Mecum Auctions, The Reliant Center, Houston, Texas, April 10-12, 2014
Mecum hasn’t been coming to Houston for very long but already they’ve made themselves known.
Mecum’s Houston auction was capped by the $7 million hammer ($7,560,000 with commission) sale of Ford GT prototype GT/104, a car that – if comparison is needed – Gooding & Company sold at Pebble Beach in August 2012, not quite two years ago for $4,500,000.
But that wasn’t the real message. Mecum gathered 1,025 cars for Houston, a consignment that dwarfs that managed by the established players in Texas. The $33.1 million sale total – $25+million even without the GT40 – is right up there with all the collector car auctions held in Texas last year combined.
At the same time, however, Mecum’s median transaction was just $30,240, an amount that is entirely accessible to serious but not necessarily well-heeled collectors. At 62.2% of the $48,625 average sale (including the GT40), Mecum’s Houston auction is a largely flat and accessible consignment. It is a celebration of collecting cars, and Mecum Auctions has mastered the formula as well as, if not better than, anyone else.
A thousand cars in the weekend? Amazing.
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[On-site observations in Houston are capably made by Andrew C. Newton; comments, snarky and otherwise, as always are the responsibility of the editor.]
Mecum Houston 2014 – Auction Report
Lot # F028 1963 Ford Falcon Convertible; S/N 3H15F236619; White/Red and White leather; Cosmetic restoration, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $12,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $12,960. No Reserve. 260/164hp, automatic, wire wheel covers, thin whitewalls, power top, dash-mounted tach, leather-wrapped steering wheel. – Recent but average quality respray. Brand new interior. Well used frame and engine bay. A pretty open-top driver, but nothing special. – A no-show at Kissimmee earlier this year, The wait was worth it at this price, fair to both the buyer and the seller (and a third of what it’d cost for a ’64 Mustang convertible with a V-8.) Lot # F037 1981 DeLorean DMC-12 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N SCEDT26T7BD003016; Brushed stainless steel/Grey leather; Visually maintained, largely original, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $26,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $28,080. 5-speed, Lexington tires, P/W, Dolby digital radio. – Some scratches and dings on the stainless steel body but overall quite good for a DeLorean. Strong original interior. Clean original engine bay and undercarriage. Represented as a largely original car with less than 5,000 miles, showing much less on the odometer: 4,341. Probably one of the more well preserved DMC-12s out there. Far and away better than the one other example in this sale. – A car with its own cult following, sure to delight the Sheldon Coopers of the world even without a working flux capacitor. This is a modest price to pay for a low miles example in good condition like this, although low mileage DeLoreans are not uncommon, the fate of its hype as an ‘instant collectible’ when new.Lot # F071 1936 Ford Model 18 Coupe 5-Window; S/N 182247718; Black/Brown cloth; Modified restoration, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $27,500 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $29,700. Mercury Flathead, 3-speed, hydraulic brakes, 12v electrics, Hankook whitewalls, amber fog lights, rear-mounted spare, rumble seat, roll out windshield, roll-down rear window, leather-wrapped banjo steering wheel, interior dome light, modern fuel, oil pressure and oil temperature gauges. – Very good paint. Decent chrome and interior with some minor imperfections. Very well equipped 5 Window Coupe that is also very presentable and correct although updated with worthwhile modifications for safety and utility. – An eminently usable and potentially satisfying car for tours, events or just driving around on a nice day, it would cost way more than the price paid to put this Ford into the condition presented here and on that alone the buyer got a sound value.Lot # F074.1 1972 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible; S/N 1522137522; Red/Black vinyl; Black vinyl top; Cosmetic restoration, 3- condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $10,000. 4-speed, Mastercraft tires, door pockets, locking glove compartment. – Poorly done recent respray. Signal and taillight lenses are cracking. Brake drums showing surface rust. Decent interior. Cute car, but it leaves a lot to be desired. – Cute is not the same as good and if there was real money anywhere close to the reported high bid the seller should have been on it like an ant at a picnic. Barely better than despicable.Lot # F094.1 1957 BMW-Isetta 300 Coupe; S/N 500812; Yellow, , White/Grey cloth; Grey vinyl top; Older restoration, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $19,500 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $21,060. No Reserve. 298/13hp, 4-speed, sunroof, luggage rack. – Decent paint and chrome. Solid interior. Not as pristine as the many show-quality Isettas that are starting to crop up, but nevertheless very presentable and in need of nothing. – This is something of a bargain, with sound and presentable Isettas bringing $30K and more with relative ease.Lot # F096.1 1989 Mercedes-Benz 560SL Convertible; S/N WDBBA48D3KA098554; Black, , Gold pinstripe/Tan leather; Unrestored original, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $37,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $39,960. 5.6/227hp, automatic, two tops, Uniroyal Tiger Paw tires, P/W, A/C, Becker Grand Prix radio. – Very good original paint and interior. Good chrome. Reasonably tidy engine bay. One owner from new, very low miles, 20,722 on the odometer represented as original. A well kept original car that seems a lot younger than 25 years old. Documented with the original window sticker and factory books in their original sleeve. – This is a huge increment for this 560SL’s originality, low miles and single ownership from new. This price could have bought the best restored 560SL in the world, and reflects the sometimes irrational premiums paid for the preservation mystique. It will not be worth this much for a long time to come.Lot # F097 1971 Dodge Charger SE 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N WP29U1G145639; Bright Blue/Black vinyl; White viny top; Older restoration, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $25,500 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $27,540. 440/375hp, automatic, Goodyear Polyglas tires, remote mirror, concealed headlights, P/S, P/B, factory optioned AM casette player and recorder. – Very good paint and chrome. Used but clean engine bay. Represented as matching numbers with U-code 440 Magnum engine. Not perfect, but very pretty and deliriously fast. – This would be a modest price for a 383, it’s a great value for a 440.Lot # F098 1954 Chevrolet 3100 Pickup 5 Window; S/N 0379018F54X; Tan/Light Grey leather; Truck restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $39,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $42,120. 235, 4-speed, front disc brakes, sidemount spare on driver’s side, original factory overload springs, front disc brakes, wood floor in the bed, A/C. – Excellent paint, chrome and interior. A body-off restoration done to remarkably high standards for an old pickup with a few thoughtful modifications for safety and comfort that don’t count against it in any meaningful way. – You get some great trucks in Texas, and they appreciate them. The deluxe cab, A/C and disc brakes add to its appeal and they and the quality restoration account for the superior price it brought. The seller should be happy to get this much, the buyer should be proud to be seen driving this truck.Lot # F098.1 2001 Acura NSX 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N JH4NA21611T000072; Yellow/Black leather; Unrestored original, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $48,500 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $52,380. 3.2/290hp, 6-speed, red brake calipers, P/W, Bose factory radio – Virtually flawless paint, trim and interior. Presents like a brand new car, even though it has a few miles on it (odometer shows 42,709.) – A solid value for the new owner at this price and a car that is getting more and more recognition for its quality and performance. The buyer could have paid 10-15% more and not been more than retail.Lot # F107 1945 Ford Jeep Utility; S/N 269428; Olive Green/Green; Green cloth top; Older restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $12,500 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $13,500. 2.2, 3-speed. – One of the nicest genuine Army Jeeps around, but also a bit overdone. Everything from the overly glossy paint to the controls and tools shone so brightly that it looked like it should be in a box with GI Joe rather than in any kind of real service. – Sold by Mecum at Kansas City in April for $19,080 and a sound value here at a discount of nearly 1/3. It’s not surprising that the glitzy presentation fell flat, it’s just not appropriate for a GPW.
Mecum Houston 2014 – Auction Report Page Two
Lot # F108 1963 MG Midget Roadster; S/N GBE024372; Black/Red leather; Black vinyl top; Cosmetic restoration, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $10,500 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $11,340. 4-speed, front disc brakes, wire wheels, Goodyear Polysteel Radial tires, dual mirrors, Bertini wood-rimmed steering wheel. – Light scratches in the paint. Sound chrome. Clean but used engine bay. Very pretty car, epecially for a Midget. An ideal driver with a new interior and top. – This is a full retail price and then some for a driver-quality Midget.Lot # F124 1965 Ford Mustang GT Fastback; S/N 5F09A378849; Rangoon Red/Black leather; Older restoration, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $33,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $35,640. 289/225hp, automatic, Rallye pack gauges, A/C, AM/FM push button radio. – Good paint and chrome. Excellent interior. A good driver quality example that doesn’t really leave anything to be desired other than a 4-speed. – An attractive but ordinary early Mustang that’s been bounced around Mecum sales for the past year, selling for $36,380 at Indy and a no-sale at $32,000 high bid at Dallas in September. Hopefully it found a new long term owner at this appropriate price. Three times on the block in less than a year, with hammer bids +-$1,000 is an eloquent statement of its value.Lot # F128.1 1971 Mercedes-Benz 280SL Convertible; S/N 11304412022618; Gold/Brown leather; Cosmetic restoration, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $65,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $70,200. 2.8/170 hp, automatic, Hankook Optimo tires, Pagoda hardtop, roll-up windows, door pockets, dash clock, Becker Mexico radio. – Strong paint and chrome. Shabby engine bay. A driver quality example with a very good and recently redone interior. – The disappointing appearance of the engine leaves no small amount of doubt about how this 280SL has been treated and makes this, even for someone willing to undertake the needed work, a risky bet at this price. It would have been better bought for $45,000 than $65,000 but maybe the bidders hoped the 300SL/190SL euphoria will work its way down to the later SLs.Lot # F151 1996 Dodge Viper GTS Coupe; S/N 1B3ER69E6TV200483; Blue, , White Le Mans stripes/Black leather; Unrestored original, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $30,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $32,400. 8.0, 6-speed, rear exiting exhaust, chrome SRT/10 wheels, Michelin Pilot Sport tires, chrome filler cap, A/C, P/W, Alpine radio. – Decent paint with a couple of chips. Excellent interior. A well kept but not babied example with more than a few miles on it as evidenced by the 69,660 showing on the odometer. – This is a somewhat better car than the money it brought, although the discount from retail is not significant.Lot # F156 1969 Chevrolet Impala SS 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 164379Y024463; Blue/White vinyl; White vinyl top; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $25,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $27,000. 427/390hp, 4-speed, 12 bolt rear end, Goodyear red line tires, P/B, P/S, A/C, FM stereo. – Not the rarest car in the world, but represented as numbers matching and with desirable specs. In very good condition from roof to undercarriage. – Offered at Mecum Kansas City in December where it was reported bid to $30,000. As is frequently the case, the consignor should have taken the money on the table the first time, but sometimes it takes a painful experience to teach a lesson.Lot # F157 1957 Ford Ranchero Pickup; S/N C7FF194607; Blue, , White/White leather, Blue cloth; Cosmetic restoration, 3 condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $24,000. 292/212hp, automatic, chrome hubcaps, Hanook narrow whitewalls, dual mirrors, P/S, P/B, A/C, dash clock, push button radio. – Quality respray. Lightly dinged up wheels. Restored as needed and cosmetically freshened up. Very pretty, but not exquisite. – Rancheros don’t attract nearly as much attention as El Caminos but the early examples, and particularly the 57’s, are attractive and rare. The consignor should have given careful consideration to taking the reported high bid, a reasonable offer for a ’57 Ranchero in cosmetically restored condition like this.Lot # F178 1974 MG Midget Roadster; S/N GAN5UE145638G; Engine # 12V61ZL16756; British Racing Green/Black cloth; Black vinyl top; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $10,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $10,800. Uniroyal Radial A/S tires, front disc brakes, chrome bumpers, Jensen digital radio. – Represented as a recent restoration, but the scratched and bubbly paint, very poor chrome and grubby engine bay leave you wondering what the consignor’s definition of a restoration is. The interior is at least relatively good. This was the last year before the Midget grew big, ugly rubber bumpers. – It’s easy for us to say, but the buyer of this MG Spridget will not look back on this transaction with happy memories. The car is deficient, and the price is excessive.Lot # F192 1985 Porsche 930 Turbo Coupe; S/N WP0ZZZ93ZFS000700; Black/Black leather; Original, modified for competition or performance, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $40,500 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $43,740. Gemballa performance package, Red brake calipers, Kumho Ecsta tires, whale tail spoiler, rear window wiper, sunroof, tinted windows, P/W, A/C, power seats, Momo steering wheel, dash clock, Pioneer stereo. – Tired, lightly scratched original paint. Lightly worn interior. Driven plenty, but not abused. In surprisingly good shape for a modified car that’s almost thirty years old and with 91,616 miles on the clock. – Once the rage among NBA stars and cafe racers, the Gemballa package has lost its appeal in the aftermarket, not least because many were thoroughly used for high speed showing off. The seller should be happy to get this much for this well-used example.Lot # F200.1 1932 Rolls-Royce Phantom II Huntington Limousine, Body by Brewster; S/N 251AJS; Engine # E55B; Masons Black, , Silver; Black vinyl padded roof/Black leather; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $145,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $156,600. Lester tires, dual sidemounts, dual mirrors, wing-mounted driving lights, Trilin taillight, dual chrome horns, Spirit of Ecstasy radiator mascot, wood running boards, matching luggage trunk, glass rear division, pull-down rear wndow curtains, robe rail, Beige West of England wool seats in rear. – Decent paint. Exellent chrome. Good interior, including very strong original wood. Thoughtfully refurbished and restored when necessary. Well kept and preserved thanks to a continuous history of sympathetic owners from new. One of a precious few limousines from this period to have survived so completely. – Offered by Mecum at Kissimmee last year with a high bid reported of $200,000, then at Monterey with a $150,000 reported bid. The seller got the message and took the money which reflects collectors’ desire for open and sporting cars, but fails to capture the preservation and presentation of this Huntington. It’s a sound value at this price, and a Rolls-Royce to be proud to own and drive.Lot # F208 1995 Ferrari F355 Berlinetta S/N ZFFPR41A350100679; Red/Tan leather; Original, modified for competition or performance, 3 condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $45,000 3.5, 6-speed, long tube headers, Tubi exhaust, Challenge grille and white Corse Speedline wheels, Michelin Pilot Sport tires, P/W, Panasonic stereo. – Good paint overall with a few rock chips on the nose. Worn out driver’s seat. Low miles and tastefully modified, but not as babied as so many late model Ferraris are. Has most likely seen a track day or two. – Without a maintenance history and as-presented here this F355 is going to have a hard time convincing buyers to take on the risk of deferred maintenance and potentially hard use. If there was money at the reported bid the seller should have given it careful consideration.
Mecum Houston 2014 – Auction Report Page Three
Lot # F210.1 1968 AMC AMX 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N A8M397X278630; Orange, , White stripes/Black; Cosmetic restoration, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $22,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $23,760. 390/325hp, 4-speed, aluminum intake, electronic ignition, sidepipes, P/S, power front disc brakes, Magnum 500 wheels, Goodyear Eagle GTS tires, Hurst shifter, fire extinguisher. – Decent paint. Good chrome. Poor gaps. Cracking steering wheel. A good, usable and fast two-seater American sports car that comes substantially cheaper than a similarly equipped Corvette or Camaro. – This is an especially good value that could have brought another $5,000 without being expensive.Lot # F217.1 1940 Ford Deluxe Convertible; S/N 5578780; Maroon/Brown leather; Tan cloth top; Cosmetic restoration, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $37,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $39,960. Flathead V8, 3-speed, Fog-King amber fog lights, rear fender skirts, Lester wide whitewalls, roll-up windows, dash clock, radio. – Weak paint with cracking in the hood, obvious touch-up spots and scratches. Poor trim fit. Tidy engine bay. Good interior. Looks fine from far away and could be a fun driver or tour vehicle, but definitely not for show. – One of Ford’s more appreciated years, with more modern styling. Even with the flaws, this ’40 Convertible could have brought more without being over-priced.Lot # F225.1 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air Convertible; S/N VC56O079714; Black/Black and White leather; Older restoration, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $51,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $55,080. 265, automatic, Centennial Defiance Radial thin whitewalls, Continental kit, dash clock, modern casette stero. – Decent paint and chrome. Excellent interior but not correct pattern or material. Not perfect, but a good driver that no one would mind being seen in. – Bought right, even if we don’t know what the engine’s horsepower or induction are, and allows a little leeway for the non-standard interior.Lot # F235 1967 Pontiac GTO 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 242177P201410; Burgundy/Black; Recent restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $48,500 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $52,380. 400, 4-speed, Positraction, Rally wheels, BF Goodrich Silvertown red line tires, tinted windows, P/S, P/B, A/C, wood-rimmed steering wheel, Reverb radio. – Excellent paint, chrome and interior. Detailed engine bay. A very good and fresh body-off restoration. – Since the power of this GTO’s 400 isn’t know we’ll have to conclude it’s the base engine, in and of itself not a bad thing, just not as good as some lusty Ram Air package. And in and of itself, this is a very good, desirably equipped GTO for a highly reasonable price.Lot # F235.1 1961 Ford Thunderbird Convertible; S/N 1Y71Z115576; Blue/Blue leather; Recent restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $27,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $29,160. 390/300hp, automatic, chrome wire wheels, BF Goodrich Silvertown thin whitewalls, P/W, dash clock, push button radio. – Excellent paint, chrome and interior. Detailed engine bay. Body-off restoration. A lovely, showable third generation Thunderbird that is almost flawless. – Comfort, luxury, 300hp and room for four with a top that goes down and is essentially showroom condition. All this for under $30 Large. It’s a T-bird that could have brought another $5,000 and even $10,000 and still be a reasonable acquisition.Lot # F251 1991 Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet; S/N WP0CB2966MS461689; Black/Red leather; Black cloth top; Unrestored original, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $24,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $25,920. 3.4, Tiptronic automatic, BF Goodrich g-Force Sport tires, red brake calipers, Pioneer radio. – Numerous scratches in the paint. Worn seats with a large tear on the passenger’s side. Represented as having a 3.4 even though these came with a 3.6. Hard to ignore cosmetic flaws and the Tiptronic transmission hurt what would otherwise be a very neat little car. – Reported bid to $19,000 at Kansas City in December, the seller was fortunate to find someone here in Houston willing to rise to the bait for this tired and used Porsche. The result here is too much, but not by enough to warrant serious approbation.Lot # F253 1998 Chevrolet Callaway C12 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 1G1YY22G3W5118730; Silver/Black and White leather; Unrestored original, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $77,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $83,160. 6-speed, Pirelli P-Zero tires, Targa roof, P/W, A/C. – Very good paint and interior. Car 007, one of 25 road-going examples of the C12, Callaway’s Le Mans contender in the GT2 class. This car, 007, was built for Ely Callaway, Reeves’ father. – Beautifully bodied by Paul Deutschmann and professionally assembled in Old Lyme, this is more car than the money it brought.Lot # F255 1993 Ford Mustang Saleen Convertible; S/N 1FACP44E6PF187148; Black/Black cloth; Black viny top; Unrestored original, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $47,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $50,760. 302/400hp, supercharger, 5-speed, Saleen wheels, Kumho Ecsta Supra tires, P/W, Sony radio and CD player. – A strong example of an early Saleen. One of 30 such convertibles built. Couple of dings in the paint and well used but mostly tidy engine bay. Presents like a used car with extremely low miles and mostly careful ownership. – Carroll Shelby was out of the Mustang business in the early 90’s but Steve Saleen moved right into the niche, building some fast and good-handling cars. They are appreciated by a few loyal fans, as this generous result for a tired and used car shows.Lot # F259 1961 Triumph TR3A Roadster S/N TS774625L; Red/Red leather; Black vinyl top; Recent restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $37,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $39,960. 1991/100HP, 4-speed, BF Goodrich Silvertown tires, banjo steering wheel, locking glove box. – Very good paint, chrome and interior. A TR3A, distinguished from the original TR3 by a wider grille, exterior door handles and lockable boot. Represented as the 1961 showroom floor export car in London, and has since been body-off restored. A fine example of one of the quintissential British sports cars. – The Houston bidders astutely picked up this beautiful TR3A just under retail. While there might be some room to flip it and make a little profit the margin is small. It’s a car better driven and enjoyed both for its excellent condition and the good value of its acquisition.Lot # F283 1958 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible; S/N J58S103029; Red, , White coves/Red vinyl; Modified restoration, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $50,500 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $54,540. 327, fuel injection, 4-speed, Mastercraft radial thin whitewalls, roll-up windows, dash clock, AM/FM radio, CD and casette player. – 1958 car with a 1965 fuelie engine. Dull, marred up paint and chrome. Decent interior. Used looking engine bay and undercarriage. Wrong engine and tired cosmetics relegate this car to a fun weekend driver. – Offered by Mecum at Monterey in 2012 with a reported high bid of $52,500, then sold at Anaheim late the same year for $47,700. Sold five months later in April 2013 here for $50,880 and finally here at this price which represents a small loss for the seller, bigger after commissions and transportation. The odometer shows just 67 more miles since 2012, so there’s no psychic income to be factored into the value and it is expensive for what it is, a largely unloved Corvette.
Mecum Houston 2014 – Auction Report Page Four
Lot # F295 1958 Edsel Bermuda Station Wagon; S/N W8RT700593; Blue, , White roof/Blue and White; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $55,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $59,400. 410/303hp, Teletouch automatic, roof rack, whitewall tires, P/S, P/B, A/C, push button radio. – Presentable paint and woodgrain trim with some minor flaws. Fairly weak trim with poor fit and overspray. Cracking head and taillight lenses. It is a likeable car that’s rarely seen in the form of a station wagon. – Of the Edsels built 1958 is the year to have: at least it was its own car then. It is not, by any stretch of the imagination or credibility, a Bermuda wagon to have at this price, which is beyond generous for this example’s indifferent condition.Lot # S022 1972 Jensen Interceptor 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 1388603; Silver/Black leather; Black vinyl top; Older restoration, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $32,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $34,560. Automatic, Michelin tires, tinted windows, P/W, dash clock, factory radio and 8-track player. – Fuel injection system changed to unleaded fuel. Believed to be 43,000 actual miles. Good paint and interior. Tired chrome. Shabby engine bay. Restored in the 90s and driven quite a bit since. – Jensens don’t get much respect, but do get driven a lot because they’re fast and comfortable. The bidders here apparently place great value on the driving, and not much on the condition. It would have been a much better value at a hammer bid in the high teens.Lot # S024 1968 Porsche 912 Coupe, Body by Karmann; S/N 12802062; Engine # 744162616/36; Burgundy/Black leather; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $24,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $25,920. 1600, 5-speed, Arizonian radial tires, modern Pioneer radio. – Attractive repaint that has some light scratches up close. Weak chrome and brightwork. Scuffed up wheels. Well kept original interior. Clean engine bay. Equipped with the optional five-speed. Looks great from far away but is certainly flawed. Could be a great driver, and of course has the coveted lines of a much more valuable 911. – This result seems fair for an orderly and well-maintained but driven 912, particularly when its early 911 brethren are highly sought and bringing astonishing prices.Lot # S029 1994 Ferrari 348 Spider, Body by Pininfarina; S/N ZFFRG43A0R0097035; Red/Tan leather; Black cloth top; Unrestored original, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $36,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $38,880. 3.4/320hp. 5-speed, Pirelli P-Zero Asimmetrico tires, P/W, A/C, Alpine radio, tools and manuals. – Rock chips on the nose. Scuffs on the convertible top. Lightly worn interior. A used car with some miles on it. Not pampered but not spanked, either. – Mecum sold this 348 Spider in Dallas last September for $38,250, which endorses the result achieved here. Without records of recent service it’s a bit of a risk, but a Red Ferrari Spider for under $40,000? It’s hard to resist. The original tools and manuals and quality tires are reassuring indicators that someone has cared about this Ferrari.Lot # S038 1967 Sunbeam Tiger Mk IA Roadster S/N 382001769; Red/Grey cloth and Black vinyl; Older restoration, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $46,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $49,680. No Reserve. 260/164hp, 4-speed, Performance Minilite-style wheels, Cooper Cobra Radial/GT tires, dual mirrors, wood-rimmed steering wheel, wood dash and console, Pioneer CD stereo. – Very good paint and chrome. Good interior. Solid and properly done Mark I Tiger, the car that offers a similar performance recipe and heritage as a Cobra, but at a fraction of the price. – With Cobras out of sight of all but the most generously endowed buyers, the Tiger is an attractive alternative. Their prices have been on a strong upward trend but this one is lagging behind. Not a bargain, but a solid buy at this price.Lot # S045 1973 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible; S/N 1Z67J3S407754; Yellow, , Yellow hardtop/Black leather; Black top; Visually maintained, largely original, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $22,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $23,760. 350/190hp, automatic, Goodyear Eagle RH tires, factory hardtop, P/S, P/B, P/W, tilt steering column, factory A/C. – Strong interior. Clean engine bay and undercarriage. Cracking in the paint and scuffed chrome. With the air conditioning, hardtop, and automatic, this is a casual cruiser. These cars were always more show than go, but at least the yellow paint on this one adds to the show. – This Corvette would have been a better value at a $16-16,000 bid than at the price it brought. Its originality is a plus, but not enough of a plus to warrant this price.Lot # S061.1 1965 Amphicar 770 Convertible; S/N 106521822; Red/Black and White leather; White vinyl top; Recent restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $82,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $88,560. 1147/43hp, 4-speed, chrome Amphicar hubcaps, BF Goodrich Silvertown whitewalls, navigation lights, twin boat propellers, door pockets, roll-up windows, original tool kit. – Excellent paint, chrome, interior and top. Almost perfect apart from small scratch above left front wheel. Sign with the car says it is the finest in existence and that’s not too far of a stretch. Heavily refurbished from an already pristine car. It’s been in the water once since, and it didn’t sink. – Offered at Mecum’s Kissimmee sale earlier this year with a $65,000 high bid, the seller found ready money here in Houston and took home a truly exceptional price although for an exceptional Amphicar. It’s so expensive the new owner may have to think twice about taking it for a swim because it would be a tragedy if it sprung a leak and sank.Lot # S064 1937 Plymouth 4-Dr. Touring Sedan; S/N CA862164; Grey/Maroon cloth; Incomplete restoration, 4 condition; Hammered Sold at $8,500 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $9,180. 190, 3-speed, driving lights, Unity taillight, suicide rear doors, dual mirrors, leather-wrapped steering wheel, wood dash and window trim. – Poor paint and trim. Bad panel fit. Very good interior, though, so this looks like an unfinished project that both started and ended with the interior. – This would be a reasonable price for this car when it’s done, not as a project. Some hobbyists just can’t resist the idea of rescuing a neglected stray, either, but dog or car it can bite you.Lot # S066 1969 Chevrolet Camaro RS/SS Convertible; S/N 124679N572925; Red, , White stripe/White leather and houndstooth; White vinyl top; Recent restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $90,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $97,200. 396/350hp, 4-speed, hidden headlights, Firestone wide oval tires, P/S, P/B, Hurst shifter, push button radio. – Very good paint and chrome. Clean but used engine bay. Very desirable trim and specs but stated to be a ‘Casting and date correct engine’ which isn’t the same as ‘original’. It isn’t easy to stand out among the sea of Camaros and Mustangs at a Mecum sale, but this car acomplished just that. – Wow. This is restored better than new matching-numbers original drivetrain fully documented money, and this is none of those. A third less than this would have been a realistic price.Lot # S071 1959 Chevrolet Suburban NAPCO Utility; S/N 3A59L121524; White/Black; Truck restoration, 3 condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $37,000. 4-speed, NAPCO four-wheel drive, chrome rear hubcaps, Capitol Commercial HT tires, 3-row bench seats, aftermarket tach. – Good chrome. Clean engine bay and frame. Overall good paint but with some dings and orange peel on the rear. Imperfect panel fit. Front wheel hubs look pretty rough compared to the rest of the vehicle. Ex-Santa Fe Railroad. A neat truck that’s rather pretty but also still usable. Beautiful, but not overdone. – With all the excitement about big, old 4WDs the seller’s reluctance to take the reported high bid is understandable, but this is far from the best example available. The bidders recognized its needs and kept some powder dry for addressing them.
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Lot # S074.1 1956 Chevrolet 3100 NAPCO Pickup; S/N 3A56K027956; Blue, , White grille/Grey; Truck restoration, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $37,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $39,960. 235, 4-speed, NAPCO four-wheel-drive, chrome rear hubcaps, wood bed floor. – Excellent paint and chrome. Very good interior. Uneven, amateurish finish on the wood. A gorgeous truck made even more desirable by being NAPCO-equipped. Not exactly usable because you’d never want to get it dirty, but easy to look good in. – Offered at Auburn Fall last September with a reported bid of $37,000, then twice at Mecum’s Kissimmee sale in January where the reported bids were $37,000 and $35,000. The seller got the message and took the money.Lot # S077.1 1970 Porsche 911E Targa; S/N 911021090; White/Black; Black vinyl top; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $30,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $32,400. 2.2, Bosch mechanical fuel injection, 4-speed, Fuchs wheels, Toyo radial tires, glass rear window, gold script on the rear deck, aftermarket casette radio. – Represented as matching numbers. Decent paint and original interior. Tired weather stripping and trim. A little worn out, but solid and complete. – What are we missing here? This 911E should be worth twice this number. Better check the numbers.Lot # S080.1 1957 Ford Ranchero Pickup; S/N C7FF229076; Red, , White/Red, White; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $37,500 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $40,500. 292/212hp, 2-barrel, automatic, wire wheels, Coker Classic whitewalls, grille V-bar, dual mirrors, tinted windows, P/S, A/C, cassette stereo. – Very good paint. Strong chrome. Highly detailed engine bay. lightly worn driver’s seat. A very clean, correct car (truck?) that’s seen very light use. – A handsome car (truck?) that brought an appropriate price for its solid presentationl. Not quite like new, but very good and desirably equipped with A/C.Lot # S088 1999 Ferrari F355 Spider, Body by Pininfarina; S/N ZFFXR48A9X0113305; Gunmetal/Red leather; Black cloth top; Unrestored original, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $44,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $47,520. 3.5/375hp, automatic with paddle shifters, Michelin Pilot Sport tires, P/W, factory radio. – Rock chips on the nose, but otherwise a very well kept and seldom driven vehicle showing 14,889 believable miles on the odometer. – The 355 is, unfortunately, the last generation of Ferraris with cam belts, requiring replacement at regular intervals lest very expensive timing irregularities interrupt the sequence of engine events. With no documentation of service this price is generous while still allowing it to be properly serviced without going significantly underwater. The price is no, or less, than appropriate for this F355’s condition.Lot # S088.1 1974 De Tomaso Pantera L Coupe, Body by Ghia; S/N THPNND06836; Red/Black vinyl; Unrestored original, 3+ condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $85,000. 351, 5-speed, Campagnolo wheels, Goodyear Arriva tires, P/W, push button radio. – Exceptional original paint and interior with only two small chips in the black paint near the filler cap. Stated to be 7,627 miles from new and still on Arriva tires. Light scratches on the window trim. Remarkably preserved, especialy for a Pantera, a car that’s often cut up and heavily modified. – Sold at Mecum’s Dallas auction last September for $84,350, offered at Kissimmee in January with a $90,000 high bid. The consignor is still trying to get out from under a generous price paid, an outcome not likely to be derived by repeated placement in similar auctions.Lot # S100 1974 Porsche 911S IMSA Coupe; S/N 9114101035; Orange, , Yellow /; Competition restoration, 3 condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $325,000. 3.0/360hp, 4-speed, Carrillo rods, dry sump, 24 gallon fuel cell, fire system, whale tail rear spoiler, BBS wheels, Hoosier tires. – Driven by Paul Newman and Bill Freeman at Sebring in 1977. Subsequently campaigned in Camel GT and in IMSA GTU and GTO. Restored from 2006 to 2009 and currently set up for vintage racing. A desirable 911 racer even without the Paul Newman connection, but it obviously sweetens the deal. – There are lots of 911S race cars out there, but few enough with Paul Newman history, An ordinary car is worth this much. Sebring and PLN add a significant premium and the seller reasonably elected to take the car home.Lot # S101.1 1966 Shelby Mustang GT350H Fastback; S/N SFM6S1177; Sapphire Blue, , Gold Le Mans stripes/Black vinyl; Older restoration, 2- condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $110,000. 289, automatic, Magnum wheels, Goodyear Blue Streak tires, wood-rimmed steering wheel, dash-mounted tach, push button radio. – Good paint and chrome. Tidy engine bay. Very good interior. Ubiquitous Carrol Shelby signature on glove box. Roughly the same condition as the white one next to it, but just a hair better. One of 1,000 Hertz GT350s and just 50 finished in blue. Well documented history from new and beautifully presented. – Brought a bid of $140,00 at Kissimmee three months ago. It should have been sold then, as this bid indicates, and it’s not likely to get any better as time goes on. The color is rare, but not unique, and the price is as much under its value as the Kissimmee one was over it.Lot # S103 1957 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible; S/N E57S104596; Engine # F410EH; Venetian Red, , White coves/Red; Beige top; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $80,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $86,400. 283/245hp dual quad hydraulic lifter block with fuel injection, 4-speed, hubcaps, bias ply blackwall tires, no radio or heater. – Good major chrome and interior. Shiny but flawed paint. Good dash and instruments. Underbody and chassis superficially squirted with chassis black. Bottom of the engine compartment is road grimy. Window frame and sill chrome scratched. A shiny but seriously flawed driver. – Sold by Mecum at the Salmon Brothers auction in June 2012 for $100,100 and no better now than it was then. This is a much more appropriate price for it than it brought then, but even at this the mis-matched engine makes it expensive.Lot # S110 1970 Plymouth Road Runner Superbird 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N RM23U0A179799; Blue/Black vinyl; Black vinyl top; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $110,000. 440/375hp, 4-speed, Rallye wheels, Goodyear Polyglas GT tires, P/S, P/B, pistol grip shifter, Tic-Toc-Tach, factory radio. – Very good paint and interior. An older rotisserie restoration that still looks very strong. – Sold at Mecum Indy last May for $112,350 all-in, so not a bid surprising that the consignor was reluctant to accept this bid. Problem is, within a few thousand dollars it’s hard to separate time and place. Take the money or keep seeking a better venue?Lot # S114 1970 Buick GSX 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 446370H30843; Apollo White, , Black stripes/Black vinyl; Cosmetic restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $67,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $72,360. 455/350, automatic, chrome Super Stock wheels, Goodyear Polyglas GT tires, front and rear spoilers, P/S, P/B, hood tach, leather-wrapped steering wheel, rear defroster, push button radio. – Very good paint. Excellent interior. Decent chrome. Represented as matching numbers and impressively equipped. – Buicks are grampas’ cars today, but 40 years ago there was little better Muscle than a GSX with abundant horsepower and even more torque from the 455. At a stoplight today this GSX will humble pretty much everthing off the line, putting 396 Chevelles in the shade and trading punch-for-punch with LS5 Chevelles even with just 350hp on top. This is a representative result for a fine GSX.
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Lot # S122 1957 Ford Thunderbird Convertible; S/N E7FH395459; White/Red leather; Recent restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $75,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $81,000. 312/270hp, dual quads, automatic, factory hardtop, whitewalls, push button radio. – Strong paint and chrome. Tidy engine bay. Small stains on passenger’s seat, but otherwise excellent interior. Properly restored E-code car that was among the very best Thunderbirds at the sale. – Supercharged F-birds can be cranky but dual quad E-birds sing when all 8 venturis are open. This is a representative result for a quality if aged example.Lot # S125.1 1969 Shelby Mustang GT500 Fastback; S/N 9F02R481028; Acapulco Blue, , White stripes/Black vinyl; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $82,500 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $89,100. 428/335hp, automatic, BG Goodrich Radial T/A tires, P/S, P/B, wood shift knob, dash clock, push button radio. – Strong paint and chrome. Very good interior. R-code car. One of 210 examples finished in this color in 1969. Older restoration that still presents very well. – Bought right on the money, a perfectly ordinary ’69 Shelby GT500 SportsRoof automatic that would be better with air.Lot # S128 1967 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe; S/N 194377S118237; White, , Red stinger/Red; Unrestored original, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $725,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $783,000. 427/390hp, 4-speed, side exhaust, Daytona Thorobred thin whitewalls, wood-rimmed steering wheel, dash clock, push button radio. – Excellent original paint and phenomenal original interior. One small bit of touch up paint on the rear. Original owner’s belongings still in the glove box. Put away by its eccentric original owner just a few months after buying it. He claimed to have sold it, and it was not until after he died in 2011 that the car was discovered in his garage with under 3,000 miles on it. Looks and smells like new. The very cautious consignor wore gloves even just standing near the thing. A perfect car for the current preservation and originality craze. Exhaustively documented. – This is an amazing, eye-watering, premium for originality and low miles, a staggering result for an otherwise ordinary Corvette, about 6x comparable Corvette values. Even originality and diminutitve miles can’t make up for the half million dollars paid in excess of similar cars’ values.Lot # S129.1 1963 Chevrolet Corvette FI Coupe Race Car; S/N 30837S102899; Red/Black vinyl; Competition restoration, 2- condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $275,000. 327/375hp, fuel injection, 4-speed, competition drum brakes, side pipes, Dunlop Racing tires, Plexiglas rear window, dash clock. – Very good paint and exquisite interior. Built as a sort of mock-Z06 and campaigned by Harry Mann Chevrolet. Used in the Elvis film Viva Las Vegas and restored to as-raced condition just last year. – Offered by RM at Monterey last August with a reported high bid of $325,000, the result here is homing in on the real value of this highly modified Corvette.Lot # S133.1 1963 Chevrolet Corvette FI Coupe; S/N 30837S114530; Engine # 3114530 F0419RF; Daytona Blue/Red vinyl; Recent restoration, 2 condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $150,000. 327/360hp, fuel injection, 4-speed, knock off wheels, Firestone bias ply tires, P/B, push button radio, dash clock. – Excellent paint, chrome and interior. Some light scratches on the rear glass. There were five Split Window Coupes at this sale, but this freshly restored example was the most desirable of them, other than the 7 11 race car. Engine number doesn’t match the VIN. – A highly satisfying Corvette, but devoid of any independent evaluation of its quality and correctness. The seller should have recognized its shortcomings and taken the money.Lot # S136.1 1967 Shelby Mustang GT350 Fastback; S/N 67210F3A00117; Black/Black vinyl; Unrestored original, 3- condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $150,000. 289/306hp, automatic, competition handling package, Magstar wheels, Goodyear Speedway tires, red marker light in each upper scoop, roll bar, wood-rimmed steering wheel, push button radio. – Found in a shipping container, where it had been for 20 years. Really rough paint with chips, scratches and cracks everywhere. Surprisingly clean interior, engine bay and frame. With a repaint could still be a remarkable preserved car, but the paint is too far gone and miles too high to be exceptional. – Offered by Mecum at Kissimmee in January with a reported high bid of $140,000, a ratty GT350 of no particular distinction except its rattiness. Think of driving this peeling, scabrous GT350 and trying to explain it as exceptionally preserved? It doesn’t compute.Lot # S147.1 1964 Ford GT40 Coupe; S/N GT/104; Blue, , White Le Mans stripes/Black; Competition restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $7,000,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $7,560,000. RHD. No speedometer. Halibrand centerlock alloy wheels, Goodyear Blue Streak tires. Lightweight tub from new, 289, Weber 48IDA carbs, Colotti 4-speed, Halibrand knock off wheels, Dunlop Racing tires with Goodyear script. – DNF at LeMans (Schlesser/Attwood) in 1964, same result at Nassau. Raced by Shelby in 1965, 3rd at Daytona (Bondurant/Ginther), dnf at Sebring. Later restored by Ford with some different body details and used as a show car. Later restored by Paul Lanzante with a correct Colotti gearbox and Le Mans spec 289 with the correct Colotti gearbox belhousing pattern and liveried as at Daytona in 1965. Restored better than new with excellent cosmetics and no evidence of use. – Sold at Gooding’s Pebble Beach auction in 2012 for $4,500,000. Why, two and a half years later, it should be worth 50% more is hard to fathom. Other than Sebring 1965 it has no significant results, but it will get its new owner into any number of prestigious events. An expensive ticket.Lot # S153 1934 Cadillac 370-D V-12 All-Weather Phaeton, Body by Fleetwood; S/N 570370; Engine # 410303; Grey, , Black fenders/Red leather; Black cloth top; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $165,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $178,200. 368, 3-speed, chrome hubcaps, wide whitewalls, dual enclosed sidemounts, front suicide doors, matching luggage trunk, Goddess radiator mascot, roll-up rear glass division, white Jaeger gauges, wood window trim. – Beautiful paint, chrome and interior.The second of three V-12 All-Weather Phaetons. Former AACA winner. A magnificent automobile that was restored 20 years ago and has been carefully used since and is still in nearly like new condition. – The quality of this restoration shows in its exceptional longevity, quality deserved by its chassis and engine. Full Classic ™ in CCCA terms, this is the essence of the era and affordably priced, a good value by any standards.Lot # S154 1954 Buick Roadmaster Convertible; S/N A1031821; Titan Red/Burgundy leather; Older restoration, 2- condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $90,000. 322/200hp, automatic, chrome wire wheels, Coker Classic whitewalls, P/S, P/W, power top, antenna and seats, dash clock, push button radio. – Very good paint, chrome and interior. Lightly used, very clean engine bay. Tidy frame. A very good but not exceptional example. – Good, but not as good as the reported bid it brought. This Roadmaster should have been loose and selling several thousand dollars before the reported bid.Lot # S159.1 1910 Locomobile Model 40 Type I Demi Tonneau; S/N 2376; Engine # 2376; Blue, , Black and Red/Black leather; Black cloth top; Older restoration, 2+ condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $450,000. T-head four cylinder, artillery wheels, brass hubcaps, BF Goodrich Silvertown tires, dual sidemount spare tires on driver’s side, brass Rushmore acetylene headlamps, kerosene sidelights, brass Gray & Davis tail lamp, brass controls, instruments and steering column, wood dash, door trim and seat trim, Locomobile gauges. – Winner at Meadowbrook Concours. Shown at Pebble Beach. Excellent paint, chrome and interior. Still a beautiful example of one of America’s finest early motorcars. – The Locomobile Type 40 was lost on the Mecum Houston bidders, a relic of another age among Corvettes and Shelbys. It was reported bid to $400,000 at Mecum’s Monterey auction last August. If, however, the consignor is insistent and the car could be bought for anything close to the reported bid here or in Monterey it would be a great value. Keep hoping.
Mecum Houston 2014 – Auction Report Page Seven
Lot # S165.11970 Mercury Cougar XR7 Convertible; S/N 0F94Q526473; Presidential Blue/White leather; white vinyl top; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $77,500. 428/335hp, automatic, BF Goodrich Radial T/A tires, P/W, factory A/C, dash clock, push button radio. – Strong paint overall with a few small scratches and dings. Very good chrome and interior. Excellent top. Well equipped Cougar XR7 in a pretty color combination and fine condition. – Would a Mach 1 428 bring this bid? Not likely. The consignor should have let it go at half the reported bid.Lot # S171 1966 Pontiac GTO 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 242176P175814; Silver/White; Black vinyl top; Older restoration, 2- condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $60,000. 389/335hp, 4-speed, BF Goodrich Radial T/A tires, P/S, P/B, factory A/C, tilt steering column, wood-rimmed steering wheel, push button radio. – Very good paint and chrome. Good overall interior, but the dash looks a little tired. A very clean car that needs almost nothing. – Almost nothing, that is, except a consignor willing to realize that this is all the money it’s worth.Lot # S180 1970 Plymouth GTX 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N RS23U0A157887; Blue, , Black hood stripes/Black vinyl; Older restoration, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $44,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $47,520. 440375hp, automatic, Rally wheels, BF Goodrich Radial T/A tires, P/S, Tic-Toc-Tach, AM radio. – Good paint and chrome. Used but tidy engine bay and frame. Imperfect panel fit. Decent interior with a crack in the faux wood door trim. A pretty, usable older restoration but not the best example around. – Just a driver, but just a driver price and a whomping big engine to show off at the cruise-in.Lot # S182 1996 Dodge Viper RT/10 CS Roadster; S/N 1B3BR65E5TV100495; White, , Blue Le Mans stripes/Black; Unrestored original, 3 condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $85,000. 6-speed, Hennessey custom exhaust, factory hardtop, OZ Racing wheels, Michelin Pilot SX tires, rear spoiler, removable windows, A/C, AM/FM radio and 6 CD changer. – Light scuffs and scratches on nose and under the doors. A few dings on the hardtop. Lightly worn seats. A well kept, awesome and rare example. Number 15 of 50 Shelby Edition Vipers, which can be most easily distinguished by the open, unadorned grille. – A rare Shelby-edition, of no particular distinction, bid to a realistic price.Lot # S187 1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1 Fastback; S/N 9R02S135645; Black, , Matte Black hood/Black; Cosmetic restoration, 3 condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $36,000. 390/320hp S-Code big block, automatic, custom exhaust, BF Goodrich Radial T/A tires, Autogage tach, wood-rimmed steering wheel, Alpine radio. – Strong paint, chrome and interior. Tidy engine bay. Represented as the only 1969 Mach I with a 390-4V 425hp engine and an automatic. That makes it rare, but it doesn’t necessarily make it the most desirable car around. – The consignor claimed this car was 425hp, but Ford claimed only 320 and the ‘only 1969 Mach I with a 390-4V (4-venturi carburetor) engine’ claim is bogus. This was a standard engine combination in ’69. Not surprisingly the Houston bidders laid off this car at a very modest value reserving judgment on how the rest of the car was presented.Lot # S189 2008 Ferrari F430 Scuderia Coupe; S/N ZFFKW64A880161156; Red, , Grey stripes/Black cloth; Unrestored original, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $170,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $183,600. 4.3, 6-speed, red brake calipers, Pirelli P-Zero Corsa tires. – Light scratches above the left front wheel and on the rear glass, but otherwise practically new. 10,039 miles and recently serviced. The more powerful, no-frills version of the F430 that Ferrari claims can lap Fiorano faster than an Enzo. – Depreciating fast, but still depreciating.Lot # S206.1 1959 MG A Twin Cam Coupe; S/N YM11955; Red/Black leather; Cosmetic restoration, 3- condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $47,000. 1600/108hp, braided steel lines, 4-speed, Dunlop peg-drive knock off steel wheels, 4-wheel Dunlop disc brakes, knock off wheels, Englebert tires, dual wing mirrors, roll bar, wood-rimmed steering wheel. – Light orange peel and scratches in the paint. Worn out seats. No bumpers. Clearly set up for vigorous driving. Would be a neat tour or rally car, and probably already has been. – This MGA Twin Cam sold for $31,800 at Mecum’s 2011 Monterey auction, then brought a wholly magnanimous $67,100 at the Motostalgia USGP weekend auction in Austin, Texas last November. It is unlikely to plumb the depth of that result in the remaining lifetime of anyone old enough to drive and should have been off and selling well before the bid reported here. It’s still the $30K car it was in 2011.Lot # S223 1961 Mercury Monterey 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 1J67X505066; Turqoise Mist/Blue leather; Cosmetic restoration, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $18,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $19,440. 352/220hp, automatic, chrome hubcaps, thin whitewalls, P/B, P/S, P/W, A/C, push button radio. – Good paint and interior. Decent chrome. Tidy undercarriage. Rub strips are cracking. An OK, average quality cosmetic restoration that presents well enough. – Sold for $12,720 at Mecum’s KC sale in March 2012, a tidy increment for an indifferent car.Lot # S239 1939 Bantam Speedster Roadster; S/N 64249 Red, Black/Red leather; Black cloth top; Concours restoration, 2+ condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $22,000. Cooper Sport Master thin whitewalls, suicide doors, rear fender skirts, rear-mounted spare, – Excellent paint, chrome and interior. Leaking oil. 323 of these Speedsters were built and 12 are thought to exist. This must be one of the best examples, if not the best of all. – way cool, but how much more cool than the reported high bid? A little, perhaps, but the seller will have to hold on and hope to find two bidders with appreciative grandchildren.Lot # S246 1967 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe; S/N 194377S116001; Green/Black vinyl; Recent restoration, 2- condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $80,000. 427/400hp, Tri-Power, 4-speed, BF Goodrich Silvertown Radial red line tires, dash clock, push button radio. – Excellent paint, chrome and interior. Clean but not immaculate engine bay. Rotisserie restoration, but not overdone. Just right. – Sold at the Leake Tulsa sale in June 2013 for $71,500, a fair price for this car’s specification and condition. It was peddled at the Leake Dallas auction in November last year with a high bid of $80,000, same as here. Is the consignor paying attention?
Mecum Houston 2014 – Auction Report Page Eight
Lot # S306 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 136370RZ31304; Silver, , Black hood stripes/Black vinyl; Cosmetic restoration, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $28,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $30,240. 454, automatic, cowl induction, Rally wheels, BF Goodrich Radial T/A tires, Grant steering wheel, factory A/C. – Decent paint and chrome. Excellent new interior. A strong cosmetic restoration. – No history, no documentation, no credibility, no reason to pay more than this.Lot # T037.1 1968 Plymouth Barracuda 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N BH29F8B150780; Bronze/Black; Unrestored original, 4+ condition; Hammered Sold at $10,500 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $11,340. Represented as a 360 but based on the VIN it started out with a 318/230hp 2-barrel, 4-speed, Rally wheels, Hankook Mileage Plus tires, Jensen radio. – Terrible paint with bubbles, chips and flaking so bad you could blow it off. Dull chrome. Decent interior with one large crack in the dash. Engine and transmission represented as rebuilt, but the area under the hood looks just as tired as the rest of the car. – ‘Despicable’ is easily used to describe this Barracuda. It isn’t what it wants to be, nor even close to what its aspirations are. The price it brought is nothing if not generous.Lot # T063 1969 Datsun Fairlady 2000 Roadster; S/N SRL31110791; Red/Black vinyl; Black vinyl top; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $10,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $10,800. 2.0/150hp, 5-speed with overdrive, alloy wheels, Champion VP1 tires, factory hardtop, leather-wrapped steering wheel, roll-up windows, push button radio. – Very tired original paint and hardtop. Dirty engine bay. Strong interior. New soft top. Decent driver, but it wouldn’t be anybody’s pride and joy. – Unloved, unrecognized and unacknowledged, but this is where the Japanese car first made its impression on the U.S. Fully equipped with two tops, this is a milestone in automobile evolution, where Datsun firstmade its impression, later solidified with the 240Z. This car sold at Mecum’s Dallas auction last September for just $4,300 but its price here is far more representative of its significance. A good value? Maybe not. But not expensive, either, and far more reliable than the British car from which it took its inspiration.Lot # T072 1968 AMC Javelin 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N A85795B171240; Red/Black vinyl; Visually maintained, largely original, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $8,500 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $9,180. 232/145 hp six, 3-speed, Kelly radial thin whitewalls, P/B, P/S, A/C, factory AM radio. – Decent paint and chrome. Very good interior. Clean engine bay and frame. Unfortunately equipped, but nevertheless a well kept example. – This Javelin may be the definition of ‘rare’ with its 145hp six and 3-speed stick, a car no one in 1968 could possibly have wanted to buy, let alone today. Its mediocrity is nearly breathtaking. Open the hood on cruise night and the laughter will drown out the screeching tires of Chevelles and ‘Cudas. It is so wimpy it defies description. Any price is a benchmark for a car no one cares about.Lot # T144 1959 Lincoln Continental Mark IV Convertible; S/N H9YC402810; Bolero Red/Black and White leather; Black cloth top; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $28,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $30,240. 430/350hp, automatic, rear fender skirts, P/B, P/S, P/W, power antenna, power seats, power top, power vent windows, interior courtesy lights, push button radio. – Decent paint with a couple of flaws. Tired but complete interior. Shabby engine bay and frame. DIrty trunk. A usable and complete car, but not a pretty one. In need of a makeover. – a nasty thing which brought all the money it deserved.Lot # T161 1931 Cadillac 370A V-12 4-Dr. Sedan, Body by Fleetwood; S/N 1002887; Burgundy, , Black fenders/Grey cloth; Black vinyl top; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $66,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $71,280. 3-speed, Depress-Beam headlamps, Pilot-Rays, dual chrome horns, mesh radiator stone guard, chrome radiator mascot, fender-mounted driving lights, dual enclosed sidemounts, luggage rack, suicide rear doors, chrome wire wheels, Lester wide whitewalls, wood door trim, interior dome light, jump seats, rear window curtains. – A fully restored car that has seen some use and is no longer top notch. Very good paint and chrome, but not perfect. Good, lightly used interior with some screws missing from the wood trim. A strong car and still very pretty, but not all that showable anymore. – A CCCA Full Classic ™ that will admit its new owner to all sorts of great events and tours for a price that is nothing if not modest for Harley Earl’s spectactular design both on the outside and under the hood. This is by any measure modest money for the quality and style of this Fleetwood Cadillac.Lot # T162 1962 Nash Metropolitan 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N E94900; Red, , White/Red and White leather; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $10,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $10,800. 3-speed, Uniroyal thin whitewalls, rear-mounted spare, locking glove box. – Decent paint with some dings on the hood. Good, lightly worn interior. Tidy engine bay and undercarriage. Last year for the Metro. Not the best example in the world, but still a very clean and well kept car. – Sold for $9,500 at Mecum’s Kissimmee auction in January 2013, a year and three months ago. Exceptionally cute, but far from pristine, the seller should be eternally grateful for getting this much after a year’s enjoyment.Lot # T301 1994 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe; S/N 1G1YY22P0R5120181; Burgundy/Tan leather; Unrestored original, 4+ condition; Hammered Sold at $7,500 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $8,100. 350/300hp, ZF 6-speed, Kumho Ecsta Supra tires, P/W, Pioneer radio. – Tired paint. Dirty engine bay. Weather stripping is starting to crack significantly. Good, recently redone interior. Essentially a used car with almost 100,000 miles, and that’s what it looks like. The interior is the only redeeming quality. – Impossible to argue with the price, especially with the 6-speed.
I wish I could go to some of these auctions. Almost all of the cars look great in the pictures. I do know that cars generally look better in pictures than when you see them up close and personal, however, the reviewer seems to be overly critical. Often he claims a car is a scruffy driver but the car looks like a show winner around here. What is a show car anyhow. I see lots of scruffy barn finds at shows and some of these are bringing big money and in many cases bigger money than the same car that has had a restoration. A car is worth what some one is willing to pay for it. As for myself there are some cars in this group that sold for 100,000 that I wouldn’t want to have for 10,000 except for the opportunity of making a dollar. So, is it about the enjoyment of the car or just the speculation? For me it is the enjoyment of the car.
David,
I appreciate the observation, and the difference you note — between a shiny showpiece in pictures and a car that’s had, as my mother would have said, ‘A lick and a promise’ — is exactly what these reports are for.
How many times do I see a shiny car, walk up to it, look at the trim, the gauges, open the hood and shine my flashlight down into the recesses of the chassis, and say to myself, ‘What were these guys thinking?”
It happens more times than is good for the hobby. Look for what I sometimes call an ‘auction car.’
I’ve made the observation before, attributed to my friend John Apen, that what we do is a ‘game of attributions.’
We see what we can, and then attribute the care and attention observed superficially to the things we can’t see.
There is, as you’ve noted, a huge difference between restored cars and the real unrestored barn finds, but that doesn’t extend to cars that have been superficially treated to some paint and upholstery, or left to moulder in some dank storage facility until their threads are rotted and their engines’ are gripped with grime.
Is it about enjoyment or speculation? At this point in the collector car market the answer to both is ‘yes’.
I’m always trying to figure out the difference, with the emphasis on enjoyment.
Rick
Thanks for the reply Rick. I understand your view of the hobby. I’d hate for you to judge my cars for they have many flaws. I don’t have much money for top quality cosmetics but I can drive my cars anywhere and not worry too much about them. I bought an E-Type for $3000 in 1985 and have put about $10,000 in it since. It was all I could afford at the time and it will never be a top quality car. I am sure the people that sell at RM, Mecum, Barrett-Jackson and all the great international auctions are millionaires.
Your comments on tv coverage of the auctions and of racing is spot on. We lost Speed on May 1 here in Canada with nothing to replace it. There is no more Moto GP or Tudor Sportscar Series anywhere that I can find. The other series are all over the place. The Monaco GP was televised by NBC with the crew from Speed. TSN covered the race as well with the BBC crew. The NBC coverage was excellent in my opinion. Indy was covered by ABC and was also excellent.
I have asked Bell Satellite to carry Velocity and/or Fox’s replacement for Speed. Change isn’t always good.
David
One minor quibble, on page 3 Lot F225 is described as a 1956 Chevy convertible but the photo is of a 1958 Ford Fairlane convertible. And actually I’d like to read about the Ford if possible, it’s a more unique car.
Did we do that?
At least we were close in year, and they’re both convertibles.
I apologize, and will see if I can find the right picture.
Thank you, Rick. No worries, mistakes happen. The ’58 Fords are the redheaded-stepchildren of that era. Ford put all their marketing energy into Edsel, there was a recession that year, and the the GMs – Chevys & Pontiacs – and Chryslers – Plymouth/Dodge/DeSoto – were strong & attractive in the 58 model year. Cars like this Ford convertible were & are an afterthought to most. That’s why I’m curious as to what it went for, and what you saw as its strengths or weaknesses. Plus, I think it’s gorgeous. – Jim
I realize that you’re at these auctions not watching on TV but the switch from Velocity to NBCSN has been a disaster for fans. There were only two hours of live coverage on Saturday, usually the biggest day of the auction and other coverage was aired in the wee hours of the morning. Last year Velocity offered eight hours of coverage every day at Indy. I’ll be curious to see how the reduced coverage affects Mecum auctions and maybe even the hobby.
Matt,
The emphasis is all on the number of homes reached. NBC/SN has immense market power, far more than Velocity, which is why Mecum and Auctions America both tout the ’80 million homes’ reach.
If you think you’re disappointed by the NBC/SN auction coverage, and the flipping and flopping from NBC/SN to more obscure related cable channels when NBC/SN wants to show some stick-and-ball sport, you have nothing on Formula One fans when NBC/SN deep-sixed SPEED’s F1 coverage. The first few races were disasters, but they’ve recovered and are spending the bucks to bring it up to a level of quality, and extended coverage, that SPEED could never manage.
This weekend’s Monaco coverage, with the comment team on-scene, has been excellent. The supporting feature on the Ferrari factory was good, if a bit contrived.
One observation, though, for NBC/SN — no disrespect to the comment team — but having two Brits and an Aussie on US tv is too much accent. Bring Varsha back.
The ‘Drive’ program that followed qualifying this morning on going to Monaco in a Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz and McLaren was the best of its kind I’ve ever watched, so much superior to ‘Top Gear’ stunts contrived to show how clever Jeremy Clarkson thinks he is.
[An aside: I hope the video we’ll be capturing next week of my trip to the Pur Sang factory in Argentina will be half as good as ‘Drive’s Monaco feature. And ‘Drive’ captured it and put the show together in a week after the last scenes were shot! Amazing.]
Mecum and Auctions America are not limited to NBC/SN but also continue on related, if obscure, outlets that NBC muscles onto your cable carrier’s offering. Look further, and keep watching to build up the numbers so when conflicting long term commitments come up for renewal NBC/SN knows they have eyeballs on their auction coverage and can give it priority.
Rick
Rick,
Thank you for an excellent view of the auction, I applaud your honest description of the featured lots. I have attended a few auctions and for the most point been disappointed in he quality ( or lack of) in the vehicles offered. It does not seem to matter which house is holding the sale, the descriptions and the vehicles for the most part are sub par. I am not saying all the vehicles are marginal but I can assure you that it would be unlikely that you would see me waving a bidders paddle any time soon.
Please keep your reports and honest descriptions coming.
I have always wondered: What about the critical “test drive”?? Just can’t see spending the money without one.
Anonymous,
Yes, the lack of a drive in a car at auction is the format’s most egregious shortcoming.
In some cases it’s possible to arrange a test-drive during the preview. It happens frequently at the catalog sales of Bonhams, RM, Worldwide and Gooding.
The consignment sales of Mecum, Auctions America and others, however, do not lend themselves to that degree of individual attention.
In many cases the cars arrive only hours before the auction begins and are barely slotted into their preview positions before they’re picked up and brought to the lineup and the block. Prospective bidders can, if they time their attendance carefully, observe this process, but a slow speed rumble across the grass in the hands of a super-cautious auction driver isn’t much of a real world experience.
It’s cold comfort, but that’s about all there is.
Rick
I think that these beautiful cars would look much better if they were photographed with their hood and trunk closed completely. Many of these cars had slightly or completely open hoods detracting from their beauty.
John Kaye,
I picture the cars as I find them, hoods open, closed or ajar. Personally I prefer them open so I don’t have to mess with them and risk the wrath of the owners.
Consider it this way: if the owner is proud enough and confident of the underhood presentation to display the car hood up it is a good sign.
These aren’t ‘beauty shots’, but documentary evidence of how the car is presented at the auction in support of the narrative comments. If the tire is flat, I’ll picture it that way.
Rick
Thanks for your response. I understand what you are staying but feel that for me, the viewer, I would much prefer seeing the car as it looks and as it was intended to look. They weren’t built to have the hood slightly raised, not fully closed or wide open. The design depends on having the hood and trunk completely closed. When I watch The Mecum auctions on TV and notice that half the time the hood it not completely closed. If a car going for $50,000 or $100,000 has problems with lifting or closing the hood, it must be a very rare case. When I see the hoods and trunks left open on TV, I want to yell, “close the hood!!!”
I’m asking “Rick, please close the hood completely before shooting. Let the car shine, PLEASE. (And please ask Dana Mecum to do the same.)
Thank you
John Kaye
Rick,
I appreciate your candid and sometimes satirical observations. For the most part, I agree with your observations and I enjoy the built in humor. I would like to get your thoughts on Lot # F235 – 1967 Pontiac GTO, based on you knowing additional information about the vehicle. This car is equipped with the Original Numbers Matching 400CI/360HP High Output Engine (not the base engine, 335HP). The car is also equipped with the Original Numbers Matching M21 Close Ratio Transmission and Special Order 3.90 Rear-end Gear Ratio. I thought it was an over the top deal especially compared to Lot # S171 (that you also reported on). Special notes on S171 would be that it was a non-numbers matching motor and it was not an original tri-power car. Additionally it had no tachometer and it had headers, not original exhaust manifold.
I have attended several Mecum auction and I am always amazed at what I see. I have never understood the under advertisement such as lot # F235 because I place a serious premium on having an original , numbers matching drivetrain. I also get very irritated at the misrepresentation of vehicles and I have never seen it worse than at Harrisburg, just 2 weeks ago. The number of fictitious rotisserie and frame off restorations was astonishing. I had never seen so many non-numbers matching….numbers matching cars in all my life. Also, the seller story telling was at an all time high. I must also say that this is not typical of a Mecum auction but I feel there will be several disappointed buyers when they eventually find out what they purchased.
Keep up your oustanding work Rick. Many Thanks