Auction Preview: Mecum’s 2014 Kansas City Sale

With just over a month left in the year, Mecum looks to carry momentum from its successful Anaheim auction to the Dec. 4-6 event at the Kansas City (Mo.) Convention Center, where an estimated 750 collector vehicles are slated to cross the block. With a combination of both high end and affordable collector cars up for grabs, here are four of particular interest:

1971 Pontiac Firebird Formula 400 Coupe
Lot F170
Hagerty Price Guide: $13,000-$52,100
If you wanted the thrills of a Trans Am without all the extra frills, the Formula 400 was the car for you, and it still holds true today. The understated Formula is a great way to get many of the Trans Am features without paying a Trans Am premium. Prices have been nudged higher over the past year, but good examples remain within reach of the average collector. While prices have been predictable, we’ll be watching to see how a few minor cosmetic upgrades can affect the winning bid.

1977 Chevrolet K20 Pickup
Lot T120
Hagerty Price Guide: N/A
Trucks have been gaining interest recently. They are a relatively inexpensive way to get into a quality classic vehicle. Restorations are simple and a novice mechanic can tackle the repairs. The 1973-87 Chevrolet pickup is possibly one of the most abundant collector trucks out there. A long production run, interchangeable parts and ease of ownership have kept many of these vehicles on the road and away from the crusher. What is hard to find is an original low-mileage example. The example offered ticks plenty of the right boxes: 4-wheel drive, manual transmission and 350 small-block power. It doesn’t get much better. Will bidders be willing to shell out extra for an attractive odometer reading of 18,000 original miles? We’ll find out.

2004 Pontiac GTO Coupe
Lot F71
Hagerty Price Guide: N/A
Pontiac grabbed everyone’s attention when it brought back the GTO nameplate in 2004. What you got was essentially a Holden from Australia in Pontiac trim with a 350 horsepower 5.7L V-8. This rather unassuming car was capable of a 5.3-second 0-60 time. With relatively low performance compared to today’s performance lineup and either love-it-or-hate-it looks, the GTO has seen gradual depreciation over the past few years. That makes this car a great entry level muscle car. This example is advertised as having just over 10,000 miles and single ownership – the perfect opportunity to see what a nearly new example is able to bring.

1971 Mercedes-Benz 280SL Roadster
Lot S119
Hagerty Price Guide: $39,700-$140,000
Mercedes SL roadsters have been in the spotlight for a while now. The 300SL is easily a $1 million car, creating a tide that has spiked prices of attractive alternatives. Over the past year, the 280SL has nearly doubled in value. Will the 280SL keep some of its steam as the year comes to a close? This is one of the few chances left to find out.