The feature I miss most on late-model cars is the lack of hidden headlights. They can be found on exotics and regular vehicles alike, and there’s probably been 10 different design types in the strata of automobiles. No matter their operation, hidden headlights are the topic for this week’s AutoHunter’sDrive The Bid Podcast as Derek Shiekhi and I discuss different cars with this feature. They gained popularity in the 1960s, but they first appeared on the dreamy 1936 Cord 810.
Cadillac was on our news radar because Car and Driver recently took a peek at the process of ordering and building the Cadillac Celestiq. The whole operation is at GM’s Tech Center in Warren, Michigan, with the car being built in the Artisan Center of the Tech Center, a location once used for building concept cars and prototypes.
Derek also whipped up two memes for your consumption. Do they hit the mark for you to share? Watch and find out.
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.
Ford Motor Company again solidified its position as the No. 1 American automaker in terms of vehicles assembled, vehicles exported from America to other countries and hourly workers employed.
Ford earned the top spot for the sixth consecutive year, the latest data from S&P Global Mobility shows.
“Ford is a uniquely American company,” said Andrew Frick, Ford Blue president. “We are proud to serve our customers with vehicles that embody the best of American innovation and ingenuity.”
Ford employs about 57,000 hourly manufacturing workers in the U.S., more than any other automaker, and training is underway for the new third crew that will assemble Bronco and Ranger vehicles at Ford’s Michigan Assembly Plant, including nearly 900 new hires.
Also, Ford and Lincoln combined have more than 2,800 dealerships in the U.S., which create additional jobs in the communities they serve.
In 2023, Ford assembled more than 1.8 million vehicles in the U.S. – 130,000 more than any other auto manufacturer. This includes the best-selling F-Series truck franchise of gas-powered, hybrid and electric pickup trucks, each assembled in America at plants in Michigan, Missouri, Kentucky and Ohio.
Overall, more than 79% of what Ford sells in the U.S. are assembled in the U.S., more than any other automaker.
In 2023, Ford exported 260,000 American-assembled vehicles – including F-150, Bronco and Mustang – to other countries, more than any other auto manufacturer. Approximately one in every seven vehicles Ford assembles in the U.S. is exported to international markets including Canada, Mexico, China, Puerto Rico and South Korea.
Our Canadian cousins may seem just like us, but the truth is that they have been socialized quite differently. Have you ever see their paper money with the Queen? Or how how men in their 60s play intramural hockey? They even have had weird cars that looked like ours but had different names and trim! One of the latter is our Pick of the Day, a 1967 Meteor Montcalm convertible. It’s listed on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in Prince George, British Columbia, Canada. (Click the link to view the listing)
1967 Meteor S-33, similar to the Ford XL, though falling short of the Mercury S-55 available in the States.
To Americans, the Meteor was the low and middle trim level for 1961 Mercurys (Meteor 600 and Meteor 800), then it became Mercury’s cousin to the mid-size Fairlane for 1962-63. However, to Canadians, Meteor was a brand sold by Mercury dealerships. If you’re wondering why there would be a need for a mainstream brand in Canada beyond Ford and Mercury, you’re not alone.
It goes back to Canada being different than the United States. When Meteor was established for 1949, Canada was still a developing country. (Truth be told, the U.S. was as well, but that almost-as-large country below Canada was further along in its development.) The population of Canada was much less than that of America and, in the central provinces, the population density was meager. Giving dealerships a two-pronged approach in selling to different market segments was a way to help dealerships survive the desolation.
Why did Ford of Canada feel the need to create a new brand with unique styling? For one thing, Canada had a tariff for imports from America until 1970, so the country was interested in protecting its industry. Plus, the country that was often drowned out by those boisterous Yanks wanted to have something of its own, and Meteor was it. Even the model names were uniquely Canadian. Through 1961, Meteors looked like Fords, but then the brand was discontinued. In 1964, the Meteor marque was revived, now looking like Mercurys. If that’s not confusing enough, Ford of Canada also produced the Monarch for a number of years, another hodgepodge of Ford and Mercury design and styling elements sold by Ford dealerships, though it was discontinued for 1962.
This Oakville, Ontario-built 1967 Meteor Montcalm convertible would be somewhat like a Galaxie 500 in America, especially as seen from the interior. The Meteor trim levels were Rideau, Rideau 500, Montcalm, S-33, and Montego, with the latter being the first time the Montego name appeared. Few Montcalm convertibles were built – only 985 – so it’s a novelty even in Canada. The seller says it recently has been repainted in Autumn Maple metallic paint, which doesn’t appear on Ford or Mercury’s paint chart though we’re curious if it’s the factory Burgundy metallic under a nom de plume; the interior is black cloth, though that too seems to have been reconfigured from the factory build. “Strong-running 390 with a four-barrel Holley carb,” says the seller, though the car originally was a 390 two-barrel. “New brake booster, starter, [and] rear coil springs.”
This Meteor, which originated from Victoria, British Columbia when new, comes with spare parts including convertible top weatherstripping, taillight lenses, starter, fuel pump, door arm rests, and headlight bezels. The taillights are especially golden because they’re Canadian pieces with subtle distinction from American Mercurys, but the other items are standard Ford fare, which makes much of this car as easy to service as your typical 1967 Ford. For Can$35,000 (about $25,646), this unusual ragtop will make Yanks do a double-take. Or keep it in BC and bask in the short, sweet summers.
My last AutoHunter Spotlight was on my favorite version of the C3 Corvette, so keeping with the Corvette theme this one is on the last year of the C3.
The 1982 C3 Corvette was a bit of a placeholder car for Chevy. The new C4 Corvette was not available yet, and the company needed a car to fill the gap before the new car was released: enter the 1982 model.
By 1982 the C3 was quite an old design, having first launched as a 1968 model. Over the years the car had to deal with increased crash regulations and decreased performance due to emissions laws. In an effort to keep the Corvette current, GM added luxury options and improved the ride and handling. They did this well; despite being an old design they still sold quite a few cars.
In 1982 the Corvette was offered in two versions: a Collectors Edition with special paint, leather, and an opening rear window and a standard edition. I love the opening rear hatch on the Collectors Edition, but the color scheme is not my favorite and I personally prefer the standard model.
The car featured here in this AutoHunter Spotlight is described as a one-family-owned 1982 Chevrolet Corvette that has been driven only 39,716 miles from new. Just like every 1982 Corvette it is powered by its numbers-matching 5.7-liter Cross-Fire fuel-injected V8 mated to a four-speed automatic transmission. It has been Florida-owned since new and features pop-up headlights, removable T-tops, factory aluminum wheels with Cooper Cobra Radial G/T 205/75 raised-white-letter tires, a radio, and four-wheel disc brakes. The car is finished in two-tone Silver Blue and Dark Blue paint over a dark blue vinyl interior.
The car has a few flaws that are noted in the description as well as documented in the photos. These include A/C that is not currently operating and a slight (easily repairable) tear on the driver’s seat.
The photos of this car show a car that looks to have been extremely well looked after. I am guessing that both the paint and interior are original, and the engine compartment looks exceptionally clean as does the underside. I see no signs of any rust or other issues with the car. In addition the car includes a CARFAX that starts in 1983.
These low mile C3 Corvettes are getting harder and harder to find. This car likely drives like a new car, so if you want to know what a new Corvette was like in 1982 this is one to bid on.
Lamborghini has issued a recall of its Urus SUV due to the chance of the hood either partially or fully detaching at high speeds.
The recall affects certain Urus SUVs from the 2023 and 2024 model years, and includes both the standard Urus S and more hardcore Urus Performante. There are approximately 2,133 vehicles affected in the U.S.
According to the recall notice, which was published by the NHTSA on May 16, incorrectly made rivet studs for the hood latch strikers could result in small gaps opening between the hood and front fascia at high speeds.
Air flowing through these gaps add stress to the latch system and, over time, could result in it failing, causing the hood to potentially flip up and block the windshield or even fully detach from the vehicle.
Lamborghini became aware of the issue following an investigation resulting from two separate warranty claims for a misaligned hood. The automaker isn’t aware of any crashes or injuries related to the issue.
The remedy requires dealers to inspect the hood and install new striker support plates if necessary, free of charge.
Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed out on June 28, but anyone looking for further information can contact Lamborghini at 1-866-681-6276 or the NHTSA at 1-888-327-4236 (reference recall campaign number 24V348000).
ClassicCars TV catches up with Rick Katzeff, CEO and founder of EXOMOD. We explore the new D69 Carbon, a modern take on the 1969 Dodge Charger Daytona that’s built on a brand-new 807-horsepower Jailbreak Dodge Redeye Challenger Widebody. The 2,000-hour conversion process replaces the steel body panels with hand-crafted carbon-fiber pieces, resulting in a lighter, faster vehicle while retaining its factory warranty.
This Firenze Red Pearl D69 Carbon features the beloved 6.2-liter supercharged Hellcat V8, Brembo brakes, Forgeline wheels, and Nitto NT555 tires. Priced at $395,000, the D69 Carbon gives you the best of today’s muscle while giving a nod to the best of the past’s.
The meaning of the word “Volvo” comes from Latin “to roll.” With that in mind, Volvo Cars was established 97 years ago in Gothenburg, Sweden as a subsidiary to a bearing and seal manufacturing company. The first Volvo rolled off the line in April 1927, and Volvo has been rolling ever since.
“Original and unrestored,” the listing says. “Kept in a garage for 22 years.”
From the very beginning, Volvo’s key objective was safety: The company’s Managing Director, Assar Gabrielsson, was quoted as saying, “Cars are driven by people. The guiding principle behind everything we make at Volvo, therefore, is and must remain safety.” True to that original mantra, the company later went on to pioneer or improve open things like laminated glass, side impact protection systems, three-point safety belts, and blind spot information systems. Innovation is still happening even today.
The “240” model came about as an iteration of what began as the broader 200 Series in 1974. There were two-door, four-door, and station wagon variants of the 200 Series offered over the course of its production run – and that production run was lengthy, to say the least. The same general architecture continued into the early 1990s with a total production volume of over 2.8 million units.
Unfortunately, relatively few of those units have survived as well as today’s example. The seller says that the car is a rust-free “California native.” For being 40 years old, the car looks well-preserved. Aerodynamic it is not – but then again, most family sedans in the early 1980s had a similar boxy silhouette. The baby blue paint job is complemented by a matching fabric interior.
Under the hood, power comes from a 2.3-liter SOHC inline-four mated to a four-speed automatic transmission which directs torque to the rear wheels. The car was only rated at about 114 horsepower, but this was during the Malaise era of engineering. For comparison, even Chevrolet’s 5.0-liter Camaro Z28 from the same year only put out 190 horsepower. The Volvo’s odometer shows just 90,487 miles, and the seller says that the car runs well.
With Volvo coming up on a 100-year anniversary in 2027, perhaps vintage models like this will be on the rise in the collector marketplace. It’s perhaps the most practical classic car you can buy.
Featured on AutoHunter, the online auction platform driven by ClassicCars.com, is this 1956 Cadillac Series 62 Coupe. It is powered by a 365cid V8 backed by a Hydra-Matic automatic transmission. Features include Autronic-Eye, power front bench seat, rear fender skirts, power antenna, and upgraded AM/FM stereo, and more. Finished in red and white with a red cloth and vinyl interior, this classic Caddy comes with a clear title the selling dealer.
The original paint scheme of Pecos Beige with Taupe painted top has been replaced with red with a white painted top. Exterior features include a Continental kit, power antenna, manual remote driver-side mirror, and rear fender skirts. Additionally, Coupe de Ville badges have been added.
A set of 15-inch chrome wire wheels are wrapped in whitewall bias-ply tires.
The original Light Beige cloth and leather interior has been replaced by a red cloth and vinyl interior. Cabin features include Autronic-Eye high beam dimmer, power front bench seat, manual windows, and power steering. Modifications include glovebox-mounted Kenwood AM/FM stereo and a pair of 6 x 9-inch speakers in the rear package tray.
Instrumentation includes a 120-mph speedometer with gauges for the fuel and temperature. A clock is positioned in front of the passenger. The odometer currently reads 81,397.
The 365 V8 is of the same landmark, high-compression series Cadillac introduced for 1949. With a four-barrel carburetor, it was originally rated at 285 horsepower. Other under-hood details include a “batwing” air cleaner housing and an external oil filter canister. The engine is harnessed by a Hydra-Matic four-speed automatic transmission.
This Cadillac features an independent front suspension and solid rear-drive axle. Power four-wheel drum brakes bring the big car to a stop. A dual exhaust system exits through two ports in the rear bumper.
Buick was high on the totem pole at General Motors, situated above Oldsmobile and below Cadillac. Below are four Buicks from days-gone-by, all listed for sale on AutoHunter or ClassicCars.com. Can you figure out what distinction they share?
Write your answer below in the Comments section. And, of course, try identifying each year and model. If you are struggling, you can always click on an image to find the answer.
Featured on AutoHunter, the online auction platform driven by ClassicCars.com, is this 1957 Buick Special two-door sedan. This was Buick’s entry-level vehicle that helped the branch achieve #4 in sales in the American market – quite impressive for a brand of Buick’s stature. It is powered by a “Nailhead” 364cid V8 backed by a Dynaflow automatic transmission. Features include driver-side rear-view mirror, radio-delete plate, and manual steering. Painted two-tone green with a two-tone green cloth and vinyl interior, this Buick comes from the selling dealer with a clear title.
The exterior is painted Mint Green on top and Kearney Green below. The two colors are broken up by a chrome spear with red trim. A chrome driver-side rear-view mirror is one of the few accoutrements despite this Special appearing anything but special. Like all Specials, there are three Ventiports on each front fender. A single exhaust pokes out from the right side of the rear bumper.
A set of 15-ich red steel wheels with wheel covers are wrapped in 7.10-15 Firestone whitewall bias-ply tires.
The cabin features two-tone green cloth and vinyl upholstery. Features include manual steering, heater and defroster, locking glove box, radio-delete plate, and column-mounted automatic transmission shifter.
The instrument panel consists of a 120-mpg ribbon-style speedometer and gauges for the temperature, oil pressure, amperage, and fuel. The odometer currently reads 51,941 miles.
The “Nailhead” 361cid V8 features a two-barrel carburetor that was rated at 250 horsepower when new. It is harnessed to a Dynaflow two-speed automatic.
This Buick features an independent front suspension and solid rear-drive axle. Braking is handled by manual four-wheel drums.
