A group of exceptional classic and late-model SUVs and pickups will roll across the block at Barrett-Jackson, The World’s Greatest Collector Car Auctions, during this year’s Palm Beach Auction, April 16-18, 2026, at the South Florida Fairgrounds. Among hotly anticipated classic SUVs crossing the block in Florida is a custom 1969 Chevrolet Blazer (preview) that underwent a frame-off, nut-and-bolt restoration. Modern pickups will also be among the most coveted collectible vehicles, including an incredible 2023 Jeep Gladiator AMW 1000 (preview) known as “Hellephant” capable of producing 1,000 horsepower and 950 lb-ft of torque.

“Custom SUVs and pickups, both classic and late-model, have become extremely popular for collectors seeking to diversify their collection,” said Craig Jackson, chairman and CEO of Barrett-Jackson. “The 1969 Chevrolet Blazer (preview) is a beautiful example of a professionally built SUV that keeps the classic body style with high performance upgrades and features. For those who love to tackle ultimate off-road adventures, a standout is the head-turning 2023 Jeep Gladiator AMW 1000 (preview) that was purpose-built to go over just about anything.”

Powered by a tuned Duramax diesel engine paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and automatic four-wheel-drive transfer case, the custom 1969 Chevrolet Blazer (preview) was the recipient of a complete frame-off, nut-and-bolt restoration. The exterior is finished in a two-tone light blue and white paint scheme with an Arctic White top. The interior features front bucket seats upholstered in Baseball Glove Brown genuine leather and is equipped with a CarPlay touchscreen head unit. Known as “Hellephant,” the 2023 Jeep Gladiator AMW 1000 custom pickup (preview) is powered by a Hemi engine producing 1,000 horsepower and 950 lb-ft of torque. Finished in Punk’n Metallic, it features AMW LED headlamps, KC Pro 6 LED trail lights, illuminated power steps with a rocker guard and a Warn Zeon Platinum 12,000-pound winch. The interior is trimmed in premium Tuscany leather with orange accent stitching and includes AMW-branded shifters and a grab handle.

Other stunning customs include a 1961 International Scout (preview) powered by a 420-horsepower V-8 paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Exterior features include a CNC-machined billet grille, LED headlights, and CNC 6061 billet aluminum badging and gas cap. The interior is upholstered in dark and light brown genuine leather and is equipped with an Alpine touchscreen head unit. Finished in Pegasus Purple with Tequila Gold Candy paint, a 1953 Chevrolet 3100 custom pickup (preview) is powered by a V-8 engine mated to a four-speed automatic transmission. Interior amenities include power windows, a Restomod Air climate system and a premium audio system using Pioneer, Alpine and Kenwood components.

Classic Ford SUVs crossing the block in Palm Beach include a professionally built 1968 Ford Bronco (preview) with over 400 hours invested in the body and paint. It is equipped with many upgrades, including front and rear disc brakes with a Wilwood hydro-boost brake booster, new Bilstein shocks, springs and steering geometry correction. Interior features include Vintage Air climate control and a Bluetooth stereo mounted in the center console. Powered by a Gen III Coyote crate engine rated at 460 horsepower, a custom 1972 Ford Bronco (preview) is built on a Patriot Classic frame and includes a four-point family-style roll cage. The exterior is finished in Boxwood Green and rides on 17-inch eight-hole wheels wrapped in 33-inch BFGoodrich KO3 All-Terrain tires.

Late-model custom trucks include a 2020 Ford F-150 Bullet XTF Carbon Edition pickup (preview) that represents the only wet-carbon-bodied XTF built to date and serves as the benchmark for future Bullet XTF builds. It is powered by a supercharged 750-horsepower V-8 paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and features extensive tuning, suspension, brake, wheel and power upgrades made over 400 hours of assembly, research and development.

Additional custom SUVs and pickups crossing the block in Palm Beach include:

• 1962 International Scout (preview) – Frame-off restoration powered by a 420-horsepower L86 V-8 producing 460 lb-ft of torque at 4,100 rpm
• 1976 Ford Bronco (preview) – Features electronic transfer case, 9-inch axles with 4.11 gears, Wilwood disc brakes, Kincer long-arm suspension and a custom leather interior
• 1955 Chevrolet 3100 Cameo pickup (preview) – Completed as a body-off build and features a front GM subframe suspension
• 1956 Chevrolet 3100 stepside pickup (preview) – Frame-off restoration with 218 miles on the build, powered by a LS1 V-8 paired with a four-speed automatic transmission

The Select Preview for the April 16-18 Palm Beach Auction is live and highlights a diverse selection of vehicles that will appeal to first-time and seasoned collectors alike.

Barrett-Jackson is inviting consignments for the April 16-18 Palm Beach Auction. Bidder registration is open with options that give full access to the action. Advance tickets are on sale now, with special pricing for seniors, military and first responders. Student tickets are $10 and children 12 years of age and younger automatically receive complimentary admission. Barrett-Jackson VIP Experiences hospitality packages are available and offer elevated access. 

Barrett-Jackson will host its inaugural Columbus Auction at the Ohio Expo Center & State Fairgrounds, June 25-27, 2026, and is returning to Nevada for its Las Vegas Auction, Sept. 10-12, 2026, in the West Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center.

This article was originally published on Barrett-Jackson.com.

I was reading an article in a recent issue of Collectible Automobile magazine on the badge-engineered cousins of the Chevrolet Nova: the Oldsmobile Omega, Pontiac Ventura II, and Buick Apollo. The Pontiac, in particular always, seemed like a curious artifact to me because it arguably didn’t resemble a Pontiac aside from the split grille.

This article made me realize that the Ventura II somewhat predicted what was to come for the 1973 LeMans. While the 1971-72 Ventura II front end bears little resemblance to what Pontiac was producing at the time (the issue that I have), I can see the resemblance to the redesigned 1973 LeMans, especially in the parking lights and single headlights.

Interestingly, for 1973, Pontiac introduced a fiberglass front panel and grille for the Ventura (the “II” was dropped) ordered with the sporty Sprint package. Pontiac claimed in the Ventura brochure that the revised front-end styling was influenced by its pony car (“remind you of a Firebird?”). Sometime during the 1973 model year, this front end was made a $38.00 option for the Ventura independent of the Sprint package. Interestingly, the option shared the same T41 ordering code as the Endura option for the 1971-72 LeMans.

This nose was implemented across the board for all 1974 Venturas.

So, irony of ironies, the Pontiac that foreshadowed styling for another model ended up being influenced by another Pontiac several years later!

We all will have our last ride in something, and several former humans had theirs in one of these four hearses currently listed for sale on AutoHunter or ClassicCars.com. Can you tell us what they are?

Give us your response in the Comments section below. We’d like to hear the model year/make/model — bonus points if you know the coachbuilder. If you need a hint, you can click on an image.

Every Tuesday, The ClassicCars.com Journal introduces a new automotive puzzle. You can also click here to play past car games!

In the world of American cars, I feel the most awesome-looking single model is the 1963-67 Chevrolet Corvette. Not only are these cars great to look at, but they are also serious performance cars for the era and were among the fastest cars on the road when new. In addition, these Corvettes also performed quite well on the racetrack, both at amateur and professional events. While I prefer the coupe, I actually find myself looking more and more at the roadster as it is the only C2 Corvette in which I fit comfortably. The AutoHunter Spotlight for today is one of these cars, a 1966 Chevrolet Corvette roadster.

The frame-off restored 1966 Corvette featured here is powered by a 383 stroker V8 mated to a four-speed manual transmission. The car is painted in the factory-correct Rally Red with a black convertible top and black vinyl interior.

The exterior of this roadster appears to be in nice shape. Along with nice paint and chrome, it features a big-block-style hood. It is riding on 15-inch aluminum alloy turbine wheels with knockoffs, an option introduced in 1966. The wheels are clad in 215/70 Goodyear Assurance radial tires.

The interior features factory-correct black vinyl interior with black carpet. The door panels are showing some wear, but the interior looks to be in excellent condition. This car features a correct Corvette three-spoke steering wheel and has a 160-mph speedometer, 8,000-rpm tachometer, and auxiliary gauges for oil pressure, water temp, battery, and fuel. The interior styling of C2 Corvettes is as cool as anything from Europe in the same period, as it has a cool jet-age look to it.

Under the hood, the 427 engine this Corvette reportedly was delivered with has been replaced by a 383 stroker with a four-barrel carburetor on an aluminum intake manifold. Power is driven to the wheels by a four-speed manual gearbox.

The undercarriage of this car is said to be pretty clean, though it does have some slight surface corrosion. The photos provided do not make me nervous about this car. This Corvette also features adjustable rear control arms, front and rear sway cars, and a cool sidepipe exhaust system.

Now for the statement that is bound to make some of you feel that I don’t know what I am talking about: The C2 generation of the Chevrolet Corvette is equal in almost every way to the best Ferrari, Aston Martin, and Porsche cars of the era. It offers styling and performance that are, at the very least, on the same level. The C2 also has racing pedigree that is often forgotten, plus among the lowest service prices of any high-powered 1960s sports/GT car. Yes, it is made of fiberglass and might not have the build quality of some of the Europeans, but it is also much less expensive to buy and maintain — so much so that it makes up for the slightly lesser quality.

If this car is as intriguing to you as it is to me, also consider that this 1966 Chevrolet Corvette roadster is basically a big-block C2 Corvette with an engine swap. This means that it has the big-block C2 Corvette looks and performance without the numbers-matching price tag. You better act fast as there are already a number of bids on the Vette, so bid before Thursday, March 12, 2026, at 11:15 a.m. (PDT).

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and a photo gallery

Dual rear-wheel trucks can do a lot of things. Whether it’s transporting a cab full of people, hauling heavy loads of cargo in the bed, or towing giant, Earth-cratering trailers, “Duallys” get it done with ease. One thing they can’t do? Look bad while doing it. Just check out our Pick of the Day: This handsome 1978 Chevrolet C30 “Big Dooley” is listed on ClassicCars.com by a dealer in Fort Worth, Texas.

There are three basic ways a Dually can look. In stock form, they appear focused and ready to work. Lifted on big wheels and tires, they have even more presence. Lowered on an air suspension, Duallys look cool in a completely different way. This C30 one-ton truck, which falls into the latter group, has an interesting mix of characteristics. Aside from its six-wheel layout, the first thing you may notice is the wheels themselves, which are massive 10-hole, 10-lug wheels wrapped in low-profile rubber. Their flashiness is offset by the brown finish, although right above those acres of sheet metal is a gold roof and matching pillars.

The bed floor shows patina — what’s left of it, at least. A big chunk was cut out to make room for the four rear wheels and airbag suspension hardware.

Inside, the Crew Cab has its own mix of loud and low-key. Yes, the digital gauges, Sony touchscreen head unit, and microfiber steering wheel rim and headliner get your attention, but they’re tempered by the conservative tan vinyl upholstery and darker carpeting. Power brakes and steering make the Big Dooley feel a little smaller. If you look closely, you’ll see the controls for the Vintage Air HVAC system and air suspension.

Chevy offered a diesel V-8 as well as a variety of gas engines for 1978. This particular Big Dooley has the largest gas-burner of them all: the 454. Like the rest of the truck, the 454 has been modified, as it now sports Mickey Thompson valve covers, electronic fuel injection, and a slightly more modern 700R4 four-speed automatic that sends power to the rear wheels.

If you want to show up to the job site or just show off, this 1978 Chevrolet C30 “Big Dooley” is ready to help you do it. For $58,995, you can decide where exactly to take it.

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

If you’re a Gen-Y guy or gal (or any other generation) whose automotive knowledge was seeded in the movie theater, read up because you’re going to want to hear this: Universal Studios Hollywood has a new roller coaster called Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift that will be taking over SoCal starting in the summer of 2026.

Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift will be the first-ever high-speed outdoor roller coaster at Universal Studios Hollywood. It features a “groundbreaking” 360-degree rotation of individual cars that “makes a seamless sensation of drifting cars as they spin in motion at speeds up to 72 mph.” Will it give you the same heart-pounding thrill that the Fast & Furious universe does? You tell us!

You’ll have the following cars to choose from: 1970 Dodge Charger, 1997 Mazda RX-7, 2002 Nissan Skyline GT-R, and 1994 Toyota Supra. No, they won’t be running 10-second quarters, but they will be doing things that you’d never want to experience on the street.

To be the first to know what’s next, visit Universal Studios Hollywood’s website and sign up for email updates.