DRIVING : Rare Treasure or Real Trash Bucket?

Is that dead and dusty car in your garage an appreciating classic or deteriorating rust bucket?

Rick Cole, North Hollywood car auctioneer extraordinaire, says if it is European, sporty or even a tin-plated plaything, chances are it could double in value in the next five years.

According to Cole’s latest list of sleeper collectibles, 1955-57 Pontiac Star-Chief Custom Safari station wagons could be worth $20,000 by 1997. Any kin of Frank Bullitt’s Ford Mustang fastback (1965-66) and Thelma and Louise’s Thunderbird convertible (1964-66) could touch $18,000 and $26,000, respectively.

Other picks:

1955 Chrysler Imperial Newport: “Projected (worth) $15,000 to $20,000 . . . has grace and power under then-contemporary looks.”

1963-69 MGB convertibles: “$6,000 to $8,000 . . . much overlooked British roadster.”

1967 Alfa Romeo Duetto Spyder: “$15,000 to $18,000 . . . Dustin Hoffman drove one in ‘The Graduate’ and first year Alfa introduced this body style.”

Tin plate and promotional plastic toy cars: “Unlimited worth . . . buy ones you like in original condition . . . and you can’t go wrong.”

Said a spokesman for Cole’s Newport Beach Collector Car Auction, scheduled this weekend: “As a promotional plastic toy, a Ford Pinto should always be worth more than a real one.”