Auctions America by RM Ft. Lauderdale 2013 – Auction Report
Auctions America by RM, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, March 22-24, 2013
Report and photos by Rick Carey, Auction Editor
Late on Sunday, while wrapping up a few final cars for Sports Car Digest, a young couple approached me. The male half asked, ‘Could you tell me a little about how the auction works?’
We talked for ten or fifteen minutes about collector car auction basics: reserves, bidding and most importantly the terms. Even when it was explained that the cars were sold ‘as is, where is, with all faults’ they were undeterred and realistic.
They parted with ‘We’ll be back next year and bring money.’
Think of this experience the next time someone bemoans the ageing car collector class. At least one solution seems to be ‘build it and they will come.’
The diversity and attractiveness of the cars offered is an important attraction of Auctions America’s auction in Ft. Lauderdale, and its sales in Carlisle, Auburn and now Burbank. From 1924 to 2012, Acadian to Zimmer, $1,980 to $880,000, the Broward County Convention Center literally had something for everyone, including the couple that came to check it out on Sunday.
Experienced auction hands consistently commented on the overall quality of the cars offered by Auctions America in Ft. Lauderdale this year, a subjective but important consideration that kept them in their seats and bidding throughout the three day sale. The $17.5 million sale total is the third highest in the sale’s seven-year history; the sale rate is Ft. Lauderdale’s fourth highest.
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The general public loves auctions – just look at the scads of auction-related ‘reality’ shows on cable. Making collector car auctions accessible and entertaining, with a wide variety of cars – like Auctions America’s Ft. Lauderdale sale – is just what is needed to draw in new generations of collectors, even those without the mechanical skills and tinkering experience that older collectors have.
It’s a different pathway into collecting and one that deserves more experimentation to find ways to make collector car auctions, and therefore car collecting, more attractive to younger would-be collectors.
Auctions America by RM Fort Lauderdale 2013 – Auction Report
Lot # 156 1959 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible; S/N J59S104501; Engine # IMS; Black, Black hardtop/Black; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $53,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $58,300. – 283/270hp, 4-speed, dog dish hubcaps, blackwall tires, aftermarket AM-FM, hardtop only – Good paint, interior and most chrome except for bubbling left doorpost trim. Chassis and underbody are aged and used but clean. Has a great look in triple black, but the engine block stamping, IMS, is meaningless. – This is a sound and attractive Corvette with a desirable induction system on the 283 cubic inch block described on the car card. There’s no way to verify the engine’s actual specification, however, beyond counting the carburetors and listening for the Duntov cam’s lope when it runs. The price it brought is more than adequate for the uncertainty but also the neat presentation. Lot # 163 1951 Ford Custom Deluxe Station Wagon; S/N B1KC146932; Dark Green/Maroon, Beige leatherette; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $61,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $67,100. – 3-speed, pushbutton radio, heater, clock, 3-row seating, hubcaps, trim rings, whitewalls, rear-mounted spare – A fresh cosmetic restoration with excellent paint, chrome, wood and interior. Unfortunately they stopped with that and a little engine compartment cleanup. The underbody is untouched except for some paint over the old undercoat. One of the best looking of the Friday cars, until you look under it – This Country Squire makes a great first impression, but one that is quickly let down by the cosmetic re-do. Still, it will be a fun weekend driver and most onlookers won’t peer under the fenders. My older son once criticized me, ‘Dad, you’ve ruined me. I can’t go to a car show any more without looking under the cars and sighting down the body sides for ripples, waves and blisters.’ This Country Squire does more than fine with the latter, but falls short on the former. The new owner can add material value by giving it some much needed attention where the sun doesn’t shine, attention that may, if it is conscientiously and consistently applied, add significant value. In its present condition it is worth what it brought today. Lot # 164 1966 Ford Ranchero Custom; S/N 6K29T195711; Red/White; Modified restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $19,750 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $21,725. – 351/490hp, 4-speed, Torq Thrust wheels, bench seat, 4-wheel disc brakes, P/S – Thoroughly and completely done to high standards of fit and finish. – This poor truck has been looking for a home for a while. It was offered here a year ago but attracted a high bid of only $18,000. Today’s result is much more appropriate for the quality of the workmanship that went into it and is even something of a bargain for a new owner who wants a tire-smoking little pickup. Lot # 173 1979 Pontiac Trans Am Coupe; S/N 2W87K9N130528; Black, Gold accent/Black; Unrestored original, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $38,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $41,800. – Automatic, gold honeycomb wheels, Uniroyal tires, P/S, P/B, P/W, glass t-tops, AM-FM, A/C, shaker hood, power antenna – 4,796 miles from new and like new throughout including the original tires. Excellent paint and interior. Documented with broadcast sheet, window sticker, manual, maintenance folios, all manuals, spare tire paper, and delivery paper. – Don’t drive on these tires. In fact, don’t drive this Trans Am very much as every hundred miles or so will eat at its value but it should be good for a couple hundred miles a year without seriously affecting value. Think five years out when it might have 5,796 miles. That’s only a slight qualitative difference (as long as the original tires a wheels are put up for safekeeping and fresh wheels and tires are mounted for infrequent excursions. Lot # 175 1955 Ford Thunderbird Convertible; S/N P5FH132233; Red/Black, white vinyl; Black vinyl top; Older restoration, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $28,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $30,800. – 292/193hp, automatic, P/S, P/W, power seat, engine dressup, pushbutton radio, wire wheel covers, narrow whitewalls – A used old restoration that never was very good. Rust pushing through left windshield dogleg, grungy instruments and pitted interior chrome. Oily, dirty engine. Generally superficially done and erratically maintained. – The seller should be extremely happy with this result, particularly when the buyers had so many choices of better cars in Ft. Lauderdale. The problem here is that this car is unlikely to harbor any good surprises, if the rusty windshield post is any indication. Caveat emptor, even at this price. Lot # 179 1965 Ford Mustang Notchback; S/N 5F07K616972; Black/Saddle vinyl; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $34,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $37,400. – 289/271hp K-code, 4-speed, Rally-Pac gauges, pushbutton radio, woodrim steering wheel, Magnum wheels, blackwall tires, no P/S or P/B – Good paint, chrome and interior. An older restoration to nearly like new condition with some subsequent miles but still attractive and eminently usable as is. – Offered here a year ago with a high bid exactly the same as the selling bid today. While the notchback is not as desirable as the fastback ‘Sportsroof’ in this case the K-code engine and 4-speed is worth even more and the buyer got a very enjoyable and rare Mustang for an appropriate price. Lot # 189 1966 Ford Mustang Convertible; S/N 6T08T277893; White/Black, White vinyl; Black vinyl top; Visually maintained, largely original, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $13,750 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $15,125. – 200/120hp six, automatic, Pony interior, buckets and console, wire wheel covers, Tiger Paw GTS tires, pushbutton radio – Thick old repaint now starting to crack at stress points. Good interior and chrome. Old undercoat on underbody. An orderly and fun economy convertible. – An A-code 289 V-8 would be twice this price or more, but would the Mustang be any more fun? The attractive aspect of buying a sound but cheap Mustang convertible like this is that even if the collector car market implodes, and with a bottom of the market car like this that is a very unlikely occurrence, a 20% value drop is only $3,000. The risk/reward relationship is very much in the new owner’s favor and this is a good buy. Lot # 190 1965 Pontiac LeMans GTO 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 237375K117744; Engine # 281569YS; Iris Mist/Pearl leatherette; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $29,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $32,450. – 389/335 with Tri-Power added, automatic, P/S, P/B, A/C, woodrim steering wheel, AutoMeter underdash gauges and steering column tach, buckets and console, Rally wheels with trim rings, red line tires – Decent repaint in the rare original color. Good chrome and interior. Engine compartment is orderly but shows age and use. PHS documented, original manuals and Protect-o-Plate. Underbody looks like a two-year old car. The paint color (Iris Mist) is rare and, while a little fey, unusual enough to attract positive attention. – I have no idea why this GTO was so cheap. Did I miss something? The car card says only that it is ‘PHS documented’ and it may be a ‘PHS documented’ LeMans with GTO stuff. If it is what it claims to be it is a most advantageous purchase and a huge value. Lot # 194 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Convertible; S/N VC57J220940; Engine # 1M0823 5VP; Black/Red, Silver vinyl; Black vinyl top; Modified restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $61,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $67,100. – 350 V-8, 4-barrel, aftermarket A/C, P/S, P/B, alternator, automatic, spinner wheel covers, P225/75R14 Coker radial whitewalls, skirts – Professionally and thoroughly done with good cosmetics and orderly engine swap and A/C installation. Underbody, however, is badly neglected. – Sold at Worldwide in Houston last May for $61,600 and in comparable condition today to what it was then with just 141 more miles on the odometer. Re-engined, it will never be worth as much as an original-spec ’57, but will run and drive better. For someone who just wants a pretty ’57 Bel Air convertible to cruise on weekends – even in the summer with the A/C cranked up – this is a sound value. Lot # 198 1961 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible; S/N 10867S100815; Engine # 100815 F0920CT; White, White hardtop/Red; White vinyl top; Older restoration, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $48,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $52,800. – 283/245hp dual quads with hydraulic lifters, 4-speed, cassette stereo, two tops, spinner wheel covers, whitewall tires – Fair older repaint with noticeable flaws on the hardtop. Pitted windshield chrome. Dirty underbody. Engine shows use. A sound older restoration with more than a few miles on it. Described as ‘the correct drivetrain’ and the block is appropriately stamped. – Sold by RM at the Charlie Thomas Collection sale in Texas last October for $48,400, about as close to its hammer bid today as it is possible to be. Two sales at essentially the same price pretty clearly define collectors’ opinion of value.
Auctions America by RM Fort Lauderdale 2013 – Auction Report Page Two
Lot # 200 1971 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme Convertible; S/N 342671M195178; Copper/White vinyl; White vinyl top; Visually maintained, largely original, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $18,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $20,350. – Automatic, dual outside mirrors, AM-FM, underdash CD stereo, Rally wheels, Radial T/A tires, buckets and console, P/S, P/B – An aged driver with decent paint, pitted rear bumper, old body seals, lightly soiled interior and clean but original old underbody and chassis. A usable but not very attractive driver. – Reported sold at Auburn Fall last September for $24,200, it is a much better value here, and a car that can be driven and enjoyed with little concern. It is not, however, the ‘Fully restored’ car that the car card claimed. An attractive and eye-catching color combination, but the interior is not ideal for muddy-footed dogs or kids. Bought right. Lot # 202 1972 Oldsmobile Cutlass S 4-4-2 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 3G87U2M100258; Flame Orange/White; Visually maintained, largely original, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $18,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $20,350. – 455/270hp, automatic, P/S, P/B, A/C, buckets and console, pushbutton radio, broken remote outside mirror, Rally wheels with trim unrigs, Radial T/A tires, Tic Toc Tach – Three owners from new. Good repaint but disappointing taped accent with overlapping joints on hood. Good interior and chrome. Interesting and unusual color. Orderly original engine compartment with expected service replacement parts. Peeling chrome on some interior plastic trim. Documented with its Protect-o-Plate. – By 1972 the legendary 4-4-2 had been relegated to the status of a trim package with stiffer suspension. The 455 was still available, though, with a conservatively-rated 270 horsepower for $188. With big block power and remarkably well preserved by only three owners, this is a handsome hardtop and desirably equipped for a modest, but appropriate, price. Lot # 215 1957 Ford Thunderbird Convertible; S/N D7FH165916; Red/White vinyl; White vinyl top; Older restoration, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $31,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $34,650. – 312/245hp, automatic, P/S, P/B booster removed, P/W, power seat, cassette stereo, chrome wire wheels, whitewall tires – A scruffy car with pitted, blistered chrome inside and out, loose window switch, rusty wheels, vast gap between the windshield post and the vent window frame, etc. A good car to avoid. – This price is a home run for the seller, but more like a pop-up fly for the new owner. A decidedly marginal T-bird that brought a full price, and much more than it deserved. Lot # 216 1965 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe; S/N 194375S109319; Engine # 51005319 F0127HT; Rally Red/Red; Recent restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $59,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $64,900. – 327/350hp, 4-speed, centerlock alloy wheels, gold line tires, AM-FM, side exhausts – Represented as two owners from new. Good paint, chrome and interior. Thoroughly restored and neatly presented. – The value divide between small block and big block mid-year Corvettes is gaping, yet the small blocks are lighter, more responsive and dollar-for-dollar much better values, particularly the high output small blocks like this 327/350. There may be 75 horsepower between it and its big block brother but driver’s are unlikely to notice it, except in the small block’s favor. This result is modest even for small block engine, and a remarkably good value for its essentially immaculate restoration. Lot # 230 1974 Porsche 911 Targa; S/N 9114111208; Engine # 6122809; Chocolate Brown/Brown; Black top; Visually maintained, largely original, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $18,250 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $20,075. – Momo leather rim steering wheel, A/C, Alpine CD stereo, chrome Fuchs wheels, color 408-91, Weber carbs, modern A/C compressor – Good repaint and interior. Underbody is aged and original. Not sharp, but well maintained, clean and orderly. Chassis number is correct for a 1974 911, but the engine number appears to be from a 1972 911T. – There are many good things about Porsche’s 911, not least that an old one often looks as good as a new one, and more distinctive. This Chocolate Brown 911 Targa is sound and evidences good care in the past 37 years. It’s an economical entrant into Porsche club events and is modestly priced for its panache. Lot # 238 1951 MG TD Roadster; S/N TD5092; Red/Black leatherette; Black leatherette top; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $18,750 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $20,625. – Silver steel wheels, hubcaps, Michelin XZX blackwall tires – Decent paint, chrome and interior. Engine and chassis are grungy and neglected. – This isn’t a very good TD, but at this price, who cares? Lot # 244 1965 Chevrolet Corvair Monza Convertible; S/N 105675W121927; Artesian Turquoise/White vinyl; White vinyl top; Visually maintained, largely original, 3 condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $10,000. – 164/110hp, 4-speed, radio, wheel covers, narrow whitewalls – Quick clearcoat repaint, sound interior, scuffed stainless, pitted trim chrome, rusty top frame. Repainted over old undercoat. A marginal but sound driver. – ‘Parlous’ might best describe this Corvair’s presentation, never a good thing at auction, or anywhere else for that matter. It wouldn’t have been a bad deal at the reported high bid, but neither would it have been a good one. Lot # 441 1965 Triumph TR4 Convertible; S/N CT37873; Cream/Black leatherette; Black leatherette top; Recent restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $35,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $39,050. – Triumph radio, silver painted wire wheels, Kleber blackwall radials – Well and accurately restored to like new condition. Clean, sharp and fresh like a dealer would have proudly displayed on the showroom floor in 1965. – Restored to unusually correct standards and presented in showroom condition, there is nothing not to like about this TR4, not even the healthy price. It was offered at Auburn Fall in September with a high bid of $34,000. Lot # 443 1983 Ferrari 308 GTSi QV; S/N ZFFMA13A8D0046935; Black/Tan leather; Unrestored original, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $30,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $33,000. – Ferrari alloy wheels, Bridgestone 205/55R16 tires front, 225/50R16 rear, Alpine cassette, A/C. – Clean, tidy engine, good paint and interior, underbody is original and aged less than expected for the 51,443 miles on the odometer. Repainted, but very well. An unusually good 308 GTSi QV. – Most Ferraris of this dawn-of-the-industrial-era period have been used up, driven hard, and put away wet. This one is an exception. Conscientiously maintained (or at least detailed and presented), it doesn’t promise to be anything other than what it is, a recognizable Ferrari that still has class and style far beyond its price. The result here is sensible in the current market, but offers more than enough value for the money. Lot # 457 1960 Triumph TR3A Roadster; S/N TS58623L; BRGreen, Light Olive hardtop/Black leatherette, White piping; Modified restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $34,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $37,400. – Top bows but no top, side curtains in trunk. Silver painted wire wheels, radial blackwalls, rally equipment including hardtop mounted Lucas spotlight, Halda Speedpilot, rear Lucas driving light, map light and two dash mounted stopwatches, a Heuer and a Leonidas – Restored like new with very good paint and chrome and good interior. – This TR3 would be a good value in stock condition at this price. The hardtop and rally equipment transport it beyond its counterparts and add several thousand dollars to its value for the equipment and installation. It is neatly done and represents a good value at this price.
Auctions America by RM Fort Lauderdale 2013 – Auction Report Page Three
Lot # 493 1968 Shelby Mustang GT350 Convertible; S/N 8T03J204863-03374; Red/Black vinyl; White vinyl top; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $70,000 . – 302/250hp, automatic, P/S, P/B, A/C, Shelby 10-spoke alloy wheels, Goodyear Speedway tires, cassette stereo – Good bodywork with flush fits, flat panels and even gaps. Good paint, interior and major chrome but scuffed windshield trim. Some orange peel. Orderly but showing ago under the hood and under the car. A sound GT350 Convertible that won’t mind being driven. – This GT350 brought $90,750 with commission at RM’s Charlie Thomas auction last October so it’s no surprise it didn’t sell at the reported bid in Ft. Lauderdale. It’s a good car, but nothing exceptional and could have been sold here at the reported high bid except for being so far underwater. It illustrates the danger of buying at single owner sales where bidders’ enthusiasm frequently subsumes their rationality. $70,000 is all the money – and then some – for this automatic GT350, a car that pales in performance and rarity when compared with Mustangs of the same year. It’s all in the ‘Shelby’ identity, and it’s easy to pay dearly for identity with Carroll’s legend. Lot # 495 1967 Shelby Mustang GT500 Fastback; S/N 67400F5A03084; Dark Moss Green, White stripes/Black vinyl; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $137,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $151,250. – Titled on the Ford VIN, 7R02K213628. Dual 4-barrels, 4-speed, P/S. P/B, 5-spoke Shelby Mag Star wheels, Radial T/A tires, pushbutton radio, underdash Rally Pack gauges, grille-mounted high beams – Sound older restoration with very good paint, chrome and interior. Engine is lightly oiled from use and shows a little road grime but overall this is a good car with flat panels and even gaps. – The good thing about this GT500 is that its dual quad engine isn’t directly comparable with anything from Ford’s 1967 catalog, a lusty, big-chested ground pounder. This is the car Bullitt should have driven, even to the color. It’s mean, aggressive and purposeful, with performance to match, and it deserves the price it brought, even slightly oily. Lot # 504 1969 Shelby Mustang GT500 Fastback; S/N 9F02R480722; Raven Black, Gold accent/Black vinyl; Older restoration, 2- condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $93,000. – Automatic, P/S, P/B, console gauges, pushbutton radio, 5-spoke alloy wheels, Radial T/A tires, 3.50 Traction-Lok – Good older restoration to like new condition with minor oversights like pitted quarter window trim. No longer fresh but still a car to be proud to own and drive. – The reported high bid is more than proud enough for this GT500. Lot # 507 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 302 Fastback; S/N 9F02G196829; Bright Yellow, Black hood/Black leatherette; Older restoration, 2- condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $49,500. – 4-speed, P/B, no P/S, Magnum wheels, F60-15 Polyglas GT tires, rear window slats, wing, front spoiler, pushbutton radio – A good older restoration to like new condition now showing a little age and use but still presents like a year old car except for the pitted door handles. – Either the bidders gave up, or the auctioneer did. This is a $65,000 car all day. Lot # 510 1967 Shelby Mustang GT350 Fastback; S/N 67202F2A02738; Dark Blue/Black vinyl; Recent restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $100,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $110,000. – 4-speed, P/S, P/B, 5-spoke Shelby wheels, E70-15 Goodyear Speedway tires, pushbutton radio, underdash Rally Pack gauges, woodrim steering wheel, Sport Deck rear seat – Restored like new but old undercoat left on underbody. Excellent paint and interior. Good chrome with some lightly scuffed trim bits. Some orange peel on the body sides but the bodywork is flat and the gaps are even. – This is not the immaculately and thoroughly restored GT350 auction buyers have come to expect, but it is a good GT350. The price it brought is rich for its condition, but not unreasonably. Lot # 511 1956 BMW-Isetta 300 ‘Bubble Window’; S/N 493945; Blue, Blue-Grey/Dark Blue plaid; Black vinyl top; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $35,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $39,050. – Bubble window, Z side molding, turn signals – Very good paint, chrome and interior but the chassis isn’t to the same quality and is covered in old undercoat. Good colors. Scratched right vent window. – A superficially restored auction Isetta in good colors but not done to the ‘concours-quality’ standards described. The consignors took a shot on an auction presentation Isetta and got a great payoff. The buyer, not so much. This was the first of three BMW-Isettas to cross the Ft. Lauderdale auction block in the wake of RM’s benchmark-setting Bruce Weiner microcar auction last month, and it may be fairly concluded it benefited from the Weiner enthusiasm. Lot # 515 1965 Shelby Cobra 427 Roadster; S/N CSX 4190; Ice Blue/Black; Non-factory replica, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $94,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $103,950. – California assigned VIN. Black painted Halibrand centerlock wheels, matte black side exhausts, matte black paperclip rollbar, quick jack pickups, driver’s windscreen, alternator, fire system, quick fill fuel tank – Very clean, orderly and nearly like new. Odometer shows 4,465 probably real miles. – CSX 4000s settle somewhere in between real Shelbys and the vast population of fakes. Built by Carroll, who saw his reputation being subverted but chose to create his own ‘old frames’, there’s a special but not very significant place for these, uh, what are they? No matter what they are, they embody the same concept as Carroll’s Sixties Cobras and at a modest premium over complete fakes. No complaint here with the result. Lot # 518 1966 Dodge Coronet 500 Hemi 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N WP23H67220378; Dark Blue, Black vinyl roof/Black vinyl; Cosmetic restoration, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $37,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $40,700. – 426/425hp Hemi, 4-speed, buckets, console-mounted tach, in-dash 8-track stereo, mag-style wheel covers, red line tires – A superficial cosmetic redo with mediocre paint, decent chrome, interior and roof. Visible paint flaws and many parts left on during painting. Engine compartment is orderly but far from pristine. Documented with the original build sheet. – ‘[C]orrect drivetrain’ is all that’s claimed for this Coronet 500, which is at this price more than enough to make it worth this much and more. The price may be appropriate for collectors’ estimation of a Coronet, but at the DQ on Thursday night with the hood open, or outside on the street creating clouds of smoke from the rear tires, it’s a brag-worthy car at a really modest price. Call it appropriately priced, but a good value for what it is. It was reported sold at the Leake auction in Dallas in 2005 for $58,320, which is no more expensive than this price is a bargain. Lot # 521 1966 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe; S/N 194376S107443; Black/Black leather; Visually maintained, largely original, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $31,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $34,100. – 327/something, 4-speed, cassette stereo, side exhausts, centerlock alloy wheels, cataloged as P/S, but it’s not there – Sound repaint, good interior and chrome. Orderly underhood but detailed a long time ago and driven plenty since. – Perhaps more notable for the watts of its sound system than for the kilowatts of its engine, this is a sound and presentable if used and gently aged Corvette for a reasonable price. Lot # 522 1974 Pontiac Trans Am 455-SD Coupe; S/N 2V87X4N124547; Engine # Y8; Dark Metallic Blue/White vinyl; Visually maintained, largely original, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $59,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $64,900. – 455/290 Super Duty with upgrades, automatic, shaker hood, P/S, P/B, A/C, Rally II wheels, Eagle GT blackwall tires, P/W, radio delete, leather rim steering wheel, no exterior graphics – One owner Pontiac engineer’s project car with select modifications (that fell off a GM delivery truck.) 12,335 miles. Looks like it has had one repaint but otherwise is clean and original. – Trans Ams are becoming a collecting sub-set, bringing good prices and making waves in the marketplace. This piece, with its Pontiac engineer history and possible Pontiac Engineering enhancements, could have made a better price if its history were better explained and documented. As it is it brought an exceptional price, with some realistic potential for a buyer willing to follow up on the June 2013 (wait … this is March 2013) ‘High Performance Pontiac’ feature article with a more effusive presentation. It was bought right in Ft. Lauderdale with its vacuous description.
Auctions America by RM Fort Lauderdale 2013 – Auction Report Page Four
Lot # 530 1964 Pontiac LeMans GTO 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 824M14539; Black/Black leatherette; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $29,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $31,900. – 389/348hp Tri-Power, automatic, P/S, P/B, A/C, buckets, console-mounted vacuum gauge, cassette stereo, spinner wheel covers, red line tires – Comes with shipping order but no mention of PHS documents. A very presentable older cosmetic restoration. Paint, chrome and interior are good aside from some minor flaws on cowl. Doors fit well. A pretty driver. – Crossed the block at Mecum’s Indianapolis auction last May twice, the last time at the reported bid it brought here. Without parsing the current Tri-Power intake’s originality (which in the absence of the engine number we realistically can’t) this is at least as much car – even with its mediocre restoration and presentation – as the price it brought. The LeMans GTO is the root of the Muscle Car tree. Why aren’t they worth more? Lot # 532 1969 Oldsmobile 4-4-2 Hurst 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 344879M365858; Cameo White, Fire Frost Gold accent/Black leatherette; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $69,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $75,900. – 455/380hp, automatic, P/S, P/B, A/C, AM-FM, console mounted 8-track, Rally wheels with chrome rims, Polyglas GT tires, wing, hood scoops, bullet outside mirrors – Restored like new. Excellent paint and superior chrome and stainless. A very five example. – A ‘correct drivetrain’ car, which isn’t the same thing as ‘correct original drivetrain’, not that it matters a lot in value. This is a superior car with aggressive, mean, purposeful appearance. The big, square (ugly) hood scoops intimidate nearly every contender for street racing honors. Offered at Mecum’s Kissimmee auction in January twice with a final high bid of $70,000, it found a new home in Ft. Lauderdale at a reasonable price. Lot # 534 1970 Ford Mustang Boss 429 Fastback; S/N 0F02Z129403; Grabber Blue, Matte Black scoop/Black vinyl; Recent restoration, 2- condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $142,500. – 429/375hp, 4-speed, Hurst T-handle shifter, P/S, P/B, pushbutton radio, Magnum wheels, F60-15 Polyglas GT tires – Very good paint and interior. Good major chrome but the windshield trim and door handles are lightly scuffed. Well detailed underhood but the underbody has some road dirt from use. – There are few cars more cool than a Grabber Blue Boss 429. The Boss 429 identification is subtly snugged down on the front fender. The color is modest. It looks like a rental fleet stripper. It goes like the hammers of hell and the engine is a masterpiece of adaptation. It is engineering genius. They’re not rare and after some recent triumphant results the reported bid here is appropriate for this Boss-Nine’s presentation. Lot # 538 1955 Buick Special Convertible; S/N 4B2012236; White, Orange/Orange, White; White vinyl top; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $50,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $55,000. – Dynaflow, chrome wire wheels, dual outside mirrors, continental kit, no P/S or P/B, whitewall tires – Very attractive colors with excellent cosmetics but the engine compartment and chassis are neglected and dirty. The odometer shows 1,862 miles which the car card represents being since the restoration was completed. A thorough detailing will help but even then it won’t be like new. – A seriously disappointing car, and just a Special at that, the colors make the car but are hardly enough to make up for its Buick Special-ness and neglected presentation. The seller should be very happy with this price. Lot # 539 1957 Ford Thunderbird Convertible; S/N D7FH267778; Bronze, White hardtop/White; Recent restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $47,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $51,700. – 312/245hp, automatic, cassette stereo, P/S, P/B, engine dressup, chrome wire wheels, whitewalls – Very nicely and thoroughly restored with excellent paint, chrome and interior but badly let down by a steering wheel painted over cracks. Very pretty underhood. – Sold for $56,180 at Mecum’s Monterey auction in 2010, then for $40,810 at Mecum’s Indianapolis auction last May, this is a sound and attractive T-Bird in a premium color at an appropriate price. Lot # 540 1966 Sunbeam Tiger Mk 1A Convertible; S/N B382001496LRXFE; Black/Black; Black vinyl top; Recent restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $56,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $61,600. – Sunbeam transistor radio, mirror polished LAT wheels, red line tires, fiberglass extractor vent hood, wood instrument panel, woodrim steering wheel, solid lifter camshaft, aluminum radiator and sump, 3.54 limited slip, traction bars, short shifter kit, Koni shocks – Very good cosmetics. Underbody is clean and orderly. Body panels are flat and fit well. An exceptional Tiger, exceptionally well equipped and lavishly accessorized. – This may be the most extravagantly equipped Tiger in the world, but it’s not overwhelming or tacky, just the sign of a car that’s been loved and appreciated for many years. This is a benchmark Tiger 1A price, but a car that deserves to set that standard and should be regarded as good money spent for full value. Lot # 541 1975 Chevrolet Caprice Convertible; S/N IN67U5S134514; Medium Red/White; White vinyl top; Unrestored original, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $45,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $49,500. – LT4 400/150hp V-8, automatic, P/S, P/B, A/C, power bench seat, AM-FM, 8-track, P/W, power trunk, cruise control, Positraction, wire wheel covers, narrow whitewalls, and more – 1,133 miles from new and all original, in showroom condition. – There is significant market potential for the big boat convertibles of the late Sixties and early Seventies. They’re often overlooked and are fun to own and drive. One of just 4,670 of its kind built this Caprice has emerged from its time capsule in much better shape that most cars of its nearly four decades of age. The Ft. Lauderdale bidders recognized the appeal not only of the car but also of its low miles and originality with a superior but deserved price. Lot # 546 1967 Porsche 911 Race Car; S/N 307447; Engine # JEB1; Yellow/Black; Competition car, original as-raced, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $27,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $29,700. No Reserve – – Fresh 2-liter 911S engine, BBS modular wheels, Weber carbs, plumbed for a now-removed fire system, Comp T/A R1 tires. – A competent but very used vintage race car, raced more or less continuously since 1976. Scruffy old paint, well-used throughout. Includes old SCCA logbook and recent vintage sanctioning body logbooks. – No matter what this 911 needs to be safely raced it can be accomplished at this price without causing undue financial stress. A good value in a potentially competitive Porsche. Lot # 550 1969 Chevrolet Corvette Motion Phase III Coupe; S/N 194379S714602; Engine # ;, /; Unrestored original, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $124,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $136,400. – Original Motion Phase III Corvette, 482/600hp, AM radio, 4-speed Hurst with Hone overdrive, American Racing wheels, Line Loc, chrome side exhausts. – Original paint and interior. Signed head rests. Interior still very nice. Doors a little wavy and a small crack on the rear deck. Documented with correspondence from Motion and Joel Rosen, Protect-o-Plate and tank sticker. Known history and 15,081 miles from new. – Sold by RM at Monterey in 2005 for $198,000 when it had just 19 fewer miles on the odometer, which seems a shame. 19 miles isn’t even enough driving to get it warmed up enough to cut loose even a fraction of its 600hp. Based on prior transactions for this car the price it brought today is very reasonable. Lot # 551 1969 Chevrolet Camaro COPO 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 124379N661324; Metallic Dark Green/Green vinyl; Older restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $105,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $115,500. – 427/425hp, 4speed, bucket seats, console gauges, pushbutton radio, woodgrain steering wheel, Rally wheels with trim rings, cowl induction, P/B, COPO 9561 – Restored like new. Excellent cosmetics and clean, orderly and like new underhood. – Sold for $176,550 by RM at Boca Raton in 2005, then for $221,400 here in 2007. The car’s condition is no less attractive now than it was then and it’s gone only 11 miles since 2007, so why did it change hands for, to all intents and purposes, half the price? It will be interesting to see if this is a bellwether, or an outlier in COPO Camaro values. For the moment it’s just a benchmark for great value. Lot # 552 1963 Chevrolet Corvette FI Roadster; S/N 30867S103678; Red/Red; Black cloth top; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $75,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $82,500. – 327/360hp, 4-speed, spinner wheel covers, narrow whitewalls, AM-FM – NCRS Top Flight restoration, but no longer fresh. Oily underhood from use and inadequate preparation. – This Fuelie Corvette deserved better preparation than it got but the consignor suffered hardly any consequences for it. This is a healthy price for a superficially prepared ’63 Fuelie, particularly with the high output 360hp engine.
Auctions America by RM Fort Lauderdale 2013 – Auction Report Page Five
Lot # 553 1958 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spider, Body by Pinin Farina; S/N 131543164; Red/Black vinyl; Black vinyl top; Older restoration, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $50,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $55,000. – Steel wheels, hubcaps, Michelin XZX tires, aftermarket AM-FM – A sound, but now used, older restoration. Orderly but not clean underhood. A straight and drivable Giulietta that won’t win prizes but driving it will be its own reward. – A delightful little car that brought a strong price for its single carburetor engine and rather aged and driven condition. Lot # 562 1956 Ford Fairlane 2-Dr. Sedan Skyliner; S/N M6UW133268; Peacock Blue, Colonial White/White vinyl, Peacock Blue cloth; Older restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $77,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $84,700. – 292/202hp, automatic, P/S, P/B, factory A/C, tinted glass roof panel, sun guard, dual remote spotlights, continental kit, skirts, chrome wire wheels, whitewalls, fog lights, grille and trunk guards, pushbutton radio – A show quality restoration showing some age but still a real showpiece. The A/C will be appreciated when the sun beats through that roof, even with the awning zipped up. – One of the most impressively presented cars in Ft. Lauderdale, a sharp, shiny, crisp piece of the restorer’s art loaded with desirable options and accessories. The bidders rewarded its presentation with a healthy price appropriate to its rarity (one of just 630 built in this body style) and meticulous preparation. Lot # 563 1931 Cadillac 370-A V-12 Dual Cowl Sport Phaeton, Body by Fleetwood; S/N 1001774; Medium Green, Grey coachline/Tan leather; Tan cloth top; Older restoration, 1- condition; Hammered Sold at $185,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $203,500. – Chrome spoke wire wheels with body color hubs and rims, wide whitewalls, dual chrome-wrapped sidemounts, wind wings, luggage rack, radiator stoneguard, Trippe lights, chrome hood side vents – A concours quality restoration with excellent paint, interior and top. Chrome is crisp. There are a few minor chips (left front wheel rim, for instance) but nothing that can’t be touched up so they’re almost invisible. – Sold by Worldwide at Houston in 2009 for $214,500 and still in comparable condition with just 13 more miles on the odometer. A quality classic at an appropriate price and a real value in style, exclusivity and performance. Lot # 565 1960 Fiat 600 Jolly, Body by Ghia; S/N 100672023; Red, White/Wicker; Red, White cloth top; Cosmetic restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $70,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $77,000. – Whitewalls, hubcaps, grey and red painted pinstriping – Good repaint with some overspray on old undercoat. Good interior and chrome. Engine is clean, orderly and a little used. Top shows age and is not fringed. A showy and sound Jolly. – This is not the ‘no expense spared restoration’ that its car card claimed, but the bidders didn’t seem to notice. This is a generous price for a pretty but less than thoroughly restored Jolly. Lot # 569 1963 Ferrari 250 GTE Drogo fastback, Body by Allegretti; S/N 4769GT; Red/Black leather; Rebodied or re-created, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $185,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $203,500. – Six Webers, competition belts, chrome spoke Borrani, Avon blackwalls, sliding panel side windows – An attractive rebody in a GTO-ish style with good paint and interior. Underbody shows some use and age but overall good care. No speedometer. Some scuffed trim chrome. Ex-John O’Quinn. – Sold by RM at Monterey in 2006 for $275,000, then by Mecum at Indianapolis in 2012 for $275,600. It is a pretty car that makes no claim to be anything other than what it is, an alloy bodied Special in Drogo style. At the price it represents an attractive acquisition with plenty of potential for enjoyable driving on tours and events at relatively modest cost. Lot # 575 1953 Buick Skylark Convertible; S/N 16970441; Metallic Maroon/Ivory, Maroon leather; White vinyl top; Concours restoration, 1 condition; Hammered Sold at $165,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $181,500. – Chrome wire wheels, wide whitewalls, Dynaflow, enclosed continental kit, White front wheel wells – A very good fresh restoration. Great paint and major chrome. Some stainless could be more highly polished to be consistent with the rest of the car but beyond that quibble it is impossible reasonably to fault. – This is a magnificent Skylark from the first year of the limited production series, one of 1,890 built. The colors are great and the car glistened. The restoration is fresh and has never been shown. This is an appropriate price for a car the new owner will be immensely proud to own, drive and show. Lot # 580 1958 BMW-Isetta 300 Sedan; S/N 515174; Red, White/Red plaid; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $30,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $33,550. – Grey vinyl folding sunroof, hubcaps, bumpers, four wheels – Impressively restored to like new condition with better cosmetics. – The excitement of the Bruce Weiner auction seems not to have carried over very much to Ft. Lauderdale’s microcars. There were plenty on hand, but their prices were more in line with pre-Weiner history than a continuation of the Weiner collection exuberance. This is a beautifully restored and presented Isetta bought for a reasonable price. Lot # 581 1963 Shelby Cobra 289 Roadster; S/N CSX 2023; Red/Black leather; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $485,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $533,500. – Braced chrome paperclip rollbar, Torque Thrust centerlock wheels, later 289 engine, flared fenders, wide tires, grille and trunk guards, Radial G/T blackwall tires, wind wings, no spare or top – No VIN tag. Nicely but not excessively restored with good paint, chrome and interior. Modified with flared fenders and wide tires on alloy wheels into a faux S/C. – There is so, so much wrong with this Cobra. The later 289 engine might be minimized, but the big hips, flared fenders and wide Torque Thrust wheels and tires make it a caricature of later Shelbys rather than an honest early worm-and-sector steering 260 and neither the bidders nor, for that matter, the consignor were fooled by it. It would probably cost $100-150,000 to undo the boy-racer bodywork but in the end this is a mixed metaphor and probably should stay as it is as one of few moderately priced real early Cobras. Lot # 583 1953 Buick Skylark Convertible; S/N 17055106; Primrose Yellow/Ivory, Red leather; White vinyl top; Older restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $110,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $121,000. – Chrome wire wheels, wide whitewalls, White front wheel wells – Excellent paint, chrome and interior. A sharp older show quality restoration. – Sold by RM at Meadow Brook in 2007 for $165,000 in freshly restored condition with 66 fewer miles on its odometer than it had today. It came up short on the block with an announced asking price of $140K, then sold later with this result. This is a very good value for the new owner. Lot # 584 1974 Ferrari 246 GTS Dino; S/N 08070; Purple/Black leather; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $295,000. – A/C, P/W, Cromodora alloy wheels, blackwall tires – Good new paint purported to be the original color and attractive new upholstery and mousehair style dash top. Engine and chassis are aged and neglected but said to be freshly serviced. – Not surprisingly, this Dino was for a long time Red/Tan, then some astute collector researched it and discovered it was Mogen David Purple and rushed it through a repaint and re-trim to close to its original livery, which is nothing if not unusual. It was described as one of 31 Dinos in this color, and most of them are now Red/Tan. At Monterey this August this Dino will be a real eye-catcher and bring more money. Lot # 586 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing; S/N 1980405500515; Engine # 1989805500541; Dark Blue/Red leather; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $800,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $880,000. – Mirror polished Rudge centerlock wheels, blackwall tires, belly pans, fitted luggage, Becker Mexico radio, hinged steering wheel – Excellent paint, chrome and interior. Done to show quality throughout and essentially (better than) flawless. Beautiful colors. Attractively, correctly and neatly presented in showroom condition underhood. – Really gorgeous even though the colors are changed from the original DB180 Silver Grey Metallic and Green vinyl/plaid cloth. It would not be a surprise to see this impressively equipped and restored Gullwing bring seven figures.
Auctions America by RM Fort Lauderdale 2013 – Auction Report Page Six
Lot # 590 2012 Lexus LFA Sport Coupe; S/N JTHHX8BHXC1000066; Silver/Black leather; Unrestored original, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $290,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $319,000. – Chrome wheels, automatic rear wing, silver interior trim, headlight washers – 400 miles. As delivered. – Without any doubt, this is a supercar. Built from carbon fiber, powered by a vastly powerful V10, with all the cybernetic bells and whistles that Toyota’s engineers could create. It also looks like a 380Z car with some Fast & Furious-style body panels, which means it will never be anything special on the street and so it brought only $56,000 under MSRP. Having a supercar means that people who see it know what it is and are in awe of it. Lexus LFA owners have to explain what a marvelous automobile it is, and that doesn’t translate into value. Lot # 591 1965 Ferrari 330 GT 2+2; S/N 6561; Engine # 6561; Red, Black sills/Black leather; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $115,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $126,500. – Chrome spoke Borrani wire wheels. – Scratched old repaint over old paint, good original interior, chrome and interior trim. Carpets have been replaced and interior wood redone. Engine is orderly, has Crane ignition modules tucked away but is oily and grimy in its recesses. Borrani rims have been scuffed clean with a coarse Scotch Brite pad. A reassuring largely original driver that could be a lot better after a strip and repaint. – Offered at the Leake Dallas sale in November where it attracted no interest at all and an irrelevant reported high bid of $90,000. The result here is everything the owner could possibly have hoped to have gotten for this tired, four-eyed 330 GT 2+2. Lot # 595 1970 Ford Mustang Boss 302 Fastback; S/N 0T02G132791; Calypso Coral, Matte Black stripes/Black vinyl; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $53,000. – 302/300hp, 4-speed, Hurst T-handle shifter, Pioneer stereo, shaker hood, Magnum 500 wheels, Eagle GTII tires, P/B, no P/S, Traction-Lok, remote mount oil filter. Rear window slats, wing and front spoiler added – Generally good paint with minor defects on windshield posts. Good interior and chrome. Underhood and chassis have been casually repainted with chassis black. A usable driver in an eye catching color. – Auctions American brought plenty of good high performance Mustangs, both Ford and Shelby, to Ft. Lauderdale so it is no surprise that the bidders looked at this superficially presented Boss 302 and elected to employ their money elsewhere on product more carefully presented. It’s never a good sign when the seller of a high performance Pony Car brags about the ‘modern custom sound system, and chrome Magnum 500 wheels.’ Lot # 629 1968 Shelby Mustang GT350 Convertible; S/N 8T03J206134-03234; Blue/Black vinyl; Black vinyl top; Visually maintained, largely original, 3 condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $92,500. – 302/250hp, 4-speed, P/S, P/B, cassette stereo, 10-spoke Shelby alloy wheels, Radial T/A tires – Mostly original except for a dull old repaint. Engine looks like it’s never been out. Doors close perfectly and windows don’t rattle. Something of a find in this condition. Represented as a Ford executive car, documented with build sheet – The appeal of this Mustang is all in the Shelby badging and body parts. The driveline might just as well be a J-code Ford 302/230hp. It is largely original (except for the paint) but not original enough to count for much. The seller was deluded not to accept a money bid anywhere close to the reported high bid. Lot # 635 1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1 Fastback; S/N 9F02R107151; Acapulco Blue, Matte Black hood/Black vinyl; Recent restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $66,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $72,600. No Reserve – – 428/335hp, automatic, AM-FM, P/S, P/B, rally style chrome wheels, Polyglas tires, shaker hood, Traction-Lok, A/C added – Restored like new with some road dust underneath. Doors fit well, and windows don’t rattle. Stated to be a 11,507 mile car from new. Documented with Marti Report. – The added A/C doesn’t do anything for this Mach 1’s authenticity but makes it much more enjoyable in daily use. This is a reasonable price for a very good car with abundant performance and a quality restoration. Lot # 722 1987 Ferrari Mondial QV Cabriolet; S/N ZFFXC26AXH0073729; Red/Tan leather; Black cloth top; Unrestored original, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $20,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $22,000. – Sony cassette, Ferrari alloy wheels, Eagle VR55 tires, P/W, A/C – A clean, orderly original car. Driver’s seat lightly soiled appropriate to the 12,162 miles on the odometer. Top is clean and tight with a clear unscuffed rear window. An unusually clean and well-maintained Mondial QV cab. – Most of the time Mondial cabs are neglected, scruffy, tired beaters. This isn’t, but it brought less than many despicable examples. It is a very good value and a car worth preserving. Lot # 723 1951 Crosley Hot Shot Roadster; S/N VC10359; Light Yellow-Green/Red leatherette; Black cloth top; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $20,250 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $22,275. – Rear-mounted spare, hubcaps, cream wheels, blackwall tires, Crosley radio – Not like new but very presentable with good new paint, interior and top. Engine compartment is neat, has new wiring but many black details have been repainted over superficial prep and old paint. An auction restoration but a sound, usable and unusual car. – A Crosley Hot Shot like this was the winner of the first Sebring race in 1950. It didn’t cover the most distance (that was Fred Wacker and Frank Burrell in a Cad-Allard with 109 laps) but Fritz Koster and Ralph Deshon drove its 89 laps most efficiently, and that’s how Alec Ullman set the rules. This diminutive Crosley sold for $19,250 at RM’s Hershey auction last October and brought a modestly better price here in Ft. Lauderdale. It’s not ‘restored like new’ but what Hot Shot can be restored like new without being ludicrously expensive? Lot # 731 Hillegass Midget; S/N 47-9; Blue, Orange frame/Tan leather; Competition restoration, 1 condition; Hammered Sold at $15,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $16,500. – V6-60, Eddie Meyer heads and intake, dual Stromberg 81 carbs, chrome dual exhausts, hydraulic rear wheel drum brakes, centerlock rear mag wheels, 5-bolt fronts, slick tires, Houdaille lever shocks, transverse leaf spring suspension, quickchange rear axle and gearbox – Done to very high standards of fit and finish throughout without going crazy. Exhaust is not blued at all. Fresh, clean and sharp. – The term ‘sympathetically restored’ is defined by this magnificent little V8-60 Midget. It is beautiful, almost too beautiful to be run. It doesn’t get much, if any, better than this. A piece of Midget art at an almost sinfully cheap price. (Full disclosure: I have a rusty and frozen V8-60 Midget project in my basement. There is NO WAY it could become this gem for twice what this car sold for.) Lot # 732 1958 BMW-Isetta 300 Sedan; S/N 499972; Primrose Yellow/Brown leatherette; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $27,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $29,700. – Sliding side windows, grey folding sunroof, bumpers, dual outside mirrors, hubcaps, blackwall tires, turn signals – An older restoration to like new condition. Underbody shows some use. Good paint and interior, exceptional chrome. – Not a ‘bubble-window’ or ‘Z-molding’ Isetta, but attractively restored and maintained in good colors and bought for a price that is a few thousand dollars less than Isettas that are too perfect to be driven. Lot # 733 1967 Austin Mini Moke; S/N AMB000736N; Metallic Blue/Blue cloth and vinyl; Dark Blue cloth top; Cosmetic restoration, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $16,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $17,600. – Mountney leather rim steering wheel, Mamba alloy wheels, Sony CD stereo – Cosmetically redone to yacht tender standards with cloth front seats and leatherette in the rear. Good but loose fitting top. A mediocre driver. – Sold here in 2009 for $18,700 with the odometer showing exactly the same 63,466 miles. It must have been rolled on and off trailers with precise attention to the distance covered, which is a shame. It deserves to be driven around Ft. Lauderdale’s boatyards and marinas loaded with party participants. Lot # 734 1959 Berkeley SE 492 Roadster; S/N 74; Metallic Grey, Maroon stripe/Maroon leatherette; Maroon leatherette top; Cosmetic restoration, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $25,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $27,500. – Excelsior Talisman 3-cylinder engine, 492 cc, 30hp, Amal carbs, chain drive, 4-speed, wheel covers, blackwall tires – Good older paint, chrome and interior showing age and use. Engine cover cracked by look cylinder. Underbody and running gear are covered in road grunge. Engine is oily and grimy. – One of several microcars in Auctions America’s Sunday offering, this high performance Berkeley, sold here last year for $16,500 with 2 fewer miles on its odometer, put the Bruce Weiner Microcar Collection Berkeleys in the shade with this result, but they were powered by Excelsior twins, not this SE 492’s triple. It’s hard not to be intrigued by a car that rewards its driver’s weight-loss program with measurable performance improvement: drop 20# and shave a second off your lap time. Rarely seen and in decent if not exceptional condition, this is a performance and rarity value.
Auctions America by RM Fort Lauderdale 2013 – Auction Report Page Seven
Lot # 736 1958 Nash Metropolitan Coupe; S/N E46267; Mardi Gras Red, Frost White/White vinyl, Grey cloth; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $10,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $11,000. – Hubcaps, narrow whitewalls, leatherette covered rear spare, radio – Quick repaint and older interior, otherwise a respectable and orderly but grungy largely original car. The paint is flecked with dirt and dust. – ‘Restoration’ is not a term that should be associated with this Metropolitan. It’s been given a ‘lick and a promise’ with tacky paint and some interior trim. The seller should be very happy to get this much for it. Lot # 737 1968 Fiat 500L 2-Dr. Sedan; S/N 6015007; Cream/Tan leatherette; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $10,750 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $11,825. – Folding sunroof, whitewalls, hubcaps, grille guard, auxiliary taillight – Good repaint, scuffed trim chrome, sound upholstery. Accurately restored engine lightly oiled from moderate use. Chassis and underbody are clean but not restored. Frayed window channels. A usable driver. – Sold at Barrett-Jackson’s Orange County sale last June for $11,000, then by Mecum at Monterey in August for $14,310, this is an interesting Fiat reportedly with 59,000 miles – but the odometer reads in kilometers. That is about the level of attention to detail represented by its presentation and it brought the price it deserved. Lot # 738 1938 American Bantam Roadster; S/N BAN6140638; Red, Ivory/Red leatherette; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $27,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $30,250. – Skirts, hubcaps, trim rings, whitewalls, windwings, rear-mounted spare – A superficial old cosmetic redo with sound paint, chrome and interior. A usable but unattractive driver. – One of the cutest cars that Auctions America had in Ft. Lauderdale and it brought a healthy price more related to cute than to condition. Lot # 771 1924 Moon 4-Dr. Landau, Body by Pullman; S/N 33605; Dark Blue, Black fenders, Black leatherette roof/Blue cloth; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $22,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $24,200. – Windshield visor, opening windshield, leatherette covered rear-mounted spare, rear window shade, bud vase, pull up rear quarter windows, nickel brightwork, Monogram drum headlights, disc wheels, thin gold parallel coachlines – A quality older (2003) restoration with very good paint and interior. Nickel brightwork is aging and a little dull. Chassis and underbody are oily and liberally coated with road grime but should clean up easily to near showroom condition. – Nicely accessorized appropriate to the Moon automobile’s quality, this is a modestly priced high quality older restoration that’s seen enough miles to have worked out any kinks in its restoration but still presents with quality and style. Considering that people pay this much for Model T Ford touring cars in comparable condition this is an unusually good value. Lot # 774 1956 Packard Caribbean Convertible; S/N 56991130; Ivory, Robin’s Egg Blue, Brown/Robin’s Egg Blue, Brown leather; Ivory cloth top; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $55,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $60,500. – 374/310, dual quads, batwing air filter, Ultramatic pushbutton automatic, P/S, P/B, P/W, WonderBar radio, chrome wire wheels, whitewalls – A good older restoration with many detail flaws, paint chips and dust. Much of the trim chrome is weak and starting to pit. Reversible upholstery is good. Dashboard and instruments are good. A sound older restoration that will be much better after it’s had some detail attention. – Sold by RM at the Charlie Thomas collection sale last October for $49,500, which was a huge value. This price is more representative of the car’s quality and rarity. The last year for real Packards and the only year for Caribbean’s reversible seat cushions. Lot # 776 1960 Porsche 356B 1600 Super Roadster, Body by Drauz; S/N 87626; Engine # P704689; Red/Black leatherette; Black cloth top; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $85,000. – Chrome wheels, hubcaps, Vredestein blackwall radials, Weber carbs, aftermarket multiband radio – Vacuum cleaner repaint over chipped, peeling, shrunken old paint. Sound interior. Floors repaired. Fair chrome. Clean, orderly engine compartment. A good place to start a restoration after driving it for a few years and having fun explaining the paint. Engine number is from a ’58 1600 Normal. Represented as 23,000 miles from new. – The 23,000 miles seems possible, but the repaint is just awful and it’s hard to know what lurks under it. This is a body style desired by Porsche people, but this car has many shortcomings and could have been happily sold well before reaching the reported high bid. Lot # 777 1936 Ford Deluxe Convertible Sedan; S/N 183302747; Sand, Orange coachlines/Brown leatherette; Beige cloth, Brown binding top; Older restoration, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $30,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $33,550. – Enclosed rear spare, body color steel spoke wheels with hubcaps, trim, rings and wide whitewalls, greyhound, radio, clock, no heater – An older restoration with miles then quickly resprayed, Overspray on frame. Engine and chassis are aged. Gauges have dirty crystals and dirty old faces. Needs a good home. – Sold by RM at the Charlie Thomas Collection sale in October for $33,000, a sound and presentable but not particularly engaging car with numerous shortcomings. A little work, though, and some freshened gauge faces could transform its presentation, and it is a rare and desirable body style, one of 5,601 built by Ford this year. The body style is particularly well adapted to touring, being adaptable between fully open and snugged up inside the top and rollup windows when the weather turns bad. Lot # 782 1924 Cadillac V-63 Phaeton; S/N 63B1332; Light Beige, Medium Beige fenders/Maroon leather; Beige cloth top; Older restoration, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $57,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $62,700. – Wood spoke artillery wheels, blackwall tires, dual rear cloth covered spares, Elgin clock, nickel brightwork, Bausch & Lomb headlights, spring gaiters – A sound and usable older restoration that has been freshly repainted assembled in dull colors. Chassis and engine will benefit from some work and cleaning. – A quality older restored Cadillac with the new for 1924 two-plane balanced crankshaft and revised, smoother, firing order. It might have been better to leave the old paint job untouched, because the new one isn’t very good and is pretty much slathered over everything including snaps and fittings. It’s a good car, but given a disappointing treatment for the auction. The seller should be very happy to get this much for it. Lot # 807 1933 Rolls-Royce 20/25 2-Dr. Sedan, Body by Freestone & Webb; S/N GWX29; Engine # B3L; Ice Blue, Black padded roof/Medium Blue leather; Cosmetic restoration, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $42,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $46,200. – Dark Blue wheel discs, Lucas Bi-Flex headlights and fog light, single cloth covered sidemount – Cosmetically restored with sound paint but in an odd and inappropriate color, very good upholstery, interior trim and wood. Chassis is oily and covered in black road grime. – The Rolls-Royce experience with a full measure of R-R quality, silence and performance, in an economy package with attractive Freestone & Webb coachwork. It will bring its new owner entry to a wide variety of events, but its awkward color invites a repaint in something more Rolls-Royce like. Modestly priced for what it is and a sound value at this price. Lot # 810 1940 LaSalle 40-52 Convertible Sedan; S/N 4E11459; Black/Burgundy leather; Beige cloth top; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $46,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $50,600. – Grille guard, Red wheels, trim rings, hubcaps, wide whitewalls, pushbutton radio, clock, heater, dual outside mirrors – Good paint, upholstery and major chrome but weak parking lights and hood side trim. Sharp, crisp dashboard, instruments and steering wheel. Underbody and chassis are aged and dirty. An unusual CCCA Full Classic that will reward its new owner for a comprehensive undercar detailing. – Sold by RM from the Dick and Linda Kughn Carail collection in 2002 for $69,300, then at Amelia in 2006 for $60,500 and offered at Auburn Fall last September. This is a handsome old restoration with some miles and road grunge on the chassis and underbody. It’s the last year of LaSalle production and the convertible sedan was a late addition to the body catalog in mid-year. There aren’t many around, and even fewer as sound and solid as this, a realistic value at this price. Lot # 811 1941 Buick Limited Series 91 Touring Sedan; S/N 13985923; Black, Silver-Grey roof/Grey cord, Light Green accents; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $24,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $26,950. – Skirts, pushbutton radio, Black wheels with trim rings and hubcaps – A quick cosmetic redo with good interior, dash, steering wheel and gauges. Erratic repaint and partial rechrome. Rusty stainless trim. Old, stiff window gaskets. Old, dirty underbody. Doors close and line up well. Not a confidence-building car as it is, but could be with attention to its details. – Sold by Gooding at Scottsdale in 2010 for $28,600. this Limited – Harlow Curtice’s charge into Cadillac territory – Buick is a better car than its details indicate. Setting off into the ‘Arsenal of Democracy’ situated in the commodious back seats of this immense Buick may have conceded status to the Cadillacs, Packards, Imperials and Lincolns of the Captains of Industry, but nothing at all in comfort and performance. This is a quality automobile and a CCCA Full Classic ™ that brought a modest price disjointed from its exclusivity. Lot # 822 1982 Ferrari 400i; S/N F101CL35567; Dark Blue/Tan leather; Visually maintained, largely original, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $22,250 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $24,475. – 5-speed, Ferrari 5-spoke wheels, Michelin TRX tires, Alpine cassette stereo, A/C, P/W – Used car with a sound but erratically masked repaint, good original upholstery worn appropriately to the 23,239 miles on the odometer and stated to be all it’s covered since new. Moderately grubby and aged engine appropriate to its history. – Most Ferrari 400s have GM Hydramatics under their center console so finding one with a 5-speed is like a needle in a haystack. Offered late on Sunday, the bidders weren’t paying much attention and the new owner came home with something of a prize, particularly if the ‘recent 12,000-mile service’ was comprehensive.
[Source: Rick Carey]
I am always fascinated by Rick Carey`s pithy comments. For some time I was a judge at the Sydney Mercedes Owners Club and wish I had have been game enough to make judgements as telling as his. But the cars were not for sale and only competing in a Concourse Event.
Please keep it up.
Regards Les Rogers.
Thanks for the kind words, Les.
People often come up to me and say something like, ‘You seem to know a lot about [fill-in-the-blank]s.’
My standard response is, ‘I know just enough to be dangerous’, which is true.
I admire you judges who know intricate details of construction and the evolution of marques’ histories. Going from Rolls-Royces to Pontiac GTOs to MG As (not to mention Fiat Dinos and Delahayes) I wish I could do the same, but this old brain is not up to retaining all that minutia.
Rick