With Barrett-Jackson’s Las Vegas auction right around the corner (June 22-24, 2023), we in the office have auction fever. Whether it’s in a convention center or online with AutoHunter, we are only too happy to show you what’s for sale for classic car afficionados.
Like Barrett-Jackson, AutoHunter features a variety of cars from different eras. Any of the below are worth your attention?
1967 Chevrolet Impala SS
When it comes to Chevys from the 1960s, the 1967 Impala Sport Coupe vies for the top. Who would have guessed that the gentle fastback proportions and a dashboard full of round dials appeared to make this behemoth the sportiest Chevy this side of the Corvette? With options up to the 427, Chevrolet was on top of its game in 1967.
If you look at the data plate for this 1967 Impala SS, it lists codes that show this Impala SS was originally built with tinted windows, air conditioning, rear speaker, custom deluxe center rear seat belt, and TH400 automatic, the latter which was only available on the big-blocks and the 275-horse 327. The Marina Blue Super Sport (which originally had a black vinyl top from the factory) features a matching strato-bench with center arm rest, 325-horsepower 396, and American Racing Torq-Thrusts.
1983 Ford Mustang GLX Convertible
The Fox Mustang was supposed to bring integrity back to the Mustang after the Mustang II. But in today’s collector’s market, it seems the Mustang II has a following and the early Fox Mustangs get left out. Ads in 1982 proclaimed “The Boss is Back,” complete with 157 horsepower from 5.0 liters, but it wasn’t until 1986 that the Mustang GT was pulling 14-second ETs.
But the GT wasn’t the only star — the convertible reappeared in 1983 for the first time since 1973. Available in GLX and GT trim, the convertible became a very popular Mustang with over 23,000 built. Standard was a 3.8-liter V6, just like what’s powering this Silver on red convertible. Other features include automatic, power windows, wire wheel covers, air conditioning, tilt column, Audiovox stereo/cassette, and 58,512. Open-air fun is always collectible!
2017 Audi R8 V10 plus
I used to not really care for these, mainly due to contrasting “blade” on the side that stuck out like a sore thumb. The 2016 redesign made the contrasting components more palatable to me and, besides, who would make issue with a car with V10 power? Plus, this is the plus version, which offered 610 horsepower, 70 more than the standard R8. Who can resist?
Apparently not me, as it seems everything about this car seems to be in harmony, from the spicy Dynamite Red to the stitched seats with subtle red highlights. With 10,000 miles, it’s almost new, and it features all the modern conveniences you demand in a new vehicle, unlike my mom’s 2016 Brand X that lacks ApplePlay. I’d drive this every day without regard to mileage.
1987 Chevrolet Corvette Z52 Coupe
We all know that when the C4 hit the scene, horsepower was, in retrospect, embarrassing, but that’s how things were in those days. So, when did the Corvette start to perform in a manner that upheld its reputation? Two-hundred forty horsepower doesn’t sound great, but 14.4-second ETs were hot in its day, and not much worse than the best 350s available during the muscle car era … but with twice the mpg.
This 1987 Corvette coupe with the Z52 handling package finds that sweet spot between being the Handling King (a la Z51) and not having your fillings fall out of your mouth. Available only in 1987-88, the Z52 could pull 0.87 g on the skidpad, which was leading-edge at the time. This Vette features only 9,616 miles, which makes me wonder if it’s a project to prepare for Bloomington?
