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Pick of the Day: 1969 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40

Tyson Hugie
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0
Pick of the Day: 1969 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40

The Toyota FJ40, dubbed the “40 Series,” initially launched in model year 1960. Worldwide, it lived on for a monumental 40 years until being discontinued after 2001. The old saying about, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” applied: the FJ was known for its robust powertrains and its all-terrain capabilities.

The Pick of the Day is a 1969 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40 listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in Miami, Florida. (Click the link to view the listing)

“A few know the feeling of owning a classic; it can become an obsession,” the listing begins. “I need space, so I am selling my 1969 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40 convertible with a removable top.”

The seller goes on to say that the vehicle is “fully restored as it deserves.” The exterior was resprayed in brown metallic and is said to be of show-quality. The interior was also refurbished in saddle-colored vinyl upholstery. The rear passenger compartment has a unique layout with dual inward-facing benches. The seller says that the Goodyear Wrangler raised-white-letter tires have been replaced — including the full-sized spare which is located on a swing-away mount out back.

The 40 Series platform got its start as a short-wheelbase, two-door sport-utility vehicle, and in later years, it was available in both four-door and pickup configurations. Today’s featured vehicle boasts a tan soft top with vinyl windows with provisions for cargo-area access via the barn doors at the rear.

Under the hood, power comes from a 3.9-liter inline-six mated with a three-speed manual transmission and a two-speed transfer case. A number of other motors were available throughout the 40 Series’ lifetime, including many that were diesel-fueled. The odometer on today’s vehicle shows just 3 kilometers accrued, although true mileage on the chassis is not known.

I enjoy that the seller apologized in the listing for his dogs getting in on the photography session. Image 19 shows the pups playfully scampering around in the background. This FJ40 would make the perfect adventure-seeking rig to take to the wilderness with the pups and a picnic. With summer just around the corner, it is the perfect time to pick up a classic SUV that is both collectible and versatile.

The asking price is $32,000, and the pups are not included!

To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, head on over to Pick of the Day.

Imports in America, 1964

Diego Rosenberg
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0
Imports in America, 1964

There were not many imported cars in the United States before World War II. That changed once servicemen and women brought back funky sports cars from the UK after the war. When a strange German brand established a sales network in the U.S., everything changed. What did the ensuing decade look like? Thanks to a clipping from the April 6, 1964, issue of Automotive News, we can get an idea.

1964 Volvos

By 1964, the American marketplace for imports was already in its second phase, as many European brands smelled Volkswagen’s success and tried to cash in, but many had already left when the 1960s dawned. What’s interesting is how many of the more novel brands continued to sell vehicles through 1963: DKW, NSU, and Skoda all were prolific brands, but their presence in the American market was never strong. Plus, there are several brands under Miscellaneous that aren’t specified – I imagine Panhard and Humber would be two.

Some thoughts pop into my head while looking at these numbers:

  • It’s been my impression British Fords were the most popular import pre-VW, and the numbers possibly bear this out, but the Ford’s dealer network was not enough to sustain the brand in good numbers.
  • Ditto Buick dealerships selling the Opel brand, though I suspect Opel’s portfolio in 1963 was not as strong as it was in the late 1950s. Of course, Opel would eventually have several good sellers well into the 1970s.
  • Renault was the biggest threat to Volkswagen in the 1950s but could not sustain itself.
  • Datsun had much better standing than Toyota, but Toyota’s fortunes would change within a few years.
  • Many of the good sellers from the UK continued to be sports cars. Note the strength of MG and Triumph in 1963.
  • Volvo’s performance was consistently impressive compared to other Europeans.
  • It is interesting to know Citroen’s presence continue into the 1970s considering the marque never sold many cars in the U.S. There are other brands that sold better yet disappeared, such as Hillman.
  • It seems that most of the brands that left the market by 1963 were German, including the Ford Taunus.
1964 Hillman Minx

Of course, the market would narrow to a few, while import sales would only increase market share, especially the Japanese brands. Take a gander at the above list and see what kind of inferences you can make. Enjoy!

Interesting Finds: 2008 Dodge Viper SRT/10

Tyson Hugie
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1
Interesting Finds: 2008 Dodge Viper SRT/10

One of the many collector cars that crossed the auction block at WestWorld of Scottsdale in January was a Dodge Viper SRT/10 that, according to the seller, was the only one manufactured for its year in its specific color combination and with the Aero Package. In the video below, Luke Lamendola and I discuss some of the merits of this iconic machine.

Viper Backstory

The Viper is one of the “poster cars” that was an object of desire for car enthusiasts of any age. Like so many other exotic sports cars, it made very little sense from a practicality perspective. It was a two-door, two-seat roadster that was first brought to market in 1992 with a canvas roof, vinyl side windows, minimal driver aids, and no available air conditioning (at least until 1994).

None of that mattered. What mattered, instead, was that the Viper had a 400-horsepower V10 and a 165-mph top speed. It was a supercar built for raw, exhilarating driving experiences.

Horsepower Wars

By the time the second generation, or ZB, Viper came to market in 2003, it had been heavily redesigned by Dodge’s performance division, Street & Racing Technology (SRT). Engineers had taken a “bigger is better” approach when it came to the powertrain, and the engine grew to 8.3-liters with a rating of 500 horsepower. Again in 2008, the size ramped up – this time to 8.4-liters. At 600 horsepower and 560 lb-ft of torque, it was now playing in the big leagues with the likes of the Eaton-supercharged Chevrolet Corvette ZR1. Just like the heated muscle car wars of the 1960s, automakers were continually battling.

Featured Viper

Offered as Lot Number 972, the Viper SRT/10 was an unmistakable piece of machinery in the Barrett-Jackson salon showcase. According to documentation that accompanied the vehicle, it was a two-owner car with up-to-date maintenance history and garage-kept preservation. Speaking of preservation, the hood, mirrors, and rocker panels were protected with clear paint protection film to keep the car looking fresh. The odometer showed just 28,713 miles, and I guarantee the prior owners wore a perma-grin for each and every mile.

There were a few important changes that happened with the Viper for model year 2008. The former TREMEC T-56 six-speed manual transmission was replaced with a TREMEC TR-6060. The rear end received a ViscoLok limited-slip differential, the exhaust system was reworked, and there were upgrades to the electrical system and fuel system including a 180-amp alternator and a high-capacity filtration system. The enhancements took an already-great platform and made it even better.

“Seeing this Viper in person is a dream come true,” Luke said. “We are super lucky to be here.”

I wholeheartedly agreed! And by the way, the winning bid for the car was $107,800. Perhaps this was someone’s long-term dream car that they were finally able to acquire. We extend our sincere congratulations to that lucky owner! Enjoy your 600-horsepower snake.

AutoHunter Spotlight: 1971 Plymouth ‘Cuda

Andy Reid
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AutoHunter Spotlight: 1971 Plymouth ‘Cuda

Featured on AutoHunter, the online auction platform driven by ClassicCars.com, is this 1971 Plymouth ‘Cuda hardtop coupe.

Of all the classic pony cars out there, the most aggressive looking one of them all is now and always has been the ‘Cuda. It is a car that looks like it means serious business standing still and delivers on that promise when you drive one. They just scream cool in the best possible way.

The 1971 Plymouth ‘Cuda presented here looks to be an absolutely tremendous example of the model. The seller states that is the result of an $180,000+ restoration. It is powered by a 383ci V8 backed by a TorqueFlite three-speed automatic transmission. Finished in In-Violet Metallic with white billboard stripes over a White and Black interior, this ‘Cuda comes from the selling dealer with the original broadcast sheet, the original warranty pamphlet, and a clear title.

The exterior of this car looks to be spectacular. It is painted, as stated above, In-Violet Metallic (code FC7) what was also known as Plum Crazy when used on Dodge vehicles. It includes the ‘Cuda-standard performance hood (code J54), Hood pins (code J45), tinted windows (code G11) and a remote-control driver-side racing mirror with chrome cap (code G33). The only exterior modification from new is that the billboard stripes were installed in place of the original black side moldings (code V5X). It rides on 15-inch Rallye wheels with F60-15 Goodyear Polyglas GT bias-ply tires.

The interior as nice as the exterior and is finished in White and Black (code H4XW) vinyl upholstery. It is equipped with power steering, an AM radio (code R11), and a rear seat speaker (code R31) The only interior modifications from stock are that the original front bench seat has been replaced with nicer and more desirable stock bucket seats and the very desirable factory center console.

Under the hood is the cars reportedly original 383ci Super Commando V8 (code E65) that was factory-rated at 300 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque with an original single Holley 4-barrel carburetor. The engine is backed by its original TorqueFlite 3-speed automatic transmission.

This car is offered with its original broadcast sheet and original warranty pamphlet.

If you are looking for a super nice ‘Cuda with modifications that only work to make the car better, look no further than this one.

The auction for this 1971 Plymouth ‘Cuda Coupe ends Monday, May 13, 2024 at 11:15 a.m. (PDT).

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and photo gallery

AutoHunter Spotlight: 1948 Cadillac Series 62 Convertible

Tyson Hugie
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3
AutoHunter Spotlight: 1948 Cadillac Series 62 Convertible

Featured on AutoHunter, the online auction platform driven by ClassicCars.com, is this 1948 Cadillac Series 62 Convertible.

“Today, the world has a new standard by which to measure motor cars,” an advertisement for the 1948 Cadillacs said. “Cadillac has taken a great stride forward – one of the greatest, perhaps, in its history of automotive pioneering.” No car illustrates that advancement better than this Series 62 convertible. The car is being sold by a private seller in Port Saint Lucie, Florida, and the auction will end on Friday.

Due to World War II, domestic vehicle production was halted in January 1942 and did not resume again until October 1945. When General Motors started building Cadillacs again, the 1946 and 1947 models were largely a carry-over from 1942, with exception of a few subtle styling and engineering changes.

That explains why, when the all-new 1948 Cadillac models launched, they were so revolutionary for their time. The tailfins were inspired by the Lockheed P-38 Lightning fighter plane, and interior room was more generous than before thanks to a two-inch wider track width for the C-body platform. “Interior design and finish are a complete departure,” ads said.

Today’s featured car conveys all that elegant (and fresh, for its time) styling in addition to a newly-reupholstered black vinyl interior, a new soft top, 15-inch wire wheels, and wide whitewall tires. Power for this luxo-droptop comes from a carbureted 346cid L-head V8 mated to a four-speed Hydra-Matic automatic transmission.

According to documentation that accompanies the car from events such as the Lake Mirror Classic and Classics at the Beach, the car has spent its fair share of time in the spotlight in Florida’s car show scene. One of the signs states that the car was “driven regularly and participated in numerous tours with the local chapter of the Antique Automobile Club of America (AACA).” It goes without saying that this car was collector-owned and preserved.

“You are cordially invited to inspect the new Cadillac in your dealer’s showrooms. When the standard of the automotive world has been so decidedly raised, it should be of interest to everyone,” said Cadillac’s marketing.

Well, consider this story your cordial invitation to take a closer look at the car featured in the AutoHunter listing. If you end up being its lucky new owner, you will gain personal insight into what made these cars so special.

The auction for this 1948 Cadillac Series 62 Convertible ends Friday, May 10, 2024 at 11:30 a.m. (PDT)

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and photo gallery

How Are These Cars Related?

Diego Rosenberg
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2
How Are These Cars Related?

The below four vehicles are for sale on AutoHunter or ClassicCars.com. They all share one distinction – can you figure what that may be?

Post your answer in the Comments section and, if you fancy yourself as a know-it-all, specify the year, make, and model. If you give up, you can click on each image to find the answer.

Click on each image to reveal each car

The ClassicCars.com Journal serves up an automotive puzzle every Tuesday. Previous puzzles are also available for your automotive fun!

Cadillac Changes Mind about EVs?

Diego Rosenberg
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5
Cadillac Changes Mind about EVs?

You may recall (perhaps with horror) how Cadillac put all its chips in the pot when it comes to electric vehicles, making the ambitious claim several years ago that its entire portfolio will be all-electric by 2030. Now, it seems, that plan is being rescinded.

Though General Motors CEO Mary Barra recently doubled down on GM’s commitment to EVs in a recent interview with Bloomberg, stating that she would have accelerated the pace of GM’s EV intros if she could do it over, InsideEVs says that Cadillac officials articulate the future in a different manner. At a Detroit event at the end of April, Cadillac executives “seem to be backing down from a promise to transition the brand to an all-EV marque by 2030.”

Cadillac Celestiq

We know the move towards EVs has hit a speed bump as of late, and Cadillac doesn’t seem to be any different. Cadillac’s global vice president, John Roth, mentioned that Cadillac is listening to its customers. Simply put, they are not enthused with EVs. To wit:

“EVs and ICE (internal combustion engine), we want to be clear, will coexist for a number of years,” Roth told the Detroit Free Press. “We want to make sure that we have that luxury of choice in the marketplace, and both will have an opportunity to meet the customer needs as we look forward.”

2023 Cadillac Lyriq | Cadillac photo
Cadillac Lyriq

Roth added, “We are still on strategy of offering an all-EV portfolio by the end of the decade and we’re going to listen to the customer and let them be our guide. That’s our answer.”

Cadillac continues to produce the highly regarded Blackwing versions of its sedans, though manual transmissions have been discontinued. For fans of the performance side of the brand, this is a fortuitous development.

Pick of the Day: 1971 Plymouth Fury II

Diego Rosenberg
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14
Pick of the Day: 1971 Plymouth Fury II

We recently featured the last of the full-size Dodge convertibles, a 1970 Polara, for our Pick of the Day. But what about Plymouth’s final full-size ragtop? Currently, none are listed on ClassicCars.com but we did find the next best thing: a 1971 Plymouth Fury II four-door sedan listed for sale by a dealership in Lillington, North Carolina. (Click the link to view the listing)

In 1965, when Chrysler Corporation introduced the C-body, the trim levels used a novel (if unimaginative) approach: Fury I, Fury II, Fury III, and Sport Fury, with Fury VIP joining in 1966. An all-new C-body series appeared for 1969, with the pecking order maintained. For 1970, the Fury was given a heavy facelift and now featured hidden headlights for the Sport Fury, a trim level that now included the Sport Fury GT and S/23. As the largest member of Plymouth’s Rapid Transit System, the Sport Fury GT received a standard 350-horsepower 440 and could be ordered with the 440 six-barrel. If that was too much for you but you appreciated the full-size performance image, there was an option for the Sport Fury called S/23 that gave you much of the same equipment (including strobe stripes, sill moldings, Road Wheels, fatter tires, and anti-sway bar) paired with a standard 318 V8 (with options up to the 383 four-barrel). There also was a promotional Fury II-based Gran Coupe that included paisley vinyl trim outside and inside, plus hidden headlights. The Fury VIP was replaced by the Brougham Package for regular Sport Furys.

For 1971, the Fury series was given a slight facelift featuring new grilles and matching textured taillights for the Fury III and above, with the Sport Fury specifically featuring a urethane applique on the rear bumper. More significantly, Plymouth touted the big differences between the Fury and competitors in its price class: Torsion-bar suspension, Unibody, and new-for-1971 Torsion-Quiet Ride, which placed rubber isolators in strategic positions. Aside of the elimination of the Sport Fury S/23, the roster remained the same. A new 360 two-barrel joined the option list, with options up to the 335-horsepower 440 four-barrel being available aside of the Sport Fury GT having a standard 440/370.

The Fury II, which was available as a two-door hardtop or four-door sedan, featured a standard cloth and vinyl bench seat, carpet, and not much else. Fancier option such as power or bucket seats required one to step up to the Fury III or above though, interestingly, a sunroof was available provided one specified the required vinyl roof.

This “GY9” Tawny Gold 1971 Plymouth Fury II four-door sedan is not a car you often see anymore. Only 20,098 were built in total, and it seems most of them have been disposed of over the years. “The grill, drivers outside mirror, door handles, drip rail moldings, body side moldings, emblems, hubcaps, whitewall tires, wipers, glass, rubber & felt, window trim, side marker lights, hood trim, headlights, taillights are all good,” says the seller. “Door handles, dash cluster, factory radio, dash switches, door sill plates are all like new,” (s)he adds. “The carpet is faded. But it really looks good inside.”

Powered by the base 318 V8 and equipped with air conditioning, this Fury II is a relic of America’s roads, a cheap Plymouth sedan that worked nicely from Point A to Point B. We bet that when Point B is your local drive-in, the $13,500 it costs to buy this Mopar can be made up by the number of bodies you can smuggle in.

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

AutoHunter Spotlight: 2014 Mercedes E350 Cabriolet

Diego Rosenberg
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0
AutoHunter Spotlight: 2014 Mercedes E350 Cabriolet

Featured on AutoHunter, the online auction platform driven by ClassicCars.com, is this 2014 Mercedes-Benz E350 Cabriolet, which is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 paired with a seven-speed automatic transmission. Features include LED lighting, Sport Package, Airscarf neck-level heating, burl walnut wood trim, and Comand infotainment system, among other items. Finished in white with black cloth power top over a tan leather interior, this A207 E350 cabriolet is being sold by a private individual and comes with a rebuilt title.

The exterior is painted Diamond White metallic and features a black power-operated top with heated glass rear window. Other features include LED headlights and taillights, color-keyed side-view mirrors, trunk-mounted spoiler, dual exhaust outlets, and Sirius/XM radio antenna.

Thanks to the Sport Package, this E350 is equipped with a set of 18-inch AMG twin five-spoke wheels wrapped in low-profile tires.

The 2+2 interior is furnished with Natural Beige perforated leather upholstery with black components. The Sport Package includes multi-contour front buckets with heating function, rubber-studded aluminum pedals, and a driver-selectable manual transmission mode. Other features include center console, burl walnut trim, aluminum door sill plates, Aircap draft control system, harman/kardon LOGIC7 surround sound system, and more.

The instrument panel consists of a 160-mph speedometer, 8,000-rpm tachometer, and gauges for the fuel level and coolant temperature. A recent CARFAX report shows an odometer reading of 92,878 miles, which is in line with the current readout.

This E350 is powered by a replacement, 302-horsepower M276 3.5-liter V6 with direct fuel injection. It is hooked up to a column-shifted seven-speed automatic transmission.

Stopping power is controlled by four-wheel ventilated anti-lock discs, plus sport-tuned Agility Control suspension and perforated front disc brakes with painted calipers that was included with the Sport Package.

The auction for this 2014 Mercedes-Benz E350 Cabriolet ends Thursday, May 9, 2024 at 11:15 a.m. (PDT).

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and photo gallery

Interesting Finds: 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170

Tyson Hugie
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1
Interesting Finds: 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170

In August 2022, Stellantis announced that production of the Challenger, Charger, and Chrysler 300 would be ending after the 2023 model year. In order to recognize the end of the era for the Challenger, a series of “Last Call” editions were subsequently launched in limited production volumes.

Speed Demon – Literally

One of those cars was the Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170. Dodge’s website says, “Zero BS. With next-level engineering, the Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 features the first-ever 1,025-horsepower production HEMI engine, making it the fastest vehicle ever produced in the brand’s 100-year history.”

The spec sheet for this machine is eye-opening. Here are some of the car’s performance credentials:

  • 1,025 Total Horsepower at 6,500 RPM
  • 945 LB-FT of Torque at 4,200 RPM
  • Worlds Quickest 0-60 Production Car at 1.66 Seconds
  • Highest G-Force Acceleration of any Production Car at 2.004 Gs
  • History’s First-Ever Eight-Second Factory Muscle Car. 8.91-Seconds ET at 151.17 mph

Just 1.6 seconds to 60 miles per hour. Hold on to your hats!

Challenger History

The Challenger has a lengthy history of performance in the Dodge family. It was first launched on the Chrysler E platform in 1970 using architecture that was shared in part with the Plymouth Barracuda.

The current generation dates back to 2008. Of course, the car went through its fair share of year-over-year updates and facelifts, but the general platform carried through. Among the biggest advancements over the Challenger’s 15-year-run was the introduction of the SRT (Street & Racing Technology) Hellcat series, which took handling, acceleration, and braking to ever-increasing levels of performance.

Barrett-Jackson Featured Challenger

On display – and up for sale – at the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction in January 2024 was Lot Number 803.1, a 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170. In the video below Luke Lamendola and I highlighted the car just prior to its sale. Luke is a prior owner of a high-performance Challenger, having owned a Scat Pack previously. “There is so much of a fun-factor when you drive those cars,” he said.

The featured car was finished in an aptly-named “Destroyer Gray” over “Demonic Red.” Needless to say, this car did appear to have evil tendencies, which was understandable with a 1,000-plus-horsepower powertrain. It showed just 18 miles on the odometer and came well-equipped with features including Line Lock, Launch Assist, and the SRT Power Chiller which diverts air-conditioned air to the supercharger for optimized performance. Creature comforts were not overlooked, since the car also came with ventilated front seats, a suede headliner, and a Harmon/Kardon 18-speaker audio system.

The best soundtrack of all came from the car’s 6.2-liter supercharged HEMI V8 with a 3.0-liter supercharger. Of course, the challenge with an excess of power like this was channeling it all to the ground. With that in mind, the engineering team added an aerospace-grade differential, adaptive-damping shock absorbers for stability, and sticky Mickey Thompson drag radials.

As Luke and I discussed in the video, this Challenger SRT has “Future Collector” written all over it. What do you think of the $220,000 price it brought? As the old saying goes, good luck finding another one!

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