Branson Collector Car Spring 2013 – Auction Report
Branson Spring Auction, Branson Landing Convention Center, Branson, Missouri, April 12-13, 2013
Report and photos by Rick Carey, Auction Editor
There are three important facets to Jim and Kathy Cox’s Branson Auction:
1. It’s always a good time;
2. There are always some intriguing, unusual cars; and
3. Good values for buyers are balanced by good results for consignors.
The results described below depict variable results as the Branson Auction team recovers from 2010’s ‘Leap Day’ tornado and searches for the sweet spot between car values and appeal to collectors.
The 2013 Branson Spring Collector Car auction featured several unusually sound unrestored cars [XKE Series I Coupe and Dodge Brothers roadster, for example] that highlight the depths of the restorable resource lurking in Branson’s Middle America region. An offering of open wheel race cars should have found homes but didn’t find buyers attuned to their appeal.
The Branson area has raised its game in the past few years and now offers amenities in accommodations and dining that rival, and in many cases surpass, those of other auction venues. Combined with good cars, attractive values and a welcoming atmosphere it’s a great opportunity.
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Branson Collector Car Spring 2013 – Auction Report
Lot # 501 Mini-Indy Formula 440; S/N; Yellow/Tan; Competition car, original as-raced, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $1,700 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $1,836. – John Deere-built 440cc twin, belt drive continuously variable transmission, disc brakes, roll cage – Huge rear wing, nearly big enough for a World of Outlaws sprinter, hard Goodyear slicks, sound but poorly fit bodywork. Generally aged and used, but not recently. – This might be better than a go-kart, but it’s definitely in need of comprehensive attention before its not inconsiderable performance potential is put to use. At this price, though, the new owner can invest what’s needed to make it both fast and safe. It’s a bargain. Lot # 509 1962 Cadillac Deville Convertible; S/N 62F039365; White/White leather; White vinyl top; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $23,500 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $25,380. – 390/325hp, automatic, factory A/C, pushbutton radio, Autronic Eye, wheel covers, narrow whitewalls, A/C P/W, P/bench seat, P/W – Decent paint and chrome, aged and surface cracked original leather upholstery. Tidy and detailed engine compartment. A sound and usable Cadillac. – Offered at MotoExotica’s Phoenix auction in 2011 when it was bronze. The repaint has gussied it up a little and it brought a representative price for its look and equipment. Lot # 512 1917 Dodge Brothers Model 30 Roadster; S/N C8317110; Blue, Black fenders/Black; Black top; Visually maintained, largely original, 3 condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $14,000. – Blue artillery wheels, wide whitewalls, single rear spare – Painted a long time ago but still presentable in a touring environment, this Dodge Brothers really needs nothing more than a good home and a little loving attention to be a real standout on tours and in parades. – I spotted this Dodge across the parking lot on Friday evening and made a 90 degree detour to go check it out, it’s that different. John and Horace Dodge built quality cars, and it shows. It’s not surprising the consignor preferred the car to the money offered. Lot # 515 1958 Unknown Rambler Open Wheel race car; S/N; Yellow/Black; Competition restoration, 3- condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $8,000. – Rambler Statesman L-head six, 3-speed, black wire wheels, transverse leaf spring suspension, rear wheel brakes, electric starter – Quickly cosmetically restored with little attention to more than cleanup and repaint. A cute car with potential for some fun, but not much more – There were several interesting midget race cars in Branson this year of which this was the least attractive. It also brought the smallest bid and like the others failed to find an audience. Lot # 519 1979 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am Coupe; S/N 2W87Z9L164959; Black/Black Vinyl; Modified restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $26,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $28,080. – 400/220hp, 4-speed, T-tops, shaker hood, P/S, P/W, P/locks, tilt steering column, WS6 suspension, AM/FM/CB radio, sport steering wheel, A/C – A plain Trans Am dressed up with Special Edition features and graphics. Documented with build sheet, window sticker and PHS paperwork. Good paint and interior, clean instruments and very clean and orderly underhood. – Trans Ams have been popping up seemingly everywhere recently, in far larger proportion than their production would suggest and bringing good money. This showy and somewhat dressed up Trans Am is a good example of the model’s appeal and value, especially in the late 70’s when tire smoking power was not one of its selling points. Lot # 522 1969 Oldsmobile 4-4-2 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 344879M374335; Yellow, Black accent/Black; Cosmetic restoration, 2- condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $22,500. – 400/325hp, automatic, factory A/C, P/S, P/B, buckets and console, Rally wheels with trim rings, Radial T/A tires – Represented as ‘original 400 V-8 engine’. Good paint, chrome and interior, very clean and accurately presented underhood. A sharp 4-4-2. – The seller’s decision to take this handsome Trans Am home rather than accepting the money offered is understandable. It should be a $30,000 car. Lot # 532 1975 Triumph Spitfire Convertible; S/N FM33208U; Yellow/Black; Black top; Visually maintained, largely original, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $4,200 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $4,536. – Steel wheels, trim rings, blackwall radial tires – Decent older repaint over old paint, worn but usable original interior, carpets and interior trim. Steering wheel wrapped in a quicky leather cover, instrument panel wood veneered. Reported to have new brake master, clutch slave cylinder. Downdraft 2-barrel Weber carb, CD ignition module. Chassis is aged and oxidized. A usable driver quality Spitfire. – This is a car with potential, either as a driver in pretty much its present condition or as a nice long term project. It is a sound basis for either and a good value at this price. Lot # 542 1947 Ford Coupe; S/N M19Y1367; Red/Red, White vinyl; Modified restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $27,250 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $29,430. – Hubcaps, trim rings, whitewalls, skirts, flathead V-8, Offenhauser heads, dual carbs, headers, dual spotlights, turn signals, 3-speed on the column – Done to high but subtle standards (although there’s nothing subtle about the paint color) as a tasteful street rodder might have done it in 1950. Great paint, chrome, stainless and interior, but the steering wheel is cracked and its chrome is thin. Very orderly and sharp underhood. The challenge is to figure out the chassis number, which seems to relate to nothing. – Sold here in 2007 for $24,910, then reported sold at the Leake Oklahoma City auction in February for $18,810. It brought a price today that is fair to both the buyer and the seller. It would look great with ‘Fire Chief’ graphics.
Branson Collector Car Spring 2013 – Auction Report Page Two
Lot # 543 1967 Jaguar XKE SI 4.2 Fixed Head Coupe; S/N 1E33736; Red/Black leather; Unrestored original, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $20,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $21,600. – 4-speed, silver painted wire wheels, blackwall tires, pushbutton radio – Aged but clean and highly original with what appears to be one old repaint. 56,983 miles on the odometer look real. A little too far gone to be preserved but a very viable and straightforward restoration project. – One of several well-preserved highly original cars that crossed the Branson auction block this week, a valuable find for a restorer or collector looking for a reasonable restoration project in one of the sexiest bodied cars ever built, the XKE coupe. The point is often made, but worth repeating, that when the XKE came out it was the fixed head coupe, not the convertible, that people swooned over. It is gorgeous, and the new owner at this price has plenty of room to make it into a car show star. Bought right. Lot # 544 1964 Porsche 356SC Coupe, Body by Reutter; S/N 127119; Engine # P810519; Red/Black Leather; Cosmetic restoration, 2- condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $47,000. – 1,720cc engine correctly numbered for this series, Blaupunkt multi-band radio, Talbot outside mirror, Nardi woodrim steering wheel, mesh headlight stoneguards – Engine case matches Porsche Certificate, as do the colors. Described as a single family from new and very attractively presented without being overdone. – Coming at the end of the 356 Porsche’s history, the SC represents the pinnacle of engineering, development and experience with the 356 concept and the pushrod flat 4-cylinder engine. The bid is modest for a Normal coupe, and insufficient for this SC even with the hopped up engine. Think $50-60,000. Lot # 546 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air Nomad 2-Dr. Station Wagon; S/N VC55L041258; Neptune Green, Sea Mist roof/Green, White vinyl; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; Post-block sale at $69,444 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $75,000. – 265/162hp, Powerglide, pushbutton radio, stoplight viewer, wheel covers, whitewall tires, oil filter, electric wipers, E-Z Eye tinted glass – Restored like new with very good paint, chrome and interior, orderly and like new underhood. This is a very good example of a highly desirable model and body style. – Sold here last Fall for $46,200, then offered at Mecum Kansas City in December and Kissimmee in January. Unsold on the block but closed later at this price, the new owner got full value for this amount of money, a car to be proud to own, drive and show. Lot # 549 1957 Chrysler 300C 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 3N571071; Cloud White/Buckskin leather; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $37,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $39,960. – 392/375hp dual quads, automatic, wheel covers, whitewall tires, P/S, P/B, pushbutton radio – Good paint, chrome and interior. Neatly presented in nearly showroom condition underhood. Interior shows a little age but not much use. More than attractive enough to show locally. – The expanse of the 300C’s unembellished flanks are a pallette for competent auto body technicians. They show the slightest shortcut or lack of attention, and this example’s are exceptional. The 300C is the most attractive of all the 300s. This one was offered here last fall and found a home today at a representative price. 300Cs are worth a lot more if they’re jewelry, which this one isn’t, but driving jewelry rapidly eats into its premium value. Lot # 551 1974 Jaguar XKE SIII V12 Roadster; S/N UE1S25461; Primrose Yellow/Black leather; Black top; Older restoration, 2- condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $43,000. – 4-speed, chrome wire wheels, blackwall tires, AM-FM – Restored some time ago to like new condition with some subsequent use and age but still a very good example that needs nothing to be driven, and only a thorough detailing to be shown. – Sold by Auctions America at Ft. Lauderdale a year ago for $44,000, then at Auburn Fall last Labor Day for $35,750. As its history shows, it could have been sold without regret for the reported high bid. Lot # 552 1954 MG TF Roadster; S/N 31626T; Metallic Green/Black Leather; Beige cloth top; Older restoration, 2- condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $34,000. – Silver painted wire wheels, blackwall tires – Restored some time ago in a bright, tree-frog, green metallic hue with little use but showing the restoration’s age. Detailing should restore much of its freshness, or use it as is where it will be one of the best T-series MGs on any tour. – The reported bid is realistic for this TF’s aging restoration. Lot # 556 1960 Austin-Healey 3000 Mk I Roadster; S/N HBT7L8943; Red, Red hardtop/Black Leather; Black top; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $27,500 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $29,700. – Fender mirrors, chrome wire wheels, blackwall radials, two tops – Restored to like new condition and showing some use and age but still in very satisfying condition. The two tops make it especially attractive to collectors looking for more than six months usability. – The successful bidder for this Healey got a sound and usable car for a realistic price. A few thousand more would not have made it expensive. Lot # 559 1968 Shelby Mustang GT500 Fastback; S/N 8T02S143415-01542; Highland Green/Black vinyl; Recent restoration, 2 condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $107,000. – 428/335hp, 4-speed, P/S, P/B, woodrim steering wheel, Sport Deck rear seat, tilt steering column, pushbutton radio, 10-spoke alloy wheels, Radial T/A tires – Freshly restored with excellent paint, chrome and interior to showroom condition. Desirably optioned including the 4-speed and ready to show or drive with pride. – The consignor isn’t wrong to hold on to this GT500 in hopes of getting more for it. It could have been bid to $115,000 and not been unreasonable.
Branson Collector Car Spring 2013 – Auction Report Page Three
Lot # 561 1966 Lincoln Gotham Cruiser Replica; S/N 6Y81A852836; Black, /; Rebodied or re-created, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $160,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $172,800. – Batmobile Replica – This VIN doesn’t decode to anything other than a 1966 Lincoln built in Wixom. There is no ’81’ body series code and the ‘A’ engine is a 289/225hp that never appeared in a Lincoln. All of which, in essence, makes no difference at all because this car is bought because it’s a nifty Batmobile replica with vividly labeled switches that can be read even by old guys not wearing their specs. – It would be a stretch to put much faith in this result, but it will get full marks from grandsons and granddaughters. Presented on the block with two very cute kids in Batman and Robin costumes, that is its appeal. At this price it’s an indulgence, but one that will get plenty of attention. It will be a great grocery-getter, and think of the crowd it will draw taking a kid to school. It is a lot better value than $4.2 million for one of George Barris’s in Scottsdale earlier this year. Lot # 562 1956 Pontiac Safari 2-Dr. Station Wagon; S/N W756H11116; Sandalwood Tan, Sunburst Beige/Rust & Beige Leather; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $52,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $56,160. – 317/227hp, automatic, P/S, tissue dispenser, front bumper overriders, pushbutton radio, heater, wheel covers, bias ply whitewalls, dual exhaust – Owned in the 50’s and 60’s by Bob Shane, lead singer of the Kingston Trio. Meticulously restored in the original colors and materials and exhaustively documented with paper usually lost in the history of cars this old. Very good paint, chrome and interior, detailed to very good standards and mechanically freshened with rebuilt brakes and a cleaned and reconditioned gas tank. – Sold for $44,800 at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale in 2010, then for $47,150 at Bonhams Scottsdale last August. The power steering is unusual and makes it much more enjoyable to drive, as does the 227hp Pontiac V-8. Based on its history, presentation and rarity it is a sound buy at this price. Lot # 563 1923 Rolls-Royce Twenty Roadster, Body by William Watson; S/N 50S6; Cream/Tan Leather; Tan cloth top top; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $90,000. – Nickel brightwork, Marchal lights, rumble seat, rear-mounted spare, Smiths rim wind clock. Flared clamshell front fenders, body color centerlock wire wheels. – Shaky body history but possibly original to the chassis and almost definitely dating to the Thirties but with later fenders. Sound old restoration with years and miles on it but appealing and certainly intriguing. Freshly detailed and sharp. – Sold at Bonhams Scottsdale auction in January for $71,730 and offered at Worldwide Auburn last September with a high bid of $70,000. An intriguing car that occupies an interesting place in the evolution of Rolls-Royce, not the least because of its sporting roadster coachwork. It could have been sold, happily, at the reported high bid. Lot # 564 1951 Hudson Pacemaker Convertible Brougham; S/N 4A38412; Red/Burgundy leather; Black cloth top; Cosmetic restoration, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $37,500 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $40,500. – 232/112hp, overdrive 3-speed, hubcaps, trim rings, whitewalls, heater, pushbutton radio, bumper overriders, skirts, sill moldings – Good older paint, chrome and interior, orderly underhood. Restored long ago to the standards of the time and no longer up to date as well as showing some age and use but still highly presentable and usable. A good, quality, driver. – Sold at Kruse Scottsdale in 1992 for $17,100 in essentially the same condition as it was presented here two decades later. An unusual car that will draw admiring glances wherever it appears for a reasonable price. Lot # 565 1941 Cadillac Sixty Special Open Front Opera Coupe; S/N 4160195; Blue/Fawn Leather; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $60,000. – Large hubcaps, whitewalls, skirts, oval quarter windows, pushbutton radio – There’s a story somewhere behind this highly unusual Cadillac, said to be one of three with the odd 2-door body style. Badged Fleetwood on the fenders, for what it’s worth. A clean and usable older restoration with good cosmetics, orderly and hardly used, just a little aged, underhood. – Offered at Kruse Las Vegas in 2004 with a high bid of $45,000, then reported sold at Auburn Fall later that year for $49,680. Offered at Worldwide Hilton Head in 2007 and RM Ft. Lauderdale in 2011. If someone could capture the history of this – to say the least – unusual two-door opera coupe coachwork this car might be worth a bundle. The seller already thinks it’s worth a bundle. Lot # 566 1949 MG TC Roadster; S/N TC7636; Pale Primrose/Red Leather; Beige cloth top; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $29,000. – Chrome wire wheels, blackwall tires, badge bar, driving light, aluminum valve and lifter covers, oil filter – A good older restoration that shows more age than use. Sound and presentable paint and chrome, good interior, loose-fitting top. A sound and presentable driver quality TC that most people will be very happy to own and drive. – Sold at Mecum’s Monterey auction in 2011 for $22,790. The reported high bid here should have been more than enough to see it change hands. Lot # 568 1930 Ford Model A Huckster Wagon; S/N A2104160; Red, Black fenders and accent/Brown leatherette; Rebodied or re-created, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $16,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $17,280. – Black wire wheels, whitewall tires, sidemount spare, bed side curtains, radiator stone guard, quail radiator cap, sidelights – Attractively but flamboyantly restored with new wood bodywork from the cowl back. Good paint, chrome and interior. Almost like new underhood but with a few errant details showing the restoration’s age. A showy driver. – For tooling around town this Model A Huckster is ideal, but it is even more valuable to some agricultural entrepreneur who loads up the back with produce and presents the ensemble at farmer’s markets. It would earn its price in a few months, particularly a price this modest. Sure, the body is new, but that’s not going to make a difference to most folks. Lot # 570 1951 Studebaker Champion Convertible; S/N G1076909; Tulip Cream/Tan Leather; Tan cloth top; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $24,500 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $26,460. – 233/120hp, automatic, pushbutton radio, oil filter, large hubcaps, whitewalls – A competent older restoration of an unusual car: Champions came only with the 170 cubic inch six but this ‘Champion’ (with the correct Champion VIN) has a V-8. Such things happen, but …. Described as a Katrina victim with extensive subsequent work to keep it from being lost. Sound paint but thin trim chrome. A car better passed until its mysteries can be resolved. – The new owner is brave to take on the combination of flooding risk and an engine/chassis configuration that is not recognized.
Branson Collector Car Spring 2013 – Auction Report Page Four
Lot # 572 1965 Triumph TR4A-IRS Roadster; S/N CTC50221L; Red/Black leatherette; Black leatherette top; Visually maintained, largely original, 3 condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $19,000. – Chrome wire wheels, blackwall tires, pushbutton radio, heater, wind wings – A decent driver with sound paint and interior, loose-fitting top and sound but mediocre upholstery. – Reported sold at Kruse Auburn Fall in 2003 for $14,264, then at RM Amelia in 2012 for $30,800 and Auctions America Auburn Fall last year for $20,350. It is not a surprise that the reported high bid didn’t succeed in prying it loose from the seller. Lot # 573 1929 Packard 640 Phaeton; S/N 178610; Blue, Dark Blue fenders/Black leather; Beige cloth top; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $110,000. – Dual sidemounts with mirrors, primrose wire wheels, chrome lock rings, wide whitewall tires, Trippe lights, radiator stoneguard, wind wings, dual windshields, luggage trunk, chrome hood side vents – A quality older restoration, but no longer fresh. The paint, chrome and interior are good but no longer show quality and the colors are dated. This Packard is an attractive tour car, but not much more than that. – You could do worse than roll down the highway in this classic Packard, even with its dated colors. It shouldn’t take much, if any, more to see it change hands and would be a lot of classic Packard for the money. Lot # 574 1962 Austin-Healey 3000 Mk II Roadster; S/N ABT7L16798; Red, Red hardtop/Beige; Red top; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $23,500 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $25,380. – Silver painted wire wheels, badge bar, dual Lucas driving lights, whitewall tires, two tops, tri-bar headlights, overdrive 4-speed, luggage rack, Lecarra woodrim steering wheel, fender mirrors – An attractively cosmetically restored car with an impressive roster of options and fittings. Overdrive isn’t working, nor is the speedometer (how many consignors disclose that?) Neat and orderly, a great driver Big Healey. – There is a lot of equipment on this Healey that contributes significantly to its value yet is hardly recognized in the price it brought here. It is a good value at this price and the new owner is going to have a great time with it. Lot # 575 1933 Ford Model B Race Car; S/N; Engine # A1704901; White/Black; Competition restoration, 2- condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $17,000. – Aluminum cylinder head, distributor ignition, dual downdraft single barrel carbs (with looong velocity stacks) on Zepher intake, transverse leaf spring suspension, Houdaille lever shocks, nobby dirt rear tires, green painted Ford wire wheels, rear mechanical brakes only – Described as a Model B, the block number is from a 1929 Model A. Long wheelbase chassis with ample room under the hood for a six, maybe even an eight. Very nicely presented in clean and orderly condition with good cosmetics, an essentially turnkey vintage racer. – The historic racers were just not here, more’s the pity. There were some very interesting race cars, in good condition, that could make for some fun days at the track. Lot # 577 1952 Oldsmobile Super 88 Convertible; S/N AZ334788; Royal Turquoise/Red Leather; Black cloth top; Older restoration, 2- condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $50,000. – 303/160hp, automatic, red steel wheels with hubcaps and trim rings, whitewalls, dual outside mirrors, windshield washers, P/S – Sound paint, chrome and interior. Sharp engine compartment. Restored like new with very good cosmetics. – This Olds should have attracted another $10,000 or so and would not have been unreasonably priced even then. Lot # 579 1936 Packard 120B Business Coupe; S/N 9981796; Red/Grey leather; Recent restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $29,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $31,320. – 282/120hp inline eight, 3-speed, dual enclosed sidemounts, hubcaps, trim rings, wide whitewalls, fog lights, turn signals – While it’s hard to imagine a salesman making his rounds in such a bright red Packard, maybe it was in furtherance of selling Dentyne cinnamon gum. A lot of it. Paint, chrome and interior are good, and the presence is nothing if not eye-catching. – Reported sold at Auctions America’s Fall Auburn last Labor Day weekend for $25,300. It turned a modest profit here in Branson and, like the bright red Ford that sold earlier today, would look great dressed up as a Fire Chief’s car … or promoting Big Red gum. Lot # 585 1965 Duke Westerhous Ford Pinto Midget Race Car; S/N; Black/Black; Competition car, original as-raced, 3+ condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $10,500. – Fuel injected Pinto overhead cam engine, left front and dual rear disc brakes, transverse leaf spring suspension, chrome nerf bars, polished centerlock alloy wheels, Hoosier tires, removable roll cage and roll bar – A very orderly Midget that exhibits quality presentation and preparation but hasn’t been used for some time and will need attention before it’s unleashed. – There’s something not very sexy about a race car with a Pinto engine. It’s not the performance, it’s the connotation. There was limited interest on the block, as the price indicates. Lot # 586 1953 Ellis Evans Chevy II Midget Race Car; S/N None; Black, ‘Junkyard Dog’/Black; Competition restoration, 3+ condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $8,000. – FI Chevy II, centerlock alloy wheels, removable rollover cage, 4-wheel disc brakes, transverse leaf spring suspension, tube shocks – This is this midget’s latest engine, following an Offy and a V8-60, and runs on methanol. Includes a trailer. Presented in clean and responsible old race car condition. – If the connotations of Pinto power are stifling, Chevy II power may be even worse, particularly when the appeal of this car with an Offy or dressed up V8-60 is considered. Even at that, it would have been a great value at this price or a few thousand more.
[Source: Rick Carey]
