Welcome to the weekend! Thanks for stopping by for another installment of Car Connections, a game in which I take three words from the Random Word Generator and use my car-obsessed brain to somehow link each of them to automobiles. This week’s words are fee, salon, and theme. How would you associate these words with cars? Tell us in the Comments section below.

Fee: Modern cars offer a lot of subscription-based convenience features but typically, if you get one with heated seats, you don’t have to keep paying for them. A few years ago, BMW rethought that model and made heated seats a subscription feature. This caused people to get hot under the collar (pun absolutely intended), which led BMW to backing away from the idea. My Hyundai Sonata may not be a luxury car, but I’ll never have to pay a monthly fee for its heated seats. That reminds me: My three years of complimentary Bluelink convenience, safety, and car care features is almost up, so I’ll have to decide if I want to start paying for them. Remotely starting my car from my phone and getting the air conditioning pumping sure is nice in the middle of a scorching Phoenix summer …

Salon: Hair. Those hair dryers attached to salon chairs that look like helmets. Those bring me to hats — and Chevrolet C/K trucks, such as this 1987 K10.

A few years ago, I learned that there are racks you can put in your truck that keep your cowboy hat out of the way and safe from getting bent or crushed. If I remember correctly, the first one I saw was in a “Square Body” Chevrolet truck. Both the rack and the pickup are so simple yet so functional.

Theme: Theme song. Many of those come to mind, but the one I’ve heard the most is the James Bond theme. If you saw Timothy Dalton’s last outing as 007, the 1989 movie “License to Kill,” you heard a short and unusual version of the song. At the end of the film, Bond is trying to sabotage a convoy of trucks filled with a mixture of gasoline and cocaine to foil the plans of drug lord Franz Sanchez (played by Robert Davi). While Bond is hanging on for dear life under one of the trucks as it speeds through the desert, Sanchez fires at him with a machine gun, the bullets ricocheting and playing a hollow, metallic variation of one snippet of the theme song (you can hear it from 0:41-0:48 in the video below).

So what’s the connection to cars? Sanchez shoots from the rear seat of a Maserati Biturbo 425i, which is powered by a 188-horsepower 2.5-liter twin-turbo V6.

It’s no mystery that I’m fascinated with high-mileage cars. My friend Justin has a 1.1-million-mile Honda Accord, and I just recently learned about another one about to move into seven-figure mileage territory.

 A member of the “Drive Accord” forums named Jack, who calls himself the “Lone Road Ranger,” is currently at 992,000 miles on the original engine and transmission of his 1994 Honda Accord EX station wagon at the time of this writing. He has named the car “Grandma.” Jack explains, “This is isn’t just any car; it’s a testament to car maintenance and Honda’s enduring reliability.”

Jack bought the car with about 22,000 miles back in 1996 from a Ford dealership. It served as his work commuter for sales trips in the kitchen cabinet industry. Incidentally, his prior car was an earlier-generation Accord LX-i that racked up 360,000 miles before being retired.

Jack started his YouTube channel in 2011 for the purpose of sharing unique road trip destinations. He later published a video in July 2025 where he chronicled several of the memorable dates and locations of milestones achieved by Grandma. He didn’t start actively documenting the roll-overs with photos or videos until after completing 500,000 miles.

Here are some of the noteworthy roll-overs:

• 500,000 miles: Winfield, Kansas, January 12, 2012
• 550,000 miles: Tulsa, Oklahoma, December 5, 2012
• 570,000 miles: West Frankfort, Illinois, July 17, 2013
• 590,000 miles: Mountain View, Arkansas, January 29, 2014
• 600,000 miles: Little Rock, Arkansas, April 8, 2014
• 610,000 miles: Alva, Oklahoma, June 5, 2014
• 637,637 miles: Parsons, Kansas, December 13, 2014
• 650,007 miles: Dallas, Texas, March 30, 2015
• 700,000 miles: Ada, Oklahoma, February 5, 2016
• 733,333 miles: Branson, Missouri, January 5, 2017
• 750,000 miles: St. Louis, Missouri, April 11, 2017
• 777,777 miles: Spring, Texas, November 2, 2017
• 795,000 miles: St. Louis, Missouri, March 20, 2018
• 800,000 miles: Salina, Kansas, April 12, 2018
• 860,000 miles: Bentonville, Arkansas, January 15, 2020
• 867,000 miles: St. Marys, Kansas, March 14, 2020
• 880,000 miles: Osage Beach, Missouri, September 17, 2020
• 899,000 miles: Eureka Springs, Arkansas, May 28, 2021
• 942,589 miles: Guthrie, Oklahoma, February 5, 2023
• 948,888 miles: Chesterfield, Missouri, May 4, 2023
• 974,000 miles: Independence, Kansas, October 10, 2024
• 975,000 miles: Joplin, Missouri, October 25, 2024
• 977,001 miles: Parsons, Kansas, December 12, 2024
• 979,900 miles: Flower Mound, Texas, April 4, 2024

This wagon has been to 31 of the 48 contiguous states! The high-mileage journey has not been without its mishaps, however. One of the memorable speed bumps in the road was a deer collision in February 2014 in Missouri. Another deer incident happened in 2024. Jack nearly ran out of fuel on a Denver trip, as he put in 14.9 gallons in a fuel tank that has a 15-gallon capacity.

Jack’s Accord is powered by its original, VTEC-equipped, 2.2-liter “F22B1” that was rated at 145 horsepower and 147 lb-ft of torque. A four-speed automatic transaxle with “Grade Logic Control” sends power to the front wheels. The EX model was the top-line trim and features such as a stabilizer bar, anti-lock brakes, and power convenience options.

Jack says that Grandma has received four radiators, four alternators, and three air conditioning compressors. The car’s maintenance routine has included Mobil 1 oil changes every 6,000 miles, a timing belt change every 100,000 miles, and automatic transmission fluid changes every 50,000 miles. The interior is original with the exception of a modernized audio setup.

“I’m really proud of her,” Jack concludes.

We will be waiting and watching for his big milestone!

History has proven that performance-oriented vehicles don’t have to come in coupe-only body styles. We recently looked at a Saleen-modified Ford F-150 which helped illustrate that. There have been plenty of hot-rod sedans over the years, too, and a standout from three decades ago is the Impala SS. Featured on AutoHunter is a 1996 Chevrolet Impala SS listed for sale by a private seller in Chicago, Illinois.

The seventh-generation Impala (built for model years 1994-96) first reached the public eye in concept form at the Detroit Auto Show in 1992, boasting a design penned by Jon Moss. The car was engineered to pay homage to the Chevrolets of the muscle car era. Car and Driver said, “By living up to the standards set by the legendary Super Sport Chevys of the 1960s, the Impala SS represents a new type of retro niche vehicle.”

When interviewed by Motor Trend in 2002, Moss said he considered the Impala SS (and similar, full-sized, rear-wheel drive V-8 American performance sedans like the Mercury Marauder which had recently been released) a “swan song” because of impending government mandates, escalating fuel prices, and emissions regulations. Moss was absolutely right. Over two decades later, the only car of its kind that remains in production might be the Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing. The Dodge Charger has moved to an inline-six, and Ford has stopped producing contemporary sedans altogether. In fact, the only traditional car that Ford still builds at all is the Mustang. Times have sure changed.

This Impala has reportedly had just one owner since 2000, and the odometer shows fewer than 50,000 original miles. Exterior features include black paint, tinted glass, dual power mirrors, rear spoiler, clear-lens taillights, and 17-inch cast-aluminum wheels.

The cabin has gray-trimmed upholstery with a 45/45 front seat and floor console up front. Interior features include aftermarket carbon fiber trim, power driver seat, power door locks, power windows, power steering, tilt wheel, air conditioning, AM/FM stereo, cruise control, front and rear reading lamps, cup holders, and intermittent windshield wipers. The audio system has been upgraded to a modern Kenwood setup with USB and Bluetooth connectivity.

Under the hood is an LT1 5.7-liter V-8 that was rated at 260 horsepower and 330 lb-ft of torque. A 4L60-E four-speed automatic transmission sends power to the rear wheels. The SS package added mechanical equipment including “decarbon” shocks, heavy-duty cooling, “Ride and Drive” suspension, and limited-slip differential. An oil change was performed in April 2026.

Today, the final-generation Impala SS is a sought-after American muscle sedan. Here’s your chance to own an icon. The auction for this 1996 Chevrolet Impala SS ends Tuesday, April 28, 2026, at 11:45 a.m. (PDT).

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and a photo gallery

At the higher end of European collector cars, there are very few bargains available, with most cars costing many hundreds of thousands of dollars (and many crossing the million dollar marque). Cars such as the Ferrari Daytona, the Lamborghini 350/400 series, and even many top-tier Porsche cars, seem to be priced at a level that is unobtainable for many. Our Pick of the Day is a car that somehow, despite its amazing good looks, strong performance, and great reputation, is still at an entry-level price in comparison. This 1970 Maserati Ghibli is listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a dealership in Farmingdale, New York.

The Ghibli is in many ways the last true classic Maserati road car, still having plenty of DNA from the cars that built the legendary brand in the 1950-60s. Initially introduced at as a concept car at the November 1966 Turin Motor Show, the Ghibli was designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro while working at Ghia. It has been called one of the most stunning designs in the history of Maserati.

The Ghibli was powered by a front-mounted 306-horsepower, four-cam, dry sump 4,719cc V8 engine and usually mated to a five-speed ZF manual gearbox, though a three-speed automatic transmission was offered as an option. This gave a 0-60 time of 6.8 seconds and a top speed of 164 mph as recorded in period tests, which was quite amazing performance for the era.

The Ghibli presented here is said to be chassis number AM115.1674. The seller calls it a remarkable example of one of Maserati’s most iconic grand tourers. It was ordered as a U.S.-spec car with a rare automatic transmission, but happily this Ghibli was converted early in its life to a much more desirable five-speed, complete with correct linkage and pedals.

The exterior of this car looks to be in excellent condition, with fine paint and brightwork. The seller states that this is a rust-free example with an immaculate undercarriage, something very important in an Italian car of this era.

The interior, in its original color of white leather, looks spectacular when contrasted with the paint. The seats and door cards also appears to be in great shape, as does the dash. There are a few small issues on the center console, but these car be easily rectified for not much money. Did I mention how much more comfortable the seats are in a Ghibli when compared to a Daytona?

As you know, the original 4.7-liter V-8 produces 310 horsepower. The seller adds that the car delivers smooth and powerful performance with proper oil pressure and no overheating issues. Looking at the engine compartment, everything looks as it should. I say this having owned a Ghibli in the same striking color of metallic burgundy, which the seller discloses is a color change from the cars original pale blue paint.

I bought my Ghibli years ago, right after I sold my Daytona. The styling of both is very similar, yet the Ghibli sells for considerably less than the Daytona. Having owned both, I feel the Ghibli may be a bit more sedate in styling but, as a classic Italian GT, it is a better-driving car than the Daytona. It has features like power steering and added interior space, which makes the Ghibli so much more enjoyable. No, it is not a Ferrari, but it is an equal.

The Ghibli was arguably the end of the classic Maserati era, with later cars being mid-engine designs and much different vehicles. If I were choosing between a Daytona and a Ghibli today, the latter would be it. The transmission change on this example only makes a great car better and more fun to drive, and the color change does not bother me either. This Ghibli is the perfect car to take on a classic car driving event such as the Copperstate 1000 or to drive out to Monterey.

Now for the best part: this 1970 Maserati Ghibli is offered for $145,500, which is a price that is one-third the price of a comparable Daytona. Heck, it’s less money than a new Porsche 911, which is crazy! If you consider that Maserati built 1,170 Ghibli coupes (while Ferrari built 1,284 Daytona coupes), it could be suggested it doesn’t make much sense that the Maserati Ghibli is so much less expensive. What that means to me is that the Ghibli (especially one this nice) presents a unique opportunity in the collector car world.

Click here to view this Pick of the Day on ClassicCars.com

Captive American imports in other lands intrigue me, as you may have seen from my recent stories on cars from Argentina. After focusing on Falcons and other Fords, it is time for some General Motors love. (Thanks are in order for Michael and his Flickr page for the use of his scans.)

Just like the 1962 Chevrolet Chevy II began as a conventional response to the Ford Falcon, the Argentinian-built Chevy II made its first appearance in 1962, but it was known as the Chevrolet 400. The 1965-66 models looked like the American 1965, but starting in 1967, General Motors Argentina began to give the Chevrolet 400 its own spin. The base Special trim level continued to be built with dual headlights, but the Super, Super Deluxe, and all-new Super Sport came with quads. These cars would be produced through 1974 with different variations among trim levels (including a Rally Sport!).

The third-generation Chevy II (the one Americans had beginning with the 1968 model year) joined the Argentinean market at the end of the summer of 1969, but it did not replace the 400, instead being positioned as two different models. The new car was called the “Chevrolet Chevy” and was available as a coupe and sedan in several trim levels, including Super Sport, though every single one was powered by a straight-six. Over time, a luxe Chevy Malibu and more performance-oriented SS Serie 2 (with several stripe designs through 1978) appeared before the Chevy was laid to rest.

If this article is of interest to you, click on the tag “Argentina” at the top of the story so you can read about other captive imports in the Argentinean market.

What happens when a car that was never meant to be fancy gets completely rethought by one of the best in the business? At SEMA 2025, we walked up on “Haraka”, a 1970 Plymouth Road Runner that was overhauled by Steve Strope and Pure Vision Design. This build has an enlarged version of the Road Runner’s big-block V-8 as well as a watch-inspired dash, fashion-influenced interior touches, custom Inkwell Violet paint, and Heidts’ new independent front and rear suspension systems.

In this video, we take a closer look at what makes Haraka so different, and whether this kind of reimagined Mopar still has what made the original Road Runner so cool in the first place.

This video is sponsored by HowToo. Stop digging through forums and YouTube. Orion puts diagnosis, repair instructions, and guided videos in one place, plus exact-fit parts from your favorite brands at distributor-level pricing. It’s 100% free. Try it today at https://howtoo.com.

When you are eating at a restaurant, do you trust the server to suggest a dish? Or are you afraid that (s)he’ll recommend the lobster with caviar and truffles, and therefore you keep your questions to yourself? Luckily, you can trust me to show you some of the more interesting vehicles listed for sale on AutoHunter without fear of my lack of chops or overspending.

This week’s AutoHunter Picks include a vehicle as old as the ones that inspired it when it was introduced, a sedan that once was THE car for the rich, a classic not-oft-seen pony car, and an Italian thoroughbred that sought to restore its good name. Which recommendation is your choice?

1996 Chevrolet Impala SS
Is there such a thing as a compromise muscle car? The 1994-96 Chevrolet Impala SS may be the epitome: It carries the whole family and has horsepower like the good ol’ days, yet that horsepower is reliable thanks to fuel injection and other modernities.

Plus, it’s the last of the General Motors’ classic RWD sedans (though at the time it didn’t feel that way with the 1990s design). These have been modern collectibles for a while (even though they’re a throwback), and we know you’ve been wanting one forever.

1997 Rolls-Royce Silver Spur
Once the darling of the SoCal set, these Rolls-Royces are now somewhat of a curiosity, though they’re 100 percent British in ways that Rolls-Royce can never claim today. If you thought Bentley was the only one to receive a turbo V-8, then consider yourself enlightened as the ’97 Rolls-Royce was the recipient of this enhanced engine.

The Silver Spur differed from the Silver Spirit via a wheelbase that was four inches longer. If you’re a baller and a Luddite, look no further.

1969 AMC Javelin
When you see these, they tend to be the SST, the more deluxe model. This one is a base model, which adds a bit more intrigue than your usual Javelin. I dig the green-tinged Caravelle Blue, and the mid-year racing stripe and Cragars give it street cred with a look much more substantial than its 343 may suggest.

If you’re a driver-oriented enthusiast, this is a fine one to consider, especially if you’re not of the “me-too” persuasion.

2002 Maserati Coupé Cambiocorsa
Back when Maserati was enduring challenging times of survival, it hoped the 2002 Coupé and Spyder would restore the brand in the graces of enthusiasts around the world. Giugiaro’s ItalDesign handled the design, while a Ferrari-based V-8 played the other part in returning the brand to its former glory.

Cambiocorsa models received a six-speed automated manual transaxle with hydraulic operation and electronic management. In total, 13,423 were built, with 5,371 being Coupé Cambiocorsa models.

Certain things may fade away into the background, but they don’t truly leave you. Once you learn how to ride a bike, you never forget. I’ve discovered the same is true for particular interests. I don’t always listen to Billy Joel, but his music has been a consistent part of my life for the past 25-plus years and it will be going forward. Several days ago, I came across an early 1960s Buick Skylark Convertible and it reminded me how much I love the design. Our Pick of the Day also reminded me of the same. You can find this 1962 Buick Skylark Convertible listed on ClassicCars.com by a dealership in Ramsey, Minnesota. The 10-minute video below shows an exterior/interior tour, the operation of the power top, and driving footage.

When it comes to a car’s looks, sometimes size matters. I recently saw a small late-model German convertible and thought it looked so stubby and runty. It didn’t have enough real estate to express a design with grace the way its larger, more upmarket sibling did. That’s what makes this Skylark drop-top so wonderful — as Buick’s “Happy-Medium Size” model, it’s not the brand’s massive flagship, but it looks attractive, intentional, and complete. Even better, it comes across as special. The quad round headlights are set between the tips of the blade-like fenders which, of course, feature Buick‘s signature VentiPorts. A prominent crease starts above the dramatic slope of the front wheel arch and gently dips town toward the rear arch’s flat top. Metallic trim wraps around the rear end and encases the slim tail lights, giving the Skylark a jewelry-like flourish. There really is no bad angle to this car. Even the wheels, with their turbine-style covers and thin-whitewall tires, add to the Skylark’s distinctive looks and presence.

This particular car seems to have aged well and benefited from key updates. The selling dealer states that the paint is in good shape, although it does have some minor blemishes (as you’d expect on a car of this age). Fortunately, the top’s mechanical components — the weak point of any convertible — are new. “The power convertible top has new lines and pump installed and the top works, but you will need to unzip the back window for it to go down all the way.”

The blue vinyl interior is more conservative and has an appealing geometric simplicity to it. The door panels have grid-like inserts, which flank the tufted front bucket seats. The slim, two-spoke wheel is connected to power steering. Behind that is a column-mounted shifter for the Dual-Path Turbine Drive two-speed automatic and a horizontal gauge cluster with a ribbed metallic fascia.

In a way, the engine pairs perfectly with this car’s styling. Once again, the Skylark shows there’s no penalty for going smaller. You might expect it to have a V-6, but it doesn’t — it’s powered by a 215ci V-8 with 11:1 compression that helped it reach factory ratings of 190 horsepower and 235 lb-ft of torque. Interestingly, both the block and the heads were made out of aluminum alloy, which was cool stuff for the era.

If you’re also a big fan of the Skylark’s design, you’ll never need a reminder of how good it looks if you see it every day. You can do that after you buy this 1962 Buick Skylark Convertible for $17,980.

Click here to view this Pick of the Day on ClassicCars.com

Every spring brings the Easter Jeep Safari (EJS), a week-long event in Moab, Utah, filled with off-road adventures and Jeep concept vehicles. The only catch is that many of the one-off builds will never make it into production because they’re based on old models, such as the 1984-2001 XJ Cherokee, or too extremely modified for public consumption. However, you can expect to see the 1980s/1990s-themed Wrangler Rewind from the 2025 EJS on a road or trail near you because Jeep turned it into its latest Twelve 4 Twelve release. Jeep is even going to make a Gladiator Rewind special edition.

Instead of drawing upon Jeep’s World War II past, the Rewind’s designers went back to the decades in which many of them were born, the 1980-90s, and incorporated the bright colors, bold graphics, and early gaming and digital design of the times.

Jeep based the Rewind on the Willys model, but gave it a totally rad visual overhaul. Color choices for the body and the matching fender flares include Bright White, Granite Crystal, Anvil, Gloss Black, Hydro Blue, Joose, Earl (Wrangler only), and Reign, which appear to pair extremely well with the colorful exterior graphics “inspired by the bold hues and patterns of the mixtape and roller skate era.”

Other touches include gold wheels and tow hooks; only the Wrangler gets a special plaque on the swing‑gate and a spare tire cover with the multicolor graphics. Of course, Jeep made sure to add useful hardware, which consists of off-road tires and steel rock rails.

Inside, you won’t find a chunky built-in car phone, but there is a seven-inch driver information screen, heated steering wheel, adaptive cruise control, heated front seats, and more. An Off-Road+ mode and a locking rear differential maximize the Rewind’s ability to fast-forward through rough terrain. It’s easy to see the influence of the 8-bit arcade era on the Nappa leather seats’ embossed inserts. The cap for the shift knob has an equally nostalgic dot-matrix design on it. In addition, Jeep outfitted the throwback Wrangler and Gladiator models with all-weather mats and special cupholder plaques.

Back in the day, $1,900 could buy you a lot of Starter jackets but, these days, that’s how much the Rewind treatment adds to the price of a comparably equipped 2026 Jeep Wrangler or Gladiator. Look for both models in Jeep dealerships starting in May. Did you really think it would miss the opportunity to launch these during beach-friendly weather? In the words of Cher Horowitz (who drove a YJ Wrangler in 1995’s “Clueless”): As if!

Utah is home to some of the most beautiful and diverse scenery on the planet. It’s also one of nine states in the nation where you can legally drive 80 mph on the interstate. During a recent 1,700-mile road trip to the Salt Lake City area earlier this month, I was reminded of this while heading northbound on Interstate 15.

In case you were wondering, Texas holds the record for the highest speed limit in the United States for a 41-mile, 85-mph stretch of road called the Pickle Parkway (otherwise known as State Highway 130) near Austin. It’s a toll road, and the rates vary — without a pass, the state currently charges about $28 to drive the entire stretch.

Texas is also one of the nine states with non-toll 80-mph speed limits. The others include: Idaho, Montana, Nevada, North Dakota (just added last August), South Dakota, Oklahoma, Utah, and Wyoming. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has posted a complete grid with state-by-state limits. I also tracked down a map that has the distribution by state (and in some cases, by county).

Worth noting: the distribution clearly shows that most states with higher speed limits are found in the wide-open West. That’s because the 80-mph stretches are usually reserved for rural areas. Sometimes, limits are lower for trucks or for nighttime driving. It was along one of those rural stretches in Utah where I pulled off the interstate for a photo of my car as it rolled 150,000 miles.

Some of you might remember that back in the mid-to-late 1990s, Montana had what was called a “reasonable and prudent” speed limit on some stretches of road. That was abolished by the Montana Supreme Court in 1999, but the idea of “no speed limits” still comes up from time to time.

For example, in Arizona, news circulated back in December about a proposed bill called the Reasonable and Prudent Interstate Driving (RAPID) Act. It would effectively eliminate speed limits on rural roads, starting with a pilot stretch of Interstate 8. As of this writing, the bill is still under consideration at the Arizona state house. As always, speed limits are a hot topic because of public safety concerns.

For those who are real speed demons, if you’ve ever wanted to legally drive your own car at speeds of up to 170 mph on a (closed) public highway, there are opportunities in “open road racing” that can help you scratch that itch. In a future story, I’ll tell you all about my experience in participating at one such event in northern Nevada a number of years ago. Until then, happy (and speedy) motoring!