Don't get me wrong, the Gemballa is way cool, but that GTI is awesome.
I think I'd have a hard time keeping it stock, though.
Photography courtesy Mecum
“I don’t like classic car auctions. It’s just a bunch of rich jerks with their waxed chests and expensive watches.”
Yeah, that can be part of the collector car scene. But what brings us back–other than our editorial duties–and keeps us coming back? It’s a giant car show. Cool cars. Silly cars. Historically significant cars. Cars we’d love to put in our own garages. At this week’s Mecum Florida Summer Special auction, it’s 1500-plus of these cars packed into one venue–all for a $30 ticket. (Save 25% in advance, we see.)
So, what cars am I checking out? Glad you asked. In addition to the usual suspects–so many Mustangs and Camaros, GTOs and Impalas–here are 10 cars on my list.
Back in the day, the sickest Porsches came from Gemballa: slope noses, side slats and the widest BBS wheels you’d ever seen. This 1986 Gemballa Cab is billed as an unrestored show car. Check out all of those buttons on the steering wheel. Remember, it’s never too late to live out those “Miami Vice” fantasies.
1986 Porsche 911 Gemballa Slant Nose Widebody Conversion Cabriolet
Stock Porsches are way cool, too, and this 1986 Turbo looks clean and stock. Odometer says just 41K miles. I literally had the poster of this car hanging on my bedroom wall. Is this the quintessential example of the breed? It should easily fetch into six figures. We can all dream, right?
Another car worthy of a high schooler’s bedroom wall: a red C4 Corvette on gold BBS wheels. This one has an automatic–not a deal killer–but also looks new and, other than the wheels, as delivered. Mileage? Just 6727.
So what, you say, it’s just another kei pickup. But check out the description: This Honda Acty underwent a 2.5-year, 1500-hour, ground-up restoration. Does it make sense? Maybe, maybe not, but it’ll be cool to check out.
For reasons I don’t fully understand, I have a thing for these neoclassic roadsters with their flowing fenders, exposed exhaust pipes and abundance of chrome. While I tend to the favor the Volkswagen Beetle-based ones for their sheer lunacy, this 1976 Excalibur has a 454 under the hood. Burnout special?
1976 Excalibur Series III Phaeton
I like big cruisers, too, and for a while owned a 1975 Pontiac Catalina Safari. Nothing we’ve ever owned–not the Mini, not the Porsche 911–garnered as much chatter. For those who also like to go big, how about something like this Continental Mark IV?
1976 Lincoln Continental Mark IV
Toward the end of the first-generation RX-7 run, Mazda delivered the GSL-SE. A fuel-injected 13B rotary gave it more power than the standard 12A-powered cars–can you imagine a sports car making a full 135 horsepower? It also came stock with 14-inch alloys, four-wheel discs and stiffer suspension. The listing doesn’t mention that it’s a GSL-SE, so will the room know this car’s true significance?
For a hot minute there, Pontiac was way into sports car racing, with major programs in both the pro and amateur ranks. Pontiac windshield banners, in fact, could be found at the pointy end of the Rolex grid. To celebrate the brand’s 2007 Touring 2 title at the SCCA Runoffs, Pontiac offered 88 commemorative models. What makes it so special? Check out that stitching on the seats.
2008 Pontiac Solstice GXP SCCA T2 Championship Edition Convertible
Calling all GTI fans: a clean, VR6-powered car in Futura Yellow Metallic, a way cool color. When’s the last time you saw a GTI wearing stock wheels? Exactly.
This thing has GRM forum dreams written all over it: big power mixed with questionable intentions. Does everyone need a 1968 Chevy van fitted with a 496-cubic-inch V8 and giant meats out back? How can you say no?
Don't get me wrong, the Gemballa is way cool, but that GTI is awesome.
I think I'd have a hard time keeping it stock, though.
I bet that RX-7 brings, "I didn't know they made weed that strong," type money.
In reply to Colin Wood :
I am going to have my eye on that one when we are there on Thursday. I can not justify buying it but I really want it because I miss my MK4 and this is another one in a cool color.
I also had a poster of that exact 930 Turbo on my bedroom wall. I still have it, too! I need to re-frame it and sneak it up on my bedroom wall and see if the wife approves.
(Narrator: She will NOT approve.)
David, I have to agree with you on the Gambella.....but I think it needs a whale tail added.
I wouldn't say no to a land yacht like that Continental.
Driving one on a cross-country road trip is on my bucket list.
I use to be crazy for the slant nose 911's but for some reason these days I have not been as excited about them as I once was. On the other hand the 86 930 has ages like a fine wine. The look/design of that iteration of the 911 is just do good
I'm gonna head down there but very much enjoy the January edition of it as it's not satan's butthole hot/humid out to walk around. Looking forward to seeing whats on display.
z31maniac said:I bet that RX-7 brings, "I didn't know they made weed that strong," type money.
I hope you’re wrong but, at the same time, agree with you.
Colin Wood said:I wouldn't say no to a land yacht like that Continental.
Driving one on a cross-country road trip is on my bucket list.
I had an '85 Lincoln Town Car in college (my 300ZX was falling apart so my grandmother gave it to me). Blue, with blue vinyl top, and all blue leather interior.
We took it from Stillwater, OK to Houston, TX one year for a bowl game. Even though the V8 in those things wasn't powerful and it drank gas like semi-truck, that was an absolutely smooth ride all the way there and back.
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