Journal Classic Cars

The Beach Boys have a success story worth sharing. They have sold over 100 million records worldwide, and over the course of their career—which dates back to 1961—they’ve achieved 36 “Top 40” hits. Some of the anthems the Beach Boys perform have specific ties to the automotive world, including the songs “Little Deuce Coupe” and “409.”

The carefree spirit of the 1960s was a big factor in the use of cars as prominent symbols back when those songs were written. Building on the band’s success, the “Surfer Girl” album came out in September 1963 as the third studio album from the group. Surfer Girl also happens to be the name of a car once owned by the Beach Boys’ manager. “She” is a 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air two-door hardtop, and she was one of many unique collector cars sold at no reserve during a recent Barrett-Jackson auction held in Scottsdale.

The description from Barrett-Jackson says, “This example was recently refreshed with a new paint job, contrasted by all-new chrome. It also features a full interior update with gauges replaced along with bezels in the dash.”

The color combination is a striking one indeed, bringing white and orange together for two-tone paint treatment, which continues to the bench-seat interior. Special touches include Bel Air-embroidered floor mats, custom center console with cup holders, and Bowtie-branded aluminum trim extending across the face of the dashboard. While some Bel Air buyers in 1955 opted for the new 265ci small-block V8, this car was optioned with the smaller 235ci inline-six paired with a three-speed manual transmission.

The car—or should we call her Surfer Girl?—was adopted by a new owner earlier this year who is no doubt spending the summer racking up miles. Hopefully, some of those miles involve trips to the beach to catch some gnarly waves. Hang ten!

There are hundreds of unique stories like this one to be told about the cars that are sold each year at Barrett-Jackson. We look forward to seeing what the upcoming auctions will bring. Who knows—maybe there will be some other music industry tie-ins to discuss.

Today’s AutoHunter Spotlight is on this restored 1958 Chevrolet Delray two-door sedan with a very nice vintage look. Originally a special sub-model for the 1954-57 210, Delray officially became a stand-alone model for the 1958 model year, replacing the bottom-of-the-line 150. This one is powered by a 327ci small-block V8 paired with a four-speed automatic with overdrive. Other features include air conditioning, floor-mounted B&M shifter, Bluetooth-compatible AM/FM stereo, US Mags wheels, and more. Painted in two-tone Anniversary Gold and White with a matching white vinyl and tan cloth interior, this vintage performance cruiser comes from the private seller with a clear title.

The Anniversary Gold and White two-tone paint scheme is complemented by tasteful use of chrome. Other exterior features include a wraparound windshield and backlite, dual chrome side mirrors, rocker panel trim, Blue Dot lenses, and twin exhaust pipes poking out from under the bumper. A set of gold-painted US Mags wheels is wrapped in 215/70 whitewall Diamond radials.

The white and tan vinyl and cloth interior features a split bench seat up front. Interior features include under-dash air conditioning, power steering with three-spoke steering wheel, floor-mounted B&M automatic shifter, clock, and Bluetooth-compatible AM/FM retro-look stereo.

The instrument panel features a 120-mph speedometer and gauges for the temperature and fuel. Additional gauges include a column-mounted 10,000-rpm tachometer and a Sunpro cluster that includes oil pressure, temperature, and voltage. The odometer shows 37,461 miles but the title reads mileage-exempt.

The engine currently residing under the hood is a 327 V8 topped by a four-barrel carburetor and Edelbrock air cleaner. It is backed by a four-speed 700R4 transmission with overdrive, which was rebuilt 10 months ago. The undercarriage features power front disc brakes and a dual exhaust system.

There’s plenty of vintage appeal with this classic Chevy. The paint scheme looks great, the presentation allows me to channel myself back to the mid-1960s, and the small-block V8 will always put out (and you can easily make it put out more). All that’s missing is your name on the title, so bid high and bid soon because the AutoHunter auction for this 1958 Chevrolet Delray two-door sedan ends on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, at 11:45 a.m. (PDT).

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and a photo gallery

When it comes to modern trucks, some of the things that get the most attention are the stats, such as the size of their infotainment screens or how much torque they have and how many tons they can pull. But things can be much simpler with vintage pickups: you don’t think about how many camera angles they provide while you’re towing—you can just appreciate them simply for their design. Our Pick of the Day, a 1967 Ford F-100 4X4, has great lines, plus plenty more to love. You can find it on ClassicCars.com listed by a dealer in Manhattan Beach, California.

The 1967 model year marked the introduction of the fifth-generation Ford F-Series line of trucks. Exterior updates included moving the FORD lettering to the hood, simplifying the grille, and relocating the parking lights under the headlamps.

Inside, 1967 four-wheel-drive F-100 and F-250 trucks received a wider instrument cluster, redesigned instrument panel, padded dash, three-inch-wider seat, and body-color trim, all of which made their cabins “attractive, roomier and more carlike in appearance than ever!”

“Carlike” comfort is great and all, but from the outside, an F-Series should look like a truck. This F-100 certainly does. It doesn’t need a massive lift or giant wheels and tires to do that—just a single cab, a short bed, and all-terrain rubber. A fresh coat of Boxwood Green and Wimbledon White paint, and new bumpers add to its vintage charm.

Inside the cabin, the seat belts were upgraded to three-point units, the bench seat was reupholstered in black leather, and the radio was replaced with a RetroSound stereo with Bluetooth, but nothing is jarringly anachronistic.

The engine matches the rest of this truck’s tasteful, low-key personality. It hasn’t been swapped out for a Godzilla 7.3-liter gasser; it’s a good old-fashioned 300ci inline-six, which draws fuel from a new gas tank. A four-speed manual gearbox and four-wheel drive help it get this truck down the road and over nature’s obstacles.

Whether this 1967 Ford F-100 4X4‘s handsome looks or thoughtful updates are the first thing that you notice about it, we have good news: You can buy this truck for $37,999 (OBO) and look at it—or drive it—anytime you want.

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

The recent Pick of the Day on the Alfa Romeo Montreal got me thinking about the cars that it may have influenced. I’ve had it in my mind that 1971 Plymouth Satellite Coupes were inspired by the Montreal. The shapes are somewhat similar, and if you look at a Road Runner with the optional strobe stripes, it does look like John Herlitz and his team gleaned something from Bertone.

Of course, the symbiotic relationship between Italy and Detroit was not new—in fact, Donald Osborne wrote “Stile Transatlantico” (Transatlantic Style) specifically for the purpose of showing decades of backs and forths between designers on both sides of the Atlantic.

While writing the Pick of the Day, I learned that the Montreal’s C-pillar gills were copped from the Bertone/Giugiaro-designed Alfa Romeo Canguro. This Alfa Romeo TZ-based show car first appeared at the 1964 Paris Motor Show as part of a competition spurred by Alfa to see whether Bertone or Pininfarina could prepare a better design for a road-going version of the TZ. Notable were a stack of front fender vents to allow the engine to cool.

As you may have noticed, the Montreal (and the concept car that preceded it) adopted a similar motif, but along the C-pillar. It is said that this design was used to imply the vehicle was mid-engined even though the engine was mounted in the front. Upon seeing the Canguro, my mind immediately went to the 1972 Dodge Charger Rallye, which featured doors that mimicked this design.

So, it’s quite possible that the Canguro influenced the Alfa Romeo Montreal, 1971-72 Plymouth Road Runner, and 1972 Dodge Charger Rallye. I don’t have proof—just circumstantial evidence. What say you?

When I do research for articles, AutoHunter Spotlights, and Pick of the Day pieces for this website, I typically consult the particular vehicle’s window sticker, brochures, and press kits for specifications and information. Another resource full of helpful facts—about General Motors vehicles—is the GM Heritage site.

GM Heritage tells you the story of company founder William Durant and how he built the American automotive giant. Various short summaries highlight key moments in GM’s first 100 years, such as when Durant regained control after a six-year absence, the founding of the Milford Proving Ground in 1924, and the debut of the Buick Y-Job, “the first step in the evolution and popularization of concept cars within the automotive industry.”

There’s also a section devoted to some of the notable Chevrolet cars and trucks, Oldsmobile, Buick, Cadillac, GMC, Pontiac, and concept vehicles in the GM Heritage Collection. Those include a ’31 Cadillac V-16, ’63 Corvette Stingray, and ’70 Buick GSX. Each one has its own short write-up and small gallery of pictures.

What I’ve found the most useful on a few occasions is the GM Heritage Archive, which holds “more than 250,000 unique historical documents consisting primarily of product catalogs, sales brochures, press materials, promotional records, engineering information and service information.” Although its 900-plus Vehicle Information Kits don’t cover Pontiac, Buick, and GMC, they contain detailed technical and marketing information for many Chevrolet, Cadillac, Oldsmobile, and even Geo vehicles (how that brand made the cut and Pontiac didn’t, who knows?).

Want to know the valve timing of the 1955 Chevy Second Series trucks’ 235.5ci I6 engine? The info kit has a diagram of it. If you want to read the press release about the ’57 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham, you can. Need to brush up on your 1970 Oldsmobile option codes? Click here!

Those are just tiny bits of the information you can find on the GM Heritage site, which you could spend days exploring, stuffing your brain with useful facts and figures from General Motors’ long history. I know I’ve learned a lot from it. I look forward to learning even more and sharing some of that knowledge with you.

I admit I have loved the Pontiac Trans Am ever since I first saw the film “Smokey and the Bandit” as a kid. That black Trans Am with Burt Reynolds behind the wheel and Sally Field in the passenger seat became a car I always wanted. Sadly, for a number of reasons, I have not owned one – but have driven many.

Despite my love affair with the later-generation Trans Am in my younger years, my all-time favorite Trans Am (and one of my all-time favorite pony cars – even more than the 1960s Camaro Z28) is the first-generation Trans Am.

Featured on AutoHunter is this 1969 Pontiac Trans Am. The car is being offered by a dealer in Mankato, Minnesota, and the auction will end Tuesday, July 22, 2025, at 11:30 a.m. (PDT).

That first model had a purity of design and, while still a bit outrageous, also incorporated performance body options more subtly, with only a small Trans Am logo on the front fenders instead of the big bird covering the entire hood. It also offered great engine combinations and enough vents, spoilers and scoops to really look like a 1960s race car for the street. An interesting footnote about the 1969 Trans Am is that, despite its name, it never competed in the Trans Am racing series for which it was named. In fact, using the name also caused some issues for GM, because “Trans Am”‘ was used without permission from the SCCA, the sanctioning body and creators of the Trans Am series. They threatened to sue GM, but the automaker settled the issue by agreeing to pay $5 to the SCCA for each Trans Am it sold.

The seller describes this 1969 Trans Am as being powered by its original numbers-matching L74 400 HO Ram Air V8 mated to the original three-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic 400 automatic transmission. Finished in Cameo White with blue racing stripes over a Dark Blue vinyl interior, this pony car is offered by the selling dealer with PHS documentation, factory service manuals, an options list from GM and a clear title.

This, like any 1969 Trans Am, is a rare car, being only one of only 689 Trans Am coupes built and one of only 114 Firebird Trans Ams built with an L74 400ci engine and Turbo Hydra-Matic transmission.

The exterior looks to be in excellent condition, including the Cameo White paint. The seller does note there are some minor touch-ups from chips, but that’s it. It of course features its factory blue stripes, rear spoiler, Ram Air hood and side vents. The car rides on correct 14-inch Rally II wheels with correct F70 Goodyear Polyglas raised-white-letter bias-ply tires.

The Dark Blue vinyl upholstery also appears to be in excellent shape, apart from some minor scuffs on the driver’s seat. The car is super-correct and features burl vinyl applique, a center console with an automatic shifter and the correct wood steering wheel.

Under the hood lies the magic 400 HO Ram Air V8. I say “magic” because these Pontiac 400s are a sweetheart of an engine, with this one rated at 335 horsepower and 430 lb-ft of torque. Everything under the hood not only looks clean but also is correct. In essence, this is a show car you can drive. The seller does note there is a slight fluid leak from the power steering pump; an easy fix and something I would attend to, as this is a nice car and worth the work.

If you are looking for a late-1960s pony car that is one of the rarest ever built, with total production half of the 1969 Shelby Mustang, this is the one. While both cars are rare and cool, I still maintain these first-generation Firebirds are among the most stunning pony cars of all time.

If you are interested in this car, keep in mind it is on the clock, as the auction for this 1969 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am ends Tuesday, July 22, 2025, at 11:30 a.m. (PDT). Get out there and place a bid!

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and a photo gallery

The Toyota Camry is a powerhouse—not in terms of brute horsepower, but in terms of sales numbers. It’s a nameplate with high familiarity due to its long-term longevity and success: the first Camry was sold in the United States in 1983 and, chances are, sometime over the last 40-plus years since then, you have known someone who drove one (and maybe you owned one yourself). The model sold 309,876 units in 2024 alone, ranking eighth in top sales for the U.S. across every type of vehicle (not just among sedans).

But, as common as the Camry is, you might not have ever known much about the car that paved the way for it—as far back as 1964 in fact. It was called the Corona, and I found one listed that makes a perfect case study for a short history lesson.

The Pick of the Day is a 1968 Toyota Corona listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in Sheridan, Wyoming.

“95,000 miles—last known reading,” the listing says. “Newly painted, original Pluto Beige #1353 color applied.”

There are probably few cars as anonymous on the roads today as a beige Toyota. But this vintage one—which will hit 60 years old before we know it—stands out in a crowd. The Corona first launched as a compact rear-wheel drive car in 1957, marketed under the “Toyopet” name instead of Toyota. Sales fell short, so Toyota went back to the drawing board. A new-and-improved “RT40” series Corona entered the North American market in 1964 and received a much warmer reception. In fact, the Corona went on to be named 1969 Import Car of the Year by Road Test.

Power for this small sedan comes from a “3R” 1.9-liter inline-four mated to an automatic transmission. The seller itemizes a long list of recent service updates including replacement of the battery, alternator, fuel pump, fuel filter, carburetor, starter, spark plugs, points, fuses, thermostat, coolant hoses, oil pan gasket, air filter, engine oil, and more. The tires and shocks are new, so the chassis received some TLC in addition to the engine.

I was going to call the car “cute,” but maybe a better word is “charming.” In a time when the United States was in the midst of the muscle car wars and the Big Three were building big-block screamers, Toyota offered a little 89-horsepower four-cylinder that had 13-inch wheels, fender-mounted side-view mirrors and a “less is more” approach. As it turned out, the Corona was exactly what was needed to put Toyota on the map.

The asking price is $11,000 or best offer, and a repair manual will be included.

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

For decades, people have turned to Mopar for upgrades that’ll make their Dodge Challenger go faster, Jeep Wrangler climb higher, or Ram 1500 more useful. But many go to outside companies for their exterior, interior, performance, and storage needs. Mopar is aware of this, which is why it has launched the Affiliated Accessories line of aftermarket parts and accessories.

According to Stellantis, “The new Mopar Affiliated Accessories program offers more than 1,000 popular accessories from well-known and preferred aftermarket supplier partners” for Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram dealerships in the U.S. Those include everything from lighting and audio/video to exterior graphics and lift kits, all of which are guaranteed by their respective manufacturers and reviewed by Mopar to make sure they fit properly. They can be ordered either through the Mopar eStore or at a dealership; once they arrive at the dealer, they can be installed there or picked up by the customer.

The current list of Affiliated Accessories suppliers includes:

Below are some of the more interesting Affiliated Accessories:

• 75-liter Dometic CFX3 75 Powered Cooler with two adjustable temperature zones: $1,345

• Cobra 75 All Road CB Radio: $208

• Tuffy Center Console Security Safe: $207

• Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 3.5-inch Dynamic Lift Kit by AccuAir: $7,405

• ClearLidz Original Interchangeable Panoramic Top for the 2020-2024 Jeep Gladiator: $1,494

• Cascadia 4×4 VSS 30 Watt Solar System for the Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator: $441.99

• HitchFire F-20 Hitch Mount Grill: $874

I recently came across a photo of my grandma’s 1990 Chevrolet Beretta (see photo above, with my mom posing by it) and it prompted me to poll a few of my friends about what vehicles their grandmothers drove. I have vivid memories of getting picked up at Hillcrest Elementary in Logan, Utah, in grandma’s black-on-black Chevy. Her license plate frame said, “My Grandkids Are Cuter Than Yours.” I’ve already shared a little of my “family car history” when discussing my grandpa’s Buick Special and my dad’s Chevy Nova.

Now, it’s Grandma’s turn.

Beretta Backstory

The Beretta coupe was sold from 1987 to 1996, sharing the General Motors L-body platform with its four-door counterpart, the Chevrolet Corsica. A wide variety of engines (six, in fact) were offered throughout the car’s 10-year production run. On paper, the sportiest Beretta was the 1990-93 “GTZ,” which employed the 2.3-liter Quad 4 engine rated at 180 horsepower and came standard with a Getrag five-speed manual transmission.

The Beretta’s appearance was penned by none other than Jerry Palmer, the same designer responsible for the iconic C4 Corvette. The Beretta employed an aerodynamic shape for its time—especially considering the fact that most 1980s cars were boxy (see: Chevrolet Celebrity). One of its noteworthy exterior features was its vertical door handle design, later used on other cars like the Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme and the Pontiac Grand Prix.

Noteworthy Trivia

The car’s name was the subject of a trademark dispute that ended up being settled out of court in 1989. Italian firearms manufacturing company Beretta (or more formally, “Fabbrica d’Armi Pietro Beretta”) took issue—understandably—with General Motors’ use of the name. The matter was eventually resolved when GM donated $500,000 to a Beretta-sponsored charity. Chevrolet also gave a car to Beretta. I wonder where that unit ended up?

As its top claim to fame, a Beretta was featured as the official pace car of the 74th Indianapolis 500 on May 27, 1990. I was able to find a full race broadcast of the Indy 500. The car driven by General Manager Jim Perkins was in fact a customized convertible, although it did retain the use of a B-pillar.

Get In the Game!

Much like with any other automotive make and model, there is a community of Beretta enthusiasts out there. Members even get together for an annual even called Berettafest, similar to what I’ve done with my Acura Legend and Acura NSX families.

Berettafest 2025, coincidentally, just concluded. The event was held in Watkins Glen, New York, from June 25-29. If you didn’t make it, there’s always next year! Speaking of, there’s a 49-mile (!) yellow Beretta Indy for sale on ClassicCars.com. (Click here to view the listing). You’d be the talk of the event if you showed up in that time capsule next year.

Your Turn

I’d love to hear it from our audience: What did (or does) your grandma drive?

Right now on AutoHunter, you can find this 1986 Nissan 300ZX, a modern classic Japanese car powered by a 3.0-liter V6 connected to a five-speed manual gearbox. Finished in Hot Red and equipped with T-tops over a black and white fabric interior, this Z31 300ZX comes from the dealer in Massachusetts with an owner’s manual, service records, clean CARFAX report, and clear title.

The angular Hot Red exterior features a repainted front fascia, pop-up headlights, body-color side moldings and mirror caps, tinted glass T-top panels, lift-up rear hatch with a wiper, black rear spoiler, and single exhaust outlet with dual tips.

A set of 15-inch factory wheels with 215/60 Sailun Atrezzo tires carry this Z down straightaways and through curves.

The two-seat cockpit is furnished with black fabric bucket seats with black and white striped cloth inserts. Interior features include power windows, locks, and mirrors; cruise control; power steering; power driver’s seat; AM/FM/cassette radio (which the dealer says only produces static); and center console.

Instrumentation consists of a 145-mph speedometer, an 8,000-rpm tachometer, and gauges for the fuel level, temperature, oil pressure, and voltage. The odometer shows 79,142 miles, a slight increase from the CARFAX report’s latest mileage figure of 74,962 miles from July 2023.

As its name implies, the 300ZX has a 3.0-liter V6, which delivers its fuel-injected power to the road through a five-speed manual transmission and the rear wheels. A fully independent suspension and power brakes help make sure this car lives on.

If you want this preserved piece of Nissan Z car history, bid on it now. The auction for this 1986 Nissan 300ZX ends on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. (PDT).

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and a photo gallery