Luke and The ClassicCars.com Journal lead writer Diego Rosenberg caught something special at the Barrett-Jackson 2025 Scottsdale Fall Auction: a Competition Orange 1969 Mercury Cyclone CJ. According to its Elite Marti Report, this car is 1 of just 91 built in this paint and trim combo (Competition Orange with black split bench seat). This one is equipped with a 428 Cobra Jet V8 with optional ram air (“R-code”), four-speed gearbox with Hurst shifter, and the Competition Handling package.
Under the hood, the 428 runs with a hotter setup thanks to Comp Cams Mutha’ Thumpr camshaft, Edelbrock intake, Holley 750cfm carburetor, MSD ignition, and Borla ATAK exhaust. If you are into off-brand muscle, big-block Fords, or obscure Marti-proven builds, click the play button and let us know if this Cyclone CJ deserves more love in the muscle car world!
Currently on AutoHunter, you can find this 1970 Chevrolet Camaro Custom Coupe listed for sale. Featuring Rally Sport equipment, this second-generation Camaro is powered by a fuel-injected 540ci big-block V8 paired with a five-speed TREMEC TKX manual transmission. Features include a custom chassis with tubular A-arms, four-point roll bar, and more. Painted black with a black vinyl interior, this Bow Tie pony car is offered by the selling dealer in Missouri with a clear title.
The original Citrus Green has been replaced by black paint, which is complemented by dark blue “ghost” stripes. Other features include Rally Sport equipment, an aftermarket Cowl Induction hood, front and rear spoilers (the latter the “early” kind), and body-colored side mirrors. A set of 17-inch Budnik wheels are wrapped in 315/35 Goodyear Eagle radials.
The black vinyl interior features modern, aftermarket bucket seats plus a modern console housing a manual shifter and cup holders. Other interior features include a four-point roll bar, an aftermarket three-spoke steering wheel with power rack-and-pinion steering, and an aftermarket Alpine AM/FM stereo with a CD player.
A swath of AutoMeter gauges decorate the instrument panel and console. You’ll find a 160-mph speedometer, 10,000-rpm tachometer, and gauges for the oil pressure, fuel pressure, water temperature, voltage, and fuel. The odometer shows 2,740 miles, but the title reads mileage-exempt.
Power comes from a 540ci V8 sourced from a Mercury Marine MerCruiser. It features electronic fuel injection, an MSD Blaster Coil, a Milodon oil pan, an aluminum radiator, and long-tube headers. The engine is hooked to a TREMEC TKX five-speed manual.
The custom chassis features tubular A-arms, coil-overs, a custom-fabricated rear suspension, and a 12-bolt rear end with 3.55 gears and Positraction. Stopping power comes from hydro-boosted four-wheel disc brakes with drilled and slotted rotors.
Remember how the 1970 Camaro was supposed to be better than the 1967-69? By all accounts at the time, the 1970 Camaro was a spectacular European-inspired design that raised the bar, but it seems collectors have chosen the first-generation model. However, you’re among the many who truly know good automotive design when you see it, and you also appreciate a good restomod build, which is why this 1970 Camaro Custom Coupe is for you. The auction for this AutoHunter Spotlight car ends on Thursday, December 4, 2025, at 11:15 a.m. (MST), so prepare your trigger finger so you can bid and win. Good luck!
The first production-ready Porsche 911 with all-wheel drive came out in 1988, bringing engineering that was once tailored exclusively for race applications to street-legal cars. By the early 2000s, all-wheel drive had become a popular option among Porsche buyers. The Pick of the Day is a 2003 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 Cabriolet listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in Bradenton, Florida.
“This is a beautiful Guards Red car with Savanna Beige interior and a black convertible top,” the listing says. The “996” generation of the Porsche 911 was produced from 1999 through 2005. It marked a significant engineering development compared to prior generations – most notably because it had a water-cooled (versus air-cooled) engine. At the rear of this car is a 3.6-liter flat-six mated to a five-speed automatic transmission (a six-speed manual was also available).
The 911 was always known for its precise handling and strong performance, but when enhanced stability was added to the equation via all-wheel drive, it made the car even more capable (not to mention confidence-inspiring) to drive. A magazine advertisement from the period said “1.1 million words in the English language, and not one can describe the feeling.”
The “4” in this car’s model name means that it is equipped all-wheel drive. The system is of course designed to enhance traction and stability, and the level of engineering behind it is impressive. The system is referred to as “passive”– it responds to wheel slip rather than staying constantly active. It uses a viscous coupling and is controlled by the Porsche Stability Management (PSM) interface. The interesting thing is how the PSM can split the distribution of torque: In normal driving, 31 percent of torque goes to the front wheels and 69 percent to the rear. When slip is detected at any corner, torque can move accordingly.
Showing just 46,385 miles, this Carrera has been driven relatively sparingly over the course of its 22 years. The listing calls out the car’s headrests, door sills, headlight washers, stainless-steel exhaust system, and 18-inch wheels with Porsche center crests.
While many Porsche owners in some regions of the country are starting to put their sports cars on battery tenders for the season, it’s nice to know that with a Carrera “4” (especially when equipped with a set of winter tires), you could theoretically drive a 911 all year long.
This Ford is a fiberglass-bodied T-bucket that was built on a custom frame, and it was constructed around 1997 by Don Purdie, an ex-Fisher Body employee. Power comes from a 4.6L Cadillac Northstar V8 topped by a 6-71 Dyer’s supercharger and two Quick Fuel carburetors, and it has Sanderson headers linked to side pipes. The engine is linked to a TH400 automatic transmission and a 10-bolt rear end with an Auburn Gear differential, and the car rides on a custom suspension with chrome ladder bars, a suicide front end, and adjustable rear coilovers. The light blue paintwork is complemented by tri-tone metallic flourishes and a dark blue soft top, and inside are bucket seats, a billet wheel, a wood dashboard, and Classic Instruments gauges. The car is paired with a matching trailer built by Bad Bobs that is equipped with an engine-motif cooler and a storage compartment below a tonneau. Per the seller, the car won an award at the Detroit Autorama following its completion. Acquired by the seller in 2025, this custom T-bucket and matching trailer are now offered with a clean Arizona title listing the car as a 1923 Ford.
The fiberglass body is mounted on a custom frame, both of which are painted light blue. Tri-tone metallic flourishes accent the paintwork, and the soft top and rear compartment have dark blue upholstery. The rear axle is also painted dark blue, as are the grille slats, which feature a raised contrasting “T”. European headlights are set in chrome housings, and dual billet mirrors were fitted.
The 4.6-liter Cadillac Northstar V8 was built for the hot rod with a dark blue block accented by chromed and polished details. It is topped by a 6-71 Dyer’s supercharger with two Quick Fuel four-barrel carburetors and a Hilborn-style scoop with a custom Northstar plate. Sanderson headers are linked to sidepipes, and the firewall has a Bishamon tortoiseshell-style geometric pattern.
18″ wire wheels are used up front, and the rear units are Boyd’s 15″ alloys with knock-off trim caps. The seller tells us the rear Hoosier tires were recently mounted. The car has four-wheel disc brakes with chrome calipers and cross-drilled rotors up front. The suicide front end uses a chrome transverse leaf spring, ladder bars, a tubular drop axle, and lever shocks, and out back are chrome ladder bars, triangulated located links, and coilovers with Carrera dampers.
The bucket seats are trimmed with custom upholstery and Northstar accent lettering, and the billet steering wheel is wrapped in dark blue leather. Coordinated upholstery covers the side panels and seat surrounds.
Classic Instruments gauges are set in a wood dashboard, and the Windsor Shifter shift lever below has lights that illuminate the selected gear. The ~13,500 miles on the cluster represent the distance driven on the build since its completion in 1997.
An aluminum fuel tank and the battery are located in the rear compartment. The car has a removable hitch and an electrical connection for the trailer.
The TH400 with a finned TCI pan is linked to a GM 10-bolt rear end with an Auburn Gear 2.73 differential and a custom Northstar-engraved cover.
The matching trailer has functioning lights and brakes, and the engine scoop tilts to reveal a cooler.
Blueprints from the build are included along with records and spare components depicted in the gallery.
The car is titled as a 1923 Ford using VIN MICH75011. There is no serial number or title for the trailer.
Chevrolet has a storied tradition of producing vehicles that have defined eras and inspired generations. While icons like the Corvette and Camaro remain household names, other once-celebrated models have quietly disappeared from the spotlight. As enthusiasm for classic cars grows—fueled by nostalgia and cutting-edge technology—interest in reviving these forgotten Chevys is surging. Today’s automotive market, with its embrace of retro design and modern engineering, presents a unique opportunity to reimagine these legendary vehicles for a new age.
The 1990s marked an era of bold design and surprising innovation for Pontiac, a brand synonymous with sporty flair and American performance. Today, collectors and enthusiasts are rediscovering these underappreciated gems, drawn to their unique styling and spirited engineering. From muscular coupes to adventurous sedans, ‘90s Pontiacs offered a refreshing alternative to their more mainstream rivals. As nostalgia grows, it’s time to revisit some overlooked models that truly embodied the brand’s daring attitude. For more on Pontiac’s legacy, check out Hagerty’s history of Pontiac.
Pontiac’s reputation as a performance powerhouse is undeniable, with icons like the GTO and Firebird defining the muscle car era. Yet, behind the scenes, corporate mandates, skyrocketing insurance costs, and tightening emissions standards often clipped the wings of promising models. As a result, several Pontiacs with muscle car potential were held back from greatness, never receiving the powertrains or street cred they deserved. These restrictions—rooted in GM’s corporate policies and the pressures of the 1970s—left enthusiasts wondering what could have been. For more on Pontiac’s history, visit Hagerty and MotorTrend.
Buick has carved a unique niche in American automotive lore, blending luxury, innovation, and performance for over a century. Car enthusiasts and collectors remain drawn to select rare models—machines that not only exemplify engineering excellence but also embody the brand’s storied past. From supercharged muscle cars to elegant pre-war cruisers, these Buicks stand as symbols of ambition and style. Their enduring appeal is evident at auctions and car shows, where discerning fans celebrate their legacy. For a deeper dive into Buick’s history, visit the Historic Vehicle Association or Buick’s official history page.
What were some of the experiences in your youth that shaped your automotive interest as an adult? For me, my childhood revolved around anything with wheels—starting with Hot Wheels, evolving to slot cars, radio-controlled cars, and diecast scale models of all sizes. As a Cub Scout, one of my favorite events each year was the Pinewood Derby, a tradition in which each participant started with a basic block of wood and crafted it into a race car. My dad was (and is) a handyman extraordinaire, so his involvement was always a critical element in the process.
I remember one year where the derby took a different route entirely: instead of the goal being to reach the finish line first, there was an obstacle at the end of the track that the cars would crash into. Each vehicle would have a raw egg strapped into a “driver seat.” The goal was to build the safest Pinewood Derby car—one that would not crack or break the egg at the barricade. It was a messy ordeal, but it made for lots of memorable laughs.
Custom Creation
My friend Derek from Utah is no stranger to being a do-it-yourselfer around the house. His YouTube channel, dubbed “DIY Derek,” has over 15,000 subscribers at the time of this writing. Derek is an innovator, handyman, and problem-solver. His channel introduces viewers to the ins and outs of home-improvement, how-to basics, and much more.
For one of his latest episodes, Derek chose to document the process of creating a custom Pinewood Derby car for a neighborhood competition. His creation was modeled after my Acura Legend. I was honored, to say the least. “I went with the most tested car I know,” Derek said. His three daughters each built a car of their own, too.
The project was a true “scratch-built” undertaking. In fact, Derek didn’t even start with a pre-cut wooden block. He made his own by gluing three scrap pieces of wood together. From there, he did some freehand sketching to come up with the general shape. The block was cut using a scroll saw to create the basic profile, then an orbital sander and sanding block were used to soften the curves. The axle grooves needed to be carved out manually. The car was sprayed in proper Desert Mist Metallic, and the details were added with a Sharpie. Finally, Derek added some stickers to the trunk lid and the windshield for maximum authenticity.
Race Day
When the action kicked off at the slot track, Derek had to make some strategic and last-minute engineering changes, one of which included the removal of an “underbody” component that was making contact with the track and slowing the car down.
Derek allowed a girl from the neighborhood to race the Legend since she didn’t have a car of her own. The competition was fierce and, out of about 50 competitors, the Legend finished in the Top 10. The car’s best run down the track came in at a speedy 3.44 seconds. Representing!
“There was only one thing left to do,” Derek said. The last step was mailing me the Pinewood Derby car for display in my collection. And display it proudly, I shall!
Fostering Future Car Fans
In an era when autonomous transportation is becoming the norm and fewer young people are energized about getting driver licenses, I loved seeing the neighborhood spirit that Derek created for a fun car-related event. And now it’s making me want to craft a Pinewood Derby car of my own!
Celebrated for its design by Ian Callum (who later drew up several other popular British models like the Jaguar XK and the F-Type), the Aston Martin DB7 blended supercharged power with sexy styling. Featured on AutoHunter is a low-mileage luxury, Grand-Touring 1997 Aston Martin DB7 Coupe. It is being sold by a dealer in Los Angeles, with the auction ending Monday, December 1, 2025, at 4:30 p.m. (MST).
Showing just 75,600 original miles, the car’s sexy silhouette seems to have defied age—even at 28 years old, it looks relatively modern. Callum’s design sought to capture the essence of classic Astons while adding modern features. Exterior features included vented front fenders, color-keyed mirrors, dual exhaust outlets, and 18-inch turbine-style wheels.
The DB7 was assembled in Bloxham, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom, from 1994 through 2003. It was classified internally under the “XX” model name and leveraged some of the platform architecture from the Jaguar XJS (since at the time, both Aston Martin and Jaguar were owned by Ford). In addition to its coupe body style, the DB7 was offered as a “Volante” convertible after 1996. The marketplace reacted warmly to the car, and it became a volume seller for the brand. The DB7 went on to be credited—at least in part—for helping Aston Martin survive during a particularly competitive period.
The Experian AutoCheck report says that this car has an accident-free history. It was first registered in Crystal Lake, Illinois, and later spent time in Ohio, Kentucky, and Florida before being relocated to California in 2020, where it remains today. A California emissions inspection was performed in September 2024. The report corroborates the car’s low mileage reading, as the last recorded entry was 70,235 when that emissions check was done.
No luxury car would be complete without a few creature comforts. The four-passenger cabin of the DB7 has wood veneer, dual-zone automatic climate control, and power convenience options throughout. An aftermarket AM/FM cassette stereo has been added, but the rest of the cabin appears original.
Up front is a Jaguar-derived 3.2-liter supercharged DOHC inline-six mated to a 4L80-E four-speed automatic transmission. Aston Martin rated the engine at 335 horsepower and 361 lb-ft of torque when new. One unique thing about the DB7 was that each engine was hand-assembled, receiving a placard noting the vehicle number and inspector’s name. This car is identified with the sequence 1*604, which aligns with its VIN. Final assembly was performed by someone named Steve Gray.
Steve should be pleased to know that his efforts did not go unnoticed, and that a DB7 with his name on it is still cruising the streets almost three decades later.
