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June 7, 2024

The 2024 Greenwich Concours hits a Grand Slam

Way back in September 2019 Hagerty made a bold move acquiring the Greenwich Concours d’ Elegance. This was the first of the company’s event acquisitions which also would later include The Amelia Island Concours, the Detroit Concours, RADwood, and the Mccalls hanger party in Monterey which was renamed Motorlux.

The acquisition of Greenwich met its first obstacle almost immediately when the Covid-19 epidemic started a few months later, and as a result most events for 2020, including the Greenwich Concours, were cancelled.

In 2021 the first Greenwich Concours under Hagerty ownership and management was held. They started by making a number of changes to improve the concours and to better engage with not only the older collector car fan but also to be more welcoming to younger car enthusiasts. People, of course, grumbled with some even going as far to say that Hagerty had ruined the concours. This was far from the truth, as what they were doing was working to change the concours in a way that would allow it to be more relevant. In many ways the Greenwich Concours under Hagerty was a brand new event, and new events take time to develop and improve.

It is evident that the event team has indeed hit their stride as the 2024 edition of the Greenwich Concours was not only was much improved, it was the best version of the event I have attended in the last 14 years. The cars at the Saturday Concours de Sport spoke well to younger enthusiasts and were amazing examples of cars that in some ways were more rare than the cars on Sunday. Classes included hot hatches, Japanese Sportcars, rally cars, and others. Standouts were the completely original-from-new 1984 Volkswagen Rabbit GTI, the Shelby Dodge CSX, the Subaru WRX Colin McRae championship winning WRC rally car, and the all original yellow Acura NSX-T, which despite its amazing condition had been driven more than 92k miles by its original owner.

In addition to those cars there was a period special modified class with an amazing AMG 560SEC widebody and a DP 935 as well as a Barris built hot rod/custom car class. The Best of Show winner for the Saturday Concours de Sport was the stunning white and purple Barris-built 1957 Chevrolet 210 “El Capitola.”

After the Saturday Concours de Sport was the Saturday night party on the lawn of the concours. This dinner event was the best idea for a Saturday that we have ever seen at Greenwich. It was somehow both elegant and casual with amazing food and great music. The sense of community was tangible and people stayed at the party until very late, talking about cars and eating delicious food.

The Sunday main event Concours d’ Elegance was just what you would expect for a concours in Greenwich, Connecticut: top tier cars in amazing condition. There were classes for Morgan, Rolls-Royce, 100-year-old motorcycles, road racing motorcycles, Porsche 356 Carreras, Cadillac V16s, and others. Of special note was the collection of amazing 356 Carrera cars all owned by the 2024 Greenwich Concours Grand Marshall Steven Harris. Like all his Porsche cars they were spectacular and were on display all weekend.

Standout cars of the weekend for me were the Aston-Martin DB2/4 by Ghia, the preservation class MV Agusta 500 that was raced by Giacomo Agostini, the Britten V100 racing bike (yes, that’s me sitting on it after judging), and the spectacular Ferrari 250 GTO which was paired with the Pontiac GTO that Car and Driver used for a comparison test of in the 1960s. That specific display was set up by Barn Find Hunter Tom Cotter and included a huge standup of the cover of the magazine.

At the end of the concours there of course was a Best of Show winner, and that award went out to the stunning 1931 Cadillac 452A All-Weather Phaeton, one of four that were built. Designers called this model an all-weather Phaeton because it featured roll-up side glass instead of the usual side curtains found on standard four-door examples.

Yes, the cars were amazing and the parties were fun, but my big takeaway from Greenwich was how enjoyable the weekend was. Greenwich brought together a diverse group of car enthusiasts who basically spent the weekend together telling stories and having a great time while looking at cars. I have to say if this year’s Greenwich Concours is an example of what they are capable of, the future definitely looks bright and if you missed Greenwich this year you should add it to your list of must attend events for 2025.

Diego’s AutoHunter Picks

Diego Rosenberg

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June 7, 2024

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If you had a two-barrel 351 Ford product, would you add a four-barrel carb and manifold for more fun? That’s what the owner of the below Mustang listed on AutoHunter has done. I tend to lean towards the purist side, but some changes to improve the breed can be welcome depending on how conservative you are in your automotive outlook.

Among my other AutoHunter Picks, the owner of the below Olds replaced the original 400 with a 455, which is quite a common upgrade, but I personally would draw the line on that if it was my car. Buying it already done is a different story, and I know there’s a lot of folks out there who would not blink in buying a car like this. Kinda reminds me of Chevy folks!

1969 Oldsmobile 4-4-2 Holiday Coupe
I owned a ’70 for many years, so I am familiar with these cars. The W-Machines in particular featured the most unusual air induction system of the era, with scoops poking from underneath the bumper to carry cold air through tubes that lead to the air cleaner and, hence, carburetor. Supposedly it’s one of the most efficient designs of the era, though it’s possible the cold air warmed up by the time it reached its destination.

This 1969 Oldsmobile 4-4-2 is being touted as a W30, with the scoops and red fender wells to show for it, but its original Ram Rod 400 has been replaced with a 455. A M21 close-ratio four-speed makes for the perfect pair. What seems to be a Hurst/Olds spoiler will impress the neighborhood kids, and the red interior will impress their parents – red is always cool. This is a street bruiser waiting for a new bully owner.

1971 Ford Mustang Mach I
As a rule, I lean more towards mid-size vehicles than pony cars. Among Ford’s pony cars from the muscle car era, this is the only Mustang I have ever driven. Did I mention it was a SportsRoof with the 429 Super Cobra Jet? I only drove it around the pits, so I didn’t get to absorb its power the way I would have liked, but it gave me an idea what a Ford pony car was like c.1971.

This 1971 Mustang is a Mach I, which came standard with a 302 though this one started life as the next step up, a 351 two-barrel. A four-barrel and ram air have been added, plus it is painted in Light Pewter, one of the most popular colors for that year. Of special note are the drilled and slotted power disc brakes with dual-piston calipers.

1989 Nissan Fairlady Z Twin-Turbo 2+2
I don’t understand why folks are importing cars from Japan that were available in America, but there must be a good reason. I asked our trusty freelance writer and Acura influencer, Tyson Hugie, and he says some folks consider right-hand-drive cars to have bragging rights. To me? A stick shift will help me become ambidextrous.

This 63,044-mile Japanese-market 1989 300ZX is from the first model year of this generation, one model year before it appeared in the American market. Yes, it’s an RHD twin-turbo 2+2, but your ambidextrous dreams will be shattered once you discover the automatic. The gold Equip five-spokers are a nice touch, as are the Japanese-spec side-markers. The charcoal cloth interior is perfect for overly hot Arizona summers.

1922 Chevrolet 490 Touring
The Chevrolet 490 was named because, when it was introduced in the summer of 1915, it was priced at $490. That would sound silly with a late-model car! This was Chevrolet’s Model T-fighter, powered by a 171cid OHV inline-four, which became the brand’s stalwart engine until the “Stovebolt” six replaced it as Chevy’s only engine from 1929-54. The 490 was produced through 1922 when it was replaced by the Superior.

This unusual 1922 Chevrolet 490 Touring was preserved in a barn and found in 1973 in fine condition. It features several mechanical upgrades that include an oil pump and six-volt starter, the latter eliminating the need for hand-cranking. Claimed to have under 20,000 miles, this Chevy has received a new leather interior and features a Klaxon horn for full effect.

Generation Gap, Part Deux: Drive the Bid Podcast

Diego Rosenberg

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June 6, 2024

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Generation Gap, Part Deux: Drive the Bid Podcast

If you hate feeling old, you may want to skip this episode of AutoHunter‘s Drive the Bid Podcast. Young turk Luke Lamendola, the Social Media/On-Camera Host for the Collector Car Network, has a number of historical automotive images thrown at him to see if I, the old hat, can humiliate him with his youthfulness. Instead, I simply end up feeling old. How you feel about the below podcast will be dependent on the generation you claim as your own.

News was on Porsche’s 2025 911 GTS, which features hybrid power for an interesting twist on the Porsche theme. No, it’s not a Porsche Prius but, rather, an exercise on what hybridization can do for the automotive experience.

We also threw up several memes, with Luke bringing some he’s found online, while I came up with one that demonstrates a paradox with (anti-)environmentalism. Additionally, one of our co-workers happened to show us a draft of a meme of one of his pet peeves – and he had no idea that we did these things for the podcast, so a shout out to Corey!

And, of course, our AutoHunter pics: a subtle 1965 Chevrolet C10 Fleetside, 1969 Oldsmobile 4-4-2 Holiday coupe, 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air sport coupe, and 1992 Nissan 300ZX.

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.

Pick of the Day: 1940 Chevrolet Pickup

Tyson Hugie

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June 6, 2024

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Just when you thought you had seen it all in terms of classic car accessories, you come across something like this verbiage in a classified ad listing: “Novelty car. Barks like a dog, plays the National Anthem, Happy Birthday, and Jingle Bells.” Say what? This ad needs a video to show all of that in action.

The Pick of the Day is a 1940 Chevrolet half-ton pickup listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in Corsicana, Texas. (Click the link to view the listing)

There is a lot going on with the truck from a cosmetics perspective, but it all works well. The two-tone green and black paint scheme is just the beginning; from tip to tail, there is a lot of brightwork to keep things sparkly. The truck is equipped with wide whitewall tires, chrome wheels, dual sideview mirrors, a windshield visor, shaved door handles, color-keyed running boards, wooden bed planks, and a dual exhaust system. One particularly interesting detail is that there are no individual taillights: Brake and turn signal communication is handled via one single LED strip that is mounted beneath the tailgate. The longer you look at this truck, the more customization stands out.

Model year 1940 marked the tail end of what was known as the “Master Series” of the General Motors A-body platform. This would be the final era of trucks that shared exterior design language with passenger coupes and sedans. Beginning in 1941 and thereafter (with what became known as the “AK Series”), pickups would receive more distinct engineering as people demanded trucks with more distinct towing, hauling, and all-terrain capabilities.

The interior of today’s featured rig has been customized with a pair of gray cloth bucket seats that are separated by a padded center console. Other upgrades include modernized VDO gauges, a dash-mounted 8,000-rpm Pro Tach, a Grant steering wheel, a heater, and power windows. The hood opens on either side butterfly-style, and power underneath it comes from a 350cid small-block V8 mated to an automatic transmission. “When you raise the hood, all you see is chrome,” the listing says.

This parade-ready truck would be not only a head-turner, but also a conversation piece at your local cruise-in thanks to its musical talents. There is still time to take delivery in time to have it serenade your neighborhood with the National Anthem over the upcoming Independence Day holiday this summer.

The asking price is $47,500 or best offer.

To view this Pick of the Day on ClassicCars.com, check out the listing.

Put a Golden-Era Goat in Your Garage

News and Events

ClassicCars.com Sponsored Content

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June 6, 2024

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Husband: “Honey, there’s a goat in our garage.”

Wife: “Darling, I don’t see a goat in our garage. I see a really cool Pontiac GTO convertible.”

That may be the conversation you have with your sweet-ums when you win Dream Giveaway’s coolest convertible contest that is coming to a close in a few days.

Of course, you, a classic car nut from way back, know that “goat” is a play on the acronym GTO.

And that classic car nut that you are knows that putting a super-cool Pontiac GTO convertible in your garage is more than a play on words, it’s a dream come true.

With iconic styling, big-cube V8s, and legendary performance, Detroit’s first muscle car remains a hot ticket in the skyrocketing collector car hobby.

When Dream Giveaway filled us in that its latest grand-prize is a stunning 33,000 original-mile GTO convertible featuring a matching-numbers 400 ci V8 engine and a four-speed Muncie manual transmission, well we were saying bring on the goat, too.

And you can win this exceptional original-mile 1968 Pontiac GTO by supporting charity. CLICK HERE to get your entries to win.

Motor Trend praised the all-new, stylish, and curvy GTO that debuted in 1968. The magazine’s editorial staff unanimously chose the 1968 GTO as their Car of the Year, stating:

“This year, following careful evaluation of the 1968 product lines of all domestic manufacturers, the winner of the Car of the Year Award [the 1968 GTO] was the unanimous choice of Motor Trend’s editorial staff.”

That sent a whole pack of new car buyers out to their Pontiac dealers as soon as that issue hit the newsstands. Here’s what else we know about this grand-prize GTO. Sold new in Doylestown, PA, back in June 1968, this grand-prize GTO convertible in Cameo Ivory with black interior eventually found a home in warm and dry Texas before being acquired by the Dream Giveaway Garage. The car underwent a frame-off restoration focused on maintaining its originality and low mileage. Don’t expect reproduction pieces on this amazing GTO convertible. With such low miles, modern reproductions during the restoration were simply not needed.

It’s rare, too. Only 3,116 GTO convertibles were made in 1968 with the 400ci/four-speed combo, making this classic one of the rarest Pontiacs from the original muscle car era, as verified by Pontiac Historic Services.

If you’re the winner, you’ll bring home this 33,000 original-mile GTO convertible, and Dream Giveaway will pay out $19,000 for the federal prize taxes.

You need to hurry. This contest ends at midnight on June 13leaving you only a few days left to get that lucky entry. ENTER NOW and get ready to score this exceptional example from the Pontiac GTO’s legendary golden-era.

AutoHunter Spotlight: 1969 Oldsmobile 4-4-2

Diego Rosenberg

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June 6, 2024

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AutoHunter Spotlight: 1969 Oldsmobile 4-4-2

Featured on AutoHunter, the online auction platform driven by ClassicCars.com, is this 1969 Oldsmobile 4-4-2 Holiday Coupe that is claimed to be a W30. Power comes from a rebuilt 455 V8 backed by a four-speed manual. Features include bucket seats, center console, W-Machine Forced-Air Induction, Hurst/Olds spoiler, and more. Finished in black over a red vinyl interior, this Rocket-powered Olds comes from the selling dealer with a car cover and a clear title.

The original Cameo White exterior has been replaced with black paint complemented by white W42 stripes and pinstripes on the decklid. Other features include wheel opening moldings, notched rear bumper, and Hurst/Olds spoiler.

New 15-inch American Racing wheels are wrapped in 235/60 BF Goodrich Radial T/As that have less than 100 miles on them.

The interior features reportedly original red vinyl upholstery with two bucket seats up front and a console in-between that houses a Hurst four-speed shifter. Power steering with aftermarket wood-rimmed steering wheel, pedal covers, and AM radio are but several features.

The instrument panel consists of a 120-mph speedometer, 7,000-rpm tachometer with clock, and gauges for the coolant temperature, oil pressure, and fuel level. An aftermarket tachometer is mounted on the steering column, and an aftermarket cluster measuring water and oil temperature is mounted under the dashboard.

The original 400 has been replaced by a rebuilt Rocket 455 with approximately 2,000 miles logged. Aftermarket underhood items include an aluminum intake manifold, Edelbrock chrome valve covers, and MSD electronic ignition system. An Olds Forced-Air Induction system and red plastic fender wells both were part of the W30 package.

This 4-4-2 features an independent front suspension with solid rear-drive axle. Manual drum brakes are used on all four corners. An aftermarket dual exhaust system exits through the notched rear bumper.

The auction for this 1969 Oldsmobile 4-4-2 Holiday Coupe with W30 features ends Tuesday, June 11, 2024 at 11:15 a.m. (PDT).

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and photo gallery

Shelby Dragonsnake Cobra Strikes Again

News and Events

Diego Rosenberg

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June 5, 2024

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Check your calendar because it’s time for another Shelby continuation model! In this case, Shelby American announced at the recent Carlisle Ford Nationals that three aluminum 1965 Shelby Dragonsnake roadsters will be available through a partnership with Legendary GT.

“Last year, we worked closely with Legendary GT to return the small-block Shelby drag racing Cobra roadster to production,” says the president of Shelby American, Gary Patterson. “After introducing those cars at the Carlisle Ford Nationals, we received many requests for a big-block version since only one was factory-built in 1966. Three of these amazing tribute cars will be available and it felt appropriate to introduce that reimagined 427 Shelby Dragonsnake roadster at Carlisle this year. The improbable just became possible for those who dreamed of owning one.”

If your inferential skills are up to snuff, then you know that both small-block and big-block Dragonsnakes were built during the Shelby Cobra’s original run to exploit the roadster’s strengths on the drag strip. Alas, most Cobra customers preferred driving on the street and twisty courses. Six 260 and 289s, and one 427 were built, plus several others prepared by customers using Shelby’s drag package. Worcester, Massachusetts’ Harr Ford famously campaigned a prepped Dragonsnake successfully, then purchased the sole factory 427 Dragonsnake. Best ET was 10.02 at 146 mph in A/Sports Production.

“Our founder, Barry Smith, has a significant history drag racing a 427-powered Shelby car,” says Parker Shepley, business manager at Legendary GT. “While Barry wanted a big-block Cobra as a young man, he could only afford a 1967 Shelby GT500 Mustang. He replaced its 428 street engine with the same 427 motor in the Shelby Cobra. Memories of quarter successes with the Shelby GT500 inspired Barry to put the drag racing Shelby Cobra roadster back into limited production. With modern technology, we almost doubled the horsepower to deliver mind-bending acceleration.”

Three Dragonsnakes have been produced. The red-hued CSX3085 is nicknamed King Cobra and features KC emblems in the rear window. It is powered by an aluminum, fuel-injected 496 with dual quads and twin superchargers putting out 910 horsepower. CSX3365 is painted blue metal flake and features a Shelby 427 engine. The third of the bunch, CSX4500, features a polished, dual-quad 427 with polished dual superchargers inside a polished aluminum body.

All have authentic chassis features including four-inch round tube main rails, with the original-style suspension featuring adjustable Penske shocks, rack and pinion steering, 1965-style disc brakes, SW gauges, dash-mounted tach, three-inch lap belts, black leather seats and door pulls, and more. Authentic 15-inch custom wheels with Mickey Thompson rubber (with 28 x 10.5-inch M/T Drag tires out back) complete the package.

The Dragonsnake starts at $750,000 and goes up from there, depending on configuration. Of course, all three cars will be documented in the official Shelby American Registry. Built into the prices is a donation that will go to the Carroll Shelby Foundation.

AutoHunter Spotlight: 1963 Ford Falcon Ranchero

Andy Reid

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June 5, 2024

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AutoHunter Spotlight: 1963 Ford Falcon Ranchero

Featured on AutoHunter, the online auction platform driven by ClassicCars.com, is this 1963 Ford Falcon Ranchero.

There is something about the 2nd generation Falcon based Ranchero that I just love. Besides the very cool name these cars offer an interesting mix of almost a Pony car combined with a utility vehicle and unlike the early 1st generation model or the later generation Ranchero, these smaller versions to me were the best Ranchero models ever made. The design looks perfectly balanced and they are also in my experience more fun to drive than any of the others. I also prefer them to any El amino model ever built. When I saw this one on AutoHunter I immediately grabbed it to feature it on The Journal.

The seller describes this 1963 Ranchero as being powered by a 302ci Ford V8 backed by a C4 three-speed automatic transmission. Finished in Corinthian White over a red vinyl interior, this Falcon Ranchero comes from the selling dealer with an owner’s manual, original sales documents, tilt steering column, power steering, radio block-off plate, custom wood-rimmed steering wheel, Lokar transmission shifter, front disc brakes.

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The photos of the exterior look excellent and this looks like a nice example. The seller describes it as painted in Corinthian White paint (code M) that is reported to be original. The car also has hood stop trim, and has been updated to LED taillights. It is riding on 14-inch Chevrolet Rally wheels with 1967 Chevrolet police car-style center caps that are clad in 205/75 Tempest whitewall radial tires.

The interior also looks excellent in the photos with a red vinyl bench seat and door cards. It has manual wheels and the addition of the aftermarket shifter and wood steering wheel make it look that much more sporty.

Under the hood is the aforementioned Ford 302 ci V8 engine. It features a 4-barrel carburetor, aluminum valve covers, aluminum air cleaner housing, and an aluminum radiator. It is backed by a replacement C4 three-speed automatic transmission.

Overall this looks like a great Ranchero to take to shows, drive on weekends or buy and use as the world’s coolest work vehicle. If this car speaks to you as it does to me then you should place a bid on it and try to add it to your garage.

The auction for this 1963 Ford Falcon Ranchero ends Monday, June 11, 2024 at 12:00 p.m. (PDT).

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and photo gallery

Interesting Finds: 2023 Jeep Gladiator Hellephant

Media

ClassicCars.com

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June 5, 2024

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Interesting Finds: 2023 Jeep Gladiator Hellephant

Join ClassicCars TV’s Luke Lamendola And Diego Rosenberg as they check out one of America’s Most Wanted’s latest creations: this gorgeous, Punk’n Metallic 2023 Jeep Gladiator powered by a 1,000-horsepower Hellephant 7.0-liter HEMI paired with an eight-speed transmission from the Grand Cherokee Trackhawk.

Power is transferred through an AMW 8LUG 60|80 spindle axle package and 40-inch Nitto Trail Grappler M/T tires with AMW forged wheels. A custom long-arm suspension provides comfort while tackling obstacles big and small. At the Barrett-Jackson 2024 Scottsdale Auction, this beast sold for $192,500.

Make sure to subscribe to the ClassicCars TV YouTube channel for more interesting finds, car reviews, and interviews!

Pick of the Day: 1995 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme

Tyson Hugie

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June 5, 2024

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Pick of the Day: 1995 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme

Just over two decades ago in April 2004, the Oldsmobile Division of General Motors was shut down for good. But it was many years before that when the brand produced its last convertible. That car was the Cutlass Supreme. When it launched in 1988, the Cutlass Supreme convertible was marketed as the pace car for the Indianapolis 500.

The Pick of the Day is a low-mileage 1995 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme convertible listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in Webster, New York. (Click the link to view the listing)

“This is a pristine original example from the last model year of the Cutlass convertible,” the seller (who is the third owner) says. “The Dark Teal Metallic exterior / Arctic White leather interior combination was one of only 104 made of the 1995 model.”

By way of a history lesson: Beginning in 1982, Oldsmobile started using the Cutlass name as a sub-marque. It can get a little confusing to map them all out, so here are some fundamentals about the three nameplates marketed underneath the Cutlass name in the 1980s and into the early 1990s:

Cutlass Ciera: Used General Motors’ front-wheel drive A-body platform and was produced in coupes, convertibles, sedans, and station wagons. (See Diego’s recent story on a Ciera)
Cutlass Supreme: Initially used the rear-wheel drive G-body platform but moved to the midsized W-platform using front-wheel drive in 1988.
Cutlass Calais: Rode on the front-wheel drive N-body shared with the Pontiac Grand Am and Buick Skylark.

Today’s featured car is of course the Supreme. Riding on a 107.5-inch wheelbase, the Cutlass Supreme’s fifth generation debuted in 1988 shared chassis underpinnings with the Buick Regal, Chevrolet Lumina, and Pontiac Grand Prix. The Grand Prix, as it turns out, shared the same unique “mini quad” rectangular headlamps that adorned the Cutlass Supreme.

According to the window sticker in the listing, the car carried a retail price of $27,806 and it was originally delivered to Farabaugh Oldsmobile in Ligonier, Pennsylvania. The “1SC” option package added lighted visor vanity mirrors, a six-speaker “Dimensional” sound system, variable-effort power steering, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a leather-wrapped multifunction steering wheel.

The powertrain was also upgraded: Base Cutlass Supremes came with a 3.1-liter motor, but this car’s momentum comes from a larger transverse-mounted 3.4-liter DOHC V6 mated to a 4T60 four-speed automatic transmission. This engine was an $1,185 upgrade when new, and it came as a package that also included a unique suspension and a dual exhaust system. The seller says that recent maintenance included replacement of the timing belt, brake pads, and brake rotors.

The asking price is $14,000, which will include the convertible boot, service records back to new, the window sticker, an owner’s manual, service manuals, and two original keys.

Don’t miss your chance to own an artifact of Oldsmobile history!

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