mod@tech

You never know what interesting and uncommon vehicles will cross the block at a Barrett-Jackson auction. Walking around the recent Barrett-Jackson 2025 Scottsdale Fall Auction, you will discover there is something for everyone. Here’s a few of the little nuggets you may or may not have seen shared on social media.

1956 Chevrolet Bel Air
A four-door sedan is not the most desirable body style, but Tri-Five folks don’t discriminate. Nonetheless, what stood out with this Indian Ivory and Pinecrest Green Bow Tie was its condition—even with the 235ci inline-six and Powerglide. Even if you’re not into these, this example was simply spectacular.

1995 Nissan Skyline GT-R V-Spec
Remember 10 years ago or so when Boomers on Facebook were bragging about how there were no collectible Japanese cars? That didn’t age well, as the hobby has been turned upside-down by hot rodding of the JDM kind. This one just so happens to be an original Motorex gray-market car, so it’s been on our soil since it was a wee little lad. With mechanical upgrades, it puts out over 800 horses.

1970 Pontiac GTO Judge
If I were a betting man, this GTO Judge was originally ordered by someone who was more adult than kid, judging by the Sierra Yellow hue, brown interior, automatic transmission, and air conditioning. Under the indoor lighting at WestWorld, the color and stripes simply popped.

1984 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ60
 The history of the Land Cruiser can be complicated, but certainly you recognize this from American streets several decades ago. And guess what? They’re quite collectible now. This one is a Saudi-spec example with its original paint and interior. Powertrain includes a 4.2-liter inline-six paired with a four-speed manual. Dig the rainbow stripes!

1967 Chevrolet Camaro RS
Objectively, there’s nothing really special about this Camaro Rally Sport, as it’s a 327 two-barrel paired with Powerglide. However, it presents well due to its condition, Granada Gold paint with Light Fawn vinyl top, and Rally wheels. So, someone has added Z/28 stripes? It’s quite attractive.

1965 Sunbeam Tiger
Sunbeam may be a forgotten British brand, but Carroll Shelby’s involvement with the Tiger is not. This one was modified in 2010 for a rally, so it features a modified 289 Ford V8 with four-speed transmission, heavy-duty suspension, Abo shocks, Salisbury limited-slip differential, and more. When the Rip Chords sang about a little Cobra, were they talking about this junior example?

1981 Chevrolet Camaro Z28
It has always been a bummer when automakers step away from high-performance combinations, and this happened to Americans when the 1981 Camaro Z28’s standard engine became the 305, and a four-speed behind the 350-powered Z was no longer available. However, the Canadian government’s version of the EPA was not as stringent, so a Z28 powered by a 350 four-speed was a thing. Throw in the Burgundy hue with gold/brown stripes and you have an interesting pony car.

1969 Datsun 2000
Imagine an MG with Japanese engineering and you’d find this Datsun, a tribute to the original commissioned by Bob Bondurant for his School of High Performance Driving. It’s powered by a 2.0-liter inline-four backed by a five-speed manual. Perhaps it may not be too fast, but it certainly is likely to be loads of fun.

1957 Chevrolet Bel Air
Oh, no, what’s this? Another Tri-Five? Note the slick color combo (Harbor Blue with Larkspur Blue roof), but even more worthy of noting is how this vehicle was equipped: Wonder Bar radio with rear speaker, electric clock, air conditioning, Autronic Eye, traffic light viewer, illuminated compass, vacuum ashtray, foot-operated windshield washer, and power windows, front seat, brakes, and steering.

We caught a significant prewar vehicle in Monterey: a 1935 Mercedes-Benz 500 K Special Roadster. In today’s video, we check out this “short-tail, low-door” example, which features Sindelfingen coachwork, then dig into its supercharged straight-8 engine. We also explore the history of chassis 123702, aka the “Gore 500 K,” from British aristocracy to winning Best of Show at Pebble Beach in 1982, and look at how its restoration and long-term care kept it concours-ready for decades. Stay tuned to find out what makes this Special Roadster one of the definitive prewar Mercedes models. 

This video is sponsored by our friends at Borro. For the trusted source in liquidity when you need it most, call Borro today at (720) 458-6788 or learn more at borro.com.

Subscribe to the CCN Media YouTube channel for more Monterey Car Week 2025 content.

“No roads at all? That’s Bronco country,” said Ford in advertisements for its first-generation Bronco. “From its heavy-duty front axle and exclusive Mono-Beam from suspension, the four-wheel drive Bronco is tough—durable—reliable.” Featured on AutoHunter is this 1973 Ford Bronco Custom SUV. It is being sold by a dealer in Sarasota, Florida, with the auction ending on Monday, October 27, 2025, at 12:45 p.m. (PDT).

Marti Auto Works of El Mirage, Arizona, has access to a wealth of knowledge about Ford vehicles. In fact, Marti holds the keys to the entire Ford Motor Company production database for vehicles built since the 1967 model year. There are over 120 million records on tap, and among them are the details on this 1973 Bronco. Following are some of the key highlights:

• Color code T: Candyapple Red
• C4: Ginger Ranger Bucket Seats
• 18J: 3.50 Conventional Rear Axle
• 76: Denver District Sales Office

Included with the build was a lengthy list of options, such as skid plates, power steering, mud tires, passenger side mirror, body side moldings, AM radio, extra-cooling radiator, heavy-duty battery, and auxiliary fuel tank. When the vehicle rolled out of the Michigan assembly plant on June 29, 1973, it was shipped to a dealer called Garnsey & Wheeler Co. in Greeley, Colorado.

Clearly, the original Candyapple Red exterior was changed to a light blue during restoration, but a lot of other upgrades took place at the same time. The SUV received a Wild Horses lifted suspension, Flowmaster exhaust system, and overhauled interior. The cabin has been redone with black vinyl TMI bucket seats, Tuffy lockable center console, tubular rollbar, wood-rimmed steering wheel, and custom Kenwood audio system.

Under the hood, power comes from an Edelbrock-carbureted 302ci V8 mated to a three-speed automatic transmission and dual-range transfer case.

The collector market for first-generation Broncos has been hot in recent years, with excellent examples regularly climbing into the six-figure price range. One of the driving factors for the increase was the reintroduction of the Bronco nameplate in 2021 after a 25-year hiatus.

Today, there are Bronco enthusiasts in every region of the country (and beyond). For example, in Arizona, there is a Facebook group called Arizona Classic Bronco Club with over 3,300 members. A restomod-style baby blue 1973 Bronco might be the best 4×4 to get you connected to the community and geared up for exhilarating off-road adventures.

The auction for this 1973 Ford Bronco ends Monday, October 27, 2025, at 12:45 p.m. (PDT).

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and a photo gallery

As popular as four-wheel-drive pickups are these days, it’s hard to believe that truck manufacturers haven’t always offered 4WD from the factory. Luckily, there were aftermarket companies back in the day, such as NAPCO (Northwestern Auto Parts Company), that could give them that capability. Our Pick of the Day benefited from such a conversion. This 1956 GMC 100 NAPCO 4X4 is listed on ClassicCars.com by a dealership in Branson, Missouri.

Founded in Minnesota in 1918, NAPCO provided mechanical components to the Big Three in World War II. According to Tread magazine, “During 1942 NAPCO began building Four Wheel Drive assemblies to be fitted to Ford, GM, Chevy and Studebaker vehicles that were being shipped to Europe and the Pacific. From 1942 to 1956, Chevy and GM trucks could be ordered by the government and civilians with a NAPCO Power-Pak kit that could be installed later, for $995.”

NAPCO trucks were built for demanding work and rough conditions, so they were typically beaten up on a daily basis—which isn’t conducive to a long life. Luckily, someone restored this 1956 Blue Chip truck, refinishing it in the charming combination of red with a white roof and white B-pillars/rear window surround as well as white bumpers. There are five white 16-inch wheels, including an external spare mounted on the driver side. Putting the spare on the outside of the bed not only makes this truck look cooler, but it also leaves more space to carry stuff on the bed’s tan wood planks.

This GMC was built to work, which means the cabin is all-business. The bench seat is covered in black vinyl. There’s no need to worry about staining the carpet because there is none—just black rubber. However, there is power steering, which will help on both trails and roads. There’s also a diagram on the driver’s sun visor that shows you how to use the transfer case to engage “all wheel drive.”

The 248ci I6 was rebuilt and coated in fresh gray paint. A four-speed manual helps it deliver power to the rear end or—when the going gets tough—both axles.

This 1956 GMC 100 NAPCO 4X4 is a handsome rig from an interesting spot on the timeline of American trucks. You can buy it for $48,000 (OBO) and write the next chapter in its history . . . in mud.

Click here to view this Pick of the Day on ClassicCars.com

I’ve never looked into the history of mag wheels that often decorate muscle cars, but I suspect the term comes from the magnesium wheels developed for race cars. Pontiac’s famous 8-lugs may have been the first factory offering, but I wouldn’t swear by that (if you know, hit us up!).

The cars below are listed for sale on AutoHunter or ClassicCars.com. Can you tell us the name of the wheel? What about the cars on which they are installed? Be sure to list the model year, make, and model name. A caveat: at least one is modified, so don’t let that be a hurdle. Post your answers in the Comments section below.

Click on a photo to reveal each car

Every Tuesday is game day at The ClassicCars.com Journal. You can also play past puzzles for even more fun.

Barrett-Jackson crossed the 2025 collector car auction season finish line at full throttle with its Scottsdale Fall Auction, presented by Gila River Resorts & Casinos, Oct. 15-18 at WestWorld of Scottsdale. The four-day automotive lifestyle event featured 643 collectible vehicles that sold for more than $38.8 million, with a 100% sell-through rate. In addition, 449 pieces of authentic automobilia sold for $1.4 million, bringing total auction sales to more than $40 million.

“We started an auction year in Scottsdale during January and finished here again with an unforgettable celebration of automotive craftsmanship, proving that the collector car market continues to be vibrant,” said Craig Jackson, chairman and CEO of Barrett-Jackson. “We assembled a docket of rare, high-performance and historically significant collectible vehicles, and also hosted celebrity guests that included Hollywood legend William Shatner, making this year’s Scottsdale Fall Auction a tremendous way to finish the 2025 auction season.”

The top 10 vehicles sold during the 2025 Scottsdale Fall Auction were:

1. 2006 Ford GT Heritage Edition No. 3 (Lot# 1026) – $742,500
2. 2006 Ford GT (Lot #1056) – $660,000
3. 2021 Ford GT MK II (Lot# 1051) – $605,000
4. 1976 Ford Bronco Custom SUV (Lot #1086) – $440,000
5. 1968 Ford Mustang Licensed Eleanor 25th Anniversary Limited Edition (Lot #1068) – $429,000
6. 1972 Ford Bronco Custom SUV (Lot #1082) – $379,000
7. 2025 Porsche 911 Turbo S (Lot #1045) – $341,000
8. 2006 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren (Lot #1056.1) – $330,000
9. 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Custom Split-Window Coupe (Lot #1063) – $330,000
10. 1957 Chevrolet Corvette Custom Convertible (Lot #977) – $291,500

The four-day automotive lifestyle event boasted new guest amenities, including the Collectors Club hospitality pavilion hosted in an exclusive, elevated space just steps from the Staging Lanes, and the Barrett-Jackson Fan Zone presented by Hilton Grand Vacations. Guests also enjoyed Thrill Rides in the latest Dodge performance vehicles on the Barrett-Jackson Performance Track.

Celebrities who attended this year’s Scottsdale Fall Auction included William Shatner, who was on the block to help sell his 2011 Porsche Panamera Turbo (Lot #964), as well as professional skier Julian Carr, Boston Red Sox MLB player Jarren Duran, and Bill and Tom Kaulitz, members of German band Tokio Hotel and stars of the hit Netflix series “Kaulitz & Kaulitz.”

The Automobilia Auction included 449 items that sold for more than $1.4 million. The top automobilia pieces sold during the Scottsdale Fall Auction included:

• 1920s Standard Oil Red Crown Rush Model “H” stovepipe 10-gallon visible filling station gas pump (Lot #9467) – $63,250
• 1926 Standard Oil Gold Crown Gasoline Dayton Model #600 visible filling station gas pump (Lot #9499) – $46,000
• 1963 Gulf Oil single-sided porcelain with animated neon service station sign (Lot #9494.2) – $34,500

Barrett-Jackson continued its charitable efforts with the sale of three vehicles, including a 2022 Chevrolet Camaro SS Pace Car (Lot #3000) that was donated by Chevrolet and sold for $150,000 to benefit the American Cancer Society. On Super Saturday, Barrett-Jackson continued its yearlong commitment to support Tunnel to Towers with the sale of the 1966 Harley-Davidson FLH Custom Motorcycle (Lot #3001) that sold for $145,000. Also crossing the block for charity was a 1988 Chevrolet Corvette 35th Anniversary Edition (Lot #3002) that sold for $110,000. The Corvette was immediately donated back and raised an additional $90,000, for a total of $200,000, with 100% of the hammer price benefiting the American Heart Association. The Corvette has been generously donated again to cross the block at a future auction to benefit the American Heart Association. To date, Barrett-Jackson has raised more than $164 million for charity.

“Our Fall Auction continued to set the standard in the collector car hobby,” said Steve Davis, president of Barrett-Jackson. “We brought together buyers, sellers and automotive enthusiasts for the ultimate collector car experience. We saw a massive amount of interest in cars from the 1940s to the 1960s, showcasing the diversity of the hobby. The high-quality vehicles continue to attract the attention of buyers, selling for top dollar. We’re also proud that Barrett-Jackson continues to use our platform to support our nation’s veterans, first responders and those suffering from illness. With the generous donations and gracious bidders, we were able to raise $495,000 to help so many deserving people.”

Barrett-Jackson is now accepting consignments for the 2026 Scottsdale Auction. Those interested in being part of the auction may consign their collector vehicle here. Those interested in registering to bid may do so here. The 2026 Scottsdale Auction will be held January 17-25 at WestWorld of Scottsdale. General admission and VIP Experiences for the January 2026 Scottsdale Auction are now available for purchase.

Join Barrett-Jackson’s online conversation with #BarrettJackson and #BJAC on Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube.

Currently listed for sale on AutoHunter is this restored 1968 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe. As the first of the C3s, the 1968 Corvette has several features that are different from all other C3s, perhaps most noticeable being the quartet of solid red taillights. Powering this Corvette is the infamous 350-horsepower L79 327, which is mated to a four-speed manual. Features include air conditioning, side pipes, power windows, an L88 hood, and more. Painted red with a tan vinyl interior, this example of America’s Sports Car is offered by the selling dealer in Connecticut with an owner’s manual and a clear title.

This Corvette was originally painted Corvette Bronze but was repainted in the bright red you see here. Features include T-tops, silver-painted gills, an L88 hood, side pipes, and more. The 15-inch Rally wheels are wrapped in 215/70 BFGoodrich Radial T/A raised-white-letter tires.

The tan vinyl interior features two bucket seats divided by a console housing a manual shifter. Interior features include air conditioning, power windows, a simulated wood steering wheel with power steering, and an aftermarket radio/cassette player.

Instrumentation includes a 160-mph speedometer, 7,000-rpm tachometer, and gauges for the oil pressure, water temperature, battery, and fuel, plus a clock. The odometer currently reads 67,925 miles, though the title says this vehicle is mileage-exempt.

The L79 was the top small-block available in 1968. It put out 350 glorious horsepower. It is backed by an M20 wide-ratio four-speed manual transmission. Look under the hood and you’ll find an electronic ignition and a new Champion radiator.

The undercarriage features an independent front and rear suspension, four-wheel disc brakes with stainless steel calipers, and (naturally!) a dual exhaust system.

When the C3 Corvette hit the streets in the autumn of 1967, it was the wildest American vehicle around in a new model year that had several stellar designs, including the GTO and Charger. Plus, every Corvette managed to give its owner the option of open-air driving, somewhat spelling doom for the convertible. Add the high-winding L79 327 and you know this 1968 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe will be an exhilarating drive for someone who ponies up and places the winning bid. Will that be you? The auction ends on Monday, October 27, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. (PDT), so bid now and bid high!

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and a photo gallery

The first time I drove the Lexus LC500 was a bit of a revelation. I had known for years that Lexus created some of the best built cars in the world but, up to this point (and with the exception of the LFA), they just lacked that little extra something that made them special.

Then I was given a LC500 to drive from Connecticut to West Virginia to attend the Greenbrier Concours. From the first time I saw the car, I thought that it was something different from Lexus and, after getting into the car, I was certain it was. All Lexus cars have always been nice cars, but the LC500 was something quite a bit more. The car felt a bit more Aston than BMW, and everything about the LC500 impressed me. This car was a world-class GT with a quality about it that surpassed every other car in the segment. It was also a lot of fun to drive and, whenever I stopped for fuel on that trip, the car was a magnet for people (especially young folks) to come over and take a closer look at the LC500.

Even years after its introduction, the LC500 still looks as fresh and new as it did when it was launched, completely embracing the large grille and angles of Lexus’ design language that make the LC500 perhaps the best-looking Lexus production car ever built.

The seating position was excellent, the performance very strong, and the build quality was better than any other Lexus I had ever driven. My idea of Lexus was a company that built amazingly well-made but pretty staid cars was forever gone. The LC500 was a world-class GT from a source I never considered in the conversation about these types of cars. Not only was it a great GT, but it was also one of the best of the modern era and not derivative of any other car (with the possibly exception of the great LFA).

The Pick of the Day is one of these cars, a 2018 Lexus LC500 located at a dealer in Dallas.

The dealer describes this LC500 as being painted in Ultra White with a Cashmere leather and Alcantara interior. It is equipped with the optional $5,960 Performance Package, which includes a carbon fiber roof, Active Rear + Variable Gear Ratio Steering (VGRS), active rear spoiler, and carbon fiber door sills. Other options include the Convenience Package (which adds Intuitive Park Assist, Blind Spot Monitor, and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert), and the All-Weather Package (with Heated Steering Wheel, Windshield De-Icer and PTC Heater). Finally, this LC500 also includes the audiophile-quality Mark Levinson audio system, which is one of the best factory car stereos in the world.

The dealer adds that the LC500 is unmatched in both design and performance, calling this vehicle a flagship luxury coupe that delivers world-class craftsmanship and exhilarating power. This is not just marketing talk either. When the LC500 was put head to head against the Aston Martin V8 Vantage, it rated higher in every single category including performance. These cars are really that good, yet somehow often overlooked.

What is also interesting is that these cars still represent a serious bargain whether new or used. This 2018 LC500 had an MSRP $92,000 which, when you consider the quality and segment in which the LC500 resides, makes it look like a bargain. When you notice that Lexus incorporated a lot of LFA styling elements into a mainstream production car, with some of the finest build quality in the world and the best reliability record in the entire GT car segment, there is a lot to like with this LC500. When you consider that the asking price for this 44,000-mile example is $64,995, that looks like the best value of any used GT.

Click here to view this Pick of the Day on ClassicCars.com