As today’s cars require less and less driver input and interaction to move their occupants from Point A to Point B, younger drivers lose the opportunities to really experience what motoring entailed up to the point where automatic transmissions, fuel injection, cruise control, antilock brakes, and sensor-dependent driver assistance aids became the norm. There are millions of drivers in their thirties and forties who have never mastered working three pedals and a shift lever, much less driven something with a steering wheel spark advance and without turn signals. That’s not necessarily down to lack of interest, though.
James Martin got his driving license in 2007 and since then has personally owned a variety of interesting cars, some of which he’s shared on his popular U.K.-based YouTube channel, JayEmm on Cars. In the eight years this former film and television cinematographer has been creating automotive video content, he’s enjoyed seat time behind the wheel of a wide array of vehicles ranging from vintage classics to modern supercars. A friend provided James the opportunity to drive a pair of American antiques in today’s British road traffic, and he’s shared those experiences with his channel’s 464,000 subscribers.
We asked James what it meant for him to get up close and personal with a 1916 Cadillac and a 1928 Durant Motors Star –both of which are working historic artifacts with ties to the early industry’s most important people and companies– and he was kindly happy to elaborate.
JayEmm On… a 1916 Cadillac Type 53 Touring Car
“This month I have had the pleasure of driving a number of vehicles from American history. I am fortunate enough to frequently drive cars of all types and ages- but any from pre-World War II are unusual indeed.
“What I find fascinating about them is a combination of the mechanical rawness and the feeling of genuine innovation. Things that we do expect in every car now were far from a given. The sense of leaning out to grab a handbrake in a 3 Litre Bentley[watch here] makes you feel like a hero from a ‘Boy’s Own Adventure.’”
“In the immortal words of Mike Finnegan, ‘Best Day At Work, Ever.’”
“Previously I have driven a Model T Ford[watch here] from 1917, and it was quite the experience. As one of the most significant cars of all time, to be able to get behind the wheel is one of the most significant bucket-list moments in my automotive career. It was absolutely terrifying. It did not help I was instructed in French, a language I do not speak well.
“With that as my background, I found the 1916 Cadillac an utter revelation. It made not just the Ford, but also that 1922 Bentley, feel archaic. Sure, it has issues, but the control layout and feel were surprisingly modern. It genuinely felt well-made and the product of some clever-thinking, hard-working engineers.”
This Type 53 is a seven-passenger touring car that officially satisfied James’s desire to drive a 100-year-old car. He calls the prewar Cadillac “one of the most significant American automobiles ever made… a car that arguably changed the course of the motoring world forever” due to having the first mass-produced V8 engine and offering a pedal/control layout today’s drivers would recognize.
… A 1928 Durant MotorS Star/Rugby Touring Car…
“A contrast was the Durant I drove, a car far less refined but with an amazing story. Mr. Durant to me is every bit an automotive legend on par with Henry Ford or Messrs. Rolls & Royce.
“Thanks to one gentleman I got to drive not just these cars, but also the Excalibur[watch here] and a recreation of the Auburn of the 1920s [watch here]. It feels to me so sad that the Depression and subsequently the Second World War ended perhaps prematurely a style of car which is entirely unique. I feel they conveyed genuine class and opulence in a way alien to your modern car buyer. No Cadillac Escalade could hope to achieve the glamour of an Auburn 851!
“With cars like this, everybody loves you… even when you’re in their way.”
“The joy I find with all these cars is that they are the best museum in the world. It feels almost naughty to take them out and drive them – but doing so gives me the greatest sensation and a feeling of connection with true pioneers. To step into the cabin of one is to stand on the shoulders of giants.
“My greatest fear is they will not find a new audience who will love and care for them, but it is the greatest reason of all to keep driving and talking about them.”
In the film, James says, “William C. Durant changed the automobile. Which means William C. Durant changed the world.” He describes this right-hand-drive, five-passenger touring car as a 1928 Star, while noting it wears a badge from The South African Veteran & Vintage Association that calls it a Rugby; both of those marques fell under the Durant Motors umbrella. The “D”-badged radiator shell and 47-hp, 185-cu.in. L-head inline-six engine underhood seem to indicate this South African-market car is similar to an American-spec Durant 65, the mid-level model of the eponymous upmarket brand in the company’s roster.
… And On Why These Antiques Are Affordable Fun Today
In the Cadillac film, he asks, “How much are you going to pay for one of these? Well apparently, maybe because of the age of them, the fact they aren’t the easiest things to maintain, people just aren’t that interested in them anymore. Which means they’re quite affordable. You can pick one of these up for under £20,000 [roughly $27,000], a lot under if you’re willing to do the work and get it restored. And the good news is, unlike a great many much newer cars, because these were all ultimately made by men in big factories with hammers, if you know a man with a hammer, you can keep it going.”
What do you think it will take to interest younger people –from newly licensed teens up through adventurous folks in their 40s– in cars built before their grandparents were born? There’s evidence of the more common prewar cars trending towards relative affordability, so would exposure at car shows and on the road set the hook? Regardless of your age, what would it take to get you behind the wheel of a truly vintage classic car or truck?
When RJ Reynolds Tobacco Co. discovered drag racing in the 1970s (initially via IHRA, soon followed by NHRA), sample cigarette packs were one element of the sport’s most-lucrative sponsorship program to date. We’re guessing that this smoking Smokey preferred some other brand to the Winstons being offered by the woman whose red-and-white outfit matched the endless buckets of paint that RJR supplied free to any North American race promoter promising to apply it. The handouts proved predictably popular with many racers, fans, officials and press types, if objectionable to some parents—including little Donna Prudhomme’s daddy, Don, who publicly blasted Dixie-based IHRA President Larry Carrier for exposing underage kids to the practice, if not necessarily the free product. The cruiser’s county seal suggests the scenic venue to be Rockingham Dragway, which was alternately affiliated with both sanctioning bodies.
Photographer: unknown photographer
Date: mid-1970s
Location: Believed to be Rockingham (North Carolina) Dragway
A common yet aggravating oil leak path with GM’s LS engines is the four corner intersections of the front and rear covers with the oil pan. Placing a dab of silicon between the oil pan gasket and the covers in these four corners will reduce the risk of oil leaks.
One way to improve the chances of producing a leak-free engine is to ensure that the front and rear covers are very close to parallel with the pan sealing surface. If the covers are excessively high or low, even the RTV will not be able to prevent oil leaks. Summit sells a front timing chain cover alignment tool (PN SUM-900334) that can assist but you can also use a simple straight edge to align both front and rear covers with the oil pan rail.
To ensure that the front cover seal and harmonic balancer are aligned properly, we’ve modified an old LS truck balancer by cutting the hub from the balancer. Then we used a heavy duty abrasive pad on a drill motor to open the inside diameter so that the hub slips easily over the crankshaft snout. Placing this hub inside the front cover seal aligns the cover to the crank and then we use a straight edge to ensure the cover is parallel with the pan rail. All of these tips will help to reduce the chance of oil leaks with your next LS engine effort.
The 1980s were a transformative period in automotive design and marketing, characterized by a shift towards bold aesthetics and a focus on sporty imagery. (amerifreight.net) Manufacturers embraced angular, boxy designs and vibrant colors, aiming to project strength and modernity. (classiccarsprings.com) This era’s consumer culture was heavily influenced by the desire for status symbols, leading to vehicles that appeared performance-oriented but often lacked the capabilities to match their appearance. (en.wikipedia.org) The gap between appearance and reality became evident as many cars marketed as sporty failed to deliver the expected performance, highlighting the industry’s emphasis on image over substance during this decade. (motor-junkie.com)
More than a simple vehicle, the Golden Sahara II is a time capsule of 1950s futuristic fantasy. This legendary custom car, a wild reinvention of a wrecked 1953 Lincoln Capri, pushed the boundaries of automotive design and technology. From its transparent roof and gleaming gold trim to its most famous feature—the glowing tires—this car captured the imagination of a generation. After spending nearly 50 years hidden away, its dramatic rediscovery and restoration have brought this visionary custom car back into the spotlight.
The masterminds behind the masterpiece: Barris and Street
The story of the Golden Sahara II begins with two visionaries: acclaimed custom car builder George Barris and his client, Jim “Street” Skonzakes. After Barris’s personal 1953 Lincoln was damaged, Street commissioned an ambitious new project, sparing no expense to create a truly outrageous show car. Starting with the original Golden Sahara, the vehicle was later dramatically re-engineered into the even more radical Golden Sahara II in the early 1960s.
A car of tomorrow: The Golden Sahara II’s groundbreaking features
The Golden Sahara II was a showcase of technology decades ahead of its time. For 1958, its list of features was nothing short of science fiction:
Illuminated Tires: The most iconic feature was a set of custom-made Neothane synthetic rubber tires by Goodyear. Lit from within by internal bulbs, these translucent tires glowed, a dazzling spectacle that cemented the car’s legend.
Remote Control: The car could be driven remotely using a television-style remote control. This allowed Street to perform tricks for crowds, giving the impression that the car was driving itself.
Aircraft-Style Controls: Inside, the conventional steering wheel was replaced with an aircraft-inspired yoke, and a central lever controlled acceleration and braking.
Early Obstacle Sensors: Short antennas on the front bumper were integrated with an early concept of an automatic braking system, designed to stop the car if it detected an obstacle.
Luxury and Entertainment: The cabin was pure opulence, featuring gold and white upholstery, mink carpeting, a reel-to-reel tape recorder, and a dash-mounted television.
Lost and found: A Legendary Restoration
After touring for years and even appearing in the Jerry Lewis film Cinderfella, the Golden Sahara II was mysteriously stored away by Jim Street in the 1970s and disappeared from public view for decades. The car’s legend grew during its long slumber.
Following Street’s death in 2017, the custom classic re-emerged in a deteriorated state at a Mecum auction in 2018, where it sold for $385,000. It was purchased by Chicago’s Klairmont Kollections Automotive Museum, owned by the late Larry Klairmont, who sent the historic icon to Speakeasy Customs and Classics for a painstaking restoration to bring the car back to its former glory. With help from Goodyear, which created modern, LED-lit replacements for the famous translucent tires, the project was a resounding success.
The fully restored Golden Sahara II was dramatically unveiled at the 2019 Geneva International Motor Show, where it stood alongside cutting-edge modern supercars and drew immense attention. The car, now in-between ownership, continues to be a star attraction, serving as a powerful reminder of an era of unbounded automotive creativity and future-forward design.
Larry Klairmont, the museum’s founder and collector, sadly passed away in July, leaving behind the Golden Sahara II among hundreds of other collector cars. The entire collection, including this custom beauty, is heading to auction at the end of this month.
For automotive enthusiasts and collectors, the Shelby name conjures images of powerful V8 engines, raw performance, and the legendary Cobra. However, in the late 1990s, Carroll Shelby pursued a different path, designing and building a car entirely from scratch rather than modifying an existing model. The result was the Shelby Series 1, an ambitious, modern roadster that, despite its troubled history, remains a fascinating and exclusive chapter in American automotive lore.
The genesis of a modern classic
Conceived as a modern reinterpretation of the Cobra, the Series 1 was first unveiled as a prototype at the 1997 Los Angeles Auto Show and released for the 1999 model year. This was the only car in Carroll Shelby’s extensive history to be designed and built from the ground up by Shelby American, a fact that gives it a special place in the lineage. Shelby’s vision was to combine the classic roadster feel with contemporary technology and performance.
The Series 1 was a forward-thinking machine built for performance. Its chassis was constructed from extruded and formed 6061 aluminum, with aluminum honeycomb panels bonded into the floorboards and rocker panels for added strength and stiffness. This advanced construction, more commonly seen in race cars, resulted in a featherlight curb weight of just 2,650 pounds. For the body panels, Shelby American employed a composite of carbon fiber and fiberglass, further reducing weight and enhancing rigidity. A double-wishbone suspension with inboard cantilevered coil-over shocks was utilized at all four corners, a setup that was praised for its balance and impressive grip.
A surprising heart and formidable performance
Breaking from the traditional Ford V8 engine expected in a Shelby, the Series 1 was powered by a 4.0-liter DOHC Aurora V8 sourced from General Motors’ Oldsmobile division. Though an unusual choice, this engine was derived from an Indy Racing League power unit and was surprisingly sophisticated for its time. In its naturally aspirated form, it produced a respectable 320 horsepower and 290 pound-feet of torque. The engine was mounted behind the front axle and paired with a six-speed manual ZF transaxle, which helped achieve a near-perfect weight distribution. This combination was good for a 0-60 mph sprint in 4.4 seconds and a top speed of 170 mph. A supercharged option was also offered, boosting output to as much as 450 horsepower and dropping the 0-60 time to just over four seconds.
Despite its cutting-edge design and impressive performance, the Series 1 had a difficult journey to market. Only 249 units were officially produced between 1999 and 2005, a far cry from the originally planned 500. Production challenges included regulatory red tape, financial issues, and a steep price tag of around $110,000 to begin with, which made it a tough sell compared to established sports cars. After regulatory certifications expired, some of the final cars were sold as “component cars” without an engine or transmission. The use of some GM parts-bin components for the interior also disappointed some potential buyers expecting a bespoke cabin.
Today, the Shelby Series 1 is a rare and unique collectible. It represents a brief but important moment in automotive history when Carroll Shelby pursued a singular vision. While it may have been overlooked by many at the time, its rarity, engineering, and place in Shelby’s personal history have solidified its status as an underappreciated gem. For collectors, it offers an exclusive piece of the Shelby legacy, representing not a modification of another’s creation, but a true original.
Barrett-Jackson will auction three vehicles for charity, including a 2022 Chevrolet Camaro SS 1LE (Lot #3000) built by Chevrolet for three NASCAR Cup Series races, during the Scottsdale Fall Auction, Oct. 15-18, 2025, at WestWorld of Scottsdale. To date, Barrett-Jackson has helped raise awareness and more than $163 million to support charities across the country. Also crossing the block to benefit charity is “Hot & Heavy”, a custom motorcycle benefiting the Tunnel to Towers Foundation (Lot #3001) and a 1988 Chevrolet Corvette 35th Anniversary Edition (Lot #3002) benefiting American Heart Association.
“Our company’s heritage is built on the principle of giving back to the communities we live in,” said Craig Jackson, chairman and CEO of Barrett-Jackson. “Over the years we’ve supported charities that provide critical support for our veterans, youth and those facing life-threatening illness. We’ll continue that tradition in Scottsdale this fall with the sale of three vehicles generously donated by Chevrolet and philanthropic friends in the collector car community. We’re especially grateful to continue our yearlong commitment to support the Tunnel to Towers Foundation with the sale of the custom motorcycle built by Paul Cox Industries.”
The 2022 Chevrolet Camaro SS 1LE (Lot #3000) is an official pace car built by Chevrolet for three NASCAR Cup Series races to honor “Making Strides Against Breast Cancer” during Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October 2022. It was used at the Talladega Superspeedway race, Round 8 of the playoff races at Homestead-Miami Speedway and Martinsville Speedway in 2022. The pink Camaro pace car is powered by the production 455-horsepower engine paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. The American Cancer Society will receive 100% of the hammer price.
“Some of the greatest moments in our history are the sales of charity cars that bring much needed awareness and money to deserving charities,” said Steve Davis, president of Barrett-Jackson. “It’s especially rewarding to know we’ll be part of the effort to support the fight against breast cancer during Breast Cancer Awareness when we auction the Camaro pace car this October. I also look forward to watching ‘Hot & Heavy’ (Lot #3001) and the 35th Anniversary Corvette (Lot #3002) cross the block to in support of our nation’s first responders and the American Heart Association.”
“Hot and Heavy” 1966 Harley-Davidson Custom Motorcycle
Barrett-Jackson will auction “Hot and Heavy,” a custom-built motorcycle that started with a frame fabricated by Paul Cox Industries and is powered by a classic 1966 Harley-Davidson engine. The one-of-one motorcycle features Paul Cox’s signature design elements developed over 20 years of custom bike building. The No Reserve auction of the one-of-one motorcycle, commissioned and donated by Mohawk Group, is part of Barrett-Jackson’s yearlong commitment to support the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to helping U. S. military veterans, first responders and their families.
“Hot and Heavy” will be a part of this year’s 24th Annual Tunnel to Towers 5K Run & Walk NYC, on September 28, 2025. The event symbolizes Stephen Siller’s final footsteps from the foot of the Battery Tunnel to the Twin Towers and pays homage to the 343 FDNY firefighters, law enforcement officers, and thousands of civilians who lost their lives on September 11, 2001.
1988 Chevrolet Corvette 35th Anniversary Edition
Also crossing the block for charity during the Scottsdale Fall Auction is a 1988 Chevrolet Corvette 35th Anniversary Edition (Lot #3002). One of 2,050 anniversary editions built, it is powered by a 245-horsepower engine mated to a 4-speed automatic transmission. Originally from the David M. Ressler Collection, the Z01 features the 35th Anniversary logo on exterior side badging, white leather seats, white door panels and steering wheel, and includes a special console badge with engraved sequence number. The entire hammer price will benefit the American Heart Association.
Those interested in consigning their vehicles with confidence for the Scottsdale Fall Auction are welcome to submit their application online. In addition, bidder registration is now open, with three packages to choose from, upgrades for Muscle Lounge access and Hammer High Tops. Throughout the four-day Scottsdale Fall Auction, children ages 12 and under enjoy complimentary admission with a paying adult. General admission tickets for students age 13 through college age are $10 and adult ticket prices start at $28.
Join Barrett-Jackson’s online conversation with #BarrettJackson and #BJAC on Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube.
Love dogs and classic pickup trucks? Get geared up for the 2025 Fall Carlisle Auction, which is once again putting the power of the collector car community behind a worthy cause. As part of the 2025 Fall Carlisle Collector Car Auction, happening October 2–3 at the Carlisle Expo Center, Carlisle Auctions is proud to announce a charity partnership with Harley’s Haven Dog Rescue to benefit the Pups for Vets program.
Crossing the block during the auction will be a 1952 GMC 1-Ton Pickup, with 100-percent of the hammer price going directly to Harley’s Haven. This nonprofit initiative helps connect veterans with rescue dogs in need of forever homes, while covering adoption fees and providing vital resources to ensure a successful match. It’s anticipated that this 1952 GMC will be the first consignment to cross the block on Friday, October 3 at approximately 10:30 a.m.
About Harley’s Haven Dog Rescue
Founded in honor of his father and grandfather—both military veterans with a passion for dogs—Jon Beagle, along with co-founder Laura Montai, created Pups for Vets as a way to serve veterans while giving dogs a second chance. Harley’s Haven Dog Rescue, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in the Philadelphia region, provides the pups and fosters until they’re matched with their new families.
“This cause is deeply personal to me,” said Beagle. “My father served in Vietnam and my grandfather in World War II. They were my heroes, and their love of dogs was my inspiration. With support from Carlisle Auctions and the sale of this incredible GMC, we can continue changing lives—for both veterans and the dogs they adopt.”
All Proceeds From the GMC 1-Ton Truck Go to the Rescue
Carlisle Auctions is waving all buyer and seller fees for this consignment, ensuring that every dollar raised from the sale of the truck goes directly to Harley’s Haven and Pups for Vets.
1952 GMC 1-Ton truck values vary significantly by condition, ranging from around $18,400 for a low-retail example to $101,900 for a high-retail, high-quality restoration, with individual sale prices from private sellers and auctions falling within a broad spectrum based on these factors. Factors like original parts, customizations, maintenance history, and overall cosmetic appeal heavily influence a truck’s final price.
“Charity consignments like this showcase the true heart of the collector car hobby,” said Tony Cline, Director of Auction Operations at Carlisle Auctions. “We are happy to be working with Jon again to help a wonderful cause. Every bid makes a difference.”
The Fall Carlisle Collector Car Auction runs October 2–3 in conjunction with Fall Carlisle (Oct. 1–5) at the Carlisle Fairgrounds. To learn more about the auction or to register to bid, visit CarlisleAuctions.com. To explore Harley’s Haven and Pups for Vets, visit harleyshavendogrescue.com.
When you think of a small, boutique automaker, you probably envision a distinctive (for better or worse) design, a hodgepodge of components from different manufacturers, and quirky ergonomics. There’s a good chance the engine from a higher-volume automaker also comes to mind. After all, developing, testing, certifying, and building an engine takes the kind of money smaller outfits just don’t have. But as Jay Leno‘s experience in a right-hand-drive 2001 TVR Tuscan S shows, at least one small British firm built its very own power plant.
And what a power plant the Speed Six was: a 4.0-liter I6 with twin cams, four valves per cylinder, an eight-degree slant, and a dry-sump oiling system. According to Gavin Bristow of TVR Garage, an Arizona company that imports and restores TVRs, the Speed Six in the Tuscan S brought to Leno’s garage produces 390 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque, which are routed through a BorgWarner T-5 five-speed manual gearbox.
Those output numbers seem tame today, but they’re effectively higher when you consider the Tuscan S has a fiberglass body and weighs only 2,300 pounds. Another impressive figure is how many Tuscan S models are currently in the U.S.: one. Leno’s other guest, a British expat living in Florida named Mike Welling, is its lucky owner.
The Tuscan S’s strengths of a potent in-house engine and a fiberglass body could very well detract from its driving experience. During his drive with Welling, Leno points out the potential for rough power delivery or the possibility the body may creak or rattle. Thanks to TVR Garage’s extensive work, those aren’t issues in Welling’s car—even the pedal placement feels natural. The Tuscan S is so well sorted and satisfying that Leno gives it one of the highest compliments a man with a collection like his can offer. What do you think it may be ?
The Chevrolet small block, regardless of its displacement, has been a cornerstone of the OHV V8 legacy. Fortunately, the engine’s global appeal and its appearance in over 50 years of OE production has benefitted performance enthusiasts due to the automotive aftermarket’s abundance of new speed-part technology, to the extent that it includes those parts that appear nostalgic but provide 21st century technology.
In this episode of the Summit Racing 70th Anniversary small block Chevrolet engine build, Evan and Mike install alloy cylinder heads and a roller-cam valvetrain on the fresh Summit Racing SPC short block. The cylinder heads are Trick Flow DHC 200s which mimic Chevrolet camel hump castings for the perfect vintage look, but with modern CNC ported runners. Follow along as the short block fills out into a long block on its way to the engine dyno!
