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.
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.
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.
I attended Monterey Car Week and the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance for the first time in 2001, covering the event for Classic Motorsports magazine. I had been to a lot of smaller events, including regional concours and vintage races, but I really had no idea what the whole Monterey thing was all about. To say I was blown away was an understatement, especially by the sheer scale and quality of the cars at Pebble. I had never experienced anything like this magical event and, even now, having attended it every year since, I am still awestruck.
Image courtesy Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance
Over my 23 years in the hobby, I never even dreamed I would have a chance to actually show a car on the lawn at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. The event is in the rarefied air of the collector car world: a place where notables such as Ralph Lauren, Jay Leno, and Jerry Seinfeld go to show off the very finest vehicles in their collections. I was resigned to the fact that this was a league out of reach to me as a car enthusiast.
1939 Alfa 6C 2500SS Berlinetta by Touring
Then, about four years ago, officials at the Maine Classic Car Museum in Arundel asked if I, as the collection’s insurance broker, might be willing to show a car for them and, if so, which concours would I recommend. I felt the Amelia Island Concours would be a good starting point as it is a great event, closer to Maine geographically, less expensive than Monterey Car Week, and a good way to get our feet wet. We showed our 1939 Alfa 6C 2500SS Berlinetta by Touring and came away with Second in Class and the Mille Miglia Award—an amazing result, given it was my first time showing at Amelia. This thrilled the museum’s owner and led not only to me being asked to serve as their collections manager, but also to wins at other concours—including more wins at Amelia Island, a Best of Class win at Greenwich, and a Best of Class win at Misselwood.
As collections manager, I also recommend and acquire cars for the museum. This is a lot of fun, as I get to look at lots of cars and purchase those that are the best fit for the museum. One of these excursions was to Arizona Auction Week in 2023, when my goal was to buy a pair of vehicles at Bonhams: a 1954 Chrysler GS1 by Ghia and a 1957 Chrysler Ghia Super Dart 400 concept car. After strong bidding, with some aggressive close bids on my part, we acquired both cars. The owner of the museum was delighted, and both cars have become favorites of visitors to the museum.
After the auction, the day we bought the Super Dart.
We took the GS1 to Amelia last year and won, but I purposely kept the 1957 Super Dart 400 away from the bigger concours events, instead sending it to Greenwich in 2023, where the car received the Preservation Award.
I took a stab at entering the museum’s Ferrari 166 Inter Cabriolet by Stablimenti Farina at the Pebble Beach Concours in 2024, but we were declined. I totally understood the verdict. Even though it carried the pedigree of being the 16th Ferrari road car built, this was Pebble we were talking about, which seemed just a “bridge too far.”
Fast-forward to December 11, 2024. I received a call from my friend Ken Gross, a motor journalist, concours judge, and museum exhibit curator. He wanted to know if I was able to take the 1957 Super Dart to Pebble Beach. There must have been about 30 seconds of silence on the phone from my end. He asked if he still had me on the phone and I said, “I’m still here.” I told Ken I would love to take the Super Dart to the show and, if the owner disagreed, I would figure out another way.
Screenshot by author
I called the owner and explained that we had just been asked to show at Pebble, and we needed to answer in the affirmative. He has never been to Monterey Car Week before but, after I explained that Pebble Beach is the “World Series” of concours events in the U.S., he agreed. A few days later, I filled out the online entry form and waited for the outcome, though Ken assured me it would be accepted. About two months later I received the acceptance email from Sandra Button, chairman of the Pebble Beach Concours.
I held back letting people know about showing at Pebble, only telling a few friends, as I knew Pebble wanted to do their own PR first. Finally, last week, a press release went out featuring a period photo of our Super Dart. A few days later I received my Pebble Beach Exhibitor package, and it was at this point that reality sunk in—I was going to the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance to present a car. I blew up people’s phones, posted about it on social media, called Sandra Button to thank her, and am now writing this story to document the process.
Will our car win an award? Who knows. To me and most entrants, just being invited to have the opportunity to show at Pebble is a true win in itself. I am both thrilled and nervous, but I know the Super Dart will be well-received by spectators.
Now the work begins. I will be at the Maine Classic Car Museum with my friend Tim McNair for most of next week, getting the vehicle ready for Pebble. While I am a Pebble Beach rookie, the 1957 Chrysler Super Dart 400 by Ghia is a veteran, having been shown on the lawn two other times in the past 30 years.
Image courtesy Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance
So, if you have ever thought that showing a car at the Pebble Beach Concours was out of reach, who knows what might happen in the future for you? It is happening to me, and I am beyond amazed and grateful.
I will have an update about our Pebble Beach adventure, the concours prep, and more in the weeks to follow, so stay tuned and wish us luck.
Remember that scene in Live and Let Die where a mysterious henchman was driving a pimpalicious Cadillac Eldorado (actually a Dunham Coach Corvado)? Neo-classical cars have a history in the U.S., the most famous being Excalibur and Stutz. Our Pick of the Day is in a similar vein—perhaps you’ve seen one but didn’t know what it was: the 1979 Cadillac Seville Opera Coupe by Grandeur. It is listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a dealer in Monroe Township, New Jersey.
The Cadillac Seville, a name originally applied to two-door hardtop versions of the 1956-60 Eldorado, was the first small Cadillac, something that no one would have ever imagined until it actually happened. This new model, introduced for the 1976 model year, was a modified version of General Motors’ X-body platform, which included the Chevrolet Nova, Pontiac Ventura, Oldsmobile Omega, and Buick Skylark. Did Cadillac take a compact, fluff it up, and give it the highest price tag of all its mainstream models? Indeed, and America loved it.
The Seville’s introduction came at a time when trim, luxury imports—mostly from Germany—were making an impact in the American market. The Seville was a response to these upstarts. Though successful, the Seville didn’t come off as reaching for the same youthful buyers. Today, our paradigm of luxury is due to the Germans and not the Seville, as evidenced by Cadillac’s current lineup.
As the Seville was a Cadillac, it was no surprise that enterprising companies used it to create specially modified version. One such company was Grandeur Motor Car Corporation. The Pompano, Florida (again, no surprise) coachbuilder took the four-door Seville and turned it into a 1930s- and Shaft-influenced two-seater. It appears that Grandeur surgeons removed the front seat and moved the cowl and instrument panel back, so the driver was technically driving from the rear (and only) seat; the hood and fenders were extended, with the fake sidemounts added to the extended fenders. Standard power was a fuel-injected Oldsmobile 350 V8, though a Diesel was an option for some years. It is said that 600 Opera Coupes were built from 1976-83, though it’s not clear if that also includes other platforms like the Lincoln Versailles.
This 1979 Cadillac Seville Opera Coupe by Grandeur is painted in the absolutely perfect hue of Light Yellow with a matching leather interior. Though the seller doesn’t specify features, we note the Rolls-Royce-inspired Cadillac grille with special hood ornament, yellow vinyl top, bucket seats with dual armrests, power windows and seat, air conditioning, remote mirror, and genuine wire wheels with spinner hubcaps. Four-wheel disc brakes, electronic level control, and automatic climate control were standard Seville fare.
If your pinky ring has been gathering dust, we can think of no better reason than to unearth it and grab $19,500 so you can live a life of Grandeur.
Regional specials can be very cool. Perhaps the most famous is the Mustang California Special (a West Coast thing—not just California), but there are many lesser-known examples in automotive history. Our AutoHunter Spotlight is one of those: a 1970 Torino Type N/W. As part of a promotion based in the Pacific Northwest (hence the “N/W”—get it?), 601 specially equipped/painted/priced Torino two-door hardtops were planned to be built, but only 395 were part of the final tally. All featured a distinctive look that would not be confused with any other nationally available Torino. This one is powered by a beefy 351-4V backed by an FMX three-speed automatic. Features include hood pins, color-keyed racing mirrors, power steering and front disc brakes, Magnum 500 mags, heavy-duty suspension, and more. Painted Washington Green with a black knit vinyl bench seat interior, this unusual Blue Oval intermediate comes from the selling dealer with Deluxe Marti Report and a clear title.
Though this car’s color is called Washington Green, it’s actually the same as Grabber Green (with Pacific Blue and Oregon Orange corresponding to other Grabber colors). Special to the Type N/W were the black-out hood, hood pins, longitudinal protective insert, dual colored racing mirrors, lower-body paint and stripes, and Wide Oval tires with argent styled steel wheels. Currently, this vehicle sports 15-inch Magnum 500s wrapped in 235/60 Goodyear Eagle STs.
The cabin features a black vinyl interior, with the front seat being your typical bench for the era, but it breathes because the inserts are knitted. Other features include column-shifted automatic, power steering, factory AM radio, and left-hand remote mirror control.
Instrumentation includes a 120-mph speedometer and gauges for the temperature and fuel. The odometer shows 87,614, though the title reads mileage-exempt.
The 300-horsepower 351-4V was installed in 1,727 Torino two-door hardtops in 1970, of which 243 were Type N/W models. This 351 was the first step for those more inclined to performance, so you can expect brisk acceleration. The engine is backed by a three-speed FMX Select-Shift automatic transmission.
The undercarriage features power front disc brakes and a dual exhaust system. The rear end carries 3.00 gears without limited-slip.
This is a very special Torino, yet time is tight—this auction on AutoHunter ends on July 8, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. (PDT). It would be a shame to miss bidding on such a special regional special! Sure, there are plenty of Torinos to be had, but they wouldn’t be a 1970 Torino Type N/W like this.
The unfortunate truth is that most collector vehicle owners in the U.S. are unaware of the precarious situation they are in, facing perils that could cost them dearly up the road. On the one hand many are paying significantly more than they should be for auto insurance, while an even larger group is completely unaware that their current insurance does not include all the necessary coverages needed for classic and collector vehicles. Studies have shown that most collector vehicle owners in the U.S. fall into BOTH categories, overpaying for insurance while also facing significant coverage gaps. This harsh reality won’t reveal itself until the worst possible situation arises, when they get into an accident and need file a claim.
Collector Vehicle Owners Are Being Overcharged… For The Wrong Coverage
There are a few situations in play here. For starters, of the 40 million+ collector vehicles in the United States, the vast majority are insured by standard auto insurance programs. What these owners don’t realize is that these programs were not designed for classic and collector vehicles; they were designed for daily drivers. Standard auto insurance rates are calculated based on all the risks that come with typical daily driver usage, meaning more time on the road doing things like commutes and running errands in all types of weather and traffic conditions. These inflated standard insurance rates do not account for the fact that collector vehicle owners are statistically less likely to get into an accident or file a claim and typically drive their vintage vehicles fewer than 5,000 miles annually. For them, all rides share the same risk profile as a daily driver and their inflated insurance rates reflect that.
The other scenario at play here has an even broader footprint. If you think your auto insurance rates have skyrocketed in recent years, you’d be right. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) saw the cost of auto insurance rise 51% over the past 3 years, which is six times faster than inflation overall. What caused auto insurance rates to see the biggest price jump in decades? In recent years many of the largest standard insurance companies have been trying to recoup their losses from spikes in reckless behavior seen on US roads. Beginning in 2020, there were more frequent accidents, faster-than-normal speeding drivers and drunk driving surged. This all led to a spike in crash severity, all of which led to more catastrophic vehicle and injury claims on auto insurers. Moreover, materials, parts, and labor shortages during that same time frame caused repair costs for claims to climb like never before. Both factors combined have caused auto insurance rates to soar with little relief in sight. In effect, auto collectors and good drivers have been quietly subsidizing the catastrophic losses felt by insurance companies.
Not only are auto collectors likely paying more than they should be given their reduced risk profile, but the standard auto insurance coverage they do buy is often radically insufficient. This unfortunate truth will only be discovered when they need to make a claim. Even for minor repairs, standard auto insurance programs do not guarantee that they will cover original parts or that their approved body shop network has the expertise necessary to repair these types of vehicles. These coverage gaps and claims handling practices can put the authenticity and value of their vehicle at risk.
Great News For Collectible Vehicle Owners
In all this 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.
OpenRoad has built a truly unique collector vehicle insurance program that all starts with 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. Both often results in far lower insurance rates overall. But OpenRoad goes further on reduced pricing, offering additional discounts to car club members as well as any customer who transfers their coverage from another classic car insurer.
Setting a New Bar For Classic & Collector Vehicle Insurance
OpenRoad exceeds 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.
OpenRoad is also setting a new bar when it comes to coverage for repairs. 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. This is another differentiator from standard auto insurance programs that often do not guarantee coverage for OEM parts and rarely let you pick a shop outside of their approved body shop network.
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
With so many auto enthusiasts making the switch to OpenRoad, it seems that they have 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.”
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 summer of 2025. You can also sign up for their launch newsletter and get notified as soon as coverage is available for your area.
Movie fans and car fans found a lot of common ground at a recent Barrett-Jackson collector-car auction in Scottsdale, Arizona. Specifically, the Stewart A. Berkowitz collection brought in a high volume of noteworthy vehicles from on-screen – like the Flintstones car, a DeLorean, a “Herbie” Volkswagen Beetle, and even a Batmobile. Imagine being able to drive down the street feeling like a superhero… or being able to drive around a park full of dinosaurs.
The Ford Explorer and the movie “Jurassic Park” were both memorable home runs in pop culture in the 1990s. “Jurassic Park” hit the theaters on June 11, 1993 and went on to gross $914 million during its initial theatrical run alone. In fact, until “Titanic” came along four years later in 1997, it was the highest-grossing film of all time. Similarly, the first-generation Explorer (produced from 1991 through 1994) it played a huge influence on the boom of sport-utility vehicles. Ford sold over 300,000 units per year, and the Explorer was (and still is, today) an undisputed success.
It was my pleasure to kick the Goodyear Wrangler white-letter tires of a unique re-creation of one of the iconic tour vehicles from the original “Jurassic Park” movie. Themed in appropriate red, green and yellow via a custom wrap, it started life as a stock 1993 Explorer XLT four-wheel drive four-door. Based on what we know about the build, the vehicle was originally white before receiving its custom treatment. The Explorer also received yellow-finished 15-inch wheels, a front brush guard, prop fog lamps, and yellow bumpers.
One thing that did not get modified was the engine: power still came from the factory-installed Cologne 4.0-liter V6 that was rated at 160 horsepower and 220 lb-ft of torque. A four-speed automatic transmission and a manual-shifting dual-range transfer case sent power to all four wheels. The interior was appointed with blue cloth upholstery, power windows, a center console, and – in proper 1990s fashion – an AM/FM radio with a cassette player.
This eye-catching Ford Explorer blurred the lines behind movie magic and driveway reality. We are excited to see what other kinds of “themed” vehicles pop up next at the upcoming Barrett-Jackson auction which will take place October 15-18 at WestWorld of Scottsdale. Join us for the fun, because the variety of vehicles on display (and up for grabs) will surprise you.
It’s no secret that American culture is one of our country’s great exports. People in faraway lands enjoy our music, fashion, and TV shows. As shown by our Pick of the Day, a 1949 Buick Super Estate Wagon, American cars are also popular in other parts of the world, which explains why this woodie is listed on ClassicCars.com by a dealership in Jörlanda, Sweden.
If you think of California when you read the term “woodie,” that’s completely natural. A wagon like this fits that scene, even if it never carries a surfboard. But in 2008, someone in Sweden just had to have this big piece of rolling Americana, purchased it, and had it flown overseas. The original maple and northern elm wood trim around the windows and on the rear end was in bad shape, so an expert in restoring wood boats (NOT Ikea furniture) was called in to replace it. The glossy finish contrasts nicely with the satin clearcoat over the light blue paint that was laid down in 2015. According to the selling dealer, most of the chrome trim is new or has been professionally polished.
There’s more blue inside the cabin. Two shades of it, actually: light blue on the dash and door panels, and dark blue upholstery.
Between the ventiports on the front fenders is the original 248ci “Fireball” straight-eight, which is connected to a Carter two-barrel carburetor and Dynaflow automatic. The entire electrical system was upgraded to a 12-volt setup.
This 1949 Buick Super Estate Wagon is a long way from home. You can bring it back for $49,500 (OBO)—perhaps after spending a summer vacation (and maybe some meatballs) in Sweden.
With subtle fanfare and a stiff upper lip, Bentley has unveiled a redesign of its Bentley Wings emblem. The new emblem—the fifth iteration of the “Winged B”—is being introduced along with a concept car to be revealed on July 8, 2025, coinciding with the opening of a new Design Studio in Crewe.
Logo redesigns can be a risky proposition, especially when it comes to their familiarity with the public. The current redesign has been created in-house by Bentley’s own design team, following a grand tradition that began in 1919 by Sir F. Gordon Crosby (alright, he was never knighted, what?). Subsequent redesigns have been implemented in 1931, the 1990s, and 2002, all maintaining the same charm. Says Bentley, “Crafted with confidence, care and creativity, the new emblem is symbolic of an exciting future” for the automaker. Note the sleeker design with the wings’ feathers dramatically refined with diamond patterns. The B in the center of the logo has been subtly redesigned in a manner so that it can stand alone on its own. It gives the impression that it could stand alone as the center jewel of a watch.
“If a luxury brand is the product of the stories it has created, then its emblem is its signature. In more than a century of history, this is only the fourth evolution of Bentley’s iconic Winged B, and redesigning it was a formidable task for which we’ve taken great care,” says Director of Design Robin Page. “In an era of ever-increasing complexity and fidelity from digitalisation, an exercise of simplification and refinement is a modern necessity—and so the new emblem is cleaner, sharper and more impactful than its predecessor. The new Winged B—and the concept car that introduces it—both symbolise a powerful, exciting future for this company and its exceptional, handcrafted products.”
The car that it’s attached to is expected to herald the beginning of a new era of Bentley design language. Though strictly a concept car, with no plans for production, the vehicle is expected to hint what Page and his team plan for future products while using inspiration from the past. The queue to view the new vehicle on July 8th forms at www.bentleymedia.com.
The Petersen Automotive Museum and the new ownership group for Willow Springs International Raceway recently announced an exciting partnership that will integrate one of the world’s preeminent automotive museums with the historic Southern California track.
The Petersen Automotive Museum will play a key role in elevating Willow Springs as a cultural and historical landmark through the addition of the Petersen Pavilion, an outpost of the Los Angeles institution.
“As one of the most iconic racetracks in America, Willow Springs is an ideal place to celebrate the passion, heritage and innovation that define the automotive world,” said Terry L. Karges, executive director of the Petersen Automotive Museum. “We look forward to bringing our expertise in storytelling and curation to create an environment where enthusiasts can engage with automotive culture in a dynamic and meaningful way.”
Photos courtesy of Petersen Automotive Museum
Willow Springs was purchased in April by an affiliate of CrossHarbor Capital Partners in collaboration with Singer Vehicle Design. The new ownership group is focused on preserving the facility’s rich history while making significant investments to establish it as the premier venue for automotive and motorsport enthusiasts.
“The Petersen has helped set the bar for automotive museums around the world, and it is the perfect partner to help us engage with the vibrant history and future of automotive culture,” said Sam Byrne, co-founder of CrossHarbor Capital Partners. “Stunning exhibitions and immersive storytelling are at the heart of what the Petersen does, and the showcase will be a tremendous asset as we reimagine Willow Springs Raceway.”
Photos courtesy of Petersen Automotive Museum
Maintaining public access is a key element of Willow Springs’ success, and the raceway will continue to host both public and private events. The Petersen Automotive Museum joins a growing list of industry experts who will help upgrade and improve the track experience. Former Formula 1 driver, Le Mans winner, and track designer Alex Wurz, head of Wurz Design, will enhance existing track design and safety, while Speedway Motorsports’ subsidiary Sonoma Raceway brings years of expertise in delivering premier on-track experiences to oversee track operations.
