Mecum Auctions, Kansas City, Missouri, April 25-27, 2013
Report and photos by Rick Carey, Auction Editor
Mecum Auctions holds two sales each year in Kansas City, a reflection of several things, notably the supply of quality consignments in the region and a particularly good urban venue with abundant indoor display space (you could overhaul a couple of 747s in here after their wings were removed) and convenient downtown accommodations and amenities.
A little while ago Jack Reynolds commented on the Leake Oklahoma City auction report, “Patina seems to be the “in” thing at auctions these days. However, I don’t see any owners of muscle cars bragging about patina. Any thoughts?”
The broad answer to Jack’s inquiry is that unrestored original muscle cars are surpassingly rare. When they were new they got hammered. Then they passed downstream to less well-heeled owners who thought nothing of hammering them further, replacing their engines and supplanting their original intakes, exhausts and just about anything else that would bolt on or in with newer, better, freer-flowing parts.
I’ve seen salvage yards filled with original intake manifolds and carburetors set aside for high flow Holleys on Edelbrock Performer intakes. The original parts were, by the second or third owner’s standards, “junk.”
Muscle cars that survived even partially original eventually came into the hands of later owners who appreciated them for what they were in the Sixties and Seventies and took on the task of re-creating the cars’ as-new configurations. And that is what we see today.
But original, unrestored muscle cars survived and they are, despite or maybe on account of their rarity, appreciated by discerning collectors.
There were two at Mecum Kansas City: Lot # S094 1968 Shelby Mustang GT500 Fastback; S/N 8T02S173637-01930; Lime Green/Black vinyl; Unrestored original, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $73,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $77,380. – New Holley 4-barrel, automatic, P/S, P/B, A/C, Sport Deck rear seat, 10-spoke alloy wheels, 8-track — Original wheels, tires and carburetor included. Paint is mostly original except for nose center, hood and cowl poorly repaired and repainted long ago probably after rear-ending something bigger. Orderly but aged engine. Underbody is original and aged. Good upholstery. An unusual, largely original GT500. — Is this GT500 good enough to be a preservation car? Almost, but probably not quite. It brought preservation class money, though, an expensive price for a flawed and visually challenged GT500. Lot # S125.1 1970 Pontiac GTO Judge 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 242370R118666; Engine # 0169912 YZ; Polar White/Black; Unrestored original, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $51,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $54,060. – 400/366hp Ram Air III, automatic, P/S, P/B, Safe-T-Track, pushbutton radio — Original 32,500 mile car, one owner from 1970. Represented as original paint but that doesn’t account for the masking holiday on the driver’s door or left front fender. Clean and orderly underhood, engine doesn’t appear ever to have been out. PHS documented and comes with original paper including registrations from 1970 on. Impressive. — This is the poster car for original Muscle, a choice Judge with everything except a 4-speed and in nearly unbelievable original condition. The left side may have been scraped and repainted, but it’s hard to think of that as anything more than further evidence of its originality; stuff happens in 43 years on the road. This price is as much as a meticulously and accurately restored Ram Air III automatic would bring. The new owner got something to cherish, preserve and show with pride, paying a reasonable premium for bragging rights. Don’t touch it, just add a few miles to the odometer and puff up with pride.
And maybe this S-code Mustang: Lot # F171 1967 Ford Mustang Notchback; S/N 7R01S230280; Irish Mist, Black vinyl roof/Black vinyl; Unrestored original, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $20,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $21,200. – 390/320hp, automatic, P/S, woodgrain steering wheel, console, pushbutton radio, styled wheels, Radial G/T tires, A/C — Special order paint in GM Irish Mist Metallic. Original throughout with some scrapes but mostly sound and well preserved. — This is a valuable car based only on its rare S-code 390/320hp engine and factory special order paint. Its originality is a bonus although compromised by the scratches and scrapes. The new owner got a choice piece of Mustang history for a modest price.
All three of these results show that muscle car collectors do, in fact, appreciate originality. Perhaps not as much as the rarity of good original muscle cars should support, but the incremental value is reflected in these and other results.
If you find a choice original 4-4-2 convertible or 440 Six Pack Road Runner in a barn, DON’T give it a quick cosmetic redo, please. There are collectors who will appreciate it for what it is, even if it has a high flow Holley quad on an aftermarket high rise intake manifold. There are lots of original intakes hanging up in salvage yards that will bring it back to original configuration.
Thanks for the question, Jack.
Mecum Kansas City Spring 2013 – Auction Report
Lot # T157 1979 AMC Pacer D/L 2-Dr. Sedan; S/N A9A667C200983; Tan/Tan cloth; Unrestored original, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $8,750 plus commission of 5.71%; Final Price $9,250. – 258/110hp six, automatic, AM-FM, P/S, P/B, A/C, tan wheelcovers, roof rack, dual outside mirrors — Very good original car with 16,109 miles. Very good original paint and chrome. Sound but lightly soiled original interior. Has to be one of the best original Pacers in the world. — ‘The Wide Small Car’ must have been calculated to appeal to the ever-wider girth of Americans but made for one of the most ridiculed automobiles ever built in America. It’s hard not to feel affection for the Pacer today, but this price is about all that affection can support even for a low miles original example. It’s a case of ‘who cares?’ Lot # T158 1972 Triumph TR6 Convertible; S/N CC78704U; Green/Tan leatherette; Tan leatherette top; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $14,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $14,840. – BL AM-FM, wood veneered dashboard, silver painted wheels with trim rings, red line tires — Edge chipped older repaint, good top and upholstery showing a little age and use. Thin chrome. Sound body with decent door fit. — The KC bidders nailed this TR6’s value. Lot # T160 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air 4-Dr. Sedan; S/N C56S076014; Sierra Gold, Beige/Beige vinyl, Gold cloth; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $8,000 plus commission of 6.25%; Final Price $8,500. – 236/140hp six, Powerglide, heater, no radio, P/S or P/B, wheel covers, narrow whitewalls — Chipped, scraped old paint, sound but scuffed and scratched chrome, good upholstery. Left front fender repaired and showing cracking Bondo. Dirty and original underhood. Rust pushing against the surviving paint on door bottoms and rocker panels. — Someone was bust-y’r-buttons proud to own this Bel Air in 1956. Not so much today. Its body is filled with potholes that recommend it for the restorod treatment. An uninteresting car that brought an interesting price. Lot # T182 1967 Dodge Coronet R/T 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N WS23L77129369; Burgundy/Black vinyl; Visually maintained, largely original, 4+ condition; Hammered Sold at $13,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $13,780. – 440/375hp Magnum, automatic, Magnum wheels, no P/S or P/B, buckets, no console — Scruffy. Cheap old repaint with peeling clearcoat, thin, pitted trim chrome, decent upholstery. Dirty underhood. Actually somewhat surprising to survive this original. Sound body with some rust bubbles in the right door. — This is good money for a scruffy, rusty Coronet R/T even taking the 440 Magnum under the hood into account. Lot # T192 1978 MG B Convertible; S/N GHN5UJ460099G; Red/Tan vinyl; Tan leatherette top; Visually maintained, largely original, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $6,750 plus commission of 7.41%; Final Price $7,250. – Blaupunkt Cancun cassette, cruise control, lace-on leather steering wheel cover, 8-spoke alloy wheels, blackwall radial tires, luggage rack, overdrive — Good older repaint peeling in fenderwells. Good interior and trim chrome, loose-fitting new top. A sound and presentable driver. — A fair rubber bumper MG B bought for a fair price. Lot # T204 1980 Chevrolet Camaro Berlinetta Coupe; S/N 1S87HAL541107; Blue/Tan vinyl, cloth; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $4,000 plus commission of 7.50%; Final Price $4,300. – 350/190hp, automatic, A/C, P/S, Realistic cassette stereo, Z/28 alloy wheels, Radial G/T tires, P/W, glass T-tops — Mostly original old car with one old, dull, chipped repaint. Good original upholstery but pitted, ugly interior chrome. — Other than the fact it needs to go to Maaco immediately (without passing ‘Go’) for a repaint this is a decent Camaro with a reasonably healthy (for 1980) engine. The trouble is that with the repaint it so desperately needs and attention to GM’s notoriously crappy interiors of the period by the time it is presentable it will be thoroughly and irrevocably underwater even at this price. ‘Free’ wouldn’t be too much to pay for it, but any car that runs and drives is today worth $4,000.
Mecum Kansas City Spring 2013 – Auction Report Page Two
Lot # F005 1966 Chevrolet Corvair Monza 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 105376L108279; Yellow/Black; Unrestored original, 4+ condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $3,000 – 4-speed, Motorola radio, 17 inch polished alloy wheels, radial Cooper blackwall tires — Cracked windshield, crappy, chipped and scraped old repaint, tired original interior, sound but scuffed old chrome and stainless. Grubby original engine. The wheels are startlingly inappropriate. Tired but sound and in search of a good home. — So, what did you expect for a car like this in its present condition? It should have been long gone at any money bid. Lot # F007 1970 Ford Galaxie 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 0G55Y252399; White/Black; Visually maintained, largely original, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $10,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $10,600. – 390, 2-barrel, automatic, accessory cruise control, A/C, P/S, P/B, chrome Cragar S/S alloy wheels, radial blackwall tires, radio, dual outside mirrors, owner’s manual, original window sticker, invoice, build sheet — Fresh repaint, good original interior and chrome. One family owned, sound and presentable. Orderly and tidy but not restored underhood. — The story makes this car interesting, but not much else does and the seller should be very happy to get this much for it. Lot # F015 1936 Ford Model 18 Deluxe Phaeton; S/N 18F2316779; Washington Blue/Brown vinyl; Beige cloth top; Older restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $41,500 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $43,990. – Steel spoke wheels, chrome spiders, large hubcaps, trim rings, whitewalls, wind wings, banjo spoke steering wheel, enclosed rear spare, luggage rack, dual taillights — Restored better than new with excellent paint, chrome and interior. Engine, underbody and chassis are neat and orderly. A very nice example with some use and age showing. — This is a favorite body style, open for use on fine days and with enough space for the whole family, and a good, well restored and maintained example that brought a reasonable price. Lot # F117 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air Nomad Station Wagon; S/N VC55J135250; Red, Beige roof/Beige, Red image; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $55,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $58,300. – 265/162hp, 2-barrel, Powerglide, pushbutton radio, wheel covers, whitewalls, dual outside mirrors, no P/S or P/B, grille guard, oil filter — Fresh, sharp, bright repaint and chrome on an older restoration to driver quality standards. Scuffed stainless trim. Marginally presented underhood with too much matte black. Pitted trim, loose radio antenna escutcheon. A sound car that isn’t ready for Prime Time. — Sold at Branson Spring in 2009 for $47,520 and maybe a little better now but still needing lots of attention to be anything more than an attractive driver. The seller should be happy to have enjoyed it for four years and get this much for it. Lot # F127 1969 Goggomobil 250 Coupe; S/N 02282395; Red, White roof/Grey vinyl; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $24,000. – Floor shift, Blaupunkt Wein cassette, wheelcovers, whitewalls — Decent fresh paint, sound older interior. Worn window felts, cracked seals and loose channels. Engine given a superficial redo but orderly and only lightly oiled. A superficially presented but very cute microcar. — The consignor really can’t expect to get any more than this for a car with slapdash presentation that leaves many visible issues unresolved. Microcars are a hot category — especially after RM’s Bruce Weiner collection sale — but even the bad cars there were honestly presented and few if any of them were superficially redone in the manner of this Goggomobil. It could have been sold at the reported high bid and the result celebrated by the seller. Lot # F145 1970 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 Coupe; S/N 124870N541601; Engine # V0410CTB; Cranberry Red, Black stripes/Black vinyl; Visually maintained, largely original, 3+ condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $37,000. – 350/360hp LT1, 4-speed, heater, pushbutton radio, console, gauges, mag-style wheels, G60-15 Polyglas GT tires, P/B, 3.73 Positraction — Good repaint and engine-out underhood detailing. Otherwise original and showing its age, particularly in the pitted trim and door handles. Underbody has been repainted assembled. Represented as matching numbers. — This is the last of the really muscular Z/28s, a car that promised performance from its 350/360hp LT1 engine but was burdened with way too much weight to realize its engine’s potential. This example sold for $29,680 at Mecum’s 2012 Kissimmee auction. The seller was unreasonably greedy not to accept money anywhere close to the reported high bid. Lot # F165.1 1957 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible; S/N E57S101891; Engine # F517F; Venetian Red, Beige coves/Red vinyl; Beige cloth top; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $75,000. – 283/270hp dual quads, 3-speed, 4.11 Positraction, spinner wheel covers, wide whitewalls, heater, radio delete — Good older restoration showing but little use. Flawed, microblistering paint looks good at 10 feet. Good interior and most chrome. Has great eye appeal that is diminished up close. — This car brought $82,680 at Mecum’s Bloomington Gold auction in 2011. Since then it’s been searching for someone to give it a home at St. Charles 2012, Dallas (twice), Kissimmee (twice), Houston and now here. The reported high bid here should have bought it, before more transporter rides and entry fees build its sunk cost well into six figures. Lot # F167 1936 International C-30 Tank Truck; S/N C3026950; Red, Black fenders/Black leatherette; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $27,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $28,620. – Opening windshield, turn signals, dump cans, grease barrels — Freshly done with ‘White Eagle’ branding to better than new condition throughout. Butler 3-compartment tank paint has some orange peel. Excellent chrome. Wood is stained, not varnished. Engine is fresh and sharp. An unusually high quality truck. — This is an exceptionally pretty truck restoration that couldn’t be duplicated in this exemplary condition if a sound, fully equipped unrestored truck were free. Just finding the tanks, dump cans and barrels would take days and days of searching. A sound value for a truck collection, particularly one that favors Internationals. Lot # F172 1965 Chevrolet Impala SS 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 166375L203846; Engine # F0112HCR; Yellow/Black vinyl; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $12,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $12,720. – 327 2-barrel, automatic, radio, buckets and console, heater, spinner wheel covers, narrow whitewalls, P/S, no P/B — Cosmetically redone with sound paint, polished chrome, good original interior, freshened engine compartment. Much of the car was left alone and original. Weak bumper chrome. Engine compartment superficially black-bombed. Represented as matching numbers engine but the numbers don’t decode. Mediocre is the right word to describe this Impala. — Right money for a mediocre 2-barrel Impala SS.
Mecum Kansas City Spring 2013 – Auction Report Page Three
Lot # F190 1970 Pontiac GTO 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 242370R146945; Engine # 122372 YC; Orbit Orange/Black vinyl; Older restoration, 3 condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $27,000. – 455/370hp, automatic, P/S, P/B, A/C, Endura nose, Rally II wheels, Radial G/T tires, wing, pushbutton radio — Ram Air engine but not hood or air filter. Good older paint and interior. Bubbles under vinyl side accent. Left quarter window scratched. Road grime on chassis and the lower engine compartment. A driver with potential to be more. — Sold at Kissimmee (on its second pass across the block) in January for $23,320, a realistic price for its configuration and decidedly mediocre presentation. Lot # F190.1 1951 Chevrolet 3100 Pickup; S/N JBA505401; Light Grey/Grey, Black vinyl; Truck restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $25,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $26,500. – Varnished light maple (the car card says ‘oak’ but don’t bet on it) bed floor and side boards, black steel wheels, hubcaps, trim rings, whitewalls, oil filter, chrome grille and bumpers, headlight eyebrows, dual taillights — A truck with great eye-appeal but enough flaws to take the edge off. Whoever wet sanded it didn’t get closer than an rich to the drip rails and other edges, or sand the dirt out of the roof. Chassis has been repainted assembled after an older restoration. Visible filler in cowl edges. Pretty but not reassuring. — A pretty truck that most people will never subject to a close critique of the caliber of its restoration and bought appropriately for its eye-appeal and consistent, if not meticulous, presentation. Lot # F194 1982 Jeep CJ-8 Scrambler Pickup; S/N 1JCCE88E5CT063478; White, Black pebble roof/Black vinyl; Customized restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $24,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $25,440. – 304 2-barrel, automatic, P/S, P/B, wide alloy wheels, bolt in rollbar, tilt steering column, Laredo interior, seat in bed, bedliner sprayed bed, rear-mounted spare, AM-FM — Restored like new and then some. Excellent paint and interior. Some custom features but not offensive. — A quality restored and unusual Jeep, done to high standards and visually distinctive. It is a sound value at this price and likely couldn’t be duplicated for anything approaching the price paid. The new owner got a Jeep to be proud to own and drive. Lot # F195.1 1966 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 396 Convertible; S/N 138676K174614; Engine # 10321 EDH; Red/Red vinyl; White vinyl top; Recent restoration, 2 condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $60,000. – 396/360hp, 4-speed, buckets and console, knee-knocker tach, pushbutton radio, Rally wheels with trim rings, red line tires, P/B, no P/S — Represented as matching numbers, but the stamping is odd. Restored like new. Very good paint and chrome. Scuffed stainless, good interior. Orderly, like new, engine compartment, chassis and underbody. Documented with build sheet and original invoice. — Re-run Saturday as S178.1, no sale at $62,000. It’s time to let this car go away. It’s been a Mecum regular since Des Moines 2011, always at about the same bid. The message really should be getting through to the consignor by now: it’s a $55,000 car. It’s time to take your lumps and move on. Continuing to spend money on hauling it around is only adding to the pain. Lot # F196 1967 Chevrolet Camaro RS/SS 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 124377L163656; Engine # T1027FDH; Marina Blue, Black vinyl roof/Black vinyl; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $41,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $43,460. – 396/325hp, 4-speed, Hurst shifter, power front disc brakes, P/S, Rally wheels with hubcaps and trim rings, Radial T/A tires, console gauges, fold down rear seat — A competent older cosmetic restoration showing age but limited use. Good paint, chrome and interior. Scuffed stainless trim. — A handsome car in a desirable color but the engine number de-codes to nothing in 1967 which makes the price it brought something of a stretch although not a lot for a shiny, showy cruise night car. Lot # S005 1965 Plymouth Valiant Signet 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N V457126018; Dark Red/Black; Visually maintained, largely original, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $9,000 plus commission of 5.56%; Final Price $9,500. – 273/180hp V-8, automatic, buckets and console, aftermarket A/C, no radio, wheelcovers, narrow whitewalls — Blotchy old paint, erratic bright trim, good interior, original underbody. Water stained package shelf. About as good as any Valiant Signet can expect to be. — Reported sold at Mecum’s Kissimmee auction two years ago for $14,575 and again since without much if any interest, the seller got out front of an unusual but intrinsically uninteresting car, took the money and stopped hauling it around. The new owner can have fun with it, but unless it gets some attention to address its numerous faults might also have to write off at least some of the cost. Only inflation will make it worth again what it brought at Kissimmee. Lot # S006 1958 Ford Fairlane 500 Skyliner; S/N H8FW165777; White, Red/White vinyl, Red cloth; Cosmetic restoration, 3 condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $30,000. – 352/300hp, automatic, P/S, P/B, factory A/C, Town & Country radio, P/W, power bench seat, wheel covers, whitewalls, clear seat covers, no luggage box — Auction car with fresh chrome, interior and paint by Mr. Bill’s Body Shop. Underbody resprayed assembled. Top of engine chromed up and quickly painted but little attention elsewhere. — There really is a body shop called “Mr. Bill’s”? OHH NOOOO! What have you done to this car? Not much, and not very well, either, which is a good reason for the KC bidders to ignore it. Lot # S014 1953 Henry J Corsair 2-Dr. Sedan; S/N K534002247; Metallic Burgundy/Brown reptilette, Beige cloth; Visually maintained, largely original, 4 condition; Hammered Sold at $8,000 plus commission of 6.25%; Final Price $8,500. – 3-speed, accessory turn signals, heater, no radio, wheel covers, whitewalls — Squirted with a particularly bad repaint in a color that must be intended as a joke. Described as a ‘complete restoration in 2008’ but this also is a joke. The car is sound but its condition is deplorable. — An exceptionally bad car — when it was built and as it still is today after some particularly reprehensible attention. A rat that in its present condition will never be worth more than it brought here. Lot # S044 1967 Pontiac Firebird Convertible; S/N 223677U161930; Metallic Blue/Blue vinyl; Black cloth top; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $28,000. – 326/180hp, 2-barrel, automatic, P/S, P/B, A/C, aftermarket AM-FM console, remote outside mirror, styled wheels, red line bias ply tires — An unusual car with a decent cosmetic restoration. Good paint, competently masked, good top and glass. Orderly underhood, looks like a two-year old used car. — The first year for the Firebird, this one with the 2-barrel 326 V-8 and a few accessories to make it a decent cruiser. The reported high bid is right for its configuration and condition.
Mecum Kansas City Spring 2013 – Auction Report Page Four
Lot # S045 1960 Dodge Dart Pioneer 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 5205118376; Engine # P318 212013; Light Blue, Robin’s Egg Blue roof/Blue vinyl, Black cloth; Cosmetic restoration, 3 condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $22,000. – 318/230hp, 2-barrel, automatic, pushbutton radio, P/S, dual outside mirrors, flipper wheel covers, narrow whitewalls, bench seat — Dull old paint, erratic chrome, sound interior. Orderly but aged and intrinsically not very interesting except for its rarity and the fabulous dashboard, instrument panel and steering wheel. — This is a car most notable for its survival from a year when Dodge styling was searching for direction. The antediluvian water creature design of the rear fenders remains a mystery. A period best in Dodge history best forgotten, which the KC bidders did. Lot # S052 1966 Ford Mustang Coupe; S/N 6F07C288422; Beige, Brown taped coachline/Beige; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $12,000. – 289/200hp, 2-barrel, 3-speed, pushbutton radio, CD stereo underdash, styled wheels, red line bias ply tires, no P/S or P/B — Good repaint, new interior, chrome. Engine done on top but not below. Old undercoat, road grimy chassis. Very good body with tight, even gaps and flush fits. A well presented fresh cosmetic restoration in an odd but unusual color combination. — There’s something intrinsically forgettable about a beige over beige Mustang notchback. This is a car a Ford dealer would buy to place out front of the dealership with ‘$2,500’ lettered on the windshield in white shoe polish. A nice enough car, and worth more than the reported high bid here even in this superficially presented condition. Lot # S052.1 1968 Plymouth Road Runner 2-Dr. Sedan; S/N RM21H8G213471; Burgundy Metallic/Black; Modified restoration, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $21,500 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $22,790. – 440/375hp replacing the original 383/335, automatic, Hurst shifter, bench seat, CD stereo, Magnum wheels, Firehawk Indy 500 radials — Showy deep clearcoat paint, good engine compartment, chrome and interior, scuffed stainless. Underbody covered in old undercoat. A showy semi-custom. — Good luck to the buyer. Lot # S053 1964 Ford Falcon Sprint Convertible; S/N 4H14F112282; Skylight Blue/Blue vinyl; White vinyl top; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $16,500 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $17,490. – 260/164hp, automatic, P/S, A/C, steel wheels with trim rings and hubcaps, Radial T/A tires, dashtop tach, pushbutton radio — Sound old orange peely repaint, sound original upholstery, new floor mats. Engine compartment redone with a rattle can. Driver’s seat cushion collapsed. Sound, straight body, even door gaps and flush fits. Some overspray and erratic masking. Usable as is but needs some love and attention. — But at this price it’s impossible to go wrong on a V8 Falcon Sprint convertible, even with all this one’s needs. Lot # S091.1 1960 Austin-Healey 3000 Mk I Roadster; S/N HBT7L8943; Red, Red hardtop/Black leather; Black top; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $34,500 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $36,570. – Overdrive, fender mirrors, chrome wire wheels, blackwall radials, two tops — Restored to like new condition and showing some use and age but still in very satisfying condition. The two tops make it especially attractive to collectors looking for more than six months usability. — Sold two weeks ago in Branson for $29,700, a modest but successful flip that paid the consignor’s weekend expenses and still was a sound value for the new owner. Lot # S099 1969 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible; S/N 194679S722616; Engine # T0319ME; White, Red scallop/Red vinyl; Black vinyl top; Modified restoration, 2 condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $185,000. – ZL1, 4-speed, J56 brakes, Rally wheels with trim rings and hubcaps, side exhaust, heater, no radio, air pump disconnected — Represented as a real L88 Corvette upgraded with a period ZL1 aluminum engine retrieved from the estate of Howard Gidovlenko, test pilot and speed freak. Restored like new with very good paint, chrome and interior. Underbody and engine are nearly like new with just a little storage dust in the recesses. — An extraordinary tale and a car to be reckoned with. Howard Gidovlenko’s original lightweight E-type was the sensation of the Monterey auctions in 1999. His prowess with building Allison aircraft engines for unlimited hydroplanes was legendary. No surprise he had a ZL1 block holding up one end of his coffee table. What is this Corvette worth? More than this, just for its connection with the past and the excellent workmanship in its restoration and preparation. Lot # S102 1959 Rambler Cross Country Station Wagon; S/N D741008; Cotillion Mauve, Hibiscus Rose accent, Oxford White roof/Rose vinyl, Black cloth; Visually maintained, largely original, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $22,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $23,320. – Pushbutton automatic, pushbutton radio, heater, roof rack, wheel covers, whitewalls, stoplight viewer — Fresh decent repaint, good interior, weak chrome, old undercoat. A sound largely original car with a presentable repaint. — There were some pretty special cars at Mecum’s Kansas City auction, but few of them attracted the attention of this Cotillion Mauve, Hibiscus Rose, Oxford White Rambler Cross Country wagon. It had been sold at Russo and Steele’s Monterey auction last August for $8,525, then at Mecum’s Anaheim auction in November for $16,960 and deserved every penny of the price it brought here. Lined up with mega muscle cars on cruise night it will still be the center of attention. Lot # S103 1971 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible; S/N 194671S116338; White, White hardtop/Red; White vinyl top; Visually maintained, largely original, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $23,500 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $24,910. – 350/270hp, 4-speed, AM-FM, two tops, P/S, P/B, Rally wheels, spinner hubcaps, trim rings, Kenwood CD stereo — Fresh repaint, some light overspray underhood. Sound interior and top. Engine compartment and underbody are old, untouched and grungy. — It’s just a car, but it’s in decent condition and at least it’s not an automatic. It is impossible to argue with the price it brought, but unlikely it will ever be worth more than this. Lot # S105 1967 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible; S/N 194677S102900; Engine # 7102900 V1019HP; White/Black; Black vinyl top; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $64,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $67,840. – 327/350hp, 4-speed, alloy wheels, side exhausts, red line tries, AM-FM, P/B, P/S, cold factory A/C — Represented as numbers matching, borne out by the block stamping. Good paint, chrome and interior. Top of engine is good but the bottom not so much. Underbody resprayed over minimal prep. An unusually optioned high performance smallblock Corvette that deserves better than this but will be fun to drive until it gets it. — It may deserve better presentation but it doesn’t deserve any more money than this. That’s not a knock on the car or the price it brought, but any more than this would be excessive.
Mecum Kansas City Spring 2013 – Auction Report Page Five
Lot # S106 1989 Lamborghini Countach 5000 Quattrovalvole 25th Anniversary; S/N ZA9CA05A4KLA12447; Black/Black; Unrestored original, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $111,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $117,660. – Blaupunkt stereo, modular wheels, Tubi exhaust, power seats, P/W, power mirrors, US bumpers — 24,774 km from new and babied. — It is impossible to ignore the aggressive appearance of the Countach, even burdened with US bumpers The owner must have worked some magic on the QV engine to produce its claimed 500 horsepower. He stood by the car throughout the weekend and his attentiveness paid off with a new owner but at a relatively modest price for its appearance, presentation and performance, a good value. Lot # S108 1970 Oldsmobile Cutlass Convertible; S/N 342670M301877; White, Black stripes/Black vinyl; White vinyl top; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $31,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $32,860. – 350/310hp, automatic, factory Indy Pace Car replica, P/S, P/B, A/C, Rally wheels with trim rings, Firehawk Indy 500 tires, buckets and console, Ram Air hood and air cleaner — An older but still very attractive and presentable restoration to like new condition with Pace Car graphics. Good chrome, stainless and interior. Two or three minor paint flaws at corners but nothing significant. Engine and chassis could use some attention. — A good, sound, competently restored car to presentable driver standards with some subsequent miles showing down deep in the engine compartment and underneath. The seller should be very happy with this result. Lot # S110 1955 Chevrolet 3124 Cameo Carrier Pickup; S/N H255F019333; White, Red bed/White, Red vinyl; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $47,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $49,820. – Thriftmaster 6, Powerglide, oil filter, radio, wheel covers, whitewalls, oak bed floor, windshield visor — Excellent paint, chrome and interior. Engine compartment is like new except for some sitting-in-the-garage dust. A sharp truck with beau coup eyeball appeal. — A truck that will never be walked by, it’s that pretty and done to better than new standards. It brought a superior price for its Thriftmaster 6 power, but fully deserved by the presentation. Lot # S113 1972 Pontiac LeMans GT Convertible; S/N 2D67X2P181948; Engine # 0522399 YB; yellow/Black; Black vinyl top; Older restoration, 2 condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $90,000. – 455/300 Ram Air III, automatic, P/S, P/B, A/C, honeycomb wheels, pushbutton radio, console-mounted 8-track (with Elvis cassette), remote body color mirrors, G70-14 Polyglas tires, sport steering wheel, Endura nose — Restored like new, excellent paint, chrome, interior, dash and engine. GT trim package (tires, Rally II wheels, side striping for just $23) with extensive PHS documented options. — Ever seen a LeMans GT? I haven’t. It’s a GTO without the badging. Offered at St. Charles in October and Kissimmee in January it’s safe to say that the seller expects $80,000 plus for it but so far no one sufficiently steeped in Pontiac apocrypha has stepped up to claim it. Lot # S146 1928 Ford Model A Roadster; S/N A389355; Black, Cream accent/Black leatherette; Beige cloth top; Older restoration, 3 condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $18,500. – Wind wings, rumble seat, Beige cloth covered rear spare, cream wire wheels, whitewalls, dual outside mirrors, hot air heater exhaust manifold, side curtains — A sound and usable old restoration, with the emphasis on old, that has been repainted over old paint with some masking holidays. Makes a good first impression but doesn’t hold up. — This isn’t such a good car that it couldn’t have been sold for the reported high bid. Lot # S147 1991 Ferrari 348tb; S/N ZFFRG35A9M0088804; Red/Tan leather; Unrestored original, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $30,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $31,800. – 19 inch aftermarket wheels, 5-speed, SF shields — Assembly #05681. No service history reported. Dusty, nose-chipped used car. — Happy is the seller of this 348tb. Lot # S147.1 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T SE 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N JS29N0B211177; Burnt Orange, Black vinyl roof/Saddle vinyl, Black tweed inserts; Older restoration, 2- condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $31,000. – 383/330hp, automatic, P/S, P/B, A/C, overhead console, woodgrain steering wheel, chrome Magnum wheels, Radial T/A tires, floor console, P/W — A two-tag car loaded with options. Restored to high standards. Now shows some age but still a very attractive, quality car in unusually attractive colors. — Handsomely equipped, but anemically powered, it’s the colors that make this Challenger a star, but a star worth no more than the reported high bid. Lot # S148 1955 Chrysler C-300 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 3N551756; White/Beige leather; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $67,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $71,020. – 354/300hp dual quads, automatic, wheel covers, whitewalls, dual outside mirrors, rear seat speaker, P/S, P/B, batwing air cleaner — Very good paint, interior and major chrome. Scuffed window sill stainless. Underbody is nearly like new. Orderly underhood. A quality older show quality restoration that looks like it’s been in a garage for years and quickly detailed for the auction. Interior chrome is dirty and needs some attention. Pitted wind wing locks. — Other than a few oversights and its evidence of sitting around for years this is a quality C-300 that was recognized as such by the bidders in KC. The price it brought accurately balances the age and shortcomings of its restoration with its quality. Lot # S163 1967 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible; S/N 194677S109918; Engine # T0130JC; Goodwood Green, White stinger/Green vinyl; White vinyl top; Cosmetic restoration, 3- condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $80,000. – 427/400hp, Tri-Power, 4-speed, AM-FM, chrome American Racing 5-spoke alloy wheels with spinner caps, mixed brand blackwall tires — Shiny new repaint with thick clearcoat. Good interior. Clean engine but not close to being correct. Generous silver paint on the engine but the compartment has been superficially squirted with chassis black without removing stuff. The gaudy wheels are the finishing touch in a car that has so many needs. — Offered at Houston three weeks ago to a similar lack of interest, this Corvette has been given the most superficial presentation with shortcuts visible everywhere. It doesn’t even come up to the standards of a good Auction Car. Bought for even $45,000 it needs so much (starting with a good repaint and going on from there) it would be nearly impossible to stay above water. Lot # T109 1962 Chevrolet Corvair Monza Station Wagon; S/N 20935W220902; White/Red; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $10,500 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $11,130. – 145/84hp, Powerglide, radio, roof rack, wheelcovers, narrow whitewalls — Sound old repaint. Good upholstery and unusually good interior knobs and cranks. Old undercoat on underbody. Some paint flaws, notably on the left rear roof post but they’re easily fixed. A rarely seen model — Station wagons are still popular with collectors and Corvair station wagons are few and far between, not least because they rusted out sitting on the dealers’ lots. Chevrolet built only 2,362 Monza wagons and this one will get plenty of amount wherever it appears. At this price it is a sound value. It wouldn’t be overpriced at $15,000.
[Source: Rick Carey]
Love to read Rick’s auction reports, very informative and interesting. And
This time very entertaining!
I learn something every single time I read a Rick Carey report. Please keep up the auction coverage that is unmatched anywhere…print or online.
Thanks for another great report, Rick. I look forward to them every Thursday!!
Check often.
Jamie posts them as I get them to him, and I’m about three auctions behind, rushing frantically to catch up before another round of sales, so there is likely to be at least one more before next week’s e-mail.
Rick