More "Factory Freaks" that people think are valuable....But Aren't!!

Some people were offended by me saying that certain cars aren't valuable, just weird. Sorry if the truth hurts, people. Here's some more people who think they have a diamond that's really a chunk of coal. # 1. 1972 Chevelle SS. From 1966-1970 the "SS" moniker on a Chevelle meant a Rat motor-usually a 396, for 1970 a 402 ( marketed as a 396, but actually 402 inches ) or a 454. For some reason in 1971 Chevrolet made the SS option available on any V8 Malibu. Which meant you could have a badass looking ride with a 2bbl 307 V8 that wheezed out 130 hp. This clown had the L65 350 with a 2bbl that had 165 hp. Of course because it's "rare" he thinks it's worth major bucks. Sorry, pal "rare" doesn't always mean "valuable".  # 2. 1972 Olds 442. Same thing here. From 1965-71 the 442 was it's own model and had either 400 ( 1965-69 ) or 455 ( 1970-71 ) cubes as standard equipment. In '72 the 442 package became an "Appearance and Handling" package on any 2 dr Cutlass model. So this guys 442 that has a 160 hp 2bbl 350, bench seats, and a column-shifted automatic is NOT worth as much as a 455, 4-speed W30 1970 model, even though there were fewer 350 2bbl models produced!!  Like I said about the "Turnpike Special" GTO-no one wants a Chevelle SS or 442 that can't outrun a 4-cylinder Honda Accord from a light!!  # 3. 1979 Trans-Am. For some insane reason in 1979 if you wanted to knock $150 off a ten grand sticker-in place of the 400 Pontiac and 403 Olds engines you got a 301 Pontiac V8 that wheezed out 150 hp. This guy is proud of his-it's black and gold-full "Bandit" regalia-T-Tops, 8 inch snowflake wheels, 4-wheel disc brakes, WS6 suspension, etc. It's a great looking car. That again-will gets it's ass handed to him by a soccer mom in a Camry. He doesn't understand why he can't sell it for $30,000!! Because hey-a buddy of his got 40k for his '79 T/A.  A 400, 4-speed,WS6, 10th Anniversary model with 8,000 original miles!!  Does the term "Apples and Oranges" come to mind?  # 4. 1971 T-37 Tempest. This guy was mortally offended when I suggested that he swap the 2bbl 350 / 3-speed manual for a 400 or 455 and a 4-speed, and put some front disc brakes on it from another A-body-( Chevelle, Monte Carlo, Cutlass, Buick Skylark, LeMans ) or get a conversion kit from Summit. "And ruin it's value?" he sneered incredulously. Tell me, what value does a 2bbl 350, 3-speed manual,4-wheel drum braked, strippy Tempest have?  If it had a 455HO ( which was an option ) and a Rock-Crusher 4-speed or a TH400 ( which were mandatory with the 455HO ) it would be worth major bucks. But If anyone actually wants a 350 Tempest or LeMans-who ISN'T planning on making a GTO clone-you can buy them for a lot less than this guy thinks his is worth. You can buy a Ram Air III Judge for less than what this guy THINKS the Tempest is worth!!  # 5. 1981 Z/28 Camaro. For some insane reason in 1981 if you bought a Z/28 with an automatic you got a 190 hp 350 backed by a TH350 and a 3.42:1 posi rear. If you wanted a 4-speed-you got a 305 that wheezed out 145 hp. I say insane reason because 1981 emission standards were not noticably stricter than 1980. And you could get a 350 / 4-speed combo in the Corvette. ( In 1980 Z/28's you could get a 4-speed with the 350. You got a 3.08:1 rear axle, but the tranny had a 3.44 1st and a 2.28 second. A great combo-harder acceleration than previous years 2.64 low and 3.73:1 rear, and much better fuel economy and top-speed on the highway! )  Anyhow-this guy is proud of his 305 model that even has the "Cowl Induction" hood. Sounds badass while you run 17 second 1/4's and get your lunch eaten by little boys in Honda Civics and soccer moms in non-turbo Subaru Foresters!!  He too was aghast when I suggested he swap in a healthy 350 or 383. If you want to buy and love some oddball car that's fine. I've always been a "Whatever Floats your Boat" kind of guy. But don't be offended and deride others who may not think it's the cat's meow, and might innocently point out that the same model with different options would be more valuable to the general public!!  Again-"Rare" doesn't always compute into "Valuable". There's a good reason why certain combinations didn't sell a lot!  Mastermind