Journal Classic Cars

On AutoHunter, you can find this modified 1970 Chevrolet Camaro Sport Coupe, which is powered by a 350ci V8 paired with a 700R4 four-speed automatic. Highlights include power steering, air conditioning, headers, power front disc brakes, and Positraction. Finished in red over a black cloth and vinyl interior, this customized second-generation Camaro is now offered by the private seller in Miami with service invoices and a clear title.

In 2010, the exterior color was changed from the original Hugger Orange to the current shade of red. That covers a body fitted with custom flared fenders and a three-piece rear spoiler. Features include chrome bumpers, front fender vents, dual mirrors with body-color caps, tinted windows, and dual exhaust outlets.

The flared fenders arc over a set of 18-inch American Racing Torq Thrust wheels wrapped in 275/35 front and 335/30 rear Nitto NT555 radials.

Like the outside, the inside of this F-body was changed, going from the original black vinyl to the black cloth and vinyl you see here. Comfort and convenience features include Vintage Air A/C and heat, power steering, center console, and custom sound system consisting of a JVC AM/FM/CD/AUX head unit, Infinity four-inch speakers, JBL 10-inch subwoofer, JBL two-way speakers, and Crunch Powerone amplifier.

The instrument cluster houses a 130-mph speedometer, 7,000-rpm tachometer, clock, and gauges for the fuel level, voltage, and temperature. The odometer shows 59,314 miles, but this Camaro is mileage-exempt, according to its title.

Under the hood, the original engine has been replaced with a 350ci V8, which is connected to an Edelbrock four-barrel carburetor, an Edlebrock intake manifold, and headers. The original transmission has also been replaced with a 700R4 four-speed automatic.

Underneath, this Camaro is equipped with a Hotchkiss front suspension kit, rebuilt driveshaft, and Positraction rear end with 3.73:1 gears. Power front disc and rear drum brakes bring it to a stop. New parts include the fuel lines, ball joints, sway bar bushings, shocks, and rear springs.

To see more of this modified 1970 Chevrolet Camaro Sport Coupe, watch the video below. To make it yours, place your bid before the auction ends on Tuesday, December 30, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. (MST).

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and a photo gallery

If you’re of a certain age, do you remember “art house movies,” flicks that were rated X due to “adult situations” but were not necessarily pornographic? Our Pick of the Day features a color that’s named as an homage to one of those movies. This 1971 Plymouth ‘Cuda convertible is listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a dealership in Celeste, Texas.

The movie in question was from Sweden. Swedish movies were a popular way to see something subversive, but subversive is all relative—many things back in the 1960s seem tame today. And that’s quite true about “I Am Curious,” a series of two movies that would have given the Church Lady a conniption. There actually were two versions of this movie: “I Am Curious (Blue)” and “I Am Curious (Yellow)”, with the former featuring a timeline surrounding the latter. The pair of movies was intended to be seen consecutively, but that’s not how things ended up. Though nothing worse than an R by today’s standards, “Yellow” aroused the consternation of authorities and was banned in Massachusetts, leading to a SCOTUS case; the tamer “Blue” is possibly responsible for creating the term “blue movie.”

When the Chrysler Corporation was creating new High Impact colors for 1971, there were several carry-overs and one new hue. Continuing from 1970 was (Plymouth/Dodge) In Violet/Plum Crazy, Tor Red/Hemi Orange, and Sassy Grass Green/Green Go; returning from 1969 was Bahama Yellow/Butterscotch. The only brand-new color was Curious Yellow/Citron Yella. Curious Yellow had a bit of green in it compared to 1970’s Lemon Twist/Top Banana, though the latter would be reintroduced in September 1970, soon after the 1971 model year began. Why the need for two bright yellows? Apparently, the Chrysler Corporation had its reasons.

To these eyes, Curious Yellow was the more interesting yellow of the two, plus it was named after a movie that showed some skin—I bet every teenage boy giggled and teenage girls rolled their eyes. Even better, this was a High Impact color that was not restricted to certain Plymouth and Dodge models—it was available for Furys, Polaras, and Monacos, something that was an exception more than a rule.

You’re welcome to argue with me if you wish, but Curious Yellow never looked better than it did on the Plymouth Barracuda. The Barracuda featured a heavy facelift for 1971 with quad headlights, parking lights that moved to below the bumper, simulated front fender louvers (on ‘Cuda models), and separated brake and reverse lights. Grilles were argent aside from certain ‘Cuda models depending on the paint chosen. The formerly standard road lamps were now optional on the ‘Cuda, and still available for regular Barracudas and Gran Coupes. A new stripe design, today known as the “Billboard,” was more outrageous and clearly outdid anything from Brand X. However, the buff books didn’t like the new styling, and an evolving market ended up demanding much fewer Barracudas than in 1970.

The 1971 Plymouth ‘Cuda convertible is one of the most desirable muscle cars, and one sprayed in Curious Yellow likely would command a premium. Truth be told, this example was originally painted in “GF7” Sherwood Green metallic with a white interior and top. However, check out the other options and you’ll see this car would be hot no matter what color: 340 four-speed, Shaker hood, rear wing, Rallye dashboard, and more. Aside from the color, Billboards and “A21” Elastomeric Front Bumper complete the package to make this car look as hot as a Barracuda could be. “The underside is just as gorgeous as the top, every brake/fuel line is new or redone. All suspension is painted or powder coated,” says the seller. “Everything works! Every light, every gauge, wipers and window washers, radio, horn, etc.”

When the industry was trying to get away from loud, horsepower-laden vehicles, along came the ‘Cuda to challenge the morals of America. If you decide to pay the $198,500 asking price, you can color me jealous.

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

Have you ever heard of the concept of “slow car fast”? As it turns out, the fun-factor associated with driving a car doesn’t have to be dependent on its horsepower statistic. In some cases, pushing a lesser-powered vehicle at or near its limits can feel about as invigorating as dipping into the throttle of an all-out exotic supercar.  

CRX Background

The Honda CRX came at a time when motorists had dealt with ongoing energy/oil crises throughout the 1970s and were adopting small, fuel-efficient cars. The CRX was produced from 1984 to 1991 and was praised for its peppy driving experience combined with class-leading fuel efficiency. At its core, it was a simple, two-seat, front-wheel drive compact with sporting aspirations. But “sporty” could only so far, since the most performance-oriented model (in the United States, anyway) was a 108-horsepower, 1.6-liter “Si.”

There were two distinct generations (1984 through 1987, and a slightly rounded-off 1988 through 1991). Drivetrains and engineering features were largely shared with the more contemporary Civic, but the CRX weighed only about 1,800 to 2,100 pounds, so it had a distinct power-to-weight advantage over other models in the Honda lineup. That meant that it was capable of hybrid-like fuel economy. One trim level in particular, the HF (for “high fuel”), had an eight-valve 1.5-liter, taller gearing, and extensive weight-savings measures. It was rated at over 50 miles per gallon on the highway – and this was back in the 1980s!

Worth adding – although not marketed explicitly as a CRX in the United States, the 1993-through-1997 del Sol (a two-seater with a removable rooftop) did carry the CRX nameplate in some markets around the world. We will revisit that unique model another time.

Greg’s Collectible CRX

In recent years, the CRX has gained strong momentum in the collector community, and well-kept, low-mileage, unmodified examples are sought after. My friend Greg is no stranger to the platform since he’s owned several CRXs – and keeps coming back for more.

Greg’s current pride and joy is a Rio Red 1990 (which he dubbed the “Rex”) showing only 50,556 miles on the odometer. The car’s background is a classic “little old lady” story: It was owned by its original owner in Louisiana from 1990 through 2025 before finally being set free after 35 years. First delivered to Holmes Honda World in Shreveport, the car had a retail price of $11,390. Dealer-added equipment on top of that included air conditioining, an AM/FM cassette, and floor mats. Today, the car retains its original D1616 SOHC 1.6-liter which received a new timing belt, valve cover gaskets, and a battery earlier this year.

Greg brought his low-mileage CRX out for an informal “all-red-car” meet-up where I displayed my 1992 Acura NSX and my friend Eric showcased his Mugen-upgraded 1987 Acura Integra. Even under overcast skies, the trio looked eye-catching – and we couldn’t help but agree that the CRX, Integra, and NSX represent what many consider to be “Golden Era” vehicles for Honda.

For being a relatively slow car (on paper, anyway), the CRX is a total grin-machine, and the car helped put Honda on the map when it came to driving enthusiasts. Are you a current or prior CRX owner, and what has your experience with the model been like?

Dagmar is a Scandinavian name, usually given to females but it has a history of unisex usage. It’s also an artillery-shell-inspired bumper guard with a name taken from a buxom 1950s actress. Dagmars was a styling trend that came and went.

Below we have four images of Dagmars from several cars listed for sale on AutoHunter or ClassicCars.com. Can you tell us the model year and make of each? Cheaters can simply click on an image to find an answer for each.

Click on a photo to reveal each car

It’s Tuesday, which means The ClassicCars.com Journal has a fun automotive game to test your knowledge. Once you’re done with this one, you can play past puzzles.

When it came to sporty, affordable compacts of the 1960s, the Falcon—and its “formula” (parts-wise)—set the stage for the Mustang that followed. Featured on AutoHunter is a 1963 Ford Falcon Sprint Coupe that shares much of the spirit of Ford’s famous pony car, yet it came off the assembly line just a little earlier. The car is being sold by a dealer in Gladstone, Oregon, and the auction will end on Wednesday, December 24, 2025, at 11:45 a.m. (MST).

Finished in Corinthian White over a black vinyl interior, the car was restored to original specs. Exterior features include a hood scoop, an antenna, dual mirrors, side moldings, and dual exhaust outlets. The contrasting black vinyl interior presents well, offering bucket seats, a center console, and an AM radio.

The Falcon was produced from 1960-70, and the model marked Ford’s brave foray into a small-car segment. Still, Ford executive Robert McNamara (who later went on to become the U.S. Defense Secretary) had faith in the concept. And his confidence was warranted—the Falcon sold over half a million cars its first year.

In its early years, each Falcon’s window sticker said, “The dollars you invest in this model will be the hardest-working dollars you’ve ever spent. Enjoy Ford quality craftsmanship today—and for many long years to come.” Thus, the theme of the Falcon’s marketing centered around the car’s value. One of the television advertising campaigns included Charlie Brown from the comic strip “Peanuts,” saying “They’ve got savings, they’ve got beauty, they’ve got comfort, they’ve got low prices. You’ll enjoy more from the car America loves most.”

Power for this Falcon comes from a reportedly numbers-matching 260ci V8 mated to a C4 three-speed automatic transmission. Ford rated the engine at 164 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque when new.

Did you know that the Falcon Club of America was founded in 1979 and has grown to thousands of members worldwide? Much like other enthusiast groups (for example, the National Acura Legend Meet, which I’ve attended for 20 years), the FCA was established to bring owners together for an exchange of ideas, technical information, and parts resources. President Billy Pope ends each of his messages with “Happy Falconing.”

What better car to choose for your future “Falconing” than a well-kept Sprint?

The auction for this 1963 Ford Falcon Sprint Coupe ends Wednesday, December 24, 2025, at 11:45 a.m. (MST).

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and a photo gallery

If you’re reading this right now, you probably have all your Christmas shopping done and the presents are wrapped and under the tree. But what will you be receiving? Socks? A membership to the Jelly of the Month Club? If you’ve been wanting a project car to start working on next year, take a look at our Pick of the Day. You can find this 1974 Lamborghini Espada listed on ClassicCars.com by a dealer in Philadelphia.

The Espada (Spanish for sword, the weapon the matador uses to kill a bull) made Ferruccio Lamborghini‘s idea of a fast car that was also comfortable and luxurious into a reality. Influenced by the 1967 Marzal gullwing concept car, the Espada debuted at the 1968 Geneva Motor Show with a longer and wider version of the 400 GT’s chassis and distinctive styling by Carrozzeria Bertone‘s Marcello Gandini.

Lamborghini went on to make approximately 1,220-plus Espadas (the automaker’s own production numbers vary) across three series from 1968 until 1978. All of them were powered by a front-mounted 4.0-liter DOHC V12 paired with six Weber carburetors. Output started at 325 horsepower, but increased to 350 two years later. Initially, a Lamborghini-made five-speed manual gearbox was the only transmission available, but the very American TorqueFlite three-speed automatic became an option in 1974.

This 1974 Espada is a Series III, which spanned model years 1973-78 and came standard with the previously optional power steering. According to the selling dealer, it’s “believed to be a one owner example based upon the circumstances of our acquisition and the one owner designation on the NJ title we received.” It adds that this 34,521-mile “example is finished in its factory color scheme of Arancio over beige, a rare and desirable specification.”

Clearly, this Lambo has a patina, and a comprehensive mechanical service or even a total rebuild would be a wise investment. The good news is that this project car is not just a body shell with a gutted interior and an empty engine bay—everything seems to be in place.

Once you buy this 1974 Lamborghini Espada for $62,000 (OBO), you can figure out the rest. Do you have a restoration shop or know of one that can do this car justice? Maybe you have the funds to send it straight to Lamborghini Polo Storico. Or perhaps you and your significant other and/or children can turn this Italian machine into a family experience and rolling legacy.

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

Jeep is going to be busy next year. Ten more special-edition Wranglers are coming in 2026 as part of its Twelve 4 Twelve celebration, which leads up to the brand’s 85th anniversary. Now comes news that the automaker has started its “Convoy” campaign with the 2026 Jeep Gladiator Shadow Ops.

In a press release, Stellantis said, “This initiative kicks off a new chapter for the brand, introducing mission-ready special editions that embody strength, unity and purpose. Leading the charge is Jeep Gladiator Shadow Ops, arriving not by air, but through a ground-led military convoy.”

Based on the Rubicon trim level, the limited-run Shadow Ops model has the cosmetic add-ons you might expect from a special edition. Up front, there’s a Satin Black grille. The hood and fenders have special Shadow Ops decals. At the rear, the tailgate has its own special decal as well as a black taillight-to-taillight stripe. More substantial visual changes include the body-color fenders and Freedom Top three-piece hardtop.

However, Jeep also made sure to equip the Shadow Ops with functional upgrades. Both bumpers are made out of heavy-duty steel. Inside, there are all-weather mats. But the coolest feature is the standard factory-installed front winch, which Stellantis says makes the Gladiator the first midsize truck to offer one.

Adding the Shadow Ops package to a 2026 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon will bump up the price by $4,995 – a $2,605 increase from a Rubicon optioned with the body-color fender flares and Freedom Top. Contrary to the name, Jeep wants you to see the Gladiator Shadow Ops when it rolls into showrooms in February 2026.

Pontiac built a decent number of GTOs with the Judge package for 1969: 6,833. However, it seems the number of convertibles with this package is somewhat lopsided, as only 108 were built. Originally sold in Anderson, Indiana, this example from the Barrett-Jackson 2025 Scottsdale Fall Auction features the standard 400 Ram Air engine (aka “Ram Air III”) backed by the optional four-speed manual, which was the most common combination among the 108. Other desirable options include Safe-T-Track, hood tach, power windows, and Rally Gauge cluster.

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Currently listed on AutoHunter is this 2005 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG roadster. Remember the days when you could walk into a dealership and leave with a twin-turbo V12 retractable hardtop? AMG remembers, and here you have it! The 55,463-mile retract is backed by a five-speed automatic. Other features include Active Body Control suspension, a Kenwood touchscreen audio system, aluminum pedals, and much more. Painted Brilliant Silver Metallic over a Charcoal leather interior, this Teuton comes from the selling dealer with a clean AutoCheck report and a clear title.

The roadster is decked out in Brilliant Silver Metallic. Other exterior features include a panoramic glass roof, an integrated roll bar, bi-Xenon headlights, fog lights, a vented hood and front fenders, tinted taillights, and more. A set of 19-inch two-piece split five-spoke alloy wheels is wrapped in Michelins, 255/35 front and 285/35 rear.

The Charcoal perforated leather cabin features heated and ventilated memory seats. Other interior features include dual-zone automatic climate control, the Keyless Go entry system, woodgrain trim, a leather-wrapped multifunction steering wheel, a Kenwood touchscreen audio system, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, and more.

Instrumentation includes a 220-mph speedometer, 7,000-rpm tachometer, and gauges for the coolant temperature and fuel level. The odometer shows 54,463 miles, which is in line with the AutoCheck reading from June 2025.

The powerplant is a twin-turbo 6.0-liter V12 putting out 604 horsepower. The engine features an aluminum block and heads, tuned port injection, and a carbon fiber engine cover. The supporting cast includes an AMG SpeedShift five-speed automatic.

The undercarriage features four-wheel power disc brakes with AMG-branded calipers, and slotted and cross-drilled rotors. Other features include Active Body Control suspension, Electronic Stability Program, traction control, and quad exhaust tips.

Our AutoHunter Spotlight is on an accident-free, low-mileage mechanical paean to the prowess of German engineering. Remember when being over the top was admired the world over? Why build a V12 when a V12 with two turbos would do? This 2005 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG roadster has a mechanical presence that few late-model cars offer—isn’t that enough to be filled with desire? Don’t wait, as the auction will end on Friday, December 26, 2025, at 1:45 p.m. (MST).

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and a photo gallery

In my opinion, one of the most unlikely cars ever to be produced by Toyota is the MR2 Spyder. One of these is our Pick of the Day, a 2003 Toyota MR2 Spyder listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a dealer in North East, Pennsylvania.

Toyota is a car company that makes many very rational and few emotional decisions. Even the first- and second-generation MR2s made lots of sense in the sports car market of the time, offering 5/8-size exotic car looks, strong performance, amazing handling, and super reliability. At the same time, both the first- and second-generation MR2s were comfortable for two people, had plenty of storage space in their trunks, and offered a sports car experience without any compromises having to be made.

Introduced in 1997 at the Tokyo Motor Show as the MRS concept car, the new MR2 was not a coupe with a sunroof or T-Tops as an option, but a full convertible. It was actually more of a mid-engined roadster, something completely different from Toyota, but the company had some specific goals in mind. According to the project’s chief engineer, Harunori Shiratori, “First, we wanted true driver enjoyment, blending good movement, low inertia, and lightweight. Then, a long wheelbase to achieve high stability and fresh new styling; a mid-engine design to create excellent handling and steering without the weight of the engine upfront; a body structure as simple as possible to allow for easy customizing, and low cost to the consumer.”

I will say that they accomplished all of that – but one thing was lacking: a trunk. This seemed a bit crazy to me, especially from Toyota. But after driving the MR2 Spyder on numerous occasions, I soon forgot about that. This is a fun, engaging, and smile-inducing sports car. From behind the wheel, it reminded me somewhat of a cross between a Lotus Elise and a Porsche 986 Boxster, but in a more reliable and inexpensive package.

I have been looking for a nice example of one these cars in this spec for over a year and now have finally found one in this 2003 Toyota MR2 Spyder. It is finished in Spectra Blue Mica over a black interior, which is my favorite color combo on these cars. Although some will not like this, I also absolutely love another interesting option it offers: a factory sequential manual transmission. This is not an automatic, but an F1-style gearbox that works amazingly well, and – unlike the F1 box from the Ferrari and Maserati cars of the time – is also amazingly reliable.

Both the exterior and interior of this MR2 appear to be in excellent shape. The paint looks terrific, and it seems like a well-cared-for car. I also love that it still rides on its factory alloy wheels.

The interior also seems to be in great condition, with no serious wear to be seen. The only change from stock is the addition of a modern Bluetooth-enabled radio. The seller notes that this car has recently had its convertible top replaced.

Because these cars are so much fun to drive, it is hard to find any MR2 Spyder with less than 100,000 on the clock. If you do find one, it is usually a super-low-mile example that has a premium price tag attached. This 2003 MR2 Spyder has covered a total of only 83,682 miles, which puts it in that sweet spot of having enough mileage to be in good shape without having to deal with every seal leaking, but not too many miles, which often means the car is near the end of its life. The lack of modifications on this example also makes me believe it has never been tuner-owned and, as a result, there are no budget or crazy mods on the engine or the chassis.

I think these cars have a serious future in the more modern collectible sports car market, and this one, with a price of $13,991, seems like a great deal. So why not get yourself a present this holiday season and park this MR2 Spyder in your garage? Tell your significant other Santa must have left it.

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