Date: April 1985
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
Source: Bob Paluzzi, via UNLV Digital Collections
What do you see here?
If you’re not into Formula 1, you may not be aware that teams can’t just join the circuit on a whim. In fact, the last time a team has joined was in 2014 — the only American team on the circuit. However, the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA, Formula 1’s governing body) recently announced it was opening enrollment for teams to join the circuit.
And guess who’s intending to compete in Formula 1? Mario Andretti and Cadillac.
Indeed, Andretti Global has announced a partnership with General Motors to form a Formula 1 team and compete in the FIA Formula One World Championship. The new team will be called Andretti Cadillac and plans to submit an Expression of Interest to the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile.
“We are continuing to grow Andretti Global and its family of racing teams and always have our eyes on what’s next. I feel that we are well suited to be a new team for Formula One and can bring value to the series and our partners, and excitement for the fans. I’m proud to have GM and Cadillac alongside us as we pursue this goal … We now have the opportunity to combine our motorsport passions and dedication to innovation to build a true American F1 bid,” says Andretti.
According to Car and Driver, Andretti “previously sought to enter the championship on its own but struggled to gain traction.” The new partnership also should attract more Americans to the series.
Adds Mark Reuss, President of General Motors, “General Motors is honored to team with Andretti Global on this historic moment in racing. We have a long, rich history in motorsports and engineering innovation, and we are thrilled with the prospect of pairing with Andretti Global to form an American F1 team that will help spur even more global interest in the series and the sport.”
The team will be based in the U.S. and have a support facility in the U.K.
Featured on AutoHunter, the online auction platform driven by ClassicCars.com, is a 1968 Ford Mustang GT fastback. This pony car is powered by a 302 four-barrel backed by a four-speed manual transmission. Features include a front bench seat, Sport Deck folding rear seat and gauges. Finished in Candyapple Red over a red vinyl interior, this Mustang GT comes from the selling dealer with factory invoice and a clear title.
The Candyapple Red (code T) fastback features GT fog lamps, turn indicators on the hood, wheel and rocker moldings, driver-side mirror, special rear valance with quad exhaust pipes, and correct GT gas cap. A full walk-around video can be seen on the auction page.
A set of Styled Steel Wheels with GT insignia and bright trim rings is wrapped in BFGoodrich Radial T/A tires.
What makes this Mustang truly unusual is the bench seat, especially when paired with a stick shift. The red bench features a fold-down armrest, plus the rear seat folds down for extra utility. Other features include manual steering, Philco AM radio and a three-spoke steering wheel with a wood rim.
A 120-mph speedometer, 8K-rpm tachometer, clock, and gauges for the fuel level and coolant temperature are mounted ahead of the driver. The odometer reads 23,826 miles, but the true mileage is unknown.
Power is provided by a 230-horsepower 302 small-block and is backed and backed by a four-speed manual transmission. Underhood features include “Ford Blue” steel valve covers, closed-element air cleaner, chrome export brace and quick-release battery cable.
This Mustang was factory-equipped with an independent front suspension and solid rear axle. Braking is provided by manual drums.
Minnesota residents will be responsible for tax, license and title procurement fees in addition to the price of the car; out-of-state buyers will have to pay a $125 title procurement fee. The selling dealer will include a Deluxe Marti Report as part of the sale.
This 1968 Ford Mustang GT fastback’s auction ends on Friday, January 13, 2023, at 4:40 p.m. (MST)
Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and photo gallery
A part of me will always envy John Shaft beyond being a bad mother and a cat that won’t cop out when danger is all about. This envy is based on the movie magic of having a theme song playing in the background when making an appearance. As I am a fairly boring dude with a lot of dull qualities, I don’t foresee an original tune meant to make me look cool. My dream of being cool like Shaft is a passion project that is fruitless, but I knew that from the beginning.
This notion of having a cool theme song extends to cars and, even though the final incarnation of the Pontiac GTO doesn’t have “three deuces and four-speed,” I often get “G.T.O.” by Ronny and the Daytonas stuck in my head when I see one. Regardless of the generation, the Pontiac GTO is worthy of a theme song because that car will always be cool, unlike this scribe.
The Pick of the Day is a 2006 Pontiac GTO listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a dealer in Morgantown, Pennsylvania. (Click the link to view the listing)
A stock 2006 GTO’s LS2 6.0-liter V8 engine produced a factory-rated 400 horsepower when new, but this one has higher performance aspirations. The stock LS2 engine was upgraded with a MagnaCharger supercharger, Mahle flat top pistons, King XP bearings, and a BTR PDS Stage 2 camshaft kit. To handle the extra horsepower, this GTO’s TREMEC six-speed manual transmission was beefed up with a Monster twin-disc clutch and flywheel and a Tick performance throwout bearing. A 3.64 limited-slip differential gets the power to the rear wheels.
“A burst of Brazen Orange can be seen when this car blows by you,” the listing states. “The paint is very nice but does show with chips and scrapes on the rocker panels and front bumper of this title verified 44,027 clocked original mile car. This car is equipped with the Sport Appearance Package, meaning it has a more aggressive front fascia, recessed grille inserts, rocker extensions, a taller rear spoiler, and a rear fascia extension.”
The listing price is $32,500. To me, this is a competitive price for a low-mileage GTO with numerous performance upgrades and finished in a rare color as only 340 2006 GTOs were finished in Brazen Orange.
To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.
I was 17 years old when I heard about a 1963 Ford Galaxie 500 convertible for sale. It was sitting in a shed in Bagley, Wisconsin, with the top down and absolutely dirty. The farmers who had it wanted $600 for it. Back in 1975 that was a lot of money for a used car but I had always wanted this year Galaxie. When I was growing up we had one as a family car, and I never forgot about it. I made the decision to go to the local bank to borrow the $600 needed to purchase the car.
The following day two friends and I actually skipped school to go see the car with $600 cash in hand. When we arrived, I offered the farmer $600, but he said he had some other people coming to look at the Galaxie. Worried we were too late, I was relieved when he then said, “First come gets it, so it’s yours.”
I was now the owner of this top down, full of dirt convertible. According to the farmer, the top was down because his dog fell through it while chasing a cat, and sitting for years like this made the interior a mess. But we hooked it up to jumpers, put gas down the carburetor, and it fired up enough for me to drive home.
The next step was to clean it up. As it turns out, my uncle, who owned a body shop and a used car lot, went to buy the Galaxie without realize it was already sold: to me! When he found out I purchased it, he came over and offered me $2,500, which I turned it down. I still have the Galaxie today. 2023 will be 48 years it’s been with me. It’s never been restore, has the original interior, and only one paint job. I did have to replace the top in 1975.
-Bryon M., Wisconsin
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There are certain purists who will only concede a muscle car has to be a mid-size vehicle, but then is a large Chevy with a 409 not a muscle car? What about a rare wagon with a big-block four-speed? Maybe the latter is taking liberties, but wouldn’t you welcome it to a muscle car show?
Thus, the Big Body Muscle Invitational and Performance Wagon Invitational displays at the Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals (MCACN) this past November. The promoters brought some very interesting vehicles that generally are off people’s radars because seeing the same, old same-old is not what MCACN is about.
Special mention goes to two interesting cars that were not able to attend due to inclement weather: a 1964 Buick Wildcat with a Super Wildcat 425/four-speed combination, and a 1968 Pontiac Catalina two-door sedan with a 428 HO four-speed. Ever see one of those? Maybe next year but, for now, here’s what was in attendance.
Out of all the manufacturers in the 1960s, Ford was the first one to cross the 400-horsepower threshold with the 1961 tri-carb 390. Unfortunately, the only transmission available was a column-mounted three-speed, though it is said a dealer-installed four-speed was available later in the year. This is a Galaxie Sunliner.
This elegant 1961 Pontiac is a Ventura, basically a Catalina that featured a fancier interior — “true luxury at moderate cost,” said the brochure. Featuring 8-lug wheels and a 318-horsepower Tri-Power 389, this vehicle is the quintessential early muscle car …
… unless you’re a Chevy guy, as the 409 was king of the street and AM radio. Truth be told, buyers preferred the Impala Super Sport while collectors prefer the Bel Air “bubbletop,” but smart racers went with the lightest and cheapest mode available, which would mean this 1962 Biscayne with a 409 and four-speed. This 409 features a single four-barrel, which means it’s the 380-horse 409.
In 1965, Pontiac upgraded the 2+2 package from a sporty trim option for the Catalina to an honest-to-goodness performance model that came standard with a 421. However, that doesn’t mean one couldn’t opt for a 338-horsepower 421 four-barrel and a four-speed in a regular Catalina convertible.
The 409 entered the 1965 model year by losing its 425-horse version, leaving 340- and 400-horsepower as the only choices. However, starting in January 1965, the all-new 396 replaced it. Horsepower was 325 or 425, the latter only available with a manual transmission. This is a 1965 Impala SS with the new big-block. Note its heir apparent, a 1967 SS 427, beside it.
Oldsmobile redesigned its full-size series in 1965, with the personal-luxury Starfire receiving special sporty styling features including distinctive taillights and novel side-exist exhaust. All were powered by an all-new 370-horsepower 425. Most came with GM’s new TH400 automatic, but 122 were built with a four-speed — how many of those were convertibles is anyone’s guess.
Pontiac introduced the Catalina-based Grand Prix coupe in 1962, creating an egalitarian personal-luxury model the likes which had yet to be seen (the Thunderbird and Starfire were much more expensive). However, by 1967, the Grand Prix had become paunchy, though it continued to offer distinction from other full-size Pontiacs as evidenced by its hidden headlights and concave backlite. This one features a 428 four-speed.
By 1970, Hurst Performance worked with Chrysler Corporation to produce around 500 Chrysler 300-Hurst two-door hardtops (and at least two convertible promotional vehicles). All came from the factory with the 375-horsepower 440 TNT V8 and feature Spinnaker White paint with gold highlights and brown and orange stripes. The tan upholstery was borrowed from the Imperial LeBaron.
Next to the 300-Hurst is a 1971 Chrysler New Yorker, which is the furthest thing from a performance (or even a sporty) car. However, this one was built with the TNT 440, which is about as fast as it got for big cars in 1971.
Legend says that a Chrysler Corporation executive overheard a conversation about General Motors downsizing its cars. It was a misunderstanding that led to compromised 1962 models though, in retrospect, they were perfectly sized. For 1963, Chrysler worked on damage control and lengthened the Plymouth to be more appropriate for market demands. This 1963 Belvedere wagon features a 330-horsepower 383.
For 1964, it looked like things were back to normal for Plymouth, though its full-size series was still smaller than the competition’s. Big news was the introduction of the 426-S, commonly known as the 365-horsepower “Street Wedge.” This unrestored Savoy is one of the few to have this engine.
This 1965 Chevrolet Biscayne wagon features the 325-horsepower 396, so it’s properly equipped for hauling duties. The original buyer selected the M20 four-speed manual transmission, making it one of a handful built.
This 1968 Tempest Safari wagon with a 1969 GTO nose has been a drag car since new. For you enthusiasts, you can find a feature on it in an issue of Popular Hot Rodding magazine from the 1970s.
This original-paint 1972 Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser features 455 power and some mild modifications. Though perhaps not as performance-oriented as other wagons in this display, the owner has demonstrated its prowess in the Hot Rod magazine’s Power Tour.
Not many people are aware that when Chevrolet redesigned the Chevelle for 1973, the product planners also expanded Super Sport availability to the station wagon. No numbers exist how many were built, but chances are most had the 350 and not the 454 like this one.
Click here to view more coverage from the Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals 2022!
If you’re not experiencing the mild weather we are in Phoenix, we’ve got just what you need to brighten your day. Below is a selection of vehicles with auctions ending the week of January 9-13 chosen by The Journal writing team. Maybe this Friday the 13th will be your lucky day. Make sure you check out all of our listings here.
Monday January 9
1965 Austin-Healey Sprite MK III convertible
This Austin-Healey received a four-year restoration. It’s powered by an upgraded 1,275cc inline-four engine paired with a four-speed manual. Click here to view this listing.
1986 Mercedes-Benz 560SL roadster
Under the hood is a M117 5.5-liter V8 engine with a factory-rated 227 horsepower and 279 lb-ft of torque when new. The engine is mated to a four-speed automatic transmission. Click here to view this listing.
Tuesday January 10
Finished in metallic slate blue over a two-tone gray cloth and vinyl interior this F-150 features a fleet side long bed with a spray-in bed liner. It’s powered by a 351ci V8 engine mated to an automatic transmission and a dual-range transfer case. Click here to view this listing.
This Chevelle has a custom paint job with pinstriping, off-white flames and racing stripes. It features a 454ci big-block V8 engine mated to a four-speed manual transmission and a 12-bolt Positraction rear end with 3.70:1 gearing. Click here to view this listing.
Wednesday January 11
This 280ZX 10th Anniversary model features removable roof panels with a two-tone gold and black exterior. Power is provided by a 2.8-liter inline-six engine mated to a five-speed manual transmission. Click here to view this listing.
Not into trucks at all, but there’s something about this Land Rover that is pulling me, maybe because it looks like nothing from our side of the pond. Indeed, it was built under license by a Spanish company and features a 2.25-liter diesel four. Click here to view this listing.
Thursday January 12
Here’s a vehicle in a similar vein, though a Toyota built under license from a Philippine company. Even more interesting, it was restored in Columbia before being brought to our shores last year. This should be a nice pick for fans of covert CIA operations or narco TV miniseries. Click here to view this listing.
Triple black with 440 power, there’s a lot to like about this B-body aside from the fact the 1971-72s are sportier. This was the time when Charger was evolving into more of a personal-luxury car, so if you would enjoy an effortless highway cruiser with remnants of the muscle era, this Charger may be your jam. Click here to view this listing.
Friday January 13
I don’t lust after a Cobra, but I know if I drove one, I would have a perma-grin that would require a surgeon to fix. Most of the big-block Cobras featured a 427, but this one is powered by a 428 Cobra Jet, which is in the same engine series so it fakes it nicely. Click here to view this listing.
Mustangs are everywhere but, when you hone in on equipment, some can end up being pretty unique. In this car’s case, it has a bench seat with a four-speed, which is quite unusual. Though the 302 is no powerhouse, it is backed by a four-barrel, so the fun quotient is there. One of the more unique Mustangs you’ll find. Click here to view this listing.
Ken Block raced in just about every championship-level rally racing series there is, including WRC, but the majority of his rally racing career took place on U.S. soil, either in the Rally America series or in the American Rally Association National Rally Championship series. His—and the rest of the Hoonigan team’s—efforts in the latter in 2022 served as the basis for the hour-long documentary “Go Fast Risk Every Thang” that Block and Hoonigan released just a few weeks before his death earlier this week at age 55. While it’s not difficult to get a sense of Block’s personality from the literal days’ worth of video footage of him online—including the Gymkhana series of videos—the documentary follows him and the team through the entire ARA season and all of the adversity they faced as they tried to secure the championship in an entirely new and unproven car while meeting all the various other media and race commitments throughout the year.
GO FAST RISK EVERY THANG: The Wild Story of Ken Block’s ’22 Rally Racing Title Chase
Mike Brewer big interview part 1 – the Wheeler Dealer’s Life In Cars. Known for being the frontman of TV show Wheeler Dealers since it began almost 20 years ago, Mike had already been the presenter of Driven, Deals on Wheels and numerous other shows. Following on from the Car Cave private garage tour of Mike’s workshop, this is the Idol Chat interview, where Jonny Smith brings his terrible brown chairs to ask personal questions to a prominent face in the automotive community.
If you do not have the patience to watch the entire video (which I urge you to do), here are the sections you can skip to to hear about the specific topics covered:
CHAPTERS
0:00 Intro
0:28 Disappointed Mike
2:00 The lock-up
2:18 Chair build
3:38 CHAT BEGINS
4:40 Mike’s Dad
6:00 Falling in love with cars
6:48 Mike’s first deals
8:55 A strange business
10:00 Days off?
11:00 I like people
12:44 I read insatiably
13:55 What are you doing now?
14:23 Bought a wrecked 15-bed manor house!
16:00 Life before WD
17:03 Job on Top Gear
19:55 Clarkson arguments
21:40 WD goes to USA
24:40 American car culture
27:40 Trolling
The post Mike Brewer’s big interview part 1: the Wheeler Dealer’s Life In Cars appeared first on My Car Heaven.
The Dodge Challenger won the Detroit pony car war again in 2022, managing to outsell the Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro for the second consecutive year. Not bad for a basic design that dates back to the 2008 model year.
U.S. sales figures show Dodge sold 55,060 Challengers in 2022, which was up about 1% from the previous year.
Mustang sales continued to slide. Ford’s 2022 total of 47,566 units was down 9.2% from the previous year, which in turn was down 14.2% from 2020. The 2022 figure was the lowest annual total in the nameplate’s history.
The Mustang is traditionally the fastest horse in the sales race, and it’s still ahead if you count sales of the Mustang Mach-E electric crossover. Mach-E sales were up 45.4% in 2022, with Ford moving 39,458 of the crossovers. Sales of the traditional Mustang could rebound once the redesigned 2024 model reaches dealerships.
A 2022 sales total of 24,652 units temporarily halted the downward streak Chevy’s Camaro has been on for the past few years. An increase of 12.6% over 2021, the growth came despite a lack of major updates for the Camaro. Chevy’s disinterest has fed rumors that the Camaro will go away after 2024, with the nameplate potentially getting recycled for an electric performance sedan.
As for the Challenger, 2023 will be the coupe’s final model year in its current form. Dodge has been rolling out a series of “Last Call” special editions of the Challenger and its Charger sedan sibling, with the seventh and final Last Call model set to debut March 20 in Las Vegas. An electric muscle car inspired by the Charger SRT Daytona concept will serve as a replacement for both the Challenger and Charger when it launches in 2024.
This article was originally published by Motor Authority, an editorial partner of ClassicCars.com.