This year’s huge January auction at Mecum Kissimmee provided some interesting fodder for commentary. I’ll concentrate on the reasonably stock 1980s cars (and a few trucks) that sold (remember that Mecum auctions are not “no reserve” auctions—a Guards Red 1989 Porsche 911 Speedster convertible with cashmere beige leather seats and 252 miles was a no sale bid up to $260,000) and add some of my opinions. Mecum Kissimmee is a huge event, so I’m going to separate it into two posts—this first covers the eighties 11% of the approximately 805 vehicles sold from Thursday through Sunday.
Thursday, January 3rd:
- 1985 Medium Blue Metallic Chevrolet Corvette hatchback coupe with blue leather seats, an L98 230 bhp 5.7 liter/350 ci V8 with fuel injection, an automatic, and 22,000 miles—$9,000 hammer price.
- 1985 Sunbeam Silver Metallic Mazda RX-7 GSL-SE hatchback coupe with beat-up maroon leather seats, a 13B 1.3 liter/80 ci Wankel two-rotor with fuel injection, a five-speed manual, and 113,000 miles—$5,500
- 1983 Yellow Jeep CJ-7 SUV with black seats, an “Iron Duke” 92 bhp 2.5 liter/151 inline four with a Carter YFA one-barrel carburetor, an unknown manual transmission (could be a four-speed or a five-speed), and 123,000 miles—$7,000
- 1981 White Chevrolet Camaro Z28 coupe with tan vinyl seats, an LG4 165 bhp 5.0 liter/305 ci V8 with a Rochester Quadrajet four-barrel carburetor, and a four-speed manual, and 48,000 miles—at $23,000, the first eighties vehicle in this auction meets my criteria for serious collectability of fairly 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 Jaguar XJ-S convertible with a black top, white leather seats, an HE 262 bhp 5.3 liter/326 ci V12 with fuel injection, an automatic, and 82,000 miles—$8,500
- 1984 Black Mercedes-Benz 380SL convertible with gray seats, a 155 bhp 3.8 liter/234 ci V8 with fuel injection, and an automatic—$11,000
- 1986 gray Chevrolet S10 very custom (everything) pickup truck with gray seats, a 5.7 liter/350 ci V8, and an automatic—$4,000
- 1987 tan/brown two-tone Ford Club Wagon XLT van with tan cloth seats, a 5.8 liter/351 ci V8, an automatic, and 72,000 miles—$8,500
- 1989 Bright Red Chevrolet Corvette convertible with a black top, black leather seats, an L98 240 bhp 5.7 liter/350 ci V8 with fuel injection, and an automatic—$9,000
- 1982 Silver Chevrolet El Camino custom (engine, exterior, interior) pickup truck with a maroon cloth bench seat, a 355 ci V8, and an automatic—$8,000
- 1984 White Jeep CJ-7 Laredo SUV with tan seats, a 112 bhp 4.2 liter/258 inline six with a Carter BBD two-barrel carburetor, and a five-speed manual—$11,000
- 1985 Blue Mercedes-Benz 380SL convertible with a blue convertible top, gray seats, a 155 bhp 3.8 liter/234 ci V8 with fuel injection, and an automatic—$5,000
- 1986 Blue Chevrolet K30 Silverado pickup truck with a blue custom cloth bench seat, an LE8 230 bhp 7.4 liter/454 ci V8 with a four-barrel carburetor, a four-speed manual, and 40,000 miles—$12,500 for this truck originally owned by actor Kurt Russell.
- 1980 White Pontiac Firebird Turbo Trans Am Pace Car coupe with oyster seats, a 210 bhp 4.9 liter/301 ci V8 with a Rochester four-barrel carburetor and turbocharger, and an automatic—$17,500
- 1985 Red Chevrolet Corvette hatchback coupe with red leather seats, an L98 230 bhp 5.7 liter/350 ci V8 with fuel injection, an automatic, and 47,000 miles—$10,000
- 1982 Burgundy Chevrolet El Camino pickup truck with a burgundy interior, an automatic, and 74,000 miles—$6,000
- 1983 Silver Datsun 280ZX hatchback coupe with gray seats, an L28 145 bhp 2.8 liter/168 ci inline six with Bosch L-Jetronic fuel injection, a five-speed manual, and 59,000 miles—$14,000 is solid money for a 280ZX.
- 1987 Burgundy Dodge Ramcharger mild custom SUV with red cloth bucket seats, a 175 bhp 5.9 liter/360 ci V8 with a four-barrel carburetor, and a four-speed manual—$7,500
- 1984 Black Chevrolet Corvette custom (body, interior, wheels) hatchback coupe with gray velour seats, an L83 Cross-Fire 205 bhp 5.7 liter/350 ci V8 with throttle body fuel injection, and an automatic—$6,000
- 1988 White Chevrolet Corvette 35th Anniversary Edition hatchback coupe with white leather seats, an L98 5.7 liter/350 ci V8 with fuel injection, an automatic, and 54,000 miles—$11,000
- 1986 Oxford White Ford Thunderbird coupe with canyon red cloth seats, a Windsor 150 bhp 4.9 liter/302 ci V8 with fuel injection, an automatic, and 59,000 miles—$4,000 for a car you rarely see at auction.
- 1986 White Chrysler LeBaron convertible with a white top, tan leather seats, a 146 bhp 2.2 liter/135 ci inline four with Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection and a turbocharger, an automatic, and 118,000 miles—$3,000
Friday, January 4th:
- 1989 Black Jeep CJ-7 very custom (everything) SUV with black seats, a 5.7 liter/350 ci V8, and an unknown transmission (I think it’s a manual)—$9,500
- 1983 Stainless Steel DeLorean DMC-12 coupe with a black interior, a ZMJ-159 130 bhp 2.8 liter/174 ci V6 with Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection, an automatic, and 7,500 miles—$30,000
- 1985 Light Bronze Metallic Chevrolet Corvette hatchback coupe with saddle cloth seats, an L98 230 bhp 5.7 liter/350 ci V8 with fuel injection, an automatic, and 28,000 miles—$6,500
- 1989 Red Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z hatchback coupe with a black interior, an unknown 5.0 liter/305 ci V8 (could be the L03 170 bhp engine with a four-barrel carburetor or the LB9 195 bhp engine with fuel injection), an automatic, and 16,000 miles—$19,500
- 1985 Black Chevrolet El Camino custom (exterior, wheels/tires) pickup truck with a black interior, a 5.0 liter/305 ci V8, an automatic, and 56,000 miles—$8,500
- 1985 Gray/Silver two-tone Chevrolet El Camino custom (interior, wheels/tires) pickup truck with gray leather seats, a 5.0 liter/305 ci V8, an automatic, and 80,000 miles—$12,000
- 1987 Black GMC K10 stepside pickup truck with a gray vinyl bench seat, a 5.7 liter/350 ci V8, and an automatic—$16,000
- 1987 Maroon Ford E150 van with maroon cloth seats, a 4.9 liter/302 ci V8, an automatic, and 49,000 miles—$16,000
- 1989 Flame Red Metallic Pontiac Firebird Formula hatchback coupe with gray cloth seats, an L98 235 bhp 5.7 liter/350 ci V8 with fuel injection, an automatic, and 17,000 miles—$14,500
- 1982 Silver Beige Chevrolet Corvette Collector Edition hatchback coupe with silver beige leather seats, an L83 Cross-Fire 200 bhp 5.7 liter/350 ci V8 with throttle body fuel injection, and an automatic—$10,500
- 1989 Red Jaguar XJ-S convertible with a black top, tan leather seats, an HE 262 bhp 5.3 liter/326 ci V12 with fuel injection, an automatic, and 47,000 miles—$8,500
- 1989 White Cadillac Sedan deVille with blue leather seats, an HT-4500 155 bhp 4.5 liter/273 ci V8 with throttle-body fuel injection, an automatic, and 32,000 miles—$6,500
- 1982 Silver Beige Chevrolet Corvette Collector Edition hatchback coupe with silver beige leather seats, an L83 Cross-Fire 200 bhp 5.7 liter/350 ci V8 with throttle body fuel injection, an automatic, and 10,000 miles—$25,000
- 1987 Burgundy Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme coupe with burgundy cloth seats, a 140 bhp 5.0 liter/307 ci V8 with a four-barrel carburetor, an automatic, and 17,000 miles—$12,500 for a civilian Cutlass Supreme.
- 1988 Black Ford Mustang ASC/McLaren convertible with a black top, red leather seats, a 225 bhp 4.9 liter/302 ci V8 with fuel injection, an automatic, and 80,000 miles—$9,500
- 1987 Black Buick Grand National coupe with black/gray cloth seats, a 245 bhp LC2 3.8 liter/231 ci V6 with turbocharging and fuel injection, an automatic, and 37,000 miles—$22,000
- 1983 Black/Silver two-tone Oldsmobile Cutlass Calais Hurst/Olds 15th Anniversary coupe with burgundy leather seats, a 180 bhp 5.0 liter/307 ci V8 with a Rochester four-barrel carburetor, an automatic attached to that famous lightning rod shifter, and 13,000 miles—$22,000
- 1988 Light Blue Mazda RX-7 convertible with a black top, blue leather seats, a 13B 146 bhp 1.3 liter/80 ci Wankel two-rotor with fuel injection, a five-speed manual, and 51,000 miles—$7,000. Two eighties Mazdas in one auction!
- 1986 Beige Toyota Land Cruiser FJ-45 pickup truck with gray seats, a 2F 135 bhp 4.2 liter inline six, and a manual—$41,000
- 1982 Yellow Chevrolet C10 Silverado custom (engine, suspension) pickup truck with a tan interior, a 6.3 liter/383 ci V8, and an automatic—$11,000
- 1982 Blue Toyota Land Cruiser FJ-73 SUV with gray bucket seats, a 2F 135 bhp 4.2 liter inline six, and a manual—$20,000
Saturday, January 5th:
- 1988 Red/White two-tone Ford Bronco SUV with red seats, a Windsor 210 bhp 5.8 liter/351 ci V8 with fuel injection, and an automatic—$16,000
- 1989 White Pontiac 20th Anniversary Turbo Firebird Trans Am hatchback coupe with saddle leather seats, a 250 bhp (at least) 3.8 liter/231 ci turbocharged V6 with fuel injection, an automatic, and 18,000 miles—$18,500
- 1985 Brown/Tan two-tone GMC K1500 Sierra Classic pickup truck with a tan cloth bench seat, a 5.0 liter/305 ci V8, an automatic, and 48,000 miles—$11,500
- 1980 Gold Ford Bronco SUV with tan seats, a 115 bhp 4.9 liter/300 ci inline six with a Carter one-barrel carburetor, a four-speed manual, and 26,000 miles—$19,000
- 1984 Olive Toyota Land Cruiser FJ-40 SUV with tan leather seats, a 2F 135 bhp 4.2 liter/258 ci inline six, and a five-speed manual—$37,000
- 1984 Green Toyota Land Cruiser FJ-40 SUV with black seats, a 2F 135 bhp 4.2 liter/258 ci inline six, and an unknown manual transmission—$33,000
- 1986 White Gold Metallic Porsche 911 Turbo coupe with camel leather seats, a 282 bhp 3.3 liter/201 ci flat six with turbocharging and fuel injection, a four-speed manual, and 46,000 miles—$90,000
- 1983 Tan Toyota Land Cruiser FJ-40 SUV with brown seats, a 2F 135 bhp 4.2 liter/258 ci inline six, and a four-speed manual—$43,000
- 1980 Black/Gold Pontiac Firebird Trans Am custom (powertrain, wheels/tires) coupe with gray cloth seats, a 7.4 liter/455 ci V8 with a carburetor, and an automatic—$27,500
- 1982 Black/White Ford Mustang SSP coupe with gray cloth seats, a Windsor 157 bhp 4.9 liter/302 ci V8 with a four-barrel carburetor, and four-speed manual—$29,000
- 1981 Spring Green Toyota Land Cruiser FJ-45 pickup truck with gray seats, a 2F 135 bhp 4.2 liter/258 ci inline six, and a four-speed manual—$31,000
- 1987 Black BMW M6 coupe with gray leather seats, an M88/3 256 bhp 3.5 liter/211 ci inline six with Bosch Motronic fuel injection, and a five-speed—$24,000 is between #3/Good and #4/Fair money, according to Hagerty’s valuation tools.
- 1986 Blue Jeep CJ-7 custom (everything) SUV with gray vinyl seats, a Vortec 5.7 liter/355 ci V8 with fuel injection, and a four-speed manual—$12,500
- 1987 Black Porsche 911 Carrera Turbo Look Cabriolet with white leather seats, a 217 bhp 3.2 liter/193 ci flat six with fuel injection, a five-speed manual, and 75,000 miles—$45,500
- 1985 Gold Chevrolet C10 custom (powertrain, wheels/tires) pickup truck with a tan bench seat, a 7.4 liter/454 ci V8 with an Edelbrock carburetor, and an automatic—$9,000
Sunday, January 6th:
- 1988 Red Honda Civic CRX Si hatchback coupe with multi-colored cloth seats, a 105 bhp 1.6 liter/97 ci inline four with fuel injection, a five-speed manual, and 44,000 miles—$11,000
- 1988 Maroon Ford Bronco II SUV with a maroon interior, a Cologne 140 bhp 2.9 liter/179 ci V6 with fuel injection, an automatic, and 100,000 miles—$9,000
- 1988 Silver Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme coupe with gray cloth seats, a 140 bhp 5.0 liter/307 ci V8 with a four-barrel carburetor, an automatic, and 17,000 miles—$12,000
- 1985 Blue Cadillac Seville sedan with a white carriage roof, blue tufted leather seats, an HT-4100 135 bhp 4.1 liter/249 ci V8 with fuel injection, an automatic, and 17,000 miles—$11,000
- 1988 White/Gray two-tone Chevrolet S10 Blazer SUV with a gray interior, a 160 bhp 4.3 liter/262 ci V6 with fuel injection, and an automatic—$7,000
- 1986 Red Subaru Sambor fire truck with a gray bench seat, a 544 ci two cinder engine, a four-speed manual, and 14,000 miles —$8,500
- 1982 Gray Toyota Land Cruiser FJ-40 SUV with gray cloth seats, a 2F 135 bhp 4.2 liter/258 ci inline six, and an unknown manual transmission—$33,000
- 1981 Red Chevrolet K5 Blazer SUV with tan vinyl seats, a 160 bhp 5.0 liter/305 ci V8 with a Rochester four-barrel carburetor, an automatic, and 70,000 miles—$13,750
- 1985 White Toyota pickup truck with gray cloth seats, a 22R 2.4 liter/144 ci inline four, a five-speed manual, and 42,000 miles—$19,500. Amidst all the Land Cruisers, we get a Toyota compact truck.
- 1989 White Toyota Land Cruiser FJ-74 SUV with tan cloth seats, a turbo diesel, and a five-speed manual—$21,000
- 1987 Silver Porsche 911 Carrera coupe with black leather seats, a 217 bhp 3.2 liter/193 ci flat six with fuel injection, and a five-speed manual—$44,000
- 1989 Blue Avanti convertible with a blue top, blue leather seats, a 170 bhp 5.0 liter/305 ci V8 with a Rochester four-barrel carburetor, an automatic, and 19,000 miles—$32,000
- 1989 Red Mercedes-Benz 560SL convertible with beige leather seats, an M117 238 bhp 5.5 liter/339 ci V8 with fuel injection, an automatic, and 26,000 miles—$31,000
- 1989 Pearl White Land Rover Defender 110 custom (interior, paint, wheels/tires) SUV with black leather seats, an 83 bhp 2.5 liter/152 ci inline four with a carburetor, and a five-speed manual—$72,000
- 1985 Silver/Blue two-tone GMC K20 Sierra pickup truck with a blue interior, a 5.7 liter/350 ci V8, an automatic, and 83,000 miles—$9,500
- 1987 Red Ford Mustang ASC/McLaren convertible with a black top, a tan interior, a 225 bhp 4.9 liter/302 ci V8 with fuel injection, and an automatic—$4,500
- 1984 Black Mercedes-Benz 380SL convertible with gray seats, a 155 bhp 3.8 liter/234 ci V8 with fuel injection, and an automatic—$6,000
- 1986 White Pontiac Firebird Trans Am hatchback coupe with a gray interior, a 5.0 liter/305 ci V8, and 97,000 miles—$5,000
- 1983 Red Porsche 911 SC Targa coupe with cream leather seats, a 180 bhp 3.0 liter/183 ci flat six with fuel injection, a five-speed manual, and 51,000 miles—$42,000
- 1989 Signal Red Jaguar XJ-S convertible with a black top, savile gray leather seats, an HE 262 bhp 5.3 liter/326 ci V12 with fuel injection, an automatic, and 33,000 miles—$14,500
- 1987 Red/White two-tone GMC Sierra pickup truck with a red cloth bench seat, a 5.7 liter/350 ci V8, an automatic, and 5,800 miles—$32,000
- 1981 Black Chevrolet Corvette coupe with black leather seats, an L81 190 bhp 5.7 liter/350 ci V8 with a Rochester four-barrel carburetor, and a four-speed manual—$14,000
- 1980 Dark Claret Metallic Chevrolet Corvette coupe with oyster seats, an LG4 180 bhp 5.0 liter/305 ci V8 with a Rochester Quadrajet four-barrel carburetor (California car!), an automatic, and 35,000 miles—$5,000 for a Corvette that takes over nine seconds to make the 0-60 mph run.
- 1982 Blue Toyota Land Cruiser FJ-40 SUV with black vinyl seats, a 2F 135 bhp 4.2 liter/258 ci inline six, and a four-speed manual—$45,000
- 1987 Guards Red Porsche 911 Carrera Targa custom (slantnose conversion) coupe with white leather seats, a 217 bhp 3.2 liter/193 ci flat six with fuel injection, a five-speed manual, and 71,000 miles—$32,000
- 1981 Red Toyota Land Cruiser FJ-40 SUV with gray vinyl seats, a 2F 135 bhp 4.2 liter/258 ci inline six, and a four-speed manual—$20,000
- 1989 White Dodge Dakota Shelby pickup truck with a red/gray bench seat, a 175 bhp 5.2 liter/318 ci V8 with throttle-body fuel injection, and an automatic—$8,500
- 1982 Gold with woodgrain Jeep Wagoneer SUV with nutmeg cloth seats, a 110 bhp 4.2 liter/358 ci inline six with a Carter two-barrel carburetor, an automatic, and 104,000 miles—$20,000
- 1982 Blue Toyota Land Cruiser FJ-40 SUV with black vinyl seats, a 2F 135 bhp 4.2 liter/258 ci inline six, and a four-speed manual—$38,000
Eighties Cars 