"Factory Freaks" aren't collectible....Their just weird!

I've had several people email me telling me about their ultra-rare cars, and some lamenting that they don't understand why they can't sell the car for the insane asking price-I mean after all it is 1 of 1 right?  A buddy of mine used to say "A Rare Turd, is still a Turd." Truer word were never spoken. Here's some of the more entertaining ones. # 1. 1966 427 Corvette. This guy is perplexed that even though he's asking $100,000 for the car-no one's even offered him 50. Why? you ask-427 Stingrays go for 50-100k all the time in Hemmings, right? What's wrong with this one?  It's a 390 hp 427 backed by a Powerglide!!  Why GM was doing this I don't know. The excellent 3-speed TH400 that was used well into the '90's was introduced in the "big" cars-i.e Chevy Impala, Pontiac Catalina, etc in 1965. Yet if you bought a musclecar-a 396 Chevelle, a GTO or 442-and wanted an automatic you got the awful 2-speed Powerglide / ST300. The TH400 wasn't used in GTO's or Chevelles until 1967! And why in God's name did they offer a Rat-motored 'Vette with one? You couldn't get a TH400 in a 'Vette until 1968!!  With a 1.76:1 low gear and a 1:1 second-anything with a Powerglide was a dog. ( TH400s have a 2.48:1 1st, a 1.48 2nd and a 1:1 third. TH350s have similar gearing-2.52,1.52,1:1.)  So even a 427 powered 'Vette is going to be a slug with a "Powerslide" and 3.08:1 or 3.36:1 gears, when others had a 4-speed and 3.70s or 4.11s!! On the upside-a TH350 is an exact bolt-in for a Powerglide-their the exact same length and use the same rear trans mount and driveshaft yoke. So the owner or a prospective buyer could swap in a TH350 and get a huge performance boost. But the exorbitant price he's asking-I mean let's be honest-I've seen documented L88's for 100 grand! And I've seen Tri-Power 435 hp, 4-speed models for 50-75!! People just go-okay that's unique, but not interested. # 2. 1967 GTO. This guy is proud of the fact that his GTO has 265 hp 2bbl engine-( The "Turnpike" special ) backed by a TH400 and 2.93:1 gears. Oh, and it has a Hurst Dual / Gate shifter. Why some dumb-ass sales manager ordered a GTO with a step-down engine and a ratchet shifter, I don't know. Maybe it was "price leader" come on gimmick. Anyway, this guy doesn't know why people aren't in awe of his pristine GTO that can't outrun a Honda Accord from a stoplight!  When I suggested he invest in a factory or aftermarket 4bbl carb and intake and some 3.55:1 gears to get a huge performance boost, he was aghast. "Modify a rare classic?" he said incredulously. Couldn't convince him that his car wasn't worth anything other than being a clean GTO body; he thinks it's worth more than a Ram Air IV Judge-because there's less of his model! Good luck with that. Which brings up Idiot # 3. 1980 Corvette. For a short time in 1980 Chevrolet had no 350 V8s cerified with California emissions. So while the other 49 states could buy 1980 Corvettes with a 190 hp L48 350 with either a 4-speed or a TH350, or the 230 hp L82 with a TH350-in California you could only get a 305 that wheezed out 145 hp backed by a slushbox. Enthusiasts and the buff magazines howled bloody murder. Chevrolet reacted quickly and got the 350s EPA Certified for California, and the great disturbance in the force was quelled. However, every once in a while you see some idiot advertsing his "Ultra-rare" 305 'Vette for sale for some outrageous price-usually more than what people ask for late '70's L82 / 4-speed Silver Anniversary or Indy Pace Car models. And their shocked that they have no offers. Anyhow-cars like this aren't collectible, their just weird. I've seen Mach 1 Mustangs with stripes,spoilers,hood scoops,rear window louvers, and Magnum 500 wheels-full badass regalia-with 2bbl 351s under the hood. I've seen Dodge Chargers with 2bbl 383s and 400s under the hood. Three-speed sticks, two-speed automatics, cars with no power steering, etc-are just odd. I've seen Pontiac Gran Prixs with 4-speed manuals behind 400s and 428s, I've seen Monte Carlos with 4-speed sticks, and with a three on the tree! Back in the '60's and '70's if something was standard equipment or optional-you can bet some idiot wanted it-no matter how odd it was. But I wouldn't pay big bucks for one. Here's a perfect example a guy is asking $70,000-that's righ I said seventy grand not seven-for a 1971 Dodge Demon. He say he can document that it's the only one sold by Mr Norm's Grand Spaulding Dodge. It has a 340 V8 that Mr Norms supposedly put a "Six-Pack" induction system on as a dealer-installed option. The car also has ugly plaid vynil bench seats, no power steering, no guages, four-wheel drum brakes, and it's a 3-speed stick. And it has a vynil top. On the same website their selling a pristine 1973 340 Duster that has a Torqeflite,bucket seats and a console, power steering, power front disc brakes, and factory a/c. And a factory sunroof. And it was priced at $29,000. I say priced because it sold in less than a week. Gee, wonder why the "1 of 1" Demon hasn't sold for 70K??  70 K? That's 440 / Six-Pack Charger or Challenger money pal, not for a strippy 340 Demon with ugly upholstery!!  Anyhow-unless their dirt-cheap, I'd avoid these "rare" turds. I mean birds. Mastermind