Just happened to turn Barrett-Jackson on when I got home from work today. A mint time-capsule 1979 10th Anniversary Trans Am, 400/4 speed with 7 miles on it (really, who has these things laying around) comes across the block. Didn't pay it any attention until the bidding crossed 70K 
. Final sale price (minus auction fee) is $170,000 Every year these folks conspire to kill my dreams of picking one of these up for challenge money..
I seen it too
incredible
In reply to 06HHR:
What color? And no worries, those cars are cheap enough in beat up shape. Mint ones pull money, and always have.
In a sick way I'm actually glad these cars are finally getting the recognition they should. They are really the last of their kind. Keep in mind that this is no ordinary Trans Am, all '79 400/4sp cars are desireable, plus the 10th anniversary just ups the rarity factor (1,817 made).
If your really want one just to drive, the 403 and 301 TA's are still cheap(ish). For even cheaper you could get an Esprit or base and make it into a TA replica if you really wanted.
In reply to WOW Really Paul?:
A 10th Anniversary looks like this:
Well, in Scottsdale they say - that the Grinch's small penis grew three sizes that day.
06HHR wrote: Every year these folks conspire to kill my dreams of picking one of these up for challenge money.
As long as you aren't looking for one with seven miles on it, I don't think you have to worry too much.
It's an exceptional car, don't begrudge it for selling for what it did. 7 miles from new, still had the dealer plastic on the seats and steering wheel. I wouldn't be in the market for this car anyway, it's simply out of my reach financially right now. TBH, I wouldn't want one in this condition anyway, i'd be too paranoid to drive it which kind of kills the reason to buy it. Just hate the effect it will have on joe blow who will want $$$ for his because "one just like it sold for a gazillion bucks at Barrett-Jackson" Here's the auction listing, just an awesome example, now it really should be a museum piece. $187,000 Trans Am
This extremely well-documented car was purchased on March 29, 1979 for $15,000 dollars. That was $4,177.45 over $10,822.55 MSRP. This practice was common back in 1979 as the dealers and everyone knew these would be an instant collector's car. There is a log of the car being started on a regular basis, but never driven. The owner, a farmer and weekend dirt track racer, just enjoyed having the car to look at and share a story of days gone by with friends and family.
6.6L 4-speed, I'd prolly have driven at least $100K off that value. 
06HHR wrote: It's an exceptional car, don't begrudge it for selling for what it did. 7 miles from new, still had the dealer plastic on the seats and steering wheel. I wouldn't be in the market for this car anyway, it's simply out of my reach financially right now. TBH, I wouldn't want one in this condition anyway, i'd be too paranoid to drive it which kind of kills the reason to buy it. Just hate the effect it will have on joe blow who will want $$$ for his because "one just like it sold for a gazillion bucks at Barrett-Jackson" Here's the auction listing, just an awesome example, now it really should be a museum piece. $187,000 Trans Am
That's the equivalent of $48k today. The buyer got about $155k out of the sale if the selling price was $170k (before the 10% buyer's fee).
So that's about a 3.2% annual interest rate once inflation's taken out of it.
In reply to SEADave:
Ewww, I'm glad later Anniversary cars went back to the White/Blue.
As far as low mileage 2nd gens, I see a guy at Mecum Indy every year who collects these things. He had a 70 original mile Bandit edition a few years back that went for a lot.
I was watching it too, hard to believe. I have to say I always liked them though. Yesterday there were a pair of Smokey and the Bandit themed ones that sold for right around six figures.
fasted58 wrote: This extremely well-documented car was purchased on March 29, 1979 for $15,000 dollars.
If my calculations are correct, he could have had $702,000 worth of Dow Jones today for his $15,000 on that date instead of $170,000 for a car he never drove and had to pay to store and insure for the last 36 years, so don't feel bad!
Year or two ago there was a guy buying some high dollar collectibles for a museum someplace. The Ferrari hat guy iirc. Ain't seen him around, wonder if he went internet... or run outta dough.
fasted58 wrote: Year or two ago there was a guy buying some high dollar collectibles for a museum someplace. The Ferrari hat guy iirc. Ain't seen him around, wonder if he went internet... or run outta dough.
The guy he was buying for got remarried and sold all that off....a lot of it at a loss. He's still filthy rich but the museum idea went away.
Javelin wrote:fasted58 wrote: This extremely well-documented car was purchased on March 29, 1979 for $15,000 dollars.If my calculations are correct, he could have had $702,000 worth of Dow Jones today for his $15,000 on that date instead of $170,000 for a car he never drove and had to pay to store and insure for the last 36 years, so don't feel bad!
Cars are more fun. I have cars and stock, but I'm sure as hell not giving up my cars to buy more stock...screw that. Let's see.....sell my 930 and buy a chunk of stock just to watch the graph go up and down....nope.
Cotton wrote:Javelin wrote:Cars are more fun. I have cars and stock, but I'm sure as hell not giving up my cars to buy more stock...screw that. Let's see.....sell my 930 and buy a chunk of stock just to watch the graph go up and down....nope.fasted58 wrote: This extremely well-documented car was purchased on March 29, 1979 for $15,000 dollars.If my calculations are correct, he could have had $702,000 worth of Dow Jones today for his $15,000 on that date instead of $170,000 for a car he never drove and had to pay to store and insure for the last 36 years, so don't feel bad!
I'm with you, but with cars I can drive. This cat did not do that.
Agreed. If you can't drive it, it's not a car.
Javelin wrote:fasted58 wrote: This extremely well-documented car was purchased on March 29, 1979 for $15,000 dollars.If my calculations are correct, he could have had $702,000 worth of Dow Jones today for his $15,000 on that date instead of $170,000 for a car he never drove and had to pay to store and insure for the last 36 years, so don't feel bad!
Saw one a few years back with an 84 Corvette. Almost no miles, perfectly original, stored for over 30 years, base price around $21,000...
...sold for $15,000. Ouch!
What do you figure, about 95% of the Ford GT produced are just sitting in garages waiting for a "payday"?
Keith Tanner wrote: Agreed. If you can't drive it, it's not a car.
Some people get enjoyment out of driving, some customizing, others collecting and preserving, some do it all, and on and on. To each their own, but it's still a car.
aircooled wrote:Javelin wrote:Saw one a few years back with an 84 Corvette. Almost no miles, perfectly original, stored for over 30 years, base price around $21,000... ...sold for $15,000. Ouch! What do you figure, about 95% of the Ford GT produced are just sitting in garages waiting for a "payday"?fasted58 wrote: This extremely well-documented car was purchased on March 29, 1979 for $15,000 dollars.If my calculations are correct, he could have had $702,000 worth of Dow Jones today for his $15,000 on that date instead of $170,000 for a car he never drove and had to pay to store and insure for the last 36 years, so don't feel bad!
There is a guy on ferrarichat that bought two Ford GTs when they came out....one to drive and one to preserve. Of course with the values now he'll make money on both of them anyway if he decides to sell.
I don't get it.
So many TAs last night. Even my wife was talking about it...
N Sperlo wrote: So much T&A last night. Even my wife was talking about it...
FTFY 
I actually enjoy the Tuesday-Thursday shows more because there's more of a variety of cars, including TAs. The Friday/Saturday shows are just an endless parade of 1965-1971 muscle cars.
I have stood on the stage at Barrett-Jackson and I can tell you it is fantastic entertainment watching drunk rich guys try to out piss each other up the tree. It is one hell of a show and I place little validity of a car's actual value on what it sells for at Barrett. The circus that surrounds Barrett is insane, but it matches with the "rich boys toys" theme of the show.
You'll need to log in to post.
