Classic Car Journal

Maserati last summer launched a track-only version of its MC20 supercar in the form of the MCXtrema, but it isn’t the first time the automaker has treaded down such a path.

Back in 2006, Maserati took the covers off the MC12 Versione Corse, a track-only version of the V-12-powered MC12 supercar. Just 12 were built, plus a prototype, and now one of them is set to go under the hammer at an RM Sotheby’s sale this month in Paris, France.

The car is the eighth in the 12-car series, and the pre-auction estimate is between 2.8 million euros and 3.5 million euros (approximately $3 million and $3.8 million). That’s well above the original sale price which was around 1.2 million euros ($1.3 million).

While the MC12 was closely related to the Ferrari Enzo, which had its own FXX track version, the Versione Corse was based on Maserati’s MC12 GT1 race car that proved quite successful in GT competition, including winning the 2005 FIA GT Manufacturers Championship, teams’ championships in 2005 and 2006, drivers’ championship in 2006, and the 24 Hours of Spa race in both 2005 and 2006. The success was what eventually persuaded Maserati to build the Versione Corse.

Power in the car comes from a 6.0-liter V-12 that generates a peak 755 hp. 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.

With just 2,535 pounds to motivate, the engine will rocket the car from 0-62 mph in 3.8 seconds and to a top speed of 202 mph.

A handful of the MC12 Versione Corses have been modified to make them street-legal. That isn’t the case for this car which was originally delivered to a customer in Germany. The orange paint finish, black Sparco seats, and the engine are all original items, according to the listing.

The RM Sotheby’s auction is scheduled for Jan. 31. Also set to cross the block will be a scale model of the Ferrari FXX K Evo, which was used by engineers for aerodynamic testing in the wind tunnel.

HIGH-RES GALLERY: 2007 Maserati MC12 Versione Corse – Photo credit: RM Sotheby’s

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

“Smooth” is one of the words that come to mind when referring to the rounded lines of the late 1930s Ford coupes. Some custom rides from that era take the look to an even greater extreme via chopped tops, shaved door handles, slim sideview mirrors, and suicide doors. Check this one out.

The Pick of the Day is a 1937 Ford Coupe listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Click the link to view the listing)

“This beautiful 1937 Ford Coupe is a custom-built modern-meets-classic show-stopper,” the listing begins. “The soft luxurious leather interior, air ride shocks, overdrive transmission, four-wheel Wilwood disc brakes, fuel-injected LS1 V8 power, A/C, electric windows, and remote door pop feature make this classic style machine a modern dream to drive.”

That is a long list of enhancements for a car that, when new, used simple engineering. The heart of this custom coupe is its Corvette-derived small-block motor. The Chevrolet “LS1” was used in the fifth-generation Corvette between model years 1997 and 2004. The listing doesn’t call out which specific year the donor vehicle was, but the LS1 was initially rated at 345 horsepower and 350 lb-ft of torque in 1997. Four years later, the ratings were increased to 350 horsepower and 365 lb-ft of torque.

The listing says that the car is titled as a 1937 Ford, but in reality, there is probably nothing from 1937 included except from a hint of design language. In actuality, this is a replica built from parts supplied by Oze Rods Shop in Marion, Illinois. Oze specializes in a wide variety of hot rod components like bodies, chassis parts, suspensions, brake systems, steering parts, and custom grilles. “This is a one-of-a-kind head turner that demands the attention of everyone who sets eyes on it,” the seller says.

Footwork comes from a staggered 18-inch and 20-inch set of Billet Specialties aluminum wheels, and the ride height can be modified thanks to an air ride suspension. “Ride low and laid-back, or high up and aggressive; you decide,” the seller says. The interior and trunk are as dialed-in as the body, featuring custom upholstery throughout.

“This car is always the star of the show and draws a huge crowd wherever it goes. Owning this car provides increased joy and happiness in life,” the listing concludes.

Are you ready for true happiness? It will set you back $124,900 or best offer.

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

There is something satisfying about breathing new life into a car that has been abandoned in a garage, a barn, or a field for decades at a time. If you have ever restored a vehicle, you know how thrilling that “first start” can be – and even better yet, the first drive.

Dustin Jennings of Arkansas has demonstrated a keen ability to take a tired, old engine and get it running. His YouTube channel entitled Jennings Motor Sports has amassed about 250,000 subscribers as of the time of this writing. Dustin has done dozens of revivals (there are 70 videos on his channel at current) and the vehicles in question usually center around 1940s to 1960s American classics. Dustin has worked on a fair number of classic dump trucks as well as a 1979 Datsun and a 1972 BMW.

I’m not one to binge-watch anything on television, but I could sit and watch these types of videos for hours. Perhaps that is because I’m hellbent on achieving maximum mileage on some of my long-lived cars like my 590,000 mile Acura. After seeing some of Dustin’s handiwork, I’m starting to wonder if there is anything he can’t get running again.

Usually, his process starts with clearing out rat nests, spider webs, leaves, and anything else that can accumulate in an engine bay that’s been left untouched for years. The checklist can vary from there but it usually involves sorting out the fuel system, electrical system, and other areas in order to see if a motor will fire up.

In some cases, a motor that has been sitting for a long time may be completely stuck from having sat for so long, so the initial steps involve lubricating things overnight with a product like PB Blaster to loosen it all up. The troubleshooting sometimes leads to discovering additional problems, and usually, through the entire process, Dustin finds evidence as to why the vehicle may have been parked in the first place.

Not every episode ends in a success story with an old engine grumbling back to life, but many of them do. The uncertainty is part of the thrill. Even Dustin himself doesn’t know what will come of his efforts.

The channel’s top five viewed videos are:

• 1929 GMC Pickup (sitting for 81 years) – 10 million views (LINK)
• 1917 Cadillac V8 (sitting for 93 years) – 2.2 million views (LINK)
• 1931 Ford Model AA (sitting for 30 years) – 2.1 million views (LINK)
• 1947 International Wrecker (sitting for 53 years) – 1.2 million views (LINK)
• 1953 Plymouth Cranbrook (sitting for 59 years) – 1.1 million views (LINK)

Have a look through some of the content and let us know what you think. Have you ever had a success story of your own with getting a barn find back to life? Let us know in the comment section!

After a week of parties and social gatherings, the first day of 2024 called for a relaxing solo road trip. My destination of choice was an old mining town about 60 miles east of Phoenix called Superior. Its history dates back to 1875, and for a lot of reasons, the town has remained frozen in time for at least the last several decades. One of the reasons for that is the fact that a primary source of copper, the Magma Mine, closed in 1984. Today, Main Street has been bypassed by U.S. Highway 60, and perhaps that is one of the reasons why it remains so well preserved. Driving it is taking a step back in time.

Along the way, I stopped at a 100-year-old botanical garden sitting on over 300 acres of the North Sonoran Desert. It is called the Boyce Thompson Arboretum, and it gave me a glimpse of some of the surprisingly diverse plant and animal life that can survive in the harsh climate of the southwest region. One of the century-old Eucalyptus trees, called “Mr. Big,” living there has a 22-foot circumference.

The highlight of the trip, however, came not during my visit to Superior and the surrounding area, but when I got home and started doing some research. One of the black and white photos that I found of Superior was taken precisely in the direction and location of a shot I had taken just a couple of hours earlier. While the photo was not dated, it appears to be from the 1920s based on the vehicles featured within it. Perhaps some of our eagle-eyed readers can identify some of the cars.

Superior is not technically a ghost town, as there are about 2,500 people who call it home, but on New Year’s Day 2024, it sure felt like one. I had Main Street and the surrounding areas to myself as I perused some of the old architecture like the Superior High School (built in 1925 and closed in 2000). The school was recently purchased by the town – it was being used as a private residence – and there are plans to renovate it as a multi-generational community center. For now, though, it sits behind a chain link fence.

There is something magical about urban exploration in towns that were once bustling centers of commerce and social activity but have since quieted down. In fitting anniversary fashion, my 1992 NSX rolled 120,000 miles on the drive home. My short day-trip was just what the doctor ordered to kick off the new year in style, and I look forward to more similar adventures in the near future.

Did you also manage to get your classic car out for the holiday? Let me know how it went!

Kia America announced last week that it is unveiling an additional security measure to support its customers in response to criminals using methods of theft popularized on social media to steal or attempt to steal certain vehicle models. This new hardware modification—an ignition cylinder protector—is designed for the vehicles that are not eligible for the security software upgrade that Kia introduced earlier in 2023 and works to combat theft by reinforcing the ignition cylinder body and preventing its removal through the method of theft promoted in videos that have spread across social media encouraging criminal activity.

This additional modification was available beginning December 20 through a free Customer Satisfaction Initiative for the models that are not eligible for the software upgrade. Following the completion of the installation, each vehicle will be affixed with window decals to inform would-be car thieves that the vehicle is equipped with enhanced theft protection.

In addition to this ignition cylinder protector, Kia has also designed a software upgrade that further enhances a vehicle’s security by restricting the operation of a vehicle’s ignition system should a potential criminal attempt to steal a locked vehicle without the key, and the company continues to strongly encourage eligible customers to have this software upgrade installed. Since January 2023, dealers have installed the anti-theft software upgrade on close to 940,000 vehicles, and Kia has hosted multiple temporary software upgrade clinics to assist local dealers with installation in key cities with many more planned in early 2024.

Kia also continues to provide free steering wheel locks directly to affected owners of vehicles that are not eligible for the software upgrade, and the company is also working with local law enforcement agencies and public officials to distribute them as well. These free steering wheel locks further enhance the vehicle’s security and can serve as a visual deterrent for potential car thieves. To date, Kia has distributed more than 325,000 locks and will continue to provide them as they are needed. Earlier this year, the company also announced an agreement that will allow customers who have been impacted by vehicle thefts to receive additional benefits.

Kia is notifying impacted owners about this new anti-theft Customer Satisfaction Initiative through multiple points of contact with instructions to bring their vehicle to the nearest Kia dealership to have the free ignition protector installed. More information is available at https://ksupport.kiausa.com/ConsumerAffairs/SWLD, where customers can input their vehicle’s Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to confirm eligibility for the software or protector installation.

Subset of Eligible Vehicles with Key Operated Ignition System:

2011 – 2016 Sportage

  2011 – 2016 Forte

  2010 – 2022 Soul

  2011 – 2021 Rio

2014 Sedona

“I’ve always believed that if you take care of your vehicle, it will take care of you.” These words were pulled from one of the listings on ClassicCars.com, and they spoke to me because I love vehicles that have been driven and enjoyed, yet still look brand new.

The Pick of the Day is a 2003 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 LT listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in Waxahachie, Texas. (Click the link to view the listing)

Following a similarly clean 1996 Suburban I wrote about last month, I was inspired to select this one as a follow-up. As of 2024, the Suburban name has been around for 90 years. Originally referred to as the “Carryall Suburban” in 1934, it has now endured an impressive 12 generations. Chances are, a Suburban has found its way into the driveway or garage of someone you know.

Model year 2000 marked the launch of the ninth generation which rode on General Motors’ GMT830 platform. Suburbans of this era were classified under half-ton (1500) and three-quarter-ton (2500) designations. The new millennium brought some important design and engineering changes. Among them, the spare tire was moved to the underbody to free up cargo room, the instruments were modernized, four-wheel disc brakes became standard, and higher trim levels got features like load-leveling suspensions and a digital climate control system.

Even though today’s featured Suburban shows 262,000 miles on the odometer, it has been completely revamped both inside and out. Even its 5.7-liter Vortec V8 has been remanufactured, and it carries a 100,000-mile warranty for added peace of mind. Additional maintenance includes a rebuilt air conditioning system, newer Michelin Defender tires, new shock absorbers, a new alternator, and much more.

The seller clarifies the breakout of expenditures over the life of the vehicle over the last two decades: “Since 2003, I’ve spent $33,920.44 in continuing repairs including $14,591.51 to replace the engine and transmission and $5,000 to touch up and paint it last year. This was the actual cost I’ve paid to mechanics and body shop and doesn’t include the purchase price. I will give all receipts for these repairs, maintenance, and restoration items to the buyer.”

“She has been well cared for and is ready for years of fun for the new owners,” the seller says.

The asking price is $14,999, which is less than the seller spent in the past year on the work to the engine, transmission, and body.

There aren’t many 20-year-old vehicles that come with warranties these days, so act now on this one!

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

The new year brings with it resolutions, goals, and aspirations for many people. Maybe this is finally the year that you will reward yourself with a collector car that you’ve always dreamed of. Over the years, AutoHunter has auctioned thousands of vehicles to people like you. Perhaps one of my three selections today will catch your eye enough that you decide to add it to your garage. Here’s to hoping!

1995 Toyota 4Runner SR5

The 4Runner is indeed “for running,” whether on-road or off. The modern-day 4Runner remains one of the few body-on-frame sport-utility vehicles and carries its weight as a rugged, capable machine. That same formula started four decades ago in 1984 when the first generation was marketed as the Toyota Hilux Surf in Japan.

Today’s feature 4Runner is a low-mileage second-generation unit offered by a dealership in Ross, Ohio that remained long-term with just one owner. Even at nearly 30 years old, its odometer reads just 98,920 miles. Why buy a new one when this classic version’s 3.0-liter V6 is barely broken in? These were the days of simple technology combined with robust engineering. Other than an upgraded Pioneer Bluetooth radio, the equipment on this 4Runner remains original and unmodified.

The grippy 31-inch Goodyear Wrangler tires are ready to eat up the terrain of any type. The auction for this 4Runner ends on Thursday, January 4, at 1:15 p.m. MST.

2000 Chevrolet Camaro Z28

Coming from a dealership in New Braunfels, Texas, this F-body sports coupe is another low-miler, showing just 30,000 miles on the odometer. The Monterey Maroon Metallic 2000 Camaro Z28 sport coupe comes from the fourth generation of one of America’s favorite muscle cars. It also has a clean CARFAX report as well as a recently-passed safety inspection. Jump in and drive!

Muscle comes from an LS1 5.7-liter V8 mated to a four-speed automatic transmission, but the performance equipment list doesn’t stop there. This car has been upgraded with a Precision Industries torque converter, a Thunder Racing camshaft, fifth-generation Corvette heads, Manley performance valves, a performance intake manifold, and SLP (“Street Legal Performance”) long tube headers. Included in the listing is a video showing a start-up sequence and a couple of quick revs. The car sounds wicked, especially from behind, thanks to a custom quad-outlet exhaust system.

Thanks to removable roof panels, this Camaro offers a convertible vibe when weather permits. Prepare to feel the wind in your hair in summer 2024! The auction ends tomorrow, January 3, at 1:30 p.m. MST.

1981 DeLorean DMC-12

This gullwinged sports coupe is bound to draw attention anywhere it goes. Its unmistakable stainless-steel body and wedge shape make it stand out from the crowd, not to mention the fact that a similar car was the starring performer in one of the most successful movie franchises of the 20^th century. Showing just 24,109 miles on the odometer, this unmodified DMC-12 is being offered by a dealer in Rogers, Minnesota, and the auction ends this Friday, January 5, at 12:15 p.m. MST.

According to the AutoHunter listing, this car remained with its prior owner over 25 years. Records are limited (even the CARFAX shows just one line item) but based on the photos, this car has led a leisurely garage-kept life over its 42 years. There were only about 9,000 DeLoreans sold over its model lifespan between 1981 and 1983. The rear-mounted 2.85-liter V6 was rated at 130 horsepower and 153 lb-ft of torque, and today’s featured car has the optional three-speed automatic transmission which added $650 to the original retail price.

The DeLorean’s fame can be attributed in large part to its appearance in Back to the Future. One of the few remaining cars used in the film series sold for $541,200 in 2011. This could be your chance to own one for significantly less! The dealer has provided a narrated video that shows the car in greater detail.

Bid away!

New year, new beginnings, and maybe a new (old) car in the garage? We like the sound of that.

Check out these auctions today.

I wanted to kick off my first Pick of the Day for 2024 with a car that is not only an icon but also a car that is truly looks to be a great value in case you did not get the Christmas present you hoped for.

Today’s Pick of the Day is a 1961 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint located in Glendale, California. Yes, it is labeled as a Spider, but it is in fact Sprint.

The Giulietta Sprint was the first sporting version of the legendary Giuietta series of Alfa Romeo cars and marked a change from the old coach built pre-war cars to a newer, smaller, and more affordable alternative. The car was introduced in 1954 at the Turin Motorshow and proved to be an almost immediate hit, something very important for a company that was still in the middle of post-war reconstruction. The Sprint was designed by Bertone’s Franco Scaglione who would go on to design many more legendary cars for Alfa, Lancia, Maserati, and even the Apollo GT. The car was such a hit that the first examples were built by hand as fast as possible in order to fulfill customer orders.

The Giulietta Sprint featured here is a later 101 series model in its second restyling, which was completed just before the 1963 introduction of the Giulia Sprint which replaced it. This example is powered by its correct, and reported to be numbers matching, 1300cc DOHC inline 4 cylinder engine. It is a Normale version which featured less aggressive camshaft profile and a single Solex carburetor instead of the twin Webers and aggressive cams of the higher end Veloce model.

Overall this Giulietta Sprint looks to be a great example of a driver level car. This means that while you are not that likely to win any shows with it, it is nonetheless a respectable and good driving example. This is backed up by the owner stating that this Sprint has received a new exhaust system, new water pump, rebuilt carburetor a resealed 4 speed transmission, new brake lines and a cleaned and rebuilt fuel tank.

While the interior is not correct for the model, it is quite presentable and looks to be in good condition with no serious issues except incorrect materials.

This leads me to what I feel this car is best for. This 1961 Alfa Giulietta Sprint is perfect for the owner who is looking to experience what an Alfa Giulietta Sprint is all about as a car to drive. There is no reason that this car could not be entered into a number of vintage rallies and tours. Sure it is not a concours car but instead something much more fun, a car that you can use.

The best part of all is the asking price. Listed at only $39,000 this car represents a great value in a collector sports car market that has been increasingly difficult to find entry level affordable cars in. If you are looking to buy a classic Alfa to actually drive, and want a car more classic and more rare than a GTV, this car might be just the ticket.

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

Time to start planning your trip to Monterey Car Week 2024. Need some inspiration? If you park yourself on a street corner in Monterey or Carmel, you’ll get enough eye candy that you will hardly miss those hoity-toity shows that are expensive to attend. Join ClassicCars TV as we stumble upon two Pagani Huayras (one of them a BC), a Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport, Apollo Project EVO, Porsche/Singer Classic, and two cars that seem to pale in comparison: a Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren and a Lamborghini Murciélago.

Subscribe to the ClassicCars TV channel for more finds, car reviews, and event recaps!

Trans Am Worldwide’s 70/SS is a tribute to the 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle Super Sport with more than 1,500 hp, a manual transmission, and a design that drips in nostalgia.

The convertible muscle car was unveiled in 2022, but Trans Am Worldwide recently released a video that delves into more detail about the car’s genesis and specs.

Trans Am Worldwide is the sibling company of Trans Am Depot. It’s staffed by the same team that launched Pontiac Firebird Trans Am tributes, including a Burt Reynolds-endorsed Bandit Trans Am and a 455 Super Duty Trans Am, both of which used the Chevrolet Camaro as a starting point.

Like some of the previous projects, the 70/SS is based on the General Motors Alpha platform that underpins the current-generation Camaro. But replicating the 1970 Chevelle’s iconic look required some stretching. The 70/SS is 6.0 inches wider than a factory Alpha-platform car and 14.0 inches longer, with new body panels rendered in carbon fiber. Trans Am Worldwide also consulted original GM schematics for the hood stripes.

Styling was a major reason for doing a 1970 Chevelle tribute, but it was also personal for Trans Am Worldwide co-founder Tom Warmack, whose mom had a Chevelle when he was growing up. It “was part of our family,” Warmack says in the video, and it shuttled everyone around faithfully. That car was painted green, and so was the first 70/SS the company completed.

While still obviously based on the sixth-generation Camaro, efforts were made to backdate the interior as well. The digital instrument cluster uses the original 1970 Chevelle typeface, the seats were upholstered to look like 1970s items, and a classic Hurst shifter was installed. 

It wouldn’t be a true Chevelle SS without a V8, and Trans Am Worldwide offers a few options for choose from. Base cars get GM’s LT-1 naturally aspirated 6.2-liter V8 with 450 hp sent to the rear wheels. While that’s already an upgrade from the roughly 300 hp the 1970 original made, the engine can also be supercharged to 650 hp. The mid-level option, dubbed 396, is also supercharged and bumps to displacement to 6.4 liters (396 cubic inches) for roughly 900 hp.

Top-spec cars, of which only 25 will be made, have Trans Am Worldwide’s LS6/X 454 twin-turbo engine, making 1,500 hp at the rear wheels using E85 fuel. A manual transmission is available, but buyers can choose an automatic as well.

Pricing starts at $165,000, but Trans Am Worldwide has indicated prices can far exceed that with customization and options. All cars will be convertibles, but the company is working on a removable hardtop option.

Check out the video above for more on this special tribute car.

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