This is a great video of Mopars selling at Mecum for under $30K. An hour ago.

[SteveSS]

This old guy did a lot of work. I can't say I'm happy at the low prices some of these cars went for but it's informative.

 

[DeltaV]

Further driving down the prices on the 1979 Chrysler 300.

@SteveSS likes movies.

 

[toolmanmike]

Yet a Demon sold at Mecum for $125 large. And not a correct car according to the fender tag. For 125 grand, it better be more than perfect. It had better be correct. 1971 Dodge Demon Sold for $126,500 on Mecum

 

[SteveSS]

I heard Dennis Collins sum it up in one sentence the other day. He said, "I buy the cars people want." So if those are Shelby Mustangs or '71 Demons, that's what people want. We can hope people want low-mileage C Bodies and maybe someday they will but it's not the reality now.

I noticed in the original video the cars were not the super desirable Mopars. There was a cobbled-together Barracuda but that was it. I didn't see Challengers, (nice) 'Cudas '68-70 Chargers, Road Runners, GTXs. A few cars are breaking out like the Demon and '71-'72 Road Runners but mostly it the same old high-dollar Mopars.

I'm guilty of trying to project what will become popular and become more valuable but mostly it doesn't change. Collins' model is to pay up for the great cars and sell them for more.

One change I really do see is the $150K old Hot rods selling for pennies on the dollar and restored 50's classics. My kids in their 30's don't care about them. They do like SOME 60's muscle cars but mostly their generation likes JDM stuff from Fast and Furious. My son wants to buy his grandma's hot rod Lexus that I know nothing about when she stops driving. Edit: My daughter surprised me this summer at a huge car by saying she liked the '71-'73 Mach 1s. She wasn't familiar with them, she just liked the way they looked.

Still, Collins' customers are billionaire Baby Boomers and he's betting large on rare Jeeps.

 

[SteveSS]

One hard lesson to accept is it costs about the same to restore a '69 Charger as a '69 Dart. I don't mean initial cost, I mean rust repair, engine rebuild, upholstery, and paint. The Charger is probably less due to parts availability. You'd better really love that cheap car you want to restore. To put myself in that category. I really love '73 Grand Am 455s.

 

[DeltaV]

My favorite in the video:
1969 Plymouth Fury III in nice exterior/interior condition with original paint for $14,000.

Bought for pure enjoyment and not for possible, perceived future value if you ask me.

FOR POSTERITY:

VIN: PM41F9F273546
Odometer reads: 15,472 miles

MECUM
LOT L184 / SUNDAY, JANUARY 11th
KISSIMMEE 2026
1969 Plymouth Fury Sedan

 

[SteveSS]

Speaking of the cost of restoring, I'm trying to do a real hands-off on the '66 Corvette. It's very original. Its paint is worn thin, the bumpers are crusty but it's original, including the motor and the California A.I.R. system. I've done brakes, gas tank, tires, and a few bits but i'm hoping to attract a buyer who values originality over perfection. I do see this as a growing category for truly special cars. My Corvette is probably the bottom rung for this specialty, but I'm seeing it more and more.

 

[toolmanmike]

Speaking of the cost of restoring, I'm trying to do a real hands-off on the '66 Corvette. It's very original. Its paint is worn thin, the bumpers are crusty but it's original, including the motor and the California A.I.R. system. I've done brakes, gas tank, tires, and a few bits but i'm hoping to attract a buyer who values originality over perfection. I do see this as a growing category for truly special cars. My Corvette is probably the bottom rung for this specialty, but I'm seeing it more and more.

It won't bring top price but there is value to cars like that. I call them unrestored originals. They start run, drive, and are a lot of fun. They have been repaired and kept up mechanically but not nur and bolt restored. They still have a lot of originality. My 66 Dart was like that. I sold it to a member here. I bought a 64 Polara that is the same type of car. Love the patina.

 

[SteveSS]

I do like this '70 Fury. Evil looking. Couldn't you get this with a 440 and six-pack?

 

[F4R/T]

Beauty is always in the eye of the beholder! That C body at auction was a sweet deal .. imo

 

[DeltaV]

My favorite in the video:
1969 Plymouth Fury III in nice exterior/interior condition with original paint for $14,000.

Bought for pure enjoyment and not for possible, perceived future value if you ask me.

View attachment 1983808

View attachment 1983794

FOR POSTERITY:

VIN: PM41F9F273546
Odometer reads: 15,472 miles

MECUM
LOT L184 / SUNDAY, JANUARY 11th
KISSIMMEE 2026
1969 Plymouth Fury Sedan
View attachment 1983800View attachment 1983801

This car sold for $15,400 at Mecum, but it sold for $9,000 at the GAA in November 2025.

 

[WileE]

This car sold for $15,400 at Mecum, but it sold for $9,000 at the GAA in November 2025.


View attachment 1984084

View attachment 1984086
View attachment 1984085

I look at it like this: a used car with 15k miles. I'd rather buy that Fury for 9k, 15k, whatever... than mostly any late model used piece of garbage. And use it as a daily driver.

 

[watermelon]

This old guy did a lot of work. I can't say I'm happy at the low prices some of these cars went for but it's informative.

thx for the link

was a good watch


watermelon

 

[Outlawd]

Great video, thanks for sharing. None of the prices on them cars surprise me really, no real bargains there.

 

[Outlawd]

I call them unrestored originals. They start run, drive, and are a lot of fun.

Yep, I got a 71 Charger thats unrestored all original a little faded but she looks good for a daily driver, fun car for me to drive to work.