Classic Car Journal

Gran Turismo 7 added four new cars to the PlayStation video game in its October update. The racing simulator features more than more than 400 vehicles and the additional cars in the update run the gamut from current racecars to vintage sports cars. While four cars were added to GT7, no tracks were included in the update.

1973 Nissan Skyline 2000GT-R (KPGC110)

The Skyline features a 1,989cc six-cylinder four-valve DOHC S20 engine that produced a factory-rated 157 horsepower and 130 lb-ft of torque.

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According to Nissan, “This is the fourth generation Skyline that became very popular by the copy “Skyline for Ken and Mary.” However, this “2000GT-R” model was manufactured for only 4 months from January to April of 1973 and the total number of manufactured cars was less than 200 due to the stricter emission standards.”

1980 Maserati Merak SS

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A Giorgetto Giugiaro designed, mid-engine supercar. The Maserati Merak SS is powered by a 3.0-liter V6 engine that produced a factory-rated 220 horsepower and with a five-speed manual transmission it could go from 0-60 mph in 9.0 seconds. Not lightning quick by modern standard but with some modifications in GT7 you should be able to get some improved performance in this 2+2 fastback coupe.

2018 Nissan GT-R Nismo GT3

A true racecar for GT7 powered by a 3.8-liter V6 engine with 542 horsepower paired with a six-speed sequential transmission. The GT-R is a motorsports icon and should be a great car to use in GT7. I’m a fan of the GT-R and I’m curious to see how NISMO GT3 performs on my PS4.

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2022 Mazda Roadster NR-A

The Miata (MX-5?) is always a solid choice in any Gran Turismo game. With sharp handling and a peppy engine, it can hang with cars that have more Performance Points. The Mazda Roadster NR-A is race ready for GT7.

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Deep-pocketed buyers looking for an extreme track car have a rare chance to snap up a Maserati MC12 Versione Corse.

The MC12 Versione Corse is the track-only version of Maserati’s MC12 supercar from the mid-2000s. It was launched in 2006 and just 12 were built, plus a prototype, and now one of them is listed for sale on duPont Registry.

The car is the third MC12 Versione Corse in the 12-car run, and incredibly it was never taken to the track. Its odometer shows just 129 miles of delivery mileage.

No price is listed, but the MC12 Versione Corse originally sold for about 1.2 million euros (approximately $1.17 million at today’s exchange rates).

The Versione Corse is actually closer in spec to Maserati’s MC12 GT1 race cars that were quite successful in GT competition. The chassis is based on the one in the Ferrari Enzo, but the engine is the same 6.0-liter V-12 fitted to the Enzo-based FXX track car. It generates 755 hp in a vehicle that weighs just 2,535 lb.

The 0-62 mph run takes about 3.8 seconds and the top speed is in excess of 202 mph. Drive is sent to the rear wheels via a heavily revised version of the MC12’s 6-speed automated manual transmission, designed for quicker shifts.

A handful of the MC12 Versione Corses have been modified to make them street-legal. That isn’t the case for this car, but it doesn’t matter as any buyer would probably never want to drive it on a public road, and there’s a good chance it won’t even make it out of a climate-controlled garage. For anyone who would take it on the road, there’s some seriously stiff suspension tuning to deal with as well as a severe lack of outward vision.

Maserati has a new supercar in its lineup in the form of the MC20 and it’s set to spawn a track-only version in the same vein as the MC12 Versione. Maserati has yet to say when the car, code-named the Project24, will be available.

This article was originally published by Motor Authority, an editorial partner of ClassicCars.com.

Featured on AutoHunter, the online auction platform driven by ClassicCars.com, is this 1965 Plymouth Barracuda.

This Barracuda two-door fastback is finished in red complemented by white striping down the middle. It features wraparound rear glass, chrome brightwork, and a split-section grille. The listing states that there are two small scuffs and a small dent on the hood. 

“The all-red interior is fitted with vinyl low-back bucket seats up front and a bench in the rear, matched to the door panels, dash, and carpeting,” the listing states. “The dash is trimmed with bright accents. Equipment includes floor mats and a push-button radio.”

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This Mopar rides on factory 13-inch wheels with whitewall tires.

Under the hood is a 273ci V8 engine paired with a floor-shifted three-speed automatic transmission that sends power to the rear wheels.

The sale includes a clear Oregon title.

This auction 1965 Plymouth Barracuda’s auction ends on Wednesday, October 26, 2022, at 12:20 p.m. (PDT)

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and photo gallery

This past weekend I had the opportunity to judge at the Concours event of the Chattanooga Motorcar Festival. It is always an honor to be asked to judge at these events, and the best part of it was that I had the rare chance to judge in the Muscle Car class. The winner of Best in Class was one of my favorite 1970s cars, a 1973 Ford Mustang.

The 1971 to 1973 Mustang was very different than the earlier Mustangs in that it moved more upmarket, being both longer and heavier as a result, and ended up being more of a GT car that a sports or muscle car. Since my favorite cars are GTs, this generation Mustang is the one I find myself most drawn to. It also does not hurt that 007 drives one in “Diamonds are Forever.”

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Another reason I like this generation of Mustang is that they tend to be among the most affordable of all the classic Mustangs on the market today.

The Pick of the Day is one of these more luxury-minded Mustangs, a 1971 Ford Mustang listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a dealer located in Lutz, Florida.

It is finished in the wonderful combination of Medium Yellow Gold paint with a Medium Ginger vinyl interior, and the seller states that this car was built with the “Hardtop Special Value Package,” which was a spring promotion created to drive sales after a lean winter. In the case of this package, the base coupe received a hood with NASA-style scoops, a Mach 1 grille, color-matched front bumper and sport mirrors, and Boss side stripes. Only around 9,000 coupes were built with this package out of a total of almost 150,000 Mustangs built for 1971.

This vehicle, while receiving a recent repaint in its original color, is extremely stock, something rare for this generation of Mustang. It is powered by a numbers-matching 302 V8 and backed by a three-speed automatic transmission. The seller states that it is an all-around good driver with power steering, and power brakes with discs up front. The Mustang has a nice set of modern white-letter tires on Magnum 500 wheels, though the stock hubcaps and trim rings are included with the sale.

Finally, this Mustang comes with plenty of paperwork that includes the original window sticker, warranty cards and owner’s manual.

If you are looking for one of the last classic Mustang deals available, you might want to act on this one. I say this because with an asking price of only $24,995 this is a Pick of the Day I would consider buying myself.

Alfa Romeo has an illustrious past dotted with numerous much-loved classics. From the humble Spider, which had a starring role in “The Graduate” and was built from 1966 to 1994, to concours winners like the 8C 2900B of the 1930s and 33 Stradale of the late 1960s, early Alfa Romeos cover a wide spectrum of the classic car world.

To help ensure all of those classics remain on the road, Alfa Romeo has launched an in-house heritage department offering certification services as well as repairs and full restorations.

Called Alfa Romeo Classiche, it is the latest addition to the wider Stellantis Heritage Department, and will be formally launched during the 2022 Auto e Moto d’Epoca classic car meet running in Padua, Italy, from Oct. 20-23.

One service offered is a Certificate of Authenticity, where an expert pores over the car, verifying the authenticity of the car and its components. This can either be done in Turin, Italy, or at the owner’s home if requested.

A simpler service is the awarding of a Certificate of Origin. Similar to the Porsche Production Specification service announced on Tuesday by Porsche, this service certifies the car’s year of production and original factory specification. It includes details such as model specifications, engine serial number, and original exterior and interior details, all of which will be a boon for anyone looking to restore an Alfa Romeo to original condition.

Beyond this are repair and restoration services. Also handled in Turin, these services can include the repair of an individual part or aesthetic components, or something as complicated as a complete tear-down restoration.

Alfa Romeo will soon add a new section to its official website where owners of classic models will be able to connect with Alfa Romeo Classiche.

Many classic cars have proven to be shrewd investments for their owners, and it’s not surprising many automakers have made efforts to capitalize on the trend by offering certification and restoration programs. In many cases, the right certificate can substantially affect a car’s value.

This article was originally published by Motor Authority, an editorial partner of ClassicCars.com.

Phoenix Raceway supported the LGBTQ+ community at the recent 2022 Phoenix Pride with its wrapped 2022 Toyota Camry TRD pace car driven during the parade. This is the first time Phoenix Raceway has participated in Phoenix Pride.

“It was an honor for Phoenix Raceway to participate in Phoenix Pride this year,” said Phoenix Raceway President Julie Giese. “We support its mission to promote unity, visibility, and self-esteem within the LGBTQ+ community. It aligns with our vision for a more inclusive and equitable world for all of our race fans.”

Phoenix Pride, founded in 1981, was established primarily for charitable, educational and social purposes. The main purpose of Phoenix Pride is to promote unity, visibility, and self-esteem among gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer persons; and to promote a positive image in the Valley of the Sun and throughout Arizona through community activities and services. – Phoenix Pride

Love wins 🫶

This weekend we joined our friends in celebrating pride and took our pace car out for a spin during the Phoenix Pride Parade! pic.twitter.com/zqyEy73FuG

— Phoenix Raceway (@phoenixraceway) October 16, 2022

The Phoenix Pride Parade brings the diverse LGBTQ+ and allied communities together for a weekend of camaraderie and celebration of the past, present, and future. The Parade brings over 2,000 individual participants with decorated vehicles, colorful floats and thousands of walkers. With over 15,000 spectators, the Parade featured local luminaries, music, and a greater sense of community.

The Phoenix Pride Parade raises funds for Phoenix Pride and the Pride Community Grants and Scholarships programs.

Jeff Sutton and LegacyEV’s Maverick Knoles walk through several classic car EV conversions at its headquarters in Phoenix. Although LegacyEV does not directly perform the conversions, it offers distribution, EV conversion kits and training for those interested in converting one’s classic vehicle to an electric vehicle.

Check out Jeff’s latest 4K video and many others at AutoHunter Cinema’s YouTube channel.

Featured on AutoHunter, the online auction platform driven by ClassicCars.com, is this restored 1966 Volkswagen Beetle 1300. 

“During the restoration process, the Ruby Red body’s patina was left intact,” the listing states. “Features include chrome bumpers with overriders, a driver-side mirror, a luggage rack, rubber-covered running boards, a single-piece rear window, and dual exhaust outlets.” 

The interior features new white vinyl seat covers, door panels, and matching headliner complemented by black carpeting and body-color sheet metal. Amenities include a Bendix Sapphire I push-button radio, and a hidden Bluetooth audio system with four two-way coaxial speakers and a subwoofer.

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This VW’s five-digit analog odometer shows 42 miles, reflective of the mileage accrued since the restoration was completed. The actual mileage on this Beetles’ chassis is unknown.

It’s powered by a 1,285-cc flat-four engine with a single-barrel carburetor. The engine is paired with a four-speed manual transmission. 

The selling dealer states that the suspension has been upgraded. This Volkswagen Beetle rides on 15-inch five-spoke wheels with 135R15 Nankang CX668 front and 165/80R15 all-season rear tires.

The sale includes a clear title and a skateboard.

This 1966 Volkswagen Beetle 1300’s auction ends on Wednesday, October 26, 2022, at 12:00 p.m. (PDT)

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and photo gallery.

In an earlier era in America, there was this thing called “traveling salesman.” There actually were vehicles marketed towards this lifestyle, no different than a sedan delivery for a plumber. By the 1950s, as America continued to evolve past World War II, the life of a traveling salesman was on its way out, and vehicles being offered to this lifestyle were becoming fewer and fewer. Kaiser was among the last holdouts of this type of model, which is why this 1953 Kaiser Traveler offered by a Minnesota dealer on ClassicCars.com is the Pick of the Day. (Click the link to view the listing)

The Kaiser Traveler was developed starting in 1949, but really came into its own with the redesigned 1951 models. Touted as “the world’s most versatile car,” the Traveler was a “luxurious 6-passenger sedan” that converted into a cargo carrier in 10 seconds. It was like having a sedan with station wagon versatility or, if you prefer, a camp-on-wheels for two sportsmen thanks to the double-hinged rear deck. Most were offered in the Special and Deluxe trim levels, though at least one has been found in the upscale Manhattan series. Travelers also featured novel heavy-duty vinyl upholstery that was created by low-pressure refrigerator embossing. Some think the Traveler was the first hatchback, though more in function than style.

This 1953 Kaiser Deluxe Traveler is novel beyond its inherent traits as it’s been updated in several ways for modern living. “Gorgeous medium blue metallic and ivory base coat/clear coat finish for that sweet, wet, shiny look. All-new, expensive quality chrome. Totally straight, rust-free body to start with,” says the seller.

Looking in the engine bay, you’ll find the antiquated straight-six replaced by a 307 V8 from a 1969 Chevrolet, though the four-speed overdrive automatic is decidedly newer. A 1969 Camaro rear end with high gears makes highway cruising much more tolerable than the original powertrain combination.

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Move to the interior and you’ll notice digital gauges in the instrument panel. Look around some more and the original vinyl has been updated with more modern, power-operated velour seats. “Power steering, power disc brakes (stops nice!). Detailed motor and motor bay, 12-volt rewire,” the seller adds. Safety hasn’t been ignored either thanks to shoulder belts from a newer vehicle.

Seller concludes, “If you love rare orphans, this is your opportunity for only $23,950.” With just over 900 built, this is a car that’s rare, but it features a form of practicality that works well today for the guy or gal who wants to have it all with a practical classic.

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

The 2022 Barrett-Jackson Houston auction starts tomorrow morning at the NRG Center. Filled with great cars, vintage Automobilia, and exciting Thrill Rides and Hot Laps the three-day events runs from Thursday, October 20 through Saturday, October 22. If you can’t make it to Houston, you can watch the auction on FYI, and HISTORY Channel.

TV SCHEDULE

Thursday, October 20
1:00 PM – 5:00 PM CDT
Barrett-Jackson LIVE on fyi,

1:00 PM – 5:00 PM CDT
BarrettJackson.TV (International Viewers Only)

5:00 PM – 9:00 PM CDT
Barrett-Jackson LIVE encore presentation on fyi,

Friday, October 21
12:00 PM – 7:00 PM CDT
Barrett-Jackson LIVE on fyi,

12:00 PM – 7:00 PM CDT
BarrettJackson.TV (International Viewers Only)

7:00 PM – 11:00 PM CDT
Barrett-Jackson
LIVE encore presentation on fyi,

Saturday, October 22
12:00 PM – 2:00 PM CDT
Barrett-Jackson LIVE on fyi,

2:00 PM – 7:00 PM CDT
Barrett-Jackson LIVE on HISTORY

12:00 PM – 7:00 PM CDT
BarrettJackson.TV (International Viewers Only)

7:00 PM – 11:00 PM CDT
Barrett-Jackson LIVE encore presentation on fyi,

AUCTION SCHEDULE

Thursday, October 20

8:00 AM to Auction Close
Gates, Sponsor Displays and Exhibitor Marketplace Open

9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Dodge and Toyota Thrill Rides
Barrett-Jackson Performance Track, adjacent to the auction arena.

9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Cadillac and Chevrolet Hot Laps
Barrett-Jackson Performance Track, adjacent to the auction arena.

11:00 AM to Auction Close
Barrett-Jackson Livestream
All the cars, all the time.

11:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Automobilia Auction

1:00 PM to Auction Close
Collector Car Auction

Friday, October 21

8:00 AM to Auction Close
Gates, Sponsor Displays and Exhibitor Marketplace Open

9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Dodge and Toyota Thrill Rides
Barrett-Jackson Performance Track, adjacent to the auction arena.

9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Cadillac and Chevrolet Hot Laps
Barrett-Jackson Performance Track, adjacent to the auction arena.

10:00 AM to Auction Close
Barrett-Jackson Livestream
All the cars, all the time.

10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Automobilia Auction

12:00 PM to Auction Close
Collector Car Auction

2:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Adam’s Polishes Product Showcase
Adam’s Polishes Booth #1001, Exhibitor Marketplace

9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Cadillac and Chevrolet Hot Laps
Barrett-Jackson Performance Track, adjacent to the auction arena.

Saturday, October 22
8:00 AM to Auction Close
Gates, Sponsor Displays and Exhibitor Marketplace Open

10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Automobilia Auction

9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Dodge and Toyota Thrill Rides
Barrett-Jackson Performance Track, adjacent to the auction arena.

10:00 AM to Auction Close
Barrett-Jackson Livestream
All the cars, all the time.

11:00 AM to Auction Close
Fantasy Bid, brought to you by Dodge, ends
Visit BarrettJacksonFantasyBid.com to play.
Grand prize: 2022 Dodge Challenger.

12:00 PM to Auction Close
Collector Car Auction

2:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Adam’s Polishes Product Showcase
Adam’s Polishes Booth #1001, Exhibitor Marketplace.