Revisiting 10 classic muscle car deals from the Mecum Glendale auction

Each big car auction has its star cars that attract hordes of curious gearheads, but there are always far more ordinary cars that slide under the radar, sometimes at bargain-basement prices. The Mecum Glendale auction held March 5-9, 2024, packed over 2,000 classics and muscle cars into the Arizona city's State Farm Stadium and produced many memorable moments, but also some eye-opening deals at calmer times. We're going to show you our top 10 favorite muscle car deals from Glendale, in no particular order, then provide you with six insider tips for how to score deals like this!

1964 Pontiac GTO, $33,000

Lot number W253, a first-year Pontiac GTO muscle car, is a prime example of what can happen when a "prime" muscle car crosses the auction block while literally no one is looking. This one snuck across the stage on a low-traffic day to hammer for the scandalously low price of $30,000 (plus $3K in fees). Besides taking the stage on Wednesday, some fairly uninspired photography helped to further depress the bids, but make no mistake, this one was a great example of a methodical amateur restoration with a lot more effort than what met the auctioneer's hammer and the seller's camera lens! In this case, it was a matter of a car that looked better in person than on the page.

Description: Showing 61,633 miles, rebuilt 389ci V-8 engine, five-speed manual, Silvermist Gray, Pontiac Tri-Power setup with rebuilt carburetors, four-wheel disc brakes, Hurst shifter, headers with dual exhaust, original black interior, Sun Pro tachometer, pushbutton radio, locking glovebox, cabin heater, defroster, original Pontiac wood-rimmed steering wheel, Auto Meter instruments for water temperature, oil pressure and voltage.

1968 Dodge Dart GTS, $38,500

The Mopar A-Body was Chrysler's entry-level compact car and was a frequent recipient of the "junior muscle car" treatment by Dodge. The GTS model was specifically designed to lure young buyers who were looking for a fast, affordable and attractive ride, and the GTS was the mini-muscle car with potent small-block power that fans were looking for. Mecum lot F152 was a full rotisseries restoration that was rebuilt as a day-two street machine that somehow managed to sell at a discount relative to the many hours spent bringing it back.

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Description: Showing 85,695 miles, 340ci V-8, ToqueFlite automatic, Sunfire Yellow, black interior, rotisserie restoration, matching numbers, Comp Cams camshaft, Quick Fuel 750 four-barrel carburetor, Harland Sharp roller rockers, power steering, PST front suspension rebuild, Hotchkis rear suspension, front and rear sway bars, 15-inch polished Cragar wheels with matching spare, BF Goodrich Radial T/A tires, broadcast sheet, owner's manual.

1970 Dodge Dart Swinger, $19,250

The Dodge Dart Swinger seems purpose-built to be modified; its big-car look, light weight, low cost and wide selection of available powerplants (including V-8s) made it a big draw for muscle car buyers back then, as it is now. For Mopar lovers, the compact A-Body has the added advantage that nobody really gets bent out of shape when one gets modified beyond the point of easy restoration, and that is the case here, with Mecum lot W157, a 1970 Dodge Dart Swinger that has been treated to a nice amateur home restoration and a bucketload of day-two aftermarket parts, including a not-born-with .030-over 440 wedge big-block V-8!

Description: Showing 89,428 miles, 7.5-liter V-8, orange exterior, five-speed automatic transmission, Alpine touchscreen radio with two speakers, magnesium wheels, front disc brakes, MSD ignition, twin hood scoops, rear tail stripe, bench seat with headrests, Wilwood master cylinder, aluminum radiator.

1972 Dodge Charger SE, $19,800

Once again, with Mecum lot number W298, we saw bidders staying away from home restorations where a great deal of sweat equity was spent bringing a basket case back to life in spectacular fashion. When this sort of thing happens to a model year that's not quite ideal (a 1972 Dodge Charger in this case) it's practically inevitable that the seller loses money. The flip side is that someone else — the bidder — takes home a fantastic bargain. Here, a Wednesday auction slot, less-than-ideal photography and an off-year vintage virtually guaranteed this one was going to be an easy get for the right buyer!

Description: Showing 66,914 miles, matching-numbers 190-hp 400ci V-8, Torqueflite three-speed automatic, gold with tan interior, partial broadcast sheet, restored back to original fender tag specs, factory A/C car, Holley two-barrel carburetor, new paint and interior, new gas tank and fuel lines, new starter, service manual included, additional parts, trim and badges included.

1972 Pontiac GTO, $38,500

The Pontiac GTO got the muscle car movement started in 1964, but by 1972 the two-headed monster of federal regulation and skyrocketing insurance costs had taken its toll, putting Pontiac's famed midsize menace on the outs. Nevertheless, the 1972 Pontiac GTO, as seen in Mecum lot number S151.1, exhibits the same gorgeous styling and powertrains as the prior year model, its "net" versus "gross" hp rating being the primary culprit for its lesser desirability despite it being the bookend to this glorious era.

Description: Showing 87,663 miles, "This striking Cameo Ivory 1972 GTO with an ivory-colored vinyl top and interior is a beautiful example of the breed. It features a Pontiac big-block [sic] V-8 engine, an automatic transmission, power steering, front disc brakes, black laser striping, a Formula steering wheel, bucket seats, a console, a floor shifter, Rally II wheels, a rear spoiler and a highly detailed engine compartment. This car also comes with PHS documentation. Only 5,807 1972 Pontiac GTOs were ever built, and this eye-grabbing example would be a great addition to a Pontiac or classic muscle car collector's garage."

1972 Ford Mustang Mach 1, $17,600

Sometimes a car listed for auction is a good deal not because a lot is known about it but because almost nothing is known about it, as is the case with this "big horse" Mustang. Mecum lot number W210, a 1972 Ford Mustang Mach I, illustrates one of the tips we'll be talking about later, the bidder's advantage of being offered during a low-traffic day. The seller also went light on facts and passed on a pro photographer, perhaps thinking that bidders wouldn't care about the omission of important details (such as the engine). The general rule in a situation where the engine family isn't called out specifically is to assume it's the lowest version, and in this case it's a Windsor 351, not the more desirable and rarer 351 Cleveland.

Description: Showing 68,988 miles, automatic, blue with blue interior, Ram Air, 351ci V-8 engine, bucket seats, console, copy of Marti report.

1973 Chevrolet Camaro, $31,900

Second-generation Camaros are some of the most popular muscle cars out there because they're plentiful and there are lots of restoration and go-fast parts available. The consignor of lot F81, a 1973 Chevy Camaro, took full advantage of that by building a very cool but quite reasonably priced restomod. For someone looking for an already done driver that doesn't have the boat anchor of rarity and provenance to weigh the mind down with worry, this was the perfect score, and procured early enough on a Friday morning that few other bidders took notice.

Description: 19,999 miles showing, matching-numbers 350ci small-block V-8 engine, automatic transmission, 12-bolt rearend, power steering, power front disc brakes, aluminum heads, aluminum radiator, tachometer and gauges, front and rear spoilers, split front bumperettes, bucket seats and console, 20-inch retro-style Rally wheels.

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1994 Chevrolet Impala SS, $28,600

If there's a poster child for why you should always hit a Mecum auction on a Wednesday, it's this 1994 Chevrolet Impala SS, lot W190. As the last body-on-frame muscle car ever built by GM, the Impala SS is an enduring classic. Clean as the day is long, this 30-year-old GM B-body has the famed LT1 small-block from the Corvette and was the crowning achievement of GM Special Vehicle Division head Jon Moss. Just 6,303 Impala SS sedans were built in 1994 and this one is about as clean as you'll find these days.

Description: 29,234 miles showing, 5.7-liter LT1 V-8 engine, automatic transmission, black with gray leather interior, recent air-conditioning compressor replacement and system recharge, original owner's manual, original Impala SS factory cassette, body-colored bumpers, bucket seats with center console, power windows and locks, four-wheel disc brakes, five-spoke factory alloy wheels.

1995 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe, $11,550

Corvettes at any Mecum auction are so numerous it's almost a cliché. In fact, the number-one car model sold at Mecum auctions is — you guessed it — the Chevy Corvette. America's sports car is as American as baseball and apple pie and so many have been built over the years that they are a commodity, not a rarity. With the exception of all but the rarest Corvettes, getting a good deal on one is simply a matter of knowing the book value for its condition and options. This super-clean 1995 Chevy Corvette, lot number T171.1, sold for around half the Hagerty valuation for its condition ($22K) and was auctioned on a low-traffic Thursday.

Description: 58,554 miles showing, 350ci/300-hp LT1 V-8 engine, automatic four-speed overdrive transmission, removable glass targa top, electronic climate control, Bose Gold CD and cassette stereo, dual power sport seats, alloy wheels.

1999 Ford Mustang GT, $18,150

Like the Corvette, the Mustang is also a commodity, and right now the so-called Terminator Mustangs are riding a wave of popularity with folks who came of age in the late 1990s. This 1999 Mustang, Mecum lot number T243, had a lot going for the winning bidder; it was auctioned on a Thursday, it had a fair number of modifications (that's a drag on the price but a huge plus for the right bidder), and it was featured in 5.0 Mustang magazine. You couldn't build one like it for twice the price.

Description: 47,038 miles showing, 4.6-liter/367-hp V-8 engine, Vortech supercharger, five-speed manual transmission, Trick Flow intake, power steering, power brakes, billet and chrome accessories in the engine bay and interior, Alpine sound system, Borla cat-back exhaust, Steeda suspension upgrade, lowered approximately 1 inch, featured in 5.0 Mustang magazine.

1985 Pontiac Fiero Custom Convertible, $16,500

We're going a bonus round with this one because it's both a testament to how smart some buyers are and how ignorant others are. Built on the bones of a 1985 Pontiac Fiero, this LS-swapped custom was hand-built by a former GM engineer and was featured last month in a story by HOT ROD's own KJ Jones. (Don't say we didn't warn you about this hot one in advance!) Lot number T274, a Pontiac Fiero-based custom, was one of the most radical performers at Glendale, and it went virtually unnoticed, changing hands for the scandalously low price of $16,500 (hammer plus fees). Normally, this is called grand theft auto, but in this instance, it was completely legal.

Description: 11,841 miles showing, custom one-off "Stinger XR'' based on a Pontiac Fiero, custom tube-chassis sports car built by a 30-year GM employee holding the position of associate design engineer and car fabricator, mid-engine 2006 Corvette 6.0-liter LS2 V-8, 2014 Porsche Boxster six-speed manual transmission, finished in yellow with dark gray metallic striping, steel rollcage was added and fits underneath the top, includes soft top as well as a two-piece targa top padded in gray vinyl, matching custom two-tone yellow and dark gray interior, custom dash and center stack with Stewart Warner Maximum Performance gauges, air conditioning, power windows, Baer 14-inch front and 12.5-inch rear disc brakes, Corvette suspension with Bilstein coil-overs, power steering, detailed engine bay, includes detailed binder including pictures of the step-by-step building process

Tip 1: Large auctions have thousands of cars in one place

More cars mean more to choose from, sometimes several of a given year, make and model. You'll never find that anywhere outside of an in-person auction event. Even with new cars like the ever-popular Chevrolet Corvette and Dodge Hellcat, you'll find way more at an auction than on a new-car dealer lot. You can start by attending an auction with a spectator admission to see what it's all about (around $30) or you can start strong and sign up as a bidder (around $200). You'll be treated like royalty, you'll meet others like you and you won't be locked up for hours in a dealership's F&I department.

Tip 2: Come on an early day — the earlier, the better

The rarest, most sought-after collector cars (typically no-reserve, star, or featured cars) will take the prime auction spots on a Friday or Saturday afternoon when the television broadcast is happening. Mecum and others save those prime spots for the top cars and the top consignors, but most rank-and-file classics, muscle cars and volume commodity cars (Mustangs, Corvettes, Challengers) cross the block earlier in the day and earlier in the week. Long before a car crosses the auction block, you'll have plenty of time to examine prospective lots scheduled for early days or early hours (which you can decode from the lot number) and you'll want to take advantage of that. The opportunity to pounce on a deal is best when the bidder stands are thin.

Tip 3: Inspect the cars you're interested in and take notes

Do you consider yourself an expert? Go to the auction in person and inspect cars you like up close. Often, the consignor is on-site and happy to share information, documentation, and history on it. Catalog and online photos aren't granular enough to show the condition of paint and other surfaces, even when they're great photos. (Tip for sellers: Don't cheap out and try to take your own photos if you aren't a pro. It will cost you thousands come auction time!) We've seen cars that looked just OK in pictures that turned out to be like-new or actually new in person (and vice versa). An in-person bidder will always have the advantage over a phone or internet bidder because of this.

Tip 4: It pays to be open minded

Be flexible and consider a variety of cars, like this creampuff 1966 Chrysler 300, which sold for about the price of a 20-year-old Toyota Camry. Avoid the runaway bid situation by not being so laser-focused on one car. Set a personal limit, stick to it, and be open to other years, makes and models. You might be set on a restored big-block 1969 Camaro but the best move for your budget and intended use might be on an LS-swapped 1967 Pontiac Firebird or a more reliable "commodity" late-model equivalent.

Tip 5: If your target doesn't hit reserve, it's still available after the bid closes

Most large auction houses like Mecum have in place the capability to bid on a lot after the close of bidding. Sellers like the consignor of this Dodge Super Stock aren't always realistic about their expectations and when the reserve is not met they sometimes have second thoughts about paying the return transportation costs. This one was bid to $100K but had a reserve that was set too high, and it continued to Mecum's "The Bid Goes On…" program, which allows registered bidders and consignors to negotiate a successful sale for up to 21 days after the close of the auction.

Tip 6: You can finance and transport your purchase with on-site pros

You don't need to be a loaded millionaire to afford a classic at auction, just a regular Joe with good credit. Mecum and Barrett-Jackson both have in-house financing and insurance services, and there's nobody hounding you to "bring a trailer." Even if you are wealthy enough for that, who needs the extra cost of a trailer, a tow rig, a place to store them? Just use the on-location services of Reliable Transport. A reputable auction company is prepared to handle your financial and logistic needs in-house, irrespective of your budget. The blue '73 Camaro we showed you earlier that hammered for $30K ($33K with fees) could have been financed for as little as $376 per month using Mecum's in-house financing.

Lead image text by vcruz