On October 21, eBay handed The Knockturnal a mission across Los Angeles to put four iconic cars to the test ahead of their auction at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas. The challenges included timed laps, driving stick and a getaway in reverse.
The eBay Most Wanted Collection includes a Chevrolet Corvette C8, a BMW convertible, a hot-pink Chevrolet Nova, and a Dodge Viper, all sourced through eBay for auction on eBay Live. The vehicles were also customized using parts and accessories found on the marketplace.
Rain glazed the streets outside the mission headquarters at Silver Lake Pool & Inn as the group gathered for an afternoon briefing. In the lobby, we collected black eBay Live folios with maps and car assignments. The first stop was the 6th Street Lot, where professional drivers would demonstrate the challenges before handing over the wheel. Beneath the sweeping concrete arches of the Sixth Street Viaduct, instructors welcomed us to the lot and explained the rules. Each timed run came with penalties for clipping cones and a professional in the passenger seat to coach us through the exercise. With the rain-slicked pavement, the first advice was to brake earlier.
First was Corvette City Slalom, a timed autocross course with a parallel-parking drill. Shelby, our professional driver, introduced the white 2022 Chevrolet Corvette C8, nicknamed “The South Beach Supercar.” For the demonstration lap, we settled into the leather passenger seat, separated by a slender spine of controls that gave the cockpit the enclosed feel of a spacecraft. Taking the wheel, we found the Corvette surprisingly easy to get comfortable in. It was quick through the slalom without ever feeling overwhelming. At the finish, the camera and clear mirror views spared us some of the usual guesswork as we eased into the parallel-parking space.
Photo Courtesy: The Knockturnal
Next was the red 1992 BMW 325i Convertible, whose Bimmer Manual Mode course brought the day’s biggest challenge. Motorcycle experience offered some familiarity with a clutch, but we had driven a manual car only a handful of times. The tip here was to look one or two turns ahead to start unwinding the wheel in time for the next bend. First gear was enough for the early laps while we found the clutch’s engagement point, and a rolling start helped get the car going in the rain.
The Nova Neon Cruise supplied the Grand Theft Auto-style side quest: retrieve a duffel from the far end of the course and return in reverse. For the job, we climbed into a lifted 1975 Chevrolet Nova, easily the most eye-catching car of the lot with its fuchsia bodywork edged in chrome and oversized candy-pink wheels. The Hot Pink Hi-Riser’s blue bench seat stretched from driver to passenger like a sofa. After steering through the chicane, we stopped in the braking zone and stepped out to collect the small duffel. Back on that broad bench, there was little room to adjust our position for the reverse run. We made the most of the tiny side mirrors as the instructor coached a smooth, steady retreat through the cones.
The blue 2006 Dodge Viper was our final car, its broad white racing stripes sweeping over an extravagantly long hood. Settling into the low cabin, we slid the seat forward to reach the clutch through its long travel. The Street Icon paired a six-speed manual with an 8.3-liter V10, and the instructor encouraged us to get a feel for its torque as we steered into the circular course. For the Viper Vice Circuit, five timed donut laps were on offer, followed by a precision stop with the car’s long nose held short of a marked line. The instructor left the speed up to us. By the fourth lap, the circles were making us dizzy, so we called it there. Dizziness aside, the Viper was our second favorite.
Photo Courtesy: eBay
We took the Corvette to LA River Studios for the mission’s final drop. The C8 was just as enjoyable at city speeds, and we felt comfortable at the wheel despite the wet streets. After sampling all four cars, it was easily our favorite. The car was also in incredible condition and is completely stock apart from the white wrap. As the rain finally let up at the warehouse, we parked the Corvette beside the red BMW for a few photos before handing the fleet over for transport to SEMA.
On November 5, the four cars will appear in eBay Live’s first marquee vehicle auction, streaming from SEMA in Las Vegas with actor and automotive enthusiast Sung Kang and automotive creator Hertrech “Hert” Eugene Jr. as co-hosts. Opening bids start at $6 per vehicle, with all proceeds benefiting Susan G. Komen. Winning purchases will be completed through eBay Secure Purchase, which helps coordinate payment, paperwork and delivery.
Photo Courtesy: eBay
The livestream begins at noon Pacific, or 3 p.m. EST. Readers can preview the Most Wanted Collection and set a reminder for the auction.
