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    These American Cars Were Never Even Available In The US

    The American car industry is the biggest in the world. Its history is fascinating and full of very recognizable American cars. Everyone in the world who even remotely understand cars knows the Ford Mustang, Chevrolet Corvette, or Jeep Willys. Names like Cadillac, Ram, or Buick are distinctly American. Even non-car people know what they are.

    However, due to expansion, American companies opened branches all over the world and produced numerous cars both under familiar and not-so-familiar names that were never offered in the States. So today, we showcased these American models. You might recognize the nameplate, but we guarantee you won’t recognize the shape. Check out these American anomalies below.

    Photo Credit: Wiki

    Dodge 3700 GT

    For many years, the Dodge Dart was one of the best-selling Mopar products in America. But very few people know that it had a significant presence in Spain under the name Dodge 3700. This model wasn’t identical to US-built Darts, but was positioned slightly upmarket. It was the most powerful and expensive car produced in Spain in the 1970s (via Bring A Trailer).

    Photo Credit: Pinterest

    The first Dodge 3700 GT left the factory in 1971 with a 225 Slant Six engine. The 225 CID is 3.7 liters, hence the 3700 designation. This Dodge got GT brakes, improved suspension, and a luxury interior. That’s why the Spanish government often used it. Production ceased in 1977 after only 9959 examples.

    The post These American Cars Were Never Even Available In The US appeared first on Motor Junkie.

    5 Rare Ford Fox Body Mustangs that won’t break the bank

    Once a cult classic, 1979-1993 (“Fox” or “Foxbody”) Mustangs have reached full-blown collector status, with values to match. But you don’t have to be a trust fund baby to afford one—especially if you avoid the Fox Unicorns and Holy Grails. There are plenty of affordable 1980s Mustangs that are reasonable—even bargains—if you wander off the beaten path. As collectors fight over low-mile 1993 Cobra and Saleen Mustangs, some under-the-radar variations are ripe for picking at bargain basement prices. Making a few compromises can scratch that pony car itch while keeping more money in your wallet.

    5.0 Liter Ford Mustang LX Coupe

    Back in the day, a 1987-1993 Mustang 5.0 LX coupe was the one to have. It packed the lineup’s powerful, durable, small-block V8 and 5-speed manual transmission into the stiffest, lightest Mustang chassis. The result was a pocket rocket that scooted from stoplight to stoplight quicker than just about everything else of the era. When small-block Chevy engines dominated aftermarket offerings, the popularity of the Fox Mustang released pent-up demand from the Ford faithful, and Ford speed part sales skyrocketed. The result is a double-whammy in the collector car market: nostalgic demand for “five liter coupes” and the scarcity of said coupes that were unmodified make these particular Fox Mustangs’ fetch values far above their peers.

    So, what are your options if you’re looking for some Fox Mustang fun, but don’t have spare organs to sell? The further you stray from the five-liter, five speed coupe formula, the more affordable 1979-1993 Mustangs become. You can get that special Fox Mustang experience without breaking the bank by adopting one of the black sheep in the Fox Mustang family tree. Here are a few examples of affordable, eccentric Fox bodies that are rare, collectible, and still a bargain:

    1979 Mustang Turbo Four Pace Car

    1979 Mustang Turbo Four Pace Car

    Ford commemorated the new-for-1979 Mustang pacing that year’s Indianapolis 500 by offering a replica pace car package. Pace car replicas featured V8s or turbocharged four-cylinders under their hoods. Besides unique exterior paint and graphics, the interior featured Recaro seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel, and unique instrument panel. About 10,400 were made, with production about evenly split between turbo 4s and V8s.

    1979-1986 Mercury Capri

    1979-1986 Mercury Capri

    An often-overlooked Fox “Mustang” is the Mercury Capri. Mercury Capris were Fox Mustangs with mildly different body panels and different badging. Mechanically, they’re identical to Mustangs—which is perfect for those looking for something “different,” without paying a premium for the privilege. Capris featured some unique features, including flared fenders (though the overall body width remained the same) and optional “bubble back” rear hatch glass.

    ASC McLaren Mustang and Capri

    ASC McLaren Mustang and Capri

    American Sunroof Corporation (ASC) partnered with McLaren to produce a low-volume, specialized version of the Mustang and Capri for buyers wanting a higher level of style—while still being loyal to the blue oval. The result was a series of coupes and convertibles that—by no accident—brought German styling to the Fox chassis. With production numbers in the hundreds (not thousands), exclusivity is now available at affordable prices.

    1984-1986 Mustang SVO

    1984-1986 Mustang SVO

    Electronic fuel injection in production cars brought turbocharging to the masses. Automakers harnessed the ability to pack big power into small, lightweight engines for better fuel economy and attract customers attracted by high-tech transportation. The Mustang SVO was the result when Ford engineers were locked in a room and left to their own devices. The SVO was marketed as containing technology that trickled down from Ford’s contemporary sports car racing programs. The Mustang SVO featured a 2.3-liter turbocharged engine, unique suspension, four-wheel disc brakes (a first for Mustang), five-lug wheels, unique aerodynamics, and driver-focused interior. The SVO’s relatively high retail price and American preference for hairy-chested V8 grunt made the SVO more of a nerdy oddity than a sales smash. That continues with the collector car market as well. The sheer number of unique parts on the SVO make basic replacement parts (such as front ball joints) difficult to find, and often require retrofitting parts from more common V8 counterparts. The result is SVOs are affordable but require resourcefulness to restore and maintain.

    1984 Mustang G.T. 350

    1984 Mustang G.T. 350

    Don’t let the name fool you: these weren’t “Shelbys,” though ol’ Shel likely kept Fords lawyers busy anyway. Ford decided (apparently at the last minute) to commemorate the Mustang’s 20th anniversary with a special styling package for 1984. Mustangs. G.T. 350s were mechanically the same as other Mustangs, and were powered by V8s or 4-cylinder turbos, with only 5,261 cars produced.

    While the big money chases a few Fox Mustangs, the rest of these examples have flown under the radar…which makes them excellent prospects for entry-level collectors and enthusiasts.

    The SEMA Show Experience

    The SEMA Show Experience – After attending the 2022 SEMA Show, I wanted to take a few minutes to reflect on what the show experience is really like.  Prior to leaving, the best advice I got was “bring good shoes”.  The massive show fills every convention hall that the Las Vegas Convention Center has to […]

    The post The SEMA Show Experience appeared first on CarShowz.com.

    The Greatest General Motors Cars Of The 1980s and ’90s

    General Motors was one of the most iconic automakers during the muscle car era of the 1960s and ’70s. But by the 1980s and 90s, drivers saw General Motors as a far different company. Sales of General Motors cars were slipping and consumer tastes were shifting more toward imports. The company had to adapt quickly, but many of its efforts were short-lived failures like the Pontiac Fiero.

    There were a few notable GM cars that came out in the 1980s and ’90s, however, and many were forward-thinking concepts. For example, the Typhoon and Syclone are still considered two of the fastest vehicles ever made. The 1995 Impala SS was also an iconic car that’s still a part of pop culture today. You could also say the C5 Corvette was one of the most iconic Corvette models ever made. So we looked back at the greatest GM creations of the 1980s and ‘90s. Take a trip down memory lane with some of your favorite General Motors cars of decades past here.

    Photo Credit: Mecum

    1981 Corvette C3

    The 1981 Corvette C3 is one of the most controversial Corvette models. Because of the tightening emissions laws at the time, the C3 was only available with a single-engine option. The L81 engine only had a measly 190 horsepower but the rest of the car was flawless. The lines on the C3 Corvette were some of the most beautiful in Corvette history (via Bring a Trailer).

    Photo Credit: Hagerty

    The interior was also a vast improvement over the previous generations as the car was a lot more livable for the driver. The Corvette C3 was a sports car that suffered from the political climate at the time but its design wasn’t that bad.

    The post The Greatest General Motors Cars Of The 1980s and ’90s appeared first on Motor Junkie.

    Flathead-Powered 1927 Ford Roadster Hot Rod

    This 1927 Ford roadster hot rod was completed by the seller within the last year and features steel bodywork over a boxed and stretched frame. Power is from a 24-stud flathead V8 equipped with Edelbrock cylinder heads and paired with a three-speed manual transmission. The car is finished in black over tan upholstery and features a Super Bell dropped I-beam front axle, oak wood floorboards, four-wheel drum brakes, an electric fuel pump, a custom exhaust system, Mooneyes gauges, LED taillights, and red-finished 16” steel wheels. This hot rod is being offered with a spare set of wheels and a clean Colorado title in the seller’s name, listing the vehicle as a 1927 Ford Tudor.

    The steel roadster bodywork has been repainted in black with custom pinstripe graphics on the windshield cowl and 1935-style headlight and 1937-style taillight buckets. Custom lower panels have been installed and partially conceal the exhaust system, which exits ahead of the rear wheels. Halogen headlight bulbs and OTB turn signals have also been added, along with LED taillights.

    Red-finished 16” steel wheels feature chrome Ford-branded hubcaps and are mounted with Diamond Back tires. Braking is through four-wheel drums sourced from a 1940 Ford. A set of spare 17″ wire wheels and older tires will accompany the vehicle. Suspension and steering modifications reportedly include the following components:

    • Schroeder steering box
    • Custom stainless-steel friction shocks
    • Super Bell drilled and dropped I-beam front axle
    • Front and rear wishbones sourced from a 1946 Ford
    • Custom quarter-elliptical rear leaf springs

    The cabin houses a bench seat with a removable lower cushion trimmed in tan upholstery with matching door panels. Oak wood panels line the floors, and a fire extinguisher is mounted ahead of the shifter. The ignition and headlight switch in the middle of the dash is not functional, while modern ignition, headlight, and turn signal switches have been added below the dash.

    The three-spoke steering wheel sits ahead of a column-mounted Mooneyes 6k-rpm tachometer and 120-mph speedometer, the latter of which was reportedly sourced from another vehicle. A Mooneyes three-gauge pod is mounted under the dash and monitors voltage, oil pressure, and water temperature. The five-digit odometer shows approximately 3k miles, though total chassis mileage is unknown.

    The 24-stud flathead V8 is equipped with Edelbrock cylinder heads and chrome tubular headers. The seller notes that an Isky 77 camshaft and a Walker radiator have also been added, and an electric fuel pump was installed to supplement the mechanical unit.

    Power is sent to the rear wheels via a three-speed manual transmission and a rear end reportedly sourced from a 1946 pickup. The seller notes that the frame has been stretched 4”, boxed, and powder coated. Additional photos of the underbody are provided in the gallery below.

    454-Powered 1940 Ford Coupe Street Rod 5-Speed

    This 1940 Ford coupe was acquired by the seller in 1997 as a non-running project and was subsequently modified with the installation of a 454ci V8 mated to a Doug Nash five-speed manual transmission and a 9″ Ford rear differential, in addition to a repaint in black. Additional equipment includes a Holley carburetor, a polished-aluminum grille and trim, a driver-side mirror, a tan bench seat, lap belts, a Hurst shifter, and staggered-diameter Wheel Vintiques wheels. This modified Ford coupe is now offered with a receipt from the engine rebuild and a clean Tennessee title in the seller’s name.

    The car was reportedly stripped to bare metal and repainted black in 2019, at which time the door handles, trunk handle and latch, side windows, front vent windows, and the two-piece windshield were replaced. The steel body features fiberglass running boards and flared rear fenders that have been widened two inches to accommodate the rear tires. Additional exterior equipment includes a polished-aluminum grille and trim, a tubular chrome rear bumper, chevron-shaped taillights, flared fenders, tinted windows, and a driver-side mirror. The car is not equipped with windshield-wiper arms, and the side exhaust outlets in the front fenders have been capped with chrome plates. The seller notes evidence of repair to the right-rear corner of the car.

    Black-painted 15″ and 17″ Wheel Vintiques wheels are mounted with 185/65 Maxxis MA-202 tires up front and 285/60 Toyo Proxes rubber at the rear. Braking is handled by ventilated front discs and rear drums. The car is equipped with a leaf-sprung straight front axle as well as coilover shocks at the rear.

    The cabin features a split bench seat trimmed in tan cloth upholstery with brown piping along with a black-painted Deluxe-style dashboard and rubber floor coverings. Equipment includes bright trim, lap belts, a clock in the glovebox door, and a floor-mounted Hurst shifter. Dynamat sound-deadening material has been installed behind the dashboard and across the floor, and the door panels have been removed.

    The battery is located in the trunk along with a fuel cell and a rubber floor covering.

    The banjo-style steering wheel frames Classic Instruments gauges including a 140-mph speedometer, an 8k-rpm tachometer, and auxiliary readouts. The six-digit mechanical odometer shows nearly 50 miles, and the seller has driven the car approximately 200 miles. True chassis mileage is unknown.

    The big-block 454ci V8 was rebuilt in 2020 by Martin Engine & Machine of Vandalia, Missouri utilizing the following components:

    • Sportsman Racing Products +26cc domed 4.030″ bore pistons
    • Scat Crankshafts connecting rods
    • Speed Pro piston rings
    • Cometic MLS head gaskets
    • King Racing main bearings
    • BHJ Products lifter bore sleeves
    • Erson Cams hydraulic roller camshaft
    • Dura-Bond coated cam bearings
    • PowerBond harmonic balancer
    • PBM Performance Products billet timing set
    • Holley 4150 HP four-barrel carburetor

    Dynamometer results from May 2020 are presented in the photo gallery below. The firewall is painted white.

    Power is delivered to the rear wheels through a Doug Nash/Richmond five-speed manual transmission and a 9″ Ford rear differential. The dual exhaust system terminates ahead of the rear axle. Additional images of the underside are presented in the gallery.

    No Reserve: 350-Powered 1937 Ford Pickup 5-Speed

    This 1937 Ford pickup underwent a 10-year refurbishment in Texas from approximately 1999 to 2008 and is finished in red and black over a refreshed black and white leather interior. The truck is powered by a 350ci V8 linked to a five-speed manual transmission and a 9″ rear differential, and equipment includes a Cornhusker Rod & Custom powdercoated frame, Wilwood disc brakes, a Griffin aluminum radiator, an oak-lined bed, a Flowmaster exhaust system, Classic Instruments gauges, Old Air Products climate control, a Secretaudio stereo, and Polk Audio speakers. The truck was acquired by the current owner in 2021 and is now offered on dealer consignment in California with spare parts, a car cover, two die-cast models, refurbishment records and photos, and a Massachusetts title.

    The truck was refinished in red with black fenders and running boards following replacement of some panels and rust repair during the 10-year refurbishment. Pinstripes accent the cab and doors, while gold-colored paint fills “Ford V8” writing on the tailgate. Additional equipment includes steel bumpers, a bright grille and trim, an outward-opening windshield, dual sideview mirrors, and a single windshield wiper.

    Staggered-diameter 14″ and 15″ wire wheels feature red-painted accents and chrome trim rings and are mounted with BFGoodrich Radial T/A tires measuring 215/70 up front and 225/70 at the rear. Braking is handled by Wilwood discs at all four corners.

    The oak planks composing the bed floor are separated by stainless-steel trim strips.

    The interior was refreshed under previous ownership and features a bench seat trimmed in white and black leather along with complementary door panels and carpeting. Amenities include a body-color dashboard, an Old Air heater and air-conditioning system, red lap belts, a Secretaudio iPod-compatible head unit concealed in the glovebox, and Polk Audio speakers. The selling dealer notes that the air conditioning does not blow cold.

    A banjo-style steering wheel on an Ididit column sits ahead of a Classic Instruments 140-mph speedometer and a combination gauge. The six-digit mechanical odometer shows 1k miles. True mileage is unknown.

    A 350ci V8 GM crate engine was installed during the multi-year refurbishment and is augmented by a Griffin aluminum radiator, electric cooling fans, a Lone Star Classics wiring harness, and a Zoops engine dress-up kit.

    The truck sits on a powdercoated Cornhusker Rod & Custom frame and delivers power to the rear wheels through a Tremec five-speed manual transmission, a hydraulic clutch, and a Ford 9″ differential. A dual-exit Flowmaster exhaust system is utilized.

    Two die-cast models, spare parts, and a car cover are included in the sale.

    More than 150 photos taken during the refurbishment are presented in the gallery below, which also contains receipts from the project. Much of the work was performed by Ramsey’s Rods and Restoration of Fort Worth, Texas.

    The frame is stamped with VIN 18-3649213, whereas the title lists the VIN as 649213. The title notes an odometer discrepancy, and a redacted image of the document is provided in the gallery.

    These Amazing Corvettes Made True Automotive History

    Ever since the first Corvette was unveiled on the showroom floor in 1953, the model has been a golden standard for American performance. Born out of a desire to compete with the best European sports cars, Chevrolet has managed to be the dominant force in the segment for 70 years now. The Corvette is not only one of the longest-running nameplates but also one of the most successful sports cars of all time. Many amazing Corvettes rank among the best American cars as true gems.

    The Corvette is not just an icon in the engineering and design sense of the word. It’s also a symbol of the US car industry, design approach, and overall philosophy. The Corvette has come a long way from the small, fiberglass-bodied roadster of 1953 to today’s 21st-century supersonic sports car with a rear-mounted engine. In preparation for the Corvette’s 70th birthday, take a look back at the truly amazing Corvettes that made history.

    Photo Credit: Mecum

    1953 Corvette

    The introduction of the Corvette was the most important automotive news of 1953 as no one expected such an exotic car to be built and marketed by Chevrolet. All of a sudden, there was a brand new roadster made by a mid-class manufacturer with no sports car experience. However, despite that, the first Corvette was a well-designed and well-executed model. The most exciting thing about the new Corvette was its fiberglass body. Back in the early ’50s, plastic was still the material of the future and wasn’t common in the industry (via Corvette Story).

    Photo Credit: GM

    Under the hood was an inline-six engine called “Blue Flame” featuring a 3.9-liter displacement and a modest 136 HP. The engine came from Chevrolet’s standard lineup equipped with three Carter carburetors. Chevy engineers tried to keep costs down by borrowing mechanical components from other vehicles and using them on the Corvette. The price was $3490, so the 1953 Corvette wasn’t exactly affordable but cheaper than a Jaguar XK120 or a Ferrari 166.

    The post These Amazing Corvettes Made True Automotive History appeared first on Motor Junkie.

    IROC REHAB: Road Test and Review of Our 1987 Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z Build

    It’s finally time! Time to take our rehabbed 1987 Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z out for a full road test and review and see if the upgrades we made we’re worth our two-week thrash. To recap, we installed a brand new 380-hp Edelbrock small block with their Pro Flow EFI system, a new Tremec TKX 5-speed manual transmission from American Powertrain, along with a host of suspension upgrades such as KONI Yellow shocks, BMR lower control arms and torque arm, along with QA1 sway bars both front and rear from Summit Racing.From there we hit the cosmetics, and with help from Classic Industries, revamped both the interior and exterior to give the IROC the look and feel we ultimately wanted. Finally, it was time for a proper test drive, and trust us when we say, this 35-year-old Chevy did not disappoint!Click below to start the hunt for your perfect Chevrolet Camaro now!