If you walked through the gates at Osceola Heritage Park for Mecum Kissimmee this week, you probably noticed something weird. It wasn't just the smell of high-octane fuel or the sound of auctioneers rattling off numbers like machine guns. It was the crowd. Honestly, the demographic shift in classic car news today is happening faster than a 427 Cobra off the line.
The "old guard" is still there, sure. But they’re being joined by a massive wave of younger collectors who don't care about pre-war chrome. They want the stuff they drove in Gran Turismo.
The $50 Million White Whale and the Kissimmee Chaos
Everyone is talking about the 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO, chassis 3729GT. It’s known as "Bianco Speciale" because it’s the only one that left Maranello in stark white. This thing is expected to hit $50 million. Just think about that number for a second. It's basically a rolling Picasso that you can occasionally hear scream at 7,000 RPM.
But while the billionaires are fighting over that, the real classic car news today is what's happening on the "lower" rungs.
Earlier this week, a 1998 Toyota Supra MkIV—a manual, of course—sold for $242,000. That is huge. It’s the highest price for a non-movie-car Supra since 2022. It tells us that the "Radwood" era isn't just a fad anymore. It’s the new backbone of the market. Even the humble 1963 Corvette Split Window from the US 30 collection "only" pulled $99,000 by comparison.
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Why 2026 feels different for collectors
- The 25-Year Rule: We are finally hitting the 2001 model year for imports. That means cars like the Mazda RX-7 Spirit R are finally legal to bring stateside without a "Show or Display" exemption.
- The Modern Pivot: More than half of the seven-figure sales this year are expected to be cars built after 1990.
- The "User" Market: People are tired of buying cars they can't drive. There's a growing backlash against "trailer queens."
What’s Happening With Prices? (It's Not All Good News)
Don't let the $50 million Ferrari fool you into thinking everything is going up. If you look at the Hagerty Hundred—which tracks the 100 most insured classic vehicles—the news is a bit sobering. The index has actually dipped below $41,000 when adjusted for inflation.
Basically, the "everyman" classics are softening.
If you're looking for a 1960s Mustang or a standard Tri-Five Chevy, you might actually have some bargaining power right now. Sellers are starting to realize that the "COVID bubble" has fully deflated. They can’t just ask for 30% over retail and expect a check the next day.
The 2026 Bull Market List
Hagerty just dropped their 2026 "Bull Market" predictions, and honestly, some of the entries are surprising. You’ve got the 2006-2013 Corvette Z06 (C6) on there with an average value of $55,900. It’s got that 7.0-liter V-8 that basically makes your heart jump into your throat when it fires up.
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Then there's the 1999-2005 Mazda Miata (NB). It’s still a "bargain" at around $16,600, but they're getting harder to find in clean, unmodified shape. If you want a fun weekend toy that won't lose its shirt in the next eighteen months, that’s probably the smartest play in classic car news today.
The Preservation Obsession in Paris
Across the pond, the Paris auction season is kicking off on January 27 at the Peninsula Hotel. Artcurial has something that is causing a total stir: a 1956 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing that has been sitting in a garage since the early 90s.
It’s covered in thirty years of dust. It hasn't been started in decades.
And yet, it’s estimated to sell for up to €5 million ($5.8 million). That is way more than a perfectly restored, shiny version would bring. The market has gone "preservation crazy." Collectors are paying a massive premium for "original air in the tires" and factory-installed components that haven't been touched by a wrench since the Eisenhower administration.
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It’s a "once it's gone, it's gone" mentality. You can restore a car a thousand times, but it’s only original once.
New Rules: Synthetic Fuels and the EPA
You can't talk about classic car news today without mentioning the elephant in the room: regulations. The EPA is pushing for a fleet average of 55 MPG by the end of 2026. While that doesn't directly ban your 1970 Chevelle, it does change the landscape of the gas station.
There's a lot of chatter about synthetic fuels. Companies like Porsche are heavily investing in e-fuels that could theoretically keep internal combustion engines (ICE) on the road without the carbon footprint. It’s a bit of a "wait and see" situation, but for those of us who love the smell of unburnt hydrocarbons, it’s the only light at the end of the tunnel.
Actionable Insights for 2026
If you're looking to buy or sell in this current climate, here is the ground-truth reality:
- Don't overpay for "average." The market for Condition 3 (driver-quality) cars is cooling. If a seller is acting like it’s 2021, walk away. There will be another one.
- Watch the 2001 imports. The first wave of 2001 cars hitting the 25-year rule will see a price spike in the next six months. If you want a JDM legend, buy it before it hits the US auction blocks.
- Invest in mechanicals, not just paint. With the rise of "driving" events like the Mille Miglia or local rallies, buyers want cars that actually work. A shiny car that leaks oil is becoming a liability.
- Check the paperwork. In a world of $200k Supras, clones and fakes are everywhere. If you don't have the original window sticker or a Marti Report for your Ford, you’re leaving money on the table.
The hobby is changing. It’s getting younger, more digital, and a lot more expensive at the top end. But at the end of the day, whether it’s a $50 million Ferrari or a $15k Miata, the goal is still the same: getting behind the wheel and forgetting about the rest of the world for a few hours.
To stay ahead of the curve, your next move should be to pull a professional valuation report on any vehicle you're eyeing. Don't trust the "asking prices" on Facebook Marketplace—look at the actual "sold" data from the last 90 days. The gap between what people want and what they're getting is wider than it's been in years.