Mecum Auctions, Salmon Brothers Collection, North Little Rock, Arkansas, June 16, 2012
Report and photos by Rick Carey, Auction Editor
Mecum Auctions hasn’t been noted for single-owner collection sales. Until now.
The sale of Tom and Don Salmon’s collection was not only a commercial success, bringing $6.8 million in total sales on the cars alone but also in putting on an essentially flawless event with all lots offered without reserve.
The cars were displayed to advantage, described in a full color catalog and most of them drove onto the block. Friday evening brought a fried feast of exceptional Southern cooking, catfish, shrimp, chicken, potatoes with cocktail and tartar sauce and ketchup garnish offset by cole slaw, pickles and pickled tomatoes, washed down by sweet tea and pink lemonade for bidders and guests.
It was done right, with Mecum’s usual efficiency in bringing the cars to the block in the right sequence, on time and working through the bidding quickly and transparently.
The collection was heavy in Fifties iron, particularly ’57 Chevys, but any fears it might overwhelm the ’57 Chevy market was quickly dispelled. All the bidders were here, and if they weren’t on-site they were on the phones, sometimes five or six phone bidders on a single car.
Sale day was hot, I mean HOT, and humid but Mecum had brought in multiple industrial strength A/C units that squeezed the heat and humidity out of the Arkansas air and kept the auction building livable despite a standing room only crowd.
Mecum Auctions may not have made much money on the Salmon Brothers’ event but it made its mark in single-owner collection sales with a quality event conducted in a constrained area with nary a visible flaw.
That will pay dividends when making pitches for similar sales and makes any subsequent Mecum Auctions single-owner sales events to watch.
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Mecum Salmon Brothers Collection – Auction Report
Lot # S084 1931 Auburn 8-98 Cabriolet; S/N 54154; Burgundy, Silver accent/Burgundy leather; Tan cloth top; Older restoration, 1- condition; Hammered Sold at $97,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $107,250 — Chrome wire wheels, wide dual side whitewalls, rear mounted spare, Trippe lights, Depress Beam headlights. Very good paint, interior and top. Good major chrome but some thinning trim. 1990 AACA Grand National winner that is still exceptional. ACD Category 1 certified. A sharp automobile with Auburn’s design flair that still looks sleek and sporting 80 years after it was built, with a quality old restoration that is holding up better than could be expected. This price is entirely reasonable, even a good value, for a quality, distinctive car like this.Lot # S075 1931 Cadillac 355-A V-8 Dual Cowl Phaeton, Body by Fleetwood; S/N D4660803650; Engine # 8-3757; Tan, Brown accent, Black fenders/Dark Brown leather; Tan cloth top; Older restoration, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $90,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $99,000 — Orange wire wheels, wide whitewalls, dual cloth covered sidemounts with mirrors, tan cloth covered trunk, dual windshields, windwings, Pilot-Rays, radiator stoneguard. Good paint but dated colors. Upholstery is sound but shows use, on the front seat especially. Good chrome. Chassis is toured, oily and grimy. Body style 4560, Number 11. Trunk and sidemount covers and top boot are soiled and stained. This poor old girl has seen better days, not only in condition but also in the muddy colors it wears from a long-ago restoration. Its Fleetwood coachwork helps offset the effect of the V-8’s short hood. The long hood V-12s and V-16s are so much better looking. All that said, this is a sound and usable CCCA Full Classic ™ Cadillac at a reasonable price.Lot # S081 1934 Cadillac 370-D V-12 All Weather Phaeton, Body by Fleetwood; S/N 410303; Engine # 4100303; Dark Grey, Black fenders/Burgundy leather; Black cloth top; Concours restoration, 1- condition; Hammered Sold at $200,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $220,000 — Steel wheels with body color discs, dual enclosed sidemounts, metal trunk, biplane bumpers, rollup division, footrests. Restored in 1994, displayed at Amelia Island and except for some touched up small chips still show ready. 1994 AACA Senior National First Prize. Easily the star of the show, a superbly restored concours car of impeccable quality and nearly impeccable condition. The coachwork is rather heavy and Teutonic, but incredibly comfortable, luxurious and aristocratic. It sold just a year ago at Branson Spring for $186,060 in a post-block transaction and is fully priced here at a modest profit for the Salmon Brothers.Lot # S061 1932 Chevrolet Deluxe Roadster; S/N 6BA0417053; Mid Tan, Cocoa Brown fenders and accent/Tobacco Brown leatherette; Tan cloth top; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $48,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $52,800 — Orange wire wheels, hubcaps, whitewalls, freewheeling, wind wings, metal trunk, dual sidemounts with mirrors, dual horns, chrome hood vent doors. Excellent older paint, interior, top and most chrome. Driver’s windwing cracked. Engine and chassis show a little age but are nearly show ready. Aside from the muddy colors this is an extremely handsome old Chevy that has been restored to high standards and maintained very well. It brought an extraordinary price that is almost as much as the ’32 Ford V-8 Roadster brought a few cars later. Not to quibble about relative values, but this is the more expensive of the two.Lot # S046 1954 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster; S/N E54S002297; Engine # 0536673 F54YG; Polo White/Red vinyl; Visually maintained, largely original, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $55,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $60,500 — 235/155hp, Powerglide, WonderBar radio, wheel covers, whitewalls, bullet air cleaners, windshield washers. Mostly original with a new interior and repaint that still shows the fiberglass weave. Engine looks like it’s never been out. Crazed dash top paint, good instruments, steering wheel and interior chrome, including on the side curtains. 44,868 miles on the odometer might be real. This is right on the money for this 54’s presentation and originality.Lot # S124 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air Convertible; S/N VC55J140458; Gypsy Red, Shoreline Beige/Red, Beige vinyl; White vinyl top; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $60,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $66,000 — 265/162hp 2-barrel, Powerglide, dual exhausts, P/S, P/B, continental kit, WonderBar radio, wheelcovers, whitewall bias ply tires, sill moldings, grille guard. A quality older restoration to like new condition that has been maintained very well. Not fresh, but could be with a thorough detailing. ’57 Bel Airs are the most popular Tri-Five Chevys, but the ’55 is the most pure, clean and sophisticated design. There is nothing special about this car, but it’s thoughtfully and meticulously restored, sharp and clean. The price it brought, at an auction filled with similar models and years, is entirely representative of its value.Lot # S126 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air Convertible; S/N VC56B007056; Light Blue, Colonial White/Two tone Blue vinyl; White vinyl top; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $70,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $77,000 — 265/162hp 2-barrel, Powerglide, wheel covers, whitewalls, skirts, pushbutton radio, heater, continental kit. Restored like new with shiny black underhood, excellent paint, chrome and interior. An unusually attractive, well done and well maintained ’56. One of the best restored and maintained of the Salmon brothers’ cars, this ’56 brought a deserved superior price.Lot # S070 1957 Chevrolet 3164 Cameo Pickup; S/N V3A57K139362; Cardinal Red, Bombay Ivory accent/Ivory vinyl, Red cloth; Truck restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $53,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $58,300 — 283/185hp, overdrive 3-speed, radio, heater, hubcaps, trim rings, whitewalls, dual outside mirrors, windshield and side window visors. Later block with small, blank, engine number pad, probably not a 283. Cosmetically restored with very good paint, chrome and interior. Underbody and chassis are quickly done, with paint over old undercoat. Makes a great first impression and holds up to all but the closest inspection. This is serious money, but also a serious Cameo in attractive colors. The later engine block doesn’t make a lot of difference in this truck, but it doesn’t add anything, either. This is a top price for a less than fully restored Cameo. It would have been a sound buy at $45,000.Lot # S102 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N VC57S147494; Sierra Gold, Beige roof/Beige vinyl, Black cloth; Older restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $50,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $55,000 — 283/220hp Power Pack, Powerglide, P/S, P/B, electric wipers, pushbutton radio, dual outside mirrors, skirts, spinner wheel covers, whitewalls, front bumper guards, underhood light. Restored like new without being overdone. Excellent clearcoat repaint, chrome, interior and glass. Orderly, clean and showroom ready underhood. This may have been the only ’57 Chevy in the Salmon brothers collection that didn’t have a continental kit, in my view a plus for the car. The restoration is very good, holding up very well and in one of the best Tri-Five Chevy colors (but I’m prejudiced, it’s the same color as the first car I owned.) This is an appropriate result for a strong Power Pack 2-Dr. Hardtop.Lot # S117 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N VC57K139969; Engine # F115F; Red, White roof/Red vinyl, Black cloth; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $35,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $38,500 — Described as a 265 2-barrel, the block stamping is for a 283 2-barrel. Powerglide, no P/B or P/S, heater, pushbutton radio, dual outside mirrors, spinner wheelcovers, whitewall radial tires. Attractively but not extravagantly restored with good paint, chrome and interior. Tidy engine compartment, underbody and chassis. Chipped hood edges, delaminating vent window. Good door fits. Flawed hood paint on left front corner. A sound, honest car. Sold for $32,400 at the Leake Dallas auction in November 2005 freshly restored, then $38,880 at Branson Spring in 2009. This result fully values the car and its aged and used restoration.Lot # S099 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Convertible; S/N VC57O133882; Harbor Blue/Two tone Blue vinyl; Light Blue vinyl top; Older restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $78,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $85,800 — 283/220hp Power Pack, Powerglide, P/S, P/B, pushbutton radio, spinner wheel covers, whitewalls, continental kit, skirts, electric wipers, dual outside mirrors, bumper overriders. No engine numbers. Excellent clearcoat paint, chrome, top, glass and interior. Restored like new in a very pretty color combination. It’s the color that makes this car pop, as well as complementing an impressive restoration. The price reflects the quality of the car and its eye-appeal.Lot # S127 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Convertible; S/N VC57K152085; Engine # F215FC; Matador Red/Red, Silver vinyl; White vinyl roof; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $71,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $78,100 — 283/220hp, automatic, P/S, P/B, Vintage Air A/C, electric wipers, P/W, skirts, dual rear antennas, spinner wheel covers, whitewalls, pushbutton radio, continental kit. Decent paint, interior and top. Good major chrome but scuffed trim. Doors don’t close flush. Underbody is clean but engine is a bit oily. A shiny driver. This ’57 ticked most of the buttons including power steering and power brakes to make it an enjoyable driver for today’s collectors who don’t expect to have to muscle their Bel Air into a parking spot, and modern A/C for comfort on a hot, humid day. The weather in North Little Rock for the Salmon brothers’ auction (90+ degrees and 80%+ humidity) may have heightened the bidders awareness of A/C’s desirability and contributed to this handsome driver’s handsome price.Lot # S110 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Convertible; S/N VC57L130029; Engine # F1203FC; Colonial Cream/Yellow, Silver vinyl; Black vinyl top; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $62,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $68,750 — 283/220hp, Powerglide, P/S, P/B, heater, pushbutton radio, spinner wheel covers, whitewalls, continental kit, skirts. Good older paint, chrome and interior. Slightly uneven door gaps, filled door bottoms. Was restored nearly like new but has plenty of subsequent use. A sound driver with potential. Chevy’s Colonial Cream must have been loaded with butterfat, because their paint color is very yellow. Out of 13 colors Chevy offered that year there were eight ’57 Chevy Bel Air convertibles in the Salmon brothers’ collection, each in a different paint color. It was quite a display but even with such a heavy representation they all brought strong prices.Lot # S107 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Convertible; S/N VC57K131275; Engine # F328GC; Tropical Turquoise/Turquoise, White vinyl; White vinyl top; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $68,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $74,800 — 283/220hp, Powerglide, P/S, P/B, electric wipers, spinner wheel covers, whitewalls, skirts, continental kit. Good paint but filled, puffy doors. Driver’s door fits badly. Good upholstery, top, chrome and glass. Some weak trim chrome. Underbody and chassis are done nearly like new but engine shows age and some use. A nice car, except for that door. This is a full price for this car’s unimpressive bodywork.Lot # S034 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air FI Convertible; S/N VC57B186830; Engine # F111FJ; Matador Red/Red, Silver vinyl; White vinyl top; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $90,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $99,000 — 283/250hp block now described as a 283/283, Powerglide, spinner wheel covers, whitewalls, P/S, no P/B, WonderBar radio, electric wipers, skirts, dual rear antennas, continental kit, remote spotlight-mirror, one piece California front bumper. Excellent paint, chrome and interior. Top is a little soiled at bows. Underhood shows some age and a little paint damage from a brake fluid leak. Otherwise hard to fault. Has received some cosmetic attention since it sold for $108,000 at Branson Spring three years ago. The confusion over the engine’s specs is regrettable and should have been obvious to the Mecum (“Muscle Cars and More”) catalogers. Even at that, however, it brought a relatively modest price for its configuration and genuinely solid and attractive condition.Lot # S076 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Nomad FI 2-Dr. Station Wagon; S/N VC57S227317; Engine # F1224FJ; Black/Red vinyl, Black cloth; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $100,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $110,000 — 283/250hp fuel injection (not the 283/283hp as it was cataloged), Powerglide, P/S, P/B, spinner wheel covers, whitewalls, one piece California bumper. Restored thirty years ago and starting to look like it. Some weak chrome and paint chips, good interior, dusty and aged underhood. A mighty nice Nomad that will be better after some attention. So many of these were cannibalized to make street rods it’s good to see one preserved in stock form. No representation was made, however, about the correctness of its configuration and there’s little to tell from the car itself although the cold air intake for the FI unit was crudely stapled to the inner fender well. Chevy’s factories in 1957 didn’t have much opportunity to perfect the assembly of FI-engined Bel Airs, though, so some expediency is to be expected. One of the most anticipated (and promoted) of the Salmon Brothers’ cars, this price appropriately balances condition with innate desirability.Lot # S096 1957 Chevrolet Corvette FI Convertible; S/N E57S104596; Engine # F410EH; Venetian Red, Beige coves/Red vinyl; Beige cloth top; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $91,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $100,100 — 283/245hp dual quad hydraulic lifter block with fuel injection, 4-speed, hubcaps, bias ply blackwall tires, no radio or heater. Good major chrome and interior. Shiny but flawed paint with 3 inch crack on hood. Good dash and instruments. Underbody and chassis superficially squirted with chassis black. Bottom of the engine compartment is road grimy. Window frame and sill chrome scratched. A shiny but seriously flawed driver. No documentation at all was offered or described, a serious oversight shared by most of the Salmon brothers’ collection. The bidders handicapped the value for the car’s needs as well as for the empty documentation folder although in my opinion they should have handicapped it a bit more.Lot # S130 1958 Chevrolet Bel Air Impala 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N F58B169275; Engine # T203G; Black/Red, Black, Silver vinyl; Visually maintained, largely original, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $55,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $60,500 — 348/250hp Turbo Thrust, Powerglide, P/S, P/B, pushbutton radio, bench seat, dual rear antennas, continental kit, skirts, spinner wheel covers, dual remote spotlight mirrors. Poorly done and now failing old repaint, sound chrome, cracked old body seals. Grungy chassis, scuffed trim chrome. A presentable but deficient driver quality car. The bidders accurately gauged the pros and cons of this Impala and arrived at a reasonable price. Many of its shortcomings can be remedied with minimal effort, but others — like the paint — will require more comprehensive and expensive work. This is reasonable money for a flawed but reasonable Impala.Lot # S134 1958 Chevrolet Bel Air Impala Convertible; S/N 8176727657; Engine # None; White/Red, Black, Silver vinyl; Black vinyl top; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $62,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $68,200 — 348 4-barrel, Powerglide, P/S, WonderBar radio, dual rear antennas, spinner wheel covers, whitewalls, continental kit. Good paint and major chrome, good interior and top. Top of engine is clean but the depths of the engine compartment are grungy and the underbody is painted assembled. Delaminating driver’s window. Incorrect VIN on non-original plate. Thin window trim chrome. A good car to avoid. No one seemed put off by the numerous inconsistencies of this Impala, if the price it brought is any guide. It is not a good buy at this price.Lot # S122 1959 Chevrolet El Camino; S/N H59L167513; Engine # T1115H; Light Yellow/Black vinyl; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $41,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $45,100 — 348/250hp 4-barrel with Tri-Power added, 4-speed, P/S, P/B, heater, pushbutton radio, skirts, dual outside mirrors, spinner wheel covers, whitewalls. Restored like new. Sills and door bottoms filled, but well. Good paint, chrome, upholstery, underhood and chassis. Coolant outlet has leaked and is covered in residue crystals. Engine is a little oily from use but could be detailed back to nearly showroom condition. It is hard to imagine a much better El Camino than this, with its flying saucer roof and seagull fins not to mention the thumping great truck motor under the hood. Purists might scoff at the Tri-Power intake, until they open the hood and are captivated by the sight, or dusted at a stoplight. It is one of the few bargains at the Salmon brothers collection sale.Lot # S147 1961 Chevrolet Corvair 95 Rampside Pickup; S/N 1R124S118302; White, Red/Red vinyl, cloth; Truck restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $24,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $26,400 — 4-speed, radio, heater, wheel covers, whitewalls. Decent repaint, good upholstery. Underbody cleaned up but not restored. Better than most and looks good even up close, but still a quick truck restoration. Last week’s Leake Tulsa auction had a Corvair Rampside, now there’s another (and somewhat better) one in the Salmon brothers’ collection. Tulsa’s sold for $12,528 and even though the Salmons’ is better it’s not this much better.Lot # S106 1962 Chevrolet Corvette FI Convertible; S/N 20867S114334; Engine # S114334 F0618RF; Roman Red/Red vinyl; Black vinyl top; Cosmetic restoration, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $62,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $68,200 — 327/360hp FI car with a Edelbrock 4-barrel, 4-speed, 3.70 Positraction, P/W, heater, WonderBar radio, spinner wheel covers, narrow whitewalls. Block is appropriately coded for the 360hp fuel injection engine and this chassis number. Shiny but flawed older repaint, good upholstery and major chrome, weak trim chrome. Engine compartment is aged and oil misted. Old undercoat on body. Needs a full restoration to reach its potential, but is more than good enough to drive and enjoy as is. Cataloged as a 327/340hp 4-barrel with a Carter carb, which it definitely isn’t. Beyond that it’s anyone’s guess without getting in touch with NCRS, a simple step that could have added value to this car if it turns out to be an original Fuelie, particularly a 360hp. Replacing the complicated FI unit with a 4-barrel was fairly common in the years when these were just used cars. At this price the new owner is somewhat at risk of discovering nothing matches, but also has the potential of a windfall if it does match up and a suitable FI unit can be found.
Lot # S101 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster; S/N 30867S116652; Engine # 3116652 F0524RD; Riverside Red/Black vinyl; Black top; Recent restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $51,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $56,100 — 327/300hp, 4-speed, AM-FM, alloy wheels, narrow whitewalls. Good paint, chrome and interior. Competently restored to good driver condition. Sold at Branson in 2002 in tired and used largely original condition (in Gold over Gold) for $23,100, it’s had a good restoration since then and brought a price that is fair to both the buyer and the sellers.Lot # S089 1963 Chevrolet Impala SS Convertible; S/N 31867J232118; Engine # 3232118 T3120C; Black/Red vinyl; Black vinyl top; Older restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $90,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $99,000 — 409/340hp, 4-speed, 3.80 Positraction, engine dress up, P/S, P/B, A/C, buckets and console, spinner wheel covers, factory tach, narrow whitewalls, dual rear antennas, pushbutton radio, grille guard, T3 headlights. Restored like new, excellent cosmetics throughout. Shows a little age but no use at all. One of the best cars in the collection. It’s impossible not to like this 409, 4-speed Impala SS a lot. Not only is its configuration choice but its restoration is strong and correct. Triple black adds to its appeal and it’s worth every penny of the price it brought. A little more would not have been too much.Lot # S023 1966 Chevrolet Chevy II SS 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 118376N130963; Regal Red/Red vinyl; Recent restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $77,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $84,700 — 327/350hp, 4-speed, bucket seats, pushbutton radio, spinner wheel covers, narrow whitewalls, no P/S or P/B. Restored like new with very good paint, chrome and interior. This is a real little pocket rocket and the high output small block will surprise many, even most, big block powered muscle cars. The exemplary condition and highly desirable, rare drivetrain brought an enthusiastic price from the North Little Rock bidders, but no more than the car was worth.Lot # S087 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454 LS6 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 136370K145535; Cranberry Red, Black stripes/Black vinyl; Cosmetic restoration, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $77,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $85,250 — 454/450hp, M22 4-speed, 4.11 Posi-Traction, P/S, power front disc brakes, heater, pushbutton radio, Super Stock wheels, F70-14 Polyglas tires, cowl induction hood, buckets and console. Flawed repaint erratically wet sanded. Underbody, chassis and engine given a quick cosmetic re-do. No numbers on engine block. Thin trim chrome. No documentation of its original configuration was offered. Looks good from ten feet with the hood closed. In good driver condition but far from a show car, the lack of documentation makes this LS6 a difficult buy, a conclusion which the bidders today endorsed with this moderate price.Lot # S079 1936 Cord 810 Convertible Coupe Sportsman; S/N 2386F; Engine # FB239; Burgundy/Black leather; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $135,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $148,500 — Wide whitewalls, radio, Cord fog lights. Repro ID plate. Very good older paint, interior and major chrome. Some scratched, scuffed trim income. Orderly underhood but thickly repainted in places. Good dash, instrument panel and gauges. Better than a driver but no longer a front line show car. The Convertible Coupe, known colloquially but universally as the “Sportsman”, is the most desired of all Cord 810/812 body styles (except the elusive coupe.) This is a remarkably good value that could have brought — even in this aged and lightly used condition — another $15-20,000 on the hammer without being expensive.Lot # S074 1932 Ford V-8 Deluxe Roadster; S/N 181211802; Winter Leaf Brown, Dark Brown accent, Black fenders/Copra Drab leather; Tan cloth top; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $50,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $55,000 — Cream wire wheels, hubcaps, whitewalls, no trim rings, dual sidemounts with mirrors, greyhound, trunk rack, windwings. A quality older restoration with no apparent use and little age. A very nice example. Famous, for sure, the first Ford V-8 of 1932 set America firmly on the V-8 path, from which it has only rarely looked back or stepped aside. V-8 Roadsters were hot rodders’ favorites and most of the ones that weren’t run into the ground were chopped, channeled, raked and smoothed. Finding a clean, straight, well-restored example like this is no small thing and it more than justifies the money it brought.Lot # S064 1940 Ford 01C Pickup; S/N 18598230; Red/Black leatherette; Truck restoration, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $37,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $40,700 — Hubcaps, trim rings, whitewalls, chrome bumpers and grille, varnished wood bed floor with stainless bed strips, single bed-side spare. Quickly cosmetically redone with orange-peely paint, sound interior, good chrome. underbody and frame are quickly painted over peeling, chipped paint. A utilitarian driver quality but sound and usable old truck. The price of this ’40 Ford is all about the ’40 Ford itself and very little about its marginal presentation. It is really a canvas on which the new owner can express him/herself. The price it brought reflects the buyer’s and underbidder’s vision of what it can be.Lot # S115 1956 Ford Thunderbird Convertible; S/N P6FH332841; Torch Red/Red, White vinyl; Black cloth top; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $43,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $47,300 — 312/225hp, automatic, P/B, Town & Country radio, chrome wire wheels, bias ply whitewall tires. Painted over old undercoat on chassis and underbody. Good paint and panel fits. Good interior and chrome except for some weak trim. Engine compartment is orderly and attractive. Competently cosmetically restored and maintained. This is a representative value for a representative ’57 Thunderbird.Lot # S039 1957 Ford Ranchero; S/N C7KF150606; Starmist Blue, Colonial White/Blue, White vinyl; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $49,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $53,900 — 292/212hp with dual quads added, A/C, automatic, pushbutton radio, P/S, wheelcovers, whitewalls. Carbs are standard Ford (tiny) 4-barrels, not proper dual quad E-bird carbs. Restored to good driving condition with good paint, flat panels, good fits, good chrome and upholstery. Intriguing, but not as it left the factory, this Ranchero would have been a better value at $39,000 than the $49,000 is brought from the North Little Rock bidders.Lot # S105 1957 Ford Thunderbird Convertible; S/N E7FH395476; Starmist Blue/White vinyl; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $87,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $96,250 — 312/270hp dual quads, automatic, P/B, P/S, chrome wire wheels, whitewall bias ply tires, Town & Country radio, skirts, porthole hardtop only. Good paint except for some visible prep scratches. Good interior and major chrome but some weak trim. Very good but aged underhood. Overall can be better than new once some weaknesses are addressed. 2-seat Thunderbird values have been weak recently but there is nothing weak about this price. It reflects a quality restoration and excellent presentation but it’s hard to imagine it bringing any more even after its cosmetic issues are addressed.Lot # S121 1963 Ford Galaxie 500XL 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 3P67G134643; Black/Red vinyl; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $51,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $56,100 — 406/405hp, 3×2 Holley carbs, solid lifters 11.5:1 compression, 4-speed, no P/S or P/B, poverty caps, bias ply blackwall tires, heater, pushbutton radio, buckets & console. Good paint, interior and chrome. Older restoration to like new restoration. Clean but shows a little age underhood. A sound and presentable cosmetic restoration of a neat car. The 406/405 with three deuces was a very impressive, but short lived, combination when introduced, and it still is. This is a no-nonsense, plain jane notchback not likely to excite much interest until onlookers spot the ‘406’ badge or catch the rumble of the big V-8. Either way, it is a choice car that brought a choice price.Lot # S022 1945 Hudson Super Six Pickup; S/N 3810263; Gold/Beige vinyl; Visually maintained, largely original, 4+ condition; Hammered Sold at $22,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $24,200 — Twin-H intake, 3-speed, radio, heater, varnished wood bed floor with wood strips, hubcaps, trim rings, whitewalls, grille-mounted fog lights. Poor but sound older repaint over filled body. Upholstery, instrument, panel and steering wheel not done. Delaminating glass. Headliner cloth wrapped under rear window gasket and sticking out. Underbody painted assembled. A neat and generally sound truck that deserves better but is no more than a project as it sits. Offered at Branson Fall in 2004 where it no-saled (wisely) at $21,000, this seriously needy Hudson brought all the money it could possibly find here. The Twin-H intake wasn’t offered by Hudson until 1952, making this pickup an intriguing hot rod. Its condition leaves a lot (a LOT) to be desired and the Salmons should be overjoyed to get this much for it.Lot # S040 1952 Hudson Hornet 2-Dr. Hardtop Hollywood; S/N 198342; Dark Maroon/Maroon vinyl, cloth; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $42,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $46,750 — Twin-H intake on flathead six, automatic, pushbutton radio, windshield visor, headlight viewer, skirts, turn signals, Hudson fog lights, wide hubcaps, trim rings, bias ply whitewalls. Badged for the standard Hornet engine. An older restoration with some miles and use, a little oil mist under the hood and definitely aged but sound and straight with presentable paint, chrome and interior. A neat car, except for the slush box. Step-down Hudsons are particularly neat old cars with many things going for them, including the NASCAR-winning performance of the Twin-H six, but haven’t caught on with collectors. That makes this a generous price considering the upgraded engine and automatic box.Lot # S067 1922 Hupmobile Phaeton; S/N 69221; Burgundy, Black fenders/Tan leatherette; Black cloth top; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $25,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $27,500 — Varnished wood spoke wheels, blackwall tires, wind wings, Hupmobile MotoMeter, dual panel opening windshield, rear-mounted spare. Fair repaint and upholstery. Chassis and engine cleaned up and painted but not restored. A marginal driver and tour car. It’s just a car, but it’s a car that can be fixed up and used as it is with some pride and pleasure at having a highly unusual antique for weekend drives and tours. The price it brought makes sense.Lot # S029 1948 International KB Station Wagon; S/N KB189689; Black/Red leatherette; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $57,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $63,250 — 3-speed, 3-row seating, yellow wheels, hubcaps, trim rings, whitewalls, heater, remote spotlight, International fog lights, chrome grille and bumpers, rollup front door windows and sliding side windows. Tailgate latch missing. Cosmetically restored to very good driving condition. Sound paint and chrome, very good interior and wood. Chassis is covered in oily road grime. Somewhat out of character even among the Salmon Brothers’ extensive collection of pickups, this International stands out, and proudly, too. It is abundantly utilitarian and presentable although not in show quality condition and brought an entirely reasonable price.Lot # S071 1908 Maxwell LC Runabout; S/N LC6564; Light Green, Black fenders/Black leather; Black cloth top; Unrestored original, 4+ condition; Hammered Sold at $19,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $20,900 — RHD. Front-mounted opposed twin, shaft drive, Phoebus acetylene headlights, kerosene sidelights and taillight. Poor, peeling, blistered old paint, usable upholstery and top, dull brass. Pretty much all there but needs restoration. Despite its abundant needs the new owner got a charming old car for a reasonable price. Of work it needs plenty, but it’s going to be straight forward work on the car, not a constant frustrating search for missing bits that keeps it from being finished quickly and efficiently.Lot # S036 1949 Mercury M-47 Pickup; S/N 9E24158; Fez Red/Brown leatherette; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $27,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $29,700 — V-8, 3-speed, hubcaps, trim rings, whitewalls, painted steel bed floor. Quick, orange-peely repaint, sound new interior, otherwise mostly original and tired. Road grimy chassis, frayed original wiring. An auction truck. This is a Ford F-1 with Mercury badges and some extra chrome. Its condition does not commend it in any way. Basically, everything that’s been done on it with the exception of the upholstery and chrome needs to be done over to have anything other than a weekend errand-runner. And this is a lot to pay for that.Lot # S120 1956 Mercury Montclair Convertible; S/N 56SL94608M; Classic White, Persimmon Red/White, Red vinyl; White vinyl top; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $42,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $46,750 — 312, automatic, P/S, P/B, windshield washer, Town & Country radio, skirts, spinner wheel covers, dual outside mirrors, continental kit. An older cosmetic restoration with good paint and interior but failing trim chrome and an underbody repainted assembled and over old undercoat. Looks good but not up close or down deep. A fair driver price for a fair driver car.Lot # S035 1920 Oakland 34C Roadster; S/N; Maroon, Black fenders/Black leather; Black leatherette top; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $14,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $15,400 — Black wood spoke wheels, whitewall tires, wind wings, Oakland Motometer rear-mounted spare, side curtains. Exposed valve gear for the overhead valves is painted and dry and doesn’t look like it has run more than a few minutes. Quick old repaint, good upholstery and tires. Black painted trim. Windshield note says ‘No Brakes.’ Superficially restored and not very pretty but sound and complete. Much more rare and powerful than a comparable Ford, the new owner of this Oakland has some work to do, but it’s all simple and straightforward. At this price there is enough flexibility to put it right without going underwater.Lot # S097 1967 Plymouth Belvedere II Hemi 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N RH23J71181606; Black, Black vinyl roof/Black vinyl; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $87,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $96,250 — 426/425hp Hemi, automatic, hubcaps, red line Sup-R-Belt tries, Sure Grip, no P/S, P/B or radio. An older restoration to like new condition. Good paint, chrome, interior and engine. Shows some age but little use. Freshly compounded and not cleaned up very well. There was some drivel in the catalog about the Hemi not being available in the ’67 Belvedere II, but all my books mention and price it. The bidders here rose to the car’s plain pipe racks presentation and attached a serious price to it.Lot # S073 1957 Pontiac Bonneville Convertible; S/N P857H32589; Kenya Ivory, Red accent/Red, White vinyl; White vinyl top; Visually maintained, largely original, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $90,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $99,000 — 347/310hp fuel injection, automatic, P/S, P/B, electric wipers, windshield washers, spinner wheelcovers, whitewalls, power rear antenna, continental kit, WonderBar radio, P/W, power bench seat. Very good older paint, interior, chrome and top. Engine is attractively detailed but not restored. Chassis has been cleaned up and repainted. The 53,033 miles on the odometer could be real. Exceptionally rare — much more even than a FI Bel Air convertible (of which the one in the Salmon Brothers’ collection brought identical money in somewhat better condition.) The market hasn’t really appreciated the rarity and performance of the Bonneville FI, but someday may well making this an astute acquisition.Lot # S100 1968 Pontiac GTO 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 242378P321635; Regimental Red, Black vinyl roof/Black vinyl; Visually maintained, largely original, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $40,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $44,000 — 400/360hp Ram Air II with unnumbered block, 4-speed, P/S, P/B, hood tach, pushbutton radio, underdash 8-track, tilt steering column, bucket seats, no console, woodgrain steering wheel, Rally II wheels, red line F70-15 Wide Oval tires. Good older repaint, otherwise looks original appropriate to the 66,826 miles on the odometer. Cracked shift lever boot, soiled interior trim, grimy underbody and deep in the engine compartment. If this GTO was ‘fully restored’ as the catalog says, it was a long time ago and then someone drove the snot out of it without spending much time cleaning it up between runs. Sound and complete as well as desirably configured (aside from the unnumbered block), it is fully priced at this result.
