Cars-On-Line’s Classic Car Newsletter is Your
No. 1 Source for Classic Car News
One-Year Wonder
By 1969, Ford Motor Company had the rights to use Carroll Shelby’s Cobra brand pretty liberally. That was the year they came out with a one-year only model called the 1969 Ford Cobra. It was a Fairlane based two-door version, which came with either a Ram Air 428 CJ big block Ford motor, or its counterpart the 428 SCJ R Code car with the Drag Pack option. Some were hardtops and some came with the Sports Roof. As you might expect, they were designed to go racing. From bumper to bumper, Ford designed and built this car to perform at the track with heavy duty competition components.
A private party seller from Canada just listed his rare 1969 Ford Cobra 428 SCJ for sale in our Ford Muscle Car Section this week. It is a Sports Roof version (fastback) with the original Indian Fire paint. His car was sold new in Barrie, Ontario in early 1969. The seller says it is “bone stock original … every part on this car is Ford OEM except for the HURST shifter …”
The Super Cobra Jet engine was part of the Drag Pack package (option code R), and included performance upgrades that would make you want to go racing. It had forged pistons, a nodular iron crankshaft, Le Mans-style connecting rods, an engine oil cooler, and a Ram Air induction system. Ford officially rated the SCJ at 335 horsepower, although the car probably made 400 or more horsepower. This one has the close ratio 4-speed, Traction Lok differential and the optional 3.91 rear axle ratio. It has a console with bucket seats, color keyed racing mirrors, power steering, power disc brakes, and a tachometer.
The Super Cobra Jet Sports Roof was the subject of a full feature article written for Muscle Cars Magazine, in the Fall 2025 edition.
New Listings
New Listings Page
Click this link to see all of today’s new listings.
Linked above are the New Listings to the Cars-On-Line.com website. The page is updated in real time.
Classic Car News This Week
MG Pre-Purchase Inspection
We were asked to do a pre-purchase inspection report on a 1955 MG TD Roadster. The little red British import car was in nice shape compared to many we see. The inspector rated it as a Class 3 condition car, meaning it is a very nice driver but has imperfections which keep it from being considered show quality. You can read the report here. So our client was able to make an enlightened decision about purchasing the TD. Classic TD’s peaked in price back about 25 years ago when they were getting six figure prices for No. 1 condition cars. That was before the internet. This one got a high No. 3 condition rating. Read the report to get the appraisal value.
Buying a collector car without a pre-purchase inspection could be a mistake. The difference between a No. 3 condition daily driver and a No. 2 condition show car can be a matter of tens of $1,000’s of dollars. You can find out more about pre-purchase inspections here at this link.
Carlisle Spring Auction
We are gearing up to attend the Carlisle Spring Car Show and Swap Meet in historic old Carlisle, Pennsylvania next month, April 22-26, 2026. Check our Cars-On-Line Car Show Calendar for the details. Every spring there is excitement in the air as the car show season gets underway. During the show we will attend the Spring Carlisle Auction, April 23-24, 2026, at the Carlisle Expo Center across from the fairgrounds. Click here to see their auction inventory for the upcoming Spring Carlisle Auction. Remember, you don’t have to be present at the auction to place your bid. You can bid by phone or online. Find out more about how to become a bidder when you read their bidder information page.
This Weeks Featured Stories
1969 Pontiac Trans Am
A 1969 Pontiac Trans Am represents the pinnacle of first-generation muscle car collectibility. It, in fact, is a legend in its own time. Powered by its numbers-matching Ram Air III 400 cubic-inch V8 and paired with the desirable M-21 close-ratio four-speed manual transmission, this example is one of just 520 four-speed Trans Ams built that year. It puts power to the ground via a 3.90 Posi-Traction rear end, giving it the mechanical combination serious collectors seek. Documented by Pontiac Historical Services, its provenance and authenticity are verified—a critical detail for a car this rare and valuable. It is being offered for sale this week at Carolina Muscle Cars out of Benson, North Carolina. Having undergone a rotisserie restoration from an already solid and original foundation, they say this Trans Am presents beautifully while retaining the details that matter. The Tyrol Blue interior with bucket seats, rare Rally Package gauges, tachometer, and original floor mats preserve the factory aesthetic. It’s a show-quality example that checks every box for the discerning collector. What set the ’69 Trans Am apart from other Firebirds was its focused performance engineering. It featured heavy-duty suspension, and front and rear spoilers for improved track type stability.
Olds 442 W30
A Twilight Blue 1970 Oldsmobile 442 W30 Holiday Coupe was presented for sale this week at MS Classic Cars in Seekonk, Massachusetts. It is a rare and highly desirable example, one of just 2,574 W30 Holiday Coupes built that year. With factory air conditioning, given how few buyers opted for AC on a purpose-built performance machine, that makes it rarer still. This W30 has been certified by noted Oldsmobile authority Chris White of Concours Concepts, adding a layer of expert validation that serious collectors look for. But what truly sets this 442 apart is its documentation. The car retains its original VIN tag, cowl tag, build sheet, broadcast line card, and factory window sticker—a documentation package that most survivors can only dream of. Add the original dealership pre-delivery check sheet, owner’s manuals, and warranty booklet with protect-o-plate, and you have a paper trail that traces the car’s life from the assembly line forward. For collectors, this level of provenance transforms a great muscle car into a museum-grade piece, one that can be authenticated down to the smallest factory detail.
Auctions
Our readers will remember our coverage of the GAA Classic Fall Auction last month. They had an outstanding selection of classic muscle cars for that auction. So, as the upcoming GAA Classic Spring Auction happens in Greensboro, North Carolina, April 9-11, 2026, it already promises to offer more of the same. This sale is so mainstream that we consider it to be the best barometer of what prices should be on these top end collector cars. (Collectors might want to read our GAA Classic Auction coverage from last month as a preview of what to expect in April.) Classic car dealers from throughout the Southwestern U.S. will be on hand to buy special cars for their inventories. And countless more from all over the country will be buying online or over the phone. But the event is open to the public and anybody with a bidder’s registration can bid on these cars. Here are a few muscle cars we spotted in their current auction inventory.
1969 COPO Camaro
To this day this 1969 COPO Camaro remains a genuine survivor, purchased directly from its original owner in 2004 and remaining unrestored and original. With owner-stated mileage of just 753 miles, the car presents as a time capsule from the peak of the muscle car wars—when Chevrolet used the Central Office Production Order system to slip big-block power past corporate displacement limits and into the hands of savvy buyers and drag racers. Unrestored examples like this one carry a different kind of value than concours restorations; the original paint, interior, and underhood components tell an authentic story that no amount of restoration work can replicate. Multiple pieces of documentation and history accompany the car, supporting its provenance and tracing its journey from new. For collectors who prize originality above all else, a low-mileage, single-family-ownership COPO with paperwork is about as good as it gets.
Shelby GT500KR Convertible
The 1968 Shelby GT500KR Convertible, Shelby Number 023151, stands as one of the rarest and most meticulously documented examples of its kind—one of just 518 GT500KR convertibles produced and, according to its Elite Marti Report, one of only three built with its exact configuration. It will be offered to the highest bidder on Saturday, April 11, during the upcoming GAA Classic Spring Auction in Greensboro, North Carolina next month. Finished in striking Wimbledon White over a Saddle interior, this exceptional Shelby was originally shipped to Frank Crate Ford in Elk Grove, California, and retains its original sheet metal and fiberglass components. The car has undergone a comprehensive rotisserie restoration using both original and NOS parts, preserving its authenticity while returning it to concours-quality condition.
Hemi Road Runner
A factory 4-speed 1969 Plymouth Hemi Road Runner will cross the auction floor at the GAA Classic Spring Auction, on April 11, 2026. A full nut and bolt restoration was completed on the Hemi car in 2020. It has the 426 ci Hemi engine and an HD 4-speed manual transmission. The history on the car shows us it was raced in 1969 and 1970, but remains correct and original, as the date coded carburetor was rebuilt during the restoration. Presented in factory B5 Blue, it is one of only 194 Hemi Road Runners produced in 1969. It comes with original padded dash restored by Just Dashes, and it has an original grille and headlamps. You can read the build sheet and a Wise Report on their ad page.
Click here to view more of the auction inventory for the upcoming GAA Classic Spring Auction. These are some of the special cars that are currently being advertised on the Cars-On-Line website for the GAA auction promotion.
Video Ads
1970 Chevelle SS
Greg shows you an absolutely gorgeous 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS in this video. He says this Chevelle is a true 138 VIN actual Super Sport big block car, and it has undergone a meticulous frame-off, rotisserie restoration with high attention to detail seen throughout! He shows you the straight body with good gaps and alignment. What a beauty. Wait till Greg shows you the spotless undercarriage. As he says, “She is pretty underneath, man.” This video is a great inspection lesson on the way to check out a Chevelle Super Sport.
Have you seen our CarsOnLine.tv Classic Car Video marketplace? To feature your car on CarsOnLine.tv, just add a video to your Cars-On-Line.com ad. Video ads have become the most important development for internet sellers. Just upload your video to YouTube and we’ll embed your video in your Cars On Line.com ad at no extra charge.
Here are a few more ads with interesting videos:
Project Vehicles for Restoration
1950 Ford Business Coupe
A 1950 Ford Business Coupe has been listed for sale by a private party seller from Albuquerque, New Mexico. A lot of good work has already been invested in this lead sled project. It has a Fatman fabrication subframe w/tubular upper and lower control arms, rack and pinion power steering, disc brakes front /rear drums, 4.6 liter Ford engine / electronic automatic trans, Edlebrock manifold, MSD and Fitech control units, and it is chopped and shaved with suicide doors, ’89 Caddy taillights and a one piece slide out tilt front end (electric). Plus, it has Airtech rear air bags, pump, tank and controls rounding out the build. Unfortunately, the seller has run into health issues and will have to pass the project on to the next collector to finish. Your gain.
The following are just some of the cars available in the Project Car Section this week:
1948 Frazer Sedan, Haggle Me
1948 Pontiac Silver Streak, Haggle Me
1973 Mercedes-Benz 450SL, Beverly Hills Car Club, CA
1940 Chevrolet Police Car, Haggle Me
1972 Mercedes-Benz 450SL, Beverly Hills Car Club, CA
1940 Buick Sedan, Haggle Me
1970 VW Karmann Ghia, Beverly Hills Car Club, CA
1972 Porsche 914, Beverly Hills Car Club, CA
1976 Porsche 912e, Beverly Hills Car Club, CA
Find hundreds of project cars for sale in the Project Car Section.
Street Rods
See more great deals in the Street Rod Section, or watch the the New Listings page.
Off Road, 4x4s, and Jeeps
Find more in the Off Road Section on Cars On Line.com. There’s even more on the New Listings page!
Air-Cooled Porsches
Find more in the SUV Section online. You can see all the fresh ads on the New Listings page.
Fresh ads appear first on the New Listings page.
You can see all the fresh ads as they are listed each day on the New Listings page.
Vintage Motorcars
You can see all the fresh ads as they are listed each day on the New Listings page.
Chevy Muscle
Find more on the New Listings page of our website.
Find more in the Ford Muscle Car Section, or watch the fresh listings as they appear on the New Listings page.
Check the Mercury Muscle Car Section. Or you can see all the fresh ads as they are listed daily on the New Listings page.
Pontiac Muscle Cars
Check the Pontiac Performace Section for more. See all the fresh ads listed on the New Listings page.
Late Model Sports Cars
You’ll find many more modern sports cars listed by year in the Late Model Sports Car Section.
Scroll through the Trucks & 4x4s Section for more. The newest ads come in on the New Listings page.
Classic Customs
You’ll see more for sale in the Customs Section and on the New Listings page.
Volkswagen
Volkswagen Eurovan
Imported Sports Cars
You’ll see more for sale on the Cars On Line New Listings page.
See more for sale in the Truck Section or watch for fresh listings on the New Listings page.
See more great deals in the Luxury Section or on the New Listings page.
Classic Mustangs
See more great deals in the Mustang Section and on the New Listings page.
Muscle Car Clones
1970 GTO Judge Look-a-Like
A 1970 Pontiac GTO was renewed with GTO Judge stripes and badging just to make it more interesting. Under the hood sits a strong Numbers Matching 400 V8, delivering the deep rumble and smooth power that Pontiac performance cars are known for. Offered for sale at Super Sport Classics in Largo, Florida, the engine is paired with a Turbo 400 automatic transmission. They tell us the GTO offers dependable performance and effortless cruising whether you’re heading to a car show or enjoying a weekend drive. The photos on the ad page reveal a striking green bucket seat interior with a center console. An aftermarket gauge pack adds a performance-inspired touch while keeping vital engine information easily visible.
The following are more recently listed Muscle Car Clones:
1972 Chevelle, Super Sport Classics, FL, SS Tribute
Make sure you watch our New Listings page for daily updates. There’s even more in the Muscle Car Section.
Deals of the Day
1994 Trans Am Anniversary
Here is a very popular “future collectible” 1994 Pontiac Trans Am 25th Anniversary Edition GT with a 6-speed manual transmission and only 44,691 miles on the odometer. These anniversary edition Trans Ams were collectible from the day they were born. This one is being offered for sale this week at Beverly Hills Car Club In Los Angeles. The anniversary model features the GT-style aerodynamic body treatment, including a deep front fascia with integrated fog lamps and a high-rise rear spoiler. It has the performance enhanced LT1 5.7 Liter SFI V8 engine. It also features the locking hatch roof with T-Tops, and rides on white 16-inch aluminum wheels with Pontiac center caps mounted on Goodyear tires. It will be our DEAL of the DAY tomorrow, Saturday, because their asking price is very affordable. This is the best price we have ever seen on one this nice. They are asking $26,500.
1951 Packard 200
Haggle Me, the internet broker that specializes in helping Baby Boomers sell their classic cars, just posted a 1951 Packard 200 sedan for one of their clients. They call it “stunning” so we thought we had better show it to you here. The photos leave a lot to be desired so you might want to have it inspected before you buy. But hurry! We don’t expect it will last long at this price. They say it runs and drives “great,” although it should be noted that the title brands it a “rebuilt.” It has the Straight 8 engine and an automatic transmission. You should call right away on this one to get the full story. It will be our DEAL of the DAY on Sunday. Their asking price is only $10,500.
1955 Chevrolet Bel Air
Another internet broker, Classic Car Deals out of Michigan, listed this nice looking 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air 4-Door sedan for sale this week. They say it runs well and is turnkey ready to cruise. With an updated 350 small block V8 engine, it has drum brakes and manual steering. It does have new tires all around, they say. We would recommend having it inspected before you buy, but look through the photos and you will see why were have selected it for our DEAL of the DAY on Monday next week. The car shows well in the photos. 4-door cars do not receive as high a value as 2-door hardtops, but this one is special because of its condition. Having it inspected before you buy should reveal why this one has exceptional value. If it inspects out at a high 3 or low 2 condition class, the price will seem like a good investment. They are only asking $23,995.
1951 Chevrolet Deluxe
A private party seller from Lecanto, Florida has listed his 1951 Chevrolet Deluxe Fastback Sedan for sale. He says it runs drives and stops as it should. The new whitewall Coker tires really set it off. It has had a 12-volt conversion with 140 AMP one wire alternator and new 21 circuit wiring harness with turn signals. The drivetrain has three-on-a-tree manual transmission driven by a 216 ci stovebolt inline six cylinder Chevy engine. The seller says he feels the car looks presentable inside and out. He also says the body and frame are solid. A pre-purchase inspection is always advisable prior to purchasing an older vehicle, of course. This one is said to have a clear Florida title. It will be our DEAL of the DAY on Tuesday next week. His asking price is $8,900.
1930 Ford Model A
They refer to this 1930 Ford Model A as a “blind corner sedan” because of the unintended blind spot created by the back corners of the sedan build. This one is an older restoration, according the Classic Car Deals, an internet broker out of Michigan. The body style is unique among Model A’s. They say it has a good body and structure and runs and drives well. They say there are no known issues on this one. Classic Car Deals says it is ready “for cruising, shows, or adding to a vintage collection.” The 4-door classic is available for inspection. We recommend that anyone buying an old car have it inspected first to make sure they know what they are getting into. This one will be our DEAL of the DAY next Wednesday. The asking price is $15,495.
1956 Buick Century Riviera
When Buick produced the 1956 Buick Century, it had the 322 ci V8 engine which was referred to as a “Nailhead.” This engine was so powerful it was often referred to back then as Buick’s “hot rod” engine. But to take it up a step, the Century model was available in a pillarless hardtop version called the Riviera. It was the beginning of the era when the term “2-door hardtop” symbolized a car for the young at heart. This week Beverly Hills Car Club in Los Angles listed a Riviera hardtop for sale in Seminole Red and Dover White over a Red Cordavan and black interior. They say it is a California car just out of long-term ownership. Additional equipment includes chrome bumpers, the signature Sweepspear side molding, dual exhaust outlets, chrome hubcaps, and wide whitewall tires. It will be our DEAL of the DAY late next week. Their asking price is $19,750.
1985 Alfa Romeo Spider
Beverly Hills Car Club also listed a white 1985 Alfa Romeo Spider Veloce for sale this week. It is a 5-speed version with just 55,763 miles on it. To further enhance the exterior, the convertible soft-top gives an option for an open-air experience. Equipped with an inline four-cylinder engine, it has Jaeger instrumentation, black convertible soft top, four-wheel disc brakes, 3-spoke steering wheel, chrome trim, Toyo tires, 14-inch alloy wheels, and a full-size spare tire fitted in the trunk. Featured amenities include bucket seats with head restraints, dual side mirrors, center console, door pockets, and a vintage Clarion radio. This is a very desirable car for those who were auto enthusiasts during the 1980’s. They say this one is mechanically sound and will sell for $11,750.
Often there are more cars that deserve to be in the DEAL of the DAY than we can schedule for our front page feature. Here is a list of cars that just missed the cut for the DEAL of the DAY this week. Remember, you saw them here first:
| 1960 Austin Healey Bugeye Sprite | $14,750 | Los Angeles, CA |
| 1967 MGB Roadster | $11,750 | Los Angeles, CA |
| 1974 VW Beetle | $11,570 | Los Angeles, CA |
| 1972 Mercedes-Benz 280SE | $15,750 | Los Angeles, CA |
| 1976 Ford Thunderbird | $16,900 | Mundelein, IL |
| 1996 Jaguar XJ Vandenplas | $13,500 | Los Angeles, CA |
| 1997 Camaro Z28 30th Anniv | $14,900 | Mankato, MN |
| 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe LT | $12,900 | Holland, MI |
| 2003 Ford Thunderbird | $16,900 | Mankato, MN |
Cars for under $10,000:
| 1999 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder | $7,895 | New Mexico |
| 1953 MG TD Roadster | $5,950 | Los Angeles, CA |
| 1979 Bill Blass Lincoln Mark V | $9,750 | Los Angeles, CA |
| 1979 Corvette T-Top | $6,950 | Los Angeles, CA |
| 1979 Mercedes-Benz 450SEL | $9,750 | Los Angeles, CA |
| 1987 Jaguar XJ-SC V12 Cabriolet | $9,750 | Los Angeles, CA |
| 2001 Jaguar XK8 Convertible | $8,950 | Los Angeles, CA |
Cars On Line features vehicles here based on their listed price. We are not endorsing these vehicles. We have not inspected or appraised any of the above vehicles. We are only pointing out that these vehicles are priced at a discount to the market. When you buy from a private party the purchase is always “as is” and “where is.” There is no warranty implied or given on any of these cars by Cars On Line. It is your responsibility as the buyer to protect yourself from misrepresentation of any car advertised. We strongly recommend having a vehicle inspected as one precaution before you buy. Click here to purchase a detailed vehicle inspection.
NEW Free Parts Ads Section
… NOW FEATURING PHOTO ADS FOR PARTS
Check out our NEW Parts For Sale Section with Photo Ads. We think you’ll really like using our FREE Parts Listings. It is now much easier to place your ads. Have some old but valuable parts you want to sell? Cars On Line Parts Ads are FREE. And we just added photo capability. It is the best of both worlds.
You can run Parts For Sale ads for FREE! Check it out. Just click go to the Parts Section. Once there, look for the FREE Plan, and click “Get Started Now.” We also have ad plans for vendors at a very modest cost.
Thank You
Thanks for reading Cars On Line ads. We really appreciate the community of car enthusiasts who read our website daily to keep up on what’s for sale. This newsletter is designed to make your efforts a little easier and give you a shot at the great deals when they first hit our pages.
Click Here to Place an Ad on Cars On Line
Click Here to See the Cars On Line Homepage
For more info, call 1-800-880-5105.
DISCLAIMER: Readers should be aware that the editiorial comments made in this newsletter are strictly the opinion of the author, Larry Kolb. Mr. Kolb offers his editorial opinion of the marketability of these cars based on information provided by the sellers. Neither Mr. Kolb nor Cars On Line.com has seen or inspected these cars. These comments are not to be mistaken for advertising, nor should they be considered an endorsement of any product. They are strictly editorial in nature. Neither Mr. Kolb nor Cars On Line will profit from the sale of any of the cars mentioned here. No warranty of these vehicles is implied or given. It is strongly recommended that anyone interested in the purchase of these vehicles should have them inspected before the sale.
Cars On Line – PO Box 100, Sussex, WI 53089