The Thrill of the Hunt: Artful Auction Bargain Hunting

Images: Mecum Auctions

From a 1967 Camaro SS Replica that sold for $18,750 to a 1962 Ford Galaxie 500 Club Sedan that didn’t sell for $28000, the things that go on at collector car auctions can sometimes confound the most ardent car enthusiast.

Often presented as lifestyle events for the rich and glorious, it is not be widely acknowledged that bargains are readily available to the savvy buyer. It all depends on what you’re looking for, but having a budget that suffers from not enough zeroes may not be the deal-breaker you thought it was. OK, so you’re not likely to pick up an ex-Boyd Coddington hot rod with your four-figure bid, but most of these cars are in better shape than you’ll find on the local used car lot for the same money.

Here's a classic 1960 Impala that would be a lot of fun with its 235-cid Blue Flame 6-cylinder engine and three-on-the -tree transmission. This Florida car found a new owner for just $7750.

We checked this out by combing through the results from the recent Mecum Auction in St. Charles, IL. The September event saw about 700 interesting vehicles roll across the auction floor. Since reserve bids are an option for sellers, some cars didn’t find a new owner. Still, here are thirty-plus domestic cars that did – each for less than $10,000. Do you see anything that interests you?

$2000 – 1979 Chrysler Cordoba Coupe 318 CI, Automatic, 29K miles
$2600 – 1973 Ford Mustang Convertible, 302/300 HP, 4-Speed Automatic
$2800 – 1981 Chrysler Cordoba 2-Door Hardtop 318 CI, Automatic
$3500 – 1987 Cadillac Allante
$4000 – 1985 Cadillac Seville 4-Door Sedan
$4000 – 1984 Chevrolet Corvette Automatic
$4000 – 1984 Pontiac Trans Am Coupe 350/285 HP, Automatic
$4250 – 1991 Ford Mustang Convertible 302/225 HP, Automatic
$4500 – 1983 Chevrolet El Camino Automatic

This 1973 Chevrolet Nova 2-Door with 350 cid V8, 4-Speed and factory floor console w/working gauges was bought for $7750.

$5200 – 2000 Pontiac Firebird Coupe Automatic
$5200 – 1979 Cadillac Deville Sedan
$5250 – 1990 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible Automatic
$6100 – 1972 Chevrolet Monte Carlo 327 CI, Automatic
$6500 – 1960 AMC Rambler 4-Door Automatic
$6750 – 1979 Pontiac Trans Am Coupe Automatic
$7000 – 1961 Ford Ranchero Resto Mod 302 CI, Automatic
$7000 – 1987 Cadillac Allante Convertible Automatic
$7000 – 1980 Chevrolet El Camino 350/500 HP, Automatic
$7200 – 1991 Chevrolet Camaro RS 305 CI, Automatic
$7500 – 1949 Chevrolet Fleetline 2-Door 235 CI, 3-Speed
$7500 – 1969 Chevrolet Chevelle SS Replica 350/325 HP, Automatic
$7500 – 1978 Cadillac Eldorado Coupe 425 CI, Automatic

This LT1-equipped, automatic 1990 Corvette convertible went to a new home for just $5250.

$7750 – 1960 Chevrolet Impala 4-Door 235 CI, 3-Speed
$8100 – 1987 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS Aero Coupe 305 CI, Automatic
$8250 – 1998 Pontiac Trans Am Convertible 4-Speed Automatic
$8500 – 1979 Chrysler 300 2-Door Hardtop 360 CI, Automatic
$8700 – 1971 Chevrolet Camaro 2-Door Hardtop 307 CI
$9000 – 1994 Dodge Stealth R/T 2-Door 5-Speed
$9000 – 1977 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe 350/180 HP, Automatic
$9100 – 1980 Chevrolet Corvette L82 350 CI, Automatic
$9250 – 1959 Edsel Ranger 2-Door 292 CI, Automatic
$9500 – 1977 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe 350 CI, 3-Speed Automatic
$9500 – 1966 Buick Skylark Convertible Automatic
$9750 – 1965 Chevrolet Corvair 2-Door Hardtop 4-Speed