Barrett-Jackson, South Florida Fairgrounds, West Palm Beach, Florida, April 5-7, 2012
Report and photos by Rick Carey, Auction Editor
2012 marked the tenth anniversary of Barrett-Jackson’s first sale in Palm Beach. Its success has conclusively proved the attraction of B-J’s “event” format and led to other B-J events in Las Vegas and Orange County.
Each of the Barrett-Jackson auctions is distinctly, if subtly, different, as Craig Jackson described in his Friday morning press conference. Here, for example, there is a large consignment of late model cars, “which sell well in South Florida” Craig said. 69 of the 435 lots were model year 2000 or later, 15.9% of the full docket.
Similarly, 118 of the lots offered, 27.1%, were self-described as “custom” in one way or another. The “Custom” term encompasses many things, it should be said, from skirts, spotlights and lakes pipes to the far-out ’63 Corvette “V7”, but it, too, speaks to the makeup of Barrett-Jackson’s Florida bidder base, which largely comes from the eastern U.S., Canada and Europeans hoping to take advantage of a relatively strong Euro (and sunny weather).
But, please, Gary, spare us the likes of Lot # 694.1, the Bentley Continental GTC on grotesque 24” chrome wheels, in the future. It isn’t a car, it’s a caricature, even if it did sell for $129,800.
Among the 435 lots there were six offered with reserves. All but two sold. There were two pairs offered, a ‘57/’07 Corvette pair with matching 6-digit VINs and the Yellow Submarine and trailer.
Aside from some morning showers (one morning was more like a deluge) the weather was great.
Top sale was the 2011 Mustang Shelby GT500 sold to benefit Wounded Warriors Family Support that sold twice, first for $500,000, then for $450,000. Two onlookers then each pitched in $25,000 to bring the total to $1 million. The beneficiary (and its spokesman’s remarks on the block) sparked a controversy that is still going on, but does nothing to diminish the effectiveness of B-J’s charity marketing or the continuing generosity of its bidders.
There is no controversy, however, about the success of this auction or about Barrett-Jackson’s success in attracting bidders and a horde of spectators in for a few days of tire-kicking and buying.
[table id=46 /]
Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2012 – Auction Report
Lot # 31 1958 Edsel Corsair 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N X8SW711225; Light Grey, White roof and accent/White vinyl, Black cloth; Unrestored original, 4 condition; Hammered Sold at $9,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $9,900 – 410/345hp, automatic, pushbutton radio, no P/S or P/B. Mismatched wheel covers, dented body, peeling old repaint, tattered original upholstery, rotten door bottoms. Restoration project. Riley Hogan, Jr. Collection. This is all that can be expected for an undistinguished, rusty, dilapidated old Edsel, even with the big motor. The first of 42 cars from Riley Hogan, Jr.'s collection, it was unfortunately typical of the condition of several of them.Lot # 31.2 1962 Oldsmobile Starfire 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 626L02546; Ice Blue/Blue vinyl; Unrestored original, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $19,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $20,900 – Automatic, buckets and console, P/S, P/B, P/W, period aftermarket A/C, shirts, rear antenna, pushbutton radio, spinner wheel covers, whitewalls. Sound but chipped and occasionally buffed through original paint. Good original interior and chrome. A sound original car that can, and should, be used as is. Riley Hogan, Jr. Collection. A surprisingly strong and sound original car and a desirable model, the Palm Beach bidders gave it a full retail price. It will be fun to use for a few years, then be the basis for a straightforward restoration.Lot # 33.1 1957 Lincoln Premiere 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 57WA19780L; Pink, Burgundy roof/Dark Blue, White vinyl; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $5,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $6,050 – Automatic, Town & Country radio, P/W, wheel covers, whitewalls. Original outside mirrors missing but the screws remain, casually repainted along with the rest of the car. Cracked driver's window. Failing old repaint, good interior, fair chrome, some pitted trim, cracked steering wheel. No visible rot or rust. Good panel fit. Surprise Package box in rear seat. Riley Hogan, Jr. Collection. Solid, but this is a car that fully deserves the description 'needs everything.' No clue what was in the big cardboard box that filled the back seat, at best it could be a new steering wheel, or some chrome trim items.Lot # 34 1956 Mercury Monterey 2-Dr. Hardtop Custom; S/N 56ME64610M; White, Lilac; Incomplete restoration, 4+ condition; Hammered Sold at $12,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $13,200 – Cant read odometer's first digit. Incomplete custom with cruiser skirts, Packard taillights, continental kit, spinner wheelcovers, whitewalls. Interior done but not-installed. Flawed repaint, pitted window trim. Riley Hogan, Jr. Collection. The new interior was wrapped in plastic and stacked where the rear seat goes. To get it onto the block the driver sat on a milk crate. Like several other Hogan Collection cars it had some minor custom touches, the sort of bits we ordered from J.C. Whitney fifty years ago, but that's not a knock, just an observation on the character of many of the Hogan cars. It will be a fun cruiser when it's done, especially if it gets some performance bits under the hood to complement the exterior look.Lot # 36 1959 Edsel Corsair 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N B9UW725106; White, Red roof/Grey vinyl, cloth; Visually maintained, largely original, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $10,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $11,550 – Automatic, P/S, pushbutton radio, phony lakes pipes, skirts. Quick old repaint, sound but flawed. Sound interior and major chrome. Some bad trim chrome. All there and sound, plenty good enough to shine and drive. Riley Hogan, Jr. Collection. Aside from the flawed repaint and a few trim bits' chrome this is an enjoyable and presentable car that is a sound value at this price.Lot # 49.1 1949 Willys Jeepster Phaeton; S/N 82798; Maroon, Beige accent/Maroon, Beige leatherette; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $32,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $35,200 – 4-cylinder, overdrive 3-speed, radio, hubcaps, trim rings, wide whitewalls, grille guard. Good paint and upholstery, fair chrome. Chassis and underbody given less attention but will be OK for a weekend driver. This is thoroughly restored Jeepster money for a cosmetically restored Jeepster. It looked good under the lights, though, and that brought the seller a fantastic price. It would not have been a great value at $22,000.Lot # 49.2 1972 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu Convertible; S/N 1D67H2K583446; Pacer Gold, White stripes/White vinyl; White vinyl top; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $18,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $19,800 – 350/165hp, 2-bbl., Turboglide, P/S, no P/B, 5-spoke aftermarket 18" front, 20" rear wheels, CD stereo. Fresh fisheye repaint, new upholstery but incompletely cleaned old interior trim. Engine freshened with poorly masked black paint. Engine is dirty and aged. Stick on SS lettering. Scruffy and calculated to deceive. Body looks solid, with even gaps. Sold by B-J in Orange County in 2011 for $23,100. This is a healthy price for a decidedly mediocre Malibu with a boring engine. The buyers must have been taken by the attractive and unusual paint color because other than that it was a frog that needs more than a kiss to turn it into a prince.Lot # 50.1 1963 Pontiac Catalina Convertible; S/N 363P87192; Engine # 196301 15H; Turquoise Metallic/Turquoise vinyl; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $20,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $22,550 – 389/267hp, 2-bbl., automatic, P/S, P/B, alternator, spinner wheelcovers, narrow whitewalls, pushbutton radio. Filled sills, blister in passenger's door bottom, poor repair in left front fender leg, scuffed chrome, fair interior, old seatbelts. Chassis and engine compartment freshly squirted with black over whatever was there. An auction car. Reported sold for $13,780 at Mecum's Indianapolis sale last May, which was a much more appropriate price for the condition of this Catalina.Lot # 50.2 1979 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am 10th Anniversary Coupe; S/N 2X87K9L160946; Silver/Silver; Visually maintained, largely original, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $20,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $22,550 – Automatic, A/C, P/S, P/B, cruise control, shaker hood, silvered glass tee tops, 8-track, alloy wheels, Eagle GT II tires and way more. So comprehensively optioned it needed two window stickers, which are included with it. 24,112 miles and in very good condition with a repaint but nothing more. The originality and low miles of this Firebird are encouraging, let alone the exhaustive complement of options. Its price isn't going anywhere, though, recording results of $28,050 here in 2007 and $25,850 at B-J Scottsdale in 2008. Buyers' determination of its value is remarkably consistent.Lot # 53.2 1953 Chevrolet 3100 Pickup; S/N H53J030343; Seacrest Green/Brown leatherette; Truck restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $25,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $27,500 – 3-speed, hubcaps, trim rings, whitewalls, varnished oak bed floor and sideboards, pushbutton radio, 5- window cab, dual taillights, turn signals. Superficially done where it's hard to see. Shiny but not impressively applied paint and good chrome. Good interior. Underbody and chassis erratically done over limited prep. A usable but not exceptional truck that makes a good first impression but doesn't follow through. Pickups were popular in Palm Beach, not only in their proportion of consignments but also in the bidders' willingness to assign them good prices. This is all the money for this truck's superficial restoration and its equipment.Lot # 54 1928 Dodge Brothers Pickup; S/N A1000624; Black/Olive cloth; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $13,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $14,300 – Light Green disc wheels, blackwall tires, bed mounted spare, varnished pine bed floor, running boards and cab wall, rollup windows, top hinged windshield, chrome front bumper and headlights, Motometer. Good paint, chrome and interior. Three owners from new and nicely restored a few years ago. Well maintained since. Sold last year at B-J Scottsdale for $36,300. Ouch. It's a lot of old truck for the money it brought here today, more rare than a comparable Ford, or even Chevy, and a real find for a Mopar collector, or anyone with a Jones for old trucks for that matter. It is a very good value at this price.Lot # 54.1 1970 Ford Mustang Convertible; S/N 0F03F181541; Medium Bright Blue Metallic/White vinyl; White vinyl top; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $23,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $25,300 – 302/210hp, 4-speed, Hurst shifter, P/S, P/B, cassette stereo, Magnum wheels, Radial T/A tires, rim blow steering wheel. Restored like new with 5,000 miles since. Very good paint, chrome and interior. Engine shows age and use but is clean and orderly. A surprisingly good car considering the miles it has accumulated since it was restored. It is unusual to find Mustangs with the base V-8 and a 4-speed. They're nearly as much fun to drive as a 390, though, and get better mileage. This is a sound price for a sound and very presentable Mustang convertible.Lot # 55.1 1969 Chevrolet Camaro RS/SS 396 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 124379N522451; Dover White/Blue vinyl; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $35,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $38,500 – 396/325hp, automatic, P/S, P/B, A/C, pushbutton radio, Rally II wheels with trim rings, Radial T/A tires, P/W, tilt steering column, RS/SS, fiber optic light monitor. Quality older restoration to better than new condition. Shows a little age and use consistent with the 3,306 miles on the odometer. This price is right on the money for this Camaro's very attractive condition and the unusually long list of options it boasts.Lot # 55.2 1967 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible; S/N 124677N106050; Engine # T0223MY; Red, Black nose band/Black vinyl; Black vinyl top; Modified restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $30,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $33,000 – 396/325hp added during restoration. Hydramatic, P/S, P/B, A/C, Rally wheels, narrow whitewalls, console gauges, pushbutton radio. A good older restoration with some miles, a few small paint chips and some chassis dirt. While the replacement engine deeply affects its collector value it adds significantly to its driving appeal, a tradeoff that's appropriately reflected in this fairly modest price. It was sold at Russo and Steele in Monterey in 2006 for $40,700, which was healthy even in those heady days.Lot # 56 1956 Dodge Golden Royal Lancer 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 35140382; White, Gold/White vinyl, Black cloth; Visually maintained, largely original, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $23,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $25,300 – 315 V-8, pushbutton automatic, P/S, P/B, pushbutton radio, wheel covers, whitewalls. A clean, orderly 38,279 mile original car with a good older repaint. Good major chrome but badly pitted taillight housings. Clean and orderly throughout, with surprising original upholstery with clear seat covers. Remember those clear plastic seat covers our fathers (or grandfathers) insisted go on new cars in the Fifties to preserve the upholstery? Remember how they were hot and sticky in the summer and cold and slippery in winter? Well, this is why we endured them: so collectors sixty years later could buy cars like this with original upholstery. This is unusually good money for a Dodge, but this is an unusually good and original Dodge with top of the line trim.Lot # 61 1957 Ford Thunderbird Convertible; S/N D7FH174719; Copper/Copper vinyl; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $30,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $33,000 – 312/245hp, automatic, P/S, P/B, cassette, stereo, wheel covers, whitewall, skirts, porthole hardtop only. Decent older paint, chrome and interior. Engine is superficially redone with some chrome bits added. Chassis has been cleaned up but not done. A usable driver. Sold in Orange County in 2010 for $38,500, a market price at the time. This is still a market price for a mediocre '57 T-bird today.Lot # 62 1967 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible; S/N 123677N197762; Marina Blue/Blue vinyl; White vinyl top; Visually maintained, largely original, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $25,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $27,500 – 327, 4-speed, P/S, no P/B, Rally wheels, Radial G/T tires, pushbutton radio, add-on under dash gauges. Good repaint, chrome and interior. Engine is orderly but the chassis and underbody are not restored, just squirted with paint over old undercoat. Chassis is grimy. Offered at Mecum's Kansas City sale in December where I liked it better than I did today. It is a usable and enjoyable early Camaro convertible with a 4-speed, something that will always be attractive, especially in this color combination.Lot # 64 1964 Chevrolet Biscayne 2-Dr. Sedan; S/N 41111J305124; Engine # T0925XXO; Burgundy/Red vinyl, cloth; Original, modified for competition or performance, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $30,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $33,000 – Originally a six but now with a 409/340 hp V-8 under the hood with a 4-speed behind it. Steel wheels, hubcaps, bench seat, no radio but it does have a heater. Edelbrock 4-barrel. Nose is stone-chipped. Chrome, interior and original hood are good. Entirely presentable and at least as good as it needs to be. 37,041 miles from new and mostly original. "Mostly original" that is, except where it counts, under the hood. On the other hand, if it still had the six it'd be a low teens car, so the engine swap paid off. The new owner better hope the swap wasn't confined just to the engine and tranny but also included springs and shocks or it's going to be awful on the street. At this price, though, that is easily and economically remedied. No doubt it is going to be fun on Cruise Night.Lot # 317 1979 Alfa Romeo 2000 Veloce Spider; S/N 115410006888; Red/Beige cloth; Beige cloth top; Visually maintained, largely original, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $9,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $10,450 – Pioneer cassette stereo, polished alloy wheels, blackwall tires, manual windows, no A/C. Good repaint, repainted underbody, good interior and bright trim. Clean and orderly underhood. 82,327 miles from new, and looks even better. A tidy and well maintained mostly original Spider. This Spider is at least as much car as the money it brought. Its preservation and presentation are impressive, indicative of a history of caring, enthusiastic ownership. It is a sound acquisition at this price.
Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2012 Auction Report – Page Two
Lot # 329 1971 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible; S/N 1512620398; Black, Red metalflake/Red vinyl; Black cloth top; Customized restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $23,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $25,300 – 4-speed, no radio, red steel wheels, trim rings, chrome lug nuts, whitewalls. A little wavy filler in right side. Good paint, chrome, interior and top. Chassis repainted but not like new. Fair engine compartment. Funky paint with a little red metalflake added to give it sparkle, a car with more eye appeal than real value, cosmetically done to juice it up under the auction lights. It worked, because this is a fantastic price for a seriously mediocre VW sold at the Barrett-Jackson Orange County sale last May for $17,600.Lot # 330 1947 Standard Eight 2-Dr. Tourer; S/N NA9607LT4; Light Yellow, Brown fenders/Brown tweed; Brown cloth top; Cosmetic restoration, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $9,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $10,450 – Lefthand drive, hubcaps, body color steel wheels, whitewalls, chrome headlights, trafficators, enclosed rear spare. Superficial cosmetic redo of a largely original and sound car. Poor repaint, repainted chassis and underbody, thin, pitted chrome. cracked steering wheel, old instrument panel, knobs and switches. Good interior and top. Usable but not attractive. Talk about unusual, this is one of the surprises that somehow finds its way into most auctions. It's a little too big to be cute, but has a charm and appeal that only unusual cars like this, especially with tops that go down, can express. It'll have to stand as the exemplar for lefthand drive Standard Eight Tourer values in the absence of anything comparable.Lot # 364.2 1940 Ford Deluxe 5-Window Coupe; S/N 5548090; Dark Blue/Brown velour; Customized restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $37,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $40,700 – Edmunds head and intake with dual two-barrel carbs, one Ford and one Holley. Alternator, grille guard, hubcaps, wheel spiders, trim rings, wide whitewalls, radio, heater, underdash gauges, clock. Decent old paint, chrome and interior. Engine and chassis show age and use. Too good to need restoration, but not good enough to show. Riley Hogan, Jr. Collection. Thoughtfully done and restored in largely original configuration with only a few underhood modifications that should make it much more fun to drive than a standard flathead. It will be a cruise-in star and it brought star money.Lot # 365 1931 Ford Model A Roadster; S/N A4626663; Sand Beige, Black fenders/Brown leatherette; Beige cloth top; Older restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $27,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $29,700 – Grey accent, light yellow wire wheels, rear mounted spare, blackwall tires, rumble seat, wind wings, Motometer, chrome bumpers. 1990 AACA National First Prize and Senior Grand National. Restored like new with just a little age but not much use since. A particularly unusual car at WPB this year. Riley Hogan, Jr. Collection. Appropriately priced for a Model A Roadster with an old but well preserved restoration, but not outside the realm of reason.Lot # 365.1 1932 Ford Model 18 Pickup; S/N 182666; Green, Black fenders/Black leatherette; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $37,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $40,700 – Light Olive wire wheels, blackwall tires, dual sidemounts, chrome bumpers, exhaust manifold heater. Very good paint, chrome and interior. Not fresh but can easily be made so with cosmetic attention to the engine and chassis and general detailing. A very rare find, but not the 'Model B' the car card says. Sold at RM Hershey in 2010 for $36,300, this is a rare vehicle that is in nearly pristine condition. It will respond well to some modest attention and be better than it was presented here where it brought a reasonable price at an auction where pickups were stars.Lot # 374.1 1964 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe; S/N 40837S101653; Red/Black vinyl; Visually maintained, largely original, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $41,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $45,650 – 327/300hp, Powerglide, cassette stereo, side exhausts, spinner wheelcovers, narrow whitewalls, factory A/C, P/S, P/B, P/W. Decent paint, wavy rear bumpers, some masking holidays, good original interior. Underbody not done at all and pretty grungy. It will be hard to be very proud of this Corvette. Still, at this price it is not expensive and its originality is appealing. It sold here in 2008 for $59,400 and is a better value today.Lot # 380 1995 Ferrari 348 Spider; S/N ZFFRG43A9S0099730; Yellow/Black leather; Black cloth top; Unrestored original, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $34,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $37,400 – SF shields, black calipers, A/C. Assembly #16654. Sound paint and interior. Engine, chassis and underbody are a little grimy and used appropriate to the 50,061 miles on the odometer. A reasonably priced 348 Spider with no representation when it might have had a major service.Lot # 381 1971 Mercedes-Benz 280SE 3.5 Cabriolet Conversion; S/N 11102610001707; Black/Black leather; Black cloth top; Rebodied or re-created, 4 condition; Hammered Sold at $14,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $15,400 – 4-speed, Kühlmeister A/C,, Becker Europa AM-FM. Runs awful and doesn't look much better. Poor recent repaint, worse trim chrome, dirty engine and chassis. Cut coupe. This is a simply despicable vehicle that brought $26,400 in Scottsdale just a few months ago. The seller here was fortunate to get out from under it with only a $12,000 loss. The new owner might be better off parting it out.Lot # 381.2 1997 Ferrari F-355 Spider; S/N ZFFXR48A6V0107426; Red/Tan leather; Black cloth top; Unrestored original, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $68,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $74,800 – Assembly #24168. 6-speed, Sony CD changer, SF shields, Michelin Pilot Sport tires, K40 built in front and rear radar detectors. 50 miles on belt service and undertray cleanup. Engine compartment should have been cleaned up at the same time. Good paint and interior, no nose chips. This is top of the market, a price largely attributable to the owner standing around constantly talking about the car to everyone who came by and volunteering its recent service. That's how you sell well at auction, and this Ferrari sold well.Lot # 382 1982 Aston Martin V8 Volante; S/N SCFCV81C9CTL15258; Red/Beige leather; Beige leatherette top; Visually maintained, largely original, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $60,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $66,000 – 5-speed, Blaupunkt CD stereo, alloy wheels, Eagle GT 235/70HR15 blackwalls, cold A/C. Runs roughly and shakes like Parkinson's. Marginal repaint over flawed prep, decent redyed and surface cracked original interior, chrome and top. Chassis not done. Hood won't open. The 5-speed is what sets this car apart even though it is crying for a tuneup (a hundred miles at triple digit speeds would probably help a lot.) It brought a full retail price but has innate appeal even at that.Lot # 382.2 1968 Chevrolet Camaro RS/SS Convertible; S/N 124678N412043; Red/Pearl vinyl; White vinyl top; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $36,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $39,600 – 350 4-barrel, automatic, P/S, no P/B, Rally wheels with trim rings, Wide Oval tires, white nose stripe, spoiler, pushbutton radio. Represented as matching numbers engine. Good paint, chrome, interior and top. Engine missing its choke stove, compartment quickly black bombed. Chassis repainted over limited prep. Good eye appeal but doesn't hold up. Represented as an 'Off-the-frame restoration' but doesn't meet the expectations that characterization implies. It's an attractive and presentable driver with a 350 for which a 396 price was paid.Lot # 388 1988 Kittredge K350 Submarine; S/N 396383732; Yellow /; Not evaluated, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $16,100 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $17,710 – Car Card: '1988 custom built Kittredge K350 2 man 1ATM submarine. A maximum operating depth of 350 feet. Fully functional in very good condition.' Sold with Lot 388.1 dual axle trailer included in this price. I had to include this. Where else can you get a functioning Yellow Submarine? For under $20K? Now, who has the nerve to descend to 350 feet in it?Lot # 389 1955 Ford Thunderbird Convertible; S/N P5FH260292; Yellow/Yellow, Black vinyl; Visually maintained, largely original, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $59,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $64,900 – 292/183hp, 3-speed (conversion), chrome wire wheels, wide whitewalls, power seat, P/W, Vintage A/C, cassette stereo, two tops. Decent older repaint, scuffed and scratched chrome trim, lightly stretched upholstery. Chassis repainted over old undercoat. A fair car. Get this straight. This is a sound older cosmetic restoration with a chassis that's been given a coat of paint over whatever was there. The exterior cosmetics are sound but unexceptional. Goldenrod is a great color, but this price is sufficient to have bought the best '55 T-bird in the world, freshly restored and flawless. This one possesses none of those things. It is egregiously expensive.Lot # 614.1 1921 Ford Model T Depot Hack; S/N 5110811; Black, Wood/Black leatherette; Older restoration, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $14,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $15,400 – Electric starter, hand Klaxon horn, black wood wheels, blackwall tires, anti-shimmy springs in the steering linkage, buttons for side curtains, 3-row seating. Aged and not particularly well maintained old restoration with reproduction body. Amateur upholstery. Erratically revarnished water stained wood. Usable as is, but just barely. While aesthetically this T Hack isn't much its utility as an occasional driver, especially in local parades or events loaded with the Homecoming Queen or a pack of Cub Scouts, is very high. It brought a fair price to both the buyer and the seller.Lot # 618 1957 MG A 1500 Roadster; S/N HDA4323647; OEWhite/Red vinyl; Black vinyl top; Recent restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $20,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $22,000 – Silver pointed wire wheels, blackwall radial tires, black spoke woodrim steering school, fender mirrors. Thoroughly but not obsessively restored with good paint, chrome and interior. Erratic passenger door fit. Chassis nearly like new. A fresh restoration with under 100 miles and an attractive car for driving or local shows. This MG A could have brought another $5,000 without being over-priced, but the overall caliber of the restoration isn't that high. The bidders came away with a good deal on a thoroughly but not glamorously restored good driving car.Lot # 633 1966 Chevrolet Nova SS 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 118376N170504; Engine # 6W170304 F0407ZI; Red/Red vinyl; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $38,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $41,800 – 327/350hp, 4-speed, buckets and console, wheel covers, narrow whitewall bias ply tires, pushbutton radio. Represented as an original 327/350hp car, with a correctly coded engine. Gorgeous. restoration with flawless bodywork, fresh interior, chrome, chassis and engine compartment. Impeccable. A real outlier among muscle cars, this little Nova SS with its 327/350hp L79 engine and 4-speed will blow all but the best big block Chevelles into the weeds, and do it with a good handling chassis. Few recognize its performance or rarity and it crept under the radar here in West Palm at a price that is well below its potential. A great buy in a rare and powerful compact.Lot # 638 1970 Plymouth 'Cuda AAR 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N BS23J0B296037; Lemon Twist Yellow, Matte Black hood/Black vinyl; Visually maintained, largely original, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $61,091 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $67,200 – 340 Six Barrel, column shift automatic (one of five), buckets, no console, P/B, P/S, pushbutton radio, Rally wheels with trim rings. Fresh cosmetic restoration with very good paint, chrome and interior. Thoroughly documented. Chassis not done to the standards as the top. Sold in at B-J Scottsdale in January for $40,700 and dressed up since, the rarity of this 'Cuda AAR is in the odd combination of automatic transmission and column shift, two things that hardly commend it to aficionados of high performance Pony Cars. The Palm Beach bidders were taken with the rarity and paid dearly for a car that hardly deserved the price.Lot # 643 1961 Chevrolet Corvette FI Convertible; S/N 10867S104310; Engine # F0102CS; White, Silver coves/Red vinyl; White vinyl top; Modified restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $57,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $62,700 – 'C' reversed on engine stamping, bored-out 292 engine with lumpy solid lifter cam, 4-speed, spinner wheel covers, whitewall bias ply Silvertown tires, cassette stereo. Engine stamped for a 283/315hp. No documentation as an original FI car. An older restoration to like new condition with some use and age. Underhood is a little disorganized but the paint, chrome, interior and underbody are very good. It's a neat hot rod, no matter what its history. Even the lumpy idle is cool. The price is right for what it might be, but generous for what it is.Lot # 646 1979 Oldsmobile Cutlass Hurst 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 3K47R9M579931; Gold, Black/Black vinyl; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $37,273 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $41,000 – Automatic, buckets and console, Hurst dual gate shifter, A/C, factory cassette stereo, Gold alloy wheels, Eagle ST tires. Linda Vaughn's Hurst Olds. Good clearcoat repaint, otherwise a clean, orderly mostly original car appropriate to the 22,248 miles on the odometer. $15,000 for the car, $20,000 for its Linda Vaughn history.
Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2012 Auction Report – Page Three
Lot # 647 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Nomad 2-Dr. Station Wagon; S/N VC570106905; Dusk Pearl, White roof/Silver vinyl, Black cloth; Visually maintained, largely original, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $39,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $42,900 – 283 4-barrel, Powerglide, skirts, spinner wheel cooers, whitewalls, P/B, cassette stereo. 75,791 miles. Good repaint and chrome. Sound original interior. Underbody painted glossy black over old undercoat. Engine compartment is clean but has been quickly and crudely touched up with an unattractive paint application. Right side has been repaired. An unusually original Nomad in sound and reasonably presentable condition. Not the most attractive car in B-J's Palm Beach sale, but one of the more rare and original which is sufficient to support the rather healthy price it brought. Most Nomads have been restored or kustomized making a largely original example like this a rare and desirable find. It's fully valued at this price. Lot # 648 1969 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 136379Z322274; Engine # KF; Black/Black vinyl; Recent restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $59,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $65,450 – 396/375hp, automatic, buckets and console, P/S, P/B, 4.11 Positraction, Rally II wheels, Wide Oval tires, pushbutton radio. Excellent fresh restoration to better than new condition. Represented as matching numbers. Super paint and chrome. Underbody is overdone. This is one of several cars offered at Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach this year with fresh, sharp, accurate (and sometimes over the top) restorations by Thornton Autoworks in Telford, PA. Not only beautifully restored like this Chevelle they boasted drivetrains and options that muscle car buyers crave. And they brought top dollar. But to believers in the 'buy the best car you can afford' mantra they gave full value for the money and offered an unusual level of ownership pride and satisfaction.Lot # 650 1957 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible; S/N E57S104257; White, Silver coves/Red vinyl; Black vinyl top; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $100,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $110,000 – 283/220hp, 3-speed, base radio, spinner wheel covers, whitewalls, heater, two tops. Good older paint, chrome and interior. 70,946 miles and four owners from new with documented history. Underbody isn't done to the same standards as the outside but is clean and nearly like new. This '57 was sold as a pair with lot # 650.1, a 2007 Corvette convertible with the same six-digit VIN. This result reflects the combined price of both cars. Neither was particularly exceptional, but the combined value is very good: a showy '57 for weekends and a practical (?) '07 for weekday commuting. A good value.Lot # 654 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 RS Coupe; S/N 124379N555154; Maroon metallic, White stripes/Black vinyl, houndstooth cloth; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $36,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $39,600 – 302/290hp, 4-speed, console gauges, pushbutton radio, Rally wheels with trim rings, F70-15 Polyglas tires, P/B, Hurst shifter, 3.73 axle, cowl induction hood. Good bodywork and paint. Metallic paint is odd. Dash top is loose. Chassis shows some use. Good panel fit. A mediocre Camaro that doesn't benefit from the custom-ish paint. The correct '69 Burgundy Poly had no flake in it and the decision to add some to this Camaro's finish is bizarre. It was offered at Mecum's Kissimmee auction earlier this year where it no-saled at a reported $56,000 bid. The result here in West Palm for a car that really needs some work and a strip and repaint in the correct period color reflects its appropriate value.Lot # 654.1 1970 Oldsmobile 4-4-2 W30 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 344870M168135; Rally Red, Black hood stripes/Black vinyl; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $65,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $71,500 – 455/370hp, 4-speed, W27 aluminum rear axle housing, steel wheels, hubcaps, Wide Oval tires, Rally gauges. Represented as matching numbers engine. 33,385 miles, restored better than new with superb paint and chrome, good interior and glass. It would be a sleeper were it not for the color. Rally Red is pretty orange, although this car's finish is wholly devoid of any peel. It sold here a year ago for $71,500, the same price it brought today. The combination of the W30 engine package, 4-speed, low miles and superb restoration add up to significant value even at this price.Lot # 656.1 1957 Oldsmobile Super 88 J-2 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 578C08853; White/Red, White vinyl, Black cloth; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $70,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $77,000 – 371/300hp, J-2 with three 2-barrel intake, automatic, chrome wire wheels, whitewalls, WonderBar radio, P/S. Cosmetically restored with scant attention to details. Erratic trim chrome, stretched seat covering, good major chrome and dashboard. Paint blisters on deck lid. Body is straight and panels fit well. Chassis and underbody have been stripped and repainted. Riley Hogan, Jr. Collection. Looking at an Olds like this it's hard to imagine the marque disappearing 47 years later. While Olds lost its way (or was misguided by GM corporate) the history is grand and the cars are regaining recognition as some of the best of the 50's-early 70's. The condition of this J-2 is erratic and not aging well, however, and its price is excessive, J-2 convertible money for a Holiday hardtop.Lot # 657 1956 Ford Fairlane Crown Victoria Skyliner 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N M6AW116385; Blue, White/White vinyl, Black cloth; Customized restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $45,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $49,500 – 292/202hp, automatic, blue tinted Plexiglas roof panel, skirts, dual rear antennas, continental kit, chrome wire wheels, Goodrich Silvertown radial whitewalls, P/S, P/B, Town & Country radio, underdash gauges, aftermarket A/C, Mercury taillights, chrome sill trim. Good paint, chrome and interior, thin interior trim chrome. Chassis incompletely stripped and repainted glossy black. Great eyeball but compromised in its execution. Riley Hogan, Jr. Collection. The Merc taillights are a neat touch on this cosmetically restored Skyliner, one of just 603 built. Its price sensitively balances its rarity and the lavish options list with its erratic cosmetic restoration.Lot # 658.2 1962 Pontiac Bonneville Convertible; S/N 862P27551; Engine # 387370 10D; Orange/Burgundy vinyl; Red vinyl top; Recent restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $79,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $86,900 – 4-speed, WonderBar radio, buckets and console, back seat courtesy lights, skirts, 8-lug wheels, narrow whitewalls, P/S, P/B. Tri-Power with cheesy aftermarket air filters. Distinctly odd color combination; each color is attractive by itself but the combination is disjointed. Paint, chrome and interior are good and doors fit the fenders, but the sills don't fit the doors. chassis has been done like new. Aside from the color mismatch this is a good, sound car. Riley Hogan, Jr. Collection The exterior is somewhere between '62 Pontiac's Mandalay Red (orange) and Belmar Red (burgundy). Everything clashes, nothing complements. 10B is the '62 code for the hydraulic lifter 389/318hp Tri-Power. A very appealing car with the stuff that made Pontiac hot in the early 60's, but this price is expensive for what it is, even if the color scheme made sense.Lot # 659.1 1954 Buick Skylark Convertible; S/N 7A1088263; Light Blue, White wheelwells/Two tone Blue vinyl; White vinyl top; Concours restoration, 1- condition; Hammered Sold at $118,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $129,800 – An older show quality restoration that has lost its edge. Panel fits are very good. Chrome in taillight centers is cloudy but the balance of the chrome is outstanding. Both quarter windows need to be refitted to their frames. Riley Hogan, Jr. Collection. No longer show quality, but close and within shouting distance of being a show car again, the Palm Beach bidders stepped up and paid a reasonable price. After the home runs hit by '54 Skylarks in Palm Beach in recent years ($189,000 in '05 and $198,000 in '07) this result might be seen as disappointing but it reflects the current market and the presentation of this car.Lot # 660 1953 Packard Caribbean Convertible; S/N L415994; Cream/Red leather; Black cloth top; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $60,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $66,000 – 327/180hp, automatic, WonderBar radio, P/W, power bench seat, chrome wire wheels, whitewall tires, continental style spare with chrome ring. A quality older restoration with some flaws like a cracked steering wheel and a new shot of undercoat inside the front wheel wells. Body panels are flat, fits are very good and chrome in excellent. Upholstery is older than the exterior cosmetics. A sound and complete older restoration with fresh cosmetics. Even with the freshened older restoration this Caribbean is modestly valued by the Palm Beach bidders. It could have brought another $10,000 without being excessive.Lot # 660.1 1957 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible; S/N E57S100968; Engine # TYX; Venetian Red, Beige coves/Red vinyl; Beige vinyl top; Modified restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $68,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $74,800 – 350 V-8, 4-speed, cassette stereo, spinner wheel covers. Good recent repaint, new interior and top. Chassis casually repainted assembled. Engine compartment is orderly but shows use. A sound and presentable driver, but why not replace the ugly, pitted windshield post covers? Rick Hendrick collection. For a crate 350-powered '57, an early one that would have had a 3-speed, and just in used daily driver condition? Whew. Rick Hendrick must have a leprechaun in his pocket bringing him good luck.Lot # 660.2 1972 Pontiac LeMans Convertible; S/N 2D67X2P133151; Engine # C222879 YB; Dark Green metallic/Sandalwood vinyl; Black vinyl top; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $62,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $68,200 – 455/300hp 34X engine, automatic, buckets and console, A/C, pushbutton radio, sport steering wheel, P/S, P/B, Rally II wheels, Wide Oval tires, Ram Air hood, Endura front bumper, rally gauges, wing. Restored like new with very good cosmetics. Clean underhood. An attractive car in very good, nearly new, condition showing only a little use and age. Sold at Mecum's Indianapolis auction in 2010 for $60,950. The color combination is very appealing, as is the equipment list. It's worth emphasizing that this is a LeMans, not a GTO, although it looks, feels and probably drives as well as any GTO but is arguably more rare. Today's price is no less appropriate than the lower price was two years ago.Lot # 661 1961 Chevrolet Impala 2- Dr. Hardtop Bubble Top; S/N 11837S105814; Red/White vinyl, Red cloth; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $100,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $110,000 – 409 with three deuces in place of the original 348. 4-speed, P/S, P/B, Vintage Air A/C, spinner wheelcovers, whitewalls, pushbutton radio, 90 degree tach on steering column, bench seat. Restored like new with better paint and chrome. A very pretty car. The argument may rage over the upgraded engine, but only 'til the hood is raised at a show or the tires are turned to smoke at a stoplight. The quality of the restoration and the allure of the 409/360 engine caught the bidders' attention and brought a premium price for a premium car.Lot # 662 1962 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible; S/N 20867S111162; Engine # 2111162 F0424RE; Black/Red vinyl; Black vinyl top; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $65,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $71,500 – 327/340hp, 4-barrel, 4-speed, spinner wheel covers, P215/70R15 radial narrow whitewall tires, WonderBar radio. Excellent paint, chrome, interior and top. Restored better than new, fresh and very pretty. High performance 4-barrel engined Corvettes don't have the high profile of their fuel injected siblings but they're much more user friendly and capable of nearly equal performance. And when was the last time someone truly exploited the extra 20hp of a Fuelie, anyway? Impressively restored and immaculately presented, this Corvette could have brought another $10K and still been good value for the money.Lot # 662.1 1956 Ford Thunderbird Convertible; S/N P6FH218720; Blue/Blue, White vinyl; White vinyl top; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $60,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $66,000 – 312/225hp, automatic, P/S, no P/B, two tops (white with portholes, chrome wire wheels, whitewalls, cassette stereo, engine dressup. An older restoration but still better than new. Excellent paint, chrome, interior and glass. There was a Thunderbird movement in Palm Beach this year, with prices returning to levels not seen in a few years. This car sold here two years ago for $71,500 and it's hard to imagine that it could have been any better then than it is now. It's just a better value.Lot # 662.2 1954 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster; S/N E54S003355; Polo White/Red vinyl; Beige cloth top; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $45,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $49,500 – Cassette stereo, spinner wheel covers, siamesed air filters. An older cosmetic restoration with good paint chrome and interior. Chassis and underbody are old and grungy. A disappointing early Corvette that brought a disappointing but not unrealistic price for its condition.Lot # 664.2 1948 Buick Roadmaster Series 76 C Convertible; S/N 14934634; Aztec Poly Green/Green leather; Beige cloth top; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $44,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $48,400 – 3-speed, large hubcaps with sombrero trim rings, pushbutton radio, whitewalls. Good new paint, major chrome, new upholstery and top. Weak trim chrome, frayed window seals. Chassis and underbody slathered with thick undercoat. Flaking steering wheel chrome. Great eye appeal but doesn't hold up to closer inspection. This Buick's condition and presentation are sufficiently flawed to make the price it brought here representative of its place in the market. It could be worth a lot more, but it needs much more than fresh cosmetics to satisfy buyers who are very astute at looking beyond flash to assess the underlying condition.Lot # 669.2 1969 Buick GS400 Convertible; S/N 446679Y145258; Verde Green/Pearl vinyl; White vinyl top; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $72,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $79,750 – 400/340hp, Ram Air hood, P/B, P/S, A/C, 4-speed, AM-FM, Super Sport wheels, redline tires, 3.42 limited slip. Represented as matching numbers and one of 55 GS400 convertibles with 4-speed and air. Restored like new with excellent paint, chrome, interior, top and everything else. Another Thornton Autoworks restoration, one of several at Palm Beach this year, and beautifully presented on stands with mirrors underneath to show the pristine undercarriage and body. A really exceptional car, and desirably equipped, its price sets a high bar for other GS400s.Lot # 670 1970 Ford Torino Cobra 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 0A38J171876; Bright Yellow, Matte Black hood/Black vinyl; Cosmetic restoration, 2_ condition; Hammered Sold at $50,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $55,000 – 429/360hp Super Cobra Jet, automatic, shaker hood, buckets and console, pushbutton radio, Magnum wheels, P/S, P/B, 3.91 Traction-Lok, slats, Wide Oval tires, Drag Pack. A high quality cosmetic restoration of a 41,777 mile car with excellent paint, chrome and interior. Represented as matching numbers. Underbody is clean but has old undercoat and isn't to the same standards as what is more readily seen. A fabulous, rare model delivered as a competition-ready package with the big 429 engine, 4-speed, wide wheels and competition suspension. It's as racy as any Mustang, but nearly overlooked by collectors, which accounts for the price this one brought. It's all the money for a Torino Cobra (in this condition) but has more inherent value and rarity than meets the eye.
Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2012 Auction Report – Page Four
Lot # 671.1 1958 Chevrolet Bel Air Impala Convertible; S/N F58L143735; Black/Black, Blue vinyl; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $75,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $82,500 – Powerglide, Wonder Bar radio, remote spotlight/mirror, spinner wheel covers, whitewalls, continental kit, dual rear antennas, P/S, P/B, power bench seat, P/W, skirts. An older restoration to nearly like new. Paint is good, as are the chrome and interior. Paint has some polisher swirl but isn't candy-like clearcoat. A pretty car, and pretty menacing in black. 58's are often overlooked in the fascination with the '55-'57 shoeboxes but this one had too much presence to be ignored. I just wish they'd told us what engine lurked under its hood.Lot # 672.2 1967 Pontiac GTO Convertible; S/N 242677Z110595; Engine # 214970 WV; Red/Parchment vinyl; White vinyl top; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $46,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $50,600 – 400/360hp, 4-barrel, 4-speed, P/S, no P/B, aluminum radiator, Saf-t-Track, buckets and console, Rally wheels with trim rings, red line tires, underdash CD stereo, dealer installed tonneau cover. Frequently flawed paint, generally decent chrome and trim, scuffed window sill trim. Orderly but not sharp engine compartment. Chassis and underbody given a quick respray and now shows age, use and road grime. Smells of coolant. A desirable car but in compromised condition and accorded a similarly compromised price. It has good bones to work from, though, and can be enjoyed as is or upgraded physically and cosmetically to be better without a great deal of effort or expense. The price is fair to both the buyer and the seller.Lot # 674 1967 Austin-Healey 3000 Mk III Phase 2 Convertible; S/N HBJ8U42555G; Golden Beige/Red vinyl; Black leatherette top; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $120,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $132,000 – Chrome wire wheels, blackwall tires. Freshly restored by marque specialist Kurt Tanner and flawless. An heroic result in today's market, but this is as good as a Big Healey gets and even more than a similar Kurt Tanner car brought in Scottsdale three months ago. B-J Palm Beach has been good for Big Healeys.Lot # 676 1971 Oldsmobile 4-4-2 Convertible; S/N 344671M188300; Matador Red/Pearl vinyl; White vinyl top; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $91,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $100,100 – 455/340hp, 4-speed, Ram Air hood, P/S, P/B, A/C, 8-track, buckets and console, 3.23 limited slip, Hurst shifter, Super stock wheels, G70-15 Polyglas tires. Represented as matching numbers and way better than new. Fresh, clean, sharp restoration and better even than a new one detailed for the selling dealer's showroom. Flawless. This is huge money for a non-W30 4-4-2. Now, this is a spectacular 4-4-2, to be sure, with enough goodies to make any muscle car fan weak with envy, and 4-4-2s were thick on the ground in Palm Beach, but it is nothing if not curve-setting.Lot # 677 1969 Dodge Coronet Super Bee 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N WM23M9A284056; Metallic Green, Matte Black hood/White vinyl; Older restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $74,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $81,400 – 440/390hp Six Pack, 4-speed, pushbutton radio, buckets, no console, steel wheels, no hubcaps, red line bias ply tires. An older restoration to like new with a fresh quality clearcoat repaint, excellent chrome and good interior. The Super Bee, with its striped tail, was never a stealthy muscle car, but its presence is enhanced by an order of magnitude by the F6 Green paint. It's a car Kermit could love. So could any muscle car collector, not only for the 440 Six Pack engine but also for its flawless restoration and recent cosmetics. It had both eye appeal and quality workmanship that backed up the premium price it brought.Lot # 685 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air Nomad Station Wagon; S/N VC55K091792; Engine # 0230811 F55FB; Regal Turquoise Blue, India Ivory roof/White, Blue vinyl; Older restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $97,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $106,700 – 265/180hp 4-barrel, Powerglide, WonderBar radio, wheel covers, whitewalls, oil filter, windshield washer. 2001 AACA National First Prize (W14014) and 2003 Senior. Still essentially like new and show ready. Great paint, chrome and interior. Sold at B-J Scottsdale a year ago for $95,700 and not only pretty colors but also a beautiful restoration that has been consistently maintained and shows the quality of its workmanship and materials. It's a premium car and it brought a premium price.Lot # 685.1 1955 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster; S/N VE55S001541; Engine # 0269237 F55FG; Polo White/Red vinyl; Beige cloth top; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $61,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $67,100 – Powerglide, chrome valve covers, WonderBar radio. No plug wire shields.84,758 miles. Good older paint, chrome and interior. Chassis is aged and oily. An old restoration that has had some recent cosmetic attention, but not enough to make it particularly attractive. The '55 is crucially important in Corvette history. Leftover 54's littered dealers' lots and Corvette's future looked grim, so grim that just 700 '55 Corvettes were built. The small block V-8, even with Powerglide, changed that. The next fifty-seven years of Corvettes owe their existence to the '55. The Palm Beach bidders missed a bet on this car, even in its mediocre condition, but the buyer took advantage of their oversight and scored a home run.Lot # 686 1965 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe; S/N 194375S111131; Rallye Red/Black; Older restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $70,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $77,000 – 396/425hp, 4-speed, transistor ignition, teak steering wheel, AM-FM, side exhaust, alloy wheels, gold line tires, F41 suspension. Excellent paint, chrome and interior. Restored like new. Sold here four years ago for $117,700, but the Corvette market really hasn't stumbled this much in the intervening years. There was a boatload of good Corvettes on offer. This one got overlooked, despite its rare early Big Block V-8, to the new owner's advantage. It is a very good value at this price.Lot # 687 1963 Chevrolet Corvette FI Convertible; S/N 30867S118455; Engine # 3118455 F0610RF; Ice Blue/Blue vinyl; White vinyl top; Older restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $70,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $77,000 – 327/360hp FI, 4-speed, AM-FM, spinner wheel covers, narrow whitewalls. Multiple NCRS Top Flight but no documentation for the drivetrain. Shows a little age but little or no use, like a pampered 3-month old car. Paint is sensitively done with original type luster. Nice car. The seller honestly and forthrightly announced there was no documentation of the correctness of the 327/360hp FI engine in this Corvette and the bidders reacted with favor, paying for the restoration, quality, awards and uncertainty with a surprisingly astute balance. This is a realistic price for a very good car, despite the uncertainty.Lot # 690 1957 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible; S/N E57S106210; Silver, Silver coves/Red vinyl; Black vinyl top; Older restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $55,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $60,500 – 283/270hp dual quads, 3-speed, cassette stereo, spinner wheelcovers, 215/75R15 blackwall radials. Very good older restoration to like new condition with very good cosmetics. Engine compartment shows some age but scant if any use. For a dual quad solid lifter '57 Corvette this is a decidedly modest price, but no one made any representation about the correctness of the drivetrain, an oversight (or honesty) that strikes fear in the hearts of Corvette buyers.Lot # 691 1970 Oldsmobile 4-4-2 Convertible; S/N 344670M401200; Black/White vinyl; Blank vinyl top; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $117,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $128,700 – Force Air 455, automatic, Hurst dual gate shifter, 8-track, Super Stock wheels, P/S, P/B, A/C, tilt steering column, narrow whitewalls, buckets and console. Gorgeous paint, interior, chrome and underhood detail. Better than new and represented as numbers matching. Freshly restored by Thornton Autoworks and better than flawless, the result here reflects both the 4-4-2 market and the obsessive quality of the restoration.Lot # 691.1 1970 Oldsmobile 4-4-2 Convertible; S/N 344670E180400; Twilight Blue/Pearl vinyl; White vinyl top; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $100,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $110,000 – 4-speed, buckets and console, AM-FM, Super Stock wheels, Wide Oval tires, P/S, P/B, A/C, W25 Force Air hood. Freshly restored and better than new with gorgeous, deep clearcoat paint and brilliant chrome. Impeccable. Represented as matching numbers from front to back. It's hard to choose between this Twilight Blue 4-4-2 convertible and the Ebony Black one, also from Thornton Autoworks, that preceded it across the block although the bidders gave the nod to the black automatic instead of this blue 4-speed. I think I'd have gone the other way, but my vote doesn't count since I didn't have a bidder paddle. Either way it is a fair price for this impeccable car.Lot # 692.1 1959 Porsche 356A Convertible D, Body by Drauz; S/N 86820; Engine # P84589; Red/Tan; Tan cloth top; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $135,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $148,500 – Clock, Nardi woodrim steering wheel, chrome wheels, 165SR/5 Michelin XWX blackwalls, square weave carpets. Original color 5703 Meissen Blue. Good older paint, chrome and interior. Underbody is pretty dirty but will respond to some simple attention. Weber carbs. Clean engine compartment shows some age, paint flaking and probably new carburetors. Numbers matching engine. A very nice driver quality Convertible D. Sold with reserve. 356 Porsches went through a phase years ago when their owners decided the original 50's colors were passé and freely color changed. Today the pendulum has swung back the other way and this Convertible D would pop in its original Meissen Blue. At this price, though, the new owner has paid top dollar and the repaint it deserves is economically unjustifiable. It sure would be pretty, though.Lot # 695.2 1970 Ford Mustang Boss 302 Fastback; S/N 0F02G160678; Calypso Coral, Matte Black stripes/White vinyl; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $101,818 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $112,000 – 302/300hp, 4-speed, P/B, Magnum wheels, Wide Oval tires, Hurst shifter, pushbutton radio, wing, highback Decor scats, no slats, shaker hood. Restored like new. Excellent clearcoat paint, interior and chrome. Fresh, clean and sharp. In January this Boss 302 brought $209,000 at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale, a truly shocking price even in its shocking color. The result here is reasonable. The correct hammer bid should be $100,000 with a 12% Internet bidder commission.Lot # 696 1966 Shelby Mustang GT350 Fastback; S/N SFM6S1759; Blue, White stripes/Black vinyl; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; Not sold – 289/306hp, 4-speed, 10-spoke alloy wheels, Radial T/A tires, pushbutton radio, dashtop tach. 64,008 miles from new. Restored like new with excellent clearcoat paint and chrome, good upholstery and carpets. Underbody undercoated like new. Lot # 698 1958 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham 4-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 58P060521; Metallic Blue/Blue leather, cloth; Visually maintained, largely original, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $50,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $55,000 – A/C, wheel covers, wide whitewall Deluxe Champion tires. An unusually sound and original Brougham with one flawed repaint and probably replaced upholstery cloth but original leather. Chassis, underbody and engine are clean, complete and original. Body is straight and sound, as are the bumpers. Most trim chrome is very good. I don't think I've ever encountered an Eldorado Brougham in such good, complete and sound original condition. The odometer shows 56,191 miles, almost certainly all it has covered in fifty-four years. It is a bargain at this price, but only if the new owner intends to keep it this way. A show quality restoration would cost a fortune, even on such a sound car.Lot # 700 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe Custom; S/N 30837S111289; Black/Black; Customized restoration, 1 condition; Hammered Sold at $86,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $94,600 – An imaginative but totally impractical custom concept with mid-mounted twin turbo V-8, paddle shift transaxle and exaggerated body. The details are rendered to custom car show standards. Sold at Barrett-Jackson in Scottsdale last year for $170,500. This might be the Batmobile Bruce Wayne didn't drive, the body is so extravagantly shaped and exaggerated.Lot # 3810 1951 MG TD Roadster; S/N TD7545; BR Green/Black leather; Black cloth top and tonneau; Older restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $65,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $71,500 – Silver steel wheels, blackwall radial tries, Lucas fog lights, headlight and fog light stoneguards. Excellent paint, chrome. Restored better than new. Timed sale lot number at 7PM Friday. A $70 thousand TD? This price should have bought two TDs like this.Lot # 6680 1957 Oldsmobile Super 88 J-2 Convertible; S/N 578W02556; Light Blue, White/White, Blue vinyl; White vinyl top; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $66,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $72,600 – 371/300hp J-2 triple two-barrels, automatic, WonderBar radio, wheel covers, narrow whitewalls, P/S, P/B, pushbutton radio, skirts, padded dash, continental kit. Attractive older restoration with good paint, chrome and interior. Hood emblem shows grinder scratches under the new chrome. Passenger's door fit is uneven. Underbody is very neat and nearly like new. Timed sale lot number at 3PM Saturday. Sold at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale in January for $84,700, the price here is much more reasonable, even taking into account the flaws in its restoration, all of them relatively easy to remedy. A convertible, it is a much better value than the other J-2 sold this weekend, a Holiday hardtop for $77,000. This is what a convertible should bring.
It’s interesting. I don’t think there is one car that you analyzed that I actually want, but I still fully enjoyed reading your analysis and learning about them all. Many thanks – look forward to more.
It’s interesting to get an insiders opinion about values of collector cars, especially since most automotive publications stay away this topic .