Journal Classic Cars

The 2025 driving season is officially upon us and for many classic car and truck owners that means getting their rides back on the open road. Unfortunately, this is also the time of year that many owners get hit with auto insurance rate increases, even those with good driving records and who haven’t had to file a claim. In fact, the average cost for auto insurance has increased 51% over the past 3 years, six times faster than inflation overall according to The Consumer Price Index (CPI).

Good Drivers and Auto Collectors Are Being Overcharged

In addition to the severe insurance rate spikes impacting law-abiding daily drivers, collectors of classic, antique, and custom cars are among the most severely affected by these insurance cost increases. Not only are auto collectors likely paying more than they should be given their reduced risk profile, but the coverage they do buy could prove to be radically insufficient. This unfortunate truth will only be discovered when they need to make a claim.

These collectors face a double inequity: not only are they statistically less likely to get into an accident or file a claim, but standard auto insurers often don’t offer proportionally lower rates for owners who drive their vintage vehicles fewer miles than their daily drivers. Adding further strain on collectible vehicle owners is the limited options available when it comes to classic and collector auto insurance. For decades, these owners have been faced with the same old confusing programs and complicated coverage options, not to mention those pesky letters landing in their mailboxes telling them their rates have gone up yet again.

Some Good News for Classic & Collectible Vehicle Owners

In all this market turmoil there does seem to be some good news for classic car and truck owners, and word is quickly spreading. Recently the auto enthusiast community has been buzzing about a program being offered by the Dallas-based collector vehicle insurer OpenRoad.

Customer testimonials from owners previously covered by standard auto insurers, as well as many previously insured by classic car insurance providers, continue to roll in highlighting significant savings, better coverage, and superior customer service. With so many auto enthusiasts making the switch to OpenRoad, it seems that they have finally found everything that they have been looking for in a classic auto insurance provider. Just check out these recent customer reviews:

• “Almost half the price (of) your competitors for equal coverage.”
• “Better coverage for less cost than other classic car insurance companies.”
• “They made it easy for me to switch from my old insurance policy to new one and at less than half the price!”
• “Not only did they match our previous collector car insurance, they beat it even after adding another vehicle to the policy! They are rockstars! Would recommend to everyone!
• “To my total surprise I got more coverage for a fraction of what I have been paying.”
• “Pricing was 20% lower than their direct competitor for the exact same coverage on multiple vehicles… These days, when insurance (cost) is outrageous, these people stepped up to the plate … Thank you, Open Road.”

Setting a New Bar for Classic & Collector Vehicle Insurance

OpenRoad has built a truly unique collector vehicle insurance program that all starts with their pricing. Not only do they provide significant savings for drivers with great driving records, but they also account for the reduced accident frequency associated with collector vehicles, often resulting in far lower insurance rates overall. But OpenRoad goes above and beyond on pricing, offering additional discounts to car club members as well as customers who transfer their coverage from another classic car insurer.

With OpenRoad, paying less definitely doesn’t mean getting less. Far from it! In fact, their coverage goes above and beyond what many other programs out there can offer. In addition to getting all the coverage you’d expect with any auto insurance policy— think comprehensive, collision, uninsured motorist, and the like — every OpenRoad policy comes with several protections tailored to car collectors.

Their agreed value policy guarantees that the insurance payout you’ll receive in the event of a total loss equals the actual worth of your classic car, rather than a depreciated value that most insurance programs use. This guarantees that you’re covered for the true value of your ride, considering the time, effort, and investments you put into your vehicle as well as its condition and rarity.

For anyone who has ever needed to file a claim for their classic or collector vehicle, you know how frustrating the process can be. OpenRoad is setting a new bar here as well. Under their program you know that if you need to file a claim the repairs will be done right. Not only will repairs be performed with OEM parts specifically tailored to your vehicle, but you’ll also get to choose a repair shop you know and trust, one that specializes in collector vehicles and classic car restorations. One customer described their recent claim experience with a testimonial that reads, “I can’t imagine any better customer service. I was extremely satisfied with my recent interaction with Open Road. Friendly, knowledgeable and courteous. My claim was handled quickly and efficiently. Best service ever! Thank you.”

OpenRoad also includes a generous emergency roadside cost reimbursement program at no additional cost as well as coverage for the relocation and temporary storage of your ride in the event of major disasters such as hurricanes and wildfires.

Delivering Superior Customer Service & Specialized Coverage

Beyond the significant cost relief, many customers also point to the excellent customer service they received with reviews that include statements such as, “The team went above and beyond to help us,” and, “Overall, the best experience I’ve had setting up insurance.” That’s some high praise for an auto insurance company.

Rapidly Expanding Across the U.S.

To keep up with the massive market demand that they’ve seen, OpenRoad has been rapidly rolling out its insurance program across the U.S., quickly growing coverage availability to 24 states. Don’t reside in one of their currently live states? Don’t worry, the brand plans to add coverage across several more states by the end summer 2025. You can also sign up for their launch newsletter and get notified as soon as coverage is available for your area.

Get your quote today and see how much you could save in about 5 minutes.

Today we take a closer look at a stunning 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG coupe, the modern successor to the 300 SL “Gullwing” of the 1950s. Under the hood sits a hand-built, 563-horsepower 6.2-liter V8, which is paired with an AMG Speedshift 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. With just 7,924 actual miles, this heritage-inspired supercar is in excellent condition.

The cockpit is loaded with comfort and tech, including a Bang & Olufsen 1,000-watt sound system, heated designo leather seats, navigation, and Park Assist. Tune in as we walk around this SLS AMG and explore its connection to its iconic ancestor. At the Barrett-Jackson 2025 Palm Beach Auction, this 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG sold for $203,500.

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It’s no secret that manual transmissions have been going the way of the Dodo—if Ferrari has moved on from it, then it’s clear we are in Code Red. Now, for 2026, we can name one more casualty in the name of “progress.”

The Nissan Versa has the lowest base price out of any car in the American market. The base model, the Versa S FWD, includes a five-speed manual for around $18,330. However, since less than 5 percent of 2024 Versas sold last year in America was the Versa S FWD with the standard transmission (that’s about 2000 cars), Nissan will no longer offer the transmission or the trim level on our shores.

Car and Driver reports that the Versa is built in Aguascalientes, Mexico, one of the many countries whose exports to the U.S. will be affected by President Trump’s tariffs. A 25-percent tariff will raise the Versa’s price by over $4500, which will likely reduce the take rate of the manual transmission even more.

“While automakers might be able to absorb tariff costs on higher-priced vehicles while still returning a profit, the typically thin profit margins on affordable cars make such an increase far more damaging,” says the Ann Arbor periodical. As such, it makes sense for Nissan to call it a day for the five-speed and focus on the most popular configurations in order to improve production efficiencies.

If nothing changes in our crystal ball, the Honda Civic Si will become America’s cheapest car with a manual transmission at just over $30,000.

I recently took the 2025 Toyota 4Runner Limited 4X4 on some trails near my old house. That got me thinking about some of the things I’ve learned over the years driving various trucks and SUVs off-road. If you’ve never experienced the pleasure of doing that, I’ve put together some tips that might come in handy your first time. There are a lot of technical guides out there that are very useful, but I thought I would suggest things to keep in mind that you might not see in those.

If You Feel Like You’re Out of Control, You Probably Are
It doesn’t matter if you’re blasting over sand in a Ford F-150 Raptor or crawling over rocks in a Jeep Wrangler – if you feel as if you’re over-driving your headlights/wipers/shocks/senses/talent, heed your gut’s warning and slow down. Your vehicle (and you) will last much longer that way.

The same logic applies if you think something is wrong with your vehicle. I was at an event several years ago and heard that someone there snagged the side of an expensive SUV on some fencing. Instead of parking and getting out to see how best to handle the situation, they just gassed it and dug a long scratch onto the side of the body.

Get a High When You’re Solo

Sharing anything automotive-related with friends or family is always great, but there’s nothing wrong with going off-road by yourself. Just use common sense and prepare accordingly. If all this is new to you, your first voyage is probably not going to be deep into remote, treacherous territory. If it is, go with people that are experienced, resourceful, and well-equipped for the terrain, weather, and potential emergencies. But if there’s a beginner’s trail near you, make sure someone knows where you’re going (sharing your location through your phone is a good way to do that), and get some dirt under your tires. Over time, you may find going wheeling by yourself is a great way to unwind and clear your head.

Google It!
Maybe you’re past your first off-roading excursion and want to go over a different type of terrain than you’ve previously been on. Don’t just wing it. There are plenty of resources out there that tell you what to do to prepare yourself and your vehicle for certain conditions. Do you want to drive over sand? Then you’ll probably want to air down your tires so that you don’t get stuck, which means you’ll need a portable air compressor to air them back up to the right psi once you’re ready to get back on the road.

Breathe Easier

Out here in Arizona, it’s so dry that when you go down a trail, a big cloud of dirt billows up behind you and fills your rearview mirror. If you’re traveling in a group, you’ll drive through the same kind of cloud puffed up by the vehicle in front of you. Why breathe all that in when you don’t have to? Just push your HVAC system’s recirculate button and keep moving.

Keep Them Close
When you’re on a narrow trail, you run the risk of scraping your mirror caps on brush or tree limbs. Whether your mirrors fold in manually or electronically, make sure they’re close to the body of your vehicle – and that you fold them out once you get back on pavement and head home.

Don’t Believe Everything You Hear
Off-roading can be noisy, even when you’re not doing anything challenging or wild. Sometimes you’ll hear a thunk and think, That’s it. I just damaged a really expensive part! In my experience, from inside the cabin of the vehicle, things usually sound much worse than they actually are. Usually. The point is to try to minimize the situations/types of driving that lead to those loud sounds because you don’t want to get in a habit of ignoring potential warnings that something has gone wrong.

It’s Not All About the Destination

Whether you’re headed to a campsite near the edge of a canyon or to a random stopping point before you turn around and go back to civilization, stop (even if it’s for 30 seconds), look around, and enjoy where you are, the colors of the sunset, the mountains on the horizon, the wonderful near-silence of the outdoors. Don’t just roll past all that – even if your rig has beadlocks and 37s on it. Trust me, you’ll enjoy your time outdoors much more.

Featured on AutoHunter is this 2022 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 2LT Z51 coupe, which is powered by a mid-mounted LT2 6.2-liter V8 paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Finished in Black and equipped with a matching removable roof panel over an Adrenaline Red Napa leather and Jet Black microfiber interior, this C8 is now offered by the seller in Delaware with the original window sticker, sales documentation, a custom car cover, a clean CARFAX report, and a clear title.

The curvaceous Black body is accented with chrome badges, the Stingray R Appearance Package’s Corvette Racing-themed graphics, and heated, power-folding mirrors with Carbon Flash Metallic caps. Additional exterior features include a front lift system with adjustable height memory, and a body-color removable roof panel. The Z51 Performance Package adds a rear spoiler and a performance exhaust system with four outlets.

The Spectra Gray 19-inch by 8.5-inch front and 20-inch by 11-inch rear trident-spoke aluminum wheels are wrapped in 245/35 and 305/30 Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S tires, respectively.

Inside the cockpit is a pair of heated and ventilated GT2 bucket seats covered in Adrenaline Red Napa leather and Jet Black sueded microfiber. Surrounding features include a head-up display, power tilt and telescoping steering column, heated microfiber-wrapped steering wheel, rear camera mirror, Performance Data Recorder, eight-inch touchscreen with navigation and front and rear camera feeds, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and Bose Performance Series 14-speaker audio system.

The configurable 12-inch digital gauge cluster shows a digital speedometer, 7,000-rpm tachometer, coolant temperature, fuel level, and more. The odometer indicates this Vette has only 3,999 miles on it. According to the CARFAX report, the odometer read 2,274 miles in December 2022.

Behind the passenger compartment and under the optional Edge Red engine cover is an LT2 6.2-liter V8 that was factory-rated at 495 horsepower at 6,450 rpm and 470 lb-ft of torque at 5,150 rpm. The pushrod engine has a dry-sump oiling system and puts power to the road through an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic. Additional upgrades from the Z51 Performance Package are a heavy-duty cooling system and an upgraded 5.2:1 limited-slip rear end. The Z51 hardware also includes a performance suspension and performance disc brakes with Z51-branded calipers.

Within the first 1,500 miles, this Corvette received an engine service (at 500 miles), a transmission service, and an oil change.

Do yourself a service and bid on this 2022 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 2LT Z51 coupe right now. The auction for it ends on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. (PDT).

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and a photo gallery

I know some people out there may disagree with me on this, but I’m saying it anyway: the modern Rolls-Royce “Goodwood” cars are the single finest built automobiles in the world today, if not ever. Our Pick of the Day is one of those cars, a 2014 Rolls-Royce Wraith that is listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a dealer in Pompano Beach, Florida.

I have driven more than 30 of these cars, of various years and models, and each has been nothing short of perfection. It is also important to note that not all of these Rolls-Royces have been low-mile press cars, as many have been well-maintained higher-mileage cars that were for sale used. Yes, you can say the cars from Pagani are amazing but they still lack the perfection that is embodied in every single car that the Rolls-Royce Goodwood factory produces. You might think the Maybach cars built by Mercedes are as good, but having driven these and compared them back-to-back to the Rolls-Royce model, they are not even in the same solar system. What about the cars from Bentley? My friend Nick summed up the difference between Bentley and Rolls well—he stated that a Bentley says you are moving up near the top, but a Rolls says you are comfortably already there.

The single biggest barrier to entry for a new Rolls-Royce is, of course, the cost. They are very expensive, starting at $357,750 for the Ghost and moving north from there. Of course, it is possible to find one on the secondhand market for considerably less. While it will have high service costs, these cars are in no way unreliable, and the savings in price makes all the difference. That being said, I would guess that it will cost somewhere between $5,000-8,500/year to properly care for a used, modern Rolls-Royce, and I would still feel comfortable buying one as long as it has been well cared for.

Of the modern Rolls-Royce models, my single favorite is the Wraith, a two-door coupe powered by a V12 Rolls-Royce engine. It was the most driver-orientated car that the Goodwood factory had built at the time, and it’s my single favorite styling exercise they have done (up until the launch of the all-electric Spector).

The Wraith featured here today is painted in stunning Midnight Sapphire with a Light Creme with Navy Blue Accents leather interior.

It is extremely well optioned over a standard Wraith and features the following: front massage seats, color-keyed boot trim, Starlight Headliner, RR monogram on all headrests, coastline color, front ventilated seats, and much more.

The Wraith is powered by the 6.6-liter turbocharged V12 engine that delivers 623 horsepower, helping this very long (207.4-inch) and heavy (5,379 lbs) car achieve an astounding 0-60 time of 4.4 seconds. This is the fastest accelerating Rolls-Royce ever produced until the introduction of Spectre.

Behind the wheel of a Wraith is something extra special, even when compared to other Rolls-Royces: you have a feeling of not competing in the world of work and finance, but one where you are done competing. It is also a supremely comfortable car that somehow is still a driver’s car. They can be hustled quite hard, much harder than you would guess. I can still remember the first time I drove one and thought that if I was given an unlimited budget and had to choose just one car for the rest of my life, this would be it. Now, 10 years later, I still feel the same way.

So, what is the cost for perfection? This 33,526-mile 2014 Wraith is being offered for $129,998 (compare with $289,000 for the base price for this car, which was loaded with options beyond that). If the dealer offering this car can come up with its service history, if it has a clean CARFAX, and if it passes an inspection by a Rolls-Royce specialist, then I would say that there is no better car you can get for your money. It is the kind of car that you can literally own the rest of your life. It’s like an A. Lange & Söhne wristwatch. The A. Lange & Söhne is the kind of watch you own when you are done collecting, as you have found and bought the best watch in the world. The Rolls-Royce Wraith is the same level of perfection and signifies the same thing: the best one in the world.

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

When Chevrolet revealed the 2025 Corvette ZR1 would generate more than 1,000 horsepower, I was (like all of you out there) stunned by the outrageous number. In subsequent months, I was just as impressed by what a huge jump in output that was compared to the C7 ZR1. Then I started thinking about how much more powerful the ZR1 has grown over the past several decades. Here’s a breakdown

C3 (1970-1972)

These extremely rare Corvettes (Chevy only built 53 with the ZR1 package across all three model years) had the LT1 350 with no bump in output, which was 370 horsepower in 1970, 330 on lower compression the following year and, after the switch from gross to net ratings, 255 in 1972. However, much of the performance hardware, such as the transmission, brakes, and suspension, was upgraded from the standard Corvette’s.

C4 (1990-1995)

Base Corvettes were powered by a L98 5.7-liter V8, which generated up to 250 horses and 350 lb-ft, depending on the rear end ratio. The reincarnated ZR-1 (with a hyphen this time around) had the same displacement under its hood, but everything else was upgraded. Lotus designed the LT5 engine and equipped it with quad cams, 32 valves, and a special induction system. Output soared to 375 horsepower and 370 lb-ft of torque, increases of 50 and 5.7 percent, respectively.

By 1992, the Corvette used a new version of the LT1 with 300 horsepower and 340 lb-ft. The following year, the ZR-1’s LT5 received a boost to 405 horsepower (up 35 percent compared to the LT1) and 385 lb-ft (up 13 percent).

C6 (2009-2013)
After skipping the C5, Chevrolet brough backt the ZR1 (once again without a hyphen) for the sixth-generation Vette. Just as before, the ZR1’s engine was the same size as the one in the regular model, but more potent. The 6.2-liter LS9 was fitted with a supercharger that helped it crank out 638 horsepower and 604 lb-ft, giving it 46 percent more horsepower and 41 percent more torque than the LS3 with the available dual-mode exhaust system.

C7 (2019)

The Bow Tie crew waited until the C7’s final model year to go all-out with a new ZR1, creating what it called “the fastest, most powerful production Corvette ever.” The supercharged LT4 6.2-liter small-block in the Z06 already produced 650 horsepower and the same amount of torque, but Chevy pushed even further with the ZR1’s LT5. An Eaton supercharger with a significantly higher capacity, larger 95-millimeter throttle body, and two fuel injectors per cylinder (one for port and one for direct fuel injection) contributed to the super-Vette’s staggering 755 horsepower and 715 lb-ft of torque. These were jumps of 64 and 53 percent, respectively, from the Stingray’s LT1 with the available performance exhaust.

C8 (2025-)

For the latest iteration of the ZR1, Chevrolet could have gone high into the triple digits, pushed out a press release, and called it a day. But it decided to shoot past the 1,000-horsepower mark with the 2025 ZR1. Its LT7 5.5-liter V8 is packed with goodies and goodness: double overhead cams, flat-plane crankshaft and, for the first time, twin turbos.

So how far past 1,000 did Chevy go? The ZR1’s final figures are 1,064 horsepower and 828 lb-ft. That means it’s 40 percent more horsepowered and 15 percent torquier than the previous ZR1, which was already eight cylinderfuls of insanity. How does it measure up against the current Stingray’s LT2? Even when that’s hooked up to the optional performance exhaust, there’s still a gap of 569 horses (nearly 115 percent!) and 358 lb-ft (76 percent) between it and the ZR1’s LT7.

Just because we may like something doesn’t mean it’s the best in any manner. We can’t always determine what we like and why, but it would mean a whole lot to be able to objectively articulate a particular car’s misgivings. Below is a list of cars that I feel have a certain awkwardness to them, but that shouldn’t stop anyone from liking them.

The impetus for this story came as I was compiling a list of singers/groups with voices that people either adore or despise. However, this is an automotive website, so I can’t write about rock music. But what about cars that are somewhat polarizing? Yeah! And I can pair a car from a particular year with a singer’s music from the same year—this’ll write itself, right?

Okay, maybe it’s not as easy as that, but let’s see what I can whip up. I decided to skip Yoko Ono because it was too difficult to choose from so much of her output.

1968 Pontiac Grand Prix
As a kid, I loved anything with hidden headlights, and the fleeting sightings of the 1968 Pontiac Grand Prix were always a treat. But let’s be honest: This Grand Prix was a fine barometer of the design bankruptcy Detroit was about to experience en masse within five years. Once a fleet-footed full-size personal luxury car that influenced the industry, the Grand Prix ended up becoming a couch potato. Don’t get me wrong—I would lust for a 428 HO four-speed car like the one I looked at in Ann Arbor 25 years ago, but the Grand Prix is a bloated automobile that seems to have been caught in a production deadline before certain issues could be corrected.

While not a group familiar on this side of the Atlantic, the Small Faces were a seminal Mod band fronted by Steve Marriott, whose big voice was a love/hate affair for some. In 1968, the group launched “Ogden’s Nut Gone Flake,” the group’s final album before Marriott left to form Humble Pie (which should be more familiar to Americans, just the Faces, the Small Faces’ successor, should be). There are folks who would say Marriott was the best singer in rock, but there’s enough in his voice that would make others recoil.

1970 Lotus Europa
This is one of the first Matchbox models I remember and, even as a know-nothing kid, I thought it was ugly. A chance sighting in Wilmington, Delaware (of all places) didn’t temper my perception. Adulthood hasn’t changed my paradigm much, although I have a certain respect for the attempt to design a mid-engine car around a particular chassis architecture. For those who enjoy sports cars and know how to drive them properly, the Europa was probably a neat car, but it continues to polarize in an “It came from Norfolk!” sort of way.

Around 25 years ago, I caught a movie called Stamping Ground, which featured groups performing at the Holland Pop Festival in Kralingen. The voice I heard was about as obnoxious as I’ve ever experienced, featuring a trilling quality that would put Jello Biafra to shame. There was absolutely no commercial value to the song “Drowned in Wine” even though there were hippies dancing to it. To this? I was familiar with Music from a Doll’s House and felt it was one of the best Brit LPs from 1968, but Family was a different band in 1970. Nonetheless, my interest piqued, I picked up the CD of A Song for Me several years later, which contained this song and others, and found it to be quite good. (If the name of the band sounds familiar, it’s because Ric Grech left Family to join Blind Faith.)

1975 AMC Pacer
My kindergarten teacher had one of these. I don’t recall any stigma tied to it, though later cars like the Spirit and Eagle seemed to be half-baked designs with little appeal compared to their Big Three competition. I even had a Hot Wheels die-cast with an engine in the rear, so the Pacer couldn’t be that bad, right? But popular culture has a way with ravaging certain things, and the Pacer became the butt of jokes for the 1970s and for cars of a certain era—even Wayne’s World pick up on that though, ironically, the flick was probably responsible for making the Pacer cool again. Much like the 1961 Plymouth, it’s the Pacer’s kitschiness that gives it strong collector appeal while others snicker from the sidelines.

I was recently reminded of Pavlov’s Dog after listening to a podcast about Iain Matthews. Wasn’t that the proggy group from St. Louis with the singer who sounded annoying? I relistened to “Julia” from their first LP from 1975 and, yup, the singer’s voice is an acquired taste. It’s somewhat interesting because that region seems to have been a hotbed of bands with progressive influences, with Kansas being the most famous, but there are other, more obscure examples.

1993 Chevrolet Corvette
Introducing a feature on a vehicle and having it trickle down to other vehicles is nothing new—witness the 1969 Mustang Boss 302, which featured smooth rear flanks that would be introduced on the rest of the Mustang range for 1970. However, manufacturers sometimes mainstream certain features that come off as cannibalization. The T41 option (the GTO’s Endura front bumper) for 1971-72 Pontiac LeMans models is a popular example from the past, and it’s still happening today with certain Audis and BMWs (with trim packages to mimic S-series and M-series performance models, respectively).

For 1990, Chevrolet introduced the Corvette ZR-1, which featured squarish taillights distinct from the traditional round. Those ZR-1 taillights were adopted across the board for Corvettes a year later, ruining the distinction the ZR-1 had among lesser Corvettes. This feature would last through the final year of the C4 in 1996. However, what’s most polarizing to Corvette fans is whether or not the taillights should be anything other than round, as has been a tradition since 1961. Are you this kind of traditionalist to a fault?

Manitoba’s Crash Test Dummies surprised everyone when its God Shuffled His Feet hit the charts, eventually selling eight million copies. The lead singer’s baritone was, let’s say, “different,” but that was part of the novelty that gave them hits like “Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm” (#4 on the US Billboard Hot 100). I personally haven’t heard their music in at least a decade and I don’t see a good reason why I should start. However, there are people who like them, if not the place to which their hits bring them.

Any Opel car is a fairly rare sight in the U.S., and cars like the Kadett are even more rare, as they were often driven until they either rusted away or had a catastrophic mechanical failure and were then literally thrown away. For that reason, I was delighted when I found a 1967 Opel Kadett L Wagon on AutoHunter, which is why I have made it my AutoHunter Spotlight for the day.

The Kadett has a long history dating back to 1936, when the first compact model was produced by Opel in Germany. There was an expected gap in production after 1940 due to the war and then, the long German reconstruction that followed, but in 1962 the Kadett was back in production as a new model known as the Kadett A.

In 1965 Opel launched the second generation of the postwar Kadett, the series B. The Kadett B was available as a two-door coupe, fastback, sedan and a wagon. This Kadett was heavier and larger than the old version of the car, resulting in more interior room. (It is also interesting that the new Opel GT sportswear was largely based on Kadett B mechanical parts.)

The car featured as our AutoHunter Spotlight is a 1967 Kadett L in wagon form, which was actually officially called the Kadett Caravan or Kombi. The auction ends on Thursday, June 5, 2025, at 11:30 a.m. (PDT).

The seller describes this Opel Kadett as powered by a 1.9-liter inline-four mated to a two-speed Powerglide automatic transmission. Finished in Flame Red over a black vinyl interior, this classic station wagon is offered with the original owner’s manual, service records and a clear title.

The owner states this Kadett has its original drivetrain and has covered a total of only 42,390 miles from new.

The Flame Red paint on the body looks to be in good shape and the door gaps appear to be good. Overall, this looks like a clean example of a car that has become extremely rare and seldom seen in this country. It is riding on 13-inch stock steel wheels with factory chrome hubcaps. The 175/80 Deluxe Classic Steel-Belted All Season whitewall radial tires have had only about 1,000 miles put on them since they were fitted.

The interior of this Kadett features bucket seats with black vinyl upholstery that, from what I can tell, seem to be finished in both the correct pattern vinyl and the correct stitch pattern. The same is true with the door cards and the dash (which does have a few cracks), both of which appear to be in good shape and of the original type fitted to this Kadett when new.

Under the hood is the 1.9-liter inline 4-cylinder engine with a Weber 2-barrel carb used to deliver fuel, which was installed in 2022. The seller also states that the first owner had this car’s engine swapped with the 1.9-liter when it was new and added the Powerglide transmission to replace the 4-speed. The standard engine in this Kadett would have been a 1.1-liter, so this was a good idea. Additional service history includes a complete tune-up in 2019 and the addition of a new generator in 2021.

Overall, this looks to be one of the nicer examples of a Series B Kadett I have seen in years. It would be a perfect car to take and show at the Carlisle Import Show, which takes place each year in May and happens to have more classic Opels on display than probably anywhere else in the U.S. It is also an obvious choice as a Concours d’ Lemons entrant and would be a prime candidate to win a class award there.

One thing I can all but guarantee is that you are not likely to run not another one of these cars too often, no matter where you live, as their survival rate is very low. If you are looking for a unique and useful classic German car that is different than all the rest, you may want to place a bid or two on this Kadett.

The auction for this 1967 Opel Kadett Wagon ends on Thursday, June 5, 2025, at 11:30 a.m. (PDT).

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Being a mainstream brand meant appealing to the masses. But there also was a structure where, over time, you’d move up the hierarchy to more prestigious brands. In the case of Ford, there was Mercury and Lincoln, but our Pick of the Day was Ford’s way of keeping Ford folks within the fold. This 1967 Ford LTD two-door hardtop is listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a dealership in Hopedale, Massachusetts.

When Ford introduced its redesigned full-size cars for 1965, it was done at a time when the Big Three featured all-new full-sizers. Ford was one of several brands that had copied Pontiac’s vertical headlight configuration, but equally as distinguished was the new addition to the product line: LTD. Officially known as the Galaxie 500/LTD, the LTD two- and four-door hardtops offered “an all-new kind of Ford with luxury totally new for Ford’s field.” Standard was a 289 two-barrel V8 with Cruise-O-Matic Drive automatic. Standard features included a “Limousine-Luxury” cloth-vinyl interior, color-keyed headliner, unique cut-pile carpeting, rear seat center arm rest, bright seat side shields, chrome pedal trim, padded instrument cluster, courtesy lights, lighted front ash tray and glove box, trunk light, backup lights, and full wheel covers.

A Lincoln it was not, but the LTD was a hit in the market, leading to Chevrolet introducing the Caprice mid-year (initially only available as a four-door sedan and, interestingly, featuring a standard three-speed manual); for 1966, Plymouth introduced the Fury-based VIP, and AMC introduced the Ambassador DPL.

For 1967, Ford again redesigned its full-size line. “The car that introduced a new world of luxury to Ford’s field,” read the brochure. New for the series was a four-door sedan, but perhaps the biggest news was the formal roof on two-door hardtops that was distinct from other models; it also included a standard vinyl roof. New standard features for all LTDs included simulated walnut door panels and Comfort-Stream Ventilation. Individually adjustable Twin-Comfort Lounge Seats with individual arm rests for driver and passenger was a new option. Beyond the standard 289, buyers could opt for a 390 two-barrel, 390 four-barrel, a 428, and two flavors of the Cobra 427: four-barrel and dual-quads (and, yes, a few were built).

While the LTD was the top model, in typical Detroit fashion, the model would find itself being pushed down the totem pole and finding itself as the base model for 1975 (though the Custom 500 was brought back mid-year, then relegated to fleet orders and Canada).

This Candyapple Red 1967 Ford LTD two-door hardtop is claimed to be 100 percent rust-free and have 100 percent of its original paint, top, and tinted glass. Sold new at Harris Motor Company in Waldron, Arkansas, it was purchased by a Mr. Carl Dollard on December 6, 1966. Features include Z-code 390 four-barrel with C6 automatic, dual exhaust, black vinyl bench seat, air conditioning, power steering, AM radio with rear speaker, remote driver-side mirror, passenger-side mirror, and Deluxe seat belts. Mag-style wheel covers and door edge guards have been added, as well as a modern stereo system neatly installed under the dashboard.

“This 1967 Ford LTD 2 Door Fastback is breathtaking in condition,” says the seller. “A wonderful running and driving 57-year-old automobile!” It’s not often that you can find a stylish classic with original paint and a big-block at an attractive price, but this LTD seems like a deal at $26,500.

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