If there's one thing Jeeploves to brag about, it's how tough the Wrangler and Gladiator are. These rigs are supposed to laugh in the face of boulders, mud pits, and whatever else the wild can throw at them.

But even the most rugged off-roaders can trip up on the basics. Jeep's latest recall targets a select few 2026 Wranglers and Gladiators after it turned out some left the factory with steel wheels (most likely Sport trims) that just weren't up to snuff. The numbers are small, but the risk is big enough that owners should probably keep their adventures on hold until things get fixed.

Only 641 vehicles are in the hot seat: 606 Wranglers built over a single week in November 2025, plus 35 Gladiators from the same time frame. The culprit? Steel wheels with walls so thin, they have no business being fitted on an off-roader.

According to the NHTSA documents, these skinny wheels could crack and even break loose, which is not exactly what you want when you're barreling down a trail. Worse yet, it could happen with zero warning, making things a little too exciting for comfort.

The problem first popped up late last year, kicking off months of detective work by Jeep’s engineers and supplier teams. After plenty of head-scratching, they finally called it: there's a real safety defect here.

Stellantis

So far, FCA says there haven't been any complaints, warranty claims, or horror stories tied to these wheels. And before you point fingers at Jeep, the wheels actually came from Maxion Wheels, a US-based supplier.

As for the remedy, dealers will check out the wheels and swap them (and the valve stem) for free if needed. Dealer alerts kick off July 23, 2026, with owner letters following on September 4. If you're worried, you can check your VIN once the lookup tool goes live.

For owners caught up in this, it's a not-so-gentle reminder that even the most trail-ready rigs are only as tough as their weakest part.

Stellantis

Honda will revive the Ridgeline pickup “within two years,” after pulling the current model from production late this year, the automaker confirmed, while offering a teaser image of what’s to come.

Japan’s second-largest automaker described the upcoming truck as its “third-generation” package and promised it will “prioritize features and capabilities.” It may also deliver a big boost to fuel economy, several sources indicate. A hybrid package apparently is in Ridgeline’s future, though it’s unclear if it will be available at launch.

As with the current Ridgeline, Honda confirmed the next package will again be produced at the Honda Alabama Auto Plant where the current model is assembled alongside products including the Pilot and Passport SUVs, as well as the Odyssey minivan.

Wieck

Two months ago, Honda announced that the second-generation Ridgeline would end production late this year. The move was attributed to problems meeting strict California emissions rules with the truck’s V-6 engine. Honda was one of a handful of automakers to reach an agreement with California regulators setting tough emissions mandates. Those remain in effect even after a rollback in federal rules by the Trump administration.

The next-generation Ridgeline will not be entirely new, stressed Sam Fiorani, lead analyst with AutoForecast Solutions. “Honda’s advertising this as an all-new truck, but it’s based on the existing truck,” including its unibody architecture, though he expects it to get a significant update to both its exterior and interior design, along with plenty of new technology and other features.

Original plans called for Honda to replace the current 3.5-liter iVTEC making 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. Payload capacity is 1,500 lbs, with towing capacity rated at 5,000 lbs in the most capable trim package. Fuel economy is 21 mpg combined on most packages. But performance, payload and towing numbers are expected to jump with the new model.

According to internal documents put together in February, said Fiorani, the Ridgeline returning to production in 2028 was originally expected to replace the iVTEC powertrain with another internal combustion package. But plenty has changed at Honda since then. The automaker has now fully abandoned any plan to sell EVs in the U.S. until sometime after 2030. On the other hand, it will rapidly expand its use of hybrids and will now make several models, including Accord, hybrid-only.

Noting the recent shift in electrification plans, Fiorani said, “things may have changed.” Ridgeline was supposed to get a hybrid option, but not until sometime after 2030. As part of the revised electrification program, he added, Honda may move a hybrid into Ridgeline’s plan before the end of the decade.

Ridgeline could use a helping hand – and considering the rapid growth of the U.S. hybrid segment – which is expected to reach more than 15% of total American sales this year – that could give the truck a much-needed boost.

Honda got into the pickup segment for the 2006 model year, at a time when a number of other players, including FiatChrysler, General Motors and Ford were dropping out – leaving the market to the Nissan Frontier and long-dominant Toyota Ridgeline. Honda bet it could win over buyers by adopting a car-like unibody architecture, rather than the harsher body-on-frame platforms used by the rest of the industry.

But Ridgeline failed to generate much demand. Its quirky styling was one of several factors that actually turned off buyers, forcing Honda to pull Ridgeline from production a first time in early 2015. The automaker came up with an all-new, more traditional truck redesign, launching production of the second-generation Ridgeline in June 2016 as a 2017 model. But demand for the truck has continued to fall short of expectations, dipping to 23,490 for the first half of 2026, down 3.3% from a year ago. In the current market – with Chevrolet, GMC and Ford back in showrooms – Ridgeline was second to last in terms of sales for the period, only GMC posting lower volume.

The next-gen BMW M3 going electric isn’t up for debate anymore. The real question is, which flavor will buyers actually pick? BMW has already spilled the beans: the legendary sports sedan will come as a classic six-cylinder gas-burner or as a full-blown EV riding on the Neue Klasse platform. Both were recently caught tearing up the Nürburgring side by side, just to make things more interesting.

With both versions set to hit showrooms at about the same time, it’s fair to wonder: will one outperform the other? BMW M boss Frank van Meel isn’t shy about picking a side.

BMW

Chatting with Autocar at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, van Meel admitted BMW is basically going head-to-head with itself this time.

"Now we are fighting against ourselves, because with the all-electric M3 we are attacking our best-selling product," he said.

Forget chasing silly horsepower numbers. BMW says the electric M3 is all about handling. Van Meel claims those four electric motors aren’t just for flexing big power – they’re there to control each wheel on its own, dialing up agility and grip.

BMW’s new control system, called the Heart of Joy, is set to juggle torque between all four wheels, clamp down on individual brakes when needed, and keep the car balanced in corners like no regular drivetrain can. Van Meel thinks this is where the electric M3 will really pull ahead.

"There might be customers who say they want to have a combustion engine because they like the sound... or cannot charge at home. But if you're into racing or driving dynamics, you might say the electric one is the best M3,” he said.

BMW

BMW hasn’t forgotten about the emotional side of driving, either. The electric M3 will get fake gear shifts – yes, just like a Hyundai – to make acceleration feel more natural, especially when you’re pushing hard or hitting the track. Van Meel says familiar gear ratios help drivers judge speed and braking without having to stare at the speedo.

One thing BMW won't copy is the sound of its classic M cars. Van Meel revealed that engineers experimented with audio based on the E30's four-cylinder, the high-revving V8 from earlier M3s, and even the V10 from the M5. None felt convincing once transplanted into an electric car, according to van Meel.

Instead, BMW is cooking up a brand-new soundtrack inspired by the electric motors themselves. The goal? Skip the sci-fi noises and give drivers something that still feels connected to the car.

BMW

We got our first glimpse of the updated Toyota Crown for the Japanese market earlier this month. Now, the 2027 Toyota Crown for the U.S. has been officially detailed. Still one of the most individualistic cars in Toyota’s current lineup, the latest Crown features refined styling elements, the latest hybrid system across the lower three trims, and a slew of newly standard features. Pricing has also been updated, with one trim in particular quite a bit more expensive than before. Toyota will be hoping these enhancements can rescue flagging sales of this underappreciated sedan.

2027 Toyota Crown

Toyota

Toyota has barely changed the look of the Crown, which still turns heads with its coupe-like roofline and taller stance than the older Avalon. While the front fascia is largely unchanged, there’s a newly sculpted rear bumper that lends the sedan a slightly more elegant look. Inked, a new black color, has joined the color palette for this model year. 

When launched, one of the most striking aspects of the Crown’s design was its two-tone paint job. Toyota has refined this finish on the Platinum with a body-colored trunk that neatly complements the black roof and upper body. The two-tone finish works especially well when the lower body is finished in red. For the Nightshade trim, there are new black badge overlays.

Additionally, the Platinum now has red brake calipers and a black belt window surround.

Toyota

Moving inside, the 2027 Crown also gets a new shade. For the Limited trim, there are new Saddle Tan seats, which are also available on the Platinum. If the Bronze Age exterior color is selected, any trim can be had with the Saddle Tan seats.

Staying in the interior, the Limited trim now gains standard tech like a panoramic-view monitor, traffic jam assist, and Digital Key capability. As before, all variants have dual 12.3-inch displays.

Toyota

The Toyota Crown launched with hybrid-only powertrains originally, and that’s still the case. The XLE, Limited, and Nightshade trims now gain the fifth-generation Toyota Hybrid System, which combines a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and front/rear electric motors. All-wheel drive is standard and these three models use a CVT. While Toyota did not confirm outputs for this powertrain, they should be similar to the 2026 version’s 236 horsepower combined.

The top Platinum trim keeps its 2.4-liter turbo-four hybrid system, known as the Hybrid Max. With 340 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque combined, it can reach 60 mph in 5.7 seconds. AWD is still standard here, but the CVT is replaced by a direct-shift six-speed automatic.

The lower three trims now have standard paddle shifters. Combined with the upgraded hybrid system, Toyota claims a more responsive driving experience. This is still a comfort-oriented sedan, though.

Related: I Drove the 2025 Toyota Crown, Here's My Honest Review

Toyota

The 2027 Toyota Crown is more expensive to start, but one trim in particular has been hit with a big price bump. Here’s a comparison between 2027 and 2026 pricing.

Trim

2027 Price

2026 Price

Difference

XLE

$41,640

$41,440

+$200

Limited

$49,720

$45,950

+$3,770

Nightshade

$48,965

$48,765

+$200

Platinum

$55,190

$54,990

+$200

The Limited is almost $4,000 more expensive than before, primarily because it receives the most significant feature updates for the new model year. These prices exclude a destination charge of $1,295.

Toyota hasn’t said exactly when the 2027 Crown will be available, but we expect it to arrive at dealers later this quarter.

Toyota

The Toyota Crown is one of the automaker’s slowest-selling vehicles in the U.S., with only 5,152 units sold in the first half of 2026. That’s nowhere near any of the brand’s gas-powered SUVs, and even the electric bZ has outsold the Crown this year so far.

Despite this, we have to admire Toyota’s decision to continue investing in the large sedan segment. So many rivals have killed off their larger sedans, but the Crown offers something distinctive for buyers who don’t need a giant SUV. It’s efficient, surprisingly rapid with the turbocharged engine, and has one of the automaker’s nicest interiors. 

With early sales of the new Lexus ES well below expectations, the Crown is capable of filling the gap for buyers looking to combine premium comfort and reliability.

Related: Toyota’s Hybrids Are Now Outselling Its Gas-Only Cars In America

The Mazda3 and Mazda CX-30 aren't exactly young models anymore. Those cars made their world premieres in late 2018 and 2019, respectively, so these are designs from the previous decade. Despite that, both are still competitive in their respective classes, and still good cars to this day.

New generations for both cars are due eventually, and the second-gen CX-30 will be revealed by 2027. Despite the age, Mazda is still giving updates to its popular models, at least over in Japan. Think of it then as its last batch of upgrades before the redesigned versions.

Mazda

In Japan, the Mazda3 and CX-30 get new engines. It now gets the 2.5-liter mild-hybrid inherited from the Japanese-market CX-5, and it's possible these engines will serve as a transition before the redesigned models arrive, while also complying with Japan's new emissions regulations.

While specs have yet to be revealed, output is likely to be the same as the JDM CX-5. That means 176 hp and 175 lb-ft of torque driving either the front or all wheels, and yes, the Mazda 3 is also available with all-wheel drive over in its home market. Mazda Japan even offers the hatchback with a six-speed manual, surprising given that the Japanese market is predominantly automatic. From the outside, however, you'll be hard-pressed to spot the differences between the updated models and the ones currently sitting in showrooms.

Mazda

Along with the new hybrid engine, Mazda has added the base engines previously reserved for fleet market sales into the lineup. In the Mazda3, it's a 1.5-liter with 114 hp and 111 lb-ft, while the CX-30's base engine there is a 2.0-liter putting out 155 hp and 148 lb-ft. Not exactly the punchiest powertrains out there, but it does lower the entry point for both considerably.

The advanced driver assists have also been enhanced, gaining features from the CX-60 and CX-80 (not available in the U.S). The blind spot monitoring gains a door exit warning, while the road sign recognition function can now read speed limits. Improvements to the adaptive headlights were also implemented, as well as an autonomous emergency braking system.

Can we expect these changes for the North American models? If Mazda standardizes the new 2.5-liter hybrid worldwide, it's a strong possibility. That said, we're more likely to see the enhancements made to the driver assists in the U.S.

Mazda

General Motors expects a $1 billion contract from the U.S. Army to build light utility vehicles based on the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 pickup truck.

Speaking on the company’s second-quarter earnings call, CEO Mary Barra said that if federal funding is approved, GM plans to supply the Army with 10,000 infantry squad vehicles (ISV). The order is "expected to exceed $1 billion based on the U.S. Army's procurement objectives," the executive said.

GM Defense

Initially, the Army ordered approximately 1,200 ISVs from GM Defense after the company won the Army’s ISV production contract in 2020, beating competing proposals from Oshkosh and Polaris.

Barra told investors that GM is focusing its efforts on “strengthening supply chain management, improving manufacturing readiness, and expanding production capacity in ways that serve the United States and its allies well.” In doing so, GM Defense should become a bigger contributor to the company’s earnings over time, she added.

GM Defense expects to gain $700 million in revenue this year and double-digit profit margins in the next several years, according to Barra. The announcement comes after the Pentagon earlier this year asked GM and Ford to play a bigger role in U.S. defense manufacturing.

In June, GM Defense announced a partnership with U.S. defense manufacturer Lockheed Martin with the goal of using the automaker’s expertise in supply chain, early stage digital design and commercial-scale production to help ramp up Lockheed manufacturing.

According to The Wall Street Journal, GM Defense is also a leading contender to build the Humvee’s replacement, a large infantry squad vehicle for the U.S. Army.

GM Defense

GM Defense also has a 10-year contract with the U.S. State Department for the next-generation heavy-duty, armored sport utility vehicles to support the Diplomatic Security Service.

"We're building momentum with other products and customers, including the U.S. State Department and Secret Service, as well as Canada, Qatar, Brazil, and other allies," Barra said. She added that GM is also supplying battery propulsion technology to Lunar Outpost, the winner of a $220 million NASA contract to build the next-gen lunar terrain vehicle.

In recent months, major carmakers have pivoted toward the defense sector, announcing deals to supply military vehicles, anti-drone platforms, and weapons components as global security concerns mount.

Ford entered discussions with the U.S. government and European defense departments to supply militarized versions of its F-Series Super Duty trucks, while VW Group entered talks with state-owned Israeli firm Rafael Advanced Defense Systems to build components for air-defense systems at one of its German plants.

Rugged and proper off-road models are a huge market segment; a lot of people want the idea of buying an SUV that can tackle anything and everything. However, in most cases, these cars are barely used as intended; some spend 90% of their lives on the road without so much as a proper drive through tricky terrain.

There are a few exceptions, though- owners who aren't just in it for the optics, but are actual enthusiasts. One Ineos Grenadier owner just completed an epic journey, one that literally crosses the globe.

Ineos

Becky Kim isn't your typical Grenadier owner; she decided to embark on an epic journey with her car. According to Ineos, Kim left her native Nairobi on February 13 of this year and drove for 122 days, visiting over 60 countries, eventually ending her globe-spanning expedition in London this past June. In total, Kim, along with her co-driver/navigator Bonnie Koko, traveled a total of 28,254 miles. She is believed to be the very first woman from Kenya to journey from Cape to Cape.

The journey began in eastern Africa and went to the southern cape of the continent, then they went back up the western coast. Along the way, they encountered extreme terrain, including the harsh conditions of the Kalahari, Namibia, and the Sahara Desert. They were also able to conquer the frigid icy conditions of the Arctic Circle.

Ineos

As if the duration, length, and scale of the journey weren't incredible enough, the pair completed it without any expert intervention. Both relied on traditional mapping to finish the whole expedition. For each country that they visited and crossed, a commemorative flag was added to the rear windshield. Understandably, by the time the journey was completed, she had filled the rear windshield with flags from countries like Mozambique, Malawi, Nigeria, Senegal, the Republic of the Congo, Bulgaria, Greece, Switzerland, and Denmark.

For her part, Kim was obviously impressed by her experience, saying, "I can truly testify that INEOS has built the Grenadier to last a lifetime of adventure. I like to call it ‘The Wagon of Wonder’. From the BFGoodrich tires to its overall capability, it copes tremendously." Incredibly, her Grenadier was unmodified for the trip, heavily relying on the standard off-road equipment and features.

INEOS

UPDATE July 24, 2026: Honda sent Autoblog a statement acknowledging plans to pause production of the manual transmission Civic Si and Acura Integra A-Spec with Technology Package after the 2026 model year. The good news is the automaker plans for both trims to return to the lineup in the future. Read the statement in full below.

Due to evolving business conditions, production of the 1.5-liter turbocharged engine paired to the 6-speed manual transmission (6MT) will be paused at the conclusion of the 2026 model year.

In the U.S., this powertrain is available in the Honda Civic Si and Acura Integra A-Spec. Importantly, Honda and Acura currently plan for both trims to return to the lineup and American Honda expects to share more details at the appropriate time.

Based on current forecasts, American Honda expects dealer inventory to remain available into early 2027.

The original version of the story continues below.

The list of manual transmission cars is getting shorter by the year in the United States, especially when it comes to affordable vehicles. And things aren’t looking much better in the much higher price brackets of specialty cars either.

Automakers most often blame the decline of the manual transmission on plunging customer demand and the superiority of automatic transmissions in terms of efficiency and performance.

It’s a sad state of things for driving enthusiasts and it looks as though two more reasonably priced cars are going to lose their manual transmission option soon. We’re talking about Honda’s Civic Si and Acura Integra A-Spec Tech, whose manual transmission variants are apparently on the chopping block.

According to a post on reddit that includes the screenshot of an alleged leaked internal email from Honda to its employees at the Alliston, Ontario plant, the automaker will be pausing production of both the Civic Si and manual Integra A-Spec models at the end of the 2026 model year.

The company blames this on “evolving business conditions surrounding the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations required to certify 2027 MY and beyond.” That's a bit strange given that the current administration has rolled back and eased multiple emissions regulations in recent months.

IMGUR

As a result, the automaker will pause the production of the trims that feature the 1.5-liter turbocharged engine paired to the 6-speed manual transmission (6MT), namely the Civic Si and Acura Integra A-Spec with the Technology Package. Basically, this means the manual-only Civic Si will go away.

According to the document dated July 22, the decision won’t impact Honda Canada Manufacturing production volume as the “Civic Si trim will be replaced with other Civic MTOC types.” The email also notes that Honda will assess how best to proceed with the impacted trims as EPA regulations become clear.

Acura

We’ve obviously reached out to American Honda Motor Co. to learn if the alleged leaked email is real and if the production pause is temporary or permanent; we’ll update this story when they reply.

As a reminder, the Honda Civic Si is one of the most affordable manual transmission cars sold in the U.S. market, with a starting MSRP of $32,690 (including a $1,195 destination fee). The only manual transmission car on sale in the U.S. that is more affordable than the Civic Si is the 2026 Mazda MX-5 Miata, which starts at $31,665 (including $1,235 shipping).

Kristen Brown

The Civic Si features a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder gas engine rated at 200 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 192 pound-feet of torque at 1,800-5,000 rpm. It comes equipped exclusively with a close-ratio 6-speed manual gearbox that drives the front wheels and works with a helical limited-slip differential. Performance-wise, the 2026 Honda Civic Si does 0-60 in 6.5 seconds and a top speed of 135 mph.

As for the Acura Integra A-Spec with the Technology Package, it starts at $40,495 (including $1,295 destination) and it features the same engine and gearbox as the Civic Si.

Toyota is in the process of switching its entire lineup over to the 2027 model year, with updates already announced for the 2027 Corolla Hatchback, 2027 Tundra, and 2027 Prius. It’s now the turn of the brand’s largest SUV in the United States, the three-row Sequoia. The 2027 model has been enhanced with a sharper appearance, an upgraded infotainment system, and a new Trailhunter Package, which turns it into a capable overlander. It finally brings the Trailhunter treatment to the Sequoia, as the 4Runner and Tacoma are already offered with this option.

Related: 2027 Toyota Tundra Finally Gets The Trailhunter Treatment It Deserves

2027 Toyota Sequoia Trailhunter

Toyota

The design updates are subtle, so much so that you may not immediately notice the difference between this model and the 2026 version. Toyota has added refined grille and bumper treatments on select trims, with a revised bright chrome finish. A brighter LED light bar is available and there are new rectangular fog lights integrated into the bumper.

What does make more of an impression is the Trailhunter Package, which is an option and builds on the SR5 trim. Selecting this package adds the following upgrades:

• Old Man Emu upgraded suspension
• Michelin LTX Trail 265/70R18 all-terrain tires
• 18-inch bronze-colored wheels
• Front recovery hooks
• Additional underbody protection
• Locking rear differential
• Multi-Terrain Select
• Crawl Control
• Exclusive Trailhunter badging

These extras enhance the trail readiness of the Sequoia, but the TRD Pro is still the off-road king in the lineup. The bronze wheels of this package also give this particular Sequoia a more rugged look. No powertrain updates were mentioned, so all Sequoias should retain the 3.4-liter twin-turbo hybrid V6 with outputs of 437 horsepower and 583 lb-ft of torque.

Other than the new package, the range of trims remains unchanged, which means buyers can choose from the SR5, Limited, Platinum, 1794 Edition, TRD Pro, and luxurious Capstone. 

Toyota

Toyota has upgraded the infotainment system in the 2027 Sequoia. All models now come with the larger 14-inch touchscreen; previously, SR5 models made do with a much smaller eight-inch screen.

Besides the size of the display, the latest Toyota Audio Multimedia system also finds its way into the 2027 Sequoia. It integrates AT&T 5G connectivity and has customizable widgets with a smartphone-like layout. This system was previously introduced in the latest RAV4 crossover. Additionally, there are new, more responsive voice controls and a standard dash cam.

Toyota

Toyota’s enhanced Digital Key is also available. This allows owners to manage certain functions straight from their mobile device.

Finally, Toyota has upgraded the safety suite to the new Toyota Safety Sense 4.0 suite. While the features are similar, the new suite introduces improved hardware and detection capabilities. Hopefully, these changes will improve the SUV's performance in the IIHS' test for vehicle-to-vehicle crash prevention, in which the Sequoia only achieved a Marginal rating.

Toyota

The Toyota Sequoia is one of the brand’s higher-margin vehicles, owing to its price point that stretches to over $80,000. After the departure of the older, three-row Land Cruiser, it’s also Toyota’s only large, body-on-frame SUV with three rows. The Grand Highlander has three rows but isn’t nearly as capable off-road, while the new Land Cruiser has been significantly downsized. For these reasons, it’s important for Toyota to keep the Sequoia fresh.

Pricing will determine how good of a deal the 2027 Sequoia is, but that information will only be shared closer to it going into production in fall 2026. We’re willing to bet the Trailhunter Package will be popular, especially as SUV fans increasingly choose rugged upgrade packs and special editions.

Related: We Put the 2026 Toyota Sequoia’s Cargo Space to the Test With a Photo Booth

Update, Friday, July 24: Harrisburg is now three days deep, and the sale has reached the stretch that matters. Mecum's Main Attraction lots begin crossing the block this afternoon, while the Chevelle has been held for Saturday, the day the rarest cars and the biggest numbers traditionally land. Live coverage runs on ESPN+ daily at 11 a.m. ET through Saturday, and Mecum is streaming every lot start to finish on the Live Block Cam at its own site. Last year's sale set the bar: a 1992 Porsche 911 Turbo took top honors at $286,000, while a 1969 Dodge Hemi Charger R/T led all American muscle at $176,000 with premiums included.

Mecum has called it the main attraction of the entire Harrisburg sale, and on Saturday, July 25, we think it will earn such a billing. The car is a 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS LS6, a high point of the American horsepower war, finished in Tuxedo Black with white stripes and backed by the kind of documentation that separates a real one from a tribute.

For years, GM capped engine size in its midsize cars. By 1970, with emissions rules, insurance surcharges, and efficiency standards all closing in, the company scrapped the rule and dropped the biggest engine that would fit into the Chevelle's bay. The result was the 454-cubic-inch LS6, rated at 450 horsepower and widely believed to make well beyond that. It was the most powerful factory engine of the time and placed the Chevelle SS at the very top of the muscle car market.

Alas, Chevrolet dropped the LS6 after a single year, which makes 1970 a one-year-only proposition and this car a snapshot of when the era peaked.

Mecum

The drivetrain is the one enthusiasts dream about: the 450-hp 454 LS6 paired with a Muncie four-speed manual and a 4.10 Positraction rear. Equipment includes power steering, power brakes, a cowl-induction hood, headrests, and correct five-spoke SS wheels on reproduction Goodyear Polyglas raised-white-letter tires.

Mecum

While rarity makes this Chevelle a hot ticket item, its the accompanying documentation that elevates it to top billing. Just 4,475 LS6 engines were built for 1970 across Chevelle and El Camino, with most experts putting the two-door Chevelle count at well under 4,000. This car backs its claim with two original build sheets, including a second copy found tucked under the front seat, and a listing in the LS6 Registry. It was displayed at Carlisle in 2020 for the engine's 50th anniversary.

The car has been repainted once in its factory Tuxedo Black over a black vinyl split-bench interior, and it still wears its original body panels.

Mecum

The broader muscle market has softened over the past year, but blue-chip, fully documented cars have held firm and in some cases climbed. A registry-listed LS6 with two build sheets is exactly that kind of car, the sort that sets a number rather than chases one. As the headline lot of a 1,200-car sale, it will be one of the clearest reads on where the top of the muscle market sits right now.

If one car defines both the peak of the horsepower war and the value of honest paperwork, it is this one, and it crosses the block Saturday.