According to the latest value guides, a 1976 AMC Pacer in excellent overall condition (but falling short of concours-quality) should be worth in the neighborhood of $6,000, but when that Pacer is the original Mirthmobile, driven by Wayne Campbell and Garth Algar (actually, Mike Myers and Dana Carvey) in the surprise 1992 hit Wayne’s World, all bets are off. Last Saturday, the recently restored Wayne’s World 1976 AMC Pacer crossed the stage at Barrett-Jackson’s Las Vegas auction, selling for a fee-inclusive price of $37,400, and easily besting the $18,945 existing world auction record for an AMC Pacer.

Like the movie itself, which sprung from a series of skits on Saturday Night Live, no one expected the Mirthmobile to be a hit. Its Earl Schieb-quality light blue paint was sprayed over the original yellow, and flame decals were added in contrast to the performance potential of the Pacer’s 232-cu.in, 90-horsepower inline-six. The car’s wheels were deliberately mismatched with hubcaps up front and chrome wagon-spokes out back to emphasize the car’s teen-poverty origins. On the other hand, it did have an Excellent! audio system, a soft-drink tap and a ceiling-mounted licorice dispenser.

How Garth Algar's Mirthmobile ended up in Vegas, on Pawn Stars, and then on the auction stage. Licorice dispenser included.