Journal Classic Cars

If the quintessential station wagon is the Ford Country Squire, then you have a certain expectation of what a station wagon looks like. So when you encounter a wagon like this 1958 Mercury, does something strike you as being somewhat different? It’s a proper hardtop, which is why this 1958 Mercury Commuter is our Pick of the Day. It is listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a dealership in Branson, Missouri. (Click the link to view the listing)

By the time this Mercury was built, hardtop wagons had become a thing thanks to the 1955-57 Chevrolet Nomad and Pontiac Safari. Truth be told, they were two-door hardtop wagons that were more about style than service. The 1957 Mercury was among the first to offer a “regular” hardtop wagon, which included the Buick Special Riviera Estate Wagon and Century Caballero, and Oldsmobile Rocket 88 and Super 88 Fiestas. Rambler, Dodge, and Chrysler eventually would join the bandwagon. (See what we did there?)

For 1958, Commuter sat at the bottom of the Mercury wagon hierarchy. Trimmed similar to the Monterey, it was available as a two-door, six-passenger vehicle, as well as a four-door version capable handling either six- or nine-passengers. A step up was the Voyager, which was trimmed like a Montclair. It was available in the same three configurations as the Commuter. The Colony Park was trimmed like a Park Lane and was the only wagon to feature wood-grained steel paneling. It was only available as a four-door with seating for six or nine passengers. All were hardtops.

Nineteen fifty-eight was the year Mercury started offering a new family of Marauder V8s that’s commonly known as “MEL” (Mercury-Edsel-Lincoln). Standard for the Commuter was a 312-horsepower 383, while the Voyager and Colony Park came standard with 330-horse 383. Optional for all models was the Super Marauder 430 with 400 horsepower — more than Chrysler’s 300-D!

This 1958 Mercury Commuter wagon features four doors and room for nine passengers. Mildly customized, the seller calls this the “California Beach Wagon,” and it shows thanks to four-wheel power disc brakes, American Racing mags, and lowered suspension. With 80,000 miles, the 330-horse wagon also features push-button automatic transmission. “Paint is high-quality with no blemishes or chips. All trim and chrome has been repaired, straightened and either polished or re chromed,” says the seller. “Power steering, power rear window, power antenna … all lights, gauges and accessories in working order … radio works.” Inside, the interior is original and looks great aside of the third row, which has been reupholstered with non-matching material. Best of all, a new under-dash AC system was just installed.

The seller concludes, “Would drive anywhere.” For $87,500 OBO, it better be capable, so tell the tribe to pile in and go to Mount Rushmore with nary a worry. In a sea of SUVs, you certainly would stand out, and the memories would be priceless.

To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.

A group of New York lawmakers want to mandate speed limiters for the cars of serial speeders, The New York Daily News recently reported.

Drivers with multiple speed-camera violations would be ordered to install aftermarket speed limiters in their vehicles, under a bill proposed in the New York State legislature Tuesday by two legislators representing New York City’s Brooklyn borough.

Senator Andrew Gounardes, who is sponsoring the bill in the New York Senate, said in an interview with the Daily News that fines don’t serve as a significant consequence for speeding, adding that a “cohort of drivers” continue to rack up multiple speeding violations.

The proposed alternative is a speed limiter that would prevent cars from traveling no more than 5 mph above the posted speed limit. The bill calls for installing these devices in cars that have been flagged with six or more speed-camera violations.

In New York State, speed-camera violations do not come with driver’s license points, as the automated system can’t prove who is driving. Drivers who are stopped by police can receive points on their licenses for speeding in addition to fines. State law allows for licenses to be suspended if a driver accumulates 11 points in 18 months, but that’s not mandatory. Under the proposed bill, speed limiters would also be installed in the cars of drivers who accumulate 11 points but don’t have their licenses suspended.

This isn’t the only proposal to limit speed in New York. In 2022, legislators proposed fitting every car manufactured or registered in the state with a system called Active Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA) that would use GPS and traffic sign recognition to determine the speed limit—and prevent drivers from exceeding it. That bill failed to advance beyond the New York Senate Rules Committee.

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 1968 Pontiac GTO two-door hardtop. Like all GTOs of this vintage, it is powered by a 400cid V8 backed by a three-speed automatic transmission. Features include power steering and brakes, air conditioning, hood-mounted tachometer, and hideaway headlights. Finished in Solar Red with black Cordova vinyl top over a black vinyl interior, this 1968 GTO comes from the selling dealer with a clear title.

With carry-over engines and an all-new body, the GTO was a bit of old, a bit of new. The 400 was introduced the year before, but the standard engine received a bump to 350 horsepower and the optional step-down 400 two-barrel received a nudge to 265 horses. The optional 400 HO and 400 Ram Air continued to be rated at 360 horsepower, with a mid-year Ram Air II being rated at 366 horses. New was the availability of hidden headlights, though most notable was the plastic Endura nose, which pioneered monochromatic styling. For those who found the look too jarring, an Endura delete option (using the Tempest/LeMans’ chrome bumper) was available, though concealed headlights could not be ordered with it.

The exterior is finished in the factory color of Solar Red (code R). Options include hideaway headlights, hood-mounted tachometer, black Cordova vinyl top, and fender-mounted antenna for the radio.

A set of 14-inch Pontiac Rally II wheels is wrapped in Firestone Polyglas redline tires.

The interior is upholstered in black vinyl. Features include notch back front seat with center armrest, column-mounted automatic transmission shifter, power steering, and air conditioning.

The instrument panel includes a 120-mph speedometer, Rally clock, and fuel gauge, plus simulated woodgrain trim. The odometer reads 19,855 miles, but the true mileage on this vehicle is unknown.

Power is provided by the reportedly numbers-matching 400/350 backed by a TH400 three-speed automatic transmission. Engine bay features include chrome valve covers, aluminum intake, and a chrome air cleaner.

This GTO was factory-equipped with an independent front suspension and solid rear-drive axle with rear sway bar. Braking is provided by four-wheel power drum brakes.

The auction for this 1968 Pontiac GTO two-door hardtop ends on Monday, August 14, 2023, at 12:30 p.m. (PDT)

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and photo gallery

The Impala has been a popular car in the lowrider community for decades now. But even beyond that appeal, the Impala had a lot going for it: It was a top-tier, full-size car with available big-block power and lots of creature comforts for its time.

The Pick of the Day is a 1964 Chevrolet Impala SS two-door hardtop listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in Phoenix, Arizona. (Click the link to view the listing)

“This is a clean and quality built ’64 Impala,” the listing states. This car has driven just 8,000 miles since a full rebuild, and as we’ll soon see, it offers a lot of special equipment.

The Impala name first made its debut 65 years ago in 1958. It was named after an African antelope and was initially known as a top-trim Bel Air. The following year, the Impala name stood alone. This restomod hails from the third-generation of the full-size Impala which launched in 1961 on the General Motors B-platform.

A mild restyle was applied in 1964 that softened the lines just slightly and changed the look of the front and rear lighting. Some Impalas were outfitted with Super Sport trim, as shown here. SS packaging was appearance-related for the most part, although later in life, the name took on a more performance-oriented approach with drivetrain enhancements.

Speaking of drivetrains, power for this modified Impala comes from a small-block fuel-injected LT1 5.7-liter V8 mated to a 700R4 four-speed automatic transmission. Adding to that already-capable powertrain, a few special touches were added to enhance performance: The equipment list includes Hedman headers, an aluminum radiator, an electric fan, and a chrome-finished alternator. Stopping power comes from four-wheel power-assisted disc brakes, and a set of 17-inch Foose alloys wrapped in radial tires put the power to the pavement.

The interior of the cabin looks like a nice place to spend time, thanks to red vinyl bucket seats up front along with a custom steering wheel, a center console, lap belts, embossed floor mats, all-new gauges, and a modern audio system.

Chances are, you or your family have an Impala story to share. The car went on to be produced through seven more generations after this one and was finally discontinued after model year 2020. Who knows, maybe the nameplate will make a comeback!

The asking price is $70,000 for this unique Impala.

To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.

Featured on AutoHunter, the online auction platform driven by ClassicCars.com, is this 1982 Jeep CJ-7 Renegade.  

At over 40 years old, this all-terrain utility Jeep delivers both vintage looks and rugged versatility. Retro graphics, tubular bumpers, and fender flares give the right amount of curb appeal. It is being offered for sale by a dealer in Missouri with a clear title and upgrades including 35-inch Toyo tires, a CD audio system, a Rough Country suspension lift, and a removable hardtop.

The longstanding CJ, or ‘civilian Jeep’, evolved from a military-grade off-road vehicle during World War II and dates back to the mid-1940s under the Willys-Overland company. Over 1.5 million CJs were eventually produced over a period of about four decades through the 1980s. When the CJ-7 generation debuted in 1976, its wheelbase had been stretched by 10 inches, the chassis utilized twin C-section rails, and the rear end was modified to allow the suspension to be mounted closer to the body.

According to its accident-free CARFAX report which starts in 1996, this CJ spent much of its life in Oklahoma and was registered in the Tulsa area before being relocated to Missouri in 2012. It has resided there ever since, and it last changed hands in December of last year. The listing doesn’t specify exactly when some of the upgrades were installed, but this Jeep appears to have been enthusiast-owned since it has features like black tubular bumpers, fender flares, taillight guards, and a full-size spare tire out back.

The well-presented interior shows garnet red vinyl bucket seats which match the door panels. The odometer shows 97,427 miles, which lines up with the last reading of 93,329 miles on the CARFAX report in 2012. True mileage on the chassis is unknown, however.

There were six different engines and four different transmissions available during this generation. This CJ-7 draws power from a 4.2-liter inline-six mated to a rebuilt five-speed manual transmission and a dual-range transfer case. As far as tech specs are concerned, one of the most important components of this build is its suspension. A Rough Country lift was installed that included springs, bushings, shocks, and hardware.

The CJ-7 was followed by the YJ-Series Wrangler but continues to be a favorite among Jeep enthusiasts and automotive collectors in general. This could be your best chance to snag a clean and tastefully-modified example.

The auction for this 1982 Jeep CJ-7 Renegade ends Tuesday, August 15, 2023, at 12:45 p.m. (PDT)

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and photo gallery

When it comes to classic Shelby Mustangs, the 1968 GT350 is a turkey of sorts. While the 1965-67 featured 306 horsepower from an upgraded 289 High-Performance, the 1968 made do with a 250-horsepower 302. Gee, Carroll, whatsamattah?

Some of that can be explained due to the discontinuation of the solid-lifter 289 at the end of the 1967 model year. When installed in a Mustang, the four-barrel 302 was rated at 230 horses, but Shelby installed an aluminum Cobra intake manifold (actually, an Offenhauser piece) and a 600cfm carb for the horsepower bump.

Another explanation is that Ford took over Shelby production and handed modifications to the A.O. Smith Corporation in Ionia, a nice westward hike from Detroit. (In fact, incomplete 1968 Mustangs were built in Metuchen, New Jersey and shipped by rail all the way to the Great Lake State for the Shelby conversion to be completed.) Did Ford’s involvement result in a lack of effort with the Shelby GT350?

But the 1968 Shelby GT350 also was more grown up, functioning more as an American GT than a quasi-sports car. Those days of the two-seat GT350 without creature comforts were gone. The following year, the introduction of the 351 Windsor would fix the power deficit as well.

Join Muscle Car Campy as he road-tests this 1968 Shelby GT350. In the hands of the same person who has owned it since 1972, this four-speed fastback has received an improved camshaft and headers to truly wake up the 302 and give it the character it so deserved.  

Just in time for a weekend off-roading adventure in the dog days of summer, we’re looking at this AutoHunter Cinema feature of a retro-themed Jeep ’41 Concept built to salute Jeep’s long-standing military history. Based on the Wrangler 4xe, the Jeep ’41 Concept features a turbocharged four-cylinder hybrid drivetrain capable of 49 MPGe. Appropriately, this Jeep is finished in Olive “D.A.R.B. ‘41” Matte Green with tan soft top and black powder-coated steel bumpers over a tan and camouflage interior. A variety of aftermarket parts and modifications from Jeep Graphic Studios and various other suppliers add to the custom build.

Check out AutoHunter Cinema on YouTube for other great videos.

Did you grow up with Mom driving you around in a station wagon? Or maybe you got stuck driving Mom’s Country Squire?

In this episode of Drive the Bid podcast from AutoHunter.com, Derek Shiekhi, “Jalopy Jeff” Sutton and I discuss our favorite family haulers. Though somewhat replaced by the minivan, and then the SUV, the station wagon enjoys wistful nostalgia from Americans from sea to shining sea. Once eschewed as anathema for anything cool on four wheels, the station wagon is now fondly held to higher stature in the collector car world. Plus, there have been some really awesome wagons in modern history.

Do you have a favorite wagon?

Other discussions include news on the throwback 2024 Bronco Sport Freewheeling Edition, the 2024 Chevrolet Traverse, and a shipping vessel with over 2,000 vehicles that’s on fire near the Netherlands.

Of course, each of us picked our favorites currently listed on AutoHunter, including a 1970 Ford F-250 4X4 dually that’s been upgraded with a bit of old/a bit of new, 1950 Plymouth panel wagon, and a modified 1968 Chevelle.

All this can be seen in the above video from AutoHunter Cinema, created by the experts behind ClassicCars.com, the world’s largest online collector car marketplace. AutoHunter brings forth a dedicated live customer support team, quicker auction listings and exclusive benefits for both buyers and sellers.

The Grand Prix was Pontiac’s submission in the personal-luxury coupe world after watching Buick receive approval to produce the Riviera. Over time, the Grand Prix lost its way and became somewhat of a bloated chariot (albeit a distinctive one). However, for 1969, Pontiac engineers were granted a stretched A-body platform called the G-body, and the Grand Prix was able to strut its stuff as a unique take in the segment. One of these pieces of Poncho history, a 428-powered 1969 Grand Prix, is available now on AutoHunter, the online auction platform powered by ClassicCars.com. Backed by a TH400 three-speed automatic transmission, this GP features bucket seats, center console with factory automatic/manual shifter, air conditioning, upgraded stereo, and more. Finished in Palladium Silver with black vinyl top over a black vinyl interior, this Grand Prix comes with a clear title in the seller’s name.

Under previous ownership, the exterior was refinished in the original color of Palladium Silver. Features include black vinyl top, driver-side mirror, and wheel well and rocker trim.

A set of 15-inch Pontiac Rally II wheels is wrapped in BFGoodrich Radial T/A tires.

The front and rear seats are upholstered in black vinyl. Features include center console with Rally Sports Speed Shifter, tilt steering column, air conditioning (with new blower motor and HVAC controls), and RetroSound AM/FM/AUX radio that was installed in October 2022. The dashboard and center console were restored in 2022.

The instrument panel includes a 140-mph speedometer, clock, and gauges for the fuel level, coolant temperature, and oil pressure. The odometer currently reads 97,750 miles.

Power is provided by a period-correct 428cid V8 backed by a TH400 three-speed automatic transmission.

This vehicle was factory-equipped with an independent front suspension and a solid rear-drive axle. Braking is provided by power front discs and rear drums. Like all 1969 Grand Prixs, this vehicle breathes via a dual exhaust system.

Bidding for this handsome 428-powered 1969 Pontiac Grand Prix closes on Monday, July 31, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. (PDT).

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and photo gallery

A James Bond Aston Martin movie car is headed to auction—but it’s not a Goldfinger DB5.

Part of RM Sotheby’s Monterey Car Week sale, scheduled for Aug. 17-19, this 1973 Aston Martin V8 was used in filming of the 1987 James Bond movie The Living Daylights. This more obscure entry in the Bond canon marked Timothy Dalton’s first appearance as 007, a role the British actor would only keep for one more film.

The Living Daylights also marked the return of Aston Martin to the Bond franchise after a long hiatus. Like the many Astons that have served as Bond’s transportation before and since, the V8 was equipped with plenty of gadgets, including a rocket booster and deployable skis.

Multiple cars were used in filming, including four complete drivable vehicles and seven fiberglass shells. The car up for auction, designated car 10 during production, is one of the four drivable cars. In addition to the rocket booster and ski props, it was updated to look like a more recent Aston Martin V8, and received a roll cage and a sunroof to match the other cars, for continuity reasons.

Car 10 was pushed down a hill and into a snowbank for a chase scene, which meant removing the engine and transmission to lighten the car. It survived, though, and was kept by Bond prod uction company Eon Productions until 1995, when it was sold to British James Bond collector Peter Nelson, along with two of the other Living Daylights Astons (Eon Productions kept the fourth complete car).

The car changed hands a couple more times, finding its way to the U.S. and being restored to roadworthy condition. It got a new 5.3-liter V-8 from the more powerful V8 Vantage model, along with the correct 5-speed manual transmission. Corrosion was repaired as well, and the front was repainted, according to the auction listing.

The Living Daylights may not be the most iconic Bond film, and the Aston Martin V8 may not have the iconic status of the DB5, but this is still a genuine Bond car that’s expected to bring a big hammer price. So while one of the James Bond DB5s sold for over $6 million in 2019, RM Sotheby’s estimates this car will sell for $1.4 million to $1.8 million.

HIGH-RES GALLERY: 1973 Aston Martin V8 from The Living Daylights (photo via RM Sotheby’s)

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