The second-generation Ford GT evolved the formula from the more “authentic” first-gen, but it wasn’t lesser because of it. Paying homage to its 1966 Le Mans win, Ford called the track car version the GT Mark II and built 45 of them, all powered by a twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 producing 700 horsepower (40 horses more than the street version). Other tweaks include a roof-mounted intake, special outboard system, larger fixed wing and diffuser, downsized 19-inch wheels with Michelin Pilot Sport GT racing tires, fixed ride height, and stripped interior (helping reduce 200 pounds in the process). When new, the 2020 GT Mark II cost over $1.2 million, with this particular example selling for $1,088,500 at RM Sotheby’s auction during Monterey Car Week 2023.
For more Interesting Finds, car reviews, and interviews make sure to subscribe to the ClassicCars TV channel on YouTube.
The second-generation Ford GT evolved the formula from the more “authentic” first-gen, but it wasn’t lesser because of it. Paying homage to its 1966 Le Mans win, Ford called the track car version the GT Mark II and built 45 of them, all powered by a twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 producing 700 horsepower (40 horses more than the street version). Other tweaks include a roof-mounted intake, special outboard system, larger fixed wing and diffuser, downsized 19-inch wheels with Michelin Pilot Sport GT racing tires, fixed ride height, and stripped interior (helping reduce 200 pounds in the process). When new, the 2020 GT Mark II cost over $1.2 million, with this particular example selling for $1,088,500 at RM Sotheby’s auction during Monterey Car Week 2023.
For more Interesting Finds, car reviews, and interviews make sure to subscribe to the ClassicCars TV channel on YouTube.
There is something mysterious about a black cat. This Jag’s elegant body lines, prominent hood ornament, and chrome accent trim evoke a luxurious and sophisticated feeling. Best of all, it has a 400-horsepower supercharged V8 engine under the hood, so this car is equal parts “go” and “show.”
“I have personally owned this car for the last five years and have honestly loved every minute of it,” the listing says. “This car is spectacular with only 67,100 accident-free miles, of which I have put on approximately 10,000 of them.”
The XJ model has a longstanding history in the British luxury car world: Its first iteration – or “Series 1” – debuted 55 years ago in 1968 as a four-door saloon with a straight six powerplant. Evolution took it through a number of changes over the years, and the model has been gone from the Jaguar lineup since 2019. There’s no telling what kind of tricks the product planners might have up their sleeves to plan a rebirth.
Today’s car comes from the “X350” platform which spanned model years 2004 through 2010. Engineering advancements brought some important updates to this generation: The body shell was reportedly 40 percent lighter and 50 percent stiffer than the outgoing model’s, and an available adaptive air suspension kept things on the level at all times.
At the high end of the performance spectrum, the “XJR” model as seen today brought a supercharged 4.2-liter V8 to the formula – a powerplant that produced 400 horsepower and 413 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed automatic transmission put the power to the ground via the rear wheels.
The seller has prepared a thorough presentation of dozens of photos and a 12-minute video to showcase the vehicle in its entirety. The elegant black finish looks well-kept, and those blocky five-spoke wheels give a sense of presence and power. Even the interior is primo-looking for being 16 years old.
The seller states, “Unquestionably, these XJRs have already become collectible, and the values continue to rise and for good reason. I do not let cars like this leave my stable every day. However, I have decided to let this seductive and alluring Jag free to find another garage to purr in.”
The asking price is $29,500 or best offer for this Jag.
There is something mysterious about a black cat. This Jag’s elegant body lines, prominent hood ornament, and chrome accent trim evoke a luxurious and sophisticated feeling. Best of all, it has a 400-horsepower supercharged V8 engine under the hood, so this car is equal parts “go” and “show.”
“I have personally owned this car for the last five years and have honestly loved every minute of it,” the listing says. “This car is spectacular with only 67,100 accident-free miles, of which I have put on approximately 10,000 of them.”
The XJ model has a longstanding history in the British luxury car world: Its first iteration – or “Series 1” – debuted 55 years ago in 1968 as a four-door saloon with a straight six powerplant. Evolution took it through a number of changes over the years, and the model has been gone from the Jaguar lineup since 2019. There’s no telling what kind of tricks the product planners might have up their sleeves to plan a rebirth.
Today’s car comes from the “X350” platform which spanned model years 2004 through 2010. Engineering advancements brought some important updates to this generation: The body shell was reportedly 40 percent lighter and 50 percent stiffer than the outgoing model’s, and an available adaptive air suspension kept things on the level at all times.
At the high end of the performance spectrum, the “XJR” model as seen today brought a supercharged 4.2-liter V8 to the formula – a powerplant that produced 400 horsepower and 413 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed automatic transmission put the power to the ground via the rear wheels.
The seller has prepared a thorough presentation of dozens of photos and a 12-minute video to showcase the vehicle in its entirety. The elegant black finish looks well-kept, and those blocky five-spoke wheels give a sense of presence and power. Even the interior is primo-looking for being 16 years old.
The seller states, “Unquestionably, these XJRs have already become collectible, and the values continue to rise and for good reason. I do not let cars like this leave my stable every day. However, I have decided to let this seductive and alluring Jag free to find another garage to purr in.”
The asking price is $29,500 or best offer for this Jag.
Rememberthe second-generation Chevrolet Camaro that was introduced at the end of February 1970? It was supposed to be an advancement on the Bow Tie pony car. The press certainly felt so, but the collector’s market disagrees, as 1967-69 Camaros are near the top in popularity. It’s not often one finds a nicely preserved non-Z/28 of this era like our Pick of the Day, a 1970 Camaro SS/RS listed on ClassicCars.com by a dealership in Elyria, Ohio. (Click the link to view the listing)
Chevrolet shuffled the Camaro’s feature list a bit for the 1970 redesign. For one thing, the convertible was discontinued, which was a portent of things to come for other American ragtops in the market, if not the sporty car market. The model structure continued, with base Camaros being available with the Rally Sport (RS) trim package as well as the Super Sport (SS) and Z/28 performance packages. As before, the RS could be combined with the SS or Z/28, but the RS completely changed from 1967-69 — gone were the hidden headlamps, with the front end now featuring delicate bumpers, parking lights that looked like fog lights, and a huge grille surrounded by Endura plastic (the same material used on the 1968 GTO’s nose).
The SS’s engines were mainly carry-overs: the 350/300 was the same, but the 396/325 was discontinued, leaving only the 396 with 350 or 375 horsepower. The big news was the Z/28, which eschewed the little 302 for the LT1 350, a 360-horsepower powerhouse that was akin to the old 302 but with more cubes. Though it didn’t properly satisfy the Trans-Am fans who were only too happy to point out the LT1 did not measure to race specification, the LT1 had a much broader powerband for the street and was available with an automatic, yet it lost little in the form of rev-happy performance.
This 1970 Chevrolet Camaro has a ton going for it: it has the performance of the hi-po 350 from the SS package, the good looks from the RS package, and is painted in Daytona Yellow. Would the four-speed help pull you big-block folks into this? “The condition of this car speaks volumes to the love it received in its life. If you can’t handle the few paint flaws in the original paint that are well illustrated in the photos that’s ok, there are plenty of restored, shiny paint cars out there. If you truly understand what it means to find a car in this original condition you may have just found your next gem,” states the seller. That’s because this Camaro has only 13,000 miles on the odometer. He calls this Camaro a “survivor,” but that’s practically a political position in the hobby so let’s just say the Camaro is original and the due diligence is on you to determine whether it’s a survivor.
“Paperwork, you say? Yep, got that too . . . Protect-O-Plate, original owner’s manual, original purchase agreements. My, oh my!” adds the seller. Inside, the Camaro’s originality is less spoiled by the elements and can be more fully appreciated — a time warp, per the seller. Other options include special instrumentation, Positraction, power steering, sport mirrors, spoiler, and undercoating, though the seller says, “We are sending the car for ice blasting to clean the underside and engine compartment up a bit.”
It will take $68,500 to bring this 1970 Camaro SS/RS to your home. Its originality, combined with a mix of options that would make many other Camaros jealous, make it a prime find for the Bow Tie guy or gal who’s a true believer in the superiority of the 1970 Camaro.
The pony car races have been going on for decades: Ever since the Mustang debuted in the mid-1960s, it has competed head-to-head with the Camaro (and with other vehicles in the segment) for market share. By the 1990s, both the Camaro and the Mustang were in their fourth generations, and the battle raged on. Today’s Camaro convertible is a standout survivor from that neo-classic era with only 27,509 miles on the odometer. It is being offered by a private seller in Peachtree City, Georgia, and the auction ends on Tuesday.
Finished in Bright Red, this Camaro clearly comes from an enthusiast’s garage. The seller posted the following comment on the auction: “I have driven it several long distances and it drives like new. Paint is near flawless and top works as it should. The car has been stored inside its entire life.”
One thing you may not know about this car is that all 1993 through 2002 Camaros were built in Canada. General Motors had closed up shop at the Van Nuys assembly plant in California and moved production to Sainte-Therese, Quebec, beginning in late 1992. In addition to the new facility, there were also new techniques and tools implemented at the time including construction using sheet molding compound (SMC) which was a form of fiberglass. The Camaro’s F-body platform was again shared with its badge-engineered sibling, the Pontiac Firebird.
Aside from the audio system (which has been upgraded to an Alpine radio with Bluetooth compatibility) this car is all stock. Momentum comes from an LT1 5.7-liter OHV V8 mated to a 4L60E four-speed automatic transmission and a limited-slip differential. The powertrain was rated at 275 horsepower and 325 lb-ft of torque when new.
This Camaro was previously listed on AutoHunter in September and is now being offered at a lower reserve price. Here is your (second) chance to buy a well-kept Z28. Best of all (at least according to the photos in the listing) it comes with a bowtie-branded cassette tape. I wonder what kind of tunes that has on it?
Finally, you may have heard: Chevrolet has discontinued the Camaro for the 2024 model year, but company representatives said, “This is not the end of the Camaro’s story.” It will be interesting to see what the future holds for the important model. Meanwhile, pick up a classic that is bound to appreciate!
Ferrari and the NHTSA have issued a recall on the SF90 Stradale and SF90 Spider and urged owners not to drive their supercars.
The reason is due to turbocharger oil delivery pipes used on the SF90’s twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8 that may have been manufactured with a notch or incorrect thickness. The defect could result in an oil leak that in turn could cause a fire.
The recall affects SF90s from the 2022-2024 model years, which equates to 614 vehicles in the U.S., according to the recall notice published on the NHTSA’s website on Oct. 17.
The remedy requires dealers to replace any defective turbocharger oil delivery pipes, a service that will be provided free of charge.
Ferrari SF90 Stradale
Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed out on Dec. 16, but anyone looking for further information can contact Ferrari at 1-201-816-2668 or the NHTSA at 1-888-327-4236 (reference recall campaign number 23V698000).
The SF90 has been around since 2019, but the issue was only detected by Ferrari in July following the pre-production review of a new model, likely to be the hardcore SF90 XX that was unveiled one month prior. The SF90 XX shares its twin-turbo 4.0-liter V-8 with other SF90 variants, although the XX version of the engine has been substantially upgraded.
This is actually the second recall for the SF90 this year. In March, a recall (NHTSA recall campaign number 23V136000) was issued for 13 examples built from the 2021-2023 model years due to airbags that could impact a child seat. So few cars were included because the recall only affected SF90s ordered with a specific seat.
As 2023 draws to a close, it’s mind-boggling to even think of writing the date “2024” on anything. The number just looks crazy. But, ready or not, it’s here. And with the new year comes advancement of the automotive industry: There are huge initiatives underway with focuses on emissions, safety, traffic control, and autonomy. Over the past year, I have firsthand experience with a self-driving “robotaxi” service that is operated by a company called Waymo. And it may be coming to a city near you.
Just like the day I got my driver license, I will forever remember another red-letter day:
The first time I rode in a completely autonomous vehicle was March 4, 2023, when a couple of friends and I were looking to travel from a busy part of downtown Phoenix toward our homes. When my brothers visited from Utah for the No Fly Zone event later in the year, I knew I had to introduce them to the experience as well. As someone who loves to drive – and to be in complete control – it feels odd to surrender that privilege to a machine. It’s even weirder is to watch the steering wheel turn on its own.
Waymo Background
This coming January will mark 15 years since the earliest beginnings of Waymo. At the time, it was called the “Google Self-Driving Car Project.” The program grew in size and scope, eventually partnering with Stellantis in 2016 on a fleet of about 100 Chrysler Pacifica minivans. Things evolved from there, and just like any technology-related industry, it’s been a fast pace ever since.
“Level 4” autonomy, as utilized here, refers to a scenario where nobody is behind the wheel and a vehicle is sharing the road with cars and pedestrians. Testing for the platform took place in Chandler, Arizona. Weather, of course, could throw an entirely new variable at these vehicles. Perhaps that is why the existing services areas are in predictable climates without severe storms or the potential for snow. Along those lines, up until just recently, Waymo has operated in only two cities: San Francisco and here in Phoenix. Los Angeles is now on the map as of just recently, and expansion to Austin is in the works.
How does it work?
Each Jaguar I-Pace (all-electric) sport-utility vehicle in the Waymo fleet is outfitted with enhanced vision systems, radar, lidar, and a myriad of cameras. The completed setup looks a little bit like a moon-crawler with all that apparatus, but every piece of it serves some type of purpose.
The Waymo smartphone application operates in the same fashion as other ride-sharing services. A rider creates an account, links it to a credit card, and adds some basic information. From there, a vehicle can be summoned (that makes it sound like witchcraft, but this isn’t too far off!) and the application will give an estimated wait time until a vehicle will arrive for pick-up. All of this functionality mirrors the way that Uber and Lyft operate, so the learning curve is not steep for most people to figure out.
Atop each vehicle is a digital display with the initials of the rider – after all, in congested urban areas, there could be multiple similar-looking robotaxis. The doors to the vehicle must be unlocked via the phone app by the individual who called the ride, and from there, the vehicle will recognize how many people get inside and it won’t depart until everyone is buckled up.
The vehicles are extremely thoughtful – welcoming you to the car, telling you when the ride is about to conclude, and reminding you to collect your belongings at the conclusion of the ride. “I feel like I’m on a ride at Disneyland,” my sister-in-law Kali remarked. The touch-screen interface allows a rider to start the ride, control the music, adjust the climate control, pull over, and call for help if needed.
How much does it cost?
I compared fares across Waymo versus traditional ride-sharing services, and pricing was similar. It cost about $15 to go roughly six miles from my house to a restaurant downtown (well worth the price, considering we saved time on finding parking – and paying for it – on a busy weekend evening).
What about all the unexpected encounters?
I have seen Waymo vehicles pull over for emergency personnel, slow down for gutters, yield for pedestrians, and make all sorts of other maneuvers. For anyone who is concerned about safety, or who even just wants to geek out on all the safety-related data they could possibly want, Waymo has an entire section of the website dedicated to reporting on this topic. I noticed the vehicle we rode in during the October ride had over 80,000 miles on it. How many of those were autonomous? I wonder.
What are the service area and routing basics?
The grid of supported service area in Phoenix has expanded rapidly in recent months. Waymo vehicles are programmed to stick to surface streets. Freeway driving will require a whole new set of security and navigation features that may still be in development. In addition to that, we noticed that the vehicle preferred making right turns, which made sense from a safety perspective.
Takeaways
Even as someone who enjoys the act of driving, I see the benefit in having a service like this. Sometimes you just want a peaceful ride, and a “robot” driver might be the best solution for not having to make small talk with an overly chatty chauffeur. Adding to that: There is nobody to tip. And perhaps most importantly, the travel experience is likely safer than riding with a human driver.
I’d like to hear it in the comment section: Is this a service you will use when it eventually comes to your community? Waymo says that there are 1.36 million deaths due to vehicle crashes each year. If this technology can help give mobility to people who otherwise don’t have access to it, and save a few lives along the way, I welcome it.
Featured on AutoHunter, the online auction platform driven by ClassicCars.com, is this 1966 Ford Mustang 2+2 restomod. The result of a one-off build by Sabas Customs, this 347-powered fastback is connected to a TREMEC TKO 600 five-speed manual transmission. Other features include a custom frame, adjustable coilovers, Wilwood disc brakes, keyless entry, and much more. Finished in silver and matte gray over a tan leather interior, this first-generation Mustang comes from the selling dealer with a clear title.
As part of a $200,000+, five-year build by Sabas Customs of Grand Junction, Colorado, the body was given a custom silver and matte gray paint job. Features include LED headlights, external hood latches, hood scoop, mesh C-pillar inserts, and dual rear valance-exit exhaust outlets. The door handles have been shaved and replaced with remote door poppers.
The 17 x 7-inch front/18 x 9-inch rear Forgeline wheels are respectively wrapped in 225/45R17 and 245/45R18 Bridgestone Potenza RE-71RS tires.
The 2+2 cabin has been customized with a tan leather interior that includes a leather-wrapped dashboard and transmission tunnel in lieu of a console. Other features include tilt steering column, push-button start, wood-rimmed steering wheel, power steering, E-Stopp electric parking brake, and Bluetooth-capable audio system.
The instrument panel consists of a 120-mph speedometer, 8,000-rpm tachometer, and gauges for the fuel level, voltage, coolant temperature, and oil pressure.
The 347cid V8 is equipped with a Quick Fuel Technology carburetor and sends power to the rear wheels through a TREMEC TKO 600 five-speed manual transmission with hydraulic clutch. Engine bay components include an aluminum radiator with dual electric fans, MSD ignition system, and Wilwood master cylinder. The battery has been relocated to a custom box in the trunk.
The original frame has been replaced with a custom unit, with the suspension being upgraded with adjustable coilovers. Braking is handled by manual Wilwood disc brakes with cross-drilled and slotted rotors — six-piston calipers up front, four-piston out back.
The auction for this 1966 Ford Mustang 2+2 restomod ends Monday, November 6, 2023, at 12:30 p.m. (PDT)
The phrase “luxury liner” evokes mental images of an executive cruise ship carrying black-tie passengers to an exotic high-end vacation destination somewhere (champagne glass in hand, of course). Let that visual marinate on your mind while we introduce today’s feature car.
“Here’s a chance to own a rare 1941 Dodge three-window Business Coupe,” the listing begins. “Frame-off restoration done back in the 80s. Tons of records throughout the restoration process; 3,700 miles since completion.”
My favorite feature on this pre-war Dodge is of course the “Luxury Liner” badge embedded into the grille on the driver side. The base price of this car was $954 when it was new. Inflated to 2023 dollars, the amount becomes $20,081. Few new vehicles – even entry level compacts – can be had for such a bargain today. But in its time, Dodge’s idea was to offer a car with high-end features that could be obtained for a reasonable price. The Luxury Liner series was launched to commemorate Dodge’s 25th anniversary, and the cars could be configured in coupe, convertible, or sedan styles.
The seller states that this one is rust-free, and it has had just one owner for about the last 50 years. The exterior was reportedly resprayed in the original Flare Red, which extends to the steel wheels with polished hubcaps. Even the chrome back bumper – which itself has a unique swoopy design – bears the phrase Luxury Liner in the middle in cursive script lettering. Dodge didn’t want anyone to forget about this car’s high-end aspirations.
The one-bench-seat cabin is well-appointed and even has simulated woodgrain trim on the dashboard. The upholstery, door panels, headliner, and carpeting look to be in good condition based on the photos included in the listing. Up front, the hood has a center-hinge setup. Underneath it, power comes from a flathead six-cylinder paired with a “Fluid Drive” column-shifted three-speed manual transmission. Recent maintenance included replacement of the Delinte tires and the Optima battery per the seller.
“Smooth riding, and goes down the road just like new,” the seller says.
Does this car convey a presence that would have been considered luxurious in 1941? And could any automaker get away with calling a car a Luxury Liner today? That would be fun to find out.
The asking price is $18,000, which is a relative bargain for such a fancy ride.
