Eighties Vehicles at the 2017 Mecum Indianapolis

As usual Mecum’s huge May auction in Indianapolis provided much interesting fodder for commentary. I’ll concentrate on the at least fairly stock 1980s cars (and a few trucks) that sold (remember that Mecum auctions are not a no reserve auctions—a gold, green, and white 1989 Porsche 962 race car was a no sale bid up to $2,000,000) and add some of my opinions. Eighties vehicles were about 7% of the 963 vehicle lots sold in this auction.

Tuesday, May 16th:

• 1980 silver metallic Chevrolet Corvette coupe with oyster interior, a 5.7 liter/350 cubic inch V8 with Rochester Quadrajet 4-barrel carburetor, and an automatic—$6,500 hammer price.
• 1980 white GMC K10 custom pickup truck with a red/white interior, a 5.7 liter/350 cubic inch V8, and a four-speed manual—$5,000
• 1989 blue Lotus Esprit Turbo coupe with a blue interior, a 215 bhp 2.2 liter/123 cubic inch turbocharged inline four with Bosch KE-Jetronic fuel injection, and a five-speed manual—$6,900
• 1984 silver Pontiac Fiero coupe with gray cloth seats, a 92 bhp Iron Duke 2.5 liter/151 cubic inch inline four with fuel injection, a four-speed manual, and 80,000 miles—$4,000
• 1987 maroon Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS coupe with maroon cloth seats, a B4V 180 bhp 5.0 liter/305 cubic inch “H.O.” V8 with Rochester Quadrajet 4-barrel carburetor, and an automatic—$8,000
• 1985 maroon Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS coupe with maroon bench seat, a B4V 180 bhp 5.0 liter/305 cubic inch “H.O.” V8 with Rochester Quadrajet 4-barrel carburetor, and an automatic—$7,000 indicates that the bench seat takes $1,000 out of the value of an SS.
• 1988 red Dodge D150 pickup truck with a red interior and an automatic—$3,250
• 1982 red Porsche 928 coupe with a black interior and a 231 bhp 4.5 liter/273 cubic inch V8 with fuel injection—$1,750 for this barn find.
• 1981 bright blue metallic Pontiac Firebird Trans Am coupe with blue cloth seats, a 150 bhp 4.9 liter/301 cubic inch V8 with 4-barrel carburetor, and an automatic—$8,500 for this T/A not in its original color.
• 1987 white Mercedes-Benz 560SL convertible with a black convertible top, a white hard top, a red interior, a 227 bhp 5.5 liter/338 cubic inch V8 with Bosch KE-Jetronic fuel injection, and an automatic—$10,000
• 1981 black and gold Pontiac Firebird Trans Am coupe with black interior, a 150 bhp 4.9 liter/301 cubic inch V8 with 4-barrel carburetor, an automatic, and 39,000 miles—at $19,000 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 black Jaguar XJS convertible with tan leather seats, a 262 bhp 5.3 liter/326 cubic inch HE V12 with fuel injection, an automatic, and 41,000 miles—$9,250
• 1985 red Porsche 944 coupe with black cloth seats, a 150 bhp 2.5 liter/151 cubic inch inline four, and a five-speed manual—$6,500
• 1985 black Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz coupe with red tufted leather seats, a 135 bhp 4.1 liter/249 cubic inch V8 with fuel injection, and an automatic—$5,000
• 1985 red Chevrolet Corvette coupe with red leather seats, a 230 bhp L98 5.7 liter/350 cubic inch V8 with fuel injection, an automatic, and 51,000 miles—$7,500
• 1985 white Lincoln Town Car limousine with a blue interior, a 4.9 liter V8, and an automatic—$7,000
• 1982 metallic blue Chevrolet Monte Carlo custom coupe with blue cloth seats, a 5.7 liter/350 cubic inch V8, and an automatic—$6,000
• 1985 white Buick Riviera coupe with red cloth seats, a 140 bhp 5.0 liter/307 cubic inch V8 with Rochester 4-barrel carburetor, an automatic, and 55,000 miles—$4,750
• 1981 red Mercedes-Benz 380SLC coupe with a tan interior, a 155 bhp 3.8 liter/234 cubic inch V8 with Bosch Jetronic fuel injection, and an automatic—an ouch! at $1,250.
• 1981 white Jeep CJ-7 Renegade SUV with tan seats, a 11o bhp 4.2 liter/258 cubic inch inline six with Carter 2-barrel carburetor, a four-speed manual, and 94,000 miles—$12,000
• 1983 red Mercedes-Benz 380SL convertible with both tops, a tan interior, a 155 bhp 3.8 liter/234 cubic inch V8 with Bosch Jetronic fuel injection, and an automatic—$3,500

Wednesday, May 17th:

• 1984 black/silver two-tone Chevrolet Silverado custom pickup truck with a gray interior, a 5.7 liter/350 cubic inch V8, and an automatic —$13,500
• 1986 silver Pontiac Grand Prix 2+2 Aerocoupe with gray cloth seats, an LG4 165 bhp 5.0 liter/305 cubic inch V8 with 4-barrel carburetor, an automatic, and 400 miles—$21,000 is all the money for one of these NASCAR specials.
• 1982 silver metallic/charcoal metallic two-tone Chevrolet Corvette coupe with silver gray interior, an L83 200 bhp 5.7 liter/350 cubic inch “Cross-Fire” V8 with throttle-body fuel-injection, an automatic, and 43,000 miles—$11,000
• 1981 silver metallic Chevrolet Corvette coupe with medium red leather seats, an L81 190 bhp 5.7 liter/350 cubic inch V8 with Rochester Quadrajet 4-barrel carburetor, an automatic, and 60,000 miles—$14,000
• 1984 red Pontiac Fiero custom coupe with a tan interior, an unknown engine, and an automatic—$7,000 for this Fiero with a Lamborghini-esque body kit.
• 1981 silver metallic Chevrolet Corvette coupe with medium red leather seats, an L81 190 bhp 5.7 liter/350 cubic inch V8 with Rochester Quadrajet 4-barrel carburetor, an automatic, and 60,000 miles—$14,000
• 1980 blue Chevrolet Camaro Z28 coupe with a tan interior, an LM1 190 bhp 5.7 liter/350 cubic inch V8 with Rochester 4-barrel carburetor, a four-speed manual, and 36,000 miles—$24,000
• 1988 black/orange two-tone Ford Econoline Harley-Davidson Edition conversion van with charcoal cloth seats, a 4.9 liter/302 cubic inch V8 with fuel injection, an automatic, and 55,000 miles—$16,000
• 1980 bright silver metallic Chevrolet Camaro Z28 custom coupe with a black interior, a 383 cubic inch V8, and an automatic—$14,000
• 1988 orange Volkswagen pickup truck with a black interior, a 75 bhp 1.7 liter diesel inline four, and a five-speed manual—$7,750
• 1989 maroon Volkswagen Westfalia camper van with gray cloth seats and a 2.1 liter inline four—$16,500
• 1987 red Porsche 944 coupe with a black interior and a 150 bhp 2.5 liter/151 cubic inch inline four with fuel injection—$5,500
• 1986 gray/blue two-tone Rolls-Royce Silver Spur sedan with black leather seats, a 6.8 liter/412 cubic inch V8, and an automatic—$15,000
• 1984 black Buick Regal Grand National coupe with black/silver cloth seats, a 200 bhp 3.8 liter/231 cubic inch turbocharged V6 with fuel injection, an automatic, and 55,000 miles—$19,000
• 1989 white Pontiac 20th Anniversary Turbo Firebird Trans Am coupe with saddle leather seats, a 250 bhp (at least) 3.8 liter/231 cubic inch turbocharged V6 with fuel injection, an automatic, and 13,000 miles—$24,000
• 1980 black Chevrolet Camaro coupe with black interior, an LG4 155 bhp 5.0 liter/305 cubic inch V8 with 4-barrel carburetor, an automatic, and 62,000 miles—$8,500 for this sport coupe with the best engine available to it.
• 1983 black Jeep CJ-8 Scrambler Laredo pickup truck with a black interior, a 112 bhp 4.2 liter/258 cubic inch inline six with Carter 2-barrel carburetor, and a five-speed manual—$20,000
• 1987 flame red Pontiac Firebird Trans Am GTA coupe with camel cloth seats, an L98 210 bhp 5.7 liter/350 cubic inch V8 with fuel injection, an automatic, and 33,000 miles—$14,000

Thursday, May 18th:

• 1981 white Chevrolet Corvette coupe with medium red leather seats, an L81 190 bhp 5.7 liter/350 cubic inch V8 with Rochester Quadrajet 4-barrel carburetor, an automatic, and 49,000 miles—$13,000
• 1988 ivory Rolls-Royce Silver Spur sedan with tan leather seats, a 6.8 liter/412 cubic inch V8 with fuel injection, and an automatic—$16,000
• 1982 blue Datsun 280ZX coupe with blue cloth seats, an L28E 145 bhp 2.8 liter/168 cubic inch inline six with fuel injection, a five-speed manual, and 59,000 miles—$16,500
• 1983 black/silver two-tone Oldsmobile Cutlass Calais Hurst/Olds 15th Anniversary coupe with burgundy cloth seats, a 180 bhp 307 cubic inch V8 with Rochester four-barrel carburetor, an automatic attached to that famous lightning rod shifter, and 28,000 miles—$26,000
• 1987 blue Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme 4-4-2 coupe with blue cloth seats, a 180 bhp 307 cubic inch V8 with Rochester four-barrel carburetor, an automatic, and 1,600 miles—$19,500
• 1980 white Chevrolet Corvette coupe with red leather seats, an L48 190 bhp 5.7 liter/350 cubic inch V8 with Rochester Quadrajet 4-barrel carburetor, an automatic, and 35,000 miles—$12,500
• 1986 medium gray metallic/silver metallic two-tone Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme 4-4-2 coupe with gray cloth seats, a 180 bhp 307 cubic inch V8 with Rochester four-barrel carburetor, an automatic, and 1,700 miles—$22,000 makes this three of Oldsmobile’s rather mild-mannered eighties muscle cars at this auction.
• 1986 yellow Chevrolet Corvette Pace Car Edition convertible with medium gray leather seats, a black convertible top, an L98 235 bhp 5.7 liter/350 cubic inch V8 with fuel injection, an automatic, and 788 miles—$45,000 for the very first Corvette convertible built since 1975.

  

• 1986 yellow Chevrolet Corvette Pace Car Edition convertible with medium gray leather seats, a black convertible top, an L98 235 bhp 5.7 liter/350 cubic inch V8 with fuel injection, an automatic, and 36,000 miles—$21,000
• 1988 white Chevrolet Corvette 35th Anniversary Edition coupe with a white (Cadillac) leather interior, an L98 240 bhp 5.7 liter/350 cubic inch fuel injected V8, an automatic, and 3,300 miles—$24,000
• 1982 silver beige Chevrolet Corvette Collector Edition coupe with silver beige leather seats, a 200 bhp L83 Cross-Fire 5.7 liter/350 cubic inch V8 with throttle body fuel injection, an automatic, and 291 miles—$33,000
• 1989 white Chevrolet Corvette custom convertible with black leather seats, a black convertible top, an L98 240 bhp 5.7 liter/350 cubic inch V8 with fuel injection, and an automatic—$5,500
• 1985 indigo blue/frost white two-tone Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck with a blue cloth bench seat, a 5.7 liter/350 cubic inch V8 with four-barrel carburetor, and an automatic—$17,ooo
• 1985 red Porsche 930 Turbo coupe with black leather seats, a turbocharged flat six, and a four-speed manual—$73,000 for this perhaps European-spec car (the 930 didn’t return to the US market until 1986).
• 1982 white Buick Riviera convertible with a white top, red leather seats, a 150 bhp 5.0 liter/307 cubic inch V8 with Rochester 4-barrel carburetor, an automatic, and 59,000 miles—$9,000
• 1986 white Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z coupe with cloth seats, an LB9 190 bhp 5.0 liter/305 cubic inch V8 with fuel injection, an automatic, and 8,300 miles—$15,500
• 1987 maroon Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS coupe with maroon cloth seats, a B4V 180 bhp 5.0 liter/305 cubic inch “H.O.” V8 with Rochester Quadrajet 4-barrel carburetor, and an automatic—$6,500

Friday, May 19th:

• 1986 creme Toyota pickup truck with beige cloth seats, a 22R-E 105 bhp 2.4 liter inline four with fuel injection, an automatic, and 119,000 miles—$18,500

  

• 1988 white Lamborghini Countach LP5000S Quattrovalvole coupe with rosso leather seats, a 420 bhp 5.2 liter/316 cubic inch V12 with Bosch KE-Jetronic fuel injection, a five-speed manual, and 8,500 miles—at $255,000, the top eighties vehicle sale of the auction. Hagerty’s valuation tools see this as below #4 money for a 1988 Countach.
• 1985 black Chevrolet El Camino SS pickup truck with gray cloth bench seat, a 5.0 liter/305 cubic inch V8, and an automatic—$20,000
• 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 42 miles—$115,000
• 1984 blue Chevrolet Silverado custom pickup truck with a black bench seat, a 5.0 liter/305 cubic inch V8, and an automatic—$17,000
• 1988 gray Ford Mustang LX custom coupe with smoke cloth seats, a 4.9 liter/302 cubic inch V8 with a supercharger and fuel injection, a five-speed manual, and 18,000 miles—$10,500

Saturday, May 20th:

• 1980 beige Mercedes-Benz 450SL convertible with a hard top, brown leather seats, a 160 bhp 4.5 liter/276 cubic inch V8 with Bosch Jetronic fuel injection, an automatic, and 90,000 miles—$15,000 for this car originally owned by Kim Basinger.
• 1981 citrus green Chevrolet Camaro Z28 custom coupe with a black interior, a 6.2 liter V8 with fuel injection, and a six-speed manual—$50,000
• 1981 carbon flash metallic green Chevrolet Camaro Z28 custom coupe with a black/orange interior, a 5.3 liter V8 with fuel injection, and an automatic—$24,000

I found it striking how General Motors (especially Chevrolet) dominated the eighties vehicle sales at Mecum Indy—all told, GM vehicles marked 64% of eighties sales. What do you think of these results?

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