The Barrett-Jackson 2025 Palm Beach Auction has commenced! So many classics and collectibles on the block in the Sunshine State is a fine spring follow-up from the winter success of Scottsdale just three months ago. With Thursday, April 24, 2025, being the first of three exciting days, you’re probably interested in seeing some of the excitement from Day 1, right?
Glad you asked!
After over 100 examples of automotive memorabilia crossing the block in the morning, it was time for the collector cars—175 of ‘em, including six charity car auctions! In fact, the top car, a 1994 Dodge Viper RT/10, raised proceeds benefiting the Florida Highway Patrol Council, which provides support to the families of troopers who lose their life or sustain life-threatening injuries in the line of duty. Note the day’s highlights below.
This T-bucket hot rod is said to have been built circa 1969 using a fiberglass body mounted to a custom-fabricated steel frame. The car was acquired by the seller in 2022 after several decades in storage, and a subsequent refurbishment involved rebuilding the 355ci Chevrolet V8, refinishing the body in satin black, and reupholstering the interior in gray vinyl. The engine is backed by a TH400 three-speed automatic transmission and an Oldsmobile rear end with a Mickey Thompson magnesium carrier, and it features an Isky camshaft, an Offenhauser aluminum intake manifold, triple Stromberg 97 carburetors, a Joe Hunt magneto, and Bassett headers. Highlights of the build includes a brass fuel tank, magnesium 15” front wheels, rear drum brakes, and Stewart-Warner instrumentation. This custom hot rod is now offered at no reserve with a clean California title in the seller’s name listing the car as a 1929 Ford.
The fiberglass bodywork was removed from the frame during the aforementioned refurbishment before it was repainted in satin black with multicolor flourishes. The brass fuel tank is complemented by the coordinated grille surround and mirrors, and other details include a dog-bone radiator cap, a Speedway Motors folding windshield, and lantern-style cowl lights and taillights. Pitting on the brightwork can be viewed in the gallery below.
The 355ci Chevrolet V8 was rebuilt prior to installation and features a four-bolt-main block, double-hump cylinder heads with 1.94” intake valves, an Offenhauser aluminum intake manifold, triple Stromberg 97 carburetors, and Bassett headers. The Isky RPM-300 camshaft and Joe Hunt magneto were refurbished, and a 100-amp alternator powers the 12-volt electrical system. The car also has an electric fuel pump.
Twelve-spoke magnesium 15” spindle-mount front wheels are wrapped in 145-series Firestone F-560s, while the American Racing 15” out back are mounted with 275/60 Cooper Cobra Radial G/T rubber. The car rides on a custom-fabricated steel frame, a “suicide” front setup with a 4”-drop front axle and a transverse leaf spring, a live rear axle supported by coil springs, and polished radius rods. Braking is handled by hydraulic rear drums, and the master cylinder was replaced under current ownership.
The interior is trimmed in gray vinyl with black piping, and the wood steering wheel rim was refinished. A fanny pack is mounted to the firewall below a klaxon-style horn, and a cupholder console has been added. Controls are located on the front of the seat base, and a blade-style fuse panel is concealed under the cushion along with the battery. The seller notes that the turn signal switch needs to be repaired.
A wood dashboard houses Stewart-Warner instrumentation consisting of a 160-mph speedometer, an 8k-rpm tachometer, and auxiliary gauges. The five-digit odometer shows 11k miles, approximately 1,500 of which have been added under current ownership. Total mileage is unknown.
Power is sent to the rear wheels through a TH400 three-speed automatic transmission and a third member with a Mickey Thompson magnesium carrier and an Oldsmobile 3.08:1 differential. The driveshaft was replaced under current ownership.
The car is titled as a 1929 Ford using the VIN 2335421, which is stamped on the frame as well as an overlaid brass plate.
Photos taken at various stages of the refurbishment are presented in the gallery.
This 1941 Willys coupe was acquired by the currently owning family more than two decades ago, and it has been built into a gasser-style rod. It powered by a 350ci LT-1 V8 with an Offenhauser intake manifold, a Holley carburetor, finned Edelbrock valve covers, MSD ignition components, and long-tube exhaust headers, and the engine is linked to a four-speed manual transmission. The car rides on parallel leaf springs with a lifted front end, a live rear axle with ladder bars, and American Racing 15” wheels, and inside is black upholstery, red carpeting, a pistol-grip shifter, and Stewart-Warner gauges. This custom Willys is now offered on dealer consignment with extra wheels and a clean California title.
Fiberglass rear fenders were added to the steel bodywork before the car was refinished in red. The hood trim and rear bumper are debossed with red Americar logotype, and other details include a split rear window, front push bars, and a left-side mirror.
American Racing 15” wheels are wrapped in 5.60” Coker Pro-Trac fronts and 28×12.50” Mickey Thomson ET Street rear rubber. The suspension features lifted front springs and a live rear axle with ladder bars and longitudinal leaf springs. Braking is handled by four-wheel drums.
The fixed-back bucket seats are trimmed in black upholstery, and matching upholstery covers the firewall, bulkhead, and door panels. Additional appointments include a pistol-grip shifter, lap belts, and red carpets. Pitting on the interior brightwork can be viewed in the gallery.
The three-spoke steering wheel is mounted on a column dropped with support arms attached under the dashboard. A cluster is also mounted under the dashboard, with a Stewart-Warner ammeter and gauges for coolant temperature, oil pressure, and fuel level. An 8k-rpm tachometer has been mounted atop the dashboard, and the car does not have a speedometer or an odometer.
The 350ci LT-1 V8 is equipped with an Offenhauser aluminum intake manifold, a Holley carburetor, an Edelbrock air cleaner lid and valve covers, a finned oil pan, and an MSD distributor, coil, and ignition module. Long-tube headers flow into a dual exhaust system with a crossover pipe, capped cutouts, and MagnaFlow mufflers.
Power is sent to the rear wheels through a four-speed manual transmission.
A pair of extra wheels and tires will accompany the car.
This ’32 Ford highboy was built between 2002–2003 using a steel body from Rod Bods and a boxed chassis. The car rides on a drop front end with a transverse leaf spring and radius rods, a four-link rear end, and staggered American Racing Salt Flat wheels. Power comes from a 383ci V8 equipped with AFR heads and three two-barrel carburetors, and it is linked to a 700R4 automatic and a Ford 9″ rear with a limited-slip differential and 3.70 gears. A hidden stereo is mounted under the bench seat with red upholstery, and the driver is provided a tilt column and a Lokar shifter. Owned by the builder since new, this custom-built Highboy is now offered on dealer consignment at no reserve with records and a clean Wisconsin title.
The steel body was sourced from Rod Bods and features a 2″ stretch and a stainless grille insert. The car was specified with a So-Cal windshield frame, headlights with chrome rings, and polished headlight mounts. Chrome spreader bars are fitted at both ends.
The car rides on a drop front end with a transverse leaf spring and a Panhard bar, chrome Alden shocks, and radius rods, while the triangulated four-link rear end has a stabilizer bar and adjustable coilovers. Buick drum-look finned covers are mounted over the discs up front, and a Vega steering gear was utilized.
American Racing Salt Flat wheels measure 15×6″ up front and 17×8″ out back, and they are mounted with 195/60 and 275/60 Goodyears.
A Pioneer stereo with a remote control is mounted under the bench, which is trimmed in channeled red upholstery with black piping.
A Flaming River tilt column was installed along with an engine-turned panel for the Stewart Warner gauges. The ~5k miles on the cluster represents the mileage driven over the past 22 years.
Motor Masters in Hartford, Wisconsin built the 383ci V8 in 2003. It uses a four-bolt block, a Callies crankshaft, SLP pistons, Manley connecting rods, a Crane camshaft, AFR aluminum heads, a Cloyes timing set, a Melling oil pump, a Moroso windage tray, and ARP hardware. Hedman headers were also fitted.
The engine is topped by an Edelbrock intake manifold with three Rochester carburetors and a Vertex magneto-look electronic distributor.
The four-speed automatic transmission is linked through an aluminum driveshaft to a 9″ rear end with an Auburn Gear limited-slip differential and 3.70 gears. The 3″ stainless-steel exhaust system is polished.
Build records outlining specifications are detailed in the gallery and included.
The car is titled as a 1932 Ford using VIN 1834927.
Did you love the looks of the 1980 Mercedes-Benz G 280 GE that we selected as our Pick of the Day back in February yet wished it had more modern technology? Well, we have great news: the Mercedes-Benz Stronger Than the 1980s Edition G-Wagen combines that cool retro style with the power and conveniences of today’s G 550 model.
If you’re thinking the vehicle you see here looks an awful lot like the G 280 SE that we highlighted, there’s a reason for that: Mercedes based the looks of the Stronger Than the 1980s Edition on the 280 SE. In fact, the Agave Green on our Pick of the Day is one of the throwback colors Mercedes offers on its heritage-inspired rig, albeit it’s now a shade from the Manufaktur line; the other colors are Cream (a color popular with people in the ’80s who drove their G-Classes in the city) and Manufaktur Colorado Beige. Keeping with the retro theme, Mercedes used Manufaktur Night Black Magno to black out the front fascia, grille, brush guard, bumpers, side sills, wheel arch flares, and mirror caps. The Manufaktur Logo Package adds black door handles with an embossed “G” logo. A set of silver 18-inch alloy wheels break up the two-tone look.
Other visual references to the era of Reagan and Thatcher include the old-school Mercedes badge on the hood and the “Mercedes-Benz” lettering on the rear door, which carries a spare tire with an edition-specific cover. Functional upgrades include mud flaps and all-terrain tires; models finished in Manufaktur Agave Green paint also come equipped with a roof rack.
Inside, the Stronger Than the 1980s Edition has black leather seats with checkerboard fabric inserts, as well as explicit branding on the passenger-side grab handle. The Schöckl mountain near Graz, Austria, where G-Classes have been tested and validated off-road since 1979, earns recognition in the form of the topography displayed on the front door sill panels and a “Schöckl Proved” badge at the base of the B-pillar.
The “1 of 460” badge on the center console not only pays homage to the first G-Class model series, W460, but it also indicates how many Stronger Than the 1980s Editions Mercedes will be built for the world market. Units from the U.S. allotment are scheduled to arrive in dealerships sometime later this year. There’s no official word on pricing yet, but we have a hunch the MSRP won’t be from the 1980s.
In the United States, we have a reasonable expectation of privacy. That means you can’t escape an influencer’s camera lens while in public, but you can live in your residence and let it all hang out to your heart’s content.
So, what about when you’re driving in public? A court case in Georgia may clarify what your expectations should be.
(Image courtesy of General Motors)
Currently, you can drive a modern General Motors vehicle and, while you accumulate miles, the vehicle’s computer is accumulating driving data that can be sold to another company. GM’s position is that “driving a vehicle—which necessarily involves conduct that takes place on public roads—cannot form the basis for any privacy-based claim” because “a public place is not an intrusion upon one’s privacy.”
However, the plaintiffs in the lawsuit claim they had a “reasonable expectation of privacy” regarding their driving behavior, and that GM violated the Federal Wiretap Act, the Stored Communications Act, and the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act. Nonetheless, GM counters that “roadways are public, and these behaviors are observed by all.”
That’s definitely true and, as a result, we have had to rely on law enforcement to bear witness to infractions, with the opportunity to face our accuser. That’s been one argument against red-light or speed cameras, though laws will depend on the state—some have banned automated cameras, while others limit where the cameras can be used (for example, in Scottsdale, Arizona, cameras are allowed on municipal roads but not on state highways).
General Motors claims, “Driving data includes vehicle location, driving routes, braking events, and speed, all of which occur on ‘public thoroughfares,’” and then cites a 2015 case where, according to Motor1.com, the courts ruled that a person being surveilled by a drone did not have his/her privacy violated because the person was in public.
LexisNexis and Verisk are co-defendants in this case because GM sold them the data. Of course, they too are requesting the case be dismissed. “Plaintiffs allege that Driving Data was collected from their vehicles as they drove on public roadways,” the pair said in their filing. “Courts consistently hold there is no reasonable expectation of privacy in driving activity on public roads.”
Considering your car logs everything between Point A and Point B, and the manufacturer may give data to an organization that you may or may not deem nefarious (read: your insurance company), can you expect your rates to increase based on charges that you don’t know about and cannot fight?
Like the Luddites discovered over 200 years ago, the nature of technology will challenge our belief systems, but everything should settle appropriately.
I’ll start this off by stating that I am a bit biased towards Mercedes-Benz roadsters. I have owned a number of these cars over the years and feel like every single generation of the Mercedes SL is a top-of-class roadster GT in its category. Every single one, without exception, offers capable performance for the era, attractive styling, best-in-the-world build quality and – most importantly – is enjoyable to drive. Keep in mind that all Mercedes-Benz SL roadsters are GT cars and not really sports cars, but that being said, they are some of the world’s best cars to take on a vintage car rally, especially if you want classic style combined with utter reliability.
Of all the Mercedes SL roadsters, my favorites are the W113 models built between 1963 and 1971, named the 230/250/280SL. The reason? They offer classic 1960s Mercedes styling, are still light and sporting, and are extremely well-crafted and reliable.
Today’s AutoHunter Spotlight is one of these amazing cars, a 1969 Mercedes-Benz 280SL. The auction ends on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, at 11:30 a.m. (PDT).
The seller describes this car as being powered by an M130 2.8-liter inline-six paired with a four-speed manual transmission. It is painted in Silver Mist with a color-matched removable hardtop over a black MB-Tex interior. The car is offered by the seller with the hardtop stand, spare parts and a clear title.
Among the highlights of this specific 280SL is that it was the recipient of a body-on restoration. Being a unibody car, that is the only way you can restore any 280SL. The seller also points out that it’s from a long-term private collection.
The exterior of this 280SL appears quite nice in the provided photos. The Silver Mist paint looks to be in good condition, as does all the brightwork. I’m impressed that the owner has replaced the U.S.-spec headlights with the much cooler-looking European ones. (The original U.S.-spec headlights are included in the sale.)
The interior is in black MB-Tex. Before you get all fussy and say you prefer leather, you should know that correct MB-Tex is some of the finest vinyl ever put in a car. It wears forever, is nice-looking, requires little special care and is comfortable to sit in. While sitting in that comfy driver’s seat, it’s easy to see why a 280SL represents classic German elegance at its best as you check out the full instrumentation behind the big steering wheel, which looks even more impressive at night when lit up.
This 280SL also features a dealer-installed factory under-dash air-conditioning unit – a somewhat rare amenity for these cars that makes them much nicer to drive on a hot day. A humorous note in the car’s description: The seller states an imperfection is that the factory Becker Europa radio has a delay after being turned on before it plays. In fact, this is not a problem – it’s how the Becker Europa works; it needs to warm up after being turned on.
Under the hood of this 280SL is the correct Mercedes M130 fuel-injected 2.8-liter SOHC inline-six that has 180 horsepower and 193 lb-ft of torque. These engines are tremendous and can last for hundreds of thousands of miles. Yes, they do require service, but a nice 280SL – as this one appears to be – is one of the easiest-to-own classic European cars. And the fact it is equipped with a 4-speed manual makes it all the more fun to drive.
When the first generation of the W113 roadsters was launched, Road & Track magazine closed off their review by stating it was “very near the ideal of a fast, effortless GT car.” In the review by the same magazine of the 280SL, they wrote, “For those who value engineering fitness and high-quality construction, it’s alone in the field.”
If all this is intriguing to you, act fast and place a bid – the auction for this 1969 280SL ends on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, at 11:30 a.m. (PDT).
In the early days of station wagons, they were associated with prestige and wealth. They could be found in both two- and four-door configurations but, when station wagons began being offered for the commercial trades, they tended to be two-doors. By the late 1950s, two-door wagons were being phased out, with Chevrolet last offering a full-size two-door wagon in 1959. However, Chevrolet brought back the two-door station wagon when the Chevelle was introduced for 1964. One of those interesting vehicles is our Pick of the Day. This 1964 Chevrolet Chevelle 300 two-door wagon is listed on ClassicCars.com by a dealership in Washington, Michigan.
When the 1964 Chevelle was introduced, there were several trim levels: Chevelle 300, Malibu, and Malibu SS. “New style, new size, new spirit, new car. That’s Chevelle,” read the brochure. This was Chevrolet’s first mid-size car, built on what became known as the A-body platform. The Chevelle 300 was available as two- and four-door sedans, and two- and four-door wagons. A two-door Sport Coupe (hardtop) and convertible were two other body styles, but they were reserved for the Malibu and Malibu SS. As the most austere version of the Chevelle, the Chevelle 300 happened to appeal to the more frugal Chevrolet customers, as evidenced by all body styles having six-cylinders installed at a higher rate than V8s.
Available engines started with the High Thrift 194 inline-six, but a Turbo-Thrift 230 was available. For V8s, the entry-level Turbo-Fire 283 with 195 horsepower was a start, with a four-barrel upgrade being available. Sometime during the spring of 1964, a 327 four-barrel offering 250 or 300 horsepower was introduced. A Corvette 327 with 365 was teased but never made production.
The two-door wagon was produced through 1965 and then put to rest. What set it apart from four-door Chevelle wagons was the B-pillar, which featured a slant that matched the C-pillar and gave an impression of sleekness and motion missing from the four-door wagon. Though never a big seller (2,710 in 1964, 1,668 in 1965), it captured the hot-rodding community’s eye decades ago thanks to its quasi-Nomad looks and mechanical potential (after all, it is a Chevrolet).
This 1964 Chevelle 300 two-door wagon has the VIN prefix of 5415, signifying it was originally one of 1,101 originally built with a V8. No idea what was powering it originally, but today it’s been transformed with a 383 stroker paired with a TH400 automatic with shift kit. Features include cowl-induction hood, aluminum intake, headers and dual exhausts, MSD ignition, electric cooling fan, chrome accessories, American Racing aluminum mags, power disc brakes with drilled and slotted rotors, and more. Inside, you’ll find front buckets, floor-mounted B&M shifter, power steering with chrome column, three-spoke wooden steering wheel, Dakota Digital instrumentation, and Retro radio, among other items.
After the demise of the 1957 Nomad, Bow Tie fans had to wait until 1964 for a stylish wagon, though this one was dressed down instead of dressed up. However, in its current incarnation, the builder dolled it up, and we are only too happy to present it for its coming-out party—tickets are $49,990.
This 1939 Chevrolet two-door sedan is a non-running project that was built into a street rod many years ago. Following the current owner’s acquisition in 2018, the car was disassembled and further modified with a shaved and smoothed exterior, independent suspension assemblies, and a supercharged 427ci V8 linked to a Hughes Performance 4L80E four-speed automatic transmission and a quick-change rear end. The partial bodywork is finished in gray primer, and the interior has been stripped. Hooker headers, a serpentine-belt accessory drive, a steering rack, an E-Stopp emergency brake, staggered-width wheels, a Mustang II-style front end, and a Jaguar-style independent rear end with inboard discs are among the items currently installed. A collection of parts including seats, chassis components, wiring harnesses, glass, and hardware will accompany the car. This street rod project is now offered at no reserve on dealer consignment with a Florida title.
The steel body was stripped under current ownership, and the doors were shaved, the rear bumper mounts were filled, the fender seams were smoothed, and the rear wheel wells were tubbed. Gray primer has been applied to most of the exterior, and the doors have been temporarily secured.
Staggered-width wheels are wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires. The steel frame has been boxed, and car has a Mustang II-style front end and a Jaguar-style independent rear end with inboard discs, though there are no rear coilovers are currently installed. A power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering rack has been fitted along with an E-Stopp emergency brake kit.
The 427ci V8 was built by Borowski Race Enterprises of Rockdale, Illinois, and is equipped with a Whipple blower, Hooker headers, and a serpentine-belt accessory drive.
A Hughes Performance 4L80E four-speed automatic transmission is linked to a driveshaft and a quick-change rear end. Corrosion is visible on underbody components, which can be viewed in the gallery.
The cabin has been mocked up with black leather bucket seats sourced from a Cadillac CTS-V. Floor panels, trim, and other interior components are not installed.
The louvered hood panels and trunk lid are finished in black.
Other parts accompanying the car are shown in the gallery, including the following:
Grille insert
Seats trimmed in purple cloth
Holley Dominator EFI system
Heidts & Wilwood brake system components
Billet Specialties trunk lid hinges
Painless wiring harness
Aluminum radiator
Windows & trim
Hardware
The car is titled in Florida using the VIN AZ358830. The seller is unable to locate the VIN on the car.
This Ford Model A is said to have undergone a hot rod build in the 1960s that was later abandoned before being acquired in 2015 and finished in 2022 by the seller, Bill Anderson of Hot Rod Alley in Lompoc, California. Power is provided by a 292ci Y-block V8 topped by an Edelbrock intake manifold with six Stromberg 97 carburetors and linked with a T10 four-speed manual transmission paired with a Halibrand quick-change rear end. The channeled steel roadster body is fitted over a boxed frame and is finished in metallic gold, while the interior features cream and maroon upholstery as well as a Plymouth-sourced steering wheel accompanied by a Hurst shifter, a Skull-style shift knob, and an Eelco pedal box. The suspension utilizes a drop axle up front along with a four-link setup out back, and additional details include 15” mag-style alloy wheels, Buick-sourced drum brakes, and a stainless-steel exhaust system with lake pipes. This Ford hot rod is now offered by the seller with a California title in the name of their spouse.
The steel bodywork is channeled 4” over a boxed frame and is finished in metallic gold with custom bright moldings. The seller tells us that hand-painted pinstriping was added by Shaun Anderson of SVAartworks. Guide 682-C headlights are paired with 1950s Pontiac–style taillights, and further details include a ’32-style radiator shell, a tilt-out windshield, a Sunbeam Tiger fuel filler cap, and custom dual exhaust finishers. The car is not equipped with a top.
The 15” mag-style alloy wheels are said to be Hollywood Wheel Disc units. They wear two-ear faux knock-offs and are mounted with staggered-width Firestone Bias Ply tires. The car rides on a drop front end with a transverse leaf spring, split wishbones, and tube shocks, while the rear features a custom four-link setup. Stopping power is from Buick-sourced brake drums at all four corners with finned backing plates up front.
The interior has pleated cream upholstery complemented by button-tufted maroon upper trim. Latch-and-link belts are in place for the occupants, and additional features include a Hurst shifter with a Skull-style shift knob as well as an Eelco pedal box, a 1940 Lincoln Zephyr rearview mirror, hand-made moldings, Bakelite knobs, and a painted dash with pinstriping. The floors are lined with maroon carpets, and the trunk has been trimmed to match the interior.
The three-spoke steering wheel is said to have been sourced from a Plymouth and features a horn ring, a brodie knob, and a Buick center crest. Centrally-mounted instrumentation consists of a 160-mph speedometer and Stewart Warner auxiliary gauges, while an inoperative tachometer is mounted to a custom center console below. The five-digit odometer shows 23 miles, which is said to represent the distance driven since the completion of the build.
The 292ci Y-block V8 is said to have been sourced from a 1957 Ford and is fitted with an Edelbrock F657 intake manifold and six Stromberg 97 carburetors with SP tops. The seller tells us that four of the six carburetors are currently blocked off and that the 2″ stainless-steel exhaust system features capped lake pipes that were made from 1937 Ford torque tubes. Additional equipment includes a 12-volt electrical system, a Spalding Flamethrower distributor, Mallory Bakelite 6-volt ignition coils, a Hildebrandt remote oil filter, a polished aluminum fan shroud, finned aluminum valve covers, and a finned aluminum valley cover with a Mooneyes breather.
Power is sent to the rear wheels via a T10 four-speed manual transmission and a Halibrand quick-change rear end. The seller notes that the car has a 1950s Chevrolet clutch master cylinder and hydraulic clutch assembly.
The car is titled in California as a 1931 Ford using the Colorado-assigned identification number ID10280COLO, though the VIN on the title is listed as 1D10280C0L0. The identification number stamping shown above is partially illegible, and the seller is unable to locate the factory Model A chassis number.
