Welcome to this week’s combined edition of Backfire News, Modern Car Collector, and The Auto Wire — your all-access pass to car culture, collector insights, and industry updates.

Backfire News

Alpine’s Exit Sends a Warning Shot Through WEC’s Hypercar Future
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​Alpine is walking away from the World Endurance Championship’s Hypercar class after 2026. And for a series still celebrating its resurgence, that is not a footnote. It is a warning.
This is not happening during a downturn. WEC has full grids, major manufacturers and renewed global attention. Ferrari, Toyota, Cadillac, BMW, Peugeot, Aston Martin, Genesis and Alpine have filled the top class with credibility. On paper, it looks like stability has finally arrived. Alpine’s decision shatters that illusion.
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Modern Car Collector

The $1 Million Question: Can Porsche’s Rarest 968 Reset the Market?
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​An exceptionally rare 1993 Porsche 968 Turbo S is poised to test the upper limits of the collector car market when it crosses the block at Gooding Christie’s annual Amelia Island sale next month.
The Zermatt Silver coupe is expected to bring between $900,000 and $1.2 million during the March 5–6 auction in Florida. If bidding reaches the high estimate, it would mark the first time a 968 has sold for seven figures and establish a new benchmark for the model.
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​Read Here​

The Auto Wire

Dodge Charger, Challenger, Chrysler 300 Named in Class-Action Lawsuit Alleging 2-Million-Car ‘Conspiracy’
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​A newly filed class-action lawsuit is targeting Stellantis subsidiary FCA US, LLC and supplier Lear Corporation over electric front-seat height adjusters used in roughly two million vehicles — including the Dodge Charger, Challenger, and Chrysler 300.
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​Read Here​

Featured Amazon Find

ILM Snell SA2025 Full Face Auto Racing Helmet​
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Gear up with confidence! The ILM Snell SA2025 Full Face Auto Racing Helmet (Model 890) delivers premium protection and performance for both men and women drivers. Crafted with a lightweight fiberglass shell, this helmet is designed to reduce fatigue on long stints while maintaining serious safety standards backed by Snell SA2025 certification — perfect for track days, autocross, club racing, and performance driving events. Comfortable interior padding, excellent ventilation, and a secure fit make it a standout choice for enthusiasts who want reliable safety without sacrificing style or comfort.

​Buy Here​

Featured Merch

DON'T CRASH THE AUCTION Funny Tee
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​For those who know… they really know.
The “Don’t Crash the Auction” tee is a tongue-in-cheek nod to one of the most unforgettable moments in auction history — when someone got a little too hands-on with some very expensive sheet metal. It’s an inside joke for true car people, collectors, and anyone who understands that sometimes the most memorable auction results don’t happen on the block.

​Buy Here​

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​Backfire News | Modern Car Collector | The Auto Wire​