Normally, we peruse Mecum auctions to see what might be attainable. For their Indy auction, we had a hard time doing that…mostly because all of the lots are desirable enough and popular enough that getting any kind of deal looked to be next to impossible. Seriously…there are several “Herbie” Volkswagens from the latest movie on the block, along with several NASCAR race cars and a private collection of big-body Mustangs, and that’s not even scratching the surface of what is available. We managed to whittle down a list to eleven selections, plus a three-car wildcard. Love ’em? Hate ’em? Let us know in the comments!

11. 2008 Dodge Magnum SRT-8

 

So you missed the boat on Mopar’s hot-rod wagon when they were new. Shame, really…the Magnum was a great idea in theory, but sport-utility vehicles have become so entrenched in American society that the Magnum was doomed from the start. But that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a 40,000 mile old one, complete with the face lifted nosecone, 6.1 Hemi, and eye-searing Tor-Red paint. Take it from us…it’s worth every cent.

10. 1976 Chrysler Cordoba

One owner, 1,900 miles. This Cordoba hasn’t even had a chance to rust yet, let alone see interior discoloration or cracking Corinthian Leather. It’s difficult to determine the engine underneath that gigantic hood, but being a 1976 you stand a great chance of it being the 400 cubic inch big block, and if not, then you are most likely looking at a 360 small block. Some might cry heresy to molest a car that has yet to live. We, however, see the perfect starting point for a high-end build here.

9. 1978 Oldsmobile Delta 88 

I’m sure I’ll catch hell for saying this, but I’ve thought that the 1977-85 Oldsmobile 88 coupes, especially in colors that weren’t some sad, malaise shade of brown, looked like the spiritual successors to the 1970s Cutlasses, more so than the G-body cars did. Give them the right wheels and they suddenly start to look tough. This Olds might be the bargain of the entire auction, and we’d rock it as-is, day two look and all. Ok, maybe some work on that 403 block wouldn’t hurt.

8. 1940 LaSalle

Forget cars you rarely see, how about cars you almost never see? LaSalle split the difference between Buick and Cadillac between 1927 and 1940, when the marque was dropped. This hot-rodded version is one of the more stunning hot rods I’ve ever seen, good enough that I’ll ignore the 350/350 combination completely. Absolutely beautiful.

7. 1961 Plymouth Suburban

“Beautiful” might not be the first thing that comes to mind when looking at the 1960 Plymouth lineup. “Interesting”, “daring”, “brave”…those are the more appropriate words. But this particular Suburban wagon has a party piece under the hood that makes all questionable styling suddenly disappear: the SonoRamic Commando package, better known as the Chrysler 413 with short cross-ram intake. Good for 375 horsepower and 525 ft/lbs of torque, the 413 could turn a Mopar barge into something to be sincerely feared. This particular Plymouth wagon also sports an overdrive four-speed through the floor. Two door sport station wagon?

6. 1980 Toyota Celica Sunchaser by Griffith

Convertibles in 1980 did not exist in factory form. Due to a fear of legislation that never happened, manufacturers had abandoned the soft-top route for cars by the mid-1970s. But by the early 1980s, signs were beginning to appear that promised the return of the drop-top. This 1980 Celica was one of 500 cars converted by Griffith into “Sunrunner” spec. The rollover hoop works like a targa roof for the front passengers, while the back drops down like a regular ragtop. Powered by Toyota’s 20R 2.2L four-cylinder and hooked up to a five speed, this is one neat little convertible that would make for a neat little runabout.

5. 1963 Dodge Max Wedge 

This was Chrysler Corporation’s pre-Hemi bomb for the competition. Dressed up as a plain-Jane Dodge, underneath the well-hidden aluminum panels, stark interior, and basic appearances was the 426 Wedge Stage II, the Race Hemi’s precursor. Flipping one middle finger to the AMA ban on factory-supported racing and the other to Ford and GM, who had defied the ban long ago, the Max Wedge cars were the opening salvo of Chrysler’s ambition to destroy all opponents in NHRA and NASCAR. And they looked this plain…no wonder the Little Old Lady From Pasadena used one to whip up on the competition!

4. 1971 Ford Mustang 429 Cobra Jet

No, it’s not a Mach 1, or a Boss 351. It’s a plain-jane 1971 Mustang, complete with the dog-dish caps, light blue paint, half-skinned roof, and Ford’s drag pack special underneath the hood. Let the kids and boy racers go for the pretty, flashy cars…this Mustang was meant for someone who intended to spend his nights screwing with the heads of just about anyone stupid enough to race him. It’s unrestored and absolutely gorgeous.

3. 1962 Dodge D-200 Club Cab

 

Known as “Whiskey Bent”, this D-200 is the ideal road-cruising truck. The 360ci small-block will get you there, and the outside is gorgeous, but it’s the interior that sells this truck. Seriously, go Google “Whiskey Bent Dodge” and see what we mean: Dodge Intrepid front seats with a late-model Ram console, matching rear seats, all in beautiful leather. This is Power Tour territory right here, and you will love each and every mile of the trip!

2. 1971 Plymouth GTX 440-6

Dilemma: you want power and performance, and you are a Mopar fanatic, but the idea of parking a car with a cartoon character on the fender next to your boss’s Imperial churns your stomach. Answer: Plymouth GTX. The Road Runner in a business suit, the GTX could be optioned as mild or as wild as your heart desired. In this case, the look was mild, the power plant was wild, and the car got every possible option checked off on the list. How many options? How about two broadcast sheets worth?

1. 1970 Oldsmobile 442

Another “Wild ride, mild look” setup, this 442 was sold to a former Los Angeles police chief, who optioned it out strangely: it got the 360 horse 455 engine, a column-shifted automatic with bucket seats, air conditioning and no gingerbread additions…not a stripe or spoiler here. The only options were an AM radio with an 8-track player, power windows, power door locks, power driver’s seat, and power brakes.

Bonus: Money No Object Selection!

Go ahead. Pick one. We will wait.