Journal Classic Cars

Featured on AutoHunter, the online auction platform driven by ClassicCars.com, is this 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport replica powered by a 502ci ZZ502 crate engine paired with a five-speed manual transmission. Built on a 1975 Corvette frame with a D&D Grand Sport body, this replica also features road-racing suspension items, power windows, upgraded climate controls, Grand Sport replica seats, Halibrand-style wheels and more. Finished in bright blue with white and red accents, this Grand Sport replica comes from the selling dealer with a clear Massachusetts title for a 1975 Corvette.

This 2005 build was completed by Dean Hoskins of D&D Corvette in Akron, Ohio, who installed this D&D Grand Sport body kit and refinished it in Brilliant Blue metallic in 1963 Grand Sport #003 livery. Features include clear headlight covers, external transmission cooler, custom taillights, dual rearview mirrors and more. A full walk-around video can be seen on the auction page.

A set of 15-inch Vintage Wheels Halibrand-style replica wheels with knock-off center caps is wrapped in 26.50 x 8-inch (front) and 26.50 x 10-inch (rear) Goodyear Vintage Blue Streak Special tires.

The replica Grand Sport seats are upholstered in blue vinyl. Features include an ididit tilt steering column hooked to a manual quick-ratio steering box, Vintage Air climate controls, Grant steering wheel with walnut rim, roll bar with headrests, and trunk-mounted battery.

The instrument panel features AutoMeter Ultra-Lite gauges including a 160-mph speedometer, 10,000-rpm tachometer and readouts for the fuel level, coolant temperature, oil pressure and voltage. The odometer reads 1,200 miles, but the true mileage on this vehicle is unknown.

Power is provided by a 502ci ZZ502 crate engine offering a reported 502 horsepower and 502 lb-ft of torque. The engine is paired with a TREMEC TKO-600 five-speed manual transmission equipped with a high-performance clutch and pressure plate, plus Lakewood bellhousing scatter shield. Engine features include aluminum intake, Quick Fuel Technology 850-cfm Black Diamond carburetor, aluminum Griffin radiator with a SPAL electric fan, and Hooker Super Competition headers. Power is delivered to the rear wheels via a rebuilt 3.55:1 Positraction rear.

The sandblasted and powder-coated chassis of this Grand Sport replica was sourced from a 1975 Corvette. Features include chassis reinforcements, Gymkhana front springs, SPC Performance adjustable upper control arms, 1.25-inch front stabilizer bar, and VBP suspension items and much more. Braking is provided by new manual discs with red powder-coated VBP calipers and new pads. Exhaust exits via side pipes.

The auction for this 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport replica ends on Thursday, April 20, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. (PDT)

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and photo gallery

Featured on AutoHunter, the online auction platform driven by ClassicCars.com, is this 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport replica powered by a 502ci ZZ502 crate engine paired with a five-speed manual transmission. Built on a 1975 Corvette frame with a D&D Grand Sport body, this replica also features road-racing suspension items, power windows, upgraded climate controls, Grand Sport replica seats, Halibrand-style wheels and more. Finished in bright blue with white and red accents, this Grand Sport replica comes from the selling dealer with a clear Massachusetts title for a 1975 Corvette.

This 2005 build was completed by Dean Hoskins of D&D Corvette in Akron, Ohio, who installed this D&D Grand Sport body kit and refinished it in Brilliant Blue metallic in 1963 Grand Sport #003 livery. Features include clear headlight covers, external transmission cooler, custom taillights, dual rearview mirrors and more. A full walk-around video can be seen on the auction page.

A set of 15-inch Vintage Wheels Halibrand-style replica wheels with knock-off center caps is wrapped in 26.50 x 8-inch (front) and 26.50 x 10-inch (rear) Goodyear Vintage Blue Streak Special tires.

The replica Grand Sport seats are upholstered in blue vinyl. Features include an ididit tilt steering column hooked to a manual quick-ratio steering box, Vintage Air climate controls, Grant steering wheel with walnut rim, roll bar with headrests, and trunk-mounted battery.

The instrument panel features AutoMeter Ultra-Lite gauges including a 160-mph speedometer, 10,000-rpm tachometer and readouts for the fuel level, coolant temperature, oil pressure and voltage. The odometer reads 1,200 miles, but the true mileage on this vehicle is unknown.

Power is provided by a 502ci ZZ502 crate engine offering a reported 502 horsepower and 502 lb-ft of torque. The engine is paired with a TREMEC TKO-600 five-speed manual transmission equipped with a high-performance clutch and pressure plate, plus Lakewood bellhousing scatter shield. Engine features include aluminum intake, Quick Fuel Technology 850-cfm Black Diamond carburetor, aluminum Griffin radiator with a SPAL electric fan, and Hooker Super Competition headers. Power is delivered to the rear wheels via a rebuilt 3.55:1 Positraction rear.

The sandblasted and powder-coated chassis of this Grand Sport replica was sourced from a 1975 Corvette. Features include chassis reinforcements, Gymkhana front springs, SPC Performance adjustable upper control arms, 1.25-inch front stabilizer bar, and VBP suspension items and much more. Braking is provided by new manual discs with red powder-coated VBP calipers and new pads. Exhaust exits via side pipes.

The auction for this 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport replica ends on Thursday, April 20, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. (PDT)

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and photo gallery

Featured on AutoHunter, the online auction platform driven by ClassicCars.com, is this 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport replica powered by a 502ci ZZ502 crate engine paired with a five-speed manual transmission. Built on a 1975 Corvette frame with a D&D Grand Sport body, this replica also features road-racing suspension items, power windows, upgraded climate controls, Grand Sport replica seats, Halibrand-style wheels and more. Finished in bright blue with white and red accents, this Grand Sport replica comes from the selling dealer with a clear Massachusetts title for a 1975 Corvette.

This 2005 build was completed by Dean Hoskins of D&D Corvette in Akron, Ohio, who installed this D&D Grand Sport body kit and refinished it in Brilliant Blue metallic in 1963 Grand Sport #003 livery. Features include clear headlight covers, external transmission cooler, custom taillights, dual rearview mirrors and more. A full walk-around video can be seen on the auction page.

A set of 15-inch Vintage Wheels Halibrand-style replica wheels with knock-off center caps is wrapped in 26.50 x 8-inch (front) and 26.50 x 10-inch (rear) Goodyear Vintage Blue Streak Special tires.

The replica Grand Sport seats are upholstered in blue vinyl. Features include an ididit tilt steering column hooked to a manual quick-ratio steering box, Vintage Air climate controls, Grant steering wheel with walnut rim, roll bar with headrests, and trunk-mounted battery.

The instrument panel features AutoMeter Ultra-Lite gauges including a 160-mph speedometer, 10,000-rpm tachometer and readouts for the fuel level, coolant temperature, oil pressure and voltage. The odometer reads 1,200 miles, but the true mileage on this vehicle is unknown.

Power is provided by a 502ci ZZ502 crate engine offering a reported 502 horsepower and 502 lb-ft of torque. The engine is paired with a TREMEC TKO-600 five-speed manual transmission equipped with a high-performance clutch and pressure plate, plus Lakewood bellhousing scatter shield. Engine features include aluminum intake, Quick Fuel Technology 850-cfm Black Diamond carburetor, aluminum Griffin radiator with a SPAL electric fan, and Hooker Super Competition headers. Power is delivered to the rear wheels via a rebuilt 3.55:1 Positraction rear.

The sandblasted and powder-coated chassis of this Grand Sport replica was sourced from a 1975 Corvette. Features include chassis reinforcements, Gymkhana front springs, SPC Performance adjustable upper control arms, 1.25-inch front stabilizer bar, and VBP suspension items and much more. Braking is provided by new manual discs with red powder-coated VBP calipers and new pads. Exhaust exits via side pipes.

The auction for this 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport replica ends on Thursday, April 20, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. (PDT)

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and photo gallery

Porsche’s first sports cars had aluminum body panels, but it was nature’s own lightweight material that made their iconic shape possible.

The Porsche 356 had bodywork where the panels were hammered and hand-rolled into shape, and a wooden frame model was used to ensure everything lined up.

That frame still exists, and is in relatively good condition. It’s at the Porsche Automuseum in Gmünd, Austria, where the first Porsche production cars were completed before manufacturing moved to Stuttgart, Germany.

The frame is sometimes called Holzklopfmodell, which is German for “hammered wooden frame,” but the frame itself wasn’t hammered. Rather, it served as a model the factory workers used for shaping and fitting of the aluminum body panels. It was a time-consuming process that sometimes required multiple attempts to get a door or fender to perfectly fit the frame, which was the exact shape of a 356 body. The process took at least 90 hours, according to Porsche.

Handmade bodywork was primarily a feature of the earliest Austrian-built Porsches. Starting in 1948, Porsche built 52 cars in Gmünd, including 44 coupes and eight convertibles, plus between eight and 10 super light (SL) bodies that were completed by Porsche’s racing department in Stuttgart between 1951 and 1952.

When production shifted to Germany in 1949, Porsche switched to steel bodies and mechanized manufacturing processes, leaving hand-formed aluminum for specials like the 16 lightweight 356 America Roadsters. A new wooden frame eventually replaced the original.

Because steel is much harder than aluminum, Porsche started using presses to manufacture body panels, which also allowed it to produce cars at a faster rate. Today, the 356 wood frame remains as a reminder of the automaker’s early days.

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

Porsche’s first sports cars had aluminum body panels, but it was nature’s own lightweight material that made their iconic shape possible.

The Porsche 356 had bodywork where the panels were hammered and hand-rolled into shape, and a wooden frame model was used to ensure everything lined up.

That frame still exists, and is in relatively good condition. It’s at the Porsche Automuseum in Gmünd, Austria, where the first Porsche production cars were completed before manufacturing moved to Stuttgart, Germany.

The frame is sometimes called Holzklopfmodell, which is German for “hammered wooden frame,” but the frame itself wasn’t hammered. Rather, it served as a model the factory workers used for shaping and fitting of the aluminum body panels. It was a time-consuming process that sometimes required multiple attempts to get a door or fender to perfectly fit the frame, which was the exact shape of a 356 body. The process took at least 90 hours, according to Porsche.

Handmade bodywork was primarily a feature of the earliest Austrian-built Porsches. Starting in 1948, Porsche built 52 cars in Gmünd, including 44 coupes and eight convertibles, plus between eight and 10 super light (SL) bodies that were completed by Porsche’s racing department in Stuttgart between 1951 and 1952.

When production shifted to Germany in 1949, Porsche switched to steel bodies and mechanized manufacturing processes, leaving hand-formed aluminum for specials like the 16 lightweight 356 America Roadsters. A new wooden frame eventually replaced the original.

Because steel is much harder than aluminum, Porsche started using presses to manufacture body panels, which also allowed it to produce cars at a faster rate. Today, the 356 wood frame remains as a reminder of the automaker’s early days.

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

Porsche’s first sports cars had aluminum body panels, but it was nature’s own lightweight material that made their iconic shape possible.

The Porsche 356 had bodywork where the panels were hammered and hand-rolled into shape, and a wooden frame model was used to ensure everything lined up.

That frame still exists, and is in relatively good condition. It’s at the Porsche Automuseum in Gmünd, Austria, where the first Porsche production cars were completed before manufacturing moved to Stuttgart, Germany.

The frame is sometimes called Holzklopfmodell, which is German for “hammered wooden frame,” but the frame itself wasn’t hammered. Rather, it served as a model the factory workers used for shaping and fitting of the aluminum body panels. It was a time-consuming process that sometimes required multiple attempts to get a door or fender to perfectly fit the frame, which was the exact shape of a 356 body. The process took at least 90 hours, according to Porsche.

Handmade bodywork was primarily a feature of the earliest Austrian-built Porsches. Starting in 1948, Porsche built 52 cars in Gmünd, including 44 coupes and eight convertibles, plus between eight and 10 super light (SL) bodies that were completed by Porsche’s racing department in Stuttgart between 1951 and 1952.

When production shifted to Germany in 1949, Porsche switched to steel bodies and mechanized manufacturing processes, leaving hand-formed aluminum for specials like the 16 lightweight 356 America Roadsters. A new wooden frame eventually replaced the original.

Because steel is much harder than aluminum, Porsche started using presses to manufacture body panels, which also allowed it to produce cars at a faster rate. Today, the 356 wood frame remains as a reminder of the automaker’s early days.

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

“Buick’s turbocharged V6-powered Regal Grand National was the quickest muscle car of the 1980s and still grabs all the attention, but Chevy’s V8-powered Monte Carlo SS owned the Grand National when it came to sales.” – Hagerty.com

The 1987 Monte Carlo SS is an iconic American personal luxury car that holds a special place in the hearts of car enthusiasts everywhere. With its sculpted exterior and sporty interior, it’s no wonder that over 100,000 of these carbureted V8 Super Sports were sold from 1983-1988. And now, you have a chance to own one of the finest and possibly the lowest-mile example on the planet.

Do you know the saying, “It’s only original once?” Well, here it is. This 619-mile, unrestored 1987 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS is a time capsule that transports you back to the fun and frolicking days of the 1980s. With its Lamp Black exterior paint, distinctive red striping and maroon velour upholstery and trim, this Detroit iron is a true piece of Americana.

But with less than 1,000 miles on its odometer, this 1987 Monte Carlo SS is more than just a collector’s item. It’s also an opportunity to support veterans’ and children’s charities. By entering the Eighties Dream Giveaway and making a donation, you could be the lucky winner of this Monte Carlo SS, and make a difference in the lives of those who have served our country and our youth. Click here to enter now.

According to Dream Giveaway, only the battery and tires needed replacing on this MTV-era time machine. It starts, rides and performs as good as a brand-new Monte Carlo SS should. The only thing is – it has been over 35 years since this American dream machine sat in a new car dealer showroom.

So, what are you waiting for? Make a donation today and enter to win this 1987 Monte Carlo SS. Not only will you be supporting a good cause, but you’ll also have a chance to own a piece of automotive history. As Bill and Ted would say, “Be most excellent, dude!”

“Buick’s turbocharged V6-powered Regal Grand National was the quickest muscle car of the 1980s and still grabs all the attention, but Chevy’s V8-powered Monte Carlo SS owned the Grand National when it came to sales.” – Hagerty.com

The 1987 Monte Carlo SS is an iconic American personal luxury car that holds a special place in the hearts of car enthusiasts everywhere. With its sculpted exterior and sporty interior, it’s no wonder that over 100,000 of these carbureted V8 Super Sports were sold from 1983-1988. And now, you have a chance to own one of the finest and possibly the lowest-mile example on the planet.

Do you know the saying, “It’s only original once?” Well, here it is. This 619-mile, unrestored 1987 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS is a time capsule that transports you back to the fun and frolicking days of the 1980s. With its Lamp Black exterior paint, distinctive red striping and maroon velour upholstery and trim, this Detroit iron is a true piece of Americana.

But with less than 1,000 miles on its odometer, this 1987 Monte Carlo SS is more than just a collector’s item. It’s also an opportunity to support veterans’ and children’s charities. By entering the Eighties Dream Giveaway and making a donation, you could be the lucky winner of this Monte Carlo SS, and make a difference in the lives of those who have served our country and our youth. Click here to enter now.

According to Dream Giveaway, only the battery and tires needed replacing on this MTV-era time machine. It starts, rides and performs as good as a brand-new Monte Carlo SS should. The only thing is – it has been over 35 years since this American dream machine sat in a new car dealer showroom.

So, what are you waiting for? Make a donation today and enter to win this 1987 Monte Carlo SS. Not only will you be supporting a good cause, but you’ll also have a chance to own a piece of automotive history. As Bill and Ted would say, “Be most excellent, dude!”

“Buick’s turbocharged V6-powered Regal Grand National was the quickest muscle car of the 1980s and still grabs all the attention, but Chevy’s V8-powered Monte Carlo SS owned the Grand National when it came to sales.” – Hagerty.com

The 1987 Monte Carlo SS is an iconic American personal luxury car that holds a special place in the hearts of car enthusiasts everywhere. With its sculpted exterior and sporty interior, it’s no wonder that over 100,000 of these carbureted V8 Super Sports were sold from 1983-1988. And now, you have a chance to own one of the finest and possibly the lowest-mile example on the planet.

Do you know the saying, “It’s only original once?” Well, here it is. This 619-mile, unrestored 1987 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS is a time capsule that transports you back to the fun and frolicking days of the 1980s. With its Lamp Black exterior paint, distinctive red striping and maroon velour upholstery and trim, this Detroit iron is a true piece of Americana.

But with less than 1,000 miles on its odometer, this 1987 Monte Carlo SS is more than just a collector’s item. It’s also an opportunity to support veterans’ and children’s charities. By entering the Eighties Dream Giveaway and making a donation, you could be the lucky winner of this Monte Carlo SS, and make a difference in the lives of those who have served our country and our youth. Click here to enter now.

According to Dream Giveaway, only the battery and tires needed replacing on this MTV-era time machine. It starts, rides and performs as good as a brand-new Monte Carlo SS should. The only thing is – it has been over 35 years since this American dream machine sat in a new car dealer showroom.

So, what are you waiting for? Make a donation today and enter to win this 1987 Monte Carlo SS. Not only will you be supporting a good cause, but you’ll also have a chance to own a piece of automotive history. As Bill and Ted would say, “Be most excellent, dude!”

Digital dashes were all the rage in the 1980s, when speedometers, trip computers, and touch-screen climate-control units started making their way into mainstream production cars (especially among luxury American automakers).

The Pick of the Day is a 1985 Buick Riviera convertible listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in Longmont, Colorado. (Click the link to view the listing)

“Rare 1985 Riviera convertible,” the listing begins. “Runs and drives well.” One of the many high-end appointments that the Riviera boasted was a digital instrument panel.

The Riviera was Buick’s first entry into what became known as the personal luxury car segment, and the nameplate was first introduced in 1963. The word itself translates to “coastline” in Italian, and in line with the wealthy target market for this model, the marketing for the Riviera conveyed the appeal of the French Riviera region which has always been known for its vacation resorts and opulence.

Today’s Riviera comes from the final year of the sixth generation which was launched in 1979 on the General Motors E-body platform. The E-body was shared with the Oldsmobile Toronado and the Cadillac Eldorado, and this marked the first time the Riviera had front-wheel drive. A few years later in 1982, a convertible was offered, but it was sold in limited numbers and limited color combinations – it was only available with a white or red exterior, and all convertibles came with red leather interiors.

According to the Standard Catalog of American Cars by James Flammang, there were just 400 Riviera convertibles produced for the 1985 model year. To put that into perspective, there were 65,305 total Rivieras produced that year. That means only 0.6% of Riviera production was for convertible models. The seller of today’s Riviera is absolutely right about its rarity.

Appointments for the Riviera were indeed luxurious for the time, complete with power-retractable top, generous woodgrain trim, electronic climate control, and of course that all-important digital dash. The seller calls attention to some rust which is seen inside both door jambs. The underbody also shows some corrosion shown in the photos, so this Riviera could use some love to make it a show piece.

“Private owner sale, reasonable offers accepted,” the listing concludes.

Whether this Riviera makes you think of the glamorous life of the French Riviera or not, there’s no arguing about its rarity in the grand scheme of things.

The seller is asking $11,500 or best offer for this Riviera. To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.