As always, the January auction at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale provided some interesting fodder for commentary. I’ll concentrate on the at least fairly stock 1980s cars and trucks that sold and add some of my opinions—I’ll leave the motorcycles and automobilia to others. Eighties vehicles were reasonably present at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale: about 5% of the 1,685 relevant lots.
Monday, January 14th:
- 1984 garnet red pearl coat Chrysler LeBaron convertible with a tan top, white seats, a 140 bhp 2.2 liter/135 cubic inch turbocharged inline four with fuel injection, an automatic, and 23,000 miles—a $3,200 hammer price marks the usual ignominious beginning for eighties vehicles at this auction.
- 1988 alpine white BMW 325i convertible with black leather seats, a 168 bhp 2.5 liter/152 cubic inch inline six with fuel injection, and an automatic—$5,000
- 1985 silver Nissan 300ZX Turbo custom convertible with a black top, tan seats, a 200 bhp 3.0 liter/181 cubic inch inline six with turbocharging and fuel injection, and a five-speed manual—$8,000 for this convertible conversion done by the experts at Straman.
- 1985 red/white two-tone Dodge Ram D150 Prospector pickup truck with a red/black interior, 5.2 liter/318 cubic inch V8, and an automatic—$8,000
- 1982 silver metallic/charcoal metallic two-tone Chevrolet Corvette coupe with dark blue leather seats, a 200 bhp L83 Cross-Fire 5.7 liter/350 cubic inch V8 with throttle body fuel injection, an automatic, and 65,000 miles—$9,800
- 1985 british racing green Jaguar XJ6 Series III sedan with tan leather seats, a 176 bhp XK6 4.2 liter/258 cubic inch inline six with Bosch-Lucas L-Jetronic fuel injection, and an automatic—$13,000 made this the highest eighties vehicle sale of Monday for this nicely preserved car in the correct colors.
- 1980 red/black two-tone GMC 1500 Indy Hauler custom pickup truck with a gray bench seat, a 5.0 liter/305 cubic inch V8, and an automatic—$11,500
- 1984 dark brown metallic Pontiac Firebird Trans Am custom convertible with a tan top, camel tan leather seats, a 190 bhp HO 5.0 liter/305 cubic inch V8 with Rochester four-barrel carburetor, and a five-speed manual—$10,500 for another Straman convertible conversion.
- 1980 light blue Chevrolet Corvette custom coupe with blue leather seats, a 5.7 liter/350 cubic inch V8 with four-barrel carburetor (unclear which one), and an automatic—$9,500 for this car with a non-stock color.
- 1981 gold/tan two-tone Chevrolet C10 custom pickup truck with a gold interior, a L98 5.7 liter/350 cubic inch V8 with fuel injection, and an automatic—$9,500
- 1983 red Pininfarina Azzurra convertible with a black interior, a 105 bhp 2.0 liter inline four, and a five-speed manual—$7,000 for this European version of the Fiat Spider.
- 1986 red Mercedes-Benz 560SL convertible with both tops, camel leather seats, a 238 bhp 5.5 liter/339 cubic inch V8 with Bosch KE-Jetronic fuel injection, and an automatic—$9,000
- 1982 silver metallic/charcoal metallic two-tone Chevrolet Corvette coupe with gray leather seats, a 200 bhp L83 Cross-Fire 5.7 liter/350 cubic inch V8 with throttle body fuel injection, and an automatic—$10,500
Tuesday, January 15th:
- 1987 maroon Citroen CX Series 2 sedan with gray cloth seats, a 2.5 liter/152 cubic inch inline four, and an automatic—$4,500
- 1984 white Pontiac Fiero Indy Pace Car coupe with a red/gray cloth/leather seats, a 92 bhp Iron Duke 2.5 liter/151 cubic inch inline four with throttle body fuel injection, a five-speed manual, and 22,000 miles—$9,500
- 1984 silver blue metallic Mercedes-Benz 380SL convertible with a black convertible top, a dark blue interior, a 155 bhp 3.8 liter/234 cubic inch V8 with fuel injection, an automatic, and 77,000 miles—$11,000
- 1983 classic white Mercedes-Benz 380SL convertible with a black convertible top, a dark blue interior, a 155 bhp 3.8 liter/234 cubic inch V8 with fuel injection, and an automatic—$9,500
- 1988 gray Jaguar XJ-S convertible with a black top, a black interior, a 262 bhp 5.3 liter/326 cubic inch V12 with fuel injection, an automatic, and 57,000 miles—$10,000
- 1985 midnight blue/silver metallic two-tone Chevrolet K10 mild custom pickup truck with a gray cloth bench seat, a 5.7 liter/350 cubic inch V8, and an automatic—$21,000
- 1981 red GMC custom pickup truck with a gray cloth bench seat, a 7.4 liter/454 cubic inch V8, and an automatic—$15,000
- 1984 black Avanti (not a Studebaker like it was listed) with tan leather seats, a 180 bhp 5.0 liter/305 cubic inch V8 with Rochester four-barrel carburetor, and an automatic—$13,000
- 1980 black Chevrolet Camaro Z28 coupe with carmine (red) vinyl seats, a 190 bhp 5.7 liter/350 cubic inch V8 with Rochester four-barrel carburetor, an automatic, and 74,000 miles—$19,000 makes this the first vehicle in this auction to meet my criteria for serious 1980s collectability of original cars or trucks: selling for equal to or above its original base list price. I’ll mark these vehicles in bold green.
- 1989 white Ford Mustang Saleen SSC coupe with a gray interior, a 292 bhp 5.0 liter/302 cubic inch V8 with fuel injection, a five-speed manual, and 8,000 miles—$36,000 made this the highest eighties vehicle sale of Tuesday.
- 1984 red Jeep J10 mild custom pickup truck with a black interior, a 5.9 liter/360 cubic inch V8, and an automatic—$16,000
- 1980 red/silver two-tone Chevrolet custom pickup truck with a red cloth bench, a 5.3 liter V8 with fuel injection, and an automatic—$20,000
- 1988 blue Jeep CJ-7 custom SUV with a black top, light gray vinyl seats, a 5.3 liter V8 with fuel injection, and an automatic—$15,500
- 1989 black Rolls-Royce Silver Spur sedan with tan leather seats, a 6.75 liter/412 cubic inch V8 with Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection, and an automatic—$19,000
Wednesday, January 16th:
- 1988 black Mercedes-Benz 560SL convertible with a brown convertible top, black hard top, camel leather seats, a 227 bhp 5.5 liter/339 cubic inch V8 with Bosch KE-Jetronic fuel injection, an automatic, and 40,000 miles—$16,000
- 1988 white with woodgrain sides Jeep Grand Wagoneer SUV with tan cloth seats, a 5.9 liter/360 cubic inch V8, and an automatic—$10,000
- 1989 red GMC Sierra 1500 custom pickup truck with black leather seats, a 5.7 liter/350 cubic inch V8, and a five-speed manual—$14,000
- 1985 brown Jeep CJ-7 Golden Eagle mild custom SUV with a tan interior, a 4.2 liter inline six, an automatic, and 219,000 miles—$10,000
- 1981 black DeLorean DMC-12 coupe with gray leather seats, a 130 bhp 2.8 liter/173 cubic inch V6 with Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection, a five-speed manual, and 10,000 miles—$24,000
- 1980 black MGB Limited Edition convertible with a black top, a tan interior, a 62.5 bhp 1.8 liter/110 cubic inch inline four with Zenith carburetor, a four-speed manual, and 20,000 miles—$11,000
- 1987 black Buick Grand National coupe with black/gray cloth seats, a 245 bhp LC2 3.8 liter/231 cubic inch V6 with turbocharging and fuel injection, an automatic, and 19,000 miles—$21,500
- 1986 blue Chevrolet Silverado 3500 pickup truck with a gray cloth bench seat, a 7.4 liter/454 cubic inch V8, a four-speed manual, and 35,000 miles—$20,000 for this truck once owned by Kurt Russell.
- 1983 silver Porsche 928 S coupe with red leather seats, a 234 bhp 4.5 liter/285 cubic inch V8 with Bosch fuel injection, and an automatic—$16,500
- 1980 silver Triumph TR8 convertible with blue/plaid seats, a 137 bhp 3.5 liter/215 cubic inch V8, and a five-speed manual—$14,000
- 1983 white Ford Mustang convertible with a white top, white seats, a 112 bhp 3.8 liter/232 cubic inch V6 with Motorcraft two-barrel carburetor, an automatic, and 9,000 miles—$9,000
- 1989 cabernet red Ford Mustang LX hatchback with a scarlet red interior, a 225 bhp 4.9 liter/302 cubic inch V8 with fuel injection, a five-speed manual, and 638 miles—$65,000 made this the highest eighties vehicle sale of Wednesday.
- 1985 jalapeno red Ford Mustang SVO hatchback with a gray leather seats, a 175 bhp 2.3 liter/140 cubic inch inline four with turbocharger and fuel injection, a five-speed manual, and 7 miles—$58,000
- 1987 tan AM General Humvee SUV with a green interior, 6.5 liter diesel V8, and an automatic—$18,500
- 1988 black Bentley Continental convertible with a black top, tan leather seats, an approximately 220 bhp a 6.75 liter/412 cubic inch V8 with Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection, and an automatic—$36,000
- 1988 black Chevrolet Corvette custom convertible with black leather seats, a 383 cubic inch V8 with fuel injection, and a six-speed manual—$22,000
- 1988 gun metal Nissan Skyline GTR coupe with a gray interior, a 2.6 liter V6 with twin turbochargers, and five-speed manual—$31,000
- 1981 stainless steel DeLorean DMC-12 coupe with gray leather seats, a 130 bhp 2.8 liter/173 cubic inch V6 with Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection, and a five-speed manual—$24,000
- 1981 mustard yellow Toyota Land Cruiser FJ-40 SUV with a gray interior, a 4.2 liter inline six, and a five-speed manual—$50,000
- 1989 black/red/white Chevrolet Corvette Corvette Challenge race car with a black interior, a 5.7 liter/350 cubic inch V8 with fuel injection, and a six-speed manual—$28,000
- 1987 black Buick Regal Grand National coupe with black/gray cloth seats, a 245 bhp LC2 3.8 liter/231 cubic inch V6 with turbocharging and fuel injection, an automatic, and 36,000 miles—$26,000
- 1988 black/red/white Chevrolet Corvette Corvette Challenge race car with a black interior, a 5.7 liter/350 cubic inch V8 with fuel injection, and a six-speed manual—$18,000
- 1987 yellow Chevrolet Corvette race car with a black interior, a 5.7 liter/350 cubic inch V8 with fuel injection, and a four-speed manual—$20,000
- 1986 burgundy Chevrolet custom pickup truck with a red cloth bench seat, a 502 cubic inch V8, and an automatic—$22,000
Thursday, January 17th:
- 1985 red Mercedes-Benz 380SL convertible with a black convertible top, red hard top, black interior, a 155 bhp 3.8 liter/234 cubic inch V8 with Bosch Jetronic fuel injection, and an automatic—$13,500
- 1987 red Porsche 924 S coupe with a black interior, a 150 bhp 2.5 liter/151 cubic inch inline four with fuel injection, and a five-speed manual—$7,500
- 1985 blue Dodge B100 custom pickup truck with a blue interior, a 5.7 liter Hemi V8 with fuel injection, and an automatic—$24,000
- 1986 silver/gray two-tone Pontiac Grand Prix 2+2 coupe with gray cloth seats, a 165 bhp 5.0 liter/305 cubic inch V8 with four-barrel carburetor, an automatic, and 34,000 miles—$10,000 for this NASCAR homologation special that is definitely an acquired taste.
- 1980 deep cranberry GMC Caballero very custom pickup truck with a gray interior, a 600 bhp 468 cubic inch V8, and an automatic—$17,000
- 1984 copper Jeep CJ-7 custom SUV with a black interior, a 4.0 liter inline six, and a five-speed manual—$40,000
- 1985 gray Jeep Scrambler custom pickup truck with a black interior, a 5.7 liter Hemi V8 with fuel injection, and an automatic—$36,000
- 1986 inferno orange Chevrolet C10 custom pickup truck with a black leather bench seat, a 350 bhp 5.7 liter/ 350 cubic inch V8 with fuel injection, and an automatic—$19,000
- 1988 red Porsche 911 Carrera custom convertible with a black top, black leather seats, a 217 bhp 3.2 liter/193 cubic inch flat six with fuel injection, a five-speed manual, and 55,000 miles—$31,000
- 1981 rosso corsa Ferrari Mondial 8 coupe with black leather seats, a 205 bhp 2.9 liter/179 cubic inch V8 with Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection, a five-speed manual, and 19,000 miles—$35,000
- 1983 black Ferrari 308 GTS coupe with tan leather seats, a 205 bhp 2.9 liter/179 cubic inch V8 with Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection, a five-speed manual, and 46,000 miles—$55,000
- 1982 black Pontiac Firebird Trans Am coupe with a tan interior, a V8, and 30,000 miles—$50,000 for this car once owned by Burt Reynolds.
- 1980 red Toyota Land Cruiser HJ-45 SUV with a black interior, a 3.6 liter diesel inline six, and a four-speed manual—$50,000
- 1987 silver Ferrari 328 GTS coupe with a red leather interior, a 260 bhp 3.2 liter/194 cubic inch V8 with Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection, and a five-speed manual—$40,000
Friday, January 18th:
- 1980 sandstone Toyota Land Cruiser HJ-47 custom SUV with a charcoal interior, a 4.2 liter engine, and a six-speed manual—$48,000
Saturday, January 19th:
- 1980 black Pontiac Firebird Trans Am coupe with black cloth seats, a 155 bhp 4.9 liter/301 cubic inch V8 with Rochester four-barrel carburetor, an automatic, and 24,ooo miles—$32,000
- 1985 white Pontiac Firebird Trans Am Kammback concept with dove gray leather seats, a 190 bhp HO 5.0 liter/305 cubic inch V8 with four-barrel carburetor, and a five-speed manual —$40,000 for GM’s second run at a Pontiac shooting brake, undriveable on public roads.
- 1989 (yes) dark red metallic Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 prototype coupe with black leather seats, a 5.7 liter/350 cubic inch V8 with fuel injection, and a six-speed manual—$90,000
- 1987 black Buick Regal GNX coupe with black/gray cloth seats, a 276 bhp LC2 3.8 liter/231 cubic inch V6 with turbocharging and fuel injection, an automatic, and 1,500 miles—$107,000 makes this car a solid #2 according to Hagerty’s valuation tools.
- 1989 red Pontiac Firebird Trans Am Skoal Bandit race car driven by Don Prudhomme—$115,000
- 1989 black Lamborghini Countach 25th Anniversary coupe with black leather seats, a 455 bhp 5.2 liter/315 cubic inch V12, a five-speed manual, and 2,300 miles—$235,000
- 1980 black Pontiac Firebird Turbo Trans Am coupe with black cloth seats, a 210 bhp 4.9 liter/301 cubic inch V8 with Rochester four-barrel carburetor and turbocharger, an automatic, and 8,7oo miles—$110,000
- 1986 white Ferrari Testarossa coupe with a tan leather interior, a 380 bhp 4.9 liter/302 cubic inch flat 12 with Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection, a five-speed manual, and 17,000 miles—at $138,000, one of the Miami Vice cars finally sells for between #1 and #2 money.
- 1985 white Buick RC Cola race car with a turbocharged V6 and a five-speed manual—$100,000
Sunday, January 20th:
- 1981 white Pontiac Firebird Turbo Trans Am coupe with tan cloth seats, a 200 bhp 4.9 liter/301 cubic inch V8 with Rochester four-barrel carburetor and turbocharger, an automatic, and 26,0oo miles—$22,000
- 198o blue/white two-tone Chevrolet C20 pickup truck with a blue cloth bench seat, a 5.7 liter/350 cubic inch V8, an automatic, and 443 miles—$30,000
- 198o brown/tan two-tone Chevrolet C10 pickup truck with a tan cloth bench seat, a 5.7 liter/350 cubic inch V8, an automatic, and 962 miles—$28,500
Looks like a lot of Chevrolets, Pontiacs, and Jeeps. What do you think of this year’s results?
Eighties Cars 