The 2026 version of Mecum’s annual Glendale auction finished on March 21st. About five years ago, I gave up trying to chronicle every eighties vehicle sold at any particular auction—there’s often an endless sameness to them. So, I now only write about the cars and trucks that are less seen at auction—and those that sold (a Pearl White 1987 Toyota Supra Turbo hatchback coupe with burgundy leather front bucket seats and an indicated 5,300 miles was a no-sale at $65,000). Here are five that caught my eye, described in a little more detail than I used to when these surveys were more exhaustive.
[Lot G145] 1989 Chrysler Fifth Avenue sedan. Light Pewter Pearl Coat with a Tan vinyl top and Almond leather 60/40 front seats. LA 140 bhp 5.2 liter/318 ci V8 with a two-barrel carburetor, a three-speed automatic, and an indicated 67,000 miles. A $5,500 hammer price for this late eighties rear-wheel-drive Mopar. I have written about the 1987 version of this car.
[W130] 1982 BMW 320i coupe. Polaris Metallic with Black leather front bucket seats. M10B18 101 bhp 1.8 liter/108 ci inline four with fuel injection, a five-speed manual, and an indicated 76,000 miles. $10,000 took home one of BMW’s marque-defining cars in the “correct” color. I have written about the 1983 320i.
[W175] 1982 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 Indy 500 Commemorative Edition Car hatchback coupe. Silver/Metallic Blue two-tone with blue Custom cloth bucket L/S Conteur front seats. LG4 145 bhp 5.0 liter/305 ci V8 with a four-barrel carburetor, a four-speed manual, and an indicated 49,000 miles. $16,000 for a specific year and model that I have written about.
[T103] 1984 Oldsmobile Ninety-Eight Regency sedan. Dark Royal Blue Metallic with a Dark Blue vinyl top and a Blue divided front cloth seat (plenty of blue here). LV2 140 bhp 5.0.liter/307 ci V8 with a four-barrel carburetor, a four-speed automatic, and an indicated 5,900 miles. $22,000 for this well-kept Olds—I should write about a rear-wheel-drive Ninety-Eight at some point.
[T235] 1982 Chrysler Imperial Frank Sinatra Edition coupe. Glacier Blue Crystal Coat with Glacier Blue Kimberly Velvet cloth 60/40 front seats. LA 140 bhp 5.2 liter/318 ci V8 dealer-converted (as was very common) from electronic fuel injection to a two-barrel carburetor, a three-speed automatic, and an indicated 80,000 miles. An ouch! at $3,000. I have written about the final year 1983 Imperial, which did not offer a Frank Sinatra Edition.
Eighties Cars 