Cars To Watch: 10 Under $100,000 – Monterey 2013

Pebble Beach in August is best known among classic car enthusiasts as home to the world’s premier Concours d’Elegance and general locale for the sale of some of the world’s most expensive cars. But during a week in which close to 1,000 vehicles will be sold, it should also be noted that there are plenty of great cars available for prices that are a little more grounded. Here are 10 that caught our eye.

1984 Audi Quattro
Russo and Steele, Consignment Number 5053
The Ur Quattro popularized all-wheel drive, which would become commonplace on everything from sports cars to family sedans 20 years later. A driver’s favorite, this model could be a lot of inexpensive fun. It carries L.A. Olympic decals from its reported stint as an exec car during the 1984 games, which amps up the retro appeal.
Auction estimate: N/A

1967 Alfa Romeo Giulia Duetto
Gooding & Co., Lot Number 69
The Alfa Duetto remains a great choice for a first collectible. It is sexy, iconic, easy to live with, and satisfying to drive, all for around $30,000. Prices have been flat during the past three years.
Auction estimate: $35,000 – $50,000

1959 Triumph TR3A
Bonhams, Lot Number 116
The quintessential British sports car, with cut-down doors, minimal weather gear, and wire wheels. TR3s remain popular among all levels of buyers because they combine reliability, affordability, performance and vintage style in a way that few other cars do. Prices jumped a year ago, but have been mostly stable since.
Auction estimate: $30,000 – $40,000

1974 BMW 3.0 CSi
Mecum, Lot Number F53
Long a favorite of understated collectors, BMW E9 coupes have been poised for a value bump for the past year, but few high-quality stock examples have traded in public to cement this leap. This one appears to have undergone an impressive frame-off restoration, and carries a non-original but desirable 5-speed transmission. The amount of interest this car generates will be telling of the E9 market in general.
Auction estimate: N/A

1961 Pontiac Ventura 389/348 Sport Coupe
Russo and Steele, Consignment Number 5069
GM’s 1961 “Bubble Top” cars are some of the prettiest American cars produced from the 1960s. The Impala tends to get the recognition, but the Ventura delivers all of the same fun at a discount. This particular car is fresh off a restoration and is equipped with a factory 4-speed. As with all American muscle, check documentation, then bid accordingly.
Auction estimate: N/A

1990 Buick Reatta convertible
Mecum, Lot Number T16
Part of GM’s convertible revival of the late 1980s. The Reatta is more a curiosity among today’s collectors than anything, but good ones are rare and show surprisingly well. This blue example runs early on Thursday and could be a bargain.
Auction estimate: N/A

1974 BMW 2002 Turbo
Gooding & Co, Lot 110
Often regarded as one of the key pre-cursors to BMW’s M performance division, the 2002 Turbo is also reportedly an incredibly electrifying car to drive. Experienced drivers only need apply. Asking prices for these cars have routinely eclipsed $100,000 in 2013, but they rarely find their way into a public arena. A benchmark car.
Auction estimate: $60,000-$80,000

1966 Pontiac Catalina convertible
Mecum, Lot Number F213
The Catalina carries the same great styling — on a grander scale — as the popular Pontiac GTO, only at half the price. This particular car looks to be well presented in black over red, and should admirably serve someone as a fun weekend cruiser. 2+2s have been on the rise, which makes the standard Catalina that much more attractive.
Auction estimate: N/A

1966 Lotus Cortina Mk I
Bonhams, Lot Number 162
Lotus Cortinas have performed well in the market over the last few years, with famed racer KPU 392C bringing nearly $300,000 in England earlier this summer. Bonhams is offering a one-owner, 6,000-mile example with a low estimate of $50,000, though we expect this car to sail past that.
Auction estimate: $50,000 – $100,000

1951 Frazer Vagabond utility sedan
Mecum, Lot Number S47
Rarely remembered and even rarer still to see, the Vagabond utility sedan’s conventional-looking rear end opens entirely up a la a hatchback. An interesting example of shipbuilder Henry Kaiser’s short-lived foray into consumer automobile production.
Auction estimate: $30,000 – $40,000