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Rare 1978 Dodge Power Wagon has both Macho and True Spirit packages.

Michael Petti

Back when I was a radio disc jockey on a progressive rock format station, I was required to play everything from folk to fusion jazz and everything between, including heavy metal, glitter and electronic music. Perhaps as a carryover from my DJ days, I try to write about all variations of light-duty trucks, from primitives to work horses to muscle pickups.

While I have featured in this column the 1940s Dodge Power Wagon that was discontinued in 1968, I was asleep at the wheel regarding the Dodge W150 Power Wagon that brought back the hallowed “Power Wagon” name. Fortunately for readers, I woke up and found a rare example of the latter owned by Power Wagon lover Alex Fanelli, who located and landed a 1978 version near her home.

Alex and her husband, Frank, regularly scan KSL.com, a Utah website similar to CraigsList.com, so they don’t miss out on a worthy project vehicle. It was on this website that Alex found this rare 1978 Power Wagon W-150 with both the Macho and True Spirit packages.

Owners Frank and Alex Fanelli look under the hood of their project truck that they’ve whole-heartedly begun tearing into for a complete rebuild.

Michael Petti

Frank, who’s known for his work at Kindig-it Design and as a TV personality on “Bitchin’ Rides,” mentioned that Alex loves Power Wagons, and is particularly obsessed with shortbed versions of Dodge’s rugged four-wheel-drive truck.

“Alex knew it was a rare truck just by the appearance and package,” Frank said. “The photos also proved it was really clean and rust free. She spoke to the seller and found out it was a big-block four-wheel drive and told me about it. We went to look at it and fell in love with it.”

Dodge’s bold and beautiful trucks

For 1972, Dodge’s pickup received a styling overhaul with an extensive appearance change. The new look was inspired by MoPar’s fuselage styling that came and went on all of the Chrysler Corp.’s brands — Plymouth, Dodge, Chrysler and Imperial — starting as early as 1969 and ending as late as 1974, depending on the model. With the fuselage style, the vehicle’s body sides were curved, as on a plane. The side glass curved in at the top of the greenhouse, while the lower body sides bowed inward at the rocker panels. The fuselage car’s beltline was very high so that the side windows were diminutive. Fortunately, this gun-sight vision did not occur on the Dodge pickup. In fact, windshield and back window areas significantly increased with the 1972 redesign. Like the cars, the Dodge pickup had a starched, slab-sided look with the A and B pillars smoothly melded with the lower body. This envelope, rectangular style stayed around for 20 years until the “big rig”-designed Dodge Ram came along in 1994.

From 1977 to 1980, Dodge rewrote the truck rule book for the in-crowd by building far-out trucks with bright and bold graphic packages and mag wheels that were holdovers from its Super Bee- and Challenger R/T-building muscle car days. Dodge’s “adult toy” trucks of the late 1970s began with the Street Van that was often further tricked out by “van hippies;” the Warlock stepside pickup with wood bed trim and gold spike wheels and accent striping; and Macho versions of the Ramcharger sport-utility and Power Wagon. In 1978, the Dodge Li’l Red Express pickup with bed-side exhaust stacks, gold graphics and wood trim was introduced. By 1981, all were history.

Interior with a seat cover in orange, black, and white. Note the painted metal ceiling so there’s no headliner to sag.

Michael Petti

A Macho with True Spirit

Alex and Frank’s Power Wagon comes from the peak of Dodge’s graphic-happy truck period. These colorful and striped trucks are getting hotter by the day, but the couple thinks their truck remained available upon their discovery because it needed work.

“The truck likely appeared to be a headache to other buyers, as the seller was halfway between finishing the axle swap he started, and the brake and fuel system were not present,” Frank said. “We saw a diamond in the rough. Alex and I restore classic muscle cars and trucks at Fanelli Restorations in Murray, Utah, so we were ready for the challenge. I once worked on custom cars at Kindig-it Design and formerly did metal fabrication bodywork on the show ‘Bitchin’ Rides.’ I left both venues to go on an active Army tour. Alex has a background in upholstery and general mechanics.”

The Fanellis are saving this rare Power Wagon from going to the great interstate in the sky. So far, they have rebuilt the Dana 60 rear axle and are completing a rebuild of the front Dana 44 axle. The driveshaft has been refurbished and the chassis has been painted. When Alex and Frank purchased the pickup, it came with a burly 335-hp 383-cid V-8 engine transplanted from a 1970 Dodge Challenger. A MoPar A-727 automatic currently transfers those horses to the pavement. However, the seller gave Frank and Alex the truck’s original 440-cid V-8 engine block as well as a four-speed transmission.

The truck now has a 383-cid V-8 from a 1970 Challenger pumping out 335 hp.

Michael Petti

The truck wears its original paint and has the white pinstriping found on a Power Wagon with the rare True Spirit package, and the rollbar, sidesteps and front bumper bars of the Macho package.

Michael Petti

After buying the pickup, Alex and Frank fitted it with new wheels and meaty tires. When we last checked in with them, they were preparing to plumb the fuel system and rebuild the brake system.

“The exterior is the original Sunburst Orange paint while the interior is black and tan,” Frank said. The instrument cluster and steering wheel are black, while the door panels are tan. At some point, the original bench seat was replaced with a seat from an ’80s Dodge truck. Alex installed an orange, black and white cover over it.”

“We refreshed the interior, gathered parts to complete the dash and gauges to proper factory appearance,” Alex said. The interior typifies the simplicity of an earlier time; this is typified by the painted metal panel on the inside of the cab roof. As a plus, there’s no fabric headliner that might sag.”

“The truck presents a bit of a conundrum, as it has a white stripe kit on the sides of the exterior similar to the California dealer-only True Spirit package, yet bears front bumper bars, side steps and stainless rollbar in the bed like a Macho Power Wagon, another rare dealer option of the era,” Frank said. “This truck came from Arizona, and we believe the dealer or original owner chose to dress it up as so. It’s a hybrid of the True Spirit and Macho packages, so I have joked it is the ‘True Macho’ Power Wagon.”

“The truck has an interesting history,” Frank added. “It came from Burge Motor Company in Kingman, Arizona. The original dealer sticker is still on the driver side of the tailgate showing this. It was owned by a woman who got into trouble with her life choices and had to relinquish the truck as collateral for the debts to her drug dealer. Then the dealer sold the truck to the man we purchased the truck from. Amazingly, the truck only bears a dent along the driver’s rocker panel for being owned by such a tumultuous original owner.”

The Fanellis recently welcomed their first child, so the Power Wagon project has been slightly delayed. We’re sure they’ll have it back on the road soon enough to drive their child to preschool in true macho style. 

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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 20th 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.

1961 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster

Worldwide Auctioneers

Auburn, Indiana. – After a focused run of expanded sales at its dedicated auction headquarters in Auburn, Indiana, Worldwide Auctioneers is gearing up for a return to Arizona in January with another curated offering of world-class cars and a new date to kick off the weekend. The catalogue for the company’s boutique sale, the Scottsdale Auction, is now online. The live auction is scheduled for 11am on Friday, January 26, with an iconic, fastidiously restored 1961 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster headlining the catalogue cover. Selling at no reserve and presented in stunning factory black over factory red interior, the car is extensively documented and offered for sale from enthusiast ownership.

 “Timeless in design and capable of exceptional performance, the 300SL Roadster ranks among the most influential sports cars ever produced, and this is a spectacular, brilliantly presented example”, said Rod Egan, Principal and Chief Auctioneer. “We’re excited to be back in Arizona in January, launching the auction year with a very diverse collection of great cars, over half of which are offered at no reserve.”

The Scottsdale Auction will once again be staged on the beautiful, expansive grounds of Singh Meadows, just outside Scottsdale in Tempe, Arizona.

Other significant European sports cars slated for the sale include a Ferrari Classiche Certified

2001 Ferrari 550 Barchetta

Worldwide Auctioneers

2001 Ferrari 550 Barchetta, number 13 of just 448 special edition open-top cars produced after its original unveiling at the Paris Show in 2000, in commemoration of the 70th anniversary of Pininfarina. Notable pre-war consignments include an impeccably documented Pebble Beach award-winning

1940 Packard Darrin 1807 Convertible Sedan 

Worldwide Auctioneers

1940 Packard Darrin 1807 Convertible Sedan with a fascinating history. One of only eleven built, it was delivered new to Earl C. Anthony Packard in Los Angeles, immediately used as a show car, and is today restored to its as-new, factory documented specifications. Also crossing the block is a well-documented 1949 Delahaye 135M Cabriolet, one of just a handful of examples bodied in Chapron’s “long-nose” style, authenticated by President of Club Delahaye, Jean-Paul Tissot.

1949 Delahaye 135M Cabriolet

Worldwide Auctioneers

2005 Ford GT 

Worldwide Auctioneers

2004 Lamborghini Murcielago ‘Six-Speed’ Coupe 

Worldwide Auctioneers

1968 Shelby GT350 Convertible Coupe

Worldwide Auctioneers

Supercars are well-represented at the Scottsdale Auction, among them an exceptional 2005 Ford GT with just 2,517 miles from new, desirably equipped with all four factory options and 1 of just 756 manufactured in Mark IV Red Clearcoat for 2005. Lamborghini enthusiasts can look forward to a menacing triple-black 2009 Lamborghini Murcielago Roadster, offered at no reserve with just two owners and 4,300 miles from new, and a very desirable 2004 Lamborghini Murcielago ‘Six-Speed’ Coupe with factory sport exhaust and factory two-tone yellow interior. Other important consignments include a well-documented 1958 Porsche 356A Speedster with just three owners from new and 55 years of single ownership, and an expertly restored, numbers-matching 1971 Plymouth Cuda 440-6 Coupe in factory Plum Crazy over black interior. Also slated for the sale is an outstanding 1968 Shelby GT350 Convertible Coupe, with factory Shelby Paxton Supercharger, signed by Carroll Shelby himself, and an impeccably documented 1964 Sunbeam Tiger MKI Roadster, Serial # 1, offered with an extensive four-year photo documented body-off-the-frame-restoration. Extensively restored and upgraded, a stately 1989 Daimler DS420 Limousine used to chauffeur Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II while on tour in New Zealand in 2002 is also set to go under the hammer. Consignments can be browsed in detail online and discussed with a Worldwide specialist at 1.260.925.6789 or sales@worldwideauctioneers.com.

SCOTTSDALE AUCTION DETAILS

The Scottsdale Auction is scheduled for 11am on Friday, January 26, 2024, with preview days on Wednesday, January 24 and Thursday, January 25 from 9am to 6pm. For details on bidder registration, general admission, and the full schedule, visit worldwideauctioneers.com or call 1.260.925.6789.

About Worldwide Auctioneers – Worldwide Auctioneers is a U.S.-based, boutique catalogue auction company that is unique in having principals who are owner auctioneers, wholly invested in seamlessly delivering the optimal result for every client. In addition to the acquisition and sale of classic automobiles at auction, it offers an extensive range of personalized services to the serious collector, including appraisal, collection direction and consultancy, estate planning and asset management. For those seeking to sell a car or collection privately, the company’s private sales division incorporates The Gallery showroom, housed within a 200,000-square-foot, climate-controlled facility at its Auburn headquarters, along with a dedicated memorabilia division. Worldwide’s annual schedule includes the Scottsdale Auction in January, the Enthusiast Auction in April in Auburn, Indiana, the Auburn Auction, held over Labor Day Weekend in Indiana, and stand-alone auctions of significant private collections.

If you like stories like these and other classic car features, check out Old Cars magazine. CLICK HERE to subscribe.

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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!

This stunning car is a Concours-ready, Ferrari Classiche-certified example of a beautifully restored 275GTB/4. A long and detailed history only serves to highlight its excellent provenance. This 275 that I photographed at Concours of Elegance 2020 was originally purchased by Giuseppe Pagni of Milan through the official Ferrari dealer MG Crepaldi Automobili. This car then had a ten-year stint in the US, before returning to Europe in the 1980s to reside in Switzerland. Esteemed dealer Albrecht Guggisberg of Oldtimer-Garage Ltd drove it at the Grand Prix of Gollion in 1988. Oldtimer had the car advertised and at auctions from 1988-2002, at which point it was bought by Gaspare Baresi.

Baresi commissioned a full restoration by SD Autocostruzione in Torino, Italy whereby the 275GTB/4 was finished in the quintessential Ferrari combination of red over tan and retrofitted with cleverly hidden air-conditioning. The car was campaigned by Baresi during the Montreux Grand Prix race no.32, and was subsequently offered up for sale by RM Sotheby’s at the inaugural 2011 Villa d’Este auction, where it was purchased by British dealer Tom Hartley.

The Ferrari was then bought by Matthew Munson, who registered it on English plates, had it repainted to Grigio Ferro, and showed it at the Goodwood Revival still with its tan interior. In October 2011 it was retrimmed with the present Bordeaux leather by the legendary Luppi of Modena, and it underwent a further refurbishment at Bob Houghton in December of the same year. This 275GTB/4 is a desirable model in pristine condition with untouched bodywork. The car hasn’t been in any accidents so the curves are all original, sitting just as they were formed on bucks in 1967.

Having been reconditioned by JD Classics, the model was recently purchased by its current owner and is presented with its original tool roll, full set of books and Ferrari Classiche documentation. While this confirms that the engine isn’t original, the replacement is a period-correct block that has been restamped with the original chassis-matching number. It’s a beautifully restored, strikingly optioned 275GTB/4 with an outstanding provenance.

ENGINE

3.3-litre V12, double overhead camshaft, 300bhp, six carburettors

CONFIGURATION

Front engine, five-speed manual gearbox, rear-wheel drive, tubular chassis, unequal-length wishbones and coil springs, discs all round

The post A Restored and Beautiful 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 appeared first on My Car Heaven.

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.

Trans Am Worldwide 70/SS

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

The Fiat Panda 4×4 is celebrating its 40th anniversary and is receiving special recognition from the Stellantis Heritage Department. This tribute includes a video revisiting the iconic model’s global adventures and the sale of a meticulously restored 2001 Trekking version from the company’s collection.  With a remarkable history of over 800,000 units sold across three […]

Gran Turismo “the movie” is now available on Netflix, bringing together automotive enthusiasts and generations across the auto community who are into both gaming and racing simulation. For those who are not familiar with the Gran Turismo name, it is a PlayStation exclusive gaming simulation series with years of innovation to include the most popular […]

The post Gran Turismo on Netflix appeared first on CarShowz.com.