Diego’s AutoHunter Picks

I recently came back A quick trip to Michigan. Not sure if you’re familiar, but the automotive industry is everywhere in this state. You can be far from Detroit and still see a car with a “manufacturer” license plate that hasn’t been built yet. I see two Within three days I saw a Buick Regal wagon, although it took me a year to see two in Phoenix.

Yes, Michigan is a unique state that stands out when compared to the other 49 states. Detroiters, in particular, are fiercely proud and well aware that their city is a barometer of America. So why is there a Japanese car in the AutoHunter Picks pack below? Honestly, I can’t tell you why other than “it’s complicated.”

1970 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe
I was never a big fan of the 1970-72 Corvette grille and exhaust; I preferred the 1968-69. However, the 1970-72 wheel arches gave it a more commanding look, which many people appreciated. Of course, 1970 was an odd year in that the Corvette didn’t get Chevy’s top engine option, although the LS5 was pretty good.

This 1970 Corvette T-top with 454/390 and a four-speed transmission sounds like a hassle I’d happily go through. Even more so with the 4.10 gears! Other features include a recent repaint, a roof rack, and an upgraded Custom Autosound AM/FM stereo. Plus, it comes with a Protect-O-Plate and repair receipts to give you peace of mind before you get any speeding tickets.

2022 Ram 1500 TRX
I know there are some super trucks on the market, but I’m not sure which one is Ram’s because there are so many configurations, even worse than the Mustang. The TRX is said to have a 702-horsepower Hemi V8 (quasi-Hellcat!) and a list price of $75,680 before options. God! Buyers also need to find change for 10/14/12 gas mileage.

This 2022 Ram 1500 TRX originally listed for $93,735, which is a lot of money for a pickup truck. But this one has quite a few features, including a dual-pane panoramic sunroof, a huge 12-inch touchscreen, a Class IV towing package, and a Bilstein suspension. This truck is like King Kong Bundy, it takes five seconds to do it, so don’t get in its way.

1971 Datsun 240Z
When these cars were everywhere, I was totally not a fan of them. They looked nice, but not to me. Plus, I preferred the styling of those cars with the Federal bumpers (if this surprises you, read this). However, I have matured and I realize the true greatness of this Japanese sports car, thanks to its styling and well-engineered 2.4 SOHC inline-six engine.

This early 1971 Datsun 240Z (note the build date) was the first to offer an automatic, which this car has (which you might like if you’re getting older and not too picky). It also has lower compression (for 1971), so it should be able to run on today’s gas. The upgraded stereo has Bluetooth and XM/Sirius, which means you can listen to vintage Howard Stern while driving this vintage “Fairlady.”

Rust Valley Restorers 1966 Ford Mustang Coupe
People love celebrity cars or cars that appear in TV shows or movies. I guess people are really attracted to anything celebrity. I guess that’s what happened when I went to a spicy chicken sandwich shop in Nashville and they thought I was on a cable TV show so they offered me a sandwich for free. I politely declined but it put a smile on my face.

Stand up and smile your Come check out this 1966 Mustang restored by the father-son duo who star in the reality show “Rust Valley Restorers.” The modified pony car now features a 5.0-liter Cobra V8 engine and a BorgWarner five-speed manual transmission, a roll cage, Wilwood four-wheel disc brakes, and a certificate of authenticity from Doubting Thomases.