Author: JJM3

Homologation Racing at Le Mans in the Eighties

The 24 Hours of Le Mans is going on today and tomorrow. It’s interesting, but I don’t have strong impressions of eighties Le Mans racing. The 1950s have the terrible Mercedes-Benz crash, the 1960s have Ferrari versus Ford, the 1970s have the Porsches, and the 1990s have the flying Mercedes-Benz prototypes. So, I did a little research on the cars racing that at least resembled cars you could purchase.

In 1980, the IMSA class winner was a Porsche 935, with another 935 in second, and a Ferrari 512BB in third. Further down the finishing list were many more Porsches and Ferraris, along with a few BMW M1s and a single Mazda RX-7.

In 1981, the IMSA class winner was a Ferrari 512BB, with a Porsche 935 in second, and another 512BB in third. More Ferraris and Porsches were also featured, along with a few BMW M1s, a single Mazda RX-7, and Chevrolet Camaro driven by Cale Yarborough that only completed 13 laps before the brakes failed.

In 1982, the IMSA class winner was once again a Porsche 935, with another 935 in second, and a Ferrari 512BB in third. Further down the list were more Porsches (both 935s and 924s), more Ferraris, two Chevrolet Camaros, two BMW M1s, and two Mazda RX-7s.

The classes changed in 1983, and the results were that Porsche 930s filled all three podium spots in the then new Group B class. Further down the list were more Porsche 930s along with a single 928S and a single BMW M1. The Ferraris, Camaros, and Mazdas were all gone (Mazda had moved to the prototype class).

Two separate street car-based classes raced in 1984. A BMW M1 won the Group B class inaugurated in 1983, with a Porsche 930 and Porsche 928S filling the other two podium spots. However, IMSA/GTO was back; a Porsche 911 won, with Porsche 930s in second and third place. Other cars in the field included a BMW M1, a Ferrari 512BB, and another Porsche 930.

Le Mans moved back to a single and small Group B class in 1985. A BMW M1 won again, with another M1 in second, and a Porsche 911 SC in third. One more M1 was further down the finishing order.

Things were even thinner in 1986. A single car participated in the GTX class: a Porsche 961. It was the same story in Group B—a BMW M1 won.

By 1987, Group B no longer existed. Once again, a single car participated in the GTX class: a Porsche 961. There would not be any street-based cars in 1988 or 1989—they would not return until 1993.

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 Chevrolet Corvette convertible, linked from Mecum’s site.
  • 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

    1986 Toyota pickup truck, linked from Mecum’s site.
  • 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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1985 Mazda RX-7 GSL-SE hatchback coupe

This post was one of my first twenty in this blog, which I’ve updated to reflect both changes in my posting style and substantial improvements in available data. At this point, it’s changed enough to be considered a new post.

“… artfully appointed to raise the aesthetic pleasures of driving …”

The 1985 Mazda RX-7 GSL-SE was the last of the first generation SA (1978-1980/FB (1981-1985) RX-7s, which had debuted in 1978, timing the market perfectly for a relatively low-priced and good-looking sports car. At $7,195 when released, it hit an attractive price point and entered a market with few natural competitors for such a pure sports car.

Bosch L-Jetronic fuel injection and more power had come in 1984 with the 13B Wankel 1.3 liter/80 ci two-rotor engine. Power increased from 101 bhp to 135 bhp—respectable for a relatively lightweight (2,447 pounds) sports car and dropping 0-60 times more than a second to slightly under 8 seconds. Even with the five-speed manual transmission, mileage remained somewhat of the traditional rotary bugaboo that would eventually drive Mazda out of the rotary business. At 16 city/23 highway by the day’s standards (15/22 by today’s measures), it was not as good as the Nissan/Datsun 300ZX (19/25) or the Toyota Celica Supra (20/24)—both of which had more power. Owners of a new RX-7 could expect to get about 275 to 290 miles of range from the 16.6-gallon fuel tank before starting to look for more gasoline.

Standard exterior and mechanical equipment on every 1985 RX-7 ($10,945 or approximately $33,800 in today’s dollars) included retractable headlamps, tinted glass, side window demisters, electric rear window defroster, and 185/70HR13 radial tires on 5 x 13-inch wheels. Inside, full gauges, reclining bucket seats with adjustable headrests, a full console with armrest, a digital quartz clock, and an AM/FM stereo radio with power antenna were standard.

1985 Mazda RX-7 GSL-SE print advertisement
1985 Mazda RX-7 GSL-SE print advertisement

By 1985, the fancier RX-7s had slid well up-market—the GSL-SE‘s package’s price was $16,125 (about $49,700 in 2025 dollars; well more than a loaded 2025 Miata MX-5 RF Grand Touring). Exterior and mechanical equipment on the GSL-SE included retractable halogen headlamps, a raisable/removable steel sunroof, ventilated four-wheel power disc brakes, and “low profile” P205/60VR14 Pirelli P6 tires (a size now tough to find) on 5.5 x 14-inch Performance alloy wheels. Inside, every GSL-SE included striped velour seats with solid velour bolsters, air conditioning, cruise control, power windows, dual black remote control sideview mirrors, and an AM/FM ETR stereo radio with a separate auto-reverse cassette player sitting below—with a nine-band graphic equalizer below that.

Optional equipment for the loaded GSL-SE was limited to a leather package ($700), which included leather seats, leather door trim, and a leather steering wheel.

The View From 2025

I followed a first-generation RX-7 for a while in my eighties sports car about a decade ago, and I was struck by how small it looked—smaller than I remembered these cars as being. They were small, of course: 170 inches long and less than 50 inches tall.

RX-7 aficionados call these “5-letter cars.” According to Hagerty’s valuation tools, all the money for a 1985 RX-7 GSL-SE in #1/Concours condition is $53,400, with a more normal #3/Good condition car going for $11,900. RX-7s have fairly solid club support and maintain a reasonable presence in the Hemmings Motor News classifieds, on eBay Motors, and on Bring a Trailer.

Make mine Sunbeam Silver Metallic, please—I think light silver works best on these cars.

The only other Mazda I have completed a blog entry for is the 1983 626 coupe. Other 1985 sports cars I have written about include the Ferrari 308 GTB Quattrovalvole coupe, the Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet, and the Toyota MR2 coupe.

Last updated December 2025.

Eighties Vehicles at the 2017 Mecum Houston

Mecum’s April auction in Houston provided some interesting fodder for commentary. I’ll concentrate on the at least fairly stock 1980s cars (and a few trucks) that sold (remember that this is not a no reserve auction—a guards red 1985 Porsche 911 Speedster with black leather seats was a no sale bid up to $160,000) and add some of my opinions. Eighties vehicles were about 8% of the lots in this auction.

Thursday, April 6th:

  • 1980 black Chevrolet Corvette custom coupe with burgundy leather seats, a 350 bhp 5.7 liter/350 cubic inch V8, and a four-speed manual—$4,000 hammer price.
  • 1987 crystal/gray two-tone Lincoln Town Car Cartier Edition sedan with gray leather seats, a 150 bhp 4.9 liter/302 cubic inch V8 with fuel injection, and an automatic—an ouch! at $5,000.
  • 1983 red Ford Mustang GLX convertible with a white top, white vinyl seats, a 175 bhp Windsor 4.9 liter/302 cubic inch V8 with four-barrel carburetor, and a five-speed manual—$6,500
  • 1989 maroon/white two-tone Chevrolet 1500 Silverado pickup truck with red cloth seats, a fuel-injected V8, and an automatic—$6,750
  • 1987 red Porsche 944 coupe with a 150 bhp 2.5 liter/151 cubic inch inline four an five-speed manual—$5,500
  • 1985 black BMW 318 Baur TC2 custom convertible with a black top, a 295 bhp 3.0 liter inline six, and a five-speed—$5,500
  • 1986 blue Jeep CJ-7 Renegade SUV with an inline six—$7,500
  • 1983 blue Mercedes-Benz 380SL convertible with a blue top, blue leather seats, a 155 bhp 3.8 liter/234 cubic inch fuel injected V8, an automatic, and 86,000 miles—$14,000
  • 1983 red/white two-tone GMC Jimmy SUV with a 5.7 liter/350 cubic inch V8 and an automatic—$15,000
  • 1985 white Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz convertible with a white top, white leather seats, a 130 bhp HT-4100 4.1 liter/249 cubic inch V8 with fuel injection, an automatic, and 86,000 miles—$14,000
  • 1985 red Porsche 911 Carrara custom coupe with black leather seats, a 3.2 liter/193 cubic inch flat six with fuel injection, and a five-speed manual—$24,500
  • 1987 camouflaged AM General Hummer SUV with a green interior, a 6.2 liter diesel V8, an automatic, and 3,600 mile—$17,500
  • 1986 black Mercedes-Benz 560SL convertible with a black top, beige leather seats, a 227 bhp 5.5 liter/339 cubic inch fuel injected V8, and an automatic—$12,000
  • 1981 beige Chevrolet Corvette coupe with cinnabar leather seats, a 190 bhp L81 5.7 liter/350 cubic inch V8 with Rochester four-barrel carburetor, and an automatic—$10,000
  • 1986 medium blue/dark blue two-tone GMC Sierra Classic 1500 custom pickup truck with a blue cloth seat, a 5.7 liter/350 cubic inch V8, and an automatic—$21,000
  • 1982 white GMC Jimmy mild custom SUV with blue seats, a 5.7 liter/350 cubic inch V8, and an automatic—$18,500

Friday, March 24th:

  • 1986 silver Chevrolet Silverado custom pickup truck with a black seat, a 7.4 liter/454 cubic inch V8, and an automatic—$30,000
  • 1984 black/silver two-tone Jeep CJ-7 Laredo SUV with a black/silver interior, a 115 bhp 4.2 liter/258 cubic inch inline six with Carter two-barrel carburetor, and an automatic—at $20,000 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.
  • 1983 light blue/medium blue two-tone Chevrolet El Camino pickup truck with blue cloth seats, a V8, and an automatic—$8,000
  • 1986 black Porsche 911 custom coupe with a black interior, a 3.2 liter/193 cubic inch flat six with fuel injection, and a five-speed manual—$45,000
  • 1987 black Buick Grand National coupe with a black/gray cloth interior, a 245 bhp LC2 3.8 liter/231 cubic inch turbocharged and fuel injected V6, an automatic, and 46,000 miles—$23,000
  • 1987 red/white two-tone Chevrolet Silverado custom pickup truck with a red interior, a 7.4 liter/454 cubic inch V8, and an automatic—$14,000

Saturday, April 9th:

  • 1981 black Jeep CJ-7 Laredo SUV with a black top, a black interior, a 110 bhp 4.2 liter/258 cubic inch inline six with Carter two-barrel carburetor, and an automatic—$41,000
  • 1985 black Buick Grand National coupe with a black/gray cloth interior, a 200 bhp LC2 3.8 liter/231 cubic inch turbocharged and fuel injected V6, and an automatic—$18,500
  • 1988 white Land Rover Defender 110 pickup truck with a black interior, an 85 bhp 2.5 liter diesel inline four with turbocharger, and a five-speed manual—$45,000
  • 1988 white Lamborghini Jalpa coupe with white leather seats, a 255 bhp 3.5 liter/213 cubic inch V8 with four two-barrel Weber carburetors, a five-speed manual, and 18,000 miles—$74,000. Hagerty’s valuation tools see this as #3 money for a Jalpa.

    1988 Lamborghini Jalpa, courtesy of Mecum Auctions.
  • 1989 red Ferrari Testarossa coupe with cream leather seats, a 380 bhp 4.9 liter/302 cubic inch V12 with Bosch fuel injection, a five-speed, and 1,500 miles—at $162,500, the highest stock eighties vehicle sale of this auction
  • 1988 red Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet (either a factory custom or a custom) with black leather seats, a 217 bhp 3.2 liter/193 cubic inch flat six with fuel injection, and a five speed—$39,000

What do you think of these results?

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Eighties Vehicles at the 2017 Mecum Kansas City

The March auction at Mecum Kansas City provided some interesting fodder for commentary. I’ll concentrate on the at least fairly stock 1980s cars (and a few trucks) that sold (remember that this is not a no reserve auction—a black 1987 Buick GNX coupe with black/gray cloth seats was a no sale bid up to $42,500) and add some of my opinions. Eighties vehicles were about 9% of the lots in this auction.

Friday, March 24th:

  • 1983 brown/tan Datsun 280ZX coupe with a tan interior, seats obscured by seat covers, a 145 bhp 2.8 liter/168 cubic inch inline six with Bosch L-Jetronic fuel injection, an automatic, and 75,000 miles—$7,500 hammer price.
  • 1980 red Chevrolet Camaro Z28 mild custom coupe with a black interior, a modified V8, and an automatic—$13,000
  • 1982 white Chevrolet Corvette coupe with red leather seats, a 200 bhp L83 “Cross-Fire” 5.7 liter/350 cubic inch V8 with throttle-body fuel injection, and an automatic (no other engine or transmission options in 1982)—$13,000 for this car in the Corvette heritage colors.
  • 1989 blue/gray two-tone Ford F150 pickup truck with a blue cloth bench seat, a 150 bhp 4.9 liter/300 cubic inch inline six with fuel injection, and a five-speed manual—$7,500
  • 1988 black Ford F250 XLT Lariat pickup truck with a gray interior, a 7.5 liter/460 cubic inch V8, and an automatic—$8,000
  • 1981 wine red metallic Porsche 928 coupe with black leather seats, a 231 bhp 4.5 liter/273 cubic inch V8 with fuel injection, and an automatic—$9,000
  • 1984 red Chevrolet C10 pickup truck with a red vinyl bench seat, a 5.7 liter/350 cubic inch V8, and an automatic—$13,000
  • 1985 white Buick Riviera convertible with a red top, red leather seats, a 190 bhp 3.8 liter/231 cubic V6 with a turbocharger and fuel injection, an automatic, and 61,000 miles—$18,000 for this rare car, one of 49 Riviera convertibles built with the turbo engine in 1985. This was the highest eighties vehicle sale of Friday.

    1985 Buick Riviera, courtesy of Mecum Auctions.
  • 1983 gray Chevrolet Suburban custom SUV with a black and gray interior, a 350 cubic inch V8, an automatic, and 67,000 miles—$6,000
  • 1981 gold Pontiac Firebird Trans Am coupe with a light sandstone interior, a 150 bhp L37 4.9 liter/301 cubic inch V8 with Rochester four-barrel carburetor, and an automatic—at $14,000 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.
  • 1988 red/cream two-tone GMC Suburban 2500 SUV with red cloth seats, a 7.4 liter/454 cubic inch V8, and an automatic—$6,750
  • 1989 red Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z mild custom convertible with a black top, gray cloth seats, a 305 cubic inch V8, and an automatic—$8,000

Saturday, March 25th:

  • 1983 dark blue Chevrolet K10 Silverado custom pickup truck with a gray interior, a 350 cubic inch V8, and an automatic—$21,500
  • 1988 black Nissan Safari Patrol SUV with beige cloth seats, an 80 bhp SD33 3.2 liter/185 cubic inch diesel six, and an automatic—$21,000 for this right-hand drive vehicle imported from an unstated location.
  • 1982 guards red Porsche 911SC very custom coupe with black leather seats, a 180 bhp 3.0 liter/183 cubic inch flat six with fuel injection, and a five-speed—at $31,000, the highest eighties vehicle sale of the auction. Hagerty’s valuation tools see this as strong #3 money for a stock coupe.
  • 1980 cameo white Pontiac Firebird Trans Am coupe with blue cloth seats, a 150 bhp W72 4.9 liter/301 cubic inch V8 with Rochester four-barrel carburetor, an automatic, and 6,400 miles—$25,000
  • 1987 blue Toyota pickup truck with blue vinyl seats, an unstated engine (likely an inline four of some sort), a five-speed, and 14,000 miles—at $15,000, perhaps the most interesting eighties vehicle at this auction.
  • 1981 white Pontiac Firebird Trans Am coupe with blue leather seats, a 145 bhp LG4 5.0 liter/305 cubic inch V8 with Rochester four-barrel carburetor, a four-speed, and 36,000 miles—$14,000
  • 1986 matte black Chevrolet K10 custom pickup truck with a tan vinyl bench seat, an unstated engine, and an automatic—$8,500

Late second-generation Trans Ams and SUVs were fairly strong, but Mecum Kansas City once again lived to its bargain reputation. What do you think of these results?

Eighties Cars at the 2017 Mecum Kissimmee, Part Two

The huge January auction at Mecum Kissimmee provided some interesting fodder for commentary. I’ll concentrate on the at least fairly stock 1980s cars (and a few trucks) that sold (remember that this is not a no reserve auction—a red 1989 Lamborghini Countach 25th Anniversary Edition coupe with an ivory leather interior with 6,600 miles was a no sale bid up to $275,000) and add some of my opinions. Mecum Kissemmee is a huge event, so I’m going to separate it into two posts—this second covers the eighties vehicles sold from Thursday to Sunday.

Thursday, January 12th:

  • 1989 gold Johnson Phantom coupe with a tan leather interior, an L98 5.7 liter/350 cubic inch fuel injected V8, an automatic, and 2,700 miles—$27,000 hammer price for this Pontiac Firebird-based “neo-classic.”
  • 1988 gray AM General Hummer SUV with a gray interior, a 6.2 liter diesel, and an automatic—$16,000
  • 1985 yellow Chevrolet C10 custom pickup truck with a black leather interior and a 300 bhp 307 cubic inch V8—$20,000
  • 1987 red Porsche 928S4 with a red leather interior, a 316 bhp 5.0 liter/302 cubic inch V8 with Bosch fuel injection, and an automatic—$16,000
  • 1988 arctic white Mercedes-Benz 560SL convertible with a blue leather interior, a 227 bhp 5.5 liter/339 cubic inch fuel injected V8, and an automatic, and 27,000 miles—$35,000
  • 1986 red Porsche 911 Carrera coupe with a black leather interior, a 207 bhp 3.2 liter/193 cubic inch fuel injected flat six, a five-speed, and 92,000 miles—$31,000
  • 1984 red Porsche 944 custom coupe with a black interior, a LS 5.3 liter liter fuel injected V8, and a five-speed—$27,000
  • 1987 black Buick Grand National coupe with a black/gray cloth interior, a 245 bhp LC2 3.8 liter/231 cubic inch turbocharged and fuel injected V6, an automatic, and 15,000 miles—at $41,000 the first car in this auction to meet my criteria for serious 1980s collectability of original cars: selling for equal to or above its original base list price. I’ll mark these cars in bold green.
  • 1988 red Chevrolet K30 dually pickup truck with a tan vinyl interior, a 230 bhp 7.4 liter V8, and a four-speed—$25,000
  • 1987 black Buick GNX coupe with a black/gray cloth interior, a 276 bhp LC2 3.8 liter/231 cubic inch turbocharged and fuel injected V6, an automatic, and 290 miles—$100,000
  • 1989 silver Ferrari Testarossa coupe with a gray leather interior, a 380 bhp 4.9 liter/302 cubic inch V12 with Bosch fuel injection, a five-speed, and 15,000 miles—$110,000 for this car that was originally gifted to Don Johnson by Ferrari.

Friday, January 13th:

  • 1980 blue Pontiac Firebird Turbo Trans Am coupe with a blue interior, a 210 bhp 4.9 liter/301 cubic inch turbocharged V8 with Rochester four-barrel carburetor, an automatic, and 23,000 miles—$13,000
  • 1981 guards black Porsche 911SC Targa coupe with a black leather interior, a 180 bhp 3.0 liter/183 cubic inch fuel-injected flat six, and a five-speed—$22,000
  • 1986 black Buick Grand National coupe with a black/gray cloth interior, a 245 bhp LC2 3.8 liter/231 cubic inch turbocharged and fuel injected V6, and an automatic—$15,000
  • 1987 black Buick Grand National coupe with a black/gray cloth interior, a 245 bhp LC2 3.8 liter/231 cubic inch turbocharged and fuel injected V6, and an automatic—$12,000
  • 1987 black Buick Grand National coupe with a black/gray cloth interior, a 245 bhp LC2 3.8 liter/231 cubic inch turbocharged and fuel injected V6, and an automatic—$13,000
  • 1987 black Buick Grand National coupe with a black/gray cloth interior, a 245 bhp LC2 3.8 liter/231 cubic inch turbocharged and fuel injected V6, and an automatic—$10,000
  • 1989 white Pontiac 20th Anniversary Turbo Firebird Trans Am coupe with T-tops, a beige leather interior, a (at least) 250 bhp LC2 3.8 liter/231 cubic inch turbocharged and fuel injected V6, an automatic, and 994 miles—$37,000 for this documented Indianapolis 500 festival car.
  • 1984 red Ferrari Mondial Quattrovalvole convertible with a black top, a black leather interior, a 235 bhp 2.9 liter/179 cubic inch V8 with Bosch fuel injection, and a five-speed—$33,000
  • 1987 black Buick GNX coupe with a black/gray cloth interior, a 276 bhp LC2 3.8 liter/231 cubic inch turbocharged and fuel injected V6, an automatic, and 68 miles—$220,000 for the last GNX built.
  • 1989 black Porsche Speedster convertible with a black leather interior, a 214 bhp 3.2 liter/193 cubic inch fuel injected flat six, a five-speed, and 2,900 hard miles—$145,000 for this car that was stolen from Nicholas Cage and ended up in lake.
  • 1986 black Porsche 911 Turbo coupe with a red leather interior, a 282 bhp 3.3 liter/201 cubic inch turbocharged and fuel injected flat six, a four-speed, and 5,900 miles—$165,000
  • 1988 silver Ferrari Testarossa coupe with a 380 bhp 4.9 liter/302 cubic inch V12 with Bosch fuel injection, and a five-speed—$87,500
  • 1982 black Porsche 911 Turbo coupe with a red leather interior, a 3.3 liter/201 cubic inch turbocharged and fuel injected flat six, a four-speed, and 59,000 miles—$47,000

Saturday, January 14th:

  • 1985 white Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz Collector Edition coupe with a blue and white leather interior, a 135 bhp 4.1 liter/249 cubic inch fuel injected V8, an automatic, and 16,000 miles—$9,000
  • 1985 red Porsche 911 Carrera coupe with a black leather interior, a 207 bhp 3.2 liter/193 cubic inch fuel injected flat six, and a five-speed—$39,000
  • 1982 black Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz coupe with a red leather interior, a 125 bhp 4.1 liter/249 cubic inch fuel injected V8, an automatic, and 10,000 miles—$25,000
  • 1984 black Lamborghini Countach 5000S coupe with a black leather interior, a 325 bhp 4.8 liter/290 cubic inch V12 with six Weber two-barrel carburetors, and a five-speed—$225,000
  • 1980 orange BMW M1 coupe with a black cloth and leather interior, a 277 bhp 3.5 liter fuel injected inline six, a five-speed, and 22,000 miles—$400,000 is about $100,000 short of #4 money according to Hagerty’s valuation tools.
  • 1981 silver Porsche 911 Turbo coupe with a tan leather interior, a 3.3 liter/201 cubic inch turbocharged and fuel injected flat six, a four-speed, and 33,000 miles—$77,500
  • 1987 red Porsche 911 Turbo coupe with a tan leather interior, a 282 bhp 3.3 liter/201 cubic inch turbocharged and fuel injected flat six, a four-speed, and 5,900 miles—$94,500

Sunday, January 15th:

  • 1984 red Jeep J10 Laredo pickup truck with a black vinyl interior, a 360 cubic inch V8, and an automatic—$5,750
  • 1988 red/white two-tone Ford Thunderbird Bill Elliott Signature Edition coupe with a red leather interior, a 155 bhp 5.0 liter/302 cubic inch fuel injected V8, and an automatic—$5,000

    1988 Ford Thunderbird, courtesy of Mecum Auctions.
  • 1980 white Pontiac Firebird Turbo Trans Am Pace Car Edition coupe with a gray cloth interior, a 210 bhp 4.9 liter/301 cubic inch turbocharged V8 with Rochester four-barrel carburetor, and an automatic—$17,500
  • 1987 blue with woodgrain sides Jeep Grand Wagoneer SUV with a 5.9 liter V8—$8,000
  • 1987 white Pontiac Firebird Trans Am coupe with a tan cloth interior, a 5.0 liter fuel injected V8, an automatic, the GTA package, and 44,000 miles—$9,000
  • 1989 white Chevrolet Corvette convertible with a black top, a gray leather interior, a 230 bhp L98 5.7 liter/350 cubic inch fuel injected V8, and a six-speed—$5,000
  • 1989 green Jeep Wrangler Sahara custom SUV with a white top, a tan interior, a 305 bhp 5.3 liter Vortec V8, and an automatic—$17,500
  • 1989 red Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z custom convertible with a tan interior, a 5.0 liter V8, an automatic, 77,000 miles, and a salvage title—$4,250
  • 1981 light cashmere Chrysler LeBaron sedan with a heather interior, a 5.2 liter/318 cubic inch carbureted V8, an automatic, and 24,000 miles—$1,000

Eighties Cars at the 2017 Mecum Kissimmee, Part One

The huge January auction at Mecum Kissimmee provided some interesting fodder for commentary. I’ll concentrate on the at least fairly stock 1980s cars (and a few trucks) that sold (remember that this is not a no reserve auction—a wine red metallic 1982 Porsche 911SC coupe with a beige leather interior and 4,900 miles was a no sale bid up to $60,000) and add some of my opinions. Mecum Kissemmee is a huge event, so I’m going to separate it into two posts—this first covers the eighties 11% of the 1,100 vehicles sold from Friday to Wednesday (with no auctions on Monday).

Friday, January 6th:

  • 1981 blue/white two-tone Chevrolet mild custom pickup truck with a blue cloth interior, a 385 bhp V8, and an automatic—$19,500 hammer price
  • 1981 red Chevrolet Camaro Z28 coupe with T-tops, a red cloth interior, a 175 bhp LM1 5.7 liter/350 cubic inch V8 with Rochester four-barrel carburetor, and an automatic—at $11,000 the first car in this auction to meet my criteria for serious 1980s collectability of original cars: selling for equal to or above its original base list price. I’ll mark these cars in bold green
  • 1989 white Pontiac 20th Anniversary Turbo Firebird Trans Am coupe with T-tops, a beige leather interior, a (at least) 250 bhp LC2 3.8 liter/231 cubic inch turbocharged and fuel injected V6, an automatic, and 50,000 miles—an ouch! at $12,000 (that’s below what Hagerty’s valuation tools see as #4 money)
  • 1986 white Dodge Diplomat police car with a blue cloth interior, a 175 bhp 5.2 liter/318 cubic inch V8 with Rochester four-barrel carburetor, an automatic, and 85,000 miles—$5,000
  • 1985 red Chevrolet pickup truck with a red interior, a V8, and an automatic—$11,500
  • 1984 blue Jeep CJ-7 Scrambler custom pickup truck with a black interior, a 4.2 liter/258 cubic inch inline six, and a four-speed manual—$9,000
  • 1988 charcoal metallic Chevrolet Corvette coupe with a gray leather interior, a 230 bhp L98 5.7 liter/350 cubic inch fuel injected V8, an automatic, and 21,000 miles—$10,000
  • 1987 red Chevrolet Camaro Z28 custom coupe with a gray cloth interior, a 5.0 liter/305 cubic inch V8 with four-barrel carburetor, and an automatic—$9,500
  • 1983 silver blue metallic Mercedes-Benz 300D sedan with a blue vinyl interior, a 120 bhp 3.0 liter/183 cubic inch inline five turbo diesel, and an automatic—$18,000
  • 1981 beige/dark bronze two-tone Chevrolet Corvette coupe with a camel leather interior, a 190 bhp L81 5.7 liter/350 cubic inch V8 with four-barrel carburetor, a four-speed, and 75,000 miles—$15,000
  • 1988 burgundy Lincoln Town Car sedan with a burgundy leather interior, a 150 bhp 5.0 liter/302 cubic inch fuel injected V8, an automatic, and 11,000 miles—$10,500
  • 1987 burgundy Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS Aerocoupe with a burgundy cloth interior, a 180 bhp 5.0 liter/305 cubic inch V8 with four-barrel carburetor, an automatic, and 76,000 miles—$10,000
  • 1987 white Land Rover Defender SUV with a black leather interior, a 85 bhp 19J 2.5 liter/152 cubic inch inline four fuel injected turbo diesel, and a five-speed—$21,500 makes this the highest stock eighties vehicle sale of Friday.
  • 1988 silver/blue two-tone Rolls-Royce Silver Spur sedan with a blue leather interior, a 6.75 liter/412 cubic inch fuel injected V8, and an automatic—$20,000
  • 1984 white Buick Riviera convertible with a white top, a red leather interior, a 190 bhp LD5 3.8 liter/231 cubic inch turbocharged and fuel injected V6, an automatic—$12,000 for this rare turbo convertible.
  • 1986 black pearl Mercedes-Benz 560SL convertible with a black convertible top, a gray leather interior, a 238 bhp 5.5 liter/339 cubic inch fuel injected V8, and an automatic—$12,000
  • 1983 white Spartan coupe with a gray interior, an automatic transmission, and 40,000 miles—$18,000 for this “neo-classic” based on a Datsun/Nissan 280ZX chassis.
  • 1983 black Jeep Scrambler custom pickup truck with a tan interior, a 350 cubic inch V8, and an automatic—$21,000

Saturday, January 7th:

  • 1980 green Mercedes-Benz 300SD sedan with a tan interior, a 120 bhp 3.0 liter/183 cubic inch inline five turbo diesel, an automatic, and 28,000 miles—$22,500
  • 1987 black Buick Grand National coupe with a black/gray cloth interior, a 245 bhp LC2 3.8 liter/231 cubic inch turbocharged and fuel injected V6, an automatic, and 20,000 miles—$26,000
  • 1984 dark gold Chevrolet Camaro Z28 coupe with a camel cloth interior, a 190 bhp L69 5.0 liter/305 cubic inch “HO” V8 with four-barrel carburetor, an automatic, and 2,600 miles—$18,000
  • 1981 red Jeep CJ-8 Scrambler pickup truck with a gray vinyl interior, a 4.2 liter/258 cubic inch inline six, and a four-speed manual—$18,500
  • 1981 beige/dark bronze two-tone Chevrolet Corvette coupe with a camel cloth interior, a 190 bhp L81 5.7 liter/350 cubic inch V8 with four-barrel carburetor, an automatic, and 54,000 miles—$14,500
  • 1988 yellow Pontiac Fiero Formula coupe with a gray cloth interior, a 135 bhp L44 2.8 liter/173 cubic inch fuel-injected V6, an automatic, and 13,000 miles—$13,000
  • 1981 red Chevrolet Camaro Z28 coupe with a black vinyl interior, a 175 bhp LM1 5.7 liter/350 cubic inch V8 with Rochester four-barrel carburetor, and an automatic—$12,000
  • 1981 blue Chevrolet Camaro Z28 coupe with a blue cloth interior, a 175 bhp LM1 5.7 liter/350 cubic inch V8 with Rochester four-barrel carburetor, and an automatic—$12,000
  • 1982 guards red Porsche 911SC custom coupe with a black leather interior, a 180 bhp 3.0 liter/183 cubic inch fuel-injected flat six, and a five-speed—$33,000
  • 1983 white Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS coupe with a white/blue cloth interior, a 175 bhp 5.0 liter/305 cubic inch V8 with four-barrel carburetor, an automatic, and 19,000 miles—$15,000
  • 1988 teal Toyota very custom pickup truck with a gray cloth interior, a 350 cubic inch V8, and an automatic—$20,000
  • 1988 black Toyota LJ-70 SUV with a black vinyl interior, a four cylinder turbo-diesel, and a five-speed—$8,000
  • 1981 white Porsche 911 custom cabriolet (custom because there were no factory cabriolets in 1981) with a blue top, a blue leather interior, a 3.0 liter flat six, and a five-speed—$65,000
  • 1982 silver beige Chevrolet Corvette Collector Edition coupe with a silver beige leather interior, a 200 bhp L82 5.7 liter/350 cubic inch V8 with throttle-body fuel injection, an automatic, and 22,000 miles—$23,000 is solid money for a CE that has actually been (somewhat) driven.
  • 1984 red Porsche 911 Carrera coupe with a black leather interior, a 207 bhp 3.2 liter/193 cubic inch fuel injected flat six, and a five-speed—$30,500
  • 1989 blue Mini Cooper 30th Anniversary coupe with a gray cloth interior, a 1.1 liter inline four, an automatic, and 53,000 miles—$12,500
  • 1981 black Pontiac Firebird Trans Am custom coupe with a black cloth interior, a 383 cubic inch supercharged V8, and an automatic—$25,000
  • 1981 red Toyota Land Cruiser SUV with a diesel engine—$33,000 makes this the highest stock eighties vehicle sale of Saturday.

Sunday, January 8th:

  • 1986 black Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck with a red cloth interior, a 5.0 liter/305 cubic inch V8, and an automatic—$14,000
  • 1983 gold Mercedes-Benz 380SL convertible with a chocolate convertible top, a brown leather interior, a 155 bhp 3.8 liter/234 cubic inch fuel injected V8, an automatic, and 55,000 miles—$14,000
  • 1987 red Porsche 944 custom coupe with red interior, a 147 bhp 2.5 liter/151 cubic inch inline four, and a five-speed—$9,000
  • 1987 white Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit sedan with a red leather interior, a 6.75 liter/412 cubic inch fuel injected V8, an automatic, and 65,000 miles—$20,000
  • 1980 white Pontiac Firebird Turbo Trans Am coupe with a red interior, a 210 bhp 4.9 liter/301 cubic inch turbocharged V8 with Rochester four-barrel carburetor, and an automatic—$5,500
  • 1988 white Chevrolet Corvette 35th Anniversary Edition coupe with a white (Cadillac) leather interior, a 230 bhp L98 5.7 liter/350 cubic inch fuel injected V8, an automatic, and 8,000 miles—$22,000
  • 1988 red Ford Mustang GT convertible with a black top, a gray cloth interior, a 225 bhp 5.0 liter/302 cubic inch fuel injected V8, and an automatic—$8,500
  • 1988 white Chevrolet Corvette custom convertible with a white top, a red leather interior, a 230 bhp L98 5.7 liter/350 cubic inch fuel injected V8, an automatic, and 17,000 miles—$22,000
  • 1988 red Porsche 911 Carrera coupe with a tan leather interior, a 214 bhp 3.2 liter/193 cubic inch fuel injected flat six, and a five-speed—$40,000 makes this the highest stock eighties vehicle sale of Sunday.
  • 1980 black Jeep CJ-7 Laredo SUV with a black interior, a V8, and an automatic—$8,500
  • 1988 red Ford Mustang GT convertible with a black top, a gray cloth interior, a 225 bhp 5.0 liter/302 cubic inch fuel injected V8, and a five speed—$4,750
  • 1986 red Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z coupe with a gray cloth interior, a 190 bhp L98 5.0 liter/305 cubic inch fuel injected V8, an automatic, and 25,000 miles—$14,000
  • 1983 orange Dodge custom van with an orange cloth interior—$11,000
  • 1985 white Toyota Celica Supra coupe with a blue cloth interior, a 161 bhp 2.8 liter/168 cubic inch fuel injected inline six, and a five-speed manual—$4,000
  • 1989 blue Jaguar XJ-S convertible with a blue top, a tan leather interior, a 262 bhp 5.3 liter/323 cubic inch fuel injected V12, and an automatic—$14,000
  • 1987 red Toyota Celica Supra coupe with a gray cloth interior, a 230 bhp 3.0 liter/181 cubic inch turbocharged and fuel injected inline six, an automatic, and 31,000 miles—$12,000
  • 1984 blue Ford Mustang very custom coupe with a black interior, a 351 cubic inch V8, and a five-speed—$6,500
  • 1984 charcoal Porsche 928S custom coupe with a black leather interior, a V8, and an automatic—$4,500
  • 1984 black/silver two-tone Chevrolet Silverado custom pickup truck with a gray interior, a 350 cubic inch V8, and an automatic—$20,000

Tuesday, January 10th:

  • 1984 light blue metallic/medium blue metallic two-tone Chevrolet Corvette coupe with a blue leather interior, a 205 bhp L82 5.7 liter/350 cubic inch V8 with throttle body fuel injection, and an automatic—$3,500
  • 1984 white Chevrolet C30 Scottsdale hauler with a blue vinyl interior and a four-speed—$17,500
  • 1987 silver Chevrolet El Camino SS pickup truck with a burgundy cloth interior, a 5.0 liter/305 cubic inch V8, and an automatic—$6,000
  • 1986 white Tiffany coupe with a beige leather interior, a 5.0 liter V8, and an automatic—$18,000 for this Mercury Cougar-based “neo-classic.”
  • 1981 yellow Chevrolet C10 custom pickup truck with a blue cloth interior, a 300 bhp 5.7 liter/350 cubic inch V8, and an automatic—$18,000
  • 1985 black Chevrolet Camaro Z28 coupe with a gray cloth interior, a V8, an automatic, and 25,000 miles—$11,500
  • 1986 red Tiffany coupe with a red leather interior, a 5.0 liter fuel injected V8, and an automatic—$18,500
  • 1982 blue Jeep CJ-7 SUV with a gray cloth interior, a 258 cubic inch six, and an automatic—$5,500
  • 1988 pearl white Cadillac Allante convertible with a red leather interior, a 170 bhp 4.0 liter/250 cubic inch fuel injected V8, an automatic, and 50,000 miles—$9,500
  • 1983 black Jeep CJ-7 SUV with a tan interior and a 258 cubic inch six—$7,250
  • 1983 black Ford Mustang GT coupe with a gray cloth interior, a 175 bhp 5.0 liter/302 cubic inch V8 with Holley four-barrel carburetor, a five-speed, and 10,000 miles—$15,000
  • 1983 black/silver two-tone Oldsmobile Cutlass Calais Hurst/Olds 15th Anniversary coupe with a burgundy cloth interior, a 180 bhp 307 cubic inch V8 with Rochester four-barrel carburetor, an automatic attached to that famous lightning rod shifter, and 11,000 miles—$25,000

    1985 Oldsmobile Cutlass Calais, courtesy of Mecum Auctions.
  • 1984 white Pontiac Fiero coupe with a gray cloth interior, a 92 bhp Iron Duke 2.5 liter/151 cubic inch fuel injected inline four, an automatic, and 70,000 miles—an ouch! at $1,250.
  • 1986 copperhead pearl/white two-tone Chevrolet K20 custom pickup truck with a copper/white interior, a 408 cubic inch fuel injected V8, and an automatic—$20,000
  • 1984 gray/black Chevrolet Blazer Silverado custom SUV with a gray cloth interior, a 350 cubic inch carbureted V8, and an automatic—$12,500
  • 1988 white Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z convertible with a fuel injected V8—$5,500
  • 1987 black Buick Grand National coupe with a black/gray cloth interior, a 245 bhp LC2 3.8 liter/231 cubic inch turbocharged and fuel injected V6, an automatic, and 67,000 miles—$20,000

Wednesday, January 11th:

  • 1985 black BMW 635CSi coupe with a red leather interior, a 182 bhp 3.4 liter (yes—not 3.5 liter)/209 cubic inch fuel injected inline six with Bosch fuel injection, an automatic, and 98,000 miles—$12,500
  • 1987 red Mercedes-Benz 560SL convertible with a black top, a tan leather interior, a 227 bhp 5.5 liter/339 cubic inch fuel injected V8, and an automatic—$27,500
  • 1985 red Chevrolet C10 custom pickup truck with a gray interior and a 5.0 liter V8 engine—$16,000
  • 1988 burgundy Cutlass Supreme Classic coupe with a burgundy cloth interior, a 140 bhp 5.0 liter/307 cubic inch V8 with four-barrel carburetor, an automatic, and 16,000 miles—$22,000 has to be near to a world record for a non-Hurst eighties Cutlass.
  • 1986 black Chevrolet C10 custom pickup truck with a black cloth interior, a 5.7 liter/350 cubic inch V8 engine, and an automatic—$16,000
  • 1982 white with wood Jeep Scrambler custom SUV with a tan interior, a 4.2 liter inline 6, and a five-speed—$30,000
  • 1987 black Porsche 928S4 coupe with a gray leather interior and a 5.0 liter/302 cubic inch V8 with Bosch fuel injection—$15,500
  • 1986 white Rolls-Royce Corniche convertible with a tan leather interior, a 6.75 liter/412 cubic inch fuel injected V8, and an automatic—$52,500
  • 1986 red Jaguar XJ-S coupe with a tan leather interior, a Chevrolet 454 cubic inch V8, and an automatic—$7,000 for this “lump” (yes, that’s what Jags with American engines are called)
  • 1988 white Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z convertible with a black top, a gray cloth interior, an 195 bhp L98 5.0 liter/305 cubic inch fuel injected V8, an automatic, and 1,400 miles—$27,500
  • 1987 guards red Porsche 944 coupe with black leather interior, a 158 bhp 2.5 liter/151 cubic inch inline four with Bosch fuel injection, a five-speed, and 27,000 miles—$18,500
  • 1984 bronze/brown two-tone Chevrolet El Camin0 custom pickup truck with a brown cloth interior, a 400 bhp 355 cubic inch V8, and an automatic—$14,000
  • 1982 silver beige Chevrolet Corvette Collector Edition coupe with a silver beige leather interior, a 200 bhp L82 5.7 liter/350 cubic inch V8 with throttle-body fuel injection, and an automatic—$13,000
  • 1984 silver Jeep Scrambler mild custom pickup truck with a black vinyl interior—$23,000
  • 1982 black Jeep Scrambler mild custom pickup truck with a 258 cubic inch inline six and a four-speed—$19,000
  • 1980 red Jeep CJ-7 custom SUV with a red interior, a 304 cubic inch V8, and a four-speed—$22,000
  • 1988 red Alpha Romeo Graduate Edition spyder with a black top, a tan interior, a four cylinder engine, a five-speed, and 71,000 miles—$13,000
  • 1989 blue Mercedes-Benz 420SEL sedan with a beige interior, a 4.2 liter V8, and an automatic—$3,000

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Eighties Vehicles at the 2017 Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale

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.

1985 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am Kammback concept, linked from Barrett-Jackson’s web site.

  • 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?

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1986 Acura Legend Touring Sedan

“No other automobile line has accomplished so much, so soon.”

The 1986 Acura Legend Touring Sedan was the top-of-the-line vehicle available from the then brand-new Acura brand and the first Honda product made with a six-cylinder engine.

I have always said that Honda is an engine company, and the Legend’s C25A 151 bhp 2.5 liter/152 ci fuel-injected 24-valve SOHC V6 was an interesting one, with a 90-degree V-angle to the crankshaft. Mileage with the standard five-speed manual transmission was decent—20 city/25 highway by the day’s standards (18/23 by 2025 measures). An 18-gallon gas tank gave the Legend a 330 to 365 mile range with a 10% fuel reserve. With that same five-speed manual, 0-60 mph came in a little under nine seconds in the 3,078-pound car.

Photo of 1986 Acura Legend
1986 Acura Legend Touring Sedan

The Acura Legend Touring Sedan’s base price was $19,898—about $59,300 in 2025 dollars, which is almost exactly what a 2025 Acura TLX Type S costs. Standard exterior and mechanical equipment included halogen headlamps, tinted glass, a power tilt/slide sunroof, power steering, power-assisted four-wheel disc brakes, and Michelin MXV 205/60R15 radial tires (a size still readily available) on 15-inch light alloy wheels. Inside, reclining front bucket seats, a power driver’s seat, air conditioning, power folding mirrors, remote locking/keyless entry, an information system that could monitor maintenance intervals, fluid levels, and fuel economy, and a driver’s side air bag were also included. Audio was provided with an AM/FM multiplex, electronically tuned cassette radio with a 7-band programmable graphic equalizer, four speakers, dual-diversity antennas, and remote controls. The Legend was well-equipped—the only factory option available was a four-speed automatic transmission.

The View From 2025

I don’t see a lot of Legends come up for sale in either the Hemmings Motor News classifieds or on eBay Motors, but you do see a reasonable amount on Bring a Trailer. First-generation Legends have a small but avid following (with decent online support), and I find that they stand out when I see them.

Make mine Blade Silver Metallic, please.

I have also written about the related 1987 Sterling 825 sedan.

Last updated September 2025.

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1982 Cadillac Eldorado Touring Coupe

“Created for the person who loves to drive.”

Though Cadillac’s eighth-generation Eldorado had been in production since the 1979 model year, 1982 was the first year for the Touring Coupe edition of the Eldorado. The Touring Coupe marked the first even remotely sporting Eldorado in many years.

Newly standard for the 1982 Eldorado and available on all Cadillacs except the Cimarron was the HT-4100 4.1 liter/249 ci V8 with throttle-body fuel injection. Unfortunately, horsepower for this all-new engine was an unimpressive 125 bhp—somewhat of an issue when considering the Eldorado’s platform mates. Buick’s Riviera T TYPE had a 170 bhp turbocharged V6, and Oldsmobile’s Toronado was available with a 150 bhp V8. Car and Driver clocked a 0-60 time of 15.2 seconds in the approximately 3,800-pound Eldorado, while the Riviera T TYPE was about five seconds faster.

Fuel mileage with the new engine was 17 city/27 highway by the day’s standards. With a 20.4-gallon gas tank, an Eldorado owner could expect a range of 330 to 360 miles with a 10% fuel reserve.

1982 Cadillac Eldorado brochure page
Touring Coupe page from the 1982 Cadillac Eldorado brochure

Standard exterior and mechanical equipment in the $20,666 Eldorado Touring Coupe (about $71,900 in 2025 dollars) included the Touring Suspension and P225/70R15 blackwall tires (a size still readily available) on 15-inch aluminum alloy wheels. Inside, reclining bucket seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a front seat console were all part of the Touring Coupe experience.

Standard exterior and mechanical equipment on any 1982 Eldorado included front-wheel drive, a four-wheel independent suspension, a four-speed automatic transmission, power steering, tungsten halogen highbeam headlamps, and four-wheel power disc brakes. Inside, Twilight Sentinel, power door locks, power windows, side window defoggers, remote trunk release, electronic climate control with an outside temperature display, a six-way power seat for the driver, and an electronically tuned AM/FM stereo radio with power antenna were all included.

Options, Period Reviews, & Production Numbers

Options included Astroroof ($1,195), electronic cruise control ($175), tilt/telescope steering wheel ($169), and Symphonic Sound System ($290).

The Eldorado Touring Coupe got reasonably even-handed (perhaps a little surprised) reviews from the “buff books,” but didn’t sell very well. First-year sales of 1,700 units (about 3% of overall Eldorado production) declined every year until eighth-generation production ended with the 1985 model year.

The View From 2025

Eighth-generation Eldorados definitely have a following. According to Hagerty’s valuation tools, a 1982 Eldorado in #1/Concours condition is $31,400, with a more normal #3/Good condition car going for $7,800. Eldorado Touring Coupes sometimes show up for sale in the Hemmings Motor News classifieds, on eBay Motors, on Bring a Trailer, and at auction.

There was only one color available for the 1982 Eldorado Touring Coupe (later years had more choices), so make mine Sterling Silver.

Other Eldorados I have written about include the 1984 Biarritz convertible, the 1986 coupe, and the 1988 coupe.

Last updated October 2025.

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