This 1932 Ford custom roadster was professionally built from the ground-up to show-quality standards. Previously owned by Richard Rawlings of Gas Monkey Garage, the all-steel Ford is finished in Plum Crazy Purple metallic, laser-straight and fully sanded and buffed to a mirror finish, with pinstripes laid out by Daniel Gay. The fully boxed chassis is as nicely detailed as the body, featuring a chrome dropped front axle with Vega steering box and chromed hairpins. The rear is a Currie nine-inch differential with chrome ladder bars. Hydraulic brakes with period-correct Buick finned front drums and custom Wilson backing plates handle stopping chores.
Power comes from an HC-code 327ci small-block topped with six Stromberg carburetors on an Offenhauser intake, plus custom Rams Horn exhausts with functional cutouts, all backed by a Muncie four-speed transmission. The two-tone black and white tuck and roll interior, inspired by the Tom McMullen roadster, features a “glide” adjustable front seat. Another interior highlight is the Mooneyes engine-turned Auburn-style dash panel. All this rolls on chrome Smoothie Mercury rims with Firestone wide whitewall tires.
Hennessey confirmed production of its new Venom 1200 Mustang GT500. The Venom 1200 Mustang GT 500 is based on the Ford Mustang Shelby GT500, but Hennessey increased the horsepower to 1,204.
Hennessey Venom 1200 Mustang GT500 (Image courtesy of Hennessey Performance)
“The stock Shelby GT500 is an extraordinary muscle car, but we take it to the nth degree with our Venom 1200,” said John Hennessey, company founder, and CEO. “Our engineers were able to coax more than 400 additional horsepower out of the engine, which takes performance to supercar levels. Only a handful of vehicles in the world offer this level of power… especially at this price point.”
The latest Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 features a hand-built supercharged 5.2-liter V8 with a factory-rated 760 bhp and 625 lb-ft of torque. Stout numbers by any measurement of performance, but the Hennessey Performance squad turned the volume up to 11 with numerous upgrades including:
Higher capacity 3.8-liter supercharger,
High-flow induction system
New fuel rails and injectors, and an air/oil separation system
Fittings, lines, belts, and tensioners are upgraded,
The vehicle is calibrated on Hennessey’s in-house dynamometer
The dual-clutch transmission is recalibrated for its high-output role.
The final tally for the Venom 1200 is 1,204 bhp and 902 lb-ft of torque, a 58% increase in horsepower over the stock Shelby GT500.
Hennessey Venom 1200 Mustang GT500 (Image courtesy of Hennessey Performance)
Of course, higher performance from a stout sports car is not free. Hennessey is going to produce 66 Venom 1200s and for those inclined to buy one you can add $59,950 to the price of a base Ford Shelby GT500, but you get a comprehensive 1-year / 12,000-mile warranty.
Hennessey Venom 1200 Mustang GT500 (Image courtesy of Hennessey Performance)
Unique exterior badging and a special serial-numbered plaque help differentiate the Venom 1200 from the GT500. Consumers have the choice of adding the optional 1966 24 Hours of Daytona Ford Mark II GT40 red, white, and black livery for $4,950.
Audi will team up with Sauber for an entry in the Formula 1 World Championship in 2026 and beyond, the automaker announced on Wednesday.
Sauber currently competes in F1 as Alfa Romeo, but Alfa Romeo in August announced the arrangement would end after the 2023 season. Alfa Romeo hasn’t said whether it is quitting F1 altogether, though.
Alfa Romeo made the announcement shortly after Audi announced its intention to compete in F1, leaving little doubt as to Audi’s plans.
Audi’s deal with Sauber will be much more substantial than the title sponsorship and technical partnership arrangement of Alfa Romeo. Sauber will become the official Audi factory team, and run a power unit supplied by Audi. Audi will also buy a stake in Sauber.
Adam Baker
The power unit is being developed to meet new sustainability-focused regulations to be introduced in 2026, with the development work taking place at an Audi Sport facility in Neuburg an der Donau, Germany. Overseeing the development is Adam Baker, who has served as an FIA safety director in recent years and previously worked with Cosworth when it produced F1 power units, as well as with Sauber when it competed in F1 with BMW in the 2000s.
Sauber will be responsible for the development and production of Audi’s F1 car, at its base in Hinwil, Switzerland. Sauber will also be responsible for planning and executing the race operations. The team has competed in F1 for decades, though it has managed just one win in 462 starts.
Fellow Volkswagen Group brand Porsche is also keen to enter F1 with its own power unit and possibly a factory team. Porsche was in negotiations with Red Bull Racing, though the talks ended in September without a deal being brokered. The FIA last week confirmed that Porsche is still in talks with other F1 teams.
F1’s power units under the new regulations will stick to the current turbo 1.6-liter V-6 hybrid format, though they will have to run on 100% sustainable fuel and feature increased power from the electric side. Audi plans to start to testing its power unit on a racetrack in 2025.
These days, there are many smartphone-based apps that monitor driving behavior. Parents can set up alerts to let them know when a newly-licensed driver exceeds a certain speed, or electronically block vehicle performance above a certain rate. Some insurance companies have even started offering incentives to customers who authorize GPS tracking when it comes to acceleration, aggressive cornering, and braking.
1959 Oldsmobile Dynamic 88
But Oldsmobile was way ahead of the game in offering visual alerts about speed control, and that innovative technology is showcased in today’s spotlight vehicle.
Included in this Olds is a trademark “Safety-Spectrum Speedometer.” The ribbon-style bar that moves along the 120-mph speedometer increments is engineered to modify color according to speed: it is green from 0 to 35 mph, orange from 35-65 mph, and red at speeds above 65 mph.
The listing reads, “This ’59 Oldsmobile Scenic coupe spent the first 60 years of its life all with one family in Thompson, North Dakota. The frame and body are rust-free. I purchased the vehicle about a year ago and have invested more than $4,000 into it.”
This car comes from the fourth-generation of the 88 model which shared General Motors’ B-body platform with cars including the Buick LeSabre and the Pontiac Catalina. Oldsmobile called the design language “linear look.” The seller states, “The special features of this vehicle are the full amazing bubble-top glass which allows for maximum scenic viewing while you are cruising the countryside.”
371cid Rocket V8
Power comes from a 371cid Rocket V8 mated to a four-speed Hydra-Matic automatic transmission. Recent mechanical work included replacement of the exhaust manifolds, muffler, power steering hose, air conditioning, dash lights, and heater core. The seller believes that the motor received a comprehensive overhaul sometime in the 1990s under prior ownership.
As for that special speedometer, it was more a novelty than anything else, but it’s interesting how even 63 years later, auto manufacturers continue using visual cues to convey speed-based feedback. A segment from Jay Leno’s Garage in 2013 illustrated the speedometer in action at 13 minutes in here.
“Must have a good size garage,” the listing concludes. “It’s a full-size vehicle. This is a special classic which gets plenty of thumbs up!”
The seller is asking $35,000 or best offer for this well-kept Olds, which looks like it would easily make a capable cruiser in the red speedometer zone.
Customized modern meets classic muscle in this 1966 Ford Mustang convertible built as a show car!
GAA Classic Cars Auction is proud to offer this Pro Tour Ford Mustang convertible that received a professional ground-up restoration documented with build receipts and photos. The spectacular build quality of this Pony Car led to its selection in Builder’s Showcase under Elite Builders at the 22nd annual Street Rod Nationals in 2021.
Image courtesy of GAA Classic Cars Auction
The House of Kolor Shimrin Kandy Root Beer exterior features a custom 4-inch widebody rear, an aftermarket hood scoop done in period-correct style, and a Haartz power cloth top complements the sleek profile. This custom Mustang has turn signals built into the door mirrors and a backup camera provides a greater perspective when reversing.
Image courtesy of GAA Classic Cars Auction
A custom tan leather interior by Catoe features low-back bucket seats up front and the rear seats are split by the full-length console. The matching tan full-length center console is complemented by wood and metal trim, and features built-in air conditioning controls, a touch-screen entertainment and navigation system, and four cup holders. Amenities for the driver and passengers include a Modern Audio stereo system, power windows and power door locks.
Image courtesy of GAA Classic Cars Auction
Under the hood is a factory-rated 460 horsepower 5.0-liter V8 Coyote engine with electronic fuel injection. The engine is paired with a Tremec six-speed manual transmission with a Science Friction Street Slayer clutch that sends power to the rear wheels through a Strange 9″ rear axle. A Dynomax exhaust with electronic cutouts gives this Pony Car a low rumble.
Image courtesy of GAA Classic Cars Auction
It rides on an Art Morrison chassis adjustable QA-1 coilovers. Power rack & pinion steering and Baer four-wheel disc brakes provide safety and control for the driver. This Mustang rides on staggered Scott Venom wheels, 18×7″ front and 20×12″ back, wrapped in low-profile tires.
Editor’s note: This article was originally published on November 18, 2021.
Having an air compressor in the garage makes so many jobs easier, including the most-obvious task of inflating tires. Or footballs. But there’s a lot more to it than that.
The tire (or football) inflation in itself makes a home compressor worthwhile. Really, who wants to schlep down to the convenience store to feed quarters into their bitty machine? Yes, children, there was a time long ago when air was free.
A basic explanation of air compressor parts | Brian Elliott/Wikipedia Commons
But there are so many other chores that can be accomplished with an air compressor, particularly those involving cars, trucks and motorcycles. Compressed air provides extra muscle and versatility, and there are a myriad tools and pieces of equipment that operate efficiently via the power of air.
Compressors come in many shapes and sizes, from the massive units seen at auto shops to scaled-down versions for home use, and all the way down to small portable compressors that run on your vehicle’s 12-volt system, made specifically for filling tires.
A 6-gallon pancake compressor, good for portability | Amazon
You’ll often see contractors and construction crews on the job site equipped with small-capacity compressors capable of containing a few gallons of air generated by the attached electric pumps. These most often are used to provide immediate, short-burst power for such tools as nail guns and staplers.
For a home garage, a somewhatbigger compressor with larger capacity should be considered so that there’s more air contained in its tank for continuous use. That way, the pump motor is not constantly – and noisily – running, which also makes it wear out faster.
My garage contains a fairly typical home-garage compressor with a 25-gallon tank that can generate as much as 130 psi, runs on 120-volt house current, and draws 15 amps. Easy and convenient, it stands against the wall and, when cranked up, will fill the tank in about five minutes, with a pump that is maintenance free.
There are bigger and much-bigger compressor/tank combinations, some of which require 220 volts and sometimes special high-capacity wiring, but that’s generally overkill for the home auto hobbyist.
A space-saving vertical compressor can be easily moved around | Home Depot
I originally got my compressor (actually, a Christmas present from my dear wife) so that I could power an impact socket wrench and, of course, inflate tires and such. But compressed air can be used for so much more, as I gradually found out.
Here are a few of the things that can be done with an air compressor:
Cleaning things. With a blow-gun nozzle attached (hand actuated by a lever), high-pressurized air can be used to blow the dust and grit out of many things, including screens and filters. Most usefully, it can be used to blast out those little niches and crevasses in your car’s interior way more efficiently than a vacuum alone.
Quick-connect fittings are a must for switching tools | Home Depot
If so inclined, you can even blow dirt and leaves out the door, or clear away sawdust. I have an extra-long hose attached to my compressor, which I occasionally run into the house to blow off accumulated dust (we live in the desert). Sure, I know that’s a real Tim Allen/Tool Time (or maybe Red Green) solution, and I hope you don’t think less of me for it.
Powering pneumatic tools. Besides the aforementioned impact wrench, there’s a wide assortment of automotive hand tools that can be hooked up to the compressor, such as powered ratchet wrenches, grinders, rotary saws, sand blasters, drills, grease guns and air brushes.
An upright 20-gallon compressor would be a good choice for a garage | Craftsman tools
Some of those would require a compressor with the higher air-storage capacities. My 25-gallon unit would suffice for most. Although, running low on compressed air is a good excuse for a short beer break while the pump refills the tank.
Spray painting. Compressed air is the way to go for achieving a professional-quality paint job, from small items to entire vehicles. Practice is important, so if you’re a newbie, you might try out your nascent skill on a disposable piece, such as an old car hood from a junkyard. And don’t make the rookie mistake of trying to paint with air pressure that’s set too high. That’s a recipe for a mess. There’s plenty of detailed instructions about spray painting available online.
Pressure washing. Compressed air can be used to pump water through a specialized device to pressure wash driveways, equipment, even vehicles.
Blowing up things. OK, you can’t discuss air compressors without talking about inflation, which might be a dirty word economically these days but still the most notable use of a compressor. Car, truck and motorcycle tires would be the obvious targets, and a moderately sized compressor, at least, makes the job easier, especially with big truck tires containing large volumes of air.
But how about the other things in life that require inflation, such as that football? Or basketball, volleyball, beach ball, pool toy, etc. For the flimsier objects, such as beach balls and pool toys, a judicious use of the pressure gauge is required so that you don’t explode them.
Same with bicycle tires, which can too quickly blow up beyond their capacity because of their small air volume, especially skinny tires on lightweight road bikes, for which a regular hand pump would be the more-judicious alternative.
I’m sure you can conjure up, and most likely already have, other ways to use your air compressor. If you would like to share your ideas, add them to the comments section below.
Mercedes-Benz has several vehicles that rank at the top of automotive history, but the 300 SL “Gullwing” may be the one that wins out. The combination of styling and engineering can be seen as art to some, Andy Warhol being one. His gallerist in Germany, Hans Mayer, came up with the idea for Warhol to collaborate with Mercedes for a commissioned set of works based on its vehicles throughout history. The first one was a 1955 300 SL—this one—and now it can be yours.
This Silver Grey SL was originally purchased in Paris in August 1955, complete with blue leather interior and Rudge knock-off wheels. In 1981, it was sold to a doctor in Germany, who kept it until it was purchased in 2020 by Brabus, the German tuning company.
1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL “Gullwing”
Brabus invested more than 4,500 hours in the restoration as part of the Brabus 6-Star Restoration program, of which the company devotes hours and hours of labor combined with 40+ years of experience working with Mercedes-Benz vehicles. The result is new-car character that surpasses the condition when the vehicle was new.
So how is it known that the car in the Warhol illustration is this car? Look at the license plate, then check out an image of Warhol’s SL. German registration records link EI-DR 1 to this very vehicle before your eyes.
Sotheby’s Sealed, Sotheby’s online platform where some of the world’s most significant cars are auctioned, will handle the sale of this 300 SL starting on November 10, 2022, with bidding closing on the 17th. It is being offered without reserve, with estimates ranging from $1,500,000-3,000,000. That’s much more than the opulent Rolls-Royce Sceptre we wrote about a few days ago.
1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL “Gullwing”
Warhol only managed to finish 49 out of the 80 works for Mercedes when he unexpectedly died in 1987. Though art is a subjective medium, one would be hard-pressed to argue with Warhol’s choice to put this vehicle on canvas.
This 1966 Impala was refinished in metallic red with a metallic silver roof. The metallic red exterior is complemented by an aluminum grille, chrome bumpers, and full-length bodyside trim. It rides on a set of chrome reversed 14″ x 7″ U.S. Wheel Supreme wheels with chrome center cap and Remington whitewall tires.
1966 Chevrolet Impala
“The front bucket seats and the curved rear Thunderbird seat are upholstered in black vinyl,” the listing states. “Features include black vinyl rear trim and door panels with manual windows, a black center console, a floor-mounted B&M automatic transmission shifter, black carpeting, and black floor mats with Impala logos and red piping. Additional features include a chrome tilt steering column and an AM/FM touchscreen stereo with Bluetooth.”
Under the hood is 350ci V8 engine featuring an Edelbrock four-barrel carburetor with an electric choke, an HEI distributor, and tube exhaust headers. The engine is dressed up with chrome valve covers, a chrome air cleaner lid, and an aluminum radiator keeps everything cool.
The engine is paired with a floor-shifted TH350 transmission.
350ci V8 engine
The sale includes a clear California title in the seller’s name. One hundred miles have been added during current ownership and the odometer reads 72K miles but the true mileage of this Impala in unknown. The listing states an oil and filter change was completed within the last two months.
Motor swaps are commonplace in the collector car universe. In the perpetual quest for more power, better reliability, and parts availability, it’s not unusual to see a hot rod or classic on its second or third powerplant. What I find interesting is when a car receives an engine transplant from another brand entirely.
This Ford is powered by a Chevy – a 350ci Chevy crate engine, to be exact.
“Up for sale is my 1936 Ford slant-back four-door sedan custom,” the listing states. “Built from a very nice running original car, this vehicle was disassembled, blasted, and rebuilt as a mild street machine.”
1936 Ford four-door sedan
The heart of this custom build (which some Ford purists may consider blasphemous) has been upgraded with a PerTronix ignition system and a Holley Street Avenger carburetor. The seller states that it “runs, drives, and rides great.”
350ci V8 Chevrolet crate engine
Ford models from 1936 rode on what was known as the Model 48 platform which used a traditional body-on-frame design and was offered in ten different body styles. Design language up front came from an inverted pentagon-shaped grille. While its chassis is 86 years old, modern conveniences were weaved into this build so that it could be driven just as comfortably as a late-model car. Among the features are power steering, Vintage Air A/C, tinted windows, power door locks, and a Jensen CD player with Pioneer speakers.
1936 Ford four-door sedan
The body – which features suicide doors out back – shows clean finishes throughout, decorated by a black and red two-tone paint scheme and accessorized with a prominent chrome-finished hood ornament, pin striping, a luggage rack, and dual stainless-steel exhaust outlets beneath the rear bumper. A few of the photos in the gallery illustrate the car and its frame during various stages of restoration about 20 years ago.
1936 Ford four-door sedan during the restoration
“Car was built back in 2002 to 2003 and was my main show car for about ten years,” the seller states. “But as time passed and I built newer cars, it has taken a back seat to them. Now driven only to keep in good running order, it is time to sell and move on.”
Does a Chevy motor in this Ford add or subtract from its appeal? Let me know what you think in the comments. The seller is asking $34,000 for this “Fordvolet” (or Chevord) sedan.
A 1974 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow owned by Queen frontman Freddie Mercury is heading to auction with RM Sotheby’s on November 5, with proceeds from the sale going to the Superhumans Center, a charity providing aid to Ukraine.
While the Silver Chalice-painted sedan was registered in the United Kingdom when it was new, it didn’t enter Mercury’s orbit until 1979, when it was purchased by the rock star’s production company, Goos Productions Ltd., the listing says. While Mercury was likely chauffered in the Rolls, he probably never drove it himself because he seemingly never got a license.
1974 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow owned by Freddie Mercury (photo via RM Sotheby’s)
The car is accompanied by documents supporting its connection to Mercury, including workshop invoices in the singer’s name, other documents in the name of his former partner Mary Austin, and a letter from longtime Queen manager Jim Beach confirming Mercury’s ownership.
Produced from 1965 to 1980, the Silver Shadow was a big technological step forward for Rolls. The Shadow (and related Bentley T-Series) had unibody construction rather than the body-on-frame construction of previous models, along with a hydraulic self-leveling suspension system licensed from Citroën.
Power is provided by the ubiquitous Rolls-Royce/Bentley L-Series V-8, which started at 6.3 liters when the Silver Shadow launched, but was later enlarged to 6.8 liters (this car has the larger-displacement version). Iterations of this engine—with electronic fuel injection and turbocharging—continued in production until 2020.
1974 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow owned by Freddie Mercury (photo via RM Sotheby’s)
After Mercury’s death in November 1991, the Silver Shadow was driven by the late rock star’s sister Kashmira Cooke, who bought the car from the Freddie Mercury Estate in 2003. It was then auctioned off in 2013, when it was bought by the current owner. The listing notes that the car has been stored for awhile, and should be inspected before being driven.
RM Sotheby’s expects the Silver Shadow to sell for between 20,000 and 30,000 British pounds, equivalent to $22,539 to $33,808 at current exchange rates. Even those relatively low estimates likely reflect this car’s celebrity connection. The Silver Shadow’s long production run makes it relatively common for a Rolls-Royce, so values have never been particularly high.
