RM Auctions, John Staluppi Collection, North Palm Beach, Florida, December 1, 2012
Report and photos by Rick Carey, Auction Editor
Single owner collections are always fun. The cars reflect the outlook of the person who assembled the collection. Often they’re well known and recognized by other collectors for their provenance.
So it was with some anticipation that I flew to Florida in late November for RM’s sale of John Staluppi’s collection. I wasn’t prepared for the superb environment he’d built for them, as impressive as any single owner’s collection I’ve seen, with a whole shadow box village around the periphery, a magnificent bar in the back corner and a breathtakingly detailed and landscaped Lionel O-gauge three-level model railroad setup too large to fit in single-car garage bay, all surrounding a beautifully restored 32-foot Herschell-Spillman carousel.
The trains brought $103,500, the carousel $460,000.
The cars brought, if it’s conceivable, even more.
John Staluppi has apparently scratched this itch and is going to turn his car collecting attention elsewhere. The Cars of Dreams Museum was sold out to the bare walls. Everything was offered without reserve and he ended up with over $10 million in his pocket to start his new collecting gig.
Naturally – except for one withdrawn lot – everything was sold, much of it for prices hard to conceive. $78,100 for a ’66 Mustang (2-barrel 289, automatic) convertible? It was frequently breathtaking, full retail and more.
But that’s part of the excitement of single-owner collection auctions. Buzz runs high and good sense is sometimes subsumed by exuberance.
113 cars were offered, all sold for a total of $10,421,950 with commission, an average of $92,230 and a median transaction of $82,500. 38 cars, 31%, sold for under the low estimate, but 19, 16.8%, sold for over the high estimate, sometimes way over. The low estimate on sold cars was $8,644,000; the hammer bids totaled $9,474,500, 109.6% of the low estimate.
RM Auctions John Staluppi Collection 2012 – Auction Report
Lot # 210 1965 Ford Mustang 2+2 Fastback Coupe; S/N 5F09A315845; Vintage Burgundy/Black vinyl; Estimate $40,000 – $50,000; Older restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $57,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $62,700 — No Reserve. 289/225hp, 4-speed, styled wheels, red line tires, pushbutton radio, front disc brakes. Excellent paint, chrome and interior. Restored like new without going overboard. Replacement engine. Multiple Mustang Club of America winner. A nice car, but with the replacement engine not as nice as the price it brought. It was sold for $50,820 at Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach in 2010, a more appropriate but still generous price.Lot # 211 1955 Buick Roadmaster Convertible; S/N 7B5020665; Cherokee Red, Dover White/Red, White leather, Black cloth; White vinyl top; Estimate $90,000 – $120,000; Older restoration, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $72,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $79,750 — No Reserve. Dynaflow, P/S, P/B, chrome wire wheel, wide whitewalls, pushbutton radio, P/W, power seat, power antenna, dual outside mirrors. A quality older restoration that looks like it has newer paint over the old paint. 2005 Buick Nationals Gold Award winner. Lightly soiled upholstery, good carpets. Flush fits and even gaps. Attractive, accurately detailed engine compartment but aged chassis and underbody that needs detailing. Sold for $110,000 at Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas in 2008, and exceptional price at the time which is endorsed by the result here, appropriate to the car’s rarity, style and condition.Lot # 212 1957 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible; S/N E57S104257; White, Silver coves/Red vinyl; Black vinyl top; Estimate $80,000 – $100,000; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $70,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $77,000 — No Reserve. 283/220hp, 3-speed, radio, spinner wheel covers, whitewalls. Good paint, erratic chrome, good interior. Underbody painted over superficial prep. Sound and usable but not impressive. Described as numbers-matching, little consolation for the uninspiring base engine. Sold for $110,000 at Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach earlier this year. The Staluppi Collection bidders were slow out of the gate, but later prices more than made up for the modest, but appropriate, price this Corvette brought.Lot # 213 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Indy Pace Car Convertible; S/N 124679N614296; Dover White, Hugger Orange stripes/Orange, herringbone vinyl; Black vinyl top; Estimate $60,000 – $80,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $48,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $53,350 — No Reserve. Automatic, P/S. P/B, A/C, cassette stereo, Rally wheels with trim rings, Radial T/A tires, cowl induction, console gauges, badged 350/300hp with illegible engine number. Z11-coded trim plate. Visor signed by Mario Andretti, ’69 Indy winner. A mostly original car with a good repaint and replaced interior. Otherwise pretty tired, with rattly doors and plenty of age and use that is beyond patina. Sold for $70,400 at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale in 2008, this result is more reasonable, but hardly reasonable enough for this Camaro’s age condition and shaky presentation.Lot # 214 1956 Buick Special Convertible; S/N 4C1177425; Seminole Red, Dover White/White, Red vinyl; White vinyl top; Estimate $65,000 – $85,000; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $66,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $72,600 — No Reserve. 322/220hp, Dynaflow, P/S, P/B, P/W, chrome wire wheels, whitewalls, dual remote spotlights, pushbutton radio. Sparkly old cosmetic restoration with good cosmetics and underhood presentation. Underbody is clean but hasn’t been restored. This Buick brought a material premium attributable less to its quality or rarity than to a shiny presentation and the Staluppi Collection sale buzz. It would have been a good value at $55,000.Lot # 215 1960 Dodge Polara D-500 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 6307101191; Azure Blue/Azure Blue vinyl; Estimate $70,000 – $90,000; Recent restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $78,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $85,800 — No Reserve. 383/330hp, cross-ram but with Weber 4-barrels, pushbutton automatic, power swivel bucket seats, P/S, P/B, pushbutton radio, gold flecked transparent steering wheel rim, chrome wire wheels, whitewalls, rear antenna, dual outside mirrors. Excellent paint, chrome and interior. Flat panels, flush fits, even gaps, spotless underbody. Better than new without being too good. Marked down only on account of the Webers. Sold for $126,500 at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale in 2008, the price of this rare D-500 Polara today is much more representative of the quality of its restoration and the comprehensiveness of its options list. It is a sound value even at this healthy price, particularly in the exuberant environment of the Staluppi Collection sale.Lot # 218 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air Convertible; S/N VC550039256; Engine # T55F FB; Turquoise Blue, White/Turquoise Blue, White vinyl; White vinyl top; Estimate $80,000 – $100,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $73,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $80,300 — No Reserve. 265/180hp, Powerglide, oil filter, electric wipers, wheel covers, whitewalls, heater, pushbutton radio, skirts. Excellent paint, chrome and interior. Underbody is good but the engine compartment and chassis are driver quality. Body color overspray on the engine ground strap suggests the current repaint was done partially assembled. There’s little to fault on this ’55 Bel Air Convertible, or in the price it brought which appropriately reflects its specification and condition.Lot # 220 1956 Cadillac Series 62 Convertible; S/N 5662026320; Red/White, Red leather; Estimate $150,000 – $200,000; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $272,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $299,750 — No Reserve. 365/305hp, dual quad Eldorado engine, batwing air cleaner, P/S, P/B, skirts, chrome wire wheels, pushbutton radio, P/W, Autronic eye, power antenna, continental kit. Good paint, chrome and interior. Underbody is old, inside window wells is ugly and oversprayed. Pretty but neither fresh nor thorough underhood. A sound but superficial and now aged old restoration. At Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach in 2007 this ’56 Series 62 sold for $110,000, a record price for its year and model. There is a lot to like about it, especially the dual quad intake, but also a lot not to like about its restoration and presentation. But this is another record result, and not just for a Series 62, but also more than the most expensive ’56 Eldorado Biarritz. In this case the bidders’ rationality and reason were the victims of the mysterious driving forces of competition. The result is overstated by a factor of nearly three. Let’s be really clear: this Cadillac is egregiously over-priced, and would have been only a modest value even at the low estimate.Lot # 222 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe; S/N 30837S116851; Engine # 3116851 F0529SD; Daytona Blue/Blue vinyl; Estimate $90,000 – $120,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $92,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $101,750 — No Reserve. 327/300hp, Powerglide, AM-FM, centerlock alloy wheels, narrow whitewalls, P/S, P/B, A/C, tinted glass. Engine has been out and redone; engine number is accurate for the chassis and configuration. Good repaint and original interior. Orderly underhood and chassis even if not close to pristine. A well maintained but not even cosmetically restored split window with a boring drivetrain. A 4-speed Fuelie in this condition would be fully valued at this price. The A/C adds something to value, but not close to the price this Powerglide Vette brought. It’s expensive.Lot # 224 1956 DeSoto Fireflite Adventurer Convertible Coupe Design Study; S/N 50383976; Black/Gold vinyl, Beige cloth; Beige cloth top; Estimate $150,000 – $200,000; Rebodied or re-created, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $142,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $156,750 — No Reserve. 341/320hp Hemi, dual quad intake, Powerflite, chrome wire wheels, whitewall tires, pushbutton radio, P/W, P/S, P/B, Hi-way Hi-Fi. Very good paint, chrome and interior. Done to very high standards, but only a rear view mirror view of what DeSoto could have built in 1956, i.e., there was no 1956 DeSoto Fireflite Adventurer Convertible built. Sold for $187,000 at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale earlier this year, this is a cool car and one-of-a-kind. Its value is in the eye (and bank account) of the beholder and it’s impossible to argue with the Staluppi Collection bidders’ conclusion.Lot # 225 1957 DeSoto Fireflite Adventurer Replica Convertible; S/N 50424347; Black/Beige vinyl, Gold cloth; Tan cloth top; Estimate $150,000 – $200,000; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Withdrawn — No Reserve. 345/345hp, automatic, P/S, P/B, chrome wire wheels, whitewall tires, pushbutton radio, P/W. An older restoration and upgrade to Adventurer trim and dual quad power. Good paint, chrome, interior and underhood but not fresh. On-site but clarified history in a saleroom notice and later withdrawn. Sold for $159,500 at Worldwide Houston in 2010 and $247,500 at Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach in 2011.
RM Auctions John Staluppi Collection 2012 – Auction Report Page Two
Lot # 226 1970 Plymouth Road Runner Superbird 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N RM23U0A175651; Tor-Red EV2, Black vinyl roof/Black vinyl; Estimate $100,000 – $125,000; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $100,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $110,000 — No Reserve. 440/375hp, automatic, power front disc brakes, Rally wheels with trim rings, Radial T/A tires, 8-track stereo, buckets and console. Represented as an original Superbird with matching numbers drivetrain. An erratic car. Excellent paint, good body fits including nose cone and headlight doors. Scuffed bright trim, badly scratched inner door panels, pitted wind wing frame. Dirty, erratically painted chassis and underbody. Decent interior. A terrific car that is hard to get excited about. Sold at Auburn Fall in 2006 for $140,000. The result here makes sense in today’s market and is indicative of the swoon in Big Mopar values in recent years.Lot # 227 1958 Buick Limited Convertible; S/N 8E4014966; White/Red leather; White vinyl top; Estimate $120,000 – $160,000; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $142,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $156,750 — No Reserve. 364/300hp, Dynaflow, P/S, P/B, P/W, power seat, pushbutton radio, chrome wire wheels, whitewall tires. A great ten foot restoration, or seen from inside where the interior, dash and instrument complex is breathtaking. Unfortunately the chassis, and obscure body details, are not up to the interior. Good engine details. Panel edges chipped and touched up. Old undercoat not fully stripped before being painted over. Cool, but erratic. Sold at Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach in 2007 for $161,700, and no better for the passage of five years even in the benign and consistently maintained environment of the Staluppi Collection. It was never a great car and the result here is generous.Lot # 228 1959 Oldsmobile Dynamic 88 Convertible; S/N 597M69877; White, Red/Red, Grey vinyl; White vinyl top; Estimate $80,000 – $120,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $97,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $107,250 — No Reserve. 371/270hp, automatic, skirts, WonderBar radio, P/S, P/Seat, P/W, P/top. Very impressive bodywork with flat panels and even gaps. Restored to close to like new condition with good cosmetics. Right fender dart pitted. Clean underhood and chassis, good original chrome on bumpers. A very nice Olds. Bought at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale in 2006 for $59,400, this Oldsmobile’s result here is a home run by any standard. It’s a rarely seen model done to very good standards with only a few easily remedied flaws but is still a healthy price for the base Olds.Lot # 229 1959 Pontiac Bonneville Convertible; S/N 859C1659; Red/Silver, Red vinyl; White vinyl top; Estimate $100,000 – $150,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $120,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $132,000 — No Reserve. 389/325hp Tri-Power, automatic, A/C, P/S, P/B, spinner wheel covers, whitewalls, WonderBar radio, bucket seats, silver-flecked carpet, rear antenna, dual outside mirrors, P/W. Very good older restoration to like new condition with better paint. 1995 AACA National First Prize. Shows some age but no appreciable use. The first year for “Wide Track”, a styling-driven change that effected significant engineering changes, exactly the opposite of recent Detroit design, and the beginning of Pontiac’s renaissance. That’s more than enough to justify the price this Bonnie brought, especially since it sold for essentially the same price, $132,300, at RM’s Ft. Lauderdale auction in 2007.Lot # 232 1968 Shelby Mustang GT500KR Convertible; S/N 8T03R210120-03499; Acapulco Blue/Black vinyl; Black vinyl top; Estimate $150,000 – $200,000; Older restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $240,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $264,000 — No Reserve. 428/335hp, 4-speed, P/S, P/B, A/C, console gauges, tilt steering column, 10-spoke alloy wheels, F70-15 Polyglas tires, pushbutton radio. Excellent paint, chrome and interior. A meticulous older restoration to like new condition that shows a little age but no significant use. One of four known A/C-equipped 4-speed GT500KR convertibles. That all describes rarity with a difference, not those contrived ‘one of one in’ colors and equipment no one in his right mind would want. A choice example in choice condition that sold at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale in 2008 for $231,000 and brought generous full retail money today.Lot # 233 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air Convertible; S/N VC56N105650; Engine # 0141703155F; Blue, White/Blue, White vinyl; White vinyl top; Estimate $80,000 – $100,000; Recent restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $97,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $107,250 — No Reserve. 265/170hp 2-barrel, Powerglide, P/S, wire wheel covers, whitewalls, heater, pushbutton radio. Restored like new with excellent paint, chrome, stainless and interior. An exceptionally clean, sharp and tidy car. Ordinary in all but its flawless, sharp restoration and presentation, this ’56 Bel Air brought top retail dollar.Lot # 234 1954 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster; S/N E54S003925; Black/Red vinyl; Beige cloth top; Estimate $100,000 – $125,000; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $87,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $96,250 — No Reserve. 235/150hp, siamesed air cleaners, Powerglide, WonderBar radio, wheel covers, whitewalls. Restored like new with excellent paint, chrome and interior, right down to protective plastic on the carpets. Choice, sweet, but not represented as the original colors, this ’54 Corvette sold for $91,300 at Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas in 2008. Mr. Staluppi should be very satisfied with the price it brought today.Lot # 235 1959 Chevrolet Impala Convertible; S/N F59S262858; Black/Red vinyl, cloth; White vinyl top; Estimate $90,000 – $110,000; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $105,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $115,500 — No Reserve. 348/280hp, Tri-Power, Powerglide, P/S, P/B, P/W, power seat, underdash A/C, cassette stereo, skirts, continental kit, spinner wheel covers, whitewalls, dual rear antennas, dual outside mirrors. Excellent bodywork, paint, chrome, stainless and interior. Underbody is pristine. 1993 AACA National First Prize winner that could face the judges again today with pride. Sold for $93,500 at RM’s Arizona auction in 2010, the appreciation of the gull-wing rear fender 59’s has only grown in the past three years as this result indicates. The new owner got bragging rights on cruise night or the show field but paid a strong retail price for it.Lot # 238 1960 Dodge Polara D-500 Convertible; S/N 6302183586; Red/Red vinyl, cloth; Black vinyl top; Estimate $90,000 – $120,000; Older restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $112,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $123,750 — No Reserve. 383/330hp, cross-ram dual quads, pushbutton automatic, P/S, P/B, spinner wheel covers, whitewalls, 60-40 bench seat, mismatched dual outside mirrors. Excellent paint, chrome and interior. Uneven trunk fit but doors fit well. Underbody is spotless. So is the engine. Bettor than new but not overdone. Sold for $187,200 at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale in 2007. The car is at least as good now as it was then and might even be a little better than the price it brought here. ‘Rare’ hardly begins to describe it. Polara convertibles are rare; D-500 Polaras are like hens’ teeth.Lot # 242 1957 Buick Roadmaster Convertible; S/N 7D4035853; Carlsbad Black/Red leather; Black vinyl top; Estimate $90,000 – $120,000; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $112,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $123,750 — No Reserve. 364/300hp, Dynaflow, P/S, P/B, P/W, pushbutton radio, power seat, A/C, chrome wire wheels, whitewalls, power antenna. Sound older paint and chrome. Good but aged and lightly soiled upholstery. Good interior chrome except center A/C vent. Chassis, underbody and inner window wells done, if at all, to lower standards than the rest. A pretty car but far from a showpiece even though it’s a 2003 AACA National First Prize winner Sold at RM’s Boca Raton auction in 2003 for $54,060, then again there in 2005 for $87,740. The car isn’t any better for the passage of time, but its price sure is. It would have been a sound retail buy at the low estimate. At this price the new owner better expect to own it a while ’cause it isn’t bringing any more anytime soon.Lot # 243 1967 Chevrolet Corvette 427/435 Roadster; S/N 194677S110556; Marina Blue, Black stinger/Black leather; Estimate $175,000 – $225,000; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $180,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $198,000 — No Reserve. 427/435hp, 4-speed, aluminum heads (‘dealer-installed’), alloy wheels, P/S, P/B, P/W, side exhausts, Protect-o-plate, AM-FM. Good paint, interior and chrome. Nice Vette except for a chassis repaint that’s too shiny as well as sharp, but shiny, underhood presentation. Documentation includes the Protect-o-Plate, window sticker and irrelevant stuff. Huh? This is not an L-89, it’s an L-71 that acquired a set of L-89 heads. It brought $135,000 at Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach in 2005 and would have been no better than a sound value at that price today. Nearly $200K is not reasonable for a Corvette without specialist judging credentials, which this one doesn’t have, and impeccable history and documentation.
RM Auctions John Staluppi Collection 2012 – Auction Report Page Three
Lot # 244 1958 Chevrolet Bel Air Impala Convertible; S/N F58A178154; Engine # T2206H; Rio Red/Red vinyl; White vinyl top; Estimate $90,000 – $120,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $95,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $104,500 — No Reserve. 348/250hp with 3×2-barrel intake, Turboglide, P/S. P/B, heater, WonderBar radio, skirts, dual rear antennas, dual outside mirrors, continental kit, spinner wheel covers. Excellent paint, chrome and interior. Engine compartment has a little excess touchup splatter and underbody is painted over old undercoat. Cataloged as 280hp, but the engine number stamping is indistinct although it does have a faint character after the ‘H’. This is a slick ’58 Impala in desirable colors with equally desirable equipment. It might be a little rich at this price given its faint engine stamping but it’s still a sweet car in choice (one might say factory-style) condition and great accessories. It sold at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale in 2005 for $99,000; $5,500 more is less than CPI inflation since then.Lot # 245 1969 Chevrolet Corvette 427/435 Roadster; S/N 194679S709381; Engine # T1120LR 19S709381; Le Mans Blue/Black vinyl; Black vinyl top; Estimate $50,000 – $60,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $67,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $74,250 — No Reserve. 427/435hp, 4-speed, P/S, cassette stereo, Rally wheels with trim rings, red line bias ply tires, smog equipment. Fair old paint job, sound upholstery and interior trim. Dusty and aged underhood and chassis. Scuffed windshield frame stainless. A solid presentable driver but not evidencing the ‘professional frame-up restoration’ it’s represented to have had. Documented with tank sticker. A sound value at the low estimate or even a little above, this Corvette brought a superior price warranted by its specifications but not by its condition. ‘3’ is no more than it deserved, and it will take hours and dollars to make it any better. More hours and dollars than can be swallowed at this price.Lot # 246 1966 Chevrolet Corvette 427/425 Roadster; S/N 194676S102444; Black/Taupe leather; Beige cloth top; Estimate $75,000 – $95,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $75,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $82,500 — No Reserve. 427/425hp, 4-speed, AM-FM but no ignition shielding, side exhausts, spinner wheel covers, gold line bias ply tires, P/W. No engine number; air filter badged 450hp. Decent paint, interior, chrome and dull stainless. Orderly underbody with exterior overspray. Dirty engine compartment. A driver quality Vette. The first year for the 427 Corvette, Chevy failed to see the revenue opportunity from a 3×2 intake and rated the 4-barrel 450hp, then reduced it to 425hp soon after introduction while doing nothing to the engine. Big, lusty engines, they’re arguably better and more drivable than their Tri-Power ’67 successors but this is all the money for one in this condition. All the money. It sold at Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach in 2005 for $72,360.Lot # 247 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454 Convertible; S/N 136670B107506; Tuxedo Black, White stripes/Black vinyl; Black vinyl top; Estimate $90,000 – $120,000; Recent restoration, 1 condition; Hammered Sold at $122,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $134,750 — No Reserve. 454/360hp LS5, 4-speed, P/S, P/B, 4.1 Positraction, factory A/C, buckets and console, Supersport wheels with trim wings, Wide Oval tires, AM-FM, cowl induction hood, P/W. Spotless underneath and in the engine compartment. Better than new paint and chrome. A concours quality Chevelle. As good as it gets. An LS6 is, in the pantheon of collector cars, worth more but who in his or her right mind ever experiences the extra 65hp? No one. This is superbly restored car with particularly desirable options for modern collectors (A/C, for example) and deserved to bring the over-estimate price the Staluppi Collection bidders accorded it.Lot # 248 1956 Ford Fairlane Sunliner; S/N M6BC115523; Bermuda Blue, Diamond Blue/Blue, White vinyl; Black cloth top; Estimate $55,000 – $70,000; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $55,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $60,500 — No Reserve. 292/202hp, automatic, P/S, pushbutton radio, heater, wire wheel covers, whitewall tires, skirts, rear antenna, continental kit, front and rear grille and trunk guards, fog lights. Mediocre old cosmetic restoration maintained very well. Decent paint, chrome and interior. A very nice driver quality automobile. But it’s no more than driver-quality and, even having sold at Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach in 2010 for $72,600, is no more than a sound value at this price.Lot # 249 1949 Oldsmobile Futuramic 88 Convertible; S/N 498B5347; Medium Blue/Dark Blue vinyl; Dark Blue cloth top; Estimate $65,000 – $85,000; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $62,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $68,200 — No Reserve. 303/135hp, automatic, dual remote spotlights, wheel covers, whitewalls, pushbutton radio, backup lights, clock, skirts. Good paint, chrome and interior. Even gaps, flush fits, flat panels. Lightly scuffed speedo cluster chrome, steering wheel emblem paint. Peeling, dusty and aged underbody. A very pretty but now driver quality old restoration. The first year for Doc Kettering’s high compression overhead valve V-8, an important car made specially valuable by its convertible body and desirable list of options and accessories. It sold for $137,500, though, at RM’s Art Astor Collection auction in 2008. The price it brought today is more reasonable and neither more nor less than it deserved.Lot # 251 1958 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible; S/N J58S106032; Engine # F326CT; Panama Yellow, White coves/Black vinyl; White vinyl top; Estimate $90,000 – $120,000; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $90,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $99,000 — No Reserve. 283/245hp, dual quads, 4-speed, spinner wheelcovers, WonderBar radio, whitewalls, heater. 56,494 miles from new. Good paint, chrome and interior. Orderly but an older restored engine. Underbody is good. An attractive Corvette with a desirable drivetrain in good, sound driver condition. One of only 455 ’58 Corvettes delivered in Panama Yellow. Sold at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale in 2007 for $93,500 and worth every dollar of the price it brought here for its colors, drivetrain and low, documented, mileage. A sound value.Lot # 253 1955 Chrysler C-300 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 3N551230; White/Beige leather; Estimate $75,000 – $100,000; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $80,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $88,000 — No Reserve. 331/300hp dual quads, Powerflite, P/B, P/S, P/W, power seat, Electro-Touch radio, chrome wire wheels, wide whitewalls. Four owners from new, odometer shows 56,501 probably original miles. A good older cosmetic restoration with some age and use. Creased leather, scuffed stainless, underbody painted over old undercoat. Later P/B booster. Engine has been detailed after use. The first Chrysler 300, ancestor of an illustrious heritage and the originator of the ‘banker’s hot rod’ and the first of a flight of Chrysler 300s offered today. Largely original with an old restoration that was done to the standards of a generation ago (when these were just old used cars), the condition is less than impressive but the full retail price it brought reflects itLot # 254 1956 Chrysler 300B 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 3N56552; Cloud White/Beige leather; Estimate $100,000 – $125,000; Older restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $105,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $115,500 — No Reserve. 354/340hp, PowerFlite, Music Master radio, wheel covers, whitewalls, P/W, P/S, P/B, power seat, batwing air cleaner. Excellent paint, chrome, interior and bodywork. Doors don’t close quite flush but that’s a minor factor in an overall exceptional restoration. The second of John Staluppi’s run of Chrysler 300s, and the best of them in condition and preservation, this is a primo example of the type, still in the original body style. Your [father’s] banker couldn’t have done any better than this, a car to be proud, very proud, to own and drive.Lot # 255 1957 Chrysler 300C Convertible; S/N 3N573107; Black/Beige leather; Estimate $150,000 – $200,000; Not Evaluated; Hammered Sold at $140,000 plus commission of 10%; Final Price $154,000. In a sea of 300s I missed this one. Mea culpa. It does have an interesting history, however, having been sold by RM at Amelia Island in 2003 for $73,700, in 2004 for $75,900, and in 2006 for $125,400.Lot # 256 1958 Chrysler 300D Convertible; S/N LC41312; Beige/Beige leather; Tan cloth top; Estimate $175,000 – $200,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $180,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $198,000 — No Reserve. 392/375hp, Torqueflite, P/S, P/B, power seats, chrome wire wheels, whitewalls, dual outside mirrors, P/W. Excellent paint, chrome and interior. A very nice older restoration with some age and a few minor touchups. Underbody is pristine but engine compartment could use some attention (and new hood springs.) Originally triple black; why would anyone change it? One of just 484 ’58 300 convertibles, with all the extravagance of ‘The Forward Look’ ameliorated by the minimal chrome trim. This is a benchmark price for an older restored 300D Convertible in the current market, but no more than it deserved.Lot # 257 1959 Chrysler 300E Convertible; S/N M591100124; Black/Beige leather; Beige cloth top; Estimate $150,000 – $200,000; Older restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $160,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $176,000 — No Reserve. 392/380hp, Torqueflite automatic. P/W, wheel covers, whitewalls, dual outside mirrors, pushbutton radio, power antenna, P/S, P/B, A/C, power bucket seats, Pertronics coil. An older restoration to like new with a few minor cosmetic flaws but still better than new. The only 300E convertible delivered in silver with black interior, but that’s largely irrelevant in its current livery. Would a strip and repaint and new black upholstery make this 300E convertible worth any more? Only on the show field. It’s appropriately priced here, with no headroom for re-creating its original colors. (photo: Teddy Pieper Courtesy of RM Auctions)
RM Auctions John Staluppi Collection 2012 – Auction Report Page Four
Lot # 258 1960 Chrysler 300F Convertible; S/N 8403156821; Terracotta/Beige leather; Beige cloth top; Estimate $175,000 – $225,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $155,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $170,500 — No Reserve. 413/375hp, TorqueFlite, P/S, P/B, wheel covers, whitewall tires, loaded with accessories and conveniences. Beautifully restored and presented except for showing a little age and use. The first year for the cross-ram, high torque dual quad intake, a spectacular underhood display. Sold for $71,500 at RM’s Arizona auction in 2003, the Staluppi Collection bidders fell on this 300F like flies on a picnic, even if the price didn’t reach RM’s low estimate. It’s a sound value at this price.Lot # 259 1961 Chrysler 300G Convertible; S/N 8413197153; Mardi Gras Red/Ivory leather; Beige cloth top; Estimate $140,000 – $180,000; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $125,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $137,500 — No Reserve. 413/375hp, Torqueflite, P/W, P/S, P/B, pushbutton radio, chrome wire wheels, whitewall tires. Good paint, chrome and interior but excessively chromed-up underhood. Underbody painted over old undercoat. A tidy and usable older restoration but not the no expense spared restoration the catalog claimed. Sold post-block by Worldwide at Houston in 2008 for $115,000 as a somewhat tired and older cosmetic restoration, then by RM at Monterey in 2009 for $96,250. At Mecum’s Indy auction in 2010 it was sold for $111,300 in essentially the same condition as it appears today, a competent but not impressive cosmetic restoration that was first seen in 1991 [I know, that dates me] at the Seroka auction in West Palm Beach in December 1991 where it brought $42,500. It was fairly fresh then. It isn’t fresh any more.Lot # 263 1969 Oldsmobile 4-4-2 Convertible; S/N 344679M363699; Black, Red coachline/Black vinyl; Black vinyl top; Estimate $80,000 – $100,000; Older restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $110,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $121,000 — No Reserve. 400/350hp, 4-speed, A/C, P/S, P/B, P/W, tilt steering column, dual outside mirrors, bucket seats, no console, Hurst shifter, AM-FM, underdash 8-track, Rally wheels with trim rings, Wide Oval tires. Excellent paint, chrome and interior. Underbody is better than new without being overdone. Restored like new underhood and really gorgeous. Impossible to fault in any reasonable way. Sold for $132,000 at Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach in 2008. That price, and this, are W-30 4-speed convertible money, but this isn’t a Force Air W-30. The low estimate would have been a reasonable price for this 4-4-2, even in this exemplary condition. This price is expensive, verging on irrational.Lot # 264 1958 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz Convertible; S/N 58E020837; Olympic White/Silver, Grey leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $120,000 – $160,000; Older restoration, 1- condition; Hammered Sold at $187,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $206,250 — No Reserve. 365/325hp, three 2-barrel induction, P/S, P/B, A/C, silver Sabre wheels, bias ply whitewall tires, Guidematic headlight dimmer, pushbutton radio, power seat, P/W. Not fresh, but done and maintained to high standards. Very good paint, chrome and interior. Some weak trim chrome and scuffed stainless. Flat body panels, even gaps and flush fits. Dusty and visibly aged natural finishes underhood. A good, sound, but no longer show-ready car. It’s the bumptious butt and adolescent fins of these Eldos that brings the bucks. They are just – so – cool. Having said that, this is a choice example of the type but the price is close to the $220,000 brought by the Raindrop concept at RM Arizona 2010. They’re not the same thing and 2010-2012 hasn’t enhanced Eldo Biarritz values enough to come close to equaling a factory showcar. This Eldo is expensive.Lot # 265 1961 Dodge Dart Phoenix D-500 Convertible Coupe; S/N 5317121966; Black/Red; Black vinyl top; Estimate $125,000 – $175,000; Recent restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $112,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $123,750 — No Reserve. 383/330hp, cross-ram with Weber carbs (not the Carters described in the catalog), Torqueflite automatic, spinner wheel covers, whitewalls, pushbutton radio, no P/S or P/B. Great paint, flat body panels, even fits, brilliant chrome and stainless. Better than new but marked down for the Webers. Someone should have dulled up the finish on those Webers and I would never have noticed. But I did, and this is a huge price for a rare but incorrect car. How much else is faux? The new owner hasn’t any headroom for any more shortcuts, or even the ones obvious on the intake manifold. Expensive? Not by half.Lot # 267 1959 Dodge Custom Royal D-500 Convertible; S/N M352107882; Poppy Red, Pearl White/Red vinyl, Grey cloth; Black cloth top; Estimate $125,000 – $175,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $137,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $151,250 — No Reserve. 383/345hp dual quads, Torqueflite, P/S, P/B, swivel bucket seats, pushbutton radio, dual rear antennas, chrome wire wheels, whitewall tires, dual outside mirrors. One of 984 Custom Royal Lancer convertibles built. Comprehensively restored to like new condition. No longer fresh but still breathtaking without a powerful flashlight and close, fussy inspection. About as good as it can be with allowance for the age of the restoration, this Custom Royal D-500 Convertible brought $137,500 at Mecum’s Monterey auction in 2010 and no less valuable today despite the premium added to the buyer’s final price. A real showpiece of ‘The Forward Look.’Lot # 269 1961 Plymouth Fury Convertible; S/N 3311154875; Bronze/Gold vinyl, cloth; Tan cloth top; Estimate $90,000 – $120,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $80,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $88,000 — No Reserve. 383/330hp Sonoramic Commando cross-ram with Carter AFB 4-barrels, pushbutton automatic, chrome wire wheels, whitewalls, P/B, P/S, pushbutton radio, power antenna, metalflake transparent oval steering wheel rim and spaceship gauge cluster. Clarion stereo in glove box. Excellent paint, chrome and interior. Nearly spotless. underhood but showing some age. Underbody is spotless. Soft and cracked windshield post seals. A quality old restoration starting to show its age. Sold at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale in 2001 for $54,000, fresh from restoration. The condition of the door seals hint of restoration shortcuts, or just 12 years’ age. In any event there’s nothing wrong with this Fury that can’t be reasonably addressed by the new owner even at the healthy price it brought. Its price is full retail, but it’s a lot of Plymouth Fury.Lot # 270 1955 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster; S/N VE55S001118; Engine # 0118553F55FG; Red/Beige vinyl; Being cloth top; Estimate $120,000 – $150,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $127,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $140,250 — No Reserve. 265/195hp, Powerglide, pushbutton radio (not WonderBar), heater, wheel covers, whitewalls, side curtains. Bloomington Gold certified and NCRS Duntov award winner. Restored like new a while ago. Paint, chrome, interior and engine are still excellent but underbody and chassis are dusty. A thorough detailing could bring this Corvette back to show quality condition. ’55 marks the beginning of the V-8 Corvette era, combined with the original Corvette’s roadster body and body design. With only 700 built, they’re impressively rare, at least as rare and significant as this price indicates.Lot # 272 1967 Pontiac GTO Convertible; S/N 42677P254373; Engine # 282365 YW; Red, Gold coachline/Pearl vinyl; White vinyl top; Estimate $70,000 – $90,000; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $92,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $101,750 — No Reserve. 400/335hp, Tri-Power, 4-speed, console, vacuum gauge, pushbutton radio, Hurst alloy wheels, redline tires, hood tach, P/W, A/C, P/S, P/B. Excellent paint, chrome, interior and engine. Underbody is like new. The YW engine, however, indicates a ’66 Bonneville 389/325hp 4-barrel automatic block, or maybe a ’69 400/375 Ram Air V automatic, but in any event not a ’67 400/335hp Tri-Power 4-speed, oh, and there were no Tri-Powers offered in 1967. Don’t buyers look for this stuff? Wrong engine, wrong intake, no PHS documentation? In a GTO this is the kiss of death even though the VIN codes to a GTO Convertible. This is a beautiful car, but it’s a beautiful $50,000 car on its best day. Do your homework or pay for a lesson, in this case an expensive lesson.Lot # 273 1955 Oldsmobile Super 88 Convertible; S/N 558C15556; White, Black/Black, White leather, vinyl; Black cloth top; Estimate $70,000 – $85,000; Recent restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $85,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $93,500 — No Reserve. 324/202hp, 4-barrel, automatic, P/S, P/B, chrome wire wheels, whitewalls, heater, pushbutton radio, clock. Restored like new with excellent paint, chrome and interior and beautiful, smooth, straight bodywork. A choice Olds that needs better detailing underhood and on the chassis but then could be show quality. Sometimes a car just calls out to be noticed. It may be exquisite bodywork, beautiful paint and sparkly chrome, a choice color scheme or exceptional specifications. This Olds checks all the boxes except specs and looks absolutely gorgeous in its black and white livery. The bidders in North Palm Beach responded to it with a superior price that sets a high hurdle for other Super 88 convertibles.
RM Auctions John Staluppi Collection 2012 – Auction Report Page Five
Lot # 274 1966 Ford Mustang Convertible; S/N 6F08C100909; White/Blue, Grey Pony vinyl; White vinyl top; Estimate $40,000 – $50,000; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $71,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $78,100 — No Reserve. 289/200hp, automatic, P/S, no P/B, cassette stereo, styled wheels, narrow whitewalls, luggage rack, woodgrain steering wheel. GT equipment added during restoration. Very good paint and major chrome, scuffed stainless, fair upholstery. Attractive and orderly underhood. A sharp, but only driver quality Mustang. HUH? Seventy-eight thousand dollars? For a faux-GT Mustang with 2-barrel engine and Cruise-o-Matic? This car sold at Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach in 2006 for $44,820, itself a generous price for the car and its condition. $78,100 is beyond expensive, enough to have bought two Mustangs like this on their best days.Lot # 276 1960 Chevrolet Impala Convertible; S/N 01867S187289; Engine # T0202G; Roman Red/Red, White vinyl herringbone; White vinyl top; Estimate $65,000 – $85,000; Recent restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $77,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $85,250 — No Reserve. 348/250hp 4-barrel engine with Tri-Power intake added, Powerglide, P/B, P/S, heater, P/W, power seat, skirts, spinner wheel covers, whitewalls, dual outside mirrors, continental kit, dual rear antennas, cassette stereo. Restored like new with excellent paint, interior and chrome. A sharp, clean, meticulously restored Impala, loaded with options and accessories. The induction change is easily returned to stock but for the moment looks great when the hood is open. It is worth all the not-inconsiderable price it brought here.Lot # 277 1970 Pontiac GTO Ram Air III Convertible; S/N 242670P230708; Engine # 0461750 WS; Atoll Blue/Black vinyl;; Estimate $80,000 – $100,000; Recent restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $130,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $143,000 — No Reserve. 400/366hp Ram Air III, 4-speed, Hurst T-handle shifter, P/S, P/B, Safe-T-Trak, tilt steering column, Rally II wheels, Radial T/A tires, hood tach, front spoiler, Judge wing, AM-FM, 8-track. Restored like new with better paint and chrome without being overdone. PHS documented. It doesn’t get much better than this. Like so many of the cars in John Staluppi’s collection this GTO set a new benchmark in GTO values. It’s as good as they come, but the bidders paid all that it’s worth, and more. It would have been a good value at or just over the low estimate. 30% over the high estimate is generous to say the least.Lot # 282 1970 Dodge Charger R/T Daytona Cloke 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N XP29C0C226244; Black, Red wing and tail band/Black vinyl; Estimate $125,000 – $175,000; Facsimile restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $80,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $88,000 — No Reserve. 426/425hp Crate Hemi, dual quads, Torqueflite, A/C with period compressor, P/B with dual circuits and front discs, MSD ignition, P/W, Magnum wheels. Paint like glass, brilliant chrome but stainless could be better. An impressive piece of work, and the nose cone fits. The original configuration of this Daytona, a 6-cylinder 145hp Charger 500, may be as amazing as its current specs and excellent workmanship. Even taking into account that it’s not a real Charger Daytona, it looks gorgeous and should run like Jack the Bear. The bidders here astutely balanced its good with its not-so-good and awarded it a reasonable price.Lot # 289 1961 Pontiac Bonneville Convertible; S/N 2861L11190; Engine # 301228 P6; Medium Blue/White, Grey vinyl; Black vinyl top; Estimate $70,000 – $85,000; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $52,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $57,750 — No Reserve. 389/303hp, 4-barrel, automatic, P/S, P/B, cassette stereo, 8-lug wheels, whitewalls, P/W, dual outside mirrors. Good paint and major chrome, scuffed stainless, fair upholstery, orderly underhood, dirty old undercoat on underbody. A very presentable driver. This Bonneville has real eyeball appeal and the 8-lug wheels add a bit of intrigue even though it isn’t backed up by much engine. It would have been a better value at $42,500 hammer but this result is by the standards set by many of the cars in John Staluppi’s collection pretty reasonable.Lot # 291 2011 Toyota Camry Kyle Busch #18 NASCAR Race Car; S/N SCOT 8; Yellow, Red, Green ‘M&Ms’/Grey cloth; Estimate $50,000 – $70,000; Competition car, original as-raced, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $50,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $55,000 — No Reserve. 358/850hp TRD Nascar engine, 4-speed. Apparently never run in competition, pristine and flawless. Notably none of the parts appear used. Not cataloged with this chassis number, which was observed P-touch taped on the shoulder belt bar, perhaps meaning ‘Show Car Of Tomorrow 8’? Essentially all there and capable of being turned into a race car with little effort. Comes with a Kyle Busch autographed race suit and a mannequin to display it. This is a good result for a show car with no race history, but only a fraction of what Joe Gibbs Racing spent to build it and buy its TRD engine. The mannequin needs shoes. Plastic Kyle’s toes look cold, even in North Palm Beach.Lot # 295 1954 Buick Skylark Convertible; S/N 7A1088263; Jordan Grey, Majestic White wheel wells/Light Blue, Ice Blue leather; White vinyl top; Estimate $125,000 – $160,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $155,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $170,500 — No Reserve. 322/200hp, Dynaflow, P/S, P/B, P/W, chrome wire wheels, wide whitewalls, dual outside mirrors, pushbutton radio. An older show quality restoration that has lost its edge. Panel fits are very good. Chrome in taillight centers is cloudy but the balance of the chrome is outstanding. Chassis quickly resprayed. A pretty ten-footer. This car sold for $129,800 at Barrett-Jackson’s Palm Beach auction in April of this year. It’s no better now than it was then but got a lot more interest as the docket in the Staluppi sale began to wind down. This is serious money for any ’54 Skylark, and very serious money for one in this condition.Lot # 312 1960 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible; S/N 00867S100294; Engine # F916CT; White/Red vinyl; Black cloth top; Estimate $75,000 – $90,000; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $65,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $71,500 — 283/245hp, dual quads, 4-speed, heater, WonderBar radio, spinner wheel covers, whitewall radial tires. Cataloged as a 270hp engine, not borne out by the engine block stamping which is for a hydraulic lifter dual quad 245hp. Underbody repainted over old, cracked undercoat. Engine compartment casually sprayed with engine black. Engine has been done but a while ago. Good paint, interior and major chrome. A sound but not exceptional driver quality Corvette. While at this sale a transaction under the low estimate is the exception, anywhere else this price for a mediocre 245hp ’60 Corvette would be cause for celebration. By today’s standards this is a reasonable price, but objectively it is $15-20,000 more than it is worth.Lot # 313 1957 Oldsmobile Golden Rocket 88 Convertible; S/N 577A03050; Banff Blue/Blue, White vinyl; Dark Blue vinyl top; Estimate $100,000 – $125,000; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $82,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $90,750 — No Reserve. 371/300hp J-2 with three deuces, automatic, WonderBar radio, P/S, P/B, spinner wheel covers, whitewall tires. A good, but old restoration that once was like new but isn’t now. Good paint, chrome and interior. Engine compartment and chassis deserve better. Sold for $82,500 at Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas in 2008. That’s exactly the hammer bid it brought here four years later. The ’57 Olds is unusual and has attractive styling. The J-2 intake, even if it’s not original, adds immense appeal to the car but this price should have been enough to buy the best one on the planet, which this is not.
Rick Carey,
Could you give me a call? Terry Bennett MD 1 603 781 0195