Classic cars are beautifully built machines that still draw many an admiring glance. Auctions show that although sales have slowed a little, the classic car industry remains as viable as ever. By highlighting four cars recently sold on bringatrailer.com, you can get a sense of where the resale industry is at and how these undeniably timeless cars are still drawing plenty of buyer attention. These vehicles were a 292-Powered 1955 Ford F-100 4-Speed, a 1958 Porsche 356A Speedster, a 1957 Mercedes-Benz 190SL 4-Speed, and a Vortec-Powered 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air 4-Door Sedan. Read on to find out more about these classic cars.
292-Powered 1955 Ford F-100 4-Speed
The Ford F-100s of the 1950s offer pleasing curves and a bed that marries elegance with function. Originally painted green, this truck was repainted a stunning baby blue in 1991. After being purchased in 2012, it was fitted with a 292ci Y-block V8 linked with a four-speed manual transmission. To complete its more modernized drive feel, it was converted to utilize a 12-volt electrical system in 2023, and an aluminum radiator has been added. This means that the truck will have as smooth of a ride as it does a classic exterior.
The baby blue exterior contrasts well with the bench seating’s dark interior. Its stylish three-spoke steering wheel frames a 90-mph speedometer. When driving a classic vehicle, it’s essential to understand how your machine is operating. There are also auxiliary gauges for coolant temperature and fuel level. More recently, an auxiliary Equus coolant temperature gauge was added to the dash.
The truck’s equipment includes a dual-bar grille, running boards, brake lights, LED lighting, and a driver-side mirror.
The 1955 Ford F-100 sold at auction for $21,000.
1958 Porsche 356A Speedster
Said to have originally been owned by an airline pilot in Hawaii, this Porsche Speedster matches the aura of stunning beaches and a high-flying lifestyle well. Completed in 1957, it has a sleek black finish. Featuring the power of a 1.6-liter flat-four paired with a four-speed manual transaxle, the power is improved with twin carburetors topped with K&N air cleaners. This is a car that drives like it looks.
The interior, originally red leather, has been reupholstered as a black leatherette that matches the car’s exterior. Equipment includes a black soft top, gold badging, bright side moldings, an ANSA quad-exit exhaust system, chrome-finished 15″ steel wheels, headlight stone guards, chrome bumper overriders, the vintage stylings of fixed-back bucket seats, and a sleek-looking leather-wrapped Nardi steering wheel. To ensure a sophisticated ride, all gauges are easily readable with VDO green-letter instrumentation that includes a central 6,000-rpm tachometer, a 120-mph speedometer, and a combination gauge for monitoring the engine.
Adding to the sharp look are chrome-finished wheels with baby moon hubcaps. Stopping power comes from four corner drum brakes.
This 1958 Porsche 356A Speedster was sold at auction for $315,000.
1957 Mercedes-Benz 190SL 4-Speed
With a convertible soft-top and sleek black exterior, this Mercedes-Benz looks like it has driven straight out of a classic black and white movie. To get the car ready for sale, preparations included a valve adjustment, a refresh of the carburetor, and replacement of the engine mounts, braking components, battery, and fuel system components.
With its stylish exterior, it only makes sense for the interior to be dashing. With low-back bucket seats upholstered in red leather, it features matching trim on the dashboard and door panels. Inside there is a locking glove box and a dashboard-mounted rear view window. Additional featured equipment includes a driver-side mirror and a bright windshield surround with matching grille and bumpers.
A stylish two-spoke steering wheel surrounds VDO instrumentation including a 140-mph speedometer and a 7,000-rpm tachometer as well as gauges to ensure smooth operation including oil pressure, water temperature, and fuel level.
For speedy getaways or slow country rides, you need an engine that runs well, and the 1.9-liter M121 inline-four is up to the job. It was factory-rated at 104 horsepower with 105 foot-pounds of torque.
Sold at auction for $85,000.
Vortec-Powered 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air 4-Door Sedan
Ivory and roses are the classic colors of a bygone era. Riding into view is this beautiful 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air in Dusk Rose and India Ivory. With a wrap-around windshield and rear window, a hood ornament, hooded headlights, tinted glass, and gold-finished Bel Air badging, it’s the kind of car you think of when you think of classic movies, malts from a shop on the corner, and a quaint ‘50s town.
Don’t let its charming exterior fool you, though, this car was built for speed. The owner rebuilt, modified, and installed a 5.3-liter LM7 Vortec V8. Other modifications include a Summit Racing intake manifold, a 92mm billet aluminum throttle body, forged pistons and connecting rods, a high-performance camshaft, and tubular exhaust headers along with DeatschWerks fuel injectors. Sourced from a 2001 Silverado, the 5.3-liter LM7 Vortec V8 was rebuilt and modified before it was installed by the seller. Steel 15″ wheels feature eye-catching polished covers and are mounted with 215/75 Neptune UN 101 narrow-whitewall tires.
The interior features two rows of bucket seats, so there’s room for everyone, and has been reupholstered in gray cloth with vinyl sides and backing. The three-spoke steering wheel surrounds a handsome chrome horn ring. The wheel frames a 110-mph speedometer. To ensure the car is running smoothly, the driver can always check the inset gauges for coolant temperature and fuel level. Auxiliary gauges for oil pressure and coolant temperature are mounted beneath the dashboard.
At auction, this beauty was sold for $21,000.
Get the Best Insurance for a 1958 Porsche 356A Speedster or Another Classic
No matter which classic car you are rocking, you can feel safe when you insure this piece of automotive history. Protect your investment for years to come with Classic Auto Insurance.
Here at Classic Auto, we’re more than just an insurance company — we’re classic car enthusiasts. We offer our clients robust and affordable policies based on agreed-upon value. This means that we’ll work with you to estimate your car’s true worth. Plus, we include inflation guard in our policies, which will ensure that your vehicle is never underinsured.
If you’re ready to learn more about how Classic Auto Insurance can protect your ride for years to come, you can call 888-901-1338, or you can get an instant quote here.
