RM Auctions, Hershey Lodge, Hershey, Pennsylvania, October 9-10, 2014
Two collections headlined this year’s RM auction at Hershey.
The first was John Moir, Jr.’s unique assemblage including the ‘A-Z’ collection of 26 marques comprising the full alphabet from A-Z, augmented with his peerless collection of AC cars.
The second was restorer Jeffrey Day’s collection of Fifties cars – mostly Fords – all done to uniformly high standards of appearance and function.
With 169 cars in total – about half from the featured collections – RM expanded the Hershey auction to two days. It was probably the most diverse offering RM has ever put on at Hershey, and that’s saying a lot because this is always a sale that features cars calculated and assembled to appeal to the legion of diverse collectors prowling the AACA Show and swap meet.
One of the intriguing features of Hershey is that foreign collectors flock to it. English is almost in the minority among overheard comments, and even the English is in many cases heavily accented with European pronunciation.
External factors sometimes enter in and that might have been the case in 2014. The British Pound was strong at $1.6049 to the dollar, up a penny from a year ago, but the Euro was at its lowest conversion rate to the dollar in the history of RM’s Hershey auctions, just $1.2636 on Friday. The Euro exchange rate a year ago was $1.3559 making cars in 2014 some 7.3% more expensive for Euro buyers just on the exchange rate alone.
The weather – in stark contrast to last year’s biblical deluge – was beautiful; cool, crisp and clear. It’s the Hershey week we try to remember, not the misery we try to forget.
There were some noteworthy cars among the two collections and the others RM brought to Hershey, but none was more noteworthy than John Moir, Jr.’s 1930 Cadillac 452 V-16 Fleetwood bodied Roadster, the third car offered in Thursday’s sale. In the Moir family since 1933, it was totally as-delivered and restored in the original colors twenty years ago. Yet even that history, quality, presentation and provenance is insufficient to explain the eye-popping price it brought: $1 million hammer, $1.1 million with commission.
And there were enough oddments – particularly, but not exclusively, within the Moir collection – to set the curve for many rarely seen cars and models, including several beautifully restored steam cars, a quantity of steam rarely, if ever, seen at a single auction.
Seventy-six of the 169 offered are reported here (a few that were missed in the preview reported as Not Evaluated, but too significant in their inclusion and presence to overlook.)
RM Hershey is a marvelous catalog of rare, obscure, intriguing and desirable cars, a living education in the history of the automobile’s development, and even the segmentation of the market from practical (and in some cases impractical) people-movers to elegant and powerful classics and sports cars. Along with the AACA Hershey Fall Meet and the acres of iron in the car corral and swap meet it is history up close and in intimate detail.
RM Auctions Hershey 2014 – Auction Report Page Two
Lot # 117 1911 Kelsey Model M Motorette; Red, Black chassis/Black leather; Black leatherette top; Estimate $30,000 – $50,000; Older restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $45,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $49,500. No Reserve – RHD. 2-stroke opposed twin, 72 cubic inches, 10 ALAM hp, 2-speed planetary gearbox, tiller steering, nickel kerosene lights, tiller mounted bulb horn, white tires. – Restored by Robert Zlotoff in the 1960’s with consultation by the car’s builder, C.W. Kelsey. AACA National First Prize in 1964 but has been redone with good paint, interior and nickel. Shows a little age but negligible use and would be back in show condition with some polish, cleaners and elbow grease. John Moir, Jr. Collection. – Like many of the cars in John Moir, Jr.’s A-Z collection this Kelsey Motorette is charming, ingenious and undeniably cute. In terms of value for condition it is one of the best values in the collection and brought a price fair to both the buyer and the seller.Lot # 118 1934 Lancia Augusta Special Tourer, Body by March; S/N 34-1078; Light Green, Green fenders/Green leather; Estimate $300,000 – $400,000; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $130,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $143,000. No Reserve – RHD. Chrome spoke wire wheels, Michelin blackwall tires, Bosch headlights, folding windshield, 4-seat body. – Unusual coachwork designed and built in the UK shop of the Duke of Richmond (Lord March) with trim, modern lines. Show quality paint, chrome and interior. Chassis and engine are thoroughly restored to like-new standards, not an over-restored concours queen. Fresh, sharp gauges. Documented with many restoration records, diagrams and an original owner’s manual. John Moir, Jr. Collection. – The estimate for this neat and handsomely restored little Lancia puts far too much weight on the appeal of the March body, but the bidders managed to take home a rare and attractive Lancia with legendary handling for an equally underweighted price, a very good value.Lot # 120 1953 Nash-Healey Sports Roadster; S/N 2347; Engine # NHA1362; Black/Green leather; Black vinyl top; Estimate $70,000 – $100,000; Unrestored original, 4+ condition; Hammered Sold at $65,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $71,500. No Reserve – 253/140hp Nash six, overdrive 3-speed, wire wheel covers, blackwall tires, fender mirror, luggage rack (not attached), Automatic radio, accessory oil pressure gauge. – Represented as numbers-matching engine. Cracked, chipped old paint, cracked and torn original upholstery, thin chrome. Broken hood latch. Sound and largely original but needs everything. John Moir, Jr. Collection. – The price reflects the condition, which is largely original but not good enough to be used without a great deal of work and too decrepit to make the cut in preservation classes. Bought reasonably for what it is but only the beginning of what it’ll cost.Lot # 122 1937 Packard Six Station Wagon, Body by Baker-Raulang; S/N 1060-1051; Engine # 13395; Green/Brown; Estimate $90,000 – $120,000; Older restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $155,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $170,500. No Reserve – Chrome bumpers, body color wheels, hubcaps, trim ring, whitewalls, rollup front windows, tan side curtains and rear window, tan cloth covered rear-mounted spare, heater. – Early production with Baker-Raulang bodywork, completely rebuilt wood body in the 90’s. Very good paint, interior, and chrome. Freshly varnished wood with no water stains all. Chassis and underbody are like new. Engine is orderly but showing age. A quality car inside and out. John Moir, Jr. Collection. – Elegant, sympathetically restored and exceptionally rare, this is great woodie in excellent older restored condition that will clean up easily to be highly presentable. The price it brought reflects all those things and, while expensive for a Six, isn’t unreasonable.Lot # 124 1931 Rolls-Royce 20/25 Drophead Coupe, Body by Worblaufen; S/N GFT31; Engine # B6H; Light Blue/Dark Red leather; Beige cloth top; Estimate $80,000 – $120,000; Not evaluated; Hammered Sold at $60,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $66,000. No Reserve – RHD. Chrome wire wheels, wide whitewall tires, dip beam light, enclosed rear spare. – Rebodied by Worblaufen in the late 30’s. John Moir, Jr. Collection.Lot # 125 1913 Spacke Cyclecar Prototype; S/N None; Maroon/Black leather; Estimate $30,000 – $50,000; Concours restoration, 1- condition; Hammered Sold at $35,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $38,500. No Reserve – 71 cubic inch, 13hp atmospheric intake single, 2-speed gearbox, wheel steering, oval bolster tank, body color wire wheels, electrified acetylene headlights, rear-mounted spare. – 1998 AACA Senior National First Prize, once owned by Henry Austin Clark, Jr. No numbers and therefore believed to have been the prototype Spacke, one of only three known survivors of the marque. Very good older paint and upholstery. Brass is slightly dull but easily polished up. Engine is very clean. Touching up one or two small paint chips and polishing the brass will bring it back to concours condition. John Moir, Jr. Collection. – The reported 13hp from this engine is optimistic, but the vehicle is beautifully presented and only lightly aged. If nothing else it has great intrigue value, and will always attract attention not only on account of its rarity but also its exceptional presentation and is a sound value at this price.Lot # 126 1958 Triumph TR3A Roadster; S/N TS34495L; Engine # TS35073E; BRGreen/Black vinyl; Black leatherette top; Estimate $15,000 – $25,000; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $20,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $22,000. No Reserve – Silver painted wire wheels, blackwall tires, fender mirrors, luggage rack, Lucas driving lights. – Good older paint, chrome and interior. Resprayed assembled inside the engine compartment. Road grimy under the hood and under the car. An honest and highly presentable driver or a sound basis on which to begin a restoration. John Moir, Jr. Collection. – There’s a deserved premium in this transaction amount for the John Moir, Jr. provenance and the car’s sound, largely original, condition. It’s impossible to argue with the bidders’ determination of value.Lot # 127 1911 Unic GS Roi-des-Belges, Body by Gordon; S/N 7184; Green/Tan leather; No top; Estimate $50,000 – $75,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 4+ condition; Hammered Sold at $27,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $30,250. No Reserve – RHD. Vertical 2-cylinder engine, Lucifer acetylene headlights, Miller sidelights, single sidemount, body color wood spoke wheels, King of the Road folded trumpet bulb horn, Atlantic kerosene taillight. – RHD. Poor quality but sound old paint, decent upholstery. Rim segment missing from steering wheel. Oily, soiled engine and chassis. Hasn’t run in years. Unic [sic] but not attractive. John Moir, Jr. Collection. – Usually, and successfully, employed as taxicabs and engineered by Georges Richard, the Roi-des-Belges bodywork by Gordon on this Unic is unusual, as is the discrete badge on the rear of the body, ‘It takes balls to drive a Unic.’ The new owner got a rare and interesting car for a price that makes the winter’s project to get it running an affordable and enjoyable diversion.
RM Auctions Hershey 2014 – Auction Report Page Three
Lot # 128 1956 Volkswagen Beetle Type 1 2-Dr. Sedan; S/N 1075984; Metallic Blue/Blue; Estimate $5,000 – $10,000; Unrestored original, 4- condition; Hammered Sold at $4,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $4,950. No Reserve – Bumper overriders, turn signals, one-piece oval rear window. – John Moir, Sr.’s last new car, put away years ago and left to molder. Dirty. Sound, dull original paint, sound original interior, rusty chrome. Mice nests in the engine compartment. Dented right rear fender. Surface rusted underbody but no rust through in the body panels. John Moir, Jr. Collection. – ‘Needs everything’ is perhaps too modest for the project that awaits the new owner. While the price paid is generous, it is hardly rounding error in today’s collector car market. A good father-son project car that can be completed without going underwater.Lot # 129 1921 Wolseley Ten Coupe; S/N 51961; Dark Blue, Black fenders/Beige cloth; Black leather top; Estimate $40,000 – $60,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 4+ condition; Hammered Sold at $12,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $13,750. No Reserve – RHD. Fixed door and roof frame with folding leather rear roof section, openings windshield, Howes & Burley electric headlights, cowl lights, bulb horn through the cowl, rear-mounted spare, steel spoke wheels, Smiths clock. – Quick old paint job, sound old upholstery, dull, neglected brass. Oily, grungy engine and chassis. Failing original interior trim, rusty steering wheel controls, fragile original folding top. Not run in years. A project waiting for a receptive enthusiast. John Moir, Jr. Collection. – This Wolseley has great charm and originality and even with the amount of work needed to bring it back to running, driving condition is a great value at this price. Deciding whether to restore or to preserve is going to present a difficult choice, probably best settled by refreshing the mechanicals first so it can be enjoyed without worrying about damage to the pristine cosmetics of a fresh restoration.Lot # 130 1999 Xanthos 23B Sports Racer; S/N 23188; Maroon, Yellow stripes/Black vinyl; Estimate $20,000 – $30,000; Competition restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $37,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $41,250. No Reserve – RHD. Yellow wobbly wheels, Firehawk road tires, two seats, individual chrome roll bars, 4-point belts, wraparound windshield. – Replica Lotus 23B built in the UK in the late 90’s. Road registered in NH. Very good paint, lightly used interior. Road grimy engine and chassis shows it has been used and is described as ready to go. John Moir, Jr. Collection. – There were several quixotic quests to complete John Moir, Jr.’s A-Z collection, like ‘X’, so it was serendipitous when this Lotus 23B replica was announced in 1997. Named for the King of Thebes (or one of Achilles horses, ‘Xanthus’, take your choice) it not only filled out the slot in the collection but has been set up for driving on rural New Hampshire roads, road licensed (NH Town Clerks are very accommodating to collectors willing to pay the local taxes) and frequently used by the Moir family. With its 150hp Lotus-Ford twin cam and weighing next to nothing it should be particularly fun to own and drive, especially at this price.Lot # 131 1923 Yellow Cab Model A-2 Brougham Taxi; S/N 12757; Engine # 1757V76171; Yellow, Black/Brown leatherette; Estimate $40,000 – $60,000; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $30,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $33,000. No Reserve – Sliding division, taximeter, cowl mounted headlights, cabbie cap, jump seats. – Fair old paint, decent upholstery and chrome. Chassis is done to presentable standards. A fun parade car. John Moir, Jr. Collection. – Founded by John Hertz, before he started renting cars, and eventually absorbed into General Motors, this Yellow came from the Harrah’s collection via the Imperial Palace. It is desirably equipped and makes a great visual impression, a charismatic piece of machinery. The new owner should sign up with Uber and give rides; it would make back the investment in two shakes of a lamb’s tail.Lot # 132 1910 Zebra Type A Runabout; S/N 1213; Engine # 1213; Light Blue/Black leatherette; Estimate $20,000 – $30,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 4+ condition; Hammered Sold at $22,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $24,750. No Reserve – RHD. Single R. Broadhurst acetylene headlight, Stadium kerosene sidelights, oogah horn, varnished wood spoke wheels. – 1921 Oxfordshire tax disc. Poor old paint over superficial prep, soldered radiator and firewall mounted brass gas tank. Sound upholstery. Cute but needs a lot. John Moir, Jr. Collection. – Le Zebre in France where it was built, but fortunately for John Moir Jr.’s A-Z collection this car was sold in the UK as the Zebra. It makes a great bookend to the collection, but isn’t much of a car. Neither did it bring much of a price, which is fair to all concerned.Lot # 133 1984 Zoe Zipper Convertible; S/N NH0010687; White/Black, Grey cloth; Black vinyl top; Estimate $5,000 – $10,000; Unrestored original, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $12,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $13,200. No Reserve – Honda dashboard and 49cc/5hp single, CVT transmission, folding top, three wheels, single seat. – One of about 30 built in the US from a Japanese design. Original but aged and a little dirty. John Moir, Jr. Collection. – Bought by John Moir, Jr. to ensure that, even if a quibbler were to insist that the Zebra was actually Le Zebre, the A-Z collection would still be complete. Zoe’s size and quirkiness complement the collection, but it is expensive for a 49cc moped (with a roof and an extra wheel.)Lot # 134 1975 AC Invacar Coupe; S/N Unknown;Light Blue/Blue leatherette; Estimate $2,500 – $5,000; Unrestored original, 4 condition; Hammered Sold at $4,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $4,400. No Reserve – Center steering with handlebars, hubcaps, blackwall tires, sliding side windows. – Poor, dull old reprint, grungy chassis. Sound but aged interior. Generally sorry and not used in years. John Moir, Jr. Collection. – One of a series of 3-wheelers built by AC Cars and supplied during some obscure period of Britain’s National Healthcare scheme to give limited mobility to the mobility challenged. Obscure, and deserves to stay that way.Lot # 135 1926 AC 12/24 Royal Roadster; S/N 30916; Engine # 5763; Tan, Dark Green fenders, Green accent/Green leather; Beige cloth top; Estimate $60,000 – $80,000; Concours restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $45,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $49,500. No Reserve – RHD. Disc wheels, blackwall tires, single sidemount, dual diver’s helmet taillights, rumble seat, chrome radiator shall. – CCCA Senior # 2079. Very good paint, interior and nickel brightwork. Underbody is dusty but still crisp and fresh. Excellent interior wood and gauges. No longer fresh but still exceptional. John Moir, Jr. Collection. – Safely categorized as quirky, but in a good and practical way, and very well restored, this is likely to be more car than money both in presentation and in performance.Lot # 136 1929 AC Acedes-Magna Tourer; S/N 15733; Engine # A4147A; Scarlet, Aluminum hood/Tan leather; Tan cloth top; Estimate $100,000 – $150,000; Concours restoration, 1 condition; Hammered Sold at $70,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $77,000. No Reserve – RHD. Rotax headlights, silver painted wire wheels, Engelbert blackwall tires, tiny fabric covered trunk, single sidemount, rear seat windshield, rear clock. – CCCA National First Prize #2629. Excellent, sharp, shiny and crisp throughout. Still a showcar. John Moir, Jr. Collection. – This AC Acedes may well have been in the best condition of all the John Moir, Jr. cars and it promises to be a good performer, too. A marque and model little known in the U.S., it brought a moderate price and should be considered a good value for the new owner.
RM Auctions Hershey 2014 – Auction Report Page Four
Lot # 138 1950 AC 2-Liter Sports Tourer, Body by Buckland; S/N ELX1512; Engine # UMB150871; Black/Brown leather; Beige cloth top; Estimate $150,000 – $200,000; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $75,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $82,500. No Reserve – Folding windshield, rollup windows, large hubcaps, bias ply blackwall tires, Brooklands steering wheel. – John Moir, Jr.’s car from new, albeit with a thirty-year gap in other hands. Restored in the late 80’s. Good paint, interior and chrome. Chassis and engine have been done to creditable standards, then driven. John Moir, Jr. Collection. – This isn’t a restored car by today’s standards but thirty years after it was done it is showing the quality of the workmanship and materials, as well as its good care in John Moir, Jr.’s hands, in its soundness, presentability and preservation. The estimate is not realistic, but the price is.Lot # 139 1958 AC Aceca-Bristol Coupe; S/N BEX678; Engine # 859D2; Black/Red leather; Estimate $175,000 – $250,000; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $195,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $214,500. No Reserve – 125hp 100D2 Bristol engine, overdrive 4-speed, chrome wire wheels, Michelin X blackwall tires, Radiomobile pushbutton radio, woodrim steering wheel. – Restored by AC Cars years ago for Tom Hickey. Matching numbers engine. Good older repaint and major chrome. Upholstery shows age and use but is sound and has a delightful patina. Dash and instruments are clean and sharp. Good interior wood. Thin trim chrome on window frames. Engine compartment is orderly, oily and grimy and reeks of old gas. John Moir, Jr. Collection. – An honest and well maintained old restoration that is, on account of its being done by AC Cars, hard to fault except for age and use. The price is by most standards generous for the car’s condition but it is hard to question the bidders’ decision to pay this price for this unusually honest Aceca-Bristol.Lot # 140 1958 AC Ace-Bristol Roadster; S/N BEX436; Engine # 805D2; Dark Blue/Black leather; Estimate $225,000 – $300,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $310,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $341,000. No Reserve – 125hp 100D2 Bristol engine, overdrive 4-speed, silver painted wire wheels, bias ply Firestone blackwall tires, tube bumpers, map light, tonneau cover only. – Represented as the original engine. Good older paint, chrome and lightly stretched interior. Chassis and underbody show age. Engine is orderly but not restored and is oily and dirty. Observed during the preview to run and drive very well. John Moir, Jr. Collection. – Is this the ‘anti-Cobra’? The Ace-Bristol is no match for the Cobra’s lightweight and more powerful V-8 but still a great running, driving car that needs no excuses. This is an generous result for this car’s condition, however, for a model which lingers very much in the shadow of its Ford-engined successor.Lot # 143 1963 Studebaker Avanti; S/N 63R3150; White/Tan vinyl; Estimate $25,000 – $35,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $20,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $22,000. No Reserve – 289/240hp, automatic, P/S, P/B, A/C, radio, wheel covers, blackwall tires. – The last car offered from the John Moir, Jr. collection, bought new. Converted from the original 4-speed to an automatic. One owner from new, fair old repaint, sound replaced interior. Orderly underhood, decent chrome. Well maintained and highly useable. John Moir, Jr. Collection. – A modest car, modestly priced and probably reasonable enough to go to the effort of changing back to the original 4-speed.
The last car from the John Moir, Jr. collection.
Lot # 144 1908 Stanley Model H-5 Gentleman’s Speedy Roadster; S/N 4099; Dark Red, Black accent, Cream chassis/Black leather; No top; Estimate $80,000 – $120,000; Concours restoration, 1 condition; Hammered Sold at $185,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $203,500. No Reserve – RHD. Rushmore acetylene headlights, Solar kerosene sidelights, wood spoke wheels, blackwall tires, five element steam whistle, bulb horn, copper drip pan under engine and driveline. – 2012 AACA Senior National First Prize and still show quality with excellent paint, bright brass and attractive upholstery. Better than new. – The first of several marvelous, over-the-top restored steam cars offered by RM at Hershey this year. Price is almost insignificant when a car is this goodLot # 146 1939 Packard Twelve Touring Cabriolet, Body by Brunn; S/N B602030A; Engine # B602030A; Black, Beige cloth roof/Beige cloth; Estimate $130,000 – $160,000; Cosmetic restoration, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $130,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $143,000 – Hubcaps, trim rings, wide whitewalls, dual enclosed sidemounts with mirrors, Trippe lights, luggage rack, rollup division, rear clock, radio, heater. – Mediocre old repaint and interior. Engine cleaned up but the compartment it sits in and the chassis it sits on were not. Generally mediocre and superficially redone. – Sold by RM at Meadow Brook in 2009 for $166,100, then at St. John’s last year for $123,750. Not getting any better but brought a modest profit to its consignor.Lot # 153 1899 Crouch Steam Runabout; S/N 3; Dark Red, Black patent leather mudguards/Black leather; No top; Estimate $60,000 – $90,000; Concours restoration, 1 condition; Hammered Sold at $85,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $93,500. No Reserve – RHD. Single Frankonia acetylene headlight, Solar kerosene sidelights, wood spoke wheels, solid tires, tiller cleaning, three element whistle. – 2012 AACA Grand National winner. One of three apparently built by Crouch, and the only known survivor. Excellent paint and upholstery, brilliant brass. Still concours quality. – A funky thing, but nothing if not an interesting piece of history, even if it’s an automobile evolutionary dead end and magnificently restored and maintained. There can be no contesting the value the bidders here put on this vehicle. It is one and done.
RM Auctions Hershey 2014 – Auction Report Page Five
Lot # 157 1913 American Underslung 22-B Scout Roadster; S/N X590; Red, Black fenders/Black leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $70,000 – $90,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 4+ condition; Hammered Sold at $105,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $115,500 – Electrified Gray & Davis headlights and sidelights, oval bolster fuel tank, single rear spare with round tool box inside, varnished wood spoke wheels, alternator, switch panel from a boat, later speedometer clamped on steering column, bulb horn. – Dirty old car but complete and inclined to be great. Exceptionally cool. A driver, maintained (if that word applies) in generally usable condition with many updates for the 1988 Great American Race to facilitate touring and dormant since. Needs a lot, but will reward sympathetic attention with an important, good handling American sports car. – This is not your conventional collector car. Its many updates make it a bit of a hybrid, but a car to be enjoyed for what it will do, not for what it is. Every bit the sports car as a Mercer or Stutz, without the aura, and a great value even at 1/6th over the modest high estimate. A car for someone who loves to tinker, adjust, tune and drive without worrying about stone chips and bug splatter. I liked this Scout a lot.Lot # 158 1904 Oldsmobile Model 6C Curved-Dash Runabout; S/N NJ1168; Engine # 20388; Black, Burgundy accent/Black leather; Estimate $50,000 – $70,000; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $50,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $55,000. No Reserve – RHD. Wood spoke wheels, NonSkid black tires, bulb horn on tiller, Dietz kerosene headlights. – Good older paint and upholstery done by Curved-Dash expert George Green many years ago. Old AACA National First Prize winner. Engine is oily and a little grimy. A good driver. NJ assigned VIN and engine number. – Henry Ford’s Model T may have put the world on wheels but Ransom Olds’ Curved Dash put America on wheels when Henry was still tinkering with race cars. Always welcome at any show or event, this is an appropriate price for a good, well-maintained Curved Dash.Lot # 159 1924 Marmon Model 34B Speedster; S/N 2240111; Red, Black fenders/Black tape, plaid cloth; Black leatherette top; Estimate $125,000 – $175,000; Unrestored original, 4+ condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $80,000 – Drum headlights, fender mirrors, wind wings, rear-mounted spare, body color wire wheels, blackwall tires, hinged steering wheel. – A solid and complete barn find, still covered in barn dust, same family owned since the 70’s. Mechanically reawakened and said to run and drive well. Crappy old brush repaint but sound and complete with minimal rust and damage. A real find. – ‘Marmon’ and ‘Speedster’ don’t usually come together which may explain the bidders’ reluctance to rise to the bait of this Marmon. Barney Oldfield drove a similar car to pace the 1920 Indianapolis 500 and was so impressed he bought the Marmon he drove. Barney, unfortunately for the consignor, wasn’t in Hershey today.Lot # 160 1915 Stanley Model 820 12-Passenger Mountain Wagon; S/N 15055; Red, Black fenders and accent/Black leather; Estimate $200,000 – $250,000; Not evaluated, – condition; Hammered Sold at $190,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $209,000 – – Believed to be the only Model 820 Mountain Wagon still with its original body. Owned by James Melton from 1944-1952, then by Thomas C. Marshall and others. – Offered here two years ago with a high bid of $190,000, this Mountain Wagon arrived on the block wreathed in steam, like a wraith from a former time. Think about getting off the train and mounting this steaming behemoth for the trip to the F.O. Stanley’s Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado, touring Mount Desert Island in Maine or riding from the Cog Railway to the Mt. Washington Hotel in the Mountain Wagon. This ride has style.Lot # 164 1962 Porsche 356B 1600 Hardtop Coupe, Body by Karmann; S/N 200797; Engine # P606494; Aetna Blue, Black roof/Taupe leather; Estimate $90,000 – $125,000; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $75,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $82,500. No Reserve – Blaupunkt multiband radio, chrome wheels, hubcaps, Michelin blackwalls, single grille. – Represented as matching numbers. Hinge post tag reads # 6002, Ruby Red. Engine upgraded to 75hp ‘S’ specs. Very good paint, chrome and interior. Clean engine compartment is nearly like new. Underbody is dry and surface rusted. Body is thoroughly skimmed with filler. A pretty and unusual Porsche but not in encouraging condition. – Represented as matching numbers, but uprated to S specs. The bidders were not impressed by this Hardtop, nor should they have been, and if brought a realistic price for what it is.Lot # 207 1949 Ford F-1 Pickup; S/N 97HC-203043; Washington Blue, Black running boards/Grey vinyl; Estimate $40,000 – $50,000; Recent restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $30,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $33,000. No Reserve – Pushbutton radio, heater, varnished bed floor and side boards, hubcaps, trim rings, wide whitewall tires, alternator. Jeffrey Day Collection. – Excellent paint, chrome, stainless, interior and bed wood. Chassis, underbody and engine compartment are better than new except for some minor evidence of age. Vent windows beginning to delaminate. Restored and maintained better than new but starting to show some age.. – The first vehicle in the forty car collection of Jeffrey Day, and a very good example of what was to come from the collection. This is far better than most Ford F-1s and didn’t cost a lot.Lot # 209 1937 Ford V-8 DeLuxe Club Coupe; S/N 18-3841926; Black/Brown cloth; Estimate $40,000 – $50,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $40,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $44,000. No Reserve – Banjo spoke steering wheel, radio, outside mirror, heater, hubcaps, trim rings, whitewalls. – Very good paint and interior. Thin grille chrome, good dash and gauges. Restored nearly like new. Jeffrey Day Collection. – Like the other Jeffrey Day cars in today’s auction, a good, sound, well-restored example done without going overboard or taking shortcuts. An unusual body style, too, and an appropriate price for it, but a car the new owner can look forward to enjoying with confidence.Lot # 210 1955 Ford Thunderbird Convertible; S/N P5FH255119; Goldenrod Yellow/Black, Yellow vinyl; Black cloth top; Estimate $50,000 – $70,000; Older restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $45,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $49,500. No Reserve – 292/193hp, automatic, P/S, P/B, cassette stereo, aftermarket A/C, wire wheel covers, whitewalls, skirts. – Excellent paint, chrome, interior and top. Restored like new, with better cosmetics, then a few careful miles. Not fresh, but very clean. Jeffrey Day Collection. – It would be hard to find a more correctly and appropriately restored ’55 T-bird, a combination that makes this car a good buy for its new owner.
RM Auctions Hershey 2014 – Auction Report Page Six
Lot # 211 1930 Ford Model A Open Cab Pickup; S/N CA10922; Medium Green, Black fenders/Black vinyl; Black leatherette top; Estimate $30,000 – $40,000; Recent restoration, 1- condition; Hammered Sold at $30,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $33,000. No Reserve – Body color wire wheels, whitewall tires, quail radiator cap, radiator stoneguard, single black vinyl covered sidemount with mirror, varnished bed floor. – Freshly done to show truck standards. Excellent paint, chrome and interior. A chip here or there is the only evidence of age. No rear attachments for the top. A gorgeous truck. Jeffrey Day Collection. – It would be a shame, but at this price this Ford roadster pickup is a prime candidate for hot-rodding. A Mercury flathead under the hood would be sweet, but a Model B 4-cylinder with ohv head and dual carburetor intake would be even better. The possibilities are endless, including the best one: leaving it just as is and collecting many show trophies. It is a neat old truck at an entirely reasonable price.Lot # 212 1955 Ford Country Sedan 4-Dr. Station Wagon; S/N U5EX190237; Black/White vinyl, Red cloth; Estimate $45,000 – $60,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $45,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $49,500. No Reserve – 272/162hp, automatic, P/S, P/B, P/W, power seat, radio, heater, dual outside mirrors, wheel covers, whitewall tires, roof rack, windshield sun visor, 2-row seating, sill molding. – Represented as 3,326 miles from new and all new except for a good repaint, carpets and the windshield visor. Good major chrome, wrinkled interior, pitted window trim and steering wheel chrome. Old undercoat in wheelwells. Engine is orderly and clean but chassis is old and only superficially redone. A good driver with the patina of a low miles original car. Jeffrey Day Collection. – The originality of this Country Sedan is compromised to the point where it’s neither fish nor fowl, just an undistinguished but well-equipped old station wagon. The seller should be happy to get this much for it.Lot # 213 1953 Ford Crestline Sunliner Convertible; S/N B3CC155937; Red/Red, Black; Black cloth top; Estimate $45,000 – $55,000; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $45,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $49,500. No Reserve – 239/110hp, overdrive 3-speed, P/S, oil filter, heater, power top, remote spotlight, skirts, wheel covers, bumper overriders. – Very good paint, chrome, stainless, interior and top. Excellent engine compartment, like new underneath. The restoration may have some age but it hardly seems like it. Jeffrey Day Collection. – Right on the money for a quality restored car with desirable accessories, maybe even a little light but not enough to warrant further comment.Lot # 214 1953 Ford F-100 Pickup; S/N F10R3D11028; Red/Grey vinyl; Estimate $45,000 – $60,000; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $35,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $38,500. No Reserve – Flathead V-8, 3-speed, oil filter, remote spotlight, painted bumpers and grille, hubcaps, trim rings, whitewall tires, heater, no radio. – Ford never built them like this. Beautiful paint, chrome, interior and varnished bed floor. Done everywhere and, aside from minor chips under the hood, better than new. Jeffrey Day Collection. – It’s impossible not to call this anything other than a bargain, a quality restored example of the first year for Ford’s F-100 pickup. More glitz (chrome bumpers, etc.) might have brought up the price, but this is an honest truck presented in lik enew condition and ready to go work as it was in 1953.Lot # 216 1957 Ford Fairlane 500 Club Sedan; S/N F7FT316303; Black/Grey vinyl, cloth; Estimate $80,000 – $100,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $55,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $60,500. No Reserve – 312/300hp supercharged, 3-speed, radio, heater, wheel covers, whitewalls, no P/S or P/B. – Very good paint, chrome and interior. Brightly political stainless. Chassis and engine compartment are done like new and show only a little age. Dash and instruments are not to the same standard with dull faces and grungy legends. Some attention to details will make this a much better car. Jeffrey Day Collection. – A sleeper that apparently escaped the notice of the bidders in Hershey. Its condition is inconsistent, but can be addressed (or overlooked). F-code T-birds bring twice this money, but are if anything more common. This Fairlane 500 deserved to bring more, to the eventual purchaser’s everlasting enrichment and pleasure.Lot # 218 1951 Ford Custom Convertible; S/N B1KC133395; Black/Dark Red, Black vinyl; Black cloth bound in Dark Red top; Estimate $55,000 – $75,000; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $65,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $71,500. No Reserve – 239/100hp, 3-speed, overdrive, pushbutton radio, heater, hubcaps, whitewalls, oil filter. – 3-time Early Ford V-8 Dearborn Award and 2005 AACA National First Prize. Excellent paint, chrome, stainless, interior and top. Engine compartment is spotless. The restoration may date to the early 00’s but it looks like it was done yesterday. Jeffrey Day Collection. – A sweet Ford that brought a modestly premium price both for its quality and the longevity of its restoration.Lot # 221 1956 Ford F-100 Custom Cab Panel Truck; S/N F10V6E40294; Diamond Blue/Blue leatherette, Grey trim; Estimate $45,000 – $60,000; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $40,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $44,000. No Reserve – 272/167hp 2-barrel V-8, 3-speed, heater, dual outside mirrors, Ivory wheels, hubcaps, blackwall bias ply tires, chrome bumpers and grille, electric wipers. – Excellent paint, chrome and interior. Engine compartment, chassis and underbody are like new. Ford never built trucks finished this well. Jeffrey Day Collection. – No matter what the business or how many motorcycles are owned this is a prime way to show them off and at a price that is nothing if not modest for a body style usually used up, rotted out and left to molder in a field. It is a good value, by any standard.Lot # 222 1956 Ford Thunderbird Convertible; S/N P6FH160761; Peacock Blue, White hardtop/Peacock Blue, White vinyl; White vinyl top; Estimate $60,000 – $75,000; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $55,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $60,500. No Reserve – 312/225hp, automatic, P/W, Town & Country radio, porthole hardtop, wire wheel covers, whitewall tires, engine dressup, P/B, no P/S. – Excellent paint, chrome and interior. Like new engine compartment, underbody and chassis. About as good as it gets and better than anything assembled by Ford and the UAW. Jeffrey Day Collection. – Sold by RM at Ft. Lauderdale in 2008 for $53,900 and worth every nickel it brought today.
Lot # 223 1956 Ford Country Sedan 4-Dr. Station Wagon; S/N P6LX177104; Meadow Mist Green, Colonial White/Green vinyl, cloth; Estimate $40,000 – $50,000; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $52,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $57,750. No Reserve – 312/225hp, automatic, P/S, no P/B, pushbutton radio, heater, chrome wire wheels, whitewall tires, 3-row seating, windshield visor, skirts, dual exhaust, grille guard. – Very good paint, chrome, stainless and interior. Chassis and engine compartment were restored like new but have been used and show age. Dash, gauges, steering wheel and interior chrome items are flaky, fogged and dull, not up to the standard of the paint and brightwork. Jeffrey Day Collection. – Sold by RM at Ft. Lauderdale in 2007 for $32,400 and detailed to a higher standard here but still a generous price to pay for a superficially cosmetically restored example.Lot # 225 1932 Ford Model B Roadster; S/N B5142252; Engine # AB303783; Black, Red coachline/Brown leather; Beige cloth top; Estimate $80,000 – $100,000; Modified restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $82,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $90,750. No Reserve – R.E.M. sohc Model B 4-cylinder, dual Stromberg carbs, Mitchell overdrive, headers, P/B, tube shocks, VDO gauges, rumble seat, beige cloth covered rear-mounted spare, greyhound radiator cap, red wire wheels, hubcaps, trim rings, wide whitewalls. – Restored better than new with excellent paint, chrome, upholstery, engine, underbody and chassis but not like new, especially the hot Model B engine. A thoughtfully built and beautifully presented hot rod. Jeffrey Day Collection. – Amaze your friends and bedevil flathead Deuce street rod owners with this whomping great Model B four. Bought for a fraction of what it must have cost built it, even before the superb cosmetics are taken into account, this is a car for a discerning collector who like to make a statement.Lot # 229 1956 Mercury Montclair 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 56LA35957M; White, Red/White, Red vinyl; Estimate $45,000 – $60,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $37,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $41,250. No Reserve – 312/235hp, automatic, P/S, P/B, P/W, power seat, pushbutton radio, power antenna, windshield washer, skirts. – Excellent paint, interior, chrome and stainless. Underbody is a little dirty, chassis is oily and lightly road grimy. Excellent door and panel fits, a little filler behind the right rear wheel. Better than new on top and darn near like new underneath. Jeffrey Day Collection. – Not the best ’56 Merc around, but more than good enough, particularly at this price. It’s less than a Ford, which begs explanation, but that’s the way it is.Lot # 232 1958 Chevrolet Bel Air Impala 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N F58L192202; Black/Red, Silver vinyl; Estimate $75,000 – $100,000; Modified restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $85,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $93,500. No Reserve – 348/280hp, three deuces, later R704 automatic, modern P/S, dual circuit power front disc brakes, alternator, aftermarket A/C, spinner wheel covers, whitewalls, P/W, power seat, dual rear antennas, continental kit. – Lowered and modified. No numbers on engine block. Excellent paint, chrome and interior. Crisp, sharp engine compartment, beautiful dash and stock instruments. Lowered just enough to catch your eye but not enough to spoil the look. The Impala you wanted in high school, and better. Jeffrey Day Collection. – While the configuration qualifies as a Resto-Mod the car is both more and less than that. Subtly lowered but otherwise stock appearing, this Impala has all the good stuff that makes a modern car enjoyable, like working A/C. and safe, like dual circuit front wheel disc brakes. Bought for less than the cost of creating it, the new owner will need no excuses, either for the car or for the price paid.Lot # 234 1956 Ford Fairlane Sunliner Convertible; S/N M6GC166664; Coral, Black/Coral, White vinyl; Black vinyl top; Estimate $80,000 – $100,000; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $87,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $96,250. No Reserve – 292/200hp, overdrive 3-speed, P/S, P/B, factory A/C, P/W, Town & Country radio, dual remote spotlights, sill moldings, wire wheel covers, bias ply wide whitewalls, rear antenna, skirts, fog lights, grille and trunk guards. – Excellent paint, chrome, stainless, interior and top. Sharp dash, gauges and interior chrome trim. Engine compartment is better than new. A uniformly impressive Sunliner with a particularly unusual and comprehensive options list. Jeffrey Day Collection. – Wow. It is hard to imagine a better ’56 Ford, not only in its presentation but also in the nearly unbelievable list of options and accessories it carries. The price it brought is a premium for the 272 engine but fully supported by all the stuff it carries.Lot # 236 1957 Ford Custom Ranchero; S/N C7RF198534; Blue, White/White vinyl, Blue cloth; Estimate $35,000 – $45,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $32,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $35,750. No Reserve – 292/212hp, automatic, P/S, P/B, Town & Country radio, wheel covers, narrow whitewalls, skirts, grille guard, sill moldings, engine dressup. – Very good paint, chrome and interior. Clean engine compartment. Chassis and underbody are lightly oiled and road grimy, like a carefully used six month old Ranchero. There are a few paint flaws and masking oversights but the overall quality is far better than most. Jeffrey Day Collection. – I’ve been looking for a ’57 Ranchero for my next-door neighbor for eight months so when I saw this good but not overdone example I called him and said ‘Jimmy, this is your Ranchero. Done right, not overdone, used a little, sound and with the right stuff.’ He chintzed out on the price, and I told him, ‘Jimmy, you need to start looking at El Caminos.’ This is a sweet Ranchero: not great, but more than good enough. It is a real value at this price. Jimmy, eat your heart out. You missed your chance.Lot # 237 1955 Ford Fairlane Crown Victoria 2-Dr. Sedan; S/N U5DW171504; Coral Mist, Raven Black/White, Coral vinyl; Estimate $50,000 – $75,000; Older restoration, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $42,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $46,750. No Reserve – 272/162hp, automatic, P/S, P/B, A/C, pushbutton radio, P/W, power seat, wire wheel covers, whitewall tires, rear antenna, continental kit. – Restored in 1999 and an AACA Grand National winner, showing only a little age and use since it was restored. Good paint, chrome and interior. Jeffrey Day Collection. – Sold by Kruse at Auburn Fall in 2005 for $38,340 and by RM in Arizona in 2008 for $46,750, exactly the same price it brought today and in comparable condition with its odometer showing 32 more miles today than it did in 2008. What has the collector car market done in the last six and a half years? For this Ford at least, nothing.Lot # 239 1956 Ford Fairlane Crown Victoria Skyliner ‘Glass Top’; S/N M6KW160585; Sunset Coral/White vinyl, Red cloth; Estimate $80,000 – $110,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $150,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $165,000. No Reserve – 292/202hp, automatic, P/S, P/B, factory A/C, pushbutton radio, P/W, glass roof panel with shades, wire wheel covers, bias ply whitewalls, dual outside mirrors, rear antenna, continental kit, grille and trunk guards, sill moldings, rear window defroster, power seat, zip-in sunshade. – Restored by Crown Vic expert Dan Pixler for his own collection many years ago. Very good paint, chrome, stainless and interior. A quality older restoration to better than new condition now showing its age but little or no use. Jeffrey Day Collection. – Sold at the Kruse auction of the Woodhead Fords in 2004 for $77,000 and at Barrett-Jackson in 2007 for $71,500. This is an eye-opening result that fully values all this car’s options and then some.
Lot # 246 1936 Ford V-8 DeLuxe Convertible Sedan; S/N 182922717; Sky Green/Brown leather; Beige cloth top; Estimate $60,000 – $80,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $50,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $55,000. No Reserve – Chrome spoke steel wheels, wide hubcaps, trim rings, bias ply wide whitewalls, banjo spoke steering wheel. – Early Ford V-8 Dearborn Award and 2002 AACA National First Prize and Senior winner when owned by Ford V-8 expert Jack Hogan. Very good paint, chrome, stainless, interior and top. Upholstery is lightly creased, with a few surface cracks. Interior fittings show a little age here and there. Attractively mellowed and still worthy of being shown proudly at the end of a day’s touring. Jeffrey Day Collection. – This is a rare and desirable body style that brought a bit less than its rarity and the quality of its presentation could have supported. Not cheap, but a good value.
This is the last car in the Jeffrey Day Collection.
Lot # 257 1905 FIAT 60hp 5-Passenger Tourer, Body by Quinby; S/N 3003; Engine # 3003; Red, Black accent/Dark Red leather; Black top; Estimate $800,000 – $1,200,000; Unrestored original, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $750,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $825,000. No Reserve – RHD. 10.6 liter T-head four, 4-speed, double chain drive, Angelicus acetylene headlights, Reflex kerosene bullseye sidelights and taillights, folded trumpet bulb horn, 100mph Jones speedometer, ingenious (and fascinating) FIAT engine oiler with metering by bead chains, side curtains, new top. – One of only about 20 built, short (2,985mm) wheelbase, and the only known survivor of the series. Delivered as a $14,500 rolling chassis, bodied here by Quinby & Co. for beer baron August A. Busch. Bought from his estate by James Melton, then sold to Don Miller and Louis Biondi, the only owners until 2012. Fettled with the original magneto and carburetor by George Ktsanes, runs and drives well according to the consignor. Mostly original paint, front seat upholstery is torn and cracked, rear seat is sound and usable, brass is aged, dull and abundant. 2012 Pebble Beach Preservation Class 2nd place and, simply, marvelous. – The history of this FIAT is magic and the car even more so. Only five owners from new, never messed up or mistreated. The only thing lacking is a pre-1905 build date so it could scare the whiskers off the veteran car drivers on the Brighton Run. Like most cars it probably won’t manage to use all of its speedo’s 100mph scale but it has been clocked at over 50 (in 3rd gear.) Taking it to its performance limit would be an experience that can only be described as life-altering. This is so much more automobile and more history than cars that routinely bring $750K hammer that the comparison is irrelevant. You’re one of many with a Ferrari Lusso. You’re one of one driving this magnificent FIAT, especially at this moderate price.Lot # 258 1933 Chrysler CL Imperial Dual-Windshield Phaeton, Body by LeBaron; S/N 7803651; Engine # CL1356; Putty Beige/Maroon leather; Beige cloth top; Estimate $390,000 – $450,000; Older restoration, 1- condition; Hammered Sold at $475,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $522,500 – Chrome wire wheels, wide whitewall, dual enclosed sidemounts, rollup rear windshield, metal luggage trunk, opening vee windshield. – Exceptional body and paint work. Show quality chrome plating except crazed door handles. Top fits very well and interior is barely worn. Restored first in the 50’s for Homer Fitterling, then again in the mid-90’s. Prize winner at Pebble Beach in 2004. An older restoration with excellent cosmetics but ago and some miles showing on the chassis and underbody. – Sold by RM at Arizona four years ago in 2010 for $385,000, then at Amelia in 2011 for $352,000, it’s in no better condition (and conversely, no worse) today which makes this result exceptional. Could it be the curl of a wave recognizing the quality of Chrysler’s beautiful classic Imperials? If it is, it’s none too soon for them to get the recognition they deserve.Lot # 263 1952 Allard K2 Roadster; S/N K26015; Black/Black; Estimate $80,000 – $100,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $95,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $104,500 – Later Ford 302 V-8, 3-speed, chrome wire wheels, blackwall tires, Hurst shifter.. – A mix of mostly later gauges, strange two-spoke plastic rim steering wheel, Allard Register chassis number. Decent paint and interior, dirty chassis and underbody. No top, just a tonneau cover and side curtains in the trunk. Intriguing but not encouraging. – This is big money for an Allard K2 with any number of later updates and no history of consequence. Allard enthusiasm overtook considered judgment at this price.Lot # 266 1938 Ford V-8 DeLuxe Club Cabriolet; S/N 18-4300995; Black/Beige vinyl; Beige cloth top; Estimate $70,000 – $90,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $50,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $55,000. No Reserve – Chrome wheel spiders, wide hubcaps, trim rings, Ford script whitewall tires, dual outside mirrors, radio, clock. – Good paint, chrome, interior and top. A quality older restoration to showroom condition that is aging gracefully. – Sold by RM at the 2006 Mike Dingman sale for $79,750 in somewhat better condition than it is today and showing only 115 more miles on its odometer now than it did then. The result here must be disappointing to the seller, but accurately reflects the excitement which high profile single-owner collection auctions frequently produce. Buried in nearly 200 cars in Hershey, this nearly pristine Club Cabriolet didn’t generate much excitement and brought a realistic price.Lot # 270 1962 Imperial Crown Convertible; S/N 9223188696; Black/Dark Red leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $135,000 – $160,000; Older restoration, 2 condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $95,000 – 413/340hp, automatic, P/S, P/B, P/W, power bench seat, chrome wire wheels, wide whitewalls, A/C. – Later A/C compressor, auxiliary electric fan. Very good paint over impressively flat and carefully fit panels. Brilliant chrome, excellent interior. Neat, orderly and nearly like new underhood. Underbody shows a little use. A quality restoration of a quality car. – While this is a rare car (554 built) and an amazing restoration, expecting Eldorado money for it isn’t realistic. Even at that, though, the consignor showed good sense in keeping the car at the reported high bid.Lot # 274 1948 Hudson Commodore Eight Sedan; S/N 484113039; Quartermaster Grey metallic/Grey cloth with clear seat covers; Estimate $40,000 – $45,000; Cosmetic restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $52,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $57,750. No Reserve – 255/128hp eight, overdrive 3-speed, pushbutton radio, turn signals, dual remote spotlights, stoplight viewer, windshield and side window visors, wide hubcaps, trim rings, whitewalls, oil filter, windshield washers, grille guard, skirts. – Given a very good repaint in the original color and obsessively detailed to like new condition, then lavished with accessories. Original upholstery protected for 66 years under those awful (cold in winter, hot and sticky in summer) clear plastic seat covers. Multiple class firsts and it shows. – This is a step-down Hudson at its best and no wonder the bidders stepped up to soundly beat the estimate. The combination of exceptional, showroom ready, condition and originality is hard to beat and the Hershey bidders stepped up with a superior price for a superior car.Lot # 279 1953 Jaguar XK 120 Roadster; S/N 673723; Engine # W7810-8; Carmine Red/Biscuit leather; Tan cloth top; Estimate $110,000 – $130,000; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $115,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $126,500 – Chrome wire wheels, bias ply whitewall tires, Lucas tri-bar headlights and driving lights, tool roll, jack. – Good paint, chrome and interior. Underbody and the top of the engine are good but the chassis and running gear are oily and grimy from years of use. A presentable cosmetic restoration. – Sold for $75,900 at the Leake auction in Tulsa last June. The price it brought here is appropriate in today’s frothy Jaguar market.Lot # 280 1948 MG TC Roadster; S/N TC/4964; Light Blue/Parchment leather; Beige cloth top; Estimate $30,000 – $40,000; Cosmetic restoration, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $37,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $41,250. No Reserve – Silver painted wire wheels, blackwall tires, Lucas fog light, tonneau cover, Moto-Lita woodrim steering wheel, windwings. – Decent paint, chrome, interior and top even if the interior, top and tonneau cover are all different colors. Under the hood the footwells are painted a bilious olive green. The engine is neat and orderly. The chassis is covered in oily road grime. Dash, instruments and interior wood are good. A usable older restoration that some effort and grease-cutters will make better. – The money this TC brought could have bought a better example than this one. It should have sold at, or a little below, the low estimate. While the buyer’s value handicap is significant in percentage terms, in dollars it’s only a few thousand and that can be explained by the way this old restoration is holding up.Lot # 282 1924 Stutz Special Six Tourabout; S/N 2255; Engine # 101501; Grey, Black fenders/Brown leather; Black leatherette top; Estimate $60,000 – $80,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 3 condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $50,000 – 268/75hp ohv six, 3-speed, wire wheels, chrome lock rings, wide whitewalls, drum Monogram headlights, dual sidemounts, spotlight, etched glass wind wings, robe rope, aftermarket turn signals, side curtains, later luggage trunk. – Ex-A.K. Miller. Sound but dull original paint with freshly painted fenders and frame covers. Good original upholstery and trim panels, sound but fragile old top. Dull exterior bright trim. Eminently usable as is and too sound, with proudly earned patina, to restore. – One of very few cars sold at the Miller auction in even close to complete and usable condition. Cataloged as a ’23 with no chassis number, it sold for $25,300 and has had a great deal of work – mostly mechanical – done to it so it can be driven. It’s hard to argue with the consignor’s decision to take it home at the reported high bid. This is a Stutz with both A.K. Miller history and originality that deserves a caring home where it will be driven and toured with a sense of its history and preservation.
Another perceptive, educational, witty report. You’ve made my week.
That is very good info and photo for me. thanks
I would like read your next post.
Great coverage Rick, I always look forward to reading your reports. cheers from Sweden…