End of the Beetle

Volkswagen ceased global production of its iconic Beetle in 2019. Volkswagen revived the car in the US in 1998 but it attracted mainly female buyers. The company revamped it for the 2012 model year in an effort to make it appeal to men. US sales rose to over 46,000 in 2013 but tailed off after that.

The Volkswagen Beetle, officially the Volkswagen Type 1, is a two-door, four passenger, rear-engine economy car manufactured and marketed by German automaker Volkswagen from 1938 until 2003.

The car was formulated by Adolf Hitler who wanted a cheap, simple car, mass produced for Germany's new road network. He contracted Porsche to design and build it to his standards.

On 26 May 1938, Hitler laid the cornerstone for the Volkswagen factory in Fallersleben. The factory had only produced a handful of cars by the start of the war in 1939; the first volume-produced versions of the car's chassis were military vehicles, the Type 82 Kübelwagen (52,000 built).

The amphibious Type 166 Schwimmwagen (about 14,000 built).

The factory produced the Kommandeurwagen; a Beetle body mounted on a 4WD Kübelwagen chassis. The Kommandeurwagen had widened fenders for all-terrain tires. 669 Kommandeurwagens were produced up to 1945. Mass production of civilian VW cars didn't start until post-war occupation.

Dr. Ferdinand Porsche

After World War II, the car was officially designated the Volkswagen Type 1, but was known as the Beetle. During the post-war period, the Beetle had superior performance in its category with a top speed of 115 km/h (71 mph) and 0–100 km/h (0–62 mph) in 27.5 seconds with fuel consumption of 6.7 l/100 km (36 mpg) for the standard 25 kW (34 hp) engine. In 1949 the car was exported to the US. On 17 February 1972, when Beetle No. 15,007,034 was produced, Beetle production surpassed the previous record holder, the Ford Model T.

By 1973, total production was over 16 million, and by June 1992, over 21 million had been produced.

Production in Brazil ended in 1986, then started again in 1993 and continued until 1996. The last Beetle was produced in Puebla, Mexico, in July 2003. The final batch of 3,000 Beetles were sold as 2004 models and badged as the Última Edición. The final original VW Beetle (No. 21,529,464) was produced at Puebla, Mexico, 65 years after it's launch.

VW 1303/Super Beetle (1973)

Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa

The Ferrari TR, or 250 Testa Rossa, is a race car built by Ferrari in the 1950s and 1960s. They were introduced at the end of the 1957 season in preparation for Le Mans and World Sports Car Championship races from 1958. The cars dominated their competition, with variations winning 10 World Sports Car Championship races including the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1958, 1960, and 1961.

In all, thirty-four 250 Testa Rossas were built, from 1956 through 1961. The phrase Testa Rossa means "red head", a reference to the red valve covers.

The original 250 TR had unorthodox bodywork by Scaglietti. This model (22 were produced) from 1957 to 1958 is often called the "Pontoon" TR. Ferrari updated the bodywork in 1958 to a more conventional, enclosed "interim" style, making the 1957 pontoon-fender models incredibly rare. The 250 TRs of 1960 and 1961 were dominant racers, obliterating the competition.

The 250 TR is among the most valuable cars in the world. In 2011, a Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa sold for $16.39m. In February 2012, a 1964 250 GTO sold for nearly $32m. Later that year, a 1962 250 GTO sold for $35m.

1958. Belgian team Ferrari 250 TR. @haustexracing

1956 Mercedes 300 SL Gullwing - $5.27m

The German sports car set a new world record for Mercedes-Benz 300 SL W198-code, surpassing the previous $3.41m set by another 1956 model-year example in 2024. It's also the first of its kind to exceed the $5m barrier. What's up with this 1956 300 SL? It's the world's most original example left. Driven for 34,255 km (21,285 miles) and carefully maintained for seven decades, the Gullwing still wears much of its original dark gray paint.

All 300 SL Gullwings were equipped with M198 3.0-liter straight-six engines and four-speed manual transmissions.

The first production car to feature a four-stroke engine with fuel injection, the Gullwing came with 240hp on tap.

1925 Rolls Royce Phantom 1 Jonckheere Coupe

Custom coachbuilding of the 1920s and 30s was the ultimate form of self-expression for the rich and famous. A company accustomed to building buses and trucks wouldn’t be the typical choice to build the coachwork for a Rolls-Royce, yet Jonckheere Carrossiers of Belgium did that when they re-bodied a 1925 Phantom I with the most distinctive Rolls-Royce coachwork ever created.

In 1936 it received the Prix d’Honneur at the Cannes Concours d’Elegance. It then passed through several owners before making its way to the United States just before WWII. The car fell into disrepair. It was discovered again in the 1950s but in near derelict condition. By 1991 it crossed the auction block for the amount of $1.5m to a Japanese collector.

Engine is a naturally aspirated straight 6 with a displacement of 7,668cc.

All of the faulty design elements mean nothing when reflecting on the car's real purpose; to impress all who see it. This monster makes a serious statement.

The car made 108 bhp @ 2,300 rpm through a four-speed manual. The 'Round Door Rolls' has been part of the Petersen Museum collection since 2001.

It is a key part of the vault at the Petersen Museum. The 3.5-tonne behemoth needs no introduction.

1958 Oldsmobile Super 88 Convertible

1 of 3,799 Super 88 Convertibles produced in 1958. 371 CI Golden Rocket V-8 engine. J2 Tri-Power induction. Hydra-Matic transmission. Independent coil spring front suspension and longitudinal rear leafs. Power steering. Hydraulic power brakes. Red with White convertible top. Two-tone Red and White interior. Factory air conditioning. Power windows. Power convertible top. Trans-Portable AM radio. Power antenna.

The 1958 Oldsmobile lineup included the entry-level Dynamic 88, mid-level Super 88, and the 98.

The full-size Oldsmobile 88 was produced until 1999 and became the top-selling line for 24 years.

The Super 88 shared its V8 engine with the 98. It was a 371 cubic-inch 'Golden Rocket' engine equipped with a Quadra-Jet four-barrel carburetor that delivered 305hp at 4,600 RPM.

This example made $140k in 2020 at Mecum.

Messerschmitt KR200

Messerschmitt was a German aircraft manufacturer. Because the company was forbidden from making more aircraft immediately after World War II, it turned to automobile production. The Messerschmitt KR200 was conceived in 1953 and sent to America two years later for the price of $1,073. The design was a cabin scooter-like design known as the “Kabinenroller.” It had two seats and three wheels. Messerschmitt produced the KR200 for about a decade from the mid-1950s to 1960s.

Torsilastic springs, similar to torsion bars, would give the KR200 suspension, and lightweight tube bumpers were a $50 option. A defining quirk of the KR200 was its sole wheel in the back, compared with two in the front. The front wheels controlled steering, while the rear wheel was driven by a 10 horsepower rear-mounted engine. Drivers learned to lean into corners because the car had a tendancy to tip. Fuel economy had a wide range of 60-100 MPG, with a top speed of 65 MPH.

A Messerschmitt KR200 today is a highly collectible car and typically sells for between $28k and $36k. Values fluctuate depending on condition, originality, and the specific variant. Messerschmitt's car division was turned over to Fend around 1964. In 1968, Messerschmitt merged with another company and eventually became part of Airbus.

1962 Pontiac Catalina Super Duty - $210k high bid

The 1962 Pontiac Catalina Super Duty is a rare, factory-built drag racer featuring a 421 cubic inch (6.9L) V8, producing an underrated 405 horsepower (465+ hp actual) via dual-quad carburetors. With only 162–179 units produced, it utilized lightweight aluminum parts (hood, fenders, bumper) and a 4-speed manual to dominate early 1960s drag racing.

The 421 cu in Super Duty V8 featured forged internals, high-performance heads, and either dual-four-barrel carbs or a NASCAR-spec single four-barrel. To reduce weight, these models, known as "Lightweights," featured aluminum front fenders, bumpers, hood, and radiator support, shedding roughly 200 lbs compared to standard models.

Odometer reads 21,616 miles. No. 103 of 162 produced. Original sheet metal. Factory aluminum package including hood, front and rear bumpers, brackets, inner and outer fenders. Original matching numbers 421/405 HP V-8 engine. Original dual Carter 500 CFM 4-barrel carburetors. Aluminum intake. Forged aluminum pistons. Forged steel rods and crankshaft. Solid lifters. Cast iron headers. 2 1/4 inch cast aluminum exhaust. Factory T10 wide ratio 4-speed manual transmission. Factory 4.30 Saf-T-Track rear end. Saginaw manual steering. Hydraulic manual drum brakes.

Hagerty suggests a #1 Concours condition 1962 Pontiac Catalina Super Duty is trending around $390k, up sharply. Rare and highly desirable, this example appeared at Mecum.