Mecum Original Spring Classic 2013 – Auction Report
Mecum Auctions, Original Spring Classic, State Fairgrounds, Indianapolis, Indiana, May 14-19, 2013
Report and photos by Rick Carey, Auction Editor
It is amazing how many collector cars (maybe better characterized as ‘collectible cars’) keep coming out of the woodwork to auctions across the country.
Nowhere is that better reflected than in the marathon sessions orchestrated by Mecum Auctions where cramming nearly 2,000 cars into a 6- or 8-day session has become a hallmark. The Spring Classic held in Belvidere, Illinois for years but moved to the capacious grounds of
the State Fairgrounds in Indianapolis since 2008 is case in point.
It flirts with 2,000 cars regularly and despite the sheer volume never loses its excitement.
There is something for everyone – except collectors of high horsepower antiques and European exotics – but mostly a never-ending succession of high output American Muscle and Pony cars. It becomes, let it be said, somewhat mind-numbing to see so many cars of quality, history, provenance and excellent restoration in a single place. ‘One of one’ becomes almost a mantra, and there are simply wonderful things hiding in plain sight throughout the multiple buildings and tents on the State Fairgrounds.
Without doubt, the highlight this year was the Shelby Mustang GT500 Super Snake powered by a GT40-spec 600hp, 427 cubic inch engine built as both a test car for a run of similar Super Snakes and for testing Firestone Thunderbolt tires. Hammered sold for $1.3 million, $1,391,000 with commission, it set a benchmark for Shelby Mustangs that will stand for a long time even though it was nearly equaled by the movie-driven Eleanor from the remake of ‘Gone in Sixty Seconds’ at $1 million hammer, $1,070,000 with commission.
Mecum’s Spring Classic at Indianapolis is an orgy of American car history in the middle years of the 20th century, a staggering presentation that nevertheless brings buyers flocking to take home something they’ve always dreamed of driving. And there’s no shortage of choices, in itself something of a mixed blessing.
My choice this year was the ’58 Oldsmobile Super 88 Hardtop with J-2 three deuce intake and 3-speed column shift manual transmission. Different? Oh, yes, but emblematic of so many other different and unusual cars at Mecum’s Spring Classic.
And a lot of choice, rare and powerful American Muscle.
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Mecum Indianapolis Original Spring Classic 2013 – Auction Report
Lot # F010 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 396 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 136370K121104; Engine # T1001CKO; Red, White stripes/Red vinyl; Recent restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $45,000 plus commission of 7.00%; Final Price $48,150. – 402/375hp L78, 4-speed, Positraction, P/S, P/B, buckets and console, Hurst shifter, sport steering wheel, Rally II wheels, Eagle ST tires, pushbutton radio – Represented as matching numbers. Thoroughly restored to nearly like new condition. Good paint and interior. Decent chrome and stainless. Good dash and instruments. A pretty, and pretty rare, Chevelle. – This very nicely restored and presented SS 396, with a properly-stamped and reportedly numbers-matching L78 and 4-speed, would still have been a sound value at $55,000. At this price it is a good value and should make the new owner very happy. Lot # F022 1967 Pontiac Grand Prix Convertible; S/N 266677X128234; Engine # 212951 XH; Blue/Pearl leatherette; White vinyl top; Visually maintained, largely original, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $38,000 plus commission of 7.00%; Final Price $40,660. – 400/335hp, automatic, P/S, P/B, buckets and console, 8-lug wheels with trim rings, narrow whitewalls, pushbutton radio, power antenna, remote mirror, skirts, underhood trouble light – Thoroughly documented including Protect-o-Plate, original window sticker, bill of sale and more. Good repaint, interior, chrome and engine compartment, highly original except for paint, and unusually well presented. – Reported sold at Mecum Kissimmee in 2010 for $47,700, the shipper’s sticker identifies it as headed for Walworth, WI, home of Mecum Auctions. It is a good car, and unusually well documented. As the car card notes, 1967 is the only year Pontiac offered a convertible GP. It isn’t one of the GP’s most attractive years, but is plenty attractive enough to support the price paid for it. Lot # F033 1970 Plymouth ‘Cuda Convertible; S/N BS27V0B103564; Hemi Orange/Black; Black leatherette top; Recent restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $56,000 plus commission of 7.00%; Final Price $59,920. – 440/390hp Six Barrel, automatic, P/S, P/B, AM-FM, Rally wheels with trim rings, Radial T/A tires, console, gauges – Restored to nearly like new condition with very good paint, chrome, interior and top. Shows a little age but not much use. Paint has a few fisheyes. More than just good enough. – Nearly as powerful as a Hemi, and more economical both to buy and to drive, this is a very desirable and well equipped ‘Cuda convertible that brought a representative price. Lot # F076 1975 Chevrolet Cosworth Vega Coupe; S/N 1V77E5U261066; Black, Gold accents/Black; Unrestored original, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $20,000 plus commission of 7.00%; Final Price $21,400. – AM-FM – One decent repaint on a 793 mile car, never titled and offered with the original MSO. – This really is a time capsule, new in just about every sense of the word except for the paint – and all Cosworth Vegas had bad paint that needed to be redone. This is a niche collector car, if there ever was one, but at this price the new owner can afford to wait for a larger body of collectors to wake up to the CosVeg’s technical sophistication and good chassis dynamics. Lot # F086 1965 Sunbeam Tiger Convertible; S/N B9471147LRXFE; Carnival Red/Black, Red piping; Black Everflex top; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $67,500 plus commission of 7.00%; Final Price $72,225. – 260/164hp, 4-speed, silver steel wheels, Vredestein blackwall tires, burl wood dashboard facing – Beautiful, fresh, thorough, better than new. It is impossible to fault this car, which is represented as matching numbers, too. – Tiger values are being pulled along by rapidly accelerating values for Cobras and now represent the only was to get a piece of the Shelby/Ford V-8 legend at a price approachable by ordinary mortals. When people say “buy the best car you can afford” this Tiger is what they mean, a car that has had intimate attention lavished upon every nut, bolt and fitting. As Tigers go it pushes the value envelope, but it also should be supremely satisfying to its new owner, and that makes it a sound value at this price. Lot # F151.1 1958 Oldsmobile Super 88 J-2 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 588M287286; Red, White accent/Red, White vinyl; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $43,000 plus commission of 7.00%; Final Price $46,010. – J-2 three two-barrels, P/B, 3-speed, Transportable radio, skirts, flipper wheel covers, whitewalls – Good older cosmetic restoration, recently cleaned up underhood with a steam cleaner that removed some chassis paint. Sound acres of major chrome, lightly scuffed stainless. Good interior and glass. A rare, fast and attractive older restoration with some miles. – J-2 engined Oldsmobiles are rare and desirable enough when they’re backed up by a Hydramatic, but the 3-speed makes this almost unbelievably rare and a real choice driver. If it were mine I might commit sacrilege and cut a hole in the floor for a Hurst shifter, but beyond that it is a sweet driver and an object of wonder that brought a reasonable price for its specifications and condition, which is good enough to be highly presentable but not so good it can’t be driven. Lot # F158 1957 Pontiac Star Chief Safari 2-Dr. Station Wagon; S/N P757H68576; Light Green, Metallic Olive roof and accent/Ivory, Olive vinyl; Visually maintained, largely original, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $48,000 plus commission of 7.00%; Final Price $51,360. – 347/290hp Tri-Power, automatic, P/S, P/B, pushbutton radio, flipper wheel covers, whitewalls – Good mostly original paint. Roof has a new clearcoat repaint. Major chrome redone. Good trim chrome and stainless, good original(?) interior. Engine compartment and chassis are orderly but aged. A sweet, rare car. – Far more rare than a Nomad, especially with the 347/290hp Tri-Power engine and in this very good well preserved largely original condition. The odometer shows 30,962 miles and they may very well be all the car has covered from new, it’s that good. This would be a reasonable price for an ordinary cosmetically restored and presentable Safari, for this choice and well preserved Tri-Power Safari it is a serious value on which the new owner is to be congratulated. Lot # F165 1971 Pontiac LeMans Sport Convertible; S/N 23671P140877; Engine # 0466270 YS; Canyon Copper/White vinyl; White vinyl top; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $30,000 plus commission of 7.00%; Final Price $32,100. – 400/300hp, automatic, P/S, P/B, A/C, Endura nose, buckets and console, AM-FM, 8-track, honeycomb wheels, tilt steering column, sport steering wheel, Tiger Paw GTS tires, dual sport mirrors, P/W – Restored to showroom condition with some subsequent use and age. Chassis has some road grime but the paint, chrome, top, glass and interior are excellent. Cold A/C. – It’s not a GTO but that may be the only thing that isn’t going for it. “Eye-catching” is an understatement to describe its color. The equipment list is all any modern collector could ask for. So is the price, a sound value in a Pontiac sub-model that is rare and few even know exists. Lot # F168.1 1939 Packard 120 Convertible; S/N; Engine # B31040AA; Ivory/Black leather; Tan cloth top; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $71,000 plus commission of 7.00%; Final Price $75,970. – Dual enclosed sidemounts with mirrors, large hubcaps, trim rings, wide whitewalls, fog lights, remote spotlight, jump seats – Good paint, chrome, interior and top. Engine and chassis are restored to good touring standards and well maintained. A quality, enjoyable tour car. – A good tour car, but not accepted by CCCA within its Classic definition and bought at a generous price. Lot # F193 1970 Ford Mustang Boss 302 Fastback; S/N 0F02G188056; Grabber Blue, Black accents/White vinyl; Unrestored original, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $74,000 plus commission of 7.00%; Final Price $79,180. – 302/290hp, 4-speed, P/S, chrome rim Magnum wheels, shaker hood, pushbutton radio, rear window slats, wing, front chin spoiler – Two owners from new, 48,791 miles, one good older repaint. Clean, tidy and very impressive. Represented as matching numbers and documented with the original window sticker. – This is something of a find, particularly in Grabber Blue, and it brought a generous price appropriate to a clean, fully restored car, the difference being its preservation and originality. The equivalence works and the result is fair to both the seller and the buyer. Lot # F194 1961 Nash Metropolitan Convertible; S/N E86184; Robin’s Egg Blue, White/White leatherette, Grey cloth; Black vinyl top; Unrestored original, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $37,000 plus commission of 7.00%; Final Price $39,590. – Black leatherette covered rear-mounted spare, radio, turn signals, whitewall tires, seat belts, clear plastic seat covers, heater – Good original paint, chrome and interior in very good condition for its 50 years of age. Top has been replaced and engine lightly cleaned up and detailed but probably never out. 10,140 miles and remarkable. – An unusually well preserved and presented Metropolitan convertible that brought a premium for its preservation, originality and good condition. Lot # F196 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454 LS6 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 136370K150327; Black, White stripes/Black; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $130,000 plus commission of 7.00%; Final Price $139,100. – 454/450hp, 4-speed, P/S, P/B, Rally II wheels, Wide Oval tires, pushbutton radio, cowl induction, F41 suspension, 4.11 Positraction – 9,323 miles. Restored like new with better paint, chrome and glass. Sharp, clean, beautiful, menacing and rare. Documented with original build sheet. – The low miles begs interpretation, as in driven only to the drag strip and through a few passes, or on Saturday night to collect challengers’ pink slips. In any event, it is beautifully restored and has all the right stuff, fully deserving the result it brought.
Mecum Indianapolis Original Spring Classic 2013 – Auction Report Page Two
Lot # F197 1967 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster; S/N 194677S103456; Tuxedo Black, Blue stinger/Blue vinyl; Blue vinyl top; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $610,000 plus commission of 7.00%; Final Price $652,700. – 427/400hp, 4-speed, P/B, P/S, A/C, alloy wheels, blue line tires, AM-FM, two tops, P/W – Bloomington Gold Certified, Triple Crown Award, NCRS Top Flight Award, Gold Spinner, Top Gun. Restored like new with a little age and use showing. Documented with tank sticker, Protect-O-Plate and letter from the original owner. – The distinguishing characteristic of this Corvette is its Black over Blue color combination and big block engine, a distinction that seems at best peripheral to value, or at least to value of this magnitude. ‘One of a Kind’ should mean more than this. Lots of hype, little significance, very expensive. Lot # F198 1972 Chevrolet C10 Cheyenne Super Pickup; S/N CCE142S146634; Black/Black leatherette, herringbone; Concours restoration, 1 condition; Hammered Sold at $57,500 plus commission of 7.00%; Final Price $61,525. – 402/300hp 4-barrel, automatic, P/S, P/B, A/C, short bed, oak floor, stainless bed strips, chrome Rally wheels, spinner center caps, AM/FM, tilt column, short bed – Restored better than new with great paint, chrome and interior. Engine is immaculate. Chassis and underbody are clear coated. A show truck, top to bottom and inside and out. – This could well be the best pickup truck in the world. Certainly it is if its price is added to the equation. Is it expensive? Not really. The caliber of the workmanship and materials is beyond impeccable. Is it a good value? No, not that either. It is an over-restored object of veneration, which will depreciate with every stone chip and coating of dust. But for the moment it is beyond perfect and quite wonderful, and it brought an appropriately wonderful price. Lot # F199 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe; S/N 30837S108938; Black/Red; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $240,000 plus commission of 7.00%; Final Price $256,800. – 327/340hp, 4-speed, P/B, AM-FM, spinner wheel covers, narrow whitewalls – 42,116 miles, Bloomington Gold, NCRS Duntov Award, Top Flights. Excellent paint, chrome and interior, an excellent car but no longer fresh. – Corvettes were bringing big money based on miniscule distinctions at Mecum Indy, like the Black/Red color scheme and low mileage of this ’63 coupe. It’s hard to see how the bidders assessed developed such a high value in this case; an attractive and well-equipped Corvette, but a quarter-million dollars? Lot # F200 1968 Chevrolet Corvette L88 Convertible; S/N 194678S419379; Black, Black hardtop/Black leather; Older restoration, 2- condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $625,000 $625,000. – 437/430hp, 4-speed, J56 P/B, Rally wheels with trim rings, bias ply blackwall tires, hardtop only, 3.70 axle, radio delete – 16,723 miles from new, Bloomington Gold certified. A quality older restoration to like new with some subsequent use and age. – This is the pinnacle of the Corvette legend, and it not only is an L88 but it’s a low miles L88. On the other hand it’s a ’68 with the less attractive Mako Shark style body. Chevy turned out four times as many L88s as ’67 and the reported high bid would seem to have been sufficient to find a new home. Lot # F202 1970 Oldsmobile 4-4-2 W-30 Convertible; S/N 344670M167130; Sebring Yellow, Black stripes/Black leatherette; Black vinyl top; Recent restoration, 3+ condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $85,000 $85,000. – 455/370 W-30, M21 4-speed, W-25 hood, P/S, no P/B, Rally wheels with trim rings, G70-14 Polyglas tires, pushbutton radio, underdash 8-track, buckets and console, red front fenderwells, 3.91 limited slip axle – Excellent paint, chrome, interior and top. Underbody is repainted assembled over old undercoat in rear fenderwells. Engine compartment is pretty but not like new. No representation of numbers-matching. An unusual and attractive 4-4-2 that deserved more thorough and accurate attention. – 4-4-2 W-30 high performance Cutlasses are enjoying a resurgence in value, but this car’s restoration is less elaborate than many similarly equipped freshly restored 4-4-2s and, even in Sebring Yellow, the reported high bid is a reasonable compromise among presentation, specification and the uncertainty left by the lack of a matching-numbers claim. Lot # F203 1967 Shelby Mustang GT500 Super Snake Fastback; S/N 67402F4A00544; White, Blue stripes/Black; Cosmetic restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $1,300,000 plus commission of 7.00%; Final Price $1,391,000. – 427/600hp, 4-speed, 10-spoke wheels with 7.75×15 Firestone Thunderbolt narrow whitewall tires, Rally Pac gauges underdash plus SW oil temperature gauge, woodgrain steering wheel, no console, pushbutton radio, rollbar, 4-point belts, grille mounted high beams – Special GT500 built with 427 engine for a marketing gimmick with Goodyear, testing skinny tires. Later drag raced and neglected but later found and restored to as-tested configuration including several unique features. Good paint, chrome and interior. Highly original and sympathetically cosmetically restored and preserved. – And you thought the twin supercharged Cobra 427 (CSX 3015) sold for $5.5 million at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale in 2007 was the ‘Super Snake’? If so you underestimated Carroll Shelby’s genius for recognizing a good thing (or a good name) and the Shelby world’s assimilation of that lesson. Here we have a single purpose GT500 with big, burly 427 GT40 engine put together for a tire test promotion. And not race tires, skinny, tall 7.75×15 street tires. It has no noteworthy accomplishments after circling the San Angelo, Texas Goodyear high speed test circle for 500 miles at 142mph. $1.3 million is a lot to pay for this car and its history, but it is emphatically a record for a Shelby Mustang that should live for some time. Lot # F204 1969 Dodge Charger Daytona 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N XX29L9B409067; Light Yellow, Black tail stripe/Black vinyl; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $100,000 plus commission of 7.00%; Final Price $107,000. – 440/375 hp, automatic, Magnum wheels, red line tires, pushbutton radio, replacement 1969 date code block, bucket seats and console – Freshly repainted, chrome refreshed and stainless polished. Dashboard and instruments are aged and dirty. Upholstery is sound. Underbody is aged. Decent nose cone fit. Cosmetically freshened and makes a good first impression that doesn’t hold up on closer approach. – There were two Charger Daytonas at Mecum’s Indy auction as well as seven Roar Runner Superbirds, as comprehensive a collection of winged Mopars as has ever been assembled outside a model-specific gathering. This Daytona with its replacement engine brought a reasonable price, maybe even a little light when considering the Daytona’s smaller production compared with its Plymouth Superbird counterpart. Lot # F207 1966 Plymouth Belvedere II Hemi Convertible; S/N RH27H67233844; Mauve Metallic (661)/Black; Black vinyl top; Older restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $150,000 plus commission of 7.00%; Final Price $160,500. – 426/425hp Hemi, dual quads, automatic, no P/S or P/B, 3.23 Sure Grip, steel wheels, hubcaps, blue line tires, pushbutton radio, bench seat – Represented as original engine and transmission. Restored to showroom condition with excellent clear coat paint, bright, crisp chrome, good interior and top, sharp dash and gauges. The chassis’ recesses are dusty but otherwise shows little age or use. – An extremely rare car described as one of 10 built, 6 automatics and the only Hemi convertible in this distinctive color, it should occupy a place of pride in any collection even though it is something of a sleeper. Take off the Hemi tag and it will look like any other mundane 318-powered Belvedere II convertible … that is, until it has the pink slip for your pride and joy locked firmly in its Hemi’s jaws. It is a sound value at this price. Lot # F208 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air FI 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N VC57A196129; Matador Red/Red vinyl, Black cloth; Recent restoration, 2- condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $72,000 $72,000. – 283/250hp Fuel Injection, 3-speed, spinner wheel covers, bias ply whitewall tires, pushbutton radio – Freshly restored with excellent paint, chrome and interior. Engine compartment is a little overdone with shiny paint. FI unit leaks and shows fuel residue on and under it. – The seller might be right in waiting for more that this bid for this freshly restored and appropriately optioned 3-speed, hydraulic lifter FI Bel Air, but it might have been wiser to lift the reserve and hope for a bump even if meant taking the $72,000 and moving on. Lot # F209 1969 Pontiac GTO Judge 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 242379A133269; Engine # 0472134 XP; Orange, Black vinyl roof/Black vinyl; Older restoration, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $56,000 plus commission of 7.00%; Final Price $59,920. – 400/370hp Ram Air IV, automatic, P/S, P/B, Rally II wheels, Wide Oval tires, pushbutton radio, buckets and console, hood tach, factory gauges, 3.90 Safe-T-Track – Good older restoration with attractive paint and chrome but plenty of miles showing on the engine, chassis and underbody. Instruments are dusty inside their housings, as is the rest of the interior. Represented as numbers matching but no PHS or other documentation is offered. – While this is a highly desirably equipped GTO Judge its condition is disappointing, as is the apparent lack of any PHS or other documentation of its correct configuration. The consignor should be happy to get this much for it. Lot # F214 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 302 Race Car; S/N 9F02G198243; Blue, Matte Black hood/Black; Competition restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $85,000 plus commission of 7.00%; Final Price $90,950. – Two seats, 8-spoke alloy wheels, Goodyear race tires, full current historic race prep – Neat and sanitary older vintage race car preparation and maintenance. Raced in England, not the US, by Richard Lloyd. Sold on a bill of sale. – ‘Trans Am’ is writ large on the description of this Boss 302, but this is no more a Trans Am Boss 302 than any of the other 1,933 Boss 302s built to homologate it for the Trans Am series. It has no Trans Am history. That is important and accounts for its modest price, an economical entry into historic racing in a well prepared car. Lot # F216 1966 Shelby Mustang GT350 Fastback; S/N SFM6S1399; Blue, White stripes/Black vinyl; Unrestored original, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $195,000 plus commission of 7.00%; Final Price $208,650. – 289/306hp, 4-speed, 10-spoke alloy wheels, Radial T/A tires, woodgrain steering wheel, dashtop tach, radio delete, Sport Deck rear seat – One family owned from new, original VIN stamped engine. Original touched up paint. Sound chrome and interior. A choice Shelby Mustang. – Another example of a premium price for original, unrestored, no-stories Muscle/Pony cars, this is strong money for the underlying GT350 but a reasonable premium for its matching numbers-ness, one family history and originality.
Mecum Indianapolis Original Spring Classic 2013 – Auction Report Page Three
Lot # F217 1970 Oldsmobile 4-4-2 W-30 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 344870M326483; Matador Red, Black stripes/Black; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $102,500 plus commission of 7.00%; Final Price $109,675. – 455/370hp, 4-speed, buckets and console, steel wheels, hubcaps, Wide Oval tires, wing – 31,633 miles. Excellent paint, chrome and interior. Restored like new. Represented as numbers matching drivetrain. Gorgeous as-built engine compartment. – An exceptionally handsome car in very good colors, matching numbers and claimed to be ‘all NOS parts’, which is far better than some others that could be named that qualify that statement with words like ‘as much as possible’. It brought a highly deserved premium price. Lot # F218 1968 Chevrolet Camaro RS/SS 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 124378L300836; Engine # T0813MW; Tuxedo Black, Red nose band, Black vinyl roof/Red; Recent restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $50,000 plus commission of 7.00%; Final Price $53,500. – 396/325hp L35, 4-speed, P/S, P/B, A/C, tinted glass, Rally wheels with trim rings, redline tires, 3.31 Positraction, console instruments, Hurst shifter, pushbutton radio – Restored like new with some minor but disturbing paint flaws. Very good chrome and interior. A car that isn’t entirely satisfying. – Offered with a ‘correct’ L35, which is not the functional equivalent of a ‘matching numbers’ L35 and particularly not of an ‘original’ L35. On the other hand with its mild state of tune, 4-speed, 3.31 rear axle and air conditioning it will be a comfortable, relaxed high speed cruiser. Add the good, if modestly unsettling, restoration and brought a price that should make the seller something more than content. Lot # F219 1969 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe; S/N 194379S714381; Red/Black; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $47,000 $47,000. – 427/390hp, 4-speed, A/C, tee top, AM-FM, Rally wheels with trim rings, red line tires – An older restoration to like new condition, documented with Protect-o-Plate, original title application and time payment note. Good cosmetics but the chassis is dirty and aged. – This Corvette should have been on its way out the door before reaching the reported high bid. Lot # F220 1955 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster; S/N VE55S001119; Engine # 0169275F55FG; Gypsy Red/Beige vinyl; Beige cloth top; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $80,000 $80,000. – 265/195hp, Powerglide, WonderBar radio, spinner wheel covers, whitewalls, heater – Radio modified for AM-FM. Freshly restored to showroom condition. Not judged yet. – The ’55 Corvette is pretty wonderful, combining the original roadster body style with the new small block V-8. This result vastly undervalues this car even taking into account the absence of endorsements from NCRS or Bloomington Gold. The Indy bidders must have been on a bathroom break. Lot # F221 1970 Plymouth Road Runner Superbird 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N RM23U0A169451; Lime Light Green, Black vinyl roof/Black vinyl; Recent restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $120,000 plus commission of 7.00%; Final Price $128,400. – 440/375hp, 4-speed, Hurst pistol grip shifter, P/S, P/B, Magnum wheels with trim rings, F70-14 Polyglas tires, gauges, pushbutton radio, woodgrain steering wheel – Restored like new with excellent paint, chrome, stainless and interior. Engine compartment is sharp and nearly like new. Underbody is clean and crisp. 83,236 miles. Documented with the original broadcast sheet and represented as matching numbers engine and transmission. – The Indy bidders had a choice of nine winged Mopars, two Chargers and seven Road Runners. This is the second of them, and the first Superbird, to cross the block. With its known mileage, 4-speed and High Impact color it made a great impression and brought a representative price. Lot # F223 1972 Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1 Coupe; S/N 1Z37L25504649; Red/Red; Cosmetic restoration, 3 condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $225,000 $225,000. – 350/255hp, 4-speed, J56 brakes, F41 suspension, radio delete, Rally wheels with trim rings, narrow whitewalls, tee tops – Good cosmetic restoration with good paint and interior. Bright trim is scuffed. Engine compartment is clean and orderly but not restored. Brake booster and master cylinders are new. Documented with original tank sticker, build sheet, owner’s manual and Protect-o-Plate. NCRS Top Flight judged. – It’s a ’72, so new rules on net (instead of gross) horsepower applied to the ZR-1’s high performance small block, a vastly under-rated engine built in surpassingly small (just 20) quantity specifically for racing. It is one of the choice examples of Corvette performance even though it’s little appreciated by collectors mesmerized by 454 big blocks. This is a generous offer for a ZR-1, but not undeserved by its rarity and performance. Lot # F224 1967 Shelby Mustang GT500 Fastback; S/N 67400F4A01002; Wimbledon White, Blue stripes/Black vinyl; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $180,000 plus commission of 7.00%; Final Price $192,600. – 428/335hp, 4-speed, P/S, P/B, cassette stereo, underdash Rally Pack gauges, center mounted driving lights, 10-spoke alloy wheels, Radial T/A tires, Sport Deck rear seat, woodrim steering wheel – An older restoration to showroom condition freshly detailed for the auction with good paint, chrome, dashboard, interior and glass. Chassis is detailed. and clean where visible but grungy where it’s hard to see. – Ticks all the boxes except air conditioning, sincerely presented if somewhat overlooked in its deeper recesses. This is a premium price, however, full retail and then some. Lot # F225.1 1957 Ford Thunderbird Phase I D/F Convertible; S/N D7FH202136; Inca Gold, Inca Gold porthole hardtop/Black, White vinyl; Black cloth top; Older restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $230,000 plus commission of 7.00%; Final Price $246,100. – Steel wheels hubcaps, blackwall 7.50-14 Firestones, hardtop and cloth soft top, Town & Country radio, overdrive 3-speed, steering column mounted McCullough supercharger gauges – Restored like new. Represented as one of 15 built, 8 surviving, prototypes for the 1957 Thunderbird supercharged ‘F-Bird’. Known history from new and judged perfect in Classic Thunderbirds competition. – A D-code 312/245hp Thunderbird built by Ford as a prototype for the supercharged F-birds. Been around a while, offered by RM in Arizona in 2009 with a $190,000 high bid, sold by Mecum in Indy in 2011 for $275,600, then reported sold in Monterey three months later for $265,000 and offered at Dallas last September with a reported high bid of $210,000. A significant piece of Ford and T-bird history now apparently in the hands of a collector who’s wanted it for years. With F-birds pushing $200K, the premium for one of the documented prototypes is reasonable. Lot # F226 1958 Chevrolet Corvette FI Convertible; S/N J58S107186; Silver-Blue, Inca Silver coves, Silver-Blue hardtop/Silver-Blue vinyl; Silver-Blue vinyl top; Recent restoration, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $117,500 plus commission of 7.00%; Final Price $125,725. – 283/290hp fuel injection, 4-speed, 4.11 Positraction, heater, WonderBar radio, spinner wheel covers, whitewalls – ‘Nut and Bolt restoration ‘Completed in February 2013’ by a ‘Corvette specialist’ who shall remain nameless. Represented as numbers matching engine although it is impossible to verify since the hood latch is bound up. The hardtop has a $100 paint job masked by an apprentice with bad eyesight. Inside the doors are covered in bodyshop grime. Trim bits are thinly chromed, pitted and scratched. Giving credit where it is due, the body paint nicely duplicates the original lacquer’s gloss but the chassis and underbody are covered in dust with surface rust on fasteners. There is more, but this is (more than) enough. – A surprisingly disappointing restoration that looks like it was done to a cheap price, and rushed to completion at that after languishing for a long time partially completed. The consignor should be ecstatic to get this much for it, and even more happy to be rid of it. Lot # F227 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 429 Fastback; S/N 9F02Z198913; Black/Black vinyl; Unrestored original, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $255,000 plus commission of 7.00%; Final Price $272,850. – 429/370hp, 4-speed, Hurst shifter, Traction-Lok, P/S, P/B, Magnum wheels with chrome rims, Polyglas GT tires, pushbutton radio, console, sport mirrors, KK #2013 – Original throughout including paint with 35,473 miles. Clean and sharp but paint is showing its age. – This Boss-Nine’s auction history speaks for itself: $288,750 at Mecum Indy in 2008, $233,200 at Mecum Indy 2010 and $270,300 here. In 2008 its odometer showed 25,438 miles. Lot # F229 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 302 Fastback; S/N 9F02G197436; Bright Yellow, Matte Black hood/Black vinyl; Older restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $65,000 plus commission of 7.00%; Final Price $69,550. – 302/290hp, 4-speed, P/B, chromed Magnum wheels, F60-15 Polyglas GT tires, rear window slats, wing, chin spoiler, pushbutton radio – Sharp, clean, accurate restoration with excellent cosmetics. Impressively clean. Documented with Marti Report. – Sold for $17,500 at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale in 1993 in freshly restored condition. That’s 393% appreciation in twenty years which sounds impressive until inflation, carrying costs and foregone investment opportunities are taken into account. A good car, this is right money for it today. A good car to compare with Lot #F193 sold earlier with a significant premium for originality. Lot # F230 1964 Cheetah Replica Evolution Coupe; S/N SW134223PA; Red/Black cloth; Facsimile restoration, 2+ condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $45,000 $45,000. – 350/290hp GM crate engine, 4-speed, Corvette 17 inch wheels, wide Bridgestone tires, Corvette suspension with coil overs – Freshly built and very sanitary. – A wholly made-up car, but representative of one of the most charismatic of Sixties’ specials and better than anything Bill Thomas ever built (which is saying a lot.) Is it $60,00 worth of showing off and scaring yourself with its over-powered short wheelbase chassis? You bet. It is ridiculous, like a Lancia Stratos is ridiculous. Count me in.
Mecum Indianapolis Original Spring Classic 2013 – Auction Report Page Four
Lot # F231 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N VC57A146460; Matador Red/Red vinyl, Black cloth; Older restoration, 1 condition; Hammered Sold at $77,500 plus commission of 7.00%; Final Price $82,925. – 283/245hp dual quads, 3-speed, pushbutton radio, spinner wheel covers, whitewall bias ply tires – Excellent paint, chrome and interior. Flat panels, flush fits, even gaps. Brilliant chrome and stainless. Better, far better, than new. – When I saw this Bel Air at Dave Rupp’s Ft. Lauderdale auction in January 2008 it was to all intents and purposes as perfect as it is today in Indy and showed a single mile on its odometer. It shows just 20 today and has been superbly maintained in better than perfect condition. It sold for $88,000 at Barrett-Jackson’s Las Vegas auction in 2008, then was bid to a sparse $67,000 here in 2011. This is an example of the best, and better than that it is holding up superbly, deserving the handsome price it brought. Lot # F232 1967 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster; S/N 104677S119425; Marina Blue/Bright Blue vinyl; White vinyl top; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $52,000 plus commission of 7.00%; Final Price $55,640. – 327/350hp, 4-speed, side exhaust, alloy wheels, side exhausts, AM-FM, redline tires – Good paint, chrome and upholstery. Instrument bezels and panel show age, as does the chassis and underbody. Nose panel is wavy. Loose radio antenna. Represented as ‘All numbers matching and date codes correct car.’ A good older restored Corvette with a few years and miles. – Collectors seem to overlook high performance small block mid-year Corvettes like this sound older restored example, which is myopic, but good for collectors who can see beyond big block 427s and appreciate the small blocks’ handling and balance. This car is a very sound value, to some worth more than the price it brought in performance and driving satisfaction. Lot # F235 1959 Pontiac Catalina Convertible; S/N 159P10618; White/Red, White vinyl; White vinyl top; Unrestored original, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $46,000 plus commission of 7.00%; Final Price $49,220. – 389/215hp 2-barrel, automatic, P/S, P/B, flipper wheelcovers, whitewalls, pushbutton radio – Highly original with a mediocre old repaint, replaced top and carpets. Good chrome, lightly soiled original upholstery. Good original interior chrome, steering wheel and dashboard. Engine compartment has had some limited cosmetic attention and service replacements in its past. Odometer shows 44,262 miles, represented and believably from new. Engine number is illegible without applying noxious solvents. – A great story, delivered in Cuba, escaped Castro’s revolution, then sold to the second owner in the early 90’s. A good, low mileage Pontiac of no particular distinction but desirable preservation that brought a significant premium for its originality. Lot # F238 1962 Chevrolet Impala SS 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 21847L144918; Nassau Blue/Blue vinyl; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $74,000 plus commission of 7.00%; Final Price $79,180. – 409/409hp dual quads, 4-speed, P/S, P/B, steel wheels, narrow whitewalls, buckets and console, steering column mounted 90 degree tach, tinted glass, dual outside mirrors, pushbutton radio, dual rear antennas – Represented as a factory SS 409 with a replacement engine. Nut and bolt restored and better than new except for lightly scuffed window sill stainless. Engine, chassis and underbody are crisp and fresh. – Pardon the expression, but this is a real fine 409, restored to high standards, superbly optioned and in better than showroom condition in an attractive and rarely seen color scheme. The new owner needs to make no excuses for paying this price for it, it’s worth every penny. Lot # F239 1970 Plymouth ‘Cuda Hemi 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N BS23R0B157065; Dark Burnt Orange Metallic/Black vinyl; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $180,000 $180,000. – 426/425hp dual quads, 4-speed, silver shaker hood, P/B, 4.1 Dana Super Track Pack, woodgrain steering wheel, console – Represented as 12,287 miles with its original engine and transmission. Restored better than new, fresh, sharp and clean. Documented with broadcast sheet. Great color. – The glow is off ‘Cuda Hemis, but not enough to make the reported high bid here a reasonable price for this eye-catching example. It is a superior car in every respect and should bring close to, if not more than, $200K. Lot # F244 1969 Oldsmobile 4-4-2 Hurst 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 344879M359750; White, Gold accents/Black; Older restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $75,000 plus commission of 7.00%; Final Price $80,250. – 455/390hp, Ram Air, automatic, P/B, P/S, A/C, AM-FM, chrome rim Rally wheels, F60-15 Polyglas GT tires, 3.23 limited slip – Represented as matching numbers original engine. Documented with build sheet, warranty records and even Hurst paper. Freshly restored and in better than showroom condition without going to excess. – It isn’t necessary to like Hurst Olds, with their blocky ram air hood scoops to appreciate their aggressive demeanor and muscle car performance. It’s possible to like this one, though, for its quality older restoration, careful preservation and reasonable price. Lot # F245 1957 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible; S/N E57S103108; Arctic Blue/Red vinyl; White vinyl top; Older restoration, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $87,000 plus commission of 7.00%; Final Price $93,090. – 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 with only a little age. Rust flakes piled under the clutch return spring. Boot cover fits unevenly. A strange, and not happy, car and a good Corvette to avoid. – Bid to $85,000 at Mecum Kissimmee in January and no better here than it was there, which wasn’t very good. An expensive Corvette that has too many flaws to be overlooked at this price. Lot # F247 1970 Plymouth Road Runner Superbird 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N RM23V0A170220; Blue, Black vinyl roof/Black; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $125,000 plus commission of 7.00%; Final Price $133,750. – 440/390hp Six-Barrel, 4-speed, Hurst pistol grip shifter, P/S, P/B, rally style wheels with trim rings, pushbutton radio, buckets and console – Sharp, freshly restored car with excellent paint, chrome and interior. Meticulously presented engine compartment. Good nose cone fit. Sharp car with Broadcast sheet documentation. – The third of the nine winged Mopars that crossed the Indy auction block. With the Six-Barrel under the hood, the 4-speed connected to it and an excellent, fresh, restoration this is a particularly desirable Superbird that brought an appropriate price. Lot # F252 1972 Ford Mustang Convertible; S/N 2F03F119895; Grabber Blue/White vinyl; White vinyl top; Recent restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $42,500 plus commission of 7.00%; Final Price $45,475. – 302/140hp, automatic, P/S, P/B, A/C, sport mirrors, cassette stereo, chrome rim Magnum wheels, Radial T/A tires – A perfectly ordinary Mustang with a boring drivetrain but with an essentially perfect restoration. 45,240 miles. Good paint, chrome and original interior. underbody is clean enough to be displayed in the showroom in 1972. – It’s hard to credit this price except for the Grabber Blue paint and White interior. It was probably a dealer’s stock Mustang order with minimal equipment; looks good but without performance to match its looks. It could have been bought for half this price and not been a good value. Abigail Beecher, our history teacher’s car. And if you’re old enough you’ll know what it means and who Freddy ‘Boom Boom’ Cannon is. Lot # F253 1972 Ford Mustang Convertible; S/N 2F03F157773; Laser Red/White vinyl; White vinyl top; Older restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $33,000 plus commission of 7.00%; Final Price $35,310. – 302/140hp with 4-barrel added, automatic, P/S, P/B, A/C, Magnum wheels with chrome rims, Radial T/A tires, chin spoiler – An older restoration to show winning condition. Excellent paint, chrome and interior. – Essentially uninteresting even if featured (along with the Mustang that crossed the block before it) the hype worked and this car brought 50% more than a similar one would have. Lot # F254 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe; S/N 30837S120588; Engine # 3120588 F0628SD; Black/Black; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $85,000 plus commission of 7.00%; Final Price $90,950. – 327/300hp, Powerglide, Positraction, A/C, P/S, P/B, spinner wheel covers, narrow whitewalls, AM-FM – Fading older restoration Paint flaws on hood, right front and left rear fenders. Good interior, scratched, scuffed chrome. Uneven driver’s door fit. Dirty engine. An undistinguished Powerglide Corvette that isn’t wearing the age of its restoration well. – Sold at Auctions America in Ft. Lauderdale in 2012 for $67,100, then by Mecum in Kissimmee this January for $74,200. This is, despite the split down the rear window that destroys vision out the back, just a car, a 300hp Corvette with Powerglide and A/C. The restoration long ago lost its edge and is getting no better being passed around. It’s gotten no better since Ft. Lauderdale, and its price shouldn’t have. Lot # F256 1970 Dodge Challenger T/A 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N JH23J0B28936; Go Mango Orange, Matte Black/Cinnamon leatherette; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $46,000 plus commission of 7.00%; Final Price $49,220. – 340/290hp Six Pack, 4-speed, P/B, no P/S, rally-style wheels, Radial T/A tires, Hurst pistol grip shifter, no console, pushbutton radio – An older restoration to showroom condition showing age and use underhood but excellent cosmetics. Converted to 4-speed during restoration, original automatic included. Clean, orderly and presented in unusual and attractive colors. – Represented as ‘Less than 100 miles since restoration completed’ every one of them has outsized effect on this Challenger’s presentation, particularly under the hood. The 4-speed conversion is problematic. It’s less original, but a lot more enjoyable to show off. All in all it’s a sound and eye-catching car that represents good value for the money for someone aware of the compromises.
Mecum Indianapolis Original Spring Classic 2013 – Auction Report Page Five
Lot # F263 2002 Ferrari 360 F1 Spider; S/N ZFFYT53A920130150; Silver/Grey leather; Unrestored original, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $86,000 plus commission of 7.00%; Final Price $92,020. – 19 inch front, 20 inch rear HRE modular wheels with Michelin low profile tires, silver calipers, power seats, glass engine cover, power top, Challenge grilles – 15,165 miles from new, clean Carfax. Black coating worn off windshield post trim. Seats lightly surface creased and interior door handle panels covered in goo, otherwise clean and hardly used at all, an orderly used Ferrari. Assembly #47184. – What is it about Ferraris’ interior black that accumulates sticky residue? You’d think, for the money these cars cost, they could just mill them out of aluminum billet and satisfyingly black anodize them. This car might have brought a little more for all of its egregiously expensive factory options, but in general is realistically priced. Lot # F264 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Convertible; S/N VC57T277176; Engine # T8930D; Imperial White/Red, Silver vinyl; White vinyl top; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $62,000 $62,000. – 283/220hp, 3-speed, 4-barrel, P/S, pushbutton radio, power antenna, dual rear antennas – Decent older restoration in an unusual and attractive color. Lightly scuffed stainless trim. Engine shows use and age. Underbody is very tidy. A great ’57 Bel Air for cruising, but no longer better than that. – Reported sold by Auctions America in Ft. Lauderdale in March for $63,250. Rerun Sunday as U159, no sale at $50,000. No surprise the consignor ran for cover, but the results here in Indy are what it’s worth and ’57 Chevy values aren’t getting any better. Lot # F265.1 1968 Oldsmobile Cutlass S Convertible; S/N 336678M451336; Light Yellow/Black vinyl; White vinyl top; Facsimile restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $24,000 plus commission of 7.00%; Final Price $25,680. – 400, 4-speed, Hurst shifter, bench seat, P/S, P/B, Super Stock wheels with chrome rims, Firehawk radial tires, Jensen CD stereo, limited slip – Faux-Faux-Two replica with very good paint and major chrome, scuffed stainless windshield post trim, good interior and interior trim. Underbody has old undercoat but has been cleaned up and repainted. A presentable weekend cruiser that will hold its own at the DQ. – Replaced engine. Despite the erratic upgrades and fake badging this isn’t a bad car, it’s just not what it purports to be but with real 4-4-2 convertibles scratching at the stratosphere in value it’s worth what it brought today. Lot # G034 1970 Plymouth GTX 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N RS23U0G223831; Blue, Black stripe/Blue vinyl; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $30,000 plus commission of 7.00%; Final Price $32,100. – 440/375hp with Six Barrel added, automatic, P/S, P/B, bucket seats, rally wheels with trim rings, Air Grabber hood – A fairly good. older restoration with sound, presentable paint, chrome and interior. Replacement block. Straight body with flush fits and even gaps. Underbody is neat but shows age and use and hasn’t been like new since 1970. – By most accounts this is ‘just a car’, but it’s more car than the money it brought, at least on cruise night when the gorgeous underhood display of the Six Barrel will inspire more awe than questions about its originality. The price is in one sense ‘right’ but in another a good value. A bragging rights car at a modest price. Lot # G040 1972 Plymouth Valiant 4-Dr. Sedan; S/N VL41G2R276016; Blue, Black vinyl roof/Blue; Recent restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $7,500 plus commission of 6.67%; Final Price $8,000. – 318/150hp, automatic, pushbutton radio, aftermarket A/C, remote outside mirror, wheel covers, blackwall tires, P/S – Restored to nearly like new with very good paint, chrome, interior and polished stainless trim. Engine compartment is very sharp and fresh. Underbody has been painted assembled but done well. – A restored Valiant? Miraculous, and extremely well done on top of its survival. This is bragging rights at a bargain price. Lot # G041 1941 Plymouth PT125 Pickup; S/N 81004713; Burgundy/; Truck restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $14,500 plus commission of 7.00%; Final Price $15,515. – Hubcaps, trim rings, blackwall tires, varnished oak bed floor and side boards, stainless bed strips, chrome front bumper, wood rear bumper – Freshly done to a marginal standard with minimal paint prep but good chrome and interior. Engine minimally restored. Good new bed wood. A sound, utilitarian truck restoration. – Looks good, but only from 10 feet (or maybe 20 feet) away, the seller should be happy to get this much for it. It might bring a little more somewhere later, but not enough to rate hoping to flip it. This is a keeper for weekend errands at a realistic price. Lot # G044 1971 Chevrolet Chevelle Convertible; S/N 136671R129914; Silver, Black stripes/Black vinyl; Black vinyl top; Visually maintained, largely original, 4 condition; Hammered Sold at $10,500 plus commission of 7.00%; Final Price $11,235. – 307/automatic, P/S, 5-spoke alloy wheels, Eagle ST tires, bucket seats – Awful ripply repaint, torn top, thin, rusty chrome, ugly upholstery. A good car to avoid. – A particularly ugly and neglected car, sold for a nearly miraculous price for its condition. Lot # G063 1965 Chevrolet Corvair Monza Convertible; S/N 105675W283425; Yellow/Black vinyl; Black vinyl top; Visually maintained, largely original, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $7,750 plus commission of 6.45%; Final Price $8,250. – 4×1 carbs, Powerglide, pushbutton radio, wire wheel covers, redline tires, luggage rack – Sound repaint, interior and top. Visible filler in right side. Thin, scuffed chrome. An orderly and presentable example but nothing you’d want to take home to your girl’s family. – I have a weakness for the second generation Corvairs which are remarkably fun cars car drive and handle superbly, Ralph Nader notwithstanding. I don’t have much of a weakness for this one, though. It has potential, but not much. Lot # G154 1972 De Tomaso Pantera Coupe; S/N THPNMB02550; Red/Black; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $33,000 plus commission of 7.00%; Final Price $35,310. – Cassette stereo, de Tomaso Campagnolo wheels, Goodyear Eagle tires, engine modified with cam and carb, L bumpers and engine cover – Poor old repaint, sound original interior, tired and aged. Smells moldy inside. – Modified, like most Panteras, but not beyond recovery, this is a supercar for TR3 money. Many parts come from NAPA or AutoZone and the rest are, while expensive, available. This is the right money for this car’s age, crappy repaint and condition. Trouble is, it’ll probably look just like this in two years when it comes back to the market with a few hundred more miles on its odometer. Lot # G160 1970 Pontiac Catalina Convertible; S/N 252670X163020; Green/White; Beige vinyl top; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $9,250 plus commission of 5.41%; Final Price $9,750. – 400/290hp, 2-barrel, automatic, Rally II wheels, pushbutton radio, A/C, P/S, P/B – Mostly original with a decent repaint, good interior, major chrome and top. Sun bleached dashboard, pitted trim chrome. Underbody painted over old undercoat. Filthy engine, no belt on A/C compressor. Aged but presentable, at least on the outside. – Not the car most people would like to take care of even if they’d like to be seen driving it in good condition, this Catalina has needs, many needs and the price it brought reflects them. It might be low enough, although that’s doubtful. Lot # S019 1968 Shelby Mustang GT350 Convertible; S/N 8T03J204863-03374; Red/Black leatherette; White vinyl top; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $73,000 $73,000. – 302/250hp, automatic, P/S, P/B, A/C, Shelby 10-spoke alloy wheels, Goodyear Speedway tires, cassette stereo – Good bodywork with flush fits, flat panels and even gaps. Good paint, interior and major chrome but scuffed windshield trim. Some orange peel. Orderly but showing ago under the hood and under the car. A sound GT350 Convertible that won’t mind being driven. – Sold by RM at the Charlie Thomas collection auction last October for $90,750, it has been trying to find that level since, trolling through Auctions America’s Ft. Lauderdale auction in March at a high bid of $70,000 before ending up here. A good car, it’s a ’68 GT350 and this is enough for it, despite the earlier result. Lot # S084.1 1966 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster; S/N 194676S114412; Engine # 6114412 T0221IL; Silver Pearl, Silver Pearl hardtop/Black leather; Black vinyl top; Cosmetic restoration, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $47,000 plus commission of 7.00%; Final Price $50,290. – 427/390hp, 4-speed, P/B, two tops, side exhausts, spinner wheel covers, narrow whitewalls, AM-FM – Not the 425hp on the car card and air filter sticker. Mediocre old repaint erratically finished. Orderly but aged underhood, grubby chassis, steering box leaks. Hardtop seals don’t fit. Sound interior, fair dash and gauges. Pitted vent window frame chrome. A quick, superficial old restoration with flawed paint, good interior, mixed chrome, grungy engine and some sketchy wiring. Represented as original, matching numbers engine. A usable but marginal Corvette driver. – Rerun of Friday F268, no sale at $60,000. The shortcomings in presentation and restoration notwithstanding this is a sound big block Corvette with ample equipment that brought a modest price reflecting its mixed considerations. It’s sure a better deal on Sunday that it would have been on Friday.
Mecum Indianapolis Original Spring Classic 2013 – Auction Report Page Six
Lot # S105.1 1966 Dodge Coronet 500 Hemi 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N WP23H67220378; Dark Blue, Black vinyl roof/Black vinyl; Cosmetic restoration, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $45,000 plus commission of 7.00%; Final Price $48,150. – 426/425hp Hemi, dual quads, 4-speed, 3.54 Sure Grip, buckets and console, pushbutton radio, heater, no hubcaps, red line tires – Thoroughly documented highly original Hemi Coronet showing 46,594 believable miles. Good original interior, some paint work and clear coated all over. Good chrome. Engine has been out and repainted. Represented as all original drivetrain. A rare and desirable find. – Sold by Leake in Dallas in 2005 for $58,320 (when it showed 46,567 miles on the odometer), then by Auctions America in Ft. Lauderdale earlier this year for $40,700 (with 46,581 miles showing – at least the odometer is hooked up), this is a sound, presentable and carefully preserved – although not ‘original’ in the full sense of the term – early street Hemi. The 4-speed and 3.54 Sure Grip will make it unusually fun to drive on the highway on its short trips between gas stations. The price here isn’t as advantageous as it was in Ft. Lauderdale, but it’s not unreasonable, either. Lot # S108 1965 Pontiac Catalina 2+2 Convertible; S/N 252675E110171; Engine # YH; Red/Black leatherette; Black vinyl top; Cosmetic restoration, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $32,500 plus commission of 7.00%; Final Price $34,775. – 421/338hp with Tri-Power added, automatic, P/S, P/B, Vintage Air added, wood grain steering wheel, bucket seats, no console, pushbutton radio, 8-lug wheels, red line tires, rear antenna – A superficial cosmetically restored driver with sound paint, mostly good chrome and stainless but pitted vent window frames and deck lid trim. Chassis and underbody redone assembled. PHS documented. Sloppy dashboard mounting of Vintage Air control panel. Paint blisters and fisheyes on rear fenders. – Turning this Catalina into a better car is straightforward but probably will cost more than it will return. At least fix the A/C panel. It will look good on the highway and brought a realistic price for what it is, its flaws, and what it might be. Lot # S110 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle LS6 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 136370A174983; White/Gold vinyl, cloth; Unrestored original, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $87,000 plus commission of 7.00%; Final Price $93,090. – 454/450hp LS6, automatic, bench seat, Rally II wheels, F70-14 Polyglas tires, pushbutton radio, rear speaker, seatbelts – 14,151 fully documented miles, good original paint, chrome and interior. The definition of ‘sleeper’. Old undercoat and a little rust bleeding through it behind the front wheels but not yet coming through the body. Very good throughout and preserved in time capsule condition. Documented with original build sheet, sales invoice, window sticker and Protect-o-Plate. A real find. – White is the perfect color for this Chevelle LS6 sleeper, a salesman’s bare bones bench seat driver with explosive power under the hood. Sold here two years ago for $116,600, the rebalance in muscle car prices is clearly reflected in today’s result, as well as perhaps the appearance of rust that might not have been there two years ago. Let it be noted, though, that for a GM car of the period the almost complete absence of rust is ample evidence of how well this Chevelle has been kept. Lot # S113 1969 Pontiac Trans Am 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 223379N104342; Engine # 0736340 WQ; Cameo White, Blue stripes/Blue leatherette; Older restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $95,000 plus commission of 7.00%; Final Price $101,650. – 400/335hp, 4-speed, P/S, P/B, Rally II wheels, Polyglas tires, Ram Air (III) hood and air cleaner, Hurst shifter, pushbutton radio – Restored like new with excellent paint, chrome and interior. Engine compartment is like new. Documented with original bill of sale, warranty and Protect-o-Plate, registrations, PHS documentation. – Collectors have recently turned to Firebirds in a big way, and more and more have been seen coming to auction. There were 39 pre-1980 Firebirds and Trans Ams in Indy, not like Mustangs, maybe, but enough so there was pretty much one in every preview row. This very pretty Ram Air III 4-speed crossed the block at Mecum Monterey in 2010 at a high bid of $80,000, then here two years ago in 2011 with a high bid of $85,000, before selling here for a $95,000 hammer bid, a track record that illustrates Firebirds’ recent popularity. Lot # S114 1958 Oldsmobile Dynamic 88 4-Dr. Hardtop Fiesta Station Wagon; S/N 587L12276; Heather (Lavender), Provincial White roof/Silver, White vinyl, Grey cloth; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $47,000 $47,000. – 371/265 2-barrel, automatic, P/S, pushbutton radio, flipper wheelcovers, whitewalls – Good cosmetic restoration of an unusual and charismatic car. Good paint, chrome and interior. Engine compartment cleaned up and detailed, but not fully restored. – While the drivetrain and equipment list are unspectacular, the body design, chrome trim and paint choice work together to make a dramatic visual statement. The consignor obviously thought its eye-appeal should have had great effect on its value and, if this bid is any indication of real money, it did. It should have been on its way off the block with a new owner at 2/3 of the reported high bid. Lot # S115 1970 Plymouth Road Runner Superbird 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N RM23U0A175671; Blue Fire (EB5), Black vinyl roof/White vinyl; Recent restoration, 2- condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $100,000 $100,000. – 440/375hp, automatic, Rally wheels with trim rings, F70-14 Polyglas tires, P/S, P/B, pushbutton radio, gauges – Restored like new with excellent paint, chrome and interior. Underbody is like new. Very good body fits including the nose cone. Dull, yellowed gauge faces. Represented as matching numbers engine. – The fourth of nine winged Mopars to cross the Mecum Indy auction block and reported sold at Mecum’s Dallas auction last September for $100,700. This is a good, but not exceptional, Superbird that could have been (should have been?) sold for the reported high bid. Lot # S117 1954 Buick Skylark Convertible; S/N A1038946; Gulf Turquoise, White wheel wells/White, Turquoise leather; White vinyl top; Concours restoration, 1 condition; Hammered Sold at $150,000 plus commission of 7.00%; Final Price $160,500. No Reserve – 322/200hp, Dynaflow, P/S, P/B, pushbutton radio, chrome wire wheels, whitewalls, – A concours-quality restoration. Excellent paint, bright chrome, sumptuous interior, good top. – Described as the earliest known ’54 Skylark and the 10th built, concours restored Skylarks aren’t uncommon, but still when they show up are snapped up by informed collectors. This is appropriate money for this beautifully restored and attractively liveried example. Lot # S118 1970 Plymouth Road Runner Superbird 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N RM23U0A179799; Blue, Black vinyl roof/Black vinyl; Recent restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $105,000 plus commission of 7.00%; Final Price $112,350. – 440/375hp, 4-speed, rally wheels with trim ring, F60-15 Polyglas GT tires, P/B, P/S, 3.55 Sure Grip, gauges, Hurst pistol grip shifter – Represented as matching numbers engine. Broadcast sheet documented. Sharp, fresh restoration with better than new paint, some weak trim chrome, good interior, good nose cone fit. Crisp, bright gauge faces. – The fifth of the nine winged Mopars that crossed the Mecum Indy auction block, an unprecedented offering that challenged buyers’ capacity to take up $100K+ cars that have little utility on the street (a YouTube video of parallel parking a Superbird or Charger Daytona would be a hit – here is where a rear view camera proves its value.) This was, as it turned out, the last of the nine that were sold and it brought a representative price for its specifications and fresh restoration. Lot # S120 1970 Chevrolet Nova SS L89 2-Dr. Sedan; S/N 114270W289169; Engine # T0227CKT; Tuxedo Black/Black; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $190,000 plus commission of 7.00%; Final Price $203,300. – L89 402/375hp, 4-speed, Hurst shifter, steel wheels, hubcaps, narrow whitewalls, P/B, Positraction, air pump and smog plumbing, bucket seats, no console – Restored like new. Excellent paint, chrome, interior and glass. Engine compartment is crisp and like new. – The consignor described this as the only known L89 aluminum head Nova, rarity that was enhanced by its superior restoration. The Mecum Indy bidders’ determination of its value should be accepted as definitive, even though this may be the pinnacle in value for a non-COPO Nova. Lot # S121 1969 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 124379N609747; Dusk Blue/Black; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $500,000 $500,000. – 427/430hp aluminum block, 4-speed, Hurst shifter, P/B, radio delete, steel wheels, hubcaps, F70-15 Wide Tread tires, cowl induction, bucket seats, no console – COPO 9560AA, documented with Protect-o-Plate, shipping documents and notarized statement from the first owner. Restored like new with excellent paint, chrome, glass, interior and engine compartment. – If an iron block L88 rated 430hp really delivered 500+, how much underrated is this aluminum block ZL1? It is tantalizing to contemplate, but with a value measured in substantial fractions of a million dollars not likely to be experienced. Lot # S121.1 1970 Chevrolet El Camino LS6; S/N 136800K141518; Black, White stripes/Black; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $127,000 plus commission of 7.00%; Final Price $135,890. – 454/450hp, 4-speed, cowl induction, P/S, P/B, Rally II wheels, Wide Oval tires, buckets and console, pushbutton radio, air pump and smog plumbing, 3.31 Positraction – Fresh restoration to like new condition with better paint. Brilliant chrome. Comes with GM Canada paperwork. A show-quality restoration of a rare vehicle. – Aside from needing a bed-load of concrete blocks to provide traction the new owner of this extremely rare El Camino got all the vehicle that the money could buy. It’s much more rare than a Chevelle LS6 hardtop or post car, for no more money. Lot # S122 1968 Chevrolet Biscayne L72 2-Dr. Sedan; S/N 154118D150355; Engine # ID; Tuxedo Black/Black vinyl; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $165,000 plus commission of 7.00%; Final Price $176,550. – 427/425hp, 4-speed, bench seat, heater, radio delete, steel wheels, hubcaps, blackwall tires, air pump and smog plumbing but no drive belt, 3.55 axle, instruments – Cosmetically restored to nearly like new a while ago and driven some since then, to judge from the engine compartment and underbody. Flawed repaint, some thin chrome, good interior and glass. A very pretty car with some age and use on its good restoration. – A street racer’s dream car but at this price fully valued even though it is extremely rare. It is so stealth that no one will be fooled.
Mecum Indianapolis Original Spring Classic 2013 – Auction Report Page Seven
Lot # S126 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS LS6 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 136370B135992; Gobi Beige, Black stripes, Dark Gold vinyl roof/Saddle vinyl; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $95,000 plus commission of 7.00%; Final Price $101,650. – 454/450hp LS6, automatic, Rally II wheels, Wide Oval tires, P/B, P/S, 8-track pushbutton radio, F41 suspension, 4.11 Positraction, buckets and console, cowl induction – Fresh restoration to better than new. Excellent paint and chrome. Meticulously detailed engine compartment. Represented as matching numbers engine. Documented with build sheet. – Highly desirable and in an unusual but also attractive color, this is a representative transaction for it, a good value for the money. Lot # S129 1957 Pontiac Bonneville Convertible; S/N P857H35766; White, Red accent/Red, White leatherette; White vinyl top; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $140,000 plus commission of 7.00%; Final Price $149,800. – 347/315hp fuel injection, automatic, P/S, P/B, P/W, power bench seat, WonderBar radio, power rear antenna, flipper wheelcovers, whitewall tires – Very good older restoration with good paint, chrome, interior and glass but now showing its age even with only limited use. – A pretty car with a sound older restoration that has probably covered no more than the 961 miles showing on its odometer. It was sold here two years ago for $116,600 and offered at Kissimmee earlier this year where it was bid to $120,000. The consignor did well by waiting, an outcome not often seen, but still fair for the buyer as well. Lot # S134 1970 Dodge Charger R/T SE Hemi 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N XS29R0G171264; Red, Matte Black hood, White tail band/Black leather; Visually maintained, largely original, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $200,000 plus commission of 7.00%; Final Price $214,000. – 426/425hp Hemi, dual quads, 4-speed, Hurst pistol grip shifter, buckets and console, underdash S-W instruments, Cragar S/S wheels, Parnelli Jones tires, factory radio with 8-track, woodgrain steering wheel, headers – Excellent fresh repaint and chrome, otherwise a sharp, long-stored (since 1977), 17,560 mile original car. Headers, Cragar wheels and tires installed in 1970. Documented since October 1969. A sharp car that hasn’t needed restoration, just cosmetic freshening. – A rare car in very good condition, highly original and attractive. The price it brought includes a significant low miles/originality premium, but a deserved one. Lot # S137 1973 Pontiac Trans Am Coupe; S/N 2V87X3N139029; Engine # 793071 ZJ; Brewster Green/Black leatherette; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $185,000 plus commission of 7.00%; Final Price $197,950. – 455/310hp Super Duty, 4-speed, Hurst shifter, P/S, P/B, honeycomb wheels, Wide Oval tires, shaker hood, sport steering wheel, pushbutton radio – Excellent paint, interior and what little chrome it has. Freshly and completely done but showing some age and use under the hood and missing the fenderwell skirts over the upper A-arms. Unusual and attractive colors that would have been even better with a cinnamon interior. PHS documented and represented as matching numbers engine. – The era of punitive insurance company premiums and oil embargoes had begun and horsepower ratings plunged along with compression ratios. In those fraught times Pontiac fought back with the Super Duty, a 7.5 liter behemoth that still smoked tires with the twitch of the throttle. They are uncommon and Firebirds are at the top of muscle car collectors’ wish lists these days, both of which figure in this price which is on the generous side of market. Lot # S138 1968 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 RS 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 124378N438517; Engine # 18N438517 V0514MO; Turquoise, Black stripes/Black vinyl, houndstooth cloth; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $100,000 plus commission of 7.00%; Final Price $107,000. – 302 Cross-Ram dual quad, 4-speed, P/B, Rally wheels with trim rings, E70-15 Wide Tread GT tires, console with gauges, pushbutton radio – Prototype Cross Ram unit casting #0-310512, 12/1967. Freshly restored to showroom condition. Excellent dear coat paint, chrome, interior and engine compartment. A highly impressive Camaro. – A crossram Z/28 is highly desirable. This car would be even better with the rare JL8 4-wheel disc brakes, but it’s pretty darn nice as it is and impressively restored and presented. That adds up to a premium price, like this. It will startle other Z/28 owners with its high rpm power and low rpm torque, but not with its price. Lot # S139 1965 Shelby Cobra 289 Roadster; S/N CSX 7049; Aluminum/Black leather; Competition car, original as-raced, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $320,000 plus commission of 7.00%; Final Price $342,400. – 5-speed, braced chrome paperclip rollbar, centerlock starburst alloy wheels, quick fill fuel cap, white coated side exhausts – Wide hip, cutback door FIA style body, 7000 series ‘continuation’ car. Like new except for a worn leather rim steering wheel, originally blue, dyed black and peeling. – The MSO that comes with the car has Carroll Shelby’s name on it but it isn’t a ‘real’ 289 Cobra, it’s a continuation car and is priced like one (with Carroll’s name on the MSO as the first owner.) Lot # S140 1969 Shelby Mustang GT500 Convertible; S/N 9F03R481554; Candy Apple Red/Black vinyl; Black vinyl top; Cosmetic restoration, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $155,000 plus commission of 7.00%; Final Price $165,850. – 428/335hp, Ram Air, Drag Pack, 4-speed, console gauges, tilt column, remote outside mirror, P/S, P/B, 8-track stereo – Cosmetically restored with good paint, chrome and interior. Good engine compartment shows age and use. Underbody is cleaned up but not restored. Scrape on the peak of the right rear fender, two star cracks on decklid over hinges. An attractive but flawed driver. – This would be a lot better buy at $135,000 than $155,000. Its condition leaves a lot to be desired, but this prices it as essentially flawless. Lot # S144 1970 Plymouth ‘Cuda Hemi 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N BS23R0B257766; Jamaica Blue/Black; Visually maintained, largely original, 3 condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $275,000 $275,000. – 426/425hp dual quads, automatic, P/B, silver shaker hood, woodgrain steering wheel, console, pushbutton radio, underdash Realistic FM converter, rally style wheels, F60-15 Polyglas tires, 4.11 rear axle – 16,774 miles, original engine, one repaint and recent plugs, OEM shocks and other mechanical attention. Driver’s seat cushion tom. Paint is flawed and the whole car is aged as expected, but it’s one owner from new and pretty special. – A choice find, in remarkably good, original and unrestored condition. The torn seat is a problem but the best solution might be to find another ‘Cuda seat cushion and preserve this one in a plastic (vermin-proof) bag. The idea that it could be worth this much for its originality is a stretch, however, especially after the repaint. This was probably the consignor’s reality-check, now it’s time to get serious. Lot # S150.1 1953 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster; S/N E53F001093; Polo White/Sportsman Red; Black cloth top; Older restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $250,000 plus commission of 7.00%; Final Price $267,500. – 235/hp, Powerglide, WonderBar radio, wheel covers, whitewalls – Restored like new, multiple NCRS Top Flight, Duntov Award and Bloomington Gold. Still show quality with excellent paint, chrome, interior, top and underhood detailing. – This Corvette’s history shows clearly how important it is to have the right bidders on hand (or on the phone) to realize top value from a rare and desirable but highly specific car. It was offered at Mecum Dallas last September with a high bid of $210,000, then at Kissimmee in January with a bid of $185,000 before scoring this home run result. Time and place, this is strong. Lot # S151 1967 Chevrolet Camaro RS/SS 396 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 124377N231706; Madeira Maroon, White nose band/Black; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $95,000 plus commission of 7.00%; Final Price $101,650. – 396/375hp L78, 4-speed, bucket seats, console with gauges, pushbutton radio, mag wheel covers, red line tires, 4.11 Positraction – One owner car until November 2012 documented with original window sticker, Protect-O-Plate, owner’s manual and plastic sleeve and notarized letter from the original owner. Restored better than new with excellent cosmetics. Tonawanda stamping illegible but VIN stamping clear, represented as matching numbers. – ANOTHER highly documented, restored better than new high performance Camaro. Unlike the winged Mopars this week the demand for Camaros kept up with supply. It’s impossible not to like this first generation RS/SS 396, or its price. Lot # S161 1969 Dodge Coronet R/T Hemi 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N WS23J9A205652; Yellow (Y2), Black tail band/Black leatherette; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $92,000 plus commission of 7.00%; Final Price $98,440. – 426/425hp, 4-speed, P/B, P/S, Air grabber hood, alloy wheels with trim rings, Hurst shifter, buckets and console, 4.1 Sure Grip, Super Track Pack – A good older restoration except for some paint issues and age evident under the hood. Repro ‘recall’ wheels look great. 31,675 miles and good enough to show, if not win (which it will do just fine, thank you very much, at the drive-in parking lot on Friday night.) – Described as unusual in several respects (1 of 19 Super Track Pack, possibly unique in Y2 Yellow) which help set it apart but actually contribute little to its value. The real value lies under the hood and with the 4-speed under the driver’s right hand. The price is full retail even with the low, known miles taken into account. Lot # S163.1 1965 Chevrolet Malibu SS Convertible; S/N 138675K179535; Engine # K179535 F0330EC; Black/Red vinyl; Black vinyl top; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $140,000 plus commission of 7.00%; Final Price $149,800. – 327/350hp, 4-speed, 3.31 Positraction, P/S, P/B, wheel covers, narrow whitewalls, dashtop tach, power driver’s bucket seat, console, factory 8-track, tilt steering column – Restored like new with excellent paint, chrome, interior, top and engine compartment. AACA National First Prize in 2012. A prizewinning Malibu in prize wining condition. – Big block money for a small block Malibu, but that’s not a knock on the buyer, who got a superior car for a realistic price.
Mecum Indianapolis Original Spring Classic 2013 – Auction Report Page Eight
Lot # S170 1970 Plymouth Road Runner Superbird 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N RM23V0A178064; Vitamin C Orange, Black vinyl roof/Black vinyl; Recent restoration, 2 condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $100,000 $100,000. – 440/390hp Six Barrel, automatic, P/S, P/B, console, rally style wheels with trim rings, F60-15 Polyglas GT tires – Restored like new. Excellent paint and chrome, good body fits and gaps. Engine compartment is like new. Documented with window sticker and partial build sheet, represented as matching numbers engine and transmission. – The sixth of the nine winged Mopars at Mecum Indy, with the Six Barrel intake, thorough documentation and excellent fresh restoration the seller was more than justified in declining to accept this bid. It and the next three like it didn’t find new owners despite six-figure bids, a sign that buyers’ desires can be satiated if they are over-supplied with choices. Lot # S171 1967 Chevrolet Corvette 427/435 Coupe; S/N 194377S122410; Engine # T0629JE 7122410; Red/Red; Unrestored original, 3 condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $210,000 $210,000. – 427/435hp, 4-speed, P/B, AM-FM, tinted glass, Rally wheels with trim rings, red line bias ply tires, Positraction – Bloomington Gold Benchmark, numbers-matching engine, Protect-o-Plate, original window sticker and dealer order form. Partial repaint but otherwise as original as it gets, right down to the grungy engine. – Offered at Mecum Dallas last September with a high bid of $275,000, it’s hard to get past this Corvette’s grunge to appreciate its originality. With so many super-restored Corvettes around, many with credentials comparable with this one, this car’s appeal is limited to the truly Corvette-committed. Maybe it’ll do better at Bloomington Gold in July where the truly committed are thick on the ground. Lot # S172 1970 Plymouth ‘Cuda Convertible; S/N BS27V0B144830; Vitamin C Orange/White; Black leatherette top; Recent restoration, 2 condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $185,000 $185,000. – 440/390hp Six Barrel, automatic, P/B, P/S, argent shaker hood, Rallye gauges, buckets and console, P/W, Magnum wheels with trim rings, F70-14 Polyglas tires, 8-track radio – Very good paint, chrome, top and interior. Restored like new and shows attention to detail everywhere. – Offered at Mecum Dallas last September, with a reported bid of $220,000. It’s not getting any better for its auction trips, nor apparently are the bidders’ opinion of its value. It’s a good car and would be safely bought at this bid, a reasonable full retail price. Lot # S174 1970 Pontiac Trans Am Ram Air IV; S/N 228870N127735; Engine # 600747 XP; Lucerne Blue, White, Dark Blue stripe/Blue; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $90,000 $90,000. – 400/370hp Ram Air IV, automatic, P/S, P/B, pushbutton radio, 8-track, sport steering wheel, Super Sport wheels with trim rings, F60-15 Polyglas GT tires, white shaker hood – A competent older restoration with original interior. PHS documented, one of 60 built in 1970. Paint and interior are good but engine and chassis show age and limited use. A pretty and rare Trans Am. – A right car but there’s a disconnect … it was bid to $170,000 at Mecum’s Dallas auction last September. What happened, or did the auctioneer just get tired of finding bids from a disinterested room? The restoration is aged, but not enough to handicap its value this much. Disregard this result. Lot # S181 1956 Ford Thunderbird Convertible; S/N P6FH143714; Torch Red, Red porthole hardtop/Red, White vinyl; White vinyl top; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $90,000 plus commission of 7.00%; Final Price $96,300. – 312/225hp, automatic, chrome wire wheels, Town & Country radio, skirts, P/S, engine dressup, two tops – A fresh, crisp Amos Minter restoration. Better than new and flawless. – Amos Minter does T-birds better than anyone and they bring premium prices fully deserved by their quality and consistent, thorough attention to detail. Having said that, this is a super-premium price for an otherwise ordinary ’56 T-bird. The new owner has nowhere but down to look at value, but can be proud of what this car is, as good as it gets. Lot # S183 1959 Chevrolet Impala FI 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N F59F194201; Tuxedo Black/Red; Recent restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $117,500 plus commission of 7.00%; Final Price $125,725. – 283/250hp Fuel Injection, Powerglide, Positraction, P/S, P/B, wheel covers, whitewalls, pushbutton radio, heater, dual rear antennas – 32,605 documented miles, four owners and thoroughly restored to like new condition. Excellent cosmetics, clean, accurate engine compartment. A very good, very rare, attractive Impala. – A fascinating car, but honestly, wouldn’t a 348 or 409 be better, and a whole lot easier to keep up than an hydraulic lifter FI 250hp engine? The value equation just doesn’t work at this price, except for the seller who scored an inside the park home run with the unexpectedly generous price. It would have been a decent value at $85,000. Lot # S199.1 1931 Ford Model A High Boy Roadster; S/N 1960227; Pearl Gray/; Customized restoration, 2+ condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $55,000 $55,000. – 302/420hp Ford crate engine, dual quads, Tremec 5-speed, 9 inch Ford axle, 4-wheel Wilwood disc brakes, Brookville body, leaf spring front, coil spring rear suspension, Black painted wire wheels, tube shocks – A wicked cool High Boy, called ‘Land Shark’ and dressed with a tiny little deck lid dorsal fin. Featured in Street Rodder. Clean, sharp and pristine. – Aside from the ‘Land Shark’ dorsal fin the visual appeal of this Model A is in its intricate details, the four-spoke steering wheel, the tiny bullet headlights, its skinny tires and the deliciously negatively raked grille shell. It begs a coating of salt from Bonneville or El Mirage, and at a price like this it could be campaigned with little concern for value if it were comprehensively cleaned afterward. It was offered at here a year ago with a high bid of $43,000, then reported sold at Mecum Dallas last September for $53,000. It belongs in my garage, and would probably get more exercise than my beloved 2-liter Alfa Giulia GT Jr. It would be irresistible with a flathead V-8. Lot # S213 2000 Ferrari 360 Modena Coupe; S/N ZFFYU51A5Y0121650; Metallic Blue/Tan leather, Black stripes; Unrestored original, 2- condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $60,500 $60,500. – SF shields, Daytona power seats, glass engine cover, P/W, Pioneer CD stereo, F1 gearbox, silver calipers – Lightly surface cracked driver’s seat, good paint with no nose chips. As expected for the claimed 24,827 miles. Clean, orderly engine compartment. Assembly #38708. – Rerun Sunday as U167, no sale at $40,000. It’s hard to keep up with the depreciation of late model Ferraris, a challenge the Mecum Indy bidders clearly couldn’t deal with either. Lot # S217 1965 Porsche 356C Coupe; S/N 130360; Engine # 751932; Red/Black; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $57,000 plus commission of 7.00%; Final Price $60,990. – 912 engine, Weber carbs, sliding sunroof, Alpine cassette stereo, chrome wheels, Talbot mirrors, lace-on leather steering wheel cover, Michelin XZX blackwall tires – Sound repaint with orange peel not sanded out along edges, good older interior. Engine compartment is clean but neither restored nor detailed. A serviceable cosmetically restored Porsche coupe. – Sold at Russo and Steele in Scottsdale in January for $45,650 and turned here for a highly satisfying profit beyond the normal value of its condition and later 912 engine. Lot # S219 1970 Plymouth Road Runner Superbird 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N RM23U0A173755; Lemon Twist Yellow, Black vinyl roof/Black vinyl; Recent restoration, 2- condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $125,000 $125,000. – 440/375hp, 4-speed, Hurst pistol grip shifter, P/S, P/B, 3.54 Sure Grip, Magnum wheels, Radial T/A tires – Thoroughly restored 23,831 mile car parked from 1978-2004 by the original owner. Excellent High Impact color, good original interior and carpets. Restoration shows a little age but no use. Represented as numbers-matching engine and transmission. – Number seven of nine, and the last winged Mopar of four (all Superbirds) offered on Saturday, the seller’s decision to hold on to this documented mileage, High Impact painted, 4-speed, fully restored Superbird at the reported high bid is understandable. Lot # S243 1962 Pontiac Bonneville Convertible; S/N 862K7763; Engine # 450708 36; White/Burgundy leather; White vinyl top; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $45,000 plus commission of 7.00%; Final Price $48,150. – 389, 4-barrel, automatic, P/S, P/B, buckets and console, P/W, pushbutton radio, underdash Autogage instruments, console mounted 90 degree tach, flipper wheel covers, narrow whitewalls, dual outside mirrors, rear antenna – Good paint, chrome, upholstery and top. Dash and instruments are good but aged and a little dull. Engine compartment is pretty on top but the depths, chassis and underbody aren’t done. An imposing driver for cruise night but not as nice as it could, and should, be. – Going to Lake Winnipesauke in NH where it will be a star at Weirs Beach. It won’t take a lot to make this a Bonneville to be proud to drive and show off. It brought $46,200 at Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach a month ago, which endorses the value the Mecum Indy bidders put on it. Lot # S257 1949 Hudson Commodore Custom 8 Convertible; S/N 49458715; Yellow/Maroon; Black cloth top; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $58,000 plus commission of 7.00%; Final Price $62,060. – 254/128hp, 3-speed, large hubcaps, trim ring, whitewalls, remote spotlight, skirts, turn signals, pushbutton radio, heater – Represented as documented 70,166 miles and given a showy but superficial cosmetic restoration over a grungy chassis and old undercoated fenderwells. The over-representation (‘complete professional restoration’) induces questions about what else was shortcut. Cosmetically makes a good first impression and might be fun for a night but you wouldn’t want to take her home to the parents. – Oops. This Hudson brought $30,740 at Mecum’s Dallas auction last September. It was realistically priced there.
Mecum Indianapolis Original Spring Classic 2013 – Auction Report Page Nine
Lot # S281 1960 Watson Replica Indy Roadster; S/N BILL OF SALE; Metallic Blue/Red vinyl; Facsimile restoration, 2 condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $55,000 $55,000. – Alfa 4-cylinder, 5-speed, offset suspension, 4-wheel disc brakes, centerlock kidney bean wheels, Michelin road tires – Very nicely done throughout with very good cosmetics and lots of chrome. – Someone turns these out in quantity but the resemblance to a Watson Roadster ends with the layout and the dual overhead camshafts of the Alfa engine. A relatively pointless exercise, but extremely well built. Lot # T005 1959 Nash Metropolitan Convertible; S/N E62333; Yellow, White/yellow, White vinyl; White vinyl top; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $14,500 plus commission of 7.00%; Final Price $15,515. – Hubcaps, whitewalls, chrome ring rear spare, alternator, headlight eyebrows – A superficial cosmetic restoration, but cheery, lemon sorbet over vanilla ice cream, colors. Grubby engine, poor fitting top, pitted trim chrome. Dashboard is especially superficially redone. – Nasty, and no bargain even at this modest price. Lot # T011 1972 Oldsmobile Cutlass Convertible; S/N 3J67K2M155345; Red, White stripes/White; White vinyl top; Facsimile restoration, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $29,000 plus commission of 7.00%; Final Price $31,030. – 4-barrel, P/S, P/B, A/C, Faux 4-4-2. Buckets and console, A/C, remote outside mirror, AM-FM. sport steering wheel, Magnum wheels, Radial T/A tires – Crude, heavy fiberglass Ram Air hood with pins. Good paint, chrome, interior and top. Clean and orderly engine compartment and underbody. A usable driver. – There are better ways to spend Thirty Large than on this faux-faux-two. It would probably be worth more without the 4-4-2 gimmicks. Lot # T017 1972 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme Convertible; S/N 3J67K2M138570; Red/White; White vinyl top; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $24,000 plus commission of 7.00%; Final Price $25,680. – 350/180hp, 4-barrel, automatic, P/S. P/B, A/C, Rally wheels with trim rings, F70-15 Polyglas tires, bench seat, pushbutton radio – A thorough cosmetic restoration with good paint, chrome, interior, top, engine compartment and underbody. A very nice cruiser. Runs well. – Sold at Branson Fall in 2009 for $18,900 and at Mecum Dallas last September for $31,800. A largely sound and responsibly presented cosmetically restored Cutlass that brought a reasonable price here in Indy. Lot # T018 1967 Chevrolet Camaro 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 124377N182730; Gold, Black stripes/Gold vinyl; Modified restoration, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $21,500 plus commission of 7.00%; Final Price $23,005. – 327/210hp with Edelbrock intake and 4-barrel, 3-speed, no P/S or P/B, pushbutton radio, aftermarket gauges, wide chrome wheels, Radial T/A tires, decklid spoiler, console, Hurst shifter – Good recent repaint on flat, straight panels, sound chrome and interior. Cracked steering wheel with ugly, pitted center. Pitted vent window chrome. Orderly engine. Documented with Protect-o-Plate. An enjoyable if unremarkable Z/28-look Camaro. – Reported sold here last year for $28,620 and a better value this year. Lot # T064 1964 Chrysler 300K Convertible; S/N 8443177648; White/Blue; White vinyl top; Unrestored original, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $12,000 plus commission of 7.00%; Final Price $12,840. – 413/360hp, automatic, P/S, P/B. P/W, power seats, buckets and console, pushbutton radio, vacuum gauge, chrome Magma wheels, narrow whitewall radials – Aged largely original car with dull paint, worn, peeling door panels, scuffed stainless, and lots more. Sound, straight California car that is begging for a light restoration. – This 300K’s many needs are fully built into this price. The new owner has room to make it better, if not perfect, at this responsible price. A sound value. Lot # T068 1919 Ford Model T Touring; S/N 3141411; Maroon, Black fenders/Black leatherette; Black top; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $17,500 plus commission of 7.00%; Final Price $18,725. – Wood spoke wheels, blackwall tires, winged Motometer, electric starter, rear mounted spare – Very attractively restored with handsome paint, interior and top. Better than new. – Always attractive, Mecum Indy with its overload of American Muscle and Pony might not be the best venue for a Model T. This one is restored to high standards (for a Model T) and sold for a modest price, a good value. Lot # T076.1 1938 Closky HAL Sprint Car; S/N; Engine # 113; Yellow, Blue stripe and chassis/Blue leather; Competition restoration, 2- condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $31,000 $31,000. – Four-cylinder Ford with HAL DOHC head, dual Winfield side draft carbs, 4-wheel foot pedal operated hydraulic brakes, transverse leaf spring suspension, friction shocks, Dayton centerlock wire wheels, gear reduction electric starter, Ford 3-speed gearbox, quickchange axle center section, chrome rollbar – An older restoration to very good vintage race condition Shows use and age but still very presentable and appears to be ready to race. Set up for road racing with 4-wheel brakes, gearbox and Dunlop Racing tires. – Couldn’t be built for this price and set up for modern drivers’ feet, at this price or anything close to it this would be an exceptional value with plenty of places to exercise it. Lot # T079.1 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster; S/N 30867S110069; Engine # F0226SD 3110069; Daytona Blue/Saddle leather; Black vinyl top; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $41,250 plus commission of 7.00%; Final Price $44,138. – 327/300hp, Powerglide, P/S, P/B, AM-FM, P/W, Rally wheels with trim rings, red line radial tires – Good paint, chrome, glass and top. Very orderly engine compartment. Thoroughly restored some time ago and then driven. Represented as numbers-matching engine. Condition today is consistent with the 1,102 miles on the odometer since restoration. The color scheme is especially attractive and the leather interior is inviting. The whole car is perfectly matched to the Powerglide. – Most collector Corvettes of this era have 4-speeds. The 2,621 Powerglide ’63 Corvettes are largely lost which makes this one somewhat unusual. The value is discounted by the Powerglide (which Jim Hall proved was highly effective on his Chaparrals) and makes for a quality older restored Corvette at a modest price. Lot # T087 1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1 Fastback; S/N 9R02S106637; Black/Black vinyl; Modified restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $38,000 plus commission of 7.00%; Final Price $40,660. No Reserve – Modified 390/320hp, 4-speed, fiberglass hood with scoop, 5-spoke Shelby wheels, Radial T/A tires, P/S, P/B, pushbutton radio, Hurst shifter, console, Hooker headers – Decent repaint, good chrome and interior. Dusty and used. An interesting and unusual but not particularly good car with material modifications. – The presentation of this Mach 1 is unusual in the current car collecting environment but should not be unexpected. Old Mustangs (and Camaros and ‘Cudas and Chevelles and Fairlanes) frequently got just this sort of treatment by their second or third owners. What’s unusual is that by now most have been returned to stock configuration to cater to the collector market. This artifact of 70’s imagination will probably soon get the same treatment, which can be absorbed at modest cost. It’s a sound value at this price. Lot # T122 1929 Ford Model A Station Wagon; S/N A1766832; Red, Black fenders/Brown leatherette; Rebodied or re-created, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $19,000 plus commission of 7.00%; Final Price $20,330. – Single sidemount, whitewalls, alternator, radiator stoneguard, Red wire wheels, two row seating, no side curtains – Good paint and chrome, sound interior. Repro bodywork with nailer panels at roof joints. Body needs varnish but isn’t waterstained yet. Scuffed stainless headlight housings. A showy driver and parade car but no more than that. – Sold at Barrett-Jackson in Palm Beach in 2007 for $33,000 in essentially the same condition, it is a fun parade car or weekend errand runner at an entirely reasonable price even with the made-up body. Lot # T165 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Nomad 2-Dr. Station Wagon; S/N VC57L112661; Sierra Gold, Beige roof/White vinyl, Black cloth; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $49,000 plus commission of 7.00%; Final Price $52,430. – 283/220hp Power Pack, Powerglide, P/S, P/B, A/C, P/W, power seat, WonderBar radio, Autronic Eye, stoplight viewer, dual outside mirrors, tissue dispenser, smokeless ashtray, spinner wheel covers, whitewalls, electric wipers, windshield washer – 14,812 miles. Decent but aged old restoration that is sound but not fresh. Amazing complement of options. A highly desirable car but needs a comprehensive detailing. Paint and interior are very good. So is the major chrome, but some trim is scuffed and dull. – This Nomad leaves no options box unchecked, a comprehensive list of pretty much everything that could be had on a Chevy Bel Air in 1957. It was sold here in 2009 for $57,240 and is an even better buy today. Balancing the low miles against the neglected condition, it is a very good value for the money.
Mecum Indianapolis Original Spring Classic 2013 – Auction Report Page Ten
Lot # U087 1970 Plymouth Road Runner Superbird 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N RM23V0A177604; Alpine White, Matte Black hood, Black vinyl roof/White; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $140,000 $140,000. – 440/390hp Six Barrel, 4-speed, P/B, P/S, Magnum wheels with chrome rims, Goodyear race tires, Hurst pistol grip shifter, pushbutton radio, painted Road Runner graphics, gauges – The car card says this Superbird was raced in NASCAR by Roger McCluskey but its race history has been subsumed by a superficial cosmetic restoration in street car condition and some tacky Road Runner graphics. Very good paint, chrome and interior. Chassis is generously coated in road grime. Underbody has old undercoat. – Now it’s neither fish nor fowl, just a mediocre restoration with pointless graphics. Its NASCAR history is tenuous at best and ultimately irrelevant. A money offer over $100K should have been sufficient to see this Superbird loose and selling. Lot # U091 1969 Dodge Charger Daytona 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N XX29L9B355105; Yellow, Black tail band and wing/Black; Recent restoration, 2 condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $155,000 $155,000. – 440/375hp upgraded with Six Pack, automatic, P/S, P/B, Magnum wheels with trim rings, redline tires, dual outside mirrors, woodgrain steering wheel and console, cruise control, P/W, gauges – Freshly restored to showroom condition. Excellent attention to detail and cosmetics but the tail band is vinyl that doesn’t match the wing paint. 6,080 miles from new, documented with broadcast sheet. – The seller describes this as a ‘dealer-installed 440 Six Pack’ which is an essentially meaningless distinction. This was the last of the nine winged Mopars at Mecum Indy and with this configuration, even with the high quality restoration, it does not show good sense not to let it go, least of all if there was money anywhere near this bid. The same car before restoration but sound and usable was sold at Russo and Steele in Scottsdale in 2006 for $156,000, which may explain the sellers’ reluctance to part with it after adding significantly to its cost basis with the restoration. The sad fact is that the market’s appetite for expensive Charger Daytonas has slipped, and this handsome car is now perpetually under water. The sellers just need to accept the changed circumstances. Lot # U100 1963 Porsche 356B Cabriolet, Body by Reutter; S/N 156107; Engine # P607603; Cream (738)/Black leather; Black cloth top; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $102,000 plus commission of 7.00%; Final Price $109,140. – Blaupunkt multiband radio, silver painted wheels, Knecht air filters, clock, T6 twin grille body – Sound, presentable repaint, good new interior and older top. Lace-on leather steering wheel cover. Driver’s door isn’t flush, but close enough. Sound, straight California body. Pitted engine cover grilles and some other trim items, particularly the windshield lock strip. Engine compartment is orderly but not restored. A sound and presentable Porsche driver. – The chassis number would put this 356B in late ’61 production, as would the engine. This price is where Speedsters were not so long ago although in a Cab you get comfortable seats, headroom and rollup windows. A sound Porsche, the price pushes the envelope for this car’s condition. Lot # W156 1966 Pontiac GTO 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 242176P252405; Engine # 429942WT; Blue-Green/Blue-Green vinyl; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $34,000 plus commission of 7.00%; Final Price $36,380. – 389/335hp with Tri-Power added, 4-speed, P/B, buckets, no console, publication radio, black steel wheels, hubcaps, red line bias ply tires – Sound repaint, chrome, upholstery and glass. Sound, orderly engine compartment showing some use and age. Attractive colors. Cosmetically restored to good standards, an attractive and usable driver quality GTO. – The prices of GTOs are still a little surprising, lagging Chevelles by a considerable margin. That makes them a relatively good value even though, as in this case, their prices are in line with similar GTOs. The new owner could look long and hard before finding a less expensive way to gain the Muscle Car experience. Lot # W198 1967 Dodge Charger Hemi 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N XP29J72136088; Green/None; Recent restoration, 5 condition; Hammered Sold at $8,500 plus commission of 5.88%; Final Price $9,000. No Reserve – 426/425 Hemi, automatic. – Burnt to a crisp on the day its picture was taken for its feature/star car presentation in the Mecum Indy catalog. – This is scrap money and a discount (for hauling away the toasted junk body and chassis) on the value of the block core and heads for a non-matching numbers Hemi restoration project, but this is a thoroughly destroyed, incinerated, fried, immolated scrap Charger. The fact that the block is matching numbers to the Charger is, at this point, irrelevant. Lot # W200.1 1955 Buick Century 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 6B2054746; Red, White/Rid, White leatherette; Cosmetic restoration, 3- condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $25,500 $25,500. – Automatic, P/S, P/B, P/W, spinner wheel covers, whitewalls, pushbutton radio – Shiny old repaint, thin trim chrome, rust blisters along hood front. Good interior. Engine is orderly but aged. Chassis is dirty. Makes a good first impression that doesn’t hold up. – With the Century Buick foreshadowed the big engine/small body Muscle Car by years, even before the mid-50’s when this Century was the banker’s hot rod. Neglected and superficially dressed up, this Century should have been on its way to a new owner well before it reached this price. Lot # W220 1935 Chevrolet Standard Coupe; S/N 1EC121269; Ivory/Brown mohair; Recent restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $30,000 plus commission of 7.00%; Final Price $32,100. – Body color wire wheels, hubcaps, blackwall tires, trunk, rear-mounted spare, fog lights – Good paint, chrome, interior, glass and engine. Restored like new but with poor woodgraining on dash and windowsills. Goose hood ornament has lost its head. Chassis and underbody are like new. – There must be a dozen ’35 Fords for every ’35 Chevy that survives. That doesn’t translate into value, however, and this is a realistic price for this Standard Chevy with its basic appointments and live axle suspension. Lot # W246 1966 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe; S/N 194376S125339; Engine # T0622IP 6225339; Marina Blue/Blue; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $95,000 plus commission of 7.00%; Final Price $101,650. – 427/425hp, 4-speed, 4.11 Positraction, P/S, P/B, AM-FM, spinner wheel covers, narrow whitewalls, woodgrain steering wheel, side exhausts, power antenna – An older restoration with miles evident on the engine, chassis and interior and a fresh repaint to make it look good for the auction. – The repaint paid off. This mid-year Corvette was offered by Mecum at Bloomington Gold in 2010 where it brought a high bid of $59,000. This result would be generous for a Roadster in this condition. For this Coupe it is excessive. Lot # W273 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N VC56K001986; Matador Red, Dune Beige/Red vinyl, Beige cloth; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $37,000 plus commission of 7.00%; Final Price $39,590. – 265/162hp 2-barrel, 3-speed, pushbutton radio, tissue dispenser, wire wheel covers, whitewalls, grille guard, sill trim, door handle guards, stoplight viewer – An older restoration to like new condition showing a little age but little use, too. Paint is very good except for cracks on top of the left front fender. A few other details need attention but it won’t take much to be back in showroom condition. – All credit to the honest restoration of this ’56 Bel Air. It could have been given a Power Pack 4-barrel intake, or even dual quads, and there would be no way to tell it hadn’t been built that way. This is a quality restoration that will be even better after some remedial detailing and maybe some attention to the fender’s prep and paint. It is a sound value at this price. Lot # W293 1986 Ferrari Mondial 3.2 Cabriolet; S/N ZFFXC26A3G0060531; Red/Tan leather; Black cloth top; Visually maintained, largely original, 3+ condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $20,000 $20,000. – TRX wheels and tires, P/W – Good paint with a few nose chips. Good top and lightly worn interior. A clean and well maintained used Mondial. Good tires with lots of tread. 12,465 miles showing could be real. – This may be the most frequently traded Mondial in the world. Sold for $39,960 at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale in 2004 and 2005 (yes, the same price), then $43,200 in 2006 and $28,600 in Las Vegas in 2008 and $26,400 back in WestWorld in 2012. Not surprisingly it didn’t find a home at this bid in 2013. Lot # W302 1979 Porsche 930 Turbo Coupe; S/N 9309800346; Black/Black leather; Unrestored original, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $41,000 plus commission of 7.00%; Final Price $43,870. – Sunroof, Clarion CD changer stereo, P/W, BBS modular wheels – Tired, musty-smelling used car. Worn original interior, sound but unattractive paint. An unappealing, neglected Porsche. – The bidders shrugged off the deficient condition of this 930 Turbo and planted a big kiss on the seller with this price. Lot # W308 1947 Lincoln Convertible; S/N 7H159982; Metallic Green/Brown, tan leatherette; Bleached cloth top; Visually maintained, largely original, 4+ condition; Hammered Sold at $48,000 plus commission of 7.00%; Final Price $51,360. – Radio, P/W, power top, heater, clock, skirts, hubcaps, trim rings, wide whitewalls – Sound, clean, orderly largely original old car with a decent recent repaint. Scratched window trim, sound older upholstery but not very attractive. Top is old, frayed and fragile. Thin interior chrome. Has many needs. – This price should have bought a real restored car, not this tired, erratic, aged superficial cosmetic restoration. It is overvalued by a third at this result.
[Source: Rick Carey]
