The year in the rearview mirror part 2 – Odd vehicles, this year's new veterans and heart-pounding "No reserve" auctions!
If part one of our annual summary was about numbers, records and pure demand, this part is more about emotion. About the cars – and sometimes other vehicles – that sparked curiosity, courage and maybe even a little bit of a headache. These are the stories that emerge when enthusiasts meet, when rules are relaxed and when time suddenly works in your favor. Here are some of the awards from 2025 that say just as much about our marketplace as about the year that has passed.
New veteran vehicles of the year: 1995 – the year that made history
Every year, a quiet but important shift occurs. Cars that have long been seen as “modern” cross the line and become veterans. In 2025, it was the 1995 model year that officially took the plunge, and with it came a noticeable increase in interest.
Suddenly, models from the mid-90s began to be seen in a new light. What was once everyday became nostalgia, what was a utility car became a collector's item. On Bidders Highway, this was clearly noticeable through increased traffic, more coverage and livelier discussions about these particular cars. Proof that time is one of the strongest forces in the enthusiast world – and that the next classic is often closer than you think.
A newly Swedish performance veteran
The Volvo 850 T-5R is one of the clearest examples of how quickly a modern icon can make history. With its five-cylinder turbo, its motorsport heritage and its strong personality, the model has gone from everyday performance car to obvious collector's item. A reminder that time works quickly – and sometimes very well.
Other notable veterans
The BMW Z3 and Alfa Romeo GTV/Spider are celebrating their 30th anniversary this year and are thus becoming veteran cars. Both were introduced in 1995 and are clear representatives of the enthusiast cars of the 90s. The Z3 stood for a classic roadster feel with rear-wheel drive and a focus on driving pleasure, while Alfa Romeo's GTV and Spider attracted attention with strong design and lots of character. Two different expressions – but both are now established classics.
The oddest auctions of the year: Everything with a motor belongs here!
Not all auctions are about classic cars, sports cars or iconic models. Sometimes they are about something completely different. During the year, items appeared that made many people raise their eyebrows, smile and share the link.
Whether it was something small, something unexpected or something that definitely doesn't fit in a regular garage, the most unusual auction of the year showed exactly what we love about the enthusiast world. Passion takes many forms, and with us there is room for more than four wheels. It is precisely this breadth that makes the marketplace alive – and sometimes completely unpredictable.
1929 Flying Fiona - Guaranteed to be the only one of its kind at your local car show!
The Flying Fiona is not for those looking for catalog originality – but for those who celebrate history, creativity and art in automotive form. This is an award-winning, hand-built and personally interpretive object, created from the remains of a 1929 FIAT and transformed into a raw and brutal tribute to 20th century racing dreams. With its newly built body, modified chassis, misspelled model designation and a Chevrolet 230 straight six under the hood, she is as much an expression of personality as she is a vehicle. Here you get a car that lives and breathes the 1920s – in its very own way.
Everything Between Heaven and Earth - For True Enthusiasts
Not all auctions this year had four wheels – or even road contact. Among the most unusual items of 2025 were everything from a Russian Mil Mi-2 helicopter to a hand-built motor scooter and an electrically converted Ford F100 pickup. Clear proof that passion for vehicles can take many forms – and that anything with a motor can find its audience at Bidders Highway.
Most bookmarked of the year: The dream car you couldn't let go of
Not all auctions lead to a bid. Some lead to something else – a recurring thought, a click on “bookmark”, a dream that is left to grow. The most bookmarked auction of the year was just that. A car that attracted enormous interest, that people returned to time and time again, compared, discussed and fantasized about.
That says something important about how our marketplace is used. Bidders Highway is not only the place where you buy and sell, but also where you are inspired, learn and dream. This auction became a digital garage visit – and a clear sign of what makes enthusiasts stay.
Overwhelming interest - A timeless German V12 icon
In 2025, the 1992 BMW 850i was the one most people returned to, saved up for and dreamed about. A timeless grand tourer with a V12, futuristic design and an aura that still feels just as special – every time you click back.
This year's No Reserve: When the market has the final say
A "No Reserve" auction is always something special. No safety net, no parachute – just a pure market, open nerves and full confidence in the buyers’ interest. During the year we saw several No Reserve auctions that created exactly that pulse that makes auctions so fascinating, but one stood out a little bit.
It was the auction where both sellers and speculators dared to trust the process. Bidding was lively, commitment was high and the final price was a confirmation that the right object, presented in the right way, finds a home even without a reserve price. For us, it is clear proof of the power of a transparent marketplace – and of the fashion among our sellers.
No Reserve Sellers - The Big Winners of the Year
This year's No Reserve auctions were a clear testament to the power of letting the market take charge. When a car is sold without a reserve price, the thresholds are lowered, more people dare to place their first bid and bidding picks up speed early – something that often leads to a higher final price.
In 2025, we saw it time and time again, including with a 1965 Fiat 500, a 1985 Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z and a 1995 BMW 540i Touring. Three different cars that all showed the same thing: openness and trust pay off.
We continue to summarize 2025
This was another piece of the puzzle from a year filled with commitment, brave decisions and amazing objects. And we are far from done. Going forward, we will share more numbers, more reflections and even some personal favorites from the past year. Thank you for being with us in 2025 – as a buyer, seller, follower or dreamer. See you soon, with even more stories from the road that never really ends.
Don’t miss our series of articles that conclude a fantastic 2025, and also look into the future with all that it means.
See you on the streets, at the meetings and in the auction section of our website!
//The Bidders Highway team