Jason Cammisa & Derek Tam-Scott Guess Collector Car Auction Prices! — The Carmudgeon Show Ep. 243

The Volkswagen VR6 is an engine family known for its unusual cylinder layout: a narrow-angle “V” that lets it fit like a straight-six in a compact space. It was used in various Volkswagen models to deliver smoother, stronger power than a typical inline-four.

Audi is the German automaker that purchased Lamborghini in 1998, which is why the hosts mention “pre-merger” in the context of Volkswagen and Lamborghini/Audi corporate history. This kind of ownership can influence platform sharing and engineering collaboration across brands.

Rolling fenders means reshaping the metal lip of the fender inward to create more clearance for wider tires or wheels. It’s commonly done to prevent tire rub while keeping the car’s body looking relatively stock.

Wheel spacers are plates that move the wheel outward from the hub to change track width and wheel fitment. They’re often used to reduce “inset” wheels and improve clearance, but they can affect steering feel and require correct lug-bolt length and torque.

“Plus suspension” here likely refers to a suspension setup that increases ride height or changes geometry to improve clearance. In practice, it’s used to help tires clear the body, especially when combined with wheel spacers or wider wheels.

The Volkswagen Jetta is a compact sedan, and “1998 Jetta” here refers to the emissions classification used by California. That matters because California ties smog rules to a specific model year’s emissions standards, even if the car itself is different.

A California “referee label” is issued after an inspection of modified vehicles to document that the car meets emissions and legal requirements. It’s part of the state’s process for handling engine swaps or other changes that affect emissions compliance.

An engine swap is replacing a car’s original engine with a different engine. In California, it triggers special rules because the swapped engine and its emissions hardware must meet the receiving car’s emissions requirements.

Emissions components are the parts that control exhaust pollutants, such as catalytic converters and related hardware. When doing an engine swap, California requires swapping the emissions equipment so the car still complies with the applicable emissions standard.

“Not registrable” means the car can’t be legally registered for road use in California under the state’s rules. For engine swaps, the car typically must use a compatible donor engine (same model year or newer) and include the correct emissions hardware to qualify.

“Historical vehicle standards” are the rules that determine how an older car is treated under state regulations—often including requirements tied to historic registration, permitted use, and exemptions from certain modern vehicle rules. The speaker argues those standards should be relaxed for qualifying cars.

Smog checks are emissions inspections required by many states to verify a vehicle meets air-quality standards. They typically involve measuring exhaust output (or using an onboard diagnostics scan on newer cars) to catch excessive pollution.

A “smog like verification method” refers to an emissions-related compliance process that’s similar in purpose to a smog check, but may be structured differently (for example, different paperwork, different testing flow, or different requirements). The speaker is criticizing how this system works in their area.

Emissions checks are the broader category of tests used to confirm a car’s exhaust and/or onboard emissions systems meet legal limits. In practice, they’re what smog checks are aiming to verify—whether the car is producing too much pollution.

OBD-1 stands for “On-Board Diagnostics level 1,” an early generation of emissions/self-diagnosis systems used on older cars. It’s less capable than later OBD generations, which is why shops often need special procedures (like a dyno or specific emissions testing) for pre-OBD-2 vehicles.

A dyno (dynamometer) is a machine that loads a car’s drivetrain so the engine can be tested under controlled conditions. For older or non–four-wheel-drive cars, emissions testing may require dyno-based procedures because the wheels/drivetrain need to be simulated in a repeatable way.

“Leno’s law” refers to a policy intended to make it easier for certain older vehicles to qualify for emissions exemptions or alternative compliance paths. The speaker argues it was a failed attempt, implying the rules didn’t solve the real-world testing bottlenecks for collector/older cars.

In this context, “older cars” refers to vehicles targeted by a law that changes how emissions compliance is handled as cars age. The key point is that the regulatory treatment depends on vehicle age, not just the car’s condition.

A “25 year rolling exemption” is a regulatory rule where a car becomes exempt from certain emissions requirements once it reaches a moving 25-year threshold. Because the threshold advances each year, the list of exempt cars keeps changing over time.

“Emissions exempt” means a vehicle is no longer required to meet (or be tested under) certain emissions-related rules, typically because it’s old enough to qualify under a specific regulation. In practice, this can affect whether the car must pass emissions inspections to be registered or driven legally in a state.

“Historical vehicle plates” are special license plates issued for older cars that qualify under a state’s historic/antique rules. They’re typically tied to reduced fees or exemptions from certain regulations, but eligibility depends on the car’s age and local criteria.

“Classic car plates” are special registration plates for vehicles that meet a state’s definition of a classic. The definition is usually based on age (and sometimes condition or usage), and it can change what rules the car must follow.

“Antique plates” are another tier of special registration for very old vehicles, typically with stricter age thresholds than “classic” plates. Like classic plates, antique plates often come with exemptions, but eligibility and benefits vary by state.

RPM (revolutions per minute) is the engine speed measurement. The dyno couldn’t stabilize the RPM, which prevented the car from meeting the conditions needed to complete the test.

A “smog only station” is a licensed emissions testing facility that performs required vehicle smog checks. If your car or location is restricted, the state may require you to use these specific stations rather than any general repair shop.

“Gross polluter” is a regulatory label the state can assign to a vehicle that fails emissions requirements badly. Once a car is marked this way after an egregious failure, it can trigger stricter rules—like requiring a test-only facility for future checks.

A “test only place” (often called a test-only station) is an emissions inspection site that performs the required checks but typically doesn’t do repairs. The idea is to prevent conflicts of interest and ensure the vehicle is evaluated under the same rules each time.

The “referee process” is an escalation path for vehicles that can’t resolve emissions compliance through normal testing. It typically involves contacting the state, answering questions about what was done, and submitting documentation before the state issues specific requirements.

A charcoal canister is part of a vehicle’s evaporative emissions system. It stores fuel vapors from the fuel tank so they don’t vent directly to the atmosphere, then later routes them to be burned by the engine.

The engine computer (often called the ECU/PCM) is the vehicle’s control unit that manages engine operation. It uses sensor inputs to control things like fuel delivery and ignition timing, and it runs software that can be updated by the manufacturer.

In this context, “scanned” refers to using a diagnostic tool to read data from the vehicle’s control modules. That scan can reveal the installed part number and software/calibration information stored in the engine computer.

A part number is the manufacturer’s specific identifier for a component. In this context, they’re verifying that the scanned engine computer matches the exact part number installed in the car, which helps confirm correct sourcing and configuration.

The latest software version refers to the newest calibration/control code released for the vehicle’s control unit. Updates can change how the engine computer responds to sensors and can be required for compliance, drivability improvements, or to match the correct configuration for a specific car.

“Not writable” means the engine computer’s memory/chip can’t be reprogrammed or updated with new software. Some control units require specific programming tools, dealer-only access, or replacement parts if the hardware doesn’t support writing new firmware.

An emissions test checks whether a vehicle’s exhaust and onboard systems meet legal limits for pollutants. Modern tests often involve setting up the car’s sensors and monitors and then checking tailpipe output.

In OBD (on-board diagnostics), monitors are readiness checks that confirm specific emissions-related systems have run their self-tests. During an emissions test, the technician may need to ensure these monitors are set to “ready” so the test can proceed.

The tailpipe is where exhaust exits the vehicle, and it’s where emissions testers measure pollutants. Tailpipe testing is used to verify that the engine is burning fuel cleanly under test conditions.

Hydrocarbons are unburned fuel molecules that can escape through the exhaust when combustion isn’t complete. Emissions tests measure them because high levels usually indicate poor air-fuel mixing or ignition/engine management issues.

NOx (nitrogen oxides) are exhaust gases formed when combustion temperatures are high. They’re a major target of emissions testing because they contribute to smog and air-quality problems.

In this context, “mixture” means the air-fuel mixture ratio the engine is running. If the mixture is correct, combustion is more complete, which helps reduce emissions like hydrocarbons and can improve catalyst performance.

“Check engine lights” are the dashboard warning indicators triggered when the car’s diagnostics detect a fault. In OBD-II-equipped cars, the light typically corresponds to stored trouble codes that can be read with a scan tool to pinpoint the issue.

An OBD2 swap means replacing or retrofitting a car’s engine/ECU and related electronics so the vehicle uses an OBD-II (On-Board Diagnostics, version 2) system. Enthusiasts run into this when mixing parts from different model years or when trying to make a troublesome car pass diagnostics and emissions checks.

A DMV worker is someone at the Department of Motor Vehicles who handles vehicle registration and compliance steps like inspections or paperwork. In the context of swaps, the key issue is whether the car’s systems and documentation satisfy the rules needed to get it registered for road use.

The BMW 3 Series E30 is a late-20th-century compact sport sedan/coupe/chassis that became a benchmark for enthusiast driving. E30s are especially known for their strong community, tuning potential, and the way they feel balanced and communicative compared with many later cars.

The Lexus LS is Lexus’s flagship luxury sedan, typically associated with a smooth, quiet ride and strong long-distance comfort. In this segment, the host mentions having a Lexus LS at the moment, tying it to a discussion about professional service and legality of modifications.

“Legally a VR6” refers to the idea that, for regulatory or emissions purposes, a modified or swapped engine is certified/recognized as a specific engine type. That matters because some jurisdictions treat the engine’s emissions equipment and configuration as what determines compliance, not just what’s physically installed.

Fifth gear is the higher-ratio gear in a multi-speed transmission, typically used for faster cruising. If a transmission “locks itself in fifth,” it can indicate a lubrication or hydraulic control failure that prevents proper shifting or causes overheating-related damage.

An oil pump is a device that moves transmission fluid through the gearbox so internal parts stay lubricated. In many transmissions, it ensures consistent lubrication under load, rather than relying only on fluid that happens to splash around inside.

A transmission is the gearbox that changes engine torque into different gear ratios for acceleration and cruising. Inside, gears and bearings rely on transmission fluid for lubrication and cooling; if lubrication fails, the transmission can overheat and lock up.

Splash lubrication is a method where rotating parts fling transmission fluid around the gearbox to wet bearings and gears. It can work for limited time or distance, but it may not provide enough cooling or flow during sustained high load, which is why some designs rely on an oil pump for certain components.

The Rover SD1 is a classic British executive car from the late 1960s/1970s era, best known today for its V8-powered versions and its place in the “British car” story. In this segment, it’s used as a benchmark for how good the car looks after decades—specifically noting that it has little to no rust.

An aftermarket inner cooler hose is a non-factory replacement hose that routes coolant or charge-cooling fluid to an intercooler/“cooler” system. When these hoses fail, they can cause overheating or loss of boost/charge cooling, which can quickly lead to engine damage.

A turbocharger (often shortened to “turbo”) uses exhaust gases to spin a turbine that forces more air into the engine. If the turbo fails catastrophically, it can cause oil starvation, boost leaks, and rapid engine damage.

Operator error refers to mistakes or improper handling by the person operating or working on the vehicle. In car-repair contexts, it often means the failure was caused by installation, tuning, maintenance procedure, or usage rather than a defective part.

This is a colloquial way of saying the car has significant corrosion. For collector cars, rust can be a major value killer because it can affect structural parts, body panels, and the cost of restoration.

A 6.75-liter V8 is an engine displacement and layout description: 6.75 liters of total volume with eight cylinders arranged in a “V” shape. In this segment, the hosts use it to explain expected wear behavior at around 40,000 miles.

Hagerty is a collector-car brand that also runs an online marketplace where classic and enthusiast vehicles are bought and sold. When the hosts reference the “Hagerty marketplace,” they’re talking about real transaction listings and sale results that can influence how people estimate auction and resale values.

“Wolfsburg” here refers to a specific Volkswagen-related trim/edition name, tied to the brand’s German home base in Wolfsburg. “Cabriolet” means an open-top convertible body style, typically with a folding soft top.

A “trim level” is the specific equipment package a car is built with—things like interior materials, exterior styling, and included options. It’s how manufacturers differentiate versions of the same model.

“Automatic” refers to an automatic transmission, meaning the car shifts gears without the driver using a clutch pedal. Enthusiasts often compare automatics vs manuals because the shift behavior affects feel and sometimes performance.

This describes a specific wheel/tire setup: “14 inch” is the wheel diameter, and “teardrops” suggests a teardrop-shaped valve stem style. The “Sharoko 60 valve” wording sounds like a particular brand/model of valve stems or wheel-related components, which matters for originality and auction value.

A “kit” in collector-car talk usually means an aftermarket or factory-style package that changes appearance or trim. “Clipper kit” appears to be a named styling/option package, which can be important for matching the car’s original look and for judging authenticity.

“8,000 mile” refers to extremely low odometer mileage for a 1988 car. In collector auctions, low mileage often boosts value because it suggests less wear and potentially less deferred maintenance.

Bring a Trailer is a collector-car auction website known for enthusiast-focused listings and active community bidding. The hosts reference it to discuss how specific cars (like this BMW M3) sold during a particular time period.

The BMW M3 is BMW’s performance model, and the 1988 version is from the E30 generation. E30 M3s are especially collectible because they’re iconic compact sport sedans/coupes with a strong motorsport heritage.

“Cinnamon red” is a specific exterior paint color name used in the listing. Color names like this matter in collector-car auctions because buyers often pay premiums for desirable factory colors and well-matched interior combinations.

Oberrott appears to be a location used in the listing context (likely a regional identifier for where the car is/was). It’s mentioned alongside color and interior details, suggesting it’s part of the auction listing’s vehicle description.

“Natural tan leather” describes the interior upholstery material and color. In auctions, interior trim and upholstery condition (and whether it matches the car’s original spec) can strongly affect perceived value.

“Projectors” here refers to projector-beam headlights (headlamp housings with a lens that focuses light). On older BMWs, the presence of projector-style lamps can matter for originality and how the car looks and lights at night.

In collector-car pricing, “mileage” is the odometer reading that signals how much the car has been used. Lower mileage often increases perceived originality and reduces wear, which can push auction prices higher. They mention mileage alongside “peak pandemic” and “great color” as price drivers.

“Peak pandemic” refers to the period when COVID-era uncertainty and stimulus-driven spending coincided with a surge in collector-car demand and pricing. Auction results during that window often look inflated compared with pre-pandemic norms. They use it to explain why one number is higher than another.

The Jeep Wrangler Unlimited is the long-wheelbase version of the Wrangler, and the Rubicon is the off-road-focused trim known for stronger 4x4 hardware. In this case, the host also calls out a Sahara variant and specifies a six-speed manual, a 4.0-liter inline-six, and four-wheel drive—details that explain why certain Wrangler configurations can command big auction prices.

“Four by four” is a common way to say a vehicle has four-wheel drive (4WD), meaning power is sent to both the front and rear axles. That’s especially relevant for off-road trims like the Rubicon, where traction and low-speed control matter.

“Number 390 of 1000” indicates a limited-production special edition with a total run of 1,000 units. Numbering like this can increase collector interest because it provides verifiable rarity and provenance.

Long wheelbase (LWB) means the distance between the front and rear axles is longer than on a standard wheelbase version. On vehicles like the Wrangler Unlimited, that typically translates to more interior space and a longer overall body, which can affect ride and off-road packaging.

“Four liter six cylinder” describes an engine with 6 cylinders and a total displacement of about 4.0 liters. For the Wrangler, this points to the classic inline-six configuration, which many enthusiasts value for smoothness and durability.

“Round headlight” refers to the classic circular headlamp design, which is a recognizable styling cue on many Wrangler generations. In collector discussions, specific exterior lighting styles can matter because they’re tied to certain years and can affect buyer appeal.

A hard top is a rigid roof panel (as opposed to a soft top fabric roof). On convertibles/convertible-style SUVs like the Wrangler, the hard top is often preferred for security, weather protection, and sometimes collector desirability.

“Straight six” describes an inline engine with six cylinders arranged in a single row. “Four liter” indicates the engine’s displacement is about 4.0 liters, which affects how much air/fuel the engine can move and generally how it makes power and torque.

In automotive discussions, “atypical” is used to mean a configuration that’s unusual for that model—often referring to dimensions like wheelbase, body style, or drivetrain setup. Here, the host is pointing out that the specific Wrangler’s wheelbase is not what you’d normally expect.

A “six speed conversion” means the car has been modified to use a six-speed gearbox instead of its original transmission setup. On collector cars, drivetrain conversions can affect value because they change originality, complexity, and how buyers perceive reliability and drivability.

A “roadster” is an open-top body style, typically with two seats and no fixed roof. In collector-car pricing, body style matters because it changes desirability, usability, and sometimes how the car is equipped and maintained.

A “clean car facts report” is a vehicle history-style document that summarizes key ownership and legal status items—most importantly whether the car has a clean title and whether there’s any recorded damage history. Collectors use these reports to avoid buying cars with hidden accident, salvage, or title issues.

The Lamborghini LP640 Roadster is a rare open-top version of the Lamborghini Murciélago, known for its V12 and high-end supercar status. The phrase “six speed swap” suggests the car has been modified to use a six-speed manual gearbox (or swapped to a six-speed setup), which can affect value and drivability.

Front axle lift is a system that raises the front of the car to reduce the chance of scraping the bumper or splitter over steep driveways, speed bumps, or ramps. It’s especially relevant on low supercars where ground clearance is limited.

Aftermarket wheels are wheel sets made by brands other than the car’s original manufacturer. In collector-car discussions, wheel originality matters because non-original wheels can change appearance, fitment, and perceived authenticity—sometimes affecting auction value.

“Hermera’s” appears to be a wheel model name or brand reference in the context of identifying the correct LP640 wheels. Wheel model names can matter because the exact design and fitment are part of what makes a car look correct and can influence collector desirability.

A “factory manual” is an official service or parts document produced by the automaker. In collector-car discussions, having the correct factory manual can raise perceived originality and value because it’s period-correct documentation.

The Rover Vitesse SD1 is a UK-built 1970s/80s performance model based on the Rover SD1 platform. “TWR group A-spec” points to Tom Walkinshaw Racing (TWR) preparing the car to Group A touring-car rules, which were a major homologation-based racing category in the 1980s.

“Never raced condition” is a collector-car grading idea meaning the car has not been used in competition, so it may have less wear, fewer track-related modifications, and more original components. Auction pricing often rewards this kind of provenance because it suggests the car’s history is cleaner than a competition-prepped example.

The Rover Vitesse is a performance-focused variant of the Rover SD1, and the 1984 example is being discussed as a potential collector car. In this segment, they connect it to Rover’s high-output SD1 and to homologation-style racing relevance, which is a big driver of auction value.

“High output” refers to a higher-performance version of an engine or tune, producing more power than the standard configuration. Here, “high output SD1” ties the Rover Vitesse to the more potent Rover SD1 variant, which helps explain why it might have stronger collector demand.

A homologation car is a road-legal version of a race car that a manufacturer had to produce to qualify for a racing series. In this context, the hosts are implying the Rover Vitesse/SD1 lineage has racing pedigree because it was built to meet homologation requirements.

Livery is the decorative paint scheme and graphics on a car—often used for racing teams, special editions, or themed builds. In collector-car auctions, a distinctive livery can affect desirability because it signals provenance and intended use (like track racing).

The Fiat Bertone 850T is a small Italian vehicle associated with Bertone coachbuilding, and the “850T” points to a specific vintage model/variant. It’s being highlighted as a cool, unusual collector piece—exactly the kind of oddball that can draw strong auction interest.