Are you hiding this street freak in your garage?
Now obviously a 1969 high-compression big block machine is not our normal bailiwick. Sometimes something comes across your desk you gotta share. Ford built a running mid-engine Mustang research vehicle that unfortunately didn't deliver any meaningful performance results. Before scrapping the program they should have tried out a small-block. This car was destined for the crusher, as the story goes it may have gotten away. Is it hiding in your Hazel Park, MI garage? 

Anyway I suggest you read all about here:  A Mid-Engine Boss 429 Mustang? Yes, It’s True (mustangandfords.com)

​...what might have been. 

As winter sets in the auctions heat up at Scottsdale and Kissimmee. 

Mecum is serving up sweet malaise muscle at Kissimmee and Punta Gorda, FL this year. I've selected 8 interesting ones which is not all the malaise muscle crossing the block. I've got Monopoly Money to play with so I'll let you know my max bids.  

1979 Camaro Z28

This is a heavily optioned 350 4-speed car. It looks like it's 41K mile car. I wish it had T-tops but sometimes you don't get everything. Listed at no reserve. This is a museum piece that comes with the following warning.

"All cars being offered at the Muscle Car City auction have been set up for long term museum display. Please note that any car purchased from this auction will likely require essential basic service prior to driving on the road including but not limited to fuel systems and carburetors, batteries, brakes etc. All cars are being offered at no reserve and will be sold as is/where is".

Sounds like bring a trailer.  Considering I want a decent deal and the need for some minor overhauling I'd stop bidding at $18K. *Update: stunning this sold for $44K, I have no words for this.

1975 Corvette Convertible

Here is a chance to experience C3 convertible ownership without braking the bank. A bit odd this car wears L-48 emblems on the hood but is supposedly equipped with the numbers matching more powerful L-82 350 V8. 4 speed manual and A/C among the options. It's described as having had a complete frame off restoration. Like the Camaro from the same collection it is offered at no reserve but will need fresh fluids and some other TLC. I'd stop bidding at $22K. *Update: another surprise high sell price of $49.5K.

1984 Camaro Z28

This is the blue light special, the dollar store Camaro. A beater or base for something wild. Maybe you dragged your 14 year old to the auction to let him bid with his own money. It's a 305 V8 with A/C and an Earl Scheib paint job also missing bits here and there. Take it for no more than $4.5K. *Update: this sold for a high $6,050.

A pair of Fox Body Mustang Convertibles

I always preferred the clean lines of the 5.0 LX or the cheese grater GT. The GT is a 1988 with the LX being a 1993, both are automatics. The LX has the more powerful 5.0 V8 and only 18,000 miles.  The GT has 64,000 miles. Either will be summer time blast to own. I'd stop bidding on the GT at $16K, I'd keep bidding on the LX till about $18.5K.

*Update, the GT sold for $17.6K, the LX hammered at $19.8K. 

1987 Regal T-Type

Now this is a bit of an odd car and in black doesn't make total sense when you consider the Grand National exists. This is listed as a T-Type Turbo Regal which for 1987 was just called Turbo T. It was option code WE4 which got you all the Grand National goodies minus the modest rear spoiler, available in the full Buick color palate. The WE4 Turbo T had interior choices not available to the Grand National. Say you wanted a Regal in gray with a 1/4 landau roof but GN performance, the WE4 was for you. Thing is for a brief time in 1987 before Buick pulled black off the WE4 color sheet you could get a GN looking Turbo T that in theory was a faster car. The WE4 came with lighter aluminum wheels, aluminum bumper supports and aluminum rear drum brakes opposed the GN's steel and cast iron pieces. 

​This Turbo T has been worked now producing 400 bhp. Frankly, I'm not sure what this is worth. Since I like my GM G-Bodies with T-tops, which this car doesn't have, I probably wouldn't bid on this not over $20K anyway. 

​*Update, this sold for $38.5K, wow. 

1981 Yenko Turbo Z

Now this sparks me up and would tempt me to do something stupid. I have great appreciation for the few tuner dealerships that soldiered on attempting to make the effort that the OE just gave up on. While the guys at Pontiac couldn't get a turbo Trans Am right. Don Yenko finished on a high note turning the Camaro Z28 into a turbo GT screamer. This example is a one of three Stage II Turbo Z. A more complete package than just slapping a turbo on a Z28. Aside from the engine making an estimated 250 bhp up from the stock 175. Stage II was fatter rubber on two piece Weld wheels, beefier sway bars, Koni shocks, polyurethane bushings, performance leather bucket seats. This car with 38,000 miles sold for $68K two years ago. Today it sits looking the same with less than 39,000 miles. 

*Update, bidding stalled at $70K with the car not meeting the reserve. 

1978 Trans Am 

Wow, I nearly lost my mind looking at this. I'm all in on this restomod Trans Am. If you wanted a 1973 Trans Am with T-tops and an 5.7L LS1 here it is! It is actually a 1978 vintage. A six-speed manual and 4 wheel discs. It appears the buckets came out of the same 2006 GTO that donated it's engine. Air conditioning, so you can enjoy this everywhere anytime. Maybe I don't love the big white stripe but I could live with it a while. I'd bid up to $40K on this, I dig this that much.

Update, it sold for $43.5K.

1986 Trans Am

This is a potentially fun machine that you drive while you upgrade kind of project. I wouldn't bid more than $6K, the idea is to get a bargain to restomod without breaking the bank. It's got a carburetor 305 with an automatic, ditch the smog stuff then just treat it to a Chevy small block mild performance rebuild. Give it a good wash and wax, pop the tops and have fun.

Update, it sold for $7.7K a little high for my taste.

The new year starts March 21st!
Happy New Year! We're all thrilled to put 2020 behind us, amirite? Let's get real for a moment. The next two months are going to feel like month 13 & 14 of 2020. I'm fine with that. Spend the next two month of winter hunkered down in safety. When spring comes mid-March with the thaw of winter that's when the new year begins. A year of promise. Exciting things to come. We'll still cover auction results from the big houses. We'll still highlight the great deals and the ridiculous on eBay. What will be different and the most interesting is getting out meeting you, covering those great disco era rides you wrench on and enjoy. What won't change is carrying the flag for those unloved, misunderstood faux muscle cars of the malaise era.