Classic Corvettes can get rather expensive, which belies the model’s place as a dark-horse American capable of giving exotics fits. If you pine for a Corvette, you often have to deal with low-compression versions that look the part but leave you wanting, yet our Pick of the Day suggests you can have your cake and eat it too. This 1968 Chevrolet Corvette convertible is listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a dealership in Orwigsburg, Pennsylvania.

The hallowed C2 never really had much horsepower in base form: It started at 250 in 1963, peaking at a more reasonable 300 by the time the generation ended in 1967. Sure, not everything is about slamming your spine in your seat in a banzai run, but C2s can be pricey even in base form.

When the C3 debuted in the fall of 1967, it basically was the same car with a new body. Wheelbase remained 98 inches, but length increased almost seven inches to 182.1. Width was down 0.4 inches, which aroused some complaints the C3 was cramped. This impression was more due to a larger console, door panel design, and a lower roofline, so it was a packaging issue more than reduced measurements (fine-tuned in subsequent years, might I add). Of course, the C3’s design was lifted from the Mako Shark II, a concept car that debuted at the 1965 New York International Auto Show.

Though the C3’s body was all-new, powerplants were shared between the two generations. The base 327 was rated at 300 horsepower, with a 350-horse version featuring 11.0:1 compression being the one small-block upgrade. From there, there were four 427 big-blocks available: L36 with 10.25:1 compression, four-barrel, and 390 horses; L68 — almost identical to the L36, but with three two-barrel carbs and 400 horses; an L71 mechanical-lifter version with 11.0:1 compression, three two-barrel carburetion, and 435 horses; and the mighty L88, a race engine in street clothes featuring 12.5:1 compression, four-barrel carburetor, and an underrated 430 horses. The L79, L71, and L88 required a four-speed transmission.

As such, the 1968 Corvette was a bridge between the past and the future, as the 1969 model brought upgraded 350 engines for its small-block selection, plus automatics were made available for the top two 427s.

This 94,638-mile 1968 Chevrolet Corvette convertible looks fantastic, doesn’t it? Painted Silverstone Silver with a black vinyl interior, it also includes a matching silver hardtop in addition to a black soft top. Power comes from the optional L79 327, which strikes a balance between horsepower and affordability. Behind the Muncie four-speed is a set of 3.36 gears with Positraction. Dig the sidepipes too! No, they’re not correct for ’68, but honestly, would you remove them? Refreshingly, the seller is honest about certain things that ‘Vette folks hold dear: “There is no documentation with the car and no ownership history … That absence of paperwork applies across the board. We have no build sheet, no window sticker, no Protect-O-Plate, no NCRS documentation, and no service records. What this car has going for it is physical evidence rather than paper. The stampings and castings corroborate each other.”

For $29,990, you can have a Corvette convertible with both tops, one of the most famous small-block engines ever, and miles of smiles. Do you really want to miss this opportunity?

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

About four years ago, my friend Jason and I took a trek to one of Arizona’s best-surviving and most authentic stretches of Route 66. It passes through the small early-1900s-era mining town of Oatman in the northwestern part of the state. Oatman is one of those “frozen-in-time” spots today, similar to Seligman, which I visited a while back in my Acura NSX.

My chariot for the road trip was my 2004 Honda S2000. Convertible weather was prime, after all. It was a perfect weekend escape, filled with equal parts adventure, exhilaration, education, and nostalgia. I miss the S2000, and one day I’d like to get another. Oatman was true to its old-timey feel, complete with gunfight reenactments.

Before my adventure, I went down a rabbit hole of Route 66 videos, and I found Sitgreaves Pass, which winds through the hills just east of Oatman, particularly interesting. The piece of road was named for Captain Lorenzo Sitgreaves.

Except Sitgreaves’ expeditions in the mid-1800s did not ever actually go through the pass that currently bears his name. The naming mistake has remained permanent, though.

In its day, Sitgreaves Pass was a treacherous piece of road, characterized by hairpin curves and steep grades. It reaches an elevation of 3,586 feet, and to some, has gone by the name “Arizona Sidewinder.” For early motorists in the 1920s and ‘30s, Sitgreaves posed specific challenges for people driving cars like the Ford Model T. One of the channels I follow, called Old Alignment, taught me that those types of cars often had to drive up the grade in reverse. For more details, here’s the video itself:

The reasons for the backing up scenario?

Early motorcars used a gravity-feed system for fuel supply, and because of the location of the fuel tank, when cars were placed on an uphill grade (sometimes upwards of 12 percent), the angle caused a fuel starvation issue. By driving in reverse, the rear end (and fuel tank) were placed above the engine, forcing fuel to flow properly. Also, the reverse gear in those cars was very low, giving an advantage for crawling.

As one can imagine, driving up a steep grade in a primitive car in reverse was not for the faint of heart. With that in mind, some entrepreneurs offered a service in which they would drive (or tow) someone’s car for them. Luckily for me, there were no issues cresting the grade in a 2004 Honda. But it would have been fun to experience the raw, original alignment in a period-correct machine.

Say what you will about the Tesla Cybertruck, but it’s popular in metropolitan Phoenix. With futuristic looks and a stout presence, the Cybertruck stands out in a segment full of conformity. However, I never expected a regressive take on a Cybertruck, which I spotted in a parking lot near my dad’s house.

Looking as if it had received the Ford Country Squire treatment (or, for a chuckle, a Tesla Wagon Queen Family Truckster makeover a la “National Lampoon’s Vacation”), this Tesla CyberSquire even featured faux round headlights and grille, giving the truck a slightly different face. Considering fake exhaust sounds and gear changes are a thing in the EV world, perhaps it stands to reason.

I was unsuccessful in discovering the manufacturer of this wrap, but it’s an interesting mash-up of futuristic and anachronistic that makes me want to laugh and cry at the same time.

When hotels are rated, critics take many things into consideration, such as the comfort of the bed, the cleanliness of the room, the general ambiance of the property, and other metrics that helps promote customer confidence.  If the same lens is utilized when looking at the new Aston Martin DBX GT, it would rank highly due to its performance drivetrain, sleek exterior, and interior stocked with luxurious amenities.

“Aston Martin is uniquely placed to combine ultra-luxury and performance. All our cars combine both, but each car finds a different balance, both visually and dynamically,” says Marek Reichman, Aston Martin EVP and chief creative officer. “With DBX GT we have taken a more discreet approach. One which downplays its outright performance and instead exudes a quiet charisma. Elegantly understated, yet safe in the knowledge it possesses the same performance and class-leading dynamics expected of a DBX.”

Every aspect of this SUV (literally and figuratively) revolves around the supercharged 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8. This direct-injected engine is rated at 717 horsepower and 664 lb-ft of torque, giving a 0-60 mph time of 3.1 seconds and a top speed of 193 mph. All of that performance is kept cool by twin-charge air-water coolers and all-alloy construction. The powerplant is connected to a nine-speed automatic transmission featuring a multi-plate wet clutch, electronic shift-by-wire control system, and five adaptive drive modes (GT, Sport, Sport+, Individual, and Terrain for off-roading adventures).

Aston Martin designed the DBX GT’s exterior to exude elegance, from the “signature detail” of the double-vane grille to the horizontally oriented quad exhaust finishers meant to emphasize the width of the lower body; every component has been carefully crafted to create a high level of curb appeal. On the front fenders, there is a two-piece metal side strake that was crafted with contrasting polished and satin finishes in the same manner one would find on a high-dollar watch. The color-matched lower front bumper, sills, and rear diffuser pair well with the 22-inch Satin Titanium diamond-turned finished forged wheels wrapped in all-season tires. Other exterior sophistication includes a panoramic glass sunroof, automatic-presenting door handles, vented rear wheel arches, and a clamshell hood with twin vents.

Sure, we can talk about the interior components like the semi-aniline leather seats that Aston Martin claims takes four and a half hours each to construct by hand thanks to approximately 755 yards of thread and 3,297 perforation holes. We can also mention the standard Piano Black veneer, new individual seat layout, or the Bowers & Wilkins audio system; however, there is a part of the interior that might be more important: the silence. Aston Martin designed the cabin to be quiet which, for an average buyer of luxury vehicles, is at the top of the list. After insulating the door panels, front and rear arch zones, and rear load space, and installing deep pile carpet that supports acoustic isolation, the interior becomes a place where telephone calls and conversations can be had in true privacy while enjoying other amenities.

Underneath the DBX GT chassis is a cast aluminum suspension with subframe technology that showcases a wide-spaced, double-wishbone front suspension system pairied with a multi-link rear suspension setup. This provides an even-keeled, smooth ride for urban areas; for off-road applications, there is an adaptive triple-chamber air suspension, variable ride height, and electronic active anti-roll control system.

Pricing is expected to start at around $262,000, which is about the price of a single-family home. With luxurious furnishings, awe-inspiring curb appeal, and mortgage-like MSRP, something tells me this SUV would be better parked at a five-star hotel than acting as one.

As a woody wagon nerd, I’ve covered many here on The ClassicCars.com Journal, but never one from Plymouth. That now changes with our latest Pick of the Day — you can find this 1941 Plymouth Special DeLuxe Station Wagon listed on ClassicCars.com by a dealer in Cleveland. It comes with a Chrysler Production Record, restoration photos, and vintage-style picnic gear.

There are so many reasons why this particular woody is such a stand-out. One is that it’s a 1941 model, but according to its included records, it was built on June 13, several months before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. That’s the same year Plymouth touted 19 major advancements such as more horsepower and torque, heavy-duty engine bearings, Powermatic Shifting, and more. Another reason is the harmonious color scheme of green complemented by ash wood framing and mahogany panels. There’s plenty more woodwork inside the three-row cabin, including on the door panels and even the ceiling.

If you’re thinking this woody looks a little too fresh for being 85 years old, you’ve just arrived at the third reason it’s such an appealing vehicle: it’s been restored. According to the selling dealer, Customs Classics & Rods of Elk River, Minnesota did the work. “There is surely a large 5-figure bill on the lovely chrome that’s used throughout. The grille, bumpers (with accessory bumper guards), ornate headlight rings, and, of course, the Plymouth schooner hood ornament are all beautifully rendered and crisply detailed.” As part of the restoration, the shop reupholstered the bench seats in brown leatherette and added lap belts for some measure of safety. “There’s even a bit of storage space behind the rear seat, accessible via the 2-piece tailgate that’s ideal for a picnic or tailgate party.” The dealer will even throw in a picnic basket with dishes and cutlery, chairs, and a vintage-style radio to complete the retro lifestyle package.

Reason #4: Customs Classics & Rods rebuilt the 201ci I-6, which is paired with a three-speed manual gearbox. “It starts easily, idles smoothly, and makes a great 6-cylinder hum on the open road. It’s correctly detailed with corporate silver engine enamel, a bit oil bath air cleaner atop the carburetor, and a fresh reproduction wiring harness with cloth-wrapped wires.”

Now you know the reasons why this 1941 Plymouth Special DeLuxe Station Wagon is such a wonderful woody. All that’s left is for you to determine if your heart is into it. If so, you can satisfy your rational and emotional sides by buying this beauty for $59,900.

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

I hope you have your iTunes or Spotify account open and ready to play because it’s time for another music-themed installment of Car Connections! I picked three US Top 40 singles for the week ending October 9, 1976, and found ways to link to them to automobiles. Those songs are “(Shake, Shake, Shake) Shake Your Booty” by K.C and the Sunshine Band (#9), “Nadia’s Theme (The Young and the Restless)” by Barry DeVorzon and Perry Botkin Jr. (#28), and “Get The Funk Out Ma Face” by The Brothers Johnson (#30). You’ll see how I connected those songs to Toyota, BMW, and Ford, but how would you associate them with cars? Tell us in the Comments section below. (And click here for more Car Games!)

“(Shake, Shake, Shake) Shake Your Booty”: Butt. Caboose. Train. Toyota Supra! A modified fourth-generation version outran a train (along with a 1970 Dodge Charger R/T) at the end of “The Fast and the Furious.” Of course, I didn’t even have to tell you that, right? Doesn’t everyone know?

“Nadia’s Theme (The Young and the Restless)”: Nadia. Natalya. Natalya Simonova (played by Izabella Scorupco), the “Bond Girl” in the 1995 James Bond movie “Goldeneye.”

While helping 007 (Pierce Brosnan) defeat his colleague-turned-enemy Alec Trevelyan (Sean Bean), Natalya rides with him in his Q Branch-issued BMW Z3 roadster — complete with Stinger missiles behind the headlights!

“Get The Funk Out Ma Face”: DJ and rapper Funkmaster Flex. The station wagon-like 2009-19 Ford Flex!

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

I’ve had Rivieras on the brain lately. Back in August, I attended the Millbrae Machines Motor Show as part of my visit to Monterey Car Week. One of the cars that stood out to me the most for its compelling design was a sleek, black 1966 Buick Riviera. The only picture I captured at the time was of its full-width grille with distinctive hideaway headlights.

Then more recently, I saw a ’66 Riv on the front lot at Desert Valley Auto Parts in Casa Grande, Arizona. It wasn’t as done-up, but it was equally attractive and finished in white.

For 1966, the first year for the second-generation Riviera, the personal-luxury-oriented two-door hardtop was been redesigned to be longer, wider, and heavier on the GM E-body platform. According to an article posted by the Riviera Owners Association, Buick’s chief designer Dave Holls was responsible for the look, and it was an overwhelming success with buyers and journalists alike. Car Life magazine named it the “Handsomest car of 1966.”

There were 45,348 units produced for the year, each one carrying a base price of $4,424.

In Buick’s marketing materials, the company called some of its cars “tuned.” One ad said, “A magnificent blend of styling, performance, ride, and handling, the tuned car by Buick is everything you could hope for on four wheels.”

What did Buick mean by “tuned” anyway? According to the ad, the term (at least in reference to the Riviera) was connected to various things: the Wildcat V-8, closed-window ventilation system, and safety equipment like padded dash, back-up lights, and two-speed electric wipers.

New for 1966 was available seating for six. Bucket seats were standard up front, while a new “notch-back” seat was available that converted from a regular bench to “semi buckets.” Riviera came standard with power steering, power brakes, and tilt steering wheel. There was plenty of dust and debris scattered about the interior of the Riviera I encountered, but I could see that it had power windows, radio, and some under-dash aftermarket gauges.

Most 1966 Rivieras came with a 425ci Nailhead V-8: a 340-horsepower, MW-code, four-barrel engine. An optional dual-quad version (code MZ) called the Super Wildcat boosted output to 360 horsepower.

I didn’t peek under the hood, but based on the car’s completeness and overall preservation, it may have made a solid candidate for a light restoration or a weekend driver as-is. I still vow get ahold of a classic 1950s or ‘60s Buick of my own one day! Until then, I’ll just keep noticing them everywhere I go…

In the late 1950s, BMW was in big trouble. Neither its cars nor motorcycles were selling, so the Bavarian automaker found itself in a serious financial crisis that almost resulted in the company being sold to Daimler-Benz. Industry sources believed that it was a “done deal,” but it fell through. Then BMW’s fortunes would turn around in the early 1960s when it introduced the Neue Klasse lineup, a name that BMW has brought back to characterize the eighth generation of its 3 Series sedans.

BMW has created four different 3 Series sedans to choose from: a standard 330, a sporty M350, a fully electric i3, and the performance-enhanced electric i3 M60. Each model in the series has its own very capable and fun drivetrain. If someone were to select the 330 xDrive, he or she would get to experience the 255-horsepower 2.0-liter BMW TwinPower Turbo inline-four, which the automaker says will accelerate from 0-60 mph in 5.9 seconds. In case that person prefers the M Performance model, the exclusively all-wheel-drive M350, its 437-horsepower 3.0-liter inline-six will go from 0-60 in 3.9 seconds.

For the more forward-thinking buyer, he or she can choose between the i3 and i3 M60 electric sedans. The i3 xDrive50 includes Gen6 eDrive technology, which consists of two electric motors that provide 463 horsepower and 476 lb-ft of torque — BMW says it will accelerate from 0-60 mph in 4.5 seconds. Additionally, it also has an estimated range of a prodigious 446-468 miles. The performance-oriented i3 M60 uses a similar dual-motor setup but produces an estimated 550-plus horses, giving a 0- 60 time of under four seconds. Of the bunch, this one is slated to join the 3 Series lineup near the end of 2027.

Each model is presented with clear inspiration from the original Neue Klasse series, as well as the Neue Klasse concept that was showcased earlier this year at Monterey Car Week. The exterior features “crisp exterior lines, sculpted surfaces, and reduced detailing,” with the grille introducing a “shark nose” design that leans more on the sporty side. There will be 11 exterior colors available to choose from at launch, with the new Le Castellet Blue metallic as the signature hue.

The interior is designed to be both driver-intuitive and futuristic, with a touch of five-star resort-level accoutrements mixed in. The driver can easily focus on the road thanks to BMW Panoramic iDrive (combining BMW Panoramic Vision, a 17.9-inch Central Display, BMW Operating System X, and an available BMW 3D Head-Up Display), which gives digital notifications in a way that is not distracting. At the base of the windshield there is a narrow digital display that acts similar to a smartphone’s notification bar, updating the driver on important vehicle functions, notifications, and other pertinent information. The leather seating sits beneath a tinted, multi-layer panoramic glass roof that is standard across all models.

The suspension varies by model; the gas-powered vehicles are offered with optional adaptive suspension or Adaptive M Suspension, both which use electronically controlled damper valves that adjust each wheel depending on stimuli it experiences on the roadway. The system will judge and apply a different level of damping force to meet the needs of the moment. Each of these options includes sport steering that uses a variable ratio that can be turned on or off by the driver.

The MSRPs (with mandatory $1,350 destination and handling fee included) are as follows:

• 2027 BMW 330 – $49,900
• 2027 BMW 330 xDrive – $51,900
• 2027 BMW M350 xDrive – $65,900
• 2027 BMW i3 50 xDrive – $61,500

The official United States launch of the new 3 Series is not slated until the first quarter of 2027, but you can explore each model on BMW’s website.

In the movie “Dazed and Confused,” the character Wooderson (played by Matthew McConaughey) remarked, “I get older, they stay the same age.” I somewhat feel the same way about certain cars of the 1960s because I scored my driver’s license when our Pick of the Day was 20 years old. Several days ago, it celebrated 60 years since its introduction, but eternally it will always be 20 years old to me. This 1967 Mercury Cougar XR-7 is listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a dealership in Scottsdale, Arizona.

On September 30, 1966, Mercury introduced a new model called the Cougar. Flush with success after the introduction of the Mustang in April 1964, Ford Motor Company quickly developed a distinctive version of the pony car that was a step up in style and appointments. “Mercury unleashes Cougar … untamed elegance!” read the ad. “With a European flair to its styling. With standard features found until now only in expensive cars,” such as concealed headlamps, sequential rear turn signals, 289 V-8, bucket seats, walnut-grained steering wheel, stick shift, full-width rear seat, and the newest safety features, including dual-circuit braking system.

Don’t get the impression that the Cougar was a luxury version of the Mustang because it wasn’t — all one has to do is glance at the standard Cougar interior to understand this. But come January 1967, Mercury introduced the Cougar XR-7. Not only did this model feature more European traits, but also luxury not found in other pony cars: leather trim, toggle switches, overhead console, map pockets and door assist strap, and simulated walnut instrument panel. Power was distinctly American, with the same standard 200-horsepower 289 two-barrel backed by a three-speed manual on the floor; optional was a four-barrel rated at 225 horses, or a 320-horse 390.

A package called the GT Performance Group, available for both the standard Cougar and XR-7, included the 390 plus a performance handling package, wide-oval white-sidewall tires, low-restriction dual exhausts, power front disc brakes, power booster fan, low-restriction air filter, and special six-inch-wide wheels. Per Kevin Marti’s book “Cougar … by the Numbers,” 5,791 standard Cougars and 2,653 Cougar XR-7s were equipped with this GT package.

The Mercury Cougar was a rousing success, winning Motor Trend’s 1967 Car of the Year award and achieving 123,684 standard Cougar and 27,209 XR-7 sales. This Polar White 1967 Mercury Cougar XR-7 gives us an idea of how the XR-7 distinguished itself from the standard Cougar, including the hashes on the rockers, and the Black leather and vinyl bucket seat interior. Features include AM/FM radio, Black vinyl top, air conditioning, and 289 four-barrel paired with an automatic, making this car one of 13,040 built with that combination — by far the most common for an XR-7.

This Cougar was originally sold in Ford’s District Sales Office (DSO) covering the Atlanta region (one of 974), but it’s ready to go to whichever DSO area in which you reside. Best of all, for $22,000, this Cougar will never feel old.

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

With spooky season upon us, we’re bound to start seeing pumpkins on doorsteps any day now. But the town of Great Barrington, Massachusetts saw the color orange in a completely different light — in the form of about 80 “Sunshine Orange” Subaru Crosstreks in a parade.

For the second year in a row, the owners of orange Crosstreks assembled for a flash mob-style gathering and rolled around the town in unison. It was a sight to behold.

Organizer Michelle Kaplan said on Instagram, “I can’t stop smiling and laughing… I’m in absolute awe of how enthusiastic, positive, and genuinely awesome all these Crosstrek owners are! Clearly, Sunshine Orange Subaru Crosstrek owners are a different breed.”

The Crosstrek compact SUV has been on sale since 2013 as a lifted and beefed-up Impreza hatchback. In 2024, the third generation of the model was introduced, and it continues its momentum as a popular nameplate for the brand today.

As with many Subaru models, the Crosstrek has become a favorite for adventure-seekers, thanks to its standard all-weather capability, high ground clearance, and Subaru’s patented “Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive” system. It’s no wonder people in the New England area (and anywhere else where there are four distinct seasons) have taken a liking to its versatility.

The all-orange parade took place on Sunday morning, September 27, and required an RSVP. Only Sunshine Orange Crosstreks were allowed; all others were turned away without exceptions. Even the rainy weather couldn’t keep all the enthusiastic Subaru fans away. In fact, most people dressed up for the occasion, and some even brought along fall-themed props like skeletons in passenger seats and Halloween décor. Most of the vehicles had orange balloons tied to them.

How can you even begin to top or follow an event of this caliber? Michelle hasn’t made any formal statements about a plan for future events, but given the level of support for this year’s parade (and the fact that it grew from 14 to 81 cars in just one year), something tells us she’ll be back with an even stronger turnout in 2027.

All of this makes me want to get in on the fun and games. Anybody have a Sunshine Orange Crosstrek I can at least rent for the day and go hop in line with the group?