Journal Classic Cars

The Pacific Northwest has always been known for its attractive greenery—and, in this case, it applies to a classic truck as well: this 1955 Ford F-250 Pickup currently listed on AutoHunter. The truck is being sold by a private party in Lynden, Washington, with the auction ending on Monday, September 22, 2025, at 12:30 p.m. (PDT).

Lynden is a small community about 100 miles north of Seattle and fewer than 10 miles from the Canadian border. It looks like a beautiful place to explore—especially from behind the wheel of a vintage pickup.

The truck in question has been newly refreshed both inside and out; it received new paint, trim, and a wood bed about a year ago. Exterior features include black bumpers, a driver-side mirror, running boards, and a side-mounted spare tire. The inside of the cab has been similarly overhauled in recent months, with appointments including tan vinyl upholstery, new sun visors, and replacement headliner.

In model year 1955, Ford called its truck “The Money Maker.” The background for that claim was what Ford referred to as “Triple Economy.” Expanding on that, the pickup was said to offer value in three specific areas:

• Money-making power: The available Cost Clipper Six and Power King V8 were said to have new durability features and be engineered to last longer.
• Money-making convenience: The cab was “driverized” with conveniences to enhance comfort and cut fatigue, giving drivers an incentive to do their best work.
• Money-making capacities: Ford trucks were designed to deliver top load-carrying ability while keeping overall chassis weights lower.

Did Ford deliver on its promises? The answer to that will probably be subjective, but one thing is for sure: the early F-Series pickups paved the way for Ford’s runaway success in the decades to come. In fact, the F-Series would go on to later hold the title as the best-selling truck in America, a feat which it still holds today in 2025 after a near-50-year streak.

Power for this truck comes from a reportedly numbers-matching Power King 239ci V8 mated to a Ford-O-Matic three-speed automatic transmission. The engine was rated at 132 horsepower and 215 lb-ft of torque when new, and the listing says it was completely rebuilt in March 2025. The odometer shows 198 miles, although true mileage on the chassis is unknown since the mileage was reset to zero when the aforementioned mechanical work was performed.

A walk-around video has been provided which shows the exterior, interior, and engine compartment. There’s a lot to love about all-things green in the PNW, and this tidy, restored F-Series is no exception.

The auction for this 1955 Ford F-250 Pickup ends Monday, September 22, 2025, at 12:30 p.m. (PDT).

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and a photo gallery

What is it about Detroit’s propensity for watering down great names? In 1962, Chrysler replaced the Windsor with the new 300, a mainstream mid-trim level situated between the Newport and New Yorker that compromised the equity of the 300 letter-series. Not only did Buick do a similar thing a year later, but the automaker did it in the same price class as the 300. Our Pick of the Day is the first version of this model before Buick mainstreamed it. This 1962 Buick Wildcat is listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a dealership in O’Fallon, Illinois.

Buick’s completely redesigned 1959 models also included all-new model names. At the bottom was the LeSabre, which replaced the Special as the brand’s bread-and-butter car. Replacing the Century was the Invicta, which rode on the LeSabre’s shorter wheelbase and had the power of the senior Buick’s new 401 V8. The replacement for the Roadmaster was the Electra, with a special Electra 225 model featuring an additional five inches in length (for 225 inches in total) and several additional standard features.

Starting in 1960, the Invicta two-door hardtop and convertible were available with the Custom package, which added stylish bucket seats with genuine leather trim and a two-way power driver’s seat. The Custom package manifested itself as an Invicta special sub-model for 1962 called the Wildcat.

“Buick introduces torrid new luxury sports car! First with the sure-footed sock of advanced thrust,” proclaimed the spring ad introducing the Wildcat. The special vehicle included front bucket seats divided by a bright metal console featuring a tachometer and Turbine Drive stick shift (another way of saying Buick’s Dynaflow transmission). A vinyl top—unusual for the time—was included. Other “sports car touches” included a foam rubber headliner with chrome strips like a convertible, deep carpeting, rear seat courtesy light, Electra taillights, and special Wildcat wheel covers. As the Wildcat was based on the Invicta, it was powered by a standard 401 “Nailhead” with 325 horsepower.

Think of the 1962 Wildcat as Buick’s answer to the Pontiac Grand Prix and you will not be far off. However, the Wildcat never had a chance to play the same role again as, for 1963, it was mainstreamed as Buick’s mid-livel series, taking over the Invicta’s place as a full-fledged line that included a four-door and convertible. This didn’t leave Buick without a personal luxury model, however, as the Riviera was introduced for 1963, which most certainly was one of the most stylish American vehicles from the 1960s.

This Arctic White 1962 Buick Wildcat is a rare and unusual collectible not often found for sale. Making it more unusual is the white-on-white color combo, though it currently lacks its vinyl top. Power steering and brakes, and an AM radio are several features on this vehicle. Plus, if you glance at the data plate, you’ll see several accessory codes: S7, U7, and N7. Those codes mean this vehicle was originally equipped with a driver-side remote mirror, power windows, and “N2” air conditioning and “N4” Vanity Group (N2 + N4 = N7 in Buick’s world), the latter of which included a right-hand mirror, tissue dispenser, and litter basket.

Imagine this: You enjoy sporty cars, but you’re at a stage in life where you’d rather deal with easy cruising instead of a spine-jarring ride and a rumpety-rump engine that is a pain to tune. This Wildcat may check all the proper boxes for you because it’s still sporty yet gives you luxury, rarity, and exclusivity. For $21,000, this is a good habit worth indulging.

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

Several days ago, I published a Pick of the Day on a car not often seen on these pages: a 1970 Buick Skylark Custom four-door hardtop. Not only was it an unusual find, but it was also in unusual condition for this particular body style. Writing an accurate story was a challenge, but I had a good Buick aficionado to help me sort things out.

I was aware Buick discontinued the Special and let the Skylark play the role of entry-level A-body for 1970. I also knew there were several variations of the Skylark available to consumers that year. The 1970 brochure laid it out for me.

The above guide helped me discern the trim levels and available body styles:

Model	Body Style
Skylark	Two-door Sedan
	Four-door Sedan
Skylark 350	Two-door Sport Coupe (hardtop)
	Four-door Sedan
Skylark Custom	Two-door Sport Coupe
	Two-door Convertible
	Four-door Sedan
`	Four-door Hardtop

The brochure featured this passage: The 1970 Buick Skylarks. Four to choose from. From the above picture, I was able to infer that Skylark and Skylark 350 were two trim levels that included four models. So why was the Skylark 350 an upgrade from the base Skylark? Was it because it included a 350 engine? Did that mean base Skylarks only had a straight-six? The brochure was not clear in this regard.

I reached out to Greg Cockerill, a retired GM designer and Buick fan. He too felt the brochure was “a bit ambiguous.” For one thing, why was the upgraded Skylark model called Skylark 350 if it came standard with a six?

Greg agreed, stating, “Yes, but as-written, it is saying six-cylinder is standard, even on the Skylark 350, though the Salesman’s Guide points out that the 350 is a ‘required’ option. But it’s kind of goofy to make the V8 a required option as opposed to being standard equipment.”

In previous years, the LeSabre was available as a LeSabre 400, which didn’t necessarily mean it was powered by a 400ci V8—it wasn’t—but that it was a package that paired the TH400 transmission with the small-block, instead of the two-speed Super Turbine transmission normally offered. Could the Skylark 350 have been named in a similar vein? Considering the standard transmission was a three-speed manual and not the TH350, likely not. Greg added, “In contrast, 1970 was the one single year for a ‘LeSabre 455’ which DID have 455 engine.”

Without an adequate solution, we both agreed an order form would hold the key to the answers we sought. “Well, I think I solved the mystery/ambiguity . . . “ said Greg once he found an order form in his collection of literature.

“It is clear that a Skylark 350 could not have a six-cylinder. However, it also clearly shows that a ‘base’ Skylark could indeed have a V8! Hence, if the Skylark 350 was ONLY available as V8 , then the name would be defensible.” Greg then adds, “Perhaps a better question is: Why bother with offering a Skylark 350 model? Perhaps, in addition to the mandatory V8, it also has some other equipment or elevated trim level? That would be the only logical reason to offer it at all.”

With a quick glance in the brochure, we can see the Skylark 350 featured an upgraded interior from the base Skylark, plus the Skylark 350 featured several optional interiors that were not available on the base Skylark.

Mystery solved!

Monterey Car Week never disappoints, and this year was no exception. From catching some of the week’s big auctions to exploring events all around town, Collector Car Network Media saw incredible cars at every turn.

We interviewed Barrett-Jackson CEO Craig Jackson, witnessed the unveiling of the 2026 Shelby Super Snake-R, and spotted everything from wild concept cars to the latest exotics on the streets. The week started off cloudy and rainy, but by the time the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance started, the skies cleared and the sun lit up the Pebble Beach Golf Links’ 18th fairway – the perfect finale to an unforgettable trip.

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.

Currently listed on AutoHunter is this 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air Nomad. Certainly one of the nicest American cars from the 1950s, the Nomad featured hardtop styling on a station wagon, something that had never been done before. This Nomad is powered by an upgraded 350 small-block and is paired to a three-on-the-tree. Other features of this classic Bow Tie include a three-spoke steering wheel, factory pushbutton AM radio, split bench seat, and more. Painted Twilight Turquoise and India Ivory with a two-tone turquoise vinyl and gray cloth interior, this Tri-Five Chevy is offered by a private seller with a clear title.

The Twilight Turquoise and India Ivory are the original colors for this Nomad. Exterior features include a driver-side mirror, longitudinal brightwork, chrome window trim, and front-mounted antenna. A set of 15-inch steel wheels with chrome wheel covers is wrapped in 205/75 Hankook whitewall radials.

The interior features a two-tone turquoise vinyl and gray cloth interior, with a split bench seat up front. Interior features include a column-mounted manual shifter, three-spoke steering wheel, and factory pushbutton AM radio.

Instrumentation includes a 110-mph speedometer and gauges for the temperature and fuel. The odometer reads 16,366 miles though the title reads mileage-exempt.

The original engine was replaced by a 350ci small-block a long time ago, as this one was rebuilt in 1987. It features a four-barrel carburetor, Edelbrock intake, and HEI ignition. The horsepower and torque are directed through a three-speed manual transmission.

The undercarriage features a single exhaust system and manual drum brakes on all four corners. A wheel alignment and complete front-end replacement were performed in August 2023.

It is a no-brainer to find this 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air Nomad as our AutoHunter Spotlight because it’s one of the most stylish designs out of Detroit, if not from any 1950s styling studio. The 350 upgrade is perfect for someone who enjoys the stock look while enjoying driving around in a classic car. The auction will end on Monday, September 22, 2025, at 11:45 a.m. (PDT) so you have time to clean your garage in preparation for this classic.

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and a photo gallery

Classic cars make fantastic props for wedding photo shoots, and this car has reportedly chauffeured four different couples on their respective wedding days over the last 10 years: The Pick of the Day is a 1958 Plymouth Plaza listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in Melbourne, Florida.

From a young age, I was drawn to the 1983 movie “Christine,” which was based upon the Stephen King novel of the same name. I’m not sure how or why my parents let me watch the film (it was rated R, after all) but, to this day, it remains one of my favorites. Naturally, when I came across a 1958 Plymouth in the ClassicCars.com classifieds, I had to take a closer look.

As it turns out, a lot of other people have also stopped to admire this car for its Christine-like appearance. The seller explains: “Received many compliments on the car over the years on how it looks like John Carpenter’s movie car. Although not an exact replica of Christine (cars used in the movie were Belvederes), the car shows very well and has even been to an iconic movie location in Pasadena, California—Arnie’s house.”

The Plaza served as Plymouth’s entry-level car from model years 1954 through 1958, known as the “price leader” for the brand. The target market consisted of fleet buyers since the Plaza offered relatively few appointments on its exterior and interior. According to the listing, this example started life in Metallic Suede and was later painted in two-tone Viper Red and Ford White. It was part of an estate in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, and had been stored in a barn for many years prior to its reconditioning.

Power comes from a 230ci inline-six mated to a three-speed manual transmission. The seller says, “The car runs and drives well and is mechanically sound, although it may need a tune-up with points and timing.” On that note, it’s also worth mentioning that there are a few outstanding service needs. Among them, some of the gauges are inoperative, the heater core is disconnected, and the car pulls to the right when braking.

As a value-oriented classic that is bound to be a frequent conversation piece (and wedding feature), I think it’s a solid buy. The asking price is $20,000 or best offer.

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

Barrett-Jackson will auction three vehicles for charity, including a 2022 Chevrolet Camaro SS 1LE (Lot #3000) built by Chevrolet for three NASCAR Cup Series races, during the Scottsdale Fall Auction, Oct. 15-18, 2025, at WestWorld of Scottsdale. To date, Barrett-Jackson has helped raise awareness and more than $163 million to support charities across the country. Also crossing the block to benefit charity is “Hot & Heavy”, a custom motorcycle benefiting the Tunnel to Towers Foundation (Lot #3001) and a 1988 Chevrolet Corvette 35^th Anniversary Edition (Lot #3002) benefiting American Heart Association.

“Our company’s heritage is built on the principle of giving back to the communities we live in,” said Craig Jackson, chairman and CEO of Barrett-Jackson. “Over the years we’ve supported charities that provide critical support for our veterans, youth and those facing life-threatening illness. We’ll continue that tradition in Scottsdale this fall with the sale of three vehicles generously donated by Chevrolet and philanthropic friends in the collector car community. We’re especially grateful to continue our yearlong commitment to support the Tunnel to Towers Foundation with the sale of the custom motorcycle built by Paul Cox Industries.”

The 2022 Chevrolet Camaro SS 1LE (Lot #3000) is an official pace car built by Chevrolet for three NASCAR Cup Series races to honor “Making Strides Against Breast Cancer” during Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October 2022. It was used at the Talladega Superspeedway race, Round 8 of the playoff races at Homestead-Miami Speedway and Martinsville Speedway in 2022. The pink Camaro pace car is powered by the production 455-horsepower engine paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. The American Cancer Society will receive 100% of the hammer price.

“Some of the greatest moments in our history are the sales of charity cars that bring much needed awareness and money to deserving charities,” said Steve Davis, president of Barrett-Jackson. “It’s especially rewarding to know we’ll be part of the effort to support the fight against breast cancer during Breast Cancer Awareness when we auction the Camaro pace car this October. I also look forward to watching ‘Hot & Heavy’ (Lot #3001) and the 35^th Anniversary Corvette (Lot #3002) cross the block to in support of our nation’s first responders and the American Heart Association.”

Barrett-Jackson will auction “Hot and Heavy,” a custom-built motorcycle that started with a frame fabricated by Paul Cox Industries and is powered by a classic 1966 Harley-Davidson engine. The one-of-one motorcycle features Paul Cox’s signature design elements developed over 20 years of custom bike building. The No Reserve auction of the one-of-one motorcycle, commissioned and donated by Mohawk Group, is part of Barrett-Jackson’s yearlong commitment to support the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to helping U. S. military veterans, first responders and their families.

“Hot and Heavy” will be a part of this year’s 24th Annual Tunnel to Towers 5K Run & Walk NYC, on September 28, 2025. The event symbolizes Stephen Siller’s final footsteps from the foot of the Battery Tunnel to the Twin Towers and pays homage to the 343 FDNY firefighters, law enforcement officers, and thousands of civilians who lost their lives on September 11, 2001.  

Also crossing the block for charity during the Scottsdale Fall Auction is a 1988 Chevrolet Corvette 35th Anniversary Edition (Lot #3002). One of 2,050 anniversary editions built, it is powered by a 245-horsepower engine mated to a 4-speed automatic transmission. Originally from the David M. Ressler Collection, the Z01 features the 35th Anniversary logo on exterior side badging, white leather seats, white door panels and steering wheel, and includes a special console badge with engraved sequence number. The entire hammer price will benefit the American Heart Association.

Those interested in consigning their vehicles with confidence for the Scottsdale Fall Auction are welcome to submit their application online. In addition, bidder registration is now open, with three packages to choose from, upgrades for Muscle Lounge access and Hammer High Tops. Throughout the four-day Scottsdale Fall Auction, children ages 12 and under enjoy complimentary admission with a paying adult. General admission tickets for students age 13 through college age are $10 and adult ticket prices start at $28.  

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

When you think of a small, boutique automaker, you probably envision a distinctive (for better or worse) design, a hodgepodge of components from different manufacturers, and quirky ergonomics. There’s a good chance the engine from a higher-volume automaker also comes to mind. After all, developing, testing, certifying, and building an engine takes the kind of money smaller outfits just don’t have. But as Jay Leno‘s experience in a right-hand-drive 2001 TVR Tuscan S shows, at least one small British firm built its very own power plant.

And what a power plant the Speed Six was: a 4.0-liter I6 with twin cams, four valves per cylinder, an eight-degree slant, and a dry-sump oiling system. According to Gavin Bristow of TVR Garage, an Arizona company that imports and restores TVRs, the Speed Six in the Tuscan S brought to Leno’s garage produces 390 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque, which are routed through a BorgWarner T-5 five-speed manual gearbox.

Those output numbers seem tame today, but they’re effectively higher when you consider the Tuscan S has a fiberglass body and weighs only 2,300 pounds. Another impressive figure is how many Tuscan S models are currently in the U.S.: one. Leno’s other guest, a British expat living in Florida named Mike Welling, is its lucky owner.

The Tuscan S’s strengths of a potent in-house engine and a fiberglass body could very well detract from its driving experience. During his drive with Welling, Leno points out the potential for rough power delivery or the possibility the body may creak or rattle. Thanks to TVR Garage’s extensive work, those aren’t issues in Welling’s car—even the pedal placement feels natural. The Tuscan S is so well sorted and satisfying that Leno gives it one of the highest compliments a man with a collection like his can offer. What do you think it may be ?

America’s Sports Car‘s popularity has never been compromised, considering how many show up on AutoHunter. Below, we have three from our auction website plus one from ClassicCars.com, our classified ad website. Can you identify each from the images provided?

Enter your answers in the Comments section below the images. If you need a hint, simply click on a picture to be taken to the actual auction or ad.

Click on a photo to reveal each car

The ClassicCars.com Journal posts an automotive puzzle every Tuesday. Once you finish this one, you can play previous games.

The AutoHunter Spotlight for today is a 1972 Mercedes-Benz 280SE 4.5 offered by a seller based in Gladstone, Oregon.

When the Mercedes-Benz 280SE 4.5 was tested by Road & Track magazine in 1971, it was called the best European luxury sedan in the world. Based on the W108 chassis, the 280SE came equipped with a number of inline-6 engines over the years, including a 3.5-liter V8 and the mighty 6.3-liter V8. For the model year 1972, Mercedes added what many felt was the perfect combination—lengthening the stroke of the 3.5-liter to increase displacement to 4.5 liters. This change was exactly what prospective owners were hoping for. Mercedes routinely received top marks in magazine road tests for this one-year-only car and engine combination.

About 25 years ago, I had the privilege of owning one of these cars, which I used as my daily driver while working in northern Virginia. I drove it for an entire year, even in the snow and rain, and the car delivered on that Road & Track statement each time.

While not the full-bore classic sports sedan the legendary 6.3 is, the 280SE 4.5 is an extremely well-balanced European luxury sedan that features some of the best build quality ever (even better than the Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow) and is more than capable of keeping up with modern traffic. It is also the bargain of the V8-powered W108/109 Series S-Class cars. Driving a 280SE 4.5 is somehow engaging and serene at the same time, making it a great car to use if you need to cover great distances with three passengers aboard.

The exterior of this 280SE is painted in the correct Mercedes color of Horizon Blue. Many find this color polarizing, but it somehow lightens the look of the 280SE design, making it sportier yet still elegant. The seller says this car underwent a complete restoration sometime in its past. Looking at the exterior and chassis photos, this car does seem to be a pretty clean example, though you can see a slight rust issue on the rear of the right front fender. What is interesting is that my personal 280SE had a small rust spot in the exact same location, which I was able to have repaired properly for not a lot of money. Keep both the fender and the low cost to fix in mind when bidding, as Horizon Blue is a pretty easy color to match.

The interior is finished in Dark Blue MB-Tex and appears to be in great shape. I honestly prefer MB-Tex over leather because it has its own unique properties, including better cooling through the vented seat panels. Virtually indestructible, MB-Tex has to be the very highest-quality synthetic seat material ever made and even feels great to the touch.

The view behind the wheel of this 280SE is vintage German awesomeness. The main instrument cluster features a 160-mph speedometer on the right and a multi-gauge on the left, with auxiliary gauges for the oil pressure, temperature, and fuel, as well as a clock.

Under the hood is the fuel-injected Mercedes SOHC 4.5-liter M117 V8, which is paired with a three-speed automatic transmission. When new, this engine produced 230hp and 279 lb-ft of torque, giving it ample power to deal with modern traffic both in town and on the interstate. Everything looks reasonably tidy under the hood; I did not see anything that caused me to raise red flags.

If you have been searching for a car that clearly demonstrates some of the best engineering and build quality Mercedes-Benz has ever delivered (and, with a little effort attending to a few items that can easily make a good car better), then you should probably consider placing a bid or two on this 1972 Mercedes-Benz 280SE 4.5 sedan. Don’t wait too long, though, as the auction for this car ends on Thursday, September 18, 2025, at 12:30 p.m. (PDT).

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and a photo gallery