The sport of drag racing has been around for nearly 100 years, first getting its start on dry lake beds in the 1930s. The landscape at the time was rebellious and informal, sometimes involving illegal street racing. But by about 1950, permanent drag strips started popping up (usually on paved airfields), and things evolved from there.

The National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) was formed in 1951 by Wally Parks. At the time, he was editor of Hot Rod magazine and wanted to bring structure, legitimacy, and safety regulations into the picture. The organization is still very much alive and well in 2026, with events like the Las Vegas Nationals and the In-N-Out Burger NHRA Finals slated to take place in the coming weeks.

The timeline — at least in terms of the momentum that took place in drag racing in the 1950s — is important because it was a factor in the birth of a specific type of race car. “Gassers” were named as such because they were fueled by regular gasoline instead of alcohol. Even though I have been around hot rods my whole life, I never really understood or researched much into what the gasser look was all about, but a 1956 Chevrolet on display at a car show in Arizona prompted me to learn more.

Typically, a gasser will use a stock car body combined with a highly modified powertrain. Some of the key design features usually include a lifted front suspension with a solid straight axle and leaf springs. The idea behind that was to help with weight transfer (and traction) at the rear tires during launches. Another common engineering feature was the routing of headers through the front fender wells. Finally, as with any race-ready build, weight reduction was key, so sometimes extra trim was removed.

Ultimately, the NHRA phased out gas classes in the early 1970s, and that was one of the things that caused the gasser era to scale back, but it’s fun to still see custom builds showcasing the gasser look.

Based on the “331” on the front fenders, we have a basic idea of specs for the car’s V-8, but I wasn’t able to interview the owner to find out much else.

It looked like the passenger was having the ride of his or her life (or death?). I’m glad I was able to get up close and personal with a gasser because it’s something different from a run-of-the-mill hot rod or restomod.

If you’re planning a romantic evening, each component must work well together to create one memorable experience: The lighting has to work with the environment; the music has to match the mood; the right wine should be paired with the right food. This perfectly describes Alfa Romeo’s “bellezza necessaria” (necessary beauty) design philosophy that’s showcased with the Italian automaker’s Cuorerosso concept car, which combines aesthetics, functionality, technology, and quality while paying homage to the brand’s heritage.

“Alfa Romeo has always created cars that are capable not only of moving people, but of arousing something within them. It is this human-machine connection, fueled by a unique culture of the Italian spirit, sportiness and passion, which makes each of our cars an Alfa Romeo,” says Santo Ficili, Alfa Romeo and Maserati CEO. “With Cuorerosso, we bring this identity into the future, one open to different energy solutions, in which technology, function and quality are always at the service of emotions and driving pleasure.”

The model name Cuorerosso is a compound of two different Italian words: “Cuore” means heart and “rosso” means red. For Alfa Romeo, red is the hue of passion; because the concept is a red-on-red, it brings to mind that this car is meant to combine driving passion while offering its heart towards the brand’s roots.

The Cuorerosso is at the intersection of a gran turismo and a supercar. From its “Coda Tronca” (truncated tail) to its grille featuring symbols of the cross and the biscione, the Alfa’s bodylines work in conjunction with each exterior component to achieve an aerodynamic coefficient of 0.28.

Under the hood is a 565-horsepower biturbo V-6 working in tandem with lithium-ion batteries. Underneath, an air suspension system and Brembo carbon-ceramic brakes come in handy on track day or every day.

At about six feet, six inches wide, this 2+2 coupe houses a unique driver-focused interior. The reimagined bucket seats flank a skinny center beam with a design inspired by molten rock that holds pertinent controls such as drive mode selector, climate control, and entertainment. The Magma console helps keep controls out of sight for the driver until they are needed. Behind the Con-tatto Volante (Alfa’s take on the three-spoke steering wheel) is what the Italian automaker calls the “living centrepiece of the cockpit.”

The “Cannocchiale Vivente” (the configurable instrument cluster) has two settings depending on what drive mode is selected. In “Focused,” the cluster is pared down to one instrument that holds all pertinent information. When you switch to “Cruising,” it folds back into two screens for a more conventional driving experience. The idea with Focused is that it becomes all about the connection between person and machine, as if a bond so intimate is created that Alfa Romeo should have a “Do Not Disturb” sign on the window. Maybe with its next concept, Alfa Romeo can include a branded tie that can hang on the driver’s door handle.

There’s a bit about the romantic evening that I previously left out: First impressions are everything. With its high-performance drivetrain, red-on-red appearance, and luxurious features, the Alfa Romeo Cuorerosso certainly makes a statement while picking up your date. For now, that will have to be part of a fantasy as this is strictly a concept — Alfa told Car and Driver that the Cuorerosso is less of an anticipatory look at the future lineup and more of a “manifesto destined to inspire.”

It takes just one look at the right vehicle to turn you into a convert. I used to not be a fan of the second-generation (1978-79) Ford Bronco, but that changed once I laid eyes on a handsome example of the short-lived rig. Our Pick of the Day is enough to make a fan out of you too (if you aren’t one already). You can find this 1978 Ford Bronco Ranger XLT listed on ClassicCars.com by a dealer in Grapevine, Texas. It comes with a Deluxe Marti Report, and the video below shows an exterior/interior tour, the engine running, and driving footage.

The first-gen Broncos (1966-77) are undeniable classics with their simple lines, maneuverable dimensions, and off-road capabilities. But their successors have the big, brawny presence that many associate with classic SUVs. How big, exactly? Compared to its predecessor, the ’78 Bronco had an additional foot of wheelbase and measured more than 10 inches wider, 28 inches longer, and four inches taller. Ford replaced the 1977 model’s 302ci V-8 with a 351.

This particular ’78 Bronco looks even larger (and wonderfully old-school) thanks to its newer high-contrast red and white finish. The lift, aftermarket wheels, and rugged-terrain tires really add to the macho, go-anywhere image and capabilities.

As an XLT Ranger model, this rig rolled out of Ford’s Michigan Truck Plant with rectangular headlights, bright bumpers and trim, and body side moldings with black vinyl inserts. The included Deluxe Marti Report shows that this particular ’78 was generously configured with the optional 400ci two-barrel V-8, automatic transmission, quad front shocks, and skid plates, so off-roading must have been a much smoother and easier experience back in the day.

Inside, power steering, air conditioning, AM/FM radio, and a rear bench seat added comfort and convenience. These days, the cabin has newer red vinyl and cloth upholstery.

A lot of SUVs from this era have been bashed to death by Mother Nature and the elements, or modified for a buyer base of one, but this 1978 Ford Bronco Ranger XLT escaped both of those fates. You can escape the suburbs and go on an outdoor adventure for $38,000.

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

It’s Saturday! Are you ready for the weekend? Of course you are. You’re here right now, which means you’re also ready for a new round of Car Connections! I selected three US Top 40 singles for the week ending October 29, 1966, and found ways to associate them with automobiles. Those songs are “See See Rider” by Eric Burdon and the Animals (#10), “I’m Your Puppet” by James and Bobby Purify (#16), and “Cherry, Cherry” by Neil Diamond (#17). You’ll see how I connected those songs to Maserati, Ram, and Ford, but how would you associate them with cars? Tell us in the Comments section below. (And click here for more Car Games!)

“See See Rider”: I’ve been on a watch kick lately and I can’t get the Seiko Spirit Giugiaro Design Limited Edition “Rider’s Chronograph” watches (from about 10 years ago) out of my head. The series was an homage to the same style of watches Seiko and Giorgetto Giugiaro collaborated on back in the 1980s. Similar to the Vacheron Constanin 1921 American, the Rider’s Chronograph was designed to make it easier to tell the time on the go — but for bike riders, not drivers.

One of Giugiaro’s many great designs was the mid-engine Maserati Bora of the 1970s.

“I’m Your Puppet”: Elmo. “Sesame Street.” Street. Street and Racing Technology, aka SRT, the high-performance division that’s cranked out faster Dodges, Chryslers, Jeeps, and even Dodge/Ram trucks. Not only can I tell you how to get to Sesame Street, but I can also inform you that the 777-horsepower 2027 Ram 1500 Rumble Bee SRT sport truck will get you there a lot faster than Mr. Snuffleupagus.

“Cherry, Cherry”: Cherry 7UP. The Ford Mustang “7UP Edition.” Originally intended to be given away by 7UP as promotional prizes during the 1990 NCAA basketball finals, the 5.0-powered Deep Emerald Green Clearcoat Metallic convertible with white top and interior eventually became part of a 4,103-unit production run.

Does today’s round of Car Connections make you want to add a Maserati, Ram, or Ford to your garage? Find one on ClassicCars.com.

Earlier this year, I introduced you to the Blue Swallow Motel in Tucumcari, New Mexico when talking about how some Route 66 motels used to offer garages for visitors. I decided to pass by Blue Swallow again while en route from Phoenix to Kansas City for this year’s National Acura Legend Meet — it was well worth the detour.

Parked out front was a two-tone 1951 Buick Super four-door sedan with presence and poise. I had to stop for some obligatory photos, first (of course) snapping one with my own car in the foreground.

The Super, or Series 50, was slotted between the Special and Roadmaster and rode on a 125.5-inch wheelbase. It was available as a coupe, convertible, or sedan.

In promotional advertising, Buick presented some of the features that set the 1951 Buick models apart from other cars. Among them:

• Dynaflow Drive automatic transmission
• Fireball power (high-compression, valve-in-head straight-eight)
• Push-bar forefront to combine smart style with unsurpassed protection
• White-glow instruments
• Torque-tube drive for steady ride and improved driving control
• Four-wheel coil spring suspension
• Dual ventilation to feed outside air into the front compartment
• Self-energizing hydraulic brakes which “multiply pedal pressure five times at brake drum”
• Dreamline styling with tapered fenders
• Also: Self-locking luggage lid, StepOn parking brake, two-way ignition lock, SafetyRide wheels, Hi-Poised engine mounting, and Body by Fisher

Two-tone paint jobs seem to be less of a “thing” nowadays, but back in the 1950-60s, it was common to see cars with contrasting roofs or body parts. I thought the yellow and green motif worked pretty well on this one.

For 1951, Buick gave a facelift to the toothy front end that distinguished the 1950 models, notably narrowing the “teeth” and moving them to behind the front bumper bar.

Exterior features included chrome brightwork, sweepspear side moldings, triple VentiPorts, three-piece rear window, and wide whitewall tires. Bonus points for the Route 66-themed New Mexico license plates, too!

Peering into the cabin, I saw bench seats with gray cloth upholstery, a radio, manual-crank windows, and automatic transmission lever.

Under the hood was a 263.3ci OHV straight-eight that was rated at 128 horsepower when paired with the Dynaflow automatic. Buick said, “Come settle yourself in a ’51 Buick — every one has the trigger-quick and confident Fireball power of Buick’s pace-setting high-compression valve-in-head engine.”

It felt a bit like being in a time-warp — admiring a primo classic Buick parked outside one of the best-preserved Route 66 motels still in operation. A lot of us wish we could time-travel to the heyday of The Mother Road and experience it firsthand.

It’s no secret that devices in our pockets can recognize (and even communicate with) other devices around us thanks to Bluetooth and other technological innovations. In the not-too-distant future, the tires on our vehicles will be able to do the same thing thanks to Pirelli’s Cyber Tire technology.

Our vehicles can already recognize which tires need air, but this new technology from Pirelli takes it a step forward. The Cyber Tire measures pressure, temperature, tread wear, load, ABS optimization, stability control, and grip. It operates via an embedded sensor that works with your vehicle’s ECU to transmit data directly to your vehicle’s display.

Staying on top of tire maintenance is as important as changing your oil, so this makes sense. If Pirelli stopped there, no eyebrows would be raised, but it also has engineered this technology to be equipped with V2V (vehicle-to-vehicle) and V2I (vehicle-to-infrastructure) communication capabilities.

For example, if you are driving down the street and hit a nasty pothole, V2V capabilities assist in informing other nearby compatible vehicles about the potential danger ahead. Theoretically, the V2I part of it should transmit the location of that pothole to the proper government authorities so it could be fixed in a timely manner, but I’m sure even the tire’s request will be ignored.

The eventual goal is to take V2V and V2I technology and create V2X (vehicle-to-everything) capabilities where tires can interact with traffic lights and road signs, optimize fleet management, and more. As autonomous vehicle technology increases, these tires will likely become commonplace.

At the moment, Cyber Tires are available at authorized Pirelli dealerships and are predominantly found on high-end luxury vehicles like Aston Martin. Pirelli already has announced that these technology-enhanced tires will be manufactured at its plant in Rome, Georgia.

Increased data about your tires is not a bad idea. Nonetheless, turning your tires into beacons connected to other vehicles and infrastructure around you feels like trading in liberty for safety, especially considering it relies on technology that can be hacked.

How do you feel? Is this going too far? Tell us in the Comments section below.

A magazine ad for the Lexus LX450 said, “Mountains aren’t impressed by your title, the amount of money you make, the size of your house, or what you happen to drive. Scratch that last one.” The LX was all about combining go-anywhere capability with abundant creature comforts. Our Pick of the Day is a 1996 Lexus LX450 SUV listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in Vining, Minnesota.

The listing says, “This vehicle has been cared for, with a clean CARFAX report and no accidents throughout ownership. A well-documented maintenance history is available, with extensive records demonstrating pride of ownership.”

The LX450 went into production in November 1995 and was released in the United States in January 1996. It was a crafted from the onset as a premium version of the “80-series” (1991-97) Land Cruiser. The sport-utility market was booming, and automakers realized there was an opportunity to capture an upscale buyer segment. Around the same time, Acura rolled out the SLX (a rebadged version of the Isuzu Trooper) but that’s another story entirely. Hey, at least Toyota’s luxo-SUV was engineered in-house.

Exterior features include two-tone paint, fender flares, power moonroof, roof rails, receiver hitch, and alloy wheels wrapped in Trailfinder all-terrain tires.

One of the biggest merits of the 80-series LX was its interior versatility. The cabin offered three rows of seating (with capacity for up to seven) that could be readily reconfigured for cargo.

Features include leather upholstery, power-adjustable seats, power windows, power steering, woodgrain trim, and automatic climate control. The seller says, “The front leather seats show some wear but are in overall good condition. Overall, the cabin presents very well and retains the character and feel of an original LX450.”

Under the hood is a 1FZ-FE 4.5-liter inline-six (215 hp/275 lb-ft of torque) mated to a four-speed automatic transmission and a dual-range transfer case. Despite showing 207,000 miles, the vehicle sounds healthy in the start-up video that the seller has provided.

“It can be driven and enjoyed as-is, gradually restored, or preserved as an increasingly collectible example of the first-generation LX450,” the listing concludes.

Ready to go on an adventure and impress some mountains? The asking price is $13,950.

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

When Ford introduced the Mustang on April 17, 1964, it didn’t just launch a new car. It created a frenzy around the world. Dealerships were swarmed, order books filled up and Americans couldn’t get their hands on the new pony car fast enough. Ford initially projected sales of around 100,000 Mustangs in the first year. Instead, more than 400,000 were sold, and within 18 months the Mustang had reached the million-car milestone.

Mustang mania was real, and some buyers weren’t particularly patient about getting one. One of the most famous stories came from Chicago, where a 22-year-old schoolteacher named Gail Wise became the first to purchase a Mustang. She drove away from the dealership in a blue convertible just days before Lee Iacocca and Henry Ford II unveiled the car at the New York World’s Fair. Another widely reported incident involved a buyer who slept in his newly purchased Mustang at a dealership until his check cleared, worried someone else might drive away with it. The Mustang was the car that EVERYONE suddenly had to have.

Of course, not all Mustangs were created equal. Ford offered them with countless options so each Mustang could be customized for the buyer in the showroom. For enthusiasts who wanted something with a little more attitude, the fastback body style, GT equipment and legendary K-code V-8 made an already desirable car even more exciting.

That brings us to this 1965 Ford Mustang GT fastback offered as part of Barrett-Jackson’s 2026 November Digital Select Auction, a beautifully restored example that spent more than four decades tucked away before receiving a second chance to shine.

And this one has something particularly special under the hood.

Power comes from its original VIN-stamped K-code 289ci High-Performance V-8, producing 271 horsepower and paired with a factory Toploader four-speed manual transmission. An original Ford 9-inch rear end with 3.50 gears completes the drivetrain.

For Mustang enthusiasts, that little phrase “K-code” carries plenty of weight, and models bearing that designation are considered among the most desirable classic Mustangs. The engine retains its special high-performance components, including the original-specification carburetor, solid-lifter camshaft, Hi-Po cylinder heads, radiator, harmonic balancer, exhaust manifolds and distributor.

Factory GT equipment adds fog lights, dual exhaust, front disc brakes and quick-ratio manual steering. In other words, this wasn’t the Mustang you bought just to look good cruising through town. It was built for drivers who enjoyed the journey as much as the destination.

Scheduled for production on June 3, 1965, this Mustang originally called California home before finding its way to North Carolina, where it entered storage in 1980. There it remained for an astonishing 42 years, until the consignor acquired it in 2022.

Rather than reinventing the car, the decision was made to bring it back to its original glory.

A comprehensive nut-and-bolt restoration, completed in May 2026, returned the Mustang to factory-original specifications. The body was stripped to bare metal, revealing an impressive collection of original sheet metal, including the floors, quarter-panels, doors, hood, trunk lid, frame rails, inner fender aprons, roof, trunk drop-offs, trunk pan and rocker panels.

Even the underbody received the proper red oxide primer finish, consistent with factory specifications. Original and new-old-stock components were utilized wherever available, with photographs and receipts documenting the restoration.

The finished result is 1960s Mustang magic. Its original Code K Silver Smoke Gray paint is accented by red GT stripes, while the Code 26 Black Standard interior keeps things appropriately classic. Styled Steel wheels wrapped in dual red-line radial tires complete the look.

Some cars are worth waiting for. After 42 years in storage, this K-code Mustang has certainly earned its moment back in the spotlight.

Register to bid today for the Nov. 5-12 auction, only on Barrett-Jackson.com.

This article was originally published on Barrett-Jackson.com.

The Casual Concours is a charity-driven automotive event held annually each fall in the Palm Springs, California area. This year’s program carried on the tradition in classic style, taking place from Friday, October 16 to Sunday, October 18. Nearly 200 vehicles were showcased at the main car show, spanning a wide range of model years from the 1930s through the 2000s.

Happening at the same time was Modernism Week, a multi-day festival that celebrates mid-century architecture, design, landscape, and culture.

The Concours is open to all makes of automobiles, so the variety was vast, and my friends Leslie and Scott shared a few photos with me that I’ll in turn share with you.

Beneficiaries for the 2026 program included the LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert and Safe Schools of Desert Cities. The Concours website said, “Our beneficiaries this year support our LGBTQ family in all age brackets.”

Schedule-wise, the Concours is much more than just a one-day affair. Things kicked off on Friday evening at Porsche Palm Springs. On Saturday, the Concours itself started at 9 a.m. at Mission Hills Country Club. That evening, there was a banquet and show. Finally, on Sunday, attendees joined together for a farewell brunch at Willie’s Modern Fare in Rancho Mirage.

The theme of this year’s event was 1960s cars, but there were vehicles from almost every era. I thought the below 1975 Buick Skyhawk (built on the same platform as the Chevrolet Monza, Oldsmobile Starfire, and Pontiac Sunbird) was a unique specimen.

Given this year’s strong momentum, the Casual Concours will no doubt continue to be a signature event for years to come. Event coordinators expressed particular appreciation for the sponsors and volunteers who help make everything happen. They said, “We cannot succeed without the good will of our volunteers. They are the fuel that keeps the Casual Concours going.”

Connect with Great Autos of Yesteryear for updates and announcements on future Casual Concours events!

Monterey Car Week isn’t all expensive events and hypercars you’re scared to even look at the wrong way. The Concours d’Lemons has no admission fee and is full of quirky and unusual cars with noticeable patina, wild modifications, and colorful owners. That’s where we discovered creations such as a W123 Mercedes-Benz 300TD wagon riding high on all-terrain tires, Trihawk three-wheeler, and souped-up Mazda RX-7. And unlike the officials at other concours, the Concours d’Lemons judges are shamelessly open to bribes! Get ready for an eyeful of a different side of Monterey Car Week, then click the play button.

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