay modeling, the Buick Y-Job (which GM calls “the industry’s first concept car”), and “Project Opel,” which eventually became the first Chevrolet Corvette. According to Veloce, the publisher, Ruzzin’s book “reflects on the profound influence of Harley Earl, the pioneer car designer who elevated automobiles into works of art. Earl’s creativity and design philosophies reshaped the industry, leaving a legacy that continues to inspire.”
“Designing Dreams” is available to pre-order now before its release on July 29, 2025. Barnes and Noble and Amazon have digital versions priced at $18.99; the hardcover goes for $29.99. Those of you overseas can find it on Veloce’s website for £24.99.
Since the early days of the automobile, manufacturers have tailored cars to market in specific regions of the country. One example is the RAM 1500 Lone Star Edition, sold only in Texas. It’s essentially just a Big Horn-trim level truck with unique badging, but buyers appreciate the exclusivity. I’m pretty sure I’ve seen some “Arizona Edition” Cadillacs with cactus pinstriping, too.
In the late 1960s, the Ford Mustang was similarly offered in unique variants based on specific regional target markets. Among them were the California Special (sold in the West Coast), the High Country Special (sold in Colorado) and the Golden Nugget (sold in Oregon and Washington). Now is a perfect time to look a little more closely at that last one.
A wealth of information (only some of which appears to cite source data) abounds on the Golden Nugget, but from what I was able to gather, Ford’s Seattle sales district made a request for a special edition Mustang, and Ford delivered one in 1968—called the Golden Nugget. Only 481 such cars were produced, and all were directed toward dealerships in Oregon and Washington. Exclusive features included Sunlit Gold paint with black hood stripes (code Y5), black striping, a black vinyl top, and some gold features on the interior. There even was a dash placard featuring the original owner’s name.
This car was assembled at Ford’s San Jose, California, assembly plant on January 16, 1968, and was originally delivered to a dealership called Smith & Gandy Inc. in Seattle. The Marti Report says its features included the Visibility Group, whitewall tires, wheel covers, console, power steering, AM radio and deluxe seat belts. The original owner took delivery on September 26, 1968. The steelies have been ditched for 16-inch American Racing wheels, and the audio system is upgraded to a Bluetooth setup, but the car is otherwise original to many of its build specifications.
Power comes from a rebuilt, period-correct 302-4V V8 mated to the car’s reportedly original C4 three-speed automatic transmission. The seller says that the car has been driven just 395 miles since the engine rebuild, and upgrades include a Summit Racing four-barrel carburetor, an aluminum radiator, and shorty headers. The odometer says 71,275, but the title reads mileage-exempt.
Various people have tried tracking the surviving Golden Nugget Mustangs over the years. Today, the “official” record/registry is apparently a Facebook group managed by Bill Gorman with just 32 members in it. Bill indicates that there used to be a website that served as a repository for the information, but the information was lost when the page was corrupted.
So, what better way to start with helping the community to rebuild the most current data than by becoming a member of the Golden Nugget Mustang family yourself? You’ve made your lucky strike on the search for rare metal.
If you’re looking forward to the start of fall, you’re not alone—we are too because summer in Arizona is brutal! September will be a great time to visit national parks, such as Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming and Maine’s Acadia National Park, according to Earth Trekkers. It’s a classic American road trip that’s the perfect fit for another American classic: the Chevrolet Suburban, one of which happens to be our Pick of the Day. You can find this 1972 Chevrolet Suburban listed on ClassicCars.com by a dealer in Englewood, Colorado.
Consider this Suburban part of the end of an era. As a 1972, it’s from the final model year of the legendary model’s sixth generation that debuted for 1967. After this, it was nearly 20 years of the “Square Body” version that ran through 1991.
The 1972 model year was also the last time Chevrolet offered a three-door Suburban: one door on the driver’s side and two on the passengers’ side.
The unusual door layout could lead to you being the only one getting in on your side but, once your passengers load into the bright blue vinyl and cloth interior, they’ll have room for their luggage behind the second row bench and enjoy the comfort of the optional front and rear air conditioning system (once it’s recharged).
As the driver, you’ll appreciate the air conditioning as well as the convenience of power steering, three-speed Turbo Hydra-matic, cup holders, and gauges for the battery, temperature, and oil pressure (there’s never a good time for the engine to overheat, but one of the worst is halfway through a 10-hour out-of-state trip).
A good, old-fashioned 350ci small-block and a set of Rally wheels with BFGoodrich Radial T/A tires will get you and your family and/or friends on the way to the park of your choice. Power front disc and rear drum brakes will help each of you get there in one piece (it’s much easier to enjoy the view from the top of a mountain that way).
Fall is getting closer and closer, and this 1972 Chevrolet Suburban C10 Custom Deluxe might not be available by the time it arrives. You can officially start planning your trek to one of our country’s majestic national parks once you buy this iconic people-mover for $36,900.
The Acura Integra turns 40 this year. The most recent iteration of it was released as a 2023 model with turbocharged power, an available six-speed manual gearbox, and a liftback body style. For 2026, Acura’s sport compact receives a variety of visual and technology updates that make it more distinctive and user-friendly.
Three new options join the palette of available colors: Solar Silver Metallic, Urban Gray Pearl (which you may recognize from the 2025 TLX Type S we reviewed), and Double Apex Blue Pearl. Acura automatically pairs the latter (and Performance Red Pearl) with a new color-matched grille; Urban Gray Pearl and Platinum White Pearl Integras can be equipped with a matching grille as an option. Otherwise, Integras in all other colors come with a black grille, with Double Apex Blue Pearl and Performance Red Pearl models having that as an option. Long story short: you can opt for a black grille with every Integra color, and the body-color grille on several.
The A-Spec package gets updated with a new body kit that adds glossy black side spoilers to the corners of the front fascia and side sill accents.
The A-Spec 18-inch wheels have also been redesigned and now come in black instead Shark Gray.
Integras with the A-Spec package receive the bulk of interior revisions for 2026. In addition to the new dash trim, larger nine-inch infotainment touchscreen with a faster processor, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and wireless phone charger (all standard equipment for ’26 Integras), the A-Spec package includes extended ambient lighting and additional color-specific visual updates.
According to Acura, “Integra A-Spec models with the Orchid interior gain new blue micro suede inserts, first seen on the 2025 ADX. Integra A-Spec models with the Ebony interior sport new yellow stitching on the seats, steering wheel, shift boot and door panels.”
Integra enthusiasts in the U.S. had to wait more than 20 years for its full return (the Acura RSX of the early to mid-2000s that we got here was called the Honda Integra in other markets). The good news is that they only have to wait until late August for the updated 2026 model to arrive in Acura dealerships. Pricing hasn’t been released yet, but it’s reasonable to expect it to increase slightly from the 2025 base price of $33,000.
Some cars are rare people few people ordered them. In the case of the 1970 AMC Trans-Am Javelin, it was rare because AMC built it that way—only 100 were distributed to 2300 dealerships. All were painted red/white/blue with 390 four-speed, Go Package with 3.91 gears, adjustable spoiler, gauge package, five-spoke mags, nifty two-spoke steering wheel, and more.
Photo courtesy of Jim Campisano
Yet you could be forgiven to think this was AMC’s Trans-Am homologation special, as that was reserved for the Mark Donohue Javelin. Why confuse enthusiasts decades later? That would be too easy.
Photo courtesy of Jim Campisano
The Trans-Am Javelin was created as a publicity vehicle to highlight AMC’s participation in SCCA racing. It was a halo car to get people talking—compare that to the Donohue Javelin, which was basically a regular Javelin SST (some believe base Javelins may have also received the Donohue treatment) with a fancy rear spoiler (different from the Trans-Am’s) and hi-po engines.
Noted Pontiac author Don Keefe from the Iron Stable Garage brought Muscle Car Campy this Trans-Am Javelin on loan from a customer. They took the ram-air pony car around the streets of Tampa while extolling the unique updates AMC made to the Javelin for 1970.
If you enjoy this video, you can view more Muscle Car Campy videos here!
Right now on AutoHunter, you can find this customized 1959 Chevrolet Apache 3100 Stepside, which is based on the chassis and suspension of a 1972 Chevrolet C10. Power comes from a new 350ci V8 crate engine and is delivered to the rear wheels through a TH400 three-speed automatic. Finished in light blue over a tan cloth interior, this Chevrolet “Task Force” pickup comes from the Missouri selling dealer with a clear title.
As part of a custom build process, the body and Stepside bed were refinished in light blue. Exterior features include a chrome front bumper, chrome grille, wrap-around windshield with body-color visor, chrome mirror housings, and side exhaust outlets in front of the rear wheels. The floor of the bed is lined with wood planks, which are separated by body-color bed strips.
This classic Chevy truck rides on a set of black 20-inch American Racing wheels wrapped in 245/45 front and 275/45 rear Landsail LS588 radial tires. Behind those big wheels is a set of power front disc and rear drum brakes.
Inside, the cabin has been updated with tan cloth seating and door panels. Features include a tilt steering column, power steering, aftermarket four-spoke steering wheel, floor-mounted automatic shifter, and fold-down center armrest.
Instrumentation consists of a 100-mph speedometer and gauges for the temperature, amperage, oil pressure, and fuel level. The odometer shows 112 miles, but this truck is mileage-exempt according to its title.
Chevy didn’t offer a 350 in the 1950s, but this Apache has a new one fresh out of the crate. It’s equipped with a four-barrel carburetor, chrome valve covers, headers, and aluminum radiator. A TH400 three-speed automatic sends its output to the rear axle.
The original frame of this truck was swapped out for the underpinnings and suspension from a 1972 C10. Another upgrade was moving the fuel tank to underneath the bed.
If you want to make an upgrade to your garage, add this customized 1959 Chevrolet Apache 3100 Stepside to it. You can only do that by placing your bid—do that right away because the auction ends on Thursday, July 31 at 11:45 a.m. (PDT).
