Now that Barrett-Jackson’s Scottsdale auction is over, with any luck prices for cars at auction will drop back into the realm of reality. It’s a hope, anyways…after cruising the Phoenix area Craigslist, reality might be long-gone. Thankfully, Mecum Auction’s next round is in Kansas City, far from the heat-soaked desert collectors and their high ambitions. We pawed through the collection of lots that are scheduled to hit the block March 11-12, and went digging for what we’d go for instead of what would normally be the immediate pick….or does that mean the same thing? It’s an auction…we’d take it all if we had the money! Check out our list and see if you agree with our choices or not:

11. 1969 Pontiac Grand Prix Model J

Gold on the outside, gold on the inside, and loaded to the hilt, this Grand Prix shows why personal luxury coupes quickly became the car to have for the 1970s. This isn’t overstuffed Brougham-like appointments…this is more “Mad Men” luxury. This is the car that accentuates your suit and attitude as you roar away from the office, the 400ci engine moving you along down the road.

10. 1956 Chrysler Town and Country

Ok, it’s a clean 1956 Chrysler that still wears it’s California black plates after all of these years. It’s been well taken care of, but it doesn’t appear to have been restored with the exception of a new interior. So why, then, are we lusting after it? Because Hemi…in this case, the 331ci FirePower. 180 horsepower isn’t that powerful, but if it was good enough for the Air Raid Siren, it’s good enough for us.

9. 1969 Chevrolet Impala Convertible

Spring isn’t far away, and we can’t think of a better car to take out cruising on a warm spring day than a yellow Impala. Recently restored and repainted, complete with a new top, this 396-powered open-roof cruiser would look great winding through a backroad or parked at an Easter service at church. Just don’t let Grandma know what that big-block can really do.

8. 1965 Buick Skylark Gran Sport

If you are a collector or a perfectionist, we have bad news: this GS isn’t a spot-on perfect restoration. Instead of the 400 that the car was supposed to come with, there is a 455ci under the hood. It’s like finding out that Christie Brinkley has a small tattoo on her ankle. Do you really care at that point? Hell no you don’t…not when it looks that good.

7. 2013 Ford Mustang Boss 302 Laguna Seca

The Boss 302 Laguna Seca is a snotty, balls-out muscle car that did it’s namesake proud. It would run the quarter mile in the twelve-second range, grip like a cat being held over a bathtub and would make the kind of noises that scare the elderly and give us lumber. So why is this one being sold with only 141 miles on the clock? The Laguna Seca needs to be let loose. It might be track focused, but we’d daily-drive this monster.

6. 1967 Ford F-100

The white and light blue outside suggests a basic, well-kept truck. The 347ci and 4R70W powertrain suggests a delinquent that’s ready to party. And the lines “new suspension”, “four-wheel disc brakes”, and more suggest that we have a very well thought-out restomod. Among such options as a 454SS and a very nice 1970 402-powered C-10, this Ford was the standout truck of the lot.

5. 1984 Buick Regal T-type WH1

The Grand National might be the more famous turbo terror from Buick, but the Regal T-type packed the same punch without the all-black motif. The WH1 “Designer Package” is one of the more common T-type looks and is best distinguished by the black and silver two-tone paint job and the rear deckled spoiler. It’s a different take on a late-model favorite, and a rather stylish one at that.

4. 1965 Dodge A-100 Truck

On it’s own, this little Dodge truck is a neat deal. It’s clean, the colors are neat, and it’s got just enough custom touches to be cool. But do you see that badge behind the door? Yep…someone managed to stuff a 426 Hemi and 727 TorqueFlite into an A-100. This is the parts hauler that we dream of around here. We bet the noise from the AAR ‘Cuda-like side pipes is tremendous.

3. 1953 Buick Roadmaster Estate Wagon

There is something supremely classy about a woody Roadmaster wagon. They only made 670 of them, and maybe twenty still exist, so any thoughts about this Buick being a budget-friendly choice can go straight into the recycling bin. This will be a high-dollar car no matter what, but between the classic lines, gorgeous woodwork, and the wires on whitewalls, there is no way we could say no to it.

2. 1970 Dodge Super Bee 440 Six Pack

We try to avoid “one-of-one” muscle car deals because bidders go absolutely insane for those words. But we will make an exception for this TX9 Black and red Super Bee. The 440 Six Pack and four-speed combination alone is worthy, but this Bee came straight from the holy grail of Mopar dealerships, Grand Spaulding Dodge in Chicago, the home of “Mr. Norm” Kraus.

1. 1969 Beaumont SD-396

Beaumonts are an interesting, Canada market GM A-body blend that is rare to see anywhere. Beaumonts blended the body and engine choices of a Chevrolet Chevelle with unique Beaumont-only nose and tail designs and a Pontiac-sourced interior. This particular car is packing the 375 horsepower 396ci big-block, the top of the line offering. Want to confuse Chevelle fans? Here’s your car.