Upcoming Event: Mecum Kansas City Is This Week, December 5-7. 
 If you love classic cars, especially those from the muscle car era, this auction is a must see.  It will be interesting to see where the prices go this year with the still struggling economy. In this auction, there are muscle cars, hot rods, pickup trucks, even cars from the early 20th century. Motorcycles are becoming prevalent at the auctions as well. The best part about these auctions is that they show the heart of the car restoration hobby, which many of the other auctions do not (Barrett-Jackson comes to mind.) I love a frame off restored car or show car just as much as the next guy, but there are plenty of nice originals and sympathetic restorations that show what a the weekend restorer with a modest budget can pull off. I personally like driver quality (especially stock) cars the best, because they are the ones you can have the most fun with, even if you don't win a lot of awards. And not everything is sky high expensive at Mecum. When the telecast is winding down in the evening, expect to see plenty of cars in the $5-$20 thousand dollar range.
 This year's Kansas City auction will be held in the usual location, at Bartle Hall in the Kansas City Convention Center. TV coverage will run from 2 PM-to 8PM from December 5-7 on the Velocity Channel.
I will be watching the auction online (where they have a live 360 degree camera that you can move-cool, right?) It's almost as good as being there.
Here are a few of the cars that I will be watching. I will post an update next week on if they sold, and how much they went for. I'm no appraiser, just estimating the potential value for fun.

Lot S133.1 1970 Ford Mustang Mach 1 Twister Special
428 Cobra Jet/C6

 9,365 Original Miles 

1 of 96

I didn't even know these existed before today!

These were all special order, numbered cars.

There were only 48 built with the Super Cobra Jet 428,

this is one of them.

Only Kansas City Ford dealers could sell these.

Now I get why it's called a Twister Special.

My value estimate: $80,000

 

 

 

Lot F179 1957 Chrysler 300C

 1 of 1,918 built 

392  Hemi V8

A nice example of one of the first Mopar muscle cars, this one has

 the 392 Hemi with 2 4 barrel carbs. Interior is in great shape for being original. 

All of the letter cars  from the 50s are collectible and this one is no exception. 

This was an all new body style for '57, with a potent 392 Hemi under the hood. 

This car is sure to go up in value, a great investment for someone.

 

My value estimate: $60,000

 

                                    Lot S134 1941 Buick Century Touring Sedan

              Buick "Fireball" Dynaflash Inline 8 engine
                                                                  3-speed
                                 The classic "banker's hot rod", because it had the
                              320ci straight eight with  165 hp, and lighter Century body,
                              making it a very quick car for it's time.This one won't get
                               a ton of money as it's a Century and not a Roadmaster,
                                which was the top of the line Buick for that year.
                                   Still desirable though.Very detailed restoration on
                                   this one.
                          
                                             My value estimate:$20,000

 

 

 

                                      Lot S202 1969 Mercury Marauder X100

                                                     429 V8-360 HP/ C6 auto
                              One of the last real performance oriented full size cars.

                         These Marauders are quite rare, I rarely see them at these
                        auctions, especially in X100 trim. It's a great looking car
                       and the last of the Marauders (discontinued in 1970)
                         until the name was resurrected  in 2004 as a modified
                        Grand Marquis. This one is original unrestored.

                                                My value estimate: $20,000

 

 

Lot T152 1977 Ford LTD

351M V8

 10,881 miles 

Looks like a brand new car.  All original.

   This coupe LTD is not top of the line Landau but

it's still nice, a good honest full size car.

And the color scheme suits it well. Very 70s.

There are tons of these out there, but not in showroom condition

like this one. A good "weekend cruiser"that should be very affordable.

My value estimate: $12,000

 

                                              Lot F130 1940 Cadillac Series 60 Special

                                                       346 CI Monoblock V8
                                                                    3-Speed

                                    This one has been restored. I don't see a lot

                                of these at auctions, but I've seen them in person and they are

                                quite the car.Just massive, but well designed, very formal.

                                One of the classiest cars you'll ever see. This one is really cool
                                with the"turret top" sunroof, and the lovely
                                 silver and burgundy 2 tone paint.

                                                       My value estimate: $40,000

                                              

 

Lot F225 1972 Chevrolet Nova

454 V8- 425 HP crate motor

Muncie M21 transmission

Power steering and brakes

This is one sweet sleeper Nova. 

From the outside, it's a base 6 cylinder grocery getter.

But it is capable of blowing the doors off of many

a muscle car.

My value estimation: $20,000?