Barrett-Jackson, Hot August Nights, Reno, Nevada, August 8-10, 2013
Report and photos by Rick Carey, Auction Editor
Hot August Nights brought Barrett-Jackson to town this year for the first time. It may just have been a marriage made in heaven.
Hot August Nights is noted for its city-wide celebration of hot rod and custom cars with major properties in Reno sponsoring a succession of shows, concerts and parties for thousands of cars. The roads leading to Reno, particularly over the Sierras from California, are crowded with carloads of car people heading to Reno to take part in the days-long party.
Coming, as it usually does, the weekend before the car world centers its attention on the Monterey peninsula, Hot August Nights represents the other end of the pendulum’s swing, a populous, popular people place where the emphasis is on hands-on participation with hand-built, individual cars.
Barrett-Jackson contributed its resources and marketing muscle to create a unifying spectacle, bringing the multiple properties’ individual events together to choose the ‘Barrett-Jackson Cup’, the best custom or hot rod at Hot August Nights.
The Cup’s judges visited the four participating properties, the Eldorado, Silver Legacy, Circus Circus and Harrah’s, selecting fifteen daily winners. Those were then narrowed to five which were driven onto the Barrett-Jackson auction block at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center Saturday evening after the auction. The judges then selected the best.
The fact that it turned out to be a 1969 Ford Torino built by Troy Trepanier for George Poteet which was then taken to Bonneville to run on the salt the following Tuesday made for a perfect selection.
The Barrett-Jackson Cup meshed perfectly with the diverse Hot August Nights activities and instantly integrated Barrett-Jackson with this previously diffuse car week.
They also brought a typically diverse, mostly No Reserve (there were about half a dozen cars with reserves, only one of which didn’t sell) Barrett-Jackson consignment to the Reno-Sparks docket. It wasn’t, as might have been expected, unusually heavy on rods and customs.
The results below compare this year’s inaugural Barrett-Jackson Hot August Nights sale with the Orange County auction it replaced on Barrett-Jackson’s schedule.
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Barrett-Jackson Hot August Nights Reno 2013 – Auction Report
Lot # 18 1972 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow 4-Dr. Sedan; S/N SRA12199; Silver, Sable/Dark Red leather; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $20,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $22,000. No Reserve – Wheel covers, narrow whitewalls, Alpine cassette, equalizer, moon roof, A/C, alarm – Largely original and facing some serious issues. Reportedly recently discovered in a Sparks, Nevada garage after 15 years’ storage. Crazing old repaint, decent chrome, sound lightly scuffed original interior, sound interior wood with some cloudy varnish. Original undercoat. A sound mostly original car that soon needs a repaint and some leather dressing. – Originality hardly counts in a Shadow. They’re expensive cars to own, more expensive to keep up. This is a generally unattractive but at least solid and straight original car. It will never be worth more than it brought here. Lot # 82 1950 Buick Super 2-Dr. Hardtop Riviera Custom; S/N 15964046; Black, Woodgrain/Grey herringbone; Customized restoration, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $30,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $33,000. No Reserve – Dynaflow, skirts, hubcaps, trim rings, red steel wheels, whitewalls, pushbutton radio – Lowered and given a good older paint job with very good woodgrain panels above the fender break. Good interior and major chrome but scuffed stainless window trim. Cowl paint chipped by the hood corner. Windshield stone chipped, cracked and delaminating. Underbody painted over old undercoat. An imaginative mild custom with great eye appeal from a distance, not so much up close. – An intriguing old car, imaginatively and creatively embellished with eye-catching woodgrain trim. It was sold at B-J Scottsdale in January for $27,500 and the seller here should be lighting candles for getting out of it for this much. That said, it has eye-appeal, a Hot August Nights car. Lot # 83 1965 Pontiac Catalina 2+2 Convertible; S/N 252675C135556; Light Yellow/Black vinyl; Black vinyl top; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $22,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $24,750. No Reserve – 421/338hp, automatic, P/W, gauges, buckets and console, 8-lug wheels, narrow whitewalls, P/S, P/B – Aged but sound paint, repaired original interior, scuffed chrome and stainless. Underbody is untouched. Stone chipped nose. Usable as is but not exceptional; an old car with some cosmetic attention. – Cruisin’ in 1965 with this Catalina 2+2 Convertible would be special, as it will be in 2013. It’s not a paradigm of its kind, but at this price it doesn’t have to be. Three deuces and a 4-speed would be better, but the cost of them is hardly justified. This is a great starter car. Drive and enjoy it, then move on. This is the right money. Lot # 85 1965 Ford Thunderbird Convertible; S/N 5Y85Z106747; Red/Black vinyl; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $19,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $20,900. No Reserve – 390/300hp, automatic, P/S, P/B, P/W, Pioneer CD stereo, wheel covers, narrow whitewalls, power seat, alternator – Superficial erratically masked and not completely reassembled fresh repaint over old paint. Dirty old undercoat in wheel wells. Scuffed stainless and weak trim chrome. Badly fit rear bumper. Worn but sound original interior. A superficially and quickly redone T-bird done to look good under the auction lights. – The B-J bidders weren’t fooled by this sketchy T-bird, but why they bought it for even this much is something of a question. It’s barely above rat classification and wouldn’t have been a sound value at $10,000. A scruffy car for real car money. Lot # 149 1969 AMC AMX 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N A9M397X145169; Blue, Black stripes/Black vinyl; Visually maintained, largely original, 4 condition; Hammered Sold at $12,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $13,750. No Reserve – 390/325hp, 4-speed, P/S, P/B, cheap fat-rim steering wheel, JVC cassette, Hurst shifter, Magnum wheels, Radial T/A tires – Poor paint noted by the abundance of fisheyes, cheap plastic bolt on hood scoop, scuffed stainless, sound upholstery, loose aftermarket shifter boot, pitted door handles. More? How about a flat left rear tire and an underbody and chassis quickly and generously resprayed over old undercoat. Yecch. – Sold at Mecum’s Dallas sale last year for $13,250, the consignor here is fortunate to get out of this toad with only a limited loss. It is intrinsically appealing, a rare and potent high performance AMX but its condition is, well, despicable. Even at this price it can’t be made into something desirable without going fathoms underwater. Lot # 332 1978 Pembleton Brooklands Custom Roadster; S/N 44KA9799; Aluminum/Maroon; Unrestored original, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $7,250 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $7,975. No Reserve – RHD. Citroen 2CV based. Cycle fenders, dual Brooklands aero screens, rear spare – Driver quality presentation of a kit car using a Citroen 2CV front wheel drivetrain. Space frame chassis, a go-kart. – Sold at Barrett-Jackson WestWorld in 2012 for $15,950, it’s doubtful anyone knew what to make of this Pembleton in Reno so it went away at a bargain price, reinforced when it sold at Mecum Monterey a week later for $14,980. What’s it worth? It’s anyone’s guess. Lot # 336 1969 Jeep Jeepster Convertible; S/N 870101710815; Aqua, Cream/Blue vinyl; Cream vinyl top; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $18,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $20,350. No Reserve – 255 V6, automatic, pushbutton radio, console, hubcaps with wide trim rings, whitewalls, vinyl covered rear. mounted spare – 20,861 miles. One old mediocre paint job, peeling chrome hood hinges, fair major chrome, sound interior and top. Painted assembled and not well masked. Underbody is covered in original undercoat and dusty. An unusual but not inspiring car. – Few automobiles have has as many resurrections as the Jeepster. The early ones get treated to sound (not ‘quality’) restorations. Later ones like this are, like this, not as well treated as their CJ siblings. It’s a fun car at an expensive price for its condition but not unreasonable for its fun-to-drive-to-the-beach utility. Lot # 345 2004 Chevrolet SSR Pickup; S/N 1GCES14P84B112410; Yellow/Black leather; Unrestored original, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $16,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $18,150. No Reserve – A clean used car with unblemished paint and only lightly scuffed interior. 46,200 miles from new. – Ever driven an SSR? They’re silly vehicles with limited utility but they’re a choice hot rod. The designer of the exhaust not should be given an Academy Award for Sound. Cycle the roof at a stoplight. I wouldn’t trade my ’05 6-speed GTO for it, but it’s tempting. This is a huge bargain, the challenge of offering cars at No Reserve, and may represent the nadir of SSR values. Lot # 385 1928 Buick Custom Speedster; S/N 1959486; Red/Black vinyl; Customized restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $30,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $33,000. No Reserve – Ohv four, altimeter, barometer, brass clock, Staver sidelights, Tilt Ray headlights, dual aeroscreens, 4-wheel brakes, dual rear spares, doorless two-seat body – A Gary Wales creation done to his usual standards of quality and imagination. Good paint and interior. Nicely hand pinstriped and thoroughly detailed. – Sold for $37,400 at B-J Orange County in 2010, then for $25,300 at B-J WestWorld in 2012. Less outrageous than most Gary Wales’ contraptions but still a great car for tours or cross-country events. The result here is a reasonable price for what it is.
Barrett-Jackson Hot August Nights Reno 2013 – Auction Report Page Two
Lot # 392 1972 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster; S/N 1Z67L2S524746; Engine # Illegible; Ontario Orange, Black vinyl hardtop/Black leather; Black vinyl top; Cosmetic restoration, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $30,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $33,550. No Reserve – 350/255hp LT1, 4-speed, tilt column, P/S, AM-FM, luggage rack, Rally wheels with trim rings and Wide Oval tires – Fair fresh repaint, very good interior, new soft top. Scuffed stainless but good chrome. Engine is neat but not good enough to be called restored. Neither is the engine compartment or chassis. A superficially cosmetically restored driver. – As emissions restrictions and insurance costs escalated on high performance cars in the early 70’s manufacturers were left with no choice but to cut back horsepower. Chevy’s last gasp (literally) was the LT1, a high performance small block that was advertised at 255hp but almost certainly made a third or more than its official rating. This is a sound but not exceptional example but the caliber of its drivetrain makes it a very good value at this price. Lot # 396 1973 Toyota FJ40 Land Cruiser Utility; S/N FJ40143718; White, White hardtop/Black leather; Truck restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $31,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $34,100. No Reserve – Chrome American Racing steel spoke wheels, Warn hubs, chrome front bumper, rear mounted spare on swing away mount, pushbutton radio, center facing rear seats – Decent bodywork, paint and good interior but the chassis is grungy and grimy with scant attention ever paid to it. Looks good until you look under it. – Nearly every high end auction these days has a shiny, tricked-out FJ40 Land Cruiser. Sometimes they are astoundingly well restored. Other times they bring astounding money. Then there are times like this when the bidders take a close and critical look at the FJ40 and realize it’s all about shiny and little about thorough in its presentation. This is an appropriately handicapped value for a materially handicapped FJ40. Lot # 400 1966 Pontiac GTO 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 242176P171926; Engine # 153109 YC; Light Gold, Black vinyl roof/Black vinyl; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $50,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $55,000. No Reserve – 1973 Pontiac 455cid V8 motor with Edelbrock Performer intake, Holley 4-barrel and headers, 4-speed, buckets and console, Hurst shifter, 5-spoke wheels with trim rings and Toyo blackwall radial tires. – Represented as a Hurst, but there’s nothing Hurst about this GTO except the shifter. Flawed paint, loose body seals, fogged gauge lenses. Tidy engine but the compartment was sprayed assembled and looks like dreck. Thin trim chrome, scuffed stainless. A car to avoid. – Sold for $38,500 at B-J’s Las Vegas sale in 2009, it should have brought less than that today in this parlous condition with its later engine. There is nothing good to say about this car, except that the seller was the beneficiary of a lightning strike of enthusiasm over inspection. The buyer is going to wake up with a bad hangover. Lot # 404 1958 Chevrolet Impala 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N F58L190174; Engine # T1014G; White/Dark Red vinyl, cloth; Cosmetic restoration, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $37,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $40,700. No Reserve – 348/250hp, 4-barrel upgraded with Tri-Power, Powerglide, P/S, P/B, heater, windshield washer, WonderBar radio, spinner wheelcovers, whitewalls, rear antenna, continental kit, Autronic Eye – Cosmetically restored a while ago and driven subsequently. Engine has been cleaned superficially but is still lightly oiled and leaky. Underbody is largely original. Paint is good as is the chrome. Stainless is lightly scuffed. Interior is lightly used but sound. A good driver quality Impala. – This Impala is impressively equipped. The Tri-Power upgrade to the hydraulic lifter 4-barrel 348 doesn’t enhance its collectibility but goes a long way to making it a better driver. It is nothing if not a good buy at this modest price. Lot # 406 1962 Chevrolet Bel Air 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 21537L117241; Engine # ;, /; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $53,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $58,300. No Reserve – 409/409 hp, dual quads, 4-speed, bench seat, 90 degree steering column tach, radio and heater delete, red steel wheels, dog dish hubcaps, blackwall bias ply tires, dual outside mirrors – Bubble top body, upgraded engine. Restored to a high standard with very good paint, chrome and stainless. Good interior. Better than new but not by too much. – A 409/409 Bubble Top Bel Air is one of the signature cars of the Sixties, a body style Chevrolet built solely to reduce aerodynamic drag at the end of the quarter mile and intended for this engine. While this isn’t the drivetrain this Bubble Top started out with, it’s the one it should have had. It was peddled at Mecum Kansas City in April and Indy in May without finding a buyer, although at better reported high bids than this. It is exceptionally well restored and presented and the new owner didn’t go wrong at this price. Lot # 427 2013 Chevrolet Camaro COPO Coupe; S/N 2013COPO-041; Engine # ;, /; Unrestored original, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $125,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $137,500. No Reserve – 427, Powerglide – Built by Richard Rawlings and Aaron Kaufmann during a production break at GM, one of a limited series of 2013 COPO Camaros with high performance 427, 2-speed Powerglide transmission, ultra light brakes, roll cage, special alloy wheels. A factory authorized monster with breathtaking performance, but only for track or drag strip use, please. – I think this is the first appearance of ‘Fast N’ Loud’ at Barrett-Jackson and it made an impression. Like new (OK, it was new) and auctioned to great fanfare but the principals probably were disappointed with this result. The buyer shouldn’t have been disappointed, however, as this is a signature car that stands a strong chance of being appreciated more in subsequent years. Lot # 431 1961 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible; S/N 10867S109200; Engine # F0710C; White, Silver coves/Black vinyl; White vinyl top; Visually maintained, largely original, 4+ condition; Hammered Sold at $46,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $50,600. No Reserve – 283/230hp, 3-speed, spinner wheelcovers, whitewalls, pushbutton radio – Engine number codes to a 170hp 2-barrel Chevy block. Vacuum advance pipe is missing. Chassis is dirty. Pitted door post chrome. Dash top is loose and shrunk away from the windshield. Right cove trim tail is missing. Paint is erratically wet sanded. There is nothing ‘nice’ about this Corvette. – A mis-matched, erratically presented, deficient Corvette that would have been reasonably priced at $30,000. At this price it is not going to start a satisfying ownership experience. Lot # 604 1975 AMC Pacer Coupe; S/N A5A667A333964; Ivory Green/Ivory vinyl; Unrestored original, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $15,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $16,500. No Reserve – 258 six, automatic, roof rack, folding rear seat, pushbutton radio, heater, wheel covers, narrow whitewalls, curb feelers – All original including the orange peely factory paint. Cleaned up and surprisingly good. – Pacers have the charisma of their chunky, odd design and the dog-pound appeal of abandoned puppies. Is a largely original light green Pacer worth this much? It’s within a standard deviation of Pacer values and has plenty of abandoned puppy appeal. No harm, no foul. Lot # 605 1968 Volkswagen Kyote II Dune Buggy; S/N 118816459; Red, White painted pinstripes/Black, Red cloth; Unrestored original, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $7,700 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $8,470. No Reserve – 5-spoke alloy wheels, Radial T/A tires, SW gauges, Clarion cassette stereo, bullet fender mirrors, Monza style quick fill fuel cap, Corbeau seats, removable hatchback roof – Built by Dean Jeffries for Vic Edelbrock. Aged but sound. Mediocre original paint with original Dean Jeffries pinstripes. – Dune Buggies were the rage in the late 60’s and early 70’s, boosted by the popularity of off-road races like the Baja 1000. This one has a exceptional heritage and some unusual features, not least the original Dean Jeffries pinstriping. Given its history it is an exceptional value at this bargain price. The B-J Reno bidders were napping when it crossed the block.
Barrett-Jackson Hot August Nights Reno 2013 – Auction Report Page Three
Lot # 645 1959 Oldsmobile Super 88 Convertible; S/N 598W08090; white/Brown, Beige leatherette; Black cloth top; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $39,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $42,900. No Reserve – 394/315hp, automatic, P/S, P/B, pushbutton radio, heater, aftermarket A/C, skirts, dual outside mirrors, wheel covers, whitewalls – A good five year old restoration with miles showing on the chassis and underbody. Paint, chrome and interior are good. Hood is slightly bowed; doors and trunk fit well. – When it comes to extravagant, big, lavishly bedecked cars the 1959 Oldsmobile is at the head of the list. It’s excess in steel and chrome, which makes them so appreciated by collectors. Drive one and feel Fifties – when everything was possible. This Olds sold at Barrett-Jackson WestWorld in 2004 for $22,140 before its restoration. It’s a sound and presentable, if not exceptional, car as offered here and brought a reasonable price. But, the new owner will feel very good driving it. Lot # 646 1926 Ford Model T Roadster Custom; S/N TT13444904; Melon Yellow Pearl/White Pearl; No top; Customized restoration, 1 condition; Hammered Sold at $52,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $57,200. No Reserve – 351/325hp Ford Windsor, automatic, 4-wheel disc brakes, chrome transverse leaf spring suspension, stretched wheelbase and steel body – ‘Golden Era’, an extreme show rod by Rick Dore, particularly the shaped nose. Show quality everywhere. – Sold at Mecum’s Indy sale in 2012 for $30,201, then at Barrett-Jackson’s Palm Beach auction in April of this year for $46,200, this show rod is done to the highest standards and shows no use at all. It is, to be fair, derivative of Sixties style roadsters but done so well and with such meticulous attention to detail that it brings the whole concept to a new level. The price is half or less what a similar Sixties-built rod would bring. On the streets of Hot August Nights or similar events it will be a fan favorite and for that it is a sound value. Lot # 665 1951 Cadillac Series 62 Convertible; S/N 5162100054; Red/Red vinyl; White vinyl top; Cosmetic restoration, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $53,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $58,300. No Reserve – Automatic, P/S, wheelcovers, whitewall tires, skirts, chrome ring continental kit, P/W, pushbutton radio – Auction car painted assembled and erratically wet sanded with multiple areas left untouched. Engine cleaned then hit with rattle cans of blue. Chrome sparkles and interior is new. Cracked steering wheel rim. Overspray in wheel wells. A car best avoided with little to recommend it. – One step above despicable. One step below reasonably priced. Lot # 680 1958 GMC Suburban Napco 4X4; S/N 101PS1929A; Turquoise Blue, White roof/White, Turquoise Blue vinyl; Recent restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $50,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $55,000. No Reserve – NAPCO 4-wheel drive, Warn front hubs, Fleetmaster Deep Lug tires, 3-row seating, windshield visor, dual outside mirrors, radio, heater – Restored like new with excellent paint, bodywork, chrome, interior and dashboard. A showpiece, rare truck. – A really impressively restored and presented vehicle, fresh and done to the nines. Most NAPCOs were used up and abandoned where they last broke after years of heavy industrial use. They’re coming back into favor among collectors who value their honest, sincere, industrial configuration. Drive your kids to school in this lumpy NAPCO and rows of modern SUVs will cringe in submission. This is no more than a reasonable price for this GMC NAPCO Suburban’s ominous presence and exceptional restoration. Lot # 684.1 1970 Oldsmobile 4-4-2 Convertible; S/N 344670E108232; Sherwood Green, White stripes/Parchment vinyl; White vinyl top; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $50,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $55,000. No Reserve – L31 455/365hp, M22 4-speed, chrome rim SS wheels, F70-14 Polyglas tires, 3.42 limited slip, P/S, P/B, Hurst shifter, bucket seats, no console, AM-FM – Freshly restored better than new without going over the top. Excellent clear coat paint, bright chrome and stainless, accurate underhood finishes. A highly impressive example documented with its build sheet. – With 365 horsepower the L31 was no slouch but it was its 510 lb-ft of torque that made it something to be reckoned with, particularly on the street where it would obliterate a city block while more powerful but higher revving engines were still winding up to their useful power range. This is a very good, desirably equipped example with lots going for it, not least its thorough restoration. It was offered earlier this year at Mecum Kissimmee without selling but found a new home at a very reasonable price here at B-J Reno. Lot # 694 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Convertible; S/N VC57B240608; Red/Red, Silver vinyl; White vinyl top; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $68,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $74,800. No Reserve – 283/220hp, Powerglide, P/S, pushbutton radio, dual rear antennas, spinner wheel covers, whitewalls, power top – Good older restoration with very good paint, chrome and interior. Engine compartment is nicely detailed and clean but showing a little age. – This Bel Air was offered at the Hershey auction in 2003, fresh from restoration. Its odometer today shows just 36 more miles than it did then. It was sold at Barrett-Jackson’s Palm Beach auction earlier this year for $70,400, appropriately congruent with its result here in Reno. Lot # 698 1949 Mercury 9CM 2-Dr. Station Wagon; S/N 9CM46028; Metallic Blue/Saddle leatherette; Visually maintained, largely original, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $76,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $83,600. No Reserve – 255110/hp, overdrive 3-speed, Fenton headers, dual exhaust, three row seating, hubcaps, sombrero trim rings, windshield visor, enclosed rear spare, clock, heater, pushbutton radio – Represented as 37,100 miles from new. Good repaint, chrome and interior. Very good exterior wood with some seam gaps and looks original. Good interior wood and woodgrain paint. Underbody is not to the same standards but is appropriate to the 37,100 miles. – A car that fits no formula. Highly original, sympathetic cosmetic attention, sound wood, desirably equipped: this is one sweet Mercury wagon that brought a price finely calculated to its desirable attributes. It is expensive, but it is full value for the price it brought. Lot # 699 1960 Chevrolet Impala Convertible; S/N 01867F249524; Engine # F0607D; Metallic Blue/Blue houndstooth; White vinyl top; Unrestored original, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $62,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $68,200. No Reserve – 283/170hp, 2-barrel, Powerglide, P/S, P/B, electric wiper, heater, pushbutton radio, power top, bench seat – 34,819 miles, original, thoroughly detailed and better than many, even most, restored cars. A real showpiece whether on the street or the show field. – There isn’t much special about this ’60 Impala Convertible, the kind of car a dealer would order to fill up inventory and have a convertible available on a whim, but its originality, low miles and exceptional condition elevate it far beyond what its specifications and options would otherwise warrant. It is impossible to argue with the opinion of the Reno bidders on this Impala. Lot # 699.1 1969 Oldsmobile 4-4-2 Convertible; S/N 344679M325898; Trophy Blue, White stripes/Parchment vinyl; White vinyl top; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $52,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $57,200. No Reserve – 400/360hp, 4-speed, Hurst shifter, buckets and console, AM-FM, chrome rim SS wheels, Wide Oval tires, P/S, P/B, A/C, P/W, power locks, tilt steering column – Freshly restored to showroom condition with excellent clear coat paint, bright chrome and stainless and sharp interior. Engine and chassis are restored and tagged like they came from the factory. – A sharp, clean, beautifully restored 4-4-2 Convertible that brought an appropriate price for its many positive attributes.
Barrett-Jackson Hot August Nights Reno 2013 – Auction Report Page Four
Lot # 699.2 1969 Chevrolet Camaro SS 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 124379N593096; Engine # T0123JJ; LeMans Blue, White side accent, Parchment vinyl roof/Parchment vinyl; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $100,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $110,000. No Reserve – 396/375hp, L89 heads, M21 4-speed, P/B, steel wheels, hubcaps, Polyglas tires, pushbutton radio, 4.11 Positraction, tilt steering column – Restored like new with excellent clear coat repaint. Bright chrome, crisp interior. Engine compartment and chassis are like new. – Sold by Mecum in Dallas last September for $109,180 then went looking for a new home at Kissimmee in January and Auctions America Ft. Lauderdale without meeting any favor from the bidders. It found its favor here in Reno, and deservedly so, a quality car with a choice engine and drivetrain, but at an optimistic price. Lot # 701 1957 Chrysler New Yorker 4-Dr. Station Wagon Custom; S/N N5727042; Metallic Burgundy, White Pearl roof and accent/Beige leather; Modified restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $57,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $62,700. No Reserve – 5.9 V-8, electronic throttle body fuel injection, automatic, power front disc brakes, P/S, chrome wire wheels, A/C, CD stereo, floor shift, custom black-on-white gauges, sway bars, whitewalls, three row seating, roof rack – Very good paint and interior, good chrome but crudely fit aluminum extrusion side window moldings. Orderly underhood and chassis. Shows the 5,694 miles she’s been driven since completed but still very presentable. – Built by a professional restorer for his own use with a reliable updated drivetrain and all the comfort and convenience goodies an experienced owner could expect. The fact that it looks stock only adds to its appeal and brought a healthy but deserved price for what it is. Lot # 702 1972 Mercedes-Benz 600 4-Dr. Sedan; S/N 10001212002201; Light Gold/Cognac leather; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $80,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $88,000. No Reserve – Power sunroof, Becker Grand Prix with rear seat volume control, Behr A/C, wheel covers, narrow whitewall Michelin radials – Good clearcoat repaint except for the upper surface of the rear deck and top of the roof where it looks like the clear has failed. Good chrome, original interior, interior wood and gauges. Underbody is original. Air suspension is said to work correctly as do the hydraulics. 43,498 miles and in good, clean, straight largely original condition. – This is an amazing car – aside from the paint defects. It is beautifully original and impeccably maintained. It is worth something like $50,000 needing a quality (and expensive) repaint but was blown out of the range of reasonableness in frenetic bidding including several sophisticated dealers who appreciated its originality and exceptional condition. This is an expensive 600 but, aside from the paint defects, it will be hard to find a better one. Lot # 702.1 1950 Jaguar XK 120 Alloy Roadster; S/N 670125; Engine # W1238-8; Brushed Aluminum/Burgundy leather; Black cloth top; Incomplete restoration, 4+ condition; Hammered Sold at $162,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $178,200. No Reserve – Chrome wire wheels, fender mirrors, louvered hood, alloy body meticulously finished and ready for paint – Unnumbered cylinder head, block number matches the original ID tag. A real eye-catching exercise. Hood is new as are some of the other panels. Chassis is dirty with body shop dust. Many details of body mounting remain to be finished. Gauges are not restored. Chrome and wire wheels are new. An imaginatively presented incomplete restoration. – There are many unfinished details on this alloy-bodied XK 120 and although it is a showpiece with its aluminum body unfinished it is a long way from being ready to be driven, let alone shown. With alloy-bodied XK 120s regularly bringing over $200K, though, there is enough room in this price to finish the car off correctly. Lot # 705 1957 Chrysler Saratoga 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N L5719279; Black, Gauguin Red roof and accent/White vinyl, Gauguin Red cloth; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $45,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $49,500. No Reserve – 354/285hp, pushbutton automatic, P/S, P/B, radio, chrome wire wheels, whitewalls – A sharp, pretty cosmetic restoration with excellent paint, bright chrome and stainless and comfortable interior. Underbody is coated in old undercoat. – Pretty colors, gorgeous fins and all the equipment expected for a Chrysler, it’s no C 300, but it’s a handsome Fifties’ cruiser that brought a full retail price. Lot # 709 1966 Chevrolet Nova 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 118376N131708; Black/Black vinyl; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $70,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $77,000. No Reserve – L79 327/350hp, 4-speed, silver Rally wheels with trim rings and red line tires, pushbutton radio, buckets and console, no P/S or P/B – Restored like new, fresh and crisp with factory style finishes underhood and under the car. Some scratched aluminum trim. Replacement block erratically restamped with matching numbers. Intake manifold beautifully painted in clear coat silver. A little over the top. – This is a lovely Nova that should go like the wind with its L79 small block and 4-speed, but it’s unfortunate that the restorer chose to give it a clumsy restamp even while honestly describing it as a later date-coded replacement block. That didn’t seem to deter the Reno bidders, however, who appreciated this car for its outstanding appearance. It is fully but not excessively valued at this price. Lot # 711 1970 Plymouth Road Runner Superbird 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N RM23V0A171645; Orange, Black vinyl roof/Black vinyl; Modified restoration, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $70,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $77,000. No Reserve – 440/390hp Six Barrel, automatic, B&M shifter, Moroso fuse panel, underdash tach, Blue NASCAR style wheels, pushbutton radio, side outlet exhaust, windshield and rear window retention bars – NASCAR style boy racer. Decent looking but casually finished paint. Sound interior. Good nose cone fit. Old undercoat in wheelwells. – This Superbird would be worth more without all the custom touches but at this price the new owner has plenty of latitude to put it right. Appropriately coded for the Six Barrel engine that’s in it, although no assurance was given that it is the original engine. Lot # 712 1969 Oldsmobile 4-4-2 Convertible; S/N 344679M251333; Crimson Red, White stripes/Parchment vinyl; White vinyl top; Recent restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $63,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $69,300. No Reserve – 400/360hp, 4-speed, Hurst shifter, buckets and console, Hurst 5-spoke wheels, Wide Oval tires, AM-FM, P/S, P/B, W32 under-bumper Ram Air added – Represented as matching numbers. Restored like new with excellent paint, chrome, interior and everything else. Thoroughly documented with original car invoice, Protect-O-Plate, retail order, owner’s manual and original temp tag, too. – Sold at Mecum’s Indianapolis sale in May for $56,710, the consignor scored a nice turn with this sale. 4-4-2s are the hot ticket today among American Muscle but even at $12,600 more than it brought three months ago it would be unfair to characterize this 4-4-2 convertible as expensive. Lot # 713 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe; S/N 30837S111542; Engine # 3111542 F0319RE; Ermine White/Red vinyl; Visually maintained, largely original, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $85,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $93,500. No Reserve – 327/340hp, 4-speed, spinner wheelcovers, narrow whitewalls, woodgrain steering wheel, AM-FM – 77,381 miles from new, represented as matching numbers. Good repaint done in 1990, good original interior with appropriate patina. Orderly engine compartment. An impressive largely original split window coupe. – This result includes a modest and appropriate premium of $15-20,000 for the originality and known miles.
Barrett-Jackson Hot August Nights Reno 2013 – Auction Report Page Five
Lot # 719 1963 Chevrolet Corvette FI Convertible; S/N 30867S102186; Black/Red vinyl; Black vinyl top; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $175,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $192,500. No Reserve – 327/360hp, 4-speed, AM-FM, spinner wheel covers, narrow whitewalls, heater – No numbers on the engine and represented as not matching numbers. An older restoration to nearly like new condition, with polished valve covers and plenum. Loose corner on the driver’s door panel. Polishing swirled paint, good chrome. Not fresh, but an outstanding driver. – Sold at Barrett-Jackson WestWorld in 2007 for $79,200, but this is a huge result for an erratically restored Corvette showing the age of its restoration. Even if the leading “1” were wiped off this result it would be expensive for a non-numbers matching Corvette with no representation of its correct original configuration. Lot # 721 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 124379N711180; Engine # V1024DZ; Black, White stripes/White, Black houndstooth; Recent restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $69,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $76,450. No Reserve – 302/290hp with cross-ram dual quads, 4-speed, console gauges, pushbutton radio, Rally wheels with trim rings, Wide Tread GT tires, P/B, no P/S, cowl induction hood – Nicely restored retaining the air pump and air injection plumbing. Upgraded with cross-ram but represented as matching numbers. Replacement cowl tag. Good paint, major chrome and interior. Engine is nearly like new but could be better if it were more thoroughly cleaned up. Scuffed windshield moldings. – This Camaro was sold at Auburn Fall in 2004 for $69,120, then at Barrett-Jackson WestWorld in January of this year for $110,000. There are some doubts about its configuration and a few about its presentation, but none about the quality of its drivetrain. It is a sound value at this price. Lot # 722 1971 Chevrolet Chevelle SS LS5 Convertible; S/N 136671L177585; Engine # T0521CPA 177585; Medium Blue, Black stripes/Black vinyl; Black vinyl top; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $77,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $84,700. No Reserve – 454/365hp, 4-speed, P/S, P/B, F41 suspension, Rally wheels, trim rings, F60-15 Polyglas GT tires, cowl induction, pushbutton radio, buckets and console – Restored like new with better paint and chrome. Detailed better than new under the hood. Represented as original engine, transmission and rear axle. Excellent bodywork and panel fits. – Sold at Mecum Indy in 2011 for $76,850, then at Barrett-Jackson Orange County in 2012 for $99,000 and Russo and Steele Monterey two months later for $85,240. Those number pretty much validate multiple bidders’ determination of its value. Lot # 726 1961 Chevrolet Corvette FI Convertible Race Car; S/N 10867S103377; White, Blue stripe/Blue vinyl; No top; Competition restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $135,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $148,500. No Reserve – 292 cubic inch Traco-built 400hp race engine, 4.11 Positraction, 4-speed, RPO 687 brakes and suspension, braced roll bar, stock seats, wide steel wheels, extended studs, Hoosier slicks, fire system, fuel cell, headers, dual brake circuit, extra date code correct block – Actively raced by Wes Abendroth, very tidy and clean. Appears to be race ready. Not registered for the street until the 80’s and may have been a GM engineering car. Surprisingly good paint, chrome and interior. – This is a serious historic race car that appears to have been raced from new and is presented in excellent, well maintained condition. It shows active use, but also appropriate maintenance and continuous upkeep. It’s amazing what has been learned about engine preparation in the fifty years since this would have been optimistically rated at 315hp from 283 cubic inches, and it will last longer, too. The price it brought represents but a fraction of what has been spent on it and the new owner got an exhilarating driving experience for modest cost. Lot # 727 1957 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz Convertible; S/N 5762056562; Olympic White/White, Red leather; White vinyl top; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $100,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $110,000. No Reserve – 365/325hp, automatic, P/S, P/B, Autronic Eye, silver Sabre wheels, whitewall tires, factory A/C, WonderBar radio, tinted glass, parade boot – A decent older restoration done to showy driver standards. Good paint and major chrome. Scuffed window sill stainless. Underbody shows some age and use. Sound original leather upholstery. A pretty parade car. – The Eldorado Biarritz has one of the sexiest derrieres ever put on an automobile. The car is the personification of Fifties’ confidence and excess and is highly appreciated by collectors, or people who want to show off in exceptional style, which fully supports the price it brought here in Reno. Lot # 728 1968 Shelby Mustang GT500 Convertible; S/N 8T03S178847-02897; Acapulco Blue/Black vinyl; White vinyl top; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $122,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $134,200. No Reserve – 428/335hp, 4-speed, P/S, P/B, shoulder harnesses, pushbutton radio, tilt steering column, 10-spoke alloy wheels, Wide Oval tires, fog lights – An older (2009) restoration to like new condition. Good paint, chrome and interior. No longer fresh but more than good enough for all but the most obsessive Shelby fan. – A 4-speed GT500 Convertible is a rare and highly desirable combination. It shouldn’t be hard, or expensive, to put this one back into show quality condition, but neither is it so expensive that it can’t be driven (carefully). This is an appropriate price for both the seller and the buyer. Lot # 729 1959 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible; S/N J59S106305; Engine # F311CT; Black, Silver coves/Red vinyl; Black vinyl top; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $75,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $82,500. No Reserve – 283/245hp dual quads, 4-speed, cassette stereo, spinner wheel covers, whitewall tires – Good older restoration to like new condition now showing a little ago but not much use. Fuel residue in the intake manifold, scuffed paint, good chrome and interior. Seat belts dated February 2004 which probably pretty closely dates the restoration, engine block appropriately stamped for its configuration. – Sold at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale in 2006 for $140,400 shortly after the restoration. The hydraulic lifter dual quad engine is going to be a very nice driver, something which, from the car’s nearly unused presentation, it hasn’t been, an observation backed up by the 20 miles showing on the odometer. The new owner could have paid more without paying too much. Lot # 730 1957 Chevrolet Corvette FI Convertible; S/N E57S103873; Engine # F?17EL; Red, Beige coves, Red hardtop/Red vinyl; White vinyl top; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $135,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $148,500. No Reserve – 283/283hp, updated with 4-speed (as most early ’57 Corvettes were), WonderBar radio, heater, spinner wheelcovers, bias ply whitewalls, two tops – Engine number is irregularly stamped. Good interior. Paint and chrome shined up well but one look under the hood at the dull, oil misted engine and the restoration’s age is apparent. The underbody is clean and nearly like new. – Sold at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale in 2007 for exactly the same price, $148,500. The seller here should have spent a little more time and money with pre-auction detailing, but even that won’t overcome the odd engine stamp. It could have brought less and still not been a bargain. Lot # 7003 1970 Pontiac GTO Convertible; S/N 242670P164555; Engine # 0248762 YC; Forest Green, Yellow Judge accents/Sandalwood vinyl; White vinyl top; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $110,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $121,000. No Reserve – 455/370hp, automatic, Ram Air IV hood and air cleaner, P/S, P/B, bench seat, pushbutton radio, Rally II wheels with trim rings and Wide Oval tires – Freshly restored with excellent cosmetics. Better than new without going too far although the flashy Judge trim is not original to it. Represented as numbers matching original engine and transmission. Feature car sold at 6PM Saturday. – A twist on the usual run of GTOs, the 455 cubic inch YC coded Ram Air IV was added mid-year and appears rarely. The bidders looked right by the Judge accents and paid a reasonable price of the underlying GTO, maybe discounted a little for the effort and expense of removing the Judge trim. It is a good value at this price.
[Source: Rick Carey]
I appreciate the detailed/honest coverage seldom seen in other publications on a BJ auction. I enjoyed the individual lot description and honest evaluation. Great story -thanks!