A Vintage View on American Motors

My childhood chum Brian Dittmar gave me his Consumer Guide Complete Guide to Used Cars books (one covering 1969-78, the other 1971-80) many years ago. They were a nice complement to one of the first car books I bought when I was a kid (1970-79, which means I bought it when I was seven). We know that American cars had issues with reliability compared to their Japanese competitors back in the day, but how bad were they really? Let’s start this serial looking at American Motors Corporation.

Perhaps due to my age at the time, I wasn’t bored reading Consumer Guide’s opinion on the reliability of my favorite cars, nor was I offended if the writers had bad things to say about the cars that I liked. I simply was a kid into cars; this book had pictures that showed me the vehicles I saw on the street daily.

One thing that Brian’s 1971-80 book had over mine was a table that listed every engine and the fuel mileage of each. Did you know that the 426 Hemi achieved 6.4 miles per gallon? Though written in an era when fuel economy was a primary consideration for many shoppers, this series of books gives insights on other considerations car shoppers may have—especially reliability. Let’s revisit AMC’s roster from the era and see how they fared as used cars. Please note the CG rating scale of 5 being Excellent and 1 being Poor.

American Motors Corporation
“If you’re in the market for an older used car that will get you where you’re going without frills or flashy finery, and at a low price, an automobile from American Motors Corporation may be what you’re looking for.” Yet “AMC’s workmanship was spotty in the early ‘70s …”

• Ambassador: “… was one of the roomiest and most economical cars of the full-size class.” CG rating: 3
• Hornet/Concord: “… is a solid transportation vehicle that can be bought at a decent price. But it is not equal to the totally new Ford Fairmont/Mercury Zephyr.” CG rating: 3-4
• Gremlin: “A clever bit of engineering with too many shortcomings to be an attractive buy.” CG rating: 2-3
• Javelin: “The Javelin has more strong points than most sporty compacts.” CG rating: 2
• Rebel/Matador: “… probably the most practical all-around intermediate on the used-car market today.” CG rating: 3 (Rebel), 4-5 (Matador)
• Pacer: “The car has big windows but still has a side vision problem because of the extra-wide side pillars right where most drivers look when passing in traffic.” CG rating: 2
• Rambler American: “… is no slouch either when it comes to low-speed city driving.” CG rating: 3

The 2025 Bentley Continental GT has an MSRP of $296,950. But that starting price is merely a starting point because one of out every four Bentleys is now configured with options from the Mulliner Personal Commissioning Guide. The addition of new textures, colors, fabrics, and patterns has broadened that array of choices for Continental GT, Flying Spur, and Bentayga buyers. After all, what’s the point of having a Bentley if it looks like every other one on Rodeo Drive?

Glossy wood trim has long been a common sight in British luxury cars but, in recent years, the look and texture of open pore wood has become more and more popular. Mulliner’s Vavona and Liquid Amber options still have a protective layer over them, but it’s a super-thin matte finish that uses 90 percent less lacquer than a glossy finish.

For a sportier, more technical look, Mulliner offers a range of carbon fiber accents. The standard finish for the lightweight material is gloss black, but now there are four new alternatives: Damson, Kingfisher Blue, Imperial Blue, and Cumbrian Green.

As Bentley puts it, all “veneered surfaces” can be covered in a mirror-finish Piano Gloss that matches any of the leather colors or 100-plus paint choices in the standard, extended, and Mulliner color palettes. Those looking for a subtle yet distinctive accent can opt for a hand-painted pinstripe that runs across the dashboard and onto the door panels, and spec it in the same color as the vehicle or a color of leather he or she chooses.

As if Bentleys weren’t opulent enough, a new pinstriped veneer option gives the center console a nautical look inspired by the decks of luxury yachts. It’s available on open pore wood or painted veneer with either a straight or chevron pattern. Continuing the aquatic theme is Wave metal trim comprised of intertwined ribbons that produce “a repeating wave effect, catching the light and creating a stunning focal point for the interior.”

Even the anodized speaker grilles for the Bang & Olufsen audio system can be highlighted with one of eight colors, including three new choices: Kingfisher, Pillar Box Red, and Mandarin. If silver isn’t the right color for the “organ stop” air vent controls, those with especially deep pockets can order them in 18-karat gold.

In addition to all that wood, carbon fiber, and leather, the Mulliner Personal Commissioning Guide also contains a range of Tweed door inserts in exclusive yarn colors and five patterns: Cheltenham, Glen Plaid, Charcoal Herringbone, Sand Herringbone, and Damson.

Buyers who want trained eyes to help them in their build process can choose from the set of available Designer Suggestions, specification combos recommended by the Mulliner Design Team, or get assistance from a Mulliner Consultant or Bentley Retail Specialist.

It’s likely that many Bentley buyers—especially first-timers—will use one of the Designer Suggestions because combining so many different shades, finishes, textures, and materials can potentially result in a very expensive hodgepodge of poorly coordinated colors and jarring patterns. A little restraint (and another pair of eyes) can go a long way.

Right now on AutoHunter you can find this 1976 Lincoln Continental Mark IV, which is equipped with its reportedly numbers-matching 460ci and a Select-Shift three-speed automatic transmission. It’s finished in Dark Brown Metallic and topped with a White Normandie vinyl roof over a Saddle vinyl and White leather interior. Our latest AutoHunter Spotlight car comes with no reserve price from the private seller in Washington with a clear title.

The Dark Brown Metallic body is accented with chrome bumpers, chrome grille, and contrasting side moldings. Exterior features include concealed headlights, White Normandie vinyl roof, opera windows, faux continental kit, and a hitch receiver.

This big American luxury cruiser rides on a set of 15-inch wheels and 237/75 Antares Comfort A5 tires.

The cabin features the Saddle/White Luxury Group with Saddle vinyl and White leather seating. Amenities include power windows, power-adjustable Twin Comfort Lounge front seats, power steering, cruise control, Cartier clock, and AM/FM/cassette radio.

Instrumentation consists of a 120-mph speedometer, fuel gauge, and warning lights for various systems. The odometer shows 87,705 miles; the title for this vehicle indicates it’s mileage-exempt.

According to the seller, the numbers-matching 460ci V8 and the Select-Shift (C6) three-speed automatic were modified by a previous owner to enhance this car’s towing capability. That big V8 transmits its power through a 2.75 rear end. Power four-wheel disc brakes bring this car—and whatever it happens to be towing—to a stop.

If you liked what you read about this 1976 Lincoln Continental Mark IV, don’t stop here—go to AutoHunter.com and bid on it before the no-reserve auction ends on Thursday, August 7 at 12:15 p.m. (PDT).

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and a photo gallery

One of the 2,000-plus vehicles that sold at no reserve during the Barrett-Jackson auction in Scottsdale, Arizona earlier this year was a 1982 Ford Crown Victoria station wagon modeled after the famous “Family Truckster” from the movie “National Lampoon’s Vacation.” The car was offered as part of the Dr. Stewart Berkowitz collection and, throughout the course of “auction week,” it was a huge conversation piece among attendees.

While perhaps not as eye-catching in appearance—it’s missing the quad stacked headlights, after all—this car could make a great candidate for a similar tribute.

The Pick of the Day is a 1990 Ford LTD Country Squire station wagon listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in Lafayette, Louisiana.

Most notably, for those seeking an authentic 1980-90s station-wagon look, the car is adorned with plenty of wood-grain trim. It also comes equipped with a roof rack for maximum cargo-hauling utility. Inside, the cabin is the pinnacle of versatility—check out the optional inboard-facing rear seats that cleverly fold down into the floor. There are eight seat belts in the car, making it possible to haul around an average-sized family along with a friend or two. Creature comforts include power windows, power door locks, cruise control, power driver seat, and air conditioning. The seller says the air blows cold, too.

The full-sized LTD Crown Victoria was produced from 1980 through 1991 and could be ordered as a two-door sedan, four-door sedan, or station wagon. Underpinnings came from the rear-wheel drive Ford Panther platform architecture, characterized by a double-wishbone front suspension and a coil-sprung live rear axle. Across the decade-long production run, relatively few aesthetic changes took place with the Crown Victoria, although it did receive a facelift in 1988 to give some of the edges a slightly rounder look.

Power for this big people-mover comes from a 5.0-liter Windsor V8 mated to a four-speed automatic transmission. The seller says the car runs and drives great. One thing to note: in advertising, Ford talked about how the Country Squire could be optioned with a heavy-duty trailer towing package that was capable of lugging an extra 5,000 pounds around. The station wagon was without a doubt the king of the hill when it came to capability.

Wally World, here we come! The asking price is $16,500 or best offer.

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

These days it seems as if most vehicle buyers want a crossover or SUV, but not all of them want the same kind. Judging by the more rugged versions of vehicles that used to be strictly soft-roaders (such as the first-ever Nissan Rogue Rock Creek) it’s clear that automakers are trying to cover an increasingly broader spectrum of characteristics within single model lines. Larger SUVs, including the Cadillac Escalade, are now available as high-performance vehicles. When Lexus introduced the TX for 2024 to meet the demand for a roomy three-row SUV, the lineup included a 366-horsepower TX 500h F Sport Performance hybrid model. This year, Lexus added another athletic option: the TX 350 F Sport Handling AWD.

EMPHASIS ON HANDLING, NOT HORSEPOWER

As the name implies, the F Sport Handling variant is essentially a suspension package. Based on the TX 350 AWD, it uses an F Sport-tuned version of the Adaptive Variable Suspension, which adjusts according to driver inputs and road conditions. Of course, as an F Sport model, it also comes with an array of cosmetic and additional functional upgrades. The “Unified Spindle” grille flows into the F Sport front fascia, which is highlighted with satin silver trim. My test vehicle’s Incognito gray paint was the perfect backdrop for the black roof rails, window trim, mirror caps, and 22-inch wheels. At the rear, there’s more brightwork below the power liftgate, as well as a diffuser-like panel. Inside the NuLuxe-lined cabin, the heated steering wheel, leather-trimmed shifter, aluminum pedals and scuff plates, and front headrest logos are products of F Sport’s makeover. The heated and ventilated second-row captain’s chairs aren’t particularly performance-oriented, but they’re a welcome part of the package.

None of those changes—and no, not even the F Sport badges—add to the performance under the hood. The F Sport Handling’s engine is the same one in every other TX 350, but that’s not a bad thing. Its turbocharged 2.4-liter inline-four produces 275 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque. Channeled through an eight-speed automatic and all four wheels, that was more than enough to keep the TX out of its own way. In Sport mode, the AVS was focused yet never flinty. It’s too bad the steering and braking weren’t as dialed in, but I did remind myself I wasn’t in an outright performance version of the TX.

The F Sport Handling’s combination of gas-only propulsion and an upgraded suspension helps it fill an important slot in the TX lineup, providing an option to buyers who want a sportier TX but don’t want to upgrade to the TX 500h F Sport Performance hybrid to get more power. Priced from $65,860, the F Sport Handling is within $5,000 of the 500h’s $70,110 MSRP. Even with the Convenience and Technology Packages, the Mark Levinson 21-speaker audio system, and a few other small accessories, my review vehicle had an as-tested sticker price of $69,430.

YOUR RESULTS MAY VARY

All TXs, no matter their trim level or drivetrain, are designed to fit three rows of people. Just what size those people can be may vary. I’m five-feet-ten, and I found the first two rows perfectly spacious, although the driver seat’s side bolstering was a little too aggressive. Aside from that and a few confusing design and hardware choices, the front of the TX’s cabin was a pleasant place to be. I wouldn’t hesitate to take the F Sport Handling on a long road trip. My family wouldn’t object, either. My wife had enough legroom in the shotgun seat when our son Hayden was in his car seat directly behind her in the second row; I didn’t hear any complains from my mother-in-law in the driver-side captain’s chair. However, it’s a little tighter in the third row, where the top of my head was uncomfortably close to the headliner. Then again, not everyone is my height. If you have family members and friends of various sizes, I’m sure you and five of them can reach a compromise that all of you will find comfortable.

To get a better idea of the 2025 Lexus TX 350 F Sport Handling AWD’s features, oddities, and interior dimensions, check out my video review below.

Click above and watch our full video review on YouTube!

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Cupra? We learned about this automotive brand several months ago when we wrote about this companion brand to Seat. The Spanish manufacturer has had aspirations to reach the U.S. market by 2030, but now we have received news that those plans have been delayed.

Owned by the Volkswagen Group, Cupra (which comes off as being somewhat like Scion, complete with hip marketing) planned to offer us edgy electric SUV and maybe more. However, Car and Driver reports that the 2030 goal has been postponed—not cancelled—after a recent earnings report. The brand “will continue to monitor market developments in the coming years to determine the best timing and approach.”

Cupra did not start out as an EV brand, but the introduction of the VW ID.3-based Born crossover that first appeared several years ago was the beginning of what will be an all-EV lineup. If and by the time Cupra is able to sort itself for the American market, we may also be the recipient of the Cupra Dark Rebel, a 2023 concept that will take the brand beyond its current crossover lineup.