Journal Classic Cars

Featured on AutoHunter is this 1985 Chevrolet Corvette, which has accrued only 23,793 miles since rolling out of Chevrolet’s Bowling Green, Kentucky, factory. It’s powered by a 5.7-liter V8 connected to a four-speed automatic transmission. Finished in Black and equipped with a matching removable roof panel over a Gray leather interior, this second-year C4 comes from the selling dealer in Pennsylvania with the original window sticker and manuals, clean CARFAX report, and clear title.

The Black wedge-shaped exterior is equipped with fog lamps, pop-up headlights, tinted windows, body-color removable roof panel, lift-up glass rear hatch, and polished quad outlets for the dual exhaust system.

This Vette rides on a set of 16-inch “salad shooter” wheels equipped with knock-off-style center caps and 255/50 Cooper Cobra and Cooper Radial GTZ tires.

Inside the cockpit is a pair of Gray leather seats surrounded by features that include woodgrain trim, power locks and windows, cruise control, tilt and telescopic steering column with leather-wrapped steering wheel, power steering, air conditioning, and AM/FM/cassette radio.

The set of digital gauges includes an 85-mph speedometer, 6,000-rpm tachometer, fuel gauge, and readouts for the oil pressure, coolant temperature, distance to empty, fuel economy, and more. The analog odometer shows 23,793 original miles, which is a slight increase from the most recent CARFAX report (August 2020) showing 23,772 miles.

Under the massive fiberglass hood is an L98 5.7-liter V8 with Tuned-Port Injection. When new, the engine was rated at 230 horsepower and 330 lb-ft of torque. It routes its output to the limited-slip rear end through a four-speed automatic transmission. Four-wheel power disc brakes keep that power in check.

Underpinnings consist of front and rear stabilizer bars and fiberglass transverse leaf springs, a short/long arm front suspension, and a five-link rear suspension.

If you want to add this low-mileage C4 to your garage, bid on it right now. The auction for this 1985 Chevrolet Corvette ends on Friday, June 27, 2025, at 11:15 a.m. (PDT).

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and a photo gallery

Have you noticed that “square” is back? The boxy designs of vehicles from the 1970s and 1980s are once again making a comeback. Just look at the latest Hyundai Santa Fe crossover—even its wheel wells favor straight lines over rounded ones. General Motors had the right idea decades ago, with its square-body Chevrolet and GMC trucks that were produced from 1973 through 1991. This surviving specimen is about as good as they get.

The Pick of the Day is a 1979 Chevrolet C20 Cheyenne 2WD pickup listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in Bakersfield, California.

“All original sheet metal,” the seller says. From the description in the listing, the sheet metal might be just about the only thing left that’s original. The Shamrock Green paint is new, the black vinyl bench seat has been reupholstered, and the engine and transmission have both been replaced. It’s somewhat like buying a “new” truck that’s actually 46 years old.

Plentiful power comes from a 454ci big-block V8 mated to a 700R4 four-speed automatic transmission. The odometer shows 60,372 miles, but the listing says there are fewer than 5,000 miles on a replacement engine and transmission. Lots of other maintenance items have also been done, including work to the exhaust system, front suspension, and brakes.

The bed has been coated in Line-X and looks to be in great shape. The underside is also as clean as a whistle, which makes you wonder what kind of life this truck had before it underwent restoration. Surely it wasn’t subjected to heavy-hauling at a farm or construction site, although no doubt it would have been up to any such task.

An overseas magazine ad for the 1979 Chevrolet pickups said, “The Brute’s Loose.” The truck was marketed for being tougher than ever, saying, “The famous ladder-type frame, double wall body construction and massive independent coil spring front suspension are still there, to help carry body/payloads up to 1,562 kg.”

The asking price is $21,000 or best offer, which is quite a bit less than a new full-size Chevy truck will cost you these days. Buy a truck that sets you apart from everyone else at the hardware store! Good thing it’s painted Shamrock Green, because it’s your lucky day.

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

A national gathering of Ford Motor Company’s best high-performance cars will converge in East Moline, Illinois on July 17-19 as the Boss Nationals carries on the tradition of recognizing and promoting the history of Dearborn’s best.

If your blood doesn’t flow Ford blue, then perhaps a primer is in order: anything with the Boss name, from the 1969-70 Mustang Boss 302 and Cougar Eliminator, 1969-70 Mustang Boss 429 and Cougar, and 1971 Mustang Boss 351 are the vehicles of honor. And don’t forget the latter-day Mustang Boss 302 that was built for 2012-13! All were primo performance cars, with the vintage models being top collectibles for decades.

In addition, this year there will be special recognition for Cobra Jet Fords and Mercurys built with the Drag Pack. That means any 1969-70 428 Super Cobra Jet and 1970-71 429 Super Cobra Jet vehicles, both mid-size and pony cars!

For the show field, there will be multiple judged classes plus one for non-judged cars, all held at the Bend XPO in East Moline, Illinois. The calendar of events is as follows:

Thursday, July 17: Load-in and set-up at Bend XPO
Friday, July 18: Car show (including judging) and swap meet
Saturday, July 19: Car show, more judging, swap meet, and awards
Sunday, July 20: Must be out of the building by 9 a.m.

New for 2025 is the Super Stallion Class for Thoroughbred Judged cars—this is for the best of the best! To qualify, car must have received two MCA Thoroughbred Gold, SAAC Division II, MCACN Pinnacle, or Boss Nationals Gold awards, or a combination of such.

Registration , lodging, and more information can be found on the Boss Nationals website www.bossnationals.com. Plenty of food, pop (said some Midwesterner), beer, and Bosses to be had!

Of all the mid-size muscle cars of the 1960s and ’70s, the Dodge Charger is the absolute coolest of them all. It had a starring role in “The Dukes’s Of Hazzard,” and then it also starred in a number of “The Fast and the Furious” movies.

These Chargers are in my option the very definition of a badass muscle car: great engines, dramatic styling, and are big imposing cars. A fine example of a top-tier 1970 Dodge Charger R/T is our AutoHunter Spotlight for today.

This car is powered by its legendary, numbers-matching 440 Six Pack V8. The freshly rebuilt engine is mated to a four-speed manual transmission. Finished in Light Gold Metallic with a white vinyl roof and matching “Bumblebee” stripe over a Black and Charcoal vinyl interior, it is offered by the selling dealer with a framed original broadcast sheet and clear title.

It is said to have received a complete restoration in 2019, with the seller stating that this Charger is one of 187 known V-Code 4-speed Charger R/Ts produced with Dana 60 rear end and 3.54 Sure Grip, according to the 1970 Charger Registry. Other features include the correct 14-inch Magnum 500 wheels that are clad in F70 Firestone Wide Oval raised white letter tires.

The interior of this Charger looks excellent, with correct Black and Charcoal vinyl upholstery, wood dash trim, center console with Hurst pistol-grip manual shifter, and factory AM radio.

Under the hood is where the awesome is most evident. The factory 440 Six Pack V8 looks correct in every way. If you are worried about power, don’t be as this engine produces 390 horsepower at 4,700 rpm and 490 lb-ft of torque at 3,200 rpm.

When you take a look at the Chrysler broadcast sheet, which is the build sheet in Mopar-speak, you’ll find that this car is exactly as it was delivered from the factory when new. Having that broadcast sheet with the car is important in verifying that the vehicle is correct and raises this Charger to a level higher than Chargers that have been modified over the years. To me it is the perfect car to take to the Carlisle Chrysler Nationals or any local show; it is also eligible for many regional concours events due to it being such a nice, correct, and rare example.

If you are looking for a top-tier muscle car, this vehicle is one you should seriously consider placing a bid or three on, but do so quickly as the auction for this 1970 Dodge Charger R/T 440 Six Pack ends on Friday, June 27, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. (PDT).

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and a photo gallery

Whether it’s in real life, or in a movie or TV show, seeing a convoy of large, black SUVs usually means someone important (such as a politician or an executive) is on the move. Typically, those rigs are from General Motors, but soon you might see a group of 2025 Jeep Wagoneer COVs (Command Operations Vehicle) flying past you to bring a VIP to his or her next destination safely.

According to Stellantis, “The 2025 Jeep Wagoneer COV, developed at the request of and in cooperation with, federal, state and local government agencies” is a vehicle designed for VIP protection and law enforcement.

Fundamentally, the Wagoneer COV is largely a regular Wagoneer. It has leather seats for eight passengers, three-zone climate control, and a Quadra-Lift air suspension system. Its 10-inch heads-up display with night vision and 360-degree surround-view camera are a great fit for this important kind of work; they work in conjunction with approximately 130 other standard safety and security features to keep occupants safe. The Hurricane 3.0-liter twin-turbo I6 under the hood delivers 420 horsepower and can bring the Wagoneer COV to 60 mph in 6.3 seconds.

Of course, it takes special equipment to turn the three-row rig into VIP transportation. Whelen grille, side, and front and rear interior light bars make it clear to onlookers and other drivers that the COV is not your ordinary Wagoneer. Even those who can’t see the COV will know it’s nearby thanks to the Whelen siren system, which is connected to a speaker mounted behind the grille. Inside, a Power Distribution Center with dedicated circuits for equipment (camera, computer, radio, radar, siren, printer, modem, etc.), and cargo/weapon storage areas are there to make the driver and personnel’s jobs a bit less stressful.

Agencies that purchase the Jeep Wagoner Command Operations Vehicle will receive three years of Jeep Connect services, such as remote start, plus 10 years of access to the Safety and Security Package, which includes Recall Alert and Stolen Vehicle Assistance. If the Wagoneer COV gets swiped while you’re on assignment, be prepared for plenty of paperwork—including a pink slip.

During the muscle car era, it was not unusual for companies to offer exhaust extensions or fancy exhaust tips as an option. However, only one manufacturer offered a special exhaust tip option that came with a unique bumper. One of these cars, a 1971 Buick GS two-door hardtop, is our Pick of the Day. It is listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a dealership in Arlington Heights, Illinois.

Like Chevrolet, Buick changed its approach to its mid-size high-performance cars for 1971. In Buick’s case, the GS 350 and GS 455 were combined into a single Gran Sport series, available with 350, 455, and Stage 1 455. This was the year that compression was lowered for all of GM’s brands, so the standard 350 dropped from 315 to 260 horsepower, while the 455 dropped 35 to 315 horses. The top-dog Stage 1 went from 360 to 345 horses. The 350 came standard with a column-shifted three-speed, while either 455 required a four-speed or automatic to be specified. Unlike 1970, the 350 was not available with a floor shifter for the three-speed.

The GS (and Skylarks in general) were given a mild facelift, with the grille now featuring two nostrils underneath the front bar of the bumper; out back, the license plate moved up on the bumper to eliminate the trim that connected the taillights for 1970. For GSs, the grille’s pattern (which differed from the Skylark’s) was repeated in the grilles for the ram air system.

Interestingly, a front bench seat was standard. Compare this with other performance models within GM, such as the Pontiac GTO, and Oldsmobile 4-4-2, as they both came standard with bucket seats. Aside of bucket seats, buyers could opt for a vinyl notchback seat, which included an armrest.

New was the “Through Bumper Exhaust Extensions,” sales code E6 and UPC code N25. Unlike the Oldsmobile 4-4-2’s notched bumper with “trumpet” extensions, this option featured a rectangular hole punched through the bumper. Only 2,033 folks ordered a GS with this bumper.

This 1971 Buick GS is of 5,986 two-door hardtops powered by the 350 four-barrel. It’s also one of 552 painted Fire Red. This GS features Pearl White bucket seats with an added console. “All original with factory repaint,” says the seller. “The body is straight and free of dents or scratches.” The interior is in “outstanding shape,” presented as a clean and well-maintained cabin. Several options include console, tachometer (appears to be added), air conditioning, push-button Sonomatic AM radio, white vinyl top, driver-side mirror, and Buick’s famous chrome mags.

“Mechanically, everything is dialed in—all gauges, lights, and turn signals function properly,” adds the seller. Sounds like a “hop in and drive” car! And when you separate yourself from $42,995 to drive off in this Buick, be sure to shake that thang because the tail is what makes this one stand out.

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

As a youngster, I used to fixate on the passenger-side mirror of our car while looking out the window on family road trips. I remember reading the “Objects in Mirror” quote and not knowing exactly what it meant. Now, as a middle-aged adult with plenty of driving miles under my belt, I fully understand that it was an important reminder about the optical illusion that a convex mirror can create. The wider field of vision and minimized blind spots come at the price of a slightly distorted distance perspective.

I was recently going through some marketing materials and came across a pamphlet promoting the 2002 Acura NSX-T. The first page has that familiar mirror, with the saying “Objects in Mirror Are Closer Than They Appear,” and the second page says, “What Objects?” It’s a clever way of saying the car has left its followers far in the dust, but it also provokes a lot of questions.

Rules and Regs

Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard FMVSS 111 pertains to rear visibility. Item S5.4.2 says, “Each convex mirror shall have permanently and indelibly marked at the lower edge of the mirror’s reflective surface, in letters not less than 4.8mm nor more than 6.4mm high the words “Objects in Mirror Are Closer Than They Appear.”

This code of regulations was made effective September 1, 1971 and applied to vehicles made after that date, so it would have likely affected all 1972-and-newer cars. My oldest car is a 1986 and my newest car is a 2019. I just checked them both. They are compliant. The only car I’ve seen that doesn’t have it is my Japanese-spec 1996 Integra, but it was subject to an entirely different set of standards unique to its target market.

“Are” or “May Be”?

A controversy stems from a so-called Mandela Effect regarding the verbiage on the mirrors. Many people believe the mirrors used to say, “Objects in Mirror May Be Closer Than They Appear.” I, too, have some recollection of this. But is that just because it’s been misquoted in pop culture my entire life? Or did some mirrors really used to have it written that way?

Maybe it won’t matter anyway – at the rate the industry is moving, we’ll soon have camera monitors in place of every mirror. Knowing that we have some seasoned automotive enthusiasts in our readership audience, I wanted to poll you all. Do you ever remember mirrors saying, “Objects in Mirror May Be Closer Than They Appear?” Tell us!

I read car ads every day. Part of my job description involves writing a Pick of the Day for vehicles listed on ClassicCars.com, or an AutoHunter Spotlight for vehicles on our AutoHunter auction site. One thing I can say without hesitation is that people don’t put on their thinking cap when writing an ad to sell a vehicle. I “get it” that it can be difficult to remember everything that is pertinent to a potential buyer, so let’s cover several issues I often encounter—heed these recommendations so you can write a better ad for your car(s).

Data Plate

This trim tag may show a little or a lot. For GM cars, you can learn about a car’s original trim combination (color and interior), scheduled build date, assembly plant, production sequence, and possibly several accessories depending on the model year. FoMoCo products offer more information like engine, transmission, rear gears, and original sales district. For Mopars, they are known as fender tags (as they are usually on the driver’s side inner fender) and show most options installed at the factory, though it’s not always complete and information may vary by assembly plant. Data plates for GM vehicles are generally found on the firewall, while Ford and AMC products have it on the door jamb.

Invoices and Other Paperwork

You know that super write-up you’ve just drafted? You’re probably patting yourself on the back for something so well-written. So, how come you mention you have the original invoice but don’t post it in the photo gallery? Ditto the Marti Report—why tell potential buyers that you have it but you don’t post it? Like data plates, any items involving pedigree should be photographed and uploaded. What about window stickers? Only if they’re original, as reproductions won’t cut it. Don’t waste our time saying you have it but don’t list it—back up your claims with photos!

Updated Equipment

I recently looked at a car that had a bucket seat interior with console, but the ad did not show the data plate, so all I could do was assume this setup was original to the car. How did I determine something was fishy? A dial in the instrument panel featured a PRND21 quadrant, which meant the car originally came with a column-shift automatic (were the seats changed too?). Additionally, this vehicle had a tachometer but no other gauges, so I glanced at an order form I found online and noticed that the only way to order a tachometer was with the gauge package. Since there were idiot lights in place of gauges, I knew the tach was an incomplete installation. Sure, I was resourceful, but not everyone knows how to be. Mentioning what has been updated is a fine way to be a good citizen while selling.

Don’t Ignore the Details

Alright, so your car has a radio—big whoop. But it’s important to say whether it’s the original one, whether it has FM reception, and so forth. Be sure to give us the brand if it’s not original, which is especially pertinent for things like aftermarket wheels or headers. What about the engine? If you make the claim that it’s numbers-matching, it would be reasonable for the rest of us to expect to see images of the the engine code and production sequence.

Resolution and Perspective

We all can’t be Ansel Adams, but we all can channel our inner photographer and try to do our best. Confounding a lack of photography chops is the world of computers, which can get quite confusing with the settings on your phone’s camera. You may not have an idea that the photos you take with your phone are set on a poor resolution setting, so go on YouTube or elsewhere to learn how to adjust your phone’s camera—horizontal pixels should be at least 1200 and ideally more. (A good rule of thumb is to go overboard—we can always trim pictures and/or resolution if needed.) Additionally, a horizontal landscape works much, much better than vertical, so don’t hold your phone upright when taking pic (note the image below). Be sure to take pics earlier or later in the day so that it’s not too sunny, and be aware of shadows!

For my fellow numbers geeks: There are 1,079 Nissan Motor Corporation dealerships in the United States. Collectively, those stores sold nearly a million vehicles in 2024—the figure was 924,008, to be exact. That volume can be broken down into the brand’s Nissan Division (at about 865,000 units) and Infiniti Division (at about 58,000 units).

Did you know that back in the day, Nissan corporate would award special gifts to the owners of its top-performing dealership locations? That’s how this unique 350Z started life—as a reward for selling a bunch of cars!

Featured on AutoHunter is this 2003 Nissan 350Z Stillen-Supercharged. The car is being sold by a dealer in Los Angeles, and the auction will end Monday, June 23, 2025, at 12:15 p.m. (PDT).

Showing just 5,300 miles on the odometer, this first-year Super Black Z has a special story to tell. First of all, it rides on chassis number 000002 for the model year. According to some online resources, the car was originally given by Nissan to a gentleman named Morrie Sage who ran the best-selling Nissan dealership in the country. The car was equipped with some special upgrades, including a prototype supercharger from Stillen, a cold-air intake, a cat-back exhaust system, and 18-inch NISMO wheels, so it looked and performed differently from its peers when new.

The 350Z, sold as the Fairlady Z in other markets, was manufactured from model years 2003 through 2009 as a two-seat hatchback (and, a year later, as a roadster) on the Nissan “FM” platform. Much of the chassis architecture was shared with the Infiniti G35 coupe/sedan. The 350Z had big shoes (or tires, rather) to fill. After all, the original Datsun/Nissan Z-car had been around since 1969 and had made a name for itself as a series of tight-handling, high-performance sports cars. One of the key differentiating factors of the Z had always been its relative affordability (“performance vs. price”).

In that vein, there were a lot of playful magazine ads that helped convey the 350Z’s fun-to-drive demeanor. One of them showed the car mid-air and said, “Cleared for Takeoff,” and another showed the blurry side profile of an in-motion Z and said, “The Runner-Up will Be Along Shortly.”

The window sticker for this car shows its original $37,112 retail price—which, of course, wasn’t charged to its recipient. Included in the listed options were the Aerodynamics Package, floor mats, splash guards, aluminum kick plates, side air bags and head curtains, a trunk mat and a DVD navigation system.

The provenance of executive ownership is strong with this Z, and the unique cosmetic/performance enhancements add to the appeal. By the way, Mr. Sage—the car’s original owner—lived until 2011 at the age of 80. We are sure he’d love it if his car could go to an enthusiastic new owner.

The auction for this 2003 Nissan 350Z Stillen-Supercharged ends Monday, June 23, 2025, at 12:15 p.m. (PDT).

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and a photo gallery

When it’s new, a large, powerful SUV is great because it can haul plenty of people or tow heavy loads. But those strengths in the primary market can turn into downsides in the secondary market because that versatility usually equates to high mileage. Consider our Pick of the Day, a 1999 Chevrolet Suburban K2500 LT 4X4, an anomaly as it has plenty of room and big-block power but only 5,445 miles. It is posted on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in Washington.

How did this rig escape the mileage and mechanical wear and tear of being a road warrior? By specializing. As the seller states, “It was bought to tow a small boat and wave runners but now it has only been used to take on a trip once a year.” This 3/4-ton Suburban has also been kept in a climate-controlled garage, which means the Light Pewter Metallic paint is in great shape. The same goes for the undercarriage.

Back in 1999, there was no LTZ or High Country trim level, so this LT was the most well-equipped version of the Suburban you could buy. It comes loaded with dark window tint, power everything, Tilt-Wheel steering column, cruise control, Neutral leather seats with power controls and heat for the first row, center and overhead consoles, front and rear air conditioning, and AM/FM/CD/cassette radio. When all three rows of seats aren’t needed, the second can be folded and the third can be removed to free up 149.5 cubic feet of space for carrying home a new piece of furniture, or a set of fresh wheels and tires for a project car.

Factory-rated at 290 horsepower at 4,000 rpm and 410 lb-ft of torque at 3,200 rpm, the massive Vortec 7400 7.4-liter big-block V8 is ready for towing utility trailers or toys. It’s paired with a heavy-duty 4L80-E four-speed automatic, which was upgraded for 1999 with “durability enhancements, including a revised gearset, new premium seals and improved front band material,” according to a period document from Chevrolet Communications. An Autotrac transfer case for the four-wheel drive system and a locking rear differential help the L29 work or play on challenging terrain; a 42-gallon tank keeps it fueled up until it’s done.

Whether you take this 1999 Chevrolet Suburban K2500 LT 4X4 to a job site or on a family camping trip is up to you. Either way, to make this low-mileage, big-block modern classic yours, it’ll cost you $65,000.

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