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    A Ford Model T Driving Lesson from Jay Leno

    Every new generation of drivers becomes accustomed to certain technologies while losing – or never even developing – connection to older ones. Many young drivers don’t know how to drive a manual transmission; others have never been behind the wheel of a car with a cassette player. In a recent video, David Swift, the executive producer of Jay Leno’s Garage, learns how to drive a car that came out 25 years before Jay Leno himself was born: a 1925 Ford Model T.

    Leno’s Model T is a deceptively simple car. As a “Mennonite” Model T marketed toward members of the Anabaptist Christian faith, it’s all-black and devoid of chrome or flash. The four-cylinder engine doesn’t have water or oil pumps. There isn’t even a speedometer on the dashboard.

    As Swift learns, the Model T isn’t quite as straightforward as it seems. Hand-cranking the engine is both physically taxing and difficult (luckily Leno’s Model T has an electric starter). There is no PRND layout to the two-speed transmission. There are three pedals, but they aren’t clutch, gas, and brake as many modern drivers would expect them to be. Instead, the handbrake on the far left is used as a sort of neutral, the left pedal is for switching between high and low gear, the middle pedal is reverse, and the one on the right is the brake – for the rear wheels only. So where is the gas? Technically, it’s on the steering wheel, where a lever is used to control the throttle.

    Swift gets the privilege of driving Leno’s car and receiving a private lesson from him, but he’s also under the pressure of quickly memorizing complex instructions while not grenading the Model T’s hardware or crashing into somebody as Leno (and millions of viewers) watch him. How does he do? Take a deep breath to calm your nerves, then click the play button on the video below.

    AutoHunter Spotlight: 2019 Porsche 911 GT3 RS Coupe

    If you’ve ever wanted to own a street-legal racecar, today is your lucky day.

    Featured on AutoHunter is this 2019 Porsche 911 GT3 RS Coupe. The car is being sold by a dealer in North Andover, Massachusetts, and the auction will end Tuesday, August 26, 2025, at 11:45 a.m. (PDT).

    The GT3 was a homologation version of the 911—in other words, it was developed in limited numbers in order to comply with the requirements of a racing series. That is because many races (especially those governed by the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile, or FIA) require that the cars in competition be based on publicly available production cars. The GT3 nameplate was first introduced in 1999 and, over the past quarter-century, it has become a revered nameplate among Porsche aficionados and collectors.

    2019 Porsche 911

    This black-and-white-themed GT3 RS shows just 40,707 miles on the odometer and looks like it’s ready for a race circuit even while standing still. Car and Driver called the GT3 RS the “hardest-core” 911, saying that it was a “rabid yet tamable performance machine.” Power comes from a naturally-aspirated, 520-horsepower 4.0-liter flat-six that revs to 9,000 rpm, making it the most powerful naturally-aspirated, road-legal 911 in history. A seven-speed Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK) dual-clutch automatic transmission sends power to the rear wheels.

    A sports car needs to handle as well as it accelerates, so extensive chassis tuning was done to the GT3 when it was engineered in order to optimize balance and poise. The car uses spherical bearings on all the suspension links, as well as front and rear helper springs. Aerodynamics were a key part of the philosophy, with the front splitter, the side skirts, and the rear wing were all designed to generate downforce (and therefore maximize grip).

    Special note about this vehicle’s history: the CARFAX report shows an accident was reported in June 2020 involving damage to the left front corner. The vehicle was declared a total loss by an insurance company and received a salvage title a few months later. However, the car was returned to roadworthiness and was back to logging miles by 2022 when the next CARFAX record shows it was serviced in Sacramento at 33,560 miles.

    There are a lot of factors that go into whether a salvage title vehicle is right for you. A salvage vehicle usually has a significantly lower purchase price when compared to its clean-title counterpart. Also, not all vehicles declared salvage are severely damaged—in some vehicles, an insurance might “total out” a car for mere paint scrapes or hail damage, even though mechanically it’s still in top condition. Finally, a salvage vehicle is likely to experience less depreciation than a clean-title car because it’s already been devalued.

    Points to ponder, right? If you’ve ever wanted a Porsche supercar for a fraction of the market price, your opportunity is right here.

    The auction for this 2019 Porsche 911 GT3 RS Coupe ends Tuesday, August 26, 2025, at 11:45 a.m. (PDT).

    Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and a photo gallery

    Pick of the Day: 1975 Chevrolet K5 Blazer 4X4

    You know what makes off-roading even better? When you can get out of your rig and shoot pictures and video of it and your location without your phone over-heating (I know from experience). Luckily, cooler weather is coming. But if you want our Pick of the Day so you can take it wheeling, you have to go after it. You can find this 1975 Chevrolet K5 Blazer 4X4 on ClassicCars.com listed by a private seller in Sonoma, California.

    Vintage SUVs are so hot these days but, 20 years ago, someone made the right decision to restore this full-size rig. No word on what color(s) this Blazer originally had, but now it wears the attractive combination of red and white on its body (perhaps Crimson Red and Frost White?) and white on its removable top.

    Chevrolet offered the 1975 Blazer with two-wheel drive, but this one sends the power from its four-barrel 350ci V8 through a TH350 automatic and a transfer case to all four of its 31-inch BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2s. Dual Rough Country steering stabilizers combat the bump steer caused by the challenging terrain a vehicle like this was made to get over.

    The interior was both updated and upgraded with the tan leather seats from a later-model Chevrolet Suburban or Tahoe. Those, as well as air conditioning, JVC AM/FM/cassette radio with a Sony Xplod CD changer, and center console with a pair of cup holders, should make any off-road trip a more pleasant experience.

    You know better wheeling weather is coming, but you won’t really know how nice this 1975 Chevrolet K5 Blazer 4X4 is in the wild unless you buy it. It’ll take $44,000 to find out.

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

    15 Cars From the 80s That Tried to Be Luxury Icons — and Missed the Mark

    The 1980s were a time of bold aspirations in the automotive industry, with manufacturers aiming to redefine luxury and performance. However, several models introduced during this era fell short of their lofty goals due to design missteps, reliability issues, and poor execution. This article revisits 15 such ambitious yet unsuccessful luxury aspirants from the 1980s.

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    Custom 1951 Ford Deluxe Tudor Sedan

    This 1951 Ford Tudor sedan was the subject of a 13-year custom build completed in 2024 by the seller, who was the owner and operator of a body shop in Oregon for over three decades. During the build, the body was channeled, nosed, and decked, and the roof was chopped by 4″ at the front and 6″ at the rear. The quarter panels were extended, the bumpers were removed, the doors and drip rails were shaved, and a 1947 Oldsmobile grille was fitted, in addition to frenching the headlights and tunneling the taillights. Power is provided by a BluePrint Engines 347ci stroker V8 paired with a three-speed automatic transmission, and the chassis has been modified with an adjustable air suspension system as well as a rear four-link and power-assisted front disc brakes. Inside, the front bucket seats and rear bench are trimmed in tan leather along with the fabricated center console and custom door panels. Additional equipment includes a digital gauge panel, a touchscreen stereo unit, and 15″ wheels with full moon covers. This custom Shoebox Ford is now offered with a clean Washington title in the seller’s name.

    The tudor sedan body was finished in matte blue with white rocker stripes following customization that included chopping the top 4″ at the front and 6″ at the rear as well as shaving the drip rails, extending the rear quarter panels, narrowing the rear body, and fabricating a custom deck lid along with a pointed tail pan and custom roll pan. The car is nosed and decked, the doors have been shaved, the side glass has been removed, and remote-controlled door poppers are installed. A grille assembly from a 1947 Oldsmobile was grafted to the front along with a custom valance, and additional modifications include frenched headlights and tunneled taillights.

    The frame was boxed in sections and modified for the adjustable airbag suspension system, and the rear suspension utilizes a triangulated four-link assembly. Steel 15″ wheels wear full moon covers and are wrapped in Hankook Optimo radial tires. Braking is handled by power-assisted front discs and rear drums.

    Custom floor supports and framework were fabricated to channel the body over the frame.

    The interior features front bucket seats, a rear bench, a center console, and door panels trimmed in tan leather with brown stripes. The dash has a custom woodgrain insert and houses a touchscreen stereo unit, which is connected to a backup camera, according to the seller. Additional equipment includes a B&M shifter, aftermarket pedals, and a 12-volt power port along with gauges and controls for the air suspension system on the center console. The tilt-adjustable steering column remains unpainted.

    The compressor and tanks for the air suspension are mounted in the trunk along with the battery and fuel filler.

    The three-spoke steering wheel has a flame motif and frames a digital instrument panel with readouts for speed, engine RPM, voltage, oil pressure, coolant temperature, and fuel level. The digital odometer indicates 126 miles have been added since the build was completed.

    The BluePrint Engines 347ci stroker V8 was installed in 2024 and features a Quick Fuel Technologies four-barrel carburetor. An aluminum radiator is installed, and stainless headers feed into a dual exhaust system with heat-wrapped tail pipes.

    Power is routed to the rear wheels through a C4 three-speed automatic transmission and a Ford 8″ rear axle.

    Photos taken at various stages of the build are included in the gallery below.

    Seven-Decades-Family-Owned, Supercharged 1946 Ford Super Deluxe Coupe 5-Speed

    This 1946 Ford Super Deluxe was purchased by the seller’s great-grandfather circa 1950. The car sustained damage at some point in the 1960s and was eventually purchased by the seller’s father in 1978. It was then disassembled and remained a stalled project for nearly three decades before it was converted into a hot rod as part of a multi-year build that was completed in 2010. The flathead V8 was rebuilt by H&H Flatheads to displace 284ci and equipped with a S.C.o.T supercharger, a T-5 five-speed manual transmission and a Ford 9″ rear end were installed, and the bodywork, interior, suspension, and brakes were revised. The burgundy finish is complemented by tan leather upholstery, and build details include a front drop axle, lowering blocks, four-wheel disc brakes, frenched headlights, and Vintage Air climate control in addition to custom headers that feed a dual exhaust system with Cherry Bomb mufflers. This Ford hot rod is now offered by the seller on behalf of his mother with spare parts, a car cover, and a clean Arizona title in the owner’s name.

    The car was refinished in burgundy following bodywork as part of the 2010 build. The parking lights have been removed, and details include frenched headlights, a one-piece windshield, and a chrome grille, bumpers, and trim. The undercarriage has been finished in coordinated textured paint. Exterior blemishes are shown in the gallery below. The right door handle is misaligned, and the seller reports that the door is difficult to open from the outside.

    Suspension includes a front drop axle, parallel rear leaf springs, lowering blocks, and monotube shocks. Body-color 15″ wheels wear polished hubcaps and were mounted with Coker Classic whitewall tires in preparation for the sale. Stopping power is provided by four-wheel discs with a proportioning valve and a Wilwood master cylinder.

    Tan Spinneybeck leather trims the cabin, which is outfitted with a split-back bench seat and black carpets. A skull-shaped knob tops the shifter, and controls for the Vintage Air climate control are located in the glovebox. An AM radio is housed in the dashboard but is not connected. Spare leather upholstery will accompany the car.

    The 1940 Ford-style two-spoke steering wheel fronts a 120-mph speedometer and auxiliary gauges, while a Stewart-Warner 8k-rpm tachometer is mounted on the column. The backlights for the auxiliary gauges do not work. The five-digit odometer shows 951 miles, which is said to represent the miles added since the build was completed in 2010.

    The flathead V8 was built by H&H Flatheads of La Crescenta, California, to displace 284ci. It is equipped with a polished S.C.o.T. blower, Offenhauser cylinder heads, custom ceramic-coated headers, and a fabricated dual exhaust system with Cherry Bomb mufflers. The oil was changed in preparation for the sale. A blemish in the engine bay from a prior brake fluid leak is noted.

    A May 2009 invoice from H&H Flatheads lists engine specifications and components used during the build.

    Power is routed to the rear wheels through a T-5 five-speed manual transmission and a Ford 9″ rear end.

    Photos showing stages of the build are included in the gallery below. Records will also accompany the car.

    The frame stamping is shown above and in a video in the gallery. The current Arizona title lists the VIN as 000001063527.

    10 Cars From the 80s That Looked Futuristic Then — and Still Do Today

    The 1980s marked a pivotal era in automotive design, ushering in vehicles that boldly defied conventional aesthetics and embraced forward-thinking innovations. This decade witnessed the emergence of cars that not only captivated the imagination of their time but continue to turn heads with their timeless appeal. From the iconic gull-wing doors of the DeLorean DMC-12 to the aerodynamic prowess of the Porsche 959, these vehicles set new standards in design and technology. Their enduring presence in popular culture and the automotive world underscores the lasting impact of 1980s automotive design.

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    10 Cars From the 80s That Were Cooler as Die-Cast Toys Than in Real Life

    The 1980s were a golden era for die-cast toy cars, with miniature versions of real vehicles capturing the imagination of children and collectors alike. Brands like Hot Wheels and Matchbox produced detailed replicas that often outshone their real-life counterparts in terms of excitement and appeal. These toys combined imaginative design, vibrant colors, and the thrill of racing, creating a nostalgic allure that continues to captivate enthusiasts today. The fusion of pop culture and automotive design in these die-cast models offered a unique form of escapism, allowing fans to experience the excitement of high-speed adventures without leaving their homes.

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    Acura to Auction “Avengers” Movie Car

    Acura has a 10-year tradition of being part of “Car Week” festivities along California’s central coast at the Monterey Peninsula each August. The activities – which span about 10 days – culminate with the famous Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. Each year, about 100,000 people take part in Car Week and, this year, I was one of them. Always eager for a road trip, I made the 11-hour one-way trek out to the area in my 1986 Acura, which I’m happy to report was mechanically sound despite being nearly 40 years old.

    Movie Star Car

    The Carmel Valley Ranch played host to a private reception where Acura showcased parts of its current and future strategic visions. Parked in front of the lodge was a movie star in the form of a one-off Acura NSX convertible. The car was driven by Tony Stark (played by Robert Downey Jr.) in a 2012 film based on the Marvel Comics superhero team called “The Avengers.”

    The interesting thing is that the car, according to a recent press release, was actually built using a 1991 Acura NSX with 252,000 miles on it. I was able to get up close to the car, but I did not touch it or open anything. The cockpit looks mostly unchanged from its 1991-era origins, but the exterior is vastly remolded to resemble what later became the second-generation “NC1” chassis Acura NSX. Acura elected to bring the car out of storage – after over a decade – and showcase it at events during Car Week to commemorate the 35th anniversary of the NSX. The car will go up for charity auction in 2026, but the details on that are still forthcoming.

    New Directions

    In other news, Acura discontinued production of its TLX sedan model after a 10-year run. The brand’s efforts are now focused on electric-vehicle initiatives, and at the core of the vision is a new “RSX” model.  

    The previous RSX, sold between model years 2002 and 2006, was a three-door hatchback with a rev-happy VTEC four-cylinder and an available six-speed manual transmission. The new version takes a different approach entirely. Acura says the RSX is the “first model engineered in-house on the new Honda-developed EV platform.” It will be manufactured in Ohio and is expected to arrive in dealerships in the second half of 2026. Engineering wise, it will use dual motors and be equipped with all-wheel drive, a double-wishbone front suspension, and Brembo brakes. While not able to see the interior, I did get to make a walk-around and hear a few words from Acura Creative Director Yasutake Tsuchida about the design of the car.

    The automotive industry is evolving at warp speed, and alternative-fuel initiatives have taken center stage in recent years. It remains to be seen how Acura’s latest creations will be received in the marketplace. Does the new RSX catch your eye?

    Identify These Total Performance FoMoCos!

    Ford unleashed a global assault on all forms of automotive racing in the 1960s called “Total Performance.” The below four cars currently listed for sale on AutoHunter were contemporary vehicles available to consumers during that time. Can you identify them for us?

    In the Comments section below, give us the brand, model year, and model. If you need a hint, you can click on an image for a look-see.

    Click on a photo to reveal each car

    You can depend on Tuesday to bring you a new puzzle on The Classic Cars.com Journal. Play previous games for even more enjoyment!