This 1947 Mercury Eight coupe was built into a street rod before the seller purchased it out of Tennessee in 2023. Finished in red, the car features faux lake pipes, cowl-mounted spotlights, independent front suspension, and Eagle 15” alloy wheels. Power comes from a 400ci Chevrolet V8 with a roller camshaft and dual Edelbrock four-barrel carburetors, and the engine is backed by a TH350 three-speed automatic transmission. The interior is trimmed in black and gray vinyl upholstery and offers air conditioning, a Lokar shifter, a wood dashboard fascia, VDO instrumentation, and an AM/FM/cassette head unit. Previously offered on BaT in July 2024, this Mercury Eight is offered again with a clean Colorado title in the seller’s name.
The car was repainted in red under prior ownership, and faux lake pipes were added along with headlight visors, spotlights, chrome stone guards, and quadruple exhaust finishers below the rear bumper. The listing photos were taken in July 2024.
Eagle 15” alloy wheels are mounted with 205/70 Big O Legacy tires showing 2022 production date codes. The car features independent front suspension, rear lowering blocks, and power-assisted steering and drum brakes. Faux-disc-brake covers have been added behind the front wheels.
The cabin features individual front seats and a rear bench trimmed in black and gray vinyl with color-coordinated door and side panels. Air conditioning has been installed along with a Lokar shifter and an aftermarket AM/FM/cassette head unit.
The red-finished steering wheel was sourced from a Chevrolet Cavalier and is mounted to a tilting column. A wood dashboard fascia houses VDO white-dial instrumentation consisting of a 120-mph speedometer, a 7k-rpm tachometer, and auxiliary gauges. The digital odometer indicates 6k miles, approximately 4k of which have been added under current ownership. Total mileage is unknown.
The 400ci Chevrolet V8 is equipped with a roller camshaft, an Edelbrock aluminum intake manifold, and dual Edelbrock four-barrel carburetors as well as polished accessories.
Power is sent to the rear wheels through a TH350 three-speed automatic transmission and an open differential. Corrosion is visible on underbody components, which can be viewed in the gallery.
This 1925 Ford panel truck was the subject of a custom build over a number of years undertaken by the late former owner, who commissioned the truck to carry dogs in the cargo area. The body was painted white and brown after being fitted with custom fenders and running boards as well as a fabricated rear cargo door. Power is provided by a 350ci Chevrolet V8 linked to a TH350 three-speed automatic transmission and a Ford 8″ rear axle, and the truck is equipped with power-assisted front disc brakes. The cabin features brown upholstery, a custom wooden overhead console, a CD stereo, a tilting steering column, and air conditioning with vents in the center partition separating the bench seat from the rear cargo area, which is lined with woven carpeting. This Ford panel truck street rod was acquired by the seller in 2024 and is now offered at no reserve with a clean Arizona title in the seller’s name.
The delivery-style body was painted white with custom airbrushed “Mojave County Dogcatcher” badges on each side. Custom fenders and running boards were fabricated and finished in metallic brown along with the diamond-plate rear step bumper during the build. Additional details include a white grille surround, a windshield visor, brass headlight bezels, cowl-mounted running lamps, and a fabricated rear cargo door with tinted glass and an adjustable spotlight. An oversized black net can be mounted to the passenger side panel.
The truck rides on a drop axle, a four-bar setup, and a transverse leaf spring up front along with parallel leaf springs out back. The 14″ front and 15″ rear chrome-plated steel wheels wear baby moon hubcaps and are wrapped in 185/70 Barum Brillantis front tires and 255/70 Road Hugger rear tires. Braking is handled by power-assisted front discs and rear drums.
The cabin features a bench seat trimmed in brown vinyl along with brown carpeting and a custom wood overhead console with sun visors. The aftermarket air conditioning system has four vents exiting from the center partition above the dropped center of the seat back.
The rear cargo area was outfitted for carrying the former owner’s dogs, and a carpeted step that mounts in the receiver hitch is pictured in the gallery below. The rear panels and floor are lined in woven carpeting, and a pair air conditioning vents are mounted in the center partition.
The wood-rimmed steering wheel is mounted to a tilting column aft of a painted dash with a wooden accent panel. Stewart-Warner gauges consist of a 160-mph speedometer and gauges for fuel level, water temperature, oil pressure, and amperage.
The 350ci Chevrolet V8 is topped with a Holley aluminum intake manifold, a four-barrel carburetor with an electric choke, and a B&M polished aluminum air cleaner assembly. Equipment includes an electric radiator fan, an Accel HEI distributor, and coated block-hugger exhaust headers.
Power is routed to the rear wheels through a GM TH350 three-speed automatic transmission and a Ford 8″ rear end.
The truck is titled by its Arizona assigned identification number AZ292538.
Every Ferrari is special in its own way but, every now and then, the company sets certain models apart using just one word. Over the past few decades, those words have included Scuderia and Pista. Speciale is also on that list and was last applied to the ultimate version of the 458. Now Ferrari is bringing it back to identify a more powerful, athletic, and aggressive variant of the hybrid 296 GTB known as the 296 Speciale.
The visual differences between the 296 Speciale and the car it’s based on are easy to see, especially in the new Speciale-specific color of Verde Nürburgring and the available white livery. The entire front end was restyled to improve the Speciale’s aerodynamics. A 296 Challenge-style front aero damper, which sends some of the airflow from the underbody to the upper body, helps keep downforce on the nose more consistent.
The FXX K and 296 Challenge influenced the rear end, which features vertical fins and small wings designed to reduce drag while simultaneously increasing downforce. In addition to a new diffuser, the active rear spoiler’s new Medium Downforce setting, which maximizes high-speed stability, joins the Low Drag and High Downforce configurations; new programming shortens the transition time between those last two modes. According to Ferrari’s calculations, the 296 Speciale produces 435 kg (959 pounds) of downforce at 250 km/h (155 mph) – a 20-percent improvement over the 296 GTB. Additional external changes result in better cooling of the enhanced hybrid powertrain as well as the brakes.
What’s not so obvious are the materials Ferrari used to lighten the Speciale. Of course, carbon fiber is one of them, making up some of the body panels and, if a Speciale buyer chooses, the bumpers and engine compartment cover. In addition to Alcantara and aluminum, there’s more carbon fiber inside the cockpit, which has door panels made out of single blocks of the lightweight composite.
Ferrari’s diet for the Speciale also covered its twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 engine, which is equipped with the F80’s lighter titanium connecting rods, a nitrided steel crankshaft, and racing-derived titanium screws and stud bolts. Even the turbos show a lower number on the scale. Ferrari went so far as trimming excess metal from the engine block and crankcase. Combined, those cutbacks make the Speciale’s engine nine percent lighter than the one in the 296 GTB. Overall, the Speciale is down 60 kg (132 pounds) compared to the base 296.
It should come as no surprise that the Speciale is more powerful than its regular counterpart, too. The V6’s upgraded hardware and the seven-percent-higher combustion chamber pressure unlocked by a new boost management strategy add up to 700 cv (690 horsepower) at 8,000 rpm and 755 Nm (557 lb-ft) of torque at 6,000 rpm. New acoustic ducts and individually tuned tubes that carry engine sound into the cabin should “express the rich harmony of the engine to the full.”
Thanks to optimized operating and cooling strategies, the Speciale’s electric motor is 13 cv (12.8 horsepower) more potent than the one in the 296 GTB and provides up to 25 kilometers (15.5 miles) of all-electric driving range. The eManettino dial’s “Qualify” setting engages a new overboost mode that produces up to 180 cv (177 horsepower) and 315 Nm (232 lb-ft) of torque between 6,000 and 8,500 rpm. Altogether, the more potent engine and electric motor bring the Speciale’s total output up to 880 cv (867 horsepower), “50 more [cv] than the 296 GTB and a record for a rear-wheel-drive production Ferrari,” according to the automaker.
Special roll-reducing spring and damper settings and new 20-inch forged wheels with specially designed Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires transmit the hybrid’s higher power to the road or track. New upshift settings for the eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox’s first seven gears lower shift times.
So just how fast is the 296 Speciale with these comprehensive improvements? Ferrari’s stopwatch shows that it can reach 100 kph (62 mph) in 2.8 seconds and takes only 7.0 seconds to hit double that speed. It only needs 1:19 to complete a lap of Ferrari’s Fiorano test track. All three of those figures better the ones achieved by the 296 GTB. Flat out, the Speciale can go past 330 kph (205 mph).
Our Pick of the Day onClassicCars.com is an early example of the E23 BMW 7 series, a 1979 BMW 733i located at a dealer in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. I can still remember the first time I saw a BMW 733i. I was in the 8th grade and saw one parked in front of the BMW dealer in Tucson, Arizona. The only car I could compare it to at the time was the new 6 Series. To me, it was the most sporty-looking high-end luxury sedan ever. Compared to the Mercedes S Class of the time, it looked like something new and futuristic – more like a luxury sports sedan than any German luxury car I had ever seen. The shark-nose front end is a great style feature and looks as good or better today than it did when new. The BMW E23 7 Series is quite possibly my single favorite Paul Bracq design, combining elegance and sporting in what was a brand-new way at the time.
Over the years I have had the opportunity to drive a few of these first-generation E23 7 Series cars, and even bought one about 10 years ago to use during Monterey Car Week. What surprised me the most is that these first 7 Series BMWs still hold up as a luxury car today. Sure, there’s no Bluetooth or navigation, but the materials used and the build quality of these first 7 Series cars were probably the very best that BMW had built at the time. The one I bought was a 1984 model, and after 30 years and over 150,000 miles later, it still felt like an amazingly well-constructed car.
The other thing about these first 7 Series cars is that they are truly sports sedans in luxury-car clothes; they are fun to drive and handle better than any other sedan of the era. Period magazine tests showed very believable skid-pad numbers of .85g – and yet somehow the car also rides very nicely.
This car is painted in what I am assuming is its original Alpine White over its original red full leather interior. I say “original” as this car has only covered a total of 49,000 miles from new and looks to be a completely original example based on the photos provided.
The seller states, “This 733i exudes sophistication and style. Equipped with an automatic transmission, this first-generation BMW 7 Series delivers a smooth and refined driving experience, true to the BMW legacy of precision engineering and comfort. Perfect for collectors or enthusiasts looking to own a piece of BMW history.”
I would agree with that statement, but I wanted to know more about this specific car’s history. Finding a first-generation 7 Series with low miles and this clean is very unusual, and I was sure there was a story to go along with it. To find out more, I called the selling dealer and asked them about this 733i. I found out that the owner of the dealership actually acquired the car from the family that purchased the car new. It includes service history, all manuals, tools and everything else it came with when it rolled off the showroom floor.
The exterior looks outstanding, with no visible issues anywhere. The paint appears to be in excellent condition, and the brightwork and rubber trim all appear to be in time-capsule-like form.
The same goes for the interior. The red leather is in excellent shape, the headliner looks great and is not sagging anywhere, and the wood trim also appears as good as it did when new. Amazingly, even the dash is uncracked, and the car still features its original Blaupunkt AM/FM cassette stereo.
The same goes for the engine compartment, which in photos looks very clean and all-original under the hood. The engine still has traces of the original cosmoline, something BMW collectors love to see.
It is interesting that many older European car collectors do not seem to gravitate toward the luxury cars of the 1970s and ’80s and instead focus more on the sports and GT options. That is changing, though, as it seems many younger collectors – yes, that’s you, Wes and Forrest – have embraced classic 1980s and 1990s European luxury cars. I totally get it. These cars always represented the best a manufacturer could build in the era, and the original E23 BMW 7 Series cars definitely used this model to showcase the height of the automaker’s capabilities. It was the model BMW went all out to build, looking to produce the best European luxury car in the world. The legendary automotive journalist David E. David when writing his first review of the BMW 733i: “Damn, what a car … this is Bimmer Infinity.” I agree with him wholeheartedly.
This all-original, low-mile 1979 BMW 733i is being offered for $19,411. I have to say it is one of the finest examples I have seen in years and represents what I would call a good buy, especially for BMW Infinity.
This 1952 Chevrolet Styleline is a two-door sedan that was modified and refurbished under prior ownership with work that involved installing a 5.7-liter LT1 V8, a Saginaw four-speed manual transmission, and an air suspension as well as finishing the chopped bodywork in metallic brown with gold flames. A Torquehead PCM and ignition kit was installed following the seller’s 2021 acquisition. Additional modifications include remote poppers for the shaved doors and trunk, a motorized hideaway rear license plate holder, and a 1955 Pontiac rear bumper. The interior is trimmed in white upholstery with diamond-pattern stitching, and aftermarket instrumentation and controls for the air suspension are integrated into the dashboard. The car rides on 15″ body-color wheels and also has front disc brakes. This modified Styleline is now offered with an Ohio title in the seller’s name.
Modified bodywork includes a 4″ chop, and remote poppers activate the shaved doors and trunk. The House of Kolor Root Beer Kandy finish is adorned with gold flames on the front and sides, and custom pinstriping accents the trunk. A motorized hideaway license plate is located below the 1955 Pontiac chrome rear bumper. A dent on the left quarter panel and a chip on the hood are shown in the gallery below, and the side windows are cracked.
The car rides on an air suspension system and is fitted with front disc brakes. Body-color 15″ steel wheels are mounted with whitewall tires.
The cabin houses bench seats trimmed in white leather with diamond-pattern inserts, which extend to the door panels and side panels, and the floors are lined with brown carpets. Controls for the Air Ride suspension system are housed below the dashboard. The headliner is sagging.
The two-spoke steering wheel fronts an AutoMeter 120-mph speedometer and an 8k-rpm tachometer, while Sunpro auxiliary readouts are centrally located under the dashboard. The digital odometer shows 5k miles, approximately 1k of which were added under current ownership.
The 5.7-liter LT1 V8 was installed during the build and is said to have been fitted with a revised camshaft. A Torquehead PCM and ignition kit was installed in 2022. The concealed Optima battery has an external shut-off and jumper ports. The seller reports that the car is currently tuned on speed density and recommends a mass air flow sensor to be installed, and the engine smokes at idle.
Power is routed to the rear wheels through a Saginaw four-speed manual transmission and a Ford 9″ rear end.
The current Ohio title carries an “Exceeds Mechanical Limits” notation.
This ’32 Ford hot rod is a steel-bodied Dearborn Deuce roadster that was built in 2014 by Precision Hot Rods of Macedonia, Ohio. Its built 496ci GM V8 has Arias hemispherical heads, a custom-ground roller camshaft, and an eight-stack intake with FAST electronic fuel injection, and it is linked to a four-speed automatic and a limited-slip rear end with 3.25 gears and 31-spline axles. The car rides on a polished stainless-steel chassis – a $50k upgrade when new – and has a polished Perfection Hot Rods drop front end, a Jaguar-style independent rear with polished coilovers, American Racing Torq Thrust wheels, and disc brakes. The louvered hood has cutouts for the heads and tubular headers, and inside custom details continue with two-tone leather upholstery, a console with a Lokar shifter and Vintage Air climate control, Dakota Digital gauges, a billet wheel on a tilt column, and a hidden stereo. Acquired by the selling dealer in 2023, this custom Highboy is now offered with an Ohio title listing the car as a 1932 Ford.
The steel body has a black soft top that stows behind the seat and is concealed beneath an integrated cover, and the Dearborn Deuce also features roll-up windows. The car was specified with a polished stainless-steel chassis, which was a $50k upgrade.
The hood top opens either side to reveal the eight-stack injection system. The louvered side panels have cutouts for the Arias hemispherical heads and headers. The pinched nose rails are separated by a chrome spreader bar, and So-Cal stainless-steel lights and shock mounts were utilized.
The polished Perfection Hot Rods drop front end has a transverse leave spring and a drilled axle and radius rods, and the Jaguar-style rear end with coilovers is also polished. Buick drum-style covers are mounted over the front discs.
American Racing Torq Thrust wheels measuring 16″ up front and 18″ at the rear are mounted with Mickey Thompson tires.
The custom interior has two-tone leather upholstery on the contoured bench. A Lokar shifter and controls for the Vintage Air climate control system are mounted in the center console. The car has a hidden stereo.
The billet wheel has a color-coordinated wrap and is mounted on a tilt column. The 1,700 miles on the Dakota Digital cluster represents the distance driven on the build.
The 496ci Chevrolet V8 has Arias hemi heads and a custom-ground roller camshaft. It is topped by an eight-stack intake with Inglese-logo filters and a FAST electronic fuel injection system. The four-speed automatic is linked to a rear end with a limited-slip differential, 3.25 gears, and 31-spline axles.
Additional underside photos are available in the gallery below showing the chassis, suspension, and exhaust.
Records and component receipts are included in the sale.
The car is titled as a 1932 Ford Roadster in Ohio with VIN 18186922. The title carries a Not Actual Mileage notice.
The coolest cars have hidden headlights. That was my credo when I was a kid, so when Mrs. Vinokur stopped by in her Country Squire to pick up her kids, she would turn on the headlights for my benefit so I could see the doors flip up to expose a pair of duals. I was on cloud nine.
Though a feature not as common as on coupes and sedans, there were other family haulers that had this feature in the 1960-70s—here’s a list.
American Motors Seriously, AMC never offered any cars (wagons or otherwise) that featured concealed headlamps? Let’s have a moment of silence and shed a tear, then let’s be thankful for the AMX/III.
Buick Another company that never built a wagon with hidden headlights, though it came close with the Skyhawk later in the 1980s—some body styles and/or trim levels offered concealed headlights, but it was never applied to the wagon.
Cadillac The Standard of the World never officially offered a station wagon, so not much to say here.
1968 Chevrolet Caprice wagon
Chevrolet There were only two instances of Chevrolet wagons having hidden headlights, and they were available as an option on the 1968 Caprice Estate Wagon and its successor, the 1969 Kingswood Estate.
Brochure showing the concealed headlights option for 1969 Kingswood Estate wagon.
Chrysler Though several models used concealed headlights starting in 1968 with the 300, no wagons ever had their halogens hidden.
DeSoto DeSoto was an early adopter with its “Airfoil” lights for 1942 (never to offer them again), though a station wagon was not in the company’s portfolio at the time.
1972 Dodge Monaco1976 Dodge Royal Monaco Brougham
Dodge The first full-size Dodge to feature hidden headlights was the 1972 Monaco and, yes, it was available as a wagon. This continued into 1973, and then the restyled (and renamed) Royal Monaco showed up for 1975. The treatment was given to the regular Monaco for 1976, then reverted to the Royal Monaco for 1977 because—guess what?—Dodge pulled a fast one and renamed the mid-size Coronet “Monaco.” Confused? Maybe we’ll write another story to sort that one out!
1968 Ford Country Squire1976 Ford Country Squire
Ford Ford first introduced hidden headlights on the 1967 Thunderbird, but the feature didn’t appear on wagons until the 1968 Country Squire. Ford continued this through 1970, then returned for 1975 with the LTD Country Squire, which was produced in this form through 1978.
1970 Torino Squire
But we cannot forget the Torino. The 1970 Torino Squire came with concealed headlights standard, and it was available as an option for the Torino wagon (though not available on the Fairlane 500 and 1970½ Falcon wagons). For 1971, the hidden lids were now optional for both the Squire and the Torino 500 wagon.
1970 Mercury Marquis Colony Park and Marquis Wagon
Mercury Hidden headlights for the brand started with the 1967 Cougar but, when it came to wagons, the feature wasn’t introduced until the 1969 Marquis Colony Park wagon. For 1970, it was joined by a regular Marquis wagon. While the Country Squire ditched hidden headlights for 1971, both Marquis wagons continued to utilize hidden headlights. It would remain this way through 1978.
1970 Mercury Montego MX Villager
The first and only Montego wagon to feature a full-width grille shrouding headlights was the 1970 Montego MX Villager.
Oldsmobile The company from Lansing never offered a wagon with hidden headlights, but wouldn’t a Toronado wagon be neat?
1972 Plymouth Sport Suburban
Plymouth The 1970 Sport Fury was the first Plymouth to feature concealed headlights, as did its wagon companion, which was called the Sport Suburban (seen in the lead image of this article). This continued through 1972.
Imagine this 1967 Grande Parisienne front end….…on this 1967 Grande Parisienne Safari!
Pontiac If you thought Pontiac never offered a wagon with hidden headlights, you’d be partially correct—you’d have to wait for the middle of the 1968 model year when Pontiac introduced hidden headlights for the Bonneville. Was there a surplus of Grand Prix grilles and Pontiac felt introducing the feature for the Bonneville would help? [Shruggy] Since there was a Bonneville wagon, it certainly was within the realm of possibilities to have a 1968 Pontiac wagon with hidden headlights.
1968 Pontiac Grande Parisienne Safari
However, a year earlier, Canadians were able to buy a Grande Parisienne Safari with the front clip from the Grand Prix. This was repeated again for 1968.
The muscle cars started with the mantra “the big V8 in a lightweight body,” but very soon, Detroit discovered that customers wanted a bit of luxury, prestige, and performance. Although this raised the price of the cars, there were still enough customers who wished to upgrade to cars with impressive firepower under the hood. And that is how the luxury muscle cars were created. Today, we’ll bring you the 10 most characteristic examples.
1. Chrysler 300 “Letter Series”
Photo Credit: Auto Wp
Even before muscle cars, Chrysler produced a series of high-performance coupes and convertibles that delivered unbelievable performance and unmistakable style. The model was called 300, followed by letters of the alphabet, with the C300 being the first model in 1955. Known as the Letter Series, those upscale cruisers were some of the fastest and most powerful models produced between 1955 and 1965 when the series was discontinued.
Photo Credit: Pinterest
During its 10-year production run, Chrysler made very few of these cars, often fewer than 1000 examples per model year. This means 300 Letter Series cars are very expensive and sought after, and they are hard to restore since parts are scarce.
2. Plymouth GTX
Photo Credit: Hot Rod
The GTX (Grand Turismo Exterminator) isn’t exactly a forgotten model, but it hasn’t gotten the attention it deserves in muscle car history. This model was based on the same platform as the Coronet or the Roadrunner, but it was much more luxurious and had 375 hp as standard. Plymouth wanted the GTX to compete with the luxury cars of the period, so it installed almost all possible creature comforts along with some special trim on the outside to distinguish it from the rest of the model lineup.
Photo Credit: Mecum
The GTX was a gentleman’s hot rod with all the options, a nice interior, and exterior details. However, because it was significantly more expensive than the rest of the Mopar muscle car lineup, it was never that popular, and it is pretty rare today.
3. Buick Riviera GS
Foto Credit: Auto Wp
Performance-oriented buyers didn’t want big and heavy domestic coupes that had the power but didn’t provide the handling or feel of a sports car. So, in 1963, the Buick Riviera was presented, and it immediately became one of the most interesting cars on the American market at the time.
Foto Credit: Auto Wp
But Buick wanted more, and the company introduced the legendary Riviera Grand Sport, or GS, in 1965. The car featured a revised suspension, a bigger 425 engine, and a host of other performance upgrades. In this version, the Rivera was an actual world-class automobile with 360 hp and acceleration times of 7.9 seconds, better than most of the sports cars of the period.
4. Mercury Cougar
Photo Credit: Mecum
The Cougar was built on the Mustang platform but stretched a couple of inches to add comfort and improve ride quality. It was also available with V8 engines only. The body panels were all totally unique, as was the front fascia with hidden headlights. Mercury offered a wood-trimmed dash, leather seats, and all kinds of creature comforts in the interior.
Photo Credit: Car Domain
Some could say that the Cougar was just a luxury Mustang, but in reality, it was an independent model and a pretty successful car in its own right. The ultimate version, perfectly combined muscle car power and luxury, was the mighty Cougar XR-7. This model had the 390 V8 engine with 320 hp, and buyers could also opt for the GT package, which included beefed-up suspension, stronger brakes, and steering.
5. Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS
Photo Credit: Mecum
Built on the modified Chevelle platform, the Monte Carlo was a handsome coupe-only car with V8 engines, a nice interior, and decent performance. Although most Monte Carlos came with smaller V8 engines, which were bought by people who concentrated on the luxury aspect of this model, there was one crazy muscle option in the form of the SS 454 package.
Photo Credit: Pinterest
This version was a true luxury beast with a monstrous 7.4-liter V8 engine that pumped 360 hp and propelled the heavy Monte Carlo to an excellent 0 to 60 mph. Buyers could get this trim level for just $420 above the base price, transforming this coupe from a somewhat lazy cruiser to a quarter-mile beast.
6. Studebaker Avanti R2
Photo Credit: Hagerty
Before this legendary brand left the market, it produced one interesting and sought-after luxury model with muscle car credentials—the Studebaker Avanti R2. The innovative design, construction, and technology were exciting, and the car received praise from the motoring press. The base version was not very powerful, but soon, Studebaker introduced a supercharged R2 option that delivered 289 hp.
Photo Credit: Auto WP
The R2 version couldn’t be had with an automatic transmission; only a close-ratio manual gearbox and air conditioning were not available. Besides that, many performance upgrades were included, and the Avanti became a fast machine. The R2 model even broke 28 world speed records, achieving a top speed of 170 mph, a big deal in 1963.
7. Pontiac Grand Prix SJ
Photo Credit: VAS
The Grand Prix was a personal luxury coupe introduced in 1962 in a coupe body style with powerful engines and a long list of options. However, with the restyling of the Grand Prix for the 1969 model year, there was a chance to introduce trim packages that would transform this comfy cruiser into a real muscle car, and Pontiac jumped at the opportunity.
Photo Credit: Mecum
First, there was a cool-looking new design with a long hood and short rear end and a very interesting and driver-oriented dashboard. The 1969 Grand Prix stood out from the competitors, and sales immediately jumped. Second, a very cool trim option called SJ featured a high-output 428 V8 engine that delivered 390 hp and several other performance options.
8. Ford 7-Litre
Photo Credit: AutoWP
The story started in the mid-’60s when Ford introduced a new engine with 428 CID (7.0 liters), an evolution of their venerable FE block. At the same time, Chevrolet had a successful Impala SS model, which featured a 427 V8 engine, and Ford wanted to compete with it. But Ford had a different vision. If Chevrolet produced the Impala SS as a pretty mundane car, Ford would produce its model as an upscale coupe or convertible, emphasizing luxury and exclusivity.
Photo Credit: Hot Rod
Under the hood was the 428 V8 with a respectable 345 hp, which delivered a pretty convincing performance. However, the 7-Litre’s equipment is also very interesting since Ford put everything they had into this car. In 1966, little over 11,000 7-litre cars were produced, so good luck finding one.
9. Mercury Marauder X100
Photo Credit: Hagerty
Imagined as a luxury coupe, the Marauder had a fresh design with interesting features like concealed headlights, a massive front end, and a sloping rear end with concave rear glass. It was a big, heavy car for cruising rather than street racing.
Photo Credit: Bring A Trailer
However, Mercury needed something to fight the Pontiac Grand Prix and Buick Riviera GS, and knew they needed to upgrade the Marauder to a higher spec if they wanted a piece of the action. So, the Marauder X100 was introduced. Behind the strange name was a regular 1969 Marauder with a 429 V8 engine with 360 hp, bucket seats, heavy-duty suspension, black-out rear trim, and fender skirts. Mercury made just over 8000.
10. Buick Wildcat
Photo Credit: Flickr
Introduced in 1962, the Buick Wildcat was one of the first personal luxury coupes with a performance-tuned engine and other go-fast options. Of course, since it was a Buick product, the luxury appointments and upscale options were guaranteed.
Photo Credit: Pinterest
The Wildcat was a separate model available as a regular four-door hardtop, two-door coupe, or convertible. Under the hood was always a powerful V8 from the top of Buick’s engine lineup. Our favorite year is 1967, when the Wildcat was offered the mighty 430 V8 engine, which produced 360 hp. This kind of power in an unassuming sedan or coupe was unheard of at the time, and it provided excellent performance and exclusivity to the owners.
Carroll Shelby was undeniably one of the biggest names in the American performance car scene and, throughout his career, connected with several major car companies. Everybody knows Shelby’s name is associated with another Detroit legend—the Ford Mustang. However, Shelby’s talent and relentless quest for performance produced numerous fantastic machines that were not based on Ford’s venerable Mustang. So, let’s see what they are.
1. Scaglietti Corvette
Photo Credit: Pinterest
It is less known that Scaglietti produced three Corvettes in 1959 for Texan millionaire and car enthusiast Gary Laughlin. Jim Hall and Carroll Shelby, both notable racing drivers and constructors from Texas, saw the potential in the 1959 Corvette’s engine and power.
Photo Credit: Autp WP
Although the Corvette had a light fiberglass body, two constructors wanted better aerodynamics, a longer nose, and more luxurious appointments, so they contacted Scaglietti with the request to design and produce a bespoke body on the ’59 Vette chassis. Scaglietti delivered three cars in different colors but with exquisite designs that looked more like a Ferrari than a Corvette. There were plans for regular production, but after careful consideration and cost projection, they were abandoned.
2. Shelby Cobra 289
Photo Credit: Edmunds
In 1962, Shelby heard that AC Cars from England was planning to shut down the production of their Ace sports roadster since Bristol engines were no longer available. In just a few days, he got several engineless bodies on a transport ship to his Venice Beach shop, where Ford’s 260 V8 engines were waiting to be installed in new bodies. The small but powerful American V8 in a light and nimble body proved to be a match made in heaven.
Photo Credit: Monochrome Watches
The small V8 roadster proved extremely capable and dominated the GT class. Ford’s V8 was a durable and reliable unit, and Shelby’s knowledge and racing know-how were crucial in setting the car right for different tracks. Also, Shelby sold factory-prepared “Competition” Cobras to private teams, and numerous amateur racers enjoyed success with this fierce car.
3. Sunbeam Tiger
Photo Credit: Mecum
In 1959, Sunbeam presented the Alpine, a very nice-looking roadster with dependable and conventional mechanicals and small 1.5—or 1.7-liter four cylinders. However, the company soon realized it needed more than four cylinders to compete in the sports car market. So, they called Carroll Shelby and asked him to turn the docile Alpine into a performance car.
Photo Credit: Mecum
Shelby designed the Sunbeam Tiger as a muscle car version of the Alpine, installing a Ford 260 and later 289 V8 engine and redesigning the suspension and steering. It was the first British roadster with a proper V8 rumble and impressive performance. Finally, Sunbeam had a sports car, and the Tiger was fast and powerful by the day’s standards.
4. Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe
Photo Credit: Ford
Shelby noticed the roadster’s body was unsuitable for all tracks and races. Even with the hard top mounted, Cobra lacked top speed due to poor aerodynamics, and on long straights like those at Le Mans, it was slower than the competition. To do that, Shelby needed to modify the Cobra entirely; with the help of his talented team of engineers and hot rodders, he managed to construct a more extended chassis, relocate the suspension, and design a whole new, longer, sleeker, and much more aerodynamically efficient body.
Photo Credit: Autoweek
The car was finished just in time for the legendary 1965 racing season and shipped to Europe, where it continued American engineering’s dominance and managed to win the 1965 GT Championship, which was an extraordinary success for Ford, Carroll Shelby, and his team of talented drivers and mechanics.
5. Ford GT40
Photo Credit: Ford
Truth be told, the Ford GT40 wasn’t Shelby’s project, and he came on board when the GT40 was already designed and engineered. However, Shelby played a crucial part in racing success and legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans wins. Ford used Shelby’s experience as a driver, team leader, and constructor to lead the team of motivated racers who were set to dethrone the mighty Ferrari. Also, Ford thought Shelby owned it since the company backed the Cobra and Mustang project, so it was an offer he couldn’t refuse.
Photo Credit: RM Sotheby
To make the long story short, Ferrari was humiliated exactly four times between 1966 and 1969 when GT 40 won the 24 Hours of Le Mans four times in a row. It was an amazing success and an incredible achievement by a company that had never appeared in Le Mans before the mid-60s. The GT 40 became a legend and a symbol of American race cars dominating the European racing scene, the most significant success of Carroll Shelby and his team.
6. Shelby Lonestar
Photo Credit: Pinterest
By the end of the ’60s, Shelby decided to build the successor to the Cobra 289 and Cobra 427 models. But he didn’t settle for a restyled version or an improved old model. Rather than that, he constructed a totally new car with a mid-mounted V8 engine, racing suspension, and performance on a whole new level. Shelby took the modified GT40 platform, along with the engine and transmission, and designed a totally different body that was even a bit lighter than the standard GT40.
Photo Credit: Z Concept carz
The car was initially called Shelby Cobra III. Still, soon after Shelby declared that the prototype had been built in England, Ford executives reacted by stating that they owned the rights to the “Cobra” nameplate, forbidding Carroll to use it. Ford didn’t want to build another Cobra, so Shelby was on his own and renamed it “Lonestar” after his home state of Texas.
7. Dodge Omni GLH
Photo Credit: Chrysler
For the better part of the ’70s, Shelby avoided the automotive business. The muscle car era was gone, Ford closed its racing program, and it looked like Carroll was out of work. He concentrated on some other ventures, including his famous Chili products. However, when his old pal from Ford, Lee Iacocca, took over Chrysler, Shelby got invited to return to the performance game under totally new circumstances.
Photo Credit: Auto Evolution
It was called Omni GLH and was a proper hot hatch and one of the best affordable performance models money could buy in those days. Nobody expected that Dodge could produce a hot hatch that could beat the European competitors, but with Shelby’s help, it did just that. Shelby took the 2.2-liter four-cylinder and added a turbocharger to produce a total output of 175 hp and a 0 to 60 mph time of less than 7 seconds, which was very impressive and highly competitive for the day.
8. Dodge Shelby Charger
Photo Credit: Mecum
L-Body Chargers built in the ’80s were forgettable cars that weren’t especially popular or fast. However, when Carroll Shelby, who was involved with Chrysler in those days, introduced the Shelby Charger, the car finally gained some respect.
Photo Credit: Mecum
Shelby’s recipe was pretty simple. He turbocharged the existing 2.2-liter four-cylinder to deliver 175 HP, equipped it with a close-ratio 5-speed manual gearbox, stiffened the suspension, and improved braking. All those changes turned the pretty boring regular Charger into the Shelby Charger, which had some vivid performance and could outrun most production muscle cars of the period.
9. Dodge Viper RT/10
Photo Credit: Mopar
In those days, Chrysler was enjoying strong sales and wanted a model that would celebrate its success and connect it with muscle car roots from the glorious ’60s and early ’70s. The team wanted to build a modern-day Cobra with more power, refinement, and performance and show that the concept of a light but immensely powerful roadster is still attractive.
Photo Credit: Chrom Juwelen
The team rushed the car into production so it was ready for 1992 release and pace car duty at the legendary Indianapolis 500 race. Under the hood was an 8.0-liter fully aluminum V10 with 400 HP and 465 lb-ft of torque, which was unheard of at the time and secured Viper’s place as one of the most powerful new models on the market. The design wasn’t much different from the prototypes, and a long hood and short rear end with the necessary roll bar made Viper visually dramatic and fast-looking even when it was parked.
10. Shelby Series 1
Photo Credit: Silodrome
The Series 1 was introduced in 1999. It featured a gorgeous roadster body, low silhouette, and design that could be traced back to the mid-’60s. However, everything was brand new under the body, and the car was powered by an Oldsmobile 4.0-liter V8 engine delivering 320 HP. Since the car was light, the performance was great, and 0 to 60 mph times were around 4 seconds, which was fantastic for the late ’90s.
Photo Credit: Mecum
Unfortunately, US regulations regarding car manufacturing forbade Shelby from producing the Series 1 as a regular model, allowing it to be built only as a kit car, which he refused. Due to limited availability and high price, only about 250 examples were made until 2005.
For decades, the American car industry was defined by V8 engines and rear-wheel drive. However, despite that, US car manufacturers always produced innovative front-wheel-drive cars even when that layout was rare and unpopular. Today, we will present the 10 most characteristic FWD machines Detroit has ever made.
1. Cord L-29
Photo Credit: Pinterest
Although he was involved with Duesenberg and Auburn, Errett Lobban Cord was a successful car salesman and businessman who wanted to build cars under his own name. So, in 1929, he established a company called Cord and introduced his first model, the L-29. This car had an interesting feature: front-wheel drive. In those days, no one had heard of FWD.
Photo Credit: Pinterest
The driving characteristics of the L-29, including the build quality and performance, were superb. But they launched the car just after the Great Depression. And it was the worst economic recession the world has ever seen, greatly affecting sales. However, despite the sales flop, the Cord L-29 was and still is an essential car.
2. Cord 810 – 812
Photo Credit: Pinterest
The car market was stunned when the 810, which was later the 812, was introduced in 1936. At that moment, it was the most advanced American production car. It had V8 power, front-wheel drive, an independent front suspension, and hideaway headlights.
Photo Credit: Pinterest
The car featured many industry firsts, establishing itself as one of the first revolutionary American sports cars. Unfortunately, the market was unprepared for such an advanced automobile, so the sales numbers were terrible. This caused Cord to close its doors in the late 1930s.
3. Oldsmobile Toronado
Photo Credit: GM
Today’s car enthusiasts may not remember Oldsmobile since the company retired the brand in 2000. One of their most famous front-wheel-drive cars is the 1966 Oldsmobile Toronado. This was a big and powerful personal luxury coupe with a twist, as it included front-wheel drive.
Photo Credit: GM
Designers drew a fantastic-looking shape with a low roof and hidden headlights. The power came from a big block 455 V8 with 385 HP. The Toronado was successful because it introduced some superb driving characteristics, leaving its competitors in the dust. The first two generations were the best, while the later Toronado was just a Cadillac Eldorado with a different grille.
4. Cadillac Eldorado
Photo Credit: Hot Rod
The 1967 model year marked a revolution for the Eldorado model regarding new design, technology, and drivetrain. Cadillac has used the Eldorado as a top-of-the-line personal luxury model for years. But by the mid-60s, almost all other GM brands had developed similar cars to the Eldorado. So, Cadillac needed a new model to make a statement and keep the Eldorado at the top of the segment.
Photo Credit: GM
In those days, FWD cars were rare foreign models. So, when Oldsmobile introduced front-wheel drive on its 1966 Toronado, Cadillac took the patent and slightly improved it for use on the Eldorado. With this feature, the Eldorado had almost perfect handling and better driving dynamics, keeping its mighty 340 HP engine and classic Cadillac characteristics.
5. Ford Taurus SHO
Photo Credit: Car And Driver
In the late ’80s, Ford revolutionized the sedan market by introducing the Taurus. This was the first truly modern American sedan to ditch the heavy ladder-type chassis and big engines and go in a different direction with a sleek and aerodynamic body, new technology, and front-wheel drive.
Photo Credit: Car And Driver
The Taurus sold in volumes, but the famed Super High Output, or SHO, version is the most interesting. The SHO was a performance model in the Taurus lineup that featured a Yamaha-sourced 3.0-liter high-revving V6 with 220 HP. This doesn’t sound like much today, but in 1989, it was a lofty figure. Also, the performance was outstanding, with just 6.7 seconds to 60 mph.
6. Cadillac Allante
Photo Credit: Car Domain
Cadillac envisioned the Allante to compete with the Mercedes SL convertible. It was a two-seater luxury convertible by Pininfarina with Italian styling. They included a Northstar V8 engine and front-wheel drive. This was an unusual combination, but the car looked and performed well. Even the production process was specific.
Photo Credit: Mecum
They fabricated the cars in Italy in the Pininfarina factory and then shipped them to the US by jet, which affected the final product’s cost. The Allante stayed in production until 1993, and they built over 21,000 of them. The car proved too expensive to produce, so the factory allegedly lost money on every Allante it built.
7. Cadillac Seville STS
Photo Credit: Edmunds
Ever since the Eldorado became a front-wheel-drive model in 1967, Cadillac has included this drivetrain in the rest of its lineup. During the ’90s, Seville underwent a major redesign, including a new platform, Northstar V8 engines, and a sleek look.
Photo Credit: GM
However, the best was yet to come, so in the late ’90s, Cadillac introduced the Seville Touring Sedan or STS, which was a competent car. It had 300 HP from a 4.6-liter V8 engine, a magnetic ride, a plush interior, and numerous other features. It was a true competitor to Mercedes or BMW. The most interesting things were the STS’s power rating and front wheel drive. In the past, manufacturers had problems with stability if the car was too powerful. However, Cadillac managed to add a 300 HP engine to power the front wheels.
8. Ford Focus ST
Photo Credit: Which Car
Although all eyes are on the brutal and crazy capable Focus RS, most car fans forget the Focus ST is the sweet spot of the Focus range. The ST stands for Street Technology, and it is Ford’s performance model for normal people with everyday driving habits
Photo Credit: Ford
Under the hood, a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine sends power to the front wheels. The Focus ST delivers driving excitement with around 260 HP on tap and perfectly balanced front suspension. But with the strong chassis, decent brakes, and direct steering, it can also be a great family hatchback for everyday use.
9. Chevrolet Cobalt SS
Photo Credit: Pinterest
Although discontinued, the Chevrolet Cobalt SS will be remembered as one of the best affordable performance cars. Available as a supercharged, turbocharged, or naturally aspirated model, the best SS was the turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder introduced in 2008.
Photo Credit: Pinterest
The engine delivered 260 HP, which was astonishing by the day’s standards and more than any of the competitors. Also, the Cobalt SS had considerable tuning potential, and getting even more power from this engine was easy. Although based on regular Cobalt, the SS version was nothing like the boring economy car it originated from.
10. Dodge Omni GLH
Photo Credit: Mecum
It was called Omni GLH and was a proper hot hatch and one of the best affordable performance models money could buy in those days. Nobody expected that Dodge could produce a hot hatch that could beat the European competitors, but with Shelby’s help, it did just that.
Photo Credit: Auto Evolution
Shelby took the 2.2-liter four-cylinder and added a turbocharger to produce a total output of 175 hp and 0 to 60 mph time of less than 7 seconds, which was impressive and highly competitive for the day. Of course, the Omni GLH had suspension modifications and other bits improved to handle all that power.
