Crack the Code of Classic Car Auctions

Looking to buy a car that’ll make money? Skip cop sales and Craigslist and head to classic car auctions, where the bid blocks are free of Katrina clunkers. “Bargain investments, that you can drive, can be had at auction if you know what to look for,” says Keith Martin, publisher of Sports Car Market Magazine. His No. 1 rule: Buy a fixable ride (“You know many Lotus mechanics?”) that has collector’s cachet. Here’s a guide to cars that will rev your pulse and your bank account.
Pontiac Trans Am (1971-76)
Going Price: $40,000
The screaming chicken symbol of the ’70s is back; just hope you can get the Hai Karate scent out of the seats. The Pontiac’s following grew stead-
ily from its 1969 birth, then exploded in 1977 thanks to Smokey and the Bandit. Solid 1971–76 specimens are among the era’s last old-school big-block engines—and most prized. Score one and you’re a lucky sumbitch.

Oldsmobile 442 (1968-71)
Going Price: $50,000
Not only is this handsome vintage car perfect for cranking Foghat’s
Slow Ride; its V-8 and 390 horses pack serious muscle. Be sure to snag
a model that’s pre-’72, the fateful year the Clean Air Act enforced unleaded gas and emissions controls that strangled the power boost
of this and all muscle cars. Stupid environment!

Buick Grand National GNX (1987)
Going Price: $30,000
If you teased your mullet in the ’80s and/or can argue that Def Leppard’s High ‘n’ Dry is, dude, way better than Pyromania, then the Buick GNX needs no introduction. For all others, this rarity (only 547 were made) was the Maserati of the trailer park with a Corvette-crushing 276 hp and a turbo V-6. This is one of the few collectible Detroit cars from the ’80s.

Austin Healey 3000 (1959-67)
Going Price: $60,000
For those who can’t afford a six-figure Aston Martin or Jag, the Austin Healey is the next best Brit. The enduringly gorgeous, fun-to-drive Austin was a relatively affordable sports car built in England. Downside: high maintenance. Breakdowns are a way of life. Upside: Austin clubs dot the U.S., offering a solid network of mechanics and a shoulder to cry on.