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Hemmings Horror Show
The Daily Vroom
Hey Vroomers!
Man, that turkey coma was real, but you know me - couldn't help sneaking peeks at those auction endings between naps (addiction is real, folks!). Now that we're all stuffed and back at it, let's ditch the Jaguar drama and that whole Nissan thing everyone's been buzzing about. It's Monday, and you know what that means - time to look ahead at what's cooking in the auction world, not dig through last week's leftovers.
Speaking of what's coming up... okay, can we talk about the big H twins for a sec. Hagerty and Hemmings are supposed to be these powerhouse players, right? But their auction lineup this week is looking noticeably thin.
Catch you tomorrow,
Sam
Hemmings Horror Show
Here's the thing - I wasn't even planning to write about Hemmings today. Like, at all. I've covered them so many times before and honestly had nothing new to say. But then I made this rookie mistake. See, I usually avoid their site because I've built these super cool tools that track everything happening there (and other sites too). Plus, even though they did this whole rebrand thing last year, the site still makes me go "ughh." Sure, it's better than it used to be - they finally ditched most of those pointless ads (but seriously, why keep ANY of them??), but the UX is still not the best, which is why I try to stay away.
So here I am, just trying to check their auction numbers for the week, and guess what? I couldn't even do that basic thing. When I finally got to their live auction section, it's showing me ONE car with this weird empty space next to it (hang on, I'll get back to that).
Then I figured out I had to scroll down more to see the actual auctions - found 14 of them. Cool. Then there's this big black "View All Auctions" button, which I clicked like any normal person would, and BAM - blank page! No auctions! Checked it on another browser, grabbed my phone to triple-check, and same deal everywhere - just a dead end, even though I KNOW they have more auctions running. Pretty sure my Daily Vroom tools know their inventory better than their own website does!
Remember that weird single Oldsmobile display I mentioned. Well, checking on my phone made it click - they built this thing to look good on phones and just said "whatever" to desktop users. The whole thing is just a mess, and it really drives home why I shouldn't bother diving into their site.
But here's what gets me - this should be SO much better. Think about it - Hemmings has been around since 1954! They should be THE name in car auctions, but they're just... not (that's a whole other post). But if they're serious about making it in auctions (which I think they want to be), they can't keep half-stepping like this. They need this laser focus on making everything - the site, the service, all of it - absolutely top-notch. I honestly believe they could be up there competing with the big dogs, but only if they really want it and back that up with serious action, from the ground up.
So I guess the real question is: do they want it badly enough? Because right now, I'm not seeing it.
Auctions To Keep An Eye On
If you’ve been dreaming of your starter Porsche, this 2002 Porsche 911 Targa could be it.
We can talk endlessly about the GT3 RS, Turbo S, and other top-tier models, but cars like this 996 Targa are what make Porsche ownership accessible and exciting for enthusiasts just starting their journey. I'm a big, big fan of the 996. It may have ruffled a few feathers when it debuted, but with time, it’s aged like a fine wine. That unique design, the analog driving experience, and the value you get, it’s tough to beat.
This particular car checks a lot of boxes:
Guards Red paint that screams classic Porsche.
The rare Targa body style, with its panoramic glass roof and hatchback functionality.
A clean Carfax and tasteful mods, including Kinesis wheels, Ceika adjustable coilovers, and a Carrera rear spoiler.
For a Targa, the 996 is as rare as they come. The seller notes that only 5,152 Targas were made for the entire generation, with just 2,630 built in 2002. Factor in the Guards Red paint and a 6-speed manual, and you’ve got a needle-in-a-haystack Porsche.
Here’s the deal: if you’ve ever wanted a car that’s unapologetically raw, this 2001 Dodge Viper GTS is it. Dodge didn’t hold back with the Viper. No turbos, no fancy driver aids—just an 8.0L V10 that roars like a lion and makes every drive an event. The six-speed manual makes it even better, a true purist’s dream.
What really gets me about this one is that it’s not just a Viper—it’s the Viper. The GTS is the car that turned heads and put Dodge in the big leagues. Deep Sapphire Blue paint paired with polished wheels is perfection.
With just 1,026 miles, this car hasn’t even been properly stretched out yet. It’s been babied and loved, sitting there waiting for someone to take it and drive it like it’s meant to be driven.
The bidding is at $61,000 right now. For a car like this, it feels like a bargain. If you’ve ever talked about owning a Viper someday, this is the one to make it happen. Few cars can make you smile just by looking at them. This is one of those cars.
This 1995 Mercedes-Benz E320 Cabriolet is a proper hidden gem. With the bid at just $4,500, there’s a real chance for someone to snag a rare and well-built classic for a steal. I don’t know what the reserve is, but let’s just say this could be the kind of car that makes you feel like you’ve cheated the system.
Now, about the car. The A124 Cabriolet wasn’t just thrown together—it was engineered to last. Mercedes built these during the “overengineering” era, where every detail was designed to go the distance. The 3.2-liter inline-six under the hood is one of those engines that feels unbreakable, and at 107,000 miles, it’s only just getting started. Seriously, put in a little regular maintenance, and this thing could easily hit 200,000 miles or more.
What I love about this one is the rarity. These weren’t mass-produced. The A124 Cabriolet was always a low-volume car, and finding one in Black over Black Leather is even harder. It’s rare in the best way—not shouty or in-your-face, just quietly special. The rebuilt top hydraulics mean you can actually use the convertible without worrying about it, and the car itself looks like it’s been well cared for.
It’s also one of the last proper four-seater drop-tops that feels solid. Mercedes didn’t just chop the roof off—they re-engineered the car with help from AMG to make sure it handled like a Mercedes should. Even today, it feels more refined and better built than most modern convertibles.
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