Yesterday’s story on Dodge’s celebration of the 60^th anniversary of the Charger got me thinking about my favorite version of this model. Opinions can be quite impassioned when it comes to certain Chargers, so the case I’ll lay for myself will be well reasoned but unconvincing to some.

When I was in kindergarten at Arden Montessori, I knew a kid named Herbie Matter who sometimes was picked up by a friend and his mom. I can’t say I knew the other kid from other interactions or extracurriculars (and I never again saw him after leaving Montessori for elementary school), but I certainly can recall his mom driving a really neat car: a 1969 Dodge Charger. It was one of the bronzes that was popular (likely “T5” Copper metallic, like the car in the above lead image), and I’d bet it was just a regular 318 car. Imagine being five years old and noticing a car is attractive!

In 1^st grade, my friend T.D. Dittmor (another kid lost to time — he moved to Wichita when the school year finished) told me about a television show called “The Dukes of Hazzard.” I don’t remember what was described to me, but I do remember I wanted to watch it. Unfortunately, my bedtime was at 8 p.m. and the show was at 9. My parents worked out a deal with me that if I watched the show, I had to forego the following day’s Saturday morning cartoons. That was a difficult proposition, so I alternated between the two. Of course, the star of the show was that pesky 1969 Dodge Charger.

By then, I was familiar with Chargers enough that I didn’t like the taillights of the ’68 (I had probably seen one on the street), and the wrap-around bumper/nose of the ’70 was ugly (I had a picture in my Consumer Guide used car book). I also had seen the first-generation Charger at Montessori because the father of some kid named Paul (who always dressed up as a cowboy) sometimes picked him up in a 1966-67 Charger. I found it attractive (hidden headlights and fastback style go a long way), but it was not as irresistible as the second-generation Charger.

So why the 1969? Clearly my two experiences made an imprint on me, and I have carried it with me to this very day. I can tell you that about 25 years ago, I saw a 1968 Charger at a show and noticed the taillight bezels had this nicely rendered turbine look to them. And as recently as last year, I heard those taillights were supposed to mimic exhausts. That completely changed my paradigm on 1968s, yet I still prefer the ’69 for its taillights. The split grille is just fine with me, though it is not a feature that’s a clincher. Other aspects of the 1969 seem to be an improvement, such as the way the interior is trimmed (common among many Mopars between 1968-69). The mid-year V21 hood stripes are kinda groovy, too. And the 1969 Charger R/T has a cleaner look as it lacks those goofy tacked-on door scoops that the ’70 has.

Yet the 1970 Charger has its own charms. Not only did the V21 stripes carry on into 1970 (though they’re a different design), but I also dig the V24 engine call-outs in a font that screams “pop culture 1970!” And then there’s the addition of blue stripes for R/Ts, which look as great as the traditional “Bumblebee” or the new-for-1970 longitudinal stripes. High-back buckets are a nice, contemporary improvement that go hand-in-hand (pun not intended) with the new Hurst Pistol Grip shifter. In fact, the right ’70 would make me forget about the ’69, especially if it’s “FM3” Panther Pink with a white stripe and vinyl top.

So how would I spec out my dream ’69? I’m going to forego the Daytona and talk about regular Chargers here: Charger R/T, “W1” White with Red Bumblebee stripe and matching interior, though I could go with “A4” Silver with matching red trim. Inside, a console and that twisted four-speed would be mandatory. I am content to settle for the 440 Magnum even though it’s common to dream about the 426 Hemi.

Which Charger moves you, and how would you spec it out?

My dad is a big-time outdoorsman. He has explored more terrain in the Rocky Mountains than I’ll ever see in my lifetime; fishing, hunting, and camping are a few of his favorite things. And for many of those types of adventures over the years, his trusty sidekick has almost always been a Ford truck. His on-road car in the 1970s was a 1968 Chevrolet Chevy II Nova.

I’ve followed in Dad’s footsteps as far as truck ownership goes, since I picked up my 1994 F-250 a couple years ago. I’ve logged about 5,000 miles, and I’m loving everything about it except the gas mileage.

When I was just a wee lad (see me with the bike in the above pic?), Dad had a silver 1979 F-150 4×4 with a long list of upgrades. I must have been only a few years old at the time, so that means the truck was relatively new, too. I’m guessing the photos accompanying this story were taken in about 1985.

Look at that immaculate suspension (that’s me on the left). Dad’s truck came from the final year of the sixth-generation “Dentside” F-Series (1973-79). Ford pickups from this era were known for being strong workhorses, featuring tough ladder frames and available V-8 powertrains.

By the late 1970s, Ford trucks were already on a roll from a sales perspective. One magazine advertisement said, “Tough Ford Pickups: America’s No. 1 Sellers.” It went on to say, “Ford pickups are built tough. With tough Twin-I-Beam front suspension, an all-welded cab, extensive rust protection, and a double-wall box on every Styleside. And they’re tested tough at Ford’s Arizona Proving Ground over miles of truck-jarring bumps, chuckholes, and salt sprays.”

Dad’s truck was beefed up with a modified suspension and oversized tires. Period-correct updates included mesh-style headlight guards, bug deflector, and red pinstriping. If you look closely at the back window, you can see a gun rack mounted there. Again, a reflection of Dad’s outdoorsy hobbies. Although, based on how clean the undercarriage of the truck looked, it appears as if it rarely left the road. Under the hood was a 351ci Cleveland V-8, a mid-range choice considering the base engine was a 300ci inline-six and the largest was a 460ci V-8.

Look, even Mom got in on the photoshoot action. Hubba hubba!

It’s clear that automotive enthusiasm runs in my family. I sure wish Dad had hung onto that old F-Series. Unfortunately, I didn’t acquire his skillset with regard to being a fisherman, either.

Detroit used to be very influential in the designs of cars around the world. One popular styling feature sometimes adopted by foreign manufacturers was fins. Of the cars listed for sale on AutoHunter and ClassicCars.com, we’ve selected four imports that have this aircraft-inspired feature (or a remnant of such).

Can you tell us what the cars are? If you can, please list the year/make/model in the Comments section below. If you need a hint, simply click on an image.

Click on a photo to reveal each car

You’ll find an automotive puzzle every Tuesday and Saturday at The ClassicCars.com Journal. Click here to play more Car Games!

About 30 years ago, on August 21, 1996, a high-powered sports car hit the streets of Scottsdale, Arizona with its proud original owner. Now showing just 61,200 miles on the odometer, that same Mopar muscle car is about to find a lucky new home. Featured on AutoHunter is a 1996 Dodge Viper RT/10 listed for sale by a dealer in Annandale, Minnesota.

There is nothing quite like a Viper for delivering a raw, analog sports car experience. When it was born in 1992, the car rocked the world with its eye-catching design, but there was even more to it: a tubular space frame, center spine structure, and a forward-hinged one-piece clamshell hood came together to make it all work.

The brochure for the 1996 Viper said, “Since its debut as a concept car in early 1989, the Dodge Viper RT/10 has defined the quintessential American sports car — big-blocked, attention-grabbing, fast, loud, untamed, and definitely a modern standard-bearer for pure American heritage and tradition.”

Exterior features include fog lamps, silver accent striping, removable soft top, plastic side windows, dual center-mounted exhaust outlets, and aftermarket 17-inch HRE wheels wrapped in staggered-width Michelin Pilot Sport tires. One of the quirky things about the Viper’s design was that in order to open a door from the outside, you had to reach inside and pull the interior door handle.

The cockpit has black leather bucket seats, center console, Speed Dawg shift knob, air conditioning, power windows, power steering, power door locks, and a Sony audio head unit with JL Audio speakers.

Under the hood is an 8.0-liter V-10 mated to a six-speed manual transmission and a limited-slip differential. A couple of upgrades have been added, including MSD spark plug wires and a custom ECU tune. A Dynojet test (receipts provided) shows figures of 411 horsepower and 522 lb-ft of torque.

The AutoCheck report begins in 1996 and shows one accident in January 2021. Ownership has spanned Arizona, California, Nevada, Texas, South Carolina, and New Mexico.

It’s time for this Viper to begin its next 30 years, so if you’ve ever thought of acquiring an iconic piece of American muscle car history, make a move.

The auction for this 1996 Dodge Viper RT/10 ends Wednesday, July 15, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. (PDT).

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and a photo gallery

If you talked to a group of people who own the current Ford Bronco, I think a lot of them would tell you that they or someone they know used to own one of the previous-generation models. Nostalgia and familiarity can be strong purchase motivators — and it helps that Ford still exists and the Bronco is still in production. That connection doesn’t work for dead-brand vehicles such as the Plymouth Trailduster or our Pick of the Day because there are no modern versions of them. Fortunately, someone refreshed this 1972 International Scout II Traveltop 4×4 to keep it on the road. You can find it listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a dealership in Concord, North Carolina.

International intended to follow up the original Scout (aka Scout 80) with a vehicle it called the “X-Scout.” That model kept getting delayed, although International did work incremental changes into stop-gap models as time went on. Finally, in 1971, it released the Scout’s replacement — with the more logical name of “Scout II.”

International offered the ’72 Scout II with options such as air conditioning, power brakes, and power steering, but it also incorporated comfort features into the Scout’s basic design. Getting in and out was easier thanks to doors that opened farther. The door frames were also on the same level as the cabin floor, so entering the cabin was smooth and simple — “No stepping down into a well or up to get into the back seat,” as International put it in the brochure.

According to Scout Motors (now an EV brand), “The Scout II model debuted with a powertrain lineup that started with the 196ci four, stepped up to the powerful 232ci six, a 304ci V-8, and finally, a big 345ci V-8 that beat Ford and tied GM for maximum cubic inches in the 4×4 SUV realm. Power steering, air conditioning, vastly improved ride quality, sound deadening, on top of a broadened array of styling, comfort and convenience options, put the Scout II model right back in the top tier of the growing SUV market.”

The ’72 Scout II was available with two- or four-wheel drive and in two body styles: the pickup-like Cab Top or the Traveltop, which came with a removable roof. This particular Scout II is equipped with the latter as well as several cosmetic and functional updates. The most obvious of those is the eye-catching bright orange and white two-tone color scheme (that explains why I’m hungry for Whataburger all of a sudden!), which includes the white Traveltop and the matching 15-inch Nomad wheels with 33-inch Mickey Thompson Baja Legend EXP tires. A Rough Country lift gives the rubber more room to work, while Rough Country shocks absorb bumps as the Scout II climbs over, through, and around the great outdoors.

The orange and white theme continues inside, where the padded dash is painted orange and the seats are covered in black vinyl with orange, white, and black fabric inserts. Other updates include a wood-rimmed steering wheel and a retro-look stereo.

Out of the two available V-8s, this Scout II has the smaller of the two, the 193-horsepower 304, which is connected to an Edelbrock two-barrel carburetor. A three-speed manual gearbox, dual-range transfer case, and Dana 44 front and Dana 60 rear axles transfer power to the wheels.

There hasn’t been a new International Scout since 1980, but this 1972 International Scout II combines vintage style with useful updates, all priced at $74,995.

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

As 2026 has entered the second half of the Gregorian calendar, the summer cheer is ramping up as Dodge fires up a nationwide tour celebrating 60 years of the Charger. Festivities will begin at the Carlisle Chrysler Nationals in Pennsylvania (which will have finished by the time you are reading this) and will continue through September.

Originally a show car-inspired fastback with a dose of personal luxury interior style, the 1966 Dodge Charger evolved into one of the most stylish and beloved American cars of the 1960s. The 1970s brought even more zoomy style before the Charger evolved into a true personal luxury model. After a brief respite, the Charger was reinvented for the 1980s as a compact coupe with new-age turbo power before going back to hibernation until 2006, when it was revived as part of Dodge’s plan for putting a Hemi Charger in every American driveway. Yes, it appears to have been a roller coaster of a ride, yet it’s also the perfect lead-up to a summer road trip celebrating  the Charger’s 60^th anniversary.

“From its debut in 1966, Dodge Charger has stood as a symbol of bold design, unapologetic performance and unmistakable American attitude,” said Matt McAlear, Dodge CEO. “As we mark 60 years, we’re bringing that legacy to life nationwide and connecting generations of enthusiasts. Today’s Charger continues as a modern muscle car led by the 550-horsepower Scat Pack with its gasoline-burning, twin-turbo, SIXPACK engine, proving performance remains at its core.”

Here’s what you can expect next:

• Route 66 Centennial Parade (July 12):  Santa Monica, California is the endpoint of Route 66, which is celebrating 100 years, so it’s only fitting that a parade led by a gaggle of Dodge Chargers (both late-model and classic) will head from the Petersen Automotive Museum to the Santa Monica Pier. The parade will also include a fleet featuring key moments in automotive history.
• All-American Cruise-In (July 26): You’ll be able to find eight generations of Charger history at the Petersen Automotive Museum’s All-American Cruise-In, a celebration of automotive culture coinciding with America’s 250^th anniversary.
• MotorTrend Presents Roadkill Nights Powered by Dodge (August 8): Competitors racing 550-horsepower SIXPACK-powered Dodge Charger Scat Pack muscle cars down Detroit’s Woodward Avenue will be a highlight of the Roadkill Nights horsepower festival (now in its 11^th year). For those who wish to pause and admire, there also will be a huge car show celebrating the Charger’s 60^th.
• Woodward Cruise (August 15): Dodge returns to Metro Detroit for what just may be the largest automotive event in the world: the Woodward Avenue Dream Cruise. Of course, you’ll find late-model SIXPACK Charger R/T and Scat Pack muscle cars there for the nameplate’s diamond jubilee.
• Dodge NHRA Great Lakes Nationals Presented by Mopar (September 18-20): Yup, another wordy event! Dodge and Mopar will sponsor the first NHRA event at U.S. 131 Motorsports Park in Martin, Michigan to close the summer season. It will be highlighted by a pre-race cruise departing from Auburn Hills.

 What is your favorite Charger? Tell us in the Comments section below!

The SEMA Show in Las Vegas is a huge expanse of aftermarket parts, wildly modified cars and trucks, and, as you’ll see in this video, even concept vehicles.

We spotted a 1995 Toyota Land Cruiser rock-crawler sitting high on Fox coilovers, Fittipaldi wheels, and massive 40-inch Venom Power Swampthing tires.

Of course, we also saw plenty of Ford Broncos, but we focused on two specific builds. The first was Brittany Sigafoose’s 2024 Bronco Badlands, which she decked out with an array of Oracle and Cavalier lights, Mountain Offroad skid plates, a trick hardtop from Armadillo Designs, and more.

The second Bronco build we just had to show you is a 1-of-1 made by Ford itself: the 60th Anniversary Bronco Roadster Concept, which pays homage to the 1966 roadster model with its doorless and roofless body, Wimbledon White finish, slotted wheels, manual transmission, and custom tailgate. There’s plenty more to these three builds, so be sure to check them out in our video below.

Built for enthusiasts. Trusted by professionals. For more than 75 years, SONAX has been setting the standard in automotive appearance care. The Beast Wheel Cleaner turns red as it attacks brake dust and grime, delivering the deep-cleaning performance that show cars, collectors, and detailers demand. Available at www.SONAXUSA.com.

Currently listed for sale on AutoHunter is this spectacular, frame-off restored 1948 Oldsmobile 68 Station Wagon. It is powered by a 257ci straight-eight backed by a Hydra-Matic Drive — you do remember that Oldsmobile pioneered the automatic transmission, right? Other features include dual chrome side mirrors, factory AM radio, and more. Painted black with wood paneling over a burgundy vinyl and cloth interior, this Woody comes from the selling dealer with service and tech manuals, parts book, spare parts, and clear title.

The black paint is complemented by real wood aft of the cowl. Other features include chrome mirrors left and right, black vinyl top, chrome rear-fender stone guards, and more. A set of 15-inch black steel wheels with chrome hubcaps and trim rings are wrapped in 8.20 Firestone whitewalls.

The cabin is furnished with burgundy vinyl upholstery with burgundy and white cloth. Other features include a column-mounted automatic shifter, hand-cranked vent windows, factory AM radio, wood paneling for the doors and ceiling, and more.

Instrumentation includes a 110-mph speedometer and gauges for the oil pressure, coolant temperature, amperage, and fuel. The odometer currently shows 72,901 miles, but the title reads mileage-exempt.

The Series 60 was available with a 238ci straight-six or 257 straight-eight; this particular car has the latter, which explains the 68 model number. It was rated at 110 horsepower with a two-barrel carburetor when new. A four-speed Hydra-Matic Drive automatic transmission helps make for effortless jaunts to town or country.

The undercarriage features manual drum brakes on all four corners, and a single exhaust system.

Nineteen forty-eight was the last of the pre-war Oldsmobiles (save the 98), plus it was on the cusp of wagons transitioning from wood to steel bodies, making the object of our AutoHunter Spotlight a dying breed in its time. Add to the fact that this 1948 Oldsmobile 68 Station Wagon is powered by an eight instead of a six and it clearly carries itself with dignified prestige. Why not bid on it now? Because by the time the clock strikes 11:45 a.m. (PDT) on Friday, July 17, 2026, it’ll be too late.

View the AutoHunter listing for more information and a photo gallery

A few months ago, I introduced our readers to my dad’s Ford Gran Torino that my family affectionately named Slimer. I felt another wave of nostalgia sweep over me while scrolling through the classified listings recently. The Pick of the Day is a similar 1972 Ford Gran Torino Sport listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in Homestead, Florida.

“Very well-maintained, 100% original,” the listing begins. Notably, the car in the listing differs from my dad’s in its roofline. Dad’s car had the fastback-style roof, while this one has a formal layout.  

A magazine ad for the 1972 Gran Torino said, “We expect you to say ‘prove it’ when we tell you Ford Torino is the year’s best mid-size value. Okay. Proof,” and then it listed some of the car’s merits. “Torino is quite possibly more car than you expected,” the ad concluded.

Defined by its classic long-hood/short-deck profile, the car was celebrated for its Coke-bottle styling and distinctive “fish mouth” grille for 1972. Features of the Pewter Mist (code A5) exterior include chrome bumpers, quad headlights, hood scoop, vinyl roof, rocker moldings, sport side mirrors, and Magnum 500-style wheels wrapped in BFGoodrich tires.

The interior is upholstered in black vinyl, and features bench seats, lap belts, manual-crank windows, column-mounted shifter, AM/FM radio, and air conditioning.

Under the hood is a numbers-matching 351ci Cleveland V-8 that was rebuilt about 4,300 miles ago. Recent mechanical work has been extensive; the listing outlines some of it: “Has had many maintenance items done, such as new water pump, starter, brakes and brake lines, engine mounts, ball joints, trans modulator, trans fluid and filter, alternator, distributor, spark plugs and wires, wipers, rear window seals, hood seal, A/C blower, A/C compressor, rear quarter-window cranks, battery, and dual exhaust and mufflers.”

Whew! Clearly, the car has seen a lot of love under current ownership. And that owner is ready to pass the torch to some lucky Ford fan.

Wish I could be the one to take the reins! I’d show up to my dad’s house acting like I was driving Slimer, reincarnated. Except Slimer (at least in the movie “Ghostbusters”) was a ghost already. Well, whatever.

“Drives like a dream, very comfortable car,” the listing concludes.

The asking price is $37,000 or best offer.

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

Belfast is famous for a number of things. Aside from being Northern Ireland’s capital and home to a vibrant pub scene, it was also the birthplace of the ill-fated RMS Titanic. In the automotive world, Belfast became legendary for being the home of a 550,000-square-foot factory in Dunmurry, a suburb about six miles southwest of the city. That’s where the iconic DeLorean DMC-12 was manufactured beginning in 1981.

Celebrating 45 years that have passed since that time, over 140 DeLoreans and 300 people showed up this summer to a sold-out event called DeLorean Eurofest at the Stormont Estate in Belfast.

Stormont serves as the site of the country’s parliament buildings, so it was a fitting backdrop for the gathering. Festivities took place from June 11-14, and my friend Tamir was one of the enthusiasts in attendance for the historic “homecoming” event.

Some of the key activities aside from the meet-up at Stormont included a product fair and a gala dinner. There were swag items available, including T-shirts, skateboards, posters, stickers, keychains, books, and more. As a “Back to the Future” fan, I quite enjoyed some of the movie references.

Some of the photos posted by The Irish News convey just how well-attended event was.

Tamir said, “The last part of the show included test-drives around the factory track. One of the owners insisted that I drove his car with my son. And another owner took him on a ride, nine laps around. He had a blast!”

Tamir shared some of his own photos of some of the other noteworthy cars in attendance. Check out the Honda Integra Type R:

And when was the last time you saw an older Toyota Camry as clean as this one?

Renault Alpine GTA V6 Turbo:

Suzuki Cervo hatchback: