Journal Classic Cars

For those who treat their garage as more than just a place to park… 

For those who tinker, shine, wrench, and unwind in the garage… 

For those who are done dealing with cracked concrete and have the desire for something that looks good, holds up to real use, and feels like part of the car collection—not just a parking space—there is a sleek solution that you will be proud of. 

Swisstrax is rethinking the garage space. These modular interlocking garage tiles that fasten like Legos, eliminate the frustration associated with flaking epoxy, chipped paint, and stained concrete. These tiles are a LASTING DIY game-changer. 

They go together in an afternoon. 

Liquids drain right through. 

Tiles can be swapped out if something happens.  

They just plain look sharp. 

And there is an invite-only offer for ClassicCars.com Journal readers at the end of this article… 

Here are some of the best floor setups seen on their site or check out the top designs shared below. 

Ideas for Two-Car Garages 

For those with a two-bay garage packed with tools, parts, and maybe a car or two under wraps, something clean, functional, and maybe even a little fun is ideal. 

Some liked ideas include: 

• Checkerboard style – Classic black and white always looks right. 

• Color-coded zones – Parking on red, tools on gray. Helps organize the chaos. 

• Custom borders or logos – Just enough flair without overdoing it. 

• Classic and sleek – One color, one style and the tile does the work (this video shows off a single car bay and firefighter’s reasonings behind choosing Swisstrax.) 

Got Something More Unique in Mind? 

Not every garage fits the mold. Maybe yours doubles as a workshop, a hangout, or a showroom. That’s where these tiles really shine—you can get creative and even order samples that will be credited toward your final order. 

Here is what has been said: 

“I wanted something different. Swisstrax let me customize my garage floor with colors and patterns that matched my car and style. Everyone who visits loves it.” — Chris S. 

And here’s what has been done: 

• Mix bold colors for a racing stripe effect 

• Add your own logo or design 

• Go with dark metallic tones for an industrial vibe (check out Vyper) 

• Try fun layouts like chevron or angled tile placement 

Why It Works (And Keeps Working) 

After years with the floor, here’s what stands out to customers world-wide: 

• No tire marks 

• No stains from oil or brake fluid 

• No slipping around when it’s wet 

• No better “welcome home” when you click that garage door opener  

• And if a tile is ever damaged, it can just be popped out and swapped for a new one (always heard this, but took doing it to believe it…and it sounds like other owners agree: “I work on my cars a lot, and Swisstrax has been fantastic. Oil spills wipe up, no staining, and if I damage a tile, I can replace just that one.” — Phil C.) 

Want to Map Out Your Garage? 

There’s a handy online tool where you can design your own layout. Takes about 10 minutes to figure out exactly what you want.

• Pick your tile style

• Try out color combos

• See what fits your space

“The online designer made it easy. I planned out my floor exactly how I wanted, and the end result is perfect. Highly recommend Swisstrax.”— Todd P.

Build Your Layout – but if you don’t want to, one of their flooring specialists will help you out – no additional cost. They are kind and passionate about getting you the perfect product for your lifestyle. 

If there’s hesitation, it’s worth noting that this is one of the easiest upgrades made—and one of the most satisfying every time the garage door is opened. 

Through THIS July only, to celebrate Classic Car Collectors Month, Swisstrax has extended 15% OFF for our readers with Code: CLASSIC25. It works on their floor designer, with a flooring specialist or on their store directly.  

Shop Garage Flooring Tiles with ClassicCars.com

But don’t just take it from this article, see for yourself what other owners are saying. There are hundreds of reviews and videos online. But if searching isn’t appealing, spend one minute and check out Barry’s experience with Swisstrax, the World’s Finest Modular Flooring and history with Barrett-Jackson, the World’s Greatest Car Collector Auction. It’s a story that might evoke a bit of jealousy and relate to if there is a passion for car collections. 

“I was proud of my car collection before, but now that I have that floor [Swisstrax] down, it has enhanced it and taken that car collection to a whole new level.” – Barry B. 

Are you ready to get some kicks on Route 66? There is something magical about exploring the road less traveled – especially when it involves a destination that feels like a step back in time. Some of our readers may recall my recent visit to the remote town of Portal, Arizona, where a 1950 Chevrolet has been greeting visitors to the lodge/restaurant for decades. And before that, I spent the night at the Wigwam Motel in Holbrook, which is home to several classic rides.

Along similar lines, the town of Seligman—known for its Route 66 provenance—is dotted with classic cars as if frozen in time. Seligman, Peach Springs, Kingman, and a number of other small towns lie along the old alignment of Route 66, which was bypassed by Interstate 40 in Arizona back in 1978. Since that time, things have slowed down along the historic highway, but thankfully they haven’t died off completely. In fact, the area is a popular spot for nostalgic travelers like me. I saw a tour bus full of people who had similar ideas, too!

I made the day-trip to the area to visit the “Cavern Grotto” in Peach Springs, a restaurant located about 200 feet underground. What better way to beat the Phoenix summer heat than by burying myself underground, right? The food was tasty, but the automotive scenery along the way was the icing on the cake. One of the most colorful destinations is Seligman’s Snow Cap Drive-In, which offers unique menu items like a “Cheeseburger with Cheese.” I couldn’t resist getting a picture out front with my red 1992 Acura NSX (at 33 years old, a classic itself).

Here were a few of the vehicles that caught my eye during my visit, in order by year:

1936 Pontiac Silver Streak

The Silver Streak was introduced in 1935 and was available with both inline-six and inline-eight engines. It was of course known for its “streak”—a bright strip running along the center of the hood and the rear deck. It was characteristic that would define Pontiac exteriors for many years. Hundreds of tourists take photos with this car every week as they explore Route 66.

1952 Chevrolet 3100 Pickup

Part of Chevrolet’s “Advance Design” series, which ran from 1947 through 1955, the automaker’s trucks for this era were known for being rugged and versatile. Most of them were outfitted with inline-six engines and three-speed, column-shifted transmissions. I liked how this old truck had the Snow Cap’s logo in faded patina on the doors.

1952 Packard

Packard was caught with its pants down in the early-1950s because styling wasn’t as strong as Cadillac’s, and it didn’t offer a V8—this from a company that once was America’s most popular luxury car. Nonetheless, they are stately and dignified in a way that few cars could match. This one parked in front of the “Postcard Motel” (a fitting backdrop) appears to be a ’52 Packard 300 or other “senior” Packard based on the taillights and trim. I like the windshield visor, antenna, and classic chrome trim.

1957 Ford Custom 300

The Custom 300 was a value-oriented trim level, which slotted between the base Custom and the higher-end Fairlane. It could be ordered in a two-door, four door, or Ranch Wagon. This one was more rust-colored than anything else, and its black and white Utah license plates were the style issued between 1968 and 1972. My favorite feature was the exhaust “lake pipes”—likely non-functional– on either side beneath the rocker panels.

1959 Edsel Ranger Sedan

The Ranger was priced around $2,700 when new, and it could be ordered in two-door or four-door formats (with hardtop and sedan variants for each). This yellow hardtop sedan looked like it had been parked for a long time, but it wore “Lemon Cab Company” livery and probably lived a good life!

1962 Buick Special Station Wagon

Part of the third-generation Special lineup, this was the first car to introduce a mass-produced V6 engine. Specifically, it was a 198ci V6 that produced 135 horsepower. Wagons came standard with a Turbine Drive two-speed automatic transmission. The 1962 Special was named Motor Trend’s Car of the Year.  How about that pink paint job?

1985 Pontiac Fiero

Jumping ahead a couple of decades, I couldn’t help but notice this faded two-seat sports car basking in the sun. It was painted red, white, and blue and said, “Route 66 Patriot.” I would love to know the backstory on what the car was used for. When optioned with the available 2.8-liter V6 engine, the Fiero had some decent pickup – not to mention better aerodynamics than most of the other classics sitting around Seligman.

I enjoyed wandering around old Route 66 and taking a step back in time.

Is your classic car taking you on any road trips this summer?

There’s more to the 2026 Toyota Tundra than the TRD Pro model’s new Wave Maker paint color. Now in its fifth model year, the third-generation Tundra receives a variety of standard and optional updates that make it more luxurious and capable.

Depending on trim level, the 2025 Tundra comes with either a 22.5- or 32.2-gallon fuel tank. For 2026, Toyota has made the larger one standard across the entire Tundra lineup, along with a tow hitch and a 7/4-pin connector. Trucks configured with the Baja racing-inspired TRD Rally Package (which adds features such as a locking rear differential, Multi-Terrain Select, Crawl Control, and all-terrain tires) can now be further upgraded with a TRD three-inch lift kit and the Tow Tech Package.

Getting into the Platinum and the 1794 with the TRD Off-Road Package is a little easier thanks to optional power running boards. Currently, the Tundra Limited is only available with SofTex synthetic leather upholstery, but the 2026 Limited will have the real deal in either black with white stitching or gray with black stitching. The top-of-the-line Capstone’s seats now come draped in Shale Premium Textured leather.

One of the coolest functional upgrades to the Tundra comes from the Tacoma. IsoDynamic seats, which use a shock absorber system to control movements and stabilize vision over rough terrain, are now on the options list for the Tundra TRD Pro. All Tundra Double Cab models come with air vents on the back of the front console to make the second row more comfortable.

As of right now, there’s no word on the 2026 Toyota Tundra’s pricing or availability, but don’t be surprised if both are announced before fall.

A few years ago, while judging at the Radnor Hunt Concours with former GM head of design Ed Welburn, we took a walk around a 1966 Toronado on the show field, looking closely at all the styling elements of the car. After doing a full circle of the car, Ed said one word: “Magnificent.” He was right. The original Oldsmobile Toronado is an incredible car, with some of the best postwar American styling ever.

AutoHunter now has one of these landmark cars up for auction: a first-year 1966 Oldsmobile Toronado Deluxe being represented by its owner in Phoenix, Arizona. The auction ends on Monday, July 28, at 12:15 p.m. (PDT).

The Toronado project started as a design painting by Oldsmobile stylist David North in 1962. He called it his “Flame Red Car.” It was his idea of a compact sports/personal car, but it was never intended for production. Sometimes, though, miracles can happen, even at companies the size of GM. A few weeks after the design was finished, the Oldsmobile division was informed it would be permitted to build a personal car in the Riviera/Thunderbird class for the 1966 model year, using North’s design rendering.

Unlike every other American personal luxury car of the time, the Toronado is front-wheel drive, one of the first in the U.S. since the 1930s. An interesting fact is that special 8.85 x 15 TFD (Toronado Front Drive) tires were developed for the car by Firestone. They featured a stiffer-than-normal sidewall and also had a tread pattern and a thin white pinstripe unique to only that tire. The car was a hit and went on through many generations, with the first-generation cars now considered classics (hence its inclusion at the concours Ed and I attended).

According to the description, this 1966 Toronado Deluxe is powered by a rebuilt, numbers-matching Rocket 425ci V8 mated to a three-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic transmission. The car has covered 76,476 original miles from new, and features air conditioning, power windows, power antenna and front disc brakes. It is finished in Ebony Black and is offered by the seller with manuals, service receipts and a clear title.

The exterior looks to be in spectacular show condition, with only a few stone chips. With a little bit of work, this car would be ready for a regional concours, where it would probably do quite well. Driving a car like this Toronado on an event like the Copperstate 1000 would be amazing – and something you rarely see at a vintage car rally.

The interior, which is finished in its correct green cloth and vinyl upholstery, features a front bench seat with a fold-down armrest. The cabin looks to be in great shape, with only minor wear on the driver’s seat. I personally love the dash layout with the horizontal barrel-style speedometer and additional instruments for temperature, amperage, clock and fuel level.

Under the hood is the numbers-matching Oldsmobile 425ci Rocket V8 with 385 horsepower at 4,800 rpm, and a staggering 475 lb-ft of torque at 3,200 rpm. It sends power to the front wheels via a three-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic transmission. The engine received a complete rebuild in 2001, and the four-barrel carburetor was rebuilt in June 2025. Everything under the hood not only looks correct, but also is in excellent condition.

Truly great examples of these first-year Olds Toronados do not come up for sale often and are quite rare to see these days. This specific example looks to be a great car that would provide its new owner with years of enjoyment. If you are interested, though, I would act fast – the auction for this 1966 Oldsmobile Toronado Deluxe ends on Monday, July 28, at 12:15 p.m. (PDT).

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and a photo gallery

Vehicles with a lot of space for people and gear typically end up having a lot of miles too. Roomy SUVs, such as the Chevrolet Suburban, are great for out-of-state family road trips; they can also be used for commercial purposes. Somehow, our Pick of the Day, a 1978 Chevrolet Suburban, has escaped a life of high mileage. You can find it on ClassicCars.com listed by a dealer in Lenexa, Kansas.

This “Superwagon,” as Chevy called it in the brochure, has been kept in a climate-controlled garage its whole life, accruing only 25,674 original miles over the past 47 years, according to the selling dealer. To put that in perspective, several years ago, I put 2,600 miles on a Ram 1500 Rebel EcoDiesel going from Austin, Texas to Phoenix, Arizona and back in about a week.

However, this Suburban’s historically light travel schedule hasn’t excluded it from updates. At one point, the body was repainted in its original color of Mariner Blue, which goes nicely with the chrome bumpers and bright trim. Thanks to a Belltech lowering kit, there’s a four-inch drop in the front and a six-inch drop at the rear, giving this rig a nice stance on its 20 x 9-inch front/22 x 10.5-inch rear US Mags wheels and low-profile tires.

Despite the low mileage on the rest of the truck, the 305ci V8 was rebuilt and equipped with an Edelbrock intake manifold, polished aluminum valve covers, ceramic-coated headers, and a custom exhaust system with MagnaFlow mufflers. As a C10 model, this Suburban sends its power to the rear wheels through a three-speed automatic.

Whoever refreshed this Suburban also made sure to include the interior. The story is that the blue and white patterned vinyl upholstery is original, but a lot of the things around it have been updated. Recently, the headliner was replaced and a Vintage Air climate control system was installed, adding comfort to the convenience of the power steering and power front disc brakes. The original radio was swapped out for a Custom Autosound AM/FM stereo, which is connected to Rockford Fosgate kick panel speakers—perfect for road trip playlists or audio books for long drives to and from jobsites.

Clearly, this 1978 Chevrolet Suburban Custom Deluxe has plenty of miles left in it. If you want to rack up more by hauling your family to your next vacation destination or building your business, you can take it off the market for $29,900.

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

We brought you news several weeks ago about BMW holding steady with offering a stick shift for several models in the immediate future. The good news keeps on coming as the company from Bavaria has gone on record stating that it will continue to use inline-sixes and V8s for its BMW M vehicles.

As reported by Autocar, “The six-cylinder in-line engine is our legacy, and the V8 has got a long history in racing, so we intend to keep going,” says M CEO Frank van Meel while at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. But heritage and racing can be a challenge in the face of regulators in Europe, which is why M’s esteemed engineers have designed engines that are prepared for Euro 7 standards. “The challenge was not so much to make an engine that is EU7 compliant [but to] keep performance,” adds van Meel. This suggests BMW’s engines should be good through 2031 in current regulatory form.

Truth be told, Euro 7 regulations does not apply more stringent emissions levels, but the tests are broader, to include a compliance range of 10 years or 124,000 miles—twice as long as it is now. In addition, brake and tire emissions (!) will be checked for the first time. From BMW’s perspective, the biggest hurdle is cooling: “The combustion process has to be improved in regard to heat build-up and also the cooling, and those are the challenges,” says van Meel. “Of course you can [reduce] performance to avoid this temperature increase, but you don’t want to—that’s where we started. The new balance of performance is that we drive lambda one, but we don’t want to lose performance.”

Car and Driver points out an interesting contrast with Mercedes-Benz, which embraced new regulations and challenged its engineers to offer solutions around them. A result of that was the for 2023 AMG C 63, which went from a twin-turbo V8 to a turbo inline-four with PHEV. While the updated powerplant offered loads more horsepower and improved dynamics in a package that reflected new tech, the experience simply wasn’t the same to some enthusiasts.

Today’s AutoHunter Spotlight is this 13-mile 2023 Dodge Challenger “Black Ghost”, one of 300 built. Inspired by a legendary Detroit street racer, this “Last Call” Challenger was based on the Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody Jailbreak, which means it’s powered by an 807-horsepower supercharged 6.2-liter V8 paired with an eight-speed automatic. Other features include a simulated Gator Grain vinyl top, launch control, 20-inch wheels on Pirelli P-ZEROs, and more. Painted Pitch Black with a white Bumblebee stripe over a black interior, this modern muscle car comes from the selling dealer with the original window sticker, an owner’s manual, a clean CARFAX report, and a clear title.

The Pitch Black paint is complemented by white Bumblebee striping. The original Black Ghost was built with a Gator Grain vinyl top, so this one features a simulated version of the same. Other features include a dual-scoop hood with slide pins, classic D-O-D-G-E lettering on the front fascia, a front air dam, a rear spoiler, a quick-fill fuel door, HID headlamps, and more. A set of 20-inch Warp Speed satin carbon wheels are wrapped in 305/35 Pirelli P-ZERO radial tires.

The cabin is furnished with Black Alcantara/Laguna leather upholstery. Other interior features include power-adjustable front buckets, carbon fiber trim, a center console with a leather-wrapped shifter, dual-zone climate control, power windows, power steering with a power tilt and telescoping column, a Harman Kardon stereo with a subwoofer, an 8.4-inch infotainment display, and more.

Instrumentation includes a 220-mph speedometer, 7,000-rpm tachometer, and gauges for the temperature and fuel. The odometer shows a scant 13 miles, which is in line with the mileage figure on the CARFAX report.

The heart of this Challenger is a supercharged 6.2-liter Hemi V8 with the famed SRT Power Chiller. Output is a resounding 807 horsepower, which is harnessed by an eight-speed automatic.

The undercarriage features the Widebody Competition suspension, Brembo four-wheel power disc brakes, an Anti-Spin rear differential, and dual exhaust outlets.

There were several “Last Call” Mopars built before Dodge put the Challenger (and the previous-generation Charger) to rest. Few were as inspired (or as connected to Detroit) as the Black Ghost version of the 2023 Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody Jailbreak. If you kicked yourself for missing out on one of the 300 built two years ago, then AutoHunter provides you with a second chance at a brand-new one! The auction ends on Monday, July 28, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. (PDT), so get all your ducks in a row and bid now before it ends up as an apparition on your screen.

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and a photo gallery

Several years ago, during a trip to a gas station, I learned that not all people know the small arrow on modern fuel gauges points to the side of the vehicle that the fuel door is on. It felt good to point it out and give the driver a tip that will always help him in the future. I recently received a similar awakening – from myself.

As humans, we’re creatures of habit. We follow the same routines because they’re familiar and functional. Once we get into a certain groove physically, it can be hard to get out of it mentally. You’ve gone down the same path to the same destination so many times that your perspective has narrowed. You hardly even need to look where you’re going, but that also means you’re not moving your head and seeing the potential different routes near you.

Driving away from your house is a great example of this. If you’ve had your vehicle for more than a few days, you probably have your own sequence before you hit the road. Here’s mine: Get in my Hyundai Sonata, put my foot on the brake, press the start button, place my wallet next to the 12-volt outlet and flip its cover to the left to hold my wallet in place, connect the USB-A charging cord to my iPhone to get Apple CarPlay started, put on my seat belt, press the Auto Hold button, then press the R button to shift into reverse.

I usually keep my car’s panoramic sunroof shade closed in the morning because I want as many layers between me and the Arizona sun as possible. But it was gray and cloudy a few mornings ago, a nice change of pace from the blazing heat we’ve had lately, so I decided I’d pull the shade back. Ever since I bought my car in October 2023, I couldn’t understand why every time I pulled back on the switch to open the shade, it not only opened that but the sunroof as well. I would then close the sunroof and get the ceiling full of tinted glass I wanted initially. That gloomy day, I learned what had been causing my frustration: operator error.

Instead of using separate controls for the shade and the sunroof panel, Hyundai combines the controls for both of them. I always pulled back on the switch too hard (two clicks), triggering both to open. A lighter touch (one click) is required to retract the shade only—something I’ve finally developed after nearly two years. It was a humbling lesson, but it taught me something I can enjoy for years to come.

What about you? Is there a feature in your vehicle it took you too long to discover? If so, share it with us in the Comments section below.

Known for its coastal scenery, luxurious homes and world-class golf courses, Pebble Beach, along the central California coast, is a postcard picture waiting to happen. Lexus loved the area so much it decided to market its high-end SC convertible in limited numbers under the Pebble Beach nameplate.

The Pick of the Day is a 2004 Lexus SC430 Pebble Beach Edition convertible listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in Medford, Oregon.

“We are the second owners,” the listing says, “the first being the owner of the Lexus dealership in Eugene, Oregon, who put the first 8,000 miles on the car prior to us purchasing it in the fall of 2004. All original documents are available, including the window sticker showing an MSRP of $65,394.”

The Lexus SC, known as the Toyota Soarer in some other markets around the world, hit the United States market in 1992. Throughout its lifespan, the car was sold as a luxury Grand Tourer. Following a successful first generation (dubbed the “Z30”), a new version was shown at the 1999 Tokyo Motor Show, which would be known as the Z40.

The defining characteristic of the second-gen SC was its power-retractable aluminum hardtop, something the earlier cars never received. The 2001-10 SC was marketed in the lineup as the “Jewel of Lexus,” and the Pebble Beach version made it even more exclusive. Finished in Light Blue Mica (Azure Pearl) with an Ecru interior, this car is one of only 400 units produced in Pebble Beach trim for the 2004 model year.

According to an excerpt of the window sticker, the Pebble Beach package included:

• Lip spoiler
• 18-inch Azure Pearl alloy wheels
• Bird’s Eye maple wood trim
• Azure Pearl exterior color
• Blue illuminated scuff plates
• Pebble Beach badging on front fenders, center console, and floor mats

Power comes from a 3UZ-FE 4.3-liter V8 mated to a five-speed automatic transmission. Lexus rated the car at 300 horsepower and 325 lb-ft of torque. The car shows just 75,384 miles and, according to the listing, maintenance has been kept up: “The timing belt and water pump were replaced at 75,343 miles, the battery is less than a year old, front brakes were serviced at 71,580 miles, and rear brakes have at least 5,000 miles left,” the seller says.

This car is begging for a drive down the California coast—make sure to check out “17-Mile Drive” in Pebble Beach just so you can experience the car’s namesake area.

The asking price is $26,000 or best offer.

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

For 1973-77, General Motors redesigned its A-body series and promoted them as Colonnades, marketing’s attempt to describe pillared construction with frameless doors and windows after two-plus decades of touting the pillarless hardtop. Below we have four Colonnades that are currently listed for sale on AutoHunter or ClassicCars.com. Can you tell us the year, make, and model of each?

Post your answers in the Comments section below. Hints are available by simply clicking on an image.

Click on a photo to reveal each car

Every Tuesday, you’ll find a new puzzle at The Classic Cars.com Journal. Play previous games for even more enjoyment!