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  • 5 classic Chrysler letter cars heading to auction

    Five primo examples of Chrysler’s performance legends, the 300 series “letter cars” from the 1950s and ‘60s, will be offered from a single collection when Mecum Auctions returns to Glendale, Arizona, for its third annual collector car auction March 18-20 at State Farm Stadium.

    The super-sized Chrysler 300s are called letter cars because each model year received an ascending letter designation, with the cars in this group including a 1957 300C convertible, a 1958 300D hardtop, a 1959 300E hardtop, a 1960 300F convertible and a 1962 300H hardtop.

    1957 Chrysler 300C convertible

    1957 Chrysler 300C convertible

    A 1963 300 Pacesetter convertible rounds out the collection, although it is not a factory letter car but an official pace car used in the 1963 Indianapolis 500.

    Chrysler chief designer Virgil Exner’s Forward Look styling was in full bloom in the gaping grilles and, on the earlier models, prodigious tail fins. The 1957 model was the first to break out with that extravagant look under Exner, and a whole new design direction for Chrysler and its divisions.

    1958 Chrysler 300D hardtop

    1958 Chrysler 300D hardtop

    What set the letter cars apart were their high-performance V8 engines, which produced impressive acceleration despite the massive size and weight of the full-size cars. There was a full-on horsepower war going on in Detroit starting with 1955, as Chrysler rolled out its first 300C to compete with GM and Ford powerhouses that also arrived that model year.

    For the 1957 300C and 1958 300D models, the engine was a FirePower Hemi V8 displacing 392cid and generating 375 or 390 horsepower, depending on the setup, for the ’57 car, and 380 horsepower for the ’58.

    1960 Chrysler 300F wedge-head 413cid V8 with cross-flow intake

    1960 Chrysler 300F wedge-head 413cid V8 with cross-flow intake

    For 1959, the Hemi was replaced by the Golden Lion wedge-head V8 with 413cid (6.8 liters) and 380 horsepower, and a resounding 525 pound-feet of torque. A new 413cid wedge design was produced for 1960, initiating a unique “cross-ram intake,” with 375 horsepower and similar torque.

    For the 1962 300H, the tail fins had gone away but the letter-car power remained, with a slightly smaller profile and lighter weight. For this year, the 413cid V8 was called the Max Wedge, fed by a pair of 4-barrel carbs on a normal intake and boasting 380 horsepower and that same muscular 525 pound-feet of torque.

    For whatever reason, Chrysler did not use a 300J for its 1963 300 Pacesetter featured at Indy but a standard non-letter model, which was still a powerful car with its factory 383cid V8.

    1963 Chrysler 300 Pacesetter

    1963 Chrysler 300 Pacesetter

    Mecum says it expects 1,200 collector cars, trucks and motorcycles to cross the block during the 3-day Glendale auction, held in the NFL stadium where the Arizona Cardinals play their home games. The collection of Chrysler 300s is set for bidding on March 19.

    1962 Chrysler 300H hardtop

    1962 Chrysler 300H hardtop

    For more information, visit the Mecum Auctions website.

    This article, written by Bob Golfen, was originally published on ClassicCars.com, an editorial partner of Motor Authority.

    Source

  • TOYOTA CELICA GT-FOUR ST205 BUYING GUIDE

    Toyota has seen all the rave with its latest GR Yaris but what about its past homologation specials? Here’s our quick fire Toyota Celica GT-Four ST205 buying guide and top five mods. 

    What is the Toyota Celica GT-Four?

    The Celica GT-Four is an iconic car, there’s no doubt about it. Conceived as a homologation special for the WRC, it took the everyday Celica liftback and offered it with a turbocharged 3S-GTE motor and permanent AWD. Launched in 1986, the variant existed across three generations – the ST165 (1986-89), ST185 (1989-93), and finally the one we’re looking at here, the all-conquering ST205 (1994-99).

    These cars represent pretty sensational value for money these days – you can pick up a runner for as little as £4,000 – although the sweet spot begins around the £7k mark for a good one. And if you think that sounds like a lot for an ageing nineties hatchback, remember these two important points: firstly, it’s a genuine Group A homologation special, and secondly these were very expensive cars when new – well over £10,000 more than the rival Impreza Turbo.

    Toyota Celica GT-Four ST205

    The 2.0-litre turbo 3S-GTE motor served up a raucous 239bhp, with the drivetrain consisting of an E154F 5-speed manual ’box, viscous centre and a Torsen rear diff. The peak power figure may sound modest today, but this package was good enough for 0-62mph in comfortably under six seconds and a top whack of 153mph – and it’s a hugely tuneable engine.

    You also got four-pot brakes as standard, with G-sensing ABS, intercooler water-spray, the correct plumbing to allow you to fit anti-lag, and a high-level version of the stock rear spoiler, raised up with tall GT-Four branded risers. It’s not a fully stripped rally weapon though, the spec also included air-con, an electric sunroof, heated mirrors, a decent stereo and headlamp washers. All in all it’s a compelling package, and the ST205 is markedly cheaper than the arguably more obvious Group A homologation choices – the Lancia Delta Integrale and the Ford Escort RS Cosworth. It’ll give either of them a run for their money too.

    ST205 GT-Four: what to look out for

    Check the provenance of the car you’re looking at, as there are a lot of import GT-Fours on the UK market – this isn’t necessarily an issue, although you may find spec differences as well as notable insurance price hikes. The easiest way to spot a non-UK GT-Four is the absence of headlamp washers. Make sure it’s been properly rustproofed underneath!

    Indeed, rust can be an issue on any Celica of this age – check the sills and arches in particular, as well as brake pipes underneath. The Toyota Celica GT-Four ST205  has an aluminium bonnet which is particularly prone to dents and dings, so check it’s in good order as finding a replacement can be tricky. Look out for white smoke from the exhaust which can indicate a worn turbo (rebuilds or upgrades aren’t a deal-breaker, but will need to be strongly factored into your buying price). Have a good look through the history to see it’s been looked after properly, as many haven’t – ideally you want to see oil changes every 5,000 miles or less, and that the fluid’s circulating correctly for the chargecooler. Heaters are a weak spot too – check that it’s blowing hot and cold, and a wet passenger carpet is a dead giveaway of a blown matrix; it’s not an expensive fix, but it’s a faff to do as you have to dismantle the dash!

    Toyota Celica GT-Four ST205

    One crucial factor on your test drive is to ensure the clutch is operating well: replacing it can take about eight hours of labour, which works out to be a significant percentage of your buying price. And if you hear any knocking or clonking from the front end, it’s likely that the ‘Superstrut’ suspension’s figure-eight camber control links are knackered.

    Top 5 Celica ST205 mods:

    Brakes from £999
    The stock 4-pots are great, but if they need replacing you may not be able to find them. So why not upgrade?! The K-Sport 4-pot setup is outstanding.
    ksport.co.uk

    Exhaust £294
    A Japspeed cat-back is a bit of a no-brainer for the ST205 – inexpensive, high-quality, looks great, and proven gains.
    japspeed.co.uk

    Induction £285
    The Blitz SUS induction kit is a hardcore bit of hardware, developed with proper race car tech. Always a winner this one.
    blitz-uk.co.uk

    Wheels from £900
    Rally cars need rally wheels. We reckon that the ST205 would look great on a set of 17-inch Speedline Turinis. Definitely in white too. Yum
    rimstyle.com

    Seats from £1,200
    The stock seats are fine, but imagine how much better it’d be with a pair of Bride Low Max in the front!
    sportsseats4u.co.uk

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  • 2021 FORD MUSTANG MACH 1 ON SALE IN EUROPE

    The latest iteration of the Ford Mustang, the 2021 Mach 1, is now on sale in Europe and starts from £55,185, with deliveries beginning in the summer.

    Powered by an uprated V8 producing 454bhp and 390lb ft, the new Mustang Mach 1 is Ford’s fastest ever production Mustang offered to the European market around a track, according to the marque. To make that power, it gets a new intake manifold, oil cooler and oil filter adaptor from the Shelby GT500, as well as an 87mm throttle body.

    2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1

    The new Mach 1 bridges the gap between the base V8 model, now the only engine offered in Europe after Ford dropped the 2.3-litre EcoBoost engine, and the highly-tuned Shelby GT500. It effectively replaces the GT350, which was taken off sale last year.

    Alongside the power increases, the Ford Mustang Mach 1 also comes with aerodynamic tweaks, the most obvious of which is the shark-nosed front end including a 3D grille, fake retro lights and new air intakes. Alongside a bigger underbody chassis tray, a total of 22% more downforce is generated by the Mach 1 over the Performance Pack-optioned Mustang GT.

    Elsewhere in the looks department, the 2021 Mach 1 gets Magnum 500-inspired 19-inch aluminium wheels.

    Thankfully for purists, the Mustang Mach 1 gets a six-speed manual gearbox from Shelby as standard, which includes rev-matching. A 10-speed auto is available as an option for £2000.

    As standard, the Mach 1 comes with Ford MagneRide adjustable dampers, which are uniquely tuned to this car, as well as stiffer front springs and anti-roll bars, alongside retuned power steering.

    For those wanting more of a track experience, an optional Handling Package is available, which comes with wider 10.5 inch wheels (9.5in standard option), as well as a larger front splitter, reshaped front wheel lip mouldings, a Gurney flap and tyre spats. This all helps to deliver an impressive 128% more downforce over the regular Mustang GT.

    On sale now from £55,185, 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 deliveries begin in the summer.

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