The 2000s marked a transformative era for Japanese automakers, with Mazda and Honda pushing boundaries in engineering and design.
Yet, as the spotlight gravitated toward a handful of best-sellers, many inventive models quietly slipped through the cracks.
These vehicles blended performance, style, and forward-thinking features—but never found the mainstream recognition they deserved.
This listicle shines a light on those underrated Mazdas and Hondas, exploring what made each unique and why they’re still worth remembering today.
Join us as we rediscover 15 models that truly deserved more attention in their time.
For decades, the world of performance cars has been defined by one of its most iconic rivalries: Subaru versus Mitsubishi. While Mitsubishi’s Lancer Evolution was a street legend, Subaru’s rally-bred Impreza carved a path through motorsports history with innovation, resilience, and all-weather dominance.
This article dives into the heart of their competition, spotlighting 15 unforgettable moments where Subaru’s rally DNA didn’t just compete—it outshined Mitsubishi’s street credentials. From groundbreaking technology to jaw-dropping victories, let’s relive the times when Subaru’s spirit truly left its mark.
Statistically, the idea of a 1-of-1 car is cool. Outside of that, a one-off loses a certain amount of appeal because it will probably not be seen by the majority of car enthusiasts—in person, at least. Last November, we shared the news that Rolls-Royce made an extremely special Phantom Extended to honor the 60th anniversary of the James Bond film “Goldfinger.” Instead of being locked in a warehouse somewhere for its value to appreciate or parked in a mansion’s giant living room, the Phantom Goldfinger was put on display at the 2025 Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este in Italy.
Every car manufacturer has customers, but when it comes to ultra-high-end companies such as Rolls-Royce, the people who buy its cars (particularly the special or unusual ones) become ambassadors of the brand. In fact, certain automakers require you to show up to some of their events with one (or more) of the cars you purchased if you want to obtain a build slot for one of their halo cars. The 007 fan who commissioned the Phantom Goldfinger, which is covered and packed with references to the 1964 movie, agreed to showcase it as part of Rolls-Royce’s celebration of 100 years of the Phantom.
The Phantom Goldfinger had some very special company on the Grand Hotel’s Mosaic Lawn by Lake Como. Rolls-Royce started the festivities with an opening parade that included a Phantom V, which is also rare (although much more common that the Goldfinger): Rolls-Royce built only 832 fifth-generation Phantoms. It also brought the car that inspired the Phantom Goldfinger: the 1937 Phantom III Sedanca de Ville that the villain Auric Goldfinger owned.
Rolls-Royce didn’t state if the Phantom Goldfinger’s owner drove it or had a chauffeur do it for him or her. The photos from the event don’t show anyone in a bowler hat or any headless statues, so we can make a highly educated guess . . .
Few automotive innovations evoke as much passion as the V8 engine.
Its throaty growl and effortless power have become synonymous with driving excitement.
Despite shifting trends toward electrification and efficiency, the V8’s blend of muscle, luxury, and pure performance continues to captivate enthusiasts worldwide.
Whether nestled under the hood of a classic muscle car or powering a modern luxury cruiser, these engines represent a golden era that refuses to fade.
Join us as we celebrate twelve V8 icons that have stood the test of time and remain as thrilling as ever.
In the world of cars, reliability and durability remain top priorities for drivers seeking long-term value and peace of mind.
While every manufacturer promises lasting performance, only a select group of vehicles have earned reputations for truly standing the test of time.
According to industry data and expert reviews, certain models have consistently proven their ability to exceed 200,000—or even 300,000—miles with proper care.
Let’s explore 15 cars that are celebrated for their engineering excellence and legendary longevity.
Barrett-Jackson, The World’s Greatest Collector Car Auctions, is proud to sponsor the Mustang Club of America (MCA), the largest gathering of Mustang lovers on the planet. Let’s just say Barrett-Jackson’s love for Mustangs isn’t just deep … it’s V8-rumbling, tire-squealing, pony-powered passion!
Back in 2006 at the Scottsdale Auction, Ford roared onto the stage with a showstopper – the very first 2007 Shelby GT500, VIN 001. The hammer dropped on a bid of $600,000, with 100% of the hammer price benefiting the Carroll Shelby Foundation. That set a high-octane precedent for future charity sales and began a powerful tradition at Barrett-Jackson: using the thrill of the auction block to drive real impact for those in need.
Shortly after the special sale, the auction company joined forces with Ford and Shelby American to
unleash something truly special: the 2008 Limited Edition Barrett-Jackson Mustang Shelby GT. Dressed
in Barrett-Jackson’s signature black and red, only 100 of these head-turning coupes and convertibles
were built. Sold exclusively through Arizona Ford dealers, this rare stallion was a bold tribute to
performance, style and the energy of the auction block.
Over the years, Barrett-Jackson has become a Mustang lover’s dream – it’s the place to enjoy a
Hot Lap in the new Dark Horse, see a special VIN 001 Mustang raise funds for charity, experience
the newest Mustangs revealed by Ford and Shelby American, and witness thousands of incredible
pony cars galloping across the stage. Among the showstoppers? MLB great Buster Posey’s 1967
Mustang Eleanor Tribute that set a world auction record at the 2022 Scottsdale Auction, selling for a
cool $550,000. The following year, a stunning 1969 Mustang Boss 429 flexed its muscle and sold for
$605,000. And more recently, at the 2025 Palm Beach Auction, a custom ’69 Mustang with country
music star roots (it was once owned by Keith Urban) cranked up the excitement and sold for $176,000.
Barrett-Jackson’s enduring connection to the Mustang legacy is more than a shared history – it’s a celebration of American performance, heritage and heart. As its partnership with the Mustang Club of America continues to grow, Barrett-Jackson looks forward to creating more unforgettable moments,
from VIN 001 charity cars to limited-edition builds and star-powered classics, shared with passionate
Mustang enthusiasts everywhere.
This article was originally published on Barrett-Jackson.com.
Featured on AutoHunter is this 1977 Chevrolet Corvette, which is powered by an L48 350ci V8 paired with a four-speed manual gearbox, both of which are reportedly numbers-matching. Finished in Dark Red over a tan leather interior, this C3 is now offered by the selling dealer in Oregon with service records and a clear title.
The curvaceous fiberglass bodywork is covered in Dark Red paint. Exterior features include body-color urethane bumpers, pop-up headlights, body-color T-tops, tinted windows, door edge guards, chrome rocker panel trim, a flip-up fuel door, and dual exhaust outlets.
Every classic Vette looks great in Rally wheels and this ’77, with its 15-inch Rally wheels and 255/30 Goodyear Eagle GT II raised-white-letter tires, is no exception.
The cockpit is equipped with tan leather bucket seats, surrounded by conveniences such as power locks and windows, power steering, tilt and telescoping steering column, air conditioning, and Kenwood AM/FM/SiriusXM head unit with Bluetooth.
Instrumentation consists of a 160-mph speedometer, 7,000-rpm tachometer, and gauges for the temperature, fuel level, oil pressure, and voltage. The odometer shows 63,934 miles, but the title for this vehicle indicates it’s mileage-exempt.
Under the hood is the numbers-matching, four-barrel L48 350ci V8, which came from the factory with 8.5:1 compression, and180 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque. The numbers-matching wide-ratio four-speed manual transmission sends the engine’s output to the 3.36:1 rear end.
Four-wheel power disc brakes and a four-wheel independent suspension prevent this version of “America’s Sports Car” from getting turned into a compact in the worst way possible.
Are you all revved up for this 1977 Chevrolet Corvette? Then get moving and place a bid on it. The auction ends on Monday, June 16, 2025, at 12:15 p.m. (PDT).
Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and a photo gallery
In recent years, 4-cylinder engines have undergone a remarkable transformation.
Thanks to advanced turbocharging, direct injection, and lightweight engineering, these powerplants now deliver impressive horsepower and torque—often rivaling their larger V6 and even V8 counterparts.
Today’s high-performance sedans offer thrilling acceleration, sharp handling, and exceptional fuel efficiency.
What was once considered a compromise is now a top choice for driving enthusiasts who crave both performance and practicality.
Modern 4-cylinder sedans truly blend daily usability with exhilarating power, setting new standards for the segment.
2025 is shaping up to be a landmark year for hybrid car innovation. As fuel prices climb and environmental concerns intensify, drivers are seeking vehicles that deliver more miles per gallon without compromising style or performance.
Automakers are responding with a dazzling array of hybrid options—from practical compacts to luxurious sedans and SUVs.
With mainstream and high-end brands alike competing to outdo each other in efficiency, consumers now have more choices than ever before.
Discover the top 15 hybrids that are poised to lead the way in fuel savings this year.
Sticking with the Italian theme I will begin next week, I did some scrounging around on ClassicCars.com and found this little gem to use as my Pick of the Day, a Fiat Dino Coupe located at a dealer in Newport Beach, California.
The Fiat Dino is interesting and often misunderstood in the world of collector cars. They are also often messed with and frequently wear Ferrari badges on every possible surface. Whenever I see this, I cringe, as the Fiat Dino is a great GT car of its own accord.
Fiat Dino road cars came to be when Ferrari needed to homologate a V6 engine for their Formula 2 racing cars. In 1965 the FIA created new rules for the 1967 season that stated F2 engines would be required to have no more than six cylinders and had to be derived from a production engine used in a road car homologated in the GT class. In addition, the manufacturer had to produce at least 500 examples of said road cars powered by this engine within 12 months. Being a small manufacturer, Ferrari did not possess the production capacity to build this many engines or road cars. To solve this problem, Ferrari made an agreement with Fiat to produce the 500 engines needed for the homologation that they would then install in a yet-to-be-designed GT car.
These Dino V6 engines were based on the racing engine designed by Vittorio Jano and then modified for road use by Aurelio Lampredi, who not only designed several four-cylinder Ferrari racing engines but is also responsible for the Fiat 124 Spider engine. According to Lampredi, “Things didn’t work out exactly as Ferrari had foreseen.” Enzo Ferrari had counted on building the engines at Maranello, but Fiat insisted on taking control of production to avoid any engine supply slowdowns. The result is that the Fiat-built Dino V6 ended was installed in two very different vehicles: the Fiat Dino, a front-engine Grand Tourer assembled in Turin by Fiat, and Ferrari’s first production mid-engine sports car, built in Maranello – the Dino.
While the Fiat Dino Spider was designed by Pininfarina, the coupe was designed by Bertone. Not only that, but the Fiat coupe designers were none other than the legendary Giorgetto Giugiaro and Marcello Gandini.
The seller describes this 1967 Fiat Dino coupe as a solid, “no stories” Fiat of the 1960s. The car is said to have received a $30,000 service last year by a local specialist shop, during which they rebuilt the Weber carbs, did a full tune (including valve adjustment), installed new mufflers, a new interior and window motors.
The seller goes on to say that a local Fiat specialist shop just inspected the vehicle and was surprised that parts usually missing or corroded are all intact, solid and tidy.
In addition, this car has all the correct trim and badging a Fiat Dino is supposed to have (there’s not a single Ferrari badge in sight).
I have personally owned a Fiat Dino coupe and can honestly say it’s a great car for driving on vintage tours and is certainly something you don’t see every day. The model is powered by a true Ferrari engine and the exhaust note is one of the best I have ever heard on a road car. Being a V6 that sports cam chains rather than belts, it is also the least expensive Ferrari engine to deal with and service.
If you are looking for a true, storied, great-driving Italian GT car with impressive design and development history, but are also on a budget, then this Fiat Dino coupe, with an asking price of $59,800, is just the ticket.
Click here to view this Pick of the Day on ClassicCars.com