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Was the Low-Compression 1972 Hurst/Olds Still Hairy?

Hurst introduced the Hurst/Olds in 1968 and helped Oldsmobile get over General Motors’ cubic-inch limit, offering 455ci when the 4-4-2 was limited to 400ci. By 1972, the marketplace was a different environment, but the Hurst/Olds saved the day for a different reason.

For the 1972 Indianapolis 500, no one wanted to step up and produce the pace car after the previous year’s debacle with the 1971 Dodge Challenger. Hurst Performance introduced option code W45, which turned the Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme hardtop and convertible into Hurst/Olds models , all of them Cameo White with the 455, gold decals, W25 fiberglass hood, black bucket seat interior, Hurst Dual-Gate shifter, half vinyl top, and Super Stock III wheels, among other items. A sunroof was optional, and buyers had the choice of opting in or out of having pace car decals.

The W45’s 455 was coded L75 and rated at 250 net horsepower. A W46 package included the 300-horse L77, the same engine that was included with the W30 package for 4-4-2s. Compression and horsepower may have been down, but it still wasn’t out – just ask someone who has driven one of these cars. In the below video, Muscle Car Campy and the Hurst/Olds owner, Tom Hill, are your guys!

All told, only 499 hardtop and 130 convertible Hurst/Oldses were built, which include 220 hardtops with sunroofs. It’s also worth noting that 23 hardtops and 8 convertibles were ordered as W46s. Additionally, four station wagons were built for track and festival needs.

If you enjoy this video, be sure to check out other Muscle Car Campy’s vids.

AutoHunter Spotlight: 1999 BMW M3 Convertible

Featured on AutoHunter, the online auction platform driven by ClassicCars.com, is this 51k-Mile 1999 BMW M3 Convertible.

In 1992, BMW advertising claimed “The new M3 isn’t just built for car fanatics. It’s built by them.” When the E36 chassis 3 Series launched, it carried forward BMW’s commitment to building the “Ultimate Driving Machine.” That tagline, which took root as far back as the 1970s, became the guiding principle behind the engineering of every vehicle in the brand’s lineup. But in particular, the M-badged cars got even more “special sauce” than other trims.

Now is your chance to see if the driving experience is as “ultimate” as BMW promised. This M3 is being offered by a dealer in Gladstone, Oregon, and the auction will end on Tuesday.

There’s a lot to love about the car. For being 25 years old, it has only accrued 51,491 miles on the odometer – and its entire CARFAX history shows California ownership, which means the car has spent life in climates that are “friendly” to vehicle exteriors, interiors, and underbodies. The report also shows 20 service records – a testament to the care it received throughout life.

Beyond its paper trail, the most compelling selling factor for this car is its brilliant paint job, identified by code number 335. BMW called this shade “Estoril Blue,” and the color was named after a motorsport racing circuit on the Portuguese coastline. The Estoril Circuit was inaugurated in 1972 and was later home to the Formula One Portuguese Grand Prix from 1984 to 1996. The color thus pays homage to BMW’s race-bred performance mindset.

Motivation for this ragtop comes from an “S52” 3.2-liter inline-six that was rated at 240 horsepower and 225 lb-ft of torque when new. A five-speed automatic transmission sends the power to the rear wheels. Maintenance history is thorough, and the documentation shows that the car received some heavy-duty work in 2022 comprised of replacing the drive belt tensioner, cooling fan clutch, power steering fluid, idler pulley, fuel filter, air filter, spark plugs, coolant, and more. In 2023, it received a new valve cover gasket.

You’ll be hard-pressed to find a better summer ride for top-down cruising than a low-mileage, rare color, recently-maintained E36 M3. As BMW said in some of its marketing materials: “Very few of your dreams will come true. Relish those that do.” Is this your next Ultimate Driving Machine? Make it happen.

The auction for this 51k-Mile 1999 BMW M3 Convertible ends Tuesday, July 2, 2024 at 12:30 p.m. (PDT)

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and photo gallery

Pick of the Day: 1980 Chevrolet Caprice

In 1980, Chevrolet engineers were chasing after better gas mileage in any way that they could. The Caprice that year was touted for having better fuel economy than any full-sized Chevrolet in history.

The Pick of the Day is a 1980 Chevrolet Caprice classic sedan listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in Lakeland, Florida. (Click the link to view the listing)

“The 1980 Chevrolet Caprice stands as a beacon of American automotive history, encapsulating the essence of comfort and reliability that defined the era’s full-size sedans,” the listing begins.

Launching initially as a top-trim variant of the Impala four-door hardtop in 1965, the Caprice became a standalone model just one year later. It lived for 30 years and four distinct generations, eventually riding off into the sunset due to market changes and financial troubles at General Motors after 1996. The front-wheel drive Impala became Chevrolet’s top offering a few years later. While not sold to the public, a “captive import,” the Australian-produced Holden Caprice, was used as a Police Patrol Vehicle (PPV) between 2011 and 2017. Occasionally, you may see these out on the roadways even today.

The third generation was long-lived, lasting all the way from model year 1977 to 1990, albeit with some incremental changes along the way. When compared to the outgoing model, the 1977 Caprice was 10 inches shorter and over 600 pounds lighter. The benefits of downsizing quickly became apparent in fuel economy and in agility. In 1980, designers took things even further by tapering the hood, lightening the doors, and increasing the use of high-strength (yet lightweight) aluminum materials.

That brings us to today’s featured Caprice, which shows just 66,682 miles on the odometer. It’s hard to know whether that number is accurate because A) the odometer displays only five digits, B) the seller didn’t mention anything about it, and C) CARFAX reports don’t exist for vehicles older than model year 1981. However, on sheer appearances alone, the car looks the part of a well-kept low-miler. The exterior has a classic yet understated two-tone “gold-over-gold” motif, complete with an eggcrate grille, rocker moldings, and whitewall tires to give it all that period correct flair from the malaise-era 1980s.

Power comes from a (new-for-1980) 4.4-liter V8 that was rated at 115 horsepower and connected to a column-shifted automatic transmission. The cabin looks like a nice place to time, optioned with faux woodgrain trim, air conditioning, and a Delco GM push-button radio. The dual-bench six-passenger seating layout (and velour upholstery) remind me a lot of my first car, a 1986 Chevrolet Celebrity, which had similar appointments. As a matter of fact, the steering wheel design looks identical, too.

“Whether you’re an avid collector or simply someone who appreciates vintage charm, the Caprice continues to hold its ground as an enduring piece of Americana on wheels,” the listing concludes.

The asking price is $11,000 or best offer.

To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, you’ll find it in the archives at Pick of the Day.

2024 Great Race Student Team Blog Day Nine

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Two student docents from the Maine Classic Car Museum are taking part in the 2024 Great Race as part of the X-Cup Challenge. Click here for part eight of their journey.

Max and Cotton here again with our daily blog as we compete in the 2024 Great Race long distance rally. We’re two high school students from Maine and we’re reporting on our experience as rookies in this epic 2,300 mile race.

Ruby, our 1961 Cadillac, was thirsty for the first time this race, so we put ¾ a quart of oil in to top her back off. We’ve been so lucky that the car has been driving so well, and not needed one drop of oil. Max adjusted our speedometer, using a small precision screwdriver. Turns out these adjustments made a big difference in calibrating our timing.

We left Binghamton, New York, yesterday to head towards New England. It was another day of narrow country roads and lots of hills. We passed through the famous Woodstock, where our grandparent’s generation went to the famous music festival. Seeing it in person, it’s easy to understand why there were huge traffic jams as you can barely fit two cars, much less parking, along all the roads in this beautiful area.  

On the road in Ruby

Today’s route involved long transit times, which are off the clock, to the next clocked checkpoint departure point. We had time to talk cars, and we had a spirited debate about recommendations for Cotton’s next car. Since Tim, Bram, and Max all drive older Cadillacs, we did give Cotton our biased opinions. But after much discussion about the pros and cons of different classic cars for a young driver, the group settled on a Volvo 760 turbo wagon.

The Volvo 760 Turbo Wagon was both Cotton and Max’s pick for a perfect Great Race competetion car for next year

Overall, we had our best day yet! In fact, our mentors, Susan Nourse and Peter Brown who are veteran Great Racers, told us that we beat them in overall time.  It seems like we finally found our rhythm, four of our legs were under 10 seconds, include a 3-second and 4-second leg to start the day. In Connecticut, not surprisingly, we got stuck in a massive traffic jam.  We had a 26 minute delay, but after turning in a time adjustment, we finished the leg at just 7 seconds.

Cotton holds up our results for Stage 6 of the race, our best day yet.  It got even better when leg 5 was adjusted to a 7 second finish after approving our time delay request.

We made it to Rhode Island, the smallest state, with our lowest times of the race so far. We moved up several spots in the cumulative rankings, and we ended in 101st place and in the top half of the Student X Cup racing teams.   

One of the smallest cars competing in the 2024 Great Race

We find ourselves steadily improving our rally performance, even with some ups and downs.  We received our cumulative scores, and the Maine Classic Car Museum student X-Cup team moved up to 107th place out of 134 cars. 

But the best part of our best day was seeing our parents’ surprise us at the finish line in Providence. Max’s mom and aunt made some great “Caddy’s” signs, and Cotton’s mom and dad brought the family dog. We even got some clean laundry, a first in the trip so far. On Friday, the Great Race course will cross into our home state of Maine, and host of the finish line on Sunday. As a result, the Race Masters wanted some of the home state teams to be at the beginning of the starting order. All week, we’ve been able to take advantage of being one of the last cars to leave, which gives us extra time to prep the car and do our performance calculations. But not tomorrow—we’re the second car to leave, which means we have to be up extra early. 

Pick of the Day: 1973 Ford Mustang Mach 1

A few months back I openly stated that my favorite Shelby Mustang was the 1966 GT350H. I stand by that statement, but you might be surprised at my favorite standard Mustang model. That car is the 1971-1973 Mustang Mach 1.

If you know me in any way, you have probably guessed that this is my favorite standard Mustang due to the fact that it appears in the James Bond film Diamonds are Forever. This is part of the reason but not the only one.

Diamonds are Forever photo courtesy of EON Productions, Ltd.

Yes, the final generation of the classic Mustang got bigger, heavier, and more luxurious. While for die hard classic car people that might sound like a negative, from a daily use standpoint that is, in my opinion, a huge positive. These Mustangs are by far the most comfortable ones to drive and ride in, offer the most options, and yet still retain a good level of performance. The design is simply outrageous, with a near horizontal rear window that looks very dramatic when seen in profile. They are a great value when compared to the 1964 1/2-1970 models with a nice example costing 1/2 as much as a similar 1969-70 Fastback. Finally they are seen less often, and you are likely to be one of few that you will see at a local classic car gathering.

The Pick of the Day is one of these cars, a 1973 Ford Mustang Mach 1 for sale on ClassicCars.com located in O’Fallon, Illinois.

The seller describes this 1973 Mach 1 as being painted in Wimbledon White with a black and gray vinyl interior. The interior looks to be in excellent condition, and it also looks like the Mach 1 has a number of rare options including electric windows and power locks. Other options include power brakes with discs in front, A/C, and power steering.

Under the hood, this Mach 1 is equipped with a robust 351ci V8 engine with a 4 barrel carb with an Edelbrock air cleaner that is backed with an automatic transmission. The car also includes what is believed to be the factory intake, carb, and air cleaner. In addition this Mach 1 also features custom rally wheels and the iconic Mach spoiler.

They summarize the ad calling this a nicely restored 1973 Ford Mustang Mach 1 that is a classic American muscle car.

Looking at the many photos of this car in the ad, I seriously considered not posting it and just buying it myself. I mean this really looks like a nicely restored car with some great options that make the car more livable. All I might do would be to make some minor performance mods to the engine, and then just drive and enjoy it. Sadly my wife is not a fan of the Mach 1, despite the 007 connection. The asking price of only $29,000 cannot even begin to cover the money spent on making this Mach 1 this nice, and whoever buys it is bound to be happy. It will likely sell pretty fast.

Click here for this ClassicCars.com Pick of the Day.

AutoHunter Spotlight: 350-Powered 1977 Jeep CJ-7

Featured on AutoHunter.com, the online auction platform driven by ClassicCars.com, is this 1977 Jeep CJ-7. In 2021, it received fresh paint, an interior overhaul, and an upgraded powertrain. Power is provided by a 350ci V8 crate engine and processed by a three-speed automatic transmission and a dual-range transfer case. Features include a custom forward-tilting front clip, a Bestop soft top, 35-inch BFGoodrich tires, a six-inch lift, and Bilstein shocks. Finished in Alpine White over a gray vinyl interior, this CJ-7 comes with a clear title in the seller’s name.  

As part of a series of updates completed in 2021, the body was refinished in Alpine White. It comes equipped with tubular chrome front and rear bumpers, a custom tilt-forward front clip, matte black fender flares, a gray Bestop removable soft top, and chrome nerf bars. More of the exterior is shown in a walk-around video provided by the seller. 

A set of 15-inch American Racing wheels with 35″ x12.50″ BFGoodrich Mud Terrain T/A tires help this Jeep get down the road and over trails.  

The refreshed cabin has gray vinyl seating as well as power steering, a stainless-steel dash fascia, a passenger-side grab-handle, a B&M shifter, a roll bar, newer carpeting, and all-weather floor mats. 

Important vehicle information is displayed on a 90-mph speedometer, a column-mounted 8,000-rpm tachometer, and gauges for the coolant temperature, fuel level, oil pressure, and voltage. The odometer shows 5,904 miles, but the true mileage on this CJ is unknown. 

The 5.7-liter small-block V8 crate engine was installed in 2021 along with the B&M three-speed automatic transmission. A dual-range transfer case sends engine power to all four wheels. The seller reports the fluids were changed, the spark plugs were replaced, and the timing was adjusted in June 2024. 

Additional upgrades such as a six-inch lift, a Rancho steering stabilizer, and Bilstein shocks help this Jeep handle on- and off-road. 

The auction for this 1977 Jeep CJ-7 ends on Tuesday, July 2, 2024 at 11:30 a.m. (PDT).   

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and a photo gallery 

Review: 2024 Genesis GV60 Performance AWD

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Electric cars continue to spark debate. Regardless of your stance, the 2024 Genesis GV60 Performance AWD is worth looking at. Unconventional design elements, unparalleled speed, and a drift mode to get loose are a few of the things that set this vehicle apart from being your standard compact crossover. The GV60 competes with rivals like the Audi Q4 e-tron and Volvo XC40 Recharge. In 2024, new trim options and an increased driving range are set to enhance its appeal. With a price tag of $70,900 for our Performance trim, what exactly do you get? 

The GV60 Performance is powered by two electric motors—one at the front and one at the rear—delivering a combined output of 429 to 483 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque. It accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.6 seconds. The top speed is impressive but governed to 151 mph. With a range of 235 miles, extendable to 264 miles with the lower trims, it offers efficiency with an EPA-rated 97 MPGe in the city, 82 MPGe on the highway, and 90 MPGe combined. To charge this bad boy from 10% to 80% it takes approximately 18 minutes with the DC Supercharger. 

Our GV60, painted in Hanauma Mint, has a sleek and modern look. While it’s fancy, I personally preferred the Verbier White we saw on the Genesis G80. The exterior highlights familiar Genesis design elements, like the double-stacked headlight and taillight housings. Unlike other models, it features a more streamlined look with a subtle lower grille instead of the usual Genesis design. The lower grille cleverly hides the forward-facing camera and parking sensors. The functional corner air inlets, and well-shaped splitter for added downforce, contribute to its refined appearance but keeps things practical. 

The GV60 rolls on 21-inch performance trim wheels with 6-piston calipers, with 19-inch wheels available for those seeking better range. The blacked-out A-pillars create a seamless visual flow from the roof to the body, setting the GV60 apart from its competitors and giving it a sportier, more unified appearance. A major gripe for me is that it doesn’t really look like a performance vehicle. There’s not even a badge showing performance. I would have liked to see sportier designs, like blacked-out wheels or a more aggressive spoiler. But hey, we’ve all got our own preferences.  

The trunk space is practical and versatile. With 24 cubic feet of space, you can easily fit a week’s worth of groceries or a couple of large suitcases for a weekend getaway. When you need more room, the 60/40 split rear seats fold down to expand the space to over 50 cubic feet. This is perfect for more significant tasks, like hauling gardening supplies, fitting in gear for a long trip, or transporting a bicycle. The GV60’s cargo capacity ensures you can handle various needs, a reason I love hatchbacks so much. 

I’ve got nothing but positive things to say about this interior. The clean white suede headliner and Nappa leather seats look stunning and pair nicely with the white steering wheel, though I do wonder how easy it will be to keep it all clean. The interior features two 12.3-inch info screens, turn signal cameras, and a vehicle color-matched 3D parking view. The door handles are funky and round but match the aesthetic. My one critique is the wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which feels outdated for 2024. It’s not a huge issue, but I don’t want excess cords cluttering my luxurious vehicle. The vibe of the interior reminds me of an early 2000s sci-fi movie with the floating center console and fingerprint scan feature.  

The feature that catches everyone’s attention first is the crystal ball shifter. You can change its color by selecting different ambient lighting options in the infotainment menu. When the car turns on, the crystal ball flips to reveal the shifter, which looks reminiscent of old rotary phones. It’s incredibly satisfying to use because of its smooth metallic finish. I haven’t seen anything quite like it. 

As I sat in the rear passenger seat, I found it to be just as gorgeous as the front. The white suede material on the headliner and door panels, along with the white Nappa leather seats, still felt luxurious. While the seats weren’t quite as comfortable as I had hoped, due to the lack of lumbar support, the heated seat option was a nice touch. It was great to see the chauffeur button back, just like in the G80 model. This feature allows rear passengers to adjust their seating for comfort, provided no one is in the front passenger seat. Additionally, there’s plenty of storage space for belongings back there. 

The boost button on this vehicle is incredible, giving you 0-60 mph in just 3.6 seconds. With AWD, you already know it’s going to handle well, though the novelty of quick acceleration does wear off after a while. Driving it feels like what I imagine piloting a spaceship is like—quick, quiet, and smooth. Pressing the boost button makes my stomach lift and almost gives me butterflies. The safety features work well, especially the alert that lets you know when vehicles ahead pull away. However, be careful because it’s easy to speed in this thing. My girlfriend, who isn’t usually into cars, was amazed at the acceleration and cabin design. She said it seemed like a secret prototype vehicle. 

One of the standout features is the “Drift Mode,” which diverts power exclusively to the rear wheels, allowing you to, well, drift! After a quick Google search on how to activate it, we took it to an empty parking lot. The sense of control was incredible, especially for someone like me who enjoyed getting loose with a 392 Challenger. I love it when vehicles come with fun little Easter eggs like this. It not only makes driving more enjoyable but also serves as a great selling point, showing the car’s versatility and performance capabilities in a unique way. 

Click above to watch our full review on the ClassicCars TV YouTube channel.

There is one HUGE drawback to owning a vehicle like this, though: charging it. Charging this car is a hassle. If you’re a serious buyer, it’s essential to install a Stage 2 charger at home. Using a regular wall outlet can take days to fully charge to just 235 miles, which is quite low and honestly this vehicle’s biggest flaw. Since we didn’t have a Stage 2 charger and needed it for commuting, we had to use the supercharger almost every day, which got extremely expensive—much more than any gas-powered car. 

The 2024 Genesis GV60 Performance has quickly become one of my favorite vehicles we’ve reviewed. I know what you’re thinking: it’s electric, how could you ever say that? Well, I’m open-minded about EVs, as long as they don’t turn pre-established models into electric versions—looking at you, Dodge Charger. If it’s a brand-new model that’s electric, I’m all in! 

You have the option to choose the base model GV60 for $53,350, but if you’re seeking rapid acceleration, premium features, and a complete package, the GV60 Performance AWD is the way to go. Priced at $70,900, it offers a distinctly enhanced driving experience compared to the base model. It was incredibly fun to drive, and I’d love for you to experience it for yourselves.  

Freedom Series Joins Hennessey’s Ford Roster

Everyone knows Hennessey is the shiznit when it comes to tuners, and let’s not forget they’re also a hypercar manufacturer par excellence. In time for the upcoming Independence Day weekend, Hennessey will be introducing  a new patriotic special edition of its VelociRaptor line-up called the Freedom Series.

Designed as a stand-up-and-salute tribute to U.S. service personnel, the Freedom Series package for three Ford VelociRaptor models includes military-style livery (with an impressive satin black and gunmetal gray USA graphic), distinctive bronze 20-inch Vossen off-road wheels, and “USA” and “HPE-91” decals, the latter a nod to Hennessey Performance Engineering’s founding. A flag and mounting hardware are also included with the package.

Working nicely (though not mandatory) in conjunction with Ford’s Shelter Green hue, the Freedom Series package can be specified for the following vehicles:

  • 2024 or newer VelociRaptor 500 Bronco powered by a 500-horse, twin-turbo V6
  • 2024 or newer VelociRaptor 600 F-150 powered by a 558-horse, twin-turbo V6
  • 2024 or newer VelociRaptoR 1000 F-150 powered by a 1043-horse, supercharged V8

“For more than a decade, Hennessey VelociRaptor models have provided the power, performance, style, and sound that our customers love,” says Hennessey Performance founder and CEO, John Hennessey. “With our new Freedom Series, we honor America’s military and reward buyers with an exclusive and patriotic limited edition that looks mean, sounds meaner, and is justifiably the apex predator!”

The Freedom Series package is priced at $9,950 in addition to the cost of the base Ford model and VelociRaptor package. Production will be limited to 100 units across the three models, with all benefitting from Hennessey’s 3-year/36,000-mile limited warranty. If this strikes you as your kind of vehicle, you can place an order through authorized Ford retailers or with Hennessey directly at HennesseyPerformance.com.

2024 Great Race Student Team Blog Day Eight

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Two student docents from the Maine Classic Car Museum are taking part in the 2024 Great Race as part of the X-Cup Challenge. Click here for part six and seven of their journey.

Max and Cotton here again with our daily blog as we compete in the 2024 Great Race long distance rally. We’re two high school students from Maine and we’re reporting on our experience as rookies in this epic 2,300 mile race.

We are now more than half-way through the Great Race, and it seems like time is flying by. As we left Gettysburg to head north to Binghamton, we had our first real heavy rains on the racecourse. We became more alert as we were driving, and that saved the day for us.  Outside of Binghamton, we were following a semi-trailer truck when suddenly it blew two tires. We swerved and slowed down to make our way around the road debris. It was scary, as we were right behind the semi and saw the rubber flying. Fortunately, there were no accidents or injuries. We were a little shaken as we pushed ahead, now realizing we had to make up for some lost time.  

When the roadway became clear and we had some steady driving, the team debated what would be an ideal rally car based on what we’ve learned on the road. We discussed an early 1960s Ford Falcon or Plymouth Valiant might be an ideal choice—big enough to fit 3 X-Cup team members, but perfect for taking turns at higher speeds. It would also be easier going up and then going down all those hills. But when we got to the parc fermé festival in downtown Binghamton, we saw our dream rally car. There was a 1929 Ford racer that would be just perfect.  

As we had done on previous days, we had great fun waving to rally fans along the way. We honk the Caddy’s horn and people light up as they hear us passing by.  

We find ourselves steadily improving our rally performance, even with some ups and downs.  We received our cumulative scores and the Maine Classic Car Museum student X-Cup team moved up to 107th place out of 134 cars total. Our goal is to try get above 100 and still try to score an elusive ace. We had some tough legs, with time scores of 15-45 seconds, until we finally nailed it with a 3-second leg, our best so far of the day. We also had the strongest overall performance, with 2 minutes and 14 seconds, which helped us get closer to our goal of an under 2 minute day.  We were happy to be able to cheer on Josie and her RPM Foundation team who are now driving in a 1963 Buick Riviera.

Next stop, Providence, as we get close to home, crossing into New England for the first time.  Cotton said that he’s having the best time of his life, meeting other student racers from around the country, learning new skills and keeping up with this endurance challenge. 

Pick of the Day: 1995 Mitsubishi 3000GT

It seems a lot of folks love Hollywood cars. Seeing something familiar from a boob tube or big screen gets people excited, especially if the show or flick was popular. Plenty of enthusiasts are also embracing cars of the 1990s, especially those that exude contemporary style. Combine the two and you have our Pick of the Day: a 1995 Mitsubishi 3000GT that’s cosplaying Lightning McQueen. It’s listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a dealership in Venice, Florida. (Click the link to view the listing)

The Mitsubishi 3000GT laded on American shores for 1991, somewhat playing the role of replacing the Starion, which had been a minor league player in terms of power and sales. The 3000GT surpassed contemporary Toyota Supra and Mazda RX-7 models as a truly serious sports car, while the others still came off as Japanese Camaros until their redesigns a few years later. Dodge also received a sister car to the 3000GT called the Stealth.

The 3000GT was introduced with three trim levels: base, SL, and VR-4 (Viscous Realtime 4WD). The former two were front-wheel drive and powered by a 2,972cc V6 rated at 222 horsepower and 202 ft-lbs of torque. The SL included a list of standard equipment that was optional for the base 3000GT, such as power windows and locks, while some features like power seat and electronically controlled three-stage suspension were simply not available for the base 3000GT.

And then there was the VR-4, which was powered by a twin-turbo version of the same engine. Horsepower was bumped up to 300 and 307 ft-lbs of torque, plus the VR-4’s drive system featured full-time all-wheel drive and power-assisted same phase four-wheel steering. An Active Aero System consisted of a retractable front air dam and motorized rear spoiler. This was fancy-pants stuff back then! A five-speed manual was the only transmission available.

Beginning with the 1994 model year, the 3000GT received a facelift that included a redesigned front bumper and projection-beam headlight system. Under the skin, a redesigned brake system featuring two-piston rear calipers and larger front brakes fixed complaints echoed by road testers in the buff books. For the VR-4, horsepower was bumped to 320, and it was now shifted by a six-speed manual. Plus, the Spyder – the first retractable hardtop since the 1959 Ford Fairlane 500 Galaxie – appeared in 1995 for two years. By that time, redesigned Supra and RX-7 models (if not the 300ZX) had been giving the big Mitsu a run for its money and diminishing its place in the market. Another set of tweaks appeared for 1997, with more visual changes coming for 1999, a year before being discontinued.

But this story has a happy Hollywood ending, remember? This 1995 Mitsubishi 3000GT has been converted to resemble Lightning McQueen from the Disney/Pixar film, Cars. It has all the features you’d expect from a base-model 3000GT, such as torquey V6 and fine handling, plus the added allure of the remarkable cartoon car. This vehicle is no longer stranded in Radiator Springs and is now ready to be liberated from the Sunshine State to your garage. Will you race McQueen in the Dinoco 400? Garner the most points in the Piston Cup circuit? If that sounds like something you’re ready for, you can reach out to the seller and (s)he can fill you in on purchase price and transportation.

Click here for this ClassicCars.com Pick of the Day.