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Patrick McCarthy

Recent Posts by Patrick McCarthy:

Video: The K5 Blazer's Rise to Greatness

In the 1960s, American automakers were laying the groundwork for a new type of vehicle: the SUV. The popularity of the Jeep CJ-5 revealed that buyers liked the idea of a small off-road capable 4x4, and the International Scout and Ford Bronco showed that buyers also wanted a 4x4 that was more comfortable and practical. After studying this emerging market and seeing the success of its own Chevy Suburban, General Motors decided to throw its hat in the ring with the release of the legendary K5 Blazer in 1969. The Blazer was larger, more refined on paved roads, and kept costs low by sharing parts with GM's C/K series trucks, but it could still hold its own on rough off-road trails.

Velocity Restorations Fox Body Restomod: A Quarter-Million-Dollar Mustang

The Fox Body Mustang is a deeply nostalgic vehicle for those of us who grew up in the 1980s and '90s. These cars were easy to find at affordable prices, fun to drive, and served as a gateway into the world of high-performance modifications. More than 40 years later, it's no surprise that some Fox Body enthusiasts are willing to spend big bucks to build their ultimate dream Mustang... but would you be willing to pay $280,000 for one? Velocity Restorations, a custom classic car and truck builder in Florida, is offering a new series of turn-key Fox Body Mustang restomod builds for more than a quarter-million dollars each.

Video: Roadster Shop's AXIS 1969 Camaro

Roadster Shop is one of the forerunners of the pro touring movement within the classic car world. Their low-slung, aggressive, high-horsepower builds have pushed the boundaries of performance by matching or exceeding the capabilities of brand-new supercars. So, when we look at this 1969 Camaro, it's hard to believe that it was built nearly 12 years ago. It has clearly aged well and seems like it'd fit right in at a SEMA Show exhibit today. Roadster Shop even claims it has the first supercharged 650-horsepower LT4 crate motor under its hood.

1964-66 Plymouth Barracuda: The Most Underrated Pony Car?

In 1964, the American automotive industry changed forever with the introduction of a new category of small and sporty two-door vehicles, known today as pony cars. These cars carried the DNA of their bigger and more powerful siblings — the muscle cars — but with a more compact size, economical price, and emphasis on handling over horsepower. Today, many enthusiasts think of the 1964 1/2 Ford Mustang and its subsequent competitors, the '67 Camaro and Firebird, as the first pony cars. But the third member of the Big Three was actually the first one to enter this segment with the '64 Plymouth Barracuda. In this article, we'll take a look back at the first-gen 1964-66 Plymouth Barracuda, which some have called the most underrated pony car of the 1960s.

Video: New "Eleanor" Mustang Built by the "Gone in 60 Seconds" Movie Team

Whether you're a movie buff or just a car enthusiast, the name Eleanor likely brings one thing to mind: Gone in 60 Seconds. The 2000 action film, which was loosely based on the 1974 action film of the same name, featured a sleek silver '67 Mustang at the center of its story. Anti-hero protagonist Memphis Raines, played by Nicholas Cage, feverishly hunts this car like Ahab hunted Moby Dick. While the film wasn't appreciated by critics, it has become a cult classic and is frequently cited as one of the most memorable car movies of all time. More than 25 years later, the original crew that built the movie stunt cars is making a limited series of 25 "Eleanor Gone Again" tribute cars.

The Complete History of the Corvette ZR1

For Corvette enthusiasts, the name ZR1 means one thing and one thing only: the pinnacle of performance. Ever since the introduction of this racing-oriented option package in the 1970 model year, the Corvette ZR1 has been a car that raises eyebrows everywhere it goes — not just in America, but all over the world. It showed the automotive industry the best of what GM engineers had to offer, and in true "halo car" fashion, it was so expensive to produce that it constantly made the bean counters upset. More than 50 years since its launch, it's still surprising competitors and breaking records. Read on as we take a look back at ZR1 history and study every generation of the ultimate Corvette variant.

Video: Jay Leno Drives a New 1993 Mustang GT Fox Body

As kids, most of us grew up dreaming about owning cool cars — the kind that showed up on posters, magazine covers, TV shows, and movies. Unfortunately, the contents of our piggybanks didn't align with those lofty dreams. But as adults, a lucky few of us are able to save up enough money to buy those cars we always wanted. This was exactly the story for comedian Gabriel "Fluffy" Iglesias, who always dreamed of owning an early-'90s Ford Mustang GT and was recently able to buy this pristine Fox Body with less than 500 miles on the odometer.

Video: Inside the Real '68 Mustang Stunt Car from "Bullitt"

If we asked you to name the most famous movie car chase of all time, there's a good chance you'd say one word: Bullitt. This 1968 thriller captivated audiences across America and around the world with its groundbreaking car chase on the streets of San Francisco. While the cinematography and acting were incredible, the cars were also a big part of the appeal. Steve McQueen chased a '68 Dodge Charger from behind the wheel of a Dark Highland Green 1968 Ford Mustang — the exact car seen here. This Bullitt stunt car was thought to be lost for many years, but it's now restored and on display at the Petersen Auto Museum.

Video: Home-Built 700hp 1969 Camaro

We love a good transformation story, whether it's the redemption arc of a fictional hero or the tale of a classic car that went from a rusty relic to a work of art on wheels. This 1969 Camaro started out as a $5,600 swap meet special before its new owner turned it into a purpose-built pro-touring machine. Efrain Diaz did almost all the work on this car in his own garage, leading it to be recognized on the cover of Super Chevy Magazine under the title "Homebuilt Screamer." Autotopia LA recently interviewed Diaz to discuss the history of the build and all its impressive details.

Video: Jay Leno Drives a Brand New 1987 Buick GNX

The term "survivor" is often used to refer to a classic car that has been preserved in completely original condition since it was brand new. Few cars fit that description better than this 1987 Buick GNX — not only did it survive in flawless condition, but it never even left the showroom! "It still has the window sticker. This has sat at a Buick dealership since 1987," remarked Jay Leno in surprise as he looked over this pristine GNX. Leno spoke to Brad Willingham, the owner of Boulevard Buick, about the interesting story of this rare vehicle.