BaT member maldav won this BaT Alumni 1985 Renault R5 Turbo 2 Type 8221 from Belmont in a July 2022 auction, and he recently wrote in with an update on it:
I first saw the Renault R5 Turbo on the cover of CAR magazine’s July 1980 issue at a bookstore that specialized in foreign magazines. Despite being an enthusiast, I had never seen anything like it. I pored over the article and aspired to own one.
A few of the comments that stood out to us yesterday:
“Reviewing the Marti Report on this beautiful F250 it appears that Teague Ford ordered it without a rear bumper. That was typical with Ford dealers in rural eastern Washington areas like Walla Walla. The factory installed rear bumpers offered by Ford at the time were considered inadequate for the kind of heavy duty usage intended by many customers – who were often farmers. Most often dealers in the area ordered pickups without rear bumpers to allow customers to select their preferred style from…”
22
Double commented on No Reserve: 390-Powered 1969 Ford F-250 Custom Highboy 4×4 4-Speed
“I first met the owner, and viewed this Sprint over a decade ago at Concorso Italiano, and have driven with them in Provence. It’s exemplary of the great Giulietta sport touring experience. I didn’t expect the seller to ever let it go. I suspect he’s got something really special lined up as replacement.”
11
Brad_B commented on 1750-Powered 1957 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint 5-Speed
“That Sport Top is an incredibly rare accessory. Not many were sold and few have survived in good condition. I’ve only seen one other intact one. The Model Prefix indicates it was built as a Utility trimmed Travel Top but somewhere along the line, the bulkhead and Sport Top were added. I wonder if it was the original owner. Interesting 800!”
11
JimAllen commented on 1967 International Harvester Scout 800 4×4 3-Speed
A few of the comments that stood out to us yesterday:
“My 66 Shelby is a 4 speed, my 65 cobra is a manual, but I have owned two 67 500 Automatics and 3 67 350 4 Speeds. I loved my 67 small block cars, but nothing like putting a 500 in drive and just cruise. Maybe I’m just getting old, but I did catch myself driving the auto 500s more than the manuals.”
21
CollectorCarClub commented on 1967 Shelby Mustang GT500 Fastback
“What a legacy this car has… Bruce McLaren, who “finished second behind Jack Brabham”… those are names I read about in Car & Driver as a kid… cars were named after these men! And the tracks: Silverstone, Riverside, Laguna Seca… storied venues all.
This is a piece of history, never to be repeated. That it was powered by the little aluminum Buick engine, fed by a quartet of Webers is like icing on the cake. Once again, the offerings on BaT never fail to surprise and amaze.”
8
msjbythebay commented on Ex–Briggs Cunningham 1961 Cooper Monaco Mk III
“I have known this DB4 Zagato and it’s sister Zagato 1 VEV since the 1960s at Goodwood and subsequently in the late 1980s when it was local to me and I used to see it driven on the street. Good to see the old warhorse in fine fettle and singing automotive opera….”
4
Guido36 commented on Video Inspiration: DB4 Zagato 2 VEV, Maxed Out at the Manx Classic
WINNER’S ANNOUNCEMENT:
We’re back to announce the winner for our Question of the Week, where our victor will accept a $25 credit for a hat or T-shirt from the BaT Gear Store and the acclaim of their peers.
This week, we asked: What’s the most interesting Beetle-based creation you’ve ever seen?
Questions like this tend to activate different regions of the BaT hive mind, and this week the V-Dub cadre showed up with a variety of nominations. In the end, the Brubaker Box was the most mentioned creation, earning a cumulative 47 thumbs-up as of this writing! BaT member @pelzo was the first to nominate it:
“How about the Brubaker Box? Yeah Dude.”
17
pelzo commented on Question of the Week: What’s The Most Interesting Beetle-Based Creation You’ve Ever Seen?—WINNER’S UPDATE
A few of the comments that stood out to us yesterday:
“Ahhh, the Saab night mode. Easily one of the coolest features ever put in a car. Wish we could have Saabs still being released today, they were so cheeky”
16
Jerusha commented on No Reserve: 2006 Saab 9-3 Aero SportCombi 6-Speed
“A lot of people don’t like 4 doors. But I love them! GLWTA!”
9
70_duster commented on 1968 Dodge Coronet Deluxe 4-Door Sedan 3-Speed Project
“1988 I’d be taking this home. Mine was blue and white. Like the man said earlier. It would make novice look good. 66 years old still a novice lol. Roll on wheelies, check. Slam second you better be hanging on and sitting foward. The only race I ever lost was to a Ferrari. Smoked him off the line. 120 I looked in the mirror. Too late, just then he blew by me like I was standing still. At 150 came around the next bend. He was just a red speck. Going around the next turn. Ah to be young. Slowly…”
10
EricBB commented on No Reserve: 1989 Yamaha FZR1000
This Success Story comes to us from Dvredc5, who won this modified 2001 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am WS6 from Flexfitness16 in a November 2025 BaT auction:
I’ve been a BaT member for a couple of years now and have enjoyed every moment of it. I had been seeking an ’80s IROC-Z similar to one I bought new in 1986 and sold in 1990 to help fund my new business. There were very few examples out there, and I never found the right car.
A few of the comments that stood out to us yesterday:
“I bought my 1st 300SL roadster in 1987, and sold my last one in 2018. I have loved the model since I was a 1st grader in 1957. I found the 300SL to be remarkably bulletproof when sorted by an excellent mechanic. I 1st met Scott Grundfor in 1989. Because I lived on the East Coast, most work on my 300SL’s was done by Paul Russell, in Massachusetts. My ownership experience was greatly enhanced by my membership in the Gull Wing Group, founded in 1961, and dedicated to the preservation, and…”
22
Last_Roadster commented on 1957 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster
“Nine-liter Viper power with a six-speed manual and a transfer case? Look out SRT Trackhawk! As a kid I was intrigued by Bill Harrah’s daily driver Jerrari, the Wagoneer with a Columbo V12, but this has more than twice the HP! Amazing, GLWTA!”
18
Valiantjim commented on Viper-Powered 1979 Jeep Cherokee Chief 6-Speed by Vigilante
“Just shy of 50 years old, and the design is still stunning. And mechanically, an easy car to maintain and a fun car to drive, especially in this original configuration. One of the landmark Ferraris that will always turn heads wherever you drive it. GLWTA.”
11
johnireland commented on 1977 Ferrari 308 GTB
A few of the comments that stood out to us yesterday:
“I will treat this jewel with all the respect and care it deserves.”
21
GreenmanWood commented on 215ci V8-Powered 1965 Chevrolet Corvair Monza Sport Coupe 4-Speed
“My best friend has his dad’s 240Z in this color combo. His dad died when he was young and he’s dreamt of getting it out of the garage, rust repaired, and running since. Sadly I’m not sure that day will ever come. This one… this is just fantastic. Wish he could have one go in his dad’s car… one day!
Either way… @raffi is a top person and seller! Best of luck to the future buyer! The car will be delivered as promised.”
7
jcole commented on 1972 Nissan Fairlady Z432
“The German language 1989 color info brochure from Porsche lists lachsilbermetallic as color code Z9. I only see three other US market ’89s in this color, would argue that it’s more than 3 paint cans rare, per Rennbow.”
7
Teutonic commented on No Reserve: 1989 Porsche 928 S4
A few of the comments that stood out to us yesterday:
“As an owner of an exceptional example like this one all I can say is it is about time these cars get their due! There is nothing like them for comfort on the road today. Absolutely one of a kind. Great auction seller!”
20
RPChan commented on 1971 Mercedes-Benz 600
“Thanks! Been wanting one of these for a long time!”
11
Hondarc51 commented on 1993 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra
“Guess, I have to change my user name now.”
11
RedRidesATriumph commented on No Reserve: 3,100-Mile 2008 Ducati Monster S4RS Tricolore
“By the way folks, this Lincoln is my 400th listing on BAT!! Woo hoo!! What a car to hit the 400 mark!!!! BAT has been good to me and I have made friends with so many of you guys! Thanks for many of you who regularly attend the auctions and bring awesome commentary to the table!”
9
Competitioncars commented on 1965 Lincoln Continental Convertible
BaT is the kind of place where attention to detail is appreciated. That’s why we were happy to receive this latest dispatch from @kobus about the NNL East Model Car Show. There is something intensely satisfying about these tiny cars and the ingenuity on display in their creation, and we had a lot of fun poring over his photo gallery. Hope you enjoy it as much as we did!
April 25th, 2026—Wayne Police Athletic League Complex, Wayne, New Jersey
I have many favorite car events, but the NNL East model car show stands out. I missed it the last two years, so this year it was a must for me. It did not disappoint! If you’d like to compare shows, you can read my 2023 coverage here.