One of our favorite activities as auto nerds is scouring auction sites like Bring a Trailer, which, like Car and Driver, is part of Hearst Autos. It’s no secret that we spend a lot of time on our computers reading through virtual auctions for cars we never buy. So, more than a year ago, we began selecting and sharing the most fascinating ones with our readers.
Our BaT selections cover a wide range of vehicles, from one of the most desired Alfa Romeos ever produced to a true Acura endurance racer to Marty McFly’s black Toyota pickup in Back to the Future. We’ve prepared a list of our top ten Bring a Trailer choices from last year by paying attention to which ones were the most popular. Surprisingly, the bulk of the models on that list are built in the United States (plus one iconic Japanese sports car fitted with the most American of engines: a Chevy small-block V-8).
Allow us to share our top ten most popular BaT selections for 2022, as determined by you, our dedicated readers.
1. Shelby Cobra 427, 1966
Warning: there will be spoilers! This 1966 Shelby Cobra 427 is not a reproduction; it is a genuine article. Perhaps this is why it was our tenth-most-popular BaT selection for 2022. Or maybe it’s just that this legendary American roadster is so darn cool, especially in its original factory green. Its 427-cubic-inch V-8 engine has twin four-barrel carburetors and exhaust pipes that leave out the rear rather than the conventional side-exit configuration. The highest offer for this original Cobra was $1,160,000, but it fell short of the reserve price.
2. Ford F-250 XLT Diesel 1995
Who doesn’t adore a heavy-duty Ford pickup vehicle from the mid-1990s? This 1995 F-250 XLT made our top-10 BaT choices from the previous year, indicating that our readers are major admirers. This extended-cab model has a two-tone paint job and rides on aftermarket 16.5-inch rims with large tires. It’s also driven by Ford’s Power Stroke diesel engine, a 7.3-liter with 210 horsepower and 425 pound-feet of torque from the factory. Those power statistics are small by today’s standards, but nostalgia is the truck’s main appeal. This 1995 F-250 finally sold for 28,000 dollars.
3. Mazda Miata 1995 (LS1 Swap)
If we learned anything while preparing this list, it’s that the majority of our top BaT selections for 2022 are manufactured in the United States. We also discovered that putting a Chevy small-block V-8 in Mazda’s ultra-popular sports vehicle draws a lot of attention. It’s a 1995 Miata that’s been upgraded with a 5.7-liter LS1 engine and several other enhancements. Is 300+ horsepower too much for such a light rear-drive car? Perhaps, but we doubt it’ll be too much fun. The highest offer on this V-8-powered Miata was $24,000, but the reserve price was not met.
4. Cadillac CTS-V Wagon 2012
The Cadillac CTS-V wagon was a one-of-a-kind vehicle. What else do you call a stylish station wagon with a manual gearbox and a 556-horsepower supercharged V-8? Readers appeared to agree, as this 2012 example was voted the sixth most popular BaT selection of 2022. We’ll remind anyone who needs further confirmation of the Caddy’s performance credentials that one of these leather-lined family haulers hit 60 mph in under 4.0 seconds. As previously said, unicorn. This CTS-V long roof finally sold for $84,501.
5. Volkswagen Beetle 1967
Not every automobile on our top ten list of most popular Bring a Trailer selections is American-made, unique, or extremely powerful. This 1967 Volkswagen Beetle is a prime example. Nonetheless, the “people’s automobile” definitely continues to be popular. This version, in addition to being repainted Savannah Beige, comes with a roof rack for additional storage. Like Herbie, the Love Bug has a lovely, modest restored interior. This 1967 Volkswagen Beetle finally sold for $17,500.
6. Mercedes-Benz R63 AMG 2007
Mercedes may not have wanted to label the R-class a minivan, but those of us with two functioning eyes recognize it as such. We also know that the AMG-tuned R63, with its 503-hp 6.2-liter V-8 and 155-mph peak speed, is the world’s most badass production-built minivan. Maybe Mercedes would have approved of the moniker. In any case, this 2007 example was our sixth most popular BaT selection of the year. It was only available for one model year and just 108 were reported to have made it to America. That puts the R63 in exclusive company, although this one only cost $44,000.
7. Chevy Corvette SportWagon 1968
Some may call this 1968 Chevy Corvette SportWagon a monster, while others may consider it a great makeover. We’ll leave the wagon-esque Vette up for dispute and simply label it our fourth most popular BaT selection of 2022. Fun fact: Vehicle and Driver called the SportWagon a “sports car first, and a wagon second.” The one on Bring a Trailer has a 707-horsepower 572-cubic-inch V-8 with a manual gearbox. The absence of A/C, as well as power-assisted brakes and steering, means that this beast is the definition of a handful. The highest offer was $25, but the reserve price was not fulfilled.
8. 1967 Impala Sport Sedan, Chevrolet
Our readers either enjoy the TV program Supernatural or four-door Chevy Impalas from the 1960s. While it might be a touch of both, we believe this 1967 Impala Sport sedan ended on the podium of our top-10 most popular BaT selections. This big-bodied Chevy hardtop was modeled after the TV show’s namesake automobile. The exhibition car, dubbed Baby, was powered by a 500-cubic-inch Chevy big-block V-8. Unfortunately, this specimen has a tiny engine, in contrast, a 283 cubic inch V-8. At the very least, only the driver will notice. This 1967 Impala four-door finally sold for $46,250.
9. Dodge W200 Power Wagon 1962
This four-door 1962 Dodge W200 Power Wagon will pique the interest of more people than any other big crew-cab pickup truck now clogging American highways. It also piqued the interest of our readers, finishing second among our top-10 BaT selections for 2022. Given the popularity of pickups and how awesome this old-school crew-cab Power Wagon looks, we’re not surprised. While its 225-cubic-inch slant-six engine wouldn’t thrill Miss Daisy, its green paint and white 19-inch steel rims do. The truck ultimately sold for $50,000.
10. Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz 1978
Our most popular Bring a Trailer selection for 2022 is… a brown 1978 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz. Nobody saw that coming, but everyone saw this land yacht going down the street back in the day. This Eldorado Biarritz deserves to be recognized in its current form for its near-mint condition, even showing just under 20,000 kilometers on the odometer at the auction. The remainder of the massive two-door, whitewall-tired Caddy is a throwback to when the pinnacle of personal luxury was a car with a 7.0-liter V-8 producing just 180 horsepower, although with a robust 320 pound-feet of torque. This Eldorado finally sold for 24,000 dollars.