Journal Classic Cars

Each year, members of the Acura NSX Club of America (NSXCA) enjoy the opportunity to get together for an annual meet-up. (Here’s a look at last year’s event which was held in Dallas.) This time around, about 250 people in over 100 NSXs converged in the Pacific Northwest to experience the hospitality, scenic roads, unique destinations, and culinary specialties that the area had to offer.

The event was described by some as “pure joy.” If you have ever been part of an automotive community, you know how special it can be to spot a fellow enthusiast on the road. Now, take that same emotion and multiply it by ten or a hundred. It doesn’t matter whether your car is a project car or a Pebble Beach showpiece—the feeling of camaraderie is equally strong.

Team Effort

Ira Leventhal, a long-time NSXCA member from Portland, served as part of a team of volunteers who put on this year’s multi-day program which was based at Tacoma’s Hotel Murano. Ira emphasized that the event could not have happened without the help of many individuals, as well as the many companies who contributed to its success via sponsorships.

Ira says, “As I reflect back on this year’s event, it’s still humbling to know I was a part of making this weekend the fun event that it was.”

Select Highlights

Organizers sought to incorporate something for everyone—making sure that NSXPO incorporated plenty of time to socialize with other enthusiasts in addition to driving their cars.

• NSXPO began with two track days at Ridge Motorsports Park, where NSX drivers were able to put their cars—and their driving skills—to the test.
• Griot’s Garage, based in Tacoma, was established in 1990 and has become one of the car-detailing industry’s key players. Griot’s hosted the NSXCA for a concours d’elegance and even offered complimentary product shipping for NSXPO attendees.
• Private tours were offered at LeMay: America’s Car Museum, which is home to about 300 of the world’s most iconic vehicles.
• A scenic rally headed into the Puget Sound area, where a misty morning, tall fir trees, and sweeping corners gave NSX drivers an authentic Pacific Northwest feel.  

Keynote Speaker and Support from American Honda

Ted Klaus, who retired in late 2020 after a 30-year career with Honda, addressed the group during the closing awards ceremony and gala banquet. Klaus was the key development lead for the second-generation “NC1” chassis Acura NSX, which launched in 2017 as a twin-turbocharged, all-wheel drive hybrid supercar.

Klaus says, “With this project, we sought to build a bridge, one that takes Honda back to its roots of innovation and engineering excellence, but also to the future, harnessing next-generation technology to deliver a car that is uniquely Honda.”

Some lucky NSXCA members even got to interact with Klaus at the track. It’s also worth noting that American Honda had a strong contingent of representatives on-hand at the event, demonstrating a commitment to the enthusiasts who keep events like NSXPO going. A team from Honda Japan was even engaged and receptive to community feedback.

Award Winners

The caliber of cars in attendance was top tier, but a few members in particular stood out:

• Best Engine Bay: Brian Miller
• Best Interior: Eric Loberg
• Best Modified NA1: Richard Todd
• Best Modified NA2: David Fox
• Best Modified NC1: Chuck Ferguson
• Best Stock NA1: Nessa and Sean Lee
• Best Stock NA2: Brown Maloney
• John Vasos Award: Matt Cole
• Peoples’ Choice: Chuck Ferguson

Charitable Causes

One of the key objectives of NSXPO is to give back to the community. The Seattle NSXPO team pledged a commitment of $15,000 between the following two organizations:

• Dream Drives for Kids, established as a non-profit in 2014 to benefit children undergoing treatment for a wide range of illnesses.
• Mary’s Place Seattle, established in 1999 to help thousands of women and families move out of homeless into more stable situations.

Ira adds, “I’m happy to share we exceeded our pledge. Giving back to the communities we bring NSXPO to is becoming a highlight that we’re proud of.”

Looking Ahead

The announcement about next year’s dates and location has been made public. NSXPO 2026 will be held in Orlando the first week of October. Stay tuned to the NSXCA homepage for information on membership and a calendar of upcoming events.

Thanks, Ira and the NSXPO team, for sharing your event with us and fueling the passion for others who would like to get involved!

Toyota just keeps improving the GR (Gazoo Racing) Corolla. It introduced the all-wheel-drive hot hatch in 2023 and, two years later, incorporated engine, transmission, and suspension improvements, which we experienced in the 2025 Premium Plus model we reviewed this past July. Now comes news that the 2026 Toyota GR Corolla is getting its own set of upgrades.

Last year’s Core and Premium trim levels have been dropped, leaving the base GR Corolla and the Premium Plus as the only two choices. The entry-level model features gloss black hood vents, roof spoiler, gloss black 15-spoke alloy wheels, and Brin Naub suede sport seats with gray stitching.

Like last year, the GR Corolla Premium Plus comes standard with a forged carbon fiber roof, a gloss black rear spoiler, matte black wheels, Brin Naub upholstery with red stitching, and a head-up display.

Both versions of the GR Corolla are powered by a G16E-GTS 1.6-liter turbocharged I3 that cranks out 300 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque, and available with a six-speed manual or an eight-speed Gazoo Racing Direct Automatic Transmission.

Toyota followed up 2025’s Fuji International Speedway-honed suspension changes by making the GR Corolla more rigid. According to the automaker, “With 45.6 feet of additional structural adhesive in the front and rear sections of the body, the GR Corolla boasts improved body rigidity and rear grip for better suspension movement and direct feeling, helping to ensure consistent steering and stable cornering.” It also topped its previous cooling enhancements with a new secondary air intake duct that helps keep temperatures at the right level.

Inside the GR Corolla Premium Plus, the JBL Premium Sound System’s speaker count is up by one to nine, which includes a subwoofer in the cargo area. Even when the stereo is off, Active Sound Control plays “sporty sounds” tuned to acceleration, deceleration, and throttle and shifter usage through the speakers (let’s hope there’s a button to turn it off—the GR Corolla doesn’t need sonic trickery to feel like a performance vehicle).

If you want the best GR Corolla yet (until—we’re guessing—Toyota comes out with an even better ’27 model), you can find it at your local Toyota dealer this fall. The starting price is up by more than $1,000 to $39,920. Check the table below for the 2026 Toyota GR Corolla lineup’s full pricing list—just be sure to add on $1,195 for the Dealer Processing and Handling fee.

This quartet of quality automobiles currently listed on AutoHunter is hankering for your bids. I’ve called them special because that’s what they are: desirable online auction cars. Once you figure what they are, will you agree?

List the model year, make, and model in the Comments section below. If you need a hint, just click on an image.

Click on a photo to reveal each car

You’ll find an automotive puzzle at The ClassicCars.com Journal every Tuesday. Once you finish this one, there are previous games to play.

Currently listed on AutoHunter is this 1972 Dodge Charger SE. The initials stood for Special Edition, Dodge’s way of suggesting this Charger was more than just a sporty coupe—it was a personal luxury coupe. Note the formal roofline with wide C-pillars, standard vinyl top, accented taillights, bright belt moldings, lower-body pinstripes, concealed headlights, Rallye instrument panel cluster, and available Brougham Package. Standard motivation was a 318ci V8, but this one is powered by the powerful 400 four-barrel, which is paired with a TorqueFlite automatic. Features include an AM/FM stereo, bucket seats, a console, dual chrome racing mirrors with a driver-side remote, chrome exhaust tips, and more. Painted Eggshell White with a black vinyl top over a black vinyl interior, this Mopar B-body comes from the selling dealer in Lafayette, Indiana with a clear title.

The Eggshell White paint is claimed to be original to the car; it is complemented by a black vinyl top. Other exterior features include longitudinal lower-body striping, concealed headlamps, accented taillights, a “Rallye” trunk lid stripe, chrome exhaust extensions with a special rear valence, dual chrome racing mirrors, and Special Edition medallions and badging. A set of 15-inch Rallye wheels are wrapped in staggered-width Cooper Cobra Radial G/T radials—245/60 front, 255/60 rear.

The black vinyl interior features the Brougham Package, which included extra sound insulation, bright pedal dress-up, special door panels, and a cloth and vinyl split-back bench seat with a fold-down armrest; the original buyer opted to substitute bucket seats for the bench. Other features include a center console, air conditioning, simulated woodgrain trim, a three-spoke steering wheel with power steering, and an AM/FM stereo.

All Charger SEs received the Rallye instrument cluster, which included a 150-mph speedometer, clock, and gauges for the oil pressure, temperature, alternator, and fuel.

The odometer shows 75,271 miles, though the title reads mileage-exempt.

The 400ci V8 was rated at 255 (net) horsepower with a four-barrel carburetor and 8.2:1 compression. Electronic ignition was standard with this engine. A three-speed TorqueFlite automatic transmission is paired with the 400.

The undercarriage features front disc brakes and a dual exhaust system featuring nifty chrome tips.

The 1972 Dodge Charger SE was the stepping stone in Charger’s evolution towards a dedicated personal luxury coupe. In the case of this specific AutoHunter Spotlight vehicle, it features both luxury and performance thanks to the powerplant sitting underneath the hood, making it one of 6,669 built for the U.S. market. A combination of luxury and performance is not often found in vehicles of this era, so be poised to place a bid on this Charger because the auction ends on Thursday, October 2, 2025, at 11:45 a.m. (PDT).

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and a photo gallery

Today’s Pick of the Day is a 1976 AMC Gremlin. If you have spent a lot of time around the classic car concours and show circuit, you have probably heard of the infamous Concours d’Lemons. This event is the brainchild of my friend Alan Galbraith, and he describes it as “the concours of misfit cars.” Basically, if you have nowhere else to go to show your car because it is thought of as a lemon, a car that is derided by just about everyone, or is a horrible example of an otherwise good car, then Concours d’Lemons is for you. This is one of the most fun events I have ever attended; both spectators and participants have a great time. There are numerous Lemons Concours events in North America, with the largest being held in conjunction with the Amelia Island Concours and during Monterey Car Week, which happens the day before the Pebble Beach Concours.

With that in mind, my Pick of the Day is a car that not only would be automatically accepted at any Lemons event, but one that also would also be in contention for the coveted Worst of Show award. It is listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a dealer in Cleveland.

The AMC Gremlin was a subcompact car designed to compete with the new small cars coming from Europe and Japan. Rumor had it that both Ford and GM were developing new small cars for the segment, and AMC needed something to compete. According to legend, AMC designer Dick Teague sketched his concept—which involved shortening the rear end of a Javelin—on an air sickness bag. A young designer named Bob Nixon joined AMC and created the first official sketches of the Gremlin.

The Gremlin seen here is described by the seller as a 1976 model that shows 58,000 original miles. It has been repainted in its original correct Sunshine Yellow, and features stock Rally wheels and black stripes. The seller goes on to state that the bodywork is really nice, with laser-straight sheet metal and good gaps all around—even the plastic nose and gills in the sail panel are still in excellent condition with no signs of age-related deterioration. What little chrome and stainless trim there is on the car is also in great shape, as is the original glass, which shows no chips, delamination, or other issues.

The listing says the tan vinyl interior is almost entirely original and still in excellent shape, with no splits or tears in any of the usual spots. The original door panels, steering wheel, and even the carpets are in outstanding original condition.

Under the hood everything looks as good as the body and interior, with a clean engine and an incredibly tidy engine compartment. Finding a Gremlin in this condition—one that still has its original engine and not received a V8 swap—is next to impossible. This has to be one of the best Gremlins on the planet.

If your collector car taste runs more toward unique, forgotten, or underappreciated cars, and if you want to take a class win or even the Worst of Show event at the Concours d’ Lemons, you should consider this 1976 AMC Gremlin. At a price of only $24,900, it is about the same cost as booking a room at the Lodge at Pebble Beach during car week—and I am willing to bet you won’t see another one at any local show.

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

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.