Over the last 20 years, when Ford has pushed the boundaries of its performance and the associated pricing, there has been at least one person who has shown the company it’s on the right track: Jay Leno. He’s put money down on the first-gen, 550-horsepower GT of the mid-2000s, the EcoBoost-powered second-gen model and, most recently, the $300,000-plus Mustang GTD. Jay discusses the latter with Ford CEO Jim Farley in the below video.
Leno is not alone in his support of the super-Mustang because his car is #12 in the production run (just like both of his GTs). In its standard form, the Mustang GTD is a purpose-built machine. The body is made out of carbon fiber and pushed closer to the road with a massive rear wing that’s mounted to the C-pillars. The supercharged “Predator” 5.2-liter V8 pumps out 815 horsepower and 664 lb-ft of torque, which an eight-speed dual-clutch transaxle shuttles to the street or track. Brembo carbon ceramic brakes help reign in all that raw power.
Leno went beyond that already impressive configuration by spec’ing his GTD with the optional Performance Package’s front splitter and dive planes, lightweight magnesium 20-inch wheels, and drag reduction system for the rear wing.
The Mustang GTD is a direct attack on European exotics, which was successful on perhaps the world’s most difficult battlefield. At Germany’s Nürburgring Nordschleife, a demanding 12.9-mile course full of elevation changes, different weather zones, and dozens of turns and corners, the Mustang GTD beat its previous time of 6:57.685 with a 6:52.072 lap, securing the #4 spot on the list of fastest sports cars.
So was Leno’s Mustang GTD worth going through the application process and waiting a year and a half for delivery? Is it too harsh and focused to be an enjoyable road car? Watch and find out.
Mercedes-Benz has been building some of the finest cars in the world for more than 100 years. The company literally invented the automobile and, over the years, has created some truly landmark models including the prewar 500 and 540K, the 300SL and, more recently, the AMG Black Series. Beyond its sports offerings, it also builds the S-Class sedans—arguably the measuring stick for quality. Within the S-Class, there are a few true standouts; the first of these was the 300 SEL 6.3 sedan.
The 6.3, as Mercedes fans call it, was the first true high-power sports sedan. If you think that’s a crazy statement, then consider the 1970 Mercedes-Benz S-Class sedan can cover 0-60 in 6.9 seconds and the quarter-mile in 15 seconds, with a top speed of 136 mph. By comparison, the 1970 911S, Porsche’s highest-spec pure sports car at the time, took 7.3 seconds to get to 60 and had a quarter-mile time only one-tenth of a second faster than the 300 SEL. If that’s not enough for you, Road & Track called the car “the greatest sedan in the world,” Motor Trend stated it was “the safest, fastest, and most comfortable 4-door sedan made today,” and racing legend Dan Gurney said the 300 SEL 6.3 “was the best car he had ever driven. Bar none.”
This Mercedes is described as being powered by its reportedly original 6.3-liter SOHC M100 V8, mated to a four-speed automatic transmission. The car is painted in Beige Gray and brown two-tone over a Dark Tobacco Brown leather interior, and is now offered by the selling dealer with a clear title. It is one of a total of 6,526 300 SEL 6.3s produced by Mercedes-Benz from 1968-72.
The exterior of this car looks to be in exceptional condition, with few (if any) paint flaws to be seen in the provided photos. The seller does state there are minor imperfections, but the key word is minor. The car is equipped with factory 14-inch “bundt pan” wheels, which are period-correct in both size and style for this car. This really appears to be an extremely well-cared-for Mercedes.
The interior, with its aforementioned Dark Tobacco Brown leather, also looks to be in excellent original condition. The seats and door panels seem to be in fine shape with no noticeable flaws. The car is fully loaded with power windows, air conditioning, and a sunroof, and it still has the factory Becker radio.
The dash instrumentation includes a 150-mph speedometer and tachometer, gauges for oil pressure, temperature and fuel level, and a clock. I see no dash cracks and, like the rest of the car, everything looks to be in excellent condition.
Under the hood is more of the same, with the Mercedes 6.3-liter SOHC M100 V8 appearing to be both clean and completely unmodified. The entire engine compartment looks to be correct in every way and is in fantastic condition.
The underside of this Mercedes looks just as good. There appears to be no surface rust, it is very dry of oil, and is amazingly clean.
These Mercedes 6.3s are truly amazing cars, and collectors have caught on to this. I have driven a number of them over the years, and they never fail to impress. Quite a few of my friends own 6.3s; they tend to be the cars they would never consider selling. If you are in the market for one, this looks to be an example that, due to its quality, will demonstrate just what an excellent 4-door sports car the 300 SEL 6.3 is. That being said, you had better act fast and make a bid, as the auction for this 1970 Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL 6.3 ends Tuesday, August 12, at 12:15 p.m. (PDT).
With so many Chevrolets on the streets, it’s often difficult to find one that’s unusual. That’s typically the fault of conformist owners because, statistically speaking, so many Chevys produced should mean that interesting ones pop up on the radar more often. For those of you bored by Hugger Orange Camaros, allow us to introduce to you our Pick of the Day, a 1969 Chevrolet Malibu Sport Coupe. It is listed on ClassicCars.com by a dealership in Canton, Ohio.
Chevrolets are like the Homecoming King who’s also the QB of the football team and the student council president: they tend to be attractive and have broad appeal, the respect of the people around them, and the hatred of also-rans. It’s difficult having allegiance to Brand X when you have Chevrolet folks who only know Chevys and will put small-blocks in anything, almost like a parasitic insect. Utter disrespect! Yet, once in a while, along comes a Chevrolet that sticks out. This is that car.
The 1969 Chevelle was facelifted for 1969, the second year for this generation. New was the elimination of vent windows for two-door hardtops and convertibles, as was the discontinuation of the Chevelle 300, leaving the 300 Deluxe at the bottom of the hierarchy. Interestingly, the SS 396 lost its model status and became a performance package, with Chevrolet making it available on the 300 Deluxe Coupe (with B-pillar) and Sport Coupe (without), the Malibu Sport Coupe, and the Malibu Convertible.
Also new was the mid-year addition of the 427 through Chevrolet’s Central Office Production Order (COPO) system, a channel for fleet orders that allowed Chevrolet to break the rules and produce an engine larger than the 396 in the Chevelle. Like the COPO Camaro, the COPO Malibu was not a Super Sport but featured some SS regalia (such as the hood). Another similarity was that Yenko Chevrolet in western Pennsylvania converted some into Yenko Super Cars.
The Malibu continued to sit at the top of the Chevelle lineup. All Malibu body styles except the Coupe were trimmed with Cortez Silver on the lower body and decklid panel—a nice touch.
These days, you don’t often see cars flaunting this trim because countless Chevelles have been modified by everybody and his mom, but this 1969 Chevrolet Malibu Sport Coupe shows us how it should appear. Additionally, this is a two-tone car—note the Glacier Blue body with Dover White top. Only 4,590 Chevelles of all trim levels and body styles were painted in this combination, so breaking it down would suggest there were few built like this. “Sporting an older cosmetic restoration, this car still looks fresh. The Glacier blue paint is near perfect and the car is laser straight,” says the seller. “The blue interior has been freshened up with seat covers and door panels. The rest of the interior appears to be original with only a ‘70s sport steering wheel and a newer Custom Auto Sound stereo system.” An SS hood and 15 x 8-inch Rally wheels have been added.
Aside from COPOs and SS 396 cars, the biggest engine available in the Malibu was the 350 small-block, which this has, though it’s been warmed up “with a little over-stock camshaft, aluminum intake, and four-barrel carb” plus headers and dual exhaust outlets that end in SS-style tips. If you wear a Bow Tie yet march to a different Chevy beat, we can think of three colorful reasons why this $39,995 Malibu is the right one for you.
This street rod was built around a steel ’36 Chevrolet pickup cab. Between 2020 and 2022 the seller completed the build; the cab was stretched 12″, widened 6″, chopped 7″, and painted pearl orange using House of Kolors products. The bed and doors were also hand-fabricated and mounted on an Art Morrison mandrel-bent tubular steel frame, and the suspension features remote-reservoir, triple-bypass shocks, coilovers, and a custom-cantilevered, four-link rear setup. The truck rides on 18×9″ and 20×15″ wheels and also has Wilwood disc brakes. Power comes from a supercharged 540ci V8 featuring a Dart block, Brodix heads, fabricated headers, and Holley fuel injection. Custom details continue in the cabin with two-tone leather upholstery, power windows, an Ididit column, Lokar pedals, and Auto Meter gauges. This custom street rod is now offered with records and a clean Colorado title in the seller’s name listing the truck as a 1936 Chevrolet.
The seller tells us the project started with a steel 1936 Chevrolet pickup cab. It was stretched 12″, widened 6″, chopped 7″, and painted pearl orange using House of Kolors products and five coats of clear.
It is mounted on a mandrel-bent tubular steel frame from Art Morrison.
The bed was also hand-fabricated and lined with wood over the aluminum floor. The custom rear suspension has a four-link setup and pushrods actuating the cantilevers for the horizontally mounted, remote-reservoir shocks and coilovers. The supporting suspension member and the pivot arms were machined from 6061 aluminum, and the bracketry is also billet.
The one-off curved doors were hand-fabricated, and curved DOT glass for the power windows was made from Volkswagen windshields, per the seller. The firewall is also custom-made, and the grille is a ’32 unit from Speedway. LED lights were sourced from AVS, and the truck has keyless entry.
Upper mounts were fabricated for the front end, which also has remote-reservoir FOX shocks and coilovers. The radius arms were fabricated, and it has a Speedway drop axle up front as well. 18×9″ and 20×15″ alloy wheels and Wilwood disc brakes were also used along with a Flaming River Vega steering box.
Two-tone leather upholstery covers the cabin, and an Outlaw X shifter and the Holley EFI control screen are mounted on the custom console.
A Trinity wheel is mounted on the Ididit tilt column, and Auto Meter gauges and Lokar pedals were used. The 300 indicated miles represent the distance driven on the build.
The 540ci V8 is based on a Dart Big M block topped by Brodix heads with a COMP Cams roller camshaft and a TBS big-block accessory drive kit. It is topped by an 8-71 TBS supercharger with a billet case and a TBS EFI plate for the Holley fuel-injection system. Build records from CNC Motorsports are provided in the gallery. In 2024 the top end was disassembled and the supercharger was serviced, and the head gaskets were replaced in 2025.
The headers and exhaust system were fabricated by 485 Designs from TIG-welded and brushed T304 stainless-steel. They have 2.25″ primaries and 4″ collectors.
The TH400 was modified by FTI Converters with a full manual reverse-pattern valve body, waffle race clutches, and a billet torque converter. The fabricated Ford 9″ rear end has an Eaton Truetrac differential, and Aeromotive components were used for the fuel system.
Photos of the build process are shown in the gallery below.
Following completion of the build, the truck was shown at multiple events and awarded numerous best of show trophies.
The truck is titled as a 1936 Chevrolet using VIN 8FBK32514.
This 1937 Ford is a steel-bodied Club Coupe that was built into a hot rod by the seller’s father, and it has been in the seller’s family since 1973. The current build was completed between 2013 and 2020 and is highlighted by two-tone paintwork, a 305ci V8 linked to a Turbo 350 automatic transmission and a Ford 8″ rear axle, Vintage Air climate control, and power-assisted front disc brakes and steering. The car rides on 14″ Fenton alloys with a modified suspension featuring a drop front axle and front and rear sway bars. Inside is mohair upholstery, a tilt column, a banjo-style wheel, and Auto Meter gauges. This 1937 Ford coupe is now offered by the seller on behalf of his mother with service records, a car cover, and Georgia registration.
The seller tells us the bodywork is all steel, and it was painted in its two-tone scheme in 2017.
Fenton 14″ alloy wheels wear staggered tires. Power steering was added along with a front disc brake conversion using Speedway 11″ rotors and F-100 components, and the rear drums are from a 1974 Maverick. The suspension has been lowered with a front drop axle, front and rear sway bars, and modified mounting points.
Tan upholstery covers the bench seat, and darker carpeting lines the floor. The air conditioning system is from Vintage Air.
The banjo-style steering wheel is mounted on a tilt column, and Auto Meter gauges were used. The 4,400 miles indicated on the cluster were added by the seller’s family.
The 305ci V8 was rebuilt around 2013. At that time the heads were refurbished and .030″-over pistons were fitted along with PerTronix ignition. It is topped by a Quadrajet carburetor. The seller notes the car has sat for an extended period and has some fluid leaks. The battery was replaced in preparation for the sale.
The Turbo 350 automatic transmission is linked to an 8″ Ford rear end. The car has a dual exhaust system.
A binder of build records and hand-written notes is included, with a selection displayed in the gallery.
The car in primer during the work is displayed above.
The car is registered as a 1937 Ford coupe using VIN 54349240, which the seller is unable to locate on the car. The registration acts as the ownership document in Georgia.
Even legendary muscle cars sometimes left the factory floor with performance that didn’t match their full potential. Factors like conservative engineering choices, emissions regulations, and plain manufacturing oversights often held these beasts back. Thankfully, enthusiasts and skilled tuners stepped in, upgrading engines, tuning suspensions, and unlocking hidden power. Their innovations not only corrected factory mistakes but also cemented these cars’ reputations as true speed machines. Discover how these iconic vehicles became faster legends thanks to the passion of their owners and the ingenuity of the aftermarket world. Explore more on muscle car history at MotorTrend.
Even though it’s hot right now, technically it’s “convertible weather.” Once fall hits, driving a convertible will be even more pleasant. There will be more of them out on the road, but you won’t see many four-door drop-tops. The likelihood of seeing one like our Pick of the Day, a 1953 Mercedes-Benz 300 Cabriolet D “Adenauer”, is even lower. You can find it listed on ClassicCars.com by a dealer in St. Louis.
At the first Frankfurt International Motor Show in April 1951, Mercedes introduced the 300 model, which the automaker today calls “the biggest and fastest serial car of German production of its time” and “the true successor of the ‘Grand Mercedes’ of the pre-war era.” It made a strong and lasting impression on the first chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, Konrad Adenauer, who would only be chauffeured in a Mercedes-Benz 300, even when he was in another country. More than 70 years later, the 300 is colloquially known as the “Adenauer.”
Mercedes only built 455 Cabriolet Ds between March 1952 and April 1954; subsequent versions were identified as the 300 b, 300 c, and 300 d Cabriolet D. This particular first-series Cabriolet D received “a complete nut-and-bolt restoration some years back.” As part of the overhaul, the stately body was finished in Pearl Green, which is all the more noticeable thanks to a generous amount of bright trim. The wheels are fitted with body-color covers and wide-whitewall bias-ply tires. A Dark Green Haartz cloth top with external hinges covers both rows of passengers.
Just like the exterior, the cabin features colors that complement each other well—the seats have been reupholstered in tan leather with dark green piping. Glossy burl wood trim covers the top of the dashboard and extends up the A-pillars and across the top of the door panels.
Despite the substantial updates surrounding it, the original Becker-Nürburg radio has been retained; the same goes for the Karl Baisch luggage between the two spare tires in the trunk. Other artifacts include the original owner’s and service manuals.
This W186’s restoration extended underneath the hood to the dual-carbureted SOHC 3.0-liter straight-six. Factory-rated at 115 horsepower and 144 lb-ft of torque, it transfers its output through a column-mounted four-speed manual gearbox to the rear wheels.
If you want to enjoy the pleasures of top-down driving along with other convertible drivers but not blend in with them, check out this 1953 Mercedes-Benz 300 Cabriolet D. The selling dealer’s listing instructs you to contact them for the price, though the website shows a price of $295,000.
Last week, we delved into several Consumer Guide books that surveyed the used car market. American Motors was the object of its affection (or lack thereof), so now it’s time to leave Kenosha and head towards Highland Park, home of the Chrysler Corporation.
The 1970s were a tumultuous time for the Chrysler Corporation. Even in 1970, with several fresh models and interest from the youth market, things were not fine behind the scenes. Chrysler’s surplus of sales bank cars was costing the company A LOT of money, plus there were rising material and labor costs, and high interest rates along with high debt, all leading to compromised profit margins.
Let’s look at it from a kid’s perspective. While at Arden Montessori, I could not help but notice Chrysler Corporation vehicles were the ones with reliability issues. One kid named Paul (who always dressed up as a cowboy) had parents who picked him up in a 1966-67 Charger or a Valiant. Both constantly had stalling issues, if not failing to start (and, yes, I scored an education on Chrysler’s famous starter with no tuition). It could be suggested that Paul’s dad was a motorhead and owned cars that were not street-friendly, but how else does six-year-old me develop a perception that Chrysler products are unreliable?
1978 Chrysler Newport
Cue the Consumer Guide book, which noticeably complained about most of Chrysler’s products . . . except one. That one we will revisit when we discuss Plymouth and Dodge, but for now, we will discuss Chrysler and Imperial. Please note the CG rating scale of 5 being Excellent and 1 being Poor.
Chrysler and Imperial “Chrysler management decisions during the past decade [the 1970s] have been a comedy of errors … This series of mistakes came from a company that is far ahead of most of its competition in engineering excellence.”
Cordoba: “While the repair record is no longer good enough to rate … as a best used-car buy, it isn’t a bad car either, if you can do your own engine work.” CG rating: 4
Imperial: “Higher-than-average owner complaint history for body rattles and rust tendencies.” CG rating: 1-2
Chrysler LeBaron: “The engineers have done an excellent job of insulating LeBaron from unwanted road noise and surface irregularities without making it too soft for stability and control in emergency maneuvers.” CG rating: 4
Newport/300/New Yorker: “Chrysler’s large cars seem to have a detonator timed to go off around 50,000 miles … Before that magic point, the cars maintain average or even better-than-average records.” CG rating: 1-2
Newport/New Yorker (1980): “All these Chrysler R-body models rate a notch below GM and Ford competitors.” CG rating: n/a
Today’s AutoHunter Spotlight shines on the first year of the Chevrolet SS 396: 1966, two years after the debut of the Pontiac GTO. Someone in readerland is going to say that 201 were built in 1965, but those were Malibu SSs with the Z16 package, so forgive us for making the distinction. Of course, this 1966 Chevelle SS 396 Sport Coupe is powered by a “porcupine-head” 396, the first of the “Mark IV” big-blocks. The 396 was available in three states of tune, with this restored example having 325 horsepower that is backed by an M20 four-speed. Other features include five-spoke SS mags, the gauge package, a center console, a factory AM/FM radio, and more. Painted Ermine White with a black vinyl top over a black interior, this Bow Tie comes from the selling dealer with a clear title.
The Ermine White is complemented by a black vinyl top. Other exterior features include a louvered hood, dual chrome side mirrors, rocker and wheel arch trim, a blacked-out grille, and SS 396-specific badges on all four sides of the car. A set of 14-inch SS wheels are wrapped in 225/70 Goodyear Eagle ST raised-white-letter radials.
The black interior features vinyl bucket seats up front. Other interior features include a two-spoke wood-rimmed steering wheel, center console with the shifter and a clock, an AM/FM radio, and more.
Instrumentation includes a 120-mph speedometer and gauges for the oil pressure, coolant temperature, battery, and fuel level. Additionally, an aftermarket 6,000-rpm tachometer is mounted on the dashboard to the right of the steering column. The odometer shows 62,756 miles, though the title reads mileage-exempt.
The L35 396 was rated at 325 horsepower when new. It is topped by a four-barrel carburetor and flanked by chrome valve covers. This engine sends its output through an M20 wide-ratio four-speed manual transmission.
Out back, you’ll find a dual exhaust system running around the rear axle that houses 3.31 gears. Braking is handled by four drums.
It’s undeniable that 1966 Chevelles are good-looking. It’s also undeniable that the 396 is one of the top engines of the muscle car era. Combine the two and you have this very cool, restored 1966 Chevelle SS 396 Sport Coupe for sale on AutoHunter. To bring it to your garage, you must make the top bid before the auction ends on Thursday, August 7, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. (PDT)—if you’re reading this before that date, it’s very soon!
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