Journal Classic Cars

Currently listed on AutoHunter is this 1970 Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL 6.3 four-door sedan. If there could be a vehicle considered the fastest saloon of the era,  it would be this. While 300 horsepower from a 386.3 cubic-inch V8 does not sound impressive, Road & Track pulled a 15.1 quarter-mile ET from the $13,997(!) sedan. Any American sedan that could run quicker certainly wouldn’t be able to achieve the same Autobahn cruising speeds as this Mercedes! Painted white with a blue leather interior and equipped with air conditioning, power windows, and air suspension, this “W109” is offered by the seller with a clear title.

The white exterior is complemented by white wheel covers. Other features include driver-side chrome mirror, single exhaust system with twin pipes, and Stuttgart badge in grille. The stock 14-inch wheels are wrapped in 205/75 Yokohama whitewall radials.

The interior features blue vinyl upholstery and woodgrain trim. A pair of front bucket seats are bisected by a console housing the automatic shifter. Other interior features include air conditioning, power steering, power windows, clock, and Blaupunkt AM/FM stereo.

The instrument panel consists of a 160-mph speedometer, 6,000-rpm tachometer, and gauges for the oil pressure, coolant temperature, and fuel. The odometer shows 79,270 miles though the title reads mileage-exempt.

The fuel-injected 6.3-liter SOHC V8 was rated at 300 horsepower and 434 lb-ft of torque. It is harnessed by a four-speed automatic transmission.

The undercarriage features an independent suspension with hydraulic assists. Other features include four-wheel power disc brakes, 2.85 rear gears, and single exhaust system.

There’s few old cars that can handle a litany of modern driving conditions, but this 1970 Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL 6.3 four-door sedan is one. In fact, Mercedes claimed you could carry five at 125 mph in total comfort. It’s also one of 6,526 built between 1968-72, so it’s somewhat rare too. For a taste of V8 rumble and Mercedes solidity, place your bid on AutoHunter before May 1, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. (PDT).

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and a photo gallery

AutoHunter Cinema explores a one-of-a-kind 1994 Land Rover Defender 110 build. Imported from Turkey, this Defender was transformed in 2023 by Rover Trophy into an 18-foot-long, 8.5-foot-tall overland camper. What’s under the hood? A 430-horsepower LS3 6.2-liter V8, which is paired with a TREMEC 5-speed manual.

From a custom camper with teak flooring and a pop-top roof to solar power, Starlink-ready wiring, and a full recovery setup, this ultimate off-road adventure vehicle has everything you’d need to escape the 9-5 grind. It sold for $102,300 at the Barrett-Jackson 2025 Scottsdale Auction!

Make sure to subscribe to the AutoHunter Cinema YouTube Channel for more interesting finds!

When you walk through a Barrett-Jackson auction, you see vehicles that catch your eye from a distance, such as lifted Chevrolet K5 Blazers or brightly colored exotics. Older cars, whether with their sheer size or their two-tone color combos, can do the same, but they offer a little bonus once you get closer to them: hood (or hood-adjacent) ornaments. The Goddess of Speed on the 1936 Packard 120 Convertible Sedan above is a great example. Below are a few more that were on display at the Barrett-Jackson 2025 Palm Beach Auction.

1995 Mercedes-Benz S600

1961 Jaguar Mark IX

1955 Chevrolet Bel Air Nomad

1957 Chevrolet Bel Air 2-Door Sedan

1959 Ford Fairlane 500 Galaxie Skyliner

1995 Buick Roadmaster Estate Wagon

1955 Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn Lightweight by H.J. Mulliner 

1978 Mercury Grand Marquis 2-Door Hardtop

Studebaker’s official museum is in its hometown of South Bend, Indiana but, if you’re far from the Midwest, no need to fret: Southerners now have a chance reveling in Studebaker history as the Savoy Automobile Museum has announced the opening of the Stunning Studebaker exhibit now through August 3, 2025.

Studebaker is perhaps the proudest of the automotive Independents. Fans of the brand can rattle off a history of pioneering, whether it be monobloc engine casting, the first proving grounds, the first postwar car, supercharging, and more. By the 1950s, it was the best of times, it was the worst of times, and the company slowly slid into obsolescence in 1966 after a clever redux to create the Lark, and a Hail Mary with the Avanti. Bet ya didn’t know this: the first Studebaker automobiles were electric!

Though the Cartersville, Georgia museum has several Studebakers in its own permanent collection, this exhibit (sponsored in part by Tom & Ann Earley) features many more on loan from the Studebaker National Museum and even a custom Loewy coupe from a private collector. Here’s what’s currently on display:

• 1927 Studebaker President Limousine 
• 1931 Studebaker Six Roadster 
• 1933 Studebaker Rockne Model 10 Sedan
• 1937 Studebaker Coupe Express Pickup Truck 
• 1948 Studebaker Commander Starlight Hardtop Coupe 
• 1950 Studebaker Champion Convertible 
• 1954 Studebaker Commander Starliner Custom 
• 1956 Studebaker President Classic Sedan 
• 1956 Studebaker President Pinehurst 2-Door Station Wagon 
• 1957 Studebaker Golden Hawk Hardtop Coupe 
• 1963 Studebaker Avanti Coupe
• 1963 Studebaker Lark Sedan

The Studebaker brothers, Henry and Clem, established a blacksmith and wagon shop in 1852, and by 1875 it was the “largest vehicle house in the world” due to the U.S. Army buying their wagons. The company survived: transitions from wagons to cars, The Great Depression, two World Wars, mergers, and near bankruptcies to finally succumb and produce its last vehicle in 1966. Please enjoy this collection of various models through the years.
—Savoy Automobile Museum

The museum is located in Cartersville, Georgia and is in operation between Tuesday-Sunday from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. For more information, visit savoymuseum.org.

Six-hundred collector cars crossing the block at the South Florida Fairgrounds sounds like an enjoyable way to spend an extended weekend in Florida, whether a resident, snow bird, or just some visitor flying in to get his/her automotive fill. Yesterday was Day 3, the third and final day of the Barrett-Jackson 2025 Palm Beach Auction, and my how the day shone!

April 26^th was different from the preceding two days because supercars garnered most of the highest bids (with Ferraris dominating), but a boat from a TV show, a restomod Chevy pickup, and an Eleanor tribute also made the cut to join the Top 10—check out the cars!

Lot	Description	Price
718	2018 Ford GT	$902,000
724	2014 Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 Roadster	$522,500
732	2022 Ferrari SF90 Stradale Assetto Fiorano	$495,000
725	1995 Ferrari 512 M Topless Spider Conversion	$440,000
716	2006 MTI R/P “Miami Vice” Movie Boat “Mojo”	$438,900
743	2023 Ferrari SF90 Stradale	$429,000
3004	2004 Ford Mustang Dark Horse VIN 001	$425,000
742	2023 Ferrari 296 GTB	$297,000
715	1950 Chevrolet 3100 Custom Pickup	$291,500
748	2008 Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 Custom Coupe	$282,700
707	1967 Ford Mustang Eleanor Tribute Edition	$275,000

If you noticed there’s more than 10 cars in the above list, you have to forgive us because we’ve added a charity car that was within range. First up was a 2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 which sold for $110,000 to benefit Hannah’s Home of South Florida, an organization dedicated to helping homeless, pregnant women overcome adversity.

The second was 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse VIN 001, which was donated by collector Ron Pratte. When the dust settled, NASCAR team owner Rick Hendrick bought it for 325,000, with Pratte adding another $100,000 to the pot. Proceeds will go to Tunnel to Towers Foundation, which provides mortgage-free homes to Gold Star families and fallen first responders with young children, as well as building specially adapted smart homes for injured veterans and first responders.

That’s a wrap for The World’s Greatest Collector Car Auctions in Florida. Barrett-Jackson extends heartfelt thanks to the incredible bidders, consignors, sponsors, exhibitors, fans and the vibrant South Florida community for making the 2025 Palm Beach Auction such an unforgettable event. We look forward to welcoming everyone back to Arizona for the 2025 Scottsdale Fall Auction at WestWorld, taking place October 15-18.

Remember Leonard, the Camaro-obsessed enthusiast we introduced you to in December? One of the things I remember him telling me about his fascination with the Camaro was that the car offered Corvette-level performance at a lower price.

One of the magazine ads from back in the day said the same thing: “Try Camaro. You’ll get plenty of Corvette excitement. From the way Camaro looks, to its road-hugging ride, to its Astro Ventilation to V8s you can order all the way up to 325 horsepower.”

I guess I’ll have to give Leonard a call. I found his next ride.

Featured on AutoHunter is this 1967 Chevrolet Camaro Custom Coupe. The car is being sold by a dealer in Amarillo, Texas, and the auction will end Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at 11:30 a.m. PDT.

In many regards, the Camaro was “Rookie of the Year” when it arrived on the competitive muscle car scene in 1967. Pontiac’s GTO, Ford’s Mustang and even Chevrolet’s own Chevelle were already on the market. But the F-body Camaro (and its sibling, the Pontiac Firebird) brought a look and feel that set them apart from the competition. The Camaro was selected as the official pace car for the Indianapolis 500 in May 1967, and its success grew from there.

Starting with a frame-off restoration in 2021, this car received the complete treatment. The body was recoated in red and received SS badging, a black accent stripe and a cowl induction hood. The interior received its share of upgrades too, starting with a pair of black microsuede Corbeau bucket seats with beefy side bolsters for plenty of lateral grip. Appointments include a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a custom center console, a B&M QuickSilver shift knob, a Vintage Air A/C system and Pioneer audio.  

Forward momentum comes from a 6.2-liter LS3 V8 mated to a 4L65E three-speed automatic transmission and a limited-slip differential. General Motors enthusiasts will remember that the LS3 was used in a large number of performance cars beginning in 2008. Among them, the C6 Corvette, the Camaro SS and the Pontiac G8 GXP. The LS3 has been a widely popular candidate for engine swaps in restomod vehicles because of its reliability, performance and late-model replacement parts availability.

Some performance-car builders focus too much (or almost exclusively) on raw power, overlooking the importance of making sure the car handles predictably and stops safely with all those extra ponies. In this case, all the right boxes were checked: RideTech adjustable coilover suspension, StrongArm front lower control arms and Wilwood ventilated front disc brakes.

It’s a well-thought-out machine that any Camaro enthusiast would be thrilled to own. Bid aggressively, because you might be going up against Leonard.

The auction for this 1967 Chevrolet Camaro Custom Coupe ends Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at 11:30 a.m. (PDT).

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and a photo gallery

For many of you out there, it’s convertible season now. Once you have the top down, you can either soak up the sun or enjoy the cool night breeze and the view of the stars above – or both, if you just can’t get enough top-down driving. You can do that while rowing your own gears in an iconic sports car in our Pick of the Day, a 1999 Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet posted on ClassicCars.com by a dealer in California.

The 1990s was a significant decade in Porsche history. It marked the end of the V8-powered 928, the debut of the mid-engine Boxster, and the arrival of the all-new 911, otherwise known as the 996 generation. Yes, the 1998 911 was larger than the outgoing 993 and had distinctive headlights, but its most significant difference from its predecessor was its engine. For the first time in its history, the 911 had a water-cooled engine. But many things remained the same: the general shape, flat-six power, the availability of a manual gearbox, and coupe and cabriolet body styles, among many others.

The ’99 Cabriolet you see here looks as if it was purpose-built for fun times in great weather. Its Guards Red paint is a great start because it’s an unwritten law that red convertibles need to be driven fast with the top down. The power-operated soft top adds convenience to the festivities.

The Savanna Beige leather interior also gets in on the fun. How? Look in the middle at the shifter for the six-speed manual gearbox, which sends power to the rear wheels.

That means you can not only feel the wind streaming through your hair, but you can also feel the rush of winding up the 296-horsepower, 258-lb-ft 3.4-liter flat-six and upshifting. One thing you don’t have to experience is stressing about the IMS bearing because that’s been handled, according to the selling dealer.

If you’re ready to get out there and burn up the road with the top down, you can do that in this 1999 Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet for $22,995.

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

Spring in Florida is a wonderful thing. Combine that with classic cars and you have what must be the most spectacular moments of the season at the Barrett-Jackson 2025 Palm Beach Auction. With Friday, April 25^th now part of the history books, let us tell you about the excitement from Day 2 of the auction.

Among three charity vehicles, $370,000 was raised, including $200,000 for a 2025 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 convertible, VIN 001, owned by famed NFL running back Jerome Bettis. The sale of this C8 goes to the The Jerome Bettis Bus Stops Here Foundation, an organization dedicated to providing educational, recreational, developmental, and financial assistance programs for underserved youth.

Other charity cars included a 1965 Superformance MKIII Custom Roadster for $110,000 (benefiting Breakthrough T1D in support of Type 1 diabetes research and advocacy), and a 2017 Ford F-250 Dwyane Wade Champions Edition Custom Pickup for $60,000 (benefiting Social Change Fund United, a nonprofit co-founded by Wade that harnesses collective influence and resources to drive meaningful impact in underrepresented communities of color).

Taking top honors was $203,500 for a 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Gullwing Coupe. Below is the Top 10 list for your pleasure.

Lot	Description	Price
412	2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Gullwing Coupe	$203,500
3002	Jerome Bettis’ 2025 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Convertible VIN 001	$200,000
391.1	1971 De Tomaso Pantera	$143,000
395	1966 Pontiac GTO Custom Convertible	$137,500
474	1964 Ford Thunderbird Convertible	$126,500
384	1964 Chevrolet Corvette Custom Coupe	$125,400
423	1985 Land Rover Defender 130 Custom Pickup	$121,000
393	2023 Ford F-250 Shelby Super Baja Pickup	$118,800
3001.1	1965 Superformance MKIII Custom Roadster	$110,000
468	1988 Rolls-Royce Corniche II Convertible	$110,000
449	1969 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am Ram Air III Recreation	$110,000
400.1	2010 Ferrari California Convertible	$110,000

The Barrett-Jackson 2025 Palm Beach Auction runs through today, April 26, 2025 at the South Florida Fairgrounds. Want to bid on a car or just attend and watch the fireworks? Go to Barrett-Jackson.com. Can’t make it to the auction? Thanks to technology, you can watch it online at Barrett-Jackson.com! Gates open at 8 a.m.

Because of our proximity to the border, us Arizonans are accustomed to seeing the occasional Mexican license plate zooming around our freeways. One of the highlights of a recent trip to Mexico City for a friend’s birthday was the chance to see what the car selection was like south of the border. In particular, I was fascinated by the volume of vehicles with manual transmissions. Every Uber ride I took was in a manual-transmission vehicle.

Here were 10 vehicles that caught my eye, in alphabetical order by manufacturer.

BYD Tang DM-i

I saw the “BYD” name a lot – and naturally, I wondered what it stood for. Turns out, it’s “Build Your Dreams.” The Chinese company was founded in 2003 and has been gaining a lot of momentum in Latin American markets. The Tang is a midsized crossover with a plug-in hybrid 1.5-liter inline-four engine and seating for seven passengers. It has been around since 2014 and is in its second generation.

Chevrolet Groove

What a cool name, right? The Groove is a subcompact crossover SUV developed by SAIC-GM, targeting emerging markets. It is sold in some parts of the world as the Baojun 510 and comes with a 1.5-liter L2B inline-four.

GAC GS3 Emzoom

This is another one from China, produced by the GAC Group, which is headquartered in Guangzhou. The GS3 had pricing in the Chinese market starting at 73,800 yuan, which comes out to about $10,120. It could be optioned with a few different four-cylinder powertrains, and – you guessed it – could come with a manual transmission, too.

Great Wall Pao (GWM) Poer Pickup

The GWM Poer (also called Pao in some markets) is a mid-size pickup from Great Wall Motors – yet another Chinese company. The truck has been around since debuting in 2019 at the Shanghai Auto Show.

Honda City

Finally, a brand name I recognized, but a model I did not. Turns out, the City has been sold under a number of different nameplates, including the Fit Aria, the Ballade and the Greiz, depending on the market. The fifth generation of the City received a facelift in 2011, and that look matches with the car that I saw.

MG GT

While I didn’t get a great photo of this car, it was one of my favorites from the trip. The GT has been in production by SAIC Motor in China since 2012. In some markets, it’s called the MG 5. The larger of the two available engines is a turbocharged 1.5-liter with 171 horsepower.

Pontiac Matiz

The Matiz, a rebadged version of the Daewoo Matiz, was also a rebadged version of the Chevrolet Spark. It was a tiny city car offered in some Latin American markets. It was a bare-bones economy car that fit well in urban cities.

Renault Duster

I saw a lot of these little SUVs running around. The Duster was offered with both front-wheel and all-wheel drive configurations, marketed jointly by Renault and its subsidiary Dacia. The 4×4 had underbody protection and beefy body cladding.

Seat Ibiza Hatchback

The Ibiza has been around since 1984 and was classified as a “Supermini” car. It was manufactured in Spain and built on the same platform as the Volkswagen Polo. One thing I noticed in researching all of these cars: Oftentimes, they have been marketed under many different brand names simultaneously.

Suzuki Jimny

This was our traveling group’s favorite. The Jimny is a cult-favorite compact 4×4 in Latin America, celebrated for its off-road prowess despite its small size. It has retro styling, body-on-frame construction, and Suzuki’s “ALLGRIP PRO” traction system.

I enjoyed that the roadways were filled with such unique cars during my Mexico trip and, I have to admit, I did browse the local classified listings to see if there was anything in particular that I would want to drive home to the United States.

Gracias for coming along for the ride! Do you have any international trips planned this summer? If so, what types of vehicles do you expect to see at your destination?

Currently listed on AutoHunter is this 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air 2-door sedan, which is powered by a new 350ci V8 crate engine mated to a 700R4 four-speed automatic transmission. Finished in dark blue over a two-tone gray vinyl and cloth interior, this Bel Air is now offered by the seller in Colorado with a clear title.

The dark blue body features chrome bumpers and trim, hood ornaments, driver-side mirror, gold Bel Air badges, and dual exhaust outlets.

This Bel Air rides on a set of staggered-width 15-inch front and 17-inch rear Boyd Coddington chrome wheels fitted with 205/60 and 255/50 BFGoodrich radial tires, respectively.

The cabin is furnished with a light gray vinyl and gray cloth split-bench front seat and a matching bench seat in the rear. Features include power windows, tilt steering column, power steering, and Vintage Air climate control system.

Instrumentation from Classic Instruments consists of a 140-mph speedometer, 8,000-rpm tachometer, and gauges for the temperature, voltage, oil pressure, and fuel level. The odometer shows 1,388 miles, but the title for this vehicle indicates that it’s mileage-exempt.

Under the hood is a new 350ci V8 crate engine, which is equipped with an Edelbrock four-barrel carburetor and paired with a 700R4 four-speed automatic transmission.

The engine transmits its output to the road through a nine-inch rear end. Power front disc and rear drum brakes keep that power in check.

If you want this American classic with more modern updates, bid on it now. The auction for this 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air ends on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, at 11:45 a.m. (PDT).

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and a photo gallery