My best finds have been from lots that were mis-labeled or incomplete in the description, but had reasonably good photos of the contents. Mind you, this was probably 10-15 years ago, when I was searching more often and with more discipline. My '65 had broken pillars, and a lot of playwear/damage. Repaired the pillars using cast-in-pace technology, worked my way around the scrapes and dings with sanding stix and glazing filler.

Still, it pays to keep pounding the rock, once in a while they do turn up. The common 'giveaway' promos are still regulars online and at swaps and antique stores, like Rose Beige '63 T-Birds, the Ming Green Galaxies, etc. For a while I was seeing the Champagne beige '65 Fairlanes but passed cos I already had one in turnaround.

That said, a few local collectors have mentioned the stratification of the promo market - the boxed rarities in mint condition are commanding exhorbitant money; common, dusty, play worn merch is falling as larger collections from boomers 'crossing the bridge' liquidate with greater frequency.