Missed out on a sweet T-top Magnum that had nearly everything.
What a damn relief. This just isn't really a good time for me to run off 860 miles to bring home a car I have no room for. Many of us have a list we'll move around heaven and earth for. A solid, clean, T-top Magnum GT is one of those on my list. The only fault I could find is the column shifter, cloth seats don't bother me. Now I'm obviously making assumptions with out having physically inspecting the car. The seller provided many good pics, including the data plate, also decent detail in the description. I also did some Fakebook creeping and sleuthing to find more detail. I liked what I saw so much I was ready to offer full ask, no hemming and hawing. I made my self deal, if it was still available this morning I'd hatch a plan to get to Peru Il. I poured my morning coffee pulling up the Fakebook Market Place ad, it was marked SOLD. Strangely there was no pain of regret. Although a T-top Magnum GT this nice for $10K may not become available again until the market collapse. When all the Boomers and Gen-X decide to cash out before or after death.  

1979 Dodge Magnum GT, 360 V8, A/C, T-tops, Cruise, PW, 42,000 miles...the tach! I have some questions about the wheels, they're not the 15x7 Super Coupe looking wheels. Again not a problem, I'd get some 17x8 Year One Mopar Rallye Wheels then call it a day. Because this car is ready to show and go. Damn, now I'm feeling a twinge of regret...anybody got a 1975 Road Runner for sale?

No supply chain issues at Mecum Kansas City, get your Christmas shopping done!
There are several no reserve malaise muscle cars up for auction at Mecum Kansas City next month. I've got $20,000 in imaginary cash, here is what I'm bidding on. 

1990 Pontiac Firebird Formula
First, I could go on all day about how attractive I find the understated look of this car, simple, clean, mature.  The exterior and weather strip around the T-top seems to indicate the 38K miles are legit, the engine compartment looks clean and complete. The cloth seat interior shows more signs of wear, nothing terrible, it seems all there. It's described as being garage kept wearing original paint, a Flowmaster exhaust, and WS6 option package. It appears to have the LO3 305 V8 good for only 170 bhp and 255 lb-ft of torque. The TPI 305 with 225 bhp should have been the standard mill. The optional B2L is the 350 V8 with 235 bhp/340 ft-lb, that is good for 14.4 seconds. In the plus column are the aforementioned T-tops, negative for me is the automatic transmission. This could be solid #2 condition car or a top #3, I'd keeping bidding up $14K. 
SOLD $15.4k
1990 Pontiac Firebird Formula | T53 | Kansas City 2021 (mecum.com)

1984 Ford Mustang GT350 
This should be a budget car, looks like a tired survivor. With a 5.0 and automatic transmission, these cars came well equipped so you have everything you need for a comfortable road trip...top down when the sun is shining. Among the Ford community is the Deluxe Marti Report, all the good info on how your Ford was built, etc. This Mustang comes with documentation. In 1984 the 5.0 was still a sub 200 horsepower mill. Still these Fox body Mustangs have a lot of fun potential and aftermarket support. I'd stop bidding at $9K. 
SOLD $12.6K
​1984 Ford Mustang GT350 Convertible | T91 | Kansas City 2021 (mecum.com)

1979 Chevrolet Camaro RS
Let's just get it out of the way. Yes, 1979 is like rock bottom for the malaise era. So the 305 V8 doesn't back up the Rally Sport's good looks. Again, that's what tools, parts and a good machine are for. Personal point of order, I need T-tops to get real excited for this. That out of the way this is still a well equipped, good looking, solid and clean Camaro. We have no idea on mileage but this looks like a garage kept cream puff. I'd stop bidding at $16K.
SOLD $17.6K
1979 Chevrolet Camaro RS | T115 | Kansas City 2021 (mecum.com)

1979 Pontiac Trans Am
No T-tops but it is a four speed manual, the description says Muncie M21. I'm assuming drive-train transplant which is fine if everything is done right. It looks like a solid #3 condition car. I got a thing for 1979-1981 Trans Am, so much so I'd keep bidding till $18K.
SOLD $40.1K
​1979 Pontiac Trans Am | F69 | Kansas City 2021 (mecum.com)

1981 Pontiac Trans Am
Remember what I said above? T-tops for summer time cruising a big plus. An automatic transmission, insert sad face emoticon.  Turbo! Normally with most cars that is something to get excited about. Now I'm not going to rehash the whole crappy turbo 301 thing. Technology has come a long way, the Buick boys learned a lot and even helped with a good Turbo Trans Am a mere eight years later. In short I'd give the 301 a mild performance rebuild and some modern turbo tech and forgo some played out LS swap. This car is a solid #2 with some great equipment, WS6, 4 wheel disk brakes, A/C, tilt wheel. A 55,000 mile survivor. I'd stop bidding at $22K but would hope to get it at a lower price. 
SOLD $34.1K
​1981 Pontiac Turbo Trans Am SE | F93 | Kansas City 2021 (mecum.com)

1979 Chevrolet Corvette 
Red, 1979, automatic, L48. I mean what is there really to say? It's a can of Bud Light...alright a Bud Light in a plastic bottle. Oh, 52,000 miles you say? There's that. Still, it's a Corvette which is  better than no Corvette. This is perfect for the person that wants to start their Corvette journey on a budget. Take it at $12K but bid no more than $14K because you're entering C4 territory at that point. Unless you place a premium on swoopy curve body work over driving dynamics. 
SOLD $19.8K
​1979 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe | F83 | Kansas City 2021 (mecum.com)

1994 Chevrolet Corvette
Bang for the buck there are very few value buys right now better than a mid-late C4. While the 1979 Corvette was a punchline of a bad joke, the C4 remains a legit real world sportscar today. This appears well cared for with 52,000 miles. A fun car you can drive cross country with confidence. This can nabbed at the $12-16K range. 
SOLD $14.8K
1994 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe | F90 | Kansas City 2021 (mecum.com)

What's your bidding strategy, which one are you taking home?