11 Cars and 2 Bikes We’d Have Bought for $100K (or Less) at Monterey
Monterey Car Week has wrapped. An unrestored but often-enjoyed Bugatti won the Concours, seemingly countless restomod reveals took place, and the auctions showed how the top of the market is slowing. While we at Hagerty Insider are unpacking the results, we can’t help but look back at the week’s sales and daydream about what’d we’d have bought with a theoretical wad of cash.
This being Monterey, the average sale price from across all auctions wasn’t cheap at $477K. We knocked the budget for this exercise down a good ways to $100,000—still a lot of money, but decidedly less stratospheric than most of the cars that crossed the block. We set parameters of just one car, but the deals out there motivated a couple of our staff to pick two, and we can’t blame them for spending pretend money how they wanted. Without further delay, here’s what our staff would’ve taken home:
1972 DeTomaso Pantera
I love DeTomaso Panteras, and there were a lot of them up for grabs this year around Monterey. Mecum had an entire collection of them, two of which fell under the $100,000 limit of this exercise. But for my Pantera budget, this 1972 model that sold at Broad Arrow for $75,040, with its delicate chrome bumpers, 30,000 original miles, and a Marti Report, was the pick of the bunch.—Stefan Lombard
1979 Ford F250 and 1965 Ford Mustang GT
So many possibilities! I’d scoop this 1979 Ford F250 pickup for $16,500, because it would make chores around the property a bit more enjoyable. Plus, I just love the pickups from this era—and I’m not even really sure why! Then after a hard day’s work, I’d want something fun to take out to celebrate with my wife.
Which leads me to this sweetheart 1965 Mustang GT. I really enjoy these notchback bodies, and the 289 would provide plenty of power without being unwieldy. That one sold for $33,000. At just shy of $50,000 between the two, I’d feel satisfied and happy. The extra money would probably go towards gas and maybe some car-based adventures with my wife. (Or perhaps some truck-based adventures with my wife and dog!)—Nathan Petroelje
1923 Star Model C Touring Car
Bang for the buck is out of this world for this 1923 Star. Nothing would start more interesting conversations than constantly having to explain that “no, actually it’s not a Model T.” The conventional controls would make sharing the driving experience easy and possibly open more drivers up to pre-war cars—all for under $7k.—Kyle Smith
1956 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz Convertible and 1979 Honda CBX1000
I’m going with a big/small combo. The Biarritz is just excess—excess in design details, luxury, and technology for 1956. Just a friggin’ moonshot of ’50s optimism. And at $88K for the Caddy, there’s still enough left over to fork out $3300 for the bike. I confess to knowing very little about this CBX, and I’m not even a bike dude. But I am an inline-six obsessive, and the notion of 1.1-liter straight six in a Honda is way too interesting for me to overlook!—Eric Weiner
1961 Pontiac Bonneville Convertible
Like Stefan, I’m drawn to DeTomaso Panteras—for me, the combo of Italian styling and an engine I can get parts for at NAPA is hard to beat—but something about late summer says big convertible to me. This ’61 Bonneville for $49,500 hits the right notes: The white over burgundy works well with the cleaner jet-age styling of the early ’60s, and little details like the wheels and pattern on the seats and doors caught my eye.—Eddy Eckart
1970 Alfa Romeo GT 1300 Junior Zagato
Lot 103 at the Bonhams Quail auction on Friday was a 1970 Alfa Romeo GT 1300 Junior Zagato, which sold for $39,200, or about 12% below its condition appropriate value. Some detail issues can be overlooked by examining the aerodynamic and lightweight Zagato body, which later inspired the Honda CRX. If the 1290-cc engine isn’t big enough, it comes with a spare 1600-cc block, too.—John Wiley
This Junior Zagato caught my eye too. They share many mechanical parts with the other 105-series cars, so most Alfaholics (etc) performance mods bolt straight on, but you still have a rare Zagato body.—John Mayhead
1967 Volkswagen Beetle Custom Jolly Roadster
I live a few miles from the beach, so my choice would be this VW Beetle “Jolly” for just less than $25K. It would make a great pairing with my VW camper, and would be just the thing to buzz down to the sea for an evening swim. I love the “Jolly” conversions, and this one seems like a lot of fun for not a great deal of money.—John Mayhead
1954 Allard K3 Roadster
The K3 is one of Allard’s later, lesser known creations, but it’s basically the same formula as the more famous J2 and J2X. Namely, monster American V-8 (usually Cadillac or Chrysler Hemi) in a small, simple British roadster. Allard made just 63 of them, but we were spoiled for choice in Monterey this year because there were two of them up for grabs, one blue Chrysler-powered car and one red Caddy-powered one. I’m going to go with the red. At $84,000, it’s a few grand cheaper than the blue one, and nearly 10 grand cheaper than its #4 value despite being in really good shape.—Andrew Newton
1982 Kawasaki SR250
This bike is really cool: It’s a 1982 Kawasaki SR250 factory team race bike. While the $71,500 final price is a lot for any bike, I am assuming the budget we’re talking about is not using my own money, and I would happily spend someone else’s money on a frivolous bike purchase for something so cool. I’ve wanted a 2-stroke bike, so why not this? I’d spend the rest of the money on race gas, Kawasaki KPO 2-Stroke oil and landscaping at the family property up north to build a mini MX course… and if anything else is left over, I’d stash it away to make sure I can make my medical copays if I send it too hard…—Greg Ingold
1957 Fiat-Abarth 750 GT Coupe
There were a lot of oddball Zagato cars to choose from this Monterey, but I’m going to go with this 1957 Fiat-Abarth 750 GT Zagato at Bonhams. I’ve always loved the “double bubble” and this one was a steal! At only $78,400, it hammered 30% below low estimate with a final price almost half the $149k Price Guide Value for the #3+ condition given by our auction staff.—Adam Wilcox
1973 Porsche 911 T Coupe
The Fiat-Abarth Adam picked stood out to me, too. I thought about one of the factory five cars at Mecum, but I have no idea if I’d actually like them. The car I’d want if it drove past, though, is this ’73 911 T. Finished in eye-catching Aubergine and coming in at a hair over $85k, it’s a great-looking early 911 at a not outrageous price.—Richard Salmons
The Pantera is one of the greatest bargains of the exotic cars left today.
Not quite. The Lotus Esprit is one of the best forgotten supper cars.
I had a Lotus Esprit … I passed a girl I know and flashed the headlights. She didn’t wave back. When I saw her again I asked why she didn’t wave. She said I thought it was a Fiero . I put the car up For Sale that night. Geeez
Thought you were going to say she should have flashed her u know whats at U.
Plus anyone who judges by the car you drive isnt worth the effort.
You sold an Esprit because a girl didn’t know what it was? Seriously?
Drove a 2002 in the early 80’s. Most common comment from the girls was “cute car”.
They still say it…but rarely do I leave the garage in my 2002 without a positive comment from all ages–kids who think it’s cool to young ladies who (yeah) think it’s cute to older folks who “used to have one or knew someone who did.”
I’ve been holding out for the forgotten dinner car.
Came to make a similar comment, but got beat to the Post Comment button. 😆
think crow is being served.
I can honestly say that I believe the “supper” car is the correct nomenclature. It totally eclipses the “break-fast” car. I guess that I am far removed from “today’s” correct descriptive terms. Perhaps my 1969 Super Bee 440 Six-Pack would be a “luncheon” model? I’m elderly and it’s hard to keep up with modern jargon. These kids today are just “crazy,” and hard for us “oldsters” to keep up with.
Agreed, I don’t think that most car enthusiast know that you can have a brutally powerful Italian mid engine supercar for 100 grand
And they’re easy to work on, with all parts available nationwide. Several marque clubs are more that helpfull and a couple of questions-answered boards are in operation on-line.
I remember when a Pantera was $35,000 new.
One of the greatest bargains of a new exotic car then.
I remember when they were 10k new!
Yep! And I quote from Classic Motorsports: “The De Tomaso-built Pantera arrived for 1971 with much fanfare. After all, this would be Ford’s counter to the world’s best, sporting modern lines, fully independent suspension, a mid-mounted engine and all the horsepower courtesy of a 351 Cleveland Ford V8. At not quite $10,000 out the door of your friendly Lincoln-Mercury dealer, the Pantera undercut the competition from Ferrari and Lamborghini by 50%.”
I agree with Eddy about the Bonneville – gorgeous car. But that 1923 Star for less than ten grand? I had no idea something that rare would still be so reasonable. Kyle’s right – it would talk the cake at our local car shows.
Agree on the Poncho, though the Catalina/Ventura bubble-top is the best looking of a good looking year. One of my top faves — that I can’t afford!
ANY Allard would make me thrill; I missed an Allard saloon with Lincoln V-12 power at a Turlock CA swap in the ‘eighties for about $3K. Not the sensual treats of the K3’s and J-2’s, but still… and Allard. I found a decent Railton roadster in a CA town of about 100 souls back in the ‘seventies, but it had been scouted by a high-roller already. My ’61 Pontiac is a Tempest coupe, with the rare Buick aluminum 215 V-8, still in progress.
I’m with you on the Ventura’s in all body types. The shorter trunk in what does it but it also loses the hydromatic for the turbine 300. Not the best trans on the planet.
The ’61 Pontiac was my immediate choice among the cars listed. I agree completely with those who appreciate the Ventura coupe, but, yes, the “Slim Jim” Roto-Hydramatic in the short wheelbase Pontiacs (’61 – ’64) is a drawback. Hmmm . . . guess we could look for a 4-speed!
The SR 250 is cool but toooo pricey. And for those years the word ‘Elsinore’ should follow. For the money and want of a 2 stroke.? Late seventies Yamaha DT-400 Enduro, IN yellow.
I had a ‘78 DT400E from 1980 to 2010
What a great bike!
Had a 1982 Honda CB 1100R. Fabulous bike.
Mike D , The later XT-350 ( four stroke ) was also an excellent bike for those looking for a dual purpose. Nothing like being able to go grab a cup of coffee on the pavement, then jump through the break in the guardrail and buzz along the railroad tracks. For those of more ‘modest means’ a good way to go and less of a compromise than a fun sensible decision.
$3300 is a great deal for a CBX, but that isn’t one in the pic. That’s a 60s race Honda of displacement unknown to me, I’m not well versed in those. But a CBX has alloy wheels and disc brakes, among many other differences from the bike in the pic.
You are correct on the CBX details you shared, but that bike in the photo is indeed a CBX. The Mecum auction listing included the critical detail “Built by Jim Reger in tribute to Jim Redman’s race winning RC166 model.” I’ve updated the article to include a link that should help to clarify.
Here is the link for you also: https://www.mecum.com/lots/1125514/1979-honda-cbx1000/?aa_id=609880-0
Jim Reger was well-known in the SF bay area MC community for his craftsmanship and engine builds. I remember him rolling this thing out at a show 25+ years ago, and firing it up. The exhaust note is incredible, and LOUD. This bike is a great tribute to the 6-cylinder Honda race bikes of the ’60s. I’m surprised the hammer price doesn’t have another zero.
Ahhh.. Thanks for clarifying. I was also very confused by the bike in the photo being described as a Honda CBX. But the extra context clears things up and suddenly the bike and the price make a lot more sense. Still a great deal on a cool bulid!
For the record, neither this tribute bike nor the original RC166s were inline engine, they are transverse! FN made the first inline four, then in America, Henderson’s in all their iterations, plus, Pierce, the Ace, Cleveland and Indian, plus many from Europe. The Honda, transverse six’s and all the American, and European inline fours are all beautiful bikes!
The CBX is an inline-six engine mounted transverse, yes.
All of the sports cars on this list are good picks and good buys!
The Pantera would be my favorite from this list.
Don’t dump the car, dump the girl.
A friend was working at an exotic/luxury car dealership in the ’80s. He had a date with a new girl, his boss let him borrow his new Rolls.
The girl asked what the car was.
“A Rolls Royce” he said.
“What?…never heard of it”.
I hope that VM Jolly conversion was done by a competent shop.
I live in a small New England town and am utterly amazed at what I see. There is a Countach that I occasionally see when I’m out for a walk. Wears a camouflaged paint job. Lives up the hill from me. Then there is a yellow Pantera just down the road a bit. Yesterday I was at a car show with a red 1972 DINO. I have to admit that I love the Pantera. Saw Elvis driving his in Atlantic City years ago.
Elvis shot his Pantera not once, but twice for being recalcitrant on two different occasions.
Once in the steering wheel, and once in the dash.
The car is at the Petersen Automotive Museum, bullet holes and all.
I’m 70 years old and I have only seen 2 1961 Pontiac Bonneville convertibles in my life. 1961 was not a good year for GM cars with Slim Jim transmissions. I’ve only seen 3 Starfire convertibles either. I just assume owners got tired of putting transmissions in and for that reason they didn’t survive. With that said the 1961-1962 full size GM cars were absolutely beautiful. Is there cleaner and more gorgeous design that the 1962 Chevrolet Impala? May I add I’m Ford guy and will admit that.
In Jr High School, the one car I fell in love with was a ’62 Chevy Impala SS convertible in that beautiful metalic blue that Chevy had at the time! There are two ’62 Impala SS in my neck of the woods; only one is a convertible and one is red, the other black. Both are show-worthy beautiful, but not that wonderful blue!
I’m 84 years young and have a foot in the 1964 Chevy crowd and a foot int the 1954 Ford crowd. I enjoy both!
Have always had a soft spot in my heart (or head?) for itty bitty Fiat Abarths. But underneath $75k worth of lovely aluminum body lies the floorpan and running gear (suitably massaged by Carlo, of course) of a Fiat 600…
My parents bought a new ‘61 Pontiac Catalina station wagon. The transmission was gone in two years. They had a beautiful design though.
The ‘67 VW sure looks suspiciously like a ‘66 or earlier. ‘67s had flat headlights with no glass cover.
And different, more modern design hubcaps.
I have been in love with Panteras since my Dad took me to the local Lincoln Mercury dealer to see the first one that had arrived in Nashville. I would have been about 13 at the time and thought (still do) this is one of the most beautiful cars I had ever seen. They’re all great, but the early cars with thin chrome bumpers and no wings or flares are the most desirable to me. A few years later, I came up beside a blue one at a traffic light. I was in my 289-powered ’67 Mustang. Revved the engine in an invitation to “race”, knowing full well I had the same chance as an ice cube in the oven. It worked. He took off and I loved the sounds and sights of those few seconds I was able to keep within sight of him. Came home smiling big that day!