From a multimillion-dollar pre-war collection heading to Monterey to a field of 300 forgotten Chevys in Nebraska, it was a big week for the collector-car world. Here's everything worth knowing, all in one place.
Market & Trends
The Most Important Collector Car Trends Right Now
The collector market is no longer one unified asset class. Generational change is pushing demand toward Fox-Body Mustangs, air-cooled Porsches and analog 1990s sports cars, while buyers grow more selective, originality keeps commanding premiums, and trucks and SUVs have earned permanent collector status. The big takeaway: today's market rewards knowledge over instinct.
The $45,000 Question: An Original-Owner '87 Buick Grand National Priced Below the Crowd
A black, three-owner 1987 Grand National with 79,000 miles is listed at $45,000 Buy-It-Now on eBay — below Classic.com's $48,438 benchmark and just over Hagerty's #3 value. A data-driven look at how a driver-grade GN has quietly become the value play in a market splitting between six-figure show cars and modified high-mileage examples.
Auctions & Collections
Sam and Emily Mann Collection Steers Toward RM Sotheby's Monterey Auction
One of America's most significant private pre-war collections — 22 lots — heads to RM Sotheby's Monterey sale (Aug 13–15). Headliners include Clark Gable's 1935 Duesenberg Model JN ($5.75M–$8M), a one-off 1932 Chrysler CH Imperial Speedster, and a 1937 Delage D8-120 S Aerodynamic Coupe by Pourtout.
Nebraska Field Holds 300+ Classic Chevys — and Roughly 250 Are Impalas
Vanderbrink Auctions will sell a staggering hoard near Fremont, Nebraska — more than 300 vintage Chevrolets, about 250 of them Impalas, plus Chevelles, Tri-Fives, El Caminos and C/K pickups. The October 3 sale will offer online bidding, with the full lot list still to come.
Paul Newman's Daytona-Winning 1995 Ford Mustang Cobra Is Heading to Mecum
The Roush-built Mustang Cobra that Newman co-drove to a GTS-1 class win (third overall) at the 1995 Rolex 24 At Daytona is heading to Mecum's Nashville sale on September 26. It still wears its "Nobody's Fool" livery and number 70, with its original ~750-hp 6.0L Roush V8.
Cars for Sale / Auction Spotlights
Single-Owner 1979 Porsche 930 Turbo — Barely 8,000 Miles in 47 Years
A Silver Metallic 930 Turbo on Bring a Trailer, reportedly one of the last 50 U.S.-market cars and still with its original owner. The 3.3L flat-six was freshly rebuilt in late 2024, and bidding has already pushed past six figures — underscoring how sharply untouched air-cooled Porsche values have climbed.
Enzo's Favorite Shape: A Regency Red 1970 Jaguar E-Type Series II Roadster
A four-speed manual E-Type Roadster with a triple-SU conversion, live on Hagerty Marketplace out of Tennessee. Honest rather than perfect, it comes with a Jaguar Heritage Trust certificate and had reached $27,250 with three days left — a relative bargain among blue-chip classics.
GM-Authorized Superformance 1963 Corvette Grand Sport — 635-HP LS9, 6-Speed
A GM-licensed continuation of the legendary five-built Grand Sport racers, pairing period styling with a supercharged 6.2L LS9 (≈635 hp) and a Tremec T56. Offered by County Corvette, with comparable builds selling between roughly $145K and $165K.
One-Year-Only Rarity: 1996 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 SS SLP Convertible
A Bright Red convertible on Cars & Bids wearing the one-year-only "Z28 SS" badge — one of just 265 convertibles built for 1996, with 40,800 miles and the SLP performance package. The reserve auction ends June 15.
The Clown Shoe Endures: A 31k-Mile 2000 BMW M Coupe
One of just 32 North American cars in Alpine White over Evergreen nappa for 2000, with the S52 inline-six and ZF five-speed. On Hagerty Marketplace, it reflects a modern cult classic whose values have climbed 9% in the past year.
Restomods
Restomod 1967 Corvette Hides a 600-HP LS3 Under Split-Window Style
A black C2 coupe heading to Barrett-Jackson's Columbus sale with no reserve, blending midyear looks with a 600-hp LS3, a Tremec six-speed, C7 suspension and a flush-mounted Split-Window-style rear. Note: the title is branded Non-Actual with an odometer discrepancy.
Restomod Royalty: A 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air Hiding an LS3 V8
A Metallic Blue/Silver two-door hardtop on Sotheby's Motorsport with a 6.2L LS3 crate V8, an Art Morrison chassis and Forgeline wheels. Showing just 266 miles, it's offered by RK Motors with a $75,000 starting price; the auction runs through June 23.
