Report and photos (unless noted) by Rick Carey, Auction Editor
Mecum Auctions put on its Kissimmee Auction on January 26-30, 2011 at Osceola Heritage Park in Kissimmee, Florida. If there was any concern that Scottsdale might have been a momentary phenomenon Mecum Kissimmee definitively confirms that it was not.
This was a massive sale, with three out of four cars selling and a startling total of just over $41 million changing hands, up 57% from last year’s Kissimmee auction. There were ninety 6-figure transactions, with this top five:
— Riva Aquarama motorboat s/n 774 for $1,033,500;
— Shelby Cobra Dragon Snake s/n CSX 2093 for $927,500;
— Shelby Cobra 427 s/n CSX 3301 for $583,000;
— Another Riva Aquarama for $344,500; and
— Ford Thunderbird “DF” prototype s/n D7FH202138 for $265,000.
Even with those pricey transactions, however, the average sale was just $38,686 and the median $28,090, a consistent consignment of affordable, accessible collector cars running the gamut from classics to street rods.
This year’s Mecum Kissimmee auction moved to a new location at the shiny new Osceola Heritage Park just off Florida’s Turnpike only a half hour drive from the Orlando airport. The spacious facility had stadium seating for spectators and abundant room on the floor in comfortable seats for bidders and guests. Mecum’s lineup crew had the cars spotted and lined up expeditiously and the block crew moved quickly through the docket, generally keeping close to Mecum’s pre-determined block times.
The weather was Chamber of Commerce. The bathrooms were permanent, frequently cleaned and restocked and plentiful. If you’ve attended many auctions you know how important bathrooms are.
116 cars sold for less than $10,000, including the buyer’s commission, highlighting the consignment’s affordability. Despite that indication of affordability, however, prices were generally full retail. Bargains were thin on the ground, a further indication of strong demand and buyers’ liquidity.
(See Reference – Auctions Explained, A Note on Conditions and Character).
Mecum Kissimmee Auction 2011 – Report
[table id=26 /]
Lot # F130 1960 Austin-Healey 3000 BN7 Roadster; S/N HBN7L409; Orange, Beige/Black leatherette, White piping; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $39,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $41,340 -- New chrome wire wheels but feathered tread elements on the Vredestein tires indicate alignment issues. Good paint, chrome and interior. Underbody shows use and age. An attractive driver in unusual colors that will always attract notice. A good value in a reassuringly well maintained 2-seat Big Healey roadster. The feathered tires are a bit worrisome, and may reveal some bushing issues that will need to be fixed, but that is affordable at this price. A good value.
Lot # U065 1967 Austin-Healey 3000 Convertible; S/N HBJ8L141645; OE White/Black leatherette; Black leatherette top; Older restoration, 2- condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $47,500 -- Overdrive, chrome wire wheels, Moto-Lita woodrim steering wheel, fender mirrors, luggage rack, BMC radio. Very nice car restored 8 years ago and still nearly like new. Excellent paint, chrome, upholstery and interior wood. Door and trunk lid fits are not flush. Chassis shows age and use. This is more car than the money offered for it and was wisely taken home by the consignor.
Lot # S134 1992 Batmobile Batman Returns Movie Car; Black/Black; Unrestored original, 3 condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $310,000 -- Movie-used car in ‘Batman Returns’. Shiny and slick. How many Batmobiles are there? And, who cares? This is better than the many replicas rolled out to meet kids' demand, but still one of several built for and used in the movies.
Lot # S301 1941 Buick Super Convertible; S/N 14243041; Maroon/Maroon leather; Beige cloth top; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $40,000 -- 3-speed, Compound Carburetion, trim rings, wide whitewalls, pushbutton radio, turn signals, fog lights. An older restoration to like new condition now seriously loosened up and in need of work. Right side doors fit badly and windows don't seal to center post. Door handles and side trim loose. Good interior, dash and instruments. Top is clean and fits well. Good chrome except on fog lights. Paint blemish on hood. Basically a good car but suffering from neglect and age. Re-run Sunday U176, no-saled at $30,000. There is little good to say about this Buick's restoration or the negligent treatment it has received since it was done. It will take a brave buyer to take on the challenge of undoing its neglect, buyers who were offered a plethora of good cars here in Kissimmee. In a sea of attractive cars, this Buick deserved to be shunned.
Lot # S101 1953 Buick Skylark Convertible; S/N 17078697; White/White, Burgundy leather; Black cloth top; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $105,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $111,300 -- Chrome wire wheels, whitewalls, P/S, P/B, P/W, power seat, foot selectable radio. Good repaint, chrome and interior. Competently restored to like new condition and shows good care since. This Skylark is a good value at this price, particularly considering its stature at the root of the Skylark tree.
Lot # T007 1966 Buick Gran Sport Convertible; S/N 446676K104936; Metallic Blue/White vinyl; White vinyl top; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $20,250 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $21,465 -- Tennessee assigned VIN. 401/325hp with dual 4-barrels, automatic, buckets, B&M shifter, pushbutton radio plus CD changer, Rally II wheels, Radial T/A tires. Older restoration with miles on it. Stone chipped nose, good upholstery, fair chrome. A clean and usable driver. The configuration and modifications hint at a rough life which the price it brought takes fully into account.
Lot # F107 1987 Buick GNX 2-Dr. Coupe; S/N 1G4GJ1176HP451025; Black/Black, Grey cloth; Unrestored original, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $61,500 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $65,190 -- Cassette stereo, A/C. GNX # 399. 4,118 miles and like new. One of these changed hands at the 2010 Barrett-Jackson auction in West Palm for $145,200 but it had only nine (9) miles. The GNX is fast gaining stature among collectors, as this generous but not unreasonable price indicates.
Lot # S111 1941 Cadillac 41-62 Convertible; S/N 8357456; Dark Blue/Saddle Brown; Tan cloth top; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $80,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $84,800 -- 3-speed, pushbutton radio, turn signals, clock, skirts, large hubcaps, vide whitewalls, windshield washer, fog lights, bumper overriders, heater. Body 41-6267D # 2161, Trim 87A, Paint 60, Top 5. High quality older restoration with excellent chrome and paint. A few small chips that are hard to find. Flat panels, even gaps, good interior. Lightly soiled top and boot. Dash and steering wheel are excellent. Engine, frame and underbody are shiny paint and nearly show quality. 127 miles since 2005. Sold by RM at Meadow Brook in 2005 for $74,500 and bought here at a responsible but still retail price. The new owner got an attractive and still nearly show quality car for a modest price.
Lot # S096 1947 Cadillac Series 62 Convertible; S/N 8454381; Pale Yellow/Black leather; Black cloth top; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $50,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $53,000 -- Automatic, pushbutton radio, skirts, sombrero wheelcovers, whitewalls. Fresh repaint, new upholstery and top on a grubby chassis with old peeling undercoat. Filthy inside doors. Good chrome. Fresh and shiny underhood. Great eye appeal and first impression not maintained after a closer look. Offered by Mecum in Monterey in 2009 with no result reported, the seller should be very happy to get this much for this superficially presented Cadillac in Kissimmee.
Lot # U054 1955 Cadillac Eldorado Convertible; S/N 556268348; Cape Ivory/White, Red leather; Tan cloth top; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $53,000 -- Polished Sabre wheels, wide whitewalls, Autronic Eye, parade boot cover, WonderBar radio. Flawed older repaint, good chrome and interior. Chassis and underbody repainted. Doors don't fit flush at bottoms. Poorly fit and unbound trunk carpet. Pitted rear bumper and taillight chrome. Looks good at ten feet but doesn't hold up on a closer look. Offered at Branson Fall in 2005 in essentially the same condition where it was reportedly bid to $54,000, then sold at the Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach auction in 2006 for $54,000. The seller is badly advised if a bid of this much, or even close to it, was declined. It's not that good a car.
Lot # S115 1956 Cadillac Series 62 Convertible; S/N 5662119421; Mountain Laurel/Black, White leather; Black vinyl top; Visually maintained, largely original, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $61,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $64,660 -- Automatic, P/S, P/B, Autronic Eye, WonderBar radio, wheel covers, whitewalls, skirts, P/W. Quick old repaint with some dirt included for texture. Mostly good major chrome but thin, pitted trim. Sound but aged old upholstery and carpets. Pitted instrument panel chrome. Old undercoat on chassis and underbody. Straight body with flat panels. Fussed with underhood but generally neglected. Peeling firewall repaint. A sound car that needs a good home. The unusual color may account for some of the rather generous price this Cadillac brought. The rest has to be chalked up to bidders' inattention. It would not have been a particularly good value at $50,000.
Lot # S104 1958 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham 4-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 58P011014; White/White leather, Blue cloth; Cosmetic restoration, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $70,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $74,200 -- Wheel covers, narrow Whitewalls. Reportedly a 3-owner car with ‘partial vanities’. Superficial cosmetic redo with good paint and interior. Dull bumper chrome, some pitted trim. Engine spiffed up but firewall, frame and the rest is peeling, oily and neglected. Working air suspension. Auction car. The bidders weren't fooled by this car's auction preparation, paying a reasonable amount for its flawed and superficial cosmetic redo that barely rises to the standards of cosmetic restoration. Offered at Mecum's Monterey auction in 2009 where it reportedly attracted a bid of $75,000, it is no better today and deserves no more than the modest price it received.
Lot # S102 1960 Cadillac Eldorado Convertible; S/N 60E017599; Lucerne Blue/Pearl leather, White piping; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $70,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $74,200 -- Three two-barrels, P/S. P/B, factory A/C, wheel covers, wide whitewalls, P/W, skirts, Autronic Eye, WonderBar radio, parade boot cover. Fair repaint, good chrome and interior. Reasonable cosmetic restoration with good paint, chrome and interior. The depths of the chassis haven't been done and are oily and grimy. Straight body, even door gaps, flush fits. The restoration is less than comprehensive but the car is nevertheless a quality job and worth all the money paid for it here.
Lot # U033 1938 Chevrolet Master Cabriolet; S/N 88-8; Black/; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $46,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $48,760 -- Radio, Marchal headlights, trim rings, wide whitewalls on red steel wheels, heater removed, rumble seat, hubcaps, dual vinyl covered sidemounts, trafficators. Weak old repaint over shrinking older paint. Old top. Good older upholstery. Fair old woodgrain paint chipped in places, weak chrome. Orderly but oily and used engine and chassis. No coachbuilder attribution but definitely not Fisher. Described as one of two built. Ex- Bob McDorman. An intriguing car that must have a story worth telling. Reserve off at $45K. In France, where this Chevrolet was delivered with its unusual chassis number, the 85hp overhead valve Chevrolet was equivalent in performance and luxury to some of France's famed marques. The body on this cabriolet is definitely Continental in origin, but carries no easily found identification. Some of the details, like the beltline molding, are very attractive. Its Chevy pushbutton radio is an artful design element in the dashboard. It brought $42,000 at the McDorman auction and sold here for a modest profit.
Lot # S247 1954 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster; S/N E54S002622; Red/Red; Beige cloth top; Recent restoration, 2 condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $90,000 -- Fresh Florida Regional Top Flight restoration. Paint and fits are better than factory. Excellent chrome. Like new chassis and underhood. The seller is obviously looking for more for this Vette, but how much more is the question? It's not getting any better than it is right now and trotting it around from auction to auction isn't going to improve it. The last $5 or $10 thousand isn't worth the wait, or the exposure and it there were money at this bid it would have been smart to take it and move on to something else.
Lot # T005 1955 Chevrolet 3100 Pickup; S/N H55N006489; Metairie Green/Grey vinyl; Truck restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $18,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $19,080 -- Radio, heater, dual remote spotlights, varnished wood bed floor, chrome 15’ wheels, narrow whitewalls, 5-window cab. Cracked repainted steering wheel. Decent repaint, chrome and interior. Chassis redone assembled. Doors close well. Oily engine with fuel leaks under carb. A usable and very presentable driver. as long as the bright green is acceptable. Tree Frog Green may have appeal on a page of paint chips but spread all over a Chevy pickup it's a little much. Aside from that there is value in this Chevy as a weekend driver and errand-runner. It won't be hard to find in even the most crowded parking lot.
Lot # S131 1957 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible; S/N E57S101137; Engine # F1130EG; Black/Red; Black vinyl top; Recent restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $72,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $76,320 -- 283/270hp, dual quads, 4-speed, heater, no radio, spinner wheel covers, whitewalls. Represented as numbers matching. Recently restored to showroom condition. Excellent paint, chrome, glass, top and interior. Sharp and orderly underhood. The four-speed is a transplant, but most of them were and it counts little against a '57 which had the operation. This Corvette would have been appropriately bought at $85,000. At this price it represents something of a bargain.
Lot # S065 1958 Chevrolet Bel Air Impala Convertible; S/N F58A162256; Black/Red; Black vinyl top; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $70,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $74,200 -- 348/250hp, automatic, P/S, P/B, windshield washer, skirts, spinner wheel covers, rear antenna, whitewalls, WonderBar radio. Attractive older restoration with good paint, chrome and interior. Engine is oily and pretty used. Chassis is dry and dusty. This is a shiny car that looks good at 10 feet but is richly valued for its overall condition at this price.
Lot # S238 1958 Chevrolet Bel Air Impala Convertible; S/N F58S113068; Black/Black vinyl; Black vinyl top; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $137,500 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $145,750 — 348/280hp, three two-barrels, automatic, P/S, P/B, pushbutton radio, dual rear antennas, continental kit, spinner wheel covers, whitewalls. Freshly restored in factory finishes but excellent paint, brilliant chrome and attractive interior. Highly impressive. This freshly restored Impala convertible is impossible to fault and the Kissimmee bidders accorded it a deserved premium price. Expensive by $20,000 or so, the new owner can be confident it won’t meet its counterpart soon, a confidence that induced equally confident bidding. (picture unavailable).
Lot # S215 1958 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible; S/N J58S106771; Engine # F0318CT; Red, White coves/Red vinyl; White vinyl top; Visually maintained, largely original, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $60,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $63,600 -- 283/245hp, dual quads, 3-speed, WonderBar radio, spinner wheel covers, whitewalls. Presentable repaint, upholstery and top, represented as matching numbers. Erratic door, hood and trunk fits. Old undercoat, oily engine. Cracked left front fender. Way cheap, even accounting for the shortcomings of the presentation, possibly in part attributable to the 3-speed transmission. Notwithstanding that the buyer got a sound and usable Corvette for a modest price, and one which many drivers contemplating drag racing thought was better with the 3-speed than the extra shift required in the quarter by the 4-speed. A good value.
Lot # S258 1959 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible; S/N J59S101243; Red, White coves; Red hardtop/Red; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $47,500 — Two tops, Edelbrock 4-barrel, Powerglide, SW gauges, chromed 5-spoke 17’ wheels. Good paint, chrome and interior. Old engine compartment and chassis. An unattractive and neglected driver. Sold here last year for $58,300, the consignor has little hope of getting out from under this negligently prepared and presented Corvette whole. Now it will sit in the garage until the next auction, silently mocking the owner’s bad judgment. (picture unavailable).
Lot # S221 1959 Chevrolet Corvette FI Convertible; S/N J59S102608; Engine # F1215CS; Black, Silver coves/Black; Recent restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $68,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $72,080 -- 283/290hp, 4-speed, cold air intake, Positraction, heater, spinner wheel covers, whitewalls, WonderBar radio, P/W, two tops. Fresh restoration to like new condition. Repainted like new showing body waves and not overly shiny. Good chrome and interior. Scratched right front bumper and passenger compartment trim. Body shop crud inside doors. Pitted taillights. Driver's door trim cap missing. Sharp engine compartment. Looks good at first glance but doesn't stand up. The bidders weren't impressed either, and bought it with enough headroom to remedy its shortcomings, a prudent transaction that appropriately values the car, oversights and all, and leaves a skilled dealer with the possibility of a respectable retail margin after it's fixed up.
Lot # S218 1960 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible; S/N 00867S105258; Engine # 105258 F0223CS; Red, White coves, Red hardtop/Red vinyl; Older restoration, 2- condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $60,000 -- 283/290hp, 4-speed, WonderBar radio, heater, spinner wheelcovers, whitewalls, cold air intake. Ripply repaint, good interior and chrome. Restored to showroom condition a while ago but showing age and use in the engine compartment, on the chassis and under the body. Offered at Bloomington Gold in 2010 where it was reported bid to $75,000. Why it should fall so short here is a quandary.
Lot # S109 1961 Chevrolet Corvette FI Race Car; S/N 10867S107377; Engine # 107377F0411CS; White, Blue stripes/Black; Competition restoration, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $55,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $58,300 -- 283/316hp, 4-speed, steel wheels, Goodyear Blue Streak times, 5.50-15 front and rear, hardtop, leather rim sprint car style steering wheel, stock tach plus VDO tach on dash, carbon fiber valve covers, Aeroquip fuel lines, 3.70 Positraction, RPO 687 brakes, long primary tube headers, electric wipers, headlights, fan shroud, Harrison radiator. Fair old repaint with racing chips and nicks. Pitted, dull chrome, sound original style interior. Single tube full width rollbar, no fire system. SVRA and HSR logbooks. A quality old race car that shows use but also care and attention. No Reserve. Offered at Russo and Steele in Arizona in 2006 reportedly bid to $75,000, then at Mecum Monterey in 2009 bid to $70,000. It would appear to have sat since at least 2009 and probably 2006 without turning a wheel in anger. Time to go away, which it did at a modest price that should prove to be a good value to the new owner.
Lot # F279 1966 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible; S/N 194676S110094; Engine # 6110094 F1210HT; Butternut Yellow/Black vinyl; Visually maintained, largely original, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $50,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $53,000 -- 327/350hp, 4-speed, AM-FM, heater, centerlock wheels, narrow whitewalls. Represented as a numbers-matching three owner car with 29,414 miles. Erratically masked repaint of indifferent quality. Good original chrome and interior. Engine cleaned up but otherwise original and tidy. Bought on the money for its equipment and presentation, this '66 Corvette will be an enjoyable driver for a long time before it needs, or warrants, a restoration.
Lot # S139 1966 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible; S/N 194676S107850; Nassau Blue/Blue leather; White vinyl top; Recent restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $83,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $87,980 -- 427/425hp, 4-speed, centerlock alloy wheels, narrow whitewalls, AM-FM, woodrim steering wheel. Represented as numbers matching. Freshly restored with excellent paint, chrome and interior. Sharp, clean and fresh. Offered at Mecum's Monterey auction in 2010 where it was reported bid to $62,000 but understandably not sold. The price here is more appropriate to the car, its drivetrain and high quality restoration.
Lot # F277 1967 Chevrolet Chevelle Convertible; S/N 138677B172943; Engine # 11013ED 7B172943; Butternut Yellow/Black vinyl; Black vinyl top; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $47,500 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $50,350 -- 396/325hp engine with Tri-Power intake and aftermarket aluminum radiator, P/S, P/B, M22 4-speed, F41 suspension, 3.73 Positraction, woodgrain steering wheel, pushbutton radio, heater, accessory tach, bench seat, Rally wheels, trim rings, red line Tiger Paw radials. Represented as matching numbers engine. Fresh restoration with shiny paint on chassis. Very clean and impressive. Described at the auction as a ‘Matching numbers 396/360hp engine’, a statement that while true is a bit misleading since the final 35hp didn't come from the factory. The buyer can be forgiven, however, since the price is appropriate to the lower output engine anyway and the extra ponies (as well as the handsome underhood display) will be welcome on the street and on the show field.
Lot # S224.1 1967 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 138177Z115802; Marina Blue/Blue; Recent restoration, 2 condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $62,000 -- 396/350hp, 4-speed, Rally wheels, trim rings, red line tires, buckets and console, factory A/C, P/S, P/B, Positraction, clock, tach. Restored like new with quality cosmetics. Often the best cars, like this, require the least description. Even at that, however, it could have been sold without regret at this bid.
Lot # S049 1967 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe; S/N 194377S119097; Engine # T0305CWM; Sunfire Yellow/Black; Visually maintained, largely original, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $45,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $47,700 -- 427/390hp replaced by a 454, 4-speed, Rally wheels with trim rings, AM-FM, A/C added, J56 power brakes. Good repaint, upholstery and chrome. Chassis repainted assembled. A driver, but a pretty one. It'll never be a winner at the Corvette show, but it can be used and enjoyed enthusiastically on the street without concern for damaging some rare and valuable artifact. The bidders appreciated its utility, paying a price that would be appropriate for a matching numbers 427 and demonstrating that there's a floor under the value of any running, driving mid-year Corvette not very far below the value of restoration-quality examples.
Lot # S243 1968 Chevrolet Chevelle SS Convertible; S/N 138678B193667; Grotto Blue/Black vinyl; Black vinyl top; Recent restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $49,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $51,940 -- 396/325hp, automatic, buckets and console, P/S, P/B, cassette stereo, Rally wheels, trim rings, red line tires, A/C. Restored to nearly like new with 70,875 miles, three documented owners and represented as matching numbers from the engine to the rear axle. Pitted quarter window frames, scratched side windows. Very good paint, chrome, interior and top. The erratic attention to detail in this car's presentation weighed heavily and appropriately on the bidders' perception of it. Finished to a higher standard its known mileage and 3-owner history could have brought well over $60,000 but this price is what it deserved in its present condition. An attentive new owner, however, has the opportunity to remedy its cosmetic shortcomings and turn it over in short order for a modest profit.
Lot # S106 1968 Chevrolet Corvette L88 Convertible; S/N 194678S411010; Engine # T0117IT 18S411010; Blue/Blue vinyl; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $165,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $174,900 -- 427/430hp L88, 4-speed, heater, no radio, Rally wheels with trim rings, P/B, emissions equipment, red line F70-15 tires. Good paint, chrome and interior. Oily, dusty chassis and underbody. Once was restored like new but now shows its age and lack of attention. No Reserve. Offered at Mecum's Monterey auction in 2009 but passed at a reported bid of $200,000, it came back to the market here with a big ‘No Reserve’ sticker on the windshield and changed hands at real money.
Lot # S189 1969 Chevrolet Camaro RS/SS Convertible Pace Car; S/N 124679N615360; White, Orange stripes/Orange houndstooth; White vinyl top; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $145,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $153,700 -- 396/375hp, L89 aluminum heads, automatic, AM-FM. tilt column, woodgrain steering wheel, console gauges, Rally wheels, turn rings, Polyglas tires. Represented as actual miles, matching numbers, continuous history from new and a correct Z11 Pace Car. Excellent paint, chrome, glass and interior. Excellent fits and assembly. Better than new without being overdone. This is a particularly beautifully and tastefully restored Pace car with an especially desirable engine. It crossed the block at Mecum's Indianapolis auction last year where it was bid to $100,000, making worth the wait to bring it to Kissimmee. Expensive, but there's probably not another one configured this way and restored to such high standards. Call it ‘market.’
Lot # F309 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 124379N563626; Blue, White stripes/Black vinyl; Recent restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $39,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $41,340 -- 302/290hp, 4-speed, Rally wheels, trim rings, Firehawk tires, pushbutton radio, P/S, P/B. Attractive driver quality restoration, but not particularly impressive in the way it was done. The bidders weren't impressed, either, assigning this value appropriate to the car's mediocre presentation.
Lot # U014 1969 Chevrolet Corvair Monza Coupe; S/N 105379W704465; Glacier Blue/Blue vinyl; Unrestored original, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $13,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $13,780 -- 164/110hp, 4-speed, no radio, hubcaps, blackwall tires. Clean original car riding on its original Goodyear Laredo bias ply tires. Remarkable 20 mile survivor. Nearly like new aside from cracked tire sidewalls, some dust and scuffed chrome trim.. This is a good value in an appealing, well-preserved and amazingly original car, especially with the 4-speed. It could have brought well over $15,000 without being expensive.
Lot # S248 1969 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible; S/N 194679S729269; Engine # ????LQ 19729269; LeMans Blue/Black leather; Black vinyl top; Recent restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $57,500 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $60,950 — 427/400hp, 4-speed, P/S, P/B, Rally wheels, trim rings, side exhausts, F70-15 Goodyear Wide Tread tires, AM-FM. Represented as matching numbers, documented with tank sticker. Restored to nearly like new appearance. Well restored and amply powerful, the buyer got full value for the money in this Corvette. This is a good time to buy ’68 and later Stingrays. (picture unavailable).
Lot # S110 1969 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe; S/N 194379S727012; Engine # T0725LP 19S727012; Gold/Black leather; Visually maintained, largely original, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $62,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $65,720 -- 427/435hp, L89 heads, 4-speed, AM-FM, heater, side exhausts, tilt column, T-tops. side exhausts, smog equipment, no P/S or P/B, transistor ignition, 4.11 Positraction, Rally wheels with trim rings, F70-15 Polyglas tires, F41 suspension. Mostly original with fair old repaint, good original interior. Documented with tank sticker, but not stated to be numbers matching although the engine number looks real. No Reserve. Another Mecum Monterey 2009 no-sale, reportedly bid to $62,500 there and sold here for essentially the same amount, a sound value in an attractively powered and attractively original Corvette.
Lot # S244 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 136370A151633; Gold, Black stripes; Black vinyl roof/Black vinyl; Recent restoration, 2 condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $33,000 -- 396/350hp, M21 4-speed, Hurst shifter, 3.31 Positraction, F41 suspension, power front disc brakes, no P/S, Rally II wheels, Goodyear Eagle GT II tires, AM-FM, buckets and console. Represented as matching numbers engine, documented with build sheet and Protect-o-Plate. Freshly restored to like new condition with excellent chrome, interior and instruments. Good but thickly clear coated paint. Two small chips by right door. This is more car than the money bid for it, a surprisingly overlooked quality car with a desirable drivetrain in an auction where muscle cars ruled and sold.
Lot # S225 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 136370B203646; Red, Black stripes/Black; Modified restoration, 2- condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $48,000 -- 454 to LS6 specs, automatic, P/S, P/B, pushbutton radio, Pioneer CD stereo and engine gauges under dash, console, polished Torque Thrust wheels, Radial T/A tires, cowl induction, A/C. An attractive driver but not a real car. Excellent paint, chrome and interior. Bid to $37,500 at the Kruse auction in Naples, Florida in 2008, it's hard to see how the seller expected more from its mixed heritage than this bid.
Lot # S135 1971 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible; S/N 194671S109940; Engine # T0121CPJ C11S109940; Red/Red vinyl; White vinyl top; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $39,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $41,340 -- 454/365hp, automatic, P/S, P/B, A/C, Rally wheels with trim rings, Wide Oval tires, AM-FM, telescoping column. Represented as numbers matching. Good repaint, chrome, interior and glass. Engine redone, but not the chassis or underbody. An attractive driver. On the money.
Lot # F203 1975 Chevrolet Cosworth Vega Coupe; S/N IV77E5U240392; Black/Black vinyl; Visually maintained, largely original, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $13,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $13,780 -- Radio delete, tinted glass. 241 miles. Quick old repaint over old paint, otherwise original and in very good shape. This transaction represents a strong premium for the low miles and originality, but similar CosVegs are not all that rare. The buyer got value for money, but maybe not full value.
Lot # W261 1991 Chevrolet Corvette Callaway Twin Turbo Convertible; S/N 1G1YY338OM5106108; Turquoise/; Visually maintained, largely original, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $33,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $34,980 -- 475hp, 634 lb-ft torque, two tops, chrome modular wheels, AeroBody, 6-speed. Restored by Callaway with about 3,000 miles since. One of just 62 built in the last year for the Callaway Twin Turbo RPO B2K. Excellent cosmetics. Essentially like new except for the paint which is a little dull on both doors. This is a heck of a lot of Callaway Twin Turbo for the money. It went to a knowledgeable collector who will add it to his growing and impressive collection.
Lot # F320 2006 Chevrolet Monte Carlo NASCAR Race Car; S/N None; Green ‘Interstate Batteries’/Dark Grey cloth; Competition car, original as-raced, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $22,500 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $23,850 — Joe Gibbs Racing, ex-Bobby Labonte. As raced, complete (less items like radios) and could be race ready after being thoroughly checked out. No racing history. Appropriate money for a used NASCAR Sprint Cup car from a major team without racing history or setup information. (picture unavailable).
Lot # S201 2007 Chevrolet Budweiser #8 NASCAR Race Car; S/N DEI038; Red ‘Budweiser’/Black; Competition car, original as-raced, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $200,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $212,000 -- Complete and as-raced, a Dale Earnhardt, Jr. race car. The bidders paid generously for the Dale, Jr. connection, on the order of $150,000 of this very generous price. It's hard to see the value in the premium.
Lot # F319 2007 Chevrolet Monte Carlo NASCAR Race Car; S/N None; Orange ‘Home Depot’/Grey cloth; Competition car, original as-raced, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $25,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $26,500 -- Joe Gibbs Racing, Tony Stewart car. As raced. No race history known. Essentially complete (missing radios and such) and ready to race after a thorough checking for safety and reliability. This is old NASCAR money, especially in the absence of any history, even for a car pedaled by a first rate driver like Steward, and one that isn't, apparently, set up for road courses where these cars have continuing utility.
Lot # T155 1926 Chrysler Model 58 Touring; S/N F67094; Green, Black fenders/Black vinyl; Black vinyl top; Older restoration, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $13,500 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $14,310 -- Varnished wood spoke wheels, blackwall tires, Motorola remote control radio. Fair old paint and upholstery, loose fitting top. Grungy chassis caked with road grime. An aged but respectable old restoration. The car card claims this Chrysler ‘recently had a ground-up restoration’, a claim that even the most cursory look disproves. On the other hand, it's a quality Chrysler for less than Model T money and will be enjoyable to own and tour, if not to show.
Lot # F108 1967 Dodge Coronet 500 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N WP23G75119072; Fawn, Black vinyl roof/Fawn leatherette; Visually maintained, largely original, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $21,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $22,260 -- 383/270 hp with Edelbrock 4-barrel added. P/S, P/B, Magnum wheels, blue line tires, buckets and console, console mounted tach, pushbutton radio. Decent repaint, redone chrome and interior. Engine, chassis and underbody generally aged. This is not exactly a ‘muscle car’, but a powerful and attractive cruiser at a reasonable price that should be a satisfying car to own and use.
Lot # S188 1970 Dodge Challenger Hemi 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N JS23R0B220416; Blue/Black; Visually maintained, largely original, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $130,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $137,800 -- 426/425hp Hemi, automatic, P/B, no P/S, pushbutton radio, rear speaker, steel wheels, hubcaps, F60-15 Polyglas GT tires. 63,039 miles and original except for a good older repaint. Represented as matching numbers. A very fine car that hardly looks used at all. Sold at the Rupp auction in Ft. Lauderdale in 2008 for $130,680 and hard to find with these low miles and originality. A prize for the new owner, who bought it for current market value.
Lot # T242 1959 Edsel Corsair Convertible; S/N W9UR710703; Red/Red, Black vinyl; White vinyl top; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $31,000 -- 361/303hp 400E V-8, automatic, P/S, P/B, wheelcovers, whitewalls, Town & Country radio. Mediocre repaint, scuffed chrome, good upholstery. Engine has been gone through but not restored. Chassis has been thoroughly cleaned and repainted a while ago. Dash and instrument panel need to be cleaned. A mediocre driver quality car. Sold at Branson Spring a year ago for $26,460, the seller can't really expect to get any more than the $31,000 reportedly bid for it here. It's just not that good.
Lot # S133 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 Berlinetta; S/N 09721; Red/Saddle Tan leather; Visually maintained, largely original, 3+ condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $1,075,000 -- Chrome spoke Borrani wire wheels, power windows. Fresh repaint in Colin Comer's shop and engine gone through by Rick Bunkfeldt. Chassis and interior are cleaned up but not done. 25,377 miles. Offered to great fanfare at Mecum's Monterey auction in 2010 where it was reported sold at $1,325,000. The repaint did nothing to enhance its value, which was largely based on its originality and long ownership history. Offering it here with little promotion and the resulting disappointing bid hasn't helped its value any.
Lot # S086 1990 Ferrari 348 Challenge ; S/N ZFFFG36AXL0086947; Red, Black/Tan leather; Visually maintained, largely original, 3 condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $40,000 -- 225/40 front, 265/40ZR18 rear Pirelli PZero tires, red painted wheels, Alpine remote stereo. Raced by Kurt Carlson 1994-1996 including 1994 Finals then returned to street configuration including A/C. Definitely hammered on but straight and apparently well maintained. Offered at Mecum Monterey in 2009 and at Indy in 2010 as well as who knows where else. It's time for the seller to get real and take the $30,000 or so this beast is worth.
Lot # S242 1923 Ford Big T Roadster Pickup; S/N 3896944; Red/Red, White vinyl; White vinyl top; Customized restoration, 1 condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $37,500 -- 283 Chevy, Edelbrock 4-barrel carb and manifold, LaSalle 3-speed, whitewall tires on steel wheels, front dire, rear drum brakes, automatic. Chrome and polished aluminum everywhere, transverse leaf front suspension, coil-over rear springs. Show roadster pickup by Darryl Starbird for Monogram models in show car condition. The Monogram model history of this T roadster pickup is more than enough to justify a significantly higher price than the rather parsimonious bid it attracted here. Over $50,000 wouldn't be unreasonable.
Lot # W204 1930 Ford Model A Street Rod Pickup; S/N 4006996; Engine # VE113695; Red, Black fenders/White; Customized restoration, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $23,500 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $24,910 -- Ford V-8, Holley four-barrel, automatic, red steel wheels, hubcaps, trim rings, steel bed floor, stained oak bed side boards, brass headlight shells with hand pinstriping. Orange peely paint, good old tuck and roll upholstery. Old custom with fresh paint. Represented as timed on the salt in July 1950 at 95.7mph, not with the ohv Ford V-8 under the hood today, however. An intriguing street rod loaded with 50's features. The history is a bonus. The car card claims the engine is a 350 Chevy but it's been cleverly disguised in a Ford block, heads and valve covers. Aside from that, however, this is a cool old steel bodied street rod. Its condition isn't the greatest but it is sound and reasonably presentable. Further establishing its history could make it worth restoring, especially if it could go back to its 50's driveline. Until then it can be driven and enjoyed confident also that it is worth all the modest price paid for it.
Lot # F125.1 1937 Ford Deluxe Convertible Sedan; S/N 83845563; Burgundy/Burgundy leather; Natural cloth top; Older restoration, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $34,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $36,040 -- Clock, radio, banjo spoke steering wheel, heater. Older restoration. Paint edges chipped. Cracked badly at trunk comers. Weak trim chrome. Good upholstery and top. Aged but still will be a fine cruiser or tour car. Modestly priced and appropriately recognizing the age of its restoration and its emerging shortcomings. The convertible sedan body style is highly practical and comfortable in all sorts of weather, with plenty of room for family and friends. For that reason alone, this is a sound value that could have brought a little more without being overpriced, even with the wobbly condition.
Lot # W052 1939 Ford Model A Coupe Utility; S/N A3990069; Olive, Black fenders, Dark Grey accent/Brown leatherette; Black leatherette roof; Older restoration, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $15,500 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $16,430 -- Chrome bumpers, wood pickup bed added, Cream wire wheels, blackwall tires, Klaxon born, dual outside mirrors. Fair older paint, chrome and interior. Plywood bed delaminating and peeling. Chassis quickly redone and not ageing well. Cute, but not standing up very well and bought reasonably for its condition.
Lot # S127 1941 Ford Super Deluxe Convertible; S/N 186275004; Green/Beige leather; Beige vinyl top; Customized restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $36,500 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $38,690 -- 302 Ford, automatic, tilt column, modern bucket seats, A/C, P/W, power driver's seat, AM-FM-CD, 15’ Rally style wheels with trim rings, hubcaps and blackwall radials.. Good paint, glass, top and interior woodgraining. Bright, impressive chrome. Chassis shows use, but not much. stock exterior except for the wheels and tires. This is a very attractive street rod, tastefully presented and done to high standards of workmanship. Anyone would be proud to be seen driving it, especially if the onlookers knew they paid only this much for it. A serious value.
Lot # S146 1955 Ford Fairlane Sunliner; S/N U5KC169786; Light Blue, Colonial White/Blue vinyl; White vinyl top; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $38,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $40,280 -- 272/162hp, automatic, skirts, wire basket wheel covers, whitewalls, pushbutton radio. Mediocre repaint, dull stainless, good major chrome, interior and top. Scratched, pitted door handles. Old undercoat on chassis. Freshly repainted with careless masking holidays. Good new upholstery. Sold by Worldwide at Auburn in 2010 for $46,200. The buyer here got a real bargain in an attractive if superficially redone Sunliner.
Lot # F209 1957 Ford Thunderbird DF Convertible Phase 1; S/N D7FH202138; Red/Rid vinyl; Black cloth top; Recent restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $250,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $265,000 -- 312 supercharged V-8, overdrive three-speed, no radio or heater, hubcaps, blackwall 7.50-14 Firestone Deluxe Champion tires. One of 15 built for the 1957 Daytona Speed Week flying mile competition although without any known competition history. Comes with its original build sheet. Freshly restored and like new. No Reserve. The precursor to the F-birds, and therefore particularly important, as this 2x price indicates. This car was offered by Mecum at Monterey in August 2009 where it no-saled at a $200,000 high bid. Any collector would be proud to own it, even at this price.
Lot # U059 1959 Ford Fairlane 500 Convertible; S/N H9RC174734; Wedgwood Blue, Colonial White/Blue; Blue cloth top; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $52,000 -- 352/300hp, automatic, pushbutton radio, dual outside mirrors, chrome skirts and rear fender shields, wheelcovers, whitewalls, continental kit, P/S, no P/B. Good paint, chrome, interior, glass and top. Filled doors with blisters starting to pop through at the back of the driver's door. An older restoration to good, presentable driver condition showing some age and use. Chassis redone assembled. Sold at Auburn Fall in 2007 for $24,948 and no better here than it was there. Why the seller felt its value had doubled is hard to figure. It should have loose and selling as soon as the bidding passed $25,000.
Lot # S124 1962 Ford Thunderbird Sports Roadster; S/N 2Y89M169809; Rangoon Red/Red leather; White vinyl top; Visually maintained, largely original, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $70,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $74,200 -- 390/340hp, three 2-barrels, automatic, P/S, P/B, chrome wire wheels, P/seat. Documented with build sheet, two owners from new. Good repaint, chrome, glass and interior. Scuffed stainless trim. Original interior trim and panels. Chassis sprayed with new sealer over minimal prep. A desirable model, even more desirable with this engine, which accounts for the very healthy premium it brought, especially considering its indifferent condition.
Lot # S048 1949 Hudson Super Six Club Coupe; S/N 49189818; Black/Grey cloth; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $28,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $29,680 -- 3-speed, single carb, pushbutton radio, heater, skirts, trim rings, whitewalls, red wheels, Sunpro water gauge in dash, A/C added, fog lights. The wiring is old, greasy, tape-wrapped and not reassuring. Attractive repaint, good chrome and interior with age and use showing on driver's seat. Chassis orderly but not restored. The car card described this as a ‘Total restoration’, a claim which even the most cursory look under the hood quickly refuted. On the other hand, the A/C is carefully and discretely added and the body style is unusual. The price is full retail and then some for its condition.
Lot # U057 1957 Jaguar XK 150 Fixed Head Coupe; S/N S834115DN; Engine # V1104-8; Red/Tan leather; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $41,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $43,460 -- Chrome wire wheels, whitewalls, fog lights, windshield washer. Good paint, chrome and interior. Polished up underhood. Right window scratched, thin quarter window chrome. Chassis shows age, use and little care. Door bottom fit is off. Once a show car, now it's a sparkly driver. Sold at Barrett-Jackson's Palm Beach sale in 2007 for $46,200 and no better for the passage of some miles and years. The seller should be happy to get this much for it and write the loss off to fun and games.
Lot # U101 1947 Kurtis Kraft Offy Midget; White, Red ‘Styles’/Black; Competition car, original as-raced, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $28,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $29,680 -- Halibrand quick change rear, in-out box, torsion bar suspension with lever shocks, four-wheel disc brakes, centerlock Halibrand 12’ wheels, Hilborn fuel injection, chromed suspension, unnumbered 110 Offenhauser engine. Tidy, orderly historic race car in good used condition. Represented as having been driven by a number of well known journeymen like Bob Disbrow, Nick Fornoro and Tommy Hinnerschitz. People pay this much for V8-60 powered sprinters, and Mecum sold a gutless 110 Offy display engine this week for $4,800. Taken together this is a prudent acquisition for a car that can be ready to be campaigned in the upcoming season.
Lot # S100 1950 Mercury Convertible; S/N 50SL21766M; Maroon/Maroon, Tan leather; Tan cloth top; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $60,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $63,600 -- Pushbutton radio, heater, P/W, hubcaps with wide trim rings, whitewalls, Fenton headers, dual exhausts, skirts. Excellent paint, chrome, interior and top. Driver's window off track. Showy car showing a little age. Sold by RM in Arizona in 2001 for $55,000 in essentially the same condition as here (except for the window issue). This transaction is a mirror of the market in the past ten years. Both buyer and seller should be satisfied with this value.
Lot # T068 1953 Mercury Monterey 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 53ME39016M; Yellow/Beige cloth; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $19,500 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $20,670 -- Overdrive three-speed, radio, heater, wheel covers, whitewalls, skirts, oil filter. Sound and presentable older restoration to very good driver condition with moderate use and a few years age on it. Thin front bumper chrome needs attention soon. Doors close hard. Hood closes unevenly. This Merc might generally be described as indifferent, but its appeal is also strong. It brought a representative price for what it is.
Lot # F003 1955 Mercury Montclair 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 55LA19061M; Green, White/Parchment; Older restoration, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $24,500 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $25,970 -- Automatic, pushbutton radio, wheel covers, whitewalls, shirts, windshield visor, dual remote spotlights, continental kit. Chrome valve covers, heater fan housing and manifold water outlet. Dull older repaint, sound interior and chrome. A sound and usable old restoration with plenty of room for improvement. This car was offered at the Kruse auction in Topsfield, Massachusetts in 2007, which argues against the ‘rust free car’ claim of the car card. It's not a bad ride, but nothing special and the price it brought is full retail.
Lot # W096 1955 Mercury Montclair 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 55WA38611M; Teal, White roof/Teal, White vinyl; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $18,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $19,080 -- Later 351 V-8, automatic, P/S, P/B, power seat, P/W, pushbutton radio converted to AM-FM, vintage A/C, skirts, spinner wheel covers, narrow whitewalls, working clock. Chipped old repaint, weak old chrome, pitted chrome trim and window frames, good interior. Old undercoat. Rust bubbles in right door bottom. Tired but usable old cosmetic redo. A marginally attractive cruiser with many visible flaws that suggest others lurk under the paint and inside the driveline. The seller should be very happy to get this much for it.
Lot # F125 1958 MG A Roadster; S/N HDR4350439; OE White/Burgundy leather; Black leatherette top; Older restoration, 2- condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $23,000 -- Silver painted wire wheels, whitewalls, fender mirrors, luggage rack, grille guard. Radiator base panel has been crudely straightened out. Good paint, major chrome and interior. Thin windshield post chrome. Chassis generally coated with road grime. A very attractive driver quality restoration that shows some age and use. The consignor was ill-advised not to accept this offer if there was money on it anywhere in the building.
Lot # U077 1931 Miller Lion's Head Special ; S/N (AAA) 222; Yellow/Brown; Competition restoration, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $45,500 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $48,230 -- Red wire wheels, 5.50/16 front and 6.50/16 rear tires, Plexiglas windshield, rear brakes, chromed suspension, transverse leaf rear spring, semielliptical front leaf springs, fiction front shocks, hydraulic lever rear shocks. Fuel injected unnumbered, unlabeled Offy-style four. Sound and presentable older restoration showing age and use. Sketchy history. Built up around parts possibly from the 1931 Lion's Head Special in single seat configuration with a later Offy-style engine. Believed to be a Myron Stevens chassis. If it comes with an invitation to the annual Miller Meet it's worth its modest price. In fact, it's worth this modest price under almost any imaginable circumstances.
Lot # U036 1954 Nash-Healey Le Mans Coupe; S/N 3008; Black/Burgundy leather; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $65,000 -- Overdrive, radio, heater, wire wheel covers, whitewalls. Fair older repaint. Very good upholstery. Good but loose and floppy carpets. Pitted chrome trim and horn ring. Good major chrome. Underbody done over old undercoat and showing age and use. Engine compartment superficially painted over the wiring and who knows what else. 1991 AACA National First Prize W1482. Represented as single family (ex-Nash dealer) from new. Opened at $40k, no money. The originality of this Nash-Healey is its most appealing attribute, but isn't enough to offset its mediocre condition or justify the owner's value expectations. It's realistically a $35-40,000 car.
Lot # S191 1957 Oldsmobile 98 Convertible; S/N 579M31379; Black/Black, White; Black cloth top; Older restoration, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $75,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $79,500 — 371 J-2 three two barrels, automatic, P/S, P/B, P/W, continental kit, Autronic Eye, skirts, spinner wheel covers, whitewalls, WonderBar radio. An attractive but well used older restoration, particularly the badly scuffed and scratched stainless door caps. Dusty chassis and underbody. Delaminating wind wing glass. Pitted speedometer bezel chrome. Good steering wheel. Good paint. Viewed under this number but reported sold Sunday as U138 for the same hammer bid. Previously run at Worldwide Hilton Head where it was bid to $55,000. An attractive car, it really needs (and deserves) attention to its details. This price fully values the car and overlooks its many shortcomings. In other words, it is no bargain. (picture unavailable).
Lot # U058 1939 Packard 110 Coupe; S/N B10445; White/Beige, Grey cloth; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $27,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $28,620 -- Fog lights, whitewalls, skirts. Quick old repaint over shrunken earlier paint. Pitted chrome trim. Sloppily fit upholstery. Erratic masking. Chassis repainted over old dirt and gunk. A negligently prepared auction car. Generally sound body. Old tires with cracked sidewalls. This Packard is nothing more than the basis for a restoration, or a street rod and this price is plenty of money for it, including its ‘rare’ 6-cylinder engine. All things considered, I'd much rather have the more common 8-cylinder.
Lot # S097 1940 Packard 1701 Convertible Victoria, Body by Darrin; S/N 17012097; Red/Tan leather; Tan cloth top; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $205,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $217,300 -- Turn signals, skirts, heater, fog lights, chrome wire wheels. Good paint but with some flaws and bodywork repairs visible, particularly around the top boot. Good chrome and interior showing some use on the front seats. Chassis and underbody redone generally like new, not overdone to concours sheen. Engine has some oily mist and use. Good dash with trim panels rechromed over small unfilled pits. 35 miles since '05. Hood panel edges show poorly finished filler. Hood panels correctly pieced together for an early Hollywood-built Darrin. An important automobile restored to good but not exceptional standards. Sold by RM at Meadow Brook in 2005 for $150,700 in somewhat better condition, then offered by Mecum in Monterey in 2009 where it no-saled for $160,000. One of the very few Packard Convertible Victorias built by Darrin of Hollywood before Packard realized the quality of the coachwork was crap and brought production east. The VIN indicates this is really a 1939 One Twenty, a particularly important automobile in Packard and American coachwork history. Its price here is full retail.
Lot # T023 1967 Plymouth Satellite 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N RP23H77125771; Light Yellow/Black vinyl; Visually maintained, largely original, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $16,500 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $17,490 -- 383/270hp, 4-speed, buckets and console, tach on console, chrome Magnum wheels, pushbutton radio, heater, blackwall tires, no P/S or P/B. Four barrel Edelbrock carb added. Quick repaint and chassis black squirt under the car and in the engine compartment. Weak chrome. Sound older upholstery and carpets. Driver. While the condition of this Satellite isn't very attractive (and the original 2-barrel, 4-speed configuration is curious) it has undoubted utility as a weekend driver and the price it brought indicates that's just what the buyer has in mind. Fair to both buyer and seller.
Lot # S229 1968 Plymouth GTX 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N RS23L8G182812; Metallic Olive/Green vinyl; Older restoration, 2- condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $44,000 -- 440/375hp Super Commando, automatic, no P/S or P/B, 4-speed, pushbutton radio, hubcaps, red line tires. Good paint, chrome and interior. New starter. Restored like new with some years and miles but still very attractive. Documented with build sheet and CertiCard. The reported high bid is all the money for this car.
Lot # S050 1969 Plymouth Road Runner 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N RM23H9G111621; White, Matte Black hood, White vinyl roof/Pearl White; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $30,500 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $32,330 -- 383/335hp, automatic, bench seat, pushbutton radio, woodgrain steering wheel, Magnum wheels, red line tires, 3.23 Sure Grip, P/S, A/C. Good repaint, chrome and interior. Chassis redone assembled. Described as the only triple white '69 Road Runner. Documented with build sheet, broadcast sheet, fender tag and original window sticker and represented as all numbers matching. The Kissimmee bidders declined to assign any noticeable value increment to the ‘one of one’ color claim, showing good judgment on their part. This is a representative price for this car's combination of options, including the factory A/C.
Lot # W162 1970 Plymouth Barracuda Gran Coupe 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N BP23N0B178845; Purple, Black vinyl roof/Black vinyl; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $43,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $45,580 -- 383/300hp, 4-speed, P/S, rally wheels, trim rings, Radial T/A tires, 3.23 axle, pushbutton radio. Represented as numbers matching. Restored to nearly like new appearance and finishes. Good paint, chrome and interior. Pistol grip handle plastic worn. An unusual car, particularly the 4-speed in this model. The Gran Coupe is usually considered a secretary's car -- if so, this was a secretary with some flair. It sold at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale in 2008 for $46,200, leaving the seller to write off the small loss to three years' enjoyment, a pretty reasonable price.
Lot # S061 1970 Plymouth Road Runner Superbird 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N RM23U0A155781; White, Black vinyl roof/Black; Recent restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $90,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $95,400 -- 440/375hp, automatic, rally style wheels with trim rings and Firestone Wide Oval tires, pushbutton radio, P/S, P/B. Restored like new. Represented as all numbers matching. Very nice. In 2005 this car tried to find a buyer at Branson (no sale at $120,000) and Leake Dallas (no sale at $140,000). It is, if anything, in better condition here than it was back then. Its value adjustment reflects the temper of the times and may turn out to be opportunely timed for the buyer.
Lot # S099 1958 Pontiac Bonneville 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N C558H2624; White, Brown roof and accent/White vinyl, Brown cloth; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $49,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $51,940 -- 370/300hp, automatic, Tri-Power, P/S, P/B, WonderBar radio, power rear antenna, skirts, wheel covers, whitewalls, dual outside mirrors, silver flecked carpet. 37,581 miles. An older restoration to like new condition with very good paint, chrome and interior. Dash and instrument panel is sharp and crisp. Driver's seat is compressed and stretched. Chassis and underbody shows age and a little use; looks like a 6-month old clean used car. There is nothing at all not to like about this Pontiac, including the sympathetic use which demonstrates that it runs and drives. It is a very good value at this price.
Lot # F281 1961 Pontiac Catalina Convertible; S/N 361P16748; Engine # 127056 MI?; Black/Parchment, Burgundy vinyl; White vinyl top; Visually maintained, largely original, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $56,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $59,360 -- 389/348hp, 4-speed, 8-lug wheels, whitewalls, pushbutton radio, heater, no P/S or P/B. Three owners, original window sticker, represented as matching numbers throughout although the engine type appears to be ‘M1’, a 1960 389/348hp automatic block. Good repaint, original chrome and interior. Engine compartment gone through but not restored. This is a particularly attractive combination of design, engine and transmission and the Kissimmee bidders accorded it a particularly attractive price, too. The engine number may be a light stamping and in any event it is a Tri-Power block. The price is appropriate to the car's originality, well-preserved condition and powertrain, even if it is a $15,000 or so premium. It sure would have looked good in my garage.
Lot # S255 1963 Pontiac Bonneville Convertible; S/N 863S36080; Engine # 36080 OS?; Silver/Black vinyl; White vinyl top; Visually maintained, largely original, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $37,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $39,220 -- Tri-Power, P/S, P/B, 8-lug wheels, trim rings, narrow whitewalls, automatic, tilt column, vacuum gauge, buckets and console, pushbutton radio, A/C, P/W, Decent repaint, chrome and interior. Good top. Chassis and underbody cleaned up and resprayed. Engine hasn't been given more than a lick and a promise. Pitted interior chrome. A ten-footer. Bought appropriately, especially since it sold here last year for $30,740. A usable driver, but nothing more, there's room for improvement in its presentation without going too deeply into the kids' college fund and still leaving a reasonable possibility of coming out the other side with a tidy profit.
Lot # U023 1963 Pontiac Tempest Convertible; S/N 163P91385; Engine # 36111CH; Red/Red, Burgundy vinyl; White vinyl top; Visually maintained, largely original, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $11,250 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $11,925 -- 194 four, Powerglide, P/S, power top, wheel covers, narrow whitewalls, pushbutton radio, Realistic FM converter. Fair repaint, good original interior. Fresh, bright chrome. Cleaned up underhood and chassis but not restored. Straight, solid body. Very unusual. A rare Tempest among a sea of GTOs and Chevelles, in exceptional shape and impressively original, not the mention the half-a-389 4-cylinder under the hood. The Kissimmee bidders priced it at ‘market’ (not that enough cars like this change hands to make a market in them) but it might be a better value than it appears.
Lot # S235 1965 Pontiac LeMans GTO Convertible; S/N 237675K118638; Engine # 305600 YS; Iris Mist/Pearl White vinyl; Black vinyl top; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $47,500 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $50,350 -- 389/335hp, automatic, P/S, P/B, factory A/C, P/W, woodgrain steering wheel, pushbutton radio, Rally wheels, trim rings, red line tires. PHS documented. Hard to tell if it's a cosmetic restoration of a very well maintained car or a good older restoration with non-negligible miles. Good paint, chrome interior and details like the window seals. Good, straight body. Orderly but showing use and age underhood. Paint cracked at trunk corner. No Reserve. Other than being an automatic and having only one carburetor, it's hard to beat this early GTO, with all the right stuff including factory A/C and a top that goes down. Extremely desirable and in a rare color that will make this car stand out at any gathering, the condition is hard to fault and the price is nothing if not full value for money.
Lot # S060.1 1966 Pontiac Bonneville Convertible; S/N 262676C125954; Engine # 233923 XYH; Turquoise/White; White vinyl top; Recent restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $52,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $55,120 -- ‘421/425hp’ badged Tri-Power, automatic, P/S, P/B, 8-lug wheels, narrow whitewalls, gauge package. Freshly restored with excellent paint, chrome, glass, interior and top. Underhood and chassis paint is glossy and unconvincing. Impressive, except that the engine number is for a 421/338hp 4-barrel '66 Pontiac 2+2, not the 421 Tri-Power (which was 356 or 376hp in any event, not 425hp.) The bidders didn't seem to notice the discrepancy in engine identification, or care about it, on their way to this premium price. This is a good time to bet on these mid-Sixties big block full-size convertibles. They have room to grow in value, except this one, which is at the crest of the wave. How do we tell? Well, because this car, probably before the fresh restoration, sold for $18,550 at Mecum's Indianapolis auction in 2009. Unfortunately we don't know how it breathed then, but it probably wasn't through the Tri-Power.
Lot # S245 1966 Pontiac GTO 2-Dr. Coupe; S/N 242076K122492; Engine # ? WS; Black/Metallic Burgundy; Recent restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $70,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $74,200 -- 389/360hp Tri-Power, 4-speed, Hurst shifter, P/S, P/B, AM-FM, power antenna, seat belts, woodgrain steering wheel, Rally wheels, trim rings, red line tires, red painted wheel wells. Very good paint, chrome, interior, chassis and engine. PHS documented. Like new. There's nothing about this car not to like, including rare features like the red wheel wells, including the price. $10-15,000 was left on the table when the new owner took this GTO home, a very good value.
Lot # S234 1966 Pontiac GTO Royal Replica 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 242176Z127695; Gold/Black vinyl; Recent restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $55,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $58,300 — 389/360hp, Tri-Power, 4-speed, Hurst shifter and line lock, Ram air hood and cold air pan, P/B, no P/S, Hurst wheels with trim rings, blackwall rear slicks, red line front tires, Sun gauges. Excellent paint, chrome and interior. Restored like new, but not real. An exercise in re-creating what has been lost, bought for a fraction of the value of the time and parts lavished on its creation and a good value at the price. (picture unavailable).
Lot # T002 1967 Pontiac Firebird 400 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 223377U142161; Silver, Black vinyl roof/Black; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $25,500 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $27,030 -- Automatic, pushbutton radio, Rally II wheels, white letter tires. Blotchy metallic distribution in the paint. Good chrome and interior. Chassis redone assembled. Straight body. PHS documented. An attractive driver. Just a car, bought appropriately.
Lot # F139 1969 Pontiac GTO Convertible; S/N 242679B176196; Engine # 0828753 YS; Warwick Blue/Parchment, White vinyl top; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $51,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $54,060 -- 400/350hp, automatic, P/S, P/B, A/C, Rally II wheels, Radial T/A tires, wing, console, console mounted 8-track, Endura nose, hidden headlights. Good paint, chrome, interior, glass and top but superficially cosmetically redone chassis. 22,085 miles. PHS documented and two-owner history. With its base YS 350hp engine and cosmetic restoration this GTO would have been a better value at $44,000 than $54,000, even with the known mileage and 2-owner history. The transaction hints at the increasing collector interest in GTOs, a long overdue appreciation for them.
Lot # S232 1969 Pontiac GTO Convertible; S/N 242679B161651; Black/Parchment vinyl; White vinyl top; Recent restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $145,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $153,700 -- 400/370hp, 4-speed, P/S, P/B, Ram Air IV, Safe-T-Track, pushbutton radio, wire wheel covers, narrow whitewalls, PHS documented. WW sticker on block, but no stamp. Very clean, sharp, shiny restoration to showroom appearance. No Reserve. Coming into their own are these later GTOs, which implies that the earlier LeMans GTOs (with appropriate documentation) should be coming along in their wake. This is a curve-setting valuation, however, and should be referenced with caution in setting future values, particularly without a WW block stamping.
Lot # S233 1969 Pontiac GTO Judge Convertible; S/N 242679R169725; Engine # 0696828 WS; Black/Parchment vinyl; Black vinyl top; Recent restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $225,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $238,500 -- 400/366hp, 4-speed, P/S, P/B, Ram Air III, console, tach and garages, Safe-T-Track, Rally II wheels, red line tires, factory A/C, pushbutton radio, T-handle Hurst shifter. PHS documented. Sharp, clean, crisp restoration to showroom condition. Excellent paint, chrome, interior, top and particularly good interior trim. No Reserve. Bought appropriately, but at the top of any retail valuation continuum, this is a choice example with just about everything a modern GTO collector could want including A/C and the 4-speed. Fabulous, but also fabulously valued at the top of the scale.
Lot # S103 1969 Pontiac Trans Am 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 223379N104698; Engine # 39512 WI; White, Metallic Blue stripes/Dark Blue vinyl; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $90,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $95,400 -- Ram Air V, 4-speed, P/S, P/B, leather wrapped steering wheel, pushbutton radio, heater, tilt column, Rally II wheels, trim rings, Polyglas GT G70-14 tires, Safe-T-Track. Older restoration with good paint, chrome and interior. Engine, chassis and underbody show age. No Reserve. One of a rumored 89 Ram Air V Firebirds built (which may explain the un-cataloged WI engine code) and documented by PHS, this is a rare and significant piece of Pontiac history. Offered by Mecum in Monterey in 2009 where it was reported bid to $75,000, its price here is reasonable for a car restored so well and with such a rare powerplant.
Lot # S152 1974 Pontiac Firebird 2-Dr. Hardtop Super Duty; S/N 2V87X4N151635; Engine # 24N151636 Y8; Cameo White/Saddle cloth; Unrestored original, 2- condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $54,000 -- 455/290hp Super Duty, automatic, P/S, P/B, P/W, A/C, AM-FM-8-track, shaker hood, honeycomb wheels, Radial T/A tires. Two owners from new, 29,421 miles, all original, extensively documented from new. Offered here last year but unsold at a reported $52,000 bid, the money got better this year, but still didn't meet the seller's expectations. If there was money anywhere close to this bid the consignor should have grabbed it with both hands, despite the low miles, originality and careful preservation. These just aren't that valuable or important cars.
Lot # S121.1 1963 Shelby Cobra Dragon Snake Roadster; S/N CSX 2093; Metallic Fuchsia/Black; Competition restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $875,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $927,500 -- 289 V-8, four Webers, hardtop, chrome paperclip rollbar, wire front wheels, wide centerlock alloy rear wheels with drag slicks, long tube headers ending in short side-mounted pipes. AACA Senior winner, restored to like new condition (and better than it ever was when making drag strip passes in the mid-11's.) Dragged for years, a consistent winner driven by Bruce Larson when owned by Jim Costilow and later for Ed Hedrick. ‘The winningest competition Cobra in history.’ Sold here in 2007 for $1,417,500, which says plenty about the re-ordering of the market for old drag racing cars, even ones with illustrious histories and the Shelby touch.
Lot # F211.1 1966 Shelby Cobra 427 Roadster; S/N CSX 3301; White, Metallic Blue Stripe/Black leather; Older restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $550,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $583,000 -- 6-spoke alloy wheels, side exhausts, chrome paperclip rollbar, outside fuel filler. Originally delivered to FAV in Slough, England and sold to an owner in France, it had sunburst wheels and a 428 engine. At some point the 428 was replaced (as most of them have been) with a 427 side-oiler. Restored like new. Sold at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale in 2007 for $935,000. Offered a year later by RM in Monterey where it was bid to $775,000, then at Mecum's Indy sale in 2009 where the bid reached $600,000. It's not a pretty trend, but if this isn't the bottom of the trough it's close and the right time to buy.
Lot # F276 1966 Shelby Mustang GT350 Fastback; S/N SFM6S387; White, Metallic Blue stripes/Black vinyl; Visually maintained, largely original, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $95,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $100,700 -- Radio, heater, Cobra tach screwed to dash top. 5-spoke Shelby alloy center wheels, P215/70R14 blackwall tires, Shelby oil pan and valve covers. Good repaint, chrome and original interior. Replacement block in 1966. Mostly original and very clean. Comes with several pieces of early documentation. Ford VIN ends in 43. Not the cleanest history, but a real car with a real history and an entry ticket to anything Shelby that brought appropriately real money here in Kissimmee.
Lot # S180 1968 Shelby Mustang GT350 Convertible; S/N 8T03J193941-02261; Lime Gold, White stripes/Black vinyl; Black vinyl top; Older restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $94,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $99,640 -- 4-speed, P/S, P/B, tilt-away column, pushbutton radio, 10-spoke alloy wheels, Radial T/A tires. Excellent clearcoat repaint, chrome and interior. Represented as matching numbers engine. An older restoration to like new condition that if cleaned up of some dust would be show ready. Pretty. A very nice car that brought a modest price for its condition and specifications.
Lot # S231 1968 Shelby Mustang GT500KR Fastback; S/N 8T02R215983-04214; Wimbledon White/Saddle vinyl; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $140,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $148,400 -- 428/335hp, 4-speed, P/B, P/S, 10-spoke wheels, 3.5 Traction-Lok, sport deck rear seat, tilt steering column, E70-15 Goodyear 550 tires, pushbutton radio. An older restoration to showroom condition. Good paint, chrome and upholstery. Even gaps and flush panel fits. Shows little age or use. A Mustang Club Gold winner. This is Big Money, even for a fastidiously restored 4-speed '68 KR.
Lot # S145.1 1967 Sunbeam Tiger Convertible; S/N B3820002016LRXFE; Black/Black; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $80,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $84,800 -- 260 V-8, 4-speed, woodrim steering wheel, Black hardtop, steel wheels, wheel covers, blackwall. 26,016 miles. Restored, but with mediocre paint with heavy orange peel around the engine compartment. Pitted door handles, scuffed windshield frame trim. Unimpressively mediocre presentation. How much? Holy Ken Miles! This is double, and then some, what this car could have been expected to bring. A breathtaking example of auction magic, at least for the seller. The buyer is so deep underwater even a snorkel won't reach the surface.
Lot # T045.1 1973 Volvo P1800 ES Station Wagon; S/N 1836364007958; Metallic Blue/Blue vinyl; Visually maintained, largely original, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $8,000 plus commission of 6.25%; Final Price $8,500 -- Automatic, A/C, trim rings, off brand blackwall tires. Quick repaint over old paint, starting to chip where it was badly masked. Scuffed chrome. Wavy sills look filled. Original but orderly underhood. A sound and usable used car. Bought appropriately for its condition, automatic transmission and air conditioning.
[Source: Rick Carey]
Looking at your final prices quoted, wasn’t the buyer premium 8%?
Also, where do I find a reference that explains the condition report? Im interested to know how you come up with the numbered condition and what each number represents
Wayne,
I believe there is a page on SCD with the character and condition key, but basically:
1 is better than new, over the top, jewelry
2 is like new
3 is used a little but sound and presentable
4 is generally unpleasant or with a specific area of serious concern.
Rick
Thanks for the insight.
I purchased the 57 Tbird DF at Mecum and paid 8% buyer premium. I didnt realize that phone bidders pay a higher premium.
I was also interested in the condition report which stated “2 condition” for the car. At least I know what it means.
Wayne,
Ah, life should be so simple…
Mecum charges a multi-step commission with fixed dollar amounts succeeded by a flat 6% on transactions hammered sold at $10,000 or more.
Specifically, $300 on sales up to $5,499 and $500 on sales up to $9,999.
It’s all baked into the numbers and commission rates in the auction reports. For example, the Volvo P1800 ES hammered sold for $8,000 with a $500 commission for a total price of $8,500 and an effective commission rate of 6.25%.
You have no idea how many hours I spent figuring out the programming to achieve that!
Rick
Rick,
Great coverage! Really enjoyed seeing the Packards that were up for grabs.
I spoke with a friend of mine that was an avid drag racing fan in the 1960s, and he remembers the Costilow/Larsen Dragon Snake well, as it was garaged just a few miles from the town we live in here in Central PA. He’ll flip when he here’s what it sold for as he remembers seeing the car in action back in the day.
Thanks for the great coverage!
Cheers!
Will Silk
Rick .. superb coverage as usual.
Several cars are referred to as “better than new”, yet the highest rating was 2+ … OK if Concours is a 1 … might those cars not receive a 1- ?
I find the reviews without a picture not of real interest … but that is probably just me.
Cheers …….. BB
A 1- is a car that once was over-the-top restored but now aged or used.
A 2+ is a car that is restored like new, but with better materials, cosmetics, panel fit, etc.
Rick
Great coverage. It is wonderful to know the actual condition
of the cars that cross the block. T.V coverage makes them all look like they are perfect.