We start today with a custom 1949 Studebaker 2R5 pickup that was professionally rebuilt and finished in Torch Red over a custom tan leather interior. This multi-award-winning truck is powered by a 383ci small-block Chevrolet engine and a 700R4 automatic transmission. The build includes a 9-inch Ford positraction rear differential, 4-wheel disc brakes, independent front suspension, power steering, a forward-opening hood, a tilting rear box, AutoMeter gauges, an Alpine audio system, and a B&M shifter.

Studebaker was originally a coachbuilder, who manufactured wagons, buggies, carriages, and harnesses. They entered the automotive business in 1902 with electric vehicles — boy were they ahead of the times. In 1954 they merged with Packard — an automobile merger that was not as successful as they had hoped.

My memory of Studebaker was primarily their bullet-nose sedan designs on the 1950 and 1951 models. Furthermore, I did not even know that they made trucks. You learn something every day. This one sold for $36,300.

Here is a a 1956 Oval-Window VW Beetle with a sliding sunroof. This car was professionally restored by a previous owner and features several performance and aesthetic upgrades, while still holding a classic look and feel. It is powered by a retrofitted 1,915cc flat-4 engine mated to a Freeway Flyer 4-speed manual transaxle. This VW is equipped with a 1962 Porsche 356 SC 4-wheel disc brake system, a rear axle with red calipers, and a dual-exhaust system. The exterior features chrome-finished bumpers and mirrors, rubberized running boards, and rolls on polished 15-inch Fuchs-style alloy wheels.

The interior features a sliding dark brown canvas sunroof, wool upholstery, a bamboo parcel tray, and a Blaupunkt radio. An ivory-colored two-spoke batwing steering wheel frames an 80-mph speedometer with a centered tachometer on the dashboard. The seats were upholstered in multi-striped tan cloth with a matching headliner, door panels, carpeting, dark brown piping, and material sourced from 1953-dated wool installed by a known marque restoration specialist. In addition, the Beetle also features a body-color dashboard, lap belts, crank windows, rubber floor mats, and passenger grab handles.

This VW reminds me very much of my slightly newer 1968 VW sedan — except for the price — this one sold for $55,000 (mine cost only $2,000).

This 1930 Ford Model A red all-steel pickup truck is powered by a Chevy 350ci small-block V8 engine with aluminum heads, as well as 4-bolt intermediate main bearing caps, a Zipp water pump, and a high torque starter.

I guessed that it originally was black — based on Henry Ford's famous quotation that you can have it in any color as long as it is black. However, I learned that Ford actually began offering both Model T's and Model A's in various colors. Regardless, this one sold at auction for $37,950.

This 1966 Cadillac De Ville convertible is finished in white over a blue interior and is powered by a 429ci V8 engine backed by a 3-speed automatic transmission.

This Caddy is loaded with options and is even outfitted with a new lowering and raising system that lowers the vehicle to the ground.

Thus it is long and low to the ground but Cadillacs never really caught my imagination. The auction selling price was $39,600.

This 2008 Aston Martin Vanquish is powered by its matching-numbers 4.3-liter V8 engine. It is equipped with a power top, power windows, heated seats, Bluetooth, satellite radio, and GPS. This color combination features a two-tone interior with a matching tan top. Delivered new in Beverly Hills, CA, by O'Gara Coach Company, this car spent its life in Southern California and, more recently, in a private collection in Scottsdale, AZ.

For those who don't know, Aston Martin is an English manufacturer of luxury sports cars and grand touring vehicles. It became associated with expensive grand touring cars in the 1950s and 1960s, especially with the fictional character, James Bond, following his use of a DB5 model in the 1964 film "Goldfinger".

This beauty cleared the auction desk bringing some $44,000. I wouldn't mind receiving one for my birthday later this month. 😎

Ah, another woody and I love it. This frame-off restored 1950 Ford Country Squire Woody wagon is primarily stock, but has aluminum-finned Offenhauser heads, radiator and intake, dual carburetor, tinted glass, and has been converted to 12 volts (formerly 6 volts) with an alternator. This is a true-to-original Woody wagon, a newer restoration. This is a frame-off, every nut-and-bolt restoration, with almost everything new or rebuilt. It is powered by a detailed cast-iron 239ci Flathead V8 engine mated to a smooth-shifting 3-speed manual transmission.

It is finished in Diamond Gloss Matador Red paint, the wood is all redone and in great shape, all the glass was replaced and it has all-new or re-chromed chrome. The custom interior has a leather look and feel and comfortable cloth inserts. It is equipped with working dual windshield wipers, custom cloth, a vinyl interior with carpet, a wood-grain painted dash, and a fold-down rear seat.

This beauty sold for only $37,400.