It is said that people tend to drive cars that match their personalities. The same can be said for classic and antique automobile connoisseurs, who tend to collect vehicles that reflect their individual tastes and sensibilities or resonate with peak moments or memories in their lives. Vehicles from bygone eras have the ability to charm and captivate, becoming spur-of-the-moment impulse buys for some and a passionate, lifelong obsession for many others.
Automobiles represent one of the richest segments of the collectible market. At auction, collectors and enthusiasts can choose from cars and trucks ranging from the well-known to the obscure. There is the boldly-finned Chevy Bel Air, America's answer to the Rolls-Royce, the legendary Duesenberg Model J/SJ, the dreamy convertible Mercedes-Benz 190SL Roadster, the quintessential Japanese sports car, the Datsun 240Z, and the quirky AMC Pacer X Levi's Edition, with its denim-clad interior.
From well-designed and thoughtfully-engineered classic cars to unusual, haphazard, and completely unique vehicles, the vast range of makes, models, and styles offer something for every auto buff's garage.
Quick Facts
- In November 2014, at McCormick's in Palm Springs, a 1956 Buick Road Master convertible sold for $76,125
- Janis Joplin’s 1964 Porsche 356C 1600SC with a hippie-style psychedelic paint job fetched $1.76 million at RM Sotheby's
- In 2015 at Gooding, a 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider sold at auction for an unbelievable $16.83 million
