Author: John L. Stein

John L. Stein has been an automotive journalist since 1986, including stints at Automobile, Corvette Quarterly and Maximum Drive. He has been an SCM Contributor since 2008.

Helplessly Hoping

The ZR-1 debuted after the C4 Corvette had already been on the market for six model years. Chevrolet’s new “King of the Hill” took its name from the race-spec 1970–72 Corvette ZR1 (a rarity, with only 53 built). It was both a nod to the past and an attempt to […]

Old-School Muscle, New-School Luxury

When the salesman wearing the JCPenney fedora with a fishing lure snagged in the brim tells you his Acme Premium Plan is “the Cadillac of insurance policies,” there’s a reason why. In post-war America, Cadillac was unequivocally the car to have. It was an aspirational vehicle to own and to […]

1987 Buick GNX

This 1987 Buick GNX with 8.7 miles is number 480 of 547 created for the single model year, which is indicated on the plaque mounted to the passenger’s side of the dashboard. Ralph’s Buick in Mena, AR, initially sold the vehicle in 1987, and it was then shown in the […]

Scratching the Itch

Sitting in a marketing meeting in Detroit one day not so long ago, I recall seeing a presentation that explained how the Corvette’s primary competition was the Porsche Boxster and 911. There were some other cars mentioned as well, but I had already tuned out. As a guy in my […]

America’s Bargain

Rip Van Winkle wasn’t a car guy, but if he had been, his longform napping would’ve put him in good stead as a collector. By most reckoning, new cars depreciate for the first decade or two of life, then after they’ve bottomed out for a while, they start to climb […]

1967 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu L79

One of 4,048 Malibu L79s built for 1967 Concours rotisserie restoration with photos Rebuilt correct L79 drivetrain and components 327/325-hp high-performance engine with EP suffix Muncie M20 4-speed transmission Twelve-bolt 3.31:1 Positraction axle Radio delete Documented with L79 Registry certificate

2009 Chevrolet Corvette C6RS

The sixth of just seven cars built by Pratt & Miller to celebrate the success of the American Le Mans Series C6.R 8.2-liter V8 engine by Katech Performance 600 hp, 600 ft-lb torque Cat-back Corsa exhaust Aluminum flywheel and Centerforce Dual Friction clutch Blueprinted 6-speed manual transmission Carbon-fiber body panels […]

1969 Dodge Super Bee A12

Real “Mr. Norm’s” Super Bee A12 Six Pack Sold at Grand-Spaulding Dodge in Chicago Period-correct 440-ci Magnum Six Pack Edelbrock aluminum manifold Triple Holley carburetors Matching-numbers 4-speed manual transmission Super Trak Pak Dana 60 axle Lift-off fiberglass hood Hubcap, power steering and power brakes delete Correct H-code wheels Original broadcast […]