Monterey Car Week usually has something for everyone, not just the ultra-wealthy, so we’ve found five cars available at Mecum‘s sale that should be attainable for less than $50,000. Let’s check them out.
1. 1973 Volkswagen Thing
This 1973 Volkswagen Thing has 63,981 miles from new, and features a high-performance FAT 1750cc engine, dual carburetors, a high-flow exhaust system, and 4-speed manual transmission with Hurst shifter. The Thing has always had a strong cult following, and with average values rising since late 2019, it’s experiencing some more mainstream appreciation as well.
2. 1968 Ford Mustang
The Mustang is one of those cars that will never go out of style. The automatic transmission on this example keeps the value down in more affordable range, but this 1968 Mustang is clean, attractive, and ready for cruise night.
3. 1967 Chevrolet Camaro
This first-year Camaro can be an attractive buy for the Chevrolet pony car enthusiast. While the 327 CI V-8 engine has some minor upgrades from factory spec, the four-speed manual transmission boosts the value 20% above average. With no reserve on this car, there is an opportunity for a great deal on this Butternut Yellow F-body.
4. 1972 Toyota FJ-43 Land Cruiser
A rarely seen version of the beloved Land Cruiser is the FJ-43, never sold in North America but extremely popular in many international markets. This particular 1972 example was imported from Colombia and has undergone a frame-off restoration, where it remains in excellent condition with its trademark utilitarian charm. Land Cruiser values have leveled off lately, making this FJ-43 a solid investment.
5. 1976 BMW 2002
The BMW collectible market is one that continues to rise in popularity, with certain models experiencing impressive surges in value. The 2002 is indeed one of those models, increasing over 20% in value since the beginning of 2020. Selling with no reserve, this 1976 BMW 2002 has the potential to be very well-bought if you’re looking to catch the 2002 wave before it crests!