AutoHunter Cinema brings you an up-close look at one of the cars most kids had a poster of on their wall back in the day: a 1994 Dodge Viper RT/10. Like its spiritual ancestor, the Shelby Cobra, it was a raw performance machine with muscular curves, but it also had something that made it unique.
Under that massive hood is a 400-horsepower 8.0-liter V10 that blasts its output to the wide rear tires through a 6-speed manual gearbox. This iconic piece of rolling ‘90s nostalgia sold at the Barrett-Jackson 2024 Scottsdale Fall Auction for $33,000.
While many cars from the Malaise era in the 1980s weren’t known for performance (emissions regulations, after all, caused almost all manufacturers to dial back engine sizes in the interest of fuel efficiency). But one thing that American manufacturers excelled at was cabin comfort – I will never forget the look and feel of the six-passenger velour interior of my Chevrolet Celebrity.
Other GM cars of the era, including Oldsmobiles, had the same idea.
Plant yourself on the plush driver seat, complete with tufted brown cloth upholstery. Then, look around, where soft finishes continue to the carpeted door panels and even a carpeted dash mat. The cabin is the kind of place you could enjoy a cross-country drive without getting the slightest bit fatigued.
The 98 (later stylized as Ninety-Eight, then Ninety Eight) was the full-size flagship model for Oldsmobile. Its origins date back to 1940, and the name was chosen because the car was on the “Series 90” platform and had an eight-cylinder engine. The car’s 10th generation ran from 1977 to 1984 and was offered a two-door coupe and as a four-door sedan.
Reportedly owned by the same family since 1988, this Ninety-Eight is a largely original, garage-kept time capsule of the Malaise era, when wire wheel covers, whitewall tires, wood-grain trim and a multitude of ash trays were the defining characteristics of high-end automotive status.
One Oldsmobile advertisement said, “Luxury carried to its most logical conclusion.” It went on to say: “A luxury car, happy to report, can still be a most logical purchase. That’s the Olds point of view behind the new Ninety-Eight Regency. Most logical of all is that you needn’t be extravagant to get the elegance you want. And with Regency, the niceties – from air conditioning and power accessories to its richly appointed interior – are all standard.”
Power comes from a 5.0-liter carbureted V8 mated to a four-speed automatic transmission. Oldsmobile rated the car at 140 horsepower and 240 lb-ft of torque when new. The car has accrued 140,000 miles (although its five-digit odometer has rolled over, so it only shows 40,000). The CARFAX report starts in 1992 in Florida and shows ownership in Michigan beginning in 2009.
If you’re ready to treat yourself to the 1980s version of executive travel, your opportunity is ready for the taking.
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In a momentary lapse of reason, I sold my ’71 Cutlass S custom (a rare “post coupe” model) in October 2019 after 16 years of ownership. The buyer was a guy in Tucson, Arizona, and I shipped the car to him. It was rather traumatic.
Later, knowing I’d be in Tucson on business, I reached out to the owner, hoping to visit my old ride while in town. Coincidentally, he had just put the vehicle up for sale, consigning it to Hi-Speed Rods & Customs, a high-end restoration shop in Tucson. I spent over an hour there reuniting with the Cutlass and checking out a bunch of other cool custom rides in the shop.
When I sold the Cutlass, it had a long list of performance upgrades, including a pro-built 455 with Edelbrock Performer RPM aluminum cylinder heads, Art Carr 200-4R Extreme Duty overdrive transmission, 12-bolt rear end with Eaton posi-traction and 3.55 ratio gears, front disc brake conversion, MagnaFlow Performance 3-inch dual with Tru-X pipe and more.
Although the Cutlass needed nothing to cruise/show when purchased, the current owner spent over $25,000 in parts/labor on a large list of upgrades, including a completely new powder-coated frame, four-corner coilovers with front tubular control arms, Sniper fuel injection, Vintage heat/air conditioning, a Be Cool aluminum radiator with twin Spal fans and more.
Sadly, through our communication while I was in town, I learned the current owner was under distress with his wife’s medical situation. He originally turned down my considerably lower-than-asking-price offer to buy the car back but then accepted it after further consideration.
I hired InterCity Lines to enclose ship the Cutlass approximately 2,700 miles from the shop in Tucson to my home in Southern New Hampshire, where it now joins my other three joy rides.
Although the original buyer/now seller and I share quite the special relationship, we still have not met in person!
Nineteen fifty-seven is a popular year for many American brands, but not for Mercury. That was the year Mercury unveiled its series with “Dream-Car Design,” but enthusiasts and collectors tend to look elsewhere for Atomic Age greatness. Our Pick of the Day is one of these dark horse classics: a 1957 Mercury Montclair. It is listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a dealer in Greely, Colorado. (Click on the link to view the listing)
Mercury might as well be known as “Sybil” because Ford Motor Company gave it several images that made it seem the brand had multiple personality disorder. Initially created to fill a gap between Ford and the Lincoln Zephyr, Mercury eventually grew into a junior Lincoln, then had its own exclusive bodies, then evolved into a premium Ford after the Edsel debacle, back and forth. After spending several years in the shadows of its competition (if not Ford) in the 1950s, Mercury was poised to make a splash for 1957 with its own unique interpretation of personal transportation.
“Styled to influence the shape of cars for years to come,” the “Big M” 1957 Mercury featured styling reflected by the 1956 XM-Turnpike Cruiser show car. Canted taillights leading to “projectile side theme” rear fenders were unusual, even for 1957. Available “Quadri-Beam” quad headlights was a forward-thinking feature. “Keyboard Control” push-button automatic transmission was a contemporary option that’s more commonly seen as a Mopar feature. A new power seat option featured a dial to save your seat setting.
Under the hood, Mercury appeared to step up to the plate and greet Chrysler in the horsepower wars: a “Safety Surge” 312 four-barrel with 259 horsepower was standard, with a 290-horse “Turnpike Cruiser” with four-barrel being optional for the Monterey and Montclair. On top of that, buyers could specify the M-335 power package that included dual-quads and 335 horsepower.
Speaking of Turnpike Cruiser, that also was the name of a new, special Mercury model that sat above Monterey and Montclair. Said to have been named to commemorate the creation of the Interstate Highway System, this new flagship featured every power item offered by Mercury, including the following:
The “Monitor Control Panel” dashboard was ‘driver-planned” with tachometer, and featured a “Average-Speed Computer Clock,” which worked both as a timepiece and a speed calculator. The steering wheel also featured a recessed hub for better vision and safety.
The “Skylight Dual-Curve Windshield” wrapped upwards, as well as around, and was flanked by twin antennas atop the A-pillars.
“Breezeway Ventilation” brought air in through “supplementary roof-level air intakes.” Air flowed out through a retractable, power-operated backlite on hardtops.
In the collector car world, the Turnpike Cruiser garners the most attention, leaving cars like this 1957 Mercury Montclair Phaeton Coupe (Mercury’s way of saying “two-door hardtop”) to fend for themselves. Painted in Classic White with a Fiesta Red top and gold-hued side sculpting, “this often-overlooked gem of ‘50s Americana boasts its original 368-cubic inch V8, one of the largest, most powerful engines on the market at the time, producing 290 horsepower and mated to a Keyboard Control automatic transmission,” says the seller. Note the optional quad headlights.
He also calls the car a “survivor”—is it? Or just a loose use of the word to suggest “unrestored?” This under-appreciated piece of 1950s glitz certainly deserves your attention and, if its space-age styling doesn’t do it for ya, maybe the $9,999 asking price will.
Featured on AutoHunter is this 1966 Chevrolet Nova restomod. Originally a six-cylinder car, this Chevy now features a modified 350 paired with a four-speed manual transmission. Features include four-wheel disc brakes, LED headlights, black chrome bumpers, 18-inch Ridler wheels, and more. Painted Black Cherry Pearl over a black vinyl interior, this restored Chevy II comes from the selling dealer with a clear title.
The Black Cherry Pearl hue is complemented by black chrome bumpers front and rear. Other features include aftermarket LED headlights, dual side mirrors, and blacked-out front and rear trim.
A set of 18-inch black Ridler wheels is wrapped in staggered-width radials—225/45 Milestars up front, 295/35 Continental Extreme Contacts out back.
The black vinyl cabin features modern, low-back bucket seats up front. Additional features include a wood-rimmed Forever Sharp steering wheel, floor-mounted shifter, and factory AM radio.
The instrument panel consists of a 120-mph speedometer and fuel gauge. Aftermarket gauges include oil pressure, coolant temperature, and voltage. The odometer shows 53,995 miles, though the true mileage is unknown.
Powering this Nova is a modified 350 small-block V8 that features Sportsman II heads, flat-top pistons, and solid roller cam and rockers. Shifting dues fall upon a Muncie four-speed manual.
The undercarriage features power four-wheel disc brakes and a 10-bolt rear with 3.31 gears and Positraction. A dual exhaust system routes spent emissions to the rear.
The auction for this 1966 Chevrolet Nova restomod will end Thursday, December 26, 2024 at 11:30 a.m. (MST).
Earlier this month, we shared news that Nissan seems to be in dire straits and may only have 12-14 months left to live. As we’ve seen before, one way of staying in business is merging with another company. That could possibly not only save Nissan, but also save both automakers money in development costs. Nissan’s lifeline may just come from inside its home country. According to a report from the business publication Nikkei, “Honda Motor and Nissan Motor will begin merger talks as early as Monday as the two automakers seek to create a group that can rival Japanese leader Toyota Motor in capital-intensive fields like electric vehicles.” Another target? Chinese EV manufacturers and Tesla.
If this comes to pass, it wouldn’t be all that shocking (no pun intended). Back in August, Nissan and Honda agreed to work together on platforms for future software-defined vehicles (SDVs), which Bosch defines as those in which software shapes the customer experience and sometimes even the hardware’s specifications. The same month, Nissan, Honda, and Mitsubishi signed a memorandum of understanding about working together on vehicle electrification and intelligence.
Mitsubishi has been involved with Nissan for years through its alliance with them and Renault. The French automaker currently has a 15 percent stake in Nissan. In early November, Mitsubishi bought back 10.02 percent of the total number of shares it issued to Nissan, reducing its stake in Mitsubishi from 34.07 percent to a 24.05 percent. For now, the official line from Mitsubishi is no decisions have been made regarding future collaboration between Nissan and Honda.
There’s a fourth company in the mix, according to InsideEVs. Taiwanese electronics company Foxconn, one of Apple’s suppliers, wanted to buy a chunk of Nissan directly. Reportedly, Honda threatened to walk away from everything if that happened and Foxconn is going to reach out to Renault to try to purchase some of Nissan.
Nothing is definite yet, but typically, where there’s smoke, there’s fire. It’s no mystery that it’s in automakers’ best interests to spread costs and one way of doing that is through working with another company. The question is, given Nissan’s current state, would a merger with Honda be good for both companies or only Nissan? We’ll just have to wait and Z.
The 2004 Chevrolet Corvette marked the end of an era. It was the final model year of the fifth-generation model. It was also the end of the road for pop-up headlights and the LS1 V8. But this 22K-mile 2004 Chevrolet Corvette convertible featured on AutoHunter, the online auction platform driven by ClassicCars.com, could be the beginning of unforgettable open-top adventures for you.
It’s what you’d call “turn-key” – in a few ways. Just look at it. Red is always a great color for a Vette, especially this rich Magnetic Red Metallic. What’s not here is also attractive. There’s no roof unless you want it there and that Light Oak soft top pairs so well with color of the body. And when the weather gets bad, it has a heated rear window you can look through to see everyone behind you clearly (a common experience for Corvette drivers).
Then there are the features. On sunny days, you can crank up the dual-zone automatic climate control system’s A/C and the Light Oak leather bucket seats won’t scorch you like black ones will. This C5 hasn’t been modified, so you get its original gear, including the AM/FM/CD audio system and the cool and helpful head-up display.
Of course, this Corvette has performance to go with its looks and bells and whistles. You’ll thunder toward the horizon with the 350 horsepower of the LS1 5.7-liter V8 under the curvy hood and the convenience of a four-speed automatic. And when you blast into curves, the Z51 suspension will be there to keep all four run-flats on the road.
If you place the winning bid for this C5 and actually turn its key to start it up, you’ll see another wonderful sight: There are only 22,144 miles on the odometer.
We at The Journal love featuring stories about vehicles being restored as sentimental artifacts of family history. Back in August, we talked about an Acura that I restored in memory of my friend’s mother, who had passed away. I came across a similar story, except this one had to do with a truck that was fixed up for its owner who, despite having some health struggles, was still around to drive and enjoy it.
“We are offering a unique opportunity to own a piece of our family’s history,” the listing says. “This truck has been in our family for over 50 years and holds a special value in our hearts. It was my father’s daily driver during his 25-year tenure at the General Motors assembly plant in Van Nuys, California, and the truck that my entire baseball team would pile into the bed of for a drive to practice.”
Chevrolet’s “Advance Design” light-duty and medium-duty pickups were produced from 1947 to 1955. They were incredibly popular in the marketplace, with sales numbers outpacing those of other manufacturers during that span. Chevrolet promoted its trucks for having “All-around value, all around the farm.” One of the features that set them apart was a cab that was “flexi-mounted” (cushioned on rubber) and had more foot room, more seating space and better visibility compared to prior models.
The listing itemizes some of the key attributes of this special truck. It rides on a lowered coilover suspension and is equipped with a Mustang II steering system, four-wheel power-assisted Wilwood disc brakes, a stainless-steel exhaust with Flowmaster mufflers, new chrome trim, and custom American Racing wheels. The complete restoration was performed by Kandy Shop Creations in Mesa, Arizona, and the truck has been driven just over 1,000 miles since that time.
Power is provided by a 383ci small-block V8 equipped with a Fi-Tech fuel-injection system, and a 700R4 four-speed automatic transmission sends torque to the rear wheels.
The listing concludes, “This truck is not just a vehicle; it is a testament to American craftsmanship. It has been meticulously restored with attention to detail and care, making it a perfect addition to any classic car collection.”
Let’s help find the truck a good home! The asking price is $64,000.
In today’s episode of Collectible Corner, we take a look at the customizable Toyota Tacoma available from the Hot Wheels Elite 64 Mod Shop series. And since this year is almost over, we also preview some of the upcoming castings for 2025.
When it comes to human beings, it is easy to fall in line and be part of the pack. The ones that stand out do so because they approach life in a different manner. That also holds true with the hot rods and customs that we build – a lot feels the same. Those who show a dose of creativity may be more likely to capture our attention like our Pick of the Day, an LS2-powered 1971 Chevrolet Malibu convertible. It is listed on ClassicCars.com by a seller in Jacksonville, Florida. (Click the link to view the listing)
1968 Caprice with optional hidden headlights
Starting with the 1962 Lotus Elan, hidden headlights would soon become a “thing,” with the Chevrolet Corvette following the next model year. This styling feature would last into the early years of the Millennium. Mainstream vehicle adoption of hidden headlights appears to have begun with the 1965 Buick Riviera, while the most mainstream of brands, Chevrolet, never joined the bandwagon the way other manufacturers did. We all know that the 1967-69 Camaro with the Rally Sport package featured hidden headlights; much less common was the 1968-69 Caprice and 1969 Kingswood Estate wagon with the option.
Notice that the Chevelle never acquired hidden headlights. That seems to have eschewed other trends as well during that era, such as spoilers. Even air induction – something that was available for the GTO starting in 1965 – never became a thing until 1970. The Cowl Induction system that was available through 1972 became one of the more efficient systems on the market.
For 1971, Chevrolet facelifted the Chevelle, reflecting the influence of the 1970-½ Camaro, including its dual headlights and round taillights. Under the hood was another big change because General Motors decided to introduce low-compression engines a year earlier than the federal mandate. The Super Sport also became a watered-down package, now available with 350 two-barrel and four-barrel engines in addition to the big-blocks. The LS3 400 (really, 402ci) was rated at 300 horsepower, while two 454s were available: the LS5 454, which increased by five horses to 365 horsepower (though that was advertised and not on paper), while the LS6 fell to 425, which still was quite substantial. However, for some reason, the LS6 was only installed in the Corvette.
Coming full circle, here we have a very nice LS2-powered 1971 Chevrolet Malibu convertible with what looks to be hidden headlights. Clearly this was not available from the factory, but the builder created a graceful look that gives 1969 Camaro RS vibes. “Nut-and-bolt rotisserie restoration completed in 2015 by Mike Staveski of RMR Dream Cars/Time Machines in Hudson, Florida,” says the seller. “This 1971 Chevrolet Chevelle was a standout at the 2015 SEMA Ignited after-party held on Friday, November 6 with a crowd of hundreds in attendance. The car was also the star of the Atech Motorsports stand at SEMA, wowing onlookers with its blend of classic Chevelle styling and 21st century craftsmanship.”
Power comes from an all-aluminum LS2 with a Rootes-type Magnuson supercharger backed by a 4L60E four-speed automatic. Out back, you’ll find a 12-bolt rear with 3.73 gears and Positraction. Other features include four-wheel disc brakes and QA1 adjustable coilovers.
In black lacquer with ghosted SS stripes and red accents, this Chevelle looks great with its full-width grille and the best that modernity has to offer . . . plus it has SEMA cred! Creativity and quality do not come cheap, however, which is why you will need $114,999 to own this special Chevelle.
