Please observe the four cars below. All are currently listed on AutoHunter, our sister website. Can you identify the model year, make, and model of each based on the features provided?
Post your answers in the comments section below the gallery. If you need a lifeline, just click on an image and you’ll find your hint.
Old pickup trucks can get away with certain things that other vehicles can’t. If they have a little patina, great – that just makes them look more vintage. They don’t need a lot of luxury or convenience features because they’re supposed to be simple, rugged machines. Fuel economy? Who cares?! They’re classic pickup trucks (hopefully with a big, loud V8). All they really have to do is run and hold stuff in the bed. We don’t need to make any excuses for our Pick of the Day, a 1971 Ford F-100 Ranger XLT Styleside posted on ClassicCars.com by a New York dealership.
Thanks to a frame-off rotisserie restoration, this Ford F-100 has fresh Scandia Green and Seafoam Green paint. The Ranger XLT trim adds bright side trim with woodgrain accents and a woodtone tailgate panel, all of which coordinate well with the soft greens of the two-tone finish. The eight-foot bed is ready for work or play.
If you need a little more storage space, throw some tools or gear in the lockable compartment on the passenger side. Whatever you end up carrying in this truck, new whitewall tires and the Twin-I-Beam front suspension will handle the road while the Flex-O-Matic rear suspension deals with the load.
The inside of the single cab is just as distinctive and handsome as the exterior. As part of the restoration, the bench seat was reupholstered with new green vinyl and cloth. Once again, the Ranger XLT trim adds extra features, which include the vinyl door panels with woodtone accents, glove compartment lock, perforated headliner, and more. This truck also has air conditioning, which makes it a little less rough and tough but a lot more comfortable.
There are even more updates under the hood. Ford offered a few V8s in its trucks for 1971; this particular F-100 has the 215-horsepower, 327-lb-ft 360, which benefits from fresh hoses, belts, gaskets, and seals. The big V8 comes equipped with its rebuilt original carburetor. A C6 three-speed automatic sends power to the Ford nine-inch rear end.
This 1971 Ford F-100 Ranger XLT is a handsome restoration with great colors and useful features and updates, yet it still has vintage charm. It can be yours for $42,900.
“If you had to compete with GM, Ford and Chrysler, what would you do?” asked American Motors in a 1971 ad. Due to lack of funds, AMC was forced to restyle instead of redesign the Javelin. New style, combined with a new engine, helped the Javelin compete with the likes of strong competitors and weather the storm of emissions and safety standards. Our Pick of the Day, a 1973 Javelin, was a maximum effort during AMC’s struggles. It is listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a dealership in metro Detroit.
When the Javelin debuted for 1968, it was cheered by the motoring press. “It has a clean understated appearance that is not marred by phony vents, power bulges, mounds or bizarre sculpturing of whatever variety,” wrote Car and Driver. “The Javelin is an honest-looking car with a dramatic flair.” Its on-road performance was also praised. “It felt very much like a British sports car—with the same advantages as well as the same disadvantages. The Javelin is nearly neutral when pushed through a hard corner and a controllable, power-induced over-steer can be obtained whenever desired.”
The Javelin was facelifted for 1970, then restyled for 1971, joining the Mustang and Cougar as the last of the updated pony cars. A longer nose with exaggerated wheel arches on the front fenders were said to be inspired by Can-Am race cars, while the chunky rear haunches did not come off as being Rubenesque. The two-seat AMX was discontinued, instead becoming a performance package for the Javelin. The revamped interior made great strides from the plastic-y interior from 1968-69, plus the instrument panel (wood-grained for Javelin, engine-turned with the AMX package) was contoured around the driver. The 401 replaced the 390 and offered up to 330 advertised horsepower before the industry moved to net ratings, while the 360 continued at the bottom end of the performance roster. A new cowl induction system was available, and interesting features like split vinyl top and corduroy interior offered distinction from the rest of the pony car set.
For 1973, a new recessed grille was similar to what AMXs used for 1971-72. And while new federal regulations required 5-mph protection up front, the Javelin emerged unscathed as it did not suffer from the fat lip that most cars were stuck with for the model year. Out back, “twin-pod” taillights replaced the full-width design that had been a hallmark sine the Javelin’s introduction. A new vinyl roof design covered the whole roof plus the flying-buttress C-pillars. If you liked stripes, there was a new Rally Stripe design yet again.
The Go Package for 360-4 and 401 engines included a T-stripe decal on the front end, black rear panel, Rally-Pac instrumentation, handling package, air induction, heavy-duty cooling, Twin-Grip differential, power disc brakes, 15×7 slotted wheels with E60x15 Polyglas tires, and space saver spare. Unusual for the era, 3.91 gears were available with four-speeds.
As you can see, the Javelin was properly equipped to do battle with most pony cars during those trying times, and this Maxi Blue 1973 Javelin shakes its moneymaker to the hilt. This is a great-looking car, and the optional Blue “Domino” fabric and vinyl interior only adds to the appeal. “Original (N) 360ci engine [that’s a 360 two-barrel], Holley 4bbl., factory intake and exhaust manifolds,” says the seller. Other features include power steering, console with automatic shifter, dual painted mirrors, MSD Pro-Billet distributor, factory air cleaner and chrome valve covers, factory radiator with shroud, H-pipe Flowmasters, updated headlights, and more. Note the AMX spoiler and grille, the latter which you can tell by the round (not rectangular) parking lights.
Only 7,351 Javelins were built with the 360 (both two- and four-barrel), but who cares about rarity (or lack thereof) when you have horsepower and hues in your corner? To score maximum pony car, you’ll need to pony up $38,900.
If you are a sports car guy and not a muscle car guy – meaning how a car handles is just as important as how quickly it accelerates – then the car that likely caught your attention in the early 2000s was a Saleen. Today’s AutoHunter Spotlight is one of those cars, a 2000 Ford Mustang Saleen S281. The auction will end on Thursday, April 10.
The Saleen S281 took an already good car and made it better, especially for track work or even just for roads with a lot of turns. There were various options for the S281. but all offered a highly tuned chassis incorporating Racecraft suspension combined with an optimal tire and wheel combination to make the Mustang the best-handling car possible. Saleen also added aerodynamic aids to the body to make it cut through the wind better and look distinctive. These cars are true sports car drivers’ Mustangs and are simply amazing from behind the wheel.
The seller describes this car as being a 2000 Ford Mustang Saleen S281 that is powered by a 4.6L V8 mated to a five-speed manual transmission. The car is painted in its original Silver Clearcoat Metallic over a Dark Charcoal leather interior. It is offered by the seller with the original window sticker, certificate of authenticity, clean CARFAX report and a clear title.
It’s worth nothing that this Saleen has only 21,980 original miles and is a one of one, according to the included Saleen Certificate of Authenticity that accompanies the car. It is Saleen S281 No. 00-0196.
From the photos, the exterior looks to be in excellent shape, with the Silver Clearcoat Metallic paint seemingly free from any major flaw (although the seller does note there is some minor damage and blemishes on the front spoiler). Like all Saleen cars, this one features a Saleen lightweight hood, louvered side scoops, urethane front and rear fascia, Saleen side skirts, a Saleen S281 rear wing, and Saleen badging and graphics. It rides on correct Saleen 18-inch five-spoke chrome alloy wheels clad with staggered-width Nitto NT 555R radial tires.
The interior of this S281 features front bucket seats in Dark Charcoal leather upholstery, a center console with a close-ratio manual shifter, Saleen Performance driving pedals, an aftermarket Pioneer touchscreen stereo and a full complement of Saleen gauges. Everything looks to be in good condition with no rips or tears to the seats or cracks in the dash.
Under the hood is the car’s original 4.6L 2V SOHC V8 that features 285 horsepower and 315 lb-ft of torque. It has Saleen high-performance pulleys and is mated to a five-speed Saleen quick-ratio manual gearbox. The condition of the engine looks to be good, although surface rust on some of the fasteners indicates it would benefit from an engine detail.
In the world of more modern Mustangs, a Saleen car is always a bit special. These are limited-production cars modified by Saleen at their own factory in order to provide customers with a Mustang that turned corners as well as it handled a straightaway.
If you like Mustangs but see yourself as more of a sports car enthusiast, this 2000 Saleen S281 might just be the perfect car for you. Place a bid for a chance to own a truly special Mustang – the auction for this 2000 Ford Mustang Saleen S281 ends Thursday, April 10, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. (PDT).
The current Genesis lineup consists of a variety of sedans, SUVs, and EVs. That’s it for now, but judging by the X Gran Coupe and X Gran Convertible concepts that recently debuted at the Seoul Mobility Show 2025, that could change.
This isn’t just wishful thinking. The theme of the event was “Unfold a New Era of Genesis.” Mike Song, Global Head of Genesis, says, “In the 10 years since our launch, Genesis has been dedicated to delivering its unique values to more than 1.3 million customers worldwide. We aim to seize this opportunity as a launchpad for a new decade, showcasing models that embody Genesis’ pursuit of high-performance technology and future luxury design.”
Genesis has made two-door and drop-top what-ifs before. It has hinted at an interest in producing such models with the X and X Speedium Coupe concepts and the X Convertible.
Then there’s the fact that the X Gran Coupe and X Gran Convertible are based on Genesis’s G90 flagship sedan, which makes them that much more viable. Their designs are not wildly different from the brand’s current design language: the Genesis Crest Grille is present, as are the two-line headlights and taillights.
The interiors are also largely based in production-friendly reality, with a steering wheel, screens, knobs, dials, and buttons. There’s no vaporware telepathic system that senses when you want to change directions or feel like jamming out to Bruno Mars.
Of course, the X Gran Coupe and X Gran Convertible are officially concepts, so there are some elements that you’d expect to see in a show car. For instance, if the Coupe eventually rolls off a Genesis assembly line, it probably won’t have olive leaf-shaped cut-outs in the wood trim on the door panels or a fully quilted leather roof (although that would be cool).
Perhaps a consumer version of the X Gran Convertible wouldn’t be available with the concept’s wine-inspired paint and its Cabernet Sauvignon grape-blue interior, but the idea of both being available separately is not outlandish, as the the 2025 Genesis GV80 3.5T Prestige AWD we tested last year had plenty of blue in its cabin. The X Gran Coupe’s green and tan interior isn’t all that wild, either—the 2025 GV80 is already available with a Vanilla Beige and Smoky Green color scheme.
Let’s not forget Genesis’s current portfolio. It has a foundation of vehicles that collectively cast a wide net at consumers. That leaves some room for Genesis to go after different parts of the luxury market, a space dominated by Audi, Mercedes-Benz, and BMW, and all three offer coupes and convertibles. Yes, the X Gran Coupe and X Gran Convertible are based on a full-size sedan, which would make their production versions a bit different from the majority of their potential European competitors, but they would make bold statements for the Genesis brand. Anyone taking on those juggernauts needs vision and ambition.
The core idea of trying to gain market share in spaces occupied by the Germans is not foreign to Genesis. It makes a GV80 Coupe, its version of a BMW X6 or Mercedes GLE Coupe, and its upcoming Magma luxury performance vehicles can be seen as Korean rivals to models from BMW M and Mercedes-AMG.
If the X Gran Coupe and X Gran Convertible eventually make their ways (with minor alterations) into Genesis showrooms, don’t be surprised. We won’t be, but we will be eager to test them out.
Every vehicle has a story to tell, and sometimes, an inquisitive owner can find a treasure trove of information by researching a car’s VIN history and the available documentation. That’s what happened to Joe Crossman of Arizona when he got curious about his Grand Cherokee. The CARFAX report showed corporate ownership in Michigan, yet the vehicle’s maintenance had taken place in California. One thing led to another, and Joe found out his Jeep was not only corporate-owned, but it also appeared in magazines and media during its early days.
Joe was among the many attendees at the Future Collector Car Show in Scottsdale, and I was privileged to get up close and personal with his unique ride. Our ensuing seven-minute Q&A is found on the AutoHunter YouTube channel. In the video, Joe discusses how he went down the rabbit hole of researching his Jeep’s backstory, as well as how he has worked to document and preserve that provenance for events like FCCS. He even ordered a replica Michigan license plate to mirror the one the Grand Cherokee wore during its press days.
Known for its on- and off-road capabilities, well-appointed interiors, and vast trim options, the Grand Cherokee has been a popular mid-sized sport-utility vehicle for over 30 years now. Jeep Grand Cherokees produced between 2011 and 2022 were part of the “WK2” generation. While the vehicle carried forward its steel unibody underpinnings from prior years, it received a four-wheel independent suspension and was said to have a significant increase in torsional rigidity (therefore offering a smoother, quieter ride).
The high-end Summit trim level for the WK2 came with generous luxury upgrades in the form of Nappa leather door trim, a premium steering wheel, wood trim, a dual-panel panoramic sunroof, 20-inch wheels, and an 8.4-inch touchscreen with Uconnect, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Of course, no Jeep would be complete without some off-road credentials. With that in mind, the vehicle came with a Selec-Terrain traction-management system as well as a Quadra-Lift air suspension with adjustable ride height. At $62,775, it was an expensive vehicle in its segment, and Joe has a copy of the window sticker documenting his Jeep’s equipment.
While still respecting the Grand Cherokee’s overall originality, Joe did invest in a few upgrades in his Grand Cherokee like an SRT vented hood, a cat-back exhaust system (with quad tips from a Grand Cherokee Track Hawk), custom exterior badging, a dash camera, and Husky all-weather floor liners. Best of all, Joe is instilling his automotive passion with his newborn son – the baby’s first ride was in the Grand Cherokee, so there is already an added sense of sentimental value in the vehicle. Thanks, Joe, for carrying forward the car-collector hobby to the next generation!
Alpine may not sound familiar to most Americans but, to a few automotive enthusiasts, it’s a craft-built, lightweight, Renault-powered sports car with impeccable handling. For fans of Alpine, a new video series called “Alpine, 70 years” is ready for your enjoyment.
Note the French flag colors in this 1955 presentation (Image courtesy of Alpine)
Alpine was the brainchild of Jean Rédélé, a gentleman who ran both a garage and a Renault 4CV in competition. Through his experience, he modified his race car and experimented with aluminum bodies. Then, 70 years ago, he formed Automobiles Alpine and started developing a production car called the A106. This coupe, utilizing a fiberglass body designed by Giovanni Michelotti, was based on the rear-engined 4CV and featured a central tubular backbone that would become the trademark for the Alpine brand. Three years later, Alpine modified the design and presented the Dauphine-based A108 in 1958.
The founder’s son and his A106 (Image courtesy of Alpine)
This model spawned the Renault R8-based A110 in 1963, which was produced through 1977. However, most familiar to Americans (especially those who collected diecasts as a kid) was the A310. Introduced in 1971, the A310 would be facelifted into the GTA in the 1980s and, later, the A610 before production ending in 1995.
Alpine A110 (Image courtesy of Wikipedia)
For 2018, Renault revived the Alpine, officially known as Alpine A110. This mid-engined coupe features a Nissan 1.8-liter turbo-four backed by a Getrag seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. Globally, as many as 4,835 have been built in a year, reflecting the strength of the Alpine brand in the minds of European enthusiasts.
Alpine A310 (Image courtesy of Wikipedia)
The first episode of this video series is called “The Alpine Legend” and sheds light on the brand’s origins and the hurdles it approaches in the face of electrification. To view this episode, click here.
If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then the Chevrolet was feeling quite flattered once Plymouth introduced the all-new E-body Barracuda for 1970—it was obvious that the Barracuda featured exaggerated proportions of the 1967-69 Camaro. Currently on AutoHunter is this 1973 Plymouth ‘Cuda, the performance version of the Barracuda. It is powered by the legendary 340ci small-block screamer and is paired to a TorqueFlite automatic. Finished in Meadow Green with a black vinyl top over a black vinyl interior, this Mopar muscle car comes from the selling dealer with a clear title.
The original “JF8” Forest Green was replaced by a 1972 color called “HJ3” Meadow Green. A black vinyl top also was added. Other exterior features include a hood with simulated scoops, 1970 “Hockey Stick” stripes, black rear panel, remote driver-side mirror, chrome exhaust tips, and bumper guards front and rear. A set of 15-inch Chrome Styles Road Wheels is wrapped in 235/60 Cooper Cobra Radial G/T tires.
The black vinyl interior features two bucket seats up front and a console with Slap-Stik shifter between them. Other cabin features include woodgrain trim, AM/FM radio, and two-spoke steering wheel with padded hub.
The instrument panel features the Rallye Cluster, which included a 150-mph speedometer, 7,000-rpm tachometer, and gauges for the oil pressure, temperature, alternator, and fuel, plus a clock. The odometer shows 45,747 miles, though the title reads mileage-exempt.
The 340 four-barrel had a reputation as being a giant-killer in the high-compression days, but it still was a runner when the compression was lowered for 1972. Horsepower was rated at 240 (net), and this one is connected to a three-speed TorqueFlite automatic transmission.
Power brakes, with discs up front, help stop the motion. A dual exhaust system helps push spent emissions out to the rear.
So there you have it, a pony car that clearly shows its influences but evolved it to make it its very own: the E-body Barracuda. The auction for this 1973 Plymouth ‘Cuda ends on Tuesday, April 8, 2025 at 12:00 p.m. (PDT).
If you follow professional sports, you know that players that made a name for themselves with a certain team sometimes briefly play for a different organization. For instance, Hakeem Olajuwon spent almost his entire 18-season career (and won two NBA championships) with the Houston Rockets, but he played his final 61 games with the Toronto Raptors. Think of the 1999 Shelby Series 1 as the automotive equivalent of that for Carroll Shelby. After decades of souping up Ford and Dodge vehicles, he used a General Motors engine in a short run of DOHC V8-powered sports cars (although he later returned to collaborating with Ford). We consider the one you see here, a 1999 Shelby Series 1 posted on ClassicCars.com by a Missouri dealership, our Pick of the Day.
If you’re not familiar with this part of Shelby history, that’s OK. It’s not as if you’ve had a lot of chances to see one of these on the road. Shelby only ended up producing 249 of these, all of them 1999 models. This silver one with red stripes and a black soft top is #4 from that short run.
It’s a shame Series 1s are such rare sights because they have attractive curves rendered in carbon fiber, all laid over an aluminum chassis. There’s a certain boldness and aggression to the power-dome hood, massive fender vents, 18-inch wheels, and dual exhaust outlets that jut out from the rear at an angle, as if they’re artillery ready to fire at trailing vehicles. What’s harder to see is the double-wishbone suspension with inboard-mounted coilovers.
Not only is the Series 1 a limited-production car, but it also has a relatively unusual engine for a car like this. True, the 320-horsepower 4.0-liter V8 from the Oldsmobile Aurora is not a flat-plane-crank Ferrari engine, but it’s a GM power plant with double overhead cams mated with a six-speed manual gearbox. By making the Series 1 with this engine, Shelby completed a trifecta with the “Big Three” Michigan brands.
Aside from familiar GM parts, the cockpit has black and gray leather seats with embroidered Carroll Shelby autographs, a Monsoon AM/FM/CD/cassette audio system, and air conditioning. Perhaps its most important feature is the number on the odometer: 739.
To add to that ultra-low mileage figure, you need to add this 1999 Shelby Series 1 to your garage. To do that, it’ll take $184,995.
Ever since 2025 began, I’ve been thinking about the vehicles I want to review. On that list are the S650 Ford Mustang, 2025 Expedition Tremor, Ram 1500 RHO, and 2026 Honda Passport TrailSport. The 2025 Toyota Tacoma is also appealing, which led me to learning about its extensive range of available accessories.
Toyota offers a wide variety of Tacomas built to fit different needs and lifestyles. You can get it with a turbocharged 2.4-liter I4 gas engine or as a hybrid. A six-speed manual and an eight-speed automatic are available. You can choose between the XtraCab and Double Cab body styles and the five- and six-foot bed lengths. Then there are the trim levels: six for the pure-ICE model and five for the hybrid. Many are focused on off-roading. The TRD Off-Road grade comes equipped with Bilstein shocks with remote reservoirs. Toyota prepares the Trailhunter for the outdoors with Old Man Emu 2.5-inch forged position-sensitive shocks with rear piggyback-style remote reservoirs. Tacoma TRD Pro models have similarly sized Fox shocks with internal bypasses and IsoDynamic Performance front seats with their own shock absorbers.
If those trim levels aren’t enough as they are, you can add an impressive variety of storage, towing, lighting, camping, performance, and other accessories to your Tacoma configuration. Want an electric cooler for your next excursion into the wild? Toyota will be glad to sell you one for $900. Need to store small valuables while you’re out hiking? Spec your Tacoma configuration with the $395 center console safe. Would a little more horsepower and additional low- to mid-range torque be nice? Of course it would be—and those are what the $995 TRD performance exhaust was designed to deliver.
Most of the accessories available for the Tacoma came as no surprise. But then I saw the available Accessory Packages. If you have a lot of money to throw at your next Tacoma and you just want a pre-configured, ready-to-go bundle of hardware for the next football game you attend or a future off-road adventure, you have two options. For $5,342, you can get the All-Pro Tailgate Package, which includes the following features:
Dometic HUB 2.0 inflatable shelter
Pelican 20-quart Elite Cooler
Dometic GO Compact Chair
Dometic GO Hydration Water Faucet
Dometic GO Compact Camp Table
Soft tonneau cover
BedStep
Yakima EXO OpenRange camp kitchen
Bed extender
JBL Bluetooth speaker
Cast aluminum running boards
(What? No built-in BBQ grill?!)
Toyota also offers a $12,479 Moab Package, which consists of:
TRD lift kit
TRD front skid plate
Bed Rack HD Kit with Molle panels
Black TRD 18-inch wheels
Black five-inch oval tube steps
Illuminated front emblem
Bed Scene Lighting
Kammok Crosswing single panel shade
Yakima RoadShower portable pressurized water storage
Pelican BX140R cargo case
ARB Elements fridge/freezer
ARB Elements fridge slide
ARB Tred Pro traction pad
Black Chrome exhaust tip
In the past, I was fortunate enough to review vehicles equipped with lifestyle accessories (such as the Nissan Titan XD). If I manage to get my hands on a 2025 Tacoma with camping or additional off-road gear, you’ll know because I’ll post my review right here on the ClassicCars.com Journal.
