How do you make a desirable car even more desirable? Add horsepower! And how do you make it hotter than that? Widen the body! Taking this formula to heart, Shelby American has introduced the 2026 Shelby Super Snake-R at Monterey Car Week.
Based on the Mustang Dark Horse, this limited-edition pony-cum-sports car features the Super Snake’s 850-plus-horsepower 5.0-liter V8 and then adds components for maximum track performance that include a sophisticated, fully adjustable coilover independent suspension, a Shelby-specific chassis stiffening system, wide body carbon fiber bodywork, and enormous 335-35-20 Michelins. Aerodynamic carbon fiber parts and cooling upgrades are among the many other enhancements.
“The Shelby Super Snake’s roots come from a rich motorsport history as the first Shelby Super Snake in 1967 was built for high speed runs on the racetrack,” says the CEO of Shelby American, Joe Conway. “However, the ‘R’ model designation has never been applied to a Shelby Super Snake. We can build a small number of the 2026 model car at a much higher level of performance, which earned it the special ‘R’ badge.”
All the suspension and body changes seemingly would add a lot of weight, but thanks to judicious use of lightweight carbon fiber plus magnesium alloy wheels, lighter brake components, and rear seat delete, the Shelby Super Snake-R gains a negligible 116 pounds.
“The 2026 Shelby Super Snake-R simply has the best handling prowess that we’ve ever offered in the history of the car,” says Vince LaViolette, VP of Operations and Senior Designer for Shelby American. “From the fully adjustable coil overs to replacing rubber bushings with metal spherical bearings and a harness strut bar that ties together the rear shock towers, this advanced suspension is very impressive. We tuck everything underneath a gorgeous wide body package that allows us to fit massive tires on the car to maximize traction.”
Prices start at $224,995 (based on the price of a 600A Dark Horse) for the Super Snake-R, which is available at authorized distributors in the United States and select international Shelby mod shops and distributors. Each Super Snake-R will be documented in the official Shelby Registry and come with a 3-year/36,00-mile warranty, while Ford’s powertrain warranty remains intact. Aside from the color, you will have to choose between the TREMEC TR-3160 six-speed or a 10-speed automatic.
Right now on AutoHunter, you can find this 1988 Chevrolet K1500 Silverado, a four-wheel-drive pickup powered by a 5.7-liter V8, which is paired with a replacement 700R4 four-speed automatic transmission and a dual-range transfer case. Finished in Flame Red and silver accents over a Garnet cloth interior, this first-year GMT400 Chevy truck comes from the private seller in Riverbank, California with the original owner’s manual, clean CARAX report, and clear title.
The single-cab, long-bed exterior is finished in Flame Red and accented with bright wheel arch and silver lower-body trim. Equipment includes a black plastic front air dam, chrome bumpers, bright mirror housings, sliding rear window, black bed mat, bright tailgate protector, polished exhaust tip, and Chevrolet bow tie hitch receiver cap.
You may notice the 16-inch, six-spoke wheels aren’t original to this truck, but they are GMC wheels from the automaker’s GTM800 era of trucks. They come wrapped in a set of new 265/75 Trailfinder All Terrain tires.
Inside the cab, the Garnet cloth bench seat is protected with a black and red cover. Features include power locks and windows, cruise control, tilt steering column, power steering, carpeted dash cover, air conditioning, AM/FM/CD Pioneer stereo, and removable center console with armrest and cup holders.
Instrumentation consists of an 85-mph speedometer and gauges for the temperature, oil pressure, fuel level, and voltage. The analog odometer shows 157,171 miles, a slight increase from the CARFAX report’s most recent mileage figure of 156,982 miles from June 2024.
This truck gets work and family duties done with the power of a fuel-injected L05 5.7-liter V8 that was factory-rated at 210 horsepower at 4,000 rpm and 300 lb-ft of torque at 2,800 rpm. A replacement 700R4 four-speed automatic transmission and dual-range transfer case send the engine’s output to the street or trail. Power front disc and rear drum brakes help make sure this truck gets to its destination—whether that’s a lumber yard or a campground—in one piece.
If you want this 1988 Chevrolet K1500 to make it to your driveway, place your bid before the auction ends on Friday, August 22, 2025 at 12:00 p.m. (PDT).
It seems most people gravitate to cars that are dolled-up—they want stripes, chrome, and spoilers. But there’s a few who are content to sit in the shadows and have no need to make a grand entrance. Our Pick of the Day is the kind of car for the latter folks who aren’t out to impress, but, ironically, it’s quite an impressive car. This 1969 Ford Mustang SportsRoof is listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a dealership in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
The Ford Mustang was redesigned for 196 to be bigger, bulkier, and badder than before. The wheelbase remained the same, but the length from nose to tail grew by around four inches and weight went up by several hundred pounds. A step backwards? It would seem so, but the 1969 model has become a collector’s favorite, and it’s easy to see why, thanks to several highlights within the Mustang portfolio.
First were the engines. New was a 351 Windsor small-block, available in both two- and four-barrel configurations. This was a much-needed addition under the hood as Ford previously had no engines between the 302 and 390, while Camaro customers had a performance 302, a pair of 327s, a performance 350, and a 396 big-block in several states of tune. The new Ford small-block filled that gap.
Next were the models. Just like the Mercury Cougar proved that there was a market for a more upscale pony car, Ford followed suit with the Mustang Grande, a luxuriously trimmed Mustang Coupe that raised the ante among entry-level pony cars. Then there was the mid-year introduction of two homologation specials: The Boss 302 was created to certify Ford’s efforts in the Trans-Am circuit, while the Boss 429 was created to certify the new 385-series engine for NASCAR (the rules never indicated the engine needed to be installed in the same car that was racing). Both were based on the SportsRoof. The GT package also made its final appearance in all three body styles.
And then there was the Mach 1. Based on the SportsRoof, this new model was reflective of Ford getting its performance marketing in order and creating an image model. The Fairlane series had suffered from a similar predicament, so the introduction of the Mach 1 and the Fairlane-based Cobra was enough to properly bring Ford up to speed in the youth market. The Mach 1 came standard with a 351 two-barrel, but buyers could specify a 290-horsepower version with a four-barrel, a 320-horse 390, or the already-famous 335-horse 428 Cobra Jet. But it wasn’t what was under the hood of the Mach 1 that was newsworthy as much as how the car presented itself: longitudinal reflective side stripes, a low-gloss black hood and cowl, dual racing mirrors, high-back bucket seats, a console, molded door panels with integral arm rests, fat tires with chrome styled steel wheels, and more. It may be a cliché, but the Mach 1 looked like it was speeding while completely still.
Alas, the Mach 1 weighed 266 pounds more than an equivalent SportsRoof and over 200 pounds more than a SportsRoof with the GT package. Sure, the Mach 1 had image in spades, but, ironically, it also was equipped more like a comfortable gran turismo. Want a car built for speed? A basic SportsRoof with any of the performance engines was your best bet.
To some, buying a car isn’t about being Mr. or Mrs. Popular, unless that means being the one with the most racing trophies. This 1969 Ford Mustang SportsRoof looks like it was ordered to be the hot shoe in town, but it holds a secret between its shock towers: a 427 side-oiler with a 4-speed, a 9-inch rear end, and 3.50 gears. Ford never built a Mustang with a 427, but it’s a combination that die-hards always dream about. Other features include an aluminum radiator with dual electric fans, a new exhaust system, a new fuel tank and lines, new power steering and brakes, a new suspension, and Firestone Wide Ovals.
“This super-straight Mustang is a nut-and-bolt restoration and has show-quality paint and underside,” says the Canadian seller. “This Mustang was built in Dearborn so no tax, duty, or tariff to U.S. buyers.” For $88,000 USD (or $119,000 CDN), you can be the popular guy or gal not by being beautiful, but by being fast.
Ringbrothers always makes the news at SEMA, but being in the thick of the well-mowed atmosphere of Monterey Car Week is new. It’s almost like Sid Vicious crashing a polo match, or Salvador Dali showing Grant Wood how it’s done—you can always count on the Bros for shaking things up and doing something different and jewellike. The crowd at The Quail, a Motorsports Gathering were not left disappointed, though certainly a few purists were possibly reaching for more of their Château d’Yquem.
Image courtesy of Ringbrothers
Octavia is a 1971 Aston Martin DBS—quite the unusual choice for this type of build, but the world doesn’t need more custom Chevys and Fords. Just like everything else Ringbrothers do, they deconstructed and reconstructed the DBS into something completely new.
“It’s nearly impossible to convey all the intricacies that went into engineering this car. It pushed us to innovate beyond our comfort zone and create a moving mechanical work of art,” says one half of the Ring, Mike Ring. “We’ve combined the ferocity of American muscle with the stiff upper lip of English sophistication and motoring. Octavia is beyond anything we’ve built before and a celebration of the hot-rodding spirit, unveiled in Monterey on the grandest stage of them all.”
Image courtesy of Barrett-Jackson
The wheelbase has been stretched three inches to approximately 105.8, with the track increased eight up front and 10 out back, giving the Aston new proportions while exploiting the fine symmetry that was already baked into William Townsend’s original design. The body has been painted in BASF Glasurit’s Double-0 Silver with Nuclear Olive Green accents. All accompanying trim and brightwork were milled from billet aluminum and 3D printed in stainless steel.
Image courtesy of Barrett-Jackson
Lest you forget, this DBS is an Aston Martin, so the interior has been given the proper respect, featuring sumptuous tan leather complemented by modern style courtesy of tasteful use of 3D-printed stainless steel accents and carbon fiber.
Wheels are custom HRE three-pieces and are balanced on a set of four Fox RS SV coilovers, with Ringbrothers-designed and machined upright arms at the front. Brakes are 14-inch Brembo rotors with six-piston calipers fore and four-pistons aft.
Image courtesy of Ringbrothers
The original 4.0-liter DOHC inline-six has been replaced by a modern, 805-horsepower 5.0-liter Ford V8 paired with a six-speed manual. Before you start reaching for synonyms for “sacrilegious,” let us point out that Ford once owned Aston Martin, so it’s fair game, right? God forbid a bunch of hot rod builders swap out an engine!
“Octavia is a combination of state-of-the-art fabrication and imagination. We asked ourselves, ‘What would an MI6 agent drive on holiday?’ This was the result,” adds the other Ring, Jim Ring. “The engineering and attention to detail that went into this project are unlike anything we’ve done before. We’re honored and incredibly grateful for our partners, including Gentex, HRE Wheels, BASF, Ragle Design, and more, that worked alongside us to create something we are decidedly proud to present.”
On August 17, 2025, Carolyn and Craig Jackson will present their 1936 Bugatti Type 57 Stelvio in the European Classic class at the 74th Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, one of the crown jewel events of Monterey Car Week.
Known for their commitment to the collector car industry, community and the driving forces behind the Barrett-Jackson auctions – Craig as chairman and CEO and Carolyn as chief brand officer – the Jacksons acquired the 1936 Bugatti Type 57 Stelvio, bearing Chassis No. 57406, at Barrett-Jackson’s 2024 Scottsdale Auction. Since then, Craig Jackson has led a nut-and-bolt restoration, carried out by his multi-generational team, ranging from veteran engine builders to recent graduates of McPherson College, bringing the car to its current concours-worthy condition and the Pebble Beach show field.
During the restoration process, Bugatti Heritage and Certification Specialist Luigi Galli was brought in to examine the vehicle and confirm its matching-numbers authenticity. The Bugatti retains its original No. 286 engine, No. 427 rear axle and No. 50 internal frame. Although the No. 68C transmission is not original to this Type 57, the same model was used in supercharged Stelvios.
Initially, Craig Jackson set out to make the vehicle as reliable as possible and mechanically sound so it could be driven in vintage rallies. As the project progressed, Jackson made the decision to drive and show the vintage Bugatti at the Pebble Beach Tour and Concours d’Elegance in part to honor the esteemed Don Williams, a beloved member of the Barrett-Jackson family. The 3257cc Straight-8, dual-overhead cam, gear-driven engine was completely gone through and rebuilt, with passageways cleaned out to ensure everything was refreshed with new seals and gaskets. During the process, the team found the engine had been rebuilt previously.
The entire chassis was stripped and sandblasted, and every nut and bolt were nickel-plated before being carefully indexed.
The restoration also included a full repaint, with the fenders and body carefully stripped, sanded and refinished in a deep, rich PPG black. For the “sweep panel,” Craig Jackson chose a striking silver hue, color-matched to his 2023 Bugatti Chiron, creating a visual bridge between the marque’s prewar elegance and modern hypercar performance.
Before joining the Jacksons’ collection, this prewar Bugatti had been part of the renowned Don Williams Collection and resided at the Blackhawk Museum. The late Williams truly left a legacy that continues to inspire. In 2023, the Jackson Family Foundation partnered with Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance Chairman Sandra Button and her husband Martin to establish a Classic Car Restoration Program in Williams’ name at Rancho Cielo, a Monterey County educational organization focused on youth facing many challenges to success.
Built in April 1936, this Bugatti Type 57 Stelvio was originally designed by Jean Bugatti as a four-passenger cabriolet featuring signature pontoon fenders and an Atalante-inspired rounded tail. The design evolved throughout production, with Stelvios from 1935 and 1936 featuring a folding windshield and a top retracted into the body.
The Bugatti was delivered to a Mr. R. Petit on August 8, 1936, and was originally finished in green with gray sweep panels. Subsequently, the car made its way into the ownership of a Mr. Ferrand, by which time it had been upgraded with several period-style updates, including integrated headlamps, rear fender spats, front “moustache” bumpers and upgraded Lockheed hydraulic brakes. As common upgrades to earlier cable-brake cars this indicates that these modifications were either done by the factory or by a Bugatti agent. Mr. Ferrand, who acquired the car in 1946, sold the car to French actor Jacques Dufilho, whose ownership is well documented through numerous historical photos.
In 1974 Dufilho passed it on to Alec Ulmann, the founder of the 12 Hours of Sebring endurance race. Ulmann refinished the car in blue and black and drove it without the rear fender spats. After his death in 1986, Ulmann’s wife held onto the car for two years before the Bugatti came under the care of the Blackhawk Museum in 1988. The museum completed a full restoration and preserved Ulmann’s two-tone royal blue and black “sweep panel” paint scheme and added pale gray leather upholstery for contrast. The rear spats were reinstalled and chrome wire wheels were added, echoing Bugatti’s own offerings from 1937. At some point, the Blackhawk Museum sold the Bugatti to a private collector; Williams later acquired the car in 2022.
This marks the second time in recent history the Jacksons have shown a grand automobile at Pebble Beach, following their 2019 appearance with a beautifully restored 1948 Talbot-Lago. Craig Jackson has a deep-rooted passion for restoration, shaped over decades of hands-on experience. He learned the craft from his late brother Brian, who passed away 30 years ago this September, and continued honing his skills under the guidance of his father Russ and Williams, as well as automotive legend Tom Barrett.
One of Craig Jackson’s most significant restoration achievements was a 1948 Figoni et Falaschi-bodied Delahaye 135M Narval. Russ Jackson and his wife Nellie had acquired the car in the early 1980s from a European owner. It arrived in the United States disassembled, with the engine and transmission packed in shipping crates. Craig Jackson poured his heart into the restoration, fabricating body panels and chassis components by hand. His efforts paid off: The finished Delahaye earned a perfect 100-point score at the 1987 Classic Car Club of America Grand Classic, and later headlined the 1989 Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction, where it sold for $900,000.
While at Pebble Beach Weekend, Craig Jackson will also showcase the double prototype “Little Red” at The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering, further highlighting his exceptional restoration expertise. Little Red, one of the most historically significant Shelby Mustangs known to exist, is the only known 1967 Mustang EXP500 prototype coupe equipped with a 428ci engine and dual four-barrel carburetors, and is the only twin supercharged Shelby ever built. Craig Jackson led the multi-year effort to locate, recover and meticulously restore the car – thought to be lost for decades – to its original factory specifications.
The following weekend, the Jacksons will show Little Red with “Green Hornet,” a 1968 Mustang EXP500 prototype coupe, at the Shelby American Automobile Club (SAAC) 50th Anniversary convention at the Sonoma Raceway. The two legendary muscle cars will be on display together for the first time since their public unveiling at the Barrett-Jackson 2020 Scottsdale Auction.
The Green Hornet, a “double prototype,” was originally built at the Dearborn Assembly Plant in the fall of 1967. This 1968 Mustang notchback coupe began life as a prototype for a nation-wide version of the California Special. In early 1968, the car was handed off to Carroll Shelby and his team, who transformed it into the experimental 500 (EXP500) with independent rear suspension and direct port computerized fuel injection. Like its sibling Little Red, Green Hornet was long believed to have been lost to history and crushed. Craig Jackson acquired Green Hornet and then completed a years-long comprehensive restoration to bring the car back to its original glory.
Showing the 1936 Bugatti Type 57 Stelvio at the 74th Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, and displaying Little Red and Green Hornet, underscores the Jacksons’ commitment to preserving automotive history with precision and passion, whether it’s a rare European classic or a one-of-one American icon.
If you’re of a certain age, you probably remember when the word “hatchback” was a pejorative term for a small, no-frills, gutless car driven by either a broke student or an adult with nothing going for them. The 2025 Honda Civic Hatchback Hybrid Sport Touring isn’t the first car that shows how far the hatchback has come, but it’s a great example of how a modern one can be both practical and enjoyable.
One thing that’s no longer the same is the definition of hatchback, at least according to Honda. It calls this version of the Civic a hatchback, but given that the fifth door isn’t exactly upright, it seems more fitting to call it a liftback. The Civic lineup as a whole has changed for 2025. All models get a restyled front fascia and grille, but only sedans receive new darker taillights. Honda distinguishes the Civic hybrids with body-color headlamp trim and a front chin spoiler. The Sport Touring Hybrid rolls on a set of new, trim-specific 18-inch wheels with a machined finish.
A hybrid model with a 2.0-liter Atkinson-cycle I4 and a two-motor hybrid system – one that generates power for the lithium-ion battery pack and one that drives the wheels – is now available as a sedan or liftback hatchback. Combined, that hardware generates a total of 200 horsepower and 232 lb-ft of torque, making the hybrid the most powerful Civic without a Type R badge ever, according to Honda. A CVT sends that output to the front wheels.
There are only two hybrid trim levels for the Civic hatch: Sport and Sport Hybrid. According to the window sticker, our Sport Touring Hybrid review vehicle had a base MSRP of $32,950, which included standard equipment such leather seats with heating and power adjustments for the front row, a 12-speaker Bose audio system, built-in Google (also new for 2025), and wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, which can be accessed on the Sport Touring Hybrid’s larger nine-inch touchscreen. Our tester’s one option, the $455 Boost Blue paint, brought its as-tested price to $34,500.
Certain hatchbacks of yesteryear were dull, bland little things that were unpleasant to see and even worse to be seenin. With its handsome front end, fast roofline, and cheery, Skittle-esque blue paint, the Civic Sport Touring Hybrid was a pleasant sight in the parking lot at work or the grocery store.
The Sport Touring Hybrid was proof that you don’t have to be penalized with a cheap, boring interior for choosing a practical, fuel-efficient car. Its honeycomb dash trim and knurled HVAC dial rings showed that the interior of a small A-to-B car can look and feel special. The wireless phone charger and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were welcome conveniences that made the Civic seem more upscale.
The Civic Hatchback’s cabin was pleasant, but not perfect. It was hard to cruise comfortably and naturally with an elbow on the driver’s window sill because it was a little too high. Surprisingly, legroom in the second row was ample enough for someone my height, 5’10”, to be comfortable. The catch was that the downward slope of the roof didn’t leave enough headroom. Despite its top spot in the Civic Hatchback trim level hierarchy, the Sport Touring also didn’t have HVAC vents or USB ports on the back of the center console for second-row passengers to use.
Given the Sport Touring Hybrid’s focus on practicality and its ability to get up to 50 mpg in the city, 45 on the highway, and 48 combined, it seemed likely that it was going to be a disappointing driving experience. The exact opposite turned out to be true. Across 429 miles of mixed driving, we averaged a slightly disappointing 44 mpg. Perhaps we indulged a little too much in the Civic’s substantial power. The hardware around it was just as enjoyable. Even on bad pavement, the ride quality was composed and comfortable. Honda did a great job of dialing in the weight of the steering. Perhaps the biggest shock was the brake pedal, which was communicative and easy to modulate smoothly.
To learn more of the things the 2025 Honda Civic Hatchback Sport Touring Hybrid did well (and maybe not so well), check out my colleague Luke Lamendola’s video review below.
You’re standing in your driveway, keys in hand. The afternoon sun hits the paint just right—Matador Red, a shade so rare it practically glows. The deep rumble of a Ram Air III V-8 fills the air as you open the door and slide into a cockpit that’s pure late-60s muscle-car magic. You’re not just imagining it—you’ve just won the 1969 Pontiac GTO Judge in the GTO Dream Giveaway.
It’s not just any GTO Judge. This one has been treated to a concours-quality restoration worth over $100,000, with restoration parts from Ames Performance Engineering. Every curve, every stitch, every bolt—restored to perfection. From the iconic 60-inch rear spoiler to the Muncie 4-speed manual transmission, it’s a muscle-car purist’s dream. And yes, it’s all documented and authentic.
But here’s the best part—you don’t have to be a millionaire collector to make this car yours. You just need toENTER.
Slip into the driver’s seat and feel the heartbeat of the Ram Air III 400-ci V-8—366 horsepower, snarling its way to life. Attached is a Muncie 4-speed manual transmission, offering visceral control. The factory upgrades don’t stop there:
Iconic 60-inch rear spoiler
Hood-mounted tachometer
Safe-T-Track rear differential
3.55:1 axle ratio
Power steering, front disc brakes and a Rally gauge cluster
CLICK HERE, choose your entry level, and you’re in the running. Dream Giveaway will even cover $26,000 toward the federal prize taxes, so when you win, you get to focus on enjoying Detroit iron at its finest.
And while you’re chasing this dream, you’re also doing something bigger. Every entry supports New Beginning Children’s Homes and other great charities—helping veterans, foster children, and families in need.
So… what are you waiting for? The Judge is ready to rule in your favor. All you have to do is ENTER.
I’m a big fan of bespoke items, but they tend to be outside my price range. So when I see a special-order car in a non-regular-production color, I tend to linger because it challenges my expectations formed by what I have previously seen. Now, thanks to the Celestiq, Cadillac is introducing Curated by Cadillac, an “elevated” customization program for the 2026 CT5-V Blackwing.
Of course, the Celestiq is Cadillac’s ultra-luxury flagship that harkens back to the Eldorado Brougham—the best that Detroit has to offer. Sure, it’s an EV—a type of vehicle some out there won’t entertain—but it has introduced many processes, materials, and methods to Cadillac production that have begun to trickle down to the brand’s more mainstream vehicles.
Curated by Cadillac is the offspring of its Celestiq efforts, a customization program that will be offered on the 2026 CT5-V Blackwing. Available options will include the exterior colors and finishes, and interior colors and materials—all part of an “elevated” client experience via the dealership and a dedicated Cadillac concierge.
“Curated by Cadillac embodies our commitment to delivering an elevated level of customization,” says John Roth, vice president of global Cadillac. “Drawing upon experience from the ultra-luxury, hand-built Celestiq, we are now offering a limited number of CT5-V Blackwing customers an opportunity to create a vehicle that is as unique as their own story.”
Cadillac says every Curated by Cadillac 2026 CT5-V Blackwing will be hand-built at the Artisan Center in Warren, Michigan. While your basic CT5-V Blackwing starts at $95.595, the bespoke version will start at approximately $158,000, including destination freight.
A Curated by Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing will be on display at the Concours Village in Pebble Beach August 14 and 15, 2025, during Monterey Car Week. Visit www.cadillac.com/curatedbycadillac for more information on the program.
Barrett-Jackson Chairman/CEO Craig Jackson and Chief Brand Officer Carolyn Jackson will showcase “Little Red,” the 1967 Shelby EXP500 prototype coupe alongside the “Green Hornet,” the 1968 Shelby EXP500 prototype coupe at the Shelby American Automobile Club (SAAC) 50th Anniversary event at Sonoma Raceway, August 21-24, 2025. This will be the second time the two legendary muscle cars will be on display together – the first being their public unveiling at the Barrett-Jackson 2020 Scottsdale Auction. Little Red and Green Hornet both hold a pivotal place in Shelby American’s history, contributing to many technological advancements seen on many modern vehicles today.
In August 1966, just months after Ford’s legendary triumph over Ferrari at Le Mans, a unique request was made by Shelby American to the San Jose Ford plant: three Mustangs, a convertible, a fastback, and a coupe. That coupe would go on to become “Little Red,” the only notchback ever built by Shelby American in Los Angeles. Designed as an experimental prototype, Little Red became a testbed for innovation. Carroll Shelby, alongside Shelby American’s Chief Engineer Fred Goodell and their team, used the car to push boundaries, combining Ford’s powerful 428ci engine with their bold vision of a street-legal Mustang with track-ready performance – something that could overtake Ferrari on the streets.
Little Red, a double prototype, holds a singular place in Mustang history as the only 1967 coupe factory-equipped with Ford’s formidable 428ci engine and the very first coupe to receive it. Even more remarkably, it remains the only GT coupe ever ordered and built with factory-installed dual-quad carburetors. Its rarity doesn’t stop there: Little Red is one of just two known 1967 GT Mustangs to feature a black Connolly leather interior, the other being the convertible delivered to Shelby alongside it. In terms of production sequence, Little Red was the second GT500 to be serialized and completed, preceded by the fastback (serial number 0100) and followed by the convertible (0139).
For decades, Little Red was believed to be lost to history, presumed crushed like so many prototype vehicles of its time. But in a remarkable twist, in 2018 the car was discovered in a field in rural North Texas, where it had quietly sat untouched for over 20 years. The search was led by Craig Jackson and classic car restoration expert Jason Billups, supported by a team of leading automotive historians and specialists. Their efforts revealed that Little Red had been re-skinned with many parts from a 1968 Mustang and sold rather than scrapped. It had remained with the same owner for more than two decades.
In poor condition but historically priceless, Little Red underwent a two-year restoration lead by Jackson and Billups using original Shelby schematics. Now fully restored, the car showcases features like twin Paxton superchargers, a reinforced C6 transmission, an electric antenna and its signature Candy Apple Red paint from the height of its experimental past, cementing its legacy as one of the most significant Shelby prototypes ever built.
What makes the Green Hornet truly one of a kind is its status as a “double prototype.” Originally built at the Dearborn Assembly Plant in the fall of 1967, this 1968 Mustang notchback coupe began life as a prototype for Ford’s nation-wide version of the California Special, initially known as the GT/Super Coupe program. In early 1968, the car was handed off to Carroll Shelby and his team, who transformed it into the experimental 500 (EXP500). Under Shelby’s direction, the Green Hornet received a host of unique, performance-focused upgrades, including a 428ci CJ-X big-block V8, Conelec fuel injection, independent rear suspension built by Ford Advanced Vehicles from the Daytona coupe, and 4-wheel disc brakes, all wrapped in a distinctive and aggressive appearance (including it’s electric antenna) that set it apart from anything else on the road.
At the request of Goodell the EXP500 was turned over to in-house custom painter Sonny Fee, who applied a striking, one-of-a-kind Candy Apple Green finish. This bold color choice played a key role in earning the car its iconic nickname, the “Green Hornet.” Beyond its show-stopping appearance, the Green Hornet served a critical role as a prototype test mule for Shelby, making it the second known Mustang notchback documented by Shelby and earning its dual prototype status during its development
Like its sibling Little Red, the Green Hornet was long believed to have been lost to history and crushed like so many other prototypes of its era. Restoring the Green Hornet was a deeply personal and historically driven mission for Craig Jackson, who approached the Shelby prototype’s revival with an unwavering commitment to authenticity. Jackson and Billups researched and sourced original components, including tracking down the one-off independent rear suspension system. Equally challenging was the recreation of the car’s pioneering and incredibly innovative Conelec electronic fuel injection system, a feat made possible through the expertise of Chris Long, whose father designed the original unit. Using his father’s notes and technical drawings, Long successfully reverse-engineered the system, reviving a key piece of Shelby innovation. The restoration also uncovered a remarkable surprise: the Green Hornet still retained its original engine used during Shelby’s development phase. To complete the project with period-correct precision, Jackson sourced an original paint chip from the underside of the hood that had not been stripped to recreate the car’s distinctive Candy Apple Green, applying it over Lime Gold base just as it had been done in 1968, overspray and all.
Little Red and the Green Hornet have only been shown to the public together one other time, making this appearance at SAAC August 21-24 in Sonoma, a special and rare opportunity for enthusiasts to take in these pieces of automotive history that changed the landscape of performance.
To learn more about Little Red or the Green Hornet, visit ShelbyPrototypeCoupes.com or watch the full-length documentaries on YouTube.
It’s safe to say that most American car fans have at some point in their lives fantasized about having a Chevrolet Corvette, a convertible, or a Corvette convertible. Many of them have made that dream a reality but, if you haven’t done that already, take a look at our latest AutoHunter Spotlight: a 71K-mile 2002 Chevrolet Corvette convertible. It’s available from a dealership in Sarasota, Florida and comes with a clean CARFAX report and a clear title.
For 2001, the Corvette coupe and convertible received a variety of updates that improved NVH (noise, vibration, and harshness), boosted power, and increased agility. The cockpit was quieter thanks to better sound insulation and the LS1 5.7-liter V8’s improved idle quality. Engineers also increased the engine’s output from 345 to 350 horsepower and, by opening up the intake system, bumped torque up by 10 to 360 lb-ft (for Corvettes with the 4L60-E four-speed automatic), most of which was available lower in the rev range than before. Even Corvettes with the auto and the standard rear end ratio were able to sprint to 60 mph a quarter-second faster than their 2000 predecessors, according to Chevrolet. A second-generation Active Handling stability control system, new Bosch brake pressure modulator, and revised calibrations made the ’01 Corvette more controllable whether it was oversteering or understeering.
As a 2002 model, this drop-top Vette benefits from all those changes as well as gentle use. Over the past 23 years, it has only accrued 71,767 miles, which means it has been neither a garage queen nor a road warrior. In the pictures provided by the selling dealer, the Magnetic Red Metallic paint appears even and glossy. There’s still plenty of shine on the 17-inch front/18-inch rear aluminum wheels. Soft tops in light colors easily show stains, but the Light Oak manual lid on this C5 seems to be free of discoloration.
Inside, the Light Oak power-adjustable bucket seats are in equally good shape. Whoever originally configured this Corvette picked the 1SC trim, which included a variety of convenience features such as dual-zone automatic climate control, driver’s seat memory, head-up display, and power telescoping/manual tilt steering column.
Other interior features include power windows, locks, and mirrors, cruise control, and Bose audio system with an AM/FM/CD radio.
If you want to make your dream of driving a Corvette convertible an everyday reality, bid on this 2002 Chevrolet Corvette. You may not have a lot of time because the auction ends at 11:00 a.m. (PDT) on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, but you have the rest of your life to enjoy driving this Corvette with the top down.
