Mecum Auctions, Spring Classic, Indiana State Fairgrounds, Indianapolis, Indiana, May 13-16, 2015
Mecum’s Spring Classic is a marathon, four days of nonstop auctions with cars spread throughout the various exposition buildings of the Indiana State Fairgrounds in Indianapolis. It is possible – even productive – simply to concentrate on the Big Car displays. There is plenty there, in the diverse, if Muscle-oriented, consignment that makes the Spring Classic one of the year’s signature collector car auction events.
That isn’t to ignore the early and late cars in each day’s Mecum Green Sheet, and it is equally productive to prowl the lineup late in the day, catching the current day’s late lot numbers and the early ones for the following day lined up and ready to begin selling before the morning’s coffee can be drained.
It was apparent on the ground from the first that the 2015 consignment was way down from prior years. The numbers, even taking into account the 121 motorcycles offered on Thursday (86 sold, 71.1% sale rate, $1,542,510 total with commission, not included in the numbers below), bear out that impression.
Reinforcing that, the Spring Classic was originally scheduled to be a five-day sale: there was no Sunday auction.
What’s also apparent from the numbers is that Mecum has turned its attention to quality with both the average and median transactions much greater than in prior years. The individual observations that follow will show that’s not because of price inflation but rather generally higher quality.
Despite offering 20% fewer lots than last year the four day sale total was up 6.5 %.
Here are the numbers:
[table id=131 /]
“Why?” is all conjecture but surely some of it is Mecum’s own success in opening up new venues siphoning off consignments that would otherwise been attracted to the Spring Classic. Kissimmee is the obvious cause, but Mecum has also made a huge success out of its Dallas sale with 1,196 cars last September. Harrisburg is close and drew 875 cars last July. There were 932 cars at Mecum Houston only a month earlier and 619 in Kansas City three weeks before the Spring Classic. Single owner sales, like the Rogers’ Classic Car Museum sale in Reno in February, draw off another source of Spring Classic consignments.
Other auction companies aren’t making it any easier, either.
The quest for consignments is an intense, year-round effort. Despite the occasional barn find or wreck resurrected by gifted and talented restorers the supply of real collector cars is essentially finite. Adding more outlets for them only spreads that finite supply more thinly across the auction venues.
It is to the credit of the Mecum Auctions team that they brought so many quality cars to the Spring Classic, in the process making it easier to separate the wheat from an ever-smaller quantity of chaff.
Maybe Mecum’s Spring is better characterized as a sprint. It’s the year’s auction calendar that is the marathon.
[On-site observations by the editor, Greg Ingold and Erik Nelson; the editor is responsible for comments]
Mecum Indianapolis 2015 – Auction Report
Lot # T162 1965 Chevrolet Impala SS Convertible; S/N 166675S171261; Engine # S171261 T02I1JB; Red/Black vinyl; Black top; Cosmetic restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $34,500 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $37,260. With Reserve. 409/340hp, 4-speed, spinner wheel covers, narrow whitewalls, pushbutton radio, bucket seats, center console with clock, 6,000 RPM tach. – Represented as matching numbers. Clean, shiny paint. The brightwork is very good and the top looks new. The engine compartment has seen little use since the 2007 cosmetic restoration. The underbody has been completely redone. The gauge lenses are a bit cloudy and the seats have been redone. Previously restored with minimal use. A stylish way to enjoy the last year for the 409. – It’s refreshing that the restorer of this ’65 Impala didn’t kick it up to L31 400hp or L80 425hp trim, an honesty that is reflected in the other details of its restoration and presentation. Properly restored and well maintained, it could have brought another $15,000 and still represented a good value for the new owner.Lot # T181 1982 Chevrolet Corvette Collector Edition Coupe; S/N 1G1AY0788C5100940; Silver Beige, Brown/Silver Beige leather; Estimate $30,000 – $35,000; Unrestored original, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $27,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $29,160. With Reserve. 350/200hp, Cross Fire Injection, automatic, power steering, power brakes, power windows, power locks, power mirrors, power seat, air conditioning, tilt steering column, cruise control, AM/FM cassette stereo, CB radio, bronze tinted glass roof panel. – All original Collector Edition Corvette with only 248 miles since new. Paint is very good with only a few minor blemishes. Panel fitment is very good. Engine bay is showing age and wear. Undercarriage is very clean. Interior looks new with no wear. An excellent example that’s been part of the same collection since 1989 and very much been treated as a “Collector Edition” from new. – Produced as a special version to see out the final days of the C3, the Collector Edition 1982 cars were nevertheless not all that enticing to drive, which makes it easier to keep it in a sealed garage and admire its good looks. In over 30 years, this car has racked up less than 250 miles and it will probably never travel more than 300 at this point. It’s been under careful ownership for a long time and, given the very strong price paid here, it’s probably off to another carefully kept collection for the foreseeable future.Lot # T183 1961 Chevrolet Impala 2-Dr. Hardtop Bubble Top; S/N 11837B100864; Ice Blue/Blue vinyl, cloth; Estimate $35,000 – $45,000; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $34,500 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $37,260. With Reserve. 348/250 hp, Powerglide, P/S, skirts, wheel covers, pushbutton radio, whitewalls. – Good paint, chrome and interior. Underbody is stone chipped and surface rusted. A show winner in 1999 with miles evident under the car but not on the paint or interior. – The configuration of this Bubble Top Impala isn’t exceptional but power steering will make it an enjoyable driver. It is well preserved and highly original. At the price it represents full value for the money paid.Lot # T187 1962 Chevrolet Impala SS 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 21847A139249; Ermine White/Red vinyl; Estimate $50,000 – $60,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $63,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $68,040. With Reserve. 409/409hp, 4-speed, stock spaghetti stalk shifter, buckets and console, no P/S or P/B, spinner wheel covers narrow whitewalls, pushbutton radio, Positraction, Sun tach. – No claim made that this is the original engine, just that it’s a correct QB code 409/409. Good older paint, chrome and interior. Engine compartment is orderly but shows age. The same could be said of the chassis and underbody. It would sure be fun to drive as it is. – Is this undocumented 409/409 4-speed worth almost double the value of the 348/250hp Powerglide Bubble Top sold a few cars before it? Yes, it is. The engine is something that no one can resist when the hood is raised, and the condition is better. The 4-speed is essential to enjoying the drive. Both the seller and the buyer should be satisfied with this result.Lot # T189 1963 Ford Galaxie 500 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 3N63F119801; White/Blue vinyl; Estimate $30,000 – $40,000; Modified restoration, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $22,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $23,760. With Reserve. Originally 2-barrel 260 now with a 406/405hp with three 2-barrels, 4-speed, stock style shifter, bench seat, P/S, Auto Meter gauges, blackwall radial tires, hubcaps, pushbutton radio. – Sound paint, good chrome, sound older interior. Engine compartment is orderly but far from restored. Underbody is covered in old undercoat. There is not much going for it except that gorgeous engine. – A collector car hot rod and there can be no guaranty that the restorer who dropped the big, heavy 406 under the hood did all the things Ford did to take the extra weight, horsepower and torque. The Indy bidders appropriately handicapped the price for the uncertainties with a price that wouldn’t be inappropriate if the diminutive 260 still resided under the hood.Lot # T205 1969 Chevrolet Nova SS 2-Dr. Sedan; S/N 114279W529601; Tuxedo Black/Blue vinyl; Estimate $65,000 – $75,000; Older restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $47,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $50,760. With Reserve. 396/375hp L48 Engine, automatic, 3.55 12-bolt Positraction, power brakes, radio delete, steel wheels with red line tires. – Represented as numbers matching with two build sheets. Paint looks very good with just a few tiny flaws. Panel gaps and brightwork are both very good. Engine bay is immaculate with factory markings. Underneath is spotless. Interior is good and only lightly worn. They should have gone the extra distance during the restoration to make it perfect. A very good, relatively recent full restoration of a rarely and desirably equipped Nova SS. – Offered here three years ago with a reported high bid of $54,000, this L48 Nova SS has gone nowhere since, which is a pity. It’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing and leaves nothing to be desired by way of documentation, power train or restoration. It could have brought moderately more and still been a good value.Lot # T208 1969 Chevrolet Camaro COPO 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 124379N626098; Hugger Orange, Black vinyl roof/Black vinyl; Estimate $150,000 – $175,000; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $145,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $156,600. With Reserve. 427/425 hp, 4-speed, Hurst shifter, no console, 4.1 Positraction, heater, pushbutton radio, Rally wheels with hubcaps and trim rings, cowl induction. – Fresh show car restoration. MCACN judged 998 points in 2014. Gorgeous paint and chrome but other than that done to showroom condition and not taken too far. – The price this COPO brought is right in the ballpark for COPOs at the Spring Classic, but this is if anything the best of the lot in its restoration and presentation making it a sound value at this price.Lot # T209 1965 Ford Galaxie 500 XL 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 5G66R1244542; Vintage Burgundy/Black vinyl; Estimate $70,000 – $90,000; Recent restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $70,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $75,600. With Reserve. 427/425hp, 4-speed, 4.11 axle, top loader transmission, dual four-barrel carbs, fade resistant police/taxi brakes, Pyrex headlight covers, body color wheels, hubcaps, red line tires, Sun tachometer, bench seat. – Excellent paint and body. Window trim is slightly nicked. Engine bay and underbody have been restored to like new. Door cards are worn near the tops. Represented as matching numbers. A very pretty, quality and fresh body-off restoration. – One of 327 built in 1965 and a good if somewhat erratic combination of restoration with some worn original items that let down the overall impression. The bidders noticed and were accordingly circumspect in the value they assigned it.Lot # T211 1970 Ford Mustang Mach 1 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 0F5M102477; Acapulco Blue, Black hood stripe/Black vinyl; Estimate $45,000 – $60,000; Recent restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $54,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $58,320. With Reserve. 351/300hp, Top Loader 4-Speed, 3.25 Traction-Lok rear, original invoice, air conditioning, power brakes, power steering, shaker hood, front and rear spoilers, AM/FM radio. – Freshly restored Mach 1 represented as matching numbers. Paint is very good, as is the panel fit. Engine compartment is spotless. Interior looks brand new. The undercarriage is the only part of the car showing significant signs of use. A very strong car with quality work put into it. – An impressively restored Boss 302 that was rewarded on the block. The price was better than condition, and the engine isn’t special, making this a generous result for the seller.
Mecum Indianapolis 2015 – Auction Report Page Two
Lot # T215 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N JH23L0B155629; Panther Pink, Black hood stripe and vinyl roof/Black vinyl; Estimate $40,000 – $60,000; Modified restoration, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $65,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $70,200. With Reserve. 383/290 upgraded to a Six Pack 440, automatic, P/S, Rally wheels with trim rings, Eagle ST tires, pushbutton radio, woodgrain steering wheel. – Good older clearcoat paint, fair interior, good chrome. Dashboard and kick panels are loose and worn. Hood doesn’t close flush but doors do. Orderly underbody. A usable driver in a great color. – Sold at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale in 2004 for $41,580, then at B-J’s Palm Beach sale two months later for $35,100, the result here is pretty extraordinary for a made up car, even in Panther Pink. It’s enough to buy one originally built this way in comparable condition.Lot # T220 1968 Plymouth Belvedere GTX 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N RS23L8A330006; Red/Black vinyl; Estimate $50,000 – $75,000; Recent restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $47,500 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $51,300. With Reserve. 440/375hp, 4-speed, body color wheels, hubcaps, red line tires, Hurst shifter, bucket seats, AM radio, tilt steering column, documented with the broadcast sheet and dealer invoice. – Straight body with great paint. Vent window trim is pitted. Engine compartment is restored and has seen minimal run time. Interior is excellent. A very good restoration that has seen minimal use. Not quite a show car, but a very pretty if basic restoration. – A respectable restoration and a respectable price for it.Lot # T230 1988 Chevrolet Corvette Callaway 35th Anniversary Edition Coupe; S/N 1G1YY218XJ5116802; White, Black roof/White leather; Estimate $75,000 – $100,000; Unrestored original, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $61,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $65,880. With Reserve. 350/382hp, twin turbos, 4+3 transmission, J55 Brakes, Z51 suspension, air conditioning, power windows, 17-inch Callaway mag wheels. – From the Mike Yager collection. 430 original miles, this is essentially a showroom fresh car inside and out. Bloomington Gold Benchmark certified, judged 7,655 of 7,675 points. One of 7 Callaway twin turbo Vettes in 1988 with the Z01 Anniversary option. – There is a little premium for this Callaway Twin Turbo’s exceptional originality and preservation, but not a lot when its condition and the rarity of the Anniversary option are taken into account.Lot # T231 1990 Chevrolet Corvette R9G Coupe; S/N 1G1YY2383L5111764; Red/Black leather; Estimate $40,000 – $50,000; Unrestored original, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $27,500 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $29,700. With Reserve. R9G race prep package, adjustable suspension, AM/FM radio. – Bloomington Gold Benchmark and Survivor certified, paperwork included. Displayed at the New York Corvette Americana Hall of Fame Museum for 10 years. Only racing teams were allowed to order these special equipment Corvettes, but this one was never raced, only racked up 115 miles and has been maintained in like new condition. Slightly dirty from transportation at auction, but this would be easily corrected by a detailing. – While this is a rare Corvette, and one that will be proudly owned the penalty for adding more miles will take some thought by the new owner. On the other hand, at this price there is little premium for the negligible miles and it’s really possible to take it out and drive it to experience the full ennui of the C4.Lot # T245 1967 Chevrolet Corvette 427/435 Roadster; S/N 194677S105201; Engine # T1106IR 185405268; Tuxedo Black, Red stinger/Black leather; Black vinyl top; Estimate $85,000 – $100,000; Modified restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $86,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $92,880. With Reserve. 427/435hp, 4-speed, alloy wheels, redline tires, side exhaust, AM-FM, Positraction, Vintage Air, aluminum radiator. – Very good paint, chrome, leather interior and top. Engine number is for a 390 Powerglide, not a 435 Tri-Power. Clean, fresh restored underbody and engine compartment. A pretty and very usable but not collector quality Corvette. – This is a highly generous price for a Corvette with a mediocre restoration and modified engine.Lot # T263 1970 Oldsmobile Cutlass S 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 336870G140519; Sherwood Green, White hood stripes/Ivory vinyl; Estimate $50,000 – $65,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $45,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $48,600. With Reserve. 350/310hp, 4-speed, power brakes, W-25 Forced Air hood, W-27 3.91 Posi axle, body color wheels, hubcaps, Firestone Wide Oval tires, heavy duty cooling, sport mirrors, dual exhaust, AM radio, bucket seats, console, documented with build sheet, bill of sale, GM Canada paper and Protect-O-Plate. – Showing 32,935 original miles. Fantastic paint, body and brightwork. The engine compartment and underbody are immaculate. The original interior has light wear. Repainted but mostly original and very well maintained. A wonderful example of a rarely optioned Cutlass. – Sold at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale in 2010 for $33,000, then bumped through three other Mecum auctions 2010-2014 before reportedly selling at Kissimmee in 2014 for $48,600, followed by another sale in Indy in 2014 for $54,000. Flipped here a year later for a five-figure loss makes it an expensive ownership experience for the seller, but a reasonable value for the new owner.Lot # F39 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible Pace Car; S/N 124679N631522; Dover White, Hugger Orange/Orange vinyl with Orange Houndstooth cloth inserts; White top; Recent restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $56,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $60,480. With Reserve. 350/300hp, automatic, power steering, power brakes, power top, hidden headlights, AM radio, Rally wheels, Goodyear Polyglas tires. – Paint is excellent. Panel fit is slightly erratic. Brightwork shows some age and light scratches. Engine bay is restored and almost spotless. Undercarriage looks excellent and is very clean. Interior presents like brand new with no wear. A very well done restoration without going completely over the top. – The Camaro paced the Indy 500 for the second time in 1969, and more special replicas of the white and orange pace car were sold to the public. Buyers of these Indy 500 editions had the choice of four engines, of which the 350/300hp L48 like the one found in this car was the least potent. Even taking that into consideration, this was a spot on price for an example this good.Lot # F45 1966 Ford Mustang Convertible; S/N 6T08C177807; Red/Parchment vinyl; White top; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $30,500 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $32,940. With Reserve. 289/200hp, 4-speed, power top, power steering, Rally wheels, luggage rack, Pony interior, woodrim steering wheel, Hurst shifter, radio. – Paint is excellent. Panel gaps are slightly uneven. Brightwork is very good. Engine bay is very clean and detailed. Underneath is clean, showing some signs of road rash. Interior is good, but could use a good detailing. A sound, pretty but not immaculate restored Mustang that would be a great cruiser or local show car. – Considering that this car isn’t a GT and has the base 200-horse 289, this was a spot on result that should leave both parties walking away satisfied.Lot # F47 1968 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe; S/N 194378S420163; Engine # T1210LO; Red, Black stripe/Black vinyl; Visually maintained, largely original, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $65,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $70,200. With Reserve. L88 427 upgrade by Motion Performance in 1970, 4.11 axle, power brakes, J56 brake package, Hooker headers with cutouts, bellhousing scatter shield, American Racing wheels, BF Goodrich Radial T/A tires, AM/FM, documented with tank sticker and Motion Performance invoices. – The paint is excellent and the brightwork is very good. The windshield is delaminating in the upper corners. The engine is dull with age and the underbody is very clean. The interior is in excellent condition. A mediocre Corvette with period Motion Performance enhancements. – Originally a 427/390hp, given the L88 treatment by Motion Performance and understandably valued somewhat better than its more ordinary predecessor powerplant, but nowhere near what a real L88 would bring, it has an intriguing story and represents a sound value for the money. It was offered by Mecum in Kansas City in December with a reported high bid of only $50,000 and the seller did well to wait.
Mecum Indianapolis 2015 – Auction Report Page Three
Lot # F49 1959 Ford Galaxie Sunliner Convertible; S/N B9KC155882; Teal, White/Turquoise, White vinyl; White top; Visually maintained, largely original, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $36,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $38,880. With Reserve. 332/225hp, column-shift automatic, power steering, power brakes, power top, Continental kit, full wheel covers, narrow whitewalls, bench seat. – The paint has many small scratches and touch ups. Panel fit is good. Engine bay looks good and original other than new wires, belts, and hoses. Underneath is showing a decent amount of road rash. Brightwork is good, but showing some age. Interior is original and showing some wear but overall good. A good cruiser made better with the convenience of the power top that came on the Sunliner, but this example is no better than a reasonably well maintained car and a driver. – Offered at Spring Auburn in 1993 in pretty much the same condition as it appeared here with a high bid of $13,000. Sold at Spring Auburn last year for $30,250. It was a good value at that price, but today brought full retail money.Lot # F53 1966 Ford Mustang Fastback; S/N 6R09C148126; Red/Black; Recent restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $33,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $35,640. With Reserve. 289/200hp upgraded with a 4-barrel, automatic, power steering, air conditioning, Rally wheels and gauges, narrow whitewalls, front disc brakes, radio. – Paint looks very good with next to no flaws. Brightwork looks new. Engine bay is well restored and not over done. Panel fit is slightly off. Undercarriage is very clean. Interior is very clean with minimal wear. A very good restoration that could be a show winner at least on the local level. – Offered at Kissimmee earlier this year with a reported high bid of $30,000, the result here in Indy is modest but not unreasonably inexpensive.Lot # F67 1967 Dodge Dart GT Convertible; S/N LP27D72328190; Red/Black vinyl; Black top; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $23,500 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $25,380. With Reserve. 273/180hp, 4-speed, red line tires, wheel covers, dual mirrors, bucket seats, center console, radio. – Paint is decent with a lot of small scratches. Panel gaps are off a little. Brightwork is showing age and some small dings. Engine bay is clean with typical signs of use. Underneath looks to have been undercoated within the last few years. Interior is clean with some signs of use. 1 of 1,627 Convertibles with V8. An older restoration that is now a great driver with livable cosmetic flaws. – Chrysler made the Dart considerably bigger for 1967, making room for bigger engines in the process. This relatively early one has the small 273, though, and less desirable than some of the hotter Darts that came a bit later. The market for these has remained pretty flat, and this driver quality convertible brought an appropriate price, a little less than the $27,000 it sold for at Mecum’s Harrisburg sale ten months ago.Lot # F100.1 1957 Dodge D100 Sweptside Pickup; S/N 84290404; Tropical Coral, White/Gray cloth; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $31,500 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $34,020. With Reserve. 315/204hp, pushbutton automatic, whitewalls, side-mounted spare wheel, wood bed sideboards. – A body-off truck restoration. Paint looks good with a few minor blemishes. Panel fit is great. Wood bed looks new and fantastic. Undercarriage looks very good with fresh undercoating. Engine bay is very clean showing minimal use and wear. Interior is very good with only slight wear. A high quality, showable truck in eye-catching colors. – The 1957 Dodge D100 is often overshadowed by the Fords and Chevys of the same era, but it possess great “Forward Look” style complete with tail fins. Prices for the Dodges are far superior, too, and this impressive number is actually a modest bargain that could have been $10K higher without being beyond reason. Hopefully it will inspire more like it to be restored.Lot # F126.1 1969 Ford Torino Cobra 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 9A46Q237551; Black/Gold vinyl with cloth inserts; Unrestored original, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $22,500 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $24,300. With Reserve. 428/335hp Cobra Jet, column-shift Cruise-O-Matic, air conditioning, power brakes, power steering, Goodyear Polyglas tires, bench seat, AM/FM radio. – Decent paint with a few scattered scratches. Dull, scratched and pitted brightwork throughout. The engine compartment is old and grungy. The undercarriage is dull with a partially replaced exhaust. The interior is old and dull as well. A mostly original car showing 91,827 miles. Its condition isn’t quite as bad as the mileage and the 46 years of age might suggest, but it is tired and in need of freshening up. – After getting a high bid of $22,000 here a year ago and a bid of $20,000 at Auburn Fall last September the seller had realistic expectations here, and the buyer was able to get a relatively rare 428 CJ-powered Torino for a price that leaves enough cash to put a serious dent into the car’s several cosmetic needs.Lot # F129 1972 Chevrolet C10 Fleetside Pickup; S/N CCE142B132457; Black/White vinyl with Houndstooth inserts; Visually maintained, largely original, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $17,500 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $18,900. No Reserve. 350/175hp, column-shift automatic, original wheel covers, Cooper tires, power steering, power brakes, driver’s side spotlight, wood veneer dash, radio. – Said to be all original with an older repaint. Showing 100,386 miles. Paint looks good overall but is a bit faded. Brightwork has seen better days and is fairly dull. Inside of the bed is very good. Engine has gotten paint, but the rest of the engine bay is original and shows age. Underneath shows well for an old truck with this many miles. Interior looks good with some wear. A pretty good C10 that hasn’t been overly pampered and you still wouldn’t mind using once in a while. – The final year of the second generation C10 is a fan favorite as this price attests. Yes, it is remarkably difficult to find a workhorse truck in solid original condition, but this amount is approximately twice would be expected for its age and condition.Lot # F163 1963 Ford Galaxie 500 Lightweight Fastback; S/N 3N66R144813; White/Red vinyl; Older restoration, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $66,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $71,280. With Reserve. 427/425hp, race prepped by Rich Lamont, 4-speed, MSD ignition, 4.86 axle, hi-beam delete, fiberglass front end and trunk lid, aluminum bumpers, race exhaust, American Racing alloy wheels in the front, steel in back with slicks. Radio and heater delete. – Sponsored by Norristown Ford, driven by Larry Bloomer, Super Stock class winner for 10 consecutive weeks in 1963. The old paint is cracked and chipping away around the driver’s side rear wheel well. The brightwork is good. The engine compartment is dull from use and age, as is the undercarriage. The interior shows little evidence of use. A sound but ageing superficial old restoration, it is now a great basis for a straightforward, sympathetic restoration to as-raced condition or an ideal vintage drag car. – Ford Lightweights were like ants at a picnic in Indy: every building seemed to have one or two. Even with profligate supply, though, the demand was there and this is a realistic result considering the age and condition of the restoration. It deserves to be done anew, and at this price it can be.Lot # F175 1962 Pontiac Grand Prix 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 962L3958; Light Blue/Blue vinyl; White top; Cosmetic restoration, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $22,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $23,760. With Reserve. 389/333hp, automatic, power steering, power brakes, power windows, factory tach, fender skirts, 8-lug wheels, PHS documentation, Protect-O-Plate. – The paint has seen better days and has lots of scratches, chips, and fish eyes. Panels fit well, but have some small edge chips. Brightwork is very good. Underneath has some road rash. Engine bay looks correct and shows more signs of use. Interior has some wear as well and seats are slightly faded. A driver quality big cruiser, nothing more and nothing less. – Pontiac’s first Grand Prix in 1962 featured standard Pontiac bodywork cleaned of chrome embellishment with a bucket seat interior. It wasn’t the styling statement it would become in ’63, but it was still a statement, eschewing the glitz of the Harley Earl days for Bill Mitchell’s more subtle treatment. This is a competently presented if somewhat aged example, bought at an appropriate price.
Mecum Indianapolis 2015 – Auction Report Page Four
Lot # F175.1 1967 Shelby Mustang GT500 Fastback; S/N 67402F4A01487; White/Black vinyl; Recent restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $141,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $152,280. With Reserve. 428/355hp, 4-speed, stripe delete, power steering, power brakes, Deluxe Marti Report. – A rare stripe delete car. Paint looks very good, so does the panel fit. Brightwork is excellent. Engine bay is clean and correct with some signs of use. Underneath is extremely clean. Interior looks excellent with very little wear. Showing 49,962 actual miles and in stellar condition. – This is a generous price for a ’67 GT500, even a stripe delete one, even in this very good condition.Lot # F176 1966 Chevrolet Chevy II 100 2-Dr. Sedan; S/N 113116W133625; Engine # FIIT5ZI; White/Red vinyl; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $45,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $48,600. With Reserve. 327/350hp, 4-speed, 3.73 axle, body color wheels, Firestone Deluxe Champion tires, hub caps, bench seat, radio delete. – Excellent paint with a laser straight body and all new brightwork. The engine compartment has been meticulously redone as well as the underbody. The interior has been completely replaced. The engine does appear to have a re-stamped code and is described only as ‘correct L79 components’ and ‘date correct engine, transmission and rear end’. A very well done restoration to better than new condition. – A highly desirable car, freshly restored to better than new condition, but only tentatively (and improbably) as it was originally built which makes the price it brought more of a reward for the quality of its workmanship, materials and performance than the authenticity of its restoration. On that basis this is a generous price; if it were to be documented as delivered in this form it would be a bargain.Lot # F178 1967 Ford Mustang GT Fastback; S/N 7R02S197328; Night Mist Blue/Black vinyl; Recent restoration, 1- condition; Hammered Sold at $73,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $78,840. With Reserve. 390/320hp, 4-speed, power steering, power brakes, 3.25 Traction Lok, BF Goodrich Radial T/A tires, Sport Deck rear seat, AM radio, center console, Marti Report. – Flawless paint and brightwork, the body and panel gaps are excellent. All of the factory markings appear to be replicated correctly. The engine and underbody are both immaculate and the interior has been completely replaced. A no expense spared restoration that looks better than 99% of the Mustangs you’ll run across. – One of the very best examples that can be found, it brought a corresponding and appropriate price here, faster than a GT350 but without the Shelby badges.Lot # F183 1967 Shelby Cobra 427 Roadster; S/N CSX3356; Blue, White stripes/Black leather; Concours restoration, 1 condition; Hammered Sold at $1,000,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $1,080,000. With Reserve. 427 Side oiler, 4-barrel, aluminized side exhausts, Halibrand style centerlock alloy wheels, outside fuel filler, chrome paperclip rollbar, chrome quick jack pickups, big hip flared fender S/C features not original as built. – Show car paint and chrome. Seats lightly stretched. Odometer shows 2,176 miles since the restoration and conversion to S/C features. Freshly serviced by Mike McCluskey. – With some 289 Cobras bringing seven figures this original 427-powered big block Cobra in show quality condition is a relative value, even though it has no history of note.Lot # F184 1989 Mercedes-Benz 560SL Convertible; S/N WDBBA48D4KA098238; Black/Black leather; Estimate $70,000 – $90,000; Unrestored original, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $54,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $58,320. With Reserve. Chrome alloy wheels, Pirelli blackwall tires, two tops, automatic, Becker Grand Prix radio. – 8,154 miles and all original with excellent paint, chrome and interior. Clean, dry original underbody. An extraordinary find. – There is little if any appreciable premium in this result for this 560SL’s originality and low miles. The new owner could have expected to pay this much for a used but very good example with ten times the miles.Lot # F185 1968 Chevrolet Impala SS 427 Convertible; S/N 164678Y128307; Engine # T0911IE; Matador Red/Parchment vinyl; White vinyl top; Estimate $100,000 – $125,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $57,500 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $62,100. With Reserve. 427/385hp, 4-speed, buckets and console, Hurst shifter, Positraction, Rally wheels with hubcaps and trim rings, P/S, no P/B – Very good older paint, chrome and interior. Minor trim chrome pits and edges not carefully wet sanded. Clean, orderly engine compartment showing only a little age and limited careful use. A sound and highly enjoyable 4-speed 427 Impala convertible. – Sold at Barrett-Jackson in Scottsdale in 2007 for $73,700 in about the same condition it is in today, with 1,444 fewer miles on the odometer. Then sold at RM’s Wayne Davis collection auction in 2008 for $64,900. Its price here in Indy is far more appropriate than the seriously optimistic estimate in Mecum’s catalog.Lot # F186 1965 Shelby Cobra 289 Roadster; S/N CSX2549; Silver Mink/Red leather; Older restoration, 2- condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $1,000,000 plus commission of; Final Price $1,000,000. With Reserve. Automatic, chrome wire wheels, Pirelli P5 tires, grille and trunk guards. – One of no more than 20 small block Cobras built with the C4 automatic. Excellent paint and chrome, very good lightly stretched and creased upholstery with minor surface cracks. Good panel fits except the back of the deck lid. Underbody is done and clean but not fresh, as is the engine compartment. More than good enough to own proudly but not too good to be driven and said by someone who has driven it to be a sweet running car that chirps the tires when the automatic shifts up. – Does the automatic’s rarity make it worth more, or does it not appeal to collectors who tend to think of Cobras as bare knuckles stick shift brawlers? It would appear that the consignor thinks it’s worth more, but the bidders don’t agree. Mecum couldn’t reconcile the two competing views this week in Indy and the owner gets to try again … maybe in Monterey.Lot # F187 1972 De Tomaso Pantera Coupe; S/N THPNMG03342; Yellow/Black; Estimate $125,000 – $175,000; Older restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $125,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $135,000. With Reserve. AM-FM, chrome bumpers, Campagnolo alloy wheels, Avon tires, A/C with later rotary compressor, lowered, Koni shocks, electronic ignition. – Good but lightly orange peely repaint, good chrome and interior. Engine compartment and luggage tray are like new with space saver spare, tools and jack. Underbody is like new. An impressively presented early stock Pantera with known ownership history from new and 10,652 miles. – This is a premium early Pantera that brought, and deserves, a serious premium price for its originality, known miles, complete equipment and freedom from all but a few easily undone upgrades. So many Panteras have fallen into the hands of people who, with all good intentions, want to make them better but instead mess them up. This is a great example of one that has been left as it should be and found an appreciative audience willing to recognize its attributes.Lot # F188 1971 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Berlinetta, Body by Scaglietti; S/N 14769; Red/Black leather; Estimate $850,000 – $1,000,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $775,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $837,000. With Reserve. Painted nose panel, pop up lights, headrest seats, Blaupunkt Cambridge CD stereo, P/W, A/C, 5-spoke alloy wheels, full tool roll, owner’s manuals, 9-inch rear wheels. – A largely original Daytona with a good older repaint with minor masking holidays, scuffed stainless window trim. Aged undercoating chipped off in places and surface rusted. Uneven hood fit. Doors fit better but not a lot. Dusty but original under the hood. Runs better than it looks. – If this description sounds familiar it’s because it is. Sold by RM in Arizona in January for $715,000 and flipped here with just 11 more miles on the odometer. It was a sound value then but at $122,000 more here it is taking on an expensive mantle.
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Lot # F191 2006 Ford GT Heritage Edition Coupe; S/N 1FAFP90S16Y401469; Gulf Blue, Orange/Black leather; Estimate $450,000 – $550,000; Unrestored original, 2 condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $400,000 plus commission of; Final Price $400,000. With Reserve. 18/19 inch BBS wheels, McIntosh stereo, HID headlights, A/C. – 5,718 miles and like new. – Reported sold last September at Auburn Fall for $360,000, then at Mecum’s Anaheim auction in November for $405,000. It crossed the block at Mecum’s Austin auction in December with the same bid reported here and has already covered more miles in Reliable’s haulers than it has under its own power but will go back into the truck to be unloaded at another auction. The supply of Ford GTs may be overwhelming the demand for them and it’s time to get out while the exit is still open.Lot # F193 1971 Chevrolet Corvette LS6 Convertible; S/N 194671S115511; War Bonnet Yellow, Black vinyl hardtop/Saddle leather; Black top; Estimate $140,000 – $160,000; Older restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $120,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $129,600. With Reserve. 427/425hp, automatic, two tops, P/S, P/B, P/W, AM-FM, tilt steering column, tinted glass, Rally wherewith trim rings and hubcaps, F70-14 Wide Tread tires. – Very good paint and interior. Wavy bumpers, lightly scuffed windshield frame trim. Restored underbody showing some age. A rare Corvette with a well preserved older restoration. – Another car chasing an elusive bidder who’s willing to pay what the owner has in it. It crossed the block twice at Mecum’s Kissimmee auction in 2014 with bids of $110,000 on Friday and $95,000 on Sunday, then sold at Auctions America in Ft. Lauderdale two months later for $140,250. The consignor settled for cutting his losses here and took the money rather than giving it more rides. The ‘rare’ automatic transmission doesn’t equate with ‘desirable’.Lot # F195 1967 Maserati Ghibli Spider conversion; S/N AM115174; Ice Blue/Dark Blue leather; Black top; Estimate $300,000 – $400,000; Cosmetic restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $230,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $248,400. With Reserve. Chrome spoke Borrani wire wheels, Pirelli blackwall tires, A/C. – Good recent clearcoat paint with a few small fisheyes. Very good new interior, older top. Good chrome. Clean, orderly engine compartment and underbody from an older restoration. The shop doing the conversion is not known but chassis reinforcements and bodywork details indicate it was taken seriously. – Offered by Mecum in Monterey in 2013 with a reported high bid of $195,000, it found an appreciative audience here in Indy, even though it’s not as appreciative as the generous estimate would indicate. As an object it is exceptionally pretty and indecently fast, a relatively good value when put up against a Daytona, even a cut Daytona, for three times the price.Lot # F197 1971 Mercedes-Benz 280SL Roadster; S/N 11304412019338; Dark Olive Green, Dark Olive hardtop/Cognac leather; Estimate $90,000 – $110,000; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $60,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $64,800. With Reserve. Wheel covers, narrow whitewalls, Frigiking A/C, Becker AM-FM, two tops, books, tools, owner’s manual. – Underbody quickly repainted assembled. Good repaint on the body but not so good on the hardtop. Very good new upholstery and carpets. A sound and desirably equipped boulevard cruiser. – This is a sound buy in a sound, attractive, fully-equipped cosmetically restored 280SL.Lot # F198 1978 Toyota FJ40 Land Cruiser; S/N FJ40274438; Green, White roof/Black vinyl; Estimate $40,000 – $60,000; Recent restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $65,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $70,200. With Reserve. Beige wheels, Warn front hubs, Michelin LTX tires, Warn winch, center facing rear seats. – Freshly restored to generally like new condition but the driver’s window sill was painted over surface rust. Other than that it is as close to showroom new as an FJ gets. – This FJ was bought at Mecum’s Anaheim auction last November for $38,250, then offered at Austin in December with a reported high bid of $50,000. It struck a chord here in Indy and brought a price that is full retail and then some. There seems to be no ‘normal’ in FJs and their values hop around almost irrationally making the search for the right time and place potentially rewarding, as it proved to be here.Lot # F202 1970 Buick GSX 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 446370H277942; Saturn Yellow, Black stripes/Black vinyl; Estimate $100,000 – $130,000; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $170,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $183,600. With Reserve. 455/350hp, 4-speed, power steering, power brakes, Rally wheels, Goodyear Polyglas GT tires, hood tach, bucket seats, AM/FM radio, console. GSX registry listed. – Represented as 31,676 original miles and matching numbers drivetrain. Stunning paint and all new brightwork. The engine and underside have been restored to like new. The interior appears to be all new components. A highly detailed restoration finished in 2007. The work was top notch, and it presents like a much newer restoration. – The GS (Grand Sport) was Buick’s answer to the GTO, and the GSX was the optional high performance package in 1970 that compared with the GTO Judge or the 4-4-2 W-30. Only 678 were built. This example is among the very best around, as proven by the astronomical price it reached here.Lot # F205 1967 Shelby Mustang GT350 Fastback; S/N 67200F7A01344; Lime Gold, White/Black vinyl; Estimate $120,000 – $150,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $110,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $118,800. With Reserve. 289/306hp, 4-speed, Traction-Lok, Koni shocks, 10-spoke Shelby wheels, center-mounted fog lights, power steering, power brakes. – The paint is holding up well with a few small blemishes. Brightwork looks very good. Panel fit is great. Engine bay is very clean with limited signs of use. Underneath looks spotless. Interior is very good, slight wear on the driver’s seat. An older restoration but still beautiful. – The GT350 got bulkier and more comfortable for 1967. It was a move that made the car more livable on the road, but enthusiasts prefer the racier early GT350s and as a result they are worth way more money. Any Shelby Mustang is a valuable car, though, and this sound older restoration brought a reasonable, slightly low price.
Lot # F206 1970 Pontiac GTO Judge 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 242370P220145; Engine # 330140 XP; Orbit Orange/Black vinyl; Estimate $90,000 – $125,000; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $82,500 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $89,100. With Reserve. 400/370hp Ram Air IV, automatic, hood tach, AM-FM, P/S, P/B, P/W, tilt column, sport steering wheel, 4.33 Safe-T-Track. – PHS documented. Restored like new with excellent paint, interior and very little chrome. Beautiful engine compartment done like new and not overdone. Represented as matching numbers engine. A beautiful car in an eye searing color. – Sold at Mecum’s Dallas auction last September for $77,040, this is a fine GTO Judge by any standards but even better in Orbit Orange, a color that begs to be arrested by every passing officer of the law. [Is that ‘car profiling’?] The increment in transaction value is hardly significant and it is a sound value even at this price.
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Lot # F207 1971 Plymouth GTX Hemi 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N RS23R1G165445; Black, Matte Black hood, Black vinyl roof/Black vinyl, cloth; Estimate $130,000 – $160,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $130,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $140,400. With Reserve. 426/425hp, dual quads, 4-speed, P/S, P/B, Hurst pistol grip shifter, Air Grabber hood, bench seat with folding center armrest, Rallye wheels with trim rings, G60-15 Polyglas GT tires, leather rim steering wheel. – Said to be one of only eleven Hemi 4-speed ’71 GTXs. Very good older paint, chrome and interior. Underbody shows age and some use, but still nearly in showroom condition. – The ’71 redesign of the B-body Mopars did nothing for their appeal, but makes them a relatively good value for the purely performance-driven, as this transaction indicates. There are a lot of bragging rights in this GTX and they didn’t cost much.Lot # F208 1968 Shelby Mustang GT500 Fastback; S/N 8T02S129533-00541; Acapulco Blue, White stripes/Black; Estimate $150,000 – $175,000; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $135,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $145,800. With Reserve. 428/360 hp, 4-speed, P/S, P/B, tilt steering column, 10-spoke alloy wheels, Goodyear Speedway blackwall tires, Sport Deck rear seat, grille mounted fog lights, pushbutton radio. – An older restoration with a more recent repaint. Overspray in the wheelwells over old chassis paint. Upholstery is sound and quite likely original. A sound older restoration that has mellowed into a great driver. – This is a sound, reasonably presented car made even more desirable by its 4-speed and it brought an appropriate price for its equipment and presentation.Lot # F213 1966 Ford Bronco Utility; S/N U14FL733983; Light Blue, White hard top/Gray vinyl; Estimate $35,000 – $50,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $38,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $41,040. With Reserve. 105hp six, 3-speed, removable half cab, Hi-Lo transfer case, full wheel covers, narrow whitewalls, full size spare, bucket seats. – From the Rick Baker collection. First year Bronco restored 10 years ago. Paint looks good with a few flaws and touch ups. Panel fit is great. Engine compartment is clean, while showing some use. Underneath is very clean. Interior is immaculate. Brightwork looks new. A very good early Bronco with quality restoration work that leaves it looking much newer than it is. – Although this early Bronco is very good, this was still a huge price and another example of the growing market for vintage trucks. It’s more than an FJ40.Lot # F222 1970 Shelby Mustang GT350 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 0F2M482775; Gulfstream Aqua, Black, Gold stripes/Black vinyl; Estimate $75,000 – $100,000; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $75,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $81,000. With Reserve. 351/300hp, automatic, power steering, power brakes, 3.25 limited slip, Shelby mag wheels, Goodyear Polyglas GT tires, Philco AM radio, center console, Marti Report. – From the Rick Baker Ford collection. Good, shiny paint. The brightwork around the windshield is dull and scuffed. The engine is dusty and has a leaky carburetor. The underbody is clean and restored. The interior has been fully restored. A mostly original car with one repaint that is in well kept and very presentable condition. – Values for these second generation GT350s took a big nose dive in 2009 and have only slowly crept back up. This imperfect example, finished in a rare and pretty color combination, brought a very strong result and the seller should be quite happy with it. By 1970 there wasn’t much of Shelby left in the Shelby-badged GT350 and their values reflect only the badge.Lot # F224 1970 Ford Mustang Mach 1 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 0T05R110842; Blue, Black/Black vinyl; Estimate $75,000 – $100,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $75,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $81,000. With Reserve. 428/335hp, Cobra Jet, 4-speed, power steering, power brakes, shaker hood scoop, 3.91 limited slip, Magnum 500 wheels, BF Goodrich Radial T/A tires, center console, AM radio with 8-track player, Deluxe Marti Report. – From the Rick Baker Ford Collection. Largely original paint, the driver’s side fender and the nose have a few touched up gouges. Bumpers have been redone. There are paint runs on the passenger’s side A-pillar. The antenna tip is bent. The engine has been restored and then seen some use. The interior also is restored and well maintained. – Sold here three years ago for $53,000, it found a highly receptive audience that put a premium on its preservation.Lot # F231 1964 Mercury Comet Cyclone 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 4H27K571643; Peacock Turquoise/White vinyl; Estimate $75,000 – $100,000; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $71,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $76,680. With Reserve. 289/271hp, 4- speed, chrome wheel style wheel covers, narrow whitewalls, 3.55 Traction-Lok, Centerforce clutch, buckets and console, tach, woodgrain steering wheel. – Excellent recent paint, chrome and interior. Performance and reliability modified, but invisibly, and highly attractive. – A rare high performance Comet with a better-then-new restoration but also a better than average price for it, an expensive car.Lot # F237 1953 Ford F-100 Pickup; S/N F10R3D26597; Glacier Blue/Blue vinyl; Estimate $35,000 – $50,000; Recent restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $35,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $37,800. With Reserve. 239/106hp Flathead, 3-speed, dual exhaust, Ford heater, 50th anniversary emblem in steering wheel. – Beautiful body-off restored first year F100. Paint and panel fit are excellent. Brightwork is good and shiny. Engine bay is spotless and the undercarriage looks just as good. Interior looks new and shows no wear. A very solid restoration. – A beautifully restored truck and a milestone in pickup history, the buyer got full value for money at this price.Lot # F243 1970 Dodge Challenger T/A 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N JH23J0B283936; Go Mango, Matte black hood/Burnt Orange vinyl; Estimate $60,000 – $80,000; Modified restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $56,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $60,480. With Reserve. 340/290 hp, Six Pack, 4-speed, Hurst pistol grip shifter, gauges, Sun oil pressure gauge, Rallye wheels with trim ring, Radial T/A tires, 3.54 Sure Grip, P/S, P/B, pushbutton radio, side outlet exhaust. – Originally an automatic (comes with the lot.) Restored like new and very fresh. Good fit on the fiberglass hood. Passenger’s door doesn’t close flush but that’s a small quibble on an otherwise excellent car. – Sold for $63,800 at Auctions America’s Ft. Lauderdale auction fourteen months ago and bought here very reasonably for its condition, sharp colors and with a little bit off the top for the transmission change. Its odometer shows only three more miles now than it did in Ft. Lauderdale, though, so the seller never even got to experience the pleasure of driving it. At the rice it brought here it should be driven, not displayed.
Mecum Indianapolis 2015 – Auction Report Page Seven
Lot # F244 1970 Pontiac GTO Judge 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 2423701106165; Engine # 0062756 WS; Polar White/Blue vinyl; Estimate $60,000 – $80,000; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $47,500 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $51,300. With Reserve. 400/366hp Ram Air III, 4-speed, Safe-T-Track, P/S, P/B, hood tach, Hurst T-handle shifter, pushbutton radio, console, Super Sport wheels, G70-14 Polyglas tires. – Mediocre clearcoat paint with wet sanding oversights near door trim. Dusty old engine compartment and underbody. Steering wheel hub is mangy and the rim is crudely painted. Good interior and carpets. A usable driver quality restoration with some age. – A desirable Judge let down by the quality and longevity of its old restoration. The seller could have spent a few hours and a few dollars on prepping it and had a much more satisfactory result, especially after it was sold at Auctions America’s Ft. Lauderdale auction fourteen months ago for $69,300. The car card says it’s been driven ‘approximately 50 test miles since completion’ which indicates very hard miles or a very superficial restoration. The car is tired and deserves more attention, which the new owner can give it at this advantageous price.Lot # F245 1969 Chevrolet Camaro RS/SS 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 124379N584082; Hugger Orange, Black vinyl roof/Black houndstooth; Estimate $60,000 – $80,000; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $45,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $48,600. With Reserve. 396/375hp, 4-speed, Hurst shifter, 3.73 Positraction, P/S, P/B, cowl induction, SS wheels, F70-14 Polyglas tires, rosewood grain steering wheel, console gauges, pushbutton radio. – Freshly restored with gorgeous clearcoat paint, excellent chrome, interior and vinyl roof. Better than new without going too far. Passenger’s air vent handle missing. – Sold here a year ago for $61,560 and a significant value at the price it brought today. It may not have been a $61K car in 2014, but it’s more than a $48K car in 2015.Lot # F249 1954 GMC 100 Pickup; S/N 10124PZ1518; Green/Green; Estimate $50,000 – $75,000; Recent restoration, 1- condition; Hammered Sold at $40,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $43,200. With Reserve. 248/125hp six, 3-speed, deluxe chrome bumpers, wood box floor, side-mounted spare wheel, custom oak box rails. – Desirable 5 window cab GMC. First year for the wrap around window. Paint is beautiful and virtually flawless. Brightwork is excellent. Panel fit is great. Engine bay is just about spotless with just some small signs of use. Underneath is as clean as above. Interior looks new with the exception of a small crack in the steering wheel. An exceptional show quality restoration. – A rare truck that somehow survived to be restored to far better than new condition. The price, while expensive for a Fifties Jimmy, accurately reflects the outstanding quality of this one.Lot # F250 1950 Chevrolet 3100 Pickup; S/N HBA1201356; Swift Red, Cream roof/Brown vinyl; Estimate $50,000 – $75,000; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $45,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $48,600. With Reserve. Later 235 six, column-shift 3-speed, upgraded chrome grill and bumpers, highly varnished wood bed, dual mirrors, body color steel wheels with hub caps and trim rings, whitewalls, bench seat, 5- window cab. – Paint is very good with just a few flaws. Panel fit is very good. Brightwork is excellent. Engine bay is spotless. Underneath is just as clean as the rest of the truck. Interior looks new. A phenomenal-looking truck that has gotten the kind of quality restoration usually reserved for valuable cars. – The popularity of trucks among collectors is clear when they begin to get Bloomington Gold class restorations like this, and command realistic prices, also like this.Lot # F251 1965 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible; S/N 194675S100283; Engine # F8I0HM; Tuxedo Black/Black vinyl; Estimate $90,000 – $115,000; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $70,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $75,600. With Reserve. 327/365hp, 4-speed, Positraction, side exhaust, two tops, air conditioning, telescopic steering column, centerlock alloy wheels, woodrim steering wheel, aftermarket cassette stereo, dash clock. – Represented as a numbers matching 327/365hp. Paint looks very good with very few blemishes. Brightwork is showing age. Engine bay is clean but not highly detailed. Interior has signs of use with significant wear on the driver’s seat. Undercarriage has some road rash. A very good driver or local show car. Repainted 10 years ago and given a “light cosmetic refreshing” earlier this year, this is a very well kept car that’s never been fully restored but looks very good even though it shows 96,161 miles on the odometer. – This is no show car, but it is a solid driver. Nevertheless, the Indy bidders were wary of a car that hasn’t been fully restored and says nothing about NCRS or Bloomington Gold on the car card. It went very reasonably here, and the buyer of the L76-powered convertible with a desirable hard top should be pleased.Lot # F251.1 1971 Ford Mustang Mach 1 Fastback; S/N 1F5J112121; Pewter, Matte Black hood/Black vinyl; Estimate $65,000 – $85,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $50,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $54,000. With Reserve. 429/375 hp Cobra Jet, 4-speed, Hurst T-handle shifter, no console, Ram Air hood, 3.91 Traction-Lok, P/S, P/B, Rally wheels, hubcaps, trim rings, Wide Oval tires, wing, chin spoiler, documented with original invoice, window sticker, buyer’s order and Marti Report. – Represented as an original car but appears to have been painted. Even at that it is sparingly used and carefully maintained. Very good paint, chrome and interior. Orderly if a little dusty underhood and under the car. – Reported sold at Auctions America in Ft. Lauderdale fourteen months ago for $66,000 and much more reasonably priced today. Considering the laundry list of options and features, not to mention the Ram Air 429, this is a lot of car for the money.Lot # F257 1966 Oldsmobile F-85 Cutlass 4-4-2 Club Coupe; S/N 334076M300790; Autumn Bronze/Beige vinyl; Estimate $75,000 – $90,000; Recent restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $41,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $44,280. No Reserve. 400/360hp, 4-speed, Tri-Power, 3.90 Limited Slip, body color wheels, hub caps, red line tires, bench seat, tachometer and added auxiliary gauges, radio delete, heater delete. – Excellent paint and body. The brightwork has been completely redone with only negligible scuffs from use. The engine compartment looks like new. The underbody has light grime from use. The interior is extremely clean and unused. A 2012 body-off restoration of a rare Tri-Power car with little use. – What use it has some from being hauled from auction to auction It was bid to $60,000 here a year ago, then $75,000 at Mecum Dallas last September and $62,000 at Kissimmee in January. It had used up its auction entry tickets and the new owner got a rare and unusual Olds for a bargain price.Lot # F258 1956 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible; S/N E56S2201; Red, Beige coves/Red vinyl; Beige vinyl top; Estimate $90,000 – $120,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $72,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $77,760. With Reserve. 265/240hp, 3-speed, high lift cam, dual quads, power top, heater, WonderBar radio, spinner wheel covers, whitewalls. – Represented as matching numbers engine. Restored like new two decades ago with very good cosmetics. The engine compartment isn’t to the same standards but is clean and orderly. Only 111 Corvettes came with the high lift cam, and how many of them were also equipped with the heavy, complicated power top must be nearly non-existent. – This isn’t the best ’56 Corvette around but it is surely one of the most unusual. It hit the Mecum trail in Dallas last September where it was reported bid to $80,000, then turned up in Austin where the bid was $70,000. The seller got the message here in Indy and took the money. The buyer got a pretty amazing Corvette even if it is showing the age of its restoration. Some attention, however, will reverse a lot of its age and yield a rare, satisfying Corvette. It’s a good buy at this price.Lot # F259 1970 Ford Mustang Boss 302 Fastback; S/N 0F2G141920; Calypso Coral, Black stripes/Black vinyl; Estimate $85,000 – $100,000; Recent restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $70,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $75,600. With Reserve. 302/290 hp, 4-speed, close ratio 4-speed, 3.91 Traction-Lok rear end, front disc brakes, power steering, power brakes, Hurst T-handle shifter, Magnum 500 wheels, Radial T/A tires. – Comes with original shipping invoice and Marti Report. Body-off restoration completed in 2013. Paint is very good with a few fish eyes and chips here and there. Panel fit is great. Brightwork looks excellent. Engine bay is spotless with no signs of use. Underneath looks just as good as the rest of the car. Interior looks great, some slight wear on the console. An excellent car overall let down by a handful of paint flaws. – The sale price fell quite a bit short of the presale estimate, but the unfinished details nagged on too many bidders’ confidence. The options and colors are good, so the new owner should be happy, especially if he or she owns a paint stop where the issues can be remedied cost effectively..
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Lot # F259.1 1969 Chevrolet Nova SS 2-Dr. Sedan; S/N 114279W425077; Tuxedo Black/Black vinyl; Estimate $75,000 – $90,000; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $60,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $64,800. With Reserve. 396/375 hp L78, 4-speed, Hurst shifter, bench seat, hubcaps, F70-14 Polyglas tires, P/B, heater, pushbutton radio, column mounted Sun 270 degree tach, underdash gauges, documented with the original Protect-o-Plate, window sticker and pre-delivery checklist. – Repainted assembled with some masking oversights. Good interior, major chrome and aluminum trim. Underbody is done like new. Represented as matching numbers engine. Orderly engine compartment. Restored a while ago but still very appealing, aside from the paint issues and some age. – Sold at Kissimmee in January for $73,440. This is a hard way to make money but a good way for the new owner to experience a serious high performance car with Big Block power in a compact platform. If a big block in a mid-sized platform is a Muscle Car, this must be a Muscle Car squared.Lot # F260 1957 Chevrolet 3100 NAPCO Pickup; S/N 3A57W106400; Black/Black vinyl; Estimate $65,000 – $80,000; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $62,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $66,960. With Reserve. Chrome bumpers and grille, hubcaps, trim rings, bench seat. – Represented as the original matching numbers drivetrain. Very good fresh paint, chrome and interior. Engine compartment, chassis and underbody are like new. Aside from a few details overlooked with the paint and scuffed door handles that should have been replaced or rechromed, this is a NAPCO that is far better than when it left the factory. – The buyers snapped it up, too, paying FJ40 money for it. Really? FJ40 money? For a NAPCO Chevy 3100? What is the world coming to? Most NAPCOs were driven off into the woods and mountains in search of oil or gold or new frontiers and then left there when they were used up. A matching numbers NAPCO is almost unheard of, even at this price.Lot # F261 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 396 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 136370K107692; Fathom Blue, White stripes/Black vinyl; Estimate $80,000 – $120,000; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $75,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $81,000. With Reserve. 396/375hp, 4-speed, buckets but no console, SS wheels, P/S, P/B, cowl induction, Polyglas tires, Positraction. – Represented as numbers matching. Freshly restored like new with excellent paint, chrome, interior and glass. Protect-o-Plate documented. Engine compartment and underbody are like new. An impressively restored and desirably equipped Chevelle. – Sold at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale in January for $66,000, the price it brought here is much more representative of its rarity, restoration, performance and value. It is possible to buy a right car for modest money at B-J, as long as the excitement and glitz don’t induce bidding frenzy.Lot # F263 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe; S/N 30837S105337; Ermine White/Red vinyl; Estimate $110,000 – $140,000; Cosmetic restoration, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $89,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $96,120. With Reserve. 327/340hp, 4-speed, spinner wheel covers, narrow whitewalls, WonderBar radio, Positraction. – Represented as numbers matching engine. Cosmetically restored with a sound repaint and good new interior. Old window tracks and dirty window pockets. Underbody repainted over old undercoat. Good chrome. Painted assembled and erratically masked and wet sanded. An auction car. – This is a nasty car with no good surprises. Built to a price and just good enough to look good on the auction block, it is superficially done. The bidders, however, weren’t fooled, and neither was the consignor who recognized the car’s many shortcomings and wisely took the money. Even this price is all the money for the workmanship.Lot # F264 1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1 Fastback; S/N 9T02R151100; Champagne Gold, Matte Black hood/Black vinyl; Estimate $80,000 – $100,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $63,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $68,040. With Reserve. 428/335 hp, 4-speed, 3.90 Traction-Lok, Drag-Pack, chrome wheels with hubcaps and trim rings, Radial T/A tires, smog pump, no P/S or P/B, pushbutton radio, shaker hood, documented with the original title and Marti Report. – Good recent clearcoat repaint, otherwise shows 56,387 believable miles in the engine compartment and under the Mustang. – Sold here four years ago for $54,060 and bought for a reasonable price today. Its good overall condition without ever needing a comprehensive restoration is reassuring and its equipment is highly desirable. The price equitably balanced intrinsic appeal with condition.Lot # F267 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 RS 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 124379N587892; Hugger Orange, Black stripes and vinyl roof/Black vinyl; Estimate $120,000 – $140,000; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $105,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $113,400. With Reserve. 302/290 hp, crossram dual quads, 4-speed, four wheel disc brakes, Positraction, P/S, Rally wheels with hubcaps and trim rings, Sport Car 200 tires, AM-FM, Protect-o-Plate documented. – Excellent clearcoat repaint, very good chrome, interior and vinyl roof. Underbody is better than new. As good as it gets in a ’69 Camaro except that the four-wheel discs aren’t identified as being the original-type JL8 option. – This is a top price, but also a top Camaro with a fresh better than new restoration and a list of options that ticks just about every box. The new owner got every bit of value out of the price paid and both buyer and seller should be satisfied with this result.Lot # F295 1974 Plymouth Barracuda 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N BS23L4B226294; Red, White side stripes and vinyl roof/White vinyl; Cosmetic restoration, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $17,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $18,360. No Reserve. 360/245hp, automatic, power brakes, Radial T/A tires, Rallye dash, bucket seats, aftermarket CD player, aftermarket radiator. – Represented as matching numbers. Final production year for this model. Paint shines well, but there are quite a few blemishes throughout. Panels fit very well. Vinyl top is slightly discolored. Engine has been detail painted but the rest of the engine bay shows age. Underneath is pretty rough. Interior is clean and not showing much wear. This would be a solid driver, but some notable flaws and not much performance make it less than ideal. – Even if it is less than ideal, it deserved a few thousand dollars more, but was a no reserve lot and went to a thrifty and opportunistic new owner.Lot # F300 1974 Plymouth Road Runner 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N RM21U4G144871; Silver, Black, Red/Black vinyl; Visually maintained, largely original, 4+ condition; Hammered Sold at $17,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $18,360. With Reserve. 440/275hp, automatic, power steering, power brakes, air conditioning, bucket seats, console with shifter, AM/FM radio. – Represented as the original engine. A good recent repaint with a few chips on the driver’s door edge. The passenger’s side rocker panel has a silver dollar sized spot that has rusted through. The door handles are pitted, the wheel well trim fits poorly and the rear bumper filler panel is discolored and warped. The engine and underbody are crusty, old and need extensive attention. The interior is worn, especially the driver’s seat. An auction prepped car that will need immediate attention to the rust issues. – An only marginally desirable project car for which a generous price was paid.
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Lot # F309 1967 Ford Mustang GT 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 7R01S107143; Sauterne, Black vinyl roof/Green vinyl; Cosmetic restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $35,500 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $38,340. With Reserve. 390/320hp, automatic, dual exhaust, power steering, power brakes, GT wheels, Radial T/A tires, factory air conditioning, Marti report, window sticker copy. – Paint is good with a few chips and blemishes. Brightwork looks great. Panel fit is slightly off. Engine bay is very clean. Undercarriage looks original and shows lots of use. Interior is very good with very little wear. An older cosmetic restoration that still has lots of eyeball as well as the desirable S-code 390/320hp performance engine. – After a long, quiet stretch in the market, first-gen Mustangs have come on strong. Some call it the “anniversary effect,” others note that these models have springboarded past Baby Boomer nostalgia thanks to the successful retro-revival design of the 2005-14 Mustang. This car was sold at the Fall Branson auction last October for $37,530 and offered a few weeks ago at Mecum’s KC sale with a reported high bid of $40,000. Everyone seems to be in the same ballpark for it.Lot # S1.7 1977 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am Coupe; S/N 2W87Z7N146687; White, Red, Gray/Black vinyl; Visually maintained, largely original, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $20,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $21,600. No Reserve. 400/180hp, 4-speed, 8-inch snowflake wheels, shaker hood, power steering, power brakes. – Paint has fish eyes, chips and touch ups. Panel gaps are good. Brightwork is dull. Engine bay is clean but old. Underbody has been recently undercoated. Interior is decent with light wear to the driver’s seat, console, and steering wheel. This is a good driver quality car. – This is big money for a driver quality ’77 Trans Am. The market for these has grown, but the winning bidder here overshot it by quite a bit. Rerun of T166, also sold but at a more realistic $18,000 hammer.Lot # S35 1966 Shelby Mustang GT350H Fastback; S/N SFM6S1177; Sapphire Blue, Gold stripes/Black vinyl; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $112,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $120,960. No Reserve. 289/306hp, automatic, Magnum 500 wheels with Hertz center caps, Goodyear Blue Streak tires, AM radio, dash mounted tachometer, glove box signed by Carroll Shelby. – Represented as numbers matching engine. Old faded paint with chips along the rocker panels, new stripes, the trunk lid fit needs adjustment. The rear window is clouding around the edges. The old engine compartment has been detailed as well as the underbody, but are still old. The seats have been redone while the rest of the interior appears original. A clean, driver quality Shelby Rent-A-Racer and one of just 50 in this color combination. – Bid to $140,000 in Kissimmee last year and then bid to $110,000 in Houston a few months later, then sold at Kissimmee this year for $129,600. This is not a business plan that seems to make sense, but rarely does it pay off and the buyer took advantage of the seller’s No Reserve consignment to acquire a pretty, but tired, GT350H at a reasonable price.Lot # S55 1956 GMC Suburban Carrier Pickup; S/N 101CX2482; Red, White roof/Red, White; Truck restoration, 3 condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $33,000 plus commission of; Final Price $33,000. With Reserve. 270/130hp six, 3-speed, radio, hubcaps, trim rings, whitewalls, radio, windshield visor, dual outside mirrors. – Quick recent repaint, fair chrome, poor hood badge. Frame and suspension painted assembled. The back of the cab in front of the bed is dull, covered with body shop slag and neglected, setting the tone for the rest of the workmanship. A superficial truck restoration of a rarely seen model. – GMC’s counterpart of the much more common and better known Chevy Cameo Carrier powered by GMC’s bigger but less powerful six-cylinder engine. The rarity of the Carrier deserved a thorough restoration but instead got turned out quickly to make the auction. The bidders were cognizant of its shortcomings, to judge by this bid. It is a fair and responsible attempt to balance rarity with condition that the seller would have been wise to accept.Lot # S80 1965 Pontiac Catalina 2+2 Convertible; S/N 252675C140926; Starlight Black/Red vinyl; White top; Older restoration, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $61,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $65,880. With Reserve. 421/350hp Tri-Power, automatic, power steering, power brakes, air conditioning, 8-lug wheels, narrow whitewalls, bucket seats, center console with floor shift, AM radio, tachometer, full gauge pack, PHS documentation. – Paint is very good and the top is new. The bumpers are like new, but the window trim is oxidizing. The engine compartment shows some use after restoration with a leaky center carburetor, underneath has a badly leaking transmission. The interior has been completely redone. This is an old restoration that has been used and needs some immediate mechanical attention. – This is not the best 421 Tri-Power 2+2 convertible in the world, but there are so few of them around that any 421 Tri-Power 2+2 convertible has star power. That attraction figured in the price it brought, a generous one for its condition but understandable in light of its performance and eye-appeal.Lot # S89 1963 Ford Galaxie 500 Lightweight Fastback; S/N 3N66R145096; White/Red vinyl; Unrestored original, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $65,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $70,200. With Reserve. 427/425hp, dual quads, 4-speed, 4.11 axle, race exhaust, fiberglass front end and trunk lid, hi-beam delete, aluminum bumpers, mag wheels in front, steel wheels in the rear with slicks, lightweight Bostrom bucket seats, radio delete, heater delete. Romy Hammes sponsored, racing history not documented. – Cracked and faded original paint. Brightwork is pitted. Tires appear original and are severely checked. Clean, aged engine bay. The hood hinges were a bit sticky. Undercarriage is also original and aged. Interior is lightly worn. A very cool, original lightweight racer. – No known racing history, too good to restore, too bad to drive, let alone experience its tire-melting performance, but even at that it’s an extremely modest price for a highly desirable car, a price that represents if anything a discount for originality, the opposite of how it usually works.Lot # S101 1970 Ford Mustang Mach 1 Twister Special 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 0F5M118871; Grabber Orange, Black stripes/Black vinyl; Estimate $110,000 – $140,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $80,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $86,400. With Reserve. 351/300hp, automatic, Magnum 500 wheels, Radial T/A tires, 3.50:1 Traction-Lok, front and rear spoilers, rear window louvers, woodgrain interior trim, radio. – Twister Special, 1 of 96 Twister Specials made in 1970 and one of 52 known to exist. Comes with Deluxe and Elite Marti reports and original invoice. Paint looks good, but does have a few flaws. Panel gaps are very good. Brightwork is excellent. Engine bay is very clean and not over-restored. Underneath is good, but showing some age. Interior looks good, center console compartment is worn and does not close. A good car, but some small things were overlooked in the full restoration. – Sold at Mecum’s Kansas City auction in April 2013 for $82,680, a no-sale at KC last December with a high bid of $65,000, the price here is appropriate for a Twister Special with an ageing restoration and a mundane drivetrain.Lot # S113 1972 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Spider Conversion, Body by Carrozzeria Auto Sport; S/N 15689; Red/Tan leather, Black stripes; Black cloth top; Estimate $950,000 – $1,200,000; Rebodied or re-created, 2- condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $800,000 plus commission of; Final Price $800,000. With Reserve. Alloy body, 8/9 inch chrome spoke Borrani wire wheels, Michelin X blackwalls, P/W, P/S from a C/4, A/C, Pioneer CD stereo. – Quality workmanship and very good paint, chrome and interior showing little age or use. Rebodied for Joe Nastasi after a 1979 accident said to be ‘minor’. Known history from its 1977 import to the U.S. – Crossed the block at Mecum’s Monterey auction in 2013 with a reported high bid of $700,000. The consignor here seems to think the alloy Spider rebody is worth more than a comparable Daytona. That may be correct, but it didn’t bear fruit in Indy.
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Lot # S114 1969 Pontiac GTO Judge Convertible; S/N 242679B170775; Engine # 0630157 WS; Black/Black; Black vinyl top; Estimate $250,000 – $350,000; Recent restoration, 2 condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $210,000 plus commission of; Final Price $210,000. With Reserve. 400/366hp Ram Air III, 4-speed, Hurst shifter, P/S, P/B, PMD Rally II styled wheels, red line tires, console, pushbutton radio, wing, Saf-T-Track. – Excellent paint, interior and top, very good chrome. Engine compartment and underbody are very clean and like new. Rare, attractive car, one of 79 Judge Ram Air III 4-speed convertibles. Not represented as the original, only as a ‘correct’, engine. – Sold here in 2011 for $193,450 fresh from restoration and presented this year still in impeccable condition. At the reported high bid it couldn’t have been more than a paddle-raise away from selling.Lot # S116 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air FI Convertible; S/N VC57S261763; Engine # F515EK; Matador Red/Red, Silver vinyl; White vinyl top; Estimate $110,000 – $125,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $110,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $118,800. With Reserve. 283/283hp fuel injection, 3-speed, power top, skirts, spinner wheel covers, whitewall bias ply tires, bumper overriders, trunk lid trim, tinted glass. – Represented as matching numbers engine (very clearly stamped). Very good fresh paint, chrome, interior and top over an older restoration showing a little age but no appreciable use. – About as desirable as any Shoebox Chevy can be and bought at a realistic price for what it is.Lot # S118 1969 Chevrolet Chevelle COPO 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 136379B397120; Engine # T402M0; Fathom Green/Black vinyl; Estimate $200,000 – $250,000; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $150,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $162,000. With Reserve. L72 427/425hp, COPO 9566, power brakes, 4.10 Posi, M-22 4-speed, SS wheels, Firestone Wide Oval tires, bucket seats, console, AM radio. Comes with Protect-O-Plate, NCRS shipping data report, original bill of sale, broadcast sheet and GM of Canada documents. – Represented as matching numbers engine. Immaculate paint and body with fantastic brightwork. The engine, chassis and interior have been restored to like new condition. Completely restored and highly documented. Nearly impossible to fault. – Considering that this is a thoroughly documented big block COPO its price differential from, say, a ’69 Z/28 in comparable condition is modest. The new owner should be proud not only of the magnificent car but also of the value for money.Lot # S125 1969 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu SS 396 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 136379G331039; Black, Red/Red vinyl; Estimate $200,000 – $250,000; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $135,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $145,800. With Reserve. L89 396/375hp, 4-speed, power brakes, 3.73 axle, chambered exhaust, SS wheels, Goodyear Polyglas tires, bucket seats, console, AM radio, documented with build sheet and NCRS shipping data report, Goodguys 2014 Muscle Car of The Year, Concours Gold at the 2012 Muscle Car Nationals. – Fantastic paint with a deep luster. The brightwork is fantastic. The engine, underbody and interior have been restored to immaculate standards. A fantastic, rare L89-powered Chevelle restored to better than new. – Sold by Barrett-Jackson in Scottsdale last year with no reserve for $68,200, very low considering the car’s stellar condition. At Indy, it was the opposite story at over twice the sale number last year and an extra 30 grand over today’s market value. Assuming the seller here was the same person who bought the car in Scottsdale, to say it was money well spent would be an understatement.Lot # S126 1965 Ferrari 275 GTB NART Spider Rebody; S/N 08039; Engine # 08039; Yellow/Black leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $2,900,000 – $3,500,000; Rebodied or re-created, 3+ condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $1,000,000 plus commission of; Final Price $1,000,000. With Reserve. Chrome spoke Borrani wire wheels, Michelin X blackwall tires. – Wavily rebodied in aluminum after an accident early in its life, 2-cam engine. Good paint and chrome, sound older interior, window cavities loaded with overspray and body shop dust. Orderly engine compartment and underbody but showing age and limited use. – No interest shown on the block. A sound 275 GTB today is a $1.5 million car and this poorly executed NART Spider rebody should be worth about 2/3 of that, especially since there never was a 2-cam NART Spider. It was reported bid to $1.6 million at Russo and Steele in Monterey a year and a half ago. It deserved to be ignored, despite the hype over the value of the original Scaglietti-built 4-cam NART Spiders.Lot # S127 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Convertible; S/N VC57F232065; Engine # F813FC; Black/Red, Silver vinyl; White vinyl top; Estimate $120,000 – $140,000; Older restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $82,500 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $89,100. With Reserve. 283/220 hp, Powerglide, P/S, P/B, spinner wheel covers, whitewalls, WonderBar radio, power rear antenna, skirts, electric wipers, windshield washer, vacuum ashtray, padded dash top. – 2007 AACA National First Prize and Senior Award winner. Represented as numbers matching engine. Very good paint, chrome, interior and top. Nearly like new engine compartment and underbody. Minor paint touchup on one corner of the deck lid. Very clean window pockets. – Sold in January at Barrett-Jackson in Scottsdale for $82,500 and only modestly more expensive after selling here for essentially the same money, perhaps with some giveback to the seller from the buyer’s commission to make up for transportation, commission and entry fee. The person who assigned the estimate range must have thought it was fuel injected.Lot # S137 1963 Ford Galaxie 500 Lightweight Fastback; S/N 3N66R146755; Corinthian White/Red vinyl; Estimate $150,000 – $200,000; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $220,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $237,600. With Reserve. 427/425hp, dual quads, 4-speed, 1,483 original miles, straight pipe exhaust, aluminum bumpers, fiberglass front end and trunk lid, body color Kelsey Hayes wheels, Racemaster slicks, lightweight bucket seats, radio delete, heater delete, warranty disclaimer in the glove box, never raced. From the Danny Hill collection. – The body and paint are excellent. Brightwork is all like new, the engine and underbody have been immaculately restored. The interior is fully restored and has no wear at all. A wonderfully restored lightweight with two owners (not counting the original selling dealer who bought it back when its racing days were over) from new. – Galaxie Lightweights were like ants at a picnic in Indy. This one’s condition is excellent but why it was worth three times more than the original, unrestored example sold earlier is a total mystery. Maybe because it runs and can make a few more passes for nostalgia? That’s still a lot to pay for a endorphins.Lot # S140 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Convertible; S/N VC57L135635; Matador Red/Red, Silver vinyl; White vinyl top; Estimate $55,000 – $75,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $55,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $59,400. With Reserve. 283/220hp, Powerglide, power top, skirts, pushbutton radio, spinner wheel covers, whitewalls, electric wipers. – Danny Hill Collection. Tired old repaint, aged original interior and chrome. Flawed and microblistered paint. Aged engine compartment and underbody. Not original, just old. Represented as 36,155 miles. – This is not, as the catalog maintains, ‘patina’, this is age that begs to be remedied and the seller should be very happy to get this much for it.
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Lot # S145 1963 Ford Galaxie 500 XL Fastback; S/N 3U68R172672; Rangoon Red/Red vinyl; Estimate $45,000 – $60,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $62,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $66,960. With Reserve. 427/425hp, dual quads, 4-speed, AM radio, spinner wheel covers, console, bias ply whitewalls. – Car was restored 25 years ago. Part of the Danny Hill Collection. Paint looks good overall but is showing some age and blemishes. Engine bay is pretty clean with some signs of use. Interior is excellent and showing very little wear. Undercarriage is very clean with a tiny bit of road rash. Brightwork is showing some age and wear. A very sound driver and local show car represented as having 4,761 original miles from new. – The 4,761 miles from new seems unrealistically optimistic and no documentation was offered for the claim. The bidders, however, accepted it and put a serious low miles premium into the price even though the car has been restored and thus lost most of the indicia of originality. It is a magnanimous result.Lot # S151 1970 Pontiac GTO Judge Convertible; S/N 242670P201747; Atoll Blue/Blue vinyl; White vinyl top; Estimate $115,000 – $135,000; Cosmetic restoration, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $60,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $64,800. No Reserve. 400/366hp, column shift automatic, P/S, P/B, no console, hood tach, wing, chin spoiler, Rally II wheels, radial blackwall tires, pushbutton radio. – Cosmetically restored in 1980, smells moldy. Dull Endura nose, scuffed paint and chrome, soiled upholstery. Erratic hood and nose fit. A tired Judge that needs a change of venue. – An intriguing old Judge, with the emphasis on ‘intriguing.’ It’s difficult to get excited over a car that smells like dirty laundry with deteriorated paint (particularly on the Endura nose) and soiled upholstery. The car card said it’s freshly detailed by Ralph’s Full Service Car Wash and Detail; don’t use Ralph’s. The result here is appropriate to the car’s specifications, equipment and unusually mediocre condition. A competent re-restoration is in its future.Lot # S153.1 1970 Pontiac GTO Judge Ram Air IV 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 242370P216698; Polar White/Red vinyl; Estimate $125,000 – $150,000; Recent restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $105,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $113,400. With Reserve. 400/370hp Ram Air IV, 4-speed, Hurst T-handle shifter, no console, hood tach, Rally II wheels, G70-14 Polyglas tires, 3.90 Safe-T-Track, wing, pushbutton radio, leather wrapped Formula steering wheel, PHS documentation. – Very good paint, chrome and interior. Underbody and engine are orderly and show only limited use. A quality restoration with some age but limited use since it was done. – Offered at RM’s Toronto auction in 2007 with a reported high bid of $98,578, then here a year ago with a bid of $79,000. Waiting out the market proved to be a good strategy for the seller and this price should make both buyer and seller content. It is a very good Judge.Lot # S162 1955 Buick Roadmaster Convertible; S/N 7B2012460; Cascade Blue, Stafford Blue/Light Blue, Dark Blue leather Dark Blue leather; Dark Blue vinyl top; Estimate $225,000 – $275,000; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $180,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $194,400. With Reserve. 322/236hp, chrome wire wheels, whitewalls, P/S, P/B, Dynaflow, power seat, WonderBar radio, P/W. – Freshly restored to showroom condition with better paint, chrome, top and interior. Engine compartment and underbody are like new, not overdone. A beautiful restoration in striking original colors. – An exceptional, fresh restoration in particularly attractive colors that complement the rather complex lines of Buick’s 1955 body. This is a showpiece that deserved every penny of the price it brought.Lot # S168 1955 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster; S/N VE55S1372; White, White hardtop/Red vinyl; Tan top; Estimate $145,000 – $160,000; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $130,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $140,400. With Reserve. 265/195hp, Powerglide, removable hardtop, wheel covers, wide whitewall tires, AM radio, documented with the original bill of sale, full ownership chain and service records. – Represented as matching numbers engine. Good old repaint. The bumpers have been quickly polished with a few spots missed. The hardtop window is foggy. The engine compartment has been cleaned. The underbody has been painted and the interior has been completely redone. An attractive older restoration with many needs. – Sold here in 2012 for $132,500 and bought reasonably enough here. The ’55 Corvettes combine two important attributes, the last year for the original side curtain roadster body and the first year for the V-8, in many respects making them the prime example of the C1, attributes reflected in this price.Lot # S186.1 1966 Pontiac GTO Convertible; S/N 242676p186606; Red/Black vinyl; Black top; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $50,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $54,000. With Reserve. 389/360hp, Tri-Power, 4-speed, Rally I wheels, red line tires, power steering, power brakes, woodrim steering wheel, bucket seats, center console, Rally gauges, radio, PHS documentation. – Paint looks great and has almost no flaws. Panel gaps are perfect. Brightwork is excellent. Engine bay is clean with some signs of use. Underneath is very clean. Convertible top fits great. Interior is very good with slight wear to the front seats. An excellent body-off restoration that’s not hot off the press but needs nothing. – A real bargain. The value gap between excellent GTOs and those that are simply good GTOs is quite wide. This price strays closer to the latter categorization while the car’s spec skews well toward the former. This is purchase to be proud of. It brought just as much at Dave Rupp’s Ft. Lauderdale auction in 2009 ($54,540), looks as good now as it did then and its odometer shows only 13 more miles since then. It’s not exactly a great ‘investment’ particularly as no one apparently got to enjoy it, but as a place to park money in a proud possession it’s not a bad choice.Lot # S192 1989 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am Turbo Coupe; S/N 1G5FW217XKL237961; White/Tan vinyl; Unrestored original, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $42,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $45,360. With Reserve. Buick 3.8-liter turbocharged231/250hp V-6, automatic, snowflake wheels, Goodyear Eagle ZR50 tires, steering wheel radio controls. Single owner, includes documents and Turbo Trans Am Jacket. – Indy Pace Car edition. Showing 743 original miles. Good original paint. Hood struts have collapsed. Engine compartment and undercarriage are dusty from sitting. Driver’s seat is lightly worn. A very good original car that would do very well with a light general cosmetic freshening. – A fairly obscure car to people who aren’t Firebird enthusiasts, the Turbo Trans Am put the turbo V-6 out of the Buick Grand National into a more sophisticated car than the old Regal to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Trans Am. This was also the first car to pace the Indy 500 without performance modifications, and 162 Indy 500 editions of the Turbo Trans Am were produced. The performance, rarity and almost complete lack of use combined to a very strong price, even for a Turbo Trans Am, that translates to well over twice what a normal V-8 Trans Am of this vintage would bring, but the originality and low miles deserve the premium paid.Lot # S194 1969 Pontiac GTO Judge 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 242379Z114447; Engine # 021944 YZ; Carousel Red/Black; Recent restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $75,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $81,000. With Reserve. 400/366hp Ram Air III, automatic, P/S, P/B, factory A/C, painted Magnum wheels, Radial T/A blackwall tires, hood tach, pushbutton radio, wing. – Represented as matching numbers, California black plate, rust free, documented with Protect-o-Plate, build sheet and original purchase paperwork. Body on frame restored with excellent cosmetics. Like new underhood. A superior Goat. – Sold at Kissimmee in 2012 for $54,060, at Indy four months later for a breathtaking $100,700 and offered at Dallas last September with a reported high bid of $70,000, a roller coaster auction history that was resolved here with a realistic price for a superior GTO with a reassuring history. It’s not a bargain, but it is a very good car and stands as an example of ‘buy the best you can afford.’Lot # S204.1 1940 Buick Roadmaster Convertible Phaeton; S/N 13792490; Black/Tan leather; Tan cloth top; Concours restoration, 1 condition; Hammered Sold at $117,500 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $126,900. With Reserve. Turn signals, pushbutton radio, dual outside mirrors, skirts, red wheels with hubcaps and trim rings, wide whitewalls, fog lights. – Fresh concours restoration to better than new condition. Sharp, crisp engine compartment. Done like new and not overdone. Flat body panels, even gaps, flush fits. Excellent paint, chrome, interior and top. – One of the last convertible sedans offered by Detroit, an incredibly rare automobile, one of just 235 built (but there were another 230 Limited Convertible Phaetons on the longer 133 inch wheelbase.) The Limiteds are CCCA Full Classics ™ but the Roadmasters aren’t, limiting their utility to today’s collectors. This is a superb car and it brought superb Roadmaster money.
These numbers are filled with inaccuracies. I logged every sale of this auction according to mecums own website results. Total sales = $35,984,501 plus commission. Total pass thru entries = 1324. Total vehicles sold = 779. Percentage sold = 58.65%. Average sale price = $46,193.20. Mecums numbers, not mine.
Rick – Thanks for the great coverage!
Michael,
Wow! That’s a massive effort.
The stats published in SCD are derived from a spreadsheet of final results received directly from Mecum the week after the sale.
They are then cleaned of dupes and reruns (based on the VIN reported by Mecum) so the same car is counted only once even if it crosses the block twice. A rerun that is sold one time but passed another is included as sold; the no-sale is not included in the sale total but is noted in the individual transaction record’s Comments field. Lots reported sold twice (it does happen) are included only once, generally at the higher or the later of the two transaction amounts.
Grouped transactions (boat and trailer, for instance, sold together but wiht two lot numbers) are counted only once.
Mecum sometimes reports a lot with a “$0” transaction. In reviewing the sale and cleaning up the results these lots are not included.
The SCD reports generally don’t include motorcycles or golf carts, although I may not find all of them. In the case of the Spring Classic most of the motorcycles ran May 14 under distinct lot numbers and those [approximately] $1,542,510 in total sales were not included. In general I have found these transactions to be no-shows, although in some cases they are no-sales where the auctioneer and clerk don’t record the high bid amount. They are in aggregate not significant.
Reported results and totals include Mecum’s buyer’s premium of the greater of $500 or 8% of the hammer bids; Mecum reports only the hammer bids on the website (as you noted above) and in their spreadsheet, for both sold and no-sale lots.
We give Mecum’s “Bid Goes On” staff credit for their work closing deals after the cars cross the block and up to five working days after the auction so lots that are passed on the block but closed later are included. We do the same for all other auctions, as do all of our colleagues in the collector car auction reporting world.
I went back and checked my results and find that one more lot has appeared in the “Sold” column, bringing the total sold to 823 lots and elevating the sale total to just over $41 million ($41,016,823.)
That’s how it works, and I’ll stand by the numbers in SCD, but commend you for taking the time and going to the trouble of compiling a massive list for your own information.
I made a mistake in the earlier comment. It should read as follows:
Michael,
Wow! That’s a massive effort.
The stats published in SCD are derived from a spreadsheet of final results received directly from Mecum the week after the sale.
They are then cleaned of dupes and reruns (based on the VIN reported by Mecum) so the same car is counted only once even if it crosses the block twice. A rerun that is sold one time but passed another is included as sold; the no-sale is not included in the sale total but is noted in the individual transaction record’s Comments field. Lots reported sold twice (it does happen) are included only once, generally at the higher or the later of the two transaction amounts.
Grouped transactions (boat and trailer, for instance, sold together but wiht two lot numbers) are counted only once.
Mecum sometimes reports a lot with a “$0? transaction. In reviewing the sale and cleaning up the results these lots are not included. In general I have found these transactions to be no-shows, although in some cases they are no-sales where the auctioneer and clerk don’t record the high bid amount. They are in aggregate not significant.
The SCD reports generally don’t include motorcycles or golf carts, although I may not find all of them. In the case of the Spring Classic most of the motorcycles ran May 14 under distinct lot numbers and those [approximately] $1,542,510 in total sales were not included.
Reported results and totals include Mecum’s buyer’s premium of the greater of $500 or 8% of the hammer bids; Mecum reports only the hammer bids on the website (as you noted above) and in their spreadsheet, for both sold and no-sale lots.
We give Mecum’s “Bid Goes On” staff credit for their work closing deals after the cars cross the block and up to five working days after the auction so lots that are passed on the block but closed later are included. We do the same for all other auctions, as do all of our colleagues in the collector car auction reporting world.
I went back and checked my results and find that one more lot has appeared in the “Sold” column, bringing the total sold to 823 lots and elevating the sale total to just over $41 million ($41,016,823.)
That’s how it works, and I’ll stand by the numbers in SCD, but commend you for taking the time and going to the trouble of compiling a massive list for your own information.
I believe the Roger’s Auction was held in Las Vegas, not Reno.
You are correct, Jeff.
Rick