Today’s Auto Brief: Toyota Faces Lawsuit Over Automatic Transmission Failures, Merlin goosebumps, a blue‑chip sale, warranty wins (and woes), and a rally co-driver’s big moment

I’ve had weeks where the car world felt quiet. This isn’t one of them. From a V12 warbird that’ll rattle your soul to fresh court heat on Toyota automatic transmission failures, today’s feed is all torque and texture. I spent the morning bouncing between sources, calling a couple owners, and revisiting old notes from my time living with a high-mile Toyota and a finicky extended warranty. Grab a coffee. This one makes a few detours—in the best way.

The Spitfire’s Merlin V12: why we still chase the noise

Autocar’s reflection on flying a Supermarine Spitfire sent me right back to a cold morning at Duxford when a Merlin howled low and fast enough to shake the coffee out of my cup. Different universe to cars, sure, but the language is familiar: induction roar, supercharger whirr, exhaust thunder that hits you behind the breastbone. Later Merlin variants pushed four figures in horsepower—imagine a naturally aspirated road-car V12 with war stories and altitude.

I’ve never flown one (one day), but I’ve stood halfway down a grass strip while a Spitfire climbed and felt the revs the way you feel a Lamborghini V12 at idle—alive, slightly menacing, and beautifully mechanical. Autocar’s reminder that you can actually book a flight isn’t just a bucket-list thing; it’s a postcard from the era that taught us why pistons and passion belong in the same sentence.

“One of the most valuable cars ever built” is up for sale. Translation: boardroom-level due diligence

Carscoops flagged a unicorn-level listing—one of those museum-grade, provenance-rich cars that usually changes hands quietly, over leather chairs and whispered numbers. I’ve watched deals at this level wobble over a casting mark, then close because a shop foreman found a period photo of the same car on grid at a long-forgotten support race. It’s detective work with a big-boy price tag.

If you’re lucky enough to be in the hunt, the smart money moves early:

• Provenance that’s bulletproof: factory records, period photos, and a clean chain of ownership.
• Event eligibility: Mille Miglia, Le Mans Classic, Pebble Beach. These stamps matter to value and enjoyment.
• Logistics that don’t kill the romance: enclosed transport, insurance that actually covers shakedown miles, proper storage.

Last time I trailed a seven-figure inspection, the deciding factor wasn’t the price. It was a compression test and a binder of old race entries. Glamour meets spreadsheets—bring both.

Quick buyer checklist for seven-figure classics

• Verify matching-numbers hardware and period-correct replacements (documented).
• Order a compression/leak-down test with bore-scope images—no excuses.
• Confirm FIA/registry status and any prior scrutineering notes.
• Budget 1–2% of value annually for preservation—even if it just makes the school run twice a year.

FTC sends refunds to CarShield customers: extended warranty wins and landmines

Also from Carscoops: the FTC is issuing refunds to some CarShield customers after misleading claims. Good news for folks who got burned. And, honestly, a timely nudge. I’ve had third‑party coverage pay off on a German sedan that loved new sensors like candy. I’ve also watched a legitimate claim get denied because of one comma in the exclusions list. Fun times.

If you’re shopping coverage, treat it like a contract review, not a brochure:

Extended coverage options at a glance

How to vet an extended warranty

• Read the exclusions and wear-item language. Ask for the sample contract—not the glossy pamphlet.
• Confirm diagnostic and teardown rules (who pays if the part isn’t covered?).
• Check shop approval lists and parts policy (new OEM vs. remanufactured).
• Look up complaint ratios and state regulator filings—not just star ratings.

Toyota Faces Lawsuit Over Automatic Transmission Failures: what owners should know

Carscoops reports a second legal action alleging certain Toyota automatic transmissions can fail with little to no warning. The details will matter here—model years, powertrains, maintenance histories—but two suits are enough to make long-time Toyota loyalists sit up. I’ve run a high‑mile Camry that shrugged off abuse like a brick, which is exactly why stories like this stick out.

If you’re worried, behave like there’s a recall, even if there isn’t one yet:

• Document everything early: harsh or delayed shifts, hesitation off the line, sudden “neutral” moments, warning lights, limp mode.
• Get a dealer write‑up. Keep repair orders, videos, and scan reports in a single folder (paper and digital).
• Ask about TSBs and software updates at every service visit.
• Skip transmission “flushes” unless Toyota specifies it; a drain‑and‑fill with the correct fluid is usually the safe play.

Toyota automatic transmission failures: symptoms checklist

• 1–2 upshift flare (RPM jumps, then grabs)
• Delayed reverse engagement after selecting R
• Harsh downshifts when coasting to a stop
• Random disengagements, like a sudden coast with revs rising
• Check engine or transmission warning icons, plus stored DTCs

Toyota automatic transmission failures: service and goodwill tips

• In-warranty? Escalate quickly and reference your paper trail.
• Out of warranty? Ask (politely) about goodwill assistance, especially if you’ve serviced within the Toyota network.
• Get a second opinion from a transmission specialist familiar with your model’s unit code.
• Retain any failed parts and photos—useful if litigation or buyback programs expand.

When a WRC co-driver finally gets the keys

Road & Track highlighted a WRC co-driver taking a proper turn at the wheel, and I couldn’t stop grinning. A few winters back I did a rally school on studded tires and learned—fast—that pace notes and proprioception are two different sports. Co-drivers live in split-second timing; drivers dance with weight and grip. Wearing both hats at once? That’s sorcery.

Modern rally cars are traction on legs—short gearing, jittery anti‑lag, differentials that yank you into corners, brakes that make yesterday’s supercar feel shy. Hand one to a lifetime right‑seater and you get crisp lines, fresh respect, and a reminder that bravery and precision aren’t opposites.

Why this matters beyond motorsport

• Teamwork wins. The best laps come when information and execution actually shake hands.
• Coaching works. A session with a good instructor can unlock more pace than any bolt‑on.
• Practice in safe places. Car control is a skill you build, not a menu option you tick.

Bottom line on Toyota automatic transmission failures (and the rest of today’s noise)

It’s a lively week: the high-end market is still trading in whispers, the FTC just sent a message to warranty marketers, rally nerds got a feel‑good moment, and Toyota faces a lawsuit over automatic transmission failures that’s worth monitoring if you own a newer auto‑equipped model. Different stories, same theme: mechanical things move us—sometimes literally, sometimes legally. Keep your records tidy, your fluids fresh, and your ears open. The rest? That’s why we love this stuff.

FAQ

• Which models are affected by the Toyota automatic transmission failures? The suits reference specific model years and powertrains; details can evolve. Ask your dealer to run your VIN for TSBs and monitor Toyota’s official communications.
• Is there a Toyota recall yet for the transmission issue? As of the latest reports, lawsuits have been filed; a recall was not announced in those stories. Check NHTSA, Toyota’s site, and your dealer for updates.
• How do I strengthen a transmission-related warranty or goodwill claim? Keep a complete paper trail: dates, videos, fault codes, dealer ROs, and fluid service history. Document symptoms the moment they appear.
• Are extended warranties worth it for transmissions? Factory plans are simplest; reputable third‑party plans can be fine if you read exclusions and confirm your shop is approved. Self‑insuring works if you’re disciplined and risk‑tolerant.
• Can the public still book Spitfire flights? Yes—through licensed operators with dual‑control, two‑seat aircraft. Availability and cost vary, so plan early and bring a camera (and maybe tissues for the happy tears).