Mecum Auctions, Kissimmee, Florida, January 18-27, 2013
Report and photos by Rick Carey, Auction Editor
No one ever accused Dana Mecum of lacking audacity.
As the Kissimmee entry list filled up in late November the decision was taken to extend the auction, not like last year when extra hours were added in the morning on several days, but on the calendar.
It would be the biggest single auction event ever, spanning ten days from the Friday of Scottsdale week through the following Sunday. Monday was set aside for “Road Art” to give groggy buyers time to fly in from Phoenix to join the extravaganza. “3,000 Cars Expected” was the buzz.
It didn’t make it, but it was sure big enough.
[You might read a slightly higher lot total elsewhere. These numbers exclude from the car count the second lot in a pair, e.g., a trailer sold with a boat or a scooter sold with a pickup. All the figures are for vehicles only, excluding Road Art.]
Here are the numbers:
[table id=62 /]
In car count Kissimmee is far and away the largest collector car auction ever held. In total dollars it is surpassed only by the five largest Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale auctions, 2007, 2013, 2006, 2012 and 2008 in that order.
With a median sale of just $27,560 Mecum Kissimmee is everyman’s auction. Almost 900 lots were sold for that amount or less (sometimes much less) which puts a huge number of possibilities in front of collectors of moderate means. Prospective buyers can ogle the bodywork in any light, get in, fondle the upholstery, open the hoods, crawl under and develop their own personal impressions of build quality and authenticity.
On a more analytical basis, though, the extra days were less than productive, which is why the table above shows the gross sales per auction day. Adding the extra four days (and there were actually five counting Road Art Monday) contributed negatively to the dollars/effort equation, cutting the sales/day by almost $4 million, a third less than 2012’s five-day auction. Overhead/day isn’t directly proportional to the number of days, but the lower sales/day figure probably had a negative effect on Mecum’s daily operating margins.
In other words, don’t expect this experience to be repeated once the bean counters get a hold of the results.
Still, for those who attended it was a wild and wooly marathon. The weather was great (unlike Scottsdale’s frigid opening days), and there’s always Disney World or Universal Studios for diversion if the procession of $27,560 cars wears thin.
And, while it is a marathon, it also is a car circus with something interesting, different, intriguing or valuable at almost every turn. Buyers won’t find historic Ferrari race cars or elegant seven-figure classics here, but there are plenty of very good cars worth serious consideration by any collector in an auction run with style, organization and flair.
Mecum Kissimmee 2013 was a nine-day smorgasbord of Corvettes, Mustangs, Road Runners and more, an audacious concept by any standard.
Mecum Kissimmee 2013 – Auction Report
Lot # F269 1969 Buick Gran Sport Convertible; S/N 446679Y145258; Verde Green,/Pearl White; White vinyl top; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $91,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $96,460. – 400/340hp, 4-speed, short console with tach, A/C, P/S, P/B, tilt steering column, chrome rim Magnum wheels, red line tires — Freshly restored top to bottom with excellent clear coat paint, brilliant chrome and stainless, sharp interior and top. Underbody is as good as what is on top. Very thorough with nothing missed. Sold at the Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach auction last April for $79,750 and no better today than it was then. It was represented there as numbers matching engine, but no such claim was made here in Kissimmee. That didn’t seem to deter the bidders who plunked down serious money for what may be one of only 55 built with 4-speed and A/C. Performance Buicks have been on a tear recently, as this generous price indicates. Lot # G226 1941 Buick Special Business Coupe; S/N 13981944; Light Green Metallic,/Beige cloth; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $17,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $18,020. – Radio, 3-speed, turn signals, trim rings, blackwalls, fog lights — A superficial cosmetic redo of a sound and unusual car. Usable but old upholstery. Seats don’t match door panels, Erratically worn interior wood graining and misty dash and glove box panels. Old, cracked vent window seals, cracked interior knobs. Decent paint. Sound body, loose sill trim, weak chrome. A no-sale here a year ago at a $15,000 bid, this largely unattractive car has little going for it aside from the sleek fastback body style. It isn’t useful for much as it is and will cost a fortune to restore making its highest and best use as the basis for a striking and different restomod, although this is a lot to spend on it. Lot # S168 1931 Cadillac 370-A V-12 Roadster, Body by Fleetwood; S/N 1003833; Cream, Brown fenders and accent/Tan leather; Tan cloth top; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $158,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $167,480. – Orange wheels with chrome spokes, wide whitewalls, Pilot-Rays, dual sidemounts with mirrors, rumble seat, metal luggage trunk, wind wings, chrome hood side vent doors — A quality old restoration that’s been around the auction circuit but still shows the same 47,481 miles it did at B-J in 2004, and is appropriately orderly. Paint is shrinking on the cowl, prep marks visible under hood paint. A great tour car, even with the dated colors. This Cadillac has been around a while. It was sold at B-J Scottsdale in 2004 for $135,000, then a year later for $140,400. At Mecum’s Dallas sale last September it was bid to $145,000 and it sold post-block here in Kissimmee for an appropriate price. It’s a V-12, and a Fleetwood, with enduring value even though the odometer shows today the exact same 47,481 miles that it did in 2004 in Scottsdale. Lot # S190.1 1941 Cadillac Series 61 Estate Wagon, Body by Fred’s; S/N 5349586; Maroon,/Brown vinyl, Beige cloth; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $150,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $159,000. – Red wheels, wide whitewalls, pushbutton radio, 3-speed, clock, 2-row seating, skirts, grille guard. — Very good paint, chrome, interior and wood. No water stains or significant wood cracks but not significantly figured. Door hand lettered “Stone Cottage”. Die cast trim is very good except light flaking on taillights. Chassis and underbody covered in old undercoat and lightly soiled from road use. Firewall has been partially resprayed; wood has been revarnished and would benefit from a careful sanding. Driver’s outside door handle spins. Engine is lightly oiled from use. A quality car with a quality older restoration that is well maintained as a weekend driver. Reserve off at $130k. The builder of the station wagon body is Fred’s Truck Body in Bronx, NY, which adds nothing to its value. The restoration is starting to age and has numerous flaws that should be addressed. It wouldn’t have been a great value at $130,000 and is generously priced at this result. Lot # S184 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air Convertible; S/N VC56K071877; Engine # 0206146 T56F; Crocus Yellow, Black/Yellow vinyl, Black cloth; Black vinyl top; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $102,500 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $108,650. – 265/170hp with 4-barrel, Powerglide, P/S, P/B, skirts, wheel covers, whitewalls, continental kit, dual outside mirrors, sill moldings — Freshly restored to high standards of fit and finish. Excellent paint, brilliant chrome, tight top, inviting interior, like new underhood. As good as it gets without going overboard. ’56 Bel Airs may be the overlooked Tri-Five Chevy, but no one overlooked this beautifully restored convertible in its extremely attractive and unusual colors. This is a headline price for a car that fits the ‘best car’ specification. The new owner won’t get rich from owning it, but will be abundantly satisfied with the experience. Lot # F230 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Convertible; S/N VC57K108174; Turquoise,/Turquoise, White vinyl; White vinyl top; Modified restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $80,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $84,800. – 283/220hp, 350 automatic, P/S, P/B, spinner wheel covers, WonderBar radio, dual rear antennas, whitewalls, power front disc brakes. — Good paint, chrome and interior. Engine and underbody are aged and need detailing. An attractive and usably upgraded driver. There isn’t enough done to this Bel Air to bring it to the description ‘restomod’, but enough to make it less than desirable as a collector car. An enjoyable driver, but an expensive one at this price. Lot # K255 1958 Chevrolet Bel Air Convertible; S/N F58J235106; Engine # 82421; White,/Fawn vinyl; Fawn vinyl top; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $58,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $61,480. – 283/230hp, 4-barrel, Turboglide, P/S, no P/B, bench seat, pushbutton radio, continental kit, Pontiac cruiser skirts decorated with rockets and stars, spinner wheel covers, whitewalls, dual rear antennas. — Restored to good driver standards with sound paint, chrome and interior but an odd color selection. Sold at Worldwide’s Houston sale in 2009 for $77,000, then at Mecum Indy in 2011 for $84,800, followed by a $60,000 high bid at Mecum Indy last year, this result more appropriately reflects its inherent value. ’58 Impalas are desirable cars, but people like them better with the 348. The Pontiac aftermarket cruiser skirts could disappear without regret. Lot # S178 1969 Chevrolet Camaro COPO 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 124379N657861; Engine # T0513MN; Olympic Gold,/Green vinyl; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $130,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $137,800. – COPO 9561 427/425hp, 4-speed, pushbutton radio, Hurst shifter, body color wheels, hubcaps, Wide Oval tires, P/B, cowl induction. — Represented as original engine, transmission and rear axle documented with order sheet, bill of sale, window sticker, Protect-o-Plate and GM Canada paperwork. Restored like new but with clearcoat repaint and excellent chrome like it never had when new. Sold by Bonhams at Quail Lodge in 2007 from the [in]famous Wes Rhodes Collection for $199,500, then by Gooding in Scottsdale in 2010 for $159,500. The caliber of the car isn’t dropping as fast as the price and it’s a good value here. Lot # S171 1967 Chevrolet Camaro SS 396 RS/SS 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 124377L160893; Butternut Yellow, Black vinyl roof/Black vinyl; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $92,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $97,520. – 396/375hp, 4-speed, Hurst shifter, AM-FM, Rally wheels with trim rings, red line tires, P/B, no P/S. — Represented as the original engine, transmission and rear axle but the block number is gone. Documented with build sheet. Restored like new with excellent paint, chrome and interior. Offered here last year with a reported high bid of $50,000, the wait was worth it. The lack of the original number on the block didn’t seem to deter the bidders at all. This is triumphant money for an SS 396, even one so generously optioned as this. Lot # F229 1968 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 124378N473439; Engine # 18N473439 0619MO; Butternut Yellow, Black stripes/Black vinyl; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $60,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $63,600. – 302/290hp, 4-speed, 3.73 Positraction, P/B, Rally wheels, trim rings, Wide Tread GT tires, console gauges. — Two owner car stored 30 years before restoration. Beautiful cosmetics and better than new without being overdone. Represented as all original driveline from engine to axle. An extremely good Z/28 in attractive colors, desirably equipped, that brought a modest price for its presentation. This is about as good as it gets in a ’68 Z/28, in both presentation and price. Lot # F278 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 124379N636361; Fathom Green, White stripes/White houndstooth; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $100,000 $100,000. – 302/290hp, 4-speed, JL-8 4-wheel disc brakes (one of 206 built), cowl induction, P/S, chambered exhaust, Rally wheels, trim rings, Wide Oval GT tires, pushbutton radio, console gauges. — Fresh, sharp restoration with excellent cosmetics. Highly detailed underhood and chassis. Better than new. Documented with original bill of sale and Protect-o-Plate and represented as matching numbers engine. This is a $90,000 car with $15,000 worth of brakes. Does that make it too good to let go for the reported high bid? The answer to that is probably, no, but it’s the seller’s choice to keep looking for more. It is a gorgeous Z/28 and even at a bit over $100,000 would still be appropriate value for money.
Mecum Kissimmee 2013 – Auction Report Page Two
Lot # K257 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 124379N618870; White, Black stripes/Red vinyl; Recent restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $51,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $54,060. – 302/290hp, 4-speed, tube headers, console with gauges, cowl induction, AM-FM, Hurst shifter, P/S, P/B, Rally wheels with trim rings, Wide Tread GT tires — Represented as original matching numbers drivetrain, documented with build sheet and Protect-o-Plate. Very good paint, chrome and interior. Like new engine compartment and underbody. Sympathetically restored to like new condition. This Z/28 was sold at RM’s Monterey auction in 1999 for $18,150. It was pretty ratty then and has been restored since then to the present very good condition. It is a good value at this price. Lot # S096 1971 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454 Convertible; S/N 136671B139954; Black, White stripes/Black leatherette; White vinyl top; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $54,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $57,240. – 454/365hp LS5, automatic, cowl induction hood, metallic grey 5 spoke steel wheels, Wide Oval tires, Positraction, P/S, P/B. — Freshly restored and in beautiful, like new, showroom condition. Impossible to fault, or to beat. Not valuable like an LS6, but impressive on the street or at a car show, this beautifully restored is a lot of very desirable Chevelle for the money and a sound value at this price. This is a perfect example of what people mean when they speak of buying ‘the best car you can afford.’ Lot # S169 1969 Chevrolet Chevelle SS Baldwin Motion Phase 3 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 136379G350384; Burnished Brown, White vinyl roof/Parchment vinyl; Older restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $210,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $222,600. – Automatic, Edelbrock intake, Holley 4-barrel, transistor ignition, P/B, Torque-Thrust wheels, red line tires, street slicks, buckets and console, pushbutton radio, underdash gauges. — Fully documented Phase 3 restored like new and with far more than 375hp its Chevy cataloged engine was rated. Excellent paint, chrome and interior. Highly detailed underhood. T3 headlights with yellow lens high beams. Documented with Protect-O-Plate, original invoice, Motion paper and letter of authenticity from Joel Rosen. It is what it is, and it is beautifully restored and presented. Lot # F155.1 1957 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible; S/N E57S101891; Engine # F517F; Venetian Red, Beige coves/Red vinyl; Beige vinyl top; Recent restoration, 2- condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $67,000 $67,000. No Reserve – 265/270hp, dual quads, 3-speed, radio delete, heater, spinner wheel covers, whitewalls. — Restored like new with very good paint, chrome, interior and top. Underbody and engine compartment are like new. Cataloged as No Reserve but shown in Mecum’s results as a no sale. This is an auction queen, with an auction history since 2011 as long as a hoodlum’s rap sheet. It was also reported run here in Kissimmee on Saturday 1/19 as K95.1, a $77,500 no sale. Viewed and reported here with its Friday 1/25 lot number F155.1. This car needs (and deserves) to find a good home. Lot # S181 1957 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible; S/N E57S103108; Engine # F1211EG; Arctic Blue,/Red vinyl; White vinyl top; Older restoration, 3 condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $85,000 $85,000. – 283/270hp, dual quads, 4-speed, spinner wheel covers, whitewalls, heater, no radio. — Represented as matching numbers, although the block stamper at Flint must have had a hard night before to have such erratic numbers. The theme continues on the rest of the car with pretty paint with serious detail issues. Major chrome is good but the top cover surround is badly gored and scraped. Engine compartment, underbody and chassis are clean and sharp with only a little age. Boot cover fits unevenly. A strange, but not happy car. The Kissimmee bidders didn’t like it, either. Lot # S226 1965 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible; S/N 194675S107138; Engine # 5107138 F0105HF; Nassau Blue,/Bright Blue vinyl; White vinyl top; Visually maintained, largely original, 3 condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $48,000 $48,000. – 327/300hp, 4-speed, 3.36 Positraction, cassette stereo, spinner wheel covers, Michelin radial narrow whitewalls. — Engine compartment freshly and quickly touched up with chassis black paint. Good older paint, interior and chrome. Chassis lightly oiled and grimy. Documented with Protect-O-Plate and represented as numbers matching. An attractive driver superficially dressed up for the auction. Bought here last year for $49,820, it didn’t fool the 2013 bidders who stopped a thousand dollars more than they did a year ago. The seller should have grabbed the money and run for the exit. Lot # S197 1967 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible; S/N 194677S107809; Engine # T1229JC 7107809; Marlboro Maroon, Black stinger/Saddle vinyl; Beige vinyl top; Recent restoration, 2 condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $85,000 $85,000. – 427/400hp, 3 2-barrels, 4-speed, Rally wheels, trim rings, side exhaust, red line tires, AM-FM, Positraction — An older restoration to like new condition, recently repainted and still fresh, showing only a little age but no significant use. A good, practical Corvette that should have been on its way to a new owner at the reported high bid. Lot # F098 1970 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible; S/N 194670S405774; Engine # V0223CT; Laguna Gray,/Black vinyl; Black vinyl top; Unrestored original, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $54,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $57,240. – 350/370hp LT1, 4-speed, 3.70 Positraction, Rally wheels, trim rings, Wide Tread F70-15 tires, AM-FM. — Bloomington Gold Survivor and Silver certified in 2009. All original except some repaint on the nose and very good for its age. 9,209 miles from new, one owner until 2006. It’s a ’70, but it’s an LT1 ’70 with an impeccable history and provenance that’s stood up to the toughest examination. The new owner got a Corvette to be proud to own at a reasonable price. Lot # F268 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe; S/N 30837S115813; Engine # 311813 F???RE; Red,/Red vinyl; Recent restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $91,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $96,460. – 327/340hp, 4-speed, spinner wheelcovers, narrow whitewalls, AM-FM — Freshly restored top and bottom, inside and out, with excellent cosmetics. Fresh and like new. Represented as numbers matching drive train. Only fuel injection could make this Corvette more valuable, and that would make it less usable than the high performance carbureted small block under the hood. It’s not inexpensive, but it’s all the car that money can buy in a carbureted ’63 split window coupe. Lot # S225 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe; S/N 30837S103698; Engine # 3103698 F1103R?; Tan,/Saddle vinyl; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $70,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $74,200. – 327/340hp, 4-speed, WonderBar radio, alloy wheels, narrow whitewalls. — Represented as numbers matching. Gaudy clear coat paint. Uneven door fit. Good chrome. Lightly stretched driver’s seat. Chassis and engine compartment sprayed assembled, engine sprayed in place judging from the overspray mist on the front crossmember. A desirable Corvette done less than fastidiously. NCRS recently got access to, and began providing, the original dealer identification for Corvettes. Now every Corvette proudly, if irrelevantly, reports as this one did, ‘sold new at Sunny Stein Chevrolet in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania.’ Exactly what does that tell us? Nothing. This is a mediocre Corvette of no more than driver quality with a good but not mind-blowing engine. It brought a full retail price. Lot # F276 1965 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe; S/N 194375S119549; Engine # 5119549 F0526HH; Silver Pearl,/Silver; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $80,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $84,800. – 327/365hp, 4-speed, 4.56 Positraction, teak wood steering wheel, centerlock alloy wheels, gold line tires, AM-FM, tinted glass. — NCRS 1998 Top Flight, Bloomington Gold, Duntov Award. Represented as matching numbers. known history from new. Very good paint, chrome and interior. Engine shows some age, but only limited use. Sold by Mecum here in 2010 for $82,150, then at Auctions America in Ft. Lauderdale in 2012 for $85,800, the cluster of prices in different venues conclusively ends any question over value.
Mecum Kissimmee 2013 – Auction Report Page Three
Lot # S102 1966 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe; S/N 194376S104518; Engine # T1026IL 6104518; Rally Red,/Black leatherette; Recent restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $128,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $135,680. – 427/390hp, 4-speed, P/W, teakwood steering wheel, AM-FM, headrest seats, alloy centerlock wheels, gold line tires, side exhaust, P/S, P/B, A/C, telescopic steering column, transistor ignition. GM executive car. — Excellent cosmetics except for orange peel on cowl vents. Carefully restored to showroom condition. Unusual because of its combination of options and GM ‘brass hat’ origins as a specially-built car for a senior GM executive. That and the meticulous restoration contribute to its value, but this is still an exceptional price for a 427/390hp Corvette coupe. Lot # S138 1953 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster; S/N E53F001093; White,/Sportsman Red vinyl; Black cloth top top; Older restoration, 2+ condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $185,000 $185,000. – Powerglide, WonderBar radio, heater, windshield washer. — Restored like new, multiple NCRS Top Flight, Duntov Award and Bloomington Gold. Still show quality with excellent paint, chrome, interior, top and underhood detailing. Did the bidders think this was a ’54? They must have at this contemptuous bid for a Duntov Award winning ’53. Lot # S187 1954 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster; S/N N/A; Polo White,/Red vinyl; Beige cloth top top; Unrestored original, 4 condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $100,000 $100,000. – Powerglide, heater, WonderBar radio, wheel covers, wide whitewalls. No VIN supplied or available — Walled up from 1982 to 1986, as found. Peeling paint, sound interior, faded top, new tires. Engine steam cleaned and surface rusted without the protection of oil mist and road crud. Doesn’t run. No money. A relic, entombed for two decades. Offered here unfortunately refreshed and cleaned up by some insensitive twerps with water and soap. A badly deteriorated car of little or no historic significance other than an intriguing story. It’s not good enough to preserve, and the reported high bid is way too much to invest in a restoration project. Lot # S193 1955 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster; S/N VE55S001164; Engine # 0188748 F55FG; Pennant Blue,/Beige vinyl; Beige cloth top; Cosmetic restoration, 2- condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $77,000 $77,000. – 265/195hp, Powerglide, WonderBar radio, red wheels, wheel covers, whitewalls. — Represented as matching numbers, one of 45 in Pennant Blue. Clearcoat repaint is too glossy. Engine cleaned up for auction, chassis oiled and lightly covered in road dust. Underbody repainted over old, peeling undercoat. Good dash, instruments top, upholstery and chrome. Good, but not great. There are only 700 ’55 Corvettes and they are important to the model’s survival as the first with V-8 engines. With only 195hp and most, like this one, with Powerglide, they’re not very exciting. The combination of the first cars’ roadster bodies (with side curtains) and V-8 power is highly attractive, though. This one was sold at Barrett-Jackson’s Palm Beach auction in 2011 for $85,800, but the Kissimmee seller shouldn’t expect to get any more than the reported high bid for a car with too many issues. Lot # F131 1966 Chevrolet Corvette 427/425 Convertible; S/N 194675S123758; Engine # T0526IP 6123758; Silver Pearl,/Black leather; Black vinyl top; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $80,000 $80,000. – 427/425hp, 4-speed, transistor ignition, AM-FM, 3.70 Positraction, F41 suspension, power antenna, teak grain steering wheel, alloy wheels, narrow whitewalls, P/B. — A good, lightly used, older restoration to like new condition with 32,436 miles from new. Very good paint, chrome, top and original interior. Engine compartment has been cleaned up for the auction. Represented as matching numbers. A very good driver quality Corvette. This Corvette should have found a new home at the reported high bid. A desirable car (in some respects more desirable that the ’67 Tri-Power 427/435s), its condition is less than exemplary. Lot # F142 1967 Chevrolet Corvette 427/435 Convertible; S/N 194677S113260; Marlboro Maroon, Black stinger/Saddle leatherette; White vinyl top; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $175,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $185,500. – 427/435hp, 4-speed, 3.70 Positraction, two tops (Black vinyl hardtop), AM-FM, F41 suspension, side exhausts, Rally wheels with trim rings, narrow whitewalls, P/B, P/S, telescopic steering column, transistor ignition, headrest seats. — Bloomington Gold Certified, restored like new with original interior. Excellent paint, chrome and interior. A strong car that shows some miles since restoration and would benefit from a thorough detailing. Sold here last year for $124,550, this result is a home run for the seller. Not so much for the buyer, however. This is an expensive 427/435. Lot # F267 1967 Chevrolet Corvette 427/435 Convertible; S/N 194677S103005; Engine # T0023JE 7103005; Red, Black stinger/Black leather; Black vinyl top; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $120,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $127,200. – 427/435hp, 4-speed, P/B, P/S, alloy wheels, side exhausts, red line tires, AM-FM — Good older restoration with strong paint, good chrome lightly scuffed on windshield frame, very good interior. underbody and engine show a little age and use but could be detailed to be nearly pristine. Small chips and scuffing behind doors from top. NCRS Top Flight, represented as matching numbers engine. A sound value in a desirably equipped Corvette, the new owner got a lot of value for this price. Lot # F106 1958 Chevrolet Corvette FI Convertible; S/N J58S102513; Engine # F1217CR; Snowcrest White,/Red vinyl; White vinyl top; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $85,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $90,100. – 283/250hp, fuel injection, 4-speed, two tops, 3.70 Positraction, spinner wheel covers, whitewalls, WonderBar radio. — Well used out reasonably maintained older restoration that now has the patina of a three or four year old used car. Engine and chassis are lightly oiled even after being superficially cleaned up for the auction. Upholstery is lightly soiled but sound. Cloudy hardtop molding. Panels fit well. Sold at Mecum’s Indy sale in 2010 for $94,870 and bought here in Kissimmee at a price that values its specifications more than its condition. The seller should be satisfied with a small loss after over two years’ use and minimal attention. Lot # F154 1959 Chevrolet Corvette FI Convertible; S/N J59S108369; Engine # F518CS; Crown Sapphire, White coves/Turquoise vinyl; Black vinyl top; Unrestored original, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $85,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $90,100. – 283/290hp, fuel injection, 4-speed, 4.11 Positraction, WonderBar radio, off-road exhaust, heater, P/W. — 2009 Bloomington Gold Survivor with 38,299 miles. Excellent paint, chrome, interior and top. Engine is a little grungy. Represented as matching numbers, of course. At Mecum’s Bloomington Gold auction in 2009 someone turned down $105,000 for this car, which then sold at Mecum Indy in 2010 for $91,690. Its result here is in line with the car’s originality, unusual colors, FI engine and age. A few more miles won’t hurt its value, but any work done to keep it running reliably will have a negative effect, limiting its usefulness for much more than display. This price is representative of its value. Lot # F250 1959 Chevrolet Corvette FI Convertible; S/N J59S109418; Engine # F727CS; White, Silver coves/Red vinyl; Unrestored original, 4 condition; Hammered Sold at $73,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $77,380. – 283/290hp, 4-speed, big brakes, hardtop and soft top, 5 1/2 inch repro wheels, hubcaps, 7.10-15 Firestone blackwall tires, quick steering, RPO 684 big brakes and suspension, Positraction — Peeling repaint, worn, torn upholstery, surface rusted engine compartment, dirty underbody. Funky “CS” block stamping is much deeper than and not aligned with the Flint date stamp. Not important enough to pReserve – The block stamping was peculiar and unsettling, particularly as the description offered no assurance of numbers-matching or originality. This is a car that begs for restoration but at this price it will be impossible to give it a decent and thorough restoration without going far underwater. In this condition with the odd block stamping this is a generous price. Lot # F060 1962 Chevrolet Corvette FI Convertible; S/N 20867S114219; Engine # 2114219 F0515RF; Black,/Red vinyl; Black vinyl top; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $70,000 $70,000. – 327/360hp fuel injection, 4-speed, 3.70 Safe-T-Track, WonderBar radio, spinner wheel covers, narrow whitewalls, 7.75-15 bias ply tires, two tops. — Sound fresh repaint, chrome and interior. Underbody and chassis cosmetically redone and presentable. Engine cleaned up but not very thoroughly. A good driver with a desirable drivetrain. Engine described as numbers matching. The Kissimmee bidders accurately handicapped the desirable specifications against the less-than-desirable redo, concluded this was an auction car and made an appropriate bid for it. The seller needs to get more real.
Mecum Kissimmee 2013 – Auction Report Page Four
Lot # T230 1962 Chevrolet Corvette FI Convertible; S/N 20867S108781; Engine # 2108781 F0305RF; Black,/Black; Older restoration, 3 condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $90,000 $90,000. – 327/360hp fuel injection, 4-speed, RPO 687 brakes and suspension, 4.11 Positraction, wide steel wheels, hubcaps, 6.70-15 Silvertown bias ply tires, off road exhaust, WonderBar radio, heater, hardtop only. — Completely restored but now needing general attention. Air intake hose torn, labels peeling, flaws in paint, good chrome. Polished FI plenum, manifold and throttle body. Represented as matching numbers engine and looking for a caring home. This is a very desirable Corvette, but apparently entirely undocumented and showing little care or attention for many years. It’s hard to imagine this Corvette not having competition history — it’s not particularly adapted to driving on the street although it has a radio and heater — but it’s apparently been lost in the mists of time like the origins of its restoration. The originality of its configuration is elusive and that combined with the deteriorating condition accounts for the bidders’ reluctance to put more than this much on the table for a car that could well be worth over $150,000 with better verification. Lot # T295 1963 Chevrolet Corvette FI Convertible; S/N 30867S116707; Engine # 3116707 F0523RF; Silver Blue,/Black vinyl; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $85,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $90,100. – 327/360hp, 4-speed, radio delete, spinner wheel covers, narrow whitewalls, hardtop only, off-road exhaust, P/B.. — Bloomington Gold, NCRS regional Top Flight. Represented as matching numbers. Good paint, chrome and interior. Some old interior trim but overall very satisfying. Documented with window sticker and dealer invoice. Sold at B-J Palm Beach in 2006 for $79,920 and offered at least twice by Mecum in 2012, this is a solid Corvette with desirable equipment and bought at an appropriate price for its somewhat aged presentation and Fuelie engine. Lot # F246 1957 Chevrolet Corvette FI Convertible Race Car; S/N E57S105938; Arctic Blue, Silver coves and stripe/Red vinyl; Competition restoration, 2- condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $100,000 $100,000. – 283 FI engine with 400 dyno horsepower. RPO 684 brakes and suspension, braced rollbar, 4-speed, Plexiglas aeroscreen, 5-spoke Torque-Thrust wheels, leather rim steering wheel, airbox added — Decent cosmetics, very clean, orderly and sanitary. Bloomington Gold Special collection. Body has a chip or two but is generally very good. A race car since new Lot # F281 1985 Chevrolet Corvette GTP Replica Coupe; S/N T8610HU01P; Blue, White/Red leather; Non-factory replica, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $83,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $87,980. – A/C, P/W, radio. — An elaborate Corvette GTP replica with tuned port 383/460hp V-8, Audi 5-speed transaxle, body panels off original Lola molds. Done to high standards with very good paint, clean, detailed engine and good but lightly soiled and scuffed upholstery. Built by Mongoose Motorsports to high standards of fit and finish. It should go like stink, despite the weight of the iron block engine and the lacklustre performance of the Tuned Port injection. A show-off street ride, but one that can hold its own on the road and a magnet for radar-toting Highway Patrolmen. The Doc Bundy autograph probably doesn’t add much. Lot # S172 1968 Chevrolet Corvette L88 Convertible; S/N 194678S416882; Red,/Red vinyl; White vinyl top; Recent restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $550,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $583,000. – 427/430hp, 4-speed, J56 brakes, Positraction, transistor ignition, F41 suspension, off-road exhaust, tinted glass, Rally wheels with trim rings, red line tires, smog equipment — Owned (and street raced) from new until 2009 by Ronnie Joyner, then restored by the Nabers brothers. Bloomington Gold, NCRS winner. Restored like new. Extensively documented and above reproach. The star of the Kissimmee auction, a legendary Corvette at an entirely appropriate price. Lot # S164 1971 Chevrolet Corvette ZR2 Convertible; S/N 194671S117850; Orange,/Black; Older restoration, 2 condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $450,000 $450,000. – 454/425hp, aluminum heads, 3.55 Positraction, J56 brakes, hardtop, Rally wheels with trim rings — Restored like new. Bloomington Gold in 1999, Corvette Hall of Fame in 2003. Every Corvette collector should own this car at least for a while. It was sold at Mecum’s Bloomington Gold auction in 2011 for $434,600. Why it wasn’t sold here at the reported high bid is a quandary. Lot # F279 1958 Chevrolet Impala Convertible; S/N F58N160753; Engine # T1114HA; Red,/Red vinyl; White vinyl top; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $80,000 $80,000. – 348/280hp hydraulic lifter 3×2, Turboglide, P/S, skirts, continental kit, spinner wheel covers, whitewalls, WonderBar radio, dual outside mirrors and rear antennas, vacuum ashtray. — Freshened older restoration with very good paint, chrome and interior, Engine superficially dressed up for the auction with little or no attention to anything not in plain view. This Impala was freshly restored when it sold at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale in 2011 for $88,000. A year later it brought $80,300 at B-J Palm Beach and it attracted the same bid as here when it crossed the block at Mecum’s Indy sale last May. It has covered just 374 miles (according to the odometer) since 2011, but looks like it’s had little attention and deserves to have been selling before it reached the reported high bid. Lot # T270 1959 Chevrolet Impala Convertible; S/N F59S177745; Engine # T330 HA; Tuxedo Black,/Red vinyl; Black vinyl top; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $120,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $127,200. – 348/280hp, three 2-barrels, Turboglide, P/S, P/B, A/C, pushbutton radio, spinner wheel covers, wide whitewalls, dual rear antennas, dual outside mirrors, P/W, tinted glass, power bench seat, padded dash — Freshly restored and better than new with excellent paint, chrome and interior. Well-equipped, too. Long overlooked, the odd one year only gullwing rear fin ’59 Impalas are becoming more popular and bringing better prices as this transaction indicates. This car is impossible to criticize, with great equipment and a meticulous, detailed restoration with great cosmetics. It brought a premium price, continuing (at more modest prices) current buyers’ willingness to step up for the very best examples of intrinsically desirable cars. It is expensive, but it deserves to be. Lot # T237 1966 Chevrolet Impala Convertible; S/N 164676F128104; Engine # T1026IH; White,/Green vinyl; White vinyl top; Recent restoration, 2- condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $40,000 $40,000. – 427/425hp, 4-speed, P/S, P/B, mag wheelcovers, red line tires, bench seat, tilt steering column, AM-FM. IH engine code indicates a 427/390hp came from the factory — Represented as numbers matching engine. Disappointingly superficial cosmetic restoration with scant attention to details. Body shop crud on exhaust pipes. Underbody repainted over old, peeling undercoat. Engine number pad partially illegible under curdled paint. Good paint, interior and chrome. Done, just not done like it could, or should, have been. An attractive and desirable Impala, just not an attractively presented one, which leads bidders to look more closely, which catches the engine code mismatch with the 425hp claim, which puts general doubt in bidders’ minds and results in a truly safe high bid, if there was money on it at all. Even at that, though it could have been sold for the reported high bid and saved the consignor the tedium of rectifying the more obvious of its mistakes, like claiming 425hp. Lot # F277 1962 Chevrolet Impala SS 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 21847S214172; Engine # S214172 T0208QB; Black,/Red vinyl, cloth; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $67,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $71,020. – 409/409hp, dual quads, 4-speed, no P/S or P/B, spinner wheel covers, narrow whitewalls, buckets and console, underdash gauges, column mounted 90 degree tach — A quality older restoration with good paint and interior. Good major chrome, stainless and aluminum trim. Engine, underbody and chassis are used and grimy. Represented as numbers-matching engine. Taking the consignor’s representation of numbers-matching at face value, this is one of the most storied automobiles in Chevy history and it’s a rarely seen good value at this price. An under-appreciated automobile that is intrinsically worth more than today’s buyers give it credit for (but I’d still rather have the 421 Super Duty Catalina which would eat this truck-engined Impala for breakfast.) Lot # S185 1966 Chevrolet Nova SS 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 118376N154763; Engine # F0406ZT; Black,/Black vinyl; Older restoration, 1 condition; Hammered Sold at $207,500 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $219,950. – 327/350hp, 4-speed, engine dressup, wheel covers, buckets and console, narrow whitewalls, pushbutton radio, underdash knee knocker tach. — Represented as numbers-matching and documented with Protect-o-Plate. Show winning restoration with deep, rich paint, brilliant chrome and stainless, excellent interior and detailed to within an inch of its life underhood. Much better than new. There aren’t many Novas like this, and even fewer restored to over its top standards. But over $200,000 for it? Amazing. Seriously amazing. This price is even more over-the-top than the car.
Mecum Kissimmee 2013 – Auction Report Page Five
Lot # T250 1955 DeSoto Fireflite Convertible; S/N 55243154; Red, White/Red, White leather; White vinyl top; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $64,000 $64,000. – 291/255hp, automatic, P/S, P/B, wire wheel covers, wide whitewalls, WonderBar radio, tinted glass, P/top, dashtop clock. — A good older restoration that is visibly aging. Decent paint and chrome. Lightly stretched front seat upholstery. Very clean and nearly like new underhood, chassis and underbody. An unusual and attractive car that has lost its edge. Offered at Auctions America’s Ft. Lauderdale sale last March with a high bid of $62,000, then at Mecum Dallas in September with a high bid of $57,500, the consignor should now have been hammered hard enough to realize that the reported ‘$100,000 restoration’ has deteriorated and this is what buyers think the car is worth. And it’s the buyers, not the sellers, who make that determination. Lot # S180 1972 Ferrari 246 GT Dino; S/N 468; Red,/Tan leather, Black stripes; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $165,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $174,900. – Blaupunkt AM-FM, Cromodora FIAT wheels, P/W. — Good looking repaint but not carefully wet-sanded along edges. Driver’s door filled and doesn’t fit well. Cracked original paint behind seats. Good Daytona-striped seats but standard fenders and wheels. Smooth leather covered dash with loose defroster vents. Chassis, engine and luggage compartment have been given scant attention. Sold for $127,200 at Mecum’s Monterey auction in 2011, the result here in Kissimmee illustrates the abrupt runup in Dino values in the past two or three years. This Dino needs attention almost everywhere, yet it brought a premium price. For a long time Dinos were overlooked, then suddenly they took a huge bounce and their trajectory is still upwards. One of these days it will come back into harmony with other Ferraris and cars bought in the present exuberance will not look like smart buys. Lot # F296 2003 Ferrari 456M GTA Coupe; S/N ZFFWL50A630129924; Blue,/Tan leather; Unrestored original, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $60,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $63,600. – Automatic, Daytona seats, factory books, manuals and car cover. — 3,583 miles and barely used. Clean Carfax, manuals and original window sticker for $283,353. No mention of a recent service. So it’s an automatic? The slush box helps bring the value down into the reach of a vast market ready to experience the thrills of Ferrari ownership and the excitement of getting an engine service invoice. Lot # T244 1995 Ferrari F355 Spider; S/N ZFFPR48A7S0104353; Siverstone Green,/Tan leather; Tan cloth top; Unrestored original, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $47,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $49,820. – 6-speed, Alpine stereo, stock wheels, Bridgestone tires. Assembly #21162. — A few small nose stone chips, lightly creased driver’s seat with small surface creases. Top is clean but has been pinched and abraded when folded. Nearly like new in a handsome color combination. Clean Carfax and appropriately patinaed for its age and the 17,179 miles showing on the odometer. Sold for about 1/3 of its original sticker price, right down where a Ferrari is an affordable alternative to medium-priced new sport sedans and coupes. The color and generally good, clean condition helped this F355’s value, along with the 6-speed transaxle. Lot # T236 1997 Ferrari F355 Spider; S/N ZFFXR48A8V0107783; Black,/Black leather; Black cloth top; Unrestored original, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $67,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $71,020. – Assembly #24562. Sony CD changer, 6-speed — Belt service and brake system repaired in December 2012. Paint and interior are consistent with the 3,365 miles on the odometer. Sold here for half its original $140,000 sticker, still a generous premium for its low miles and recent (expensive) service. Lot # S227 1985 Ferrari Mondial QV Spider; S/N ZFFLC15B000052941; Black,/Black leather; Black cloth top; Unrestored original, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $27,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $28,620. – Alpine CD stereo, gaudy Sport Line black and yellow leather rim steering wheel. — 15K service at 24,851 miles June 2011, present odometer 25,237. Good paint, interior and top but rear window is scratched and scuffed. clean underbody. Top fits well. A good used car. This is a representative price for a sound Mondial QV convertible. Lot # W303 1951 Ford F-1 Pickup; S/N F1R1SP12172; Green, Black fenders/Grey leatherette; Truck restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $25,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $26,500. No Reserve – 239/85hp, 3-speed, turn signals, Magic Air heater, varnished bed floor and sideboards, chrome bumpers. — Very good exterior cosmetics, orderly underbody and upholstery but interior metal is superficial and unsatisfying. A good weekend truck with eyeball appeal. This is more truck that the price it brought gives it credit for. Despite their practicality and appeal pickups, except in a few extraordinary situations, can be bought for decidedly modest sums, like this largely well restored F-1. The interior metal deserves attention to bring it to the same standards as the exterior, but that’s a minor task and cost compared with the pleasure of owning a handsome flathead V-8 Ford pickup at this price. A good value, by any standard. Lot # S088.1 1959 Ford Galaxie Skyliner; S/N B9KW159539; Light Blue, Medium Blue/Blue vinyl, cloth; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $60,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $63,600. – 332/225hp, automatic, P/S, P/B, pushbutton radio, dual remote spotlights, wheel covers, whitewalls, chrome skirts and rear fender shields, continental kit, clear plastic seat covers. — Restored better than new and an IFRC Showcase Gold award winner. Impossible to fault in any meaningful way. Attractively optioned and restored to high standards, this car brought just the right retail money from an astute buyer. Lot # S132 1966 Ford Mustang A/Sedan Racer; S/N 6R07K191911; White, Blue stripes/Black vinyl; Competition restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $400,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $424,000. – 5-spoke bolt-on magnesium wheels, Goodyear Blue Streak tires, braced roll bar, two Falcon seats, woodrim steering wheel. — Built by Shelby, one of 16 like it for SCCA National racing. Raced by John McComb from ’66-’69 and raced in at least one Trans Am. Good older paint, gutted race car interior, pitted magnesium wheels. Good chrome. Underbody covered in old undercoat peeling in places. Not like new, but very good. Shelby Mustangs were built with just front seats to race as SCCA B/Production sports cars. The sixteen notchbacks that Shelby built were 4-seaters for A/Sedan racing, the same performance but more rare and with Ford identities. The Trans Am history gives this Mustang entre into historic Trans Am races and places it right up there among GT350R Shelbys in desirability if not in value. That is inherently a good value proposition and the new owner of this A/Sedan should be complimented on seizing the moment and the opportunity to acquire a rare and desirable car for a substantial discount from a Shelby Mustang R-model. Lot # F237 1965 Ford Mustang Convertible; S/N 5F08F100212; Wimbledon White,/Blue vinyl; Blue vinyl top; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $42,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $44,520. – 260/164hp, 2-barrel, P/S, no P/B, AM-FM radio, buckets and console, Rally Pac gauges, wire wheel covers, narrow whitewalls, power top, heater delete.. — The second oldest known Mustang convertible, sold the day before the Mustang’s official announcement. Cosmetically restored with good paint, chrome and interior. Chassis is road grimy out engine is nicely presented. A guaranteed conversation starter. The first owner of this Mustang must have had some serious pull to get it even before Ford announced the Mustang. It was sold at Mecum’s Indy sale last May for $39,220. The seller must be pleased with the result here even though after commissions and transportation it’s barely breakeven. It’s an expensive car, but deserves to be. Lot # S131 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 302 Fastback; S/N 9F02G222646; Acapulco Blue, Matte Black hood/Black vinyl; Unrestored original, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $67,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $71,020. – 302/290hp, 4-speed, P/S, P/B, Magnum wheels, F60-15 Polyglas GT tires, pushbutton radio, rear window louvers, 3.50 Traction Lok — Very good original paint, chrome and interior, believed 17,645 miles from new and looks like it. Thoroughly detailed and primped engine compartment. Nearly like new in all respects and comprehensively documented from new with original driveline. There is no premium at all for originality in this Boss 302’s price which makes it an excellent value at this price.
Mecum Kissimmee 2013 – Auction Report Page Six
Lot # F275 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 429 Fastback; S/N 9F02Z159771; Royal Maroon,/Black vinyl; Unrestored original, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $175,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $185,500. – 429/375hp, 4-speed, Hurst tee-handle shifter, chrome rim Magnum wheels, P/S, P/B, console, 3.91 Traction-Lok, trunk-mounted battery. KK #1454 — Good original paint, chrome and interior. Its age is apparent but its condition is exceptional for 50+ years. Documented with factory invoices, window sticker and Marti Report. There is no premium at all in this price for originality and with 34,429 miles showing on the odometer it can be driven several thousand more without taking a hit in value. It’s a car that should never be restored and at this reasonable price the new owner can afford to keep it up, drive it a little, and enjoy both the driving experience and the value. Lot # K072 1967 Ford Mustang Eleanor Replica Fastback; S/N 7R02C156693; Metallic Grey,/Black; Non-factory replica, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $40,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $42,400. – 302 crate engine, 4-speed, A/C, NOS, drag shocks. — Good cosmetics, engine and underbody. Dash and instruments have received less thorough attention, upholstery is unattractive vinyl. A budget Eleanor. Sold on Saturday of Scottsdale, the second day of Mecum’s Kissimmee auction. How far have Eleanors fallen off buyer’s radar? This result is all that needs to be cited. The movie is in syndication on obscure cable channels and no one cares any more. Lot # F210.1 1947 Ford Sportsman Convertible; S/N 799A1691793; Pheasant Red,/Red leather; Black cloth top; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $150,000 $150,000. – Radio, heater, P/W, P/top, fog lights, trim rings, hubcaps, wide whitewalls — Rust blisters under left cowl paint, left windwing glass delaminating. sound but cloudy wood with good varnish. Fisheyes in trunk lid varnish, fit is uneven. An unattractive car that’s been bouncing around Mecum auctions since it was reported sold in 2011 in Monterey. It needs to find a home, but the reported high bid indicates it’s going to be a while before the owner’s expectations are adjusted sufficiently to its mediocre condition. Ford Sportsman convertibles are extremely popular cars, but only the very best bring top dollar. This one is far, far from the best and it will take a complete restoration to make it any better. It should have gone away at the reported high bid. In fact, it should have been loose and selling at $130,000. Lot # U086.1 1957 Ford Thunderbird Convertible; S/N D7FH205481; Red,/Red vinyl; Beige cloth top; Recent restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $50,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $53,000. – 312/245hp, automatic, Town & Country radio, chrome wire wheels, whitewalls, P/S, P/B, engine dressup — Sharp, fresh restoration with very good paint, chrome, interior and top. Essentially like new with crisp instruments and dashboard. Sold at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale in 2005 for $67,500 and run here in Kissimmee on Saturday (Lot #S186) with a high bid of $40,000, it eventually found a new home on this Sunday re-run number for a realistic price that both the buyer and the seller should be satisfied with. Lot # T258 1951 Hudson Hornet Convertible; S/N 7A127093; Engine # 216862-21989; Cornish Cream,/Burgundy leather; Burgundy cloth top; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $80,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $84,800. – Stroked six with high compression aluminum head and Twin-H intake, automatic, skirts, chrome wire wheels, whitewall bias ply tires, pushbutton radio, heater, original owner’s manual, sales brochure, June 1953 engine — Decent paint, thin, scuffed chrome and stainless, pitting chrome on steering wheel and instrument panel. Sound, lightly used interior, good top. Orderly and clean underhood but not fresh. There’s no way around the fact that this is one sweet Hornet, even with — or maybe on account of — the later high performance Twin-H six under the hood. The price here neatly compromises between the value of the ’51 Hornet and a ’53 Twin-H Hornet and is a sound acquisition that should give the new owner great satisfaction. Lot # F236 1955 Jaguar XK 140 Roadster; S/N S810008; Engine # G1142-8S; Red,/Biscuit leather; Black cloth top; Modified restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $120,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $127,200. – Chrome wire wheels, whitewall tires, fender mirrors, Lucas fog lights. Tremec 5-speed gearbox, front disc brakes, varnished wood dash and instrument panel, aluminum radiator, gear reduction starter — Excellent paint, chrome and interior. An XK that can actually be enjoyed. Not fresh, but very good and clean. With all the modifications it’s surprising this XK 140 didn’t get a 3.8 or even 4.2 liter engine to get the most out of the 5-speed and disc brakes. This is a serious premium price for any XK 140, let alone a modified one. Lot # S110 1941 Lincoln Continental Cabriolet; S/N 16H56259; Metallic Gray,/Red leather; Black cloth top; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $140,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $148,400. – Overdrive, oil filter, hubcaps, trim rings, wide whitewalls, skirts — Excellent paint, chrome and top. Front seat upholstery stretched. Thin interior gold plating. Polished cylinder heads and intake manifold. Engine smells of coolant. CCCA and AACA winning restoration beginning to show age but little use. The color beautifully complements the Continental’s lines but the age of its restoration is showing all over the place. It looks beautiful, though, which may account for the serious premium price it brought. It would have been a better buy at the $110,000 high bid it attracted at Mecum’s Dallas sale in September. Lot # S105.1 2012 McLaren MP4-12C Coupe; S/N SBM11AAA7CW000505; Black,/Black, Orange leather; Unrestored original, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $200,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $212,000. – Yellow calipers, carbon fiber outside mirrors and gew gaws — 2,581 miles. Sticker $278,735. Unsold on the block but closed almost immediately after it was pushed off. Rarely seen and highly regarded, this is decidedly modest depreciation and bodes well for MP4-12C values. Lot # S190 1971 Mercedes-Benz 280SL Roadster; S/N 11304412023783; Silver,/Burgundy leather; Black cloth top; Cosmetic restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $72,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $76,320. – Automatic, A/C, Becker Europa AM-FM, wheel covers, Michelin Pilot blackwall tires, Euro headlights, two tops, P/B. — Good clearcoat repaint, interior and chrome. loose fitting top. Good but incorrect firewall insulation, polished cam cover. Underbody freshly sprayed with undercoat. Clean, orderly engine compartment. Good dash top wood. New rear springs and excessive camber. Makes a good first impression with flat panels and good fits but gives the impression it was done to look good under the auction block lights. This price should buy the best 280SL in the world, and this car isn’t that. Lot # F181 1953 Mercury Monterey Convertible Custom; S/N 53SL122511M; Red,/Red, Grey vinyl; Black cloth top; Customized restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $59,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $62,540. – 351 V-8, automatic, dummy spots, chrome wire wheels, cassette stereo, continental kit, P/W, P/S, power 4-wheel disc brakes, power bench seat, dummy lakes pipes. — Nicely done with good paint, chrome, top and interior. Flat body with good fits. An unusually restrained and refined mild custom that would look better without the wire wheels. The buyer didn’t go wrong at this price for a car with eye appeal that should be an excellent cruise night star. Lot # T239 1935 Morgan F4 Convertible; S/N F173; Red, Black/Tan leather; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $35,000 $35,000. – Light Yellow wire wheels, blackwall tires, turn signals, chrome headlight shells, fender mirrors, single rear spare. English Ford Model Y four cylinder — Freshly restored, in some areas over-restored, with excellent paint, chrome and interior. Every auction has its surprises, and at Kissimmee none was more surprising than spotting this Morgan, and impressively restored as well. The Kissimmee bidders made a reasonable offer for it, but the owner equally reasonably decided to sit back and wait for another $5-10,000.
Mecum Kissimmee 2013 – Auction Report Page Seven
Lot # F282 1969 Oldsmobile 4-4-2 Convertible; S/N 344679M164667; Black,/Black; Black vinyl top; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $63,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $66,780. No Reserve – 400/350hp, 4-speed, P/S, P/B, A/C, pushbutton radio, Hurst shift, buckets and console, remote outside mirror, P/W, steel wheels, hubcaps, G70-14 Polyglas tires. — Used but well-maintained older restoration to like new condition. Shows age and miles but is still better than just a driver. Freshly detailed underhood. Very good paint, chrome, interior and top. Not fresh, but well maintained and mean looking in triple black with dog dish hubcaps and white letter Polyglas tires, the air conditioning and power steering make it desirable as a weekend driver, or even for long road trips. In 5,778 miles the odometer will roll over, which might actually help its value. In any event, it is all the car for this much money, and maybe even a little more in triple black attitude. Lot # K262 1953 Oldsmobile 98 Convertible; S/N 539M7415; Polar White,/White, Blue leather; Blue cloth top; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $42,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $44,520. – 303/165hp, automatic, P/W, P/S, P/B, radio, Autronic Eye, spinner wheel covers, whitewall tires, skirts, power antenna. — Weak old repaint, thin chrome, sound interior and top. Pitted, rusty interior chrome. A usable but unexceptional Olds. The consignor adjusted expectations substantially since this Olds crossed the block at Fall Auburn last September and no-saled at a reported bid of $54,000. At today’s price the new owner can afford to give it the time and attention it deserves, or just enjoy it knowing it can be flipped for what’s in it, or close. Lot # T042 1970 Oldsmobile Cutlass S 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 336870M409651; Light Yellow,/Black vinyl; Recent restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $20,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $21,200. – Automatic, tilt column, console, A/C, P/S, P/B, AM-FM, Rally wheels, Eagle ST tires. — Just a car like tens of thousands of Cutlass S hardtops, but thoughtfully done with good paint, chrome and interior. Unusually good treatment for an ordinary car. The bidders liked it, too. It’s a good example of the many options available to put a sound, usable and attractive car in the hands of collectors of modest means Lot # S094.1 1972 Oldsmobile Hurst/Olds Convertible; S/N 3J67U2M205648; Cameo White, Gold accents/Black leatherette; White vinyl top; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $47,000 $47,000. – 455 4-barrel, automatic, His’n’Hers shifter, Rally wheels, trim rings, Eagle ST tires, P/S, P/B. A/C, W25 Ram Air hood. — Vinyl graphics. Good older restoration showing age and use. Paint is very good, stainless has a few scratches, top and interior are sound. Underbody is a little dirty. A good, sound, highly presentable example of a desirable car. A very good car, but it should have been on its way to a new owner long before it reached the reported high bid. Lot # S179 1956 Packard Caribbean Convertible; S/N 56991268; Dover White, Scottish Heather, Maltese Grey/Red, White leather; White leatherette top; Cosmetic restoration, 2- condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $115,000 $115,000. – Wheel covers, P/W, whitewalls, pushbutton shift, WonderBar radio, P/Seat, P/S, P/B, Torsion Ride suspension. — Represented as an original car with “only minor touch ups over time” that have added up to a complete cosmetic restoration. There is paint still in the vee belt pulley grooves. New (and very good) upholstery and top. Engine out, disassembled and completely redone. A neat old car but not the paragon of originality the description implies. The reported high bid is more than fair for this not-quite-original but well maintained and attractively presented Caribbean. Not original, but not restored either, someone needs to get a grip on what it is and how to present it. They also need to get a grip on what it’s worth, which isn’t this much. Lot # F280 1969 Plymouth Road Runner 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N RM23J9A154475; Blue Fire, Matte Black hood/Black vinyl; Older restoration, 2- condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $60,000 $60,000. – 426/425hp Hemi, 4-speed, buckets and console, vacuum gauge, gauge package, woodgrain steering wheel, 3.56 rear axle, Magnum wheels, Radial T/A tires — ‘Correct vintage 426/425 hp Hemi engine backed by a 4-speed and the original Dana 60 rear end.’ An older restoration that shows little use and wears its years gracefully. 45,245 miles from new. Sold at Barrett-Jackson in Palm Beach in 2006 for $103,680, it isn’t getting much respect since then, nor much attention, but it’s more car that the money it attracted here in Kissimmee. At least its replacement Hemi isn’t a modern crate engine. Lot # S134 1970 Plymouth Road Runner Superbird 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N RM23V0A175683; Brilliant Blue, Black vinyl roof/Black vinyl; Older restoration, 2- condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $150,000. – 440/390hp Six Pack, 4-speed, Hurst shifter, P/S, P/B, Rally wheels, trim rings, F60-15 Polyglas GT tires, pushbutton radio. — Beautiful paint, good interior, bright chrome. Nose fits well, as do the doors and trunk. Engine and underbody are aged, dusty and only superficially cleaned up for the auction. It’s impossible to argue with the seller’s decision to retain this 440 4-speed Superbird at this bid. It is a gorgeous car with all the right stuff and deserves to bring more money. Lot # S092 1965 Pontiac Catalina 2+2 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 252375C109570; Engine # 109523 YH; Capri Gold, Parchment vinyl roof/Green vinyl; Modified restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $50,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $53,000. – 421/338hp 4-barrel engine with Tri-Power added, automatic, P/S, P/B, A/C, polished Torque Thrust wheels, woodrim steeving wheel, buckets and console, pushbutton radio, aftermarket gauges in console, blackwall radial tires. — Restored like new with very good cosmetics. The added Tri-Power doesn’t really detract from this Pontiac’s value and looks great under the hood. For a purist who wants accuracy rather than eye-appeal it’s easy to find correct 4-barrel intakes lying around in shops all over the country where they’ve been discarded in place of Tri-Powers. A very good car at an appropriate price. Lot # F264 1963 Pontiac Catalina Super Duty 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 363D14706; Black,/Burgundy vinyl; Older restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $70,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $74,200. – 421/410hp Super Duty, dual quads, 4-speed, AM-FM, SW underdash gauges, 8-lug wheels, 8.00-14 Silvertown blackwall tires, factory tach, buckets and console — “Period correct” engine, PHS documented. Recent brake rebuild, P/S pump, rebuilt carbs and much more. Excellent paint, chrome and interior. Restored like new with no evidence of use. Sold here a year ago for $84,800 which makes it an even better value this year. This Pontiac will suck the doors off just about anything else on the road in 1963, or pretty much any other year, even carrying around the Catalina’s not inconsiderable mass. Lot # F050.1 1965 Pontiac Catalina Ventura 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 252375C134297; Engine # 403698 WG; Teal Turquoise,/Blue vinyl; Cosmetic restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $49,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $51,940. – 421/338hp, 4-speed, P/S, P/B, A/C, pushbutton radio, Pontiac tach, 8-lug wheels, remote mirror, bench seat, red line tires, 3.23 Saf-T-Track ’tilt steering column. — PHS documented and Pontiac punch card. Good paint, chrome and interior. underbody was repainted assembled. Not fresh underhood but very neat, like a 6-month old car. A quality cosmetic restoration. Offered at Mecum’s Indy auction in 2011 where it attracted a high bid of only $25,000, this exceptionally good Catalina Ventura brought a realistic price in Kissimmee. The seller’s patience paid off, but the new owner got a particularly desirable, rare and well documented car at a fair price. Lot # F252 1970 Pontiac GTO Judge Convertible; S/N 242670P285181; Silver,/Red vinyl; Black vinyl top; Recent restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $135,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $143,100. – 400/345hp, Ram Air III, automatic, P/S, P/B, Rally II wheels, pushbutton radio, Wide Oval tires — PHS and GM Canada documented. Excellent paint, chrome and interior. Clean and shiny underbody. Windshield frame stainless is a little dull but other than that it is better than new. One of 11 in Silver and represented as original engine and driveline. Sold at Mecum’s Indy sale in 2010 for $135,150, then at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale in 2011 for $126,500 and again in 2012 for $158,400. All these results are clustered together sufficiently tightly that there’s little doubt of the car’s value for money at today’s price.
Mecum Kissimmee 2013 – Auction Report Page Eight
Lot # T247 1970 Pontiac GTO Ram Air III 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 242370P117154; Starlight Black, Black vinyl Roof/Saddle vinyl; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $52,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $55,120. – 400/366hp, 4-speed, A/C, hood tach, Super Sport wheels, Wide Oval tires, pushbutton radio. — Restored like new with excellent paint, chrome and interior. Represented as completely numbers-matching and as delivered. Documented with build sheet and PHS paper. Impressively equipped and equally impressively restored and presented, this documented Ram Air III GTO is a tremendous value that could have brought another $20,000 and still be good value for money. Lot # J131 1965 Pontiac LeMans GTO 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 237375Z103529; White,/Blue vinyl; Visually maintained, largely original, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $20,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $21,200. – 389, automatic, cassette stereo, buckets and console, chrome Torque Thrust wheels, — Decent repaint and interior, scuffed stainless, plastic wrapped steering wheel, new wheels and tires. Underbody quickly resprayed over old paint. An indifferent driver. Sold on Friday of Scottsdale, the first day of Mecum’s 10-day Kissimmee marathon. It was a no-sale at Mecum’s Kansas City sale in December and is arguably a sound buy here even in its decidedly mediocre condition. Lot # F044 1974 Pontiac Trans Am Super Duty Coupe; S/N 2V87X4N167750; Engine # 356428 Y8; Buccaneer Red,/Black; Older restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $47,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $49,820. – 455/290hp Y8-coded (described as 310hp on the car card), automatic, Alpine CD, Super Stock wheels, P/S. P/B, A/C, shaker hood, Eagle ST tires, P/W. — Restored like new, driven 5,000 miles, then impressively detailed back nearly to showroom condition. Sold at Mecum’s Dallas sale last September for $50,350. Aside from the automatic this is an impressively equipped Trans Am in very good condition and desirable colors. This is a reasonable price to pay for its many positive attributes. Lot # L140 1981 Pontiac Trans Am Turbo Coupe Pace Car; S/N 1G2AX87T8BN116622; White, Black/Black, Red cloth; Unrestored original, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $23,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $24,380. – 301/200hp Turbo, automatic, factory cassette, P/W, P/S, P/B, A/C, tilt column, white alloy wheels, glass T-tops, Recaro seats. — Good, sound, clean original car both inside and out with 36,959 miles from new. Quite nice, and bought for what it’s worth. It’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but for those who appreciate it this is a very good, honest, original example. Lot # S198 1987 Porsche 930 Turbo Coupe; S/N WPOJB0938HS050625; Black,/Black; Visually maintained, largely original, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $51,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $54,060. – Black 17 inch Ruf wheels, red calipers, Pioneer CD stereo, cold A/C, sliding sunroof, new Prototipo leather rim steering wheel. — Recent engine out service and re-seal. Good paint, interior shows wear appropriate to the 64,421 miles. Clean, orderly and wicked fast. The bidders placed no small value on the Ruf wheels and recent service, paying a full retail price for a serious Porsche. Lot # S108 1968 Shelby Mustang GT350 Convertible; S/N 8T03J205206-03029; Lime Gold,/Black vinyl; White vinyl top; Recent restoration, 2 condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $95,000 $95,000. – 302/250hp, 4-speed, P/S, P/B, A/C, 10-spoke alloy wheels, E70-15 Goodyear tires, pushbutton radio, tilt steering column. — Restored like new with excellent paint, chrome, top and interior. Sold here a year ago for $71,020 with many needs. It was Red then and had 30 fewer miles on the odometer. Since then it’s been color-changed and completely gone through and should bring over $100,000. Lot # S174 1966 Shelby Mustang GT350H Fastback; S/N SFM6S1004; Red, Gold stripes/Black vinyl; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $165,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $174,900. – 289/400hp, Paxton supercharger, automatic, pushbutton radio, P/B, Moto-Lita woodrim steering wheel, 5-spoke alloy wheels, dashtop Shelby tach. — Restored to showroom standards with better paint. The K&N air filter grates a little but makes functional sense. When this Shelby got its Paxton blower isn’t stated, but it’s doubtful it had it when it was in the Hertz fleet. One of about 50 GT350Hs thought to have been delivered to Hertz in this Red/Gold livery. The restoration is beautiful and the price is appropriate to the presentation, even though it was sold at Mecum’s Anaheim auction in November for $148,400. Lot # S183 1967 Shelby Mustang GT500 Fastback; S/N 67402F7U00531; Raven Black, White stripes/Parchment vinyl; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $130,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $137,800. – 428/360hp, dual quads, 4-speed, P/S, P/B, 5-spoke Shelby alloy wheels, pushbutton AM radio, Rally-Pac gauge cluster under dash, center-mounted driving lights. — A quality older restoration to showroom condition with some age but little use showing. Odometer numbers nearly gone but gauge faces and bezels are good. Very good paint, chrome and glass but the upholstery is older than the exterior. There is little not to like about this car. That includes the gauges and the somewhat aged upholstery, both items that are easily and economically remedied, particularly at this reasonable price. The new owner got a good value. Lot # S228 1967 Shelby Mustang GT500 Fastback; S/N 67410F9A02093; Red, White stripes/Black vinyl; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $104,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $110,240. – 428 dual quads, automatic, P/S, P/B, 10-spoke alloy wheels, Sport Deck rear seat, center-mounted driving lights, E70-15 Goodyear Speedway 350 tires — Good paint, interior and chrome. Orderly underhood but shortcuts taken under the body and frayed old lighting wires. Thick old undercoat in rear wheel wells. This is an early GT500 that’s seemingly had a good life although the claim it was ‘restored in 2007’ is belied by the many oversights and shortcuts visible which is why it’s characterized here as a cosmetic restoration. The dual 4-barrel 428 is a plus, though and nearly offsets the automatic transmission. At this price it’s a sound value by any standard, even in its less than pristine condition. Lot # F241 1970 Shelby Mustang GT500 Fastback; S/N 0F02R481037; Silver Jade, Black stripe/Black vinyl; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $71,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $75,260. – 428/335hp, automatic, P/S, P/B, 5- spoke wheels, Eagle ST tires, Alpine CD stereo, rear window louvers, Sport Deck rear seat, original owner’s manual and paper. — High quality paint, chrome and interior. Restored like new, now with a little age and use. Represented as matching numbers, documented with original dealer invoice and order form. 52,074 miles from new. This car, with its history, documentation and options, could have brought another $10,000 without being over-priced. Lot # G099 1985 TVR 280i Convertible; S/N TV9RF28P8FBDH1054; Silver,/Black vinyl; Black cloth top; Visually maintained, largely original, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $8,000 plus commission of 6.25%; Final Price $8,500. – Air conditioning, 5-speed, alloy wheels, blackwall tires, P/W, Blaupunkt cassette — Sound repaint and top. Driver’s seat torn and glue repaired, otherwise the interior and dashboard are good. A decent driver with a straight, solid body. A sound and usable car that needs someone to fix its upholstery. It was offered here two years ago at a $10,500 high bid, then reported sold by Auctions America in Ft. Lauderdale in March 2012 for $10,010. TVRs are driver’s cars, and one of the few occasions where convertibles are worth less than the stiffer-bodied coupes. This is the right money for this used but sound example and the new owner is going to have a great time with it.
[Source: Rick Carey]
Thanks Rick for another great auction report. I always look forward to them.
The excitement of owning a Ferrari and the thrill of getting an engine out invoice! Reviews like this inspired me to get my Pantera, and when the $ allow for maintenance, a Ferrari will someday happen. Love your reviews, your wit makes them much fun to read!