Profiles
- Americana - 1948 Chevrolet Fleetline Woodie Aerosedan
- Hot Rod - 1956 Chevrolet Foose Custom Roadster
- GM - 1966 Oldsmobile 442
- Profiles - 1952 Ford F-1 Pickup
- Profiles - 1962 Chevrolet Biscayne 409/409
- Mopar - 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T
- Corvette - 1972 Chevrolet Corvette LT-1 A/c Test Mule
- Ford - 1968 Ford Mustang “The Boss” Custom fastback
Search This Issue
Page 4
CAR COLLECTOR
Vol. 2 • Issue 7 • January-February 2013
The Scoop: Profiles
CORVETTE
1972 LT-1 A/C TESTMULE
$48k / Mecum
What’s a piece of Corvette
history worth to you? —
Michael Pierce
Page 44
GM
1966 OLDSMOBILE 442
$77k / Barrett-Jackson
Big-money grunt and
handling for the Oldsmobile
man — Chad Tyson
Page 46
FoMoCo
1968 FORD MUSTANG
CUSTOMFASTBACK
$275k / Barrett-Jackson
A big price for a biggermoney
custom build
— Jay Harden
Page 48
MOPAR
1970DODGE
CHALLENGER R/T
$36k / Mecum
These E-body Mopars not
only looked great, but they
tore up the street as well —
Dale Novak
Page 50
AMERICAN
™
6 AmericanCarCollector.com
Cover photo: 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T
Courtesy of Mecum Auctions
Keith Martin's
Page 5
CUSTOM
1956 CHEVROLET CUSTOM
FOOSE ROADSTER
$165k / Barrett-Jackson
A screaming deal on a
high-profile custom
— Ken Gross
Page 52
CLASSIC
1948 CHEVROLET
FLEETLINEAEROSEDAN
$47k / Mecum
The woodie option was rare,
and buyers covet it today —
Carl Bomstead
Page 54
RACE
1962 CHEVROLET
BISCAYNE 409/409
$95k / Mecum
This 409 is closest thing we
have to a time machine, and
the value reflects it
— Tom Glatch
Page 56
TRUCK
1952 FORD F-1 PICKUP
$28k / AuctionsAmerica
by RM
Good condition and a
rising market make this
a good buy
— B. Mitchell Carlson
Page 58
1962 Chevrolet Biscayne
409/409; profile, p. 56
Courtesy of Mecum Auctions
7
January-February 2013
Page 6
Inside
COLUMNS
10 Torque
The gotta-have moment – Jim Pickering
36 Cheap Thrills
1965–68 6-cylinder Mustangs – B. Mitchell Carlson
38 Horsepower
An inside look at the Muscle Car and Corvette
Nationals – Colin Comer
42 Corvette Market
Patina vs. perfection – John L. Stein
114 SurfingAround
Must-have automobilia on eBay – Carl Bomstead
SERVICE DEPARTMENT
12 What’s Happening
Arizona auctions, ACC Corvette Insider’s Seminar,
and Grand National Roadster Show
14 Crossing the Block
Upcoming auctions – Tony Piff
20 Parts Time
Headers and a stealthy fuel pump – Chad Tyson
22 Cool Stuff
Neon nostalgia, Mopars that time forgot, and the
world’s simplest coffee mug
24 Snapshots
Leake: Forty years of auctioning collector cars
26 Your Turn
What’s fair price on a low-mile ’89 ’Vette?
34 Insider’s View
Is it wrong to put a Chevy engine in a Ford hot rod?
62 Anatomy of a Market Report
A primer on how ACC rates cars at auction
106 Expert’s Tip
How to fix a too-high GM hood
108 The Parts Hunter
Rare parts and pieces for your classic
110 Showcase Gallery —NEW!
Sell your car in our new ACC classifieds section
112 Resource Directory
Get to know our advertisers
112 Advertiser Index
Inside
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Inside
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side
COLUMNS
10 Torque
The gotta-ha
ide
COLUMNS
10 Torque
The gotta-have moment – Jim Pickering
36 Cheap Thrills
1965–68 6-cylinder Mustangs – B. Mitchell Carlson
38 Horsepower
An inside look at the Muscle Car and Corvette
Nationals – Colin Comer
42 Corvette Market
Patina vs. perfection – John L. Stein
114 SurfingAround
Must-have automobilia on eBay – Carl Bomstead
SERVICE DEPARTMENT
12 What’s Happening
Arizona auctions, ACC Corvette Insider’s Seminar,
and Grand National Roadster Show
14 Crossing the Block
Upcoming auctions – Tony Piff
20 Parts Time
Headers and a stealthy fuel pump – Chad Tyson
22 Cool Stuff
Neon nostalgia, Mopars that time forgot, and the
world’s simplest coffee mug
24 Snapshots
Leake: Forty years of auctioning collector cars
26 Your Turn
What’s fair price on a low-mile ’89 ’Vette?
34 Insider’s View
Is it wrong to put a Chevy engine in a Ford hot rod?
62 Anatomy of a Market Report
A primer on how ACC rates cars at auction
106 Expert’s Tip
How to fix a too-high GM hood
108 The Parts Hunter
Rare parts and pieces for your classic
110 Showcase Gallery —NEW!
Sell your car in our new ACC classifieds section
112 Resource Directory
Get to know our advertisers
112 Advertiser Index
FUN
FUN RIDES
20 Good Reads
Hurst Equipped: Factory-Special Muscle Cars, Speed Parts &
Legendary Race Cars – Mark Wigginton
22 Desktop Classics
1966 Oldsmobile Toronado – Marshall Buck
28 Under the Hood
Ten tips to prep your vehicle for auction – Dale Novak
32 Waxing Nostalgic
Barry Meguiar’s trip through history – Keith Martin
83 ACC Shootout!
1960 Ford Falcon vs. 1969 Chevrolet Corvair; who got the better
deal? – B. Mitchell Carlson
AUCTIONS
64 Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas
What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, except
for 523 cars heading to new garages – Dan Grunwald
72 RM — The Charlie Thomas
Collection,Grapevine, TX
A never-was 1946 Chrysler Town & Country roadster sells
for $141k – Carl Bomstead
80 Mecum Anaheim, CA
The Midwest powerhouse continues its West Coast campaign,
selling 418 cars for $15m – Victor Van Tress
90 Roundup
American vehicles from coast to coast – Jim Pickering,
Don Schoeny, Kevin Coakley, B. Mitchell Carlson, John Lyons, Robert Malke
and Phil Skinner
Page 8
Torque
Jim Pickering
Chevrolet 210 roadster sold at BarrettJackson’s
Las Vegas auction for $165k
(profiled on page 52), and the second, the
1968 Mustang “Boss” that made $275k at
that same sale (see page 48).
There are two sides to every coin, and
Cars that speak to you
T
his issue of American Car
Collector features profiles on two
high-end custom cars that brought
vastly different prices at auction.
The first is the Foose-built 1956
I think you can make a case for calling
either of these cars well bought or well sold.
There’s a gotta-have moment with cars like
these, where the buyer’s excitement gets
measured in cubic dollars. It really just
comes down to who is in the room at the
time each car crosses the block, and whether
the car on offer speaks to them, and to their
wallet.
In reality, that same moment exists for
every car — custom or not — and at every
price level.
Jumping in head first
My first gotta-have moment came in
1998. I was 15, and I was standing in the rain
with my dad, looking at a black ’66 Caprice
with a 454 big block. Its rumbly LS7 cam
spoke to me, but I knew there was no way
my dad would ever pay the seller his $2,000
asking price to make it my first car. To my
surprise, he did.
It ran and drove, but the rear-end bear-
ings growled like they were full of gravel
and the interior looked like it had been
underwater. My mother thought we were
both crazy.
I didn’t drive it for two years. Dad and I
tore it completely apart, spending evenings
and weekends working on getting it into
decent shape. This included a complete
front-to-back rebuild, all of which we did
ourselves. Cost was in the thousands in parts
alone. The agreement was this was a onetime
deal. Break the car and it wouldn’t get
fixed. One speeding ticket and the car would
be gone.
But it was ready for me in time for my
senior year of high school, complete with
454-ci big block and loud Pete Jackson gear
10 AmericanCarCollector.com
This ’66 Caprice is worth more to me than market value
drive. Later, I learned to drag race in it, and
during high school, it helped me get my first
job at a local auto shop.
I still have the car. Since 1998, I’ve
installed four different engines (the most
recent a 468-ci BBC with aluminum heads
and a hydraulic roller cam), two transmissions,
two exhaust systems, two rear ends,
all-new chrome and trim, a new vinyl top,
a fiberglass cowl hood, a complete interior,
body and paint, new wiring, all-new bearings
and suspension bushings, three stereo
systems, and more. The cost? Probably $20k
over the $18k–$20k it’s worth on the open
market today.
That car spoke to me when I first saw it,
and the history I have with it means it still
speaks to me every time I drive it. So for
me, justifying the money spent on it over the
years has been no problem. Even my wife
feels the same way — I drove it on our first
date.
True value
Is spending a lot of money on one car
over time any different than paying a premium
for a really good car you can’t resist at
auction? I don’t think so. A car that speaks
to you is a car that speaks to you, regardless
of the situation.
As you read this, the annual Arizona
auctions and Mecum’s Kissimmee sale will
be underway. This is one of the best times of
the year to add a new car to your garage —
at least 5,000 cars will be available over the
course of two weeks, likely including that
one you’ve always had your eye on.
A couple of words of advice: Be sure
to know what the current market level is
for any car you’re interested in buying.
The ACC Pocket Price Guide is perfect for
this — have one with you before you hit the
auctions. It’ll help you make an educated
decision on what you should spend.
If you’re an ACC Premium Database
subscriber, log on to our site and research
the cars you like. You never know — that
Camaro or Mustang may have sold before.
Search by its VIN number and check out
what it brought last time, and what our onsite
reporter had to say about it.
And finally, know your budget. Because
gotta-have moments happen, and when a car
speaks to you, you’d better be ready to pay
the price to own it. I certainly won’t blame
you.A
THERE’S A GOTTA-HAVE MOMENT WITH EVERY CAR, WHEN A BUYER’S
EXCITEMENT GETS MEASURED IN CUBIC DOLLARS
Page 10
WHAT’SHAPPENING
Sixth Annual Corvette Insider’s Seminar
The 6th Annual Corvette Insider’s
Seminar, hosted by American Car Collector,
will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on
Thursday, January 17, at the Barrett-Jackson
auction site in Scottsdale, AZ.
The keynote speaker is Tom Stevens, vice
chairman of GM Global Product Operations,
who will discuss the new C7 Corvette powerplant.
Keith Martin, SCM and ACC Publisher,
will lead a panel discussion that will focus on
the Corvette market from 1953 to 2013. Our
experts will also recommend their best-buy
picks in the current Corvette market. The
panelists will be:
Mike Yager, founder of Mid America
Motorworks
Michael Pierce, NCRS senior judge and
ACC writer
Roy Sinor, NCRS national judging chairman
Terry Michaelis, ProTeam Corvette owner
Kevin Mackay, expert Corvette restorer and owner of Corvette
Repair restoration shop
Jim Jordan, president of County Corvette
Lance Miller, co-owner of Carlisle Events
Admission is free for ACC and SCM subscribers, registered Barrett-
Jackson bidders and consignors, owners of Bloomington Gold-certified
Corvettes and NCRS members. Space is limited! To register, go to
www.americancarcollector.com/2013seminar (AZ)
Sign up for this year’s Corvette Seminar — keynote speaker Tom Stevens, GM
vice president for Global Product Operations, will discuss the C7 powerplant
ACC in Arizona
American Car Collector, along with our sister magazine,
Sports Car Market, will be at the big Arizona auctions from
January 15 through January 20. You can find our magazines at
almost every auction, including the Russo and Steele auction. We’ll
have a booth at the Gooding & Company auction. Don’t miss our
annual Corvette Insider’s Seminar from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at
the Barrett-Jackson auction site on Thursday, January 17. Get the
scoop on the entire week in the 2013 Insider’s Guide to the Arizona
Auctions, which is packaged with this magazine. Don’t hesitate to
say hello when you see us in the desert! For more information, visit
www.americancarcollector.com (AZ)
Don’t let the title fool you, they’re not all roadsters
Woodies and lead sleds are also in attendance at the GNRS
Grand National Roadster Show
While most of North America is hunkered down for winter, Southern California is basking in sunny, short-sleeve weather. So why not head
south to the 64th Annual O’Reilly Grand National Roadster Show — the granddaddy of all hot rod shows. Hot cars from all over the world
will rumble into the Pomona Fairplex from January 25 through 27, and you’ll also see thousands of street rods, customs and trucks on display in
the cradle of hot rod culture. More than 800 showcase cars and trucks will show up for the Grand Daddy Drive-in on January 26–27. This year’s
show theme is “Aloha,” and everyone is encouraged to go dress and decorate in a Hawaiian theme. A special exhibition, “Woodies, wagons and
the Spirit of Aloha,” will celebrate the close connection between surfing and hot cars. This show is the place to show off the car you’ve been
working on for years — and it’s a place to steal a little summer from the icy teeth of winter. www.rodshows.com (CA)A
12 AmericanCarCollector.com
Page 12
CROSSINGTHE
Upcoming auctions
BLOCK
by Tony Piff
1963 Pontiac Catalina “Swiss Cheese” Super Duty at Russo and Steele’s Scottsdale auction
JaNuaRy
Dave Rupp—Fort Lauderdale Beach Auction
Where: Fort Lauderdale, FL
When: January 4–6
More: www.ftlauderdaleauction.com
Dave Rupp’s long-running January auction takes place just
Barrett-Jackson—Scottsdale 2013
Where: Scottsdale, AZ
When: January 13–20
More: www.barrett-jackson.com
Last year: 1,288/1,291 cars sold / $90.4m
This annual mega-auction is one of the biggest events in the col-
blocks from the beach. This sale usually sees about 300 consignments
offered at a range of price points, with Detroit muscle, classics
and convertibles prominently featured. The star car is a 1966
Chevrolet Nova L79, equipped with numbers-matching 327/350 V8
and 4-speed manual, fully documented and driven just 17k miles
since new, and still wearing its original paint.
Tom Mack—Charlotte in January
Where: Charlotte, NC
When: January 12
More: www.tommackclassics.com
The star lot at Tom Mack’s 29th annual Charlotte auction is a 1966
Mustang convertible with 4-speed, completely unrestored. Look for
149 more classics on the auction block, plus 100 more in the covered
car corral. The accompanying indoor swapmeet is a great place
NGTHE
Upcoming auctions
BLOCK
by Tony Piff
1963 Pontiac Catalina “Swiss Cheese” Super Duty at Russo and Steele’s Scottsdale auction
JaNuaRy
Dave Rupp—Fort Lauderdale Beach Auction
Where: Fort Lauderdale, FL
When: January 4–6
More: www.ftlauderdaleauction.com
Dave Rupp’s long-running January auction takes place just
Barrett-Jackson—Scottsdale 2013
Where: Scottsdale, AZ
When: January 13–20
More: www.barrett-jackson.com
Last year: 1,288/1,291 cars sold / $90.4m
This annual mega-auction is one of the biggest events in the col-
blocks from the beach. This sale usually sees about 300 consign-
ments offered at a range of price points, with Detroit muscle, clas-
sics and convertibles prominently featured. The star car is a 1966
Chevrolet Nova L79, equipped with numbers-matching 327/350 V8
and 4-speed manual, fully documented and driven just 17k miles
since new, and still wearing its original paint.
Tom Mack—Charlotte in January
Where: Charlotte, NC
When: January 12
More: www.tommackclassics.com
The star lot at Tom Mack’s 29th annual Charlotte auction is a 1966
Mustang convertible with 4-speed, completely unrestored. Look for
149 more classics on the auction block, plus 100 more in the cov-
ered car corral. The accompanying indoor swapmeet is a great place
lector
lector car world. More than 1,000 automobiles are offered, nearly all
without reserve. Headlining the sale are no fewer than 14 Shelbys,
ranging from a 1965 GT350 to a 2012 GT500 50th Anniversary
Super Snake.
Bonhams—The Scottsdale Auction
Where: Scottsdale, AZ
When: January 17
More: www.bonhams.com
Last year: 46/67 cars sold / $6.9m
Important American consignments at Bonhams’ Arizona sale in-
clude a 1931 Cord L-29 cabriolet that won its class at Pebble Beach
1957, offered out of long-term ownership; a 1931 Chrysler CM-6
roadster and a 1959 Chevrolet Apache 4wd pickup from the Martin
Swig Collection; a 1941 Lincoln Continental coupe featured in the
film “The Godfather”; a 1956 Pontiac Safari two-door wagon; a 1957
c Star Chief coupe; a 1948 Packard Deluxe Touring sedan;
8 Stearns-Knight Model F-6-85 6-passenger roadster; and a
MC AMX.
1965 GT350 fastback at
Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale
14 AmericanCarCollector.com
d spectators right in the midst of the action. Some of the star
s are a 1969 Chevrolet Yenko Camaro; a Hemi-powered 1968
Dodge Dart factory race car; a 1937 Hudson Terraplane pickup,
st year: 414/655 / $19.3m
usso’s exciting “auction in the round” format puts bidders
usso and Steele—Sports and Muscle
Scottsdale
Where: Scottsdale, AZ
When: January 17-20
More: www.russoandsteele.com
Page 14
CROSSINGTHEBLOCK
Kissimmee auction, now expanded to 10 days. Featured highlights
include a highly optioned and very original 1970 Plymouth Hemi
’Cuda; and a 1962 Chevrolet Corvette Big-Brake Tanker, equipped
with fuel-injected 327/360 engine, RPO 276 15x5.5 wheels, RPO
687 heavy-duty brakes and suspension, and RPO 687 24-gallon fuel
tank; and “ZL-55,” a no-expense-spared 1955 Chevrolet resto-mod.
FeBRuaRy
1963 Shelby “Factory Competition-Specification” Cobra at
RM’s arizona auction
offered without reserve; and a 1963 Pontiac Catalina “Swiss Cheese”
Super Duty, fully restored to concours level in 2010.
RM Auctions—Automobiles of Arizona
Where: Phoenix, AZ
When: January 18
More: www.rmauctions.com
Last year: 126/140 cars sold / $25.7m
Notable early highlights at this upscale sale of blue-chip collect-
RM Auctions—The Bruce Weiner Microcar Museum
Collection
Where: Madison, GA
When: February 15–16
More: www.rmauctions.com
All eyes will be on Madison, GA, when RM sells the Bruce Weiner
Microcar Museum without reserve. Among the more than 200 microcars
culled from around the world are some interesting American
bits, including four King Midgets.
ibles include a 1965 Ford GT40 (RM estimate: $2.4m–$3m); a fully
documented 1967 Shelby 427 “Semi-Competition” Cobra, one of
29 S/C Cobras built ($1.4m–$1.7m); a unique 1963 Shelby “Factory
Competition-Specification” Cobra ($750k–$950k); and a 1930
Duesenberg Model J Tourster, offered from single-family ownership
for the first time since 1968 ($1.2m–$1.6m).
a 1965 Buick Riviera Gran Sport (Gooding estimate: $50k–$75k);
a 1963 Studebaker Avanti ($50k–$60k); a 1970 Plymouth Hemi
Superbird ($175k–$250k); and a 1930 Pierce-Arrow Model B
Convertible Victoria ($325k–$375k).
Gooding & Company—The Scottsdale Auction
Where: Scottsdale, AZ
When: January 18–19
More: www.goodingco.com
Last year: 116/118 cars sold / $39.6m
Among the world-class offerings at this very exclusive sale are
welcomes everyone, and the Fort McDowell sale brings a consistent
mix of nice collectibles at entry-level price points. Expect a lot of
restored muscle and Corvettes, vintage pickups and some very cool
customs.
Silver Auctions—Arizona in January
Where: Fort McDowell, AZ
When: January 18–19
More: www.silverauctions.com
Last year: 158/270 cars sold / $2.7m
Silver bills itself as the easygoing-yet-professional auction that
Mecum Auctions—Kissimmee High Performance
Auction
Where: Kissimmee, FL
When: January 18–27
More: www.mecum.com
Last year: 1,546/2,243 cars sold / $58.5m
Mecum predicts an unbelievable 3,000 cars for this year’s
16 AmericanCarCollector.com
Mecum Auctions—Verde Classics Museum Collection
Where: Boyton Beach, FL
When: February 22–23
More: www.mecumauctions.com
Fran and Ron Green’s Verde Classics Museum Collection will
feature 75 vehicles from across the American spectrum and more
than 1,000 significant pieces of automobilia, all at no reserve.
McCormick’s Palm Springs Collector Car Auction
Where: Palm Springs, CA
When: February 22–24
More: www.classic-carauction.com
Last year: 376/514 cars sold / $6.6m
Keith McCormick’s 54th Palm Springs Collector Car Auction will
Bonhams—Boca Raton Concours d’Elegance
Auction
Where: Boca Raton, FL
When: February 23
More: www.bonhams.com
Bonhams will host its premier Florida automobile auction in
see about 500 quality cars cross the block from every automotive
genre. It’s a great place for restored muscle and American classics
at sub-$20k prices.
conjunction with the Boca Raton Concours d’Elegance, held at the
world-famous Boca Raton Resort & Club. Early American consignments
include a 1937 LaSalle Series 50 rumble seat coupe and
an ex-Eugene Beardslee 1957 Lincoln Premiere convertible—both
offered without reserve.A
1957 Lincoln Premiere convertible at Bonhams Boca Raton
Page 16
Publisher’s
Note
Keith Martin
What’s your plan?
CAR COLLECTOR
Volume 2, No. 1
January-February 2013
Publisher Keith Martin
executive editor Chester Allen
editor Jim Pickering
art Director Dave Tomaro
Digital Media Director Jeff Stites
editor at Large Colin Comer
auctions editor Tony Piff
associate editor Chad Tyson
Copy editors Yael Abel, Dave Tomaro
auction analysts B. Mitchell Carlson
Daniel Grunwald
Kevin Coakley
Jack Tockston
John Lyons
Pat Campion
Norm Mort
Dale Novak
Phil Skinner
1971 Chevrolet Impala — an experience, if not a collectible
crossed the block. I hadn’t inspected the car, but it was red and started
and ran. $1,800 later it was mine.
Red, cheap and the top went down. Those aren’t exactly the rules I
O
would follow to build an interesting collection. But why bother thinking
at all when something cool looking pops up in front of you?
The car ended up being used by my kids to go to their proms and
take on weekend trips. Eventually I sold it and might even have made a
few dollars. In retrospect, it wasn’t a collectible — it was an experience
disguised as a car.
So when you next go car-hunting, ask yourself, am I looking for
something specific, such as a Split-Window Corvette with a 4-speed,
or am I just looking for something fun under $50,000? Is this a longterm
keeper or a drive home, drive around and sell car? And if it is just
something passing through your life, can you resist the temptation to
spend money on it — money that you will surely never recover?
It all comes back to your plan. My New Year’s resolution is going
to be to try to separate the cars I buy into must-have because they fit
a core purpose of cars I collect, vs. must-have because they are red,
cheap and the top goes down. They’re both fun, just different types
of fun. A
ver the years, I’ve found it is much easier to buy a car
and then wonder what I want to do with it than to have a
plan and find the car that fits in.
For instance, I recall being at a Bob Leflufy auction
in Vancouver, B.C., when a 1975 Impala convertible
Contributors Carl Bomstead
B. Mitchell Carlson
Colin Comer
Ken Gross
John Draneas
Tom Glatch
Michael Pierce
John L. Stein
Jay Harden
Marshall Buck
Mark Wigginton
Information Technology/
Internet Brian Baker
Lead Web Developer Marc Emerson
SeO Consultant Michael Cottam
advertising Coordinator/
Web Content administrator Erin Olson
Financial Manager Cheryl Ann Francisco
Print Media Buyer Wendie Martin
aDVeRTISING SaLeS
advertising executives Randy Zussman
randy.zussman@AmericanCarCollector.com
877.219.2605 x 214
Cindy Meitle
cindy.meitle@AmericanCarCollector.com
877.219.2605 x 5
Steve Kittrell
steve.kittrell@AmericanCarCollector.com
877.219.2605 x 5
SuBSCRIPTIONS
Subscriptions Manager Rich Coparanis
Subscriptions 877.219.2605 x 1
9 a.m. to 5 p.m., M–F
service@AmericanCarCollector.com
503.253.2234 fax
@acc_help
CORReSPONDeNCe
Phone 503.261.0555
Fax 503.253.2234
General P.O. Box 4797
Portland, Oregon 97208
Fedex/DHL/uPS 401 NE 19th Street, Suite 100
Portland, Oregon 97232
email help@AmericanCarCollector.com
Web www.AmericanCarCollector.com
1963 Corvette fuel-injected Split-Window — collectible and fun
18 AmericanCarCollector.com
American Car Collector magazine (ISSN# 2164-1323) is published bimonthly by
Automotive Investor Media Group, 401 NE 19th Street, Suite 100, Portland, OR 97232.
POSTMaSTeR: Send address changes to American Car Collector, PO Box 4797, Portland,
OR 97208. The information in American Car Collector magazine is compiled from
a variety of reliable sources. However, we disclaim and deny any responsibility or liability
for the timeliness, use, interpretation, accuracy and completeness of the information
presented. All material, data, formats, and intellectual concepts in this issue © 2012 by
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registered with the United States copyright office. PRINTED IN USA
AMERICAN
JOIN US
Keith Martin's
Page 18
GOODREADS by Mark Wigginton
Hurst Equipped: Factory-Special Muscle Cars, Speed Parts & Legendary
Race Cars
By Mark Fletcher and Richard Truesdell, CarTech, 160 pages, $26.37 (Amazon)
If we were playing some game show, and the clue was “Hurst,”
you would probably think of shifters and Linda Vaughn. That’s the
way brands work, giving you a top-of-mind impression — a brain
hook that always comes up when the company name is mentioned.
Kodak, Nike, Pepsi, and in this case Hurst, are capital-B brands —
or were, since Hurst in a perfect example of a brand identity with
bigger power and longevity than the company itself.
In the 1950s, George Hurst was a struggling hot rodder and
mechanic who was trying to get control over demons from a tough
childhood and his experiences in the war. His first innovation
came when he started putting Buick V8s in post-war Lincolns and
the like. Although his motor mounts were in demand, the business
needed more orders. So he took off on a cross-country trip to
speed shops to fill the pipeline. In his car was a floor shifter, and
that new product, which he wasn’t pushing, became the driving
product of the company.
Hurst Equipped follows the story, from kitchen-table design and company starvation, through
the explosion of the company, its takeover, and its slide to irrelevance. It didn’t really take all that
long, but along the way, Hurst, who was a natural showman, seemed to make all the right moves.
He rode the cresting wave of ’60s drag racing, the growth of horsepower and corporate competi-
tion for kings of the street car, and managed to put his name and logo on a broad range of cars and
products. From the show-stopping, wheel-standing “Hemi Under Glass” to various Indianapolis
500 pace cars, Hurst extended the brand.
And, of course, there was Linda Vaughn. As Miss Hurst Golden Shifter, Vaughn tapped into
the national consciousness, becoming the fan touchstone for Hurst. She had big hair and a big personality…let’s
just say her big attributes brought as much attention to Hurst as their quickly fading
shifter products in a shrinking performance aftermarket world.
George Hurst faded as the business did, first losing control of the operations, finally dying in
1986 in an apparent suicide. What he left was an indelible brand, and great memories of a wild ride.
PARTSTIME by Chad Tyson
New products to modernize your street machine
Fenton split exhaust headers
Get improved performance from your straight-six Chevy or GMC with these Fenton reprodu
tion headers. We all love that distinctive blatting, rapping sound from these cast-iron split headers.
Match them with a set of glasspacks — or run a straight pipe — and you’re ready to rattle
all the front glass in the shops on Main Street.
These licensed reproductions fit (subject to minor modifications) 1937–62 Chevys with
216-ci, 235-ci, and 261-ci straight sixes. Chevs of the 40’s also carries the headers for the GMC
228, 247, 270 and 302 straight sixes.
Prices are $200 for Chevrolet headers and $260 for GMC units. Fenton dual-carb intakes, gaskets, bolts and other
aeromotive Phantom 340 Stealth Fuel System
If you haven’t yet swapped that late-model fuel-injected engine into your hot rod
because you didn’t want to install a fuel cell or
weld a sump on your existing tank, the alternative
is here. Aeromotive now lets you easily
convert your tank to handle up to 700 horsepower
with fuel injection or 1,000 horsepower
with carburetion.
Simply cut a hole in the top of the tank,
measure the depth, cut the pump hanger and
baffle to length, install the retainer ring and
gasket, and then just bolt down the pump and
hanger. The complete kit includes the in-tank fuel pump, a baffle system to control
sloshing, and the required mounting hardware. It fits in tanks six inches to 15 inches
deep. After installation, you’ll hardly remember it’s there because it’s whisper-quiet.
Available at www.summitracing.com for $549.95. P/N AEI-18688.
20 AmericanCarCollector.com
accessories are also available. Order at www.chevsofthe40s.com or 1-800-952-0585. P/N 3657963A (Chevrolet), 3657963G (GMC).
electronic parking brake
It’s a simple way to add a parking brake without
spending time scouring junkyards
for replacement cables
or parts that aren’t produced
anymore. Or for the hot rodder
building from scratch, this is
the one-stop piece you’ll need.
It just requires installation
after the master cylinder (and
ABS if applicable) in line for either the front or rear
axle. Hook it up to 12 volts and a toggle switch and
you’re in the business of staying put.
The kit is available for $270 and can be ordered at
www.chevsofthe40s.com or 1-800-952-0585.
P/N EPARKBRAKE. A
Lineage: ªªª
Mark Fletcher and Richard Truesdell
are both fans of Hurst and the era, and it
shows. Through their research in Hurst
archives, interviews with former employees
and business partners, plus the owners
of many historic Hurst vehicles, they have
created a rounded portrait of the company
and its founders.
Fit and finish: ªª
Beautiful photo reproduction of collector
cars and archive images balances some
muddled design work and typography.
Drivability: ªªª
Sometimes the shadow on the wall is
so much bigger than the thing creating the
shadow, and that certainly sums up Hurst
Performance Products. The company
took a pretty small range of offerings
and created an image that was so much
bigger than the parts they sold. In some
ways, Hurst was a triumph of marketing
and image over actual performance, and
through the showmanship of George Hurst,
they kept the image alive well past their
ability to thrive as an innovator or sales
machine. Hurst Equipped does a nice job of
telling that story.
ªªªªª is best
Page 20
COOLSTUFF
Reflections
of horsepower
Master watercolorist Michael
Irvine creates incredibly bold,
vivid scenes of Detroit iron in
full glory, with depth and detail
offering unexpected surprises,
hidden stories and deeper meanings.
Irvine has just completed
the Mopar tryptich “They
Came With the Farm,” a project
that spanned six years. Prints
start at $150. Limited-edition
artist proofs are $500. Gallery
canvases are $1,500.
www.michaelirvine.com
Pump it u
I’ve owned
of portable tank
compressors. T
usually about a
interesting
as a black
plastic
lunchbox,
but the
Junior Jet
150 looks
like a tool
that’s ready to
work. It inflates
most tires to 30 psi in
four minutes and features a flashlight, built-in pressure gauge, 27-inch
hose and nine-foot power cord that plugs into your cigarette lighter.
$93.95 from www.maradynehp.com
Neon glow
Add the perfect
nostalgic touch to
your garage, business
or “man cave”
with these fantastic
neon signs, proudly
made in the U.S.A.
by Cornhusker
Sign & Mfg. Corp.
Choose from a range of designs recalling service stations of yesteryear,
Camaros, Cadillacs and Corvettes and more (Cornhusker products are
officially licensed by GM), or have your own creative vision custom
fabricated. $750–$1,645, www.oldneons.com
Leash the beast
Seatbelt buckle
dog collars ($21.95),
with leashes to
match ($17.95),
adorned with your
preferred logo from the Big Three. www.genuinehotrod.com
Old-fashioned travel mug
Most travel mugs are constructed either of metal,
’t be microwaved, or plastic, which
n leach flavors and chemicals into your
drink. I was thrilled to find these
simple ceramic travel mugs from the
Oregon textile company Pendleton
Woolen Mills. In fact, I’m taking a sip
from one right now. Ahhhh. $28,
www.pendletonusa.com
by Tony Piff
DESKTOPCLASSICS by Marshall Buck
1966 Oldsmobile Toronado by yat Ming
This was the first year for the front-wheel drive personal
luxury car from Olds. Great car but weak model, even with
the research done. Certainly made to fit a low price point.
There is reasonable detail, but this one is let down by
final execution and materials used. Many areas are close in
shape and detail but not correct, such as wheels and tires,
front side profile, rear end and more. Chrome trim is a
combo of plated parts and silver paint around windows and
wheelarches. Working features are doors, hood, steering,
seat backs that tilt forward, and pop-up headlights.
All-plastic interior looks like plastic, paint finish is
plagued with orange peel. The manufacturer lists this as a
collector model, but I’d say it’s more like a good toy.
22 AmericanCarCollector.com
Detailing
Scale: 1:18
Available colors: Black, Trumpet
Gold
Quantity: Estimated 5,000
combined
Price: $30 to $40
Production date: 2006
Web: www.yatming.com
Ratings
Detailing: ªªª
Accuracy: ªªª
Overall quality: ªª½
Overall value: ªªª
Page 22
SNAPSHOTS
The long and winding road
A LOVE FOR OLD CARS WAS THE START OF A 48-YEAR ODYSSEY
FOR THE FAMILY-OWNED LEAKE AUCTION COMPANY
Richard taught school for a couple of years, but he soon started
to work for Mr. Leake’s television station — and he helped at Leake
Auctions. “The whole family was there to help out,” Richard said. “It
was party all night, work all day — one helluva deal.”
By 1972, Richard moved to Leake Auctions for good. “The auc-
tion business had gone from being Mom and Pop to a big enough
business that was a full-time deal,” Richard said.
Everyone in the family kept pitching in at the increasingly
successful car auction business. By then, Leake had auctions in
Oklahoma, Texas, Missouri, Kansas, Arkansas and Louisiana.
In 1989, Richard and Nancy bought Leake Auction Company from
Jim Leake, who died at age 85 in July 2001.
Richard and Nancy decided to focus their auction business on the
Courtesy of Leake Auction Co.
From humble beginnings grew a major auction house
by Chester Allen
old cars and put them into a warehouse,” said Richard Sevenoaks,
who now owns Leake Auction Company with his wife, Nancy Leake
Sevenoaks — Jim Leake’s daughter. “Periodically, he’d have to empty
the warehouses, so he’d have an auction.”
One day in 1964, Leake had hired Park-Bernet — now known as
I
Sotheby’s — to sell off 80 cars, including two Duesenbergs that sold
for $3,500 each. The sale led to Leake’s creation of The Antiques Inc.
Car Museum, which at one time had the largest private collection
of Rolls-Royce cars in the world.
The 1964 sale also led to an annual
collector-car auction in Tulsa, OK,
which was the start of the Leake
Auction Company.
While Leake sold a lot of cars,
Detailing
What: Leake Auction Company
Next auction:
lahoma City,
bruary 22–23,
013, where 450
cars will cross
he block.
Where: OKC
airgrounds,
$15, $7 for children
More: www.leakecar.com
Cost: Admission is
Cox Pavilion
he kept collecting others, including
a $27,500 1911 Rolls-Royce Silver
Ghost bought at Christie’s London
Auction in 1966. “He didn’t want
to tell his wife about that car,”
Sevenoaks said.
Nancy was raised among all
these cool old cars. “You can’t get
more stylish than going to your
senior prom in a car from the Classic Era,” she said.
Nancy ended up going to the University of Arizona, where she
met Richard Sevenoaks. A college romance turned to marriage.
24 AmericanCarCollector.com
f we could step into Mr. Peabody’s Wayback Machine and
journey to Muskogee, OK, circa 1964, we’d probably find Jim
Leake staring at a bunch of old cars. Most people called Leake’s
fascination weird, but he couldn’t stop buying the old, gorgeous
machines he found while running his grocery business.
“His grocery company had lots of warehouse space, and he’d buy
Southwest United States, with their main auctions in Tulsa, Dallas,
Oklahoma City and San Antonio. Richard wanted to make the auction
a fun show, so Leake ponied up
$100,000 for a Hollywood-style
set with two turntables for cars.
Two big-screen televisions and two
turntables made for a fast-paced,
entertaining show — and bidders
liked keeping tabs on two cars at
a time.
“It’s a happy chaos,” Nancy
said. “There’s a lot going on all the
time, lots of excitement.”
The company also decided to
Nancy Sevenoaks
focus on cars that offered emotional attachment to buyers. “We decided
to auction more muscle, more 4x4s,” Richard said. “Cars that kids grew
up with in high school — cars that created an emotional attachment.”
The plan worked, and Leake’s auctions keep on growing. The
Tulsa auction usually puts 800 cars across the block, and it’s common
to see 600 cars in Dallas and 400 to 500 in Oklahoma City.
Now, 40 years since that first Leake Auction in 1972 — and 48
years since that Muskogee, OK, auction — Leake is a big player in
the car auction world. Leake has auctioned off more than 40,000
cars, and three generations of the family have put their stamp on the
business.
The world has caught up with Leake, as those junky old cars of
1964 are now often very valuable collector items — and pieces of
living history.
Nancy and Richard’s children got involved in the auction business
when they were 12 to 14 years old, and they’re still working with
old cars. “They are our exit strategy,” Richard said with the air of a
man who has no intention of retiring anytime soon. “We all just love
vintage cars.”
From the start, the Leake and Sevenoaks families have seen
value in cars, so what cars of today will be collectible in the future?
“Modern, high-performance muscle cars, such as Dodge’s Hemi cars
and the new Shelby Mustangs,” Richard said. “They are modern cars
with the sizzle of the older muscle cars. Everything old is new again,
and these modern muscle cars will be around for the next generation
— and so will we.” A
Page 24
YOURTURN
Tell us what’s on your mind
Contact us at: American Car Collector, P.O. Box 4797, Portland, OR 97208
or online at comments@americancarcollector.com
Time machine ’89 ’Vette
I own a 1989 Corvette convertible with just 32 miles. White with
red, automatic, Bose, a/c, leather, all options except the hard top and
luggage rack.
It had four miles on the odometer when I bought it in 1989. I drove
it home from the dealership, which was 28 miles.
This is not a collectible, and candidly, I think I want the C7 as I
am now 60 years old.
I had it listed on eBay in 2011 and it logged 700 views, no offers. I
want $35,000–$39,000. What do you think?
Thank you for your opinion.
— Joseph Caplan
Editor Jim Pickering responds: Thanks for your question, Joe.
It’s a good one. Placing value on an all-original ultra-low-miles car
can be really tough, as price guides don’t really have any bearing on
cars like yours. That said, I think your price is a little high.
We have seen cars like yours sell at auction before. A quick search
of the ACC Premium Database (which includes every car we’ve ever
run in ACC as well as a lot that never made it to print) provides a
couple of good comparable sales.
In 2010, Mecum sold a 1984 coupe (the 750,000th Corvette built)
at its auction of the Bob McDorman Collection for $42,900 (ACC#
168123). That car had just 559 miles on the clock, but it also had more
historical significance than your car.
Another car, a 1988 convertible in silver with a red interior, sold
at Mecum’s Bloomington Gold auction in June ’09 for $25,970 (ACC#
120821). That car only had 6.5 miles on the odometer and was still on
the MSO.
Yet another one, this time an ’88 convertible in blue with a blue
interior, made $23,850 at Mecum’s Indy sale in 2009 (ACC# 120509).
That one had 8,885 miles, which I’d still call pretty minty considering
its age.
These cars give a pretty good ballpark range on values, even if
the data points are a couple of years old. The truth of the matter is we
don’t see these ultra-low-mile cars come up for sale that often.
I think the silver convertible from BG is probably the best comp to
your Corvette. And it sold at Bloomington Gold, which is one of the
Joseph Caplan’s 1989 Corvette. The market indicates the
$35k–$39k asking price might be a little high
top Corvette auctions in the country, especially for cars like yours.
Based on these past sales, I think $35k is a lot of money for an
’89, even with no miles. Corvette technology has really come a long
way over the years, and that amount of cash can buy a car with more
performance. Even $30k is pristine ZR-1 territory.
And let’s not forget that engine seals, hoses and other rubber
components don’t like to sit that long without being used. The first
question that always comes to mind regarding a no-miles car is how
much will need to be replaced before you can safely use it. In your
case, did the car ever get started and moved around? Have you kept
up with the services over the years? How are the tires? How are the
brakes? Any serious buyers will want to know.
The current market value for a #2 condition ’89 convertible is
$10,500 to $16,500. Your car has a good story, really low miles, and
likely no issues aside from possible atrophy from sitting. I’d suggest
starting out somewhere around $26k or $27k and be willing to move
down from there if needed.
And when you get that C7, be sure to get out and drive it. You’ll be
happy you did.A
This 1988 Corvette convertible, with 6.5 miles, sold for $26k in 2009
26 AmericanCarCollector.com
Page 26
UNDERTHE HOOD
10
TIPS
Make the most of selling
your vehicle at auction
BEING PREPARED IS THE BEST TOOL YOU HAVE
When you go to auction, you’ll be happier if your vehicle is well-prepped and you have a realistic expectation of price
Courtesy of Barrett-Jackson
by Dale Novak
S
o you’ve decided to let your old car go, and you’ve decided
that a classic-car auction is the best place to sell it. What’s
the next step? How does the process work?
There’s a lot to selling at auction, and it isn’t always as
easy as it looks. ACC is here to help you make the most out
of the experience. Here’s a list of 10 suggestions from me, and I’ve
sold more than a few cars at auction.
1 Evaluate your car
This may be the toughest step to take. What’s wrong with
your car? What would a prospective buyer see that you’ve simply
grown accustomed to? How would a true professional appraiser
rate your car? These are tough questions that are rarely addressed
honestly by most sellers.
Most likely, if you think your car is a very nice #3 driver, it just
might be a #4+ daily driver. Guys who honestly believe that they own
28 AmericanCarCollector.com
a #1 trailer queen may likely own a very nice #2 example.
Look at your car with your eyes wide open. Look at the chrome,
the glass, the carpet, inner fenders, chassis, engine bay, headliner
and dash. Rate each and every part of your car compared with how it
would have been showroom-new. The sum of the parts evaluates the
whole.
What works and doesn’t work? What would you fix if you planned
to keep the car? How would your car honestly rate against one that
has been judged as the best in the world? Once you’ve got an accurate
picture of what you really have, you’re ready to move on to step
number two.
2 What’s my car really worth?
Auction results can be wildly unpredictable. Just because
a similar car sold for a world-class result doesn’t mean your car will
perform the same at auction. It might be an indicator, but by no means
will it be the gospel.
Page 27
Presentation is paramount. Spend time on cleanup and detailing — it will likely pay off in the sale price
BeFORe
aFTeR
Try subscribing to the ACC Premium Auction Database to see
what similar cars in similar condition have sold for at multiple venues.
Visit the large auction-house databases and research their results.
Scour our free valuations at our site, CollectorCarPriceTracker.com.
Lastly, search the Web and a variety of price guides for more guidance.
The worst thing you can do is go into an auction with a valuation
that is unrealistic. You’ll be disappointed and discouraged and the
experience will be costly. And pay no attention to dealer or privateparty
asking prices. They usually have no bearing on actual selling
prices and can vary wildly for no apparent reason.
3 Fix it or forget it?
What bothers you about your car? Odd noises, rattles,
squeaks, issues with the brakes, suspension, heating or cooling systems?
Chances are if it bothers you, it will bother another guy.
Auction houses don’t like selling needy cars, nor do they ap-
preciate getting complaints about a car after the sale. Weigh the cost
of making your car right against possible outcomes, and if there’s
something you don’t want to fix, disclose it. Don’t think of an auction
as the proverbial dumping grounds — and don’t believe that auction
companies have no recourse with their consignors. Problems can
come back to bite you.
4 Which auction is right for me?
We all know about the largest auction houses — these days,
they have television coverage, piles of ads and a large voice out in the
classic-car world. They’re great, but that doesn’t mean you should
forget about the smaller auctions that might be closer to you.
Many times, smaller auction companies have lower entry and
seller fees, and you also have to consider the cost to transport your
car to a larger event (plus hotel, meals, airfare, expenses and possibly
time off from work). It all adds up.
Your car might achieve a few thousand more at a larger auction,
but your fees, expenses and commission could eat up much of those
proceeds, depending on what that larger auction house charges.
That said, don’t rule out the big boys. I’ve sold at both large and
small auctions and have had good luck at both. But do look around
before you decide on a company, and examine all the expenses that
come with that decision. Also, consign as early as possible so you get
the benefit of the online and print exposure.
5 Down to the details
How a car looks is paramount. The reality is that most cars
are never “test driven” at auction (although many auctions will try to
accommodate the request). That makes presentation 90% of the sale.
What your car card states or how your car performs rolling up on the
auction block plays a distant second to that first impression.
If you don’t have the time or knowledge to really detail your car
well, hire someone to do it for you. A great $300 detailing job can
bring another $1,000 (or more) on the auction block.
Cut corners here and your neglect or loss of interest will result in
lower bids. You’ll likely end up trying to explain to your wife why
your car isn’t worth what you told her you’d get for it. So spend the
time or spend the money to get this done right. It’s worth it.
6 The docs
Cars with the best documentation always achieve the best
results. I know some of you don’t have any paperwork for your car.
That’s just the way it is. But for those of you who do, leverage it.
First, make copies of everything you have. If your original docu-
ments are in color, make color copies — they are inexpensive and
will present better. Scour the Web for information about your car.
What are the performance specs? What options does it have? How
many were likely built just like yours? Do your best to discern the
marketing benefits of your car.
If you have a bunch of documents, put them in a binder with
plastic sleeves so buyers can thumb through them. I like to secure the
book to the car if possible
so nobody walks off with it.
Never put your originals on
display.
As a side note, never
display a sheet showing the
current NADA values as
a measure of what you’re car should be worth. If the auction house
uses a pre-sale estimate, let the buyers decipher that information as a
yardstick for the final hammer price.
Be honest to
the core, but in a
positive manner
7 Preparing your description
You know your car better than anyone else. Prepare a
description that tells the story about your car. Let bidders know how
much you’ve enjoyed your car, what’s great about it and how well
you’ve taken care of it.
Be honest to the core, but in a positive manner. For instance, if the
windshield on your car is delaminating and yellowing a bit, you don’t
need to state that in your description. Nor do you need to state that
the interior needs restoration. Your car is on display for bidders to
evaluate for themselves.
If you know about certain major deficiencies such as the a/c not
working or that the rear main seal spews oil like a sprinkler head,
disclose them. You’ll feel better about selling your car and buyers will
January-February 2013 29
Page 28
UNDERTHE HOOD
of buyers at the staging area — this is where you’ll have your final
shot at closing the sale.
Be clear and avoid dancing around the hard questions — buyers
will want to engage in an honest discussion about your car. Be honest
and prepared, but also let the buyers know what’s right about your car
too.
Once your car is on the block, the auction company will work with
you to get your car sold. They will ask you about your reserve (if you
have one) and how flexible you are with the amount you want for your
car.
It’s best to know your true
High-quality photos of your car and an honest description
in bullet points can help seal the deal
appreciate your honesty.
Most car cards have limited space for a description, so use bullet
points if you can. Remember, what’s on your car card is what will be
read on the auction block. If you have a longer story to tell, tape the
long description to the passenger’s side window.
8 A picture is worth a thousand bucks
Quality photos help get your car noticed at auction. Serious
buyers will browse through the auction company’s sale list
and look for cars in which they’re interested. Yes, sometimes a guy is
looking for a specific car, but it makes no difference — that car might
be yours.
Take great photos. Use good lighting and follow the auction
company’s instructions for the best outcome. Do not use flash photography
in your garage. Don’t use your cell-phone camera. Don’t take
photos when the sun is in full bloom. Always use the natural outdoor
light, avoid using flash and take photos in the early morning or late
afternoon light.
9 Sit. Stay. Sell
Being available to answer questions
can literally make the difference between a
great sale and a no-sale.
Bring some folding chairs and a few
copies of ACC and plan to hang around your
car. If you’d rather roam the grounds and
enjoy the show, post your cell-phone number
on the car and let the buyers know you are at
the auction.
Serious buyers will have legitimate ques-
tions about your car. Some will ask you how
much you want for it, trying to peek into
your reserve (if you have one). Some guys
will just be kicking the tires (look for bidder
badges) or just want to reminisce with you
about the one they owned 30 years ago.
Remember, you’re on a mission to achieve
the best result that you can.
10 Gone in 180 seconds
30 AmericanCarCollector.com
Let the auction staff drive your car
through the grounds and up on the block.
Ride shotgun until you get near the block
staging area. There will usually be swarms
auctions are fast and furious. you might have only minutes to make decisions
bottom line before you are on
the block. You’ll only have
about three minutes (or less)
to make decisions. If there’s
a display monitor, look at the
number that’s bid. Try to tune
out the auctioneer. Trust me,
it’s easier to stay focused that way. Asking the auction representative
what the bidding is at is an alternative.
There are a bunch of subtle nuances that go on between the auc-
Being available to
answer questions
can make the
difference
tioneer, the ringman and the seller’s representative, and it all moves
at a very fast pace. Just remember, you’re in control, provided they
haven’t reached your reserve number. They can’t sell your car without
your permission otherwise.
Sell it or take it home? Keep your costs in mind. If you parade
your car around auction to auction, you’ll continue to spend money
that will eat away at your net sale amount and diminish your final
tally. Do your homework, break out your old Texas Instruments
calculator, and crunch the numbers. Being prepared is the best tool
you have.
If you’re close, it usually best to lift your reserve and call it a day.
Sometimes you’ll receive a few more bids, sometimes you won’t.
Occasionally, cars will take off with unusually extraordinary results.
Ultimately, selling your car at auction is a short-term partnership
between you and your selected auction house. There are plenty to
choose from — from the largest to some pretty darn good regional
players. It’s a matter of research, negotiation and diligence. Auctions
move pretty quickly. But if you come prepared, you’re much more
likely to have a good day. A
Page 30
WAXINGNOSTALGIC
Meguiar’s trip back in time
ON A VISIT BACK TO KENTUCKY, CAR-WAX HEIR AND HIS FAMILY RELIVE
MORE THAN 100 YEARS OF ANCESTRAL AND BUSINESS HISTORY
Meguiar’s wax born
just 200 miles away
Evansville, IN — just 200 miles north
of Franklin, KY — was where Frank
Meguiar Jr. started formulating furniture
polishes in 1901. His home-brewed potions
became known for creating a perfectly
clear finish on black lacquer furniture.
Location is often the key to success, and
Meguiar’s new business was close to more
than 150 horseless-carriage manufacturers
in Indiana. Those companies painted their
new vehicles with the same black lacquer,
so Frank Meguiar’s Furniture Polish
quickly became the preferred carriage polish
— and the rest is history.
In 1913, Frank Meguiar moved his fam-
Courtesy of Barry Meguiar
Barry Meguiar, his wife, Karen, and daughters Michelle Shoemaker and Nicole
Meguiar visit one of the family cemeteries
by Keith Martin
County), KY. The Meguiar roots go all the way back to Jamestown,
VA, and two Meguiar brothers who fought in the Revolutionary War.
A bunch of car guys in Simpson County, KY, began what is now
I
one of the oldest continuous-running car shows in the world in 1962.
So, it was altogether fitting for Barry Meguiar, the third-generation
president of Meguiar’s and the host of “Car Crazy Television,” to
return to his roots and be honored as the Grand Marshal for the 50th
anniversary of the Southern Kentucky Region Antique Car Show &
Festival on the Square. The Southern Kentucky Region of the AACA
puts on the show each year, and it draws more than 250 cars and more
than 11,000 car enthusiasts.
“It was an amazing trip back in time for us,” Barry said. “The
Simpson County Historical Society provided us with overwhelming
documentation on our family roots going back to my great-, great-,
great-, great-, great-, great-grandfather Thomas William Meguiar,
born in 1757. Mason Barnes (one of the lead car guys in Franklin and
a city commissioner), toured my wife, Karen, our two daughters, and
me through two Meguiar Cemeteries with the aged tombstones of our
ancestors.”
32 AmericanCarCollector.com
t’s commonly known that Barry Meguiar’s grandfather, Frank
Meguiar Jr., founded the family car-wax business in Evansville,
IN, in 1901. What is not known is that Frank’s father, Benjamin
Franklin Meguiar, and generations of Meguiars before him,
were all born and bred in the town of Franklin (Simpson
ily and family business to Pasadena, CA,
which became a mecca for great cars when
two of the most respected American coachbuilders
of all time, Walter M. Murphy
and Bohman & Schwartz, made Pasadena
their home. Thirty-five years later, Frank
Meguiar’s passion for creating deep, clear
reflections in automobile paint jobs found
its audience when the car hobby exploded
on the scene in Southern California after
the end of World War II.
The Meguiar family has been part of the fabric of the car hobby
ever since, but as this journey showed, the roots of the family — and
the business of making automobile paint glow — go back to that
charming, rural area of Indiana and Kentucky. A
The Southern Kentucky Region antique Car Show and
Festival on the Square brought Meguiar home
Page 32
INSIDER’S VIEW
Hot rod blasphemy?
Crowd-sourcing an answer to your queries
To be on the mailing list for next month’s question, go to AmericanCarCollector.com and sign up for our biweekly newsletter.
Chevy guy and that dictates
what you drive. I don’t care
what you put in what, as
long as it’s fast and fun. We
once did a 1600-cc Toyota
in a ’72 Maverick for my kid
in college — he got more
laughs when he opened the
hood and great gas mileage.
Jerry O., Tacoma, WA,
via ACC blog: What you
put in your hot rod is your
business. But I like to see
a Ford in a Ford, a Chev in
a Chev. I think you should
stay true to the brand.
Bill Gould
Mark Cochran,
Mission Viejo, CA, via
email: It’s always a good
The ACC question:
Traditionally, in the hot rod world, Chevy
engines have been the powerplants of
choice, even in Ford hot rods. But do you
think it’s wrong to drop a Chevy V8 in a
Ford when there are perfectly good Ford
engines out there?
Readers respond:
Barry Mann, Winter Park, FL, via
email: I checked the Constitution, Bill of
Rights, Bible, Snopes and I even Googled
it... but alas, no rules, laws, amendments,
commandments, etc., saying you couldn’t put
a Chevy engine in a Ford or vice versa. Nada,
nothing, zip!
Bob Smalley, via email: It’s like trans-
planting a dog’s heart into a human. It’s just a
very bad idea.
Bill Warner, Amelia Island, FL, via
email: No problem with the small-block
Chevy in ’30s Fords. That’s the way it was
done in the mid- to late ’50s. Earlier, Olds and
Cadillacs were used. I do have a problem with
modern big blocks of any manufacture in ’30s
Fords.
Jim Meyer, Lincoln City, OR, via email:
In the last 50 years, our Chevy-to-Ford engine
swaps have way outnumbered any other
swap. Seems like you are either a Ford or a
34 AmericanCarCollector.com
idea to put a Chevy engine in anything Ford.
Tom Maruska, via email: I never liked
the idea and wish they would keep their
Chevy engines in Chevys or the junk yard.
I’ve always wanted to put a Ford engine in a
Chevy just to get even but I can’t get myself
to build a Chevy car.
Kevin Kelledy, via email: In hot rod-
ding, as in war, all is fair. I have a 1939 Ford
Deluxe coupe
with a tunnel ram
Chevy 454 engine
and a TH400.
Nothing could be
finer!
Bill Waite,
Cleveland. The owner was adamant about
having a “Ford in a Ford.” Problem is, the
351 is a big sucker, and we had to do all sorts
of heroics to make it fit, including a custom
fabricated water pump to get clearance. From
the aesthetic and purist view, I would much
prefer a period Flathead.
Dave Lavine, Minneapolis, MN, via
email: I see no reason why a man building a
Ford hot rod shouldn’t install a Ford engine.
Why not the venerable 427 or 428? Both were
good enough for Mr. Shelby.
Robert Williams, via email: It is wrong
to put a Chevy engine in any other kind of
car, unless it’s a Jaguar.
Ron LeBlanc, Manchester, CT, via
email: It’s not blasphemy; it’s part of what
makes it a hot rod. A Chevy motor in a Ford
would never be confused with a flathead or
Y-block, and identified you as a hot rodder.
Chris Kunkler, Atlanta, GA, via email:
Would you rather have your wife get breast
implants or breast transplants from another
woman? Chevy to Chevy, Ford to Ford, etc.
Don’t mix!
Jon Leeth, Tuttle, OK, via email: Is it
via email: At one
time it wasn’t a
problem. But now, with all of the Ford smallblock
choices out there, anyone who puts a
Chevy into a Ford should be seriously flogged
in a public square.
Capt. David Delano, San Francisco,
CA, via email: Why is it any more wrong
to install an SBC than a Chrysler or Dodge
Hemi? Isn’t that what hot rodding is all about,
building a car with what you have or how you
want it? If it fits and you have it or want it,
use it!
John Clark, via email: From a practical
standpoint, the Chevy is much easier to get
into the ’32, and most of the bits are readily
available for the installation. Some years
ago, I helped build a ’32 Roadster with a 351
“It’s like transplanting
a dog’s heart into a
human. It’s just a
very bad idea.”
wrong to put the ubiquitous Bowtie smallblock
350 into a ’64½ Mustang? Or a Dodge
318 into a ’64 ’Vette?
Only as wrong as any
other swap in hot rodding.
Only as wrong as
that one-wire alternator,
or that rear axle with
the nine-inch ring gear.
Only as wrong as the
import truck power-
steering pump and box in your old farm
truck, or as a cookie-cutter front-suspension
kit adapted from a languishing mid-’70s
“sports car.”
Ty Bennett, Fort Wayne, IN, via email:
You usually do not restore a Shelby Mustang
and drop in a big-block Chevrolet. But a
custom is just that — built to one person’s
tastes. And variety IS the spice of life. So, let
a person work within their budget and knowledge
base. Build and save as many old cars
as we can and ENJOY them, I say. Do not put
someone or a car down because it is not all
stock or original. Praise them for their efforts
and encourage anyone younger than you to
embrace the passion we all share. A
Page 34
Cheap Thrills
B. Mitchell Carlson
STRAIGHT-SIX
YOU DON’T NEED A V8 TO HAVE A GOOD TIME
Detailing
Years produced: 1965–68
Number produced:
626,350 (1965–67)
Original list price: $2,734
(early 1965 coupe)
ACC valuation: $10,000–
$22,500
Tune-up cost: $200
Distributor cap: $10
Chassis number:
Stamped on the left
front shock tower/fender
support along the top
edge of the fender (also
on the right side on San
Jose-assembled cars).
Data plate on driver’s
door.
Engine number: Beneath
the coil attaching bolt
More: www.mustang.org
Alternatives: 1960–70
Ford Falcon, 1960–69
Chevrolet Corvair
Monza, 1964–69
Plymouth Barracuda
(slant-6), 1967–69
Pontiac Firebird Sprint,
1967–69 Chevrolet
Camaro (6)
Club: Mustang Club of
America
ap Thrills
B. Mitchell Carlson
STRAIGHT-SIX
YOU DON’T NEED A V8 TO HAVE A GOOD TIME
Detailing
Years produced: 1965–68
Number produced:
626,350 (1965–67)
Original list price: $2,734
(early 1965 coupe)
ACC valuation: $10,000–
$22,500
Tune-up cost: $200
Distributor cap: $10
Chassis number:
Stamped on the left
front shock tower/fender
support along the top
edge of the fender (also
on the right side on San
Jose-assembled cars).
Data plate on driver’s
door.
Engine number: Beneath
the coil attaching bolt
More: www.mustang.org
Alternatives: 1960–70
Ford Falcon, 1960–69
Chevrolet Corvair
Monza, 1964–69
Plymouth Barracuda
(slant-6), 1967–69
Pontiac Firebird Sprint,
1967–69 Chevrolet
Camaro (6)
Club: Mustang Club of
America
ACC
ACC Investment Grade: C
36 AmericanCarCollector.com
Cheap Thr
Cheap Thr
Cheap Thr
Cheap Thr
Cheap Thr
Cheap Thr
Cheap Thr
Cheap Thr
Cheap Thr
Cheap Thr
Cheap Thr
hrills
B. Mitchell Carlson
STRAIGHT-SIX
YOU DON’T NEED A V8 TO HAVE A GOOD TIME
Detailing
Years produced: 1965–68
Number produced:
6
ap Thrills
B. Mitchell Carlson
STRAIGHT-SIX
YOU DON’T NEED A V8 TO HAVE A GOOD TIME
Detailing
Years produced: 1965–68
Number produced:
626,350 (1965–67)
Original list price: $2,734
(early 1965 coupe)
ACC valuation: $10,000–
$22,500
Tune-up cost: $200
Distributor cap: $10
Chassis number:
Stamped on the left
front shock tower/fender
support along the top
edge of the fender (also
on the right side on San
Jose-assembled cars).
Data plate on driver’s
door.
Engine number: Beneath
the coil attaching bolt
More: www.mustang.org
Alternatives: 1960–70
Ford Falcon, 1960–69
Chevrolet Corvair
Monza, 1964–69
Plymouth Barracuda
(slant-6), 1967–69
Pontiac Firebird Sprint,
1967–69 Chevrolet
Camaro (6)
Club: Mustang Club of
America
ACC Investment Grade: C
36 AmericanCarCollector.com
and
and economical cruisers, with mileage figures that
won’t have you crying at the pump.
Birds and ponies of a feather
If you know anything about Fords, you know the
first-generation Mustang was really just a rebodied
Falcon. That 170-ci 6-cylinder Falcon engine was the
standard engine for the Mustang, too. And it wasn’t a
bad engine either, with a respectable 101 horsepower.
A 200-ci variant was introduced in 1965, with the
added benefit of having seven main bearings instead
of four.
Of the 121,538 early-production “1964½” Mustangs
sold, 32,750 (27%) were 170-ci 6-bangers. Their
popularity increased during their first full model year
— 36% were delivered with the new-for-1965 200-ci
six — or 198,900 of the 559,451 units built. By 1966,
sixes accounted for 42% of production.
Ponies
1966 Ford Mustang coupe,
sold for $15,100 this year at
Silver auctions, Spokane, Wa
Cheap Thr
Cheap Thr
hrills
B. Mitchell Carlson
STRAIGHT-SIX
YOU DON’T NEED A V8 TO HAVE A GOOD TIME
Detailing
Years produced: 1965–68
Number produced:
626
hrills
B. Mitchell Carlson
STRAIGHT-SIX
YOU DON’T NEED A V8 TO HAVE A GOOD TIME
Detailing
Years produced: 1965–68
Number produced:
626,350 (1965–67)
Original list price: $2,734
(early 1965 coupe)
ACC valuation: $10,000–
$22,500
Tune-up cost: $200
Distributor cap: $10
Chassis number:
Stamped on the left
front shock tower/fender
support along the top
edge of the fender (also
on the right side on San
Jose-assembled cars).
Data plate on driver’s
door.
Engine number: Beneath
the coil attaching bolt
More: www.mustang.org
Alternatives: 1960–70
Ford Falcon, 1960–69
Chevrolet Corvair
Monza, 1964–69
Plymouth Barracuda
(slant-6), 1967–69
Pontiac Firebird Sprint,
1967–69 Chevrolet
Camaro (6)
Club: Mustang Club of
America
ACC Investment Grade: C
36 AmericanCarCollector.com
and economical cruisers, with mileage figures that
won’t have you crying at the pump.
Birds and ponies of a feather
If you know anything about Fords, you know the
first-generation Mustang was really just a rebodied
Falcon. That 170-ci 6-cylinder Falcon engine was the
standard engine for the Mustang, too. And it wasn’t a
bad engine either, with a respectable 101 horsepower.
A 200-ci variant was introduced in 1965, with the
added benefit of having seven main bearings instead
of four.
Of the 121,538 early-production “1964½” Mustangs
sold, 32,750 (27%) were 170-ci 6-bangers. Their
popularity increased during their first full model year
— 36% were delivered with the new-for-1965 200-ci
six — or 198,900 of the 559,451 units built. By 1966,
sixes accounted for 42% of production.
Ponies
1966 Ford Mustang coupe,
sold for $15,100 this year at
Silver auctions, Spokane, Wa
special
special Sprint 200 package was introduced mid-year.
All but ignored today, these Mustangs featured a
unique center emblem on simulated wire wheel covers,
a unique rocker panel stripe, a center console, and
a chrome air cleaner with unique “Sprint 200” decal.
In addition to that, ads were launched targeting the
Mustang as a sporty looking yet economical car — especially
toward women, with “Six and the Single Girl”
ad copy. This is probably where the Mustang six’s
stereotype of being a girl’s car comes from — that and
the famous quote from Carroll Shelby, who reportedly
called the Mustang a “secretary’s car” when Ford
asked him to take on the project that would become
the GT350.
But hey, the world has changed. These things are
cheap collector cars you can actually use, and if your
significant other loves it, isn’t that a bonus? You may
not win any drag races in one, but it’s refreshing to
Page 35
the $15k to $18k range. For just plain runners, these are the
only classic Mustangs that you can get for under $10k —
including the occasional convertible.
With the heavy marketing of the sixes towards women,
Cruise-O-Matics tended to be the most popular transmissions
(in both sixes and eights), with 3-speeds close behind,
and Dagenham 4-speeds (named after the town where they
were built) a rare minority. For collectibility, I think a 1966
Sprint 200 with a Dagenham 4-speed would be the rarest,
although any 4-speed convertible would be more desirable.
Don’t get your engine hoist just yet
Don’t assume that buying a six and making it into a V8
1965 Ford Mustang convertible — an $11,934 sale in 2011 at the
Bonhams auction in Port Townsend, Wa
drive a collector car that is dead simple, cheap to fix
and doesn’t gulp fuel at a higher rate than some small
countries.
One of my auction assistants has a 1968 convertible,
and he reports getting mileage in the upper 20s when
not pushing it hard. He also recommends that the most
prudent upgrade is dual master cylinder power brakes
for safer stopping.
How much does it cost?
These cars can be significantly cheaper than price
guides suggest. I’ve seen rather nice original 6-cylinder
hard tops sell for $10k to $12k, with drop tops in
on the cheap is the way to go. You’re better off spending
more money for an original V8. Converting a six correctly
will be expensive, and if you skimp, you’ll break parts on a
regular basis. Oh, and there will always be that pesky “T”
engine code in the VIN (or “U” for the 170-cube mill) that
anyone who knows Mustangs will spot from a mile away.
But you don’t really need to swap in a V8 if you’re just
looking for a small boost in performance. There were some speed parts made for
these sixes in the late 1960s and early 1970s, and while hardly plentiful today, they
don’t tend to be expensive when they pop up.
Hot Rod magazine ran an article in 1970 about Ak Miller’s modifications on a
Maverick with a 200 in it, with several good performance and durability tips — including
machining the head/intake to give it triple-carb induction. Other Ford speed
fans suggest swapping out the cylinder head from a Granada, which has a separate
intake manifold, unlike the Mustang. All of this will give you more power at a
reduced cost without significantly adding to the weight on the front end like a V8
would, and that means better handling. Sounds like just the market the Mustang was
originally trying to tap.
These cars are easy to find and easy to use, so why not jump on the bandwagon?
With all that is retro in the American car world today, even an original six has loads
of curb appeal, and you sure can’t argue with the price point.A
January-February 2013 37
Page 36
Horsepower
Colin Comer
A s MUSCLE
how of
THE MUSCLE CAR AND CORVETTE NATIONALS TEAM WANTED
“THE SHOW TO END ALL SHOWS”
Al Rogers
This year’s Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals featured a display of more than 60 yenkos, from Corvairs to Camaros
decided it was time to build the all-makes American car show we had
always wanted to see. The Chicago venue was available, with roughly
400,000 square feet of indoor space just a stone’s throw from O’Hare
airport. And the vacated November dates wouldn’t interfere with any
other shows — a rarity in the car show world.
F
Go big or go home
Two problems stared us in the face: Nobody knew how to run a
show, and at the time, not one of us knew just how crazy the idea of
building a world-class, 500-plus car show in under 12 months would
be. But as they say, if you’re going to be a bear, might as well be a
Grizzly. Our group of nine collectors decided to go for it anyway.
The first order of business was to snag Bob Ashton, the hardworking
former Vettefest manager. Bob knew the venue, the logistics,
38 AmericanCarCollector.com
or many years, the Fall Chevy Vettefest in Chicago was a
must-attend event for Midwest car guys. But unfortunately,
for a variety of reasons, the show lost its magic. After the
fall event in 2008, its owner, Championship Auto Shows,
pulled the plug.
Hearing this news, a small group of collectors, myself included,
the people, the hobby, and the ins and outs of running a really good
show. He became the 10th member of the newly formed Muscle Car
and Corvette Nationals show (MCACN).
While 90% of our members knew next to nothing about running
a show, we sure knew a lot about going to shows and what we did
and did not like. Lists were compiled and votes taken. The end result
was we all wanted “the show to end all shows” — a Pebble Beach for
muscle car and Corvette guys.
We invited the best of the best in cars and car people. And they
showed up! By the end of our 2009 show, the common consensus was
that it could never be duplicated. But we weren’t done. Not nearly.
This year’s event, held November 17 and 18, marked the fourth year of
the MCACN show, and it’s still growing.
Rarest of the rare
Beyond this year’s 533 show cars on display, plus a swapmeet,
car corral and great vendors, what sets MCACN apart? First, there
are cars you’ll never see anywhere else. Our special showcases for
2012 included the perennial favorite Shelby Snakepit, with eight
hand-picked special Shelbys, including Bobby Rahal and his 1965
Page 37
Al Rogers
Serious muscle as far as the eye can see
GT350. This year’s show also featured the 1969 Trans Am convertible
showcase, with six of the eight produced on display; the “Meet the
Mean Ones” Yenko display with over 60 Yenkos, from Corvairs to
Camaros; the Class of 1962 and Class of 1972 displays, and the “Aero
Warriors” display, with 42 of the winged wonders stretching almost
the length of the building.
We also had numerous unveilings of special cars fresh out of res-
toration, including the 1969 Hurst Olds Convertible Pace Car with the
famous nine-foot-tall gold Hurst shifter on the trunk. The even-morefamous
Linda Vaughn was there to stand with that shifter. There was
also a “Muscle Bikes” concours for vintage 1960s and 1970s bicycles
—something to which all of us of a certain age can relate.
Judging
MCACN offers concours judging as well as more than 10 non-
concours classes to recognize significant cars of all types. MCACN’s
expert team of judges, fluent in all makes, is led by Bill Braun, a noted
collector as well as NCRS Chapter Chairman and the former Vettefest
Judging Chairman for 22 years. For the Corvette guys, MCACN
offers the coveted Triple Diamond concours judging for Corvettes
that have already achieved NCRS Top Flight and Bloomington Gold
Certification within the past five years.
Beyond the MCACN Concours Stock judging, where cars are
judged against a 1,000 point scale representing exact “as delivered”
condition, there is also the unique Day 2 concours judging. Here,
period-correct and documented accessories and modifications are
allowed with no point deductions. This Day 2 judging recognizes this
emerging trend to restore (and show) muscle cars as they were “back
in the day,” with headers, Cragar mags, Thrush mufflers, Sun Tachs
and the like.
One of my favorite features at MCACN is the Vintage Certification
program for original, unrestored cars. This incredibly intense judging
and documentation process is only available for six to eight cars per
year, and all are rigorously pre-qualified. Owners must submit an application
that includes a written record of the car’s history
along with supporting documentation and photographs.
Four levels of Vintage Certification are offered to
suit original cars from absolute time-capsule, untouched
preservation-level cars down to cars that may have had
limited restoration but still have areas that can offer
invaluable references on factory finishes and processes. It
is the goal of Vintage Certification to provide recognition
and appreciation for unrestored cars while documenting
them for historical reference. If we can save even a few
cars that shouldn’t be restored from the knife, we’ve done
our job.
So with all of this, what does MCACN mean to the
Al Rogers
Linda Vaughn and one of three 1969 Hurst Olds convertible pace cars
hobby? Judging by the nearly 20,000 people through
the gate over the two-day show, including visitors from
Sweden, England, France, and Canada, it has become
the one not-to-miss show for American car enthusiasts
worldwide. Famed collector and the creator of the original
muscle car museum Floyd Garrett summed up MCACN
by saying, “I’m going to tell all of my friends that they
don’t need to go to any other show during the year. THIS
is the one to see!” I couldn’t have said it better myself. A
January-February 2013 39
Page 38
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Page 40
Corvette Market
John L. Stein
PATINAvs.
PERFECTION
PERFECTION CAN BE BREATHTAKING, BUT PATINA IS SOMETHING
DIFFERENT — THE REWARD OF A DRIVING LIFE WELL LIVED
H
eading down the Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu one
sunny Saturday morning, I found my eyes drawn to a
flash of scarlet. It was a 1957 Corvette heading north,
zooming along in the fast lane at a good clip. The chrome
bumpers and toothy grille reflected the blue skies bril-
liantly, and the paint was an eye-popping red with dazzling white
coves. Maybe too dazzling.
It was obvious this car was being cherished and enjoyed, but I
wondered just how over-restored the whole package probably looked
up close. At a glance, it had that flawless appearance, with a much
brighter and more chromatic base-coat/clear-coat finish than the
original lacquer. All in all restored, as Mom used to label various
exploits of excess, “not wisely but too well.”
Only original once
Remaking a Corvette carries a sizable burden of responsibility,
just as does the restoration of an Impressionist painting or performing
plastic surgery. In order for the result to succeed, it should be completely
undetectable from the original. Done wrong, and you turn a
nice-looking kid into a cartoon caricature, a Monet into a pawn-shop
velvet Elvis…or an honest Corvette into a joke.
Until about a decade ago, the standard operating procedure for
classic-car enthusiasts was fairly simple. The target was nice and
shiny rather than 100% authentic, and with plenty of distressed cars
available, the protocol became Buy, Repaint, Flip, Repeat. And it
happened to a lot of Corvettes.
Eventually, people began to marvel when chance revealed a totally
authentic car that had never been touched. It was like stumbling into
an audience with Zora Arkus-Duntov. “So that’s how the original
paint was,” someone would murmur. “So that’s how the door gaps
were. So that’s what the vinyl looked like. Wow.” Suddenly, surviving
original cars were not just cool, but invaluable.
At that point, the good all-original cars started being coveted for
what they are — real. And it became more broadly understood that
while you can restore a car over and over again, it’s only original
once. Today’s auction results bear this out, with some barn-find originals
commanding comparable money as nut-and-bolt restorations.
A matter of taste
People engage with vintage cars for a host of personal reasons.
It might be profit or personal therapy, a desire to chase perfection or
create a unique resto-mod, or just to tunnel into the past. So it’s no
wonder why, when I polled some acquaintances for this column, there
42 AmericanCarCollector.com
Can a car be
too perfect?
Page 41
emerged no consensus as to whether patina or perfection was the high
priest.
Greg Young is a California attorney and concours judge whose
collection includes a ’63 fuel-injected coupe. “An unrestored car in
nice condition is the star of any show today,” he says. “But people
buying at auction want perfection. My own desire is to have a car that
is in the exact shape it was during its day. For a driver, patina is fine,
and I left the original dash, headliner and console in my Sting Ray
when I went through the car.”
West Coast investor and collector Orwin Middleton owns 1957
and ’61 Corvettes. “Restorations used to consist of just paint, chrome
and interior, but the game of one-upsmanship has taken over,” he
says. “Patina or perfection is a matter of taste, and my preference is
absolutely patina. My opinion is that over-perfection is now a dime
a dozen, whereas cars with true patina are very rare and much more
interesting.”
Doug McKenzie, a California-based stock broker and collec-
tor, adds, “I appreciate the craftsmanship that goes into making
something perfect.” While Wayne Greene, a custom homebuilder and
collector, says, “I am a perfectionist in my business, but I appreciate
both perfection and patina in cars.”
Perfectly original is best
Perfection can be breathtaking, laudable and enviable. But patina
is something different — the reward of a driving life well lived.
Patina is the stone chips on the nose of a race car, earned in battle and
so honored. It is the remnants of a beach-club parking permit on the
windshield, left over from the Summer of Love. Patina is a steering
wheel and shift knob polished smooth by decades of use. And it’s the
quiet dignity of original lacquer, rich but not shouting, well-presented
but imperfect, spider cracks replacing block-sanded perfection.
Years down the road, which Corvette becomes more valuable? I
think some collectors will still covet perfection and others will still
covet originality. The desire for patina and perfection have distinctly
Of course, originality has its limits, too
different drivers, and on any given day one may still trump the other
on the auction block. But if there is a perfect storm for future value,
I see it as this: First, the car will have to be a desirable year with
the best RPO codes. Second, it’ll need complete ownership history,
preferably VIP. Finally, it’ll need to be in nearly perfect original
condition. With a just-right seasoning of patina. A
January-February 2013 43
Page 42
PROFILE CORVETTE
1972 CHEVROLET CORVETTE LT-1 A/C TEST MULE
Rare test car, affordable price
This might
just look like
just another
yellow
Corvette.
To the
purists,
it’s a piece
of history
Chassis number: 1Z37K2S502354
by Michael Pierce and Drew Papsun
• Zora Arkus-Duntov’s 1972 test car for the
installation of air conditioning on an LT-1
• Bloomington Gold Special Collection
• NCRS National Second Flight Award
• 53,557 original miles
• LT-1 engine
• 4-speed manual
• War Bonnet Yellow with black interior
• Appeared in the movie “Apollo 13”
• Tank sticker and microfilm copies of Chevrolet
engineering build and test orders
ACC Analysis This LT-1 Corvette, Lot W74, sold
for $47,700 at Mecum’s Dallas,
TX, auction on September 5–8, 2012.
In 1971, Zora Arkus-Duntov ordered a Corvette
to be built to test the efficacy of air conditioning in
combination with solid-lifter LT-1, 350-ci small blocks
for the 1972 model year. This was the second time in
19 years that GM had tried this combination, the other
being the solid-lifter ’64 and ’65 327/365 L76 cars with
optional A/C.
Big revs, cool air
One of the major engineering concerns was that the
GM/Frigidaire compressor was good for a maximum
44 AmericanCarCollector.com
44 AmericanCarCollector.com
of 12,000 rpm, and the LT-1 tachometer redline was
ordinarily 6,500 rpm. With a 2:1 ratio pulley, as was
standard, the compressor would turn 13,000 rpm.
For 1972, the LT-1 A/C package eventually required
the installation of a Muncie M-20 wide-ratio 4-speed
transmission, 3:55 rear-end gears, and a 5,600 rpm
tachometer, which kept the A/C compressor’s revolutions
within the correct parameters.
Chevrolet cannot break down how many examples
of this combination were built for the 1972 production
year. They can only give totals per each option. So as
such, we know that there were 1,741 LT-1-equipped
Corvettes, and 17,011 Corvettes were ordered with
C-60 air conditioning. Some books mention 240 or 286
cars built with both but have no proof of a source to
confirm their claims. Drew Papsun has been doing research
on these Corvettes for 27 years and has found
just over 200 cars to date with both these options.
The test car
This 1972 War Bonnet Yellow coupe had assembly-
line revisions and change orders specifically requested
by Duntov and the design/engineering group at the Tech
Courtesy of Mecum Auctions
Page 43
ACC
Digital Bonus
Center in Warren, MI. In fact, it was originally ordered
as a Bryar Blue/Black, base-motor car with a 4-speed,
PB, PW, PS, PW, tilt/tele-steering column and air.
Many production revisions were made on the fly
while it was still at the factory. In fact, the words
“Cancel paint color from Bryar Blue to 989 per
Floyd Uth, Product Manager” were clearly written
on the build order copy attached to the gas tank.
Additionally, an appropriately dated, numbered and
stamped LT-1 was installed along with the rest of the
required options.
This ’72 was built September 14, 1971, on the St.
Louis assembly line and shipped to the Engineering
Test Center in Detroit two weeks later. From there
it was shipped off to the Desert Proving Grounds in
Mesa, AZ, for hot-weather testing, where Zora drove
it as a test mule. After testing, the build combination
was approved for ordering and was advertised in the
Corvette News magazine January/February 1972 edition.
This car was then returned to Warren, MI, where
it reportedly sat for almost four years.
A complete history
An auto dealer in Michigan (notorious for being
able to buy GM Research/Test vehicles) bought this
car from General Motors and sold it to Thomas
Holton, the first owner. Second in line was Mike
Polk, who helped to document this car’s Engineering
Change Order # 28815-6. In 1981, Steve Gussack from
New York bought the car and looked further into its
provenance.
In 1988, during his stewardship, it received
an NCRS Second Flight Award at the National
Convention in Lancaster, PA. It was also invited — but
was unable to attend — the Bloomington Gold Special
Collection in 1986. It appeared in two movies —
“Apollo 13” and an HBO Special — and numerous
articles in Vette Views and Corvette Fever.
I believe the reason for receiving the National NCRS
Second Flight was due to the fact that the “K” in the
VIN number indicated to the judges that this was a
base-motor car, not the replacement LT-1 that Duntov
ordered installed and that was in the Corvette as it was
presented for judging. Additionally, the exterior color
had been changed from its original order, although
before it was painted.
Detailing
Years produced: 1968–81
(All C3s)
Original list price:
Number produced: One test
car; about 240–286 actually
ordered
Tune-up/major service: $300
Distributor cap: $20
Chassis #: On frame
Engine #: Block pad on passenger’s
front of engine,
below cylinder head
Approximately $7,000 “as
born”
Club: National Corvette
Restorers Society
More: www.ncrs.org
Alternatives: 1963 Chevrolet
Corvette 327/300 coupe,
1970 Dodge Challenger
R/T, 1969 Ford Mustang
Boss 302
The proof is in the numbers
Terry McManmon was the NCRS National Team
Leader during the time period this car was judged.
He has kept assiduous notes on all the Corvettes that
have gone through NCRS in his class while Team
Leader. He gave me the block casting number (0010),
date (H 6 1) and UAW original stamp-pad designation
(V0813CKY 2S502354).
The numbers appeared to be both original and
matching… all preceding the actual build date of the
car itself, September 14, 1971. Only a well-engineered
and coordinated effort by GM could have made this
work.
I have spoken to Roy Sinor, NCRS National Judging
Chairman; Stan Falenski, 1970–72 NCRS National
Team Leader; Drew Papsun, NCRS and Bloomington
Expert Judge and Corvette historian; and Terry
McManmon, former NCRS Corvette Restorer magazine
editor, 1970–72 National Team Leader and one of
the highest ranking NCRS Master Judges, all of whom
have provided personal insight and history on this car.
I asked each of them what they thought the car was
worth and what effect the GM/Duntov and A/C test
status might have on its value.
They all seem to feel that the selling price at
Mecum’s Dallas auction was fair, and possibly a better
value to the buyer than the seller.
A piece of Corvette history
David Burroughs at Bloomington Gold mentioned
that many Corvettes transcend BG, NCRS or
Concours judging by the fact that they are really a
part of history, relieved from being a typical factory
production vehicle.
Think about it... close to 2 million Corvettes have
been produced. Almost every one of them was ordered
through the GM-RPO system at Chevrolet dealerships.
The permutations and combinations produced some
rare cars, but how many were used as test vehicles
and experimentation platforms that ended up bringing
new engines, options and suspension systems to the
make? Not many.
So while this might just look like just another yellow
Corvette to your average tire-kicker, to Corvette purists,
it’s a piece of history. At this price, I’d call it well
bought.A
(Introductory description courtesy of Mecum
Auctions.)
November-December 2012
January-February 2013 45
45CC
1970 Chevrolet Corvette
LT-1 coupe
ACC Investment Grade: B
(this car)
Comps
1971 Chevrolet Corvette
LT-1 convertible
Lot S74, VIN: 194671S121765
Condition: 2
Sold at $51,940
Mecum Auctions, St. Charles,
IL, 6/22/2012
ACC# 207864
1972 Chevrolet Corvette
LT-1 coupe
Lot F431, VIN:
1Z37L2S511651
Condition: 1Sold
at $39,600
Russo and Steele, Monterey,
CA, 8/21/2011
ACC# 183944
Lot 153, VIN: 194370S413145
Condition: 2
Sold at $38,500
Auctions America by RM,
Carlisle, PA, 4/30/2011
ACC# 177757
Page 44
PROFILE GM
1966 OLDSMOBILE 442
Balanced performance, big money
The Olds
division
was clearly
chasing a
different
demographic
than Pontiac,
one that
was more
calculated
and more
serious about
their cars
46 AmericanCarCollector.com
46 AmericanCarCollector.com
Chassis number: 338176Z109941
by Chad Tyson
bucket seats, console, factory tachometer and vacuum
gauge.
Very correct restoration with minor upgrades to
E
improve performance and reliability. Engine rebuilt
and upgraded with roller rockers, high volume oil
pump and forged pistons. Runs outstandingly and is
incredibly fast. Frame-off restoration was completed
in approximately 2006.
Previously owned by an avid Oldsmobile collector
and enthusiast in Northern California. Updated with
new Super Stock Oldsmobile wheels and five new
Firestone Redline tires.
ACC Analysis This 1966 442, Lot 640.2, sold for
$77,000, including buyer’s pre-
mium, at Barrett-Jackson’s Las Vegas, NV, auction on
September 22, 2012.
Oldsmobile followed Pontiac, like the rest of their
corporate cousins did, into the burgeoning performance
market in the mid 1960s. The same way Pontiac
turned the Tempest into the GTO, Olds took a ho-hum
F-85 or Cutlass series car and added a few parts
from the bin. The B09 police package (330-ci, 310-hp
V8 and heavy duty suspension) was mixed with dual
quipped with the rare L69 360-hp tri-carb
intake system and 4-speed manual transmission.
Original, rare color of Autumn Bronze
paint code MM. Options include power steering,
power brakes, factory AM/FM radio,
exhaust, 4-speed and a rear stabilizer bar to create
the 442 — Oldsmobile’s best-known model of the ’60s.
In 1964, 442 stood for 4-barrel carburetor, 4-speed
and dual exhaust. 1965 saw the definition change to
400-ci V8, 4-barrel carburetor and dual exhaust,
since the standard transmission became a 3-speed
manual and an automatic was optional. By 1966, the
name stuck. Good thing, because the 4-barrel carburetor
wasn’t the only induction offered that year.
The L69 option, offered in 1966 only, topped the
400-ci V8 with three Rochester 2GC 2-barrels. This
upped the horsepower rating from 350 to 360, but the
torque rating stayed at 440 ft/lbs.
In the group, but not in the spotlight
Oldsmobile was placed between Pontiac and Buick
in the GM hierarchy of the early 1960s, although by
the mid-1960s, the lines between each automaker and
their products had started to blend. In 1966, the 442
was a muscle car through and through, but it still followed
the basic structure — it was a little more edgy
than a Buick Skylark GS, but a little more refined than
a Pontiac GTO.
A 442 never starred in a television show or movie,
and the Beach Boys didn’t write a hit song about them.
These cars were not as tied to pop culture as the GTO
was back in the day, and that was because they were
marketed to a different group than some of the other
youth-oriented GM muscle.
Courtesy of Barrett-Jackson
Page 45
ACC
Digital Bonus
It’s all in the ads
Period advertising was pretty
telling in terms of the buyers each
make was going after. Pontiac’s
1966 GTO was marketed on TV
as “6.5 liters of young tiger. All
ile, all wide track.”
e most enticing part of
e attractive brunette
g through the gears
onde friend.
Oldsmobile’s
ements highlighted
duty suspension
onents and sway bars
nt and rear. In their
ots, an older man (the
voice of astronauts”
horty Powers) drives
he 442 on country
oads, explaining what the 442 has to
er. “Step out front in style and action, in
ocket-action Oldsmobile.”
e Olds division was clearly chasing a
different demographic than Pontiac,
one that was more calculated and
more serious about their cars.
The guys looking at a 442 weren’t
the ones who would call a lot of
attention to what they were doing. For
, balanced performance was the name of
Digital Bonus
It’s all in the ads
Period advertising was pretty
telling in terms of the buyers each
make was going after. Pontiac’s
1966 GTO was marketed on TV
as “6.5 liters of young tiger. All
ile, all wide track.”
e most enticing part of
e attractive brunette
g through the gears
onde friend.
Oldsmobile’s
ements highlighted
duty suspension
onents and sway bars
nt and rear. In their
ots, an older man (the
voice of astronauts”
horty Powers) drives
he 442 on country
oads, explaining what the 442 has to
er. “Step out front in style and action, in
ocket-action Oldsmobile.”
e Olds division was clearly chasing a
different demographic than Pontiac,
one that was more calculated and
more serious about their cars.
The guys looking at a 442 weren’t
the ones who would call a lot of
attention to what they were doing. For
, balanced performance was the name of
The
The right options
The 442 package was optioned on only about 10%
of all F-85s, whereas the GTO made up a full third of
Tempests in 1966. This car is a rarer beast than the
Goat, even without the L69 factored in.
Still, this is the most common 1966 442. Olds
produced 21,997 442s that year; 13,493 of them were
the Cutlass Holiday coupe — our subject car’s body
style. Of the 2,129 L69s, 1,171 had this body style. All
L69s came with the manual 4-speed. So why would
somebody pony up for it?
$77,000 is a lot for a car, but Olds 442s are known
for bringing big money when equipped with the right
options.
Detailing
Years produced: 1964–67
Number produced: 74,828
(21,997 in 1966; 2,129
L69s as one-year-only
option)
Original list price: $3,024
Current ACC Valuation:
$45,000–$85,000
Tune-up/major service: $160
Distributor cap: $11
Chassis #: Plate on driver’s
door jamb, directly below
upper door hinge
Engine #: Behind water
pump, on top of timing
chain housing
Club: Oldsmobile Club of
America
More: www.oldsmobileclub.
com
Mecum sold an L69 club coupe (post car) with an
over-the-counter W-30 package and only 19k miles
for $116,600 in St. Charles, IL, in May 2010. BarrettJackson
is no stranger to selling these L69s either, as
an immaculately restored award-winner fetched $121k
at Scottsdale, AZ, in January 2012.
But those were the cream of the crop. At Mecum’s
Kansas City sale in December 2011, a restored L69
went for just $42,400. The auction description stated,
“Believed to be original engine, engine was decked
during overhaul, build date matches car.” That boils
down to more than enough issues to keep the big
dollars at bay. Will it drive any different? Probably
not. But as always, when it comes to American muscle,
documentation and condition are key.
Our subject car falls about in the middle of the
recent L69 spectrum. The Autumn Bronze is very
attractive, and appropriate, on this car. The black
interior appears clean as can be with the Strato
Buckets — perfect for keeping you in place during
stoplight drags. You’d take as many wins as you would
losses against the competitors. And that’s about where
these cars fall in the muscle-car hierarchy today. But
with the heavy-duty suspension including the rear
stabilizer bar, you’d take the win if any corners were
brought into play.
So, $77k got the buyer a recently restored (finished
in 2006) 442 with the right bells and whistles. There
were even a few “minor
upgrades” (roller rockers,
oil pump, forged pistons, et
al) included with the engine
rebuild — all reasonable and
desirable.
At the price paid here,
this car’s buyer probably
won’t make any money in the
near future if he decides to
resell this car. But this car
wasn’t poorly bought, either.
The buyer’s an Oldsmobile
man — just think of this deal
as a calculated decision on
a well-balanced muscle car.
All that’s left is to get out and
drive it. A
(Introductory description
courtesy of Barrett-Jackson.)
November-December 2012
January-February 2013 47
47CC
Alternatives: 1964–67
Pontiac GTO, 1964–67
Buick Skylark, 1964–67
Chevrolet Chevelle
ACC Investment Grade: B
Comps
1966 Oldsmobile 442 L69
Lot S92, VIN 338176M226475
Condition: 2Sold
at $42,400
Mecum Auctions, Kansas City,
MO, 12/1/11
ACC# 190202
1966 Oldsmobile 442
Lot 247, VIN: 336176Z100922
Condition: 2+
Sold at $31,050
Classic Motorcar Auctions,
Canton, OH, 9/17/2011
ACC# 186066
1966 Oldsmobile 442 L69
Lot 749, VIN: 338176M402757
Condition: 2+
Sold at $68,000
Barrett-Jackson, Scottsdale,
AZ, 1/14/2006
ACC# 40405
Page 46
PROFILE FOMOCO
1968 FORD MUSTANG “THE BOSS” CUSTOM FASTBACK
Top price for a top custom
Concept drawings courtesy
of Kindig-It Design
This was a
gotta-have
moment, and
sometimes
that’s all the
motivation a
buyer needs
Chassis number: UTP05949
by Jay Harden
A
48 AmericanCarCollector.com
48 AmericanCarCollector.com
ll new chassis-up, not restored. Artistic
level of fit and finish. Supercharged 418ci
engine, 6-speed Tremec transmission
and nine-inch rear end. 24x15 massive
rear wheels, fully modern suspension
and brakes. Custom interior. Massive sound system
and functional “zoomie” exhaust activated from center
console. Custom fabricated up-down license plate
holder. Custom integrated gas cap and 2005 Mustang
GT gauges. Magazine cover, show quality. Best in
Show, Utah Autorama 2009. Top Finisher 2009 Good
Guys Nationals.
ACC Analysis This full-custom 1968 Mustang,
Lot 651, sold for a remarkable
$275,000, including buyer’s premium, at BarrettJackson’s
Las Vegas sale September 20–22, 2012.
High and tight
A custom car is a lot like a custom suit. Sure, it fits
you like a glove and announces to all the world that
yes, you are man enough to wear salmon seersucker.
But how reasonable would it be to expect to cross
paths with another 42-inch waist and 30-inch inseam
that simply must have that fishy combo for summer
cocktails? Not a similar suit. Not a suit by the same
tailor. Your suit. And he doesn’t care what it costs.
Custom cars, like custom suits, are rarely, if ever,
inspired by return on investment. They are personal
expressions of creativity and craftsmanship that are
direct reflections of the owner’s and/or builder’s desire
to separate himself from the masses.
The cars themselves take on new identities, and
often names (e.g. Sniper, Frankencuda, Cadzilla), and
connections to a life prior to the transformation are
often all but forgotten. In doing so, customs often lose
any value tied to what they were, and are then held
up by what they are. When you measure a custom
car like that, without its history as a factory Camaro,
or Mustang, or ’Cuda, or whatever, pinning a dollar
value to it gets tricky.
Because customs must stand on their own, their
legacies, and subsequent values, need to be earned
one trophy or magazine article at a time. Our subject
car has managed to accumulate a number of awards
in its five or so years on the show circuit, with perhaps
the most important being its inclusion in the list of top
five finalists for the 2009 Goodguys’ Street Machine of
the Year.
First-class, but not first place
Although the competition for the rod and custom
club’s recognition in the SMoY category has grown
increasingly cutting edge and often has instant market
Glover Photography, courtesy of Kindig-It Design
Page 47
ACC
Digital Bonus
influence, I need to reiterate
that our subject was a finalist
and not a winner (that year’s
winner, a ’62 Corvette, was
a no-sale at $250,000 at
s, TX, auction
f this year —
Digital Bonus
influence, I need to reiterate
that our subject was a finalist
and not a winner (that year’s
winner, a ’62 Corvette, was
a no-sale at $250,000 at
s, TX, auction
f this year —
son,
son, a 1970
t was a SMoY
0 (and built by
s who built the
ner) sold at
t-Jackson’s
ttsdale sale for
6,000 in 2011,
d then again
r $82,500
012 (ACC#
565). The
nd sale was a screaming deal, but it’s
tive of the what-have-you-done-for-merld
of show cars and next-best things.
uild-quality as a market factor
e skill and reputation of the builder
nto the dollar value of customs. Big
d to a build can often push a car’s price
gher than a comparable car built in a
lesser-known shop.
The Ring brothers, now famous for their instantly
recognizable style and attention to detail, are a perfect
example. Their 1967 Mustang, dubbed “Reactor,”
debuted in 2006, and is aesthetically pedestrian when
compared with their more current offerings. However,
Reactor managed a hefty $253,000 at BarrettJackson’s
2010 Scottsdale sale. High-quality cars
often manage to sell themselves regardless of whose
name is on the title, and when the right buyers are in
the room, prices like this aren’t unheard of.
A custom street machine like “The Boss” needs
to also meet an industry-standard list of pricey prerequisites
to be taken seriously. The spec sheet here
includes an Art Morrison chassis, a supercharged
small-block Ford that makes a reported 992 hp at the
crank, 6-speed tranny, two exhaust systems, and giant
brakes. But it’s those mammoth 24-inch rear wheels
that make the car memorable.
The builder, Kindig-It Design, reportedly started
with a pair of Mustang door jambs, a roof panel, the
top of a cowl, and half a quarter panel for this car’s
build. They were given free license with the design,
and the Mustang’s body was tastefully crafted to accommodate
those meats while skillfully managing to
avoid what could have become an obnoxious combination.
However, based on the Mustang’s performance
on the autocross (a requisite of the SMoY competition),
those big fatties pack a lot more bark than bite.
Was it worth it?
There is no denying that this Mustang has curb
appeal oozing out of those zoomies, and that unexpectedly
sharp paint job is worn with a certain reserved
flamboyance. But $275,000 is a huge number.
This sale seems to contradict the conventional
wisdom of pasturing out-of-their-prime show cars. But
the market is a fluid thing, and we’ve been seeing more
and more customs bring big prices at high-end auctions
such as Barrett-Jackson. Will they see growth
in the future? It’s hard to say, but it also isn’t really
the point for a buyer looking to have the coolest show
car in his state without the 12- to 24-month wait that
comes with having one built.
Our buyer has managed to save himself a lot of time
and anxiety over building something similar, and even
at $275k, I’m willing to bet he still saved a little money
over what it would have cost
to commission his own custom.
Maybe long-term value, in this
case at least, has little to do with
financial return — especially if
the buyer had lusted after “The
Boss” specifically since its SMoY
finalist days. And he can take the
car out and use it today. No waiting
required.
The money spent for this
Mustang wasn’t earmarked for
a last-chance lottery ticket. This
sale was clearly a gotta-have moment,
and in the flashy over-thetop
custom-car market, sometimes
that’s all the motivation a buyer
needs. A
(Introductory description
courtesy of Barrett-Jackson.)
November-December 2012
January-February 2013 49
49CC
Detailing
Year produced: 1968
Number produced: 42,581
fastbacks
Tune-up cost: $250
Distributor cap: $25
Chassis #: N/A
Engine #: N/A
Club: Goodguys Rod &
Custom Association
Original list price: $3,081
Current ACC Valuation:
$275k for this car on this
day
More: www.good-guys.com
Alternatives: 1969 Chevrolet
Camaro custom, 1970
Plymouth Barracuda custom,
1968 Dodge Charger
custom
ACC Investment Grade: C
Comps
1959 Chevrolet Corvette
custom
Lot S211, VIN: J59S102546
Condition: 2+
Sold at $124,550
Mecum Auctions, Kissimmee,
FL, 1/26/2011
ACC# 168958
1961 Ford Thunderbird
custom
Not sold at $110,000
Kruse International,
Lot 750, VIN: 1Y712114618
Condition: 1-
Scottsdale, AZ, 1/26/2010
ACC# 155135
1971 Dodge Challenger
custom
Lot 661, VIN:
JH23C1B304730
Condition: 1
Sold at $106,700
Barrett-Jackson, West Palm
Beach, FL, 4/9/2009
ACC# 120185
Page 48
PROFILE MOPAR
1970 DODGE CHALLENGER R/T
A Mopar muscle legacy
Courtesy of Mecum Auctions
When I was a
kid in the late
’70s, muscle
was cheap. If
you wanted
to go fast,
cars like this
Challenger
were what
you bought
Chassis number: JS23N0B353301
by Dale Novak
• 383-ci Magnum engine
• 4-barrel carburetor
• Automatic transmission
• Air conditioning
• Power steering
• Power brakes
• Dual exhaust
• Custom interior
• Black vinyl top
• Pioneer CD player
• Space-saver spare and jack
• Broadcast sheet
• Owner’s manual
ACC Analysis This Challenger R/T, Lot F179,
sold for $36,040, including buy-
er’s premium, at the Mecum St. Charles sale in St.
Charles, IL, on October 25–27, 2012.
I’ve always been a muscle-car nut, especially when
it comes to E-body Chryslers. My first car was a
genuine U-code 440 Magnum Dodge Challenger R/T,
similar to our subject car.
When I was a kid in the late ’70s, muscle was cheap.
If you wanted to go fast, cars like this Challenger were
what you bought. They were common, inexpensive,
and they had it where it counted — in horsepower and
torque.
Late to the party, life of the party
In 1970, the Big Three were still vying for the hot-
test car on the drag strip. “Win on Sunday, sell on
Monday” was still moving V8s and 4-speeds off car
50 AmericanCarCollector.com
50 AmericanCarCollector.com
lots across America. Although they were late to the
game, Chrysler’s new-for-’70 E-bodies found eager
buyers.
The E-body platform was the basis of both the
Dodge Challenger and its cousin, the Plymouth
Barracuda. The Challenger was offered as the more
upscale choice, with more creature comforts, styling
options, and a slightly longer wheelbase than the
Barracuda. Although the cars look similar, they actually
share no sheet metal.
Performance versions of these cars, such as the
AAR ’Cuda, Challenger T/A, R/T, and anything with
a Hemi have become icons of the muscle-car world.
The rarest cars with the best options easily brought
six-figure prices at auction before the muscle market
crash of 2008. Lesser cars took a harder hit as values
dropped, but they’ve been slowly improving since.
Road- and track-ready
The Challenger R/T (Road/Track) option came
standard with the stout 383/335 Magnum with a single
4-bbl. That’s what’s fitted between the fenders of our
subject car. Optional Challenger R/T engine choices
consisted of the 440 Magnum with either a single four
(375 hp) or triple deuces (390 hp) up top. Buyers with
deeper pockets and good mechanics could opt for the
monster 425-hp 426 Hemi.
This was the era when you could walk into your
friendly Dodge dealer and order a car built to your
specifications. Optional engines, trim levels, creature
comforts, body graphics and even steering wheel
choices created hundreds of possible combinations.
Bold colors, known as the “high-impact” colors,
optioned with blackout hoods and bold stripes created
Page 49
ACC
Digital Bonus
Mopars that looked great and smoked
tires all over the country.
And I can sure vouch for that. I built
up my car — which cost me $500 in 1978
as an engineless roller — with a healthy
383 and a 727 auto, like our subject
car. It was no slouch and could hold its
ot of other contemporary
me, I accidently got mine
e drag racing a friend’s
n a deserted country
Digital Bonus
Mopars that looked great and smoked
tires all over the country.
And I can sure vouch for that. I built
up my car — which cost me $500 in 1978
as an engineless roller — with a healthy
383 and a 727 auto, like our subject
car. It was no slouch and could hold its
ot of other contemporary
me, I accidently got mine
e drag racing a friend’s
n a deserted country
king
king about collector-car
n I was lined up with
t Nova — or when I had
e choice to lift and lose,
r to stay on the throttle
until it was too late to
avoid a dip in the road.
Who cared about rarity
or values? At the time,
ll that mattered was the
ting glory of being top
r a night.
e a lot of these muscle cars were
t way at some point in their lives. Many
p wrecked, which certainly has some
n good cars’ value today. For those
o drove them to their limits, well, let’s
just say it’s amazing we survived to tell the
stories of our youth. But I did beat that Nova, and my
Challenger lived to race another day.
A real R/T
Throughout the muscle era, Chrysler used specific
codes in the VIN to identify trim levels and engine
selections. Our subject car was born as a genuine 383
Challenger R/T, as denoted by the “N” in the VIN.
While you see other makes and models that were
“believed to be” original all the time, it’s much more
difficult to pull that off with a Mopar because of the
VIN.
Our subject car was also accompanied by its origi-
nal Broadcast sheet, which helps to further solidify
the original configuration and options. Chryslers also
used fender tags, which contained all the productionline
build and option codes. Often, these tags are
missing. Our subject car’s tag is intact.
The engine bay appears to be very correct and is
not overdone to a glossy standard. This is also a rare
factory air example, which was not all that common
for guys who checked the R/T box in 1970.
Not quite stock
This car has a few customizations. There is a
brushed aluminum dash panel and center console
trim with red accents, neither of which are factory.
The door panel inserts use the same stylish treatment.
The owner also opted for a Tuff Wheel, which was not
offered until 1971. The seats also appear to be slightly
modified and include suede inserts as well as some
subtle red custom stitching.
Still, this is a sharp example. The stance is utterly
correct — and the Magnum 500 wheels and rear
Bumblebee stripe are spot-on. It just looks right. And
with that 383, it will be a great cruiser and occasional
stoplight weapon, just like it was back in the day.
A challenging value?
The ACC Price Guide plants the value range on
a car like this from $29,500 to $43,500. Two of our
comps are for genuine R/Ts that both sold for around
the same money as our feature car. The third comp
(ACC# 191408) was bid to $27,000 at the McCormick
auction in November 2011. This was a “built” R/T
replica with a 440 Six Pack added.
I intentionally added that replica in the mix. You’ll
rarely see them achieve the same valuation as a realdeal
R/T — even compared with one with the base
engine.
Keep in mind that colors and options can affect
value as well. Given the minor custom touches to our
subject car, I’d peel off about $1,000 from the price
range listed above, which still puts this car right
smack in the middle of the market range. Call it a fair
deal for everyone involved.
My old Challenger has long since hit the automotive
graveyard, but I did snatch up another R/T when the
opportunity presented itself. Sliding behind the wheel
of mine takes me back in time — every time. I hope
this car’s new owner feels the same way. And even if
not, I’m sure there are a few hero moments left in it.
Just try to keep all four wheels on the ground. A
(Introductory description courtesy of Mecum
Auctions.)
November-December 2012
January-February 2013
51
1970 Dodge Challenger R/T
Lot 33, S/N JS23N0E116271
Condition: 2
Sold at $38,160
Petersen, Roseburg, OR,
7/7/2012
ACC# 208132
1970 Dodge Challenger
R/T SE
Detailing
Years produced: 1970–74
Number produced: 9,067
(383 R/T hard top only)
Original list price: $3,266
Current ACC Valuation:
$29,500–$43,500
Tune-up cost: $200
Distributor cap: $25
Chassis #: Driver’s side
dash visible through the
windshield
Club: www.chryslerclub.org
Other: www.challengerforumz.com
Alternatives: 1970 Plymouth
’Cuda, 2012 Dodge
Challenger R/T, 1970 Ford
Mustang Mach 1, 1970
Chevrolet Camaro Z/28
ACC Investment Grade: C
Engine #: Pad on block next
to the oil pan
Comps
Lot 471, S/N JH29L0B189863
Condition: 2
Sold at $32,130
Silver Auctions, Carson City,
NV, 8/12/2012
ACC# 213188
1970 Dodge Challenger R/T
SE replica
Not sold at $27,000
McCormick, Palm Springs,
CA, 11/18/2011
ACC# 191408
Lot 329, S/N JH29LOE101580
Condition: 2+
Page 50
PROFILE HOT ROD & CUSTOM
1956 CHEVROLET FOOSE CUSTOM ROADSTER
Blank-check project, bargain price
Courtesy of Barrett-Jackson
I don’t think
you could
even begin
to build this
car for $165k
— not with
both Fooses,
Lanzini and
Lopez doing
the honors
Chassis number: N/A
by Ken Gross
panel to match Chip’s concept sketch. The TV Show
“Rides” covered the build at Foose Design, and again
covered the car as it went on the Hot Rod Power Tour
in 2004. This is a rare opportunity to own a hand-built
car by Chip Foose.
Sold on a Bill of Sale. Comes with a title in
O
Christopher Titus’ name. Buyer takes full responsibility
to comply with registration requirements in their
state, due to original VIN being lost during restoration.
ACC Analysis This 1956 Chevrolet 210 Custom
Foose Roadster, Lot 659.1, sold
for $165,000, including buyer’s premium, at the
Barrett-Jackson auction in Las Vegas on September
20–22, 2012.
At first glance, $165,000 seems like a lot of money
for a ’56 Chevrolet convertible. But it probably
represents about one-third of the cost of building this
wned by comedian and actor
Christopher Titus, one of Hollywood’s
true diehard hot rodders, this ’56 was
created by Foose design. Chip and his
dad, Sam, massaged virtually every
one-off custom. When you commission Ridler Award
and multiple Grand National Roadster Show AMBR
trophy-winning builder and television personality
Chip Foose to build your personal custom creation,
you’d better have a blank check ready to go.
Foose is one of the hot-rod world’s genuinely nice
guys. He’s an immensely talented, hands-on professional
designer and builder, and his popular Velocity
Channel TV show, “Overhaulin’,” which returned in
late 2012, is a must-watch for a legion of enthusiasts.
Chip’s dad, Sam Foose, is an acknowledged custom-
car craftsman, and he taught Chip the arts of welding,
painting and metal finishing and mechanical work.
Chip then attended Art Center College of Design in
Pasadena, and became a full-fledged automobile
designer and consultant.
Chip Foose’s résumé includes a stint with the late
Boyd Coddington, where he was responsible for
numerous game-changing designs. In 1997, Foose
became the youngest person ever inducted into the
Hot Rod Hall of Fame. Versatile, quick, and blessed
with great taste, Foose’s designs repeatedly launch the
commonplace into a new realm of modern sophistication.
52
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Page 51
ACC
Digital Bonus
The Titus ’56
That’s certainly the case with this 1956 Chevy
roadster. The client was Christopher Titus, who
starred in his own TV sitcom of the same name.
The 210 began life as a two-door Chevy 210
coupe that Titus acquired when he was 19 years
old. He’d updated and customized the car, but
the old Chevy project really hit the big-time
when Titus got his own TV show. That’s when
he commissioned Chip Foose to build it into his
dream car.
From 210 to Once a Knight
The Fooses, father and son, had Darryl
Schroeder fabricate a custom tubular chassis
with independent suspension from a C5
Corvette. The ’56’s stock 265-ci small block was
yanked in favor of a GM Performance Parts
fuel-injected RamJet 350-ci V8, with a custom
intake manifold cover that artfully conceals the induction
system. The running gear includes a T56 6-speed
manual gearbox, enormous Baer ventilated disc
brakes, Aldan coilover shocks and a Dutchman rear
end. Those unique 20-inch custom five-spoke alloy
polished rims (eight-inch in the front and 10-inch in
the rear) were of course a Foose creation, (Chip calls
them “Knight” wheels), and the Chevy’s wheelwells
had to be hollowed out substantially to accept them.
Just about every interior and exterior panel on this
car was massaged and not-so-subtly reshaped; the
dash, console, the Cobra seats and interior fittings are
all custom-built, and the original ’56 Chevy steering
wheel was cut down and received a snappy new hub.
The headlights were extended, frenched, and garnished
with Ford F-100 trim rings; the windshield is
also a Ford item, cut down and slanted rearward for a
lower, racier silhouette. The paint was done by Mitch
Lanzini of Lanzini Body Works, and the upholstery
was done by Gabe Lopez.
Add a custom aluminum removable top, and a hand-
formed alloy tonneau cover, Jaguar door handles,
lengthened rear quarter panels, and custom LED
taillights, and ka-ching! You’ve got a totally reworked
Tri-Five Chevy (and a totally overhauled bank account).
Titus called his car “Once a Knight.”
On with the show
I’m not sure, given this car’s history, why Titus
was willing to sell it, unless he simply tired of it, or
Detailing
Number produced: One
Original list price: Chevrolet
did not make a Model 210
convertible in 1956; but a
’56 Bel Air convertible with
standard shift was $2,344
Current ACC Valuation:
$165,000 on this day
Tune-up/major service: $300
Chassis #: N/A
Engine #: Pad on front of
the block under the passenger’s
side head
Club: Goodguys, NSRA
More: www.good-guys.com;
www.nsra-usa.com
Alternatives: Boyd
wanted to raise some cash for something else. Before
appearing here, it crossed the block at RM’s Monterey
auction in August 2006 but was unsold at $230,000
against an estimate of $300k to $350k.
To Christopher Titus’ credit, he drove his Foose
custom Chevy cross-country on the Hot Rod Power
Tour, showed it a few times, and seems to have really
enjoyed using it.
From a buyer’s perspective, I don’t think you could
even begin to build this car for $165k — not with both
Fooses, Lanzini and Lopez doing the honors. For the
seller, recouping part of his investment is always nice,
and he’ll just have to chalk up the difference as a payment
for all the great times he had in the car.
Value in the custom world
With the exception of the Larry Erickson-designed,
Boyd Coddington-built “Chezoom” and “CadZZilla”
show cars, (which are not presently for sale), I can’t
think of a contemporary 21st century custom that
would sell for more today than it cost to build. That’s
just how the market is these days, and exceptions to
the rule are rare.
But we do see a pretty wide range of prices on
custom cars done to high levels. Need proof? All you
have to do is compare this car with the $275k ’68 Ford
Mustang “Boss” from this same Barrett-Jackson sale,
profiled on p. 48.
Just like with any segment of the market, there is no
crystal ball on how a car will do at any given auction.
But connections to big names such as
Foose tend to help boost resale values. At
the end of the day, it all comes down to
who is in the room when the car crosses
the auction block, and what those bidders
are willing to spend to make someone
else’s dream their own. On this day, for
this car, the number was $165k.
This ’56 is no longer eligible for the
Ridler award, or the annual Custom Rod
of the Year trophy from Goodguys. But
driving this Foose-built ’56 will make the
new owner the star of any local show. All
things considered, the money spent here
was a small price to pay for the privilege.
A
(Introductory description courtesy
of Barrett-Jackson.)
November-December 2012
January-February 2013
53
ACC Investment Grade: B
(But you’ll have to wait a
few decades)
Comps
Coddington-built custom,
John D’Agostino-built
custom, Rick Dore-built
custom
1940 Ford Boyd Coddington
Custom
Lot 1315, VIN: 5K06159
Condition: 1Sold
at $77,000
Barrett-Jackson, Scottsdale,
AZ, 1/15/2012
ACC# 192581
1955 Chevrolet Bel Air
custom convertible
Lot 234, VIN: VC55T216639
Condition: 1Sold
at $154,000
RM Auctions, Gainesville, GA,
11/13/2010
ACC# 168390
1940 Mercury Rick Dore
custom
Lot 530, VIN: 99A157242
Condition: 1Sold
at $137,500
RM Auctions, Monterey, CA,
8/17/2007
ACC# 46257
Page 52
PROFILE CLASSIC
1948 CHEVROLET FLEETLINE WOODIE AEROSEDAN
Rare option ups the price
Courtesy of Mecum Auctions
In the era,
only a few
Chevrolets
were fitted
with the
Country Club
package.
Some
estimates put
the number
at fewer
than 100
54 AmericanCarCollector.com
54 AmericanCarCollector.com
Chassis number: 6FKD11314
by Carl Bomstead
• Recent high quality frame-off restoration
• Beautiful woodie Aerosedan
• Inline 6-cylinder engine
• Standard 3-speed transmission
• Front and rear bumper guards
• Fender skirts
• Sun visor
• Dual exhaust
• Color-keyed wheels
• Bright beauty rings and hubcaps
• Wide whitewall tires
ACC Analysis This car, Lot W29, sold for
$47,400, including buyer’s pre-
mium, at Mecum’s Dallas, TX, auction on September
5-8, 2012.
Edsel Ford has to be considered the father of the
woodie. As president of Ford Motor Company and the
son of one of the world’s wealthiest men, he lived in
the moneyed world of power and influence.
In the late 1920s, he was well aware that custom
body firms such as Martin-Perry and Cantrell were
creating custom wood-bodied “depot hacks” on Ford
Model T chassis, as well as for the new Model A. At
the same time, he had just completed his new 21-room
estate and summer home at Seal Harbor, ME, and
envisioned a more elaborate and sporty wood-bodied
station wagon for the caretaker to meet his train when
they made their trip north. In the fall of 1928, the first
prototype was pressed into service at his estate. They
were formally introduced to Ford buyers in January
of 1929.
The woodie wagons produced in the early ’30s
by Ford and others were never big sellers. They were
expensive, required a great deal of upkeep, and were
often open to the elements. They were, however,
popular with hotels, country clubs, and commercial
organizations that needed to transport small groups of
people. In the late ’30s and early ’40s, their popularity
increased, and Ford and Mercury produced almost
40,000 woodie wagons between 1940 and 1942.
A vision in Ash
After the war, there was an unprecedented demand
for automobiles. But supply shortages and lengthy
lead times for model changeovers meant that the
offerings were little more than warmed-over pre-war
designs. Chrysler and Ford did, however, offer noted
departures from their post-war designs with woodbodied
passenger cars.
Formerly offered only on station wagons, the
wood-framed Chrysler Town & Country and the Ford/
Page 53
ACC
Digital Bonus
Mercury Sportsman woodie
convertibles brought people
into new-car showrooms,
even if those buyers would
go home with something
a little more practical
than one of the harder-tomaintain
wood-bodied cars.
Chevrolet also entered
the post-war era with the
same warmed-over versions
of their pre-war offerings.
Conservative in both styling
and engineering, they
quickly, however, assumed
their prior role as America’s
best-selling car. Chevrolet
did offer a Fleetmaster
four-door woodie station
wagon, but the company
did not follow Ford and
Chrysler’s lead with a passenger vehicle such as the
T&C or Sportsman.
On the woodie bandwagon
But in 1948, that changed, at least partially. The
factory, no doubt seeing what Ford and Chrysler were
up to, authorized Chevrolet dealers to offer an accessory
wood trim “Country Club” package that was
produced by Engineered Enterprises and cost $149.50.
It was available for the Fleetline Aerosedan and the
Fleetmaster Town Sedan or convertible coupe. The kit
included an ash door and rear fender framework, red
mahogany inserts, stainless steel screws and instructions.
Once installed, a regular steel coupe or convertible
looked very much like a woodie, but without the
structural issues that made wood cars much harder to
maintain.
Sources state that, in the era, only a few
Chevrolets were so equipped. Some estimates put
the number at fewer than 100. But at just under
$150, which is almost $1,500 in today’s money, it
was an expensive cosmetic add-on for an otherwise
lower-priced car. It’s no wonder only a handful were
delivered.
Although released in 1948, the kits would also
fit the nearly identical 1947 models, so you see both
Detailing
Year produced: 1948
Number produced: 211,861
(all 1948 Aerosedans.
Sources vary on the
Country Club package,
with some saying fewer
than 100 built)
Original list price: $1,434
Current ACC Valuation:
$35k–$45k
Chassis #: Plate on right front
door hinge pillar
Engine #: Right side of block
near fuel pump
Club: National Woodie Club
More: www.nationalwoodieclub.com
Alternatives: 1941–50
Chrysler Town & Country,
1946–48 Ford Sportsman
ACC Investment Grade: B
Comps
model years with the option pop up for sale from time
to time. But the kits didn’t fit anything earlier — the
extended fenders on the 1941–42 models and the lower
belt line on the 1946s precluded their use.
There are several suppliers of newly manufactured
kits with prices in the $1,500–$2,000 range, but you
are on your own for installation. The original kits did
not make a provision for the small flap over the door
lock, which has been corrected on the new kits. The
reproduction kits also use Di-Noc inserts instead of
real mahogany pieces. The original dealer kits also
did not include wood on the trunk, but that is now
available from several of the aftermarket suppliers.
What’s it worth?
A well restored 1947 or 1948 Chevrolet Fleetline
Aerosedan is hard-pressed to fetch $30,000, and we
need only look at RM’s recent Charlie Thomas sale to
see the financial impact of the Country Club package.
They offered two at that sale: a 1947 Fleetmaster
coupe that sold for $38,500, and a convertible that
realized $35,200. So, everything else being equal, it
looks like adding the kit can pay for itself on an otherwise
run-of-the-mill ’47 or ’48 Chevy, even factoring
in the labor to install it.
The 1948 Chevy that Mecum sold at Dallas
recently received a stunning
restoration, and it was the far
more desirable fastback Aerosedan
body style, which has aged really
well over the years. So for collectors
in the market for a post-war
Chevrolet woodie, this Aerosedan’s
premium was well justified. Was the
wood-grain trim original or reproduction?
The auction description
didn’t specify, but if I had to guess,
I’d say it’s a more recent addition
due to how nice it looked in the
photos. Regardless, the Country
Club treatment paid the seller a
dividend in spades, but then again,
the buyer has a stylish woodie at a
most reasonable price. I’d call it a
fair deal for everyone involved. A
(Introductory description cour-
tesy of Mecum Auctions.)
November-December 2012
January-February 2013 55
55CC
1948 Chevrolet Fleetline
Country Club Woodie
Aerosedan
Lot 417, VIN: FAM20186
Condition: 2Sold
at $36,430
Collector Car Productions,
Toronto, ON, 10/21/2011
ACC# 187771
1948 Chevrolet Stylemaster
Country Club Woodie
Aerosedan
Lot 145, VIN: FAA805974
Condition: 2-
Not sold at $20,000
McCormick, Palm Springs,
CA, 11/22/2009
ACC# 153151
1948 Chevrolet Fleetline
Country Club Woodie
Aerosedan
Worldwide Auctioneers,
Houston TX, 5/3/2008
ACC# 116843
Lot 37, VIN: 1FKFAA155044
Condition: 2
Sold at $59,400
Page 54
PROFILE RACE
1962 CHEVROLET BISCAYNE 409/409
A piece of quarter-mile history
Courtesy of Mecum Auctions
When it
comes to all
of the high
points of
what makes a
car valuable,
this one
is firing
on all eight
Chassis number: 21211F251699
by Tom Glatch
• Rare factory 409 race car with original build sheet,
bill of sale, mortgage and period racing photos
• Driven by Dave Cates
• Sponsored by Ault & James Speed Shop
• 409/409 hp W-head engine
• 4-speed manual transmission
• Dual 4-barrel Carter AFB carbs
• Aluminum intake manifold
• High-lift performance cam
• New-for-1962 lightweight valve train
• Fully restored to as-raced condition
• Photo-documented restoration
• Thought to be the only car to win a race against
the Jenkins-Strickler car in 1963
ACC Analysis This original 409 Biscayne drag
car, Lot F261, sold for $95,400,
including buyer’s premium, at Mecum’s Dallas, TX,
auction on September 7, 2012.
Let’s face it, race cars are throw-away commodi-
ties. In a sport where the latest technology is necessary
to stay competitive, racers that aren’t destroyed
in competition are often sold to lesser teams, or cannibalized
for parts and scrapped. And decades ago,
when race cars were mostly modified passenger cars,
many were returned to street configuration and sold.
Either way, the majority of race cars that I grew up
reading about or watching on fuzzy black-and-white
TV were lost to unnamed two-lane blacktops or the
scrap heap, never to return to the limelight.
56
AmericanCarCollector.com
Areal fine 409
That makes the availability of a car like the Ault &
James 409 Chevy an exceedingly rare opportunity. It’s
not an “accurate reproduction,” a “heroic restoration”
based on a donor car and a handful of original
parts, a “tribute,” or even an outright fraud. No, this
is the real deal. A car that took on the best in Stock
Eliminator match racing back in the day. A car that,
along with its contemporaries in the national spotlight,
helped inspire both the muscle-car era as well as ’60s
pop culture with every quarter mile pass and spin of
the Beach Boys’ “409” record.
And it looks the part, too. Finished in correct
Ermine White, this Biscayne is all business — the
interior and exterior are straight-up plain Jane. Even
the engine compartment is basically as-raced in the
early 1960s, with the proper paint finishes and all the
right components. It looks as if it was lifted right off
the strip in 1962.
Elapsed-time machine
The value of a vintage racer like this one is all
about documentation, originality, and racing history.
The documentation this car has is almost unheard of
for a race car, which puts any potential buyer at ease
knowing the car is exactly as claimed. Originality
adds to value, because a mostly original vehicle is
the closest thing we have to a time machine. When it
comes to all of the high points of what makes a car
valuable, I think this one is firing on all eight.
Page 55
ACC
Digital Bonus
The Ault & James 409 was discovered by Phil Reed
of Kansas City. He wrote on an online forum in 2007:
“I found this car in west Texas about 19–20 years ago.
A friend took me to look at it and he didn’t want it.
Just a body out behind a shop... So I asked one more
question... what all came with the body. The owner
said a 409 engine and transmission was inside! I
o the engine, took about one second to look
d, and said SOLD!”
s the original engine and T-10 4-speed
, and just 5,159.4 miles were on the
e went on to describe the original equiper
came with the car or was given to him
s, the original owner. Reed then spent
rs bringing the 409 to perfection in his
ration shop, even repainting it a number
mes just to get the finish right.
est of the best
There is literally only one other 1962
09 factory racer in the world that
an top this one for originality — the
Zintsmaster Chevrolet-sponsored car
t was in the collection of Indiana Chevy
r Sam Pierce for many years, and now is
n Been of Atlanta. The Zintsmaster car
mazingly preserved, but is one of 18 409s
hat were factory equipped with aluminum
front sheet metal, of which only two
are known to exist.
Then there is racing history. Many of the best Super
Stock racers of the era piloted the ’62 409s — “Dyno”
Don Nicholson, Ronnie “Mr. 4-Speed” Sox, Dave
Strickler driving for Bill “Grumpy” Jenkins, Hayden
Proffitt driving for Bill Thomas, and others. Dave
Cates was a fine racer, and even beat Dave Strickler
in a match race, but he is hardly in the same category
as these future legends. However, the 409s these legends
drove are long lost, leaving the Ault & James car
and the Zintsmaster Chevy as the best there is.
Mecum tried selling the Ault & James 409 in 2006,
when bidding reached $150k but did not meet reserve.
Mecum continued marketing the car, the last time in
2011, when bidding ended at $92,000 without selling.
Why interest in this car has waned is beyond me,
but other Super Stock racers from that era, such as
Phil Bonner’s 1962 406 Galaxie, have seen similar
pricing indifference. It looks like the market hasn’t really
woken up to cars like these, and the seller finally
settled for $90,000, plus commission. Will it be worth
more? We’ll have to see it sell again to know.
But for someone like me, who watched these cars
battle it out on the dragstrips of America back in the
day, there’s a huge cool factor to owning a piece of
American drag-racing history. Even at $150k, I would
call this very well bought, but to buy one of the most
genuine Super Stocks on the planet for under $100k —
that’s real fine! A
(Introductory description courtesy of Mecum
Auctions.)
Detailing
Year produced: 1962
Number produced: 15,019
Original list price: $3,067
Current ACC Valuation:
$50,000–$100,000
Tune-up/major service: $150
Distributor cap: $22.58
Chassis #: On plate attached
to the left front door hinge
pillar
Engine #: Pad on front of
the block under the passenger’s
side head
Club: National Impala
Association
More: www.nationalimpala.
com
Alternatives: 1962 Pontiac
Catalina Super Duty 421,
1962 Ford Fairlane 406
G-code, 1962 Dodge/
Plymouth 413 Max Wedge
ACC Investment Grade: B
(this car)
Comps
1962 Chevrolet Bel Air
409/409
Not sold at $90,000
Lot S50, VIN: 21637S294496
Condition: 1
Mecum Auctions, Dallas, TX,
10/6/2011
ACC# 189994
1962 Chevrolet Impala
Lightweight SS
Lot 227, VIN: 21847F306159
Condition: 2+
Sold at $132,000
ACC# 168383
RM Auctions, Gainesville, GA,
11/13/2010
1964 Chevrolet Biscayne
409/409
Lot 1264, VIN: 41211F263310
Condition: 2+
Sold at $60,500
Barrett-Jackson, Scottsdale,
AZ, 1/18/2010
ACC# 155037
January-February 2013
57
Page 56
PROFILE TRUCK
1952 FORD F-1 PICKUP
A collectible parts hauler
A decade
ago, $10k
would’ve
bought a
top-level
truck. Today,
$10k is the
entry fee for
a respectable
driver
58 AmericanCarCollector.com
58 AmericanCarCollector.com
Chassis number: F1D2HM52515
by B. Mitchell Carlson
This Ford pickup has had a frame-off restoration
that is reported to be “factory original” with a new
interior and “perfect” headliner and chrome throughout.
The vehicle has new hubcaps. The engine has a
glass bowl Holley carburetor.
ACC Analysis This F-1 pickup, Lot 344, sold for
$27,500, including buyer’s pre-
mium, at the Auctions America by RM event at Fall
Carlisle on October 4–5, 2012.
From F-1 to infinity
The F-series was launched in 1948 as Ford’s new
post-war truck. It was introduced on January 16 — a
full five months before Ford’s new post-war cars hit
the market.
Starting with these post-war trucks, Fords had
easy-to-remember and marketable model designations
that they wore in chrome on their flanks. But although
the evergreen flathead V8 and flathead six engines
were basically the same, the rest of the truck was all
new, continuing essentially unchanged into 1950.
Ford was unique in the pickup truck arena, as it
offered two different engines in its line. First was
the venerable flathead V8 — the only choice from
1934 to 1940. In 1941, the company introduced its
first 6-cylinder engine, mostly likely to Henry Ford’s
consternation.
Mr. Ford was always of the opinion that a four
was more economical and a V8 more durable than
a six. However, everyone else in the industry had a
six, and Ford’s V8 was considered by frugal buyers
as too thirsty. Despite what Henry thought of it, his
company’s 226-ci six sold in reasonable numbers, and
even saw use during World War II in Ford’s 1¼-ton
“Burma Jeep” Navy tactical trucks.
Flathead to OHV
With the emphasis on the all-new truck line (and
cars) after the war, all engines saw limited improveCourtesy
of Ruozzi Brothers Collection
Page 57
ACC
Digital Bonus
ments until Ford released the 215-ci
six and 317-ci Lincoln V8 in 1952 —
their first automotive overhead valve
engines. That 215 is what sits between
our subject truck’s frame rails.
It may seem odd that Ford elected
to headline this new technology at
the bottom and top ends of their
market, but it does make sense. The
industry was starting to go to OHV
architecture, but doing so across the
board would have been a big gamble
for Ford. The flathead V8 had an
enviable following, and the company
really didn’t want to rock the boat
without good reason. Still, these
engines paved the road for the V8s
that would eventually replace the
company’s front-line flathead later in
the decade.
Modern by comparison
The 1952 “Cost Clipper Six” was as modern as
anything in the industry. Although it was 11 cubic
inches smaller than the previous engine, it put out 101
horsepower compared with the previous flathead six’s
95 horses — and was within spitting distance of the
235-ci flathead V8’s 105. Ford also touted it as being
14% more economical than its predecessor.
At that time, Dodge and Studebaker’s half-ton
pickups were still using flathead sixes, and Chevrolet
was still using splash lubrication. Ford’s new motor
used full insert bearings, full-pressure lubrication
and overhead valves. The only competitor that had an
equally advanced engine in 1952 was International,
with their slightly larger 220-ci Silver Diamond six.
But Ford had the upper hand, as its motor was also
available in the newly restyled car line that was also
introduced that year.
A decade ago, I briefly owned a 1954 F-250 with the
223-ci version of the six. It wasn’t really powerful — I
wouldn’t call it a slug, either; “adequate” would
phrase it best, even for hauling a bed full of pea rock.
Parts availability is quite good. The only issues typical
for OHV Fords from the ’50s are heavier blow-by at
hot idle from the crankcase vent tube and significant
power loss when using the vacuum windshield wipers.
That second issue can be a real problem — when driv-
Detailing
Years produced: 1949–52
Number produced: 81,537
(1952 F-1 with 6½-foot
pickup box)
Original list price: $1,362
Current ACC Valuation:
$13,000–$24,000
Tune-up cost: $200
Distributor cap: $12
Chassis number: Stamped on
the frame rail adjacent to
the steering box; data plate
on the glovebox door
Engine number: Basic casting
numbers only, on the side
of the block
Clubs: Early Ford V8 Club
More: www.earlyfordv8.org
Additional: American Truck
Historical Society
ing up a hill in the rain, you basically have the choice
of driving blind or walking.
Finally being appreciated
1951 saw a light restyling of the F-series, mostly
with a new grille, and 1952 saw minimal changes in
trim. While 1951s and 1952s look very similar, they
do have their differences. Aside from the powertrain
and badge design shuffling on the hood, the 1952s
used more Argent Gray paint in lieu of chrome due to
Korean War metal allocation restrictions. Along that
line, no 1951s or 1952s had chrome grilles. They were
all white. If you see one, it was plated when it was
restored.
For years, these were always second fiddle to the
wildly popular 1953–56 F-100s (affectionately known
as “Effies” among Ford fans). While those years
have certainly not seen their popularity wane, the
’51 and ’52 F-1s have skyrocketed in value. A decade
ago, $10k would’ve bought you a top-level concoursquality
truck. Today, $10k is more or less the entry fee
for a respectable driver.
Sure, there are plenty of farm-fresh pasture trucks
still out there, but even they are moving up the food
chain. This example, reasonably authentic and well
restored, brought pretty much today’s market price
at auction for a truck in its condition. It has a few
extra chrome and stainless trinkets, but those pieces
can be unbolted in short order. And even as it sits, it
doesn’t come off as over the top. This
is the kind of classic you can actually
drive and use as a truck, albeit on a
limited basis. After all, you won’t want
to scratch up that bed with a load
of gravel. But for cruising, and for
careful transport of furniture or other
similar items, it’ll be well-suited.
As for values, I think we’ll see more
upward action than downward correction
in this segment of the market, at
least in the foreseeable future — especially
for trucks done to this level of
quality. So this was a great buy at the
price paid. Drive, enjoy and use on a
limited basis. Just watch out for long
uphill stretches in the rain. A
(Introductory description courtesy
of Auctions America by RM.)
November-December 2012
January-February 2013 59
59CC
More: www.aths.org
Alternatives: 1948–early
1955 Chevrolet 3100
pickup; 1948–56 Dodge
B-series pickup; 1950–56
International L-, R-, and
S-series pickup; 1948–53
Studebaker R5 pickup
ACC Investment Grade: B
Comps
1950 Ford F-1
Lot 5105, VIN: 98RC393749
Condition: 2+
Sold at $44,000
Auctions America by RM,
Auburn, IN, 9/1/2012
ACC# 213319
1952 Ford F-2 pickup
Lot 9, VIN: F2R2CH15468
Condition: 2+
Sold at $17,850
McCormick, Palm Springs,
CA, 2/25/2011
ACC# 176107
1951 Ford F-2 pickup
Lot 9, VIN: F2R1SP9198
Condition: 4+
Sold at $15,400
Gooding & Co., Pebble Beach,
CA, 8/21/2005
ACC# 38882
Page 58
MaRKeT OVERVIEW
For complete results of each auction
covered in this issue, scan this code
or go to http://bit.ly/YLyfw2
Rocking in the U.S.A.
TOP 10
sales this issue
1. 1932 Ford Model a
Highboy roadster,
$742,000—Mec, p. 86
2. 1936 Ford Model 68
coupe, $318,000—Mec,
p. 86
3. 1969 Ford Mustang
Boss 429 fastback,
$247,500—B-J, p. 69
4. 1969 Ford Mustang
Boss 429 2-dr hard top,
$185,500—Mec, p. 88
5. 1966 Shelby GT350
fastback, $154,000—B-J,
p. 69
6. 1946 Chrysler Town
& Country roadster,
$143,000—RM, p. 78
7. 1950 Cadillac Series
62 custom convertible,
$148,400—Mec, p. 82
8. 1954 Packard Caribbean
convertible, $132,000—
RM, p. 79
9. 1957 Chevrolet Corvette
convertible, $126,500—
RM, p. 74
10. 1947 Cadillac Series 62
convertible, $121,000—
RM, p. 74
BEST BUYS
1. 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle
2-dr hard top, $53,900—
B-J, p. 66
2. 1956 Ford Fairlane
Sunliner convertible,
$28,600—RM, p. 76
3. 1963 Chevrolet C10
pickup, $13,176—CMA,
p. 92
4. 1968 aMC aMX coupe,
$13,250—Mec, p. 88
5. 1951 Lincoln
Cosmopolitan sedan,
$10,120—Bon, p. 102
60 AmericanCarCollector.com
THE McMULLEN ’32 FORD ROADSTER AT MECUM
ANAHEIM WAS THE TOP SELLER AT $742K
by Tony Piff
S
ince Carroll Shelby’s death
in May, there’s been plenty
of talk and speculation about
how Shelby values will
change in the collector-car
marketplace. Would prices double instantly
and remain high forever? Would
we see a Shelby bubble? Would the
market suddenly be flooded with sellers
hoping to cash in on Ol’ Shel’s demise?
Well, some time has passed, and
here is how things look from my
vantage point. While it does seem
like more Shelbys have been offered
at auction in recent months, prices have not spiked,
and many of those cars have returned home to their
same familiar garages. Post-1970 Shelbys and modern
production cars were built in high volume, and so many
were socked away as “instant collectibles” that values
will always be suppressed by supply. Early Shelbys
such as GT350s and CSX Cobras, by contrast, have
been investment-grade collectibles with six-digit price
tags for years now. It would seem ignorant to say these
cars were in any way unappreciated to begin with. And
furthermore, none of these factors is really affected by
Shelby’s death.
It will be interesting to see how the dust settles after
Arizona Auction Week in January, where the number of
important Shelbys on offer is staggering.
n n n
Three of the top 10 sales at Barrett-Jackson’s year-
end auction in Las Vegas were indeed Shelbys: a 1966
GT350 sold for $154k, a 1970 GT500 brought $220k
and a custom 1967 GT500 SE Super Snake continuation
car made $330k — the biggest sale of the event. While
it makes sense that an ultimate-spec Super Snake would
take top honors, the premium paid for this continuation
car might simply be due do to the perfectly executed
customization resonating with a few determined bidders.
In a similar vein, four custom Corvettes broke $100k
in Vegas: a 1967 convertible sold for $149k, a 1958 sold
for $143k, a 1959 sold for $131k and a 1965 convertible
sold for $110k. Those prices easily rival the $127k paid
for a numbers-matching 1967 coupe with the 427/435
big block and 4-speed manual transmission.
n n n
At Mecum’s debut sale in Anaheim, a 1968 Shelby
GT500 sold for $143k. A number of big-block Corvettes
failed to sell despite spirited bidding, including a
1966 Shelby GT350 fastback, sold for $154,000 at B-J, Vegas
highly-optioned 1969 L88 convertible, not sold at
$550k, and a Survivor-grade 1967 convertible with a
427/435, which failed to sell at $225k. What took the
spotlight here were the historic SoCal customs. The
highly anticipated ’32 Ford McMullen roadster was
the auction’s featured consignment, the top sale and, at
$742k, the most expensive car in this issue; the ’36 Ford
Jack Calori coupe sold for $318k; and the 1950 Cadillac
Rick Dore roadster sold for $149k.
n n n
Authentic, original and correct cars were the theme
at RM’s sale of the Charlie Thomas Collection in
Grapevine, TX. Of the 175 cars offered, most were
pre-1960, including the top five high sales, but the top
15 included three Shelbys: a 1968 GT500 convertible,
at $116k; a 1968 GT350 convertible, at $91k; and a
1968 GT500 KR, at $78k. C1 Corvettes did well here
also: a 1957 Fuelie sold for $127k, a 1962 Fuelie sold
for $70k and a 1954 sold for
$69k.
ACC 1-6 scale
condition rating
1. Perfect: National
show standard
2. excellent: Club
show-worthy, some
small flaws
3. average: Daily
driver in decent
condition
4. Meh: Still a driver,
with some visible flaws
5. Questionable:
A problem-plagued
beast that somehow
manages to run
6. Lost cause:
Salvagable for parts
n n n
We conclude the market
reports with our Global
Roundup. In this issue,
we cover highlights from
Auctions America by RM
Fall Carlisle, Carlisle, PA;
Classic Motorcar Auctions,
Canton, OH; Vicari, Biloxi,
MS; Branson, Branson, MO;
Silver Auctions’ Portland,
OR; sale; Bonhams’
Simeone Museum sale in
Philadelphia; Higgenbotham
in Lakeland, FL; and Dan
Kruse’s Hill Country Classic
in Austin, TX. A
Page 60
Anatomy of an ACC Market Report
A DETAILED DISSECTION OF HOW WE RATE CARS AT AUCTION
By B. Mitchell Carlson
They say a picture is worth 1,000 words. To give a better appreciation of what our auction analysts look for when they cover cars for ACC, we
like to take a specific example and give you visuals of the details. This time, we’ll take a look at a ’64 Corvette that crossed the block at the Fall
Branson auction. See more cars from this sale on p. 90.
Lot number
assigned
by auction
house.
General
description
of vehicle
as observed
by reporter,
with
color and
mechanical
specifications
listed
first.
#562-1964 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. VIN: 40867S121393. Medium
blue metallic/black vinyl/dark blue vinyl.
Odo: 73,043 miles. 327-ci 250-hp V8,
4-bbl, 4-sp. Good quality color change
repaint, aside from some masking issues
around windshield frame. Trim around
frame has light dings and could use some
polishing. Minimal body joint seam broadcasting
on right rear side. Rear wheelwells
also slightly trimmed to allow more tire
clearance. Engine is a 1965 Corvette
250-hp unit, not a 300-hp unit as described
on the windshield card. Missing ignition
shielding and has modern service parts,
such as belts, hoses, hose clamps, radiator
cap and battery. Older seat upholstery,
showing moderate wrinkling and light wear.
Cond: 3+.
a price
listed in
green
indicates
that the
vehicle sold.
A price in
red denotes
a no-sale.
Commentary
in which
reporter sums
up factors
that may
have affected
the sale and
notes whether
it was a good
buy.
NOT SOLD AT $36,000. Built near the end
of the model year. This was just after A.O.
Smith also started building fully trimmed
Corvette bodies in addition to Fisher Body
at the St. Louis plant where the cars were
assembled. While this car is repainted in
a blue metallic, it’s darker than the original
Silver Blue. As a nice driver that not as
correct as it seems, the final bid could be
considered market price, since ’64s tend to
be the most affordable of the C2 series.
This symbol indicates vehicles noted by the reporter as
exceptionally well bought. Five are called out per issue.
CONDITION RATINGS Condition: ACC uses a numerical scale of 1 to 6 to assess a vehicle’s overall condition:
1. Perfect: National show standard
2. Excellent: Club show-worthy, some small flaws
3. Average: Daily driver in decent condition
62 AmericanCarCollector.com
4. Meh: Still a driver, but with visible flaws
5. Questionable: A problem-plagued beast that somehow manages to run
6. Lost cause: Salvagable for parts
BEST
BUY
Page 62
BARRETT-JACKSON //Las Vegas, NV
Glamour, glitz and American iron
at Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas
A 1956 FORD F-100 AND A 1950 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN WERE
IRRESISTIBLE TO BIDDERS AND PULLED IN $44K AND $69K
Report and photos
by Dan Grunwald
Market opinions in italics
ence gambling, swimming, sunbathing and
fine dining under one roof, not to mention
hot laps in a Shelby Mustang with a pro
driver and high-end product displays from
car wax to private aircraft.
T
Barrett-Jackson
Las Vegas 2012, Las Vegas, NV
September 20–21, 2012
auctioneers: Tom “Spanky” Assiter and
associates
automotive lots sold/offered: 523/524
Sales rate: 99%
Sales total: $22,752,785
High sale: 1967 Shelby continuation
GT500 SE Super Snake, sold at $330,000
Buyer’s premium: 10%, included in sold
prices
Barrett-Jackson sales total
$10m
$15m
$20m
$25m
$5m
0
64 AmericanCarCollector.com
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
his was the fifth year that the
Barrett-Jackson “Lifestyle Event”
has been held at the mammoth
Mandalay Bay convention center
— a place where one can experi-
1950 Chevrolet Suburban, the classic people-hauler, sold for $69,300
But the focus of all this party atmosphere
still comes down to selling cars, and Spanky
Assiter’s team did indeed move the metal.
Although B-J now offers the option of a
reserve for a few cars, the vast majority are
still sold with no reserve. This is a formula
that is pretty much exclusive to BarrettJackson,
and it works incredibly well for
them. The bidders know that the car is there
to sell, and that gives them confidence that
their bid has a real chance of being successful.
The total sales figures for this year were
$23m. This averages out to $44k per car
for the 523 total lots sold across the block.
Numerous trucks were offered, and this category
appears to be on an upswing in both
price and quantity at most auctions of late.
A tastefully customized 1956 Ford F-100
and a 1950 Chevrolet Suburban restored
in eye-popping black and silver were both
irresistible to bidders and pulled $44k and
$69k, respectively.
There were no buses or airplanes this
year, just acres of collector cars. The bulk of
the items auctioned were American mid-’50s
to mid-’70s muscle and custom cars. This
is B-J’s meat and potatoes, and they do it
very well. The top sale this year was a 1967
Shelby Super Snake continuation model that
sold for $330k. This was followed by a 1970
Hemi Superbird that found a new home at
$297k.
My personal pick for best buy was a
1970 Chevelle restored to show standard
and equipped with a big-block 454 LS6. It
appeared to be a real-deal car, and it sold for
just $54k. A perfectly executed steel-bodied
1938 Willys street rod powered by a 640-ci
V8 with blower and dual-quad carbs sold for
$61k, which must have been just a fraction
of the build price.
As always, B-J had an abundant number
of donated vehicles that were sold free of
commissions for various deserving charitable
organizations, and they all sold very
well. The generous bidding by the audience,
with many bidders even donating thousands
of dollars to the charities after the hammer
falls, is amazing. Nobody else works this
like Barrett-Jackson, and they (and the
bidding audience) are to be commended for
their generosity.
This sale closes out the year for Barrett
with a bang, but it also leads right into their
flagship Scottsdale sale in January. A few
featured Salon Offerings for Arizona were
on preview display here, and the lineup
looks absolutely incredible. If you have been
thinking about Arizona in January, this is
the year to go. I can’t wait to see what 2013
holds.A
Page 64
BARRETT-JACKSON //Las Vegas, NV
GM
#623.1-1950 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN
SUV. VIN: 5HPF19276. Black &
silver/brown vinyl. Odo: 94,613 miles. 216-ci
I6, 1-bbl, 4-speed. Good paint, new chrome
and plain brown interior. No heater. Headlight
eyebrows, fog lamps, Fulton-style sun
visor, windshield washers. Cond: 2.
starting to show its age. Not perfect, but still
wonderful and much rarer than a Nomad. I
would call this well bought.
SOLD AT $69,300. Great looking and wellrestored
two-door Suburban. Ready to
cruise with family and friends all in the same
truck. Very strong price for a very strong
car.
#344.1-1955 BUICK SPECIAL 2-dr hard
top. VIN: 4B2039710. Green & white/
white/green & white vinyl. Odo: 39,156
miles. 264-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. New goodquality
paint with some visible small flaws
and side panels a little wavy. Said to have
all exterior chrome, but front appears dull
and scratched and rear is worn through
above taillights. Some crackling and light
pitting on interior chrome. New seats, door
panels and headliner. Tinted glass all
around with large chip on windshield.
Cond: 3+.
#617-1957 CHEVROLET BEL AIR 2-dr
sedan. VIN: VC57N130452. Red/red &
white vinyl. Odo: 50,847 miles. 350-ci V8,
4-bbl, auto. Good paint and chrome. Driver’s
door fit looks a bit off. Line on the side
spear trim appears to sag. New custom interior
with tilt wheel and automatic on the
floor. Bench seats. Power disc brakes and
power steering with aluminum radiator and
350 hp. Cond: 2-.
fabric top trim. Scratches and chips on rear
glass. Cond: 1-.
SOLD AT $53,900. Full fresh, high-level
restoration. If this car was born as an LS6,
then it has to be the mega-bargain of this
sale. Color it cheap!
#668-1970 OLDSMOBILE 442 convertible.
VIN: 34467OE144254. Blue/white canvas/
white vinyl. Odo: 31 miles. 455-ci V8, 4-bbl,
auto. Slightly wide door gaps. Power windows
and power brakes. Air-conditioned
with dual-gate auto shifter. Cold-air induction
hood. Cond: 1-.
SOLD AT $36,300. Looks to be a decent
custom cruiser that should make a good
driver. Couldn’t replicate it for the money
spent here, so call it fair.
SOLD AT $36,300. Lots to like, but a definite
10-footer. Good local cruise-in driver
with a price-conscious restoration. Very well
sold.
#385-1955 PONTIAC STAR CHIEF wagon.
VIN: C755H23184. Green & cream/green &
cream vinyl. Odo: 10,774 miles. 287-ci V8,
4-bbl, auto. OK paint with large cracks by
hood ornament, chips and some cracks and
light bubbles by doors. Some non-magnetic
lower areas. Bubbles and wear on front
chrome and dents in passenger’s vent window
trim. Scratches on rear window glass.
Broken trim by front-seat adjuster and long
burn on rear seat. Both door panels torn at
power window switches. Cond: 3+. SOLD
AT $29,700. This older restoration was
66 AmericanCarCollector.com
#375-1962 CHEVROLET IMPALA SS 2-dr
hard top. VIN: 218475319877. Red/black
vinyl. Odo: 82,011 miles. 327-ci V8, 4-bbl,
auto. Looks to be a mix of some older repaint
with some original paint. A few chips
and scratches, etc., as expected. Original
chrome, interior and trim show very well for
age. Engine detailed and compartment
cleaned with sympathetic attention to most
original finishes. Chips and scratches on
original tinted glass. Cond: 3+.
SOLD AT $107,800. Beautifully restored to
factory-new look. At the price, however, the
new owner will be upside-down for the foreseeable
future.
CORVETTE
#650-1960 CHEVROLET CORVETTE convertible.
VIN: 00867S107120. Red/red hard
top/red. Odo: 64,084 miles. 283-ci 290-hp
fuel-injected V8, 4-speed. New paint shows
some sanding scratches and preparation
flaws. Pitting on rear bumpers and licenseplate
frame. All other chrome and trim show
very well. New interior. Hard and soft tops.
Said to have engine block and fuel injection
unit with correct date codes. Detailed engine.
Cond: 1-.
SOLD AT $32,450. Unusually nice nonrestored
’62 SS. The buyer and seller
should both be satisfied.
Black/black vinyl. Odo: 39 miles. 454-ci V8,
4-bbl, 4-sp. Superb paint with laser-straight
sides. Flaws on cowl vent. Light dents in
#655-1970 CHEVROLET CHEVELLE
2-dr hard top. VIN: 3637OK105624.
SOLD AT $88,000. Great eye appeal and
options on this freshly restored straight-axle
Fuelie. Well bought and sold.
#664-1964 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
coupe. VIN: 40867S116403. Red/black
BEST
BUY
Page 66
BARRETT-JACKSON //Las Vegas, NV
leather. Odo: 13,631 miles. 6.0-L 400-hp
fuel-injected V8, 5-speed. Very shiny paint,
new chrome and newer high-back leather
seats. LS2 engine. Power windows, power
disc brakes and power steering. All newer
suspension and radiator. Polished 17-inch
alloy wheels with Redline tires and sidepipes.
Cond: 2+.
pitting on top of the windshield surround
trim. New 350 crate engine with headers
and electric radiator fan. Power steering,
manual brakes and 5-speed Tremec transmission.
Cond: 2+. SOLD AT $107,800.
The multi-color metallic in the paint had to
be difficult and expensive, but I would prefer
a stock white myself. Having said that, this
is a custom and should look and drive like
one. Market price for a premium custom
Corvette.
SOLD AT $88,000. A nice looking ’64 Corvette
with ’67 side vents, hood and ’67-style
gauges. Street Shop chassis with all-modern
Corvette suspension. Not much left from
1964 except the VIN. Fair price for a highquality
resto-mod.
#364-1964 CHEVROLET CORVETTE convertible.
VIN: 40867S102479. Light green/
white/red leather. Odo: 75,646 miles. 350-ci
V8, 4-bbl, 4-speed. Non-original motor. Lots
of paint flaws, chips, cracks and color mismatch
on hood. Soft-top window starting to
yellow, and a small tear on the passenger’s
side. Original door panels and all else in the
interior look bright red and new. Power windows.
Windshield surround scratched and
dinged. Front bumper has chromed-over
flaw, and most other chrome shows light
scratches. Cond: 3.
#334.1-1970 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
coupe. VIN: 194370S408003. Blue/black
vinyl. Odo: 19,877 miles. 454-ci 390-hp V8,
4-bbl, 4-speed. New good-quality paint and
chrome. Windshield top trim has dents.
Power steering, tilt and telescopic. Original
interior. Said to have working fiber-optics
and vacuum systems. Cond: 3.
ago along with engine upgrades and the
custom interior. Cond: 1-.
SOLD AT $71,500. A few details can be
picked at, as with any custom Corvette, but
they weren’t major. If you like the conversion,
it is cost-efficient to buy it rather than
to convert one.
FOMOCO
SOLD AT $60,500. Car looked great until
you noticed the visibly rusted-through windshield
cage. Not an impossible fix, but requires
cutting into the front fenders and
welding in replacement parts. Must be
bought accordingly. An easy #2 without that
flaw. Well sold, considering.
#652.1-2001 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. VIN: 1G1YY32G215104512.
Black/red. Odo: 14,992 miles. 5.7-L 350-hp
fuel-injected V8, auto. Stylized 1953 body
built over a 2001 Corvette. Well executed
and with little use since the changeover.
New paint and chrome show a few prep
flaws in front. Some wrinkles and dirt on the
driver’s seat. Cond: 1-.
SOLD AT $61,600. Good color but has lots
of body and paint needs, not to mention the
engine swap. Well sold.
#640.3-1965 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. VIN: 194675S120778. White/
black leather. Odo: 29 miles. 350-ci 400-hp
V8, 4-bbl, 5-speed. All-new chrome and
interior, pearlescent with multicolor metallic
in the paint and very few flaws. Some light
SOLD AT $79,200. Last auction sale for
this car was Barrett-Jackson Costa Mesa
2010, at $110,000 (ACC# 164800). Drive it
and enjoy, but don’t look for any future appreciation
here.
68 AmericanCarCollector.com
#645.1-2004 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. VIN: 1G1YY32G545127285.
Red/black/black leather. Odo: 29,482 miles.
5.7-L 350-hp fuel-injected V8, 6-speed. Asnew
paint, chrome and interior with custom
touches throughout. Car was purchased
new in 2004 with the 1SB package. Custom
Classic body conversion done two years
#399-1923 FORD T-BUCKET roadster.
VIN: T7146997. Purple/purple & white vinyl.
Odo: 624 miles. 327-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Purple
paint on everything: body, frame, front
and rear suspension. Only valve covers,
front leaf spring, mirrors and taillight bezels
are chrome. Jag IRS. Some wrinkles in
high-backed buckets. Minimal three gauges
with speedo. Door on passenger’s side
only—solid on driver’s side. Cond: 2.
SOLD AT $15,950. When I was young, this
was the most basic and least expensive hot
rod you could build. Still the same today.
Get into hot rodding without breaking the
bank. Just make sure to wear goggles and
don’t smile. Fair price.
#42.2-1949 MERCURY EIGHT custom
sedan. VIN: 9CM51905. Orange & cream/
cream leather. Odo: 85,762 miles. 255-ci
V8, 3x2-bbl, 3-speed. Pretty good paint with
large chips on front of hood. Holes in hood
from missing emblems and extra holes by
wipers in cowl. Some trim shows extensive
denting. Fit is off on fenders and door gaps.
Full custom interior with leather buckets,
Page 67
BARRETT-JACKSON //Las Vegas, NV
but steering wheel heavily cracked. Passenger’s
door refuses to latch. Cond: 3. SOLD
AT $22,000. Previously sold at BarrettJackson
Scottsdale 2012 for $21k (ACC#
193938). Needs lots of finishing touches,
and then cruise with the family. Nobody will
notice it has four doors. Well sold here today.
#693-1956 FORD F-100 pickup. VIN:
F10V6R42629. Green/mint green cloth &
leather. Odo: 2,888 miles. 302-ci V8, 4-bbl,
auto. All-new chrome and fresh ghostflamed
green paint. Disc brakes, dropped
spindles and painted frame. Balanced and
blueprinted 302-ci crate engine. Automatic,
a/c, ps and pb. Stainless gas tank. Leather
and cloth interior. Custom gauges, steering
wheel and bucket seats. Cond: 2+.
at Mecum Kansas City in March 2012
(ACC# 202963). The green color scheme
may limit it a bit, but this was a quality build
throughout. Well sold.
#634.1-1956 FORD THUNDERBIRD convertible.
VIN: P6FH220494. White/white/
blue & white vinyl. Odo: 14,768 miles. 312ci
V8, 4-bbl, auto. Overall good paint with
some flaws. Paint chips near the front bumper.
Chrome worn off top of left-side rear
bumper. Clean engine with chrome and
polished dress-up kit. Porthole hard top, a/c
and power windows. Most lower areas hold
a magnet. Cond: 2+.
miles. 289-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-speed. Lots of
paint-prep flaws in shiny repaint. Numerous
windshield chips and visible cracks.
Scratches on rear glass. No rear bumper or
windshield wipers. Interior race-prepped
with Simpson belts, roll bar and racing driver’s
seat. Cond: 3-.
SOLD AT $154,000. Full history. Shelby
registry. Six hours on rebuilt engine. Rallyor
race-ready. Well bought and sold.
#671-1969 FORD MUSTANG Boss
429 fastback. VIN: 0F02Z143248.
Orange/black vinyl. Odo: 14,932 miles.
3
SOLD AT $49,500. A strong cruiser sold at
market price. The ACC Premium Database
shows that this car sold for $19k at the Cole
auction in Newport Beach in 1991 (ACC#
5706).
SOLD AT $44,000. Previously sold for $31k
5
#665.1-1966 SHELBY GT350 fastback.
VIN: SFM6S315. Blue/black.
January-February 2013 69
TOP 10
TOP 10
Page 68
BARRETT-JACKSON //Las Vegas, NV
429-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-speed. New high-level
paint and new chrome. The front door gaps
look a bit wide on both sides. Well-detailed
engine. Power steering and power brakes.
Cond: 1-. SOLD AT $247,500. It’s always
impressive to open the hood on one of
these and see that massive 429 shoehorned
in there. Another huge sale in
Vegas. Well sold.
#676.1-1970 FORD MUSTANG Boss 302
fastback. VIN: 0F02G112680. White/black
vinyl. Odo: 59,246 miles. 302-ci V8, 4-bbl,
4-speed. Decent paint with lots of sanding
scratches on top of the right rear fender and
light fisheyes elsewhere. Dents in the windshield
surround trim. Like-new interior.
Shaker hood, tinted glass and tilt-wheel.
Driver’s door closes hard and passenger’s
door gaps vary. Cond: 2.
rior. Shaker hood. Original cassette voicerecorder.
Power steering and power brakes.
Comes with an original broadcast sheet.
Cond: 1-.
with purple ghost flames. 502-ci Lunati engine
stroked to 640-ci with a 6-71 blower
and dual-quad carbs, automatic transmission
and Ford nine-inch rear end. Custom
leather bucket seat interior with tilt steering
and a/c. Full roll cage and four-point racing
harness. Cond: 1. SOLD AT $60,500. Hard
to beat looks and power. Just add courage
and drive it away. You couldn’t build it for
this money, so I would have to call it a bargain.
SOLD AT $88,000. Looks a lot faster than
the 275-hp rating it carried in 1971. Perhaps
this is an example of the feeling of, “The
older I get, the faster I was.” Fair price paid.
#640.1-2000 PLYMOUTH PROWLER convertible.
VIN: 1PE3W65G7YV604334.
Black/black hard top/tan leather. Odo:
12,000 miles. 3.5-L fuel-injected 6-cyl, auto.
Full-on cosmetic custom Prowler. Everything
is chromed. Asanti 24-inch wheels, full
custom interior. Shaved door handles. Six
coats of clearcoat paint. No mention of performance
upgrades, so I’m guessing the
SOLD AT $80,300. Well-optioned Boss 302
with a 1983 Texas inspection sticker on the
windshield. Well bought and sold.
MOPAR
#640-1965 IMPERIAL CROWN custom
2-dr hard top. VIN: Y253254349. Black/
black vinyl. Odo: 92,287 miles. 454-ci V8,
4-bbl, auto. One of 29 Imperials used in the
filming of “The Green Hornet” movie. Rough
paint. Pitting and worn-off chrome. Lots of
movie prop stuff. Machine guns and rockets,
front and rear. Lots of switches, dials
and levers in interior. Stunt brakes.
Cond: 3-.
drivetrain is stock except for the chrome
and polished parts. Cond: 1. SOLD AT
$90,200. If you don’t think Plymouth went
far enough with the Prowler, then this might
be the car for you. At $90k, this has to be a
new record price.
AMERICANA
#644.3-1938 WILLYS custom 2-dr sedan.
VIN: 38W604410. Blue/gray leather. Odo:
629 miles. 640-ci V8, 2x4-bbl, auto. Steel
body with very deep gloss 16-coat paint
SOLD AT $55,000. Won by a 27-year-old in
a contest at a Carl’s Jr. in Oregon. The
movie may not have been a winner, but the
seller here definitely was.
#647-1971 PLYMOUTH ’CUDA 2-dr hard
top. VIN: BS23H1B204590. Yellow/black
vinyl. Odo: 54,688 miles. 340-ci V8, 4-bbl,
4-speed. Good paint and trim with very few
flaws. Color-matched bumpers. New inte-
70 AmericanCarCollector.com
#654-1954 KAISER-DARRIN ROADSTER.
VIN: 3495390. Red/white/white vinyl. Odo:
52,198 miles. 161-ci I6, 1-bbl, 3-speed.
Orange peel and prep flaws as well as
masking lines show in paint. Glass chips
and wiper scratches on the windshield. The
windshield chrome surround is starting to
show age. There is a small tear in the soft
top on the left side. Cond: 2.
SOLD AT $112,200. One of those weird
cars built by a manufacturer who made his
real money making radios and refrigerators.
Park it next to a ’54 Corvette and see which
garners more attention. Market-correct
price.
#326.1-1968 AMC AMX fastback. VIN:
A8M397T268712. Pink/black vinyl. Odo:
3,334 miles. 390-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Power
steering, power brakes and sidepipes.
Clean and detailed engine. Recently resprayed
to replicate the ’68 AMX that was
given to the 1968 Playmate of the Year.
Note: “Replicate” means that the 1968 Playmate
never sat here! Cond: 2.
SOLD AT $33,500. Recently sold in June at
Barrett-Jackson OC for $17k (ACC#
209789), so hats off to the seller. Seems
like it would be cheaper to buy a normal
AMX and paint it pink, if that was your desire.
A
Page 70
RM AUCTIONS // Grapevine, TX
RM Auctions — The Charlie
Thomas Collection
AMID MANY ORIGINAL, STOCK CARS, A WELL-TRAVELED, NEVER-WAS
1946 T&C ROADSTER TOOK HIGH-SALE HONORS AT $143K
Report and photos
by Carl Bomstead
Market opinions in italics
owned an interest in 50 franchises operating
throughout the Gulf States. In addition,
he managed to find time to be the managing
partner of the NBA Houston Rockets
from 1982 until he sold the team in 1993.
Collecting cars was a natural extension of
his occupation, and the collection was clearly
assembled and maintained in the spirit of
stewardship.
C
RM Auctions
The Charlie Thomas Collection,
Grapevine, TX
October 20, 2012
auctioneers: Brent Earlywine
automotive lots sold/offered: 175/175
Sales rate: 100%
Sales total: $7,439,850
High sale: 1946 Chrysler Town & Country
replica roadster, sold at $143,000
Buyer’s premium: 10%, included in sold
prices
One of 200 demonstrators — 1954 Ford Crestline Skyliner, sold at $39,600
Of the 175 cars RM offered at his sale
at the Gaylord Texan on Lake Grapevine,
nearly 80 were Fords. Throw in the
Mercurys, Lincolns and three Edsels, and
well over half the offerings were under the
umbrella of the Blue Oval.
One of the more interesting Ford offer-
ings was a factory-built dealer display 1954
Crestline “Glass Roof” Skyliner hard top.
It was one of 200 showroom-only cars that
had a clear panel in the hood to display the
new overhead-valve 239 V8. There was
also a special light bar that was attached to
the hood to illuminate the engine. It was
loaded with 25 options and sold here for
$40k, a worthwhile premium over the other
’54 Skyliner, auctioned later in the sale for
$36k. Continuing the Plexiglas-roof FoMoCo
theme was a Canadian-built 1954 Mercury
Monterey Sun Valley hard top. The paint
and trim showed their age, but the $66k paid
looked market-correct for condition.
A handful of CCCA Full Classics were
1946 Chrysler Town & Country
replica roadster, sold at $143,000
72 AmericanCarCollector.com
presented, and the 1947 Cadillac Series 62
convertible received the most attention,
selling for $121k. It was finished in Madeira
Maroon Iridescent with red leather and
a contrasting tan top. These have long
languished under the shadow of the 1941
Cadillacs, and this was one of the stronger
results I have noticed of late.
In 1946, Chrysler advertised a Town &
Country roadster, but no plans or models
were ever created. In the early ’90s, an effort
was undertaken to create the car based on
an oil painting and other factory documents.
The result was a well-traveled interpretation
of a car that never was. At RM’s 2003
Arizona sale, it realized $143k, and in 2006
at RM’s Monterey sale it brought $92k. Here,
it returned to its 2003 price and was the
highest-selling car at the auction.
Thomas purchased many of his cars at
auction over the years. With the ability to
track these sales through the ACC Premium
database, it’s clear that these cars were
bought in the spirit of collecting, and not as a
profit-maximizing business plan. With these
cars now sold, Thomas is reportedly focusing
on a smaller stable of key automobiles.
Rumor has it that Thomas bought several
cars at their recent Hershey auction — proving
it’s difficult not to scratch that collecting
itch. A
harlie Thomas was the
epitome of the self-made man.
In 1950 he was a parts runner
at an Oldsmobile dealership in
Tennessee. Thirty years later, he
Page 72
RM AUCTIONS // Grapevine, TX
GM
#224-1947 CADILLAC SERIES 62
convertible. VIN: 8442832. Madeira
Maroon/tan fabric/red leather. Odo:
45,123 miles. 346-ci V8, 2-bbl, auto. Restoration
completed in 1999 and has been
properly maintained since. Equipped with
optional Hydra-Matic transmission but it is
rare to find one without it. Dual spots and
AM radio. Extra backup light added. Engine
compartment clean and tidy. No serious
issues with brightwork. Full CCCA Classic
and wonderful tour car. Cond: 2+.
10
SOLD AT $94,600. Even though Tri-Five
Chevys are off their high of a few years
back, this stunning example sold for close
to six figures. All the goodies did not hurt
(although the wire wheel covers are not
listed as a factory option). Fair price for both
buyer and the Thomas Collection.
SOLD AT $121,000. For years these have
languished under the shadow of the ’41
Cadillacs but with this sale may get the traction
they deserve. Having driven ours thousands
of miles on numerous tours, I can
attest to their roadworthiness. To my mind,
price paid was market correct; I just hope
the new owner gets the rubber on the road.
#141-1950 BUICK SUPER wagon. VIN:
56247435. Black & wood/red leather. Odo:
5,983 miles. 320-ci I8, 2-bbl, auto. Extensive
restoration some years ago and still
retains a sharp edge. Paint showing a bit of
age and a few minor issues with the wood.
Very presentable interior with red leather in
good order. Wood body produced by Ionia
Manufacturing. A very attractive wagon in
the right colors. Cond: 2-.
#245-1956 PONTIAC STAR CHIEF convertible.
VIN: P856H20033. Red & black/
white vinyl/red vinyl. Odo: 160 miles. 316-ci
V8, 4-bbl, auto. Nice restoration. Equipped
with power steering, Deluxe AM radio and
rubber “Dagmar” bullets on the front bumper.
Engine clean and interior in good order.
Cond: 2.
SOLD AT $70,400. According to the guides,
the hard top and Wonderbar add about five
grand to the package. The price paid for an
older restoration was about right with the
options thrown in for free. A decent buy.
SOLD AT $67,100. Pontiac styling evolved
bright and bold designs for the mid-’50s.
This Star Chief convertible was properly
restored and sold for a market-correct
amount. The colors are a matter of taste,
and if they “float your boat,” all is well.
CORVETTE
9
SOLD AT $41,800. A presentable woodie
wagon for under $50k is a bargain in any
book. Very well bought indeed.
#246-1955 CHEVROLET BEL AIR convertible.
VIN: VC55K037760. Shoreline
Beige & Gypsy Red/white vinyl/red vinyl.
Odo: 911 miles. 265-ci V8, 4-bbl, 3-sp. Less
than 1,000 miles since frame-off restoration.
Loaded with options, including power seat
and windows, Wonderbar radio, full chrome
package and fender skirts. Also has Continental
kit and illuminated parking brake.
Unusual 3-speed manual transmission with
74 AmericanCarCollector.com
104538. Venitian Red/white vinyl/red vinyl.
Odo: 27 miles. 283-ci 250-hp fuel-injected
V8, 3-sp. The first year that the Corvette
was offered with fuel injection. Only 102
were the 579C option that was presented
here. Restored with only 27 miles since
completion. Panel fit and gaps exceed factory
spec. Top well fitted. Interior as-new.
Base 3-speed with fuel injection an unusual
combination. A strong package. Cond: 1-.
#172-1957 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. VIN: E57S-
#237-1965 CHEVROLET CORVETTE convertible.
VIN: 194675S118800. Rally Red/
white vinyl/black leather. Odo: 46,824 miles.
327-ci 300-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Older restoration
now developing a pleasing patina.
New top and rear window. Fitted with
knockoff-style turbine wheels and radials.
Properly fitted interior shows minor wear.
Rear bumper scratched. Steering wheel
nicked. Let’s call it a very nice driver.
Cond: 3+.
overdrive. Very presentable. Cond: 1-.
back this Fuelie is the 3-speed. Have to
wonder why the buyer did not check the
4-speed box on the order sheet. A rare Corvette
finished in the right color. Price paid
was up there, but worth it.
#202-1962 CHEVROLET CORVETTE convertible.
VIN: 20867S114487. Eng. # 2114487F0702RF.
Honduras Maroon/black vinyl.
Odo: 21,341 miles. 327-ci 360-hp fuel-injected
V8, 4-sp. One of 1,918 Fuelies
produced in 1962 at an upcharge of $484.
Older body-off restoration that was rewarded
with NCRS Top Flight award. Still
very presentable but trim fit off a bit. Correct
RF code motor and both tops. Documentation
from restoration included. Cond: 2-.
SOLD AT $46,200. A presentable Corvette
that gets you in the game at a reasonable
price. Drive as-is, pick away at it over time,
and no money will be lost here.
SOLD AT $126,500. Only thing holding
#249-1967 CHEVROLET CORVETTE convertible.
VIN: 194677S110403. Sunfire
Yellow/white vinyl/black vinyl. Odo: 38,275
miles. 327-ci 300-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. An
older restoration that is very presentable.
Fitted with base-level 327/300 V8 with optional
4-speed. Big-block 427 hood added.
Engine clean and tidy with no signs of leaking
body fluids. Minor paint swirls with
scratched bumpers. Cond: 2-.
TOP 10
TOP 10
Page 74
RM AUCTIONS // Grapevine, TX
the summer sun created a stifling greenhouse
effect. An aftermarket zip-in liner was
available to cool things down. The add-on
valve covers and 4-barrel did not help when
came time to sell. If anything, price paid
here was a bit strong considering the condition.
SOLD AT $46,200. We watched this sell at
Worldwide’s Escondido, CA, sale in April
2009 for $58,300 (ACC# 120015). A little
over four years later, the Thomas Collection
takes a $12k-plus hit. This was a better car
than that, so we’ll blame it on the wannabe
big-block hood and pipes.
FOMOCO
#157-1940 FORD DELUXE convertible.
VIN: 185709326. Green/tan fabric/brown
vinyl. Odo: 72,649 miles. The Deluxe offered
the 85-horsepower engine as compared
with the 60-horse on the Standard.
This wears an older restoration that has
held up quite well. Dash gauges are bright
and crisp but the bumpers are worn. Paint
for its age is very presentable and the
shade of green is most attractive. Cond: 2-.
#203-1954 FORD CRESTLINE Skyliner
2-dr hard top. VIN: U4NF116788. White/
coral/white/coral vinyl. Odo: 70,974 miles.
239-ci V8, 2-bbl, auto. A unique, well-documented
dealer display car. One of three
glass-roofed cars on offer here, this one
also features a see-through hood, showing
off the engine with a special light bar.
Loaded with 25 options including Ford-OMatic
and power seat. Has a Coronado
deck lid and Magic Aire. One of 200 demonstrators
produced to show off new 239 engine.
Cond: 2+.
ric, which is a bit tattered. Body straight and
solid with a few dings in the trim. Respray to
reasonable standard. Has an external sun
visor, wire wheel covers and a roof rack
with surfboard. Cond: 2-.
SOLD AT $26,400. Modified interior is the
issue here. Otherwise a decent wagon. Interior
needs attention, so replacing with original
material and pattern will be a step in the
right direction. Thunderbird M-code engine
a plus.
SOLD AT $39,600. A rather rough 1954
Crestline Skyliner (Lot 241) sold for $35,750,
and this being as unique as it is would be far
more interesting. For four grand more I would
rather have this one in my garage.
SOLD AT $46,750. A solid presentation of a
desirable ’40 Ford Deluxe convertible. Price
paid was under the money, so new owner
has room to fix the little nits and still be
rightside-up.
#241-1954 FORD CRESTLINE Skyliner
2-dr hard top. VIN: U4DF136874. Cadet
Blue & Sandstone White/green Plexiglas/
blue & white vinyl. Odo: 13,118 miles. 239ci
V8, 4-bbl, 3-sp. An older restoration that
is now a bit tired. Paint OK. Interior very
acceptable with push button radio. Engine
upgraded with 4-barrel and Offenhauser
heads. Cond: 3-.
#133-1954 MERCURY MONTEREY Sun
Valley 2-dr hard top. VIN: 160FH5418272.
Blue/white/green & white vinyl. Odo: 62,088
miles. 292-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Canadianbuilt.
Featured in Collectible Automobile
magazine in 1997. Loaded with every option
on the order sheet, including fender skirts,
Continental kit and tinted windshield. Trim
worn and pitted. Paint looking a bit tired.
Engine properly detailed. Cond: 2-.
#163-1956 FORD FAIRLANE Sunliner
convertible. VIN: M6SC173122. Colonial
White & Diamond Blue/white vinyl/blue
& white vinyl. Odo: 54,591 miles. 292-ci V8,
4-bbl, auto. Properly restored with a straight
and solid body. Respray well applied in factory-correct
colors. Powered by 292-ci
M-code Thunderbird engine. Interior seating
in good order, but interior paint worn. With
power steering and brakes. Continental kit.
Cond: 2-.
SOLD AT $28,600. This was an attractive
Sunliner convertible with no glaring issues.
A summer top-down driver at a bargain
price. Extremely well bought.
#222-1959 EDSEL CORSAIR convertible.
VIN: B9UR739235. Presidential Red/white
vinyl/red vinyl. Odo: 30,308 miles. 332-ci
V8, 2-bbl, auto. Low miles stated to be original.
Equipped with optional Mile-O-Matic
2-speed transmission. New top and rubber
moldings. Trim with some pitting here and
there. Aftermarket a/c added. Paint flaking
on firewall. Valve covers and air cleaner not
painted white as they should be. Cond: 3+.
SOLD AT $66,000. Introduced in 1954, the
Sun Valley featured a Plexiglas roof insert.
Price paid here was #2 money for a #2 car,
so fair all around.
SOLD AT $35,750. The Skyliner had a
green-tinted Plexiglas insert in roof, and in
76 AmericanCarCollector.com
#190-1956 FORD COUNTRY SEDAN
wagon. VIN: M6RX170181. Fiesta Red &
black/black/maroon leather/black cloth.
Odo: 50,686 miles. 292-ci V8, 2 bbl, auto.
Interior updated with leather and black fab-
SOLD AT $35,750. The best of the three
BEST
BUY
Page 76
RM AUCTIONS // Grapevine, TX
’59 Corsair convertibles offered and, as
such, sold for a slight premium. Infrequently
offered at all, and here we have three, so
take your pick.
#170-1962 FORD THUNDERBIRD Sports
Roadster. VIN: 2Y89Z148298. Rangoon
Red/white vinyl/red leather. Odo: 3,045
miles. 390-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. A factory
Sports Roadster according to VIN stamped
on hood support. (Early 1962 Sports Roadsters
did not have identifying VIN.) Data
plate reproduced. Interior very nice, but a
few trim pieces need attention. Cond: 2-.
the Trans-Am Manufactures Championship
in 1970. Complete with Marti Report and
orignal invoice. Cond: 2.
scratched and lacking luster. Just starting to
lose its edge. Once owned by noted T&C
collector Lloyd Mays. Cond: 2. SOLD AT
$143,000. Last seen at RM’s Monterey
2006 sale, where it realized $90,750. (ACC#
42781). Prior to that it sold for $143,000 at
their January 2002 sale (ACC# 27029).
Price paid seems like a bunch for a T&C
that never was.
SOLD AT $77,000. Price paid here was for
a middle-of-the-road Boss 302, and this was
a far better car than that. The documentation
and low original miles make the price
paid light by about 10 grand. Well bought.
MOPAR
SOLD AT $40,700. I watched this sell at
Worldwide’s May 2007 Houston Classic for
$62k (ACC# 45300), and now driven only
seven miles since. Prior to that it sold at
Worldwide’s 2005 Raleigh auction for $49k
(ACC# 40012). Sports Roadsters are easily
replicated, so the correct VIN was a big plus
here. Well bought and sold.
#217-1969 SHELBY GT500 fastback. VIN:
9F02R480615. Candy Apple Red/black vinyl.
Odo: 70,461 miles. 428-ci V8, 4-bbl,
auto. Resprayed from Jade Black. Paint
with a few issues and swirls. Interior in good
order. Engine bay clean and tidy. Equipped
with 428 Cobra Jet V8. MSD ignition added,
along with aftermarket mags. Complete with
Marti Report. The GT500 fastback was the
most popular Shelby for 1969, with 1,536
produced. Cond: 3+.
#168-1939 PLYMOUTH DELUXE convertible.
VIN: 3235536. Eng. # P82067335.
Black/black fabric/red leather. Odo: 81,759
miles. 201-ci I6, 1-bbl, 3-sp. An older restoration
with no glaring issues. Paint showing
signs of age with swirls and a few flea bites.
Pitting on some trim pieces and bumpers.
Red leather interior very presentable.
Thought to have been owned by MGM and
appeared in “The Big Sleep” with Humphrey
Bogart. Cond: 3+.
#159-1947 CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY
sedan. VIN: C455588. Maroon &
wood/red vinyl & tan fabric. Odo: 96,472
miles. 250-ci I6, 1-bbl, 3-sp. On 6-cylinder
Windsor chassis. Restoration used something
other than red mahogany for inserts.
Lacking roof rack. Fog light loose and grille
pitted. Issue with driver’s side upholstery.
Lots of needs. Cond: 3-.
SOLD AT $55,000. This had a neglected
look that made me wonder what issues
lurked under the hood. Previously sold at
Mecum Monterey 2010 for $41,340, which
we called “cheap, but well sold” (ACC#
165672). Same story today. A bargain price,
but that’s the least of the expenses ahead.
SOLD AT $31,900. A cute little Plymouth
convertible that sold for a fair price. Most
likely belongs in a “Cars of the Stars” museum
with the Bogart connection.
SOLD AT $63,800. The best GT500s can
break the six-figure mark, but they have to
be much sharper than this one. This car
recently sold for $74k at Mecum Houston in
April (ACC# 211874), making this look well
bought with a bit of upside potential.
#174-1970 FORD MUSTANG Boss 302
fastback. VIN: OTO2G137207. Grabber
Blue/black vinyl. Odo: 5,418 miles. 302-ci
V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. The 5,400 miles on the
ododmeter stated to be original. Born Grabber
Blue and wearing Magnum 500 wheels.
Bumpers pitted and scratched, but no serious
issues elsewhere. The Boss 302 won
78 AmericanCarCollector.com
000. Sumac Red/tan fabric/red leather.
Odo: 332 miles. 250-ci I6, 1-bbl, 3-sp. Constructed
from a 1946 Windsor as a designed
but never offered T&C roadster. Paint has
been well maintained and wood is very presentable
with no issues noted. Red leather
in very nice condition. Rear bumper is
6
#155-1946 CHRYSLER TOWN &
COUNTRY roadster. VIN: 71000-
SOLD AT $115,500. Appears several times
in the ACC database: a no-sale at BarrettJackson
Los Angeles 2001 at $32k (ACC#
24364), and a year later at eBay/Kruse
2002, selling for $37k (ACC# 24561). Car
did not have Pace Car lettering at that time.
Time has been good to this DeSoto, as the
selling price has tripled. Still market-correct,
so all was square here.
#201-1956 DESOTO FIREFLITE Indy Pace
Car convertible. VIN: 50383348. White &
gold/white vinyl/tan vinyl & gold fabric. Odo:
16,878 miles. 330-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Indy
Pacesetter vinyl lettering recently added.
About 400 were originally so equipped. Has
power seat and dual rear antennae. Highway
Hi-Fi 45-rpm record player under dash.
New gold wheel covers. Cracked steering
wheel the only serious flaw noted. Cond: 1-.
TOP 10
Page 77
AMERICANA
#225-1949 HUDSON COMMODORE Custom
Eight convertible. VIN: 49418012.
Matador Maroon/black Haartz cloth/red
leatherette. Odo: 54,137 miles. 254-ci I8,
2-bbl, 3-sp. Restored eight years back;
odometer stated to show actual miles.
Equipped with power top and windows. Also
has a windshield visor and Hudson radio.
Hudson continued the “step-down” design
which was introduced the prior year for
1949. Fewer than 600 Commodore Custom
Eight convertibles built in 1949. Cond: 2.
#198-1953 PACKARD CARIBBEAN convertible.
VIN: 26782698. Maroon/white
vinyl/white & maroon leather. Odo: 73,454
miles. 327-ci I8, 4-bbl, auto. Restored some
20 years ago, and time has taken its toll.
Door handle loose. Screws missing, trim
has needs. Paint showing its age, as is interior.
Equipped with power brakes and top,
push-button radio and Continental kit. One
of 750 produced. Cond: 3-.
RM AUCTIONS // Grapevine, TX
8
Eng. # 1607202. Gulf Green & Sahara
Sand/white vinyl/green & white leather.
Odo: 26,679 miles. 359-ci I8, 2-bbl, auto.
Older restoration with National Packard
third place award in 1999. Engine properly
detailed but top dirty. No serious issues with
paint, and trim very presentable. Interior
shows a bit of age, but leather not worn or
damaged. Brakes not functioning, so don’t
wander too far. Cond: 2.
#146-1954 PACKARD CARIBBEAN
convertible. VIN: 54782226.
SOLD AT $47,300. Last seen at Mecum’s
May 2012 Indy sale, where it realized $54k
(ACC# 205832). After fees and transportation,
seller took a quick haircut. Could have
easily sold for a bit more, so call this well
bought.
SOLD AT $57,200. Last seen at Mecum’s
Kissimmee 2008 sale, where it found a new
home at $70k (ACC# 48871). Condition was
the issue here. I doubt it deteriorated to this
degree as part of Thomas Collection, so
2008 sale figure might have been a bit aggressive.
SOLD AT $132,000. Featured in October
2003 issue of Classic Car. Rides on new
Coker radials. Only 400 Caribbean Custom
convertibles produced, so a unique opportunity
here, but at steep price. Money was
retail-plus. A
January-February 2013 79
TOP 10
Page 78
MECUMAUCTIONS // Anaheim, CA
Hot rods take the spotlight
at Mecum Anaheim
THE McMULLEN ROADSTER, A COMMON SIGHT TO SOUTHERN
CALIFORNIA HOT RODDERS THROUGHOUT THE ’60S, SOLD FOR $742K
Report and photos
by Victor Van Tress
Market opinions in italics
M
ecum Auctions, the
third-largest player in the
Monterey month, added
another West Coast sale this
November. Set in Anaheim,
CA, the venue takes advantage of the usually
mild Southern California weather and makes
sense, as many of the potential buyers are
“snow birds” who already happen to be
down there enjoying the sunshine. And what
better place to drop off the kids while car
shopping than Disneyland?
Mecum Auctions
Anaheim 2012, Anaheim, CA
November 15–17, 2012
auctioneers: Matt Moravec, Mark Delzell,
Mike Hagerman, Jimmy Landis
automotive lots sold/offered: 418/836
Sales rate: 50%
Sales total: $15,002,335
High sale: 1932 Ford “McMullen
Roadster,” sold at $742,000
Buyer’s premium: $300 on the first
$5,499, $500 from $5,500 to $9,999, 6%
thereafter, included in sold prices, 10% for
boats and motorcycles
The Tom McMullen 1932 Ford Highboy roadster, sold for $742,000
The Anaheim Convention Center is
large, modern and comfortable, and it
proved a fabulous setting for an auction. The
cars were organized by the day they were
scheduled to cross the block, which gave
the buyers the opportunity to look closely at
whatever car rang their bell. The selections
were as diverse as anyone could want.
On the historic front was the McMullen
“Barn Find” 1960 Chevrolet Corvette
convertible, sold for $74,200
80 AmericanCarCollector.com
Roadster, presented just as it looked in
Hot Rod magazine in 1957. When Tom
McMullen bought the car in 1958, for
$650, he started modifying it. The fuel
tank became a Moon Equipment container
mounted in front of the grille shell, and Ed
“Big Daddy” Roth laid flame and pinstriping
over the black paint. McMullen street-raced
and drag-raced the car, and later began to
freelance for Southern California-based hotrodding
publications, thus making the Deuce
a common sight to hot rodders throughout
the ’60s. It sold for $742k, which seems
about right for such a culturally significant
collector’s piece.
Two other hot-rod classics that broke into
the six figures were the 1936 Jack Calori
coupe, which sold for $318k, and the Rick
Dore-built 1950 Cadillac, which sold for
$148k.
Other high sales included a 1930
Duesenberg Model J limousine, sold at
$392k; a 1969 Ford Boss 429 at $186k; a
1953 Corvette and a Chevrolet Chevelle Z16,
both sold at $180k; another Ford Mustang
429, sold at $172k; a 1967 Chevrolet
Corvette convertible at $154k; and a 1969
Pontiac GTO Judge convertible, which sold
for $143k.
At the other end of the scale, someone
got a 1963 Chrysler Newport for $4,300, a
1965 Ford F-100 pickup sold for $3,800, and
a 1961 Mercury Comet went to a new garage
for $4,550.
Mecum consigned an impressive 836 cars
for its first Anaheim venture, including some
very significant hot rods. A 50% sales rate
is low for Mecum, but $15m in sales isn’t
chump change. If they can continue tapping
into the wealth of important SoCal hot rods,
this sale has a bright future. A
Page 80
ACC SHOOTOUT!
1960 Ford Falcon vs. 1969 Chevrolet Corvair
WHO GOT THE BETTER DEAL?
In the Ford corner…
1960 Ford Falcon, Mecum
Dallas Lot W3, SOLD at
$10,500
• Documented with dealer
invoice
• Full restoration
• One of America’s first
compact cars
GM
506281048. Tahitian Blue/cream leather &
stingray hide. Odo: 57,295 miles. 331-ci V8,
4-bbl, auto. Original V8 and presumably the
original automatic transmission. Even with
the air bags, the frame, suspension and
steering are all as installed in 1950. The
customizing is all to the body. Now a twoseat
roadster with a two-piece removable
top, leather seats with Stingray inserts. All
custom fabricated chrome accents, taillights
are handmade, rear quarters stretched five
inches, custom-made bumpers, and many
more modifications. I’ll bet this drives just
fine. Cond: 2+.
7
#S167-1950 CADILLAC SERIES
62 Rick Dore convertible. VIN:
W
ho got the better deal? It all depends on what you
want out of your ’60s econobox.
If you want a driver, the Falcon wins, as you’ll
play mind games with yourself as you lose money every time
you drive the minty Corvair. The price was steep for the
Falcon, but you can baby it or beat it with a clear conscience.
Personally, I’d take the Corvair, and not just because I’m
a Corvair junkie — 1969 was the pinnacle for development
for the Corvair, while the Falcon is from the initial year of
production.
— B. Mitchell Carlson
Rod and Custom magazine and multiple
European magazines. Fair for buyer and
seller.
#F66-1954 CHEVROLET 3100 pickup.
VIN: H54L003309. Turquoise/tan leather.
Odo: 18,445 miles. 350-ci fuel-injected V8,
auto. Well-applied custom paint. Excellent
chrome wheels, wood panels in bed, awesome
interior with soft leather and upgraded
electronics. Uses a front Camaro clip and
has power steering, power disc brakes and
a/c. Undercarriage just as clean as the top.
Some damage to paint on top of tailgate
and original old weather sealing around the
vent windows. Discs up front with clever
dust cover over the rear drums to make it
look like discs in back as well. Cond: 3+.
In the Chevy corner…
1969 Chevrolet Corvair,
Mecum Dallas Lot W5,
SOLD at $14,500
• 25 original miles
• Documented with ProtectO-Plate,
delivery checklist
• Original window sticker
• Stored in climate-con
trolled building since new
#F170-1962 CHEVROLET IMPALA Pro
Touring convertible. VIN: 21867J270834.
Kandy Tangerine/beige cloth/beige & tangerine
leather. 350-ci V8, 4-bbl, 5-sp.
Rotisserie restoration and Pro Touring customization
completed in 2012. Just starting
to unwind, but still ready for fun. Trim along
top of door scratched. New stainless and
chrome brightwork, Billet Specialties
wheels. House of Kolor Kandy Tangerine
paint. Custom-leather Lexus bucket seats.
High-performance ZZ4 crate motor connected
to a Tremec 5-speed. Suspension
pieces come from Global West Pro Touring,
and power-assisted 4-wheel disc brakes
from Wilwood. Digital gauges, unable to
note mileage. Cond: 2-.
SOLD AT $148,400. Kustom d’Elegance
award-winner, 2010 Custom d’Elegance
West Coast Custom of the Year finalist.
Built in the spirit of the 1950s concept car
era, this Caddy has been on the cover of
82 AmericanCarCollector.com
SOLD AT $37,100. $37k is a lot less than
what you would have to put into one to bring
it to this level, but that doesn’t equate to
resale value. Seller and buyer should both
be pleased with this price.
SOLD AT $67,840. This car looked like a
great driver, and indeed it had been driven,
by the looks of the underside. Even the engine
bay appeared to have changed colors
slightly, due to the underhood heat. Mecum
has gotten between $21k and $49k for Im-
TOP 10
Page 81
MECUMAUCTIONS // Anaheim, CA
palas of this era, but probably not for a Pro
Touring car done to this level. This should
be considered well bought, considering
what it cost to build.
#F259-1967 CHEVROLET IMPALA SS
2-dr hard top. VIN: 168877F111161. Madeira
Maroon/maroon. Odo: 49 miles. 427-ci
V8, 4-bbl, manual. Rebuilt 1969 Chevy 427
engine, rebuilt Muncie 4-speed, the original
3.30:1 Posi 12-bolt rear, N.O.S. Delco front
shock absorbers and rare factory-optional
driver-controlled rear air shocks. Original
broadcast sheet included. Correct NN paint
code Madeira Maroon exterior paint. Vintage
Goodyear Polyglas tires are 40-plus
years old. New front and rear brake systems.
Copies of all receipts, all outside parts
and labor also provided. Cond: 2+.
available on this car, so the owner calls it a
“what if” Maroon SS interior. Fourteen of
these SS ’67s have sold this year, according
to the ACC Premium database, indicating
their popularity. They ranged in price
from a low of $10k to a high of $51k, making
this one look fairly bought and sold.
#T76-1967 OLDSMOBILE 442 convertible.
VIN: 338677M415737. White/white
vinyl/blue vinyl. Odo: 77,202 miles. 400-ci
V8, 4-bbl, auto. Paint looks good at first approach,
but has signs of repaint and later
touch-up. Rusty underneath, one hole
noted—but still not horrible and shouldn’t be
a huge issue. Interior mostly in very good
condition. Underhood not redone or detailed
but correct. Taillight bezels poor and need
to be replaced. Cond: 3-.
#S94-1971 PONTIAC GTO The Judge
convertible. VIN: 242671P121426. Quezal
Gold/black vinyl/black vinyl. Odo: 71,330
miles. 455-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. One of 17 convertibles
produced in 1971. Complete PHS
documentation, two original build sheets,
original car shipping record and invoice,
restoration video and photo records. Matching-numbers
WC-code 455-ci H.O. engine.
Heads are the correct 197 casting.
Equipped with close-ratio 4-speed, power
locks, windows, driver’s seat, front disc
brakes and steering, and a/c. It’s come a
long ways back from where it was once.
Cond: 1-.
SOLD AT $37,100. A body-on restoration
for this car means that it must have been a
pretty good car to begin, as it is now near
perfect. The front bucket seat and console
arrangement is not a combination that was
SOLD AT $23,850. Another 1967 442 convertible
sold at RM in Monterey in 2009 for
$63k (ACC# 147464). Restoration costs on
this car should still leave some upside, so
call it fairly bought.
NOT SOLD AT $275,000. Said to be one of
only three 4-speed Quezal Gold Goats with
black top and black seats. Judged to perfection
as a GTO Association of America Gold
Standard. Who am I to argue? According to
January-February 2013 83
Page 82
MECUMAUCTIONS // Anaheim, CA
Mecum, this particular Judge sold in October
of 2011 for $230k and then in November
of 2011 for $285k, which makes this
offer seem market-correct or a touch low.
#T67-1972 CHEVROLET CAMARO RS
coupe. VIN: 1Q87H2N140492. Black/black
vinyl. Odo: 7,978 miles. 350-ci V8, 4-bbl,
auto. Paint on hood checked with light polishing
scratches throughout. Interior is
good, but repainted plastic panels somewhat
mottled. Sub-frame heavily
undercoated. Cond: 3.
late exterior and interior. All-original purchase
documentation, dealer letter, original
purchase receipt and build sheet show the
car to be 100% correct. Rally wheels, a/c,
original working radio with 8-track player.
Edelbrock intake and carburetor added, with
originals included. Cond: 2.
#S88-1969 CHEVROLET CORVETTE convertible.
VIN: 194679S721263. Le Mans
Blue/black vinyl hard top/black vinyl. Odo:
19,885 miles. 427-ci 430-hp V8, 4-bbl, auto.
According to Mecum, “recognized by the
hobby as the most thoroughly optioned and
most well-documented L88 known.” Factory-optional
4-speed, tinted glass, shoulder
belts, auxiliary hard top, rear defrost, F41
suspension, Positraction, J50/J56 heavyduty
power brakes, engine block heater,
K66 transistor ignition and audio alarm.
Original paint is checked in many areas.
Original drivetrain and interior and even
original exhaust and shocks. Missing only
one option: power steering. Cond: 2-.
SOLD AT $29,680. While second-gen Camaros
lag in value and may be less collectible,
they do drive and handle arguably
better. Of those, the 1970½–73 has more
potential than the wrap-around rear-window
models, and the RS cars even more. All in
all, a fair deal for both seller and buyer.
#T112-1972 CHEVROLET NOVA Yenko
replica coupe. VIN: 1X27F2L146285.
Yellow/black vinyl/black vinyl. Odo: 80,112
miles. 454-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Interior fit and
finish let the car down somewhat, but still a
solid little muscle car. Clean undercarriage.
Windshield and rear glass stainless trim
somewhat tired and scratched. Power steering
and brakes, limited slip diff, American
Racing wheels, BF Goodrich T/A tires,
Yenko stripe package. Cond: 3-.
SOLD AT $44,520. While values for the
second-gen Camaros and Firebirds have
yet to take off, they are arguably better drivers
than first-gen cars, and the 455 Trans
Am is the most sought-after of the second
generation. This was a very nice example,
and it sold well.
CORVETTE
#S199-1960 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. VIN: 00867S102967. Black/
black fiberglass/black leather. Odo: 77
miles. 283-ci 230-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Paint
is gone, seat covers are gone, carpet’s
gone, Plexiglas all gone. Good news is that
suspension, drivetrain, brakes, door hinges,
handles and everything else that makes up
a complete car are in very good condition. I
checked the oil in the engine because there
were no visible leaks underneath, so I
wasn’t sure there was any oil in it. There
was. All they had to do, reportedly, was
change the fluids and the rubber. A dictionary’s
definition of “barn find.“ Cond: 4.
NOT SOLD AT $550,000. Judged Bloomington
Gold Survivor in 2006. Complete
original documentation and chain of ownership.
According to the ACC database, other
1969 L88s have sold this year between
$286k and $646k, so passing on this bid
seemed correct.
#F68-1990 CHEVROLET CORVETTE ZR-1
coupe. VIN: 1G1YZ2312L5800940. Red/tan
vinyl. Odo: 8,965 miles. 5.7-L 375-hp fuelinjected
V8, 6-sp. A lightly used early ZR-1.
Of course it has matching numbers, an original
window sticker, a copy of the build
sheet and all the books, but it looks a little
unloved. Paint has light scratches from dry
dusting. Engine bay and underside not detailed
and now dusty. Miles claimed actual
and no reason to doubt it. A 22-year-old
surviving original. Cond: 2-.
NOT SOLD AT $16,000. A nice clone.
McCormick no-saled this car at $18k in
November 2011 (ACC# 195646), and a few
months later it failed to sell at Russo and
Steele Scottsdale for an undisclosed high
bid (ACC# 194596). Seller would have been
wise to quit shopping it and let it go.
#F250-1973 PONTIAC TRANS AM coupe.
VIN: 2V87Y3N143265. Arctic White/white
vinyl. Odo: 66,540 miles. 455-ci V8, 4-bbl,
auto. An outstanding Trans Am well kept by
all three prior registered owners. Believed
actual miles with original engine. Immacu-
84 AmericanCarCollector.com
SOLD AT $74,200. Fifty-two years later,
this Corvette has accumulated just 77 miles.
Time has not been exactly kind to it cosmetically,
but the bones are solid. Now
what? Keep it dusted off? Sympathetically
restore it? Donate it to a museum? Do a full
restoration? There will be plenty of opinions
offered. Whatever happens, it should not
lose any money. Well bought, and I’d suspect
well sold.
SOLD AT $18,550. Prices on these have
been up and down and then up again. Despite
being offered in Anaheim, this was a
49-state car, and therefore sold for a discount.
Well bought for a driver, but not an
investment.
Page 84
MECUMAUCTIONS // Anaheim, CA
FOMOCO
#F123-1930 FORD MODEL A 2-dr sedan.
VIN: CA749888. Tan and butterscotch/tan
leather. 350-ci fuel-injected V8, auto. A California
steel-body car with fiberglass fenders.
GM 350 crate motor against a 700R automatic
transmission. 1,300 miles since completion.
Vintage a/c, power steering and a
Ididit tilt steering wheel, rack-and-pinion
steering, front disc brakes and a Walker
high-flow radiator and pump. 100-amp alternator
and a high-output starter complete the
motivation. Inside you get VDO gauges and
custom tan leather interior with heated
bucket seats. Includes custom travel trailer
with matching paint and wheels. Cond: 2.
Hot Rod magazine, complete with a “Big
Daddy Roth” flamed paint job and pinstripes.
At this level of restoration and this
level of history, the price seems fair.
#T146-1933 FORD custom roadster. VIN:
16MV1699T3268. Black & silver/gray
leather. 350-ci fuel-injected V8, auto. Fiberglass
car professionally built by American
Classic Cars using a Corvette LS1. fourwheel
disc brakes. Deep paint, custom aluminum
grille. The interior is fully lined in
gray leather. Fabricated chassis, BF
Goodrich G-Force T/A tires, polished billet
steering column, leather-wrapped steering
wheel, easy-reading digital gauges, floor
console and a keyless ignition. Cond: 2.
end Roy Brizio to restore it in time to win the
first-ever Early Custom Cars 1935–48 class
and the Dean Batchelor Award at the 2005
Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, where
Brizio and Calori accepted the prizes. With
provenance like this, it has to be well
bought.
#S198-1965 SHELBY COBRA continuation
roadster. VIN: CSX6019. Guardsman
Blue/black leather. Odo: 225 miles. 427-ci
V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Continuation car bought
new in 2009, documented with a copy of the
original MSO signed by Carroll Shelby. Carroll
Shelby’s signature also graces the glove
box. Engine uses the medium riser aluminum
heads, Shelby-style sidewinder intake,
producing 550 hp on super unleaded pump
gas. Four-wheel independent suspension,
4-wheel disc brakes, rack-and-pinion steering
in a high-strength fiberglass composite
body. Fifteen-inch original-style wood rim
steering wheel. Cond: 2.
SOLD AT $34,450. There’s no way you
could come to close to building this for the
price paid. Well bought, even without the
trailer.
white leather. 327-ci V8, supercharger,
4-sp. Started life as a ’32 Ford roadster.
Detail and condition near perfect. Black with
white pinstripes and colorful flames adorning
the front. Chevrolet 327 with a GMC
4-71 supercharger provide the power, coupled
to a 4-speed and a Halibrand quickchange.
In back is a parachute; pressurized
Moon fuel tank up front. Seats done in
black-and-white tuck-and-roll. Underside
simple and perfectly detailed. Known as
“The World’s Most Iconic Hot Rod.” Digital
dash, mileage unknown. Cond: 1-.
1
#S109-1932 FORD Highboy roadster.
VIN: 18152025. Black/black &
SOLD AT $58,300. This custom Ford was
very well done and very usable. It surely
cost more to build, but this price was fair
and market-correct.
#S116-1936 FORD MODEL 68
coupe. VIN: 182636987. Black/red
leatherette. 267-ci V8, 2x2-bbl, 3-sp. Built
by Jack Calori and Herb Reneau and shown
as the November 1949 Hot Rod magazine
cover car. Bored and stroked 1946 Mercury
59AB engine with Clay Smith cam, Eddie
Meyer heads, Lincoln distributor and a
Weiand intake manifold. Engine accessories
polished or chromed. Three-inch
chopped top, dropped front axle, clamshell
hood, Buick teardrop skirts, 1939 LaSalle
grille, 1940 Chevy headlights, 1941 Ford
bumpers, 1941 Hudson taillights. Truly
custom, old-school style. Cond: 1-.
2
SOLD AT $102,820. Values for continuation
cars have yet to take off. This was pretty
much a new car, and it would seem cheap
for a Cobra, but this is the top of the market.
#T177.1-1968 MERCURY MONTEGO convertible.
VIN: 8H12Y615030. Blazing
Bronze/tan & orange leather. 390-ci V8,
4-bbl, auto. Smoothed sheet metal, shaved
door handles and treated to Dupont’s Blazing
Copper paint. Interior uses 1994 Accord
seats covered with tan leather and lizard
inserts. Custom fiberglass center console.
Digital dash, mileage unknown. Two seveninch
Alpine monitors. Original 390 engine
with auto trans. Flowmaster exhaust, lowered
suspension with drop coils and
springs, shortened shocks and new
bushings. Cond: 3.
SOLD AT $742,000. Built by the legendary
Tom McMullen in 1958. After years of modifications
and changes rendered the car almost
unrecognizable, it was completely
dismantled by Roy Brizio, who restored it
back to how it had appeared on the cover of
86 AmericanCarCollector.com
SOLD AT $318,000. This car was discovered
in Spokane, WA, in the early 1990s
and purchased by collector Don Orosco. In
2002, Orosco sold the coupe to its current
owner, who commissioned hot-rodding leg-
SOLD AT $25,440. This car has been to
two auctions in the past 12 months: a $30k
no-sale at McCormick’s in November 2011
(ACC# 195897) and a no-sale at Russo and
TOP 10
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Page 86
MECUMAUCTIONS // Anaheim, CA
Steele in January at an undisclosed high bid
(ACC# 194820). Inconsistent gaps and dirty
engine bay (with shiny valve covers and air
cleaner) held bidding back a little, but the
buyer got a great deal and can easily bring
things up a notch.
9F02Z173010. Wimbledon White/black
vinyl. Odo: 26,804 miles. 429-ci V8, 4-bbl,
manual. A California car that is said to have
never left. According to the Deluxe Marti
Report, two original build sheets, this 9 is
Kar Kraft #1520, one of 857 built in 1969.
With 26,804 miles it should be a very good
car, and condition does not disappoint.
Standard equipment includes 3.91 TractionLok
rear axle, power front disc brakes,
power steering, trunk-mounted battery, and
Magnum 500 wheels. Includes original owner’s
manual and sales brochure as well. An
original car in very good condition with a
new paint job. Cond: 3.
4
#S133-1969 FORD MUSTANG
Boss 429 fastback. VIN:
grille caps it all off. The Jaguar XJS headlights
are probably only as bizarre as the
original headlights were. Inside a wraparound
dash with center console. Body on
steel square tube frame with a 426-ci Hemi
in front and an independent suspension at
the rear. Cond: 2+. NOT SOLD AT
$60,000. The seller didn’t give himself an
easy job, using a ’61 Plymouth Fury as a
basis for such a complete styling exercise.
That said, once you get past the headlights,
this was a very cool car. The chassis was
amazing. Kind of like as if somebody parked
a Plymouth on top of a Can-Am car. I hope
people don’t make cars like this with the
expectation of making money. Worth more
than the high offer, but hard to get it.
#T130-1963 PLYMOUTH BELVEDERE
2-dr sedan. VIN: 3335132159. White/blue
vinyl & cloth. Odo: 1,474 miles. 440-ci V8,
2x4-bbl, auto. A one-repaint, all-originalsheet-metal
car with less than 600 miles
since mechanical restoration. Trim mostly
excellent; grille and rear bumper are not.
Cloth inserts dress up the otherwise plain
vinyl seats. Correct-style tach attached to
column. Under the hood is a built 440-ci
Cross Ram engine, bored 0.030 over. With
push-button 727 transmission, 8¾ Sure
Grip differential, 3.73 gears, power steering,
power front disc brakes, Borla mufflers.
Clean underneath. Cond: 2.
SOLD AT $185,500. Boss 9s sold in 2012
have ranged from $253k to $265k. This
would indicate that the values have returned
to their peak of 2008. This was a nice original
car that I would expect to do well, so the
repaint with the trim left on was a major disappointment.
At the price paid, have to call
it well bought, but hope the new owner
doesn’t sink any money into it.
MOPAR
#F286-1961 PLYMOUTH FURY “Outkast”
2-dr hard top. VIN: 3315131807. Blue &
silver/tan leather. Odo: 213 miles. 426-ci
fuel-injected V8, auto. A very custom Fury.
Roof is chopped, windshield laid back. Even
the hood extends four inches downward. All
glass is flush, side wing windows are removed,
the door handles shaved, custom
body lines added and a billet aluminum
wheels, one-off bed cover with fuel cell in
the bed, custom exhaust, electric doors,
custom carpet, front disc brakes. Less than
500 miles since completion in 2010. Original
aged instruments rather disappointing by
comparision. Cond: 3+. SOLD AT $19,080.
Few, if any, D100s have been modified to
this extent, so market price is difficult to
gauge. Considering the quality of work
done, price seemed fair here, without much
threat of future depreciation.
AMERICANA
#T173-1949 HUDSON SUPER SIX 2-dr
sedan. VIN: 49189818. Black/gray cloth.
Odo: 49,208 miles. 371-ci V8, 1-bbl, 3-sp.
Engine of unknown origin, specs supplied
by catalog. Good condition considering
car’s age. Odd extra wiring under the hood.
Fitted with column-shift transmission and
aftermarket a/c. Painted in the trunk lid is
the logo for the movie “Cars.” Cond: 4+.
SOLD AT $18,550. A useable old muscle
car, although well sold at the price paid. I
wonder how they get 310 hp from that little
1-bbl.
SOLD AT $29,150. Recently sold at
McCormick Palm Springs in February 2012
for $26k (ACC# 198769). An increase in
selling price of $2,900 in eight months does
not really equate to a profit, but it does
make the price look correct. Fair deal for
both sides.
#T110-1967 DODGE D100 pickup. VIN:
D1A2979360. Two-tone silver/two-tone
silver & gray leather. Odo: 86,952 miles.
440-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Chrysler 440-ci engine,
727 transmission, B&M shifter, custom
#T101-1968 AMC AMX coupe. VIN:
A8C397T264938. Orange/black vinyl &
cloth. Odo: 35,789 miles. 343-ci V8, 4-bbl,
auto. Good repaint done with trim still attached;
trim damaged by buffer in some
areas. Bumpers rechromed, but bumper
guards were not. Underhood has some
upgrades but otherwise an original engine
bay. Cond: 3-.
SOLD AT $13,250. Relative to the rest of
the pony cars, few were sold and even
fewer survive. Three have sold this year
between $16k and $27k, making this one a
good buy, as the fixes won’t cost all that
much. A
88 AmericanCarCollector.com
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BEST
BUY
Page 88
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Selected Sales Combined in One Comprehensive Report
American highlights
at eight U.S. auctions
Strong attendance at Vicari’s Classic & Muscle Car auction in Biloxi, MS
Bonhams
Silver Auctions
Portland Fall 2012
Portland, OR — September 21, 2012
auctioneer: Mitch Silver
automotive lots sold/offered: 57/120
Sales rate: 48%
Sales total: $510,597
High sale: 1965 Chevrolet Corvette 327/300
convertible, sold at $40,500
Buyer’s premium: 8%, included in sold prices
Report and photos by Jim Pickering
Auctions America by RM
Fall Carlisle
Carlisle, Pa — October 4–5, 2012
auctioneer: Brent Earlywine, Jeff Knosp
automotive lots sold/offered: 162/295
Sales rate: 55%
Sales total: $2,502,375
High sale: 1958 Chrysler 300D convertible, sold
at $90,750
Buyer’s premium: 10%, included in sold prices
Report and photos by Don Schoeny
Classic Motorcar Auctions
Grande Salon Classic Car auction 2012
Canton, OH — September 17, 2012
auctioneer: Dennis Wisbey
automotive lots sold/offered: 73/154
Sales rate: 47%
Sales total: $1,530,854
High sale: 1937 Cord 812 phaeton, sold at
$162,000
Buyer’s premium: 8%, included in sold prices
Report and photos by Kevin Coakley
The Branson Auction
Fall 2012
Branson, MO — October 12–13, 2012
auctioneers: Tom “Spanky” Assiter, Amy Assiter,
John Nichols
automotive lots sold/offered: 124/233
Sales rate: 53%
Sales total: $2,042,876
High american sale: 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air, sold
at $46,000
Buyer’s premium: 8%, included in sold prices
Report and photos by B. Mitchell Carlson
90 AmericanCarCollector.com
Dan Kruse Classics
Hill Country Classic
austin, TX — September 15, 2012
auctioneer: Dan Kruse, Jim Richie
automotive lots sold/offered: 58/174
Sales rate: 33%
Sales total: $3,174,710
High sale: 1933 Duesenberg Model J Franay
Sports Berline sedan, sold at $1,815,000
Buyer’s premium: 10%, included in sold prices
Report and photos by Phil Skinner
Preserving the automobile — Simeone
automotive Museum auction
Philadelphia, Pa — October 8, 2012
auctioneer: Rupert Banner
automotive lots sold/offered: 50/62
Sales rate: 81%
Sales total: $2,576,470
High american sale: 1915 Packard Six Model
3-38 roadster, sold at $219,500
Buyer’s premium: 17% up to $100k; 10%
thereafter, included in sold prices
Report by John Lyons
Photos courtesy of Bonhams
Higgenbotham
2012 Lake Mirror Classic auto Festival &
auction
Lakeland, FL — October 20, 2012
auctioneer: Marty Higgenbotham
automotive lots sold/offered: 11/39
Sales rate: 28%
Sales total: $257,040
High american sale: 1970 Ford Mustang
fastback, sold at $42,000
Buyer’s premium: 5%, included in sold prices
Report and photos by Robert Malke
Vicari
Classic & Muscle Car auction
Biloxi, MS — October 11–12, 2012
auctioneer: Joey Fortner, Guerry Wise
automotive lots sold/offered: 151/311
Sales rate: 49%
Sales total: $3,708,180
High sale: 1969 Chevrolet M-code Corvette, sold
at $164,160
Buyer’s premium: 8%, included in sold prices
Report and photos by Kevin Coakley
GM
#451-1927 BUICK MASTER SIX Opera
coupe. VIN: 1861169. Eng. # 1930891.
Blue & black/black vinyl/blue velour. Odo:
74,088 miles. Original rust-free car with
original paint and touch-up as needed.
Likely original miles, based on condition.
Very well-preserved interior with replacement
blue velour. Original instruments and
brightwork all in good condition. Original
engine greasy and stained. With rearmounted
spare and unique jump-style folding
passenger’s seat. Cond: 3.
SOLD AT $5,520. A well-kept original car
and a steal for the buyer. Bonhams, Philadelphia,
PA, 10/12.
#F63-1939 CHEVROLET pickup. VIN:
BDRJ1723. Metallic blue-green & black/
black vinyl. Odo: 2,413 miles. 235-ci I6,
1-bbl, 3-sp. Frame-off restoration 10 years
ago holding up relatively well. Paint shows
lots of scratches on cowl from hood placement
when open. Driver-quality brightwork.
Loose headlights. Rattle-can engine detail.
Fair interior. Cond: 4.
SOLD AT $12,852. A solid, no-nonsense
truck for not a lot of money. Well bought.
Vicari, Biloxi, MS, 10/12.
#51-1954 PONTIAC STAR CHIEF DELUXE
convertible. VIN: W8ZA1743. Red/black
fabric/red & white vinyl. Odo: 8,855 miles.
268-ci I8, 2-bbl, auto. Economy-grade restoration
in Resale Red, which doesn’t look
bad. Chrome looks fresh, but a lot of the
die-cast trim has been plated over pits and
dimples. Hood and deck-lid aluminum trim
did look nearly new. Soft trim done on the
cheap, top fit a little loose, bows and pivot
points needed detailing. Underhood clean
but not spectacular. Car runs and shifts
well, but don’t know if accessories are working.
Radio, heater, backup lights, clock,
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GLOBAL
spotlight. Tissue dispenser fully loaded.
Cond: 2.
SOLD AT $30,250. While these post-war
Pontiacs are very attractive, their pre-war
inline engines limit appeal. They top out in
the $60k range, but this car was lacking in a
lot of little details. Fair price paid for a decent
cruiser, all things considered. Dan
Kruse Classics, Austin, TX, 09/12.
#124-1955 CHEVROLET 3100 pickup.
VIN: H255S023216. Turquoise/turquoise &
white vinyl. Odo: 114 miles. 305-ci V8,
4-bbl, auto. Full custom with later V8 and
decent workmanship. Wood in bed nicely
finished, body panels all line up well.
Chrome bright and tasteful. Interior fitted
with full gauge package, stereo, and modern
a/c. Chrome wheels with baby moon
caps set off the blackwall tires. Massive
chrome bumpers, custom bar grille. Runs
out pretty well. Cond: 2.
chrome and trim excellent. Fitted with ZZ3
350 engine with aluminum heads, Edelbrock
carburetor, 605-style power steering,
power disc brakes, Flowmaster exhaust,
and 18- and 20-inch wheels by Boss. Cond:
1-. NOT SOLD AT $32,250. Black over red
is a great hot-rod color combination, and
this ’55 wore it well. The perfect car for local
cruise-ins, or maybe even longer-distance
trips, depending on the rear end gearing.
I’m sure the seller had more than this bid
into the car, so I don’t blame him for holding
on to it. Silver Auctions, Portland, OR,
09/12.
#550-1955 CHEVROLET NOMAD wagon.
VIN: VC55L041258. Dark aqua metallic &
white/aqua & white vinyl. Odo: 45,560 miles.
265-ci V8, 2-bbl, auto. Said to be a generally
original car, aside from a recent average
repaint, with overspray on the exhaust
pipes. Dealer-accessory “hockey stick”
rocker panel moldings, exhaust deflectors
and wire wheel covers. Muted plating overall.
Yellowed steering wheel rim. Good original
door panels, headliner and carpet, but
non-stock pleats on seat edge vinyl. Generally
tidy and stock under the hood.
Cond: 3+.
SOLD AT $41,040. An attractive package
and a desirable car, well bought. At the
price paid, I think the minor issues can be
addressed without getting upside-down.
Classic Motorcar Auctions, Canton, OH,
09/12.
#S337-1957 PONTIAC CHIEFTAIN 2-dr
hard top. VIN: T75H7413. Caribbean Coral
& white/white & black vinyl & cloth. Odo:
32,276 miles. 347-ci V8, 3x2-bbl, auto. Excellent
paint, one small crack in roof paint.
Good panel gaps. Brightwork shows well
with some minor crazing. Beautifully detailed
engine compartment with period-correct
battery; interior as nice as exterior.
Cond: 2.
SOLD AT $35,100. Desirable performance
package in attractive colors. The final result
looked market-correct if not a bit of a bargain;
I’d expect in a couple years it will look
like a steal. Vicari, Biloxi, MS, 10/12.
NOT SOLD AT $11,250. Seller’s reserve
was about $13k, which was well within reasonable
market value for this truck. Truly
one of those vehicles that couldn’t be replicated
for twice the high bid, but the right
buyer just wasn’t here. Dan Kruse Classics,
Austin, TX, 09/12.
#149-1955 CHEVROLET BEL AIR 2-dr
hard top. VIN: VB550081437. Black/red
nylon & vinyl. Odo: 3,583 miles. 350-ci V8,
4-bbl, auto. Complete ground-up restoration.
Black paint smooth and mirror-like,
SOLD AT $45,360. While not as original as
played up to be, this was still a pretty decent
deal on a decent first-year Nomad.
Branson, Branson, MO, 10/12.
#596-1957 BUICK CENTURY convertible.
VIN: 6D304470. Burgundy & tan/burgundy
canvas/burgundy & tan leather. Odo: 94,802
miles. 364-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Fresh paint in
an attractive color combination. Brightwork
mostly good with some minor pitting. Driedout
window rubbers. Driver’s door won’t
latch. Top looks new and well fitted. Engine
benefits from some rattle-can detailing. Left
tailpipe missing. Fresh, mild custom interior.
With a/c, power steering brakes, seat.
Cond: 3+.
#S304-1960 CHEVROLET BROOKWOOD
wagon. VIN: 01235F230293. Two-tone
green/two-tone green leather. Odo: 41,839
miles. 383-ci fuel-injected V8, auto. Amazing
custom creation now showing some age,
Equipped with ZZ3 crate motor. Beautiful
paint, bubble brewing on top of fender,
cracks in rain gutter. Door gaps off a bit,
otherwise decent panel alignment. Greentinted
glass. Show-quality engine detail.
Good brightwork, although grille anodizing
looks a little tired. Custom leather interior.
One-off billet wheels. Power steering and
brakes, a/c, air-bag suspension. Cond: 2.
SOLD AT $43,200. Claimed to be a former
SEMA award-winner. You couldn’t build it
for this kind of money. Today it looked like a
good buy. The rate of paint degradation will
determine whether it still looks like a good
buy five years from now. Vicari, Biloxi, MS,
10/12.
January-February 2013 91
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#F74-1962 OLDSMOBILE STARFIRE 2-dr
hard top. VIN: 626M1589. Black/red vinyl.
Odo: 89,336 miles. 394-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto.
Rough paint shows scratches, chips, buffing
trails. OK brightwork, huge anodized side
trims are in remarkably good condition.
Driver-quality engine compartment. Interior
looks serviceable. Appears that dashpad is
covered with vinyl to conceal cracks, but it
actually doesn’t look horrible. Cond: 3.
SOLD AT $13,176. I was talking to the
woman who bought this truck, and she
called it “cute.” I think “badass” better describes
it. Great color combination, great
stance and a great deal. Classic Motorcar
Auctions, Canton, OH, 09/12.
SOLD AT $15,930. This looked like a market-correct
result for condition. The hard-tosource
trim pieces were pretty much intact,
and the price paid leaves room left for a
decent paint job without getting upsidedown.
A fair deal both ways. Vicari, Biloxi,
MS, 10/12.
#F99-1963 BUICK SKYLARK convertible.
VIN: 3J4509576. Red/black vinyl/red vinyl.
Odo: 35,715 miles. 215-ci V8, 2-bbl, auto.
Paint cracked, pitted, peeling and overbuffed.
Driver’s door fit way off. Brightwork
fair to poor. Front and rear seat covers don’t
match. Engine compartment is a nightmare,
with a rag stuffed behind the water pump to
soak up the antifreeze leak. Tires going flat.
Cond: 3-.
#40-1963 CHEVROLET NOVA SS convertible.
VIN: 30467W113719. Red/white
Colortex/red vinyl. Odo: 16,392 miles. 350ci
V8, 3x2-bbl, 4-sp. Excellent workmanship.
Paint well laid. Interior comfy and looks like
original materials, top a little tight. Latermodel
Rally wheels look like perfect fit for
this car. New V8 under the hood looked
fresh—starts and runs like a new car
trapped in a sharp, 49-year-old Chevy body.
Cond: 2+.
SOLD AT $8,640. This was one of those
cars nobody came here looking for, but everyone
ended up looking at. Not likely to
appreciate much, but it can be driven and
enjoyed for what it is. Market-correct result.
Classic Motorcar Auctions, Canton, OH,
09/12.
#F100-1963 PONTIAC LEMANS convertible.
VIN: 263P216166. Red/tan canvas/tan
vinyl. Odo: 4,920 miles. 195-ci I4, 1-bbl,
auto. Paint shows some chips and touchups;
decent panel gaps; brightwork condition
commensurate with age. Grungy engine
bay. OK interior. 326 badging incorrect.
Cond: 3-.
SOLD AT $6,912. Equipped with an engine
derived from the right cylinder bank of a
389, this car was the precursor to the legendary
GTO. It had a great stance and look;
anytime you can get a solid, sporty convertible
under seven grand, I say go for it! Drop
a 326 in and have some fun. Well bought
indeed. Vicari, Biloxi, MS, 10/12.
NOT SOLD AT $27,000. Seller claimed to
have nearly $30k invested in this car, which
was believable, but he should have jumped
on this offer. As cute as this car was, there
are a lot of other examples on the market
for less money. Dan Kruse Classics, Austin,
TX, 09/12.
SOLD AT $6,480. Even with its faults, and
there were many, this was still a great deal
at the price paid. As with Lot F100, the
4-cylinder ’63 LeMans convertible, you can’t
complain about a car like this at a price like
this. Vicari, Biloxi, MS, 10/12.
#584-1963 CHEVROLET C10 pickup.
VIN: 3C144A126052. Red/red & white
vinyl. Odo: 20,000 miles. 350-ci V8, 4-bbl,
4-sp. Nice paint, good glass and rubber,
presentable brightwork. Truck-quality gaps.
White vinyl tonneau cover, wood in bed
looks good. Front end lowered, disc brakes
added, newer drivetrain, aftermarket intake
and carburetor. Deep-dish painted steelies
with wide whites complete the look.
Cond: 4+.
92 AmericanCarCollector.com
#605-1963 OLDSMOBILE DYNAMIC 88
2-dr hard top. VIN: 632M69868. White/red
vinyl. Odo: 18,964 miles. 394-ci V8, 2-bbl,
auto. Last respray done on the cheap, trim
on, doors closed with overspray on the radiator
core support. Decent original brightwork,
mismatched headlights. Decent
interior. Grungy engine. Cond: 3.
#223-1964 BUICK SKYLARK 2-dr hard
top. VIN: 3K1070308. Light yellow & white/
tan vinyl. Odo: 11,351 miles. 300-ci V8,
2-bbl, auto. Newer cosmetic restoration.
Repainted with new glass, weatherstripping,
window seals, seat upholstery, door panels,
dashpad, headliner and carpet. Reproduction
Buick Road Wheels on low-profile radials.
Most brightwork replated or expertly
buffed out. Period aftermarket triple-pack
gauge beneath dash. Tidy and generally
stock underhood. Cond: 3+.
SOLD AT $10,800. While not a powerhouse,
the newly restyled Skylark was a
taste of things to come for performance
Buicks later in the decade. As a pleasant
driver, this was a good buy. Branson,
Branson, MO, 10/12.
#361-1964 PONTIAC GTO 2-dr hard top.
VIN: 824P185422 White/blue vinyl. Odo:
BEST
BUY
Page 92
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270 miles. 389-ci V8, 3x2-bbl, 4-sp. Nearly
perfect, only let down by poor trunk lid fit.
Well-documented restoration completed in
2003, and took every Gold Award available
to Pontiacs in that year. The 270 miles on
the odometer reflects how many times it’s
been on and off the trailer since then.
Cond: 1-.
use a good cleaning, hood and trunk gaps
could use some attention. Aftermarket intake,
carb, and chrome air cleaner and alternator.
Headers featured in presentable
engine compartment. Interior looks good
with new carpet and column-mounted tach.
Cond: 3. SOLD AT $25,380. This had the
right equipment and look. Considering that
correct cars in similar condition are selling
in the mid-40s, I’d have to say this one was
well bought. Classic Motorcar Auctions,
Canton, OH, 09/12.
SOLD AT $59,675. This car was done by a
fanatic (not the seller), and the attention to
detail showed. Can’t use it without destroying
the trailer-queen value, but someone
ponied up 60-large. Well sold. Auctions
America by RM, Carlisle, PA, 10/12.
#538A-1965 PONTIAC GTO 2-dr hard top.
VIN: 237375P147689. Dark blue/black vinyl.
Odo: 20,323 miles. 389-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp.
Paint shows well, as does brightwork. On
Rally wheels with Redlines. Nice interior
except for some peeling wood and pitting
chrome. Decent engine detailing. Originally
a 3-speed, now converted to 4. Cond: 3.
#414-1966 CHEVROLET CHEVY II 2-dr
sedan. VIN: 113116W151351 Black/black
leather. Odo: 158 miles. 454-ci V8, 4-bbl,
4-sp. Nice, clean build of a serious hot rod.
Bill Mitchell 454 engine, Muncie M21, Ford
nine-inch rear end. Tubbed, fitted with scattershield.
Very nice black paint, but hood fit
slightly off. Lots of engine bling. Fitted with
power steering and Vintage Air. Cond: 2.
sion of what a driver-grade Corvair is worth.
Well bought and sold. Branson, Branson,
MO, 10/12.
#S324-1966 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS 2-dr
hard top. VIN: 338176M235888. Red/black
vinyl. Odo: 55,124 miles. 330-ci V8, 4-bbl,
auto. Paint shows many pits and scratches.
Driver-quality bright bits. Rattle-can engine
detail with chrome aftermarket air cleaner.
Presentable interior; speaker cut into rear
deck. Equipped with Magnum 500 wheels
sporting new rubber. Dual exhaust and Vintage
Air. Cond: 3.
SOLD AT $31,350. A purpose-built street
missile that is sure to generate tickets. The
high-quality build could not be replicated for
anywhere near the purchase price. Well
bought. Auctions America by RM, Carlisle,
PA, 10/12.
SOLD AT $27,810. This was just a nice,
honest driver with the right drivetrain—including
the incorrect 4-speed. Market-correct
result. Classic Motorcar Auctions,
Canton, OH, 09/12.
#583-1966 CHEVROLET CHEVELLE SS
2-dr hard top. VIN: 138176B179100. Tuxedo
Black/black vinyl/black vinyl. Odo:
64,229 miles. 454-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-speed.
Badged as a 396 but fitted with a 454. Good
paint and brightwork, vinyl top could
#244-1966 CHEVROLET CORVAIR 500
2-dr hard top. VIN: 101376W131011.
White/red cloth. Odo: 97,812 miles. 164-ci
H6, 2x1-bbl, auto. Although I can’t see the
body tag because a period-accessory trailer
towing brace is bolted over it, peeling paint
on bottom of engine cover reveals original
light blue metallic paint. Since we’re in
here—and a Corvair is about the engine—
it’s been topically cleaned off and is generally
stock. Older air ducts are cracking and
it has a new tractor battery. Most trim has
been shaved off. Aftermarket plus-one sized
wheels. Plain interior upholstery job.
Cond: 3.
SOLD AT $11,880. The lot card suggested
this car was a great way to get into the muscle-car
hobby on the cheap; I’d have to
agree. While the result was pretty strong,
you’d pay a considerable premium for a
442. Just shows that endorsing what it is
rather than pointing out what it’s not will
generate a positive response. Vicari, Biloxi,
MS, 10/12.
#603-1967 CHEVROLET CAMARO RS
convertible. VIN: 124677L157463. Butter
Crème/black vinyl/Parchment vinyl. Odo:
12,562 miles. 327-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Originally
left Van Nuys painted Mountain Green.
Then red, per residue on masked pop-riveted
VIN: tag. Current repaint still presentable
despite a few chips on panel edges.
Brightwork a mix of replaced and pitted original.
Loose top liner and window cranks.
Older replacement seats in the original
Parchment with black. Door panels starting
to yellow. Heavily faded and stained carpeting.
Cond: 3-.
SOLD AT $4,860. Last seen here in the
spring, when it no-saled at $5k (ACC#
201532). Pretty much nothing has changed
since, except the consignor’s comprehen-
94 AmericanCarCollector.com
SOLD AT $27,810. Not Ermine White and
too light for Butternut Yellow, but this
dreamed-up Butter Crème with a black RS
beak stripe did present well. That likely
helped it sell well, considering the ho-hum
powertrain and ho-hum condition. Branson,
Branson, MO, 10/12.
#2122-1967 CHEVROLET CHEVELLE SS396
2-dr hard top. VIN: 138177A154828.
Black/ black vinyl. Odo: 96,645 miles. 396-ci
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V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Strong effort at a real 138
car. Good colors and finish with the options
right. Black-on-black, 4-sp, buckets, factory
tach and console. Taut upholstery. Some
signs of panel repair and repro sheet metal.
Underhood has correct appearance.
Cond: 3+.
cracks in dashpad, but seat looks good.
Minimal underhood detailing. Heavily optioned
from new with power everything, a/c,
8-track, bucket seats, console, and more;
confirmed by original invoice, window
sticker and PHS. CD player installed, original
AM radio still in dash. Cond: 3-.
SOLD AT $67,100. Market-correct price.
Well bought and well sold. Dan Kruse
Classics, Austin, TX, 09/12.
SOLD AT $33,600. This SS went early on
in the auction. Initially bid to $25k, but the
seller rightly stuck to his reserve. Sold postblock
for a fair price. Higgenbotham, Lakeland,
FL, 10/12.
#294-1967 CHEVROLET NOVA custom
2-dr hard top. VIN: 115377W199480.
White/blue vinyl. Odo: 28,816 miles. 5.7-L
fuel-injected V8, auto. Repowered with Z06
Corvette LS6 and a 700R4 automatic, installed
very professionally. Current coat of
white is pretty good; some sanding
scratches noted on window moldings. Rest
of trim mostly reproduction, bumpers replated.
Aftermarket cowl-induction hood,
window tint film, and plus-one sized alloy
wheels. New repro interior soft trim, with
minimal wear. Speakers cut into new door
panels. Stereo cut into dash. Aftermarket
steering wheel and floor shifter. Cond: 3+.
SOLD AT $5,400. I rather liked it, so I feel it
was a decent buy, if for no other reason
than it would be the hit of the POCI national
meet. This was actually one of my favorite
cars here, due in no small part to the ’67
Catalina owned by my neighbors when I
was growing up. Four-door hard top enthusiast
(and ACC Associate Editor) Chad Tyson
would’ve probably dug it also. Branson,
Branson, MO, 10/12.
#F7-1968 PONTIAC GTO 2-dr hard top.
VIN: 242378R197971 Red/black vinyl. 400ci
V8, 4-bbl, auto. Shiny, thick paint. Poor
panel gaps all around. Said to have new
interior, rebuilt engine and new inner fenders.
Equipped with non-working factory a/c.
Cond: 3.
SOLD AT $11,340. Short deck, long hood,
wraparound dashboard—there was a lot to
like about this car, but it did have some
needs. The new owner should be able to
address those needs without going underwater.
All things considered, a fair result
both ways. Classic Motorcar Auctions,
Canton, OH, 09/12.
SOLD AT $21,492. Essentially a final-generation
GTO dressed up as a first generation
Nova; the seller made a fair amount of
hay on this. Imagine how well it would do
with the original six still in it. But then again,
it must be etched into the cosmos somewhere
that all Novas must have V8 engine
swaps to still be around. Or so it seems. A
decent buy for all the work done, and you
can do a lot worse on one of these. Branson,
Branson, MO, 10/12.
#218-1967 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE 4-dr
hard top. VIN: 262397K172523. Light blue/
Parchment vinyl. Odo: 82,087 miles. 400-ci
V8, 4-bbl, auto. Older repaint close to original
color, with casual masking. Several
96 AmericanCarCollector.com
SOLD AT $21,060. New inner fenders?
Really? This looked like a market-correct
result, but even with the consignor’s openness
about the non-functional a/c, I couldn’t
get over the feeling something bad was
lurking beneath that thick shiny paint.
Vicari, Biloxi, MS, 10/12.
#55-1969 CHEVROLET CAMARO SS Indy
Pace Car convertible. VIN: 124679N639866.
White & orange/white Colortex/
orange houndstooth vinyl. Odo: 97,384
miles. 350-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Verified as a
real Z11 Indy Sport Convertible. Proper materials
used in restoration, engine reported
as numbers matching. Glass and chrome in
excellent condition, lettering on the sides
nearly new. Fitted with modern radio but
has original a/c and full gauge package.
Hideaway headlights functional, as are
other electrics tested. Power steering and
front discs, all mechanicals in order.
Cond: 1-.
#523-1970 BUICK RIVIERA GS 2-dr hard
top. VIN: 494870H911833. Maroon metallic/
black vinyl/black nylon. Odo: 91,934
miles. 455-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. With a/c,
Speed Alert, four-note horn, remote trunk
release, Rim Blow horn, AM/FM, rear window
defogger, and Buick Road Wheels—all
confirmed as original by window sticker.
Superb repaint has a few nicks on the passenger’s
door. Generally clean and original
engine bay, with a recent engine rebuild.
Well cared for all-original interior. Originally
preacher-owned. Cond: 3+.
#571-1969 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX 2-dr
hard top. VIN: 276579P26970. Crystal
Turquoise/black vinyl. Odo: 67,389 miles.
400-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Fresh-ish paint looks
decent, poor panel fit, rust developing on
front bumper. Rattle-can engine detail,
sloppy paint on wheels. Aftermarket stereo
hacked into the dash, small rip in driver’s
seat. Equipped with hood tach, a/c, power
steering and power brakes. Cond: 3-.
SOLD AT $17,820. The final year of the
oft-overlooked body style between the first
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generation and boat-tailed Rivs. I’ve seen
these really pick up in value in the past few
years, as collectors have finally discovered
that they are great 1960s road-trip cars, and
tend to be well cared for. Market-correct
price paid. Branson, Branson, MO, 10/12.
#418-1970 CHEVROLET CHEVELLE 2-dr
hard top. VIN: 135370A144315 Red &
black/black vinyl. 454-ci V8, 2x4-bbl, 4-sp.
Very good paint. Clean inside and out.
450-hp LS6 engine not original to car. Fitted
with cowl-induction hood and Gardner
exhaust. Cond: 2.
trunk. Rare Corvette, one of just 693 with
V8 for 1955. Cond: 3-.
plated bumpers and clean engine compartment.
Same owner for 30 years, until
September 2012. No mention of originality
or matching numbers. Cond: 2.
SOLD AT $53,000. This car was built very
well and made big money for a non-original
car. Well sold, but the buyer didn’t get hurt.
Auctions America by RM, Carlisle, PA,
10/12.
#599-1987 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO
SS coupe. VIN: 1G1GZ11G2HP118012.
Black/maroon cloth. Odo: 7,157 miles.
305-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Unmolested and
showroom fresh. Good paint, clean engine
bay, nothing to fault inside or out. Equipped
with glass T-tops, F41 sport suspension,
a/c, power steering brakes, windows and
six-way seat, cruise control, tilt steering
wheel. Riding on original tires. Cond: 2.
SOLD AT $64,900. The seller purchased
this car the week before at a sale in Dallas
for $49,820, netting a fair profit for the week,
but he was a trained professional. Considering
that #2 condition cars run $62,500–
$118,500 (per the ACC Pocket Price
Guide), a restoration might prove worthwhile.
Dan Kruse Classics, Austin, TX,
09/12.
#562-1964 CHEVROLET CORVETTE convertible.
VIN: 40867S121393. Medium blue
metallic/black vinyl/dark blue vinyl. Odo:
73,043 miles. 327-ci 250-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp.
Good quality color change repaint, aside
from some masking issues around windshield
frame. Trim around frame has some
light dings and could use some polishing.
Minimal body joint seam broadcasting on
right rear side. Rear wheel wells also
slightly trimmed to allow more tire clearance.
Engine is a 1965 Corvette 250-hp
unit, not a 300-hp unit as described on the
windshield card. Missing ignition shielding
and has modern service parts, such as
belts, hoses, hose clamps, radiator cap, and
battery. Older seat upholstery, showing
moderate wrinkling and light wear.
Cond: 3+.
SOLD AT $33,000. This was a very presentable
365-horse 4-speed coupe that sold
for way under market. Definitely one of the
deals of the auction. Auctions America by
RM, Carlisle, PA, 10/12.
#380-1965 CHEVROLET CORVETTE convertible.
VIN: 194675S114941. Nassau
Blue/white vinyl/white vinyl. Odo: 70,561
miles. 327-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. High-quality
repaint and frame-off restoration done in
2009. Fitted with sidepipes, new top, M-20
wide-ratio transmission and Positraction.
NCRS Top Flight Award-winner. Cond: 2+.
SOLD AT $81,400. This car was done
beautifully, inside and out, and it should be
an excellent tourer. The buyer got a very
usable and attractive car, and I think he got
a bit of a bargain. Auctions America by
RM, Carlisle, PA, 10/12.
SOLD AT $14,040. Spirited bidding got this
close enough to the reserve that the owner
let go. Considering miles and condition, a
great buy for the new owner and not a horrible
result for the seller. Classic Motorcar
Auctions, Canton, OH, 09/12.
CORVETTE
#85-1955 CHEVROLET CORVETTE roadster.
VIN: VE55S001391. Bronze/tan fabric/
tan vinyl. Odo: 57,614 miles. 265-ci 155-hp
V8, 4-bbl, auto. Basically original car. Some
paint issues and stress cracks in front of
hood opening, exterior chrome shows some
pitting and corrosion. Radio, heater, clock
and tach still in place. Underhood reveals
chrome valve covers and air cleaner; needs
some detailing. Factory spare and jack in
98 AmericanCarCollector.com
#434-1966 CHEVROLET CORVETTE convertible.
VIN: 194676S127527. Red/black
cloth/black vinyl. Odo: 38,307 miles. 427-ci
390-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Fitted with sidepipes
and alloy knockoffs. The engine seems to
have been painted in the car, as the writeup
claims “frame-on restoration.” Overspray
around block. Bumpers pitted, windshield
wipers and brightwork dull and corroded.
Interior OK. Cond: 3.
NOT SOLD AT $36,000. Built near the end
of the model year. This was just after A.O.
Smith also started building fully trimmed
Corvette bodies in addition to Fisher Body
at the St. Louis plant, where the cars were
assembled. While this car is repainted in a
blue metallic, it’s darker than the original
Silver Blue. For a nice driver that’s not as
correct as it seems, the final bid could be
considered market price, since ’64s tend to
be the most affordable of the C2 series.
Branson, Branson, MO, 10/12.
#400-1964 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
coupe. VIN: 40837S115947. Satin Silver/
black vinyl. 327-ci 365-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp.
Repainted 2001, engine rebuilt 2003. Re-
SOLD AT $60,000. Of the many Corvettes
at this sale, this is the one I thought would
have the toughest time finding a new home.
Imagine my surprise! I guess the red paint,
sidepipes and yellow-stripe tires appealed
to the right bidders. Very well sold. Auctions
America by RM, Carlisle, PA, 10/12.
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#31-1968 CHEVROLET CORVETTE convertible.
VIN: 194378S402205. Red/black
fabric/black vinyl. Odo: 57,425 miles. 427-ci
435-hp V8, 3x2-bbl, 4-sp. Numbers-matching
NCRS award-winner. Previous owners
list includes an NCRS judge. Paint looks
like an older respray. Doors open and close
properly, right gaps. Car seems solid, and
even in the pouring rain, the interior stayed
dry. Underhood needs some detailing.
Equipped with M21 4-speed, L71 V8, factory
AM/FM, plus lots of extras like original
Rally wheels and a rack on the back. A presentable
hi-po big-block driver. Cond: 2-.
SOLD AT $34,100. These early C3 convertibles
are undervalued right now, but more
people are starting to appreciate the styling,
engineering and power. I was pleasantly
surprised at the strong selling price. Dan
Kruse Classics, Austin, TX, 09/12.
#541-1968 CHEVROLET CORVETTE convertible.
VIN: 194678S401665. Corvette
Bronze/bronze hard top/black vinyl soft
top/black vinyl. Odo: 82,021 miles. 327-ci
350-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Good prep and
paint. Body tag fastened by screws rather
than original pop-rivets. Headlights don’t
always fully retract. Good door gaps and fit
compared with most. Engine bay bonestock
except for service items. Most interior
vinyl and carpet replaced. Battery cooking
on charger. Cond: 2-.
SOLD AT $23,490. A decent but not quite
fully sorted example of the first-year C3.
Sold a little strong for condition. Branson,
Branson, MO, 10/12.
#581-1969 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
coupe. VIN: 194379S711723. Monaco
Orange/black vinyl & cloth. Odo: 50,313
miles. 350-ci 350-hp V8, 4-bbl, auto. Paint
looks good, glass and brightwork show well.
Driver-quality engine detail with M/T cast
aluminum finned valve covers, chrome alternator,
and after-market aluminum intake
and carburetor. Interior looks good, with no
excessive wear. Equipped with power steering,
power brakes and side exhaust pipes.
Cond: 3.
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aftermarket seat kit. Lightly worn and faded
interior. Cond: 3. SOLD AT $6,750. Last
seen at Mecum’s Indy auction in May 2010,
then selling for $13k (ACC# 163418). This
price looks much more realistic, and the
seller obviously took a loss. Branson,
Branson, MO, 10/12.
FOMOCO
SOLD AT $17,280. While it’s not an L88, it
also doesn’t cost multiple hundreds of thousands
of dollars. Any time you can pick up a
solid, pre-70s Corvette for under $20k, I’d
be inclined to call it a good deal. Classic
Motorcar Auctions, Canton, OH, 09/12.
#147-1972 CHEVROLET CORVETTE convertible.
VIN: 1Z67K25517603. Blue/white
vinyl/blue vinyl. Odo: 54,437 miles. 350-ci
200-hp V8, 4-bbl, auto. Nice shape overall,
with smooth paint, consistent panel gaps
and unmarked chrome bumpers. Mostly
original and fairly grungy underhood, but
with recent Chevrolet Orange paint on intake,
water pump and valve covers. Interior
shows wear on seats and console. Nice
newer convertible top. A driver. Cond: 3+.
NOT SOLD AT $15,000. Corvettes are all
about originality and documentation, and
this one had neither. The motor was said to
have been rebuilt less than 100 miles ago,
and it was in generally OK condition after
being cleaned up for auction, but $15k was
a fair bid. Silver Auctions, Portland, OR,
09/12.
#274-1980 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
coupe. VIN: 1Z878AS403077. Silver/burgundy
velour. Odo: 58,190 miles. 350-ci
230-hp V8, 4-bbl, auto. Presentable older
repaint. Originally trimmed in Claret Red
leather, but reupholstered with a stock-style
#541-1914 FORD MODEL T Speedster.
VIN: 2753964. Black/black vinyl. Odo:
29,159 miles. 177-ci I4, 1-bbl, other. Paint
looks good except for sloppy fender accents.
Brass shows well. Twine steeringwheel
wrap coming undone. Pin on Stewart
Warner speedo is broken off. Intake and
exhuast manifolds cast by Swan Carburetor
Co. of Cleveland, OH. Engine reportedly
100 AmericanCarCollector.com
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dismantled and adjusted with many new
parts within last 500 miles. Transmission
fitted with all new Kevlar bands. New Universal
Tires, original Hartford shocks.
Cond: 3. SOLD AT $17,280. An early hot
rod and a market-correct result, if not
slightly well sold. It sold for $15k at Bonhams’
Greenwich sale in June (ACC#
208167), so the seller didn’t lose his shirt.
Classic Motorcar Auctions, Canton, OH,
09/12.
#450-1930 FORD MODEL A woodie
wagon. VIN: A2885703. Tan, black &
wood/black vinyl/black vinyl. Odo: 345
miles. Well-restored car likely done many
years ago and not used much since. Correct
LeBaron-Bonney-style interior. Good
wood with nice varnish. Very good door fit.
Spartan interior with only necessary instruments
and controls. Dirty engine bay with
staining and signs of fluid leaks only major
negative and easily remedied. Sold without
reserve with proceeds to benefit Catholic
charity. Cond: 2-.
in April, where it sold for $32k (ACC#
197740). Well bought this time around by
classic car chaser Wayne Carini. Look for it
in an upcoming episode of “Chasing Classic
Cars” on Velocity. Classic Motorcar Auctions,
Canton, OH, 09/12.
#447-1948 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL Club
coupe. VIN: 876H574857. Black/black
leather & cloth. Odo: 54,851 miles. 305-ci
V12, 2-bbl, 3-sp. Another Lincoln from an
esteemed collection of Lincolns. Very good
gaps and panel fit with some slight misalignment
of passenger’s door. Buffing marks in
paint. Excellent chrome and trim. Beautiful
interior with untouched seats and glistening
brightwork. Factory radio, clock and heater.
Detailed engine bay. Cond: 2-.
wood. Orange peel on dash paint, otherwise
paint is very good. Black vinyl interior has
red piping. Trim rings fitted on wheels. Nifty
glass-bowl Holley carb on engine. Cond: 2.
SOLD AT $27,500. Of the many trucks at
this auction, this one got the most interest.
Bidding stalled at $22k, but it sold post-auction
at this realistic price. Well sold, and a
good buy as well. See the profile on p. 58.
Auctions America by RM, Carlisle, PA,
10/12.
SOLD AT $26,450. Another excellent older
restoration with few miles since. The consignor
did an excellent job preparing the car
for sale with a full mechanical inspection
and a high-quality cleaning and detailing. A
well-earned strong result. Bonhams, Philadelphia,
PA, 10/12.
SOLD AT $25,875. Model As can be fussy
automobiles, but if well sorted, they are
easy and capable cars to enjoy and tour
with. The minor neglect of the engine bay
might have suppressed bidding a bit, but
overall a good result for a good cause. Bonhams,
Philadelphia, PA, 10/12.
#539-1934 FORD ROEDER CUSTOM
roadster. VIN: SW98263PA. Red/red steel
hard top/red & white vinyl. Odo: 42,100
miles. 265-ci V8, 3x2-bbl, 3-sp. One-off custom
built in period by Robert Roeder of Emmaus,
PA. Paint shows very well, brightwork
in good shape, except chrome flaking off
windshield surround. Nice, clean engine
compartment. Spartan interior with baggy
seat covers gives it an amateur feel.
Cond: 2-.
#460-1951 LINCOLN COSMOPOLITAN
sedan. VIN: 51LP15854L. Dark
gray/black leather. Odo: 48,584 miles. 337ci
V8, 2-bbl, 3-sp. Very sharp original car
with one repaint. Original chrome and trim
very nice. Engine bay very nice with incorrect
chrome air cleaner the only major flaw.
Interior also mostly original with re-covered
front seat. Good instruments and controls.
Overall a nicely sorted barn-find that was a
nice solid original to begin with. Cond: 3.
#241-1956 FORD FAIRLANE Victoria 4-dr
hard top. VIN: P6DF178211. Mint green &
white/two-tone green vinyl & nylon. Odo:
96,318 miles. 292-ci V8, 2-bbl, auto. Recently
rebuilt transmission and engine. Better-quality
trim-off repaint, with buffed-out
trim and mostly new weatherstripping. Fully
reupholstered interior, with correct repro
inserts for door panels, arm rests and seats.
Neat and generally stock under the hood.
1956 was the introductory year of “Lifeguard
Safety Design” options such as seat belts
and a padded dash, but this car has none of
those options. Cond: 2-.
SOLD AT $17,010. Nice to see a four-door
hard top done up as well as a two-door, as
once you roll the windows down, the driving
experience is identical—but with more room
and easier access for friends and family. A
decent deal overall. Branson, Branson,
MO, 10/12.
SOLD AT $10,120. This car at first glance
looked like a Mercury, and if the badges
agreed with first impression, the result
would have been several times what was
paid here. Huge sun visor and suicide doors
gave the car a sort of sinister appeal. Minimal
service will make this a wonderful boulevard
cruiser. Very well bought. Bonhams,
Philadelphia, PA, 10/12.
SOLD AT $36,180. Last seen at CMA Novi
102 AmericanCarCollector.com
#344-1952 FORD F-1 pickup. VIN:
F1D2HM52515 Red/black vinyl. Odo: 447
miles. 215-ci I6, 1-bbl, 3-sp. New chrome,
paint and interior. New cargo box and bed
#105-1956 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL
MARK II 2-dr hard top. VIN: C56B2063.
White/two-tone blue leather. Odo: 34,974
miles. 368-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Bodywork
starting to crack at seams; cheap older repaint.
Chrome in relatively good condition.
Interior dried out, seats cracking and split,
plastic brittle but intact. Original wheelcovers
missing, with a replacement cost of
about $1,000 apiece. Has a/c but doubtful
it’s worked since the Carter administration.
Lots of potential. Cond: 4-. SOLD AT
$16,500. The hand-crafted Continental
Mark II featured excellent mechanicals, but
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nothing too advanced for the day. They are
very expensive to put back in order, and
when done right, value lags far behind a
Cadillac Eldo Brougham or similar vehicle,
which is why so few nice examples exist.
Seems cheap, but seller was right to let it
go. Dan Kruse Classics, Austin, TX,
09/12.
#398-1962 FORD GALAXIE 2-dr sedan.
VIN: 2G51G176550 Wimbledon White/Mist
Green vinyl & cloth. Odo: 78,736 miles.
406-ci V8, 3x2-bbl, 4-sp. Very good paint let
down by unfortunate scratch on the trunk.
Hood gap high at cowl. G-code 406-ci
405-hp motor, nine-inch Positraction 4.11
rear, three Holley 2-bbl carbs and a factory
4-speed manual transmission. Cond: 2.
SOLD AT $29,150. This is the most fun I
think you can have for under $30k. This was
the one car in the auction I lusted after, and
which made me wish I had obtained a bidder
number. Very well bought. Auctions
America by RM, Carlisle, PA, 10/12.
#120-1964 FORD GALAXIE 500 XL 2-dr
hard top. VIN: 4J68Z131070. Raven Black/
red vinyl. Odo: 17,858 miles. 390-ci V8,
4-bbl, auto. Good, solid, no-rust, car. No
real restoration work, just a repaint in original
color and well maintained. Appointed
with the usual items, such as power steering
and brakes, heater-defroster, modern
radio mounted nicely in dash. Odometer
definitely on its second go-around, as evidenced
by pedal wear. Cond: 3.
SOLD AT $14,575. These “Total
Performance”-era cars are bargains for
those looking for full-sized speed, comfort
and enjoyment. And for the price paid, it
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should be a good car. In 2010, this machine
went for $12,800 at Silver Reno (ACC#
172282). I’d try to locate proper wheels and
maybe a factory AM/FM radio to top it off.
Dan Kruse Classics, Austin, TX, 09/12.
#306-1965 FORD FALCON Sprint 2-dr
hard top. VIN: N/A. White/black racing
seats. 347-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. 1 of 2,806
Sprint hard tops for 1965. 302-ci V8 stroked
to 347, rebuilt by Woods Brothers technician.
Fitted with Wilwood disc brakes, Moser
axles, T-10 toploader transmission, new
belts, roll cage, fuel cell, MSD ignition and
Ford nine-inch rear. Long-term ownership by
a manager at VIR, with SVRA and VDCA
log books. Raced in HSR, as well as the
1993 Sebring historics. Sold on bill of sale.
Cond: 4.
other significant options making it one of
fewer than 100 built. Decent older restoration
with poor storage and minimal use
since. Nice prep and paint work with some
Bondo in rear quarters. Average door fit.
Good glass and marginally working top.
Interior original with decent seats and carpeting.
Both door panels in serious need of
attention. Engine bay clean and largely correct
but not prepped for anything other than
a short drive. Cond: 3-.
steering wheel rim cover. Homemade radio
blanking plate. Optional 302 V8. Offered at
no reserve. Cond: 3-.
SOLD AT $13,310. A ton of race car for the
money. The engine alone is worth $25k.
Bidding stopped at $12k, and the $18k reserve
was lifted. A super buy! Auctions
America by RM, Carlisle, PA, 10/12.
#530-1966 FORD MUSTANG convertible.
VIN: 6F08C333287. Red/black vinyl/black
vinyl. Odo: 41,459 miles. 289-ci V8, 2-bbl,
auto. Good bare-body repaint on an original
red car; lesser masking around body tag.
Good door fit and gaps. Replated bumpers
and mostly repro emblems, with good original
trim. Old rattle-can engine repaint, with
plenty of weak areas. Fitted with a set of
tube headers, but still sounds close to stock.
Freshly replaced power steering pump and
brake booster, both still with tags on them.
Well-installed reproduction interior, with
minimal wear. Power steering, brakes and
top. Cond: 3+.
SOLD AT $22,425. I did not plan on reviewing
this car until I noticed the little “Q” in the
middle of the VIN tag. Then when I saw it
had factory air (and several other rare options),
it became a little more intriguing to
me. Only 700 Q-code T-Birds were built,
and they are unique to 1966. With the only
two transactions of similarly equipped cars
in the ACC database, both selling for over
$70,000 each, this was a sleeper and even
with the needs, very well bought. Bonhams,
Philadelphia, PA, 10/12.
#534-1967 FORD MUSTANG fastback.
VIN: 7F02C917410. White/burgundy vinyl.
Odo: 85,340 miles. 351-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto.
Two-year-old bare-body rebuilt. Mostly repro
trim, but missing “MUSTANG” lettering
on left front fender; crazed original door
handles. Repowered with a 1969 351 Windsor
block, topped with modern aftermarket
heads and induction; fitted with CA smogcompliant
MSD ignition, tube headers, billet
pulleys, and, oddly enough, a restored stock
air-cleaner assembly. All work neat and tidy.
Good workmanship and minimal wear on
repro interior. Cond: 3+.
SOLD AT $13,500. Everyone seems to forget
that the first-gen Broncos were also
available as a pickup, just like the IH Scout.
Pretty much useless as a pickup for hauling,
most were used as snowplows—where less
interior volume to heat and the ability to toss
ballast in the back mattered more. As such,
most of those died before disco did. An iffy
redo, but this is pretty much where runners
are in the market. Branson, Branson, MO,
10/12.
#2125-1970 FORD MUSTANG Boss 429
replica fastback. VIN: 0F02F199827.
Black/black vinyl. 302-ci fuel-injected V8,
auto. Shiny black. Nice replica B9. Sounds
good, looks decent. Nice chrome, good
paint. Good gaps for repro parts, tidy Mach
1 interior. Poor stance, sits too high.
Cond: 3.
SOLD AT $42,000. A lot of paddle action on
this one, but not enough to meet reserve
across the block. It was later reported sold
for this strong price. Higgenbotham, Lakeland,
FL, 10/12.
SOLD AT $19,440. Restored as a father/
son project, completed in 2008. But neither
one used it much since, so they decided to
let it go. A decent buy for a driver, and since
the reserve was passed at $17,500, the
sellers should be pleased. Branson, Branson,
MO, 10/12.
#416-1966 FORD THUNDERBIRD convertible.
VIN: 6Y85Q115522. Aqua blue/
white vinyl/blue leather. Odo: 63,082 miles.
428-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Authentic factory
Q-code car with factory air conditioning and
104 AmericanCarCollector.com
SOLD AT $24,570. It does look like that
Eleanor thing has gone out of style, so we
can get back to seeing some creativity on
non-stock ’67 and ’68 fastbacks. A respectable
deal for both parties. Branson, Branson,
MO, 10/12.
#275-1968 FORD BRONCO Sport pickup.
VIN: U15NLC71064. Ivy Green Metallic/
black paint/black woven vinyl. Odo: 20,519
miles. 302-ci V8, 2-bbl, 3-sp. Recent rather
average repaint, with uneven metal flake.
Very dull original chrome and heavily faded
emblems. Poorly fitting doors, but not the
worst fit I’ve ever seen on one of these. Burlap
seat covers over heavily worn original
seats. Missing the horn button; Mossy Oak
#210-1976 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL
MARK IV 2-dr hard top. VIN: 6Y89A855702.
Aqua Blue Diamond Fire/white vinyl/
white leather. Odo: 24,989 miles. 460-ci V8,
4-bbl, auto. Exquisite trim-off repaint, almost
indistinguishable from original. Good original
landau roof, aside from light soiling and
shrinkage. Interior in generally excellent
original condition, except vinyl cracking on
both door pulls. Blue Diamond luxury group
includes contrasting light and dark wood
appliqué on dash/door panels. Cond: 3+.
SOLD AT $8,640. ’70s Marks have been
picking up in value—so much so that the
Page 103
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GLOBAL
dealer who bought it let me know he would
have been willing to bid a little more to get
this one if he had to. Market-correct price
for condition. Branson, Branson, MO,
10/12.
MOPAR
#402-1922 DODGE FIRST SERIES roadster.
VIN: 693490. Eng. # 751957. Red/
black vinyl/black leather. Odo: 1,992 miles.
Well-done older restoration with very few
miles since. Nice gap and panel fit. Good
paint with minor edge chips. Top fit excellent.
Nice nickel headlights. Very nice interior
with correct patterns presented in vinyl.
Clean original instruments. Clean engine
DUP
GLOBAL
dealer who bought it let me know he would
have been willing to bid a little more to get
this one if he had to. Market-correct price
for condition. Branson, Branson, MO,
10/12.
MOPAR
#402-1922 DODGE FIRST SERIES road-
ster. VIN: 693490. Eng. # 751957. Red/
black vinyl/black leather. Odo: 1,992 miles.
Well-done older restoration with very few
miles since. Nice gap and panel fit. Good
paint with minor edge chips. Top fit excel-
lent. Nice nickel headlights. Very nice inte-
rior with correct patterns presented in vinyl.
Clean original instruments. Clean engine
SOLD
SOLD AT $14,375. The first of 20-plus cars
from a private collection. Bought on spec
and hastily prepared for the sale, this sold
squarely mid-estimate and represented a
fair value for both buyer and seller. Bonhams,
Philadelphia, PA, 10/12.
#422-1931 PLYMOUTH MODEL PA business
coupe. VIN: 1638692 Black/black
vinyl/brown cloth. Odo: 43,017 miles. 196-ci
I4, 1-bbl, 3-sp. Dusty and rusty, but pretty
much intact. Paint oxidizing and peeling.
Bench seat looks like an older redo and is
holding up well, compared with rest of car.
Cond: 5.
SOLD AT $9,350. A real barn find. After
decades, they hooked up a battery, and it
started right up! I would change the fluids,
do the safety stuff, and leave it as-is. Great
buy under $10k. Auctions America by RM,
Carlisle, PA, 10/12.
#45-1948 DODGE SERIES B-1 woodie
wagon. VIN: 82080738. Red & wood/black
vinyl/saddle brown leather. Odo: 7 miles.
218-ci I6, 1-bbl, 3-sp. Less than one mile
showing on odo, presumably since restoration.
Paint color probably not factory, but
wood looks right. Much money spent restoring
wooden body. Rear doors fit a bit loose.
Not as much put into the metal body or mechanicals,
but engine does run out well.
January-February 2013 105
Page 104
GLOBAL
ROUNDUP
EXPERT’S TIP
Fix that high
GM hood
Does the hood on your GTO, 442,
Impala, or Camaro sit high in the
rear? Do you constantly have to
push it down with the palm of your
hand?
I bet you think you need new
hood hinges. Not so fast — it could
be an adjustment problem. Here’s
a quick tip that’s worked for me on
GM cars — although it should work
for just about anything.
GM hood hinges, the kind with
coil springs for tension, are usually
fastened to the car’s fenders on either
side with three bolts. There are
adjustments that can be made here,
and if your hood has ever been off
the car, it’s a good bet that this is
the culprit.
Open the hood and have a friend
stand at the front, by the hood
latch. Have him (or her) hold the
hood up with both hands.
While he or she is holding the
hood, take a wrench or ratchet
and loosen both front hinge bolts
slightly. Only about a turn from tight.
These will serve as your pivot point.
Then, while your friend is pushing
up on the front of the open hood,
loosen the middle and rear hinge
bolts on both sides. The rear of
each hinge should drop toward the
ground, pivoting around the front
bolt. This will pull the rear of the
hood down tight to the car.
Now, while your friend is still
pushing up on the hood, snug up
all your hinge bolts. Once they’re
tight, he or she can let go. Close
your hood slightly, checking for
clearance all around. Be careful
here — you don’t want to scuff your
paint.
Once you know for sure it’s not
going to hit anywhere, go ahead
and shut your hood. If the problem
is fixed, you’re good to go. If not,
you might need new hinges after
all. — Jim Pickering
106 AmericanCarCollector.com
SOLD AT $22,680. On the surface this
looks like a lot of money for a 60-year-old
flathead-6 Cranbrook, but it’s a convertible
in a desirable color combination. Those
things considered, looks like a fair deal both
ways. Classic Motorcar Auctions, Canton,
OH, 09/12.
#399-1958 CHRYSLER 300D convertible.
VIN: LC41686 Ivory/tan vinyl. Odo: 30,610
miles. 392-ci V8, 2x4-bbl, auto. Older paint
with flaws. Taillight brightwork pitted. Engine
just OK, needs detailing. Fitted with period
aftermarket a/c. Letters C, Y, L, and E are
missing from “CHRYSLER” on leading edge
of hood. Cond: 3.
SOLD AT $38,500. Wood on a one-ton
chassis is rare, and I expected a mid-$40k
price here, which the dealer who bought it
probably thinks he can get. A final retail
value above $50k may even be possible.
Dan Kruse Classics, Austin, TX, 09/12.
#511-1951 PLYMOUTH CRANBROOK
convertible. VIN: N/ABlack/black cloth/
Highlander plaid. Odo: 89,000 miles. 217-ci
I6, 1-bbl, 3-sp. Decent paint shows some
wear and tear. Nice cloth top looks new.
Driver-quality brightwork, dried-out window
rubber. Some delamination on passenger’s
door glass. Driver-quality engine compartment.
Interior clean and tidy. Cond: 3.
GLOBAL
ROUNDUP
Chrome good. Fitted with heater and AM
radio. Cond: 3+.
is a testament to the star power of the 300
“letter” cars. Well sold. Auctions America
by RM, Carlisle, PA, 10/12.
#394-1960 DODGE POLARA wagon. VIN:
6705111160 Dusty Rose & taupe/rose vinyl.
Odo: 2,712 miles. 383-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto.
Another pillarless station wagon, this one of
the Dodge variety. Fitted with Power Steering
and brakes, as well as a compass with
the speedometer. Paint generally OK but
with numerous small flaws. Flat black paint
in side moldings is peeling. Cond: 3+.
SOLD AT $42,900. A rational selling price,
and good for both parties. This was a greatlooking
piece of Americana, and you can
take almost everyone you know with you in
it! Auctions America by RM, Carlisle, PA,
10/12.
#127-1963 DODGE POLARA wagon. VIN:
6635138089. Cream/red vinyl. Odo:
114,242 miles. 318-ci V8, 2-bbl, auto. Paint
generally OK but is mismatched at driver’s
front fender. Chrome and trim show their
age, but all is there. Interior all stock and in
good shape for a driver. Push-button automatic.
Optioned with power steering, factory
a/c, and power rear window. Seller says
dual exhaust system is recent. Cond: 4+.
SOLD AT $5,508. This Polara had some
nice options and had a great ’60s look on
those steel wheels with dog-dish hubcaps.
For the price paid, I could even live with the
mismatched paint. Once $500 cars, wagons
like this are now hot in the market because
they just weren’t saved. The goofball Dodge
styling from ’63 is polarizing, but it’s also
cool. And you’ll never lose it in a parking lot
full of Camrys. Well bought at the price
paid. Silver Auctions, Portland, OR,
09/12.
SOLD AT $90,750. This was a pretty tired
300D, and the fact that it brought over $90k
#117-1968 DODGE CORONET R/T 2-dr
hard top. VIN: WS23L8E122035. Medium
Green/green vinyl. Odo: 312 miles. 440-ci
V8, 4-bbl, auto. All stock, aside from electronic
ignition. Excellent paint from 2011
with no visible issues. Chrome and trim both
look new. Said to have numbers-matching
engine and transmission. Documentation
Page 105
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GLOBAL
includes fender tag, owner’s manual and
Certicard. Decoded by Galen Govier.
Cond: 1-.
less attention than the coupes. Still, it’s a
convertible, so even as the entry-level
Champion with entry-level work done to it,
well bought. Branson, Branson, MO,
10/12.
SOLD AT $38,880. This was claimed to be
an original Oregon and Washington car,
and the seller said no rust was found anywhere
during the repaint. Considering the
quality and the current market for Mopar
muscle (which still isn’t what it was during
the boom days of 2007), the price paid here
was right on the money. Well bought and
sold. Silver Auctions, Portland, OR,
09/12.
#2133-1968 PLYMOUTH ROAD RUNNER
2-dr sedan. VIN: RM21H8G180586.
Orange/white vinyl. Odo: 98,105 miles.
383-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. A factory 383 post
car. Probably a real Road Runner. With
’70 body, pistol-grip shifter, late-model white
no-name bucket seats, Western Auto steering
wheel, JC Whitney column tach, Sears
mags, Autozone rusty exhaust tips and
glass packs. Big, fat oversized raised whitelettered
meats on the rear, slightly smaller
on the front. Cond: 3.
was a nice enough barn find, however, and
brought mid-estimate money. Fairly bought
and sold. Bonhams, Philadelphia, PA,
10/12.
#509-1928 REO SPEED WAGON flatbed
pickup. VIN: 16E5624. Green & black/black
vinyl. Odo: 7,870 miles. 268-ci I6, 1-bbl,
4-sp. Typical so-so fit for old truck with
wooden cab frame door. Decent older repaint.
Hubcaps painted body color; rears
are from an I.H.C. Six-Speed Special of the
same era. Tires less than 50% but good
otherwise. Cleaned-up engine bay. Converted
to a 12-volt alternator. Revarnished
wood steering wheel rim. Newer seat redo,
with generic pleats. Kill switch on passenger’s
side seat base. Cond: 3.
#10-1969 JEEP JEEPSTER Commando
convertible. VIN: 870201750683. Tan
metallic/tan fabric/tan vinyl. Odo: 57,425
miles. 350-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Very well done
resto-mod with unknown history. Stock
looks with proper patina. No sign of accident
or panel replacement, all glass looks
good. Interior still decent. Dash-mounted
gauge package looks like it belongs. Chevy
V8 under the hood looks right at home with
performance valve covers and air cleaner.
Power front disc brakes and power steering
complement the 4x4 abilities. Has winch but
no cable. Cond: 3-.
SOLD AT $10,800. The seller was promoting
this as a portable stage. Get the joke? If
this were an International or Dodge Bros., it
would struggle to do half as well as this did,
proving that sometimes a name is all that
matters. Branson, Branson, MO, 10/12.
SOLD AT $22,050. It looked like a Road
Runner, VIN seemed to confirm. It rumbled
the block and brought some money, but not
enough to sell. Post-block deal came together
at this realistic price. Higgenbotham,
Lakeland, FL, 10/12.
AMERICANA
#403-1913 HUPMOBILE MODEL 32 roadster.
VIN: H37154. Eng. # 36720. White/
black cloth/black vinyl. RHD. Odo: 5,209
miles. Solid car restored long ago to amateur
standards. Checking and spider-webbing
throughout paint. Nice nickel lights in
need of polishing. Stained radiator with obvious
repairs everywhere. Original fenders
with some original paint. Old vinyl seat redo.
Dirty engine bay with the familiar smell
of bad gasoline. Cond: 3-. SOLD AT
$32,200. One of many cars from the same
collection also hastily prepared for sale. It
#256-1947 STUDEBAKER CHAMPION
convertible. VIN: G293494. Pale yellow/tan
cloth/cream vinyl. Odo: 12 miles. 169-ci I6,
1-bbl, 3-sp. Converted to 12-volt electrics.
Recent top, tires, battery, brakes and fuel
system. Motor also recently rebuilt. Decent
repaint, with light overspray on undercarriage.
Rear fenders poorly aligned to body.
Vent door trim from a Commander Regal
Deluxe or Land Cruiser. Windshield delaminating,
vent windows foggy and yellowing.
Ho-hum older seat and door panel redo.
Cond: 3.
SOLD AT $9,900. During my inspection, it
seemed that most everything was working.
The price paid was market-correct for a vehicle
of this condition. Not something with
investment potential, but probably well
worth the money as a cool, capable 4-wheel
cruiser. Dan Kruse Classics, Austin, TX,
09/12.
#582-1974 AMC JAVELIN fastback. VIN:
A4C792N216587. Maxi Blue/blue cloth.
Odo: 51,846 miles. 360-ci V8, 2-bbl, auto.
10-year-old repaint showing some oxidation,
and body showing a few minor dings
and dents. Decent brightwork, clear glass,
driver-quality engine detail. Interior wear is
what you’d expect for age and mileage.
Equipped with a/c, power windows, power
steering and brakes and a factory 8-track.
Cond: 3.
SOLD AT $15,660. In a case not unlike the
1963 Corvette, the “First by Far With A
Post-War Car” 1947 Stude drop-tops get
SOLD AT $10,530. A strong survivor from
the last production year of the Javelin. AMC
built about 22,500 Javelins in 1974, a small
number when compared with 400,000 Novas.
Considering rarity and condition, well
bought. Classic Motorcar Auctions, Canton,
OH, 09/12. A
January-February 2013 107
Page 106
The Parts Hunter
Chad Tyson
Big-money parts and
accessories from eBay Motors
#300734511856—1965 Chevrolet
Corvette N.O.S. Fuel-Injection Setup
and Distributor. 12 photos. Item Condition:
New. Whitney Point, NY.
“This unit was never mounted. It was a
display unit at corporate headquarters. Sold
on bid to an engineer who never used it. I
bought it years ago to use on a ’65 Fuelie
I was going to restore. So up for bid is a
brand new 7017380 Corvette fuel-injection
unit. This piece was never stamped with
any numbers. Auction includes a new
1111070 Fuelie distributor.” 1 bid. Sold at
$11,300.
There are plenty of Chevrolet fuel-injection
units available at any given time, whether
you’re looking for a ’57 Bel Air setup or
one like this ’65 Corvette piece. But a
brand-new one is a pretty special find. The
price paid doesn’t compare to the $4k to
$7k that other used setups tend to bring.
I’m not a fan of pieces and parts just for
show, but I hope this doesn’t make it onto a
car. Instead, keep it a pristine conversation
piece for another 48 years.
$9,400 in 2011, too. So I suppose that would make this a “low price.” But the unit sold in ’09
was functional and complete. This one is far from that. Still, there is plenty of room to refinish
and resell.
#320994140956—1963 Plymouth 426 Max
Wedge engine. 3 photos. Item Condition:
Used. Selinsgrove, PA.
“This is a rare find — a real 426 Max Wedge
engine. It came out of a 1963 Fury. Rebuilt
by NAPA and has about 9k miles on it. They
painted the engine blue, but it should have
been orange. It’s a Super Stock Stage III
with the stock bore. Date code reads: 1210-62.
4267M-P. I also have the complete
exhaust that goes with this engine. If you
have a Mopar that originally came with
this but you don’t have the engine, here’s
your chance to get one. This would greatly
increase the value of your car.” 31 bids. Sold at $10,000.
In 1963, 2,130 Mopars came with the 426 Max Wedge. Lord knows many of them went
the way of the Dodo, but somehow this one survived with its stock bore. If you have a
documented Max Wedge car with no motor, well, this is the price you pay for a correct
powerplant.
#200741190527—1958 Mercury 430-ci Super Marauder Intake Manifold and
Air Cleaner. 12 photos. Item Condition: Used. Medina, OH.
“Very rare triple 2-bbl intake manifold and air cleaner top and bottom for 1958
Mercury Super Marauder 400-hp 430-ci engine. Original Mercury parts.
Nothing aftermarket here—this is the real deal. I have been told there were only
100 of these made. You will be the talk of the parking lot with this setup.” Buy It
Now. Sold at $3,000.
This came on the highest-horsepower production American engine in 1958, and
was available only in Lincolns and Mercs. The seller was right in the estimation
of only 100 produced. The pieces are media blasted. The heavy pitting on the
air cleaner top is unfortunate, but good luck finding another one. Fair price paid.
108 AmericanCarCollector.com
#261106337493—1932 Ford Pines Winterfront Grille.
6 photos. Item Condition: Used. Hunting Station, NY.
“The Holy Grail of 1932 Ford parts. This one will need
a total restoration but it is solid with surface rust, light
pitting and pitting on the chrome. Also has a wear spot
from the headlight bar, nothing a good plater can’t
handle. It is missing every other bar and I have found
that they are available from other inexpensive pines —
Jag and ’32 Chrysler to name a few. I removed this grille
from a ’32 shell and the fit was great, so there is no
warping. Please look at the pictures as there has been
some welding, brazing or soldering at the base of some
of the bars. This may be your only chance to own one at
a low price.” 20 bids. Sold at $4,582.32.
The original point of the Pines Winterfront grille was that
it could be closed in cold weather to warm up the vehicle
faster. Now the point is to have something nobody else
does, which explains this price. The last one I saw sell
went for $8k in October 2009. I saw another bid up to
Page 107
#140880643627—1932
Ford 5-window coupe
body. 12 photos.
Item Condition: Used.
Cincinnati, OH.
“All real-Henry steel. Top
is chopped just under
four inches for a killer
stance, coupled with a
brand-new Brookville
louvered deck lid for that
Great Lakes look. Body
is in bare steel with no
hidden rust or Bondo.
Body has all-new subrails
and is ready for
a floor. Comes with a
piece of sheet metal that
is perfectly formed and
trimmed to fill the top but has not been welded in. Top tack strip is in great shape. Body has
a brand-new wood kit that has not been installed, except for the roof area. Doors open and
close great with nice, even gaps. Have both original door latches and new Vintique window
regulators. Original dash is in great shape, with only two small holes drilled for accessories.
New wheelwells, new below deck lid panel, new louvered deck lid, hinged but not latched, all
new rain gutters around trunk area, and a new Brookville smooth firewall. I also have all five
reproduction window garnish moldings cut to fit the chop. Cowl vent is in great shape, as are
the drip moldings. This is a perfect start for a real steel hot rod.” 2 bids. Sold at $13,900.
Hopefully the buyer didn’t want it chopped less than this. For this same money, you can get
a cheaper glass body and a complete rolling chassis. It can also just buy a higher-quality
glass body. But steel is more desirable, and the cars built from real Henry stampings earn
significantly more at resale time. Well bought. A
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Showcase Gallery
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American Car Collector Magazine is not responsible for any omissions, erroneous, false
and/or misleading statements of its advertisers.
GM
1939 Chevrolet Master
Deluxe coupe
the most desired Cadillacs.
$79,000 OBO. Contact Steven,
818.995.8530, Email: stevenbernheim1@gmail.com
(CA)
1951 Buick Super Estate
wagon
VIN: 2627005. White/maroon
and gray. 0 miles. 400-ci V8,
automatic. I was told the restoration
was done in the 1990s;
the car was found in Nevada.
Has Mustang front end, and a
Nova rear end, a 400-ci Chevy
small block with aluminum
intake, 4-barrel, headers, RV
cam, 350 turbo with a shifter.
$14,500 OBO. Contact Gary,
503.936.8817, Email: gkbaloha@frontier.com
(OR)
1941 Cadillac Series 62
convertible
VIN: VC56K123093. Turquoise
and white/turquoise and white.
52,000 miles. 265 V8, Powerglide.
Body-off frame restored
3 years ago, about 1,500 miles
since. PS/PB, power windows
and seat, padded dash, radial
tires, stereo w/CD changer.
Immaculate. $79,000 OBO.
Contact Mark, 828.403.5691,
Email: markmand272@gmail.
com (NC)
1966 Pontiac GTO
convertible
Montero Red/black. 389 V8,
auto. PHS documented, 389,
4-bbl, auto, PS, PB, power top.
Solid #2 condition, appraised
at $42,500. Health forces sale.
$40,000. Contact Dennis,
251.968.8141 (AL)
1969 Pontiac GTO
convertible
VIN: 16087232. Light blue/dark
blue. 146,234 miles. I8, automatic.
Have owned for 40 yrs.
The car is in excellent original
condition, including the wood.
More photos available upon
request. $60,000. Contact Phil,
425.466.8186, Email: 4philt@
gmail.com (WA)
1956 Chevrolet Bel Air
convertible
VIN: 7340951. Black/red.
44,122 miles. V8, 3-speed
manual. Private collector
selling beautifully restored
Cadillac convertible coupe,
with extremely rare, factoryfitted
chrome-trimmed running
boards. The odometer
shows 44,000 miles. This is
a CCCA Full Classic. One of
110 AmericanCarCollector.com
works, drives perfectly. $79,500
OBO. Contact Willard, Bill Millis,
207.465.7038, Email: wemillis@gmail.com
(MA)
1956 Chevrolet Bel Air
convertible
VIN: F0246070. Corinthian
Blue/Blue. 80,000 miles. 472ci
V8, auto. Original car with
no aftermarket modifications.
Incredibly smooth, quiet and
reliable. A/C blows ice cold,
everything works, even factory
clock! New wide whitewall
radial tires, paint is deep and
lustrous. Interior like new. Factory
options include automatic
climate control, Soft Ray tinted
glass, leather upholstery, Signal
Seeking AM/FM radio, six-way
power seats, tilt and telescopic
wheel, cruise control, dual
trumpet horn, power windows,
locks, plus floor mats. Includes
original jack and a full-sized
spare tire. $37,500 OBO.
Contact Ken, Pedigree Motorcars,
561.866.1601, Email:
pedigreemotorcars@gmail.com
Web: www.pedigreemotorcars.
com (FL)
CORVETTE
1957 Chevrolet Corvette
convertible
VIN: 242679B136820. Liberty
Blue/Blue. 95,000 miles. 400ci
V8, auto. Older restoration
of Liberty blue/blue. Superior
driver, new white top with
parade cover, auto, ps, pb,
buckets, console, safe-t-track,
PHS docs, numbers matching
rebuilt 400/350, electronic
ignition. $26,500. Contact Jay,
240.506.0952, Email: bernste5@aol.com
(MA)
VIN: VC56B142007. Black
with white top/black and white.
5,128 miles. 265/205, 3-speed
with overdrive. Body off restoration,
AACA National First,
Power Pack, stick, overdrive,
power seat, skirts, wire caps,
wide white radials. Everything
1970 Cadillac DeVille
convertible
VIN: E57S103269. Arctic Blue/
Red. 283/283 hp, 3-speed.
Convertible/hard top, VIN 3269,
RPO-684, fuelie. Body-off restored.
Show condition. Documented.
Super rare. Historic.
$150,000 OBO. Contact Terry,
419.592.5086, Email: tmichaelis@charter.net
Web: www.
proteam-corvette.com/Corvette1957-1068D/1068D.html
(OH)
1971 Chevrolet Corvette
convertible
VIN: 194671S121082. Sunflower
Yellow/saddle. 5,000
miles. 350/330 hp, 4-speed.
1971 LT-1 convertible. NCRS
Top-Flight Sep 2012. M-21,
4.11 rear, alarm, perfect P-O2
covers. Complete professional
frame-off resto. Full restoration
pictures, partial build sheet.
$64,500 OBO. Contact Mark,
715.385.3341, Email: daddy19581955@yahoo.com
(WA)
Page 109
Showcase Gallery
FOMOCO
r1929 Ford rumble seat
oadster
327 V8, 350TH automatic.
Independent suspension, disc
brakes and much more. A completely
restored, full-fendered
street rod. New Roman Red
paint. $32,500. Contact Bill,
505.685.4115, Email:
bipeabq@aol.com (NM)
1930 Ford Model A roadster
Yellow/brown. 10,000 miles.
I4, Has hydraulic brakes and
16-inch wheels. Not a show
car but a good driver. New interior.
$30,000 OBO. Contact
John, Pearson Associates,
707.887.1000, Email: pearsonassoc@hotmail.com
(CA)
1957 Ford Thunderbird
convertible
VIN: 9F03M480101. Gulf
Stream Aqua/White. 55,000
miles. 351 Windsor, Auto.
Loaded, a/c, documented, Marti
Report, 6th built in 1969, beautiful,
runs great, needs nothing.
Trade/Sell. Contact Dick,
561.272.1718, Email: cobracohen@aol.com
(FL) (United
States)
2006 Ford Mustang GT
convertible
Brown/tan mohair. 28,568
miles. L head six 217-ci,
3-speed manual. Outstanding
original condition with 28,568
miles from new. May be the
finest example extant; one repaint
in 1975. Will be welcome
in preservation class. Gooding
Scottsdale sale Jan 13. Contact
John, Ramshead Collection
Inc., 916.952.1678, Email:
RamsheadJW@aol.com (CA)
1967 Plymouth Barracuda
Resto-Mod 2-dr hardtop
VIN: 5R08C129269. Rangoon
Red/red. 86,861 miles. 289 Ccode
V8, Automatic. Absolutely
gorgeous! Early production (August
18) 1965 289 C-code Mustang
at San Jose plant. Original
Rangoon Red with a red interior.
Runs and drives great and
is ready to cruise or to show.
$27,500. Contact Andrew,
816.984.3070, Email: 3ltvette@
gmail.com Web: https://picasaweb.google.com/3ltvette/1965M
ustangPictures?authkey=Gv1s
RgCL3f-5PTmf2FEA (MO)
1969 Shelby GT350
convertible
puter w/programmer, stainless
headers and exhaust, battery
saver, post gauges, never seen
snow, never raced, $2,000
wheels, 500 hp $22,995 OBO.
Contact James, 260.672.1616,
Email: jjolroanoke@gmail.com
(IN)
MOPAR
1934 Dodge 5-window
coupe
Human Horsepower, These
are examples of the 16 cars
produced the first year of Hot
Wheels (1968). All of the cars
are real authentic Redline Hot
Wheels. There are some great
colors here and some highly
sought-after cars. It comes with
an original 1968 12-car rally
case. $450 OBO. Contact Stan,
Email: bighifive@sbcglobal.net
(TX)
CANADIAN
1975 Bricklin SV-1 gullwing
$130,000 OBO. Contact Lester,
918.481.0227, Email: gtvalfa@
sbcglobal.net (OK)
AMERICANA
1968 Hot Wheels Sweet 16
Die Cast
VIN: D7FH201167. Blue/Shell
White. 23,583 miles. 321-ci V8,
Auto. Car recently went through
a partial restoration (new paint,
weatherstripping, rechrome
bumpers, a/c, brakes and rear
trunk upholstery). Vehicle had
a full restoration done back in
the ’90s. Does come with an
aftermarket top, original fender
skirts and is mec $34,999 OBO.
Contact Patrick, 832.797.1564,
Email: pjdittrich@yahoo.com
(TX)
1965 Ford Mustang
convertible
VIN: 1ZVFT82H175233902.
Red/gray. 42,000 miles. V8,
5-speed Hurst. Roush package
$20,000, programmable com-
VIN: 1ZVFT85H565112803.
Yellow/black. 63,000 miles. V8,
Automatic. 500 Audio System,
V8, rear spoiler, super-clean
car with lots of power. Please
call for a list of new items installed!
$17,900. Contact Ryan,
360.910.6809, Email: sales.
cclt@comcast.net Web: 360autorestorations.com/Page_5.html
(WA)
2007 Ford Mustang GT
coupe
VIN: BH23E72247620. Proprietary
Purple, accented with
Blackberry Prism/black. 700
miles. 528-ci Hemi, Automatic.
One-of-a-kind rotisserie restoration,
everything new and
expensive. Approximately
700 miles. Keith Black allaluminum
528-ci street Hemi,
dynoed at 480-hp. Keisler
Engineering Stage 3 4-speed
automatic. Custom suspension.
VIN: 1144. Green acrylic/tan.
27,000 miles. 351 Windsor,
Auto. All-original acrylic, nonpainted
rare green SV1 Bricklin
gullwing. Low miles, loaded,
museum piece. Typical acrylic
body wear. New correct tires.
Runs great, doors have remote
system. $17,500 OBO. Contact
Steve, 217.741.8781, Email:
sgvette@aol.com (IL) A
WHAT’S YOUR CAR
WORTH? FIND OUT AT
NOW FREE! The world’s largest collector
car price guide based on
over 500,000 sold transactions
from
.
Updated weekly.
www.collectorcarpricetracker.com
January-February 2013 111
Page 110
RESOURCE DIRECTORY
Put your company in the ACC Resource Directory. Call 877.219.2605 Ext. 211,
or email advert@americancarcollector.com
Auction Companies
Auctions America by RM.
877.906.2437, 5540 CR llA
Auburn, IN 46706. Home of the
480-acre Auction Park in Auburn,
IN, where the annual Labor Day
Auction is held in conjunction with
the Auburn Cord Duesenberg
Festival.
www.auctionsamerica.com. (IN)
Mecum Auctions. 262.275.5050,
445 South Main Street, Walworth,
WI 53184. Auctions: Anaheim,
Kissimmee, Kansas City, Houston,
Walworth, Indianapolis, St. Paul,
Bloomington Gold, Des Moines,
Monterey, Dallas, Chicago.
Nobody Sells More Muscle Than
Mecum. Nobody. www.mecumauction.com.
(WI)
Russo and Steele Collector
Automobiles. 602.252.2697,
602.252.6260. 5230 South 39th
Street, Phoenix, AZ 85040. info@
russoandsteele.com; www.russoandsteele.com.
(AZ)
Silver Auctions. 800.255.4485,
2020 N. Monroe, Spokane, WA
99205. silver@silverauctions.com.
www.silverauctions.com. (WA)
Worldwide Auctioneers.
866.273.6394. Established by
John Kruse and Rod C. Egan, The
Worldwide Group—Auctioneers,
Appraisers and Brokers—is one
of the world’s premier auction
houses, specializing in the procurement
and sale of the world’s
finest automobiles and vintage
watercraft. www.worldwideauctioneers.com.
(IN)
Corvette Parts &
Restoration
County Corvette. 610.696.7888.
Sales, service, parts and restoration.
When it must be right.
www.countycorvette.com. (PA)
Mid America Motorworks.
800.500.1500. America’s leader in
1953-2008 Corvette parts and accessories.
Request a free catalog
at www.mamotorworks.com. (IL)
AutoBahn Power. Performance
+ Looks + Durability + Comfort
= Autobahn Power! Autobahn
Power is a veteran of vehicle
modifications, parts and accessories.
Our specialty has been to
carry products that are better than
original equipment in performance,
safety and quality. Our warehouse,
service shop and retail store are
located in the Midwest for good
access to all parts of the USA. We
have completed literally hundreds
of project cars. These performance
vehicles are in enthusiasts’
hands across the USA. Many of
the cars are in daily use, proving
the durability of our workmanship
and products. Check us out at
www.autobahnpower.com.
Classic Car Transport
Intercity Lines, Inc.
800.221.3936, 413.436.9422.
Rapid, hassle-free, coast-tocoast
service. Insured enclosed
transport for your valuable car at
affordable prices. State-of-theart
satellite transport tracking.
Complete service for vintage
races, auctions, relocations.
www.intercitylines.com. (MA)
Insurance
includes no mileage restrictions
and special pricing for large
schedules. For more information,
contact us at 1(866)CAR-9648 or
www.chubbcollectorcar.com.
Hagerty Collector Car
Insurance. 800.922.4050.
Collector cars aren’t like their latemodel
counterparts. These classics
actually appreciate in value,
so standard market policies that
cost significantly more won’t do
the job. We’ll agree on a fair value
and cover you for the full amount.
No prorated claims, no hassles, no
games. www.hagerty.com. (MI)
Corvettes for Sale
Corvette Central. Parts and
accessories for all Corvettes.
Corvette Central has been a leading
manufacturer and distributor
of Corvette parts and accessories
since 1975. We offer the most
comprehensive and detailed parts
catalogs on the market today
and produce a different catalog
for each Corvette generation. All
catalogs are also online with full
search and order features. From
Advertisers Index
Chubb Collector Car Insurance.
1.866.CAR.9648, The Chubb
Collector Car Insurance program
provides flexibility by allowing you
to choose the agreed value and
restoration shop. Broad coverage
American Car Collector ..............40, 109
ANPAC ...............................................11
Auctions America ...............................13
Barrett-Jackson ..................................15
Bloomington Gold ..............................63
Blue Bars ............................................99
Bonhams/SF .......................................17
Camaro Central ..................................85
Carlisle Events ....................................77
CarPoolTables.com ..........................103
Charlotte AutoFair ..............................93
Chubb Personal Insurance .................19
Classic Motorcar Auctions ...............101
Collector Car Price Tracker ..............111
Contemporary Corvette ....................113
Cornhusker Sign .................................79
Corvette America ................................69
Corvette Market Insider’s Seminar .....40
Corvette Repair Inc. ...........................75
Corvette Specialties ...........................99
CorvettePartsOnline.com .................100
County Corvette ................................2-3
Dealer Accelerate ...............................87
Firebird Central ...................................85
Grundy Worldwide ..............................27
Infinity Insurance Companies ...........116
Iowa Auto Outlet ................................4-5
JC Taylor ............................................65
112 AmericanCarCollector.com
Jim Meyer Racing Products Inc. ........99
L.A. Prep .............................................73
Law Offices of Bruce Shaw LLC ........71
Leake Auction Company ....................35
Long Island Corvette Supply Inc ......105
Lutty’s Chevy Warehouse ..................97
Mac Neil Automotive Products Ltd ..105
Matick Chevrolet ..............................112
Michael Irvine Studios ............9, 25, 115
Mid America Motorworks ...................23
Motorcar Portfolio ............................101
Palm Springs Exotic Car Auctions .....67
Paramount Classic Cars .....................89
Passport Transport .............................81
Petersen Collector Car Auction ........113
ProjxAuto/ZTAFirebird ........................95
Putnam Leasing ..................................41
Reliable Carriers .................................61
Rick Treworgy’s Muscle Car City .......37
Russo & Steele LLC............................31
Silver Collector Car Auctions .............33
Summit Racing Equipment .................21
The Chevy Store Inc ...........................97
Thomas C Sunday Inc ......................109
Tom Mack Classics ..........................103
Truespoke Wire Wheel .......................83
Wall Words .......................................113
Zip Products .......................................43
Blue Flame 6 to the new C6, only
Corvette Central has it all.
www.corvettecentral.com. (MI)
County Corvette. 610.696.7888.
The most modern and bestequipped
Corvette-only facility in
the nation. www.countycorvette.
com. (PA)
The Chevy Store. At The Chevy
Store, you will find only the
highest-grade, investment-quality
Corvette and specialty Chevrolet
automobiles. We take pride in
providing our clients with the finest
selection anywhere. Offering
investment quality corvettes and
Chevrolets for over 30 years!
503.256.5384 (p) 503.256.4767 (f)
www.thechevystore.com. (OR)
Museums
National Corvette Museum. 80053-VETTE.
The National Corvette
Museum in Bowling Green, KY
was established as a 501(c)3 notfor-profit
foundation with a mission
of celebrating the invention of the
Corvette and preserving its past,
present and future. www.corvettemuseum.com.
(KY) A
Page 112
Surfing Around
Carl Bomstead
Automobilia on eBay
Carl’s thought: A Bible that was given to Elvis Presley during his first Christmas at Graceland recently sold at an auction in England for
$94,600. Throughout the Bible, Elvis had written his thoughts and comments, which added to the value. Proving that the world has not gone
totally wacky, a pair of his unwashed and soiled underwear worn under his famed white jumpsuit during a concert in 1977 failed to sell when
the approximately $10,000 reserve was not met.
You never really know what you might find at auction, or how any given item will do once it hits the spotlight. Here are a few other eBay
items that grabbed my interest recently:
EBAY #290705644703—
CARTER CARBURETOR
GLASS GLOBE. Number of
bids: 9. SOLD AT: $371.78. Date
sold: 5/10/2012. The seller of this
Carter glass globe had no idea
what a treasure he was offering.
He mumbled that it did not go on
a gas pump but that it might have
been a display piece in a hot-rod
shop. The globe actually went on
the top of an elaborate Carter Carburetor display that showed three
different carburetors. The display is being reproduced, but without
the globe, so it was well worth twice the price paid here to a collector
looking to complete his display.
WM. MORFORD AUCTIONS
LOT 40—ONE-GALLON CONOCO
HARVESTER OIL CAN.
SOLD AT: $2,530. Date sold:
10/26/2012. The Conoco Minuteman
logo was used by the Continental
Oil Company on cans and
signs until 1929, when they were
acquired by Marland Oil. Their
early items are very desirable and
this can, which was in good condition,
sold for the going rate.
EBAY #22110380977—1941
N.O.S. PEPSI-COLA LICENSE
PLATE ATTACHMENT. Number
of bids: 19. SOLD AT: $406.01.
Date sold: 8/19/2012. In 1951,
Pepsi-Cola changed from double
dots between Pepsi and Cola
to a single dot, making it easier
to date Pepsi collectibles. This
license plate topper had the double
dots, but was also dated 1941 on the piece itself. It had never
been used and had very minor age and paper marks. Sold for a fair
price considering its condition.
EBAY #251158999857—UNITED
MOTORS SERVICE NEON
SIGN. Number of bids: 31.
SOLD AT: $4,716.66. Date sold:
10/3/2012. United Motors Service
was founded in 1916 and was
acquired by GM in 1918. In 1971
114 AmericanCarCollector.com
they changed their name to United Delco. This was the smaller
24-inch version of this popular oval porcelain and neon sign. It hung
in a shop window or could be used as a countertop display. It was in
exceptional condition, and if anything, it sold for under the money.
EBAY #200799999433—
FRANKLIN MINT 1967
CORVETTE L88 CONNOISSEURS
SERIES. Number
of bids: 40. SOLD AT: $651.
Date sold: 8/5/2012. This
1:12 scale L88 received a lot
of attention, with 40 bids, and sold at a premium even though it was
from their Connoisseurs Series with an issue price of $495. This
highly detailed, extremely realistic model had working lights, and the
windows even rolled up and down. The L88 was, as Corvette folks
are aware, the 427/430 big block, and only 20 were produced in
1967. Chances of owning the real thing are slim, so for $650, here’s
the next best thing.
EBAY #300784136552—
EVEL KNIEVEL SHOW OF
STARS AUTOGRAPHED
PROGRAM, TICKETS AND
PHOTOGRAPHS. Number
of bids: 49. SOLD AT: $610.
Date sold: 9/30/2012. The
program was from Evel
Knievel’s 1967 Ascot Park,
CA, show and had several
of his autographs, as well
as others that were part of
his Show of Stars. It also included two unused tickets to Knievel’s
Motorcycle Dare Devils show at the Hollywood Bowl and a number
of autographed photographs. A real treasure trove of Evel Knievel
memorabilia, especially if you are old enough to remember his
exploits.
EBAY#181017775885—
ECLIPSE BRAKE LINING
LIGHT-UP COUNTER
DISPLAY. Number of Bids:
Buy-It-Now. SOLD AT: $500.
Date Sold: 11/4/2012. This
colorful counter display was
back-lit, and the glass was
not cracked or damaged,
although the metal frame could use a little attention. It was about 15
inches in length and in good working order. Cute as heck, and price
paid was certainly fair.A