Journal Classic Cars

Featured on AutoHunter, the online auction platform driven by ClassicCars.com, is this 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Z71 Rocky Ridge Conversion.

The aftermarket industry’s support for pickup trucks is massive. Anyone with a big enough imagination (and a big enough checkbook) can go sky-high with upgrades including lifted suspensions, all-terrain tires, underbody skid plates, brush guards, auxiliary lighting, side steps, exhaust systems, and dozens of other components. In fact, it can be overwhelming for some people to weed through the wide variety of parts available for modern-day full-size trucks.

That’s where Rocky Ridge Trucks of Franklin Springs, Georgia comes into play. Rocky Ridge takes stock trucks, usually direct from the manufacturer’s assembly line when new, and outfits them with high-quality upgrades to take the guesswork and decision-making out of the equation for the end user. Ten years ago, when this Blue Topaz Metallic half-ton Z71 was new, it received the full treatment from Rocky Ridge. It is now being sold by a dealer in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. The auction will end on AutoHunter’s “All-American Tuesday.”

By way of a quick history lesson, the Silverado became the successor to Chevrolet’s popular C/K Series of pickups beginning in 1999, and it could be ordered in a wide range of full-sized truck body styles. Of course, the Silverado name itself went back much further than that, dating all the way back to 1975 when it denoted a trim level. In 2014, Chevrolet rolled out the third generation of the Silverado. One of the enhancements made to this generation was the implementation of a fully boxed high-strength steel frame.

Today’s featured truck received a long list of enhancements courtesy of Rocky Ridge when it was new. Among the upgrades were mesh grille inserts, color-keyed fender flares, chrome side steps, a spray-in bedliner, a lifted suspension, and a custom exhaust system. Power is sent to the pavement through a meaty set of 35-inch RBP Repulsor M/T off-road tires wrapped around 20-inch Dick Cepek wheels. The wheel and tire setup caters to both form and function.

Under the hood, we find an EcoTec3 5.3-liter V8 which is mated to a Hydra-Matic six-speed automatic transmission and an AutoTrac dual-range transfer case. The selling dealer has performed an oil change, so the truck is ready for the lucky new owner to get in and drive to the nearest off-road destination.

If you are on the hunt for a lifted 4×4 that already has all the right equipment to take you just about anywhere, you have just met your match.

The auction for this 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Z71 Rocky Ridge Conversion ends Tuesday, February 20, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. (MST)

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and photo gallery

Featured on AutoHunter, the online auction platform driven by ClassicCars.com, is this 1977 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am.

To someone who grew up in the period of the 1970s and 80s (me) that era Trans Am of my era has been a cool car since it was new. Think about it, and you will know I’m right. The Trans Am starred in its own series of movies, had flashy 1970s style looks, and, on top of it all, was one of the best performing American cars both in straight line performance as well as handling in an era where performance had been all but forgotten. The Trans Am became the lone holdout of the high performance pony car era and offered performance and engine options that even the Camaros from the era had lost. All this helped make the Trans Am basically the last man standing in the world of the pony cars and as result the car was a legend both then and now. These are the reasons that the mid 1970s to early 80s Trans Am cars have become so popular in the collector car world today.

The 1977 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am featured here is powered by a 6.6-liter V8 backed by a three-speed automatic transmission. Features include air conditioning, power steering, a tilt steering column, an AM/FM/CD stereo, and power front disc brakes. The cars exterior is finished just like the Smokey and the Bandit car wearing black paint with a black cloth interior.

The body of this car is said to be rust-free. Exterior features include color-keyed bumpers, a front lower spoiler, correct gold accent pinstriping, a gold Trans Am hood decal, a shaker hood scoop, color-keyed mirror housings with a manual driver-side remote, and a rear spoiler. I love the gothic font used on the exterior Trans Am stickers on this era. They add a kind of heavy metal look and you can almost hear the Black Sabbath blaring out of the stereo when just looking at the car. The car rides on its correct 15-inch gold snowflake-style aluminum wheels is wrapped in Mastercraft Avenger G/T radial tires.

The interior is furnished with black cloth front bucket seats and a matching rear seat surrounded by black vinyl door panels and trim. I personally love the engine turned look of the Trans Ams of this era, especially since these cars feature 100-mph speedometers, a 6,000-rpm tachometer with an integrated clock, and gauges for the fuel level, coolant temperature, oil pressure, and voltage gauges. The full instrumentation mixed with the dash it add an extra bit of cool and a serious sporting look to the interior of the car.

Under the hood this Trans Am has its stock 6.6-liter V8. The engine compartment of this car looks to be both clean and in stock condition. All finishes look to be correct, and it looks like an honest unmodified example of a Trans Am, something harder to find that you might think. The engine is backed by a three-speed automatic transmission.

This is a nicely turned out example of the classic Trans Am, and my advice is if you have always loved these cars then you should buy one sooner than later. This one would be the perfect car to drive and show. Yours could be the winning bid, so why not take a show at buying this icon of the 1970s. If you are the winning bidder make sure you don’t forget to bring your Dio and Ozzy CDs on your first drive.

The auction for this 1977 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am ends Tuesday, February 20, 2024 at 11:45 a.m. (MST)

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and photo gallery

Virgil Exner released an onslaught of style upon the Detroit establishment in the fall of 1956. Every Chrysler Corporation brand was distinct in style and purpose, which has made them quite loved in the collector car market today. However, these Chrysler Corporation creations can be rather pricey today, which is why our Pick of the Day, a 1957 Dodge Coronet four-door sedan, is so refreshing. It is listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in High Point, North Carolina. (Click the link to view the listing)

When the new Forward Look Plymouth, Dodge, DeSoto, Chrysler, and Imperial were introduced, which was your favorite? Dodge may have come off as the sleekest of the bunch, but it arguably was also the most polarizing, as the front end was all chrome bumpers without any lattice style within (Dodge described it as a “massive mono grille”). This gave the face of the Dodge a tough look lacking the gentle features of its sister brands.

“Step into the wonderful world of Autodynamics,” said Dodge when extoling its virtues in 1957. From the hurricane of power from the Red Ram V8 to the Super D-500, the tornado of torque was tamed by the available TorqueFlite transmission. And, thanks to the Torsion-Aire Ride suspension, the Swept-Wing Dodges drove, rode, and handled like no other car you have ever driven.

Nineteen fifty-seven was the year that the industry was creeping up into the world of quad headlights. As laws on illumination were determined on a state-by-state basis, it was just a matter of time before all 48 states had approved quad headlights. Dodges looked like they had quads but, thanks to Exner and his design team, Dodges (and Plymouths) featured “twin-set” driving and parking lights to give the illusion of such. Other styling features included the “broad horizon” windshield and recessed door handles and, of course, those gorgeous swept-wing fins that gave the opportunity for clever two-toning.

But one wasn’t obliged to get swept up in the flash of the 1950s, as this 1957 Dodge Coronet four-door sedan demonstrates. This one is painted monotone black, a look that gives this Dodge a most formal appearance considering the Coronet was the lowest-priced series in the Dodge line. And before you start rolling your eyes at the idea you’ll have to pay an arm and a leg for a Forward Look Mopar, glance at what’s underneath the hood: the Get-Away Six. A flathead design measuring 231cid, this six featured 8.0 compression and put out put out 138 horsepower. It’s also backed by Chrysler Corporation’s magnificent push-button automatic. According to the seller, the six has been maintained with new master cylinder and brake line hoses, fuel and water pumps, and spark plugs.

Beyond the engine compartment, this Coronet features “new upholstery and headliner [with the] beige and black double-stitched as originally done, nearly and professionally, including the trunk carpet with vinyl rim,” adds the seller, who also says that the transmission seals will be replaced, as will the right-side rear door glass. And the best part? The price has been reduced to $12,995. Exner goodness for the price of an old Hyundai? You better sign up for this before I do!

Click here for this ClassicCars.com Pick of the Day.

During Barrett-Jackson’s Scottsdale auction earlier this year, nearly 2,000 vehicles crossed the block at no reserve.  More than 190 of them set world records, and transactions totaled about $207 million.

One of the many eye-catching cars there was a 2003 Acura NSX-T in stunning Silverstone Metallic. This car had a few special things going for it – most notably its rare configuration. Let’s dive into the deets:

The NSX enthusiast community has consolidated production statistics for all vehicles from the first generation, which ranged between the 1991 and 2005 model years. According to the data on the NSX Prime forums, there were just 171 Silverstone NSXs from 2003. Taking the analysis a step further, there were 32 produced with black interior and 25 produced with gray interior. And lastly, when factoring in the transmission offerings for that year, only 3 four-speed automatics came out in Silverstone for 2003, and 2 of them had black interiors. Barrett-Jackson’s docket featured one of those special cars.

Adding to the mystique was the fact that the car had only 10,046 miles on the odometer. Even though its exterior design stayed attractive and relevant even in recent years, the car is now over 20 years old, so finding a particularly low mileage example such as this has become a challenge to say the least.

Here is a little bit of trivia worth noting: Automatic-equipped cars had a distinct engine. Specifically, they came with a 3.0-liter V6 that produced 252 horsepower. On the flipside, manual-equipped cars came with a 3.2-liter V6 with 290 horsepower. Whether that delta translates into a vast difference in the driving experience, I haven’t personally evaluated, but either power rating is more than ample for an all-aluminum two-seater that weighs only about 3,100 pounds. Besides, the NSX was engineered more for its optimal canyon-carving balance as opposed to its go-fast, straight-line abilities.

The strong enthusiast community for NSX cars is centered around its annual event called “NSXPO,” which is put on by the NSX Club of America (NSXCA). We have shared the NSXPO experience on The Journal before, and perhaps some of our readers will recall this story about the 2022 program in Arizona which attracted over 100 cars. NSXPO 2024 will take place October 23 through 27 in Grapevine, Texas, and registration will open up in the coming months to members of the club. Hopefully the lucky new owner of the Barrett-Jackson-sold NSX will make an appearance.

The selling price for this NSX-T was $95,700, which slotted only a little bit above its $89,000 original retail price. It is no mystery that the NSX marketplace has seen strong momentum in recent years. Some of it may have been driven by heightened awareness and attention for the nameplate when it made a comeback on a second-generation model in 2017 (it has since been discontinued). Do you think NSX values are on the rise, staying put, or making a decline? Let’s hear it in the comment section.

Featured on AutoHunter, the online auction platform driven by ClassicCars.com, is this 1957 Ford Fairlane 500 Sunliner. Features include a 292cid V8, automatic transmission, updated dual-circuit power front disc brakes, power steering, upgraded electric windshield wipers, and AM/FM/cassette radio. Finished in light blue with dark blue power top over a blue and white vinyl interior, this ’57 Fairlane comes with rebuild and service records, and a clear title.

Originally finished in Dresden Blue (code C) and Starmist Blue (code F), the reportedly rust-free body of this Sunliner was refinished in monotone Starmist Blue in 2014. Features include backup lights, dual rearview mirrors, Fairlane side trim with gold inserts, rocker and front wheel well trim, and front bumper guards. A walk-around video can be seen at the bottom of this article.

A set of body-color 14-inch steel wheels with replica 1957 Dodge wheelcovers is wrapped in P215/75R14 Coker Classic whitewall radial tires.

The interior is furnished in blue and white vinyl (code AB). Features include power steering, column-mounted automatic transmission shifter, and updated digital AM/FM/cassette radio.

The instrument panel consists of a 120-mph speedometer and gauges for the fuel level and coolant temperature. An accessory clock is mounted to the right of the radio. Currently, the odometer reads 27,870 miles, but the true mileage on this vehicle is unknown.

Power is provided by the reportedly original 292cid Y-block that was rebuilt in 2019. It is backed by a remanufactured three-speed automatic transmission that was installed in 2013. Engine bay features include chrome valve covers, four-barrel carburetor with electric choke aluminum, intake manifold, polished aluminum air cleaner lid, updated chrome power brake booster, and polished dual-circuit brake master cylinder. A chrome power steering reservoir cover, oil filler cap, water pump pulley, and other dress-up parts have been added.

This Ford was factory-equipped with an independent front suspension and a solid rear-drive axle. Braking is provided by updated power front discs and factory rear drums. A dual exhaust system exits at the rear.

The auction for this 1957 Ford Fairlane 500 Sunliner ends Thursday, November 16, 2023, at 12:00 p.m. (MST)

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and photo gallery

Featured on AutoHunter, the online auction platform driven by ClassicCars.com, is this 1957 Ford Fairlane 500 Sunliner. Features include a 292cid V8, automatic transmission, updated dual-circuit power front disc brakes, power steering, upgraded electric windshield wipers, and AM/FM/cassette radio. Finished in light blue with dark blue power top over a blue and white vinyl interior, this ’57 Fairlane comes with rebuild and service records, and a clear title.

Originally finished in Dresden Blue (code C) and Starmist Blue (code F), the reportedly rust-free body of this Sunliner was refinished in monotone Starmist Blue in 2014. Features include backup lights, dual rearview mirrors, Fairlane side trim with gold inserts, rocker and front wheel well trim, and front bumper guards. A walk-around video can be seen at the bottom of this article.

A set of body-color 14-inch steel wheels with replica 1957 Dodge wheelcovers is wrapped in P215/75R14 Coker Classic whitewall radial tires.

The interior is furnished in blue and white vinyl (code AB). Features include power steering, column-mounted automatic transmission shifter, and updated digital AM/FM/cassette radio.

The instrument panel consists of a 120-mph speedometer and gauges for the fuel level and coolant temperature. An accessory clock is mounted to the right of the radio. Currently, the odometer reads 27,870 miles, but the true mileage on this vehicle is unknown.

Power is provided by the reportedly original 292cid Y-block that was rebuilt in 2019. It is backed by a remanufactured three-speed automatic transmission that was installed in 2013. Engine bay features include chrome valve covers, four-barrel carburetor with electric choke aluminum, intake manifold, polished aluminum air cleaner lid, updated chrome power brake booster, and polished dual-circuit brake master cylinder. A chrome power steering reservoir cover, oil filler cap, water pump pulley, and other dress-up parts have been added.

This Ford was factory-equipped with an independent front suspension and a solid rear-drive axle. Braking is provided by updated power front discs and factory rear drums. A dual exhaust system exits at the rear.

The auction for this 1957 Ford Fairlane 500 Sunliner ends Thursday, November 16, 2023, at 12:00 p.m. (MST)

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and photo gallery

Rolls-Royce has revealed its latest bespoke car, the “Pearl Cullinan,” a pearl-themed take on the Cullinan SUV commissioned by a customer as a 90th birthday gift for his father.

Commissioned by the customer in 2022, the Pearl Cullinan is the first bespoke Rolls-Royce from the automaker’s Private Office Dubai, a dedicated office handling customers in the Middle East.

The exterior is finished in an exclusive Pearl Rose paint finish inspired by a pearl from the owner’s collection, and it won’t be available to other customers. It required 30 iterations, all tested on full-size body panels. These were placed under lamps to simulate how the paint would look under the Middle Eastern sun, while ultraviolet testing was done to ensure it would hold up to that strong sunlight. The paint is accented by a hand-painted rose gold pinstripe, along with a rose gold-plated Spirit of Ecstasy hood ornament and tread plates.

The interior features two different leather colors: Cashmere Gray for the front seats and Ardent Red for the rear seats. The latter references the color of the material on which pearls are traditionally presented to customers, while the burr walnut wood veneer is inspired by the wooden presentation boxes in which pearls are traditionally given to customers.

Living up to its name, the Pearl Cullinan also features the most mother-of-pearl in any Rolls-Royce production car. Each of the rear picnic tabletops is layered with 1,351 separate pieces of mother-of-pearl—all selected and placed by hand. The dashboard fascia has a mother-of-pearl inlay, as well as the Arabic word for “father” in stainless steel. The dashboard clock is set in a mother-of-pearl surround with a rose gold dial and hands. The Starlight Headliner also shows the sky as it appeared on the night the customer’s father was born.

One-off commissions are standard operating procedure at Rolls-Royce. The automaker also recently built a pink Ghost for a an Internet personality, as well as the Phantom Syntopia, a one-off so complex that it took four years to build.

For buyers with extra-deep pockets, Rolls-Royce can build a car totally unrelated to any model in its lineup. These are coachbuilt specials, the most recent of which is a car known as the Droptail.

HIGH-RES GALLERY: Rolls-Royce Pearl Cullinan

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

Rolls-Royce has revealed its latest bespoke car, the “Pearl Cullinan,” a pearl-themed take on the Cullinan SUV commissioned by a customer as a 90th birthday gift for his father.

Commissioned by the customer in 2022, the Pearl Cullinan is the first bespoke Rolls-Royce from the automaker’s Private Office Dubai, a dedicated office handling customers in the Middle East.

The exterior is finished in an exclusive Pearl Rose paint finish inspired by a pearl from the owner’s collection, and it won’t be available to other customers. It required 30 iterations, all tested on full-size body panels. These were placed under lamps to simulate how the paint would look under the Middle Eastern sun, while ultraviolet testing was done to ensure it would hold up to that strong sunlight. The paint is accented by a hand-painted rose gold pinstripe, along with a rose gold-plated Spirit of Ecstasy hood ornament and tread plates.

The interior features two different leather colors: Cashmere Gray for the front seats and Ardent Red for the rear seats. The latter references the color of the material on which pearls are traditionally presented to customers, while the burr walnut wood veneer is inspired by the wooden presentation boxes in which pearls are traditionally given to customers.

Living up to its name, the Pearl Cullinan also features the most mother-of-pearl in any Rolls-Royce production car. Each of the rear picnic tabletops is layered with 1,351 separate pieces of mother-of-pearl—all selected and placed by hand. The dashboard fascia has a mother-of-pearl inlay, as well as the Arabic word for “father” in stainless steel. The dashboard clock is set in a mother-of-pearl surround with a rose gold dial and hands. The Starlight Headliner also shows the sky as it appeared on the night the customer’s father was born.

One-off commissions are standard operating procedure at Rolls-Royce. The automaker also recently built a pink Ghost for a an Internet personality, as well as the Phantom Syntopia, a one-off so complex that it took four years to build.

For buyers with extra-deep pockets, Rolls-Royce can build a car totally unrelated to any model in its lineup. These are coachbuilt specials, the most recent of which is a car known as the Droptail.

HIGH-RES GALLERY: Rolls-Royce Pearl Cullinan

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

Featured on AutoHunter, the online auction platform driven by ClassicCars.com, is this 1994 Toyota Supra Turbo.

The first mention of the Supra name in the automotive world came about in the late 1970s in Japan, where it was launched as a variant of the compact Celica liftback. The Supra became a popular performance car – particularly in the “tuner” communities – because of its agile handling, capable drivetrains, and strong aftermarket support. These days, finding an unmodified Supra is no easy task, and finding an original with fewer than 50,000 miles on the odometer is even more challenging. That’s where today’s Super White 1994 Supra Turbo comes in: This car is being offered on AutoHunter by a private seller in Arcadia, California, and the auction ends this coming Wednesday.

Today’s Supra comes from the fourth generation which launched with the “A80” body in model year 1994. Chassis components at the time were shared with the first-generation Lexus SC coupe (sold as the Toyota Soarer in Japan). This Supra has somehow survived for the last 30 years without being modified. The CARFAX report also shows California-kept ownership all its life, with no accidents or damage on record. A new owner was reported about three years ago, and the history overall is squeaky clean.

The Supra was offered with two different inline-six powerplants: One was the 3.0-liter 2JZ-GE, and the other was a 3.0-liter 2JZ-GTE with twin turbos. The latter was capable of 320 horsepower and 315 lb-ft of torque. Toyota and Lexus shared this architecture for a number of years. In fact, my brother’s 2002 Lexus IS300 that was recently raced at No Fly Zone in Arizona has a 2JZ-GTE motor. His entire “brand” on social media centers around the “Two Jay” name for that reason.

While the Supra could easily be put to use as an all-out race car, it also catered to the grand-touring crowd – especially when outfitted with the optional four-speed automatic transmission as seen in today’s feature car. The roof has a color-matched removable panel for an open-air feeling, and the cabin is appointed with leather upholstery and automatic climate control.

You could argue that this car offers the best of multiple worlds: It has a performance-bred (yet reliable) twin-turbocharged heart, the sexy looks of a sports car, and the comfort and conveniences of a long-distance highway cruiser. You won’t find an opportunity like this very frequently. Check it out!

The auction for this 1994 Toyota Supra Turbo ends Wednesday, November 15, 2023, at 12:15 p.m. (MST)

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and photo gallery

Featured on AutoHunter, the online auction platform driven by ClassicCars.com, is this 1994 Toyota Supra Turbo.

The first mention of the Supra name in the automotive world came about in the late 1970s in Japan, where it was launched as a variant of the compact Celica liftback. The Supra became a popular performance car – particularly in the “tuner” communities – because of its agile handling, capable drivetrains, and strong aftermarket support. These days, finding an unmodified Supra is no easy task, and finding an original with fewer than 50,000 miles on the odometer is even more challenging. That’s where today’s Super White 1994 Supra Turbo comes in: This car is being offered on AutoHunter by a private seller in Arcadia, California, and the auction ends this coming Wednesday.

Today’s Supra comes from the fourth generation which launched with the “A80” body in model year 1994. Chassis components at the time were shared with the first-generation Lexus SC coupe (sold as the Toyota Soarer in Japan). This Supra has somehow survived for the last 30 years without being modified. The CARFAX report also shows California-kept ownership all its life, with no accidents or damage on record. A new owner was reported about three years ago, and the history overall is squeaky clean.

The Supra was offered with two different inline-six powerplants: One was the 3.0-liter 2JZ-GE, and the other was a 3.0-liter 2JZ-GTE with twin turbos. The latter was capable of 320 horsepower and 315 lb-ft of torque. Toyota and Lexus shared this architecture for a number of years. In fact, my brother’s 2002 Lexus IS300 that was recently raced at No Fly Zone in Arizona has a 2JZ-GTE motor. His entire “brand” on social media centers around the “Two Jay” name for that reason.

While the Supra could easily be put to use as an all-out race car, it also catered to the grand-touring crowd – especially when outfitted with the optional four-speed automatic transmission as seen in today’s feature car. The roof has a color-matched removable panel for an open-air feeling, and the cabin is appointed with leather upholstery and automatic climate control.

You could argue that this car offers the best of multiple worlds: It has a performance-bred (yet reliable) twin-turbocharged heart, the sexy looks of a sports car, and the comfort and conveniences of a long-distance highway cruiser. You won’t find an opportunity like this very frequently. Check it out!

The auction for this 1994 Toyota Supra Turbo ends Wednesday, November 15, 2023, at 12:15 p.m. (MST)

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and photo gallery