• Yesterday’s comments of note: A Practical Look

    Byjustpastevehicles

    A few of the comments that stood out to us yesterday:

    “At the end of the film, The Conversation, Cindy Williams (Shirley of Laverne and Shirley) is seen getting into an MB 600 Pullman, which belonged to Francis Ford Coppola, who directed the movie. Coppola won the 600 on an earlier wager with Paramount. The studio wasn’t sure if “The Godfather” was going to be a hit, but he made them promise him that if it was, they’d buy him any car he wanted, as he was weary of schlepping around with his film crew in an old station wagon. So he said “I…”

    32

    5gearsinreverse commented on 1966 Mercedes-Benz 600

    “I can’t believe this is a 12 year-old wagon. This design has aged so well and I imagine it will continue to do so. Perfect sinister look to match the wicked motor underhood!”

    14

    Tripledigit commented on 33k-Mile 2014 Mercedes-Benz E63 S AMG 4MATIC Wagon

    “These cars did not have a rope rear main seal, although there was a short section under the rear of the sump. They had a threaded slinger at the rear that thru oil back into the engine as it ran. With time and bearing wear this became less effective. It can be adjusted to improve function and there is a lip type seal available from several sources that might improve things if installed correctly, although all this requires engine removal. These old cars can leak from several places and it is…”

    9

    morganplus8 commented on 1947 MG TC

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    What to Know About celebrating 4/27 with Chevy’s Long-Lost 7-Liters—the Z11 and the Mark II “Mystery Motor”

    Byjustpastevehicles

    As we discussed earlier this month, Henry Ford II had declared war on the competition with his “Total Performance” directive in 1962. But over at GM, the word “performance” fueled some queasy feelings amongst the brass. The General’s outright racing ban was imminent, but Chevrolet’s clandestine performance guru Vince Piggins wasn’t going down without a fight. Piggins issued a memo in mid-1962, fast-tracking the development of two race engines for NASCAR and the drag strip: the Mark IS and Mark IIS V8s, both displacing today’s magic number of 427 cubic inches.

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    Understanding new BaT Local Partners in the UK, NY, NJ, MD, VA, WA, CA, TX

    Byjustpastevehicles

    Today we announce the addition of seven new shops in our BaT Local Partners Directory, including a new partner in the UK: Sports Purpose, with whom we will be collaborating at the Bicester Scramble this Sunday! This network of trusted facilities exists to help private owners with every facet of the BaT auction process, from preparation and presentation to auction management and logistics. At the end of the day, we want every seller to get any help they might need to list on Bring a Trailer, and our Local Partners have been instrumental to this effort. We regularly add new ones, so if you are a professional shop interested in becoming a Local Partner, please reach out to us at LocalPartners@bringatrailer.com

  • Question of the Week, Pennzoil Edition: What’s the Biggest Repair You’ve Pulled Off in an Auto Parts Store Parking Lot?—WINNER’S UPDATE You Should Know

    Byjustpastevehicles

    WINNER’S ANNOUNCEMENT:

    We’re back to announce the winner for our Question of the Week, where our winner will rest on their laurels and accept a $25 credit for a hat or T-shirt from the BaT Gear Store.

    This week, we asked: What’s the biggest repair you’ve pulled off in an auto parts store parking lot?

    Having to do automotive repairs in an auto parts store parking lot (or adjacent) could be considered an instance of an inconvenient situation arising in the most convenient of places. After reading everyone’s comments, we’re awarding the prize to the user whose comment stood out the most to us this week. That comment comes to us from BaT member @Jim_Rosenthal:

    “Two of us changed a VW engine in the parking lot, but it wasn’t the parts store parking lot. It was the parking lot NEXT DOOR to a parts store parking lot. Because we’d fitted the engine tin wrong, one cylinder overheated and seized (this is evidently not unusual) Since neither of us had much money, and VW engines don’t weigh much, we decided to do it right there. There are many things I would not attempt now, for any amount of $$$. This is now one of them.”

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    jim_rosenthal commented on Question of the Week, Pennzoil Edition: What’s the Biggest Repair You’ve Pulled Off in an Auto Parts Store Parking Lot?—WINNER’S UPDATE

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    The Carefully Curated Collection: Group 1, from Nostalgic Motoring Ltd. You Should Know

    Byjustpastevehicles

    The Carefully Curated Collection is the fruit of four decades of collecting for the owner, a sometime concours judge who specialized in paint and bodywork during his professional career. The cars reflect his diverse tastes and include sports cars, GTs, and even prewar classics, all of American, British, and European manufacture. He states that drivability is of paramount importance to enjoying his collection—something we can get behind—and we’re looking forward to seeing videos of these automobiles in action. The collection will be presented in multiple groups by @plasticdr of Nostalgic Motoring Ltd., and the first auctions from Group 1 are now live on the site. Additional lots will be added shortly.

  • BaT Auction Success Story: Second-Chance E21 — Explained

    Byjustpastevehicles

    This Success Story comes to us from mak62, who won a 1979 BMW 320i from kcm125 in a September 2025 BaT auction:
    I’m thrilled to share my remarkable experience with you all. One evening, while browsing BaT, I stumbled upon a familiar face—this 1979 BMW 320i that I previously owned, but had sold off over three years ago. I first attempted to win this BMW back in March 2020, but it didn’t work out. However, after a few months I was introduced to the owner, and I eventually bought the car.

  • Understanding yesterday’s comments of note

    Byjustpastevehicles

    A few of the comments that stood out to us yesterday:

    “Great 914. Had a set of American Le Mans waiting in my parents garage while waiting for my 914 in gold metallic . Mine was born in JAN 71 so I missed on first year of production. I still very much enjoy this car today and the stock wheels and hubcaps are still in the American Racing boxes 55 years later. The 1.7 had more HP & torque than the 1.8 and makes for a great driver.”

    11

    TedLitvin commented on No Reserve: 1970 Porsche 914

    “I have owned five Mexicos and 13 Ghibli’s over the last 25 years and theses are such great cars . Mexicos are very similar to the Ghibli as they share many mechanical components and the same parts book. Dry sump for the Ghibli and wet for the Mexico. both cars on BAT currently are very nice examples. I used to own a Maserati Restoration company in Santa Barbara CA and had many Maserati Gt from the 50s thru the early 70s come thru my care. My fav was a 1969 4.7 Mexico with power steering Oxford…”

    10

    sbroadster505 commented on 1967 Maserati Mexico 5-Speed

    “That’s the car that started it all for me. I went to high school with Bob Akin’s son, who I believe is a member here at BaT. I remember fondly of him driving a new 944 onto the Quad and seeing it for the first time. As a kid, that was so exciting.”

    10

    Jukebox commented on FABCAR-Built Porsche 935/84 Race Car

  • Understanding yesterday’s comments of note

    Byjustpastevehicles

    A few of the comments that stood out to us yesterday:

    “I’m a Buick guy, but those tri-color Pontiac interiors of this period are hard to beat. Fantastic piece of automotive art here.”

    18

    Middler89 commented on 38k-Mile 1959 Pontiac Bonneville Custom Safari

    “I was in charge of the 427 crate engine program western region for GM parts this is absolutely perfect!! Example with nothing missing and also has the extremely rare jacket that not too many customers ordered once you purchase the engine you would submit your jacket size also the correct year GM performance parts catalogs also photo 29 that’s my handwriting on the serial written by hand the warranty paper perfect example I can’t think of a more complete kit with nothing missing !!! If anybody…”

    15

    DinoAAAA commented on GM Performance Parts Anniversary Edition Chevrolet 427 Crate Engine

    “In my opinion, the original, first series “sports saloon” Jaguars are the purest and best. These are the ones you will see at Goodwood! I love the center instrument cluster, like the XK cars. I also think the smaller windows and extra wood interior appointments work extremely well with these cars. OK, the far more commonly surviving MK 2 cars are just fine in their own right, but just like in the consideration of the E type evolving variations, I remain firmly in the first original series…”

    9

    Jaguar3.4 commented on 1958 Jaguar Mk I 3.4 4-Speed

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    Understanding celebrating 4/29 with Cadillac’s Smoothest Sixties Big Block

    Byjustpastevehicles

    After a month spent discussing raucous big blocks and their exploits on banked ovals and quarter-mile drag strips, we’re ready for something a little more mellow. Something smooth. Today is 4/29, but we’re not going to spill any more ink on oft-celebrated baddies like FoMoCo’s Boss ‘Nine engine or the Super Cobra Jet Lima—today, we’re talking about the Cadillac 429, found under the hood of every car that rolled out of their Clark Street plant between 1964 and 1967.