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In 1972 I went to the $0.49 movie theater on Hollywood Blvd. to see the film On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. I was 12 years old and a little bummed out because Sean Connery had quit playing the lead role of James Bond. I needn’t have worried, it was a great film. This was the first time I had ever seen a Mercury Cougar Convertible. In those days Bond films were always about beautiful people, in beautiful places, wearing beautiful clothes, driving beautiful machines. It’s no wonder that they used a Cougar driven by the lovely actress Diana Rigg.
Joe’s Mercury Cougar enjoying the ocean view
It was love at first sight for me with the Cougar, although Diana came in a close second. After seeing the movie, I vowed to myself that one day I would own a Cougar convertible.
In 2014 I was looking on ClassicCars.com, and I found a beautiful 1970 Cougar XR-7 Convertible. The thing about Cougars is: they really are an elegant, upscale Mustang with very unique features. I love the front grille with, as the ads of the day said, “dual concealed headlamps that gleam by night and hide by day” and “rear turn signals that flicker in sequence.” After a little soul searching I decided to buy the car.
Joe and his Cougar
The car is a real work of art. If you look at the center hood and front grille, you will see the nose of a cat. Also, the very front fenders resemble a cat’s ear. Amazingly, out of some 4,000 1970 Cougar convertibles built, only three came in this color combination of a Competition Gold exterior and Dark Tobacco Leather interior. Sometimes I think this must be the only Cougar on the planet in this color combination. This would make it one very rare cat indeed!
Tesla is recalling 362,758 electric cars equipped with its Full Self-Driving (FSD) driver-assist system because the system could cause crashes.
Despite the name, Full Self-Driving does not enable autonomous driving. Based on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recall documents, the system, which is still considered by Tesla to be in the “Beta” development stage, can in certain circumstances behave in ways that would be unacceptable for human drivers.
After analysis and testing, the NHTSA found that the Autosteer on City Streets function of the system “led to an unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety based on insufficient adherence to traffic safety laws,” the agency said in a statement.
2023 Tesla Model 3
Tesla launched the voluntary recall “out of an abundance of caution” after discussions with the NHTSA. Affected vehicles include 2016-2023 Model S and Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles equipped with FSD or pending installation of the feature.
The testing was done as part of an ongoing investigation opened June 8, 2022, in response to multiple instances of Tesla vehicles operating on Autopilot hitting emergency vehicles stopped on or at the side of roads. Autopilot is Tesla’s basic driver-assist system; FSD builds on it by adding features like automatic overtaking.
2023 Tesla Model Y – Courtesy of Tesla, Inc.
Tesla also advertises FSD as being able to react to traffic lights and stop signs, but in a recall notice, posted on its website, the NHTSA said the system may allow vehicles to enter stop-sign controlled intersections without coming to a full stop, proceed through steady yellow lights “without due caution,” and continue straight through an intersection from a turn-only lane. Note that Tesla previously recalled almost 54,000 vehicles in 2022 because FSD was found to disobey stop signs.
While the NHTSA investigation remains open, Tesla will have to meet its legal obligation to address these issues, the agency said. The automaker will release an over-the-air (OTA) software update free of charge as a fix. While this won’t require visits to service centers, Tesla will mail formal notification letters by April 15.
2023 Tesla Model X – Courtesy of Tesla, Inc.
According to the New York Times, the NHTSA is investigating 41 crashes involving FSD and Autopilot that have led to 19 fatalities. For its part, Tesla has identified warranty claims in relation to the issue.
Tesla started offering FSD as a hardware package in 2016. CEO Elon Musk has claimed software updates would unlock true self-driving capability, saying at the time that he expected a Tesla to be able to travel from Los Angeles to New York “without the need for a single touch” of the steering wheel as soon as 2017.
That never happened, although Tesla has continued to offer the system in unfinished “Beta” form, gradually hiking the price from $5,000 in 2016 (when it was only offered to select customers) to $15,000 today.
This practice is now getting more scrutiny from regulators. In 2021, National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) chair Jennifer Homendy called the Full Self-Driving label “misleading and irresponsible,” while California has since moved to make it illegal. Last month Tesla was subpoenaed by the Justice Department for FSD, although the company said it was unaware of any ongoing investigation.
As we’re all well aware, Dodge has announced its “Last Call” series of vehicles. This includes the recent information released about the Last Call event in Las Vegas on March 20, which we wrote about here. The AutoHunter Cinema team had to opportunity to view these “Last Call” vehicles up close and personal in November 2022. The video below features Jeff Sutton and Brad DeSantis discussing six of the “Last Call” Hemis, Dodge’s send-off of Dodge internal combustion muscle cars. The “Last Call” cars are exactly what they sound like: a series of limited-production, special-edition Chargers and Challengers with unique names and graphics that go beyond the Scat Packs and Hellcats, with which you’re already familiar. The seventh and final “Last Call” Dodge is set to be announced at the Las Vegas event. Stay tuned for more information on that!
Featured on AutoHunter, the online auction platform driven by ClassicCars.com, is this 1967 Ford Mustang coupe powered by a 302ci V8 and automatic transmission. Features include scooped hood and rear fenders, fog lights, air conditioning, bucket seats with center console, and modern AM/FM radio. This red 1967 Mustang coupe is being sold by a private owner and comes with a clear Florida title.
The exterior is finished in red with white stripes and features fog lights, an item often found on cars with the GT package. Shelby-inspired scoops adorn the rear fenders and hood, with race-inspired pins securing the latter. Additional features include dual bullet-style mirrors, Shelby-inspired white GT and band-aid stripes, and Shelby GT500 gas cap.
A set of 19-inch S550 Mustang wheels is wrapped in 255/40 Landsail radial tires up front, 275/40 out back.
The interior is upholstered in black vinyl. Features include air conditioning, custom center console with storage compartment and integrated cup holders, power steering, wood-rimmed three-spoke steering wheel with Shelby logo, four-speaker digital AM/FM stereo and Carroll Shelby-autographed glove box.
The instrument panel features a 160-mph speedometer, 8,000-rpm tachometer and gauges for the fuel level, oil pressure and coolant temperature. The true mileage on this vehicle is unknown.
Power is provided by a 302ci V8 backed by an automatic transmission. Engine bay features tubular exhaust headers, finned aluminum valve covers, aluminum intake, four-barrel carburetor, Shelby finned aluminum air cleaner, Scott Drake export brace, chrome Monte Carlo bar, aluminum radiator and Accel electronic ignition.
This Mustang features power front disc and rear drum brakes. A dual exhaust system with Flowmaster mufflers exits by the rear axle.
The Mustang is the longest continuously produced vehicle in the Ford family, dating back to 1964 and now in its sixth generation. It’s no wonder the Mustang has become an American icon.
“This one-owner Mustang is well-maintained, garage-kept, and has never been in an accident,” the listing states. The odometer shows just 26,650 miles and the car looks well-preserved in the over 60 photos that accompany the listing with exterior, interior, and underbody views.
This pony car comes from the initial year of the Mustang’s fifth generation which started in 2005. Enthusiasts refer to this generation as the “S197” chassis, and a pre-production concept car showing this design language was first shown almost exactly 20 years ago in January 2003 at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The generation remained in production until 2014.
Something unique about this Mustang is that its instrument cluster shows km/h speed markers more prominently than mph speed markers. This usually means that the vehicle was originally sold in a non-U.S. market. Further investigation shows that the owner’s manual and warning stickers are in Spanish, the Carfax shows a gap in records between 2005 and 2022, and the word “Mexico” is engraved into one of the windows. It would be very interesting to find out the backstory on this low-mileage car.
As a GT trim level car, this red Mustang was allocated special treatment including a stiffer suspension when compared to the standard version. In addition, GT-specific upgrades included larger front disc brakes, four-channel anti-lock braking with traction control, a stainless-steel exhaust, fog lamps, and a two-piece drive shaft.
Under the hood sits a Modular 4.6-liter V8 that was rated at 300 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque. Service records accompanying the listing illustrate that the selling dealer addressed several mechanical needs within the last few months. In addition to an oil change and an inspection, the car received an air conditioning system recharge, replacement of a lower control arm, and installation of new brake pads and rotors for both front and rear.
The dealer is asking $19,500 for this Mustang, which is not only unique for its mileage but also for its international backstory. I wonder what kind of stories it could tell.
In an age where sports cars are becoming SUVs and sedans, Nissan has an 80% new, two-seater Z car with retro styling and is on team #savethemanuals. The Z sits on an updated 370z chassis with improved rigidity and increased horsepower from the twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6. This is shared with the Red Sport Infiniti, but the Z’s is paired with new transmissions for a familiar but refined driving experience. The base trim, Sport, starts at $39,990 with the Performance trim stepping it up to $49,990. This includes an additional array of performance and cosmetic components that inch the Z closer to, but still undercutting, the six-cylinder Toyota Supra.
Exterior
The Nissan Z is gorgeous to see in person. A lot of the marketing materials we saw before its launch made the square mouth look large and unsightly but that’s not the case. Paired with some nice fender flares, a sharp nose, a 240z fastback profile, and Z32 300zx taillights, the new Z will catch some attention. The Z we had is finished in two-tone Passion Red, which is one of the best colors available for the Z, and if two-tone isn’t your thing, there are three options available for solid colors. The Performance model features some additional exterior goodies including 19-inch Rays forged alloy wheels, a chin spoiler, and a rear spoiler. This helps reduce rear lift and gives the Performance model a higher limited top speed of 155 mph, not that you can achieve that on any public roads.
2023 Nissan Z Performance (Photo by Dustin W. Johnson)
Interior
The Nissan Z interior features a cozy two-seat layout with a modern and luxurious interior. Our car’s interior is finished in two-tone red leather and black synthetic suede that are highlighted on the comfy bucket seats. The dash features a digital gauge “infotainment” display like most new cars. However, setting it apart from what is expected, there are three analog gauges pods for turbo boost, turbo speed (which I believe is a production car first), and a battery voltmeter. Even though the infotainment display is a touchscreen, Nissan still includes general menu buttons below the screen for easy navigation. The 9-speed automatic shifter in the middle is shaped like a computer mouse but is easy to use and has a nice minimal appearance. While driving the car, you have a bit of a blind spot, as expected with fast back sports cars. This is where the blind spot monitoring system lights help, since they are placed on the inside edge of the mirrors making it obvious when they light up. The monitoring system itself was quick and accurate creating no problem maneuvering the car around. The interior feels solid, even if a bit snug, and the Z on the steering wheel evokes a sense of pride while driving.
Powertrain
Power comes from Nissan’s VR30DDTT, a 3.0l twin-turbocharged V6 shared with the Infiniti Q50 and Q60 Red Sport models, producing 400 horsepower and 350 lb-ft of torque. One of the unique features of the VR30DDTT on the Z is the turbo speed sensor. A turbocharger is an out-of-control turbine that runs the risk of over-speeding, which can damage the turbo or worse, damage the engine. As a result, most manufacturers build in safety nets and throttle back turbo capabilities to reduce this, but the turbo speed sensors in the Z allow Nissan to take full advantage and rev out the turbocharged engine for a smooth acceleration under boost. The Z comes standard with a 6-speed manual transmission equipped with rev-matching, but our Performance trim Z came equipped with the 9-speed automatic which is a huge improvement over the 7-speed found in the Q50 and Q60.
2023 Nissan Z Performance (Photo by Dustin W. Johnson)
Drive
The Z offers a huge upgrade in driving experience over the 370z and Infinity Q50 and Q60, with which it shares the powertrain. The new transmission options open the discussion of driving style preferences and, although we can’t speak about the experience of the manual (trust us, we wanted the manual too), the 9-speed automatic offers smooth accelerations with responsive quick shifts when using the flappy paddles (GT-R inspired paddle shifters). The steering feel is fine, but it does have some on-center vagueness that is often found in many new cars, though I don’t think it will bother most people. The car comes equipped with two driving modes, Standard and Sport. Standard is recommended for daily driving and offers a balance of performance/economy as needed based off the driver inputs. This mode is also where the car was best suited driving in the Phoenix grid. Sport mode, on the other hand, works to create a more dynamic driving experience for track days and curvy roads by increasing steering resistance, holding out revs for increased response from the powertrain, and adjusting the vehicles dynamic controls for a “spirited” drive. Another performance mode is the launch control, available for both transmission options. The launch control is quick to use but still manages to squeal the tires on launch. I can’t help but think the Z’s acceleration and grip could be improved with a different set of tires, as it is a little too easy to slide and have fun on the factory tires. The driver assists do not kick in immediately which means a bit of fun (sliding) can happen even with traction control on, so some skill is still needed behind the wheel. Overall, the car is fun to drive, and it will make you giggle when you get to have that unexpected fun.
Click above to watch a full review on YouTube
Conclusion
The new Z is a clear improvement over the previous 370z and makes better use of the shared VR30DDTT engine while having new looks inspired by the long important heritage of Z. This is the enthusiast car we all dream about: a rev happy 2-seat sports car that comes standard with a 6-speed manual transmission. Nissan did not have to build this. It’s not want most people want, it’s not practical, but they built it anyways for the enthusiast. My final conclusion is you should go to your nearest Nissan dealership and drive the Z for yourself.
Alpine unveiled its 2023 Formula 1 challenger – the A523 – with the new driver lineup of Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly. This season, Alpine will run two different liveries: base livery for most of the season of Alpine blue with a smattering pink from the team’s title partner BWT, and a new decorative crystallized pattern to symbolize Alpine’s derivation and historical roots in the Alps. For the opening three races of the 2023 season in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Australia, the color scheme will be reversed into a full pink livery.
BWT Alpine F1 Team A523
“The livery looks fantastic – it really stands out – and I’m sure it’s going to look amazing on track,” says Ocon.
BWT Alpine F1 Team A523
The French racing team (Alpine is a subsidiary of Renault) is hoping that the new A523 can build on last season’s fourth-place finish in the Constructors’ championship and move the team beyond its middle-of-the-pack status. The A523 is an evolutionary step from its predecessor, the A522, and received extensive development during the recent winter months by Alpine’s development teams in Enstone (U.K.) and Viry-Châtillon (France).
BWT Alpine F1 Team A523
“For 2023, the aim is simple: at a minimum, we must finish in fourth and in a much more convincing fashion,” says Otmar Szafnauer, Alpine F1 Team Principal. By that, it means more finishes, more points and less unforced retirements. I have high expectations from everyone in the team – not least Esteban and Pierre – who will work collaboratively to deliver the best possible results for the team.”
BWT Alpine F1 Team A523
For the 2023 season, Alpine signed former Alpha Tauri driver Pierre Gasly to replace two-time F1 champion Fernando Alonso, who jumped shipped for Aston Martin. Gasly joins Ocon to form an all-French driver lineup for a French F1 team.
BWT Alpine F1 Team A523’s alternate pink livery
The A523 makes its on-track debut during pre-season testing at Bahrain International Circuit from February 23-25, and the 2023 F1 season begins on March 5 at the Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix.
“I am eager to see the potential and capabilities of the A523 at pre-season testing and to continue getting more comfortable with the team,” says Gasly. “Experiencing the power of the A522 at the end of last season and seeing the developments the team is bringing for this year’s car has made me excited for what is to come with Alpine.”
On Wednesday, the Hoonigan team released a video to YouTube discussing what’s next after the loss of co-founder and automotive icon Ken Block.
Hoonigan co-founder and Block’s business partner Brian Scotto said the team was supposed to start the year by traveling to Australia to film a down under version of their video series “This vs. That.”
Over the last few weeks, Scotto said, the Hoonigan team discussed the project’s future, and concluded that it was time to change its direction.
As a result, a new YouTube show set to take place on Wednesdays will be like “hanging out to update you on the dumb stuff we are doing,” Hoonigan Hertech Eugene Jr. said.
The new show’s vibe will be similar to an older show from Hoonigan called “Daily Transmission,” which faded away as the team evolved.
Another show, “Tangents,” will not continue.
Ron Zaras noted after taking a step back the team wants to go back to its roots—crazy, dumb stuff—while still producing “This vs. That” and other popular shows.
“Builds” will come back, but not crazy builds that people can’t produce in their garage. Hoonigan’s project car channel will return as well.
Block’s family will continue with other projects. Since Block’s death, they have founded the 43 Institute—dedicated to “creating paths of opportunity for the exceptionally driven”—and published a makeshift website that indicated updates would come soon. The website has not been updated and the Hoonigan crew made no mention of this foundation in their video aside from splashing the 43i.org website URL during the opening.
Ken Block’s daughter, Lia Block
On Wednesday, DirtFish Rally School announced Block’s daughter, Lia, and wife, Lucy, will compete in the rest of this year’s Green APU American Rally Association series. Block won the 100 Acre Wood Rally seven times, and the Block name will return to compete again in March. The duo plan to enter the remaining ARA rounds, according to team manager Derek Dauncey. Block’s co-driver, Alex Gelsomino, will co-drive for Lucy this year in the remaining ARA rounds. Gelsomino was a founding member of the team in 2010.
Do you have a classic car with a story to share? Visit this link and fill in the information to submit your story for a chance to be featured on the ClassicCars.com Journal.
I had been looking for a 1959 Cadillac convertible for a very long time. One day I was scrolling pictures of cars for sale, as I always do, when I finally came upon a 1959 Cadillac. The car was listed in an auction on eBay and the only pictures in the listing were Polaroids. They were clearly several years old. As I scrolled through the pictures, the top of the car was the same color as the body and, because of the Polaroid quality, I believed the car was a hardtop and not a convertible. I continued to scroll through some listings, when it occurred to me, maybe I was wrong, so I went back and scrutinized the pictures as much as I could. To my surprise it actually was a convertible.
Images provided by Dan O.
I contacted the seller and he stated that his dad had been the original owner of the car. His dad has now had Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, so the family had made the decision to sell the car. I told him my story and we shared experiences; we were both car guys. I continued to watch the auction, and as it drew to a close the reserve had not yet been met. This was my chance. I watched the auction count down and entered my bid in the final few seconds. I ended up having the high bid while simultaneously meeting the reserve. The car was now mine.
I received a phone call from the son and his mom congratulating me on the purchase, and they were glad that it was me since I had spoken to them earlier. The car was located in Florida, but I was in Indiana. I hopped in my suburban and drove down, intending to bring it back on my trailer. When I went to the door of the house, I was greeted by an older woman who told me to go meet her in the garage. I went to the garage and waited with anticipation of seeing what was behind the garage door.
As the garage door opened light shined on the car surrounded by boxes, wheelchairs, and all kinds of things. I eagerly cleared a path to where I could bring the ’59 Cadillac out into the sunlight for the first time in many years. As we did this, the news of this car spread around the neighborhood. Soon numerous people were pulling up on golf carts excited to see the car and some offered to buy it. I told them that I had beaten them to it, and it was not for sale. Despite it being much too big to fit on my trailer, I did eventually get it back to Indiana. I had it gone through by my mechanic and redid the chrome. The car is in impeccable condition.
