Paying above book value for a car sometimes has its advantages; such was the case with this handsome Edsel hardtop. For a mere $4,000 more than what the appraisal guides say it’s worth, the buyer bought himself a worthwhile collector car that he couldn’t duplicate for three times that amount if he had to buy one and restore it himself. The recipient of a considerable restoration not too long ago, this Ranger will make an outstanding driver and a respectable show car. Both exterior mirrors were tarnished, and there were minor cracks in the weatherstripping and on the steering wheel, but these were just minor issues. This is one case where both the seller and buyer made out well.

HUDSON

Year: 1950

Model: Pacemaker

Condition: Refurbished/#3

Reserve: None

Selling price: $19, 500

Avg. selling price: $13,000

Until recently, most collectors never gave the Pacemaker a second look, but with prices for the top-shelf Hornet climbing, especially those with Twin-H power, the time has come for the Pacemaker to be considered a creditable collectible. Of course, Hudson enthusiasts knew this years ago, as these models look, ride and handle just as well as the more powerful Hornet. It showed only 17,803 miles, but sadly, it had been repainted, and the finish wasn’t of the highest quality. The grille and adjoining bars were tarnished, and there was quite a bit of overspray visible. Still, it was an honest and very authentic Hudson, something nearly impossible to find in this condition, which made it worth the money paid.

CHEVROLET

Year: 1982

Model: Corvette

Condition: Original/#2

Reserve: None

Selling price: $22, 500

Avg. selling price: $30,000

With prices of the mid-year models and early ’70s Stingrays out of sight for many buyers, the 1978-’ 82 fastback-styled Corvettes are starting to gain more recognition as collector-worthy models. And because this ’ 82 was a low-mileage, unrestored original, it was the exact type of car that Corvette collectors are after. Driven just 18,000 miles since new, it was an honest, original car with its factory-applied paint, as well as being a limited production Collector Edition model. The placard stated that it was a one-owner car, always garaged and had never seen rain—it looked it. Loaded with options including CB radio and T-top carrier, it was as desirable as any cross-fire-injected ’ 82 will ever get. The buyer scored.

PONTIAC

Year: 1956

Model: Star Chief

Condition: Restored/#2

Reserve: None

Selling price: $62,000

Avg. selling price: $60,000

Finally, the collector-car hobby has awoken and realized that the mid-’50s Pontiacs are every bit desirable as their more popular cousins, the Tri-Five Chevys. While the Star Chief and Chieftain looks like an old-man’s car compared to the more contemporary Chevy, the Pontiacs are better appointed, with dashboards that are far more appealing to look at. This particular Star Chief convertible had a very high-quality body-off restoration, with perfect paint, interior and door gaps; it wouldn’t look out of place on the lawn at Pebble Beach. And with its four-barrel 316-cu.in. V- 8 providing a healthy dose of power, this was one Fifties car that the whole family would enjoy cruising in. Well bought.

BUICK

Year: 1958

Model: Roadmaster

Condition: Restored/#3+

Reserve: None

Selling price: $53,000

Avg. selling price: $65,000

The trend that’s developing today is that most collectors would rather pay over book value for a car that’s perfect than to pay under book value for a previously restored car that needs lots of money thrown at it to make it a #1. We guess that’s the reason this stylish Roadmaster convertible fell short. Restored 20 years ago, its restoration was starting to show its age. The vent window and side window chrome was tarnished, and grinding marks were clearly present on the passenger-side door trim. Aside from the thick-looking paint and several chips, it was still in fine shape. It was the kind of car that you can drive and enjoy without worrying about making it less than perfect. As a result, the buyer scored.

CHEVROLET

Year: 1941

Model: Master Deluxe

Condition: Restored/#1-

Reserve: None

Selling price: $37, 500

Here was the perfect example of why collectors sell their cars at Barrett-Jackson: to get the highest price possible. Even though the value guides peg these ’41 coupes in this same condition for a little less than $20,000, someone thought it was worth twice its value simply because of its condition and rarity. With so many ’41 coupes ruined by street rodders, if you add in the simple fact that it would take far more than $100,000 to restore one to this show-quality condition, the buyer’s reasoning becomes all the more clear. This was as fine a body-off restoration as we’ve seen at a Scottsdale auction. So forget its book value, this was worth every penny.

Avg. selling price: $17,000

CHEVROLET

Year: 1959

Model: 3100

Condition: Restored/#2

Reserve: None

Selling price: $66,000

Avg. selling price: $35,000

Be still, your truck-loving, Hemmings auction correspondent’s heart: A short-wheelbase 1959 Chevrolet with the NAPCO four-wheel-drive conversion, restored to better-than-new condition. Easily one of the nicest trucks to cross the block at Barrett-Jackson, this highly collectible hauler was as beautifully detailed underneath as it was on top. It was also loaded with options like the deluxe heater with defrost, a sun visor, the bed-mounted spare, two-speed wipers and 16-inch, six-lug wheels. The only downside was the 235-cu.in. six-cylinder engine—not that there was anything wrong with it, but a V- 8 is more desirable. Pricey? You bet, but in this case the buyer was paying a premium for a truck in great condition with a pro-quality restoration.

PETERBIILT

Year: 1972

Model: Custom Trike

Condition: Modified/#4

Reserve: None

Selling price: $23,000

Avg. selling price: N/A

Of all the Monster Garage (from the Discovery Channel TV series) creations, this one deserves the nod for most likely to appear in the Mad Max remake that someone must surely be producing by now. Beginning with an inline-six Cummins diesel powered cabover Pete, the TV build team consisting of Randy Grubb of Blastolene Brothers fame; Bernard Juckli, Jay Leno’s head mechanic; Dan Owens, head machinist at Panavision; Robert Owens, a diesel mechanic; and chopper builder Jesse James reworked the pieces of the truck into a post-apocalyptic trike. While the show is still fresh in people’s minds, this thing has value, but time probably won’t be kind to its potential as an investment.