Journal Classic Cars

A few years ago, I had some roofing work done on my home. One of the contractors knocked on the front door midway through the project and asked, “Do you know there are toys on your roof?” I chuckled and said, “Yeah, it’s a science experiment.” Those toys were in fact a collection of diecast 1:18 scale model cars that I decided to subject to Arizona’s climate to see how they would fare over a long-term window of time.

These days, a well-worn exterior finish is desirable on some vehicles. The weathered look conveys age, experience, and vintage style. Some collector car enthusiasts even go so far as to advance or preserve the look of surface rust on a classic car’s steel body panels. While the look does not appeal to everyone, it’s a unique aesthetic and always makes a good conversation starter at car shows and special events.

It must have been around 2010 when I was rummaging through some boxes from my childhood and came across a handful of diecast model cars. I did not have much space to display them, and I had always had a fascination with durability testing. In fact, I used to “drive” my Hot Wheels on a treadmill to simulate the act of really putting miles on a scale model vehicle. With that in mind, I had the idea of seeing how the models would hold up outside.

Each vehicle went up on a ladder to be placed around my chimney. About every six months, I’d climb back up to assess how they were doing. Occasionally, a windstorm would blow a door open. At one point, one of the vehicles lost a headlight lens. Another one had an interior that took on a sunbaked look. One of them had a couple of windows crack. The striking thing was how accurate some of the weathering has affected the vehicles: the engine bays are dusty, the interiors are filled with debris, and the whitewall tires have yellowed.

Over the years, I shared occasional updates to my YouTube channel, and I had several people ask if they could purchase the cars to “restore” them. The concept seems sort of intriguing, so I might take someone up on that eventually.

After about a decade in the sun, I decided to purchase a “new” version of one of the vehicles in my durability test. Thankfully, I found the turquoise 1957 Chevrolet Nomad on Ebay from the “Road Tough” brand car and bought it. When placed side by side, the contrast between the old and new models was striking. One of my subscribers suggested I transplant the chrome and “glass” from the new car to the old, to better reflect real-world characteristics.

Miraculously, my Raven Black 1957 Ford Thunderbird still retains most of its original paint. I need to write a letter to the manufacturer to congratulate them on their paint quality and application methods. The other vehicles in my test are a 1994 BMW 325i convertible, a Maserati 3200GT, and a 1989 Mercedes-Benz 500SL.

Any suggestions on what I should do with these cars? Or just let them sit for another decade?

Either way, I’m having just as much fun with toy cars at age 41 as I was at 11.

You can already make payments with your phone, and soon you will be able to do so with your Mercedes-Benz using just a fingerprint for authentication.

Mercedes already has its own Mercedes Pay system that allows users to purchase items or services from the car, but now the automaker has teamed up with Visa to make the process easier and more widely available via the new feature Mercedes Pay+. Instead of having to key in a pin or use a phone, all that’s required for authentication is a fingerprint scan. The payment is then handled via Visa’s new Cloud Token Framework.

Cloud Token Framework is essentially an online payment system where stored authentication data is secured using individual digital tokens that encrypt any sensitive payment information before storing it. This makes payments much easier, for example when using a new service, as you no longer need to enter long card numbers or complex passwords to complete a purchase. It also makes it possible to pair multiple devices with the car, so more than one user can make payments with a fingerprint scan.

Mercedes Pay+ is being rolled out in Europe initially, starting with Mercedes’ home market of Germany in March. Availability in other markets hasn’t been announced.

Models available with fingerprint sensors include the EQS and EQE electric vehicles, as well as the S-Class, GLC-Class, and C-Class.

At present, Mercedes Pay+ can be used to pay for various digital services like improved navigation features or remote connectivity, as well as on-demand vehicle hardware upgrades like rear axle steering with a larger steering angle. Eventually, payments will be expanded to other car-related services, such as fueling, Mercedes said.

This article was originally published by Motor Authority, an editorial partner of ClassicCars.com.

You can already make payments with your phone, and soon you will be able to do so with your Mercedes-Benz using just a fingerprint for authentication.

Mercedes already has its own Mercedes Pay system that allows users to purchase items or services from the car, but now the automaker has teamed up with Visa to make the process easier and more widely available via the new feature Mercedes Pay+. Instead of having to key in a pin or use a phone, all that’s required for authentication is a fingerprint scan. The payment is then handled via Visa’s new Cloud Token Framework.

Cloud Token Framework is essentially an online payment system where stored authentication data is secured using individual digital tokens that encrypt any sensitive payment information before storing it. This makes payments much easier, for example when using a new service, as you no longer need to enter long card numbers or complex passwords to complete a purchase. It also makes it possible to pair multiple devices with the car, so more than one user can make payments with a fingerprint scan.

Mercedes Pay+ is being rolled out in Europe initially, starting with Mercedes’ home market of Germany in March. Availability in other markets hasn’t been announced.

Models available with fingerprint sensors include the EQS and EQE electric vehicles, as well as the S-Class, GLC-Class, and C-Class.

At present, Mercedes Pay+ can be used to pay for various digital services like improved navigation features or remote connectivity, as well as on-demand vehicle hardware upgrades like rear axle steering with a larger steering angle. Eventually, payments will be expanded to other car-related services, such as fueling, Mercedes said.

This article was originally published by Motor Authority, an editorial partner of ClassicCars.com.

It’s hard to believe, but the first mobile telephone system designed for an automobile was introduced in 1946 in St. Louis, Missouri using the Bell System. The setup weighed 80 pounds and offered just three channels upon which to communicate. This early technology was later overtaken by analog cellular service in 1984. Every so often, a classic car comes along that features a mobile phone.

The Pick of the Day is a low-mileage 1999 Mercedes-Benz SLK230 roadster listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in San Diego, California.

“Super well-maintained, smooth-driving Mercedes-Benz SLK Kompressor. Low mileage, no rust, garage-kept, cream puff. A rare turn-key ready beauty,” the listing states.

Showing just 62,300 miles on the odometer, it’s hard to believe this roadster is 24 years old. The seller itemizes the car’s equipment into a long list. Included are lots of upgrades including a one-touch power-retractable hardtop, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a Sports package, heated and power-adjustable seating, dual-zone automatic climate control, a Bose audio system, and of course, that mobile phone hidden inside the center armrest.

The SLK-Class originally launched as a compact executive roadster for model year 1996 on the R170 platform. It offered seating for two and used what Mercedes called a “Vario-roof” retractable hardtop which takes about 25 seconds to deploy or retract at the touch of a button.

The drivetrain is one of the things that makes this example so unique: the Getrag-produced five-speed manual transmission seems to be a rare and sought after find in the collector community. Power comes from a supercharged 2.3-liter inline-four that puts out 194 horsepower and 207 lb-ft of torque. This car is also outfitted with AMG treatment in the form of special 17-inch wheels, accented by body-colored side skirts and a chrome tailpipe. The seller states that the Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires are new.

As far as that phone goes: the analog cell phone system became overtaken in 2008 by more modern “hands-free” systems that used a Bluetooth or wireless link to connect to a network. These days, an analog car phone is more of a conversation piece or novelty than anything else. If I could pair my cell phone with a traditional-looking car phone, I would totally do it just to look like a 1990s executive.

The seller is asking $12,450 or best offer for this SLK, which includes a Mercedes-branded car cover.

To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.

It’s hard to believe, but the first mobile telephone system designed for an automobile was introduced in 1946 in St. Louis, Missouri using the Bell System. The setup weighed 80 pounds and offered just three channels upon which to communicate. This early technology was later overtaken by analog cellular service in 1984. Every so often, a classic car comes along that features a mobile phone.

The Pick of the Day is a low-mileage 1999 Mercedes-Benz SLK230 roadster listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in San Diego, California.

“Super well-maintained, smooth-driving Mercedes-Benz SLK Kompressor. Low mileage, no rust, garage-kept, cream puff. A rare turn-key ready beauty,” the listing states.

Showing just 62,300 miles on the odometer, it’s hard to believe this roadster is 24 years old. The seller itemizes the car’s equipment into a long list. Included are lots of upgrades including a one-touch power-retractable hardtop, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a Sports package, heated and power-adjustable seating, dual-zone automatic climate control, a Bose audio system, and of course, that mobile phone hidden inside the center armrest.

The SLK-Class originally launched as a compact executive roadster for model year 1996 on the R170 platform. It offered seating for two and used what Mercedes called a “Vario-roof” retractable hardtop which takes about 25 seconds to deploy or retract at the touch of a button.

The drivetrain is one of the things that makes this example so unique: the Getrag-produced five-speed manual transmission seems to be a rare and sought after find in the collector community. Power comes from a supercharged 2.3-liter inline-four that puts out 194 horsepower and 207 lb-ft of torque. This car is also outfitted with AMG treatment in the form of special 17-inch wheels, accented by body-colored side skirts and a chrome tailpipe. The seller states that the Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires are new.

As far as that phone goes: the analog cell phone system became overtaken in 2008 by more modern “hands-free” systems that used a Bluetooth or wireless link to connect to a network. These days, an analog car phone is more of a conversation piece or novelty than anything else. If I could pair my cell phone with a traditional-looking car phone, I would totally do it just to look like a 1990s executive.

The seller is asking $12,450 or best offer for this SLK, which includes a Mercedes-branded car cover.

To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.

March 8^th is recognized as International Women’s Day around the world. We take this day to honor women’s accomplishments and contributions to society while also bringing attention to the issues and disparity women continue to face. We at the ClassicCars.com Journal want to recognize and remember the women who have been (and continue to be) part of the automotive world. Women have been pioneers, inventors, drivers and executives in transportation innovation throughout history. Here are some women and their accomplishments.

Bertha Benz

Not only was Bertha the wife of Karl Benz, but she also played an essential role in the early development of the automobile. In 1888, she made the first long-distance automotive excursion (or, as we say today, “road trip”) by driving 65 miles in her husband’s Benz Patent-Motorwagen vehicle with her two teenage sons.

Denise McCluggage

A trailblazing journalist and race car driver in the 1950s and 1960s, Denise participated in sports car and rally competitions, and became the first female winner of a significant sports car race. She began racing after meeting Briggs Cunningham, builder of the first American cars in Le Mans. She also worked as a journalist for various outlets and helped launch the magazine which would become AutoWeek.

Lyn St. James

Lyn is a former race car driver who participated in the Indianapolis 500 seven times. She was voted Rookie of the Year in 1992 and became the second woman to qualify for the race. She has been a role model for many women aspiring to become race car drivers, breaking barriers and challenging the stereotypes of women in the sport. In 2022 she was inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame.

Mary Barra

In 2014 Mary became CEO of General Motors, making her the first woman to run a major multinational automaker. She has been a part of GM since 1980 and has served in various executive capacities with the company.

Margie Petersen

To honor her late husband, publisher Robert E. Petersen, Margie founded the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles. It houses more than 300 vintage and collector cars in its collection. Her museum has become a vacation destination for many and has helped create a space that celebrates and preserves automotive history.

Alice Ramsey 

Alice has a few claims to fame in the automotive world: she was the first woman to drive coast-to-coast in 1909, as well as the first woman to be inaugurated into the Automotive Hall of Fame in 2000. Coast-to-coast at that time meant 150 or so miles of the 3,600 driven was on pavement. She went on to complete this journey 30 more times.

Dorothee Pullinger

The daughter of the early auto designer Thomas Pullinger, Dorothee was interested in engineering her whole life. In 1910, she joined her father at Arrol-Johnston, the oldest and largest Scottish car manufacturer at that time. After WWI, she became the director of Galloway Motors Ltd. and helped produce the Galloway car for Arrol-Johnston, which was the first car designed especially for women. Dorothee was also an enthusiastic racer and won the cup in the Scottish Six Day Car Trials in 1924. The only Galloway car available for publish view in the UK is on display at the Riverside Museum in Glasgow.

The above women are but a few examples of the role models for upcoming generations of women automotive professionals. Their contributions to the automotive industry have been significant, and we celebrate them on this International Women’s Day. We must continue to recognize the accomplishments of women and advocate for gender equality in all industries. Together, we can create a more equitable and just world for all.

During the Future Collector Car Show at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale, The ClassicCars.com Journal’s very own Tyson Hugie met up with the AutoHunter Cinema team to do a deep dive on this 1999 Acura NSX Zanardi Edition. This edition was a lightweight version of the NSX produced only for 1999 and limited to 51 examples. The car was inspired by Alex Zanardi, a racer who won back-to-back championships in the CART open wheel series driving Honda-powered machines. All Zanardi Editions were finished in Formula Red and featured a fixed roof which, along with lightweight BBS wheels, and lighter spoiler battery, single-pane rear window, and unassisted rack-and-pinion steering, contributed to a weight savings of 149 pounds.

The last time I visited Paris was at the end of 2005 when the city was experiencing youth riots. I have always enjoyed the city because kiosks gave me an opportunity to find good automotive reading material. In particular, I enjoy new car yearbooks and classic car periodicals, and the French had a good magazine scene. Two of the titles I picked up were “Gazoline” and “Automobilia.” The latter in particular was your basic classic car magazine, but the inside cover showed special issues on automotive retrospectives focused on one model year per issue.

Hors-Serie Automobilia was listed at the top, with the title Toutes Les Voitures Francaises and a model year. I know practically no French other than sacre bleu and Johnny Hallyday n’était pas Elvis so the cover meant little to me other than the model year but now, 17+ years later, I have Google Translate to tell me it means “Automobilia [magazine] Special-Edition” and “All French Cars.”

Of course, a few days in Paris would never give me the opportunity to order back issues and have them sent to the hotel, and having them sent to the U.S. would have been cost-prohibitive. I went home satisfied my American magazine subscription would keep me entertained.

Maybe six years later, I found four issues of Hors-Serie Automobilia on eBay from an American seller. What luck! And when I received the issues, I discovered they were as good as I had hoped. Soon after, I even managed to find an American eBayer selling a single issue, but I felt his price was quite high after spending perhaps a third for the issues I already had. I moved on and then, when I noticed it sold, I had that empty feeling of losing something within reach.

Over time, I set up an email response on eBay so that any time someone had an auction with the words “Hors-Serie Automobilia,” I would receive an email alert. However, eBay’s email response is not dependable, so the magazine hasn’t been on my radar for awhile … until recently. A chance encounter with a French guy at Burbank, California’s Autobooks-Aerobooks made me think about the magazines, so I ran a search on eBay.

Could it be true? Are there copies from an American seller? And there are a ton of them! I quickly emailed the seller and asked if he/she could sell them all as one lot, which would make things cheaper for both parties. The planets aligned for me and I scored 25 issues, though included were the four issues I already had. No bother — why make a fuss?

So now I have most of the collection, and with continued patience I will fill the holes. A quick scan on France’s eBay page shows it ain’t gonna happen soon based on the exchange rate and shipping, but that cost is nothing compared to the joy of finding something I’ve thought about off and on since 2005.

Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, perhaps the most prestigious concours event on the East Coast, just happened while you were distracted with life. With classes like Pre-war European Coachwork, American Limited Production, and Fiberglass Dreams, The Amelia brings together unusual vehicles and the usual suspects — automotive enthusiasts. However, one judged class was a portent for something for the future: VW Transporters.

If you pay attention to the hobby and auctions like Barrett-Jackson, you know there is a breed of Volkswagen Type 2 that defies logic in the bids they receive. The rule of thumb is like this: the higher the window count, the higher the bids. If you’re not in-the-know, the lowly Microbus can command six-figure prices in the collector market.

“Few vehicles have been embraced by such a diverse group of admirers and enthusiasts as the beloved Volkswagen Type 2. This year’s display tells the story of VW’s transporter: from the classic passenger bus and transport truck to the ambulance and fire truck,” says Matt Orendac, Vice Chairman of Hagerty’s Concours Group. “The eclectic appeal of the Type 2 makes it the perfect choice for a featured class at The Amelia Concours d’Elegance.”

The Best in Class winner among the VW Transporters at Amelia was a 1951 Deluxe 15-window Transporter owned by Joe Mond of Iowa. Nineteen fifty was the first year of this model in America after an auspicious debut of the Type 1 the year before (only two Beetles were sold in the U.S. in 1949). Horsepower was only 25, which didn’t compare favorably with the 92 horsepower on tap with Chevrolet’s “Stovebolt” six, but clearly the German company had an vision for basic transportation for American consumers.

In addition to the Type 2 show cars, Volkswagen brought several transporters from its Commercial Vehicles’ collection including bus from Fast Times at Ridgemont High, a replica of The Light Bus that appeared at Woodstock, and Jerry Garcia’s personal bus.

With the Type 2’s heir apparent, the ID. Buzz, also making an appearance at the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, Volkswagen is poised to make another impact on American roads as the automaker has just announced that the North American iteration of the ID. Buzz will be debuting in California in the summer of 2023.

Featured on AutoHunter, the online auction platform driven by ClassicCars.com, is this 1970 Camaro Z/28-RS sport coupe. It was restored in 2010 and the current owner has had the Camaro in his possession for the past five years. Power comes from an LT1 350ci V8 backed by a M22 four-speed manual with Hurst shifter. Features include Rally Sport package, AM/FM radio and COPO spoiler. Finished in Citrus Green with black stripes over dark green vinyl interior, this 1970 Camaro Z/28-RS comes with several original and miscellaneous parts plus the build sheet and a clear Pennsylvania title in the seller’s name.

During the 2010 restoration, the exterior was refinished in the original Citrus Green (code 43) and accented with black stripes. Exterior features include color-keyed Endura grille surround (part of the RS trim), aftermarket cowl induction hood, color-keyed mirrors, manual remote driver-side mirror and COPO 9697 rear spoiler. The seller states that the trunk lid does not stay open on its own.

A set of 15-inch five-spoke Cragar S/S wheels is wrapped in Goodyear Eagle GT II radials.

The interior is upholstered in dark green vinyl (code 724). Features include AM/FM stereo, three-spoke steering wheel, center console with Hurst shifter, and power steering and power brakes.

The seller states that all gauges are functional. A 150-mph speedometer, 8,000-rpm tachometer, clock and readouts for the fuel level, coolant temperature and amperage are located on the instrument panel. The odometer shows 25,570 miles, which the seller reports to be accurate.

Power is provided by the reportedly original LT1 350ci V8 and backed by a Muncie M22 close-ratio four-speed manual transmission with Hurst shifter. Engine bay features include chrome valve covers, aluminum intake, Holley carburetor, chrome air cleaner, MSD ignition and tube exhaust headers. The gallery on the auction page contains a picture of the engine stamps.

This Camaro is equipped with an independent front suspension and 12-bolt rear end with 3.73:1 gears. Braking is handled by power front discs and rear drums. A full-length dual exhaust system exits at the rear.

The seller will include the original hood, wheels, steering wheel and other miscellaneous parts with the sale, including the original build sheet.

The auction for this 1970 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28-RS ends on Monday, March 13, 2023, at 4:20 p.m. (MST)

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and photo gallery.