Newsletter #1

This newsletter's theme is auctions.

Don't miss the bonus at the end. It's a doozy.

New GNX Auction Record

The Barrett-Jackson auction in Palm Beach, Florida from April 17 - 19, 2015 saw the Buick GNX reach a new sales price high. The previous high was $104,500. That was obliterated with the new high now set at $165,000.

If you don't know the GNX, I'll keep it brief. The GNX (Grand National Experimental) was a special version of the Buick Grand National, an already potent car. Like the Grand National, the GNX featured a turbocharged V6, but turned up a couple more notches. This was the '80s when turbocharging was not commonplace. Straight-line performance was just stupid fast (0-60 mph in the mid-4 second range and the quarter mile in 13.2 seconds).

So why are these selling for so much? Buick only made 547 GNXs. That coupled with its crazy perf have led many to contend it's the most significant Buick every made. I won't disagree. I reviewed some recent auction activity to give this new record some perspective. After reviewing these, the 11-mile example that sold in January 2014 feels like a bargain.

$165,000 - 362 miles, #385/547, April 2015, Palm Beach, Florida

$97,500 - 50 miles, #85/547, October 2014, Chicago, Illinois

$104,500 - 11 miles, #482/547, January 2014, Scottsdale, Arizona

$107,500 - 148 miles, #54/547, May 2013, Indianapolis, Indiana

Mecum Kansas City 2015

Perusing the Mecum Auction in Kansas City (April 23 - 25, 2015) I found a few items of interest.

35-mile 1996 Chevrolet Impala SS

Say you bought a brand new 1996 Chevrolet Impala SS and then stored it for almost 20 years. What do you do with it? Well, you auction is off and still take a loss on your investment. There are so very few cars that are investment grade when purchase new and these certainly are not in that category.

But if you like this style of Impala and want to experience what it would have been like to purchase one new here's your chance.

I really like the styling of these Impalas. The interior is junk, but the exterior is spot on and the factory wheels are a big part of that.

And how many Impalas with this kind of mileage could be left in the world?

Side note: 1995 is my preferred year for these Impalas SS. Chevrolet used false rear quarter windows in 1994, which I hate, and in 1996 moved the column-mounted shifter to newly-created center console. If it's an automatic, I'll take the column-mounted shifter thank you.

1994 Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1

There's something about the C4 ZR-1. Perhaps it's the fact the ZR-1 package essentially doubled the car's price. Maybe it's the unique widebody rear - it's subtle but noticeably imroves the angular looks of the C4. Or the glorious sound the engine makes.

This one up for auction has 11k miles, red exterior, and a glorious red interior.

2005 Ford GT

Hennessey Performance HPE1000 anyone?

I'd like to go back and grab one of these five years ago when they were in the $150k range. They have SKYROCKETED in the last couple years. And rightly so.

1996 Dodge Viper GTS

This was THE car I wanted in high school, bar none. What can I say but I was your typical teenager who thought it was all horsepower all the time. That said, I still like the first-generation Viper. I think it looks timeless compared to the later iterations.

Fast & Furious Supra Up For Auction

I’m a unapologetic Fast & Furious fan. So as a fan this stunt car from the original film, The Fast and the Furious, is special. Unfortunately this one's all show and no go. It's just the NA model. No turbo. Certainly not a 10-second car.

Bonus: The Beast of Turin

Here's all you need to know: 28.5L inline 4. The term 'beast' barely seems appropriate. You'll understand once you hear it.

Every time I watch one of these it brings a smile to my face.

First start: link (the 'Beast' awakens at 1:48)

First drive: link

Photo gallery of the rebuild: link

I have a love/hate relationship with cars like this because on one hand they epitomize why I love cars but on the other hand I'll never get a chance to drive them.

Originally published April 24th, 2015