Journal Classic Cars

When you are writing a book about a specific car, research is everything. I am in the process of writing a book on the Z8, and my friends at BMW Group Classic – the branch of the BMW Group responsible for all activities concerning the history of the company and its four brands: BMW, BMW Motorrad, MINI, and Rolls-Royce Motor Cars – arranged for me to interview many of the key players from the Z8 project. I immediately booked my flight and hotel and headed to Germany.

The entire experience in Munich was more than I expected, as I had some free time to actually explore the city, which offers collector car fans a lot to do – especially if you love German cars.

I arrived on Saturday morning after an 8-hour flight from Charlotte, North Carolina, and headed to my hotel via taxi. I had slept some on the plane and did not have my first meeting until 7:30 p.m., so I had time to see some of the sights.

After checking in, I headed out with no particular plan – except to go to the BMW Museum. While on my way to the museum, I noticed I was walking by the BMW Group Classic headquarters. It was a neat first find, but what made it more interesting is that Group Classic is on the grounds of the original 1916 BMW factory. The “Bayerische Motoren Werke” sign over the entrance was amazing to see. This is where everything at BMW started, from their first aircraft engines to their first boxer twin motorcycle engine. That the buildings – including the arch over the entrance – were still there (having been restored in 2016) was astonishing.

I continued on my walking tour and after about 10 minutes, I was in front of the BMW Museum. I arrived early and had resigned myself to relaxing outside until the facility opened when someone came out to see what I was waiting for. I explained I was a journalist, told them my reason for visiting, and they were kind enough to let me into the museum early to look around and take photos before it was filled with people. This was both unexpected and nice of them.

The BMW Museum is quite nice, with modern architecture and outstanding, well-curated exhibits. All the cars on display were not behind ropes or any kind of barrier; the only things I noticed were “please do not touch the cars” signs near each one. There was even a mock-up of the Isetta you could sit in so you could have your photo taken then digitally apply it to a postcard that you could have emailed or texted to you. (Of course, I did this!)

The museum also has a fascinating display of BMW engine history filled with everything from early aircraft engines to the most modern race car engines.

The exhibits run the range of everything the company has created, from its aircraft engines to its motorcycles, race cars, art cars, and road cars. It is truly a complete visual history of the company with audio, visuals, and text incorporated to explain what you are seeing and why it is important to the history of BMW. I spent about three hours there documenting it all, basking in everything BMW. If you are a fan of the brand, this is a must-see museum.

The BMW Museum also offers some great guided tours in multiple languages that provide close-up access to the cars, with guides even opening hoods so guests can see the engines.

Next, I headed across the bridge from the museum to check out the BMW Welt (World). Inside were areas dedicated to every single part of the BMW universe – from Motorrad and Rolls-Royce to MINI – featuring vehicles on display to check out and sit in. There were also associates on site, each dedicated to a specific BMW sub-brand, to answer questions about the vehicles.

An on-site gift shop has tons of merchandise from each of the brands as well. I snagged some discontinued BMW GS T-shirts and a few key rings.

Later that night, I conducted my first interview with Alpina CEO Andy Bovensiepen, who was a senior member of the Z8 project. We had spoken before, but not in person. Andy is both fun and interesting. The dinner and interview were incredibly valuable and I learned quite a bit about the Z8 that I had never read anywhere before. What a great night.

The next day, my photographer and friend Peter Singhof arrived at the hotel from Stuttgart, then we began our tour of the city of Munich.

We started with brunch at the famous Hofbräuhaus München, where we ate sausages and listened to traditional German beer hall music. It was loud but fun, with everyone at communal tables. This is basically the place where World War II started, a landmark I needed to see. The food and drink were excellent.

Next on our itinerary was the German Transport Museum. However, that stop was a little delayed, as initially we went to the wrong museum: the Deutsches Museum of Science and Technology, which we decided to explore. If you have any interest in aviation, this museum is worth the trip because it offers incredible exhibits that include a cutaway Airbus 380 and scores of Junkers aircraft. It also has a nice display of German aircraft engines dating from the beginning of aviation in the early 1900s right through to the modern day.

After leaving that museum, we got in the car and finally found our original destination, the Deutsches Museum Verkehrszentrum (German Transport Museum).

The Deutsches Museum Verkehrszentrum is not just about cars, but rather all forms of transportation, with displays featuring everything from trains and buses to motorcycles, scooters, road cars, and some amazing race cars. We spent about 2.5 hours there marveling at the collection. The two crown jewels to me were the Mercedes-Benz W196 Streamliner and the supercharged BMW race bike. This museum alone is worth a trip to Munich.

Monday morning, Peter and I met with BMW Group Classic’s Tom Tischler and Ingrid Muehlbauer in the company’s cafe, after which Ingrid took us on a short tour. Then we headed out to start our photo shoots. The collection of cars at the Group Classic headquarters can be viewed by the public, but you need to make an appointment in advance. I highly recommend doing so, as there are some remarkable cars there. Most notable to me were the one-of-one yellow 507 and the V12-powered Z3 concept car.

The rest of the week was a blur, consisting of interviews with Z8 project members (including steering wheel designer Dave Carp) and countless photo shoots of rare Z8 cars.

Before I knew it, Friday had arrived and I was on a plane back to the U.S.

If you have not been to Munich, I highly recommend going, whether you are a “car guy” or not; there are many great sights to see beyond cars. It is one of the most friendly and welcoming cities in all of Germany – and if you are a car person, it certainly is a bucket-list trip.

Ninety years is a staggering length of time for a vehicle to remain in service. Imagine a new 2025 vehicle still being on the road in the year 2115. That date seems so far-fetched, it’s hard to envision. But it makes you start to think about all the events, news stories, and technological advancements that a 1930s vehicle has lived through over the course of nearly a century.

The Pick of the Day is a 1934 Ford Deluxe Model 40 two-door sedan listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in Des Moines, Iowa.

“Rare and meticulously restored,” the listing begins. “This exceptional classic car is a shining example of prewar American craftsmanship, blending timeless style with modern performance upgrades.”

According to the listing, the car was restored by its current owner in the late 1980s, when it received its “Ultra Marine Blue” paint job. For being a 40-year-old overhaul, it still looks good in the photos. The seller says the body is steel, but the fenders are fiberglass.

The interior was done at a later date – within the last 10 years, apparently – and is finished in off-white leather with gray accents and gray carpeting. In restomod fashion, the interior offers amenities like Vintage Air HVAC, power steering, power brakes, cruise control, a Cobra CB radio, and an Alpine CD player. I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not sure I even know how to use a CB radio, but it’s something I’ve always wanted to try. It might make for a fun way to interact with RV and truck drivers on a long cross-country journey.

The 1934 Ford was positioned as a solid, dependable, and attractive car. It was a relative bargain at around $575. One of the magazine ads from the era said, “Fifty miles or five hundred miles – the journey is never very far when you travel in a Ford. You glide over the miles without fuss or fatigue because of the easy-riding comfort of the car.”

When new, the car would have likely come with an 85-horsepower 221ci flathead V8. In place of that engine is a chromed-out 350ci small-block V8 that has been bored .030 over. The transmission is an 200-4R four-speed automatic with overdrive; upgrades include a Ron Francis wiring harness and a custom dual exhaust system.

“This Ford Deluxe has been lovingly restored and enhanced with premium performance upgrades while retaining its vintage charm,” the listing concludes. “Whether you’re a collector, classic car enthusiast, or looking for a stunning showpiece, this beauty is sure to impress!”

The asking price is $57,900 (or best offer), which includes a car cover, a nose mask, and headlight covers.

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

If you get the chance to see any Mercedes-Benz 300 SL “Gullwing” coupe up-close, consider yourself lucky as Mercedes only made 1,400 of them. You’re even more fortunate if you own one. To be in the presence of an “Alloy” Gullwing means you are absolutely blessed. Jay Leno knows that feeling: Not only does he have a 1955 Gullwing in his collection, but he also recently had the opportunity to check out an unrestored ’55 alloy model in his garage.

Gullwings aren’t exactly common, but the lightweight alloy versions are much fewer in number. According to Mercedes, between 1954-57, it only made 29 300 SL coupes with aluminum bodies, which were 130 kilograms (286 pounds) lighter than their steel counterparts. In addition, the Leichtmetallausführung (Light Metal Version) of the 300 SL featured a more powerful fuel-injected straight-six engine, sports suspension, Rudge knock-off wheels, and a Plexiglas rear window and side screens, all of which turned it into a sort of “competition” model designed to appeal to privateers and amateur racers.

The Alloy Gullwing you see here was number 26 in the production run and the only one finished in Schwarz (Black) with a Red leather upholstery. Originally configured with a windshield washer system and 3.42:1 rear end, this SL was delivered to Le Mans champion/Ferrari’s North American importer/owner of the North American Racing Team (N.A.R.T.), Luigi Chinetti, according to RM Sotheby’s. Leno said Rudi Klein, a renowned collector and junkyard owner, purchased the car from Chinetti in 1976 for $30,000—a paltry sum compared to its $9,355,000 hammer price at RM Sotheby’s last year.

This SL remained on the grounds of Klein’s Porche Foreign Auto for nearly 50 years largely as it came from the factory. Yes, it was painted silver at one point, and Klein sold some of the attached parts, such as the front bumpers and the shift knob, but the body (minus some forklift damage), interior, engine, gearbox, rear axle, steering box, and front spindles remain original.

It’s too bad Leno didn’t buy this special Gullwing himself because he likely would document its restoration. The good news is that Leno thinks the new owner will restore it and possibly bring it by his garage for a drive, which car fans everywhere look forward to watching.

The year 1979 was a memorable one for pop culture news. Among the items introduced at that time were the Sony Walkman, McDonald’s Happy Meal, and Burton snowboard. ESPN launched that year, too.

Last but not least, the Chevrolet Corvette was on a roll from a sales perspective. As I shared in a prior story on a 1979 Corvette, that year was the car’s most successful of all time (with 53,807 units being allocated to lucky new owners).

The following is one of the cars that was sold to its original owner that year. Featured on AutoHunter is this 1979 Chevrolet Corvette L82. It is being sold by a private party in Maricopa, Arizona, and the auction will end Thursday, May 15, 2025, at 11:45 a.m. PDT.

One of the magazine advertisements for the 1979 Corvette called the car, “The one and only.” It went on to say, “This year, Corvette engineers and designers continue to refine one of the world’s impressively responsive cars. New flatter-folding bucket seats endow Corvette with a more practical carrying capacity. New dual-snorkel air induction air cleaner, new anti-theft steering column ignition lock, and standard Delco AM/FM radio help to make it one of the world’s well-equipped cars.”

The sleek black exterior features color-matched removable T-tops, hideaway quad headlights, sport mirrors, and 17-inch polished aluminum American Racing wheels. In the cockpit, niceties include factory air conditioning, a Delco stereo, and power windows. All in all, it’s a well-loved C3 that could easily be enjoyed during all four seasons if desired.

The “L-82” badging on the hood is a clue as to what’s going on with the powertrain: Power comes from a numbers-matching L82 350ci small-block V8 mated to a four-speed manual transmission. Chevrolet rated the engine at 225 horsepower when new, but this car may pack a few additional ponies thanks to an upgraded Edelbrock Performer intake manifold, an Edelbrock air cleaner, and a side-mounted dual exhaust system. Maintenance-wise, the power steering pump was replaced in 2021. The odometer reads 27,331 miles and the Arizona title reads actual miles.

The seller has provided two videos, one of which is an exterior walk-around and an overview of the interior. The second video is a start-up and engine rev demonstration. The car sounds like an absolute beast.

And while the 1979 Sony Walkman has become largely obsolete, the 1979 Corvette remains attractive – even 46 years later.

The auction for this 1979 Chevrolet Corvette L82 ends Thursday, May 15, 2025, at 11:45 a.m. (PDT).

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and a photo gallery

Note the four vehicles below. They all are currently listed for sale on AutoHunter or ClassicCars.com. Depending on your age, you should find all of them familiar. Do you see a pattern among them? Is there something they have in common aside from four wheels and the basics?

Post your answer in the comments section below. Be sure to list what connects them – bonus points for correctly naming the make and model. Can you nail the model year? Then you’re a wizard!

Click on a photo to reveal each car

Every Tuesday, you’ll find an automotive puzzle at The ClassicCars.com Journal. For more challenges, you can check out previous car games here!

If you had asked me in the 1990s about the possibility of Porsche – or any other European car brand –building an SUV, I would have thought you were either drunk or crazy. Fast-forward 20-plus years later and the SUVs from Porsche and BMW are their best-selling models ever. This is not too much of a surprise as even in its first generation, the Porsche Cayenne took everything that was great about a Porsche road car and put it into an SUV.

Reviews of the first-generation Porsche Cayenne S used phrases such as “a sports car in a 4×4 disguise.” Motor Trend, when talking about the Cayenne S, stated, “The handling is breathtaking. Put the Porsche into a corner and it will stick and track its way around the corner with no detectable body roll.”

The only qualm at the time was that Porsche sacrificed some of the Cayenne’s off-road ability to deliver the best on-road model they could. Despite this compromise, there were many potential customers who now had big families and wanted a Porsche to accommodate their spouse, two kids, and dog and still do a respectable 5.6-second 0-60.

Our AutoHunter Spotlight today is a first-generation example of Porsche’s SUV, a 2004 Porsche Cayenne S. The auction ends Friday, May 16, at 11:30 a.m. PST.

The seller describes this Cayenne S as being powered by a water-cooled 4.5-liter V8 mated to a six-speed Tiptronic S automatic transmission. Finished in Basalt Black over a matching leather interior, this German performance SUV is offered with a clean CARFAX report and clear title. Unlike most first-generation Cayennes – most of which passed the 100,000-mile mark a decade ago – this one has only covered 48,485 miles.

The condition of this Porsche’s exterior speaks to the low miles. I could not see any obvious flaws in the Basalt Black paint; the only real issue I saw was a small mark on the driver-side front wheel.

The interior is much the same, with the leather in great shape and no visible bolster wear on the driver or passenger seats. The condition of the leather looks as good as it did when new, again aligning with the low mileage. It seems someone really cared about this Porsche.

Under the hood is the 4.5-liter V8, which also looks to be in great shape. Everything in the engine compartment seems clean. In addition, the seller states that this Porsche has recently been serviced and has several new parts, including the starter, coils, spark plugs, coolant pipes, and air filter. The fluids have also been changed. In essence, these are all the things you would want to see done on a 2004 Cayenne.

Now, before you all say this is not a collector car, think about this: The SUV segment is the largest in the U.S. car market. Vehicles like this Cayenne – as well as its predecessor in the market, the BMW X5 – redefined the way we perceive SUVs. They have become the most important models for their companies; they basically keep the lights on. In addition, since they do so many daily-driver activities well, most have had the wheels driven off of them. As a result, finding nice examples – especially first-generation Cayennes – is quite difficult.

With all that in mind, I honestly feel this is a true future collector car that is likely to become more and more desirable as time goes on. Add to that the fact that Porsche Cayenne values are still low and you’ve got an example here that is well worth a few bids.

The auction for this super-clean 2004 Porsche Cayenne S ends Friday, May 16, at 11:30 a.m. PST.

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and a photo gallery

In anticipation of the 2025 Miami Grand Prix, the Cadillac Formula 1 Team has released a video showing us the new logo it will use when it joins the FIA Formula One World Championship grid in 2026.

Consider this a TIL moment if you didn’t know Cadillac—formerly the favorite brand of blue-haired women everywhere—is involved in racing. From IMSA and WEC to, of course, Formula 1, Cadillac understands that racing improves the breed more than any online V-series warrior arguing with Bimmer fans that Cadillac’s performance cars outdo BMW M models.

“Cadillac is honored to share the F1 stage with the best luxury brands from around the world. It’s a brand whose legacy on and off the track is filled with innovation, technological precision, and timeless beauty,” said GM President Mark Reuss. “Our journey has been long but from the very beginning, it has been about ambition . . . audacity . . . and now acceleration.”

This follows Cadillac’s announcement earlier this year that the Cadillac Formula 1 Team had been approved to join the FIA Formula One World Championship grid in March 2026. The team is backed by a partnership of General Motors with TWG Motorsports, the latter a company (owned by TWG Global) that “combines deep technical expertise, proven competitive excellence, and industry-leading market acumen.”

The middle of the 20th century marked some important milestones in the automotive world, as well as in pop culture. Did you know that the first credit card was launched in 1950? Invented by Frank McNamara, the Diners Club started out because McNamara forgot his wallet when he went out to eat one evening. His wife paid the bill, but the following day, he came up with the charge card as a way to avoid future embarrassments. Some 75 years later, the average American has around $6,500 in credit card debt. 

The change around us is constant; the same can be said about the automotive industry. When the 1950 Chevrolet models were assembled, most of them came with an inline-six powertrain producing fewer than 100 horsepower. But innovative enthusiasts have found ways to inject modern tech (and modern power) into the cars of yesteryear – and such is the case here. The Pick of the Day is a 1950 Chevrolet Fleetline two-door listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in Salinas, California.

“Beautiful custom paint job with custom interior,” the listing begins. The exterior theme is smooth and low: The body is free of almost any trim and even the hood ornament has been deleted. The car’s aggressive stance is made possible by drop spindles and the whitewall tires hearken back to the car’s origins. Just about everything else, though, has been brought into the modern era – most importantly, the engine.

Power comes from a 350ci small-block V8 with a performance camshaft, a FiTech fuel injection system, an aluminum intake manifold, an HEI ignition system, headers, an aluminum radiator with electric fans, and a dual exhaust system. A TH700R4 four-speed automatic transmission sends power to the rear wheels via a limited-slip rear end with a 3.42:1 gear ratio. Finally, four-wheel discs provide abundant stopping power. The result of all the above is a car that can be driven and maintained with relative ease thanks to the availability of parts and service for its components. The listing includes a walk-around video with the car at idle. It runs as smooth as it looks.

The icing on the cake is that the cabin received its share of love, too: The build includes a Vintage Air climate control system, upgraded Pioneer audio, Dakota Digital gauges, and reupholstered seating with unique diamond-pattern stitching.

The 1950 Chevrolet was referred to in advertising as “America’s best seller, America’s best buy.” To me, this restomod looks like a best buy if I’ve ever seen one. I doubt you could build one for the same price the seller is asking. “Awesome car – hate to sell it, but I no longer have the space to keep it,” the listing concludes.

The asking price for this 1950 Chevrolet Fleetline is $36,500. And no, you probably can’t pay for it with a Diners Club card.

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

At the Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach Auction, Autohunter Cinema saw “The Color Purple.” No, we didn’t watch the 1985 movie – we got an up-close look at this 1966 GMC 1500. Back in 1971, it was painted Iris Mist, Pontiac‘s light shade of purple, and pearl white by one of the automaker’s factory workers. We also spoke with veteran Brandonn Mixon, who bought the truck several years ago and overhauled it with his family.

During the course of the customization process, Mixon started the Veterans Community Project, which builds transitional housing for homeless veterans. He and his family kept the distinctive paint job, but upgraded everything else. The Color Purple rides on a powder-coated frame, an air suspension, and a set of white 22-inch wheels. Inside the cab is a set of coordinating purple and white Buddy Bucket seats as well as a custom-made Holley digital gauge cluster. Of course, Mixon and his family didn’t leave out the engine, which is now a supercharged LS 5.3-liter V8 that cranks out 585 horsepower on the dyno. Watch our interview with Brandonn Mixon to learn more about this cool truck with a great story that led to wonderful things for people in need.

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Featured on AutoHunter is this 2003 Chevrolet Corvette 50th Anniversary Edition convertible. It’s powered by an LS1 5.7-liter V8, which sends its output to the road through a 4L60E four-speed automatic. Finished in 50th Anniversary Red and equipped with a Shale soft top over a Shale leather interior, this C5 is now offered by the seller in Oklahoma with an owner’s booklet, a Corvette instructional CD, a Corvette 50th Anniversary VHS tape, touch-up paint, a clean CARFAX report, and a clear title.

The 50th Anniversary Red exterior features fog lights, pop-up headlights, 50th anniversary badging, front fender vents, a Shale soft top with a heated glass rear window, and quad exhaust outlets.

This special Vette rides on 17-inch front and 18-inch rear Champagne wheels wrapped in 245/45 and 275/40 Goodyear Eagle F1 tires, respectively.

Inside the cockpit are power-adjustable Shale leather bucket seats as well as power windows, locks, and mirrors; two-person driver’s seat memory; a head-up display; a tilt and telescoping steering column; cruise control; dual-zone automatic climate control; and a factory AM/FM/CD radio with Bose speakers. The center console houses the controls for the Active Handling and Magnetic Selective Ride Control systems.

Instrumentation consists of a 200-mph speedometer, 7,500-rpm tachometer, and gauges for the oil pressure, temperature, voltage, and fuel level. The digital odometer shows 24,403 miles, a figure slightly above the 24,377 logged in the CARFAX report in August 2024.

Under the hood is a 350-horsepower LS1 5.7-lter V8, which is connected to a 4L60E four-speed automatic.

A fully independent suspension setup and four-wheel power disc brakes with ABS keep this Corvette on the road.

The auction for this 2003 Chevrolet Corvette 50th Anniversary Edition convertible ends on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at 11:30 a.m. (PDT).

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and a photo gallery