If the numbers that Barrett-Jackson themselves are putting out on social media are true, then 2019 might as well be the year that 1970s and 1980s cars and trucks finally get their chance to shine in the sun without a gigantic asterisk next to the price tag. Everybody has been talking about the 1974 Ford Pinto that crossed the block to the tune of $18,150, but there are a couple of other selections from the Malaise era that crept in for some eye-watering prices, along with others that sold for about what you’d expect. I’m not gloating one bit…this was bound to happen. Beautiful examples of vehicles that are either special from the factory, rare by production, rare by attrition or even a vehicle likely to evoke an emotional reaction from someone with a nostalgic eye all contribute to the sound of money being thrown like cheap popcorn. So what else besides the Pinto sold well?
1979 Jeep Cherokee Chief (FSJ) -$19,000
Full-size Jeeps have strong pull in the old off-roader market. Maybe not as much as their upmarket Grand Wagoneer four-door variant or the classic Kaiser product lines, but while Jeep was AMC’s baby, they did pretty good by most Jeep fans. There is no comparing any full-size Jeep to anything modern, nothing comes close. These were brute utility first, creature comfort second, and rustproofing dead last.
1987 Buick Grand National -$66,000
A Grand National bring home the dough? GASP. Buicks in black always do well because the legend of the turbo V6 is cemented. In one of the few genuine power stories from the 1980s worth telling, Buick got a wild hair and decided that the 3.8L V6 needed to be force-fed. The result was a Regal that, with minor tuning, would take a 5.0 Mustang and make it beg for mercy. So what’s so special about this particular car? 29 miles on the clock. This car hasn’t been driven, for the love of all that is holy. This wasn’t a car purchase, this was a museum piece with taillights.
1993 Ford Mustang Cobra R – $132,000
If this isn’t the world’s most expensive Fox body, I don’t know what is. Before you let rage consume you, understand: only 107 Cobra Rs were built for 1993, and they were supposed to be for racers and hardcore enthusiasts. Instead, many got snapped up, sealed up in a bubble, and kept perfectly preserved. Did that gamble pay off? For the seller of this car, it seems to have worked out.
There’s still a couple of days left…will any more surprises be hammered off of the block?
Oh boy! craigslist should be flooded with \”Barrett-Jackson Syndrome\” any day now, turning once affordable and potential hot rods into someones retirement account…..and yes , its still just a fox body!!
I think I will shine up my ’73 Vega and see what she will do! Could be the convertible hemi Cuda of the 2020’s.
Bryan, did you see the 1992 1LE IROC Camaro that had 1300 miles on it? I think the price was north of $60,000
Goes to show that, B/J selling alky is brilliant.
only a drunk would buy a fox body mustang for that type of coin.
Problem is. This late 70’s to 90’s price creep is going to be the nail in the hobby. Gone will be anything affordable. As now the guy with a 92 5.o gt with 60k on it, thinks it is worth 40k+
The good part is that as the later cars get the collectors eyes. the vendors will start repopping parts for them.
The Jeep was worth every penny. I think it was a bargain to get one in that shape. Cost double to make a junk one that nice.