Journal Classic Cars

There’s plenty of folklore surrounding NASCAR’s earliest drivers, as some were moonshine runners before turning pro. In the case of Middle Georgia Raceway, this worked in an inverse manner, as the track was a façade for a moonshine operation.

The half-mile paved track opened in May 1966 at a cost of $500,000. With a contemporary Pontiac Catalina convertible handling pace car duties, track activities kicked off with the Speedy Morelock 200, where Richard Petty drove his Hemi Plymouth 100 miles for the win. Through 1971, Middle Georgia Raceway hosted nine NASCAR Grand National races, with names like Bobby Allison, David Pearson, and Bobby Isaac congregating in the winner’s circle.

But sometime between those races—specifically September 23, 1967—federal agents converged on the racetrack and arrested Lamar Brown, Jr., the owner of Middle Georgia Raceway. It seems a hunter had picked up a strange scent and notified authorities, who proceeded to search for several hours before discovering a four-by-four trap door concealed by a dummy ticket booth. From there, a dirt passageway led 17 feet down to an underground chamber about 50 feet long and six feet wide. On the floor was a distillery consisting of two fermentation tanks, a gas-operated cooker, and electrical lighting, exhausts, and even insect-repelling devices. With a total capacity of 3,700 gallons of mash, the still was capable of producing an estimated 80 gallons of whiskey per day. The state and federal tax for that amount would have amounted to approximately $1,000 (about $9,700 today).

Brown denied knowledge of the still despite evidence showing he had purchased 24 pounds of yeast 10 days prior to the still’s discovery. He claimed the yeast was to make food for the concession stand. After deliberation, the jury returned with a not guilty verdict.

After 1971, the track hosted amateur races, special events, concerts, and seasonal Halloween attractions. It also served as a shooting location for TV shows and films, including the racing scenes in the Richard Pryor movie Greased Lightning. The Old Style Beer 200, an ARCA SuperCar Series race held at the track in 1984, was the final automotive event at Middle Georgia Raceway. The track permanently closed in 1986.

At the Barrett-Jackson 2025 Palm Beach Auction, ClassicCars TV encountered a 1996 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport, a special model which paid homage to the Grand Sport race cars of the early 1960s. Along with the Sebring Silver Collector Edition, the ’96 Grand Sport marked the end of the fourth generation of America’s Sports Car. It was a distinctive commemorative model finished in Admiral Blue with a white center stripe, red fender hash marks, and black 17-inch wheels. The Grand Sport was only available with a 6-speed manual and came standard with the one-year-only LT4 5.7-liter V8, which featured revised internals and new injectors that helped it pump out 330 horsepower and 340 lb-ft of torque. One enthusiast made the winning bid of $38,500 to take this instantly recognizable piece of Corvette history home with them.

If you are looking at buying a car from the world of little British sports cars there are many choices out there. Some examples are the legendary MGB, Triumph Spitfire, Sunbeam Alpine, and the Triumph TR6. All of these are good cars in their own right but, to me, there is an often overlooked model that combines some of the best qualities of two different cars from two different eras: the Triumph TR250.

The TR250, which carried the internal code name Project Wasp, was a bit of a stopgap measure that was created to compete against the higher-performance MGC, and to assist with emissions requirements from the U.S. that had started to strangle the TR4. What made the TR250 special to me is that it combined the stunning styling of the Michelotti-designed TR4 with the six-cylinder engine from the yet-to-be-released TR6. This combination makes the TR250 something just a bit more special than either the TR4 or the TR6. The TR250 is also a much rarer car than either of those vehicles as it was only built for a single year.

Today’s AutoHunter Spotlight is one of these rare single year cars, a 1968 TR250 offered on AutoHunter by a private seller located in Sonoma, California.

The seller describes this TR250 as being powered by the correct 2.5-liter inline-six mated to a four-speed manual transmission with overdrive. That last word is quite important to me as the overdrive unit on these cars transforms the Triumph from a car that is annoying at 65 MPH to one that can cruise all day at 75. The car is painted in the correct red over a new black leather interior (all TR250s came equipped with leather) and comes from the the seller with owner’s manual, maintenance manual, service receipts, and clear title.

The seller goes on to state some important facts about this car, including a $20,000 frame-off restoration in 1992 when the color was changed to red, a new interior, and engine and carbs that were rebuilt in 2023. These facts, combined with the car being located in Northern California, lead me to believe that this is likely a very nice example of a TR250.

Looking at the photos in this listing it seems as if the paintwork was well done. I see no signs of overspray and have to believe that they painted this TR250 when it was disassembled, as it looks at least as good as a factory TR250 paint job. The seller states that the chrome was also replaced, and looks good as well. The only annoying thing I see on the exterior is that the door and fender chrome do not line up perfectly, especially on the right side of the car. I am not sure if this can be adjusted to line up better by adjusting the door but think it is likely. No, these cars were not perfect (like a 1968 Aston Martin), but I personally would take the time to try to remedy this.

The interior looks to be in great shape with correct leather and correct wood dash. I personally like the aftermarket wood wheel. Yes, the leather seat covers could have been installed a bit better but this is something you can fix if it bothers you. I personally would just drive and enjoy it.

This TR250 engine compartment also looks to be in excellent condition, with a few chrome engine dress-up items. Everything looks to be in good shape.

The underside of this TR250 also looks quite good, with everything appearing to be in nice shape. I fully believe that the restoration of this car included the suspension bushings. This is important as the difference between a TR6 with worn-out bushings and one with its suspension in good condition is so drastic that it’ll be like driving two different model cars.

If you are looking for a classic British roadster that combines all the best bits, plus it being the rarest of the Triumph TRs, then I would consider this TR250. I have always liked it much more than the TR6 and think that these cars still have room to move upwards in value. More importantly, they are the very definition of a 1960s British roadster, offering enough power, good handling, and one of the best-sounding British engines of the era. If you think so too then bid on this car (and do it soon!) as the auction for this 1968 Triumph TR250 with overdrive ends Wednesday, October 1, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. (PDT).

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and a photo gallery

When it comes to buying a classic vehicle, unless you like needy projects or “preserved” vehicles, it’s usually a good idea to find one with new parts. That’s what makes our Pick of the Day so appealing—it literally has a truckload of fresh components. You can find this 1964 GMC 1000 Wide-Side pickup listed on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in North Palm Beach, Florida.

Every automotive enthusiast wants to know certain numbers when (s)he looks at a vehicle, such as the horsepower and torque, 0-60 time, and quarter-mile ET and speed. But a custom build has a very special number associated with it: the total dollar amount spent to make it look and perform the way it does. According to the seller, this truck initially cost $19,000. After that, (s)he spent more than $85,000 transforming it into the sport truck you see here, bringing the all-in price to $104,000-plus.

That significant investment resulted in front-to-rear updates. Black paint and a matching set of 22-inch Detroit Steel Wheel Co. rollers make this 1000 look 100 percent sinister. Behind the wheels are power Wilwood disc brakes. The BluePrint Engines 350 under the hood has only racked up 1,400 miles so far. It’s surrounded by a variety of new components, including the wiring, radiator, alternator, and water pump. The V8 channels its power to the road through a new driveshaft and Dana rear end.

Inside, the cabin was modernized with AutoMeter gauges, billet steering wheel tilt and turn signal stalks, a column-mounted billet automatic shifter, and a microfiber Sparco steering wheel. Passengers can enjoy the comfort of air conditioning, new seating, and center console with a pair of cup holders. Behind the seats is a gun rack, but if you’re looking for the gas tank there, you won’t find it because it was relocated to underneath the wood slats of the bed.

If you want to relocate this sleek black 1964 GMC 1000 Wide-Side pickup to your garage, you can do that for substantially less than it cost to build: the seller is asking $67,000 (OBO).

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

Every once in a while, a car comes along that stands out among similar (if not all) vehicles. It has everything going for it: color, engine, and options. Sometimes it may have something unusual that gives it distinction even if it didn’t have the “right” option mix. This 1971 Ford Mustang Mach I checks all those boxes and maybe more. It is slated to hit the block with No Reserve at the Barrett-Jackson 2025 Scottsdale Fall Auction October 15-18.

Let’s start with the big picture: This Mustang is a Mach I SportsRoof, Ford’s sporty Mustang fastback. Though in standard form it was hardly a screamer (a 302 two-barrel was included), the Mach I started to get interesting with the 351 four-barrel. If that was not enough horsepower and you had enough wampum to step up, there was only one way to go: 429 Cobra Jet. Introduced in 1970, it arrived for the Mustang with the car’s 1971 redesign. The 429 was the replacement for the 428 Cobra Jet and was rated at 370 horsepower, but everyone knew that was underrated.

Like in 1969-70, Ford offered the Cobra Jet in two versions: one without ram air, the other with. In the case of the 1971 Mustang, a new air induction system was implemented—gone was the novel Shaker hood scoop, to be replaced by aeronautics-inspired NASA scoops. If you’re going by the engine code in the VIN, the Cobra Jet without ram air was a C-code; the same engine with ram air was a J-code.

Though identical otherwise, Ford specified different standard gearing for the two Cobra Jets, with 3.25 for the C-code and 3.50 for the J-code. If neither was adequate in squeezing out every last ounce of horsepower, the Drag Pack was available, featuring upgraded engine hardware, an external oil cooler, and 3.91 Traction-Lok or 4.11 Detroit Locker rears.

A J-code Mach I is a beefy performance car—a great way to end the high-compression era with a bang-shift. But this Mach I has something going for it that makes it stand out from all the others out there. First, look at the color combination. Grabber Yellow is nothing remarkable in the world of Mustangs, but it’s not often paired with a red interior. Only one person saw fit to specify this combination for a Mach I. It sears the eyes in ways you’ve likely never seen.

Additionally, check out that vinyl top. Ford initially offered, then cancelled, a canopy vinyl top for SportsRoofs, but full vinyl tops were a dealer-installed thing, which is why seeing this may make you dig deep into the recesses of your mind trying to identify why this car looks different than others you’ve seen.

Aside from the true 1-of-1 exterior/interior distinction, this 1971 Mustang Mach I was originally ordered with body side tape stripes, Traction-Lok with 3.25 gears, power steering, power front disc brakes, a Sport Deck rear seat, Selectaire air conditioning, an AM radio, a console, tinted glass, Magnum 500 wheels wrapped in F60x15 Wide Ovals, and the J-code 429 backed by the C-6 Select Shift automatic, all of which make for a nice Mach I beyond the funky paint job and vinyl top.

A lot of cars claim to be 1-of-1, but you have to drill them down by option upon option to the point that every car seems to be 1-of-1. In contrast, this 1971 Ford Mustang Mach I drills down to the one-and-only immediately, giving it much more gravitas among Mustangs and other muscle cars. It’s ready to appear in your garage, but only when you’re the high bidder at the one-and-only Barrett-Jackson 2025 Scottsdale Fall Auction, which takes place October 15-18.

Tom Matano, the man credited for being the father of the Mazda Miata, passed away on September 20 at the age of 77. His career in automotive design helped shape some of the industry’s most iconic machines—not just at Mazda, but also at General Motors, BMW, and Volvo.

Matano’s design for the Miata was an undisputed home run, and that car will forever hold its place in automotive history: the first-generation “NA” chassis MX-5 sold nearly 230,000 examples in the United States alone between 1989-97. In 2000, the Guinness Book of World Records named the Miata as the best-selling two-seat sports car in history. The MX-5 has since evolved through three subsequent generations and still holds a key place in the Mazda lineup today. It was thanks to Matano’s influence that the brand’s “Zoom-Zoom” slogan took deeper meaning. After all, the Miata was—and is—all about the joy of driving.

Matano was born in Nagasaki, Japan, in 1947 and graduated from Seikei University. He worked on many enthusiast-favorite Mazdas, including the “FD” RX-7, MX-6, and MX-3. His career at Mazda first started in 1983 when he became Chief Designer for the North American operations. Subsequent roles included Executive Vice President of Western Operations and General Manager of Mazda design. Following retirement in 2002, he remained active in the automotive community. One of his roles was serving as the Executive Director for the School of Industrial Design at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. He also frequently appeared at enthusiast events, including an appearance at the Japanese Classic Car Show in 2024.

This video of an interview with Matano at the New York Auto Show in 2014 captures his charismatic personality. He said, “We tap into the relationship between a car and a driver.” He also said, “I knew this would be a success, but never thought of this continued passion of the people. I’m still amazed at the smile on their faces. That’s the moment I love most.”

Matano will surely still enjoy seeing the smiles on people’s faces for the years and decades to come. The world has lost an automotive legend, but his memory will live on among sports car enthusiasts indefinitely.

Right now on AutoHunter, you can find this 40,123-mile 2002 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am WS6 Convertible, which is powered by an LS1 5.7-liter V8 connected to a Ram Air Induction System and a four-speed automatic. Finished in Arctic White with a black power convertible top over an Ebony Prado leather interior, this final-year Trans Am is now offered by the selling dealer in Montana with a three-piece tonneau cover and its storage bag, clean CARFAX report, and clear title.

The Arctic White exterior features fog lamps, pop-up headlights, hood scoops for the Ram Air Induction System, power mirrors with body-color caps, power-operated black soft top with a heated glass rear window, rear spoiler, and dual exhaust outlets.

All that power under the aggressive-looking hood reaches the pavement through a set of polished 17 x 9-inch cast aluminum wheels and 275/40 Toyo Extensa HP II tires.

The cockpit is furnished with Ebony Prado leather seating with perforated inserts for the power-adjustable front buckets. Other features include power locks and windows, cruise control, tilt steering column, audio controls on the steering wheel, air conditioning, Monsoon AM/FM/CD sound system with trunk-mounted 12-disc CD changer, and center console.

Instrumentation consists of a 155-mph speedometer, 7,000-rpm tachometer, and temperature, oil pressure, voltage, and fuel gauges. The digital odometer shows 40,123 miles, a figure slightly above the CARFAX report’s latest reading of 39,195 miles from July 2025.

Under the hood is a Ram Air-fed LS1 5.7-liter V8 that was factory-rated at 325 horsepower and 350 lb-ft of torque. A four-speed automatic and a 3.23:1 rear end deliver that output to the road.

The WS6 Performance and Handling Package adds specially tuned suspension hardware, which works in conjunction with the four-wheel anti-lock power disc brakes to keep this Trans Am’s rubber on the road.

If you want this this 2002 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am WS6 Convertible to be on the road to your house, bid on it now. The auction ends on Thursday, October 2, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. (PDT).

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and a photo gallery

Hopped-up roadsters from the 1930s are standout symbols American hot-rodding culture. And nothing says “hot rod” like a flame-inspired paint scheme. The Pick of the Day is a 1933 Ford Roadster listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in Casa Grande, Arizona.

The listing begins, “Fabricated by the best craftsmen in the business, this roadster is a masterpiece. Roy Brizio built the chassis and is responsible for the gorgeous body, three-piece hood, louvers, and extensive aluminum work.”

People have been painting flames on cars for upwards of 90 years—originally incorporating them as references to racing engines and, later, inspired from World War I and World War II aircraft. By the 1940s and 1950s, the trend had gained widespread popularity. Even today, flames are used in many custom builds, and they can range in design from traditional flames to “ghost” flames (only visible in certain angle/lighting perspectives), tribal flames, and flame-themed pinstripes.

This car has the right kind of powertrain to back up its spicy exterior. Power under the hood comes from a 383ci stroker V8 that has been upgraded with an MSD ignition system and Ron Francis wiring. The car has reportedly accrued 1,900 miles since completion, but the engine bay and undercarriage look brand-new in the images. The seller says, “Engine bay and undercarriage painted to match with polished and chrome brightwork.”

Exterior features for the custom build are based around a 123-inch Brizio chassis with a Gibbons body, and noteworthy characteristics include a Duvall two-piece windshield, three-piece hood, rear-hinged doors, and louvers throughout. Since it was designed as a fair-weather car, it does not have a retractable top, but it does offer plenty of amenities as a parade cruiser or a show/weekend ride.  The passenger compartment features tan leather heated seats, wool carpet, billet dash panel, and full gauges including a column-mounted tachometer.

“This is the epitome of hot rods—guaranteed to draw a crowd and bring home top awards at every show and rod run,” the listing says. The car’s license plate, FLAME33, sums it up well. If you have ever wanted to own a hot rod that will heat up your love for classic American roadsters, this 1933 Ford’s engine is ready to rumble.  

The asking price is $58,000.

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

My family has ancestral roots in Switzerland. More specifically, my great-great-great grandfather, Christian Hugi (modified spelling) was born on November 19, 1842, in Bern. He and his wife Margaret moved to the United States in 1879 and made their home in Utah. He passed away in 1922 at age 79 in the city of Logan, where I was born about 60 years later.

My dad is not typically one to travel internationally, but he was interested in the idea of visiting our “homeland,” so to speak. A few of us packed our bags and headed to Europe to explore in early September. In addition to seeing all the grandeur of Lake Geneva, the Matterhorn, and Zurich, we feasted our eyes on the diverse—and sometimes downright odd—cars that were seen roaming the streets. Spoiler alert: it was station-wagons galore!

Cute little EV Honda

I convinced my family to make a pit-stop at a Honda dealership in Bern, and the first vehicle that caught my eye there was a Honda “e”. The e was never sold in the United States, but it was offered in Europe until just a year or two ago. Classified as a “supermini,” it had design language that looked a little bit like the first-generation, five-door, Honda Civic hatchback.

Power for the e came from a 35.5-kWh lithium-ion battery paired with an electric motor, with Honda rating it at a 220-kilometer (137-mile) range. The e was rear-wheel drive—something unique for a Honda. Perhaps the e’s most distinctive feature (to me anyway) was its camera-based side mirrors. Instead of traditional mirrors, the car featured screens that were fed information from a small camera mounted on each door. It was an odd setup for sure, but it did provide benefits in improving aerodynamics and minimizing wind noise.

In addition to the e, we saw other unfamiliar Honda models, including the e:Ny1 and the ZR-V. Otherwise, the dealership looked just about like any U.S. dealership, complete with a customer lounge, brochure display, paint color samples, and other promotional swag. 

Non-U.S. brands abound

During our several days of driving our rental Audi A6 station wagon, we noticed brands like Cupra (owned by Seat), Opel, Peugeot, Renault, and Skoda. We saw just one Ford truck—a Raptor—an occasional Mustang, and several Jeep Grand Cherokees. But the vast majority of vehicles in Switzerland were European-built and have never left the continent.

It will be interesting to see how the marketplace for cars evolves in the United States in the coming years. For urban city-dwellers who need an easy-to-park compact, something like the Honda e might have done well. Perhaps Honda will rework the formula and send one our way!

Back when I lived in Austin, Texas, I went to several restaurants and breweries that not only welcomed the four-legged friends of its patrons, but also supplied water bowls for them. Local trails were filled with pooches on leashes walking a few feet ahead of their human parents. I’m sure that if I asked, one of those people would have told me that the only catch to traveling with dogs is that whatever the dog has been in contact with winds up on their vehicle’s upholstery and carpeting. Bentley seems to be aware of this, which would explain its new Pet Accessory Range for the Bentayga.

According to Bentley, nearly one in three of its clients travel regularly with their pets (including Alexander Kraft, the CEO and owner of Sotheby’s International Realty France—Monaco). The Pet Accessory Range’s all-weather floor and cargo area mats keep the carpeting from soaking up the water and mud dogs may drag in after outdoor adventures. For those who let their dogs ride on the rear seats of their Bentayga, the Pet Accessory Range offers Tailored Rear Seat Protection Covers and Seat Extenders with Quilted Door Cards designed to keep the precious leather free of claw marks. If humans happen to ride back there, they can still buckle themselves and children in thanks to cut-outs for the seat belts and Isofix points. The front- and rear-facing Bentley Dual Drive Vision cameras record journeys and keep an eye on the interior while the Bentayga is barked . . . er, parked.

Like the all-weather floor mats, the padded and waterproof Quilted Load Space Liner with integrated Bumper Protector keeps the rear end of the Bentayga clean and scratch-free. The Bespoke Dog Guard and Moveable Luggage Divider allow Bentayga drivers to carry “Man’s best friend” and suitcases in the rear cargo area.

Perhaps in the future, the artisans in Bentley’s Mulliner bespoke division will offer a built-in vacuum with a leather-wrapped hose for sucking up stray dog hairs, or a removable crystal container for dog biscuits.