Journal Classic Cars

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.  

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.

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.

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.

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).

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and a photo gallery

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.

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

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.

One of the most iconic American cars of the 1950s is the 1959 Cadillac. Not only was it part of a new wave of cars from General Motors, but it also featured the tallest fins of the era. However, some lean into the cleaner, elegant ’60. One of the prettiest examples of the latter, a 1960 Eldorado Seville, will be crossing the block at the Barrett-Jackson 2025 Palm Beach Auction April 24-26^th.

The Cadillac Eldorado first appeared in 1953, a limited-edition semi-custom convertible that was a companion to the Buick Skylark and Oldsmobile Fiesta. The Eldorado achieved regular production for 1954 and, the following year, the model received unique rear styling: rocket-inspired fins that replaced the airplane-inspired fins that had distinguished mainstream models since 1948. The facelifted 1956 model introduced a new body style and two new names: the new coupe was called the Eldorado Seville (the city in Spain), and the convertible was now known as the Eldorado Biarritz (a seaside city in the French Basque region).

With the 1959 redesign, the fraternal Eldorados lost their unique rear styling, though they featured distinctive trim to distinguish them from lesser Cadillacs. Interestingly, this also was the model year that the Eldorado Seville began to sell in fewer numbers than its Biarritz stablemate. Could it be why the Seville was discontinued for 1961?

While a 1960 Cadillac Eldorado Seville is a sleek, dashing vehicle on several levels, what sets this unrestored example apart is its code 99 Heather metallic hue, which just so happens to be the very same one applied at the Clark Street factory. This color, along with the Ivory vinyl top, is replicated in the special-order leather interior (“SO928” per the data plate), which is as original as the exterior. Power comes from a 390 V8 with three two-barrel carburetors, which was rated at 345 effortless horsepower.

If ever there was a car that could be considered privileged, it would be this one, as it’s been in a climate-controlled garage for its entire life. To make the planets align to afford you the privilege of owning this vehicle, register to bid at the Barrett-Jackson 2025 Palm Beach Auction.

You can also sell a vehicle at the Barrett-Jackson 2025 Palm Beach Auction—start the consignment process here.

Aside from rocks and dirt, anything that makes it past 100 years old is either tough or fortunate. The 1907 Thomas Flyer that recently appeared on Jay Leno’s Garage is both. It made it through the grueling 1908 New York to Paris Race, eventually wound up in the hands of car collector William F. Harrah, and later became an exhibit at the National Automobile Museum in Reno, Nevada.

As Phil MacDougall, president of the NAM, explains, there were doubts about the durability of cars very early in the 20th century. Keep in mind, this was when carrier pigeons were still in use. The 1908 New York to Paris Race proved to be the ultimate test of a vehicle’s build quality and mechanical toughness. Not only was it a trek of more than 20,000 miles, but it was also over poor excuses for roads, through deep Alaskan and Siberian snow, and past bandits determined to kidnap drivers and hold them for ransom. Teams from France, Germany, and Italy entered the event and almost didn’t have an American rival. Fortunately, the E. R. Thomas Motor Company wanted some publicity and decided to run one of its Flyer models fresh off a showroom floor.

The Flyer needed power to make good time; its massive 571ci four-cylinder engine had the goods. Twenty- and 35-gallon tanks kept it fueled.

It took driver George Schuster and his crew about 170 days to reach Paris, where they hit a major snag. A bird had hit one of the headlights and destroyed it in Russia, leaving the Flyer with only one working light. Watch the video below to learn what happened after that.

Currently listed on AutoHunter is this 2008 Chevrolet Corvette convertible. Its LS3 6.2-liter V8 has been enhanced with a Vortech supercharger, with the engine’s output channeled through a six-speed automatic transmission. Finished in Velocity Yellow with black stripes and equipped with a power-operated black soft top over a black and yellow leather interior, this modified C6 is now offered by the private seller in Nevada with an owner’s booklet, dyno sheet, CARFAX report, and clear title.

The Velocity Yellow body has black striping on the nose, hood, front fenders, trunk lid, and rear end. Exterior features include fog lights, power-operated black soft top with a heated glass rear window, body-color top boot, low-profile rear spoiler, and custom high-flow dual exhaust system with four outlets. C6 Grand Sport-style parts include the nose with an integrated scoop, front fender badges and vents, and side scoops.

A set of black C6 ZR1-style 19-inch wheels wrapped in 285/30 Nitto Invo front and 355/30 Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S rear tires connects this Vette to the road. Behind those wheels are power anti-lock disc brakes.

The cockpit has seating for two upholstered in black and yellow leather. Comfort and convenience features include heated and power-adjustable seats, cruise control, a head-up display, push-button start, carbon fiber-style center stack and console trim, dual-zone automatic climate control, and an AM/FM/CD touchscreen infotainment system with Bose speakers.

Instrumentation consists of a 7,500-rpm tachometer, 200-mph speedometer, and gauges for the temperature, oil pressure, voltage, and fuel level. The digital odometer currently shows 58,557 miles, which is in line with the CARFAX reading of 58,553 in April 2024.

Under the hood, the LS3 6.2-liter V8 has been modified with a Vortech supercharger, ported and polished throttle body, headers, and upgraded fuel injectors. The included dyno sheet indicates those changes led to peak readings of 601 horsepower and 525 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed automatic with paddle shifters helps send the engine’s increased output to the limited-slip rear end.

The auction for this supercharged 2008 Chevrolet Corvette convertible ends on Wednesday, April 9, 2025 at 12:00 p.m. (PDT).

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and a photo gallery

Now 91 years old, Paul Bracq has made a significant impact in the automotive world. The French designer was appointed Design Director at BMW in 1970 and played a role in the development of at least four different models in the several years that followed. Even today, he remains active in the industry and has been a judge at events like the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. One of the cars Bracq drew was the BMW E24 6-Series.

The Pick of the Day is a 1985 BMW 635CSi listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in Stanton, California. (Click here to view the listing)

Known for its sleek design and elevated performance, the 6-Series was a grand-touring luxury coupe that rode on what BMW called the E24 platform and was produced from 1978 through 1989. BMW put a great deal of engineering effort into fit and finish. A magazine advertisement from the period said, “As long as there are people who can afford perfection, BMW will continue to pursue it.”

Car and Driver gave the car its fair share of praise, too: “In many ways, the 635CSi is a superlative car. It exhibits much better handling than BMW’s early 6-Series coupes. It is put together with rare care. And now it has Bosch ABS anti-lock braking equipment for help during emergency stops. All told, the 635CSi is a very accomplished piece of work.”

Finished in red over a black leather interior, this 6-Series comes with the provenance of enthusiast ownership: The seller says that the car was previously owned by an engineer who restored it over the last 20,000 miles. The long list work performed included the installation of a more powerful engine than the original – an M30 B35, to be exact. It was rated at 208 horsepower and 225 lb-ft of torque.

In addition, the transmission was rebuilt, the gears were replaced, the clutch was replaced, the front and rear suspension were rebuilt, and the brakes, wiring hardness and fuel lines all received needed service. “You name it, and he replaced it,” the listing reads. The car is said to have spent its life in California and is rust-free. In addition, the amenities like the air conditioning, power windows, antenna, sunroof and Alpine stereo are all in working order.

The seller concludes, “Here is a beautiful car you can proudly show off and enjoy driving hard and fast as it was intended by its German engineers. I have the title in my name, ready for the next owner.” The asking price is $27,500 or best offer.

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