Cadillac invented the finned rear fender, initially inspired by airplanes before evolving into rockets. It’s a styling feature copied by every manufacturer in Detroit, South Bend, and Kenosha, plus several overseas . . . and then it died out.
Below are four Cadillacs that are listed for sale on AutoHunter or ClassicCars.com. Can you tell us what they are by model year? If you need a hint, just click on an image—shhhh! We won’t tell!
How would you like to get behind the wheel of a turn-key award-winner? Featured on AutoHunter is this 1957 Ford Custom 300 4-Door Sedan. The car is being sold by a dealer in Canon City, Colorado, and the auction will end Wednesday, September 3, 2025, at 11:30 a.m. (PDT).
The car won “Best Stock” and “Best Classic” in 2009, as well as “Best Classic” in 2011. It was featured in a 2012 catalog for Night Prowlers Kustom Kemp, a brand that produces parts and accessories for hot rods and classics. Finished in two-tone Dresden Blue and Colonial White, it is no wonder why this Custom 300 caught the eye of so many car show judges and parts vendors. Its bumpers have been rechromed, and exterior features include bright trim, decorative lake pipes, a dual exhaust system, and 14-inch steel wheels wrapped in Coker Classic wide whitewall tires.
The 1957 Custom rode on a 116-inch wheelbase (its sibling, the Fairlane, was two inches longer). Thanks to the available powertrain (which we’ll touch on momentarily), the Custom was a “sleeper,” and it had surprising performance for being an otherwise no-nonsense, no-frills four-door sedan. One advertisement for the 1957 Ford models said, “Step to the head of the class in the new kind of Ford. It’s smarter, longer, lower than anything in its field … livelier, too – with Thunderbird V8 power!”
The interior of this car was spacious for its time: Ford emphasized the amount of space inside the cabin (“plenty of hat room, elbow room, and knee room”). This car’s interior was redone in two-tone white vinyl and blue cloth. The factory AM radio is inoperative, but an aftermarket Pioneer stereo with satellite connectivity was installed for modernized audio. The odometer reads 4,347 miles, but it does not track mileage accurately, according to the seller.
As for being a sleeper: power comes from a Thunderbird 292ci Y-block V8 mated to a three-speed manual transmission. It was rated at 212 horsepower and 297 lb-ft of torque with a two-barrel carburetor. An electronic fuel pump and an alternator (in place of the original generator) have been added.
A copy of the car’s Colorado 1983 title shows the car’s registered owner as having lived in Canon City, so the car has remained in its current area for at least the last 40 or so years. Accompanying the car is a long list of accompanying items, including spare parts, an owner’s manual, awards, parts catalog, service records, and other memorabilia. It is a complete “package deal.” As Ford said in its advertising for 1957 cars, “After you see it, other cars will never be the same.”
What makes a classic? Just look at some blue jeans or a good pair of boots. They’re simple. They’re also perennially attractive. Those same characteristics are what make certain old trucks, such as our Pick of the Day, classics. You can find this 1964 Chevrolet C10 Stepside on ClassicCars.com listed by a dealer in Lugoff, South Carolina.
Unlike many deserving classic vehicles out there, this C10 received a frame-off restoration, which brought fresh light blue and white paint, replacement glass, and new cream-colored wood planks for the floor of the Stepside bed. Inside the light blue cab, there’s a bench seat with new light blue vinyl, and black and blue plaid cloth upholstery.
It’s a different story under the hood, but one with a happy ending. Chevrolet didn’t offer a 250ci inline-six in the C/K lineup until 1966. At some point in the past 60-plus years, a “High Torque 250” engine was put under the hood of this truck and connected to a three-speed manual gearbox.
The restoration will help this C10 survive the passage of the next few decades; its proportions ensure that it’ll look handsome the entire time. It doesn’t sit too high or too low. The wheels are neither dwarfed by the body above them nor are they stuffed underneath it. The ratio of the Stepside bed’s length to the cab’s length is just right.
For decades, this 1964 Chevrolet C10 Stepside has been a classic and it always will be. The question is: Will it be your next truck? If you pay the $35,000 asking price, the answer is yes.
Laec Christensen’s pride and joy (and his daily driver for the last 10 years!) has been a 1980 Mazda 626 sedan. While stock-appearing on the exterior, the car is powered by a 1.6-liter inline-four and a transmission from a first-generation Miata.
Some cars, like Laec’s, from the 1970s through 1990s, go underappreciated in the traditional car-show realm. Sure, RADwood is out there to recognize part of this group, but Laec says there’s still an opportunity to celebrate the oft-forgotten “grandma cars” and the everyday underappreciated drivers of the era.
1985 Cadillac Eldorado
He says, “We’re clearing up an injustice, I think: those of us that grew up in the ’90s were promised a future where everything 25-years-old and up would be considered a classic … and yet my own 45-year-old chariot is mostly ignored at a regular show – and I’m far from the only one.”
My first car was a 1986 Chevrolet Celebrity that fits squarely (with its box-shaped silhouette, quite literally) into the demographic, so I can relate to Laec’s mindset.
1980 Honda Prelude
Event Background
Enter the Malaise Car Club of Oregon, which has become a home base for vehicles of the “Malaise Era” between 1972 through 1995. Members connect via a Facebook group of over 600 members. This year will mark the fourth annual meet-up of an event put on by the club called the Malaise Invitational. It will be held at the Pumpkin Patch on Suavie Island on September 13. I connected with Laec for more intel on the background of this unique show. The first event was held in Eugene in 2022, and it has grown in size and in scope ever since.
Daniel Bones and his pride and joy.
Together with his colleagues Daniel Bones and Duncan Nodarse, Laec has helped build a community in the Pacific Northwest around the cars – and the people – from an era that many car shows overlook. As a special attraction, this year, a first-generation Pontiac Phoenix (in brown, of course) will be given away at the event. The car – dubbed “Russet” because of its Idaho-based origins – will be sent home with one lucky attendee.
Most importantly, the Malaise Invitational has a community-oriented mission: Proceeds will be donated to Birch Community Services, an organization that helps low-income families receive food, education, and “nurturing accountability” to qualifying community members in need.
1988 Plymouth Reliant
Registration and Spectator Details
If you are interested in taking part in this year’s Malaise Invitational, participant registration is available at this link. Any car, truck, motorcycle, and anything with wheels made between 1972 and 1995 is encouraged to register. “Rust buckets, show cars, and daily drivers will all be equally welcomed at the show,” the website says. The show is open to the public and free to attend. Pets and food are welcome, and the event will be held rain or shine.
Event Details:
Fourth Annual Malaise Invitational
Saturday, September 13, 2025
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Sauvie Island
16511 NW Gillihan Road, Portland, OR 97231
Photos courtesy of Malaise Car Club of Oregon and CurbsideClassic.com
ClassicCars TV was lucky to see this 1954 Kaiser Darrin in all its fiberglass glory. Not only are Kaiser Darrins rare, but they also have a distinctive design from Automotive Hall of Fame inductee Howard “Dutch” Darrin. His Kaiser Henry J-based creation has an unusual grille, a Willys inline-six, pocket doors, and a soft top that can be put into three positions.
But those features weren’t enough to get it on the production line. Ultimately, Henry J. Kaiser’s wife Alyce convinced him to start making the Darrin, aka KF-161. This restored Darrin is #46 from the 435-unit production run; it sold at the Barrett-Jackson 2024 Scottsdale Fall Auction for $97,900.
Featured on AutoHunter is this 1972 Datsun 240-Z, one of the first Japanese cars to capture enthusiasts’ hearts, as well as one of the first Japanese collectibles in America. Car and Driver said in 1970, “The difference between the Datsun 240-Z and your everyday three-and-a-half thousand dollar sports car is that about twice as much thinking went into the Datsun. It shows.” Power comes from a 2.4-liter inline-six paired with a four-speed manual transmission. Other features include center console, air conditioning, aftermarket AM/FM/cassette stereo with digital tuner, and sunroof. Finished in red over a white vinyl interior, this classic Japanese sports car is offered by the selling dealer with service records and a clear title.
The red hue is bright, just like you’d want in a sports car. The 2018 repaint is complemented by black side mirrors, longitudinal protective trim, chrome rear bumper guard, and other assorted brightwork. Twin chrome exhaust tips exit from the left rear. A dual-panel sunroof helps you enjoy the rays while carving corners in the backroads. A set of 14-inch aftermarket wheels (not specified, but they look like Appliance Dia-Mag wheels) are wrapped in 205/70 Toyo radials.
The white vinyl interior is complemented by black components. A pair of bucket seats are divided by a center console housing the shifter. Other interior features include air conditioning, three-spoke steering wheel, and aftermarket JVC AM/FM stereo with cassette.
The instrument panel features a 160-mph speedometer and 8,000-rpm tachometer, with gauges for the oil pressure, temperature, amperage, and fuel, plus clock. The odometer shows 92,470 miles, though the title reads mileage-exempt.
The OHC six-cylinder measures 2393cc and put out 150 horsepower on 8.8:1 compression. Fuel is delivered by a pair of single-barrel carburetors. Power is transmitted through a four-speed manual transmission.
The undercarriage features a fully independent suspension, power front disc brakes, 3.36 gears in the rear differential, and a dual exhaust system.
Nissan . . . er, Datsun set out to do the Italians and Brits one better, and it succeeded. The 240-Z would be a stellar collectible no matter who built it, but it so happens that it is from the Land of the Rising Sun. The red and white color combo is just right, and we all should be thankful this isn’t a post-1972 car with bumpers that ruin its grace. Get your bid in for this 1972 Datsun 240-Z by 11:00 a.m. (PDT) on September 5, 2025, or you’ll miss out on a sports car that keeps you from cursing under your breath.
Coventry, England is located about 107 miles (and a two-hour drive) northwest of London. It is the ninth-biggest city in the U.K. and is known for its cobbled streets, unique cathedrals, medieval city walls, and strong ties to the automotive industry. That’s because Jaguar has headquartered its key manufacturing operations there for nearly 100 years. Our Pick of the Day is one of those cars assembled in Coventry that, nearly four decades later, is still on the road. This 1987 Jaguar XJ6 sedan is listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in Oradell, New Jersey.
“With only 61k original miles, this car has seen gentle use, has never been in an accident, and has always been garage-kept,” the listing begins.
Known for its elegant styling and smooth ride, the XJ was a British sedan that has held its own in the collector market for decades. It was produced from 1968 through 1992 across three different iterations: Series I (1968-73), Series II (1973-79), and Series III (1979-92). Given the car’s “animal” identity, Jaguar cleverly called it “evolution of the species.” This car hails from the final group.
True to its objective as a luxury sedan (or “saloon,” as they say in England), the Jaguar was appointed with a long list of creature comforts when new, like leather seats, power windows, polished walnut trim, air conditioning, telescoping steering wheel, and stereo.
This low-mileage XJ6 looks to be in phenomenal shape for being 38 years old. The seller states that the paint is original and the car has lived an accident-free life. The Slate Blue exterior complements the car’s lines well, and the tan leather upholstery is free of rips or tears, based on the photos in the listing.
Under the hood is a 4.2-liter inline-six featuring a Bosch fuel-injection system. A four-speed automatic transmission sends power to the rear wheels. A four-wheel, power-assisted, anti-lock braking system was standard equipment. While specific maintenance items are not called out, the seller says the car has been mechanically restored.
The listing concludes, “Very few Jaguars remain in this kind of condition, making it a rare find for any classic car enthusiast or collector. This XJ6 delivers timeless style and dependable performance.”
The asking price for a stunning piece of British history is $20,000.
I had the perception that the Chrysler Corporation was the worst of the Big Three when it came to the quality and reliability of 1970s vehicles, yet I was surprised by some of the superlatives echoed by the editors of Consumer Guide. So, what did Consumer Guide think of the Ford Motor Company? Let’s start off with its namesake.
Certainly, Ford did not have the poor build reputation that the Chrysler Corporation had, but the most people feel the worst car of the decade is a Ford—the Pinto. Nonetheless, popular culture does not dictate build quality, reliability, or recalls, so how was the explosive subcompact through the years? LTD? Torino? Maverick and its Mercedes-esque cousin, the Granada? LTD II? What about the downsized cars on the Fox platform?
Let’s take a look. Please note the CG rating scale of 5 being Excellent and 1 being Poor.
Ford “Stylists at Ford have had a free hand for years. That’s why most of the Ford … cars of the ‘70s are so thoroughly overdrawn. [Yet] dependability is Ford’s strongest feature.”
Fairlane/Torino/LTD II: “The four-door Fairlane and early Torino models from 1969 through 1970 are far better transportation cars than the LTD II.” CG rating: 3-2-1
Fairmont: “It has the boxy body lines that waste no space or sheet metal, thus providing `very good passenger space and fuel economy.” CG rating: 5
Fiesta: “This thoroughly modern mini car offers more passenger and luggage room than any American-made subcompact and fuel economy of 38 miles per gallon.” CG rating: 5
Granada: “Ford Motor Company has a lot of gall in comparing its Granada to the Mercedes-Benz 280. The Mercedes 280 is one of the best compact-size cars in the world; Granada is one of the worst.” CG rating: 2
Galaxie/LTD: “Even if they do have a bit of a drinking problem, the full-size Fords are not bad cars … Frequency of repairs has been superior for the full-size Fords—except for the 1970, 1971, and 1972 models.” CG rating: 1-2
Maverick: “Simple, dependable, economical—if those are the words you like to hear in considering an older-model used car, there is one more word for you: Maverick.” CG rating: 3-4
Mustang/Mustang II: “In 1974, the fat, overstyled Mustang was put out to pasture in favor of a smaller yet equally flabby Mustang II.” CG rating: 2-1-2
Pinto: “What you can expect from Pinto is low-cost maintenance and repairs, plus fairly good fuel economy. It offers outstanding dependability, and has a durable, tight body. But don’t expect refinement as well.” CG rating: 4
Thunderbird: “The 1969 through 1972 T-Bird has the weight and poor fuel economy of a large car, with the internal dimensions of an intermediate and the trunk space of a compact . . . The 1972 through 1975 models are vastly improved over previous T-Birds.” CG rating: 1-2-3
Like many other SUVs, the Honda Passport has become more rugged over time. The 2022 model year marked the debut of the all-new TrailSport trim level, which was largely an appearance package. Two years later, Honda equipped the Passport TrailSport with suspension enhancements and all-terrain tires. The all-new 2026 model has similar upgrades as well as increased ground clearance, improved approach and departure angles, second-generation i-VTM4 torque-vectoring all-wheel drive, and reinforced steel skid plates. Honda calls the 2026 Honda Passport TrailSport “the most rugged, off-road capable Honda SUV ever.” The upcoming Alcan 5000 Rally, an 11-day journey across 5,900 miles of the Pacific Northwest, Alaska, and Canada, will be a grueling test of that claim.
Photo courtesy of Honda/Andy Lilienthal
Given the terrain the 2026 Passport TrailSport will encounter, you might think Honda lifted it high and threw on massive apocalypse-proof tires. In fact, the rig Andy and Mercedes Lilienthal get is stock. In last year’s rally, with Andy as the pilot of an INEOS Grenadier and Mercedes as the navigator, the couple took 1st place in the 2S class; both will fill the same roles behind the wheel of the Passport. The 3.5-liter V6 generates its usual 285 horsepower and routes it through a 10-speed automatic and the i-VTM4 all-wheel drive system. The four-wheel independent suspension has forged steel suspension arms and cast-iron knuckles, but those are standard components on the 2026 Passport. However, Honda did load up the Lilienthals’ vehicle with several genuine Honda accessories designed to make it more robust and capable, including rock sliders, aluminum front scuff plate, full-size spare wheel and tire, cargo roof platform, and MOLLE boards. Baja Designs auxiliary lights, attached to a Rally Innovations prototype light bar mount, will illuminate the difficult paths that lie ahead.
Photo courtesy of Honda/Mercedes Lilienthal
Started in 1984, the Alcan 5000 Rally is “a unique accuracy-based time-speed-distance event where teams use a paper route book to navigate public roads at or below posted speed limits per what the route book’s turn-by-turn directions say, both on time and on route,” according to Honda. Whichever teams get the closest to matching the rallymaster’s overall perfect zero times win their class or overall title.
This year’s Alcan 5000 Rally runs September 2-12 and will take the Lilienthals and their rivals from Kirkland, Washington through Canada’s Yukon Territory to Fairbanks, Alaska and across the finish line in British Columbia, Canada. By the time they’re done, they’ll have traveled 5,000 miles, plus another 900 on unpaved roads by completing all the optional routes. It’ll be a test of nerve, coordination, endurance . . . and the 2026 Honda Passport TrailSport’s seat cushions.
Right now on AutoHunter is this 1947 Ford Sedan Delivery, which was formerly used at the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio. You possibly may recognize it as a previous exhibit at the Volo Auto Museum in Illinois, or from one of its many appearance in movies, including Warren Beatty’s 2016 film “Rule Don’t Apply.” It’s powered by a 239ci flathead V8, which is paired with a three-speed manual transmission. Finished in Wine Burgundy over a gray cloth interior, this postwar Ford is now offered by the private seller in California with the original owner’s manual, California Highway Patrol VIN verification statement, repair receipts, the original California plates, the purchase agreement and a printed sales listing from the Volo Auto Museum, and clear title.
The Wine Burgundy bodywork is accented with chrome bumpers, chrome grille, and bright trim. Other features include a hood ornament, two-piece windshield, peep mirrors, side-hinged back door, hitch receiver, and Ford-branded deflector for the single exhaust outlet.
A set of 16-inch steel wheels with Ford hub caps and 215/70 Falken Sinerca Touring all-season radial tires help take this Sedan Delivery’s contents where they need to go. If you place the winning bid, we suggest driving it to go see a movie—you might see it up on the big screen.
The cabin is divided into two main sections. The front passenger compartment features gray cloth upholstery on the bench seat and the door panels, as well as a heater/defroster, Everlasting turn signal stalk, and column-mounted manual transmission shifter. There is also an AM radio and clock, but both are currently inoperable.
The rear cargo area has black walls and a wood-plank platform above another storage area that contains the spare tire.
Instrumentation consists of a 100-mph speedometer and gauges for the fuel level, oil pressure, battery, and temperature. The odometer shows 46,531 miles, but the title for this vehicle indicates that it’s mileage-exempt.
Under the tapered hood is a 239ci flathead V8 that was factory-rated at 100 brake horsepower at 3,800 rpm. It receives fuel from an electric fuel pump that was installed in 2024, which is mixed with air in a two-barrel carburetor that was rebuilt in the same year. Power reaches the rear wheels through a three-speed manual gearbox. Drum brakes help get whatever needs to be delivered in this classic Ford—whether that’s products for a business or clothing donations for a charity—where it has to go.
If you want this piece of military and movie history, bid on this 1947 Ford Sedan Delivery right now. The auction for it ends on Thursday, September 4, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. (PDT).
