Journal Classic Cars

Barrett-Jackson announced today the company is bringing The World’s Greatest Collector Car Auctions to Columbus, Ohio, June 25-27, 2026, at the Ohio Expo Center & State Fairgrounds. The 2026 Columbus Auction marks Barrett-Jackson’s first automotive lifestyle event hosted in the Midwest and will include a broad range of classic, custom, supercars and collectible vehicles, as well as authentic automobilia pieces.

The 2026 Barrett-Jackson Columbus Auction will be held at the Ohio Expo Center & State Fairgrounds, long considered one of the most dynamic and unique event venues in the Midwest. Located in the heart of Columbus on a campus occupying 360 acres, the Expo Center features 19 buildings and 1.4 million square feet of event space under roof, as well as on-site parking for 14,000 vehicles, making it one of the most flexible and accommodating sites in the region.

“We’re thrilled to team up with the city of Columbus to host our first-ever collector car auction in America’s heartland,” said Craig Jackson, chairman and CEO of Barrett-Jackson. “Home of the Ohio State Buckeyes National College Football Championship team, the city is also known for its upscale hotels, restaurants and entertainment options – all providing a perfect setting for our collector car auctions. We’ve anticipated the completion of the Expo Center’s $460 million renovation for some time now, and look forward to bringing our automotive lifestyle experience to Columbus next year.”

With almost half of the nation’s population within a 600-mile radius, and just minutes from downtown Columbus and the John Glenn Columbus International Airport, the Expo Center’s $460-million dollar renovation will be completed in 2026.

“We’re thrilled to host Barrett-Jackson and their world-class collector car auction in Columbus next June,” said Ohio Expo Center & State Fairgrounds Executive Director Adam Heffron. “Our state has a rich legacy of bringing together enthusiasts, experts, and events from across the automotive industry.  We’re proud of the ongoing improvements to our facility and honored to welcome Barrett-Jackson to the grounds. We look forward to the impact the auction will have on our local community.”

Ideal for seasoned collectors, new buyers and fans, Columbus has a history with national collector car events, making it a great fit for Barrett-Jackson. The centrally located region, with its proximity to Detroit, has deep automotive roots and is one of the nation’s largest vehicle and parts manufacturing sectors.

“A dynamic and diverse city, Columbus is a vibrant location for one of our world-famous collector car auctions,” said Steve Davis, president of Barrett-Jackson. “Our automotive lifestyle events will be a perfect addition to the area’s flourishing culture of art, food, sports and entertainment. Mark your calendars now to join us in Columbus in 2026, because we’re ready to make collector car history in the Buckeye State.”

Be a part of Barrett-Jackson’s online conversation with #BarrettJackson and #BJAC on Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube.

The Oldsmobile division of General Motors was dissolved over 21 years ago, on April 19, 2004. But the brand hadn’t offered a convertible model for nearly a decade prior to that. Oldsmobile’s final convertible was the 1995 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme. Let’s look at one such example to see if Oldsmobile saved the best for last. And fittingly, it’s in Dark Teal Metallic—a 1990s period-correct color if we’ve ever seen one.  

Featured on AutoHunter is this low-mileage 1995 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme Convertible. The car is being sold by a private seller in Orland Park, Illinois, and the auction will end Tuesday, July 15, 2025, at 11:15 a.m. (PDT).

From 1988 through 1997, the Cutlass Supreme shared the front-wheel-drive General Motors W-platform with the Buick Regal, Chevrolet Lumina, and Pontiac Grand Prix (similar to the one I recently featured). One of the key initial marketing programs for the Cutlass involved using it as a pace car for the 1988 Indianapolis 500. One ad said, “The first car to cross the finish line at Indy will be a Cutlass Supreme.”

The W-body Cutlass could be ordered as a four-door sedan, a two-door coupe, or a two-door convertible. The convertible “conversions” were carried out via a partnership with a company called Cars & Concepts. One of the most noticeable characteristics of the drop-top was its prominent B-pillar, which remained in place even when the top was down. According to a story from Hagerty, the main reason for this feature was the Cutlass had its door handle on the pillar. In order to relocate the handle, the entire door would have needed to be retooled. Instead, designers incorporated a hoop that went up and over the cabin. (Some would later assert that this component was a roll bar, but it was purely aesthetic in nature.)

Showing just 16,938 original miles, this 30-year-old survivor appears to have lived a life of garage-kept luxury. From the teal exterior to the charcoal leather interior, it looks nearly flawless in the photos. Under the car’s hood is an LQ1 3.4-liter DOHC V6 mated to a four-speed automatic transmission; the powertrain was rated at 210 horsepower and 215 lb-ft of torque when new.

The listing doesn’t give us clues as to why the car has been so well-preserved, but perhaps its original owner had a crystal ball and knew it would be Olds’ last drop-top. The CARFAX report shows accident-free and damage-free history that began on November 3, 1994, in Cortland, Ohio, when the car was first sold. It was later relocated to Florida for several years beginning in 2017—by that time it had only racked up 10,504 miles on the odometer. Finally, it went back to Ohio for a short time before moving to Illinois in 2022. The most recent maintenance on the report was an air conditioning check in July of that year.

I can’t imagine there are many final-year Cutlass Supreme convertibles still on the road today, let alone with fewer than 17,000 original miles. This car is a unicorn and deserves to find an enthusiast owner. Maybe it would look nice in your garage? Or better yet, in a parade during a future holiday weekend?

The auction for this 1995 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme Convertible ends on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, at 11:15 a.m. (PDT).

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and a photo gallery

If you’re going to the 2025 Carlisle Chrysler Nationals, “the largest Mopar event in the world,” expect to see thousands of vehicles made by the 100-year-old automaker. Some of those will be there courtesy of Chrysler itself, which will be bringing a collection of its production and concept vehicles from decades past as part of its Century of Innovation celebration on July 11-13, 2025.

Chrysler officially turned 100 on June 6^th. To commemorate such a momentous occasion, the brand launched a social media campaign, released a video series, and held events highlighting its place in and influence on automotive history. On the first day of the 2025 Carlisle Chrysler Nationals, Chrysler CEO Chris Feuell will answer questions about the brand’s past, present, and future during a Q&A session.

Chrysler’s display at the Carlisle Expo Center will include one of five 1924 Six prototypes, a 1934 Airflow​, 1955 300 (a.k.a. the “banker’s hot rod”), 1963 Turbine​ Car, and the Bugatti-esque 1995 Atlantic Concept.

Another one-off Chrysler will be showcasing is the 2024 Halcyon Concept, a preview of the brand’s potential future design which combines “sustainability-driven exterior and interior design, full autonomy paired with personalized driving experiences and futuristic technology.”

Chrysler will also have a 2026 Chrysler Pacifica 100th Anniversary Edition on-site, decked out with its special fascia, wheels, and badging, and equipped with Stow ‘n Go seats, power-sliding side doors, and power liftgate.

Currently, the gas and plug-in hybrid versions of the Pacifica and its ICE-only Voyager cousin are the only vehicles Chrysler makes. Let’s hope this major milestone in the brand’s history helps pave the way to a brighter future.

This week’s automotive puzzle features a turquoise car that looks great to contemporary eyes, but the color was not a big seller back in the day. Our Pick of the Day features another one of those pretty/unpopular hues, but it’s a color on one of the most popular cars in the hobby. This 1967 Chevrolet Camaro Rally Sport is listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a dealership in Homer City, Pennsylvania.

This Pick of the Day will have more personal observations than usual because this car offers several features that I prefer over other model years. That being said, I’ve never been a Chevrolet guy or a pony car guy, but I’ve softened my position over the years. When it comes to first-generation Camaros, I’ve tended to lean into the 1967s for several reasons, even though I don’t necessarily prefer them over 1968-69s. I really like examples with the Rally Sport package because they come off as custom cars of the era—Camaros with touches you’d see at a 1967-68 World of Wheels event. I do think the restyle for 1969 came off great, but it doesn’t have the custom look in comparison; I also think the standard Camaro comes off better than the 1967-68.

A lot of people prefer the ’68 because Chevrolet removed the vent windows for a cleaner look, but that’s not something that makes it more attractive to me. Perhaps it’s due to my age, but I never appreciated the cleaner look sans vent windows. Plus, it seems vent windows offered better ventilation than the Astro Ventilation that General Motors developed to make up for the lack of vent windows.

The 1968 Camaros with the RS package used black lower-body trim instead of the chrome of ‘67. I think it comes off as sleeker and, arguably, more tasteful, but the chrome treatment on this vehicle doesn’t bother me.

The available stripe used for 1967 was just that: one stripe, unless you opted for the Z28 performance package. The RPO for the 1967 stripe was D91 and it was standard on Super Sports; in April 1967, it was made available for non-SS (and non-Z28) cars. The stripe carried over into 1968, then was replaced by the D90 stripe in January, which was a similar nose stripe. Having a variety of stripes is great, but it’s not something that pushes me toward one year more than another.

I have never been a fan of the ever-popular Rally wheels, but the 1967s are different than the rest. The key distinction is a shorter, neater hubcap. That piece alone makes the wheel much more attractive to me. I’ve never liked the ribbed, taller hubcap that was used on Rallys in subsequent years.

But what it really comes down to with the 1967 Camaro is a particular color that was only available for Chevrolets in ‘67: Royal Plum. It’s more purple than maroon, but it’s not a regular purple—obviously it’s more like the color of the fruit. To these eyes, it’s absolutely gorgeous, especially with white trim.

This Royal Plum 1967 Chevrolet Camaro RS shows why this is, in many ways, the Camaro of my dreams. Though not 100 percent factory, this Camaro has presence in spades thanks to the 15-inch Rallys with BFGoodrich Radial T/As (215/60/15 up front, 255/60/15 out back). The top engine available for a regular Camaro was a 327/275, which this appears to have as a “date-correct” replacement backed by a TH350 three-speed automatic (this is an upgrade from the Powerglide that was available in ’67). Other features include an Edelbrock aluminum intake, a Rochester four-barrel, a five-blade cooling fan, a black Deluxe interior, special instrumentation, a console, air conditioning, a three-spoke steering wheel with a tilt column, power steering and front disc brakes, a 10-bolt rear end with 3.08 gears, an aluminum driveshaft, a white D91 stripe, a black vinyl top, a front air dam, a rear spoiler, and more.

You’d be plumb crazy to miss the opportunity to buy this $67,900 prime piece of pony car. Only 2.7 percent of Camaros were produced in code M Royal Plum, so it’s certainly not something you’ll see often among Hugger Orange and Lemans Blue F-bodies.

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

A few days ago, we shared the news that Bentley redesigned its “Winged B” badge and would be introducing it on a new concept vehicle. The Bentley EXP 15 is that one-off car, an all-wheel-drive EV that provides a glimpse of both the future of the brand’s design and its first all-electric model coming in 2026.

Much of the inspiration for the EXP 15’s design came from the 1930 Bentley Speed Six Gurney Nutting Sportsman coupe, a.k.a. the “Blue Train.” Although then-chairman Woolf Barnato’s Speed Six Weymann four-door by H.J. Mulliner was the car that beat a luxury express known as Le Train Bleu in a race from Cannes to Calais, his Gurney Nutting-bodied Sportsman is the Bentley most commonly associated with the contest.

Like its nearly century-old ancestor, the EXP 15 has an “Endless Bonnet Line” that starts behind the upright LED “grille,” shoots over the strip-like headlights and door-mounted vents, goes under the side windows, and ends with the pronounced rear haunches. The Pallas Gold satin finish is purely 21st century, using an ultra-thin aluminum pigment that allows the EXP 15’s various safety features to transmit through it and be detected by the Lidar in other modern vehicles.

One of the EXP 15’s most distinctive features is its odd number of doors. According to Bentley, “One door on the driver’s side opens to the driver’s seat plus a cocooning rear seat behind, while twin coach doors and part of the panoramic roof open upwards on the passenger side to allow smoother entry and exit via a more luxurious and flexible passenger-side seat that can swivel 45 degrees outwards.” That special bucket can be moved next to the driver’s seat, slid to the back of the cabin, or reclined. To make space for a pet or small personal luggage, the footwell footrests can be folded down into the floor.

When the rear hatch is opened, a pair of small seats can be folded out and used to enjoy cold drinks from a built-in fridge.

Although the face of the EXP 15’s dashboard can be used as a massive infotainment system screen, it also contains something Bentley calls the “Mechanical Marvel,” a clock-like device with multiple movable and illuminated indicators for things such as the direction the EXP 15 is headed, its charging status, and more. As Robin Page, Bentley Director of Design, said, “We think people are going to get fed up with a fully digital experience and are pining for physical mechanical elements too. By combining the two, you can get the best of both worlds. It’s almost like wearing a beautiful mechanical watch on one wrist and a digital watch on the other.” Using virtual reality, Bentley’s color, finish, and trim team came up with four interior themes, which consist of a variety of textiles and materials such as Fox Brothers wool, 3D-printed titanium, and Gainsborough silk jacquard fabric. There’s also a woven metal mesh Bentley calls “Acrylic Couture,” which is set in acrylic and can display 3D effects in the dashboard when lit up.

This is a big moment in Bentley’s timeline in which we can see where it’s going in terms of design and engineering for years to come. However, it’s hard not to see the EXP 15 as a product of its time, one seemingly influenced by existing vehicles, particularly EVs. From certain angles, it brings the Rolls-Royce Cullinan to mind; from others, it resembles the Spectre. The massive upright front end has a little BMW 7 Series in it. The roofline’s steep downward slope at the rear is similar to that of the Cadillac Celestiq and points toward the Polestar 2-like taillights.

What do you think of the Bentley EXP 15’s design? Tell us in the Comments section below.

When you hear the name “Audi,” American enthusiasts tend to not recognize the brand until the debut of the 1983 5000, truly a landmark car that’s criminally ignored as a 1980s collectible. However, Audi’s first step into goodness started 60 years ago when the brand returned to the German market at the 1965 Frankfurt Motor Show.

The history of Audi is somewhat complicated. It originally was one of four brands that made up Auto Union, but production stopped in 1940, only to be revived for 1965 with the Audi “F103,” a re-styled and -engineered successor to the DKW F102. This was several years after Daimler-Benz sold a 50 percent stake of Auto Union to Volkswagen (eventually to increase to 100 percent around this time). This car was initially known simply as “Audi,” with the 72, 60, 80, 90, and 75 variants appearing in subsequent years (the names based on engine size).

“Since its re-emergence in the Sixties Audi has firmly established a reputation for design that imaginatively looks to the future but always stands the test of time,” says Audi UK Director José Miguel Aparicio. “Design has always been a fundamental pillar of the Audi brand and core to our Vorsprung durch Technik ethos,” chimes Audi exterior designer Gary Telaak. “From the original Ur-quattro, through to the timeless TT coupe and recently launched A6 Sportback e-tron, Audi’s hallmark design cues and attention to detail are visible throughout. The next chapter in Audi design will remain faithful to the past.”

A larger sedan called the 100 was introduced for 1968. It debuted in the U.S. for 1970 and lasted through 1975, upon which the second-generation 100 appeared. It was renamed 5000 for 1978 for North America, which is the name it carried when the 100 was redesigned again for 1983, its third generation. The aerodynamic tricks used set it apart from its German competitors, and it set the tone for all cars for the rest of the decade.

According to Audi, “The Audi 100’s role was pivotal on several levels. It was the first model developed and manufactured completely independently by Audi; it helped to secure a more premium, upmarket positioning for the brand; and its comparatively streamlined body resulted in a lower drag coefficient than rivals, giving an early indication of a commitment to optimal aerodynamics that continues to this day.”

In celebration of the 60^th anniversary of the company’s rebirth, Audi will be holding a special event in the Rioja region of northern Spain. In the spotlight will be “extraordinarily innovative” vehicles with influential design and engineering—elements that Audi feels have defined the brand for 60 years.

“We’re immensely lucky to be the custodians of cherished examples of many of the defining models that forged that enviable reputation on our Audi UK heritage fleet, and to have them with us in the Rioja region,” adds Aparicio. “The home of spectacularly innovative structures like the Guggenheim Museum and the Hotel Marques de Riscal, designed by legendary architect Frank O. Gehry, is a perfect setting in which to celebrate them and mark this important anniversary.”

For additional information on the Spanish celebration, click here.

Featured on AutoHunter is this restored 1972 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray coupe, which is equipped with a 350ci V8 and a four-speed manual gearbox. Finished in red over a black vinyl interior, this C3 Vette is now offered by the selling dealer in Oregon with a clear title.

The curvaceous red exterior features chrome bumpers, pop-up headlights, front fender vents, chrome driver-side mirror housing, chrome trim, body-color T-tops, removable back window, luggage rack, and dual exhaust outlets.

Every classic Chevrolet looks great in Rally wheels and this Stingray is no exception with its 15-inch Rally wheels and 235/60 BFGoodrich Radial T/A raised-white-letter tires.

The cockpit offers black vinyl bucket seating for two. Conveniences include a tilt steering column, air conditioning, an Alpine AM/FM/cassette radio, and a center console.

Dashboard and center stack instrumentation consists of a 160-mph speedometer, 7,000-rpm tachometer, clock, and gauges for the fuel level, water temperature, oil pressure, and battery. The odometer shows 94,102 miles, but the title for this vehicle indicates it’s mileage-exempt.

Under the hood, the original 350ci V8 has been replaced with another 350 that’s connected to a Holley four-barrel carburetor and four-speed manual transmission. A fully independent suspension and four-wheel disc brakes help keep that power in check and this Corvette on the road.

If you want this Stingray in your garage, bid on it now. The auction for this 1972 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray ends on Friday, July 11, 2025, at 12:15 p.m. (PDT).

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and a photo gallery

Are you in the market for a turn-key award-winner? Skip the stress and expense of building your own hot rod, and consider taking ownership of this rolling work of automotive art:

The Pick of the Day is a 1954 Chevrolet 3100 pickup listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in Peoria, Arizona.

“Feast your eyes on this stunning pickup, where timeless classic truck design meets modern performance,” the listing says. “The tangerine orange metallic paint doesn’t just coat this beauty; it amplifies every iconic curve, demanding attention wherever it goes.”

Chevrolet’s Advance-Design trucks were produced between 1947 and 1955, after which they were replaced by the Task Force series. Chevrolet said in advertising materials, “From the producer of America’s most popular trucks comes this great new advance in motor transport. There’s new power under the hoods, new comfort in the cabs, new, bigger load space in the bodies, new chassis ruggedness.”

As advanced as the 1954 trucks were for their time, it’s been 70-plus years since then, and automotive engineering has come a long way. That’s why there are probably very few features of this Chevy that are original to its assembly date. The exterior, interior, chassis and running gear have all been updated in restomod style.

Starting on the outside, the truck received modernized headlights with integrated turn signals, sporty sideview mirrors and a rear roll pan with slim taillights. The cab features gray and orange leather bucket seats, a custom center console, a JVC touchscreen audio system, a leather-wrapped steering wheel on a tilt column and Vintage Air climate control.

Perhaps most notably, the truck is now powered by one of Chevrolet’s famous “LS” engines. Specifically, it’s the LS3 6.2-liter V8, which was part of the “Gen IV” of small-block engines. It features a cast-aluminum block, aluminum cylinder heads, a hydraulic roller camshaft and high-flow cylinder heads. Depending on the application, the LS3 crate engine was rated at around 430 horsepower without additional upgrades. The listing says this eye-catching truck has a six-speed automatic transmission.

One of the photos in the listing shows a picture taken at the “AZ Rockabilly Bash.” The event is held every fourth weekend in March at Pleasant Harbor in Peoria, Arizona. The focus is on vehicles from 1972 and older, and it also includes a strong contingent of motorcycles and vintage travel trailers. Lastly, there’s always live music entertainment. Check out the show’s website and consider joining in on the fun in 2026. Maybe you could even take this tangerine truck back for another showcase!

The asking price is $75,000 or best offer.

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

One of the hottest segments of the collector car market today, especially with younger buyers, is German station wagons. If you need data to support this, then look at the new BMW M5 wagon, which has outsold the sedan; as I understand it, all 2025 M5 wagons are spoken for. On the classic end of the spectrum, I know of five different collectors who are currently searching to find that perfect example of a Mercedes or BMW station wagon. I’m not talking about the high performance ones—just any Mercedes wagon in excellent condition.

This is harder to do than you would think, as station wagons by their very nature are cars that were used for hauling, work, and basically driven to death. This makes finding a 20, 30, or 40 year-old Mercedes-Benz station wagon in nice condition quite difficult.

Featured on AutoHunter is one of those veritable unicorns, a 1989 Mercedes-Benz 300TE Wagon located in Hingham, Massachusetts.

The seller describes this 300TE wagon as being powered by a 3.0L inline-six mated to a four-speed automatic transmission. Finished in Black over a gray leather interior, this German wagon is now offered by the selling dealer with a clean CARFAX report and clear title. It has covered a total of 167,865, which is low miles for one of these cars. While not perfect, it looks to be an excellent entry point to this category of the hobby.

The car does have some flaws, including a crack in the plastic part of the grill, slight damage to the rear hatch, and a broken mirror piece on the passenger side. The two trim parts can be replaced a they are still available from Mercedes; the rear hatch and slight quarter-panel issues will need paintwork, but both are worth fixing as overall this looks like an example worth saving.

Besides these issues, the Black paintwork looks to be in nice condition, with no other serious flaws which would be able to be fixed with a professional detail.

The interior of this Mercedes looks to be in quite good shape, with the grey leather seats in excellent condition, along with the carpets, dash, and wood trim. It is not faultless but, with an interior detail, it would really shine.

Under the hood is the Mercedes 3.0L SOHC inline-six engine with 180 horsepower and 188 lb-ft of torque . Recent updates include new engine mounts, fuel pump, belts, and hoses. In addition, this car has also received a new exhaust. The car does have a current check engine light but, if you buy it right, this car would deliver years of fun.

The auction for this 1989 Mercedes-Benz 300TE Wagon ends on Monday July 14 at 11 a.m. (PDT).

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and a photo gallery

Do you fancy turquoise? Many from 55-plus years ago may be attractive and pretty to contemporary eyes, but it’s not a color that was necessarily popular back then—in fact, of the four below muscle cars currently listed for sale on AutoHunter or ClassicCars.com, I can tell you that one of them is wearing the second-rarest hue for the model year per production records.

Tell us the model year, brand, and model; bonus points for the color name! Post your answers in the Comments section below. If you need a hint, click on an image.

Click on a photo to reveal each car

The Classic Cars.com Journal brings you a puzzle every Tuesday. You also can play previous games for more challenges.