The Audrain Collection of Newport, Rhode Island, known for its collection of over 400 cars and 110 motorcycles, secured three class wins at the 74th Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.
A beautifully restored 1929 Rolls-Royce Phantom I earned first place, a 1988 McLaren MP4/4 took second, and a 1955 Porsche 356 Speedster finished third in its respective categories. These victories highlight the Audrain Automobile Museum’s commitment to automotive preservation and showcase its diverse collection on a global stage.
1929 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Brewster Ascot Phaeton
Photo: Antonio Melegari
Audrain’s beautifully restored 1929 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Brewster Ascot Phaeton captured a First in Class in the Rolls-Royce Phantom Centennial class. This car is one of only 21 produced with the Brewster Phaeton body style. Its unique features include roll-up windows, a modification by Murphy Coachworks of Pasadena, CA, and the only Ascot known to have this feature. It also features polished aluminum beltlines, 21-inch wire wheels, and a dual cowl configuration, reflecting Brewster coachwork style. The car was originally delivered to Mr. G.M. Church of Pasadena, CA, in October 1929 and later owned by Mr. Lester Braunstein of Beverly Hills, CA.
1988 McLaren MP4/4 Formula 1
Photo: Antonio Melegari
The collection’s Springfield-built 1988 McLaren MP4/4 Formula 1 car clinched a Second in Class in the 75th Anniversary of Formula 1:1974-Present class. The McLaren MP4/4, considered one of the most dominant Formula 1 cars of all time, holds a special place within the Audrain Collection. This particular chassis (Chassis 4) was used by Alain Prost during the 1988 Formula 1 season, where he achieved victories in Monaco, Mexico City, and Paul Ricard along with several podium finishes.
1955 Porsche 356 1600 Super Reutter Speedster
Photo: Antonio Melegari
The 1955 Porsche 356 1600 Super Reutter Speedster, acquired by the Audrain Collections in 2020 from the celebrated collection of Dr. Nicholas Begovich, captured Third in Class in the Postwar Preservation Early class. Bought new by Begovich, this car was purchased with a rare hardtop that’s never been mounted and it shows just 10,684 miles. The car is completely original and has been carefully maintained throughout its life.
“As these wonderful and truly historic automobiles take their place of prominence on the global stage, it is a moment of pride and celebration for all of us who have been involved in their preservation,” said Audrain Group President Nic Waller. “These remarkable cars stand as a symbol of the elegance and craftsmanship of a bygone era. With their timeless design and attention to detail, these vehicles capture the essence of automotive excellence and serve as a reminder of the rich history behind these iconic automotive brands.”
The mission of the Audrain Automobile Museum is to “preserve, celebrate and share automotive history.” A vital part of sharing the vehicles in the Audrain collection is in bringing them to the public on the road, being used as the builder intended as fully functional kinetic sculpture.
The Audrain Automobile Museum’s exhibits attract more than 30,000 visitors per year to its 7,500 square feet of gallery space in Newport, Rhode Island. The Museum curates four special exhibits annually, typically displaying 12-20 vehicles cars of a particular period, genre or theme. Visit the website for more information.
Auto Metal Direct • 877-575-3586 • autometaldirect.com • $249.99/each
With half a century in the books for some Ford trucks, it’s inevitable that time and the elements will have taken a toll on the fenders. Fortunately, new OEM fenders are now available for 1978-’79 Broncos and the 1973-’79 Ford F-series trucks. Each fender is made using brand-new tooling and designed to fit just like the original Ford parts. They are stamped from automotive-grade steel at OE thickness and EDP-coated to combat rust and corrosion. Installation is simple as these are direct bolt-on parts requiring no modification. These front fenders are patterned after Ford part D9TZ-16006-A and both sides are available. Ask about p/n 200-4573-L and R for more details.
NextGen Air Intake Systems are now available and built to improve horsepower for today’s most popular trucks, SUVs and Jeeps. They feature an open-top design as well as larger air inlets to maximize airflow and decrease inlet temperatures. Each system also comes with a redesigned filter, intake tube and airbox that is said to increase output by an average of 20 hp, according to dyno results. Installation is effortless with a precise tapered mounting bead interface, allowing the filter to snap into the airbox and eliminating the need for mounting hardware. Applications for most modern trucks going back as far as 2009 include Fords, Chevys, Dodges/Rams and Jeeps. Inquire about the NextGen Air Intake Systems for your specific application.
New Griffin Performance radiators are now available for 1959-’63 Chevy Impalas. These aluminum radiators are fitted with a Mega-Cool core with two rows of 1.25-inch induction welding tubing that is said to lower engine temperature by approximately 25 percent compared to the factory radiators. The redesign includes extra clearance on the driver’s side to make room for an aftermarket steering box, should you desire one. The radiators come solo or as part of a combination package that includes 12-inch diameter fans rated at 1,700 cfm of airflow, an aluminum shroud, a temperature sensor, a wiring harness and a radiator cap. The fans and shroud are mounted to the radiator so all you will have to do is bolt the unit in and connect the appropriate hoses and wires. The radiator and kit are made for the straight-six, small-block V8 or 348-409 V8s and an automatic transmission. Some modification and trimming may be necessary; ask about p/n 8-70203 (radiator) and CU-70203 (combo kit) for more details.
Star Series wide-whitewall radials are now available in new tread patterns and a greater variety of sizes. Each tire gives the look of vintage rubber with the performance of modern radials. The 15-inch tires feature a low-noise tread design with maximum handling and traction that easily navigates dry and wet roads. The Star Series’ sidewalls are reinforced to account for the weights of classics from earlier eras, as well as for added durability and strength. In addition, the whitewalls won’t fade or rub off during use and cleaning. The tires are “T” speed rated to 118mph and available in the following sizes and stripe widths:
The Hemmings team is starting to see some light at the end of the tunnel and all the details are in this double-length finale. The effort to transform a tired 100,000-plus mile ’72 into a reliable, road-trip ready time-distance competitor for The 2025 Hemmings Great Race begins with a road test to confirm that the suspension, engine, and exhaust systems show that we’re heading in the right direction, even if we still have a lot to get done before the 2025 Great Race kicks off.
We’ve still got to get the vacuum-operated pop-up headlights and windshield wiper door working, plus we’ve got to install new seat covers and fix the seat belts. Then we’ve got some new bumpers, grilles and other trim parts to get into place, and we’re still hoping we can coax the original air-conditioning system into working again. The crowning touch is a set of new 15 x 8-inch Rally wheels mounting Coker Tire’s Firestone Wide-Ovals, which look like original bias-ply tires from the early ‘70s but are actually radials. We’ve run these before on our ’69 Chevelle and they’ll look perfect on the ’72 Corvette. We’ll get a proper four-wheel alignment from our local guru and then do some more driving while we continue to sort out the details on this ’72 Corvette before we have to ship it out to Minnesota for the start of the 2025 Great Race.
Keep watching the Hemmings YouTube channel and our socials to see if our project “Road-Trip Refurb” is ready to run by the deadline. One lucky winner will have the chance to take home a show-stopping, fully restored 1972 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray—a true American classic built to turn heads and dominate the road. This is your chance to own a collector-grade Corvette with period-correct details and modern reliability.
On August 21, 2025, General Motors announced a recall and stop-sale for 2023-2026 C8 Corvette Z06 and 2025-2026 C8 Corvette ZR1 models. The recall is due to a fire risk that can occur while refueling.
The issue affects the left-side radiator/fan assembly, which is unique to the Z06 and ZR1 models. If fuel spills while filling the gas tank, the left-side cooling fan can blow fuel or its vapors toward hot components, creating a fire hazard. The recall applies only to the Z06 and ZR1 models due to their specific left-side radiator assembly.
Essentially, there is a small chance that any fuel that is spilled inside the fuel port can leak down onto the radiator below, which may itself be hot or the radiator fan may blow the fuel onto other hot components in the engine bay, resulting in a fire.
GM believes that malfunctioning gas station pumps can also contribute to the fuel spill risk.
Corvette Z06 and ZR1 Sales Come to a Stop
Following the voluntary safety recall for a fire risk during refueling, GM also put a stop sale on new, unsold 2023-2026 C8 Corvette Z06 and 2025-2026 C8 Corvette ZR1 models that are sitting on dealership lots. Sales will resume only after GM provides dealerships with the necessary parts to fix the issue. Customers with an order already in progress are encouraged to contact their dealership for updates on when they expect to be able to complete the repairs and deliver the Corvette.
Has GM released info on how many Corvette Z06/ZR1 fires occurred?
As of late August 2025, General Motors has reported four field incidents potentially related to the C8 Corvette Z06 and ZR1 fuel spill issue.
According to The Truth About Cars, GM received four field reports of fires related to the fuel spill issue. Two of those incidents were attributed to malfunctioning gas station pumps causing a fuel spill. Another incident was reported to GM by an employee who saw social media posts by owners, and the fourth involved a GM-owned vehicle. Another report from CorvetteBlogger mentions a dealer whose customer’s Z06 caught fire at a gas station, which may be one of the four incidents mentioned by GM.
Two of the aforementioned fires allegedly caused minor injuries.
What should owners of recalled Corvettes do?
GM’s solution for the C8 Corvette Z06 and ZR1 stop-sale and recall is to install a shield designed to divert spilled fuel away from potential ignition sources. While this initial solution aims to contain the issue, the remedy was still under development as of this writing. Current owners will be notified when the fix is available. In the meantime, owners are advised to follow safe fueling procedures, including ensuring proper fuel nozzle placement, avoiding overfilling, and turning off the engine while refueling.
To check for recalls on a C8 Corvette Z06 or ZR1, use your car’s Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) on either the General Motors (GM) or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website. It is manufacturer recall number N252514930 and NHTSA recall number 25V536. If you are unsure or want further clarification, contact your local Chevrolet dealership’s service department. They can also look up any open recalls associated with your VIN.
Bugatti has a tradition of crafting powerful, exclusive automobiles for the ultra-wealthy. Since 1925, it also has a history of either inspiring timepieces or working directly with watch companies. The newest products of that kind of collaboration are Jacob & Co.’s aptly named Bugatti Tourbillon and its flashier sibling, the Bugatti Tourbillon Baguette.
The car the watches are named after is the first Bugatti made under the ownership of Croatian electric hypercar manufacturer Rimac, which previously made a name for itself with the 1,914-horsepower Nevera. The quad-turbo 8.0-liter W16 has been discontinued, so the Bugatti Tourbillon—to use an horological expression—has a new, naturally aspirated 8.3-liter V16 movement. Its trio of electric motors don’t make time move any faster, but they certainly make the Tourbillon quicker by bringing its total output to 1,800 horsepower.
BUGATTI TOURBILLON
Jacob & Co. Bugatti Tourbillon
The visual connections between the Bugatti Tourbillon car and watch range from subtle to undeniable. According to Bugatti, the 52 x 44 x 15mm case’s design “emulates that of the Tourbillon car—from the rear wing and windows, to the grille and radiators. The latter features are lodged in recesses of the case, covered with a laser-etched grid pattern, while inlaid sapphire crystal in the case sides—shaped and tinted like the vehicle’s side windows—offer a tantalizing glimpse into the inner workings of the movement.”
The car’s gauges were designed by watchmakers, so it’s natural that the timepiece’s instrumentation has a similar layout. At the top left is the 30-second flying tourbillon (the French word for whirlwind), which rotates parts of the movement’s components to counteract the effects of gravity. The actual time display is in the center. A third subdial on the right shows how much of the watch’s 80-hour power reserve is left.
Jacob & Co. Bugatti Tourbillon
Like its four-wheeled counterpart, the Jacob & Co. Bugatti Tourbillon has an engine. A sapphire crystal engine block contains a 22.37mm crankshaft connected to 16 titanium pistons that start moving with the push of a button.
BUGATTI TOURBILLON BAGUETTE
Jacob & Co. Bugatti Tourbillon Baguette
If the regular watch is too low-key, 18 enthusiasts can add the Bugatti Tourbillon Baguette to their collections.
Jacob & Co. Bugatti Tourbillon Baguette
Crafted out of 18K white gold, the case is covered with 328 baguette-cut diamonds (equivalent to 17 carats). The two ribbons of rubies near the crown at 6 o’clock add a touch of color and mimic the layout of the Bugatti Tourbillon’s taillights.
Jacob & Co. Bugatti Tourbillon
In most places, the odds of seeing either one of these watches on someone’s wrist are as low as the Bugatti Type 57 SC Atlantic‘s production numbers. But there’s a good chance someone will be wearing (or driving) a Bugatti Tourbillon at next year’s Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. When we’re there, we’ll try to catch a glimpse—ideally, photos—of either one.
Imagine for a moment that you’re out enjoying a Sunday drive in your classic car or truck. Life is great. Clear skies, open roads, and not a care in the world. Suddenly, for whatever reason, you find yourself in a fender bender or worse. Luckily no one is hurt, but your beloved classic has sustained damage and will undoubtedly need an expert touch to ensure repairs are done right. In these situations, after the initial shock wears off, we tend to remind ourselves, “Well, I have insurance. Everything will be fine.” But the unfortunate truth is that the majority of classic car and truck owners will be in for a shock when they do need to file claim with their insurance company. Most will discover that their coverage is inadequate and that the value and authenticity of their ride is now in serious jeopardy.
Research has shown that of the 40 million+ collector vehicles in the United States, most are insured by standard auto insurance programs, which were never designed to protect classic and collector vehicles; they were designed for daily drivers. This often proves to be a costly decision. When the time comes when they need to file a claim, these owners discover that they don’t have the coverages needed to correctly repair these types of vehicles. Even for minor repairs, standard auto insurance programs do not guarantee that they will cover original parts or that their approved body shop network even has the expertise necessary to repair these types of vehicles.
Things only get worse in the event the vehicle is a total loss. In these situations, these collectible vehicle owners discover that their insurance program uses a depreciated value to calculate the vehicles worth. Having the right protection in the form of an agreed value policy would have guaranteed a payout based on their ride’s actual replacement cost; one that is uses a true market value and considers the vehicle’s condition as well as the owner’s investments.
As you can see, having inadequate coverage can lead to some serious headaches. But what if after enduring all those challenges you also discover you have been overpaying for coverage? This is yet another unfortunate truth that many classic car and truck owners have recently been discovering.
Now more than ever U.S consumers are looking for ways to cut costs and save more of their hard-earned money. For several years now U.S. drivers have been seeing their auto insurance rates steadily climb year after year. Most auto insurance companies are betting on the typical driver not noticing how these increases have quickly added up and hurt their wallet. But according to the Consumer Price Index, the cost of auto insurance has risen six times faster than inflation over the past three years.
What is driving these surging costs? Well over the past few years many auto insurance companies have been working hard to recover from recent catastrophic losses they’ve faced. Beginning in 2020, there were more frequent accidents, faster-than-normal speeding and instances of drunk driving surged. This all caused a spike in crash severity, which led to more catastrophic vehicle and injury claims placed on auto insurers. Moreover, materials, parts, and labor shortages during that same time frame caused repair costs for claims to climb like never before. In response, auto insurance companies began raising rates with little relief in sight. In effect, collectible vehicle owners and good drivers have been quietly subsidizing the recent losses felt by insurance companies rather than being rewarded for their stellar driving records.
Unfortunately, owners of classic, antique, and custom cars or trucks are among the most severely affected by these insurance cost increases. Standard auto insurance rates do not consider the fact that these classic car and trucks owners have a significantly lower risk profile and are statistically less likely to get into an accident or file a claim. Instead, their rates are calculated based on all the risks that come with typical daily driver usage, doing things like daily commutes to work and running errands in all types of weather and traffic conditions. For them, all rides share the same risk profile as a daily driver and their inflated insurance rates reflect that inaccuracy.
Collectible Vehicle Owners Are Flocking To New Program
In all this turmoil there does seem to be some good news for classic car and truck owners, and word is quickly spreading. Recently the auto enthusiast community has been buzzing about a program being offered by the Dallas-based collector vehicle insurer OpenRoad. Customer testimonials from owners previously covered by standard auto insurers, as well as many previously insured by classic car insurance providers, continue to roll in highlighting significant savings, better coverage, and superior customer service.
OpenRoad has built a truly unique collector vehicle insurance program that all starts with pricing. Not only do they provide significant savings for drivers with great driving records, but they also account for the reduced accident frequency associated with collector vehicles. Both often result in far lower insurance rates overall. But OpenRoad goes further on reduced pricing, offering additional discounts to car club members as well as any customer who transfers their coverage from another classic car insurer.
Setting a New Bar For Classic & Collector Vehicle Insurance
OpenRoad exceeds what many other programs out there can offer. In addition to getting all the coverage you’d expect with any auto insurance policy— think comprehensive, collision, uninsured motorist, and the like — every OpenRoad policy comes with several protections tailored to car collectors. Their agreed value policy guarantees that the insurance payout you’ll receive in the event of a total loss equals the actual worth of your classic car, rather than a depreciated value that most insurance programs use. This guarantees that you’re covered for the true value of your ride, considering the time, effort, and investments you put into your vehicle as well as its condition and rarity.
OpenRoad is also setting a new bar when it comes to coverage for repairs. Under their program you know that if you need to file a claim the repairs will be done right. Not only will repairs be performed with OEM parts specifically tailored to your vehicle, but you’ll also get to choose a repair shop you know and trust, one that specializes in collector vehicles and classic car restorations. This is another differentiator from standard auto insurance programs that often do not guarantee coverage for OEM parts and rarely let you pick a shop outside of their approved body shop network.
OpenRoad also includes a generous emergency roadside cost reimbursement program at no additional cost as well as coverage for the relocation and temporary storage of your ride in the event of major disasters such as hurricanes and wildfires.
Delivering Superior Customer Service & Specialized Coverage
With so many auto enthusiasts making the switch to OpenRoad, it seems that they have found everything that they have been looking for in a classic auto insurance provider. Just check out these recent customer reviews:
“Almost half the price (of) your competitors for equal coverage.”
“Better coverage for less cost than other classic car insurance companies.”
“They made it easy for me to switch from my old insurance policy to new one and at less than half the price!”
“Not only did they match our previous collector car insurance, they beat it even after adding another vehicle to the policy! They are rockstars! Would recommend to everyone!
“To my total surprise I got more coverage for a fraction of what I have been paying.”
Beyond the significant cost relief, many customers also point to the excellent customer service they received with reviews that include statements such as, “The team went above and beyond to help us,” and, “Overall, the best experience I’ve had setting up insurance.” That’s some high praise for an auto insurance company.
Rapidly Expanding Across the U.S.
To keep up with the massive market demand that they’ve seen, OpenRoad has been rapidly rolling out its insurance program across the U.S., quickly growing coverage availability to 25 states.
Don’t reside in one of their currently live states? Don’t worry, the brand plans to add coverage across several more states by the end of 2025. You can also sign up for their launch newsletter and get notified as soon as coverage is available for your area.
Right now on AutoHunter, you can find this restored 1938 Cadillac Series 75 Fleetwood Convertible Sedan, which is #41 of 58 Series 75 Fleetwood Convertible Sedans produced in its model year. It’s powered by a rebuilt 346ci V8 mated to a three-speed manual transmission. Finished in black and equipped with a beige convertible top over a gray leather interior, this four-door drop-top is now offered by the selling dealer in Arizona with spare parts, tools, owner’s manual, and clear title.
Originally Moleskin Gray, the body was refinished in its current black. Both rows of the passenger compartment are covered by a beige convertible top with a rectangular rear window; when lowered, it fits under a gray top boot. Other exterior features include chrome bumpers with guards, auxiliary front lights, hood ornament, two-piece windshield, dual side mirrors, rear fender skirts, rear trunk, and a single exhaust outlet.
This big-bodied Caddy can roll through small-town parade routes or to the drive-in on its 15-inch steel wheels with Cadillac wheel covers and Firestone whitewalls.
The cabin offers gray leather bench seating in both rows.
Amenities include woodgrain trim, front and rear clocks, a retractable glass partition between the first and second rows, and footrests and a fold-down center armrest for rear passengers.
Instrumentation consists of a 110-mph speedometer and gauges for the temperature, fuel level, oil pressure, and voltage. The odometer shows 97,589 miles, but the title for this vehicle indicates it’s mileage-exempt.
Under the hood is a rebuilt 346ci V8 that was factory-rated at 140 horsepower. It runs 6.7:1 compression and comes paired with a single-barrel carburetor and a YnZ’s Yesterdays Parts wiring harness. A column-shifted three-speed manual gearbox sends the engine’s power to the rear wheels; drum brakes keep it in check.
You don’t see a lot of four-door convertibles on the road, but you can see this 1938 Cadillac Series 75 Fleetwood Convertible Sedan in your garage every day if you place the winning bid on it. Make sure you do that before the auction for this distinctive drop-top ends on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, at 1:30 p.m. (PDT).
The Suburban holds a longstanding name in households across America. After 90 years, 12 generations, and many millions of units sold, it has become a legend in American automotive history. It is also the only vehicle to ever receive a star at the Hollywood Walk of Fame—celebrity status indeed. We love square-body pickup trucks, but it isn’t very often that we get to talk about their people-hauling Suburban counterparts. The Pick of the Day is a 1989 Chevrolet Suburban listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in Foira, Illinois.
“This is not your average Burb,” the listing says. “Was used to tow old cars to shows.”
The 1973-91 Suburban model was part of the C/K Series of General Motors’ full-sized truck series. It was a heavy-duty workhorse with an emphasis on brute power, and its truck-based underpinnings made it a capable rig for hauling and towing. As a people-mover or a cargo-hauler, its interior dimensions were vast, too (especially with the rear seats removed). One of Chevrolet’s advertisements said, “No ordinary wagon has its capacity to do the job.”
The custom exterior color scheme for this Suburban is attractive and complementary. I like the subtle red pinstripe to go with the otherwise neutral palette. The tinted windows, upgraded wheels, and dual exhaust system give the otherwise very flat body an element of pizzazz. The interior has been similarly upgraded with a set of Dakota Digital gauges and a Lecarra leather-wrapped steering wheel.
Towing capability comes from a rebuilt 454ci big-block V8 mated to a TH400 three-speed automatic transmission. The Suburban certainly won’t excel at fuel economy (it’s probably lucky to get 10 mpg, like my F-Series) but, if your primary use for the vehicle is occasional weekend towing, it will certainly be up to the task. Mechanical upgrades according to the seller include a new radiator, ceramic-coated headers, three-inch exhaust system, Gear Vendors overdrive unit, and rebuilt suspension with Ridetech airbags.
The Suburban, while to some not a practical everyday driver, has classic appeal and is suited to people who want vintage style with the added benefit of utility. What kind of toys do you need to haul around? There probably isn’t much this beast can’t handle.
“Time for someone else to hopefully enjoy as much as I have,” the listing concludes.
Throughout automotive history, influential executives have often driven the creation of unique vehicles based on personal vision, ambition, or even whim. These leaders, wielding significant power within their companies, have initiated projects that resulted in cars that might not have existed otherwise. Such decisions can lead to groundbreaking innovations or, conversely, costly missteps. Understanding the impact of executive decisions on automotive design offers insight into how personal influence shapes the industry. For instance, the Ford Edsel was introduced in 1958 under the direction of Henry Ford II, aiming to fill a market gap but ultimately becoming a commercial failure. Similarly, the Packard Executive was developed in 1956 to bridge the price gap between Packard’s models, reflecting the company’s strategic response to market positioning. These examples underscore how executive decisions can significantly influence automotive design and market outcomes.
This 1935 Ford Model 48 is a steel-bodied, eight-passenger wagon that was turned into a street rod by a previous owner. It was owned by Sanderson Ford and displayed in their museum for 25 years according to the selling dealer, who acquired the car in 2024. It is powered by a 302ci HO V8 equipped with SVO aluminum cylinder heads, an Edelbrock intake manifold, a Holley four-barrel carburetor, and an H-pipe dual exhaust system. The engine is linked to a three-speed automatic transmission and a Ford 8″ rear end, and the car has a 4″ drop axle up front along with front disc brakes and 15″ Torq Thrust II wheels. The body sits atop a boxed frame and the tan interior features three-row seating with leather upholstery, square-weave carpeting, VDO instrumentation, and a Lokar floor shifter. This modified Woodie wagon is now offered in Florida with an Arizona title.
The steel bodywork is finished in yellow, with wood-frame and -panel construction from the windshield back. The center-hinged hood has vented side panels, and additional details include reverse-opening rear doors, swan neck mirrors, tinted windows, yellow-striped chrome bumper blades, black rubber running board treads with bright trim, and a lift-up hatch over a drop-down tailgate. The selling dealer states that paint correction, polish, and wax were performed in preparation for the sale.
American Racing 15″ Torq Thrust II wheels are mounted with 205/60 front and 255/70 rear BFGoodrich Radial T/A tires. The front rolls on a 4″ drop axle with a transverse leaf spring, hydraulic shocks, and vented disc brakes, while a transverse leaf spring, shocks, and drums are employed out back.
The cabin features three-row seating withfront and rear bench seats and middle-row captain’s chairs trimmed in tan leather, and matching treatments cover the shifter and brake-handle boots. Color-coordinated square-weave carpeting and mats overlay the floorboards, and the door and rear side panels are lined with wood. Additional interior features include a wood slat ceiling, roll-down front side windows, a VDO analog clock, and a Lokar floor shifter with a cue-ball knob.
The banjo-style steering wheel is wrapped in black leather and mounted on a tilting column. VDO Cockpit Royale instrumentation consists of a 120-mph speedometer flanked by voltage, coolant-temperature, oil-pressure, and fuel-level gauges. The digital odometer shows 2k miles, approximately 100 of which were added under current ownership. True mileage is unknown.
The 302ci HO V8 is equipped with SVO aluminum cylinder heads, an Edelbrock Performer RPM intake manifold, and a Holley Street Avenger four-barrel carburetor with an oval open-element air cleaner as well as an MSD billet distributor, surf-themed valve and air-cleaner covers, billet wire looms, and cast iron exhaust manifolds flowing into an H-pipe dual exhaust system with Flowmaster mufflers and over-the-axle tailpipes. The selling dealer states that the battery was recently replaced.
The body sits atop a boxed frame and power is sent to the rear wheels by way of a C4 three-speed automatic transmission and a Ford 8″ rear end.
