You may be like me, in denial about the decline of the global automotive industry (thanks to the gradual elimination of manual transmissions and the rash of EV adoption), but it became clear the canary in the coal mine had already been on life support when Porsche announced that the 718 models (Boxter and Cayman) were going to be replaced by EV sports cars. Now, it seems Porsche will offer ICE engines in the next-gen versions of the 718 after all.
If you recall, Porsche announced in May that the next-gen 718 would not have an ICE replacement, giving you five months to figure out how to purchase Lithium without a prescription. The current crop of 718s are a bit long in the tooth, having originated in 2016, but we’re talking about Porsche here, a company that makes so many marginal improvements to a vehicle that no one thinks, “I can get an identical five-year-old car for less” because it’s simply not true.
Yet this is the same company that went on record saying that the next-gen 718 was going to be electric, which boggles the mind. To a point, that’s not a bad thing because the EV landscape still has plenty of room for promise, and Porsche is likely the beacon of hope in an automotive segment that struggles to be interesting to enthusiasts.
However, several months later, Car and Driver reports that good sense has returned to Porsche, as the company has confirmed that the next-gen 718 will include ICE versions. It is claimed that this is a “strategic realignment” attributed to slowing EV demand, adjustments in the Chinese market, and American tariffs.
The Ann Arbor-based periodical adds that the ICE versions “will be limited to the top-spec versions.” That does not bode well for those who are hoping to stretch a little for their dream car (aka “moi”), though it is in line with the upward march of Porsche’s sports car pricing.
Hopefully, the next-gen, ICE-powered 718s will be available with a manual transmission.
For six decades, the Ford Mustang has captured the spirit of American performance, freedom, and style. Now, in honor of its 60th anniversary, the Mustang Dream Giveaway is offering one lucky winner the chance of a lifetime: two iconic Mustangs, separated by sixty years, united by the legendary Blue Oval badge.
This isn’t just a prize package—it’s a celebration of heritage and horsepower. On one side, you’ll find an expertly restored 1966 K-code Mustang GT Fastback, a rare muscle-era masterpiece that defined what a pony car could be. On the other, a limited-production 2025 Mustang GT Convertible 60th Anniversary Edition, built to mark the milestone year with modern power and exclusive style. Together, they represent the ultimate garage pairing—vintage muscle and cutting-edge performance. Click hereto enter now!
The Vintage Legend: 1966 Mustang GT 2+2 Fastback K-code
With just 5,469 produced, the K-code fastback is the stuff of Mustang legends. Under its Wimbledon White paint and GT badging lies a 271-horsepower solid-lifter 289ci V-8 paired with a four-speed manual transmission—built for purists who crave authenticity and classic performance.
Step inside, and the red Pony interior transports you back to the golden era of Detroit iron.
It’s a rare piece of muscle-car history waiting to go home with you.
The Modern Milestone: 2025 Mustang GT 60th Anniversary Convertible
Fast forward sixty years, and Ford celebrates Mustang’s diamond anniversary with one of the most exclusive pony cars ever made. Just 1,965 units exist worldwide, and you could drive away in #432 of the build. Finished in Wimbledon White with bold Carmine Red leather seats, it channels the past while roaring into the future with 480 horsepower from a 5.0L V-8.
Exclusive anniversary badging, 20-inch Dark Gravity Gray wheels, and a B&O Premium Sound System make this convertible a true collector’s dream. And with a 0–60-mph time of just 3.9 seconds, this Mustang proves that performance is timeless.
Two Mustangs. One Winner. A Dream Garage. Owning one Mustang this special would be a dream. Owning both—the rarest of the rare classic and the most exclusive modern anniversary edition—makes this prize package unlike anything else on the planet. Even better, every ticket you enter supports veterans’ and children’s charities. Past winners have been teachers, truck drivers, mechanics, and veterans. The next name pulled could be yours.
Right now on AutoHunter, you can find this 1955 Chevrolet 3100 pickup, which is powered by a 350ci V8 mated to a 700R4 four-speed automatic transmission. Finished in Forest Green and white over a black vinyl interior, this Chevy “Task-Force” truck is now offered by the selling dealer in Oregon with a clear title.
The handsome exterior was repainted in a combination of Forest Green with white fender trim and white cab and tailgate accents. Features include chrome bumpers, wrap-around windshield, body-color windshield visor, dual mirrors, wrap-around rear window, wood bed planks, wrapped tailgate chains, and dual exhaust outlets.
This classic truck rides on a set of 15-inch Rally wheels wrapped in 235/70 BFGoodrich Radial T/A raised-white-letter radial tires.
Inside the cab, the black vinyl bench seat is equipped with lap belts. Amenities include power steering, air conditioning, and Bluetooth-compatible RetroSound AM/FM radio. The automatic shifter and emergency brake handles were swapped out for units from Lokar.
Instrumentation consists of a 100-mph speedometer and temperature, amperage, oil pressure, and fuel gauges. The odometer shows 1,009 miles, but this truck is mileage-exempt, according to its title.
The original engine was replaced with a four-barrel 350ci V8. The factory-installed transmission was also swapped out for a 700R4 four-speed automatic.
There are several other upgrades underneath this truck, including a Ford Mustang II independent front suspension, tubular control arms, and power front disc brakes. Power reaches the road through the 3.55:1 rear end.
If you want this upgraded 1955 Chevrolet 3100 to reach your driveway, you need to place the winning bid on it. Do that before the auction ends on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, at 12:30 p.m. (PDT).
A few days ago, I was browsing the listings on ClassicCars.com and came across a car that is eligible for any concours event you can think of, has a decent chance of getting a class award, and also is somehow affordable. My Pick of the Day is that car: a 1953 Chrysler Ghia Special Coupe by Ghia located in Auburn, Indiana.
At the sharp end of world of collector cars—more specifically potential concours winners—there are very few bargains. Even to get a class award at many of these events often requires spending a million dollars. I have shown at many concours events over the past 10 years, and every single car we won an award with cost in excess of $400,000 (and most cost over $1 million). This is the sad truth, but when you consider the reason people attend these concours events is to see cars they have never seen before, it starts to make more sense.
The Chrysler-Ghia relationship is an interesting one. The two companies collaborated for over a decade to create some of the most stunning Chrysler-badged products in the entire history of the company. This effort was the result of Chrysler design chief Virgil Exner being tasked with bringing some glamour and excitement to the brand. The end result were the Chrysler Ghia cars.
This Chrysler Ghia collaboration was called the Special Coupe, with just 18 examples crafted by Ghia for Chrysler. Although the company’s board was hesitant to approve the model, Export Manager C.B. Thomas thankfully was able to convince them to go ahead with the build.
This specific car is finished in its original color of Dove Gray and is believed to have received only one professional exterior respray in the correct color since it was sold new in 1953.
The interior is also largely original, with comfortable maroon leather seats that look quite nice. There is wear, but I could call that patina and, in my opinion, it is something that should not be changed, redone, or even redyed. It is almost impossible to come across almost any car of this era with an original interior, and it would be a shame to mess that up by renewing it.
Under the hood is the correct Chrysler 331ci Hemi V8 engine, which is mated to a 1954 PowerFlite automatic transmission that shifts smoothly. I would personally inquire about the original transmission but, if it is indeed lost, I would not let this deter me from purchasing the car. This Special Coupe is currently equipped with a 1954 four-barrel carburetor, but the original carburetor accompanies the sale.
Like most of the Chrysler Ghia cars, this example has an interesting history. The car was first sold new by France Motors in Paris in 1953 to famous jockey Johnny Longden. Longden shipped the car on the SS Liberte to his residential home in Arcadia, California, in September of the same year. By the 1950s, this Ghia had passed to a resident in the affluent neighborhood of San Marino. Under her ownership, this Special Coupe received supplemental bumpers to protect the hand-formed front and rear body, which explains the holes present today. This Ghia then made its way to the home of well-known Chrysler collector and authority Robert Frumkin of Los Angeles in the 1960s. Frumkin retained this wonderful example for two decades, during which he received a handwritten letter from the original owner confirming the Ghia’s provenance, as well as its originality and color. In 1979, this example traded hands for the last time to the current owner and became a welcome addition to his own collection.
Chrysler Ghia Special Coupes are absolutely spectacular in person. I have shown a 1954 model myself and have won First in Class awards with it at every concours in which it was shown. In addition, these cars possess the “easy button” when it comes to participating in concours tours and classic car events, as the Chrysler underpinnings make them simple to fix and maintain.
The best part about this specific car is the asking price which, at only $299,000, I am going to call a steal. No, the car is not likely in good enough shape for Pebble Beach, but I can practically guarantee that at any other concours you would come away with some hardware.
Part of owning a classic car is recognizing—and accepting—the fact that you have to “expect the unexpected.” When I set out on a recent 2,700-mile road trip from Phoenix to Vermont for this year’s National Acura Legend Meet, I carried a trunk full of replacement parts. After all, I was 100% aware that, at a moment’s notice, I could need an alternator, starter, main relay, gallon of coolant, or a myriad of other things. I’ve also gotten in the habit of carrying a full-sized spare tire. A car with nearly 600,000 miles on the odometer could be a ticking time bomb.
But of all the times to experience to a critical part failure, I didn’t anticipate it would be on the first day of a five-day cross-country adventure . . . in a rural part of Arizona . . . on a holiday weekend, just a few hours from home. That’s how things played out, and it was thanks to a small mom-and-pop car repair facility that I miraculously continued my journey later that same day and made it to my destination three time zones away, on perfect schedule later in the week.
It was about 12 miles west of Holbrook, Arizona, when the battery light illuminated in my car. I had flashbacks of the previous time it had happened 16 years ago, just outside Las Vegas. That had been about 200,000 miles prior, so it was not shocking. It was, however, inconvenient. I managed to get the car to a truck stop just west of town and started the process of running through phone numbers for any and all repair facilities I could find. Unfortunately, Holbrook is a town of fewer than 5,000 people, most of whom were already enjoying Labor Day weekend. I only managed to go through several places, some of which referred me to mobile mechanics or other resources. I did manage to find one shop that would install my part, so I limped the car there using a battery jump pack (another handy lifesaver, I’ve learned).
Unfortunately, after waiting an hour and a half, I determined I’d been stood up. In a bit of desperation, I took to the phone again. This time, I even called the businesses that said “Closed” according to Google. To my surprise, a voice answered the phone at Arizona Auto Service on Route 66. I explained my predicament and they said, “Bring it down.” Somehow, I was again able to start the car and drive about three more miles just before my battery pack lost voltage and I had to coast to the side of the road about a half-block from the facility. (Incidentally, Arizona Auto was located just several blocks from the Wigwam Motel.)
The hospitality that I experienced next was unprecedented. The shop was bustling with activity—deep in preparations for an upcoming demolition derby at the Navajo County Fair. But they dropped what they were doing, helped me push the car to a service bay, and got to work with the install. Meanwhile, I got to know the family members who were there and even watched them paint some accessories for the demolition derby cars. In short order, the shop foreman, Frank, said I was good to go and asked me to fire up the car so he could test the voltage output. Everything checked out, and my sense of optimism reached new heights.
I insisted on paying more for the alternator installation than Frank wanted to charge me. I also insisted on letting him take a picture with the entire crew before I continued my journey. I drove away with a deepened appreciation and respect for the compassion of people in the automotive community who are willing to help one another. The experience solidified my conviction that the automotive community is one big family.
As a follow-up expression of gratitude, I reached out to Arizona Auto the following week to let them know that my new alternator got me to Vermont successfully, and I wished them luck on the demolition derby. Maybe next year I’ll join them!
Collector Car Network Media got a close look at one of the most talked-about concept cars on the Pebble Beach Concept Lawn this year: the Attucks Apex AP-0, which is backed by musician and car enthusiast Wyclef Jean.
In this video, we break down what makes this electric supercar unique, from its ultra-light carbon fiber monocoque and exposed aero-focused design to its 650-horsepower rear-mounted motor and sub-2.5-second 0–60 mph time. What could this mean for the next generation of supercars? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below.
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Sometimes, the only thing “classic” about a classic car is the model year listed on its title. Here’s one example of a car that went through a nut-and-bolt refresh and is just as youthful as the day it was new: this 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air Custom Convertible featured on AutoHunter. It is being sold by a dealer in Paso Robles, California, and the auction will end Friday, September 26, 2025, at 12:30 p.m. (PDT).
While staying true to its original body lines, the car has modernized and enhanced in every mechanical aspect. During a frame-off restoration that was completed in 2024, it received a custom chassis from Newman Car Creations. Take a look at the underbody photos included in the listing—it’s essentially a brand-new car despite its “official” age being 70 years old.
The 1955 Chevrolet is undisputed American icon; it paved the way for the 1956 and 1957 models that would complete the “Tri-Five” series. The American Tri-Five Association is just one of any nationwide organization dedicated to the display, restoration, preservation, and appreciation of such cars. Next year’s Tri-Five Nationals will be held August 15, 2026, in Bowling Green, Kentucky. A 1956 Chevrolet will be given away too!
Exterior features for this clean, custom machine include a Cobalt Blue and Pearl White two-tone paint job, dark blue power-retractable top, chrome brightwork, and dual side mirrors. Grip comes from a set of BFGoodrich tires wrapped around 17-inch American Racing polished aluminum wheels.
The cabin has its share of upgrades, too, starting with front bucket seats and a custom center console, courtesy of Dave Stoeckel of Fresno, California. Features include a Vintage Air A/C system, power windows, tilt steering column, and Bluetooth-compatible audio system. The odometer reads 1,630 miles, but title reads mileage-exempt.
We’ve talked in the past about how GM “LS” engines have become so popular in restomod-type restorations (here’s a story from a number of years ago that gives an overview of LS history). True to tradition, this car employs an LS2 6.0-liter V8 mated to a 4L60E four-speed automatic transmission. But the build doesn’t stop there, as the Chevy also has a Magnuson supercharger and has been dyno-tested to produce 450 horsepower.
For those not familiar with Magnuson Superchargers, the Ventura, California-based company was founded about 40 years go. It produces a wide range of supercharger systems, most of which are straightforward bolt-ons that use Eaton rotors. While results vary by application, Magnuson says most applications elevate a stock vehicle’s performance by as much as 45%.
The engineering upgrades don’t stop there, as the build sheet also includes a carbon-fiber driveshaft, C4 Corvette suspension, Wilwood four-wheel power disc brakes, and Flowmaster dual exhaust system. Overhauled? I’d say so. In fact, I’d dare say this ’55 is ready to drive to Bowling Green for next year’s Tri-Five Nationals—no matter how far that drive may be.
The auction for this 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air Custom Convertible ends Friday, September 26, 2025, at 12:30 p.m. (PDT). The winning bidder will receive restoration photos, an owner’s manual, and build receipts.
There seems to be a misconception that the Mercury Cougar was a luxury variant of the Ford Mustang, but that is not quite true. Take a look at the interior of a 1967 Cougar and it’s clearly not a luxury pony car. However, the Cougar would eventually turn into a personal luxury vehicle. Our Pick of the Day shows the evolution of this transformation while also playing another role. This 1969 Mercury Cougar XR-7 convertible is currently listed on ClassicCars.com by a dealer in Milford, Michigan.
Some may say, “But what about the XR-7?” Yes, Mercury added leather and wooden touches to the interior, but it could be argued that the interior invoked more of a European GT flavor than anything else. Could that be considered luxury? Maybe, but it still doesn’t make the Cougar a luxurious variant of the Mustang—not compared to the luxury available in a Lincoln.
The Cougar’s first restyle for 1969 was the first step in that direction. The wheelbase continued to be a generous 111 inches, but length grew by 3.5 inches and width by more than two. A sweeping, sculpted body crease similar to that on some Buicks certainly imparted a more upscale image. Inside, even the standard Cougar received an upgrade in appointments. And the XR-7? It continued to be furnished with “supple vinyl upholstery, accented by touches of genuine leather” with the effect now being more luxurious than GT, though Mercury continued to tout the “sports car mystique” with “European style and flair.” Each Cougar model continued to offer standard bucket seats, a floor shifter, concealed headlamps, sequential taillamps, and a standard V8. New on the roster was a convertible, available on the both standard and XR-7 Cougars.
Engines were a mixture of old and new. New was the 351 Windsor; one with 250 horsepower and a two-barrel carburetor was the standard engine for all Cougars. Opt for the four-barrel and horsepower jumped to 290. The importance of this engine cannot be understated because the competition offered several mid-300ci engines, which Ford’s engine portfolio failed to meet toe-to-toe until 1969.
Making a return for the last time was the 390, now rated at 320 horsepower. The top option for the Cougar was the 428 Cobra Jet, which was available with or without ram air induction; when the former was ordered, you received a hood scoop and stripes on the hood. Add the Drag Pak and you’d receive upgraded engine components, an external oil cooler, and 3.91 or 4.30 gears.
By 1972, the second year of the Cougar’s third generation, the XR-7 began to outsell the base model, completing the Cougar’s evolution from upscale pony car to personal luxury coupe and convertible. This Red 1969 Cougar XR-7 convertible plays double duty in another manner: Yes, it has the upscale appointments, but it also has upscale power thanks to an “R-code” 428 Cobra Jet with ram air. Only 96 R-codes were built with an automatic transmission—check out the list of options on the Marti Report: Traction-Lok differential with 3.25 gears, a collapsible spare tire, whitewall F70 x 14 Wide Ovals, power windows, a console, power front disc brakes, power steering with tilt-away feature, hood pins, power ventilation, an AM/FM stereo, Styled Steel wheels, a white power convertible top, and Deluxe seat belts. Retail price was almost $5,100 new. The original buyer worked for Ford so (s)he took advantage of company perks to spec out this vehicle.
LED headlamps and taillights are one update. Air conditioning is another. A third is the white interior with red components, as the original seating material was Dark Red vinyl and leather. None detract from the essence of this vehicle, which is perhaps the most luxurious muscle car out there. Rather than shop for both a classic Lincoln and a Mustang, you can get everything both cars offer in one vehicle for $115,000.
If I was a betting man, I’d say that you are not a One Percenter, so you could be forgiven for being astounded by the price tag for Bentley’s new Ombré by Mulliner paint finish. The first sedan to receive this treatment, a Flying Spur, debuted this past weekend at the Southampton International Boat Show in the UK.
I don’t know if it’s a girl thing (I’ll take a poll when I visit HR), but ombré (shaded in French) is the blending of one color to another. If you have seen some women’s hair (natural or, for Gen Z, unnatural colors), or that lady with the crazy nails at the Kroger register, then you’ll definitely know you’re not just some dumb guy like me. Bentley is embracing this theme and making it a special-order finish available in three different color combinations.
The ”extraordinary” new finish combines two complementary hues that transition along the sides and, if you’re taller than average, the roof too. As you can imagine, two skilled paint artisans spend nearly 60 hours to achieve the perfect color blend and finish at Bentley’s Dream Factory in Crewe, England.
This special Flying Spur starts with Topaz Blue up front and ends in Windsor Blue out back, with a fade at the mid-section. It shares the same color combination with Bentley’s Continental GT Speed that was showcased at The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering during Monterey Car Week. If there’s no hullabaloo with blue for you, you can always select Sunburst Gold to Orange Flame, or Tungsten to Onyx.
Let’s hope no Ombré by Mulliner Bentleys get in an accident because I imagine the vehicle will have to be flown to Crewe for repairs. But then, for the One Percent, that may not be such a big deal anyway.
If you’ve ever been to a funeral, there’s a good chance you’ve seen an Armbruster Stageway hearse or ridden in one of its limousines. According to the Fort Smith, Arkansas, company’s website, it has “a rich tradition in the funeral car industry that dates back for over one hundred years.” But not all of its history is associated with sadness and loss. Back in the 1970s, Armbruster Stageway built a version of the Chevrolet Suburban with four pairs of doors that opened up to a 15-passenger cabin.
Sure, the Armbruster Stageway Custom Deluxe Suburban could have served as a funeral vehicle, but the brochure shows that it was primarily intended for company car pools, school sports teams, and airport and hotel shuttle fleets.
Whoever ended up riding in one of these ultra-longroofs had their luggage loaded in the back or lugged up the rear ladder and secured on the massive roof rack. Inside, they enjoyed the comfort of front and rear heat or air conditioning. Corporate buyers had peace of mind knowing they could replace the doors and parts with standard Chevy hardware, and that their purchase was covered by a 12-month/12,000-mile warranty.
Given this rig’s dimensions and the associated increase in weight, the words “heavy-duty” were applied to a lot of its components. The front and rear shocks? Heavy-duty, just like the front springs (and paired with “extra capacity rear springs”). Front stabilizer bar? Ditto. Power brakes? You better believe it.
But what moved this massive people-hauler? A nuclear submarine’s reactor? The gas turbine engine out of an M1 Abrams tank? Think big—just not that big: a four-barrel 454 with 230 horsepower and 350 lb-ft of torque, all routed through a Turbo-Hydramatic. If you scored a ride in one of these Suburbans, you had to hope you were going to enjoy the company of your fellow passengers because it sounds like getting to your destination would take a while. Hey, at least it wouldn’t be your final destination.
