Cars are such a part of the American culture that they’ve influenced products around them. Lucky kids can go to sleep in race-car beds. Adults can buy shoes specifically designed for driving. And every now and then, gearheads can go to the movies and watch a film about one of their automotive heroes. On this week’s episode of AutoHunter’s Drive the Bid Podcast, Luke Lamendola and I share our ideas for automotive-themed restaurants and their whimsically named menu items.
We also cover the news about the 2024 Nissan Z Heritage Edition, which marks 55 years of the Z sports car and honors the 1969 Datsun 240Z. Will Luke end up getting one as a press vehicle to review for the ClassicCars TV channel on YouTube? We sure hope so.
As we’ve been doing the past several episodes, Luke and I share a couple of car-related memes, including one made by Corey, a new member of the AutoHunter team.
To close out the episode, we discuss our favorite cars currently up for auction on AutoHunter. Luke’s excited about a 1971 Chevrolet Chevelle with a 415ci V8 under the hood and a 385-powered 1967 Chevrolet Camaro with an upgraded five-speed manual gearbox.
AutoHunter Cinema has plenty of other videos and podcasts created by the experts behind ClassicCars.com, the world’s largest online collector car marketplace. AutoHunter brings forth a dedicated live customer support team, quicker auction listings and exclusive benefits for both buyers and sellers.
Honda heritage goes back 65 years in the United States. Last September, the company formally unveiled a Collection Hall in California where it would be able to memorialize and celebrate some of its achievements. Since that time, Honda has been hosting meet-ups every other month on its campus to showcase the space – and educate visitors about its rich history.
Honda’s website says, “The Collection Hall showcases iconic products that highlight the success of Honda in America, beginning in Southern California in 1959. We invite you to immerse yourself in the Honda story through historical, current, and future products, all fueled by the Power of Dreams.”
The Hall is located in the main lobby of American Honda’s headquarters in the Los Angeles area. It is not typically open for visitors on weekends, but exceptions are made for the “Cars, Bikes & Coffee” events. Carl Pulley, who leads the planning and organization efforts, makes each event unique to a specific theme. This month’s program was focused on “design,” so a number of the cars on display were prototypes or concepts from Honda and Acura brand history. Included in the setup was an immersive walk-through exhibit with sketches and renderings of some of the noteworthy vehicles in brand history.
The enthusiasm and energy at the events are paramount. Today, you’ll get a glimpse of my recent visit and a few of the highlights that I took away from it.
California Dreaming
I made the familiar 400-mile drive across the desert from Phoenix in my 1989 Honda Prelude – a car that I hold near and dear in my personal collection due to the high school-era nostalgia it delivers me. Even after 25 years, the look and feel of the driving experience are as rich as I remember them. In characteristic Honda fashion, the car delivered me without incident and I joined a few friends in arriving at the Honda campus on Saturday morning, June 15.
The layout at Cars, Bikes & Coffee is informal, yet organized at the same time. It takes a lot of logistics to keep several hundred people entertained for hours at a time, and Carl and his team successfully delivered “something for everyone.” There was even a coloring book station for the kids, complete with Father’s Day-themed artwork since the event fell on a holiday weekend. A DJ provided audio entertainment, and other attractions included a coffee station, a life graphic-art demonstration from an automotive designer, a merchandise and apparel gift shop, pin and poster giveaways, a number of vendor booths, and a “pride” display staffed by employees from Honda’s LGBT Business Resource Group.
Jonathan Rivers, who was one of the key figures in the development and launch of Acura hot-hatch Integra Type S a couple of years ago, said it best, “It’s always about the people.” And the best things about Cars, Bikes & Coffee aren’t the cars, the bikes, or the coffee: It’s the support and camaraderie of Honda’s personnel who are out there meeting and greeting the enthusiasts. It is not uncommon to see senior leaders out there kicking the tires with drivers who brought their prized CRX, Prelude, or del Sol.
Standout Showpieces
In attendance throughout the course of the day were some particularly unique and noteworthy Honda and Acura vehicles, but the neat thing about the event is that it is open to any make or model. I chatted with the respective proud owners of a Lexus LS400, a Chevrolet El Camino, and a Ford Mustang.
Below were four of the display cars from inside the lobby that stood out to me.
2016 Precision Concept
This car conveyed the shape and style of Acura models to come. Designers wanted to emphasize what they referred to as “muscular, organic sculpting,” along with a wide stance and a long dash-to-axle ratio. Subsequent production models of the TLX sedan took clear cues from this concept.
2008 FC Sport Concept
This funky three-seater was shown at the 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show and showcased Honda’s “V-flow” fuel cell technology. It was hydrogen-powered and achieved optimal weight and balance because of the placement of its drivetrain.
1997 GRX Concept
The hybrid-electric Insight, which officially came out in model year 2000, took inspiration from this concept car that was created by Honda Research & Development in the mid-1990s. It used a 1,500cc horizontally-opposed six-cylinder that was originally used in motorcycle applications.
1995 CL-X Concept
Known for its “neo-classic” design theme, the CL-X concept was crafted as a predecessor to the first-generation Acura CL luxury coupe (which launched in 1997). It had a specially-engineered center console, wrap-around instrumentation, and composite carbon fiber and aluminum wheels.
Join the Fun
If you have ever wanted to connect with automotive enthusiasts in a relaxed atmosphere that offers much more than just a parking space to sit and chat cars, Honda’s CB&C event is right up your alley. The next Cars, Bikes & Coffee will be held on Saturday, August 17 from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m.
Over the years my wife has owned around four Saab cars. She is a member of the Saab club and currently owns a 2007 93 Convertible. She likes Saabs for the same reason that many Saab enthusiasts do. They are interesting, quirky, fun to drive, and different from just about any other car on the road.
Saab has a very strong community around it with a very strong Saab Club that host events. The Saabs at Carlisle event held at the Carlisle Import and Performance Nationals show every May brings together literally hundreds of Saab owners. Most people in the club have multiple Saabs, and they are some of the most enthusiastic owners’ community out there. Much to the distress of these owners, Saab went out of business as a car company in December 2011 after a lot of mismanagement and lack of proper investment/development by the company’s multiple owners. I can still remember how sad my wife Ann was when this happened.
For me, the true golden era and single most defining model for Saab was the 900 Turbo from the 1980s and 90s. This was the car that yuppies lined up for, and the company was able to sell as many 900s as they could build. It featured a turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, something that at the time was quite exotic, combined with a unique and useful design and a very ergonomic driver focused interior. It was the beginning of Saab promoting the idea that there cars were “born from jets.”
The seller describes this 1992 900 Turbo as one of only 325 Commemorative Edition 900 Turbo cars built. With the Commemorative Edition, Saab painted the cars the exclusive color of Nova Black Metallic over a Tan Elmo Leather interior. The dash on these cars also features high-quality burled walnut wood accents and was the first 900 to ever feature this treatment.
Under the hood, it is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine producing approximately 185 horsepower, paired with a 5-speed manual transmission, making it the most powerful variant of the Saab 900 produced by the factory.
The seller adds that recent servicing includes a freshly powder coated rear subframe assembly, new calipers, rear shocks, shifter bushings, and new Vredestein tires. This Saab rides on 15-inch Super Aero alloy wheels and includes a numbered plaque on the dashboard, highlighting its exclusivity of being number #196 of just #325, although many Saab aficionados argue that Saab actually only built 314 examples.
This 900 Turbo looks to be a completely rust free example with nice paint and an interior that is in good condition, other than a slight tear in the driver’s seat, one that could and should be repaired and not replaced. The other issue is that the headliner is just starting to fall and will need to be replaced at some point.
Finding any Saab 900 Turbo in good condition is harder and harder to do, largely due to their propensity to rust. This truly looks like an example well worth the $25,000 asking price and would stand proud at any Saab meet, as well as at a RADwood event. Please, someone buy it before my wife Ann sees it, and it ends up in our garage which has no more space.
Featured on AutoHunter, the online auction platform driven by ClassicCars.com, is this 1972 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme. It has received a frame-off restoration and is powered by a Rocket 350ci V8 equipped with Aces fuel injection and paired with a TH350 three-speed automatic transmission. Features include Cragar chrome wheels, power steering, air conditioning, an AM/FM radio, an Edelbrock intake, and power brakes. Finished in blue metallic with white stripes over a white vinyl interior, this Cutlass Supreme comes with restoration documentation and a clear title in the seller’s name.
The blue metallic body is accented with white striping on the hood, sides, and trunk lid. Styling elements include quad headlights, chrome brightwork, dual hood scoops, and color-keyed mirror caps. The seller notes the windshield has been replaced.
A set of 15-inch Cragar chrome wheels with BFGoodrich Radial T/A tires that were installed in 2023 connect this Oldsmobile to the road.
The cabin is furnished with a high-contrast combination of white vinyl seats and black carpeting. Amenities include a tilt steering wheel connected to power steering, air conditioning, an AM/FM radio, a center console, and woodgrain trim.
Vehicle information is displayed on a 120-mph speedometer and coolant temperature, fuel, oil pressure, and voltage gauges as well as under-dash aftermarket instruments. The odometer shows 4,100 miles, but the true mileage on this vehicle is unknown.
Under the hood is a Rocket 350ci small-block V8 that comes equipped with Aces fuel injection, an Edelbrock intake, a mild camshaft, and an MSD distributor. The engine sends power to the rear wheels through a TH350 three-speed automatic transmission.
Power brakes help bring this Cutlass Supreme to a stop. A pair of exhaust outlets under the chrome rear bumper let out the 350’s sound.
The Cincinnati Concours at Ault Parkcelebrated its 46th year in a grand style. The casual, yet still elegant, atmosphere makes this concours one of the hidden jewels of the entire U.S. concours calendar and really sets it apart from other events.
Like many concours event weekends, there is a Hangar Party on the Saturday before the main event. Unlike many of these events, the one in Cincinnati somehow mixes exclusivity with accessibility, making for what has to be the single most enjoyable pre-concours event on the entire calendar. Exhibitors at the Cincinnati Hangar Party, held at the amazingly retro styled historic Lunken Airport, can bring a multi-million dollar Ferrari or the world’s nicest Cadillac Cimarron and either car will be welcome there. My personal favorite cars on display were the set of BMW M3s from every generation presented by Enthusiast Auto Group. Combine that with the great food, wine, and beer and you have a truly fun event, which often has to kick people out at its end as the conversations linger long after the music stops.
This year’s Cincinnati Concours main event, the Concours d’Elegance, had the nicest selection of cars I have seen in the 5 years I have been attending as a judge and media representative. An extremely rare Duesenbergs, amazing GTP era racing car, and a truly spectacular selection of Ferrari road cars (including a NART Spyder) were among the almost 200 cars on display. This year’s event literally had something for everyone to see including this Saab 93 and even a crazy rare Gilburn, the only car ever built in Wales.
One extremely well curated section was the Mustang display. This class featured rare Mustangs from almost every single era of its history, with my favorite being the 1979 Fox body Mustang concept car.
Every single car on the field was a winner just by being invited to show at this event, but like every concours there are those who win the Best of Show awards. The two cars were the winner of the William K. Victor Best of Show Concours d’Elegance award, a 1928 Isotta-Fraschini Tipo 8A SS Boat-tail Convertible Coupe owned by noted collector Peter T. Boyle, and the Roy O. Sweeney Best of Show Esprit de Sport award that was won by the 1935 Duesenberg Model SJ “Mormon Meteor” owned by The Auto Place.
If you have not yet attended the Cincinnati Concours you should seriously consider adding it to your 2025 calendar and if your feel your car may make the grade consider entering it in 2025 and if you do0n’t make the cut for Sunday then drive it to the Saturday hangar party and share it with the people there. You will definitely make some new friends either way.
It is no mystery thatFord trucks dominate the new-vehicle marketplace – and have done consecutively so for over 40 years. During calendar year 2023, Ford sold a mind-boggling 750,789 F-Series pickups. That put Ford in the lead by a long shot; Chevrolet’s Silverado came in second place at 555,148 units sold. America’s love affair with Ford trucks goes back deep into automotive history, and one of Ford’s most unique vehicles was a car-based pickup called the Ranchero which came out in the late 1950s.
“Original California car, always garaged,” the listing begins. “I have owned the car since 1966; restoration in 2011.”
The car (or truck, depending on how you prefer to see it) is understated, yet attractive. On the outside, it has a clean, neutral two-tone paint scheme offset by a set of five-spoke American Racing aluminum wheels and tinted windows. The cabin has a black vinyl bench seat, lap belts, auxiliary gauges, a wood-rimmed steering wheel, and a T-handle floor-mounted shift lever. The powertrain consists of a 390cid V8 mated to a C6 three-speed automatic transmission.
The Ranchero was launched in December 1956 for the 1957 model year as a two-door “coupe utility” on the same platform as some of the other full-sized Ford cars. It shared architecture with the Custom sedan, the Courier sedan delivery, and the Ranch Wagon station wagon.
Because of its unique shape, Ford called attention to its similarly unique capabilities. The car was marketed as “More than a car! More than a truck!” One advertisement for the 1957 Ranchero said, “Any way you look at it, the stunning new Ranchero is the slickest, sleekest, pickup to ever pack a load. It gives you all the luxury and handling ease of a fine car just right for those trips to town.”
The Ranchero went through seven distinct generations, ending production in 1979. We recently read about a Ranchero in Andy’s story of an AutoHunter-auctioned car from the second generation (at the time, it was referred to as the Falcon Ranchero). There are several Ranchero owner clubs around the nation, including a Facebook group with over 3,500 members in it. As quirky as it may look, the Ranchero has solidified its foothold as a collector vehicle with a devout enthusiast following even today.
For light-duty hauling, this 1957 Ranchero will tackle your chores – and do it with a sense of style.
ClassicCars TV spots an old but gold Rolls-Royce at the 2024 Arizona Concours d’Elegance. Debuting in 1936, the Rolls-Royce Phantom III marked the company’s entry into the multi-cylinder market with a 7.32-liter V12 engine. Initially owned by Joseph Coppinger, this Phantom III was subsequently owned by Maharaja Bahadur Sir Kameshwar Singh of Darbhanga, who had it rebodied before touring Europe and returning to India in 1938.
The Rolls was meticulously maintained though 2006 when a restoration commenced. What followed was several prestigious show wins, including Best in Class at the 2017 Amelia Island Concours and the 2024 Arizona Concours.
Featured on AutoHunter, the online auction platform driven by ClassicCars.com, is this custom-built 1969 Chevrolet Nova. It is powered by a fuel-injected 5-7-liter LS1 V8 backed by a Hughes Performance TH350 automatic transmission. Features include a cowl-inducted hood, Chris Alston front and rear suspensions, Wilwood power four-wheel disc brakes, Vintage Air climate control system, and more. Finished in burgundy metallic over a black vinyl interior, this Bow Tie comes from the seller with a clear title.
Nineteen sixty-nine was the first year that the Chevy II name didn’t show up on Chevrolet’s compact. This Nova’s flanks feature a mile-deep burgundy metallic hue that is complemented by chrome window trim. Features include an aftermarket cowl-induction hood and dual side-view mirrors.
A set of polished US Mags Rambler U111 aluminum wheels are wrapped in BFGoodrich g-Force Comp-2 A/S radials, 225/45ZR18 up front and 285/35ZR20 out back.
The custom cabin features black vinyl upholstery including front bucket seats and center console with Lokar automatic shifter. Other features include tilt steering column with Billet Specialties steering wheel, Vintage Air climate control system, and digital Kenwood AM/FM stereo.
Instrumentation consists of Autometer Pro-Comp gauges that include a 160-mph speedometer, 10,000-rpm tachometer, and readouts for the fuel level, oil pressure, water temperature, and voltage. The odometer currently shows 225 miles, though the true mileage is unknown.
This Nova is powered by an LS1 small-block measuring 5.7 liters. Engine components include a FiTech fuel injection system, finned aluminum black coil covers, serpentine belt engine accessory drive system, billet aluminum hood hinges, and aluminum radiator with chrome mount panel. Note the smoothed, body-color firewall and inner fenders! Transmission is a Hughes Performance TH3500 three-speed automatic with TCI torque converter and flexplate.
The undercarriage consists of both a Chris Alston’s Chassisworks Pro Touring independent (front) and G-link coil-over (rear) suspensions, Moser Engineering axles, Ford nine-inch solid rear-drive axle, Tru-Trac Locker differential with 3.73 gears, Phoenix driveshaft, Wilwood Aero6 Big Brake front discs with Forged Dynapro low-profile rear discs, and dual exhaust system.
The auction for this LS1-powered 1969 Chevrolet Nova ends Monday, June 24, 2024 at 12:00 p.m. (PDT).
Plenty of enthusiasts see modern cars as bars-of-soap-on-wheels. They will never see these vehicles as rolling sculptures, though we never can predict how future enthusiasts will see them. Yet, to the cars that today’s enthusiasts see as rolling sculptures, there is a sub-genre of sculptures that were put on them. These ornaments and mascots are the focus of Mascots in Motion, a new book put together by veteran automotive journalist Steve Purdy that will entertain and enlighten enthusiasts.
As a sub-genre of art and design, mascots, hood ornaments, and other stylistic details started off as MotoMeters. Even Lalique got in on the action, though crystal proved itself to be fragile. Most of the ornamentation was metal of some sort, as seen in more than 320 images in this 11- x 12-inch, 289-page coffee table book.
What’s exceptional about this book is the large chapters dedicated to regions, as the cars of the United Kingdom were different from the cars of continental Europe were different from the cars of the United States. Additionally, the latter segment of automobiles is divided by General Motors, Ford Motor Company, Chrysler Corporation, and Independents. If names like Minerva and Willys-Knight pique your interest, this book will be at home in your home; if you are more into Atomic Age relics, they get their glory too. There even is a chapter on trucks as well as bespoke and accessory mascots.
Purdy has photographed these sculptures at concours events, special shows, junkyards, backyards, salvage yards, and anywhere else that presents itself. “You’ll be amazed at how many mascots there were, and you’ll be surprised by many of the stories that go with them,” says Purdy in the introduction.
If you still feel there’s no such thing as a collectible Japanese vehicle, then you must have been stuck in a bunker since MySpace was a thing. These days, there are plenty of Japanese cars that have risen quite dramatically in the American collector car world, and JDM (Japanese Domestic Market) cars have started to make an appearance in substantial numbers.
Below are four JDM trucks that are currently listed for sale on AutoHunter. Can you identify them? Sure, this is quite a difficult test for most Americans, but it’s possible they have similar design language of models sold stateside to give you a hint. Write your answer in the Comments section below.
