Featured on AutoHunter, the online auction platform driven by ClassicCars.com, is this 1970 Shelby GT350 SportsRoof. It is powered by a 351ci “Windsor” V8 backed by an FMX three-speed automatic transmission. Features include NACA air induction system, bucket seats, Sport Deck folding rear seat, driving lights, Traction-Lok differential and blue reflective side stripes. Finished in Wimbledon White over a black vinyl interior, this garage-kept GT350 comes from the selling dealer with Marti Report documentation, build sheet, original paperwork, service records, owner’s manual and a clear title.
The exterior of this Shelby GT350 is finished in Wimbledon White. Features include blue reflective side stripes, black front spoiler, driving lights, color-keyed racing mirrors with manual driver-side remote, and cast aluminum exhaust tips. The hood features a NACA air induction system, twist-lock hood pins and black stripes, the latter something that distinguishes it from 1969s.
A set of 15-inch five-spoke Shelby mag-type wheels is wrapped in 245/60/R15 Cooper Cobra Radial G/T tires.
The black vinyl interior features front bucket seats with red accents; the Sport Deck rear seats fold to create more utility. Features include power steering and brakes, center console with automatic transmission shifter, woodgrain accents including three-spoke woodgrain Rim Blow steering wheel, and Clarion AM/FM/cassette stereo.
The instrument panel includes a 140-mph speedometer, 8,000-rpm tachometer and gauges for the fuel level and temperature. The odometer reads 41,989 miles, which the selling dealer reports to be accurate. Aftermarket readouts for the oil pressure and alternator are mounted on the console.
The reportedly original 290-horsepower 351ci V8 is backed by an FMX SelectShift Cruise-O-Matic three-speed automatic transmission. Engine bay features include black cast aluminum valve covers and chrome export brace.
This Shelby was factory-equipped with an independent front suspension and a solid rear-drive axle with Traction-Lok differential housing 3.25 gears. Braking is provided by power front discs and rear drums.
The above Marti Report shows the information from the data plate and includes the list of options from the original build.
The auction for this 1970 Shelby GT350 SportsRoof ends on Friday, May 19, 2023, at 12:15 p.m. (PDT)
Triumph and Mercedes-Benz had something in common in the 1970s, and it was the color “Signal Red.” The hue is classified under code 32 for Triumph models and code 568H for Mercedes models. The exterior designers for each manufacturer must have been inspired while sitting at stoplights.
The Pick of the Day is a 1970 Triumph TR6 convertible listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in Hopedale, Massachusetts. (Click the link to view the listing)
“Born paint code 32 – Signal Red,” the listing states. “Spent most of its life in Washington state. Last owner enjoyed this TR6 for 20 years.”
The English-built TR6 was launched in 1969, and production lasted until 1976. There were over 90,000 TR6 units produced, the majority of which were exported to the United States. Styling was penned in Germany by Karmann, and chassis architecture used a body-on-frame layout with a four-wheel independent suspension and front disc brakes. A removable hardtop was available as an option.
Even though the car only had an eight-year production run, there were a variety of engineering changes that took place including different versions of seats, carburetors, bumpers, and emissions equipment.
The data plate for this TR6 shows that it was manufactured in December 1969. Exterior features include factory-correct wheels with trim rings, a tonneau cover, and a dual exhaust system with quad tips. The seller states that the top is in good condition, the original bumpers are nice, and the glass presents well. The interior is in a similarly nice shape, upholstered in black vinyl with matching lap belts and generous woodgrain adorning the dash face.
Up front, power comes from a 2.5-liter inline-six mated to a four-speed manual transmission. The powerplant in this TR6 has been upgraded with a Moss supercharger and a chrome finished Edelbrock air cleaner. While the listing doesn’t go into detail about the performance gains from this equipment, it does say that the car drives very well and stops well.
TR6 model production was completed in July 1976, and these days, many TR6 models are being transported back to the U.K. where they originated, as collectors there have become increasingly fond of the model. A walkaround video accompanies the listing and shows the vehicle running at idle.
“Not a show car, but a cool supercharged driver-quality 53-year-old TR6,” the listing concludes. And if you buy it, you’re guaranteed to want to see way more “Signal Greens” than “Signal Reds” at traffic intersections. The asking price is $14,500.
When Pontiac introduced the GTO in 1964, the company also offered a trim package for the Catalina that featured a Ferrari-inspired name: 2+2. It was a trim package not unlike the Super Sport for Chevrolet’s Impala but, in 1965, it was reconfigured to be a performance package. One of those big brothers to the GTO is featured in Muscle Car Campy’s latest video.
The 2+2 package for the 1964 Catalina two-door hardtop and convertible included front bucket seats with console, choice of four-speed manual or Hydra-Matic automatic, and dual exhausts. Standard engine was the Trophy 389 two-barrel with 283 horsepower (four-speed) or 267 horses (automatic), with options up to the 370-horse 421 HO.
For 1965, the 2+2 package included bucket seats, floor-shifted three-speed manual, dual exhausts, performance axle ratio, heavy-duty springs and shocks, custom pinstriping, front fender louvers and 338-horsepower 421ci V8. Top engine again was the 421 HO, though now it produced 376 horses.
One of these cars is the subject of Muscle Car Campy’s latest video. This Mayfair Maize 2+2 hardtop was originally ordered with the standard 421 and three-speed, AM radio, whitewall tires and nothing else. Today, the Poncho also benefits from the addition of Pontiac’s famous 8-lugs wheels wrapped in modern tires.
While just about everyone can appreciate a pristine Bel Air, a barn-find Mustang Mach 1, or an unmodified Supra, what about the common-yet-underappreciated vehicle models that somehow survived the test of time?
I recently came across a wintertime photo taken near the Teton Mountains of my mom in her then-new 1982 Chevrolet Cavalier two-door coupe. She and my dad purchased that car from Axtell Chevrolet in Logan, Utah right around the time I was born, and they proudly drove it around the Rockies for several years before trading up to a larger Celebrity.
Tyson’s mom and the Cavalier
Mom and dad were at the cutting edge of automotive technology at the time, since 1982 was the inaugural model year for the Cavalier. The car was underpinned by the General Motors “J-body” platform and went on sale in May 1981 with came with just one motor choice: a 1.8-liter L46 inline-four which could be mated to a four-speed manual or a three-speed automatic transaxle. The J-platform was widely used during this era for other rebadged Cavalier variants like the Buick Skyhawk, the Cadillac Cimarron, the Oldsmobile Firenza, and the Pontiac Sunbird.
Forty years later (yikes, that hurts to type!) mom has long-since moved on from the General Motors family (she currently splits her time between a late-model Acura sedan and a Lexus convertible). But just as we are seeing within other areas of the collector car world, the market for some 1980s and 1990s vehicles – even the Cavalier – has picked up momentum.
I caught up with Spencer Strucienski, a collector from Detroit who is a keen aficionado of these types of cars. Spencer and share a similar passion for 1980s boxy styles from General Motors. His current collection spans some unique nostalgia-inducing cars from that era including a Pontiac Grand Prix and an Oldsmobile Silhouette minivan – a vehicle lovingly referred to as a “Dustbuster van” for its iconic wedge shape.
Below is a 10-question Q&A session with Spencer about what it is like being a 1980s and 1990s GM collector.
The “Dustbuster” Van
How many vehicles have you owned?
Spencer: I’m currently up to 52 vehicles in the 15 years that I’ve been driving. They are vehicles ranging from model year 1983 up to 2018.
What vehicles are in your current collection? Which is a daily driver, or do you cycle through?
Spencer: This changes on a monthly basis, but currently I have a 1986 Chevy Cavalier CL, 1989 Pontiac Grand Prix SE, 1990 Pontiac Grand Prix STE, 1993 Chevy Cavalier Z24, 1995 Oldsmobile Silhouette, and my daily driver – a 2012 Ford Fusion SEL. During the winter months, none of my old cars get driven, so the Fusion takes up daily duties. Once the weather warms up though, I cycle through cars; usually driving them for one to two weeks at a time.
What first sparked your interest in 1980s GM vehicles?
Spencer: My dad was a Mopar guy, but I somehow wound up being a dyed in the wool Ford fanboy as a kid. Two of my aunts had Tempos growing up and for whatever reason, I was enamored by them and always wanted one to be my first car. Before I got my license, I would ride my bike through my neighborhood and “Tempo Spot.” Oddly enough, I still have all these photos I took years ago stored on an old laptop of mine. Anyway, fast forward to me being 15 years old in auto shop in high school. We had a 1993 Chevy Cavalier RS with a 3.1L V6 donated to our shop. My auto shop teacher decided that we were going to fix it up and sell it to buy tools/supplies for the shop. My 16th birthday was coming up soon, and I ran the car by my mom and she said she’d buy it for me as my first car. I wasn’t terribly enthused because at the time, I wasn’t a big fan of GMs. But that Cavalier is what sparked my interested in old GM FWD cars. The 3.1 V6 was very potent in that car and it was incredibly reliable in the five years I owned it; ferrying me to and from high school and eventually college. Rust finally did it in, but it still ran and drove to the junkyard. I owe a lot to that car because I think my life would’ve been vastly different had I gotten any other car.
What are some of the unique features that vehicles of that era had (digital dashes, the Grand Prix combination lock glove box, the Cimarron Symphony Sound audio system, things like that)?
Spencer: I am really big on any digital displays, like the 88-91 Cutlass Supreme gauge clusters, info center/compass displays in the Grand Prixs and Bonnevilles. Basically, all the gimmicky stuff that doesn’t add much to the car, other than overwhelming nostalgia for what it was like living in the 1980s. Quirky steering wheel controls in the Pontiacs were also great. I still get a kick out of naïve people who get concerned about the buttons flying everywhere if the “airbag” deploys. I guess we’re entering the age where people don’t realize not all cars had airbags back then. On the topic of safety, while a lot of people find them annoying, I loved the motorized seatbelts of this era too. I have owned a couple Tempos and I like that feature.
I noticed you recently had a Cavalier transported from California to Michigan. What made that vehicle desirable and what are your plans for it?
Spencer: This was a bit of an impulse buy. As I’ve gotten older, I have less and less patience for rusty vehicles and when this car popped up on marketplace, I couldn’t look away. It’s a very highly optioned car in a cool color combination – it’s only a couple options short of being a Cadillac Cimarron. Luckily, the seller was super chill and patient with me setting up the shipping and paying him online. I never even talked to the guy on the phone – we did the whole transaction over text. In today’s society, that’s probably going to make some people cringe, but it worked out for me! I’m very happy to have the car now, it’s a native California car and it shows. The underbody is as clean as can be, just the way I like.
What are one or two of your dream cars – either from within your current “scope” or far beyond it?
Spencer: This is a tough question because I’m a simple guy. I basically own all of my dream cars at this point. I really love this era of FWD cars and own most everything I’ve wanted. Still on my bucket list is a Dodge Omni GLHS and Dodge Charger (the FWD Omni based one). I know, they’re Mopars but they’re so 1980s and I love it. GLHS’ are selling at a premium because of their desirability and the Chargers are incredibly hard to find.
If you had to make a prediction, what do you think is a currently underappreciated future collectible?
Spencer: Unfortunately, I think these eras of cars aren’t going to appreciate by much, at least the normal mundane cars anyway. I believe they will perhaps appreciate to very low five-figures once availability drops to near impossible to find, but it depends on the car. Generations X and Millennials don’t seem to be doing as well financially as baby boomers who can afford to pay 6-figures for classic muscle cars. Gen-X and Millennials enjoy these cars from a nostalgic standpoint, but not too many of them have the disposable income to pay big-ticket prices for these cars. Also, the shift in electrification I feel is slowly killing off car culture.
Are any specific parts for these vehicles getting difficult to find?
Spencer: Any vehicle-specific parts are starting to get hard to find – body parts, interior parts, etc. Mechanically, I haven’t had much issue finding parts for my cars. My 1993 Cavalier Z24 for example has sat for almost 20 years – it needs a lot of random bits and pieces that really can only be rectified with a junkyard donor car, but they’re just not showing up in yards anymore. Also, front struts are very hard to find for these cars. That’s really the only parts I’ve had a hard time finding.
What community resources are available to someone looking to get into this niche?
Spencer: Facebook groups are absolutely the best resource for someone trying to get into this community. I co-run Classic GM FWD Society which focuses on any GM FWD vehicle 2001 and older. We’ve built a community of 15,000+ members since 2015 and we’re always willing to help people with their related vehicles. Other clubs like Underappreciated Survivors and Malaise Motors are great for showing off your rides as well. There are also more focused groups depending on your type of vehicles like the Cimarron Owners Club, First/Second Gen J-body, 5th Gen Grand Prix Owners, Club APV (For the Dustbuster vans), and a ton more if you want a more specific club.
What’s your favorite period-correct 1980s or 1990s song or album to blast while you’re road tripping?
Spencer: I make it a point to listen to period-correct music whenever I am driving my old vehicles. I don’t have a specific song or album that I like, but I have curated a 1980s playlist on Spotify that I often like to listen to. Given that recent Cavalier is a 1986, I’ve been listening to the GTA: Vice City soundtrack while I’ve been driving it. I love getting in the mood of the time when driving my old cars so it’s definitely something that helps me enjoy my cars even more. I’ve also curated a 1990s R&B playlist for when I drive my ‘93 Cavalier or ‘95 Olds Silhouette.
It was great to connect with Spencer about his love-affair with 1980s GM cars.
Incidentally, the Chevrolet Cavalier made it through two additional generations after the one my parents owned and was sent off into the sunset after 2005. (Worth noting: The Cavalier nameplate still lives on in other parts of the world. It is currently sold in Mexico as a rebadged version of the Chinese-built Chevrolet Monza compact car).
Did you or a member of your family own a 1980s General Motors vehicle back in the day? Let us know in the comment section. And if you are ready to jump in and join Spencer on the journey for 1980s malaise-era car-collecting, check out the listings on ClassicCars.com and the auctions at AutoHunter.com.
This 1994 Ford Bronco XLT four-wheel drive sport-utility vehicle went through a rebuild of its 5.8-liter Windsor V8 about 12,000 miles ago. This powerplant is combined with a dual-range transfer case and a four-speed automatic transmission for all-terrain capability. Upgrades include a Flowmaster exhaust system, a JVC radio, 32-inch Falken tires, and air conditioning. Coated in Tobago Green Clearcoat over an Opal Gray cloth interior, this Bronco is available with a clear California title.
Accompanying this Bronco’s Tobago Green Clearcoat body is a complementary white factory hardtop. Additional treatment includes chrome brightwork, sideview mirrors, and a spare tire on a swing-away carrier. There are some blemishes around the body per the seller.
Traction comes from a set of 32-inch Falken Wildpeak AT3W tires wrapped around 15-inch American Racing polished-aluminum wheels.
The upholstery is themed in Opal Gray cloth which covers the captain’s chairs up front and a bench in the rear. The remainder of the cabin has matching hues, and features include a JVC sound system, air conditioning, power windows, power door locks, a vanity mirror, and cruise control. There are a few noteworthy flaws including issues with the rear window and some upholstery blemishes.
An 85-mph speedometer is joined by a 6K-rpm tachometer and supporting gauges for coolant temperature, fuel level, oil pressure, and voltage. The current digital odometer reading is 236,764 miles. The CARFAX report shows some inconsistencies including a 9,999-mile reading in May 2006, which the seller addresses in the comments.
The Windsor 5.8-liter V8 had factory ratings of 210 horsepower and 325 lb-ft of torque when new. It was rebuilt nine years and about 12,000 miles ago, and it sends power to all four wheels through a rebuilt four-speed automatic transmission and a dual-range transfer case. The CARFAX report shows some of the vehicle’s service history including a radiator replacement.
There is an open manufacturer recall on the speed control system, and a California emissions inspection was performed in March of this year. The seller is including service records with the vehicle.
The auction for this 1994 Ford Bronco XLT ends on Wednesday, May 17, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. (PDT)
The stealthy blacked-out appearance of this lead sled is accentuated by a beveled windshield, curved side moldings, and a dual exhaust system. “Chopped, shaved, nosed, decked,” the listing states. There isn’t much on this old coupe that hasn’t been given some sort of custom treatment.
This car is part of the Mercury “Eight” lineup of vehicles that became the first all-new postwar models from the brand beginning in 1949. The body at the time took on pontoon styling which eliminated the use of running boards and separate fenders. During that era, power for the Eight came from a 255cid flathead V8 paired with a three-speed manual transmission. However, as we would expect, today’s car leaves that dated powerplant behind.
In its place is a much more performance-oriented powerplant: a Chevrolet LS2 V8. This popular 6.0-liter engine was rated at 400 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque when it appeared in the C6 Corvette, the Pontiac GTO, and the Cadillac CTS-V. The transmission in the Mercury is similarly upgraded to a 4L65 four-speed automatic unit. This car clearly has the “go” to back up its “show.”
The chassis and braking systems received upgraded content in the form of four-wheel disc brakes and a coilover suspension. On the interior, the cabin features gray vinyl bucket seats and a custom center console, with added content like Vintage Air climate control, Dakota Digital instrumentation, power windows, and a Bluetooth-connected stereo system. The whitewall tires are new, too, so this car is ready to rock and roll.
Mid-century Mercury models continue to be popular with customizers in the modern era, and this car is a perfect example of a clean build that combines a vintage framework, a modified sleek profile, and modern underpinnings. This coupe would be right at home as a Sunday driver or as a dedicated show car. It has enough creature comforts to make gangster Al Capone feel right at home!
The seller is asking for $58,000 or the best offer for this hot rod.
The stealthy blacked-out appearance of this lead sled is accentuated by a beveled windshield, curved side moldings, and a dual exhaust system. “Chopped, shaved, nosed, decked,” the listing states. There isn’t much on this old coupe that hasn’t been given some sort of custom treatment.
This car is part of the Mercury “Eight” lineup of vehicles that became the first all-new postwar models from the brand beginning in 1949. The body at the time took on pontoon styling which eliminated the use of running boards and separate fenders. During that era, power for the Eight came from a 255cid flathead V8 paired with a three-speed manual transmission. However, as we would expect, today’s car leaves that dated powerplant behind.
In its place is a much more performance-oriented powerplant: a Chevrolet LS2 V8. This popular 6.0-liter engine was rated at 400 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque when it appeared in the C6 Corvette, the Pontiac GTO, and the Cadillac CTS-V. The transmission in the Mercury is similarly upgraded to a 4L65 four-speed automatic unit. This car clearly has the “go” to back up its “show.”
The chassis and braking systems received upgraded content in the form of four-wheel disc brakes and a coilover suspension. On the interior, the cabin features gray vinyl bucket seats and a custom center console, with added content like Vintage Air climate control, Dakota Digital instrumentation, power windows, and a Bluetooth-connected stereo system. The whitewall tires are new, too, so this car is ready to rock and roll.
Mid-century Mercury models continue to be popular with customizers in the modern era, and this car is a perfect example of a clean build that combines a vintage framework, a modified sleek profile, and modern underpinnings. This coupe would be right at home as a Sunday driver or as a dedicated show car. It has enough creature comforts to make gangster Al Capone feel right at home!
The seller is asking for $58,000 or the best offer for this hot rod.
To mark the milestone, the 500,000th example is a special one-off design with elements mimicking an early G-Class, specifically a 1986 280 GE. Key retro cues include the agave green exterior paint (one of the earliest colors available on a G-Class), checkered fabric on the seats, and orange lenses for the indicator lamps. The design of the steering wheel and spare wheel cover also feature classic cues, according to Mercedes.
The G-Class, which draws its name from gelandewagen, the German word for “off-road vehicle,” was conceived as a military vehicle. However, Mercedes and the Austrian firm Steyr-Daimler-Puch began discussions about a civilian version of the SUV as early as 1969.
1979 Mercedes-Benz G-Class lineup
By 1972, the decision was made to develop one and in the spring of 1979 the first civilian G-Class was launched. Steyr-Daimler-Puch was responsible for production, right up until 2001 when the company was dissolved. However, its vehicle manufacturing operations were taken over by Canada’s Magna International and turned into the new division Magna Steyr, which today still builds the G-Class for Mercedes.
Over the decades, the G-Class has been updated while keeping its look and feel unchanged—a philosophy that will be tested next year when the first electric G-Class is launched.
Today’s feature on AutoHunter Cinema is a twin-turbocharged Ferrari-powered 1968 Ford Mustang nicknamed “Corruptt” – yes, two Ts for twin-turbocharged. This wild mashup of two stallions was built by Tony Arme of American Legends Hot Rods and Musclecars. Power comes from a twin-turbocharged Ferrari F136 V8 (the one used in the F430), though it runs an F149 California intake due to the front engine placement. Power is a robust 700 horsepower on a stand-alone ECU. Aside of the unique powerplant, both the Mustang’s exterior and interior have also been heavily modified starting with a 2.5-inch chop of the roof, flush glass and custom acrylic taillights, plus other custom aluminum and carbon fiber components finished with 3D printing and CNC machining.
The second trailer for “Fast X,” the 10th installment of the “Fast and Furious” franchise, was released on Wednesday and gave us a better look at some of the cars that are set to appear.
The new movie is due in theaters on May 19. Many original characters will return to join some new ones, including the new villain, Dante Reyes, played by Jason Momoa. Reyes lost his family during the bridge chase from “Fast Five,” and he’s out to get his revenge. Another new face is Brie Larson, playing one of the good guys.
As for the cars, naturally the 1970 Dodge Charger R/T, the favorite of Vin Diesel’s character, Dominic Toretto, makes an appearance. Other classic muscle that will appear includes a Chevrolet Impala, a Chevrolet El Camino, and a Ford Fairlane. Modern cars will include a Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody, a 997-generation Porsche 911 GT3 RS, a Lamborghini Gallardo, and even a McLaren Senna.
There’s expected to be an 11th movie that will share an overarching story with this one and wrap up the main plot of the franchise—which goes all the way back to 2001’s “The Fast and the Furious.” Diesel said in a 2021 interview that the 11th movie—tentatively scheduled for a 2024 release—will be the end of the main storyline. However, that still leaves room for spinoffs like 2019’s “Hobbs and Shaw.”
However, Hobbs and Shaw might be over as Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, who plays the titular character Luke Hobbs, decided to quit the “Fast” franchise after the ninth movie, despite some attempts by franchise stalwart Diesel to get him back.
