Mecum’s August auction in Harrisburg provided some 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 no reserve auctions—a diamond blue 1988 Mercedes-Benz 560SL convertible with both tops, blue leather seats, and 17,000 miles was a no sale bid up to $42,000) and add some of my opinions. Eighties vehicles were about 9% of the 474 vehicle lots sold in this auction.

Thursday, August 3rd:

• 1988 white Pontiac Fiero Formula coupe with gray cloth seats, a L44 135 bhp 2.8 liter/173 cubic inch V6 with fuel injection, an automatic, and 17,000 miles—$8,500 hammer price.
• 1984 doeskin tan/frost white two-tone Chevrolet C10 Scottsdale pickup truck with a maroon bench seat, a 130 bhp 4.1 liter/250 cubic inch inline six  with 2-barrel carburetor, an automatic, and 67,000 miles—$11,500
• 1981 brazil brown metallic Volkswagen Rabbit convertible with a white top, gazelle leatherette seats, a 74 bhp 1.7 liter/105 cubic inch inline four with fuel injection, an automatic, and 82,000 miles—$2,500

• 1981 red Pontiac Grand Prix very custom coupe with red interior, a 6.6 liter/400 cubic inch V8 with two Holley 4-barrel carburetors, and an automatic—$6,500
• 1989 dark red metallic Chevrolet Corvette convertible with black leather seats, an L98 245 bhp 5.7 liter/350 cubic inch V8 with fuel injection, an automatic, and 92,000 miles—$9,000
• 1987 gray Nissan 300ZX coupe with gray cloth seats, a VGE30 3.0 liter/181 cubic inch V6 with fuel injection, a five-speed manual, and 49,000 miles—$5,000
• 1988 gray Chrysler Fifth Avenue sedan with burgundy velour seats, a 140 bhp 5.2 liter/318 cubic inch V8 with 2-barrel carburetor, and an automatic—$3,000 for this one-owner car that continues Mecum Harrisburg’s trend of cars not often seen at auction.
• 1985 cabernet red metallic Mercedes-Benz 380SL convertible with the optional hard top, tan seats, a 155 bhp 3.8 liter/234 cubic inch V8 with Bosch Jetronic fuel injection, and an automatic—$8,500
• 1986 blue Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme 4-4-2 coupe with blue cloth seats, a 180 bhp 5.0 liter/307 cubic inch V8 with Rochester four-barrel carburetor, an automatic, and 27,000 miles—$10,000. Suddenly, the eighties 4-4-2’s are showing up at auction.
• 1983 red Fiat Spider 2000 convertible with a black top, a black interior, an 102 bhp 2.0 liter/122 cubic inch inline four with Bosch L-Jetronic fuel injection, a five-speed manual, and 13,000 miles—$14,500
• 1989 red Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z coupe with gray cloth seats, a 230 bhp 5.7 liter/350 cubic inch V8 with fuel injection, a five-speed manual, and 68,000 miles—$7,000
• 1987 black GMC Sierra pickup truck with a maroon interior, a 5.7 liter/350 cubic inch V8, and an automatic—$16,500
• 1989 carmine red Cadillac Eldorado coupe with a white leather interior, a 155 bhp 4.5 liter/273 cubic inch V8 engine with fuel injection, an automatic, and 12,000 miles—$13,000
• 1982 red Lancia Beta Spider Zagato targa coupe with a black interior, a 108 bhp 2.0 liter/122 cubic inch inline four with Bosch L-Jetronic fuel injection, and a five-speed manual—$5,000
• 1988 white Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z coupe with gray cloth seats, a 230 bhp 5.7 liter/350 cubic inch V8 with fuel injection, an automatic, and 68,000 miles—$9,000
• 1986 red/silver two-tone Chevrolet K10 pickup truck with a red/black bench seat, a 5.7 liter/350 cubic inch V8, and an automatic—$13,000
• 1981 copper Datsun 280ZX with a saddle interior, a 145 bhp 2.8 liter/168 cubic inch inline six with Bosch L-Jetronic fuel injection, a five-speed manual, and 27,000 miles—$10,500
• 1980 black and gold Pontiac Firebird Trans Am custom coupe with a tan interior, a 6.6 liter/400 cubic inch V8 with carburetor (that’s why it’s custom), and an automatic—$22,000
• 1989 flame red Pontiac Firebird Trans Am GTA coupe with camel cloth seats, a B2L 235 bhp 5.7 liter/350 cubic inch V8 with fuel injection, an automatic, and 27,000 miles—$10,000
• 1981 yellow Chevrolet Camaro Z28 coupe with black vinyl seats, an LM1 175 bhp 5.7 liter/350 cubic inch V8 with Rochester 4-barrel carburetor, and a four-speed manual—$9,500
• 1980 silver metallic Chevrolet Corvette custom coupe with black leather seats, a 5.7 liter/350 cubic inch V8 with Rochester Quadrajet 4-barrel carburetor, a four-speed manual, and 53,000 miles—$9,500
• 1981 white Jeep CJ-5 Golden Eagle custom SUV with a black interior, a 5.9 liter/360 cubic inch V8, and a three-speed manual—$9,000
• 1987 moorland green Jaguar XJ6 Series III sedan with biscuit leather seats, a 176 bhp 4.2 liter/256 cubic inch inline six with Lucas-Bosch L-Jetronic fuel injection, and an automatic—an ouch! at $2,500.
• 1982 pale yellow Rolls-Royce Corniche I convertible with saddle top, saddle leather seats, a 6.75 liter/412 cubic inch V8 with Bosch Jetronic fuel injection, and an automatic—$31,500 is a little under #3/Good money, according to Hagerty’s valuation tools.

Friday, August 4th:

• 1980 blue Jeep CJ-5 custom SUV with a black interior, a 119 bhp 5.0 liter/304 cubic inch V8 with Motorcraft 2-barrel carburetor, a four-speed manual—$19,000
• 1981 red 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 48,000 miles—$14,500 for one of the last of the St. Louis-built cars.
• 1987 black Chevrolet pickup truck with a red interior, a 170 bhp 5.0 liter/305 cubic inch V8, and an automatic—$18,500
• 1981 black Chevrolet Corvette coupe with camel leather seats, an L81 190 bhp 5.7 liter/350 cubic inch V8 with Rochester Quadrajet 4-barrel carburetor, an automatic, and 62,000 miles—$12,500
• 1988 red Alpha Romeo Spider Graduate Edition convertible with a black top, a tan interior, a 115 bhp 2.0 liter/120 cubic inch inline four with Bosch L-Jetronic fuel injection, a five-speed manual, and 71,000 miles—$7,000
• 1982 silver beige Chevrolet Corvette Collector Edition coupe with silver beige leather seats, an L83 Cross-Fire 200 bhp 5.7 liter/350 cubic inch V8 with throttle body fuel injection, an automatic, and 7,300 miles—at $24,500 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 red Porsche 911 SC Cabriolet custom convertible with a “slant-nose” wide-body conversion, a black top, a brown interior, and a 180 bhp 3.0 liter/183 cubic inch flat six with fuel injection—$31,000
• 1980 black Dodge Adventurer Midnite Express Truck custom (because they didn’t build any factory Midnite Express Trucks in 1980) pickup truck with black seats, a 5.9 liter/360 cubic inch V8 with carburetor, and an automatic—$15,500
• 1981 red Chevrolet Camaro Z28 coupe with a black interior, an LM1 175 bhp 5.7 liter/350 cubic inch V8 with Rochester 4-barrel carburetor, an automatic, and 49,ooo miles—$17,500
• 1986 white Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet custom convertible with a “slant-nose” wide-body conversion, a black top, a black interior, a 207 bhp 3.2 liter/193 cubic inch flat six with fuel injection, and a five-speed manual—$25,000 for another non-factory conversion.
• 1987 silver/black two-tone Rolls-Royce Silver Spur limousine, with a black interior, a 6.75 liter/412 cubic inch V8 with Bosch Jetronic fuel injection, and an automatic—$33,000
• 1989 orange Chevrolet Blazer very custom SUV with gray seats, a 6.3 liter/383 cubic inch V8, and an automatic—$10,500

Saturday, August 5th:

• 1988 pearlescent white Lotus Esprit Turbo Special Edition coupe with baby blue leather seats, a 215 bhp 2.0 liter inline four with Garrett T3 turbocharger and Bosch KE-Jetronic fuel injection, a five-speed manual, and 15,000 miles—$15,500

• 1983 gray Jeep CJ-7 custom SUV with a black interior, a 6.3 liter/383 cubic inch V8, and an automatic—$25,000
• 1989 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—$40,000
• 1985 red Lamborghini Jalpa coupe with a tan interior, a 250 bhp 3.5 liter/213 cubic inch V8 with Weber 4-barrel carburetor, a five-speed manual, and 16,000 miles—$62,000. Jalpas are suddenly more present at auctions—this is the second one I’ve seen in 2017.
• 1985 dark sage green Ford Mustang SVO fastback coupe with gray cloth seats, a Lima 200 bhp 2.3 liter/140 cubic inch inline four with Garrett turbocharger, intercooler, and fuel injection, and a five-speed manual—$13,500 for one of the sixty SVOs originally sold to Hertz.
• 1986 jalapena cabernet Ford Mustang SVO fastback coupe with gray leather seats, a Lima 200 bhp 2.3 liter/140 cubic inch inline four with Garrett turbocharger, intercooler, and fuel injection, a five-speed manual, and 23,000 miles—$13,000
• 1988 oxford white/titanium two-tone Ford Mustang GT fastback coupe with red cloth seats, a Windsor 225 bhp 4.9 liter/302 cubic inch V8 with fuel injection, an automatic, and 50,000 miles—$10,000
• 1981 stainless steel DeLorean DMC-12 coupe with a gray interior, a ZMJ-159 130 bhp 2.8 liter/174 cubic inch V6 with Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection, an automatic, and 13,000 miles—$38,000
• 1980 orange Toyota FJ-40 Land Cruiser SUV with a black interior, a 135 bhp engine, a five-speed manual transmission, and 42,000 miles—$25,000

What do you think of these results?

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Mecum’s July auction in Denver provided some 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 no reserve auctions—a red 1985 Porsche 911 coupe with a black interior and 39,000 miles was a no sale bid up to $80,000) and add some of my opinions. Eighties vehicles were about 7% of the 318 vehicle lots sold in this auction.

Thursday, July 20th:

• 1984 blue Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS coupe with seat covers on the original seats, a B4V 180 bhp 5.0 liter/305 cubic inch “H.O.” V8 with Rochester Quadrajet 4-barrel carburetor, and an automatic—$3,500 hammer price.
• 1986 red Alpha Romeo Graduate Edition spyder with a black top, a black interior, a 115 bhp 2.0 liter/120 cubic inch inline four with Bosch L-Jetronic fuel injection, a five-speed manual, and 50,000 miles—$6,000
• 1985 black Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z coupe with custom black/gray custom cloth seats (the ones with “CAMARO” repeated over and over), an LB9 190 bhp 5.0 liter/305 cubic inch V8 with fuel injection, an automatic, and 80,000 miles—$5,500
• 1986 red Chevrolet Corvette coupe with red leather seats, an L98 5.7 liter/350 cubic inch V8 with fuel injection, a 4+3 transmission, and 17,000 miles—$8,500
• 1983 blue Jeep Cherokee SUV with tan cloth seats, a 140 bhp 5.9 liter/360 cubic inch V8 with a Motorcraft 2-barrel carburetor, and an automatic—$8,000
• 1987 red Jaguar XJS coupe with tan leather seats, a 262 bhp 5.3 liter/326 cubic inch HE V12 with fuel injection, an automatic, and 71,000 miles—$8,750
• 1980 silver metallic Chevrolet Corvette coupe with oyster interior, an L82 230 bhp 5.7 liter/350 cubic inch V8 with Rochester Quadrajet 4-barrel carburetor, an automatic, and 62,000 miles—$11,500
• 1980 blue Chevrolet Camaro Z28 coupe with a blue interior, an LM1 190 bhp 5.7 liter/350 cubic inch V8 with Rochester 4-barrel carburetor, an automatic—at $15,500 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.

Friday, July 21st:

• 1987 bright blue Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z coupe with gray cloth seats, an LB9 215 bhp 5.0 liter/305 cubic inch V8 with fuel injection, a five-speed manual, and 2,500 miles—$18,000
• 1983 white Porsche 944 coupe with black seats, a 150 bhp 2.5 liter/151 cubic inch inline four with fuel injection, and a five-speed manual—$4,000
• 1987 dark gray metallic/titanium two-tone Ford Mustang GT hatchback with smoke cloth seats, a Windsor 225 bhp 4.9 liter/302 cubic inch V8 with fuel injection, a five-speed manual, and 33,000 miles—$14,000 for this good-looking Fox body.

  

• 1988 black Porsche 944 coupe with red/black seats, a 160 bhp 2.5 liter/151 cubic inch inline four with fuel injection, a five-speed manual, and 76,000 miles—$5,000. What’s with all the 944’s suddenly showing up at auction?
• 1980 yellow MG MGB convertible with a black interior, a black top, a 63 bhp 1.8 liter carburetted inline four, a four-speed manual, and 30,000 miles—$4,500
• 1982 silver beige Chevrolet Corvette Collector Edition coupe with silver beige leather seats, an L83 Cross-Fire 200 bhp 5.7 liter/350 cubic inch V8 with throttle body fuel injection, and an automatic—$26,000 is slightly over #2 money according to Hagerty’s valuation tools.
• 1981 black and gold Pontiac Firebird Trans Am Special Edition coupe with camel tan cloth seats, a 200 bhp 4.9 liter/301 cubic inch turbo V8 with 4-barrel carburetor, and an automatic—$18,500
• 1989 silver Mercedes-Benz 560SL convertible with a black convertible top, a silver hard top, a burgundy interior, a 227 bhp 5.5 liter/338 cubic inch V8 with Bosch KE-Jetronic fuel injection, an automatic, and 116,ooo miles—$22,000
• 1984 black Jeep CJ-7 Renegade SUV with black seats, a 115 bhp 4.2 liter/258 cubic inch inline six with Carter 2-barrel carburetor, an automatic, and 28,000 miles—$22,000
• 1988 camouflage AM General Hummer H1 pickup truck with a green interior, a 6.2 liter diesel V8, an automatic, and 34,000 miles—$9,250

Saturday, July 22nd:

• 1981 white Chevrolet Corvette coupe with dark blue leather seats, an L81 190 bhp 5.7 liter/350 cubic inch V8 with Rochester Quadrajet 4-barrel carburetor, an automatic, and 5,400 miles—$24,000
• 1982 gold/brown two-tone Jeep Cherokee Laredo custom SUV with tan/brown cloth seats, a 401 cubic inch V8, and an automatic—$30,000
• 1984 red/white two-tone Chevrolet pickup truck with a red bench seat, a 5.0 liter/305 cubic inch V8, and 4,800 miles—$19,750

What do you think of these results?

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Barrett-Jackson’s second Northeast auction at the Mohegun Sun casino in Connecticut in late June included a reasonable amount of vehicles from the 1980s— about 7% of the lots offered. I’ll concentrate on the at least fairly stock 1980s cars (and a few trucks) that sold and add some of my opinions—I’ll leave the motorcycles, tractors, and automobilia to others. Where I have covered the specific year and model of a car in this blog, I link to it.

Thursday, June 22nd:

• 1980 orange BMW 635 CSi coupe with tan leather seats, a 235 bhp 3.5 liter/211 cubic inch inline six with Bosch Motronic fuel injection, and a five-speed manual—$8,000 hammer price for this European spec car.
• 1982 brown/gold two-tone Datsun 280ZX GL coupe with a beige interior, a 145 bhp L28E 2.8 liter/164 cubic inch inline six with Bosch L-Jetronic fuel injection, and a five-speed manual—$7,500
• 1989 blue Jaguar XJS convertible with barley leather seats, a 262 bhp 5.3 liter/326 cubic inch HE V12 with fuel injection, and an automatic—$10,000
• 1983 maroon Mercedes-Benz 240D sedan with a tan interior, a 67 bhp 2.4 liter/147 cubic inch diesel inline four with fuel injection, an automatic, and 129,000 miles—$6,500
• 1987 black GMC Caballero pickup truck with burgundy cloth seats, a 5.0 liter/305 cubic inch V8, and an automatic—$7,500
• 1987 light blue metallic Chevrolet El Camino pickup truck with gray cloth seats, a 5.0 liter/305 cubic inch V8, and an automatic—$7,500
• 1984 black Mercedes-Benz 500SEL custom sedan with gray interior, a 184 bhp 5.0 liter/304 cubic inch V8 with Bosch Jetronic fuel injection, and an automatic—$6,000
• 1985 white Chevrolet Corvette coupe with red leather seats, a 230 bhp L98 5.7 liter/350 cubic inch V8 with fuel injection, and the Doug Nash 4+3 transmission—$9,500
• 1987 gold Pontiac Fiero GT coupe with a tan interior, a 135 bhp 2.8 liter/173 bhp V6 with fuel injection, an automatic, and 400 miles—$9,000
• 1982 silver Mercedes-Benz 380SL convertible with blue leather seats, a 155 bhp 3.8 liter/234 cubic inch V8 with Bosch Jetronic fuel injection, and an automatic—$11,500
• 1982 red Chrysler New Yorker Fifth Avenue Edition sedan with red leather seats, a 5.2 liter/318 cubic inch V8 with carburetor, an automatic, and 63,000 miles—an ouch! at $4,000
• 1984 red Jeep CJ-7 mild custom SUV with a black soft top, a black interior, a 112 bhp 4.2 liter/258 cubic inch inline six with Carter 2-barrel carburetor, and a four-speed manual—$20,000
• 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, and an automatic—$15,000
• 1983 red Pontiac Firebird Trans Am custom coupe with tan leather seats, an LS1 5.7 liter/346 cubic inch V8 with fuel injection, and an automatic—$11,500
• 1989 pearl white Tiffany coupe with tan leather seats, a 150 bhp 4.9 liter/302 cubic inch V8 with fuel injection, and an automatic—$15,500 for this Mercury Cougar-based “neo-classic.”
• 1986 cream with woodgrain Jeep Grand Wagoneer SUV with a tan interior, a 144 bhp 5.9 liter/360 cubic inch V8 with Motorcraft 2-barrel carburetor, an automatic, and 89,000 miles—$31,000 makes this the first vehicle in this auction to meet my criteria for serious collectability of 1980s cars or trucks in stock condition: selling for equal to or above its original base list price. I’ll mark these vehicles in bold green.
• 1980 dark blue metallic Chevrolet Corvette coupe with a blue interior, a 5.7 liter/350 cubic inch V8 with Rochester 4-barrel carburetor, an automatic, and 40,000 miles—$33,000 is serious money for a late shark. Hagerty’s valuation tools sees all the money for this configuration as about $25,500.
• 1982 black Oldsmobile Toronado Brougham coupe with a tan interior, a 140 bhp 5.0 liter/307 cubic inch V8 with Rochester 4-barrel carburetor, an automatic, and 12,000 miles—$10,000. I can’t remember the last time I’ve seen an eighties Toronado up for auction.

  

• 1982 wimbledon white/apple red two-tone Ford F-150 XLT Lariet Edition pickup truck with a red interior, a 4.9 liter/302 cubic inch carbureted V8, an automatic, and 56,000 miles—$13,500
• 1987 medium garnet red metallic Pontiac Fiero GT coupe with a gray interior, an L44 135 bhp 2.8 liter/173 cubic inch V6 with fuel injection, and a five-speed manual—$11,500
• 1987 gray Mercedes-Benz 560SL convertible with a dark blue convertible top, a gray hard top, dark blue leather seats, a 227 bhp 5.5 liter/338 cubic inch V8 with Bosch KE-Jetronic fuel injection, and an automatic—$10,000
• 1987 white Mercedes-Benz 560SEL sedan with a tan interior, a 238 bhp 5.5 liter/338 cubic inch V8 with Bosch KE-Jetronic fuel injection, and an automatic—$3,500

Friday, June 23rd:

• 1984 red GMC Sierra C1500 Classic pickup truck with a red/black mild custom interior, a 5.0 liter/305 cubic inch V8, an automatic, and 91,000 miles—$10,000
• 1988 satin beige metallic Jaguar XJ-SC cabriolet (not a full convertible) with brown leather seats, an HE 262 bhp 5.3 liter/326 cubic inch V12 with Lucas-Bosch fuel injection, and an automatic—$6,000
• 1988 flame red Pontiac Fiero GT coupe with a tan interior, an L44 135 bhp 2.8 liter/173 cubic inch V6 with fuel injection, and a five-speed manual—$5,000
• 1985 white Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z coupe with saddle cloth seats, an LB9 215 bhp 5.0 liter/305 cubic inch V8 with fuel injection, an automatic, and 12,900 miles—$16,500
• 1989 silver Porsche 928S4 coupe with a burgundy interior, a 320 bhp 5.0 liter/302 cubic inch V8 with fuel injection, an automatic, and 33,500 miles—$29,000
• 1980 brown Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40 SUV with gray/black seats, a 2F 135 bhp 4.2 liter carburetted inline six, and a four-speed manual—$28,000
• 1980 mustard yellow Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40 SUV with tan seats, a 2F 135 bhp 4.2 liter carburetted inline six, and a four-speed manual—$38,000
• 1981 stainless steel DeLorean DMC-12 coupe with a gray interior, a ZMJ-159 130 bhp 2.8 liter/174 cubic inch V6 with Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection, an automatic, and 38,000 miles—$24,000
• 1988 red Porsche 911 Carrera custom coupe with a black interior, a 217 bhp 3.2 liter/193 cubic inch flat six with fuel injection, a five-speed manual, and 47,000 miles—$35,000
• 1987 tan/white two-tone Chevrolet Suburban SUV with a tan interior, a 5.7 liter/350 cubic inch V8, and an automatic—$12,000 for this vehicle once owned by Ted Williams
• 1987 guards red Porsche 928S4 coupe with a black interior, a 320 bhp 5.0 liter/302 cubic inch V8 with fuel injection, an automatic, and 56,000 miles—$20,000
• 1980 black and gold Pontiac Firebird Trans Am Special Edition coupe with camel tan cloth seats, a 210 bhp 4.9 liter/301 cubic inch turbo V8 with 4-barrel carburetor, an automatic, and 72,000 miles—$22,000
• 1984 glacier blue Jeep CJ-7 custom SUV with a black interior, a Vortec 5.3 liter V8 with fuel injection, and a five-speed manual—$20,000
• 1985 white Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z coupe with red leather seats, an L98 225 bhp 5.7 liter/350 cubic inch V8 with fuel injection, an automatic, and 22,000 miles—$20,000 for this loaded car (originally a $12,819 base price and $7,801 worth of options). Really nice early third-generation F bodies are starting to decently at auction—this one dates from when you could get the L98 or the five-speed, but not both.
• 1981 blue Chevrolet Camaro Z28 very custom coupe with tan interior, a 454 cubic inch V8, and an automatic—$27,000
• 1986 black Buick Regal Grand National very custom pickup truck with black/gray cloth seats, a 235 bhp 3.8 liter/231 cubic inch turbocharged V6 with fuel injection, and an automatic—$12,000 for a business in the front (Buick) and party in the back (El Camino).

  

• 1985 black cherry Pontiac Grand Prix 2+2 prototype coupe with a 305 cubic inch V8 and an automatic—sold on bill of sale only at $23,000
• 1989 black Rolls-Royce Silver Spur sedan with black leather seats, a 6.8 liter/412 cubic inch V8 with Bosch fuel injection, and an automatic—$9,000

Saturday, June 24th:

• 1987 blue Polski FIAT 126P with a black interior, a 0.7 liter two, and a four-speed manual—$5,000
• 1984 chiffon white Porsche 928S coupe with a burgundy and beige interior, a 234 bhp 4.6 liter V8 with Bosch fuel injection, an automatic, and 40,000 miles—$15,000 for this car that sold at the same auction in 2016
• 1983 silver Cadillac Sedan DeVille sedan (natch!) with a gray interior, a indeterminate V8 could be gas or diesel, an automatic, and 20,000 miles—$8,000
• 1987 black Buick Grand National coupe with a black/gray cloth seats, a 235 bhp 3.8 liter/231 cubic inch turbocharged V6 with fuel injection, and an automatic—$17,000
• 1986 guards red Porsche 930 Turbo coupe with champagne leather seats, a 326 bhp 3.3 liter/202 cubic inch flat six with Bosch KE-Jetronic fuel injection, a four-speed manual, and 15,000 miles—$141,000 makes this European spec car by far the highest original eighties vehicle sale of the auction.

I see a lot of Chevrolets, Mercedes-Benz’s, Pontiacs, and Porsches. What do you think of this auction’s results?

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Mecum’s June auction in Portland was spare for eighties vehicles—they were about 3% of the lots that sold in this auction. 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 sky blue 1980 Toyota BJ-41 Land Cruiser SUV with black seats was a no sale bid up to $30,000) and add some of my opinions—I’ll leave the motorcycles, tractors, and automobilia to others. Where I have covered the specific year and model of a car in this blog, I link to it.

Friday, June 16th:

• 1988 camouflage AM General Hummer H1 pickup truck with a green interior, a 6.2 liter diesel V8, and an automatic—$14,000 hammer price.
• 1983 signal red Mercedes-Benz 380SEC coupe with palomino leather seats, a 155 bhp 3.8 liter/234 cubic inch V8 with Bosch Jetronic fuel injection, an automatic, and a non-standard repaint—an ouch! at $4,500
• 1989 black Mercedes-Benz 560SL convertible with a black convertible top, a black hard top, tan leather seats, a 227 bhp 5.5 liter/338 cubic inch V8 with Bosch KE-Jetronic fuel injection, and an automatic—$16,500
• 1980 black and gold Pontiac Firebird Trans Am coupe with black cloth seats, a 150 bhp 4.9 liter/301 cubic inch V8 with 4-barrel carburetor, and an automatic—at $17,000 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.
• 1985 light bronze metallic Chevrolet Corvette coupe with bronze leather seats, a 230 bhp L98 5.7 liter/350 cubic inch V8 with fuel injection, an automatic, and 2,200 miles—$16,500
• 1980 red Porsche 911 SC Targa coupe with black leather seats, a 180 bhp 3.0 liter/183 cubic inch flat six with fuel injection, a five-speed manual, and 48,000 miles—$38,000

  

• 1987 red Alfa Romeo Spider Quadrifoglio convertible with gray leather seats, a 115 bhp 2.0 liter/120 cubic inch inline four with Bosch L-Jetronic fuel injection, a five-speed manual, and 59,000 miles—$6,500

Only Mercedes-Benz had more than one eighties vehicle sold in Portland. What do you think of these results?

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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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